Dynasty Warriors: Origins reveals a plethora of new systems and mechanics to strengthen your protagonist in the postgame. We’re talking expanded level caps, new game plus, a brand new difficulty level which grants new skills and weapons, and…weapon reforging. If you’re au fait with Dynasty Warriors and its innumerable…
The president wants to protect his campaign underwriter’s car business.
Save either $60 or trade in your old watch and save up to $200 on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.
It’s no secret that Spotify isn’t a big money maker for most artists. But, in its annual Loud & Clear report, the music streamer is trying to change the narrative, reiterating an earlier claim that it paid artists $10 billion in 2024 ($60 million since launching) and adding that these payments increased tenfold over the last 10 years.
Spotify throws in quite a few other big numbers into the 2024 report. It claims that the 100,000th most streamed artist also saw a tenfold increase over a decade, receiving $6,000, up from $600. Meanwhile, the 10,000th most streamed artist reportedly received $131,000, up from $34,000. Plus, it reports that almost 1,500 artists generated over $1 million.
Despite these numbers, Spotify still doesn’t hold much goodwill from artists. For starters, a report from music catalog buyer Duetti found that Spotify paid out $3 per 1,000 streams in 2024, while the same figure gave artists $4.80 at YouTube, $6.20 at Apple Music and $8.80 at Amazon Music. In a statement after the report’s release, Spotify told TechCrunch, “These claims are ridiculous and unfounded,” and argued that music platforms don’t pay by stream.
In January, Billboard reported that four of the five artists nominated at the Grammys for songwriter of the year chose to skip Spotify’s Grammy party for songwriters — all of Spotify’s Grammy parties were eventually canceled because of the Los Angeles wildfires. Songwriters, including Jesse Jo Dillon and Amy Allen, both cited Spotify’s decision last year to bundle audiobooks and songs in subscription tiers. The publication had previously reported that the new premium, duo and family tiers meant songwriters got paid a discounted bundle rate, losing an estimated $150 million in US mechanical royalties over the first 12 months.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotify-tries-to-defend-its-artist-payout-rates-120021659.html?src=rss
We’ve come a long way from the days of discarding smartphones as soon as a new model comes out. Many shoppers are now demanding devices that will last for years, and they are being more conscientious about what happens to those gadgets when the need for an upgrade does arrive.
You may want to trade in your smartphone or sell it when the time comes; either option can keep your device out of a landfill in addition to scoring you some extra cash. There are also options to recycle part or all of your phone if it’s too old to make a trade-in worthwhile. Whatever path you choose, there are important steps to take to prepare a phone you’re about to get rid of. These instructions apply to any model you might have, including both iPhones and Android phones. Here’s what you need to know.
Let’s start with a very important reminder to do regular backups for all of your gear, not just your phone. It’s a task you should keep up with routinely even when you aren’t about to recycle or trade-in a device.
Most hardware manufacturers have an automatic cloud backup system, but you’ll like your new phone a lot less if it doesn’t have your full, up-to-date library of contacts, photos and other information. This is the time to manually back everything up with all of your latest data.
Also, before you get any further into the process, make sure that you know the critical details for your phone and the main accounts associated with it. Halfway through is the worst time to lose access to your device because you can’t remember your username or password.
Most people connect their phone to many other gadgets via Bluetooth. There are obvious ones, like smartwatches and wireless headphones, but you might also have your phone paired with something like a car stereo or a portable speaker. All of them should be unpaired from the phone you’re about to trade in.
If you use your phone in two-factor authentication for sensitive accounts, you’ll want to make sure that you disconnect the device from those services, too.
Next, you’ll sign out of the device’s cloud-based service. For iPhone owners, that’s iCloud, and on Android, it’s the Google suite. This will avoid any confusion with your new device. You’ll also want to turn off Find My on iPhones or Find My Device on Android phones. iPhone users should also deregister iMessage on their old iPhone, particularly if they’re moving to a non-Apple smartphone. These steps might seem unnecessary when you’ll end up wiping your device entirely, but you don’t want to risk having your personal information accidentally made available to whoever might get your phone next.
Also, if you are under a plan that protects your phone, such as Apple Care or Preferred Care, you can usually cancel that coverage early. You’ll get a refund on any unexpired coverage, and given how expensive gadgets can be now, it’s worth getting that money back if you can.
