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Showing posts from September, 2023

Microsoft closes Windows 7-to-11 free upgrade loophole after seven years, we think

Microsoft no longer allows Windows 7 and 8 owners to transition to Windows 10 or 11 for free. Although the announcement came on September 20, testing shows that some paths through the loophole remain but could close soon. When Windows 10 launched in 2015, the company made the operating system... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/iDQUMzp via

Browser-based Photoshop launches on all plans, no free version for now

All Adobe Photoshop subscribers gained access to a web browser client this week. While the new option doesn't include the full suite of editing features, it offers easy access to Adobe's recently released Firefly generative AI library. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/Ypcu8C0 via

Watch Mark Zuckerberg awkwardly attempt to hype a Snoop Dogg chatbot

On Wednesday, Mark Zuckerberg announced a variety of "AI-based chatbots (below)." They feature the likenesses of several celebrities and influencers, including Tom Brady, Mr. Beast, Paris Hilton, Kendall Jenner, and Snoop Dogg. The trailer gives one the impression that the chatbots speak and act like their real-life counterparts, but that's... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/tfKAhQv via

Epic Games is laying off nearly 900 employees, and selling Bandcamp

Most of the job cuts – about two-thirds – impact teams outside of core development units. In fact, Epic is not cutting any core businesses. The labor reduction could impact some product shipment schedules, but it is a trade-off they can accept if it means Epic will still be able... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/7evhbPm via

Gravity affects antimatter, too, CERN experiment confirms

A recently unveiled experiment at CERN confirms that Einstein was right; antimatter reacts to natural forces the same way as matter. It's a logical hypothesis, but scientists have struggled to prove it for decades – until now. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/pQDbGea via

The FCC is preparing to restore net neutrality in the US

The US implemented net neutrality rules at the national level during the Obama Administration in 2015. These rules classified internet broadband as "telecommunication services" under Title II of the 1934 Communications Act, which regulated ISPs as common carriers or utilities. This classification required internet providers to offer a non-discriminatory service... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/J8svQrC via

Analogue is launching limited-edition transparent versions of its Pocket handheld

The original Analogue Pocket was introduced back in late 2019 and launched just over two years later following numerous delays brought about by the pandemic's impact on the global supply chain. The FPGA-based handheld is inspired by Nintendo's iconic Game Boy but with far more advanced hardware including a 3.5-inch... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/OeW68LB via

Retail listings appear for unannounced Samsung T9 SSDs

TechRadar reports that a few online retailers have hosted listings for Samsung T9 portable SSDs. They are likely follow-ups to the company's venerable T7 lineup, but Samsung hasn't announced a T9 SSD. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/CpFiArf via

System admin and wife plead guilty to "massive" pirated software licensing scam

Brad and Dusti Pearce of Tuttle, Oklahoma, conspired with Jason Hines of Caldwell, New Jersey, to commit wire fraud in an illegal business venture selling unauthorized software licenses for Avaya Direct International (ADI). Avaya sold a telephone system called "IP Office" to small and mid-sized firms worldwide. The DoD notes... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/wjSzdJH via

Apple adds hidden watermarks to iPhone 15 boxes to verify authenticity

9to5Mac points to a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting a pair of hidden watermarks on the back of an iPhone 15 box. The watermark, which is only visible under ultraviolet light, appears to be a QR code that can presumably be scanned to verify that the box is... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/ouvTtGl via

Overclocking tool OCCT 12.1 adds new CPU and GPU stress tests

OCCT 12.1 introduces a new 3D adaptive test for GPUs, gradually increasing its intensity level and simulating real-world loads. Additionally, it includes a new CPU cache latency and bandwidth test. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/Ox3Ip7N via

IDC predicts growth for gaming monitors, decline for gaming PCs in 2023

According to IDC's estimations, the overall PC business is expected to decline by 13.7 percent in 2023. The market intelligence company now predicts that even gaming PC shipments will experience a steep decline by the end of the year. While gaming PCs and monitors had previously shown some resilience amid... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/WikO3SR via

iFixit retracts its iPhone 14's repairability score of 7 and gives it a "4-not recommended"

On Tuesday, iFixit announced it would be dropping its original fixability score for the iPhone 14 from a 7/10 to a 4/10, putting it into the website's do-not-recommend range. iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens explains that the initial score was based on the phone's hardware being much more accessible and easier... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/yM1PQpX via

