ASRock has announced the thinnest mini PC to date that integrates AMD processors 4000 U, Mars 4300 U Series.
We could already see a few months ago the plans that the manufacturer had for these low-power processors, when they implemented them in their mini PC 4×4 BOX – 4000. Now, ASRock wants to integrate them in an even smaller format, in only 0.7 liters of volume , it is the mini PC ASRock Mars 4300 U Series . These barebones come with support for AMD Ryzen 3 processors 4300 U, Ryzen 5 4500 U and 4600 U, Ryzen 7 4700 U and Ryzen 7 4800 U. Up to can be added GB of RAM through two slots, as well as an M.2 2280 PCIe and another 2.5 “slot SATA, although it will be necessary to choose one of the latter two as they overlap.
Maintain a total of 7 USB ports (one of them USB-C) and incorporate an SD card reader. Similarly, we find an RJ- 45 Gigabit and one slot for the module WiFi + Bluetooth in the usual M.2 format 2280 .As image outputs, the ASRock Mars 2280 U Series They offer an HDMI and a D-Sub, while for sound we have the usual audio output and microphone input.
MODEL
CORES / WIRE
TDP (
BOOST / BASE (GHz)
RADEON ™ GRAPHICS
GPU CORES
L2 / L3 CACHE (MB)
AMD Ryzen ™ 7 4800 U
8C / 16 T
15 W
Up to 4.2 / 1.8 GHz
Radeon ™ Graphics
8
12
AMD Ryzen ™ 7 4700OR
8C / 8T
15 W
Up to 4.1 / 2.0 GHz
Radeon ™ Graphics
7
13
AMD Ryzen ™ 5 4600 OR
6C/12 T
15 W
Up to 4.0 / 2.1 GHz
Radeon ™ Graphics
6
11
AMD Ryzen ™ 5 4500OR
6C / 6T
15 W
Up to 4.0 / 2.3 GHz
Radeon ™ Graphics
6
11
AMD Ryzen ™ 3 4300OR
4C / 4T
15 W
Up to 3.7 / 2.7 GHz
Radeon ™ Graphics
5
6
The manufacturer has not disclosed prices of these small barebones with the Ryzen 4000 U , although they will surely come to compete with the recently sighted Gigabyte AMD BRIX.
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Pablo López
With 15 years I started to overclock my PC to get every extra FPS I could in games and scratch a few milliseconds in SuperPi, while I was constantly posting about hardware on the Geeknetic forum as a user and reader. They must have been so fed up with continually reading me on the forum that I became part of the writing team, where I continue to report on the latest in technology. Astrophysics and PC games are the hobbies that, after hardware, cover most of my free time.
Mustafa Mahmoud 1 day ago Console, Featured Tech News, Software & Gaming
Following on from the release of the Shadow of the Colossus remake in 2018, many fans speculated as to what franchise Bluepoint Games would remake next. The two frontrunners were Demon’s Souls and Metal Gear Solid. We now know that Bluepoint Games was working on the former. That being said, a new rumour has surfaced claiming that the team have also been working on a Metal Gear Solid Remake for the PlayStation 5.
In a video by YouTuber ‘Moore’s Law is Dead’, the tech analyst revealed that Bluepoint Games is allegedly working on a remake of the first entry in the Metal Gear Solid series.
According to ‘Moore’s Law is Dead’, who previously reported on God of War Ragnarok and its release year prior to the official announcement, the remake has allegedly been in development for three years, with Mark Cerny involved to some capacity – meaning that it was being developed concurrently with Demon’s Souls. Furthermore, it is said to feature similar controls to that of the most recent mainline entry, Metal Gear Solid V, which was lauded for its gameplay.
While this should all be taken with a pinch of salt, an interesting easter egg was discovered within the Demon’s Souls remake, where a soundbite plays in The Nexus, which many fans claim sounds like Metal Gear Rex from MGS. Prior to the announcement of the Demon’s Souls Remake, Bluepoint Games also teased the possibility of a Metal Gear Solid remake in a cryptic tweet.
Of course, this may all simply be confirmation bias on the part of the fans. That being said, where there’s smoke there’s fire, and so hopefully this rumour does indeed end up being true. Time will tell.
KitGuru says: Do you believe the rumour? What do you think the sound in The Nexus is? What game would you like to see Bluepoint Games remake? Let us know down below.
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According to statistics from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) 2018 a woman died on almost every third day as a result of an act of violence by her partner or ex-partner. Reason enough for the Federal Ministry of Justice to work on an “incognito app” and the later operation financially with a total of 1. 698. 000 Euro between 2021 and 2023 to promote. The mobile application is intended to help women at risk of domestic violence.
Hidden app with emergency call and diary function The app project is being developed by the association “Nonviolent in the Future”, founded in Berlin in mid-June, together with partners such as the Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office. It should not be easily recognizable on the smartphone and should enable a silent emergency call in acute dangerous situations. According to the plan, women affected can also keep a hidden diary of violence and document assaults in a secure log that is legally binding.
The application is also intended to provide a guide to the relevant authorities as well as social, legal and psychological information. The Hanover region is planned as the first test area. The idea for this came from Stefanie Knaab, who works as a research assistant at the Brandenburg Institute for Society and Security (BIGS) and heads “Nonviolent in the Future”. With her project she won a hackathon run by the federal government and has already been supported in the “Solution Enabler” program for initiatives that are particularly worthy of funding.
Means of defense “With the camouflage app we are giving those affected by domestic violence a new low-threshold offer to free themselves from violent situations”, Knaab said on Friday after a meeting with Federal Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) confident. “For many women, their own home can be a place of horror,” explained the head of department. “Many find it very difficult to sound the alarm and seek help to protect themselves and often their own children.”
“The Corona period may have exacerbated the situation because has moved life into their own four walls, “presumes Lambrecht. Acts of violence are often not reported out of shame or fear. The Social Democrat underlined: “That is why we want to promote the development of a hidden smartphone app” that can give those affected a means of defense.
High number of unreported cases Partnership violence The BKA figures also show that, on average, all 45 Minutes a woman was injured or attacked by her significant other or ex-partner. In total there was 2019 more than 141. 000 Victims of completed and attempted crimes of intimate partner violence, 0.7 percent more than 2018. The dark field is considered large, as many deeds are not reported and are committed in secret in your own apartment.
The funding is in the draft for the budget for the federal budget 2021 planned, on which the budget committee of the Bundestag agreed on Friday night. The federal government should therefore in the coming year 498, 62 spend billions of euros, 85, 22 Billions more than planned by the federal government. The new debt increases to 179, 82 Billion euros.
Analog photography: having fun with planned coincidence with analog film material Planned coincidence with expired films Planned coincidence with cross development Planned coincidence with double exposure Conclusion Article in c’t digital photography 6 / 2020 read Sometimes it helps to develop further photographically to give up control and approach his hobby from a different direction. Creative enlightenment especially likes to knock on us when we allow the unexpected. Analog photography offers us particularly exciting tools for this, for example in the form of toy cameras. However, the film plays a central role. He is not only good-natured and lets himself be a lot, we can also deliberately treat him differently from what is intended – with interesting and often unexpectedly beautiful consequences.
We present three different ways to the planned chance in the article:
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(Pocket-lint) – Apple-owned Beats’ most recent pair of wireless headphones come in the form of the Powerbeats Pro, which offer many of the same features as the second generation of Apple’s AirPods and the latest AirPods Pro.
