Author Archives: Lawrence Bonk

Here are all of the enhancements for Baldur’s Gate on PS5 Pro

Posted on by

Today’s the day. Those with an extra $700 can go pick up a shiny new PS5 Pro. There are already over 50 enhanced games to coincide with the console’s launch, and one of them is the exquisitely delightful Baldur’s Gate 3. Developer Larian Studios just announced all of the various features available for those who are on the fence about Sony’s latest gadget.

The Quality and Performance modes have both been tweaked to “achieve crisp console visuals without sacrificing smooth performance.” Quality mode can now run at native 4K at 30 fps while Performance mode upscales 1440p to 2160p at 60 fps, thanks to Sony’s proprietary PSSR upscaling technology.

The company has also massively improved the split screen multiplayer experience, which might be worth the price of admission for some. Split screen mode will now allow players to choose from 30 fps or 60 fps, depending on if Quality or Performance mode is engaged.

This update for the PS5 Pro even includes some minor tweaks for the regular PS5 version of the game. For instance, Larian has fixed an issue that prevents people from downloading or subscribing to mods when loading into another player’s multiplayer game with mods enabled.

For the uninitiated, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a fantastic RPG that prioritizes player choice above all else. It’s as close a video game has ever come to duplicating the feeling of sitting at a table playing Dungeons and Dragons. Also, you can have sex with a bear.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/here-are-all-of-the-enhancements-for-baldurs-gate-on-ps5-pro-194530443.html?src=rss

Here are all of the enhancements for Baldur’s Gate on PS5 Pro

Posted on by

Today’s the day. Those with an extra $700 can go pick up a shiny new PS5 Pro. There are already over 50 enhanced games to coincide with the console’s launch, and one of them is the exquisitely delightful Baldur’s Gate 3. Developer Larian Studios just announced all of the various features available for those who are on the fence about Sony’s latest gadget.

The Quality and Performance modes have both been tweaked to “achieve crisp console visuals without sacrificing smooth performance.” Quality mode can now run at native 4K at 30 fps while Performance mode upscales 1440p to 2160p at 60 fps, thanks to Sony’s proprietary PSSR upscaling technology.

The company has also massively improved the split screen multiplayer experience, which might be worth the price of admission for some. Split screen mode will now allow players to choose from 30 fps or 60 fps, depending on if Quality or Performance mode is engaged.

This update for the PS5 Pro even includes some minor tweaks for the regular PS5 version of the game. For instance, Larian has fixed an issue that prevents people from downloading or subscribing to mods when loading into another player’s multiplayer game with mods enabled.

For the uninitiated, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a fantastic RPG that prioritizes player choice above all else. It’s as close a video game has ever come to duplicating the feeling of sitting at a table playing Dungeons and Dragons. Also, you can have sex with a bear.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/here-are-all-of-the-enhancements-for-baldurs-gate-on-ps5-pro-194530443.html?src=rss

Max is about to crack down on password sharing

Posted on by

Max, the other major platform that ruined years of brand recognition with a bizarre name change, is about to get serious about password-sharing, according to reporting by The Verge. Parent company Warner Bros. Discovery said during a Q3 earnings call that it will begin cracking down on the practice over the next few months, along with some “very soft messaging” to encourage people to pony up.

Chief financial officer Gunnar Wiedenfels said the aforementioned gentle messaging will ramp up in 2025, indicating an eventual mandate. He suggested that folks who share passwords make the subscription costs rise for everyone, as it’s like “asking members who have not signed up, or multi-household members to pay a little bit more.”

The company also announced nearly ten billion dollars in revenue last quarter, along with 7.2 million new Max subscribers. This is the biggest jump in subscribers in the platform’s history. There’s more juice to squeeze out of that lemon, however, as some of those 7.2 million people likely gave a password to a grandkid or something.

Wiedenfels also didn’t rule out the possibility of yet another price increase. He said that the “premium nature” of Max gives the platform “a fair amount of room to continue to push a price we’ve been judicious about.” As for judiciousness, the subscription cost shot up in June of this year and again back in 2023. So, what, price increases are like yearly Madden installments now or something?

Max is merely the latest streamer to put the kibosh on password sharing. Netflix makes people pay to share passwords and Disney+ just started its crackdown back in September.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/max-is-about-to-crack-down-on-password-sharing-174549440.html?src=rss

Max is about to crack down on password sharing

Posted on by

Max, the other major platform that ruined years of brand recognition with a bizarre name change, is about to get serious about password-sharing, according to reporting by The Verge. Parent company Warner Bros. Discovery said during a Q3 earnings call that it will begin cracking down on the practice over the next few months, along with some “very soft messaging” to encourage people to pony up.

