Pelican Press

****** Stranding connects to Xbox for 5th birthday ****** Stranding connects to Xbox for 5th birthday Kojima Productions Kojima Productions made a surprise announcement Thursday that ****** Stranding Director’s Cut is now available on Xbox Series X/S, as well as Windows PC, just one day ahead of the game’s five-year anniversary. “It is my pleasure to finally announce that ****** Stranding Director’s Cut will be delivered to Xbox players. I would like to thank all the fans who have stayed connected with us as well as everyone in the Xbox community who have been patiently waiting,” Kojima told press (as reported by IGN).”Kojima Productions (****** Stranding) will continue to connect more and more players around the world, so please stay tuned.” ****** Stranding was originally a PlayStation 4 exclusive in 2019 before ****** Stranding Director’s Cut was released on PC and PlayStation 5. Since then it’s also been ported to Apple devices on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. It’ll also be available on Amazon Luna starting Thursday, which means Prime subscribers can play it for free for one month starting on December 1. OD World Premiere Trailer at The Game Awards 2023 This is the first step in a continued Xbox and Kojima Productions collaboration. One of the company’s next games, called OD, is being published by Xbox Game Studios. Despite this, the studio still has a good relationship with Sony and PlayStation. Kojima made an appearance during Sony’s January State of Play to announce that he’s working with Sony Interactive Entertainment on the mysterious stealth game Physint. ****** Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently only announced for a PlayStation 5 release in 2025, but in a subsequent announcement, it was revealted that Kojima Productions has gotten the full IP rights for ****** Stranding back from 505 Games. It’s been five years since release, so it’s possible that the rights just reverted back to the original developer. That does mean the sequel could potentially come to other platforms. Now all we need is a ****** Stranding Director’s Cut release on the Switch 2, and you can play the absurd and obtuse social connections game just about anywhere. Source link #****** #Stranding #connects #Xbox #5th #birthday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Latino voters on why they supported Trump Latino voters on why they supported Trump Latino voters on why they supported Trump – CBS News Watch CBS News While a majority of Latinos voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, President-elect Donald Trump was backed by a record 46% of Latino voters, even gaining support in Democratic strongholds like New York City. Lilia Luciano spoke with some voters who were behind that historic shift. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Latino #voters #supported #Trump Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Obama relatives settle ******* bias dispute with private school in Milwaukee Obama relatives settle ******* bias dispute with private school in Milwaukee FILE – Craig Robinson, brother of former first lady Michelle Obama, and his wife, Kelly Robinson, arrive for a State Dinner for Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Aug. 2, 2016, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Former first lady Michelle Obama’s brother and his wife have settled a lawsuit they filed in 2022 alleging a private school in Milwaukee refused to reenroll their children after the couple raised concerns about racism and inappropriate conduct at the school. Craig and Kelly Robinson alleged in the lawsuit that the University School of Milwaukee terminated their then 9- and 11-year-old sons’ re-enrollment contracts for the 2021-2022 school year after the couple complained that teachers treated students of ****** and socioeconomically underrepresented students unfairly. The couple said that when the boys were learning virtually at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, they became aware of ******* and ******* stereotypes appearing in assignments. School officials said at the time that the enrollment decision had nothing to do with their complaints. But USM Head of School Steve Hancock told the couple in a termination letter and an email that they had repeatedly engaged in disrespectful communications with teachers and administrators. He issued a statement when the lawsuit was filed that the enrollment decisions had nothing to do with complaints about inequity or discrimination. But Hancock said the school would not tolerate “persistently disrespectful, bullying, or harassing behavior” directed at teachers and administrators. Online court records indicate Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Thomas McAdams dismissed the lawsuit on Tuesday. The Robinsons and the school issued a ****** statement saying that they have resolved the dispute and both sides regret that the disagreement resulted in the Robinson children no longer being enrolled. The statement called the Robinson children “model students.” The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. The Robinsons were seeking unspecified monetary damages. Source link #Obama #relatives #settle #******* #bias #dispute #private #school #Milwaukee Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

TSMC will reportedly stop making advanced AI chips for ******** companies TSMC will reportedly stop making advanced AI chips for ******** companies Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has suspended the production of advanced AI chips for ******** companies, according to the Financial Times. The Taiwanese semiconductor chip manufacturer has reportedly notified its clients from China that it will stop producing AI chips for them, particularly models 7 nanometers and smaller, starting this Monday. If a ******** company orders products that fall within that category, they’ll have to go through an approval process that’ll likely involve the US government. The manufacturer’s new policy could be a direct result of its discovery that Huawei had used its chips in AI accelerators without its knowledge. A ********* research firm called TechInsights was the one that notified the company that it discovered the presence of TSMC-manufactured products in Huawei’s hardware. It was a violation of the trade sanctions the US Commerce Department had imposed against Huawei way back in 2020 that prevented it from acquiring chips made by foreign firms. More recently, it revoked its licenses that allowed Intel and Qualcomm to manufacture chips for its devices. TSMC reported TechInsights’ findings to the US Commerce Department, which is now investigating how it had happened. The company denied any working relationship with Huawei and also stopped selling its chips to the client it believes had been illegally forwarding them to the ******** brand. The Times’ sources said that TSMC made the decision to suspend the production of AI chips for ******** clients altogether, because it wants to show the US government that it’s “not acting against US interests.” Its new policy could have a big impact on the AI efforts of its ******** clients. Baidu, for instance, had plans to build hardware for its AI business powered by a series of chips made by TSMC. Source link #TSMC #reportedly #stop #making #advanced #chips #******** #companies Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Charges filed in Iranian *******-for-hire plot against Trump Charges filed in Iranian *******-for-hire plot against Trump Charges filed in Iranian *******-for-hire plot against Trump – CBS News Watch CBS News Two men are in federal custody and a third is wanted in connection with what authorities are calling an Iranian *******-for-hire plot against President-elect Donald Trump. Prosecutors allege one of the suspects, Farhad Shakeri, was an operative for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He ******** at large. Scott MacFarlane has the latest. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Charges #filed #Iranian #murderforhire #plot #Trump Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

I gave my DNA to tracking company I gave my DNA to tracking company Kate Lake Kate Lake wants answers about what happened to her money and data A DNA-testing firm appears to have ceased trading – without telling its customers what has happened to the highly sensitive data they shared with it. Atlas Biomed, which has offices in London, offered to provide insights into people’s genetic make up as well as their predisposition to certain illnesses. However, users are no longer able to access their personalised reports online and the company has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment. Customers of the firm describe the situation as “very alarming” and say they want answers about what has happened to their “most personal information”. The regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has confirmed it has received a complaint about Atlas Biomed. “People have the right to expect that organisations will handle their personal information securely and responsibly,” it said in a statement. Experts say it shows how users of DNA-testing services can find themselves “completely at the mercy” of such companies when it comes to protecting very sensitive data. Disappearing DNA reports Lisa Topping, from Saffron Walden, Essex, sent a saliva sample to Atlas Biomed several years ago, paying around £100 for a personalised genetic report. As well as telling her about her DNA profile, it claimed to also inform her about her predisposition to ********* and even injuries, taking into account information she had provided in an accompanying questionnaire. She could access her