This is one Nintendo Switch Lite deal that you really shouldn’t miss if you’re after a new handheld gaming console. A special edition version of the system is on sale at a record low price and, although we first drew attention to this incredible saving a few weeks back, stock is still available today.
I’m talking about the Nintendo Switch Lite Timmy & Tommy’s Aloha Edition, which is on sale for just $159 (was $199.99) at Walmart. That’s a $40 saving and a staggeringly low price for hardware that doesn’t often receive substantial discounts.
This bundle includes both a Nintendo Switch Lite console in a special Animal Crossing inspired design and a free copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the latest game in the long-running series. Animal Crossing: New Horizons normally sells for around $50 on its own, so it’s hard to overstate the value proposition here.
A huge saving on the Nintendo Switch Lite
The Nintendo Switch Lite is a more portable version of the massively successful Nintendo Switch. It’s the perfect option for those who only want a console to play games on the go and received a glowing four and a half stars in our Nintendo Switch Lite review. We levelled praise at its overall design, portable form factor, and more affordable price.
On top of a special edition console which features a printed back design, this bundle includes a copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons which we consider to be best Nintendo Switch games available now. Our Animal Crossing: New Horizons review saw the game receive four and a half stars and we described it as a charming, relaxing experience with brilliant graphics that’s ideal for series veterans and complete newcomers.
If you’re outside of the US but still want to secure a Nintendo Switch Lite deal, then browse a range of offers on this special edition in your region below.
President Nicolas Maduro has issued a ban on X (formerly known as Twitter) for 10 days over a public row with the social media owner Elon Musk.
UK-based internet watchdog NetBlocks confirmed the block as of Friday, August 9, 2024 (see tweet below).
This means that you now need to use one of the best VPN apps to keep accessing the platforms – whether you live or just visit Venezuela in the next weeks.
⚠️ Confirmed: Live metrics show X (formerly Twitter) is now restricted in #Venezuela as contested president Maduro orders regulator Conatel to ban the platform for 10 days, claiming that it promotes civil war; the incident comes a day after similar calls to ban X in the UK #8Ago pic.twitter.com/LuXr6kLBgDAugust 9, 2024
The beef between Maduro and Musk has grown following contested election results that saw the Venezuelan President confirming his mandate for six more years.
From his X account, Musk dismissed the victory as a “major election fraud,” with Maduro accusing the billionaire of “inciting hate.”
“Elon Musk is the owner of X and has violated all the rules of the social network itself,” said Maduro in a speech at a pro-government demonstration – Al Jazeera reported – before signing off the decree for the 10-day ban.
How a VPN can help
VPN usage in Venezuela has spiked in the aftermath of the presidential election as authorities reportedly blocked many websites. Proton VPN, for example, has recorded a 13000% increase in sign-ups above the normal levels so far. This trend is likely to intensify now that X cannot be accessed at least until Monday, August 19, unless using a circumvention tool.
This is because a VPN, short for virtual private network, is a security software that not only encrypts your internet connections but also spoofs your IP address location. The latter skill makes you appear as if you’re browsing the web from a completely different country in no time.
It all sounds very techie, but it’s actually as easy as downloading and using any other application. All you need to do is subscribe to your chosen service, download the VPN app on your device, and connect to one of its servers located in a country free of online restrictions. All the top VPNs boast a huge international network so you’ll have plenty of choice.
Whenever possible, I suggest downloading your VPN app before entering the country to avoid any potential blocks. In case you are already in the country, here are some tips to get around issues using your VPN.
While TechRadar’s #1 recommendation is NordVPN at the time of writing, I also recommend getting as many VPNs as possible so you can hop from one to another in case you have some difficulty using a specific provider.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Getting your whole team involved in the collaboration experience on Microsoft Teams is set to soon be a lot easier thanks to a new upgrade.
The video conferencing platform has revealed it is working on a feature that will allow all participants in a meeting to start collaborating and making notes.
