News

Samsung Note 7 Exploding GTA 5 Mod Backup Video

Nathan Ingraham, on Engadget

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 has been the butt of its fair share of internet jokes since it started exploding in September, but it’s hard to surpass what one Grand Theft Auto V modder did when he turned the phone into an in-game grenade. Apparently, Samsung doesn’t think it’s very funny, though — the company appears to have filed a totally bogus copyright infringement claim on the YouTube video showing this mod.

If you try to watch the video now, you’ll see that Samsung has blocked it by using YouTube’s tools for reporting infringing material. Of course, this isn’t how those tools were meant to be used — they’re for reporting instances in which video or audio is posted in violation of copyright. Using the Note 7’s likeness in a video made from a video game mod doesn’t really seem like what YouTube’s tools are meant to be used for.

Fortunately, that was far from the only YouTube video that shows off the Galaxy Note 7 being used as an incendiary device. Now that the cat’s out of the bag, it’s probably not worth the effort for Samsung to chase down these videos — the company has a lot more serious things to be worrying about right now.

The most un-Apple-like project in the company’s history

John Gruber on Daring Fireball:

Making a platform that Apple would, I can only suppose, license to actual car makers doesn’t sound anything like Apple at all. I’m not disputing Gurman and Webb’s reporting, I’m just pointing out that if true, it’s the most un-Apple-like project in the company’s history.

There are ways to square this story with Apple’s traditional integrated approach. Perhaps they’re thinking, Do the software first, see if we can do something worth making, and if so, buy a car company. But even that doesn’t sound like Apple.

Maybe it would be more like Apple CarPlay where you would need an iPhone to activate self driving…

How To Install Windows 10 for Free

You can still get Windows 10 for free if you say you use assistive technology ;)

Microsoft:

For the general public, the free upgrade offer for Windows 10 ends on July 29. However, if you use assistive technologies, you can still get the free upgrade offer even after the general public deadline expires as Microsoft continues our efforts to improve the Windows 10 experience for people who use these technologies.

With the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, we’ve taken a number of steps to improve the accessibility of Windows 10. To learn more, read our blog that details some of these improvements.

Before you upgrade, please check with your assistive technology provider(s) to learn more about their software compatibility with Windows 10.

If you want Windows 10 now and are ready to take advantage of the free upgrade offer, select the button below to get started.

Yes, I use assistive technologies and I am ready for my free upgrade to Windows 10. *

Full Throttle To Be Remastered by Double Fine Productions

The classic Adventure Game, Full Throttle, set to be remastered by Tim Schafer’s Double Fine:

With the smell of burning asphalt hanging staunchly in the air we’re proud to announce that we’ll be remastering Tim Schafer’s classic LucasArts adventure game Full Throttle!

Following speedily in the still-smoking-tyre-tracks of the Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle Remastered editions, Full Throttle Remastered will complete the trilogy of Tim’s games from LucasArts that we’ve been given the chance to restore. Just like those games, we will make a Remaster with the quality, care and attention to detail that can only come from involving the original creators.

Full Throttle Remastered will feature all new artwork, with high resolution backgrounds and animation, with each frame being repainted by hand. We’ll be aiming to restore the sound and music to a higher quality, and we’ll also fill the game with special features like concept artwork, commentary tracks and as many other things as we can think of!

Full Throttle Remastered will be coming to PC & PlayStation platforms in 2017!

Dash Developer Releases Audio Call with Apple

Bogdan Popescu, Kapeli Developer, behind the Dash App released a statement today regarding his apple dev account suspension.

I was not aware my account was linked to another until Apple contacted me Friday, 2 days after closing my account. I was never notified of any kind of wrongdoing before my account was terminated.

What Apple has done: on Friday they told me they’d reactivate my account if I’d make a blog post admitting some wrongdoing. I told them I can’t do that, because I did nothing wrong. On Saturday they told me that they are fine with me writing the truth about what happened, and that if I did that, my account would be restored. Saturday night I sent a blog post draft to Apple and have since waited for their approval.

Tonight Apple decided to accuse me of manipulating the App Store in public via a spokesperson.

Sounds to me like he is in the wrong here. He is trying to fight it on the technicality that he wasn’t the only one with the access to his other account, but both the accounts are linked to his bank account.

And what Apple was asking from him wasn’t really a big deal at all IMO, so I think he should have taken the deal.

Here is the backup of the audio: