Lego Horizon Adventures hits PS5, PC and Switch on November 14

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Lego Horizon Adventures is one of a very few first-party games that Sony is releasing this year, and now we have a release date, thanks to the State of Play the company aired on Tuesday. The kid-friendly spin on the Horizon series is coming to PlayStation 5, PC and Switch on November 14.

The soonish release date isn’t a huge shock, since the game was already lined up for a holiday 2024 slot. However, Sony jumped the gun by accidentally revealing the arrival date on the PlayStation website’s a few weeks back. Whoops!

We had the chance to try out Lego Horizon Adventures at Summer Game Fest in June and came away with positive impressions. It's generally faithful to the combat of the mainline Horizon games, with Aloy sneaking around for optimal angles from which to attack enemies and using her Focus to find weak spots on giant dinosaur-like machines. However, that's aligned with the kind of offbeat humor you'll find in many other Lego games rather than the broadly stoic seriousness of Horizon Forbidden West. Local and online co-op will also be available for the first time in a Horizon game.

This is a chance for Sony to bring the series to a whole new audience. Until now, the Horizon series has only been available on PlayStation consoles and PC (and PS VR2 in the case of Horizon Call of the Mountain). This could also be a bit of a test run for Sony to see if some of its older games might find new digs, and many more players, on Nintendo systems.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/lego-horizon-adventures-hits-ps5-pc-and-switch-on-november-14-223756234.html?src=rss

Worx’ portable work table is sturdy enough for your handy projects

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If you’re the type of person that likes to do handy projects every once in a while and outside your home or workstation, then a portable work table is probably a necessity. Not all tables or surfaces can be sturdy enough to do some sawing, hammering, or other tool-related activities. Not all work tables though are easy to assemble or to carry around or those that are portable may not be that strong to handle all the activities you need to do.

Designer: Worx

Tool brand Worx has come up with the Sidekick Work Bench, a “handy, compact, portable worktable”. When not assembled, it’s a weird-looking, toolbox-like contraption that a handyman carries around but once unfolded, it’s actually a 2-foot-square table. The collapsible design but easy to assemble tool gives the user maximum portability and versatility as well.

The table has metal legs that can withstand soft ground but also not slip on hard or smooth surfaces. The worksurface has different sections that can be used for whatever project it is that you’re working on, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. At the corners, you’ll see things that look like the infinity symbol but are connectors that you can use to connect to other Sidekicks in case you need a bigger work area or to other Worx products that can be connected.

Reviews say that this seemingly DIY-looking contraption is actually very stable and sturdy, perfect for whatever project you’re working on that needs a work table. The fact that it’s also pretty easy to set up adds to the good feedback from users.

The post Worx’ portable work table is sturdy enough for your handy projects first appeared on Yanko Design.

FTX advisor and Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison gets two years in prison

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A US district court judge sentenced Caroline Ellison, the former advisor and ex-girlfriend to the convicted crypto fraudster and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, to two years in prison.

The New York Times reported Ellison’s sentence for her role in the $8 billion in fraud committed by the FTX crypto exchange that sent Bankman-Fried to federal prison for 25 years back in March. Ellison will also have to serve three years of supervised release once she’s finished her prison sentence.

Ellison pled guilty at the end of 2022 to seven counts of fraud just as Bankman-Fried was being extradited to the US from the Bahamas. US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director of Enforcement Sanjay Wadhwa said following Ellison’s plea that she and Wang “were active participants in a scheme to conceal material information from FTX investors.”

Ellison was also the former chief executive officer of FTX’s sister company Alameda Research. Prosecutors said she diverted FTX customers’ funds onto Alameda’s books to hide risks from their clients. Ellison testified against Bankman-Fried, making her a key witness in his criminal fraud trial.

Prosecutors also got Bankman-Friend’s house arrest and bail revoked when a judge determined the FTX founder tried to hinder Ellison’s testimony last year. Bankman-Fried tried to message FTX’s general counsel on Signal and email in 2023 to influence Ellison’s testimony who was only identified as “Witness-1.”

Nine months later, Bankman-Fried showed a New York Times reporter personal writings from Ellison that prosecutors said were an attempt to damage her reputation especially amongst prospective jurors. The judge agreed both instances merited Bankman-Fried’s arrest and jailing while he awaited trial. Bankman-Fried is currently serving his 25-year sentence in a federal prison in Brooklyn awaiting appeal for his conviction.

Ellison issued a statement before her sentence apologizing for her crimes to the people she and her former firm defrauded. Prosecutors did not issue a recommended sentence and characterized her cooperation with investigators as “exemplary” in a memo to the judge.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of the people I hurt,” Ellison said in court. “I am deeply ashamed of what I have done.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ftx-advisor-and-alameda-ceo-caroline-ellison-gets-two-years-in-prison-214828333.html?src=rss

FTX advisor and Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison gets two years in prison

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A US district court judge sentenced Caroline Ellison, the former advisor and ex-girlfriend to the convicted crypto fraudster and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, to two years in prison.

