Latest News - Page 366

If you are someone who spends a lot of time in front of a computer screen, like myself, you should consider snagging yourself a pair of blue light glasses to reduce eye strain and improve comfort during prolonged screen use.

For those who don't know, prolonged exposure to screens can cause eye strain that can result in symptoms such as dryness, irritation, and fatigue. Blue light glasses are designed to filter out high-energy blue light, which reduces flare and overall discomfort. Another reason to consider blue light glasses is the ability for the blue light to interfere with melatonin production, meaning being exposed to blue light for prolonged periods of time, particularly in the evening may result in you finding it harder to fall asleep at night.

There are other benefits, such as some people experiencing headaches from being exposed to screens for too long, long-term eye health benefits, as there is some concern, while not confirmed, that blue light exposure may cause retinal damage over time, and wearing blue light glasses can prevent this. Gunnars have long been in the blue light glasses market and have a range of different options with some focussed on style, a gamery look, and casual. Below are some of the best ones I have come across and have used throughout my long gaming/work sessions.

The NVIDIA App now has AI built in to help PC owners fine-tune their games for the best performance, and a bunch of other tricks besides.

If Project G-Assist rings a vague bell, this might be because bringing AI into the mix in this way was once an April Fools joke from NVIDIA (way back in 2017). However, we learned last year that G-Assist was happening for real (the tech was shown off at Computex 2024).

Now, as The Verge spotted, G-Assist is here in the latest version of the NVIDIA App. As the name suggests it's an AI gaming assistant to help optimize your Windows and per-game settings with RTX graphics cards. So, you can request (by typing a query, or issuing a voice command) to optimize a specific game for the best image quality, for example, and the relevant settings will be applied automatically for you.

Distinguished astronaut Koichi Wakata has shared a video from a past stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) where he celebrated the beginning of the Major League Baseball season in a quick video.

Wakata, the fourth Japanese astronaut in space and the first Japanese astronaut to command the ISS shared a video on his X account on March 19 that showed him celebrating the beginning of the Major League Baseball seasons during Expedition 68, which launched on October 5, 2022 and completed its mission on March 11, 2023. Wakata celebrated the MLB being back by sharing an awesome video of him playing a "solo game of baseball" in microgravity, where he says, "you don't need a whole team, you can play all of the positions!"

The video shows Wakata gently pitching a baseball to one side of the JAXA module attached to the ISS. Wakata then quickly pulls himself toward the other side of the module and picks up a makeshift bat, which he uses to tap the baseball back to where he came from. Wakata then makes a successful mid-air catch, getting himself out. Wakata completed 157 days in space as part of Expedition 68 and Crew-5, where he worked alongside NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitry Petelin, and Anna Kikina, and other ISS crew members.

Publisher of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, Take-Two Interactive has filed a copyright take-down notice against a GTA 5 mod that features GTA 6 content.

The mod under the spotlight is a FiveM mod that added a GTA 6 map into GTA 5, which was sourced from the material gained from a hack GTA developer Rockstar Games experienced a few years ago, and inspired by modders attempting to create the GTA 6 map based on any information that's been made available. Among the material stolen from the developer were numerous assets for its upcoming and highly anticipated GTA 6, which the modder, Dark Space, decided to use as inspiration for the map added into GTA 5.

However, Take-Two Interactive has resisted that idea, and Dark Space has abided by the copyright notice to prevent the publisher from taking further legal action. Perhaps the map was too close to the real thing? Take-Two didn't specify in the copyright notice.

Microsoft has begun testing for Xbox Game Hubs, a new feature that would allow players to access stat tracking, capture tools, settings, and social features in a centralized dashboard for each title.

As highlighted by The Verge's Tom Warren, the feature is currently available to select users in the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring, where early feedback is gathered before a broader rollout. When launching a game from the home screen, instead of jumping straight into the game, players are now taken to a Game Hub panel that includes details like playtime and achievement progress, screenshots and media captures, and social information about friends who play the game.

This interface appears in multiple locations across the Xbox dashboard, including the home screen, game library, and pins list, but it notably does not appear when launching games via the Guide menu or Quick Resume.

A new breakthrough artificial intelligence-powered detection models has caught one of the most challenging cancers to catch, Endometrial cancer, with reports now stating accuracy with the mode has reached up to 99% in its detection rate.

The new AI model named ECgMLP processes visual data, and according to reports, it set a new precedent for AI cancer detection as it is capable of taking the data given to it by doctors, filter out any unnecessary noise, and highlight areas within the data that it deems as a potential risk for cancer. In the case of the data being given to the AI, it would be scans of areas of the human body, and having an AI be able to thoroughly go over multiple scans quickly and accurately will considerably speed up the rate of cancer detection and its accuracy.

For example, ECgMLP was able to detect Endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, which is particularly hard to detect early as most of its symptoms can be subtle or mimic other conditions. The model uses digital pattern recognition techniques to evaluate areas of tissue and then provide a diagnostic prediction. Reports indicate most other automated systems for detecting endometrial cancer have about 80% accuracy, but ECgMLP beats those systems by approximately 20%, making it one of the most accurate AI cancer detection models created so far.

