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It has been reported that iPhone 17 may come with a display feature that can help block reflections and most sunlight, an issue described by many Apple users.
iPhone users have often complained that the screen does not display properly if it is too bright. Although the device’s screen brightness can automatically adjust to its environment, modifying this setting can quickly deplete the battery.
However, there has been speculation that the tech giant is attempting to make it far more pleasant to use your iPhone when the sun is shining. According to MacRumors citing a source from Chinese social media site Weibo, next year’s iPhone 17 will feature an anti-reflective display that is more scratch-resistant than Apple’s Ceramic Shield found on iPhone 15 models.
Leaker Instant Digital claimed on Tuesday (March 19) that the outer glass on the iPhone 17 is set to have a “super-hard anti-reflective layer” that is “more scratch-resistant than you think.” The user added that the coating equipment was recently delivered to China’s supply chain, but not soon enough to be included in the upcoming iPhone 16 series this year.
“Ceramic Shield” refers to a glass-ceramic substance created through a partnership between Corning and Apple. Apple claims that the Ceramic Shield on the iPhone 15 is the most durable smartphone glass available.
Corning Gorilla Armor, used in Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra phones, also has a similar feature. The company claims it reduces reflections by 75 percent compared to typical glass surfaces and is resistant to micro-scratches that accumulate over time on competing glass panels.
The longstanding supplier for Apple has provided Gorilla Glass for a variety of devices in Apple’s product range. In 2021, Apple announced a total investment of $495 million in support of Corning’s research efforts focused on cutting-edge glass technologies.
Apple attempts to make strides amid a declining market
Patently Apple reported that the company had developed an adaptive exterior display capable of blocking out 90 percent of bright light. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has apparently granted the patent, enabling the phone to feature an adjustable element that blocks sunlight.
Despite the advancements, a prominent Apple analyst anticipated a considerable decrease in iPhone shipments this year. An analyst with Barclays stated in January that nothing unique about the iPhone 16 series would help turn around the device’s falling demand.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, “shipments of essential semiconductor components” have already decreased by 15%, suggesting a drop in iPhone 15 deliveries to 200 million. Kuo adds, “Apple may have the most significant decline among the major global mobile phone brands in 2024.”
Featured image: Canva
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Sea of Thieves has announced a “cornucopia of events” to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the plundering multiplayer.
The game’s site has a handy countdown clock to the end of the Sixth Anniversary Celebration that runs until March 25. Players can uncork Legendary Messages in a bottle to Athena’s Fortune treasure, snap up the Golden Sailor Capstan, and those plucky enough to complete enough Legendary Voyages will add the Seaglass Rapier to their belt.
Players can “also earn double gold, reputation, Seasonal Renown, Allegiance, and Guild Reputation via Gold & Glory boosts while this Event is live from March 20th-25th.”
Rare released an announcement video that shows some of the content coming to the title in Seasons 12, and 13 and a “sneak peek behind the curtain on Season 14.”

Sea of Thieves turns six
The Rare preview event showcased some of the features coming to the title across 2024. Shelly Preston one of the Sea of Thieves Design Team introduced the upcoming changes saying “There are tools and items that might seem simple on the surface, but when they are in the hands of real players, who are playing in their own way and bringing their creativity, it really showcases that the sandbox is more than the sum of its parts, as it creates these memorable stories.”
The tools in question also involve the introduction of two new weapons to the game which will be the first since the treasure hunting title launched in 2018. “An area we haven’t delved into since launch is adding new weapons to the game,” says Mike Chapman the game’s Creative Director. “So in Season 12, we are going to be adding the double-barrelled pistol and throwing knives.”
The throwing knife will be available in Season 12 which Preston says “can be used as a melee item, they have a light and a heavy melee action, but they can also be thrown and used at range as well.”
