Diablo 4 players with early access are struggling to log in due to ongoing issues with Blizzard's authentication servers.
The problem first came to light on Diablo 4's subreddit, with players reporting problems with accessing the server. It seems that after selecting their character, players are told "queued for game – start game pending"... and then nothing happens. At all.
In the last half hour, Blizzard has acknowledged the issue on its social media channels, stating: "Diablo 4: We're currently investigating an issue affecting our authentication servers, which may result in failed or slow login attempts."
[#Diablo4] We're currently investigating an issue affecting our authentication servers, which may result in failed or slow login attempts.June 3, 2023
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As yet there's been no further update, but at least we know that Blizzard is on the case, eh?
For the most part, it looks like Diablo 4 has gotten off to a refreshingly smooth early access launch period across most platforms… well, unless you're playing on PS5, that is.
Some players reported that, despite having purchased Diablo 4's Deluxe or Ultimate editions, they were struggling to get past the login phase for the four-day early access period.
We awarded the action RPG an impressive five out of five stars, calling it "a meticulously crafted action RPG [that] sets a new standard for isometric, open-world adventures".
"Perhaps Diablo 4’s most adventurous quality is the move towards an open world in the 'modern' sense," we wrote in our Diablo 4 review.
"What could have been a featureless, bland expanse is, instead, a delight. Brimming with intrigue and danger, the open world of Sanctuary fits the Diablo formula like a glove, providing the space in which the game’s macabre aesthetic and bold mechanical design cohere beautifully."
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Struggling to access the extra content in your Street Fighter 6 deluxe and ultimate editions on PS5? You're not alone.
According to posts popping up on Reddit and social media, a number of fighting fans have been having issues with accessing their DLC since yesterday's launch. Despite having paid considerably more for the extra bells and whistles, such as the year one character pass and additional costumes, it seems it doesn't matter what game is listed in your PSN purchase history – you'll only be able to download the standard version.
"So, I bought the Deluxe Version for €95. But I only got the standard Version. I can still buy the Deluxe Version? Did I do something wrong? Or did PSN fk up?" asked one confused player.
"I’m having the same problem on PS5 for the ultimate edition," added another. "I also don’t have the pre-order bonus (the extra color 10). Are other people also missing the colors as well as everything else?"
There's been no formal word from either Capcom or PlayStation on what's causing the issue, but thankfully some clever players think they've found a way to get around the issue while waiting for an official fix.
Some players have been able to fix the problem simply by restoring their PSN licenses, whilst others have had to resort to a more time-consuming fix, which you can see below:
Turn on your PS5, and login to your account
Download the "PS App" on a mobile device (if you haven't already)
Open the app, and login to your PSN account
On the main view, press the "Game Library" button at the bottom, and then select the SF6 icon
On the SF6 view, there should be a "PS5 | Street Fighter 6 >" button - press that button
You should be taken to a view with multiple versions of SF6. Scroll down to your Deluxe/Ultimate edition (should say "Purchased"), and select that version
Once you selected it, press the "Play on Console" button
"Whether you’re just here to check out the globetrotting World Tour mode, or staying for online fun in the Battle Hub, there’s no part of Street Fighter 6’s package that feels particularly lacking," we said in our Street Fighter 6 review, awarding the fighting game an impressive five out of five stars.
"Offline and on, there’s so much to sink your teeth into between its three standalone sectors. Street Fighter 6, above all else, is a fighting game that’s for everyone."
Amazon may eventually offer Amazon Prime customers cheap or even free cellular service, according to a report from Bloomberg (via Yahoo). If true, the company would buy network capabilities from T-Mobile, Verizon, or even Dish Network’s Boost Infinite network and act as its own mobile virtual network operator, a so-called MVNO strategy. Amazon denies that this is happening.
Bloomberg says that Amazon could buy airtime and offer it for $10 per month or less to Amazon Prime customers. The company might even offer cellular service to customers who don’t subscribe to Prime. This pricing would significantly undercut even the most aggressive cellular plans in the US right now. Amazon Prime currently costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
Unlimited prepaid plans on the major US cellular networks run around $60/month for a single line of service, and restrictions often apply. Plans only get cheaper when you add more lines. Google Fi, an MVNO service run by Google, costs $50 per month for a single line, but can be reduced to $20 per month if you have four lines of service. It is unclear how Amazon would handle families under a possible Amazon Prime MVNO.
This is still a rumor even if it makes a lot of sense
Because of the enormous sensitivity that must be involved, no party will fess up to the possible deal. Amazon denies any mobile offering, telling Bloomberg that it is “exploring adding even more benefits for Prime members, but don’t have plans to add wireless at this time.” The mobile carriers that might sell airtime to Amazon also declined to comment.
That makes sense, because this deal would be very disruptive. Right now the US mobile market lacks competition among the carriers. Ever since T-Mobile engulfed Sprint, we’ve had three carriers offering very similar plans at similar price points.
