An Apple device offering augmented reality and virtual reality experiences – a mixed reality headset, if you prefer – has been rumored for years at this point. The latest leaks around the hardware suggest it'll be a premium-level piece of kit, and that it could launch in 2022.
That's as per the Power On newsletter written by Mark Gurman, who has historically been more right than wrong when it comes to his Apple predictions. There's not much new information here, but from the description given by Gurman it sounds like the headset will be more towards the premium end of the market.
"Apple is planning to unleash its own pricey device with advanced chips, displays, sensors and avatar-based features as early as next year," writes Gurman, putting the headset in the context of a similar device from Facebook that we've just heard about.
Facebook – now called Meta, by the way – is planning a successor to the Oculus Quest 2 that is going to be more expensive and more powerful. The device is official, even if details are thin on the ground, and a 2022 launch has been promised.
From what Gurman is saying, the Apple AR/VR/mixed reality headset will be along similar lines in terms of its functionality and price point. The technology required for these headsets is improving all the time, and next year could be a significant one in terms of new hardware hitting the market.
Facebook/Meta is also rumored to be working on a smartwatch, which is another field that Apple has a serious interest in. If the leaks are correct, it's going to have a front-facing camera, which should help it stand out against the competition.
Analysis: what exactly is Apple building again?
Google Glass.(Image credit: Future)
It's not been easy to keep track of Apple's potential AR/VR device. What we do know for sure is that Apple boss Tim Cook is very keen on augmented reality, and has been quick to make sure AR capabilities are built into devices like the iPhone and the iPad.
There's nothing to stop a headset combining both virtual reality (entirely enclosed digital worlds) and augmented reality (digital elements laid on top of the real world). The official term is mixed reality, although not everyone uses it to mean the same technology, which muddies the water somewhat.
From what we know so far, it sounds as though there's both a more powerful Apple VR headset, as well as a pair of Apple Glasses that will specialize in AR. It's possible, though rather unlikely, that the rumors around these devices are actually referring to the same piece of hardware with both AR and VR features.
The most likely scenario is that Apple gives us a device like the Oculus Quest 2 for VR and a device like Google Glass for AR. As yet, nothing is official, but we wouldn't be surprised if Apple launched a dedicated AR/VR gadget sometime in 2022.
This Dell G15 with an RTX 3050 Ti for $832.99 (was $1,184) is easily one of the best early Black Friday gaming laptop deals we've spotted here at TechRadar.
Not only is the retailer offering up a hefty $350 discount well before the Black Friday 2021 sale, but this one's extremely well priced considering you're getting a powerful graphics card, Intel Core i5-10500H processor, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD.
Put together, you're getting some very respectable mid-range performance indeed here as well as getting a fairly spacious drive for the money. This machine isn't super high-end, but it's got more than enough power to max out a lot of triple-A games at high settings. Plus, it also happens to be one of the cheapest ways to unlock those coveted Ray-Tracing and DLSS graphical settings in-game.
So, it's a great gaming laptop deal - but should you wait it out until Black Friday? Good question. We think there's bound to be a lot more choice in this year's upcoming Black Friday gaming laptop deals, but this latest discount from Dell definitely offers a prime opportunity to beat the crowds. If you're looking for peace of mind, you can do a lot worse than this Dell G15 with an RTX 3050 Ti.
Outside the US? See the best gaming laptop deals in your region just below.
Early Black Friday gaming laptop deals
Dell G15 15.6-inch gaming laptop:$1,184$879.99 at Dell
Save $305 - You'll get an RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, Intel Core i5-10500H processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD with this heavily reduced Dell G15 - fantastic specs for the money. If you're looking to beat out the crowds with an early Black Friday gaming laptop deal, you'll be hard-pressed to beat this one when it comes to sheer bang for the buck.
Dell- see all of this retailer's gaming laptop deals this weekend
Not what you're looking for? We've got plenty more options over at our main weekly best gaming laptop deals roundup. Over there you'll find some great cheaper alternatives and the best prices on more high-end RTX 3060 machines too.
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While the the Huawei Nova 9 was unveiled in September, back then it was only announced for China. Huawei has now gone ahead and announced the phone for the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East.
The Huawei Nova 9 has a lot of tempting tech inside such as a 6.57-inch 1080 x 2340 OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a mid-range Snapdragon 778G chipset, 8GB of RAM, and a choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage.
