Developers from Python have published three new versions of the programming language, and apologized for the process not going as smoothly as planned. In the release announcement, CPython core developer Łukasz Langa said that all versions were “cursed in some way”, and that developing them was a “bumpy ride”. However, the Python Software Foundation (PSF) is happy with the end result, and claims to be on route to making Python twice as fast as it used to be. Speeding things up There are now three versions of Python now available – 3.9.x – the “legacy series”, 3.10.x, the latest series of Python 3, and 3.11.x, the version that hints to… Read More
Continue ReadingSony’s PlayStation Direct initiative will let lucky users buy ‘limited’ PS5 stock
(Image credit: Shutterstock/SolidMaks) PS5 production has been bottlenecked ever since the console’s launch, with demand for the next-gen flagship console far outstripping supply, partly due to the global semiconductor shortage, as well as due to supply chain difficulties associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s not just Sony being affected, however. Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, and other tech giants have all struggled to fulfill the demand for their latest products, with limited stock and delayed product launches. The result is a market that has largely been dominated by scalpers selling consoles and GPUs at dramatically inflated prices with the help of bot networks to secure consoles seconds after they go on sale.… Read More
Continue ReadingUK fines Mastercard and others for cartel behaviour in pre-paid cards
The UK’s Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has fined Mastercard and four other companies for “cartel behaviour” in the pre-paid credit card market by agreeing not to poach each others’ customers on cards offered by local authorities. The cards are used to distribute welfare payments are used by people without a home, victims of domestic abuse, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable individuals. Mastercard, allpay, Advanced Payment Solutions, Prepaid Financial Services, and Sulion were the companies on the receiving end of the fine. Mastercard got the heftiest punishment and will have to pay £31.6 million, out of a £33 million total. Zero tolerance “This investigation and the significant fines we have imposed… Read More
Continue ReadingFortnite’s next update adds adorable monsters and brings back Tilted Towers
The next big update for Fortnite brings back something old and adds something new. As fans have long expected, the snow on the battle royale island has slowly melted, revealing the return of Tilted Towers, an iconic urban area that dates back to Fortnite’s first island. Elsewhere in the v19.10 update is the addition of a new kind of creature: a giant, adorable monster called a Klombo. It looks like something ripped out of How to Train Your Dragon, and developer Epic says that they’re mostly gentle and they appear to add a new way of getting around the map. “Ascend their tails to get to the blowhole on their… Read More
Continue ReadingSamsung Galaxy S22 will probably disappoint buyers in some regions
(Image credit: MySmartPrice / Ishan Agarwal) Image 2 of 2 (Image credit: MySmartPrice / Ishan Agarwal) These show the phone in all four expected shades – white, black, green, and pink gold. We’ve heard these colors rumored numerous times, and even seen renders in each shade, so there’s nothing super new here, but it’s yet more evidence that these are the shades we’ll get. For what it’s worth, the standard Samsung Galaxy S22 is elsewhere rumored One remaining question we’ve had about the Samsung Galaxy S22 range is what chipset the phones will use. Typically Samsung splits its flagship line between a Snapdragon chipset in the US, and an Exynos… Read More
Continue ReadingUS airlines warn of ‘catastrophic disruption’ on Wednesday due to 5G activation
United Airlines was among those to issue a warning. | Photo by Daniel Karmann/picture alliance via Getty Images CEOs from major US airlines including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines have warned that the impending deployment of new 5G spectrum on Wednesday could cause “catastrophic disruption” for flights across the country starting tomorrow. The warning, which was also signed by shipping companies including UPS Airlines and FedEx Express, was issued in a letter from the CEOs seen by Reuters, which said that both commercial and cargo flights could be affected. The letter was sent to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel,… Read More
Continue ReadingNot happy with Google Nest’s new white noise sound? You aren’t the only one
