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Showing posts from December, 2020

Logo lawsuit between Apple and Prepear could soon be resolved

In August, Apple, a company with a market cap of $2.27 trillion, launched a trademark lawsuit against tiny app developer and fitness startup Super Healthy Kids over claims the logo used in its Perpear recipe app is based on Apple's. https://www.techspot.com/news/88133-logo-lawsuit-between-apple-prepear-could-soon-resolved.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Nvidia's GeForce RTX 30 series mobile GPUs could debut at CES 2021

The RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3070, RTX 3080, and the RTX 3090 graphics cards will probably remain hard to find in weeks to come due to a combination of scalpers, a tight supply and high demand, but at least we know how well they perform (they're pretty fast), as well... https://www.techspot.com/news/88126-nvidia-geforce-rtx-30-series-mobile-gpus-could.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

At least 100 million PCs still run Windows 7, one year after support ended

On January 14, 2020, Windows 7 reached the end of its extended support period. After this point, only business and education customers willing to pay the high prices have been able to receive ESUs. https://www.techspot.com/news/88131-least-100-million-pcs-run-windows-7-one.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Watch Boston Dynamics' robots perform an end-of-year dance

In the video posted Tuesday, we see the entire Boston Dynamics lineup performing some fantastic moves and choreographic sequences to Do You Love Me by The Contours. Leading the show are two of the company's Atlas robots, joined by the canine-like Spot and box-stacking Handle. https://www.techspot.com/news/88120-watch-boston-dynamics-robots-perform-end-year-dance.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

GeForce RTX 3070 vs. Radeon RX 6800: 41 Game Benchmark

It's time for a GPU shootout to see how the GeForce RTX 3070 and Radeon RX 6800 compare by benchmarking them head to head in 41 games. That's ton of games to be tested and more than twice what we included in our day one review for both graphics cards. https://www.techspot.com/review/2174-geforce-rtx-3070-vs-radeon-rx-6800/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

This 25-inch E Ink monitor is easy on the eyes

With no blue light, flashing, or backlight, Dasung targets its E Ink displays at those who experience eye problems when using a computer, kids and teens whose eyes are developing, elderly people suffering from dry and tired eyes, and office workers. https://www.techspot.com/news/88117-25-inch-e-ink-monitor-easy-eyes.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

With no beta or release date, Star Citizen's Squadron 42 looks further away than ever

Pre-production of Star Citizen began back in the simpler days of 2010, with the famous Kickstarter campaigns taking place two years later. In 2016, developer Roberts Space Industries (RSI) split Squadron 42 from the main Star Citizen product, selling it as a standalone game for $45 or $15 if you also bought the MMO. https://www.techspot.com/news/88106-no-beta-or-release-date-star-citizen-squadron.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Resolution Scaling: The Secret to Playable "4K Gaming"

Resolution scaling is a great option if you're looking to gain an additional 10-15% performance after tweaking settings. If you're playing at a high resolution like 4K, and you combine res scaling with image sharpening, the results are often very close to native. https://www.techspot.com/article/2161-resolution-scaling-gaming-performance/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

LG's 4K/8K QNED TVs with Mini LED tech arrive next year

While LG is known for its excellent OLED televisions, QNED sets are part of its LCD lineup. Mini LED technology uses smaller and much more LEDs than high-end LCD TVs, boosting their peak brightness and contrast ratio. https://www.techspot.com/news/88104-lg-4k8k-qned-tvs-mini-led-tech-arrive.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Xiaomi is dropping the charger from its next phone despite mocking Apple for doing the same

Soon after the iPhone 12 launched in October, Xiaomi became the latest company to join in the derision aimed at Apple, tweeting: “Don’t worry, we didn’t leave anything out of the box with the Mi 10T Pro.” The post included a video showing the phone’s box with a wall charger... https://www.techspot.com/news/88093-xiaomi-dropping-charger-next-phone-despite-mocking-apple.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Explainer: What are MMX, SSE, and AVX?

