Final Fantasy XV will benefit from a multiplayer expansion called Comrades

Final Fantasy XV started as a single-player game, but Square Enix has already began its transition into an online multiplayer. It’s going to do this with the help of an expansion, called Comrades. At the moment, the expansion benefits from a beta version, which has already been released for Xbox One and PS4.

• The Comrades beta version, the Final Fantasy XV expansion, is currently running as an online test.
• It allows you to customize your character and team up with three other players.
• Things should run smoothly, but Square Enix wants players to remember this is a test.

The beta version of Comrades lets you create your own character and design it as you like, and then make a team with three other people online. Although it’s only a beta at the moment, it still offers quite a lot of what will be kept in the full version, as we’ve heard.

Here’s what you can do or, more precisely, what you cannot do. You won’t level up, and you can access only a few locations, as well as a few weapons. It features a few quests, although not many, and there are some limitations regarding customization. However, Comrades still allows you to make your character as wacky as you like.

To try the beta version, you need the full game, as well as a season pass and membership to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold, depending on the console you own. When Comrades gets released as a full version, you will receive it for free. However, if you don’t own these, you will still be able to buy it.

The beta should be running until August 8^th, but Square Enix didn’t reveal any official launch date for the full version. However, they warned players that the date is not fixed, and it might change. Also, they wanted to make sure people know this is a test. Comrades beta should run as smoothly as possible, but there might still arise some problems, and players are kindly asked to be patient.

You can also wear a Chocobo outfit if you so choose pic.twitter.com/RAtPxU0RyZ

— Matthew Reynolds (@Crazyreyn) August 3, 2017

Image Source: Flickr

Many Apple devices were subjects to a critical vulnerability, so the company decided to fix that

All Apple owners should be careful, as their devices might have a vulnerability which leaves them available for hackers to attack. This vulnerability is present mostly among iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. Fortunately, Apple wants to keep its users safe, and has just released an update to fix these issues.

• Many Apple devices had a critical vulnerability and were exposed to attacks.
• Hackers could access the devices through Wi-Fi, and make them execute arbitrary code.
• Apple released an update to fix the problem.

The vulnerability in question is called Broadpwn. This leaves devices unprotected, and hackers might access them and make them execute random code. Devices are left exposed by their Wi-Fi chips from Broadcom, which are to be found in their processors.

The first to discover the bug was security researcher Nitay Artenstein, who works at Exodus Intelligence. This vulnerability was also assessed by the National Vulnerability Database, which rates its level of exposure. On the security scale, it scored 9.8 out of 10. This means its level is critical.

Artenstein spent a long time studying Broadpwn, to see how it works and how users can get protected against it. What is more worrying is the fact that hackers can operate it remotely, without no significant action performed by the users. Apart from Apple devices, other smartphone brands are likely to be affected by the same vulnerability. These brands include Nexus, LG, or HTC.

Apple acted immediately to solve the issue, and released a special patch. It is dubbed 10.3.3 on iOS, and 10.12.6 on Sierra. If you are not sure if the update was performed automatically, you go and check its status in Settings for iOS, and on the App Store for macOS. From there, you can install the update manually and receive protection against hackers.
Image Source: Flickr

Chinese users reported how WhatsApp failed to send photos and images

WhatsApp users from China fear they might soon not be able to use the app. They noticed how the service failed to send several pictures and videos but, when using a VPN server, the issues disappeared. This made them think that the problem wasn’t with the app itself, but rather with the government’s severe censorship.

• Chinese WhatsApp users have reported not being able to send photos or videos.
• Everything went back to normal if they used a VPN server.
• This means the app might be a new victim of the harsh censorship regime.

Chinese people fear that WhatsApp might soon be blocked in the country, as it doesn’t work when they are trying to send certain videos or images. They don’t blame it on WhatsApp, as the app works perfectly with a VPN connection. Instead, they suspect it might have become the latest victim of the government attempts to limit online content.

The baffled users have resorted to other social media apps, where they tweeted their confusion and wondered what could have happened with WhatsApp. Also, this is not the only censorship case. Weibo, China’s own version of Twitter, was also subjected to a similar monitorization.

Has #China blocked #whatsapp, or is it just a glitch? Can only access thru vpn since yesterday

— Jeremy Koh (@JeremyKohCNA) July 18, 2017

As expected, users are very upset of the situation, and are not happy about having to use a VPN connection every time they want to send a picture via WhatsApp. However, after several days of ‘blocking’, WhatsApp’s functionality seems to have returned, as many users reported everything was back to normal.