report online – which she checked from time to time – until one day the website disappeared. She got no reply when she contacted them to ask what had happened. “I don’t know what someone else could do with [the data] but it’s the most personal information… I don’t know how comfortable I feel that they have just disappeared,” Lisa told me. In 2023, Kate Lake from Tonbridge, Kent, paid Atlas Biomed £139 for a report it never delivered. It promised her a refund – then went silent, despite her trying every means of contact she could find. “I just never heard back from anyone, it’s like no-one was at home,” she said. She describes the situation as “very alarming.” “What happens now to that information they have got? I would like to hear some answers,” she said. The BBC was also unable to contact Atlas Biomed. A phone number listed for the company is *****. The BBC visited its offices in London, but there was no sign of Atlas Biomed there. The firm’s Instagram account, with over 11,000 followers, was last updated in March 2022. Its final post on X was in August the same year. It shared a post on Facebook in June 2023, but did not respond to any of the comments – which were full of people complaining about being unable to contact it or access their profiles. Facebook Concerned users have taken to the company’s Facebook page Russia links The apparent disappearance of Atlas Biomed is a mystery – but it appears to have links with Russia. It is still listed as an active company with Companies House, where all ***-based businesses must register. However, it has not filed any accounts since December 2022. It lists eight official positions – though four of its officers have resigned. Two of the apparently remaining officers are listed at the same address in Moscow – as is a Russian billionaire, who is described as a now resigned director. Atlas Biomed’s registered office is near London’s so-called Silicon Roundabout, one of the prime locations in the *** for tech firms. When the BBC visited, there was no sign of Atlas Biomed itself, but a company registration firm based in the building confirmed that it was a client of theirs, and legitimately used the address as its own. The central London office where the company is registered This firm, in an email, claimed that it could not put the BBC in touch with Atlas Biomed “for security purposes”. “We highly suggest that you contact them directly,” it said. No-one from Atlas Biomed has responded to the BBC’s attempts to contact it. Cybersecurity expert Prof Alan Woodward said the apparent links to Russia were “odd.” “If people knew the provenance of this company and how it operates they might not be quite so ready to trust them with their DNA,” he told the BBC. ‘At their mercy’ None of this explains where Atlas Biomed’s database of customer DNA has ended up – and the BBC has seen no evidence it is being misused. But Prof Carissa Veliz – author of Privacy is Power – points out that DNA is arguably the most valuable personal data you have. It is uniquely yours, you can’t change it, and it reveals your – and by extension, your family’s – biological strengths and weaknesses. Biometric data is given special protection under the ***’s version of GDPR, the data protection law. “When you give your data to a company you are completely at their mercy and you have to be able to trust them,” Prof Veliz said. “We shouldn’t have to wait until something happens.” Additional reporting by Graham Fraser Source link #gave #DNA #tracking #company Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Samsung Early ****** Friday ***** – Save On Smartphones, Gaming Monitors, Smart Watches, And More Samsung Early ****** Friday ***** – Save On Smartphones, Gaming Monitors, Smart Watches, And More Samsung is giving you a chance to get a head start on your holiday shopping this year, as right now you’ll find over a dozen products down to some of their best prices of the year. The Early ****** Friday ***** includes everything from the Galaxy Z Fold6 to the Samsung 77-Inch Class OLED TV–so whether you’re shopping for yourself or a friend, this is a great time to start crossing items off your list. Both the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 are included in the event, but it’s the Z Fold6 that’s seeing the better deal. Along with an instant $200 price cut, select trade-ins are eligible for up to $1,200. For example, trading in the Galaxy S24 Ultra gets you the full $1,200 trade credit, bringing the final price of the Z Fold6 to just $500. If you’re interested in the Z Flip6, trading in the same Galaxy S24 Ultra will only get you $750. That’ll bring the price of the smartphone to $470 (was $1,220). As for gaming monitors, take a look at the 49-Inch Odyssey OLED G9. Along with an OLED display, it boasts a blistering 250Hz refresh rate, a slim metal design, and G-Sync compatibility along with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for a tear-free gaming experience. It’s now on ***** for the great price of $1,079 (was $1,800), so consider treating yourself to an updated battlestation this holiday season. Alternatively, you can spring for the 57-Inch Odyssey Neo G9, which gets you most of the same features plus additional real estate for $2,000 ($2,500). Samsung’s latest wearable, the Galaxy Watch7, is available for $240 (was $300), which is a pretty solid price for the popular smartwatch. This discount applies to the 40mm version in either green or cream colors, and you’ll get to choose from three different band types. Step up to the 44mm version and you’ll pay $270 (was $330). Both versions support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, though you can add 4G LTE support for an extra $50. Plenty of other gadgets are discounted in Samsung’s ****** Friday *****, and you’ll find our favorites below. For more ****** Friday discounts, be sure to check out Best Buy’s *****, which includes deals on headphones, gaming laptops, and moe. Meanwhile, Target’s early ****** Friday deals includes up to 40% off Lego sets. Best Samsung ****** Friday Deals Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 — Save up to $950 Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Series — Save up to $1,000 Samsung Galaxy Watch7 — $240 ($300) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 — Get up to $1,200 trade credits Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — Get up to $750 trade credits Samsung Bespoke Smart Slide-In Gas Range — $1,099 ($2,144) Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro — $210 ($250) Samsung 55-Inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen Curved Monitor — $1,800 ($3,000) Samsung Bespoke AI Laundry Combo — $1,899 ($3,324) Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator — $3,299 ($4,999) Samsung 49-Inch Odyssey OLED G9 Curved Monitor — $1,078 ($1,800) Samsung Q-Series 11.1.4 Ch. Wireless Dolby Atmos Soundbar — $1,500 ($2,000) Samsung 77-Inch Class OLED S95D — $3,500 ($4,500) Samsung 75-Inch Class The Frame QLED 4K — $2,300 ($3,000) Samsung 57-Inch Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor — $2,000 ($2,500) Source link #Samsung #Early #****** #Friday #***** #Save #Smartphones #Gaming #Monitors #Smart #Watches Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Report: Musk took part in call between Trump, Zelenskyy Report: Musk took part in call between Trump, Zelenskyy Report: Musk took part in call between Trump, Zelenskyy – CBS News Watch CBS News A new Axios report says that billionaire Elon Musk was on a phone call between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscoring that Musk has a seat at the table as Trump navigates his return to power. Robert Costa has more. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On Source link #Report #Musk #part #call #Trump #Zelenskyy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tranquillity base is just outside the Lake District Tranquillity base is just outside the Lake District “Good morning!” It’s just after 9am and I’m bounding along the promenade of Grange-over-Sands, where fellow strollers, plus dog walkers and joggers, are in fine cheer on this bright early autumn’s day. Rays of sunlight are spraying the vast watery expanse of Morecambe Bay, against whose northern edge this quaint little Cumbrian town is set. Looking out to the bay, I wonder if Grange should in fact be named Grange-over-Grass because its promenade skirts beside a luxuriant, marshy carpet of green, and its vibrant hue contrasts splendidly with today’s cloudless sky. Beyond the vegetation, I spy a sweep of sand, as the bay is at low tide, and dozens of birds are nibbling and pecking away as my nose catches a breeze spiked with salty aromas. I’ve been in something of a trance for a while now, even before my train dropped me off at Grange’s cute train station. My eyes had been glued to the train window as we crossed the viaduct that spans the bay here by the estuary of River Kent, a waterway that wriggles down from the hills of the nearby Lake District National Park. While Lakeland, as it’s also known, is one of England’s big tourist magnets, Grange ******** comparatively sleepy and ignored by the masses. It was a small fishing village until it grew into a tidy resort town in the late Victorian and Edwardian age after the arrival of the railway in the late 19th century. Unlike other popular resort towns of that era, such as Morecambe, which nestles further south beside the bay in Lancashire, Grange doesn’t have a beach as such. But it more than makes up for that with its other attractions, led by its delightful south-facing promenade, which curves for about 2km and gives you time and space to appreciate the glorious natural setting. Peeking back over the water, you’ll notice the green peaks of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) — another hidden gem in this part of the world and one also accessible by the train. Camera IconThe bayside promenade of Grange-over-Sands is a delightful place for a stroll. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Liberally sprinkled with benches and lovingly-manicured gardens, Grange’s promenade has telescopes and information boards charting the town’s history, the railway’s impact, the bay’s mercurial nature and all the birds that reside here or call in during the year, from waxwings and marsh harriers to bitterns and oystercatchers. Towards the end of the promenade, where the bay grass has taken on a burnished autumnal tinge, scaffolding shrouds the town’s seawater lido, which dates from 1932. The locals are hoping for funding to restore it to its art deco glory. The sound of electric trimmers slightly jolts the peace and quiet, with a pair of silver-haired men tidying up some hedges by the (currently unoccupied) exercise stations and facilities for bowling, tennis, putting, crazy golf and skateboarding. There are a few spots for refreshments on the promenade, but you’ll find plenty more options if you duck through one of the short tunnels or walk the bridge beyond the railway line that divides the bay from Grange’s town centre. That has its own pleasing setting, backing on to wooded hills and furnished with rows of picturesque stone and whitewashed townhouses. Many properties have gardens crawling with hydrangeas, roofs clad in solar panels, and some double as family-run hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation. I have to say Grange makes for a lovely placid base for the region, whether you’re hiking into the bucolic countryside surrounding town (which I’ll do later) or road-tripping into the Lake District. The town has a few familiar British supermarket and cafe chains, but most businesses are independent. I pass butchers, bakers, pie-makers, tearooms, hardware shops, florists, barbers, pharmacies, galleries and bookshops. There’s a chippy, a kebab shop and a Cantonese restaurant, as well as neighbourhood bistros offering stylishly-presented dishes with seasonal ingredients, including pork, beef and lamb reared on the farms of Cumbria. After a scenic hike into the hills above town, it’s nice to have a drink at one of the watering holes with bay-facing balconies or ***** gardens. One is the Commodore, previously the Bay Horse – an inn for the coach service that had horse-drawn carriages making the treacherous journey over the bay’s shape-shifting sands. The railway changed that, of course, making travel safer and faster — although it did initially cause a problem for the ladies of Grange. In Park Road Gardens, one of the ornamental gardens splitting the town from the railway line, there’s a bandstand framed by a pond with water lilies. It was originally by the promenade, with brass bands attracting crowds, but after complaints that the soot from passing steam trains was ruining the ladies’ dresses, it was transferred here to this slightly elevated spot. I say “hello” to one of the female volunteers caring for these gardens, where butterflies float over lawns and beds of sweetly-scented flowers. I take a breather and soak up the sunshine and the views from one of the many bay-facing benches scattering Grange-over-Sands. I ponder what a lovely place this is — and how relatively few people, even Brits, know about it. fact file Camera IconGrange-over-Sands is blessed with lovingly-manicured gardens. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconGrange-over-Sands is blessed with lovingly-manicured gardens. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconGrange-over-Sands is serviced by regular trains from rail hubs in the north of England. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconGrange-over-Sands overlooks Morecambe Bay. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconGrange-over-Sands overlooks Morecambe Bay. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconPark Road Gardens is renowned locally for its bandstand. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconQuaint buildings pepper Grange-over-Sands. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Camera IconThe bayside promenade of Grange-over-Sands is a delightful place for a stroll. Credit: Steve McKenna/ Source link #Tranquillity #base #Lake #District Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Top 15 Xbox Series X Games With Stunning Graphics [2024 Edition] Top 15 Xbox Series X Games With Stunning Graphics [2024 Edition] -Foxtrot37d ago The Evil Within Anniversary Edition? Good ****. We were robbed. I would imagine they would have improved the graphics and animations to bring them more in line with the second game. Wishful thinking but it would have been really cool if they redid the voice lines from the first game aswell with the same actors from the second, I felt they had more personality in the sequel. The only person I thought gave it a bit more than the others was Jennifer Carpenter as Kidman but the sequels voice actress did a great job aswell. Microsoft is going to do f*** all with the IP and we’ll never see a second Ruvik and Seb showdown. I hope Krafton goes back and gets it after Hi-Fi Rush 2 if it was only because they didn’t want the initial purchase to get complicated. Source link #Top #Xbox #Series #Games #Stunning #Graphics #Edition Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bid to resentence Menendez brothers could be delayed by election of new L.A. district attorney Bid to resentence Menendez brothers could be delayed by election of new L.A. district attorney With the election defeat of the Los Angeles district attorney, a plan to resentence the Menendez brothers could be delayed. The brothers are serving a life sentence without parole for ******** their parents, but there have been growing calls for them to be resentenced and freed after decades behind bars. NBC News’ Liz Kreutz reports. Source link #Bid #resentence #Menendez #brothers #delayed #election #L.A #district #attorney Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

A premium VR headset with average performance A premium VR headset with average performance The Focus Vision shines best when it comes to overall build quality and comfort. Even though it’s made of plastic like the Quest 3, it’s a sturdy device that clearly looks more high-end than Meta’s offerings. Ample cushioning helps the Focus Vision rest comfortably on your forehead and behind your noggin. And its halo-like head strap, together with the ability to flip up the visor, makes it easy to slip on over large glasses. Best of all, the Focus Vision features a removable battery at the back of its headstrap. That provides a helpful counterweight to the bulky front-end, and it could conceivably let you stay in wireless VR all day if you’ve got enough spare batteries. The headset also has a small built-in battery, which allows you to stay in your VR session even when you’re swapping out the larger rear power cell. This is the sort of thing we’ll probably never see in a consumer Quest headset, as it’s simply too expensive to implement, and Meta isn’t building for enterprise customers who demand continuous wireless. (And to be fair, it’s also easy to just plug the Quest 3 into a USB battery pack.) Devindra Hardawar for Engadget In use Using the Focus Vision doesn’t feel much different than the Focus — a headset I liked when I reviewed in 2021, but as a business-focused device I warned that no consumer should actually buy it. That’s not too surprising, I suppose, since both headsets share the same basic design, displays and CPU. In standalone VR mode, playing the Maestro demo genuinely made me feel like I was conducting an orchestra (an experience I also had on the Quest 3S), and I enjoyed hopping around a few virtual worlds in VR Chat. Other experiences, like the classic underwater VR short theBlu, felt just as immersive as they did on clunkier tethered headsets. While I could tell the Focus Vision didn’t have the best lenses around, and I wished it had more graphical horsepower, it still delivered a thrill as I stood in the middle of a sunken shipwreck, waiting for an enormous blue whale to pass by. It was also nice to see the Vive app storefront a bit more populated than it was in 2021. Still, it pales in comparison to Meta’s Quest library, which has far more titles and plenty of compelling exclusives (including Star Wars titles like the Vader Immortal series and Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge). Devindra Hardawar for Engadget We already knew that HTC Vive could build a decent headset – the Focus Vision’s controllers and speakers are just as capable as they were on the previous model – but what about the Focus Vision’s new features, like mixed reality and eye tracking? Unfortunately, there’s not much to say just yet. There are a handful of mixed reality experiences available, like the creation app Figmin XR and the shooter Yuki, but they’re not exactly mind blowing. The Focus Vision’s 16MP mixed reality cameras deliver a fuzzy view of the real world (similar to the Quest 3 and 3S), so it’s not nearly as immersive as something like the far pricier Apple Vision Pro. The Focus Vision’s eye tracking feature also refused to work for me entirely, even after I tried to calibrate it without glasses multiple times. That didn’t seem like a huge loss though, as there are only a handful of games in the Vive store that support it (like Capsule Critters and Mare). It’s a feature that seems more useful for developers who want to build their own eye tracking experiences, than it is for people who just want to play games with eye tracking. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Solid stand-alone VR A better selling point for the Focus Vision is its ability to stream uncompressed desktop VR experiences — but only when you invest in the $149 DisplayPort streaming kit. While Meta’s Quest’s headsets have been able to connect to PCs for years, first via USB-C cables then wirelessly, they also deliver a heavily compressed view of desktop VR. By going straight to the DisplayPort connection on your video card, HTC Vive aims to deliver something closer to what we saw with the Vive Pro 2 and other dedicated PC headsets. After playing half an hour of Half-Life: Alyx, I can confirm that the Focus Vision delivers a solid desktop VR experience, especially for a standalone headset. But given that it already costs $999 and requires an additional $149 accessory to get there, it’s hard to tell who will find this compelling. True VR heads have likely already invested in serious desktop setups like the Valve Index, or the recent Bigscreen Beyond (which uses absurdly clear microLED screens like the Vision Pro). The beauty of connecting standalone headsets to PCs has always been about value. It was a huge bonus when the $300 Quest 2 could deliver adequate desktop VR. But that just isn’t the case for the Focus Vision. I suppose if you’re a developer who wants a single device for testing both standalone VR and complex desktop experiences, or working for a business that needs multi-use VR headsets, the Focus Vision could fill some sort of need. But either way, that seems like a fairly niche use case. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget The Focus Vision’s auto-IPD adjustment, which scans your eyes and physically moves the lenses to be in the ideal position, was also hit-or-miss for me. Sometimes it worked just fine and landed near my prescribed IPD of 66. But sometimes the automatic process would land on an IPD of around 72, which made everything look a bit blurry. And occasionally the feature just wouldn’t work at all. Auto adjustment is helpful if you’re sharing a headset with other people, but otherwise manually choosing your preferred IPD is far more useful. During my typical standalone usage, the Focus Vision lasted for around one hour and 45 minutes, close to the two-hour estimate from HTC Vive. That’s less than what I typically see on the Quest 3 and 3S, but at least you can purchase additional batteries and easily swap them. The built-in battery, which enables hot swapping, lasts for about twenty minutes, but it’s also not something you’ll typically be stressing. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Should you buy the Vive Focus Vision? Despite my issues, the Focus Vision still sits in an interesting position in the world of VR – especially since Meta gave up on the Quest Pro, which would have been a close competitor. It still delivers decent standalone VR, despite using an aging CPU and lenses. And if you don’t want the clutter of SteamVR sensors in your office, it’s a smart way to tap into powerful PCs for more immersive VR experiences (so long as you buy the $149 DisplayPort kit). But for a $999 headset, it’s a shame HTC Vive didn’t try ******* to make the Focus Vision stand out. Source link #premium #headset #average #performance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Emergency service staff who **** in line of duty honoured by King Emergency service staff who **** in line of duty honoured by King handout Bryn Hughes campaigned for emergency workers following the ******* of his daughter, Nicola The first recipients of an award for emergency service workers who **** in the line of duty have been announced. The Elizabeth Emblem, named after the late Queen, will be given to the next of kin of more than 30 deceased firefighters, police officers and public servants in recognition of their loved ones. Among those honoured are PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes, who were ******* in an ambush responding to a bogus 999 call in September 2012. To mark the new honour, the first batch of emblems will be awarded by King Charles III later this year. The award was announced earlier this year following a two year campaign by Nicola’s father, Bryn Hughes, for an award recognising their sacrifice. Mr Hughes previously said he started his campaign after being “surprised” there was no official state recognition specifically for emergency service workers who had ***** in the line of duty. The Elizabeth Emblem is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the armed forces who ***** in action or as a result of a ********** *******. NHS workers who ***** during the pandemic will also be eligible for the award. Martin Wiltshire DC Malcolm Wiltshire ***** in an air ****** in 1985 “It was a complete shock,” Martin Wiltshire told the BBC after being informed he would be receiving the award on behalf of his father, DC Malcolm Wiltshire. “It’s a real privilege that dad’s memories been kept alive after all these years,” he said, adding that his father “loved his job” and “took great pride in his work”. DC Wiltshire served in the Hampshire Constabulary. He ***** in 1985 when the aircraft he was onboard taking aerial photographs of traffic congestion crashed. Both he and the pilot were ******* on impact. Martin Wiltshire Mr Wilshire and his daughter took part in the Police Unity Tour in memory of his father “It really did affect the family,” said Mr Wiltshire, who was 15 at the time of his father’s ******. “But obviously time helped.” He added that his family had been welcomed in by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in recent years. Police have supported him in taking part in various events. “They always remember the anniversary of dad’s ****** each year.” Speaking about the significance of the award, he said: “It’s really important that their memories are not forgotten and their service to the public is remembered.” William Cruickshank William Wallace ***** aged 29 tackling a warehouse blaze in Glasglow “I’d never even heard of the Elizabeth Emblem,” another recipient, William Cruickshank, told the BBC. “I’m really proud of it. I can’t believe it.” Mr Cruickshank said he had been encouraged by his sister Elaine to apply for the award on behalf of their father, William Wallace, who was a firefighter for Glasgow ***** Service. He was one of 19 firefighters and crew who ***** tackling a warehouse blaze in Cheapside Street on 28 March 1960. It was the biggest loss of life ever suffered by one of the ***’s ***** services. William Cruickshank Mr Cruickshank as a child with his father, mother and sister Elaine Mr Cruickshank, who was six when his father *****, added: “Obviously, it doesn’t make up for the fact my dad ***** in service,” but said he saw the recognition as a “positive” thing. “Those days you didn’t have counselling,” he explained, saying it was “quite hard to live with the fact you didn’t have a dad”. Mr Cruickshank was also an 2012 Olympics torch-bearer, carrying it in memory of his late father. He said it was a “special moment” when he handed the torch over to another firefighter. Also receiving an emblem will be the families of PC Andrew Harper and firefighter Leslie Marsh. Lissie Harper’s husband ***** in 2019 while responding to a call about the theft of a quad bike. During the attempted arrest, PC Harper was pulled behind the vehicle for several miles and ***** of his injuries. Mr Marsh’s daughter will receive the honour 75 years after he ***** from spinal injuries after falling through a ***** in the first floor of a derelict ******* while responding to a ***** in Birmingham. Handout Lissie Harper will receive an award in recognition of her late husband, Andrew Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “We must never forget those who have given their lives to protect others in the line of duty. “While families will never be able to replace their loved ones, the Elizabeth Emblem pays tribute to the sacrifice they have made.” The design of the emblem includes a rosemary wreath – a symbol of remembrance – around the Tudor Crown, which the King adopted when he took the throne. It will be inscribed with the words “For A Life Given In Service” and will have the name of the person it commemorates on the reverse. Relatives of deceased emergency responders can apply for the emblem on the government’s website. Source link #Emergency #service #staff #**** #line #duty #honoured #King Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

