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Do you understand the difference between, real time "replay" and a recording ? and never did I say the PS4 didn't do the same thing or close to it either. of course FRAPS isn't using a special video encoding CPU to encode the video with zero impact. but, sure it's better than it used to be, still sucks a lot of juice from your gaming.  I'm not interested in recording my own games, much less watching anyone elses recorded gameplay anyway. 

Some replays are recordings.  I have seen a few cases where the game with record clips automatically when X number of Characters are on screen, or Y acceleration meets Z acceleration.  

While no, they don't use a dedicated cpu for the encoding/recording process it has/is done.

It does when his sole purpose was to incite flaming and trolling metro. since the GUI itself had absolutely ZERO to do with the topic. or can you give me a valid reason what his opinion of Metro has to do with the console being built for the future... no ? that's because he was trolling. 

Part of building for the future is building an interface that will last that long.  I personally don't like metro and couldn't see using it for that long without getting frustrated or annoyed.  I also know that Windows 8 had issues with the start screen becoming cluttered very easily as more programs got installed.  I don't think that metro scales well at all.

It does when his sole purpose was to incite flaming and trolling metro. since the GUI itself had absolutely ZERO to do with the topic. or can you give me a valid reason what his opinion of Metro has to do with the console being built for the future... no ? that's because he was trolling. 

Uhh.... that's exactly what this topic is about... Did you even look at the OP?

 

Here, I won't hide it. The UI sucks, just like it does on Windows 8. Granted it is much better on a console than it is in Windows 8, but it's still crap just like it has been since they first introduced it on the 360. While the blade UI was definitely dated, I far preferred it over the Metro look. I owned an original Xbox and a 360, never owned a Playstation, but I will when the PS4 comes out. No X1 for me, but that's mostly because of the pointless redundant features for me when I have a full computer plugged into all of my TVs, and less about the UI since I only see that for a few seconds while I launch my game. Stop crying every time someone says they don't like the UI. Your opinion isn't the final say for the world. Though it is funny watching you get so upset.

Cloud is a marketing term for servers.  Unless you manage to host data inside water droplets thousands of feet above earth..  all mmo's use "Cloud" for storage.  All user info is stored in databases, or games are controlled via remote servers.  The cloud is just an easy term for people to understand without needing to know the details.

Any game with a server portion, or a server that records and uses the data could be considered in the cloud.

 

I'm scratching my head trying to figure out why this is a bad thing?  I mean the original comment is to imply that consoles using the cloud is something bad or that because pcs also use the cloud, it means some minus for consoles.

 

 

While I agree on the NSA thing.. the kinect is just that. It is a camera.. that can transfer video over the internet.. and has built in microphones. It's the same concept as: "You can teach a duck to bark.. but it's still a duck" Just because the kinect does motion tracking it still has the features of a webcam and mic setup.

If you buy a web cam and a mic, you will not have the same experience as Kinect or the ps4 Eye. The reason Kinect or the ps4 eye is different is thanks to how they combine various tech into one package. From IR blasters to multi-array mics or the software side that brings all of the hardware into something useful for developers, its different. Why else would Kinect be used on pcs if it was just a web cam and mic?

I just think its silly to try and pan these technologies. These things aren't brand new, original ideas, but they do represent an evolution in how the tech is used.

So MS recording every action all the time isn't something special. Pretty sure sony is doing the same thing with the PS4. Also fraps has gotten a lot better, and as the hardware improves the game preformance loss is getting smaller and smaller.

 

But now wait a second, this argument wasn't comparing the ps4 and the x1, it was an attempt to compare against a pc. This is yet another example of a feature that has been on the pc for year, finally coming to both consoles in a way that is easier to do for the average user. For some reason, people just want to dump on these features as if they make the pc look bad or something. Consoles are all about convenient access to features and the X1 and PS4 have shown that they will provide easy access to features that have been around in other forms on the pc.

 

Different strokes for different folks, I like watching video reviews, and guides. I find them easier to follow than text.

I agree, I much prefer video than text for that stuff. Did you see the Machinima announcement yesterday? They are pushing an app to the X1 that will give gamers access to video guides, etc that pertain to the particular game you happen to be running at the time. It snaps to the side and you can view videos there or go full screen, which pauses the game automatically. That's the kind of evolution in features that I like to see in the next gen consoles.

Part of building for the future is building an interface that will last that long.  I personally don't like metro and couldn't see using it for that long without getting frustrated or annoyed.  I also know that Windows 8 had issues with the start screen becoming cluttered very easily as more programs got installed.  I don't think that metro scales well at all.

Well 8.1 offers a bunch of fixes, including those related to scaling and customizing things like tiles sizes. The X1 OS will of course pick up any of the Metro improvements. The UI is customizable and clutter is handled much better now. I'm not sure how much of this is pushed to the X1, but we will see.

You bring up a good point though, you illustrate how hard it is to provide one UI that everyone loves. You prefer the XMB style and how the ps4 UI looks so far. On the other hand, others prefer the X1 style. Personally, I lean towards a UI that has more visual flare/style/cues that is serving content on my TV. That's why I happen to like how the X1 UI over the PS4. Not that a UI would keep me from buying a console, but if I had to pick a favorite, that would be it.

