theverge--2020-10-08--Renders of Google’s gigantic San Jose campus show how it could feel more like a neighborhood

Google is planning to build a gigantic new “ Downtown West ” campus in San Jose , and the company has shared renderings that give an idea of what that space could look like ( via CNBC ) .
Google intends to make the approximately 79-acre area feel less like a traditional corporate campus by creating a mixed-use development with office space , housing , parks , retail space , and more .
One render is the image we ’ ve included at the top of this post , which represents something Google is calling the “ Gateway.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pop-up events as well as an amphitheater that could be used by both Google and the broader community .
Below is a render for a peaceful-looking area called the Creekside Walk , a walkway near a the VTA light rail corridor which would be “ inspired and framed by Los Gatos Creek.
” It looks like it could be quite nice to stroll through : And the “ Meander ” is something that Google is referring to as an “ urban promenade , ” an area that would be closed to cars and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screenings , and other performances .
That all being said , a lot of space would still be reserved for office buildings .
While there will be 5,900 residential “ dwelling units ” and 500,000 gross square feet for things like retail stores , restaurants , and cultural centers , there will be 7.3 million gross square feet of office space , according to Google ’ s 473-page slide Design Standards and Guidelines deck about the proposed campus .
You can get a better idea of what the whole campus could look like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nearly 39-minute YouTube video about the plan : There are also more details about the project on websites from Google and the city of San Jose .
The San Jose City Council is scheduled to consider Google ’ s proposal for final approval in spring 2021 .
This isn ’ t the only ambitious campus Google has in the works .
The company announced a $ 1 billion investment to build a New York City campus in Hudson Square in 2018 and proposed a 40-acre mixed-use area in Mountain View in @ @

Google is planning to build a gigantic new “Downtown West” campus in San Jose, and the company has shared renderings that give an idea of what that space could look like (via CNBC). Google intends to make the approximately 79-acre area feel less like a traditional corporate campus by creating a mixed-use development with office space, housing, parks, retail space, and more.
One render is the image we’ve included at the top of this post, which represents something Google is calling the “Gateway.” The proposed space would have a plaza for pop-up events as well as an amphitheater that could be used by both Google and the broader community.
Below is a render for a peaceful-looking area called the Creekside Walk, a walkway near a the VTA light rail corridor which would be “inspired and framed by Los Gatos Creek.” It looks like it could be quite nice to stroll through:
Image: Google
And the “Meander” is something that Google is referring to as an “urban promenade,” an area that would be closed to cars and have a lawn for hosting events, screenings, and other performances.
Image: Google
That all being said, a lot of space would still be reserved for office buildings. While there will be 5,900 residential “dwelling units” and 500,000 gross square feet for things like retail stores, restaurants, and cultural centers, there will be 7.3 million gross square feet of office space, according to Google’s 473-page slide Design Standards and Guidelines deck about the proposed campus.
You can get a better idea of what the whole campus could look like in this map, taken from Google’s nearly 39-minute YouTube video about the plan:
Image: Google (YouTube)
There are also more details about the project on websites from Google and the city of San Jose. The San Jose City Council is scheduled to consider Google’s proposal for final approval in spring 2021.


theverge--2020-10-08--Roku is bringing its Roku Channel to Amazon Fire TV, which makes sense

The Roku Channel , Roku ’ s free streaming service that offers more than 100,000 ad-supported titles and 115 live TV channels , is now available to Amazon Fire TV users , the company announced today .
And while it may seem odd that The Roku Channel would live on Fire TV devices — Amazon and Roku are direct competitors in set-top-box hardware — it might actually make a lot of sense .
Neither Amazon nor Roku truly rely on hardware sales to boost their TV brands .
Amazon ’ s gadgets have always been a gateway to Amazon ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just need more content to offer its Fire TV on top of its existing channels .
Meanwhile , Roku makes the majority of its revenue through advertising and subscriptions , which is a big part of why it took so long for NBCUniversal ’ s Peacock to roll out on Roku .
It makes sense that the company would want to make the Roku Channel accessible to as many people as possible .
Roku executives announced at the end of the company ’ s second quarter this year that its brand reaches an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If a decent portion of those customers spend time watching The Roku Channel , Roku can make a bigger play for even more advertising revenue .
Roku launched The Roku Channel in 2017 , and has steadily invested in growing it since .
Bringing the channel to Amazon is just one of many steps Roku is taking to get the service in front of as many eyeballs as possible ; Roku is also developing an app for Apple and Android devices , set to roll out this year , to make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phones .
But while Amazon Fire TV owners can now watch Roku Channel content , they still can ’ t subscribe to premium channels or services through the Channel on Amazon — those have to be done on Roku devices .
Roku already hosts Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Music on its devices , too .
Roku is rolling out the Roku Channel to Amazon Fire TV devices , Fire TV smart television sets , and Fire TV Edition sound bars .

The Roku Channel, Roku’s free streaming service that offers thousands of ad-supported titles and 115 live TV channels, is now available to Amazon Fire TV users, the company announced today. And while it may seem odd that The Roku Channel would live on Fire TV devices — Amazon and Roku are direct competitors in set-top-box hardware — it might actually make a lot of sense.
Neither Amazon nor Roku truly rely on hardware sales to boost their TV brands. Amazon’s gadgets have always been a gateway to Amazon’s services, and the company may just need more content to offer its Fire TV on top of its existing channels. Meanwhile, Roku makes the majority of its revenue through advertising and subscriptions, which is a big part of why it took so long for NBCUniversal’s Peacock to roll out on Roku. It makes sense that the company would want to make the Roku Channel accessible to as many people as possible.
Roku executives announced at the end of the company’s second quarter this year that its brand reaches an estimated 43 million people across the US. If a decent portion of those customers spend time watching The Roku Channel, Roku can make a bigger play for even more advertising revenue.
Roku launched The Roku Channel in 2017, and has steadily invested in growing it since. Bringing the channel to Amazon is just one of many steps Roku is taking to get the service in front of as many eyeballs as possible; Roku is also developing an app for Apple and Android devices, set to roll out this year, to make it easier for people to watch on their phones. But while Amazon Fire TV owners can now watch Roku Channel content, they still can’t subscribe to premium channels or services through the Channel on Amazon — those have to be done on Roku devices. Roku already hosts Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Music on its devices, too.
Roku is rolling out the Roku Channel to Amazon Fire TV devices, Fire TV smart television sets, and Fire TV Edition sound bars.


theverge--2020-10-08--Disney’s next Pixar movie will skip theaters for Disney Plus this December

Disney will premiere its next Pixar film , Soul , on Disney Plus this Christmas instead of releasing it theatrically in countries where Disney Plus is available .
The film was originally scheduled to be released in theaters in November , but the coronavirus has disrupted theaters — making Disney Plus a safer bet .
Over the last six months , Disney has tried to find ways to bring its movies to audiences while bypassing traditional theatrical releases .
Disney Plus has become a key distribution method for the the company as theaters remain closed .
Soul is the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theatrical slate to Disney Plus , following Artemis Fowl , Hamilton , and Mulan , which debuted as a Premier Access title for an additional $ 30 .
Soul will not be a Premier title , meaning that it will be free to all Disney Plus subscribers .
Soul will be free to subscribers Like many other studios , Disney is trying to figure out how best to treat its slate of films that need to be released .
The studio recently pushed back Marvel Studios ’ Black Widow to 2021 .
Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in key markets like New York City , Los Angeles , and San Francisco remain closed , and those that are open are working under heavy restrictions .
Plus , studios can ’ t predict consumer behavior .
Warner Bros. released Christopher Nolan ’ s Tenet globally , and while it performed decently overseas , it hasn ’ t seen stellar results in the United States .
Fortunately for Disney , one business that is continuing to grow is Disney Plus .
The streaming service has more than 60 million subscribers worldwide — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expecting to see until approximately 2024 .
When Disney brought Hamilton to its streaming service , the company saw a number of new signups , CEO Bob Chapek told staff in an all hands meeting this past summer .
Soul follows a middle-school music teacher named Joe ( voiced by Jamie Foxx ) who finds himself in a metaphysical world where new souls are created .
Stuck in this new and strange place , Joe teams up with one soul ( voiced by Tina Fey ) to try and explain why life is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping that with families stuck at home , and people needing something to watch , Soul will help boost Disney Plus numbers and keep people watching .

