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Stuff.tv
9 hours ago
- Stuff.tv
Finally! WhatsApp gives into one of its ‘biggest requests' – could Instagram follow?
Hell has frozen over. Well at least that's what it seemed like would have to happen before WhatsApp launched….an iPad app for Apple's popular tablet. And it's available now through the App Store. Yes, 15 years after the debut of Apple's tablet and 16 years after the launch of the independent WhatsApp (before it was swallowed by Meta) we finally have what the company itself admits was one of its 'biggest requests'. And no wonder. According to DataReportal, WhatsApp is used by around a quarter of the world's population. Over 2bn people. Yep. So the question remains why it has taken so long to do an app for the world's most popular tablet. Head of WhatsApp Will Cathcart stated in a 2022 interview with The Verge that 'people have wanted an iPad app for a long time… We'd love to do it'. Clearly not so much as to do it within the last three years, leaving iPad users in the odd place of having to use WhatsApp through the browser. And that's even though the app has been available natively on macOS for some years (used as a paired device with your phone) and was revamped in 2023 alongside the Windows equivalent. Could it have been that Meta didn't want to make it easy for the iPad to grow among its users, harboring hopes of its own tablet range? Or is it simply that the app was traditionally tied to a phone number? Perhaps, but maybe we won't find out until the email appears as part of some future court case or other public record. In any case, the iPad app is the same app you'll know and love from your iOS or Android phone so you can message all those time-consuming groups and make video and audio calls with up to 32 people, share your screen. You can once again use both front and back cameras. It also works with the iPad's multitasking capabilities including Split View and Slide Over as well as the much-maligned Stage Manager so you can use another app while you're on a video call or sending a message. As the WhatsApp blog post states, Stage Manager is available on iPad Pro with M4, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later) and iPad Air (5th generation), iPad Air 11-inch (M2 and later), iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later). Oh, and WhatsApp also works with Apple Pencil as well as any Bluetooth keyboard or Magic Keyboard as you'd expect.
Stuff.tv
10 hours ago
- Stuff.tv
OnePlus dumps its famous Alert Slider but it's for one very good reason
If you've ever owned a OnePlus flagship phone then you'll be familiar with the alert slider – it's an easy way to switch the phone into silent when it's in your pocket and it's always been a feature I'm surprised more Android phone makers didn't adopt. Now though, the button has been axed, starting with the OnePlus 13s which will be available in India after a 5 June launch. This phone isn't coming to the US or Europe, though it will have implications for countries outside India since it's the first OnePlus phone to replace the Alert Slider with a new button – known as the Plus Key. And to avoid any confusion, the company confirmed it will be coming to 'all OnePlus smartphones launching this year.' However, the main use for it is to add webpages, messages and other bookmarkable info to a baked-in feature known as the Plus Mind. Nothing also has something similar, known as Essential Space. Essentially, it's a bit like a catalog for all your key info, an alternative to saving things in apps like Google Keep or Microsoft OneNote. Much like other vendors, OnePlus is toting this as increasing personalisation. This transition is very similar to the Action Button change on Apple's iPhone and like that button you can also choose its function (so you can keep using it to silence your phone if you want), start the camera or begin translation. Play And, if you map the button to an alternative use, you can swipe up with three fingers to add things to your Plus Mind instead. This gesture means that Plus Mind will also come to the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R as well (since there is obviously no dedicated Plus Key) via a software update. You're also able to use the feature to extract information. So it could use it to extract event info from an image and add it to your calendar for example. Of course, this is all part of OnePlus AI – the company's somewhat belated push into AI features. But while it might be somewhat later than many rivals, it is offering a lot of the same features as others. And aside from some image editing shortcuts, there's no real evidence that AI tricks are proving a hit with consumers. Additional OnePlus AI features coming this year AI VoiceScribe: Enables users to record, summarise, and translate calls and meetings directly within popular messaging, video, and online meeting applications. AI Call Assistant (coming to India only for now): On the OnePlus 13s, the OnePlus Dialer will offer options for automatic Call Summaries or real-time Call Translation during calls. AI Translation: Consolidates all translation capabilities – text, live voice, camera-based, and screen translation – into a single, intuitive app, making it easier to understand foreign languages and connect globally. AI Search: AI Search enables conversational, natural language queries, seamlessly searching local files, settings, notes, and calendars for contextually relevant results. Integrated with AI Plus Mind, it enhances productivity through intuitive, interactive searches. AI Reframe: Intelligently analyses photo scenes, identifies the subject, and adjusts composition, generating multiple creative framing options for users to choose from. AI Best Face 2.0 (coming this summer through an update): Enhances group photos by automatically detecting and correcting issues like closed eyes or suboptimal expressions for more polished results. This feature supports images with up to 20 individuals and works even with photos captured on other devices. OnePlus is also adding Google Gemini integration, similar to parent company Oppo and it will work across OnePlus' own apps as well as Google's ones. On device AI processing is prioritised where more sensitive information is used, although the company states that its own private cloud will keep data private. The company also says it recently rolled out support for Oppo's O+ Connect for the OnePlus 13R which enables uses to do file transfers and more between their OnePlus device and MacOS computer, either through the O+ Connect app, or via a drag and drop interface in the Finder.
