The past 24 hours of news here at Engadget was a heady mix of Pokémon Go bonuses, GIFs in space, Hulk Hogan and robot-selected wine. Definitely not just another Wednesday. We round it out with Facebook's big success in mobile and why Russia is dropping Microsoft software. Spoilers: It's all about politics.
Netflix's worldwide expansion could bring the addition of offline viewing
Streaming video on Netflix is fun ... as long as your internet connection holds up. For years the streamer has resisted the urge to offer any ability to download and save videos, but comments by Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos yesterday made it seem more like a "when" than an "if." Since Netflix is available pretty much worldwide, that could make watching cheaper for viewers in developing markets (and on airplanes or in the wilderness).
"Pokémon Go's" latest attempt to keep players hooked: daily bonuses
Sooner or later the temperatures will start dropping, so how will Niantic Labs keep players checking in at PokeStops and gyms? Try daily bonuses, with added bumps for seven-day streaks or checking in at the same stop repeatedly.
Apple says SD card slots are clunky and that's why the new MacBook Pro doesn't have one
Apple's senior VP, Phil Schiller, explained in an interview why the company axed the card reader. It was a "bit of a cumbersome slot." He added that many newer cameras have built-in wireless transfers. (Although anyone who uses that feature knows that transfer is slow. Very slow.)
Facebook nearly triples its profits
Facebook recorded yet another blockbuster quarter. Over the past three months, the social network made $2.38 billion in profits, an astounding 166 percent increase over this time last year. That's largely thanks to mobile advertising, where 84 percent of its ad revenue comes from.
The new Uber is both bigger and faster
Soon you'll see a redesigned Uber app rolling out. The company claims that it's faster to use, with shortcuts that figure out where you're likely headed and suggest destinations right away. It's also trying to keep your attention with in-app access to features from UberEats, Pandora, Yelp, Snapchat, Foursquare and others.
Russia is dropping Microsoft because it's an easy political target
There are a few reasons behind Russia's plans to get rid of all of its Microsoft software. Vladimir Putin and his team are picking on Microsoft because it's an easy target for anti-American sentiment. It's a huge company that rules the tech sector, and it's not hard to persuade Russians that the firm is collaborating with US spies, despite evidence to the contrary. Any domestic software could foster the local economy -- and if Russia makes it, the government has more power to control that software.
Save $50 by pre-ordering Fove's VR headset now
Why should you choose this VR headset over competition from Oculus and HTC? Fove uses eye tracking for increased realism, and its tech renders only things you can actually see. That means it doesn't need as powerful a PC to render VR, while its screen has a higher resolution than the Rift. It's mostly for developers right now.
But wait, there's more...
- The makers of Vinfusion think this wine-blending machine can satisfy any oenophile's tastes
- The International Space Station celebrates 16 years through the medium of GIF
- Gawker settles with Hulk Hogan for a reported $31 million