Chief financial officer Gunnar Wiedenfels said the aforementioned gentle messaging will ramp up in 2025, indicating an eventual mandate. He suggested that folks who share passwords make the subscription costs rise for everyone, as it’s like “asking members who have not signed up, or multi-household members to pay a little bit more.”

The company also announced nearly ten billion dollars in revenue last quarter, along with 7.2 million new Max subscribers. This is the biggest jump in subscribers in the platform’s history. There’s more juice to squeeze out of that lemon, however, as some of those 7.2 million people likely gave a password to a grandkid or something.

Wiedenfels also didn’t rule out the possibility of yet another price increase. He said that the “premium nature” of Max gives the platform “a fair amount of room to continue to push a price we’ve been judicious about.” As for judiciousness, the subscription cost shot up in June of this year and again back in 2023. So, what, price increases are like yearly Madden installments now or something?

Max is merely the latest streamer to put the kibosh on password sharing. Netflix makes people pay to share passwords and Disney+ just started its crackdown back in September.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/max-is-about-to-crack-down-on-password-sharing-174549440.html?src=rss

The Google Nest wired indoor camera is just $70 for Amazon Black Friday Week

Posted on by

If you already have a smart home ecosystem in place, or are looking to build one from scratch, now’s a good time to look for IoT gear on sale during the Black Friday shopping period. One such device is the Google Nest wired indoor security camera, which you can get for $70 right now. That’s 30 percent off its usual price and close to a record low. The sale includes three colorways, including snow, fog and linen.

The second-gen wired device is designed for indoor use, thus the name, and is capable of capturing 1080p HDR video. It’s motion sensitive and uses a bit of AI trickery to discern between people, animals and vehicles. The camera also includes night vision and an hour of event recording on the device itself, which comes in handy in the case of a Wi-Fi outage.

There’s a two-way audio function, as the camera includes both a microphone and a speaker. People can boot up the affiliated Google Home app to spark up a conversation. This app also lets you instantly call up emergency services if the conversation doesn’t go as planned, though that requires a Nest Aware subscription.

This brings us to a fairly significant caveat, though this one pops up with most modern security cameras. A whole lot of stuff is locked behind that aforementioned Nest Aware paywall, which costs $8 per month or $80 each year. This plan gives purchasers 60 days of video history and the ability to watch live streams on smart displays and even smart TVs. Subscribers will even receive alerts when familiar faces are recognized by the camera.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-google-nest-wired-indoor-camera-is-just-70-for-amazon-black-friday-week-160944313.html?src=rss

Black Friday deals bring the Google Nest wired indoor camera down to just $70

Posted on by

The Google Nest wired indoor camera is $70 via Amazon as part of an early Black Friday deal. The cam is normally $100, so this represents a savings of 30 percent. This is close to a record low price, which is never a bad thing. The sale includes three colorways, including white, beige and light blue.

The second-gen wired device is designed for indoor use, thus the name, and is capable of capturing 1080p HDR video. It’s motion sensitive and uses a bit of AI trickery to discern between people, animals and vehicles. The camera also includes night vision and an hour of event recording on the device itself, which comes in handy in the case of a Wi-Fi outage.

There’s a two-way audio function, as the camera includes both a microphone and a speaker. People can boot up the affiliated Google Home app to spark up a conversation. This app also lets you instantly call up emergency services if the conversation doesn’t go as planned, though that requires a Nest Aware subscription.

This brings us to a fairly significant caveat, though this one pops up with most modern security cameras. A whole lot of stuff is locked behind that aforementioned Nest Aware paywall, which costs $8 per month or $80 each year. This plan gives purchasers 60 days of video history and the ability to watch live streams on smart displays and even smart TVs. Subscribers will even receive alerts when familiar faces are recognized by the camera.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deals-bring-the-google-nest-wired-indoor-camera-down-to-just-70-160944871.html?src=rss

Blink’s new Sync Module XR extends wireless range far beyond the standard version

Posted on by

Blink just unveiled the Sync Module XR wireless extender, which is an update of the pre-existing Sync Module. This device is primarily intended to extend the wireless range of the company’s Outdoor 4 security camera. To that end, it can increase the range by up to 400 feet, which is four times the standard Blink Sync Module.

This means that users can plop the affiliated security camera pretty much wherever they want, even in the case of a large and expansive property. Blink says that “customers now have the freedom to install Outdoor 4 on their fence, gate, shed or entry of their driveway and know their cameras will stay online and connected.”

A description of the range.
Blink

The company also says that the Sync Module XR can better penetrate obstacles to deliver a clean signal. This includes walls, shrubs and trees. However, it still says that performance may fluctuate “due to environment or other factors” and that “video resolution may vary.”

All Blink Outdoor 4 cameras can use this new module right out of the box, and it can support up to ten cameras at once. Jonathan Cohn, head of product at the company, said in a blog post that the Sync Module XR is intended to “make it easier for our customers to build a comprehensive home security system.”

