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OnePlus Two – VR and all you need to know

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The past few days were eventful for OnePlus One and Android fans: the OnePlus Two release date has finally been announced, alongside a few juicy details about the upcoming flagship killer. In this article, you will find out all you need to know about the OnePlus Two and why the Chinese company wants you to get hyped, apparently. But first! The OnePlus Two release date is set for July 27, through the invite system. We don’t know how many invites will be available when the sales go live, but we’re hoping to get our hands on one in August at least. The price for the device hasn’t been confirmed yet, either, but we only have a few weeks left until launch, so we’ll find out shortly.

OnePlus has a new marketing approach with the OnePlus Two this year and although sales are still based on invites, the OnePlus One can now be bought whenever, for a $250 price tag in the U.S. Meanwhile, the company is releasing bits and pieces of information about the OnePlus Two, like it being the first USB Type C smartphone with a unique cable. The company also revealed the presence of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset in the hardware list for the OnePlus Two, but that’s all that they’ve revealed.

With only a couple of weeks left until the OnePlus Two, it seemed like a great idea to take advantage of the hype and announce one more neat addition to the OnePlus family: virtual reality. Samsung did it, Sony is doing it, HTC is doing rather well with Valve so virtual reality accessories may seem like a flagship necessity. Although they’re not a necessity, they are certainly awesome and spread the technology across the world. Which is what the company’s mantra seems to be: sharing technology and helping it develop.

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There’s something special about the OnePlus Two USB C cable

With that idea in mind, alongside the OnePlus Two release date, the team unveiled the new VR headset that will accompany the phone, based on Cardboard 2.0. But that isn’t even the interesting part of the entire launch! In fact, the entire event will take place in virtual reality, which has never been done before. OnePlus Cardboard is just a tool that the Chinese tech startup intends to distribute for the event, and afterward, completely free of charge to OnePlus fans.  Or at least that’s what most people think. In all fairness, the post announcing the VR show of the OnePlus Two and the one announcing the OnePlus Cardboard did not say anything about availability for the VR headset.

The important thing to take away from it is that the OnePlus Two launch will take place in a virtual environment, well you, the viewer, will be able to interact with the OnePlus Two, with the team, check out the auditorium from home and who knows what else the team at the startup has planned. The event sounds promising and impressive and many are wondering whether the company will be able to pull it off. Even if they botch it up and the OnePlus Two announcement doesn’t go smoothly, it will still have achieved the hype OnePlus wanted it to.

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The OnePlus Two will be launched in VR

But official information is not all that’s new about the OnePlus Two at the moment. Leaks are trickling in the form of Bluetooth listings and leaked sketches popping up in dark corners of social media. The official information thus far includes the OnePlus Two release date on July 27, OnePlus Cardboard, VR launch, Snapdragon 810 CPU and USB Type-C port. People are already excited, so the rest of the specs will definitely make or break the new flagship killer – if it ends up being one, that is.

Impressive already, the OnePlus Two has people hoping for more and hoping that the company will keep the most important pull factor of their device: price. Most commenters in the OnePlus forums and in other smartphone enthusiast places you can find on the internet say that affordability is key for the OnePlus 2 and if that is exceeded, the device might fail. There is the omen of the invite system which is bothering many, but if the price is right – I would say below $450 – I suspect fans will be delighted no matter what the OnePlus Two turns out to be.

Let’s check out those sketches I told you about and see what they suggest about the new device. As you will be able to see a bit below, the sketches don’t offer much in terms of specs, but they do hint at certain features and, of course, give us an idea of the design of the OnePlus Two. Similar to the original flagship, the back panel stands out with its back buttons and camera, as they do make you think of the LG G4 design. There have been rumors going around about a fingerprint sensor being included in the OnePlus Two, and these sketches do seem to back that assumption up, but it depends on how you look at it, of course.

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OnePLus Two sketch

The sketches also reveal either a dual camera setup or a heart rate sensor on the rear, but the first assumptions might be closer to the truth than the latter. Apparently, some insiders do believe that the OnePlus Two camera will have the benefit of an added depth sensor on the rear of the device for some neat photos. They also think the rear camera will measure 16 MP while the front will be at 5 MP and endowed with a nice wide-angle lens. In my own opinion, the fingerprint sensor seems like a sensible choice; after all, most Chinese smartphones already have them anyway.

