Microchip has released the LAN887x family of single-pair gigabit Ethernet transceivers adding to their line of Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) devices. This new family of transceivers supports 100BASE-T1(compliant with IEEE 802bw-2015) and 1000BASE-T1(compliant with IEEE 802.3bp) network speeds and can handle extended cable lengths up to 40 meters. They also integrate time-sensitive networking (TSN) protocols and comply with ISO 26262 functional safety standards. Additionally, they can operate in low-power mode with features like EtherGREEN technology and OPEN Alliance TC10 sleep mode. All these features make this IC useful for applications such as automotive, industrial, avionics, robotics, and automation fields.

Microchip previously released the LAN8770 100BASE-T1 Ethernet PHY Transceiver which has a max cable length of 15 meters for UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable and 40 meters for STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cable. The speed was limited to 100 Mbps, but now, with the release of the new 1000BASE-T1 ethernet controllers, the data transmission speed has been significantly increased to 1 Gbps.

Microchip’s Ethernet single-pair transceiver specifications

• Device – LAN887x family of Ethernet PHY Transceiver
  • LAN8870 with RGMII and SGMII interfaces, extended cable reach for 1000BASE-T1 Type B (up to 40 meters)
  • LAN8871 with RGMII interface and similar features as LAN8870, but does not support the extended cable reach for Type B (See Cable reach section for details).
  • LAN8872 with SGMII interface and similar features as LAN8870, but does not support the extended cable reach for Type B.
• Supported standards
  • IEEE 802.3bw-2015 (100BASE-T1)
  • IEEE 802.3bp-2016 (1000BASE-T1)
  • OPEN Alliance TC10 (ultra-low power sleep and wake-up)
  • IEEE 802.1AS-2020 (Time-Sensitive Networking)
  • IEEE 1588-2019 (Precision Time Protocol)
• MAC interfaces – RGMII and SGMII
• Cable reach
  • Type A – At least 15 meters
  • Type B (LAN8870B only) – At least 40 meters (potential for even longer reach)
• Power management
  • FlexPWR technology for variable I/O and core power supply
  • EtherGREEN energy-efficient technology
• Diagnostics
  • Cable defect detection
  • Receiver Signal Quality Indicator (SQI)
  • Over-temperature and under-voltage protection
  • status interrupt support
  • Loopback and test modes
• Misc
  • Microchip Functional Safety Ready
  • MicroCHECK design review service available
  • Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) ready
• Temperature range
  • Automotive Grade 2: -40°C to +105°C
  • Industrial: -40°C to +85°C
• Package – 48-pin VQFN (7 x 7 mm) with wettable flanks

The main differences between the three ICs are the MAC interface support and 1000BASE-T1 Type B capability. The LAN8870 supports both SGMII and RGMII, whereas the LAN8871 supports only RGMII, and the LAN8872 supports only SGMII. Only LAN8870 supports 1000BASE-T1 Type B with cable reach up to 40 meters. But the LAN8871 and LAN8872 do not support this feature. you can check out the datasheet for the LAN887x family for more information.

Extending single-pair Ethernet cables to 40 meters automatically introduces signal loss and timing issues to the network. The transmitted signal tends to weaken over longer distances which causes errors, especially in noisy environments. Additionally, maintaining proper impedance to avoid signal reflections becomes more difficult, which requires careful design and potentially increasing costs. So I would take the “with cable reaches beyond the IEEE 802.3bp standard of up to at least 15 meters for type A and up to at least 40 meters for type B.” with a grain of salt.

The company mentions that the chips are designed for low power consumption so they have introduced EtherGREEN technology and  EN Alliance TC10 ultra-low-power sleep mode together the standby power of this chip goes as low as 16 µA. Additionally, this chip has support for RGMII and SGMII interfaces for design flexibility and simple integration with a wide range of MCUs and SoCs.

At the time of writing the company does not provide any pricing information for the new single-pair gigabit Ethernet transceivers, but you can find a little more information on the Microchips product page or the press release.

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YouTuber “EDISON SCIENCE CORNER” has designed yet another Arduino UNO clone but with a twist as the board is made out of a flexible PCB.

Companies like JLCPCB, PCBWay, and others have been offering flexible PCB manufacturing services for a while, mostly for flat cables or small boards that need to fit around a case, but the Flexduino is a complete Arduino UNO clone made of a flex PCB, and it looks rather cool.

The flexible Arduino board does work as shown with the RGB LED and power LED in the photo above and YouTube video below, but its usefulness is rather limited, and some corners had to be cut as for instance there’s no ground plane.

Nevertheless, it’s a nice demo of flexible PCB technology.  The video on the EDISON SCIENCE CORNER channel provides a short demo, shows how the PCB was designed (EasyEDA), and go through the ordering and assembly process. The project files for the Flexduino haven’t been shared as far as I can tell.

Via Hackster.io, Reddit, and Facebook.

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Renesas Electronics has introduced the RRH62000, a compact multi-sensor module for indoor air quality monitoring. It integrates particle detection, VOC, and gas sensing with an onboard Renesas MCU for sensor management. The module is designed for use in air purifiers, smoke detectors, HVAC systems, weather stations, and smart home devices.

The RRH62000 is an integrated sensor module that measures key air quality parameters, including particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), Indoor Air Quality Index (IAQ), estimated carbon dioxide (eCO2), temperature (T), and relative humidity (RH). These measurements are combined into a single package, with digital outputs available for each sensor, enabling simultaneous measurement. The module features a six-pin connector for easy plug-and-play integration.

The RRH62000 is available with the RRH62000-EVK evaluation kit, which simplifies the testing of the integrated sensor module. The module measures critical air quality parameters and connects to a Windows PC via USB. The evaluation kit includes a USB cable, ESCom board, RRH62000 sensor module, and a Quick Start Guide.

 Renesas RRH62000 module specifications

• MCU – Onboard Renesas microcontroller
• Integrated multi-sensor module for air quality monitoring
  • Particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10)
    • Detects particle sizes from 0.3 µm to 10µm
    • Mass concentration measurement range: 0 to 1,000 µg/m³
    • Mass concentration resolution: 1 µg/m³
    • Number concentration range: 0 to 3,000 particles/cm³
  • Gas Sensor (ZMOD4410)
    • TVOC measurement range – 160 to 10,000 ppb
    • IAQ measurement range – 1 to 5 IAQ
    • Estimated CO2 (eCO2) range – 400 to 5,000 ppm
  • Humidity and Temperature Sensor (HS4003)
    • Humidity range: 0 to 100% RH
    • Humidity accuracy: ±5 to ±7% RH (20% to 80% RH range)
    • Temperature range: -40°C to 125°C
    • Temperature accuracy: ±0.4°C to ±0.55°C (-10°C to 80°C range)
• Host interfaces – I2C and UART
• Connector – ACES 51468-0064N-001 connector for data output and power
• Power Supply
  • Input voltage: 4.5V to 5.5V
  • Current consumption during measurement – Max. 60mA
  • Current consumption during cleaning – Max. 70mA
  • Sleep mode current – Max. 50µA
• Dimensions – 46.6 x 34.8 x 12 mm
• Temperature Range
  • Operating temperature: -10 to 60°C
  • Storage temperature: -40 to 75°C
• Humidity range – 0-90%RH, non-condensing
• Qualified according to JEITA ED-4701
• Siloxane resistant
• Protected module housing
  • Dust accumulation prevention
  • High-speed fan self-cleaning mechanism

Renesas RRH62000-EVK specifications

• MCU – Renesas RA4M2
  • Core – Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller @ 100MHz
  • SRAM – 128KB
  • Code flash memory – up to 512 KB
  • Data flash memory – 8KB
  • Package – 48-pin LQFP
• Connectivity
  • USB Type-C connector for connecting the communication board to the user’s computer
  • PMOD Connector (Female) for additional sensors via I2C interface
  • PMOD Connector (Male) for Renesas MCU EVKs
  • 14-pin connector for connecting the environmental sensor boards to the ESCom communication board
• Compatible Sensors
  • ZMOD4410 & RRH46410 for TVOC, IAQ
  • ZMOD4510 for O3, NO2, OAQ
  • ZMOD4450 for RAQ
  • HS3001 & HS4001 for RHT
  • FS3000 for Air velocity
  • RRH62000 for PM, TVOC, RHT
• Misc
  • Power LED – Blue when power is ON
  • Status LED –  Blue when ESCom is connected, blinks green when communication takes place
• Power Supply
  • 5V via USB-C connector for internal power
  • 1.8V to 3.3V supply with external power supply pin
• Dimensions – TBD

The RRH62000-EVK software, ES-Eval, provides a user-friendly graphical interface for configuring and evaluating the RRH62000 environmental sensor module. It features blocks for measurement control, sensor selection, algorithm configuration, signal analysis, and real-time data visualization, allowing users to easily manage and monitor the sensor’s performance. The software also automatically checks for and installs firmware updates for the ESCom communication board upon startup, ensuring optimal functionality. Users can download ES-Eval from the Software Downloads section on the Renesas website.

The documentation for the kits includes a quick start manual, a list of components (BoM), circuit diagrams, and PCB design files for development and production purposes. all can be found on their respective product pages.

Earlier, we covered the STM32-based Indoor Air Quality Sensor, which connects to Raspberry Pi or Arduino. We also wrote about the Qsen-07, the AirGradient One, and Studio LUFF’s Air Quality Sensor, which is built around the ESP32-S3 wireless module. Feel free to check those if you are interested.

At the time of writing, I can see that all the major distributors have this board available on their websites including Mouser where the RRH62000 module is available for $38.08 and RRH62000-EVK is sold for $100.

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MYIR has recently introduced MYC-LMA35 industrial SoM and its associated development board built around the Nuvoton NuMicro MA35D1 microprocessor with two Arm Cortex-A35 cores and one Arm Cortex-M4 real-time core for processing. The SoM comes in a BGA package with connectivity options such as dual Gigabit Ethernet, cellular connectivity, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and various other interfaces like RS232, RS485, USB, CAN, ADC, GPIO, and more. All these features make this SoM and its associated dev board useful for demanding edge IIoT applications like industrial automation, energy management systems, smart city infrastructure, and remote monitoring solutions.

Previously we have seen MYIR introduce various SoM and development boards like the MYC-LR3568 Edge AI SoM, and the MYC-YF13X SoM and we have also written about similar industrial dev boards such as the Firefly ROC-RK3576-PC, the Nuvoton NuMicro M2L31 development board, and many more. Feel free to check those out if you are interested in the topic.

MYC-LMA35 industrial SoM and MYD-LMA35 development board specifications

• MYC-LMA35 SoM specifications
  • SoC – Nuvoton NuMicro MA35D16A887C microprocessor
    • 2x Arm Cortex-A35 cores running up to 800 MHz
    • 1x Arm Cortex-M4 processor core running up to 180 MHz
    • 2D Graphic Engine (GFX), LCD controller with a resolution of up to 1080p
    • H.264 Video Decoder and JPEG Image Decoder
  • Memory:
    • On-chip SRAM 384 KB (Cortex-A35 256 KB + Cortex-M4 128 KB)
    • 256MB DDR3L (MCP DDR)
  • Storage
    • 256MB NAND flash
    • 8GB eMMC flash
    • 32KB EEPROM
  • USB – USB 2.0 high-speed host and device
  • Networking – 2x Gigabit Ethernet MAC (GMAC)
  • Other peripherals
    • Peripheral DMA (PDMA)
    • I2C
    •  SDIO3.0
    • JTAG
    • Up to 190x GPIOs
    • Serial – CAN FD, Low-power UART, RS485
    • Audio – I2S
    • Enhanced PWM (EPWM), 32-bit Timer PWM
    • Quadrature Encoder Interface (QEI)
    • Enhanced Capture (ECAP)
    • HMI – KeyPad Interface (KPI), 4/5-Wire Touch
    • Enhanced Analog-to-Digital Converter (EADC), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)
  • Security
    • TrustZone
    • Secure Boot
    • Trusted Secure Island (TSI) – Run-Time Integrity Checker (RTIC)
    • Cryptographic – AES, SHA, ECC, RSA, SM 2/3/4 TRNG
    • KeyStore
    • One-Time-Program (OTP) Memory
    • Tamper Detection Pins
    • CMOS Sensor Interface
  • Misc – Real-Time Clock (RTC)
  • Package – 252-pin LGA expansion interface
  • SoM Dimension – 37 x 39mm
• MYD-LMA35 dev board specifications
  • Storage – MicroSD card slot
  • Display – RGB display interface (Supports MYIR’s MY-LCD70TP-C LCD Module with Capacitive Touch Screen)
  • Camera – Parallel CSI interface
  • Networking
    • 2x gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports
    • Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Module
    • M.2 socket and 2x SIM card slots for 4G/5G LTE module (USB-based)
  • USB
    • 2x USB 2.0 host ports
    • 1x USB 2.0 OTG port
  • Serial Interface
    • 6x RS232 (isolated)
    • 6x RS485 (isolated)
    • 4x CAN Interfaces (w/ isolation)
  • Expansion
    • 30-pin GPIO expansion header
    • 2x Digital Input ports, 2x Digital Output ports
    • 1x ADC Interface
  • Debug – 3x Debug Interfaces (one for Cortex-A35 core, one for Cortex-M4 core, one for SWD)
  • Misc – Reset, User, Power buttons
  • Dimensions – 150 x 110mm
• Power
  • 12V/2A DC (baseboard)
  • 5V/1A DC (SoM)
• Temperature Range – -40°C to 85°C

In terms of software, the company provides SDK featuring Linux 5.10, which includes u-boot, the kernel, and drivers in source code format which makes it easy to develop applications for the dev board. Moreover, the company also mentions there will be support for Debian and OpenWrt in the future. The documentation also includes pinout descriptions, certifications, and 3D STEP files of the MYC-LMA35 industrial SoM.