The phone also has a 4,300mAh battery with 66W fast charging, and there’s a quad-lens rear snapper, with a 50MP f/1.9 main sensor, an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera, a 2MP f/2.4 macro one and a 2MP f/2.4 depth sensor. Then on the front there’s a 32MP f/2.0 camera.
Those rear cameras are housed in a distinctive oval camera block with two big circles – a design that’s similar to what we’ve seen on the Huawei P50. The rest of the design here includes a glossy back in Starry Blue that Huawei is calling "Colour No. 9" or Black, and an all-screen front with a punch-hole camera.
There's no Google Apps present on the phone but Huawei has made some good progress with App Gallery, its alternative to Google Play Store.
Huawei Nova 9 UAE pricing and availability
The HUAWEI nova 9 will be available in the UAE at a price of AED 1,799 in the all-new Colour No. 9 and Black. Pre-orders begin on Huawei’s official website and across select retailers in the UAE on November 4th and include gifts valued at AED 980 including the HUAWEI FreeBuds 3.
You also get Petal One which includes a free 3-month VIP subscription to HUAWEI Music, a free 1-month VIP subscription to HUAWEI Video and a free 1-month Huawei Mobile Cloud 200GB storage. Last but not the least, a 1-year Starzplay Premium Subscription is also included.
The chief executive of Big Six energy supplier Scottish Power has issued a stark warning to UK households that the current energy crisis and rising energy bills could last until 2023.
Keith Anderson recently voiced his concerns on this while also calling on the government and the industry regulator Ofgem to review the current energy price cap. In addition, Mr Anderson also claimed that he expects that only five or six energy providers will survive this turbulent time.
Should this be the case, not only will we see further strain on homes across the nation who are already struggling with higher energy bills, but fewer suppliers will make the markets far less competitive, severely limiting the choice of deals and tariffs.
Calls for a “reflective and flexible” energy price cap
At the start of the month, the latest energy price cap was rolled out and it saw the cost of standard variable tariffs rise by £139 a year, going from £1,138 to £1,277. However, with the record wholesale gas prices we’re currently seeing, this is the cheapest deal consumers can get at the moment.
While this is posing significant financial challenges for many of us as bill payers, energy suppliers are also being hit hard by this – as at the moment it costs them an extra £1,000 per customer who uses this tariff, due to how much it currently costs them to purchase gas at wholesale prices. This has been a key factor in why so many suppliers have gone bust.
To make matters worse, it’s believed that as many as two million UK households will move onto the standard tariff in the coming weeks, with an estimated cost of an extra £4bn for suppliers to cover over the next 12 months.
Speaking on the matter, Keith Anderson cited this as the main reason why he believes there will be such drastic effects on the industry: “All of that financial stress will hit the companies left in the market. That’s why we think there’s a significant risk that the market returns to five or six companies. It will only be the biggest and the strongest which can survive this pressure.”
He went on to suggest that Ofgem’s price cap should be “changing more frequently” and that a more “reflective and flexible” approach would both make it easier for suppliers to manage rising and falling prices by being able to pass them on to customers much quicker.
A spokesperson for Ofgem responded to Mr Anderson’s comments, stating “the price cap will remain in place this winter to protect millions of people from the sudden increases in global gas prices” and that they “are also working with government to ensure that we have a sustainable energy market that works for all customers”.
What can consumers do about all of this?
Unfortunately, at the moment there's very little we can do to change the situation with our energy bills until wholesale prices start to return to normal levels.
The current advice is to avoid running an energy comparison and/or looking to switch provider, because as mentioned above, the best energy deals on the market right now is the price cap – all the best energy suppliers can do for you right now is offer better quality customer services and tech.
If you are struggling with your current energy bills as we head towards winter, you could look to schemes like the Warm Home Discount and the Winter Fuel Payment that can see you get money off your bills, subject to eligibility. You may also want to try and reduce your consumption and be more energy efficient, by using energy saving tips like these.
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Highly-anticipated RPG Elden Ring is on its way and we finally know when to expect it, though it is slightly later than we originally thought. Following a delay, the game has been pushed back to February 25 from January 21 2021.
The game was first revealed at games industry expo E3 in 2019 and, after a couple of years of silence, we finally have a full-length trailer and a growing collection of screenshots along with that official release date.
Elden Ring is an open-world, third-person action RPG, which comes from the studio behind the Dark Souls franchise, FromSoftware, in collaboration with Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin.
