Articles by Carl Velasco
Microsoft Announces Xbox Live Creators Program: Everyone Can Now Make Games For Xbox One, PC
Microsoft is shortening the publishing process to a whole of bunch of developers-to-be out there. It has officially announced the Xbox Live Creators Program, through which anyone can build and publish games on Xbox One and PC.
Nintendo Shows How 'Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild' Started As An 8-Bit Prototype
The first open world 'Zelda' game ever, 'Breath of the Wild,' started out as an 8-bit prototype, three Nintendo developers revealed. The prototype was used to test out open world elements, such chopping down trees, or setting grass on fire.
Want Hi-Fi And Lossless Audio Playback On Spotify? You Have To Pay More
Spotify’s new Hi-Fi audio plan has made the rounds, offering lossless quality streaming for $5 to $10 on top of the regular subscription fee. If rolled out, it’s poised to rival Tidal’s lossless audio feature.
FCC Chair Calls Net Neutrality ‘A Mistake,’ Commits To Lighter Style Of Regulation Moving Forward
FCC Chair Ajit Pai has made comments about net neutrality rules that might have suggested such a concept will be over soon. Pai has announced that the commission will uphold a 'light-touch' regulation.
Google Launches ‘Meet,’ A Version Of Hangouts For Business Professionals And Enterprises
Google appears to be gearing up for another videoconferencing app called Meet, geared for business and enterprise users. What happens to Duo and Hangouts remains to be seen.
Uber’s CEO Travis Kalanick Caught On Video In A Heated Exchange With Driver
It’s another bad day for Uber. Travis Kalanick, Uber’s CEO, has been caught on video engaging in an argument with an Uber driver about the company’s decisions that are hurting its drivers.
YouTube Takes On Netflix, Hulu, And Other Streaming Services: Launches On-Demand Service For $35 A Month
YouTube has officially announced plans to launch YouTube TV, its own $35-a-month video-on-demand service. It’ll launch on major U.S. markets in the coming months, with plans to expand to more cities across the country.
Nindies Showcase: Over 60 Indie Games Hitting Nintendo Switch, Includes ‘Stardew Valley,’ ‘Yooka-Laylee,’ And More
Nintendo has confirmed that over 60 indie titles are headed to the Switch, confirming staunch third-party support for the system. The hybrid console launches March 3.
WATCH: CNET Gets Flak For Nintendo Switch Kickstand Test: See For Yourself
Furious internet denizens have taken aim at CNET’s recent demonstration video about the Switch’s purportedly unstable kickstand, calling it a desperate attack. Others were more lax about it, though still damningly sarcastic.
MediaTek’s 10-Core Chip Helio X30 To Hit Smartphones By Q2 2017
MediaTek has now confirmed that mass production of its Helio X30 chips has begun. The 10-nanometer 10-core chips will hit smartphones by Q2 2017.
Amazon Working On Alexa Voice Recognition Technology That Can Tell Different Voices Apart
Amazon is reportedly working on an advanced voice-recognition technology that’ll allow Alexa to tell different voices apart using what’s reportedly called a Voice ID. Sources have said that development for the feature began back in 2015.
Uber Executive Told To Resign Over Undisclosed Sexual Harassment Allegations During Stint At Google
Uber has asked its senior VP of engineering to resign over undisclosed sexual harassment claims made during his former post at Google. The resignation comes at a time during the company’s headfirst dive into sexist workplace controversies.
Mozilla Acquires Bookmarking Tool Pocket After Starting Out As A Firefox Extension Years Ago
Mozilla has now officially bought Pocket, a bookmarking tool with 10 million monthly users. The company will reportedly use leverage Pocket in its recommendation tool endeavor.
Motorola Unveils Next Wave Of Moto Mods, Includes Battery Pack, Gamepad, Amazon Alexa Accessory, And More
Motorola has unveiled the next slew of Moto Mods, its own line of modular accessories, for 2017. It also introduced possible Moto Mods concepts, including a photo printer, a multi-sim adapter, and more.
Samsung Unveils Updated Gear VR Headset, Comes Bundled With A Controller
Samsung has just unveiled an updated Gear VR headset that comes with its own Oculus-powered controller. Oculus confirmed that over 70 titles are currently being developed to support the new controller.