Stuff.tv
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
I (just about) survived Elden Ring Nightreign's unforgiving co-op chaos
Stuff Verdict Adapt to its initial frustrations and Elden Ring Nightreign is one of the most challenging but rewarding co-op action fantasy games around. Pros The best of Elden Ring in digestible sessions Cool variety of character classes and skills Rewarding boss fights include a best-of from past FromSoft games Cons Faster structure sometimes at odds with traditional FromSoft mechanics Some bosses feel spongy and unbalanced A miserable time for solo expeditioners Introduction More than three years since its release, Elden Ring has sold over 30 million copies. Not bad for a fantasy RPG that seems to hate you as much as co-creator and Game of Thrones author George RR Martin seems to hate his characters. But you can see why there's demand to keep the cycle spinning, with a movie adaptation in the works (28 Days Later's Alex Garland is attached to direct), and now this new online co-op spin-off, Elden Ring Nightreign. It doesn't sound like an idea that should work on paper, even if one of the magical parts of Elden Ring (and the Dark Souls series that preceded it) was the jolly cooperation between strangers. Given how influential FromSoftware's games have been in the last decade, it's also peculiar that the developer would be chasing other genre trends. And yet after taking a while to adjust your expectations, there is something special here for players up for working together to overcome some fiendish challenges. The night is young Nightreign is essentially Elden Ring condensed into a run-based roguelite, with random loot and persistent upgrades – but also the gradually shrinking open world map of a battle royale. Once you match up in a team of three fellow Nightfarers, or by yourself (there's sadly no way to play this as just a pair), you drop into Limveld; over the course of three game days, the goal is to defeat the Nightlord on the final day, by ensuring you've gotten strong enough with the necessary resources from the previous days. It's just the first of many nightlords, just to keep these runs on your toes. After defeating the first one, more become available and you're free to tackle them in any order. That's just as well, because the second one is an absolute nightmare – you'd do well to not continue successive runs bashing your head against the wall on them. The map is also constantly changing for each run in terms of what structures and enemies you might encounter. One version of Limveld might contain snowy mountains, while another has lava-filled volcanoes, though it's also sometimes prone to duplicating the same ruins and soldier camps. How you explore the map is also dictated by the Night Rain, an encroaching storm that drains your health if you're caught in it. This happens each day, leaving a large-ish circle on the map, while by night you're forced into a smaller arena to face a mini-boss. It then means you have to prioritise your objectives: do you hit up the churches first to upgrade the number of times you can heal from your flask, do you seek out rare resources for upgrading your weapons in the caves, or do you focus on defeating other formidable enemies on the map to gain more gear or abilities they drop as well as more runes for levelling up? Do you risk continuing these tasks even when the rains close in or try to save them for the second day when the cycle restarts? Souls stars This more streamlined, turbo-charged approach may be appealing for players already into the likes of Apex Legends rather than the commitment of a 80+ hour RPG, but it does mean some elements of what has defined FromSoftware's hardcore RPGs are lost. When you have to be so quick on your feet, the careful, methodical approach of both Elden Ring and Dark Souls doesn't really gel. It's why you won't be examining items for lore, can't leave messages for other players, and why your nightfarers are pre-set characters rather than ones you can customise yourself. The archetypes you're presented with are nonetheless an interesting bunch that play quite distinctly. Wylder is your typical jack-of-all-trades knight, Raiders hit hard and can also take quite a few hits without being interrupted, while Duchess (who's unlocked later) moves and attacks swiftly though also more fragile. Perhaps best of all is IronEye, who actually makes bow combat very viable – you can actually get in decent attack damage while maintaining a safe distance. In that hero shooter-inspired vein, each nightfarer also has their own unique passive and active skills, the latter relying on cooldowns before they can be used. IronEye can slide into enemies to mark them, doubling the damage they receive, while Revenant can summon phantoms as temporary allies. Naturally, each