To help you work out which wireless headphones might be the right ones for you, we’ve compared the Beats Powerbeats Pro against the AirPods 2 and the AirPods Pro. You can also read how the AirPods compare to each other if you don’t think the Beats are for you.
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What’s the same?
H1 chip for simple setup with Apple devices
Automatic ear recognition
Use one or two
Hey Siri support on iOS devices
Answer calls
The Apple AirPods 2, AirPods Pro and the Beats Powerbeats Pro all run on the H1 chip and they all offer one-tap setup with Apple devices. The AirPods and the Powerbeats Pro will be automatically recognised by an Apple device when you open their charging case. After one tap, all headphones will connect seamlessly across any other Apple devices associated with your Apple ID.
All headphones will also automatically pause when they are taken out of your ear, and play when they are put back in and you can opt to wear one AirPod or one Powerbeats Pro, or both. They also all offer Hey Siri support and it’s possible to answer calls on all pairs of headphones too without touching your phone.
What’s different between Beats Powerbeats Pro and Apple AirPods Pro?
Price
The Apple AirPods 2 usually start at $159 or £159 for the standard charging case. This price increases to $199 or £199 for the AirPods with the wireless charging case.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro usually cost £219.95.
The Apple AirPods Pro usually cost $249 or £249 and they come with a wireless charging case as standard.
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Design
Both pairs of Apple AirPods and the Beats Powerbeats Pro look completely different. The Beats headphones have a sportier look and they feature an adjustable ear hook, which makes them more secure for working out compared to the AirPods 2 especially. They have physical controls at the top of each ear piece and the “b” can be pushed for activating voice control.
The AirPods 2 have a small earpiece with a stem below, resembling a very small electric toothbrush head. They have no physical controls on them, with volume controlled via the connected device instead. You can double tap the side for to play/pause a track, skip a track, go back a track or launch Siri though – depending on what you have setup.
The AirPods Pro look similar to the AirPods 2 but they have a silicone ear tip – which comes in three sizes – and they have a smaller stem. There are no physical controls again but the stem has a force sensor built in that allows for more controls than the AirPods 2, such as pressing and holding to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes.
Colours
The Apple AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro are available in white only. The Beats Powerbeats Pro come in four colours comprising, Black, Ivory, Moss and Navy.
Sweat resistance
Apple doesn’t say the AirPods 2 are sweat or water resistant, though we’ve worn them running and we haven’t had any issues. The AirPods Pro are sweat and water resistant with an IP rating of IPX4.
Beats says the Powerbeats Pro are sweat and water resistant, though it doesn’t provide an official IP rating.
Battery life
The second generation of Apple AirPods promise three hours of talk time and five hours of listening time, which is similar to the AirPods Pro that claim 3.5 hours of talk time and 4.5 hours of listening time. The Beats Powerbeats Pro promise a huge nine hours of battery life though.
All headphones being compared here come in a charging case that offers multiple charges up to 24 hours of listening time. These charging cases are all charged via Lightning. The AirPods 2 also have the option of a wireless charging case, though this costs extra, while the AirPods Pro come with a wireless charging case as standard.
Audio quality
The AirPods 2 don’t offer anything too fancy when it comes to audio quality, though they are much better than the standard wired options that come with iPhones.
The AirPods Pro have Active Noise Cancellation on board though, as well as Adaptive EQ. They also have a Transparency mode that allows you to hear your surroundings, whilst still listening to your favourite tracks.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro have dynamic sound and noise isolation on board.
Declining a call
While it is possible to answer a call on the Apple AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro by tapping the side of one of the AirPods, you cannot decline a call. On the Beats Powerbeats Pro headphones you can decline a call though. Pressing and holding the “b” will allow you to carry on listening or working out without interruptions.
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Conclusion
The Apple AirPods 2, AirPods Pro and Beats Powerbeats Pro are similar in terms of some of the features they offer, including super simple setup for Apple users and Hey Siri support.
The AirPods Pro are the most expensive of the three wireless headphones being compared here, but they come with Active Noise Cancellation, various silicone tips for a secure fit, sweat and water resistance and advanced on-device controls.
The Powerbeats Pro sit in the middle in terms of price and they offer physical controls, sweat and water resistance, more colours and a better battery life.
The AirPods 2 are the cheapest option of the three headphones in this feature but they don’t offer as many features as the other two. For those looking for headphones to workout in, the Beats Powerbeats Pro or AirPods Pro are likely to be the devices you’re choosing between, while if you just want some wireless headphones, the AirPods 2 might suffice.
Resizable BAR (Base Address Register), the technology behind AMD’s Smart Access Memory (SAM), isn’t exclusive to Ryzen owners anymore. Asus has released an entire wave of new firmwares for various Z490 motherboards that enable the Resizable BAR feature.
The firmware, which sports the 1002 version number, is fresh out of the oven as Asus evidently uploaded it just yesterday. The firmware is currently in the beta stage so there might be some bugs here and there. It also lacks a detailed description of the changes. We can, however, confirm that the 1003 firmware effectively brings support for Resizable BAR, as evidenced by the newly added “Above 4G Decoding” and “Re-Size BAR Support” options in our ROG Maximus XII Apex motherboard’s BIOS.
We’re not surprised that motherboard vendors are already rolling out Resizable BAR on Intel platforms since the technology is part of the PCIe specification after all. Shocking as it may sound, AMD’s engineers are working with both Intel and Nvidia to get the feature working on the latter two’s products. It’s touching to see companies putting their rivalries and pride aside for the benefit of consumers.
ROG Maximus XII Apex – 1002 Firmware (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Currently, AMD’s Radeon RX 6000 (Big Navi) series are the only graphics cards that support the Resizable BAR technology. Nvidia has already confirmed that Ampere supports the feature but, the chipmaker didn’t provide an estimated timeframe on when it will be enabled. At the current stage, it’s also uncertain if Asus’ Z490 motherboards can now leverage the technology with Big Navi or it’s just preparing future support. With AMD, Nvidia and Intel working together, cross-platform compatibility is definitely a possibility.
On AMD’s front, Smart Access Memory is exclusive to the company’s latest 500-series motherboards, although ASRock has quietly extended it back to previous B450 motherboards too. Nvidia, on the other hand, has said that its equivalent of Smart Access Memory will work on standard PCIe 3.0 interfaces so there shouldn’t be any reason why the feature wouldn’t work on any motherboard with a PCIe 3.0 slot.
Smart Access Memory isn’t a miracle solution, but in the right titles, it can provide a small uplift in performance. Much of Smart Access Memory’s recipe remains a secret so we don’t know exactly what kind of magic AMD has worked into the technology. What’s more interesting will be Nvidia’s implementation and whether it can provide the same level of improvements as Smart Access Memory.
Breaking down the best gaming headsets we’ve tested (Image credit: Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock)
Finding the best gaming headset is arguably nearly as important as choosing the best graphics card or the best gaming keyboard. After all, the sound of your virtual world and how you communicate with your friends all depends on the device you wear on your head.
