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Mann vs Machine update adds new difficulty settings and matchmaking options
Valve has released a big update to Team Fortress 2's 'Mann vs. Machine' game mode this week, which of course pits human players against an army of invading robots. The update adds two new difficulty settings called tours, one tougher and one easier than the current mode, along with some new loot found throughout the two tours.Players will also be able to search for multiple missions or tours at a time. Matchmaking updates should make it easier to find and keep groups while playing: once you find a team and defeat a mission, teams will stay together. Good thing, too – those robot hordes aren't going to destroy themselves.
iOS Task Switcher concept explores feature's potential
The Verge forums user Sentry posted the concept art you see above for the (underutilized) iOS task switcher, and I think it's awesome. Sentry's vision adds a lot of worthwhile information to the multitask bar without sacrificing the clear layout. The app thumbnails are great, but I really like the various controls for music, WiFi and Bluetooth. It's such a pain to have to dig down into the Settings app every time I need to switch one of those on my phone or iPad, and having them accessible with just a double-tap and a swipe would be excellent. I already heavily use the audio controls that pop up when you double tap the iOS Home button while your device is locked, and sliding them into the task switcher seems like a no brainer. iOS 6, of course, was just released, so we're now waiting for Apple to tell us what's next with the portable operating system. Hopefully, an excellent revamp of the task switcher like this is being worked on right now. [via RazorianFly]
Google adds saved search settings, keeps them tied to your account across browsers and devices
Google's enabled yet another new function for its linchpin search engine, which will now hold onto your preferences, assigning them to your Google account and activating across all your web-ready devices and browsers. Saved settings include language preference, results per page and whether to enable Google Instant. It has also separated mobile and desktop options, to ensure your phone isn't clogged up with hundreds of results on a weedy 3G connection. Hit the settings tag on the Google search page to enable the feature.
Windows 8 RTM will include 'do not track' by default for Internet Explorer 10
Many advertisers weren't thrilled when Microsoft proclaimed that 'do not track' would be the default for Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8, but that reaction hasn't made the folks in Redmond flinch. Brendon Lynch, the company's Chief Privacy Officer, announced that the 'do not track' default is already baked into the code of the October-bound operating system that has been released to manufacturers. Upon booting Windows 8 for the first time, users will be greeted with a choice between "Express Settings" or "Customize," the former of which has "do not track" enabled. IE 10 on Windows 7 will receive a similar treatment, with a "prominent notice" about the setting being switched on appearing alongside a link to additional information. Despite Microsoft's efforts, it's possible that advertisers could ignore the web browser setting if they feel their negotiations have been for naught. Considering the response to Microsoft's initial default announcement, we suspect this won't be the last development in the saga. [Image credit: Tomas Fano, Flickr]
Ask Massively: I would like to play WildStar now please OK edition
At Massively, we all have our pet games, games that we follow with interest and that we want to do well. Some of mine are quite obvious, but if you weren't aware that WildStar is on that list, well, now you know. Come on, it's like Walt Disney's Firefly as an MMO and man everything I see about it just makes me want to start playing yesterday. This is kind of related to the fact that we had two separate interviews about it this week, if you hadn't guessed. It's also somewhat related to this week's Ask Massively questions, seeing as how one of those questions is about the games that we hate. Yes, I know, I did a topical introduction; I'm very ashamed of myself. I also answer a question about fantasy worlds in the distant future. If you've got a question you'd like to see in a future installment of the column, send it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.
Ask Massively: Haven't had an animal picture since March edition
So I was looking at the Wikipedia page for capybaras when I realized that I haven't had an animal picture as my header here since March. That just doesn't seem right. I do try to make a conscious effort to avoid putting animals up here all the time, but considering that a good portion of my day is spent thinking about critters, two months seems a really long while. So, here's a capybara. I was originally going to go with a tapir, but I have to pace myself. What was this column supposed to be about? Oh, right, it's the new installment of Ask Massively, discussing the issue of non-European fantasy settings and the potential for more love of crowdsourced projects. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.
