Video game industry pioneerATARI and entertainment startupVirtually Human Studio (VHS) announce they have signed a three-year deal to further bring the beloved and iconic ATARI brand into blockchain and NFT gaming.
VHS, creators ofZED RUN, a game of skill and strategy built on theEthereum network, allows players to interact with non-fungible tokens in the form of cryptographically unique racehorses. VHS and ATARI will work together to introduce rare and collectible in-game items designed to reflect ATARI’s most memorable games such as Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and more.
The deal gives VHS full usage of ATARI’s complete catalogue of licenced game assets, logos and marks including in-game sponsorship and brand visibility across the ZED RUN gaming platform.
ZED RUN will offer an exclusive ATARI Breeding Program, featuring a series of rare racehorses from which players will be able to spawn offspring for a limited time. Each of these collectible ATARI digital racehorses will be auctioned off to the highest bidder once the Breeding Program concludes.
To further showcase how blockchain gaming can bridge the gap with traditional gaming, ATARI will also contribute its signature cryptocurrencyATRI (Atari tokens) towards ZED RUN events. These official ATARI-sponsored racing events will include tournament-based qualifiers with main event sessions set to a weekly racing schedule. Bonus ATARI tokens will be rewarded to users for both the qualifier and main events, creating increased utility and demand for ATRI.
“Partnering with the legendary ATARI brand is an honour. Partnerships like this strengthen our work, reputation and progress within the blockchain and entertainment space. We are deliberate with partnerships that propel us toward expansion and the improvement of the applications we build,” said CEO and Co-founder of VHSChris Laurent.
CEO of ATARIFred Chesnais said, “We see the vast potential in NFT gaming on the blockchain. VHS showcases what is uniquely possible with blockchain technology for entertainment. Working together with VHS enables us to introduce our loyal ATARI community to an exciting new game such as ZED RUN as we take steps to play our part in shaping the blockchain gaming and technology space.
If you have purchased the latest iPhone QDOS has now a full range of accessories for your device which is not cheap and investing in screen protectors and cases is an expense worth paying and perhaps an investment in the long run.I have not been a fan of screen protectors for some time and this was due to curved screens and they never lasted but I now use them on flat faced screens and they are a must have…
QDOS has a full range of these for most of todays mobile phones and you should pick one up. Recently I dropped my Pixel 5 which now has a mark on it was saved by a screen protector and would have been an expensive fix should I have not had a screen protector on board, this takes two minutes to install and the job is done and you are good to go, check out the video for more below
Dell Technologies has today unveiled new additions to its gaming line with the new Alienware m15 and m17 R4 and the Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 Desktop.
Commenting on the launch of the new devices, Vivian Lien, Vice President of Alienware and Dell Gaming, said: “Dell Technologies and Alienware pride themselves on delivering the most immersive gaming experiences powered by the latest technologies. As we blast into 2021, we’ve partnered with NVIDIA and AMD to push the boundaries of PC gaming further, with an amazingly fast and powerful experience for gamers and creators. Already the thinnest laptops we’ve ever made, the Alienware m15 and m17 R4 will deliver more power and performance for On-the-Go Gamers, while the Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 Desktop will take gaming to new heights.”
Developed in partnership with NVIDIA and AMD, the new Alienware m15 and m17 R4 deliver a faster and more powerful competitive edge with the next-gen NVIDIA GeForce Laptop GPUs which have been engineered with 12-phase graphics voltage regulation for rich marathon gaming sessions, up to 4TB of storage, and faster memory speeds up to 2933MHz. With these thin and powerful notebooks, gamers can game with confidence knowing their on-the-go battle stations will stay properly cooled thanks to vapor chamber technology included in every configuration – a new advantage of the Alienware Cryo-Tech™ cooling technology designs in the R4 generation.
For those seeking the highest possible framerates, the Alienware m17 R4 is ‘bringing the hertz’ with an optional 360Hz FHD panel that delivers faster refresh rates and smoother gameplay, perfect for AAA titles like Valorant and Cyberpunk 2077. Thanks to this cutting-edge technology, the new Alienware m17 R4 was recognized as a CES® 2021 Innovation Award Honoree (Gaming).
