verge-rss

A24

People imagined all sorts of global nightmare scenarios were coming in the months building up to January 1st, 2000, but none of them were quite as absurd as the premise of Y2K from director Kyle Mooney, A24’s new disaster comedy.
Set on New Year’s Eve in 1999, Y2K tells the story of how a group of teens set out to celebrate the new millennium by throwing (or at least attending) the party of a lifetime. Though everyone’s heard of the Y2K bug, all Eli (Jaeden Martell), Danny (Julian Dennison), and Laura (Rachel Zegler) can really think about is how they might bump into one another at the rager and how the night could change their lives forever. When the power goes out at the stroke of midnight, the kids are quick to laugh things off and assume that maybe someone’s just playing a prank. But they have no idea what to do when a couple of appliances seemingly come to life and promptly start trying to murder them.
Weirdly, a lot of the madness on display in Y2K’s trailer is reminiscent of the real panic that drove people to buy up toilet paper and water in bulk fearing that a programming error would topple our technological infrastructure. But the film seems like it’s going to lean so far into the absurdity and silliness that it might be a bit of a grating watch when it hits theaters on December 6th.

A24

People imagined all sorts of global nightmare scenarios were coming in the months building up to January 1st, 2000, but none of them were quite as absurd as the premise of Y2K from director Kyle Mooney, A24’s new disaster comedy.

Set on New Year’s Eve in 1999, Y2K tells the story of how a group of teens set out to celebrate the new millennium by throwing (or at least attending) the party of a lifetime. Though everyone’s heard of the Y2K bug, all Eli (Jaeden Martell), Danny (Julian Dennison), and Laura (Rachel Zegler) can really think about is how they might bump into one another at the rager and how the night could change their lives forever. When the power goes out at the stroke of midnight, the kids are quick to laugh things off and assume that maybe someone’s just playing a prank. But they have no idea what to do when a couple of appliances seemingly come to life and promptly start trying to murder them.

Weirdly, a lot of the madness on display in Y2K’s trailer is reminiscent of the real panic that drove people to buy up toilet paper and water in bulk fearing that a programming error would topple our technological infrastructure. But the film seems like it’s going to lean so far into the absurdity and silliness that it might be a bit of a grating watch when it hits theaters on December 6th.

Read More 

Image: Atari

Atari has a treat for those of you sitting on a cache of Atari 7800 game cartridges — a new compact recreation of the classic home console complete with backward compatibility. The company has teamed up with Plaion to announce the Atari 7800 Plus, which comes equipped with an HDMI port to connect to modern televisions, alongside support for both Atari 2600 and 7800 game cartridges — just like the original console.
The $129.99 Atari 7800 Plus is available to preorder now, with a global release expected in “winter 2024,” according to Atari’s press release. Like other mini-console recreations the company has released in recent years, the Atari 7800 Plus is visually identical to the original 1986 console (aside from being shrunken down). Players can also choose between running games in widescreen mode or 4:3 aspect ratio to preserve the feeling of playing on retro hardware.

Image: Atari
The Atari 7800 Plus comes bundled with the new CX78 Plus Wireless Gamepad (pictured).

There are two new wireless controllers launching alongside the Atari 7800 Plus. The CX78 Plus Wireless Gamepad — a recreation of the console’s original two-button controller — comes bundled with the Atari 7800 Plus but can also be purchased separately for $34.99. The gamepad also wirelessly connects to the Atari 2600 Plus recreation released last year and can be connected to a PC via a USB-C adapter. There’s also the $34.99 CX40 Plus Wireless Joystick, which is sold separately and carries the same support.

Image: Atari
Like the CX78 gamepad, the CX40 Plus Wireless Joystick can also be used on PC or the Atari 2600 Plus mini-console.

Atari touts that the Atari 7800 Plus has “near-perfect compatibility” with original and third-party Atari games. Only one game is being shipped with the console itself — a specially designed cartridge for the Crystal Castles sequel, Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest — but 10 additional titles will be available to purchase separately for $29.99. You can preorder the 7800 Plus right here.

