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Motorola's new Razr: new foldable smartphone costs $1500
Motorola has officially rebooted its infamous Razr smartphone after the initial teases, with the new 2019 handset dipped in the future and coated in magic -- the new Moto Razr has probably the best foldable display yet.
Samsung's revised Galaxy Fold and Huawei's new Mate X have their own unique take on the hinge design, making their respective foldable use questionable over time -- but Motorola has something special in store for the new 2019 Razr. Motorola has the 6.2-inch OLED display on the new Razr opening more like a book, a throwback to the foldable design of the original Razr, but without the physical keyboard.
The new Razr opens and closes just like the classic Razr did, except this time when it's closed its the size of a large smartphone -- but the foldable display is really something else. Inside, Motorola won't break any speed records with its use of Qualcomm's not-so-flagship Snapdragon 710 processor, no 5G connectivity, a modest 2510mAh battery, and Android 9.
Continue reading: Motorola's new Razr: new foldable smartphone costs $1500 (full post)
Elon Musk blames Brexit on Tesla Gigafactory 4 in Germany over the UK
Tesla will build its new Gigafactory in Germany rather than the UK, with Tesla and SpaceX CEO and founder Elon Musk saying that the on-going battle of Brexit in the UK was the deciding force for Germany being the location of Gigafactory 4.
Musk spoke with an English car enthusiast publication about the matter, telling Auto Express that Brexit is the reason he and his executive team decided to not build Gigafactory 4 in the UK. Musk explained: "Brexit's [uncertain future] made it too risky to put a Gigafactory in the UK".
He added that Tesla will be building a new research and development center in Europe, meaning that both Gigafactory 4 and the new R&D center will not be built in the UK because of Brexit. This means the UK misses out on billions of dollars, and the creation of thousands of high-skilled jobs with the Gigafactory 4 and R&D center being built in Germany instead.
Continue reading: Elon Musk blames Brexit on Tesla Gigafactory 4 in Germany over the UK (full post)
Apple's new 16-inch MacBook Pro: 64GB RAM, 8TB SSD for $6099
Apple's new 16-inch MacBook Pro is here, and if you max out its internal specs then you'll be coughing up an eye-watering amount of money with the fully-loaded 16-inch MacBook Pro costing $6099.
What will you get for $6099 exactly? Well it's not exactly slow, with a huge 64GB of RAM and 8TB of all-flash storage on offer -- this is on top of an Intel Core i9 processor at up to 5GHz, and an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 8GB of GDDR6 memory. The 64GB of RAM comes in at DDR4-2666MHz.
The upgrade from 1TB of SSD to 8TB of SSD is a big one, coming in at a huge $2200 upgrade while the Radeon Pro 5500M comes in 4GB and 8GB varieties, with the additional 4GB of GDDR6 costing $100. Apple's new 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2399 with a 6-core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, Radeon Pro 5300M, and 512GB SSD.
Continue reading: Apple's new 16-inch MacBook Pro: 64GB RAM, 8TB SSD for $6099 (full post)
Avengers: Endgame directors making Marvel vs. DC docu-series for Quibi
Joe and Anthony Russo are fresh from their directors chair for Avengers: Endgame, with the MCU directors now producing a new streaming docu-series over the fierce rivalry between Marvel and DC.
Entertainment Weekly reports that streaming service Quibi has the series rights to Slugest, which will be inspired by the book "Slugfest: Inside The Epic, 50-Year Battle Between Marvel and DC", written by Reed Tucker and released back in 2017. Slugfest "tracks the rise of two groundbreaking creative companies who went on to become the comics-publishing powerhouses, Marvel and DC".
Slugfest will be produced by the Russo Brothers and directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce who directed Believer and Framing John DeLorean. Slugfest will feature behind the scenes stories, including some iconic moments like the first official Marvel and DC crossover comic in the 1970s between Superman and Spider-Man.
Continue reading: Avengers: Endgame directors making Marvel vs. DC docu-series for Quibi (full post)
GeForce 441.20 drivers are ready for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
NVIDIA has just released its new GeForce 441.20 WHQL drivers, which provide Game Ready support for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order -- as well as an SLI profile for the game which is interesting to see in the tail end of 2019.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order isn't the only one to get Game Ready goodness, with "optimal support" also included by NVIDIA for the new VR game Stormland. In addition to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Stormland optimizations, NVIDIA also includes more G-SYNC compatible monitor support with the new GeForce 441.20 drivers.
The new drivers add support for a few more monitors that boosts NVIDIA's collection of G-SYNC compatible displays to 60, with the Acer XB273U, Acer XV273U, and ASUS VG259Q monitors now supported with GeForce 441.20 drivers. You can get NVIDIA's new GeForce 441.20 drivers here.
