HP’s first laptops to use Intel’s 11th Gen Tiger Lake-H processors are its ZBook G8 line, which consists of four notebooks. There are two ZBook Fury laptops — one 15.6-inch and one 17.3-inch — along with the ZBook Power and ZBook Studio.
The ZBook Power is the entry-level workstation, going up to an Intel Core i-11950H CPU, using GPUs with 4GB of VRAM. The HP ZBook Studio G8, aimed at data scientists and creators, uses more powerful GPUs, with both gaming-grade GeForce RTX and workstation-grade RTX A-series cards with as much as 16GB of VRAM.
(Image credit: HP)
In an atypical move, the ZBook Studio G8 is getting an RGB keyboard, which you would typically find in gaming laptops. In fact, it will use the Omen gaming hub to make profiles. These key presets can be set per application, not just games, so you could have custom lighting for creative software.
HP ZBook Power G8
HP ZBook Studio G8
HP ZBook Fury 15.6-inch G8
HP ZBook Fury 17.3-inch G8
CPU
Up to Intel Core i9-11950H
Up to Intel Core i9-11950H
Up to Intel Core i9-11950H, Up to Intel Xeon W-11955M
Up to Intel Core i9-11950H, Up to Intel Xeon W-11955M
Graphics
Nvidia T1200, RTX A2000 or Nvidia T600 (4GB GDDR6 each)
Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 (16GB GDDR6), Up to Nvidia RTX A5000 (16GB GDDR6)
Up to Nvidia RTX A5000 (16GB GDDR6) or AMD Radeon Pro W6600M (8GB GDDR6)
Up to Nvidia RTX A5000 (16GB GDDR6) or AMD Radeon Pro W6600M (8GB GDDR6)
The Fury line, which comes in both 15.6 and 17.3-inch sizes, offers the most power, including 11th Gen Xeon processors as well as up to 128GB of RAM. These two laptops also have configurable choices with either Nvidia or AMD graphics and allow for Intel LTE to work on the go.
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(Image credit: HP)
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(Image credit: HP)
For this round of workstations, HP is introducing its Tamper Lock system, which came from the Firefly G8, which notifies users or IT departments if the bottom of the laptop is removed. They can choose to disable the system, lock the BIOS or use Bitlocker to secure the system. Users would also know if RAM or HDDs were removed. Additionally, the laptops continue HP’s tradition of using Tile tracking to recover the notebook if it is lost or stolen.
Pricing has not been made available, but HP says it will announce that closer to the laptops’ launches.
The Progression is a hugely capable and versatile integrated. Rarely have we come across an amplifier that offers such sonic insight and control
For
Staggering clarity and detail
Superb build and finish
Modular nature
Against
Headphone socket on the rear panel
Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems (to use the company’s full name) only plays at the top table. Despite its hefty price tag, the Progression Integrated amplifier is the starting point for the brand’s range, but that doesn’t make it a diluted facsimile of products further up the chain. It’s more like everything the brand knows in a condensed package.
At its most basic, this is a line-level analogue integrated amplifier costing £19,998 ($18,000, AU$34,995). But add the optional digital module for an extra £6000 ($5000, AU$8995) and you get a good range of digital inputs alongside network streaming capabilities.
Want to play records too? There’s a switchable moving magnet/moving coil phono stage module available for an extra £2250 ($2000, AU$3995) and it offers a decent range of cartridge loading options. In case you wondered, it is possible to fit both the digital and vinyl modules at the same time. As an aside, it’s unusual to see such a large difference in the USA and UK prices given the exchange rate.
Our review sample of the Progression has the digital module fitted, which has us wondering whether it should even be described as an amplifier – maybe streaming system would be more appropriate?
Features
(Image credit: Dan D’Agostino)
The category lines between product types have blurred significantly in recent years and this is yet another example. No matter, though. As a just-add-speakers unit, the Progression Integrated is a truly mouth-watering proposition.
It’s a powerhouse, no doubt. The combination of discrete, balanced, direct-coupled circuitry with a generous power supply results in a claimed power output of 200W per channel into an 8ohm load. That’s plenty, but the impressive thing is that the claimed power doubles as the load impedance halves. In practical terms, that means this unit is capable of driving any speaker to serious levels without issue.
