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mardi 15 décembre 2020

Cyberpunk 2077 ‘wasn’t ready’ for PS4 and XBox One X, admit developers

Cyberpunk 2077 is easily the most hyped game of the year, and since its release last week, many have come to the conclusion that it wasn’t the monster it was billed to be. After its share price plummeted yesterday by over 50%, developer CD Projekt Red (CDPR) had an emergency conference call with investors earlier today, to look at what had gone wrong.

CDPR’s business development SVP, Michal Nowakowski was forced to admit that the company had focused resources on the new generation consoles – X Box Series S/X and PS5. A quote from the call, reported at Android Central said: “It is more about us looking – as was previously stated – at the PC and next-gen performance rather than current-gen, we definitely did not spend enough time looking at that. I wouldn’t say that we felt any external or internal pressure to launch on the date – other than the normal pressure, which is typical for any release. So that was not the cause.”

That shouldn’t be mistaken for ‘no pressure at all’ of course. As one of the biggest launch titles for the new-gen. devices and one of the main titles on Christmas lists this year, CDPR would have had a major dent on the industry if it had been delayed any further than the 21 days it already had. In that sense, the pressure was huge to get Cyberpunk 2077 in the shops and online stores in time.

Development of Cyberpunk 2077 went down to the wire, with CEO Marcin Iwiński explaining that the PS4 and Xbox One X versions were being worked on right up until launch. “Unfortunately this resulted in giving it to reviewers just one day before the release, which was definitely too late and the media didn’t get the chance to review it properly. That was not intended; we were just fixing the game until the very last moment.”

CDPR has added that, although it has already apologised for the blunders which made the game look like an early iteration of Apple Maps, there are no special refund procedures, and that dissatisfied users will have to contact their retailer or online store in the usual way.

Seems, then, the best way to experience Cyberpunk 2077 as it was supposed to be is to get hold of a new console. These links will tell you where to find stocks of the PS5 and Xbox Series S/X as they come in. Alternatively, as Google has been at pains to remind us, it plays great on Stadia (maybe on a OnePlus 8T Cyberpunk 2077 edition?)

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Know who’s at your door with the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, and grab one for under $100

I get a lot of knocks on my door nowadays. Every time, I need to do some quick mental gymnastics to figure out what to do. Is it Instacart just dropping off the groceries and my notifications didn’t tell me? Is it the mailman? Is it someone asking for me to do a survey and I’ll need to grab my mask from my room? Am I overthinking things because of anxiety? (The answer to that last question is always yes.) But there’s a solution to this constant problem, and it costs only $95 refurbished–the Ring Video Doorbell Pro.

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro didn’t make our smart home gifts under $100 article for one simple reason: Normally, the smart doorbell retails for $250! But, thanks to Woot!, you can save a lot on this helpful smart home item and grab one for just $95. You can’t complain about $155 in savings!

One thing to note, however, that this is a refurbished version of the doorbell. For most people, this isn’t going to be a problem. As an Amazon Certified Refurbished item, you can be sure the Ring Video Doorbell will work as if it was brand new. It just won’t come in the original packaging, and there’s a small chance there might be a physical blemish on it.

But for only $95 and free shipping (if you’re an Amazon Prime member), you can’t go wrong with this deal. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro will, of course, allow you to see who is at your door, but it also allows for two-way talking, gives customizable alert zones, and plenty more. With the doorbell being compatible with Alexa, you can do all sorts of useful things with this smart doorbell!

    Ring Video Doorbell Pro (Refurbished)
    See who is at your door with the Ring Video Doorbell! Woot! currently has refurbished models of the smart doorbell for just $95. This deal is available until December 21st!

This deal is available at Woot! until the 21st or until the item sells out. If you happen to miss it, you can grab a new Ring Video Doorbell on sale for $170 at Amazon:

    Ring Video Doorbell Pro (New)
    If you don't want a refurbished Ring Video Doorbell, you can get the Pro model new on sale at Amazon for $170!

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Twitter fined 450,000 Euros by Irish regulator for GDPR fail

Twitter has been clobbered with a fine of 450,000 Euros (c.$546,300) after Irish courts found it had breached Europe’s strong data protection laws, known as GDPR. The fine was brought by Ireland’s data regulator, making it the first scalp for US big tech under the legislation. Twitter was investigated under GDPR rules after an incident in 2019 which saw private, so-called ‘restricted’ Tweets made public, due to a bug in the platform’s Android app. After an initial investigation, some EU member states complained that Twitter’s proposed punishment of $150k-$300k wasn’t enough. As most big tech firms use Ireland as a European base, Ireland’s Data regulator is often considered the lead on such cases, and arbitrator of disputes via the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). Reuters reports that it’s the first time that the GDPR Dispute Resolution process has been used to increase a fine.

