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The first living robots have been created, and they can work together
Scientists have done the unthinkable; they have combined frog embryo stem cells with robotics and created the first 'living' robot.
Researchers from the University of Vermont (UVM) and Tufts University have used stem cells from frog embryos and combined them with tiny robots to create "xenobots". The robots are technically alive, and they measure in at about a millimeter-wide, can self-heal if sliced in half, can work cooperatively with other live robots, and even swim.
According to Joshua Bongard, a computer scientist and robotics expert at UVM and one of the leads on the research, said, "These are novel living machines. They're neither a traditional robot nor a known species of animal. It's a new class of artifact: a living, programmable organism." So how did scientists and researchers do this? Using a supercomputer, the team at UVM ran an algorithm to find out the best design, then the team at Tufts implemented the design with the stem cells from frog embryos. If you are after more information on this topic, check out this article here.
Continue reading: The first living robots have been created, and they can work together (full post)
SpeedRunners will be sprinting onto the Nintendo Switch January 23rd
The Nintendo eShop is going to be soon blessed with another 4-player game that will no doubt bring intensity to the living room.
If you haven't heard of SpeedRunners, own a Nintendo Switch, and enjoy couch games with multiple players, then you are in luck. SpeedRunners is a superhero arcade racer. The whole premise is to slow down your opponents and make it first across the finish line. Players can pick up items throughout the race that can hinder an opponent's speed, and players who are too slow are eliminated from the race if the edge of the screen overtakes them.
Players can select from a standard range of heroes, and more can be unlocked as players progress through the game. SpeedRunners was originally released back in 2016 on PC and then released on Xbox One and PS4 in 2017. SpeedRunners will finally be running onto the Nintendo Switch on January 23, 2020. If you would like to give SpeedRunners a shot, a free demo is available on the eShop.
Continue reading: SpeedRunners will be sprinting onto the Nintendo Switch January 23rd (full post)
God of War sequel could have just been teased in this new dev image
For many months now there has been rumors circulating about a God of War sequel being in the works. Now, a new image has been released that could be some evidence to suggest that those rumors are true.
Above we have an image of Santa Monica Studios' narrative animator, Kim Newman who has posted to her personal Twitter account with the caption "Feels good to be back in the suit." This image could show that the rumored God of War sequel is being, or has already begun production.
This isn't the first piece of evidence that makes fans think that Santa Monica Studios is working on a sequel to the critically acclaimed title. Santa Monica Studios has previously posted job listings that could suggest a sequel is being produced. Examples of the listings are as follows; senior combat animator with "knowledge of God of War (2018)", "Facial Blend Shape Character Artist" with knowledge on next-gen consoles.
Continue reading: God of War sequel could have just been teased in this new dev image (full post)
Astronomers found two super-Earth's that could host & sustain life
Astronomers have peered out into the vastness of space and located two more potentially habitable alien planets.
The two new worlds that could be our new homes some day are called 'GJ180 d' and 'GJ229A c' and orbit two red dwarf stars 'GJ229A' and 'GJ180', respectively. Both of the planets are located in the habitable zone of the red dwarf stars and are not total locked. Tidal locking is common for planets found next to red dwarfs, but it isn't good for survivability or an overall habitable planet as it can render the days extremely hot and the nights freezing.
Fabo Feng, of the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, D.C, said the planet 'GJ180 d' has a temperature close to Earths, so much so that the planet can be called a super-Earth. 'GJ180 d' is actually larger than Earth as well, its estimated that the exoplanet has 7.5 times the mass of Earth. "GJ180 d is the nearest temperate super-Earth to us that is not tidally locked to its star, which probably boosts its likelihood of being able to host and sustain life." If you are after more information check out this link here.
Continue reading: Astronomers found two super-Earth's that could host & sustain life (full post)
ASRock unleashes its Hyper Quad M.2 PCIe 4.0 expansion card
If you want some of the most insane storage you can cram into a PC, then you will want to check out ASRock's new Hyper Quad M.2 PCIe 4.0 Expansion Card.
ASRock's new Hyper Quad M.2 PCIe 4.0 Expansion Card if you couldn't already tell from its name, can handle 4 x NVMe M.2 SSDs and cram them into a single PCIe 4.0 x16 slot. It supports M Key type 2242/2260/2280/22110 M.2 PCI Express modules.
The 4 x onboard M.2 sockets are on a 45-degree angle inside of the card, a move by ASRock to keep the traces as short as possible -- meaning that the M.2 sockets have enough current, something that is imperative for the speeds that PCIe 4.0 SSDs can reach in the multiple GB/sec range.
Continue reading: ASRock unleashes its Hyper Quad M.2 PCIe 4.0 expansion card (full post)
PUBG's new map Karakin has destructible buildings
PUBG will be throwing in an interesting and unexpected change with its upcoming v6.1 update, with a new map called Karakin that is a 2x2km island that also introduces destructible buildings.