The New York Times reported Ellison’s sentence for her role in the $8 billion in fraud committed by the FTX crypto exchange that sent Bankman-Fried to federal prison for 25 years back in March. Ellison will also have to serve three years of supervised release once she’s finished her prison sentence.

Ellison pled guilty at the end of 2022 to seven counts of fraud just as Bankman-Fried was being extradited to the US from the Bahamas. US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director of Enforcement Sanjay Wadhwa said following Ellison’s plea that she and Wang “were active participants in a scheme to conceal material information from FTX investors.”

Ellison was also the former chief executive officer of FTX’s sister company Alameda Research. Prosecutors said she diverted FTX customers’ funds onto Alameda’s books to hide risks from their clients. Ellison testified against Bankman-Fried, making her a key witness in his criminal fraud trial.

Prosecutors also got Bankman-Friend’s house arrest and bail revoked when a judge determined the FTX founder tried to hinder Ellison’s testimony last year. Bankman-Fried tried to message FTX’s general counsel on Signal and email in 2023 to influence Ellison’s testimony who was only identified as “Witness-1.”

Nine months later, Bankman-Fried showed a New York Times reporter personal writings from Ellison that prosecutors said were an attempt to damage her reputation especially amongst prospective jurors. The judge agreed both instances merited Bankman-Fried’s arrest and jailing while he awaited trial. Bankman-Fried is currently serving his 25-year sentence in a federal prison in Brooklyn awaiting appeal for his conviction.

Ellison issued a statement before her sentence apologizing for her crimes to the people she and her former firm defrauded. Prosecutors did not issue a recommended sentence and characterized her cooperation with investigators as “exemplary” in a memo to the judge.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of the people I hurt,” Ellison said in court. “I am deeply ashamed of what I have done.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ftx-advisor-and-alameda-ceo-caroline-ellison-gets-two-years-in-prison-214828333.html?src=rss

SAG-AFTRA strikes against League of Legends over voiceover company actions

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SAG-AFTRA has called a strike against the video game League of Legends. Under this action, any union voice actors must cease working on the popular MOBA from Riot Games. The union said it has also filed a charge of unfair labor practice against Formosa Interactive, which provides voiceover services for League, with the National Labor Relations Board.

Formosa Interactive was one of several high-profile video game companies named in a strike by voice acting talent earlier this year. SAG-AFTRA is working to negotiate with those developers for protections against AI replicas of its members, including those who perform in games.

Today, the union alleged that Formosa attempted to “cancel” a game that was included in the strike. "When they were told that was not possible, they secretly transferred the game to a shell company and sent out casting notices for “non-union” talent only," according to the press statement. "SAG-AFTRA charges that these serious actions are egregious violations of core tenets of labor law – that employers cannot interfere with performers’ rights to form or join a union and they cannot discriminate against union performers."

League of Legends is just one of the titles where Formosa Interactive provides services. In addition to voiceover work, Formosa Interactive also offers services such as facial capture, sound design and mixing. It has credits on games including God of War Ragnarok, Apex Legends, Genshin Impact, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Riot Games has issued the following statement about the strike: "League of Legends has nothing to do with the complaint mentioned in SAG-AFTRA’s press release. We want to be clear: Since becoming a union project five years ago, League of Legends has only asked Formosa to engage with Union performers in the US and has never once suggested doing otherwise. In addition, we’ve never asked Formosa to cancel a game that we’ve registered. All of the allegations in SAG-AFTRA’s press release relating to canceling a game or hiring non-union talent relate to a non-Riot game, and have nothing to do with League or any of our games."

Update, September 24, 2024, 5:47PM ET: Updated to include statement from Riot Games.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/sag-aftra-strikes-against-league-of-legends-over-voiceover-company-actions-212839780.html?src=rss

SAG-AFTRA strikes against League of Legends over voiceover company actions

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SAG-AFTRA has called a strike against the video game League of Legends. Under this action, any union voice actors must cease working on the popular MOBA from Riot Games. The union said it has also filed a charge of unfair labor practice against Formosa Interactive, which provides voiceover services for League, with the National Labor Relations Board.

Formosa Interactive was one of several high-profile video game companies named in a strike by voice acting talent earlier this year. SAG-AFTRA is working to negotiate with those developers for protections against AI replicas of its members, including those who perform in games.

