Month: July 2024

It looks like Starfield’s second expansion is already in the works ahead of the release of Shattered Space.

It looks like Starfield‘s second expansion is already in the works ahead of the release of Shattered Space.

First spotted by X / Twitter user Timur222 (via VGC) it appears that Bethesda has trademarked the name ‘Starborn’ with the US Patent and Trademark Office earlier this month on July 12, which will seemingly be the name of the sci-fi role-playing game’s second major downloadable content (DLC).

Starfield story spoilers ahead!

For context, the name ‘Starborn’ directly refers to a group of space travelers who have journeyed through portals between different universes. Although we don’t exactly know what the next Starfield expansion will entail, given the name, it’s likely that it could center around these beings the player meets at the end of the main story. 

Starfield’s first story expansion, Shattered Space, is set for a Fall 2024 release and will feature an “all-new adventure” focused on House Va’ruun.

Fans were treated to the first official trailer last month at the Xbox Games Showcase, where we got a look at new first-person exploration on an abandoned space station and a vibrant new planet, along with a brief description of what to expect from the story. 

“A mysterious power stirs in the city of Dazra on House Va’ruun’s hidden homeworld,” it reads. “Investigate a frightening cosmic threat, explore a new planet, and find unique weapons, spacesuits, and gear in this all-new adventure.”

Bethesda has previously shared its content roadmap for this year, and has already kept to its plans by releasing significant updates in the form of quality-of-life patches and bug fixes, as well as official Nvidia DLSS support and new ways to travel and customize your ship. 

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The Nothing Phone 2a Plus looks identical to the 2a in a new teaser image.

The Nothing Phone 2a Plus is being fully unveiled tomorrow (July 31), but the company isn’t waiting until then to show at least some of the phone off, with a new teaser image on X revealing the back of the device.

However, if you’ve seen the Nothing Phone 2a then you’ve more or less seen this new phone, as there are no obvious visual differences between them based on this image.

The Nothing Phone 2a Plus is shown with a dual-lens camera in the center of a circular panel, a trio of Glyph lights, and a wavy pattern running down the bottom half of the phone, all of which you’ll also find on the standard Nothing Phone 2a.

So what’s different? Well, this isn’t the first Nothing Phone 2a Plus teaser, and previously the company has revealed that it has a new 50MP front camera (in place of the 2a’s 32MP one), though the rear cameras are once again 50MP.

Powered up performance

The main change though is likely to be in performance, with the Nothing Phone 2a Plus using a MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset, which is said to be almost 10% faster than the Dimensity 7200 Pro in the standard Nothing Phone 2a.

There’s still a lot we don’t know about the Nothing Phone 2a Plus, so hopefully there will be some other upgrades too – perhaps to its screen or battery – and ideally without too much of a price rice. If Nothing can pull that off then this might end up being one of the best cheap phones.

We’ll find out at 2am PT / 5am ET/ 10am BST / 7pm AEST on Wednesday, July 31, as that’s when the Nothing Phone 2a Plus’s launch event kicks off. We’ll bring you all the news from the event, so check in with TechRadar then.

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Sony announces a limited edition Astro Bot DualSense Wireless Controller and I can’t get over how cool it looks.

Sony has announced yet another limited edition DualSense Wireless Controller – this time based on the upcoming Astro Bot game – and it’s an incredibly pretty one.

We get a first look at the controller via an official PlayStation Blog post, in which studio head at Team Asobi, Nicolas Doucet, breaks down this limited edition DualSense controller’s design and aesthetics. Eagle-eyed fans may also notice the controller is designed after the one featured in that initial Astro Bot reveal trailer.

“The controller’s design features Astro’s signature blue accents on the handles and buttons, carved-in, sci-fi lines as well as the trademark playful pair of eyes on the touch pad,” Doucet writes. “It is a true work of art, and we could not be happier with the end-result at Team Asobi.” 

The Astro Bot limited edition DualSense controller will have its pre-orders go live on August 9. It’s due to release on September 6; the same day as the Astro Bot game itself. Available at PlayStation Direct and “select retailers,” it’ll cost $79.99 / £69.99. In the US, that’s actually $5 cheaper than the recently announced limited edition Concord DualSense Wireless Controller. And in all honestly, we reckon this Astro Bot model looks nicer to boot.