The new 64-player map has a huge network of underground tunnels, with a new threat called the 'Black Zone' that sees the map blasted with disasters that will take down entire buildings and towns. This means you won't be able to camp it up, as the map will evolve in real-time with the added threat of pure destruction.
PUBG's new 6.1 update will see a few different walls have proper bullet penetration, so if you know an enemy is on the other side of a particular wall, blast a magazine into it. Better yet, Karakin will also see the introduction of a new sticky bomb that can be used on breach points, as well as blasting holes in hidden areas (walls or floors).
Continue reading: PUBG's new map Karakin has destructible buildings (full post)
Bose is closing ALL retail stores in US, Australia, Europe and Japan
Bose has announced some rather large news for its retail dominance in major markets globally, with the audio-focused company announcing it will be closing retail stores in multiple countries.
Bose will be closing its retail storefronts in the US, Australia, Europe and Japan which will see a total of 119 stores closing and hundreds of jobs slashed. It's a big shock considering Bose first opened its first physical store in 1993, and has continued to spread its audio retail goodness across the world since.
The retail stores have been the perfect way to display and show off their audio products like headphones and speakers, especially Bose's iconic noise-cancellation headphones. Recently, Bose has been pushing into smart speakers, earbuds, sunglasses, and other products.
Continue reading: Bose is closing ALL retail stores in US, Australia, Europe and Japan (full post)
GTA 6 listed for 2020 release by retailer Gameware, probably fake
According to a now-deleted listing from Austrian retailer Gameware, Grand Theft Auto 6 could release in 2020. But we're skeptical.
Austrian game-seller Gameware recently put up pre-order listings for GTA 6, complete with a 2020 release date. I say reports because the listings are down, and there's no links that've been backed up on internet archives, so there's no real proof the listings were there at all (they could've easily been Photoshopped). Even taking into account Gameware's history of leaking real games like Need For Speed Heat and Devil May Cry 5 ahead of their announcements, these listings don't seem accurate.
For one, the listings show Grand Theft Auto 6 being rated by AT-PEGI, or the Austrian branch of the Pan-European Gaming Information ratings board. Of course no listing for GTA 6 exists on the website.
Continue reading: GTA 6 listed for 2020 release by retailer Gameware, probably fake (full post)
Fortnite breaks fourth wall with Ninja skin
Epic Games today announced the Icon Series, a new rollout of purchasable skins for popular streamers, YouTubers, and content creators.
Fortnite is no stranger to breaking the fourth wall. The game has served as a powerful advertisement billboard for movies and franchises like Star Wars, Batman, and John Wick, and even held its own exclusive in-game concert. These tactics have been extremely valuable by engaging the game's 250 million-strong userbase. Now the battle royale sensation continues smashing the fourth wall by injecting big influencers into its game.
Ninja, the most popular Fortnite streamer on the planet, is the first to be immortalized in the game with his very own skin. Fortnite players can become Ninja starting on Thursday but no pricing has been revealed (possibly $10 or more). Other content creators like late night female streamer Loserfruit and popular Spanish YouTuber Grefg are next in line to receive Fortnite skins.
Continue reading: Fortnite breaks fourth wall with Ninja skin (full post)
The mobile markets revenue +17% in 2019, topping out at $83.5 billion
If you thought that the mobile market wasn't big, then you thought wrong. Sensor Tower has released new statistics that reveal throughout 2019, an estimated $83.5 billion dollars was spent in the mobile market.
The new statistics have been released on the Sensor Tower website, and show that throughout 2019 a growth of 16.3% occurred in spending for Apple's App Store. In 2018, the App Store pulled in $46.6 billion in spending, compared to in 2019, where it managed to beat the record with $54.2 billion. Looking at the Android market in 2018, the Google Play Store's total revenue was estimated to be $24.8 billion. In 2019 that number increased slightly to $29.3 billion.
The mobile gaming market was a massive player in the total revenue, pulling in a lions share of $61.7 billion spent, a 12.8% increase when compared to 2018. So what mobile games generated the most revenue? According to Sensor Tower, games such as Honor of Kings, Pokemon GO, Fire Emblem Heroes, Garena Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile, and more contributed the most towards the gaming market's total revenue earnings. The game that managed to rake in the most revenue was Tencent's Honor of Kings with a ridiculous $1.5 billion.
Continue reading: The mobile markets revenue +17% in 2019, topping out at $83.5 billion (full post)
Amazon Studios reveals first group of 'Lord of the Rings' series stars
At TCA, Amazon Studios officially announced the first group of actors who will be starring in their upcoming Lord of the Rings TV show.
