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Replacing an Apple Watch Solo Loop could be a headache
Good luck replacing your new Apple Watch Solo Loop if it doesn't fit.
NASA's SpaceX Crew Dragon astronauts will return to Earth on August 2nd
NASA is planning for the SpaceX Crew Dragon to return to Earth on August 2nd.
Return your Amazon orders to any Kohl's store starting in July
You no longer have to be lucky if you want to return your Amazon order to a Kohl's store instead of heading to your local courier. As of July, you'll have the option of returning your goods at any of Kohl's 1,150 stores in the US. You won't need a box or label, and it won't cost you a dime as long as you're covered by the return policy in the first place.
Apple offers two-week window for iTunes refunds... in Europe
In case you needed another reason to be jealous of Europe (aside from access to the Autobahn and Yotaphone 2, naturally), Apple has one. Now you can return pretty much any iTunes purchase for a full refund within two weeks. Don't go thinking this will allow you to beat Infinity Blade 3 in one sitting and get your money back, though. If you open the app (or book, or what have you), Apple has the right to refuse a refund. Cupertino promises that return payments will be made within 14 days of the order-cancellation request and they'll be credited to the original form of payment.
Apple updates return policy in several EU countries
Apple has adjusted its return policy in several European countries, including the UK, Germany and France. The change lets customers essentially "return" digital purchases within fourteen days of purchase. Qualifying purchases include apps, music and books from the iBookstore. According to Apple, customers can expect their refunds to show up within two weeks of the request being made.
Warlords of Draenor cinematics, machinima, and more with Terran Gregory
If you've played World of Warcraft since the beginning, you've doubtless witnessed a slow evolution of story development take place in the form of in game cinematics and increasingly complex and beautiful patch trailers. The majority of these trailers can be chalked up to In-game Cinematic Project Director Terran Gregory, who has been toiling away on bringing us the very best of in game machinima since Burning Crusade. In Warlords of Draenor, those in game cinematics take a giant leap forward, featured in nearly every zone of the new expansion -- and with new models galore, they've never looked better. As the launch of Warlords marches ever closer, we had the opportunity to finally sit down and have a spoiler-free chat with Terran about the cinematics of Warlords -- as well as his beginnings with Blizzard, and the progress of cinematics from mere machinima trailers to in game marvels of technical prowess.
Amazon delivery lockers now also accept returns (updated)
You're not the only one who's ever bought silly things from Amazon while drunk. Good thing Amazon has several return methods, the newest of which lets you send back that banana slicer through the company's strategically placed delivery lockers. According to The Wall Street Journal, the e-commerce giant will now let you return duds that way, so long as you get a drop-off code from its Online Returns Center first. You'll need that code to open a cabinet on the locker, where you can stick in a box (up to12x12x12 inches in size) that holds and conceals your embarrassing purchase. The WSJ says this move could save Amazon some serious cash, as up to a third of online purchases are usually returned and shipping's one of the company's biggest expenses. After all, carriers can retrieve items and deliver new orders at the same time whenever they visit a location. Unfortunately for customers, Amazon charges the same amount for locker returns as it does for UPS drop offs. We imagine it's still a welcome development for folks who live or work near one of those lockers, though -- whatever makes it more convenient to send back that Borat mankini, right? Update (April 2, 2014): An Amazon spokesperson told us that the company's been accepting locker returns since July 2013, so this might be old news for some. if you've heard it here first, though, you owe us a beer.
Apple drops iPhone return policy back to 14 days, matches carriers
At some point several years ago Apple decided to offer a much more generous return policy for the iPhone than it did for other products, bumping it from 14 days to 30 days. Over the last couple of years, however, the carriers have begun shifting to a 14 day return period. Obviously this caused some confusion among consumers who faced different terms depending on where they purchased their handset. Now Apple is (re)joining them by returning to the more restrictive two week policy. The move brings all parties in line with each other, which should reduce confusion and avoid surprise charges -- it was possible before to be hit with an early cancellation fee from your carrier if you returned your iPhone to an Apple store. Though, clearly we wish everyone had settled on 30 days.
RBI Baseball returns this spring to consoles, mobile
After being absent for two decades, a formerly long-running sports series is returning this spring in RBI Baseball 14. Developed by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, the MLB's in-house interactive entertainment division, the game will launch on all current and next-generation consoles in addition to smartphones and tablets. RBI Baseball 95, a Time Warner Interactive-developed game for the Sega 32X, was the last entry in the series, which began on the NES/Famicom. The timing of the announcement is appropriate, given that 2K Sports officially canceled its own baseball series just one week ago, putting an end to its exclusive third-party licensing agreement. The MLB currently has a landing page with a spiffy logo set up for the game, though no other details are available at the moment.
