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Weekly Tech Recap - № 266 - Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Razer gum, office noises and Surface Duo

September 11, 2020.

Xbox Series S

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S.

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. © Microsoft.

For almost a year now, rumours had swirled about a more affordable version of the future Xbox console, code-named “Lockhart”. This Tuesday, leaked information about this budget box flooded the Net: the console, called Xbox Series S, will be priced at USD299, will have 512GB of storage and will support 120fps with a resolution of up to 1,440p. Soon after the leak, Microsoft confirmed the information on Twitter and stated that the Series S would hit the market on November 10, the same day as its big brother, the Series X. Microsoft has used the same processor as in the Series X (8-Core AMD Zen 2 CPU), though set at 3.6GHz instead of 3.8GHz, probably due to the heat limitations of a smaller system. From what you can tell on the video released at the same time, the Series S doesn’t seem to have a disc drive. When games are getting bigger and bigger, sometimes topping 100GB, 512GB of storage seems stingy, especially on a console missing Blu-ray, but a 1TB expansion card will be available.

YouTube, “Xbox Series S - World Premiere Reveal Trailer.”

Ars Technica, Sam Machkovech, “Xbox Series S confirmed by Microsoft after next-gen Xbox price leak.”

The Verge, Tom Warren, “Microsoft reveals Xbox Series S specs, promises four times the processing power of Xbox One.”

 

Xbox Series X for X$

Xbox Series X.

Xbox Series X. © Microsoft.

After months of speculation, Microsoft finally revealed a “suggested retail price” for its high-end Xbox Series X: USD499. The company said this model is launching at the same time as the Series S (USD299), on November 10. The existing “All Access” subscription service will be extended to the new consoles. Qualifying gamers who sign up for the $35 per month service for the Series X ($25 for the Series S) for two years get the console as well as access to all the games available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (usually USD15 per month) and on EA Play. Preorders start on September 22. We also learned that the console can record gameplay in 4K at 60fps (clips are limited to 30fps on the current Xbox One X). Now, we’re really looking forward to finding out the price and release date of Sony’s eagerly-anticipated PS5.

The Verge, Tom Warren, “A first look at Microsoft’s new Xbox Series X console.”

Ars Technica, Kyle Orland, “Xbox All Access seems like one of the best deals in gaming.”

 

Razer gum

Respawn.

Respawn. © Razer.

Razer’s latest gaming accessory is… chewing gum. No, really. This is an actual product unveiled by the company better known for its peripherals and laptops for gamers. Called “Respawn”, this gum is said to boost concentration and reaction time in games… sounds dope! Developed in collaboration with 5 Gum from Mars Wrigley, it comes in three flavours: cool mint, tropical punch, and pomegranate watermelon. It contains green tea extract and vitamin D, the key ingredients that would make Respawn the ultimate solution to “take your mental performance to the next level”. Razer says — earnestly — that the gum was developed with an “extensive amount of R&D ”. The gum is available starting today on Razer.com and on Amazon at USD3 per 15-stick pack or USD28 for a 10-pack. Last but not least, this gum is black, like most of Razer’s peripherals and laptops.

The Verge, Cameron Faulkner, “Razer’s latest edible product is chewing gum made for gaming.”

 

The Surface Duo has surfaced

Surface Duo.

Surface Duo. © Microsoft.

Microsoft’s Surface Duo, a dual-screen Android phone, is now available. Announced last October, it’s Microsoft’s first phone since the scrapping of the Windows Phone platform five years ago. This expensive device (USD1,400) has two separate 5.6-inch OLED displays with a resolution of 1800x1350p each, connected together with a 360-degree hinge. The Surface Duo is bulky (145.2mm x 186.9mm x 4.8mm when closed) and heavy (250g). Other specifications: two versions, 128GB and 256GB; 6GB of RAM; Snapdragon 855 processor; 3,577mAh battery; single camera (11 megapixels); fingerprint reader for user authentification; supports any Surface Pen; just one port, USB-C. It remains to be seen whether the Duo, which is neither standard phone nor tablet, will find its niche.

Ars Technica, Samuel Axon, “Microsoft’s first Android phone, the Surface Duo, is now available.”

 

Office buzz

Busy office.

© iStock.

Long ago, we would complain of motormouth colleagues, of noisy keyboards and of the myriad office noises that affected our concentration, forcing us to wear a headset at work. Now, after months of teleworking, alone in a quiet house (now that the kids are back at school), we’re actually missing the office soundscape. Not to worry, sound engineer Stephane Pigeon is here! The creator of myNoise.net, a background noise generator designed to help you concentrate on your work, has developed an office buzz simulator called “Calm Office”. You can adjust the volume of certain sounds, like the purring of the AC, the clicking of keyboard keys, or the droning of the printer. Pre-pandemic, people would use myNoise, especially its white noise generator, to isolate themselves from the office environment and concentrate. Now, the most popular product on myNoise is the office buzz that we’re all missing. This is like opposite year.

MIT Technology Review, Tanya Basu, “People who really miss the office are listening to its sounds at home.”