So when you talk about building for the future, its a subjective question. In your eyes, the XMB style is the future, while others see the Metro style as the future. There is not a single answer, just the reality that we have choices in the market precisely because we have a wide range of tastes to cater to.

Uhh.... that's exactly what this topic is about... Did you even look at the OP?

Here, I won't hide it. The UI sucks, just like it does on Windows 8. Granted it is much better on a console than it is in Windows 8, but it's still crap just like it has been since they first introduced it on the 360. While the blade UI was definitely dated, I far preferred it over the Metro look. I owned an original Xbox and a 360, never owned a Playstation, but I will when the PS4 comes out. No X1 for me, but that's mostly because of the pointless redundant features for me when I have a full computer plugged into all of my TVs, and less about the UI since I only see that for a few seconds while I launch my game. Stop crying every time someone says they don't like the UI. Your opinion isn't the final say for the world. Though it is funny watching you get so upset.

I wish everyone would remember that their opinion on how a UI looks is not the final say for the world. If there was a single UI that pleased everyone, we wouldn't have anything to criticize.

So basically, you chose the PS4 because you prefer its game lineup right? I mean the ps4 is offering a lot of the same features that you would find redundant, so it must be the games and/or the hardware advantage. As you said, you aren't avoiding the X1 because of its UI.

I know I'm basing my first console choice on game lineup due to the fact that most of the other features that the two consoles offer do the same thing with some minor differences.

I'm scratching my head trying to figure out why this is a bad thing?  I mean the original comment is to imply that consoles using the cloud is something bad or that because pcs also use the cloud, it means some minus for consoles.

 

 

The point was that the "cloud" and the Xbox Ones use for it is something that we have never seen before.  Something never used in PC Games, something unique and special.  When in reality it isn't.  It will be used for data mining, or other online aspects used in many PC games.  I am not saying it is a minus, or that it is a bad decision.   The point was that it has been done for a long time on PC's whereas Hawk was giving the impression it hadn't.

 

 

If you buy a web cam and a mic, you will not have the same experience as Kinect or the ps4 Eye. The reason Kinect or the ps4 eye is different is thanks to how they combine various tech into one package. From IR blasters to multi-array mics or the software side that brings all of the hardware into something useful for developers, its different. Why else would Kinect be used on pcs if it was just a web cam and mic?

 

I agree with you that it does more than a Webcam and Mic.  However it does contain both of those, so to say it can't be used as one is false.  It has video capture and audio capture which is what I think the poster who brought it up was meaning.

 

 

I just think its silly to try and pan these technologies. These things aren't brand new, original ideas, but they do represent an evolution in how the tech is used.

 

It is, however for something to be innovative it has to be done in a way we have never seen it done before.  As the One takes a lot of it's design and implementation from the PC world.. it isn't a stretch to compare the two.

 

But now wait a second, this argument wasn't comparing the ps4 and the x1, it was an attempt to compare against a pc. This is yet another example of a feature that has been on the pc for year, finally coming to both consoles in a way that is easier to do for the average user. For some reason, people just want to dump on these features as if they make the pc look bad or something. Consoles are all about convenient access to features and the X1 and PS4 have shown that they will provide easy access to features that have been around in other forms on the pc.

 

Again, the point wasn't to compare PS4 and the One, but to say: It's not new, bundling features that a computer has had for a long time doesn't make something future proof.   The point is that all of these innovations, additions, changes, etc are to make it future proof.   However like hardware and operating systems on computers.. they become obsolete.  So taking things computers already do, and claiming them future proof isn't the case.

 

 

I agree, I much prefer video than text for that stuff. Did you see the Machinima announcement yesterday? They are pushing an app to the X1 that will give gamers access to video guides, etc that pertain to the particular game you happen to be running at the time. It snaps to the side and you can view videos there or go full screen, which pauses the game automatically. That's the kind of evolution in features that I like to see in the next gen consoles.

 

Didn't see that, however that is pretty cool for sure.

 

Well 8.1 offers a bunch of fixes, including those related to scaling and customizing things like tiles sizes. The X1 OS will of course pick up any of the Metro improvements. The UI is customizable and clutter is handled much better now. I'm not sure how much of this is pushed to the X1, but we will see.

You bring up a good point though, you illustrate how hard it is to provide one UI that everyone loves. You prefer the XMB style and how the ps4 UI looks so far. On the other hand, others prefer the X1 style. Personally, I lean towards a UI that has more visual flare/style/cues that is serving content on my TV. That's why I happen to like how the X1 UI over the PS4. Not that a UI would keep me from buying a console, but if I had to pick a favorite, that would be it.

So when you talk about building for the future, its a subjective question. In your eyes, the XMB style is the future, while others see the Metro style as the future. There is not a single answer, just the reality that we have choices in the market precisely because we have a wide range of tastes to cater to.

