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'Injustice 2' beta registration opens for future brawls
Developer NetherRealm Studios' games are as well known for their over-the-top action as much as their shaky online multiplayer. It looks like the team has taken the latter to heart because its upcoming DC Comics fighter Injustice 2 will have a beta test prior to releasing on May 16th. A registration form is live right this moment and will be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Uber's self-driving tests in SF end after the DMV steps in
The self-driving Uber pilot in San Francisco has ended, now that the DMV revoked registrations for the vehicles. Last week, the company faced off with government officials both state and local in an attempt to insist its cars did not need a permit or autonomous testing. Regulators disagreed, and things quickly escalated. Uber says it plans to redeploy the cars, somewhere, (hopefully without bike lanes), and "will be redoubling our efforts to develop workable statewide rules."
Facebook is testing public WiFi finder on mobile
Facebook has started testing a feature that will help you find the nearest public WiFi networks you can access for free. TheNextWeb has spotted the experimental feature in the iOS app, where chosen users can toggle on "Find WiFi" in their menus. The social network's spokesperson confirmed its existence to VentureBeat, explaining that the company has begun rolling out a "new feature that surfaces open WiFi networks associated with nearby places" in order "to help people stay connected to the friends and experiences they care about."
Scientists developed a USB stick that can perform an HIV test
When is comes to HIV tests, a drop of blood and a USB stick may be all patients need in the near future. Scientists at the Imperial College London developed a device with the help of medical testing company DNA Electronics that detects HIV levels in the bloodstream and creates a signal that can be read using a computer or handheld gadget. The disposable testing units could be used to help HIV patients monitor their treatment as well as improve how doctors manage the virus in remote locations.
Hey Twitter, hiding usernames won't help you
Once Twitter announced that links, pictures and usernames would no longer count towards a tweet's 140-characters, it also started testing changes to how @ reply messages look. This week my account was included in that test, and as a longtime user, I don't think this change is a good one. As you can see from the screenshots, it puts more emphasis on accounts "real" names. that would be fine, except I've spent ~8 years getting used to the usernames of people I follow and commonly tweet to. Now, I can recognize some of those names faster than the person's "real" one, because this is Twitter, not Facebook.
Facebook goes full Snapchat with filters and vanishing messages
Facebook has "borrowed" a lot of ideas from Snapchat lately, including the concept for Instagram Stories and Facebook Live selfie filters. In perhaps its most audacious move yet, the social network has started testing a new camera that lets you take selfies and videos with filters, effects and masks, which you can then share with friends in your News Feed. If nobody replies within 24 hours, they'll disappear.
Instagram is testing Live videos
A Russian publication has spotted an experimental Instagram feature it obviously got its from parent corporation's repertoire: live videos. One of T Journal's readers sent in screenshots and a video of a curious icon lined up with Instagram Stories on top that's clearly marked "Live." It led to a "popular live broadcasts" page, but it refused to load -- not surprising since the company hasn't even officially announced the feature yet. T Journal also posted a screenshot of the app's camera screen that says "Go Insta!" at the bottom, which we're assuming starts a live broadcast.
Facebook isn't done trying to copy Snapchat
Facebook's Snapchat-alike Messenger Day app has expanded to a new test ground: The Land Down Under. "We know that people come to Messenger to share everyday moments with friends and family," a spokesperson told TechCrunch. "In Australia we are running a small test of new ways for people to share those updates visually."
Blue Origin successfully tests its crew escape system
Blue Origin's escape system test went by without a hitch. Jeff Bezos' private spaceflight outfit successfully ejected the crew capsule from the New Shepherd rocket about 45 seconds after launch, shooting it away at about 400MPH before parachutes carried it safely to Earth. On top of this, Blue Origin landed New Shepherd again -- there were worries that the capsule's rocket would damage the booster and prevent it from landing safely. You can watch it yourself below, starting at the 1:05:58 mark.
Watch Blue Origin test its crew escape system on October 4th (update: now the 5th)
Blue Origin is about to take an important step toward its first manned flights. Jeff Bezos and company are planning to test New Shepherd's mid-flight escape system on October 4th, with a live stream beginning at 10:50AM Eastern. The firm promises that it will be "dramatic," and that may not just be hyperbole. When the crew capsule fires its rocket to make a getaway, there's a chance that it could damage the booster and prevent it from landing. That's not a problem in a real emergency, but unfortunate if you're hoping that this New Shepherd (which has flown four times before) will live to fly another day. This could be either wonderfully uneventful, full of explosions or a mixture of both -- you'll just have to watch to find out. Update: Blue Origin delayed the flight to the 5th due to weather. You can tune in below at 10:45AM Eastern.
