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What is threat modeling and how can it protect me online?
How can threat modeling bulk up your security?
Threat modeling was conceived almost immediately after the invention of computer systems that allowed freely sharable data in response to the threat such a concept created. When a system that can be exploited is left unprotected or unregulated, opportunists seek it out to prey on it. Threat modeling protects those who are targeted.
Nintendo Switch Online finally adds friend requests... after five years
But you still have to accept requests on the Switch, the app can only send them
Nintendo has done the unthinkable, the gaming giant has finally added friend requests to its Nintendo Switch Online app, and it only took the company five years to see this basic feature come to fruition. Thanks to the latest update, users can now send friend requests directly from the Nintendo Switch Online app, but to accept any requests, you'll have to do so from the console. After all, did you seriously think Nintendo, of all companies, would actually implement a basic online feature without hobbling it somehow? To accept any request, you're forced to jump over to your console for invites sent from the very app that can't accept them. It's a head-scratcher for sure but lines up with Nintendo's long history of pitiful online support.
The Nintendo Switch Online 2.0 app update finally lets you see which friends are active
Plus, you can view your friend code for easy sharing
When it comes to online functionality in video games, Nintendo tends to struggle, and the Nintendo Switch isn't free from the company's short-sightedness, thanks to an Android and iOS app that's necessary to get the most out of your online games on the system. Standard functionality like in-game voice chat has been cordoned off to the app for many Switch games, and since Nintendo Switch Online is tied to a subscription service, the lackluster app has been a sticking point for ages.
Terraforming Mars is a new strategy board game from Asmodee Digital, now available on the Play Store
Yesterday I covered Asmodee Digital's recent announcement that Terraforming Mars would be officially released on Android today. After a quick look at the Play Store this morning, the game is indeed available for purchase. You can pick it up today for $8.99, and this is a premium release, so there are no in-app purchases or advertisements included. Keep in mind, what you actually receive for $9 is the base board game, so the expansions that exist for the physical version are not included, which means the lack of IAPs may change in the future if these expansions ever make their way to the digital versions of the game.
A lot of our favorite things come from California. Artichokes, Android, almonds, even those newfangled talking pictures. But thanks to a law that recently went into effect in the state, an accidental export might update the cancellation process across the US for recurring payments when it comes to services like newspapers.
Puerto Rico, despite being a territory of the United States, is often treated as a separate country by businesses. Puerto Rican residents could order from the US Google Store, but now Google has created a separate Store just for the island itself.
After Fitbit purchased Pebble and killed off its future products, many customers were left wondering how long they had left until their watches became unusable. Putting those fears to rest, Pebble has released an update for its iOS and Android apps, ensuring the watches will continue to work for the foreseeable future.
Fans of online PC action games will be aware of World of Tanks, a popular free-to-play tank simulator that's frequently updated with added content. iOS has had access to a simplified version for over a year, which would normally cause some ire among Android gamers. But I'm prepared to give developer Wargaming a pass on this one, since World of Tanks Blitz is launching with cross-platform play between Android and iOS, ensuring a healthy population of online players right from the start.
Many fans of the original PS1-era RE-VOLT were thrilled when a port was released on Android last year. The portable version included all of the goofy kart-style racing that made the original a sleeper hit... with one exception. Both the remastered version and the free-to-play edition lacked online multiplayer, which was a crucial part of the old game. Well, except for the online part. That's been addressed in RE-VOLT 2: Multiplayer, available now as a free download.
MetroPCS Picks Up The Galaxy S5, Will Sell You One For $649 Without An Annual Contract
MetroPCS has picked up the Galaxy S5.
The Galaxy S5 has been making the rounds since its global launch a week ago. It's already available at the major US carriers, and now it's trickling down to the smaller options out there. Today the device has come to MetroPCS, a prepaid service owned by T-Mobile, where it's available for $649 without an annual contract. The site shows the phone as currently available in-stores, but the online inventory should appear at some point.
The Moto G was already an affordable handset when the GSM version became available in the US for just $179.99 early last month. Then a Verizon version appeared in some Best Buy stores for $80 less. Now the carrier is officially launching the Moto G for the same low price, selling it both online and in its stores for just $99.99.
People love real-time strategy games. They're immensely immersive, as it's almost a necessity to create elaborate worlds in order to conjure up enough units to make the game worth playing. WarCraft's universe was captivating enough to spawn an MMORPG that has since enthralled millions of players worldwide. Some long-time gamers may scoff at the idea of mentioning Clash of Clans in the same breath as such a proven franchise, but with leagues of players using mobile devices and a free-to-play model, it somewhat embodies what a modern day take on the real-time strategy genre would be, and now the smash hit title has made its way over to Android.
Caesar's dead, and now Gameloft's calling on gamers to form alliances and go to war over who should rule in his place. Sure, Caesar's death could cause some of us to question whether someone other than a general should have a shot at governance, but now's not the time for such hesitation. This is the time for Total Conquest.
No one likes to be last. The LG G2 was originally slated to become available online from T-Mobile on September 18th, nearly a week after competitors Verizon Wireless and AT&T were to start offering the handset. AT&T already jumped the gun when they started offering sales online a week ago, and now T-Mobile is offering the G2 at the same time as everyone else, at least online.
To say that Koreans get into video games more than most of us would be an understatement. Sure, we may stay up til midnight to play a sweet new game, but these guys build friggin' stadiums to play them in. Starcraft isn't the only game that's taken off in Korea, though. Ragnarok Online has been a huge MMORPG in the country that spread worldwide and is now landing on Android.
Bringing what it calls the first multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game for mobile consoles to Android, Gameloft today released Heroes of Order and Chaos to the Play Store.
Following yesterday's price drop at GameStop, it looks like the Nexus 7 is slashing prices everywhere. Staples, Sam's Club, Office Depot, Wal-Mart, and a few other places all list the tablet at $199 (or a rough foreign equivalent). What's a little more rare is the 32GB Nexus 7 going up for sale in a few locations, though it's unclear how approved that is. Sam's Club has it up for order here, and PC Advisor is reporting that at least one user was able to buy the slate from PC World by asking for it, though it wasn't on display. Also, NewEgg has what looks like an incomplete listing here.
We've been following the 32GB Nexus 7 meticulously over the past few weeks, and we're pretty sure it's going to be announced soon, possibly alongside a 3G variant of Google's hit 7" tablet. Of course, one of the most significant aspects of the 32GB N7's story is that it's expected to ring in at a $249 price-point, with the 16GB variant dropping down to $199.
For the uninitiated, 2Checkout is a web-based storefront service that allows users to both create an online checkout system for their products as well as handle merchant services like credit card payments. If you've ever tried to set up your own shop, you know how difficult it can be to get all the moving parts together. Now, 2Checkout is making it even easier with the release of its mobile app that will allow sellers to track sales, issue refunds, and even contact customers.
Lenovo, the company best known for making some pretty sweet laptops and violating the seventh commandment, has released the IdeaTab A2109 at Best Buy. This 9" slate packs a 1.2GHz Tegra 3 processor, a 1280x800 display, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. At $300, this tablet is just barely more expensive than the comparable 16GB Nexus 7. For your extra $50 you not only get a bigger screen, but a rear facing camera and HDMI output. Not bad.