The game's first official gameplay trailer gave us a good look at Elden Ring. We saw a bleak world filled with mythical monstrosities, dragons and epic combat. Think Dark Souls, Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings, with influences from myths and legends all over the world.
Below we’ve collected together everything we know about Elden Ring. We’ll be updating this guide as and when more details emerge so keep checking back.
Elden Ring pre-orders are live right now for PlayStation and Xbox consoles across generations. However, PC pre-orders aren't currently live – we will update this page when these become available. Below, you'll find links to Elden Ring pre-orders.
Reveal trailer The Elden Ring reveal trailer was shown during the Summer Game Fest: Kickoff Live showcase. The trailer gives us our best look yet at the world George R.R. Martin and FromSoftware have cooked up: and it's pretty dark. The trailer features grotesquely unique mythical creatures, werewolves, moving pots, mounted combat and epic battles. Check it out below:
Announcement trailer The announcement trailer for Elden Ring doesn't give away anything in terms of gameplay, but with more than one sword shown, and a spear and hammer given screen time, it looks like it will be as melee-focused as FromSoftware's past games. Check it out below:
Elden Ring screenshots
Want to see even more Elden Ring screenshots? We've included some below that are just too pretty not to show you:
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(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Elden Ring will feature mounted combat, but whether you get a choice of steeds remains unclear.
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(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
This image seems to show a large magical hand embracing, what we can only assume is, the player.
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(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
This image gives us serious LOTR vibes but highlights just some of the bizarre mythical creatures we'll be encountering in Elden Ring.
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(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
A hooded figure that we are assuming will play a critical role in Elden Ring's storyline.
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(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
This is the type of scenario where Elden Ring's choice system will come into play. Do you charge in full steam? Or take a more stealthy approach?
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(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Another very unsettling creature from Elden Ring's world.
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(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
This image seems to show a Lady or someone of nobility. We assume they'll play an important role in the story.
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(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Elden Ring story
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Elden Ring is set in the Lands Between, a name invented by George R.R. Martin. Miyazaki told IGN, that the name is meant "supposed to invoke this feeling of something that's very mysterious and very ethereal".
But what's Elden Ring's story? Here's Elden Ring's story outline, according to a press release from Bandai Namco:
"The Golden Order has been broken. Rise, Tarnished, and be guided by grace to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between.
"In the Lands Between ruled by Queen Marika the Eternal, the Elden Ring, the source of the Erdtree, has been shattered. Marika's offspring, demigods all, claimed the shards of the Elden Ring known as the Great Runes, and the mad taint of their newfound strength triggered a war: The Shattering. A war that meant abandonment by the Greater Will. And now the guidance of grace will be brought to the Tarnished who were spurned by the grace of gold and exiled from the Lands Between. Ye dead who yet live, your grace long lost, follow the path to the Lands Between beyond the foggy sea to stand before the Elden Ring.
"And become the Elden Lord."
But what does that all mean? Miyazaki has explained that the Lands Between were previously blessed by the Elden Ring, with the Erdtree symbolizing the presence of the Elden Ring. The presence of the Elden Ring gave a blessing to those living in the Lands Between, with those who were blessed being identifiable by a golden light that's seen in their eyes.
However, over time, there were those who lost this blessing and the light diminished from their eyes, resulting in them - and their ancestors - having being exiled from the land. But when the Elden Ring is shattered in a "historical event", the land and its inhabitants lose the blessing, with the Tarnished being guided back to the Land Between. This is apparently where Elden Ring begins, with players taking on the role of a Tarnished.
Bandai Namco has revealed that players will "encounter adversaries with profound backgrounds, characters with their own unique motivations for helping or hindering your progress, and fearsome creatures" and that "players will choose the fate of this cursed land by unraveling its secrets and myths."
Elden Ring setting
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Open-world action RPG Elden Ring is set to be FromSoftware's biggest game yet, with clear Norse mythology influences and gameplay similar to Dark Souls.
"However, that doesn’t mean that it plays out in the same way," director Miyazaki told IGN. "With a more open and vast environment, the way combat plays out becomes fundamentally different.”
A press release for Elden Ring states that the open-world RPG will feature "fantastical landscapes" and "shadowy complex dungeons that are connected seamlessly." Players will cross "grassy plains, suffocating swamps and lush forests" as they explore the Lands Between. In addition, on your quest to become the Elden Lord, you will "ascend spiraling mountains, enter breathtaking castles, and witness other sites of grandeur on a scale never seen before in a FromSoftware title."