Computer technology is no strange to acronyms: CPU, RAM, SSD, to name but a few. Ever so often, new ones appear on the scene in the never-ending quest to improve the capabilities of our computing devices. Today we'll explain processor instruction set extensions MMX, SSE, and AVX. https://www.techspot.com/article/2166-mmx-sse-avx-explained/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Check out Steam's top-selling and most-popular games of 2020

As usual, Valve doesn't list the games in order; instead, it places them into Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze groups. Interestingly, most of the Platinum Games—barring those in the New Releases category, obviously—launched before 2020. https://www.techspot.com/news/88091-check-out-steam-top-selling-most-popular-games.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

That time when Steve Jobs and Bill Gates shared the stage in a joint interview

The year was 2007. Microsoft was as dominant force as ever in the tech industry. Bill Gates was the company's chief software architect. Windows Vista was on its first year. Internet Explorer was the top web browser and the Xbox 360 was proving naysayers wrong. Apple was back in the... https://www.techspot.com/news/88089-time-when-steve-jobs-bill-gates-shared-stage.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

MediaTek becomes world's largest smartphone chipset vendor

The information comes from research firm Counterpoint, which explains that MediaTek’s growth in key regions like China and India, combined with its strong performance in the $100-250 price bracket, are two key reasons for the company’s success in Q3 2020. https://www.techspot.com/news/88087-mediatek-becomes-world-largest-smartphone-chipset-vendor.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

CD Projekt Red slapped with class action lawsuit over buggy Cyberpunk 2077 launch

Highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 was released earlier this month to mixed reviews, as its visually impressive Night City environment and decent story was crushed under a mountain of technical issues on certain platforms, ranging from somewhat funny glitches to game-breaking bugs like corrupted save files. https://www.techspot.com/news/88085-cd-projekt-red-slapped-class-action-lawsuit-over.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

China launches antitrust probe into Alibaba and Ant Group for "picking one from two" strategy

The Chinese government announced it has started an antitrust investigation into Alibaba, the country's largest tech company, which extends to sister company of Ant Group that was recently targeting an IPO at a valuation of $37 billion. https://www.techspot.com/news/88083-china-launches-antitrust-probe-alibaba-ant-group-picking.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

How Arm Came to Dominate the Mobile Market, and It's Coming for More

Whenever you think of mobile computing, Arm is likely the first company that comes to mind, or it should be. Billions of Arm chips are used on phones, TVs, embedded systems and tablets. But they're coming for more. https://www.techspot.com/article/1989-arm-inside/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Trump pardons US congressman who spent $1,500 of campaign funds on Steam games

Hunter and his wife Margaret were indicted in 2018 for using campaign funds to pay for miscellaneous goods and services for themselves and their family between 2010 and 2016. In addition to hotels, overseas vacations, and plane tickets, the money went on everyday items such as groceries, utilities, and clothes.... https://www.techspot.com/news/88081-trump-pardons-us-congressman-who-spent-1500-campaign.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

OnePlus will launch its first smartwatch in early 2021

In a recent post on Twitter, co-founder Pete Lau said fans have long requested the company make a watch. “As you might have heard over the weekend – we’re making one, to be released early next year,” Lau added. https://www.techspot.com/news/88075-oneplus-launch-first-smartwatch-early-2021.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Watch the trailer for Netflix's series on swearing, starring Nicolas Cage

Called the History of Swear Words, the show begins with the star unleashing the same lengthy four-lettered scream from his role in Deadfall. Later in the trailer, it’s confirmed that the word is definitely not an acronym for Fornication Under Consent of the King, as some people would have you... https://www.techspot.com/news/88073-watch-trailer-netflix-series-swearing-starring-nicolas-cage.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

KFC's console with built-in chicken chamber is a real Intel NUC mini PC

Following the initial announcement of the KFConsole, which boasts 4K/240 FPS and chicken-warming abilities, the company later announced that the November 12 release date was being pushed back—presumed to be a joke aimed at Cyberpunk 2077 and its many delays. https://www.techspot.com/news/88071-kfc-console-built-chicken-chamber-real-intel-nuc.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Global semiconductor shortage is contributing to tech inventory woes