At this point, your to-do list will vary. If you’re planning to trade up to a newer model from the same manufacturer and you already have your new phone, then you’ll want to transfer your data before moving on to wiping your old phone. Either in the store or on your own, in most cases you can wirelessly migrate your data from the old device to the new one.
If you’re changing lanes between the Apple and Google universes, you can also do most data swapping yourself. There’s a Google Play app called Move to iOS and one in the App Store called Android Switch that can walk you through the process. Just be sure that your device meets the requirements to use those programs.
However, if you aren’t immediately setting up a new device, then you can skip this and move on to the next phase.
Once you double-check that you have everything backed up (seriously, don’t take chances on this), then it’s time to perform a factory reset. This will remove all of your data and apps, and bring the phone back to its original state. It’s ideal to do this reset as the final step of trading in, selling or recycling a device.
Whatever phone model you have, the reset option will be in the Settings app. It will commonly be nested under a tab like General or About, or you can search “reset” within Settings to find exactly where it is on your device.
This might seem obvious, but right before handing off your phone, make sure that you remove any accessories. Cases, grips and screen protectors should stay with you, not with the phone when it goes to its new home.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-prepare-your-phone-for-trade-in-120000724.html?src=rss
Founded in 2018, Team CRYO-GEN is a global Zwift community team known for its friendly atmosphere and formidable racing prowess. The name CRYO-GEN stands for “Competitive Riders Young & Old – Groups for Experienced or New,” reflecting the team’s inclusive ethos. Under the leadership of team manager Rick Bowman, the team has grown to over 1000 members worldwide, ranging from complete novices to elite A+ racers.
Team CRYO-GEN prides itself on a strong community spirit, striving to ensure every member feels like an important part of the group and “not just another name or number”. This welcoming culture, combined with a drive for excellence, has helped the team become a force on the virtual roads – even fielding men’s and women’s squads in the elite Premier Division of the Zwift Racing League.
The 2024/2025 Zwift Racing League (ZRL) season was an outstanding one for Team CRYO-GEN, marked by strong podium finishes, key promotions, and consistent performances across all divisions. Below we recap the season’s high points, from championship victories to gritty efforts in tough leagues, showcasing the depth and determination of Team CRYO-GEN.
Team CRYO-GEN dominated many league standings this season. Eight CRYO-GEN squads finished in the top two of their divisions, with four teams earning promotion to higher tiers:
Additionally, several other squads – Team CRYO-GEN Galibier, Mt. Evans, Iseran, and Grand-Colombier – finished as runners-up in their leagues, underlining the team’s competitive depth across regions. Impressively, no CRYO-GEN teams were relegated this season, a testament to the strength and consistency of the team’s performances.
One notable highlight: in the Americas Eastern A2 division, CRYO-GEN’s Haleakala and Hautacam finished 1st and 2nd respectively, showcasing Team CRYO-GEN’s depth by sweeping the top two spots in that league!
Several Team CRYO-GEN teams consistently fought at the front of the pack, demonstrating exceptional form and race IQ throughout the season:
These top-performing squads solidified CRYO-GEN’s status as a leading force in ZRL, regularly battling at the highest level of competition.
Team CRYO-GEN’s mid-table teams also held their own in challenging divisions, ensuring a strong club presence even when not contending for the title:
A few CRYO-GEN teams faced especially fierce competition in top divisions, showing tremendous grit and determination despite the odds:
These teams showed true grit against elite competition, and their efforts were nothing short of impressive.
Throughout the season, certain Team CRYO-GEN squads earned special shout-outs for exceptional performances:
Team CRYO-GEN Haleakala was recognised as the standout team of the season for their dominant title-winning campaign in Americas Eastern A2. Haleakala’s consistent excellence set the bar for the entire team.
With the ZRL format expected to evolve next season (moving to a new Zwift Racing Score system), Team CRYO-GEN is ready to adapt and continue competing at the highest level. The team has already set key targets for the upcoming season:
With incredible depth, teamwork, and a hunger for results, Team CRYO-GEN appears poised for another dominant season ahead. Congratulations to all CRYO-GEN riders, captains, and support crew on an unforgettable ZRL season – let’s come back stronger, faster, and ready for the next challenge!
None of these achievements would be possible without the dedicated volunteers working behind the scenes. Team CRYO-GEN’s day-to-day operations are supported by a strong admin team of volunteers who handle everything from social media and website management to graphic design, data analytics, and team captain duties for each racing category. This robust support structure allows the racing squads to focus on performing their best, knowing that planning and community management are in capable hands. The team’s leadership includes three team managers and numerous admins who devote countless hours to keeping the community running smoothly – truly the unsung heroes of CRYO-GEN’s success.