Speaking with IGN, following Elden Ring's reveal, Hidetaka Miyazaki explained there are six distinct regions in the game, each ruled by a demigod that has "inherited the mad tainted power of the Elden Ring once it shattered". And while there's an "apparent" order to go through the regions, players aren't technically required to do so.
“We wanted to give a free level of progression and exploration through the Lands Between, so there’s a lot of different ways," Miyazaki said. "You won’t be able to access everything from the start, but there are a lot of different ways you can approach each area. And there’s a lot of freedom as to which order you tackle different areas as well".
There's going to be a "hub" connecting these six regions, similar to how Firelink Shrine in Dark Souls served as a central connecting point for the different interconnecting pathways.
You'll be able to traverse the Lands Between on foot or on horseback, with an option to play online with up to three other players. In addition, the world features natural weather cycles and time-of-day progression as well as fast-travel.
Elden Ring gameplay and combat
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Elden Ring will allow you to customize your character, rather than having a set protagonist.
Miyazaki told Xbox Wire that Elden Ring "puts more focus on RPG elements" than FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which Miyazaki described as having "a heavy focus on action".
"Of course, we are not shying away from the fun of responsive melee-based combat, and these elements will be present as well," Miyazaki said.
Elden Ring will let players experiment with a variety of weapons, magic and other skills found throughout the world, with an aim to giving you more control over your playstyle. It's up to players whether they want to go charging into battles or to take a more stealthy approach, with the option to call upon allies for aid also available - you can even summon the spirits of deceased enemies and use them as allies in battles. This choice also extends to exploration.
"Along with this new vast world, we have created a number of new action systems and game systems to enhance this, and to go hand-in-hand with the vast new world," Miyazaki told IGN. "For instance, the player can jump now, you can ride on horseback, and there's a number of new additions to combat, which just raise the level of freedom higher than our previous games. And it all matches with the sense of scale of the world itself."
Players will also be able to customize and craft items using resources found in the world - there will also be a stamina bar in the game, though this is set to have "less influence" than in previous titles from the developer. According to Miyazaki, there will also be more health resources available than in previous FromSoftware games as players will be "fighting for a longer time than before".
On the official Elden Ring page on Bandai Namco's website, the publisher explains the breadth of choice that will be available to players in terms of exploration and approaching combat. Apparently, it’ll be possible to use the environment, the weather and even the time of day to your advantage in battle. Players will also be able to experiment with “dozens of skills” to find out what suits them best, use stealth to take enemies by surprise and master arcane spells.
“Ultimately,” the page says, “your journey will be defined by the strength of your own ambition. The greater your goals, the greater the challenge will be.”
Miyazaki has also emphasized that FromSoftware wants to retain a sense of progression and flow in Elden Ring - but confirmed that the title will feature permadeath. Speaking on how Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice's resurrection system helped the game retain a sense of rhythm, Miyazaki said:
"We have a couple of elements in Elden Ring, which come from a similar kind of breed. Something that will keep them going and keep them encouraged to explore further. But you won't be able to resurrect in this game."
Elden Ring news and rumors
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
We've rounded up all the biggest news and rumors surrounding Elden Ring, below:
Could still look amazing even on older consoles
Based on some apparent leaked footage, it looks like Elden Ring could look great on older consoles as well as the latest generation. The alleged footage from the game shows Elden Ring running on what is said to be an Xbox One-generation console – likely an Xbox One X, given the solid framerate.
Posted by Gamebeat’s Jeff Grub to his Twitter page, it shows the player character standing on a cliff edge, with a huge glowing tree behind them. The camera spins around to show a distant city across a large open plain, while a few eagles fly away as the player approaches them, feathers fluttering to the ground as they take off.
Alleged Elden Ring footage from xbox One. pic.twitter.com/uaGbogXBrBOctober 16, 2021
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According to a follow up from The Washington Post’s Gene Park, this isn’t footage from a recent press showing either, suggesting that this is indeed a clip from the near-final game build.
Closed Network Tests coming in November
Alongside the announcement that Elden Ring’s release date was pushed back, the development team revealed that a closed network test is coming in November for consoles only—that’s PS5, PS4, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X/S, with cross-play supported within console families. The test will run from November 12 to 14 but if you want to take part, you’ll need to register on the Elden Ring website before November 1. We've put together a guide with full details on how to sign up for the Elden Ring closed network test.