Both m15/m17 laptops are available in colors Lunar Light and Dark Side of the Moon, with a new matte finish front panel. And if you’re exporting the experience to a gaming TV or big format display (like the monstrous Alienware 55 OLED), you’ll get even smoother output with newly upgraded HDMI 2.1 connection capable of deliver 4K resolutions at 120Hz.
Designed to power gaming and creation, the Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 features AMD’s latest Ryzen™ 5000 Series desktop processors with up to 16-core and your choice of new AMD Radeon™ RX 6800 XT series graphics or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series graphics.
With its tool-less upgradeable chassis now supporting up to 128GB Dual Channel HyperX™ FURY DDR4 RAM – twice the memory of previous generations – gamers and creators will appreciate processing large files or crushing their favorite PC games like a breeze. Whether streaming, blasting through game levels, or tackling heavy-processing applications, the new Aurora Ryzen R10 can handle it and stay cool with an innovative airflow design and vapor chamber technology that dissipates heat and gives players an extra boost when they need it most. The Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 is available in colors Lunar Light and Dark Side of the Moon.
Pricing & Availability:
Alienware m15 is available on January 28th with pricing available upon launch.
Alienware m17 is available on January 28th with pricing available upon launch.
Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 is available January 26th with pricing available upon launch.
These days, it is becoming more and more difficult to stay secure in what we know as cyberspace, the World Wide Web, or simply the internet. The internet, historically, was certainly not meant to be the all-encompassing digital world it is for billions of people today. It is an incredible thing to remember that the ‘net’ started its life as a scientific research project in the 90s, that would relatively quickly become one of the greatest and most revolutionary inventions of humanity.
Following its release to the public in the mid-90s, the internet saw a huge rise in activity, somewhere between 2004-2010, which coincided with major tech revolutions such as the release of the first iPhone. This period also saw the invention of Facebook, in 2004. In essence, social media and smartphone development really pushed the internet to unprecedented levels. Later in the 2010s, we witnessed even more internet revolution as everything picked up even more speed and breadth (especially the invention of apps), and major upticks in the amount of global internet usage were observed.
Of course, with such an enormous network that is alive, interconnects the entire globe, and keeps growing exponentially every day, there are now security issues to deal with that are a serious concern for anyone’s online activity. Cybercrime has risen and is not stopping anytime soon, which means that the need for cybersecurity has never been greater.
iDEAR Replay/Shutterstock.com
As malware reared its ugly head (malware is a general term for all malicious software such as viruses, spyware etc.), most notably at the beginning of the 2000s, the demand for cybersecurity grew in every sector, and grows to this day.
What Is A VPN
A Virtual Private Network, or commonly known as a VPN, is an essential tool that helps you stay safe online. It comes in three forms today; for desktop, enterprise solutions for businesses and as an app for smartphones. For this purpose, let’s talk about publicly available VPNs for ‘home’ users (we’ll leave business solutions out in this case). So what does a VPN do? When you connect to the internet, a VPN gives you the option of connecting to an external server that serves as a ‘tunnel’. These servers can be local, or international. Most VPN software offers at least a dozen choices of these tunnels to connect to, more or less.
When you connect to the VPN, this tunnel is encrypted (secured against intrusions), allowing all of your activity on the network to ideally be anonymous. So, this tunnel/server functions in the midway path between you and the rest of the internet.
We will later cover more on the distinctions between an average and a good VPN, why VPNs vary a lot, and are definitely not equal. There are several VPN choices to choose from, both free and paid, and your choice may vary depending on what they offer. First, let’s delve into why being cyber-aware is important, below.
Being cyber-aware
Let’s emphasize why there is a need to keep the internet secure, and more importantly for you, why you need to protect yourself online. An entire industry of cybersecurity is thriving today in the midst of seemingly endless threats, and it is no longer strange to have software such as an anti-virus, anti-malware and a good Virtual Private Network, or VPN, installed on your system, all active at the same time.
