Sony launches Beta Program to allow testing of new titles
The new Beta Program for PlayStation will provide a hub to keep track of any and all pre-release tests for upcoming PS5 and PC games, Sony has announced. A new initiative by Sony will allow easier tracking and access to beta versions of new titles, according to the company’s...
Current in Tech
Thousands of musicians are going silent in protest against AI
A new ‘silent album’ featuring the likes of Kate Bush and Damon Albarn is taking aim at UK government plans that would allow tech companies to mine the work of creatives. Over a thousand artists, including Kate Bush and Annie Lennox, have come together to release a unique album – it’s...
Private commercial vehicle Blue Ghost lands on the Moon
Blue Ghost becomes the second commercial vehicle to ever land on the Moon. Launched by US firm Firefly Aerospace, the project is a collaboration between NASA and several private companies. Another space vehicle has successfully made the trip between Earth and the Moon. Blue Ghost was launched on January 15th...
Study reveals explicit deepfakes are rife among US teens
One in eight US teenagers under 18 personally know someone who has been targeted with pornographic deepfakes. What is being done about this privacy crisis? We all know what deepfakes are at this point. Generative AI is adept at accurately capturing a person’s likeness and superimposing it over existing photos...
Katy Perry to be launched into space on Blue Origin flight
Following the release of her ‘143’ album, Katy Perry will be flung into space as part of an upcoming all-women flight on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. Singer and pop star Katy Perry will be heading to space early this year alongside Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Laure Sanchez, as well...
Research finds smartphones linked to depression and anxiety
A new study reported by NPR shows that taking two week breaks from the internet and your smartphone can improve your mood as effectively as medication. Here’s yet another study that suggests our smartphones and constant internet access may be causing us excessive levels of anxiety and depression. According to...
Ancient Egyptian mummies still smell pleasant after 5,000 years
Even after spending millennia entombed in stone sarcophagi, some ancient Egyptian mummies still emit a surprisingly pleasant scent, research has discovered. In a recent study combining science with sensory exploration, researchers have discovered that ancient Egyptian mummies, some preserved for over 5,000 years within their sarcophagi, emit surprisingly pleasant aromas. The researchers noted these mummies release scents described as ‘woody,’ ‘spicy,’ and ‘sweet.’ The revelation sets a new path...
New research suggests Gen Z see internet access as human right
A poll of 2,000 adults revealed that most individuals aged between 18 and 28 consider internet access as a ‘human right.’ The study was conducted in the UK. New research indicates that Gen Z regard internet access as a basic human right on a similar level to other necessities such as food and water. Conducted in the UK, 2,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 28 were surveyed. Over 50%...
Could Spotify’s HiFi streaming tier drop in 2025?
Spotify first announced a HiFi tier of music streaming almost four years ago. It looks like its original plans could finally be put into effect this year. The world’s most popular streaming service Spotify looks set to launch its new HiFi subscription tier this year. First announced in 2021, Bloomberg has reported that the company hopes to roll out this new feature soon. Speaking anonymously, the source said that Spotify aims...
Are faceless influencers here to stay?
Online fame has largely correlated to how much a creator was willing to expose of themselves online. Now, faceless influencers have entered the game – and their anonymity is part of their allure. Social media and influencer culture have always encouraged creators to showcase their personal identity, but the last year has seen a unique trend emerging. That is, the faceless influencer. Techniques used by the ‘faceless influencer’ go against the...