 

 

Yes, what person A sees as future proof, person B sees as in the past.  Everyone will have a different opinion, which is why bold statements like "Xbox one is built for the future" is purely personal opinion.  I see it as becoming dated very quickly, both in feature sets, and ui.

.Guess ill have to wait till release day. Its going to be this or ps4 or steambox.

 

Both of which will undoubtedly have media and other services..  i laugh inside a little bit reading your posts as if people are supposed to be buying dedicated devices these days.  The beauty of X1 is "ONE" device to do it all..   i guess the marketing doesn't work with you but at the same time, you think that Sony and steambox won't do the same "one" device aspect?

Xbox One looks Future Proof to me

 

Good games for launch = check

Amazing games around the corner from launch = check

Dedicated Resources for Games = check

Dedicated Resources for Apps = check

OS for games = check

OS for Apps/Media = check

HDMI In/Out (Never know what the future holds  :D) = check

Wifi Direct = Check

Designed to be on 24/7 and on the Cloud,Web,Dedicated Server (whatever you want to call it) = check

Kinect (call it whatever you want, but NO webcam is doing it like Kinect v2) and good thing we got 10yrs to see it grow = check

300K Azure Servers (and thats just for launch) = Check

 

And to the people who say dedicated server have been around for years.. guess what, you are correct...  And to those people, Azure is breathing new life into that old dinosaur method...  

 

Yep.... Looking pretty future proof to me... 

Part of building for the future is building an interface that will last that long.  I personally don't like metro and couldn't see using it for that long without getting frustrated or annoyed.  I also know that Windows 8 had issues with the start screen becoming cluttered very easily as more programs got installed.  I don't think that metro scales well at all.

 

Metro isn't about scaling, its about simplifying.  It's about presenting things in an organized interface/view so that you can see them visually and that they are appealing.

 

BTW, Windows 8.1 which is GA today lets you use ultra small icons and you can fit a zillion of them in a single screen as to not have to scroll anywhere and the screen becomes much less cluttered when you just pin apps that you use and sort them according to groups.

 

Metro also looks absolutely amazing on the x1..

 

Can't wait for release date!

I wish everyone would remember that their opinion on how a UI looks is not the final say for the world. If there was a single UI that pleased everyone, we wouldn't have anything to criticize.

So basically, you chose the PS4 because you prefer its game lineup right? I mean the ps4 is offering a lot of the same features that you would find redundant, so it must be the games and/or the hardware advantage. As you said, you aren't avoiding the X1 because of its UI.

I know I'm basing my first console choice on game lineup due to the fact that most of the other features that the two consoles offer do the same thing with some minor differences.

Yeah, it's definitely partly because I'd like to play some games I've never been able to play before not having a Playstation. I feel like MS has focused more on the other features whereas they are just kind of there on the PS4 like they were on the PS3 and 360. I'm not against having the extra features but I wonder if MS's interests are wandering into trying to build a box that takes over your entire living room which I have no need or interest in. It's great for most people that don't have computers plugged into their TVs, but it's not best for me. I don't really have anything against the One, I'm just changing it up this time, but no, it's not BECAUSE of the UI, hell, I'm not a big fan of the PS4 UI either, but at least it's better than the PS3, that was awful.

The point was that the "cloud" and the Xbox Ones use for it is something that we have never seen before.  Something never used in PC Games, something unique and special.  When in reality it isn't.  It will be used for data mining, or other online aspects used in many PC games.  I am not saying it is a minus, or that it is a bad decision.   The point was that it has been done for a long time on PC's whereas Hawk was giving the impression it hadn't.

I agree that its not new tech, just an evolution of implementation. However, I don't think the platform will be limited to data mining or mmos. The fact that MS is offering free access to the resources for any developer means there is a chance to see more usage beyond the basics you mentioned.

If Hawk was trying to say that this is all brand new stuff, then that was wrong.

 

I agree with you that it does more than a Webcam and Mic.  However it does contain both of those, so to say it can't be used as one is false.  It has video capture and audio capture which is what I think the poster who brought it up was meaning.

 

Ah ok, I didn't realize Hawk had claimed it could not be used like those things. That's certainly not true.

We are seeing evolved tech, thanks to years of tech improvements in markets like pcs. My point was simply that the 'new' part comes from a device that can do more than your basic webcam and mic.

 

It is, however for something to be innovative it has to be done in a way we have never seen it done before.  As the One takes a lot of it's design and implementation from the PC world.. it isn't a stretch to compare the two.

But lets be fair here, both the X1 and PS4 fall into that category. In fact, I can only think of things like Kinect and the PS4 eye as pieces of tech without a direct comparison on the PC. Even those are just new designs incorporating existing tech as we know.

These consoles share a lot with pcs, and I don't think Hawk or anyone else needs to think of that as a negative. Consoles have advantages, just not in the area of tech thanks to the open nature of pcs.

 

Again, the point wasn't to compare PS4 and the One, but to say: It's not new, bundling features that a computer has had for a long time doesn't make something future proof.   The point is that all of these innovations, additions, changes, etc are to make it future proof.   However like hardware and operating systems on computers.. they become obsolete.  So taking things computers already do, and claiming them future proof isn't the case.

