beta
Latest
Prepare yourselves for a deluge of new AR filters on Instagram
As of today, anyone can create AR filters and effects for Instagram. Facebook has opened Spark AR -- the tool responsible for pretty much every AR experience you've encountered across Facebook's products -- to the Instagramming public.
'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare' multiplayer beta kicks off in September
When Call of Duty: Modern Warfare launches on October 25th for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, it'll come with a handful of multiplayer modes, including classic options like Team Deathmatch, Domination and Headquarters, plus a 2v2 Gunfight option (complete with local splitscreen), Cyber Attack (the new Search and Destroy) and Ground War (battle royale, baby). Ground War supports more than 100 players in traditional team-based multiplayer matches, though it also allows smaller rounds like 20v20. The Modern Warfare open beta kicks off, exclusively for PS4 players, on September 12th. The Early Access beta runs from September 12th - 13th, while the open beta will be from September 14th - 16th, both only on PS4. Players on other platforms can jump in the following weekend. Early Access for Xbox One and PC is September 19th and 20th, and the PS4 beta will be live those days as well. The open beta for all platforms happens from September 21st - 23rd.
GOG Galaxy 2.0 aims to put all your digital games in one place
Competition is supposed to be good, right? It means a bigger selection and better prices, so it's great for consumers. But when the Epic Store launched last December, gamers were pissed. Because it meant their digital games collection was now fragmented between even more services. Gamers like having their collection all in one place, and for most that means sticking with Steam. That isn't great for rival sites like GOG. While it was created as a place to buy classic titles, it's evolved into a marketplace that sells a lot of indie games and even some AAA fare. It added some Steam-like features in its GOG Galaxy launcher, which incorporated things like play stats and leaderboards. But still, there was the fragmentation problem. Galaxy 2.0, now in closed beta, is designed to fix that problem by bringing everything back together.
Standalone Cortana app available to Windows Insiders
Microsoft has been distancing Cortana from Windows for months. First, it split the virtual assistant from search in Windows 10. Then, a beta version of a standalone Cortana app appeared on the Windows Store. And starting today, Windows 10 Insiders are able to test the new Cortana app beta in Windows.
The 'Minecraft Earth' beta begins its global takeover this month
It's been a couple of months since we first heard about Minecraft Earth, the augmented reality version of Mojang's game that makes the real world a playscape full of your blocky creations. It promised a beta release of the game would arrive this summer and now, along with a new trailer, the company says it will launch on iOS within the next two weeks, with Android following "soon thereafter."
Google Assistant launch gesture officially arrives on Android Q beta
From the very start, Google intended to fine-tune the gesture-based navigation system it introduced with Android Pie in an effort to make poking around phones with edge-to-edge screens feel a lot more natural. One of the gestures it was working on would summon Google Assistant with a swipe -- now that feature is rolling out with Android Q's fifth beta version that's available for Pixel devices. Users can swipe from one of the bottom corners of their phone to call on the platform's high-tech helper if they need it. The feature also comes with "handles," presumably on those corners of the screen, to serve as the gesture's visual representation.
Apple's new iOS 13 feature corrects your gaze during video calls
A video call is a great way to connect with friends and family when you can't physically be together. But even if you're staring directly at your loved one's face, there's still something a little off about the whole process. The way your phone's screen display and camera lens sync up means you're never quite able to look your conversational partner squarely in the eye. Until now, that is. Apple is allegedly working on a new feature that subtly adjusts your gaze during video calls, so it appears as if you're looking into the camera when you're actually looking at the screen.
Spotify ends direct music uploads for indie artists
Indie artists will no longer have the option to upload music directly to Spotify -- not that they'll necessarily mind. Spotify is shutting down the upload beta test after determining that its efforts were better spent elsewhere. Feedback from musicians suggests that Spotify should instead "lean into" the work of existing distribution partners, according to the company. It would also pour more of its energy into unique benefits, such as listener metrics and a playlist submission tool.
Twitch is testing subscriber-only streams
A Twitch channel subscription might soon get you considerably more than emotes, ad-free viewing and access to special chat rooms. The service is launching a beta for Subscriber Streams, or live broadcasts that are (you guessed it) limited to people with active subscriptions, mod privileges and VIP status. It won't be thrilling if you don't like paying for Twitch, but it could help creators who want to reward paying fans with behind-the-scenes specials, all-request game sessions and other perks. Non-subscribers will get a preview of these streams with immediate access if they choose to sign up.