If you have been out of the loop, Amazon Studios are currently gathering all resources to begin shooting for their upcoming Lord of the Rings TV show that will be based within J.R.R. Tolkien's Second Age of Middle-Earth. We knew that young Ned Stark actor from Game of Thrones, Robert Aramayo, will star in the series, but we didn't know who else would be stepping into some vital roles. Now, Amazon Studios has revealed a further fifteen actors who will be appearing in the show.
The following actors were announced by Amazon Studios, "Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, and Daniel Weyman." Amazon plans to start shooting sometime next month in New Zealand. According to Amazon Co-head of TV, Vernon Sanders, who spoke at TCA, "We still have a few key roles to cast." So in the coming months, we can expect some other actors to join in on Amazon's massive project.
Continue reading: Amazon Studios reveals first group of 'Lord of the Rings' series stars (full post)
Man asks court for 'Trial by Combat' with wife's attorney in divorce
An American man has made a strange filing in an Iowa court, asking his new ex-wife and attorney to meet him on the field of battle.
The Kansas man is 40-year-old David Ostrom, who says that his now ex-wife, Bridgette Ostrom, has "destroyed (him) legally". So in response to being "destroyed legally", Ostrom has asked the court to grant him 'trial by combat' and to give him twelve weeks to prepare his weapons for battle. Ostrom wants to forge his own kata and wakizashi swords for the trial. According to the Des Moines Register, the court states, "To this day, trial by combat has never been explicitly banned or restricted as a right in these United States".
Ostrom's main target in this trial by combat is not his ex-wife but instead her attorney, Matthew Hudson. Ostrom says, "I think I've met Mr. Hudson's absurdity with my own absurdity." Ostrom even suggested to his ex-wife to choose Hudson as her "champion". In response to the trial by combat request, Hudson has filed a motion to suspend Ostrom's visitation rights to his children and has asked to court to enforce a psychological evaluation on Ostrom.
Continue reading: Man asks court for 'Trial by Combat' with wife's attorney in divorce (full post)
New rating indicates BioShock Collection is coming over to the Switch
Some new ratings have appeared online in regards to 2K's BioShock series. According to the new ratings BioShock The Collection will be making its way over to Nintendo Switch.
The new ratings have been found on this website, and according to the listings, the Nintendo Switch will be blessed with the BioShock Collection. The listing also reveals some other titles which have been rated; those titles include; BioShock 1 Remastered, BioShock 2 Remastered, and BioShock Infinite: The Complete Collection.
At the moment, 2K Games hasn't made any official announcements regarding the BioShock series heading over to Nintendo Switch, but seeing the games be rated is a very good sign it's happening. We cannot confirm that 2K will port the games soon, but if an official announcement is made, I will be sure to follow up with another post detailing it.
Continue reading: New rating indicates BioShock Collection is coming over to the Switch (full post)
Microsoft makes Windows 7 excommunicado by killing support today
Microsoft has announced an end of an era, Windows 7 will no longer receive any support and its users that remain are advised to move onto Windows 10.
Microsoft has been giving Windows 7 support for the last ten years, and the time to end that lifeline support is officially upon us. In a new blog post on Microsoft's website, it says that as of January 14th, 2020, "Technical assistance and software updates from Windows Update that help protect your PC are no longer available for the product." Microsoft has instead moved onto supporting newer technologies and great new experiences.
If you are a Windows 7 user, Microsoft recommends you to upgrade to Windows 10 as you will be provided adequate protection on a more updated OS. Windows 7 users can do this for free through a loophole in the Media Creation Tool. Windows Latest reports that if users download and run the Media Creation Tool and input their existing product key for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, they will receive a new Windows 10 digital license.
Continue reading: Microsoft makes Windows 7 excommunicado by killing support today (full post)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct will reveal 5th DLC fighter soon
Nintendo has finally announced what every Super Smash Bros. Ultimate player has been wondering - "when is the next DLC fighter going to be revealed?"
The news has come from the official Nintendo Versus Twitter account, which states that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai will be taking the helm once again for an in-depth look at the new fighter. The live stream will clock in at about 35 minutes long, and throughout the stream, Sakurai will delve into the new character's move set, abilities, advantages, disadvantages, and what players can overall expect from the new fighter.
So who is the 5th DLC fighter? Well, no one officially knows, but rumors and speculation are now pointing towards Dante from the Devil May Cry series. The speculation behind Dante is because Devil May Cry 3 is releasing on the Nintendo Switch soon and that the Devil May Cry Twitter account Tweeted out to fans to "mark these dates on your calender's January 16". January 16 is the same date as the DLC fighter reveal. So it would kind of make sense? Either way, we will just have to wait patiently before confirming anything. Who do you hope makes it into Smash Ultimate?
