AYANEO has paused its Kickstarter campaign for the Pocket Play smartphone as part of its "Service Improvement Plan" to address community complaints about unfulfilled orders and delays.
Windows 11 includes Microsoft Paint, which is easily accessible and offers a user-friendly environment for creativity. The updated interface features a sleek layout, making tools readily available for experimentation. Paint has refined brushes and inking tools that provide a smooth, responsive drawing experience, especially with stylus use, incorporating pressure sensitivity for more authentic strokes. It also offers advanced color tools, including support for RGB, hex, and HSV color options, allowing users to maintain consistency in their projects. Users can create a mini color palette on the canvas and utilize the eyedropper tool to extract colors from references or generated images.
Valve announced the Steam Machine, set to release in early 2026, which will be powered by SteamOS and designed for living room integration. It aims to bridge the gap between PC gaming and consoles, boasting hardware specifications that rival current-generation consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. The Steam Machine will have a streamlined process for games to achieve the "Verified" badge, making it easier for developers to secure this status compared to the Steam Deck. The Steam Machine is expected to have a larger library of Verified games due to its enhanced capabilities. Additionally, the new Steam Controller will feature a puck accessory that serves as a wireless receiver and charger, designed to reduce Bluetooth interference.
Nvidia has released DLSS 4.5, featuring a new Super Resolution upscaling model called Model M, which is available for over 400 games via the DLSS Override feature. This model uses a second-generation Transformer AI architecture, significantly improving image quality compared to earlier versions. It requires five times the compute power of the original transformer model and has been trained on a high-fidelity dataset for better scene interpretation. Users may experience slight performance impacts, especially on older graphics cards, but testing on an RTX 4080 Super showed minimal frame rate drops. A recent demonstration showcased DLSS 4.5's ability to upscale Red Dead Redemption 2 from 240p to 720p. Users can access DLSS 4.5 by updating the Nvidia App and selecting 'DLSS Override - Model Presets' in the settings.
OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Translate, a new online translation tool that supports over 50 languages and offers real-time translations with automatic language detection. It allows users to customize the tone, fluency, and complexity of translations. The tool has a dedicated website and hints at future features like image and file translation, though these are not yet available. Currently, it lacks voice input and full website translation capabilities. There is no standalone app or integration with the existing ChatGPT application at this time.
Microsoft has introduced Copilot on Windows 11, which has generated mixed reactions from users. Many users express a preference for operating without it, and the difficulty of uninstalling Copilot, which often reinstalls itself, has contributed to dissatisfaction. Microsoft is working on a solution for permanent removal in future updates. A guide has been created to assist users in removing Copilot, which includes three steps:
1. Preventing auto startup by disabling it in Task Manager.
2. Preventing auto installation by modifying the Registry Editor to create a DWORD value named TurnOffWindowsCopilot and setting it to 1.
3. Uninstalling Copilot through the Settings app.
Following these steps allows users to effectively remove Copilot from their systems.
Samsung is offering a 27-inch gaming monitor, the Samsung Odyssey G5 G53F, at a 36% discount, reducing the price from 9.99 to .99. The monitor features a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (1440p) and a refresh rate of 200Hz, utilizing IPS LCD technology for excellent viewing angles and a 1ms response time. It includes Freesync Premium technology to synchronize the refresh rate with the graphics card's frame rate, reducing tearing and stuttering. However, it has modest HDR performance with only an HDR10 rating and a stand that only allows tilt adjustment. The monitor is available on Amazon without any coupons or codes, currently at its lowest price.
Google is developing two types of smart glasses: a lightweight, screen-free model in collaboration with fashion brands and a display-equipped version with hardware partners like Samsung and Magic Leap. A companion app for the glasses has been identified, featuring a pairing process and settings for power management and camera functionality. The app includes AI capabilities such as 'Conversation detection' to silence notifications during conversations, and it ensures that all recorded data remains private to the user. Additional features in the app allow for display adjustments and an "audio only mode."
Publishers in the gaming industry face challenges in pricing games, balancing profitability with fair deals for players. Kaman, a lead developer of Another Crab's Treasure, discussed the psychological perception of pricing, noting that consumers often round prices to more appealing figures. He highlighted that pricing their previous game, PEAK, at .99 instead of .00 was a strategic choice, as it aligns with consumer perception of value. PEAK sold over 10 million copies in its first year, with significant sales during promotional periods when it was discounted to .95, demonstrating the impact of pricing strategies on consumer behavior.
Microsoft is enhancing its artificial intelligence capabilities in Windows 11 by potentially integrating its Copilot AI into File Explorer, as indicated by recent code discoveries in insider preview builds. This integration may introduce a new Copilot button or sidebar, allowing users to engage with AI for contextual queries about files, such as summarizing documents or organizing folders. Concerns have been raised regarding privacy and system performance, as the AI could access local files. The integration may also include chat capabilities, prompting fears of data exposure. Microsoft has assured users that Copilot prioritizes local processing and operates with consent. However, critics worry about the potential for intrusive AI suggestions and the possibility of forced updates. The integration is expected to leverage Microsoft's agentic AI framework and may require advanced hardware for optimal performance. Financial incentives, such as Copilot Pro subscriptions, are also a factor in this strategic push. User feedback will be crucial in determining the success of this integration, with mixed reactions from the tech community regarding privacy and control.
