Fully Charged: iOS storage lawsuit tossed, Ingress TV show, and Xbox One voice messages

iOS “deceptive” storage lawsuit killed

About three months ago, a lawsuit was filed that accused Apple of deceptive practises, because its iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices offered less storage once formatted and filled with the operating system. You might think, “Yeah, that happens with every device,” but Apple’s a big target, and someone wanted to try to yank some money out of them.

It failed. On Wednesday, the proposed class-action lawsuit was tossed in San Jose, California, and done so with prejudice, which means they can’t sue Apple again for the same complaint. Apple argued that the case lacked merit (which it so obviously did), and noted that the free iCloud storage it provides offers more space than is taken up by iOS 8.

[Source: PCWorld]

Ingress might become a TV show

Play

Ingress, the augmented reality mobile game from Google’s Ninantic Labs, may soon hit larger screens. The Information reports that Ninantic Labs has partnered with a production company to start developing the science fiction-themed premise into a television series, which is still in very early stages.

It could wind up on a traditional network, or perhaps run on a streaming service, but whatever the result, “elements of the show would influence gameplay,” says the result. Ingress finds players going to physical places in the world to hold down portals for their chosen side, and it’s big enough that Google plans to host a convention this year. Surely another level of fiction would only help its growth.

[Source: The Information via The Verge]

Voice messages coming to Xbox One

Play

With its regular updates, Microsoft has been checking some of the most-requested Xbox One features off the list. Coming soon is an abandoned last-gen feature: the ability to send voice messages to other users. It’s rolling out to Preview users now, and will be available widely to all users sometime down the line. Dedicated party chat servers are also coming to Xbox One.

Also, the free games lineup for Xbox Live Gold subscribers has been revealed for April, and Xbox One users can snag Child of Light and Pool Nation FX all month. Xbox 360 owners can grab Gears of War Judgment and Terraria free between 1-15 April, and then Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag and Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel free from 16-30 April. Free games! Get them.

[Sources: Major Nelson, Xbox Wire]

Twitter launches Periscope app

Meerkat has grabbed a lot of attention in recent weeks for its easy live video streaming to Twitter followers, but now Twitter has its own alternative: Periscope. The iOS app launched yesterday (Android is coming), letting you share out video footage from your phone with a tap, as well as watch streams from other users. Ready to start broadcasting?

[Source: Twitter Blog]