King Boo’s Haunted Mansion Lego Mario Set Gets First Price Cut At Amazon King Boo’s Haunted Mansion Lego Mario Set Gets First Price Cut At Amazon One of the coolest Lego Super Mario expansion sets is on ***** for the first time at Amazon and Target: King Boo’s Haunted Mansion. Released in August for $75 alongside the revamped starter kits for Mario, Luigi, and Peach, the 932-piece expansion kit is discounted to $60. It’s one of numerous Lego Super Mario sets in Target’s Early ****** Friday *****, which runs through November 9. Amazon is matching this deal and several others as well as offering deals of its own. At 932 pieces, King Boo’s Haunted Mansion is one of the ******* expansion sets in the Lego Super Mario line. It already offered pretty solid value in terms of how many pieces you get for $75. The set comes with four figures: King Boo, Dry Bones, Boo, and a Yellow Baby Yoshi who clearly just wants to return to his island. The completed build is 7.5 inches tall and 9 inches wide, with a depth of 7.5 inches. King Boo’s Haunted Mansion Lego Set King Boo’s Mansion is a display-worthy expansion set, but it was designed with but it was designed with the interactive Lego Mario, Luigi, and Peach figures in mind. And since this is a ghost level from Mario we’re talking about, there are plenty of secrets and traps to uncover. The three interactive figures are included with the new starter kits, which retail for $10 less than the originals and come with more recognizable and prominent enemies. Two of these kits are discounted to $40 (was $50) at Amazon: Adventures with Interactive Lego Mario and Interactive Lego Peach. Multiple of the other recently released expansion sets are also on ***** at Amazon and Target, including big discounts on a new Peach’s Castle set and Soda Jungle Maker from New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. If you want to play Lego Super Mario, All three figures have expressive eyes and a small display on their chest to react to what’s happening in your “level.” They also talk and have various sound effects. The “play” component of Super Mario sets is tailored more toward kids, but even the handful of Super Mario Lego display sets for adults, including the 2,807-piece Mighty Bowser and newly discontinued Super Mario 64 Question Block, interact with the figures. So the starter courses are worth buying even if you don’t plan on building any expansions or even the starter course itself. We put together a list of the best Lego Super Mario and Donkey Kong Lego deals available at Amazon and Target now. You can read detailed overviews of the latest Lego Mario starter courses and expansions below the list. And if you’re shopping for an older Super Mario fan this holiday, the Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi Lego display model is an awesome ode to the Super Nintendo classic and arguably the best-looking Lego Nintendo set to date. Best Super Mario Lego Deals (November 2024) Lego Super Mario Playsets Lego Nintendo Display Sets for Adults Keep in mind that many Lego Super Mario sets have been discontinued over the past couple of years, so what’s available right now likely won’t be the same list after the holidays. This includes the Super Mario 64 Question Block display set for adults, which is now officially discontinued and out of stock at the Lego Store–but you can still get this impressive ode to the iconic Nintendo 64 game at Amazon. There are some particularly great deals on the Donkey Kong expansion sets, including Diddy Kong’s Mine Cart Ride for $88 at the Lego Store and Dixie Kong’s Jungle Jam for only $19. Both sets have been discontinued, so Donkey Kong fans should snag them before they’re gone for good. If you’re curious, here’s the list of recent and soon-to-be discontinued Lego Mario sets. $40 (was $50) While you’re getting fewer pieces compared to the first Mario starter course (218 vs. 231), the set more than makes up for it with its figures. Along with Mario, the set comes with Yoshi, Goomba, and Bowser Jr. Yoshi is a brand-new addition in the refreshed starter set, and Bowser Jr. can now zip around in style with his glorious Clown Car. $40 (was $50) While the Peach starter course still comes with a Lava Bubble and Yellow Toad–except his smile has been replaced with a shocked face–Lakitu replaces Lemmy. Naturally, Lakitu has a cloud to ride on and a fishing ***** to mess with your precious bricks. $50 Luigi’s new starter set comes with Kamek on her broomstick, Boo, and Pink Baby Yoshi. His original set came with ***** *****, Bone Goomba, Pink (******) Yoshi. The star addition is Kamek, but you’ll probably want the Mario starter set, too, as Kamek and Bowser Jr. need to trade insults with each other. It’s possible Pink Yoshi retired from his post in this course and forced his offspring to take on the role. Believe it or not, there are no labor laws in the Mushroom Kingdom preventing Baby Yoshi from working. If you’re keeping score at home, this means all three starter sets now have flying enemies. That said, we’re pretty sure looks are deceiving here, and none of these lovable Lego villains can actually fly. $60 (was $75) King Boo’s Haunted Mansion is one of our favorites in the entire Lego Mario series. Just look at that mansion design! If your Lego Mario/Luigi/Peach figures are brave, they can open the doors and step inside the pretty (but also pretty haunted) residence of King Boo. Your objective is to locate a key, unlock a treasure chest, and thwart the King Boo. The set has some cool interactive elements, including a rising sofa, a movable bookshelf, and multiple Blocks. Beyond King Boo, you get three additional figures: Yellow Baby Yoshi, Dry Bones, and a regular Boo. Also, with the Luigi’s Mansion sets no longer available–unless you are willing to pay exorbitant prices for the Luigi’s Mansion Entryway and/or Haunt-and-Seek expansions–this is the closest you’ll get to replicating Luigi’s solo adventures in Lego form at the moment. $52 (was $65) Though it doesn’t come with Peach, this is a great add-on for any of the three Lego Super Mario starter sets. It lets you build a medium-size version of Peach’s Castle, complete with walls designed to collapse and a ******* catapult to keep enemies at bay. This set includes figurines for Roy, Toad, and Chain Chomp. After Roy is done at the castle, he is rumored to be competing in a chariot race. But first, he must teach his trusty steed how to “neigh” instead of barking like a dog. It was already reasonably priced at launch at $65 for a 738-piece build, but right now you can add it to your collection for only $52 at Amazon. $44 (was $55) Soda Jungle is one of the coolest worlds in any side-scrolling Super Mario game, and now this vibrant and unique setting is available in Lego format. The 598-piece set comes with heaps of interactive components pulled from New Super Mario Bros. U, including a Special Pipe that starts a Speed Run challenge. You’ll also get a Pink Shy Guy, Wiggler, and a Piranha Plant, along with cool accessories like a buildable raft and tons of jungle-based decorations. Once again, you’re getting solid value here with Amazon’s deal that drops the price to $44. $120 At 1,392 pieces, The Bowser Express Train became the largest Lego Mario playset (by piece count) when it launched in August. This very cool kit lets you build a Bowser-themed train with a bunch of interactive features. Highlights include a spinning platform, detachable handcar, and a spring-loaded cannon to blast away at nearby foes. It also comes packed with Super Mario figures, including Hammer Bro, ***** *****, two Goombas, and two Para-Biddybuds. $15 At just 173 pieces, Goombas’ Playground is the smallest and cheapest of the latest expansions. You’ll get to build an adorable little playset featuring an interactive seesaw and tree trunk, as well as three buildable Goombas. To get the most out of the set, be sure to pair it with an interactive Mario, Luigi, or Peach figure. Source link #King #Boos #Haunted #Mansion #Lego #Mario #Set #Price #Cut #Amazon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Nothing or nobody holding back Big Ange at Spurs Nothing or nobody holding back Big Ange at Spurs Ange Postecoglou says he is sticking by his long-term goal of sustained success at Tottenham Hotspur and is receiving the support to achieve that. Source link #holding #Big #Ange #Spurs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Souls-like/roguelike "Mortal Rite" is now available for PC via Steam EA The Souls-like/roguelike "Mortal Rite" is now available for PC via Steam EA “The Dallas-based (the US) indie games developer Round Toast Studios today announced with great joy and excitement that their Souls-like/roguelike “Mortal Rite”, is now available for PC via Steam Early Access.” – Jonas Ek, TGG. Source link #Soulslikeroguelike #quotMortal #Ritequot #Steam Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Amber Alert issued for abducted 13-year-old Columbus girl Amber Alert issued for abducted 13-year-old Columbus girl An Amber Alert has been issued for a 13-year-old Columbus girl who was reported abducted Friday by a man in a pickup truck. Mackenzie Hall, 13, was last seen at around 10:08 a.m. in the 400 block of South Huron Avenue. Mackenzie Hall, 13, is a white female with brown hair who was last seen wearing a gray hoodie with white shoes and a pink backpack when she was reported abducted just before 10:10 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of South Huron Avenue near Westgate Park in the city’s Hilltop area. Shane Smith, 48, was last seen with 13 year old Mackenzie Hall on the 400 block of South Huron Avenue. He is described as being 5’11” and around 200 pounds. She was last seen with 48-year-old Shane Smith, who was driving a white 2004 Ford Ranger pickup truck with Ohio license plate number HRW-1901. The pickup had three stickers in the back window, including a Pittsburgh Steelers sticker on the left and one in the middle with two rifles forming a cross below a skull head. Smith was seen driving a white 2004 Ford Ranger pickup truck with license plate number HRW-1901. The truck has a Pittsburgh Steelers sticker and a skull and bones sticker in the rear windshield. Smith is described as a white man with green eyes, brown hair, and weighs approximately 200 pounds. If anyone sees the teenage girl or vehicle, call 911 or 1-877-AMBER-OH. *****@*****.tld @ShahidMeighan This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mackenzie Hall, 13, was abducted by Shane Smith, 48, police said Source link #Amber #Alert #issued #abducted #13yearold #Columbus #girl Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The 9 best gadgets for your pets The 9 best gadgets for your pets My husband and I love our cat very much, but boy, does her ***** stink up the ******. After seeing an ad for Pretty Litter online, we decided to try it out to see if it would help us. Fortunately, it does, and more. Not