In case you’re unaware, Astro Bot is an upcoming PS5-exclusive platformer. Launching on September 6, it – like Astro’s Playroom before it – will utilize the various features of the DualSense controller (such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers) to deliver a uniquely immersive experience. 

Whereas Astro’s Playroom was a relatively short pre-installed game that comes free with every PS5, Astro Bot appears to be a much larger and more ambitious title with larger worlds, more levels and no shortage of PlayStation-themed cameos. Developer Team Asobi has also said the game will push the DualSense controller to “a new level”.

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The telecommunications industry is shifting and cloud telephony will have a key role to play.

The telecommunications landscape is set to take the next leap in its evolution – setting the stage for a digital-first era. Traditional telephony, which relies on analogue and digital technologies, is encountering significant challenges in meeting the demands of a rapidly advancing world. As a result, the industry is shifting from conventional business phone systems to cutting-edge cloud telephony solutions – notably led by BT, who announced the end-of-life or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) lines by 2027, commonly referred to as the “BT ISDN switch off.”

2027 may feel like some way away, but this pivotal move underscores the urgency for organizations to adapt and embrace the potential of cloud-based communication systems. There is a clear opportunity for organizations to develop future-proofed communications infrastructures, making them more resilient in the face of rapid technological advancements and changing communication standards.

The importance of understanding cloud telephony

Before investing in this technology, it’s important organizations fully understand the key components that make up cloud phone systems and telephony in general, and how it can benefit their day-to-day operations. Replacing traditional telephone systems, cloud telephony represents a modern approach to communication, leveraging cloud computing technology. It replaces traditional phone systems, eliminating the need for physical infrastructure such as phone lines and hardware, operating through a virtual phone system hosted in the cloud by a third-party provider.

As technology continues to advance, cloud telephony is expected to play a more significant role in shaping the future of workplace communications. Organizations should have an awareness of this technology to evaluate their specific needs and choose the right cloud telephony solution that aligns with their operational goals. This understanding helps in planning the integration process, ensuring compatibility with existing systems such as customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and avoiding potential disruptions.

The Big Switch Off

Organizations looking to adopt cloud telephony services should also understand the relevance of the ‘Big Switch Off,’ now scheduled for January 2027. This phrase refers to the planned transition from traditional analogue to digital telephony – marking a significant milestone in the telecommunications industry as it aims to phase out outdated copper-based networks.

The primary goal of the Big Switch Off is to retire the ageing Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and ISDN systems, which have been the backbone of telecommunications for decades. Governments, telecommunications regulators, and service providers are working together to manage the transition smoothly, aiming to minimize disruptions and ensure that consumers and organizations have ample time to migrate to alternative digital communication services such as hosted telephony.

Benefits over traditional phone systems

One of the key advantages of cloud telephony is its scalability. Traditional phone systems often require an upfront investment in hardware and IT infrastructure, adding barriers to their scalability. In contrast, cloud-based systems offer a different level of flexibility allowing users to easily add or remove phone lines and features as needed. Whether your organization is expanding, downsizing or requires temporary changes, cloud telephony can swiftly adapt to changes without the unnecessary hassle and need for hardware upgrades or installations.

Perhaps most importantly for operations, cloud telephony eliminates the need for costly on-premise hardware, significantly reducing the need for initial investment and maintenance expenses. In the challenging economic times we find ourselves in, organizations can avoid unnecessary expenditures associated with purchasing and maintaining physical phone systems, including the costs related to upgrades and repairs.

On top of this, traditional cloud-based systems operate on subscription-based models, enabling organizations to only purchase the services they require, thus optimizing cost-effectiveness.

Why now is the time to switch

In an era of tech advancements, cloud telephony presents itself as a future-proof solution, offering enhanced flexibility and adaptability in the constantly evolving digital ecosystem.

By investing in cloud telephony now, organizations can position themselves at the forefront of innovation. This proactive stance will help safeguard them from possible disruptions, guaranteeing continual effectiveness in communication strategies.

The case for investing in cloud telephony sooner rather than later is compelling. It’s not so much about embracing a technological trend, but more about securing a strategic advantage for your organisation. Those that invest early, gain a head start in futureproofing their communication infrastructure, optimizing agility, reducing costs and unlocking a wide range of advanced features that can level-up their operational efficiency.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro’s Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

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