The Nuvoton NuMicro MA35D1 industrial SoM is available with either 256MB NAND flash for $39.80 or 8GB eMMC for $45.80. The MYD-LMA35 dev board goes for $99.00 with 256 MB NAND flash and $105 with 8GB eMMC flash. You can find more details and purchasing information on the product page.

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For mobile gaming news this week, Apple Arcade has revealed a wealth of updates to their mobile titles with three new title announcements, and mobile darling Genshin Impact is finally heading to Xbox.

Mobile gaming has had yet another busy week in August, with Gamescom ONL 2024 launching a wealth of news on the gaming landscape for fans to dive into. Probably the most surprising is Genshin Impact has received a release date of November 2024 for Xbox. However, no release has been announced yet for the mobile Nintendo Switch despite HoYoverse announcing it for Switch way back in January 2020.

Aside from that, Apple Arcade has upped its offerings with three new titles launching in September 2024, which were announced this week, and a boatload of updates for its existing titles.

This Week in Mobile Gaming For August 24

Apple Arcade has Announced Three New Titles For Mobile!

• Monster Train+ by Good Shepherd Entertainment – Good Shepherd Entertainment is bringing their lightning-in-a-bottle title to Apple Arcade from Steam, making it a true mobile gaming experience. Players must defend the burning pyre from the celestial forces of heaven as monsters would. This title functions as a roguelite deck-building game and introduces a new strategic layer with three vertical playing fields to defend. The ‘plus’ version for Apple Arcade also includes The Last Divinity DLC, adding a new clan and challenges to the fray.
• NFL Retro Bowl ’25 by New Star Games – Retro Bowl is coming back to mobile gaming, and it’s exclusive to Apple Arcade in NFL Retro Bowl ’25. The newly revamped title brings full NFL licensing to the title, allowing NFL fans to utilize their favourite athletes in the game, just like Madden 25‘s Franchise Mode, Retro Bowl allows NFL fans to create their own dynasty by choosing their favourite official NFL teams and taking them the distance.
• The last new game announced for Apple Arcade is Puzzle Sculpt by Schell Games, an Apple Vision Pro and Apple Arcade exclusive that brings coziness to an already cozy space of a living room. Players can look around and solve puzzles while completely relaxed in this new title. There are many puzzles to solve and challenges to overcome with an ever-increasing difficulty that ramps with the player’s skill.

Other Mobile Gaming Updates Coming to Apple Arcade

• Vampire Survivors+ Introduces a new stage called Room 1665, doubling as a Challenge stage made of 16 rooms that will challenge players to fight the floors as a crucible. This update also adds two new character skins — ‘Unbinded Imelda’ and ‘Retired Poe’ — with new Darkanas modifiers. 
• TMNT Splintered Fate now lets players pair four controllers to enjoy four-player couch co-op on the same device. With new cross-platform support, four-player online co-op can now happen on any platform.
• Temple Run: Legends introduces customization with new unlockable Outfits and a new Outfit System. Outfits also grant wearers buffs during specific runs, proving that the sneakers matter when foot racing.
• SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit adds the conclusion of the latest Tales of the Deep called Inner Machinations of the Thoughtless Mind.
• Simon’s Cat – Story Time lets players try out the new Summer Search Party event to earn daily rewards for finding beach balls in the gardens. 
• Fruit Ninja Classic+ blasts off a Jetpack Joyride 2-themed in-game event, where players can earn the Jetpack Blade and Moon Tombs Dojo from joyride, but in Fruit Ninja Classic+.
• A Slight Chance of Sawblades+ celebrates International Dog Day (August 26) with an all-new canine character and dog-themed background. 
• Disney Coloring World+ lets players join the Muppets in a new colouring pack.

Mobile Gaming news hasn’t wrapped just yet. Disney Dreamlight Valley Arcade Edition also brings the new free and paid expansion to mobile devices this week, capping off A Rift in Time (and Jaffar’s time as the big bad). With that, though, mobile gaming news ends this week. Fans looking for all of the additions and where to check them out can visit the official Apple Arcade website.

Fan Expo Canada 2024 had a great variety of cosplayers, activations, shopping, panels and guests throughout the convention weekend.

This year was star-studded and packed with so many great guests! Fan Expo Canada 2024 kicked off with many attendees flocking to the Toronto Metro Convention Centre. CGMagazine was able to capture the most important part of the show: the fans! The fans brought a great assortment of cosplay clothing, offering both sophisticated looks and zany ones. Many of them ranged from some of the hottest anime series, TV/film, comics, video games and more.

Fan Expo Canada 2024 comes back back swinging harder than ever post-pandemic, even bringing back the Xbox exhibit! There are many new and returning celebrities and special guests too, such as Barbie and Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings star Simu Liu, Emily Swallow, Giancarlo Esposito and Temuera Morrison from The Mandalorian/The Book of Boba Fett, and so much more. On top of that many installations and fun prizes are to be won throughout the con. This collection captures the general minutiae of the whole convention across the whole weekend.

Fan Expo Canada 2024 Thursday Kick-Off

Fan Expo Canada 2024 Friday Rush

Fan Expo Canada 2024 Saturday Bonanza

After I reviewed the NapCat smart video doorbell last June, the company asked me to review a wireless NVR with solar-powered security cameras and I understood I would receive a kit with four solar-powered cameras and an NVR with storage preinstalled.

In this review, I’ll go through an unboxing, a quick teardown of the NVR, the installation process, and my experience with the Napcat NVR user interfaces (connected to HDMI) and the Napcat Life Android app which I also used with the video doorbell.

Napcat wireless NVR N1S22 kit unboxing

The package I’ve received reads “N1S22” model of a “Solar-powered Security Camera System” and is quite smaller than I expected.

One reason for the small size is that my kit only comes with two cameras instead of four, and the company also did a good job of making everything take as little space as possible. On the net, you’ll see it advertised as a “4K security camera system”, but the included 2.4 GHz WiFi cameras only have a resolution of just 2680×1620 (5MP).

The kit features a compact wireless NVR (center in the photo below), a 12V/2A power adapter for the NVR, an Ethernet cable, an HDMI cable, a USB mouse, two battery-powered security cameras, two small solar panels each with a 3-meter USB-C expansion cord and a solar mounting bracket,  as well as a pack of screws, a reset needle pin, some stickers, and a quick start guide.

The NVR system features an HDMI port, an Ethernet RJ45 jack, a USB port for the mouse, a Reset pinhole, a USB port for storage, a microSD card slot (fitted with a 64GB microSD card), and a 12V DC jack.

The bottom side says the Napcat N1 is an 8-channel WiFi network video recorder.

The bottom cover is attached to the main unit through a magnet. You can press on the left or right side to take it out. From there you’ll find the QR code to add the NVR to the Napcat Life app, as well as a SATA tray secured by a screw and suitable for 2.5-inch SATA drives. I’ll just be using the provided microSD card for this review.

The front of the camera has some infrared LEDs, a spotlight (yellow), two indicator lights (red and green), a photosensitive sensor, a hole for a microphone, a PIR motion sensor, and a hole for the speakers on the bottom.

The bottom side of the “B220” camera has waterproof covers for a microSD card slot and a USB-C port for power. Since the videos will be recorded to the NVR, I did not add a microSD card to the cameras. I precharge the cameras with a USB power adapter before installation and connection to the solar panels.

Napcat N1 teardown

The NVR is easy to teardown, so I went ahead and we can see it’s based on a MediaTek MT7628DAN MIPS processor on a module attached to two interesting metal antennas… The main processor is under a heatsink, but it did come off easily, so I left that alone.

The bottom side features the SATA connector for a 2.5-inch hard drive.

Napcat wireless NVR setup

Before installing the cameras, we should make sure everything works first. So I connected the NVR to my router through Ethernet, added the mouse and an HDMI monitor, and connected the power supply.

We are asked to set up a password as the first configuration step. But this needs to be done with the mouse and a software keyboard that pops up. Not ideal. I tried to connect a USB keyboard to the storage port, but it did not work. I was too lazy to type a password with the software keyboard using the mouse, so I went to the Napcat Life mobile app for configuration. I first scanned the QR code under the device after tapping on “+ Add Device” in the app, and went through the configuration wizard.

After the NVR is properly detected, we’re asked to enter a device name, select the time zone, and we’re good to go… Just make sure to disable any VPN including Adblockers you may have when adding the device or it will fail (based on my experience with the video doorbell).

Now that the configuration is done, I went back to the display connected to the NVR and was just asked to input the password I had set in the mobile app.

Somehow, I had to confirm the time zone and date/time formats again…

… before selecting the storage device.

Finally, I was presented with the QR code, but I didn’t need it at this point, so I clicked on “Finish”.

Our two cameras can be seen in a 3×3 Mozaic for eight cameras, so everything is working, and it’s time to install the cameras in strategic locations.

Napcat B220 solar-powered security cameras installation

There are various ways to install the cameras. I installed the first camera on the wall directly, and since I don’t have a ladder that would allow me to safely place the solar panel on the roof, I attached it to the cover of an old water pump in an area that gets sun a few hours a day. I did not use the solar panel bracket at all.

I install the second camera the same way but used the solar panel bracket to install the second solar panel in a location that gets sun a couple of hours a day.

At first, I felt the camera holder for the camera was insecure and a bird or strong winds could potentially bring it down, but then I noticed there was also a thread to insert a screw and keep it properly secured.

One other method is placing the camera directly into the solar panel bracket, but this would not have worked in my case due to the locations of the cameras not getting any sun at all. It’s also possible to mount it on the holding bracket provided with the kit, but that is probably not suitable for outdoor use since the holding bracket is simply placed on the surface and there aren’t any screws to secure it.

Napcat wireless NVR user interface

Once the installation is complete, we can go back to the NVR and check out the interface. Our two cameras are properly shown, but the live window shows paused videos because the cameras are only active when a person, vehicle, or motion is detected in order to save power and extend the battery life.

We can manually start each stream by clicking the blue play button with the mouse. We are asked to enter the NVR password each time we want to start using the device after a period of inactivity. I tried to disable it in the configuration menu but was unable to find a suitable option.

Nighttime capture also works well in black and white. The camera also has a color night vision option, but the spotlight is rather weak, so colors are not as good as a product like the Foscam SPC.

Besides the “Live” window, we can access other menus by clicking the Home icon on the top left corner of the display.

The Playback menu enables the other to check videos by day, watch them, and edit them as needed.

The Search menu is similar, but more useful, as it will show the more recent videos each with a thumbnail showing the person that was detected.

Clicking a video will enlarge the video and we can perform the same operations as in the Playback window…

… including zooming in on suspect individuals…

The Configuration section has various options for channel settings, display settings, encoding, privacy protection to define those where recording should be hidden, and camera maintenance.

The Events and Alarm option should that only pedestrian detection is enabled by default. Vehicle detection and motion detection are both turned off, but that’s fine in the current location of the cameras since car can’t access those locations or disabling motion detection extends the battery life.

I haven’t shown all configuration menus here, but everything is pretty standard. The NVR can be connected to WiFi instead of Ethernet if indeed, as in all battery-powered WiFi cameras I’ve tested so far ONVIF and RTSP are not supported since they are better suited to cameras operating 24/7.

I still did a quick test to see what would happen if I turned off my broadband router, meaning the NVR would exclusively operate in the LAN without access to the Internet. Everything worked like before. I could play the live videos, and human detection is working fine. Since it rained at the time, I also used an umbrella in a way that prevented the camera from seeing my face and upper body, but a pedestrian was still detected properly.

Napcat Life app

I connected the broadband router and went to the Napcat Life app. The settings are pretty common except for a few items.

I first went to the message notification section because I would not receive any notifications on my phone, but everything seems fine, and I’m unable to make that work. I can only manually check notifications when I get inside the app.

The Deterrence section also intrigued me… It’s used to enable the siren and strobe lights, but it did not work until I went to the Smart Event->Pedestrian & Vehicle Detection, and manually set Deterrence to ON there.  The siren is quite loud, you can listen to it in the video below.

The rest of the app is pretty much standard and similar to the NVR interface with a Live and a Playback section…

You can select from some of the latest videos, or filter the videos for a given day.

Sadly, Download does not seem to work properly as it’s telling me the file will be downloaded to “Person Center->Albums”, but I’m unable to find any videos after download. It’s the exact same issue as in the Napcat smart video doorbell review two months ago… It’s disappointing.

Conclusion

The Napcat wireless NVR works reasonably well and is easy to install with solar-powered security cameras so no cabling is required through the house. Like most/all? recent security cameras, it supports AI features such as pedestrian and vehicle detection greatly reducing the number of false positives.

The camera outputs can be visualized through the NVR connected to an HDMI display and mouse, or through the Napcat Life mobile app for Android or iOS. The system works offline without access to the internet when visualizing the cameras from the NVR’s display.