Disney will premiere its next Pixar film, Soul, on Disney Plus this Christmas instead of releasing it theatrically in countries where Disney Plus is available. The film was originally scheduled to be released in theaters in November, but the coronavirus has disrupted theaters — making Disney Plus a safer bet.
Over the last six months, Disney has tried to find ways to bring its movies to audiences while bypassing traditional theatrical releases. Disney Plus has become a key distribution method for the the company as theaters remain closed. Soul is the latest film that Disney has moved from its theatrical slate to Disney Plus, following Artemis Fowl, Hamilton, and Mulan, which debuted as a Premier Access title for an additional $30. Soul will not be a Premier title, meaning that it will be free to all Disney Plus subscribers.
Soul will be free to subscribers
Like many other studios, Disney is trying to figure out how best to treat its slate of films that need to be released. The studio recently pushed back Marvel Studios’ Black Widow to 2021. Part of the issue is that many theaters in key markets like New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco remain closed, and those that are open are working under heavy restrictions. Plus, studios can’t predict consumer behavior. Warner Bros. released Christopher Nolan’s Tenet globally, and while it performed decently overseas, it hasn’t seen stellar results in the United States.
Fortunately for Disney, one business that is continuing to grow is Disney Plus. The streaming service has more than 60 million subscribers worldwide — a number that Disney wasn’t expecting to see until approximately 2024. When Disney brought Hamilton to its streaming service, the company saw a number of new signups, CEO Bob Chapek told staff in an all hands meeting this past summer.
Soul follows a middle-school music teacher named Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx) who finds himself in a metaphysical world where new souls are created. Stuck in this new and strange place, Joe teams up with one soul (voiced by Tina Fey) to try and explain why life is so wonderful.


theverge--2020-10-08--Niagara Falls’ new ferry boats are electric, and they’re not alone

Tourists to Niagara Falls can now ride all-electric ferries past the iconic waterfalls .
The two ferries made their debut in New York on October 6th , fueled by locally generated hydropower .
Their batteries can recharge in just seven minutes as passengers climb on and off the vessels .
The first vessels of their kind The new boats , operated by Maid of the Mist , are among the first vessels of their kind to navigate US waterways .
The first all-electric passenger and car ferry in the US pushed off from the banks of the Alabama River in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are part of a global trend toward electrifying passenger vessels .
“ The electrification of these two brand-new tour boats sets the example that we can electrify our economy which is good for our communities , our health , and our climate , ” Gil Quiniones , president and CEO at the New York Power Authority , said in a statement .
The New York Power Authority and New York State Parks worked with Maid of the Mist to get the boats afloat , while automation company ABB fitted the vessels with battery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a similar carbon footprint as aviation , are trying to rein in planet-heating emissions from traditionally diesel-powered fleets .
Ferries , though , make up just a small slice of carbon dioxide pollution from transportation .
They pumped out roughly 11.6 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2018 , about as much as three coal-fired power plants might produce in a year and not even a third of the annual carbon footprint of a large airline like Delta ( prior to the pandemic ) .
But the diesel-powered boats can be bad for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out soot and nitrogen oxides that boost smog .
Since ferries travel along the same routes over and over again each day , the pollution builds up in nearby communities .
Those frequent , relatively short trips make ferries ideal candidates for replacing diesel engines with rechargeable batteries .
Nordic countries with long seafaring traditions have led the trend .
The first electric car and passenger ferry service in the world began in Norway in 2015 .
Finland retrofitted its oldest operating ferry to become all-electric in 2017 .
Since then , electric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denmark , Spain , India , and Thailand .
More than 70 percent of ferry traffic globally could become all-electric , Anil Srivastava , CEO of the Swiss battery maker Leclanche SA , told Bloomberg Green in January .
“ We ’ ve still got some time before we ’ re going to see an electric boat revolution in the United States , but it ’ s happening in the rest of the world , ” says Patrick Finn , a maritime technology analyst at the consultancy Thetius .
The US is playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build in the United States than anywhere else in the world , according to Finn .
Why the high price tag ?
He points to the controversial Jones Act , a century-old law that mandates that boats moving goods between two US ports be American made .
It would take significant policy changes and investments to fuel a faster shift to electric vessels .
There ’ s a long way to go before electric boats take over the seas There would also need to be major updates to infrastructure to fully electrify ferry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for fossil fuels , needs a makeover to accommodate more renewables .
And you ’ d need charging stations and enough electricity on hand in busy ports .
The Niagara boat tours are lucky enough to cruise past a powerful source of clean energy during each trip — the falls create enough power for 3.8 million homes .
“ That ’ s basically the perfect application [ of all-electric vessels ] , ” says John Nuszkowski , an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of North Florida who grew up not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t quite far enough along yet to replace diesel engines in cargo ships and larger , ocean-faring vessels .
Hybrid boats or those that run on alternative fuels are still more promising when it comes to cutting down pollution at sea .
There ’ s a long way to go before electric boats take over the seas .
But ferries are starting to steer the world toward a greener horizon .

Tourists to Niagara Falls can now ride all-electric ferries past the iconic waterfalls. The two ferries made their debut in New York on October 6th, fueled by locally generated hydropower. Their batteries can recharge in just seven minutes as passengers climb on and off the vessels.
The first vessels of their kind
The new boats, operated by Maid of the Mist, are among the first vessels of their kind to navigate US waterways. The first all-electric passenger and car ferry in the US pushed off from the banks of the Alabama River in 2019. These new, non-polluting voyages are part of a global trend toward electrifying passenger vessels.
“The electrification of these two brand-new tour boats sets the example that we can electrify our economy which is good for our communities, our health, and our climate,” Gil Quiniones, president and CEO at the New York Power Authority, said in a statement. The New York Power Authority and New York State Parks worked with Maid of the Mist to get the boats afloat, while automation company ABB fitted the vessels with battery packs.
The Maid of the Mist boat tours at Niagara Falls will now be aboard fully electric vessels. Image: NY State Parks
Maritime industries, which have a similar carbon footprint as aviation, are trying to rein in planet-heating emissions from traditionally diesel-powered fleets. Ferries, though, make up just a small slice of carbon dioxide pollution from transportation. They pumped out roughly 11.6 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2018, about as much as three coal-fired power plants might produce in a year and not even a third of the annual carbon footprint of a large airline like Delta (prior to the pandemic).
But the diesel-powered boats can be bad for local air quality because they also let out soot and nitrogen oxides that boost smog. Since ferries travel along the same routes over and over again each day, the pollution builds up in nearby communities.
Those frequent, relatively short trips make ferries ideal candidates for replacing diesel engines with rechargeable batteries. Nordic countries with long seafaring traditions have led the trend. The first electric car and passenger ferry service in the world began in Norway in 2015. Finland retrofitted its oldest operating ferry to become all-electric in 2017. Since then, electric passenger vessels have also popped up in Denmark, Spain, India, and Thailand. More than 70 percent of ferry traffic globally could become all-electric, Anil Srivastava, CEO of the Swiss battery maker Leclanche SA, told Bloomberg Green in January.
“We’ve still got some time before we’re going to see an electric boat revolution in the United States, but it’s happening in the rest of the world,” says Patrick Finn, a maritime technology analyst at the consultancy Thetius. The US is playing catch-up because boats are more expensive to build in the United States than anywhere else in the world, according to Finn. Why the high price tag? He points to the controversial Jones Act, a century-old law that mandates that boats moving goods between two US ports be American made. It would take significant policy changes and investments to fuel a faster shift to electric vessels.
There’s a long way to go before electric boats take over the seas
There would also need to be major updates to infrastructure to fully electrify ferry fleets. The aging grid, designed for fossil fuels, needs a makeover to accommodate more renewables. And you’d need charging stations and enough electricity on hand in busy ports. The Niagara boat tours are lucky enough to cruise past a powerful source of clean energy during each trip — the falls create enough power for 3.8 million homes. “That’s basically the perfect application [of all-electric vessels],” says John Nuszkowski, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of North Florida who grew up not far from Niagara Falls.


theverge--2020-10-08--The PlayStation Store is reportedly getting an update later this month

If you prefer buying older PlayStation games over the web or on mobile , you may not be able to do that for much longer .
Sony has informed developers that it plans to revamp its digital storefront for those versions later this month , removing users ’ options to purchase games and DLC released initially on the PS3 , PSP , and Vita from a mobile device or PC , Planète Vita reports .
Effective October 19th , the PlayStation web store will remove that option , according to Planète Vita and the mobile app ’ s update will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will still be allowed to make new purchases for PlayStation legacy titles , but they will have to purchase them directly from PS3 , PSP , Vita , or PS4 gaming consoles .
However , it is important to note that this only applies to new purchases , and any previous purchases for any legacy PlayStation titles and downloadable content will remain accessible through your PlayStation account .
Sony reportedly will also remove the ability to download apps , themes , and avatars for PS4 on both web and mobile , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The PlayStation Store ’ s wish list feature is also being discontinued , so any wish list items you have on there will be removed from your account .
Sony did not immediately reply to a request for comment .

If you prefer buying older PlayStation games over the web or on mobile, you won’t be able to do that for much longer. Sony is sending emails to PlayStation gamers that confirm a revamped digital storefront coming between October 21st and 26th, which will remove users’ options to purchase games and DLC released initially on the PS3, PSP, and Vita from a mobile device or PC. Planète Vita originally reported the news last week, citing developer sources.
The PlayStation web store will remove the option to purchase those games, and the mobile app’s update will be available on October 28th. Users will still be allowed to make new purchases for PlayStation legacy titles, but they will have to purchase them directly from PS3, PSP, Vita, or PS4 gaming consoles. However, it is important to note that this only applies to new purchases, and any previous purchases for any legacy PlayStation titles and downloadable content will remain accessible through your PlayStation account.
Sony will also remove the ability to download apps, themes, and avatars for PS4 on both web and mobile, but they can still be downloaded on the console. The PlayStation Store’s wishlist feature is also being discontinued, so any wishlist items you have on there will be removed from your account.
Here’s the full email in image form:


theverge--2020-10-08--Android’s new sound notifications can let you know when your dog is barking

Android phones can now notify you when they detect certain sounds , which could notify people who are deaf or hard of hearing about important sounds nearby .
If you turn on the feature , called Sound Notifications , you can have your Android phone inform you about some sounds via a push notification , a flash from your camera light , or by making your phone vibrate .
Other devices support Sound Notifications as well , including Wear OS devices , which can send Sound Notifications via text notifications with vibrations .
And they work entirely offline , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can listen for ten different noises : Sound Notifications are already installed on Pixel phones and “ select other Android phones ” and can be turned on from the accessibility menu in settings , according to Google .
You can also get the feature by downloading Google ’ s Live Transcribe app , which can transcribe audio it “ hears ” in real time .
Google added an experimental feature similar to Sound Notifications to the Pixel Buds in August .
The Pixel Buds ’ Attention Alerts can automatically lower the volume of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a baby crying , dog barking , or the siren of an emergency vehicle .

