New Ratchet & Clank to launch as PS5 title before Spider-Man sequel

Jak Connor | Gaming | Feb 5, 2020 2:36 AM CST

One of the most recognizable video game characters in history is no doubt the yellow and orange lombax and his small metal friend.

New Ratchet & Clank to launch as PS5 title before Spider-Man sequel

Back in 2016, Spider-Man developer Insomniac Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment released 'Ratchet & Clank', which was a re-imagining of the very first game in the series (2002). The game was met by fans with big support, gaining more than decent reviews and overall reception. Now, rumors have begun flying about a new Ratchet & Clank game being in the works, and it launching alongside the PS5 as a flagship title.

According to Podcaster and former video game reporter Colin Moriarty, who shared this rumor on his podcast called Sacred Symbols, "We're going to get a Ratchet & Clank in-between [Marvel's Spider-Man and its sequel] on PlayStation 5. I feel like that's going to be a launch game, the game that's long been in development at Insomniac." If this rumor is accurate, it would mean that Insomniac Games are secretly working on a new Ratchet & Clank game alongside the purported Marvel's Spider-Man sequel. Does that mean there's two development teams? Perhaps so.

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Alphabet: Google has a 'multibillion-dollar' hardware business

Jak Connor | Business, Financial & Legal | Feb 5, 2020 2:06 AM CST

It has been a question for quite some time - how much does Google make from hardware sales? Until now, no one has ever really known, but we have just been thrown a bone (pardon the rhyme).

Alphabet: Google has a 'multibillion-dollar' hardware business

Alphabet, Google's parent company recently conducted its Q4 earnings call, and according to that report, Google's hardware division is a "multi-billion dollar" hardware business. There were no specific numbers released on what device/s are Google's most profitable, but since Alphabet stated "multi," we can accurately assume that hardware sales exceed $2 billion.

Google as a slew of hardware products; examples include Pixel phones, laptops, Nest doorbells, cameras, speakers, routers, and Chromecasts. Which of these is the top-selling is still a mystery, but we do know from Google hardware chief Rick Osterloh (last May) that the company's hardware numbers are "good, but not where we want to be at the end of five years".

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Disney+ is on the brink of 30 million subscribers, about to beat Hulu

Jak Connor | TV, Movies & Home Theatre | Feb 5, 2020 1:36 AM CST

When Disney Plus released, it was no surprise that the company with an astonishing amount of IP would gain a lot of subscribers quickly.

Disney+ is on the brink of 30 million subscribers, about to beat Hulu

When the platform released, it gained a ridiculous 10 million subscribers just within its first week. Now, Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, has said in a call with investors that the company's new platform is on the brink of breaking the 30 million subscribers mark. More precisely, Disney Plus is sitting at 28.6 million subscribers as of this past Monday.

For a quick comparison, Disney-owned Hulu is currently sitting at 30 million subscribers, and judging by Disney Plus' growth rate, we can expect that it will overtake Hulu sometime during mid-2020. Iger also mentioned during the call that Disney Plus will be launching in India via the company's HotStar service and that Hulu will be going international in 2021. Disney Plus subscribers can expect season 2 of The Mandalorian this October as well as Marvel Cinematic Universe shows such as Falcon and the Winter Soldier in August, and Wandavision this December.

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Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition beta will be 'coming soon'

Jak Connor | Gaming | Feb 5, 2020 12:32 AM CST

The third installment in the coming Definitive Editions for the Age of Empires series is almost upon us, Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition will be released "soon".

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition beta will be 'coming soon'

According to a new Twitter post from the official Age of Empires Twitter account, the Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition beta will be arriving in the inbox's of Insiders very soon. The post reminds everyone that if you want to play Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition when it releases, then you will have to sign up for the Insiders program. A link to that can be found here.

Many Age of Empires fans have expressed their concerns over the third Definitive Edition releasing and developer support for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition going down the toilet. This won't be the case as the Twitter account has replied to a fan who voiced these exact concerns, here's what they said - "Don't worry! It's still being worked on and will continue to be updated through all of this. We have several teams working on different things all the time! :)". Divide and conquer, am I right?

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Will Computex 2020 be cancelled over the coronavirus outbreak?

Anthony Garreffa | Trade Shows | Feb 4, 2020 10:29 PM CST

You'd have to be living under a rock, or maybe you've locked yourself in your doom bunker, to have not heard all the fear over the coronavirus outbreak.

Will Computex 2020 be cancelled over the coronavirus outbreak?