Like other battery-powered WiFi cameras, I’ve tested the Napcat cameras do not support standard streaming protocols such as ONVIF or RTSP which means you are dependent on the company staying in business, at least when using the mobile app. I understand that ONVIF may not be suitable for battery-powered cameras, but I’ve tested cameras from five different vendors, and each requires its own app. I wish some standard like Matter could be more widespread. Another very disappointing issue is the download feature does not work from the mobile app, so it’s unclear how people can save important videos if needed.

I’d like to thank Napcap for sending the N1S22 wireless NVR kit for review. The kit can be purchased on Amazon for $299.99 after ticking on the $70 discount, and kits with four and six cameras go for $479.99 (with $100 discount) and $759.99 (no discount) on the same page.

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Studio Imugi has given fans a brief glimpse at their new upcoming title, Bonaparte, which answers the question ‘What if the French Revolution had Steampunk Gundam?’

Studio Imugi has finally unveiled their debut strategy simulator, Bonaparte, an homage to the former Revolutionary’s skill in identifying weaknesses in opposing battle plans, placing the player firmly in control. My knowledge of the French Revolution comes from two sources: college history courses and the 2006 film Marie Antoinette. This means I know practically nothing.

However, one thing is certain—France did not have ‘steampunk Gundams’ as their main force. This is where Bonaparte introduces a paradigm shift to the French Revolution formula. Studio Imugi has also released a trailer to coincide with their announcement, which you can view below.

Bonaparte places the player firmly in the commander’s seat, allowing them to not only make battlefield decisions but also wield a politician’s greatest weapon: diplomacy. The trailer showcases an in-battle scene where Céline Bonaparte discusses her allegiance—whether to the subjects of France or the mighty monarchs—adding a notable Fire Emblem feel to the turn-based combat. These decisions will likely lead to battles playing out differently, considering “Rewrite History” is central to Bonaparte‘s identity.

What sets this strategy simulator apart is the reliance on advanced machines to decimate the enemies of France, we are talking Steampunk-humanoid-shaped vehicles that use weaponry (similar to Code Geass‘s nightmare frame, or Neon Genesis Evangelion units) to rule the battlefield. This title allows the player to enter the capable boots of either Céline or César Bonaparte and change the course of history by siding with notable historical figures (like Marie Antoinette) or taking up arms against them.

Bonaparte launches at a TBD date in 2025, and fans can check out their Steam page for more info.

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Read the full article on GamingOnLinux.

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The Netgotchi network security scanner is a simple, compact device based on an ESP8266 wireless microcontroller with a single goal: to defend your home network from intruders and potential bad actors. It is described as “Pwnagotchi’s older brother,” a network guardian that keeps your network safe instead of penetrating it.

If you are unfamiliar with Pwnagotchi, it is an A2C-based (advantage actor-critic) “AI” that can penetrate Wi-Fi networks using WPA key material obtained from passive sniffing or de-authentication attacks. The Netgotchi is a reverse Pwnagotchi that alerts you to intruders or breaches in your network. It runs on a simple microcontroller and cannot employ reinforcement learning like the Pwnagotchi. Rather, it pings the network periodically and reports any new potential security threats.

The device’s design is as simple as its purpose. It is an ESP8266 microcontroller connected to an OLED display and running an Arduino .ino script, enclosed in a 3D-printed case. It is powered via USB and does not contain batteries, so an external power bank is required for portable use.

The Netgotchi software is open-source and available in ESP32 and ESP8266 versions in the GitHub repository, alongside an installation guide. The device has been tested and is compatible with Minigotchi firmware. Minigotchi is a currently archived project that is essentially a tiny Pwnagotchi, and performs deauth attacks and advertisements.

The Netgotchi scanner is limited to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks and will scan compatible networks at intervals. It scans hosts for vulnerable services such as Telnet, FTP, SSH, and HTTP and marks them as “WRNG!” to indicate a potential security risk. The “WRNG!” indicator can be toggled on or off using the securityScanActive flag. The Honeypot functionality exposes a service to lure potential intruders and triggers an alarm when breached. The scanner features a web interface and supports a headless mode for cyberdecks and other devices.

The Netgotchi network security scanner is priced at $69 on Tindie and comes pre-assembled with a USB cable in the box. Multiple color options are available on request. Due to the device’s open-source nature, there is no post-sale warranty.

There aren’t a lot of open-source devices aimed primarily at identifying security threats on your home network, but you may be interested in deauthentication hardware such as the Flipper Zero add-on, the Marauder Pocket Unit, and the Deauther Watch X.

The post ESP8266-powered Netgotchi network security scanner aims to protect your home network appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Rotten Tomatoes is a trusted source that aggregates all review scores for film and TV and this week, they announced a change in the site’s viewable ratings.

First off, for the uninitiated, Rotten Tomatoes serves the internet as a source to head to when looking for not one but multiple reviews on a hit TV show or film that has been released. The site even goes as far back to show how older films have done in the past, with review aggregations of films like 1994’s The Crow letting fans compare it to the recently released film also called The Crow (with a new ensemble). The site focuses on giving critics a communal voice, certifying whether films are ‘fresh’ or ‘rotten,’ hence Rotten Tomatoes.

This week, the review site underwent a drastic change that has watered down its audience score system. The new system is referred to as ‘The Popcornmeter’. The new designations show films branded with “Verified Hot,” “Hot,” or “Stale,” depending on the feedback of the Verified Audience. The new Verified Hot rating will be reserved for films and TV that score 90% or higher initially, and it will stay hot until the score falls below 80%.

How does one become a verified audience member? Rotten Tomatoes says they will verify the audience in attendance by using Fandango ticket purchases. It’s worth mentioning that RT is owned by the US Fandango platform. With this move, it appears the site favours the Fandango ticketing service due to their connection, but RT is working on collaborating with other platforms to verify purchases as well.

Recently, ‘review bombing’ has gone mainstream. Angry fans have taken to Rotten Tomatoes, IMDB, and other sites to unleash their fury when things don’t go their way. The steep difference in scores between RT’s Star Wars: The Acolyte‘s critical review and audience review could be one instance. Other instances show fans openly and brazenly targetting titles like Helldivers 2 on Steam and blasting the ‘1-star’ button due to behind-the-scenes operations (in this case, Sony requiring PC players to need a PS Network account to play the title). In this sole case, they walked back the decision and Helldivers 2 can be played on Steam without the need for a PSN account.

Either way, implementing the new rule stifles the audience score for better or worse. Fans can check out the rules rollout on the official Rotten Tomatoes website.

For the first time in World of Warcraft history, Blizzard has given both tickets to Beta and early access periods to War Within Epic Edition buyers, and the early access has just begun!

The early access period for the World of Warcraft: The War Within has begun, and players who have purchased either the physical collector’s edition or the Epic Edition digital bundle can dive right into the action four full days early. World of Warcraft launched a specialized cinematic trailer to prep Azeroth inhabitants for the upcoming expansion, which can be seen below.

World of Warcraft: The War Within Key Features

• Explorers will be able to head to the new continent of Khaz Algar, which lies off the western shores of Pandaria. Within the continent lies the surface-level city of Dornogal, which will serve as the new main city hub of the expansion. Expeditious adventurers can explore what dwells beneath the surface of the city in the lava-fuelled forge of The Ringing Deeps, the Hallowfall, and the Nerubian society monument, Azj-Kahet.

• Hero Talents will be introduced in The War Within. They are a new class feature that allows more levels of class specialization customization. Hero Talents are modelled after well-known archetypes from the Warcraft universe, including Dark Ranger, Farseer, and more.
• A new world content feature is being added to World of Warcraft, and it is called Delves. These are small adventures seamlessly integrated into the world (similar to delves in The Elder Scrolls Online), which scale to support 1-5 players and offer a new rewards track in the Great Vault.
• Introduced as dragon riding in Dragonflight, the function will be expanded into sky riding, allowing a larger number of mounts to be used. This system will allow more mount types to be used in mid-air, and the previous flight system will now be referred to as steady flight.

World of Warcraft: The War Within launches globally on August 26, but for those who have early access, It starts today. More info can be found on the official website.

ALLPCB is an ideal PCB manufacturer for PCB professionals and businesses thanks to additional customization options compared to competitors, monthly discounts for business users, and post-delivery payment options, besides ultra-fast delivery services and quality assurance services.

ALLPCB customization options

ALLPCB excels at higher specification boards and more complex PCB designs, which is why ALLPCB provides more customized quote options than competitors. Let’s take JLCPCB, one of ALLPCB’s main competitors, as an example starting with “Surface Finish” options for FR-4 material.

JLCPCB offers three options, namely HASL (with lead), LeadFree HASL, and ENIG, but ALLPCB offers a total of 12 different surface finish options.

That would the the same first three as in JLCPCB, but also OSP, Bare Copper, Immersion Tin, Immersion Silver, Gold Plating, ENEPIG, OSP+ Selective ENIG, Lead-free HASL + Selective ENIG, and Lead-free HASL + Selective Gold Plating

ALLPCB also offers a PTH (Plating Through Hole) copper thickness option from 18um and 35um that’s missing from the JLCPCB website.

You can discover more customization options such as selecting our prepreg for various applications on ALLPCB’s online quote system.

A business-friendly PCB manufacturer

ALLPCB has a business verification program designed to enhance efficiency and reduce costs for business users. It offers business users monthly discounts and post-delivery payment options. After the verification, a business can have net 30-day payment terms to help with their cash flow. Also, they can enjoy ALLPCB prototyping services each month for a minimum cost of 1$.

ALLPCB’s PCB batch order prices are highly competitive. Aluminum PCBs start at $50 per square meter, and 6-layer PCBs start at $110 per square meter.

The company also recognizes the importance of time to market. ALLPCB offers significantly faster delivery times compared to industry standards. For example, 6-layer board batch orders (under 5 square meters) can be produced in just 3 days, while aluminum PCB batch orders (under 10 square meters) are produced in 2 days. This is 3-5 days faster than what competitors typically provide.

Quality assurance is equally important and all solder masks are even and thick, PCBs have smooth edges, and silkscreens are clear and accurate.

Give ALLPCB a try for just $1 with 1-6 layer PCB

If you think your business might benefit from ALLPCB PCB manufacturing services, you can have the opportunity to test the service for just $1 for an order of 5 pieces with up to 6 layers and a size of up to 150x100mm. You can check out the ordering process in our previous article about the promotion.

The post ALLPCB – An ideal PCB manufacturer for PCB professionals and businesses (Sponsored) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Avowed & Obsidian Entertainment’s Art Director, Matt Hansen took to the Iron Lords podcast to reveal some “juicy” information about the upcoming title.

Obsidian Entertainment’s next title, Avowed, is coming out this February 2025. Ahead of the big release, Obsidian Entertainment’s Art Director Matt Hansen and Production Director Ryan Warden have jumped onto the IGN Iron Lords podcast to reveal some upcoming information about the title.

Hansen explains that Avowed development is focusing on getting the title to run at a crisp 30fps and getting to 60fps would be a hard task even for the more robust Xbox Series X console. He even goes so far as to say that as a first-person single-player title, “you don’t necessarily need that 60 frames.” Below is the latest story game trailer revealed by Obsidian back at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024.

Hansen continues with an explanation of how smooth gameplay is paramount to the overall experience, which is why they’re targeting 30fps. He says “[The 30fps] allows us to get a lot juicier with VFX and lighting and all this other stuff. It’s a trade-off we opted to make relatively early, and we’re really happy with that. The game’s running pretty smooth for how visually dense it is, and that was always our goal.” The notion is that Obsidian would rather have Avowed run excellent at 30fps than choppy at 60fps. The recent single-player release of Black Myth Wukong has also been said to run smoothly at 30fps.

Other Xbox-published titles like Starfield and Hellblade 2 have launched at 30fps as well, to help avoid input or performance issues they could trip on. While Starfield has since seen an update that brings the performance near 60fps, Hellblade 2 still has yet to receive an update, but this means Avowed can also launch at 30fps and get an update later on to boost visual fidelity.

Avowed launches on February 18, 2025 for Xbox Series S/X and PC.

South Korean publisher KRAFTON is probably best known for titles such as PUBG and The Callisto Protocol. Recently, however, in an effort to bolster their gaming portfolio, they’ve turned heads by saving studio Tango Gameworks from being shut down by Microsoft. With that goal in mind—to expand on their offerings—KRAFTON has been hard at work on inZoi: a life simulation game developed using Unreal Engine 5 and boasting a variety of creative tools. If this brings The Sims to mind, you’d be encouraged to know that the inZoi team is well aware of the comparison, the overall goal for their virtual world being to combine Sims and SimCity and add some innovative features to boot.

Having spent 5 hours playing an early build of the game, I found that what they’re trying to do rightfully sounds too good to be true. With some more polish and work on tightening its elaborate systems, inZoi might just rise up to its lofty ambitions and carve a place for itself within the genre. Nevertheless, on start-up, inZoi begins with the explanation that the player is working as a “trainee god” for an in-game tech giant.

“For now, despite some frustrations, inZoi is largely an enjoyable experience.”

According to the tutorials, referred to in-universe as the “onboarding”, being a said trainee god involves creating Zoi, the game’s name for the inhabitants of its digital world, and ensuring that they have good relationships with others and the environment. Failure to do so would result in “a meeting with the CEO”.

With this warning in mind, I began work on my Zoi in earnest, trying my hardest to make the perfect digital version of myself. The final result, I think, looks more like YouTuber hasanabi than me, but that’s not the fault of the character creation tool, which is genuinely amazing. Beyond getting the basics right, inZoi’s character creator is mindful of the details. This might not sound like a big deal at first, but put together, these small choices make for a customisable experience that already makes inZoi stand out from the rest.

