Hey Blu: How Do I use... Google Wallet?

These are the instructions for those of you who need help using your Google Wallet. Yes, there are still people who don't know how to use this app or its feature to pay via tap, but... it's all good. This topic was actually inspired by a good friend who didn't have her account set up just and isn't as tech-savvy. So as promised, here's the article to cover this topic... for those who could utilize the info, including super busy mom's like my friend. Speaking of moms... Happy Mother's Day ladies (especially my mom)!

Fun Fact: NFC is how people use which is Near Field Communication. NFC chip is a feature in most modern phones that gives you the ability to use your device for data transfer within an extremely short distance. How short? 4 cm or less.

You're able to use this for more than a few things like... authenticating security keys (that some professionals in tech are required to have), pairing certain audio devices,  unlocking doors via locks that feature NFC, sticker tags that give people access to things like your wifi so that they aren't searching for you during a party or something, etc. The NFC sticker tags come to mind for guest rooms, especially if the cell phone signal tends to be weak in your area. Nevertheless, you aren't hear for these tidbits, you want to know how in the world do you use Google Wallet, so... let's jump in:

Google Wallet gives you the ability to add multiple things like your Debit Cards, Credit Cards, Your Vax info (if you have and need such information for verification in order to go to certain locations including countries), flight info, your transit pass, loyalty cards, etc.

First and foremost, go to the Google Play Store site or the App. Look for this icon on your phone 

• From PC, click on... "Install" (it will look similar on your phone).

*Mine shows "Install on more devices" because... it's already installed.

• After installing, look for the icon you see above (Android usually goes straight to the installed app).
  
  
• Once you click on it. Click on the "Sign in" button in the top right-hand corner.

• Enter your email address and password.
  
  
• Click on "Add to Wallet" in the lower right-hand corner:
  
  
• Here is where you add payment cards, transit passes, loyalty cards, and gift cards, and you're even able to use your PayPal account via tap. Just go to the bottom where you see the PayPal icon.

• Once it's set up... go back to your account icon in the upper right-hand corner (click on "Tap to pay setup"). Here... everything should be checked off.
  
  

You may take a step back and question the security of Google Wallet, and... you're 100% within your right to, but no one can just up and use your cards. You can go straight back to the banking institution or other wallet entry and state your case. Have I ever had to deal with this? Nope, in fact... people have easier access to your cards via pocket scanners. Why? As seen in the "Tap to pay setup" area, you can use your screen lock on your phone which I highly recommend. They can't steal what they can't access (unless the company you're paying is the culprit... but that has nothing to do with the app or physical cards), and you'd be the one going through the final step to unlock your screen.

Going to a gas station with the tap as an available option, you completely avoid the need to insert a physical card... and in turn, you avoid the card readers the scammers may place inside them. You will even notice that most of our debit cards have the tap option too... but you don't have a need to pull out your wallet when you have Google Wallet.
 

Fun Fact: My card's tap stopped working a while back and I shifted to Google Wallet.

That said, I hope this helps those of you who were unaware of Google Wallet or you were curious about it. If you went through with the setup, you're good to go (for tap and online orders).

*If you need step-by-step solutions for your PC... click here.

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TVs Featuring Xbox (No console required)

Dear Developers: Slow Your Roll

Dear Developers,

If you haven't heard by now... Google has shut down the internal studios for its Stadia platform. I shared my concern in a prior post some time back because I didn't know where the platform would go as a streaming service. There are multiple options for gaming, so you have to make sure that you're on point with everything regarding your service or products.

Google isn't completely shutting down Stadia, it's their first-party games... which tends to be the siding factor on what platform a gamer will invest in. Closing studios is... not a good look!

They could have taken the 3rd party route first, making multiplatform games (under... "Google Games" or "Stadia Studios" or something) and built up a library before they took the Stadia platform route.

At the same time, they could have just started on Google Play and built up their 1st party developer status. From there they could have flipped it and made console games available on Chromecast w/ Google TV once it was ready and keep the achievements tied to the same system as mobile apps. I just think there was too much going on to do too much because the competitors have been strong in the console department... and PC is a beast so the best bet would've been Google Play.

When the time came for streaming, all the games would've needed in Google Play was their own category representing first party originals with a little label to represent them as stream-only titles.

