Tech
HHW Gaming: Latest ‘Star Wars: Squadrons’ Pilot Briefing Breaks Down Ranks, Reward & Progression System
Source: EA / Motive Studios We’re just days away from the launch of Motive Studios’ Star Wars: Squadrons. In the latest pilot briefing, we learn about how the game’s ranking and reward system will work. Thursday (Sept.24), the focus was on Star Wars: Squadrons ranks, rewards, and progression system. In the blog post, developers explain that the “core pillars” of the upcoming game’s multiplayer will be the Challenges, Operations, and your Level. Challenges will be presented in two variations, daily and operational, timed, and rotating objectives that will help the player get rewards for completing them. Source: EA / Star Wars: Squadrons In the blog post, it is explained that players should make it their business to complete the daily challenges to keep earning rewards while you co...
HHW Gaming: GameStop Announces It Will Have More PS5 Preorders Available Online & In-Store
Source: Sony / PlayStation Looks like GameStop might be your saving grace if you’re looking for a PS5 console. If you missed out on securing a PS5 or PS5 Digital Edition last week, GameStop is giving you another chance. The retail chain announced that it will have additional PS5 preorders available online and at select GameStop store locations. In their announcement, they did warn that customers will have to act fast because they will definitely sell out insanely fast. GameStop also confirmed trade-in deals that will help knock down the price of the PS5. $200 – XBOX ONE X, PS4 PRO $175 – NINTENDO SWITCH, PS4 1TB $125 – NINTENDO SWITCH LITE, XBOX ONE S, PS4 500GB $100 – XBOX ONE 500GB This announcement comes on the heels of Sony’s apology to gamers for its chaotic preorder launch that also ...
Apple’s Worst-Kept Secret The iPhone 12 Will Have A “Mini” Model: Report
Source: Apple / iPhone 11 Pro Apple’s worst-kept secret, the iPhone 12, might come in a smaller size according to the latest rumors surrounding the forthcoming flagship smartphone. TomsGuide reports that when Apple finally unveils the iPhone 12, one of the models will be significantly smaller than the rest. If this rumor pans out, Apple could drop its smallest iPhone yet with the iPhone 12 Mini. The rumored model will be the smaller model out of the four phone lineup, which is rumored to include the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Mini will be smaller than the previous iPhone SE model, BUT will reportedly feature a 5.4-inch display. The SE has a 4.7-inch display. Despite being smaller, it still will have a big price point and is rumored to fall in between the $6...
HHW Gaming: TDE Founder Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith Joins ReKTGlobal As An Investor
Source: Noel Vasquez / Getty Esports is the wave, and everyone wants in, especially the Hip-Hop community. TDE founder Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith is the latest big-name from the musical genre throw his hat into the growing form of sports competition. Wednesday (Sept.23), ReKTGlobal, the global esports, and business authority and parent company of pro esports organizations Rogue and London Royal Ravens announced Tiffith as its newest investor and will be joining the ownership team. He will join other big names like EDM sensations Steve Aoki, Nicky Romero, acclaimed Latin music producer Tainy, Washington Football Team’s Landon Collins, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and tennis pro Taylor Fritz. Speaking on joining ReKTGlobal, Tiffith said in a statement: “Esports is a hot indu...
HHW Gaming: Xbox Series X & Series S Preorder Details & Where You Can Buy One
Source: Microsoft / Xbox The day Microsoft has been hyping is now here, today (Sept.22) is the preorder day for its next-gen consoles. It’s Microsoft’s turn to get gamers hype, and the company hopes it will avoid the same confusion and let down Sony experienced when retailers jumped the gun and began dropping preorder links. Sony has since apologized and promised to release more consoles in the coming days. Meanwhile, Microsoft has been strategically making moves and laying out the details for its big day. Microsoft has also dropped the big news of its purchase of ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Studios, hoping it will lure gamers on the fence when it comes to picking a next-gen console. So that means Microsoft now owns A-list game franchises like Doom, Fallout, Skyrim, Prey,...
HHW Gaming: Microsoft Drops $7.5 Billion Bag on Bethesda, So What Does That Mean?
Source: Christian Petersen / Getty Microsoft made a massive purchase on Monday (Sept.21) just a day before the company takes the big step toward the next-generation of gaming. If you don’t know by now, Microsoft backed up the Brinks truck yesterday and dropped $7.5 billion to acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Studios. So what does that mean for the future of gaming? Well, once the deal is finalized, Xbox gamers will see Bethesda’s A-list titles like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Quake, Starfield, and DOOM on Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft’s recently announced its subscription service has now topped 15 million subscribers and more than likely will continue its upward trend following this news. The deal is expected to be finalized in the second half of the fiscal ye...
