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Check The Tech is back with another round of the hottest new tech you need to know about this holiday season. Host and tech venture capitalist Sara Lovestyle taps savvy industry leaders to get the scoop on the latest must-have tech products.
In this episode of Check The Tech, venture capitalist Brandon Hoffman highlights the newest tech on his radar that’s worthy of the hype. Hoffman is General Partner of Sunset Ventures, a firm that invests in cutting-edge technologies and founders who are shaping a better future. “Venture capital is a unique way to address the racial wealth gap in this country,” he tells Lovestyle.
Above, Hoffman dives into the latest tech trends that are making waves, from life-changing gadgets that help keep you organized to the newest blockbuster games.
When it comes to taking notes, PLAUD Note is a game-changer. “It’s one that I’ve been using a lot lately,” Hoffman says. The sleek AI-powered voice recorder attaches neatly to the back of any smartphone. With its compact design and easy one-press recording, PLAUD Note can record, transcribe, and summarize every meeting, phone call, voice memo, and more, making it simple to stay organized.
Backseat AI gives dedicated gamers a chance to “play” with their favorite video game livestreamers (or “streamers”). The innovative app brings popular streamers to life as “AI companions” who commentate and give real-time feedback as you play. “(The streamers) join the party, essentially,” says Hoffman. “You’ll be able to hear them in real time as though you’re actually playing with them.” Currently, Backseat AI is in the early-access stage and is exclusively available for League of Legends, with plans to offer this experience for additional games in the future.
Gorilla Tag is the buzziest online multiplayer game since Fortnite and Roblox, according to Hoffman. “This year, everybody’s playing Gorilla Tag,” he says. Gorilla Tag is a virtual reality (VR) social gaming experience where players can explore a virtual jungle and interact with other players. Run, climb, and jump using your hand and arm movements and your VR headset. With multiple levels and game modes to explore, Hoffman says Gorilla Tag is “the game to play.”
Nvidia, the computer chip giant, has entered the AI music race by announcing its new model, Fugatto, on Tuesday (Nov. 26). The company calls Fugatto, short for Foundational Generative Audio Transformer Opus 1, a “Swiss Army knife for sound.”
Using text or audio prompts, Fugatto can generate new music at the click of a button and edit existing audio, including removing or adding instruments from a song or changing the accent and emotion in a voice, in seconds.
With Fugatto, Nvidia aims to take on today’s top AI music models, including Suno, Udio and many more. Though it is a late entrant in the race to create the best music AI model, Fugatto appears to have crisp audio quality and a number of capabilities that could change the music-making process for producers and composers.
According to the announcement on Nvidia’s blog, “One of the hardest parts of the effort was generating a blended dataset that contains millions of audio samples used for training,” which the company says it worked on for more than a year to get right. “The team employed a multifaceted strategy to generate data and instructions that considerably expanded the range of tasks the model could perform, while achieving more accurate performance and enabling new tasks without requiring additional data.” It is unclear whether or not this dataset included copyrighted material. Nvidia has not responded to Billboard’s request for comment.
Trending on Billboard
Nvidia proposes a number of use cases for Fugatto, including generating a score for visual media; editing certain parts of a score; and altering a voice to have different accents, emotions and timbres. “Fugatto can make a trumpet bark or a saxophone meow. Whatever users can describe, the model can create,” says Rafael Valle, a manager of applied audio research at Nvidia.
“The history of music is also a history of technology,” says Ido Zmishlany, a producer/songwriter and co-founder of One Take Audio, a member of Nvidia Inception, its program for cutting-edge startups. “With AI we’re writing the next chapter of music. We have a new instrument, a new tool for making music — and that’s super exciting.”
Nvidia claims this is the first AI music model that showcases “emergent properties — capabilities that arise from the interaction of its varous trained abilities — and the ability to combine free-form instructions.” Valle adds that Fugatto is “our first step toward a future where unsupervised multitask learning in audio synthesis and transformation emerges from data and model scale.”
So far, Nvidia has not provided a release date for Fugatto.
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Source: Google / Black Owned Friday
Google’s Black-Owned Friday continues spotlighting Black-owned businesses nationwide on America’s favorite shopping holiday.
Black-Owned Friday is back for its fifth iteration and is sticking to the same formula of using the biggest Black celebrities and influencers to help spread the word about fantastic Black-owned businesses.
Last year, Keke Palmer did a clever cover of Crystal Water’s iconic record “Pure Love,” joining other big names like Ludacris, Normani, T-Pain, and Flo Milli, who were involved in previous years.
This year, Google has tapped one of Hip-Hop’s hottest acts in GloRilla, social media superstar and current Google Pixel hypeman Druski, and YouTuber and entrepreneur Jayda Cheaves to help launch the 5th annual Black-Owned Friday shopping initiative from Google.
Source: Google / Black Owned Friday
The trio stars in “A Day of Black-owned Shopping with Druski, Glorilla, and Jayda Cheaves’ film directed by Rodney Lucas, highlighting Black-owned businesses and products featured in this year’s Black-Owned Friday” initiative.
In the short film, Druski, GloRilla, and Jayda Cheaves visit three Black-Owned businesses: Royal Crown Barbershop, Wadada Health Market and Juice Bar, and The Wellness Spot.
Druski, GloRilla & Director Rodney Lucas On The Importance of Black-Owned Friday
“As an artist, I’m all about representing where I come from and supporting my community, “GloRilla begins. “Partnering with Google for Black-owned Friday is my way of showing love to Black entrepreneurs who are out here making big moves. Supporting Black-owned businesses is more than a moment—it’s a movement, it’s how we grow, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Source: Google / Black-Owned Friday
Druski adds, “I enjoyed working with Google on Black-Owned Friday because it’s all about celebrating the greatness in our communities. I’m a comedian, but this is serious business—spotlighting Black entrepreneurs and showing the power of supporting our own. It’s a cool way to remind folks that every choice we make can uplift the culture, and I’m here for that…plus who doesn’t love a good smoothie, shape-up, and yoga session? I’m more flexible than meets the eye (laughing emoji).”
Source: Google / Black-Owned Friday
“Working with the Google Team on Black-Owned Friday spoke directly to the soul of who I am as a Director and the level of care, support, and vibrations of Black joy that carry our communities,” Rodney Lucas begins. “At age 7, my first job was sweeping floors in one of the longest-standing Black-Owned record shops on the South Side of Chicago. That experience built the foundation of everything I am today. Our fillm gave me the opportunity to re ect, honor, and deliver a cinematic love letter to every Black-Owned business that helped propel my dreams. Black-Owned Friday is a moment to celebrate Black-owned businesses’ service, craftsmanship, and legacy worldwide, and I am grateful for the opportunity to add a chapter to this empowering and unifying campaign.”
Source: Google / Black-Owned Friday
More Details About Black-Owned Friday
Right now, you can visit the landing page for Black-Owned Friday to see more videos supporting Black-owned businesses and add your own to highlight a local Black-owned business in your community. You can also check out a blog post from Dr. Valaurie Lee Bridges, owner of the Wellness Spot in Atlanta, Georgia. If you’re a business owner, you can also learn more about resources like Google’s Black-owned business attribute and the ByBlack Platform powered by the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., to help people find your company on Black-owned Friday and beyond.
Hit the gallery below for a complete list of businesses and products participating in the initiative.
1. EssenceTree
EssenceTree Holistic Life is a lifestyle brand that celebrates organic beauty and inspired living, the passions of its founder Charmaine Gibbs-West. Created as a platform for empowerment, the Atlanta, GA based company consists of luxurious handcrafted beauty products, transformative wellness services and entrepreneurial education.
Established in 2005 on her husband’s family farm, EssenceTree started as a therapeutic hobby. After transitioning from a fast-paced Wall Street career in New York, Charmaine moved south to Tennessee and embraced a simpler, more sacred life.
A student of various healing therapies, Charmaine found herself experimenting with homemade concoctions, artfully infusing practices of aromatherapy, herbalism and intention into her original recipes. Themes which were noticeably absent in the beauty industry.
Even now, EssenceTree’s creations are still original works of art, blended with the finest natural ingredients and healing intent.