In the “final stages of development”
During a chat with Famitsu as part of Tokyo Game Show (via PCGamer), the game’s producer Yasuhiro Kitao revealed that development is “moving forward quietly” and has entered the “final stages of development”.
Kitao also revealed some other interesting tidbits about the game, including that it’s got a “very unusual map structure” with things that players haven’t seen in a FromSoftware game before. Apparently, there’ll be no errand quests on the open map but it’s “a system that lets you go anywhere you want, but also tells you when you're in trouble.” To help find your way around, you’ll also be able to collect map fragments which allow you to mark your way with a beam of light in the sky.
Gamescom screenshots
New screenshots from Elden Ring have been posted online following a behind-closed-doors gameplay screening during Gamescom 2021. Geoff Keighley posted the images to Twitter, giving a fresh look at mounted combat and some of the incredible creatures players will encounter in the game.
Surprise! Here are new images from @ELDENRING I promised #gamescom wasn't over yet...Earlier this week @fromsoftware_pr kindly showed me and a few others over 16 minutes of raw gameplay footage on PC. Game is on track for January 21, 2022 release. The Godrick boss fight 😯 pic.twitter.com/KgwC5U8te5August 27, 2021
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Elden Ring Steam page appears
Elden Ring has appeared on Steam with its own page, confirming resolutely that the game won't be an Epic Games Store exclusive. Though it doesn’t give much more away about the game —no system requirements just yet, unfortunately — it does describe the game’s “multilayered story told in fragments” and the ability to “freely combine the weapons, armor, and magic that you equip” as well as the option to “develop your character according to your play style, such as increasing your muscle strength to become a strong warrior, or mastering magic.”
The page also confirms the game’s online multiplayer elements “where you can directly connect with other players and travel together” with an option to enjoy “a unique asynchronous online element that allows you to feel the presence of others.”
Support for VR headset and PSVR controllers
The Elden Ring PlayStation Store listing states that the game is compatible with VR headsets and PSVR aim controllers, but specifies that it does not support PlayStation VR. So, while we know that Elden Ring won't release on PSVR any time soon, it does have compatibility with VR headsets, suggesting that the compatibility is there if FromSoftware wanted to bring the game to PC VR in the future.
Elden Ring PS Store Info #PS4 #PS5:✅ PS Plus required for online play✅ Supports up to 4 online players✅❗️VR headset enabled ✅❗️PS VR aim controller enabled https://t.co/Z8UNs46YK2 pic.twitter.com/9vDZzKmr9KAugust 6, 2021
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“Very difficult but can be handled”
Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki has touched on the game's difficulty in a recent interview with Japanese magazine Famitsu (via GamesRadar). According to Miyazaki, FromSoftware is making the game difficult, as difficult as Dark Souls 3, while giving players a range of ways to overcome the difficulties, saying it’s a game that's “very difficult, but it can be handled.” This means there won’t be traditional difficulty settings but players will find features that may help to mitigate difficulty, from character customisation, to co-op play, to greater freedom of choice in combat and exploration.
George R.R. Martin’s work finished up years ago
George R.R. Martin has revealed that his role in the development of Elden Ring was actually done years ago. Speaking to WTTW News Chicago, the Game of Thrones creator said that, from him, FromSoftware “wanted a world created to set the game in.”
"World building is a big factor in fantasy and science fiction,“ he explains, ”You’re not only talking characters and the plot, but the setting is almost as important as everything else: Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, Robert E. Howard’s Hyborian Age, the foundation universe of Isaac Asimov.”
Martin says he “worked up a fairly detailed background for them” and that the developer “took it from there.” As a result, his “work on it was actually done years ago. These games, they’re like movies, they take a long time to develop.”
After this, Martin only saw occasional glimpses of the game and says he is "as excited as anyone else to see it."
Extra materials
It's possible we could see spin-off Elden Ring material in the future, with Bandai Namco President Yasuo Miyakawa saying: "We will continue to develop Elden Ring not only as a game but also in a variety of other areas in order to deliver the worldview and charm of this title to our fans around the world."
Multiplayer A press release for Elden Ring states that you can explore the world "alone or online with friends", in addition, the release says that Elden Ring can be played with "1-4 players". It's unclear whether this multiplayer will take the same form as Bloodborne, where you can beckon other players to help you out or whether we'll be able to freely team up with friends.
