Tag: Computers

  • The Absolute Best Skills to Get in Spider-Man 2

    Spider-Man 2 is possibly the biggest launch of 2023, and it packs the power to match it. With a plethora of new additions to the game, the experience is quite something. One of the highlights here is a ton of new skills for Peter Parker and Miles Morales. However, with so many skills and less time, it’s understandable you might be confused about which skills to unlock. Fear not, since we have done the heavy lifting for you. After going through the entire game, we have compiled a list of the best skills you should unlock in Spider-Man 2. So, without any further delay, let’s begin.

    Best Skills for Peter Parker

    Even though Spider-Man 2 (read our review) features both our favorite spideys, the game gives Peter the most desired skillset. This is no surprise because of not only his primary status but also the fantastic Venom suit players receive in-game later on. Thus, we highlight the best skills you can get for him first.

    1. Symbiote Yank

    One of the most awaited skills shown in the trailer, the Symbiote Yank, is part of the series of skills you receive with the Venom Suit. Put simply, the yank allows Peter to grab multiple enemies and pull them towards him. However, my experience of playing it shows that the skill smashes enemies into the ground rather than pulling.

    Symbiote Yank Spider-Man 2

    Nonetheless, it’s a powerful skill and useful for crowd control. By default, it can grab a maximum of three enemies at once. However, we will add another skill that boosts it up even more. This is quite possibly the best skill for Peter to get.

    2. Symbiote Strike

    The Symbiote Strike is yet another deadly weapon to have in your arsenal to eliminate multiple enemies at once quickly. The Stike skill is more focused more around aerial action as Peter jumps up in the air, covers himself in Venom tentacles, and sucks the enemies in.

    Symbiote Strike

    Depending on how close you are to a wall, the skill has a high chance of taping them to it, thereby immediately immobilizing them. When upgraded further, Spider-Man can grab even more enemies and make it stronger.

    3. Symbiote Punch: Symbiote Slam

    One of the best abilities Peter naturally receives is the Symbiote Punch, a devastating attack that immediately takes hold of an enemy and knocks them back far away. This is especially useful when you’re low on health and are being bugged by that one last hostile.

    Symbiote Slam Spider-Man 2

    However, we focus on the Symbiote Slam upgrade that will enable the punch to send Brutes flying back. If you have played enough Spider-Man, you know how annoying these burly enemies can get, so getting rid of them like this will definitely be a boon to gamers.

    4. Symbite Yank: Empowered

    Speaking of upgrades to the best skills in Spider-Man 2, this upgrade complements the Symbiote Yank we mentioned before. As we hinted above, the Empowered skill makes Peter ignore the limit on the number of enemies that are grabbed by the Symbiote Yank attack. This, in turn, will let Spider-Man grab as many as ten enemies at once.

    Empowered Spider-Man 2

    Not only does this skill pack a wallop, but it is also immensely satisfying to watch. So, if you want to recreate the trailer’s scenes, make sure to get this skill in the game.

    5. Spider Shock

    The Spider Shock alone isn’t the strongest skill in the Spider-Man playbook. However, it involves pure power to give Peter that precious breathing room when he needs it. Pulling away from Venom’s strengths, this Spider-Man 2 skill makes Peter shoot out electrified web lines that shock and temporarily paralyze enemies.

    Spider Shock Spider-Man 2

    This, in turn, leaves the hostile vulnerable to attacks for a few seconds, giving you enough time to pause or attack. The Spider Shock can be upgraded further down the line to chain multiple enemies to let you use it in more creative ways. So be sure to grab this skill while you’re at it.

    6. Surge: Alien Harmony

    Besides the skills above, one devastating power Peter receives is the Surge Mode, which essentially makes him go crazy. If you want a better idea of the picture, Miles’ Mega Blast but deadlier. While you will receive the Surge Mode without any unlocking, it does not last as long as one might need it to.

    Surge Alien Harmony

    The Alien Harmony Skill makes it last significantly longer, so you may lash out at your enemies to their peril. However, do be aware this skill is further down the tree and will require a fair bit of playing around before you get there. Nonetheless, it’s worth waiting for.

    Best Skills for Miles Morales

    While Miles is one of the focal points of Spider-Man 2, I did not find his skillset the best in the game. However, he does have his fair share of skills that we can count on if needed. So let’s discuss them.

    1. Venom Smash: Jolt

    Venom Smash is one amazing skill we saw back in Miles Morales. However, once it runs out, it takes some time to recharge. Thankfully, the Jolt upgrade makes it so that you can use Venom Smash a second time to launch enemies into the air. Once in combat, you can apply this skill immediately by simply tapping the smash button again.

    The Absolute Best Skills to Get in Spider-Man 2

    This will temporarily paralyze and, in some cases, completely eliminate your enemies. However, our advice would be to wait until you’re surrounded by a pack of brutes before using this in Spider-Man 2.

    2. Mega Venom Blast: Beacon of Might

    The Mega Venom Blast itself isn’t a new ability, as this supercharged explosion was also used by gamers in Miles Morales. However, the Beacon of Might skill, as you might guess, adds some blinding action to it. Once applied, this handy skill will empower the Venom Blast with a large radial flash of light that will blind all human enemies outside of the damaged area.

    Mega Venom blast Spider-Man 2

    So even if you have hostiles outside your circle, they will at least be immobilized for a few seconds. This should give Miles enough time to fight back. But keep an eye on your Mega Venom Blast meter as if it’s out; you can naturally not use this skill in Spider-Man 2 either.