Connectivity is good, with four balanced XLR inputs, plus two single-ended options (one of which would be used for the optional MM/MC phono module if chosen).
The phono module’s gain of 60dB should be able to accommodate all but the lowest output moving coil cartridges on the market without issue. There are a variety of selectable cartridge loading options available to help fine-tune the performance with the cartridge of your choice.
The digital board fitted to our review sample is also well equipped. Buy this and you get digital inputs – a USB type-B, coaxial and optical – along with a network renderer and access to streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify. The digital module can connect to your network wirelessly, though we always recommend going the wired route for the extra stability it brings. Roon compatibility is also on the menu.
The module’s onboard DAC supports music files up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM and DSD256, which should be more than enough for most people. It also decodes MQA, so you can make the most of Tidal’s hi-res Masters offering alongside other recordings so encoded.
Build
(Image credit: Dan D’Agostino)
There’s no complaining about the D’Agostino’s build quality. This is an immaculately crafted beast. Every surface is beautifully finished and that large volume dial moves with impressive smoothness, exhibiting nothing in the way of obvious play. The two power meters look a little ornate but work well in their dual role of showing volume and signal level. They also help when we want to set the balance between the channels more accurately.
The dedicated Progression app to run the streaming module is decent, too. It looks like a reskinned version of the well-established mConnect media player software, and we have no issue with that. We’ve used mConnect for a number of years with various products and it has proved reliable. Some of the amplifier’s controls are only available here, so you can’t change digital input or select the internal streamer any other way than using the app.
This integrated runs warm in use, so it makes sense to take care over positioning. Make sure you leave plenty of room for ventilation around it and that your chosen support is comfortable with the amp’s hefty 26kg weight.
Any amplifier at this level demands high-quality sources, of course. While the built-in digital module might be all the source that most people will need, we also plumb in our reference Naim ND555/555 PS DR music streamer to test the line level and digital inputs. Our usual Technics SL-1000R/Kiseki Purple Heart MC record player together with Nagra’s Classic Phono (phono stage) provides back-up as an alternative analogue source.
At the other end of the signal chain, we have our trusty ATC SCM50 speakers alongside Wilson Benesch’s Precision P2.0 floorstanders and ProAc’s new K1 standmounters. The Progression shows no particular preference and works well with all of them.
Even the 6.3mm headphone output proves unfussy, delivering great results with the likes of the Focal Stellia and Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) over-ears. However, it’s a shame the designer thought that putting the headphone output on the back panel was a good idea. It plainly isn’t.
Sound
(Image credit: Dan D’Agostino)
Listen to this D’Agostino in full flow and you get a glorious experience. At this level, it’s fair to expect excellent detail resolution and superlative transparency, and we get both. We play Jupiter from Holst’s Planets Suite and are swept along with the energy and drama on offer.
This is an amplifier that excels at displaying the power and scale of an orchestra in full swing. Yet, despite all the sonic fireworks, it’s the Progression’s framework of composure and control that is most striking. It never sounds stressed no matter how high the volume level goes or complex the music gets.
It’s a taut and precise presentation; one that edges towards the lean side of neutral without going as far as to be criticised for being thin or lacking in tonal colour. It’s this balance that allows the amplifier to sound so nimble for something so muscular.
Stereo imaging is terrific. The Progression paints a broad and expansive soundstage and populates it with crisply focused instruments. The orchestra is convincingly layered and there’s a pleasing impression of depth. This positional grip isn’t compromised when the music gets difficult either.
We switch to Massive Attack’s Heligoland and are floored by the D’Agostino’s low frequencies. They’re superbly defined, beautifully layered and punched out with rare agility. There’s plenty of muscle and authority of course, but that’s to be expected given the power output on offer. What surprises – and impresses – us the most, though, is the Progression’s articulate nature.
Things are surefooted rhythmically rather than truly enthusiastic, but there’s enough in the way of drive and musical momentum to keep us satisfied. Unlike many similarly priced, high-powered alternatives, the D’Agostino manages to sound musically cohesive and emotionally engaging.
The midrange is wide open and delivers Hope Sandoval’s vocals on Paradise Circus brilliantly. Her voice is rendered in an unusually clean and precise manner, though the Progression avoids sounding clinical by having enough in the way of natural warmth and dynamic nuance to convince. The highest frequencies certainly aren’t shy, but they remain nicely integrated and brim with information.
