Google gives Stadia Founder's Edition users an extra Buddy Pass

Google wants to spread the holiday cheer to Stadia Founder's Edition users. Or at least get their friends to use the game streaming service. The company is giving these gamers an extra Buddy Pass to gift three months of Stadia Pro to a friend. This account is the 4K/60fps-supported tier that includes free games like Destiny 2: The Collection and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. Google included one Buddy Pass when it launched the service in November, but they're giving another one as an "early surprise gift."

The Buddy Pass is accessible through the envelope icon in the top left corner of the Stadia app. You can send the code to your friend through text or email. A little checkmark will appear beside the envelope icon once you've sent it. You will also get an email with the Buddy Pass redemption code. It will come to the account connected to your Stadia account, in case you need it.

Huawei P40 series tipped for a March 2020 launch

While the flagship Huawei P40 will get a "never-before-seen" design, rumour has it that the Huawei P40 Lite will look like the just-launched Huawei Nova 6 SE pictured above

Huawei will reportedly launch its next flagship, the Huawei P40, in March 2020 in Paris, France. We don't have an exact date yet, but Frandroid reports that the phone will not come with Google Play Services. In its place, Huawei Mobile Services will be available. The change means you won't be able to download apps from the Play Store. But the phone will still launch with Android 10-based EMUI, just like when the P30 Pro and Mate 30 Pro launched. Of course, the lack of Google Play Services might put a damper in sales on this side of the world.

Huawei CEO Richard Yu said the Huawei P40 series will have a "never-before-seen" design, better picture quality, improved performance, and boosted AI. Admittedly, this is a promise that we come to expect from new flagships from any company, but we want to see how Huawei delivers. And if at this point, the US will finally lift its ban on Huawei. 

Samsung Galaxy S11+ might use LG-made batteries

Rumoured Galaxy S11+ battery with a 5,100mAh typical capacity

If this new report from Phone Arena is to be believed, then LG will be supplying the high-capacity batteries for the Samsung Galaxy S11+. This won't be the first time LG will provide batteries for its rival, but it will mark LG Chem's first time to produce batteries for Samsung's flagship Galaxy S series. Unnamed industry sources said, “LG Chem currently mass produces the cells for the up-and-coming Galaxy phones from its Nanjing plant in China.”

Samsung will reportedly produce some of the batteries, but LG will help supply them with more. As we know from an earlier leak, the Galaxy S11+ is tipped to be getting a 5,000mAh-plus battery. 

'Star Trek: Picard' is already renewed for Season 2 ahead of January premiere

CBS All Access

The first season of Star Trek: Picard isn't out, but CBS is willing to give the show another season already. The Hollywood Reporter noted that CBS hadn't made an official comment yet possibly because it's waiting to confirm the second season's showrunner. The first season's showrunner, novelist Michael Chabon, is reportedly looking to pass the show on to another creator as he plans to work on other projects. As the show's title suggests, Picard stars the iconic USS Enterprise captain played by Patrick Stewart, and it premieres on January 23 on CBS All Access.

In Canada, Bell Media owns exclusive rights to Picard, and it will be broadcasted on its CTV Sci-Fi channel in English and Z channel in French. The show will then be available on Bell's Crave streaming service the day after the broadcast.