Today, the union alleged that Formosa attempted to “cancel” a game that was included in the strike. "When they were told that was not possible, they secretly transferred the game to a shell company and sent out casting notices for “non-union” talent only," according to the press statement. "SAG-AFTRA charges that these serious actions are egregious violations of core tenets of labor law – that employers cannot interfere with performers’ rights to form or join a union and they cannot discriminate against union performers."

League of Legends is just one of the titles where Formosa Interactive provides services. In addition to voiceover work, Formosa Interactive also offers services such as facial capture, sound design and mixing. It has credits on games including God of War Ragnarok, Apex Legends, Genshin Impact, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Riot Games has issued the following statement about the strike: "League of Legends has nothing to do with the complaint mentioned in SAG-AFTRA’s press release. We want to be clear: Since becoming a union project five years ago, League of Legends has only asked Formosa to engage with Union performers in the US and has never once suggested doing otherwise. In addition, we’ve never asked Formosa to cancel a game that we’ve registered. All of the allegations in SAG-AFTRA’s press release relating to canceling a game or hiring non-union talent relate to a non-Riot game, and have nothing to do with League or any of our games."

Update, September 24, 2024, 5:47PM ET: Updated to include statement from Riot Games.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/sag-aftra-strikes-against-league-of-legends-over-voiceover-company-actions-212839780.html?src=rss

Visa slapped with a DOJ antitrust lawsuit

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an antitrust lawsuit against Visa. The lawsuit alleges that the financial firm holds a monopoly over debit network markets allowing it to charge banks and markets with exorbitant fees that get passed onto consumers and keep rival companies like PayPal and Square from competing on their level.

Bloomberg first reported on Monday that the DOJ planned to file an antitrust suit against Visa following a multiyear investigation into Visa’s business practices starting in 2020. Visa attempted to acquire the fintech startup Plaid with a $5.3 billion bid but the DOJ filed a lawsuit blocking the deal claiming the acquisition would eliminate a competitive threat that challenged Visa’s powerful control of debit markets.

Visa dropped the bid a year later to avoid any further legal entanglements but the DOJ continued investigating Visa’s business practices.

The DOJ alleges in its latest lawsuit that Visa’s “web of exclusionary agreements” with banks and businesses helped strengthen its market dominance and “smother” any potential competitors. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that Visa “unlawfully amassed the power to extract fees that far exceed what it could charge in a competitive market.

“Merchants and banks pass along those costs to customers, either by raising prices or reducing quality or service,” the statement reads. “As a result, Visa’s unlawful conduct affects not just the price of one thing — but the price of nearly everything.”

Visa's General Counsel Julie Rottenberg told Engadget in an emailed statement that the DOJ's lawsuit is "meritless" and that they plan to vigorously defend themselves in court. 

"Today's lawsuit ignores the reality that Visa is just one of many competitors in a debit space that is growing, with entrants who are thriving," Rottenberg said by email. "When businesses and consumers choose Visa, it is because of our secure and reliable network, world-class fraud protection, and the value we provide. We are proud of the payments network we have built, the innovation we advance, and the economic opportunity we enable."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/visa-slapped-with-a-doj-antitrust-lawsuit-204710873.html?src=rss

Visa slapped with a DOJ antitrust lawsuit

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an antitrust lawsuit against Visa. The lawsuit alleges that the financial firm holds a monopoly over debit network markets allowing it to charge banks and markets with exorbitant fees that get passed onto consumers and keep rival companies like PayPal and Square from competing on their level.

Bloomberg first reported on Monday that the DOJ planned to file an antitrust suit against Visa following a multiyear investigation into Visa’s business practices starting in 2020. Visa attempted to acquire the fintech startup Plaid with a $5.3 billion bid but the DOJ filed a lawsuit blocking the deal claiming the acquisition would eliminate a competitive threat that challenged Visa’s powerful control of debit markets.

Visa dropped the bid a year later to avoid any further legal entanglements but the DOJ continued investigating Visa’s business practices.

The DOJ alleges in its latest lawsuit that Visa’s “web of exclusionary agreements” with banks and businesses helped strengthen its market dominance and “smother” any potential competitors. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that Visa “unlawfully amassed the power to extract fees that far exceed what it could charge in a competitive market.

“Merchants and banks pass along those costs to customers, either by raising prices or reducing quality or service,” the statement reads. “As a result, Visa’s unlawful conduct affects not just the price of one thing — but the price of nearly everything.”

Visa's General Counsel Julie Rottenberg told Engadget in an emailed statement that the DOJ's lawsuit is "meritless" and that they plan to vigorously defend themselves in court. 