To manage a community of this size and complexity, Team CRYO-GEN also embraces automation and technological tools. For example, the team leverages ZwiftPower, a community-built platform that automatically tracks race results and rider data across Zwift events. Tools like ZwiftPower (now an official part of Zwift’s ecosystem) and the WTRL scoring system for ZRL help eliminate tedious manual data crunching. This means volunteer organisers can quickly get accurate standings, monitor performance, and even enforce fair racing rules (like category limits and disqualifications) without doing it all by hand. Additionally, Team CRYO-GEN coordinates via Discord and other apps to automate event scheduling and communications, ensuring that members around the world stay informed and engaged.
In short, dedicated volunteers are the backbone of Team CRYO-GEN, and smart automation ensures their efforts scale effectively. This combination of passionate people and helpful technology creates a well-oiled machine — a community that runs efficiently and delivers a top-notch experience for all its members.
The Team CRYO-GEN community is always excited to welcome new riders into the fold. Whether you’re a seasoned Zwift racer or brand new to virtual cycling, Team CRYO-GEN has a place for you. Our team spans all experience levels and focuses on fostering a supportive, fun environment as well as offering competitive racing to test your skills. If you’re looking for camaraderie, encouragement, and the thrill of online racing, now is the perfect time to get involved.
Together we ride, together we race, and together we win! Team CRYO-GEN is more than just a racing team – it’s a family of riders who push and uplift each other. If you’re ready to start your next cycling adventure with us, you can sign up on our website cryogen.team. Come be a part of this vibrant community and share in the excitement of the Zwift Racing League and beyond. We can’t wait to see you on the virtual roads – Ride On!
The Hunt 34 Aero Wide Disc SL alloy disc wheelset is currently discounted to £359.40 – almost £200 cheaper than when I reviewed it in 2024.
Hunt is offering a bumper 40% discount on the current full retail price of £599.
I considered the 34 Aero Wide Disc SL to be the best-value alloy wheelset I tested last year and the discounted price underlines that opinion.
You can read my full review of the wheelset here.
The 20mm internal rim width is modern for an alloy wheelset and well-suited to popular 25 and 28mm tyres. Externally, the rims measure 26mm at their widest.
Paired with the 34mm depth, you might expect the wheelset to carry excess weight, but at 1,572g with the Hunt-supplied lockrings, it’s competitively light.
Of the group of wheels I tested, you’d have to spend £760 (over twice the price) on the Roval Alpinist SLX Disc for anything lighter.
Hunt also says aerodynamics were a key focus for the wheelset at launch – these claims are extremely difficult to reliably quantify in the real world, but the overall sense of speed was impressive when I tested the wheelset.
The wheelset also uses the brand’s own pawl-based Sprint SL hubs with a fast 7.5-degree engagement-angle freehub.
Hunt has since made moves to introduce ratchet-based freehubs to its wheelsets (such as the 50 Carbon Disc), but unless the wasp-buzz sound puts you off – even from the 34 Aero Wide’s ‘low-noise’ version – there’s little reason to hesitate because of this.
This was already a legitimate question before the existence of this discount, and one I interrogated after I’d performed my alloy wheels group test last year.
I’d found that alloy rims (this one included) could offer tangible aerodynamic advantages compared to a shallow box-section rim. The ride quality – so often posited as a key benefit of carbon wheels, alongside aerodynamics – shouldn’t be sniffed at either.
While the allure of carbon wheels remains (and Hunt has discounted a few of those too), my experience led me to question whether the carbon-for-summer, alloy-for-winter approach was really necessary.
The Hunt 34 Aero Wide Disc SL wheelset impressed in both of these respects.
And now, at its heavily reduced price, it’s nothing short of a barnstorming steal.
MAGE is a magic and physics sandbox in early access on Quest 3 that not only offers up fun physics-based mayhem, but does it at an eye-blistering 120 fps.
“We feel that no game has truly taken advantage of the power of standalone VR hardware,” says Charlie Shenton, Mage’s engine programmer and other half of the two-person team. “Nothing ruins our immersion more than laggy games barely hitting 72Hz, with blurry visuals, and spongey physics.”
