Author: Trafficblast

Google Home Review

Google’s foray into the world of smart speakers began a little over a year ago with the launch of Google Home, powered by the company’s virtual assistant. It can play music, send audio and video to televisions and stereos with the help of a Chromecast, and can respond to all sorts of questions and commands. It costs $129 for the standard Home speaker, $49 for the Home mini version, and $399 for the audio-enhanced Google Home Max. Now that Amazon’s Echo and Apple’s HomePod are out, the smart speaker arms race is heating up, so let’s see what Google’s midrange offering brings to the table.

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MLB The Show 18 Review in Progress

This winter, Shohei Ohtani brought the excitement and allure of a two-way player to Major League Baseball’s offseason. Meanwhile, while he courted most of the teams, the once-dominant Jake Arietta languished in the free-agent pool until accepting Philadelphia’s best offer.

In many ways, MLB The Show 18 has more in common with the oft-dependable Arietta than the shiny-new Otani, whose Babe Ruth-style two-way play on the mound and at the plate had every team lining up to sign him. This year, there’s a familiarity to the gameplay that doesn’t quite excite as much as it used to. The Show 18’s list of improvements lacks the punch some have come to expect from a top-tier game. But like the Phillies, buyers of MLB The Show 18 should know that they are getting a reliable and high-quality product, just maybe not the most alluring we’ve seen in the past few years.

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MLB The Show 18 Player Ratings Revealed: Here Are The Best Players

With just a few days to go before MLB The Show 18‘s official release on March 27, Sony has now announced the game’s highest-rated players at all positions.

Cover star Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is the third highest-rated right fielder, with an 86 overall rating. The top-rated starting pitcher is Clayton Kershaw (92).

Here is a breakdown for the rankings for all the other positions: 1B (Joey Votton, 87), 2B (Jose Altuve, 91), SS (Manny Machado, 86), LF (Giancarlo Stanton 85), RF (Bryce Harper, 88), CF (Mike Trout, 93), C (Buster Posey, 87), RP (Kenley Janser, 92).

Player ratings in MLB The Show 18 will change throughout the season as players progress–or regress. But these are the values where they’ll start. You can see the Top 10 highest-rated players at every position below.

Although MLB The Show 18’s release date isn’t until March 27, everyone who pre-ordered can start playing today, March 23. GameSpot will have more on the game, including a full review, in the days ahead after we can spend more time with the professional baseball game.

MLB The Show 18 Player Ratings

First Base

  1. Joey Votto, CIN (87)
  2. Paul Goldschmidt, ARI (86)
  3. Anthony Rizzo, CHC (85)
  4. Freddie Freeman, ATL (85)
  5. Cody Bellinger, LAD (83)
  6. Miguel Cabrera, DET (82)
  7. Eric Hosmer, SD (82)
  8. Jose Abreu, CWS (82)
  9. Ryan Zimmerman, WSH (81)
  10. Justin Smoak, TOR (78)

Second Base

  1. Jose Altuve, HOU (91)
  2. Daniel Murphy, WSH (83)
  3. Brian Dozier, MIN (83)
  4. Dustin Pedroia, BOS (81)
  5. Robinson Cano, SEA (81)
  6. Ian Kinsler, LAA (80)
  7. Jonathan Schoop, BAL (80)
  8. Cesar Hernandez, PHI (78)
  9. Whit Merrifield, KC (78)
  10. D.J. Lemahieu, COL (78)

Shortstop

  1. Manny Machado, BAL (86)
  2. Francisco Lindor, CLE (85)
  3. Carlos Correa, HOU (85)
  4. Corey Seager, LAD (85)
  5. Trea Turner, WSH (82)
  6. Andrelton Simmons, LAA (82)
  7. Did Gregorius, NYY (81)
  8. Xander Bogaerts, BOS (81)
  9. Elvis Andrus, TEX (80)
  10. Jose Reyes, NYM (79)

Left Field

  1. Giancarlo Stanton, NYY (85)
  2. Yoenis Cespedes, NYM (84)
  3. J.D. Martinez, BOS (82)
  4. Marcell Dzuna, STL (82)
  5. Christian Yeliich, MIL (82)
  6. Michael Brantley, CLE (81)
  7. Justin Upton, LAA (80)
  8. Michael Conforto, NYM (79)
  9. Andrew Benintendi, BOS (79)
  10. Brett Gardner, NYY (78)

Right Field

  1. Bryce Harper, WSH (88)
  2. Mookie Betts, BOS (87)
  3. Aaron Judge, NYY (86)
  4. Nelson Cruz, SEA (81)
  5. Andrew McCutchen, SF (81)
  6. Ryan Braun, MIL (80)
  7. Yasiel Puig, LAD (79)
  8. Josh Reddick, HOU (79)
  9. Avisail Garcia, CWS (79)
  10. Jay Bruce, NYM (76)

