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‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’ multiplayer is free this weekend

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Smitten by Call of Duty: Warzone, but not sure if the rebooted Modern Warfare is worth the price of admission? Good news: for three days, the multiplayer portion of Infinity Ward’s latest shooter is going free-to-play. Download Warzone (if you haven’t already) and Modern Warfare‘s multiplayer offerings will unlock at roughly 1PM ET/10AM PT/7PM CET on April 3rd. To celebrate this so-called “multiplayer moshpit,” Infinity Ward has developed a special playlist called Stocked Up, Locked Down that cycles through two maps, Atlas Superstore and Shoot House, and a range of modes including Team Deathmatch, Domination and Hardpoint.

The free multiplayer access will expire on April 6th at 1PM ET/10AM PT/7PM CET. It’s a nice gesture, and one that Activision no doubt hopes will persuade more people to buy Modern Warfare. Unlike Blackout, which required Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Warzone is completely free-to-play. That decision has helped the battle royale newcomer rack up more than 30 million players — a number that includes Modern Warfare participants — and better compete with free-to-play alternatives including Fortnite, Apex Legends and PUBG. Modern Warfare sales have remained strong, too — so breaking off what could have been an exclusive mode (similar to Blackout) doesn’t see to have hurt Activision’s annualization strategy, either.

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Instacart will provide shoppers with free masks and hand sanitizers

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The grocery delivery service’s kits will contain washable and reusable cloth face masks, which will not have an impact on supplies for the healthcare and medical community. They will also contain ethyl alcohol-based hand sanitizers and forehead thermometers that can check temperatures in 15 seconds.

Instacart explained that up until now, the CDC has only recommended social distancing and frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, it understands “that the situation continues to evolve quickly,” so it took “proactive steps to secure face masks and thermometers” and manufactured hand sanitizers for shoppers. It’s worth noting that the White House is soon expected to urge Americans to wear cloth masks or any material they can use to cover their face.

It’s unclear if the company is meeting all the demands made by the workers who walked out. But shortly after the strike was announced, it updated its policy to provide up to 14 days of paid sick leave to workers diagnosed with or are quarantined due to COVID-19. It also promised bonus pay for in-store shoppers based on the number of hours worked.

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Tesla reports best ever first quarter production and delivery numbers

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The automaker didn’t break the numbers down per model, but it said it produced 15,390 and delivered 12,200 Model S and X vehicles for the period. The bulk of its numbers came from Model 3 and Y vehicles, though: it manufactured 87,282 and delivered 76,200 units of the two models. It’s worth noting that Model Y production only started in January and deliveries only began in March.

It’s a great start after a breakthrough year for the company, which grew its shipments by 50 percent in 2019 and produced its millionth car in March. According to CNBC, analysts believe Tesla’s numbers could be higher if not for COVID-19-related issues that slowed down production in its Fremont, California and Shanghai plants.

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‘iPhone SE 2020’ rumored to launch soon

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Especially because it seems like high-end phones are getting bigger and more expensive, there’s been a lot of interest in rumors over the last year or so that Apple will release another value-priced model. The iPhone SE provided strong performance in a small package in 2016, and now, 9to5Mac cites their sources claiming Apple will use the name again on a phone that could launch very soon, with orders starting as soon as in Friday. Of course, that would be an extraordinary under any circumstance, and especially now as the company’s stores are closed in most countries around the world.

Previous rumors have suggested that the cheaper device could look a lot like an iPhone 8, and 9to5Mac also points out a listing for a Belkin screen protector that recently updated to mention the SE as well. As far as specs, they’re suggesting three tiers of storage at 64GB / 128GB / 256GB, and three colors: white, black and Product (RED). If the rumors hold up, then it would replace the iPhone 8 in Apple’s lineup, while featuring a version of the newer A13 processor that powers the iPhone 11 series.

It seems certain that Apple will launch a new, cheaper model at some point if only to simplify its product offering around devices with similar components, but with the coronavirus pandemic affecting every level of logistics there’s room for more variation than usual as to when such a product might arrive.

