Ubisoft’s planned free-to-play Division game is dead

Just over three years ago, Ubisoft announced The Division Heartland, a free-to-play entry in its survival-action shooter series. At the time, it suggested that Heartland would arrive later in 2021 or in 2022, but that never happened. In fact, Heartland isn't coming out at all.

In its quarterly earnings report, Ubisoft said it ended development of the game, which Red Storm Entertainment, a studio that author Tom Clancy co-founded, was working on. Ubisoft is shifting resources to what it calls "bigger opportunities," including other aspects of the Clancyverse in XDefiant and the Rainbow Six series.

Ubisoft canceled a number of games over the last couple of years to try and streamline its pipeline and reduce costs. It noted that it had reduced its headcount by more than 1,700 workers over 18 months to have 19,011 employees at the end of March.

The company also provided an update on its overarching strategy. It plans to focus on two core pillars: open=world titles (like Assassin's Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws) and ongoing live-service games (XDefiant and Rainbow Six Siege). That's where Ubisoft sees room for growth, so expect more Far Cry and Ghost Recon titles in the coming years.

As for the more immediate future, we'll find out the latest about the likes of AC Shadows, Star Wars Outlaws, Rainbow Six Mobile (which should finally arrive in September), The Division Resurgence and XDefiant at Ubisoft Forward on June 10.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ubisofts-planned-free-to-play-division-game-is-dead-200334383.html?src=rss

Ubisoft’s planned free-to-play Division game is dead

Just over three years ago, Ubisoft announced The Division Heartland, a free-to-play entry in its survival-action shooter series. At the time, it suggested that Heartland would arrive later in 2021 or in 2022, but that never happened. In fact, Heartland isn't coming out at all.

In its quarterly earnings report, Ubisoft said it ended development of the game, which Red Storm Entertainment, a studio that author Tom Clancy co-founded, was working on. Ubisoft is shifting resources to what it calls "bigger opportunities," including other aspects of the Clancyverse in XDefiant and the Rainbow Six series.

Ubisoft canceled a number of games over the last couple of years to try and streamline its pipeline and reduce costs. It noted that it had reduced its headcount by more than 1,700 workers over 18 months to have 19,011 employees at the end of March.

The company also provided an update on its overarching strategy. It plans to focus on two core pillars: open=world titles (like Assassin's Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws) and ongoing live-service games (XDefiant and Rainbow Six Siege). That's where Ubisoft sees room for growth, so expect more Far Cry and Ghost Recon titles in the coming years.

As for the more immediate future, we'll find out the latest about the likes of AC Shadows, Star Wars Outlaws, Rainbow Six Mobile (which should finally arrive in September), The Division Resurgence and XDefiant at Ubisoft Forward on June 10.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ubisofts-planned-free-to-play-division-game-is-dead-200334383.html?src=rss

Google lets third-party developers into Home through new APIs

Google is opening up its Home platform to third-party developers through new APIs. As such, any app will eventually be able to tap into the more than 600 million devices that are connected to Home, even if they're not necessarily smart home-oriented apps. Google suggests, for instance, that a food delivery app might be able to switch on the outdoor lights before the courier shows up with dinner.

The APIs build on the foundation of Matter and Google says it created them with privacy and security at the forefront. For one thing, developers who tap into the APIs will need to pass certification before rolling out their app. In addition, apps won't be able to access someone's smart home devices without a user's explicit consent.

Developers are already starting to integrate the APIs, which include one focused on automation. Eve, for instance, will let you set up your smart blinds to lower automatically when the temperature dips at night. A workout app might switch on a fan for you before you start working up a sweat.

Google is taking things a little slow with the APIs, as there's a waitlist and it's working with select partners. It plans to open up access to the APIs on a rolling basis, and the first apps using them will hit the Play Store and App Store this fall.

Meanwhile, Google is turning TVs into smart home hubs. Starting later this year, you'll be able to control smart home devices via Chromecast with Google TV and certain models with Google TV running Android 14 or higher, as well as some LG TVs.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-lets-third-party-developers-into-home-through-new-apis-180420068.html?src=rss

Google lets third-party developers into Home through new APIs

Google is opening up its Home platform to third-party developers through new APIs. As such, any app will eventually be able to tap into the more than 600 million devices that are connected to Home, even if they're not necessarily smart home-oriented apps. Google suggests, for instance, that a food delivery app might be able to switch on the outdoor lights before the courier shows up with dinner.

The APIs build on the foundation of Matter and Google says it created them with privacy and security at the forefront. For one thing, developers who tap into the APIs will need to pass certification before rolling out their app. In addition, apps won't be able to access someone's smart home devices without a user's explicit consent.

Developers are already starting to integrate the APIs, which include one focused on automation. Eve, for instance, will let you set up your smart blinds to lower automatically when the temperature dips at night. A workout app might switch on a fan for you before you start working up a sweat.