Apple has announced that its AirPods Max is about to get a software update that will enable lossless audio listening. This feature is designed to provide the highest possible level of audio fidelity, but the recent marketing statement contradicts what can be found in Apple's own support documentation.

To understand the contradiction here, we first need to understand Apple's audio codecs. Audio files are typically compressed in specific codecs to reduce file sizes for easier storage management, and with this reduction in size or compression, there is a trade-off in audio quality. Uncompressed audio opens up the sound stage, making specific instruments or sounds much more distinguishable and brighter, while compressed audio muddles the audio experience, drowning out the smaller and more discrete sounds.

Each codec has its purpose, and Apple chooses to provide two codecs for its entire catalog within Apple Music: Advanced Audio Codec and Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). The discrepancy between what Apple states on its website and the recent announcement by Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak can be traced back to the company's documentation, where it states the difference between AAC and ALAC audio files is "virtually indistinguishable," with the company writing, "the difference between AAC and lossless audio is virtually indistinguishable."

A recent update shared by the Skyblivion team provided some insight into the key development milestones achieved in February 2025, including an update on the cities, a new development diary, and plans for post-launch DLC.

During the last major update from the Skyblivion team, the developers stated that the cities within the project are almost entirely complete. Bravil, the poverty-stricken city in southern Cyrodiil, has since been finished - leaving only the Imperial City for finalization before the game is ready to launch. The update also reports that new music has been added to complement the Oblivion and Skyblivion tracks in-game, and that a new development diary is currently in progress.

As the release enters its later stages, the team has also begun concepting for DLC, which is expected to be a remake of Oblivion's main expansion, Shivering Isles. Previous footage has showcased remade models for the Gatekeeper - a massive, grotesque flesh golem from the DLC that guards the Gates of Madness in the Shivering Isles. The model in question took 34 hours to make, and given that it was teased back in 2018, it only highlights how much effort the team has put into making this project a reality.

Ubisoft has confirmed that the (already excellent) PS5 Pro version of Assassin's Creed Shadows will be receiving additional upgrades.

In a discussion with Digital Foundry, developers Nicolas Lopez, Pierre Fortin, and Sebastien Daigneault broke down the game's technical approach - and confirmed that both PSSR support and ray-traced reflections in balanced mode are on the way.

Assassin's Creed Shadows already offers one of the most impressive visual showings on PS5 Pro, largely thanks to its per-pixel ray-traced global illumination. Digital Foundry previously called it a "generational divide in lighting fidelity," noting how the visuals "totally transform the game."

Details for the upcoming survival MMO Dune: Awakening have been released, such as the PC requirements, roadmap for new content, and if the game will have an early access period.

The information comes from the title Creative Director Joel Bylos, who explains in a short and sweet video posted on the Funcom YouTube channel that reveals the developer's intentions with Dune: Awakening when it comes to its business model and post-launch plans.

The details have also been outlined in a blog post where it states the title will not have an early access period when it launches, it will be the full game, there won't be a subscription, which typically comes in the form of a monthly recurring payment, and how the developers plan on expanding the game through free major updates that will add more content, features, and enhancements to the experience.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is already tracking as the second-highest-selling launch title in franchise history. At the center of the game are its two leads, Naoe and Yasuke - and according to actress MASUMI, her first performance as Naoe left a noticeable impact on set.

In a video interview shared by Ubisoft, MASUMI spoke about stepping into performance capture for the first time. While she has a background in acting and music, the motion capture process - full-body performance in a studio filled with sensors and cameras - was unfamiliar territory.

While generally a staple in modern games, the inclusion of UI features like minimaps can often draw players away from the world around them. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 aims to address that, with the team shedding light on its minimalist approach to UI design.

In an interview with Eurogamer, the game's producer and Sandfall Interactive COO, François Meurisse, discussed how minimaps can affect the in-game experience - particularly how they can leave players staring at UI elements rather than engaging with the world itself.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad will let players jump into Westeros early for $25 when it releases on March 26, 2025, on Steam. The game is set for a free launch on PC and mobile, but players must pay $25 to access it before its public release at a currently unscheduled date.

The upcoming RPG based on the hit HBO TV show Game of Thrones will put players in the boots of an heir of minor Northern lord who is tasked with restoring order to their house. Players will encounter many of the trials and tribulations of seen in the TV show such as navigating the treacherous political waters of Westeros, white walkers, giants, enemy houses, and many beast of myth and legend. Game of Thrones: Kingsroad offers three classes to choose from: Assassin, Knight, and Sellsword.

Players can take on the tumultuous world of Westeros alone or engage in a co-op dungeon mode, which will be required to earn the necessary materials and components to forge the best gear in the game. Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is developed by Netmarble and features full cross-play and cross-progression when it launches publicly. As for early access on Steam, there are three options players can choose from. The Standard edition grants early access, a northern outfit, a Jon Snow emoji pack, and 350 Iron Bank Marks (currency).

