Starlink has been confirmed as the provider of a landmark coverage milestone in collaboration with New Zealand’s One NZ. 

The telecoms provider claims it is the first company in the world to operate a national satellite text message service via Starlink. 

SpaceX’s satellite-to-cell offering has several partners across the globe, including T-Mobile in the U.S. and others in Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Peru, and Switzerland. 

The breakthrough in coverage is notable but it has to be pointed out that there are limitations to the service. SMS contacts can be sent and received within three minutes, but One NZ has warned the timeframe could increase to “10 minutes or longer” during the initial stages of the rollout. 

Another early issue is that only four phone models are supported at present. They are the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and OPPO Find X8 Pro. 

Further support is expected to be introduced in 2025 as the service evolves.

Voice calls and data to follow, says One NZ

Joe Goddard, One NZ’s Commercial Director said, “We continue to test the capabilities of One NZ Satellite TXT, and this is an initial service that will get better. For example, text messages will take longer to send but will get quicker over time.”

“We’re beginning with a small number of phones as part of the staggered rollout of the technology, and critically, from today customers can send and receive text messages only, but in the future, we expect voice calling and data to also be available, ” he added.

The One NZ satellite text service will be free of charge to customers on existing pay-monthly plans, while the company has not yet indicated if there will be additional specific charges for new customers or those on other tariffs to avail of the satellite-to-phone connection.

In September, Starlink hit the four million customers mark, with a million gained since the end of May alone.

Image credit: Via Midjourney

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The Nintendo Switch boasts a plethora of titles you can play on the go and on the couch for free. From whimsical platformers to expansive open world adventures, there’s an abundance of quality titles available without spending a dime.

These top-rated Nintendo Switch games warrant owning the multi-functional console, and can be played at no extra cost. Featuring classic characters that stood the test of time, and new faces upholding Nintendo’s high-quality gaming.

This article goes over must have free Nintendo Switch games to play in 2024. The list takes multiple genres into consideration and is in no particular order.

Best Free Nintendo Switch Games: A Top 10 List

10. Pokemon Unite

Release Date: July 21, 2021

Platforms: Switch, iOS, Android

As one of the most popular franchises ever created, Pokemon spans beyond its iconic turn-based formula. Pokemon Unite is the moba entry to the series, where instead of destroying towers players gather points called Aeos energy to deposit in enemy goal zones.

The characters you play as evolve as you progress through the match, unlocking new and more powerful abilities to eliminate the opposition. The game encourages roles such as attacker, defender, speedster, supporter, and all-rounder. The roles themselves are tailored to Pokémon’s strengths, but there’s less rigidity compared to traditional MOBAs.

Pokemon Unite is one of the best multiplayer Switch games available for free, and can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

9. Fortnite

Release Date: July 21, 2017

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 

Fortnite has quickly become the most popular game globally, in large part due to its free price tag. The battle royale genre has taken the playerbase by storm, and Fortnite itself has helped influence many recent titles seeking to cash in on the live-service craze.

What makes Fortnite so popular is its seasonal model, regularly adding updates to keep the game from feeling stale. There are also a variety of collaborative skins and events that happen in-game, such as the upcoming Messi collaboration. 

There are also an abundance of other modes available in Fortnite if battle royale isn’t to your liking, such as the newly updated LEGO Fortnite mode.

Fortnite is available on the Nintendo Switch, however players will need to have Nintendo Switch online if they wish to access its multiplayer features.

8. Fall Guys

Release Date: August 4, 2020

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation

Fall Guys is the party royale game to play. Players compete in a game show by navigating through a series of courses to claim the crown. There are a variety of elaborate courses to learn to master as you compete against the rest of the lobby in a race to the finish.

The game also includes a custom mode where players can create their own courses and share with others online, making them as difficult or chaotic as they please.

Fall Guys is free to download as one of the top rated Nintendo Switch games to play. Players can purchase collaborative skins and victory emotes through the in-game shop, allowing players to dress up as some of their favorite characters.

7. Overwatch 2

Release Date: August 10, 2023

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 

Despite the lack of a promised PVE campaign, Overwatch 2 is still going strong with seasonal updates. The iconic hero shooter is free to download on the Nintendo Switch, where players can get their hands on the latest Scottish tank hero – Hazard.

Overwatch is a popular first person shooter with MOBA mechanics, encouraging teamwork with damage, tank, and support heroes. it boasts a current roster of 42 international heroes battling it out in 5v5 formats. Players have fallen in love with the unique skill sets of each hero and their unique lore profile, on top of an abundance of cosmetic skins to boot.

Overwatch 2 still remains a popular Switch game despite it shortcomings. New players can look forward to a plethora of content to explore and master upon loading the game.

6. Dauntless

Release Date: September 26, 2019

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation

Dauntless is a solid live service alternative for those who want to experience the Monster Hunter magic without paying the AAA price tag. Dauntless boasts a variety of colourful Behemoths to hunt in order to obtain powerful gear and weapons.

The game is constantly getting updated with new events and behemoths to take down, all of which you can enjoy with friends online. It supports cross-platform gameplay, so friends can play together regardless of their device

Its straightforward systems and accessibility features make it one of the easier monster hunting games to play for both casual and experienced gamers to enjoy.

5. Apex Legends

Release Date: February 4, 2019

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 

Apex Legends combines elements of both hero shooters and battle royales into one complete package – all for free. The game has a diverse roster of legends, each of whom are divided into unique classes based one their specific abilities. For example recon legends gather intel on enemy positions, while controllers bunker down and defend a position by laying down traps.

