Xbox brings Xbox Cloud Gaming to its consoles

If you want to try out a game on Xbox without downloading it, Microsoft gives you that option with the start of the Xbox Cloud Gaming rollout. It's coming to Canada and 25 other regions first to users with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. If it still hasn't made it your way, you might need to wait a bit as the November release is for a "subset of Xbox gamers," with everyone in the supported markets getting it "over the coming weeks."

Xbox Cloud Gaming will make it easy to demo games you aren't ready to purchase yet. Or you can jump into a multiplayer game with a friend on a title you haven't installed yet. Those with an Xbox One can try out next-generation exclusive titles like Recompile, The Riftbreaker, and The Medium. If you're a fan of Microsoft Flight Simulator, that's coming to the cloud game library in early 2022.

Via: The Verge

Apple plans to sell you parts so you can repair your iPhone at home

Howard Bouchevereau/Unsplash

If you somehow missed the announcement, Apple is somewhat changing its stance on your right to repair your devices on your own. The company plans to begin selling tools and parts and instructions on fixing Apple products at home. It'll start with the iPhone 12 and 13 and then the M1 Macs. You'll be able to replace the smartphone's display, camera, and battery, with other options coming later.

The program is called "Self Service Repair," and it's launching "early next year," starting in the US and then other countries afterwards. Apple says this initiative is meant for "individual technicians with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices." And it still encourages most customers to see a professional for repairs. According to TechCrunch, repairs won't void your warranty, which is an important note. But if you damage the device while repairing it, that might void it.

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Spotify starts rollout of synchronized song lyrics to all users

Spotify / Musixmatch

Spotify will make your singalongs a better experience. It's rolling out its synchronized song lyrics to all users worldwide. The company started testing this feature out in the US and a few markets, but now free and Premium users are getting access to lyrics for the "majority" of Spotify tracks. Musixmatch powers the experience within the app.

It'll be available on iOS, Android, desktop, TV, and console apps. The feature is accessible on the "Now Playing View." You just need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen. The lyrics will track in real-time. Spotify hasn't mentioned how many songs get the feature, but saying "majority" implies it's at least more than half. We haven't spotted it on our devices yet, but we're keeping our eyes peeled for it.

Source: Spotify | Via: Engadget

Mattel shows off a life-size Barbie Extra EV at the LA Auto Show

Mattel

Well, at least it's a Fiat 500e dressed as a life-size Barbie Extra Car. The electric vehicle was designed to look exactly like the toy car. It has the 500e's chassis with an all-electric powertrain with 100 miles of range and 147 pound-feet of torque. Mattel used CAD files to duplicate the toy car's body and scale it up in foam to fit the Fiat 500e's undercarriage.

It gets sparkly silver paint and wing-shaped doors. The 20- and 22-inch (front/rear) pink and rainbow-hued wheels were 3D-printed and hand-painted. The headlights are gold and star-shaped. Mattel's presence at the LA Auto Show promotes the Barbie Extra dolls and accessories, but it certainly makes the show more entertaining for kids. And my inner child wants one of these.

Source: Engadget + CNET