Opera GX is a browser for gamers, but the actual gaming is still to come
Gamers need browsers too and though most of them use Chrome, Opera is hoping to entice them with its new browser for gamers, called Opera GX. It adds RGB controls and resource limits to give games the most system power possible, all with a new coat of digital paint.
BMW’s i8 Roadster is the Mazda Miata of hybrids. And I mean that in a good way
The BMW i8 Roadster is outclassed by all of its direct competitors when it comes to power, speed, eco-cred, or luxury. What it does have is driving goodness surround by a stunningly beautiful wrapper. What other car isn’t the fastest but is possibly the best? Oh yeah, the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Just another Star Wars game? Jedi: Fallen Order struggles to stand out
During the EA Play E3 2019 livestream, we were shown gameplay footage of Respawn Entertainment's Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. We were shown combat, traversal, and BD-1's role as a companion to Cal Kestis. It looks stunning and fun, though what we know about the story leaves something to be desired.
Xbox’s Project Scarlett console is awesome, and it doesn’t matter
Microsoft has set a release date for Project Scarlett, its next-generation game console. It promises incredible performance, stunning 8K visuals, and lightning-quick load times -- but none of that matters. The console's relevance is waning.
E3 2019: Madden NFL 20 feels like it might have the X-factor
We checked out Madden NFL 20 at EA Play and came away quite impressed. The new X-Factor mechanic injects a bit of arcade magic to Madden and we're happy to finally have Run-Pass Option plays at our disposal. It does feel quite similar to Madden 19 in a lot of ways, but franchise updates sound exciting.
The technologies your car inherited from race cars
From disc brakes to the rearview mirror, many things you might take for granted in your current car were honed on the racetrack. Formula One, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and World Rally Championship racing has contributed many important innovations. Buckle up and see how racing tech has influenced modern car design.
Orwell’s 1984 was nothing like actual 1984. But it’s exactly like 2019
70 years ago today, George Orwell published 1984: a dystopian novel that sat squarely in the realm of fiction at the time it was published. Today, however, the book is an astonishingly accurate depiction of the world we live in now -- and somehow everyone seems to be okay with it.
From GoPro to Lenovo, Trump tariffs would have raised prices on tech from Mexico
While the Trump Administration's efforts to place tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.S. have obvious consequences for American businesses and consumers, Trump's Mexico tariffs might have a much more immediate and potentially economy-killing effect.
Sign In with Apple sticks it to Google and Facebook, for the good of everyone
Apple wants you to use its new Sign In with Apple service, which promises to free you from password hell, without selling your soul to the advertising devil. Google and Facebook offer similar features, but with compromises to your online privacy. Does Apple's solution improve on them?
Alexey Pajitnov still hasn’t mastered Tetris, the game he invented 35 years ago
Tetris first arrived in 1984 brought about by creator Alexey Pajitnov. After various releases and versions of the game, its managed to maintain popularity and the attention of players of all ages. We caught up with Alexey to find out how he feels about the game today, as we near its 35 year anniversary.
This is how much Apple’s $6,000 Mac Pro would cost as a PC
Apple is embracing the tower design once again to create the most powerful Mac for professionals, and this year’s Mac Pro delivers with high-end silicon options, quad-graphics support, and more. Can a PC come close to what the Mac Pro delivers for $6,000?
Google Stadia’s platform for everyone promise is already broken
Google Stadia, the upcoming cloud gaming service, pitches itself on accessibility. It's a platform for everyone, playable on any screen. Except that's not quite true. Stadia has many restrictions, terms, and conditions.
Why choose? Disney Plus and Netflix are the peanut butter and jelly of streaming
Everyone is arguing about which streaming video platform is better, but when it comes to Netflix and Disney Plus, these two streaming services really are two great -- and totally different -- streaming options that will be even better when you put them together.
As Google keeps racing ahead, where is Apple’s A.I. strategy?
As the Google Assistant continues to grow and improve, Apple’s Siri is lagging behind. While Google prizes artificial intelligence and machine learning, Apple is still focused on hardware. Just what is Apple’s A.I. strategy? Can it catch up, or even close the gap, and why does it matter anyway?
The new Mac Pro was the only way to save the Mac from the iPad’s killing blow
The Mac Pro and the iPad were in the spotlight this year at WWDC 2019. Why? Well, the two products paint an interesting picture about the future of both platforms. Whether you like it or not, the incredibly niche Mac Pro may have been the only way to save the Mac from the jaws of the iPad.
The Nowa Superbe tracks fitness, without looking like it belongs in the gym
The Nowa Superbe is not a hybrid smartwatch, as it doesn’t deliver notifications, and is instead a basic fitness tracker wearing its best party outfit, for those who hate the idea of wearing a fitness tracker that looks like it really only belongs in the gym. We've worn it for a few days to see how it performs.
WPA3, the third generation of Wi-Fi security, has one giant flaw: You
Wi-Fi security will get a lot better with WPA3, but it's not going to change things overnight. Even when all of the hardware and software has been upgraded to support it, there are still going to be some glaring problems. Hackers know the best way to break wireless security and it's usually through the user.
