netflix-reportedly-looking-to-further-push-into-video-games-industry

Netflix reportedly looking to further push into video games industry

Netflix has experimented in the video game space over the years, through a combination of small titles based on popular shows like Stranger Things as well as choose your own adventure style interactive shows like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. New reports this week indicate that the streaming giant is looking to get a bit more serious about gaming in the years ahead. 

According to sources “familiar with the situation” speaking with The Information, Netflix has been approaching various video game executives in recent weeks, with the goal of putting together a team of video game industry experts for future projects.

While Netflix is looking to hire games industry talent, exact plans are not set in stone yet. It appears that Netflix is exploring developing its own video games, which could be playable on Netflix or a spin-off games-only streaming service without ads.

Aside from dipping its toes into making games, Netflix has also found success in creating adaptations for gaming IP. So far, Netflix has partnered with a number of companies, developing shows based on Dota, Castlevania, Resident Evil and more.

KitGuru Says: There are a lot of companies interested in the video game space at the moment, although having the technology, developer talent and funds can only get you so far, as we’ve seen with Google Stadia. 

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Bungie will be beta testing Destiny 2 cross-play next week

Last week, Bungie accidentally switched on cross-play in Destiny 2, a feature that wasn’t expected to roll out until later this year. The feature was quickly disabled, but now the studio is ready for a proper beta test. 

Between the 25th and 27th of May, Bungie will be officially testing cross-play in Destiny 2, allowing players from all supported platforms to team up and play a selection of Vanguard Strikes. Supported platforms of course include PlayStation and Xbox consoles, the PC version on Steam and the Google Stadia version.

Bungie will take on feedback from the beta test to further improve its cross-play implementation, which will then go live properly later this year, perhaps as part of a seasonal update to Destiny 2.

Players who completes three strikes during the cross-play beta will receive a unique emblem for participating.

KitGuru Says: Cross-play has always made perfect sense for Destiny 2, so its great to finally see some progress being made. 

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android-surpasses-3-billion-active-devices-milestone

Android surpasses 3 billion active devices milestone

Android has been around for over a decade at this point and has grown tremendously during that time. Google’s mobile operating system has now set a new record, with Android being used on over 3 billion active devices.

Since Android is open source, smartphone makers have been free to adopt it and even make changes to help differentiate their devices. This has been a successful approach, with the vast majority of major smartphone makers using Android instead of their own custom operating system.

Back in 2014, Google reached 1 billion active Android devices for the first time and by 2019, that number had grown to 2.5 billion. Now, the number of active Android devices has surpassed the 3 billion milestone.

Google I/O returned this week after a break in 2020. During the event, Google’s Vice President of Product Management, Sameer Samat, announced the new milestone. With three billion devices actively used, Android’s user base now dwarfs Apple’s iOS platform, which has an active device base of 1 billion as of this year.

Breaking down the numbers, this means that an additional 500 million Android devices have been activated since 2019 and 1 billion since 2017.

KitGuru Says: Android has come a long way over the years. What was the first Android device that you owned?

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What’s the best student laptop? We asked students

Shopping for a laptop can be stressful — doubly stressful if you or your children will be learning online for the first time. Kids of different ages have a range of different laptop use cases and different needs. And as the choices for best laptop and best Chromebook evolve, so do students’ needs. So I spoke to some experts on the subject: students themselves.

My recommendations here are meant to accommodate a variety of preferences and price ranges. But they’re a jumping-off point rather than an exhaustive list: every student is different. Before making a decision, you’ll want to make sure you read reviews and try out devices yourself if you can. I’ll do my best to keep this article up to date with items that are in stock.

Best laptop for students

Google’s Pixelbook Go has solid battery life and a rippled base that’s easy to grip, making it a good choice for kids.
Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

Best laptop for elementary school

For younger students, a touchscreen device is easier to use than a keyboard and touchpad, says Michelle Glogovac. Glogovac’s five-year-old son uses an iPad for Webex meetings with his kindergarten class. He’s gotten the hang of it; Glogovac says he’s already learned how to mute and unmute himself, “a skill that many adults aren’t familiar with.”

That said, it may be worth investing in a keyboard case if you go the tablet route. Glogovac has to type her son’s meeting codes and passwords for him, which can be cumbersome on the iPad’s flat screen.

As kids get older, their best laptop choice will vary depending on their needs. As a parent, it’s important that you and your child are in sync about how they intend to use it and the size of the programs they want.

Kristin Wallace purchased a budget HP laptop for her daughter, Bella, but didn’t realize how quickly the nine-year-old would fill up 32GB of storage. “It is really slow and has no space for games. I need a computer with more storage space,” said Bella, who uses the laptop to Zoom with friends and take virtual guitar lessons and math enrichment classes. Wallace plans to buy Bella a better device in the next few weeks.

Audio quality is an important consideration for kids’ laptops. Lisa Mitchell, an elementary library media specialist, says her students use their devices to watch YouTube videos in addition to their online classes. Battery life is also a plus, even for distance learners who may not be far from a wall outlet. Bella likes to use her laptop all around the house and doesn’t want to bring the cord with her.