Android phones can now notify you when they detect certain sounds, which could notify people who are deaf or hard of hearing about important sounds nearby.
If you turn on the feature, called Sound Notifications, you can have your Android phone inform you about some sounds via a push notification, a flash from your camera light, or by making your phone vibrate. Other devices support Sound Notifications as well, including Wear OS devices, which can send Sound Notifications via text notifications with vibrations. And they work entirely offline, according to Google.
Google says Sound Notifications can listen for ten different noises:
Smoke and fire alarms
Sirens
Shouting
Baby sounds
Doorbell ringing
Knocking
Dog barking
Appliance beeping
Water running
Landline phone ringing
Sound Notifications are already installed on Pixel phones and “select other Android phones” and can be turned on from the accessibility menu in settings, according to Google. You can also get the feature by downloading Google’s Live Transcribe app, which can transcribe audio it “hears” in real time.


theverge--2020-10-08--Amazon Prime Day 2020: all of our latest coverage

Amazon Prime Day 2020 is upon us , beginning at 12AM PT / 3AM ET Tuesday , October 13th , and lasting through 12AM PT / 3AM ET Wednesday , October 14th .
You know the drill : Amazon is discounting a bunch of products , including tech , for its annual Prime Day that ’ s exclusive to people who are signed up for Amazon Prime .
It usually takes place in July , but the global pandemic is the likely culprit as to why it was pushed to October .
Whether you ’ re just browsing the wares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday shopping done before Black Friday and Cyber Monday come around , we ’ ve gone deep on the deals to provide the best offers available .
You ’ ll find some of the lowest prices on gaming accessories , 4K televisions with OLED panels , chargers , laptops , and much more .
Additionally , we ’ ve covered other non-Amazon retailers that are having deals you should know about .
You can find our growing list of coverage below , and follow @ VergeDeals on Twitter to keep up with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Amazon Prime Day 2020 is upon us, beginning at 12AM PT / 3AM ET Tuesday, October 13th, and lasting through 12AM PT / 3AM ET Wednesday, October 14th. You know the drill: Amazon is discounting a bunch of products, including tech, for its annual Prime Day that’s exclusive to people who are signed up for Amazon Prime. It usually takes place in July, but the global pandemic is the likely culprit as to why it was pushed to October.
Whether you’re just browsing the wares or hoping to get all of your holiday shopping done before Black Friday and Cyber Monday come around, we’ve gone deep on the deals to provide the best offers available. You’ll find some of the lowest prices on gaming accessories, 4K televisions with OLED panels, chargers, laptops, and much more. Additionally, we’ve covered other non-Amazon retailers that are having deals you should know about. You can find our growing list of coverage below, and follow @VergeDeals on Twitter to keep up with the latest deals as they become available.


theverge--2020-10-08--Google might release a $129 Nest thermostat with built-in radar soon

Google is getting ready to release a new $ 129 Nest thermostat that will apparently switch out some of the touch-based controls found on other Nest thermostats for hand gestures , according to a new Bloomberg report .
Bloomberg gave the example of a user swiping their hand up and down near the thermostat to adjust the temperature .
That tech sounds a lot like the motion controls you could activate with the Project Soli radar sensor in the now discontinued Pixel 4 and 4 XL .
And while the newly announced Pixel 5 doesn ’ t have the Soli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did say that the sensor and gestures would be used at some point in the future .
He also suggested the tech was too expensive for the Pixel 5 , which seems curious in light of Bloomberg ’ s report that a new low-end Nest thermostat might include it .
It ’ s also not a total surprise that this rumored new thermostat could have Project Soli-like controls , as a Nest thermostat with a 60GHz radar transmitter appeared in FCC documentation last month .
Right now , the lowest-priced Nest thermostat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 169 , so this rumored new $ 129 model would be $ 40 cheaper .
Bloomberg also said that this apparent new model could have a plastic case , like the Thermostat E , instead of the metal case found on the $ 249 Nest Learning Thermostat .
The new thermostat will go on sale in the coming weeks , according to Bloomberg .

Google is getting ready to release a new $129 Nest thermostat that will apparently switch out some of the touch-based controls found on other Nest thermostats for hand gestures, according to a new Bloomberg report. Bloomberg gave the example of a user swiping their hand up and down near the thermostat to adjust the temperature.
That tech sounds a lot like the motion controls you could activate with the Project Soli radar sensor in the now discontinued Pixel 4 and 4 XL. And while the newly announced Pixel 5 doesn’t have the Soli technology, Google hardware boss Rick Osterloh did say that the sensor and gestures would be used at some point in the future. He also suggested the tech was too expensive for the Pixel 5, which seems curious in light of Bloomberg’s report that a new low-end Nest thermostat might include it.
It’s also not a total surprise that this rumored new thermostat could have Project Soli-like controls, as a Nest thermostat with a 60GHz radar transmitter appeared in FCC documentation last month.


theverge--2020-10-09--Microsoft’s first Xbox Series X commercial features a lot of Halo

Microsoft is launching its marketing campaign for its next-gen Xbox Series X and Series S consoles today .
The theme of the first TV commercial expands on the “ power your dreams ” tagline that Microsoft originally used to unveil the Xbox Series X onstage at the Game Awards back in December .
The minute-long spot features British actor Daniel Kaluuya , known for his roles in Get Out and Black Panther , and a new song by Labrinth — No Ordinary .
It also prominently features Halo imagery , despite the delay of Halo Infinite that was originally intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xbox Series X and Series S. Microsoft is now planning to debut this TV commercial during the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks game on Sunday night .
Microsoft ’ s first Xbox Series X and Series S TV commercial comes nearly two months after Sony kicked off its own PS5 marketing campaign .
Sony opted to focus on the 3D audio support and the PS5 ’ s DualSense controller ’ s support for haptic feedback and adaptive triggers .
The Xbox Series X will now go on sale on November 10th , priced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and less powerful Xbox Series S console , priced at $ 299 .

Microsoft is launching its marketing campaign for its next-gen Xbox Series X and Series S consoles today. The theme of the first TV commercial expands on the “power your dreams” tagline that Microsoft originally used to unveil the Xbox Series X onstage at the Game Awards back in December.
The minute-long spot features British actor Daniel Kaluuya, known for his roles in Get Out and Black Panther, and a new song by Labrinth — No Ordinary. It also prominently features Halo imagery, despite the delay of Halo Infinite that was originally intended to be a launch game for the Xbox Series X and Series S. Microsoft is now planning to debut this TV commercial during the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks game on Sunday night.
Microsoft’s new Xbox TV ad.
Microsoft’s first Xbox Series X and Series S TV commercial comes nearly two months after Sony kicked off its own PS5 marketing campaign. Sony opted to focus on the 3D audio support and the PS5’s DualSense controller’s support for haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.


theverge--2020-10-09--Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review: noise-canceling champion

