IT Troubleshooters

Snapchat is removing its speedometer filter amid legal issues

Snapchat is removing a controversial speed filter from its app. The filter, which Snapchat introduced in 2013, allows users to share how fast they’re moving. Safety campaigners have claimed it encourages reckless driving. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our Snapchat community, and we had previously disabled the filter at driving speeds,” a spokesperson for Snapchat’s parent…

Sony announces PS5 beta program ahead of major system update

Sony has launched a PlayStation 5 beta program ahead of the console’s next major system update, scheduled for later this year. “Later this year, we’re rolling out another major system update packed with new features, and we want your help testing them out!” Sony said in a post on the PlayStation Blog. For now, signups are limited to PS5 owners in the US, UK, Canada, Japan, Germany and France.…

Apple says Shazam identifies over a billion songs per month

It’s no wonder Apple is enlarging Shazam into a full-blown utility platform, the app is doing substantial numbers. Now, it revealed that the music discovery service has surpassed one billion Shazams per month and 50 billion tags because its inception. The staggering figures reflect the app’s enduring achievement. Shazam has 200 million monthly users and is arguably top of mind whenever people…

Microsoft’s latest Whiteboard app makes it easier to blend home and office work

Microsoft has launched a new version of its Whiteboard app for Microsoft 365, with features designed to help people collaborate better whether they’re working from the office or home. It also updated its Teams, Fluid Components and Viva apps to make them work better both for hybrid remote and office-based workplaces. As before, Whiteboard acts like a physical whiteboard, letting you draw, erase…

AMD unveils a liquid-cooled version of the Radeon RX 6900 XT GPU

AMD is bringing liquid cooling to the Radeon RX 6900 XT with a new version of the GPU. The graphics card can run at higher clock speeds than its sibling, up to 2,250Mhz instead of 2,015Mhz. It also has a higher board power of 330 watts, compared with the standard RX 6900 XT’s 300W board power, according to VideoCardz. Perhaps most interestingly, the Radeon RX 6900 XT Liquid Edition seems to have…

Sony Music buys UK podcast network Somethin Else

Sony Music Entertainment has acquired the audio, TV and social media producer Somethin’ Else from Steve Ackerman and Jez Nelson. The move marks what Sony calls a major ramping up of its in-house creative production capabilities and the creation of a newly expanded global podcast division. Steve and Jez will jointly spearhead SME’s global podcast content and business development strategy going…

Google apps will be available on Honor phones again after Huawei split

The Honor 50 series is now official in China and ahead of its international release Honor has confirmed what we’ve all be waiting to hear Google Mobile Services are coming back to Honor smartphones. Honor has “the option to have Google Mobile Services (“GMS”) preinstalled on compatible devices, in accordance with Google’s licensing and governance models,” Honor told The Verge. “Consumers will be…

GTA Online will shut down on PS3 and Xbox 360 on December 16th

Rockstar is shutting down online services for GTA Online on PS3 and Xbox 360 on December 16. Along with shutting down the servers for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of GTA Online in December, website stat tracking, online multiplayer, and leaderboards for the same versions of Max Payne 3 will also go offline on September 16. You’ll still be able to buy PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Shark Cards…

The Switch is getting new Mario Party and WarioWare games

Another online Mario Party game is releasing this year, as well as a new WarioWare that lets two people play at the same time. Nintendo’s E3 2021 presentation was decently full of announcements, including two new party games for you to play with friends and family and which are due out later this year. Mario Party Superstars will be a collection of classic Mario Party boards from the Nintendo…

Nintendo is releasing a Zelda-themed Game & Watch handheld

For the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo is releasing a Zelda-themed green and gold Game & Watch handheld console with four playable built-in games. You’ll be able to play the first entry in The Legend of Zelda series, followed by its sequel, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. The fourth game is the Game & Watch Vermin game, but with…

The Android Messages app now offers end-to-end encryption

Google is at last turning on end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for everyone in the Messages app. Beta testers have been able to use E2EE messaging since November. E2EE in Messages is only available in one-on-one conversations for the time being, not group chats. Both participants need to have RCS chat features enabled to use it. You’ll know if a message you’re about to send will be encrypted if you…

Cyberpunk 2077 will return to the PlayStation Store on June 21st

In a statement released on Tuesday, CD Projekt confirmed Sony had approved the game for sale on the platform holder’s online marketplace. Cyberpunk 2077 has been unavailable on the PlayStation Store since December 17, 2020.. CD Projekt Red has rolled out several Cyberpunk 2077 hotfixes and major patches since December. The RPG finally appears to be in a solid enough state to satisfy Sony, even…

Facebook asks the Oversight Board to help shape its doxing policy

Facebook has asked the Oversight Board for help shaping its policy on doxing. The board has agreed to weigh in on the social networks rules around the “sharing of private residential information.” The case marks the first time Facebook has asked for the board’s help in defining a policy without a specific post attached. In a statement, Facebook said it asked for help because it considers the…

Facebook Gaming rolls out Fan Groups to help streamers and fans stay connected

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of Fan Groups, an enhanced Facebook Groups experience for creators and their communities on Facebook Gaming. Gaming Fan Groups help Facebook’s streamers, the so-called Facebook Gaming creators, and their fans to build deeper relationships during and outside of live streams. Fidji Simo, head of the Facebook app, said in a statement that the…

YouTube bans election and gambling ads at the top of its homepage

YouTube will no longer allow certain types of ads in the masthead, the ad unit that appears at the top of the homepage. Certain election and political ads, as well as those related to gambling, alcohol and prescription drugs, are now banned from appearing in that slot. You won’t see ads that refer to online gambling, offline gambling or social casino games running across the top of the homepage.…

At $299, DJI’s leaked Mini SE might be its most affordable drone yet

Walmart has leaked a new entry in DJI’s Mavic Mini line that might start at just $299, which should make it the company’s most affordable drone ever. Not only did we just find that price at Walmart’s website, it’s apparently migrated to at least one set of Walmart store shelves already: https://twitter.com/GAtamer/status/1403392256770445321?s=20 So what do we know from the Walmart listing.…

Asus launches $499.99 Chromebook Flip CM5 with AMD Ryzen 5 processors

Asus has released its latest Ryzen-powered Chromebook, the Chromebook Flip CM5. The CM5 has a 15.6-inch screen, and Asus is pushing it as a device for cloud-based gaming. It’s available now at Abt and Newegg starting at $499.99. The most exciting thing is that the CM5 supports both Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now. Of course, it only has a 60Hz screen and Radeon integrated graphics, so it’s…