also has ultimates, like how duchess can cloak everyone with invisibility to give you a quick respite from hostile enemies, while Executor transforms into a primordial beast with unique and powerful attacks for a brief time. To match the faster pace, everyone can sprint and clamber up walls quickly, while using spiritstreams and spectrals hawks can also help you traverse the map at greater speed. It's not always well implemented though; it can take just a rock or branch on the ground to stop you in your tracks. You're also still reliant on classic Soulsy combat mechanics such as stamina management and the loss of your runes if you die (though your teammate can revive you, assuming you're sticking together). You can even shield parry, but why would you stand still to attempt it when there are better options? Three to play You've not just got nightlords to deal with; a plethora of bosses encountered both on the field and at the end of each night have cheekily been pulled from both Elden Ring and the Dark Souls series. A shrewd case of recycling content, though it does add to the feeling that this is the work of modders rather than an official FromSoft joint. The one striking change from how these bosses were before is they're super spongey now, compounded by having mobs spawning in to distract you. This makes it clear how vital it is to level up at checkpoints regularly. If you reach the end of the second day and your level's still a single digit, you're unlikely to survive the boss at the end of that day, let alone the nightlord on the final one. In some team-based games you might count on a strong player to carry the team, but Nightreign demands that you be in synergy with one another to stand a chance. The game doesn't scale down in difficulty either, meaning the solo expedition option is really just for the most hardcore of masochists. For the rest of us, it means hoping you match up in a competent trio – in other words, nightfarers who don't run off randomly, or try tackling a big dragon when they haven't levelled up sufficiently – though it's definitely recommended organising a party of likeminded pals on voice chat. Summoning a stranger to help you with a boss in Elden Ring is one thing, but trusting two others for three in-game days that can take between 30-45 minutes can feel like a risky commitment. There are many crushing lows that make you question the time you've spent and your poor decisions. Yet when the team is in sync, you feel fully prepared by the final day, and someone's able to revive you without you having to yell into a headset, it turns out that Nightreign still, against all odds, keeps the spark of what makes Elden Ring special in the first place. You know what they say about how the night is always darkest before the dawn. Elden Ring Nightreign verdict In its streamlined online co-op structure, Elden Ring Nightreign often rubs up against the foundations of the FromSoftware action RPG formula in ways that frustrate, and in many ways it really shouldn't work. This isn't necessarily going to be one for every Elden Ring devotee who enjoys spending many hours in the Lands Between. Yet with a compelling roster of nightfarers, each who also have their own optional arcs, a mash-up of past and present FromSoft bosses, and the right team synergy, triumphing over the nightlords brings a new challenge and reward that redefines our expectations of jolly cooperation. For those who felt that this year's Monster Hunter Wilds had made its core loop a little too frictionless to widen its appeal, here's a co-op game that keeps its uncompromising teeth intact. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 Adapt to its initial frustrations and you have one of the most challenging but rewarding co-op action fantasy games around Pros The best of Elden Ring in digestible sessions Cool variety of character classes and skills Rewarding boss fights include a best-of from past FromSoft games Cons Faster structure sometimes at odds with traditional FromSoft mechanics Some bosses feel spongy and unbalanced A miserable time for solo expeditioners
Stuff.tv
12 hours ago
- Science
- Stuff.tv
This whacky battery tech could be used in your future smart home gadgets