But choosing the best gaming headset for you isn’t easy, partially due to the sheer amount of market saturation we’re facing right now. With the ever-rising popularity of eSports and the relative simplicity of combining off-the-shelf audio hardware with cushy earcups, a sprinkle of software wizardry and maybe some RGB, PC gamers are now offered more options than ever, whether they’re planning to plug their headset into one of the best gaming PCs or the best gaming laptop. A quick search of a few popular online retailers will yield hundreds of choices across dozens of companies, ranging from under $10 (£8) to over $600 (£460).
If you’re headed back to school or work in a virtual situation, now’s a great time to invest in a quality headset and clear mic. You may already know how much your willing to spend on a pair of cans, but there are still plenty of other things to consider.
Luckily, we’ve been testing piles of gaming headsets (to see every model we’ve tested, check out our gaming headset reviews page). Below are the best gaming headsets we’ve tested.
Here are some things to keep in mind when searching for the best gaming headset for you:
Wired or wireless? Wired headsets generally cost less and don’t need to be charged. Therefore, if you typically game at your desk, you may want to stick to wired options to keep things cheaper and simpler. A wired headset also won’t die on you mid-battle. On the other hand, there’s no denying the convenience of being able to run to the kitchen for a drink without having to remove your cans.
Headbands and earcups. Comfort is more subjective than measuring audio output and input, but generally speaking you should be wary of plush gaming headsets with thick bulges, cheap foam and cloth covers. When we’ve tested these types of headsets ,we’ve often found disappointing acoustic performance. Ear-cushion material can make a huge difference in what your ears ultimately perceive.
Audio and mic quality. These are very important if you want the best gaming headset, but impossible to evaluate on the one or two floor models. We focus on these aspects in detail in our reviews. In short, detailed reproduction and good spatial resolution, specifically when it comes to complex noises and environments with multiple sound sources, are more important than any attempt at simulated surround sound.
A key Bluetooth spec: aptX. If you do go wireless and opt for Bluetooth (no USB dongle needed), look for headsets that support Qualcomm’s aptX tech, a compression tech (codec) that’s been leveraged for decades in TV and movie voice-work, movie theater audio and thousands of radio stations. If you’ve heard Bluetooth audio in years past and hated it (it definitely was bad for a long time), give an aptX-enabled headset a listen. As long as the underlying hardware is good, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the sound output.
Best gaming headsets at a glance:
1. Best Gaming Headset Overall: HyperX Cloud Alpha
2. Best Wireless Gaming Headset for Most: SteelSeries Arctis 7
3. Best Budget Gaming Headset: Asus TUF Gaming H3
4. Best Virtual Surround Sound Gaming Headset: HyperX Cloud Orbit S
5. Best Gaming Headset for RGB Lovers: Patriot Viper V380
6. Best-Looking Gaming Headset: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE
7. Best High-Res Gaming Headset: SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC
8. Good Price, Great Mic: Corsair Void RGB Elite USB
9. Best Splurge: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
The Best Gaming Headsets You Can Buy Today
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best gaming headset for the typical player. (Image credit: HyperX)
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best gaming headset for most gamers, offering nearly perfect sound quality. Noise reproduction with these cans sounds natural, with the drivers avoiding flaws like overly aggressive bass or highs. It’s not revolutionary headset, but it’s a fantastic value, especially if you can find it for cheaper than $100.
In terms of long-term wearability, the headset earns its Cloud branding with a light, comfy fit built with quality materials. This includes thick memory foam padding on the headband and earcups and HyperX’s decision to opt for aluminum over plastic in some important areas. The overall look and feel is one of quality.
If you like the Cloud Alpha’s design but want something with some more features, there’s also the HyperX Cloud Alpha S. It’s basically the same headset but with 7.1 virtual surround sound, an inline controller and bass sliders on each ear cup. The black-and-blue or all-black color options (instead of the Cloud Alpha’s black and gold or black and red) add more options too.
Read: HyperX Cloud Alpha review
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 is the best wireless gaming headset for most, due to its price-to-value ratio. (Image credit: SteelSeries)
Wireless cans can cost you well over $200, but the latest model of the SteelSeries Arctis 7 lands at a more affordable price while offering louder audio than its predecessors. Meanwhile, high volumes are distortion-free, and the overall audio is clear and rich, despite a less than snug fit.
We’d prefer stronger performance at lower volumes, and the bass isn’t as good as what you’d hear with the HyperX Cloud Alpha above. However, besides games, the Arctis 7 is also fit for light video editing and mixing. DTS Headphone:X v2.0 virtual surround sound also boosted gaming audio details, like footsteps.
Just like prior versions of SteelSeries’ Arctis 7, the current model sits as a reliable wireless headset for PC gamers. If you need a cheaper wireless option, consider the Cooler Master MH670, which is currently $40 cheaper than the Arctis 7 or the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless for $100. For more colorful, there’s the Logitech G733 Lightspeed, and for ultimate comfort, consider the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro.
Read:SteelSeries Arctis 7 review
The Asus TUF Gaming H3 is the best gaming headset for good quality that won’t break the bank. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Advertised virtual 7.1 surround sound is Windows Sonic, usable by any 3.5mm headset
The Asus TUF Gaming H3 is the best gaming headset for preserving your budget. These can be hard to find, but you can typically spot it selling for about $50. Despite the lower price, you still get a headset that fits well and sounds good right out of the box. That means you can get right to gaming without having to fiddle around in software. When we tested the cans, performance was comparable to pricier rivals, including the Asus TUF Gaming H7. We attribute a lot of that to the H3’s comfortable fit with leatherette contact points preventing sound leakage.
The downside is these aren’t particularly pretty. And if you’re excited about virtual 7.1 surround sound, note that the H3 is a 3.5mm headset that only uses Windows’ Sonic spatial audio, which any 3.5mm headset can use.
But when it comes to gaming and hearing sound cues like weapon switches, this headset gets the job done without effort on your part or heavy damage to your bank account.
Looking for a cheap headset without virtual surround sound? Check out our Roccat Elo X Stereo review.
Read:Asus TUF Gaming H3 review
The HyperX Cloud Orbit S stands out with powerful and immersive 3D audio with effective headtracking, (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
4. HyperX Cloud Orbit S
Best Virtual Surround Sound Gaming Headset
Driver: 100mm neodymium | Impedance: Not disclosed | Frequency response: 10-50,000 Hz | Mic: Unidirectional condenser | Connectivity: 3.5mm, USB Type-A, USB Type-C | Weight: 0.8 pounds(362.9g)
Immersive and loud 3D audio
Soft, squishy headband and ear cups
Good battery life
Accurate head tracking
A little heavy
Head tracking’s audio impact varies depending on game
The HyperX Cloud Orbit S is an expensive, premium pair of cans and the best gaming headset for splurging. It gives you a discernible gaming advantage, thanks to its customizable 3D mode with head tracking. When you’re gaming with head tracking, the location of enemies is apparent and the auditory environment moves with you. You can also use head tracking as game controls, freeing up your hands for more action. (For another head tracking option with premium features, check out the similarly priced JBL Quantum One).
There are lower-priced headsets with true surround sound (instead of the Orbit S’ virtual surround sound) and wireless capability. But the Orbit S, which bears the same cozy memory foam headband and earpads as other headsets in HyperX’s Cloud line, provides a gaming edge you’ll actually notice.
We also love the versatility of this headset. In addition to offering hi-res, virtual surround and 3D audio, you can use the headset with a 3.5mm jack, USB Type-A port or USB Type-C port.