Respawn entertainment regularly releases updates for Apex Legends, some of which has ties to Titanfall lore. New legends, maps, modes, and skins are released on a frequent basis as a live service.

If you enjoy fast paced, first person hero shooter action, then Apex Legends might be a solid choice for you as a top rated Switch game.

4. Rocket League

Release Date: July 7, 2015

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation

Rocket League is a highly rated Switch game because of its unique gameplay premise, combining rocket paired racing with soccer. Race along walls or spiral through the air as your team tries to hit the ball in the enemy goal post.

If soccer isn’t to your liking, Rocket League also feature other sports such as basketball and hockey in limited time modes for all sports fans to enjoy.

The basic mechanics, like driving and hitting the ball, are straightforward, allowing newcomers to enjoy it right away. But advanced mechanics like aerials, dribbling, and flicks offer a skill ceiling that keeps players coming back to improve.

It’s a tough game to master, but one that’s incredibly satisfying and rewarding once you’re behind the wheel.

3. Brawlhalla

Release Date: October 17, 2017

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, iOS, Android

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the best in its genre, but Brawlhalla is a great free option for those looking to scratch that side scrolling beat ’em up itch. It supports cross-platform play, allowing players on PC, consoles, and mobile devices to compete seamlessly against each other.

The games itself offers a large roster of characters to play as, including skins and characters from other Ubisoft franchises as part of its collaborative updates. You can play as Ezio from Assassin’s creed, or the iconic Rayman himself.

Brawlhalla’s controls are intuitive and easy to learn, but the game offers significant depth for those who want to master it. The mechanics, like precise dodging, string combos, and weapon-specific skills, cater to both casual and competitive players.

2. Sky: Children of the Light

Release Date: July 18, 2019

Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation, iOS

Sky: Children of the Light is one of the best family friendly switch games to play in 2024. The game features breath-taking graphics with a focus on ethereal, dreamlike environments. From expansive skies to mystical caves, the art style creates an immersive, almost meditative experience.

The game is designed to be accessible to players of all ages and skill levels. Its intuitive controls and gentle difficulty curve allow casual players to enjoy it while still offering depth for more dedicated players. It’s still far from being a challenging game, opting for a more relaxing gameplay above all else.

There really isn’t a game like it available on the Nintendo Store, and it is free to boot. It’s a game worth installing to see for yourself, and its lack of an up front charge means you have nothing to lose.

1. Warframe

Release Date: March 25, 2013

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 

If you’ve ever wanted to see what all the fuss is about for looter shooters, Warframe is a great title to dive into on the Nintendo Switch. one of the most popular Nintendo Switch games available for free, there’s still a lot of content available for players who decide not to spend any cash.

Warframe is a fast paced third person shooter, with a parkour system that allows players to dash, slide, wall-run and glide across the map. Players can use a mix of melee, ranged, and ability-based combat, tailoring their playstyle to suit their preferences.

With over 50 unique Warframes available to earn, there’s a lot of replay value on offer. The developers, Digital Extremes, consistently release updates, including new Warframes, missions, and even open-world expansions. You’ll wan tot jump in ahead of the upcoming Warframe 1999 update coming in December, 2024.

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TP-Link is in the hot seat in the US, as it might see its routers banned from the market. It comes as three US agencies have investigated the company, with fears that it’s actively spying on users.

The concern comes as more tech companies are under scrutiny by the US government, with a big focus on Chinese manufacturers. In January, we might potentially see a TikTok ban over similar security concerns from the US.

United States Commerce, Defense, and Justice departments are all investigating the company. Part of what promoted this was Microsoft’s analysis in October. The Seattle giant found that a Chinese hacking group has an expansive network of TP-Link routers, which are all compromised.

These routers are the target of attacks from the group, which is allegedly part of a Chinese government-backed project.

It is reported that TP-Link supplies most US entities, including the Defense Department. The router company is also in 65% of US homes and small businesses, as the cheap cost usually outweighs its competitors.

A generic TP-Link router can be picked up for as little as $50 on Amazon as of writing. Along with solid performance and reliability, has made it a staple for networks across the world.

US agencies investigate TP-Link over Chinese hacking fears

The US Justice Department has also accused TP-Link of undercutting the market to avoid anti-monopoly laws, which it denies.

Speaking with the Wall Street Journal, a spokesperson for TP-Link said, “We welcome any opportunities to engage with the US government to demonstrate that our security practices are fully in line with industry security standards, and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the US market, US consumers, and addressing US national security risks.”

However, the ban could go through with the incoming Trump administration and general fears from officials within the US government. In 2019, Huawei – which was supplying 5G network hardware – was banned from the US due to the same fears.

The Biden administration has also fuelled disputes with China. It has recently put blocks on Nvidia (a US company) from shipping high-end AI and gaming hardware to the country, as the AI rat race heats up between countries.

Featured image: US Flag, Chinese Flag, TP-Link

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The X social media platform has updated the threshold on its Creator Revenue Share Program, upping the requirements to entry.

The program is open for people to apply and if eligible and accepted, they can start earning money by posting content on X.

The news came in the form of a post on the platform by the Creators team who said: “We know many creators have been awaiting review on subscription applications for a while!”

They followed on by explaining three updates that will be occurring to the application review process, eligibility criteria, and price changes for existing creators.

Previously, the threshold to be eligible to start earning money on the platform was having at least 500 verified followers. Now though, X has upped this requirement to having 2,000 verified followers.

2) We're increasing the eligibility criteria so that we can focus on making our top creators successful.

The new criteria are:
– 5M organic impressions in the last 3 months
– 2,000 verified followers

Verified follower count is now available in account analytics!

