Tech

This week in entertainment tech, big thrills and deals

Published

2 years ago

November 20, 2023

ticker NEWS

The latest updates from the realms of PlayStation, Nintendo, Pokemon, and The Last of Us Part 2 have stirred excitement among enthusiasts.

PlayStation Portal Global Release and Australian Launch Date Revealed

The PlayStation Portal, which debuted in select regions like the US and UK on November 15th, has garnered positive reviews for its innovative features. This device allows users to play their PS5 and PS4 games on an 8-inch LCD screen via a Wi-Fi connection with the PS5 console. Exciting news for Australian gamers— the PlayStation Portal is set to release in Australia on February 2nd, 2024, with pre-orders currently available through local retailers.

Watch the PlayStation Portal Trailer: PlayStation Portal Trailer

Early Black Friday Gaming Deals: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Offers

Black Friday gaming and tech deals have kicked off early, presenting exciting opportunities for enthusiasts. For those seeking a PlayStation 5 console, a special bundle featuring Spider-Man 2 is on sale for $679. Additionally, the DualSense controller, now available in Cobalt Blue and Volcanic Red, is discounted to $79. Xbox Series X enthusiasts can grab a console for $649. Stay tuned for more deals in the lead-up to Black Friday by checking major retailers.

Pokemon Concierge: A New Animated Series on Netflix

A new stop-motion animated series, Pokemon Concierge, has been unveiled through an enchanting trailer. The show revolves around Haru, responsible for caring for guests and Pokemon at the Pokemon Resort. Scheduled for release on Netflix on December 28th, the series promises stunning animation and a captivating storyline.

Watch the Pokemon Concierge Trailer: Pokemon Concierge Trailer

Nintendo Indie World Showcase Highlights Exciting Indie Games

Nintendo’s Indie World showcase featured a diverse array of indie games, ranging from farming simulations to cozy adventures. Notably, the Shantae series introduced Shantae Advance Risky Revolution, a game completed after 20 years. The release is set for 2024, offering unique features and a four-player local battle mode, contributing to an exciting lineup of creative indie games for Nintendo Switch in 2024.

Watch the Indie World Showcase: Nintendo Indie World Showcase

The Last of Us Part 2 Remaster Announced

Last of Us fans received big news with the announcement of a full remaster for The Last of Us Part 2, scheduled for release on January 19th, 2024. Despite being only three years old, the remaster will include enhancements for the PlayStation 5, along with new content such as outfits, lost levels, Guitar Free Play, and a rogue-like survival mode named “No Return.”

Watch the Announcement Trailer: The Last of Us Part 2 Remaster

It’s evident that the industry is buzzing with innovation, anticipation, and nostalgia. From the cutting-edge technology of the PlayStation Portal to the delightful surprises in Pokemon Concierge and the rekindling of the Shantae series, gamers have much to look forward to. The allure of Black Friday deals further sweetens the pot, while The Last of Us Part 2 remaster signals a fresh journey for fans.

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OpenAI to launch TikTok-like AI video app Sora

OpenAI to launch Sora, an AI-driven social app with TikTok-like features amid TikTok’s regulatory uncertainties

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2025

Ahron Young

OpenAI to launch Sora, an AI-driven social app with TikTok-like features amid TikTok’s regulatory uncertainties

In Short:
– OpenAI is launching Sora 2, a social media app with AI-generated videos, competing with TikTok.
– The app features a unique identity verification system and provides short video content without uploads.

OpenAI is set to unveil Sora 2, a new social media app that imitates TikTok by offering AI-generated video content. The strategy positions OpenAI to directly challenge established platforms in the AI video market.The platform has begun internal testing. Employees have reacted positively, raising productivity concerns among managers. Sora 2 features swipe-to-scroll navigation and offers personalized video recommendations.

