Europe’s Biggest Battery Powered Up In Scotland

AmiMoJo shares a report: Europe’s biggest battery storage project has entered commercial operation in Scotland [alternative source], promising to soak up surplus wind power and prevent turbines being paid to switch off.

Zenobe said the first phase of its project at Blackhillock, between Inverness and Aberdeen, was now live with capacity to store enough power to supply 200 megawatts of electricity for two hours. It is due to be expanded to 300 megawatts by next year, enough to supply 3.1 million homes, more than every household in Scotland.

The government’s Clean Power 2030 action plan sets a target capacity of up to 27 gigawatts of batteries by 2030, a sixfold increase from the 4.5 gigawatts installed today. This huge expansion is seen as critical as Britain builds more renewable wind and solar power, since batteries can store surplus generation for use when the wind does not blow and the sun does not shine.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

TREKS Is A New Tourism App For The Omni One VR Treadmill

TREKS is a new VR tourism program for the Virtuix Omni One that’s out this week.

Available exclusively for the VR treadmill, Virtuix Studios describes TREKS as an immersive tourism experience designed to keep you active. The initial release on Omni One includes several locations ranging from the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls from both the US and Canadian side, various landmarks across New York City, and Saudi Arabia with Fort Masmak.



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For the unfamiliar, the Virtuix Omni One is an integrated home VR device that starts from $2595 with extra shipping costs. While Virtuix describes it as a treadmill, this isn’t completely accurate. Instead of a moving belt, you use special shoes that slide along a concave disc-shaped base. This also involves wearing a harness suit that keeps you stationary while moving your legs.

Virtuix Omni One Home VR Treadmill Launch Set For September
Virtuix Omni One, an integrated home VR treadmill system with a Pico 4 Enterprise, is set to finally launch in September.

While the Omni One initially touted a lineup of 35 launch games following its launch in September 2024, that’s since expanded to over 55 games. February’s additions notably include Arizona Sunshine Remake, Arizona Sunshine 2, and Into The Radius, alongside Venture’s Gauntlet, Everslaught Invasion, Thief Simulator VR, and more.

TREKS will launch exclusively for Omni One for $30 on March 6, 2025. Additional DLC locations will also be announced “in the coming months,” promising new landmarks and historical sites.

GeForce RTX 5070 Gets A Head Start At Retail Vs Radeon RX 9070 But Will It Matter?

GeForce RTX 5070 Gets A Head Start At Retail Vs Radeon RX 9070 But Will It Matter?
The next GPU to land at retail will be NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5070, with reviews going live today (including our own). While you can draw your own conclusions as to its balance between value and performance, I am more interested in what the availability will be like, along with actual street pricing. The GeForce RTX 5070 has an MSRP of $549,

iFixit tears down the iPhone 16e, now with repairable USB-C charging port

Repairing your iPhone without shelling out lots of money to Apple has long felt impossible. But, with recent Right to Repair laws in the likes of Colorado and Oregon, the new iPhones are a bit easier to repair without ever setting foot in an Apple store. This shift includes Apple’s latest product, the iPhone 16e, which debuted last month. It received a provisional 7/10 rating from iFixit thanks to features like a new repair guide for the USB-C port and its easy-release battery adhesive. 

The charging port repair guide is a big deal and something even the other iPhone 16s don’t offer. However, that’s not to say it’s a simple process. First, you have to remove the back glass, selfie camera, top earpiece speaker, battery, Taptic Engine and the list goes on. Then you have to lift up the logic board to access the port replacement bit. So, it’s still a bit of a mess, but at least you now know you’re taking the right steps as you go along it. 

The iPhone also offers the same electrically released battery adhesive as its fellow iPhone 16 models. It replaces the stretch-release adhesive which never worked as well as you’d hope. This is also the first time an iPhone has Apple’s C1 modem after a decade of rumored development. iFixit got down and dirty with the logic board to explore the C1 modem. The team went so far as to run the C1 through a CT scanner, which revealed that there’s not a trace of Qualcomm tech in the package.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/ifixit-tears-down-the-iphone-16e-now-with-repairable-usb-c-charging-port-151558784.html?src=rss

Rockstar Games Acquires Studio Behind ‘L.A. Noire VR’ & Scrapped ‘GTA: San Andreas’ Quest Port

Rockstar Games announced it’s acquiring Video Games Deluxe, the Sydney-based studio behind L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files (2017) and the shelved Quest port of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004).

The details of the acquisition haven’t been made public, however Rockstar says in a press statement that Video Games Deluxe has now been renamed to ‘Rockstar Australia’, and will “continue [its] efforts to make the best games possible.”