The change should indeed help boost collaboration and productivity, but could also lead to a bit of a free-for-all, particularly if you are involved in a big group that decides to suddenly go all-in on a certain document or presentation.
Microsoft Teams collaboration
The entry on the official Microsoft 365 roadmap is rather brief, giving little away about the feature or how exactly it will work, simply stating, “all participants in meetings are now able to start collaborative annotations”.
The feature will be available on Windows desktop and Mac devices, to users across the world, and has an expected rollout start of December 2024 – although it is still listed as being “in development”, so this may yet change.
However the roadmap post does not the feature will only be available “in the new Microsoft Teams experience”. We’re assuming this means the premium version of the platform, which is available to users paying a fee.
Released in February 2023 and costing $7 / £5.80 per user per month, Microsoft Teams Premium offers a more personal experience due to a selection of AI-boosted plugins and features powered by GPT 3.5, the AI language model developed by OpenAI, which is able to automate certain mundane tasks surrounding meetings as part of its “intelligent recap” feature.
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The company recently confirmed the rollout of a single desktop app to bring together “every type of Teams account”, meaning whether on a work, school or personal Microsoft Teams account, users will now all access the same app, doing away with the current requirement for multiple versions for different use cases.
The news is the latest bid by Microsoft to help boost collaboration across the platform. The company recently announced a “huddles” allowing users to quickly start a group chat or instant meeting for chat and collaboration. The new “meet now” feature can be quickly started in a group chat, meaning there’s no need to scramble around setting up an “official” Microsoft Teams call and sending out invites that may be missed in busy inboxes.
The BourgeRV JuiceGo could be mistaken for a trendy juicer, but make no mistake, this diminutive unit is no pushover and redefines the concept of portable power stations by being slightly larger than a dictionary.
Specifications
Battery Chemistry: LiFePo4
Battery capacity: 240Wh
Number of charge cycles: Over 2000
AC output power: 150W
Number of AC outlets: 1
Number of DC outlets: 4
AC inverter efficiency: 88%
Number of power inputs: 2
Fastest charge time: 3 hours
Additional features: LED flashlight
Weight: 2.8kg
Volume: 2.7L
Price: $210
The slick plastic enclosure contains a 240WH LiFePo4 battery, three USB sockets, a cigar port, an emergency LED light, and a 150W AC output socket. A small LCD shows input and output power consumption and battery charge.
The JuiceGo is ideal for traveling as it weighs only 2.8kg. The only accessories provided are USB Type-C and car charging cables. A built-in hand strap makes moving the station painless. The main limitation of the unit remains the 100W USB Type-C socket, which cannot be used as output while charging through the DC input socket. The station does not ship with a power adapter, making the out-of-the-box experience underwhelming.
The JuiceGo has an MSRP of $209 on the BourgeRV website. It can be bundled with a 50W solar panel, bringing the price to $300. Until the end of the year, buyers can use the code AFF24 to get 24% off BougeRV products, including the JuiceGo.
(Image credit: Future)
BougeRV JuiceGo: Design
The JuiceGo comes with only a few accessories, including a USB Type-C and a car charging cable. To charge the station, the user must provide a power adapter. The plastic unit measures 26 cm x 17 cm x 6 cm and weighs 2.9 kg. A plastic strap serves as a handle for carrying the station around. The back of the enclosure contains a small fan, which cools the AC inverter and battery charging circuits.
The black plastic station does not have any feet, which gives the JuiceGo the unique characteristic of being able to be placed horizontally or vertically. The edge of the case is rubbery and will prevent the station from easily toppling over. BougeRV uses a 240Wh LiFePo4 battery technology with over 3000 charge cycles before experiencing a 20% capacity drop.
The user interface comprises a small rectangular LCD and three push buttons. The display looks crowded from a distance; tiny characters show the battery charge, input and output power consumption, potential warnings, and enabled outputs. Using the push buttons is straightforward. A long press on the Power button will turn the device on, while a short press will turn it off.