Android Design guide updated with new tips for app developers
Not all design choices are blatantly obvious, which is why it's helpful to see fresh sections being added to Google's official design guide for Android devs. There's a whole new chapter on how to create a good Settings pane, including what settings to make controllable or fixed and how to describe options in plain English. There are also new tips in the Navigation section, such as how to take full advantage of Android's ability to let different apps activate each other. There's no color-matching advice, unfortunately, but if you stick to black and blue you ought to be fine. Access the tips via the Google Plus link below.
Microsoft outlines Windows 8 wireless improvements
It wasn't long ago that wireless networking in Windows was a hodgepodge mess of vendor-specific drivers and apps all conspiring against Microsoft's default interface. Windows 7 solved this in part by streamlining WiFi connectivity, but it appears once again that Microsoft wants to extend the idea to 3G and 4G networking in Windows 8 -- with built-in data activation and usage tools to boot. So, if you've been longing to show VZAccess Manager the door, you'll find more details in the source link below.
IconSettings gives you simple control of your iDevice without jailbreaking
Look, we understand, some of you are a little timid about jailbreaking your iPhone. You've looked on in envy as your contemporaries have thrown warranties to the wind and enjoyed the convenience of turning on and off their WiFi from the homescreen. But, be jealous no longer. A crafty developer has figured out how to bring the same capabilities your iDevice with little more than a browser bookmark -- no jailbreaking required. IconSettings lets you quickly access or toggle various settings on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, provided its running iOS 5. Setting it up is as simple as saving a bookmark to your home screen. Then you just tap the links and, voilà, you can turn on and off Bluetooth, change brightness levels, or disengage autolock. You'll find full instructions and the appropriate bookmarks at the source links.
Dev Juice: When should you use out-of-app Settings?
Dear Dev Juice, I've heard all the lectures and I understand that the discoverability of third party prefs in the Settings app is near zero. I also get that it's now best practice that developers should put preferences inside applications with custom screens. I'm writing to ask this: what use cases you see where devs should be using settings bundles instead of in-app prefs? Thanks in advance, V Dear V Settings bundles allow you to move options away from users, creating a virtual wall between optional features and day-to-day use. The most common scenarios for this include kiosk apps, app diagnostics, and legal disclaimers. When using apps in public presentation, such as at trade shows or conferences, you don't want Joe Q. Public exploring a "little too far" while using your app. Moving settings prefs out of the app and into Settings helps ensure that curious users won't inadvertently trigger behavior or modes outside of your desired use scenario. What goes in Settings stays in Settings. Settings also provides a great place to enable remote diagnostics features. Again, the idea is to prevent the user from casually entering privileged debugging modes. Doing so typically allows collection of advanced diagnostic information to help resolve technical issues. Tech support personnel can easily walk the user through the steps needed to enable (and later disable) these elements. Placing toggles in Settings instead of the app itself ensures that users are unlikely to stumble across them or enable them in error. The most common use of Settings bundles remains, however, as a place to enshrine all legal declarations associated with the application. Those motivated to explore will discover any number of disclaimers, copyright ownership listings, etc. Placing these in Settings helps declutter the app and provides a unified location for any lawyers who need to look up licensing details. Happy Developing!
