Monday
Nov082021

Netflix's gaming service most likely to offer individual games on iOS

Netflix will most likely need to list each game it's offering on its gaming service as individual apps on the App Store to adhere to Apple's rules, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. The streaming service won't be able to offer an all-in-one experience, as Apple's updated guidelines prevent the app from making it onto the store.

Netflix Games currently operates this way on Android. In areas where the service is being tested, users can browse games on offer via the Netflix app, but they'll be redirected to the Google Play Store to download the apps. And this approach gives us a look at how Netflix might implement its game service on iOS. It is a workable solution, but as Gurman pointed out, it's not an approach that will put Netflix Games "in the best position to succeed."

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Sunday
Nov072021

How K-12 schools can protect against the next pandemic

By Marshal Sterio 

Lingering questions about COVID-19 and the rapid rise of the Delta variant have hung an ominous cloud over the start of the 2021-22 school year. Schools are debating mask policies, whether or not to require faculty to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, and some are even considering a continuation of remote learning practices developed over the first 18 months of the pandemic. So just how can schools keep their students and faculty safe this year and beyond?

According to the CDC, it all starts with encouraging vaccination. Children as young as 12 can now receive the Pfizer vaccine, so a large portion of the K-12 population is eligible for vaccination. Many colleges and universities are requiring students to have proof of COVID-19 vaccinations in order to return to campus, and the Los Angeles Unified School District is one of the first K-12 school districts to do the same. How many other districts follow suit remains to be seen; but regardless of whether or not your school requires the shot, there are other strategies to employ that will make your campus a safer place to be.

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Sunday
Nov072021

Google Stadia lets you join multiplayer games without an invite

Google

It's a long time coming, but Google has finally given Stadia users the ability to join multiplayer games without needing an invite. The feature is already live on Far Cry 6, so you can invite friends to join you without having to dig into the menus and issue an invite. 

Google says the feature is available on "select games" and disabled by default, but The Verge and 9to5Google pointed out it is enabled by default. It works on the Stadia app for Android and the web version that runs on iOS.

Sunday
Nov072021

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a Communities feature

New information revealed that WhatsApp might be working on introducing a Communities feature for its app. XDA Developers first spotted it last month, and now WABetaInfo has new data to corroborate that rumour. 

It looks like the feature gives group admins more power over groups, like creating groups within groups. A function that is similar to how channels work within an Umbrella Discord community. 

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