FUNKY GREEN: 09/03/20

Thursday 3 September 2020

How to change Alexa’s voice

Tired of the same old Alexa? This step-by-step guide walks you through the steps to change her speaking voice.

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Which Instant Pot should you buy? All of the models compared

Instant Pot offers multiple different types of pressure cookers. This guide compares every Instant Pot model.

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What is RAM?

RAM is the short-term memory of your computing device. Without it, everything would run at a much slower pace.

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Apple's store in SoHo says goodbye to a piece of the company's history

Apple's store in SoHo is set to receive a huge upgrade.

What you need to know

Apple is renovating its store in SoHo.
The renovation will add a new Forum, Video Wall, and Boardroom.
It will, however, remove the last Theater from the company's retail stores.

The Apple Store in SoHo is reportedly going to receive a major renovation. According to a new report by 9to5Mac, the renovation will not only bring a number of modern Apple store elements to the location but also remove a piece of the company's history.

Apple SoHo's upgrade will feature a Forum and Video Wall for future Today at Apple events. The Forum will replace the store's Theater, an early Apple Store design element that's been almost entirely phased out. SoHo's Theater was the last in the US, and only two others still exist at Apple Ginza and Shinsaibashi in Japan.

The report says that the new Forum, a popular element in a number of other flagship locations, will offer a "modular seating, an improved audio system with a Hearing Loop, and a significantly larger and brighter LED Video Wall."

The new Forum will offer modular seating, an improved audio system with a Hearing Loop, and a significantly larger and brighter LED Video Wall when compared to the store's previous projection display. Upgrades at SoHo will also replace New York City's first Apple Store Briefing Room with a redesigned Boardroom for business customers and event guests. Other surprises are in store, like refined finishes and fixtures not found in previous Apple Store designs. The changes will not disrupt the store's hallmark glass staircase or historic brick facade.

While the renovations have already begun, Apple has been able to keep the store open to customers due to the fact that the area being renovated is currently not being used.

Renovations began September 1, when the store moved from sales and service by appointment only back to more traditional operation as capacity allows. At the same time, a temporary partition wall was installed on the store's upper level to separate the former Theater from the sales area. With group events impossible due to the pandemic, the space was mostly unused. A timeframe for completion has not been shared publicly. It's not known if the pandemic will impact construction plans or duration.

Apple continues to renovate current locations as well as open new ones. Most recently, the first floating Apple Store opened at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

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How to take on Mega Blastoise in Pokémon Go

Mega Evolution has finally arrived in Pokémon Go and with it, Mega Raids! A whole new class of Raids, Mega Raids let you and your friends challenge a Mega Evolved Pokémon. These are some of the most challenging Raids yet, but we here at iMore got your back! Here's everything you need to know about taking on Mega Blastoise in Pokémon Go.

What is Mega Blastoise in Pokémon Go?

The final evolution of the Water type Kanto starter, Mega Blastoise is one of the first Mega Evolved Pokémon to be introduced to Pokémon Go. Although its type and therefore weaknesses and strengths remain the same once Mega Evolved, it still gets a massive stat boost, making it one of the most challenge Raids to come to Pokémon Go.

What are the best counters for Mega Blastoise in Pokémon Go?

As a Water type, Mega Blastoise is weak against Grass and Electric types. However, it has a pretty wide range of attacks, including the obvious Water type attacks, but also Dark, Normal, Steel, and most worrying, Ice. If you're going up against a Mega Blastoise with Ice Beam, do not bring your Grass type counters. They will wilt in an instant.

Zekrom

A Legendary Dragon and Electric type from the Gen V Unova region, Zekrom has some incredible stats to back up its electric type moves: Charge Beam and Wild Charge. However, many players missed out on Zekrom as it was released during the height of a global pandemic. If you do have one, it can be the top non-Shadow counter with one caveat: as a Dragon type, Zekrom is weak to Ice type attacks. It takes half damage from Mega Blastoise's Water and Steel type attacks though, making it the best in those Raids.

Mega Venusaur

If you've already been taking on a ton of Mega Raids, you might be lucky enough to have the Mega Energy to bring Mega Venusaur to this fight. As the final evolution of the Grass and Poison type Kanto Starter, Venusaur was built to take on Blastoise. However, like so many of the excellent counters, Venusaur takes double damage from Ice Beam. It does however, take half damage from Blastoise's Water type attacks. If you're bringing any variant of Venusaur to this Raid, the best moves for it are Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant.