Dear Aunt TUAW: My iPhone won't stop talking to me
Dear Aunt TUAW, While playing around with his new iPhone 4S Monday evening, Tim's phone started responding to every touch to the screen -- identifying vocally everything he touched and giving instructions about what to do there. He can't figure out how he turned the function on -- and he sure can't figure out how to turn it off. Your loving nephews, Jim and Tim Dear Jim and Tim, Accessibility enhancements open up the iPhone to users with a range of disabilities. iOS features allow users to magnify (or "zoom") displays, invert colors, and more. VoiceOver provides a way that visually impaired users can "listen" to their GUI. The VoiceOver service converts an application's visual presentation into an audio description. Don't confuse VoiceOver with Voice Control or the Siri Assistant. VoiceOver is a method for presenting an audio description of a user interface and is highly gesture-based. The latter two terms refer to Apple's voice recognition technology for hands-free interaction. As this Apple tech note details, you can control accessibility settings either from iTunes (easier for most visually-impaired users) or directly on the iPhone. To disable VoiceOver on the phone itself, navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > VoiceOver. Switch the VoiceOver option from ON to OFF. Unfortunately, with VoiceOver turned on it can be tricky to get into Settings in the first place. If you have the triple-tap Accessibility setting turned on, you can try pressing the home button three times quickly, then double-tapping the "Turn VoiceOver Off" button. If triple-tapping does nothing, just push the Home button once. That will get you to the main page with the Settings app. Then use a series of tap-followed-by-double-tap selections to launch Settings, and then to move to the correct Settings page. Use triple-finger swipes to scroll the screen if needed. Once disabled, the mysterious voice will be gone. Auntie hopes it wasn't too traumatic for you. Hugs, Auntie T.
Automatic Downloads now live for iOS devices
WWDC has just kicked off for 2011, but you can get a little bit of the Apple iCloud newness right now in the form of automatic Application, Music and Book downloads. Launch Settings on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, scroll down to Store and wait for the new options to load (you'll need to be connected to the internet to see them). Once you've checked them, the next time you purchase or download an app, a music track or a book, it'll automatically be pushed out to any device you've activated Automatic Downloads on. Brilliant. Be warned though, if you activate Automatic Downloads for one Apple ID on a device and then attempt to activate another Apple ID on the same device (US and UK iTunes accounts for instance), you'll get a pop-up notification saying: This Device Is Already Associated With an Apple ID. If you turn on Automatic Downloads with your Apple ID, you cannot auto-download or download past purchases with a different Apple ID for 90 days. A screenshot of said warning is past the break. You have been warned.
Flash Player for Mac updated to 10.3, adds preference pane and auto-updates
The beta version of Flash Player 10.3 gave way Thursday to the release version, downloadable freely from Adobe for installation on your Mac. The new build finally restores auto-update capability, which was unstable or unsupported on Mac OS X for quite a while. Now you'll be prompted to patch Flash when necessary (unless you're running the Chrome browser, which packs its own version of Flash). Up until now, adjusting Flash's preferences and settings was done inside a Flash movie in the browser, which was quirky and a bit confusing for novice users. Now there's an honest-to-goodness System Preferences pane for controlling local data storage, peer-to-peer playback, camera/audio settings, purchased content and updating -- much more convenient. Flash Player now respects your private browsing settings (since 10.1) and will avoid saving any local content if your browser is set to private mode, but now you have a convenient button to clear the cache of all Flash content or block specific sites from storing local data. Other new features include audio improvements for echo cancellation, video analytics tied to Adobe's SiteCatalyst product, bug fixes and security features. The full change list is here. Of course, some would prefer to have no truck with Flash Player; we've got your back. [hat tip MacStories]
Latest Windows 8 leaks reveal cloud-based settings, more app store evidence
We're sure Microsoft is going to announce some more official details about Windows 8 one of these days, but until then we'll just have to make do with the seemingly unending stream of tidbits being unearthed from the leaked version of the OS. Most notably, this latest batch includes the most conclusive evidence yet of a Windows 8 app store, including the logo pictured above, and a slew of other references at the code level -- things like the ability to download a trial app and then unlock the full version (rather than re-download it), for instance, and the existence of things like screenshots and system requirements in the app store listings. Another recent leak has also revealed some new cloud-based settings options that could let you take your desktop profile and other personalizations from one computer to another, and even give you the ability to sync apps from that aforementioned Windows Store between PCs. All that, plus support for 3D displays and WiFi Direct. Hit up the links below for some additional details.
