Google announced a new set of features for phones, cars, and wearables today at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. These features include using Gemini to craft messages, AI-generated captions for images, summarizing texts through AI for Android Auto, and access to passes on Wear OS.
The company’s Gemini implementation for image generation is facing a lot of criticism. But that isn’t stopping Google from rolling it out in a different context. The company said that starting this week, Google Messages will get a feature that lets you access Gemini in the app. The feature is currently in beta and only supports English.
Google is also rolling out a feature for Android Auto that reads out summaries of long text messages and contextualizes group chats. The feature, first announced last month, also dishes out quick suggestions for replies.
The search giant is also launching a few accessibility-related features at MWC. First, the company’s Lookout app, which helps visually impaired people with things like food labels and documents, will now generate AI-powered captions for images that have missing or inaccurate captions or alt text. The feature is now rolling out to all users across the globe with support for English. Last year, Google updated the Lookout app with an AI-powered assistant, which allowed users to ask questions about images.
Google is also rolling out improved screen reader support for Lens in Maps. Users can point their phone’s camera around them and TalkBack will read information about places and signs.
On the productivity front, Google is extending support for handwritten notes to docs on Android phones or tablets using just a finger or a stylus. You can choose from different pen styles and colors to highlight certain points in a document.
Additionally, the company is launching support for Spotify through an output switcher on the Android home screen. This means you can resume listening to a song or a podcast from one source to another source with Spotify. Previously this feature only supported YouTube Music.
Google is also updating the Fitbit app with support to get data from different sources like AllTrails, Oura Ring, and MyFitnessPal. The company redesigned the app with a new three-tabbed layout last year. The Today tab shows you data like exercise, steps, calories burned, and floors climbed. And the “You” tab shows you data from different apps along with Fitbit’s own data.
There are a few Wear OS-related updates as part of this announcement as well. You can now access Google Wallet passes like boarding passes, event tickets, gym memberships, and loyalty cards directly from the watch. Plus, you can get directions for transit by using voice. What’s more, there is an option to mirror directions from the phone or get compass-guided navigation directions.
You, too, can have your own RCS chat with Google Gemini. Image: Google
Android is becoming the platform of AI fever dreams. At this year’s MWC, an overseas tradeshow where Google typically has a booth to remind the world that its mobile platform is global, the Android maker has announced new ways to interact with Gemini from inside Google Messages as if Gemini were just another buddy.
No Google AI Search, I Don’t Need to Learn About the “Benefits of Slavery”
Beginning this week, Google will roll out the ability to access Gemini right from within Google Messages on any Android device. It’s called Chat with Gemini, and like a chatbot in apps like Slack, you’ll be able to dialogue with it to draft messages, plan events, and pin ideas. You won’t have to install the Gemini app to access this feature.
Even if you don’t plan to interact with Gemini, more AI infusions are coming to an Android device near you. For those who use Android Auto behind the wheel, your car can summarize long texts and noisy group chats. The AI will also talk you through possible replies and other things you can do as you keep your eyes on the road. But speaking from experience, I hope this won’t be one of those interactions that require you to enunciate directly.
Lookout on Android, a built-in feature geared toward blind and low-vision users, will now offer auto-generated AI descriptions of photos and images that come through with messages. There’s also enhanced screen reader support for Lens inside Maps, so when you point your AR camera at a building or storefront, TalkBack will dictate what’s ahead and its entry into Google Maps.
Android watchwearers, first, let me say it’s nice to have you here. You should know that Google will allow you to access tickets, passes, and other necessary wallet staples from your wrist in the next Wear OS update. Transit directions will also be available soon, making it much easier to recall the train or bus you’re supposed to catch without taking out your phone.
Health Connect is the last portion of this mini-news maelstrom. This latest update pipes in all your third-party health data from apps like AllTrails and MyFitnessPal and aggregates them into the Today tab in the Fitbit app. I’m curious about what’s going on with this particular data-sharing suite since Google rolled it out last year. I’ll be testing this more closely as it rolls out.
We reviewed the HONOR Magic V2 last month, and we were thrilled to play with its luxury sibling, the HONOR Magic V2 RSR PORSCHE Edition. Both devices are large foldable phones comparable to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the OnePlus Open in size and performance. However, they offer a significantly thinner chassis than their competitors.
Designed in collaboration with PORSCHE, the HONOR Magic V2 RSR features a fiberglass body with an anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield and a titanium hinge. Announced on January 11 in China, it comes with a premium PORSCHE DESIGN case and includes the HONOR Magic Pen.
Besides the NanoCrystal Shield on the external screen and the unique sports car design, the other differences with the Magic V2 are the 1 TB of storage, the stylus, and the two chargers included in the box.
Competition, Price & Availability
From a display quality and computing power point of view, the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR is on par with the Galaxy Z Fold 5, except for its lack of a waterproofing IP rating (the Fold 5 is IP X8), its thinner chassis, and its significantly faster charging speed.
The Magic V2 RSR ’s display and SoC (processor) are also similar to the thicker Oneplus Open, except for the camera performance.
Being a luxury device, the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR is the most expensive foldable to date. Launched at 15,999 yuan for the Chinese market (~$2,200), we are still waiting for the international market price. By comparison, the Magic V2 costs £1,699.99 in the UK, €1,999 in select E.U. countries (approximately $2,150).
Design
The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR stands out as one of the thinnest foldable phones available today, measuring just 4.7 mm thick when unfolded and weighing a mere 234g, lighter than the Galaxy S24 Ultra by 5 grams. It features an inward-folding design, making it the thinnest inward-foldable smartphone on the market. Available in Agate Grey, a color paying homage to Porsche luxury cars, its flyline design on the back draws inspiration from the sleek lines of a Porsche 911’s hood.
Enhanced with anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield, it offers exceptional durability, boasting ten times (10X) the protection against falls and scratches compared to regular glass, according to HONOR. The super-light Titanium Hinge ensures both lightness and durability.
