technology
Page: 4
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Hasyim Hasyim / Getty / Floppy Disks
Do you remember floppy disks? It’s okay if you don’t because they are an ancient technological relic. Folks in Japan are still very familiar with computer accessories, but thankfully, they no longer have to be hamstrung by them.
Spotted on BBC, Japan is finally saying goodbye to floppy disks.
Until last month, people in the country were still required to submit documents to the government using severely outdated storage devices because there were over 1,000 regulations requiring they have been used.
Digital Minister Taro Kono said that would no longer be the case after those regulations were tossed into the recycle bin and permanently erased.
Hilariously, we also know that the fax machine is still in use, which Kono also wants to eliminate.
Per BBC:
Mr Kono has made it his goal to eliminate old technology since he was appointed to the job. He had earlier also said he would “get rid of the fax machine”.
Once seen as a tech powerhouse, Japan has in recent years lagged in the global wave of digital transformation because of a deep resistance to change.
For instance, workplaces have continued to favour fax machines over emails – earlier plans to remove these machines from government offices were scrapped because of pushback.
“Just realized that floppy disks still exist,” one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in response to the New York Times’ reporting.
Another person added, “Welcome to the 21st century, Japan!”
Floppy disks were first introduced in the 1960s but fell out of favor with computer users in the 1990s when more efficient data storage methods arrived.
Sony was the last company to manufacture floppy disks until 2011 they ended production.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: NurPhoto / Getty / Xbox Live
On Tuesday, gamers hoping to play games online via their Xbox Live accounts were greeted by a massive service outage.
Xbox Live, Microsoft’s service, which allows gamers to play multiplayer games online, suffered a major service outage, with thousands of users reporting issues logging in.
The monitoring site Downdetector noted that user-reported issues began to spike at 2:15 pm ET Tuesday, with more than 23,000 outage reports being reported to the website. Many users reported seeing the message that Xbox Live was undergoing “scheduled maintenance.”
The official Xbox Live account on X, formerly Twitter, addressed the outage at 2:55 pm ET.
Per Variety:
The official Xbox Support account on X posted at 2:55 pm. ET, “We are aware that some users have been disconnected from Xbox Live. We’re investigating!” The message directed users to the Xbox status page — which eventually was updated to say that a major outage of the “Account & profile” service was reported at 2:07 pm ET. “You may not be able to sign-in to your Xbox profile, may be disconnected while signed in, or have other related problems,” the message on the Xbox status page said. “Features that require sign-in like most games, apps and social activity won’t be available.”
At about 8:49 pm ET, Microsoft wrote on the Xbox Support account that the issues were resolved: “Users should no longer be encountering issues signing in to Xbox Live and services.”
PlayStation Is Also Having Issues With Its Rewards Program
Microsoft isn’t the only company suffering from problems. PlayStation also had its own problems with its reward program, PlayStation Stars, which has been down for about a month, eclipsing 2011’s infamous PSN outage.
On the PlayStation App, users are greeted with the message, “PlayStation Stars will be returning soon in phased regional rollouts. “Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to welcoming you back.”
We’re just glad to see the issues being resolved. We are curious to hear what caused the Xbox Live service outage and PlayStation Stars to be down.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: SOPA Images / Getty / Redbox
Redbox and Crackle’s parent company, Chicken Soup For The Soul Entertainment, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after failing to pay workers and vendors for the past four weeks.
Spotted on Variety, the company filed a petition for bankruptcy on June 28 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
In the filing, Chicken Soup For The Soul Entertainment listed total debts of $970 million and consolidated assets of $414 million as of March 31, 2024.
The entertainment company reported $4.9 million in cash and equivalents, including $4.6 million of restricted cash.
Per Variety:
Creditors listed on CSSE’s bankruptcy include Universal Studios Home Entertainment (which is owed $16.7 million) as well as Universal City Studios Productions ($16.7 million), Sony Pictures Home Entertainment ($9.1 million), BBC Studios Americas ($9 million), Walgreens ($5 million), Lionsgate ($4.6 million), Walmart ($4.1 million), Vizio ($2.75 million), Warner Bros. Home Entertainment ($2 million), and Paramount Pictures ($1.96 million) and Paramount Home Entertainment ($1.2 million).