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Honda will build two EVs based on GM battery technology

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A report from 2019 said Honda is developing a modular EV platform of its own, but it won’t be ready until 2025. Meanwhile, GM’s global EV platform is ready for use and will be the basis for various vehicles by the automaker’s brands, including Chevy and Cadillac. GM’s platform is powered by the company’s Ultium batteries, which can deliver as much as 400 miles of range and 0-to-60MPH in 3 seconds. The battery’s latest version is also cheaper to manufacture than its previous ones, and it has a 200kW fast charging capability.

This is far from the first time Honda and GM are working together. The two automakers teamed up to develop hydrogen fuel cells in the past and collaborated to build Cruise Origin, an autonomous electric van that could be used as a robotaxi.

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Apple hints at item-tracking AirTags in support video

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It’s still not certain when the AirTag will arrive (assuming there’s no change of plans). However, there have been persistent rumors of new budget iPhones launching in the near future. If that happens, it might make sense to unveil the tag at the same time. Not that there will be much of a rush during the pandemic — you probably don’t need a tracker when you’re not even supposed to leave home.

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HBO’s free streaming includes ‘The Wire’ and its Theranos documentary

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As efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus by encouraging social distancing stretch into another week, HBO has opened up its library for some free viewing. Not everything is available — non-subscribers can’t catch up on Game of Thrones yet — but full series runs of standout shows like The Wire, The Sopranos, Veep and True Blood will be available at no cost starting tomorrow, April 3rd. Other options include documentaries like the good-but-stretched-to-fill-time McMillion$ and its Theranos documentary The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley, as well as a few movies.

The free streaming via HBO Now and HBO Go will be available “for a limited time,” and occurs just as HBO’s parent company WarnerMedia announced its new CEO — former Hulu leader Jason Kilar — and prepares to launch its assault on the streaming market with HBO Max. Not a bad time to get some good PR, reach out to potential customers and make sure that every single person knows how great The Wire is.

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Apex Legends’ brings back duos and Kings Canyon permanently

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While more than 70 million people have tried it, Apex is facing more competition than ever in the battle royale genre, with Call of Duty: Warzone, Fortnite and even a Bomberman-style game to contend with. So, restoring a map and a mode that folks care about should draw some players back in, at least for a while.

As for the Old Ways Lore Event, it runs from April 7th-21st. Some cosmetics will be available for a limited time and Legendary Hunt Skins will return to the direct purchase shop. Points and other items will be on offer through daily challenges.

You’ll be able to play a town takeover mode, in which you’ll battle prowlers (which might be familiar if you’ve played Titanfall) in a corner of World’s Edge. The aliens will drop high-tier loot when you defeat them, but you’ll also have to fend off rivals to claim the gear.



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NASA’s iconic ‘worm’ logo will adorn the Falcon 9 Crew Dragon rocket

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Despite its popularity, NASA retired the worm in 1992, returning to the meatball. Minus the occasional merchandising opportunity, NASA hasn’t used the graphic in an official capacity since then — that is until today’s announcement.      

Moving forward, NASA is considering using the logo in other contexts as well. “There’s a good chance you’ll see the logo featured in other official ways on this mission and in the future,” the agency said. But it has yet to decide on exact use cases. In the meantime, Crew Dragon’s Demo-2 test is scheduled for late-May at the moment.

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Amazon will stream SXSW Film Festival selections for free for 10 days

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SXSW was cancelled this year due to COVID-19, but that isn’t stopping organizers from offering a taste of what the Austin event would have offered. They’re partnering with Amazon on an SXSW Film Festival Collection that will stream movies from the festival on Prime Video for 10 days, completely free in the US — you won’t need a subscription. While creators will have to opt in, they’ll receive a screening fee for their trouble. Amazon and SXSW are tentatively looking at a late April timeframe for the virtual festival.

There’s no doubt that Amazon stands to benefit from the collection. It’ll both serve as a promotional vehicle for Prime Video and add some prestige. At the same time, it’s also a significant goodwill gesture. Many filmmakers hope to premiere movies at SXSW in chances of landing deals and otherwise getting exposure for their work — this gives them a second chance, and one with a wider potential audience at that.

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