Continue reading: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct will reveal 5th DLC fighter soon (full post)
Marvel's Avengers game officially delayed for 'polishing' til Sept 4th
No gamer likes to hear that the game they are most anticipated for is being delayed by a few months, but what if that delay is necessary?
Crystal Dynamics has announced on the official Marvel's Avengers Twitter account some unfortunate news for fans. The release date for Marvel's Avengers is being moved from May 15th to September 4th. Why is this happening? According to the Twitter thread, Crystal Dymanics states that it's been their ambition to deliver the ultimate Avengers gaming experience and for them to do that they are going to need more time for "fine tuning and polishing the game to the high standards out fans expect and deserve".
Judging on the fans responses in the Twitter thread, most, if not all of the fans are more than happy to wait for a completely polished title than receiving some half-baked game that barely works and is overall a disapointing experience. The main thing that gamers can appreciate is the communication between the developer, publisher and the community. The more communication, and the more that the community is informed the less backlash developers and publishers receive when delays unfortunately happen.
Continue reading: Marvel's Avengers game officially delayed for 'polishing' til Sept 4th (full post)
Last images from Cassini satellite give insight into Saturn's auroras
NASA's Cassini satellite ended its 13-year mission in September 2017, but scientists and researchers are analyzing some of the final data sets sent back from it.
The new data was analyzed, and two new studies have been published in Geophysical Research Letters and JGR: Space Physics detailing some new understanding regarding Saturn's rings. For those that don't know, Cassini's main mission was to observe Saturn, and it did so very well. Throughout the course of its life, it gave scientists numerous vital pieces of information that helped piece together our now present understanding of Saturn.
Cassini was moved to an orbit that brought it closer to Saturn than ever before, and at this length, scientists and researchers were able to obtain images of Saturn's ultraviolet auroras at some never before seen resolution. So what's Saturn's aurora? Saturn's auroras are generated by the interaction between the solar wind from the sun, which shoots out energized particles, and Saturn's rapidly rotating magnetic field. The auroras are found at the planet's poles and are known to flash and pulsate at different speeds.
Continue reading: Last images from Cassini satellite give insight into Saturn's auroras (full post)
Galaxy S20 will have 120Hz display, but limited to 1080p
Samsung will be unveiling its next-gen Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Z Flip smartphones at its Unpacked event on February 11, but now we're receiving more leaks on the super-fast 120Hz display.
According to Ice Universe, Samsung's new Galaxy S20 will indeed have a 120Hz display -- but it'll be limited to 1080p. There will be other options for the display: 1080p 60Hz, 1080p 120Hz, and the higher-end 1440p 60Hz display option.
Why the limitation of 1080p 120Hz? That would be mostly due to battery, and how much more battery it would consume at 120Hz. I would rather have 1080p at 120Hz than 1080p at 60Hz, so the offer there of 120Hz and a slight dent in battery life will be welcomed -- but 1440p at 120Hz seems too painful on the battery, for now.
Continue reading: Galaxy S20 will have 120Hz display, but limited to 1080p (full post)
AMD Radeon RX 5950 XT spotted, again: is this Big Navi?
We know that AMD is cooking up a competitor to NVIDIA's enthusiast range of GeForce RTX graphics cards, something that is dubbed Big Navi -- and here we are again with a new leak.
VideoCardz is reporting that board partner AFOX submitted multiple new SKUs to the EEC, for a bunch of unreleased and unannounced Radeon graphics cards. These cards include the Radeon RX 5800 XT, Radeon RX 5900, Radeon RX 5950, and what should be the flagship Radeon RX 5950 XT.
This isn't the first time we've heard about a monster new Radeon, but the naming scheme is giving me some tingles of nostalgia back to the dual-GPU beast in the Hawaii-based Radeon R9 295XT. There's nothing else here to report, other than what could be another spotting of AMD's Big Navi and its name -- Radeon RX 5950 XT.
Continue reading: AMD Radeon RX 5950 XT spotted, again: is this Big Navi? (full post)
Don't worry, gender-neutral voice assistants are on the way
Voice assistants are about to get much more inclusive, with Project Q launching in 2020 as a "gender-neutral voice assistant".
Ryan Sherman, a creative developer on Project Q, explains: "Current voice technology is essentially gendered. When we look at Siri or Google Assistant they all predominantly start out as female by default, so we started out with that question: why do we gender AI?"
Project Q launched back in 2019 with a prototype voice developed by non-binary linguists, and then the company asked 4500 people throughout Europe whether they thought the voice sounded male or female. Out of the 4500 people, the answers came down to a 50/50 response on whether the voice sounded male or female.
Continue reading: Don't worry, gender-neutral voice assistants are on the way (full post)





