Ultimately, I agree that trying to claim any tech, especially something complex like consoles or pcs is future proof is silly. However, I don't see anything wrong with claiming your design is something that can last for a while into the future. Your software can be updated over time for example.

Sony and MS are aiming for devices that last 7-10 years, so they will rely on software updates and perhaps leveraging cloud tech more and more to keep the platforms feeling fresh down the road. MS may be more outspoken about leveraging cloud tech, but Sony is right there with them. I think MS sees their design as one that can evolve over time and therefore, 'built for the future'

Did MS even say 'future proof' in the video. Built for the future is certainly different.

 

Yes, what person A sees as future proof, person B sees as in the past.  Everyone will have a different opinion, which is why bold statements like "Xbox one is built for the future" is purely personal opinion.  I see it as becoming dated very quickly, both in feature sets, and ui.

 

Why do you think the feature set will be dated quickly? If MS sticks to updating it, there is no reason to believe it will get outdated feature wise. Same goes for the ps4.

The other nice thing about issues with the UI is that it can all change. MS and Sony can alter their UI as needed based on feedback, they proved that this gen. Who knows, maybe MS will fix the things you don't like about the UI as it goes along.

The only limitation for Sony and MS is to adding any features that require more hardware resources than the consoles can provide.

 

Yeah, it's definitely partly because I'd like to play some games I've never been able to play before not having a Playstation. I feel like MS has focused more on the other features whereas they are just kind of there on the PS4 like they were on the PS3 and 360. I'm not against having the extra features but I wonder if MS's interests are wandering into trying to build a box that takes over your entire living room which I have no need or interest in. It's great for most people that don't have computers plugged into their TVs, but it's not best for me. I don't really have anything against the One, I'm just changing it up this time, but no, it's not BECAUSE of the UI, hell, I'm not a big fan of the PS4 UI either, but at least it's better than the PS3, that was awful.

 

Hey, that's a perfectly fine reason to make your choice.

I happen to like both consoles due to the game lineup we know about right now. I'm not really concerned with how much MS focuses on non-gaming content as long as they are still providing good game content and game features. I've seen enough evidence that they are to want an X1 along with a PS4. Plus, I plan to use the other media features both offer.

If I didn't like the game lineup for the X1, I wouldn't be getting one till that changed.

 

Calling something with non-upgradable hardware "future proof"... ROFLMAO.

Did they say future proof in the video?

never owned a Playstation, but I will when the PS4 comes out. No X1 for me, but that's mostly because of the pointless redundant features for me

Hate to point it out to you but PS4 has pretty much exact same feature set as XB1, here is a handy list

-TV (HDMI or streaming)

-Game recording

-Social sharing

-Motion controls with Kinect/Move

-Movies/Music service 

 

Cloud is a marketing term for servers.  

.

.

.. the kinect is just that.  It is a camera.. that can transfer video over the internet.. and has built in microphones

While you are technically correct about "Cloud", it is mostly used to describe a larger network of general purpose servers with datacenters spread worldwide instead of just a bunch of servers in single location.

This is in a way new than the traditional MMO implementation. The big deal about XB1 cloud is that all developers have it available "for free" in the dev. tools.

If Kinect was "just a camera with a mic", it wouldn't include multiple cameras such as ToF or IR. Neither would it much more complex AV processors than simple webcams.

Both of which will undoubtedly have media and other services..  i laugh inside a little bit reading your posts as if people are supposed to be buying dedicated devices these days.  The beauty of X1 is "ONE" device to do it all..   i guess the marketing doesn't work with you but at the same time, you think that Sony and steambox won't do the same "one" device aspect?

 

i dont want a device that does it all, why do i need three devices just to watch tv?? isnt that a waste of power when we should be cutting back? Look the xboxone looks great, there are alot of great hardware in it, but for me i just want to turn on my console see my current installed games, play what i want turn it off. I dont want ads about movies or music put in ads for games sure! BTW i have steam big picture hooked up and when i change to HDMI2 i have three options STORE LIBRARY COMMUNITY, Looks clean simple great imho.

i dont want a device that does it all, why do i need three devices just to watch tv?? isnt that a waste of power when we should be cutting back? Look the xboxone looks great, there are alot of great hardware in it, but for me i just want to turn on my console see my current installed games, play what i want turn it off. I dont want ads about movies or music put in ads for games sure! BTW i have steam big picture hooked up and when i change to HDMI2 i have three options STORE LIBRARY COMMUNITY, Looks clean simple great imho.

Look at the screenshots for the X1, the Home screen is devoid of ALL ads. The only 'ads' is the recommended section, which will change based on what you use the X1 for.

I really don't see the difference between Steam big picture mode and the X1. It may have more sections across the top, but it doesn't seem to get in the way of me playing my games when I want to.

As far as not wanting an all in one solution, the unfortunate truth is that all of these companies are going that way. The PS4 does this, Valve's SteamOS/Steambox will does this, and of course the X1 does this.

The era of gaming-only devices is gone at least for the moment. Heck, even the OUYA is an all-in-one device.