Bose ’ s original true wireless earbuds , the SoundSport Free , sounded fantastic but were foiled by connectivity problems and audio / video sync issues that the company never fully resolved .
They also lacked active noise cancellation , which is the feature that Bose built its entire brand around .
This allowed Apple , Sony , and others to seize the market with products like the AirPods Pro and WF-1000XM3 earbuds .
But Bose is tired of ceding ground to its competitors , and it ’ s returned with the QuietComfort Earbuds .
Thanks to their completely redone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the frustrations that came with the SoundSport Free buds .
They still sound terrific — and now , they ’ ve got ANC .
It took Bose a while to get here , but the QuietComfort Earbuds deliver the best noise cancellation you can get in true wireless earbuds right now .
The big question is how much that ’ s worth to you .
At $ 279 , the QuietComfort Earbuds are a $ 30 increase over the AirPods Pro and in striking distance of Sennheiser ’ s $ 300 Momentum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has avoided any inherent flaws with the earbuds themselves , there are still minor annoyances like an awkwardly large carrying case and limited onboard controls that lack much customization .
At 0.3 ounces ( 8.5 grams ) each , the QuietComfort Earbuds weigh about the same as Sony ’ s 1000XM3 buds in the ear , but the AirPods Pro ( 0.19 ounces , 5.4 grams ) have them beat for all-day comfort .
Bose ’ s earbuds are also larger than the AirPods Pro in every dimension and stick out further from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same silly degree as the SoundSport Free .
But even if they ’ re not the most discreet or svelte , the QuietComfort Earbuds still feel very good in my ears , thanks to Bose ’ s StayHear Max ear tips , which have an integrated , flexible silicone wing that tucks into the ridge of the ear for added stability .
Both the medium and large-sized ear tips worked for me and created a tight seal , but I ultimately found that mixing the two led to the best extended comfort .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest trying that ! )
Once they ’ re in place , the QuietComfort Earbuds aren ’ t going anywhere , and I ’ d be confident taking them for a run or through an intense gym routine .
They ’ re rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance , so sweat and the occasional splash of water should be fine , but avoid rainstorms .
One thing worth mentioning is the occlusion effect ; since Bose didn ’ t go for a vented design like the AirPods Pro or Pixel Buds with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very tight seal with the QuietComfort Earbuds in , your inside voice might sound louder than normal , and in silent environments , you can hear yourself breathing .
I noticed this when I first started using them , but it ’ s since gone away — either because the fit changed slightly or I ’ ve gotten used to it .
Some people are more sensitive to this stuff than others .
The charging case for the QuietComfort Earbuds is… a lot .
It ’ s nowhere near as compact as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Samsung ’ s Galaxy Buds Plus or Google ’ s Pixel Buds .
( The aforementioned Sennheisers also win out here . )
I realize this is mostly due to the Bose earbuds ’ larger size , but it still makes for an awkward bulge in whatever pants pocket you put them in .
The case ’ s chonk factor isn ’ t a deal-breaker for me , as I always have a backpack with me for stowing it in .
But at twice the thickness of an AirPods case , it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more of a process than usual since Bose put in a latch that you ’ ve got to release by pressing the button on front .
This takes firmer pressure than expected and can get annoying at times .
On the plus side , you won ’ t have to worry about your pricey earbuds skittering across the floor if you drop the case .
The front of the case has five LEDs to indicate battery charge level ; Bose estimates up to six hours of continuous listening time for the earbuds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case .
Those numbers are all very par for the course .
The case supports wireless charging and has a USB-C port if you prefer to plug in for faster top-offs .
( Fifteen minutes of charging can give you two hours of playback time . )
The audio quality and noise cancellation of the QuietComfort Earbuds easily outweigh the headaches from dealing with their awkward case .
Bose has taken a noticeable lead over competitors and is nearing the noise cancellation effectiveness of full-size headphones .
Instead of a simple on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bose lets you choose between 10 levels of noise canceling .
At 10 , these earbuds do an astonishing job of hushing the world around you — better than Apple , Sony , and other competitors .
Street noise just fades away ; the constant hum of an air conditioner or the whir of a fan all but disappears .
I ’ m not traveling much by plane at the moment , but I ’ m certain these would do a better job at muting cabin noise than other earbuds .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noise-canceling mode even when there ’ s no audio playing if you ’ re just looking for some peace and quiet .
On the opposite end , dropping down to zero puts the earbuds into full transparency / ambient mode .
Bose has managed to tie Apple at making it almost feel like you ’ re not wearing earbuds at all .
The transparency mode on the QuietComfort Earbuds sounds incredibly natural and will appeal to people who want a better sense of their surroundings when outside .
When you take out either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ear automatically goes into full transparency — since Bose figures you ’ re probably trying to hear something .
( Music also automatically pauses when an earbud is removed . )
You can double tap on the left earbud to switch between three “ favorite ” levels of noise cancellation .
The defaults are 10 , 5 , and zero .
I didn ’ t see any need to switch those up , but you can set them to whatever you want in the Bose Music app .
Bose also lets you choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left bud : it can either announce battery status or skip to the next song .
Unfortunately , that ’ s where customization of the controls end .
These are the controls you ’ re left with : • Double tap on the right earbud to play or pause audio / answer a phone call • Touch and hold the right earbud to activate Siri or Google Assistant / decline a phone call • Double tap on the left earbud to switch between noise cancellation presets • Long press on the left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the next song And that ’ s it .
There ’ s no way of going back to the last song with the onboard controls , and more frustrating is a complete lack of volume adjustment .
Eagle-eyed Redditors spotted swipe-based volume controls in an early version of the QuietComfort Earbuds ’ user manual , but Bose pulled it from the shipping product .
The company tells me it ’ s still looking into adding volume adjustment through a firmware update , but no decisions have been made .
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when other companies are getting it right in earbuds that cost much less .
But should you buy these , do so under the assumption that nothing ’ s going to change .
If that proves to be the case , I can live with changing the volume on my phone ( or via Siri ) .
In my time testing the QuietComfort Earbuds , connection stability between the buds and my phone has been mostly flawless .
Maybe that ’ s the result of upgrading to Bluetooth 5.1 or other internal changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a major improvement over the SoundSport Free , which suffered frequent audio dropouts .
That ’ s not a concern this time around .
Nor did I notice any audio / video sync mismatches when watching content from YouTube , Netflix , or Prime Video on my phone and laptop .
Bose has successfully tackled the main flaws of its original true wireless earbuds .
Sound quality is still top notch .
Bose isn ’ t shy about sculpting the audio ; the company ’ s Active EQ boosts low and high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still feels dynamic even when you ’ re not cranking it .
The QuietComfort Earbuds are very bass-forward and pack a wallop for hip-hop and EDM tracks .
But the powerful low end also translates well to other genres .
To my ears , these have a wider , richer soundstage than the competition ( perhaps with the exception of Sennheiser ) .
Regardless of what genre you ’ re playing , the highs are detailed without ever coming off as harsh or shrill .
Unfortunately , Bose ’ s app doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EQ for people who don ’ t love the default sound signature .
Custom EQ is an option on the over-ear Noise Canceling Headphones 700 , so it ’ s a bummer not to see it on these premium earbuds .
The QuietComfort Buds also handle voice calls well .
They have a “ self voice ” feature that lets you adjust how much you can hear your own voice on a call so you don ’ t end up speaking too loudly , and they do a nice job of picking up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that others can clearly hear you .
Only the right earbud can be used standalone for calls and audio .
Unfortunately , Bose didn ’ t include multipoint in these earbuds , so they can only pair with one device at a time .
Simultaneous pairing is still rare for earbuds — and a unique strength for Jabra — but when you consider that Apple ’ s AirPods Pro can now automatically and instantly switch between Apple devices , the QuietComfort Earbuds definitely take a usability hit .
Multipoint is a longtime feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for whatever reason , the company ’ s engineers couldn ’ t make it work here .
So yes , Bose ’ s new , almost- $ 300 QuietComfort Earbuds still have downsides .
The earbuds are on the larger side , and their case is an absolute unit .
The onboard controls need improvement .
They lack multipoint .
But there ’ s also plenty of good : Bose has leap-frogged everyone in noise cancellation ( establishing itself as a leader once again ) and come up with great-sounding earbuds that work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to office life and boarding planes regularly , I think that ’ ll be a compelling combo — assuming you ’ re not already carrying around a pair of AirPods Pro or Sony 1000XM3s , that is .

