Earlier this week Valve started kicking Counter-Strike 2 players who used a feature called Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions (SOCD). Its available on some of Razer and Wootings keyboards, and you'll be kicked from matches if you play Counter-Strike 2 and the game detects you using it. Fortunately, Valve isnt planning to ban Steam accounts right now.The Verge tested Valves ruling and confirmed the game kicks you from matches if you play with SOCD. We still dont recommend challenging Valves leniency, as the admins still have every right to ban accounts from playing the game. Dont come crying if they do, thanks.Razer calls the feature Snap Tap, while Wooting prefers the cuter term Snappy Tappy. Valves post says that those who own these keyboards must disable the features to avoid any interruption to your matches.SOCD allows players to automate strafing, which means they can move in two directions without releasing the first key. This entails that you can always peek out of cover and get back out of harms way as fast as the games limitations allow. For example, as you move left with the A key, pressing the D key without letting the A key go enables you to go right instantly. Additionally, your reticule widens while moving, so coming to a stop sooner helps with your aim. SOCD lets you stop almost instantly, which can improve your head-clicking rate.Both Razer and Wooting have made posts on X accepting Valves decision. Wooting, in particular, called for SOCD keyboard owners to disable the feature while playing Counter-Strike 2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/valve-bans-razer-and-wooting-keyboard-automation-in-counter-strike-2-160502376.html?src=rss

Anova will soon start charging customers a monthly or yearly fee to use the smart features of its well-regarded sous vide cooking appliances. The subscription costs kick in on August 21 and apply to the proprietary app, which controls wireless functionality. In other words, you wont be able to remotely control the device without paying the piper.The subscription price isnt exactly exorbitant, at $2 per month or $10 per year, but its the principle of the thing. In the old days, wed buy an object and then use that object. End of story. Now everythings a dang subscription. Yes. I wrote those previous sentences in a cartoonish old man's voice, but the point stands.Anova says that the subscription fee will only apply to new users. If you already own an Anova cooker and use the app, the company will grandfather you in for free. However, its now mandatory to create an account. Before this change, it was optional. If you use an Anova cooker in guest mode, get that account made pronto.An update for our app users > https://t.co/vg6NOEDubE Anova (@AnovaCulinary) August 14, 2024 These cookers can be used without the app, but that turns them into bare-bones sous vide machines (not that theres anything wrong with that.) The app allows for remote adjustments, access to status updates, the perusal of recipes and more.Our community has literally cooked 100s of millions of times with our app. Unfortunately, each connected cook costs us money, company CEO Stephen Svajian wrote in a blog post. Svajian didn't go into detail as to how using simple Bluetooth features costs the company money, but whatever.The bad news doesnt stop there. Anova is stripping its first-gen products of all smart features. This applies to the Bluetooth and Bluetooth + Wi-Fi models of the original Anova Precision Cooker. Not even a subscription will save these devices, though the change doesnt go into effect until 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/anova-will-charge-customers-to-use-its-sous-vide-app-because-everything-must-be-a-subscription-151906912.html?src=rss

Unigine 2.19 is out. Check out the new features in the game engine and real-time renderer, including multi-bounce lighting, OpenXR support and USD export.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/08/check-out-the-new-features-in-unigine-2-19/

Check out 3D model optimization platform RapidPipeline. The cloud-based service can convert files between 3D formats, remesh them, generate LODs, and bake texture maps. It also now integrates directly into Blender.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/08/check-out-cloud-based-3d-model-optimization-service-rapidpipeline/

A brand new Dying Light spin-off is coming soon.

2K Games has officially announced that Borderlands 4 is in development.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 gets an extended gameplay trailer at Opening Night Live.

AMD plans to acquire ZT Systems for nearly $5 billion in a bid to strengthen its AI infrastructure market position.

Want better battery life for your laptop? Who doesnt, and luckily, Microsoft is changing Windows 11 to help with that.

After Alphabet invested another $5 billion in Waymo, the robotaxi venture is hitting new milestones.