News May 22, 2024
The Morning After: We test Sonos’ first wireless headphones
The wait is finally over for Sonos’ inaugural wireless headphones, the Ace, which have landed in the capable hands of our audio expert. This sleek new design combines all of Sonos’ audio expertise with some innovative features, including TrueCinema, a virtual surround sound technology that maps your location for an immersive experience. If you’re already a Sonos soundbar owner, you’ll be able to seamlessly connect the Ace for late-night movie sessions. Additionally, the headphones can upscale even mediocre audio to make it sound more impressive. Our expert is thoroughly impressed with the results and thinks you might be too once you’ve read their review. With pre-orders now available, you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity to get your hands on these cutting-edge cans.
Nintendo snaps up a studio known for its Switch ports
Nintendo is making a strategic move by acquiring Florida-based Shiver Entertainment from Embracer Group, marking a rare instance of the Japanese gaming giant purchasing a small studio. Founded in 2012, Shiver has built a reputation for porting games to the Switch, including Scribblenauts titles and Hogwarts Legacy. As a fully owned subsidiary, Shiver will continue to work on Switch ports and develop software for multiple platforms, securing high-level resources for Nintendo’s software needs. The acquisition is seen as a commitment to the Switch platform, which remains Nintendo’s primary business focus. Additionally, the purchase may have been motivated by the desire to acquire Shiver’s talent, including CEO John Schappert, an industry veteran with experience at Xbox Live and EA. The financial impact of the deal will be minor, according to Nintendo’s announcement.
The best free games in 2024 that you can start playing today
As you dive into the world of Overwatch 2, you’ll quickly discover that its deceptively simple objective - stand on or near an objective and keep the other team at bay - belies a complex web of strategies and teamwork required to emerge victorious. With five players per team instead of six, gameplay has become faster-paced and more thrilling than ever before, with each hero’s unique abilities and playstyles demanding coordination with your teammates to secure a win. Among the game’s impressive roster of over 30 heroes, you’re sure to find a few that resonate with you, and the new batch of characters are all a joy to play. The visuals and sound design are top-notch, making it easy to get lost in the game’s vibrant world - until, that is, you figure out how to actually play it.
‘The Daily Show’ brutally mocks Trump’s decision not to testify
So, after repeatedly claiming he’d take the stand, Donald Trump’s defense surprisingly rested without him testifying - and Michael Kosta from The Daily Show was left utterly bewildered. “What a twist!” Kosta quipped, poking fun at Trump’s sudden change of heart. It’s as if Trump’s bravado outside the courtroom, armed with his trusty notes, vanished once he stepped inside to swear under oath. Kosta wonders aloud if perhaps Trump is simply afraid of committing to the truth, or maybe it’s just the harsh fluorescent lighting that’s got him spooked. Whatever the reason, one thing’s for sure: Trump’s about-face has left everyone scratching their heads in confusion.
Google’s AI Overviews are getting ads soon
Google’s AI Overviews, which provide AI-written summaries for certain queries, is soon getting advertisements. The company has shared more details on how this will look, revealing that it will start testing Search and Shopping ads in AI Overviews for users in the US. According to Google, these ads will appear within the AI Overview in a section clearly labeled as “sponsored” when they’re relevant to both the query and the information in the AI Overview. There is no action needed from advertisers to turn this on, and Google plans to test and learn new formats while getting feedback from advertisers and the industry. This move may not be great news for users, who are already bombarded with ads on Google Search. However, for Google, AI Overviews offer a way to keep users engaged and monetize their audience, potentially becoming increasingly important as AI-generated content becomes a key part of Google Search.