Electivire

The Gen IV evolution of Electabuzz, Electavire is a great choice for this Raid. As a pure Electric type, it brings no relevant weaknesses to the fight and resists Mega Blastoise's Flash Cannon. While it requires a Sinnoh Stone to evolve, Electabuzz has been in the game since day one, and the addition of its baby form, Elekid means most players have more than enough Candy to evolve and power up at least a couple Electivire. Thunder Shock and Wild Charge is the moveset you'll want for this Mega Raid.

Raikou

The Electric type Legendary Beast of Johto, Raikou has seen widespread availability in Pokémon Go. It's been in Raids, as a Research Breakthrough Reward, and even as a Shadow Pokémon, so most players have at least one powered up. As a pure electric type, it has no weaknesses Mega Blastoise can exploit and resists Flash Cannon. Thundershock and Wild Charge are the moves you'll want your Raikou to know for this fight.

Magnezone

The final evolution of the Gen I Magnemite, Magnezone is an Electric and Steel type. Although it requires a Sinnoh Stone to evolve, most players have plenty of Candy for evolving and powering it up. It resists all of Mega Blastoise's attacks save for Bite, which it takes normal damage from. You'll want your Magenezone to know Spark and Wild Charge for this Mega Raid.

Roserade

The Grass and Poison type Gen IV Roserade makes for a great counter to all but an Ice Beam Mega Blastoise. It takes double damage from Ice type moves and half damage from Water types. It's another one that requires a Sinnoh Stone to evolve but Roselia are fairly common and it even has a baby form, so many players have the Candy necessary to power it up. Razor Leaf and Grass Knot are the best moveset for this fight.

Luxray

Originally found in the Sinnoh region of Gen IV, Luxray is an Electric type that works well in this fight. It has no weaknesses for Mega Blastoise to exploit and resists Flash Cannon. However, it requires a total 125 candy to evolve from its baseform, Shinx, which isn't super common. Still, if you have one powered up, Spark and Wild Charge is the moveset you're looking for.

Zapdos

The Legendary Electric and Flying type of Gen I, Zapdos has been available so many times that there is no good reason why a player participating in a Mega Raid wouldn't have at least one. Because of its flying type, it takes double damage from Ice Beam, but it resists Flash Cannon. If you're including Zapdos in your Raid team, Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt are the moves you'll want.

Tangrowth

The evolution of Gen I Tangela, Tangrowth is a Grass type introduce in Gen IV. It is yet another Pokémon that requires a Sinnoh Stone, but since Tangela is fairly common and has been since day one, many players have enough Candies for evolution and powering up. Vine Whip and Power Whip is the moveset you'll want your Tangrowth to know and, as with all Grass types, avoid using Tangrowth against an Ice Beam Mega Blastoise.

Sceptile

The final evolution of the Gen III Grass starter, Sceptile works well for this Mega Raid as long as Ice Beam isn't involved. Having been featured in a Community Day, most players have at least a couple already powered up. For the moveset, the Bug type fast attack Fury Cutter slightly outperforms the Grass type Bullet Seed, but only by a tiny bit. Frenzy Plant is the Charged attack of choice against Mega Blastoise.

Back ups?

While most of the top counters have seen pretty widespread availability, if you're struggling to make a full team or a back up team, consider some of the following counters:

Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Thunderbolt
Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
Jolteon with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt
Exeggutor with Bullet Seed and Solar Beam
Alolan Golem with Volt Switch and Wild Charge
Vileplume with Razor Leaf and Solar Beam
Magneton with Thunder Shock and Discharge
Gallade with Low Kick and Leaf Blade
Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant
Ampharos with Volt Switch and Zap Cannon

Shadow Pokémon?

The rebalance of Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket make them excellent glass cannons. Not only are their stats boosted, but during special events, it's possible to change their moves. If you happen to have any of the following Pokémon with the right moveset, they will work very well in this Raid:

Shadow Raikou
Shadow Magnezone
Shadow Zapdos
Shadow Mewtwo
Shadow Electivire
Shadow Exeggutor
Shadow Vileplume

Note: Shadow Raikou, Shadow Magnezone, and Shadow Zapdos out perform all the top counters. Shadow Mewtwo and Shadow Electivire perform at the same level as the Pokémon in the best counters list.