A unique identity verification system allows users to authenticate their likeness for use in AI-generated videos. Users will be notified when their likeness is used in videos, regardless of whether these are published. Video lengths are capped at 10 seconds, with no capability to upload personal content.

The app includes typical social media features like likes and comments, with a user interface that resembles TikTok’s “For You” page.

Strategic Launch

OpenAI’s timing for this launch is strategic, coinciding with uncertainties surrounding TikTok’s U.S. operations. Recent deals aim to transfer majority control of TikTok’s American business to U.S. investors while permitting ByteDance a minority stake.

OpenAI perceives the current turbulence as a unique opportunity to introduce a competitive platform for short-form videos, appealing to users seeking alternatives during this period of regulatory scrutiny.

Tech

Optus CEO under pressure after second emergency outage

Optus under mounting pressure for CEO resignation after second emergency outage affects thousands and raises safety concerns

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2025

Ahron Young

Optus under mounting pressure for CEO resignation after second emergency outage affects thousands and raises safety concerns

In Short:
– Optus faces pressure after a second emergency service outage, affecting 4,500 customers for nine hours.
– Calls for CEO Stephen Rue’s resignation intensify amid scrutiny over network investment and safety mechanisms.

Australian telecommunications company Optus is under increasing pressure to address leadership concerns following a second emergency service outage in ten days.

The incident occurred in Dapto, south of Sydney, where around 4,500 customers were unable to reach Triple Zero emergency services due to a faulty mobile tower for nine hours.Optus confirmed all affected individuals were safe, but the repeated outages have raised significant alarms. The first incident took place on September 18, when a firewall upgrade blocked approximately 600 emergency calls across multiple states for 13 hours, resulting in at least four fatalities.

Calls for CEO Stephen Rue’s resignation have intensified, with opposition spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh stating that citizens need confidence in the emergency network.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the situation as “completely unacceptable.” The response from Optus has faced criticism, especially regarding the delay in notifying emergency services after the September 18 incident.

Efforts to address the failures are underway, with Singtel Group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon scheduled to meet with Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has launched an investigation into the outages.

Governance experts caution that merely replacing leadership will not resolve underlying issues, suggesting that reduced spending on network infrastructure is a contributing factor.

Federal Investigation

New scrutiny has emerged regarding Optus’s network investment, with reports indicating a budget decrease from $850 million in 2024 to $613 million this year.

Concerns have been raised about the absence of critical safety mechanisms, including a reliable system to reroute emergency calls when failures occur.

Tech

Meta intensifies robot development amidst competitive landscape

Meta enters robotics market with strategic partnerships and significant investments amid competition from Tesla, Apple and Google

Published

3 days ago

September 28, 2025

Ahron Young

Meta enters robotics market with strategic partnerships and significant investments amid competition from Tesla, Apple and Google

In Short:
– Meta is launching autonomous robots, beginning with a CA-1 AI robot in Germany for domestic tasks.
– The company plans to hire 100 engineers as part of a $60-65 billion AI investment for 2025.

Meta ventures into robotics, joining a market where Tesla’s Optimus robot showcases in controlled settings. Apple is also exploring robotic devices, with planned humanoid concepts by 2027.

Google is advancing robotics via DeepMind with AI models tailored for robotics applications.

Meta recently launched its first autonomous robot in Germany through a partnership with Circus SE, deploying a CA-1 AI robot at its Munich office.

The initiative is part of Meta’s objective to gather data to support its robotics focus on domestic tasks such as cleaning and laundry folding.

Strategic Investment

Industry analysts point to Meta’s software-licensing strategy as crucial in the competitive landscape, where firms often encounter challenges with hardware costs.

By positioning itself to gain from various robotics manufacturers’ successes, Meta utilises lessons from its virtual reality investments, which have seen substantial spending with limited consumer uptake.

The company is set to hire around 100 engineers for its robotics programme within a broader $60-65 billion AI infrastructure investment plan for 2025.

The indicates a strong commitment to integrating AI into physical applications.