According to ExtremeTech, the semiconductor supply chain was already operating at full tilt before the pandemic. As we became more reliant than ever on tech for work and entertainment over the last several months, demand for tech gear soared. When doors started shutting for Huawei in September, other manufacturers like... https://www.techspot.com/news/88066-global-semiconductor-shortage-contributing-tech-inventory-woes.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

GameStop is refunding copies of Cyberpunk 2077, even if they've been opened

Despite the bugs and some performance issues, Cyberpunk 2077 did manage to draw over one million concurrent Steam players at launch, beating Fallout 4's record for a single-player experience, but the problems on PS4 and Xbox One were apparent from the start. https://www.techspot.com/news/88063-gamestop-refunding-copies-cyberpunk-2077-even-if-theyve.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Microsoft and McAfee part of newly formed anti-ransomware coalition

Ransomware might not be the most common or financially lucrative type of malware, but with cybercriminals targeting local governments and hospitals, it has the potential to be the most dangerous. https://www.techspot.com/news/88060-microsoft-mcafee-part-newly-formed-anti-ransomware-coalition.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

AMD preparing to launch two new Zen 3 CPUs, but only for OEMs

According to multiple sources on Twitter, the two inbound processors are the Ryzen 7 5800 and the Ryzen 9 5900. Both are alternative versions of their “X” counterparts with identical core counts (eight and 12, respectively), albeit with lower 65W TDPs and likely, reduced clock speeds. https://www.techspot.com/news/88052-amd-reportedly-prepping-two-new-ryzen-desktop-processors.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The OnePlus 8T Concept is a color-changing phone that can monitor your breathing

The OnePlus 8T Concept is, as the name suggests, based on the well-received OnePlus 8T that arrived a few months ago. The phone achieves its chameleon-like abilities through OnePlus' Electronic Color, Material and Finish (ECMF) technology. This uses a film containing metal oxide that lies beneath the glass back and... https://www.techspot.com/news/88048-oneplus-8t-concept-color-changing-phone-can-monitor.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Cyberpunk 2077's save files are corrupting when players craft too many items.

While the save issue was initially thought to affect all platforms, it is reportedly limited to the game's PC and Stadia versions. Users across the CD Projekt Red forums and Reddit did some investigating and concluded that save files over 8MB are being corrupted, with one user suggesting that crafting... https://www.techspot.com/news/88045-cyberpunk-2077-save-files-corrupting-when-players-craft.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Class-action lawsuits reportedly brewing over Cyberpunk 2077 buggy launch

It seems the ride isn't over yet. And while we're all but hoping for a happy ending and a transformative process No Man's Sky-style, according to a report from The New York Times, there’s the real possibility of one or more class-action lawsuits in the aftermath of CD Projekt Red's... https://www.techspot.com/news/88044-class-action-lawsuits-reportedly-brewing-over-cyberpunk-2077.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Samsung Odyssey G9 Review: Super-Ultrawide

The absolutely enormous Samsung Odyssey G9 is a curved super-ultrawide monitor that promises to offer the most immersive gaming experience on the market. This is a 49-inch monitor equivalent to two 27-inch 1440p displays stitched together. https://www.techspot.com/review/2163-samsung-odyssey-g9/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Cyberpunk 2077 v1.05 fixes a laundry list of issues

Cyberpunk 2077 has largely been criticized over performance issues, especially regarding how it runs on first-gen PS4s and XB1s. While CD Projekt Red did not list specifics in its v1.05 patch notes, it did mention that it has made "multiple stability improvements, including crash fixes" across all platforms. Crashing has... https://www.techspot.com/news/88040-cyberpunk-2077-v105-fixes-laundry-list-issues.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Looking ahead: The internet frontier in 2021

Looking back on the year and the pandemic timeline, the internet more than ever became core to business, the economy and society. Over a few short months, students across the globe were forced to pivot to learning online as quickly as possible, as classrooms were shuttered. More people were stranded... https://www.techspot.com/news/88035-looking-ahead-internet-frontier-2021.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Microsoft rumored to be developing its own custom Arm chips for servers and Surface PCs