The D’Agostino’s sonic strengths shine through regardless of whether we use analogue or digital inputs. The onboard streaming module holds its own against similarly priced alternatives too, though such is the clarity of the analogue circuitry that a carefully chosen (invariably pricier) premium music streamer would deliver even better results, as listening to the Naim ND555/555 PS DR through it proves.
Our time with the D’Agostino had us trawling through our music collection, impatient to hear what all those familiar tracks sound like through it. It’s rare to find such a powerful amplifier sounding so transparent and responsive.
Verdict
There’s no doubt the D’Agostino Progression Integrated is a hugely capable product. It delivers a superb all-round performance and its modular nature means it offers far greater flexibility than most rivals. Regardless of whether you’re after a straight high-end integrated or something more fully featured, the Progression Integrated is something that must be heard.
SCORES
Sound 5
Features 5
Build 5
MORE:
Read our guide to the best stereo amplifiers
Read our Chord DAVE/Ultima 5 review
Read our Nagra Classic Preamp/Classic Power review
Walmart appears to be getting into the streaming devices with the Onn Android TV UHD Streaming Device, according to a new listing on its website (spotted by 9to5Google). The company’s new streaming box (in this case, really more of a flattened cube) is currently listed for $29.88 but is also “out of stock” — which could be due to the fact it hasn’t been officially announced yet.
According to Walmart’s page, the Onn Android TV UHD Streaming Device can, unsurprisingly, stream in 4K and play “Dolby audio” — although there are no other specifics shared. The small device runs Android TV, connects to a TV over HDMI, and comes with what looks like a Google Assistant-enabled remote with dedicated buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Disney Plus, and HBO Max.
Walmart’s streaming device is a fairly unassuming black square.Image: Walmart
Design-wise, as 9to5Google notes, Walmart’s streaming device shares a lot of similarities with Google’s developer device, the ADT-3, albeit with Walmart’s electronics brand, “onn,” slapped on top. The remote that accompanies the Onn also seems to be using a new Google design that’s been rumored to come with a host of new Google TV products in 2021.
The Onn Android TV UHD Streaming Device has more dedicated streaming service buttons.Image: Walmart
Walmart has been in a multiyear competition with Amazon over basically all forms of shopping online and off, so muscling into the streaming device market with what’s essentially a Fire Stick competitor shouldn’t be surprising. For Walmart, the streaming space has standardized and streamlined enough that it’s probably comparatively easy to come out with a cheap streaming cube, stock it in thousands of stores, and let customers do the rest.
It’s hard to not put Walmart’s device in the context of TiVo’s apparent exit from the streaming device space. Streaming sticks and boxes are increasingly becoming a game for big companies who can reach the scale and low costs that smaller companies can’t keep up with. They also tend to have a better handle on software — for Xperi, the TiVo brand’s current owner, Google integrating universal search aped the big feature that differentiated it from the competition.
The TiVo Stream 4K launched for $70, only to later drop to $39 in what seems like a bid to compete with the likes of the $50 Chromecast with Google TV, the $40 Roku Streaming Stick Plus, and Amazon’s $50 Fire Stick 4K. Assuming $30 is the Onn Android TV UHD Streaming Device’s actual price and it’s actually worth using, Walmart may be poised to start yet another race to the bottom.
João Silva 3 hours ago Featured Tech News, Graphics, Software & Gaming
During the Nvidia RTX 30 series announcement in September 2020, Nvidia showcased the ray-tracing capabilities of its newly announced graphics cards using the Marbles at Night demo. Now, the demanding demo is freely available for all to test out first hand.
Marbles at Night is a physics-based, playable demo that uses the RTX 30 series’ ray-tracing capabilities to render a photo-realistic scene. The demo also uses DLSS to optimise performance and visual sharpness.
When Nvidia showed the Marbles at Night demo running for the first time, the system was equipped with an RTX 3090. To give you an idea of how demanding this demo is, this GPU is capable of running it at 1440p and 30 frames per second.
The minimum system requirements are as follows:
OS: Windows 10 64-bit.