Smart Delivery and free upgrade Elden Ring supports Smart Delivery on Xbox consoles as well as a free upgrade to PS5 for players who purchase the PS4 version. Players who purchase the physical disc version of the game cannot upgrade on the PS5 Digital Edition, due to the lack of hard drive, while players who purchase the digital version for PS5 on the PlayStation Store can also download the PS4 at no additional cost. Those who buy the game once on either Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S, can play across both console generations.
What's with the name? The name 'Elden Ring' is apparently a mysterious concept that defines the game world itself. One of the key themes of the action RPG is that the Elden Ring has been shattered, but it remains a mystery exactly what that means for the game's narrative.
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
George R.R. Martin has written the "overarching mythos" Miyazaki revealed that the George R.R.Martin collaboration came about as the developer is a huge fan of Martin's work. This collaboration has resulted in Martin writing the "overarching mythos" of Elden Ring.
"The actual collaboration itself begun with Mr. Martin ever so politely confirming what sorts of themes, ideas as well as many game-related aspects I had envisioned for the game," Miyazaki told Xbox Wire. "This allowed us to have many free and creative conversations regarding the game, in which Mr. Martin later used as a base to write the overarching mythos for the game world itself.
"This mythos proved to be full of interesting characters and drama along with a plethora of mystical and mysterious elements as well. It was a wonderful source of stimulus for me and the development staff.
"Elden Ring’s world was constructed using this mythos and stimulus as a base."
Development started after Dark Souls 3 DLC In an interview with Xbox Wire, Miyazaki revealed that Elden Ring development began just after Dark Souls 3 DLC development has ended. The second and final Darks Souls DLC, The Ringed City, was released in 2017.
"At the time, Elden Ring was being planned as a more classic fantasy title compared to others that were either being considered or already in the early stages of development," Miyazaki said.
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
More variety than previous FromSoftware games When asked by Xbox Wire whether Elden Ring will be as challenging as previous FromSoftware games, Miyazaki said:
"Yes, I do. The importance we place on the joy the player experiences through overcoming challenges will be the same as it is in our other titles. I believe it will prove to be a very satisfying experience.
"Earlier I had said that this title focuses more heavily on RPG elements. This title will include a wide variety of weapons, magic, and ways to engage enemies, that make it possible to provide users with a style of gameplay and strategy that suits them.
"Even when compared to the Dark Souls series, I believe this title will provide even more variety in the ways for players to overcome challenges and tweak their tactics when facing enemies."
Phil Spencer has played Elden Ring Speaking to GameSpot, Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed that he's been playing Elden Ring and thinks its Miyazaki's "most ambitious game" yet.
"As somebody who's played all of Miyazaki's games over at least the last decade, this is clearly the most ambitious game that he's done," Spencer said. "I mean, I love his games, but seeing some of the gameplay mechanics stuff that he's tackling, he and the team are tackling this time, of the setting, working with another creator in terms of story. I love it."
Biggest FromSoftware game yet Speaking to Xbox Wire, Miyazaki explained that one of the big differences Elden Ring has from FromSoftware's previous titles is its sheer size.
"If I were to put aside the world full of fresh stimulus thanks to our collaboration with Mr. Martin, I would have to say the biggest difference is it being open world," Miyazaki said.
"Due to this, the scale of the world and its narrative, as well as the depth and freedom of exploration have increased dramatically. It is without a doubt our biggest title yet in terms of sheer volume."
Welcome to the first-ever TechRadar Sleep Week, our in-depth look at all things slumber, which runs from Sunday 31 October to Sunday 7 November. To mark the occasion, we’ve interviewed doctors, psychologists and neuroscientists to get their tips and techniques for how you can sleep better, starting tonight.
We’ve also rounded up the best sleep products to ensure you’re comfy in bed and clued up on what’s happening with your shut-eye. So set aside some time to dive into our round-ups of the best mattresses, as well as the top sleep trackers and other essential kit.
Getting consistent, good quality sleep has big benefits for your physical and mental wellbeing. It lowers your risk of heart disease, reduces levels of inflammation in the body, and benefits the immune system. Good sleep also helps the brain to function properly, and you’ll feel more positive and productive after a good night’s kip.
Sleep doesn’t come easy to everyone though, so we’ll be looking at ways to get you all snoozing a little better. This could be spotting the signs of sleep deprivation, or figuring out why you keep waking up at night. Getting up at the same time each day is one of the best things you can do for your sleep, as well as creating a relaxing bedtime routine to help you shut-off.
