Network and Beyond NaB

Finnish game maker Housemarque, the developer of Returnal, is the newest studio to come under the PlayStation Studios umbrella. Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment's Worldwide Studios Herman Hulst announced the news in a tweet from his account Tuesday morning. Hulst also issued a statement welcoming the studio to the... https://www.techspot.com/news/90243-sony-buys-studio-housemarque-possibly-bluepoint-games-well.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

With a new Microsoft Office perpetual release coming in the second half of 2021, Microsoft asked users to choose which would be the next Office default font, but as it seems, that wasn't the only thing changing. https://www.techspot.com/news/90241-microsoft-redesigning-office-desktop-apps-windows-11.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The Nikon Z fc is a mirrorless digital camera featuring a 20.9-megapixel, DX-format sensor stuffed inside a compact, lightweight body (5.3 inches x 3.7 inches x 1.8 inches, 390g / 14 ounces) that’s inspired by the iconic Nikon FM2 SLR film camera from 1982. Nikon even dug into its archives... https://www.techspot.com/news/90242-nikon-z-fc-mirrorless-camera-inspired-classic-film.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Although spending so far this year has eclipsed what was generated in the first half of 2020, year-over-year growth is actually down 3.6 percent when comparing 2020 to 2019. https://www.techspot.com/news/90229-mobile-app-spending-approached-65-billion-first-half.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

In 2010, Legendary Pictures announced it had acquired the license to make a Mass Effect film adaptation. The studio tapped "I Am Legend" screenwriter Mark Protosevich to write the screenplay and Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad to produce. However, aside from the initial announcement, that was all we heard about... https://www.techspot.com/news/90228-mass-effect-big-big-screen-but-director-right.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

As spotted by leaker @momomo_us, Amazon has listed the first commercially available DDR5 memory kit. This DDR5 memory kit, which is also available in Newegg, features 2x 16GB DDR5 memory modules without a heatsink, suggesting that this an entry-level kit. https://www.techspot.com/news/90223-you-can-already-buy-teamgroup-ddr5-memory-kits.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The whole TPM issue has been a bit of a farce. Microsoft initially stated Windows 11 would only run on machines with TPM 2.0, then decided that TPM 1.2 was a requirement and TPM 2.0 was only recommended, then it changed TPM 2.0 back to a requirement. Now we’re hearing... https://www.techspot.com/news/90215-microsoft-free-windows-11-upgrade-windows-10-users.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

TF2 needs no introduction, except perhaps to a gamer too young to have experienced it in its heyday. Well, if that’s you, now’s your chance: welcome to the TF2 renaissance. (Case in point: read how we announced with much fanfare in 2011, TF2 was going free to play, a true... https://www.techspot.com/news/90213-team-fortress-2-peaked-150000-players-steam-new.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Nvidia is a dominant force in computer graphics but there was a lot of work involved in getting to that level since the NV1 debuted in 1995. Lesson learned as the chips that followed included some surefire hits. https://www.techspot.com/article/2177-top-10-nvidia-graphics/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Leaker @momomo_us recently posted an image showing a CPU socket cover marked for LGA-18xx, although since it's also marked with LGA-17xx, it's likely that both sockets might end up being closely related. This isn't the first time we're hearing about Intel's next socket coming down the pipeline. Igor'sLAB hinted at... https://www.techspot.com/news/90209-intel-next-generation-lga-18xx-socket-spotted-but.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

It’s reasonable to root for one team over another, but Micro Center didn’t just exhibit a preference for Nvidia, they outright lied about the quality of AMD graphics cards. https://www.techspot.com/news/90208-micro-center-apologizes-insulting-amd-graphics-cards.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

This week Microsoft announced the most significant overhaul to Windows in years, with a simplified UI and (hopefully) cohesive user interface. Other key features as described by Microsoft include better performance, a new Microsoft Store, and more gaming-oriented features meant to align the PC and Xbox experiences. https://www.techspot.com/news/90206-what-tpm-why-does-windows-11-require.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Yesterday, Microsoft unveiled Windows 11, the company's new client OS that promises to improve performance and user productivity. Alongside Windows 11, Redmond also showed the redesigned Microsoft Store and all the changes coming with it. https://www.techspot.com/news/90199-microsoft-would-like-see-steam-epic-games-store.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The platformer launched in the summer of 2017 as a love letter to the original Sonic games from the Sega Genesis era. It features classic gameplay with pixel-perfect 2D graphics that run at a buttery smooth 60 frames per second. https://www.techspot.com/news/90201-grab-free-copy-sonic-mania-epic-games-store.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ features an active stereo-type 3D sensor capable of scanning the area around it to detect and avoid obstacles as small as 1cm. It’s also equipped with an Intel AI solution that powers an object recognition function, allowing the vacuum to detect and classify items such... https://www.techspot.com/news/90200-samsung-jet-bot-ai-robot-vacuum-now-available.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

After weeks of teasers and leaks that indicated Microsoft was ready to turn Windows up to 11, now it's official -- the company today announced that Windows 11 is the next generation of Windows that sports a modernized interface and numerous improvements in usability across device form factors, performance, gaming-focused... https://www.techspot.com/news/90189-microsoft-announces-windows-11-redesigned-ui-start-menu.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