CPU: 4-core Intel Core or 4-core AMD Ryzen
GPU: Any RTX GPU with 6GB of VRAM
RAM: 16GB
Video driver: 456.71 (Windows) or 455.28 (Linux)
As for the recommended system requirements, they are:
OS: Windows 10 64-bit.
CPU: 8-core Intel Core or 8-core AMD Ryzen
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 or Quadro RTX 5000
RAM: 32GB
Video driver: 456.71 (Windows) or 455.28 (Linux)
For those interested in testing the demo, you can download the demo through Nvidia’s Omniverse Launcher, which is currently in open beta. Once you download and install the app, you can download the demo and try it out.
KitGuru says: Are any of you going to test out Nvidia’s Marbles at Night demo? If you do, let us know how it runs on your system.
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Mustafa Mahmoud 4 hours ago Console, Featured Tech News, Software & Gaming
While Retro Studios continues to work on Metroid Prime 4, rumours have persisted for years claiming that the studio has a nearly complete and working version of the original Metroid Prime Trilogy adapted for the Switch. One ex-Retro dev has weighed in on the rumour, claiming that porting the trilogy “would take a lot of effort.”
Michael Wikan served as a senior designer on all three Metroid Prime titles, as well as Donkey Kong Country Returns. As reported by NintendoEverything, in response to one fan expressing their desire to play the original Metroid Trilogy on Switch, Wikan said “That would take a lot of effort, so I am pretty skeptical it will happen.”
He further explained the effort it would take to port the games, saying “It was straightforward to update MP1 and 2 to motion controls, but converting MP3 to normal controls would be a herculean effort, as it is scripted very specifically.”
Not only that, but according to Wikan “Retro no longer has functional editor tools to work with the Prime code base, so everything has to be ‘brute force’ hard coded” making the task even harder.
That being said , it is not impossible, and so it will be interesting to see whether the Metroid Prime Trilogy does eventually make its way to Switch, and what changes need to be made in order to make it happen.
KitGuru says: What do you think of Wikan’s skepticism? Do you think it will come to Switch? When do you expect to see Metroid Prime 4 next? Let us know down below.
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Mustafa Mahmoud 5 hours ago Featured Tech News, Software & Gaming
The Yakuza team recently announced a sequel to the spin-off title Judgement. The game will continue the story of detective Takayuki Yagami, and unlike the mainline Yakuza series, will continue using real-time combat for encounters. That being said, as a first for the Yakuza-styled games, Lost Judgement will offer a season pass for launch-day and post-launch content.
According to the Japanese PlayStation Store (and as translated by The Tojo Dojo), the Deluxe Edition of Lost Judgement will include a Season Pass, the contents of which will include: Detective Life Fun Pack; School Stories Fun Pack and Additional Story.
The Detective Life Fun Pack will release day-and-date with the game itself and “will help you enjoy the main story and side content to the fullest” – whatever that may mean. The School Stories Fun Pack will be released later, and is said to offer “additional content so you can thoroughly indulge in all that ‘School Stories’ has to offer”. Lastly, the ‘Additional Story’ has only been described as “Fully packed” suggesting a more substantial DLC than the other two, though nothing is known about it so far.
Currently the price for the Season Pass is unknown, though the Deluxe Edition itself costs 13,519 Yen, in comparison to the standard edition’s 9,119 Yen. This is the first time that a Yakuza game has received paid DLC, and so it will be interesting to see what the studio has planned, and whether this extra content will be worth it, or if the Yakuza studio is simply following industry trends. We’ll have to wait and see.
KitGuru says: Are you excited for Lost Judgement? What did you think of the first game? Will you buy the Season Pass? Let us know down below.
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Matthew Wilson 7 hours ago Featured Tech News, Software & Gaming
We’ve known for a few years now that Bethesda Game Studios has two major games in the works – Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI. As it turns out, BGS has third, unannounced project in the works as well.
Bethesda Game Studios is currently hiring for a new server engineer, who will be joining the company’s “experienced team of developers who have a legacy of creating AAA games”.
Interestingly, the job listing states that this role is to “improve systems for an unannounced title”, meaning it is separate from Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6, which were both announced in 2018. Currently, Bethesda is working to ship Starfield within the next 18 months and after that, the team will begin working on the next Elder Scrolls game.