Microsoft is no stranger to development of custom chips. The company collaborated with Qualcomm to create the custom Snapdragon SQ1 for the Surface Pro X and later updated it with the SQ2. The Surface Laptop 3 has a custom Ryzen 3 processor. However, this would be the first time Microsoft... https://www.techspot.com/news/88034-microsoft-rumored-developing-own-custom-arm-chips-servers.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Great conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn is just a few days away

On December 21, Jupiter and Saturn will come together in the night sky in an event known as a great conjunction. In astronomy, a great conjunction happens when the two gas giants appear extremely close together in the sky as observed from Earth. https://www.techspot.com/news/88030-jupiter-saturn-appear-closer-together-night-sky-than.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Apple explains how AirPods Max conserve power when not in use

Last week Apple launched AirPods Max—a set of over-ear wireless headphones with the same key features as AirPods Pro. Users had mixed feelings about the new headset. The quality and appearance are superb, and the functionality is familiar, but users have been perplexed about how to turn them off. https://www.techspot.com/news/88026-apple-explains-how-airpods-max-conserve-power-when.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

IBM and Fujifilm's new magnetic tape can store 580TB of data on a single cartridge

Combine the importance of preserving huge amounts of critical data with an exponential growth rate, and it becomes understandable why a storage technology as old as the magnetic tape is still seeing advancements today. The medium's latest breakthrough comes from a partnership between IBM and Fujifilm for work on a... https://www.techspot.com/news/88024-ibm-fujifilm-new-magnetic-tape-can-store-580tb.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Sony has removed Cyberpunk 2077 from the PlayStation Store 'until further notice'

You read that correctly: Cyberpunk 2077, one of the most anticipated and best-selling RPGs of the year -- 15 million copies have reportedly been sold to date -- has just been pulled from one of the top gaming marketplaces in the world. The news is shocking, to say the least:... https://www.techspot.com/news/88020-sony-has-removed-cyberpunk-2077-playstation-store-until.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Apple reacts to Facebook's attack ad saying it is 'standing up for our users'

Yesterday, Facebook criticized Apple's new rules and privacy features with full-page ads in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. The social media giant claimed that Apple is "devastating" small businesses with its changes. https://www.techspot.com/news/88016-apple-reacts-facebook-attack-ad-tanding-up-our.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Watch the latest Glitter Bomb dish out sweet revenge on package thieves

Back in 2018, Rober, who spent seven of his nine years at NASA working on the Curiosity Rover, created the first glitter bomb, following it up with a new and improved version—and a cameo from Macaulay Culkin—a year later. https://www.techspot.com/news/88009-watch-latest-glitter-bomb-dish-out-sweet-revenge.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

A single Bitcoin is now worth more than $20,000

The cryptocurrency hit the scene in 2009 and was created by an individual or a group of individuals going by the name Satoshi Nakamoto. The true identity of Bitcoin’s founder remains a mystery despite multiple investigations and false claims. https://www.techspot.com/news/88003-bitcoin-surpasses-20000-milestone-first-time.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Netflix's mobile app is getting an audio-only mode

In October, XDA Developers reported on a curious discovery. While digging through the Netflix app (version 7.79.1), the team found references to an audio-only mode. It wasn’t functional back then but according to a recent report from Android Police, some users are now gaining access to the feature as part... https://www.techspot.com/news/87998-netflix-mobile-app-getting-audio-only-mode.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Family faked video showing six-year-old boy's Warzone ban to go viral

As reported by PC Gamer, last week saw young streamer RowdyRogan apparently banned from Warzone, a move many assumed was due to his young age—CoD has an age rating of 18. It led to widespread outcry, a 'free Rogan' hashtag, and a lot of anger directed at Activision. https://www.techspot.com/news/87991-family-faked-video-showing-six-year-old-boy.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Apple has reportedly asked suppliers to boost iPhone production for 2021

Demand for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 has reportedly surged in the last few months, despite the lasting financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic. It turns out that Apple's first 5G handsets are enticing consumers to upgrade, while 5G rollout is expected to cover one billion people by the... https://www.techspot.com/news/87982-apple-has-reportedly-asked-suppliers-boost-iphone-production.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Rumor: Nvidia moves RTX 3080 Ti launch to February because Big Navi offers little threat