In February, Nintendo announced a The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD remaster for the Switch is slated for July16. Nintendo dropped a new trailer for it on Wednesday (above), to remind players that pre-orders are available and to show off the controls. At least, fans will have something to... https://www.techspot.com/news/90187-nintendo-drops-overview-trailer-legend-zelda-skyward-sword.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The practice, referred to by some as touring, involves changing the region setting on your Steam account to take advantage of sales or lower prices that might be available to consumers in other areas. Per the Steam Database Twitter account, Valve has added a restriction that prevents users from updating... https://www.techspot.com/news/90191-valve-annual-steam-summer-sale-live.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

As reported by Tom Warren and corroborated by multiple Reddit users, games such as Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege are now playable through xCloud with improved graphics, featuring options that allow users to choose between increased resolution or improved frame rate. Moreover, all games in... https://www.techspot.com/news/90172-you-can-already-play-xcloud-games-xbox-series.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The App Store is a money printing machine that generated $643 billion in sales last year, which is why Apple uses every occasion to tout its role in the creation of an app-based economy that will soon reach $1 trillion per year. The company explained during the Epic Games trial... https://www.techspot.com/news/90170-apple-sideloading-iphone-apps-would-open-users-serious.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Penny Arcade and ReedPop, if you recall, had to pull the plug on PAX East earlier this year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. That event was originally scheduled for June 3 – 6, but instead, organizers opted to bring back PAX Online. https://www.techspot.com/news/90173-pax-west-happening-person-event-tickets-go-sale.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

This reimagined version of Myst has been built from the ground up for modern platforms and is said to include new art, sound, interactions and even optional puzzle randomization. Cyan describes it as the definitive Myst experience. https://www.techspot.com/news/90160-vr-remake-myst-coming-pc-mac-later-year.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

NASA has partnered with Tide to create and test laundry detergent solutions that would be ideal for deep space missions where limited cargo capacity is a challenge. https://www.techspot.com/news/90158-nasa-teams-tide-develop-laundry-detergent-use-space.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Korean car manufacturer Hyundai announced that it had closed a deal to purchase controlling stock in US robot maker Boston Dynamics. The company, well-known for its Spot quadruped robot, was wholly owned by SoftBank. Hyundai entered into negotiations with the holding company in November 2020. https://www.techspot.com/news/90154-hyundai-officially-takes-controlling-stake-robot-maker-boston.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Someone encountered a strange bug in iOS that will permanently jack up an iPhone's WiFi. Twitter user Carl Schou tweeted a video showing what happens if you ever try to connect to a router with the SSID "%p%s%s%s%s%n" (below). https://www.techspot.com/news/90140-strange-ssid-could-permanently-disable-iphone-wifi.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

In an investigation led by ITV News, the outlet shared a video with footage recorded inside Amazon's Dunfermline warehouse showing consumer electronics, jewelry, books, packages of face masks, and more being flagged for destruction. Regardless if they are new or returned, items flagged to be destroyed are sent to the... https://www.techspot.com/news/90137-amazon-destroys-up-200000-items-unsold-stock-week.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The HiccAway is a purpose-built straw that claims to get rid of hiccups instantly. It was designed by Dr. Ali Seifi, director of the neuroscience intensive care unit at the University of Texas, to help patients recovering from neurological injuries manage hiccups (apparently hiccups are common with brain injuries). https://www.techspot.com/news/90139-scientist-invents-straw-instantly-cure-hiccups.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

With insane GPU prices out there, are you better off buying a gaming laptop? Laptops are more widely available and are not ridiculously priced in some instances, and performance has improved a lot in recent years. https://www.techspot.com/review/2273-radeon-gaming-laptop-vs-gaming-desktop/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Colorful, fresh from unveiling its GPU museum alongside Nvidia earlier this month, has just announced the limited-edition Kudan. The card is packed with a slew of features that include VRM and cooling setups able to squeeze a tremendous amount of performance from the RTX 3090 GPU. https://www.techspot.com/news/90128-colorful-launches-limited-edition-kudan-rtx-3090-graphics.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The plans for a Samsung SoC featuring Radeon graphics been talked about aplenty since the initial reveal in 2019, but it’s back in the limelight after AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su brought it up during her Computex 2021 keynote. https://www.techspot.com/news/90125-samsung-exynos-amd-radeon-reveal-pushed-back-july.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