Google is taking things a little slow with the APIs, as there's a waitlist and it's working with select partners. It plans to open up access to the APIs on a rolling basis, and the first apps using them will hit the Play Store and App Store this fall.

Meanwhile, Google is turning TVs into smart home hubs. Starting later this year, you'll be able to control smart home devices via Chromecast with Google TV and certain models with Google TV running Android 14 or higher, as well as some LG TVs.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-lets-third-party-developers-into-home-through-new-apis-180420068.html?src=rss

Netflix will stream its first NFL games on Christmas Day

After dipping its toes into live sports with golf and tennis exhibitions, Netflix is taking a major step forward on that front. The company has locked in a deal with the NFL to air a Christmas Day doubleheader, marking the first time that it will broadcast games from the league. Netflix will stream at least one holiday game in 2025 and 2026 as well. These games won't be blacked out in competing teams' home markets.

Reports last week suggested Netflix was in play for Christmas Day NFL games, and that was seemingly why the league postponed the reveal of its 2024 schedule until today (when Netflix is trying to win over advertisers at its upfront presentation). To that end, it's not yet clear which NFL teams will be the first to square off live on Netflix around the world, though we'll find out when the league releases the schedule at 8PM ET.

Of course, Netflix isn't the first streaming service to broadcast NFL games. Prime Video has been showing them for years, while YouTube is the home of NFL Sunday Ticket.

It's not Netflix's first foray into the NFL as a whole, either. Last year, it debuted Quarterback, a hit unscripted series that followed Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota during the 2022 season. A self-explanatory follow-up show called Receiver will arrive this summer.

Before we get to Christmas Day and Netflix's first NFL games, the company will stream a boxing card featuring Mike Tyson vs. Logan Paul, which is somehow now an official professional fight. The holiday NFL games will also act as something of a warmup for Netflix as the company will start streaming live WWE programming every week in January.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/netflix-will-stream-its-first-nfl-games-on-christmas-day-163407396.html?src=rss

Netflix will stream its first NFL games on Christmas Day

After dipping its toes into live sports with golf and tennis exhibitions, Netflix is taking a major step forward on that front. The company has locked in a deal with the NFL to air a Christmas Day doubleheader, marking the first time that it will broadcast games from the league. Netflix will stream at least one holiday game in 2025 and 2026 as well. These games won't be blacked out in competing teams' home markets.

Reports last week suggested Netflix was in play for Christmas Day NFL games, and that was seemingly why the league postponed the reveal of its 2024 schedule until today (when Netflix is trying to win over advertisers at its upfront presentation). To that end, it's not yet clear which NFL teams will be the first to square off live on Netflix around the world, though we'll find out when the league releases the schedule at 8PM ET.

Of course, Netflix isn't the first streaming service to broadcast NFL games. Prime Video has been showing them for years, while YouTube is the home of NFL Sunday Ticket.

It's not Netflix's first foray into the NFL as a whole, either. Last year, it debuted Quarterback, a hit unscripted series that followed Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota during the 2022 season. A self-explanatory follow-up show called Receiver will arrive this summer.

Before we get to Christmas Day and Netflix's first NFL games, the company will stream a boxing card featuring Mike Tyson vs. Logan Paul, which is somehow now an official professional fight. The holiday NFL games will also act as something of a warmup for Netflix as the company will start streaming live WWE programming every week in January.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/netflix-will-stream-its-first-nfl-games-on-christmas-day-163407396.html?src=rss

The first Dune: Prophecy teaser takes the action back by 10,000 years

This week, streaming services are joining linear networks in revealing some of the projects they've got coming up in an attempt to win over advertisers. After Prime Video stepped up to the plate on Tuesday, it was Warner Bros. Discovery's turn at bat on Wednesday. The company surprised many by dropping a teaser trailer for Dune: Prophecy, a six-episode Dune prequel series that's coming to Max this fall.

The spinoff is set 10,000 years before the events of the Dune movies. It follows two Harkonnen sisters who tackle a threat to humanity while setting up the sisterhood that will eventually become the Bene Gesserit. Dune: Prophecy is based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

The series stars Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May and the always-great Mark Strong. The trailer makes the show look suitably large in scope, though you'll need to wait a few more months for it to arrive.

In the meantime, you'll soon be able to watch Dune: Part Two on Max (though we recommend catching this butt-kicking epic on a giant screen if it's still showing in a theater near you). The sequel is coming to the streaming service next week, on May 21.

In addition, it might be too early for a trailer for the second season of The Last of Us, though WBD has released the first official images. The shots of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) don't give much away, but fans of the second game in the series might recognize those fairy lights behind Joel's magnificent mane. The Last of Us will return on HBO and Max in 2025, hopefully on January 1.

