Microsoft introduces ‘Season 2’ for Mixer streaming platform

There are tons of things to like about Microsoft’s latest update (a.k.a. Season 2) for its Mixer streaming platform. It now offers more flexible ways to support streamers and even a progression system to reward your participation in the streams. Those available already include a wider array of responses called Skills, which include animated gifs, stickers, and visual effects. If you use this on a partner’s channel, it goes to supporting them financially. Microsoft says they’ll be updating these frequently. Another way to support streamers includes using Sparks, which is an in-app currency of sorts that you don’t need to shell out real money for. You can earn these by watching streams and spend them on Skills so the streamers can get real money payouts from milestones they reach. Later on, you’ll be able to purchase Mixed Embers, a virtual currency you can use to buy high-value Skills that will offer direct financial rewards and bigger celebrations for the streamers.

Coming in 2019, Mixer will also introduce a progression system similar to what you get in video games. If you watch streams, participate in chats, or use Skills, this will help you unlock more Skills and help differentiate these engaged watchers from the rest. Microsoft says it wants to create a better way to distinguish “subscribers” from “non-subscribers” on its platform. Another way to “level up” would be by gaining Applause from other users. Other improvements coming to Mixer include automatic bitrate switching so you have a consistent viewing experience, no matter what device you use. Creators can use FTL streaming on more devices and software. And there’s an easier way to report video issues as well.

Gmail for iOS can now show you all your email accounts in a single inbox

Following in the footsteps of the Gmail app on Android, Gmail on iOS will now let you multiple Gmail accounts into one universal inbox. If you have the left-hand side drawer out, the “All inboxes” option there will, as the name suggests, show you all the emails you get from different accounts in one inbox. Google assures that no emails will be shared between accounts, even with this feature enabled. It’ll be coming to Gmail and G Suite users over the next 15 days.

Source: The Verge

Apple watchOS 5.1 update bricks some Apple Watches

It’s always prudent to not update your devices immediately when software updates come out. And that seems to be the case with the new update for Apple’s watchOS platform. The company has already pulled the watchOS 5.1 update, which has bricked some devices after installing it. Some of the users have gotten stuck on the Apple logo as soon as they upgraded to the new operating system. Restarting the Apple Watch and iPhone pairing doesn’t help.

And unfortunately, it seems the only solution Apple has now is sending the units back to be fixed. Not exactly, the best way to start off selling the new Watches or even handling the old ones. According to BBC, one owner has even been told it’ll take the company’s repair staff a week to ascertain if his new Apple Watch Series 4 model needs to be repaired or replaced. It’s unclear how many users are affected by the issue, but this is something Apple has to fix fast.

Bethesda clarifies microtransaction concerns over ‘Fallout 76’

Bethesda wants to make sure its players are clear about microtransactions and loot boxes that will be featured in Fallout 76. The developer wants to make it clear that they aren’t adapting a pay-to-win model. Bethesda’s Pete Hines spoke to GameSpot about what in-game purchases mean for the game. He said, “If you don’t want to spend money in the Atomic shop for cosmetic stuff you don’t have to. We give you a shitload of Atoms just for playing the game. Folks that want to spend money on whatever the hell it is because they don’t have enough Atoms, they can, but it’s not, ‘I’m now better playing against other players because I spent money.’ It’s not pay-to-win. And it’s not loot crates.”

Hines added that to make sure the game stays on the “right side of the line,” they will be releasing a free DLC post-launch and that they have plans to support the game “indefinitely.” Fallout 76 launches on November 14 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.