Sony’s critically acclaimed PlayStation line of gaming consoles is expected to receive a new iteration by the end of the year. Called the PlayStation 5, or just PS5 for short, this next console has some pretty big shoes to fill.
Its predecessor — the PlayStation 4 — is one of the most popular gaming consoles of all time. Sony sold more than 106 million units as of January 2020. The PlayStation 2 is the only home gaming console to surpass those numbers, selling more than 150 million units in its lifetime.
Surely Sony is looking for a home run with its next-generation console. But will it pack enough punch to woo gamers around the world as the PS4 did?
Here’s everything we know about the PS5 so far. Be sure to bookmark this page as we’ll update it as new rumors come to light.
Sony’s next-generation gaming console will be called the PlayStation 5, or PS5 for short. Every prior iteration has adopted that naming scheme, and the company has referred to it as such in all of its press releases, marketing information, and announcements etc.
There’s not much we know for sure about the PS5’s design yet, though leaks of the console’s dev kit have been floating around the internet for months now. We got our first look at it when the team over at LetsGoDigital found some patent images online. The outlet later mocked up its own design renders based on these patents — as seen in the video above — giving us a better look at the dev kit. A few alleged real-life photos also surfaced online, giving us a real-life look at the kit.
yes, this is the PlayStation 5 devkit. The reason it’s large and v-shaped is to make them more easily stackable for devs who are running multiple stress tests. The cooling is optimized to push air out of the sides and center https://t.co/pc3wJw2A6v
Since these are not the final product, we don’t expect the PS5 will look like this at launch. Which, if you ask us, is good news, because this design does not make for a particularly good looking console. The finished product will be much slimmer and more visually appealing than this.
As far as the PlayStation 5 controller is concerned, there’s not much we know for certain. A few pictures of the aforementioned dev kit surfaced on reddit with the supposed next-gen controller alongside it.
These pictures reveal what looks like a slightly chunkier version of the PS4’s DualShock 4 controller with no visible branding. Since these are just pictures of the dev kit, they aren’t a very good indicator of what we can expect from the final product.
On the other hand, Sony invited Wired for an exclusive early hands-on look at the upcoming console last year. The outlet revealed the prototype controller they saw was an “unlabeled matte-black doohickey that looks an awful lot like the PS4’s DualShock 4.” Other than that, the controller will apparently sport a microphone, adaptive triggers, and a more immersive haptic rumble.
In Sony’s recent system architecture deep-dive, the company revealed some of the details about this technology, as well as other hardware details about the upcoming console. According to the PlayStation 5 Lead System Architect Mark Cerny, the PS5 will tout some serious improvements over the PS4.
Here’s a complete overview of the PS5’s specs list compared to the PS4’s:
PlayStation 5
PlayStation 4
CPU
8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz with SMT (variable frequency)
8x Jaguar Cores at 1.6GHz
GPU
10.28 TFLOPs, 36 CUs at 2.23GHz (Custom RDNA 2 architecture)
1.84 TFLOPs, 18 CUs at 800MHz (Custom GCN architecture)
RAM
16GB GDDR6/256-bit
8GB GDDR5/256-bit
Internal Storage
Custom 825GB SSD
500GB HDD
Expandable Storage
NVMe SSD slot
Replaceable internal HDD
External Storage
USB HDD support
USB HDD support
IO Throughput
5.5GB/s (Raw), Typical 8-9GB/s (Compressed)
Approx 50-100MB/s (dependent on data location on HDD)
Memory Bandwidth
448GB/s
176GB/s
Optical Drive
4K UHD Blu-ray Drive
Blu-ray Drive
The deep-dive revealed a lot more about the PS5’s future capabilities too. We can expect an upgraded CPU in the form of the AMD Zen 2, which touts eight cores clocked at 3.5GHz. This should provide significant performance gains over the PS4’s eight-core Jaguar 1.6GHz CPU. The PS5’s custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU is also a solid upgrade over last gen’s custom GCN GPU.