In handing down the fine, Ireland’s DPC said that it was a “proportionate and dissuasive measure” based on Twitter’s “failure to notify the breach on time and… failure to document the breach”. Twitter had said, in its defence, that the oversight was caused by reduced staffing over the Christmas period in 2018. Twitter responded by acknowledging the situation: “We take full responsibility for this mistake and remain fully committed to protecting the privacy and data of our customers,”. Under GDPR rules, Twitter remains liable for the data leak, even though it wasn’t considered to be deliberate or malicious. The rules, which are some of the strictest in the world, require compliance from all companies that allow data to travel in or out of the European Union. The fact that the leak happened at a time when Google was actively cracking down on third-party Twitter clients, only served to compound the problem, given that it was their own official app that sprung the leak.

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Samsung Galaxy S21 series could come with Google Discover pane on the homescreen

Samsung is less than a month from revealing the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy S21 range. It does appear, however it appears that Google’s recent push to bring the South Korean firm’s interface into line with other Android vendors has been successful. As spotted in a tweet and first reported at Android Police, it seems that the Google Explore screen will be included in the stock One UI 3.1 home screen of the device. It notes that this is a T-Mobile branded device, which could mean its a bespoke arrangement with that carrier, but we’ve known since the summer that Samsung and Google have been in discussion about giving Google Assistant more prominence over Bixby. This could suggest that Google won out.

It’s not even the first time that the two have had words over this type of thing. Touchwiz, the predecessor of One UI, had diverged significantly from stock Android, way back with the Samsung Galaxy SII and was forcibly asked by Google to reign it in with future models.

It’s understood that Google Discover will be present in the Samsung Galaxy S21 range, as an option. Users can choose to use it, or switch to Samsung Free, the successor to Samsung Daily, which is powered by Bixby.

The news will do something to cure the frustration of loyal Samsung users who would prefer to use Google Assistant, over the less-powerful but native Bixby. Meanwhile, as users of previous-generation devices start to receive Samsung One UI 3.0 updates, it’s fairly likely that we’ll see One UI 3.1 arriving towards the end of Q2 2021, presumably with this change aboard. Samsung isn’t alone in making the move back towards stock Android. At around the same time that discussions with Google were taking place, OnePlus code teardowns showed that it will add a toggle between Google Discover and OnePlus shelf in a future build.

The post Samsung Galaxy S21 series could come with Google Discover pane on the homescreen appeared first on xda-developers.



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Best deals for the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE in December 2020: Samsung, Verizon, and more!

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is one of the more prolific launches of this year, despite not being a flagship. Coming in at a cool $700, the Galaxy S20 FE straddles the line between affordability and premium specs and offers access to 5G without needing to pay at least $1k for Samsung’s other flagship lines. Our Galaxy S20 FE review states that this phone “packs the best of the Galaxy S20 into a more affordable package”, and whether you get the 4G or 5G model, you know you are getting quality.

The Galaxy S20 FE shares a lot of the same features as its more expensive siblings including a gorgeous 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, Android 10 with One UI 2.5 (and One UI 3.0 down the line), a Snapdragon 865 processor, and up to 256GB of storage. In our iPhone 12 vs. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE comparison, we pitted the two affordable flagships to find out which one is the best, and in terms of screen and battery life, Samsung’s phone wins out.

While $700 is a fair amount less than most Samsung flagships, that’s still a solid chunk of change for most people. Don’t worry though, as we’ve rounded up the best deals including ways to save big by trading in or buying multiple devices. It’s also one of the most fun devices Samsung has launched recently, with lots of different colors for you to pick from! I’m partial to the orange one, myself.

Here are the best deals for the Galaxy S20 FE!

Where to Pre-order the Galaxy S20 FE

Right now in the US, you can pick up a Galaxy S20 FE from the typical retailers. If you’re looking for an unlocked Galaxy S20 FE deal, you can pick one up from Amazon, Samsung, or Best Buy. If being locked into a carrier isn’t a concern, you can also head to Verizon or AT&T for big savings.

Best Galaxy S20 FE Deals Unlocked

If you want to grab an unlocked Galaxy S20 FE, you have three solid options: Amazon, Best Buy, or Samsung themselves. All of them have their unique specials going on too, so pick the deal that suits you best!

