Google has released Android 17 Beta 3, introducing Platform Stability, which finalizes internal and external APIs and app-facing behaviors for developers. Key enhancements include full activation of bubbles for multitasking, a redesigned screen recording toolbar, customizable photo picker grid view, support for 14-bit per pixel RAW images, vendor-defined camera extensions, Bluetooth LE audio hearing aids, reduced wakelocks for idle alarms, a system-provided location button, post-quantum cryptography hybrid signing, widget support on external displays, desktop interactive picture-in-picture, VPN app exclusion settings, and dynamic system font fallback. Feedback can be submitted through the Android Beta Feedback tool, and system images are available for various Pixel devices.
Samsung is developing a Warranty & Care app as part of One UI 9 to streamline device repairs and warranty claims. The app will feature a main screen displaying warranty status, a search bar for troubleshooting, and a Diagnostics shortcut linking to the Samsung Members app. Future enhancements may include estimating repair costs, scheduling service center appointments, and tracking claim progress. The app aims to promote self-service capabilities and will incorporate customer support access through chatbots and remote assistance. Many features are still in development, and the app is not yet ready for widespread use. Its availability may depend on the condition of the user's device, and while features are suggested, there is no certainty they will be included in the final release.
Microsoft is transforming its Windows 11 ecosystem by launching a redesigned Feedback Hub app. The update features a new "Give Feedback" page for submitting bug reports, feature requests, and compliments. Users can search for existing issues, categorize feedback, and use a built-in capture tool for screenshots. The app includes a "My feedback" page to track submissions and a "Community feedback" section for user interaction. Core functionalities remain, with enhanced privacy options. Additionally, Microsoft is resetting the Windows Insider Program to improve user engagement and transparency regarding feedback's impact on Windows development.
Stunlock Studios has announced the end of content updates for its vampire survival game, V Rising, nearly two years after its launch. The studio is shifting its focus to a new ambitious project that aims to expand the V Rising universe, promising a world with greater depth, danger, and mystery. While details about the new game are limited and it is still in early development, Stunlock reassured fans that V Rising will continue to receive balance adjustments and bug fixes. Additionally, the studio confirmed that official modding support will not be introduced for V Rising due to structural limitations, but insights from this exploration may benefit future projects.
Bit Reactor's tactical game, Star Wars Zero Company, is set in the Clone Wars era and is projected to launch in 2026, though a specific release date has not been disclosed. The game features tactical combat mechanics similar to XCOM and allows players to command a mercenary group made up of former operatives from the Separatist and Republic factions. Players control a custom protagonist named Hawks, accompanied by a clone buddy named Trick, and can choose from a diverse cast of squadmates, each with unique abilities. Character customization is extensive, allowing players to select from various classes and alien species for their mercenaries. Combat involves controlling a squad of four characters with three action points per turn, and players can engage in tactical missions and non-combat operations that affect squad morale and narrative outcomes. The home base, called the Den, serves as a hub for research, gear upgrades, and mission selections. The game will not include player-centric romance subplots. Developed by Bit Reactor and published by Respawn under EA, the narrative direction is led by Aaron Contreras.
Babylon.js 9.0 has been released, marking the most extensive update to date, featuring new tools and enhancements for web developers. Key features include:
- Clustered Lighting: Accelerates per-pixel lighting calculations by grouping lights into screen-space tiles and depth slices, improving performance in scenes with many lights.
- Textured Area Lights: Area lights now support emission textures, allowing images to be used as light sources for realistic lighting effects.
- Node Particle Editor: A visual tool for creating complex particle systems using a non-destructive node graph interface.
- Particle Flow Maps and Attractors: Introduces flow maps for controlling particle movement and gravity attractors for dynamic effects.
- Volumetric Lighting: A system for realistic light scattering through fog and haze, with configurable parameters for artistic control.
- Frame Graph: A Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) system for managing the rendering pipeline, optimizing GPU memory usage by over 40%.
- Animation Retargeting: Allows animations from one character to be applied to another with different skeleton structures, enabling animation sharing across diverse characters.
- Advanced Gaussian Splat Support: Enhancements for Gaussian Splatting, including support for multiple file formats, shadow casting, and the ability to create and modify splat data programmatically.
These features enhance the capabilities of Babylon.js for creating immersive web experiences.
Microsoft is forming a team to enhance Windows 11 in response to ongoing criticism, including the trending term "Microslop" on social media. Pavan Davuluri, Executive Vice President of Windows & Devices, is leading the initiative, with Rudy Huyn, a veteran from the developer community, assembling a new team focused on advancing Windows applications. Huyn is inviting developers to join, emphasizing strong product thinking and customer focus over prior experience with the platform.
In Android 17 Beta 3, Google introduces a feature allowing users to control the "Expanded" dark theme settings for individual applications. This feature enables apps that do not support dark mode to adopt a darker aesthetic while allowing users to disable forced dark mode for specific apps that may have readability issues. Users can access this feature through Settings > Display & touch > Dark theme > Expanded.
Stunlock Studios is transitioning from V Rising to a new project within the same universe, which they describe as their "most ambitious project yet." While they will continue to support V Rising with balance adjustments and bug fixes, the content for the game is complete. The studio is stepping away from V Rising's established architecture due to its restrictive nature for creative iteration. They have introduced a Google Form for players to provide feedback on V Rising, although most of the development team will focus on the new title. Details about the new project are vague, but it promises a deeper and more dangerous experience. There is a strong player desire for an MMORPG experience, with hopes for larger servers in the next iteration. Stunlock is attentive to this feedback and invites community suggestions for the future of the V Rising saga.