How many players does it take to beat Mega Blastoise?

Although it is possible for three high level players with the ideal moveset and counters to take on Mega Blastoise, if you're going up against Ice Beam or are lacking in ideal counters, you'll likely want a Raiding party of five or more. Some Weather Conditions can work against you. Snow will boost Mega Blastoise's Ice and Steel type attacks and Fog will boost its Dark type attack. Partly Cloudy weather will boost its Normal type Skull Bash and Rain will boost its water type attacks. Fortunately, Rain will also boost your Electric type counters and Sunny/Clear weather will boost your Grass type counters.

Questions about taking on Mega Blastoise in Pokémon Go?

Do you have any questions about taking on this Mega Pokémon? Any tips for fellow trainers? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check out our Complete Pokédex, as well as our many other Pokémon Go Guides so you too can become a Pokémon Master!

Pokemon Go

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Developers can now gain and retain users with subscription offer codes

Offer codes for apps are about to be everywhere.

What you need to know

Apple is launching subscription offer codes for developers.
The can be used to offer free or discounted prices for auto-renewable subscriptions.
They can be offered in either digital or physical form at events or with products.

Apple announced in an update on its Developer website that it will be bringing subscription offer codes to the App Store for the first time.

The offer codes will allow developers to give potential customers, current customers, and previous subscribers a one-time redemption code for apps with auto-renewable subscriptions. The codes will give customers either free or discounted access to an app for a period of time set by the developer.

Apple says that these codes can not only be distributed digitally but in the physical world as well. The codes will only, however, work for customers who use an iPhone or iPad with iOS 14 installed.

Later this year, you'll be able to acquire, retain, and win back subscribers with subscription offer codes: unique, alphanumeric codes that provide free or discounted prices for auto-renewable subscriptions. Provide your one-time use codes digitally or offline at physical events, alongside products, and more. Customers on iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 and later can redeem offer codes on the App Store, through a one-time code redemption URL, or within your app if you've implemented the presentCodeRedemptionSheet API.

App Store offer codes existing in the physical world is an especially interesting idea. Companies who sell a physical product with a companion app in the App Store could get quite creative with offer codes. Developers can check out all of the details on the Developer website.

Offer codes aren't Apple's only foray into the physical world with iOS 14. The company also announced that the new update will feature App Clips, a way for users to quickly download and use part of an app without having to download the whole thing. The feature is being advertised as a better way to interact with certain things in the physical world like parking meters and small businesses.

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Windows 10 is getting a new touch keyboard with GIFs, emoji, and better voice typing

Microsoft is planning to release some significant changes to its built-in touch keyboard for Windows 10. The updated touch keyboard design builds on the company’s work with Windows 10X, bringing new key press animations, sounds, and all the all-important ability to search for and insert animated GIFs.

Microsoft called this the WonderBar for Windows 10X, and the new design in Windows 10 also includes better layouts that are optimized for typing, and the ability to move the cursor in through the space bar on the touch keyboard. This is very similar to how iOS lets you operate the cursor, by placing a finger on the space bar and sliding left, right, up, and down to navigate around.

The new cursor support with the...

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Go read John Boyega’s unfiltered interview about how Disney (and Star Wars) sidelined him

Star Wars: The Force Awakens promotional still (DISNEY/LUCASFILM)

Nearly nine months after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was released, John Boyega is opening up about the way his character and his role in the films were treated by Disney.

In a new lengthy interview with GQ, Boyega spoke about the disappointing direction Lucasfilm and Disney took his character — a Black Stormtrooper who abandons his role within the evil First Order to join a group of fighters in the Resistance — by the end of the third film in the trilogy. Many of the issues Boyega brings up are complaints that Star Wars fans and critics also had with the direction of his character, specifically how Finn was sidelined, and never given a chance to flourish while other characters, like Daisy Ridley’s Rey and Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren,...

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Thursday 3 September 2020

What you need to know

What is Mega Blastoise in Pokémon Go?

What are the best counters for Mega Blastoise in Pokémon Go?

Zekrom

Mega Venusaur

Electivire

Raikou

Magnezone

Roserade

Luxray

Zapdos

Tangrowth

Sceptile

Back ups?

Shadow Pokémon?

How many players does it take to beat Mega Blastoise?

Questions about taking on Mega Blastoise in Pokémon Go?

What you need to know

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