Bose’s original true wireless earbuds, the SoundSport Free, sounded fantastic but were foiled by connectivity problems and audio / video sync issues that the company never fully resolved. They also lacked active noise cancellation, which is the feature that Bose built its entire brand around. This allowed Apple, Sony, and others to seize the market with products like the AirPods Pro and WF-1000XM3 earbuds.
But Bose is tired of ceding ground to its competitors, and it’s returned with the QuietComfort Earbuds. Thanks to their completely redone design, the QuietComfort Earbuds are free from the frustrations that came with the SoundSport Free buds. They still sound terrific — and now, they’ve got ANC. It took Bose a while to get here, but the QuietComfort Earbuds deliver the best noise cancellation you can get in true wireless earbuds right now.
8.5 Verge Score Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $ 279 The Good Best noise cancellation yet among true wireless earbuds
Excellent sound quality
Comfortable, secure fit The Bad Large carrying case
No way to go back to the last track with the earbuds
Can only pair to one device at a time $279 at Best Buy$279 at Amazon$280 at Bose How we rate and review products
The big question is how much that’s worth to you. At $279, the QuietComfort Earbuds are a $30 increase over the AirPods Pro and in striking distance of Sennheiser’s $300 Momentum True Wireless 2. And while Bose has avoided any inherent flaws with the earbuds themselves, there are still minor annoyances like an awkwardly large carrying case and limited onboard controls that lack much customization.
At 0.3 ounces (8.5 grams) each, the QuietComfort Earbuds weigh about the same as Sony’s 1000XM3 buds in the ear, but the AirPods Pro (0.19 ounces, 5.4 grams) have them beat for all-day comfort. Bose’s earbuds are also larger than the AirPods Pro in every dimension and stick out further from the ear — though not to the same silly degree as the SoundSport Free.
Apple’s AirPods Pro are smaller and lighter than the QuietComfort Earbuds, but their noise cancellation isn’t as good.
But even if they’re not the most discreet or svelte, the QuietComfort Earbuds still feel very good in my ears, thanks to Bose’s StayHear Max ear tips, which have an integrated, flexible silicone wing that tucks into the ridge of the ear for added stability. Both the medium and large-sized ear tips worked for me and created a tight seal, but I ultimately found that mixing the two led to the best extended comfort. (There’s a reason manufacturers suggest trying that!)
Once they’re in place, the QuietComfort Earbuds aren’t going anywhere, and I’d be confident taking them for a run or through an intense gym routine. They’re rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance, so sweat and the occasional splash of water should be fine, but avoid rainstorms. One thing worth mentioning is the occlusion effect; since Bose didn’t go for a vented design like the AirPods Pro or Pixel Buds with natural airflow, if you have a very tight seal with the QuietComfort Earbuds in, your inside voice might sound louder than normal, and in silent environments, you can hear yourself breathing. I noticed this when I first started using them, but it’s since gone away — either because the fit changed slightly or I’ve gotten used to it. Some people are more sensitive to this stuff than others.
Bose’s case is substantially thicker than charging cases for many other true wireless earbuds.
The charging case for the QuietComfort Earbuds is… a lot. It’s nowhere near as compact as the AirPods Pro case or the cases for Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Plus or Google’s Pixel Buds. (The aforementioned Sennheisers also win out here.) I realize this is mostly due to the Bose earbuds’ larger size, but it still makes for an awkward bulge in whatever pants pocket you put them in. The case’s chonk factor isn’t a deal-breaker for me, as I always have a backpack with me for stowing it in. But at twice the thickness of an AirPods case, it could be for some.
Opening the case is more of a process than usual since Bose put in a latch that you’ve got to release by pressing the button on front. This takes firmer pressure than expected and can get annoying at times. On the plus side, you won’t have to worry about your pricey earbuds skittering across the floor if you drop the case. The front of the case has five LEDs to indicate battery charge level; Bose estimates up to six hours of continuous listening time for the earbuds themselves, plus two additional charges from the case. Those numbers are all very par for the course. The case supports wireless charging and has a USB-C port if you prefer to plug in for faster top-offs. (Fifteen minutes of charging can give you two hours of playback time.)
Bose retakes the noise cancellation crown
The audio quality and noise cancellation of the QuietComfort Earbuds easily outweigh the headaches from dealing with their awkward case. Bose has taken a noticeable lead over competitors and is nearing the noise cancellation effectiveness of full-size headphones. Instead of a simple on / off toggle like the AirPods Pro, Bose lets you choose between 10 levels of noise canceling. At 10, these earbuds do an astonishing job of hushing the world around you — better than Apple, Sony, and other competitors. Street noise just fades away; the constant hum of an air conditioner or the whir of a fan all but disappears. I’m not traveling much by plane at the moment, but I’m certain these would do a better job at muting cabin noise than other earbuds. You can even use the QuietComfort Earbuds in noise-canceling mode even when there’s no audio playing if you’re just looking for some peace and quiet.
The ear tips have an integrated silicone fin for added stability.
On the opposite end, dropping down to zero puts the earbuds into full transparency / ambient mode. Bose has managed to tie Apple at making it almost feel like you’re not wearing earbuds at all. The transparency mode on the QuietComfort Earbuds sounds incredibly natural and will appeal to people who want a better sense of their surroundings when outside. When you take out either earbud, the one in your other ear automatically goes into full transparency — since Bose figures you’re probably trying to hear something. (Music also automatically pauses when an earbud is removed.)
You can double tap on the left earbud to switch between three “favorite” levels of noise cancellation. The defaults are 10, 5, and zero. I didn’t see any need to switch those up, but you can set them to whatever you want in the Bose Music app. Bose also lets you choose your preferred action for a long-press of the left bud: it can either announce battery status or skip to the next song. Unfortunately, that’s where customization of the controls end. These are the controls you’re left with:
Double tap on the right earbud to play or pause audio / answer a phone call
Touch and hold the right earbud to activate Siri or Google Assistant / decline a phone call
Double tap on the left earbud to switch between noise cancellation presets
Long press on the left earbud to check battery level or skip to the next song
Swipe up or down on the right earbud to increase or lower volume
Bose introduced the onboard volume controls a couple months after the QuietComfort Earbuds originally shipped, and you’ve got to enable them in the Bose Music app before you can use them — otherwise nothing will happen. I haven’t had any problems with the swipes to adjust loudness, so it’s a nice addition. There’s still no way of going back to the last song with the earbud controls, however.
The QuietComfort Earbuds don’t stick out of your ear as far as Bose’s previous SoundSport Free.
In my time testing the QuietComfort Earbuds, connection stability between the buds and my phone has been mostly flawless. Maybe that’s the result of upgrading to Bluetooth 5.1 or other internal changes, but either way, it’s a major improvement over the SoundSport Free, which suffered frequent audio dropouts. That’s not a concern this time around. Nor did I notice any audio / video sync mismatches when watching content from YouTube, Netflix, or Prime Video on my phone and laptop. Bose has successfully tackled the main flaws of its original true wireless earbuds.
AGREE TO CONTINUE: BOSE QUIETCOMFORT EARBUDS Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate. Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds can be used by pairing over Bluetooth — but on iOS and Android, you’ll quickly be encouraged to install the Bose Music app for configuring them and setting your noise cancellation preferences. By doing so, you’re agreeing to: Bose privacy policy
Bose terms of use Bose Music collects diagnostic and usage data, but you can opt out of this in the app’s settings menu. Final tally: two mandatory agreements, one optional agreement on data collection.
Sound quality is still top notch. Bose isn’t shy about sculpting the audio; the company’s Active EQ boosts low and high frequencies at lower volumes so that music still feels dynamic even when you’re not cranking it. The QuietComfort Earbuds are very bass-forward and pack a wallop for hip-hop and EDM tracks. But the powerful low end also translates well to other genres. To my ears, these have a wider, richer soundstage than the competition (perhaps with the exception of Sennheiser).
Three sizes of ear tips come in the box. An array of microphones help the QuietComfort Earbuds pull off their fantastic noise cancellation.
Regardless of what genre you’re playing, the highs are detailed without ever coming off as harsh or shrill. Unfortunately, Bose’s app doesn’t offer any way to adjust the EQ for people who don’t love the default sound signature. Custom EQ is an option on the over-ear Noise Canceling Headphones 700, so it’s a bummer not to see it on these premium earbuds.
The QuietComfort Buds also handle voice calls well. They have a “self voice” feature that lets you adjust how much you can hear your own voice on a call so you don’t end up speaking too loudly, and they do a nice job of picking up your voice and reducing background noise so that others can clearly hear you. Only the right earbud can be used standalone for calls and audio.
The case provides two additional charges (12 hours) of battery life.
Unfortunately, Bose didn’t include multipoint in these earbuds, so they can only pair with one device at a time. Simultaneous pairing is still rare for earbuds — and a unique strength for Jabra — but when you consider that Apple’s AirPods Pro can now automatically and instantly switch between Apple devices, the QuietComfort Earbuds definitely take a usability hit. Multipoint is a longtime feature on Bose’s headphones, but for whatever reason, the company’s engineers couldn’t make it work here.
So yes, Bose’s new, almost-$300 QuietComfort Earbuds still have downsides. The earbuds are on the larger side, and their case is an absolute unit. They lack multipoint. But there’s also plenty of good: Bose has leap-frogged everyone in noise cancellation (establishing itself as a leader once again) and come up with great-sounding earbuds that work reliably. Once the world is back to office life and boarding planes regularly, I think that’ll be a compelling combo — assuming you’re not already carrying around a pair of AirPods Pro or Sony 1000XM3s, that is.
Update December 7th 2:30PM ET: The review has been updated to reflect the new onboard volume controls that Bose added to the QuietComfort Earbuds after their release. The overall score remains unchanged.


theverge--2020-10-09--Netflix’s Haunting of Bly Manor is a puzzle box disguised as a ghost story

Let ’ s just get this out of the way : the follow-up to Netflix ’ s excellent horror series The Haunting of Hill House is nowhere near as scary as its predecessor .
The sequel , dubbed The Haunting of Bly Manor , is still about a house filled with ghosts and people dealing with terrible grief .
And while those ideas can be terrifying on their own , that ’ s not really the point of the show .
Instead , Bly Manor is more of a narrative puzzle box — one where ghosts and the afterlife are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new show has at least a few things in common with Hill House : a sprawling , haunted mansion ; a cast of characters each dealing with some form of grief or loss ; and a premise loosely based on a classic horror story .
( In this case , it ’ s Henry James ’ 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw . )
Even some of the same cast has returned , this time in new roles ( and with new accents ) .
Both stories are about families : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional nuclear family , whereas in Bly Manor it ’ s one that comes together through shared trauma .
These things connect the two series .
But it ’ s not long before Bly Manor establishes its own flavor .
The show focuses on Dani ( Victoria Pedretti ) , an American living in England , who takes on a gig as an au pair at a huge countryside manor .
The job raises some red flags right away : she ’ s charged with taking care of recently orphaned kids Flora ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benjamin Evan Ainsworth ) , whose previous caretaker also died .
Meanwhile , the uncle who hired her refuses to visit the property , and the manor is also home to a cook ( Rahul Kohli ) , gardener ( Amelia Eve ) , and housekeeper ( T ’ Nia Miller ) who help take care of things .
Whereas Hill House was primarily centered on a specific event — the death of the family ’ s mother — Bly Manor isn ’ t quite as straightforward .
Instead , it slowly introduces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each other , until it almost becomes unbearable .
Here are just a few examples : the death of the parents , the uncle ’ s refusal to visit Bly Manor , a housekeeper who seemingly travels through time , a faceless ghost who roams the halls every night , the au pair ’ s debilitating fear of mirrors , and Miles ’ dramatic turn into a troublesome child .
Most episodes are structured like their own ghost story , either introducing or explaining something important .
Like in Hill House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bly Manor ’ s terror is a slow-building one .
Mostly you ’ ll see things like a ghost lingering in the background or a child ’ s dolls that seem to have a life of their own .
Flora ’ s vacant expression is its own kind of horror .
This goes on for seven episodes .
Few of the mysteries are fully explained , so watching becomes a process of keeping track of the details and trying to see how they fit together .
It can get confusing at times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between not only different time periods , but also the real world and memories .
It requires patience as well as faith that the show can actually deliver satisfying answers .
Part of what makes this slow and deliberate build-up work is the cast .
Pedretti , in particular , is incredible , able to seamlessly slip between warm caregiver and a tortured wreck .
Even when there wasn ’ t anything particularly scary happening , the haunted look on her face made me feel uneasy .
Meanwhile , I could spend hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their will-they-won ’ t-they relationship is one of the few warm moments that helps tie the show together — and turn its darker moments into emotional gut punches .
It ’ s the kind of story where even the characters you start off hating have redeemable moments , in part because they ’ re so well cast .
The slow pace also works because there is a satisfying payoff .
The penultimate episode initially starts out like a completely separate ghost tale , one detailing the history of the manor dating back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the key that unlocks the entire story .
Those revelations , which come about so naturally , make up for Bly Manor ’ s lack of pure terror .
It ’ s not the follow-up to Hill House that many are probably expecting .
Instead of offering more of the same , it tells a different kind of ghost story .
Here , secrets are more important than scares .

