Sony Interactive Entertainment is eliminating the need for a PlayStation Network account for certain single-player games on PC, the company announced Wednesday. That includes this weeks release of Marvels Spider-Man 2 and the upcoming release of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, two titles that currently say theyll require a PSN account in their respective Steam pages.Instead of requiring a PSN account for those games (and the already-released PC versions of God of War Ragnark and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered), Sony hopes to incentivize players on PC to sign in to a PlayStation Network account for added benefits like trophies and friend management. Certain in-game content perks will also be available, said Asad Qizilbash, senior VP and head of publishing at SIE.Those perks include the following in-game items:Marvels Spider-Man 2 Early unlock suits: the Spider-Man 2099 Black Suit and the Miles Morales 2099 SuitGod of War Ragnark Gain access to the Armor of the Black Bear set for Kratos at the first Lost Items chest in the Realm Between Realms (previously only accessible in a New Game+ run) and a resource bundle (500 Hacksilverand 250 XP)The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered +50 points to activate bonus features and unlock extras: Jordans Jacket from Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet as a skin for EllieHorizon Zero Dawn Remastered Gain access to Nora Valiant outfitSony had controversially required a PSN account for many of its recent PC titles, even when those games didnt feature internet connectivity or multiplayer components. The publisher drew ire from many PC players for adding the requirement to log into a PSN account for Helldivers 2, months after the game launched on PC. Sony eventually backtracked on Helldivers 2s requirements, but extended the policy to single-player games like Ghost of Tsushima (which does have a multiplayer component called Legends) and Until Dawn.Marvels Spider-Man 2 for Windows PC will be released on Thursday on Steam. In April, the remastered version of The Last of Us Part 2 will be released.

OASES in New York Citys Chelsea neighborhood combines a restaurant and retreat in one, within a tranquil setting that ignites the five senses. Comprising several distinct spaces, the style of the interior is rooted in the Ayurvedic principles of balance and harmony. Designed by entrepreneur and founder Sonam Sangmo, in partnership with RANSD and Studio Rolling, the 4,755-square-foot space on the ground floor of a luxury residential building is a welcome place of respite.Key elements were influenced by Sangmos upbringing in India, where hospitality was a part of everyday life. My mother taught me how to be a good host, she says. I wanted to create a space that was as intimate as a home, and where people would feel welcome.Soft curves and a serene color palette are paired with lush foliage throughout to create a meditative experience, rather than distracting patterns or too-bold hues dominating the interior. Plaster walls add just enough texture, and the green tones of the foliage complement rich wood pieces.Guests can choose from in-house dining or grab-and-go options. Situated in OASES vegetable garden, the all-day caf provides nutritious options like superfood acai bowls and organic smoothies to give busy urbanites an extra boost of energy. The restaurant and bar offers a more elevated setting for dinner and drinks. New American fare with a Himalayan twist is on the menu, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Chef Georgie Castillos dishes are made with non-GMO oils, natural sugars, and seasonal produce from local farmers.At the bar, patrons sip on a range of beverages from natural wines to cocktails and non-alcoholic mocktails. Even the libations boast a blend of flavors and spices, and include dashes of turmeric, saffron oil, matcha. Drinks are on display at a glowing martini wall, in aura-like tones that soothe.Sangmo, a fashion industry veteran with stints at Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors on her resume, also applied her sartorial knowledge to other facets. She designed the staff uniforms, which were produced in Nepal.Adjacent to the caf, customers browse and shop at a bazaar, which has an array of eco-conscious products. Skincare, housewares, and beauty products are just a few of the goods sourced by Sangmo, who traveled around the globe to find unique items to support healthy living and nourish mind, body and spirit. Everything was done with honesty and its an extension of myself, Sangmo adds. Its not just about the cuisine or the overall design, but the atmosphere, where everyone feels at ease.For more information, visit ransd.com and studiorolling.com.Photography by Zeph Colombatto.