    3. Venom Clouds

    The best part about the Venom Clouds skill in the game is that it applies to all Venom abilities. As is evident, using Venom abilities will give off a Venom Cloud, which will heal you, recharge your abilities, and even stun enemies all at once. You don’t need to perform any extra steps to evoke the clouds. Simply use your abilities, and once done, walk into the golden clouds that appear.

    Venom clouds spider-man 2

    Upgraded clouds will even detonate and knock enemies down for added impact. So, to get that extra helping hand, make sure to get this skill in Spider-Man 2.

    4. Critical Venom Stun

    A big helping hand in Spider-Man 2 is the focus bar that can be used to heal you if low on HP or perform finishers on enemies. However, when starting Spider-Man 2, the game gives only one focus bar, which takes a long time to recharge if used once. So if you are the sort not to get any more bars, the Critical Venom Stun skill will help.

    Critical Venom Stun

    Whenever you Venom stun enemies, they will have a small chance of becoming critically stunned. This opens them up for a finisher without using a focus bar at all. Get this skill if you have only one focus bar and want to save it to heal yourself.

    5. Venom Punch: Concentrated Force

    We end Miles’ skills with the classic Venom Punch but upgraded for maximum power. While the punch itself is deadly for a single enemy, it doesn’t do a lot for the surrounding foes. The concentrated force, on the other hand, takes that energy and exerts it in a cone. This will throw back every enemy caught in that cone with a deadly blast.

    Venom Punch Spider-Man 2

    There is also a neat little chain lightning effect that looks nice. So, while there are other skills to get for Miles, this one comes under our list of the best ones for Spider-Man 2.

    Best Skills for Shared Tree

    The shared Skill tree is an excellent way to create a common ground between Peter and Miles in this game. And while the shared skill tree doesn’t have the deadliest skills in the game, they are nonetheless extremely helpful. So let’s discuss some of them.

    1. Wall Thrash

    The Wall Thrash is one of the best skills in Spider-Man 2, not just because of its swiftness but because of how funny it looks. If you’ve seen the gameplay trailers of the game, you already have an idea.

    Wall Thrash Spider-man 2

    For those unaware, the Wall Thrash lets both spiders perform a series of blows once the enemy is backed up the wall. Consider a series of rapid kicks straight to the abdomen for a better picture. So, if you’re performing a series of combo moves and want this to close off the enemies, consider unlocking the skill for it.

    2. Directional Yank

    The Directional Yank in the game is not an offensive skill per se. While you can slam enemies into objects with it, it’s more so to get them out of your way. As it sounds, the Yank means Peter and Miles can attach their webs and pull enemies sideways to slam them into objects or structures. Depending on your trigger movement, you can go left or right or switch between them quickly.

    Directional Yank Spider-Man 2

    This applies to normal enemies but isn’t very effective on brutes, so remember that. However, this is still a good skill to get in the game and isn’t too far to unlock.

    3. Heavy Lifting

    Speaking of brutes, it is no secret that these big enemies are a huge annoyance. Due to their sheer size, brutes cannot be grabbed or tossed. However, that’s exactly what the Heavy Lifting skill is here to change. This skill in Spider-Man 2 allows brutes to be treated almost like normal enemies.

    Heavy Lifting spider-man 2

    This means they can be webbed up, electrified, venom-stunned, and even be thrown around using directional web yanks. Anyone who has suffered through these pesky enemies knows this will be a huge help in your playthrough of Spider-Man 2.

    4. Web Yank Slam

    The Web Yank Slam is a good complementary skill to Venom’s Symbiote Yank. Since the Venom abilities take some time to recharge, it is natural to want to do it again. However, until you get the charge, the Yank Slam comes with unlimited uses. In the same way, the slam lets the spiders web and grab enemies from both sides and yank them into the ground.

    Web Yank Slam Spider-Man 2

    While the impact isn’t as damaging as you may like, it’s a good deterrent for enemies rushing towards you or a single pesky AI hostile. And once your main power charges, you can always switch over to that.

    5. Loop De Loop

    The Loop De Loop is one the simplest yet the most effective skills in Spider-Man 2. This starter skill revolves around swinging and speed. While swinging itself is extremely balanced in the game, some players might feel it’s a bit slow. For those cases and more, loop de loop lets players perform a super-kinetic loop maneuver to quickly generate a boost of speed.

    Loop De Loop Spider-Man 2

    For this to happen, simply hold down the swing button while diving and you’ll go whizzing by like a bullet. The best part is the skill is one of the first ones you can unlock, so there will be no waiting either. So we suggest opening Spider-Man 2 and getting it right now.

    We hope the above skills were useful in helping you decide the best one in Spider-Man 2. However, do note that the game has a plethora of other skills, too, so make to explore the game yourself. Done with the skills? Pair them up with the best Spider-Man 2 abilities and create the perfect loadout. So, which skill is your favorite in the game? Drop your choices down in the comments below!

    Upanishad Sharma

    240 Posts

    Combining his love for Literature and Tech, Upanishad dived into the world of technology journalism with fire. Now he writes about anything and everything while keeping a keen eye on his first love of gaming. Often found chronically walking around the office.

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  • Google search is your new ultimate language practice companion

    In the midst of 2023, the importance of acquiring proficiency in languages beyond our native tongue has never been more evident. Whether you’re an intrepid traveler, a dedicated scholar, or a professional chasing global opportunities, having a grasp of languages such as English, French, Spanish, or even German can be a game-changer. The world is shrinking, and in this era of global connectivity, the ability to communicate in diverse languages has become an invaluable asset.