The front panel contains all DC outputs. Three USB sockets, including two Type-Cs, are grouped on the right. A cigar car socket in the center provides 130W to small devices such as a portable fridge, while a barrel-type DC7909 socket can charge the unit with a voltage range between 12V and 32V, at a maximum of 100W. A single AC output on the back provides up to 150W.
(Image credit: Future)
BougeRV JuiceGo: In use
The JuiceGo fan makes noise under stress when fast charging or outputting at maximum power. The LED flashlight, controlled by the Light push button, can be fully on, dimmed to half intensity, or set to flash. With the 12V cigar lighter DC output, the JuiceGo becomes a helpful roadside companion, enabling the use of a small fridge on the go.
The unit charges through the dedicated DC input socket or the 100W Type-C connector. One major limitation of the power station is that both sockets cannot be used simultaneously, even when using the Type-C as an output. With both connected, the JuiceGo will turn off the Type-C while other outputs, such as the two USB sockets, remain powered.
The fastest way to charge the unit is through the DC7909 socket, which takes about three hours to complete. Since the unit does not ship with an adapter, the user will usually charge through the Type-C connector, which will also take about three hours to complete. The DC7909 socket also supports solar panel charging with MPPT and a 12V to 32V input.
The inverter and battery are 88% efficient, giving less than one and a half hours at full power usage. The unit consumes about 1W while idle and can save energy by turning off the AC outlet or the whole unit with nothing connected for one hour or more. The JuiceGo can become a simple UPS for small computers and appliances, with AC and DC outputs available during charge.
(Image credit: Future)
BougeRV JuiceGo: The competition
BougeRV’s JuiceGo fills a niche at this size and price. The Jackery Explorer 300 portable power station is targeted at a similar audience but is more costly at $419. It is also bigger and heavier and uses the older LPF battery chemistry. The lack of a flashlight makes it less handy on road trips. Finally, with only one 60W Type-C USB socket, the Explorer 300 is a no-go for charging many high-end laptops, such as the MacBook Pro, using USB only.
BougeRV JuiceGo: Final verdict
The JuiceGo from BougeRV is ideal as a temporary energy source on the go. The 240Wh LiFePo4 battery should provide over 2000 charge cycles before experiencing a voltage drop. What’s great about the JuiceGo is its many features, such as a flashlight, dual Type-C USB sockets, a cigar lighter output, and a handle that does not take up a lot of space. The unit can be placed horizontally or vertically and features a rubbery edge to prevent accidental slips.
The AC output is on the low end at 150W, meaning the station can only accommodate items such as laptops or small fridges. The charging could also have been better, as the main Type-C socket gets disabled when charging through the dedicated DC input socket.
A new combined version of Doom and Doom 2 is now available on PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. It brings a ton of new features and enhancements, including a brand-new episode made in collaboration with developers from id Software, Nightdive Studios, and MachineGames.
Originally released in 1993 and 1994 respectively, Doom and Doom 2 are legendary first-person shooter (FPS) games that established many of the genre conventions that we still see today. They have both been ported countless times in the past but, revealed as part of this year’s ongoing Quakecon convention, this new edition is something of a definitive release.
Upgrades include online cross-platform multiplayer (both competitive and cooperative modes with support for up to 16 players), full support for community-published single-player mods through an integrated mod browser, new accessibility options, and an optional modern soundtrack. This is on top of improved performance across the board, including support for 120fps framerates and 4K resolution on PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PlayStation 5.
Doom and Doom 2 now feature a new official episode with new demon enemies and fresh weapons too. It’s titled “Legacy of Rust” and takes place in an overrun base in a remote region of hell. A new deathmatch map pack, including 25 multiplayer maps, has also been added.
Long-time fans will also likely appreciate the addition of the id Vault, which contains everything from early development concept art to unused material that never made its way into the games.
It sounds like an incredible port all things considered, especially for the modest $9.99 / £7.99 asking price. This version, officially titled Doom + Doom 2, is also available for free for those who already own Doom or Doom 2 (or both) on any supported platform, which is an absolutely brilliant bonus.
