Category Archives: News

Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH Comes to PlayStation5 on February 29, 2024

Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH stole the show during Sony’s recent PlayStation’s State of Play. The new trailer opens with all our beloved characters, Tifa, Cloud, Sephiroth and more continuing their adventures after the events of Final Fantasy VII remake.

The heart-pounding trailer gives us a glimpse of the open world that awaits us in the game with iconic characters like Cloud, Aerith, Barret, and Tifa. These unlikely heroes unite with new playable companions, including Yuffie, a nimble ninja from Wutai, Red XIII, a fiery-tailed beast offering sage advice, and Cait Sith, a witty feline-shaped robot perched atop a giant Moogle.

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Source: Square

We continue the pursuit of Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH. We’re going to get to explore Midgar like never before while we track down the fallen SOLDIER before he creates more havoc. In Rebirth, we’ll guide these characters in thrilling battles, utilizing powerful synergy abilities that strengthen their bonds. As we traverse a vast, vibrant world brimming with opportunities for exploration, classic locales reimagined in stunning detail await. From what Square has teased in its press release, we can expect hours of side content, engaging mini-games, and captivating side stories that delve into the rich tapestry of this world’s inhabitants.

Producer Yoshinori Kitase emphasized, “FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH can be enjoyed on its own as a standalone adventure.” This means players new to the series can dive right in without feeling lost. For those eager to deepen their understanding of the narrative, a recap of the previous game will be available to provide context and backstory.

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From what we can gather, it looks like the second instalment will take players all the way to the middle of the original’s plot. Naoki Hamaguchi, the director, enthusiastically shares, “Cloud and his friends, who have fled Midgar, will be setting out on an adventure across an expansive world of untold adventure in pursuit of Sephiroth, the legendary SOLDIER.” He underlines the game’s emphasis on “free exploration” with compelling stories, delightful mini-games, formidable monsters, and much more across the world map, promising nearly 100 hours of captivating adventure.

Pricing & Availability

Pre-orders for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth are now open on the PlayStation Store. The game will be available in a number of editions both physical and digital. The game will officially be released on February 29, 2023 on PlayStation 5.

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Physical Editions

These come on two game discs and include a reversible cover along with the digital Midgar Bangle Mk. II armour as a pre-order bonus at select retailers. The standard edition will set you back USD$69.99. The Deluxe edition will be retailing for USD$99.99 and come with a mini-soundtrack CD, an artbook and a steel book case.

The Collector’s Edition will come with a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth, in-game items: the Reclaimant Choker accessory, the Orchid Bracelet and Summoning Materia which allows you to summon the Moogle Trio and the Magic Pot. This comes in addition to all the freebies from the Deluxe Edition. It will retail for USD$349.99.

Digital Editions

Digital Editions of the game come with the Moogle Trio summoning Materia. The standard edition will set you back USD$69.99.

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The digital deluxe edition comes with the digital Mini-soundtrack, digital artbook, and DLC items like the Magic Pot Summoning Materia, Reclaimant Choker accessory, and Orchid Bracelet armour. This content can be purchased separately for USD$20.00 to upgrade your standard edition.

Twin Packs

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will also be available in a physical twin pack with Final Fantasy VII REMAKE INTERGRADE for USD$99.99. The full game of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade will be available for download upon preorder.

The Digital Deluxe Twin Pack will include both games and all the content for the Digital Deluxe Edition. This will retail for USD$119.99.

Intel Unveils Thunderbolt 5: Higher Speed, Faster Charging & Next Generation Standards

Intel has officially taken the wraps off Thunderbolt 5, the next generation of its renowned Thunderbolt connectivity technology. In a demonstration that showcased a prototype laptop and dock, Intel highlighted the remarkable improvements in speed and bandwidth that Thunderbolt 5 promises to bring to the world of computing.

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Source: Intel

With content creators, gamers, and professionals demanding ever-increasing bandwidth, Thunderbolt 5 is ready to meet these high demands. Whether it’s high-resolution displays, low-latency visuals, or handling larger video and data files, Thunderbolt 5 is engineered to provide the performance and bandwidth needed for these modern computing needs.

The new standard is poised to deliver an impressive 80 gigabits per second (Gbps) of bi-directional bandwidth, and with its Bandwidth Boost feature, it can provide a whopping 120 Gbps, offering an unparalleled display and data experience. This substantial leap provides up to three times more bandwidth than existing connectivity solutions, ensuring that users enjoy superior display quality and lightning-fast data connections.

