Android Nougat was a big upgrade for many users of Android phones, and was originally known simply as Android N. It seems that a Android O software is now available for testing by developers, so we could see a major upgrade to the software running on current and upcoming Android phones.
The biggest deal with Android O is its focus on efficiency. There’s a new feature called “Background Limits” that apparently will help a lot with battery life. Techradar reported on the changes, saying “The goal is to make apps, both old and new, less taxing on your battery by making the limits more transparent for developers. If it works well in the final release, this is one of those features that could be big for supported devices.”
A more exciting development (well, for me, anyway) is the addition of Picture in Picture mode (PIP). This feature, like the name suggests, allows you to continue watching videos while doing a completely different task. This is great news for people like me that spend a decent amount on sites like YouTube and then want to check Facebook or Twitter notifications. Having to completely go to a different window made it annoying and slow to try to keep up with my ever-growing queue of new videos to watch.
Another cool addition is the ability to “snooze” notifications and the ability to color code each type of notification so you can tell what’s up with a quick glance.
On the more technical side, Android O is including support for Sony’s LDAC Bluetooth codec. We’re starting to see the fall of the 3.5mm jack, either fortunately or unfortunately depending on who you ask. This new update is keeping up with the times and moving us towards a new, mostly wireless future – for better or for worse.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can download the developer preview here, but do so at your own risk. The first build is bound to be relatively unstable, and I wouldn’t recommend installing this update unless you’ve got some serious Android know-how.
Despite Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda, The Elder Scrolls 6 was not confirmed as an Xbox exclusive a few months ago. This happened because Xbox executive Phil Spencer indicated that target platforms hadn’t been selected yet, but it always felt like he was talking about the game being years away rather than the RPG being on PlayStation.
If you’re still holding out, Microsoft plans to release The Elder Scrolls 6 just on Xbox and PC. Documents from the company’s FTC lawsuit were recently released. In the document, Bethesda’s announced titles (both as a publisher and developer) are listed, and The Elder Scrolls 6 is listed for Xbox, PC, and nothing else.
We expected this, but The Elder Scrolls 6 was announced before Microsoft acquired its developer. The Elder Scrolls is a beloved franchise that’s been on various platforms for generations, so this isn’t Starfield.
However, the game isn’t due until 2026 at the earliest, according to the paper, and who knows what the gaming landscape will be like then.
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer’s mid-2020 dystopian email suggests the business was interested in buying Warner Bros Interactive and Bethesda. Even more alarming, the CEO calls buying Nintendo a “career moment” and “good for both companies” — and there are even rumors that Microsoft was interested in Valve.
While Spencer warns that acquiring Nintendo would be “hostile action” but “playing the long game”, the unprecedented corporate convergence is shockingly casual. He added: “Nintendo is taking a long time to realize their future is off their hardware. A long time… He even ended the chat with a smiling emoji to make it look more evil.
Spencer claims that Warner Bros Interactive was “gettable” when Microsoft was rumored to acquire it. He adds that “we wouldn’t own any of the IP which hurts long-term flexibility”. Because most Warner Bros Interactive developers work on franchises like Batman, Harry Potter, and others, the studios are worth little without the brands.
The email is over three years old, but it reveals Microsoft’s blasé approach to acquisitions and its goals. While its eventual acquisition of Activision Blizzard may have changed its plans, this leaked exchange suggests that Microsoft will not stop until it has absorbed as much of the industry as possible, even targeting Nintendo.
Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor director Stig Asmussen is leaving Respawn Entertainment for unknown reasons. Asmussen had planned a trilogy for Cal Kestis, but it appears another author will need to write it.
Bloomberg reports that an EA spokesperson said: “Stig Asmussen has left Respawn to pursue other adventures, and we wish him the best. Veteran Respawn leaders will lead Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.”
This move is surprising, but Asmussen leaves on a high note. Jedi: Survivor is a great game despite its performance issues, which is rare for a Star Wars game. We’ll see where Asmussen goes, but we’re excited.
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