In addition to those VR ports, Video Games Deluxe is best known for its work on hit detective game L.A. Noire (2011), as well as the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy (2021) compilation, which brought GTA III (2001), GTA: Vice City (2002) and GTA: San Andreas to mobile and modern consoles.

Image courtesy Meta

Shortly before the compilation’s re-release in late 2021 though, Rockstar and Meta (then Facebook) announced they were working to port GTA: San Andreas (2004) to Quest 2, which was slated to be led by Video Games Deluxe.

Rockstar never publicly announced Video Games Deluxe was involved, likely owing to the fact the port was cancelled shortly thereafter, however in a 2020 job listing the studio tipped its hand by announcing it was creating a “AAA open world title in VR” for Rockstar.

As a long-time support studio for Rockstar, the acquisition likely won’t change much for any potential revival of GTA: San Andreas for Quest. After years of silence, Meta confirmed with IGN in August 2024 the project was put “on hold indefinitely.”

The post Rockstar Games Acquires Studio Behind ‘L.A. Noire VR’ & Scrapped ‘GTA: San Andreas’ Quest Port appeared first on Road to VR.

Pick up the Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E while it’s 50 percent off

The Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E is now 50 percent off at $99. That’s a whole $100 off, and if you’ve been eyeing a Wi-Fi upgrade, now might be the time.

Google claims this mesh router can provide coverage up to 2,200 square feet, and the signal won’t lose strength even at the edge of that area. You also have lower latency than Wi-Fi 6, so your internet usage will be smoother overall. Because Wi-Fi 6E offers three bands compared to the two Wi-Fi 6 and older has, the network can divide the burden across more bands and reduce interference.

This sounds complicated, but Google designed the Nest Wi-Fi Pro to be a more straightforward device you can set up and then forget. Besides receiving regular security and software updates, the router can adjust the network’s performance and fix simple problems. Plus, it integrates well with Google services and smart home devices. Just make sure you’re using the latest Nest Wi-Fi and Google Wi-Fi devices.

The Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E is on our best mesh Wi-Fi systems list due to its ease of use. It’s admittedly lacking in the customization department, but the simplicity makes up for it if the former isn’t a concern.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-the-nest-wi-fi-pro-6e-while-its-50-percent-off-150954369.html?src=rss

Protests, broken windows, even arson: Tesla’s massive Elon problem

Early on Monday morning, a bank of Tesla Superchargers went up in flames in Littleton, Massachusetts. While the cause of the fire is unknown, Tesla’s Superchargers are not known for bursting into flames, and a $5,000 reward is being offered by the authorities, who believe the fire was “intentionally set.” Assuming that arson is to blame, this may well be one more attack against a brand that’s becoming more and more toxic.

Elon Musk’s involvement with US President Donald Trump has changed the nature of the spotlight on the Tesla CEO. Instead of cute cameos in Marvel movies and being name-checked by Star Trek, Musk now makes headlines for boosting far-right politics in Europe and suggesting cuts to Social Security. This has made him some new friends, but it has lost many more in the process. And the consequences for Tesla’s core business—selling electric cars—have been disastrous.

2024 was already a not-good year for the automaker. A decade ago, it was basically the only game in town if you wanted an electric car that could go more than 200 miles between charges, and celebrities and tastemakers flocked to the brand in droves. Now, customers are spoiled for choice, and Tesla’s model range—effectively just two cars—has to compete against all the established OEMs that are increasingly working out how to build great EVs, plus all those Chinese startups that appear to have cracked that market in terms of what customers want and how to make it cheap.

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ExpressVPN Adds A GUI To Their Linux App

There are a number of NetworkManager VPN plug-ins for different virtual private networking providers as a great way for setting up VPN access from the Linux desktop. But for those interested in using ExpressVPN with their official Linux client, they now offer a GUI to ease the setup process for using their commercial VPN service and proprietary software package…

5-Axis 3D Printer Reduces Need For Support Structures

This is a timelapse of a 3D printer platform built by Youtuber multipoleguy that adds an additional two axes (not golden though) to a typical 3-axis printer’s movement, allowing prints “with up to a 70º overhang in all directions, reducing the need for support structures.” That’s something. Something perfect for printing squiggly tubes! I’m going to open a store selling whatever kind of squiggly tube you want, and I’m going to call it…YouTube. “Get rich or get sued trying.” Heck yeah, I’m already growing a mustache and learning Spanish in case I need to flee and start a new life.

All On Board! Review-In-Progress: More Than Just Fun And Games

All on Board offers a platform to play iconic board games in impeccably dressed virtual spaces – it just needs more time.