Samsung

If you have a phone to trade in, then you can get the best deal at the Samsung Store! They are offering a flat $200 off the device for a while, and you can save up to $460 more with trade-in. That brings the Galaxy S20 FE all the way down to $140!

    Galaxy S20 FE at Samsung
    If you want the best possible deal for an unlocked phone, Samsung will be your best option. Save big on a trade-in, with the right phone bringing the FE's total to $140. You also can choose to finance the phone over 36 months, and you'll have access to all six of the Galaxy S20 FE colors.

Best Buy

Best Buy may not have the orange and white colors that Samsung and Amazon do, but you can save more on the Galaxy S20 FE by activating the phone with them, in trade-ins required. If you go with Sprint or AT&T, you’ll save $300 total when signing up for a monthly payment plan when activating today. With Verizon, the deal becomes even better, with a $400 discount. If you’re determined to go unlocked, you can save $200.

    Galaxy S20 FE at Best Buy
    Save more without messing with trade-ins at Best Buy. If you activate with Verizon, you'll have $400 on the Galaxy S20 FE on a monthly payment plan. With AT&T or Sprint, you'll save $300, and you'll save $200 on an unlocked phone.

Amazon

As always, Amazon will have the most convenient way of getting the Galaxy S20 FE, with Prime Shipping available. You can save $150 on all colors of the Galaxy S20 FE, and enjoy the convenience of getting it straight to your door in two gays.

    Galaxy S20 FE at Amazon
    Pick up your S20 FE at Amazon, and enjoy the benefits of Prime shipping. If you have an Amazon Prime Rewards card, you can also sign up for an interest-free payment plan. If you don't want any fuss with your new purchase, Amazon is the way to go.

Best Galaxy S20 FE Deals in the US

If you don’t mind being locked into a carrier, you can get some great Galaxy S20 FE deals by heading to Verizon or AT&T!

Verizon

As always, Verizon has a whole slew of deals you can try and take advantage of if you’re looking to pick up the Galaxy S20 FE:

  • Get up to $550 in trade-in credit with a qualifying device
  • If switching to Verizon, choose the Unlimited plan to get a $400 Verizon e-Gift Card
  • Finally, with any purchase, you’ll get 12 months of PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now for free

Head on over to Verizon’s store page to find out which ones you qualify for!

    Galaxy S20 FE at Verizon
    Verizon has all sorts of Galaxy S20 FE deals to take advantage of, depending on what you're looking for. From free goodies to trade-in credit, there is something for everyone. Head on over and see how you can save big!

AT&T

At AT&T, if you have the right phone and are switching from another carrier, you can get the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE completely free. Can’t argue with that! Also, if you buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live at the same time, you’ll save 50% on the Galaxy Buds Live. For some reason, though, AT&T is a bit more limited in their color options than the others, so you’ve been warned!

    Galaxy S20 FE at AT&T
    Have a recent phone to trade-in and ready to make the carrier switch to AT&T? Then you can have the Galaxy S20 FE on the house! Also, you can save $50 on a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds Live. The colors are more limited at AT&T, but if that doesn't concern you, this might just be the carrier for you!

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE makes it to the list of the best Samsung Galaxy smartphones to buy in 2020, and for good reason too. It’s a great experience, with just a few caveats. And even with the caveats, they are not deal breakers for most average users, especially considering the fact that they can score the device at a fraction of the flagship price while still getting a close experience. If you are hesitant to pull the trigger, fret not, this is one of the good ones from this year.

The post Best deals for the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE in December 2020: Samsung, Verizon, and more! appeared first on xda-developers.



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Dell XPS 13 with 11th-gen Intel Core processors now available in India starting at ₹1,50,990

Dell has finally made the 11th-gen Intel ‘Tiger-Lake’ processors equipped XPS 13 official in India. The new model, which has been selling in the US and other countries, is a refresh of the XPS 13 9300 which launched earlier this year. The newer model is Intel Evo certified which means that Intel assures excellent performance, superior connectivity, and over 9 hours of battery life.

