A 'cheaper' Apple Vision Pro might be in the works

Apple

Apple may release a "cheaper" Vision Pro headset with fewer features and an iPhone chip instead of a Mac chip, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. He wrote in his Power On newsletter that this could lower the price between US$1,500-$2,500 (around CA$2,043-$3,405) for a budget model. Of course, that's still a premium price tag, but that's still less than its US$3,500 (CA$4,767) starting price.

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Apple can reportedly update iPhones in their packaging

Apple Insider

Apple might be able to update your iPhone even if they're still in their packaging and Apple's stores. Typically, when you buy new hardware, you would need to update the device when you first open it. But Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports in his newsletter that Apple has a system that can update the iPhone's operating system before they get sold. And they don't even have to be taken out of the box.

There will be a "pad-like device" in stores where employees can place unopened iPhone boxes to trigger an update. This pad will wirelessly turn on the iPhone, run the software update, and then turn it off again. This system might be in place before the year ends.

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Respeecher helped 'Cyberpunk 2077' honour a dead actor’s voice

CD Projekt Red

Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red has confirmed that it reconstructed the voice of a deceased actor for its Phantom Liberty DLC using AI voice cloning software. Actor Miłogost Reczek voiced the character Viktor Vektor in the Polish version of the game. He would've been tapped to reprise the role for the DLC (which came out last month), but he died in 2021 before its production. The developer chose to go this route to "pay tribute to his wonderful performance," they told Bloomberg. And the developer said they obtained consent to do so from his family.

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PlayStation Trophies on PC: A new possibility?

Sony

Data miners have discovered hints that PlayStation trophies might make their way to the PC in the future. These trophies are a way for Sony gamers to track their achievements on the console. Crossplay is becoming a bigger part of the gaming landscape, and Microsoft extended crossovers to its achievement system. Sony might want to offer something similar for its users.

The first hint is when Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered added PSN support for the PC. Modders discovered that support could be extended to all PlayStation Studios games. After that, a scanner discovered a new trophy list with the platform category "PSPC." It isn't attached to a specific game, but it looks like a test list of some sort. Digging into it showed that PSPC is separate from PS5, but there might be some form of integration there. For now, these are all just rumours. 

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