As someone with an embarrassing amount of dusty board game boxes sitting in storage, I found All on Board’s promise of a clutter-free and immersive digital alternative intriguing. Digital board game programs aren’t a new concept, even in VR, with Tabletop Simulator finding a home on headsets all the way back in 2016. Still, All on Board is pitching a fresh look at the genre, bolstered by thematic storybook settings players can immerse themselves in as they play licensed products with friends. 

The Facts

What is it?: A board game simulator that lets you play existing licensed properties and classic board games with friends in VR.
Platforms: Quest, Steam (reviewed on both PC and Quest 3)
Release Date: Out Now
Developer: The Game Kitchen
Price: $9.99

All on Board operates more like a well-dressed social platform than a game. Once you open the app, you’re dropped into a social hub to browse games and add other players to your session. The base game includes board game classics like Chess, Parchisi, Checkers and Go, which you can play cooperatively with friends or on your lonesome.

However, premium licensed games like Terraforming Mars and The Binding of Isaac need an additional purchase. This makes for a limiting first impression, though you at least get 25 minutes of playtime to test them before taking the financial leap. If one player owns the game, others can join and try it without the additional cost — another avenue of ‘try before you buy’ if you’re still curious after your initial test run.

PC Specs Used

My PC uses an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, and my CPU is an AMD Ryzen 9 3950X. I used a Quest 3 via Virtual Desktop when playing on Steam, playing nearly equally between PC VR and standalone Quest 3 during this review.

Once you pick a game and start playing, you and your friends will appear as somewhat customizable cartoon avatars sitting across the table from one another. Modification currently amounts to a series of preset heads and upper bodies, and the developers note that full-blown customization will arrive at a later date. The cartoon avatars don’t feature mouth movement, which can be a bit strange given the intimate proximity. However, I did find once my co-op partner began chatting and moving their arms and head around, the initially uncanny first impression wore off quickly. After all, the game is always the focus. 

Inviting others to your session is as easy as sharing your session code. It’s a small touch, but I’m pleased that the session code is consistently clear and visible whether I was in the central hub or the middle of a game. Adding to the positives, All on Board also allows for cross-platform gaming, meaning players with Quest headsets can sit at the table with PC VR users and vice versa. There is also an option to join as a spectator and hang out with your friends without investing in the inevitable betrayal and drama that comes with board games.

All on Board’s multiplayer wasn’t an entirely seamless experience, though, and when playing checkers with a friend, we noticed a few issues where the on board information wasn’t aligning between the two of us. This isn’t a big deal in a simple game where it’s clear who is winning; however, this may cause more complex problems with more complicated offerings like the competitive Bazaar-hopping game Istanbul. Thankfully, if you run into any issues and need to reset, a frequent autosave keeps track of your progress. You can also reload anytime while playing — if only real-life board games had quick save and quick load…  

Where All on Board shines is in its thematically dressed and carefully decorated game rooms. Terraforming Mars drops you into a futuristic space dome surrounded by red dirt planes with various stock-tracking tickers plastered overhead. Escape The Dark Castle, on the other hand, pops you into a spooky cel-shaded dungeon with flickering flames that create an unnerving atmosphere. My personal favorite piece of environmental lore came in Rallyman: GT, where tyre-screeching occasionally entered the background mix. Each space feels like a meaningful extension of the base game, and I’m thoroughly enjoying inspecting the details between the fantasy worlds.

A key aspect in the enjoyment of board games is the tactile experience of snatching up cards and rolling dice, something The Game Kitchen has considered carefully when designing interactions for All on Board. Dice have a pleasant bounce when you throw them, and picking up cards is met with a comforting papery sound. However, on a few occasions, I found the tracking could get a little muddled at times, especially when playing on busier boards, complicating the process of pinching an individual die.

An important warning to consider is the lack of guidance when engaging with All on Board’s suite of tabletop simulacrums. For example, say you purchase or try out The Binding of Isaac. Instead of having the game explain any rules, it drops you into its impeccably dressed world, free to pick your seat and play. You can lift your digital wristwatch and prompt a “how to play” video explaining the rules.

The problem is that you still need a level of rules awareness to get a game going, and pressing set face buttons when highlighting an item only explains the object in question. I appreciate that All on Board tries to emulate a realistic board game experience, warts and all. Sadly, this feels like a missed opportunity for a digital platform to go the extra mile and include tutorial prompts for those less adept with the source material.

Elsewhere, a few technical issues only compounded the need for an intrusive helping hand. In one instance, my friend dropped out due to a network issue and needed to load back into the game. When they did, they didn’t automatically assume their established position at the table and ended up a spectator for the match, unable to interact with the pieces. An opportunity for me to mischievously mess up their game soon appeared, and it took a considerable amount of trial and error to realize we could reload a previous save. That allowed them to retake their victorious position – much to my chagrin. All on Board doesn’t always account for those new to the platform, which is a shame. 

