Electronics gadgets: Fortnite Dances Away From App Stores

viernes, 14 de agosto de 2020

Fortnite Dances Away From App Stores

AUGUST 14, 2020

Everything worth knowing in tech today, August 14, 2020. Fun fact: Each character in Inception represents a specific role in film production.

⏰ Today's Big Stories... in 30 Seconds

Today We Watched, Read, and Listened to (so you don't have to):

324 Articles, 12 Podcasts, 8 Press Releases, 563 Tweets, & 14 YouTube videos

1. Fortnite Developer Challenges App Store Fees

Fortnite developer Epic Games is making an end run around store fees by offering gamers virtual goods at a discount if they skip the app stores. Apple apparently didn't like this, and kicked them off the App Store. Whoo boy.

2. Google's Lookout App Can Read Food Labels

People with visual impairments could likely benefit from Google's new Lookup app feature, which lets you point your phone at an item in the grocery store and it will identify it out loud. Bravo, Google: This is how tech empowers us all!

3. Wear OS Gets Faster, Adds Hand Washing and Weather Apps

Sure, Apple announced its own hand washing timer back at WWDC and has had a Weather app from day one, but now those of us rocking the other flavor of wrist computer can participate, as well. The update also lets you open apps 20 percent faster, so that's nice.

🦑 Go Deeper

Speaking of smartwatches, our prolific (and handsome) Charlie Sorrel takes a long look at why you probably shouldn't install that new watchOS 7 beta just yet.

🎱 By the Numbers

People really do like these Battle Royale games

Data: Wikipedia

It's possible Epic Games thought Apple would just cave to the pressure of its 350 million users, but it turns out Apple isn't too worried about it. Still, Fortnite is doing pretty well for itself.

🤓 Nerd Out

"How about a double date... in spaaaace?" -Molly McLaughlin, Content Strategist

SpaceX achieved two incredible milestones this year: the first space launch from the US in nearly a decade, and the first splashdown in 45 years. It gets even cooler: Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, the two astronauts on board, are both married to astronauts. (Share on Twitter)

💎 You Know You Want It

We'd still rather hang with DiCaprio, though

Image: Somni

Have you seen Inception? It's the one with DiCaprio invading the dreams of rich people to rob them blind, and then (maybe) getting stuck in his own. The reality is more that you can become aware in your own head, though, and this Somni Mask Kickstarter project wants to help with your lucid dreams.

🎥 Behind the Scenes

"You musn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling." --Saito

As long as we're talking Fortnite and Inception, the movie's director, Christopher Nolan, debuted the trailer for his heavily-delayed upcoming sci-fi thriller Tenet in the popular Battle Royale shooter. Maybe we'll actually get to see it someday, too, in the theater or otherwise.