Huawei Unveils ‘Tether-Free’ Watch 2 And Watch 2 Classic: Here’s Everything You Need To Know
After bouts of rumors, Huawei has just made the Watch 2 official, complete with LTE, NFC, built-in speakers, Android Wear 2.0, and more. The wearables will be available starting March.
The New BlackBerry KeyOne Carries The Herculean Task Of Reviving The Brand: Can It?
TCL has now unveiled the newest keyboard-bearing BlackBerry phone, the KeyOne, leaving it the gargantuan task of reinvigorating the brand after its protracted drought. But with the price, can it achieve so?
Lenovo Makes Moto G5 And G5 Plus Official: Here Are The Differences
Lenovo has now unveiled the next midrange Moto handsets, the G5 and G5 Plus, rocking near-premium features for a price that won’t break one’s bank. Here are the main differences between the two devices.
At Last, Google Makes Assistant Available To Nougat And Marshmallow Phones: Here’s When You’ll Get It
Google has confirmed that Assistant will soon be available to other devices, provided they’re running either Android Nougat or Marshmallow. Expect it to arrive this week.
'The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild' Nabs Perfect Score From Edge Magazine
Edge magazine, which rarely ever gives perfect scores, has given 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' exactly that, praising the game’s immersive open world. The title arrives March 3 for the Nintendo Switch and the Wii U.
How 'The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild' Steps Away From 'Zelda' Traditions
Nintendo’s latest 'Zelda' adventure, 'Breath of the Wild,' borrows 'Zelda' traditions aplenty. There are, however, plenty of opportunities where Nintendo relaxed and steered slightly away from the classic 'Zelda' format.
Here’s How Long You Can Play The Nintendo Switch Undocked At Max Settings
Real-world Nintendo Switch tests have now surfaced, confirming that the system outputs 2.5 hours of gameplay on a single charge. But that’s not the interesting part.
Remember Spaces, The Group Messaging And Content Sharing App? Well, Google Is Shutting It Down
Google has now confirmed that its group-based messaging platform, Spaces, will officially shut down on April 17. Those who used the service prior may save their content before the date.
FCC Chair Moves To Halt Broadband Privacy And Data Protection Rules Passed In October
The FCC plans to halt the implementation of a data security rule that compels ISPs to protect consumer data. Ajit Pai, current FCC chairman, plants to prevent the data security obligations from taking effect on March 2.
Apple Now Investigating iPhone 7 Plus That ‘Blew Up’
Apple has now confirmed that it’s looking into one woman’s case of an exploding iPhone 7 Plus. Speculation regarding a potential Note 7-level fiasco run rampant, although no evidence is there to support such claims.
Apple, Google, And More Protest Against Trump Revoking Protection For Transgender Students
Major tech companies have now officially expressed dismay over Trump’s reversal of a policy meant to protect transgender students. This becomes among many of Trump’s decisions as president that Silicon Valley has spoken out against.
The Hardlight VR Suit Is A $449 Haptic Vest That Will Let You ‘Feel’ VR
Meet the Hardlight VR Suit, a vest device replete with vibration pads that’ll make for more immersive VR experiences. If it succeeds funding, the suit will arrive by September.
There Are Now 10,000 Skills For Amazon Echo, But Do You Need It?
Amazon has now officially confirmed that there are over 10,000 Alexa skills for Echo, its smart speaker. But that number, however impressive, presents challenges that might preclude the public from fully tapping into the smart speaker range.
Fighting The Good Fight: Google Donates $11.5 Million To Bolster Racial Equality And Justice Causes
Google has announced its commitment to bolster racial equity in the country’s criminal justice system, believing that data can be part of that step forward. It’s donating $11.5 million for the cause, significantly larger than its previous efforts.
Nintendo Switch First Impressions Suggest Problematic Joy-Con Connectivity Issue: Will A Day One Patch Fix It?
Early impressions for the Nintendo Switch have now surfaced, with the console being put in high regard, except for one particularly concerning issue. A number of reviewers are seemingly reporting reliability issues with the left Joy-Con.
