Electronics gadgets: RIP, Google Stadia

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2022. On this day in 1980, the ethernet specification was released. Who knew the default way to get online to stream movies and music was 42 years old? What a run. Oh, speaking of music: Apple Music | Spotify

⏰ Today's Big Stories... in 30 Seconds

Today We Watched, Read, and Listened to (so you don't have to):

349 articles, 17 podcasts, 19 press releases, 369 tweets, and 28 YouTube videos

1. Love Google Stadia? Too Bad Because It's Shutting Down

Google is shuttering its game streaming service, Stadia, with it closing for good in 2023. Don't panic if you're a Stadia user, though, because Google says it intends to provide refunds for all Stadia hardware and software purchases. And Stadia Pro subscribers? You'll no longer be charged. How nice of them.

2. Adobe Elements 2023 Software Pushes AI for Easy, Faster Editing

2023 versions of Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements have arrived. Beyond the new date, Adobe says these offer more AI-powered editing tools that should make projects easier for everyone. Ready to make robots work for you? You can get both for $99.99 each or as an upgrade for $79.99 each.

3. 'Liteboxer Total Body' Wants to Be the Best VR Workout Experience

Liteboxer just upped its VR game with Liteboxer Total Body for the Quest 2, a VR fitness app that pairs you up with a personal trainer. These are not live sessions, but the company says the tech makes them feel live, as you're directly facing a pre-recorded trainer. Sounds intense. Who's ready to sweat?

🦑 Go Deeper

Podcast hosts can be smooth talkers, right? But imagine if they were actually AI voices. According to Sascha Brodsky, such a reality is fast approaching.

🎱 By the Numbers

Why be on Twitter in VR?

Data: Security.org

There are a variety of things you can do in virtual reality, but most people seem to play games, which isn't too surprising. What's curious to us, though, are the other activities people get up to, like social media. We don't get it, but maybe tweeting in VR just feels cooler?

🔥 Today's Hot Deal

Need new speakers for your home theater? These Klipsch Next-Gen R-40M Bookshelf Speakers are here for you, and they're down to $159.99 at Woot right now. Look at 'em; they're more than ready to blast blockbuster sounds your way.

Don't Miss This Deal

🤓 Nerd Out

"Yeah, The Matrix is still cool." —Evan Killham, Editor

One of the more recent attempts to recreate the digital rain from The Matrix was so good, even Lilly Wachowski, one of its directors, had to praise it. Check it out. (Share on Twitter)

💎 You Know You Want It

So many colors!

Image: Amazon

Before spending a ton of money on a new Sony TV, consider Amazon's new 65" Fire TV Omni QLED 4K Smart TV (heck of a name). Everything you love about modern TVs with a nice dose of built-in Alexa support and more vivid colors than your eyes can handle... probably. Just gotta wait until October.

🎥 Behind the Scenes

Can you tell the difference?

Did you watch Disney's Obi-Wan Kenobi and feel good hearing James Earl Jones as Darth Vader again? Well, we hate to break your reality, but it was actually an AI voice replica. "Really?!" Yep. AI actors are on their way!