Image: Atari

Atari has a treat for those of you sitting on a cache of Atari 7800 game cartridges — a new compact recreation of the classic home console complete with backward compatibility. The company has teamed up with Plaion to announce the Atari 7800 Plus, which comes equipped with an HDMI port to connect to modern televisions, alongside support for both Atari 2600 and 7800 game cartridges — just like the original console.

The $129.99 Atari 7800 Plus is available to preorder now, with a global release expected in “winter 2024,” according to Atari’s press release. Like other mini-console recreations the company has released in recent years, the Atari 7800 Plus is visually identical to the original 1986 console (aside from being shrunken down). Players can also choose between running games in widescreen mode or 4:3 aspect ratio to preserve the feeling of playing on retro hardware.

Image: Atari
The Atari 7800 Plus comes bundled with the new CX78 Plus Wireless Gamepad (pictured).

There are two new wireless controllers launching alongside the Atari 7800 Plus. The CX78 Plus Wireless Gamepad — a recreation of the console’s original two-button controller — comes bundled with the Atari 7800 Plus but can also be purchased separately for $34.99. The gamepad also wirelessly connects to the Atari 2600 Plus recreation released last year and can be connected to a PC via a USB-C adapter. There’s also the $34.99 CX40 Plus Wireless Joystick, which is sold separately and carries the same support.

Atari touts that the Atari 7800 Plus has “near-perfect compatibility” with original and third-party Atari games. Only one game is being shipped with the console itself — a specially designed cartridge for the Crystal Castles sequel, Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest — but 10 additional titles will be available to purchase separately for $29.99. You can preorder the 7800 Plus right here.

Read More 

Image: Nvidia

Nvidia is bringing its full set of G-Sync features to monitors that won’t need a proprietary G-Sync module. Nvidia is partnering with MediaTek to integrate all of its current and future G-Sync features into MediaTek scalers, eliminating the need for a dedicated G-Sync module.
“We are working with MediaTek to bring G-Sync to their market leading monitor scalers,” says Nvidia. “We will bring all the G-Sync technologies, including our most recent – Pulsar – to many more gamers and we’ll continue to create more G-Sync technologies with the MediaTek scaler solutions​.”

Image: Nvidia
Your next G-Sync monitor won’t need a dedicated module.

G-Sync originally required a dedicated module in 2013 to allow it to synchronize display refresh rates to a GPU, eliminate screen tearing, and reduce display stutter and input lag. In 2019, Nvidia introduced G-Sync Compatible, a way to support variable refresh rate monitors with FreeSync technology instead of requiring a G-Sync module.
While many monitors now ship with G-Sync Compatible support, most don’t include all of Nvidia’s G-Sync features like low latency HDR, its Reflex Analyzer for measuring system latency, or ultra-low motion blur support. Nvidia’s work with MediaTek will open up this full suite of G-Sync tech to a lot more monitors in the future.
The first three monitors to include full G-Sync support using MediaTek scalers are AOC’s Agon Pro AG276QSG2, Acer’s Predator XB273U F5, and Asus’ ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQNR. All three of these monitors have 360Hz refresh rates, 1440p resolution, and HDR support. They also include G-Sync Pulsar support, Nvidia’s latest technology to reduce motion blur and ghosting.

Image: Nvidia
The first three monitors with full G-Sync support and no module.

Nvidia’s confirmation of a MediaTek partnership comes after months of rumors that the pair are also working on an Arm-based chip for AI PCs. This work may even extend to a dedicated chip for handheld gaming PCs. Nvidia currently supplies its Tegra X1 GPU for the existing Nintendo Switch, and it’s also rumored to be shipping a more powerful custom chip for the upcoming Switch 2.
Nvidia hasn’t commented on the MediaTek AI PC rumors, but previous reports have suggested Nvidia plans to launch Arm PC chips as soon as 2025. Dell CEO Michael Dell also dropped a pretty big hint that Nvidia could be about to enter the AI PC market next year during a Bloomberg interview in May.

