Sunday
Apr232023

Apple's mixed-reality headset might use a magnetic cable for its external power supply

This power bank might be what the Apple mixed-reality headset's power supply will look like (Photo: Apple)

Apple's rumoured mixed-reality headset is expected at WWDC 2023. And we're getting more details ahead of its launch. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared more about the external power supply the headset comes with. The power supply is offloaded from the headset because it'll help prevent overheating and make it lighter. Gurman reports the "Reality Pro/Reality One" headset will have two ports: a USB-C interface for data transfers and a "new proprietary charging connector." It features a round tip that magnetically attaches to the headset. You would supposedly need to rotate it to lock the cable in place. From this description, it looks like it's reminiscent of the MagSafe power port. 

The power supply will reportedly be the size of an iPhone and look similar to Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack. It can reportedly power the headset for up to two hours on a single charge. You will recharge it via a USB-C cable connected to a MacBook Pro power adapter. Gurman believes Apple will offer an option to buy additional packs to extend its battery life.

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Saturday
Apr222023

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup - 4/16- 4/22

Saturday
Apr222023

Twitter gets rid of 'government-funded' label from news publishers

Twitter has removed the "government-funded" media labels the service attached to news publishers like CBC, BBC, and NPR. They were removed as of Friday morning, coinciding with Twitter's erasure of legacy blue checks. These checks were intended to identify notable people, government bodies, and journalists. But now, Twitter uses it as a "perk" for its Twitter Blue subscription service.

CBC and the other outlets decried the "unfair" use of the label, with the CBC pausing its use of the service. It argued that the designation was undermining its work. According to a spokesperson from CBC, they are reviewing this new development but will leave their Twitter accounts on pause for now. The last tweet it posted on April 18 on Twitter referred users to its other social media accounts.

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Friday
Apr212023

Sony buys Firewalk Studios

Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Sony Interactive Entertainment struck a deal with Firewalk Studios to publish a PlayStation 5 exclusive multiplayer game. Now, it's buying the studio outright. Sony announced that it reached an agreement with ProbablyMonsters Inc to acquire the studio.

The deal will roll Firewalk Studios and its team into the PlayStation brand. But its operations will continue to be run by the studio's existing management team. However, Sony didn't mention anything about the PS5-exclusive title it's working on, but it wanted to highlight the team's experience with working on Destiny at Bungie and Activision.

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