Friday 13 December 2019

Microsoft's Xbox Series X looks like a PC for your living room

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It's Friday, December 13, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Last night, The Game Awards was a showcase for industry stars and served as an unveiling for Microsoft’s next Xbox… box. Also, Alexa can get answers from Samuel L. Jackson, and AT&T’s 5G wireless service is available in a few cities.

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Say “what” again.

Samuel L. Jackson has arrived on Alexa devices

If you want to make your smart speakers 1,000 times more fun and would rather wake up to hear the weather report in the actor's dulcet tones, you can get things started by saying "Alexa, introduce me to Samuel L. Jackson." Installing his voice will cost you $1, but that's a tiny price to pay to be owned by SLJ in a game of rock, paper, scissors. Click here to get a quick preview of lines he’s recorded for the service.

Remember home theater PCs and Windows Media Center?

The next Xbox is called Series X

Previously known as Project Scarlett, the next-generation Xbox resembles a PC tower, and it arrives holidays 2020. Xbox chief Phil Spencer wrote in a blog post that the Series X design allows Microsoft to pack in four times the processing power of Xbox One X "in the most quiet and efficient way." It's said to be no louder than an Xbox One X, helped by a single fan that pushes air through the top.

Microsoft says the Xbox Series X can handle 4K visuals at 60 frames per second, and potentially up to 120 fps. The console will also offer hardware-accelerated ray tracing and variable refresh rate, along with 8K capability. It’s compatible with software going back to the original Xbox and will work with Xbox One controllers. The controller it comes with is similar to the current Xbox pad, but it’s very slightly smaller and adds a dedicated DualShock 4-like Share button. As far as games, Halo: Infinite is in development, and with the unveiling, we got a peek at Nina Theory’s Senua's Saga: Hellblade II (shown above).

Co-op with up to three players.

'Godfall' is a fantasy 'looter-slasher' RPG from Gearbox for PS5

We didn’t meet Sony’s next console last night, but after the Series X debuted, The Game Awards hosted a trailer for Godfall, a game that will be exclusive to the PS5 on console and the Epic Games Store on PC. Compared to Borderlands 3, this third-person game is more of a “looter-slasher” with less of a focus on gunplay. Godfall is developed by Counterplay Games, and according to its CEO Keith Lee, “We're innovating with Godfall to provide a fresh take on action RPGs by rewarding skill-based offensive gameplay and making every hit matter.”

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FYI

NASA finds 'water ice' just below the surface of Mars

To assist in the hunt for water on Mars, NASA has released a "treasure map" of potential ice locations on the red planet. Researchers created the Martian-surface map to show where they believe water ice (so-called because other chemical compounds can freeze) could be. In some places, the ice is as little as 2.5 centimeters below the surface, making it easily accessible to future visitors.

We need more satire of the tech industry.

So long, ‘Silicon Valley’

Now the last episode of HBO’s tech-focused comedy has aired, Devindra Hardawar explores what it got right about the industry that’s “ripe for mocking.” While it wasn’t perfect, its absence will certainly be felt every time we see a startup CEO take an ethically questionable route to success.

Hello, San Diego.

AT&T's real 5G for wireless customers is live in 10 cities

In November, AT&T revealed five markets on the list to offer 5G wireless this year, but today the list of launch cities has doubled to ten. It’s also beginning sales of Samsung's Galaxy Note 10+ 5G, with trade-in offers and plan discounts that can drop the price from $1,300 to $350. This network is what AT&T is calling "low-band 5G," which is for consumers on mobile devices, unlike the high-band 5G+ built to serve businesses or large stadiums and campuses or the LTE-based “5G Evolution” customers have been seeing so far.

But wait, there's more...

1. 'Fortnite' adds a Rey skin, TIE fighter and more Star Wars goodies

2. Tidal adds Dolby Atmos Music to its HiFi tier

3. PC gamers: Rate and review the RTX 2060 Super or 2070 Super

4. Square Enix unexpectedly releases 'The Last Remnant' on iOS and Android

5. YouTube's AI docuseries with Robert Downey Jr. arrives on December 18th

6. Hulu rewards binge watchers with ad-free episodes

7. Most Cadillacs will be electric by 2030, says GM

8. Build (and destroy) your own levels in 'Angry Birds VR'

9. 2019 Engadget Holiday Gift Guide: The best gifts for PC gamers, from laptops to GPUs

10. 'Cyberpunk 2077' soundtrack features Run the Jewels, Grimes and more

11. New Telltale confirms it's working on 'The Wolf Among Us 2'

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Thursday 12 December 2019

Tech News Flash

Tech News Flash: Thursday -- December 12, 2019

TechNewsWorld -- All Tech - All The Time
https://www.TechNewsWorld.com
Part of the ECT News Network