Ideas may seem great at the time, but... it's always good to take the best route for longevity and victory. You don't want to spread yourself thing only to exhaust much-needed resources. I don't know what the cancellation of first-party games will mean for Stadia, but... if they bundle it with another service I think it could survive. 

Overall, they need to keep 1st & 2nd party development in the conversation... because Onlive was 3rd party-only too, and you saw what happened there. Two of the studios will close which will impact 150 developers... and that sucks royally. Try again when you can Google, but... slow your roll.

Read more on Google's plan to close their Montreal & LA studios... here!

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My Response To: Ugly Guys Need To Work Harder + More!

Apple Arcade vs Google Stadia? Its On!!!

If you haven't heard... Apple has responded to Google (indirectly) with their own gaming platform.

Yes, folks, the Apple Arcade will be launching Fall 2019... but how will it compare? I guess it doesn't really have to compare, but I've seen... more promise from Google's Stadia platform.

I won't crap on Apple Arcade, because who knows what will be released on it. The Pathless... looks pretty good, so does OCEANHORN 2: Knights of the Lost Realm, Beyond a Steel Sky... which has a Borderlands meets Fallout vibe to it... and more. So who knows.

Apple Arcade will be an... All You Can Play subscription service.

No ads... No in-app purchases. 100+ games will be available.

Playable on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and... Apple TV (including offline... anywhere).

One plus I see with this is the ability for 6 family members to use the subscription. So families that use Apple products faithfully (which wouldn't be me)... they can game on one subscription.

Can they game all at once? Who knows. That... would be a question worth knowing, because taking turns would suck... royally. If everyone can game simultaneously, that's multiplayer action without the need to fish through a server (if you can game online with this).

Overall, I think it's good, because... both Apple and Google are giving their customer's more options. As long as the price is right... they should be fine, but I still think that Google has the upper hand as far as core gamers are concerned... just feels like there's more there. Doesn't mean it makes for better games... but Stadia caught my eye so much more than Apple Arcade. 

I'm not buying Apple products for that. Either way... if it means more people gaming, thumbs up!

Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co!

Google Stadia: This is how you rock the boat!

If Google doesn't mess this up... and they actually already have the structure in place for Stadia to be used the way they're presenting it (as seen below)... it could be worth the investment. If the price is right!

Google is approaching the mound of what other companies like Onlive have approached, and I don't want to jinx anything... but I think Google has made enough sound decisions in this department to do okay. Gaming is a different beast... but who knows, i'm optimistic.

The Stadia controllers look like they could use some work, but... I think they really have something on their hands that can break ground where others have failed. They already have multiple other products, and to actually use some of those products in combination with their gaming platform... brings gamers closer to something I've mentioned in the past.

You can turn your gaming session into an event without 3rd party software to make it tick. I don't want to jinx anything, but based on what they're presenting... it really does feel like that. YouTube can be tied in, chat, and who knows what else. Onlive didn't have the user base Google has, and they already have multiple mobile gamers downloading and pouring crap tons of hours into titles available on Google Play... so I really think this will work.

Enjoy the keynote and i'll get back to you with more gab in about an hour and 19 minutes.

As you see, they're presenting Stadia as a platform that allows you to play AAA games (from 1080p up to the future 8k) on PC, Phone, and TV without major hardware on your end. You can play with devices you already have... which is a plus, so regardless of what controllers they have, you can use your own.

Their controller connects directly to your wireless, and has other features like capture, but if they're allowing others to be used... some features should work with the tried and true that some of us hold near and dear.

If their controller is awesome, and the platform proves to be something built for the long haul... it could be worth the buy... (say it with me) if the price is right! One of the biggest pluses that Stadia could bring... (in my opinion) is the ability to play with more people. I wrote a "Dear Developer" post about how some games eliminate their own potential player base merely based on specs.

So to have something like Stadia that doesn't require gamers to have hardware to back up that desire to game... the player base should boom (plus they presented it as being open to cross-platform). There are people i'd love to game with more often, but usually don't because they're on alternate systems, or simply don't own one. Everyone I know has a mobile phone and a TV. Give me a sec (geeking).

Internet speed requirements will be the biggest factor next to price... when it comes to Stadia.
I really don't think that games will be a problem... because Google Play has already stood the test of time, unlike Onlive.