Continue reading: GeForce 441.20 drivers are ready for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (full post)
Crytek releases ray tracing benchmark demo Neon Noir
Crytek teased one of the best-looking tech demos ever with Neon Noir unleashed at the Game Developers Conference 2019 earlier this year, but now you and I can download and run it -- is this the new Crysis?
CRYENGINE 5.7 is the latest build of the engine that the team has injected DirectX 12 and Vulkan API support into, something that is explained and detailed in Crytek's "Making of" the Neon Noir demo in a new CRYENGINE developer diary video.
As for Neon Noir, it is a project for Crytek's hardware and API agnostic ray tracing technologies in CRYENGINE, now in benchmark form. Crytek explains that their mesh-based ray tracing in CRYENGINE 5.7 and Neon Noir uses their SVOGI technology, which will ship in CRYENGINE in 2020. You can download the Neon Noir Ray Tracing Benchmark right here.
Continue reading: Crytek releases ray tracing benchmark demo Neon Noir (full post)
PlayStation 5 concept video shows totally new design
We've already had a good look at what Sony's next-gen PlayStation 5 will look like in 3D renders from LetsGoDigital, but now German retailer MediaMarkt Saturn is getting into the render fun with their own take on the PS5. Check it out:
The new design would see Sony using a square console with rounded edges, and something I really dig -- a status light that runs around the entire of the PlayStation 5. It looks pretty slick, but the "TURN ON" button seems so out of place -- a simple "ON" button would suffice.
The bigger change here with the new take on the PS5 from MediaMarkt Saturn is the radically re-designed DualShock 5 controller. In these renders, it would see the new PS5-bound controller featuring a smaller version (that is virtually identical) to the UI of the console. I actually like the idea of this as well, but Sony would have to do it right.
Continue reading: PlayStation 5 concept video shows totally new design (full post)
Intel Xe GPU: 7nm graphics card with HBM is codenamed Ponte Vecchio
Intel is providing more details for its upcoming Xe GPU and discrete graphics card, with their first 7nm Xe GPU codenamed Ponte Vecchio -- which is an old stone bridge in Florence, Italy.
But if you were expecting this to be Intel's first foray into gaming graphics cards, you're going to be disappointed -- Ponte Vecchio is the first Xe GPU for exascale computing. Intel will be unveiling more details on Project Aurora on November 17, which will feature Sapphire Rapids Xeon CPUs, Ponte Vecchio GPUs and Intel's new initiative called oneAPI.
Intel's new Ponte Vecchio GPU will use Foveros packaging technology and CLX interconnection, as well as ultra-high cache and high bandwidth memory. Intel's new codename Ponte Vecchio will also feature high double-precision FP throughput. This isn't a gaming card once again, and an exscale computing product.
Continue reading: Intel Xe GPU: 7nm graphics card with HBM is codenamed Ponte Vecchio (full post)
SAPPHIRE NITRO+ RX 5700 XT Special Edition teased
SAPPHIRE is preparing another custom Navi graphics card with a new member to soon join the Radeon RX 5700 XT family of graphics cards from the company in the form of the NITRO+ RX 5700 XT Special Edition.
Just how special is the new NITRO+ RX 5700 XT Special Edition from SAPPHIRE to differentiate itself from the regular NITRO+ RX 5700 XT that I reviewed here? Well, SAPPHIRE will be offering the ARGB fans pre-installed, versus them being an optional purchase -- with SAPPHIRE including 2 x 95x15mm fans and 1 x 87x13.5mm fan.
These fans are translucent and look pretty slick, with addressable RGB lighting to boot -- but it's not just looks that SAPPHIRE is providing with its new NITRO+ RX 5700 XT Special Edition. SAPPHIRE will be clocking the new NITRO+ SE a little higher, with the Navi GPU clocked at up top 2035MHz versus 2010MHz on the regular NITRO+.
Continue reading: SAPPHIRE NITRO+ RX 5700 XT Special Edition teased (full post)
Google Stadia will rely heavily on a mobile app
Google's new Stadia service will require a mobile app for basic features like buying games, changing stream resolution caps, and adjusting settings.
Today in a recent Reddit AMA, Google execs revealed some new info around Stadia, namely with the essential mobile app. The streaming service apparently won't have an actual dashboard or control center. Basic settings are instead moved to an external mobile app. Not only is the app required for first-time setup, it's required for game purchases (likely for authentication/verification), changing stream quality settings, and even family options. And of course the Stadia app is required for mobile game streaming...but we really don't advise that.