only does it have super absorbent silicon crystals that trap odor, but it actually changes ****** to tell you if your cat has any ******** tract issues. Of course, this doesn’t replace going to the vet, but it’s nice to know what’s going on with your cat’s health. Since the litter is so efficient at keeping odor away, we’ve found that we actually use less litter than before, which helps reduce waste. Plus, our cat seems to like it too. On top of that, the company offers a subscription service, delivering a new bag to your door every month. — Nicole Lee, Former Reporter Source link #gadgets #pets Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Why did the ***’s first satellite end up thousands of miles from where it should have been? Why did the ***’s first satellite end up thousands of miles from where it should have been? BBC/Gerry Fletcher Artwork: The half-tonne Skynet-1A satellite was launched in November 1969 Someone moved the ***’s oldest satellite and there appears to be no record of exactly who, when or why. Launched in 1969, just a few months after humans first set foot on the Moon, Skynet-1A was put high above *******’s east coast to relay communications for British forces. When the spacecraft ceased working a few years later, gravity might have been expected to pull it even further to the east, out over the Indian Ocean. But today, curiously, Skynet-1A is actually half a planet away, in a position 22,369 miles (36,000km) above the Americas. Orbital mechanics mean it’s unlikely the half-tonne military spacecraft simply drifted to its current location. Almost certainly, it was commanded to ***** its thrusters in the mid-1970s to take it westwards. The question is who that was and with what authority and purpose? It’s intriguing that key information about a once vital national security asset can just evaporate. But, fascination aside, you might also reasonably ask why it still matters. After all, we’re talking about some discarded space junk from 50 years ago. “It’s still relevant because whoever did move Skynet-1A did us few favours,” says space consultant Dr Stuart Eves. “It’s now in what we call a ‘gravity well’ at 105 degrees West longitude, wandering backwards and forwards like a marble at the bottom of a bowl. And unfortunately this brings it close to other satellite traffic on a regular basis. “Because it’s *****, the risk is it might bump into something, and because it’s ‘our’ satellite we’re still responsible for it,” he explains. BBC/Gerry Fletcher If a satellite ***** at 40E it would drift to the nearest gravity well, which is 75E. Dr Eves has looked through old satellite catalogues, the National Archives and spoken to satellite experts worldwide, but he can find no clues to the end-of-life behaviour of Britain’s oldest spacecraft. It might be tempting to reach for a *********** theory or two, not least because it’s hard to hear the name “Skynet” without thinking of the malevolent, self-aware artificial intelligence (AI) system in The Terminator movie franchise. But there’s no connection other than the name and, in any case, real life is always more prosaic. What we do know is that Skynet-1A was manufactured in the US by the now defunct Philco Ford aerospace company and put in space by a US Air Force Delta rocket. “The first Skynet satellite revolutionised *** telecommunications capacity, permitting London to securely communicate with British forces as far away as Singapore. However, from a technological standpoint, Skynet-1A was more ********* than British since the ******* States both built and launched it,” remarked Dr Aaron Bateman in a recent paper on the history of the Skynet programme, which is now on its fifth generation. This view is confirmed by Graham Davison who flew Skynet-1A in the early 70s from its *** operations centre at RAF Oakhanger in Hampshire. “The Americans originally controlled the satellite in orbit. They tested all of our software against theirs, before then eventually handing over control to the RAF,” the long-retired engineer told me. “In essence, there was dual control, but when or why Skynet-1A might have been handed back to the Americans, which seems likely – I’m afraid I can’t remember,” says Mr Davison, who is now in his 80s. Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum Could the command to move Skynet-1A have come from the US Air Force’s ‘Blue Cube’? Rachel Hill, a PhD student from University College London, has also been scouring the National Archives. Her readings have led her to one very reasonable possibility. “A Skynet team from Oakhanger would go to the USAF satellite facility in Sunnyvale (colloquially known as the Blue Cube) and operate Skynet during ‘Oakout’. This was when control was temporarily transferred to the US while Oakhanger was down for essential maintenance. Perhaps the move could have happened then?” Ms Hill speculated. The official, though incomplete, logs of Skynet-1A’s status suggest final commanding was left in the hands of the Americans when Oakhanger lost sight of the satellite in June 1977. But however Skynet-1A then got shifted to its present position, it was ultimately allowed to **** in an awkward place when really it should have been put in an “orbital graveyard”. This refers to a region even higher in the sky where old space junk runs zero risk of running into active telecommunications satellites. Graveyarding is now standard practice, but back in the 1970s no-one gave much thought to space sustainability. Astroscale British engineers are developing technologies to snare defunct satellites in low orbits Attitudes have since changed because the space domain is getting congested. At 105 degrees West longitude, an active satellite might see a piece of junk come within 50km of its position up to four times a day. That might sound like they’re nowhere near each other, but at the velocities these defunct objects move it’s starting to get a little too close for comfort. The Ministry of Defence said Skynet-1A was constantly monitored by the ***’s National Space Operations Centre. Other satellite operators are informed if there’s likely to be a particularly close conjunction, in case they need to take evasive action. Northrop Grumman The Americans have already shown it’s possible to grab a high-orbiting satellite Ultimately, though, the British government may have to think about removing the old satellite to a safer location. Technologies are being developed to grab junk left in space. Already, the *** Space Agency is funding efforts to do this at lower altitudes, and the Americans and the ******** have shown it’s possible to snare ageing hardware even in the kind of high orbit occupied by Skynet-1A. “Pieces of space junk are like ticking time ******,” observed Moriba Jah, a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. “We need to avoid what I call super-spreader events. When these things explode or something collides with them, it generates thousands of pieces of debris that then become a hazard to something else that we care about.” Source link #UKs #satellite #thousands #miles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Criterion Collection 40-Film Box Set Preorders Are 50% Off Ahead Of November 19 Release Criterion Collection 40-Film Box Set Preorders Are 50% Off Ahead Of November 19 Release The Criterion Collection is responsible for restoring and preserving a bunch of classic and contemporary movies over the past four decades. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Criterion is releasing a 40-film box set dubbed CC40 on November 19. This mammoth collection contains 49 discs, 40 films, hundreds of hours of special features, and a 216-page retrospective book, all stored in a premium clouthbound slipcase. CC40 has a list price of $800 (ouch indeed), but you can preorder the set for 50% off at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The massive $400 discount is being offered as part of the annual 50% off holiday ***** on Criterion movies at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. But if you’re interested in watching and owning a good portion of the included films, you’re paying $14 per movie–and that is a great price for a Criterion Collection Blu-ray. CC40: The Criterion Collection Blu-ray Bundle $400 (was $800) CC40: The Criterion Collection 40-Film Blu-ray Bundle Aside from 40 digitally restored films, the collection includes exclusive packaging, a clothbound slipcase, and a 216-page book with essays from critics, authors, and other members of the industry. Criterion Collection says this isn’t a “top 40 compilation” or a “historical survey,” but rather is a wide assortment of films that display the artistic range of the community. Preordering at Amazon locks in the preorder price guarantee (making you eligible for any additional price cuts between now and release), though if Amazon sells out, you’ll also find the collection on ***** at Barnes & Noble. As a reminder, Amazon won’t charge your credit card until your order ships. CC40 Film List 8 ½ Tokyo Story All That Jazz Bicycle Thieves Repo Man ****** Jules and Jim Being There Weekend Yi Yi The Night of the Hunter Pickpocket Sweet Smell of Success On the Waterfront Do the Right Thing Ratcatcher Sunday ******* Sunday Mirror Barry Lyndon Safe Seconds His Girl Friday Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters Y tu mama tambien My Own Prive Idaho Love & Basketball Night of the Living ***** Ace in the ***** 3 Women The Red Shoes Down by Law La Cienaga Wanda House Sullivan’s Travels The Battle of Algiers A Woman Under the Influence Cleo from 5 to 7 Persona In the Mood for Love CC40 Special Features As for bonus features, you’ll get to enjoy alternate soundtracks, audio