Thunderbolt 5 builds upon Thunderbolt 4 and is designed to be fully compatible with previous Thunderbolt versions and USB4 V2 standards. This ensures users can seamlessly integrate Thunderbolt 5 into their existing setups without compatibility concerns.

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Source: Intel

Intel isn’t the only one behind Thunderbolt 5. Industry leaders like Microsoft and Apple are also collaborators in developing this new technology. This also means that it’s compatible with Windows-based systems as well as Macs. Both Windows and Mac users can also benefit from the lightning-fast speeds and connectivity Thunderbolt 5 offers.

Intel’s Thunderbolt 5 controllers, codenamed Barlow Ridge, are expected to power computers and accessories starting in 2024. However, Thunderbolt 4 will continue to serve users who don’t require the extreme bandwidth that 5 delivers.

Stay tuned for the arrival of Thunderbolt 5 in 2024, and get ready to experience a new era of lightning-fast, high-bandwidth connectivity.

The iPhone Camera Just Got Better with the Blackmagic Camera App

Blackmagic Design, the company behind the popular video editing software DaVinci Resolve, has just announced a new app: the “Blackmagic Camera” app for iPhones. What’s even more exciting? It’s absolutely free.

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This app transforms your iPhone into a powerhouse for shooting professional-grade videos, giving you the feeling of working with top-tier camera equipment. The app brings powerful manual controls we’re used to seeing on high-end cameras to your fingertips.

So, what does this app bring to the table?

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Blackmagic Camera empowers you with a plethora of manual controls, including shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and tint. You can even effortlessly switch between different lenses, frame rates, stabilization levels, and focus settings. The interface also houses essential features like recording parameters, histograms, focus peaking, levels, and more, making it a one-stop shop for videographers.

On top of that, the app brings the ability to record horizontal 16:9 video while holding your iPhone vertically. This discreet shooting option opens up new creative possibilities. Moreover, the app allows you to add metadata to simplify post-production tasks. If you’re an iPhone 15 Pro user, you’ll appreciate the compatibility with the new Log colour profile, ensuring top-notch video quality.

The app seamlessly integrates with DaVinci Resolve and Blackmagic Cloud. This means you can effortlessly sync your videos with these professional editing tools. However, you also have the flexibility to save your videos to the Photos app, share them with other apps, or store them on an external SSD.

Pricing & Availability

The Blackmagic Camera app is readily available for download on the App Store, and it won’t cost you a dime.

To unlock its full potential, all you need is an iPhone XR or a newer model running iOS 16 or later. It’s important to note that certain features, such as the Log colour profile, are exclusive to specific iPhone models due to hardware limitations.

Atomicwork Launches with $11M Funding to Enhance Employee Support with AI

Atomicwork, a startup focused on improving the employee experience at work, has emerged from stealth mode with an $11 million seed funding round. Blume Ventures and Matrix Partners spearheaded the funding round, backed by Storm Ventures, Neon Fund, and notable angel investors.

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For those who are not familiar with the startup scene, ‘stealth mode’ means that a startup company is launched with a certain level of confidentiality. Certain information about the business or products are usually kept confidential from competitors. 

Leverages AI to enhance employee experience

In a world where remote and office work coexist, Atomicwork deploys artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline employee interactions with various daily tools. The platform seamlessly integrates with platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. It also utilise conversational intelligence to automate support, service delivery, and operations on a large scale.

Atomicwork’s AI assistant, Atom, uses company processes and shared knowledge to help employees without human intervention. It aims to make things smoother for both employees and companies.

During their stealth phase, the Atomicwork team conducted a survey of leaders from mid-market businesses and large corporations. They found that 80% of the bosses were dissatisfied with their company’s worker experience. This has negatively impacting employee morale and productivity.

According to Atomicwork, this aligns with the 2022 industry studies from Willis Towers Watson (also known as WTW). The WTW study reveals that 92% of employers across sectors expressed intentions to invest in their employee experience over the next 3 years.

Aims to improve efficiency and productivity

Vijay Rayapati, CEO and Co-Founder of Atomicwork, highlighted that the company wants to help businesses provide a better employee experience with efficiency. Businesses can shift from just supporting employees to making them successful, aligning their productivity with business goals.

