Tech
PS5 restock tracker: A 'huge' shipment is happening this week – Tom's Guide
Even with the calendar tipping over into 2021, PS5 consoles remain like gold dust, with new stock being bought up almost the second it appears. For that reason, the chances of landing one simply by luck are pretty slim, and it’s helpful to know exactly when restock is due to land.
According to one source, the UK is set to get a “huge” third wave of PS5 consoles this week. @PS5Instant — a Twitter account that uses bots to keep track of UK PS5s as they go in and out of stock — claims that a third shipment of consoles should hit “most retailers” on Thursday 7 and Tuesday 12 January. It’s not clear whether these dates will coincide with U.S. retailer plans.
That suggests that the usual suspects of Amazon, Currys and Game will all be getting units to ship, but the account name checks a couple of broadband and phone networks as getting stock: BT and EE.
ℹ So plenty of PS5 drops will occur on the 7th and 12th. Don’t buy stock from the scalpers, make sure they lose! Also if you’d like to help cure cancer & diseases you can donate your spare PC computing power using this program #PS5 #PS5uk #ps5stockhttps://t.co/sV1FgpEijxDecember 29, 2020
However, it sounds like the option to buy from these carriers may only be open to those with existing contracts.
Elsewhere, the account also mentions that Asda may be in receipt of a delayed shipment as early as today, though this is predicted with less confidence. Wherever you buy from, the account is optimistic that this is a generous shipment that should ensure determined buyers get one soon enough. “The next drop is huge, anyone who REALLY wants one will get it,” the account wrote in one tweet.
ℹ BT & EE will have stock on the 7th of January. I wish every one of you a Merry Christmas. For those who only received a PS5 controller today, remember you can try it out using PS4 remote play or DS4Windows (Github PC). #PS5 #PS5UK #ps5stock #ps5restock #ps5ukstock #144hzDecember 26, 2020
Of course, these claims are unverifiable, but if you’re on the hunt for a PS5, it certainly doesn’t hurt to set a reminder to check stock on January 7. The PS5 has been extremely difficult to get hold of in the UK since it launched on 19 November, and those without a pre-order had to be very lucky indeed. Even some of those with a pre-order were left disappointed as for some still unexplained reason, certain Amazon shipments were replaced with toys and boxes of cat food.
The good news for those without a PS5 so far is that they’re not missing too much at this point in the console’s life. The system needs a few more exclusives before it’s truly worth the hype, and for me personally the best thing about being an early adopter has been playing old co-op games with my girlfriend via backwards compatibility and my recently retired PS4.
The AirPods Pro 2 are in the works, and while some may be annoyed to hear it’s going to arrive as late as Q1 2022, I’m more than happy. That’s because I want Apple to take all the time it needs to imitate the best feature in Samsung’s newly announced Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.
Yes, even though I’m rarely swayed by Samsung, even I can admit when the Seoul-based company has beaten Cupertino. And Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro showing all but guarantees it a slot in our best wireless earbuds rankings.
The Galaxy Buds Pro are smarter than AirPods Pro
While AirPods Pro does have similar features to the Galaxy Buds Pro — active noise cancelling (ANC) and Ambient Sound mode for nearby noise amplification — Samsung’s got a new trick that I feel shouldn’t be too hard to replicate.
Titled Voice Direct, the Galaxy Buds Pro can dynamically shift volume or enable ambient sound by detecting when you talk. If using ANC, for example, the Buds Pro will switch to the Ambient Sound, because it knows that you’re probably talking to someone out loud.
This is a cool feature for me personally because it cuts down on the social abrasion when using wireless earbuds. If I don’t preemptively pause or lower the volume, I end up stumbling into a conversation, having to ask the person to repeat what they said.
That naturally leads to me feeling as if I’ve come off as the self-centered jerk, as I was too siphoned off in my own world and not considerate of those around me.
Why I’m not holding my breath
Annoyingly, such a feature hasn’t been heard of in the AirPods Pro 2 rumors we’ve tracked. Instead, there’s chatter of transparency mode being improved to warn wearers of incoming hazards, as well as compatibility with the oft-rumored AirTags.
And I could see a world where Apple doesn’t find a way to match Voice Detect. First off, the fine print of Samsung’s press release (its estimated battery life is with “default settings with Bixby voice wake-up and Voice Detect turned off,”) suggests it may cut down battery life — and that may be too high a cost for Apple.