This dedication to the minutiae can also be seen when it comes down to the city-building element. Whereas not as elaborate as something like SimCity, I was pleasantly surprised by what inZoi allowed me to do. To give just an extreme example, I decided that the main park in town should have a high density of cats, pandas and…crocodiles. To my great disappointment, the crocodiles, from what I could tell, had no effect gameplay-wise as they were simply content meandering here and there. In any case, after maybe 3 hours of fine-tuning, it was finally time for some action.

What took me by immediate surprise when taking control of my Zoi was that I was able to maneuver him as if he were a character in a third-person action-adventure game. I still had to issue other commands with a click of the mouse, but still, this added to my immersion. This being said, inZoi was dropping frames left and right and continued to do so during my time with it despite running it on a decent PC.

Another issue was the overall game logic, as all the Zoi I encountered were often making inexplicable decisions. My Zoi, when left to his own devices, was obsessed with deep cleaning his house even though it was brand new and squeaky clean.

To test the AI further, I decided to see how easy interactions with other Zoi were and, to my amusement, I was able to get the character I created married to someone he had just met and spent the last half of an in-game day (or about ten real-life minutes) complimenting. Now, I’m not necessarily opposed to love at first sight, but the ease with which I made this happen reminded me of the OG Sims, which reflects a bit badly on inZoi.

“Whereas not as elaborate as something like SimCity, I was pleasantly surprised by what inZoi allowed me to do.”

For now, despite some frustrations, inZoi is largely an enjoyable experience. The team over at KRAFTON have a lot of work left, yes, but what I’ve played so far is encouraging. My hope for the game, which is set to release in Early Access later this year, is that the developers remain committed to seeing through their ambitious vision. Time will tell if that will indeed be what happens.

inZoi is set to launch in Steam Early Access in 2024. Make sure to check out all things gamescom here on CGMagazine.

Some of the newer Espressif Systems wireless SoCs such as the ESP32-H2 and ESP32-C6 support Zigbee through their built-in 802.15.4 radio. It’s been working since the release of the ESP-IDF 5.1 framework along with the ESP-Zigbee-SDK for a while, but Arduino support was less straightforward.

But this is about to change as an Espressif engineer nicknamed P-R-O-C-H-Y has recently added a Zigbee wrapper library for the ESP-Zigbee-SDK to Arduino Core for ESP32 that works with ESP32-C6 and ESP32-H2 as standalone nodes and other SoC can be used as radio co-processor attached to an RPC (802.15.4 radio layer).

The wrapper library currently supports the following:

• Zigbee classes and all Zigbee roles
• Zigbee network scanning
• Allow multiple endpoints on the same Zigbee device (not tested yet)
• Supported Home Assistant devices
  • On/off light + switch
  • Color Dimmable light + switch
• Setting Manufacturer and model name

Other tasks currently planned include supporting “Temperature sensor + Thermostat” Home Assistant devices, updating ported examples to use the Zigbee library, and writing documentation… While the latter is still missing, you’ll find four basic Arduino code samples for the following Zigbee devices: a light bulb, a light switch, a temperature sensor, and a thermostat.

You can follow the progress of the port on GitHub or even contribute if you are interested in adding to the features. Over time this could potentially benefit open-source Arduino projects such as Tasmota which could add support for ESP32-C6 and ESP32-H2’s Zigbee connectivity on top of existing support for Zigbee MCUs from Texas Instruments (CC253X, CC26x2, CC13x2) and Silicon Labs (EFR32MG12/EFRMG21).

Thanks to Hedda for the tip.

The post Arduino Core for ESP32 gets a Zigbee wrapper library appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Waveshare has recently introduced the PCIe to MiniPCIe GbE USB3.2 HAT+ for Raspberry Pi 5 adding gigabit Ethernet, a mini PCIe socket for 4G LTE, and two USB 3.2 Gen1 ports to the popular Arm single board computer. The HAT+ is compatible with IM7600G-H-PCIE/EG25-G-mPCIe series 4G LTE modules with 4G/3G/2G global band and GNSS positioning. Additionally, it has a gigabit Ethernet with an onboard RJ45 port, two USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, an onboard power monitoring chip, and EEPROM. All these features make this HAT useful for applications such as industrial routers, home gateways, set-top boxes, industrial laptops, industrial PDAs, and much more.

We have previously written about many different types of HATs for the Raspberry Pi 5 designed by Waveshare including the Waveshare UPS HAT (E), the Waveshare PoE HAT (G), the Waveshare PCIe to USB 3.2 HAT+, and many other products. Feel free to check those out if you are interested in different types of HATs for the Raspberry Pi 5.

Waveshare PCIe to MiniPCIe GbE USB3.2 HAT+ specifications:

• Compatibility – Designed for Raspberry Pi 5, driver-free, plug-and-play
• Host Interface – 16-pin PCIe FFC connector for interfacing with the Raspberry Pi 5
• Networking
  • Ethernet – RJ45 Ethernet port that supports Gigabit connectivity via Realtek RTL8153B chip
  • Mini PCIe slot for 4G modules (SIM7600G-H-PCIE / EG25-G-mPCIe series compatible) and Nano SIM card slot
    • 4G/3G/2G support (with compatible 4G module)
      • LTE Cat-4: up to 150 Mbps downlink / 50 Mbps uplink
      • 3G (HSPA+): up to 42 Mbps downlink / 5.76 Mbps uplink
      • 2G (GPRS/EDGE): up to 236.8 Kbps downlink/uplink
    • GNSS positioning (with compatible 4G module) – GPS, BeiDou, Glonass, GALILEO, QZSS, LBS
• USB
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 ports driven by VL805 PCIe to USB 3.2 Gen1 HUB IC
  • USB Type-C interface for 4G networking, firmware updates, or external power supply
• GPIO – Raspberry Pi GPIO header
• Misc
  • Onboard power monitoring chip (INA219)
  • EEPROM
  • DIP switches for power control and USB signal direction
  • LED indicators for power and network status
• Power Supply – 3V ~ 3.6V (5V through USB)
• Dimensions – 65 x 56 mm
• Operating Temperature – -40°C to +80°C

While it’s great to have a multi-interface HAT+ board, the PCIe interface of the Raspberry Pi 5 only supports up to PCIe Gen3 x1 with a maximum bandwidth of 8 Gbps. This HAT adds Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps), two USB 3.2 Gen 1 (2x 5 Gbps theoretical), and a 4G LTE module (variable bandwidth depending on network conditions) to the Raspberry Pi 5. So, there’s a good chance that the Pi’s PCIe bandwidth could become a bottleneck if you’re trying to max out the speeds of multiple interfaces simultaneously.

So, If you’re planning on using this HAT for demanding applications, then you should consider the Raspberry Pi 5’s PCIe bandwidth and plan accordingly.

As the device is plug-and-play the company mentions that the board supports Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, OpenWrt, and other operating systems with reliable network speeds. Waveshare also provides installation instructions and demos on how to use the power monitoring IC with the Raspberry Pi 5.

The board has an operating temperature range of -40°C to +80°C and can be used for industrial applications such as rugged IPCs and digital signage, as well as routers, laptops, and tablets used in industrial settings. But bear in mind that Raspberry Pi Limited did not specify an operating temperature range for the Pi 5.

The PCIe TO MiniPCIe GbE USB3.2 HAT+ is available on Aliexpress for $29.46 and on Amazon for $37.43. If you need the 4G and GPS functionality, you can bundle the HAT with the SIM7600G-H 4G module and antennas, bringing the cost to $70.06 on Aliexpress and $95.99 on Amazon. You can also check out the Waveshare store for additional purchase options, but Waveshare’s pricing does not include shipping.

The post Raspberry Pi 5 PCIe HAT+ board features gigabit Ethernet, 4G LTE (mini PCIe), two USB 3.2 ports appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

X96Q Pro+ is an Android 14 TV box powered by the new Allwinner H728 octa-core Cortex-A55 SoC with a Mali-G57-MC1 GPU, and a 4Kp60 / 8Kp24 H.265 and VP9 4Kp60 video decoder that looks very similar to the Allwinner T527 AIoT SoC.

The TV box ships with 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC flash by default, and features an HDMI 2.0 port outputting up to 4K at 60 Hz, a 3.5mm audio jack, an optical S/PDIF output, a gigabit Ethernet port, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and a few USB ports.

X96Q Pro+ specifications:

• SoC – Allwinner H728
  • CPU – Octa-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor in two clusters of four cores four cores
  • GPU – Arm Mali-G57 MC1 GPU
  • VPU
    • Video decoder
      • H.265 up to 4Kp60 or 8Kp24
      • VP9 up to 4Kp60
      • H.264 BP/MP/HP up to 4Kp30
      • Multi-format 1080p60 VP8, MPEG-1/2 SP/MP, MPEG-4 SP/ASP, AVS+/AVS JIZHUN
    • Video encoder:
      • H.264 up to 4Kp25
      • MJPEG up to 4Kp15
    • JPEG encoder – Up to 8K x 8K resolution
    • AWonder1.0 post-processing engine
  • Package – FCCSP 660 balls
    17 mm x 17 mm size, 0.5 mm ball pitch, 0.3 mm ball size
  • Manufacturing process – 22nm ULP
• System Memory – 4GB (2GB optional)
• Storage
  • 32GB eMMC flash (16/64GB optional)
  • MicroSD card slot
• Video Output – HDMI 2.0a up to 4Kp60 with 10-bit HDR support
• Audio – 3.5mm audio jack, optical S/PDIF, digital audio via HDMI
• Networking
  • Gigabit Ethernet port
  • Dual-band WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0
• USB – 1x USB 3.0 port, 2x USB 2.0 ports
• Misc
  • Power button
  • Update pinhole
  • Front panel display
  • Optional RTC
• Power Supply – 5V/3A via DC jack
• Dimensions – 140 x 90 x 20mm
• Weight – 150 grams

The TV box ships with a remote control, a power adapter, an HDMI cable, and a user manual. The main benefit of the X96Q Pro+ is that it runs the most recent Android 14 (for TV?) operating system. The Allwinner H728 “Decoding Platform Processor” does have some interesting interfaces like PCIe 2.1 x1, 30x PWM, two gigabit Ethernet MAC, and more that make it look like the Allwinner T527 even more, so it’s probably just handled by a different business unit within Allwinner, and that’s potentially the same silicon.

The X96Q Pro+ Android 14 TV box is sold for about $40 (2GB/16GB) or $50 (4GB/32GB) on AliExpress under the VONTAR brand. I was initially contacted by Shenzhen Amedia Technology Co., Ltd. who claims to be the manufacturer.

The post Allwinner H728 octa-core Cortex-55 SoC powers $40+ X96Q PRO+ Android 14 TV box appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

DeepComputing DC-ROMA RISC-V Pad II is a 10.1-inch tablet based on the same SpacemIT K1 octa-core 64-bit RISC-V processor found in the DC-ROMA RISC-V Laptop II introduced a few months ago, as well as in the MILK-V Jupiter mini-ITX motherboard.

The RISC-V tablet features up to 16GB LPDDR4, 128GB eMMC flash, a 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen display with 1920×1200 resolution, a 5MP rear camera, a 2MP webcam, a USB-C port for peripherals and/or an external display, and a 6,000 mAh battery.

DC-ROMA RISC-V Pad II specifications:

• SoC – SpacemiT K1
  • CPU – 8-core X60 RISC-V processor @ up to 2.0 GHz
  • GPU – Imagination IMG BXE-2-32 with support for OpenCL 3.0, OpenGL ES3.2, Vulkan 1.2
  • VPU – H.265, H.264, VP9, VP8 4K encoding/encoding
  • NPU – 2.0 TOPS AI accelerator
  • RVA 22 Profile RVV 1.0 compliant
• System Memory – 4GB, 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4
• Storage
  • 64GB or 128GB eMMC 5.1 flash
  • MicroSD card slot
• Display – 10.1-inch IPS display with 1920×1200 resolution, 10-point capacitive touch
• Audio –  3.5mm headphone jack
• Camera
  • 5MP camera camera with auto-focus
  • 2MP front-facing webcam
• Networking – Not specified, but potentially Wi-Fi 6 & Bluetooth 5.2 like in the laptop
• USB – 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port with DisplayPort Alt mode
• Battery – 3.5V/6,000 mAh (max) cobalt battery
• Power Supply – Via USB-C port (TBC)
• Dimensions and Weight – TBD

The tablet runs Ubuntu 24.04 right now, but DeepComputing says models with 16GB RAM will be upgradeable to Android 15 AOSP in Q4 2024… Please note that while Linux RISC-V support has made great progress, our review of the Jupiter RISC-V motherboard based on the same SpacemIT M1/K1 revealed more work is needed. I still think the Android 15 release schedule is probably way too optimistic since Android 15 AOSP is yet to be released…

If you are a developer interested in checking out the RISC-V tablet, you can pre-order it with a 20% deposit for as low as $149 in the 4GB/64GB configuration. The top model with 16GB RAM and a 128GB eMMC flash goes for $299. A few more details may be found in the press release, and the tablet is currently showcased at the RISC-V Summit China 2024 in Hangzhou until August 25.

Via Liliputing.

The post DC-ROMA RISC-V Pad II octa-core RISC-V tablet can be pre-ordered for $149 and up appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Behaviour Interactive and Supermassive Games’ team-up title, The Casting of Frank Stone continues an exciting reveal spree, and a new trailer has come out of The Fog revealing new exciting features not seen in a Supermassive game before.