Image: Nvidia

Nvidia is bringing its full set of G-Sync features to monitors that won’t need a proprietary G-Sync module. Nvidia is partnering with MediaTek to integrate all of its current and future G-Sync features into MediaTek scalers, eliminating the need for a dedicated G-Sync module.

“We are working with MediaTek to bring G-Sync to their market leading monitor scalers,” says Nvidia. “We will bring all the G-Sync technologies, including our most recent – Pulsar – to many more gamers and we’ll continue to create more G-Sync technologies with the MediaTek scaler solutions​.”

Image: Nvidia
Your next G-Sync monitor won’t need a dedicated module.

G-Sync originally required a dedicated module in 2013 to allow it to synchronize display refresh rates to a GPU, eliminate screen tearing, and reduce display stutter and input lag. In 2019, Nvidia introduced G-Sync Compatible, a way to support variable refresh rate monitors with FreeSync technology instead of requiring a G-Sync module.

While many monitors now ship with G-Sync Compatible support, most don’t include all of Nvidia’s G-Sync features like low latency HDR, its Reflex Analyzer for measuring system latency, or ultra-low motion blur support. Nvidia’s work with MediaTek will open up this full suite of G-Sync tech to a lot more monitors in the future.

The first three monitors to include full G-Sync support using MediaTek scalers are AOC’s Agon Pro AG276QSG2, Acer’s Predator XB273U F5, and Asus’ ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQNR. All three of these monitors have 360Hz refresh rates, 1440p resolution, and HDR support. They also include G-Sync Pulsar support, Nvidia’s latest technology to reduce motion blur and ghosting.

Image: Nvidia
The first three monitors with full G-Sync support and no module.

Nvidia’s confirmation of a MediaTek partnership comes after months of rumors that the pair are also working on an Arm-based chip for AI PCs. This work may even extend to a dedicated chip for handheld gaming PCs. Nvidia currently supplies its Tegra X1 GPU for the existing Nintendo Switch, and it’s also rumored to be shipping a more powerful custom chip for the upcoming Switch 2.

Nvidia hasn’t commented on the MediaTek AI PC rumors, but previous reports have suggested Nvidia plans to launch Arm PC chips as soon as 2025. Dell CEO Michael Dell also dropped a pretty big hint that Nvidia could be about to enter the AI PC market next year during a Bloomberg interview in May.

Read More 

Image: Nvidia

Nvidia will soon let you link an Xbox account to its GeForce Now streaming service to enable automatic sign-in for supported games. Starting on August 22nd, the new account linking feature will mean you only need to sign-in and link an Xbox profile once so that it’s stored for all future GeForce Now sessions.
“This new feature joins Xbox game library sync on GeForce Now, which allows members to sync their supported Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft Store games to their cloud streaming library,” explains Nvidia.
Nvidia first started rolling out access to PC Game Pass and Microsoft Store titles on GeForce Now last year, before adding account syncing to bring games from Microsoft’s store to the GeForce Now library. Those features provided access, but without automatic sign-in, you had to manually authenticate each time you used the GeForce Now service. Now, it’s simply set it and forget it.
Nvidia’s improvements for Xbox games on GeForce Now come just weeks after Microsoft integrated GeForce Now into its Xbox game pages on the web. The integration allows you to pick between either Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia’s GeForce Now service when you view a game listing on the web.
All of this close collaboration has been possible thanks to a 10-year deal between Nvidia and Microsoft to allow Nvidia to license Xbox PC games for GeForce Now, including Activision Blizzard titles.

Image: Nvidia

Nvidia will soon let you link an Xbox account to its GeForce Now streaming service to enable automatic sign-in for supported games. Starting on August 22nd, the new account linking feature will mean you only need to sign-in and link an Xbox profile once so that it’s stored for all future GeForce Now sessions.

“This new feature joins Xbox game library sync on GeForce Now, which allows members to sync their supported Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft Store games to their cloud streaming library,” explains Nvidia.

Nvidia first started rolling out access to PC Game Pass and Microsoft Store titles on GeForce Now last year, before adding account syncing to bring games from Microsoft’s store to the GeForce Now library. Those features provided access, but without automatic sign-in, you had to manually authenticate each time you used the GeForce Now service. Now, it’s simply set it and forget it.

