Technology

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• UK CMA gives the go-ahead for Vodafone and Three’s £15 billion merger deal
• The companies must invest in the UK network and cap their prices
• Together with VMO2, they expect to support 50 million customers

After a year-long investigation, Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given approval to the Vodafone-Three merger, a deal worth £15 billion ($19 billion).

By consolidating their UK operations, Vodafone and Three will become a market leader with 29 million customers, making the merged giant even bigger than EE, which claims to have 25 million customers.

As part of the process, the CMA stipulated that the two companies must “sign binding commitments to invest billions to roll out a combined 5G network across the UK.”

Vodafone-Three merger given the go-ahead

Under the agreement, Vodafone will have a 51% stake, with Three owner CK Hutchison taking the remaining 49%.

Previously concerned about the potential for higher prices due to decreased competition and less advantageous terms for virtual network providers, the CMA concluded: “The group has confirmed it is now satisfied that the proposed network commitment, supported by shorter term protections for both retail and wholesale customers, resolve its competition concerns.”

The CMA says that by upgrading their networks over the course of the next eight years, Vodafone and Three’s work would actually boost competition. As a component of the terms set out by the CMA, Vodafone and Three must also cap their mobile tariffs and data plans for three years to protect customers against sharp price rises in the early years of the merger.

Stuart McIntosh, chair of the independent inquiry group leading the investigation, commented: “Having carefully considered the evidence, as well as the extensive feedback we have received, we believe the merger is likely to boost competition in the UK mobile sector and should be allowed to proceed – but only if Vodafone and Three agree to implement our proposed measures.”

Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle said: “Consumers and businesses will enjoy wider coverage, faster speeds and better-quality connections across the UK, as we build the biggest and best network in our home market.”

Given that Virgin Media O2 agreed earlier this summer to a long-term network-sharing agreement with Vodafone and Three, subject to the now-approved merger, an anticipated 50 million UK customers will see the benefits.

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• Nothing phone owners can now play Snake
• The game as available as a home screen widget
• It's been developed with input from the Nothing community

If you've got a hankering for classic mobile games of yesteryear and you own a Nothing phone, good news: the iconic Snake game made popular by Nokia handsets has made a return as a Nothing home screen widget.

Co-created by Nothing and its community members, the widget can be downloaded for free from Nothing's new Community Widgets app now (via Android Authority). It should work on every Nothing handset, including the latest Nothing Phone 2a Plus.

The Snake game first began as a concept put forward by Nothing user Rahul Janardhanan – together with nine other widget ideas – and has since been made a reality by developer Thomas Legendre on behalf of Nothing.

If you're too young to remember Snake, its appeal lies in its simplicity: you take charge of an ever-expanding and perpetually moving line of dots, and have to collect more dots without hitting the edges of the screen or the line itself.

Get involved

Snake just got a reboot. Head to Google Playstore to get involved. pic.twitter.com/9MVKM1yKBcDecember 4, 2024

Right now, Snake is the only widget available in the Community Widgets app, but Nothing is promising that more are on the way – and if you have your own ideas for future widgets that could be included, Nothing wants to hear from you.

"Our ambition is to curate a selection of quality community created widgets and bundle them together into an app hosted on the PlayStore," Nothing says. "Keep those concepts coming – it could be your idea next!"

After installing Community Widgets, you can add Snake by tapping and holding on an empty part of the home screen, and choosing 'Widgets'. If you're using beta Nothing OS 3 software, you may need to reboot to see the widget, Nothing says.

You can move the snake left and right by swiping on the screen, and your challenge is to pick up as many red dots as possible before the game ends. Double-tapping on the screen pauses the action.

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• A new PS5 system update has been released
• The latest patch makes the data transfer process between consoles smoother
• Other features like usability have also been improved

Sony has released a new system update for the PlayStation 5, simplifying the data transfer process.

Version 24.08-10.40.00 is now live and is a fairly small patch that primarily aims at improving the process of transferring data from one PS5 to another, alongside messages and usability.

Now that the PS5 Pro is out in the wild, users will be looking to transfer their PS5 Pro-enhanced games and other data over to their new system, which can be a hassle.

Thankfully, Sony has made this task much easier, and explained in the patch notes that it's also "enhanced stability when transferring large amounts of data, such as captures".

PS5 Version: 24.08-10.40.00 - Patch Notes

• We've improved the process of transferring data from another PS5 and enhanced stability when transferring large amounts of data, such as captures.
• We've improved the messages and usability on some screens.

Earlier this week, Sony kicked off its PlayStation Store 30th Anniversary sale. Until December 20, users can take part in the massive sale which sees discounts for almost 500 games across PS4 and PS5, like The Last of Us Part 1, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Elsewhere, a new leak claims that a black version of the PlayStation Portal will be released in "limited" quantities "soon" and be priced the same as the original white model.