Gamescom 2024 continues to steamroll ahead and at the Xbox Gamescom Broadcast 2024, The Casting of Frank Stone has walked straight out of The Fog and into a new trailer. The new trailer presents new features not seen before in a Supermassive Games title, and even implements some of the tried and true mechanics (albeit loosely) from Dead by Daylight. The trailer can be seen below as shown at the showcase.

The Casting of Frank Stone New Features

• Supermassive games open the Cutting Room Floor. Fans can sit in the director’s chair and revisit key story decisions. This also allows fans to seek missing collectibles or relive thrilling moments without starting a new game. The Cutting Room Floor opens by purchasing the Deluxe Edition or completing the narrative of The Casting of Frank Stone.  

• Twitch Integration will let streamers and audiences experience The Casting of Frank Stone together. With Twitch Integration, viewers can vote on each choice throughout the game (similar to the poorly received Silent Hill: Ascension project from 2023). Votes will be placed into the streamer’s hands and they will have a limited number of vetoes to override a decision, if they dislike the audience’s direction.
• Plunderer’s Instinct makes its way to The Casting of Frank Stone from being a Dead by Daylight perk and allows the player to see the aura of any Trinket Chest that may have been missed.
• Up to four-player couch co-op allows fans to share the experience in the same room. Fans can pass the controller back and forth as the character perspective changes throughout the game, and it cohesively immerses the audience into the storyline with a group of friends.

The Casting of Frank Stone will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on December 3. Fans can check out the official Supermassive Games website in the meantime for more information.

EA Sports has announced the newest cover athletes for the upcoming NHL 25, and it’s a family affair. The Hughes brothers (Quinn, Jack, and Luke) become the first set of brothers to grace the cover of the annual hockey title.

NHL 25 marks the second time in three years that the yearly hockey franchise has placed more than one player on their cover, with NHL 23 featuring Trevor Zegras and Sarah Nurse, and the NHL 24 cover featuring Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar.

Quinn Hughes, the oldest of the three brothers, was drafted 7th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the leagues best rookie in 2020 and is the most recent recipient of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the leagues best defenseman.

Jack Hughes was drafted 1st overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, just one year after Quinn. Jack has earned himself 3 consecutive All-Star Game selections and was nominated for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (awarded to the player that shows the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct) for the 2022-2023 Season.

Luke Hughes, the youngest of the three brothers, was drafted 4th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, joining older brother Jack on the team. After a stellar rookie season in 2023-2024 that saw him set a new franchise record for points by a rookie defenseman, he was named as a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the leagues best rookie, and was subsequently voted to the All-Rookie Team unanimously.

More details were also shared about the annual hockey title, too. NHL 25 will be powered by a brand-new gameplay intelligence system called ICE-Q, and is designed to give the player the space and ability to be in control of every inch of ice there is. Player skating has been completely revolutionized by the Next-Gen Vision Control system, which allows you move easier on the ice, creating opportunities, walking the blue line, squaring up on an opponent, and a whole lot more.

The CPU Player system has also been improved by Empowered AI, allowing the CPU to execute intricate and authentic plays, make smart decisions off the puck, leading to more opportunities on the powerplay. 

In addition, a wealth of new gameplay modes and structures have been implemented, namely a revamped Franchise Mode, HUT Wildcard Mode, and a single-path XP progression system that is shared across HUT. Last but not least, the introduction of Sapien Technology to NHL 25 brings player likenesses to the next level, meaning your favourite players will look a whole lot more like your favourite players. 

NHL 25 is now available for pre-order with a Standard Edition and a Deluxe Edition available. Pre-ordering the Standard Edition will get you 500 NHL Points, a HUT NHL Player Pack, WOC Battle Pass XP Boost (x2), and an immediate reward in NHL 24 with a digital pre-order (Choice of Quinn, Jack or Luke Hughes at 99 OVR). 

Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition will get you 7-days of Early Access, including a head start in the initial HUT campaign and WOC season, 4600 NHL Points, HUT NHL Player Pack, HUT “Hockey is Family” Objectives Choice Pack (x2, 82 OVR), HUT Cover Athlete Choice Pack (85 OVR, 1 of 8), HUT Wildcard Starter Choice Pack (84 OVR, 1 of 6), WOC Battle Pass XP Boost (x2), WOC Season 1 Premium Battle Pass, Exclusive WOC Player Set, Immediate Reward In NHL 24 (Choice of Quinn, Jack, or Luke Hughes at 99 OVR).

NHL 25 should be released later on this year, though a specific date has yet to be announced by EA.

Lionsgate decided to pull down the trailer for their new film, Megalopolis after fans figured out the trailer quoted falsified reviews for the Director’s previous films.

To say Megalopolis had a rocky production is putting it mildly. Director Francis Coppola (known for award-winning films like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now) has been trying to get the film made for many years, even fronting $120 million to foot the production costs. But today, Lionsgate has decided to pull the new trailer off the internet due to reports suggesting the trailer used fake quotes coming from Coppola’s earlier films.

The trailer was released Wednesday morning, and it didn’t take long for people to figure out that the ‘bad reviews’ quoted in the trailer from films like The Godfather were fictional, it’s also worth mentioning a critic themselves noticed they didn’t write what was quoted in the trailer.

This is after the film has gotten questionable attention, specifically from The Guardian where Coppola himself suggested he was going to make “a really s*****, embarrassing, pompous film on an important subject, and I am doing it,” and the report further alleges the Director mismanaged time and wasted a lot of production hours. The report continues with allegations the Director acted inappropriately with female extras on set, claiming he was “trying to get them in the mood.”

The trailer could have been meant to show former bad reviews for Coppola masterpieces, to insert Megalopolis into the same camp as the films that were shown to have said bad reviews. Variety critic, Owen Gleiberman, was cited in the trailer as saying Bram Stoker’s Dracula is “a beautiful mess” where he himself suggested that wasn’t the case.

Gleiberman said “Even if you’re one of those people who don’t like critics, we hardly deserve to have words put in our mouths. Then again, the trivial scandal of all this is that the whole Megalopolis trailer is built on a false narrative,” continuing with the notion he wishes he said Dracula was ‘a beautiful mess,’ as it “sounds kind”.

Lionsgate has also issued an apology via Variety, saying “We offer our sincere apologies to the critics involved and to Francis Ford Coppola and American Zoetrope for this inexcusable error in our vetting process.  We screwed up.  We are sorry.” after the trailer’s removal today.

Megalopolis hits theatres on September 27.

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At gamescom 2024, Xbox has come to the event with many game announcements but they’ve also pulled the curtain back to reveal hardware additions to their lineup.

Xbox was given a big platform at gamescom 2024. This is considering Sony and Nintendo did not attend nor make any announcements at the event, and they’ve brought hardware updates to the showcase aside from their announced software on gamescom 2024 ONL. Big Xbox software announcements so far include Masters of Albion from Fable co-creator Peter Molyneux, the previously Xbox exclusive Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is coming to PS5, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 showcased new gameplay.

But that’s not all they have in store for fans in the coming months, as new hardware updates are coming for the Xbox Series console lineup. Xbox has also revealed notable accessibility innovations with a new adaptive controller lineup to make gaming more accessible for all gamers.

gamescom 2024 Xbox Series Hardware Lineup

• The Xbox Series S now comes with 1TB of onboard memory in the original Robot White colourway. It will be made available in October 2024 for $349.99.
• The Xbox Series X will be fashioned into a 1TB Digital Edition (as leaked earlier in the year) and will be the first time the Xbox Series X comes in Robot White. It will be available October 2024 for $449.99.
• The last hardware upgrade is an Xbox Series X in a lucrative 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition and includes a matching Xbox Wireless controller with a Galaxy Black D-pad and Velocity Green back case. The new console will be available in October 2024 for $599.99.

gamescom 2024 Xbox Adaptive Controller Additions For Accessibility

• The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is an affordable entry-level wired joystick designed to meet the needs of players with limited mobility, and to make things easier it can be used as a companion for the Xbox Adaptive Controller and other Xbox controllers. The Xbox Adaptive Joystick will be launching in early 2025 for $29.99.

• Xbox Design Labs is allowing the use of 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers. The service is offered free of charge with Xbox Design Labs and it allows players to configure six different 3D printable thumbstick topper designs for the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, the Xbox Wireless Controller, or the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. Xbox Design Lab outputs the design files that players can 3D print or take to any 3D printing service. The 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers are available now with Xbox Design Lab.

• The Designed for Xbox Proteus Controller has been unleashed by Xbox partners at ByoWave and revealed at Gamescom 2024. The Proteus is a modular adaptive kit that gives those with disabilities a more accessible way to play (similar to the PS5 Access Controller). The unique modular video game controller kit features ‘snap and play’ parts that connect together easily and the device comes with everything gamers require to play their favorite Xbox games on console and PC right out of the box. The ByoWave Proteus Controller is now available in select markets worldwide.

• Lastly, Xbox showed the designed for Xbox Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller at Gamescom 2024. Another third-party controller by 8BitDo is a compact and lightweight controller designed for gamers with limited mobility, featuring low-resistance buttons and Hall Effect joysticks with greater sensitivity. The 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller is now available in select markets worldwide for $59.99.

That just about wraps the new hardware additions unveiled for Xbox at Gamescom 2024. Fans looking for more coverage on gamescom 2024 can see the rest of our coverage here. Fans looking for more info on everything Xbox can head to their official site.

Star Wars Outlaws is the latest game that takes place in the Star Wars universe right in between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The story follows a scoundrel named Kay Vess as she makes a name for herself as an outlaw—and her loveable pet, Nix. For the first time, players will be diving into an open-world Star Wars game with Star Wars Outlaws, and they’ll be doing it as a woman.

CGM got to sit down with two women taking the lead with Star Wars Outlaws, Humberly González and Nikky Foy. González, known for her roles in Ginny & Georgia on Netflix and more recently, Tarot, is the voice of Kay and handles all the motion capture for the role. Foy is the Lead Scriptwriter for Star Wars Outlaws at Ubisoft Toronto, which means not only do we have a woman as the face of the game, but we have one narrating it, too.

We talked with Foy and González about what it means to work on such a beloved property, how being women and having women take the lead has influenced Star Wars Outlaws, and what that means to them. Seeing women as the faces and storytellers behind these epic tales is something every girl needs growing up, and that knowledge was not lost on the pair while working on Star Wars Outlaws for the last several years.

I read you both worked on Far Cry 6. Did your paths cross while working on it, or did you recently meet on Star Wars Outlaws?  

Nikki Foy: Well, recently is…

Humberly González: The last couple of years, yes!

Nikki Foy: For Far Cry 6, we didn’t really work together. I was mostly doing the villain DLC stuff. 

Humberly González: Right. And I played Jonrón, which wasn’t a part of that. We don’t often get to interact with everybody. Sometimes, you’re a part of a project, and there are so many humans attached. 

And non-humans in the case of Star Wars Outlaws [Nix].

Humberly González: And then non-humans! It’s kind of cool that we both come from the same projects and now we actually get to interact so often. 

Nikki Foy: Yeah, I think, too, as a writer, you see more of the actors than they see of you, right? So, on Far Cry 6, I definitely knew who Humberly was and all her work and stuff. When we were casting this, that was all in there for sure.

So our nerdy fandoms, especially things like Star Wars, present very male-dominated, whether that’s the creative team or the fans. What’s it like to lead the charge on this both as the creative team and as the voice and the body of Star Wars Outlaws? To lead this male-dominated universe and have it be women first right now.

Nikki Foy: It’s a really great opportunity, I think, for not just individuals but for the brand as a whole. I was just talking about how I was at Galaxy’s Edge for the first time in my life and just cried the whole time because I couldn’t believe it. And I was building a lightsaber in that experience, which was so cool. But next to me, there were two sisters, and they were probably six and eight, building one next to me. And I just felt so…

And now I’m crying. I have kids that age.

Nikki Foy: I just cried very hard the whole time because it was just like this brand meant so much to me, and I didn’t have someone like Kay to really see myself in. I loved Princess Leia, but I wanted to be Han, right? And I think getting to bring that to life is so special. And our whole team, really, that’s been the goal from the beginning. It’s been really special.

Humberly González: Yes, to be a leading woman not just in a Star Wars story but in the video game industry, which also tends to have a lot of limitations and misogyny and kind of in-and-out politics of who can be a part of it and who you want to play as. I am incredibly proud of the team having chosen someone like me, but also only me, that there isn’t a male counterpart to the story of Star Wars Outlaws that we are focusing on a female point of view of a scoundrel story because we’ve only really ever seen males in a scoundrel position.

So the representation is incredible for me as an immigrant Latina in Canada to bring, to even get to speak about my country, about Venezuela, about what it means to me as an artist that I followed this dream not having any of my family here, not having a lot of mentors in my family or anyone to look up to or content to look up to. Even in Star Wars, you know, there aren’t a lot of Latinas in this space. And so, for me, I knew that this was going to mean a lot, not just to me and my community and my family, but to everybody else who’s watching it too and playing it. 

“Seeing women as the faces and storytellers behind these epic tales is something every girl needs growing up, and that knowledge was not lost on the pair while working on Star Wars Outlaws for the last several years.”

