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☆ Daniel Ek’s Next Act: Full-Body Scans for the People
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Bernhard Warner | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The problem: Mr. Ek had neither a plan, nor the time or money to do much about it. He knew whom to contact: Hjalmar Nilsonne, a Swedish tech entrepreneur who Mr. Ek had met the year prior at the Brilliant Minds event, an annual gathering Mr. Ek started. At first, Mr. Nilsonne rebuffed Mr. Ek’s proposition. But Mr. Ek eventually won him over. Mr. Ek, a former computer coder, and Mr. Nilsonne, an engineer, zeroed in on building a better diagnostic tool.

Persons: Daniel Ek, ” Mr, Ek, DealBook, Hjalmar Nilsonne, Mr, Nilsonne, Watty Organizations: Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Amazon Music, Apple Watch, Neko Health Locations: Swedish, Stockholm, London

☆ See how iPhone apps could change if Apple loses its DOJ antitrust fight
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

New app store AltStore could be coming to iPhones in the EU after to 2024 regional rule changes. The Apple App Store rival aims to give developers more control over app distribution and payment. AltStore offers a peek into how iPhone apps could change in the US if Apple loses a DOJ lawsuit. They'll also be able to use the same Patreon integration to distribute 'paid' apps, Testut told TechCrunch. "This lawsuit threatens who we are and the principles that set Apple products apart in fiercely competitive markets," Apple told BI in March.

Persons: —, Apple, Riley Testut, They'll, Testut, Apple didn't Organizations: Apple, DOJ, Service, EU, Department of Justice, Digital, TechCrunch, Nintendo, Industry, Business

☆ Nintendo CEO once cut his salary in half to prevent layoffs—here's why that's so uncommon today
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

As sweeping rounds of layoffs rock the tech, media and finance industries in 2024, some video game fans are thinking about former Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata. Iwata ran the Kyoto, Japan-based video game company from 2002 until his death in 2015. To avoid layoffs, Iwata took a 50% pay cut to help pay for employee salaries, saying a fully-staffed Nintendo would have a better chance of rebounding. Iwata had faith in his talentFor Iwata, taking a pay cut over layoffs centered around his employees' ability to bounce back, Verma says. "Nintendo [needed] to see through the changes that necessitated launching the Nintendo Switch, which has been massively profitable for the company," says Verma.

Persons: Satoru Iwata, Iwata, Rohan Verma, —, it's, Verma, could've, Sandra Sucher, Sucher Organizations: Nintendo, Riot Games, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Stanford University, Harvard Business, CNBC Locations: Kyoto, Japan, —, U.S

☆ My partner asked to go to couples therapy. I thought it meant our relationship was failing, but it brought us closer.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Edson Montenegro | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

My boyfriend suggested couples counseling . When that partner asked me to see a couple's counselor, I pressed the eject button as fast as possible. AdvertisementDuring a fight, my current partner asked for couples therapyMy current partner and I are more communicative, and I'm less likely to avoid conflict. To me, couples counseling meant defeat. Every preconceived notion I had about couples counseling faded away.

Persons: —, I've, I'm, could've, Bernice, they'd Organizations: Service, Business

Anthony Di Petta's remains arriving at LaGuardia airport on Friday, July 7. Di Petta’s remains were unable to be found at the time, DPAA says. In August 2021, the nonprofit recovered the remains of multiple missing service members from the site, including those of Di Petta. Di Petta’s remains arrived at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Friday afternoon. Di Petta will be buried in Wrightstown, New Jersey on July 11, according to the DPAA.

Persons: Anthony Di Petta’s, he’s, Di Petta, Anthony Di Petta's, DPAA, Di Petta’s Organizations: CNN, US Department of Defense, US Navy Aviation, Defense POW, Agency, Project, US Navy, Base, Armed Forces Medical, LaGuardia Locations: Nutley , New Jersey, Italy, LaGuardia, Palau Islands, Malakal, Di, Hickam, Hawaii, New York, Wrightstown , New Jersey

☆ The biggest takeaways from Microsoft's courtroom showdown with the FTC over Activision Blizzard
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +21 min

The impulse to expand Microsoft's gaming business on mobile devices at least in part inspired the Activision acquisition. The impulse to expand Microsoft's gaming business on mobile devices at least in part inspired the Activision acquisition. Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, wasn't happy with a Microsoft-generated list of Activision Blizzard games that would remain accessible on the PlayStation after the acquisition closes. Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, wasn't happy with a Microsoft-generated list of Activision Blizzard games that would remain accessible on the PlayStation after the acquisition closes. Activision Blizzard and Microsoft have agreed to terminate the deal if it's not done by July 18.

Persons: Satya Nadella, Phil Spencer, Spencer, James Weingarten, Weingarten, Jim Ryan, Sony, Ryan, Amy Hood, Bobby Kotick, Sarah Bond, Kotick, Amazon Weingarten, Bond, Tim Stuart, Nadella, Bernstein, Mark Moerdler, Hood, Stuart, it's, Jacqueline Scott Corley, she'll Organizations: Northern, Northern District of, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Sony, PlayStation, Mobile, Activision, Xbox, Zynga, Sega Sammy, Nintendo, Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Management, Sony Group, Amazon, Microsoft's Xbox, Bernstein Research, Symantec, Sony PlayStation Locations: U.S, Northern District, Northern District of California, San Francisco, cybersecurity, United Kingdom, FarmVille, Asia, Japan, Tokyo

☆ The crowd at the unveiling of Apple's Vision Pro headset let out a collective groan when they found out how wildly expensive it is
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Apple announced its Vision Pro headset at the WWDC on Monday. There's one product which has been making all the headlines from Apple's WWDC on Monday. The Vision Pro headset marks the tech giant's foray into the metaverse — although the company stayed clear of using that branding. Check out the symphony of boos, groans, and sighs as the Cupertino crowd is told Apple's headset will start at $3,499. "The Vision Pro is Apple's attempt at cracking open the extended reality (XR) door to create an addressable market with iterations of Vision Pro in the years to come."

Persons: WWDC, everyone's, TikTok, Tim Cook, they've, Anisha Bhatia, Apple Organizations: Apple, Twitter, Wii Sports, Nintendo, Senior, Pro Locations: Cupertino

☆ The internet is losing it over Apple's $3,500 mixed-reality 'uncool' headset
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Reena Koh | Nidhi Pandurangi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Apple's new mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, was unveiled on Monday. The internet has been having a field day dunking on Apple's new $3,499 mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro. Vision Pro has been years in the making, reportedly with some setbacks and product-design compromises along the way. Yet, it may have one fatal flaw — the Vision Pro was just another pair of nerd goggles that would make most people look decidedly uncool, Insider's Alistair Barr wrote on Tuesday. "This sounds like the disappointed crowd from Wii sports," a tweet about the viral video said.

Persons: Insider's Nicholas Carlson, Insider's Alistair Barr, Apple's, barreling, gwyneth paltrow, Anne Hathaway, It's, Steve Jobs, — Robert Evans, Robert Evans Organizations: Vision, Morning, Worldwide, Twitter, Wii, Apple Locations: Cupertino

☆ The internet is losing its shit over Apple's $3,500 mixed-reality 'uncool' headset
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Reena Koh | Nidhi Pandurangi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Apple's new mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, was unveiled on Monday. The internet has been having a field day dunking on Apple's new $3,499 mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro. Vision Pro has been years in the making, reportedly with some setbacks and product design compromises along the way. Yet, it may have one fatal flaw — the Vision Pro is just another pair of nerd goggles that will make most people look decidedly uncool, Insider's Alistair Barr wrote on Tuesday. And ever since the announcement, people have been relentlessly mocking Apple's first major product launch in over eight years.

Persons: Insider's Nicholas Carlson, Insider's Alistair Barr, Apple's, AppleVisionPro, barreling, gwyneth paltrow, that's, Anne Hathaway, It's, Steve Jobs, — Robert Evans, Robert Evans Organizations: Vision, Morning, Worldwide, Twitter, Wii, VR, Apple Locations: Redfin, Cupertino

☆ Nintendo Needs a New Console Soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Jacky Wong | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Nintendo expects to ship fewer Switch consoles during the current fiscal year. Nintendo shipped nearly 18 million of the consoles for the fiscal year ended March, bringing its total sales to 125.6 million units since its launch in 2017. But the downward trend is clear: it shipped 22% fewer Switch consoles than the previous year. At the peak, it sold almost 29 million units during the fiscal year ended in March 2021, receiving a big power-up from stay-at-home gamers during the pandemic. The slowing sales are affecting its results: Nintendo said Tuesday that revenue for the fiscal year ended March fell 6% from a year earlier while its operating profit dropped 15%.

☆ How The Legend of Zelda Changed the Game
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Zachary Small | Rumsey Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +17 min

More than six million people watched the preview for hints about the next video game in Nintendo’s beloved Legend of Zelda franchise. Tears of the Kingdom, the next entry in the Legend of Zelda franchise, will encourage players to manipulate and combine objects to fight enemies and explore Hyrule. The immersive gameplay of the Zelda franchise is bolstered by its deep mythology , convincing players they are unearthing ancient secrets. Retrieving the Master Sword often marks the point in a Zelda game when the difficulty spikes and the stakes are raised. Clockwise, from top left: The Legend of Zelda (1986), A Link to the Past (1991), Ocarina of Time (1998) and The Wind Waker (2002).

The best Cyber Monday game console dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Great Price Xbox Series S During the holidays, Microsoft is offering their budget console, the Xbox Series S, for $60 off. The best Cyber Monday game dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. $39.99 from Best Buy Originally $59.99 Save 33%The best Cyber Monday gaming accessory dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Deals on essential subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass and Nintendo Switch Online are also available during Cyber Monday, too.