Its Flyline Camera Module, inspired by Porsche cars, integrates a 3-lens camera framed by lightweight yet robust titanium, a material featured in many motorsport vehicles.
The package includes a beautiful case, the Magic Pen stylus with its magnetic case, and two 66W fast chargers. Both the internal and external displays of the device fully support stylus input.
Displays
Like the Magic V2, the Magic V2 RSR features an external 6.43-inch OLED display with 1060 x 2376 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2,500 nits. Internally, it boasts a nearly square 7.92-inch display with 2156 x 2344 resolution, also with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a theoretical peak brightness of 1,600 nits. Both screens feature stylus support, so users can take notes or draw using the Magic Pen provided in the box.
HONOR emphasizes its 3840Hz PWM dimming tech, alleviating eye strain during prolonged phone use. In contrast to the Magic V2, the PORSCHE Edition features an anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield display, tested by the HONOR lab to be ten times more scratch-resistant than regular glass.
For the Magic V2 RSR, HONOR partnered with Gameloft to introduce a modified version of the popular game “Asphalt 9: Legends”, specifically tailored for large foldable screens. The collaboration brings 120 FPS gameplay at a higher resolution for the foldable form factor, promising a top-notch gaming experience.
Camera
The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR offers the same typical triple rear camera as the Magic V2. The camera system a 50-megapixel main, a20-megapixel telephoto with a 2.5x optical zoom, and a50-megapixel ultrawide.There is a 16 MP punch-hole selfie camera on each screen, capable of shooting 4K video at 30 fps.The rear camera can shoot 4K video at 60 fps.
Watermark function
The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR offers a Watermark function with two customizable options for users to show that their images originate from a limited-edition smartphone camera. Accessible in the settings, users can choose between two watermark styles. The default option displays “PORSCHE DESIGN I HONOR Magic V2 RSR” in the lower-left corner of the photos. The HONOR frame option adds additional data to the lower right corner, including focal length, aperture, shutter speed, ISO level, and date and time.
Motion Sensing Capture Technology
The Motion Sensing Capture Technology leverages AI trained on a dataset of over 270,000 images. It accurately identifies scenarios and key moments, aiding automatic shot capture. Ideal for live events, the feature detects facial expressions such as smiles and body postures such as jumping, improving startup, focus, shutter, and imaging speed for swift scene capture within milliseconds.
Hover Photography
Using the self-timer found in the camera settings, users can exploit the folding capabilities to capture photos akin to using a tripod. Simply fold the phone at a 90-degree angle and position it on a table or any suitable surface for stable shooting.
Camera Performance
Ultrawide camera
The Honor Magic V2 and Magic V2 RSR PORSCHE Edition have an identical camera setup, and it shows. The PORSCHE Edition performs similarly to its twin, as highlighted in our Magic V2 Review. It is generally a good camera, but its performance is exceptional in relation to how thin the chassis is.
The thinner the chassis is, the harder it is to fit quality electro-optics components. That’s why the hardware quality of the Honor Magic V2 family is so impressive from a technology standpoint. The ultra-thin chassis is a huge design and overall usability advantage, but it’s also an obstacle to having powerful lenses.
Wide camera
This choice is more a matter of taste rather than quality, and most people have strong opinions one way or the other, so you’ll have to choose which you like better. That aside, the Magic V2 series photos are agreeable to share.
The 2.5X Zoom is appropriate for portrait photography, but not optimized for very long zoom “sniper” shots similar to what 10X optical zoom cameras can capture. And that makes sense since it is extremely difficult to include a periscope lens in this edgy design.
Telephoto camera with 2.5X optical zoom
Telephoto camera with ~10X digital zoom
At night, the rear camera does a good job of preserving the general mood of the scene, but other cameras can capture more details, such as material Textures (bricks, wood, asphalt, etc..).
Still, the Honor Magic V2 series (including this Porsche Edition) performs closest to the Google Pixel Fold. In most situations, the biggest difference people will see when compared to other high-end foldables is the photo aesthetic of the Honor camera, which is very bright (some would say over-exposed) and more saturated than what your eyes see.
Performance
The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR houses last year’s Qualcomm flagship SoC, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage. In daily usage, including 3D gaming, performance remains fluid.
Measured performance
Since the hardware is the same, the Magic V2 RSR PORSCHE Edition delivers the same performance as the Magic V2.
As you can see from the charts, despite its remarkable thinness, the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR demonstrates excellent performance within the realm of foldable phones. This achievement is attributed mainly to HONOR’’s implementation of an advanced cooling system known as the Ultra-thin Bionic Cooling System. According to the company, this new cooling technology integrates an ultra-thin vapor chamber, ultra-high thermal conductivity graphite, thermal conductivity gel, and copper foil.
The device ranks among the top performers in terms of CPU performance, enabling swift app loading and faster completion of tasks. Additionally, its graphics performance scores notably high, rendering it proficient not only in general graphics processing (GPU performance) but also in gaming.
However, it’s important to note that extended gaming sessions may lead to heat accumulation. Consequently, dedicated gaming systems typically feature thicker designs with enhanced cooling mechanisms.
Battery
Despite its ultrathin chassis measuring 4.7 mm, the Magic V2 RSR impressively integrates a 5000 mAh dual Silicon carbon battery (the highest capacity for a foldable).
The battery lasted for three days during my review conducted solely on Wi-Fi, excluding 5G usage and involving intermittent activity. However, it’s important to note that battery performance can significantly fluctuate based on usage patterns. Under typical usage scenarios, utilizing both 5G and Wi-Fi connections, the Magic V2 RSR should last a full day or a little more on a single charge.
Tasks like browsing and email typically impose minimal strain compared to more demanding activities such as intense photo shooting, video streaming, or 3D gaming. As always, the battery capacity, measured in mAh (milliampere-hours), serves as the most reliable indicator of potential battery longevity.