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If you’ve been looking for an easy way to play the first six Final Fantasygames in one handy collection, Square Enix has recently opened pre-orders for a re-run of its physical edition. Rebranded as the Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition, it’s available to pre-order physically at retailers across the US and the UK right now.
Launching on October 8, 2024, Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition will be available for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 (and in case you’re unaware, that physical copy is still compatible with your PS5). The collection features definitive versions of the first six mainline Final Fantasy games – complete with a number of quality-of-life additions – and a sticker sheet featuring a dozen iconic characters from the series’ history.
Physical versions of this collection tend to sell out rather quickly, even during the pre-order phase. So if you missed your chance with the original release of the collection, you may want to act now if you’d prefer to own them physically. Check below for all the best places to pre-order Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition – broken down by platform and region.
Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition pre-orders – PS4 US
Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition pre-orders – PS4 UK
Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition pre-orders – Switch US
Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition pre-orders – Switch UK
Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition pre-orders – What’s included?
(Image credit: Square Enix)
There is just one version of the Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition available, so thankfully, unlike many upcoming games, you won’t have to analyze multiple deluxe editions to figure out which one you need.
Both the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions feature the first six mainline Final Fantasy games enhanced with new visuals and an array of quality-of-life features to make them more palatable for modern audiences. And as mentioned, you’re getting a cute sticker sheet emblazoned with sprites of iconic Final Fantasy characters like Terra, Kefka, Kain, Cecil, Onion Knight, a Black Mage and a Moogle.
Final Fantasies 1 through 6
Sticker sheet with 12 character stickers
Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition pre-orders – FAQs
Should I buy Final Fantasy 1-6 Collection Anniversary Edition from Square Enix?
We’d recommend checking out other retailers first, but if you regularly shop the Square Enix store in order to earn reward points, that’s also applicable here. You’ll get 64 Members Rewards points by pre-ordering the game from the Square Enix store, which can be put towards other products on the website.
Final Fantasy 1-6; are they still worth playing?
Yes, absolutely! While some of the earlier titles are rough around the edges in terms of presentation, animation and the occasional bout of mazelike level design, the latter three titles provide groundbreaking stories, excellent soundtracks and an overall unforgettable experience.
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Netflix is facing the biggest leak-based crisis in its history after a huge data breach resulted in numerous unreleased shows and movies appearing online.
As reported by What’s on Netflix and IGN, the streaming giant has spent the past two days (August 7 and 8) scrambling to respond to the massive security breach that’s seen a number of anticipated projects leak online. Among the productions affected are critically-acclaimed shows like Arcane and Heartstopper, while there are unsubstantiated reports that Stranger Things has also been impacted.
It’s not known how many new Netflix movies and TV shows have been affected by the breach, but Netflix is moving quickly to hunt down sources hosting the leaked material and scrub them from the internet.
What has Netflix said about the massive data leak?
Netflix has revealed which of its vendors was hit by the data breach (Image credit: Netflix)
In a statement issued to The Wrap, Netflix revealed the breach was the result of one of its post-production partners being targeted. The world’s best streaming service didn’t mince its words over how “aggressively” it would pursue those responsible for the digital attack, either.
“One of our post-production partners has been compromised and footage from several of our titles has unfortunately leaked online,” a Netflix spokesperson told The Wrap last night (August 8). “Our team is aggressively taking action to have it taken down.”
Which Netflix shows and movies have leaked online?
The third season of Heartstopper, which debuts in early October, has been affected (Image credit: Netflix)
The most notable projects that have definitely been impacted are two of the best Netflix shows in Arcane and Heartstopper. The next installments in each series – Heartstopper season 3 and Arcane season 2 – aren’t due out on Netflix until October 3 and sometime in November, but some viewers have already been given a good look at what each chapter’s stories will entail following the data leak.
