Gaming
Nintendo Switch 2 apparently being announced this week - for real this time
Nintendo will reportedly reveal Switch 2 this week | VGCInsider claims Nintendo’s next console reveal is set for January 16…Video Games ChronicleAndy Robinson in case it wasn't obvious from my tease in Notepad last week, I've heard it should be the Switch 2 reveal this
Meta's new policy chief is a former senior adviser to George W. Bush
From The New York Times: Meta on Thursday appointed Joel Kaplan, a longtime executive who was a former senior adviser to George W. Bush and is known for his Republican ties, to be its new head of global policy, as the social media giant seeks to strengthen its links to
Welcome to 2025
We're going to have to ease back in to posting, but what an insane way to start the year. Tesla Cybertruck explodes at entrance of Trump Hotel in Las Vegas | CNNLas Vegas authorities are investigating a Tesla Cybertruck fire and explosion that occurred at the entrance of the
2024
Anti-human AI 'rage-bait' billboards want to provoke us
Ads for a Y-Combinator AI startup have been plastered around San Francisco, promising that yet another dumb, useless AI chat bot "Won't Complain About Work-Life Balance". The billboards and ads, spread around the general dystopia of San Francisco's already unconscionable wealth divide, promise that
Australia was behind a lot of 2024 games - SIFTER has the full list
It’s so awesome to see Australia’s video game industry coming back to life, especially over the past few years. SIFTER has put together a great list of Australian-made games, plus has a few lists from years past of Australian-made gems: 2024 The definitive list of Australian made video
Wordpress
Wordpress ordered to revert WP Engine attack, including update and plugin directory block
Via TechCrunch: A California district court judge has granted a preliminary injunction to WP Engine. The order asks WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg and WordPress.com owner Automattic to restore WP Engine’s access to WordPress.org, a WordPress theme and plug-in repository site owned by Mullenweg. This ban also resulted
Beats 1
Apple Music launches three new live radio stations
In a world of AI DJs and generated music slop, Apple Music is doubling down on "live" radio - with some of it pre-recorded but still hosted by humans. Apple Music 1 host and Apple Music’s global creative director even commented on Apple Music Radio's
Gaming
itch.io is back after Funko domain pop
itch.io is back after being "taken down" by Brand Shield, which was being used by Funko for "AI" brand protection. Brand Shield's website says the software "delivers cutting-edge online brand protection using AI-powered technology to proactively monitor digital landscapes for trademark infringements,
Gaming
Put Vib-Ribbon on PlayStation 5 you cowards
Billy Basso, creator of the sublime and inspiring one-person indie game Animal Well, was on the My Perfect Console podcast this week. I won't totally spoil his 5 classic game picks for a desert-island console, but he did put obscure PlayStation 1 classic Vib-Ribbon on his list. The
Review
Steam Deck OLED Review: internal storage is essential and other things you need to know
The OLED upgrade is more important than you might think
Gaming
Anti-skill-based Ubisoft shooter XDefiant to shut down
Hello XDefiant Fans, I am unfortunately here today to announce that XDefiant will be shutting down. Starting today (December 3, 2024), new downloads and player registrations will no longer be available. We will still release our Season 3 content in the near future (exact date… — Mark Rubin (@PixelsofMark) December 3,
The Verge
The Verge introduces metered paywall
Update: The paywall has launched. Via Semafor: Editor-in-chief Nilay Patel told Semafor that the move was intended to drive additional revenue and insulate The Verge from changes made by social media platforms[...] “I think it’s a tragedy that garbage is free and news is behind paywalls. I don’t
Australia
Social media ban passes Australian Senate despite lack of details
Australia’s world-first under-16 year old social media ban has become law, via Sydney Morning Herald: As expected, Albanese gained Coalition support for the social media package, given Dutton called for the age limit in June, but the debate was marked by warnings from the Greens and crossbenchers, as well
ABC Chair wants "the ABC to go after younger viewers" - but when?
The ABC wants younger viewers, listeners and readers. But when the effort will begin is yet to be seen. While cultural change at any organisation takes time, it feels like we hear a similar sentiment at the ABC every year with little change. At its 2025 Upfronts, where a new
Unboxing
Unboxing: PlayStation 30th Anniversary DualSense (Limited Edition)
Let's unbox the 30th Anniversary DualSense, in Sony's trademark PlayStation 1 gray colourway.