This particular unannounced project is in the works at Bethesda Game Studios Austin, which is separate from the company’s main Maryland studio. Bethesda Austin has been responsible for maintaining Fallout 76 and developing its expansions. With that in mind, the studio could be familiar enough with the IP at this point to begin work on the next Fallout game.
KitGuru Says: Could this be the beginning of work on Fallout 5, or is Bethesda cooking up another new IP? Which would you prefer to see?
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Tags bethesda Bethesda Game Studios Fallout 5 news Starfield the elder scrolls 6 Unannounced Game
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Voice control isn’t the sole preserve of wireless smart speakers, you know. Barking “Alexa, open Just Eat” at your Echo Dot (or other Alexa speaker), or “Hey Google, what’s in my calendar for today” to your Google Assistant speaker just for the joy of hearing that your schedule is clear, is now commonplace. But using spoken word to command the main music system in your home – your serious, great-sounding hi-fi setup – may not seem so natural. It may be a jump many audio enthusiasts are reluctant to take, even. But give this a moment’s thought, music lover, because verbal control over your hi-fi might be just what your household needs.
Here, we explain the various ways in which you can have voice control as part of a hi-fi system, whether you are keen to use Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Assistant or Apple’s Siri platforms, and whether you want to bring your a traditional ‘dumb’ system into 2021 or are looking to invest in a new set-up with virtual voice assistance at its core…
(Image credit: Amazon)
Add voice control by connecting a smart speaker
One of the easiest routes to giving your vintage hi-fi system a voice is by connecting an external smart speaker to it.
Add Alexa The Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker comes with its own built-in driver under its little spherical fabric jackets, but you can beef up its audio by making it play through the speakers in your sound system instead. (Amazon launched a speaker-less Echo Input device a few years ago for this very purpose, but it’s now been discontinued.) This may be handy, but note that audio quality will be limited here.
The Echo Dot offers wired and wireless connectivity, and will work with just about any integrated amp, receiver, soundbar or pair of active speakers with a 3.5mm aux input or Bluetooth connection. With either connection, all of the audio – including Alexa’s verbal answers – will play through the connected speakers in your system.
The diminutive, cheap and cheerful Amazon Echo Dot has a 3.5mm output, which means you can wire it to any receiver, integrated amp or powered speaker with a 3.5mm input. Alternatively, it features built-in Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) Bluetooth, meaning you can connect it wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled receiver, speaker or soundbar.
Best Alexa speakers 2021
Add Google Assistant Want Google Assistant to run the show instead? Similarly, you can pair a Google Nest Mini* (Google’s version of the Echo Dot) over Bluetooth for voice commands and music to play through your Bluetooth-toting system. However, it does not have a 3.5mm output.
*Older Google smart speakers, such as the Home Mini, can also do this.
Best Google Assistant speakers 2021
How about hi-fi with Alexa or Google Assistant integrated?
As we’ve explained, almost any receiver, integrated amp or powered speaker with a 3.5mm input or Bluetooth connection will essentially ‘work’ with Alexa (or Google Assistant, for that matter), if you’ve already got an Alexa- (or Google-) powered device to physically or wirelessly connect it to.
Products with Alexa and*/or Google Assistant baked in, however, do not require you to already own and connect a third-party smart device. These products – ‘smart’ themselves – have integrated microphones to pick up your commands, and run Amazon’s voice software internally, rather than simply being able to work with the technology. These are, for now, more or less limited to wireless ‘smart’ speakers, though.
*Some wireless speakers are platform agnostic and support both Alexa and Google Assistant, such as the Sonos One.
How about the Amazon Echo Link/Amp or Sonos Amp?
(Image credit: Sonos)
If it’s an Amazon Echo device, that means Alexa must be built in, right? Wrong. The Echo Link and Echo Link Amp – Amazon’s music streamer and music streaming amplifier respectively – don’t have integrated microphones so still need a third-party Alexa device, such as an Echo Dot, connected to be obey commands and be part of voice-controlled music groups throughout your home.
Similarly, the Sonos Amp – which you may well think would be voice controllable – doesn’t have an in-built microphone for voice control. It will, however, respond to voice commands issued to connected Alexa-, Google- and Siri-powered devices, including, naturally, the Sonos One.