The Daily Grind: Are you a game recidivist?
We like to talk about when we leave games; we don't like to talk about when we come back to the same games yet again. Speaking for myself, I've left and returned to World of Warcraft at least five times, and I know there's probably one or two times that I'm forgetting. And it isn't alone -- City of Heroes clocked up three separate returns over the years, Final Fantasy XI clocked up four, and even Final Fantasy XIV arguably saw me leave and return at one point. Sometimes you return to find that nothing has changed and you leave again before too long. Sometimes you always come back for at least a few months, but you'll happily leave for a while as well. And the legend goes that some of you leave and then genuinely remain gone, not returning no matter what the next expansion promises you. Are you that legend? Or are you a game recidivist, always finding yourself going back to the games of yesterday sooner or later unless they shut down completely? 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!
The Soapbox: You can't go back again
Returning to an old MMO love is a tradition for us vets, isn't it? I see people doing it a lot, and I'm certainly not immune to giving in to these whims. It usually starts out mild: hearing a friend talk about the game, remembering a good time you had in it, or seeing a big chunk of shiny new content come down the pike. Suddenly you've signed up again and logging in like you never left. It feels so familiar. It feels so alien. And that's when you realize: You really can't go back again. It's a dreadful realization, one that makes you lunge for the clock and attempt to turn back time with a sheer force of will. Stages of grief set in: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Sometimes you work in "snack food binge" in there as well. Why, you wonder, can't this be just like last time? It's a game, so why can't you recapture the same magic?
Brad McQuaid returns to EverQuest
It's like getting the band together again. Less than a year ago, Brad McQuaid returned to Vanguard, the game that he had created. But McQuaid had room to go even further back to his first position of note... and now he's done it. It's been confirmed on the official forums that Brad McQuaid is now back with EverQuest, a fact that has resulted in no shortage of fan shock. McQuaid says that after 12 years, he couldn't resist the chance to rejoin the team and get back to work on the game, which he feels still bears many traces of work he did back when he was first involved in development. He also hints that some of his first projects will involve elements of the game that have been hinted at since launch, although he avoids further explanation. Whether you're happy or sad about it as an old-school EverQuest player, you can't deny that it's big news. [Thanks to Tess for the tip!]
Things I wish would return to World of Warcraft
It's inevitable that as the game progresses, some elements are lost. Story elements work to a conclusion, gameplay elements are left by the wayside. The game changes. We can't and shouldn't constantly strive for the game to return to yesterday, but there are some elements of the past that deserve re-examination and perhaps a return to the game. Especially if they can be returned without disrupting what we already have. So to prove that even I have a nostalgia core here is my contribution to the discussion, a list of things I would like to see make some form of return to World of Warcraft.
Buyer's remorse on 3rd-gen iPad? Check with your Apple Store
It's all sunshine and Lightning for everyone who loves new Apple hardware -- except for those cranky not-so-few who bought a full-size third generation iPad (Retina) in the run-up to today's announcements. Although some late rumors suggested a revamp to the iPad mini's big brother would include the new interface port and upgraded internals, that's cold comfort now if you really had your heart set on having the latest and greatest for more than a few short months. There might be some wiggle room, however, if you bought your third-generation iPad in the last month and you feel like exchanging for a fourth-generation model. CNet is citing the experience of a few readers who were able to get AppleCare confirmation of a 30-day return window (the usual no-questions-asked-if-it's-undamaged return policy is 14 days after purchase). Reporter Sharon Vaknin says that the Stockton Street Apple Store in San Francisco is waiving the 14-day policy -- but that might be a discretionary change that is only available at certain stores. We've emailed Apple for comment, as this store-by-store exchange policy (if that's what's going on) seems a bit flaky and unfair. If you're still inside the 14-day margin, you should be able to exchange up for the current model if you want to, keeping in mind that your docks and accessories won't be directly compatible. If you're between 15 and 30 days, call your local store or AppleCare and see what they say. [via 9to5Mac]
AT&T cutting returns and service cancelation period from 30 to 14 days, starting tomorrow? (update: confirmed)
Prone to bouts of buyer's remorse? Well if you were planning an AT&T flavored purchase, you might want to start the car. A tipster has sent in what appears to be a notice to staff advising that the returns period for equipment and service cancellations will be shrinking from 30 to 14-days -- effective tomorrow. Purchases made today would benefit from the longer period, and our tipster claims that there may be a grace period until November where returns could be processed as if still under the original scheme (what sounds, to us, like a courtesy for those who didn't read the fine print). We don't have all the fine print, but head past the break for a little more on the specifics. [Thanks, Anonymous] Update: AT&T has confirmed the policy change to us, noting that it'll indeed go into effect tomorrow, but won't affect certain business customers. You'll find the full response after the break, while we're getting word on how this will work in California, where 30 return periods are required by law.
