Ubisoft Entertainment this week levied a lawsuit against Apple and Google, accusing them of selling a "ripoff" of its popular video game Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege, reports Bloomberg.
Ubisoft filed a complaint in federal court in Los Angeles, claiming that the game "Area F2," developed by Qookka Games, is a "near carbon copy" of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege, aiming to "piggyback" off its popularity. Ubisoft said that it has notified Apple and Google that Area F2 is infringing its copyrights, but both companies have refused to remove the game from the Google Play and Apple App stores.
As one of Ubisoft's most valuable intellectual properties, Rainbow Six: Siege is played as a competitive e-sport, has 55 million registered players worldwide, and according to Ubisoft’s copyright infringement claim, is played by more than three million users every day. Ubisoft argues that the lawsuit can't be "seriously disputed" and that "virtually every aspect of AF2" is copied from Rainbow Six: Siege, "from the operator selection screen to the final scoring screen, and everything in between."
Ubisoft did not elaborate on why it is suing the app store operators for enabling distribution of the game rather than developer Qookka Games itself for the initial infringement. Qookka Games, owned by Alibaba’s Ejoy, is located in China, potentially making an international copyright claim more difficult. It remains unclear whether Ubisoft plans to file a separate lawsuit against the developer, in addition to app store operators.
Area F2 has over 75,000 reviews on the Google Play Store, and more than 2,000 on Apple's App Store, and many reviews on both platforms directly note the similarities to Ubisoft's title. Google and Apple have not yet responded to Bloomberg's requests for a comment.
With the release of iPadOS 13.4 in March 2020, Apple introduced official Bluetooth mouse and trackpad support for iPads. The update added support for Apple's own standalone keyboards, mice and trackpads, as well as third-party input devices. It also paved the way for the release of Apple's own Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, which launched ahead of schedule in late April.
Apple's new Magic Keyboard isn't the only iPad keyboard case with a built-in multi-touch trackpad, though. In this regularly updated article, we round up all the current all-in-one case options for iPad owners looking to take advantage of keyboard and trackpad input.
1. Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
Starting with Apple's own, the $300 Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically to iPad Pro and includes a floating design that works on either a lap or a desk, and an integrated trackpad for controlling an onscreen pointer, which allows users to enhance their workflows in multiple ways.
It features cantilevered hinges for smooth adjustments of the viewing angle up to 130 degrees, including a full-size keyboard with backlit keys and a scissor mechanism that delivers 1mm travel. The only real drawback is that the layout lacks a row of function keys, so users have no dedicated key for adjusting some system settings, including keyboard backlight brightness.
USB-C pass-through charging leaves the USB-C port on the iPad Pro free for other accessories. It's also backwards compatible with both of Apple's 2018 iPad Pro models, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and the iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation).
The biggest complaint about the new Magic Keyboard has been the weight, which adds quite a lot of bulk to the iPad Pro. In fact, the 12.9-inch model paired with a Magic Keyboard is heavier than a MacBook Air.
Long before Apple introduced trackpad support in iOS 13.4, Brydge announced an iPad Pro keyboard with a built-in multi-touch trackpad. The trackpad was originally included to take advantage of the AssistiveTouch features in iPadOS, but now that Apple provides broader trackpad support, Brydge allows users to update their device's firmware to take advantage of the added functionality, using the Bridge Connect app.
Brydge Connect is now available in the App Store.
Update your Brydge Pro+ with the latest firmware to improve pointer tracking and the two finger scroll experience, plus introduce two finger physical right click. https://t.co/P4ocV94QVppic.twitter.com/MUPWU80qny
The Brydge Plus Pro keyboard attaches to the iPad Pro using a set of hinges that allow the iPad Pro's angle to be adjusted to suit. Like the iPad Pro, it's made entirely from aluminum, so the two match up well.
The full-size QWERTY keyboard features LED-backlit keys with three levels of brightness. It also features dedicated iPad controls, including a Siri button and options for accessing the Home screen, locking the iPad, adjusting brightness, controlling media playback, and more.
There are cases available for the latest-generation 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models for $200 and $300 respectively, but unlike Apple's Magic Keyboard, the Brydge connects via Bluetooth 4.1 instead of the Smart Connector. As such, it has to be charged separately, and has an advertised three-month battery life per charge.
3. Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case with Trackpad for iPad, iPad Air, and 10.5-Inch iPad Pro
Logitech keyboard cases with built-in trackpads for the 10.2-inch iPad and the 10.5-inch iPad Air are both priced at $150. Thanks to design input from Apple, the keyboards connect to the Smart Connector on each iPad, meaning no batteries are required. The keyboard case for the 10.5-inch iPad Air is also compatible with the older 10.5-inch iPad Pro.
The full-sized keyboards feature an integrated trackpad with Multi-Touch gesture support, backlit keys, a kickback stand with 50-degree tilt, and four usage modes for typing, viewing, reading, and sketching.
There's also a row of function keys, with other options available for accessing the Home screen, adjusting screen brightness, accessing search, and accessing media controls. The case adds some protection to the iPad and includes a holder for the original Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon.
Design wise, the keyboard case has a Microsoft Surface look and feel to it thanks to the fabric build, offering full protection for the iPad except for the section where the keyboard connects. With the keyboard attached, the iPad is protected when the case is closed up and not in use.