Durability is also worth paying for, according to Mitchell. If you’re using a tablet, get a protective case. “If a reasonably-priced insurance or replacement policy is available, it’s usually worth the extra expense.”

Check out:

  • Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition ($199): a colorful, fast tablet with kid-friendly content
  • Lenovo Chromebook Duet ($279): a tiny 10-inch Chromebook with a detachable keyboard
  • Apple 10.2-inch iPad ($329): a great budget tablet that supports the Apple Pencil
  • Microsoft Surface Go 2 ($399): a solid Windows tablet with a built-in kickstand
  • Google Pixelbook Go ($649): a sturdy touchscreen Chromebook

Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet is just $289, but it can run plenty of tabs and apps with no problem.
Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge

Best laptop for middle school

The middle school students I spoke to don’t use their laptops for much more than web-based schoolwork and browsing. Don’t be too concerned about power — prioritize a machine that’s comfortable and easy for your child to use.

“We just got the most basic Chromebook and it is totally perfect,” says Gabrielle Hartley, an attorney and mother of three children who take a mix of in-person and online classes. “The most basic Chromebook serves all the needs of the basic middle schooler.”

Chromebooks, like this one from Acer, are a good choice for students who use Google Classroom.
Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge

Hartley’s son Max, who is in eighth grade, agrees. “I would really like a gaming PC or gaming laptop that can plug into a monitor and run video games with 120fps, but I really don’t need that,” Max says. “Most eighth graders aren’t going to be running any video games on their laptops or any software that requires a lot of power.”

Max mostly uses his laptop for Google Classroom applications, including Gmail, Slides, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. They’re very easy to use on his device, which he describes as “a run-of-the-mill Samsung Chromebook.” That said, if your child is starting middle school this year, it could be worth checking with their teachers to see what operating system is most compatible with their workflow. Caspian Fischer Odén, a ninth grader from Sweden, told me he has trouble with his Chromebook because his school has blocked downloading apps from the Google Play Store.

Even kids with more demanding hobbies think a budget device can get the job done. Sam Hickman, an eighth grader from the UK who uses his laptop for photo and video editing, says, “For most middle schoolers, any processor developed within the last two years will be able to handle any tasks they can throw at it.”

So, what is worth paying for? A comfortable keyboard, several students told me. Many middle school kids aren’t used to typing for long periods of time. You should also look for a device that’s compact and easy for them to carry around, particularly if they’re preparing for in-person school. Shoot for an 11- to 13-inch model — certainly nothing larger than 15 inches.

Check out:

  • HP Chromebook x360 ($279): an affordable Chromebook with great battery life
  • Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook ($350): a small but sturdy laptop made for students
  • Lenovo 300e ($378): a durable 2-in-1 with a stylus
  • Acer Aspire 5 ($466): a portable option for kids who need a 15-inch screen
  • Microsoft Surface Laptop Go ($549): an attractive, light Windows laptop

The Surface Laptop 4 is a capable, no-nonsense laptop — just what many high schoolers want.
Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge

Best laptop for high school

High schoolers’ laptop needs can vary based on their interests, but most don’t need powerful machines with lots of bells and whistles — especially if they come with glitches or serious downsides that could interfere with schoolwork. Miles Riehle, a student at Laguna Beach High School, has a high-end Surface Pro 7 but finds it overwhelming. “There is so much other stuff that I don’t use very often,” he said. “Something simpler might be a little more straightforward.”

The best operating system may depend on what your child is used to. Aryan Nambiar, a student at Barrington High School in Illinois, has an iMac at home and enjoys using an iPad for his schoolwork. Riehle says he would prefer a Chromebook because he has an Android phone and often uses Google services.

But almost every student I spoke to agreed that the most important feature of a high school laptop is portability. Kids attending in-person classes may be carrying their device around for much of the day with a stack of other books. Look for a 13- or 14-inch screen, or a lighter 15- to 17-inch model.

Students also recommend something sturdy. “Most high schoolers I’ve seen will throw their laptop in their bag without too much care,” says Moses Buckwalter, a student at Penn Manor High School. Backpacks can be jostled in the hallway as well. Distance learners can still run into trouble at home. “Anything can happen,” says Aadit Agrawal, a high school student from India. “My own brother scratched my laptop with his nails.”

Battery life is another key feature. “It can be a real struggle to find a place to charge while in class,” says Cas Heemskerk, a sophomore from the Netherlands. Unlike college students, many high schoolers don’t have frequent breaks to juice up their devices, so try to find something that can last a full day.

Many students recommend a touchscreen with stylus support. Nambiar uses the feature for his biology class, where he does a lot of visual modeling. “The touchscreen is always a bonus for drawing diagrams, whereas if you’re using a laptop it’d be a whole process to submit a diagram you drew,” Nambiar says. Riehle uses a Surface Pen to fill out school forms and annotate PDFs. Agrawal finds it useful to take notes on the same screen as his online lessons.

Depending on the broadband situation in your area, you may also want a laptop with multiple connectivity options. Agrawal’s online classes are sometimes interrupted by powercuts, so he recommends an LTE model. Matej Plavevski, a junior at Yahya Kemal College in North Macedonia, recommends looking for an Ethernet port in case slower connections disrupt meetings. That’s hard to find on smaller laptops, but there’s a slew of affordable dongles and docks to consider.