Despite people harping on about it (which does get rather annoying), we do need to find more sustainable energy sources. Solar, nuclear, wind, and the rest are great – all with their own benefits, uses, and disadvantages. But what about for smaller devices that don't need so much power – like your outdoor smart home lights? That's what Nova Innova is working on with its microbe-powered energy sources. The tech is still very much in its early days, but gives us a glimpse at what future smart home gadgets could look like. And there's potential for the tech to go much further. In fact, it's recently been used to light an entire Peugeot photo shoot. But how exactly does it all work? And where might you start to see it crop up in your life? Here's everything you need to know about this whacky battery tech. How does it work? The science behind this next-gen energy tech is something called a Plant Microbial Fuel Cell, or P-MFC, developed in collaboration between Nova Innova and Plant-e. Essentially, it turns the soil into a miniature all-natural power station. During photosynthesis, plants produce organic compounds. Some of these trickle out through the roots and into the soil, where hungry bacteria get to work. These microbes digest the compounds and, in the process, release electrons. Cleverly placed electrodes collect these electrons and, you've got a small but steady electric current. Play It doesn't harm the plants – they keep photosynthesising, blissfully unaware they've been conscripted into the power grid. In fact, the whole system is CO₂-negative because it locks in more carbon than it emits. There are even some tests to treat the soil to try and increase the number of microbes and therefore power. But it's still in its early days. Where might this tech be used? The Living Light Park shows this off in the most charmingly Dutch way possible. I recently went for a wander through the park in Rotterdam. It's a 35-metre boardwalk with embedded lights and sensors. As you stroll along, the sensors detect your movement, and the lights glow in response, all thanks to energy pulled from the plants beneath your feet. Local residents chose the plants, gave feedback on the lighting design, and helped shape a park that shows off the next-gen energy infrastructure. Nova Innova's vision stretches far beyond Rotterdam. This tech has powered everything from home decor – like the Living Light Lamp – to large-scale commercial events. For the launch of Peugeot's all-electric E-5008 SUV, the brand lit a photoshoot using 30 microbial fuel cells powered by a cocktail of plants, mud, water, and spent coffee grounds. And this is where the smart home angle starts to make sense. Imagine bedside lamps, wall sconces, or even motion-sensitive garden lights that don't sip electricity from the grid but pull it straight from your potted fern. It's not just a nod to the sustainable – it's a way of integrating sustainability into the fabric of your daily routine, without sacrificing function or style. Plus, since these devices would generate their own power, it lessens the strain on drawing from other sustainable energy sources. Beyond homes, there's talk of environmental sensors powered by marshlands, or emergency lighting in remote areas where running a power line would cost a fortune and then some. The tech is scalable, modular, and weirdly elegant. So yes, it may sound whacky. It kind of is. But it's also clever, green, and extremely fun.
Stuff.tv
14 hours ago
- Stuff.tv
One of Dyson's most popular devices just got a huge upgrade – but it's not a vacuum
When you think of Dyson, your brain probably jumps straight to sleek, pricey dirt-suckers. But somewhere along the way, Dyson also became a posh fan brand. You'll no doubt recognise the original bladeless Dyson Cool fan. But did you know it's now 16 years old? After years of letting its fan line coast while it flirted with air purifiers, straighteners and air-purifying headphones (yeah, remember those?), Dyson's gone back to its roots. The new CF1 fan is a big upgrade to Dyson's bladeless fan and it looks great. The Dyson Cool CF1 is a full-on refresh of its original bladeless fan. It has the same general aesthetic, but it's smarter and quieter. The CF1 keeps the iconic circle-meets-pedestal look, but now sports a new LCD screen on its base that lets you know what it's doing without needing to decipher any beeps or random light flashes. Air Multiplier tech is still doing the heavy lifting here, flinging out 370 litres of air per second in a stream that actually feels smooth. Other Dyson fans I've used live up to this, unlike choppy budget fans that seem to alternate between 'gentle breeze' and 'tornado simulator'. So I expect this new fan will blow me away (pun very much intended). With ten fan speeds and three different oscillation ranges, it's got plenty of range to keep you cool without blasting papers off your desk. Dyson's new Night mode dials things down to a whispery 29dB at night so you can get some shut-eye. It also dims the screen so you're not trying to nod off next to a digital lighthouse. Is it a revolution? No. But it's a long-overdue upgrade you'd expect from a brand that's obsessed with making airflow seem sexy. Note that you don't get purification, heating, or humidifying here – the CF1 just cools. The Dyson Cool CF1 is available now for £250 from Dyson. There's no US pricing or availability just yet.