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i dont want a device that does it all, why do i need three devices just to watch tv?? isnt that a waste of power when we should be cutting back? Look the xboxone looks great, there are alot of great hardware in it, but for me i just want to turn on my console see my current installed games, play what i want turn it off. I dont want ads about movies or music put in ads for games sure! BTW i have steam big picture hooked up and when i change to HDMI2 i have three options STORE LIBRARY COMMUNITY, Looks clean simple great imho.

 

Why do you need to have 3 devices just to watch TV?  All i have is my Receiver, TV and Xbox..  Xbox 360 already does 100% of my media and Xbox one just continues to evolve and improve the process.   I'd always need a TV and always need a Receiver for my setup so whatever is in the middle will always be the 3rd device.

Why wouldn't you want everything integrated?

 

What's all the hate on ads when no one but Microsoft and their testers know what ads are there if any at all to begin with?  I have no problems with them - its usually reminding me of a sale / game coming up and the others i just skim through so quick i don't notice them because i'm jumping right into what i want to do.

 

I want my console to do more than games because i'm not spending 600 bucks just to play games...  

There used to be a day when people thought PC's should only be doing WYSIWYG word processing and lotus worksheets

Why do you need to have 3 devices just to watch TV?  All i have is my Receiver, TV and Xbox..  Xbox 360 already does 100% of my media and Xbox one just continues to evolve and improve the process.   I'd always need a TV and always need a Receiver for my setup so whatever is in the middle will always be the 3rd device.

Why wouldn't you want everything integrated?

 

What's all the hate on ads when no one but Microsoft and their testers know what ads are there if any at all to begin with?  I have no problems with them - its usually reminding me of a sale / game coming up and the others i just skim through so quick i don't notice them because i'm jumping right into what i want to do.

 

I want my console to do more than games because i'm not spending 600 bucks just to play games...  

There used to be a day when people thought PC's should only be doing WYSIWYG word processing and lotus worksheets

 

well under MS idea, you would plug in your receiver to pass tv though xbone to your tv. For my setup i just turn on my TV use plex app to steam content or watch ota channels. i guess i could be over bitching about the ads, but not hot on the idea! Sure spending 600$ on a item you want the most out of it, but i dont want to feel like i looking a 90s version of yahoo search page!

well under MS idea, you would plug in your receiver to pass tv though xbone to your tv. For my setup i just turn on my TV use plex app to steam content or watch ota channels. i guess i could be over bitching about the ads, but not hot on the idea! Sure spending 600$ on a item you want the most out of it, but i dont want to feel like i looking a 90s version of yahoo search page!

Hey, that's a completely fair position. I don't want a page filled with ads either, I was just saying that MS doesn't seem to be going in that direction with the X1 from the footage so far.

You mentioned using Plex. Well one of the reasons I'm interested in the X1 is that MS demoed using Win 8 apps on the X1 and made it clear that they planned to allow such apps to be used.

I currently have two htpcs built that are small boxes under my tvs that serve all of my media using the MediaBrowser software (basically works like Plex if your not familiar with it). If MS actually allows apps to be pushed from Win 8, then I will be able to use my MediaBrowser app for Win 8 on the X1. That would mean I can eliminate the need for an htpc under my tv (I would have my consoles there as well regardless) and the MB app can handle all of me media playback needs. Its a win-win for me.

What game is this?

Forza Motorsport 5

 

Hey, that's a completely fair position. I don't want a page filled with ads either, I was just saying that MS doesn't seem to be going in that direction with the X1 from the footage so far.

You mentioned using Plex. Well one of the reasons I'm interested in the X1 is that MS demoed using Win 8 apps on the X1 and made it clear that they planned to allow such apps to be used.

I currently have two htpcs built that are small boxes under my tvs that serve all of my media using the MediaBrowser software (basically works like Plex if your not familiar with it). If MS actually allows apps to be pushed from Win 8, then I will be able to use my MediaBrowser app for Win 8 on the X1. That would mean I can eliminate the need for an htpc under my tv (I would have my consoles there as well regardless) and the MB app can handle all of me media playback needs. Its a win-win for me.

VLC on XB1 would be cool. 

