UPDATE: ‘Pokémon GO’ reportedly goes live on Android & iOS in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, & Japan

Following closed beta tests, it seems the new Pokémon GO is now live on Android (no updates yet for iOS). But reports have surfaced that it currently only works in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. Nintendo's augmented reality-based game has been made in collaboration with Niantic Labs and allows you to collect, train, and battle Pokémon in the real world. It’s a free-to-play game with in-app purchase options as well as a Bluetooth accessory that’ll alert you of Pokémon and let you capture them without bringing out your phone. It may not show up for you yet but with this bit of news swirling around, you should expect to have the app ready for your phone in no time.

Source: 9to5Google + Android Central + Fev Games + GameSpot

UPDATE (as of 9:49 p.m. EDT):

The game is now also live on iOS in the same areas and it's also already available in Japan as well.

Source: Nintendo Insider

Discontinuation of BlackBerry Classic means the end of an era

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The announcement earlier today that BlackBerry would discontinue the BlackBerry Classic in favour of Android powered devices marks an end of an era in the smartphone market. Much considered a throwback to iconic BlackBerry devices, the BlackBerry Classic was launched in 2014 as a device for Blackberry loyalists, businessmen and government users and brought back the iconic QWERTY keyboard.

The BlackBerry Classic showcased the best of what BlackBerry devices had to offer. High-end and innovative hardware with a rock solid QWERTY keyboard typing experience as well as security and no nonsene encryption in heaps and bounds.

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Apple introduces new emoji sticker packs for iOS 10 beta users

One of the new things coming to iOS 10 is that third-party developers can develop emojis or gif packs for iMessage through an API Apple’s releasing. Getting the ball rolling, Apple’s released four new emoji sticker packs for iOS 10 beta users. If you’re on the beta program, you can download 3D Smileys, Hands, Classic Mac icons, and Hearts from the App Store. From the app, you can view the collections under a tab that has the App Store icon.

Source: 9to5Mac | Via: Mashable

BMW now steps closer to producing its autonomous car thanks to new partnerships

While Tesla is being investigated following a driver’s death while under Autopilot control, BMW is pushing ahead with its autonomous vehicle initiative with the new partnerships the brand has entered into. BMW is planning on delivering its iNEXT autonomous car by the year 2021 and to help make that happen, they’ve partnered with Intel and Mobileye. They’re working towards developing “future-proof solutions that will allow the drivers to completely shut off behind the wheel.

Intel will be providing the processors needed to handle the constant stream of information the sensors and cameras bring in. Meanwhile, Mobileye will help BMW create systems that can produce an accurate picture of what’s happening around the iNEXT. In case you didn’t know, Mobileye developed the technology behind Tesla’s AutoPilot system.

Source: Gizmag