When they go, “Oh, this is a cool character, I wonder where they’re from?” and then they do the research, I just want people to feel seen and if I can be in any of those categories as a woman, a woman of colour, as an immigrant, as a Latina, any of those are so meaningful for someone who enters a franchise as big as Star Wars. 

So for the next generation, for those little girls in Galaxy’s Edge, for the little girls watching, for anyone back home, for me, if they just simply get to see someone like them on screen, it means something to them. Feel inspired, feel strong, feel seen, feel represented. That, to me, is the goal. It’s incredible because it really is beyond just me. 

Nikki Foy: Yeah, and  I think, too, there’s an empathy element to it that I really love to think about. When I was a kid, I think there’s been a lot of research about this, and people who are talking about it talk about it. But I think, too, it’s easy for young girls to empathize with male characters. It’s something that we’ve always been taught. And I think having this female character who everyone can love and see parts of themselves in is so exciting and fun, too.

It’s made me emotional. I have a five-year-old daughter and then a nine-year-old son, so seeing him see her, see that it is possible in Star Wars Outlaws.

Nikki Foy: Yeah, that’s incredible.

Leaning into that, a lot of the time, people will say being a woman is a weakness. We’re emotional. We’re not tough. We’re not as strong as the male heroes. So, did you need to find a balance with Kay in Star Wars Outlaws, both in writing and acting, in terms of her femininity and her strength? Or do you think that her femininity is her strength?

Nikki Foy: Yeah, I don’t know if we’ve thought about it in terms of that. I remember early on writing this huge document about the way in which female protagonists are different from male protagonists. And not in the way of worse or better, but to me, that point of view really infuses the how of things. Often, the why is the same for characters. 

Like survival, for example, right? Female characters often are shown surviving in a different way. Maybe a cool, charming female character, she’s going to use her feminine wiles to get something done, or she can pretend to be weak, and whatever. And I made this list of things that I was like, “I don’t want Kay to ever do any of these. I don’t want her to ever pretend to be weak. I don’t want her to ever pretend to be weak. I don’t want her to ever use her femaleness to get something.” 

So that was always on our mind. But in terms of, “Oh, how does she treat this?” Or “How does she approach the situation as a female character?” Once we got who Kay was, it was very much like, “How does Kay approach this?” And once we created this character and cast Humberly and got this great vulnerability and real humanity to it, it became so easy to just make choices based on that.

Humberly González: I mean, to step into a character that was made, and then I had to literally give her a soul, and a heart, and a conscience. So knowing that I’m like, “Oh, okay, here’s the character, now bring her to life, quite literally breathe life into her.” I can’t help but bring my heart. I can’t help but bring my vulnerability. 

So, if I think of Kay as a mirror to me, and what femininity means to me, and what my strengths are, I do believe that my vulnerability is a strength. I think that women are resilient. We are troubleshooters and protectors, and there’s this nurturing, and I think you get to see some of those traits with Kay and Nix, you know, Nix is her family, and you see her go above and beyond for him and for a partnership, what loyalty means, what it means. 

There are a lot of themes in there. I think she’s a scoundrel with a bit of a chip because she is vulnerable and she is flawed. In the end, that’s also what brings her ahead. You always say this line, it’s like failing forward. She isn’t afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. There’s no relying on this ego or overly confident like I got it all figured out.

I wasn’t afraid to bring those aspects to her that may seem weak, but really, in a way, it’s her just navigating her growth. It’s her navigating right from wrong, and what she wants to do, and being autonomous in her own choices in this vast galaxy full of danger. She is naive and a rookie, but those could be her strengths too because, at the end of the day, sometimes not knowing takes you further because she’s not relying on fear and not thinking that she can’t do something. She really believes in herself. 

That’s something I have a lot as a person, as Humberley. I believe in my dreams, and I believe in myself. I know my worth. I infused Kay with that. So, you know, if that is something that makes me female or whatever, then great. I want to be that person anyway. 

Absolutely. You’re talking about breathing life into this character in Star Wars Outlaws, and doing that in a video game is one thing. Doing that through MoCap is another, but you’ve also been on stage, live-action, and just regular voice acting. Do you feel like you’re breathing life into characters the same way or in those other mediums, you are the character?

Humberly González: I have to say, ever since doing motion capture—and I’ve worked with Ubisoft for years and years since, like 2016—I believe my first video game was Starlink, which was a video game from the ground up with Ubisoft. I feel like I have a lot more room and depth to bring into the other mediums of the industry that aren’t motion capture because there’s so much detail that comes with only being a voiceover actor. I think it is actually quite vulnerable to be a voice actor. You are not relying on your face or your mannerisms. 

Even right now, I’m talking with my hands but it’s just my voice. How do I convey the real meaning of what I mean if I can’t use everything else? These are all tools that I possess in my being. Motion capture has allowed me to have more awareness of my body. Therefore it infuses my other work. I’m really grateful for this this part of my job. I really love it.

Now, obviously, Star Wars, wow!

Humberly González: That’s it. Wow.

What kind of preparation went into Star Wars Outlaws, and what level of excitement, fear, and nervousness goes into prepping from the ground up and stepping into this role? Especially knowing that there are so many sections of Star Wars and that you are creating your own little pocket.

Nikki Foy: Yeah, I think it’s so weird to have a job where the thing that you should do is consume Star Wars media.

Humberly González: Gotta do it for the job!

Nikki Foy: I remember when I got hired or when I got told, “Yeah, you’re gonna work on this [Star Wars Outlaws].” I didn’t know what to do. So I just, because I was so overwhelmed, I just opened the Clone Wars show on my iPad and had it next to me while I was cooking dinner in a haze and I was like, “I’m working right now. This is part of my job now. I just get to be inspired by all this media that I already love.” So that was what, really, I spent a lot of time-consuming media that I’d already seen, but just with this lens of like, “Oh, okay, Outlaws, scoundrel, underworld.”

 Does that change the way you look at it, though? Once it goes from “This is my love” to “This is my job.”

Nikki Foy: Absolutely! It does, but not in a way that turns it into work. It was more like I was paying attention to things that I wasn’t paying attention to before. I remember even in that example when I was cooking dinner, there was a scene where Ahsoka was in a nightclub in Clone Wars, And I was like, “Oh cool, Kay could be in a nightclub!” I was watching it a lot more actively, I think.

From then, with that going on, I really tried to just catch myself thinking. If I’m walking somewhere and my brain is just off, I’ll try to focus on thinking about Kay. Thinking about her relationships. Thinking about the people in her life. I’m listening to a song. It’s like, “Oh, think about how Kay would feel if this and this and this happen,” you know? So I think that combination is really how I approached starting to write this stuff.

Humberly González: Yeah, I mean, honouring what someone has created, and not just this team, but the franchise itself, knowing that it was between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. I think one of the first things I did was that I’m going to watch the movies and imagine myself in this world and the tone of it, you know? What people are scared of, what’s out there? 

And at the end of the day, it’s also a new story. We have not seen a story where this character isn’t a part of the big rebellion and a Sith or any of this. She is from Canto Bight. She is a young girl who is a thief who’s resilient. She’s surviving. So, there weren’t a lot of examples for me to draw from.

I had to really rely on instinct, asking the writers, asking the directors, like, “Hey is this somewhere where she would be? Is this a thought she would have?” And I think, for me, the work started when I actually got to know more of the story. I think that before, it was just exciting. Anytime I saw anything Star Wars or listened to the theme song or anything, I would just get goosebumps and be like, “Oh, I’m in this! I’m in this!” It just has a different meaning now that I’m forever immortalized in this franchise. 

But growing with Kay, it’s like knowing her backstory and why she says the things she does and why she acts the way that she does, that has been the most joyous part of my job because I love backstory. I mean, for an actor, it’s like, “What’s my motivation here? What am I doing?” And knowing that it has been created specifically for her and therefore me, it was just such a special thing that I’m like, “No one has ever said these words. No one has stepped into…” I am literally walking in her shoes! And so it’s really special to really step into something that’s never been done.

I want to know, in one word, your favourite thing about Kay Vess in Star Wars Outlaws. What is her trait that we should pay attention to? Sorry, I was wondering if

Humberly González: What is a word for not quitting? 

Resilient?

Nikki Foy: Yeah, resilient is really good. 

Humberly González: She does not give up, man. That girl will try and try and try and try in every single way, and she’ll get it. She gets it!

Nikki Foy: Kay’s quality that I love the most is—it is resilient adjacent—but it’s like this whatever effect of “That’s fine.” 

Humberly González: Surrender. 

Nikki Foy: It’s more active than that. If anything happens, it’s like water off a duck’s back. No matter what’s going on, the worst situation that could happen. 

Humberly González: She doesn’t sweat it. 

Nikki Foy: She’s just like, “Okay.” And when she is upset, it’s for such a fair reason. And it usually comes from a place of hurt and history and stuff. But otherwise, she’s just rolling with the punches, and I love that. I want to be more like that.

Star Wars Outlaws will be released on August 30, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay up to date with everything Star Wars Outlaws here.

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DeskPi RackMate T1 is a U8 desktop rack especially suited to SBC users with support for Raspberry Pi SBCs, NVIDIA Jetson developer kits, Raxa ROCK 5B pico-ITX SBC, mini-ITX motherboards, and more.

The RackMate T1 chassis is made of aluminum alloy and acrylic frame and its 8U form factor (406 (H) x 280 (L) x 200 (W) mm) allows it to be placed either on a desk or a floor of a home lab.

DeskPi RackMat T1 highlights:

• Mounting holes on all trays
  • Raspberry Pi 3B, 3B, +4B, and DeskPi aux board bring HDMI and USB-C to the front (M2.5 screws) – star holes
  • NVIDIA Jetson Nano developer kit (M2.5 screws) – square holes
  • Radxa ROCK 5B pico-ITX SBC (M3 screws) – round holes
  • 2.5-inch drives
• Screw kits with M2.5 screws and standoffs, M3 screws, and a screwdriver
• Dimensions – 406 x 280 x 200 mm (H x L x W)
• Materials – Aluminum alloy and acrylic frame

The documentation is extremely poor with low-resolution images and confusion with “optional accessories” that are shown in all photos as if they were included:

• Rack shell
• Blank panel
• SBC shell
• Mini-ITX shell
• 10-inch network switch

For example, I can see at least three blank panels, one rack shell, and one SBC shell in the kit below. One would assume those are included, but it’s hard to tell since the company does not make it specific.

It’s not the first time we have written about rack solutions for Raspberry Pi and other SBCs, and we previously covered a 19-inch rackmount from MyElectronics taking up to 16 Raspberry Pi boards, which may be more cost-effective for European users although you’d need to bring your own rack/chassis.

The DeskPi RackMate T1, also called the “GeeekPi 8U Server Cabinet” can be purchased for $179.99 on Amazon and most users seem happy about it, except one that received a kit with a cracked top acrylic panel. The accessories mentioned above sell for $12 to $36 on Amazon. TheRackMate T1 can also be purchased on the company’s store, but they don’t recommend it due to hefty shipping charges from China…

The post DeskPi RackMate T1 is a U8 desktop rack designed for Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, mini-ITX motherboards, and more appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

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Hardkernel has just launched the ODROID-M2 low-profile SBC based on a Rockchip RK3588S2 octa-core Cortex-A76/A55 AI SoC with up to 16GB LPDDR5, 64GB eMMC flash, an M.2 PCIe socket, support for three displays through HDMI, USB-C, and MIPI DSI interfaces, gigabit Ethernet, and more.

The ODROID-M2 follows the ODROID-M1 and ODROID-M1S single board computers based on respectively Rockchip RK3568 and RK3566 quad-core Cortex-A55 processors, but a significantly more powerful Rockchip RK3588S2 processor, and a larger 90x90mm form factor to accomodate for extra features and interfaces.

ODROID-M2 specifications:

• SoC – Rockchip RK3588S2
  • CPU – Octa-core processor with 4x Cortex-A76 cores @ up to 2.3 GHz (+/- 0.1Ghz), 4x Cortex-A55 cores @ up to 1.8 GHz
  • GPU – Arm Mali-G610 MP4 GPU @ 1 GHz compatible with OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.2, and Vulkan 1.2 APIs
  • VPU – 8Kp60 video decoder for H.265/AVS2/VP9/H.264/AV1 codecs, 8Kp30 H.265/H.264 video encoder
  • AI accelerator – 6 TOPS (INT8) NPU
• System Memory – 8GB or 16GB 64-bit LPDDR5 (4GB RAM variant coming soon).
  
• Storage
  • 64GB eMMC flash
  • MicroSD card slot with UHS-I SDR104 mode support
  • M.2 M-Key socket with PCIe 2.1 x1 for NVMe SSDs
• Video output
  • HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60Hz with HDR, EDID
  • DisplayPort via USB-C port
  • 30-pin MIPI DSI connector (note: different from the 31-pin connector on the ODROID-M1)
• Networking – Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
• USB
  • USB 2.0 host port
  • USB 3.0 host port
  • USB 3.0 Type-C port with DP Alt-Mode (not a power source/sink)
• Expansion
  • 40-pin Raspberry Pi-compatible GPIO header
  • 14-pin GPIO header
• Debugging – Serial debug console
• Misc
  • Power button, Reset button
  • System LEDs
    • Red (POWER) – Solid light when DC power is connected
    • Blue (ALIVE) – Flashing like a heartbeat while the Linux kernel is running, solid light in u-boot.
  • PCF8536 RTC with CR2032 backup battery holder
  • Boot priority switch for eMMC or microSD card
• Power Supply – 7.5V to 15.5V DC input via 5.5/2.1mm power barrel jack; 12V/2A power adapter recommended
• Power Consumption (Hardkernel numbers)
  • Power Off – About 0 Watt
  • IDLE – About 1Watt without any peripherals
  • CPU stress test – About 7.5 Watts (Performance governor) without any peripherals
• Dimensions – 90 x 90 x 21mm
• Weight – 78g including heatsink, 58g without heatsink

You may have heard about the RK3588S, but not necessarily about the RK3588S2, and we wondered about the difference between the two in our Radxa ROCK 5C article:

how does RK3588S2 differ from RK3588S? They are basically the same except the RK3588S2 comes with an additional MIPI CSI interface which is not used in the ROCK 5C.