The OnePlus Two specs sheet does include the Snapdragon 810, which rumors say will be backed up by 3 and 4 GB RAM variants. Truth be told, three different OnePlus Two models have showed up in a Bluetooth certification listing, spotted by Droid Life. Unfortunately, the listings reveal very little aside from model numbers about the OnePlus Two. We do however realize that we should be expecting three different models to be launched. What those models will have in common is a mystery at this point. But there are some good assumptions out there.

Rob Triggs at Android Authority thinks that there’s a possibility that the model numbers stand for modem variations. That means that the OnePlus Two might become more widely available and compatible with more 4G networks across the world. At the same time, the model numbers could also stand for different storage variants. It would not be surprising if the OnePlus Two were launched in a 32, 64 and 128 GB internal storage variants. While display size or operating system might also set the models apart, there are few chances of the differences being too big.

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OnePlus Two listing courtesy of Android Authority

With that in mind, we do expect the OnePlus Two to be impressive. As do most of the fans out there. One recurring theme among Android fans is the removable battery, which is also a rumored feature of the OnePlus Two. I wouldn’t bet on that however, seeing as most users were pretty happy with the OnePlus Two battery. Moreover, it seems to me that this Chinese tech startup does not want every OnePlus One user to upgrade to the new model. The VR headsets are designed for the OnePlus One as much as they are for the Two. Bundles for the One are on discount (mind you) and software is picking up speed.

Lack of official information aside, we can assume that the OnePlus Two display will measure 5.5 inch. The more recent spec leaks indicate that is correct, although resolution is still a soft spot at this time. While some people think the correct way to go this year would be QHD, others say FHD is quite enough. Keeping track of the new OnePlus Cardboard release, there are more chances of the OnePlus Two display resolution being 1440*2560 than anything else. Regardless, a new LED system has also been rumored, although it’s more of an aesthetic convenience than anything else.

According to various insiders who are presumably working closely with the company, a new LED notifications system will be used in the OnePlus Two and it will serve color-coded notifications in a 360 degree angle somehow. Many people out there are into LED notifications, myself included, so that’s an exciting little touch that design could use that would turn the OnePlus Two into a phone that’s gimmicky just the right amount, and powerful underneath.

No matter how the OnePlus Two turns out, the hype has been created and is being perpetuated on blogs, forums and social media. That’s very relevant, because it does prove that OnePlus’ business strategy does work and if it does work, we are expecting the OnePlus Two price to be satisfactory and beyond. If OnePlus Cardboard is free and the OP2 price is below $400, this company might just earn the trophy this year, for best smartphone and smart entrepreneurship as well. As you’ve noticed, we’re excited. How about you?

As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

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2013’s Tomb Raider Released for Free to Google Stadia Subscribers

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Google are rolling out the big guns to try and quickly entice as many new subscribers as possible to Stadia, its cloud-based gaming service. From the start of December, Stadia Pro members are able to access the definitive edition of 2013’s Tomb Raider for free, with this game being significant as the first title of a rebooted Lara Croft trilogy. 

Google will be hoping that the allure of the Tomb Raider name proves influential in attracting more gamers to the service. The Verge makes note of key information about Stadia Pro; currently, all Stadia users are classed as Pro, but an official Pro subscription will be launched next year alongside a free tier of membership.

The launch of Tomb Raider as a free game for Stadia users frustrated those who had already splashed out on the Lara Croft adventure, although Google adopted the generous position of refunding those users. The arrival of the Tomb Raider franchise on Stadia, particularly as a flagship free game, is testament to its status as one of the great gaming series. 

Wherever Croft goes from here, she will do so on all of the cutting-edge consoles – from Stadia to the eventual PS5. However, the Tomb Raider brand has also shown a versatility that has seen Croft appear in different forms on an eclectic range of platforms.

Tomb Raider: The Action Adventure – DVD

Remember interactive DVD games? This may seem like an alien concept to modern gamers, but in 2006 it was a viable alternative for those without a console. The Action Adventure was tailored for those who had never owned a PlayStation and were therefore unfamiliar with the Croft character.