We’ll be updating this article daily with the freshest Sleep Week features, buying guides and reviews, so bookmark this page and keep checking back for everything you need to know about sleep and how to do it better.
(Image credit: Getty)
TechRadar Sleep Week 2021: tips, guides, reviews
We have plenty of great content lined up for the forthcoming week, all designed to help you get a better understanding of good sleep, how to do it, and why stressing over poor shut-eye only makes it worse.
How comfortable you feel in bed affects how well you sleep, so we’ll also be looking at ways to boost your in-bed comfort. This includes tracking down a cracking pillow for your favorite sleeping position, and a good mattress topper to extend the life of your current bed and save you money.
For old or worn-out mattresses that can’t be saved, this is a great time of year to upgrade as we’ll soon be flooded with holiday season shopping offers. Our guide to the best Black Friday mattress deals talks you through what to look for and how to snag the biggest discounts.
Best mattress: how to find your dream bed
Our expert guide will walk you through the comfiest mattresses for a range of sleeping positions and budgets. So whether you’re a side sleeper who loves sinking into super-soft beds, or you snooze on your stomach and enjoy a firmer feel, we’ve got you covered with this easy-breezy guide to the latest and greatest mattresses.
Best sleep trackers: understand your zzz’s
When used correctly, a sleep tracker can track your slumber so that you can get a general overview of what’s going on when you close your eyes at night. Not all sleep trackers are made equal though, which is why we have been reviewing the best in the game. These are the ones we’d recommend.
How to adjust your sleep to the changing of the clocks
The clocks have now gone back in the UK, but in America the time change takes place on Sunday 7 November. For our friends in the UK, we’re looking at how you can capitalise on that extra hour of sleep and make this autumn and winter your best seasons for sleep. And for our friends in the US, we’ll help you prepare for the coming clock change.
Smart Clock 2 review: smart-en up your nightstand
The Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is a phone charger, alarm clock, nightlight and smart speaker in one, with Google Assistant baked in. Yes it can stream songs from Spotify and YouTube Music, but has it done enough to outsmart the Google Nest Hub 2? We put it to the test to find out, and to discover whether it should be your next bedroom tech buy.
Nectar mattress sale:save on comfy sleep at Nectar
We'll be covering plenty of great mattress deals during Sleep Week, kicking off with this Black Friday-beating offer from Nectar. There are discounts for UK and US shoppers, and depending on the mattress you choose you'll receive free gifts with your purchase. The Nectar Memory Foam is a good choice for all sleeping positions and offers decent motion isolation, making it great pick for couples. In the sale you can buy the Nectar from just $499 in the US, and from £341.40 in the UK. Superb value.
Best wake-up lights: sunshine on darker mornings
Rise and shine in the depths of winter with a cheery sunrise alarm clock. These clever alarm clocks bathe your room in a warm glow each morning, and have a soothing sunset setting to help you relax ahead of sleep at night. Waking up on winter mornings just got a whole lot easier.
Best sleep apps: the smart way to drift off
Sleep apps are designed to help you doze off a little easier, with some working their magic through a range of soothing sounds, while others take you on a guided meditation to get the job done. We’ve rounded up the most potent ones here to help you sleep better tonight.
Best white noise machines: dim the din
Noise, like heat, is a disruptor of sleep for some people. A white noise machine can help by masking certain noises so that they have less chance of waking you up. These bedside machines also play a range of white noise sounds capable of relaxing you and helping you sleep through the night.
(Image credit: Getty/pcess609)
Why the clock change is a good time to talk sleep
The good news is that the one hour time difference when the clocks go back isn’t as disruptive as when they go forward (when we lose an hour’s sleep). We’ll be looking at this more closely in our forthcoming feature on how to adjust your sleep when the clocks go back, but for now here are some quick tips to get ready (if you need to) ahead of Sunday:
1. Reset your own (biological) clock Insomnia experts Sleepstation say that if you are sleeping well at the moment, it isn't crucial that you adjust your sleep routine to tie-in with the clocks going back, as chances are it will be pretty easy for you to adjust quickly. However, if you are struggling with poor sleep or you are undergoing sleep therapy, then you will need to gradually shift your usual bedtime routine a little each night as of Friday.