They're working on 1st party titles (via STADIA Games & Entertainment), which Valve has gone to sleep on (can't say Google won't do the same with Stadia, but lets see). It looks like Stadia will also have 2nd party titles, and 3rd party should be a major duh considering the user base Google has. There will undoubtedly be a bunch of re-releases.

K.A. threw out the possibility that Google might just be offering a streaming service of games that we already own, versus being competition for the... competition, but I highly doubt it. That would result in them using their resources to help you stream games you bought else where. Good luck on that.

This is how you rock the boat in a good way. Developers and gamers win. One thing that hasn't come up in the chatter is... how is it going to impact the iPhone? Google could rock the iPhone if you can't use Stadia on it, because gamers that really want it on their phones would be put in a position where they have to make a decision... or own two phones.

Options are good... and I hope this is yet another great one that brings more of us together for memorable game play moments. I could end this by saying "Thank you and Good Night!", but I have to bring up a potential downside.

Google allows you to report people on YouTube, and sometimes its a good thing, but sometimes... people get reported for no reason at all and channels get affected. That can wreck a gamer's channel, and potentially their account. Don't know how that will all work out, but i'm sure there will be enough vocal gamers out there to help them work out the kinks.

As seen in the announcement... Stadia takes launch in 2019, which might seem too soon, but they might be launching to get ahead of the competition like, Microsoft. Who knows how it might affect Xbox, but the writing on the wall is showing more and more (to me) as Microsoft turns to PC.

Google doesn't have a vested interest in consoles, so releasing something like Stadia that doesn't require hardware updates on our end... gets a thumbs up if it lasts, and... if the price is right. 

THANK YOU, GOOD NIGHT, and... GAME ON!

Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co!

Google Plus goes buh-bye!

As of February 4th, Google Plus began its shutdown. Google Plus pages like ours will also bite the dust April 2nd, 2019 (tear tear). 

https://plus.google.com/+SDGTEntertainment

Google plus always felt like the little engine that couldn't... but... it tried. Why didn't it reach its full potential? That's a great question for Google. They have a popular phone OS (one of the giants), they have Chromecast, they have Chromebook, they have Chrome, they have YouTube (and then some). There was actually going to be a "Dear Developers" post speaking about Google Plus (etc) but... it's still sitting in the draft area from January 2nd, 2019.

Now that it's end has come... I guess i'll go ahead and speak about it and how it could've survive. Basically, I think Google Plus would've been bigger than it was if it were actually a lot more cohesive with other Google apps than it was. Yes you can share... just like we shared on Google Plus, but if it were more integrated in the Android phones, Chromebooks, and so forth... it wouldn't have felt like it was tucked in the back somewhere.

Before they even launched Google Plus... they should've figured out how to have Google Plus comments sync with YouTube comments or replace it. Standard chat on Chromebook and Android could've been through Google Plus using our contacts that we add to our chat list. That could've included standard phone contacts, and contacts through Google apps. Google Plus isn't the only app that would've been covered in that post... because I wanted to highlight that Google and other software developers should consider making things cohesive for one kick ass ecosystem.

Making multiple ambitious apps that serve a number of purposes is cool. Different strokes for different folks, but... if its something meant to target the user base at large... its sad to see the resources wasted on something that likely just needed a bit more integration in the right places. I'm curious though... will there be something new from Google that rises like a Phoenix from the ashes of Google Plus? We shall see.

If you have content that you'd like to salvage, get to it asap.

Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co!

From the Source: Nintendo + Ninja Girls, Monsters, & Zombies... oh my! + ISP's should be scared

From the Source: Nintendo

March 12, 2015

Nintendo News

Nintendo 3DS is Best-Selling Hardware Platform in February

The one-two-three punch of New Nintendo 3DS XL, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate helped Nintendo 3DS become the top-selling hardware platform in the United States in February. All three products launched in the United States on Feb. 13, and even with only 17 days of data being reported they were able to accomplish the following:

• In its 48^th month on the market, the Nintendo 3DS family sold nearly 395,000 units in the U.S. The great majority of these sales were New Nintendo 3DS XL systems, which sold 130 percent more units in its initial frame than Nintendo 3DS XL did when it launched on Aug. 19, 2012.
• The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D was the top-selling title for the month with more than 515,000 combined physical and digital units sold. The game is now the fastest-selling Legend of Zelda hand-held title in U.S. history.
• Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate sold more than 290,000 combined physical and digital units and is now the fastest-selling Monster Hunter title – across all platforms – in U.S. history. In addition, the game has the highest Metascore of any Monster Hunter title and is also Capcom’s fastest-selling title on the Nintendo 3DS platform in U.S. history.
• Through the first two months of 2015, sales of Nintendo 3DS hardware have increased by more than 90 percent over sales in the same period in 2014.