Joel (Pedro Pascal) in The Last of Us season two.
Warner Bros. Discovery
Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in The Last of Us season two.
Warner Bros. Discovery

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-first-dune-prophecy-teaser-takes-the-action-back-by-10000-years-152911407.html?src=rss

The first Dune: Prophecy teaser takes the action back by 10,000 years

This week, streaming services are joining linear networks in revealing some of the projects they've got coming up in an attempt to win over advertisers. After Prime Video stepped up to the plate on Tuesday, it was Warner Bros. Discovery's turn at bat on Wednesday. The company surprised many by dropping a teaser trailer for Dune: Prophecy, a six-episode Dune prequel series that's coming to Max this fall.

The spinoff is set 10,000 years before the events of the Dune movies. It follows two Harkonnen sisters who tackle a threat to humanity while setting up the sisterhood that will eventually become the Bene Gesserit. Dune: Prophecy is based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

The series stars Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May and the always-great Mark Strong. The trailer makes the show look suitably large in scope, though you'll need to wait a few more months for it to arrive.

In the meantime, you'll soon be able to watch Dune: Part Two on Max (though we recommend catching this butt-kicking epic on a giant screen if it's still showing in a theater near you). The sequel is coming to the streaming service next week, on May 21.

In addition, it might be too early for a trailer for the second season of The Last of Us, though WBD has released the first official images. The shots of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) don't give much away, but fans of the second game in the series might recognize those fairy lights behind Joel's magnificent mane. The Last of Us will return on HBO and Max in 2025, hopefully on January 1.

Joel (Pedro Pascal) in The Last of Us season two.
Warner Bros. Discovery
Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in The Last of Us season two.
Warner Bros. Discovery

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-first-dune-prophecy-teaser-takes-the-action-back-by-10000-years-152911407.html?src=rss

Canon confirms its long-rumored flagship EOS R1 is coming later this year

After years of rumors, Canon has confirmed that a flagship EOS R1 camera is in the works for its EOS line. The full-frame mirrorless camera is slated to arrive later this year and, while Canon hasn't revealed all the details just yet, it teased just enough to whet your appetite. There's no indication as to how much the EOS R1 will cost just yet either, but you may need to dig deep into your wallet this one.

The company says that the professional-grade camera will have an RF mount and offer improved video and still performance compared with the EOS R3. It will boast an upgraded image processing system that combines a fresh CMOS sensor, a new image processor called Digic Accelerator and the existing Digic X processor.

Canon says the system will be able to process a large volume of data at high speed and deliver advancements in auto focus and other areas. The company claims it's been able to combine the capabilities of the image processing system with its deep-learning tech to achieve "high-speed and high-accuracy subject recognition."

This powers a feature called Action Priority, which can, for instance, detect a player carrying a certain action in a sports game (like shooting a ball) and identify them as the main subject for a shot. The system would be able to instantly shift the auto focus frame in that person's direction to help make sure the photographer doesn't miss out on capturing key moments from a game.

Canon claims the EOS R1 can track athletes during sporting events even if they're momentarily out of line of sight. The focus on sports in the initial announcement suggests that the camera could be put to the test at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.

In addition, Canon says it's bringing the image noise reduction feature that was initially built for PC software directly into the camera. It suggests this further improves image quality and can help users fulfill their creative goals.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/canon-confirms-its-long-rumored-flagship-eos-r1-is-coming-later-this-year-142838188.html?src=rss

Canon confirms its long-rumored flagship EOS R1 is coming later this year

After years of rumors, Canon has confirmed that a flagship EOS R1 camera is in the works for its EOS line. The full-frame mirrorless camera is slated to arrive later this year and, while Canon hasn't revealed all the details just yet, it teased just enough to whet your appetite. There's no indication as to how much the EOS R1 will cost just yet either, but you may need to dig deep into your wallet this one.

The company says that the professional-grade camera will have an RF mount and offer improved video and still performance compared with the EOS R3. It will boast an upgraded image processing system that combines a fresh CMOS sensor, a new image processor called Digic Accelerator and the existing Digic X processor.

Canon says the system will be able to process a large volume of data at high speed and deliver advancements in auto focus and other areas. The company claims it's been able to combine the capabilities of the image processing system with its deep-learning tech to achieve "high-speed and high-accuracy subject recognition."

This powers a feature called Action Priority, which can, for instance, detect a player carrying a certain action in a sports game (like shooting a ball) and identify them as the main subject for a shot. The system would be able to instantly shift the auto focus frame in that person's direction to help make sure the photographer doesn't miss out on capturing key moments from a game.

Canon claims the EOS R1 can track athletes during sporting events even if they're momentarily out of line of sight. The focus on sports in the initial announcement suggests that the camera could be put to the test at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.

In addition, Canon says it's bringing the image noise reduction feature that was initially built for PC software directly into the camera. It suggests this further improves image quality and can help users fulfill their creative goals.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/canon-confirms-its-long-rumored-flagship-eos-r1-is-coming-later-this-year-142838188.html?src=rss