Atomicwork Founders

Founded in September 2022 by Vijay Rayapati, Kiran Darisi, and Parsuram Vijayasankar, Atomicwork boasts a team with a strong track record in the tech industry. Vijay, a SaaS veteran, previously led Minjar before its acquisition by Nutanix. On the other hand, Kiran and Parsuram played pivotal roles in taking Freshworks from startup to a publicly traded company in just over a decade.

Bose Unleashes New QuietComfort Lineup with new Bose Immersive Audio Technology

Bose has unveiled a trio of new audio products set to redefine the listening experience: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and QuietComfort Headphones. These devices maintain Bose’s signature sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort while introducing a significant innovation—Bose Immersive Audio.

Bose Immersive Audio

Bose’s Immersive Audio is the company’s take on directional audio. Unlike its competitors, the technology doesn’t use AI to approximate audio direction – particularly when it comes to headphones. Instead, it generates a wider, more spacious soundstage that allows for layered, multidimensional sound. The best part? It’s platform agnostic – meaning that it’s done on the headphones itself. The onboard IMU and Bose’s proprietary digital signal processing software allows for a live concert-like experience, even with audio sources that don’t natively support spatial audio.

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It comes with two modes: Still and Motion. “Still” mode keeps audio stationery for a consistent experience, while “Motion” mode, adapts sound according to your position and movements.

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These headphones replace the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 as Bose’s top-tier over-ear headphones. They address a common concern by folding it down for easy storage. The headphones introduce Bose’s Immersive Audio technology, along with CustomTune audio calibration. They provide clear calls, accurate voice assistant responses, and up to 24 hours of battery life.

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The new QuietComfort Ultra headphones feature a completely re-engineered system with proprietary signal processing, advanced microphones and a robust chipset. These technologies enable improved noise cancellation and CustomTune while supporting Bose’s Aware mode with ActiveSense and improved voice pickup.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Building on the success of the QC Earbuds II, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer noise cancellation, CustomTune calibration, responsive touch controls, and now Immersive Audio. Improved call quality is achieved through adaptive filters and dynamic microphone mixing. It also comes with an IPX4 water and dust resistance rating. They provide up to six hours of battery life, with an optional case for wireless charging.

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Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Replacing the QuietComfort 45 Headphones, these offer high-fidelity audio and noise cancellation. Users can customize noise cancellation levels and modes. They provide up to 24 hours of battery life, support multipoint Bluetooth 5.1, and include a Spotify Tap button for convenience.

Compatibility and Connectivity

All three products support Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, including Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec for audio streaming. They are Bluetooth 5.3 compatible and feature Google Fast Pair for Android devices. They are also compatible with Bose SimpleSync technology, allowing personalized pairing with select soundbars and speakers.

Pricing & Availability

Pre-orders for these products are now open.

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are priced at GBP£449 (MYR2,610.17) while the Earbuds will cost GBP£299 (MYR1,738.21). Both will be available starting in early October in Black and White Smoke.

The QuietComfort Headphones will be available on September 21, 2023, in Black and White Smoke. There will also be a limited-edition Cypress Green colour. It will be priced at GBP£349 (MYR2,028.89).

The wireless charging case which is compatible with both the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the QC Earbuds II will be on sale for GBP£49.95 (MYR290.38).

There isn’t any word yet on when these products will be available in Malaysia. However, you can still purchase it on the Bose website.

HMD Global Charts a New Path with Independent Smartphone Brand

HMD Global, the Finnish company renowned for resurrecting the Nokia brand, is embarking on a transformative journey. It intends to introduce smartphones under its very own HMD brand, diversifying its portfolio while continuing to develop Nokia phones.

The announcement comes directly from Jean-Francois Baril, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of HMD Global. According to his LinkedIn post, both HMD and Nokia phones will coexist, ensuring that consumers can still expect new Nokia devices. However, this bold move shows that HMD Global is ready to establish itself as an independent player in the telecommunications market.

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The decision to venture into smartphones under its own brand might be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it’s indicative of the changing dynamics in the smartphone industry, where competition is fierce, and market trends are ever-evolving. By introducing its own brand, HMD Global aims to carve out a distinct identity and cater to the evolving needs of consumers.

Moreover, this strategic shift could be related to the forthcoming expiration of HMD’s licensing agreement with Nokia, which was initially inked in 2016. The agreement allowed HMD Global to reintroduce Nokia-branded devices to the market. With the expiration date approaching in 2026, HMD Global may be preparing for a future beyond Nokia-branded devices.