Several users of popular email app Edison Mail this morning are reporting that they are able to see email accounts of other users within the iOS app. In what appears to be a major privacy breach, users report that after enabling a new sync feature, they have full access to these other email accounts.
The new sync feature was recently rolled out by Edison to allow connected email accounts to show up across all of your devices, but clearly something has gone significantly wrong with the feature.
I just updated @Edison_apps Mail &, after enabling a new sync feature, an email account THAT IS NOT MINE showed up in the app, that I could seemingly axcess completely.
This is a SIGNIFICANT security issue. Accessing another's email w/o credentials! Never trusting this app again.
@Edison_apps Guys, I see strangers' e-mail in my app after you added sync features. I can see their email, so they can probably see mine. Despite what your blog post says I CANNOT change my sync account and all I can do is block myself and them from ever using the app. Clusterf*.
Users have also reported being able to see that other devices are linked to their accounts, indicating that others are able to see their emails.
@Edison_apps not my email. Not my device. How can this still be going one and how can you not communicate anything. Clearly someone with the device “Mandy’s iPhone) currently has full access to my email accounts. Please tell me the data deletion works at least?
Edison has yet to reply to any of the tweets from users reporting the issue, but at this time it certainly seems advisable for Edison Mail users who have enabled the sync feature to delete their email accounts from the app.
While it's unlikely that users would be able to directly see the passwords of others' email accounts, affected users may still want to change the passwords on their email accounts for some added peace of mind until more details on exactly what the issue is surface.
Verizon continues to lower the price of Apple's AirPods Pro, now offering the Bluetooth headphones for $219.99, down from an original price of $249.00. This is $5 under AT&T's current price on the headphones, and the lowest price we have ever seen for new AirPods Pro to date.
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Like previous Verizon discounts, you'll need to add the AirPods Pro to your cart to see the $30 discount. Verizon supports free two day shipping, and some retail stores are offering same-day pick-up for some locations across the United States.
AirPods Pro are Apple's high-end headphones, with support for Active Noise Cancellation. The AirPods Pro also have overall better sound quality than the AirPods, and custom silicone ear-tips that provide a more snug fit for different ear sizes.
We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.
With Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Pro now out the door and there still being about six weeks until WWDC, much of the Apple news this week focused on rumors. We heard new information about larger displays for Apple's cheaper iPad models, the so-called Apple Glasses, and Apple's high-end "AirPods Studio" headphones.
Other rumors included new upcoming colors for Apple's Powerbeats Pro lineup, a timeframe for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, and details on the iPhone 12 Pro, while we also saw a major update to Apple's Logic Pro X audio editing software. Check out the video above and read on below to catch up on this week's biggest stories!
Apple Glasses Said to Launch in 2022 at Earliest, New 10.8-Inch iPad and 9-Inch iPad Mini in 2020-2021
In line with other reports, Kuo also expects that so-called Apple Glasses will launch in 2022 at the earliest and offer an innovative augmented reality experience. Apple is believed to be working on two different head-worn products, including a bulkier headset and a thinner and sleeker pair of glasses.
Jon Prosser, who has shared a number of accurate or corroborated rumors in recent months, differs a bit from Kuo when it comes to timing, however, as he says the glasses are currently "aimed for March–June 2021."
Apple's Over-Ear Headphones May Be Called 'AirPods Studio' and Cost $349
Comparing the 13-Inch MacBook Pro to the MacBook Air and iPad Pro
Earlier this month, Apple refreshed the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a more reliable Magic Keyboard, faster 10th-generation Intel processor options, up to 80 percent faster graphics performance, up to 32GB of RAM, double the storage on standard configurations, and more.
Apple ended up sticking with the same size display when it refreshed the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Magic Keyboard and faster processor options earlier this month, but a 14-inch model might still be on the table.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said that Apple plans to release at least six Mini-LED products by the end of 2021, including both 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. Altogether, these rumors could suggest that a 14-inch MacBook Pro with Mini-LED backlighting will be released at some point next year.
iPhone 12 Pro Rumored to Feature 120Hz ProMotion Display, 3x Camera Zoom, and Improved Face ID
iPhone 12 Pro models will feature a ProMotion display, allowing for a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz for smoother motion content and greater responsiveness, according to leakers Max Weinbach and Jon Prosser. The feature debuted on the iPad Pro in 2017.
On the contrary, display analyst Ross Young has claimed that low-power LTPO backplane technology is essential for the iPhone to support ProMotion, as it would allow for a variable refresh rate as low as 1Hz to preserve battery life. Young does not expect Apple to adopt LTPO on iPhones until 2021, and thus he does not expect the iPhone to support ProMotion until next year.
Weinbach also expects iPhone 12 Pro models to feature 3x optical zoom for photos and improved Face ID for unlocking the device from a wider range of angles.
Logic Pro X 10.5 Released With Live Loops, New Beat-Making Tools, and More
Apple this week announced the release of Logic Pro X version 10.5 with a new Live Loops feature first introduced in GarageBand for iPhone and iPad, a completely redesigned sampling workflow, new beat-making tools, and many other new features.
Live Loops allows users to organize loops, samples, and recordings into a new musical grid. From there, tracks can be further refined using all of the professional production features in Logic Pro X. Remix FX enhances Live Loops with a collection of electronic effects that can be performed in real time over individual tracks or the entire song mix.
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