To do this, Sleepstation advises staying up a little later each night on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to prepare for that 2am clock windback. Aim for 15 mins later than your usual bedtime on the Friday, 20 minutes later on the Saturday, and 25 minutes later on the Sunday.
2. Go for a morning walk and soak up that daylight This is good sleep advice for anyone. Light impacts how well we sleep at night, and evidence shows that getting outside into natural daylight is best. There are plenty of mental health benefits of walking outdoors too, especially in nature, so you’re onto a double win here.
If you can’t or don’t want to head outside for various reasons, then you might benefit from using a light therapy lamp each morning instead. These aren’t suitable for use by everyone though – certain health issues and medications will preclude you from using one – so check the guidelines before you buy, or ask your health practitioner if in doubt.
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Mark Zuckerberg’s opening keynote at the recent Facebook event (now called Meta) was a sight to behold. Over the course of one and a half hours, the CEO – joined by various experts from his company – rambled through his vision of a future with the metaverse at its core.
No longer would we be constrained by our physical limitations as our digital and virtual worlds blend into one. According to Zuckerberg, we’d be able to work, live and play in this new universe, and Meta’s technology and innovation are what will usher us into this new always-online era.
Yet as Zuckerberg continued to make grandiose promises of a future we might see in a decade or two, it dawned on us that we’d heard all of this already. This is Ready Player One – specifically, it's what would have happened if the bad guys had won.
Love or hate the story of Ready Player One, the book’s main setting – the Oasis – sounds like a digital wonderland. It's an incredible virtual reality space where players can go anywhere, do anything and be anyone free from most of life’s restrictions – it’s the full realization of the internet’s potential. But the Oasis, like the internet, isn't flawless.
Ready Player One’s Oasis is shown to be corrupted at its core by corporate greed, with individuals seeking total dominance of the space and already enacting significant control over how users can engage with the digital space. This is demonstrated by Ready Player One’s antagonist, Nolan Sorrento, and his company Innovative Online Industries (an organization with a name almost as silly as Meta).
IOI sells tools that allow players to immerse themselves in the Oasis, with the best features coming at a premium price most can’t afford, and one day hopes to fill the Oasis with adverts that players will have no chance to avoid. Thankfully, by the story’s end the corporation has been defeated and players are left running the show for everyone’s benefit.
Zuckerberg seems keen to avoid that outcome for his company’s version of the Oasis – named Horizon – and is already ensuring Meta has near-total dominance of the virtual space from day one.
(Image credit: Facebook)
It’s doing so by coming at the problem from all angles. Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, was name-dropped by Zuckerberg during the Connect event as working on its own gaming metaverse with its Battle Royale, but its public efforts are purely software-focused.
Meta, on the other hand, has the software covered with its Horizon World title. But it's also working on the hardware that will let players engage with virtual reality through its Oculus Quest 2, the Ray-Ban Stories, and the soon to release Project Cambria headsets – as well as the general infrastructure that will enable the metaverse to operate.
But, for all of Zuckerberg’s talk, it was what was left unsaid that has us concerned. Throughout the presentation, we saw Meta’s own devices delivering the next stage of the metaverse, but where is Valve or HTC or any of the other VR devices we have available today? And once we’re all equipped with ways to enter the metaverse, how will Meta fund itself and keep the lights on?
When it comes to headsets, Zuckerberg’s emphasis on his company’s vital role in delivering the metaverse has us believing that its experiences will be exclusive to its own devices. It's a notion that would track, based on the Oculus Quest’s plethora of platform-exclusive games when compared to Valve’s platform-agnostic Steam VR hits.
As for keeping the lights on, we’ve already been shown the potential for businesses to advertise and operate in the metaverse as part of the Connect presentation. Here, we saw how the brand Forever Mood could allow users to buy digital and physical versions of its candles. It’ll be easier than ever for businesses to integrate into our day-to-day lives in the digital space, likely giving us less freedom from ads than ever before and serving Meta a healthy revenue stream as it takes some kind of commission.
The issues that are starting to appear are eerily similar to the outcome readers and moviegoers would have seen if Ready Player One had ended with IOI becoming the leaders of the Oasis. It's a world that we don't want to live in.
For all the promise in Meta's metaverse plans to revolutionize our lives, we're scared to see where it wants to take us over the next few decades – let's just hope our concerns aren't warranted.
Apple's new AirPods and MacBook Pros feature spatial audio, which lets you watch films and listen to albums mixed in Dolby Atmos, but how does it work?