Read: HyperX Cloud Orbit S review
With tasteful lighting, the Patriot Viper V380 is the best gaming headset for RGB fans. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Virtual surround sound can be helpful for games, movies
Environmental noise cancellation mic produces quality sound
Fair price
Software is basic
USB Type-A connection only
RGB isn’t as prominent in the headset world, likely because it’s hard to see lighting sitting on your ears. But if you plan on streaming, video chatting or just like the comfort of having as much RGB as possible (have you seen our best RGB mouse pads list?), the Patriot Viper V380 is the best headset for you. It has one ring of programmable RGB framing each earcup. That’s just the right amount of color, and, somehow, the headset still manages to look tasteful.
The Viper V380 has more to offer than just pretty lights. It boasts a mic that successfully limited background noise during testing, as well as virtual 7.1 surround sound that enhanced how voices sounded in FPS games. Volume is also more than sufficient with the headset’s 53mm drivers that are larger than the 50mm average. Just be sure you have an available USB Type-A port, because there are no other connectivity options.
The Viper V380 has some of the best RGB implementation we’ve seen in a headset. But if you’re looking for something that’s even flashier, the JBL Quantum One has three RGB zones programmable with some wild effects.
Read: Patriot Viper V380 review
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE headset will cater to your vanity. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is one of the rare headsets that looks as good as it sounds. It offers premium quality audio that enters audiophile territory and looks pretty and shiny instead of clunky and heavy. The SE version of the Virtuoso RGB boasts gunmetal-colored aluminum stamped with a touch RGB via the Corsair logo. Overall, it looks as expensive as it is.
The Virtuoso RGB SE delivered strong audio, including high-res support, in our testing.n Its 50mm drivers also sounded great with gun fights in games like Borderlands 3. The cans’ music reproduction sat in the middle of bass-heavy cans like the Audio-Technica’s ATH-G1 and flatter-sounding ones like the SteelSeris Arctis Pro Wireless listed below.
Topping things off with a 20-hour wireless battery life, Corsair’s Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is a fine pair of cans that both look and sound premium.
Read: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE review
If you’ve got high-res content, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC are the cans for you. (Image credit: SteelSeries)
7. SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC
Best High-Res Gaming Headset
Driver: 40mm neodymium | Impedance: 32 Ohms | Frequency response: 10-40,000 Hz | Mic: Bidirectional noise-canceling | Connectivity: 3.5mm, USB Type-A or S/PDIF | Weight: 0.9 pounds(426.1g)
High-end materials exude solid build quality
Separate GameDAC does a lot for sound quality and available settings
Well-balanced frequency response
Comfortable on narrow heads
Headband does not fit well over large heads
Artificial limit on output
With a premium build, sound quality and price tag to match, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDac is fit for audiophiles. It uses a ESS ES9018 Sabre32 reference DAC, which is worth money on its own and amplifies the headset’s capabilities. We were sad to find out that the DAC has an artificial audio limit (to help prevent hearing damage). However, the DAC is easily navigable with a lot of settings for tweaking audio for gaming and chatting without opening software.
The Arctis Pro + GameDAC showed deep bass, satisfying mid-range in games and vocals and dominating high frequencies without sounding too metallic.
If you’re looking for a high-performance PC gaming headset (it works with PS4 too), the Arctis Pro + GameDAC is exceptional for games and music — as long as your head isn’t particularly big.
Read: SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC review
Everyone will hear you loud and clear with the Corsair Void RGB Elite USB’s mic. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
If you do a lot of chatting on your headset, be with your Overwatch teammates, work colleagues or Mom, the Corsair Void RGB Elite USB will make sure you sound just like you to whoever’s listening. For this price, we were pleased at the microphone’s quality, which can handily fold up when you need to take a sip of water or sneeze. It’s also Discord-certified and showed better low-end response than rivals.It’s not quite as warm as what you can get with the best gaming microphones or any USB mic, but it’s close.
On the other hand, when we tested the headset with a smaller head, bass was lacking due to sound leakage. Your head size may change things. The Void RGB Elite USB also has virtual 7.1 surround sound, but it didn’t prove to be anything extraordinary.
For chatterboxes, this is the best gaming headset with its mid-range price, cozy padding and splash of RGB. Note there’s also a wireless version of the Void RGB Elite USB. For more mic options, consider the expensive JBL Quantum One, which comes with a unidirectional and detachable boom microphone and a separate calibration microphone.
Read: Corsair Void RGB Elite USB review
If you can afford it, it’s hard to beat the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. (Image credit: SteelSeries)
9. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
Best Gaming Headset Splurge
Driver: 40mm neodymium | Impedance: 32 Ohms | Frequency response: 20-40,000 Hz | Mic: Bidirectional condenser | Connectivity: USB Type-A wireless dongle or Bluetooth 4.1 | Weight: 0.8 pounds(357g)
Comfortable headband design
Peerless swappable battery system
Crisp hi-res audio
Feature-laden base station
Needs base station to charge
Headband durability concerns
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro kicks things up a notch or two over other SteelSeries cans, including the Arctis 7 wireless ones listed above. It’s very pricey, even for a wireless headset. But you get your choice of wireless dongle or Bluetooth connectivity, which means you could use the Arctis Pro Wireless without it occupying a USB port.
The cans offer a large frequency response range and high-res. Lossless titles, like Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, sounded noticeably crisper with a lot of depth on the Arctis Pro. Ultimately, the game sounded more immersive, particularly in the high end, where we could hear the different layers of sound. You also get DTS Headphones:X virtual surround sound via a transmitter base station boasting other helpful features, like ChatMix and general volume control.
Despite its higher price, the Arctis Pro Wireless isn’t vastly more comfortable than the cheaper Arctis 7 wireless cans and don’t offer twice as detailed audio. But the Arctis Pro Wireless has the advantage in its smart design, Bluetooth capability and swappable batteries to keep the party going while traveling.
For a cheaper Bluetooth option, consider the Sennheiser GSP 670 and for the ultimate portability, the Asus ROG Strix Go 2.4.
It has been a year of contrasting fortunes for cinema. The big screen has suffered hugely with the global pandemic shutting down theatres for the majority of 2020, and that struggle has been compounded by the shelving of due-to-be-released blockbusters that might have produced a much needed box-office spike.
But that has inevitably led to even greater gains for streaming platforms, many of which have picked up releases originally set to be shown in cinemas as well as delivering their own creations. If the landscape of film was already changing, this year has only accelerated that transformation.
For many of us, this has actually been a year in which we’ve seen more movies than any other. Perhaps you’ve invested in a new TV or soundbar to immerse yourself further in your viewing, or maybe it’s been the nudge you’ve needed to go full home cinema and splash out on that projector and surround speaker package.
Whatever your current setup, we’ve gathered together here ten of our favourite feature-lengths we’ve seen over the past 12 months. If you’ve not yet seen them, each one is worthy of the time; if you have, we’re sure you’ll celebrate them with us.
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Adapted from a stage play by Rita Kaljenais, who also wrote this sparkling film script, Shannon Murphy’s directorial debut is bursting with life. An odd choice of words, perhaps, to describe a story principally about a 16-year-old girl with terminal cancer; but this is a love story before all else, and Murphy manages to capture all its bounding energy in what appears an effortless transition to the big screen.