As of the date of the bankruptcy filing, Chicken Soup for the Soul said it had about 836 full-time employees and 197 part-time employees (1,033 total). In a court filing, the company estimated that it owes employees approximately $3.52 million in unpaid wages and also is obligated to pay $2.24 million in health and welfare benefits and $594,204 toward workers’ 401(k) plans. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment disclosed that it was “unable to make payroll for the two-week period ending on June 14, 2024.”
The website also reports that CEO Bill Rouhana Jr. (who owns 79% of the voting power represented in its outstanding common stock) said in a June 11, 2024, SEC filing that the company had dissolved its board of directors.
Rouhanan would step down on June 24, bankruptcy documents revealed.
Right now, Redbox is still operating; it will be interesting to see if the company shutters due to its parent company’s financial woes.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Xbox / Xbox Gaming x Amazon Fire TV
Amazon Fire TV devices got a significant boost thanks to Xbox Gaming.
Xbox is on a mission to get into homes everywhere, and you won’t need to purchase an Xbox Series X or Series S console to accomplish that goal.
Thursday, Xbox announced its new partnership with Amazon to bring its Xbox Gaming App to select Fire TV devices.
Beginning in July, Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) will go live on Amazon’s Fire TV 4K Max ($59.99) and Fire TV Stick 4K ($49.99) through the Xbox Gaming app. This will give users access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($16.99) and instant access to a massive library of games and the latest games like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Starfield, and Forza Horizon 5.
To begin playing, you need only a Bluetooth wireless controller like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation DualSense, or DualShock 4.
Xbox Is Offering Gamers Options
“We’re committed to making it easy for customers to access their favorite entertainment experiences with Fire TV,” said Fire TV and Alexa vice president Daniel Rausch. “We’re excited to work with Microsoft to bring the Xbox app to select Fire TV devices so customers can enjoy a vast library of high-quality games, allowing them to play amazing titles without the need for a console. Now customers have even more ways to play the games they love, wherever they are, with just a compatible Fire TV Stick, Bluetooth controller, and Game Pass Ultimate membership.”
“The expansion of Xbox gaming to Fire TV devices offers players another option for enjoying their favorite games using devices they already own. For those who don’t own an Xbox console, this provides an affordable and convenient way to get started. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, there’s something for every type of player. We look forward to having more people join the Xbox gaming community,” Xbox Experiences and Platforms Engineering corporate vice president Ashley McKissick adds.
It looks like Xbox is fully embracing a console-less future.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Orlando Ramirez / Getty / Dr Disrespect
It was all disrespect after Dr Disrespect revealed why Twitch banned him from the platform permanently.
Guy Beahm, better known as Dr Disrespect, told the world that the reason Twitch dropped an airstrike on his account two years ago was that he got caught in 4K sending private messages to a minor that he said: “sometimes leaned too much in the direction of being inappropriate.”
In a lengthy and edited post, he shared on X, formerly Twitter, the ridiculously popular YouTube streamer shared details about the banning after former Twitch employees spilled the tea on the platform on Friday, writing that he “got caught sexting a minor.”
Speaking with The Verge, another former employee said, “Beahm was banned over messages sent to a minor that discussed meeting up at TwitchCon.”
In his response, Beahm claims there were no “real intentions” behind the messages with the unnamed minor, adding, “I should have never entertained these conversations to begin with.”
A Masterclass In Fumbling Bags
We bet Dr Disrespect means it when he says he shouldn’t have never entertained these conversations because he is fumbling bags.
The first fumble came when he lost his two-year exclusivity contract to stream on Twitch. At the time, he was one of the biggest stars on the platform, with 4 million.
Twitch never spoke about the ban, and Dr Disrespect played it off as if he didn’t know why his partnership with the platform ended, but he was able to amass over 4.7 million subscribers on YouTube.
But while he still has his YouTube page, he was fired from the video game studio he co-founded, Midnight Society, on Tuesday.
In a post on X, the studio’s head, Robert Bowling, wrote, “If you inappropriately message a minor. I can not work with you.”
The Verge also reports that Dr Disrespect’s partnership with gaming peripheral company Turtle Beach is also a wrap.
Don’t be surprised if other companies he is tied to follow suit.
Despite the cracks in his streaming empire showing, Dr Disrespect vows to keep streaming after he comes back from his “vacation.”