The device also acts as a centralized system hub via the company’s proprietary app. This lets folks adjust any connected camera. Finally, there’s a MicroSD slot for clip storage. The Blink Sync Module XR is available for purchase right now in the US and Canada. It costs $60, though early adopters will get a free Outdoor 4 camera with a purchase.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/blinks-new-sync-module-xr-extends-wireless-range-far-beyond-the-standard-version-140027521.html?src=rss

Stranger Things VR is coming to PS VR2 on December 5

Posted on by

Stranger Things VR started as a Meta Quest exclusive, but it’s officially coming to Sony’s PS VR2. The game will be available on December 5, with an asking price of $25. However, PS Plus members get 20 percent off.

This announcement was made as part of a fake holiday called Stranger Things Day. Along with cross-platform support for Stranger Things VR, Netflix formally set a 2025 release date for season five of the show. This will be the final season. The platform dropped another trailer with the names of all of the episodes, so that’s something to look forward to.

As for Stranger Things VR, players take control of season four villain Vecna as he wreaks havoc on the poor citizens of Hawkins. Reviews were fairly middling, but it’s a VR game set in the universe of a mega-popular show. It’s going to move some units on the PS VR2. Even if you don’t end up liking the gameplay, hanging out in VR while listening to that blazing synth soundtrack will be fun.

To further commemorate, gulp, Stranger Things Day, the creative team also released some behind the scenes snapshots that chronicle the filming of the final season. They all look like they are having a grand ole time.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/stranger-things-vr-is-coming-to-ps-vr2-on-december-5-180832394.html?src=rss

Japan just sent the world’s first wooden satellite to space

Posted on by

Japanese researchers just sent the world’s first wooden satellite to space, as reported by CNN. LignoSat, named after the Latin word for wood, was developed by Kyoto University and a company called Sumitomo Forestry. It was included in a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and will soon be released into orbit above the Earth.

Why do this? There are two main reasons. First of all, it’ll be a test as to the durability of wood when faced with the harsh conditions of space. If successful, the researchers plan on making more wooden structures and jettisoning them to the cosmos.

A wood satellite.
Kyoto University

“With timber, a material we can produce by ourselves, we will be able to build houses, live and work in space forever,” said Takao Doi, an astronaut affiliated with Kyoto University. This is the first step in a 50-year plan that includes planting trees and building actual timber houses on the moon and even Mars.

“Early 1900s airplanes were made of wood,” said Kyoto University forest science professor Koji Murata. “A wooden satellite should be feasible, too.”

For those balking at the idea of wooden structures being used in space, consider some of the benefits. The material should actually be more durable in space than on Earth because, well, the endless void doesn’t have any water or oxygen. There’s nothing to cause rot and it's very hard for it to catch fire. It even offers fairly decent protection from radiation.

The other reason has to do with all of those other satellites in orbit. The planet’s currently surrounded by more than 3,000 satellites, not to mention all kinds of affiliated space debris. Wooden satellites would eventually fall back down to Earth and burn up during re-entry.

Metal satellites will (mostly) burn up during the return trip, but not before creating harmful aluminum oxide particles. We don’t really have a plan in place for the ever-expanding amount of space junk entombing the planet, so this could help. Doi envisions a scenario in which “metal satellites might be banned in the future.” In any event, having a log cabin on the moon would be one heck of a good time. There's literally an Apple TV+ show plus about just that. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/japan-just-sent-the-worlds-first-wooden-satellite-to-space-194055742.html?src=rss

Hori’s officially licensed Steam controller comes to the US on December 16

Posted on by

Hori is bringing its officially licensed Steam controller to the good ole US of A. The company listed the gamepad on Amazon, with an availability date of December 16. Preorders are open right now and the controller costs $60.

This Steam-focused gamepad was originally released back in October, but only in Japan. It boasts a big button to pull up the Steam menu and touch sensors on the joysticks for motion controls. It also ships with mappable back buttons. The gamepad connects to a computer, or a Steam Deck, via Bluetooth. To that end, it ships with a USB-A Bluetooth receiver.

Hori says the Steam controller will work for around 12 hours on a full charge, though it can operate while charging via USB cable. The controller menu in Steam also allows for making adjustments, like changing stick sensitivity and gyro controls.

There are a couple of slight omissions. The controller has no rumble functionality, nor does it boast a trackpad or a headphone jack. If you can get over those issues, this looks like a mighty fine way to work through that ever-growing Steam collection. Hori makes good stuff.

As for Valve, it discontinued its own Steam controller back in 2019. That gamepad was notable because it could be configured in a myriad of different ways to suit unique gameplay styles.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/horis-officially-licensed-steam-controller-comes-to-the-us-on-december-16-184221663.html?src=rss