Check out:

  • Acer Chromebook Spin 513 ($349): a convertible Chromebook with all-day battery
  • Apple iPad Air ($599): a powerful tablet with a great screen
  • Acer Chromebook Spin 713 ($629): a fantastic Chromebook that’s not too pricey
  • Dell XPS 13 ($931): a solid clamshell Windows laptop
  • Surface Laptop 4 ($999): an excellent, light laptop that’s comfortable to use

For college students seeking an affordable laptop, HP’s Envy x360 performs just as well as some expensive competitors.
Photography by Monica Chin / The Verge

Best laptop for college

College kids are justified in spending a bit more money than other age groups. Some (especially in STEM courses) can expect to do some fairly demanding work. Assad Abid, an electrical engineering undergrad from Pakistan, needs to run simulation software for his assignments. Aakash Chandra, a student at New Horizon College of Engineering in India, does a lot of coding, in addition to creative work in Premiere Pro and Photoshop, and gaming. Students also noted that it’s worthwhile to pay for a laptop that will last for a few years after graduation. That means you won’t have to worry about finding and financing your next device until you’re (hopefully) settled into a job.

But among high-end, capable devices there’s still a wide range of options. Students stressed that a college laptop should be light. Expect to bring it between classes, meals, meetings, the library, and other locations on campus. “It’s a boon that I can carry my laptop as well as some notebooks without feeling like I’m carrying too much for six hours a day,” says Haseeb Waseem, a senior at Villanova University.

The Dell XPS 13 has a variety of configurations. Students with light workloads may prefer the base model, while gamers and creatives can add a GPU.
Photo by Monica Chin / The Verge

Another universally-lauded feature: battery life. Waseem, who uses an HP Spectre, says the all-day juice gives him “the flexibility to study in a bunch of different locations, and even outside.”

Speakers and webcams are often overlooked, even in top-end devices. But students say it’s worth looking for good ones if you’re starting college this year. Zoom will be a large part of university life this semester: many kids will be attending virtual classes, while others will still be meeting with clubs, study groups, and professors as well as hanging out with friends online. Waseem isn’t satisfied with his laptop’s audio and picture quality, which he says has made it difficult to pay attention in class and to engage with other students.

Many students will need to invest more in areas tailored to their interests and schoolwork needs. Chandra’s dream laptop would include a stylus and touchscreen for his creative work as well as a high-end GPU. Waseem, who uses his laptop for a hodgepodge of activities, including streaming, coding, social media, video chatting, and Microsoft Office work, would prefer to prioritize a large screen to keep track of his multitasking.

Check out:

  • Acer Swift 3 ($613): a super light laptop that performs well
  • HP Envy x360 13 ($689): a fast and stylish 2-in-1
  • Dell XPS 13 ($930): a solid clamshell Windows laptop
  • Surface Laptop 4 ($999): an excellent, light laptop that’s comfortable to use
  • HP Spectre x360 14 ($1,269): a premium convertible with standout battery life
google-pixel-6-pro-pictured-with-curved-oled-screen-and-three-rear-cameras

Google Pixel 6 Pro pictured with curved OLED screen and three rear cameras

(Image credit: OnLeaks)

Google’s Pixel range of smartphones looks set for a major refresh. Not only will Google bring back a high-end model missing from last year’s line-up (instead of ‘XL’ it should be called the Pixel 6 Pro), it’s also giving it a curved OLED screen.

That’s according to new renders that come courtesy of reliable leaker OnLeaks (via digit.in). They show the Pixel 6 Pro sporting a curved, 6.67in OLED screen, along with the first triple camera array in Pixel history. There’s no word on what refresh rate the OLED panel will have, but this being a high-end model, we would expect 90Hz or 120Hz.

The cameras include a wide-angle snapper, a periscope telephoto camera and one unknown camera, all arranged next to an LED flash. They are lined up horizontally across the upper rear of the Pixel 6, which is another change for the range. The colour strip across the top is also a new design element.

Top and bottom speakers should provide stereo sound when watching in landscape, while wireless charging should come as standard, as it did on the Pixel 5. And the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro could be the first phones powered by Google’s own chips – the search giant is rumoured to be working on an SoC (system on a chip) codenamed Whitechapel. Controlling both the hardware and Android software on the phone would ape Apple’s approach to its iPhones, and give Google greater control, which could lead to gains in performance and battery life.

Other renders from OnLeaks and @91Mobiles show the Pixel 6 looking like a smaller version of the 6 Pro, but with a flat screen instead of curved.

(Image credit: OnLeaks/@91Mobiles)

The Pixel 6 will have a dual camera set-up instead of a triple, and its screen is smaller – 6.4in to the Pro’s 6.67in. But it has the same wireless charging and in-display fingerprint scanner. This squares with previous Pixel 6 renders, which suggests this latest leak is on the money.

We’re expecting an official announcement sometime in the autumn/fall, but we’ll keep you up to date with all the latest Pixel 6 news, leaks and rumours as they emerge over the coming weeks.

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