Per IGN and What’s on Netflix again, full (albeit unfinished) episodes of Arcane and Heartstopper‘s upcoming seasons are circulating online. Episodes are believed to be stamped with “for internal use” and “property of Netflix” watermarks, and don’t come with completed visual and sound effects. Nonetheless, the fact that these assets have appeared online will be a major blow to not only Netflix, but also each series’ cast and crew who have worked so hard to bring us more top-tier television content.
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This is our hard work.It is meant to be released on its due date, something we, as animators, really look forward to.It is incredibly disrespectful and just straight up annoying. You think you are doing some kind of service to the community but you are not. https://t.co/UX0lCrZbuZAugust 7, 2024
The aforementioned duo aren’t the only projects to be leaked over the past 48 hours, though. Spellbound, a new animated film that’s set to land on Netflix in late November, has also reportedly been posted on various message boards, forums, and social media platforms. It only received its first trailer last week ahead of the family-friendly flick’s late 2024 release, too.
In fact, Heartstopper season 3 (and potentially Stranger Things season 5) aside, it’s Netflix’s animation department, not its live-action division, that’s been most heavily impacted. SpongeBob SquarePants spinoff Plankton: The Movie, has also been leaked, as have plenty of animated shows, such as Terminator Zero, Ranma 1/2, Dan Da Dan, Fairy Odd Parents: A New Wish, Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World, and Jentry Chau vs the Underworld.
Opinion: a smack in the face for the industry’s talented creatives
Terminator Zero is one of many animated projects to be leaked in its entirety (Image credit: Netflix)
Leaks of this nature, which are starting to become commonplace (just look at House of the Dragon season 2’s finale leaking online days before it aired) are no good to anyone. Sure, there’s bound to be a vocal minority who, in light of Netflix raising its prices, erasing its cheap ad-free tier, and canceling a number of fan-favorite shows, may claim this data breach as karma over the streaming titan’s supposed disrespectful attitude towards consumers.
I’ve been critical of Netflix’s business decisions in the past, but anyone who’s reveling in the release of these unfinished shows and movies, and/or anyone who’s watched the leaked footage, should be ashamed. Not only is it not the right way to consume this media, it’s also a huge slap in the face to writers, directors, artists, actors, producers, musicians, sound designers, editors, and anybody else who’s worked tirelessly on their art.
Being an entertainment industry employee is stressful at the best of times, but I suspect many of the individuals who work in this sector will think the pain is worth it when their project is received well, wins awards, or even becomes the next must-see title on Netflix or many of its streaming rivals, such as Disney Plus, Max, and Prime Video.
I can’t even begin to imagine, then, how everyone associated with the aforementioned TV series and films must have felt over the last few days to see their productions leak online. Words probably mean nothing to them at this point – an irony, I’m sure, after I’ve written this piece. The best thing you and I can do right now, though, is ignore the leaked footage, and support each and every TV show and movie when the finished products are actually released on Netflix instead. Stream them and, if you end up enjoying any of them (once they formally arrive), let their thousands-strong creative teams know. I’m sure our words will mean that much more to everyone involved after the heartache of seeing their projects leak well ahead of schedule.
According to a recent study, 35% of companies worldwide are already using AI, while 50% plan to use it in some capacity in 2024. Companies use AI to automate tedious tasks, create content, get inspiration for marketing campaigns, manage customer relationships and much more.
You don’t have to incorporate AI into your business, but it can help in more ways than you may imagine. With The 2024 Complete ChatGPT & Gemini AI Advanced E-Degree, you’ll get a comprehensive breakdown of some of today’s biggest consumer-facing and affordable AI tools to help you figure out how they might make sense for your business.
What you’ll learn
This 10-hour course is taught by Eduonix Learning Solutions (4.0/5-star instructor rating), a leader in online education. It will help you understand the significance of generative AI and delve into a number of AI tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini AI, GPT 3.5, GPT 4, Bard, DALL-E 2 and more. You’ll learn how to leverage these tools to boost creativity, improve productivity and much more.