Also, Samsung could have patented this technology, and be unwilling to license it to Apple (which could also be unwilling to pay for it). And if Apple can’t get that technology, I’d love to see the $249 AirPods Pro go down a bit in price, since the Galaxy Buds Pro are $50 cheaper at $199.
Plus, Apple may not see the need for this feature as much as I do. AirPods Pro only need this feature to protect users from switching away, and most iPhone owners will likely still prefer the ease of use of the AirPods, since its made for Apple devices. The Buds Pro are similarly made to work best with Samsung devices. That being said, the Galaxy Buds Pro do use Bluetooth, which works with iPhones, and it’s worth testing out.
If Apple wants to continue to be seen as the king of this segment, it can’t overlook Voice Detect. It’s a feature that makes social interaction with truly wireless headphones frictionless.
Apple has updated its repair program for the 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro to fix the so-called “stage light” problem, increasing the eligibility from four years to five years after the first retail sale of the unit.
Apple launched its 13-inch MacBook Pro Display Backlight Service Program in May 2019, enabling a small number of 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro users to fix an issue with the backlight of their devices. For some units, the backlight can exhibit a stage light-style effect, which the program offers to fix.
The problem of bright and dark spots at the bottom of the screen was found to be due to Apple using fragile flex cablesinstead of wire cables, as used in earlier models, which wear down over time. This can cause parts of the backlight to stop showing, or break the backlight completely.
The issue only affected a “very small percentage” of 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro units sold between October 2016 and February 2018, and not other models. Affected Macs are repaired by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider free of charge, though if there are other detected faults that have to be repaired, the extra fixes are chargeable.
Previously, Apple defined the program as being eligible for “four years after the first retail sale of the unit.” In an update to the program page on January 15 spotted by MacRumors, Apple has changed the language to extend the period.
The new terms state eligible models can be repaired up to “five years after the first retail sale of the unit or 3 years from the start date of this program, whichever is longer.” As the program commenced on May 21, 2019, this means the affected MacBook units are eligible for the program until May 20, 2022, or at latest, February 2023.
Apple is reportedly thinking about creating a podcast subscription service to compete with the likes of Spotify and SiriusXM.
A new report from The Information reveals that the tech giant is currently in talks with production companies about the service, which would charge people to listen to podcasts. By charging for individual podcasts, Apple could give creators a way to make more money, which may convince them to leave rival services.
The report outlines that it’s worth noting that Apple often explores ideas without seeing them through, so it’s unknown when or if the service could launch.
It does make sense for Apple to consider forming its own premium service, especially since it played a role in popularizing podcasts through the iPod and iTunes. Further, Apple already runs the most widely used podcasting app in the industry, as noted by The Information.
Spotify reportedly also considered creating a separate service for exclusive podcasts. Other podcast services such as Stitcher have locked certain podcasts behind subscriptions. Amazon is also looking to disrupt the podcasting industry with its recent acquisition of the Wondery network.
A Bloomberg report from last year revealed that Apple was interested in buying exclusive rights to podcasts and developing companion podcasts for its Apple TV+ content. This latest report builds on this and shows that Apple is looking to enter the competition.
Source: The Information, Engadget
More Media Coverage Drives Improved Stock Performance, Researchers Find – Forbes
Brady bests Brees as Buccaneers advance to NFC Championship – Sportsnet.ca
Hey Apple! Steal this Galaxy Buds Pro feature for AirPods Pro 2 – Tom's Guide
-
News7 hours ago
COVID-19 worsening Canadian students' diets, inactivity, alcohol consumption: study – CTV News
-
Economy21 hours agoPM Trudeau tells finance minister to avoid additional permanent spending
-
Sports1 hour ago
Why the Maple Leafs put Jason Spezza, Aaron Dell on waivers – The Athletic
-
Politics23 hours ago
Of Politics and Stock Prices – Motley Fool
-
Health21 hours ago
Doctors told to bin leftover vaccines instead of administering second doses – Yahoo Canada Sports
-
Health8 hours ago
Ontario inspectors find 36 stores violating COVID-19 rules during big-box safety blitz – CTV Toronto
-
Health22 hours ago
COVID: Less than 200 cases, 2 deaths in Manitoba Saturday – CHVN Radio
-
Sports16 hours ago
Game #3 Review: Toronto Maple Leafs 3 vs. Ottawa Senators 2 – Maple Leafs Hot Stove
