News
Android announces support for Foldables, a new smartphone form factor
2019 is going to be interesting
Shortly before Samsung’s big event, Android Developers already let the cat out of the bag with the announcement of a new form factor: Foldables.
It refers to smartphones that can turn from a tablet into a pocketable smartphone and vice versa. It’s something that’s been in the pipeline for ages, but it’s only with this official post and Samsung’s prototype that we can finally say that the new form factor is truly real.
We just announced support for foldables at #AndroidDevSummit, a new form factor coming next year from Android partners.
Android apps run seamlessly as the device folds, achieving this form factor’s chief feature: screen continuity. pic.twitter.com/NAfOmCOY26
— Android Developers (@AndroidDev) November 7, 2018
Android’s developer team says that its partners will begin releasing products with this new design beginning next year, which means even Samsung’s newly unveiled Foldable won’t see the light of consumer day by the end of this year.
There’ll be two types: two-screen devices and one-screen devices. Something called “screen continuity” seems to be the focus here, wherein going from one form to another doesn’t interrupt the viewing experience.
Android will be working hand in hand with manufacturers to make this dream a reality. We don’t know yet if this will actually to appeal to end users, but we’re always open to new possibilities, especially since we’ve been following the same form factor which the original iPhone started over a decade ago.
Over the weekend, a report emerged about Disney+ allegedly considering a new tier offered to users for absolutely free. Apparently, Disney isn’t the only one. Netflix is now resurrecting its free trial program in select countries.
Back in the day, it was easy to get into Netflix. With a 30-day free trial, you can watch the shows you’ve always wanted to catch. If you liked what you saw, you can pay the monthly fee to access the entire library without constraints. Eventually, the platform got rid of this system to favor a cheaper ad-supported tier.
Perhaps not seeing the benefits of ad-supported tiers, Netflix has suddenly resurrected its free trial program. Spotted online (via Android Authority), some countries, including Brazil and India, are experimenting with the program again. New users can get 30 days of free Netflix access.
Because only regular users are spotting this (rather than an official announcement), we don’t have a list of where the free trials are available.
Still, it’s an interesting move. Cable isn’t a thing anymore so “cutting the cable” isn’t a popular phrase anymore, but people are definitely cancelling subscriptions over rising prices. Some even rely on short clips from YouTube to catch up with their shows. Having a free trial opens up more possibilities for users, but it remains to be seen whether it’s enough for users to return to Netflix.
SEE ALSO: Netflix expands its cheaper ad-supported tier to Southeast Asia
In a world disappointingly obsessed with increasing prices beyond our means, Disney+ has miraculously remembered the phrase, “free sample.” According to a report, the streaming platform is considering making a free subscription tier.
As of late, it’s been difficult to maintain a healthy collection of streaming services. When you have to pay the equivalent of a full-course meal every month for just a single platform, you start to evaluate which ones really matter.
Perhaps feeling the sting of users leaving the platform over pricing, Disney+ is reportedly experimenting with a tier that comes at no cost to users (via Business Insider). According to two sources, adding such a tier might help the platform reach customers more.
Now, it’s still a mystery how this tier might work. Disney+ already offers an ad-supported tier, so it’s unlikely to be another one like that.
One possibility is a heavily curated feed of content either designed specifically for free users or limited exactly to give users a free sample. For the latter, think of the limited content you get on a plane. Sure, you might get the first three episodes of The Mandalorian, but you’ll have to fork over cash if you want to see the rest of the story.
And for the former, you can imagine short-form content available for free. Going back to Star Wars, you might see a short anthology series like Star Wars: Visions.
Either way, it’s an interesting concept. If the tier does offer full content, it’s a great way to get into franchises you were thinking of trying without the need to spend for a taste.
Gaming
Microsoft dictates that a new Fallout game is coming
Microsoft cancelled an Avowed sequel to focus on Fallout.
Bethesda used to be a bastion for RPG experiences. Today, however, the company prefers living off its older properties such as Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76. For a while now, the question has been: When will Bethesda release a new game in either of their two biggest franchises? Well, according to a report, a new Fallout game might be coming soon.
As of late, Microsoft has been restructuring its studios. In fact, the company might shut down the studio behind the Dishonored series and the upcoming game based on Marvel’s Blade. Now, as part of that reshuffling (via Bloomberg), Obsidian Entertainment has been told to cancel a sequel to Avowed and focus on a new Fallout game.
It’s a huge change. Microsoft has notably stayed away from its more popular franchises for a while now. The latest Fallout game is still Fallout 76. The latest Elder Scrolls game has been in development for a long, long time now. Only DOOM, via last year’s The Dark Ages, got a new title recently.
To be clear, it’s unknown whether we’re getting the true Fallout 5 or another iteration of the online 76. If it’s really the fifth mainline entry in the franchise, it’s coming at a very opportune time. The franchise is currently on a high, riding the popularity of the TV series of the same name. Fans will surely enjoy a follow-up.
To fuel things further, Josh Sawyer, the director behind the universally lauded New Vegas, is reportedly spearheading the production of the new game.
SEE ALSO: Fallout on Prime Video: What inspired producers to create series
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