Comfort

You can play board games in All on Board sitting or standing, and you adjust your position by holding an individual trigger and dragging it up or down as if climbing. Alternatively, you can reset your position in the play space on your headset. Where movement is concerned, you’ll have a few options. To rotate, you can press both grip buttons or use the joysticks to snap rotate. Movement around the space is limited to fluid locomotion via grabbing and pulling.

Getting into position around the board in-game is done automatically, with the player selecting their spot before the game begins, so there isn’t much moving throughout the space required to play. You can adjust the visual vignette from the settings using a slider to change its intensity. Additionally, you can set the degree of snap rotation at any time from the settings.

One perhaps unintended benefit of All on Board’s hands-off approach is that it opens the door for differing interpretations of board game rulesets. In one match of Checkers, I pretended I was winning by crawling my way into their seat while they simulated eating my pieces and tried to distract me by pointing into the distance.  The game descended into chaos as I began throwing their checkers into the bag, earning points for lousy sportsmanship and revelling in my terrible glory. In this way, the lack of oversight will be rewarding to those who want to goof off while catching up with their mates — an underrated but important facet of a typical tabletop experience.

All On Board! Review-In-Progress – Final Verdict

All On Board doesn’t feel like a complete experience right now — more of a work in progress. It’s a solid tabletop simulator with standout atmospheric set dressing, but there’s still a lot missing here that is not backfilled by the jovial banter between friends it can capably summon.

Features evident on Kickstarter but absent at launch like expanded character customization and custom games feel as though they would really benefit the experience and turn it into a definitive one-stop-shop for VR tabletop. We’ll have to wait and see if it eventually achieves that goal, and I’m keen to return when these updates arrive.


UploadVR uses a 5-Star rating system for our game reviews – you can read a breakdown of each star rating in our review guidelines. As a review-in-progress, this is currently unscored, and we’ll revisit this review following further updates.

Climate change is harming the health of Americans, and they know it

In the past decade, Americans have become increasingly aware that climate change is harming the health of people in the US, according to a new survey.

The survey, which was conducted in December and released Friday, also shows increased trust in physicians, climate scientists, federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency, local public health departments and the World Health Organization for providing information about the health harms of global warming.

These sources of information are under threat: President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed cutting most of the EPA’s budget and initiated mass firings at the CDC, taken down climate and health information from government websites, frozen or revoked funding for some climate research and interventions, stalled environmental justice initiatives, and proposed rescinding a 16-year-old federal finding that mandates government action on greenhouse gases. Trump also withdrew the US from the World Health Organization and the Paris climate accord.

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Nothing Phone (3a) Arrives To Give Apple And Samsung A Budget Beatdown

Nothing Phone (3a) Arrives To Give Apple And Samsung A Budget Beatdown
It’s the battle of budget phones and for your wallet at the 2025 Mobile World Congress. As expected, Nothing announced two new phones—the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro—that continue the company’s unique take on overall user experience that encompass the operating system and phone design. The phones boast performance up to 33% better

China’s Supreme Court Calls For Crack Down on Paper Mills

China’s highest court has called for a crack down on the activities of paper mills, businesses that churn out fraudulent or poor-quality manuscripts and sell authorships. Nature: Some researchers are cautiously optimistic that the court’s guidance will help curb the use of these services, while others think the impact will be minimal. “This is the first time the supreme court has issued guidance on paper mills and on scientific fraud,” says Wang Fei, who studies research-integrity policy at Dalian University of Technology in China.

Paper mills sell suspect research and authorships to researchers who want journal articles to burnish their CVs. They are a significant contributor to overall research misconduct, particularly in China. Last month, the Supreme People’s Court published a set of guiding opinions on technology innovation. Among the list of 25 articles, one called for lower courts to crack down on ‘paper industry chains,’ and for research fraud to be severely punished. Further reading:
Research Reveals Data on Which Institutions Are Retraction Hotspots;
Paper Mills Have Flooded Science With 400,000 Fake Studies, Experts Warn.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

How to pre-order the new Apple iPad and iPad Air M3

A couple of iPads are getting upgrades: Apple just announced new iPad Air models powered by the M3 chipset, in addition to a new base iPad with the A16 processor. The iPad Air models still come in 11- and 13-inch sizes, while the base iPad is now considered an 11-inch tablet (an ever so slight difference from the previous version). If you’ve been keen on updating your old iPad or other tablet, you can pre-order both the new iPad Air and base iPad starting today, with wider availability beginning on March 12. Here’s everything you need to know about the new iPad and the iPad Air M3.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/how-to-pre-order-the-new-apple-ipad-and-ipad-air-m3-143643723.html?src=rss