— Creators (@XCreators) December 7, 2024

X Creator Revenue Share Program changes eligibility, the application process, and more

The account must also have achieved 5M organic impressions in the last three months.

The company states this changing of the eligibility criteria is so that they “can focus on making our top creators successful.”

The change could see it being easier to make money from content once accepted as a creator will have a bigger monetizable audience.

As for the price changes, “creators can now request price changes to new and existing subscriptions. Price change requests will take roughly a week to process and take effect on a rolling basis as subscriptions renew.”

3) Creators can now request price changes to new and existing subscriptions. Price change requests will take roughly a week to process and take effect on a rolling basis as subscriptions renew.

You can find the updated eligibility criteria and other information in the help doc…

— Creators (@XCreators) December 7, 2024

People can earn money through subscriptions, with creators earning a share of the revenue X earns from Subscriptions offering the most engaged followers an extra level of access and bonus content.

On X’s Help Center, it states people will be eligible “to get paid up to 97%* of the revenue X has earned from selling access to your Subscriptions, after in-app purchase fees, until you reach $100,000 in lifetime earnings from X across all X monetization products.”

Once a creator has hit that coveted $100,000 in lifetime earnings, they can get paid up to 90% of the revenue X has earned after in-app purchase fees.

While the organic impressions sound like a mammoth amount, the X Creators account has confirmed that people will not be demonetized for falling below the eligibility thresholds if they’re already onboarded.

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

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The annual App Store Awards have concluded for 2024, with Apple celebrating the winners and recognizing talented developers who they say have created “exceptional experiences.”

A total of 45 finalists were included, ranging from solo entrepreneurs to multinational teams.

“We are thrilled to honor this impressive group of developers who are harnessing the power of Apple devices and technology to deliver experiences that enrich the lives of users and have a profound impact on their communities,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a news release.

“The remarkable achievements of this year’s winners demonstrate the incredible ingenuity that can be unlocked through apps.” The apps chosen span videography, photography, sports, gaming, music, and more.

One more round of applause!

Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2024 #AppStoreAwards. pic.twitter.com/1fWkKSfzpp

— App Store (@AppStore) December 14, 2024

The judges also selected six Cultural Impact winners to recognize “the lasting impact these apps and games have made in users’ lives and communities.” NYT Games, which includes Wordle, was named amongst five others.

Apple’s App Store Award winners are named for 2024

Several categories have been chosen, including the coveted ‘iPhone App of the Year; award which was given to pro video camera app Kino from Lux Optics Inc.

The ‘iPad App of the Year’ winner was the music-based Moises app from Moises Systems Inc.

Adobe Lightroom from Adobe Inc took home ‘Mac App of the Year,’ while F1 TV from Formula One Digital Media Limited won ‘Apple TV App of the Year.’

This year also sees a new Apple Vision Pro category added which aims to highlight the achievements in the world of spatial computing. What If…? An Immersive Story from Marvel Studios, ILM Immersive, and Disney+ came up trumps in the category for 2024.

Other winners included Lumy from Raja V (‘Apple Watch App of the Year), AFK Journey from Farlight Games (‘iPhone Game of the Year’), Squad Busters from Supercell (‘iPad Game of the Year’), Thank Goodness You’re Here! from Panic Inc (Mac Game of the Year), THRASHER: Arcade Odyssey from Puddle, LLC (‘Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year), and Balatro+ from Playstack Ltd (‘Apple Arcade Game of the Year).

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

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A new $20 trillion hyperloop tunnel was proposed, connecting the UK to the US. If the project were to go ahead, London to New York would be done in just 54 minutes.

Hyperloops are essentially tunnels with the specific purpose of speeding up travel. This new “Transatlantic Tunnel” would be far more expansive than similar projects, like the Channel Tunnel in the UK. It would also cost around $19.8 trillion.

The tunnel has had multiple proposals, with different ways of managing the colossal tunnel’s location. According to The Mirror, these include putting it under the seabed, a floating tunnel, or middle grounds like placing it on top of the seabed.

While the tunnel is a complicated nightmare on its own, the vessels that would travel in the tunnel are another story. It has been proposed that vacuum tubes be used, which would shoot travelers across the tunnel at more than 3000 miles per hour.

Hundreds of years before hyperloop is even a thing

Of course, this is theoretical. Tunnel and tube technology might be seeing advancements in places like India, but it’s still years away. Estimates, if built in the same methods as the Channel Tunnel, would put it at 782 years away.

As mentioned, in India, the country recently completed its first test track for a hyperloop. Built by IIT-Madras, the track is at 400 meters (0.2 miles). It’ll be expanded to seven miles and eventually is planned to hit 62 miles.

The US has had a hyperloop before. Hyperloop One was shut down in December 2023, before it could even launch. It had test tunnels and ran a couple of passengers in 2020. However, it could never materialize.

Elon Musk weighs in on hyperloop proposal

This said, Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and X owner has built “Loop”. Part of The Boring Company, it’s a Las Vegas-based tunnel that uses Tesla Model 3s to transport passengers to a number of stations. In a 2023 video, a user on X, formerly Twitter, said that the 200-meter tunnel is “dumber than I could have imagined” while sharing a video of the process.

lol I can’t believe this is actually what Tesla’s Hyperloop looks like. It’s dumber than I could have imagined: pic.twitter.com/3PEnGWE1YN

— Politics & Education (@PoliticsAndEd) January 7, 2023

Musk has weighed in on the proposed hyperloop and said that it could be done for $20 billion dollars. X users have posted to Community Notes – X’s system for fact-checking – with pushback, claiming that the 1000 times less budget doesn’t take into account “other expenses like engineers and infrastructure”.