This CPU and GPU combination will allow the PS5 to utilize ray tracing acceleration. Ray tracing is advanced lighting tech that can take in-game graphics to a whole new level by more realistically mimicking the way light behaves in an environment.
We also learned the PlayStation 5 will sport an 825GB SSD, and it will support off-the-shelf NVMe SSD expandability. Not only does that mean users will be able to easily expand their PS5’s storage, but it should also offer faster load speeds, allowing for bigger maps, as well as better system memory management.
The last major thing Sony revealed during the PS5 deep-dive is the console’s new custom AMD compute unit-based Tempest Engine. Using custom Head-related Transfer Function (HRTF) maps, this new tech should allow gamers to experience high-quality 3D in-game audio with even the most basic headphones or speakers. Cerny admitted the Tempest Engine is still in the early stages, and it may take years for it to fully develop.
At launch, customers will be able to select from one of five custom HRTF maps that best fits their sound profile. Cerny went on to hint at how Sony could possibly expand on this tech in the future.
“Maybe you’ll be sending us a photo of your ear, and we’ll choose a neural network to pick the closest HRTF in our library,” said Cerny. “Maybe you’ll be sending us a video of your ears and your head, and we’ll make a 3D model of them and synthesize the HRTF [or] you’ll play an audio game to tune your HRTF, we’ll be subtly changing it as you play and home in on the HRTF [that] matches you the best.”
Games
What makes any given console better than the next? It’s the games, baby.
At launch, the PS5 will be backward compatible with nearly all of the top 100 PlayStation 4 titles. That means it will support tons of award-winning games right out of the gate, though Sony hasn’t revealed the exact titles just yet.
The PlayStation 5 will be backward compatible with nearly all top 100 PlayStation 4 titles at launch.
As far as new game releases are concerned, there are a few titles we can officially bank on, including Dying Light 2, Godfall, Watch Dogs: Legion, Rainbow Six: Quarantine, Starfield, Elder Scrolls 6, and Lord Of The Rings: Gollum. Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War sequels are also rumored to launch on the console. We also expect titles like Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 4, and Uncharted 5 to launch on the PS5, but that’s just speculation at this point.
It goes without saying that plenty of new titles should be available for the console at or soon after launch. If the console lives up to its promises, we expect many of them will be some of the biggest, most beautiful video games we have ever seen.
Last Fall, Sony said we can expect to see the PlayStation 5 officially launch during the 2020 holiday season. The company has yet to announce a specific release date or reveal event. The PlayStation 4 landed in November 2013, so we expect Sony’s next-gen console to land during a similar timeframe this year. That is, if the launch plans aren’t affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As far as price is concerned, the PS4 and PS4 Pro retailed for $399, so we expect the PS5 to surpass that price point. During an earnings call in February 2020, Spiel Times reported that Sony has yet to decide on a pricing model.
But, if we are to believe some of the leaks surrounding the topic, we can expect the console will come in at $499. Tipster @PSErebus tweeted several pieces of information about the PS5, including this rumored price point, as well as a supposed November 20 launch date.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) will launch PlayStation®5 (PS5™) in several countries in the holiday season of 2020 and will make PlayStation®5 (PS5™) available in North America on November 20, 2020 at a recommended retail price (RRP) of $499 pic.twitter.com/fe4jKlHmrH
Bloomberg later reported that Sony was struggling with the PlayStation 5’s price due to expensive components. So far, it looks like Sony’s PS5 will cost about $450 to manufacture. The original PS4 reportedly cost about $381 to build, so if Sony wants to maintain razor-thin profit margins on hardware, the PS5 will need to cost at least $470, which roughly lines up with the previously rumored price point.
Though it’s just speculation at this point, we think it is safe to assume the PS5 will most likely retail for around $500.
Those are all the details we have on the PS5 so far! Be sure to bookmark this page and check back often as we will update it with new information as we get our hands on it.
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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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.