Charging speed
The Magic V2 RSRPORSCHE Editioncharges 75% of its 5000 mAh battery in 30 minutes with the provided 66W charger. This is similar to the OnePlus Open charging time of 79% in 30 minutes for its 4805 mAh battery (with the included OnePlus 67W fast-charger). By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 charges 49% in 30 minutes with its optional 50W Samsung charger.
Conclusion
Besides its unique luxurious design, the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR offers impressive build and display quality and is the thinnest and lightest large foldable phone on the market.
This important trait should convince people who are reluctant to carry thicker and heavier smartphones for their daily usage. It feels like a normal phone when folded.
Built on the same hardware as the Magic V2, the PORSCHE Edition boasts a refined design reminiscent of the sleek lines found in the PORSCHE 911, a unique touch that HONOR and PORSCHE fans might not be able to resist.
People who want to travel in style should consider switching to the Magic V2 RSR PORSCHE Edition, as it can also be used as a tablet for productivity and entertainment during flights. In my opinion, foldables are awesome for frequent travelers.
Although the camera performance is slightly below those in competitive devices, it is excellent for such a thin chassis.
Highs
Super thin and light for a foldable phone
Luxurious and unique Porsche-inspired design
Large and bright displays for the lightweight
Stylus in the box
Good camera system
Two 66W fast chargers included (75% in 30 min)
5000 mAh is the highest battery capacity for a large foldable phone
Not all phones support wireless charging, but most brands have models that do, so look up your phone model first. You’ll usually see “Qi wireless charging” (the default standard) or simply “wireless charging” if it does. Phones that support the latest Qi2 standard, bear the Qi2 logo and have a ring of magnets for easy alignment (just like Apple’s MagSafe).
Do wireless chargers work if you have a phone case?
Yes, most wireless chargers can charge through cases, unless it’s a particularly thick case. Check the product listing—there’s usually a case thickness limit in millimeters. Phones can get hot when charging wirelessly, so don’t worry if your phone is really warm when you pick it up. Most smartphones have limits to stop accepting a charge if they get too hot.
Yes, cords will charge your phone faster
Some manufacturers like Apple and OnePlus make wireless chargers that recharge their respective phones faster than others, but if you’re looking for speed, you’re better off sticking with a cord. Wireless charging is best for desks or nightstands when you’re not really using your phone or in a rush to recharge it.
What’s a fast wireless charging speed?
We said this at the beginning of our guide, but you’ll see “Compatible with iPhones and Android phones” under each slide, and that means the charger has a standard charging speed of 7.5 watts for iPhones or 10 watts for Android phones (including Samsung Galaxy phones). The latest MagSafe and Qi2 chargers can go up to 15 watts, and there are a handful of proprietary wireless chargers for specific phone models that can charge even faster. It’s worth noting that, even where phones support them, the maximum charging rates are only reached some of the time (the charging rate is automatically adjusted to preserve battery health).
Is wireless charging safe to use?
There’s no definitive evidence that it’s harmful. You may worry the phone’s battery might degrade faster with wireless charging, but manufacturers set safe limits for phone batteries, stipulating how much a battery can be charged and how far it can discharge. Regardless of the charging source you use, whether you plug into a wall adapter or use a wireless charging pad, these limits can’t be overridden. There’s no risk of overcharging your phone by leaving it on a wireless charger all night.
How do I keep my phone’s battery healthy?
However, try to keep your battery between 50 and 80 percent for optimum battery health. Keeping your phone fully charged or fully discharging the battery will degrade it slightly faster, and regularly swinging between full and empty will shorten its life. Battery technology has improved in recent years, and phone batteries are more reliable than ever. If you switch phones every two to three years or don’t mind paying a modest fee for a battery replacement on that timescale, it’s not worth worrying too much about how often or when you charge your phone.
Dead Cells is one of the best games of the last decade across platforms. Originally on PC, it made a huge splash on consoles before seeing a superb mobile release. Since launching, it has gotten multiple major free content updates and paid DLC packs. Today, Motion Twin and Evil Empire both announced that Dead Cells update 35 will be the final major update for the game as Evil Empire moves on. Motion Twin’s announcement confirmed that the Clean Cut Update that hit PC and consoles back in April 2023, will be coming to mobile later this year. I assume Update 35, the final major content update, will arrive in 2025 for mobile. Speaking of mobile, Dead Cells is available on iOS, Android, Netflix, and Apple Arcade. Watch the Dead Cells trailer below:
If you’ve not gotten Dead Cells yet, read my 2023 review update here covering the Dead Cells Return to Castlevania DLC, patches, state of the game, and more. Dead Cells was our Game of the Year in 2019 when it hit iOS as a premium release done by Playdigious. With update 35, the game will have had 4 DLC packs, 18 updates, and more across 5 years by Evil Empire. You can play Dead Cells on iOS, Android, Netflix for mobile, Apple Arcade, Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PS4, and PS5 worldwide. My favorite versions are the Steam Deck and iOS releases. What do you think of Dead Cells if you play it regularly?
Devolver Digital published Loop Hero() on PC and console platforms back in late 2021, and it is now coming to mobile through Playdigious. Shaun loved Loop Hero on Switch. Read his thoughts on it here where he scored it 4.5/5. I own the roguelike RPG on Steam and Switch, but haven’t played much of it yet. With the new mobile version announced for April, I’ll just wait and play all versions around then to compare and see how the game feels. Loop Hero will be a free to start release. Watch the Loop Hero mobile release date trailer below:
Loop Hero will be priced at $6.99, but you can pre-order and pre-register for it to get a 10% discount. Playdigious confirmed that Loop Hero will have cloud save support, Game Center achievements, a revamped interface for mobile, iPhone 15 optimization, and will be compatible with MFi controllers. The game will be free to try letting you play the first chapter before the single unlock in app purchase for the full game. If you’d like to play it, you can pre-order Loop Hero on the App Store for iOS here and pre-register for it on Google Play for Android here. Have you played Loop Hero before or will you be trying it out on mobile on April 30th?