Musk was also corrected with the cost per kilometer (0.6 miles) of track, which is €25 million per KM on average.

According to a report five months ago on the proposals, no one has seriously considered the project.

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The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out a new framework for the regulation of the cryptocurrency industry.

The British regulator is seeking feedback on its discussion paper, with various measures on the table, including banning public crypto offers. 

Although the regulatory body has proposed the ban on open public offerings, there will be provisions for exceptions in limited instances. 

As part of the new approach, the FCA wants to introduce a more rigid structure and to improve clarity as part of aspirations to provide “clear and consistent ‘rules of the game’ for firms and consumers.” 

This fresh proposal for the future of crypto in the UK builds on the existing rules that prevent unregistered companies from targeting UK users, while there is a desire to eradicate abuse of the current rules and an overall lack of transparency. 

The latter is a common theme across international markets with United States President-elect Donald Trump determined to assert his plans to make the U.S. the “world capital for crypto”. 

Clear admissions, disclosures and market abuse rules will help improve the integrity of our crypto markets, while protecting people and supporting the UK's growth and competitiveness.

Find out more https://t.co/zB3e0xXkti#crypto #CryptoRegulation #FinancialRegulation

— Financial Conduct Authority (@TheFCA) December 16, 2024

You should be prepared to lose everything: FCA

“Admissions and disclosures and market abuse regimes are crucial to improving the integrity and cleanliness of our crypto markets, as well as helping people make informed financial decisions,” said the FCA on Monday (Dec 16).

It also set out the goal to put down foundations, to develop a model framework fir for the long term which would encourage sustainable investment. The discussion paper has been published following various roundtable summits earlier this year, involving government representatives and industry stakeholders. 

The positive approach has been tempered with the FCA warning crypto assets remain largely high-risk and unregulated, and if something goes wrong, you should be prepared to lose everything and not be protected.

Since 2020, the FCA has been the UK’s watchdog on crypto, enforcing compliance under AML rules, with strict codes to be met if companies are to legally operate in the UK.

Industry figures and delegates are expected to respond to the paper as intended, with the draft regulations to be published next year, followed by a finalized framework in 2026.

Image credit: Via Midjourney

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Steam, the largest digital storefront for PC games, has announced the dates for their always-epic Winter Sale.

So, when is the Steam Winter Sale 2024? In a new trailer, Steam has revealed its winter sale will be happening between December 19 and January 2, starting and ending at 10 AM Pacific.

The Steam Winter Sale starts next week, December 19th! Join us for discounts galore, voting in the Steam Awards, and the last set of art and Points Shop items from this year's seasonal sale artist @nemupanart

Make a list, check it twice – and buckle in for the sale next week! pic.twitter.com/gi9fVMLux9

— Steam (@Steam) December 12, 2024

This timing is brilliant because it allows you to grab a few reduced-price gifts for people, get the most out of any gift cards you get for Christmas, and grab anything you hoped Santa might bring you but didn’t. Plus, coming after The Game Awards 2024, it’s a great opportunity to see if you can get a certified Good Game for less.

What games will be in the Steam Winter Sale 2024?

Steam’s winter sales are pretty well known for having a huge spread of reduced-price games to choose from, and this one looks to be much the same. Featured in the trailer are the following games:

• Metal Slug Tactics – full price $24.99 – this game only came out in November so hasn’t had much opportunity for sales yet, its lowest recorded Steam price is -10%, $22.49, but maybe the winter sale will bring a deeper discount
• Assassin’s Creed Mirage – full price $49.99 – despite only releasing on Steam in October, this game has already seen -60% discounts down to $19.99 (in fact, it’s on sale right now for this rate), and it’s unlikely it will go lower than this just a few months post-release
• Core Keeper – full price $19.99 – another game from this year, Core Keeper’s lowest recorded price was $9.59, a whopping -40% off, but it’s currently on sale for $14.99, -25%. Whether this discount will persist through the sale or we’ll get a bigger discount remains to be seen
• CarX Street – full price $19.99 – this game also released this year and hasn’t seen a ton of discounts so far, with its historically low price being just $17.83, -18%. Hopefully being featured prominently in the trailer means we’ll get a juicy discount on this modern racer
• Helldivers 2 – full price $39.99 – Helldivers 2 was the winner of Best Ongoing Game at The Game Awards 2024, and its historically lowest price is just -20% at $31.99. Whether the winter sale will see this drop further we will have to see, but it might be a great chance to snag this award-winning title for less
• Manor Lords – full price $39.99 – despite being in Early Access, Manor Lords has been well received this year. Its lowest price is -30%, $27.99, which it is currently on sale for, but this could be an even deeper discount during the winter sale
• The Last of Us Part 1 – full price $59.99 – an all-time classic game, The Last of Us Part 1 has been out on Steam for a while now and its deepest discount is -50%, $29.99. This is already quite a big discount for a triple-A title so we’d be surprised but pleased to see it reduced further during the sale
• Castle Crashers – full price $14.99 – this is an indie classic that has been on Steam since 2012 and as a result, has been part of many sales over the years. Its biggest discount is an almost unbelievable -90%, $1.49, which it hit during this year’s summer and autumn sales, so it’s quite possible we will see that again in the winter sale
• Planet Coaster 2 – full price $49.99 – launched in November to mixed reviews, Planet Coaster 2 has already seen discounts of -20% to $39.99. We might see this drop further during the winter sale
• TCG Card Shop Simulator – full price $12.99 – another late 2024 release, TCG Card Shop Simulator has only been slightly discounted until now, -10% to $11.69, so we could see its biggest ever drop in price during the winter sale
• Baldur’s Gate 3 – full price $59.99 – this multi-game-of-the-year-award-winning title has only ever seen small discounts, peaking at -20%, $47.99, during the recent summer sale, so we could see a little money off this fantastic game, but don’t expect a huge drop in price
• Final Fantasy XVI – full price $49.99 – another fairly recent game that hasn’t had a lot of chance for a big discount, FFXVI’s historical low is -25%, $37.49, during the autumn sale. Expect a similar discount for the winter sale
• Sonic X Shadow Generations – full price $49.99 – another game that saw a modest -25% discount to $37.49 during the autumn sale, we’re likely to see a similar price drop for the winter sale