Let’s just get this out of the way: the follow-up to Netflix’s excellent horror series The Haunting of Hill House is nowhere near as scary as its predecessor. The sequel, dubbed The Haunting of Bly Manor, is still about a house filled with ghosts and people dealing with terrible grief. And while those ideas can be terrifying on their own, that’s not really the point of the show. Instead, Bly Manor is more of a narrative puzzle box — one where ghosts and the afterlife are just another part of the mystery.
The new show has at least a few things in common with Hill House: a sprawling, haunted mansion; a cast of characters each dealing with some form of grief or loss; and a premise loosely based on a classic horror story. (In this case, it’s Henry James’ 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw.) Even some of the same cast has returned, this time in new roles (and with new accents). Both stories are about families: in Hill House it’s a traditional nuclear family, whereas in Bly Manor it’s one that comes together through shared trauma. These things connect the two series. But it’s not long before Bly Manor establishes its own flavor.
The show focuses on Dani (Victoria Pedretti), an American living in England, who takes on a gig as an au pair at a huge countryside manor. The job raises some red flags right away: she’s charged with taking care of recently orphaned kids Flora (Amelie Bea Smith) and Miles (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth), whose previous caretaker also died. Meanwhile, the uncle who hired her refuses to visit the property, and the manor is also home to a cook (Rahul Kohli), gardener (Amelia Eve), and housekeeper (T’Nia Miller) who help take care of things.
Whereas Hill House was primarily centered on a specific event — the death of the family’s mother — Bly Manor isn’t quite as straightforward. Instead, it slowly introduces new mysteries, piling them on top of each other, until it almost becomes unbearable. Here are just a few examples: the death of the parents, the uncle’s refusal to visit Bly Manor, a housekeeper who seemingly travels through time, a faceless ghost who roams the halls every night, the au pair’s debilitating fear of mirrors, and Miles’ dramatic turn into a troublesome child.
Most episodes are structured like their own ghost story, either introducing or explaining something important. Like in Hill House, the jump scares are limited, and Bly Manor’s terror is a slow-building one. Mostly you’ll see things like a ghost lingering in the background or a child’s dolls that seem to have a life of their own. Flora’s vacant expression is its own kind of horror. This goes on for seven episodes. Few of the mysteries are fully explained, so watching becomes a process of keeping track of the details and trying to see how they fit together. It can get confusing at times, especially later on when the show shifts between not only different time periods, but also the real world and memories. It requires patience as well as faith that the show can actually deliver satisfying answers.
Photo: Eike Schroter / Netflix
Part of what makes this slow and deliberate build-up work is the cast. Pedretti, in particular, is incredible, able to seamlessly slip between warm caregiver and a tortured wreck. Even when there wasn’t anything particularly scary happening, the haunted look on her face made me feel uneasy. Meanwhile, I could spend hours watching the banter between Miller and Kohli. Their will-they-won’t-they relationship is one of the few warm moments that helps tie the show together — and turn its darker moments into emotional gut punches. It’s the kind of story where even the characters you start off hating have redeemable moments, in part because they’re so well cast.


theverge--2020-10-09--Hades’ greatest achievement is its brilliantly designed endgame

Much has been said about the genius of Supergiant Games ’ Hades .
The indie game blends the best of multiple genres to create a unique and accessible take on the roguelike formula , while its witty writing and a stellar art style make Greek mythology somehow feel fresh and familiar at the same time .
Perhaps overlooked when praising the variety of its combat or the sharpness of its voice acting is precisely how the game keeps you hooked long after the initial 10 to 15 hours it may take to make your first successful escape out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that length of time and put it down , having gotten enough of it to justify its affordable price tag .
But for many others , that first escape is just the beginning .
Its endgame is a masterfully designed interplay of story , reward mechanisms , and replayability Those who ’ ve played the game in early access know this is a roguelike that deserves 100-plus hours of your time , all without ever feeling like it ’ s repeating itself .
That ’ s arguably Hades ’ greatest achievement : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loop and loot grind most RPGs don ’ t bother to dress up or obscure — what we call endgame — and making it a consistently surprising narrative vehicle .
Hades ’ endgame is the most cleverly designed interplay of story , reward mechanisms , and replayability I ’ ve seen in any game of its kind .
As a roguelike , it is naturally designed to be played over and over again .
Each time you kick off a run offers you the chance to use different weapons , swap out skills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power ups , which in Hades take the form of “ boons ” gifted by one of eight Olympian gods who are best described as a weirdo cabal of your distant relatives .
Yet while most games are content on building an endgame of achievements to strive for or monotonous tasks to fill out a quest log , Hades contains a huge , sprawling story that continues well after you ’ ve “ beaten ” it for the first time .
And Supergiant encourages players to keep traversing down its many winding narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rewards for trying new combinations of weapons , upgrades , god boons , and difficulty modifiers .
( There are , of course , many achievements , collectibles , and other tasks to strive for when you ’ re not progressing the story . )
Trying a new escape approach is literally baked into the story itself .
As the immortal son of Hades , a strapping young guy named Zagreus , you and your underworld cohort of sympathizers band together to help you run away , all just to spend a precious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your mother and learning more about the nature of Olympus , your origins , and your relationship with your father .
Then you die and wake up back at dad ’ s house , destined to do it once more .
As you move through the cycles , characters will comment on your specific failures , bosses will remember you and note your weapon choice , and the Olympians will chime in with clever anecdotes and even take note of which other gods you ’ re drawing power from and whether they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against them .
Your guide to the narrative is Achilles ’ Codex .
It ’ s a handy primer on the Hades universe that helps you keep track of what you ’ ve learned , who ’ ve you met , and what your relationship to that person or quest item is .
You also have the aid of Nyx , your underworld matriarchal figure , who grants you access to the Mirror of Night , a list of permanently upgradeable skills and attributes that make you stronger every time you return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currency called Darkness .
One of the more valuable resources is a drink called Nectar , which you can gift to virtually every character in the game to win their affection , earn equippable items called keepsakes , and eventually unlock hidden quests .
None of this becomes especially pressing or required , save a few mirror upgrades , until after you ’ ve escaped .
‘ Hades ’ makes every act of narrative discovery feel like your own , even if you ’ re following a tidy script behind the scenes But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game makes it clear that you ’ ve learned only a slice of the overall story .
You ’ ll need to keep going back out there to uncover it all .
But Supergiant never outright tells you : “ Equip your most powerful weapon and complete a run on the highest difficulty modifier and you ’ ll progress the story.
” Instead , your training buddy Skelly , a jovial talking skeleton with an inexplicable Brooklyn accent , informs you that you might get better rewards , which in turn unlock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you turn up the “ heat ” on the Pact of Punishment contract your father makes you sign each time you try to escape .
( Those are the difficulty modifiers . )
And doing that means another chance at chatting with Persephone to learn more about your family ’ s hidden past .
Some players may not enjoy such cryptic storytelling ; there is a comforting simplicity in just having a quest log and a point marker telling you what to do and where to go .
But Hades makes these acts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even if you ’ re following a tidy script behind the scenes .
Every scrap of dialogue in the game is worth listening to because — beyond the superb voice acting — these exchanges often tell you a subtle hint about the world , the secrets you have yet to find , and ways to get stronger and more resilient in your escape attempts .
The game that feels closest to Hades in design is 2017 ’ s breakout roguelike Dead Cells .
Though it didn ’ t have much in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did encourage players to play its winding , procedurally generated levels over and over again to unlock new gear and improve their skills .
Developer Motion Twin also locked the few rewarding narrative secrets it did have behind excruciating difficulty modifiers called Boss Cells .
Only by punishing yourself repeatedly could you break through to Dead Cells ’ final level and its secret boss , a feat reserved only for a small fraction of the most hardcore players .
Hades takes an altogether different approach .
The act of experiencing the story shifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through wikis and Reddit , as made popular by Dark Souls and its contemporaries , into the main course .
Supergiant does this by weaving together all of the games ’ reward systems into one sprawling web that incentivizes you to spend your time wisely trying new builds and experimenting with modifiers .
Every time you do practically anything for the first time in ‘ Hades ’ , you ’ re given something valuable Every time you do practically anything for the first time in Hades — like escaping the underworld with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before — you ’ re given something valuable , whether its diamonds for renovating your home base or Titan ’ s blood for upgrading a weapon .
These upgrades either help you become permanently stronger or allow you to tease out more of the narrative ( and oftentimes both simultaneously ) .
There ’ s also a fantastic “ God mode ” that makes the game slightly easier each time you die , letting you experience the story over time without having to worry about how hard everything feels as the heat turns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system of interplaying dialogue trees , cutscenes , and hidden requirements .
While addressing a guide online or consulting its active Reddit community can speed up your progress , just playing the game the way Supergiant gently nudges you to will unfold a steady stream of surprise reveals and story progress .
Reach your father at the end of the underworld using the weapon he once welded against the Titans — a story nugget you can unearth by reading the appropriate codex entry — and you ’ ll discover a sidequest that helps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique version with big narrative consequences .
Give enough nectars to Skelly and you ’ ll reveal a special quest for unlocking a powerful summoning entity , one of many in the game you can only activate after clocking dozens of escape attempts and gifting resources to the right characters to build a stronger rapport .
There ’ s even small narrative sidequests for the Greek mythology nerds out there .
You have the opportunity to spark the flame once more between two former musician lovers by trading messages between them during and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s also some wonderful revisions of popular mythological figures .
I love Supergiant ’ s version of Achilles , a now-forlorn war hero who rejects his status as a celebrity of the underworld , and Thanatos , the very emo-looking son of Nyx and personification of death who resents Zagreus for leaving him alone in the house of Hades .
On the surface , it ’ s easy to see that Hades is traditionally well-designed .
It looks amazing , plays great , and has all the staples of a big-budget production even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraction of the size of a major studio .
But underneath those achievements is something even more impressive : a true gold standard for narrative design and storytelling .
The industry should take more cues from Hades , not only because its low cost of just $ 20 and massive play time make it one of the most rewarding experiences out there , but also because we need more games willing to engage with and fundamentally rethink the act of repetition .
In Hades , repetition is both the point of playing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old .

