iOS 8.3 Released April 8, 2015

A brand new system update for various personal Apple devices has been released today. On paper the new update, version 8.3, includes a new emoji keyboard and several various bug fixes, but if you look closer at the update’s complete list of patch notes you’ll see a phone book’s worth of fixes including a possible fix for the dreaded WiFi bug that has been known to drain batteries.

The new update should be compatible with all iOS 8 devices including iPhone 4S and newer phones, 2nd generation and newer iPads, and newer iPod Touch devices.  Apple TV users may also need to download a separate update for their set top box, so be sure to check your Apple TV for updates as well.

If you previously had iOS 8.2 installed on your device, the download should not take up more than 200-300 MB of space.

Xbox One April 2015 Update Live April 6, 2015

A new system update for the Xbox One was released earlier today.  As of the time of writing, it is not currently required to download in order to use your Xbox One online, but after taking a look at all of these new features coming with the update, I would consider updating it as soon as you can.

If you were already running the March 2015 version of the dashboard, the new April update should only require a download of about 260MB in size.

Quantum Break GDC 2015 Presentation Added to the GDC Vault April 3, 2015

If you’re like me you’re probably still bummed out that the Xbox One exclusive game Quantum Break was delayed until next year.  However, fans of the game and the studio making it can get a small bit of solace as some new information about the game has just hit the web.

Quantum Break had a small presentation at this year’s Game Developer’s Conference but it wasn’t streamed or broadcast, so you could only see it if you were literally attending the event.

Thankfully, it looks like the presentation has finally been archived on the official GDC Vault.  You can watch it here.  Since this is a presentation for game developers and not the public, it may get pretty technical, but I’ve been eagerly anticipating any new information about this game.

Quantum Break is coming to the Xbox One in 2016.

Gears of War: Judgment Now Free to Download on Xbox Live Marketplace for all Xbox Live Gold Members April 2, 2015

The fourth and most recent title from the Microsoft exclusive Gears of War series and the Xbox Live Arcade title Terraria, have just been made free to all Xbox Live Gold Members through Microsoft’s Games With Gold promotion.

You can download both games for free right now.  Gears of War Judgment and Terraria will continue to remain free until April 15th, 2015.

Anyone who downloads either game for free will be eligible to keep it on their Xbox 360’s purchased history forever, meaning that even if they delete the game or their Xbox Live Gold Account expires, they will never lose access to it.

Nintendo Adds Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS Virtual Console Support to The Wii U April 2, 2015

That’s right, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS games can now be purchased and downloaded on the Wii U.  And yes, not only will you be able to play these games on the Wii U Gamepad, games which featured rumble through the optional Rumble Pak support will rumble plenty on the gamepad.

Currently, the only two games you can buy through the service is Super Mario 64, originally released on the Nintendo 64, or Yoshi’s Story DS, originally released for the Nintendo DS.  Nintendo promises that more games will be released through the service throughout April including Paper Mario, Mario Kart DS and Donkey Kong 64.  Personally, I’d like to see some of the harder to find titles for these platforms make an appearance, like the Pokémon Stadium titles from the Nintendo 64, or Metroid Prime Hunters on the DS, but hopefully the service takes off and more titles will get added.

Nintendo 64 games will range in price from $9.99US to $11.99 US.  Nintendo DS titles will range in price from $6.99 US to $9.99 US.  While Nintendo has not offered downloadable DS games in the past, you could purchase Nintendo 64 games on the Wii using the Wii Shop Channel.  If you had previously done this on your Wii U (or a Wii who’s data you transferred to your Wii U) you can buy a Nintendo 64 game at the discounted price of $2.00 US).

Nintendo Direct – 4/1/2015 April 2, 2015

A huge set of announcements were made yesterday by Nintendo during their semi-regular Nintendo Direct web videos.  Take it away, Tom.

PAC MAN Has Taken Over Google Maps for April Fools April 1, 2015

Last year, Google and The Pokémon Company integrated a Pokémon capture ability into Google Maps to celebrate April Fool’s Day.  The results were epic.  Now it looks like PAC MAN has taken over Google Maps, and we need to help him avoid ghosts in arenas inspired by real-world locations..

To play, load up Google Maps either on your computer or SmartPhone and tell it to Insert Coin.  You’re going to need to find an appropriate place in the world to play the game but there are maps sprinkled all over the world.  I personally would recommend checking out the Arc de Triumphe.

Halo 5: Guardians Release Date March 29, 2015

Tonight, two very different trailers depicting the same scene from two perspectives hit the web. This is all being done as part of Microsoft’s new Hunt the Truth campaign, but what I wasn’t expecting was that the trailers would feature the game’s official release date.

Here’s the trailer from the perspective of Spartan John Locke, the hero of Halo: Nightfall.

Here’s the trailer from the perspective of the Master Chief, the hero of Halo.

Are we getting a game told from two perspectives, like what we saw in Halo 2?  Feel free to speculate in the comments section below.

Halo 5: Guardians is coming October 27th, 2015 exclusively on Xbox One.