Month: February 2023
Why Jaromir Jagr Won’t Quit Playing Hockey
The former N.H.L. star recently turned 51 and is wrapping up his 35th season playing pro hockey with Rytiri Kladno of the Czech Extraliga. As the team’s owner and its biggest draw on the ice, Jagr knows his hometown club’s survival is all on him.
The former N.H.L. star recently turned 51 and is wrapping up his 35th season playing pro hockey with Rytiri Kladno of the Czech Extraliga. As the team’s owner and its biggest draw on the ice, Jagr knows his hometown club’s survival is all on him.
Will non-linear work days be the new hybrid working?
For a long time, the concept of work-life balance felt like an unattainable myth; all it took was a global pandemic and the ensuing government-enforced lockdowns to show employers that their staff could work remotely and still get the job done. In fact, studies show that remote employees work more hours overall than those based in an office for part or all of the week—remote workers put in an extra 8.7 hours per week on average compared to their office-based colleagues who average 6.5 extra hours. Post-pandemic a vast number of organisations have come around to the idea that flexible…This story continues at The Next Web
For a long time, the concept of work-life balance felt like an unattainable myth; all it took was a global pandemic and the ensuing government-enforced lockdowns to show employers that their staff could work remotely and still get the job done. In fact, studies show that remote employees work more hours overall than those based in an office for part or all of the week—remote workers put in an extra 8.7 hours per week on average compared to their office-based colleagues who average 6.5 extra hours. Post-pandemic a vast number of organisations have come around to the idea that flexible…
This story continues at The Next Web
The best PlayStation 5 controllers to pair with your new-gen console
Has HBO’s The Last of Us inspired you to play the PlayStation games that inspired the show? Whether you’re a newbie gamer looking to buy a PlayStation 5 or a seasoned pro looking for a few upgrades, you’re going to want the best add-ons possible. One of the most important ones? A controller.
Now is the best time to buy a PlayStation 5 controller
Just a few months ago, writing a roundup of the best PS5 controllers probably would’ve been pointless, on account of the coveted console being virtually inaccessible. You simply couldn’t get one unless you had a massive amount of luck on your side. Fortunately, now you can, sans headache.
It took over two years to see reliable stock of the new-gen console. It’s good timing: With the recent releases of flagship PlayStation 5 accessories like the PSVR2 and DualSense Edge, and more PS5 exclusives coming in 2023, consoles are probably going to stay in high demand for the foreseeable future.
Why buy a controller when the PS5 already comes with one?
You don’t really need to buy another controller when you get your PlayStation 5. The DualSense controller that comes with the console is a solid option and supports all the most important PS5 features. But, if you want a controller that lets you do more — namely alternate key mapping — you’re better off upgrading. And hey, having an extra controller on hand is always a plus.
SEE ALSO:
Best gifts for gamers 2023: Consoles, accessories, new releases, and more
Not all brands are made equal
There are more options than ever for PlayStation 5 controllers, whether they’re first- or third-party. It’s a double-edged sword, though — a bigger selection also means that there are plenty of opportunities for illegitimate vendors to strike while the iron is hot. While sourcing for this roundup, I came across multiple retailers that gave me weird gut feelings as I tried to buy one of their PS5 controllers (including sites like AimControllers and HexGaming).
I wasn’t able to fully confirm that these sites were scammy, as I was never actually able to get my hands on one of their products, but they certainly gave off those vibes. In the case of AimControllers, my editor and I both became suspicious when we were asked for additional credit card and official identification info after placing an order for a controller, which we promptly canceled. With HexGaming, I couldn’t even get to a checkout page because the website is a hot mess.
This is all to say that you should be wary of third-party sites and make sure to do your research before purchasing from one. My recommendation is to only purchase a PS5 controller directly from Sony, or from a brand that has an official license to make controllers for the PS5 (like Razer and SCUF). If you buy from a seller that isn’t trusted by other consumers or officially licensed, you might just be getting a modded PlayStation controller, which most likely isn’t what you want.
What are the best PlayStation 5 controllers?