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Source: HMD Global

The move to establish its own brand is not a sudden decision. HMD Global has been diligently building its brand for years with consistent filings with the EUIPO office. However, recent global challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, seem to have accelerated its quest to establish a unique identity in the industry.

Jean-Francois Baril emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and affordability, reflecting the company’s vision to offer high-quality yet affordable mobile devices to consumers worldwide. HMD Global takes pride in its position as one of the fastest-growing 5G smartphone manufacturers, showcasing its resilience in adapting to changing market dynamics.

With an extensive global distribution network, operational capabilities, and a robust in-house software development team, HMD Global appears well-prepared to make a significant impact in the consumer smartphone market. The company’s growth trajectory and sustainability efforts are key indicators of its readiness for this transformation.

The news of HMD Global’s independent smartphone brand has sparked various discussions among internet commentators. Speculation has arisen regarding the future of the Nokia brand, particularly amid rumours of its potential licensing to other companies, including Huawei. However, these discussions remain speculative.

[Google Cloud Next] Google’s Duet AI Here to Help Boost Productivity in Google Workspace

Google’s Generative AI, Duet is here to lend a hand when you use apps in Google Workspace. Duet has just entered general availability and is poised to transform how you work with Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Gmail.

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Duet AI’s integration into Google Workspace is such that it’s your digital collaborator. It doesn’t replace you. As the name suggests, it works together with you; simplifying tasks and streamlining your workflow. Its capabilities are nothing short of remarkable, allowing you to harness the power of AI to improve your productivity and efficiency. Here’s a closer look at what Duet AI brings to the table:

1. Summarize with Ease: Imagine being able to instantly generate summaries on topics you’ve saved, like your business’s quarterly performance. Duet AI can do just that. It scours through your Gmail, Docs, Slides, and Sheets to craft comprehensive summaries, saving you precious time.

2. Fact-Checking Made Simple: Duet AI is committed to transparency. When it compiles information, it provides links to the sources, empowering you to fact-check and verify data accuracy. It’s a handy feature that ensures the reliability of your work.

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3. Presentation Perfection: Need to create a compelling presentation? Duet AI has you covered. It can generate presentations complete with relevant text, charts, and images sourced from your Drive. This feature streamlines the presentation creation process, making your work more visually engaging.

4. Gmail Assistance: In Gmail, Duet AI builds on the Smart Reply feature. With a click, you can access various options to help you compose emails effortlessly. You can instruct Duet AI to draft messages of specific types, refine tones, make drafts more elaborate or concise, or even opt for some creative fun with the “I’m feeling lucky” option.

5. Smarter Document Creation: Google Docs users will appreciate the AI’s prowess in generating documents. You can instruct Duet AI to craft drafts with different tones, create summaries for sections or entire documents, employ bullet points, or even use custom instructions to fine-tune generated content.

6. User-Friendly Interface: The “help me write” feature in Docs offers access to Smart Canvas features, enhancing your document creation experience.

Google is continuing to commit to transparency and responsible AI usage with Duet AI. The company reassures users that Duet will respect the privacy of their data, ensuring that their inputs and code remain theirs. Any data in private clouds, Google Drive and Google Workspace remain private and aren’t used for training shared models or product development.

While Duet AI is currently available for Google Workspace Enterprise users, Google has plans to roll it out to small- and medium-sized businesses and consumers in the near future. The pricing details for these expanded offerings are yet to be revealed.

Bye Bye iPhone 13 mini – Officially Discontinued by Apple

In the wake of Apple’s grand unveiling of the iPhone 15 family, a familiar but bittersweet ritual has taken place – the discontinuation of older iPhone models to make way for the new. While this is an expected part of the annual iPhone event, there was one unexpected twist: the demise of the beloved iPhone 13 mini, marking the end of an era for compact smartphones.

The iPhone 13 mini joins the ranks of discontinued models, alongside the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and the aging iPhone 12. However, the absence of a compact iPhone in Apple’s current lineup is a poignant shift. The 5.4-inch iPhone category, once represented by the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini, has now vanished.

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Photo by Douglas Mendes on Pexels.com

The decision is a testament to market dynamics, as these compact models struggled to find widespread appeal compared to their larger counterparts. With the iPhone 13 mini’s departure, users favouring more petite smartphones will face a dwindling selection.

