speakers Archives

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

The Big Screen Gaming Summit returns to PG Connects Helsinki later this year

PG Connects is introducing the Big Screen Gaming Summit in Finland, coinciding with PG Connects Helsinki. This event will explore opportunities and challenges in console, PC, XR, and web3 gaming, featuring discussions on cutting-edge technologies, insights from developers, strategies for discoverability, innovative business models, and game development. Tickets for the event are available, starting at €166, with over 200 speakers and more than 1,500 delegates expected to attend.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

What’s The Best Alternative To Shazam For Android Users?

Shazam was launched in the UK in 2002 as a service where users could call a number to identify songs for a fee. Acquired by Apple in 2018, it remains available for Android users and integrates with various music platforms while being free to use. Shazam struggles with identifying earworms. SoundHound, Shazam's main competitor, has around 100 million users and can identify songs quickly, providing detailed information and lyrics. It allows users to hum or sing songs for identification, though this feature is not always accurate. SoundHound's free version includes ads, while SoundHound Infinity offers an ad-free experience for .99. Musixmatch is another alternative that identifies songs and focuses on lyrics, allowing users to create "lyrics cards" and offering a translation feature. It requires the actual song for identification. The Google app also provides quick song identification, including for hummed or sung versions, but gives candid feedback on user performance.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Expanding the Surface for Business Copilot+ PC portfolio

AI has evolved into a transformative force for organizations, increasing the demand for secure and high-performance AI-ready Windows 11 PCs. Microsoft has introduced Copilot+ PCs, including the new 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop, both powered by the Snapdragon X Plus processor with an integrated neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 45 trillion operations per second. The 13-inch Surface Laptop offers up to 23 hours of video playback and 16 hours of web browsing, with performance enhancements of up to 50% faster speeds and double the battery life compared to its predecessor. It features an AI-enhanced 1080p front camera for video conferencing and a durable design. The 12-inch Surface Pro is the thinnest and lightest Copilot+ PC, providing 50% faster performance and up to 16 hours of local video playback. Both devices are designed as Secured-core PCs with advanced security features, including Windows Hello for Business and biometric authentication options. They support enhanced productivity through AI features in Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 Copilot, enabling faster file searches and improved team efficiency. Microsoft emphasizes sustainability with the use of recycled materials and energy-efficient designs. The new devices will be available starting July 22 in select markets.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

This one app has made my life easier and my wife happier

The author has at least 35 different smart home devices, leading to a fragmented experience with multiple apps and services. They are considering using Home Assistant as a central hub for device control, which supports various protocols like Matter, Thread, Zigbee, HomeKit, and Nest. Home Assistant can be installed easily on devices like Raspberry Pi or Virtual Machines, requiring a constant network connection. Once set up, it consolidates controls into one interface, allowing for custom dashboards and automations. Recent developments, such as Google discontinuing support for older Nest Thermostats, have prompted users to seek alternatives like Home Assistant for a unified control experience. The introduction of customizable lock screen shortcuts in Android 14 allows users to replace the Google Home app with Home Assistant. Users are encouraged to start simple and gradually expand their system.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Entertainment Marketing Summit to Gather Major Industry Leaders, Lessons Learned From ‘A Minecraft Movie’ and ‘Longlegs’

Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit will be held on April 24 at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, sponsored by Deloitte. The event will feature in-person panels discussing topics such as impact marketing, the gaming economy, artificial intelligence, and sports fandom, with speakers including Issa Rae and Nicholas Sparks. Cameron Curtis from Warner Bros will present on leveraging social media content creators for marketing, while Christian Parkes from Neon aims to learn about innovative strategies from major studios. This is the eighth year Deloitte has sponsored the summit, emphasizing the importance of research and industry discussions. China Widener from Deloitte highlights the growing influence of Gen Z consumers. Warner Bros is focusing on enhancing its social media presence for upcoming films. Parkes expresses a desire for studios to present more unique and engaging marketing strategies.

BetaBeacon

April 17, 2025

This vest transformed the way I experience games

The Woojer Haptic Vest 3 provides immersive gaming experiences by adding haptic feedback to the whole torso, allowing users to feel vibrations corresponding to in-game actions such as shooting a gun or getting shot. The vest operates on sound and connects to audio sources via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable. It features a battery pack that lasts approximately 8 hours and can be controlled through the Woojer app on a phone. The vest is comfortable to wear and best suited for games with specific tactile experiences, such as shooters and rhythm games. Despite being a costly investment, the Woojer Haptic Vest 3 enhances immersion and spatial awareness in gaming.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Gemini on Wear OS should stick to the Assistant status quo, mostly

Google is set to introduce Gemini support to Wear OS smartwatches, replacing the existing Google Assistant. This transition follows Google's plan to fully transition to Gemini, starting with Android phones and expanding to tablets, Android Auto, headphones, Nest speakers, Google TV, and smartwatches. Insights from 9to5Google suggest that Gemini may be a straightforward app enhancement rather than a radical overhaul. The Pixel 9a features a Tensor G4 chip but has limited AI capabilities due to its 8GB of RAM, while the Pixel Watch 3 has 2GB of RAM and older Arm Cortex cores, which may hinder Gemini's performance compared to Assistant. There is potential for improved interaction with applications through Gemini extensions, but true Gemini Live-style conversations on smartwatches may not be feasible without significant battery drain. Future iterations of the Pixel Watch may showcase enhanced Gemini capabilities, especially with a new Wear OS chip expected from Qualcomm, but Google's current focus is on ensuring Gemini operates effectively on existing Android watches.

Winsage

April 12, 2025

The Windows 95 start-up sound and the Minecraft soundtrack have been added to the US Library of Congress list of nationally significant recordings

The Windows 95 start-up sound has been added to the US Library of Congress as a culturally significant recording. The operating system was launched on July 14, 1995, marking its 30th anniversary this year. Windows 95 introduced a user-friendly graphical interface, transforming personal computing and making it more accessible. The sound evokes nostalgia for many users who experienced it on their desktop speakers.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

English is no longer the biggest language on Steam as Chinese gamers embrace PC gaming even harder after Black Myth: Wukong

Mandarin is the most widely used language on Steam, with 33.7% of users selecting it as their primary language, followed closely by English at 33.5%. Over 66% of Steam users have chosen a primary language other than English. The popularity of games developed by Chinese companies, such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, has contributed to this trend. Chinese game developers often have significantly larger budgets and workforces compared to Japanese developers. Additionally, Mandarin speakers are not only from mainland China but also from Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, with reports of the language being encountered in South Korea and Vietnam in 2023.

BetaBeacon

March 27, 2025

Abxylute One Pro handheld Android game console hits Kickstarter

Abxylute has launched a new handheld game console called the Abxylute One Pro, which features a faster chip, improved joystick, speaker, and support for video output. The new model is powered by a MediaTek Genio 510 chip with 2 ARM Cortex-A78 CPU cores and four Cortex-A55 cores, along with Mali-G57 MC2 graphics. Despite some features remaining unchanged, such as 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a 5,200 mAh battery, the Abxylute One Pro is a significant upgrade from its predecessor.