Having specialized protection against malware is one thing, but in terms of your general safety, anonymity and freedom online, nothing approaches the importance of using a VPN today. As with any software, especially in this day and age, it is critical that you know what it is exactly that you have downloaded. To be truly cybersecure, while using a VPN, you must know what is happening to your data, as well as read up on the privacy policies of the software you have downloaded.
For instance, let’s talk about a few issues in order to highlight the importance of being cyber-aware; many people have made the mistake of logging into their computer or mobile phones, and downloading whatever VPN software they find, believing that they are now protected.
There are many free VPNs out there, but their reputation and legitimacy can be questionable. Then, what happens with your data when you connect to a questionable VPN? Why should you invest your time (and sometimes your money) in a good VPN service? Let’s talk about this.
What Makes a Good VPN
What does it mean when we say a ‘good’ VPN? There are a couple of points any VPN worth its salt should include. This would include the following critical must-haves;
Your VPN should have a strict no-log privacy policy
The VPN must guarantee a well-encrypted service
The service must be able to unblock geo-blocks
Look for encryption such as; L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard
Make sure that you have 128-bit encryption at the least
Go for a paid service, avoid free VPNs, for peace of mind
A good VPN should be able to give you a high-speed, anonymous, secure and free internet service. It should completely cloak your internet usage, and allow you to view search results in the country you have connected to. In most cases, you will rarely find a free VPN that guarantees all of these criteria, however there are of course exceptions if you do a little research.
A guaranteed way to check how secure you are if you have downloaded a VPN, is to do an extensive online security check. With these checks, you will be able to know if your Internet Service Provider, as well as the rest of the internet ‘sees’ you. A good VPN will show your location as the one you selected in your VPN program, and should not show any of your local info at all. You should also not have any DNS leak warnings when you do the check. Once you have completed this step, it is also advisable to download a secure browser that includes ‘do-not-track’ and ‘anti-fingerprinting’ options. A good browser combined with a good VPN are a fantastic combination for a free, safe and anonymous internet experience.
PowerA, a leader in enhancing interactive entertainment with officially licensed gaming accessories, launched the Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch. . This addition to PowerA’s popular hardware line-up is an officially licensed Switch controller, designed for ultimate player comfort and maximum portability. The Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller is available now for £39.99, $49.99 and €49,99.
Compact Power The Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch is smaller than the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, but still offers an impressive 20 hours of play with each charge. The controller features Bluetooth 5.0 technology for optimal connection during sessions and the 1.8 meters (6ft) charger cable is included in the box for uninterrupted sessions.
Customized Mappable Gaming Buttons Give yourself a competitive advantage with two customizable buttons, located in the back of the grip for quick access. A program button on the back of the controller makes mapping the two extra buttons easy and allows you to change your controls on the fly – even during or between matches. With the Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller for the Nintendo Switch, you’re ready to take on any difficult campaign or competitive challenge.
At Home and On-the-Go Included in the Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch package is the drawstring pouch, which will help you protect and store your new controller wherever your life takes you. The compact size of the controller makes it easy to store and bring with you to tournaments or handheld gaming sessions when you’re on the move.
Press samples are currently available upon requests for the Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch for review. Please respond to this email or contact the media details below to learn more.
Tired of watching your favourite shows and YouTube videos on your phone? With this new pocket projector, you’ll never need to squint again. The Prima Projector looks and acts just like a smartphone, but it can project all of your content—videos, apps, games, and more—up to 200 inches in full HD.
Prima is anything but your typical pocket projector. It merges the best features of smartphones, smart TVs, and gaming devices into a complete entertainment system that fits in your pocket.
Some of the highlights include:
Projection powered by Texas Instruments DLP
Android-powered quad-core processor
8GB internal storage
1080p Full HD projection (with 3D and 4K support)
Built-in speakers
Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity (plus USB and HDMI)
Keystone automatic angle correction
Weighs under 200g
Prima transforms any surface into smart cinema, and it goes anywhere. It’s a solution for big-screen viewing at home, those who travel frequently, or anyone who is tired of staring at a small screen.