Nintendo also saw strong results for Wii U, which had its best year ever in 2014 and has continued to build on that momentum in 2015. Specific achievements include:

• So far in 2015, sales of Wii U hardware have increased by more than 20 percent over sales in the same period in 2014.
• Life-to-date sales of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and amiibo have surpassed 1.5 million total units and 3.5 million figures, respectively, an attach rate of nearly 2.5 amiibo figures per game unit sold.

Mario Party 10 + Mario amiibo bundle (Wii U, March 20)

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (Nintendo 3DS, April 10)

Splatoon (Wii U, May)

The momentum for Nintendo software and systems should continue over the next few months thanks to a strong lineup of software that includes Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (Nintendo 3DS, March 13)

Full Steam Ahead! Battle Aliens Using a Star-Spangled Strike Team in Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.

Enhanced Control Options and amiibo Support on New Nintendo 3DS XL

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Developed by Intelligent Systems, the creators of the beloved Fire Emblem and Advance Wars series, the single- and multiplayer turn-based strategy game Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. launches for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on March 13. The game places players on the front lines of a series of intricately designed battlefields and requires them to use both brains and brawn to emerge from battle victorious. Players are thrust into the boots of some of the most original and unexpected playable characters ever assembled in a Nintendo video game. These agents of S.T.E.A.M. (Strike Team Eliminating the Alien Menace) are composed of literature- and folklore-inspired icons like John Henry, Tiger Lily, Tom Sawyer, Lion from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and many more – all led by Abraham Lincoln. Players who dive into the action on New Nintendo 3DS XL can even take advantage of the new system’s enhanced controls and creative amiibo functionality.

Developed by Intelligent Systems, the creators of the beloved Fire Emblem and Advance Wars series, the single- and multiplayer turn-based strategy game Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. launches for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on March 13. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Fresh on the heels of the launch of New Nintendo 3DS XL,Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. comes whistling in to give portable players a patriotic punch of action-strategy,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “For players who may be wrapping up The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, or just looking for their next hand-held gaming experience, this refreshingly unique game is just what Honest Abe ordered.”

Steam is a critical component of the game play. Each selectable agent in the game has a boiler on his or her back that generates a certain amount of steam every turn, allowing the player to move and fire at enemies. This simple and intuitive concept leads to many deep and strategic game-play choices. Moving forward across the battlefield uses steam, but players can also explore and then backtrack with no loss of steam, letting players scope out the surroundings and uncover hidden enemies. To add to the strategy and uniqueness of the steam mechanic, players that leave steam in their reserves after a turn can potentially attack during the enemy’s turn by using “Overwatch.” These Overwatch attacks can be performed by equipping specific weapons.

Before beginning each mission, players select a four-member team composed of the game’s many playable characters. As players progress through the wild story, more and more surprising characters will join the strike force, each with his or her own unique primary weapon and ability. Because of the multitude of characters and the vast, well-designed maps, players can approach each stage using different techniques. Players might want to keep their characters together and deploy a full-on attack, or split them up and sneak around corners to scope out the surroundings and take the enemy on with a more stealth-like approach.

In addition to each character’s main weapon, the eclectic agents also possess various secondary weapons and boiler packs that can be equipped before each mission. Want to outfit the powerful John Henry with a secondary weapon that provides him with an Overwatch attack option like the Steam Crossbow? No problem! The deep customization options add a whole new layer of strategy to the game, and encourage playing and replaying the game’s numerous missions in new ways.

The game also offers three different multiplayer modes that pit player against player in exciting local battle modes, or online with a wireless broadband Internet connection. In Death Match, players try to defeat all the enemies on the opposing team to win. Medal Battle asks competitors to earn the most medals after five turns. And in the epic A.B.E. Battle, players pilot massive presidential mechanical robots and battle to victory. Players can even join online tournaments or create their own!