The video game subsection of X has been clowning Dr Disrespect and anyone who fixed their lips to defend him; you can see those reactions in the gallery below.
2. Lol, interesting how the energy changed so swiftly.
3. Smart move
4. Howling
5. Another bag bites the dust
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Marc Piasecki / Getty / Elon Musk
The Donald Trump of technology, Elon Musk, is out here making babies like his company drops poorly designed electric vehicles.
Elon Musk is one of the few clowns who believe in the made-up theory that the world is suffering from a depopulation crisis, and apparently, he is out here trying to fix the problem.
According to a Bloomberg report, Musk has another secret child with an executive at his brain implant company, Neuralink.
The woman’s name is Shivon Zilis. According to the report, she is a Neuralink director who reportedly gave birth to the child earlier this year.
This is even more interesting because, according to a court document dug up by Business Insider in 2022, Zilis already has twins with Musk.
If you happen to be keeping count on Elon Musk’s children, the world’s phoniest genius has three children with singer Grimes and six other children from previous relationships. Add the latest three to the bunch, and Musk will have a total of 12 children.
Bruh.
Musk out here acting like he’s the biblical figure Adam or N’Credible seed spreader Nick Canon isn’t because he doesn’t know how to use contraception; according to The Verge, he truly believes that making all of these kids is his attempt at keeping the human population up.
Per The Verge:
On Thursday, Musk reposted a chart that claims Europe is suffering from a “fertility crisis,” saying “civilization may end with a bang or with a whimper (in adult diapers).”
As noted by Bloomberg, Musk has repeated that line several times in the past, including during a 2022 interview with Tucker Carlson and again during an interview at the Milken Institute conference in May. He told Carlson “a collapsing birth rate is the biggest danger civilization faces, by far.” In 2021, Musk’s nonprofit organization donated $10 million to the University of Austin to fund the Population Wellbeing Initiative, a research group that studies the human population.
Elon Musk’s History of Being A Horny Sh*tty Boss
This latest news comes on the heels of Musk being put on blast for his behavior. Multiple reports have accused the Tesla chief of inappropriate conduct at the workplace and with his subordinates.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, a SpaceX Intern later became one of the company’s executives after having a sexual relationship with Musk.
Another employee told Musk nah after he asked her several times to have his children, according to a scathing Wall Street Journal report on his behavior with women.
There’s also that time he propositioned a flight attendant for sex.
Just last week, six former SpaceX employees hit Musk with a lawsuit claiming he “knowingly and purposefully created an unwelcome hostile work environment based upon his conduct of interjecting into the workplace vile sexual photographs, memes, and commentary that demeaned women and/or the LGBTQ+ community.”
Yeah, he’s never beating the he’s more Donald Trump than Tony Stark allegations.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Apple / Beats / Beats Pill
You may have forgotten about the Beats Pill, but Apple has not, and it’s getting a much-needed refresh.
Spotted on The Verge via 9To5Mac’s details from unnamed sources, the Beats Pill is being modernized and will feature a bevy of upgrades. The peripheral has been on ice since 2022’s discontinued model, the Pill+.
Per The Verge:
Reported upgrades include up to 24 hours of battery life, IP67 water resistance, faster and more reliable device pairing / switching with Bluetooth 5.3, and integrated Find My tracking on both Apple and Google’s networks. 9to5Mac also says Apple plans to update the Pill’s charge-out and input ports to USB-C, from USB-A out and Lightning in.
According to reports, the new Beats Pill will also have a detachable strap that folks like LeBron James have already shown off, confirming its existence.
Sound quality will also improve, offering users a richer experience, a product of the new Beats Pills redesigned and repositioned drivers and tweeters.
According to 9To5Mac, all that’s left is pricing and the launch date, and we could use the latest device from the company that Dr. Dre built sometime this Summer, which would be the perfect window for a release.
The Pill+ had a $230 price tag, so we can expect the new Beats Pill to be in the same ballpark. It will also come in three color options: black, gold, and red.
We will keep you updated when Beats formerly announces the new Beats Pill; until then, you can see more photos in the gallery below.