Below, we’ll go into a bit more detail on Prima’s features to let you know what you can expect from this pocket cinema.
200-inch TI DLP projection
Prima’s projection tech was developed by Texas Instruments. TI’s DLP projection is regarded by many to be the best for portable projectors for its picture quality, lightweight components, and reliability.
Not only that, but DLP tech also supports 3D video. Can you imagine projecting a 3D movie at 200 inches? It’s like you’re living inside the film.
Another advantage of TI’s DLP tech is the extra brightness. Prima is about 4x brighter than other pocket projectors, and this has a huge impact on the overall picture quality. Brighter projection doesn’t just mean a brighter picture. It means more defined colours across the spectrum for an image that never has that grainy projector look.
Android OS
Prima has an RK3128 CPU 4 core processor and runs Android 7.1 OS. It doesn’t just look like a smartphone, it practically is one. You can do nearly everything on Prima that you can do on your phone—download apps, text and call, stream videos, play games—but on Prima, you can do it on the big screen.
Thanks to Prima’s processing power, you’ll have access to all the apps in the Google Play store. When you turn it on, the dashboard looks a lot like that of a smart TV. Simply select your apps or downloaded content directly from the projector and enjoy. Netflix, YouTube, Office, Steam—all of your favourite apps are supported.
Super Portable
Prima Projector is marketed as the most portable pocket projector ever made. And this is largely true. Prima is the same size and weight as an iPhone 8, making it the first “pocket” projector that actually fits in your pocket.
Here are the measurements:
Size: 146 mm X 176 mm X 18 mm
Weight: 188 g
But size isn’t the only factor in portability. Prima also comes with features and accessories that make it a lot less stressful to carry around. The most important is the sliding door that protects the projection lens. Most portable projectors damage easily—especially the lens—making them a lot less portable than they seem. But you can take Prima on the go with a lot more confidence.
Prima also comes with a protecting sleeve for safer portability, but it won’t do much besides protecting the touchscreen from scratches and scuffs. For increased durability, we recommend adding a carrying case to your order.
50% More Battery Life
Most projector users these days will likely be using their devices indoors. Plugged into a power source, Prima will function indefinitely. If you choose to bring Prima on the go, you’ll enjoy 3 hours of video playback per charge. This isn’t the best battery life out there, but it’s about 50% longer than the average projector lasts.
However, if you’re using Prima for audio only, you’ll get about 30 hours of life, which is significantly more life than you’ll get from the average Bluetooth speaker. This makes Prima a great accessory for parties and gatherings even if you’re not going to project something.
Mirror and Cast
Prima succeeds at mirroring and casting seamlessly from just about any device. It has built-in Apple and Android screen-sharing software to prevent any distortion or weird colour alterations, so you can mirror and share with a simple click.
You can also cast anything to Prima. No matter what apps or content you have on your phone or tablet, you can instantly cast to Prima and enjoy all of the features on the big screen without losing the functionality of your device.
These features boost the social value of Prima and increase its portable appeal. Groups of friends can easily enjoy games, photos, or videos on Prima just by using their phones.
Hi-Fi Speakers
One of the worst things about most portable projectors is the dismal speakers. They’re often imperceptible to the ear and the sound quality is terrible. Despite its size, Prima packs a powerful speaker inside. This is one of the reasons that its manufacturers encourage people to use it as a Bluetooth speaker too.
The Hi-Fi speakers are plenty loud. They can easily project to a living room or meeting room full of people. Of course, they’re not as good as big external speakers, but for on-the-go use, they are more than acceptable.
Universal Compatibility
Prima is compatible with every type of device and operating system. Even though it has an Android OS, you’ll be able to use it with all types of devices. It even has software built in to optimize its performance with Apple products, so you’ll be able to mirror and stream via AirPlay without issues.
