Editorials
iPhone 7 and iPhone 6C – far and near future of Apple handsets
Apple’s iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus are still very recent launches in the limelight, with analysts reporting record sales figures for the last quarter of 2014. Despite having a new release to meddle with, fans of the company are already looking forward to what’s next: the iPhone 6C and iPhone 7. With an affordable option still not available for Apple fans, the iPhone 6C finds itself rumored as a very anticipated release. The iPhone 6C release date is already pegged for February 2016, even though that’s less than half a year after their last product launch. The iPhone 7 is allegedly going to be the flagship of 2016 and its release date is pegged for a more reasonable September 2016 event.
The iPhone 6C represents the nearest Apple future we can imagine, since it’s long overdue and fans have been asking for a more affordable way of getting into the Apple ecosystem than the flagship options, that cost upwards of $500. An iPhone 6C, as the C in its name would imply, represents the possible successor to the iPhone 5C and rumors about the handset have been omnipresent on the internet since Summer. Regardless of the fact that Apple has not yet confirmed that it would be launching an affordable iPhone model, people are already getting excited for the opportunity.
New reports about the iPhone 6C design, features and price have been circulated across the internet describing various different ideas of what the smartphone will bring to the market. The general consensus about the handset is that it’s going to be affordable, despite a new report stating that it would feature a metal construction. Apparently, Apple is going to focus on keeping the iPhone 6C as premium as possible, removing features like 3D touch instead to keep costs down and market the handset in a more affordable way.
Supposedly leaked iPhone 6C renders
The iPhone 6C specs and features that are being talked about currently pertain to a mid-range device made for fans of the compact smartphone. With a 4-inch Retina display that should fit in anybody’s pocket, USB Type C to facilitate easier and faster charging and connections, as well as a colorful metal design are all features expected to appear in the iPhone 6C. Although they should be taken with a grain of salt until Apple confirms them, the features do pertain to current trends as well as Apple’s usual choices for hardware and features in the affordable tier.
At the same time, the iPhone 6C should be less impressive from a visual standpoint, rumors saying that the iPhone 6 design will be its mantra, with colorful back panels added to the mix. Unlike the iPhone 7, which is expected to bring a complete overhaul of the design of the flagship, the iPhone 6C is said to be launched as a product completing the company’s 2014 and 2015 portfolio of devices. So far, the most prominent rumors suggest that the hardware within the iPhone 6C will be similar to that found in the iPhone 6, with an Apple A8 chipset, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB internal storage, the same camera setup from the iPhone 6 and even TouchID also said to be present. With a suggested price between $400 and $500, the iPhone 6C might have a significant role to play in the first half of next year, if it exists.
The problem with the iPhone 6C and all the specs people are talking about is that they tend to be contradictory. Although the handset should be the affordable device in Apple’s portfolio, a metal body and Touch ID sound like features that shouldn’t be included if the price point will be truly affordable at around $300. At this point, there is no information out there confirming that Apple ordered any hardware from its manufacturing partners that would belong in the iPhone 6C, apart from the 4-inch IPS displays. We’re excited about a possible affordable iPhone, but the sheer variety of information out there really casts doubt on whether this is going to be an actual product in 2016 or not. The very early release date in February is also suspicious enough.
The iPhone 7 seems like much more of a certainty than the iPhone 6C, seeing as a refresh to the flagship line-up next year is almost mandatory in the saturated smartphone market if Apple wants to make serious revenue increases in 2016 – not that it needs them. While rumors and reports about the iPhone 6C seem contradictory and very speculative, the same cannot be said for the iPhone 7, which is being discussed everywhere – even on CNN news. CNN aired a report last night about the headphone jack of the iPhone 7 or rather its non-existence. Last week, the rumor mill was focused around Apple renouncing the headphone jack in favor of a Lightning port, so we’ve pretty much ended up with a feature that is very likely to appear.
There are many, many rumors about the iPhone 7 and since we’re done with the ones about the iPhone 6C, let’s see which are the omnipresent ideas about the flagship. First, the Lightning port replacing the headphone jack has been a change long-coming. It was foreseen by many people, and rightfully so, since Apple opened up its Made for Licensing program last year, filing a patent for headphones using the Lightning port instead of an audio jack. The move came right at a time when Apple made it clear that one of the main ideals they’re chasing are thin iPhones and replacing the audio hack would contribute to that ideal by 1 whole milimeter. Although implementation of the new standard has not happened with the iPhone 6, as originally predicted, it’s bound to happen with the iPhone 7.
Replacing the audio jack with a Lightning port would facilitate the engineering of a much thinner phone with a better design, all the while keeping the Apple ecosystem airtight from outsiders. Adopting a strategy that would involve the company bundling Lightning port earphones with the iPhone 7 would be the most logical way to go about this, since implementing a new standard takes time and money from the company as well as the users. However, seeing as Apple is usually going after a lot of profit, I do expect the company to sell “high-end” Lightning headphones for a premium price, regardless of bundling earpods or not with the flagship.