commentaries, documentaries, interviews with cast and crew, deleted scenes, TV ads, and more. The 216-page book is also a nice addition to the bundle, giving you a way to learn more about your favorite films while away from the screen. It’s hard to predict whether preorders for this collection will sell out. The Criterion Collection is well-respected in the physical media collector space. There are plenty of Blu-ray enthusiasts who specifically collect Criterion’s releases. That said, it’s a very expensive Blu-ray collection–even though you’re actually getting a pretty solid per-film deal. Source link #Criterion #Collection #40Film #Box #Set #Preorders #Ahead #November #Release Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Golf Collective pitches plan to transform Sydney’s Moore Park South Golf Collective pitches plan to transform Sydney’s Moore Park South Golf lovers have presented a bold new plan to transform one of Australia’s major city parks, pledging the upgrade will expand green space and add several new public spaces while retaining an iconic 18-***** course. Golf Collective, made up of Golf Australia, PGA Australia, Golf NSW and Moore Park Golf Club, presented its plan for Sydney’s Moore Park South to the public for the first time on Saturday, as it moves to stop a proposal from the NSW government to cut the course in half. The government, led by Premier Chris Minns, wants to develop more parkland out of the course to cater to a growing population around the inner-city areas of Waterloo, Zetland, Redfern and Green Square. Golf Collective argues the course can be retained while delivering 15 hectares of “quality and connected recreational space” for the public. “Golf NSW believes the alternate proposal provides a win-win solution for the NSW government and a growing Sydney by offering a multitude of recreational activities, while continuing to service the massive demand for publicly accessible golf via an 18-***** course,” Golf NSW CEO Stuart Fraser said. Camera IconA golfing advocacy group has delivered its plan to transform Moore Park Golf Course to preserve it as an 18-***** course while also delivering more public spaces. Newswire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp AustraliaCamera IconA map of some of the proposed changes to Moore Park South from Golf Collective. Supplied Credit: Supplied “The proposed recreational hub will truly be the heartbeat of the precinct and golf industry stakeholders welcome the opportunity to maximise the recreational benefits of the site for the community.” The proposal would implant an adventure playground, nature play space, dog park, barbecue and picnic facilities, fitness trail, football oval, skate park half courts, a bicycle pump track and riding zone, athletics precinct and three kilometres of walking, running and cycling paths. It would also build a 500-space car park. The plan chips away part of the original golf course to allow more space for the developments, but would still preserve a par-68 18-***** course suitable for local, state and national competitions. “By enhancing existing infrastructure and revitalising un-used and under-utilised areas, the initiative aims to create a park that caters to diverse recreational interests in a financially sustainable way that solves the many challenges in the broader precinct,” Save Moore Park Golf advocate Jared Kendler said. “This exciting master plan delivers a minimum of 15 hectares of quality and connected recreational space for play, exploration, relaxing, walking and sports activities for people of all ages.” Camera IconNSW Premier Chris Minns and City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore both support cutting back the golf course to deliver more parkland for local residents. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia The government’s proposed changes have not yet been detailed, but in a discussion paper from February, NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the redevelopment would repurpose 20 hectares of Moore Park Golf Course and retain a minimum 9-***** course, the existing driving range and clubhouse. “It is an important step to addressing the needs of residents living in the city’s most densely populated suburbs while providing a pathway for golf to continue in Moore Park,” Mr Scully said. The new public park is designed to cater to an expected 790,000 local residents in the area by 2041. “There are almost 690,000 people within a 5km radius of Centennial Parklands,” the discussion paper states. “The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure population projections estimate the population will rise by 100,000 people to almost 790,000 in 2041. “The large majority of these people live in higher density housing forms such as apartments and terraces, with limited access to private open space. Camera IconThe course includes a popular driving range. Newswire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia “To support this density, the government is acting on a need to deliver more public open space for people to enjoy the outdoor environment. “The government will repurpose the current golf course’s western boundary and part of the lands north of Dacey Avenue for transformed public open space.” Mr Minns announced the Moore Park transformation in October 2023. The plan to cut the course in half is contentious, and attracted a rebuke from Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg, who has thrown his support behind the “Save Moore Park Golf Course” campaign. “I know I’m not a citizen of Australia but I am pleading to you and everybody in NSW to save Moore Park Golf Club,” he said in March. “It’s been here for over 100 years and it’s been giving people hundreds and hundreds of years of pleasure and joy.” But City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore lobbied the government to alter the course for more parkland. “In the face of increasing need for public open space, we asked the government: Is an 18-***** golf course still the best use of inner city public land?” she told NewsWire on Friday. “That question is fundamentally one of equity and putting our public land to its best use in the community interest. “The government accepted our proposal and has now committed funding to convert the course from 18 holes to nine, retaining the larger area of land for golf, the clubhouse, depots, parking and popular driving range and returning up to 20 hectares of land to Moore Park for public recreation. “It has been the policy of successive state governments to increase housing in the Green Square urban renewal area and by 2040, up to 80,000 more people will be living in the Green Square and Waterloo area within 2km of here.” Ms Moore said some $2.6m had already been included in the state budget for conversion work. “It is imperative for growing, densely-populated communities to have access to open space with parkland and this will really help,” she said. Source link #Golf #Collective #pitches #plan #transform #Sydneys #Moore #Park #South Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Todd Howard Revealed Elder Scrolls 6 Will Have 1 Major Advantage That Bethesda Couldn’t Give to Skyrim Todd Howard Revealed Elder Scrolls 6 Will Have 1 Major Advantage That Bethesda Couldn’t Give to Skyrim The next major game for Bethesda and Todd Howard will be the highly anticipated Elder Scrolls, with the attention shifting to the title now that Starfield has had its time in the spotlight. It’s been a decade since Bethesda has visited the Elder Scrolls franchise. Credit: Bethesda Game Studios. There’s no denying the fact that the next Elder Scrolls entry is one of the most anticipated games. While Howard still hasn’t shared much about the game, he already has incredible plans for the future of Elder Scrolls 6 which would help it surpass Skyrim! Todd Howard Won’t Repeat the Same Mistake With Elder Scrolls 6 Elder Scrolls 6 will see extended post-launch support. (Image via Bethesda Game Studios) In an interview with MrMattyPlays, the director and executive producer of Berthesda Game Studios, Todd Howard opened about the development process behind the studio’s various games and what the future holds. When asked about how long Bethesda plans to support Fallout 76, Howard’s answer was mostly driven by his regrets about the studio’s previous games like Skyrim and Fallout 4. He notes that these titles still remain popular thanks to updates, mods, and constant player engagement. However, Howard believes they should’ve had extended support, and it’s something that Bethesda will focus on for the Elder Scrolls 6. We know people are going to play it for a long time and so it’s not just what it means for content. It goes further than that. In the last couple of years, Bethesda has constantly supported and provided expansions for its smash hits. It’s still bringing new additions for Fallout 76 and even introduced a brand-new DLC to Starfield despite it’s negative reception. Extended support for the next Elder Scrolls game will allow Bethesda to present us with even more quests and characters, which would enrich the game’s lore and keep players engaged for a long time. With more hands on the deck and hardware improvements of the modern-day consoles, the next Elder Scrolls game will undoubtedly pass Skyrim when it comes to post-launch support. Elder Scrolls 6 Will Define Bethesda’s Future Bethesda has ******* to deliver in recent years. (Image via Bethesda Game Studios) While it’s great to see Bethesda acknowledging its past faults, it still doesn’t change the fact that its recent releases haven’t managed to hit the mark. Even though Howard and his team promised that Shattered Space DLC for Starfield would be a generational expansion, it ******* to