TeamGroup’s first DDR5 kit contains two 16 GB sticks of DDR5-4800. They run with CL40-40-40-77 timings, sip 1.1 V, and are rated for 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. By the end of the month or the start of the next, the kit will launch as "Elite U-DIMM DDR5" on Amazon, Amazon... https://www.techspot.com/news/90122-teamgroup-start-selling-ddr5-4800-stores-end-june.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Was it the Xbox, PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii? https://www.techspot.com/trivia/133-2010-united-states-air-force-used-more-than/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Picture-in-picture allows users to continue watching a video outside of the app, making it possible to watch a clip while working on a document, browsing the web, or editing a photo. Picture-in-picture support at the OS level first launched on iPad with iOS 9, before making the leap to iPhone... https://www.techspot.com/news/90123-youtube-brings-picture-picture-iphones-ipads.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The newly adopted Report and Order combines existing, non-optional “Presidential Alerts” with alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create a new non-optional alert class called “National Alerts.” https://www.techspot.com/news/90118-fcc-changes-how-emergency-alerts-issued-us.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Spotify is furthering its investment in podcasts with the recent purchase of Podz. https://www.techspot.com/news/90116-spotify-acquires-podz-help-modernize-podcast-discovery.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Earlier this month, El Salvador became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. It sits alongside the US dollar as the Central American country's official currency, with the exchange rate freely established by the market. Additionally, prices for goods can be shown in Bitcoin, tax contributions can be... https://www.techspot.com/news/90113-world-bank-refuses-help-el-salvador-bitcoin-implementation.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

OneDrive latest improvements include immersive reader integration, expiring access for external users, PDF viewing updates on iOS and Android, and more. https://www.techspot.com/downloads/5356-microsoft-onedrive.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

As Vice highlights, GEA-1 was used to encrypt cell phone data primarily in the 1990s and 2000s. The algorithm was originally said to offer full 64-bit security but in their cryptanalysis, the team found that its security was limited to just 40-bit, by design. https://www.techspot.com/news/90107-new-report-finds-early-cellphone-encryption-algorithm-intentionally.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

As we inch closer to Microsoft's big reveal event for Windows 11, all the leaks and hints point to a visual refresh that will arguably bring the Windows experience into the modern era and in line with Microsoft's new design language. What could have ended up as a separate OS... https://www.techspot.com/news/90103-windows-7-8-users-might-get-free-upgrade.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Google’s first permanent retail store is opening sooner than anticipated. https://www.techspot.com/news/90089-google-first-retail-store-opening-tomorrow-new-york.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Among the plethora of E3 game reveals and updates, Microsoft and Bethesda announced Redfall, a four-player co-op shooter in the vein of Left 4 Dead. However, players face off against powerful vampires in Redfall rather than the shambling hordes of zombies in L4D. https://www.techspot.com/news/90087-bethesda-reveals-redfall-four-player-co-op-vampire.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The Ryzen 7 5800X is still among the best CPUs money can buy; our only criticism was the price back then and admittedly it has not been easy to get one. But today, at $399, it's a no-brainer, and $50 can get you a nice cooler. https://www.techspot.com/products/processors/amd-ryzen-7-5800x-38ghz-socket-am4.225646/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The last time we heard anything about a Breath of the Wild sequel was almost precisely two years ago when Nintendo dropped a minute-and-a-half teaser for the game in a Nintendo Direct presentation. Since then it has been radio silence from Mario and company. https://www.techspot.com/news/90072-e3-nintendo-direct-reveals-gameplay-trailer-breath-wild.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

A new report out from app analytics firm App Annie and International Data Group (IDC) reveals that worldwide consumer spending on mobile games is expected to reach $120 billion this year. The next closest competitors, the PC and Mac, are only forecast to bring in a collective $41 billion. https://www.techspot.com/news/90071-mobile-game-spending-leaving-other-platforms-dust.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The first full-sized grocery store featuring Just Walk Out technology will open on June 17. To commemorate the store's opening, Amazon will also do product and Amazon gift cards giveaways, give free samples, provide activities for kids, and more. https://www.techspot.com/news/90067-amazon-about-open-first-supermarket-walk-out-technology.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

In a letter, Volkswagen states it was informed about an unauthorized third party who accessed sensitive customer information on March 10, 2021. After being notified about the situation, the car manufacturer started an investigation to discover what was accessed and which customers and potential buyers were affected. https://www.techspot.com/news/90055-over-33m-vw-customers-have-had-their-personal.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

On his 30th birthday in 1993, Huang co-founded Nvidia https://www.techspot.com/trivia/112-before-establishing-nvidia-founder-ceo-jen-hsun-huang/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The Beats Studio Buds feature proprietary 8.2mm, dual-element diaphragm drivers with a central rigid piston and a flexible outer surround. Each 5.1g bud has a laser cut micro vent to relieve ear pressure and comes with three silicon ear tips for an ideal fit. They also carry an IPX4 rating... https://www.techspot.com/news/90056-beats-announces-14999-studio-buds-active-noise-cancellation.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

As reported by ITHome (via VideoCardz), a post from Board Channel forums, which are closed forums for distributors and board partners within the industry, reveals that Nvidia has sent out an internal notice to board partners that it will be halving supply of RTX 2060 chips starting from this month. https://www.techspot.com/news/90050-report-nvidia-cutting-rtx-2060-supply-increase-production.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

While many professionals swear by Adobe Photoshop, others find it a bit overkill, and that also goes for the subscription. If you're among the latter, you should try some of these alternative photo editing tools. https://www.techspot.com/article/2250-adobe-photoshop-alternatives/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger