Author Archives: Chris Burns

Almost exactly six years ago, we reported on the first iteration of the self-assembling cube robots called M-Blocks. Since then, they've become exponentially more radical. Here in October of 2019, the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) revealed their newest edition of the robotic cubes they call M-Blocks 2.0. The newest edition has many upgrades, the most amazing of which is a communication system with which the blocks can communicate, and thereby collaborate.

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The video game streaming platform Google Stadia was announced as working with additional phones at launch today. Previously-announced Google Pixel 3, 3a, 3 XL, and 3a XL will have access on launch day, and today Google added the Google Pixel 4, 4 XL, 2, and 2 XL to the launch lineup. Launch of the service itself will take place on November 19, 2019, at which time both Android and iOS devices will have some access to the Stadia app.

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Today we're looking at Xiaomi's latest released clues about their next smartwatch, the Mi Watch. This is a watch that looks a WHOLE LOT like an Apple Watch - but sorta like if Apple decided to do an "SE" version of said device. Not that they'd ever do such a thing, but still - here's what Xiaomi's got. The Xiaomi Mi Watch will have a rounded-corner rectangular display and a digital crown on its right side for controlling its UI.

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Today the Razer Firefly V2 was revealed by the company whose obsession with rainbow LED lights seems without end. Seriously, do you have any idea how many devices are out in the wild right now with Razer's own branded "Razer Chroma RGB" lighting onboard? They've got "over 500 devices" out there with support for Razer Chroma RGB lighting, and over 130 games interact with said ecosystem right out the gate. Today we're looking at the latest member of that RGB family with this mouse mat.

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The Samsung Galaxy Xcover FieldPro is the essential Samsung phone - more so even than the Galaxy S10e ("e" stands for "essential"). The device was introduced this week as a rugged phone made for government agents and first responders, but really, it looks like it'll be the perfect smartphone for someone who wants a perfect blend of "does new stuff" and "it just works." This is probably going to be your baby boomer dad's dream phone.

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The Huawei Watch GT 2 is a smartwatch that runs the company's own mobile operating system Lite OS. It does not run Google's Wear OS, and it's not exactly like what Samsung has with their smartwatches running Tizen. This watch looks a lot like most smartwatches released over the past several years, with a few watch faces built-in, a few sensors under its hood, and a decent display. But here's the kicker: It's got the battery life of your average tablet.

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It would appear that the bonkers very, very early prequel to the Game of Thrones franchise is a no-go. Variety confirmed with unnamed sources that the prequel that would've otherwise starred Naomi Watts will not be moving forward - or at least the pilot will not be moving forward. And the most hardcore novel-only fans of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series let loose a metaphorical collective sigh of relief.

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There's a set of new Samsung Galaxy Book Flex notebook devices - laptops, if you prefer - with Samsung's own "QLED display" panels front and center. These are the first laptops to have QLED panels - they're brighter than you'll likely ever even possibly want them to be at max 600-nit. These laptops also work like wireless charging pads for wireless charging-capable smartphones, tablets, and etcetera.

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Samsung revealed two new laptop lines today, bringing QLED display panels to laptops for the first time ever. In addition to the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex (which we've spoken of in a separate article), Samsung revealed the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion. The Ion is nearly as striking to see as its Flex brethren, with sharp corners and an "Aura Silver" color - with a hint of some deep, wild cool tones (blues, greens) for accent tones.

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Electronic Arts and Valve announced a partnership to bring EA Games-distributed games to Steam, at long last. They also announced that they'd be bringing the EA Games-specific gaming subscription service to Steam. Per Valve's Game Newell, this partnership with EA will "bring their great games and subscription service to Steam" as well as "open up our communities to each other in an unprecedented way."

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No less than documentary voice and living film legend Werner Herzog narrates the final trailer for The Mandalorian. As such, we have no choice but to listen extremely intently to each word, then rewind and watch again. In this trailer, the character which Werner Herzog depicts uses the word "parsec" - and as any deep-tracks-only Star Wars fan knows, the term "parsec" has long been the topic of some discussion with respect to Han Solo's usage of the term in Star Wars: A New Hope.

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This morning the folks at EA and Respawn released their final trailer for the game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. This trailer shows the main character Cal Kestis, Jedi Padawan, in trouble. He's living in a time immediately following Order 66, and you know what that means - fun for everyone!

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