2. Marlie Mahogany
Marlie Mahogany started off as a shampoo girl in a doobie shop in Newark, NJ at the age of 14. She quickly became a specialist in hair maintenance, often taking care of the hair of family, friends and community members. After coming to Atlanta, Marlie went to school for dental assisting and quickly realized that her passion for doing hair was still calling her. Soon she began working for a celebrity hairstylist and learned a lot about the hair industry. Marlie was offered as position as a natural hairstylist at Royal Crown Barbershop in West End Atlanta where she worked for 6 years. Now she works full-time in her own hair studio, offering dedicated services and essential products to the natural hair community.
3. Natural Beauty Organics
My name is Cat Belle. My daughter, Saharah, and I were inspired to create this hair care line because we are natural hair care professionals and lovers of a holistic lifestyle. Natural Beauty Organics was created with specific goals in mind.
To have a hair care product that really, really works on textured hair.
To assist hair growth using herbs and essential oils that promote an overall healthy scalp.
To educate and empower women worldwide, about natural hair.
We use all natural ingredients, like hemp seed oil and avocado oil, both rich in omega 3 fatty acids that your hair loves. Combined, we have over 25 years of experience with natural hair. We love cultivating a space for women that choose to have relaxer free hair. We allow the narrative of Natural Hair and Loving Natural Hair to unfold here at Natural Beauty Organics.
4. The Royal Crown Barbershop
Source:The Royal Crown Barbershop
Ehl-Ahd, Royal Crown Barber Shop
“As a proud business owner serving the West End for 25 years, Royal Crown Barber Shop has been about more than just haircuts – it’s about building a community with my customers. Partnering with Google for Black-owned Friday lets me share that legacy and encourage everyone to support Black-owned businesses every day.”
5. Wada Healthy Market & Juice Bar
Jeanee Sellers, Wadada Healthy Market & Juice Bar
“Being part of Google’s Black-owned Friday campaign was an amazing opportunity! After years of serving our community at Wadada, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Black-owned businesses empower and uplift our community. I was proud to share my story and emphasize the importance of intentionally supporting and shopping with Black-owned businesses.”
6. The Wellness Spot
The Wellness Spot is an upscale fitness, day spa and private events destination in the heart of Historic College Park, GA. We deliver a total well-being experience. Whether you need to slip into an hour of calm or challenge yourself in a full-body sweat session. Our promise to you is a visit defined by quality, courtesy, comfort and respect. Learn more about The Wellness Spot journey.
7. Pretty Thuggish
Pretty Thuggish celebrates female empowerment through individuality, courage and power, embracing not only a pretty exterior, but also a “thuggish” interior. Pretty Thuggish has the essence of determination and self-love embedded into the fabric of each piece, and inspires others to be their authentic selves and live fearlessly.
Vibrant colors, edgy, yet feminine flair with a dash of tomboy sets Pretty Thuggish apart from other brands of women’s clothing. Our fun and flashy pieces make a bold statement no matter the occasion. Pretty Thuggish was created for confident women who emanate beauty through strength.
8. Waydamin
Est. 2021 • Ready to wear, size inclusive collections designed by Jayda Cheaves made to fit everyBODY.
9. Honey Beloved
Maisha Abdullah Owner of Honey Beloved
I believe there is much truth to the notion that we are pushed to be our best. My career as an Illustrator and Graphic Designer had become increasingly stressful and unsatisfying to the point that I decided to resign with little savings and an idealistic plan of working for myself. I was terrified to do this but I was more afraid of what would become of me if I didn’t. While establishing this plan I took a part time job at one of my favorite fashion retailers. Nearly everyday I was complimented by customers about my handmade jewelry and clothing. Even told that this multi million dollar company should be carrying my pieces. And additionally I must say that I learned allot from my retail fashion idol that I will be forever grateful for, however another common thought is don’t meet your idols. On my way to work the next big undeniable push for change came again. I knew if I didn’t change my course literally and immediately I would be stuck. I veered off the road and made a u-turn like a bandit breaking out of jail. I drove straight to the local jewelry supply store, bought some supplies, went home and got to work. I have always been a pretty reliable and responsible person but there comes a time in life when neither of those things are as important as saving yourself will ever be. I know that striking out in more ways than one is something that just had to be done!
10. Milano Di Rouge
Milano Di Rouge created by a Dreamer for the Dreamers, the visionaries, and ambitious individuals who aspire to a lifestyle of luxury, authenticity, and success. Our designs are more than just clothing; they’re the keys to unlocking a world where dreams become reality and ambitions are worn on one’s sleeve—literally. Each piece embodies excellence, designed for those who dare to dream and live with purpose. We offer more than just style; our brand narrative is woven into every aspect, inviting our audience to join a movement of boldness and authenticity. In every detail, Milano Di Rouge captures the essence of the dreamer’s journey.
11. Nourish Botanica
Founded in 2014 by Quianah Upton | Homegrown in Atlanta, GA.
With our shops and outdoor event space we provide healing through art, flowers and plants grown on our land, food as medicine and herbal blends. Nourish Botanica also provides a physical space for engagement and education around equity and social justice by centering joy.
12. King’s Barber Parlor By Geno
Book services by heading here.
13. LaRayia’s Bodega
The first Black-owned vegan bodega in Atlanta.
14. MoreLyfe Juice Co.
100% Plant Based 🧃 JUICES 🥤SMOOTHIES 🥐 PATTIES 🥣 BOWLS
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Source: Bernard Smalls / iOne Digital / HHW Gaming / Nintendo / Nintendo Switch OLED
Xbox and PlayStation currently have Black Friday sales, so it should be no surprise that Nintendo is also joining the money-saving fun.
Like Xbox and Playstation, Nintendo’s Black Friday sale has also come early, before the official start of the annual shopping holiday on November 27.
The iconic gaming company is offering discounts on software and hardware, so if the gamer in your life is interested in a Switch console, there is no better time to swipe the card for one.
Right now, there are sales on Switch console bundles, accessories, and, of course, games. HHW Gaming did all the hard work finding the deals for you, so sit back and hit the gallery below to see what you can save a few coins on.
1. Nintendo Switch Console Bundles
Source:Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Bundle
First things first, you’re going to need a Nintendo Switch console. Thankfully, there are bundle offers that won’t take a massive bite out of your bank account.
Right now, you can score a Nintendo Switch bundle with a copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and 12 months of Nintendo Switch Online, allowing you to play classic NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, and Sega Genesis games for just $299.99 while supplies last at My Nintendo Store.
Now, what if the Nintendo fanatic wants an OLED model specifically? It’s a good thing there are Nintendo Switch OLED console bundles that also come with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and 12 months of Nintendo Switch Online, also available on the My Nintendo Store website.
But wait, there’s more.
Nintendo has also slashed the price of the Nintendo Switch Lite: Hyrule Edition for $209.99, which comes with a bonus Nintendo Switch Online and an expansion pack. You can scoop one up at Best Buy, Target, and GameStop while supplies last.
2. Black Friday Sale On Games
Source:The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom
You got the Nintendo Switch console, and now you need some games. Yes, plenty of them are on sale right now, including some top-rated titles.
But you better hurry; some of these deals only last until Nov.30, while others will continue until December 2 as part of Nintendo’s cyber deal offerings.
That’s just a handful of titles. For more games not listed above, be sure to check out Nintendo’s cyber deals, Best Buy, Gamestop, Target, and Walmart.
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Source: Bernard Smalls / iOne Digital / HHW Gaming / PS Portal / PlayStation
It looks like Sony is eager to return to the handheld gaming market after the surprise success of the PS Portal.
According to a Bloomberg report, Sony is developing a new handheld gaming console that will allow gamers to play PlayStation 5 games without being tethered to the internet or console.
The website reports Sony is making the console to rival Nintendo, which currently dominates the handheld gaming market, with the Nintendo Switch and its successor, rumored to be arriving in 2025, will only cement that dominance. Microsoft is also currently making its own handheld gaming device, which is a “few years out,” Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer revealed.
Portable PC gaming consoles, such as Valve’s Steam Deck and Asus’ ROG Ally, have also made great strides in the handheld gaming market.
PlayStation is looking to build off the success of the PS Portal, the eight-inch gaming device that steams PS5 games via the cloud over Wi-Fi, and the PS5 console’s remote play feature. Bloomberg reports that Sony originally intended for the PS Portal to be a standalone device to expand PlayStation’s gaming audience.
If this is the case, it will mark PlayStation’s return to a territory that it is very familiar with thanks to previous devices, the PSP (PlayStation Portable), and its successor, the PS Vita.
Social Media Is Smelling What Sony Is Cooking
Gamers have been reacting to this news because, believe it or not, plenty of people out there, like Kinda Funny’s Greg Miller, have been screaming at Sony to drop a follow-up to the PS Vita.
Well, that day is currently far away. Until Sony officially drops the bomb, you can peep more reactions to the rumored new PlayStation handheld device in the gallery below.
2. Mmmmhmmm
3. Never forget
4. Interesting
5. Yes please
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Source: PlayStation / Black Friday
Xbox got the Black Friday ball rolling early; now, it’s PlayStation’s turn to offer gamers fantastic deals on games, consoles, accessories, and more.
On Friday, November 22, PlayStation announced its Black Friday sale is live. The best part is that you don’t have to wait until Nov.25 to take advantage of it or leave the comfort of your home.
The Black Friday deal is wide-ranging, offering discounts on the latest accessories, games, PS VR 2, and even the PS5. So, if you have been on the fence about getting Sony’s latest console, consider this the perfect opportunity to see play has no limits.
This deal is truly the gift that keeps on giving and will help you get a leg up on your Christmas shopping, ensuring that you have no issues nailing down that PS5 console and all the accessories and games you need to go with it.
But enough talking from us, hit the gallery below to see what PlayStation Black Friday offerings.
2. PS5 Cover Plates, DualSense Controllers, & Headsets
Source:PS5 Cover Plates
Is the white PS5 and DualSense controller too boring? Don’t worry—you can secure fresh cover plates and a matching controller to help your new console stand out in your entertainment center.
Cover Plates for both PlayStation 5 Slim and the original console model are on sale. Cosmic Red, Midnight Black (PS5 Slim also), Nova Pink, Galatic Purple, and Starlight Blue for the All-Digital and Disc-Drive original PS5 model are just $44.99.
Sterling Silver, Cobalt Blue, and Volcanic Red for the PS5 Slim All-Digital and Disc-Drive model are $49.99
As for the DualSense Controllers, Galatic Purple, Cosmic Red, Midnight Black, Starlight Blue, Gray Camouflage, and White colors are on sale for $54.99.
The Cobalt Blue, Chroma Indigo, Chroma Pearl, Sterling Silver, and Volcanic Red finishes cost $59.99.
Last but certainly not least, headsets and earbuds are also on sale. The Sony INZONE Wireless H5 headset is currently $129.99, the INZONE wireless noise-canceling earbuds are $179.99, all colors of INZONE H9 wireless noise-canceling headphones are $199.99, and the INZONE H3 wired headset costs only $79.99.
The PULSE 3D wireless headset, in all colors, is only $79.99; the PULSE Elite is $129.99, and the PULSE Explore wireless earbuds are $169.99.
3. Blockbuster Games Are Also On Sale
Source:Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
You’ll need some games to play on your brand new PS5, or if you already have one, these titles (if you don’t already own them) would fit nicely in your collection, adding to your continually growing backlog of video games.
Thankfully, you’re in luck because PlayStation is offering some decent price cuts on these popular titles:
Head here to see the complete list of titles PlayStation is offering at discounted prices.
4. PS VR2 Gets A Hefty Price Cut
Source:Getty
For those who didn’t know or just plain forgot, PS VR2 is a thing. If you were contemplating getting the latest PlayStation VR headset and were just waiting for a price cut, this is the moment you were waiting for.
Right now, PlayStation VR2 costs only $349.99. You can even scoop up a Horizon Call of The Mountain bundle at the same sale price.
That is a pretty significant price cut for the PS VR2, which still has some life in it. Games like Alien: Rogue Incursion and more are on the way.
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Source: PlayStation / Black Friday
Xbox got the Black Friday ball rolling early; now, it’s PlayStation’s turn to offer gamers fantastic deals on games, consoles, accessories, and more.
On Friday, November 22, PlayStation announced its Black Friday sale is live. The best part is that you don’t have to wait until Nov.25 to take advantage of it or leave the comfort of your home.
The Black Friday deal is wide-ranging, offering discounts on the latest accessories, games, PS VR 2, and even the PS5. So, if you have been on the fence about getting Sony’s latest console, consider this the perfect opportunity to see play has no limits.