Last year, Playdigious announced that it is bringing simulation RPG Potion Permit($4.99) from MassHive Media to mobile. Potion Permit debuted on PC and console platforms, and it has seen physical and digital releases with a new Deluxe edition out as well. There’s a demo available on other platforms if you’d like to try it before buying it Potion Permit has you playing as a chemist in Moonbury curing patients by gathering ingredients, brewing potions, and exploring while building relationships with the various folks. Potion Permit on mobile includes Game Center achievements, cloud saves, controller support, and iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and Pro max optimization. Watch the Potion Permit mobile trailer below:
I’ll be reviewing Potion Permit on iOS in the near future so stay tuned for that. It has just launched for $4.99 on iOS and Android worldwide with a launch discount. This price will go up to $6.99 on February 13th. If you’d like to grab it on mobile, you can buy Potion Permit on the App Store for iOS here and on Google Play for Android here. Check it out on Steam here (with a demo) and Switch here if you’d like to play it there. Have you played Potion Permit before or will you be trying it on mobile this week?
After I basically gave up hope that they’d update them, Square Enix finally pushed out major updates for the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series on mobile and Steam bringing in features from last year’s console releases. Not all platforms were treated equally though, but a lot has changed for the better if you own or are looking to buy the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster games on iOS, Android, and Steam. Last year, I compared the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster across console, mobile, and PC to help people decide which version they should play, and also to find out which version I considered the best overall. This new Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster platform comparison in 2024 aims to help you decide which platform is the best version specifically for you, and also to showcase any improvements since launch across the board while covering the state of the games today. I will compare features, performance, convenience, price, and more for the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series on Nintendo Switch, iPhone, iPad, and PS5 here.
Note that while the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster games are PS4 games, they run via backward compatibility on PS5, and that’s how I’ve tested them for this article. The Switch versions have been tested on Nintendo Switch OLED and Nintendo Switch Lite. I’ve also detailed what the current and existing issues are in these ports in the visuals and performance section of this article. The iPhone versions have been played on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 12. The iPad versions have been played on iPad Pro (2020).
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series explained
If you’re completely new to the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series, it brought the first six Final Fantasy mainline games to iOS, Android, and Steam. These releases aimed to bring the gorgeous pixel aesthetic of the original games to modern displays with quality of life improvements, new arranged music, and more. The classic Final Fantasy games have hit mobile and some have even been on PC before, but we’ve never had 2D versions of Final Fantasy III or Final Fantasy IV on mobile or PC before and PC never saw any version of the first two main games before this set of releases.
When the games were brought over to console, Square Enix released the collection on PS4 and Nintendo Switch with a slew of improvements and updates making those versions the best. Back then, I played the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series on my PS5 through backward compatibility and also my Nintendo Switch OLED model and Switch Lite. The new console versions debuted with a pixel font option, the ability to use the original soundtrack in addition to the new arrangements, many difficulty modifiers, and more.
As of last week, Square Enix updated the Steam and mobile versions of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series. The Steam version got all of the improvements and new options, but the mobile version didn’t end up getting everything.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster on iOS and Android got the in-game boosts like the experience gain modifiers, no encounter toggle, and more. The highlight was also controller support finally being added into the mobile versions of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series. Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series on Steam got the fixes and updates mobile received, but also had a classic font and alternate music option. For some reason Square Enix didn’t add these to mobile, which is very disappointing. I can’t imagine it is too much of a file size increase to warrant them being afraid, but I’d love for this to be added. Right now, Square Enix is treating the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series on mobile as a lesser version despite the high asking price.
Shaun reviewed the complete Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection on Switch here. You can also read his detailed reviews of the individual games. Check out his review of Final Fantasy Pixel Remasterhere, Final Fantasy 2 Pixel Remasterhere, Final Fantasy 3 Pixel Remasterhere, Final Fantasy 4 Pixel Remasterhere, Final Fantasy 5 Pixel Remasterhere, and Final Fantasy 6 Pixel Remasterhere on iOS. He also did a special RPG Reload on them here.
Now let’s get into the comparisons and differences.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster features by platform
As of the first week of February 2024, there are no major differences in features between PS5 (PS4), Nintendo Switch, and Steam. The mobile versions are lacking the new music and font options, but barring that, all versions have the important features included now. To reiterate, the mobile versions were updated with controller support, boosts, game-specific fixes, and more.
The boosts or difficulty modifiers on all platforms let you adjust a few gameplay elements like experience from 0 to 4x, turn off random encounters, and more.
The new option to let PlayStation, Switch, and Steam owners use the original soundtrack means the in-game music player on those versions lets you listen to both the new arrangements for the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster and the original soundtracks. The PS4 version includes trophy support as well with each game having its own platinum trophy if that matters to you. All versions also have the ability to skip some cut-scenes which previously could not be skipped on PC and mobile versions.
On paper, the console and Steam versions are easily the way to go for the new font and soundtrack options included, but what about performance and price?
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster price on Switch, PS4, PC, and mobile
All six games are available separately or in a Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster I – VI Bundle on iOS, Switch, PS4, and Steam. Buying the games individually ends up costing a lot more so keep that in mind before you make your purchase. You cannot upgrade to the bundle for a discount. Currently, the bundle is priced at approximately $65 on iOS, $75 on PS4(PS5 backward compatibility), $75 on Switch, and $75 on Steam. There is no bundle for Google Play as of this writing. Square Enix also discounted the games recently for a limited time.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster font – which version has the font fixed?