I’ve narrowed it down to six options, and they’re all great for different reasons. My personal favorite? The Razer Wolverine V2 Pro. The convenient remapping process, comfort factor, impressive response times, and satisfying click on each button have made it my new go-to. Note that this recommendation is coming from someone who is OK with giving up the haptics and adaptive triggers that the PlayStation 5 has to offer. When I first got my PS5 I was enamored with those features, but after over two years of having one, they’ve worn off on me a bit and have gone from a necessity to a nice-to-have. If you’re new to the PS5, you might want to stick with either the DualSense or DualSense Edge for a while to really experience the magic.
I also tried out the popular SCUF Reflex Pro and PDP Victrix Pro BFG, which are more niche but still worthwhile picks. No matter which one you end up deciding on, one thing is certainly true: There’s never been a more exciting time to be shopping for a PlayStation 5 controller.
Has HBO’s The Last of Us inspired you to play the PlayStation games that inspired the show? Whether you’re a newbie gamer looking to buy a PlayStation 5 or a seasoned pro looking for a few upgrades, you’re going to want the best add-ons possible. One of the most important ones? A controller.
Now is the best time to buy a PlayStation 5 controller
Just a few months ago, writing a roundup of the best PS5 controllers probably would’ve been pointless, on account of the coveted console being virtually inaccessible. You simply couldn’t get one unless you had a massive amount of luck on your side. Fortunately, now you can, sans headache.
It took over two years to see reliable stock of the new-gen console. It’s good timing: With the recent releases of flagship PlayStation 5 accessories like the PSVR2 and DualSense Edge, and more PS5 exclusives coming in 2023, consoles are probably going to stay in high demand for the foreseeable future.
Why buy a controller when the PS5 already comes with one?
You don’t really need to buy another controller when you get your PlayStation 5. The DualSense controller that comes with the console is a solid option and supports all the most important PS5 features. But, if you want a controller that lets you do more — namely alternate key mapping — you’re better off upgrading. And hey, having an extra controller on hand is always a plus.
Not all brands are made equal
There are more options than ever for PlayStation 5 controllers, whether they’re first- or third-party. It’s a double-edged sword, though — a bigger selection also means that there are plenty of opportunities for illegitimate vendors to strike while the iron is hot. While sourcing for this roundup, I came across multiple retailers that gave me weird gut feelings as I tried to buy one of their PS5 controllers (including sites like AimControllers and HexGaming).
I wasn’t able to fully confirm that these sites were scammy, as I was never actually able to get my hands on one of their products, but they certainly gave off those vibes. In the case of AimControllers, my editor and I both became suspicious when we were asked for additional credit card and official identification info after placing an order for a controller, which we promptly canceled. With HexGaming, I couldn’t even get to a checkout page because the website is a hot mess.
This is all to say that you should be wary of third-party sites and make sure to do your research before purchasing from one. My recommendation is to only purchase a PS5 controller directly from Sony, or from a brand that has an official license to make controllers for the PS5 (like Razer and SCUF). If you buy from a seller that isn’t trusted by other consumers or officially licensed, you might just be getting a modded PlayStation controller, which most likely isn’t what you want.
What are the best PlayStation 5 controllers?
I’ve narrowed it down to six options, and they’re all great for different reasons. My personal favorite? The Razer Wolverine V2 Pro. The convenient remapping process, comfort factor, impressive response times, and satisfying click on each button have made it my new go-to. Note that this recommendation is coming from someone who is OK with giving up the haptics and adaptive triggers that the PlayStation 5 has to offer. When I first got my PS5 I was enamored with those features, but after over two years of having one, they’ve worn off on me a bit and have gone from a necessity to a nice-to-have. If you’re new to the PS5, you might want to stick with either the DualSense or DualSense Edge for a while to really experience the magic.
I also tried out the popular SCUF Reflex Pro and PDP Victrix Pro BFG, which are more niche but still worthwhile picks. No matter which one you end up deciding on, one thing is certainly true: There’s never been a more exciting time to be shopping for a PlayStation 5 controller.
Human brain cells are trouncing computers in raw speed and power
The power of the human brain far exceeds a computer, according to science.
