A new German law passed yesterday requires Apple to allow other mobile payments services access to the iPhone’s NFC chip for payments to allow them to fully compete with Apple Pay.
Apple initially completely locked down the NFC chip so that it could be used only by Apple Pay. It later allowed some third-party apps to use the chip but has always refused to do so for other mobile payment…
'Fortnite' will let you play as a stormtrooper
November 15, 2019
Jedi: Fallen Order has received pretty decent reviews, but it’s arrival is actually good news for Fortnite fans, too. Why, do you ask? Because it comes with a slick new Star Wars stormtrooper cosmetic skin available in Fortnite‘s store or for free if you…
AirFly Pro can stream Bluetooth audio to and from any 3.5mm jack
November 15, 2019
The advantage of switching to wireless headphones is not having to worry about cords getting tangled up and tugging uncomfortably at your ears. The downside, however, is that there are still plenty of devices out in the world which only output audio through a 3.5mm jack.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is out now on Steam and consoles. But it’s also coming to the Epic Games Store. This announcement comes as part of a surprise Fortnite event that brings the Star Wars universe to Epic’s battle royale shooter.
Around the time that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order launched, a Star Destroyer ship from Star Wars appeared in the sky over Fortnite’s map. It’s unclear if…
Antitrust investigation of Google reportedly expands to Android
November 15, 2019
Tonight CNBC reports that an ongoing antitrust investigation of Google undertaken by 50 attorneys general is expanding. While it started by looking into Google’s advertising business, it has apparently, as expected, expanded its scope to include search and the Android…
Immortals Gaming Club sells its Houston Outlaws Overwatch team to Beasley Media Group
November 15, 2019
Los Angeles-based Immortals Gaming Club said it has sold its Houston Outlaws Overwatch League franchise team to the multi-platform media company Beasley Media Group.
The financial details were not disclosed. But I hear that these franchises are now being sold for $40…
Call of Duty and Outer Worlds deliver solid month
November 15, 2019
Consumer spending on video games was not as bleak as it looks on the page. Gaming fans in the United States spent $1.03 billion on hardware, new full game software, and accessories, according to industry-tracking firm The NPD Group. While this is down 34% from last October, 2018 was an outlier due to the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 and four weeks of Call of Duty sales.
October 2019 was…
Microsoft is adding 10 'Final Fantasy' games to Xbox Game Pass
November 14, 2019
Earlier today, Microsoft announced that it’s adding more than 50 new games to Xbox Game Pass — as well as giving three sweet freebies if you sign up for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. By any measure, that’s a lot of games, but it’s an especially exciting crop if you’re…
Apple is leaning on a close ally of Donald Trump to help it avoid tariffs on iPhone parts and other products. A lobbying registration form first discovered by CNBC indicates that Apple has hired Jeffery Miller to lobby on its behalf in Washington.
According to the document…
Google antitrust probe into search and Android businesses
November 14, 2019
The 50 attorneys general investigating Google for potential antitrust violations are expected to expand their probe and examine the company’s Android and search businesses, not just its advertising practices, CNBC reported on Thursday.
Last September, nearly every attorney general in the United States announced that they would take part in an antitrust investigation of Google led by…