The MIPI CSI interface is not used in the ODROID-M2 either, but there must be a good reason why both companies selected the RK3588S2 instead, either pricing or availability…

In terms of performance, Hardkernel explains the ODROID-M2 is better than the ODROID-M1S in every way:

• Multicore performance is about 3 times faster.
• About twice the memory bandwidth with LPDDR5 64-bit RAM
• The Mali-610 GPU is over 5 times faster.
• The 6TOPS NPU is over 3 times faster.
• The 64GB eMMC flash is twice as fast thanks to an HS400 interface.

One downside is that the new ODROID-M2 is fitted with a heatsink with a fan for cooling, while the earlier models could operate fanlessly. Having said that, Hardkernel mentions the fan seldom rotates in the video below, so I’d assume some people may just decide to disconnect the fan.

Hardkernel is usually better than most other SBC vendors when it comes to software support. We typically just get a list of operating systems, but the Korean company goes into more detail when it comes to software features.

• Android 13
  • Based on AOSP
  • Customized raw GPIO access framework (in other words, GPIOs works in Android).
    • SPI ( CAN receiver, LED strip lights, IO expander)
    • UART (Loopback test, Barcode scanner, Thermal printer)
    • GPIO toggling
    • Rotary encoder with GPIO IRQ
    • PWM outputs
• Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Kernel 5.10
  • Wayland-based GNOME desktop
  • ARM Mali Bifrost GPU OpenGL-ES / EGL driver
  • MIPI DSI driver
  • GPIO drivers and WiringPi library
  • NPU driver and Neural Network APIs
  • VPU driver with MPP/Gstreamer APIs
• Ubuntu 24.04 with a newer kernel version will be released in a few months

You can see a short demo in Android 13 with two 4K displays one playing a 4K video and the other running 3DMark with 3D graphics acceleration. More details about the hardware and software can be found on the wiki.

Hardkernel sells the ODROID-M2 SBC on its own store for $115 with 8GB LPDDR5, 64GB eMMC flash, and an enclosure, while the 16GB RAM model goes for $145. The upcoming 4GB RAM model will sell for under $100, more exactly for $95 once it becomes available.

Compatible accessories include:

• 12V/2A Power Supply: $5.50
• ODROID-Vu8S MIPI-DSI Kit – $39
• WiFi/Bluetooth Module 5BK: $8.90
• Weather Board Zero: $2
• CAN-FD add-on board: $11
• USB-UART Kit: $9.90
• Cube Case: $28 with four USB ports for gamepads (retro gaming)
• Vu12 12.3-inch LCD display: $120

Thanks to “T” for the tip.

The post ODROID-M2 low-profile SBC features Rockchip RK3588S2 SoC, up to 16GB LPDDR5, 128GB eMMC flash appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Mekotronics R58-4×4 3S is another Rockchip RK3588-based Arm PC and digital signage player from the company with unusual features such as a 3-inch display on the front panel as well as four HDMI inputs supporting up to 4Kp60 sources.

The embedded PC features up to 16GB RAM and 128GB eMMC flash, an M.2 PCIe socket for NVMe storage, an 8Kp60-capable HDMI 2.1 video output port, gigabit Ethernet and WiFi 6 connectivity, a mini PCIe socket and NanoSIM card slot for a 4G LTE/GPS module, and more.

Mekotronics R58-4×4 3S specifications:

• SoC – Rockchip RK3588 octa-core processor with
  • CPU – 4x CortexA76  cores @ up to 2.4 GHz, 4x CortexA55 core @ 1.8 GHz
  • GPU – Arm Mali-G610 MP4 GPU with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.2, Vulkan 1.2
  • Video decoder – 8Kp60 H.265, VP9, AVS2, 8Kp30 H.264 AVC/MVC, 4Kp60 AV1, 1080p60 MPEG-2/-1, VC-1, VP8
  • Video encoder – 8Kp30 H.265/H.264 video encoder
  • AI accelerator – 6 TOPS NPU
• System Memory – 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB LPDDR4x
• Storage
  • 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB eMMC 5.1 flash
  • M.2 M-Key (PCIe 3.0) socket for an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
  • MicroSD card slot
• Video Output
  • HDMI 2.1 port up to 8Kp60
  • Internal LVDS connector
• Video Input – 4x HDMI inputs up to 4Kp60
• Display – 3-inch display connected over MIPI DSI
• Audio – 3.5mm jacks “audio”, Line-in, and Line-out
• Networking
  • Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 jack
  • WiFi 6
  • Optional 4G LTE/GPS module via mini PCIe socket and nano SIM card slot
  • Up to two external antennas
• USB – 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB Type-C port
• Expansion
  • Internal GPIO header
  • M.2 socket for storage
  • Mini PCIe socket + NanoSIM card slot for cellular connectivity
• Misc
  • Power button
  • Front panel buttons (D-Pad, 3x user buttons)
  • RTC clock
• Power Supply – 12V/3A via 5.5×2.1mm DC jack
• Dimensions – TBD (Aluminum enclosure)

The company provides support for Android 12, Debian, and Armbian (Ubuntu) operating systems as well as Buildroot built system. We don’t have that many extra details at this time, but the company showcases the Arm PC with Android 12 in the video below showing the 3-inch display mirroring the HDMI output, and also demonstrating the HDMI input feature.

We were not given pricing information for this specific model. More details may be found on the product page.

The post Mekotronics R58-4×4 3S Arm PC and digital signage player features 3-inch display, 8K HDMI output, 4x HDMI inputs appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Mountaintop Studios and popular creator and former Counter-Strike and Valorant pro, Michael ‘shroud’ Grzesiek have brought a contender to the F2P multiplayer tactical FPS genre. Mountaintop hopes to make a big break with Spectre Divide, as they are an independent studio composed of veterans from Respawn, Epic Games, Riot Games, Bungie, and the like. Spectre Divide features a unique art style for the genre with sci-fi comic book art and the classic Japanese cel animation of the ’90s—a little reminiscent of Rollerdrome or the No More Heroes games. What is more distinct about this game is its gameplay gimmick.

At first glance, the concept of controlling two characters simultaneously does not seem like something that should work in a relatively fast-paced competitive shooter game. Yes, there is some time to strategize around the map and jump-peak or use utility to gain information. However, adding a new concept, like having a second body, appears to be a dynamic addition.

The function of what the devs call ‘Duality’ allows players to control their ‘Spectre’ or second body, as well as their main body. Players can swap between the two bodies. The coolest part is that players can open up their map to lay out their two bodies during the Buy Phase/Pre-round Phase—including having the bodies face a certain direction. Moving characters around via clicking the map looks so choppy and jarring, but once the pre-round timer is up, this function ceases.

Having the second body can be super helpful. If a player’s unused body is idle, it can still give information that an enemy is near or if an enemy is in sight through danger indicators. Additionally, the unused body goes into a crouch position, making it harder for enemies to spot when placed correctly. Or it can be great to have it crouched slightly, peeking as a decoy at strategic angles.

The unused body can also be moved through the ‘pucking’ action, with some delay depending on the distance. This is the primary function so when the main player dies, they are not stuck trying to run all the way from where they had their Spectre setup. Like the game’s name implies, it is relatively smart to divide the Spectre from the main body.

Spectre Divide has utility skills, which are very similar to various Hero skills in Overwatch or Agent utility in Valorant. Another important distinction with Spectre Divide is that there are no Champions, Heroes or Agents; there are Sponsors. Sponsors work in place of roles, such as Assault/ADC/Dualist or Support/Healer in other games. Having a good balance of Sponsors can easily make or break a victory in this game, with the various assortment of utility skills—including recon.

A big question many new players who came from other FPS games asked was what the spray/recoil patterns for each gun, aiming, and ADS aiming were like. For the first part, every fully automatic and semi-automatic gun had a random spray pattern. This is an interesting feature because it means it is not something someone can particularly get used to, like a Vandal spray pattern in Valorant or an AK-47 spray and recoil pattern in CS2 or CS:GO.

“Another important distinction with Spectre Divide is that there are no Champions, Heroes or Agents; there are Sponsors.”

It means that players should practice their ADS firing since the accuracy is pretty near to one-hundred percent. There is also no bullet punch when taking damage, so players do not have to worry about suddenly aiming at the sky when getting shot at. Single-tap or burst-fire skills are more important in Spectre Divide for the guns that require it, otherwise ADS-ing and spraying is the way to go. And like Apex Legends, running in this FPS tac-shooter is encouraged.

What irked me and my teammates the most is the fact that enemy colour highlights are insanely non-user-friendly. It took a few games for us to not accidentally shoot at one of our teammates or teammates’ idle body. Eventually we got used to it, but it was not as distinguished as other FPS games.

The things that will have many Spectre Divide players divided will probably be how overstimulating it can be to jump into a match at first, as well as how many guns they will have to know the names of. The Duster RX6 plays like a Desert Eagle or Sheriff; the M67 Reaver plays like an AK-47, dishing out great range and damage; and the Harpe and Prototype-OP play very much like a high-powered sniper in most FPS games. One shot to the head at any range, one kill, baby!

The gun buys are interesting in Spectre Divide, sort of a mashup of Call of Duty multiplayer default loadouts. Guns are bought in pairs and distributed to the player and the Spectre. Interestingly enough, when one of the characters one player controls dies but the other lives, there can be special economic buys for keeping the same pairing of guns in the next round.

Based on a lot of feedback from other players I talked to from games and my own teammates, I have gathered that this game comes off as something for those who already have put in some if not countless, hours into other FPS games. Spectre Divide is easily an amalgamation of games like Valorant, Apex Legends, Overwatch, Halo, amongst many more. This makes sense since a lot of Mountaintop Studios’ team used to work at the companies that made many of those titles.

There are a lot of fun mechanics to try and experiment with in Spectre Divide, such as using Ghostlink Collective’s Dupe ability while pucking away or using it and running with the decoy body. Another cool thing we found out was how Ryker Industries’ Wave Scan could scan the whole map if you throw it while pucking away.

“The ultimate judgment of Spectre Divide is how it may not be as inviting to newer FPS gamers.”

Hopefully by launch, there will be better aesthetic additions to the game—here is hoping there will be a way to do Fortnite-adjacent dances in the team lobby. The sprays and gun buddies could also be improved upon, but again, that may come with more time and players making memes and/or pro-player and community involvement to grow the fan base of Spectre Divide.

The ultimate judgment of Spectre Divide is how it may not be as inviting to newer FPS gamers. Even someone who is well-versed in other FPS titles will struggle a bit getting used to pucking around their Spectres, and learning more about the advantages and disadvantages of things like guns or Sponsors.

There are a lot of extra keybinds to learn and re-map, too, but the tutorial does a decent enough job explaining it all. The economy catch-up system is great, too, since two losses allow the losing team to get a free light shield. But it could be good for newer players ithe a sense that they can build the proper game sense tailored to this game versus carrying over irrelevant habits from other FPS games.

Spectre Divide will not be out on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles at launch, but devs have stated that they have “future plans for consoles.” There is also no release date for PC yet either.

Opening cases in CS2 is one of the most exciting aspects of the game, offering players the chance to snag rare and valuable skins. But with the rise of third-party sites, many players wonder: is it really worth it to open cases in CS2, or should you turn to these alternative platforms? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of both, and see how they stack up.

Opening Cases in CS2

First, let’s talk about the experience of opening cases directly in CS2. There’s something undeniably exciting about the anticipation as you watch the spinning wheel, hoping for that rare drop. It’s a core part of the game, deeply embedded in the CS2 culture.

Pros of Opening Cases in CS2:

1. Official and Secure: When you open cases in CS2, you’re dealing directly with the game developers. This means there’s no risk of scams or losing your hard-earned skins.
2. Game Integration: Skins obtained from CS2 cases are immediately available in your inventory, ready for you to show off in your next match.
3. Authenticity: There’s a certain pride in knowing your skins came directly from the game itself.

However, while the official route offers security and authenticity, it also has its downsides.

Cons of Opening Cases in CS2:

1. Cost: CS2 cases and keys can be pricey, especially if you’re chasing after rare skins.
2. Limited Bonuses: Unlike third-party sites, CS2 doesn’t offer many promotions, bonuses, or gifts.
3. No Extras: The experience is pretty straightforward, lacking the added excitement of case battles or other fun features offered by third-party sites.

Exploring Third-Party Case Opening Sites

Now, let’s examine what third-party case-opening sites offer. These platforms have gained popularity due to their enticing bonuses, promotions, and unique features that spice up the case-opening experience.