It has caused concerns for even tech-related trade shows, with the likes of LG pulling out of Mobile World Congress over outbreak fears. Computex 2020 is one of the largest trade shows in the world out of every industry, not just tech -- and with the event taking place in Taipei, Taiwan -- it is awfully close to the constantly-expanding threat of coronavirus across the pond in China.

Computex 2020 will be a big one this year, with AMD continuing their unstoppable momentum -- NVIDIA should have its new Ampere GPU architecture detailed by then at GTC 2020 next month, Intel will have a slew of new CPU releases and then there's a million-and-one companies that will be unveiling and showing off new products at Computex once again.

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Qualcomm shows off first 8K video shot on Snapdragon 865

Qualcomm unveiled its next-gen Snapdragon 865 at its annual Snapdragon Tech Summit in Maui, Hawaii in December 2019 -- and now the company has shared the first 8K video shot on a Snapdragon 865-powered device. Check it out:

8K video isn't easy and as an 8K monitor owner and 8K enthusiast myself, my tech enthusiast senses tingled as soon as I got the email from Qualcomm about this video. Qualcomm has used a "prototype Snapdragon 865 smartphone with a Sony IMX586" to shoot the video -- we're looking at 33 million pixels per second, so prepare your internet connection.

Qualcomm explains the 8K video: "The 8K video shoot took place in Arizona during November 2019. Arizona was chosen for this multi-location shoot to capture its dramatic imagery at sites including the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Petroglyphs near Antelope Canyon".

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Scientists build 'anti-solar panel' that generates power in the dark

If only North Korea had this new anti-solar panel technology that generates power in the dark when they made their historic trip to land on the Sun... but the country has been beaten to the punch by scientists at the University of California.

ACS Photonics says researchers at the University of California have made something they're calling an "anti-solar panel" which works in the reverse way a normal solar panel does -- it generates power in the dark, versus a normal solar panel generating power from the sun.

The researchers explain: "In order to produce electrical power after the sun has set, we consider an alternative photovoltaic concept that uses the earth as a heat source and the night sky as a heat sink, resulting in a "nighttime photovoltaic cell" that employs thermoradiative photovoltaics and concepts from the advancing field of radiative cooling".

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WB's new Batman game is a 'soft reboot' of the Arkham franchise

Jak Connor | Gaming | Feb 4, 2020 7:05 PM CST

A new exclusive report has surfaced online regarding Warner Bros. Montreal's new upcoming Batman game, but it might not be the news you were hoping for.

WB's new Batman game is a 'soft reboot' of the Arkham franchise

According to an exclusive report from Geeks WorldWide (GWW) found via ResetEra, sources close to GWW have told the website that WB Montreal's new Batman game is a "soft reboot" of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham franchise. Back in late September, WB Montreal dropped some cryptic teasers for their new upcoming game, our games editor broke down those teasers and summarised that they are most likely an adopted nemesis system from the Shadow of Mordor/War games, or character wheels.

At the moment, the details on the new Batman games' plot/story are scarce, but GGW claims that there will be a playable Batfamily (most likely what the inner circles represent in the above image), the Court of Owls and additional co-op. GWW also states that this new Batman game is scheduled to release sometime this fall.

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Sony: PS5 price difficult to determine because we are competing

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Feb 4, 2020 6:48 PM CST

Sony could repeat 2013's big sweep by making the PlayStation 5 cheaper than the Xbox Series X.

Sony: PS5 price difficult to determine because we are competing

In its recent Q3'19 earnings Q&A session, Sony had some interesting remarks on the PlayStation 5's pricing. The company isn't ready to reveal any specifics on the PS5 yet (that rumored February event probably isn't happening), and price is something that's hard to lock down for a number of reasons. One big reasons is competition.

Sony Chief Financial Officer Hiroki Totoki hints the PS5's price tag may not be revealed until after the Xbox Series X's. Sony could wait to sweep in like it did last-gen with a $399 price tag and completely dominate next-gen all over again.

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Life Isn't So Good: LG drops out of MWC over coronavirus

Anthony Garreffa | Trade Shows | Feb 4, 2020 6:32 PM CST

It's nearly that time of the year again, where the mobile industry descends on Barcelona, Spain -- Mobile World Congress. But South Korean giant LG ELectronics has said it has pulled out of the event over the coronavirus outbreak.

Life Isn't So Good: LG drops out of MWC over coronavirus

An LG spokesperson told The Verge: "With the safety of its employees and general public foremost in mind, LG has decided to withdraw from exhibiting and participating in MWC 2020 later this month in Barcelona, Spain. This decision will prevent needlessly exposing hundreds of LG employees to international travel, which most health experts have advised".

LG continued: "In lieu of its participation in MWC, LG will be holding separate events in the near future to announce its 2020 mobile products".

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