Much has been said about the genius of Supergiant Games’ Hades. The indie game blends the best of multiple genres to create a unique and accessible take on the roguelike formula, while its witty writing and a stellar art style make Greek mythology somehow feel fresh and familiar at the same time.
Perhaps overlooked when praising the variety of its combat or the sharpness of its voice acting is precisely how the game keeps you hooked long after the initial 10 to 15 hours it may take to make your first successful escape out of the underworld. Some players might play Hades for that length of time and put it down, having gotten enough of it to justify its affordable price tag. But for many others, that first escape is just the beginning.
Its endgame is a masterfully designed interplay of story, reward mechanisms, and replayability
Those who’ve played the game in early access know this is a roguelike that deserves 100-plus hours of your time, all without ever feeling like it’s repeating itself. That’s arguably Hades’ greatest achievement: taking what is traditionally a repetitive feedback loop and loot grind most RPGs don’t bother to dress up or obscure — what we call endgame — and making it a consistently surprising narrative vehicle.
Hades’ endgame is the most cleverly designed interplay of story, reward mechanisms, and replayability I’ve seen in any game of its kind. As a roguelike, it is naturally designed to be played over and over again. Each time you kick off a run offers you the chance to use different weapons, swap out skills, and build a comprehensive arsenal of power ups, which in Hades take the form of “boons” gifted by one of eight Olympian gods who are best described as a weirdo cabal of your distant relatives.
Yet while most games are content on building an endgame of achievements to strive for or monotonous tasks to fill out a quest log, Hades contains a huge, sprawling story that continues well after you’ve “beaten” it for the first time. And Supergiant encourages players to keep traversing down its many winding narrative branches time and again by laying out rewards for trying new combinations of weapons, upgrades, god boons, and difficulty modifiers. (There are, of course, many achievements, collectibles, and other tasks to strive for when you’re not progressing the story.)
Trying a new escape approach is literally baked into the story itself. As the immortal son of the god of the underworld, a strapping young guy named Zagreus, you and your underworld cohort of sympathizers band together to help you run away, all just to spend a precious few minutes on the surface talking to your mother and learning more about the nature of Olympus, your origins, and your relationship with your father. Then you die and wake up back at dad’s house, destined to do it once more.
As you move through the cycles, characters will comment on your specific failures and bosses will remember you and note your weapon choice. Each Olympian, with whom you have a distinct relationship, will chime in with clever anecdotes and even take note of which other gods you’re drawing power from — whether they have a history with or hold a grudge against them, for instance.
Images: Supergiant Games
Your guide to the narrative is Achilles’ Codex. It’s a handy primer on the Hades universe that helps you keep track of what you’ve learned, who’ve you met, and what your relationship to that person or quest item is. You also have the aid of Nyx, your underworld matriarchal figure, who grants you access to the Mirror of Night, a list of permanently upgradeable skills and attributes that make you stronger every time you return to your bedroom and gift it a purple currency called Darkness.
One of the more valuable resources is a drink called Nectar, which you can gift to virtually every character in the game to win their affection, earn equippable items called keepsakes, and eventually unlock hidden quests. None of this becomes especially pressing or required, save a few mirror upgrades, until after you’ve escaped.
‘Hades’ makes every act of narrative discovery feel like your own, even if you’re following a tidy script behind the scenes
But once you do reach the surface, the game makes it clear that you’ve learned only a slice of the overall story. You’ll need to keep going back out there to uncover it all. But Supergiant never outright tells you: “Equip your most powerful weapon and complete a run on the highest difficulty modifier and you’ll progress the story.” Instead, your training buddy Skelly, a jovial talking skeleton with an inexplicable Brooklyn accent, informs you that you might get better rewards, which in turn unlock stronger versions of your weapons, if you turn up the “heat” on the Pact of Punishment contract your father makes you sign each time you try to escape. (Those are the difficulty modifiers.) And doing that means another chance at chatting with Persephone to learn more about your family’s hidden past.
Some players may not enjoy such cryptic storytelling; there is a comforting simplicity in just having a quest log and a point marker telling you what to do and where to go. But Hades makes these acts of narrative discovery feel like your own, even if you’re following a tidy script behind the scenes. Every scrap of dialogue in the game is worth listening to because — beyond the superb voice acting — these exchanges often tell you a subtle hint about the world, the secrets you have yet to find, and ways to get stronger and more resilient in your escape attempts.
The game that feels closest to Hades in design is 2017’s breakout roguelike Dead Cells. Though it didn’t have much in the way of a compelling story, it did encourage players to play its winding, procedurally generated levels over and over again to unlock new gear and improve their skills. Developer Motion Twin also locked the few rewarding narrative secrets it did have behind excruciating difficulty modifiers called Boss Cells. Only by punishing yourself repeatedly could you break through to Dead Cells’ final level and its secret boss, a feat reserved only for a small fraction of the most hardcore players.
Hades takes an altogether different approach. The act of experiencing the story shifts from an ancillary side activity you do through wikis and Reddit, as made popular by Dark Souls and its contemporaries, into the main course. Supergiant does this by weaving together all of the games’ reward systems into one sprawling web that incentivizes you to spend your time wisely trying new builds and experimenting with modifiers.
Every time you do practically anything for the first time in ‘Hades’, you’re given something valuable
Every time you do practically anything for the first time in Hades — like escaping the underworld with a weapon you’ve never succeeded with before — you’re given something valuable, whether its diamonds for renovating your home base or Titan’s blood for upgrading a weapon. These upgrades either help you become permanently stronger or allow you to tease out more of the narrative (and oftentimes both simultaneously). There’s also a fantastic “God mode” that makes the game slightly easier each time you die, letting you experience the story over time without having to worry about how hard everything feels as the heat turns up.
It’s a masterful system of interplaying dialogue trees, cutscenes, and hidden requirements. While addressing a guide online or consulting its active Reddit community can speed up your progress, just playing the game the way Supergiant gently nudges you to will unfold a steady stream of surprise reveals and story progress.
Image: Hades
Reach your father at the end of the underworld using the weapon he once welded against the Titans — a story nugget you can unearth by reading the appropriate codex entry — and you’ll discover a sidequest that helps transform it into a more powerful and unique version with big narrative consequences. Give enough nectars to Skelly and you’ll reveal a special quest for unlocking a powerful summoning entity, one of many in the game you can only activate after clocking dozens of escape attempts and gifting resources to the right characters to build a stronger rapport.
There’s even small narrative sidequests for the Greek mythology nerds out there. You have the opportunity to spark the flame once more between two former musician lovers by trading messages between them during and after your escape attempts. There’s also some wonderful revisions of popular mythological figures. I love Supergiant’s version of Achilles, a now-forlorn war hero who rejects his status as a celebrity of the underworld, and Thanatos, the very emo-looking son of Nyx and personification of death who resents Zagreus for leaving him alone in the house of Hades.
On the surface, it’s easy to see that Hades is traditionally well-designed. It looks amazing, plays great, and has all the staples of a big-budget production even though the team at Supergiant is a fraction of the size of a major studio. But underneath those achievements is something even more impressive: a true gold standard for narrative design and storytelling.


theverge--2020-10-09--Charming DIY project adds 3D-printed joysticks and triggers to a PS4 controller

After delighting us with his 3D-printed joystick and throttle , which turned an Xbox One controller into a DIY HOTAS ( hands on throttle-and-stick ) setup , YouTuber Akaki Kuumeri has returned with a new version that works with the PS4 ’ s Dualshock 4 controller .
This time , there ’ s the option of having two joysticks and no throttle , plus thumbsticks and triggers to press the controller ’ s shoulder buttons and triggers .
The added triggers are great for playing flight combat games like the recently released Star Wars Squadrons , where you ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The joysticks ’ triggers and buttons use lengths of string to press the controller ’ s buttons , which Kuumeri admits can feel a little flimsy .
Other designs add joysticks and throttles to Xbox or Nintendo controllers If you want to give the project a try , then Kuumeri ’ s design is available to download on Thingiverse .
There are also versions with a throttle or no triggers if you ’ re not planning on doing any shooting , and alternative designs are available for the Xbox 360 controller , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s currently no trigger-equipped version for the Xbox One ’ s controller , Kuumeri says he ’ s open to making one if there ’ s demand .
The designs might not be able to match the sturdiness or features of a standalone flight stick , but if you ’ re only planning on playing a flight game once in a while , then they could offer a nice improvement over a standard controller .

After delighting us with his 3D-printed joystick and throttle, which turned an Xbox One controller into a DIY HOTAS (hands on throttle-and-stick) setup, YouTuber Akaki Kuumeri has returned with a new version that works with the PS4’s Dualshock 4 controller. This time, there’s the option of having two joysticks and no throttle, plus thumbsticks and triggers to press the controller’s shoulder buttons and triggers.
The added triggers are great for playing flight combat games like the recently released Star Wars Squadrons, where you’ll need them for shooting down enemy ships. The joysticks’ triggers and buttons use lengths of string to press the controller’s buttons, which Kuumeri admits can feel a little flimsy.
Other designs add joysticks and throttles to Xbox or Nintendo controllers
If you want to give the project a try, then Kuumeri’s design is available to download on Thingiverse. There are also versions with a throttle or no triggers if you’re not planning on doing any shooting, and alternative designs are available for the Xbox 360 controller, and Nintendo Switch Pro controller. Although there’s currently no trigger-equipped version for the Xbox One’s controller, Kuumeri says he’s open to making one if there’s demand.


theverge--2020-10-09--Microsoft is letting employees work from home permanently

Microsoft is allowing its employees to work from home permanently .
While the vast majority of Microsoft employees are still working from home during the ongoing pandemic , the software maker has unveiled “ hybrid workplace ” guidance internally to allow for far greater flexibility once US offices eventually reopen .
The Verge has received Microsoft ’ s internal guidance , and it outlines the company ’ s flexible working plans for the future .
Microsoft will now allow employees to work from home freely for less than 50 percent of their working week , or for managers to approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the permanent remote work option will give up their assigned office space , but still have options to use touchdown space available at Microsoft ’ s offices .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us to think , live , and work in new ways , ” says Kathleen Hogan , Microsoft ’ s chief people officer , in a note to employees .
“ We will offer as much flexibility as possible to support individual workstyles , while balancing business needs , and ensuring we live our culture.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily take advantage of the less than 50 percent working from home option , some roles will be difficult , or even impossible , to permanently transition to remote .
Microsoft highlights a few roles that still require access to the company ’ s offices , including those that require access to hardware labs , data centers , and in-person training .
Employees will also be allowed to relocate domestically with approval , or even seek to move internationally if remote working is viable for their particular role .
While Microsoft employees will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remote work , compensation and benefits will change and vary depending on the company ’ s own geopay scale .
Microsoft will be covering home office expenses for permanent remote workers , but any that decide to move away from Microsoft ’ s offices will need to cover their own relocation costs .
Flexible working hours will also be available without manager approval , and employees can also request part-time work hours through their managers .
Microsoft ’ s move to more flexible working comes months after the company notified employees that its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 2021 at the earliest .
Microsoft originally allowed its employees to work from home back in March before enforcing a mandatory work from home policy as the pandemic spread across Seattle and further into the US .
Microsoft isn ’ t alone in allowing employees to permanently work remotely .
Facebook is shifting tens of thousand of jobs to remote work , and CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed to The Verge that up to half of employees could work remotely within five to 10 years .
Update , October 9th 8:50AM ET : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work from home options at Microsoft .

Microsoft is allowing more of its employees to work from home permanently, the company announced Friday. While the vast majority of Microsoft employees are still working from home during the ongoing pandemic, the software maker has unveiled “hybrid workplace” guidance internally to allow for far greater flexibility once US offices eventually reopen. The Verge has received Microsoft’s internal guidance, and it outlines the company’s flexible working plans for the future.
Microsoft will now allow employees to work from home freely for less than 50 percent of their working week, or for managers to approve permanent remote work. Employees who opt for the permanent remote work option will give up their assigned office space, but still have options to use touchdown space available at Microsoft’s offices.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us to think, live, and work in new ways,” says Kathleen Hogan, Microsoft’s chief people officer, in a note to employees. “We will offer as much flexibility as possible to support individual workstyles, while balancing business needs, and ensuring we live our culture.”
While most employees will be able to easily take advantage of the less than 50 percent working from home option, some roles will be difficult, or even impossible, to permanently transition to remote.
Microsoft’s hardware labs. Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Microsoft highlights a few roles that still require access to the company’s offices, including those that require access to hardware labs, data centers, and in-person training. Employees will also be allowed to relocate domestically with approval, or even seek to move internationally if remote working is viable for their particular role.
While Microsoft employees will be allowed to move across country for remote work, compensation and benefits will change and vary depending on the company’s own geopay scale. Microsoft will be covering home office expenses for permanent remote workers, but any that decide to move away from Microsoft’s offices will need to cover their own relocation costs. Flexible working hours will also be available without manager approval, and employees can also request part-time work hours through their managers.
Microsoft’s move to more flexible working comes months after the company notified employees that its US offices wouldn’t reopen until January 2021 at the earliest. Microsoft originally allowed its employees to work from home back in March before enforcing a mandatory work from home policy as the pandemic spread across Seattle and further into the US.
Microsoft isn’t alone in allowing employees to permanently work remotely. Facebook is shifting tens of thousand of jobs to remote work, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed to The Verge that up to half of employees could work remotely within five to 10 years.
Update October 9th, 3:47PM ET: Added a link to Microsoft’s official announcement about the policies.


theverge--2020-10-09--IBM will spinoff legacy business to focus on cloud and AI services

IBM is splitting into two public companies , with a spin-off handling the firm ’ s legacy IT infrastructure work , allowing IBM to focus on new high-margin businesses , particularly cloud services and AI .
The 109-year-old company announced the news this week , which follows CEO Arvind Krishna ’ s longterm plan to streamline the sprawling business .
Krishna took the reins of IBM in April 2020 after working on its $ 34 billion acquisition of open source software firm Red Hat from 2018 onwards .
Red Hat ’ s software is key to IBM ’ s new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just the latest divestment of unfavorable businesses in IBM ’ s long history In a call with analysts , Krishna presented the split as the latest in a long line of divestments by IBM , as the company has sought to find more profitable ground throughout its long history .
“ We divested networking back in the ‘ 90s , we divested PCs back in the 2000s , we divested semiconductors about five years ago because all of them didn ’ t necessarily play into the integrated value proposition , ” said Krishna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new company — which has the placeholder name “ NewCo ” in official documents — will have roughly 90,000 employees and $ 19 billion in revenue .
( IBM as it current stands has roughly 352,000 workers . )
When the spin-off is completed , which IBM says will take place before the end of 2021 , NewCo will automatically become the world ’ s “ leading managed infrastructure services provider , ” with a client list of some 4,600 customers that covers more than 75 percent of the Fortune 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on its hybrid cloud platform , which the firm says represents a $ 1 trillion market opportunity .
Right now , the cloud market is dominated by Amazon and Microsoft , but continues to see strong growth , particularly as the global pandemic encourages remote work .
“ With tighter integration and focus on its open hybrid cloud and AI solutions , IBM will move from a company with more than half of its revenues in services to one with a majority in high-value cloud software and solutions , ” said IBM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuters , market analyst Moshe Katri of Wedbush Securities said the split was a smart move .
“ IBM is essentially getting rid of a shrinking , low-margin operation given the cannibalizing impact of automation and cloud , masking stronger growth for the rest of the operation , ” said Katri .

IBM is splitting into two public companies, with a spin-off handling the firm’s legacy IT infrastructure work, allowing IBM to focus on new high-margin businesses, particularly cloud services and AI.
The 109-year-old company announced the news this week, which follows CEO Arvind Krishna’s longterm plan to streamline the sprawling business. Krishna took the reins of IBM in April 2020 after working on its $34 billion acquisition of open source software firm Red Hat from 2018 onwards. Red Hat’s software is key to IBM’s new hybrid cloud offerings.
The split is just the latest divestment of unfavorable businesses in IBM’s long history
In a call with analysts, Krishna presented the split as the latest in a long line of divestments by IBM, as the company has sought to find more profitable ground throughout its long history. “We divested networking back in the ‘90s, we divested PCs back in the 2000s, we divested semiconductors about five years ago because all of them didn’t necessarily play into the integrated value proposition,” said Krishna, according to a report from Reuters.
The new company — which has the placeholder name “NewCo” in official documents — will have roughly 90,000 employees and $19 billion in revenue. (IBM as it current stands has roughly 352,000 workers.) When the spin-off is completed, which IBM says will take place before the end of 2021, NewCo will automatically become the world’s “leading managed infrastructure services provider,” with a client list of some 4,600 customers that covers more than 75 percent of the Fortune 100.
IBM will be split into IBM and NewCo by the end of 2021. Image: IBM
The new IBM will be mostly focused on its hybrid cloud platform, which the firm says represents a $1 trillion market opportunity. Right now, the cloud market is dominated by Amazon and Microsoft, but continues to see strong growth, particularly as the global pandemic encourages remote work.
“With tighter integration and focus on its open hybrid cloud and AI solutions, IBM will move from a company with more than half of its revenues in services to one with a majority in high-value cloud software and solutions,” said IBM in a press release.