Babyteeth trailer
Color Out Of Space
(Image credit: RLJE Films)
Director: Richard Stanley | Screenplay: Richard Stanley & Scarlett Amaris
Nicolas Cage, HP Lovecraft and Richard Stanley – directing a feature film for the first time since he was booted from The Island of Dr Moreau almost 25 years ago – make for a divine trinity when it comes to B-movie sci-fi horror. This adaptation of Lovecraft’s short story about a family who, after a meteor lands in their garden, witness a colour never before seen by the human eye is undoubtedly a future cult classic.
Color Out Of Space trailer
Driveways
(Image credit: Filmrise)
Director: Andrew Ahn | Screenplay: Hannah Bos & Paul Thurteen
Thrills might not be on the menu in Andrew Ahn’s understated indie Driveways, but its delicate portrayals of grief, longing and friendship can be just as much an emotional workout. Brian Dennehy’s final performance, as a war veteran and widower next door to whom a mother and son move in temporarily while clearing out the house of her deceased sister, is arguably his best.
Driveways trailer
First Cow
(Image credit: A24)
Director: Kelly Reichardt | Screenplay: Kelly Reichardt & Jonathan Raymond
Another slow burn, First Cow is the story of a pair of unlikely friends and business associates who, using milk stolen from a dairy cow, attempt to climb the economic ladder by selling delicious oily cakes. Adapted from Jonathan Raymond’s novel The Half Life, set nearly 200 years ago, its rural setting and gentle approach to a heartening bond is cleverly set against the jeopardy of the main characters’ enterprise.
First Cow trailer
His House
(Image credit: Netflix)
Director: Remi Weekes | Screenplay: Remi Weekes
Remi Weekes’s His House is terrifying on two levels: that of the haunted house, which is its crux, set against the refugee experience in an often-unwelcoming UK. The former is undoubtedly the one to make you jump – and how refreshing for this genre to exist outside a rickety old mansion – but the latter is a reality impossible to shake after the closing credits.
His House trailer
Relic
(Image credit: IFC Midnight / Stan)
Director: Natalie Erika James | Screenplay: Natalie Erika James & Christian White
Natalie Erika James’s feature debut is one of those rare films that doesn’t let you in fully on exactly what it is. Another haunted house flick on the surface, its themes of dementia and mother-daughter relationships – of which there are two running through the film – lead to the question how much of it is metaphor. Most impressively, though, it feels as though this is an experience we’ve lived within each of its characters’ perspectives.
Relic trailer
Rocks
(Image credit: Netflix)
Director: Sarah Gavron | Screenplay: Theresa Ikoko & Claire Wilson
Despite it being the prominent motif across centuries of art, love is a theme so rarely delivered as soulfully as this. Though Rocks follows Olushola as she attempts to fend for herself and younger brother Emmanuel, having been abandoned by their mother, the warmth of her love not only injects joy into the bleakest of subjects but also often makes it feel as if we’re watching from her sibling’s perspective.
Rocks trailer
The Painter and the Thief
(Image credit: Neon)
Director: Benjamin Ree
Despite its intriguing leads, the star of this documentary is often Benjamin Ree’s understanding that it’s the lightest of directorial touches that best tell extraordinary stories such as these. The Painter and the Thief is functional in its title, at least, exploring the friendship between Czech artist Barbora Kysilkova and Karl-Bertil Nordland, the gangster who stole two of her paintings.
The Painter and the Thief trailer
The Wild Goose Lake
(Image credit: Memento Films)
Director: Diao Yinan | Screenplay: Diao Yinan
Though we’re only at its beginning, we’ll be lucky if this decade delivers even a handful more films as stylish and visually lavish as Diao Yinan’s The Wild Goose Lake. Not that it’s without substance, heavily salted with bitter twists and betrayals, but this is a film we could quite happily see a second and third time even with the sound off.
The Wild Goose Lake trailer
Welcome to Chechnya
(Image credit: HBO)
Director: David France
It’s a sad reflection that by far this year’s most harrowing film is David France’s Welcome to Chechnya, a documentary. It focuses on the atrocities inflicted upon the Chechen LGBT+ community in a now four-year purge directed by the Russian republic’s head Ramzan Kadyrov – endorsed and embraced by President Vladimir Putin – and the heroic group of activists working to help its victims flee. Using deep-fake technology rather than blurring to conceal identities retains the victims’ humanity, but leaves an even nastier taste of this current event that echoes our species’ darkest hour.
Welcome to Chechnya trailer
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Best speaker cables 2020 Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best speaker wire you can buy in 2020.
A good speaker cable (speaker wire to our American friends) can’t make your system sound better than it really is, but it can and should ensure that every last drop of performance makes its way from your amplifier to your speakers.
Conversely, a poor speaker cable can definitely make your system sound a lot worse than it really is, so it’s absolutely worth budgeting for decent cabling when buying or upgrading your system. Fail to do so and you’ll end up with cheap, poorly made cables that will waste the talents of the expensive kit on which you’ve just forked out.
Do remember to budget for the lengths of speaker wire that you need (and the number of speakers you’re wiring-up if it’s a surround system) and bear in mind that the cable prices we quote usually don’t include the banana plugs that you’ll see in the pictures, largely because you don’t necessarily have to buy them.
They make connecting, unplugging and reconnecting easier, but they don’t make the sound any better. In fact, many people believe a bare wire connection to be sonically superior.
Whatever your opinion on that matter, it is undeniable that cables make a difference, and these are the best we’ve tested.
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(Image credit: Future)
1. AudioQuest Rocket 11
A sensational speaker cable and 2020 What Hi-Fi? Award-winner.
Reasons to Buy
Flexible build
Clean, precise and fluid sound
Excellent compatibility
AudioQuest’s Rocket 11 – on the budget end of its Rocket range at £12.50/m – could just be the hi-fi speaker cable to give your system a new lease of life. We love it so much it’s been a What Hi-Fi? Award winner three years in a row.
AudioQuest has taken a lot of care with the configuration and quality of the conductors used inside the Rocket 11. It uses semi-solid true-concentric conductors and long-grain copper – all to improve performance and reduce any interference that might degrade the sound.
There’s a perceptible improvement in the way systems perform when the Rocket 11 is plugged in, compared with rival speaker cables. Music sounds crisp and clean, with a punchy sense of dynamism that’s a joy to listen to.
Read the full review: AudioQuest Rocket 11
2. Chord Company RumourX
Chord Company hits the mark again, with the excellent Rumour X.
Reasons to Buy
Promotes a lively, cohesive sound
Design is easy to accommodate
Reasons to Avoid
Rivals offer more refinement
The original Rumour was introduced way back in 1996, and at the time was only Chord’s second attempt at a speaker cable. It says much for the original design that, cosmetic changes apart, this audiophile speaker cable has remained pretty much the same until now.
Chord’s development work with high-end ranges such as ChordMusic and Sarum T showed significant improvements could be made to the Teflon dielectric material used. While the subsequent high-end solution of Taylon proved too expensive to use in products such as the Rumour X, a more reasonably priced alternative XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene) was found instead.
With the Chord plumbed-in, our systems deliver a crisp, clean and dynamic presentation. We’re impressed at the musically cohesive nature of the sound and the way our systems render subtle dynamic shifts with such finesse. An easy choice for a What Hi-Fi? Award winner.
Read the full review: Chord Company Rumour X
3. Chord Company C-Screen
A brilliant budget option if your system needs an upgrade.
