Steam will not accept bitcoins as a payment method for now

For those who make use of the cryptocurrency to buy games off of Steam, you don’t have that option available for you now. Steam just announced it’ll no longer accept bitcoin as a payment method. Valve made the announcement in a blog post saying the decision is a result of the cryptocurrency’s “high fees and volatility.” In the post, it talks about how bitcoin transactions have gone up to almost US$20 per transaction in the past week, which is huge compared to what Valve says was the $0.20 value it had when they initially enabled bitcoin.

The fees are being shouldered by the gamers who make the purchases, which means costs of the games could be higher if the bitcoin value dips. And if value does go up while the user completes a purchase, for example, Steam will have to refund the difference and then the user will have to pay the transaction fee again. As Valve says in the post, “This year, we’ve seen increasing number[s] of customers get into this state,” making it a pretty impractical way to pay for games. Steam says it might reconsider this decision in the future, if the currency becomes more stable.

Source: The Verge

Amazon Prime video app finally comes to Apple TV with 4K UHD content

Amazon today announced the Prime Video app is available on Apple TV 4K and previous generations of Apple TV in over 100 countries.

Prime Video customers now have even more ways to stream award-winning and critically-acclaimed titles including Amazon Original Movies, Prime Originals and Hollywood blockbusters and TV series on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV. Amazon’s library of 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) High Dynamic Range (HDR) titles are available on Apple TV 4K.

“Amazon Prime Video is one of the most eagerly anticipated apps to come to Apple TV, so we’re excited to bring all of that great content to customers,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “The Sports tab in the Apple TV app makes it even easier for fans in the US to track the teams, games and moments that are important to them. With these exciting updates, plus our growing collection of 4K HDR movies on iTunes, we continue to deliver an unparalleled entertainment experience to Apple customers.”

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Kurt Russell will play Santa in untitled Netflix film

Marvel

It’s something we didn’t know we needed until it’s been suggested to us. Kurt Russell will be part of a new Netflix original film where he plays Santa Claus. He’ll be acting alongside child actors Juda Lewis (Netflix’s The Babysitter) and Big Little Lies’ Darby Camp. The story will center around the two siblings who somehow managed to inadvertently derail Christmas because they recorded Santa on video. It’ll be a mix of CGI and live action and it will be produced by a man who knows a thing or two about Christmas-related hijinx, Chris Columbus, who you may know from the Home Alone films. The Angry Birds Movie’s co-director Clay Kaytis will be directing the film. Shooting is expected to start in January and will hit Netflix by the time 2018 holiday season kicks off.

Source: Engadget

Amazon's Alexa-powered Echo speakers now available in Canada

Amazon’s anticipated cloud-based voice service, Alexa, is now available in Canada along with three Alexa-enabled devices: Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus. The lineup of innovative voice-controlled speakers allows users to experience a new level of convenience and intelligence. From simply asking Alexa for the temperature, or the news of the day, to controlling your entire home’s lights and locks, Alexa’s capabilities are endless and ever-expanding. You can order your Echo device today at www.amazon.ca/echo. Hit jump for specs and pricing.

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