    Unlocking the Power of Multilingualism with Google Search

    Google Search

    Keeping this global linguistic demand in mind, Google wants to transform its search engine, Google Search, into an intuitive and engaging tool for language practice. English, often hailed as the universal language, is at the forefront of this initiative. Google aims to equip its users with the ability to ask questions and navigate the web in English seamlessly. Soon, innovative tools will be integrated into the search engine, making it a one-stop destination for enhancing fluency in the Anglo-Saxon language.

    Google’s Language Mastery Assistance

    Google, in an announcement on its official blog, revealed its plans to incorporate language learning features directly into the search experience. Regardless of your choice of web browser, a new option will soon become available, allowing users to engage in brief, 3 to 5-minute language exercises. The intent is clear: to facilitate learning without overwhelming the user.

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    These exercises will offer not only translations but also context, enhancing the user’s understanding of the language. Grammar corrections will be suggested whenever necessary, ensuring that language learners can hone their skills with precision. Upon completing a set of exercises, the platform will provide users with valuable evaluations and feedback. Allowing them to track their progress over time.

    The experience will extend beyond the exercise itself. Users will benefit from enhanced context when viewing search results, designed to encourage ongoing language practice. Additionally, grammatical corrections will be available where applicable, fostering a holistic language-learning experience.

    Personalized Learning and Real-Time Feedback

    Recognizing that every individual learns at their own unique pace, Google has taken strides to introduce a personalized feedback system. This feature allows users to receive tailored guidance, catering to their specific needs and progress. Just like the popular language-learning app Duolingo, this new tool promises to revolutionize language acquisition.

    While the new feature is already accessible in various South American and Southeast Asian countries, such as Argentina, India, Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico, its reach will expand. Soon, individuals in Portugal and around the world will also gain access to this invaluable resource. Making language practice as simple as conducting a Google search.

    As the tool extends its global presence, it holds the promise of offering personalized follow-ups. Complete with grammatical and pronunciation corrections. Additionally, users can expect semantic analyses to refine their language skills further. With these upcoming changes, Google Search will become a valuable ally in the quest for language mastery. It’s a transformative addition that has the potential to impact millions of people around the world.

    In a world that’s constantly evolving, mastering multiple languages is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Google‘s commitment to facilitating this journey is commendable. The integration of language exercises into Google Search is a testament to the company’s dedication to innovation and education. As we navigate the ever-expanding digital landscape of 2023, this new tool promises to be a beacon for those looking to enhance their language proficiency. Whether you’re a student, a globetrotter, or a professional seeking international opportunities, Google Search’s language-learning features are set to empower you on your multilingual journey. So, embrace the future, and embark on a linguistic adventure with Google by your side.



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  • What is Conversation Awareness on AirPods and How to Use It?

    Apple launched the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation with some great features. For example, this pair of wireless earbuds offer excellent noise-cancellation performance. The outside world won’t encroach on your audio listening experience with it. However, in some cases, you may want to hear the outside world. In situations like these, the Conversation Awareness comes into play.

    For those wondering, Apple AirPods Pro also comes with Adaptive Audio mode. And it’s not the same as the Conversation Awareness. What Adaptive Audio does is it offers you something in between the Transparency and full ANC mode. As a result, you get to hear the street noises properly.

    But with the Conversation Awareness, the Apple AirPods Pro, as the name suggests, is for holding conversations while you have the buds on. Let’s get into the details to offer you a better idea.

    What is Conversation Awareness on Apple AirPods?

    Conversational Awareness on Apple AirPods Pro is a feature that detects when you’re speaking with somebody. Once activated, it will change the audio settings of the earbuds, allowing you to better hold the conversation. This eliminates the need to take the buds off when you stumble upon someone that you would want to talk to.

    When you start speaking out loud, the AirPods Pro will detect your voice and understand that you’re trying to conversate with someone. After that, the buds will automatically lower the playback volume, enhance the voices that are coming in front of you, and reduce the background noise around you.

    AirPods Pro 2 Conversational Awareness

    The Conversation Awareness on Apple AirPods works so well that conversing with the buds is better when you’re in a noisy environment. And the feature will remain on through the conversation you are having. Once the earbuds can no longer detect a conversation taking place for a couple of seconds, the mode turns off.

    That said, when this feature on your Apple AirPods kicks in, you get a message from Siri. This message explains that the Conversation Awareness mode has turned down the volume. It basically makes sure that you don’t start freaking out thinking that your earbuds are broken.

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    Apple AirPods 3rd Gen Best Open Ear headphones for iPhones

    Also, when the Conversation Awareness turns off, it will slowly turn the volume up. This ensures that you don’t suddenly get blasted with audio in full volume.

    How to Get the Feature?

    If you own a compatible AirPods, you just need to update the firmware to get the Conversation Awareness feature on AirPods. In general, firmware updates on these earbuds happen automatically. All you have to do is keep the AirPods within the Bluetooth range of your iPad, iPhone, or Mac and put the carrying case into charging.

    On that note, you need to make sure that your iPad or iPhone is on iOS 17 or iPadOS 17. And for the Mac, it needs to be on macOS Sonoma.

    How to Turn on Conversation Awareness on AirPods?

