Katrina Filippidis

Contributing Writer

Katrina majored in Japanese and Neuroscience at Melbourne University, but fate (and a love for writing) drew her towards video game journalism. When not obsessively cataloging 3D platformers, she enjoys rocking out to power metal, drawing, and reminiscing about flip phones.

Articles by Katrina Filippidis

Apple lines up new comedy from 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' duo
Apple has signed on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia duo Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day for a straight-to-series comedy, according to a Variety report.
Cinemark CEO credits MoviePass for Movie Club's growing success
MoviePass has in many ways left an indelible mark on cinema. Its mobile-based subscription service empowered ardent theatergoers to enjoy multiple screenings a month, sometimes at near irresistible prices. It might be struggling for the moment, but Mark Zoradi, the CEO of Cinemark, says the rise of his company's Movie Club scheme is partly due to MoviePass' efforts.
Chrome OS update makes installing Linux apps easier
With the power of tools like Crouton, anyone so inclined can already run Linux on a Chromebook. The process is a bit fiddly, however, and requires that you enable developer mode -- which carries potential security risks. Now, thanks to a recent Chrome OS update, you'll be able to launch .deb (Debian) packages minus such hassles.
'PUBG' developer plans three month sprint to 'fix the game'
PUBG Corp has unveiled a three month roadmap to improve PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds in response to a "fix the game" clarion call from certain pockets of its fanbase. The scheme will cover server performance, anti-cheat solutions, and vows to iron out several bugs and UI inconsistencies.
HALO collar promises to reduce concussions in contact sport
When it comes to high impact sports, sprains and strains are almost inevitable. The NFL has been equipping players with durable, shock-absorbent helmets for years to guard against traumatic injuries, but quick head movements often leave athletes susceptible to other kinds of damage like concussion. Enter HALO, a new form of wearable tech which could help to bridge that gap.
Amazon cuts Whole Foods pickup time to 30 minutes
It's not quite as efficient as a drive-through, but Amazon's Whole Foods delivery service is well on its way there. Today, the e-commerce company announced that Prime Now subscribers in the US will be able to collect their groceries from Whole Foods within a 30 minute timespan, without ever leaving their vehicle.
Google adds lots of new tools to its Education suite
Summer break is normally a time for rest and recreation, but Google has been busy updating Classroom, Google Earth and other Google for Education tools in preparation for the next academic term.
'Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition' gains Sagat and newcomer G
The roster for Street Fighter V's Arcade Edition will today gain two new fighters. An announcement on PlayStation Blog confirmed that both series icon Sagat and mysterious newcomer G -- who were first revealed for Street Fighter V's third season during the 2017 Capcom Cup -- are joining the fray.
Apple removes InfoWars podcasts from its platforms
Apple is the latest company to crack down on Alex Jones' controversial news site InfoWars. On Sunday, the tech giant removed five of the six podcasts streamable on its iTunes and Podcast apps, revealing to Buzzfeed that it "does not tolerate hate speech" on its platform.
Brookstone declares bankruptcy after more than 40 years of business
Home retail chain Brookstone has filed for bankruptcy for the second time since 2014 after more than four decades of business. Barring 35 airport locations, all of its US outlets will be shut down.
'PUBG Mobile' is getting a Mission: Impossible crossover
Thanks to an alliance between Tencent and PUBG Corp, PUBG Mobile players are getting month-long access to themed content inspired by espionage thriller Mission: Impossible — Fallout.
Rashida Jones will co-direct Netflix documentary celebrating her father
Jazz icon Quincy Jones will be immortalized in a Netflix documentary with Alan Hicks (Keep on Keepin' On) and daughter Rashida Jones (The Social Network, The Office) at the directorial helm.
Tesla is quietly making its own AI chip for self-driving cars
In a recent earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the automaker has been 'stealth' developing a custom-built AI chip for at least two years.
Amazon discounts LG's budget Galaxy Note rival on Prime
If you're on the hunt for a budget Galaxy Note competitor, look no further than Amazon Prime. The LG Stylo 4 is the latest smartphone to join Prime's exclusive phone lineup, and at $250, it's a lot easier on your wallet than LG's V35 ThinQ or the Moto Z3 Play.
France bans smartphones in schools
Under new legislation, French students will be prohibited from using smartphones and tablets while at school. The law, which was originally noted in President Emmanuel Macron's election campaign, was elevated to a matter of public health amidst concerns French youth has become super-connected.
NASA expresses doubts over the privatization of the ISS
Plans to privatize the ISS made headlines earlier this year when NASA revealed The White House intended to pull the plug on federal finances in 2025. This isn't the first time privatization murmurs have surfaced for the space station, but a recent NASA audit suggests a conversion to private operation may not be feasible.
HomePod phone calls could arrive with iOS 12
Since its announcement at WWDC, Apple has been teasing a range of iOS 12 improvements scheduled for release in the fall. The roster includes a streamlined Siri, speeding up elderly iPhones, and a FaceTime overhaul, with no mention of HomePod updates. However, it has emerged that the smart speaker could soon receive a much requested feature: phone call support.
Twitter is auditing itself for toxicity
Whether it's the veil of anonymity, the controversial nature of political discourse, or both -- conversations on social media can quickly turn into emotionally charged quarrels. To combat these ongoing issues, Twitter has cracked down on fake accounts, added extra verification steps for new users, and acquired Smyte -- a software company that's dedicated to preventing spam and abuse. Now the social networking site is turning to university experts to promote healthier dialog.
Mobile MOBA ‘Vainglory’ is coming to PC
Although it's far more common to see PC games ported to mobile (Hearthstone, The Talos Principle, This War of Mine), that formula is occasionally reversed. Super Evil Megacorp's Vainglory is a case in point -- the high fantasy MOBA is coming to both Mac and PC.
Netflix original 'BoJack Horseman' is coming to Comedy Central
There have been whispers as early as January that BoJack Horseman could arrive on cable TV -- and after six months, it turns out the syndication rumors were true. Comedy Central has secured the television rights to all five seasons of the Emmy Award nominated black comedy series -- meaning it is no longer a Netflix exclusive.

...