 

Players use their remote control to navigate through the action, which follows a similar plot to 2003’s The Angel of Darkness. The game also incorporated rudimentary ways to save the game or to earn bonus points. You can even still purchase the DVD via Amazon if you’re keen to try out a one-of-a-kind Croft experience. 

Tomb Raider – Online slot

Microgaming’s Tomb Raider is one of the slots that are eligible for the jackpot city pokies welcome offer for new players, with users being able to access the game through the casino’s browser site as well as on iOS and Android. The slot has the typical level of quality that is synonymous with the Microgaming name, with this 15-payline video slot using Croft and the Tomb Raider logo as key symbols.

While it may not operate in the same first-person way as traditional Tomb Raider games, the overall design of the slot ensures that there is the classic Croft sense of adventure to the gameplay. This is arguably the most successful slot based on a video game character, largely because of Croft’s universal appeal.

Lara Croft: Reflections – iOS

This game is not necessarily novel because it was only released on iOS, with many Tomb Raider games also available on this platform. However, it definitely deserves a mention because of its card-battle nature. The standard adventure themes of the Tomb Raider series were converted into a card-playing format, where players simulated battling enemies and discovering artifacts.

The servers for Reflections shut down in 2014, but the game is further proof of the versatility of the Croft character. It seems inevitable that 2013’s Tomb Raider will receive a third sequel, one that will be available on all the major consoles. Croft will also surely continue to branch out from PlayStation and Stadia to appear in a variety of games that offer a twist on the classic Tomb Raider formula.

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RISE OF AZSHARA: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

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Since the implementation of Patch 8.2 was made in World of Warcraft last June 25, 2019, the long-running MMORPG has been riding a wave of fan hysteria, culminating in the official release of the much-awaited Rise of Azshara. It’s a massive addition to the game—containing two new never-before-seen zones to earn WoW gold, a new raid, a massive dungeon to explore, and many more. Players are now able to fly around the Battle of Azeroth zones, collect exclusive pets to the two new areas, and collect essences. Truly, the time has come for the dawn of a new Azerothian age. The Rise of Azshara update is perceived as a godsend by many players for the failed expansion Battle of Azeroth expansion. We’ll be talking about everything you need to know about this update and more concerning the added features. With this patch already released, it’s only a matter of time before the WoW Classic update will be up next!

What is Rise of Azshara?

The Rise of Azshara update is part of the Battle of Azeroth expansion and is the patch following Tides of Vengeance. The expansion has been problematic for players due to the overarching lore down to the Warfronts and Azerith system. The update promises the address these issues. Some of the major highlights include the Heart of Azeroth Essence system, faction questlines for Taurens and Gnomes, as well as new mounts to collect.

What Are the Two New Zones?

There are two outdoor zones to explore: Nazjatar and Mechagon. Nazjatar is the captal city of the naga that is a large zone where there are a lot of new story quests, allies to meet, and rewards to earn. In Nazjatar, you can have a Bodyguard to accompany you, unlock and participate in Mrrl’s Trading Game to get unique rewards, participate in zone events, and many more. There’s also a new form of Gear exclusive in Nazjaar called the Benthic Gear. The Benthic Gear is similar to that of the Legion’s Relinquished Gear and Mist of Pandaria’s Timeless Gear. All Benthic Gear will have predetermined stats and provides additional bonus effects while on Nazjatar.

The Mechagon, on the other hand, is a level 120 outdoor zone filled with junk-covered hills where you can meet or make all kinds of mechanical-like toys, minions, and equipment via the junkyard tinkering feature. A city that’s inhabited by gnomes and mechas, the Mechagon island zone is an idyllic place for smaller than average World of Warcraft characters. Here, you can try your hand at the new eight-boss dungeon on advanced or Mythic difficulty. You can also collect blueprints in order to make trinkets.

Protection for the Big and Itty Bitty Boys and Girls

Due to the success of Patch 8.1 where the Dwarf and Blood Elf armor was released, Blizzard has decided to add more for different races, this time for Gnomes and Tauren. If you have a character that’s one of these races, now’s the time! To unlock the armor, you’ll have to complete a questline with these following requirements:

  • Gnomes and Taurens must be level 120
  • Gnomes must be exalted with Gnomeregan
  • Taurens must be exalted with Thunder Bluff
  • Complete the Stay of Execution scenario

Is There Something For My Pets?