    In the default stage, the Conversation Awareness feature will be turned off on your Apple AirPods. You need to manually turn it on from a connected Apple device. Here are the steps:

    • Get into the Settings
    • Scroll down and locate AirPods
    • Tap on AirPods and select Audio
    • Turn the Conversation Awareness mode on

    Alternatively, you can enable the mode through the Control Center when the Apple AirPods are connected to your iPhone or iPad.

    Which Models Have Support for the Feature?

    At the moment, the Conversation Awareness feature is only available on the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. But the good news is that it doesn’t matter whether you have the USB-C or Lightning port version of the earbuds. Both of them come with support for this mode.

    Apple AirPods Pro 2



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  • This Teeny Tiny 1TB SSD Is Smaller than a Credit Card; Check It Out!

    small ssd by buffalo

    Technology is one of the things that only seems to get better and more mobile as time passes. We are no strangers to seeing small tech before. However, when we spotted this goofily small SSD online, we just had to stop and look twice. Buffalo has unveiled a new 1TB SSD and it is quite possibly the smallest we have ever seen. It’s actually so small it’s skin to the size of a USB dongle and weighs less than 5 Grams! Let’s check out the finer details of this even finer tiny SSD below!

    Buffalo Releases World’s Smallest 1TB SSD: Details

    This minuscule SSD is called the Buffalo SSD-PST51.0U3-BA and is actually as small as you see below. The dimensions of the SSD are 14.6 x 28 x 8 mm. The weight matches the looks at 4.5g weight, which is about the weight of two pennies put together. The SSD is so small and light that it should fit even in the mini pockets of our jeans. However, the best part is that it is available with up to 1TB capacity while keeping the same size profile.

    Once you plug in an SSD like this, you can forget about it just like a receiver. However, don’t let the looks fool you. Despite its small form factor, this SSD carries the MIL-STD-810H 512.8 rating, so it should remain durable through the usage cycle. Buffalo says it can even be used on a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 to expand your game storage.

    This Teeny Tiny 1TB SSD Is Smaller than a Credit Card; Check It Out!
    Image Courtesy: Buffalo

    Regarding transmission speeds, the SSD maxes out at 600MB/s read speeds & 500 MB/s write speeds and supports USB 3.2. This is relatively low compared to PCIe NVMe SSDs, which are anywhere from 10 to 20 times faster. But since this SSD is plugged in via USB-A, it is understandable. Many other USB SSD options from big brands are also quite limited in speed unless you get something like a Thunderbolt SSD. This SSD plugs in via the simple USB-A connector, so it should be easy enough to use.

    Buffalo 1TB Tiny SSD: Pricing & Availability

    Unfortunately, the Buffalo SSD-PST51.0U3-BA is not available globally. The sale of this USB SSD is limited to East Asian markets, and it costs ¥16,880, which converts to $113 in the US. The SSD is scheduled to be released by late November, and the two models, 250GB & 500GB in capacity, are already on sale & in stock. According to its official Amazon listing, the Buffalo 1TB SSD will be released on November 19, 2023.

    However, you can buy the SSD and they ship internationally, too. Remember that there will be added import taxes & delivery charges for international orders, and availability in your area will depend on many factors. The 250GB version of the Buffalo SSD starts at ¥5980, which converts to roughly $40 in the US.

    Featured Image Courtesy: Buffalo

    Satyam Kumar

    129 Posts

    Highly passionate about technology. Major expertise in PC hardware, the VR industry, esports-centric gear, and other gadgets. In my spare time, I’m usually researching exciting hardware breakthroughs or playing competitive games.

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  • What Are RISC-V Chipsets and How Will They Redefine Next-gen Wearable Tech

    ARM and x86 are the common names that come up when you’re talking about computer hardware. These architectures have been around for decades and power some of the strong and robust CPUs in the market. But recently, a new challenger has emerged in the field of microprocessor architecture: the RISC-V chipsets.

    With the steady progress, RISC-V could soon be powering some of the powerful devices in the future. More importantly, the RISC-V chipsets can even be run on as many cores as the x86 and ARM chipsets in a couple of years. But what exactly is RISC-V, and why are chip manufacturers such as Qualcomm investing in it?

    What is RISC-V?

    After Apple shifted fully to its own silicon, there have been a lot of discussions regarding the ARM and x86. For those unaware, ARM and x86 are two types of microprocessor architecture or Instruction Set Architecture (ISA). ISA is the first step of a CPU design, whether it’s RISC-V, x86, or ARM.

    In simple terms, ISA determines all the kinds of instructions that chip designers can add to the processor. It also determines what kind of software the chipset can handle and how good the performance will be. And as you may have guessed, RISC-V is another kind of ISA.

    RISC-V chipsets

    But it is different from the x86 and ARM, two architectures that have been dominating the market for quite a while. Wondering what makes it stand out? Unlike the other two, RISC-V brings the element of open source to the table. For ARM and x86 architecture, designers aren’t free to use the fundamental design.

    On the other hand, RISC-V opens that door and allows the designers to adapt the chipset according to their needs. What’s more, the open-source architecture is based on the RISC architecture. And if you don’t know, RISC stands for Reduced Instruction Set Computer Architecture.

    Silicon Wafer

    That means RISC-V comes with very few instructions in its very basic form. And that, when combined with open standards, means that any company can freely use the stock instruction set and modify them. Eventually, this will result in efficient custom microprocessor designs.

    This model of RISC-V ensures that the foundations of the architecture are always available for free. But isn’t that bad news for manufacturers? Well, the products that are based on the free architecture can still be licensed. Manufacturers can even sell these products as ready-made cores.