Google Nest’s new white noise sound has left many users annoyed and unable to fall asleep. Last week, seemingly out of nowhere, Google decided to change the white noise sound used by its Google Nest devices – much to the chagrin of those who rely on the audio feature to relax. While the new white noise sound loops more smoothly than before, many have noted that its shorter length and more muffled acoustics make it a significant downgrade over the original. A Google Nest Community thread dedicated to the change (first spotted by 9to5Google) already has over 170 comments from users and their children who are begging for Google to revert the sound… Read More
Continue ReadingThis versatile Instant Pot is an air fryer and cooker in one – and it’s reduced by a third
Instant Pot Crisp + Air Fryer 5.7 litres: £179.99 £119.99 at Amazon Save £60 – Amazon has knocked 33% off the cost of Instant Pot’s first multicooker, which comes with an additional lid for air frying. While this isn’t the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the Instant Pot – it dropped to £99.99 over Black Friday and Cyber Monday – it’s still good value, and we don’t know how long the discount will last, so you’ll want to move fast to be sure of snapping up this Instant Pot deal. Instant Pot Crisp + Air Fryer 7.6 litres: £199.99 £159.99 at Amazon Save £40 – There’s also a 20%… Read More
Continue ReadingRedmi Note 11 launch confirmed: we know when we’ll see Xiaomi’s new cheap phones
After launching in China and India last year, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is finally gearing up towards a global launch, and the company has confirmed when we’ll be able to see this new family of cheap phones. We now know that the Redmi Note 11 launch will take place on January 26 at 4am PT / 7am ET / 12pm GMT / 10:30pm ACT, and will be hosted on loads of websites including various social media platforms and Xiaomi’s own website. Xiaomi hasn’t said exactly what will show up at the event, but it does refer to the ‘Redmi Note 11 series’, so we know multiple phones will be… Read More
Continue ReadingOn a health kick? The Bose Sport earbuds just dropped to their lowest price yet
Bose Sport true wireless earbuds: £179.95 £139 at Amazon Save £40.95 – These true wireless earbuds promise fantastic audio quality, along with a compact form factor and touch controls. Their IPX4 water resistance rating means they’re ideal for working out, and we like the sporty colour options. While we haven’t tested the Bose Sport earbuds for ourselves, our friends at If you’re on a January health kick a great pair of running headphones can make all the difference to your workout regime – and this great deal from Amazon on the Bose Sport earbuds means you don’t have to break the bank in your quest for fitness. Amazon has slashed… Read More
Continue ReadingGoogle changed the Assistant’s white noise sound, and many aren’t happy about it
Some Nest customers are unhappy with Google’s changes. | Photo: Dan Seifert / The Verge Google offers many ambient sounds from the Google Assistant, including one for white noise that might help block out noise to make it easier to sleep or study. But the company seemingly changed its white noise sound last week, and many have expressed frustration with the update, as reported by 9to5Google. The change has been disruptive for a lot of people, as documented in this Google Nest community thread with more than 150 replies. Some described the new white noise as quieter or sounding muffled. One person said their child has asked to use another… Read More
Continue ReadingWarCraft III fan picks up what Blizzard dropped, remasters (part of) campaign
Enlarge / A cinematic intro to the WC3 human campaign? That’s cool. Too bad fans had to step in to create this, since Blizzard doesn’t appear poised to add anything substantial to WC3R ever again. (credit: InsaneMonster) WarCraft III: Reforged has not received a patch or official announcement since April 2021, and its handlers at Blizzard have remained eerily quiet about anything previously announced for this so-called “remaster” of an RTS classic. Official matchmaking ladders, leaderboards, and user profiles never came to pass, prompting the game’s remaining community to cobble together its own solution, and that’s on top of the re-release’s utter lack of single-player updates. (To date, custom WC3… Read More
Continue ReadingCardinals vs Rams live stream: how to watch NFL playoff game online
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Continue ReadingReport: Apple’s first AR/VR headset faces delays
Enlarge / The “Sword of Damocles” head-mounted display, the original augmented reality headset, circa 1968. (credit: Ivan Sutherland) Apple may delay the launch of its first mixed reality headset, according to Bloomberg. Multiple sources had previously claimed that the device was likely to launch in 2022, and Apple seemed poised to introduce its new mixed reality platform to developers at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this June. But according to “people familiar with the situation” with whom Bloomberg reporters Mark Gurman, Takashi Mochizuki, and Debby Wu spoke, the announcement of the new headset could fall to “the end of 2022 or later, with the product hitting shelves by… Read More
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