Reports from Forbes and 9to5Mac suggest that Apple will also bundle converters and ask third-party manufacturers to do the same, which would greatly help with adoption rates for the new standard. While the primary motivations behind changing the standard are most likely financial, rather than design and practical function, the Lightning port would allow the company to implement new features thanks to the connection that carries power and data simultaneously, and opened up to developers, the standard could present a new baseline for audio quality and consumption. But mostly, Apple is going to make money out of it – and a lot of it. Considering third-party sales, licensing revenue and potential and Apple headphone sales, the company will make a lot of cash if the move is implemented in the iPhone 7.
Some say switching from an audio hack to a Lightning port on the iPhone 7 could make or break the company. The audio jack has been a standard for decades now, and while we understand that the company wants to change everything and encompass everything into its money-making ecosystem, audiophiles and calculated spenders won’t like it. While using the Lightning port for audio is not a bad idea in itself, it will pose complications for users who are going to experience a sort of “learning curve”, or rather frustration when having to use connectors, adaptors and buy new hardware just to be able to use the new iPhone 7. Apple hasn’t confirmed this though, so we can’t say for sure whether the switch will happen at the iPhone 7 launch in September or at the iPhone 8 launch in 2018.
Leaving the headphone situation behind, another rumor concerning the iPhone 7 design involves a slimmer and lighter body, with thinner bezels all around and no TouchID button. Instead of the TouchID home button, apparently the screen will hide biometric security on the entirety of the screen. A USB Type C port is most likely going to be replacing the Lightning port for charging, as Apple first introduced the new standard to its products with the last MacBook. Two new ports and a slight redesign of the iPhone 7 seem to be the most discussed aspects of the phone, since the handset is supposed to innovate in design and hardware. While the iPhone 6S line-up was more of an incremental update adding to the premium feel and performance of the family, the iPhone 7 is most likely going to be just as much of a jump as the iPhone 6 was coming from its predecessor.
Another theory suggests that the iPhone 7 design will go down the gaming road, enhancing TouchID with a pop-out joystick for games hidden under the sensor itself. This is interesting, but unlikely, seeing as Apple has shown tendencies this year of focus on the enterprise rather than the gaming market. The consumer market will continually be the main target of the iPhone 7, but a more prominent entry into the enterprise market is also expected. The enterprise approach is corroborated by rumors of fast charging and wireless charging features in the iPhone 7 and even in the iPhone 6C.
The iPhone 7 release is most likely going to see two different sizes of the device being launched, if not three. A 5-inch and a 5.5-inch handset are likely to make an appearance, but the smaller iPhone 6C or even iPhone 7C could also end up being showcased. It would be quite the interesting development to pass the supposed iPhone 6C release date without a launch and seeing three variants of the iPhone 7 being launched in September 2016. It does sound like a better strategy, to give people time to still be excited about the iPhone 6S and even buy it despite going over-budget in their excitement. It’s an awkward truth to accept, but usually that’s the strategy companies employ, especially with expensive hardware.
Although there’s little to be known about the iPhone 7, one particular rumor sounds rather possible: waterproof certification. Apple fans have been asking for a waterproof option for a long time, and although demand has decreased since even Samsung canned the feature from its flagship consumer Galaxy S6 line-up, it is a possibility. The Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia Z5 are praised for their waterproof feature and present quite the interest for the Android crowd. Getting in on that market, which is just as expensive as an iPhone, would be beneficial to Apple because they could satisfy a demand that is not really being met nowadays. However, a waterproof iPhone 7 is most definitely going to turn the already high price of the handset into almost a luxurious item, like the Apple Watch. With current waterproof options costing upwards of $500, excepting the Xperia M4 Aqua, it might not be that much of a stretch. Moreover, the recent patents that came to light about a buoyant, airbag-equipped iPhone 7 also propose an interesting new angle. However, these won’t be implemented until 2018, according to analysts.
The only feature that we can pretty much guarantee to be showcased in the iPhone 7 is multipoint 3D touch. Seeing as 3D touch is an inherently Apple feature (even though others use it, too), it’s logical to think that Apple is going to strive to improve the feature. With that in mind, more practical uses and tools should be added via the improved 3D touch interface, adding to the overall appeal of the iPhone 7, especially to those who have become accustomed to 3D touch and have learnt to love it.
In the end, the iPhone 6C and iPhone 7 are nothing but an enigma. Take all the available info about them with a grain of salt until Apple comes forward with a confirmation. Although we expect both handsets to satisfy new and old needs at the same time, cross new pricing lines and add to the user experience, we’re not expecting them to be the perfect smartphones. Features are bound to be missing, but others are meant for improvement over the years.