You don’t need wireless connectivity to connect to Prima, either. You can connect via:
WiFi
Bluetooth
HDMI
USB
3.5 mm jack (headphone jack)
And more
You can even connect gaming consoles like PS4 and 5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch for immersive gaming at up to 200 inches.
Touchscreen Controls
Finally, we had to mention Prima’s controls. Much like a smartphone, you can access all of Prima’s controls from a touchscreen surface. This makes it a lot easier to navigate, select, and change settings than on other projectors. Because we’re so used to using our thumbs on our phones, Prima’s controls are intuitive.
You won’t have to deal with buttons, dials or confusing menus here. Everything is touch-ready and optimized for modern smart-tech users.
To make things easier, Prima comes with a remote control, so you can kick back and operate it just like you would a TV.
New Year’s Sale: Take 60% Off a Prima Projector
To bring in the new year, Prima is offering a stellar deal on its pocket projector. For a limited time, you can grab a Prima Projector at 50% off and take an extra 10% off at checkout. That’s over €400 in savings for a 200-inch HD projector and entertainment system.
Not only that, but you’ll also get FREE global shipping and loads of free accessories boxed with your projector. The free accessories include a tripod, a remote control, an HDMI cable, and a charger.
Padmate have a new set of TWS in town only this time they have got ANC on board and for the money they laugh at a fair bit of the competition including the much lauded Huawei freebuds range not only this these take aim at much higher priced competitors and when it comes to the ANC aspect they do the job and better than I even expected, having tested and tried the most TWS here in Ireland these are worth every penny.
First thing to note is the case, again a different take on the industry standard a circular puc style case with wireless charging built in and a cool light around the top that pulses like and indicator light you might see on an Audi or VW car this is a cool look and better than the usual three or four dots which is common. Note again you get wireless charging here not seen too often at this price.
When it comes to sound these are loud and it is how I like it. There is volume control and more we go through this is in our video review below these deliver everywhere look better than the lauded free buds and are a better build quality too. Bass is excellent yet does not drown out everything else highs lows mids and vocals clear and great direction also to note these can be used individually yet again often a feature left our in more expensive true wireless and overall a really great music experience for anyone who buys them, these are easily their best product to date. If you are one to take calls they have CVC 8.0 mic reduction and clear both ends. You have go your voice assistant built in, skip, reverse tracks and play/pause with simple commands split between both sides. They also have an app which is simply great to let you customise these earbuds to your liking and it is one of the best apps yet to date on this department.
You get decent battery life here too around 10 hours in total but with ANC on this will reduce this to around 7 however this is good when compared to higher end TWS.
To sum these up these are simply fantastic and worth every penny you pay alongside the features and their app these are the easiest earbuds this year I can say JUST BUY THEM.
Soundcore, Anker Innovations’ premium audio brand, today introduced the next generation in its popular Liberty true-wireless earbud line, the Liberty Air 2 Pro, featuring advanced active noise-cancellation (ANC), transparency and PureNote driver technology.
DESIGNED BY ENGINEERS FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
The Liberty Air 2 Pro was designed to sound great, even with noise-cancelling turned on. To do this, Soundcore engineers developed PureNote driver technology, that utilizes ten hardened nano layers to make up the 11mm driver in each earbud, offering accurate sound and clarity at all frequencies. Soundcore then worked to tune the earbuds, both with ANC turned on and off, to make sure that music always sounded like artists originally intended.
“In 2019, Soundcore launched the Liberty 2 Pro, the first in the company’s Pro line of earbuds,” said Rock Gao, General Manager, Headphones for Soundcore. “The focus then, was to bring premium sound to the true-wireless headphone space. Today, we launch our new Liberty Air 2 Pro earbuds and unveil a new noise cancelling experience that doesn’t compromise the sound in any environment. With an assortment of user customizable elements, from sound profiles to customizable ANC and transparency modes, the Liberty Air 2 Pro allows users to get the best sound for themselves.”