'League of Legends' take on 'Auto Chess' reaches open beta this week
Riot Games isn't going to let Dota Underlords capitalize on the Auto Chess trend without offering a fight. The developer is rolling out the open beta test for its League of Legends equivalent, Teamfight Tactics, over the course of the week. It's already available on the Japanese and Oceania servers, and should reach North America, Europe, Russia and Turkey the following day. Other regions will join over the two days after that.
Apple releases public betas of iOS 13, iPadOS and macOS Catalina
Now's your chance to peek at the future of Apple software without signing up for a developer account. Apple has released the first public betas of iOS 13, iPadOS and macOS Catalina, giving you a taste of what's to come in the fall if you're willing to live with bugs and compatibility issues. The highlight for many will be iOS 13, which brings the coveted dark mode as well as big updates to core apps like Mail, Maps, Notes and Reminders. You can expect smarter photo browsing, Memoji sticker packs, an improved Siri voice and speedier app loading.
Apple TV beta tests iOS-like picture-in-picture
The latest beta version of Apple's upcoming tvOS 13 has an unexpected surprise. The company is introducing support for a picture-in-picture mode that allows you to browse while continuing to watch a video. The feature, available in tvOS 13 beta 2, was not previously announced by the company and wasn't mentioned during its WWDC keynote earlier this month.
Valve's latest 'Dota' spinoff is 'Underlords,' free beta starts next week
Now that Dota Auto Chess mod maker Drodo has announced plans to release PC Auto Chess as an Epic Games Store exclusive, Valve is releasing its standalone version, dubbed Dota Underlords. In this game, players join the game with seven others while "building, combining, and leveling-up a crew in a battle of dominance for the city of White Spire." The point here is supposed to be the use of tactics over quick-twitch reflexes, and players who've purchased a $10 Dota 2 Battle Pass can try it out right now. An open beta is slated to begin after "approximately a week" of stress testing of the preview which includes eight-player multiplayer, play vs. bots, or teams against other players and/or bots. The open beta will be available for Steam on all platforms plus Android and iOS, with cross-play and progression carrying over no matter where you play. It looks like Valve has learned a bit from the launch of its last Dota spinoff, Artifact, and now it will be up to players to decide if it's more successful.
Microsoft's built-in Linux kernel for Windows 10 is ready for testing
Just as promised, Microsoft has delivered a built of Windows 10 to members of its Insiders beta program that includes Windows Subsystem for Linux 2. It was announced just last month at the Build event, and the tech included in Preview Build 18917 (20H1) should bring much faster I/O performance than the previous emulator showed. The company's Command Line blog has more details on how to make it all work, but for real-world benchmarks we'll have to wait for testers to update and interface with it using Linux distributions that are either sideloaded or installed from the Windows Store.
PlayStation Preview update brings 16-player parties and chat transcription
PlayStation 4 gamers could soon have access to bigger party sizes. In a blog post by Sony, the company announced it was testing a number of new updates to the Party function, including improved audio quality, better network connectivity and increased player party participants, jumping from eight to 16.
Google's Android app-shrinking tool rolls out to all developers
Google introduced the Android App Bundle last year, a publishing format designed to shrink the size of app installs. It's now out of beta and available to all developers, which means all apps now have the potential to be kinder to your phone in terms of storage and memory.
Puma is recruiting beta testers for its self-lacing sneakers
When Engadget took an exclusive look at the Puma Fi self-lacing shoes earlier this year, the company teased an upcoming beta program for those who want to try their luck. Well, the time has come. Between now and April 28th, you can apply for the Puma Fi beta testing program via the PUMATRAC app (available on iOS and Android) or Puma's online form. The catch is you need to be residing in one of the following 11 regions: US, UK, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Spain, India and Turkey.
Apple opens a beta test for its new TV app and subscriptions
Apple News+ arrived last week with iOS 12.2, and now you can get an early taste of the updated Apple TV app through the official beta program. The redesigned app touted by Apple during its event earlier this week is available in the public beta version of iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3.
WhatsApp test highlights frequently forwarded messages to curb fake news
WhatsApp is experimenting with yet more tools to help fight the spread of fake news. A new beta for Android labels messages you send as "frequently forwarded" if they've been shared five or more times. You can even see the exact forwarding count by diving into the Message Info section. It's limited to messages you send rather than ones you receive, but it could give you second thoughts about sharing a sensationalist piece more than once.
The Android Q beta is here with a focus on privacy
It's that time of year when Google offers an early peek at the next version of Android, and sure enough, the first Android Q preview beta is here. Like previous Android betas, the emphasis here is more on functional updates rather than razzle-dazzle. Most notably, privacy is a major focus. You can limit location gathering to when an app is running (much like on iOS) and restrict apps' access to media, while Google will restrict apps' power to either jump to the foreground or collect sensitive info like IMEI and serial numbers.