Facebook has already been highly censored in China, but WhatsApp managed to escape. Even so, it might be the next victim. Texts are, indeed, not affected by any block. However, if you try sending an image or a video, you either receive an error message or they appear as if they’re loading. The country is on a banning spree, and is trying to impose censorship on many means of communication.
Image Source: Pixabay

Ads will soon invade Facebook Messenger as well

You might have tried to run away from ads, but they keep appearing everywhere, invading our News Feeds and even our messages. In January, Facebook launched a beta test of advertisements included in the messaging app’s home screen. It seems the tests have been successful, since the company announced the feature would be rolling out globally.

• Facebook wants to incorporate ads in Messenger.
• After testing them at the beginning of the year, the company decided it will roll the feature out globally.
• Businesses will now have more chances to promote their products.

You must have already gotten used to the constantly changing interface of Messenger, and all the features it keeps including. Currently, the Messenger tabs show you the messages you have received, your friends’ shared days, or those who are online.

Soon, one more tab will be added to Messenger. Facebook will introduce ads in the messaging app as well. The advertisements will resemble those already present on the main platform’s News Feed, or those you can see on Instagram. Creators decided Messenger should be more user-friendly, and they thought ads would be a solution.

This feature brings great advantages for businesses, as they can now promote their products better. First of all, their ads will enter Messenger’s home screen, and will be more visible to potential customers. Also, if users message businesses, they will then be able to send them sponsored messages presenting their products.

Facebook announced this feature should roll out by the end of the year. Initially, there will be quite a limited collection of ads. Then, they will gradually include more options, and users will see varied categories of promotional announcements. You might not be happy about it, but Facebook thinks this is the future.
Image Source: Pixabay

Valve gives hopes to gamers with an update on Half Life 1

Recently, a lot of video game developers have decided to bring a breath of fresh air for their classic titles. Following the example of Blizzard with the original StarCraft, Valve decided to direct our attention towards its first game. For the first time since its release, Half Life receives an update. This happens 19 years after its highly acclaimed debut.

• Valve releases an update for the original Half Life.
• This comes 19 years after the series’ debut.
• The update fixes some crashes produced by illegal saves.

In 1998, Valve launched Half Life. Before becoming the giant it is today, the company was well-known for this exact title, which its different features and unconventional gameplay. The first person shooter brought a different take on the main character, Gordon Freeman, which benefits from a lot of free control.

Such a perspective was unique for shooters at the time, and made the game incredibly popular. Also, the game engine was incredibly versatile and surprised players, and everything propelled Half Life among the best titles of the genre.

In a move which surprised everybody, Valve decided to bring the first update to this game 19 years after its release. It should solve some crashes produced by the presence of some illegal files, and that’s pretty much everything. However, it is not ordinary that Valve has finally decided to pay attention to this old game.

This gave rise to many hopes among fans who, rather than waiting for a Half Life 1 update, want something new. The interest in a possible Half Life 3 is still high. If this is not possible, fans hope at least for the second episode of Half Life 2. The latest title was released in 2004, and fans are still wondering if they should still wait for another game in the series.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

iPhone 8 might celebrate ten years of iPhone existence with four exclusive colors and an exquisite design

The highly anticipated launch of iPhone 8 is closer than ever, and Apple has already started revealing more and more details regarding the device. The most recent rumors on the market are related to the color of the device, which seems to offer less options than iPhone 7. However, what is different is an exclusive reflective variant with a mirror-like surface.

• Rumors suggest iPhone 8 will come only in four colors.
• These colors will be special, to celebrate iPhone’s ten years of existence.
• The phone might also feature a special mirror-like surface.

Analyst Benjamin Geskin believes iPhone 8 will only have four colors, as compared to the much more varied options offered by the previous iPhone. Most probably, these colors should be Rose Gold, Jet Black, Red, and Silver.

With previous iPhones, Rose Gold and Jet Black have been exclusive colors released as special editions, but were much more popular than the classic colors. Now, Apple wants to celebrate ten years of existence with the release of the iPhone 8, and thinks these colors will speak to the customers better.

Red has also been released only as a special edition for iPhone 7, so we might think the company wants to continue in the same line and produce more phones like that. The only color left is Silver, which hasn’t been present among these devices for quite a while.

The first iPhone sported a Silver color. Now, since iPhone 8 is an anniversary device celebrating ten years of existence, there must be something that reminds of the first phone. It seems Apple chose this color as a commemorative means and a throwback to 2007’s iPhone.

A special reflective surface on iPhone 8 sounds like a neat and elegant design. However, Apple needs to find a way to make it more resistant to scratches, so that the mirror should be preserved for a longer period of time.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons