Updates From The Marvels, Wheel of Time, and More

Netflix has released a new look at the Chicken Run sequel, as well as another new look at One Piece. Get ready for the return of Upload with new images. Plus, what’s coming on the series finale of Nancy Drew

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Former OpenSea Executive Sentenced to Three Months in Prison for Insider Trading

The crumbling crypto empire that tech bros everywhere once hyped up has now claimed another victim. Nathaniel Chastain, former Head of Product at leading NFT marketplace OpenSea, has been sentenced to three months in prison for insider trading.

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Incredibly Rare Spotless Giraffe Born at Tennessee Zoo

A reticulated giraffe was born without spots at a Tennessee Zoo on July 31, making it a rare, one-of-a-kind mammal. The Brights Zoo in Limestone announced it had welcomed the female giraffe and said experts “believe she is the only solid-colored reticulated giraffe living anywhere on the planet.”

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Qualcomm's new Snapdragon G Series chips are built for handheld and mobile gaming

Qualcomm has announced its follow-up to the Snapdragon G3x chip that powers the Razer Edge — along with two other platforms that serve as the first models to the company’s new dedicated lines of Snapdragon gaming chips. Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 is the latest product under the flagship tier, which Qualcomm describes as something “purpose-built for enthusiast features and performance” and can handle the “most demanding cross-platform gaming titles.”

The company said G3x Gen 2’s CPU performance is 30 percent faster than its predecessor’s, while its GPU performance is twice as fast. It’s capable of powering a handheld device with cross-platform gaming capabilities, as well as devices used for Android, PC, cloud and remote console gaming. The chip is also powerful enough to support ray tracing and to enable a user to livestream while they game. To ensure smooth cloud and remote gaming sessions, the chip comes with WiFi 7 and 5G mmWave connectivities. 

For less intensive games on devices with lower specs, Qualcomm created the Snapdragon G1 Gen 1 platform. It’s meant for cloud gaming, as well as for remote console and PC gaming, on fanless dedicated handhelds. The chip supports images up to 1080p in resolution at up to 60 FPS, and it uses WiFi 5 for connectivity. 

Finally, the chipmaker has launched the Snapdragon G2 Gen 1 platform to serve as a middle ground between the two lines. It’s also meant for use on fanless gaming devices, but specifically for those with higher specs to enable full-featured mobile and cloud gaming. The chip can power handhelds used for cloud and remote console gaming, through WiFi 6/6E and 5G mmWave, but also those used to play Android and PC games. 

In hopes of seeing high-end dedicated gaming devices powered by its new chip make it to market as soon as possible, the company has given select manufacturers access to a Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 Handheld Gaming Reference Design. It didn’t reveal the company’s names, but it promised that customer-specific product announcements will follow, which sounds like we’re going to see more travel-friendly gaming devices like the Edge in the near future. 

Mithun Chandrasekhar, Qualcomm’s senior director of product management, said: “Dedicated handheld gaming devices are the best way to experience mobile games. But gamers want to be able to play all their favorite games across devices and ecosystems, be it their console, PC, or on a cloud service. The new generation of Snapdragon G Series powered devices will be the best place for gamers to play their favorite titles, offering them the ability to choose from the cloud, console, Android, or PC while on-the-go.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/qualcomms-new-snapdragon-g-series-chips-are-built-for-handheld-and-mobile-gaming-140046277.html?src=rss

Sony's PlayStation Portal remote player is a $200 handheld just for PS5 game streaming

Several months back, Sony teased a dedicated remote play device for the PlayStation 5 as well as new gaming earbuds. Now, the company has revealed more details about the device. It’s called the PlayStation Portal remote player.

The handheld looks a bit like a tablet wedged between two halves of a DualSense controller. It can stream games from your PS5 console, so when someone else is using the TV or you’re in another room (or even travelling), you can still play remotely via WiFi without having to use your phone, tablet or computer. Sony says the snappily named PlayStation Portal remote player has an eight-inch LCD screen that delivers 1080p visuals at 60 frames per second. The device also benefits from DualSense features such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. 