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OpenAI is expected to launch Sora, its AI video generator, in the coming days after the company announced '12 days of OpenAI' in the run-up to Christmas.

In a tweet on X posted yesterday (December 4) the company behind ChatGPT wrote "12 days. 12 livestreams. A bunch of new things, big and small. 12 Days of OpenAI starts tomorrow."

Following the announcement, OpenAI employees started to tease what's to come on X, with Sora lead Bill Peebles replying to a tweet that said "unbelievably back", with "Correct."

To add fuel to the fire, The Verge has since reported that OpenAI is going to launch Sora and a new reasoning model during the 12-day event according to "sources familiar with OpenAI's plans."

It would come as no surprise to see Sora arrive soon, after the AI video generator was briefly leaked last month by artists protesting against OpenAI using their art for unpaid research and development.

Sora allows users to create videos from text prompts, and from what we've seen of the AI model it's incredibly impressive at doing so.

The Sora website reads, "We’re teaching AI to understand and simulate the physical world in motion, with the goal of training models that help people solve problems that require real-world interaction."

12 days.12 livestreams.A bunch of new things, big and small.12 Days of OpenAI starts tomorrow.December 4, 2024

The future of AI video generators

(Image credit: OpenAI)

We've seen the proliferation of the best AI image generators over the last couple of years, with OpenAI's Dall-E among the trailblazers. Now, OpenAI is set to compete with competitors like Google, whose VEO AI video generator model is currently available as a private preview.

OpenAI had previously said that Sora would be available by the end of the year, and with 2024 coming to a close, it looks like we won't have much longer to wait. It will be interesting to see how Sora establishes itself, and whether the backlash from artists subsides. Regardless, you should be able to generate your own Santa Claus video just in time for the Christmas holidays, and maybe even some reindeer too.

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• Creature Commandos episode 1 references Wonder Woman three times in its first five minutes
• However, the iconic DC superhero doesn't appear in the R-rated animated show
• The Max series' showrunner "can't say" if they hint at what's to come in the DCU's Paradise Lost TV show

Creature Commandos' first two episodes are out now on Max – and the animated show has wasted no time in referencing one of DC's iconic trifecta of heroes.

The DC Cinematic Universe's (DCU) series' first two chapters, titled 'The Collywobbles' and 'The Tourmaline Necklace', have officially kickstarted James Gunn and Peter Safran's rebooted superhero franchise. It's the first of those episodes that drops three clear references to Wonder Woman without actually naming her, too.

Full spoilers immediately follow for Creature Commandos episode 1!

The Sons of Themyscira have been retooled for the first project set in James Gunn's DCU (Image credit: DC Studios/Max)

It takes less than a minute for the first DCU Chapter One project to drop its first big hint about Wonder Woman. Indeed, Rick Flag Sr. and ARGUS chief Amanda Waller are watching a breaking news report about a group called the Sons of Themyscira – an all-male group who appear in DC Comics, but who've been humorously reworked into a bumbling, incel terrorist organization for the DC Extended Universe's (DCEU) successor.

The next clue is mentioned immediately after. As part of the same news bulletin, the "rogue" Amazonian sorceress called Circe is the group's de facto leader and the mastermind behind the militia's impending invasion of the Eastern European nation called Pokolistan. In DC Comics, Circe is one of Wonder Woman's many adversaries, but she's also been a thorn in the side of other legendary heroes including Superman and Supergirl. A seemingly immortal being, she possesses abilities ranging from telekinesis to being able to alter an individual's physical appearance, which she does to The Bride in episode 2's tentpole battle.

The Amazonians are a race of all-female warriors who live on the idyllic island nation of Themyscira (Image credit: DC Studios/Max)

The final reference – one that's already been alluded to – concerns Themyscira itself. The idyllic island nation is home to an all-female race of superhuman warriors known collectively as the Amazons. As the news anchor says in Creature Commandos' first episode, Circe believes she's the rightful heir to the Amazonian throne and will lead the Sons of Themyscira's invasion of the sovereign state after they've helped her to tackle the so-called threat posed by Pokolistan.

When will Wonder Woman make her first appearance in the DCU?

Gal Gadot won't be playing Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in James Gunn's new look DC Cinematic Universe (Image credit: Warner Bros)

By the sounds of it, not for a long time. When James Gunn announced the DCU Chapter One line-up – also known as 'Gods and Monsters' – in January 2023, a Wonder Woman-led project was conspicuous by its absence. Indeed, while Gunn confirmed DC's two other most popular superheroes – Superman and Batman – would star in their own solo films, there was no mention of a movie centered on Diana Prince.