Last month brought rumors of an RTX 3080 Ti launching in January, and the card was one of several unreleased Ampere products spotted on HP’s OEM driver list last week. According to VideoCardz’s sources, that January launch has now been moved to February, a claim echoed by Igor Wallosek of... https://www.techspot.com/news/87975-rumor-nvidia-moves-rtx-3080-ti-launch-february.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Fortnite's new Performance Mode boosts framerates on potato PCs

Epic Games’ new Performance Mode launched today, boosting Fortnite’s FPS count on those PCs that only just meet its minimum spec requirements. The company writes that the option, selectable through the in-game settings menu, works by lowering the visual quality, thereby lightening the load on the GPU and CPU. It... https://www.techspot.com/news/87971-fortnite-new-performance-mode-boosts-framerates-potato-pcs.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Zoox unveils its self-driving robotaxi paving the way for an Amazon ride-hailing service

Robotaxi startup Zoox has finally unveiled its first autonomous vehicle. The driverless car intended to ferry people from point A to point B looks quite similar to Nuro's delivery van that companies like Kroger, Domino's, and CVS eventually plan to use for product delivery. https://www.techspot.com/news/87966-zoox-unveils-self-driving-robotaxi-paving-way-amazon.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Made by Denon, how much did the first CD recorder cost?

Unveiled in 1991 at the annual NAB Show in Las Vegas https://www.techspot.com/trivia/85-how-much-did-first-cd-recorder-cost/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Disney ends practice of adding digital face masks to riders in photos

In a statement (via WDW News Today), Disney said, "In response to guest requests, we tested modifying some ride photos. We are no longer doing this and continue to expect guests to wear face coverings except when actively eating or drinking while stationary." https://www.techspot.com/news/87957-disney-ends-practice-adding-digital-face-masks-riders.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

PlayStation 5 breaks launch record for any console in US history

We are not quite through the holiday season yet, but the PlayStation 5 is already breaking launch month sales records in the US. NPD Group reports that although the Nintendo Switch moved more units in November, the PlayStation 5, which launched two weeks into the month in the US, had... https://www.techspot.com/news/87951-ps5-reportedly-has-best-launch-month-any-console.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Apple's iPhone 13 expected to revert to the usual release schedule in 2021

Although mass production of Apple’s new iPhone handsets typically begins in the summer, this year, production of the iPhone 12 – including the iPhone 12 Pro, Pro Max, and mini – didn’t begin until September. From here, Apple’s annual iPhone-unveiling event was postponed from September to October and the release... https://www.techspot.com/news/87948-apple-iphone-13-expected-revert-usual-release-schedule.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Reddit's patch for Cyberpunk 2077 yields double-digit performance gains on AMD CPUs

Let’s begin with the obvious: yes, it's disappointing that an expensive game, which spent the better part of a decade in development, was released with a one-line error. But this article isn't about that, it's about the bizarre solution. https://www.techspot.com/news/87947-reddit-patch-cyberpunk-2077-yields-double-digit-performance.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Bioware teases the next Mass Effect with a short trailer

Back on N7 Day, Bioware studio head Casey Hudson confirmed that a team consisting of many of the original Mass Effect crew was working on a new game in the series. He also announced that a remaster of the trilogy was in the pipe. https://www.techspot.com/news/87941-bioware-teases-next-mass-effect-short-trailer.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Schools are using FBI hacking tools to access students' phones

Gizmodo found that out of five thousand randomly sampled public schools and school districts, eight admitted to purchasing MDFTs (mobile device forensics tools) on their public budget reports. Schools are not always required to itemize their budgets, so it's likely that these are just a fraction of the schools that... https://www.techspot.com/news/87937-schools-using-fbi-hacking-tools-access-students-phones.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Cyberpunk 2077 DLSS + Ray Tracing Benchmark

Cyberpunk 2077 is visually stunning and possibly the most graphically impressive game we've ever seen. Ray tracing elevates the game's visuals and provides a noticeable improvement, so it's time to test how your GPU performs with DLSS and ray tracing enabled. https://www.techspot.com/article/2165-cyberpunk-dlss-ray-tracing-performance/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger