The Rabbit R1 launched to much excitement at CES24 with a pre-order that sold out its first two 10,000-unit batches in just a day. Priced at just $199, the palm-sized device was offering a lot for just a small investment. However, scalpers have sensed an opportunity, and just hours after the pre-order sold out, R1s started appearing on eBay for as much as $750.

The second batch of 10,000 rabbit r1 devices is sold out! Pre-orders for the third batch are available now at https://t.co/R3sOtVVQTx

Expected delivery date is May – June 2024. pic.twitter.com/PHLOFdyauX

— rabbit inc. (@rabbit_hmi) January 12, 2024

Prices for an aftermarket R1 vary, but the cheapest available on eBay will still set you back $300. The two most expensive offerings, $750 and $500, are listed by the same user who is testing the water. One listing had 10 bids already, pushing the price to an eyewatering $690.

The company’s founder and CEO Jesse Lyu took to X to discourage people from scalping the devices online.

hell no. don’t do this. pic.twitter.com/xMpmGEJrMR

— Jesse Lyu (@jessechenglyu) January 12, 2024

What is the Rabbit R1?

The Rabbit R1 is a handheld device powered by Rabbit’s new artificial intelligence model, the Large Action Model (LAM). This allows the device to learn how to use a variety of apps, from Uber to Amazon.  Humans have trained the LAM on how to operate the apps and can build on this knowledge and understanding, applying these techniques to other apps.

A key feature of the R1 is that users can ‘teach’ it how to perform tasks. One of the demos Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu gave at CES24 had him scanning a fridge. “This is what I got in the fridge, can you make me a nice dish that’s low in calories?” he asked the device. After a brief pause, the R1 suggested a green garden omelet and provided a recipe.

In essence, it’s a smart device which doesn’t need apps.

The device is small and relatively inexpensive (if you avoid the scalpers on eBay), promising to do a lot for its users. The first batch is due to ship in March so we won’t be waiting too long to see if it can live up to the hype.

Featured image: Rabbit

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US primary elections begin next week, and state legislatures are scrambling to enact laws that will prevent, or at least limit, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-generated deepfakes, reports the New York Times.

After a shock result in the Slovakian election late last year, possibly a result of an AI-generated fake recording of a candidate buying votes, lawmakers elsewhere in the world are taking steps to prevent this from happening in their countries. The USA, the UK, India, and various EU countries all have elections this year, so getting a handle on the issue of AI is critical.

At present, only five states have enacted legislation on AI and deepfakes: Texas, Minnesota, Washington, California, and Michigan. However, 12 other states have introduced bills, with more sure to follow. Where legislation is in place, there has been strong bipartisan support.

There has also been some effort to introduce bills at a federal level, including a bipartisan collaboration between Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and Republican Josh Hawley of Missouri. The president of Public Citizen (a consumer advocacy group) Robert Weissman said to NYT “It’s one thing to rebut a lie or a mischaracterization, but to rebut a convincing video or recording of you saying something, what do you do? That’s why we’re seeing this breadth of interest.”

What do the laws against AI do?

The landscape of legislating ads, particularly political ones, is fraught, due to concerns about the First Amendment. Legislators do not want to invite challenges with harsh, prescriptive laws.

As a result, instead of completely banning fake or misleading AI ads, legislators are focusing on enforcing disclosure. Any generated or manipulated ad will require legible text or audio that states that they have been created by AI.

Many of these laws will apply only to ads that are released in the 90 days before an election.

In Kentucky, even first-time violators will be subject to felony charges with up to five years in prison, which differs from most states which prefer fines. Republican State Representative John Hodgson said that a fine of several hundred or thousand dollars would not be sufficient to deter people.

Featured image: Andrew Patrick/Pexels

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The communication platform Discord reportedly plans to lay off 170 staff.

This amounts to 17% of its workforce. CEO Jason Citron said in an internal memo obtained by The Verge that this move is designed to  “sharpen our focus and improve the way we work together to bring more agility to our organization.”

Like many tech companies popular with younger people, Discord saw its popularity soar during the pandemic. “We grew quickly and expanded our workforce even faster, increasing by 5x since 2020,” said Citron in the memo. He goes on to say that this caused them to become less efficient and means they need to sharpen their focus.

The platform, which is popular with gamers especially, is currently funded by venture capital and has yet to become profitable. It aims to bridge that gap this year. It had raised around $1 billion and still has over $700 million on hand, so does not appear to be in serious trouble yet.

There are rumors amongst the Discord layoffs that it is considering going public, but there is no sign of this happening any time soon. It turned down a $12 billion offer of acquisition by Microsoft in 2021.

Tech industry layoffs

Despite only being halfway through January, the Discord layoffs are not the only ones to be announced in 2024. The tech industry has been hit by several major rounds of job cuts already this year. Google laid off hundreds of staff this week, games platform Unity cut 25% of its workforce in a ‘restructure’, and Amazon-owned Twitch laid off 35% of its staff also this week. That is just a selection of the affected jobs. Many of the companies cite being unable to reach the highs they hit during the pandemic as a reason for this. They hired staff to keep up with a demand which is no longer there.

With Duolingo explicitly parting ways with contractors to focus on artificial intelligence (AI) generated translations, it has never been a more precarious time to work in technology. Small pockets of the gaming industry have had some success by unionizing, such as the group at Zenimax which negotiated the terms of AI use. This could be a continuing trend across an industry where workers have notoriously little power.

Featured image credit: Discord

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While news of Civilization 7 was announced by Firaxis back in February last year the wait has been eased by the excellent Old World – which in many ways a lot of players believe is actually better than Civ 6.

If the Civ tier list goes something like Civ 4 is greater than Civ and both are better than Civ 6, you could probably insert Old World between Civ 4 and Civ 5, and with its modern graphics and UI it is going to appeal to a lot more players.

Old world was released around 18 months ago and took the things that make historical civilization builders fun and doubled down on them. Unique things such as aging leaders brought a new dynamic to the affair and the arrival of its latest DLC – Wonders and Dynasties – is going to make fans forget about the Civ 7 wait even more.

Devs Mohawk Games tells us, “Wonders and Dynasties introduces 30 brand new ways of starting your game with the addition of new Dynastic leaders – each empire has received new leaders and starting conditions. Play as the dictator Sulla to leverage your unique dictator trait, as Khufu to construct endless wonders with the help of his wonder cost reduction, or as Nebuchadnezzar to quickly control large amounts of territory and forge a massive empire in the early game.

Meanwhile, eight new wonders of the ancient world will add new and unique modifiers to your empire. Generate free specialists with the Jerwan Aqueduct, become the trade capital of the world with the Al Khazneh, or spawn an endless army of swordsmen with the Colosseum”.

Historical games seem to be in vogue right now, yesterday we covered the release of War Hospital, a gritty resource-management game based in a WW1 field hospital.

The Wonder and Dynasties DLC for Old World is available on Steam, Epic Game Store, and GOG and costs $19.99 / £17.99, although there is a launch discount of 10% if you buy it before the 18th of January.

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India data center providers are purchasing tens of thousands of advanced Nvidia GPUs (graphics processing unit) in a bid to turbocharge growth in the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

The Indian GPU sales come after the trillion-dollar chipmaker lost a significant chunk of its business in China due to recent US export controls on leading-edge semiconductors to its rival superpower. Nvidia expected over $5 billion in high-end data center GPU sales to China in 2023-2024 before the restrictions bit. Although it developed export-compliant chips, Chinese companies were reportedly unhappy with the downgraded offerings. 

The Silicon Valley giant is confident worldwide demand for its products will offset any losses in the Far East. Investors and analysts will be watching Nvidia’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report next month to see how true this is.

Nvidia hopeful India GPU sales can plug China shortfall

In an interview with Reuters,  Mumbai-based Yotta announced one of its largest procurement deals, saying it plans to deploy 32,000 Nvidia H100 and H200 GPUs by 2025 worth about $1 billion. Roughly 16,000 of those GPUs will come online this July at Yotta’s new AI-focused data center in Gujarat opening in March.

Yotta CEO Sunil Gupta said India’s machine learning market could reach $14 billion annually by 2030, but only by leveraging advanced infrastructure like Nvidia’s accelerators.

“India’s AI ambition is just not possible unless this infra[structure] comes to India”, Gupta sai.d

Other Indian firms striking GPU deals with Nvidia include massive conglomerate Reliance Industries and Tata Group. Reliance will utilize Nvidia’s newest GH200 “superchips” to train AI models on India’s many local languages and dialects. Tata is constructing an AI supercomputer centered on the GH200 for pioneering cloud services.

Nvidia’s dominance is being challenged

Nvidia has a dominant position when it comes GPUs used for AI systems. They are the big player all others must beat.

The company is estimated to control anywhere from 70-90% market share currently, far ahead of rivals AMD and Intel. Nvidia’s specialized Tensor Core GPUs are so far unmatched at accelerating the intense mathematical workloads required to train and run deep-learning AI models. Top cloud providers like AWS and Microsoft Azure as well as server manufacturers rely extensively on Nvidia chips to power their AI offerings.

However, the industry wants supply chain diversity and if AMD produces a chip close to the performance of Nvidia’s cutting-edge H100, it may capture a significant market share.

With the sector growing rapidly, AMD’s push into AI semiconductors pits it to disrupt Nvidia’s dominance. Top cloud providers and server manufacturers will be keen for an alternative GPU supplier.

India, the world’s most populous nation, with a surging tech industry, presents immense opportunities as AI expands across finance, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and other economic sectors.

Featured Image: Canva free 

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Android users may soon see the comeback of lock screen widgets, a functionality removed from the operating system with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Signs within the most recent Android 14 QPR2 beta point to the possibility of reviving lock screen widget support in Android 15. However, it is uncertain if third-party widgets will also be included. This exciting return not only allows users to access quick information without unlocking their devices but also offers the opportunity for a personalized lock screen experience. Google has yet to make official announcements regarding this feature; however, the discovery is sparking interest among app developers and Android enthusiasts eager for customization.

Widgets in the mobile industry

For a long time, widgets have been a cherished component of the Android system, providing customization and accessible information at a glance. As Apple has recently incorporated widgets into the iPhone lock screen, it has been widely speculated that Android will respond in kind. The addition of widgets to the iPhone has undoubtedly raised the bar for the level of personalization and convenience that users expect from their devices. With this new development, Android developers are expected to strive to enhance and refine their widget offerings to remain competitive and cater to consumer preferences.

Android customization trends

As Android has progressively integrated more customization features, such as lock screen shortcuts and various clock styles, it seems that Google might continue to enhance user experience by focusing on lock screen personalization. The latest beta reveals two separate development approaches being considered. Firstly, the company could explore a more widget-based approach, enabling users to add quick-access tools and information on their lock screen. Secondly, Google might experiment with advanced theme customization options, potentially allowing users to change colors, fonts, and other elements to create a more personalized look.

The lock screen interface overlaps with the widgets, implying that the feature is still being adjusted. It is unclear whether this overlapping issue will be resolved in the next update or if developers need more time to fine-tune the features. Until then, users might experience minor inconveniences but can still expect improvements and enhancements in future updates.

Featured Image Credit: Lisa Fotios; Pexels

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Ducky released the next limited edition partnership keyboard, the Ducky x Doom One 3 SF. Those who have used the fiery orange and red keyboard know about the fantastic quality and cool naming schemes. One of the best things is how the company always nails the visuals; they’re never stereotypical gamer aesthetics. Some have described the new design as oddly tie dye looking — but it’s more the Doom marine, mid rip, and tear, in an iconic image all gamers have become familiar with. You’llbe able to spot an Arachnotron crouched over the arrow and navigation keys, a Lost Soul is racing towards our hero in the top right, and a Dread Knight ready to pounce on the left.

The Ducky One 3SF has a fully hot-swappable keyboard

This is a beautiful setup — but you’ll want to hurry and get your order in because there is a limited supply drop — with only 666 of these Doom keyboards to go around. US players and slayers can head to Mechanical Keyboards, and UK fans should blast over to Overclockers.

The side-printed legends leave the tops of the PBT keys free for art, but you’ll want to use the RGB LEDs under each cap carefully. The sides of the deck are plastered in red with kickstands on each side — and you don’t want the color wave to drown the key art out completely. If you have used the Doom keyboard before, you’ll recognize the expert craftsmanship and attention to detail — but the sound and feel are so incredible and familiar. This has been a particularly long-awaited and hoped-for addition to be featured in the limited edition drops.

Here are the Details and the Specs.

Sufice-it-to-say — The Slayer has entered the building — and Ducky x Doom One 3 SF Gaming Keyboard is just what you need to fight the hordes of hell. Bethesda officially licenses the 65% gaming keyboard and features the DOOM artwork to center on your desk.

Featured Image Credit: Overclockers

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Sophie Alcorn, a renowned Certified Specialist Attorney in Immigration and Nationality Law based in Silicon Valley, California, addresses the questions raised by a consulting firm called “Hopeful HR” about the updates to the PERM process for 2024. A permanent labor certification issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) allows employers to hire foreign workers on a permanent basis in the United States. The firm, which mainly serves tech startups, is seeking information on the most recent changes in the PERM process. In her response, Alcorn provides a comprehensive overview of the amended PERM process, detailing how it affects explicitly tech startups and the steps they need to follow for successful applications. She emphasizes the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest regulations and guidelines to ensure smooth processing and avoid potential penalties resulting from non-compliance.

Role of Immigration Attorneys

Alcorn starts by extending New Year greetings to the firm and expresses her enthusiasm for the forthcoming year concerning immigration policy shifts. She highlights the necessity of discussing the intricate PERM process, timeframes, potential risks, and alternative solutions with an immigration attorney, depending on a company’s hiring scenario and an employee’s immigration status. In light of recent changes, Alcorn emphasizes the importance of staying up-to-date and prepared to adapt to new policies and requirements that may affect businesses and employees alike. Furthermore, she encourages employers to remain vigilant and to actively communicate with their immigration attorneys to ensure a smooth and compliant hiring process for foreign talent.

Current State of PERM

To provide background, Alcorn describes the current state of PERM. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) grants PERM labor certification as the initial step for businesses sponsoring present or potential employees for an advanced degree or exceptional ability green cards or green cards for professional workers. The primary objective of the PERM process is to safeguard wages for American workers and ensure that any eligible and available U.S. workers have access to the job before a green card is issued to the candidate. To achieve this objective, employers must demonstrate that they have conducted a thorough recruitment process, notifying and considering U.S. workers for the available position. This process includes ensuring that the employer’s requirements for the job are fair and unbiased, allowing domestic workers to apply and be given due consideration before offering the position to a foreign national.

General Requirements for Employers

There are general requirements for employers to follow in the PERM process:
1. Obtain a prevailing wage determination from the DOL.
2. Test the labor market by advertising the job and recruiting U.S. workers.
3. Document and evaluate the responses received from potential candidates during the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent selection procedure.
4. Complete and submit ETA Form 9089, which provides information about the job duties, requirements, offered wage, and the employer’s recruitment efforts, to the DOL for review and approval.
5. Submit a labor certification application (ETA Form 9089) to the DOL.
6. After receiving approval, the employer must file a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
7. Upon approval of Form I-140, the foreign worker can proceed with submitting their application for an adjustment of status (Form I-485) or consular processing.
8. It is crucial to accurately complete these forms and provide all required documents to prevent delays or complications in obtaining permanent residency for the foreign worker.

Featured Image Credit: Aathif Aarifeen; Pexels

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Super Mario Maker 2 is available at an all-time low price, delighting gamers and Mario fans alike. For a short period, enthusiasts can buy the game at just $39.99, a significant 37% reduction from its usual $59.99 price tag. This offer matches the game’s lowest price since October 2023. This incredible deal is perfect for those who have yet to dive into the world of customizable Mario levels, as well as seasoned players looking to expand their collection. Given the popularity of Super Mario Maker 2, it’s uncertain how long this discount will last, so potential buyers should act quickly to avoid missing out on the savings.

Express your creativity

Players can explore their creative side in Super Mario Maker 2 by constructing unique 2D Mario levels using a broad range of tools. The game also enables users to share their imaginative designs online or try out stages created by other players. This interactive platform allows gamers to challenge themselves and others by designing intricate levels that cater to various skill levels and gameplay styles. Super Mario Maker 2 fosters a collaborative and entertaining gaming experience, inviting enthusiasts to innovate, experiment, and participate in a vast and ever-growing community of Mario-level builders.

There are endless, unlimited possibilities, including coin-filled walls, treacherous ledges, and dangerous enemies, gamers can fashion a truly personalized gaming adventure. The customization options allow players to create unique landscapes and challenges, reflecting their individual playstyle and imagination. As a result, these customized gaming experiences can foster a sense of ownership and satisfaction, with engaging gameplay tailored to each player’s preferences.

Inventive courses

This mode is filled with ingenious courses that challenge users’ abilities, serving as an option besides designing their custom levels for Mario and his companions. Additionally, this mode provides a selection of pre-designed maps that test players’ skills and decision-making, offering a wide variety of gameplay experiences. The creative aspects of these levels not only keep users engaged but also inspire them to incorporate new ideas and techniques into their own custom-made courses.

Alternatively, Super Mario Maker 2 provides a story mode for players who prefer a more conventional gaming experience. In this mode, players can take on a variety of pre-designed levels created by the developers in a narrative-driven adventure. As players progress through the story, they’ll encounter diverse challenges and enemy types, showcasing the immense potential within the game’s level creation tools.

Take advantage of the discount and unleash your imagination

Super Mario Maker 2 is an essential addition to any Nintendo Switch collection, boasting diverse and captivating gameplay. The game allows players to unleash their creativity by designing their own Super Mario levels, complete with a vast array of characters, obstacles, and power-ups. Not only does it provide endless hours of entertainment, but it also offers a unique opportunity for gamers to develop their problem-solving skills and expand their imaginations.

Featured Image Credit: Wallmart Ad

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A professor at at Beijing’s Tsinghua University won a national writing competition with a sci-fi novel, using the power of AI.

Chinese Journalism professor Shen Yang weaved together his story of the futuristic realms of the metaverse and humanoid robots to great acclaim and he has pledged to outline how others can emulate him, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

With artificial intelligence well and truly upon us, it is a reminder of the tremendous accessible opportunities and a stark reminder of the threat posed by rapid technological advances.

Shen is said to have initially turned to AI for assistance with his writing. Still, the outcome was a full text generated online, which was so impressive – and challenging to detect – that it won a vote from three of six judges on the contest panel hosted by the Jiangsu Science Writers Association.

One judge was said to have been informed that AI had been deployed in the novel Land of Memories, while another believed that it had been used and did not select the book as the content “lacked emotion.”

The main protagonist in Land of Memories is Li Xiao, a metaverse explorer who was formerly a neural engineer in the real world.

The full text, almost 6000 words long, is a Chinese-language sci-fi narrative constructed using a draft of 43,000 characters using just 66 prompts in three hours. The full three-line intro was created in full by AI:

“In the metaverse’s edge lies the ‘Land of Memories’, a forbidden realm where humans are barred. Solid illusions crafted by amnesiac humanoid robots and AI that had lost memories populate its domain.”

“Any intruder, be it human or artificial, will have their memories drained away, forever trapped within its forbidden embrace.”

Irreversible damage

Shen stated, “This is the first time AI writing has won a literary award in the history of literature and of AI,” further commenting that the creation of the novel would be made public “for anyone who would like to learn how to create good fiction with AI.”

In response, sending out a warning, Fu Ruchu of the People’s Literature Publishing House intimated AI will pose a danger to sci-fi writers with a further note of caution on the potential of irreversible damage to literary language by the tone and prose of AI writing.

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The Asus Zenbook Duo debuted at CES 2024, wowing attendees with its inventive design and a surprisingly budget-friendly price of $1,400. The newest model features a 14-inch auxiliary display that enhances the primary screen, positioning it as a remarkable dual-screen device that has garnered significant interest during the event. As a result of the unique design and competitive pricing, this device has piqued the interest of gamers and productivity enthusiasts alike. The Zenbook Duo also boasts impressive technical specifications to match its stunning visuals, ensuring a superior user experience for those who invest in this cutting-edge machine.

Dual-screen design for enhanced multitasking

Equipped with two 14-inch 3K OLED screens, the Zenbook Duo delivers exceptional multitasking abilities, allowing users to operate several applications simultaneously. Nevertheless, there have been some questions regarding the device’s battery life due to the requirements of the two screens, each with 120Hz refresh rates and 500 nits of maximum brightness. Despite these concerns, the Zenbook Duo has been designed with an energy-efficient framework to extend its battery life while retaining its powerful performance. Users can also customize the display settings to balance screen brightness and battery longevity, ensuring the device remains a reliable choice for both professional and casual users.

With its revolutionary dual-display design and robust Intel Core Ultra processor, the Asus Zenbook Duo is anticipated to be among the most sought-after products at CES 2024. The innovative ScreenPad Plus feature, which acts as a secondary touchscreen display, provides users with added functionality and seamless multitasking capabilities. Its ergonomic hinge design also ensures a comfortable and efficient user experience, making the Asus Zenbook Duo an ideal choice for professional and casual users.

Secondary display functionality

The secondary display’s functionality further highlights the Zenbook Duo’s versatility as a virtual keyboard, which has been found to offer a surprisingly comfortable typing experience. Additionally, the ScreenPad Plus technology incorporated in this secondary display enhances multitasking capabilities, allowing users to run multiple apps and improve workflow. Its customizable settings and adaptive design cater to diverse user preferences, demonstrating the laptop’s intent to provide a seamless and personalized experience.

Optional accessories and input methods

For those who favor a conventional keyboard, the device has a removable physical keyboard featuring an integrated touchpad. Users can also purchase the Asus Pen 2 stylus for an additional fee, allowing seamless navigation across both displays. The physical keyboard offers a familiar typing experience, while the touchpad ensures precise cursor control, making multitasking a breeze. The Asus Pen 2 stylus enhances the device’s versatility, enabling users to sketch, take notes, or markup documents directly on the touchscreen displays.

The integrated kickstand enables users to position the Zenbook Duo at the ideal angle for various situations, facilitate side-by-side app utilization in a book-like mode, or lay it completely flat for effortless sharing. Its ergonomic design ensures maximum comfort and efficiency while working or engaging in multimedia activities.

Featured Image Credit: Asus website

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We know how it is, the holiday season gave you the opportunity to play through a lot of the games on your backlog, but now, by mid-January, you are already looking for your next fix. Well, look no further sports fans, as EA Sports and Xbox Game Pass have you covered, at least until the end of the weekend with FreePlayDays.

If you are a subscriber to Xbox Game Pass, either Core or Ultimate, it matters not you can play pretty much all the latest EA sports games for free until Sunday 14th January 11.50 PDT.

EA Sports FC 24 is free for all Xbox members – you don’t even need to be a Game Pass subscriber to enjoy.

Besides those mentioned above Super Mega Baseball 4 (which has arrived on Xbox Game Pass today anyway), EA Sports WRC, and PGA Tour are also part of the deal.

How to play EA Sports games for free on Xbox

All you need to do to take advantage of the free play weekend is head to the games’ page on the Xbox Store – making sure you are first signed in to your account and you should see the option to install with your Game Pass membership.

If you are playing on an actual Xbox and not a PC you should see a Free Play Days image which will get you there even quicker. Easy.

And if you decide you want to purchase a game after the weekend is up, don’t forget Game Pass members get an extra 10% discount off the asking price when it comes time to hit the Buy Now button. If you are not intending to purchase after the event, it’s probably best not to get sucked into all the Ultimate Team nonsense and throw any money in that direction over the next couple of days.

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Google has announced it is removing 17 features from Assistant in a shakeup of its virtual software application.

Given the advances in artificial intelligence (AI), Bard could be considered to be the future of Google Assistant and as part of ongoing changes to the tech giant’s service offering, it is removing what it describes as “underutilized features”.

In the blog announcement, the search giant detailed how it is “prioritizing the experiences you love and investing in the underlying technology to make them even better.”

The changes will disappoint some but the full breakdown details how users will still be able to access the generic features from a device, just not directly using Google software.

Amongst the key features to be hit, is the ability to set or use media, music, or radio alarms on Google Assistant-connected devices. The blog explained you can create a custom routine that has similar behavior or use a standard alarm. You will no longer be able to send an email or audio message with a voice prompt but that doesn’t seem like too much of a burden, given how those options are generally utilized.

Anyone who wants to give feedback or to relay their dissatisfaction with the changes has been invited to say “Hey Google, send feedback,” to leave a comment.

Google Assitant losing these 17 features

As confirmed by Google, the affected features include:

1. Playing and controlling audiobooks on Google Play Books with your voice,
2. Setting or using media alarms, music alarms, or radio alarms on Google Assistant-enabled devices,
3. Accessing or managing your cookbook, transferring recipes from device to device, playing an instructional recipe video, or showing step-by-step recipes,
4. Managing a stopwatch on Smart Displays and Speakers.
5. Using your voice to call a device or broadcast a message to your Google Family Group,
6. Using your voice to send an email, video or audio message,
7. Rescheduling an event in Google Calendar with your voice,
8. Using App Launcher in Google Assistant driving mode on Google Maps,
9. Asking to schedule or hear previously scheduled Family Bell announcements.
10. Being able to ask to meditate with Calm,
11. Voice control for activities will no longer be available on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices,
12. Viewing your sleep summaries will only be available on Google Smart Displays.
13. Calls made from speakers and Smart Displays will not show up with a caller ID unless you’re using Duo,
14. Viewing the ambient “Commute to Work” time estimates on Smart Displays,
15. Checking personal travel itineraries by voice,
16. Asking for information about your contacts
17. Asking to take certain actions by voice.

Image credit, Mojahid Mottakin, pexels.com

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Having a super cool games room is the dream of many gamers, and while we are all happy to put up a few Nanoleaf lights here and there, going to the next level and getting an architect to design your ideal gaming space is a bit next level for most of us.

We know you like looking at what others have done for inspiration, so when popular Thai YouTuber and Star Citizen fanatic Bankii decided he was going to splash the cash on a games room design based around his favorite ship in the game, the Crusader Hercules, it was always going to be cool. We were always going to show it.

Besides the bespoke wooden paneling and fiberglass to make the “cockpit”, Bankii has three 65” screens to make the surround display, which he can use for driving and space games – although how good Among Us would look on them is a different question.

A breakdown of his prices according to IGN Asia are:

• Ship interior: US$11,685
• Automatic doors: US$1,700
• Kitchenette and kitchenware: US$1,400
• 3 x 65-inch TVs: US$4,400
• 49-inch Samsung CJ890 curved display: US$860
• Flight controls & steering wheel: US$1,900
• LED lights: US$860
• PC: US$6,650

He actually completed this room a year ago, so some of this gear is probably in line for an upgrade, certainly in his PC – It depends on whether he has another 50k spare if he splurged on the latest Star Citizen DLC or not.

What we like

The way the paneling leads to the screens in the cockpit that look like windows out into space. With the addition of blue LEDs to the white interior it looks like every starship ever in Hollywood. It’s a great effort.

How to make a cool games room

We reckon you could actually construct a smaller version of this with a 3D printer or two and we might look into a feature in the near future about 3D printing parts for a cool game setup so make sure you watch out for that.

We will be looking at other cool gaming set-ups in the future so drop me a line on x via the link in my profile

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Within the Wizarding World, Avada Kedavra is the worst of the Unforgivable Curses – but anything is possible in Hogwarts Legacy.

Hogwarts Legacy has taken the gaming community by storm, with it becoming one of the most-played games of 2023, according to Steam. Not only has the story captivated fans of the world of Harry Potter, but the open-world concept means that you can truly immerse yourself in the detailed game, as well as mod it to your satisfaction.

It’s proved such a success that more games are promised to be on the way. Although much of the game is mostly wholesome, as it goes on, Hogwarts Legacy has more and more enemies to face. There are plenty of curses to use against them, however, including one powerful one: the infamous Killing Curse.