The double barrel flintlock is a new type of pistol weapon with two shot types. You can fire both bullets inside the barrels separately or charge them up for a stronger shot to stop rival pirates in their tracks. The three new tools are the Wind Caller, the Scattershot, and the Bone Caller.
The Scattershot is a collection of four cannonballs and has a “much shorter falloff and a really widespread, allowing you to hit multiple targets at the same time,” says the announcement video. The Bone Caller fires an ethereal projectile that causes helpful skeletons to appear to help you take control of a rival ship or to conjure some helpful allies as you roam the beaches for loot. This new tool will be a boon for solo players to get some extra bony hands on deck.
The Windcaller is a shell that can be used to propel your ship via the elements. Players can blow into the conch and gain extra billow in their sails to help them evade enemies or hunt down evasive high-sea prey. Season 12 will also see tightrope traversal get an overhaul as harpoon lines can be used to add an extra layer of verticality or allow players to tightrope their way over to enemy ships. Some islands will also see the addition of zip lines to help traverse the deserted environments.
Later Seasons
Season 13 brings the “return of Captain Flameheart to the Sea of Thieves,” says Chapman. His Burning Blade ship makes a comeback in a “more monstrous and terrifying form than ever before.” The ship will move around the world and offer players the chance to prove themselves and pledge their allegiance to the enclave of pirates to crew the flamethrower-mounted ship.
Captain Flameheart expects a pledge in return and world events will be in place to take on Skeleton Camps to gather orbs to increase the worth of his ship. Players will be playing a deadly game to add loot to the legendary ship and must be coy about how they cash in the orbs as they battle the bony denizens of these dungeons and rival players after their horde.
Preston says “It’s really up to you how long you think you can hold on to it with that risk/reward because everybody in the world is going to be coming for you, they’re going to know you’re in there and know you’ve got high value, so it really becomes this dynamic player-created World Event with players versus players in the sandbox.”
Rare has been keeping Season 14’s details under lock and key with the exception of the introduction of new stealth mechanics to help players sneakily move around the world, crouch, and hang off the side of ships via an all-new grapple gun.
So a host of content is coming to the plundering pirate title and PS5 players will be eagerly awaiting their first venture into the high seas as the title comes to the console on April 30th and coincides with Season 12 hitting the shoreline at the same time.
Image: Rare.
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Epic Games has revealed more details about its plans to launch its own Epic Games Store app marketplace.
After finally announcing that it would bring the Epic Games Store back to iOS in Europe after a long battle, Epic Games has now shared more details about its plans to launch its own app marketplace for iPhones in the EU. The company has stated that it will take a 12% cut of all sales, a far smaller cut than Apple and Google’s respective takings of up to 30% on the App Store and Play Store.
This comes after Apple has been forced to relinquish its anti-steering rules in the US following a long legal battle with Epic Games. Nonetheless, Apple said it would still charge a commission on purchases made through alternative payment platforms, taking 12% for developers who are members of the App Store Small Business Program and 27% for everyone else.
In a new brief published today, Meta, Microsoft, X, and Match Group have now jointly added their voices to Epic Games’ long-standing criticisms of Apple.
Epic Games Store plans for Europe
Speaking at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) on March 20, as reported by 9To5Mac, Epic Games revealed that it plans to launch the Epic Games Store for both iPhone and Android in the EU by the end of the year. The terms for developers will remain the same between the US and the EU, with a 12% commission on all sales through the Epic Games Store and a 100% revenue share for the developer for the first six months.
As well as third-party partners, the app marketplace will feature Epic’s own made-for-purpose content, including its most popular title, Fortnite.
“The Epic Games Store has an 88/12 revenue split for developers who distribute paid-for apps on PC and Mac and that will continue on mobile platforms,” explained an Epic Games spokesperson. “Developers do not pay Epic anything to distribute free apps. If developers offer in-app purchases, they can choose to either use our payment processing system with the 88/12 revenue share or use a third-party payment processor and keep 100% of that revenue, just like they do today.”
Featured image: Epic Games
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