Pokemon GO has a Hoenn Region event coming up, and we've got the list of Pokemon that'll be out in force. The Shiny Pokemon that'll be in the mix are numerous - but noy all common. The difference between a Shiny Pokemon released here and Shiny Pokemon released on a special event for it, specifically, is the likelihood that you'll find one.
A Vaccination Credential Initiative (VCI) was created for the near future in which COVID-19 vaccination checks are imperative. The VCI is a coalition of public and private partners that include Evernorth, Mitre, SAFE, SalesForce, Change Healthcare, CARIN, The Commons Project, Epic, Mayo Clinic, Oracle, and Microsoft. Cards will allow individuals to access and display their vaccination records "based on open, inoperable standards."
This week the folks at Niantic released a new update for Pokemon GO. Beyond what we were able to see in the game's live code, a whole bunch of new and not-quite-active features appeared in the game's build. Items like a new Ditto Extensions Library (maybe for Shiny Ditto?) and Promise Library appeared in the mix before they're ready to roll in the game proper - let's take a peek!
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy S21 are here, and Samsung had to make some tough decisions to keep its flagship smartphones relevant in 2021. If last year demonstrated anything, it's that things can change rapidly and so, too, can buyers' priorities. If you want them to dig deep and splash out on a four-figure smartphone, you need to offer them something special - and different.
Today Samsung revealed their Galaxy SmartTag series, with Bluetooth for the standard version and UWB tracking with the Galaxy SmartTag+. Each Samsung Galaxy SmartTag will be able to be viewed in an app on your smartphone, tracked in real time, and pinged at a moment's notice with UWB (with the SmartTag+) or with the last known location using Bluetooth (with the standard SmartTag).
Samsung has brought the S Pen to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but you'd be forgiven for being confused as to just how stylus and smartphone work together. Familiar from the Galaxy Note series, the S Pen isn't being bundled with the new S21 Ultra, and nor indeed is it the same stylus we're familiar with. In fact, if you're coming from a recent Note, there may be some features you miss.
Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 are here, but 2021's flagship Android phones find the smartphone market - like the rest of the world - isn't what it once was. On the one hand, Samsung says, there are those who insist on a high-end device, won't compromise on features or design, and are willing to pay handsomely to get it.
It seems that carriers share a common theme this year of "out with the old and in with the new". In most cases, that refers to their desire to finally shut down 3G services, a move that has been met with resistance that forced some network operators to delay their plans. T-Mobile, however, has one network update coming that is both mysterious and also inescapable. By the end of the month, as many as 19 devices, will no longer be able to connect to its network, forcing users to upgrade their devices, presuming they haven't yet.
HTC's smartphone business has already been in the red and the COVID-19 pandemic last year did it no favors. It hasn't launched a premium flagship yet, at least not one under its "U" brand, but it seems to still be pushing through with its Desire line of affordable mid-range phones. This year won't be different, at least not at the start, and HTC's first smartphone for 2021 is the Desire 21 Pro 5G which, admittedly, at least looks the part of a decent phone.
It's literally just hours before Samsung unveils the Galaxy S21 series and although rumors suggest it won't be as overpriced as the Galaxy S20 before it, it will still be too expensive for some folks. As if already anticipating that kind of reaction, Samsung surprisingly launched the Galaxy A32 5G less than a day before its premium flagships, proving that it can actually offer extremely affordable phones that still have decent features after all.
On the 13th of January, 2021, Google announced the launch of Guest Mode. They've revealed this feature as "another easy way to control your privacy on smart speakers and Smart Displays." That includes Google Nest and Google Home speakers as well as a number of Google-embedded Smart Displays. This system was launched in English, first, and will likely spread to other devices and languages in the near future.
This week the folks at Spotify launched a major upgrade for their shared family plan feature. Spotify Kids is a feature within Spotify that curates the Spotify music universe in a way that makes the whole experience safe for a kid. With a shared account, a parent can give access to their child via an account made specifically for said kid. With this latest update, they'll have access to Shared Playlists, too.