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1 week ago | 
techspot.com | Shawn(Sharn) Knight
In a nutshell: Sony has increased the price of its original PlayStation 5 console in several regions, citing a challenging economic environment that includes both high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates. Aren't prices for aging consoles supposed to go down over time, not up? In Europe, the PS5 digital edition now carries a recommended retail price (RRP) of 499.99 euros.
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1 week ago | 
techspot.com | Shawn(Sharn) Knight
Forward-looking: A team of scientists has successfully demonstrated the world's first interactive 3D holographic display, enabling users to physically interact with virtual light projections. If commercialized, this technology could be immensely useful in education – just to name one example. As New Atlas explains, traditional holograms are created using swept volumetric displays.
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2 weeks ago | 
techspot.com | Shawn(Sharn) Knight
What just happened? Sounds from Microsoft and Minecraft were among the 25 recordings recently inducted into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress based on their historical, cultural, or aesthetic importance. The Microsoft Windows 95 start-up / reboot chime was composed by Brian Eno. Among the 84 sound elements Eno created for the project, the now-familiar six-second chime – which was nearly twice as long as what Microsoft had originally requested – was selected.
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2 weeks ago | 
techspot.com | Shawn(Sharn) Knight
In a nutshell: Apple TV+ is offering a rare discount on its subscription-based streaming service. Now through April 24, new and eligible returning customers can get three months of Apple TV+ for $2.99 per month. That's a notable 70% discount off the regular $9.99 rate and a great opportunity to explore what Apple's streaming platform has to offer. Arguably the most talked-about show on Apple TV+ right now is Severance.
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2 weeks ago | 
techspot.com | Shawn(Sharn) Knight
In brief: Midjourney recently launched a new version of its generative artificial intelligence program that makes it almost impossible to distinguish digital creations from real photos, especially when leveraging a clever prompt trick. Over on X, user Min Choi shared a series of images created with Midjourney v7 using a clever hack. By appending a generic camera filename to the input prompt, Choi was able to get the AI to spit out photo-realistic images time and again.
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2 weeks ago | 
techspot.com | Shawn(Sharn) Knight
In a nutshell: Amazon already offers hundreds of millions of items to choose from yet even still, the e-commerce giant doesn't have everything. In the rare instance Amazon doesn't have what you're looking for, the company's latest feature might be able to help. Buy for Me, available to select US customers in the Amazon Shopping app on Android and iOS devices, leverages agentic AI to make purchases on users' behalf.
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3 weeks ago | 
techspot.com | Shawn(Sharn) Knight
What just happened? The Ultimate Fighting Championship has signed a multi-year, multimillion-dollar partnership that'll leverage Meta's various technologies to help the mixed martial arts organization better connect with fans. The wide-ranging deal will involve Meta platforms and services including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads. The UFC will also have access to Meta Quest, Meta Glasses, and Meta AI, potentially paving the way for groundbreaking fan experiences.
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3 weeks ago | 
techspot.com | Shawn(Sharn) Knight
In a nutshell: Microsoft's Blue Screen of Death may soon go the way of the dodo. The feared error screen, which has existed in some form or fashion since the dawn of Windows, is being replaced in the latest preview build with a more streamlined version that Microsoft claims better aligns with the design principles of Windows 11. Microsoft in a recent Windows Insider blog said the updated user interface additionally supports their goal of getting users back to productivity as fast as possible.
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3 weeks ago | 
techspot.com | Shawn(Sharn) Knight
Editor's take: One of the first upgrades I bought for my very first computer around the turn of the century was a Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer. Its standout feature was IntelliEye, an optical tracking system that replaced the traditional mouse ball and afforded unprecedented precision with minimal maintenance. The pointer shipped with a then-standard PS/2 port but also worked with USB when using the included adapter.
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3 weeks ago | 
techspot.com | Shawn(Sharn) Knight
Recap: DoorDash has partnered with Swedish-based financial services company Klarna to offer customers more ways to pay for deliveries. At checkout, you'll have the choice to break a bill up into four equal, interest-free installments, defer a payment until a later date, or pay in full as you normally would. DoorDash said the option, which will launch in the coming months in the US, can be used on food deliveries as well as groceries, retail purchases, and to pay for a DashPass annual plan.