Scientists are using human brain cells to create biocomputers that offer “unprecedented advances in computing speed, processing power, data efficiency and storage capabilities” over the current zeitgeist in computer processing, artificial intelligence (AI).
Per an article in academic journal Frontiers in Science (FiS), scientists note that this form of biocomputing, known as organoid intelligence (OI), is a natural progression because AI was inspired by our understanding of the human brain.
OI is driven by lab-grown cell-cultures known as brain organoids, three-dimensional clusters of brain cells, sharing structures, such as neurons and other cells that power our capacity for memory and to learn.
Organoid intelligence
This certainly sounds impressive, but, just like AI, OI has to break the skepticism barrier on its own. After all, isn’t the reason why we defer most of the tasks in our daily lives to computers precisely because they operate faster than we do?
Thomas Hartung, Professor at John Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health, thinks that trying to get computers to think like humans is less effective than simply making the human element central to a computer.
“Silicon-based computers are certainly better with numbers,” Hartung explained. “For example, AlphaGo [an AI that beat the world’s #1 Go player in 2017] was trained on data from 160,000 games. A person would have to play five hours a day for more than 175 years to experience that many games.”
“[But] we’re reaching the physical limits of silicon computers because we cannot pack more transistors into a tiny chip. The brain is wired completely differently. It has about 100bn neurons linked through over 1015 connection points. It’s an enormous power difference compared to our current technology.”
Hartung also claimed that brains are more energy efficient that the computers powering AI models. “For instance, the amount of energy spent training AlphaGo is more than is needed to sustain an active adult for a decade.”
OI is still in its infancy and has several shortcomings, not least that brain organoids currently contain about 50,000 cells when, to be practical, this needs to be scaled up to “10 million”, according to Hartung.
And just like with AI, there are ethical concerns, though the idea that actual human brains can develop consciousness is perhaps more pressing than the notion that a computer could.
Still, in December 2022, one of the FiS article’s co-authors, Dr. Brett Kagan, authored a study where a flat brain cell structure learned to play Pong, and the science community has bigger plans for the technology.
For instance, Hartung notes that “personalized brain organoids” can be cultured from adult skin cells, allowing scientists to study the effects of neurological conditions, such as Alzheimers, and test the effects of certain substances on learning and memory processing.
The challenge from here, he says, is building up a scientific community willing to investigate OI further.
AI having its day in the sun suggests that this is a realistic goal, but we have, in all likelihood, a long time – years, perhaps decades – to go before the technology is in any way usable or bearable within an enterprise setting. That’s never stopped us from reporting on cool, far-off future developments like DNA storage before, though.
Here’s our list of the best business computers right now
3 Things You Should Never Do When Shopping at T.J. Maxx – CNET
It doesn’t matter if you are a first-time T.J. Maxx shopper or someone who goes there weekly, you’ll want to avoid these things on your next trip.
It doesn’t matter if you are a first-time T.J. Maxx shopper or someone who goes there weekly, you’ll want to avoid these things on your next trip.
Microsoft Defender App Now Force-Installed For Microsoft 365 Users
Microsoft is now force-installing the Microsoft Defender for Individuals application when installing or updating the Microsoft 365 apps. BleepingComputer reports: It was first unveiled for Windows 11 Insiders in March 2022 and has been available for customers with Personal or Family subscriptions since June 2022. However, starting earlier this month, it will also be automatically installed when first running the Microsoft 365 installer or after the next update, as spotted by WindowsLatest.
“Starting in late February of 2023, the Microsoft Defender app will be included in the Microsoft 365 installer,” the company says in a support document updated last week. “That means that when you install the Microsoft 365 apps on your Windows device, the Microsoft Defender app will automatically be installed for you along with the other apps. If you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription and have already installed the Microsoft 365 apps, then the Microsoft Defender app will be automatically installed for you with the next update.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Microsoft is now force-installing the Microsoft Defender for Individuals application when installing or updating the Microsoft 365 apps. BleepingComputer reports: It was first unveiled for Windows 11 Insiders in March 2022 and has been available for customers with Personal or Family subscriptions since June 2022. However, starting earlier this month, it will also be automatically installed when first running the Microsoft 365 installer or after the next update, as spotted by WindowsLatest.
