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Spotify is testing an 'offline mix' that downloads recently played songs
Spotify is testing a feature called "Your Offline Mix" that will "save a mix of your recently played songs.
Microsoft confirms its recent Series X update lets Xbox One discs be played offline
Many Xbox One disc games can be played offline thanks to a new update.
Spotify's latest Wear OS app supports direct streaming and downloads
With the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 series and latest Wear OS version, Spotify has introduced a significant update to its Wear OS app
Twitch will ban users for serious offline misconduct
An expanded safety policy targets major safety risks to the Twitch community that emerge offline or on other platforms.
Google Calendar's desktop site can work offline again, in some cases
Google Calendar's desktop website lost offline support in a 2018 redesign, but now it's coming back -- at least for business accounts.
'Disintegration' multiplayer shuts down after just six months
The developer behind Disintegration, the tactical shooter with transhuman characters, is ending the multiplayer mode that it launched early this year.
Crunchyroll subscribers can finally watch anime offline
With new membership tiers, Crunchyroll subscribers can watch anime offline.
Mighty's iPod Shuffle for Spotify now works with Amazon Music
When Mighty arrived in 2017, the device offered the convenience of offline playback for Spotify. In other words, you could take your favorite tunes anywhere -- and you didn't need your phone to do it. Basically, it's an iPod Shuffle for any albums, songs, playlists or podcasts you've made available offline. The company (which goes by the same name) returned in 2018 with the updated Mighty Vibe, a device with much improved Bluetooth range and more consistent battery life. Of course, there was still a key issue: it only worked with Spotify. Well, that changes today. Mighty now works with Amazon Music.
Now Hulu subscribers can download and watch offline on Android
Apple TV+ is just hours from debuting and Disney+ will be here in a couple of weeks, giving Hulu less time to catch up with the pack in terms of streaming features. The video service finally added the ability to download shows for offline viewing earlier this month, but until now it only worked on iOS devices. If you use Android or Amazon's FireOS instead of an iPhone or iPad, then we have good news, now you can download shows and movies too -- perhaps something Halloween themed like Castle Rock season two.
Alexa Auto adds offline capabilities that work in tunnels and parking garages
Having an Alexa-enabled car is convenient if you want to make a call, check the weather or order groceries while you drive. But that convenience quickly disintegrates when you drive through tunnels, parking garages or remote areas and lose signal. Amazon wants to fix that. Today, it released version 2.0 of its Alexa Auto SDK, which now comes with a bunch of offline functions.
Land art reminds you to maybe go offline sometimes
Leon Keer, a Dutch pop-surrealist and land artist, has created a simple but monumental piece with a very clear message. Conceived for the Vision Art Festival in the Swiss alps of Crans-Montana, 'offline' anamorphic land art, will make visitors do a double take when they see a WiFi symbol seemingly floating in mid-air at the pristine resort.
YouTube Premium can automatically download your favorite videos
YouTube is reportedly offering automatic downloads to its Premium subscribers. The opt-in feature should make it easier to watch content offline. As Android Police notes, some Premium subscribers now see a pop-up banner offering to automatically download favorite topics. In the "Downloads" section, users can pick channels and subjects to save for offline viewing, and each card indicates how long the videos are, so you have an idea of what you're saving.
‘Tetris 99’ will get an offline multiplayer mode later this year
Nintendo has been slowly expanding how and where you can play Tetris 99. In February, the company released the battle royale game as an online exclusive for Switch. A few months later, Nintendo offered downloadable content, so users could play the game offline. While you could still battle against opponents, offline you were forced to duke it out against bots. Now, it looks like that's going to change. Nintendo appears to be planning an offline multiplayer mode.
Google Drive tests a full offline storage mode in Chrome
Cloud services are great until you can't access an important file while you're on the road with frustratingly slow internet connection. Google Drive introduced offline mode for Documents, Slides and Spreadsheets as a solution for that. Now, it's also testing the capability to save PDFs, images, Microsoft Office and other non-Google files stored on Drive offline.
Nintendo will let you play 'Tetris 99' offline for $10
Releasing Tetris 99 as a free-to-play Switch game was a canny move by Nintendo, as the popular online-only title motivated users to get a Switch Online membership. Now, Nintendo is introducing a paid component with the new $10 Big Block DLC. You get two new modes: "CPU Battle" lets you play 98 virtual opponents offline, while "Marathon" is just classic line-clearing action. Both are available offline, meaning you'll no longer need Switch Online to play it.
Facebook experienced a rare outage earlier today (updated)
Facebook users are awakening to a startling sight Monday, as it appears that the social network is currently offline according to reports from Downdetector. 50 percent of DD users are reporting a complete lockout from the site itself while another 30 percent report that, while they can view the site, they aren't able to successfully log in. Engadget has confirmed amongst its editors in both the US and the UK that the platform is unavailable on either desktop or mobile.
Mighty returns with a redesigned offline Spotify player
When Mighty debuted last year, it delivered iPod Shuffle-like offline playback for Spotify users. In other words, it brought a tiny music player to the streaming generation. The original model mostly delivered on its promises, carrying more than 1000 songs so users could leave their phones behind on a run or during a workout. Mighty wasn't without its flaws though, and the company says it addressed many of the major hiccups with version 2.0, which is called the Mighty Vibe.
Gmail's native Offline mode is making its way to users' accounts
You might have access to Google's native Offline mode very, very soon if it hasn't landed on your account yet. The feature, which debuted as part of Gmail's redesign at Google I/O, has started rolling out to users. If you're using a work or school account, your Google admin will have to enable it in G Suite first. But if you have an ordinary account, you're bound to get it in the near future: to activate it, go to Settings, find the Offline tab and tick "Enable offline mail." Take note that you'll only see the option in the new Gmail (and not in the old interface) and if the browser you're using is Chrome 61 or later.
Uber is forcing six-hour rest breaks on busy US drivers
With its latest app update, Uber is forcing US drivers to take a six hour break after working 12 straight hours. The company implemented a similar feature in the UK earlier this year, but lets American drivers work two hours longer. The app will issue three warnings, starting after 10 hours of straight driving, before going offline and forcing drivers to stop. The aim is to put a halt to drowsy driving that causes 4,000 accidents a year, the company said in a statement.
YouTube Music adds song and album downloads almost two years later
It's pretty surprising that Google is updating the YouTube Music app instead of scrapping it wholesale. Before the most recent update it mainly served as a way to cast tunes that don't exist on the Google Play Music app to a Chromecast Audio. With the new patch, though, it's getting a little more useful. Now you can download albums, playlists and individual songs to your mobile device instead of a random mixtape based on your listening history. Pretty cool, right? Time to stock up on some obscure remixes for this weekend's camping trip before you leave WiFi behind.

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