Nvidia’s improvements for Xbox games on GeForce Now come just weeks after Microsoft integrated GeForce Now into its Xbox game pages on the web. The integration allows you to pick between either Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia’s GeForce Now service when you view a game listing on the web.

All of this close collaboration has been possible thanks to a 10-year deal between Nvidia and Microsoft to allow Nvidia to license Xbox PC games for GeForce Now, including Activision Blizzard titles.

Read More 

Photo by Sascha Thelen/picture alliance via Getty Images

Geoff Keighley’s big Opening Night Live (ONL) show for Gamescom is back for another year. and we’re set to see some new looks at many upcoming games and hopefully a few surprises.
The X account for The Game Awards — another big showcase hosted by Keighley — has already shared that we can expect to see Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Monster Hunter Wilds, Marvel Rivals, Dune: Awakening, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Civilization VII. Keighley has used his own X account to tease that games like Squid Game: Unleashed, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, and Little Nightmares III will be at the show. Keighley also shared a mysterious post from Hideo Kojima about Death Stranding 2, so maybe we’ll see that game, too.
How and when to watch Gamescom ONL 2024
You’ll be able to watch Opening Night Live on YouTube or from the Opening Night Live website. The event kicks off at 2PM ET / 11AM PT today, August 20th.

Photo by Sascha Thelen/picture alliance via Getty Images

Geoff Keighley’s big Opening Night Live (ONL) show for Gamescom is back for another year. and we’re set to see some new looks at many upcoming games and hopefully a few surprises.

The X account for The Game Awards — another big showcase hosted by Keighley — has already shared that we can expect to see Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Monster Hunter Wilds, Marvel Rivals, Dune: Awakening, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Civilization VII. Keighley has used his own X account to tease that games like Squid Game: Unleashed, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, and Little Nightmares III will be at the show. Keighley also shared a mysterious post from Hideo Kojima about Death Stranding 2, so maybe we’ll see that game, too.

How and when to watch Gamescom ONL 2024

You’ll be able to watch Opening Night Live on YouTube or from the Opening Night Live website. The event kicks off at 2PM ET / 11AM PT today, August 20th.

Read More 

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

Disney has now agreed that a wrongful death lawsuit should be decided in court following backlash for initially arguing the case belonged in arbitration because the grieving widower had once signed up for a Disney Plus trial.
“With such unique circumstances as the ones in this case, we believe this situation warrants a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have experienced such a painful loss,” chairman of Disney experiences Josh D’Amaro said in a statement to The Verge. “As such, we’ve decided to waive our right to arbitration and have the matter proceed in court.”
The lawsuit was filed in February by Jeffrey Piccolo, the husband of a 42-year-old woman who died last year due to an allergic reaction that occurred after eating at a restaurant in the Disney Springs shopping complex in Orlando. The case gained widespread media attention after Piccolo’s legal team challenged Disney’s motion to dismiss the case, arguing that a forced arbitration agreement Piccolo signed was effectively invisible.
As noted by Reuters, Disney initially made no mention of arbitration when it first addressed the case in April, instead arguing it wasn’t liable because it merely serves as the landlord for the Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant and had no control over the restaurant’s operations. Disney then later argued in a filing in May that Piccolo had allegedly entered an agreement to arbitrate all disputes with the company by signing up for a Disney Plus trial in 2019, and using the Walt Disney Parks’ website to buy Epcot Center tickets.

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

Disney has now agreed that a wrongful death lawsuit should be decided in court following backlash for initially arguing the case belonged in arbitration because the grieving widower had once signed up for a Disney Plus trial.

“With such unique circumstances as the ones in this case, we believe this situation warrants a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have experienced such a painful loss,” chairman of Disney experiences Josh D’Amaro said in a statement to The Verge. “As such, we’ve decided to waive our right to arbitration and have the matter proceed in court.”