There is also a card at the end featuring many many more games – Pacific Drive, Little Kitty Big City, Disco Elysium, Elden Ring, and many more, which will all likely be discounted during the Steam Winter Sale 2024.

Featured image credit: Valve

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Surgeons in the United Kingdom have implanted a chip in patients to allow them to get over their sleep apnea. The condition affects an estimated eight million people in the UK; this surgery is another step in combating it.

Sleep apneas cause sufferers to have their airways blocked while resting. This can go on for minutes at a time, and potentially result in death if not treated properly. One of the only treatments is to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which can be bulky and require a mask. This pumps through your airways to keep you breathing at night.

There are currently two options for patients, Genio Nyxoah and Inspire. Genio hasn’t yet been approved by US authorities, but Inspire has received FDA approval.

Sleep apnea chips surgery doesn’t sound so bad

Genio works by having a small surgery on your chin, where the chip is inserted. Rather than having an entire CPAP machine placed over your head at night, users strap a small device to the chin that talks to the chip. Using your smartphone or a remote, you can then activate it whenever you need assistance.

However, Inspire is a little more invasive than Genio. It implants a small device inside your chest and chin, which then work in conjunction with each other. Both devices stimulate the airways and tongue to move, leaving the patient without any blockages.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has conducted the first surgeries in the country but is limiting it to those who can’t use a CPAP machine for now.

This type of surgery isn’t new, however. Inspire is currently on its “V” model, with tests using its technology dating back almost a decade. While it has been around quite some time, this is one of the first times it has been widely adopted by hospitals outside of testing.

Featured image: Rawpixel, Nyxoah

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Apple will reportedly use new versions of the Apple TV and HomePod mini to launch its first custom Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip, sources tell Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.

The part, codenamed Proxima, is said to be limited to Wi-Fi 6E and otherwise fall short of the features in the Broadcom hardware used today. However, the extra speed isn’t as necessary for smart home devices like these.

Proxima will also come to iPhones “later next year,” Gurman’s contacts say, suggesting that the Apple TV and HomePod mini upgrades might come earlier.

As with the first-party modem unofficially expected to debut in the iPhone SE 4, the short-range wireless chip is believed to be part of a larger Apple strategy of taking more direct hardware control. It could allow for tighter integration between products and, in the long term, better performance.

It might also reduce Apple’s dependency on outside partners. The tech giant has had problems with third-party chip providers, whether it’s Intel’s struggles to make power-efficient processors or Qualcomm’s patent disputes. Proxima theoretically helps Apple avoid such issues with Broadcom.

What else to expect from Apple TV and HomePod mini updates

The Apple TV 4K was last updated in 2022. While the A15 chip inside is still fast enough for movies and TV-oriented games, it’s too slow for Apple Intelligence. Apple might include Proxima alongside an A17 or A18 chip that can make use of new generative AI features, such as a more sophisticated Siri.

The HomePod mini hasn’t been updated since 2020. While it’s not going to get the performance needed to run Apple Intelligence on-device, it has faced stiffer competition from Amazon and others that have improved the audio quality of similarly-priced smart speakers.

All HomePods also have relatively limited smart home integration. While they support the Matter standard along with Apple’s HomeKit, they don’t do much more besides serving as hubs with temperature sensors. Although Apple is believed to be working on smart displays, it might want to make its screenless devices more powerful in the process.

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Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm have jointly introduced Android XR, an operating system for mixed reality headsets and glasses — including an initial device from Samsung.

The long-in-the-making platform is effectively Google’s approach to spatial computing like that in the Apple Vision Pro and newer updates to the Meta Quest 3. Apps and media have a physical presence, and can blend both the real and digital worlds. You can watch a YouTube video on a large virtual screen, explore 3D photos, or juggle multiple Chrome browsers floating in front of you.

Google is unsurprisingly giving Gemini a prominent role in Android XR. You can talk to the generative AI about what you see, or use it to control your hardware. Circle to Search even becomes more intuitive as you can literally draw a circle around whatever interests you.

As on the Vision Pro, you can also run mobile apps (in this case, Android phone and tablet apps).

With smart glasses, the OS will focus on always-available and frequently Gemini-powered help, like navigation or translations. Google’s just-announced tests for prototype Project Astra glasses will run Android XR.

The new OS is already available in a preview release, and will use common developer tools like Android Studio, Android Studio, OpenXR, and Unity. Google is working with companies like Sony and Xreal on XR devices, and is still collaborating with early entrant Magic Leap on future products.

Samsung’s Project Moohan is the first Android XR headset

The first confirmed device is Samsung’s Project Moohan (pictured above), a mixed reality headset that will be available in 2025. While neither Google nor Samsung are sharing many details, it will have “state-of-the-art” displays and “natural” control whose voice input goes beyond hand gestures and controllers. Qualcomm adds that it will run on a Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset launching in 2025.