After many years of fans begging Square Enix to remaster Final Fantasy VII, they finally listened and did just that. There were numerous excuses as to why the game’s re-release had lagged behind the re-releases of both VII and IX, with the most common excuse being that the game’s original code was lost years ago. However, the company made it happen and the game is finally available for modern audiences to play on modern hardware today. We’re going to give you 5 reasons why you should do just that.
First time available on modern hardware
As we’ve already said, this is the first time that the game is available on modern hardware. While the game originally launched for PS1 back in 1999, it later got a PC port in 2000. That means that is has been a whopping 19 years since a new version of the game has been available for purchase, and that wait was a brutal one. However, it is finally over and you can now play this classic game on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch along with PC. If the lack of modern hardware support was stopping you from checking out, that excuse just got thrown out the window.
The visuals look better than ever
Thankfully, Square Enix did not just slap this port together quickly and throw it out there to shut everyone up. They did a terrific job of putting on a shiny new coat of paint for the game, with the character models in particular looking much better. While things like environment textures didn’t get quite the same amount of attention, this is nevertheless the best that the game has ever looked. It also helps that the game is simply beautiful from a design standpoint, with the game’s world being gorgeous to behold even though we’re dealing with the hardware limitations of 1999.
Quality of life improvements
While those who played the game 20 years ago will still be getting what is essentially the same experience, Square Enix did add some quality of life improvements to put it more in line with current JRPGs. These changes include the likes of increasing battle speed by 3 times, shutting off random encounters completely and even a cheat to give you max HP and limit breaks. While these may seem minor, these will go a long way to ease some of the tedium that many feel after some particularly long gaming sessions. Max HP and Limit Breaks will also make the incredibly tough Ultima and Omega Weapon boss fights a lot easier to deal with.
Triple Triad
The Final Fantasy series is known for having its fair share of enticing side quests and mini games, but there isn’t a single one that is as addicting as Triple Triad. The game is essentially a card game that is played on a 3×3 grid, and each card has a certain number on the top, bottom, left and right sides. You need to place your cards in a manner that the numbers on your cards are higher than your opponents, and seeing as your card can be attacked from four different sides this can be tricky. You’re able to challenge many different characters to a match throughout the course of the entire game, and doing so comes with plenty of nice rewards that will make your quest easier.
The game is awesome
While our previous points focused on specific elements of the game, this one is a simple fact that has been true since 1999: the game is awesome. Unfortunately, releasing immediately after Final Fantasy VII (a watershed moment for gaming) put it under a very cruel microscope, with many knee jerk reactions simply saying it “isn’t as good as VII.” However, in the years that have passed people have revisited the game, and the consensus has definitely changed. This adventure that Square created is unlike any other in the series, being host to an ambitious and bizarre plot filled with some of the best characters the series has ever seen. If you’ve played the game before then this is the perfect time to experience this masterpiece all over again, and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for?
2019 has been yet another good year for gaming so far, with several games releasing that will be big contenders for game of the year once the curtain closes. However, despite the year already being more than halfway over, there are still some huge titles on the horizon that are sure to make their own dents on the coming best-of lists. This article will list the 10 biggest games that are still coming in 2019.
Control
A new game from Remedy Entertainment is always highly-anticipated, and Control is no different. The game is an action-adventure game in the same style as Alan Wake or Quantum Break, but with a supernatural twist. Players will control Jesse Faden, who possesses a variety of supernatural abilities like telekinesis, levitation and more. She will be using her abilities in order to defeat an enemy known only as the Hiss, which has corrupted reality. Control launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on August 27th.
Borderlands 3
It has been many years since the last game in the Borderlands series released, but the hiatus is finally coming to an end very soon. Those who have played previous games in the series will feel right at home with this game, as it’s once again a loot-driven FPS. The game will offer more zany characters and a charming and insane world to explore, all while dealing with new antagonists Troy and Tyreen Calypso along with their Children of the Vault cult. Borderlands 3 launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on September 13th, with a Google Stadia port release date being TBA.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series is returning soon with Breakpoint, which will serve as a continuation of previous game Wildlands. The game is set in an open world environment called Aurora, which is a fictional island in the Pacific Ocean. Players will control Lieutenant Colonel Anthony “Nomad” Perryman, who is a special forces operative that was sent to the island to investigate a series of disturbances in the area. Breakpoint launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 4th, with a Google Stadia port coming in November.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Each new installment in the Call of Duty series is always huge, but Modern Warfare’s release marks a first for the long-running franchise. It will be the first game in the series that is reimagining of a previous game in the series, taking 2004’s original game and updating its mechanics and themes to match today’s world. The game will still have some of the beats that the first game had, but will also incorporate lots of surprises to make it a fresh experience. Modern Warfare launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th.