☆ Nintendo Switch Black Friday deals: The best discounts available on consoles, games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( William Antonelli | Tech Reporter For Insider Reviews | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

But among the deals available this Black Friday, we're seeing some great discounts on both the Nintendo Switch console and its games, as well as accessories. Best Nintendo Switch Black Friday deals on consolesNintendo Switch with Neon Joy-Con and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe System Bundle This bundle includes Nintendo's portable console with a digital copy of the most popular Switch game, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and a three-month membership to Nintendo Switch Online. Best Nintendo Switch Black Friday deals on gamesDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Deal Eovola Nintendo Switch Accessories Kit This Nintendo Switch Accessories Kit from Eovola is a treasure trove of gear with steering wheel grips, Joy-Con grips, screen protectors, a Joy-Con charging base, and more. Great Price SanDisk microSDXC for Nintendo Switch (128GB) This SD card for the Nintendo Switch has Mario-inspired art, but any MicroSDXC under 2TB will work.

☆ Microsoft exec says gaming is 'somewhat resilient' to economic weakness
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Microsoft's head of gaming said Wednesday that video games can stand up to economic weakness, even as the software maker expects slower pickup in other parts of its business targeting consumers. Gaming remains a high priority for Microsoft, with the company working to close its $68.7 billion acquisition of publisher Activision Blizzard . Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, sounded optimistic about the prospects of the unit. "The video game industry has never been 'recession-proof,' but that line gets brought out every time the r-word is mentioned," Mat Piscatella, executive director and video game industry advisor at market researcher NPD Group, wrote in a July tweet. "People can play video games for hundreds of hours," he said.

Why do so many industries treat voice actors poorly?!?" Rather than having a set salary, Hayhurst said, video game voice actors often have an hourly rate that’s agreed upon before they begin recording. Video game voice actors are eligible to be represented by the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. In 2017, SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement with video game companies, after a nearly yearlong strike by the union against video game producers, developers and publishers, Variety reported. In some cases, video game voice acting is more than delivering lines of dialogue in a booth.

☆ Meta's problem is that the metaverse is supremely uncool
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-25 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The biggest problem: It just doesn’t look cool. To get into the metaverse in the first place, you first have to strap on a bulky headset like Meta’s $400 Quest device. VR avatars also need to respond in real time to the ways we move our faces and bodies, which requires powerful computing and graphics processing. Still, FedEx Ground is refusing to offer the kind of across-the-board financial relief to its contractors that Patton and others are seeking. “We recognize that current economic conditions are posing new challenges,” FedEx Ground said in a statement.

☆ Mark Zuckerberg responds to metaverse memes with a redesign
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-20 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Mark Zuckerberg, in response to a torrent of critical memes mocking the graphics of Meta’s newest project, has heard his critics – and changed his selfie. Many compared the Metaverse design to early 90’s graphics and pointed out how lifeless and childish the Zuckerberg selfie looked. It quickly won the designation “dead eyes.”Well, Zuckerberg has apparently seen the memes, because on Friday he announced there are major updates coming – along with new avatar graphics. On Facebook and Instagram, Zuckerberg posted a photo of his more advanced-looking avatar. Facebook planned to spend at least $10 billion in 2021 on Facebook Reality Labs, dedicating significant resources toward its augmented and virtual reality products and services in last year’s third quarter results.

☆ The 5 best Nintendo Switch games for kids in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-02-16 | by ( Tobey Grumet | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

That’s why we tried enticing them back to the familial circle with the Nintendo Switch. Though our boys abandoned their Nintendo Wii long ago in lieu of an Xbox, they were psyched to be back in the fold with the versatility of the more portable, lower-cost Switch, which starts at $199 for the Nintendo Switch Lite and goes to $349 for the Nintendo Switch OLED. Here are the best Nintendo Switch games for kids of all ages. One of the best Nintendo Switch fitness games, Ring Fit Adventure comes packaged with a pliable Pilates ring dubbed the Ring-Con and a Leg Strap pouch that secures one of your Joy-Con controllers. And lucky we did, because Big Brain Academy: Brain vs.

☆ How a teacher and a salesman in Arizona paid off $52,000 in debt in 18 months
▼ + stars: | 2021-12-23 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

In 2008, Deacon Hayes and his wife, Kim, "were newly married" and "living paycheck to paycheck" in Phoenix, Arizona, he says. She was a teacher and he was selling wood floors, and, "between credit card debt, student loans, and car loans, we had about $52,000 in consumer debt," he says. But by tackling each debt a little differently and paying off between $500 and $6,800 per month, the couple achieved their goal. Here's how Deacon and Kim Hayes, now 38 and 40, respectively, and living in Scottsdale, Arizona, paid off their debt. Deacon ended up getting a job at Long Wong's, a local Arizona eatery, and working there for six months.

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