South Korea forces Blizzard to give Diablo III refunds
After investigating numerous complaints that Blizzard wasn't granting refunds to dissatisfied South Korean Diablo III players, the government there demanded that the studio do so anyway. The South Korean consumer protection law ensures a refund if there's a problem with the product that isn't related to the customer. Many South Korean players were angered due to massive server crashes and high latency while playing Diablo III. The Wall Street Journal reports that 66% of Diablo III online traffic in Asia comes from the country. As for the refund itself, there are a few stipulations. It currently extends to players who haven't reached level 40. If eligible, the customer has to file for a refund between June 25th and July 3rd. Past that date, Blizzard said that it will offer refunds for any players under level 20 within 14 days of their purchasing the game. The studio is also extending an olive branch to upset gamers by handing out 30-day trials to StarCraft II.
Best Buy boosts return window from 14 days to 30
That adage of "less is more" definitely doesn't apply to retailer return policies, so we have no complaints here. Best Buy is reportedly going to offer a more lenient 30-day window for device returns, up from the company's current 14-day policy. Naturally, this also covers price matches, and applies to all products, including those from Apple, where two weeks is the norm. You'll find the full details over at our sister site TUAW, when you hit up the source link just below.
Best Buy to simplify return policy: 30 days, all products (including iPad)
This past weekend, while noting the $50 discount on iPads at Best Buy now in force, I happened to mention the retailer's return policy for tablets (and desktop/laptop computers, as well): 14 days from purchase for a refund. That's aligned with Apple's retail rules, which also allow two weeks to change your mind. (Best Buy apparently is busy removing the iPad 2 from its inventory systems now, per Engadget.) That mention caught the eye of a Best Buy insider, who reached out to let us know about an upcoming shift in the winds. Starting next week, Best Buy plans to offer 30-day returns on all items, iPads and Macs included. This simplification of the customer policies appears to be a major push for Best Buy this quarter, if the screenshots we got are legitimate. An extra two weeks of no-questions-asked product return may not be an earthshaking change, but if you consider it compared to Apple policy, it might shift a few buying decisions. Amazon already offers 30-day returns on all electronics.
The Daily Grind: Do you re-roll when you come back?
Coming back to an MMO after an extended leave of absence can be a trial in and of itself. Unlike the first time, when everything is fresh and new and straight-forward, a return means that you have to unravel all of the messy threads that you left behind when you bugged out after a rage quit (I'm just generalizing, here). All at once you have to remember your passwords, get reacquainted with your characters, relearn your skill rotations, puzzle out your entire quest log, and catch up on the (presumably) many changes that have happened to the game since you left. Consequently, the temptation can be strong to simply wipe the slate clean and re-roll a completely new character. A brand-new character can help you relearn the game without overwhelming you with too many details at once, which is hugely appealing. On the other hand, it might seem like a waste not to continue an old character that you invested so much of your time and effort into building. So do you re-roll when you come back to an MMO, or do you pick up where you left off? This Daily Grind will self-destruct in five minutes or after a hundred comments, whichever comes first. 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!
Guitar Hero to be resurrected, retooled, and launch reunion tour
Stop mourning wannabe rock stars -- Guitar Hero is coming back. We heard the rumors of its demise were greatly exaggerated, but now word has come straight from Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick that the game is currently being reinvented for a modern, more demanding audience. As he told Forbes, "we're going to take the products out of the market, and we're not going to tell anybody what we're doing for awhile... we're going to use new studios and reinvent Guitar Hero. And so that's what we're doing with it now." So there you go -- Guitar Hero's retirement was only temporary. Like any good performer it'll be back before you've even had a chance to miss it. Looks like the franchise will keep rocking out well past its prime. What's the console equivalent of playing a state fair?