Today’s your lucky day because there’s a new Pet Dungeon that’s available! Stratholme is a pet dungeon that is similar to the ones that came before it—namely the Wailing Caverns, Deadmines, and Gnomeregan. You can do the dungeons in either Normal or Challenge mode, which will give out different rewards in turn. For the Challenge version, you’ll be rewarded with the Evil Wizard Hat which summons Minimancer. For the normal version, you’ll be given an Ultimate Battle Training Stone that will unlock a Manapoof Link to Stratholme.

In Conclusion

Rise of Azshara will not just be competing with its other MMORPG competitor’s expansions (ex. Shadowbringers expansion for Final Fantasy 14), but with its own as well, that being WoW Classic. Overall, it’s a great redeemer for what’sotherwise known as one of the worst expansions that Blizzard ever released. There is a whole slew of things you can do to farm WoW gold and explore to the point that your head will spin just trying to figure out what to do first.

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Games That Will Shape The Industry in 2019

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As a gamer, it would be hard to deny that there are always exciting things happening in the gaming world. Whether it is a live stream hitting 10,000 followers or a game-breaking new grounds, there is always something going on in the gaming world. The year might already be half over, but there are still a lot of exciting things going on. Just look at the lineup of games that are still set to be released in the coming months. And, this is not to even mention everything that is going on with virtual reality, the Final Fantasy remake, or even Google’s new gaming platform.

Needless to say, there is so much going on in the gaming world it can make it hard to keep up. This is especially true is you are a cross-platform player trying to hold down a full-time job as well. Whatever your circumstances are, there are just some games that you can’t afford to miss. These are the games that you will learn about below.

Halo Infinite Brings Back Split-Scree Gaming

Do you remember when split-screen gaming used to be a thing? This was back on the Super Nintendo systems as well as the original PlayStations. Well, there is no denying that this long-time platform died and things changed greatly. However, it looks like this very platform is about to get a reboot. Not only is it about to get a reboot, but it is going to do so with one of the most popular and fanatical series of all time.

This would be Halo of course. The split-screen co-op was a platform that the Halo game built itself on, but as time went by it strayed. To see it come back into fruition will not only be reminiscent, but it will bring new, refreshing gameplay to the first-person genre that fans have grown to love over the years.

The Last Of Us: Part II Introduces Animation System & In-Game Storytelling

The original edition of this game was released over six years ago and it is still one of the most beloved games of all time. This is really easy to understand why, but the second edition of this game could turn the whole gaming industry upside down. The trailer for the game alone was impressive and certainly lived up to what fans have come to expect from this series, but what’s even more interesting and intriguing is what the director of the game had to say.

The director of this game said that they wanted to take very complicated systems that are random and make them deterministic. They want to show gamers specific things, but they also want them to experience them throughout the entirety of the gameplay. If the story, animation, and throat-slitting are anything like the trailer then fans are going to be in for more than a treat when the game hits shelves.

Just remember not to get too caught up in this game because sites like free pokies can help you find reliable and trustworthy online casinos where you can gamble with a potential to bring home cold, hard cash.

Death Stranding Introduces Indie Mentality

It was a huge blow for both Konami and fans when Hideo Kojima announced that he was leaving the company. His beloved Metal Gear Solid series had been keeping fans entertained and drawn to their screen for years. This is probably why his first featured release was so highly sought after. Even though Death Stranding wasn’t the Silent Hill game that fans had been longing for it certainly made its mark on the industry.

You combine this with the fact that both Norman Reedus and Benicio del Toro are on board and you are looking at a game that could make massive waves in the industry while helping Kojima make a name for himself as a video game producer.

Biomutant Lets Character Aesthetics Directly Influence Combat

It would be hard for any gamer to say that combat isn’t one of the best parts of any action game. And, this is why Biomutant could change the industry forever. Sure, the game doesn’t really offer anything that you haven’t seen before in terms of graphics and story, but it is the combat that will excel. Players can now alter everything from the main character’s weight to his fangs, all of which will affect the way the fight scenes play out.

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