The lawsuit was filed in February by Jeffrey Piccolo, the husband of a 42-year-old woman who died last year due to an allergic reaction that occurred after eating at a restaurant in the Disney Springs shopping complex in Orlando. The case gained widespread media attention after Piccolo’s legal team challenged Disney’s motion to dismiss the case, arguing that a forced arbitration agreement Piccolo signed was effectively invisible.

As noted by Reuters, Disney initially made no mention of arbitration when it first addressed the case in April, instead arguing it wasn’t liable because it merely serves as the landlord for the Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant and had no control over the restaurant’s operations. Disney then later argued in a filing in May that Piccolo had allegedly entered an agreement to arbitrate all disputes with the company by signing up for a Disney Plus trial in 2019, and using the Walt Disney Parks’ website to buy Epcot Center tickets.

Read More 

Image: Valve

Valve is banning Counter-Strike 2 players from using keyboard features to automate perfect counter-strafes. Razer was the first keyboard maker to add a Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions (SOCD) feature to its range of Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards last month, followed shortly by Wooting. Using Snap Tap as Razer calls it or Wooting’s Snappy Tappy will now get you kicked from Counter-Strike 2 games.
“Recently, some hardware features have blurred the line between manual input and automation, so we’ve decided to draw a clear line on what is or isn’t acceptable in Counter-Strike,” says Valve. “We are no longer going to allow automation (via scripting or hardware) that circumvent these core skills and, moving forward, (and initially—exclusively on Valve Official Servers) players suspected of automating multiple player actions from a single game input may be kicked from their match.”

Image: Tom Warren / The Verge
You’ll get kicked from a Counter-Strike 2 game if you use Razer or Wooting’s new SOCD keyboard features.

I’ve tested using SOCD in Counter-Strike 2 this morning and can confirm you get removed from a game on Valve’s official servers, but there’s no account ban. Valve is banning the use of these keyboard features, but it doesn’t appear to be ready to ban accounts for using them right now.
Razer and Wooting’s SOCD features both let players automate switching strafe directions without having to learn the skill. Normally, to switch strafe directions in a first-person shooter, you have to fully release one key before pressing the other. If both are pressed, they cancel each other, and you stand there for a moment until you release one of the keys. SOCD means you don’t need to release a key and you can rapidly tap the A or D key to counter-strafe with little to no effort.
Some professional Counter-Strike 2 players had called for SOCD to be banned, much like how null binds that prevent you from pressing two opposing directions have been banned in tournaments for years.
Wooting reluctantly added a beta version of SOCD to its range of keyboards after Razer introduced the feature on its own hardware. “We are glad Valve has taken a stance against Snap Tap,” says Wooting in a post on X today. “Don’t use Snappy Tappy (SOCD) or Rappy Snappy in CS2 any more as it will result in a kick.”

Image: Valve

Valve is banning Counter-Strike 2 players from using keyboard features to automate perfect counter-strafes. Razer was the first keyboard maker to add a Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions (SOCD) feature to its range of Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards last month, followed shortly by Wooting. Using Snap Tap as Razer calls it or Wooting’s Snappy Tappy will now get you kicked from Counter-Strike 2 games.

“Recently, some hardware features have blurred the line between manual input and automation, so we’ve decided to draw a clear line on what is or isn’t acceptable in Counter-Strike,” says Valve. “We are no longer going to allow automation (via scripting or hardware) that circumvent these core skills and, moving forward, (and initially—exclusively on Valve Official Servers) players suspected of automating multiple player actions from a single game input may be kicked from their match.”

Image: Tom Warren / The Verge
You’ll get kicked from a Counter-Strike 2 game if you use Razer or Wooting’s new SOCD keyboard features.

I’ve tested using SOCD in Counter-Strike 2 this morning and can confirm you get removed from a game on Valve’s official servers, but there’s no account ban. Valve is banning the use of these keyboard features, but it doesn’t appear to be ready to ban accounts for using them right now.

Razer and Wooting’s SOCD features both let players automate switching strafe directions without having to learn the skill. Normally, to switch strafe directions in a first-person shooter, you have to fully release one key before pressing the other. If both are pressed, they cancel each other, and you stand there for a moment until you release one of the keys. SOCD means you don’t need to release a key and you can rapidly tap the A or D key to counter-strafe with little to no effort.