Dell XPS 13 9310: Specifications

Specification Dell XPS 13
Dimensions & Weight
  • 295.7 x 198.7 x 14.8 mm
  • 1.2 kgs
Display
  • 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 12o0) InfinityEdge
    non-touch/ UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge
    touch
  • 500-nits brightness
Processor
  • Intel Core i5-1135G7 (2.4GHz / 4.2GHz)
  • Intel Core i7-1185G7 (3.0GHz / 4.8GHz)
GPU
  • Intel Iris Xe
RAM & Storage
  • 8GB/16GB LPDDR4x at 4267MHz
  • 512GB/1TB NVMe SSD
Battery & Charger
  • 52Wh
  • 45W charger
I/O
  • 2 x USB Type-C with Thunderbolt 4
  • 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
  • MicroSD card slot
Connectivity
  • Killer AX1650 dual-band Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 5.1
OS
  • Windows 10 Home
Other Features
  • Windows Hello fingerprint recognition
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Intel Evo certified

Overall, the design of the new XPS 13 is similar to the early-2020 model. You get a CNC-machined aluminum chassis with premium materials all around including the carbon fiber inspired keyboard deck and Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protecting the display. It also continues to be one of the slimmest and the most compact 13-inch notebooks on the market.

dell xps 13 product shot

The notebook also comes with the same 52Wh battery as the previous-gen model which is claimed to offer up to 14 hours of video streaming on the FHD+ model and up to 8 hours on the 4K+ model. On the connectivity side, you get a couple of USB Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack. There is also a fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button, Wi-Fi 6 courtesy of the Killer AX1650 module, Intel’s Iris Xe Graphics with shared graphics memory, and the option of two color variants – Platinum Silver with Black Carbon Fiber palm rest and Frost with arctic white woven glass fiber palm rest.

Dell XPS 13 9310: Pricing and Availability

The laptop is priced at ₹ 1,50,990 ($2,050) for the base variant that comes with the Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor with 8GB of 4267MHz LPDDR4x memory and a 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD. This model comes with a 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge display with 500-nits brightness. This is available at all Dell retail stores (at a higher price), as well as on Amazon India (lower price).

    Dell XPS 13 9310
    The new late-2020 Dell XPS 13 comes with the latest 11th-gen Intel Tiger Lake processors and is also Intel Eco certified.

The more expensive model, which is priced at ~₹2,15,498 ($2,926) on Dell’s website, comes with the Intel Core i7-1185G7 with 16GB 4267MHz LPDDR4x RAM and 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD. Of course, this variant features a 13.4-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge touch display offering the same 500-nits of brightness. This variant will be available in India starting January 2021.

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Nokia C1 Plus is a crazy cheap 4G smartphone headed for Europe

Nokia on Monday announced the Nokia C1 Plus, a slightly upgraded version of the last year’s ultra-affordable Nokia C1. The main takeaway of the Nokia C1 Plus is that the phone now offers 4G connectivity, making it one of the cheapest Android smartphones on the market. It should be noted that a proper successor already exists in the form of the Nokia C2, which was announced in the first half of this year.

Nokia C1 Plus: Specifications

Specification Moto G9 Power
Dimensions and Weight
  • 149.1 x 71.2 x 8.75 mm
  • 146g
Display
  • 5.45-inch in-cell
  • 18:9
  • 1440 x 720 (HD+)
SoC
  • 1.4GHz quad-core processor
RAM and Storage
  • 1GB RAM DDR3
  • 16GB flash storage
  • MicroSD card support (up to 128GB)
Battery & Charging
  • 2,500 mAh battery
  • 5W charger (5V/1A)
Rear Camera
  • 5MP rear camera
  • LED flash
  • HDR
Front Camera
  • 5MP
  • LED flash
Ports
  • microUSB
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity
  • 4G LTE
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • GPS/AGPS
  • Dual-SIM support (depending on region)
Security Face Unlock
Software Android 10 (Go edition)

In terms of specifications, the Nokia C1 Plus has a 5.45-inch HD+ display wrapped in a polycarbonate plastic body measuring 149.1 x 71.2 x 8.75 mm. There’s a 5MP snapper along with an LED flash on the back and a 5MP selfie shooter on the front. The phone is powered by an unspecified 1.4GHz quad-core processor, coupled with 1GB of RAM and 16GB flash storage with microSD expansion support.

Nokia C1 Plus

Powering the Nokia C1 Plus is a 2,500 mAh battery that charges through a 5W microUSB charger. The phone comes running Android 10 (Go edition) out of the box and offers a 3.5mm audio jack, 4G connectivity, and Face Unlock. There’s no fingerprint sensor onboard, however.

Pricing & Availability

The Nokia C1 Plus is priced at €69 and will go on sale across Europe before the end of the year. It will be available in two colors: Red and Blue. Nokia hasn’t yet detailed when it plans to launch the phone in other markets. The phone may have unimpressive hardware, but the pricing is what makes it an excellent value offering for those needing a cheap smartphone or a second phone.

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