“Starting in late February of 2023, the Microsoft Defender app will be included in the Microsoft 365 installer,” the company says in a support document updated last week. “That means that when you install the Microsoft 365 apps on your Windows device, the Microsoft Defender app will automatically be installed for you along with the other apps. If you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription and have already installed the Microsoft 365 apps, then the Microsoft Defender app will be automatically installed for you with the next update.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Elden Ring expansion Shadow of the Erdtree is officially in development
The announcement image for Shadow of the Erdtree is enough to fuel weeks of speculation. | Image: FromSoftware
One of 2022’s biggest games, Elden Ring, is getting what looks to be its first major expansion: DLC content titled Shadow of the Erdtree.
Developer FromSoftware announced in a tweet this morning that the DLC was officially under development, though the company did not share when we might expect a release.
A short blog post confirmed the DLC will be coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam. It also said a “follow-up report is still a little ahead” (translation from Japanese via Google) so we can hopefully expect more details sooner rather than later.
Elden Ring DLC is hotly-anticipated content for a number of reasons. Elden Ring has been a massive success, selling more than 20 million units worldwide, and FromSoftware has a habit of releasing DLC for its titles within a year after a game’s initial launch.
Elden Ring was released February 25th last year, and so far the game has only received patches for balance, and an update enabling better PvP in the game’s colosseums.
Rise, Tarnished, and let us walk a new path together.An upcoming expansion for #ELDENRING Shadow of the Erdtree, is currently in development.We hope you look forward to new adventures in the Lands Between. pic.twitter.com/cjJYijM7Mw— ELDEN RING (@ELDENRING) February 28, 2023
We don’t have any details about what story or content Shadow of the Erdtree might tackle — just the name and the single image above. But for a game with such incredible and dense lore, these alone are enough to fuel weeks of speculation.
Who, first of all, is riding Torrent? (Consensus seems to be Miquella, but some folks are suggesting Marika.) And what’s going on with the Erdtree in the background? Is it rotting? Being consumed by another tree? Is it even the Erdtree, or maybe the Haligtree?? Even if we don’t know when the DLC is coming, at least the lore YouTubers will be on this ASAP.
The announcement image for Shadow of the Erdtree is enough to fuel weeks of speculation. | Image: FromSoftware
One of 2022’s biggest games, Elden Ring, is getting what looks to be its first major expansion: DLC content titled Shadow of the Erdtree.
Developer FromSoftware announced in a tweet this morning that the DLC was officially under development, though the company did not share when we might expect a release.
A short blog post confirmed the DLC will be coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam. It also said a “follow-up report is still a little ahead” (translation from Japanese via Google) so we can hopefully expect more details sooner rather than later.
Elden Ring DLC is hotly-anticipated content for a number of reasons. Elden Ring has been a massive success, selling more than 20 million units worldwide, and FromSoftware has a habit of releasing DLC for its titles within a year after a game’s initial launch.
Elden Ring was released February 25th last year, and so far the game has only received patches for balance, and an update enabling better PvP in the game’s colosseums.
Rise, Tarnished, and let us walk a new path together.
An upcoming expansion for #ELDENRING Shadow of the Erdtree, is currently in development.
We hope you look forward to new adventures in the Lands Between. pic.twitter.com/cjJYijM7Mw
— ELDEN RING (@ELDENRING) February 28, 2023
We don’t have any details about what story or content Shadow of the Erdtree might tackle — just the name and the single image above. But for a game with such incredible and dense lore, these alone are enough to fuel weeks of speculation.
Who, first of all, is riding Torrent? (Consensus seems to be Miquella, but some folks are suggesting Marika.) And what’s going on with the Erdtree in the background? Is it rotting? Being consumed by another tree? Is it even the Erdtree, or maybe the Haligtree?? Even if we don’t know when the DLC is coming, at least the lore YouTubers will be on this ASAP.