You can get Disney from Verizon, but not Verizon from Disney(Image credit: Disney Plus)
There are occasionally unique deals on new phones. Carriers also make partnerships with streaming services and offer bundles, so you might get Disney or Apple TV or Paramount Plus with your mobile plan. Amazon Prime has even been offered as a bundle option on US carrier plans, including the now-defunct Sprint.
While numerous MVNO brands have come and gone over the years, none have offered serious competition to the larger nationwide networks that control the cell towers. Some of the largest brands, like Boost Mobile and Metro, have been swallowed up by nationwide networks and used as a prepaid brand.
Amazon would offer unique competition in many ways. It already has a built-in subscriber base paying for services. It already has a robust sales channel for products like connected mobile devices. It manages returns, service, and warranty partnerships. These are usually major roadblocks to entry in the mobile network space, but Amazon has almost every base covered.
One thing remains steadfast – the carriers are in control
That said, Amazon doesn’t own cellular towers. There have been talks of Amazon building out a constellation-type satellite network, which could theoretically drive a mobile network, but that hasn’t happened yet. If Amazon, or any company, wants to become a mobile network operator, it needs to buy airtime from a major nationwide provider.
The carriers are not fans of giving up control, no matter how large the partner. When Verizon bundles Disney Plus with its monthly plan, you are still buying your cellular plan from Verizon. We don’t see Disney making the sale, offering you Verizon service if you subscribe to Disney Plus.
Even Apple hasn’t tried to step a toe into the mobile network battle arena. If Amazon offers mobile service with Amazon Prime, the big shakeup would be wrestling control over US customers from the US carriers. The US carriers are incredibly powerful and don’t give up without a fight.
The iPhone 4 eventually came to Verizon and everywhere else(Image credit: Future)
Verizon refused to sell the iPhone for years because Apple wouldn’t give Verizon control over the software. Until the iPhone 4, every iPhone was an AT&T exclusive in the US because Apple wouldn’t load Verizon’s VZ Navigator or even a basic MyVerizon account app. Apple wouldn’t give Verizon any control, so Verizon simply refused to sell the hottest smartphone the world had ever seen. For years. And years.
Eventually, Apple beat a US carrier at its own game, and it never happened again. Every other phone company, from Samsung to Google to Motorola, all bend to the will of the US carriers. Every phone includes carrier software, and some are still locked down to a carrier network.
Amazon and the major networks will deny this is happening until the day it happens, but it makes a lot of sense, and though I’m wary of Amazon’s power, I’m also tired of the triopoly hold on US mobile networks. Three networks isn’t enough.
There hasn’t been enough competition on price or products. Amazon is already taking my money for Prime Video and free shipping. If it can offer a mobile plan for a bit more, the US carriers will need to fight very hard to win me back.
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Google Wallet just got a lot more useful thanks to a sizable update that focuses on meeting users’ everyday needs.
The update comes alongside Google's big June feature drop and adds three new features to the ID, credit card, and ticket-management app. Chief among them is the official launch of state ID and driver’s license support for people living in Maryland. We first saw the ID support late last year when the beta rolled out. From the looks of it, the requirements are still the same: you need to have a “phone running Android 8.0 or later,” plus the device lock must be enabled.
Those digital ID cards can also be used at TSA PreCheck lines at certain airports to speed up the screening process. The full list can be found on the official TSA website. In the coming months, digital ID support should be rolling out to residents of Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia.
Moving down the list, users will be able to digitize passes that contain either “a barcode or QR code” simply by taking a photo of it. You’ll be able to upload things like gym membership cards, transit tickets sporting a QR code, and parking passes. Additionally, Google Messages will now be able to directly upload a received boarding pass or train ticket to Wallet. However, RCS (Rich Communication Services) must be enabled first. The newfound Messages support is seeing a limited rollout as it’ll only work with “Vietnam Airlines and Renfe, Spain’s leading train operator.” No word on whether or not the feature will expand to work with other travel businesses.
Future plans
The work isn’t over yet as Google plans on growing the Wallet app even further. The company states it’s currently working with American health insurance company Humana on “developing a digital version of [the latter’s] insurance card”. Because it would contain sensitive information, this type of pass will require card owners to verify themselves before adding or using the data. People can use either biometrics, a PIN, “or other methods.” For UK users, there are plans to allow residents a way to “save their National Insurance Number” onto Wallet via the HMRC app.
Later this year, the tech giant states it’ll introduce support for “corporate badges… giving employees convenient and secure access to buildings” at their workplace. Speaking of access, Google Wallet is slated to release to more countries “in the next few weeks” although it’s unknown where exactly. We reached out to Google for clarification on launch windows for other regions and future updates. This story will be updated if we hear back.
Sleep is important, and what position we fall asleep in can contribute to health and appearance. Back-sleeping has a range of benefits, from reducing physical pain to preventing wrinkles and pimples. Ultimately, back sleeping has been praised as the best sleeping position.