Avada Kedavra is one of three Unforgivable Curses, alongside the torturous Crucio and the mind-controlling Imperio. It delivers a kill with one hit, making it the most powerful weapon against enemies.

How to use Avada Kedavra

You won’t be able to unlock the spell until pretty late on in your Hogwarts Legacy journey, however, so it won’t help too much with the core story-based missions. In fact, it comes so late in the game, you may well have already completed it all before you can unlock the curse.

To learn Avada Kedavra in Hogwarts Legacy and unlock the Killing Curse, you need to follow Sebastian Sallow’s relationship quest line. This takes place within ‘In the Shadow of the Relic’ and the game recommends players be above level 28 before starting this quest.

You must have completed all of Sallow’s previous quests, including ‘In the Shadow of Hope’ and the main story mission called ‘Lodgok’s Loyalty’. From there, you can complete ‘In the Shadow of the Relic’, the 11th of the 13 Sallow quests.

Sallow can be easily missed, so keep an eye out for his green Slytherin robes. This will be easiest to do if you are sorted into Slytherin but is possible for players from any House.

Featured image: Warner Bros. Games

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Microsoft has stepped up its planned service offering with the option to store all personal data of cloud customers in the European Union.

This move represents the latest step in the US technology giant’s scheduled rollout, branded as “EU Data Boundary for the Microsoft Cloud”.

After updates to privacy and security legislation, tech firms have been implementing data strategies in the EU, with Amazon Web Services (AWS) stating last October they would permit data storage on servers hosted within the European entity.

Microsoft had an existing data presence within the EU but now it will be able to add to this on a much greater scale. Like other large-scale companies, they are used to having data storage spread out and diversified across several territories but this becomes problematic as it can be difficult to pinpoint where particular data resides and if it complies with the relevant local privacy regulations.

EU data protection laws emphasize the importance of data localization, that is the understanding of where digital information is stored and how it is processed, as well as keeping the information in the same country or region as the customer.

Transforming Microsoft’s cloud storage capabilities

Julie Brill, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President & Chief Privacy Officer outlined on their official blog the steps the company was taking as well as detailing the next stage of the rollout to follow.

“Microsoft further expands our local storage and processing to include all personal data, such as automated system logs, making Microsoft the first large-scale cloud provider to deliver this level of data residency to European customers,” she stated.

Brill added, “Later this year, we will launch the next phase of our EU Data Boundary for the Microsoft Cloud by transforming the processing and storage capabilities for data required during technical support interactions. We will ensure that support data is stored within the boundary, and when access from outside the EU is required to enable world-class support, we will limit and secure any temporary data transfer required.”

As part of this, the company is planning a paid support service option to provide initial technical response support from within the EU.

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Elon Musk has promised that X creators will soon earn more for their posts, in response to a public blasting from MrBeast.

On December 30, YouTube creator MrBeast took to X to promote a new video. When a fan asked him in the comments to upload on X as well, Musk added his voice with a simple “yeah”.

Creator rewards will increase significantly this year https://t.co/TlQKxFci9y

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2024

In response, MrBeast wrote: “My videos cost millions to make and even if they got a billion views on X it wouldn’t fund a fraction of it :/ I’m down though to test stuff once monetization is really cranking!”

A few weeks later, on January 9, Musk announced that creator monetization would “increase significantly this year”. While he didn’t mention MrBeast directly, it could well be a response to his and others’ feedback.

With MrBeast uploading for an audience of 229 million subscribers on YouTube, he’s certainly a force to be reckoned with in the creator market. It wouldn’t be surprising for Musk to be led by his preferences.

Elon Musk and X creator talent

It’s long since been a part of Musk’s plans to attract top influencer talent to the platform since he took hold of the reins. As far back as October 2022, Musk promised “higher compensation for creators” than on YouTube – something many, including MrBeast were skeptical of.

“I’d be shocked if you crack that code,” the YouTuber wrote on X at the time. Another major YouTuber, Olajide Olatunji, better known as KSI, told fellow YouTuber Logan Paul on his podcast in August of 2023 “Impaulsive” that he didn’t think X “paid that much.”

“There are going to be people who are like, you got $1,500 from Twitter? Which is cool,” Paul said. “But comparatively is what we’re saying, to other platforms, for hundreds of millions on YouTube, that’s hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

At the moment, creators are eligible to get paid up to 97% of the revenue X has earned from the content they create, after in-app purchase fees. This is capped at $50,000 in lifetime earnings from X across all X monetization products, after which it drops to 90% of revenue.

In real terms, however, it’s unclear what this breaks down as. With ad revenue down across most social media and for X in particular, it’d be wise for any creator not to put all their eggs in one basket.