Some professional Counter-Strike 2 players had called for SOCD to be banned, much like how null binds that prevent you from pressing two opposing directions have been banned in tournaments for years.

Wooting reluctantly added a beta version of SOCD to its range of keyboards after Razer introduced the feature on its own hardware. “We are glad Valve has taken a stance against Snap Tap,” says Wooting in a post on X today. “Don’t use Snappy Tappy (SOCD) or Rappy Snappy in CS2 any more as it will result in a kick.”

Read More 

Image: Disney

Though Disney Plus’ The Acolyte series introduced some very compelling new characters and lore to the Star Wars canon, its story about the dark side of the Force won’t be continuing with a second season.
Though its season one finale seemed to be setting up the series for more episodes, Deadline reports that Disney has canceled The Acolyte. Things were rocky from the start for the show as Star Wars fans displeased with its cast and premise took to review-bombing it in droves, but Disney’s cancellation decision was reportedly driven by The Acolyte’s less-than-desirable viewership numbers.
The news comes just a little over a year after Disney CEO Bob Iger told CNBC that reigning in spending on big budget Marvel and Star Wars projects could be an important part of his plan to get the company back in a healthier financial position. And given how expensive The Acolyte was to produce, it doesn’t entirely come as a surprise that it’s meeting its end so soon.

Image: Disney

Though Disney Plus’ The Acolyte series introduced some very compelling new characters and lore to the Star Wars canon, its story about the dark side of the Force won’t be continuing with a second season.

Though its season one finale seemed to be setting up the series for more episodes, Deadline reports that Disney has canceled The Acolyte. Things were rocky from the start for the show as Star Wars fans displeased with its cast and premise took to review-bombing it in droves, but Disney’s cancellation decision was reportedly driven by The Acolyte’s less-than-desirable viewership numbers.

The news comes just a little over a year after Disney CEO Bob Iger told CNBC that reigning in spending on big budget Marvel and Star Wars projects could be an important part of his plan to get the company back in a healthier financial position. And given how expensive The Acolyte was to produce, it doesn’t entirely come as a surprise that it’s meeting its end so soon.

Read More 

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

National Public Data (NPD) confirmed last week that it suffered a security breach dating back to December last year. An alleged stolen NPD database containing 2.9 billion lines of data, including Social Security numbers, was advertised on the dark web in April by a hacker group known as USDoD for $3.5 million, and the stolen data has since been posted publicly in various locations.
Now, Krebs On Security reports a roughly identical website to NPD called recordscheck.net was found to be hosting an archive containing site logins as well as source code for some of the site’s tools in plaintext. That would’ve been enough information to access the same consumer records as NPD. The now-removed file contained email data belonging to NPD founder Salvatore Verini, an actor and retired sheriff’s deputy from Florida.

In an email exchange with Krebs On Security, Verini wrote that the file contained an old website version with “non-working code,” and the site will cease operations “in the next week or so.” Verini did not comment further, citing an “active investigation.” Krebs On Security also found that Verini wrote a positive testimonial for Creation Next, a web developer company mentioned in the archived source code.
Since the leak on the hacker forum last month, several websites like npdbreach.com, from Atlas Data Privacy Corp, and npd.pentester.com have popped up, saying they offer searches to find out if your information is included in the leak. Using these services, of course, means you need to put your name, birth year, and perhaps your SSN into someone’s form. As Krebs notes, given the many leaks that have already revealed similar information, the best course of action available may be to put a freeze on your credit report with the major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and take advantage of the free weekly credit reports you are entitled to.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

National Public Data (NPD) confirmed last week that it suffered a security breach dating back to December last year. An alleged stolen NPD database containing 2.9 billion lines of data, including Social Security numbers, was advertised on the dark web in April by a hacker group known as USDoD for $3.5 million, and the stolen data has since been posted publicly in various locations.

