conversation Archives

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

Google Workspaces gets supercharged with Gemini to help you work smarter

The latest Google I/O event introduced several AI-driven features across Google's products aimed at enhancing user experience and productivity. - Gmail will receive AI-powered personalized reply suggestions, inbox cleanup, and faster appointment scheduling through the new Gemini tool. - Google Meet will offer real-time speech translation in multiple languages for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, starting with English and Spanish. - Google Vids will enable users to convert slides into videos, generate scripts, and refine recordings using AI, with features like AI avatars for video production. - Imagen 4 will enhance visual content creation in Slides, Vids, and Docs by generating richer images and accurate text rendering. - Google Docs will incorporate Gemini for source-grounded writing assistance, allowing users to link relevant data and documents directly within their writing.

Tech Optimizer

May 20, 2025

Shuswap resident scammed out of $9,000 by fake antivirus software representative

A resident of Blind Bay lost ,000 in a computer fraud scheme after being persuaded by a caller claiming to represent Norton antivirus. The victim, whose identity is confidential, was convinced to withdraw money from her bank account and deposit it into a Bitcoin account. Local police are investigating the case and have highlighted the importance of public awareness regarding such scams. Resources for recognizing and avoiding fraud include the BC RCMP Frauds and Scams, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Canadian Telecoms Association, and Competition Bureau of Canada.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

10 reasons why PGC Barcelona is a must for PC game developers in 2025

The Pocket Gamer Connects (PGC) Barcelona is a two-day conference taking place in 2025, marking the 52nd edition of the series and the first time it is held in Spain. It aims to connect various stakeholders in the gaming industry, including indie developers, studios, and business professionals. The event will feature over 100 expert speakers across 17 themed tracks, with topics on global trends, investment strategies, and emerging technologies. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet representatives from over 500 companies, including major players like Epic Games and Ubisoft, and engage with C-level executives and senior management. The conference emphasizes networking through the MeetToMatch platform and fringe events, while also showcasing Spain's gaming ecosystem. The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower and is expected to attract over 1,000 industry professionals.

Winsage

May 19, 2025

Microsoft CTO says the number of people using AI agents doubled in the last year

A platform dedicated to business journalism provides insightful analysis and engaging storytelling, focusing on innovative narratives that shape modern commerce. It aims to inform and inspire readers by exploring transformative ideas and trends in the business environment. The publication adapts to the digital age while maintaining quality and relevance, offering thought-provoking content that includes in-depth analyses of emerging technologies and profiles of influential leaders. It prioritizes depth and insight, fostering a community of informed individuals eager to discuss developments in the business realm.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

Take-Two boss Zelnick assures investors GTA6 delay is “worthy investment”

Straus Zelnick, CEO and chair of Take-Two, announced that the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 has been postponed from 2025 to May 26, 2026, to allow Rockstar more time for refinement. He stated that the game's development began in earnest in 2020 and that it is the most anticipated entertainment property of all time. Zelnick emphasized that the ambition and complexity of Grand Theft Auto 6 surpass previous titles, and he believes the additional time is a worthy investment to ensure an extraordinary experience for players. He reassured stakeholders that the timeline is unlikely to change again, citing the company's historical success in meeting set release dates.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

PlayStation vet Yoshida reckons $70/80 games are a “steal”

Shuhei Yoshida, a former Sony executive, discussed the evolving pricing landscape in the gaming industry, suggesting that a price increase for games is justified and perhaps overdue. He argued against a uniform pricing model, stating that the value of a game should reflect its unique offerings and production costs. Yoshida believes that high-quality games could be worth higher prices, asserting that they provide significant entertainment value compared to other forms of entertainment. He encouraged consumers to make informed spending choices, emphasizing that value is subjective and should be assessed individually.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

Mobile apps to continue your birding

Deb Nofzinger and Dave Wilkins recommend several mobile applications for birding enthusiasts, including eBird and Merlin Bird ID, both associated with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. eBird operates on a donation model and allows users to maintain detailed bird lists, track sightings, and utilize a Hotspot function for prime birding locations. It has recorded 149 species at Earth Heart Farms since its addition, with 78 species identified this year. Wilkins has completed 239 checklists at Creek Bend Farm Park and observed 137 species there. The Merlin Bird ID app offers a sound identification feature for 1,382 bird species and is noted for its accuracy in familiar environments. Other suggested apps include BirdCast for migration updates and the Sibley Birds v2 app, priced at .99.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

EA is reportedly cracking down on a Sims 4 mod. What it changes has fans furious

The Sims 4, developed by Electronic Arts, has maintained its popularity for over ten years, supported by a dedicated fan base and compatibility with modern hardware. The game recently released the Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack in March, allowing players to start their own small businesses. The community has also created numerous fan-made mods, some of which enhance gameplay, while others have sparked controversy, such as a mod aimed at removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) elements. This led to backlash and accusations of censorship when EA requested the mod's removal. Additionally, the conversation about diversity in video games has grown, with criticism directed at Sweet Baby Inc., a consulting firm, for its influence on narrative choices in games like Alan Wake 2 and God of War Ragnarok, resulting in organized boycotts against games associated with the firm.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

You’ve got to play my dark horse GOTY candidate if you too are a sicko for one of the ultimate RPG gimmicks: a trash level 1 sword that can be forged into a god slayer

Labyrinth of the Demon King is a first-person dungeon crawler that combines elements from classic survival horror games. Key tips for new players include: always kick for defense, use consumables like talismans, prioritize stamina upgrades, and be patient with weapon upgrades. Players can repair a broken katana by providing an intact sword, with the repair quality depending on the sword used. Multiple versions of the katana can be created, resulting in different models and stats, with the prison sword being a notable example. The game features hidden layers and intricate weapon upgrade mechanics. It received an 81% rating from Shaun Prescott and is available on Steam, with a launch price that will increase on May 27.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

World of Warcraft game director on the woeful patch 11.1.5: ‘It’s not the experience our players are expecting or deserve’

World of Warcraft's patch 11.1.5 has faced backlash from players due to numerous bugs and the implementation of time-gated content. Senior game director Ion Hazzikostas acknowledged that the launch did not go as planned and highlighted issues with the Flame's Radiance events, which were a key feature of the patch. Other anticipated features, including a bad-luck protection system and a dual-boss raid mode, experienced delays, leading to player disappointment. Hazzikostas noted that the decision to stagger releases aimed to prevent player overwhelm but resulted in frustration over the lack of content at launch. Bugs from previous patches re-emerged, attributed to the accelerated eight-week patch schedule, which is the fastest in the game's history. Developers are using hotfixes to address issues quickly, but this can complicate resolutions. Hazzikostas emphasized the importance of quality over quantity and stated that the team is committed to improving their processes based on the challenges faced with this patch.