MULTI-MODE ANC FOR DAILY LIFE
The Liberty Air 2 Pro offers users the ability to change between three noise cancellation modes including Transport mode, when needed to block out low frequency noises from airplanes, trains or city buses; Outdoor mode, which use a less powerful ANC setting but wider bandwidth to block out street noise, and finally Indoor mode, which primarily reduces mid-range frequencies to help block out voices that are commonly found in an office or at a café.
Additionally, the Liberty Air 2 Pro also features Transparency mode with two different settings. Mode 1 is for total transparency which helps enhance all ambient sounds. This is ideal for runners and bicyclists that need to safely hear noises around them on a city street. The second transparency mode focuses on vocals to enhance voices in the immediate vicinity while simultaneously reducing background noise. This mode is ideal for users who may be waiting for a flight or a bus but still need to hear announcements from a P.A. speaker or flight attendant.
CUSTOMIZED LISTENER EXPERIENCE
Using the updated Soundcore app, the Liberty Air 2 Pro, offers users HearID 2.0, the next generation in audio frequency customization. After performing a simple hearing test with the earbuds, the Liberty Air 2 Pro tunes the sound for the individual to ensure the best possible listening experience. New to version 2.0, users can make changes to these individualized audio settings, or can choose from one of the preset sound profiles.
KEY FEATURES
● PureNote Driver technology with 11mm drivers for accurate sound and clarity at all frequencies.
● Multi-mode ANC with Transport, Indoor and Outdoor settings for customizable usage levels
● Two transparency modes enhance the environment including voices without removing earbuds.
● 7-hour battery in earbuds with ANC off / 6-hour battery with ANC on
● Qi wireless charging case with 26 hour battery with ANC off / 21 hour battery with ANC on as well as USB-C charging.
● Anker Fast Charging technology – 10 minutes charging earbuds = 2 hours of playtime
● Premium call quality using 6-mic uplink noise reduction helps optimize voices and minimizebackground noise.
● Customizable user touch controls to set preferences for play/pause, track advance, volume, etc.
● Voice-assistant compatibility with Siri at launch and other popular voice-assistants in the future.
● Nine sets of silicone ear tips, ranging from XXXS to XL and L+ in ensure a proper fit.
● Bluetooth version – 5.0
● Waterproof rating – IPX4
● Available in Four Colors: Onyx Black, Titanium White, Sapphire Blue, and Crystal Pink
● Earbud size // Case size – 1.47” x 0.87” x 0.91” // 2.44” x 2.35” x 1.18”
● Earbud weight / Case weight – 0.37 oz // 1.78 oz
The Liberty Air 2 Pro will be available today in four colors including Onyx Black, Titanium White, Sapphire Blue, and Crystal Pink with an MSRP of $129.99 at Amazon.com, Soundcore.com and BestBuy.com. Additional retailers will be added in the coming weeks. Additionally, the Liberty Air 2 Pro will be available in the U.K for £129.99; Europe for €129.99 and Canada for $169.99 (CAD).
Discounted on Amazon from January 12th – January 14th, bringing the price down to £99.99 – ASLA2PUK
Need to add some peripherals to your laptop or PC well the Aukey 12-in-1 USB-C hub might just be the thing you need. We have covered several similar offerings before and in short these offer you more flexibility as laptops these days often come with the bare minimum ports especially if you use Apple Macs etc and this of course works with them and much more cost effective, these hubs allow you be more productive and connect multiple things at one go like several flash drives which is great for those on the go transferring data and so on and much more, you also have and SD card reader, sd card slot HDMI ports, USB-C ports and more however these is no micro USB port present on this hub which is a sign of the times and perhaps maybe one should have been present but all is fine regardless.
One thing that would have made this hub more sweet would have been on board storage too but it is a minor caveat as many available out there now do offer storage at this price point but if you just need a hub to connect and transfer data this is certainly one to look at, This hub though is great for someone with multiple products on the go like me as you can charge multiple devices on the go at the same time which is a gift. Check out the video for more below.
