Facebook Stories, the social network's version of Instagram Stories, have been available for a little over a year. During that time, Facebook slowly amassed users, ultimately hitting the 150 million active user milestone. Now that the user base is there in sufficient enough quantities, the company will begin testing advertisements in it, with the first batch of ads arriving for some users in the US and elsewhere.
The first phase ("Phase One") of the Minecraft Aquatic Update has been released, Mojang has announced. The update is called Phase One due to the update's planned two-part release. The first phase -- the one out right now -- is for the Xbox One and Windows 10, as well as Windows Mixed Reality devices and the Oculus Rift.
Ebola, a virus that causes hemorrhagic fever, has appeared in a large city in the Democratic Republic of Congo, stoking fears of an outbreak occurring in a densely populated region. The virus typically crops up in remote regions in Africa, but the World Health Organization reports that an ebola case was confirmed in Mbandaka, a city with a population of 1.2 million.
Confirming previous rumors, Activision has decided to ditch the single-player campaign in newly revealed Call of Duty: Black Ops 4. However, the company has more things to offer in substitution, not the least of which is its own take on the battle royale genre popularized by PUBG and Fortnite. The new mode is called "Blackout," and we've got all the details on what to expect.
Activision has taken the wraps off Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, confirming that the game won't have a single-player campaign but will double down on the franchise's popular Zombies element. A total of three Zombies experiences will be included with the game at launch, which is scheduled for October 12 on the three major platforms: PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Sennheiser has launched a new pair of earbuds designed for athletes and frequent gym-goers: the CX SPORT. This model is touted as both ultra-lightweight and resistant to the elements (sweat/splashes), offering an ideal combo for those out jogging or hitting the weights. The CX SPORT are designed to be worn around the neck and have a clip for attaching them to a shirt.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the Kilauea volcano's summit ejected smoke and volcanic ash into the air this morning, causing a plume that will blanket the surrounding region. The US Geological Survey joined the report, revealing that the cloud produced by the volcanic eruption reached up to 30,000ft, nearly the same cruising altitude for an airplane.
A leaked Instagram feature shows users how much time they spend on the service. Whether the feature, which is called Usage Insights, will be launched as a regular offering for all users isn't clear at this point. The new tool was discovered during an APK teardown, and shows the user the time spent on the app, though there aren't enough details to know the scope of the data provided.
A Japanese company is hoping to launch an e-ink portable typewriter in the US market, a model called Pomera. The typewriter resembles a folding keyboard, but with a twist: a 6-inch e-ink display appears alongside the keyboard, enabling users to type out a document without carrying around a full-size laptop or a large battery. The company is seeking funding on Kickstarter.
MoviePass competitor Sinemia announced new pricing earlier this month, and now it is back with a new plan. Under the new plan, subscribers can get two tickets instead of one, opening the door for couples and others who often go to the theater with a second person. A similar plan has frequently been requested among MoviePass customers who must have two separate cards and accounts for two people.
A chemical banned due to the harm it causes the ozone layer may be secretly in production somewhere in the world. Scientists speculate the illicit compound may be in use despite the ban due to increased levels, its presence ultimately harming efforts to restore the Earth's atmosphere. Some scientists speculate that the substance is likely being produced in East Asia.
Audio company Onkyo has announced that its network receivers are getting the Works with Sonos stamp, ensuring the receivers will work with the Sonos mobile app. The company revealed the news today, explaining that all of its compatible receivers can be used with the Sonos app to stream music. The capability will arrive next month via a firmware update.