Microsoft discussed buying Nintendo, WB, and Valve, leaked document reveals

The enormous trove of court documents leaked amid Microsoft's legal battle with the FTC has disclosed yet more information about the company's internal workings. An email from Xbox head Phil Spencer reveals that Microsoft nearly purchased Warner Bros. Interactive around the same time it bought Bethesda parent company ZeniMax while... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/eXEHpLN via

Federal judge orders injunction against California's online child safety law

A federal judge has put the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (CAADCA) on hold while legal proceedings determine whether the law violated the First Amendment. The California legislature passed AB-2273 on August 30, and Governor Gavin Newsom signed it into law just days ago on September 15. The law intends... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/t6aFULp via

Intel shows off glass substrates for next-generation advanced chip packages

Intel has introduced what it is calling one of the first glass substrates for next-gen advanced packaging that will allow the industry to continue advancing Moore's Law beyond 2030. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/PqEy24X via

Unity apologizes and goes back to the drawing board with its ill-conceived runtime fee

Over the weekend, Unity apologized to developers for its poor communication of the runtime fee and promised to rework it with feedback from the community. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/BhcN4mZ via

California sends country's strongest right-to-repair bill to governor's desk, mandating 7 years of parts

California has become the third US state to pass a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics. After a unanimous vote in favor, Sacramento lawmakers expect Governor Gavin Newsom to sign the bill into law. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/A4CzLmN via

Retailers discount Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 to $549

Today, several retailers have dropped the retail price of the GeForce RTX 4070 from $600 to $550. The discount might be in response to AMD's equally impressive Radeon RX 7800 XT , which is available for $499 and includes a free copy of Starfield. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/aAgqGrN via

Unity now wants to charge game distributors its controversial Runtime Fee

Unity Technologies unveiled its controversial Unity Runtime Fee a few days ago, and the entire gaming market is still trying to understand what to do with it. Game developers are mostly fuming against the additional fee, threatening to abandon the engine or remove their game from stores like Cult of... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/06DSuOr via

Intel Core i9-14900KF appears on Geekbench, nearly reaching 6GHz

Known leaker OneRaichu acquired an Intel Core i9-14900KF and recently posted two Geekbench reports with the upcoming 24-core CPU. One other result from an unknown user also appeared, showing similar numbers. The processor's highest single-core and multi-core scores on Geekbench 6 were 3347 and 23051 respectively. The figures suggest a... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/J7uHRs8 via

Unity closes two offices over "credible death threat" amid runtime fee and insider trading controversies

Bloomberg notes that the company had scheduled a town hall meeting for today to address the concerns regarding the new fee, but it canceled the talk along with the office closures. The company is cooperating with law enforcement and presumably, the offices will only be closed for the day out... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/WKc8lT4 via

Earth is now outside most of the "planetary boundaries" under which human civilization emerged

According to a recently published analysis based on numerous studies, Earth has crossed six out of nine environmental boundaries that have maintained the conditions under which human civilization developed. The examination attempts to take a broad view of how the planet is changing in ways modern societies have never experienced. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/qiVjQC6 via

Unity introduces new fee for game installs, and developers are irate

Unity recently unveiled a new "Unity Runtime Fee" that is set to take effect on January 1, 2024. Under this new model, game developers and studios will be required to pay a flat rate of $0.20 for each new "install" of their game. This royalty system will come into play... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/8JhxRjr via

Embracer Group plans to sell off Borderlands creator Gearbox

Embracer Group is looking to rid itself of one of its more valuable studios, Gearbox. Reuters notes that it may already have several interested buyers. While the company has not named names, Goldman Sachs and Aream investment banks are assisting in negotiations. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/vt5mBfD via

Apple may discontinue the iPhone mini after a brief three-year run

The iPhone mini was introduced as the iPhone 12 mini alongside the standard iPhone 12 in 2020 as affordable alternatives to the flagship iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max. It featured a smaller 5.4-inch display compared to the 6.1-inch screen of the base iPhone 12 but was otherwise functionally similar. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/SFLhNgI via

Steam will soon tell you which games natively support PlayStation controllers

Starting in October, Steam store pages will display more information regarding which Xbox or PlayStation controllers each game supports. Developers can now submit relevant data on gamepad support in the Steamworks API in preparation for the update. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/9mLZIv5 via