"Today's lawsuit ignores the reality that Visa is just one of many competitors in a debit space that is growing, with entrants who are thriving," Rottenberg said by email. "When businesses and consumers choose Visa, it is because of our secure and reliable network, world-class fraud protection, and the value we provide. We are proud of the payments network we have built, the innovation we advance, and the economic opportunity we enable."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/visa-slapped-with-a-doj-antitrust-lawsuit-204710873.html?src=rss

DAB Motors unveils Transparent E-bike inspired by Retro Gaming Consoles like the Nintendo 64

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Back in the ’90s, transparency became a cool trend in tech, particularly with gaming consoles. Anyone remember the clear plastic of the Nintendo 64 controllers or the transparent Game Boy Color and Advance? Those see-through designs let you peek into the gadget’s inner workings, blending functionality with a futuristic aesthetic, and paving the way for Apple’s gorgeous iMacs and MacBooks, followed by Nothing’s transparent tech that has revisited the retro trend in its own unique way. Fast forward to today, and the French electric motorcycle maker DAB Motors (a Peugeot sub-brand) has captured that retro spirit in its stunning DAB 1α Transparent Edition. This motorcycle, though a far cry from gaming consoles, channels that same nostalgic vibe with modern elegance. It feels like it could have come straight out of an arcade racing game—if those games had ever been this sleek.

Designer: DAB Motors

DAB Motors’ 1α Transparent Edition is all about turning heads, and its translucent bodywork is the ultimate conversation starter. The bike’s frame and design are partially see-through, offering a glimpse at its high-tech components—reminiscent of those old gaming consoles where you could see the wires, circuits, and chips. This visual transparency gives the bike a light, almost futuristic vibe that pairs beautifully with the carbon fiber parts made from repurposed Airbus materials. Yes, you read that right—Airbus.

Beyond the cool see-through aspects, the 1α stays grounded with modern touches, like an Alcantara saddle for comfort and a sharp monobloc LED tail light that’s both translucent and futuristic. The front-end design isn’t shy either, featuring a 2.8-inch integrated LCD dashboard and a lenticular headlight that’ll look right at home whether you’re cruising through city streets or zooming down a highway.

Under the clear, see-through hood, a 25.5 kW brushless DC motor powers this electric motorcycle, allowing it to reach a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph). With a torque output of 395 Nm at the wheel, this machine has more pull than many electric cars. The 150 km range is powered by a 72V Li-Ion battery that’s designed to be both repairable and recyclable.

DAB didn’t skimp on convenience either. The bike comes with an onboard charger that works with both home sockets and Type 2 charging stations, offering a full charge in just 3 hours. That’s right—no lengthy overnight charging sessions here. In terms of customization, the DAB 1α offers four ride modes: Eco, Standard, Sport, and a fun Nitrous Boost mode for when you really want to feel the power surge. It even has a reverse mode to help with tight parking situations, which can come in handy, especially for urban riders.

The steel double cradle frame ensures that the bike remains both sturdy and lightweight, tipping the scales at just 125 kg. For suspension, DAB teamed up with Paioli to equip the bike with a 46mm adjustable USD fork at the front and a spring preload adjustable rear—both offering a smooth, responsive ride. And let’s not forget those Brembo radial brakes with dual ABS for stopping power that inspires confidence whether you’re riding in the rain or dry conditions. The wheels on this transparent beauty are custom-made by DAB x FABA, paired with Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 tires that are designed for performance and grip. Whether you’re navigating tight city streets or open highways, the wheels (17-inch front and rear) ensure excellent control and stability.

For all this innovation and style, the DAB 1α Transparent Edition starts at €14,900 ($16,651 USD) – and only 400 units will be made. If you’re already daydreaming about pulling up to your local café on this retro-inspired machine, you might want to act fast. Financing options are available, but once these limited editions are gone, they’re gone. And with worldwide delivery, it doesn’t matter where you are—you can still channel your inner gamer while cruising through the streets on this eye-catching piece of machinery.

The post DAB Motors unveils Transparent E-bike inspired by Retro Gaming Consoles like the Nintendo 64 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Google is bringing Watch OS 5 to the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2

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Google announced today that the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 will be getting the new Watch OS 5. The latest operating system will roll out to Pixel Watches currently running Watch OS 3.5 and Watch OS 4 beginning today. Users will see a notification on their device as the update becomes available to them over the next week.

The Watch OS 5 update will bring improved camera controls to the older versions of the smartwatch hardware, in addition to adding support for Pixel Recorder and the grid-view app launcher. While early reports said that Watch OS 5 would also be improving battery life, Google didn't specify whether the new operating system will provide a boost to how long these older devices can go before they need a recharge.

Google recently released the Pixel Watch 3, which did impress us with its solid battery performance and other upgrades from last year's Pixel Watch 2. It was the first Pixel smartwatch to boast Watch OS 5 after the operating system debuted on the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch Ultra from Samsung.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/google-is-bringing-watch-os-5-to-the-pixel-watch-and-pixel-watch-2-200042070.html?src=rss