"First, the Stadia mobile app is your central hub to manage Settings across all screens. Use the app to set stream quality for your TV and other supported devices," Stadia Director of Product Andrey Doronichev said in a recent Reddit AMA.
Continue reading: Google Stadia will rely heavily on a mobile app (full post)
John Carmack is no longer a full-time employee at Oculus
After help revolutionizing virtual reality as we know it today, John Carmack is stepping back to focus on AI.
Today John Carmack announced he'll no longer be a full-time employee at Oculus, and is instead moving to a consultant Chief Technology Officer position. In this role Carmack will still have a say in future Oculus VR technology development, but he won't be as hands-on as before. This reveal comes shortly after Carmack expressed frustration in the relatively slow pace of VR's development compared to its potential.
"Starting this week, I'm moving to a "Consulting CTO" position with Oculus. I will still have a voice in the development work, but it will only be consuming a modest slice of my time," Carmack said.
Continue reading: John Carmack is no longer a full-time employee at Oculus (full post)
Stadia PC game streaming won't support 4K HDR until 2020
Stadia subscribers won't actually be able to stream games in 4K 60FPS with HDR on PC at launch, Google today confirmed.
A bit ago, Google touted that Stadia will deliver 4K 60FPS performance in all of its games. Turns out this is only true for a portion of Stadia's platforms. Google won't stream Stadia games in 4K onto PC Chrome browsers until 2020.
"On day 1, PC Chrome gameplay won't support 4K, HDR, or 5.1 Surround Sound. But in the spirit of gradual rollout, we'll be adding support for 4K/HDR/5.1 on PCs in 2020," Stadia Director of Product Andrey Doronichev said in a recent Reddit AMA.
Continue reading: Stadia PC game streaming won't support 4K HDR until 2020 (full post)
Diablo IV's MMORPG elements surface with world boss battles
All MMORPGs have one thing in common: Teaming up with a bunch of other players to take down a huge, hulking boss. Diablo IV will embrace this across its persistent shared world environments, merging ARPG and MMO worlds.
Diablo has always been about teaming up to slay big demon bosses for epic loot--the original Diablo had it, Diablo II's 8-player epic battles had it, and of course Diablo III had it to a lesser extent with its 4-player co-op. Diablo IV isn't an innovator on that front. But Diablo IV dramatically increases the scale of these battles thanks in part to its new world boss mechanic, which essentially summons a huge raid-level boss across the map.
While watching new gameplay footage from GameInformer, I got a sense of this MMO focus. 8 players teamed up to take on a massive world boss, culminating in an epic 4-minute battle (4 minutes is a long time for any single boss battle in Diablo) with high stakes. The more players there are, the higher the difficulty, and the sweeter the rewards.
Continue reading: Diablo IV's MMORPG elements surface with world boss battles (full post)
If Payday 3 can't get published, Starbreeze may have to sell Payday IP
Amid financial woes, Starbreeze is surviving off of lifelines right now. Things could get much worse if its big new Payday game somehow fails.
Starbreeze Studios, the company behind the huge Payday franchise, is awash with debt. The company has been forced to shut down various business ventures like StarVR to eliminate spending, all while significantly halting games development. But how bad off is Starbreeze really? According to new documents filed in a Stockholm court, Starbreeze owes a total of $40.8 million, but the good news is its assets are worth nearly four times that amount, or $164.9 million. The bad news? Most of that worth comes from the Payday franchise.
The company's new five-year debt payback plan hinges on one thing: Payday 3. Starbreeze is betting big on the sequel. The plan sees Starbreeze securing a big publishing contract to fund Payday 3's development for a release by 2023, giving the company roughly a year to absorb cash from sales after launch before it has to pay back its debts.
Continue reading: If Payday 3 can't get published, Starbreeze may have to sell Payday IP (full post)
Diablo IV's missing classes may be Paladin and Amazon
Diablo IV's missing classes are a mystery, but an older, incredibly accurate leak may have spilled the beans on what's to come.
Four months ago a Reddit user leaked out tons of Diablo IV info, detailing classes, skills and abilities, a new darker medieval tone akin to Diablo II, and a huge open-ended world. Most of everything in the leak turned out to be 100% true. What if all if it is true and Blizzard just hasn't confirmed everything yet?
Some unconfirmed details include Diablo IV's character classes. Blizzard only announced three classes were returning--the Sorceress, the Druid, and the Barbarian--but they also confirmed the game should ship with 5 classes total. Who are the missing heroes? The Paladin and Amazon, according to the leak. There's even more characters coming post-launch as paid expansions too.
Continue reading: Diablo IV's missing classes may be Paladin and Amazon (full post)
Prey 2 could be developed by original developers
Human Head Studios, the devs behind the original Prey game, today closed their doors. But Bethesda hired them to form a brand new studio.
