Two fees, one game: 'Final Fantasy XIV' on Xbox

Image: Square Enix

After more than a decade, the highly anticipated arrival of Final Fantasy XIV on Xbox has been confirmed for 2024. Square Enix made the exciting announcement on February 2, unveiling a beta test for the Xbox Series version scheduled to commence on February 21. This beta will be open to newcomers to the MMO genre. However, Xbox players keen on delving into the realms of Eorzea will not only need to subscribe to the game itself but also require an additional Xbox Game Pass subscription.

A Square Enix's blog post, details this announcement in the "How to Participate" section. It clarifies that while the Free Trial version, including the beta, doesn't mandate a Game Pass subscription, the full Xbox Series X|S version will need an Xbox Game Pass (Core or Ultimate) plan for access. This is a departure from the norm for FF14, which typically only requires a game subscription on PlayStation and PC. 

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Pixel 8 series gets Circle to Search

Google has begun rolling out its cutting-edge Circle to Search function on its latest smartphones, including the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. This innovative feature harnesses the power of generative AI to identify content on your smartphone screen. Circle to Search allows for direct identification of highlighted items.

It was originally showcased during Samsung's Unpacked event last month for the Galaxy S24 models, but we know Circle to Search is not exclusive to Samsung devices. And it appears that Google timed the rollout to coincide with the release of Samsung's smartphones. Currently, the Circle to Search feature is exclusively available for Android smartphones, possibly aimed at enticing iPhone users to make the switch.

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AI features are coming to OnePlus 11 and 12 phones in China

Photo: OnePlus

The OnePlus 12, initially devoid of significant artificial intelligence capabilities, is now receiving a boost in China. Thanks to a recent ColorOS update, OnePlus is stepping up its game by introducing AI-powered features to its smartphones. While it may not be an AI extravaganza like what you'd see on the new Samsung phones, the move signals OnePlus’ commitment to enhancing user experience, particularly in the Chinese market.

It gets features like call summaries, object removal in images, and article summaries. Now, we're curious to see if these features will make their way to global OnePlus devices.

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Apple’s spatial audio royalty shift sparks controversy among indie labels

Image: Apple

Apple's recent initiative to provide higher royalties to artists embracing spatial audio has stirred discontent among indie labels. Critics argue that this move may divert potential earnings from smaller labels to larger companies with greater financial resources. The Financial Times reported that Apple began offering a 10 percent increase in royalties for artists releasing spatial audio tracks on Apple Music last month. However, the additional compensation is sourced from the same fixed pool of funds used to remunerate artists who do not adopt the spatial audio format.

Spatial audio, created using Dolby Atmos technology, incurs an estimated additional cost of around US$1,000 (around CA$1,348) per song, according to industry executives interviewed by FT. Extrapolating this cost to entire albums reveals a substantial financial burden, especially considering the extensive back catalogue of albums that many labels maintain. The Financial Times consulted with executives from prominent labels such as Beggars Group, Secretly, and Partisan Records, home to artists like Vampire Weekend and Phoebe Bridgers. In response to these concerns, the affected labels plan to engage with Apple, hoping to negotiate a more favourable arrangement.

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