    What Are the Benefits of RISC-V Chipsets?

    Now, as some of the biggest players in the industry are turning their heads to RISC-V, it must have some benefits, right? Yes, the architecture addresses some of the shortcomings of the ARM and x86 architecture. Here’s a brief description of some of the advantages that the relatively young and emerging architecture:

    RISC-V Brings Open Standard

    RISC-V architecture is completely open. This means the companies don’t have to pay licensing fees to anyone in order to use the basic architecture. As a result, the architecture makes it easier for smaller companies to develop their cores based on it.

    Processor Cores

    As for the biggest players, RISC-V architecture will make it possible to develop cores faster. After all, they don’t need to spend time and negotiate licensing deals with anyone.

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    Ease of Modifications

    As mentioned earlier, RISC-V is based on the RISC architecture. The architecture is easy to modify as the instruction set is already reduced. Now, as manufacturers don’t need to invest time and effort into modifications, they can create custom cores cheaper and faster. This could eventually impact the cost of consumer products.

    Silicon wafer for processors

    RISC-V Focuses on Energy Efficiency and Modularity

    Because RISC-V cores operate on RISC architecture and are easy to modify, they are easy to specialize and scale down. Manufacturers can easily tailor products based on it to do specific tasks. This allows the processors on this architecture to do the same tasks as general-purpose models with a fraction of the power needed. Also, this will make the tailored processor attain a much smaller footprint.

    Small Chipsets

    Open Source Security

    The fact that the RISC-V is an open standard makes it attain higher security. After all, it’s open to public scrutiny. The standard is easily accessible, and anyone can scrutinize it closely. And there are no limitations on how much you can scrutinize, making it easier to detect all the back doors and hidden channels if there are any.

    Silicon Wafer

    RISC-V Has a Common ISA

    Different designers can use the same basic architecture of RISC-V to create different processors and cores. That ranges from big supercomputers to small embedded solutions. This will eventually make the software development process easier and faster. All the software developed for this standard should run natively across different devices powered by the architecture.

    How Will RISC-V Chipsets Change the Next-Gen Wearables?

    It goes without saying that RISC-V brings some significant benefits to the microprocessor space. And if it delivers all of its promises, it can bring a major shift in the market, especially in wearable tech. But why wearables?

    The thing is, the biggest issue in the wearable industry is the size. Considering how small these devices are, they demand small-sized SoCs. And we’re already seeing smart rings roll out in the market. RISC-V chipsets can make these tiny devices do more than what they can do right now.

    Smart ring internals

    Manufacturers can develop the RISC-V cores with wearable tech in mind. These cores can be specialized to do exactly what the wearable product is intended to do. This could make the small devices more energy efficient and, most importantly, faster than now.



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  • iQOO 12 – Color Options and Rear Design Have Been Teased

    iQOO fans rejoice! Vivo’s gaming-focused smartphone brand is about to launch its new flagship lineup. These two phones, namely iQOO 12 and iQOO 12 Pro, are set to launch in China in early November. While the launch hasn’t happened yet, iQOO seems to be facing challenges in keeping these phones under wraps. Ahead of the image, one single hands-on image emerged on social media Weibo showing the iQOO 12’s back design. In addition to the leaked image, details about the color options for the iQOO 12 have emerged.

    iQOO 12 – Smartphone’s Rear Appears in Hands-On Image

    Starting off with the hands-on image, the picture shows the iQOO 12 back. We can see the white paint job showing a big circular camera module at the back. The leaked image also confirms the phone’s power and volume keys will be located on the right edge of the device.

    The Color Options

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    With the iQOO 12, the brand will take a conservative approach. There will be a White color option like the one we see in the hands-on image above. The phone will also bring a Black glass version and a Red Vegan leather option. The same colors confirmed by Digital Chat Station have been revealed by another tipster Panda is Bald previously.  There is no word whether we will see a BMW edition this year or not. For now, we can only confirm these three colorways.

    iQOO 12 and 12 Pro Specifications

    Although the image does not depict the camera module in full, we know it will come with a triple-camera setup. There will be a 50 MP primary shooter, a 50 MP Ultrawide snapper, 64 MP telephoto sensor. The main camera will incorporate an OmniVision OV50H sensor and will count with Optical Image Stabilization. The 50 MP ultrawide snapper and the 64 MP lens will make use of the OmniVision OV64B sensor and Samsung’s JN1 sensor, respectively.

    The iQOO 12 will sport a 6.7-inch E7 AMOLED screen with 1.5K resolution and 144 Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it will boast the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The whole package will draw powers from a 4,800 mAh battery with up to 120W fast-charging. The iQOO 12 will come with up to 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of Internal Storage.

    The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Powering the smartphone is due for official launch in the next week. Therefore, the iQOO 12 series could be one of the first smartphones sporting the new chipset.

    Conclusion

    The hands-on image give us a glimpse of the upcoming smartphone. It will keep the lineup’s traditional design with a huge focus on the hardware. The iQOO 12 series will launch in November, and the brand will keep feeding us with more details. The iQOO numbered series is typically made of good smartphones that offer the best in terms of performance. In the next weeks, we will find out if these two new phones are due to keep the legacy of this lineup.



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  • Mortal Kombat 1 almost topped U.S. game sale charts for September while Street Fighter 6 falls off











    It’s pretty much always a really big event in North America when a new NetherRealm Studios fighting game launches, and this year was apparently no exception to that rule.