The Outer Worlds
Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds is one that will be very highly-anticipated for fans of Fallout: New Vegas, as this game serves as a sort of spiritual successor to that game. It will be an open world RPG that allows you to explore many unique areas crawling with plenty of deadly foes. Players will also be able to encounter and recruit NPCs as companions that have their own personal missions and stories to take part in. The Outer Worlds launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th, with a Switch port also being in the works.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
It seemed very unlikely that Luigi’s Mansion would become a recurring franchise for Nintendo following the original GameCube game, but here we are. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is coming to Switch, which also means it will be the first home console release since the original game back in 2003. This time the game is set in a haunted hotel rather than a mansion, and Luigi has some new tricks up his sleeves to take down all those ghosts. Luigi’s Mansion 3 will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch on October 31st.
Death Stranding
If you’re looking for the most ambitious (and weirdest) game still coming in 2019, then look no further. Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding has perplexed gamers ever since its announcement, and each new trailer that releases just brings more and more questions to the table. It is Kojima’s first game since breaking up with Konami after the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phanton Pain (and the cancellation of Silent Hills), and it looks like Kojima has taken the newfound complete creative control to deliver something truly original. Death Stranding launches exclusively for PS4 on November 8th.
Pokemon Sword & Shield
At this point we all know what to expect from a new Pokemon game, and Sword and Shield seems poised to deliver even more cute creatures for players to capture and battle very soon. What sets Sword and Shield apart from its predecessors is that it will be the first home console release for the series, which is saying something considering the series has been around for over 20 years. Pokemon Sword & Shield launches exclusively for Switch on November 15th.
Shenmue III
If you’re a fan of Shenmue then nothing needs to be said for the inclusion of the upcoming third game on this list. Fans of the series have been waiting nearly two decades for a follow-up to the second game, and in just a couple of months that will finally be delivered to them. Brought to life thanks to an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign, the game continues the adventure of protagonist Ryo Hazuki as he hunts down his father’s killer. Shenmue III will launch for PS4 and PC on November 19th.
DOOM Eternal
id Software’s DOOM 2016 was one of the best FPS games to come along in years, so it’s a no-brainer that the follow-up would be on this list. Eternal is set to offer yet another intense FPS campaign for players to plunge into, while also offering a multiplayer component that greatly improves upon the last game’s underwhelming multiplayer mode. There will also be twice as many demon types than there was in the last game, meaning that the chaos level just got that much higher. DOOM Eternal launches for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and PC on November 22nd.
Microsoft’s Xbox E3 2019 Press Conference has officially come to an end, and with it came plenty of big announcements to get excited about. Some new games were announced, whereas previously-announced games got new footage and/or release dates. In this article we’ve narrowed it all down to the 5 most exciting announcements.
New Xbox “Project Scarlett” Coming Holiday 2020
We’ve known for a while now that a new Xbox was in the works, but now we know when to expect it. Microsoft’s fourth console (which hopefully has a better official name than Xbox One did) will be a big step up from the previous console. Things like much faster load times, an AMD Processor that is four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, 8K Resolution and 120 FPS were all mentioned. A price and exact release date weren’t mentioned. It will also be launching with…
Halo Infinite Coming Holiday 2020, Launching On Both Xbox One and Project Scarlett
The wait for the next Halo game has been longer than ever before for series fans, and the announcement at E3 revealed that the wait will continue. Halo Infinite will not be launching until Holiday 2020, meaning it will have been 5 years since the previous game released with Halo 5. It will also be launching on Xbox One and Project Scarlett, meaning the new console will have a big launch title for fans to get pumped about.
Cyberpunk 2077 Coming April 2020, Stars Keanu Reeves
It’s hard to pick a game that people have been more excited about than Cyberpunk 2077, and after Microsoft’s press conference we’re even more excited. Not only is it coming in April of next year, but Keanu Reeves himself will be playing a “key” role in the game. Everything shown from the game has looked great so far, so hopefully it all pans out and we have another classic from CD Projekt RED come April 2020.
FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin Collaboration Elden Ring Announced
This one was actually leaked prior to the presentation, but Dark Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin are collaborating on a new game. The game is called Elden Ring, and it will be a departure from the developer’s most recent games as it will be open world. Very little information on the game is known at this point, as it is still in the early stages of development.
Phantasy Star Online 2 Is Coming West
It took a very long time, but the popular MMORPG is finally coming west. The game is coming to Xbox One in a free-to-play form in Spring 2020, so the wait won’t be that much longer. “There will be no limitations on game experiences,”says Sega, because they want to “provide all players with a fair and exciting experience.”
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