Featured image: Pixabay

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While the likes of Call of Duty have taken the horrors of war and turned it into a a series of knee slides and microtransactions there are some more historically focused games that deep down actually can alarm you when you play them.

Classics such as This War of Mine took a fictional conflict vaguely somewhere in Eastern Europe and set you as an ordinary survivor just trying to eke out a life on a day-to-day basis, worrying about a lack of water and food and even looters. Games like this you couldn’t fail to not “enjoy” playing them, such was the seriousness of the subject matter.

Gamifying war is no easy task, especially huge complex battlegrounds such as the theaters in World War I – the Great War. The slog of trench warfare and the meat-grinder of unthinkable troop loss is not a laugh by any method you choose to measure it by.

Well Nacon, whose head of publishing recently said that there were simply too many games out there for people to find, unless you have a niche has certainly gone for one in today’s release of War Hospital – a game that puts you in charge of a field hospital just behind the front line somewhere in Northern France in WW1. Your task is to patch up the soldiers as best you can, choose who lives and who dies with your dwindling supplies, and try and get your guys back on the battlefield, hoping that the shellshock doesn’t get them before the Germans.

If that doesn’t sound like a giggle, it’s not supposed to be as the game brings the horrors of splintered bones and the effects of chlorine gas onto your operating table. We will be looking at War Hospital in more detail over the coming days and will bring you a full review soon.

War Hospital is available on Steam priced at $24.99/£22.49. It is also available on Epic Game Store, Xbox and PlayStation.

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A fresh push has been instigated to legalize online casino gaming in New York which insiders believe could generate up to $1 billion for the state in additional tax revenue.

As reported by SBC Americas, the Bet on NY group, which is backed by the Sports Betting Alliance, is making the case that approval for online casinos would provide a shot in the arm for public finances in the Empire State as well as elevating the gaming market.

New employment opportunities as well as enhanced user protections have been pledged for the Big Apple if a bill is carried, to include both gaming and lottery online. New York State Senator, Joseph Addabbo, has reintroduced the proposal for legalization of iGaming.

Online gambling is legal in several US states, including Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia, while Rhode Island is also expected to join the list in April. Addabbo’s bill wants to see online lotteries, such as Mega Millions and Powerball, opened up to New Yorkers, while it also includes online table games and slots.

In Georgia, political representatives have renewed their push to legalize sports gambling but once again, they will face resistance to their plans.

iGaming presents revenue opportunity for New York

As for the New York proposal, the tax revenues to be raised have been mooted as a great source of funding for education.

In 2022, state sports betting operators returned $692.8 million in tax revenue, so further movement with the online market could fill a hole in the significant state budget deficit which is expected to hit $4.3 billion this year.

Senator Addabbo believes New York is leaving crucial funding on the table, whilst nearby states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania benefit from taxing additional online gambling.

“I was concerned, as we always are when neighboring states do something that we don’t do. It usually means a loss of money or a loss of jobs or a missed opportunity. And I hate missing a golden opportunity,” he stated.

“I was certainly jealous of the fact that they were doing stuff that we should have done in New York.”

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Head of Publishing at mid-tier games and peripherals company Nacon, Benoit Clerc has told Gamesindustry.biz he believes there are simply too many games being released to enable anybody other than the AAA publishers to carve out a niche and succeed, suggesting gamers are missing out on games they might want to play because of the general noise of so many releases. 

“There are too many games currently on the market,” Clerc said in his interview. “We’re seeing today the results of investment made after [COVID] when the market was bursting, and every game was making a lot of money so there were a lot of investments being made. This is two or three years after that, so the games we’re seeing now on the market were financed in that time and there are simply too many for customers to be able to play them.

“When you look at Steam some days, there are 50 or 60 games released in one day only so it’s more difficult to get enough traction to expose a game.”

Nacon, who was the publisher behind the impressive Robocop: Rogue City at the end of 2023, produced a polished game with a, granted rather niche license from the 1980s, that took its source material and turned out a product that appealed to fans of the franchise and beyond, but still struggled to gain any real momentum despite good press and reviews. 

The other side of the coin

It also found out to its detriment in 2023 the other side of the coin with the roundly panned and one of the worst games of the year, Lord of the Rings: Gollum, that a license does not necessarily carry enough weight to get a game noticed for the right reasons. Without the license, Gollum would have disappeared into obscurity. With the license, it’s head was above the wall and people used it for target practice. 

“Of course, one thing we’ve seen in the past when there’s an abundance of competition for a market is that pressure mounts to increase production values and budgets as companies decide throwing money on the screen is a helpful way to stand out from the crowd”, Clerc explained. 

With no sign of the number of great games slowing down any time soon, Nacon will have to continue to seek out its opportunities and learn from its mistakes, hopefully building on all the things it got right with Robocop.

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