Samsung appears determined to address the comfort issues that have affected the Vision Pro. It’s promising a light, “ergonomically optimized” headset that you’ll want to wear.

There are still challenges that Samsung hasn’t addressed so far. It’s not clear whether or not Project Moohan will significantly undercut Apple’s current $3,499 starting price. Battery life is also a concern — existing high-end mixed reality headsets rarely last for more than two hours per charge.

How does Android XR compare to the Apple Vision Pro?

The interface and experience similarities between Apple, Google, and Meta platforms are clear in conventional headsets — they’re aiming for the same general spatial computing concept.

However, there are differences in the smart glasses category. Meta’s experimental Orion glasses appear to be more of an extension of the app-oriented interface from the Quest. Apple is rumored to be making its own glasses, but little has emerged about them. Practical eyewear is believed to be years away as the companies focus on slimming the technology, improving battery life, and bringing costs down.

More importantly, Google is pitching Android XR as an open ecosystem for headsets and glasses. As with phones and tablets, this promises to expand the variety of devices you can buy, with different designs and prices. It might also allow for apps that aren’t possible on more closed platforms like Apple’s visionOS.

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Google is rolling out Android updates that make it harder to spy on you with a Bluetooth tracker that supports the Find My Device network.

To start, you can pause your phone’s location updates for up to 24 hours. This lets you quickly prevent misuse of your whereabouts while you try to find and disable the unfamiliar tracker, Google says.

If you receive an alert about an unknown Bluetooth tracker moving with you, the “Find Nearby” option helps you locate the offending device. You might discover that someone slipped a tag into your backpack or underneath your car, for instance.

This only applies to tags that support Find My Device. As many modern trackers are compatible, though, this reduces the chances that someone can abuse off-the-shelf hardware to watch your movements without your consent.

An important step in spotting unwanted Bluetooth tracker activity

Privacy issues surrounding Bluetooth trackers flared soon after Apple released the AirTag in 2021. While Apple did include some anti-stalking measures at launch, there was nothing to warn Android users. It was also relatively easy to remove the speaker and prevent it from warning victims. The audio alert initially took three days, creating a window of opportunity even for those stalkers who didn’t tamper with the hardware.

Apple released an Android app later that year, but it had to run in the foreground to spot AirTags. There also weren’t safeguards against unwanted Android-oriented tags. Apple and Google eventually addressed this in 2023, when they started collaborating on a common standard for detecting rogue Bluetooth tracker units. Android’s Unknown Tracker Alerts appeared in July that year.

These latest Android updates could be particularly important, however. Trackers have many positive uses, such as finding lost luggage. Still, a sufficiently determined person can use them to stalk ex-partners, follow cars home to steal them later, or otherwise use the inconspicuous gadgets to jeopardize your safety. Now, you’ll have a simple emergency cutoff as well as a better chance of finding the tracker in question.

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Microsoft has released an Insider preview that lets you “seamlessly” share files from your iPhone to a Windows 10 or 11 PC.

So long as you’re part of the Windows Insider Program and your iPhone runs iOS 16 or later, you can pair with Windows’ Phone Link app and enable file sharing.

To share files from your iPhone with your PC, you send them to the Link to Windows app using iOS’ built-in sharing tools. To share from the PC to the iPhone, you right-click on the file you want, choose “Share,” and then either “My Phone” or “Phone Link.”

Microsoft hasn’t said when it expects iPhone sharing to become widely available. As with many Insider previews, you’re more likely to see bugs. The company encourages you to point out issues through the Feedback Hub.

Limitations on sharing iPhone files to Windows

The feature might not be satisfying if you expect drag-and-drop file sharing like you frequently get with Android phones. This still requires special apps on both sides, and isn’t going to let you put files exactly where you’d like them. Large-scale transfers, including folders, still aren’t going to be elegant.

However, this might address one of the most common complaints about linking an iPhone with a Windows PC: the inability to quickly share files beyond photos. This could be helpful if you need to move a must-read document and don’t want to rely on cloud services.

The expansion doesn’t come as a shock. Apple has generally been more willing to accommodate Windows users in recent years, such as integrating iCloud images into Windows 11’s Photos app. While you’ll still get the tightest integration on Macs, moves like this can keep iPhone users loyal when switching from Windows isn’t realistic.

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President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the new leader hopes to fight alleged attempts to censor conservative views online.

Trump claims Ferguson, a Republican commissioner President Biden appointed in April, has a history of resisting “Big Tech censorship” and supporting free speech.

Ferguson himself maintains that he’ll end a Big Tech “vendetta” against competition and free speech, and that the US is both an industry leader and a haven for innovators.

Thank you President Trump. Under your leadership, American businesses will become stronger and more competitive, and will better serve workers and consumers, than ever before. I’m honored that you’ve chosen me to be FTC Chairman in your mission to make our country great again.… pic.twitter.com/GxmYWfjpqm

— Andrew Ferguson (@AFergusonFTC) December 11, 2024

In Ferguson’s place, antitrust law firm partner Mark Meador will become an FTC commissioner.

Trump recently picked Brendan Carr to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with a similar agenda. The incoming President wants both historically independent agencies to more directly serve his policies, including the anti-censorship push. Trump and other conservatives have asserted that Google, Meta, and other major tech companies are censoring right-wing ideas by banning users, deleting posts, or supposedly prioritizing liberal content.

The companies have long rejected these claims. Instead, they’ve said they’re combatting hate speech and misinformation that potentially leads to real-world harm, such as threats against minorities or false election material. The main exception is X, which under Elon Musk has lifted some content restrictions. Musk is pro-Trump and will co-lead an advisory “Department of Government Efficiency” under the second Trump administration.