On PS4/PS5, Steam, and Nintendo Switch, you can use the new Pixel Font which isn’t perfect, but a massive improvement over the original font. This option is not present on mobile sadly, and is the only major flaw left in the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster on mobile.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster – visuals and performance
All versions look the same outside of the font options. Performance is where things differ. The Switch version and mobile devices have similar additional performance issues due to poor frame pacing. Note that on the iOS side of things, this isn’t consistent and will vary by device. These frame pacing issues are not present to the same degree in the PC version and some mobile devices, and the PS4 version (on PS5) in my testing. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it is noticeable enough to annoy me until I get used to it in an hour or so. Load times are also where things differ. PS4 on PS5 and PC on an SSD offer the fastest loading. Switch is slower than most mobile devices as well. On iPhone 15 Pro, I had no issues with the mobile versions load times.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster scrolling issues and performance issues explained
There are two major issues in the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series across platforms right now. The first is the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster scrolling issue that affects every version on every platform regardless of your hardware. This is the persistent feel of judder or what makes the game not have smooth movement. This happens because the characters move at 80 px/sec which is faster than the game’s own frame rate. The solution to this would be Square Enix patching the games to have movement at 60 px/sec or 120 px/sec to be double the target. You could also try and uncap it to 80 on PC, but I didn’t try any mods here.
One easy way to notice this is when you move diagonally compared to horizontally. The movement speed lines up better there. You can also see how smooth movement should feel in the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster by playing Final Fantasy V and moving on a Chocobo on PS4 / PS5. This is also a good place to perfectly see the second performance issue the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster features on some platforms. The video below from AustinSV on YouTube (one of my favorite channels for games) timestamped does a fantastic job of showcasing the technical issues:
On Switch and some mobile devices, in addition to the scrolling issues, the games feature some noticeable frame pacing issues. Digital Foundry has covered frame pacing issues quite a bit, but what basically happens especially on Switch, is an additional feeling of choppy animations or stutter when it isn’t actually dropping frames, but not being able to display frames at a constant pace. As an example, a game running at 60fps should display each frame at 16.67 milliseconds. If that doesn’t happen, you will no longer feel like the game is running smoothly despite it actually still reporting 60fps as the frame rate.
This is where the frame time graph comes into the picture. I realize I’ve gone quite a bit off topic to try and explain these two issues, but I hope to help you understand that the issues in the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series’ performance are not just “low frame rate” like I’ve seen mentioned online in places.
Right now, the only way to fix this is Square Enix patching the movement speed or player mods on the PC version. There is no other solution. If you play the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster and don’t notice any of these issues or aren’t bothered by them, that’s fine as well. For those who haven’t bought the games yet or are sensitive to specific scrolling and performance issues, I wanted to try and be as clear as possible. I’ve dropped games that have awful frame pacing at 60fps before, and would’ve loved to have not wasted money on them had I known the technical issues. The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster games are not cheap, and the bundle costs as much as a full priced modern game so I hope this article helped explain the current technical issues present years later.
If you didn’t want to get into the details of these issues, let me summarize them for you:
iOS: Scrolling issues but no major frame pacing issues on newer devices.
PS4 (on PS5): Scrolling issues but no major frame pacing issues.
Switch (on OLED and Lite): Scrolling issues and frame pacing issues.
Steam (on Steam Deck): Scrolling issues but no major frame pacing issues.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster – controller support
As of this writing, all versions of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster offer controller support. Previously only PS4, Switch, and Steam versions had it, but the iOS and Android versions received it in last week’s update. I tested this with multiple controllers on iPhone and iPad, and had no issues. You need to enable the controller support as shown in the image above. This is only possible when you have a controller paired or attached to your device.
Which version of Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is the best? – PC, mobile, Switch, or PS5
In its current state, the objectively best versions are on PC and the PS4 version played on PS5. This is because they offer the smoothest experience despite suffering from a few issues that all versions have. With the additional font and soundtrack options, all versions barring mobile offer the most complete and polished experience.
If you don’t have a problem with the font and don’t care about the classic soundtrack option, the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series on mobile has enough fixed and updated now to warrant it being a worthy consideration. The technical improvements over Switch already make it better on that front.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster – Steam Deck vs Nintendo Switch for the best portable version
The Switch version even with the performance issues was previously better than the Steam Deck version thanks to all the additional features included. These have since been patched into the Steam version making the Steam Deck the best portable way to play the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series across the board.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster physical release
If you, like me, enjoy owning physical games, the only version available is the Asia physical release on Switch which I recently bought. The North American and European PS4/Switch physicals are long sold out. I hope Square Enix re-releases the physical in the future. Right now, the only way to get a physical release is the Asia Switch version. The version I own from Asia is pictured above.
Which version of Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster should you buy?
If you value portability above all and have access to multiple platforms, the Steam Deck is the best place to get the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series right now. While the Switch version has the font and music options that aren’t on mobile, it suffers from added performance and technical issues. These might not be as big of a problem for you as they were for me, but it is unfortunate that Square Enix is yet to fix any of the poor scrolling issues since launch on all platforms.
If you don’t care about portability, the PS4 version on PS5 or the PC version will be the best version of the game for you. I’d also recommend installing the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster games on your PS5 SSD for the best experience.
If the font doesn’t bother you and you don’t care about the classic soundtrack option, the mobile version is at par with the Steam version on Steam Deck on any modern iOS device. The mobile version also has cloud saves across devices.
Once the font is fixed, I will likely make the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series on mobile the go to way for me to replay these games.
Hopefully my new Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster 2024 platform comparison helped you decide where to buy the newest release of the classic Final Fantasy games. I’m hoping Square Enix eventually patches mobile versions to get the font and music options, because right now the iOS and Android versions are lacking on that front.
Right now, the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series is available on iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and PS4 (playable on PS5 through backward compatibility).
If Square Enix patches the mobile versions, I’ll update this feature.