Sonos: everything you need to know
Multi-room hi-fi platforms with Alexa support
If you’ve yet to buy a hi-fi system and want to get one that puts voice assistant friendliness at its core, there are now several hi-fi and home cinema components that have Alexa-friendly multi-room platforms built in. These include those based on Yamaha’s MusicCast, HEOS by Denon, and BluOS, all of which offer an enhanced Alexa experience when a third-party Alexa device (like an Amazon Echo) is connected to them through specific Alexa ‘skills’.
MusicCast MusicCast is a wireless multi-room audio system built into several Yamaha AV receivers, soundbars and wireless speakers. It allows these devices to be connected together through your home wi-fi network and controlled by an app on your smartphone or tablet. By adding Alexa through a third-party Alexa speaker, you can kick back on the sofa and simply ask for music on your MusicCast AV receiver.
In case you didn’t know, Alexa provides capabilities (called ‘Alexa Skills’) that enable us to create a more personalised experience according to the kit we own, which can be downloaded from the Alexa Skills store, or simply by saying “Alexa, enable [skill name].” Since said skills are cloud-based, they don’t take up space on your device, so there’s no limit to the amount you can enable. There are two Alexa skills that work with MusicCast: the MusicCast Smart Home skill and the MusicCast skill.
The MusicCast Smart Home skill brings standard Alexa commands such as power on/off, volume control and play/pause/skip to the party. To turn on the AV receiver in your living room, you just say, “Alexa, turn on the Living Room.”
The MusicCast skill goes beyond the basics, giving you control of unique MusicCast functions, like linking/unlinking rooms and direct access to playlists and favourites. In order to access the MusicCast skills, you need to add “ask MusicCast to” after the “Alexa” wake word (or whatever your wake word is): for example, “Alexa, ask MusicCast to link the Living Room to the Kitchen.”
(Image credit: Future)
BluOS
An operating system developed by NAD Electronics and its sister brand Bluesound, BluOS sits at the core of connected products from those two brands, plus Dali and Monitor Audio.
To add Alexa voice control to your BluOS multi-room system, simply download the BluOS Voice Control skill in the Alexa app and link your BluOS-enabled products. You can then tell Alexa to play songs or playlists from subscribed services like Amazon Music, Tidal and Deezer, adjust volume levels or pause what’s playing with a single voice command.
BluVoice is the voice-control interface (or trigger word) that acts as the intermediary between BluOS and a compatible voice assistant, so BluOS owners can ask their Echo device: “Alexa, ask BluVoice to play new songs on Tidal”.
DTS Play-Fi Similarly, to use Alexa with DTS Play-Fi hi-fi products, you’ll need to ask a connected Alexa-supporting speaker to play music, which it can then do across the rest of your compatible Play-Fi products.
HEOS When it comes to the HEOS platform, we’d point you towards the What Hi-Fi? 2020 Award-winning Denon AVC-X3700H (above). It’s an 8K-ready home cinema amplifier, but those intending to use it for music playback can also take advantage of the AVC-X3700H’s hi-res audio decoding of files up to 24bit/192kHz and double-speed DSD. Most importantly – in regards to voice control, at least – there’s a HEOS Home Entertainment skill to enable in the Alexa app, which means you can control all of your HEOS-enabled devices by conversing with Alexa through.
HEOS-based Denon and Marantz kit that supports AirPlay 2 can also benefit from Siri voice control when controlled by an iOS (iOS 11.4 and later) device, too. Which leads us to…
Can I voice control my system using Siri?
In a word, yes – as long as something in your system supports AirPlay 2.
While Apple’s Siri voice assistant is integrated into the Apple HomePod or HomePod Mini smart speakers, other speakers (such as the Sonos One) and streaming systems (such as the Bluesound Powernode 2i and KEF LSX) rely on AirPlay 2’s connection to your iOS device to speak to Siri. You simply have to Open the Apple Home App on your iPhone or iPad and select ‘Add Accessory’ to add, group and then voice control your device over Siri.
However, Siri’s usefulness is more limited than Alexa’s and Google Assistant’s, only allowing you to directly ask to play music that’s either on Apple Music or stored locally on your iOS device. You can ask to play from Spotify too, but you’ll need to say “on Spotify” after your request.