make an impact. Immediately, after its release, the expansion was review bombed as it didn’t bring anything new to the table. What’s even more concerning is that it took Howard and his team more than a year to develop the DLC, which is quite surprising considering they’ve given us some incredible DLCs in way less time. The way Studio handled Starfield and its recent projects hasn’t been the best. Even though Elder Scrolls 6 is one of the most hyped titles of the decade, some in the community believe it would be a ******** considering Bethesda’s recent track record. If Howard and his team don’t realize the errors of recent releases and bring what the community desires for the next Elder Scrolls game, Bethesda might fall into the abyss just like Firewalk Studios. With that said, are you excited for Elder Scrolls 6? Let us know in the comments below. Source link #Todd #Howard #Revealed #Elder #Scrolls #Major #Advantage #Bethesda #Couldnt #Give #Skyrim Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Penn State moves forward with public-private partnership for student housing development Penn State moves forward with public-private partnership for student housing development Penn State is moving forward with a ground lease for a 1,500 bed housing project on its University Park campus as it looks to increase its enrollment in the coming years. The proposed real estate transaction was discussed during a Penn State board of trustees’ committee meeting Thursday and by the full board on Friday. The development, which was first made public in April, will have 1,500 beds intended for non-first year students at University Drive and College Avenue. The board approved it with one vote in opposition, Trustee Barry Fenchak. Sara Thorndike, senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer for the university, told the committee Thursday that they want to accommodate growth and knew they’d need more housing for students that is affordable. “If we’re putting more first year students on campus, we want an affordable option for the rest of the students to go to. When we evaluated whether we wanted to use our own housing revenues and reserves for this project, or whether we wanted to think about other options, what was really critical to us is to continue to use our own resources to renovate our current housing inventory, which is critical for our success,” Thorndike said, which led them to explore a public-private partnership. Penn State is moving forward with a ground lease for a 1,500 bed housing project at University Drive and College Avenue on its University Park campus. This rendering shows what the development may look like. Penn State sent out a request for qualifications to 19 firms, received six responses, and evaluated four of those submissions. From there, the university narrowed the list to two. With the board’s approval on Friday, they approved selecting Graystar Development East as the lead developer of the project and to lease the property, among other items. The terms for the ground lease, including how long it would last or how much the lease costs, were not disclosed. On Thursday, Thorndike said it is a more than $20 million deal for Penn State. Fenchak said he voted against it, not because of any project specifics, but because of where it fits into the university’s mission. He said it is not in the university’s best interest to increase enrollment at University Park due to broader issues Penn State is facing internally like finances and the need for out-of-state tuition revenues, and externally, like students picking alternatives to higher education. “If we put ourselves in a position where we have to increase enrollment, that’s only going to exacerbate those concerns, and I don’t think they’re in the best interest of the university’s overall missions at this time,” he said. Rent affordability was an important piece to the university, as well as receiving economic benefits since it’s still on the university’s land, she said. The university will maintain ownership and long-term control of the property. Story Continues Some terms are still being negotiated, including the rental rates. Thorndike said the proposed rental rates for a one bedroom is 25% below the average downtown State College rent, two bedrooms are 18% below the average (and 60% below the top of the market), and the four bedrooms are 7% below the average rent (and 18% below the top of the market). Thorndike said they’re anticipating 775 beds by fall 2027, which will be “critical” for the university as it looks at enrollment growth and affordability, and the remainder will come in fall 2028. At least one trustee previously questioned if this development — which will be a short walk from the Lasch Football Building — will primarily cater to football players and other student-athletes. During this week’s meetings, the university reiterated that any non-first year student is eligible to live there. Penn State is moving forward with a ground lease for a 1,500 bed housing project at University Drive and College Avenue on its University Park campus. This rendering shows what the development may look like and where it’s located. Source link #Penn #State #moves #publicprivate #partnership #student #housing #development Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

15 Unreal Engine 5 Games That Look Ridiculously Good 15 Unreal Engine 5 Games That Look Ridiculously Good SPEAKxTHExTRUTH1d ago I saw Zero noticeable difference when I played it on Pro. The only game I’ve seen significant difference in is FF7RB but now I get these stutters after the Pro update. I can safely say that if you don’t have a PS5 then getting the Pro is a no brainer but upgrading from PS5 to Pro is not a wise move as of now. Wait for better new games. Source link #Unreal #Engine #Games #Ridiculously #Good Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Quordle today – hints and answers for Saturday, November 9 (game #1020) Quordle today – hints and answers for Saturday, November 9 (game #1020) Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers. Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles. SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers. Your Quordle expert Your Quordle expert Marc McLaren Social Links Navigation Global Editor in Chief Quordle today (game #1020) – hint #1 – Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today? • The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*. * Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too). Quordle today (game #1020) – hint #2 – repeated letters Do any of today’s Quordle answers contain repeated letters? • The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2. Quordle today (game #1020) – hint #3 – uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today? • No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today’s Quordle answers. Quordle today (game #1020) – hint #4 – starting letters (1) Do any of today’s Quordle puzzles start with the same letter? • The number of today’s Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0. If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you’re not ready yet then here’s one more clue to make things a lot easier: Quordle today (game #1020) – hint #5 – starting letters (2) What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with? • F • T • A • S Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM. Quordle today (game #1020) – the answers (Image credit: Merriam-Webster) The answers to today’s Quordle, game #1020, are… Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable ****** Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. Sometimes the most obvious of words can prove tricky in Quordle. THERE is one that I always have to think about; it’s probably the single most common word in the game, but it often escapes my attention. The repeated Es don’t help, but even setting that aside it just doesn’t occur to me until I really, really think about it. THERE is one potentially tricky word in this Quordle, but there are others. ATOLL is also a tough one, and SANER could be hard to narrow down depending on the way the letters fell for you. How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know. Daily Sequence today (game #1020) – the answers (Image credit: New York Times) The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1020, are… Quordle answers: The past 20 Quordle #1019, Friday 8 November: DELAY, NAVAL, MOLAR, SWARM Quordle #1018, Thursday 7 November: REPAY, SYNOD, LOATH, PITHY Quordle #1017, Wednesday 6 November: SASSY, DRUID, THREW, SLOSH Quordle #1016, Tuesday 5 November: BEGET, AMUSE, STONY, LOUSY Quordle #1015, Monday 4 November: CHILL, TACKY, GRAPH, PLAZA Quordle #1014, Sunday 3 November: QUIRK, HEART, ELBOW, KNOWN Quordle #1013, Saturday 2 November: SWUNG, FLOOR, PARER, CRUST Quordle #1012, Friday 1 November: FIFTY, GULCH, RECUT, TWEET Quordle #1011, Thursday 31 October: TWINE, RIGID, BELCH, AMEND Quordle #1010, Wednesday 30 October: SLOOP, BRINE, BROOD, FLUID Quordle #1009, Tuesday 29 October: CLIFF, BURNT, SNAKY, POLYP Quordle #1008, Monday 28 October: MACAW, LIEGE, GOUGE, CARGO Quordle #1007, Sunday 27 October: STUNG, CLOUT, SOWER, BASIS Quordle #1006, Saturday 26 October: DUCHY, CANNY, BLOCK, SMART Quordle #1005, Friday 25 October: PRANK, EXIST, RUDDY, PICKY Quordle #1004, Thursday 24 October: DAIRY, RALLY, CURLY, LABEL Quordle #1003, Wednesday 23 October: DROSS, ANNEX, GRAVE, BROKE Quordle #1002, Tuesday 22 October: ADORE, SMITH, AFOOT, LUCID Quordle #1001, Monday 21 October: TREAD, NINTH, GRIEF, UNSET Quordle #1000, Sunday 20 October: CORAL, WHOSE, HEIST, SOAPY Source link #Quordle #today #hints #answers #Saturday #November #game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]