Today Bethesda Softworks grew tremendously with a surge of fresh talent. Although the actual Human Head Studios is no more, every single one of its developers was offered a job by Bethesda (an amazing move by the publisher). Bethesda didn't buy Human Head Studios, but they did acquire the full dev team and opened up a brand new studio: Roundhouse Studios.
At the Roundhouse headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, the team is already working on several unannounced projects for Bethesda. One of those games could be a sequel to 2017's excellent Prey reboot. The irony isn't lost here: Human Head was originally supposed to make Prey 2, but stopped development in 2011. For years the sequel went through development hell until being rebooted by Arkane in 2017.
Continue reading: Prey 2 could be developed by original developers (full post)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Fighter Pass made Nintendo heaps of money
Remember when Nintendo refused to implement DLC's into their games? Well, now that the company has jumped on the bandwagon with the rest of the gaming industry, I can guarantee that they don't regret it.
Even though Nintendo initially didn't want to bring DLC's to their games, they gritted their deal and did it anyway, even at some fans' disapproval. To win over those fans that weren't happy with the decision, Nintendo has made the DLC's worthwhile for buyers, and a prime example of this is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Fighters Pass.
During the Q&A summary regarding Nintendo's financials, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa explains that the company is growing in buyers of "download-only software" and that this was a huge contributor to the companies financial success. The Q&A specifically points out that the "Fighters Pass for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has made a huge contribution". Since the Fighters Pass was such a huge success for Nintendo, it can be assumed that this is the reason they green-lit more characters to come to Smash Ultimate.
Continue reading: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Fighter Pass made Nintendo heaps of money (full post)
Twitch launch 'Twitch Studio' app, live-streaming just got way easier
Twitch has released a new introduction application for new streamers and ones that have just started - introducing Twitch Studio, a streamer's best-friend.
Twitch Studio is currently available for download and takes new streamers through an extremely easy to follow introduction process into streaming. It begins with a guided setup where the app detects microphones, webcams, monitor and streaming resolution, streaming display, templates, and bit rates.
The app also gives users the ability to customize their streaming template while also integrating alerts, programmable keys, activity feeds, and chats. It should be noted that the app is only available to download if your operating system is Windows 7 or above. Here is a link to the Twitch website for further information.
Continue reading: Twitch launch 'Twitch Studio' app, live-streaming just got way easier (full post)
Sonic Mania's lead animator is who we thank for Sonic's Movie redesign
Remember back in May when the first trailer for the Sonic The Hedgehog Movie dropped and basically the entire internet threw-up at once? Well, now the entire internet is praising the redesign efforts, but who do we have to thank?
After the backlash of the original Sonic The Hedgehog Movie trailer, Paramount decided to go ahead and suspend the release of the movie and take Sonic back to the labs for a redesign. Over the course of months of hard-work model reconfiguration, Sonic was redesigned back to his normal self, which you can see in the trailer here.
But who was the main influence behind the redesign? Tyon Hesse, the lead animator on the Sonic Mania video game and the director behind Sonic Mania Adventures, took to Twitter to announce that he was the lead role in the redesign for the movie. Yes, that's right, a video game designer saved the Sonic The Hedgehog Movie from flopping hugely in the box office. I think I can say on behalf of the internet, thank you, Mr. Hesse, you and your team, truly turned it around.
Continue reading: Sonic Mania's lead animator is who we thank for Sonic's Movie redesign (full post)
Facebook is fixing that really weird bug that auto-opened users camera
Just earlier this month, Facebook issued out a new update for the iOS app, and while updates are usually welcomed, this one harbored a strange bug that opened users camera without them knowing.
CNET reported that while users on the iOS app were watching videos or looking at photos their camera became activated behind the app. Some users even reported via Twitter that while watching a video and then rotating to landscape mode that the Facebook/Instagram Story UI could be seen for a split second. When flipping back to portrait, the Story camera/UI opened entirely, as seen above.
Facebook acknowledged the issue, saying that this bug was introduced to the iOS app when they fixed another bug that was incorrectly launching the app in landscape mode. Facebook's Guy Rosen gave a statement regarding this bug, saying "We recently discovered that version 244 of the Facebook iOS app would incorrectly launch in landscape mode. In fixing that issue last week in v246 (launched on November 8th) we inadvertently introduced a bug that caused the app to partially navigate to the camera screen adjacent to News Feed when users tapped on photos."
Continue reading: Facebook is fixing that really weird bug that auto-opened users camera (full post)






