There is a Wonder Woman-adjacent project in development at DC Studios, though. Paradise Lost, a TV series that'll eventually be released on Max, is part of the 'Gods and Monsters' release schedule. Aside from the fact that it's being billed as Game of Thrones-esque story, however, little is currently known about it.

With Creature Commandos foreshadowing Wonder Woman's DCU debut and Paradise Lost's possible plot, then, I sought clarity on how the former might impact the latter pair. Unfortunately, Creature Commandos showrunner/executive producer Dean Lorey refused to give anything away.

Creature Commandos' showrunner is staying tight-lipped on how it potentially sets up Wonder Woman's DCU debut (Image credit: Max/DC Studios)

"I can't say," Lorey coyly replied. "I haven't seen anything about Paradise Lost, so I genuinely don't have answers to [your question] and couldn't tell you what's in it. But James has been very clear that events in Creature Commandos are canon in the DCU, so I suppose we could extrapolate anything from those references."

Fine, keep your secrets, Mister Lorey! Thankfully, he was more forthcoming with other queries I had about Creature Commandos and how it impacts the DCU. You'll have to wait for those answers, though, because they're related to episodes that haven't aired yet.

While you wait for one of the best Max shows' third episode to drop, get an idea of what lies in store for the rest of the plot in my spoiler-light Creature Commandos review. Alternatively, read more exclusive coverage on the adult animated show below.

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If you've been thinking about opening a CD, don't wait any longer.

• My First Gran Turismo is arriving on December 6
• It offers a bite-sized, free-to-play version of Gran Turismo 7
• The demo includes a handful of race events and 18 cars t collect

Gran Turismo 7 is getting a free demo version as part of the PlayStation 30th Anniversary celebrations. And better yet, it's out very soon.

Titled My First Gran Turismo, the demo aims to give players a bite-sized version of the best racing game on PS5. In an official PlayStation Blog post about the game, series creator Kazunori Yamauchi describes it as "a special free-to-play invitation to dive into the exhilarating world of motorsports."

"This experience holds a special place in my heart," Yamauchi explains, "as it pays tribute to the origins of the first Gran Turismo, where players of all generations discovered the joys of driving. Whether it’s introducing kids to the joy of racing for the first time or reigniting a forgotten passion for driving, My First Gran Turismo was designed to be both approachable and immersive, created for everyone, with no limits on age or driving skill level."

My First Gran Turismo - as its title might suggest - seems designed to introduce new players to the sim racing series in a very beginner-friendly format. Developer Polyphony Digital looks to have gone above and beyond the effort placed into your average demo, with a bespoke user interface and its own suite of achievements related to progress throughout the experience.

In terms of content, My First Gran Turismo offers access to the License Centre tutorial, three race events, three time trials, three Music Rally stages and 18 cars to collect. As a bonus, the PS5 version of My First Gran Turismo will also include PSVR 2 support.

As for when you can play it for yourself, that's the best part. My First Gran Turismo will be available to download and play for free on December 6 on both PS5 and PS4. It also doesn't seem to be a limited time thing, unlike those PlayStation 30th Anniversary themes that you can access on PS5 right now.

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• Xbox Year in Review 2024 is available now
• It shows your most played games this year
• You can see yours via the Xbox website

The Xbox Year in Review 2024 has landed, with gamers everywhere learning just how many hours they’ve wasted in the last 12 months. The annual list, which is something like Spotify Wrapped for those that don’t leave the house, highlights your most played Xbox games from across the year.

My personal Xbox Year in Review 2024 shows that I spent the most time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, with Dead Island 2 coming in at a close second. Next up is Forza Motorsport, where I am apparently in the top 40% of the game’s most active players despite only really playing the single player modes.

You get a quick-fire list of other favorites too, highlighting 20 more top games from your collection. For me that included the likes of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Grounded, and more embarrassing entries like Rumble Roses XX.

There’s also a breakdown of the number of achievements you’ve earned, your preferred platform, the balance of genres you chose, and more.

For Xbox Game Pass subscribers, you’re also presented with a little section that displays the number of months you’ve been subscribed, the total number of minutes spent in Game Pass titles, and you’re most played of the bunch.

Overall, it makes for some quite interesting reading and is undeniably quite a fun little end of year bonus.

If you’re an Xbox player, you can see your Xbox Year in Review 2024 by heading to a special landing page on the Xbox website. Sign into your account if prompted and you should be greeted with a personalized page displaying all of your stats.

Of course, PlayStation players also have their own year in review to look forward to. If previous years are anything to go by, it should be launching some time within the next couple of weeks.

