HeyWhatsNew: Sony's $199.99 Game-Changer Unleashed and Apple AirPods Max Nightmare Exposed
What’s up HeyUppers. Welcome to HeyWhatsNew – Your Roundup of the Latest Tech News and Developments Impacting the World of Tech for the Week Beginning 21/08/2023.
Sony’s Portable PlayStation Portal to Launch Later This Year
Sony is set to unveil its latest innovation in the gaming world with the upcoming launch of the PlayStation Portal remote player. This handheld device is designed to stream PS5 games wirelessly and comes equipped with an eight-inch LCD screen boasting 1080p resolution at 60fps.
The eagerly anticipated PlayStation Portal is expected to hit the market later this year, carrying a price tag of $199.99. Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President of Platform Experience at Sony Interactive Entertainment, emphasizes the device's convenience, noting that it will seamlessly connect to a PS5 over Wi-Fi, allowing players to transition smoothly between their console and the handheld Portal.
Read more: Sony’s portable PlayStation Portal launches later this year for $199.99
‘Condensation Death' Is Breaking $550 AirPods Max and Driving Users Nuts
Apple's premium AirPods Max have been making headlines for the wrong reasons, as users report malfunctions and complete failures due to condensation issues. These $550 headphones have been susceptible to damage caused by sweat and humidity, leading to water droplets forming inside the headphones and causing extensive problems. Referred to as "Condensation Death," this issue has been a point of contention for several years.
While the problem was initially flagged shortly after the AirPods Max's release in 2020, it appears to have escalated recently. A class-action lawsuit addressing this concern is ongoing, shedding light on the challenges posed by this flaw.
Read more: ‘Condensation Death' Is Breaking $550 AirPods Max and Driving Users Nuts
Sony’s PlayStation Wireless Earbuds: A Premium Offering
Sony has unveiled its PlayStation-branded wireless earbuds, the Pulse Explore, aimed at audiophiles and gaming enthusiasts. These premium earbuds come with a hefty price tag of $199.99 and promise an unparalleled combination of lossless audio quality and low-latency performance.
The Pulse Explore earbuds are poised to compete with Microsoft's Xbox audio peripherals, offering a unique blend of high-quality sound and optimal connectivity. Though exact availability details are yet to be disclosed, Sony's latest offering is expected to cater to those who demand uncompromised audio performance during both gaming and music experiences.
Read more: Sony’s PlayStation wireless earbuds will cost a whopping $199.99
Microsoft Explores Adding AI to Windows 11 Apps
Microsoft's foray into AI continues as reports suggest the tech giant is considering incorporating artificial intelligence capabilities into Windows 11 apps. The company is reportedly exploring the integration of AI functionalities in several in-box apps, including Photos, Snipping Tool, and Paint.
While some of these features would require dedicated hardware like neural processing units (NPU) or vision processing units (VPU), others could operate without such components. The potential AI enhancements include the ability to identify objects and people in photos, facilitating more advanced editing and manipulation. This move underscores Microsoft's commitment to harnessing AI's potential across various platforms.
Read more: Exclusive: Microsoft may bring AI capabilities to apps like Paint and Photos on Windows 11
Meta Launches Enhanced Web App for Threads
Meta, the social media conglomerate, has unveiled an improved web app for Threads, its messaging platform. Users can now post content, interact with others' posts, and engage with their feed directly from the web. The enhanced web version mirrors the mobile app's design, allowing for a consistent user experience.
However, some functionalities available on the mobile app, such as editing profiles and sending posts to Instagram DMs, are not yet accessible through the web interface. Despite these limitations, the move signifies Meta's commitment to expanding its platform's accessibility and offering users more ways to engage with their online communities.
Read more: Threads on the web is here
Fortnite’s Island Gets a Luxurious Heist Makeover
In the latest season of Fortnite, dubbed Chapter 4: Season 4, the island undergoes a significant transformation with a heist theme. This season introduces a range of luxurious locations following a heist theme, where players can access new, powerful items.
The introduction of the Rocket Ram adds an exciting twist, enabling players to launch themselves out of buildings once they've secured loot. Additional gameplay changes include heist bags containing specialized gear and towers scattered across the island to provide insights into future storm movements. Fortnite players can look forward to an immersive heist experience in the game's ever-evolving landscape.
Read more: Fortnite’s island gets a luxury makeover thanks to a vampire
Donald Trump Returns to X / Twitter with a Mug Shot
Former President Donald Trump has made a return to the social media scene, specifically on X, previously known as Twitter. Trump's appearance on X comes as he faced criminal charges related to attempts to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results.
The booking marked the first instance of his mugshot being taken. Trump took the opportunity to post on X for the first time since his permanent suspension from the platform in January 2021. The suspension had followed the storming of the US Capitol by his supporters. Trump's re-entry into the social media realm coincides with his recent establishment of his own platform, Truth Social.
Read more: Donald Trump returns to X / Twitter to post his mug shot
Stay tuned for more exciting developments and tech news on HeyWhatsNew. Your weekly dose of the latest happenings in the world of technology.