To solve this, Shenton and fellow dev Matthew Alexander Gregory built a game engine, dubbed ‘Micron’, and their own physics solver specifically for standalone VR, doing things you’d only really expect with the the larger power envelope of dedicated PC graphics.
Granted, Mage isn’t a massive multi-hour adventure, but as a proof of concept for Micron, it’s pretty impressive on its own, running at a “solid 120Hz even with dynamic lighting, shadows, magic vfx, >100% render res, and hundreds of high fidelity dynamic physics props,” Shenton tells Road to VR.
In addition to pushing the envelope on what’s possible on standalone headsets, Mage also offers up a sandbox environment that promises to deliver “the ultimate magical power fantasy,” including things like destructive fireballs, time reversal, telekinesis, flying and more.
Mage is now in early access on Quest, although the studio says it also has “plenty more planned,” as they inevitably look out for cool and new ways to push Micron even further and deliver yet more impressive magical feats.
You can find Mage over on the Horizon Store for Quest 3 and 3S, priced at $20.
The post ‘MAGE’ Pushes the Limits with Physics-based Magic Mayhem at 120 FPS on Quest 3 appeared first on Road to VR.
The BeOS-inspired Haiku open-source operating system project is out with a new monthly progress report to highlight its latest development accomplishments…
Apple announced it’s releasing an immersive concert experience from Metallica, landing exclusively on Apple Vision Pro this week.
The concert experience, simply dubbed ‘Metallica’, captures a performance in Mexico City which took place during the second-year finale of the band’s M72 World Tour. It’s set to include classic Metallica songs ‘Whiplash’, ‘One’, and ‘Enter Sandman’.
The concert was captured in Apple’s own immersive video format, which features 8K 3D video and spatial audio, putting viewers face to face with band members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo, and offering close ups of the Snake Pit, one of the most expensive fan zones.
To create the immersive concert experience, Apple built a custom stage layout featuring 14 of its Apple Immersive Video cameras using a mix of stabilized cameras, cable-suspended cameras, and remote-controlled camera dolly systems that moved around the stage.
Vision Pro owners will be able to jump in starting March 14th, however Apple says it’s also demoing a full performance of ‘Whiplash’ to in-store customers who reserve a Vision Pro demo.
“Apple Immersive Video transforms the way people experience storytelling, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with Metallica on a concert unlike any before it” said Tor Myhren, Apple’s vice president of Marketing Communications. “With Metallica on Apple Vision Pro, you feel like you’re right there: front row, backstage, and even on stage with one of the biggest bands of all time.”
This follows a steady release of immersive video content on Vision Pro, including new episodes of the Adventure and Boundless series, as well as a host of content such as Wildlife, an immersive experience featuring The Weeknd, and the headset’s first scripted short film, Submerged.
The post Metallica Comes to Vision Pro in Immersive Performance This Week appeared first on Road to VR.
With the newly-released LLVM 20.1 compiler stack among the many changes throughout the massive codebase is renaming the “flang-new” compiler just to “flang”. This new Flang compiler front-end has matured quite well over the years to providing robust and reliable Fortran language support within the confines of the LLVM toolchain…
The process is simple. You first create a model or download one. Then you slice the model and save it. And finally you print the file. Linux offers a good range of open source software to help you create models as well as software to edit and slice the 3D model files.
Longtime KDE developer who has served with Plasma release management duties, KDE Neon operating system development, and former Kubuntu release manager, among other roles, announced he will be stepping down from his Plasma release management duties…
AmiMoJo shares a report from Electrek: The U.S. installed 50 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity in 2024, the largest single year of new capacity added to the grid by any energy technology in over two decades. That’s enough to power 8.5 million households. According to the U.S. Solar Market Insight 2024 Year in Review report (PDF) released today by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie, solar and storage account for 84% of all new electric generating capacity added to the grid last year.
In addition to historic deployment, surging U.S. solar manufacturing emerged as a landmark economic story in 2024. Domestic solar module production tripled last year, and at full capacity, U.S. factories can now produce enough to meet nearly all demand for solar panels in the U.S. Solar cell manufacturing also resumed in 2024, strengthening the U.S. energy supply chain. […] Total US solar capacity is expected to reach 739 GW by 2035, but the report forecasts include scenarios showing how policy changes could impact the solar market. […] The low case forecast shows a 130 GW decline in solar deployment over the next decade compared to the base case, representing nearly $250 billion of lost investment.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Tactical PvE VR shooter Exoshock released a new gameplay trailer.
