Oct 13
As the patriarch of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, Vin Diesel has his very own car collection that is truly incredible.
Oct 13
Sony and Honda have announced (PDF) that they’re planning to start accepting pre-orders for their first electric vehicle model in the first half of 2025. Their joint venture, which they’ve simply named Sony Honda Mobility Inc. (SHM), is hoping to start deliveries in the United States by spring of 2026. In Japan, deliveries are expected to begin in the second half of 2026. According to Reuters, the companies are considering a European launch, as well, but they have no solid plans for the region at the moment.
The companies didn’t give us a glimpse of the vehicle they’re working on during the event, and they didn’t mention anything about its pricing or its battery technology and range. They did say, however, that they’re planning to focus on online sales like Tesla does and that the first model will have a “somewhat high price range.” Honda will manufacture their first model at its facility in North America, while Sony will be in charge of developing the vehicle’s software system and sensors. SHM is aiming to develop a Level 3 autonomous driving system, which means its cars will eventually have the capability to drive itself in certain conditions.
Reuters also said that Sony’s software system will offer a monthly subscription for entertainment and other services, providing SMH with recurring revenue. The company is even looking into providing new types of in-vehicle entertainment, including those based in the metaverse. SMH Chairman and CEO Yasuhide Mizuno said during the event that the joint company is “speedily” developing its first vehicle. He said that SMH can’t miss taking pre-orders in 2025, as the firm believes that year will be a turning point for vehicle electrification.
Oct 13
“We are devastated,” the talent show said of the 2021 finalist.
Oct 13
Microsoft Office will be replaced by Microsoft 365 as part of its ongoing refresh
Posted in: Today's ChiliBack in 2020, Microsoft announced that it would be changing the name of its Office 365 subscription to Microsoft 365, acknowledging that it had become more than just a work app. Now, it’s removing most of the remaining Office branding, according to new updates spotted by The Verge. “In the coming months, Office.com, the Office mobile app, and the Office app for Windows will become the Microsoft 365 app, with a new icon, a new look, and even more features,” a FAQ states.
Currently, you can access Microsoft’s Word, Excel and other apps online at Office.com, but that will soon be switched to Microsoft365.com — with a new six-sided logo replacing the current square one. The changes will happen next month, and the Office app for Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android will be rebranded in January.
The app names themselves won’t change, as you’ll still be using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, Clipchamp, Stream and Designer. There will also be a Microsoft 365 app on mobile and desktop that will act as a centralized hub for information, showing meetings, files, documents and more.
The Office name will remain for one-time purchases through Office 2021 and Office LTSC that offers apps through volume licensing. However, it’s now considered a legacy brand, so any new features will be for Microsoft 365 and not Office, according to The Verge. Microsoft added that “there are no changes to Office 365 subscription plans.”
Oct 13
Weight training along with aerobic exercise may be the ideal combination for your fitness routine, according to new research.
Oct 13
Digital license plates have become legal for all cars in California, after a trial with a select number of drivers that’s lasted almost four years, according to a new report from the Los Angeles Times. Why would anyone want a digital license plate? Users can change the messaging at the bottom of their plates through a…
Oct 13
Two extremely rare “unreleased, one-of-a-kind, never-digitized” Nintendo NES games have appeared on eBay, according to a tweet from the Video Game History Foundation’s Frank Cifaldi, seen by Kotaku. One of those, called Battlefields of Napoleon, was only ever released in Japan. The other is a cartridge from Rare, and appears to be the demo of one of the few games ever developed for the Nintendo Power Glove.
According to the eBay listing for Battlefields of Napoleon, the game was “rescued from a dumpster after The Learning Company acquired Brøderbund in 1998 and subsequently discarded most of the historical assets.” The items in the lot include a WATA certified prototype on a development board and two additional CHR ROMs. It also includes the original packaging design.
Both of these are really cool. The first one, Battlefields of Napoleon, is a completed game. And when I say “completed,” I mean the packaging is done! It comes with the actual files that would be mailed to Nintendo for printing! Using these we can make perfect digital versions. pic.twitter.com/VOnUAgDHb0
— Frank Cifaldi (PRGE).nes (@frankcifaldi) October 11, 2022
In fact, the ROMs, boards and packaging were likely prepared for for final production, but it was never released in English for some reason. “It comes with the actual files that would be mailed to Nintendo for printing! Using these we can make perfect digital versions,” Cifaldi said in a tweet. Four more days of bidding remain, but it’s already selling for $5,700.
Since Napolean is WATA graded, the code has already been dumped for review, so technically “never digitized” isn’t quite accurate. As Cifaldi notes, though, the code can be released by whoever buys it. “I can’t put it online unless a new owner allows it, and if that new owner is us [the Video Game History Foundation], we will obviously allow it,” he said. To see how this (extremely complicated) game worked, check this YouTube video from RndStranger.
The other is labelled “CES SAMPLE: Please return to RARE COIN-IT INC.” According to the eBay auction on this one, it’s a “1-level prototype demo of game called ‘Scanner’ which was designed for the Mattel Power Glove” by Rare, the developer that built numerous titles for Nintendo. The listing goes on to say that the seller’s husband was the game designer, adding that it was tested in a retail environment and is playable. The auction is currently at $6,000 with 40 hours of bidding left.
Cifaldi is attempting to purchase these for Video Game History Foundation nonprofit dedicated to preserving video games for future generations. However, he said that the organization needs some help in acquiring these as they’re bound to fetch high prices. If you’d like to chip in to help them acquire these fun and historically important titles, Cifaldi notes that his DMs are open on his Twitter account.
Oct 13
Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell Get ‘Spirited’ In New Spin On ‘A Christmas Carol’
Posted in: Today's ChiliThe film turns the holiday classic around as Reynolds’ Scrooge-like character gets Ferrell’s ghost to reexamine his own past, present and future.
Oct 13
Residents awoke to air raid sirens for the fourth morning in a row following Russia’s massive, deadly assault across the country on Monday.
Oct 13
Jimmy Kimmel Spots Most Infuriating Part Of Alex Jones’ ‘Full-On Hissy Fit’
Posted in: Today's ChiliThe late-night host tore into the “despicable and ridiculous” conspiracy theorist.
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