Light Start: Call of Duty guns are blazing, WhatsApp to iPad waiting, Mac mini upgraded and D&D film anticipated

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Play Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha this weekend

Although Call of Duty: Vanguard is still months away from its 5 November full release, PS4 and PS5 owners will have an exclusive chance to try out the all-new Champion Hill multiplayer game mode this coming weekend. The new game mode is launching as an open alpha and will be free to try out, no preorder or prepurchase is necessary. The alpha will run from 19:00 on Friday, 27 August until 19:00 Sunday 29 August. It will be made available for preload on the Playstation Store ahead of time from around noon today, Monday 23 August.

As we’ve said, this is an alpha release, so it is most likely not going to be the same version that releases in November. But then that’s the whole point of something like this, to iron out the kinks and smooth the edges before release. At least that’s the idea anyway. With this being a new game mode for the franchise, it’s easy to understand why they’re opting for an early test run. If you missed the reveal, you can check out the trailer here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

WhatsApp is coming to iPad, finally

If you read this title and were a little surprised to hear that iPads are only now getting a WhatsApp app, you weren’t the only one. This update comes as part of WhatsApp’s new implementation of multi-device support that it revealed in July. As of right now, there is an app for Windows, macOS and a web portal, but these need to connect to a smartphone that has internet access for them to work.

The new multi-device system will remove the need for everything to work through your smartphone, although you’ll still need an account with an active phone number. Android tablet users will also need to wait for the multi-device system to be released in full, although they have other options available to them in the meantime, such as sideloading an APK file downloaded from a third-party site. Be warned though, that this violates WhatsApp’s terms of service and opens you up to downloading malware if you don’t keep your wits about you. Unfortunately, we don’t have a date for when this will be available, so sit tight for now.

Source: WABetaInfo[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

New Apple Mac mini rumoured with an M1 chip upgrade

The rumour mill has ground out a new one, this time about a possible refresh for the Apple Mac mini. Both 9to5Mac and MacRumors have cited a newsletter from Mark Gurman that says we could see a redesigned Mac mini with an M1X chip “in the next several months”. The M1X chip hasn’t had an official announcement yet, but that is the shorthand for an upgraded M1 chip.

In addition to the upgraded chip, rumours also suggest that the redesign will include additional ports on the Mac mini. With all these upgrades, this new Mac mini looks like it’s going to be targeting power users, so it would make sense for Apple to release it alongside the current version instead of replacing it. Rumours also suggest we’ll see a redesign for the Macbook Pro models featuring the new M1X chip. But you know what they say about rumours, they pair nicely with some salt.

Source: Engadget[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

A Dungeons & Dragons feature film is coming to the big screen soon

If you’ve been waiting for a new dose of high fantasy since the letdown that was Game of Thrones finished, then you’re in luck. Production has wrapped on the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons film. Just going by the call sheet, this adaptation of the classic tabletop role-playing game (RPG) looks like it isn’t holding back. The film is written and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who have previously worked together on Spider-Man: Homecoming, Horrible Bosses and Game Night.

We hope this adaptation starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith and Regé-Jean Page does better than the previous attempt that came out in 2000 with Jeremy Irons, Marlon Wayans, and Thora Birch. That attempt was widely regarded as a flop by critics, moviegoers and fans of the RPG alike. Currently, the only details about this version that are known, are that it’s set to debut in 2023. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this one and will keep you updated as more details are announced.

Source: Gizmodo

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