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• Garmin has released a new software update
• The latest version is reportedly playing havoc with some Forerunner models
• Users are complaining of touchscreen issues and Wi-Fi sync problems

A new software update released by Garmin appears to be disrupting the functionality of many of the best Garmin watches out there. However, confusion abounds as to what Garmin has actually changed, and what may or may not be broken in the latest version, specifically for users of the popular Forerunner range.

Garmin rolled out version 21.19 of its software on December 2. Improvements listed include updates to Pool Swim workouts, the new Meditation activity, and fixes to a range of bugs and quirks.

Since the update, Forerunner users have reported various issues, specifically regarding Wi-Fi sync and using the touchscreen on their devices. So what's going on, and what do you need to know?

Garmin Forerunner software update chaos

(Image credit: Garmin)

To start with the more straightforward issue, some users are reporting problems with Wi-Fi sync following the update. "After installing Forerunner 955 - Software Version 21.19 the wi-fi sync does not work," one user reported December 4.

Plenty of comments indicate a similar issue, and Garmin does note in its release notes that "it is recommended users sync their devices using Garmin Express or Wifi to expedite the transfer of files required for the meditation activity." The bulk of the new update, which is laden with new features, may be causing Wi-Fi sync issues, but whatever the case, there doesn't seem to be a clear cause or fix.

Even more confusing are the changes/bugs relating to the touchscreen.

Multiple users are reporting a bug that means the Forerunner touchscreen is always enabled during activities, even when the 'Touch Disabled' setting is turned on. "I was out for a run in the rain at lunchtime today & noticed the same as the wet sleeve of my jacket was swiping through the data fields," one user confirmed. This sounds like a bug, and Garmin has commented on at least one thread to say "We are aware of this disruption and are currently investigating. I apologize for any frustration!"

The issue is muddied, however, because there's another touchscreen 'bug' affecting users that Garmin says is actually an intentional change. in 21.19, the Forerunner's Stopwatch is controlled by the buttons on the device, not the touchscreen. "I can not control the stopwatch using a touch screen after software update 21.19. I can only use the buttons to start/stop/reset it. Touch screen does work in the timer," one user lamented.

Garmin has since confirmed in response that "This was an intentional change. You now must use the buttons on the Stopwatch and Timer screen to start, stop, and reset the time. I'm sorry for any disappointment regarding this change!"

To sum up, the latest Garmin update definitely has some bugs regarding Wi-Fi and using the touchscreen during activities. However, if you've found your stopwatch no longer works via touchscreen and can only be controlled using buttons, Garmin says this is an intentional change. Whether it was a good one or not remains to be seen.

Between this latest kerfuffle and the recent issue with Garmin watch faces crashing, it's been a choppy few days for the company's software division.

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Now it's December, we are creeping closer to the highly anticipated release of Severance season two. As one of the best Apple TV shows out there and my personal favorite from one of the best streaming services, I have been impatiently waiting for its return. So, I was thrilled when Vanity Fair dropped a massive exclusive preview full of new images and quotes, and one thing in particular caught my eye.

Vanity Fair's preview teases a little more about Gwendoline Christie's character, one of the newcomers to Severance season two. Right now, our experience within Lumon has not stretched much further than two departments; Macrodata Refinement and Optics and Design, but it looks like her new character is from a new one entirely.

I'm excited about this for many reasons. First of all, knowing we'll be branching out into new areas is great, and secondly, I love Gwendoline Christie. From her portrayal as my favorite Game of Thrones character Brienne of Tarth to her principal character in the Netflix series Wednesday, she always impresses.

Here's just a quick glimpse at what director Ben Stiller and writer and creator Dan Erickson have teased about the series.

What do we know about Gwendoline's character in Severance season 2?

(Image credit: HBO)

Ben Stiller and Dan Erickson have teased some of the new characters showing up in the second season, with Christie's mysterious new arrival among them. And it's exciting stuff because they've teased her character is doing work that's not in an office. To be fair, I never saw that coming when I put together my Severance season two questions piece. Season one felt pretty claustrophobic at times, so there's a chance we're expanding further than we thought.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, they said: "There are three new people in MDR, in the place of our regular group. Lumon is aware that these three Innies [Mark, Helly, and Irving] have somehow breached the severed floor and activated their overtime contingency. The new people who are in place there are somehow in reaction to this. Seeing new people at the desks would definitely bring up questions, especially for Mark."

"In terms of Gwendoline, it’s pretty clear she’s in a different department. She is doing some kind of work where she’s not in an office. There are people who are not in the white-collar aspect of what goes on at Lumon but who get their hands dirty and are working towards other ends. And one of the fun parts of the show I think is also trying to figure out how all these different departments connect with each other."

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