How the Mac Pro’s modular internals prophesy a new future for PC design
Apple's new Mac Pro upgrades the hardware for Mac desktop users considerably and has a number of unique features and options. As it has in the past though with its 'trashcan' miniature Mac Pro, could the new one inspire change in the PC industry, even if it's just the option of a cheese grater case?
Buick launched the first in-car touchscreen when the NES was still cutting edge
While it looks like the smartphone had a formative influence on the in-car touchscreen, it's actually the other way around. Buick released the first series-produced car with a touchscreen-based infotainment system back in 1986. The feature later spread to other models but motorists found it too distracting.
Borderlands might be influential but you’ll want to Catch a Ride to the sequel
Borderlands influenced several other first-person shooters, but the original game’s plodding pace and barebones story make it frustrating to play in 2019 and only make the wait for Borderlands 3 more difficult. With any luck, the upcoming game has learned the right lessons from the series’ past.
XDR vs. HDR: Why Apple’s new 6K monitor is such a big deal
Apple’s marketing engine may have made the HDR standard just a little bit more confusing by launching the Pro Display XDR. So is Apple’s XDR just hype, or does is it really a game-changer for the future of the HDR standard?
Why iTunes had to die to be reborn
Apple’s decision to kill off iTunes-as-we-know-it, as announced during WWDC 2019, makes me nostalgic. Not only because it was instrumental in bringing me into the Apple family; but because I still rely on iTunes today for the same reason it was created back in 2001. But reports of its death may be overblown.
Top Oxford researcher talks the risk of automation on employment
The threat of robots and A.I. stealing jobs is hotly debated. In a new book, titled The Technology Trap: Capital, Labor, and Power in the Age of Automation, Oxford professor Dr. Carl Benedikt Frey sorts the truth from the fiction. Dr. Frey spoke with Digital Trends about his findings.
How a former ILM designer now creates in 3D with just a laptop
In what was one of the most riveting demos at Computex this year, we met Colie Hertz, a former ILM designer. He demonstrated just how much his process has changed over the years, which now includes designing in 3D using VR and just a single laptop.
Let’s take a moment to marvel at how incredibly high-tech modern car tires are
When you think about it, an ordinary car tire is an amazing piece of work. It’s soft enough that you can leave a mark in it with your fingernail, but it lasts 20,000 to 50,000 miles on your car. In the course of an average tire’s service life, it may have to work in sub-zero temperatures or up to 180 degrees on a hot summer day.
The promise and pitfalls of using robots to care for the elderly
There's something dystopian about the idea of a future in which robots care for the elderly. But is this something we should really fight against? A number of new projects show that a future of caregiving robots and artificial intelligence may be just what the doctor ordered.
Dragons, fire, and giants: Behind the visual effects of Game of Thrones season 8
Game of Thrones' eighth season brought the hit show's award-winning run to a dramatic end. We spoke to visual effects studio Weta Digital about bringing some of season 8's most memorable moments to the screen, from midair dragon battles to an ill-fated, fiery charge into the night.
How I learned to stop worrying and love Robert Pattinson as Batman
DC Comics' Dark Knight has a new face, with actor Robert Pattinson taking on the mantle of Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming movie directed by Matt Reeves. Before you get on board the hate train, here's why the idea of the Twilight actor playing Batman isn't all that bad (and could be great).
We tested Sprint’s 5G. It might not be worth an upgrade yet
Sprint has launched its 5G network, and its CEO is calling it the largest initial coverage footprint in the country. We flew down to Dallas to test it out using LG’s V50 ThinQ and HTC’s 5G Hub, both of which will be available May 31. The initial rollout includes Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and Kansas City.
Apple Pay, Google Pay will work with MTA’s tap-and-pay system for NYC transit
In New York City? The MTA is bringing tap and pay systems to public transit, so you'll be able to use contactless payment options. The new system is called OMNY, and it will eventually replace the MetroCard. You can use Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets. Here's what you need to know.
The Tamagotchi Effect: How digital pets shaped the tech habits of a generation
Tamagotchis, the egg-shaped virtual pets that were the obsession of kids and the scourge of many parents and teachers in the late 1990s, are making a comeback. Here's how the originals helped shape the tech views of an entire generation of kids, now in their twenties and thirties.
How mushrooms and werewolves shaped Captain Marvel’s coolest visual effects
Marvel Studios brought Captain Marvel to the big screen in a big way in March, and the cosmic hero's first solo adventure was packed with memorable moments brought to life through the magic of visual effects. We spoke to two of the studios that created some of the film's signature effects.
Tesla is now doomed. Here’s how its EV dream will soon come crashing down
Tesla completely transformed the automotive landscape and has done more to further the electric game than anyone else. It deserves total credit for making EVs a part of the discussion when it comes to the future of the automobile. Tesla has changed the world. It’s also doomed.
Will GPS ever become obsolete? Meet the ant-inspired tech that could replace it
GPS is today’s go-to navigational system and it’s great until it doesn’t work. Researchers at universities and some of the world’s top tech companies are developing advanced navigational techniques designed to fill in the gaps when GPS fails.