This deal is truly the gift that keeps on giving and will help you get a leg up on your Christmas shopping, ensuring that you have no issues nailing down that PS5 console and all the accessories and games you need to go with it.
But enough talking from us, hit the gallery below to see what PlayStation Black Friday offerings.
2. PS5 Cover Plates, DualSense Controllers, & Headsets
Source:PS5 Cover Plates
Is the white PS5 and DualSense controller too boring? Don’t worry—you can secure fresh cover plates and a matching controller to help your new console stand out in your entertainment center.
Cover Plates for both PlayStation 5 Slim and the original console model are on sale. Cosmic Red, Midnight Black (PS5 Slim also), Nova Pink, Galatic Purple, and Starlight Blue for the All-Digital and Disc-Drive original PS5 model are just $44.99.
Sterling Silver, Cobalt Blue, and Volcanic Red for the PS5 Slim All-Digital and Disc-Drive model are $49.99
As for the DualSense Controllers, Galatic Purple, Cosmic Red, Midnight Black, Starlight Blue, Gray Camouflage, and White colors are on sale for $54.99.
The Cobalt Blue, Chroma Indigo, Chroma Pearl, Sterling Silver, and Volcanic Red finishes cost $59.99.
Last but certainly not least, headsets and earbuds are also on sale. The Sony INZONE Wireless H5 headset is currently $129.99, the INZONE wireless noise-canceling earbuds are $179.99, all colors of INZONE H9 wireless noise-canceling headphones are $199.99, and the INZONE H3 wired headset costs only $79.99.
The PULSE 3D wireless headset, in all colors, is only $79.99; the PULSE Elite is $129.99, and the PULSE Explore wireless earbuds are $169.99.
3. Blockbuster Games Are Also On Sale
Source:Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
You’ll need some games to play on your brand new PS5, or if you already have one, these titles (if you don’t already own them) would fit nicely in your collection, adding to your continually growing backlog of video games.
Thankfully, you’re in luck because PlayStation is offering some decent price cuts on these popular titles:
Head here to see the complete list of titles PlayStation is offering at discounted prices.
4. PS VR2 Gets A Hefty Price Cut
Source:Getty
For those who didn’t know or just plain forgot, PS VR2 is a thing. If you were contemplating getting the latest PlayStation VR headset and were just waiting for a price cut, this is the moment you were waiting for.
Right now, PlayStation VR2 costs only $349.99. You can even scoop up a Horizon Call of The Mountain bundle at the same sale price.
That is a pretty significant price cut for the PS VR2, which still has some life in it. Games like Alien: Rogue Incursion and more are on the way.
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Source: Epic Games / Fortnite
Fortnite is taking your character’s footwear game to another level.
At this point, the question should be, what’s not in Fortnite? Beginning today, the ridiculously popular video game will introduce its latest feature, a virtual sneaker wardrobe led by Nike and Jordan Brand that will introduce iconic silhouettes and custom designs into the game.
To kick things off, players can use their V-Bucks to virtually scoop up a pair of Nike Cortez Leather OG, Nike Air Foamposite One “Galaxy,” Nike Shox R4 “Comet Red,” and Fortnite’s exclusive Chomp Stompers.
Jordan Brand takes flight beginning November 22 through November 26, and players can virtually cop sneakerhead favorites like the Air Jordan 3 Retro “Palomino,” Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement-Gray,” Air Jordan 11 “Bred,” and Air Jordan 4 Retro “Manila.” Select sneakers, notably the Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” and Air Jordan 11 “Bred,” will also be available.
According to HypeBeast, the Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” already had a “shock drop” release, and the Air Jordan 11 “Bred” will launch in the game and physical stores simultaneously.
This news follows our initial reporting that the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe Reimagined” will be part of the Season 2 Remix Pass and a new “Show ‘Em Off” emote, available from November 21 through December 1.
All of the kicks will be available to over 500 existing Fortnite skins, with Epic Games pushing for compatibility with 95% of all skins by spring 2025, giving players even more stylish options for their favorite Fortnite skins.
Fortnite Chapter 2: Remix also introduced Eminem, Ice Spice, Juice WRLD, and Snoop Dogg as playable skins.
Now is a good time if you’re looking for an opportunity to jump back into Fortnite. You can see more photos of the in-game kicks in the gallery below.
