Call of Duty: Modern Warfare available for beta testing across two weekends

Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is now available in beta for PlayStation 4. Throughout the weekend, Activision company Infinity Ward will be logging feedback and gameplay information ahead of the game’s global launch on October 25. Infinity Ward is the studio that created the Call of Duty franchise.

The recent Modern Warfare 2v2 Gunfight open alpha was the largest alpha or beta in Call of Duty history on PlayStation 4. The two players versus another two players (2v2) battle mode is a new feature for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. This Modern Warfare beta will deliver a deeper look at Modern Warfare’s multiplayer universe, including close-quarter 2v2 gunfight gameplay, traditional 6v6 multiplayer and large-player count experiences on massive maps featuring a wide array of vehicles.

Alphas and betas are part of the software development cycle. An alpha release is an early version of software that is launched to get feedback to improve the software for formal release. A beta release is a pre-release version of software that has been enhanced after alpha release feedback. It is typically much closer in look and feel to the final release. Such releases may be closed - offered to a small group of players - or open to the public.

The beta will expand in weekend 2* to include all gaming platforms, and for the first time in Call of Duty history, feature crossplay testing as fans across console and PC will be able to play the Modern Warfare beta together prior to next month’s launch.

The beta test will feature a suite of new multiplayer modes that redefine the Call of Duty sandbox, ranging from close-quarter 2v2 gunfights, to epic Ground War mode supporting up to 64 players, night gameplay maps, and a fully immersive Realism mode.

“With Modern Warfare, we’re bringing the gaming community together like never before. Starting with the beta we are going to be soliciting player input and feedback that will help us to polish and refine the day one experience at launch,” said Patrick Kelly, Creative Director and co-Studio Head, Infinity Ward.

“Starting this weekend we’re planning to give players access to a new features and maps each day. Then next weekend, we will introduce crossplay, enabling players to connect with friends and other gamers across platforms. We are also planning to expose more new content and ways to play in the second weekend. In all, we can’t wait for the community to jump in both weekends.”

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is scheduled for release globally October 25 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The title features a fully-optimised PC version, developed in partnership with Beenox, which will be available exclusively on Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming platform.  

Details*:

Players will have two weekends to participate, with new content and playlists rolling out throughout the beta.

Weekend 1
PlayStation 4-exclusive open beta
September 13 – 17

Weekend 2
Beta featuring cross-platform testing
September 20 – 21: early access, PC and Xbox One; open beta, PlayStation 4
September 22 – 24: open beta, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One

Get more details

Fishbat comments on iOS8 developments, Apple Pay

Apple recently released the first beta of iOS 8.1, an upgrade to iOS 8 that followed just a few days after the release of iOS 8.0.2, which itself fixed a bug in the recently-introduced iOS 8.0.1. 

The new beta version includes these features:

• A newly designed iBooks icon.
• A new Enable Dictation toggle in the keyboard settings.
• New permission settings of applications.
• Larger application icons for new widgets in the notification center.
• Solutions to issues relating to mail, notifications, & photos.

With all the releases and changes, it's getting pretty hard to keep up, notes Internet marketing firm fishbat.

Apple is expected to be launching Apple Pay on or around October 20. Many believe that will be the launch date of iOS 8.1, the company points out. Apple Pay is expected to change the way users pay for items by using payment technology built into the device, so they no longer need to carry around credit cards. The current 8.0 version has a credit card icon in the Passbook, but lacks functionality, fishbat observed. Rather than abolishing credit card companies completely, Apple Pay will simply store the credit card information in Passbook, in a secure enclave.

Scott Darrohn, COO, fishbat, said: "Apple's beta process typically takes months, not weeks, therefore it will be interesting to see if the rumours hold value." 

Microsoft customises Cortana for China in Windows Phone 8.1 update

Microsoft has customised Cortana in the next update of Windows Phone 8.1 for different countries. 

Source: Microsoft Windows blog.
The text translates to: Hi Joe,
what canI do for you today?

As with other language versions, the Cortana personal digital assistant, affectionately nicknamed “Xiao Na (小娜)” in China, displays what she is tracking so users can control it. Reminders and quiet hours can be set, and she can help search the Internet, said Corporate VP for Operating Systems at Microsoft Joe Belfiore in a blog post late July.

Microsoft China has developed a number of additional features specifically for China other than Mandarin voice, text and speech* support, Belfiore disclosed, including a different visual appearance, animations, and sounds. Specialised suggestions for Chinese users include air quality information, driving restrictions, and the ability to track local TV shows and celebrities.

Universal tweaks to the Windows 8.1 update include:

• Apps organised into folders on the Start screen, a feature called Live Folders because the live tiles of apps appear in the tile of the folders.
• An updated Xbox Music app with quicker app load and list scrolling.
• A Windows Phone Store Live Tile that is updated every six hours.
• Selection of multiple SMS messages for deletion and forwarding.

Businesses will like Apps Corner, which controls which apps can be used in a special “sandbox” mode, turning Windows Phone devices into dedicated devices for a particular use. As an example, the devices could be used only for scanning inventory by employees at a warehouse, or only for retail demos. An Apps Corner profile can be exported from one device and imported to other devices.

The Windows Phone 8.1 update has additional protection for data and identity when on public networks. Users will be able to send and receive data through a virtual private network (VPN) when connecting to Wi-Fi.

Read more on the new features here. The update is currently in preview form for developers and will be rolled out to all Windows Phone 8.1 users in the coming months. Cortana is currently available for people in China and the UK with this update as a beta** and in Canada, India, and Australia as an alpha**. 

*Cortana will understand spoken Mandarin and can speak Mandarin. Cortana will also understand written Mandarin and can respond with Mandarin text.

**Alpha versions are very early versions and features may not yet work as expected. Beta versions are interim versions that are closer to the final version, but features may occasionally not work as expected.