The Daily Grind: What game would you play if you had the time?
There are a lot of MMOs on the market at the moment, and while it can be argued that many of them are drawing inspiration from the same well, there's still plenty of variety available. You can roam in post-apocalyptic Nevada, soar through a variety of spaceways, or slay a truly staggering number of different dragons in the myriad worlds available online. But you are limited by one force no matter what -- you only have so much time during a single day. That means that there's necessarily a game you'd love to play, but you just don't have the time. No matter what, the game you can't quite fit into your schedule is a game you like. It's usually just a case of not liking it quite enough to ditch the game (or games) you spend most of your time on. So what game would you love to play if you had more time for it? Is it an old favorite you've moved past, a new game that interests you, or a title that's long been on your radar but never quite moved into being a must-play venture? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Windows Phone 7 camera settings keep going to default, Microsoft says it was 'a decision by the team'
"It's not a bug, it's a feature" is one of the time-honored mantras of computer engineering, and Microsoft is using it to full effect with a behavior occasionally cursed by users of Windows Phone 7 devices: the camera settings return to their defaults every time you load the camera app. Responding to a comment in the official Windows Phone Blog, a Microsoft rep says that the settings reset was actually "a decision by the team," noting that if you need to pull out your phone for a quick shot, you'd rather not have to fiddle with whatever wacky settings you had set up on the prior use. Continuing, he writes that "feedback from folks like [the commenter] has the team seriously looking at that option to see if there is a more optimal option," so it could change -- so your dream of shooting absolutely everything in sepia tone might be realized with a little less strife down the road.
The Daily Grind: New worlds to explore
Fantasy? Check. Science fiction? Not quite as many, but check. Historical? There are a few out there, maybe of dubious historical authenticity, but at least lacking orcs, magic, and ray guns (all of which are good enough for another check). If you haven't noticed, I'm making a checklist of MMORPG settings, and here is where I need your help. You see, after the aforementioned big three, I'm all out of ideas. Personally I don't think any of those noted above have been done exactly right, so I'm always up for new takes on any or all of them. That said, are there any settings or genres you feel would make a fantastic MMORPG (or at least, one that would feel semi-original)? Steampunk? Western? Real-life? What say you Massively readers?
iPad 101: Restriction settings
Those with kids and iPads will notice that the latter find the former irresistible. When connected to the Internet, they provide access to all that the Web and App Store have to offer, some of which is decidedly not for kids. Here's how you can use the iPad's built-in Restrictions settings to limit their access. Open the general settings and click Restrictions. You'll have to create a special 4-digit pass code; pick one the kids can't guess. From there you can disable access to Safari, YouTube, iTunes, location notification and the ability to install apps. In addition, you can disable in-app purchases and limit TV shows, movies, podcasts and apps by rating or explicit content warning. It's not perfect and won't deter determined kids for long, but setting this up will offer some peace of mind.
U-Verse updates Total Home DVR, Yellow Pages app features
It looks like U-verse customers won't be left out of all the set-top box upgrade madness going around lately, as AT&T has announced two upgrades on the way for the services. Total Home DVR users will get more ways to customize their recording settings with a Series Priority option to help resolve any programming conflicts four tuners can't take care of, a Keep At Most feature to specify how many episodes of a particular program to keep and Series Delete to remove an entire series with one stroke. The Yellow Pages TV App has also been upgraded, beyond just letting viewers search local business info on their TV, there's now a "Make a Call" button to automatically ring the business from their home or mobile phone. Still waiting for mobile program downloads? So are we.
Dear Aunt TUAW: Why won't my apps stay deleted?
Dear Aunt TUAW, Darn it, my iPhone keeps re-installing my deleted apps every time I sync. Do you know how to make this stop happening? Is my iPhone possessed? I know I'm not alone. This is happening to other people too. Help! Love and kissies, Dave Read on for Auntie's response...
