Technological World for August 18: Call of Duty: Vanguard to be revealed in Warzone, QuakeCon at Home, Mophie's Snap+ charging stand, Canadian federal election stalls digital legislation

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This week, a new smartphone charging stand from Mophie and the Canadian federal election ends pending digital legislation. But first, we’re on the verge of learning more about Call of Duty: Vanguard and how you can enjoy QuakeCon at Home this week.

The next Call of Duty will be revealed in Warzone tomorrow

If you want to get a look at the next edition of Call of Duty, which is called Vanguard, you’d best set aside some time tomorrow [Thursday, August 19] to log in to Warzone, Call of Duty’s online, free-to-play battle royale experience.

The reveal is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT (11:30 a.m. MT, 1:30 p.m. ET), but players are being encouraged to sign in an hour earlier to take advantage of boosts to experience in any games played during that time.

Season Five of Warzone, which can support 150 players at a time in virtual battles, was released last week.

The special event happening on Thursday is called Battle of Verdansk, which references the fictional city that has been the setting for Warzone since its release in 2020.

The teaser trailer for Call of Duty: Vanguard includes scenes set in the four areas that saw conflict during the Second World War: Eastern and Western Fronts, North Africa, and the Pacific Theatre.

QuakeCon at Home starts tomorrow

The annual celebration of the gaming franchise, Quake, long ago became more of a celebration gaming (and Bethesda gaming properties, as Bethesda owns id Software, which created Quake).

This year’s three-day event is online and free, and is something special as it marks 25 years since the first-person shooter stunned players with its online multiplayer game modes.

In addition to Quake, games being discussed include Doom, Fallout 76, Deathloop, and the Elder Scrolls Online.

The various panels and interviews and behind-the-scenes looks are punctuated with fan giveaways and gameplay demonstrations. It’s all streaming on Twitch, and it culminates with the Quake World Championship grand finals on Saturday afternoon.

Here’s the schedule for QuakeCon 2021, which includes links to the streams for each of the events.

Here’s what Quake looked like back in 1996.

Mophie’s got a new upright stand that can wirelessly charge your smarthphone

I really like not having to muck around with a cable when I want to charge my iPhone, but not all wireless chargers are the same. I’ve had days where I thought my device was charging, only to find that I had three percent on my battery to get through a busy day.

The MagSafe ring that is built into my iPhone 12 makes this easier, because you can just get a charger that supports MagSafe and your handset will align itself. And my new favourite is the recently released Snap+ wireless stand from Mophie.

It’s an upright stand, so when your device is attached it’s off the surface of your desk or table which means it’s actually usable. You can even have your handset sideways which is great if you use your phone as a night table clock and alarm.

And when I move my iPhone 12 close to the stand, the handset snaps into place. It’s weirdly satisfying.

And if you don’t have a MagSafe-enabled smartphone, Mophie includes magnetic rings that you can attach to your smartphones to give it that functionality.

You’re going to love it.

Federal election call strands Liberal digital legislation

Michael Geist notes.

Geist also reviewed the digital policies that are part of the Conservative election platform.

He praises the CPC positions for affirming free speech – the Liberal policies that are now invalid were roundly criticized, with Cory Doctorow writing, Canada’s got the world’s worst internet ideas – but Geist is concerned about CPC plans to reform copyright and fair dealing (Canada’s term for “fair use”).

I hope he does the same for the Greens, Liberals, and NDP platforms.

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