1. Fortnite
Source:Fortnite
Fortnite introducing Nike sneakers into game. fortnite
2. Fortnite
Source:Fortnite
Fortnite introducing Nike sneakers into game. fortnite
3. Fortnite
Source:Fortnite
Fortnite introducing Nike sneakers into game. fortnite
4. Fortnite
Source:Fortnite
Fortnite introducing Nike sneakers into game. fortnite
5. Fortnite
Source:Fortnite
Fortnite introducing Nike sneakers into game. fortnite
6. Fortnite
Source:Fortnite
Fortnite introducing Nike sneakers into game. fortnite
7. Fortnite
Source:Fortnite
Fortnite introducing Nike sneakers into game. fortnite
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Source: EA Sports / Tiburon / Madden NFL 25
The Saquan Barkley spin hurdle is now one of the best signature football plays since Odell Beckham Jr.’s epic one-handed grab, and can now be done in Madden NFL 25.
In its latest Gridiron Notes, EA Sports shared that Madden NFL 25 players will see several new updates in the game following the release of the latest update.
The inclusion of Saquan Barkley’s spin hurdle heads those updates. It has easily taken the lead in being THE PLAY of the 2024-25 NFL season, so it should come as no surprise that the developers at Tiburon went out of their way to get the move into the game, showing off the impressive power of the new physics engine.
Here is a breakdown of how they got the incredible football play into the video game:
The next step was to pore through hours of real-life motion capture and figure out which animations could be combined, adjusted and tweaked to give us Saquon’s surrealism. Spade said the genesis of the animation came from old Superstar Mode motion capture, and with a little “animator magic,” what they concocted conjured the spectacle that is Saquon Barkley.
Madden Game Designer Spade spoke about the move, saying, “It’s rare, this day and age, to see something that’s never been done before. That’s when we knew we wanted it in-game.”
See Saquan Barkley pulling off the move in-game below.
So, how do you pull off the move? EA shared the instructions:
Triggering the Saquon Spin Hurdle – To trigger the spin hurdle the ball-carrier must be Saquon Barkley, the defender must be incoming from a 45 degree angle in front of the ball carrier, the defender must be within a close proximity to the ball carrier, and the user must press the hurdle button with the right timing.
Other Updates Coming To Madden NFL 25
Barkley’s incredible play isn’t the only addition to the game following the latest update. Madden gamers can expect many fixes, quality-of-life improvements, updates to players, game modes, and new gear.
Head here to see the full breakdown of the latest Madden NFL 25 update.
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Source: Anna Barclay / Getty / Bluesky
Hey Elon, you hear those footsteps? That’s Bluesky coming for your spot.
Spotted on Engadget, Bluesky has officially crossed 20 million as its growth shows no signs of slowing down. This latest milestone for X, formerly Twitter’s direct competitor, comes on the heels of the platform crossing 15 million users less than a week ago and tripling its user base in only three months.
While boasting 20 million users is impressive, Bluesky is still far behind X and Meta’s Threads platforms. However, if Bluesky can maintain its popularity and the mass eXodus continues, there is no reason it can’t be up there with the big boys.
Per Engadget:
Though it’s still far smaller than its rivals Threads and X, Bluesky’s current momentum is notable. The app has had several days over the last week where it added a million new users in a single 24-hour period. That’s similar to the growth rate of Threads, which has been getting a million new sign-ups a day for “going on three months,” according to an update last week from Meta’s Adam Mosseri. Threads reached 275 million monthly users earlier this month and has added at least 15 million since the start of November.
Bluesky Tops Both Apple and Google’s App Stores
Bluesky still has some ground to make up, but all signs point upward for the social media platform. It’s been the number one app in Apple’s App Store for the last six days and the top non-gaming app in the Google Play Store for the previous four days. Threads is holding down the second spot in the App Store.
Meanwhile, X continues to bleed subscribers following Musk’s ridiculous changes to the platform, and many users are complaining about how much Trump/right-wing propaganda has taken over timelines since Musk got in bed with sweet potato Hitler.
Celebrities like Gabrielle Union, Stephen King, Mark Hammill, and more have also said goodbye to X for Bluesky’s greener pastures.
Journalists and other organizations also have left X in large numbers for Bluesky.
Consider us on board for Elon Musk taking an L.