There is a 3.5mm headphone jack too. That should come in handy as, according to IGN, there’s no Bluetooth function. You’ll either need to use Sony’s new earbuds or headphones, or plug in a wired headset.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there’s no support for PS VR2 games. You’ll still need to hook your headset up to your PS5 directly to play VR games. Unfortunately, Sony says cloud game streaming through PlayStation Plus Premium isn’t supported either. You’ll have to install a game on a PS5 to play it remotely on the PlayStation Portal. That’s disappointing, especially considering that the company is testing the ability to stream PS5 games to the console

In addition, you better hope your WiFi stays up. As IGN notes, the PlayStation Portal doesn’t run any apps locally at all. Everything goes through your PS5 — you can watch movies and TV shows on the handheld via the console’s media apps — so if your WiFi network’s down, the PlayStation Portal will essentially be useless. 

Streaming-focused handhelds such as the Razer Edge are able to run Android apps locally. You can use third-party devices such as that, the ASUS ROG Ally or a Steam Deck to play your PS5 remotely too.

The PlayStation Portal remote player will arrive later this year. It will cost $200 in the US, £200 in the UK, €220 in the rest of Europe and 29,980 Yen in Japan.

Sony's Pulse Explore earbuds and charging case.
Sony Interactive Entertainment

On top of that, Sony has revealed more about its first wireless earbuds for PS5 and the PlayStation Portal remote player, as well as new headphones it designed for both systems. It says the Pulse Explore earbuds and Pulse Elite headset both support low latency lossless audio from PS5 and the handheld thanks to its new PlayStation Link tech.

A USB adapter is needed to connect the earbuds and headphones to PS5 via PlayStation Link. The tech will also be supported on PC and Mac. The Pulse Explore earbuds and Pulse Elite include multipoint connectivity as well. You can connect them to both your PS5 and a Bluetooth device (such as your phone) simultaneously, so you can easily answer a call while playing a game.

The earbuds and headset also each have custom-designed planar magnetic drivers (the first PlayStation audio devices to include them). Sony claims that it’s one of the first companies to offer consumer earbuds with this tech, which it says delivers “an audiophile-level listening experience normally found in premium headphones for professional sound engineers.”

Sony's Pulse Elite headphones for PlayStation 5.
Sony Interactive Entertainment

The Pulse Explore earbuds have dual mics and “AI-enhanced noise rejection” to filter out background noise. Naturally, they come with a charging case. The Pulse Elite has similar tech for handling background audio, along with a retractable boom mic. Sony is bundling in a charging hangar for the headphones too.

The company hasn’t announced a release date for either device, other than to say it will announce those details soon. Be warned, though: the Pulse Explore earbuds are fairly pricey. They cost the same as the PlayStation Portal remote player in the US, UK, Europe and Japan. The Pulse Elite, meanwhile, will set you back $150 in the US, £130 in the UK, €150 in the rest of Europe and 18,980 Yen in Japan.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonys-playstation-portal-remote-player-is-a-200-handheld-just-for-ps5-game-streaming-140704336.html?src=rss

India Becomes The Fourth Country To Successfully Land A Spacecraft On The Moon

India has landed a spacecraft near the moon’s south pole, becoming the fourth country to do so.

Microsoft Might Try and Stick AI Into MS Paint

Microsoft is on a bit of an AI kick, but its efforts to shove generative capabilities into its Bing browser and Windows 11 itself have only helped emphasize how its forgotten apps like Paint have remained stranded in time. However, far from adding Ferrari-level AI capability to its old jalopy of a scribble tool,…

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Corsair’s first standing desk is a huge and expandable all-in-one

There are desks with just enough room to put a coffee next to your laptop without the risk of it spilling over the edge, and then there are desks that are big (and complex) enough that you could practically open up your own coffee stand. The upcoming Corsair Platform:6 Modular Computer Desk falls firmly in the latter category thanks to its six-foot wide surface, additional one foot by two and a third feet in extensions and further customizable options. 

