Tech

Microsoft inks Nvidia game deal to assuage regulators over Activision merger

Published

4 weeks ago

February 21, 2023

Harry Miller

BRUSSELS — Microsoft Corp has struck a 10-year deal to bring “Call of Duty” and other Activision games to Nvidia Corp’s gaming platform if the Xbox maker is allowed to complete its much-contested $69 billion acquisition of Activision.

Regulators and competitors like Sony have come out hard against the proposed Microsoft-Activision tie-up. The move may allay concerns by ensuring more ways for consumers to get games controlled by Microsoft, but regulators around the world have been skeptical about the acquisition.

Britain earlier this month said the deal could harm gamers by weakening the rivalry between Xbox and PlayStation, resulting in higher prices, fewer choices and less innovation for millions of players, as well as stifling competition in cloud gaming.

Microsoft President Brad Smith told a news conference on Tuesday he was now more optimistic of getting the Activision acquisition done after the Nvidia deal and a similar arrangement with Nintendo Co Ltd.

Phil Eisler, vice president and general manager of Nvidia’s GeForce Now segment, said that titles such that “Call of Duty” will not be available on Nvidia’s service unless Microsoft acquires Activision but that other Microsoft-owned titles such as “Minecraft” are covered immediately under the 10-year license agreement.

“We were a little concerned about it at the beginning,” Eisler said of the Microsoft-Activision deal. “But then we reached out to Microsoft, and they were very open about wanting to enable cloud gaming and work with us on a 10-year license agreement. So over time, they made us more and more comfortable with it.”

Eisler said Nvidia is not paying Microsoft for access to the titles, which is the same arrangement the company has with other gaming companies such as “Fortnite” maker Epic Games. Instead, Nvidia’s 25 million customers will need to pay Nvidia for access to its cloud gaming platform and pay Microsoft for its games.

Shares of Microsoft fell 2%, Nvidia dropped 3.4% and Activision fell 0.7% in a broadly lower market on Tuesday afternoon.

Nvidia said it now supports the Xbox maker’s bid to purchase Activision, but the deal could still be a hard sell with regulators. European officials issued Microsoft a warning about the deal earlier this month, while the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has asked a judge to block it. The British competition watchdog has said Microsoft may have to divest “Call of Duty.”

Smith said he hoped that rival Sony Group Corp will consider doing the same type of deal with Nvidia.

Sony has led opposition to the Microsoft-Activision deal, saying last year it was “bad for competition, bad for the gaming industry and bad for gamers themselves.”

Apart from Sony and Nvidia, other companies including Alphabet Inc’s Google had expressed concerns to the FTC about the deal, according to media reports.

Microsoft has pledged to keep “Call of Duty” on Sony’s PlayStation. The popularity of the first-person shooter franchise is undimmed nearly two decades after launch, with the latest installment achieving $1 billion sales in its first 10 days in October.

The U.S. tech giant has said the deal is about more than “Call of Duty.” It has said buying the company that also makes “Overwatch” and “Candy Crush” would charge its growth in mobile, PC, and cloud gaming, as well as consoles, helping it compete with the likes of Tencent as well as Sony.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels and Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Peter Henderson, Matthew Lewis and Bradley Perrett)

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Indian iQOO Z7 goes on sale – GSMArena.com news – GSMArena.com

Published

3 hours ago

March 21, 2023

Harry Miller

Last Friday, iQOO announced its India-exclusive Z7 5G smartphone with the Dimensity 920 chipset and 44W charging. Now, iQOO India and Amazon have the phone on open sale. The phone is available in Norway Blue and Pacific Night colors. The 6/128GB model is listed for INR 18,999 while the 8/128GB model is going for INR 19,999.

ICICI/HDFC CC&DC Full Swipe and CC EMI transactions are eligible for an INR 1,500 instant discount. The vivo E-Store is offering a free voucher worth INR1,000. Buyers are also eligible for a no-cost EMI up to 3 months.

iQOO India shop • Amazon India link

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Cane Creek Announces 3D-Printed Titanium eMTB Cranks – Pinkbike.com

Published

4 hours ago

March 21, 2023

Harry Miller

PRESS RELEASE: Cane Creek Cycling Components

Cane Creek introduces their next offering of titanium cranks, the Cane Creek Electric Wings, to join their iconic eeWings. A crankset designed specifically for the rigors eMTBs face, the innovative Electric Wings are 3D-printed from titanium, resulting in a product that is both incredibly durable and lightweight.