Headline Scan
Google's Chrome 79 Puts Heavy Emphasis on Security
Facebook Won't Let US, UK, Australia Get Toe in Backdoor
Should Discord Be in Your Incident Response Toolbox?
New 'DNA of Things' Method Stores Digital Memory in Common Objects
Devs: Open Source Is Growing Despite Challenges

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Today's Story Highlights

Google's Chrome 79 Puts Heavy Emphasis on Security

Google has released an update to its Chrome browser with a slew of new
features that are heavy on security. The new version has 51 security
fixes. It offers improved password protection over earlier versions,
real-time phishing protection, and predictive phishing tools. Google
recognizes the issues and has taken steps to fix them, noted James
McQuiggan, security awareness advocate at KnowBe4.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86411.html

Facebook Won't Let US, UK, Australia Get Toe in Backdoor

Facebook has rejected a request from the U.S., the UK and Australia for
a "backdoor" in its encrypted messenger apps to help law enforcement
agencies combat crime and terrorism. "Cybersecurity experts have
repeatedly proven that when you weaken any part of an encrypted system,
you weaken it for everyone, everywhere," wrote WhatsApp head Will
Cathcart and Facebook Messenger head Stan Chudnovsky.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86409.html

Should Discord Be in Your Incident Response Toolbox?

Cybersecurity incident response teams have choices when it comes to
communication tools: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom and numerous others.
Some require a subscription or commercial license -- others are free.
Some are niche tools specifically designed for incident response. Some
are generic business communication tools that IR teams have adapted for
use during a cybersecurity incident.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86400.html

New 'DNA of Things' Method Stores Digital Memory in Common Objects

Researchers at a Swedish university have unveiled a method for mixing
genetically encoded digital data into common manufacturing materials.
The project, carried out in collaboration with an Israeli scientist,
involved embedding artificial DNA in a small plastic 3D-printed plastic
bunny, which would allow self-replication, according to a report
published in Nature Biotechnology .
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86407.html

Devs: Open Source Is Growing Despite Challenges

Optimism about the future of open source is high among software
developers worldwide. However, a growing number of devs worry that a
lack of funding threatens its sustainability. That is a key takeaway
from DigitalOcean's second annual open source survey. The online survey
provides a snapshot of the state of open source, as well as a gauge of
the inclusivity and friendliness of contributors.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86406.html

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'Matrix 4' release date sets up a Keanu Reeves double feature

Engadget Email Newsletter

Now available on your smart speaker and wherever you get your podcasts

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | iHeart Radio

It's Thursday, December 12, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Tonight we’ll be watching The Game Awards, but first we’re plotting out a dual Matrix/John Wick marathon that will take place next May. Also, Twitter is building a new future for social networks, and Skydio’s new self-flying drone is the best one yet.

(View in browser.)

Clear your schedule.

'The Matrix 4' premieres in theaters on May 21st, 2021

Warner Bros. has set the sequel's release date for May 21st, 2021, or right smack in the middle of blockbuster movie season. Not only that, but the title is scheduled to arrive the same day as John Wick 4 -- who’s in for a Keanu Reeves double feature?

Like blockchain, but for social media.

Twitter will fund development of an open social media standard

In a series of tweets, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said his company will fund a "small independent team" -- called Bluesky -- of up to five open source architects, engineers and designers. The platform will have just one purpose: find an existing decentralized standard to advance or create one from scratch.

DJI’s camera still has more fine-grained image controls.

Skydio 2 review

This time around, AI obstacle avoidance and follow features are improved, the drone is faster and battery life is longer. But to get the full experience, you’ll need to pay at least $149 more for a controller.

This $21 controller is a perfect gift for your favorite gamer.

FYI

Amazon breaks down its Christmas delivery cut-offs for 2019

Prime members can take advantage of Amazon's same-day delivery service, which they can get for free on orders over $35, until December 24th 9:30AM local time. And in the event something goes terribly wrong with their Christmas Eve dinner, they can take advantage of Amazon's free two-hour grocery delivery until 3-to-5PM local time for Whole Foods orders and until 8PM for Amazon Fresh orders.

Also new: ‘Messiah,’ ‘The Circle’ and ‘Sex Education’ season two.

What's coming to Netflix in January: hello 'Sabrina,' goodbye 'Friends'

Netflix's January will be defined by one glaring, impossible-to-miss departure: Friends is leaving the service at the end of 2019 before it returns on HBO Max.

Watch the show at 8:30PM ET on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter or Facebook.

The Game Awards demo festival brings ‘System Shock,’ ‘Skatebird’ and more

The Game Awards will air tonight at 8:30PM ET, and no matter who takes home a trophy, gamers can enjoy some free action starting earlier in the day. That’s because its Game Festival will make first-look demos for a dozen-plus indie games available through Steam for 48 hours starting at 1PM ET.