Corsair‘s Platform:6 is a good option if you want a variety of features all from the same place — no cobbling around parts from different companies. Seriously, this desk might as well team up with Hasbro and learn to defend the planet because it would fit right in. It seems to have something for gamers, workers and creatives alike, with the last group getting flexible mounts for any 3D printing accessories they might want to use. The flagship Platform:6 Creator Edition also exclusively offers the new Elgato Multi Frame top-mounted pegboard for mounting anything from cameras to controllers. 

Every Platform:6 has a modular rail system, which brings an aluminum T-channel crossbar, side rails and a top-mounted rail. You can also opt to include dual electric motors for any Platform:6, adjusting the height using an LCD controller fitted with memory presets. Plus, each desk has plenty of wire storage, including a Corsair RapidRoute wire management tray that’s big enough to hold power strips and a smaller in-desk cubby with USB Type-A and Type-C charging ports. 

The Platform:6 is available in sturdy black laminate or a more environmentally friendly classic dark walnut-stained rubberwood. You can pick one up sometime in Q4 of this year for a yet-to-be-revealed price (though our guess is this transformer won’t come cheap). 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/corsairs-first-standing-desk-is-a-huge-and-expandable-all-in-one-113519907.html?src=rss

How to take a screenshot on an Android device

For Apple users, you know what you’re going to get each new model of iPhone. Android users on the other hand have a ton of makes and models to consider. So when you get a new Android device, it’s not always clear how to take a screenshot. For most, you can either use the physical buttons on the handset, or ask your handy virtual assistant to take one for you. Whether you have a Samsung, Google, Motorola or phone, here’s how to take a screenshot on (almost) any Android device.

How to take a screenshot using physical buttons

Most Android devices have a power button and volume key — phones and tablets alike. In order to take a screenshot on most of these, press the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time. The screen will flash and a preview of the screenshot will appear at the bottom right corner. The image will go straight to your designated screenshots folder.

How to take a screenshot using gestures

While your Android phone may not have them turned on by default, you can use hand gestures to take a screenshot on many devices. On Samsung devices, turn on Palm Swipe to capture and then run your hand across the screen to take the screenshot.

Google Pixel phones (starting from the Pixel 4a 5G and newer) have a gesture called Quick Tap. This allows you to perform certain tasks just by double tapping the back of the handset. To find it, go to Settings, scroll down to System and select Gestures. Hit “Quick Tap to start actions” and toggle the switch to activate Quick Tap. This feature will default to taking screenshots, but you can change it to a number of other actions if you want.

How to take a screenshot on an Android device
Photo by Julia Mercado / Engadget

How to screenshot using a virtual assistant

Samsung’s Bixby and the Google Assistant can take screenshots for you. Just say “Hey, Google” or “Hi, Bixby” and instruct them to take a screenshot. On Google devices, you will automatically get the option to share the image on any app of your choice. For Bixby users, you can instruct the assistant to share via a specific app by saying “Hi, Bixby. Take a screenshot and share it on Instagram,” and the like.

How to take a scrolling screenshot

Both Samsung and Google have built-in ways to take a scrollable screenshot. This means you no longer have to take multiple images of one, long webpage to share with your friends. To take a scrolling screenshot, press the Power button and Volume Down at the same time, then a preview of the screenshot will appear at the bottom left.

On Google devices, it will give you the option to “capture more.” On Samsung phones, there will be an arrow pointing down. When you tap that, you will get a preview of the entire page where you can adjust the edges to include what you want.

How to take a screenshot on an Android device
Photo by Julia Mercado / Engadget

A bonus for Samsung users

Samsung devices that come with an S Pen can take a screenshot using the stylus like a remote. Take out the S Pen, press and hold its button for at least three seconds and wait for the screen to flash. From there you can edit your image, annotating it with the pen or cropping it to your liking.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-take-a-screenshot-on-android-120035005.html?src=rss

Randy Rainbow Channels Barbra Streisand To ‘Arraign’ On Donald Trump’s Parade

The political spoof wizard mocked the former president for his four indictments with a “Funny Girl” classic.