Advantages of Third-Party Sites:

1. Bonuses and Promotions: One of the biggest draws of third-party sites is the variety of bonuses and promotions they offer. Many sites give you extra credits, free cases, or significant discounts, making your money go further. Whether it’s a welcome bonus for new users or regular promotions for loyal customers, these perks can make a huge difference in your case opening journey.
2. Gifts and Rewards: Beyond bonuses, many third-party sites offer gifts and rewards. This could be anything from free skins to exclusive items not available in CS2. It’s like a constant stream of surprises that keeps the experience fresh and exciting.
3. Case Battles: If you’re looking for extra fun, case battles are a feature you won’t find in CS2. These battles pit players against each other to see who can pull the best skins from their cases. It’s a competitive twist that adds another layer of fun and can lead to some impressive wins.
4. Diverse Case Selection: Third-party sites often have a wider variety of cases to choose from, including custom cases created by the community. This means you can find cases tailored to your specific preferences, whether you’re hunting for a particular type of skin or just looking for something new and different.

Risks and Considerations:

While third-party sites offer many advantages, they also come with their own set of risks and considerations.

1. Security Concerns: Not all third-party sites are created equal. It’s crucial to choose reputable sites to avoid scams or losing your items. Look for sites with strong user reviews, secure payment options, and transparent policies.
2. Withdraw and Deposit Issues: Some sites may have complicated processes for withdrawing your skins or require you to deposit items before you can start opening cases. Make sure you understand these procedures before diving in.
3. Fairness and Transparency: Ensure the site you’re using has transparent odds and fair gameplay. Some less reputable sites might manipulate odds, making it harder to get valuable skins.

Is It Worth Opening Cases in CS2?

The answer ultimately depends on what you’re looking for in your case opening experience.

If you value security and authenticity, stick with opening cases directly in CS2. The official route guarantees that your skins are legitimate and safely stored in your Steam inventory. It’s a straightforward, no-frills experience that’s integrated seamlessly into the game.

If you want more excitement and value for your money, give third-party sites a try. With their generous bonuses, diverse case selection, and unique features, CS2 case battle sites can make your case-opening journey much more interesting and rewarding. Just be sure to do your research and choose a reputable site to avoid potential pitfalls.

Conclusion

As much as opening cases in CS2 can be a very enjoyable game, third-party sites offer compelling alternatives thanks to their bonuses, promotions, and added features they provide. When you weigh the pros and cons of both options, you will be able to determine which route is best. It is always important to approach each case opening with a sense of fun and adventure, regardless of whether you stick with CS2 or venture into the world of third-party websites. Have a great case opening, and may your next spin lead to the skin of your dreams.

I was particularly interested in Ravenswatch because Passtech Game’s Curse of the Dead Gods was something that caught me completely by surprise—initially hooking me with an art style evocative of Darkest Dungeon and then reeling me in with an incredibly deep and satisfying gameplay experience. 

Passtech established itself as a confident crafter of captivating roguelike experiences, so naturally, CGM jumped on the opportunity to get an early look at Ravenswatch. Despite the preview being hands-off, the game and world that was presented definitely got me ready to play. 

In Ravenswatch, players enter the world of Reverie, where horrific creatures known as Nightmares are spreading across the land. To stop them, the Witch of the Forest, Baba Yaga, forms the Ravenswatch—a group of folk heroes dedicated to battling the Nightmares and restoring peace.

“One of Ravenswatch’s key selling points is its cast of heroes, all drawn from mythological figures.”

One of Ravenswatch‘s key selling points is its cast of heroes, all drawn from mythological figures. While some characters are based on well-known figures, the team at Passtech wanted to ensure these heroes stood out on their own and included lesser-known mythological characters.

This includes characters such as Scarlet (Little Red Riding Hood), Beowulf and Alladin but extends to characters like The Pied Piper, Sun Wukong and Melusine—who the Lyon-based Passtech felt it especially appropriate to include as a character from French folklore. The team specifically stated they wanted to include a wide array of folklore from various cultures to create a diverse cast and open players up to these unique figures.

This idea was further explored when we were given a sneak peek at the character of Carmilla, who was revealed during Gamescom 2024. Passtech explained that including a vampire in their world was thematically fitting. Still, they specifically wanted to focus on a lesser-known character, as most people typically think of Dracula when it comes to famous vampires.

“While many games borrow heavily from successful predecessors in the genre, it’s refreshing to see a game take unique approaches and interesting risks.”

This not only adds to the game’s unique storybook feel but also allows each hero to fill a specific role based on their characterization. Scarlet, for instance, is a unique warrior who embodies both Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, capable of transforming into a lycanthropic form to deal massive damage. Conversely, Gepetto functions as an engineer, creating puppets to fight for him and assist in battle.

One of the more interesting aspects of Ravenswatch mentioned during the event is that, despite being a roguelike, the game will feature four different difficulty modes. I’ve long moved away from the notion that games, even roguelikes, should be punishingly difficult just for the sake of it—especially since roguelikes are often associated with games like Dark Souls, which emphasize extreme difficulty.

While I was initially hoping Ravenswatch would offer optional difficulty settings, Passtech clarified that players will start at the lower difficulty level, unlocking harder ones with each successful run. They’ve implemented this in a particularly clever way: only four characters are available at the start of the game, with a new one unlocking each time players defeat the final boss. This provides a tangible incentive to improve, as the game becomes more challenging as you learn and grow.

With its dark comic book style, support for up to four-player co-op, and a development team actively tweaking the game based on player feedback, Ravenswatch is shaping up to be an excellent new addition to the roguelike genre. While many games borrow heavily from successful predecessors in the genre, it’s refreshing to see a game take unique approaches and interesting risks.

Ravenswatch will launch for PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on Sep 26th, 2024 but will see a later release on the Nintendo Switch.

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Read the full article on GamingOnLinux.

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Read the full article on GamingOnLinux.

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Warframe‘s update today introduces a new quest called The Lotus Eaters, which will serve as the prelude for the game’s hotly-anticipated winter update, Warframe 1999.

Announced last month at the game’s own convention, TennoCon, The Lotus Eaters is a short, solo-only quest following the events of Whispers in the Walls, last December’s epic addition to the main questline. Its official description warns that “The Man In The Wall does not sit idly by, Tenno.”

Representatives of Warframe developer Digital Extremes are currently at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany—the next stop on their “world tour” which will also take them to the Tokyo Game Show in Japan next month.

“Launching [The Lotus Eaters] update alongside our Tenno across Europe on the opening day of Gamescom is just wild,” said Creative Director Rebecca Ford. “Players have been clamoring for another taste of The Lotus in the story and this bite-sized quest might just offer a tad more insight into her role here.”

At the behest of the Lotus (or “Space Mom,” as she’s known in the Warframe community), players will “investigate a strange but familiar sound that is intrinsically tied to the monumental year of 1999,” before seeking out Albrecht Entrati in Warframe 1999‘s alternate vision of our own history later this year.

In addition to the quest, The Lotus Eaters update brings another revamped Warfame, Sevagoth Prime. After crafting this Warframe or unlocking it through the market, players can use his unique skillset to Reap the souls of the dead, Sow death seeds, or drill a well of Gloom. If all else fails, transform into his Exalted Shadow form to tear your opposition apart in melee.

Rounding out today’s update are the newest Prime companion, Nautilus Prime; the Epitaph Prime, a wrist-mounted sidearm; and plenty of new TennoGen cosmetic items for the “FashionFrame” community. These include a wave of cosmetics inspired by the Jade Shadows update, as well as a deluxe Ares skin for Styanax.

The Lotus Eaters may not be the only update before the long-running free-to-play game time travels back to 1999. Digital Extremes will pull back the curtain on another expansion, tentatively called the “Unannounced Fall 2024 Update,” in their showcase at Tokyo Game Show. Among its contents will be a host of quality-of-life updates and the next Prime Warframe, Caliban.

Then in Winter 2024, Warframe 1999 will take players back to the heyday of boy bands and dial-up internet to explore the Protoframes, the progenitors of many iconic Warframes. The expansion has a star-studded cast including Final Fantasy XVI‘s Ben Starr as Arthur “Exalibur” Nightingale, Cyberpunk 2099‘s Alpha Takahashi as Aoi, and Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Amelia Tyler.

In a Wednesday blog post, BioWare revealed that Dragon Age: The Veilguard has a dedicated force behind its PC development with over 200,000 hours of playtesting done.

Today, BioWare let out a massive blog post that outlines their ongoing development for their upcoming fourth entry in their high fantasy RPG series, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and specifically how they’re placing special care on development for PC. The blog post starts with “The Dragon Age franchise started out on PC, and we wanted to make sure PC is a great place to play our game. Many of us at BioWare are PC players ourselves, and when testing, PCs made up 40% of our platform testing effort, with over 200,000 hours of performance and compatibility testing.”

The amount of testing that has gone into the new title is staggering. Bioware explains that the importance of getting everything ‘just right’ is paramount to the overall gameplay experience. The UI has been tweaked over thousands of hours of gameplay to ensure that players of all persuasions — whether they play on Xbox, PlayStation, PC or all three — including keyboard and mouse fans, can enjoy a comfortable experience. All three controller inputs: Xbox, Dualsense and KBM will also be available for PC. Going one step further, fans will be able to customize their character’s keybind to make the gameplay as smooth as possible for Warrior, Rogue and Mage players.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard PC Features

• Full Steam Nativity, including full Steam Deck verification—Cloud saving allows you to pick the game up on the Deck and seamlessly play it on PC, and vice versa.
• Linking an EA account will be completely optional (for PC).
• Display Features for PC – Full Support for 21:9 Ultra Wide Resolutions, Ability to Uncap Frame Rate, HDR Support, Optional Upscaling (DLSS 3, FSR 2.2, XeSS), NVIDIA Reflex, DLSS 3 Frame Generation and Optional Dynamic Resolution Scaling are included.
• A huge level of graphic scaling to ensure the game runs great no matter what rig you’re playing on, a small vignette of how the graphics will increase (or reduce) in clarity can be seen on the right.

It’s worth mentioning the sheer amount of turbulent launches the PC has seen since 2023. One of the most widely complained about being The Last of Us Part I, reported to feature staggering performance issues when it launched on PC. CGMagazine’s review of the port said “The Last of Us on PC feels like an infected facsimile of a dearly departed friend.”

At least fans can rest assured Dragon Age: The Veilguard will run smoothly on PC and console when it launches in October this year.

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Read the full article on GamingOnLinux.

MeatPi Electronics introduced the WiCAN Pro, an ESP32-S3-based OBD scanner, and the successor to WiCAN-OBD. Equipped with an OBD-II interface IC, it provides full support for all legislated OBD-II protocols. It offers compatibility with multiple CAN Bus protocols, including three standard CAN Bus and single-wire CAN Bus.

The previous generation WiCAN module came in an OBD or USB-based version. The WiCAN Pro only has an OBD interface, but another significant difference from the previous product is that it features a USB host port. This port can power USB devices up to 1.5 amps at 5 volts and enables capabilities like adding GPS or cellular-based radios, like with meatPi’s ESPNetLink add-on.

WiCAN Pro specifications:

• Wireless Module – ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8
  • SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3R8 dual-core Tensilica LX7 @ up to 240 MHz with vector instructions for AI acceleration, 512KB RAM, 8MB PSRAM
  • Storage – 16 MB flash
  • Wireless – 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 and Bluetooth
  • PCB antenna
• USB – USB Type-C female connector for flashing ESP32 and optional peripherals such as LTE or GPS
• Supports all OBD-II protocols with a dedicated chip
  • ISO 15765-4 CAN J1962
  • SAE J1939 CAN J1962
  • ISO 11898 raw CAN J1962
  • Medium Speed CAN MS-CAN J1962
  • GM high-speed J1962
  • Single Wire CAN GMLAN J1962
  • SAE J1850-PWM
  • SAE J1850-VPW
  • ISO 9141-2
  • ISO 14230-4 slow/fast
• Compatible with multiple instruction sets
  • ELM327 instruction v2.3
  • ELM329 instruction v2.2
  • STN instruction
  • VT instruction
• RTC for accurate timekeeping
• MicroSD card logging
• Multi-function push button

The WiCAN Pro plugs into the vehicle’s OBD port and is powered by the vehicle’s battery. The voltage range is 6.5V to 18V, consuming about 35mA during operation and 2.8mA in sleep mode.

The device includes dual UARTs, one dedicated to flashing and debugging the ESP32-S3 and the other configurable for sending commands to the OBD chip, providing flexibility for developers working on custom automotive applications. According to the product page, WiCAN Pro can be integrated with Home Assistant and other IoT applications without requiring external apps. This feature enables users to incorporate vehicle data into a smart home ecosystem, allowing for automated vehicle diagnostics and monitoring.

The ESP32-S3-based OBD scanner WiCAN Pro runs on the versatile WiCAN firmware, which is already available and runs on an ESP32. This firmware can send MQTT messages about the vehicle’s health, integrate with Home Assistant, or drive a RealDash display with real-time information. Moreover, this open-source device is compatible with a range of established OBD diagnostic apps including Car Scanner, Torque Lite or Pro, OBD Auto Doctor, BimmerCode, and OBD Fusion.

The company also offers a feature comparison between the WiCAN Pro, WiCAN, and the OBDLink MX+.

The WiCAN Pro campaign launched on Crowd Supply and has raised $6,000 so far with 35 days remaining. The product is priced at $80, with an additional $8 for U.S. shipping and $18 for international shipping. Deliveries are expected to start by mid-February 2025.

The post WiCAN Pro – An ESP32-S3-powered OBD scanner for vehicle diagnostics with Smart Home integration (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.