    The NPD Group / Circana recently released the rankings for the top 20 best-selling games for September 2023 in the United States where Mortal Kombat 1 almost lived up to its name for it.









    Liu Kang’s new timeline clocked in at number two overall for its first month on the market behind only Starfield.


    Both figures are pretty impressive considering MK1 didn’t technically release until the 19th (though was available on early access the 14th) while Bethesda’s new RPG was out basically the whole month but as an Xbox and PC only game that was also available on Game Pass.


    On top of that, MK1 also became the 8th best-selling title of all 2023 in the country thus far even beating out Resident Evil 4’s remake and Street Fighter 6, which now sits at 13th for 2023 in the U.S.



    This does somewhat put MK1 a bit behind its predecessor considering Mortal Kombat 11 topped U.S. charts back in April 2019 (and even became the best selling game of the year for a time), but the new title’s competition was arguably more stiff this time around.



    Interestingly, this also marks the first time Street Fighter 6 hasn’t been on the NPD charts since its June launch where it began life ranked number 3 overall followed by 8th in July and then 13th in August.


    Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has been absent the past couple months as well, which means its very consistent run for almost the past 5 years may finally be coming to an end.


    Warner Bros. hasn’t stated how many copies MK1 has sold specifically, but it’s likely already in the millions considering they beat out the likes of EA Sports FC 24, Madden NFL 24 and Payday 3 in its first outing.


    The game hopefully has a long and successful life ahead of it, but there’s still some fairly big issues Mortal Kombat 1 needs to sort out as well to truly do so.













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  • How to Make and Use a Crafter in Minecraft 1.21

    So, Mojang has decided to announce the new Minecraft 1.21 update and also introduce one of the most mind-blowing features that nobody saw coming. Yeah, we are talking about the unbelievable, superior, advanced, magical, incredible, auto crafter block that will undoubtedly revolutionize vanilla Minecraft forever. We will be dedicating this extensive guide to the game-changing crafter block coming in Minecraft 1.21, so without any further delay, let’s jump straight in!

    Note: All the features we will be mentioning in this guide are part of the 23W42A snapshot. They are still in development and could be changed in the future. We will update this article with all the changes regarding the crafter block, so keep visiting it regularly.

    minecraft crafter

    What is a crafter?

    The crafter is the ultimate version of the crafting table. It allows you to auto-craft anything with Redstone power. The crafter is an expensive block to craft, but you won’t regret it. This block can interact with other Redstone components, like hoppers and droppers, so the input and output of items can be automated. Not only that, but you can even program the crafter to place the ingredients exactly where you want them.

    Resources You Need to Make a Crafter

    The Crafting recipe for the crafter is pretty heavy on resources. But after learning what you can do with this new block, you won’t actually mind making a few extras. For now, though, let’s go over the materials you need to make an auto crafter in Minecraft:

    • 5 Iron Ingots
    • 2 Crafting Tables
    • 2 Redstone Dust
    • 2 Dropper

    Iron ingots are one of the main materials in this recipe. They can be obtained by smelting raw iron items in a furnace or blast furnace. The Crafting table is, or maybe was, the most important utility block that allowed you to craft advanced blocks and items in Minecraft. To make a crafting table, you need to place four planks in the 2×2 crafting grid.

    Redstone dust is a precious item that is dropped after you mine a redstone ore without the silk touch Minecraft enchantment. Dropper is a redstone component block that requires 7 cobblestone blocks and one redstone dust to craft.

    Dropper recipe

    Minecraft 1.21 Crafter: Crafting Recipe

    After you acquire the resources, follow the steps below explaining how to make a crafter.

    1. Your first crafter will have to be crafted in the crafting table, so the first step is to place a crafting table in your world.
    Crafting table placed in the world
    1. Then, right-click on it to open the crafting table UI.
    2. Start off this recipe by placing 5 iron ingots in the shape of a helmet. So, three ingots fill the topmost row and two in the left and right cells of the center row.
    Place iron ingots in a helmet shape
    1. After that, place the crafting table in the center of the 3×3 grid.
    Place a crafting table in the central slot
    1. Next, place the dropper right below the crafting table in the middle cell of the bottom row.
    Put a dropper below the crafting table
    1. And at last, fill the two remaining slots in the bottom row with redstone dust.
    Fill the remaining slots with redstone dust
    1. And voila! Your crafter is now ready. The crafter can be broken with a stone pickaxe or higher.

    How to Use a Crafter in Minecraft 1.21

    Now, let’s go over the simple process of using the crafter block. Follow the steps below to auto-craft bamboo blocks and then cherry wood blocks in the game.