While Apple’s official sales channels may cease offering the iPhone 13 mini, it’s possible that some retailers may continue to carry limited stock. Additionally, online marketplaces like eBay might provide a lifeline for those determined to secure one of the last 5.4-inch iPhones.

This poses a poignant change in Apple’s mobile strategy. However, on the other side of the fence, we’ve seen Android phones like the ASUS Zenfone lineup do particularly well despite its compact size. Do you believe there is still a place for compact smartphones in today’s world dominated by larger screens? Share your thoughts on this farewell to the iPhone 13 mini and the compact phone era.

Unity Offices Close Amidst ‘Credible Threats’ After Pricing Change

Unity Technologies has temporarily closed two of its offices in response to what it describes as “credible threats” to employee safety. This decision follows the recent announcement of a highly contentious fee structure for the Unity Engine, a move that has sparked outrage within the game development community.

Reports about the office closures began circulating on social media, with Unity employees sharing concerns about “safety threats” directed at the company’s San Francisco and Austin, Texas, offices. Unity Product Manager Utsav Jamwal expressed his shock, noting, “Surprising how far people are willing to go in today’s age.”

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Source: Unity

Unity swiftly responded by closing the at-risk offices and collaborating closely with law enforcement to investigate the threats. A spokesperson for Unity stated, “We have taken immediate and proactive measures to ensure the safety of our employees, which is our top priority. We are closing our offices today and tomorrow that could be potential targets for this threat.”

Bloomberg reported that these closures resulted in the cancellation of a scheduled employee town hall meeting led by Unity’s CEO, John Riccitiello.

The cause of these threats appears to be Unity’s recent controversial pricing changes. The company announced a new fee structure that will take effect on January 1, 2024. Under this model, developers will be charged fees, sometimes as high as $0.20 per install, after certain revenue and install thresholds are reached. This change has incited widespread anger within the gaming industry, as Unity had long prided itself on being a royalty-free game engine option.

Many developers, including Mega Crit Games, the creators of “Slay the Spire,” have expressed their frustration, with some pledging to migrate their projects to alternative engines unless Unity reverses its decision and establishes safeguards in its terms of service.

Garry Newman, the developer behind “Garry’s Mod” and Unity-based “Rust,” also declared that “Rust 2 definitely won’t be a Unity game” due to the erosion of trust caused by the recent pricing changes.

These developments underscore the seismic impact that Unity’s decision has had on the industry, sparking not only outrage but also genuine concerns for the safety of its employees. Unity, a publicly traded company since 2020, has faced significant challenges in recent years including stock price fluctuations and layoffs.

Make Your PlayStation 5 Pop with The New “Deep Earth Collection”

Sony has just announced a new collection of Plates for the PlayStation 5 they’re calling the “Deep Earth Collection”. This premium range of accessories features a smooth metallic finish and introduces three captivating colours to customise your PlayStation 5 – Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver. The new plates draw inspiration from the breathtaking and powerful hues found deep within our planet, the ‘Deep Earth Collection’ adds a touch of sophistication to your gaming setup.

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Source: PlayStation

Volcanic Red, with its rich and blazing red tone, promises to be a vibrant and captivating change to your DualSense controllers or console. Cobalt Blue, on the other hand, offers a deep shade of blue with intriguing hints of purple, creating a truly mesmerizing aesthetic. Lastly, Sterling Silver showcases a classic aesthetic with a subtle blue undertone, adding a touch of elegance to your gaming setup.

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Together with the plates, Sony is also launching a series of controllers that come with the same finish as the plates. The new “Deep Earth” DualSense Controllers will be complementing your “Deep Earth” plates or simply inject some character into your most used controllers. It’ll definitely be turning heads with the pop of colour.

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Source: PlayStation

Pricing & Availability

Pre-orders for the ‘Deep Earth Collection’ begin on October 4, with the Volcanic Red and Cobalt Blue colourways launching on November 3. Sterling Silver accessories will arrive on January 26, allowing you to start the new year in style.

The ‘Deep Earth DualSense controllers’ will be available for a recommended retail price (RRP) of USD$74.99/JPY¥9,980/EUR€74.99/GBP£64.99. Meanwhile, the Deep Earth PS5 console covers will be priced at USD$59.99/JPY¥7,980/EUR€59.99/GBP£49.99. Keep in mind that the exact launch date and availability of these accessories may vary by region.