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After arriving on PC in the fall of 2021, Unpacking is finally heading to mobile devices. Developer Witch Beam Games revealed today during the Wholesome Direct showcase that it plans to release its breakout game on phones and tablets later this year. The studio didn’t say exactly when the title would arrive on mobile devices, nor if it plans to release Unpacking on both iOS and Android, but judging from the trailer it shared, Apple devices are a lock.

Notably, the announcement comes after Unpacking Master, a nearly identical copy of Unpacking that featured ads and in-app microtransactions, briefly topped the App Store charts at the start of last year before it was pulled by Apple. The incident highlighted the difficulty small studios have in preventing copycat developers from stealing their work. If you’re the impatient type, Unpacking is currently available to play on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PlayStation.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/unpacking-heads-to-phones-and-tablets-later-this-year-192946616.html?src=rss 

One of the biggest reveals from a generally muted SGF showcase was gameplay footage from Mortal Kombat 1. Technically the 12th mainline game restarts the entire universe. Liu Kang, once mortal, is now a fully-fledged god of fire, and he’s rerolled the realm.

This means fan favorites like Sub Zero and Scorpion are back, but now, they’re siblings. The development team has decided to shake up the plot and reinvent characters for this 2023 reboot. Alongside this new world and character dynamics, MK1 also introduces a new feature to fights in the form of Kameos. After choosing a character, you’re able to select a guest fighter to back you up during the fight. Summonable by a single button (R1 on PlayStation), you can combine it with back and forward inputs to trigger multiple different moves. There are also Kameo throws and fatalities, all-in-all adding more versatility and flexibility in fights. Want to make sure you can block a character’s jump attacks? Get Jax on deck so he can suplex them to the floor. Need to match a projectile-flinging character? Summon Sonya.

We got to play with four different characters (and a trio of ‘Kameo’ assistants), trying out several different combinations and trying to see all the Kameo fatalities we could. Engadget’s Brandon Quintana is a long-standing MK fan. He lays out why the game delivers on what he wanted – while thrashing me in the process. Mortal Kombat 1 will launch this September 19th, 2023 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S.

Catch up on all of the news from Summer Game Fest right here!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mortal-kombat-1-first-impressions-sgf-2023-180039676.html?src=rss 

Canon has long been synonymous with traditional photography, but the company could be preparing to take a more definitive step into the world of virtual reality. At the Photo Next 2023 show in Japan, the company showed off a prototype convertible camera. The unnamed device features a nifty folding mechanism that allows it to capture both 360-degree video and 180-degree 3D content. As a handful of websites, including PetaPixel and DIY Photography, have noted, the prototype bears more than a passing resemblance to the Insta360 EVO, which also makes use of a folding mechanism to offer 180-degree 3D capture. According to Pronews, Canon did not share any details on specs, pricing or availability.

Canon has previously only dabbled with virtual reality. In 2021, for instance, the company released a dual fisheye lens for its RF mirrorless camera system. The camera Canon teased at Photo Next features the company’s V branding, which it typically reserves for consumer-facing products. That would suggest Canon could be ready to take VR more seriously. While the company has sometimes been slow to embrace new technologies, Canon’s usual slow pace could work in its favor this time around. Consumer VR has been slow to take off, but with Apple’s recent entry into the space, the camera manufacturer could be ideally positioned to take advantage of growing interest in the format once the market is more mature.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/canon-made-a-prototype-180–and-360-degree-vr-camera-181522068.html?src=rss 

The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro could feature some notable camera upgrades. Writing for Android Authority, leaker Kamila Wojciechowska, who has a solid record when it comes to Pixel leaks, says Google’s next pair of high-end phones will feature Samsung ISOCELL GN2 sensors. That’s the same sensor found on the Galaxy S22 and S23. More notably, it’s a significant upgrade over the ISOCELL GN1 Google has used since the Pixel 6. The GN2 is physically larger and capable of capturing 35 percent more light than its predecessor, making it a better low-light performer. It also supports more modern features, including 8K/30 fps video capture and Staggered HDR. Google could use the latter to reduce ghosting in HDR images.

According to Wojciechowska, both the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will come with the GN2. However, Google’s flagship will also reportedly pack a few exclusive upgrades. The Pixel 8 Pro will feature a new time-of-flight sensor that should improve autofocus performance and, more significantly, a more modern sensor for its ultra-wide camera. Google reportedly plans to use the 64-megapixel Sony IMX787, the same sensor that powers the Pixel 7a’s primary camera, to replace the Pixel 7 Pro’s aging 12-megapixel IMX386. The former is almost twice the size of its predecessor and should produce much better images. Wojciechowska notes the version of the Pixel 8 Pro Google is currently testing doesn’t come with a macro mode, though they suggest that doesn’t mean the final version won’t ship with that feature. The Pixel 8 will continue to use the IMX386 but may offer a lens with a wider field of view for those who want to capture more of a scene at once. Wojciechowska says the selfie and telephoto cameras on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are unchanged from those on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Lastly, they note the Pixel 8 Pro’s rumored thermometer sensor won’t be used for photography.

Naturally, Google also has software upgrades planned. The company will reportedly update its camera app to allow Pixel users to decide how strong the bokeh effect is when using the “Cinematic” video mode. Additionally, a new “Adaptive torch” feature may dynamically adjust the output of a phone’s flash module to prevent it from overexposing images.

Considering Google has had a history of sticking with the same camera sensor for multiple Pixel generations, it’s encouraging to learn the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro could feature new, more capable camera hardware. Google has done a lot with its computational software, but there are only so many visual enhancements you can squeeze out of a camera sensor without going for a bigger one.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-pixel-8-pro-could-feature-a-larger-more-capable-main-camera-sensor-163235885.html?src=rss