    Input and Output Explained

    1. Select the crafter on your hotbar and right-click to place it in your world.
    Crafter block in Minecraft
    1. Place a hopper above the crafter so it’s facing into it.
    2. Place another hopper diagonally downwards from the crafter and connect it to a chest. Alternatively, you can also place a chest right in front of the crafter, as all the items will automatically end up in it. This is the case for all the container blocks.
    Place a hopper above the crafter in Minecraft and a hopper diagonally downwards from the crafter, that's also facing into a chest
    1. For the first recipe, we will need bamboo. So, place as much of it in the hopper above the crafter. You can get as much bamboo as you want if you set up a bamboo farm in Minecraft.
    2. As you will notice, the items from the hopper will start filling the crafter’s grid in a specific order, from top left to bottom right. Only one item can be placed in a slot per cycle. This means the crafter prioritizes a whole 3 x3 grid, instead of one single slot. Furthermore, if there are fewer items in one of the slots than in the others, the crafter will first fill them up, but in the same top left to bottom right order.
    Items filling the crafter's grid

    Activating the Crafter

    1. Next, let’s create a simple activation system. You can place a button on the crafter itself by right-clicking and also sneaking. Every time you press the button, the crafter will craft and shoot out an item, which is going to be picked up by the hopper. You will see a particle cloud every time the crafting is completed.
    Place a button on the Minecraft crafter and activate it
    1. You can also use a lever instead of a button. When you turn it on, the crafter will function and shoot out an item. However, the crafter will not work constantly when the lever is on (this mechanic is explained below). Instead, you’ll need to keep flicking the lever on and off and as soon as it gets powered, the crafter will get activated.
    Place a lever on the crafter and start spamming the right-click button to activate the crafter quickly in Minecraft

    How to Set up an Auto Crafter in Minecraft

    Using Redstone Repeater Clock

    Since no player wants to stand next to a crafter at all times and keep flicking a switch, we will be making a simple redstone clock to, as you might have guessed, automate the process. It will automatically trigger the crafter with every redstone signal, crafting the item without any interference. Here’s how to go about it:

    1. First, two blocks away from the crafter place five redstone repeaters in a row facing in the same direction.
    Place five repeaters facing the same direction, two blocks away from the crafter
    1. Then, place five more redstone repeaters next to the first five, but they all should be facing the opposite direction.
    Place another five repeaters next to the initial ones that all face the opposite direction
    1. Then, simply connect both sides with a couple of pieces of redstone dust, as shown in the diagram below.
    Connect both sides of the repeaters with redstone dust
    1. We should then set the repeater delay to allow the crafter to get filled up. Set the delay to four ticks for every single repeater by right-clicking them three times.
    2. And the final step is to place one more redstone dust connecting the clock and the crafter block.
    3. Now, add a lever to the redstone dust lines on one of the sides. You’ll need to activate it and then immediately deactivate it. This will send out a pulse that will circle back and forth.
    Add a lever and quickly activate and deactivate it to start the pulse in the clock, that's going to every now and then trigger the crafter in Minecraft

    So, there you have it. A very simple crafter setup that automatically creates blocks of bamboo. Let’s now see what this would look like if you want to make cherry wood blocks. The clock setup doesn’t need to be changed for now.

    One of the highlights of the crafter block is that you can disable the slots in the crafting area to trigger specific recipes that don’t require you to use the whole space. And we have demonstrated the same with this cherry wood block crafting recipe here.

    1. First, open the crafter’s UI and click on the five slots (as shown below) to toggle them to be disabled. The four remaining slots should be in a 2 x 2 configuration in any corner that you want.
    Toggle five slots of the crafter so that the remaining ones create a 2x2 grid
    1. Then, fill the hopper above the crafter with cherry logs. You can also go ahead and remove four repeaters altogether since it’s much faster for the crafter to get filled up. The remaining repeaters should all be set to a 4-tick delay, as we did with the bamboo blocks.
    2. After you connect the clock and the crafter together, the cherry wood will get produced as fast as it can and end up in the chest.
    Working automatic crafter set-up in Minecraft

    Things to Know When Using a Crafter

    The crafter is a highly advanced redstone block, but regardless of that, the way you use it is quite intuitive and can be learned with no issues. With that said, let’s see all the features and properties of the new crafter block.

    1. Manual Crafting NOT Supported

    As you will realize, you cannot manually craft items in the crafter. Even though its UI looks similar to the crafting table’s, you can only place the ingredients inside it, but not take out the resulting item yourself. So yeah, the crafting table still has a place in your Minecraft base.

    2. Container Block

    Unlike the crafting table, the crafter is a container block. This means, you can place the items inside it and close the crafting UI completely. The items will stay in this block, allowing you to craft whenever you want. This also means other players on the server can see the items you put in the crafter and perhaps help out with the recipe.

    3. Toggling the Slots

    In order to make the crafter even simpler and better, Mojang has implemented a very straightforward way of programming this block. Just by clicking on a slot of the crafter, you can toggle it between disabled and enabled state. When a slot is enabled, the items can be placed into it and vice versa. This will allow you to set up an auto-crafting station that crafts only the specific item, even if it’s a bit more complex.

    Toggling the slots of the crafter in Minecraft 1.21

    4. Powered by One Pulse

    In order to craft anything in the crafter, you need to provide it with a redstone signal. The crafter will only execute a crafting action if it has received power, meaning from a single pulse. This means that the crafter will not work it’s continuously powered as if you placed a redstone block attached to it. In this sense, it works similarly to a dispenser in Minecraft.

    A small redstone clock behind the crafter in Minecraft 1.21

    If you place a redstone block attached to a dispenser, it’ll trigger just once, even though it’s powered by the block continuously. So, to make the crafter craft anything, you need to preferably hook it up to a clock. This way, it will every once in a while receive the power and spit out an item.

    Also, every time the crafter receives a redstone signal, redstone lamps on its texture will light up, regardless of whether it crafted something or not. If it succeeds in crafting an item, its red grid on the top will light up as well.

    5. Shooting out Items

    While we are on the topic of spitting out items, the crafter’s rotation is also important. This block can be placed in different ways, allowing the front side, the one that looks like a face, to appear towards all directions. But why is that important? Well, the crafter will spit out items only through the front side. When that happens, you’ll see the “mouth” of the face raise and the item(s) will get shot out.

    Crafter spitting out items

    If the recipe produces more than one item, all of them will get spat out at once. Also, some smoke particles will appear in the direction the items flew and the lever on the side texture will flip.

    So, there you have it. If you reached the end of this guide, you have learned how to use the crafter block in Minecraft 1.21. Mojang teased this block a while ago, so it’s amazing to finally see it in the game. So, what are your thoughts on the crafter? How much will you use it in your Minecraft world? Tell us in the comments below!

    Radojka Travar

    65 Posts

    Hello, I’m Rada and I’m a huge gaming lover. I’ve been part of the Minecraft community for a while and I feel super grateful for it. My interests include drawing, listening to music, playing games and even making games. I want to help you in your Minecraft journey by sharing as much as I know about the game. So, I hope you’ll find my articles helpful 😀

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  • Samsung Aims to Ship 20 Million Foldables in 2024

    Samsung, one of the global giants in the smartphone industry, is setting its sights on a monumental goal for 2024: selling a whopping 20 million foldable phones. This ambitious target has been revealed in a report by the Korean news outlet, The Elec, showcasing Samsung’s determination to dominate the foldable phone market.

    Samsung Sets Ambitious Goal: Topping the Foldable Phone Market with 20 Million Shipments

    Galaxy Z Fold5

    As we approach the end of 2023, Samsung is on course to ship around 10 million foldable devices this year. This number breaks down into 3 million units of the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4. While the remaining 7 million are comprised of the existing models. Intriguingly, the initial shipment target for this year was 16 million. This means Samsung is not entirely satisfied with the current pace of sales.

    Gizchina News of the week


    One driving force behind Samsung’s desire to leap ahead in this niche market is the fierce competition it faces. Notably from Huawei. Huawei has been making waves with its foldable phones. The Mate X3 and Mate X5 both have slim and lightweight designs. Remarkably, Huawei has achieved this while navigating the challenging landscape of U.S. sanctions.

    In contrast, Samsung, despite having access to a wealth of cutting-edge technology, has faced criticism for its design choices. The prominent crease and the peculiarly tall aspect cover display have left some consumers unsatisfied.

    However, there’s a silver lining for Samsung enthusiasts. The report hints at a significant redesign coming in 2024, with the introduction of the Galaxy Z Fold6. This move could be a game-changer, potentially addressing the design issues that have plagued the foldable phone series.

    In conclusion, as Samsung embarks on its journey toward a remarkable 20 million foldable phone sales in 2024, the tech world anticipates exciting innovations and improvements. So, the competition is fierce, and Samsung’s determination to evolve its foldable phones is a testament to the ever-changing landscape of smartphone technology. With the promise of a redesigned Galaxy Z Fold6 on the horizon, it’s safe to say that the foldable phone market is in for an exciting ride in the coming year.



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  • All Star Tower Defense Codes (October 2023)

    Tower defense games are always challenging and push players to strategize, and even Roblox is chock full of such games. The most popular Roblox game in this genre is called All Star Tower Defense. In this game, you can get strong anime characters like Goku, Naruto, or several others as your fighting units. But climbing the tower or defending it needs some backup. That is why we compiled the list of codes that can get you freebies in All Star Tower Defense. Through these rewards, you can get a lot of rolls that can put you ahead in the game in terms of new unit unlocks.

    Working All Star Tower Defense Codes

    Note: These codes are working as of October 20, 2023. We will remove codes as soon as they stop working and will add new ones as they are available, so bookmark this page for your convenience.

    To use the codes listed below in Roblox, you also need to keep yourself levelled up in this game. All the codes require a certain experience level and game playtime to work.

    • happyspookymonth: 200 Stardust + 2,750 Gems (requires 30 minutes playtime +40 lvl, NEW!)
    • newupdatecode: 150 Stardust (requires 30 minutes playtime)

    How to Redeem All Star Tower Defense Codes

    Codes expire really fast in the ASTD game on Roblox. That is why as soon as you receive the code, open the game and redeem it. To learn how to redeem codes in All Star Tower Defense, follow the steps below:

    1. To begin, open Roblox and start All Star Tower Defense.
    2. Now, click on the gear icon at the top left of your screen.
    ATSD settings
    1. Once you are in the settings menu, look for the empty “Enter code here” box at the bottom.
    2. Finally, paste the code from the list above and click the “Social rewards” button above to redeem it.
    All star tower defense code redeem section

    Make sure you have reached the required level to redeem the codes. The code will not work, and you will get an error if you have not played the game enough and haven’t achieved the required level.

    Expired ASTD Codes List

    Expired Codes Disclaimer: Codes expire fast in Roblox games. New codes are released during in-game events and special occasions. That’s why use the codes before they expire.

    • UniverseReset
    • NewWorld2
    • TheDrumsOfLiberation
    • TheDrumsOfLiberation2
    • 6billionvisits
    • july4threalupdate
    • sorryfordelayupdate2
    • abouttimesnowrbx2023

    If a code does not work, let us know in the comments below, and we will remove it from our All Star Tower Defense codes list above. The developers share promo codes on every milestone like a specific likes goal or any new update of the game. Moreover, share any codes that we have missed out on in the comments section.

    Ishan Adhikary

    35 Posts

    A storyteller invested in multi-fandom. Loves games, anime, movies, football, wrestling, music and pretty much anything that exists.

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