News

Apple confirms WWDC 2023

Online event confirmed

Published

March 30, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Apple’s WWDC 2023 has received its much awaited go signal. Apple has confirmed that the Worldwide Developers Conference will run from June 5 through 9.

Once again, the upcoming conference will hold its presentations in an online format. However, invitees can participate in an in-person launch at Apple Park when the conference opens.

As always, the annual WWDC promises to be an exciting one for Apple. Historically, the company launches the next major update for its lineup of operating systems. Last year, for example, saw the launch of the widely successful iOS 16.

While it’s still too early to tell what Apple has in store for the world, it will likely build on the momentum brought by last year’s event. That said, there is some speculation that this year might focus on unannounced hardware.

Over the past few months, several rumors have pegged a potential announcement for Apple’s latest urban legend, the mysterious mixed-reality headset. Some have even penciled WWDC 2023 as a launch date. Fueling this speculation, a few are saying that the invite’s main graphic — six rainbow-colored arches — are the top half of an eye, potentially hinting at a headset.

Thankfully, the wait won’t be long. It’s only a little more than two months before the event.

Gaming

ROG Ally greatly improves with new update

Days before official launch

Published

June 7, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

The ROG Ally has some hefty shoes to fill. Touting an impressive slate of specs, the upcoming handheld console is one of the first true competitors to the dominating Steam Deck. Unfortunately, early reviews revealed a flawed comparison against Valve’s juggernaut of a console. Now, days ahead of its official launch, ASUS is releasing new firmware which drastically improves the console’s performance.

Getting down to the nitty gritty of things, the ROG Ally, in its unpatched version, lacked performance in low-wattage scenarios. Early reviewers found that the console could not keep up with the Steam Deck under such circumstances.

A new update, which started rolling out to early units, started catching up. According to YouTuber Dave2D, the update easily improves the console by 15 to 20 percent better than its initial release. First of all, it brings the ROG Ally almost at par with the Steam Deck in low-wattage scenarios. While the results aren’t as good as the latter device yet, it’s a much better performer compared to the former on day one. ASUS acknowledges that Valve really did its homework in low-wattage scenarios.

More notably, the update dramatically boosts the ROG Ally’s performance in higher wattages. The console is now close behind the Ayaneo 2S, a beefier alternative to the Steam Deck. Before the update, the ROG Ally could barely touch the Steam Deck, let alone the Ayaneo 2S.

ASUS also notes that the update should include improvements for the battery life. The lackluster battery has been a point of contention among all early users.

The ROG Ally is officially launching on June 13 and will start at US$ 699.99.

News

Xiaomi reportedly working on a clamshell phone

Says a new rumor

Published

June 7, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

In recent years, Motorola and Samsung have proved that the clamshell phone is more than just a resurrected fad. Both companies have developed solid lineups capable of becoming daily drivers. Now, others want to get into the market. Following the footsteps of its contemporaries, Xiaomi is reportedly developing a clamshell phone of its own.

Even before the unannounced clamshell phone, Xiaomi has some experience in the foldable market. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 was quite the impressive powerhouse when it launched last year. The foldable smartphone even bagged the title as the thinnest foldable at the time (before Huawei grabbed the title soon after).

Now, the Chinese company is seemingly tapping into the same lineup for a rumored clamshell phone. According to Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, the brand is indeed looking at an extremely light version of the vertically folding form factor.

Unfortunately, not much else is known about the upcoming device yet. However, Xiaomi’s supposed entry into the market shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, the brand’s competitors — Huawei and vivo — are already deep inside the clamshell segment. The latter, for example, just released the vivo X Flip, its first device in the vertically folding market. Expect things to heat up in the Chinese foldable market soon.

Gaming

Netflix will launch a Queen’s Gambit game in July

Summer lineup is looking strong

Published

June 7, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

The renaissance of chess is an interesting sight to behold. While there are a few reasons why the sport rose in popularity — such as the emergence of chess content creators on Twitch — there is one show that quickly catapulted chess into the limelight: The Queen’s Gambit. If you’re still a fan of the show, Netflix is launching a chess game based on the popular show.

The Queen’s Gambit Chess is the next step in the platform’s push towards mobile gaming. Back in 2021, Netflix announced its first forays into offering mobile games for its subscribers. Now, every Netflix subscriber has access to a library of games right on their app.

With The Queen’s Gambit Chess, Netflix is going back to its pool of notable franchises to tie into the gaming world. The platform previously did the same with other franchises like Stranger Things.

In the upcoming title, players will immerse themselves in the world of Beth Harmon. They can “take lessons, play puzzles and matches, or compete against friends.”

Netflix has not shown a lot of footage of the game yet. The announcement comes through a short video enumerating the titles it has on slate for this summer. This slate also includes Cut the Rope, Oxenfree, and the upcoming Oxenfree II: Lost Signals.

Queen’s Gambit Chess will launch on July 25.