What will Trump’s FTC pick do with Big Tech regulation?

In addition to loosening policies around online speech, Ferguson is expected to take a deregulatory approach that contrasts sharply with the FTC under current chair Lina Khan.

Khan had become an outspoken opponent of alleged Big Tech anti-competitive abuses even before Biden nominated her, and mostly acted on that during her tenure. She and the FTC cracked down both on major companies like Amazon as well as practices widely seen as anti-consumer, such as hard-to-cancel subscriptions. As a parting shot, the Commission is investigating Microsoft’s cloud business for possible antitrust problems.

Ferguson won’t necessarily refuse to regulate large tech companies beyond speech. However, he has made clear that he won’t pursue those companies as aggressively as Khan. He may be less likely to oppose mergers or govern specific behaviors.

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The US government has sanctioned a Chinese cybersecurity firm and charged Guan Tianfeng, an employee, with “a conspiracy to hack indiscriminately into firewall devices worldwide in 2020.”

Tianfeng, who goes by gbigmao, was at the center of a major hacking scandal. According to the US Treasury and Justice Department, he and his team wrote malware that exploited a vulnerability in Sophos firewall tech, or a “zero-day” exploit.

While the hack was primarily to steal data, a statement by the Treasury Department claims that “serious injury or loss of human life” was also on the table.

Targeting around 81,000 firewalls, Tianfeng and other hackers hit glaring vulnerabilities. The main one in question is CVE-2020-12271, which targets SQL databases (the most common type) by injecting bad code to give access to remote code execution. With this access, it would allow the hackers to do as they wished.

The Treasury Department reports that over 23,000 of these firewalls were within the United States. According to the report, “36 were protecting U.S. critical infrastructure companies’ systems.”

A zero-day vulnerability is usually applied to exploits in things like software, where the issue at hand isn’t immediately fixable or known to those being hacked. Sophos has been in an ongoing battle with malicious Chinese hackers for years, which it revealed in a report earlier this year.

Sophos’ Chinese hacking woes continue

Sophos, a UK cybersecurity company, provides security services worldwide. As it’s embedded in dozens of important systems, it makes its firewalls and security tools a prime target for hackers.

One of these targets might have been oil rigs, which the Treasury Department claims could have been subject to “malfunction” if the hack had gone through.

Part of the hack involved social engineering. To avoid being too obvious, they signed up for fake Sophos domains, which they then used as part of their hack.

Chinese hacking group, Volt Typhoon, has also been accused of striking Sophos’ infrastructure. Along with Tianfeng, they are also being sought after by the US. Other groups like APT31 and APT41 are also implicated in the hacking. Just last week, the US government issued a warning against Salt Typhoon as its hacking escalates.

However, the US hasn’t arrested Tianfeng or any of the hackers involved. He remains wanted by the FBI, with a reward of up to $10 million for information.

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The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will have satellite service that lets you send texts, according to Bloomberg sources.

Much like recent iPhones, the toughened smartwatch will use this as a backup for when cellular service or Wi-Fi isn’t available. That would fit the Ultra’s target demographic of hikers, divers, and others who can’t count on terrestrial wireless networks.

Apple might also move beyond LTE data with the Watch Ultra 3, the insiders say. The new wearable supposedly drops the Intel cellular modem in favor of a MediaTek part that supports 5G RedCap (aka 5G NR-Light). The technology that isn’t as fast as regular 5G, but is power-efficient and offers higher peak speeds than LTE.

Health might also play an important role. Blood pressure monitoring is said to be coming to all 2025 Apple Watch models. While it wouldn’t offer precise measurements, it would warn you if your pressure is climbing and shows signs of hypertension.

The Apple Watch line can already alert you to possible atrial fibrillation (AFib), and still monitors blood oxygen levels for users outside of the US. That last feature is disabled in the country in response to a patent dispute with Masimo.

Why satellite service in the Apple Watch Ultra 3?

Apple didn’t significantly refresh its higher-end timepiece in 2024; it only gave the Watch Ultra 2 a new black finish and band options. Satellite data (along with 5G and blood pressure monitoring) might give you an incentive to buy the new model if you’d previously put off an upgrade.

There are also competitive motivations. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 might rival not just the latest version of Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra, but other rugged smartwatches and dedicated satellite communicators from brands like Garmin.

It’s not clear if any of these features will come to the Apple Watch Series 11. The Ultra series typically has.a much larger battery that’s better-suited to satellite and 5G. The company might also reserve some features for the Ultra to encourage purchases of the premium version.

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GM says it will end funding of Cruise robotaxi efforts to concentrate on autonomous driving for personal cars.

The automaker will instead combine Cruise’s technical team with its own to establish a “single effort” for both driverless cars and driver aids. There would be “considerable time and resources” needed to grow the robotaxi business, GM says.

GM already owns 90% of Cruise, but will use shareholder deals and its own funds to buy out the remaining 10% stake. It then plans to work with Cruise leadership to “restructure and refocus,” with completion due in the first half of 2025. The move is expected to save over $1 billion per year.

The decision isn’t surprising. Cruise has reeled ever since one of its robotaxis struck a pedestrian in October 2023. That led to California banning the autonomous cars on its streets for months, and a restructuring of the company that included layoffs and the departure of CEO Kyle Vogt. Cruise voluntarily halted testing in other states and shelved plans for its shuttle-style Origin robotaxi. Xbox veteran Marc Whitten became Cruise’s new CEO in June.