Ahead of its launch beginning tomorrow, HoYoverse beganHonkai Star Rail version 2.0 update pre-installation over the weekend. Honkai Star Rail 2.0 will also add Apple Vision Pro compatibility mode when it arrives. If you’ve not kept up with the update, 2.0 will bring in three new characters including Black Swan, the beginning of Penacony’s Trailblaze Missions which will continue across 2.2 and 2.3, reruns, and more. Since this update is larger than prior ones with its new location and much more, the download size is quite a bit bigger than expected. It is just over 12GB on iPhone and nearly 17GB on PC. Watch the new Honkai Star Rail version 2.0 update trailer for Black Swan below:
Barring the new content, I’m very curious to see the new Apple hardware specific updates that arrive in 2.0 including how the team handles Apple Vision Pro support. If you’ve not gotten Honkai Star Rail yet, you can download it on the App Store for iOS here, on Google Play for Android here, and here on the Epic Games Store in addition to its regular PC version. Check it out here on PS5. Have you been playing Honkai Star Rail regularly since it launched on mobile, PC, and PS5 and what would you like to see future updates?
HoYoverse just announced that the upcoming Honkai Star Rail version 2.0 update due February 6th will also add Apple Vision Pro compatibility mode. If you’ve not been following the game recently, this update was confirmed to bring in in three new characters including Black Swan, the beginning of Penacony’s Trailblaze Missions which will continue across 2.2 and 2.3, reruns, and more. Today, HoYoverse confirmed Apple Vision Pro compatibility with more details to be revealed soon. Honkai Star Rail isn’t the first major game to do this, and we’ve slowly seen more Apple Arcade titles confirm Apple Vision Pro support. I’m curious to see how this Honkai Star Rail Apple Vision Pro compatibility mode ends up being. There are no further details for the Honkai Star Rail Apple Vision Pro update.
Hopefully we see more of the iPhone 15 Pro optimization as well with version 2.0. If you’ve not gotten Honkai Star Rail yet, you can download it on the App Store for iOS here, on Google Play for Android here, and here on the Epic Games Store in addition to its regular PC version. Check it out here on PS5. Have you been playing Honkai Star Rail regularly since it launched on mobile, PC, and PS5 and what would you like to see in Apple Vision Pro support next?
Earlier today during Sony’s new State of Play showcase that had a few games I will be pre-ordering soon, HoYoverse showcased a new gameplay trailer for its upcoming urban fantasy action RPG Zenless Zone Zero. If you’ve not kept up with Zenless Zone Zero recently, it was confirmed for release in 2024 on iOS, Android, and PC but also confirmed for unannounced consoles. The new State of Play trailer for Zenless Zone Zero confirmed that it is in development for PS5 as well. A release window was not given, but I hope it does launch alongside the mobile and PC versions. Watch the newest Zenless Zone Zero gameplay trailer below:
I assume Zenless Zone Zero will make use of the PS5 DualSense controller haptics and adaptive triggers as Genshin Impact does. Either way, I’ll be playing Zenless Zone Zero on iPhone 15 Pro, iPad Pro, and PS5 whenever it releases on those platforms. It is going to be interesting to see if this one and maybe even Honkai Star Rail come to the Nintendo Switch successor whenever that launches. Check out more about the game on the official website here. I’ve enjoyed the second closed beta on iPhone 15 Pro quite a bit, and will be trying out upcoming betas if they do any in the future. What do you think of Zenless Zone Zero so far and will you play it on mobile, PC, or PS5?
When it comes to adding functionality and convenience to your driving experience, the 1 Din 7 Inch Car Multimedia Player with Carplay and Bluetooth Reversing Video Player is an exceptional choice. This innovative product, available at www.chinavasion.com, not only revamps the dashboard of your vehicle but transforms your driving experience with its multitude of features and capabilities. If you’re looking for a reliable and feature-packed multimedia player for your car, this device is definitely worth considering.
1. Reversing Camera Input Function: One of the standout features of this Car Multimedia Player is the reversing camera input function. This essential safety feature allows drivers to easily connect a backup camera to the system, providing a clear and wide-angle view of what’s behind the vehicle when reversing. With this function, drivers can navigate even the tightest parking spots with confidence and reduce the risk of accidental collisions. The convenience and safety this adds to your driving experience are unparalleled, especially in busy parking lots or when backing out of a driveway.
2. Carplay Car System: Another significant feature is the integration of Carplay, Apple’s renowned car system. This allows iPhone users to seamlessly connect their devices to the multimedia player, giving them access to their favorite apps, navigation, contacts, and music, all controlled through the car’s interface or voice commands. Carplay is designed to minimize distractions by offering a more intuitive way to use your iPhone while driving, making your journeys safer and more enjoyable.
3. Colorful Backlight Setting: The 1 Din 7 Inch Car Multimedia Player also boasts a colorful backlight setting that adds a touch of personalization to your vehicle’s interior. You can choose from a variety of colors to match your mood or car’s aesthetics. These visually appealing backlight options enhance the overall ambiance of your driving space, creating an environment that reflects your style.
4. Wired Android Auto: For Android users, the multimedia player offers wired Android Auto support. This mirrors many of the features that Carplay does for iPhone users, allowing for easy access to Android apps, navigation, and media. Android Auto is designed to help keep your hands on the wheel and your focus on the road, with voice controls and an interface crafted for driving.
5. FM Radio: For those who enjoy the simplicity of traditional radio, this Car Multimedia Player comes equipped with an FM Radio feature. You can quickly tune into your favorite stations for music, news, weather updates, and more. Despite the rise in digital media, FM Radio remains a beloved staple for drivers worldwide, offering entertainment and information on the go.
6. Support Compatible for Android/Iphone Mirror Link: The device supports Mirror Link compatibility for both Android and iPhone devices. This technology mirrors the smartphone’s display onto the multimedia player’s screen, granting access to smartphone content and apps. This feature is perfect for those who want to keep their smartphone’s functionality at their fingertips, without having to physically handle the device while driving.
7. Wholesale and Dropshipping Services: Chinavasion is a leading China Wholesale Electronics provider, and they offer both wholesale and dropshipping services for the 1 Din 7 Inch Car Multimedia Player. For retailers looking to stock up on this device, wholesale purchases can be made at a cheap price, making it an excellent investment. Dropshipping is also available, providing a hassle-free way to sell products directly to customers without the need for inventory management.