Now, Krebs On Security reports a roughly identical website to NPD called recordscheck.net was found to be hosting an archive containing site logins as well as source code for some of the site’s tools in plaintext. That would’ve been enough information to access the same consumer records as NPD. The now-removed file contained email data belonging to NPD founder Salvatore Verini, an actor and retired sheriff’s deputy from Florida.

In an email exchange with Krebs On Security, Verini wrote that the file contained an old website version with “non-working code,” and the site will cease operations “in the next week or so.” Verini did not comment further, citing an “active investigation.” Krebs On Security also found that Verini wrote a positive testimonial for Creation Next, a web developer company mentioned in the archived source code.

Since the leak on the hacker forum last month, several websites like npdbreach.com, from Atlas Data Privacy Corp, and npd.pentester.com have popped up, saying they offer searches to find out if your information is included in the leak. Using these services, of course, means you need to put your name, birth year, and perhaps your SSN into someone’s form. As Krebs notes, given the many leaks that have already revealed similar information, the best course of action available may be to put a freeze on your credit report with the major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and take advantage of the free weekly credit reports you are entitled to.

Read More 

Starting on August 21st, 2024, new Anova customers will have to pay a yearly or monthly fee to use the companion app. | Image: Anova

Starting on August 21st, 2024, Anova will be introducing a subscription fee for new users of its sous vide cookers who want to take advantage of additional features available through its mobile companion app, including controlling the appliance remotely.
Similar to the Snoo, a smart bassinet that recently locked previously free features behind a monthly subscription, Anova’s fees — $1.99 per month or $9.99 per year — will only apply to new users who create an account in the app starting on August 21st.
As explained in a blog post shared on the company’s website last week, existing users and those who purchase an Anova cooker before August 21st can still use all of the app’s features for free, but everyone will be required to create an account to do so. Previously, account creation was optional.
All three sous vide cookers currently offered by Anova can be used on their own without the app. The additional functionality the subscription adds “will vary from product to product,” according to the company. Most focus on convenience, including the ability to start a sous vide cook and adjust the temperature remotely, cooking status updates, and access to recipes, including bookmarking and sharing them with others.
Anova CEO Stephen Svajian explained that the subscription was a result of a growing user base. “As our community has grown, so have the demands on our resources. Our community has literally cooked 100s of millions of times with our app. Unfortunately, each connected cook costs us money.” The new fees will be used to “maintain and enhance the app.”
Although many users have shared their displeasure with the decision in the blog post’s comments, Anova is letting consumers choose if they want to pay more for the company’s products, instead of just increasing the price of its hardware, as Digital Trends points out.

Starting on August 21st, 2024, new Anova customers will have to pay a yearly or monthly fee to use the companion app. | Image: Anova

Starting on August 21st, 2024, Anova will be introducing a subscription fee for new users of its sous vide cookers who want to take advantage of additional features available through its mobile companion app, including controlling the appliance remotely.

Similar to the Snoo, a smart bassinet that recently locked previously free features behind a monthly subscription, Anova’s fees — $1.99 per month or $9.99 per year — will only apply to new users who create an account in the app starting on August 21st.

As explained in a blog post shared on the company’s website last week, existing users and those who purchase an Anova cooker before August 21st can still use all of the app’s features for free, but everyone will be required to create an account to do so. Previously, account creation was optional.

All three sous vide cookers currently offered by Anova can be used on their own without the app. The additional functionality the subscription adds “will vary from product to product,” according to the company. Most focus on convenience, including the ability to start a sous vide cook and adjust the temperature remotely, cooking status updates, and access to recipes, including bookmarking and sharing them with others.

Anova CEO Stephen Svajian explained that the subscription was a result of a growing user base. “As our community has grown, so have the demands on our resources. Our community has literally cooked 100s of millions of times with our app. Unfortunately, each connected cook costs us money.” The new fees will be used to “maintain and enhance the app.”

Although many users have shared their displeasure with the decision in the blog post’s comments, Anova is letting consumers choose if they want to pay more for the company’s products, instead of just increasing the price of its hardware, as Digital Trends points out.

Read More