Developed by Polarity One and published by VRAL Games, Exoshock takes inspiration from heavy hitters like Helldivers 2, Warhammer 40k and Halo. Exoshock aims to be “the next leap forward for co-op PvE FPS in virtual reality,” focusing on collaboration and changing mission parameters while promising intense firefights. The new trailer showcased the visuals, combat mechanics, advanced enemy AI, and more.
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The game supports co-op with players choosing a role: Flanker, Suppressor, or Technician, each offering different specialties, strengths, and weaknesses. In addition to this dynamic squad-based game mechanic, Exoshock features dynamically generated missions, which means that no two encounters will play out the same way.
Exoshock will appear at GDC 2025, and a release date for Meta Quest and Steam is currently unconfirmed. In the meantime, interested players can sign up to join a closed early access launch via the game’s Discord server.
The Passengers is an extraordinary VR experience that puts you in the skin and mind of strangers on a train ride.
The post Meta Quest: The Passengers offers a train ride like you’ve never experienced before appeared first on MIXED Reality News.
Trebuchet has revealed that Prison Boss Prohibition, the expanded follow-up to Prison Boss VR, will feature mixed reality support on Meta Quest.
Just announced during the VR Games Showcase, Prison Boss Prohibition will introduce Mixed Reality (MR) support. The new MR mode brings the game’s contraband dealings into real-world spaces, with co-located play, allowing friends to team up for local couch co-op alongside online play.
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Set in the heavily policed streets of New Yolk City, Prison Boss Prohibition is a crafting job simulator that lets players run a black-market empire, creating everything from risqué magazines (gasp!) to bootleg booze, all while dodging police patrols.
Our 2020 review of the original Prison Boss VR described the game as “a breath of fresh air. In a market that’s over-saturated with shooters, and blood, and gore, and zombies, it’s nice to experience something with a much more light-hearted and whimsical tone.”
Prison Boss Prohibition is coming soon to Steam, Meta Quest and PS VR2. Interested players can be among the first to play the Quest version’s MR mode by signing up via the Prison Boss Prohibition Discord. Alpha Access begins March 18.
First new version in about five years, but it’s who did it that matters more. The WINE project has put out its first release of Mono, the original FOSS .NET runtime, since it took the project over from Microsoft six months ago.
GORN 2 offered a new look at the upcoming sequel with today’s new gameplay trailer.
Announced less than two weeks ago, GORN 2 is being co-developed by Cortopia Studios (Escaping Wonderland) and the original studio, Free Lives. Taking the fight to the afterlife, you’re tasked with battling the five sons of the God of the Afterlife across five heavenly realms. As seen in the VR Games Showcase, we’ve got a new look at the comically brutal gameplay.
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We enjoyed ourselves in our recent hands-on GORN 2 preview, calling this an entertaining expansion on the original game with “absurdly hilarious combat.”
GORN 2 promises the sequel I never realized I wanted. What I’ve seen so far is delivering satisfying evolutionary changes that should appeal to fans of the original game. The comedic over-the-top brutality ties together well, the visuals look great, and a strong sense of humor ties it all together. There’s still plenty more to try and right now, I’m optimistic about the full game.
GORN 2 will arrive this year on Quest, Steam, and PlayStation VR2.
UploadVRHenry Stockdale
Longtime Slashdot reader schwit1 shares a report from Behind The Black: According to information at this tweet from anonymous sources, parts of Starship will likely require a major redesign due to the spacecraft’s break-up shortly after stage separation on its last two test flights. These are the key take-aways, most of which focus on the redesign of the first version of Starship (V1) to create the V2 that flew unsuccessfully on those flights:
– Hot separation also aggravates the situation in the compartment.
– Not related to the flames from the Super Heavy during the booster turn.
– This is a fundamental miscalculation in the design of the Starship V2 and the engine section.
– The fuel lines, wiring for the engines and the power unit will be urgently redone.
– The fate of S35 and S36 is still unclear. Either revision or scrap.
– For the next ships, some processes may be paused in production until a decision on the design is made.
– The team was rushed with fixes for S34, hence the nervous start. There was no need to rush.
– The fixes will take much longer than 4-6 weeks.
– Comprehensive ground testing with long-term fire tests is needed. [emphasis mine]
It must be emphasized that this information comes from leaks from anonymous sources, and could be significantly incorrect. It does however fit the circumstances, and suggests that the next test flight will not occur in April but will be delayed for an unknown period beyond.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.