LG Tone Free Teams Up J.R. Smith & Other Pro Ballers To Help Children In BIPOC Communities
Source: LG / J.R.Smith LG Electronics USA is enlisting the help of pro-ballers for a great cause. Announced on Monday (Sept. 21), as part of the release of the LG TONE Free true-wireless earbuds, LG Electronics USA revealed its collaboration with After-School All-Stars (ASAS). The new partnership will aim to support the success of children in BIPOC communities with their Songwriting Academy initiative. The collaboration between LG and ASAS will see 13 students from nine cities paired with program mentors and acclaimed music industry experts. Through the mentorship, the students will be guided “through a six-week program designed to help transform hardships into positive expression through the power of music. Per the press release, ASAS’ mission is to “close the achievement gap for stu...
HHW Gaming: Sony Apologizes For PS5 Pre-Order Madness, Promises More Consoles Will Be Available
Source: Sony / PlayStation Many gamers were BIG MAD (including this writer) because they couldn’t secure a PS5. Sony is taking full responsibility and apologizing. Following Sony’s epic reveal (Sept.16) of the PS5’s price, release date, and games we can look forward to playing on the next-generation console, the company announced that pre-order’s would begin the following day (Sept.17). Too bad retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and GameStop didn’t get that message deciding to drop pre-order links, surprising gamers everywhere. Amazon decided to wait a bit later before it opened up its site to pre-orders and technically did wait till the 17th dropping its link at the stroke of midnight. The surprise drop, which Sony did promise would not be the case, sparked mass hysteria online as ...
Inside Amazon’s Big Push in Latin Music: Exclusive
The online retail giant launches its first major Latin music brand. Amazon Music is placing a new big focus on Latin music with the launch of “Amazon Music LAT!N,” a Latin music brand with a broad umbrella that includes over 100 new and revamped playlists, an emerging artist program, merchandise, video and multiple catalog programs among many other initiatives. Using the tagline “La Musica que nos conecta” (The music that connects us) — a reference to the fact that Latins come from many countries and cultures but are connected by music and language — the LAT!N hub, which includes music in Spanish and Portuguese, will live within Amazon at amazon.com/latinmusic. It seeks to establish Amazon as a major player in Latin music streaming and content, as well as retail. “T...
How Maria Schneider Is Using Her Jazz Orchestra to Take On Big Tech
The composer and bandleader — a Grammy favorite and a fierce advocate for artists’ rights — takes on the ‘Data Lords’ with her newest album. When Maria Schneider sits down to write music, it is seldom with a specific idea in her head. Lately, though, the celebrated orchestral jazz composer and bandleader — a five-time Grammy winner and a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master — has had a lot on her mind. “Early on, I became very aware that big data companies were using musicians as carrots so that they could gather data from users,” says Schneider, 59. “And this has been a huge frustration for me. It has really destroyed the music industry for those that make the music, and now I feel that for our society at large it’s a catastrophic loss.” That frustration fueled the idea...
HHW Gaming: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Now Available Via The Galaxy Store
Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz The future of gaming has officially launched… on Samsung’s flagship smartphone, that is. On Tuesday (Sept.15), Microsoft’s cloud gaming service Xbox Game Pass Ultimate officially exited the beta mode and is now available in the Samsung Galaxy store. The new service allows gamers to play 100 games on either their Samsung Galaxy Note20, Note20 Ultra, or Galaxy Tab S7. Samsung also announced it will be offering consumers an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Bundle when they purchase a Galaxy Note20 (or qualifying Samsung Galaxy device) as well as the MOGA Bluetooth Controller. Consumers will get a 3-month subscription, but you will have to move fast because Samsung is only offering the bundle for a limited time. Source: Samsung Mobile / Microsoft We got a chance ...
Apple Unveils New Series 6 Watch, iPad, Fitness+ Subscription Service & More
Source: Apple / Apple Watch Series 6 No, we didn’t get to see the long-rumored iPhone 12, BUT Apple did have plenty of announcements when it comes to its wearable the Apple Watch, the iPad, and subscription services. Apple Watch Series 6 & Apple Watch SE Source: Apple / Apple Watch Series 6 To make up for the absence of the iPhone 12, Tim Cook and Apple spent plenty of time beaming about the Apple Watch. The latest model, the Apple Series 6, was first introduced and it was described as the “most colorful lineup” of its popular smartwatch, and it comes chock full of new advancements with health-focused monitor features. We already knew about the handwashing feature coming to the Apple Watch, but today we now know that there will be a blood oxygen monitoring feature as well. As described...