Reasons to Buy
Full-bodied, warm and expressive
Helps your system’s punch and drive
Reasons to Avoid
Some rivals offer more detail/space
Monetary savings are not necessarily accompanied by a reduced level of technology or care on Chord Company’s part. The C-Screen’s specifications are similar to speaker wires further up the hierarchy.
Beneath its white outer jacket, the C-Screen features what Chord Company describes as multi-stranded oxygen-free copper conductors, insulated with low-density polyethylene and arranged in a twisted-pair configuration to reduce interference. The white outer covers a PVC casing designed to reduce mechanical noise and space the conductors correctly.
So what is all of that in today’s money? Essentially it translates to recognisable Chord Company performance, favouring your system’s cohesion and musical performance over outright analysis.
Read the full review: Chord Company C-Screen
(Image credit: QED)
4. QED Reference XT40i
You’ll struggle to get your system sounding cleaner at this price.
Reasons to Buy
Offers system great clarity
Precision and accurate timing
Great price
Reasons to Avoid
Best help tie music together better
QED has always been about clarity, detail and insight, with the Reference XT40i speaker wire being no exception. It will allow any budget-to-midrange system to show off all the information at its disposal, providing it with accuracy and precision. Just what you’d expect from this Award-winning stable.
The nearly 50-year-old British company is introducing its brand new Air Gap dielectric to these 99.999% oxygen-free copper cables, a technology that increases the separation of conductors inside the cable and thus the amount of air between them. In turn, this halves the dissipation and capacitance characteristics inside the cable.
The Reference XT40i also retains QED’s X-Tube formation, where cable conductors are gathered in a tube-like shape around a hollow insulating rod to equalise current densities, delivering low inductance and presenting a consistent and even load to the amp.
Read the full review: QED Reference XT40i
5. Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018)
This nicely built speaker cable is an easy and affordable way to boost your system’s performance.
Reasons to Buy
Clean, detailed delivery
Good weight and balance
Flexible build
Reasons to Avoid
Pricier rivals offer more drive
The increase in clarity and punch when using the Atlas Equator 2.0 over budget alternatives should be lauded, especially at this relatively affordable price. If you think your budget/midrange hi-fi system could do with a sonic spring clean, but not sure what needs upgrading (and don’t want to spend too much), plug this Atlas speaker cable in. You might find it’s just what your system needs.
The cable has a multi-core construction, consisting of a pair of identically matched conductors. Atlas uses oxygen free copper (OFC) conductors in the 2018 version of these speaker cables. The purity and amount of copper used has been increased from the previous Equator version that we reviewed in 2014, too.
Atlas believes that less oxygen results in better sound quality, and while OFC conductors are claimed to improve conductivity, the increased purity of copper should result in a cleaner overall sound.
Read the full review: Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018)
6. AudioQuest Rocket 22
A flexible, well-balanced speaker cable that should work well in a wide range of systems.
Reasons to Buy
Refined and informative character
Aids an authoritative sound
Flexible configuration options
The Rocket 22 continues the fine work of its Award-winning sibling and, in a suitably talented set-up, the difference in price between the two can be justified by the improvement in scale, detail and authority.
The design of this audiophile speaker cable mirrors that of the cheaper model, but uses higher quality copper conductors with a polished outer surface that’s claimed to give a ‘sweeter’ high frequency performance. The conductors use strands arranged in concentric layers, where each layer spirals in the opposite direction to the one below it.
The cable also uses AudioQuest’s Noise Dissipation System, which is essentially specially designed layers of shielding that reduce the impact of RF (Radio Frequency) interference and EMI (Electromagnetic Interference).
Read the full review: AudioQuest Rocket 22
7. QED XT25
This budget speaker wire allows for impressive levels of clarity and detail.
Reasons to Buy
Clarity and space in abundance
Allows for loads of detail
Encourages dynamics
For the money, there isn’t much to grumble about as far as the XT25 is concerned. It allows for an extremely insightful and detailed sound, which is up there with the very best at this level. Music is encouraged to display an airy sense of openness with plenty of subtlety and sophistication. It’s the kind of cable that would be a good option for warm-sounding, less spacious set-ups.
The XT25 is another beneficiary of QED’s X-Tube technology, which first came to light in the company’s Award-winning Silver Anniversary XT cables more than a decade ago. Along with low DC resistance, low-loss dielectric and its near entirely oxygen-free copper make-up, QED says its cables measure better with audible sonic improvements when compared with other hi-fi speaker cables.
At this price, and in many areas, they are absolutely correct.
Read the full review: QED XT25
8. Van den Hul The Clearwater
This quality speaker cable displays plenty of insight and dynamic ability.
Reasons to Buy
Attractive, durable design
Power with clarity
Refined, detailed sound
If you’re looking for a speaker cable that can fit into tight spaces, then the Clearwater is definitely an option. It’s terminated in attractive dinky plugs and is covered in an almost jelly-like jacket which helps with flexibility.
We were impressed with its ability to keep music sounding balanced, involving and cohesive while it also helps deliver plenty of power and depth from low frequencies. Add natural-sounding vocals and lashings of detail into the mix and you’ve got yourself quite the speaker cable.
The cheap Raspberry Pi 400 is a mini-PC with Raspi-4 technology, which is primarily intended for schoolchildren, but is also attractive to others.
Raspberry Pi 400 in the test: Small computer for beginners and hobbyists With power button Meager computing power Few connections Conclusion and test table Article in c’t 25 / 2020 read After the surprising presentation of the Raspberry Pi 4 in summer 2019 e.g. the Raspberry Pi Foundation is now pulling another rabbit out of its hat: the Raspberry Pi student computer 400. Its compact keyboard housing contains the slightly modified technology of the Raspi 4. If you want to get started right away, buy the Raspi 400 as 100 Euro expensive kit including power supply unit, mouse, micro-HDMI connection cable, printed manual and a micro-SD card on which Raspberry Pi OS is pre-installed. Versions with different keyboard layouts for several countries are available in stores, including Germany. We have the kit version with the pre-installed 31 – Bit version of Raspberry Pi OS tested and that 64 – bitter Ubuntu 19. 09 for Raspberry Pi tried.
With power button The kit version is very easy to put into operation, the microSD card with the operating system is already in it. When starting for the first time, the setup asks for the desired settings for language, time zone, user name and password. Then updates run through and after one or two restarts the Raspi 400 ready for operation. On the not particularly fast MicroSD card from the Edge series by SanDisk for embedded systems, around 10 GByte free.
If you know the Raspi 4, you will find your way around immediately – and you will be happy about a new feature: The function key F 10 serves as an off switch in combination with the Fn key. In the keyboard controller, the Raspi Foundation has placed a switch-on logic that other Raspis lack. After the “shutdown” the Raspi 400 with the Original power supply only 0, 13 watts of power and can be accessed via F 10 key up again. In operation without computing load, the Raspi 400 only needs about 2 , 6 watts, sometimes a little over 5 watts under full load – significantly less than a normal mini-PC.
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Those affected can often not or only with difficulty understand “algorithmic unequal treatment” and how it came about. This is the conclusion of the Office for Technology Assessment at the Bundestag (TAB) in a study on possible discrimination through algorithmic decision-making systems (AES), machine learning and other forms of artificial intelligence (AI).
Cause of the unequal treatment Algorithms are an essential element of digital applications, state Alma Kolleck and Carsten Orwat in the am Investigation published Tuesday. The program routines determined the best route for a planned trip, the hopefully suitable partner in a single exchange or your own creditworthiness. They also support medical diagnoses, for example. A large part of such decision-making and scoring functions remain largely unnoticed by many.
The authors use examples to illustrate the extensive areas of life in which AES are already doing their job . In doing so, they work out how challenging it can be to discover the cause of the respective inequality of treatment. According to the analysis, the first case of medical care makes it clear how algorithmic fallacies can come about if important information is not stored in the system.
Built-in discrimination For example, an AES in a clinic calculated a lower risk of death for patients with multiple illnesses and chronic illnesses than for those who were only affected by pneumonia. Less need for inpatient treatment was seen here. The fallacy is explained by the fact that the AES “was trained with data in which chronically and multiply ill people had received intensive medical treatment and therefore had a low mortality rate”.
The Austrian labor market service had since 2018 has been using software that assesses job seekers based on their socio-demographic data with regard to their proximity to the labor market and assigns them to groups, the authors explain. The published calculation rule “shows that the female gender per se” leads to a deduction. Care obligations that would only be applied to women worsened the result.
Data collected pre-digitally Also with the The researchers are concerned with the Compas risk assessment system. It assesses the likelihood of recidivism and comes into play in the USA, for example, when a decision is made on the suspension of a suspended sentence or the amount of bail. In the high-risk group, it turned out that the prediction was wrong for many African-American offenders. So 45 percent of them remained law-abiding, while this quota among whites was only 24 percent.
The fourth case is also about inequality of treatment based on skin color: Comparative studies of different facial recognition systems showed that common commercial AES in the USA most often incorrectly recognized female and dark-skinned faces. Reasons for biased results are often already “pre-digital”, the authors trace.
Justify the evaluation The question of whether a specific unequal treatment is actually unjustified and thus discriminatory is answered within a Society and jurisprudence are very controversial. This depends, for example, on the social framework conditions of the deployment and the implementation of the results. If, for example, people have not received a loan based on their address or women looking for work are generally considered a market obstacle, “the underlying statistical generalizations at least appear to be in need of justification and may conflict with basic social values or laws,” it says.
There were already technology-neutral legal bases against discrimination such as the General Equal Treatment Act, personal rights in the Basic Law and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The latter prohibits fully automated decisions with legal effect about persons and stipulates information obligations.
Identification obligation The scientists refer to suggestions to minimize the risk of discrimination against AES. The focus of the debate would be more transparency and control, an evaluation of the technology and uniform regulation. A labeling requirement could help to make the use of AES clear to those affected. A “risk-adapted assessment” would be able to assess social consequences ex ante and, depending on the criticality, to establish various control measures. It is also conceivable to guarantee collective legal protection through a representative action.
In the research project “KI Testing & Auditing” (ExamAI), which is headed by the Gesellschaft für Informatik, those involved are already investigating a number of the questions raised. For example, they should sound out what procedures could look like that enable a “controllable, understandable and fair” use of AI.
Those affected can often not or only with difficulty understand “algorithmic unequal treatment” and how it came about. This is the conclusion of the Office for Technology Assessment at the Bundestag (TAB) in a study on possible discrimination through algorithmic decision-making systems (AES), machine learning and other forms of artificial intelligence (AI).
Cause of the unequal treatment Algorithms are an essential element of digital applications, state Alma Kolleck and Carsten Orwat in the am Investigation published Tuesday. The program routines determined the best route for a planned trip, the hopefully suitable partner in a single exchange or your own creditworthiness. They also support medical diagnoses, for example. A large part of such decision-making and scoring functions remain largely unnoticed by many.
The authors use examples to illustrate the extensive areas of life in which AES are already doing their job . In doing so, they work out how challenging it can be to discover the cause of the respective inequality of treatment. According to the analysis, the first case of medical care makes it clear how algorithmic fallacies can come about if important information is not stored in the system.
Built-in discrimination For example, an AES in a clinic calculated a lower risk of death for patients with multiple illnesses and chronic illnesses than for those who were only affected by pneumonia. Less need for inpatient treatment was seen here. The fallacy is explained by the fact that the AES “was trained with data in which chronically and multiply ill people had received intensive medical treatment and therefore had a low mortality rate”.
The Austrian labor market service had since 2018 has been using software that assesses job seekers based on their socio-demographic data with regard to their proximity to the labor market and assigns them to groups, the authors explain. The published calculation rule “shows that the female gender per se” leads to a deduction. Care obligations that would only be applied to women worsened the result.
Data collected pre-digitally Also with the The researchers are concerned with the Compas risk assessment system. It assesses the likelihood of recidivism and comes into play in the USA, for example, when a decision is made on the suspension of a suspended sentence or the amount of bail. In the high-risk group, it turned out that the prediction was wrong for many African-American offenders. So 45 percent of them remained law-abiding, while this quota among whites was only 24 percent.
The fourth case is also about inequality of treatment based on skin color: Comparative studies of different facial recognition systems showed that common commercial AES in the USA most often incorrectly recognized female and dark-skinned faces. Reasons for biased results are often already “pre-digital”, the authors trace.
Justify the evaluation The question of whether a specific unequal treatment is actually unjustified and thus discriminatory is answered within a Society and jurisprudence are very controversial. This depends, for example, on the social framework conditions of the deployment and the implementation of the results. If, for example, people have not received a loan based on their address or women looking for work are generally considered a market obstacle, “the underlying statistical generalizations at least appear to be in need of justification and may conflict with basic social values or laws,” it says.
There were already technology-neutral legal bases against discrimination such as the General Equal Treatment Act, personal rights in the Basic Law and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The latter prohibits fully automated decisions with legal effect about persons and stipulates information obligations.
Identification obligation The scientists refer to suggestions to minimize the risk of discrimination against AES. The focus of the debate would be more transparency and control, an evaluation of the technology and uniform regulation. A labeling requirement could help to make the use of AES clear to those affected. A “risk-adapted assessment” would be able to assess social consequences ex ante and, depending on the criticality, to establish various control measures. It is also conceivable to guarantee collective legal protection through a representative action.
In the research project “KI Testing & Auditing” (ExamAI), which is headed by the Gesellschaft für Informatik, those involved are already investigating a number of the questions raised. For example, they should sound out what procedures could look like that enable a “controllable, understandable and fair” use of AI.
Popular streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins has announced his next piece of branded gear — a custom $60 hoodie with a “patent-pending” system that’s designed to let customers wear a headset over the hood while still enjoying their music or games uninterrupted.
The hoodie works by featuring a “polymesh” ear hole on each side of the hood, allowing for sound from the headset to pass through instead of getting muffled by the (usually) thick material of a sweatshirt hood.
I’ve always loved wearing my hood up with my headphones whether I’m traveling & listening to music or gaming. So excited to be releasing my patent pending hoodie that allows you to do either of those without changing your sound quality. TOMORROW NOON PST https://t.co/GbfYE4nQgV pic.twitter.com/xiDEI0sSo4
— Ninja (@Ninja) November 24, 2020
The idea isn’t a new one: this year has already seen an also patented gamer hoodie from Champion, albeit one that featured an oversized hood for wearing headphones inside the hood instead of over it. And the concept of using mesh hoods for wearing headphones over a sweatshirt dates back to Betabrand’s Audio Engineer’s Hoodie from 2014.