8. China Wholesale Electronics As a hub for China Wholesale Electronics, Chinavasion is dedicated to providing customers with the latest gadgets and technology products directly from Chinese manufacturers. This direct link ensures that customers are getting some of the most cutting-edge technology at the best possible prices, with the Car Multimedia Player being a prime example of their commitment to quality and affordability. When you purchase the 1 Din 7 Inch Car Multimedia Player from Chinavasion, you are benefiting from the China Wholesale advantage. This means access to a vast selection of electronic products, including this exceptional car multimedia player, at wholesale prices. The purchasing process is streamlined, and the customer service is focused on ensuring a smooth shopping experience from start to finish.
In conclusion, the 1 Din 7 Inch Car Multimedia Player Carplay Retractable Bluetooth Reversing Video Player is a remarkable addition to any vehicle, providing an array of features such as Carplay support, colorful backlighting, and reversing camera input function, to name just a few. Its compatibility with both Android and iPhone devices makes it a versatile choice for many consumers. With the added benefits of purchasing from a reputable China Wholesale Electronics site like Chinavasion, you can enjoy a state-of-the-art product at a cheap price, complete with wholesale and dropshipping options. It’s a smart investment for anyone seeking to enhance their driving experience with the convenience of modern technology.
HoYoverse just detailed the upcoming Honkai Star Rail version 2.0 update today in a new livestream. The update will bring in three new characters including Black Swan, the beginning of Penacony’s Trailblaze Missions which will continue across 2.2 and 2.3, reruns, and more. The new Penacony realm is no doubt the highlight of the update which launches on February 6th, but I know many including myself will be trying to get Black Swan in Honkai Star Rail Version 2.0 ‘If One Dreams at Midnight’. As usual, pre-installation will go live a few days before the update hits on mobile and PC. This is also the update that will bring in new features as revealed before. Watch the Honkai Star Rail version 2.0 update trailer below:
Check out a screenshot from Honkai Star Rail 2.0 below:
Hopefully we see more iPhone 15 Pro optimization with version 2.0. If you’ve not gotten Honkai Star Rail yet, you can download it on the App Store for iOS here, on Google Play for Android here, and here on the Epic Games Store in addition to its regular PC version. Check it out here on PS5. Have you been playing Honkai Star Rail regularly since it launched on mobile, PC, and PS5?
Over the weekend, developer Jagex revealed an official HD mode coming to Old School RuneScape on mobile and PC platforms. This was announced during the Winter Summit 2024 for the game that also had a roadmap and more revealed. The official HD mode will be available as an option for improved visuals, lighting, effects, textures, and more as shown in the announcement trailer. The trailer also confirms that you will be able to switch between the new and old style easily. A release date for the Old School RuneScape Official HD mode is yet to be announced. Watch the announcement video with gameplay and comparisons below:
The official Old School RuneScape HD Mode announcement also confirms that players will be able to use the 117Scape and HDOS after the official HD mode releases. There has been no policy change on alternative clients. With this update, the team will be able to do more with the game client as well. Old School RuneScape HD Mode will run using Runetek, but with upgrades. Check out more comparison images with the slider on the official announcement page here. Both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape are available on PC, iOS, and Android devices. Check out the official website here for both games. Do you play Old School RuneScape on mobile or PC often and what do you think of the official HD mode?
Red Nexus Games’ pachinko roguelike Peglin(Free) has hit 0.9.44 with many Roundrel-focused changes and additions in its first official update for 2024. If you’ve not kept up with the game lately, we had an update go live at the end of December already, and it looks like Red Nexus Games is continuing to bring the mobile version of the game updates soon after the PC version sees them. The focus of the update is Roundrel with many new relics for it, a new Boss relic, new scenario, new scenario relic, changes for Refreshircle and Critsoballos, and other adjustments. Details for the bug fixes and all the balance adjustments are on the Steam page here. Watch the trailer for Peglin below:
Peglin is set to hit 1.0 this year, and I’m curious to see how it evolves on mobile and PC leading into that launch. If you’re interested in checking out the game right now, read my review of Peglin on iOS here covering the state of game from a few months ago. I also interviewed Red Nexus Games here covering the game, pricing, and a lot more. You can try Peglin on the App Store for iOS here and on Google Play for Android here. It is a paid game on Steam, but a free to start release on mobile with a one time full game unlock purchase. We featured it as our Game of the Week when it launched. Check it out on Steam here. Head over to our forum thread for more impressions and discussion around the iOS version. Have you played Peglin before on mobile or PC?
Back in April last year, Super Meat Boy Forever($0.99) finally hit mobile following its announcement back in 2014. The conversion was amazing, but it had some issues. Read my review of the iOS version here and Jared’s Game of the Week feature on it here. Today, Super Meat Boy Forever on mobile has gotten a surprise update bringing in support for The Daily Grind and Quick Play. The Daily Grind is a new randomly generated level that changes daily. Your aim here is to get to the top of the leaderboards. Quick Play lets you play a level from all of the chunks in a chapter with potentially new things. Forever Forge is a new option to see user generated levels including an official additional chapter from Team Meat. Check out screenshots from the game’s update below:
Super Meat Boy Forever is getting a super meaty update! 😎
Daily randomly generated levels! Quick Play, which offers a new mixup of current levels! User-generated levels! And more!
If you’ve not paid attention to it at all, Super Meat Boy Forever is the sequel to Super Meat Boy, and it includes more than 7000 handcrafted level chunks that are algorithmically put together into levels. You can grab Super Meat Boy Forever on the App Store for iOS here and on Google Play for Android here. The mobile version is priced at $0.99 with no ads or in app purchases. It is priced at $19.99 on Nintendo Switch and other platforms making the mobile version a superb deal. Check out our forum thread for Super Meat Boy Foreverhere for more impressions. Have you played Super Meat Boy Forever on any platform yet or will you be grabbing it today on mobile with the update?