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    • Hands-on with BOOX Tappy: cute little reading accessory by Taras Buria Page turners are quite popular accessories for e-readers, as they enable a hands-free reading experience, which is particularly useful with large readers featuring 10-inch or larger displays. The BOOX Tappy is a new accessory that was introduced earlier this year, and we took this cute-looking thingy for a spin. The Tappy comes in a small box, with two additional buttons and a user manual. The device is made of glossy green plastic and resembles old appliances from the nuclear age. Material quality is great, and each part feels quite premium. Plastic is high-quality, the switch is nice to flick, and the buttons are not rattly. At the bottom, four rubberized feet prevent slipping when used on a desk. Unfortunately, there are no color options, and the Tappy is only available in green. It looks good, but I wish there were other options as well. There are two removable buttons, an on/off switch, and an LED indicator that displays connection mode, charging status, and more. The buttons resemble those of an old typewriter, with quite a long travel distance and a pleasant clack. In the box, you have four buttons with different icons: heart, coffee, O, and X. You can easily swap buttons by simply pulling them upwards. Tip: buttons come with plastic covers, but they are quite tricky to remove. It is hard to call the Tappy the most ergonomic remote control, but after fiddling with it for a few hours, I managed to find a comfortable hand position. Attaching a lanyard to it can make it more comfortable in use without the fear of dropping it, but unfortunately, the Tappy does not come with one. The Tappy connects via Bluetooth 5.2, and it works in three modes, which you can toggle by pressing and holding both buttons for about five seconds: Reading Mode Multimedia Mode Browsing Mode Next / Previous page Next / Previous Track Up / Down scroll If you pair the Tappy with a BOOX device (I tested it with the BOOX Go 10.5 Gen 2 Lumi), you will get small pop-ups indicating the current mode. Plus, you can customize what each button does when pressed one time, two times, or held for a few seconds. The list of available actions and features you can use is massive, and I like that BOOX lets you map stuff like brightness adjustment, app launching, screenshot-taking, screen rotating, navigation, and more. Note, however, that while you can use the Tappy with other readers, its customization is only available on BOOX devices running firmware version 4.2 and newer. I could not connect the Tappy to my computer (Windows 11 claims a driver error when I try), but it worked with the DuRoBo Krono that I recently reviewed. My Kindle Paperwhite refused to work with the Tappy, though, just like my iPhone. The Tappy uses a non-removable Li-Ion battery, which can be recharged with a Type-C cable. BOOX rates the remote for "weeks of use," and I can say that it indeed has very good battery life. While there are no battery indicators on the remote, you can see the current level in the status bar or in Input settings in the BOOX firmware. After a few days of active use, mine still shows about 95%. Overall, the Tappy left a nice impression. It is well-made, and the integration with BOOX devices is great. I also like that BOOX decided to have some fun with its design and swappable buttons. I cannot say I am a fan of its odd shape, though. Still, I managed to find a way to use it comfortably. And when not in use, it just looks neat sitting on the table doing nothing or serving you as a small clacky fidget. Buy BOOX Tappy - $29.99 on Amazon US As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • AdGuard Family lifetime deal now only $14.97 by Steven Parker Today's highlighted Neowin Deal comes via our Apps + Software section, where you can get a lifetime subscription and save 91% on a lifetime AdGuard Family Plan. AdGuard is a unique program that has all the necessary features for what they claim to be "the best web experience." The software combines the an advanced ad blocker, a privacy protection module, and a parental control tool—all working in one app. This software deals with annoying ads, hides your data from a multitude of trackers, protects you from malware attacks, and even lets you restrict your kids from accessing inappropriate content. Install AdGuard and see the internet as it was supposed to be: clean and safe. Get rid of annoying banners, pop-ups & video ads once and for all Hide your data from the multitude of trackers & activity analyzers that swarm the web Avoid fraudulent and phishing website and malware attacks Protect your kids online by restricting them from accessing inappropriate & adult content Good to know Family Plan Length of access: lifetime This plan is only available to new users Redemption deadline: redeem your code within 30 days of purchase Max number of devices: 9 Access options: desktop & mobile Software version: AdGuard Family Updates included A lifetime subscription of AdGuard Family Plan normally costs $169.99, but this deal can be yours for just $14.97, that's a saving of $157.02. For full terms, specifications, and license info please click the link below. Get this AdGuard Family lifetime deal for just $14.97 (was $169.99) Although priced in U.S. dollars, this deal is available for digital purchase worldwide. As an online publication, Neowin too relies on ads for operating costs and, if you use an ad blocker, we'd appreciate being whitelisted. In addition, we have an ad-free subscription for $28 a year, which is another way to show support! Support queries If you have queries or need support for any of the Neowin Deals, please use the contact form here. Neowin Deals are managed and sold by StackCommerce who represent Neowin on an affiliate basis. Why we post these deals We post these because we earn commission on each sale so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. So for those that keep moaning and complaining, be thankful we're still online for you to even do that. Other ways to support Neowin Whitelist Neowin by not blocking our ads Create a free member account to see fewer ads Make a donation to support our day to day running costs Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: Neowin benefits from revenue of each sale made through our branded deals site powered by StackCommerce.
