News

Nokia launches first post-Microsoft era phones

Published

December 14, 2016

Marvin Velasco

HMD Global’s acquisition of Nokia is now in full swing with the release of the Finnish company’s first truly Microsoft-free phones, the Nokia 150 and 150 Dual SIM.

While they aren’t anything like the Android smartphones we’ll be seeing at MWC next year, these two feature handsets are perfect throwbacks to what made Nokia so great.

Durable and affordable, the pair of phones maintain the same qualities its predecessors — the Nokia 105, Nokia 216, and Nokia 230 — used in becoming commercial successes in budget-conscious markets.

With a starting price of only $26, they’re also ideal secondary phones to whatever you’re using now. HMD Global claims these have “outstanding battery lives,” which would work well with the built-in FM radio and MP3 player.

You may find the 2.4-inch color display tiny by today’s standards, but you’ll have a decent VGA camera at the back with an LED flash for taking quick, less important snaps. (No front-facing camera, unfortunately.)

And, in true Nokia fashion, the phones come with Snake Xenzia pre-installed. You can also play Nitro Racing straight out of the box, but it’s a trial version you’re forced to pay for if you want the full game.

The only fault is the lack of 3G connectivity, but you get Bluetooth, a microSD slot, and 3.5mm audio jack instead.

The Nokia 150 and Nokia 150 Dual SIM will be available in either black or white in the first quarter of 2017. Asian, African, and European markets will be the first to get a taste of these feature phones.

Source: Nokia

Gaming

Zelda sequel Tears of the Kingdom has a release date

Priced at $70

Published

February 9, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Barely more than a month into the new year, 2023 already looks like a phenomenal year for gamers. A lot of upcoming games are looking like exciting additions to everyone’s to-play list. Though we already knew the title is coming this year, Nintendo officially announced the release date of Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

After revealing a flurry of games, Nintendo capped off their recent Direct with the fresh trailer of the upcoming sequel to Breath of the Wild. As was showcased in previous teasers and trailers, Tears of the Kingdom is a much darker vision set in the same world as Breath of the Wild. Ganon (or what looks like a zombified version of the villain) is back to terrorize Hyrule. This time, however, the iconic villain has a voice!

Plus, Tears of the Kingdom adds a lot of verticality by introducing floating terrain and more aerial movement. While the world looks similar to Breath of the Wild, the sequel still has a lot to show players.

Finally, the trailer caps off with the release date. Tears of the Kingdom will launch on May 12. Preorders have already begun for the title. Additionally, dedicated fans can also get a Collector’s Edition which includes a SteelBook, a poster, an art book, and a pin set. The release also coincides with the launch of a new Amiibo to commemorate the launch.

Priced a bit higher, Tears of the Kingdom will sell for US$ 69.99.

Gaming

Nintendo adds Game Boy titles to Switch Online

And Game Boy Advance

Published

February 9, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Nintendo Switch Online is the gift that keeps on giving. More than giving players the ability to play online, the subscription service also offers subscribers a gallery of classic games from bygone eras. The feature remains one of the most convenient ways to play old titles from the NES and the N64. Now, the service is adding Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles.

Announced during the most recent Direct, Nintendo has announced that several titles from the Game Boy and the Game Boy Advance are now playable through the subscription service. While all subscribers will have access to the Game Boy titles, Game Boy Advance titles will come only with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscriptions.

The starting lineup of Game Boy titles include Tetris, the original Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX and Kirby’s Dream Land. Meanwhile, Game Boy Advance titles will include Super Mario Bros. 3, Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, and WarioWare, Inc: Mega Microgame$. Games included will come with local and online multiplayer, if applicable.

Nintendo will continue to add more titles to the roster throughout the year. Since the Game Boy generation is one of the company’s biggest, expect a ton of announcements as the roster fills up. (We’re still holding out hope for the classic Pokémon games.)

Apps

Twitter expands character limit to 4,000 characters

But not for everyone

Published

February 9, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Despite the traditional limitations, the platform’s users have always found a way to express themselves beyond Twitter’s character limits. Whether broken through extensive threads or third-party sites, strict limitations don’t exist anymore. Now, Twitter is essentially getting rid of the character limit by introducing its biggest expansion to date.

Announced today, Twitter will allow users to post tweets with up to 4,000 characters. That’s a gigantic leap from the original 140-character limit and the expanded 280-character limit in 2017. But, of course, some good things come with a price.

need more than 280 characters to express yourself?

we know that lots of you do… and while we love a good thread, sometimes you just want to Tweet everything all at once. we get that.

so we're introducing longer Tweets! you're gonna want to check this out. tap this 👉… https://t.co/lge9udRzLE

— Twitter Blue (@TwitterBlue) February 8, 2023

Not everyone will have access to the new feature. Currently, only Twitter Blue subscribers in the United States can create tweets of up to 4,000 characters. Besides original tweets, subscribers can also quote tweet with the same expanded limit.

Thankfully, the new feature will not inundate everyone’s feeds with an ocean of text. Any tweets going beyond 280 characters will be cut off with a “show more” prompt.

Through the past few months, the platform has changed a few fundamental elements before Musk took over. Most importantly, Twitter Blue, the platform’s paid subscription service is now much more expansive. Among other things, subscribers now get the coveted blue checkmark attached to their profiles. Now, they also get a massive boost in capabilities when it comes to tweeting.