Fully Charged: Android device mirroring hits Chromecast, Game of Thrones’ amazing visual effects reel, and faster Wi-Fi coming to National Rail (eventually)
It’s our morning roundup of all the little bits and bobs you should read before beginning the day
Android device mirroring finally comes to Chromecast
The lack of simple device mirroring had been one of the Chromecast’s biggest omissions, but that’s finally changing—at least for more notable Android handsets and tablets. Google announced that the updated 1.7 version of the Chromecast app for Android has started to roll out onto Google Play, and that the feature is found within.
As with iOS devices and the Apple TV, Chromecast’s mirroring for Android devices simply puts what’s on your phone or tablet display on the big screen, letting you quickly show off photos, apps, and other media. It’ll work on the Nexus 4/5/7/10, Samsung Galaxy S4/S5 and Note 3/10, HTC One M7, and LG G3/G2/G Pro 2 in the short term, with more devices being added soon.
[Source: Chrome Blog]
READ MORE: Google Chromecast review
See Game of Thrones’ amazing visual effects come to life
Whether or not you’re a fan of the brutal fantasy series, surely any amongst us can appreciate the high-level computer wizardry on display in this look at the visual effects harnessed for season four of Game of Thrones.
Spoliers seem minimal—although if you’re not caught up, maybe bookmark this one for later—and it’s a fun view, with plenty of presentational flair put into simply showing how studio Mackevision inserts hundreds of tiny fake villages into elaborately constructed cities. It’s wild to see how much work goes into even the most minute of details in a shot. And if you don’t notice the effects, then mission accomplished.
[Source: Vimeo]
READ MORE: This free 8-bit Game of Thrones videogame is all kinds of awesome
Speedier Wi-Fi coming to National Rail following record fine
National Rail trains are set to pick up much improved Wi-Fi connectivity in the next three or four years—but only after the company was severely punished by the Office of Rail Regulation for not making it happen much sooner. The BBC reports that National Rail was fined some £70 million for not hitting agreed-upon deadlines for implementing the updated service.
Commuters on the busiest lines should get the first taste of the enhanced Wi-Fi, which is expected to be about 10 times faster than it is now (and hopefully a lot more reliable), and ministers say that the fine—likely to be ultimately reduced—will help fund the improvements, which will provide connectivity via trackside ground equipment rather than satellite signals.
[Source: BBC via Pocket-lint]
First trailer for Heavenly Sword CG movie
Heavenly Sword was one of the first big PlayStation 3 post-launch exclusives, scratching the itch left by the new-gen absence of God of War while delivering an intriguing new universe. However, sales weren’t spectacular, and a sequel was reportedly canceled.
So why now, after seven years, is the property being revived for a straight-to-DVD CG animated film? Unfortunately, the first trailer doesn’t provide much reassurance—the footage looks haphazard and dated, and without the interactive element, we can’t imagine this will be the grand return of Nariko and co. that some might’ve desired.
[Source: IGN (YouTube)]
READ MORE: DmC: Devil May Cry review
Andrew Hayward
Freelance Writer 