The Ninja headphone hoodie appears to only be available in a pullover style, with relatively restrained branding when compared to Blevins’ other Ninja hoodies — the headphone model seems to only feature his “Ninja” branding on the pocket and the same icon near the sleeve.
The hoodie will be available in black, pink, and gray colors, with sales set to begin on November 25th at 3PM ET / 12PM PT through Ninja’s website for $60, which is $10 more than the “standard” Ninja hoodies.
(Pocket-lint) – The PS5 is finally upon us – Sony’s console is out at long last, although you might be finding that it goes in and out of stock as retailers keep up with demand.
Sony PlayStation 5 review: A glorious new era
The console is an absolute stunner, and we’re loving our time with it, but whenever a new console comes out there are also going to be a host of little extras that you could pick up to enrich your experience. We’ve gathered some of the very best for you right here.
The best PS5 accessories to buy today
Pocket-lint
PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller
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Sony’s new controller looks absolutely lovely with the new white-dominated color scheme, and brings some great innovations to the table, too, not least an upgraded haptic feedback engine that makes unsubtle rumble a thing of the past.
Getting an extra one of these on board for your new PS5 is a must to make sure you can host couch co-op sessions straight away.
Sony
PlayStation 5 PULSE 3D Wireless Headset
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The PS5 might just have the best sound quality we’ve ever experienced from a console, in our usage so far (Demon’s Souls in particular sounds amazing), so a good headset is a must to really feel the benefits.
Sony’s own effort is a good starting point – it’s fairly well priced for a wireless set of cans and is tuned for the console specifically, which is always welcome.
Sony
DualSense Charging Station
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If you’ve got a couple of controllers, being able to keep them nice and charged without having to worry about fussy cables can be a god-send, making this charging station easy to recommend.
It’ll house two controllers at once to make sure you’re never caught short without any power.
Pocket-lint
KontrolFreek Thumbsticks
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If you find that DualSense’s sticks aren’t quite right for your hands, or that your fingers keep slipping off, thumbstick caps could be a great answer.
KontrolFreek are the biggest name in this area for good reason, with loads of types and heights of stick to pick from. We’re big fans of the Galaxy version for its grippiness, but the Omni type is also really nice.
Pocket-lint
Sony PS5 Media Remote
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If you have people in your home who can’t be bothered with a controller if they’re just trying to use the PS5 to stream a movie or some TV, this media remote is a perfect fit.
It’ll ensure that you’ve got easy media controls and shortcuts to your favorite services.
Sony
Sony PS5 HD Camera
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Whether you want to record clips of you reacting to your own gameplay or use PlayStation VR on your new console, this latest-generation camera is the perfect tool for you.
Background-removal tools make it easy to crop in on yourself, and while not everyone will need it, this is a great shortcut for those who love to share their clips and highlights.
In 2017, Zunum Aero was flying high. The Kirkland, Washington-based aviation startup came out of stealth mode with bold plans to build a fleet of 12-seat hybrid electric jets for short, regional hops between cities. The company, which had received millions of dollars from the venture arms of Boeing and JetBlue, said it would be ready to fly by 2022.
Not long after, those dreams came crashing down to earth. In 2018, Zunum ran out of cash, forcing it to lay off nearly all of its employees and vacate its headquarters. It struggled to raise additional funds that it needed to get its plans back in motion. And now, Zunum is striking back at one of its former investors. The company filed a lawsuit in Washington Superior Court this week accusing aerospace giant Boeing of fraud, technology theft, breach of contract, and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Zunum said that Boeing “colluded with other key aerospace manufacturers and funders” to sabotage its efforts to raise additional cash and tried to poach Zunum’s engineers during the process. The startup claims that Boeing saw its superior technology and potential to disrupt air travel as a threat to its own dominance in the aviation world and sought to undermine it. Using its due diligence as an investor as subtext, Zunum said Boeing gained access to its business plan and proprietary technology, and “exploited” Zunum for its own benefit.
“Boeing saw an innovative venture, with a dramatically improved path to the future, and presented itself as interested in investing and partnering with Zunum,” the company claims in court filings. “But instead, Boeing stole Zunum’s technology and intentionally hobbled the upstart entrant in order to maintain its dominant position in commercial aviation by stifling competition.”
It’s rare that a startup would sue one of its investors after failing to deliver on its promises. But Zunum said its setbacks weren’t because of bad technology or a faulty business plan. Rather, the company claims it was sabotaged by Boeing, which misused its position as an investor to pillage its talent and patents before eventually scuttling the company’s ability to continue to raise money.
Zunum also names HorizonX, Boeing’s venture capital arm, and French engine supplier Safran as co-defendants. The company is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. A spokesperson for Boeing did not respond to a request for comment.
Founded by former executives from Microsoft and Google, Zunum proposed building several models of hybrid aircraft, one with a 700-mile range by 2022, and another with a 1,000-mile range by 2030. These jets wouldn’t be suitable for flights that are long-haul, cross-country, or transoceanic, but rather short, regional trips under 1,000 miles. (Think LA to San Francisco or New York to Boston.) The idea was to offer cheap flights that are low-emission and low hassle to take off and land.
“Jet engines are efficient when they’re big and up high,” Matt Knapp, Zunum’s chief technology officer, told The Verge in 2017. “If you fly a jet engine a short distance, it’s not very efficient. So you’ve got this damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t [approach] to flying a small airplane a short distance.”
That same year, Boeing’s HorizonX and Jet Blue’s venture division agreed to invest in Zunum, instantly bolstering its credibility. The companies sank a combined combined $6.2 million into the company in Series A funding, according to a Zunum fundraising pitch obtained by the Puget Sound Business Journal. Washington state’s Clean Energy Fund kicked in an additional $800,000 in a research-and-development grant.
“Zunum is reinvigorating the regional market with a solution that’s both innovative and realistic,” Logan Jones, managing director at Boeing’s HorizonX, said in a statement at the time.
But things quickly went south, and in 2018, the company was forced to cease all operations. According to Fortune, the founders laid off almost all of their 70-person staff and gave up two of their facilities, one in Indianapolis and the other in Bothell, Washington. Creditors seized equipment from and changed the locks at another facility in Illinois.
Zunum puts the blame on Boeing. The Chicago-based company repeatedly reneged on promises for additional funds and dissuaded other investors from putting money in, the lawsuit alleges.
“Boeing also kept Zunum beholden to it for much-needed capital and market validation, stringing Zunum along with the prospects of an anchor investment and providing leadership on further fundraising,” the lawsuit says. “Although Zunum also sought investments elsewhere, Boeing actively interfered with and undermined those business relationships while inducing Zunum to continue its reliance on Boeing by holding out the prospect of a strategic partnership or merger.”
Zunum also accuses Boeing of copying its plans and technology that it disclosed to Boeing as an investor. After obtaining the proprietary information, the lawsuit alleges, Boeing approached Safran, the French engine supplier, with plans to build a hybrid-electric plane based on Zunum’s designs.
“Zunum discovered that Boeing was secretly developing a replica prototype of Zunum’s flagship aircraft design, staffed by the very same engineers and other professionals whom Boeing had assigned to conduct extensive due diligence on Zunum, under non-disclosure and non-use obligations,” the lawsuit reads.
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