Baidu's all-electric self-driving car is a modified Chery EQ
Baidu's plan to make self-driving cars a consumer reality by 2018 just changed gears, so to speak. According to Business Insider, the company has swapped out its modified BMW 3-series test vehicles for an all-electric car designed for the Chinese market: the Chery EQ. Unmodified, the diminutive EV can drive about 120 miles on a full charge. Baidu intends to use it to further test its driverless tech in China.
Facebook tests auto-playing News Feed videos with sound
It's no secret that Mark Zuckerberg wants Facebook to become a more video-centric social network, and the company has been conducting various tests to see how its users would react to new features. One of its latest mobile app experiments is auto-playing videos on the News Feed... with sound.
Google Chrome tests out a more personal New Tab page
A recent change to the Chrome Dev build on Android could indicate a new feature coming to the browser soon. Android Police points out that users are seeing a Google Now-powered content list on their devices, and I was able to pull it up easily after installing the test version of the app on my device. Google Reader it isn't, but it does bring the personalized suggestions closer to people who might not open the Search bar as often as their browser.
Zipcar tests pay-per-mile pricing system for short trips
Zipcar currently charges per hour to rent a vehicle from its fleet for a short time. The company is also testing pay-per-mile pricing in a few US cities, but there's no indication as to whether or not the new structure will be widely available in the future. As The Verge explains, the pilot program is actually a combination of the two pricing methods. You can rent a Honda Fit in Chicago for $4.50 an hour during the week or $5.50 an hour on the weekends, both of which tack on an additional 50 cents per mile. With regular pricing, a Nissan Versa costs $10.75/hour on a weekday with a 180-mile allotment before extra fees kick in.
Twitter is experimenting with adding 'Moments' to your timeline
Twitter is testing adding Moments directly to your timeline. The feature that highlights trends and news items on the social network is appearing in a carousel post that can be swiped horizontally. While only an experiment right now, this early exploration of dropping into user feeds shows just how important the trending-topic element is to the company.
Brain testing app will help diagnose mental health issues
Savonix is a company that claims to take the "analog processes" of cognitive assessment into the digital age. The firm is launching an iOS and Android app that, for the next six weeks, will let anyone examine their own mental ability. Users will have to undergo a series of tests that test the limits of their ability, from smart thinking through to emotional control. Whereas previously these tests would have been worked out on pen-and-paper under the supervision of a stern looking psychologist, now it's open to anyone. After the open beta closes and all of the kinks have been worked out, the app will become exclusively available to users who license the app through "healthcare organizations."
Play Doom's open beta all weekend on PS4, Xbox One and Steam
As promised, Doom's multiplayer open beta has arrived. It's been available to download the past few days and now you can actually play the thing. Contents include two maps and two play mode (team deathmatch and warpath), while weapons range from plasma rifles, to shotguns, lightning guns and (yes) rocket launchers. The Gauss Cannon also makes an appearance as a power weapon, and you'll even be able to play as a demon, if that's your choice in life. It's live starting today on PS4, Xbox One and Steam. It's going to be a busy month for betas: Overwatch's own is happening right now, while both GOW4 and Mirror's Edge will kick off next week.
Twitter is testing stickers you can add to photos
Twitter is struggling to attract new users, so it's looking to other social networking apps for ideas. As Recode reports, the company is testing a new sticker feature similar to Facebook, allowing users to spruce up their photos with colorful, customizable additions. One such tester, @XBLFoxes, shared a screenshot with the new sticker option in the right-hand corner of Twitter's photo editor. The idea being, of course, that it could encourage people to tweet more photos and, in response, receive more likes, retweets and replies from other users. All of which would help Twitter to grow.
Baidu will soon test its self-driving cars in the US
Chinese tech giant Baidu is planning to make self-driving cars a commercially viable option by 2018. To take another step in that direction, the company will test its autonomous vehicles on roads in the US. The plan to bring those cars stateside was announced by Baidu's chief scientist Andrew Ng this week, inviting better cooperation with the United States government and the ability leverage resources from its Silicon Valley tech center. That office, which is lead by Ng, is staffed with a number of employees tasked with the development of self-driving tech.
Facebook tests multiple News Feeds based on your interests
If you've been yearning for a way to cut through the clutter that is your Facebook News Feed, you may soon be in luck. The social network is testing multiple News Feeds inside its mobile app, as the feature is live for select users. In addition to the main feed, tabs for specific topics like Style, Travel and Headlines line the top of the interface. When you select one, the feed is distilled down to relevant posts from your friends and Pages you follow. Facebook says the feature is in the testing phase, so it could be a bit before it's open to all users.