1. Beats Pill
Source:Beats Pill
Beats Pill apple,beats,beats by dre,beats pill
2. Beats Pill
Source:Beats Pill
Beats Pill apple,beats,beats by dre,beats pill
3. Beats Pill
Source:Beats Pill
Beats Pill apple,beats,beats by dre,beats pill
4. Beats Pill
Source:Beats Pill
Beats Pill apple,beats,beats by dre,beats pill
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Albert L. Ortega / Getty / Atari
It took a while, but Atari finally came out on top in its competition with longtime rival Intellivision.
For those who are only familiar with Sega and Nintendo, or Xbox and PlayStation going at each other, there were two video game companies vying to be in people’s homes, Atari and Intellivision.
Atari and Intellivision launched dueling consoles, the Atari 2600, and Intellivision.
Intellivision was developed by Mattel Electronics and introduced to the world in 1979. Its console sold about 5 million units by 1990.
Thursday, May 23, one of the most storied rivalries in the video game industry ended when Atari announced it had acquired Intellivision.
Atari announced that it would acquire its longtime rival and the 200 games in its library.
Atari wrote in a press release, “Atari will seek to expand digital and physical distribution of legacy Intellivision games, potentially create new games, and explore brand and licensing opportunities.”
The Intellivision Amico Is Not Part of The Acquisition
The Verge reports that the acquisition does not include the Intellivision Amico, the new console Intellivision announced in 2020 that it was working on and that led by infamous “liar” and legendary video game composer Tommy Tallarico.
The website notes that Intellivision will rebrand itself and grant licensing rights to the new company, allowing Intellivision games to be on the console.
[embedded content]
“We look forward to our expanded collaboration and the prospect of bringing a broad array of new titles to the Amico family gaming platform,” Intellivision CEO Phil Adam said in the press release.
Atari now specializes in retrogaming, launching mini retro versions of its classic consoles and releasing its classic games on modern consoles. It also owns Digital Eclipse, a studio that specializes in retro gaming.
We are curious to see the fruits of this acquisition.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Activision / Youtube
First-person shooter fans can rejoice. Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 is officially on the way.
On Thursday, May 23, Activision announced that Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 is the next time up in the Call Of Duty series. However, if you’re looking for more details like what the campaign is looking like or which new sniper rifles you want to get your hands on, you’re going to have to be patient. The full reveal of the next Call of Duty game will go down immediately after the highly-anticipated Xbox Games Showcase on Sunday, June 9 at 10amPT/1pmET.
For now, you can watch the new “wake up (rushmore) #thetruthlies” trailer below. You can also stay tunes for future updates at the Call of Duty blog. There’s also some more interactive stuff at The Truth Lies.
Yeah, we’re in.
[embedded content]
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Marvel Studios / Apple Vision Pro / Marvel’s What If…? An Immersive Story
Marvel Studios dropped the first trailer for Marvel’s What If…? An Immersive Story, giving people who spent nearly $4,000 on the Apple Vision Pro a reason to turn it on.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to wield the power of the Infinity Stones, make sling ring portals, and cast mystic spells like Doctor Strange?
Well, Marvel Studios is giving you that feeling thanks to the power of the Apple Vision Pro.
The Disney-owned studio dropped the first trailer for Marvel’s What If…? An Immersive Story, which, for some bonehead reason, will live exclusively on the Apple Vision Pro, you know, the $3,500 headset not that many people in the world have.
Adapted exclusively for Apple’s high-end headset, the video game version of the animated Disney+ series will take users on a mixed-reality adventure, allowing them to experience the multiverse shenanigans that happen in episodes of the show.
Lile the Guardians of The Multiverse, players will team up with The Watcher and get help from our favorite Sorceror Supreme, Wong, to take down “dangerous variants.”
Vision Pro users will be taken from their living rooms or gaming caves to familiar and new Marvel locations and interact with characters from the Marvel Studios lexicon.
No controller is necessary to enjoy this experience; all you need is your eyes and hands to get into the action. Spatial audio will also aid in immersing you into the world of Marvel’s What If…?.
Marvel’s What If…? An Immersive Story Release Date & Cost
Surprisingly, you won’t have to wait long to experience this app. It will arrive on May 30 and be FREE but for a limited time.
You would think the free price tag would be forever since you already dropped rent on the Vision Pro.
We are curious to know if this will remain an Apple Vision Pro exclusive or eventually find its way onto the fully capable Meta Quest 3 headset.
You can ponder What If…? (see what we did there?) and watch the trailer below.
[embedded content]