MORE:
See our pick of the best smart speakers 2021
Or the best multi-room systems 2021
Starting from scratch? Read up on the best hi-fi systems 2021
Last week Oppo confirmed its plans to extend software support for the Find X-series to three years and now vivo is doing the same for its X-series. Models launched after July 2021 will be eligible for three major Android OS upgrades and security updates.
Featuring top of the line hardware, the X series flagship phones are built to last and we want to make sure that our customers get software support that lives up to their expectations.
We always innovate with the user in mind. With this pledge, we are making a promise to our customers that they will be able to enjoy a premium smartphone experience for an extended period and continue to benefit from the latest software features – Yujian Shi, SVP and CTO of vivo.
According to the press release vivo phones launched in the European, Australian and Indian markets are eligible for extended software support. Older X-series phones will still get regular security updates.
Matthew Wilson 2 days ago Featured Tech News, Software & Gaming
Resident Evil Village officially released last night and as our performance analysis shows, it is an excellent game on PC. A lot of people are finding that out for themselves, as the game launched to over 100,000 peak concurrent players on Steam.
As shown on SteamCharts, Resident Evil Village peaked at 101,430 concurrent players on Steam yesterday. This handily beats out other recent Resident Evil titles, for instance, Resident Evil 7 launched to 18,211 peak concurrent players.
The closest competition Resident Evil Village has in terms of concurrent player counts is Resident Evil 2 Remake, which has an all-time peak concurrent player count of 74,024.
Capcom has not announced launch-day sales for Resident Evil Village yet but if the Steam numbers are any indication, this is going to be a record-setting Resident Evil title.
KitGuru Says: Resident Evil Village is off to an excellent start. Have any of you jumped into the game already? How are you finding it so far?
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Last night, Sega officially announced Lost Judgement, a sequel to the Yakuza spin-off. Excitingly, the developers are aiming for a worldwide release this time around, rather than releasing in Japan first with western countries getting the game months later.
Judgement is a Yakuza spin-off following Takayuki Yagami, a former lawyer turned private detective. In Lost Judgement, we continue Yagami’s story, uncovering details behind a gruesome murder.
Speaking on the sequel, Lost Judgement director, Toshihiro Nagoshi, revealed that the new game will feature two main locations, Kamurocho, which we all know from the original game and the Yakuza series, as well as Yokohama, which is described as a living city that changes from day to night. A portion of the game will see Yagami going undercover at a high school in Yokohama.
The combat system has been expanded with new fighting styles and investigations have also been improved with new stealth and manoeuvre options, such as climbing up buildings.
Lost Judgement will be releasing on the 24th of September for PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Unfortunately, no announcements have been made for PC.
KitGuru Says: Hopefully this sequel lives up to the original game. Did many of you play Judgement when it first came out? Are you looking forward to the sequel?
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Mustafa Mahmoud 3 days ago Console, Featured Tech News, Software & Gaming
Final Fantasy VII Remake was one of the biggest PS4 exclusives of 2020. At the time, it was believed that the game would come to Xbox and PC one year after its initial April 2020 launch – but that was not the case. Now, it has been announced that the PS5 remaster, titled Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade will be exclusive for “at least 6 months.”
PlayStation recently published a new trailer for Final Fantasy VII Intergrade. At the end of the trailer, alongside the “PlayStation 5 console exclusive” text, it was revealed that Intergrade will be “available on PS5 at least six months earlier than any other format” continuing the game’s exclusivity streak.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is a PS5 remaster of the PS4 remake, but also includes a new episode of content seemingly exclusive for next-gen. With the specific wording of the exclusivity, it will be interesting to see whether Intergrade’s content will come later to PS4.
Of course, the big question is when will any version of the remake come to Xbox or PC. As mentioned, previous wordings of the exclusivity for the original remake suggested that the game would be PlayStation exclusive for a year. However, a year has come and gone and no news has come out regarding the game coming to other platforms – aside from PS5.
With Intergrade seemingly being exclusive for at least 6 months, it will be interesting to see whether come the end of that agreement, if the original remake, Intergrade, or neither will come to other systems. We will have to wait and see.
KitGuru says: Are you excited for Final Fantasy VII Intergrade? How long do you think the original game’s exclusivity will last? Do timed exclusives affect your console purchasing decision? Let us know down below.
