Columns - SlashGear

Animal Crossing: New Horizons first impressions: Wonderful with one major problem

Eric Abent | Mar 23, 2020

Animal Crossing: New Horizons landed last week, and I expect many players spent the bulk of their weekend building out their islands. Indeed, with tensions high around the world, Animal Crossing: New Horizons really feels like a game we all needed. After spending the weekend with the game myself, my thoughts are mostly positive, but I can already tell there's one major issue that will hold New Horizons back from achieving true greatness.

What happened to the Essential Phone?

Osmond Chia | Mar 22, 2020

You may remember the Essential Phone – Android co-founder Andy Rubin’s quest to make phones his own way. Launched in 2017, the Phone may have only been heard by tech heads, but years later would prove to be so ahead of its time that it has paved the way for designers today. And years later, it still looks incredible.

How is the coronavirus affecting the movie industry?

Osmond Chia | Mar 21, 2020

The coronavirus has dealt a blow to the entire entertainment industry. From sporting events, Broadway and stage performances, any business that requires an audience is feeling the crunch. While these impacts are nothing in comparison with the real lives at stake in the fight against COVID-19, it is having a big effect on studios and people around the world whose livelihood rests on these the film projects. One industry with plenty to lose is the movie industry with many studios scrambling for new release dates and a desperate Plan B.

Is it time for an even bigger iPad Pro?

Chris Davies | Mar 19, 2020

The gap between the iPad Pro and the MacBook only gets smaller, and now I suspect it's time for Apple's tablet to get bigger. The arrival this week of the new 2020 iPad Pro, complete with LiDAR Scanner camera and fancy new Magic Keyboard cover, saw Apple take a huge step with the addition of mouse and trackpad support, and an on-screen cursor.

Without a PS5 reveal, Sony’s deep dive fell flat

Eric Abent | Mar 18, 2020

Sony just wrapped up its presentation into the PlayStation 5 hardware, and it's safe to say that what we got is not what most people were expecting. While many were hoping for a full reveal similar to what the Xbox Series X served up earlier in the week, what we received instead was a very technical presentation on some of the PlayStation 5's capabilities.

The games I’m playing during coronavirus self-isolation

Eric Abent | Mar 15, 2020

In an attempt to slow the coronavirus outbreak, health organizations like the WHO and the CDC are recommending that people exercise social distancing in communities where the virus is spreading. On top of that, sports organizations like the NHL and NBA have postponed the remainder of their seasons, Broadway theaters are closed until further notice, film distributors are delaying major upcoming films, and there's even talk of movie theaters temporarily closing.

Best and worst special edition phones

Osmond Chia | Mar 15, 2020

Walking past these phones will probably cause you to take a second glance. It is likely a phone you have seen shelves before, except now it has a new skin or some special modification that makes it either really cool or completely bizarre.

How are airlines affected by the coronavirus?

Osmond Chia | Mar 14, 2020

Global airlines could lose well over $100 billion in revenue if the coronavirus continues to ground travel plans. These are numbers unheard of in the aviation industry since the economic crash of 2008. With the virus slowing rapidly creeping into the US, it shows no signs of recovering.

So you’re stuck working from home… How to handle quarantine

Chris Davies | Mar 13, 2020

Offices are closing, schools are canceling classes, and a whole lot of people used to the 9-5 are finding themselves working from home as the world gets to grips with coronavirus. COVID-19 has emptied businesses and sent employees home, and for many it'll be their first taste of working remotely. Don't worry, though - I've got you covered.

The BMW i8’s time has run out – and I’m unexpectedly sad about it

Chris Davies | Mar 11, 2020

BMW is killing the i8, arguably its most misunderstood car in the past decade. I can’t say I’m surprised at the decision - only, perhaps, that it’s taken this long for BMW to make it - but I do feel an unexpected snap of melancholy all the same. Manufacturing will end this April.

Best old flagships that’s worth your money in 2020 – and ones to avoid

Osmond Chia | Mar 8, 2020

Contrary to what manufacturers would have you thinking, phones last for well more than just a year. New ads may make the new phones look sleek, but their predecessors were just there a couple of months before. And chances are, most of them are now half the price.

Looking back at Bob Iger’s Disney

Osmond Chia | Mar 7, 2020

The man behind Disney’s meteoric rise over the past decade stepped down from the throne at the end of February. Disney was massive long before, but in his 15 years at the helm, former CEO Bob Iger, 69, brought the House of Mouse to astronomical heights. He was behind key acquisitions that helped Disney to increase its annual revenue by over 200% since he took over in 2005. Few industry leaders have made quite a mark as Iger, and his successor (conveniently, another Bob), Disney parks chairman Bob Chapek, has big shoes to fill. Read on as we outline his success, what brought him there, and what lies ahead for the world’s most unstoppable movie studio.