HP is preparing its new ZBook Ultra 14 G1a laptop powered by AMD's new bleeding-edge Strix Halo APU, packing 16C/32T of Zen 5 CPU power and a 40-core RDNA 3.5-based integrated GPU.

You can now pre-order HP's new ZBook Ultra 14 G1a workstation laptop from IT retailer Connection, with the totally maxed-out variant packs the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 "Strix Halo" APU with its full 16 cores and 32 threads of Zen 5 processing power, a huge 128GB of LPDDR5X memory, a 2TB of Gen4 SSD storage, and a 14-inch 2.8K OLED display for $3950.

On the lower-end of the HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a laptop configurations we've got AMD's new Ryzen AI Max Pro 380 "Strix Halo" APU with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB Gen4 SSD starting at $2242, while in the middle we've got the Ryzen AI Max Pro 390 "Strix Halo" APU with either 32GB or 64GB of RAM, a 2TB Gen4 SSD for $3120 (32GB RAM) or $3315 (64GB RAM).

CD Projekt Red, widely recognised for its work on The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, has gradually expanded its creative output beyond gaming - most notably with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. According to its co-CEOs, the company now aims to take that direction even further.

In an interview with Polish outlet XYZ, CD Projekt chiefs Michał Nowakowski and Adam Badowski reflected on the company's early ambitions as it worked to establish itself as a premier studio in the gaming industry.

Since Monolith Productions was folded into WB Games last month, one of the most widely recognized losses was the studio's proprietary Nemesis System - a dynamic AI framework that enabled nuanced, evolving enemy interactions in Shadow of Mordor. While praised for its impact on single-player design, its creation was driven just as much by business needs as creative ambition.

As discussed in a retrospective from former WB vice president Laura Fryer, singleplayer games like Arkham Asylum would start with a strong surge of buyers, before running into a sales drop-off as second-hand and used game markets started to emerge.

AYANEO has upgraded the innards of its new AM01S Mini-PC, with the retro-style design from the 80s and 90s now featuring a beefed-up AMD Strix Point APU, and more.

The AYANEO AM01S Mini-PC will now feature the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 "Strix Point" APU and a new display, with the basic specifications bumped up to DDR5-5600 memory and an M.2 2280 Gen4 SSD slot for storage, and an SDXC card slow on the side for moving over your files and expandable storage.

AYANEO has a 4-inch touchscreen inside of the AM01S Mini-PC as a native horizontal display, versus using a rotated vertical display from its AM02 Mini-PC, which means it shouldn't experience any compatibility issues that ASUS saw with its ROG Ally when it first launched.

Mainstream GeForce RTX 5060 Series leaks and rumors are starting to heat up. In the past week or so, detailed specs for both the GeForce RTX 5060 and GeForce RTX 5060 Ti have emerged alongside the current planned release dates. The GeForce RTX 5060 Ti will launch on April 16, with the RTX 5060 following in mid-May.

NVIDIA has yet to announce the mainstream GeForce RTX 5060 Series, and based on the latest rumor from Hong Kong outlet HKEPC (via Videocardz), we won't get any official information until the 11th hour. According to the source, NVIDIA is currently planning to announce the GeForce RTX 5060 and GeForce RTX 5060 Ti (which will launch in 8Gb and 16GB variants) on April 15, one day before the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti hits shelves.

The rumor also notes that reviews for the RTX 5060 Ti will go live on April 16 for the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti, covering both MSRP and non-MSRP models. There's apparently a stipulation that NVIDIA's partners (which includes the likes of ASUS, MSI, GIGABYTE, etc.) will have to have at least one MSRP model available on day one for the RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti GPUs.

TSMC's bleeding-edge 2nm process node technology is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2025, with Apple being the first customer of new 2nm chips for its upcoming A20 Pro chip for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in 2026.

In a new report from Ctee, we're learning that TSMC's first batch of 2nm wafers will arrive at its Baoshan, Hsinchu fab plant in late April, with reservations for the second half of the year to begin on April 1. TSMC will be holding a 2nm production expansion ceremony at its Kaoshiung plant on March 31, too.

Analysts are estimating that TMSC's new 2nm process node is going smoothly, with monthly production capacity expected to reach 50,000 wafers by the end of this year. TSMC's customers for its new 2nm process node are Apple, AMD, Intel, Broadcom, Amazon, and more.

Microsoft's Surface Laptop 7, a Copilot+ PC powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X platform running Windows on Arm, has been slapped with a 'frequently returned item' warning at Amazon. Amazon applies warnings to products with unusually high return rates, advising customers to carefully review their reviews before purchasing. Various third-party retailers note that products that get the warning generally see sales plummet.

Windows on Arm relies on software emulation for several apps and games, so Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon X hardware fundamentally differ from traditional x86-based Windows machines. Although the latest Arm-based Windows devices offer excellent efficiency and battery life, software compatibility issues or poor emulation could lead to customers returning Surface Laptops.

Amazon doesn't explain why the product has been frequently returned, even though the Surface Laptop 7 currently has a user review rating of higher than 4 stars. The positive reviews reflect the consensus from the media, so it's unclear what's driving the recent spike in returns.