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Home/Software & Gaming/Future Yakuza games will stick to turn-based combat, Judgement will be action
Matthew Wilson 3 days ago Software & Gaming
Today, SEGA and RGG Studio announced a sequel to Judgement, a Yakuza spin-off that focuses on investigating and catching criminals, rather than being one of them. Moving forward, both Judgement and Yakuza will coexist, with Judgement taking on the action gameplay of older Yakuza titles. Meanwhile, newer Yakuza games will use the new turn-based combat system.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon was the first game in the series to switch away from action combat to turn-based combat. It was a questionable decision at the time, but Like a Dragon ended up being a huge success. Moving forward, future Yakuza titles will continue to use this new turn-based combat system.
Speaking with IGN, RGG’s Toshihiro Nagoshi and Kazuki Hosokawa explained the decision, saying: “The Yakuza series has been transformed into a turn-based RPG. On the other hand, over the year, Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has accumulated resources and know-how of making flashy and exhilarating action games that are effortless to enjoy. We decided that we should let our signature action gameplay live on through Lost Judgement.”
The next Judgement game will be releasing later this year, leaving 2022 wide open for a new Yakuza game. Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.
KitGuru Says: I recently finished Yakuza: Like a Dragon and in my opinion, the change to turn-based combat was for the best. Have many of you played the Yakuza games? How do you feel about this decision?
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Home/Software & Gaming/Mass Effect: Legendary Edition Mako improvements can be toggled on or off
Matthew Wilson 3 days ago Software & Gaming
Mass Effect Legendary Edition is coming up in just one week’s time, complete with new graphical enhancements and a ton of gameplay tweaks to modernise the whole trilogy. You don’t have to play with all the changes enabled though, for instance, the Mako in Mass Effect 1 can still be driven using the original control scheme.
I’m not sure why you would want to do this, the Mako was horrible in Mass Effect 1. However, if you did enjoy these portions of the game in their original form, then you won’t have to use the new driving improvements, as they can be toggled off.
Speaking on this, Mass Effect Legendary Edition environment director, Kevin Meek (via PCGamer), said: “For those people out there who do like pain, we’ve left the option to leave it back kind of closer to the original controls as well if you want. Playing the Mako today versus playing the Mako back in the original, especially on PC, it’s like night and day”.
Fixing the Mako in Mass Effect 1 is one of this remaster’s big changes, alongside other combat and gameplay tweaks. With all of this in place, it should be easier to move from one title to the next without having to relearn certain mechanics. Mass Effect Legendary Edition launches on the 14th of May.
Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.
KitGuru Says: Are many of you planning on picking up Mass Effect Legendary Edition next week?
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Mustafa Mahmoud 3 days ago Console, Featured Tech News, Software & Gaming
CD Projekt Red previously confirmed that The Witcher 3 would be getting a free upgrade to take advantage of the latest generation of console hardware. Since then however, the company has been rife with controversy, following the less than stellar launch of Cyberpunk 2077. While the team continues to fix Cyberpunk, it would seem as though CDPR have opted to collaborate with modders to help get The Witcher 3’s next-gen patch out.
As reported by Kotaku, the creator of the The Witcher 3 HD Reworked project Halk Hogan revealed on his YouTube channel that he has been contacted by CDPR regarding the upcoming next-gen patch for The Witcher 3.
Hogan announced: “Hello my dear friends! It’s been a long time since the last video. I know I announced a new HDRP preview in early March but I was silent the whole time. Sorry for that. But in return, I have some good news, and the reasons why I was quiet and why I don’t have too much to show. I think the most important news is that I got an official message from CDPR about cooperation.”
Adding further explanation, he clarified that “While it’s not certain yet, it’s very likely that HDRP will be included in the official next generation update. I will inform you what’s next. As always, I would like to thank you for all your support and kind words.”
Modders are an important part of the gaming industry, and in most instances, their valuable work is left unacknowledged by game studios – while some studios are actively hostile towards them. As such, it is encouraging to see CDPR working with modders, and presumably paying them for their work and effort. Hopefully this also helps speed up the release of the next-gen patch, allowing the studio to focus on fixing Cyberpunk 2077.
KitGuru says: What do you think of modders? Are you glad to see CDPR working with them? Will you replay The Witcher 3 when the upgrade is released? Let us know down below.
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