Centerfield

  1. Mike Trout, LAA (93)
  2. Charlie Blackmon, COL (85)
  3. George Springer, HOU (84)
  4. Lorenzon Cain, MIL (82)
  5. Tommy Pham, STL (82)
  6. Kevin Kiermaier, TB (82)
  7. Starling Marte, PIT (81)
  8. Ender Inciarte, ATL (81)
  9. Chris Taylor, LAD (80)
  10. A.J. Pollock, ARI (79)

Catcher

  1. Buster Posey, SF (87)
  2. Gary Sanchez, NYY (84)
  3. Salvador Perez, KC (83)
  4. Wilson Contreras, CHC (83)
  5. Yadier Molina, STL (81)
  6. J.T. Realmuto, MIA (80)
  7. Kurt Suzuki, ATL (79)
  8. Jonathan Lucroy, OAK (79)
  9. Brian McCann, HOU (78)
  10. Wilson Ramos, TB (78)

Starting Pitcher

  1. Clayton Kershaw, LAD (92)
  2. Max Scherzer, WSH (90)
  3. Corey Kluber, CLE (89)
  4. Chris Sale, BOS (89)
  5. Stephen Strausburg, WSH (87)
  6. Noah Syndergaard, NYM (86)
  7. Jacob deGrom, NYM (85)
  8. Madison Bumgarner, SF (85)
  9. Carlos Carrasco, CLE (85)
  10. Justin Verlander, HOU (84)

Relief Pitcher

  1. Kenley Jansen, LAD (92)
  2. Andrew Miller, CLE (91)
  3. Craig Kimbrel, BOS (87)
  4. Aroldis Chapman, NYY (85)
  5. Robert Osiuna, TOR (84)
  6. Ken Giles, HOU (82)
  7. Dellin Betances, NYY (82)
  8. Chad Green, NYY (82)
  9. Brad Hand, SD (81)
  10. Felipe Rivero, PIT (81)

Sherlock Gnomes Review

More plain than it is ugly, and more humdrum than it is shrill, Sherlock Gnomes – a sequel to 2011’s lukewarmly received Gnomeo & Juliet – is the very definition of middle-of-the-road children’s entertainment. It contains nothing that is offensive, challenging, or complex, nor does it contain any great deal of wit, color, or imagination. It is something that may be distantly exciting for kids, and merely tolerable for adults, likely leaving the minds of both shortly after exiting the theater.

That Gnomes is insubstantial rather than dizzyingly frantic may come as a relief – indeed may even serve as a salve – to those who have been overfed on the sugar-fueled and/or vomitous kiddie films of recent vintage (The Emoji Movie, The Nut Job, etc.). Although I understand “merely average” is faint praise.

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Atari Says Its System is a Less Ambitious Steam Machine

At GDC this week, I got an up-close look at the Atari VCS. Atari’s upcoming home machine, originally referred to simply as the ‘Atari Box’, is very different from what I was expecting, and it’s likely not what you think it is either.

It’s not Atari’s version of the NES Mini, it’s not a console trying to compete with the Xbox One or PS4, and it’s not really an Atari-Ouya. Put as simply as possible, the Atari VCS is a Linux-based living room PC, similar to Atari’s take on a Steam Machine. The version I saw was just for display, but I got a rundown of what to expect in the final product.

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All The EA/Origin Access Free Games

[Updated March 23 with many more Origin Access games]

Electronic Arts’ Xbox One subscription service, EA Access, launched in August 2014 with four free games, including FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, Peggle 2, and Battlefield 4. Since then, EA has added dozens more and launched a version of the service on PC called Origin Access.

We’ve now rounded up all the freebies into lists, which you can see below. We will update this post in the days, weeks, and years ahead when more games are added. EA has vowed never to remove any games from the “Vault” of freebies. “I think one of the key things is that once a game goes into the Vault it stays there, it’s not going to be taken out, that’s a commitment we’ve made,” Peter Moore said.

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No version of EA Access is available on PlayStation 4. According to Sony, the service does not offer the kind of value PlayStation fans have come to expect. That being said, Sony maintains that it is open to having a dialogue with EA about how it might be able to bring EA Access to PS4 someday.

In addition to free games, EA/Origin Access members can play some games (but not all) ahead of launch; most of the time, subscribers get a five-day headstart. Another benefit is that subscribers save 10 percent on all EA digital content, which knocks down the price of a $60 game to $54.

The service costs $5/month or $30/year.