With the Electric Wings, riders can experience the benefit of carbon cranks, without the fear of damage from rock strikes. Electric Wings are as light as carbon, yet as durable as heavy aluminum cranks, making them the perfect choice for those looking to maximize their ride time with confidence.

Implementing advanced 3D-printing additive manufacturing techniques enable freedom in design, opening the door for Cane Creek to set a new benchmark for durability

A New Level of Durability

Break rocks – not cranks – with the Cane Creek Electric Wings. eMTBs are known for taking a beating on rough terrain, which can easily compromise the integrity of carbon cranksets. With the Electric Wings, riders can now enjoy peace of mind, knowing that their cranks are up to the challenge. Whether riders are climbing through a rock garden or hucking to flat, the Electric Wings will give riders the confidence needed to tackle any obstacle.

Compatible with electric bike drive units that use an ISIS motor spindle: The Cane Creek Electric Wings fit Bosch/Yamaha, Brose, Fazua, TQ, Bafang, Specialized motors and more, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of eMTB models.

Lightweight & Stiff

Weighing a mere 383grams – Electric Wings are as light as carbon eMTB cranks while still maintaining one of the best stiffness to weight ratios on the market – Constructed from 6/4 Titanium

3D-Printed Titanium

Implementing advanced additive manufacturing techniques enable freedom in design, opening the door for Cane Creek to set a new benchmark for durability with a titanium crankset designed for electric-assist mountain bikes.

Reduced Pedal “Overhang”

Electric Wings minimize the overall size and “overhang” of material located beyond the pedal insert. This revolutionary manufacturing technique and resulting design drastically reduce pedal strikes compared to standard eMTB cranks.

Rock strikes happen, and are even more common on ebikes, particularly while climbing due to the difference in crank cadence created by the electric assist… It’s not a matter of IF you will hit your cranks on the ground but WHEN. We have always believed that Titanium is a superior crank material, for more than just the bling factor. It truly does provide real rider benefits.—Sam Anderson, Cane Creek Brand Manager

WEIGHT
– 383g (Including All Hardware)
MATERIALS
– 3D-Printed 6/4 Titanium
LENGTHS
-165mm
SPINDLE INTERFACE
– ISIS
COMPATIBLE MOTORS
– Bafang
– Bosch
– Brose
– Fazua
– Panasonic
– TQ
– Yamaha
WARRANTY
– 5 Years

Availability
Cane Creek Electric Wings are now available at select Cane Creek dealers, distributors and factory direct at www.canecreek.com. These 3D-Printed Titanium eMTB Cranks are $1299.99 and shipments of 165mm length cranks are expected to begin in March

Cane Creek Cycling Components – Titanium Cranks

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City of Pointe-Claire signs a partnership agreement with Sport'Aide – Pointe-Claire

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2023

Harry Miller

At the March 14^th Council meeting, the City of Pointe-Claire signed a partnership agreement with Sport’Aide. The independent non-profit organization was created in 2014 by a team of 3 people concerned by the phenomenon of violence in sports.

The organization aims to offer support and guidance services to young athletes, as well as to the various actors in the Quebec sports world (parents, coaches, sports organizations, officials and volunteers) who may have witnessed violence against young athletes.

This agreement will allow the City and the para-municipal sport clubs, the Aquatic Club and the Canoe Kayak Club, to obtain personalized consulting services and to be assisted in the development and adaptation of sport safety policies and procedures.

“Pointe-Claire is the first city to sign an agreement with Sport’Aide, positioning it as a leader and further demonstrating our City’s commitment to maintaining a healthy, safe, harmonious and inclusive sports and recreation environment. I would like to thank our dynamic Sports and Recreation team and its director Mr. Gilles Girouard. This partnership demonstrates our proactivity and our concern for the quality of services offered to our community.” Said Tim Thomas, Mayor of Pointe-Claire

From left to right: Tim Thomas, Mayor of Pointe-Claire and Sylvain Croteau, Instigator and General Manager of Sport’Aide

Information : 514 630-1200, communications@pointe-claire.ca

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