    • Passkeys: Think of them like a broken heart necklace. Imagine one of those heart necklaces that breaks into two matching pieces. One person keeps one half, and the other person keeps the other half. With passkeys, the website has one half, and you have the other half. If the website gets hacked and someone steals its half, that stolen piece is useless by itself. It cannot unlock your account without your matching half. This particular heart necklace is one of a kind, there is only one in existence. Your half of the necklace has to be stored somewhere. It might be stored on your phone, tablet, computer, security key, or a password manager that can sync it between all your devices. A security key is a small physical device that you keep with you, kind of like a house key, car key, or flash drive. I would not usually recommend a security key as the first option for the average person. For most people, it is easier to use their phone, computer, or a password manager that can sync passkeys between their devices. A security key is more like a spare key you keep in a safe place, just in case you lose access to your other devices or your password manager. Some security keys plug into your computer. Some plug into your phone or tablet. Some get tapped against your device. The idea is simple: a security key can hold another passkey for the same website. Think of it like creating a second one-of-a-kind heart necklace for the same account. One necklace could be paired with your password manager, while another necklace could be paired with your security key. That means the website has more than one matching half on file. One half matches the passkey in your password manager. Another half matches the passkey stored on your security key. So, if you lose access to your phone, computer, or password manager, you would still be able to log in using the passkey stored on your security key. Think of it like keeping an extra special necklace piece on a tiny keychain, stored somewhere safe. The website still has the matching half for that security key, but your half is safely stored inside the little key. A passkey does not automatically exist on every device you own. It lives wherever you save it. If your half is stored on one device, then that device is the one that has the matching piece. For example, if you create the passkey on your Windows computer and it is only saved to that computer, your iPhone does not automatically have that same half. If you create it on your iPhone and it only stays on that iPhone, your Android phone does not automatically have it either. That is where password managers come in. A password manager can act like a protected jewelry box for your passkeys. Instead of your half of the necklace being locked to only one device, the password manager can securely sync that half to your other approved devices. For example, Apple Passwords and iCloud Keychain can sync passkeys between your Apple devices. Google Password Manager can sync passkeys with your Google account. But password managers such as 1Password and Bitwarden can sync passkeys between everything, your phones, tablets and computers. Now, you might ask: “What happens if I lose access to the device that has my passkey?” That depends on where your passkey was saved and what recovery options the website gives you. If your passkey was synced through a password manager, you may be able to sign in from another device that has access to that same password manager. For example, if your passkey is saved in iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager, 1Password, or Bitwarden, another approved device may still have access to it. If your passkey was saved only on one phone, computer, or security key, and you lose that device, then you may not have your half of the necklace anymore. In that case, you would usually need to use the website’s backup login or account recovery options. A lot of websites that support passkeys still let you fall back to your regular password. So if you lose access to your passkey, the site may still let you log in with your password, a code sent to your email, a text message, a recovery code, or some other account recovery process. That is convenient, but it is also important to understand: if the website still allows password login, then your password still matters. Passkeys are safer than passwords, but if your account still has a password as a backup, you should still use a strong, unique password and turn on two-factor authentication if the website offers it. This is why it is a good idea to have more than one safe way back into important accounts. For example, you might keep your passkey in a syncing password manager, add a second trusted device, save recovery codes somewhere safe, or set up a backup security key. A passkey is very secure, but just like a real key, you need a backup plan in case you lose access to it. Now, you might ask: “What stops a hacker from copying my half of the necklace?” That’s the important part: your half is protected. It is not something you type in, and it is not something the website gets to keep. Think of your half as being locked inside a tiny safe on your phone, computer, security key, or password manager. That safe only opens when you approve it with your fingerprint, face, PIN, or device password. When you log in, the website does not need to see your half. It only needs proof that your half matches its half. Your actual half is not handed over to the website. This is different from a password. With a password, you type the secret into the website. If you type it into a fake website, the hacker now has it. With a passkey, you are not typing your secret into the website. Your device is proving you have the matching half without giving the half away. That also helps protect you from fake websites. If someone makes a fake login page that looks like the real site, your device can tell it is not the real match. It will not use your passkey there. Now, could someone use your passkey if they stole your device, got into your password manager, or somehow unlocked the safe that holds your half? Yes, that is why your device password, PIN, fingerprint, face unlock, and password manager security still matter. But a hacker cannot just steal your passkey from the website or trick you into typing it into a fake page like they can with a password. That is why passkeys are safer than passwords. The two matching pieces have to come together, like two lovebirds who were once separated and are finally reunited.