This AI startup that "generated" 3D models from 2D art was actually using human workers

According to a lengthy report from 404 Media, AI startup Kaedim's 2D-to-3D generative tools lean more heavily on human labor than initially disclosed. In at least some cases, the AI's output is entirely human-generated. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/1EMBHis via

Starfield exclusivity made the game 'better' according to director Todd Howard

Thanks to the high drama of Microsoft acquisitions, it might be hard to remember that when Bethesda teased Starfield at E3 2018, it was supposed to launch on all platforms, including PlayStation. Even after Microsoft disclosed it was in talks to buy parent company Zenimax, it promised that it would... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/KDRbGJs via

Rockstar sold pirated copies of its games on Steam, triggering anti-piracy measures

An extensive report from YouTuber Vadim M reveals that longstanding issues with the Steam edition of Manhunt are anti-piracy measures triggered by a third-party crack Rockstar used to mitigate the original retail version's DRM. Official digital copies of Max Payne 2 and Midnight Club II contain similar pirated code. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/DJM9cNH via

Samsung's 4TB 990 Pro SSD priced at $350 ahead of October launch

High-end SSDs can experience severe thermal throttling when temperatures climb, so anything you can do to prevent that from happening and to keep the drive operating at peak performance is worthwhile. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/9HuyL8q via

EU regulators name the "Big Six" tech gatekeepers that fall under the DMA's purview

Google and Apple have probably dodged more antitrust bullets than anyone would care to count. So, they were the obvious favorites for Gatekeepers of the Year. However, on Wednesday, the European Commission outlined and named four other Big Tech companies it considers the primary gatekeepers in today's digital marketplace –... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/pOe7yj4 via

ZSA Voyager: a low-profile, split ergonomic keyboard for maximum, costly customization

Voyager is a powerful, low-profile split ergonomic keyboard that ZSA claims can be used anywhere. The keyboard's compact layout features 52 keys, designed to minimize reach and enhance comfort during intense typing sessions on the go. While it's especially useful with a laptop, it can also work well with traditional... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/AoSRfg8 via

At least three studios allegedly removed DLSS support before launch due to AMD sponsorships

Before sorting out what Linneman said and what he meant, it might help to recap the drama. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/eTzHv7N via

See Starfield's physics engine handle 20,000 potatoes stuffed into one room

A Starfield player recently posted a video displaying the extent of the game's impressive physics engine in one of the funniest ways possible. Bethesda previously joked about allowing players to fill their ship with dozens of stolen sandwiches, but that doesn't even scratch the surface. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/nq9SM6u via

Dual-slot storage card holds eight E.1 SSDs and can reach 55GB/s

HighPoint recently introduced the SSD7749E, the first dual-slot storage AIB capable of maintaining high transfer speeds for eight E.1 NVMe SSDs while effectively managing heat to prevent throttling. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/MImEtsO via

Intel could soon spend over 9 billion on chip outsourcing from TSMC

Goldman Sachs analysts, quoted by the Taiwanese media outlet Commercial Times, suggest that Intel is likely to expand product outsourcing to TSMC in 2024 and 2025. The "total addressable market" for Intel's outsourcing orders is projected to be $18.6 billion in 2024 and $19.4 billion in 2025, the analysts stated.... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/jGdXfpZ via

Want to play Starfield with DLSS upscaling? There's already a mod for that

A recent controversy has arisen regarding Bethesda's decision not to support DLSS in Starfield. The game can still offer some upscaling benefits thanks to AMD's FSR, which, unlike DLSS, works on all modern GPUs and doesn't necessarily require a GeForce RTX card. Frank Azor seemingly confirmed that AMD did nothing... Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/V0Rmsvl via

Starfield first reviews are in, and they're pretty positive

Set for release next September 6, Starfield is a sci-fi RPG offering striking visuals and an expansive world. A captivating story and enjoyable gameplay make it well worth the anticipation and hype according to early reviews. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/cN4goIZ via

Usenet is still alive, and the Big-8 Board is managing things again

Usenet is a distributed network spread across multiple servers hosted worldwide. This text-only discussion platform predates most of the online activities that netizens engage in today, and despite the original developers closing their server at Duke University in North Carolina, people continue to use it. Read Entire Article from TechSpot https://ift.tt/hcdAf6m via