Google announced today that the company plans to support more real-money games (RMG) on the Play Store this year by allowing more types of games in the category following local laws.
The search giant said that the program with extended support for real-money gaming will start in India, Brazil, and Mexico in June with roll out in more countries planned in the future.
Google is also considering a new service fee model for subscriptions and in-app purchases. However, the company didn’t disclose many details about the cut it will take from developers.
“With this policy update, we will also be evolving our service fee model for RMG to reflect the value Google Play provides and to help sustain the Android and Play ecosystems. We are working closely with developers to ensure our new approach reflects the unique economics and various developer earning models of this industry,” Karan Gambhir, Director, Global Trust & Safety Partnerships at Google said in a blog post.
Typically, Google has allowed real-money gaming apps that are governed by local regulatory frameworks for a particular type. With the change in policy, the company will allow more types of real-money gaming apps, which are legal but not regulated.
The pilot also had regulations around age verification and ID verification. Google started a similar pilot in Mexico last November, which will also extend to June 30. After that developers will be able to publish their real-money gaming apps on the Play Store beyond fantasy sports categories.
Google said it will publish detailed policies around the change in the next few months, but it will include guardrails such as age limits and geo-restrictions.
A new service fee on real-money games will be a key factor for Google Play Store’s revenue as the company facing scrutiny worldwide to allow developers to use alternative payment methods. It typically provides a 4% discount on service fees under its user-choice billing program, which was piloted in 2022 and still has select partners.
Ahead of next week’s launch, Niantic and Capcom have detailed the Monster Hunter Now(Free)Descent of the Azure King event and confirmed new in-app purchase bundles will be available to celebrate the event. This event was revealed in the official January 2024 events announcement post. Azure Rathalos will appear from January 15th at 9 AM until January 21st at midnight local time. Rathalos and Azure Rathalos will both have boosted appearance rates from January 19th to January 21st in forest habitats. There will be event quests from the 19th until the 21st letting you earn the Azure King medal in-game. To celebrate the event, two special packs will be available with Special Carving Knives and other items. There will be one in-game and exclusive to the web store.
If you’ve completed chapter 13 of the main story and unlocked Rathalos hunts, Azure Rathalos will start appearing normally. If you haven’t done that yet, Azure Rathalos will only be present during the appearance rate boost period. While we don’t know the new moveset yet, if Azure Rathalos is like in the console games, it will be weak to Dragon and Ice element. Azure Rathalos is much more mobile than the regular Rathalos and is more annoying to deal with as a melee weapon user in the main games. I’m curious to see how this plays out in Monster Hunter Now next week.
I’m still hoping Niantic rebalances Hunt-a-thons for solo play for those living in parts of the world without many Monster Hunter Now players. If you are planning to start playing the game, I put together some (newly updated) tips and tricks for the game, details on the weapons, special skills, the current monsters list, my wishlist for future update monsters, and more. You can grab Monster Hunter Now on the App Store for iOS here and on Google Play for Android here. The in app purchases include different sets of gems and upgrades. Check out the official website here. What do you think of Monster Hunter Now if you’ve been playing it and did you try a Hunt-a-thon yet?
Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat(), the mobile entry in the superb Devil May Cry series from Nebula Joy and Capcom, has always looked great, but it finally feels like a modern Devil May Cry game thanks to its new theme song. The Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat theme song “Fire Inside” has been composed and producer by Casey Edwards (Devil Trigger, Bury the Light), features vocals by Victor Borba (Bury the Light), drums by Anup Sastry (Bury the Light, Exohuman), and mixed by Zakk Cervini at MDDN Studios. If you’ve not played Devil May Cry 5 or Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition, you absolutely should. Devil May Cry 5 is one of the best action games ever, and the best in the series. I’m glad that they all got back to do a song for Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat. “Fire Inside” is superb. Watch the video for it below:
The song is so good, it got me to re-download Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition on PS5 for a replay, and also the base game on Steam Deck to play on the go once again. Since you’re here, you may as well also listen to Bury the Light from Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition below:
Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat releases on January 10th, 2024 for iOS and Android. If you’d like to play it with a controller, watch the Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat video showcasing controller support here. You can pre-register for Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat on the official website here and pre-order it on the App Store for iOS here. Pre-registering will get you different rewards like gems, red orbs, potions, and more as detailed on the official website. Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat’s App Store page has a list of some of the different in app purchases like seasonal cards, gift packs, and different sets of devil gems included in the game. What do you think of today’s Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat theme song and are you motivated?
Niantic and Capcom just revealed the Monster Hunter Now(Free) January 2024 events for the game on iOS and Android. In addition to Qualily’s Special Quests (Carpenterbugs, Monster Bons+, Zenny, and more) returning, this month will see Azure Rathalos descend into Monster Hunter Now as a part of the “Descent of the Azure King” quest. I’m glad Azure Rathalos will have a boosted appearance rate throughout the event in forest habitats and not only during specific times of the day. For some reason, we are getting an event focused on Banbaro and Radobaan with increased boost rates as well. I’ve not run into anyone using gear from either of them. I’m looking forward to Qualily’s quests for Monster Bone+ specifically from the 12th until the 18th of this month. The Azure Rathalos event is on from the 15th until the 21st of this month. The official website event section for this month is here.
So far, the recent updates have been good, but I’m still not sold on Hunt-a-thons. They need to balance them for solo play for those living in parts of the world without many Monster Hunter Now players. If you are planning to start playing the game, I put together some (newly updated) tips and tricks for the game, details on the weapons, special skills, the current monsters list, my wishlist for future update monsters, and more. You can grab Monster Hunter Now on the App Store for iOS here and on Google Play for Android here. The in app purchases include different sets of gems and upgrades. Check out the official website here. What do you think of Monster Hunter Now if you’ve been playing it and did you try a Hunt-a-thon yet?