Through the courses, you’ll get hands-on practice with each of the tools, exploring the vast possibilities in text, image, video and audio generation. You’ll understand the techniques and methodologies involved in AI-based content generation and learn how to properly leverage models to get your desired results.
Some of the projects you’ll explore include AI content marketing, AI image generation for social media and web design, AI audio and video for education and informational purposes, task automation and more.
See what AI can do for your business. Only through September 3, you can get The 2024 Complete ChatGPT & Gemini AI Advanced E-Degree on sale for just $24.99 (reg. $790).
With the Google Pixel Watch 3 set to be unveiled this coming Tuesday, August 13, the leaks are continuing to appear at a rapid rate – and the latest unofficial dump of images shows off the likely design, features, and strap options for the upcoming wearable.
This latest batch of images comes courtesy of regular tipster Evan Blass, and adds to what we already know about the smartwatch. It’s going to be available in two sizes for the first time, and Google is apparently shrinking down the bezels, too.
One of the more interesting pictures in the collection shows what appears to be a live feed from a video doorbell, presumably one of the Google Nest doorbells – so it looks like the previous rumors about this new Pixel Watch 3 feature are accurate.
We also get a look at some of the revamped watch face options coming with the 2024 hardware upgrade, and the accompanying Wear OS 5 update: we’ve heard before that watch faces will support larger displays and more information, and that’s evident here.
Briefs and feedback
The Pixel Watch 2 launched in October 2023 (Image credit: Google)
When the Pixel Watch 3 does arrive, we’re expecting it to bring some improved health-monitoring features, including a Morning Brief feature that gives you a summary to start your day – and there’s an image of it included in the leaks.
It looks very much as though real-time running metrics and feedback will be available on the Pixel Watch 3 too, and that’s something else showcased in this leak. You can see stats showing a current pace and a pace target, for example.
As for the strap images, we see a few different types of band in cream, green, dark gray, red, and pink, matching up with a more detailed leak around the band options and color options that appeared at the end of last month.
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We’ll be covering the Google event on Tuesday live of course, and as well as the Pixel Watch 3, we’re also going to get our first official look at the Google Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold (the successor to the Google Pixel Fold).
Missing a key point of a work meeting or call could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a new Google Meet update.
The video conferencing platform has revealed its AI-powered tool that will automatically take notes during a meeting will be rolling out within weeks, with just a few final tweaks to be sorted out.
Powered by the company’s Gemini AI platform, Google Workspace hopes the tool will lead to greater productivity and efficiency, letting users “drop the pen” and focus more clearly on the meeting instead of splitting focus between listening and taking notes on video conferencing calls.
Take notes for me
In a Google Workspace update blog post, the company outlined that although a general launch of the feature is coming “soon”, admins can test out and configure their settings now.
This will allow admins to control who exactly can get access to the feature, which will be on by default, hopefully shutting out anyone not supposed to be on a call.
The setting can be configured in the Admin console by going to Apps > Google Workspace > Google Meet > Gemini Settings, with Google also noting this gives admins more time to test the feature before the public rollout.
It adds “Take notes for me” is available for customers who have a Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education Premium, or AI Meetings and Messaging add-on. Only users who are assigned one of these licenses will be able to use the note-taking feature.
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The launch is the latest step in Google Meet’s plan to be more effective and useful for customers everywhere.
The company announced “Take notes for me” back in April 2024 as part of the AI Meetings and Messaging add-on, a suite of AI-powered tools it hopes will make workers more efficient and lead to more productive collaboration across businesses.
Costing $10 per user, per month across “most” Google Workspace plans, the plan also includes an expanded “Translate for me” feature which will automatically detect and translate captions in Google Meet calls, and an expansion of Google Chat spaces up to 500,000 members for those company-wide chats.
Gmail is also getting improved voice prompts allowing users to easily send emails on the go, as well as an instant polish tool able to convert rough notes to a complete email with a single click.