Anyone who plays Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. on a New Nintendo 3DS XL system can experience some additional fun features. In addition to controlling the camera with the C-Stick and basking in the game’s striking graphics using face-tracking 3D, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is one of the first Nintendo 3DS games to feature amiibo compatibility using the built-in NFC technology on New Nintendo 3DS XL. If a Fire Emblem amiibo character like Marth or Ike is tapped on the touch screen of the New Nintendo 3DS XL system, he will join the battle as a playable character in the game. But just like in theFire Emblem games, if these amiibo characters fall in battle, they are gone permanently – well, at least until players tap them in again at the start of the next mission.

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. boils over for Nintendo 3DS on March 13 at a suggested retail price of $39.99.

__________________________________________________________

From the Source: Xseed

Sexy Zombie Slayers Battle an Undead Invasion in Frenetic Action Game Onechanbara Z2: Chaos for PlayStation®4 Naughty but Nice Ninja Girls Undertake a Supernatural Adventure in SENRAN KAGURA 2 Deep Crimson for Nintendo 3DS™  We are excited to announce a supercharged pair of action titles, each featuring a large and varied cast of all-female protagonists who are as beautiful as they are deadly. Onechanbara Z2: Chaos, a brand new entry in the popular series in which sexy zombie slayers battle legions of the undead, is in production for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and scheduled to release in North America this summer. SENRAN KAGURA 2 Deep Crimson, the latest martial arts adventure of the sexy SENRAN KAGURA ninja girls, is also in production and scheduled to release for the Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system in North America this summer. ABOUT Onechanbara Z2: Chaos (PS4) The latest iteration of the Onechanbara sexy zombie slayer series ups the ante with two sets of buxom vampire sisters and over a dozen stages of high-octane real-time swordplay featuring hordes of zombies - not to mention wildly inventive methods for dispatching these undead opponents. Players will square off against the undead in various worldwide locations, with limbs and blood flying every which way by means of physical attacks and acrobatic maneuvers alike, occasionally transforming into a demon for short bursts of added power and speed at the cost of life energy. Each of the four members of the so-called "bikini zombie squad" has her own unique abilities, and skillful play is rewarded with orbs that can be exchanged for upgraded weapons and outfits. For the first time in the series, players can enjoy the game with full English voice-acting or play through with the original Japanese performances. SENRAN KAGURA 2 Deep Crimson (Nintendo 3DS)  Naughty yet very nice ninja girls of the SENRAN KAGURA universe return to the Nintendo 3DS in a fresh, new 2.5D side-scrolling brawler. Featuring the series' trademark high-flying, clothes-ripping battle mechanics, SENRAN KAGURA 2 Deep Crimson follows the events of SENRAN KAGURA Burst, sending all 12 of the original cast members on another supernatural martial arts adventure through modern Japan. For the first time in the series, shinobi can fight in pairs, covering each other's backs or combining special techniques as needed, or fight alone to give their partners time to recover after bouts of intense combat. One player can control both team members, switching back and forth at will, or two players can fight side by side in co-op mode. __________________________________________________________

ISP's should be scared

There have been ISP's like AT&T and Comcast doing... and continuing to do things that absolutely stink. The fight continues after our victorious win for net neutrality (that totally wiped the gengar-style smile right off of their faces), because... greed just refuses to fold. Wait... I think I hear John Boehner crying... hmmm, meh... who the hell care.

The business they receive, obviously isn't enough for them to appreciate... but what really puts a smile on my face is that competition is scaring companies like AT&T. They tried to stop a city from even setting up a fiber optic infrastructure for faster connections, but it didn't appear to work... and its just amazing how they were so comfortable crapping out excuses about how the current speeds were enough until someone else turned up the heat.

You don't deprive people of better... if you have the ability to provide better. Money to set things up was likely not going to be a factor in that either... because plenty of companies have ways of getting grants and funding through taxes (only to turn around and charge you heavily).

It's no mystery to some... but if you had the option to choose between Google Fiber & AT&T Gigapower, you might want to do your research on both. We wouldn't tell you to go with one over the other... because your money is yours to do with what you please, but AT&T charges more if you wish to have more privacy ($29 more). Maybe that's the compensation for them to not sell off your data, but that's a topic for another day... and they wouldn't be the only ones involved because other companies like Lenovo are in the same boat (catching a whole lotta... complaints about those... SuperFish). If a company can't be trusted, they don't deserve a penny.