Many questions remain, like whether the $299 Xbox Series S will truly feel next-gen, since it’ll only have a third the raw GPU performance of the $499 Xbox Series X and less than half that of the PlayStation 5. (They’re all based on the same AMD RDNA 2 graphics architecture.)
But the biggest question is a little more immediate: What will PlayStation do? It’s about time to find out.
There’s a likely reason both Sony and Microsoft have been leading us along for well over a year (Sony confirmed the PlayStation 5 in October 2019, if you’ll recall). Presumably, they’ve been drawing out this fight because neither company wanted to reveal its price first, only to give the other an opportunity to take advantage. Too high, and your competitor can undercut you; too low and you’re leaving money on the table, or even selling your product at a loss. When Sony revealed it had undercut the Xbox One by $100 with the PS4 in 2013, it immediately began to look like Sony had pulled a coup.
But there’s no reason for Sony to hold back now that Microsoft has revealed its hand. The question is how low Sony should go, how low it can afford to go, because as strong as the PS4 has been and as weak as Xbox once seemed, $299 is an incredible starting price that seems impossible to meet or beat.
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Let’s put $299 in perspective. Historically, a “next-gen console” hasn’t cost as little as $299 since the Xbox 360, and only if you picked the “Core” version that omitted a hard drive to hit that price. Otherwise, it hasn’t happened since the original Xbox and PS2 duked it out at the turn of the millennium, and as Kotaku points out realistically not even then: adjusted for inflation, those consoles each cost about $450 in today’s money. While Nintendo’s Switch, Wii U, Wii, GameCube, and N64 have kept up neatly with inflation to cost around $300 each in modern money, they haven’t competed on technical performance since the GameCube in 2001.
($299 is also low enough you can’t just build a gaming PC for the same price — the 512GB NVMe solid state drive in the Xbox Series S alone would eat a sixth of that budget, and a mid-range graphics card from 2017 still costs upwards of $140.)
Meanwhile, there have already been questions about Sony’s ability to sell the PS5 for less than $500 — much less $300. In February and again in April, Bloomberg games industry journalist Takashi Mochizuki reported that component shortages and rising memory prices were forcing Sony to consider higher prices at launch than the PS4 or PS4 Pro, with one estimate suggesting it would cost $450 for Sony just to manufacture the new console.
But before we count out the PS5 being price-competitive with Xbox, let’s also consider Sony’s advantages — like how both its digital-only and disc-drive equipped model are likely to be more powerful than the $300 Xbox Series S; Sony’s track record of recent exclusive hits (like Spider-Man and Horizon Zero Dawn, both of which have PS5 sequels); how Sony is making a case for next-gen with next-gen exclusive games; and how weak Microsoft’s first-party lineup is looking by comparison.
Sony may be able to argue it has the games you want — and perhaps also that the Xbox Series S isn’t a “true” next-gen console.
Besides, back when Bloomberg reported on the PS5 pricing woes, Sony had yet to reveal that it would be shipping two consoles this holiday season, and it’s quite possible that Sony’s “PlayStation 5 Digital Edition” will give the company some serious pricing leverage.
As far as we can tell, the only difference between the two PS5s is the removal of a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray drive — “The PS5 gameplay experience will be the same,” says Sony — but a disc drive isn’t necessarily a cheap part. When Microsoft introduced a similar drive in the $299 Xbox One S in 2016, research firm IHS estimated that drive alone cost $33.50. When Microsoft removed that drive to create the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition three years later, it shaved a full $50 off the price of the console.
The savings for Sony aren’t just in the components, either; Sony won’t have to pay Blu-ray and DVD licensing fees, which could cost $8 per console all on their own. Anybody who buys a PS5 Digital Edition likely gives Sony a larger cut of each game, because they’re sold through the PlayStation Store instead of Amazon, Target, GameStop or the like. Digital games also can’t be resold, so more buyers will have to purchase them at higher prices new. Even those who prefer discs may find fewer used discs in the market because digital buyers won’t have any to drop off at their local GameStop.
Considering all this, it might be easier for Sony to decide to sell the PS5 Digital Edition at a loss (or break-even), because those factors could make the razor-and-blades business model work better than it ever has before. Assuming people buy the PS5 to begin with, of course.
Imagine for a moment that Sony prices the PS5 Digital Edition at $400, and the disc-equipped version at the same $500 that Microsoft is asking for the Xbox Series X — perhaps even $550, if the PS5 is supply-constrained and thus more desirable for early adopters anyhow. Imagine Sony (and journalists) pitting Microsoft’s $300 Xbox Series S against its $400 PS5 Digital Edition, and showing you vividly how much uglier cross-platform, cross-gen games like Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War look on that particular Xbox.
Heck, imagine Sony taking advantage of the black-box nature of its ridiculous invite-only PS5 preorder queue to steer gamers towards whichever version of the console will help its bottom line, while only offering the other system to a select few.
Not too hard to imagine, right? Microsoft might be thinking bigger picture than consoles now, and some will absolutely pick the Xbox Series S if it costs less than PS5, too. They probably won’t be wrong to do so: it sounds like it could be a phenomenal gaming box for the money. But overall, this console race is Sony’s to lose. We’re just waiting on Sony’s choice — and Microsoft has all but ensured it won’t be “599 US dollars” this time.
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.