The leadership change was overshadowed in November when Cruise admitted to submitting a false incident report in hopes of affecting a federal safety investigation over the pedestrian impact. It agreed to pay a $500,000 fine to defer prosecution.

The incident and its aftermath not only disrupted Cruise, but gave its main rival Waymo a competitive advantage. Combine this with GM’s other challenges, including a weaker EV market (if one where it’s doing relatively well), and the costs of maintaining Cruise as-is were going to be steep. This theoretically helps GM streamline its costs even as it aims to challenge Tesla, Ford, and others with increasing autonomy in their vehicles.

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Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is on track to be launched before the end of 2024.

Before that can happen, the company needs to receive regulatory approval so it can complete the crucial final tests on the massive structure.

Known as ‘hotfire’, the last preparation stage involves powering up all seven engines and firing them at full power while the rocket remains perched on the surface.

The company made a statement on Monday (Dec. 9) to repeat its commitment to the existing schedule for New Glenn’s inaugural mission, NG-1, which will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload. It will be tasked to complete tests for the Blue Ring orbit transfer vehicle.

Paul Ebertz, Blue Origin’s Senior VP for In-Space Systems, said,  “We’re excited to demonstrate Blue Ring’s advanced in-space operations on New Glenn’s inaugural mission.

“Blue Ring plays a critical role in building a road to space, and this mission is an important first step for Blue Ring and enabling dynamic and responsive operations that will greatly benefit our nation,” he added. 

Earlier this year, Jeff Bezos’ aerospace firm completed its first crewed mission in two years.

While we wait for regulatory approvals for hotfire and launch, here’s a photo (and a bonus video) of our “chilling” GS1. This marks the first time we’re tanking our first stage with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LOX). The first stage LOX tank is nearly 30,000 cu.… pic.twitter.com/S9wDtCUFNI

— Dave Limp (@davill) December 8, 2024

Blue Origin’s potential mission to Mars for NASA

New Glenn is a 320-foot-tall rocket, capable of carrying 45 metric tons (99,200 pounds) into low Earth orbit, considerably more powerful than United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur and SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy in its reusable configuration.

It doesn’t quite measure up to SpaceX’s Starship, the largest rocket ever built, which is designed to carry 100 to 150 metric tons to low earth orbit. 

The maiden flight for New Glenn could have been much different, with plans hatched to take a pair of satellites to Mars in a landmark mission for NASA. This was slated for a launch window in October, but the U.S. space agency pushed back the project, on the basis that problems could arise with New Glenn.

In hindsight, that appears to have been the correct decision, but it has aspirations for a later New Glenn launch in the spring of next year

Image credit: Via Midjourney

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Google has introduced Willow, an advanced quantum computing chip which it claims can solve complex problems that would usually take advanced computers more than ten septillion years to complete.

That is more time than has elapsed in the history of the universe, and 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 in figures, to be exact.  

A blog from Hartmut Neven, Google’s head of quantum AI outlined the breakthrough, although it should be stressed that Willow is essentially an experimental device. It provides a prototype and a vision of what could be possible in the future but it will require several years and billions of dollars to deliver a quantum computer capable of reaching its full potential.

This was acknowledged by Neven when he said “Willow moves us significantly along that path towards commercially relevant applications.”

Quantum computing is not just the latest generation of tech, it is a separate, very different setup compared to the components of a regular laptop or mobile phone.

It utilizes quantum mechanics – the makeup and behavior of minute particles – to provide answers and solutions, way beyond the possibilities of conventional computers.

Willow was created at the Alphabet-owned company’s dedicated production facility in Santa Barbara, California, where it recorded an “astonishing” benchmark performance.

Google detailed how its quantum error correction achieved below-threshold status – this is the result of reducing errors when increasing the number of qubits used.

Computing expert urges caution on Google’s breakthrough

In tests, Google used the random circuit sampling (RCS) benchmark, described as the “classically hardest” that quantum computing can be measured against.

However, a computing expert at Surrey University warned of the perils of “comparing apples with oranges”. 

Professor Alan Woodward told BBC News quantum computers will be better at a range of tasks than current “classical” computers, but they will not replace them.

He sent a warning not to overstate the importance and status of Willow from one single test.

Google selected a problem to use as a benchmark of performance that was, “tailor-made for a quantum computer” that did not show “a universal speeding up when compared to classical computers,” according to the Professor. 

Woodward did state Willow demonstrated significant progress on error correction, in particular.

Image credit: Via Midjourney

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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a fine throwback to the original trilogy of Indy movies and if you have a PC capable of making it run to its best potential, you will have in front of you one of the best-looking games of all time.

Of course, Indy is not all about good looks, there are missions and side quests you need to complete if you are to have any hope of completing its many mysteries. So what are the number of quests you will need to solve to get there? This page will take you through not only the main missions in the game but also all the side quests and their global locations, so you can tick them off as you go and make sure you don’t miss out on anything while you traverse the globe.

Main Quests

The main quests in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will see you off traveling the world. Here we have listed the main quests and their locations below. Under that, you will find tables of all the side quests in each area so you can try and make sure you don’t miss out on anything while you are in a certain neck of the woods.

• The Adventure Begins – Marshall College
• The Stolen Cat Mummy – The Vatican
• The Idol of Ra – Gizeh
• A Harsh Climb – Himalayas
• Into the Fire – Shanghai
• The Blessed Pearl – Sukhothai
• Atonements – Iraq

Side Quests

With all the main missions out of the way, there are a ton of side quests scattered across the globe. The following tables will give you an indication of where you will be headed and what type of mission each side quest is.

The Vatican

Gizeh

Shanghai

Sukhothai

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