    • Newegg offers insane combo deal on Amazon Prime Day 2026 that beats Steam Machine by Sayan Sen Building a PC is undoubtedly difficult nowadays but with this epic combo deal, Newegg is trying to make it as easy for you as it is possible. If you are making a new one or even upgrading an old system to a new Windows 11 device, this combo bundle is truly unmissable as you get AMD's Ryzen 9800X3D, a compatible X870 motherboard, a 240mm AIO liquid cooler and finally a Samsung 990 PRO SSD all for under $1000 (purchase link under the specs table down below). This should beat out the newly launched Steam Machine from Valve in terms of performance and performance per dollar especially if you are willing to set Linux up on it. Essentially with this combo you will get the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 8-core 3D V cache CPU, Samsung's 990 PRO 2TB NVMe SSD, the MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX Motherboard, and finally the Cooler Master Elite Liquid 240. Thanks to that massive vertically stacked L3 cache, the X3D desktop processors, including the 9800X3D, also come with the benefit of not needing fast memory. Even DDR5-5600 should be plenty for it. The technical specifications of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D are given in the table below: Specification Value Architecture Zen 5 Cores / Threads 8 / 16 Base Clock 4.7 GHz Max Boost Clock Up to 5.2 GHz L1 Cache 640 KB L2 Cache 8 MB L3 Cache 96 MB Total Cache 104 MB CPU Core Process TSMC 4nm FinFET I/O Die Process TSMC 6nm FinFET Socket AM5 Default TDP 120W Max Temperature (Tjmax) 95°C Thermal Solution Not included Memory Type DDR5 Max Capacity 256 GB Memory Speeds 2x1R: DDR5-5600 2x2R: DDR5-5600 4x1R: DDR5-3600 4x2R: DDR5-3600 PCIe Version PCIe 5.0 PCIe Lanes (Total/Usable) 28 / 24 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) 4 USB 2.0 1 Graphics Cores 2 CU RDNA 2 Frequency 2200 MHz DisplayPort over USB-C Yes Overclocking Unlocked Up next we have the tech specs for the MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard: Specification Value Chipset AMD X870 CPU Support AMD Ryzen 9000 / 8000 / 7000 Series Desktop Processors Socket AM5 Memory Slots 4 × DDR5 UDIMM Maximum Memory Capacity 256GB Memory Support DDR5 8400–5600 MT/s (OC), DDR5 5600–4800 MT/s (JEDEC) Integrated Graphics Outputs 1 × HDMI 2.1 FRL (up to 8K 60Hz) 2 × USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3 (up to 4K 60Hz) Expansion Slots PCI_E1: PCIe 5.0 x16 (CPU) PCI_E2: PCIe 3.0 x1 (Chipset) PCI_E3: PCIe 4.0 x4 (Chipset) Audio Realtek ALC4080 Codec 7.1-Channel USB High Performance Audio Supports up to 32-bit/384kHz playback on front panel S/PDIF output M.2 Slots 4 × M.2 M2_1: PCIe 5.0 x4 (CPU, 22110/2280) M2_2: PCIe 5.0 x4 (CPU, 2280/2260) M2_3: PCIe 4.0 x2 (Chipset, 2280/2260) M2_4: PCIe 4.0 x4 (Chipset, 2280/2260) SATA Ports 4 × SATA 6Gb/s RAID Support RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 for M.2 NVMe storage devices Rear USB Ports 4 × USB 2.0 3 × USB 5Gbps Type-A 2 × USB 10Gbps Type-A 1 × USB 10Gbps Type-C 2 × USB4 40Gbps Type-C Front USB Headers 4 × USB 2.0 4 × USB 5Gbps Type-A 1 × USB 20Gbps Type-C LAN Realtek 8126-CG 5G LAN Wireless Wi-Fi 7 (M.2 Key-E module pre-installed) Supports 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz bands Up to 5.8Gbps Supports 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.4, MLO, 4KQAM Internal Power Connectors 1 × 24-pin ATX Power 2 × CPU Power Connectors 1 × PCIe 8-pin Power Connector Fan Headers 1 × CPU Fan 1 × Combo Fan (Pump/System) 6 × System Fan RGB Headers 3 × Addressable V2 RGB (JARGB_V2) 1 × RGB LED (JRGB) Other Internal Headers 1 × EZ Conn-header 2 × Front Panel Headers 1 × Chassis Intrusion 1 × Front Audio 1 × TPM 2.0 Header Debug Features 4 × EZ Debug LEDs 1 × EZ Digit Debug LED Rear I/O Ports Clear CMOS Button Flash BIOS Button HDMI 2 × USB 40Gbps Type-C 1 × USB 10Gbps Type-C 4 × USB 10Gbps Type-A 3 × USB 5Gbps Type-A 4 × USB 2.0 5G LAN Port Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Antenna Connectors Audio Connectors Form Factor ATX The Samsung 990 PRO is a PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD and still one of the fastest drives available today for under $500. Speaking of fast, sequential reads and writes are rated at 7450 MB/s and 6900 MB/s, respectively. The random throughputs for reads and writes are 1400K IOPS and 1550K IOPS, respectively. The 990 PRO is based on Samsung's 7th Gen V-NAND flash, and it too is TLC. It packs 2 gigs of LPDDR4 DRAM cache, which helps the random performance. The endurance rating for this is 1200 TBW (terabytes written), which should be sufficient for most users. The Samsung 990 PRO is compatible with the PlayStation 5, but if you are going to use the 990 PRO on a PC, check out the Samsung Magician app that lets you track your drive's health, update its firmware, customize various settings, and more. The tech specs are given below: Specification Value Interface PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0 Form Factor M.2 2280 Controller Samsung In-house Controller NAND Flash 3D TLC DRAM Cache 2GB LPDDR4 Sequential Read (Max) 7,450 MB/s Sequential Write (Max) 6,900 MB/s Random Read (4K) Up to 1,400,000 IOPS Random Write (4K) Up to 1,550,000 IOPS TBW (Endurance) 1,200 TBW MTBF 1,500,000 hours Operating Temperature 0°C to 70°C Storage Temperature -40°C to 85°C Shock Resistance 1,500G / 0.5ms Heatsink No Get the combo deal at this link: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Samsung 990 PRO 2TB, MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard, Cooler Master Elite Liquid 240: $784.99 + $25 off with promo code FTTF77: $759.99 (Sold and Shipped by Newegg US) Good to know This Newegg deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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