EA Access Free Games (As of March 23, 2018)

New and upcoming games are bolded

  • Battlefield 1
  • Battlefield 3
  • Battlefield 4
  • Battlefield: Bad Company
  • Battlefield: Bad Company 2
  • Battlefield Hardline
  • Bejeweled 2
  • Bejeweled 3
  • Black (added January 18, 2018)
  • Dead Space
  • Dead Space 2
  • Dead Space 3
  • Dead Space Ignition
  • Dragon Age: Origins
  • Dragon Age: Inquisition
  • EA Sports UFC
  • EA Sports UFC 2
  • Feeding Frenzy
  • Feeding Frenzy 2
  • FIFA 14
  • FIFA 15
  • FIFA 16
  • FIFA 17
  • Heavy Weapon
  • Madden NFL 15
  • Madden NFL 16
  • Madden NFL 17
  • Madden NFL 25
  • Mass Effect
  • Mass Effect 2
  • Mass Effect 3
  • Mass Effect: Andromeda
  • Medal of Honor Airborne
  • Mirror’s Edge
  • Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
  • NBA Live 14
  • NBA Live 15
  • NBA Live 16
  • Need for Speed
  • Need for Speed Rivals
  • NHL 15
  • NHL 16
  • NHL 17
  • Peggle 2
  • Plants vs. Zombies
  • Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare
  • Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
  • Rory McIlroy PGA Tour
  • Skate 3
  • SSX
  • Star Wars Battlefront + DLC Expansions
  • Titanfall
  • Titanfall 2
  • Unravel
  • Zuma
  • Zuma’s Revenge

Origin Access Free Games (As of January 18, 2018)

  • Aragami
  • The Banner Saga
  • Batman: Arkham Asylum (added March 8, 2018)
  • Batman: Arkham City (added March 8, 2018)
  • Batman: Arkham Origins (added March 8, 2018)
  • Battlefield 1
  • Battlefield 3
  • Battlefield 4
  • Battlefield Hardline
  • Bulletstorm Lite (coming soon)
  • Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection
  • Crysis
  • Crysis 2
  • Crysis 3
  • Crusader: No Regret
  • Crusader: No Remorse
  • Dead Space
  • Dead Space 2
  • Dead Space 3
  • Dragon Age: Origins
  • Dragon Age 2
  • Dragon Age: Inquisition
  • Dungeon Keeper
  • Dungeon Keeper 2
  • Dungeons of Dredmore
  • FIFA 15
  • FIFA 16
  • FIFA 17
  • Furi
  • Hacknet
  • Jade Empire
  • Lego Batman (added March 8, 2018
  • Lego Batman 2 (added March 8, ,2018)
  • Lego Batman 3 (added March 8, 2018)
  • Lost Castle (added March 23, 2018)
  • Mass Effect
  • Mass Effect 2
  • Mass Effect 3
  • Medal of Honor Allied Assault
  • Mini Metro
  • Mirror’s Edge
  • Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
  • Need For Speed
  • Need for Speed: Most Wanted
  • Need For Speed: Rivals
  • Orwell
  • Out of the Park Baseball 19 (added March 23, 2018)
  • Oxenfree
  • Peggle
  • Plants vs. Zombies
  • Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare
  • Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
  • Pony Island
  • Populous
  • Populous II
  • Rebel Galaxy
  • The Saboteur
  • SimCity
  • SimCity 2000
  • SimCity 4
  • Star Wars Battlefront: Ultimate Edition
  • The Sims 3
  • The Sims 4: Digital Deluxe Edition
  • This War of Mine
  • Titanfall
  • Titanfall 2
  • Torchlight II
  • Trine
  • Trine 2: Complete Story
  • Ultima I – IX
  • Unravel
  • Wasteland 2 (added March 23, 2018)
  • Wing Commander
  • Wing Commander II
  • Wing Commander III
  • Wing Commander IV
  • Wing Commander Privateer
  • The Witness (added March 23, 2018)

Toys R Us Founder Dead at 94

Toys “R” Us’ founder, Charles Lazarus, has passed away.

According to Bloomberg, Lazarus, aged 94, died Thursday. According to a Toys “R” Us spokesperson, Lazarus was known “for his positive energy, passion for the customer and love for children everywhere.”

Lazarus opened the first location in Maryland in 1957, and a combination of the store’s wide array of toys, competitive pricing, and reliability helped to push the toy industry from being one focused largely on Christmas, to one which could thrive all year-round.

When he was a child, Lazarus helped his father repair broken bicycles and sell them. Later, when he took over his father’s shop, he began to sell baby furniture before switching to selling toys. Originally the store was called Children’s Supermart, but when he expanded and opened the first toy-specific location in Maryland, he changed the name to Toys “R” Us.

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Deadpool 2 Trailer: Full Breakdown, Easter Eggs and References

Greetings true believers! We just got a brand new trailer for Deadpool 2 — yes, that is the official title — and our sharp-eyed experts have gone through frame by frame to spot every detail you might’ve missed.

Watch the video above for all the Easter eggs, references and more, or scroll through the slideshow below…

And that’s what we saw. Spot any clues we’ve missed? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

For more of IGN’s Deadpool 2 coverage, make sure to watch the full red band trailer, or dig in on who exactly Deadpool’s new X-Force team members are!

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