The PS5 and Xbox Series X have dominated the conversation online when it comes to video games in 2020. But I’m not pre-ordering either, nor am I even planning to buy them this holiday season.
We all have our reasons for saying “yas!” or “nah” when it comes to new console purchases, but I don’t think I’m much of an edge case here. I’m planning on waiting because it feels like I’m not being given a reason to buy yet.
To get this out of the way, I’m not looking down on anyone who is ready to pre-order the PS5 or Xbox Series X. Supply chains and scarcity are reason enough, and I’ll get to how there are some pretty important games on those platforms in a minute.
But for now, here are the three reasons why I’m skipping the PS5 and Xbox Series X for now, which go beyond the simple argument of “that’s a lot of money I could spend on a lot of other things.”
I still have plenty of PS4 games to play
Let’s start with the PS5, the console I was more likely to buy in the first place (I run a PS4 household, and I didn’t even buy my own Xbox One X). The PS5 feature I’m most excited about is its wild design. This thing looks like a Wi-Fi Router and a tower fan had a secret love child that grew up around EVE and WALL•E. As a piece of statement art, it’s as strong as it is divisive.
(Image credit: Sony)
But considering that’s the thing about the PS5 I’m most excited about, you might already know where I’m going next: the games. Or, rather, the lack thereof.
This is the list of the games that are expected to be coming to the PS5 at launch or by the end of 2020:
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Holiday 2020
Astro’s Playroom – PS5 Launch
Bugsnax – Holiday 2020
Chivalry 2 – 2020
Dirt 5 – 2020
Fortnite – PS5 Launch
Godfall – December 2020
Gods and Monsters – Holiday 2020
Jett: The Far Shore – Holiday 2020
Madden NFL 21 – 2020
NBA 2K21 – 2020
Observer: System Redux – Holiday 2020
Oddworld Soulstrom – 2020
Outriders – Holiday 2020
Planet Coaster: Console Edition – 2020
Quantum Error – 2020
Redo! Enhanced Edition – 2020
Spider-Man: Miles Morales – Holiday 2020
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 – 2020
Watch Dogs: Legion – Holiday 2020
Worms Rumble – 2020
WRC 9 – 2020
Of those, the two that have some of my interest are the horror-based first-person-shooter Quantum Error and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. The former feels like something I could “get to” somewhere down the road (I’m only about to start Horizon Zero Dawn), and while the trailer for the latter got me excited as heck… I know myself well enough to wait.
Why should I wait? Because I still haven’t beaten the original PS4 Spider-Man game. And I know I should, but earlier this year, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Persona 5 Royal teamed up to each take over 100 hours of my play time. As much as I want to explore the virtual version of the NYC I can’t really explore during this pandemic, Spider-Man faded into the background.
(Image credit: Marvel)
Looking at that launch list, I can see games that I know some of my friends will rush to buy. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla has a strong and dedicated fan base behind it. Dirt 5 is already impressing one of my colleagues. Heck, even the cute and peculiar Bugsnax is making fans out of some folks in the Discord I spend some time in.
But those three games aren’t for me. And even if they were, all three of them are also coming to PS4.
I’ve only recently begun Ghosts of Tsushima (which is rad), and since I got both Yakuza 0 and the Yakuza Remastered Collection for cheap on sales, I know I should give them the ol’ college try too. Sitting above those titles is Resident Evil 7, which tests my love of horror as I play it one small sliver at a time.
Oh, and knowing me, I’ll some day give another 100+ hours to the New Game Plus for Persona 5 Royal (yes, I’m trying to play Persona 4 Golden on Steam, but wow that game is buggy to the point of being unplayable, at least for me).
A new Xbox isn’t for me (even at $299)
Sure, the Xbox Series S is tempting at its $299 price, but even if I were to grab it, I feel like it would go unattended to, just like the Xbox Series X I lucked my way into last year.
Primarily, I use my Xbox Series X for the rare game that shows up on Game Pass that is intriguing enough for me to restart my subscription. Most recently, that was Tell Me Why, a point-and-click mystery game about two siblings uncovering the truth about their mom’s death. It’s an emotional and at times harrowing tale, and I’m glad I can play it.
(Image credit: Xbox)
But just as with the PS5, I don’t see the reason to invest in the new Xbox early. So far, it has one game that truly makes me excited: Tetris Effect: Connected. I love Tetris Effect, but I mostly love playing it with my buddies when they come over.
Tetris Effect: Connected adds online multiplayer, which is the fix that this modern age of quarantine requires. But as great as that is, that would require my friends who I play Tetris Effect with to own an Xbox or PC. Plus, as with many upcoming first- and third-party Xbox games, I’ll be able to play Connected on the Xbox One I already have.
My Nintendo Switch is right here
I’m one of those types who keeps finding new ways to make their Nintendo Switch the most important game console they own. Most importantly, Ring Fit Adventure practically changed my life this past summer, getting me to work out which helped my sleep and back pain issues. I play RFA for about a half an hour every single morning, and while it does feel like less of a game and more of a workout, it’s become an important part of my life to the point where I cannot stop.
The Switch also just got Spiritfarer, a really interesting and unique indie title (that’s also on Xbox Game Pass, which I wish I knew before I hit Buy). Spiritfarer is about death and the high seas, and it looks to be such a compelling title that I might get drawn into finishing it.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The Switch keeps getting quality ports, too, which makes me know that I can keep feeding it small $20 to $40 purchases and stay entertained, rather than splurge upwards of $500 on the PS5 immediately.
And my love of all things Nintendo Switch, from Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Ape Out to Untitled Goose Game and Celeste, has shown me something about myself. Gameplay matters a lot more to me than load times or graphical fidelity.
Why I’m waiting on PS5 and Xbox Series X
Sure, come summer or winter 2021 I might have a change of heart about this incoming pair of next-gen consoles. Maybe someone will be allowed to have guests over and show me the error of my ways.
But when I have more games than I can play at the same time already (oh, I almost forgot, I’m enjoying Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 no matter how bad I am at it), I just don’t see the big reason. Especially when the few next-gen games that are coming this year that pique my interest don’t do it enough to feel like they’re worth buying a whole console for.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