Part-time work is great for increased flexibility, but a significant bummer when it comes to benefits. Luckily, a new rule now opens the door for millions of part-time workers to start building their nest eggs earlier through employer-sponsored retirement plans. This rulepart of the Secure Act 2.0 passed in 2022reduces the waiting period for part-time employees to join their company's 401(k) or 403(b) plans. Here's what you need to know to take advantage of this change and maximize your savings this year.How part-time workers can save more for retirementUnder the new rules, part-time workers can qualify for their employer's retirement plan after just two years of service, provided they work at least 500 hours in each year. This is down from the previous three-year requirement, making it significantly easier for part-time employees to start saving for retirement through their workplace plans.To put this in perspective, 500 hours per year amounts to roughly 10 hours per week, meaning even those working limited schedules can qualify for these important benefits more quickly than before. Whatever your image of part-time work looks like, this rule benefits a wide range of people:Recent hires who work steady part-time schedules can begin saving a full year earlier than under previous rules.Workers juggling multiple part-time positions can now more quickly access benefits at their longer-term employers.Parents or caregivers working reduced hours can start building retirement savings sooner.Students working part-time while in school can begin their retirement savings journey earlier in their careers.Read the fine printFirst, bit of clarification: Whereas freelancers are self-employed (and eligible for their own types of plans), this rule applies to long-term, part-time workers, who are still considered to be a part of the company and eligible for corporate benefits.Additionally, the new provision comes with several key stipulations:The rule applies to most 401(k) plans and certain 403(b) plans.Collectively bargained plans are exempt from these requirements.Service hours accumulated before 2021 don't count toward the eligibility requirement.Employers must still offer plan participation to those who work 1,000 hours in a single year.Maximizing your retirement savingsFor part-time workers now eligible for retirement plans, consider taking these steps.Review your employer's match program, if available, and try to contribute enough to capture the full match.Calculate how much you can consistently contribute from each paycheck.Consider automatic contribution increases to gradually boost your savings rate.Research your plan's investment options and choose a diversified portfolio aligned with your retirement timeline.Understand any vesting schedules for employer contributions.The bottom line: Part-time employees should check with their HR departments about eligibility and plan details, as employers will need to implement these changes in their retirement plan administration asap. Starting to save earlier, even in small amounts, can make a meaningful difference in long-term retirement.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.After the release of the Google Pixel 9 last fall, the Pixel 8 lineup dropped in price, as was expected. While the Pixel 8 Pro isn't the latest Pixel, it is still considered one of the best Android phones for 2025, according to CNET. The unlocked 128 GB Pixel 8 Pro is currently $599 (originally $999), a 40% discount. That's matching the lowest price the device has reached, according to price-tracking tools. Google Pixel 8 Pro $599.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $400.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $400.00 You'll get about nine hours of battery life from the Pixel 8 Pro; a 50MP, 48MP, 48MP rear camera; and a 10.5MP front-facing camera. The OLED screen is 6.7 inches with a 2,992 by 1,344-pixel resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The peak brightness hits 2,400 nits, a big jump from the previous version. You can read more about it in PCMag's "excellent" review.The Pixel 8 Pro is still a great phone in 2025, with support for tons of AI features that make the phone feel fresh even a year after its release. Google has also been working hard to patch up the vulnerabilities on their Pixel phones as far back as the Pixel 6, meaning the Pixel 8 Pro will be supported with software updates for a while (as long as seven years). Google also keeps dropping new Pixel features every few months, including the Audio Magic Eraser, which gets rid of distracting sounds in videos, and the Best Take feature, which lets you pick the best shot from a series of photos. While the new Pixel 9 lineup may seem enticingthe most basic model, the 128 GB Pixel 9, starts at $719 (originally $799), also a great price for an excellent phoneif you value performance and the camera over design and features, you're better off saving yourself the money with the Pixel 8 Pro.

NVIDIA just warned consumers that it might be pretty difficult for gamers to get their hands on its upcoming high-end RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards. The company says it expects significant demand for the cards and that stock-outs may happen. The term stock-out is business speak for we ran out of the thing you want.The official launch is January 30, so many gamers could find themselves out of luck on release day. Several distributors have revealed they wont even have the cards on January 30. MSI says it wont be selling the GPUs in the US until February 6 and PC maker PowerGPU told its customers that availability will be the worst for the first three months.Warning you all now. The launch of the RTX 5090 will be the worst when it comes to availability. Already being told to expect it to be that way for the first 3 months. PowerGPU (@PowerGPU) January 21, 2025 This is a global issue. VideoCardz has reported that Korea likely wont see shipments until mid-February and the UK retailer Overclockers has posted that it only has single-digit numbers of RTX 5090s in stock. The retailer does, however, have slightly more 5080s in stock.Gizmodo has reported that folks are already camping out in the cold for the expensive cards. NVIDIA, for its part, has stated that its shipping more stock to retail every day to help get GPUs into the hands of gamers. Well see how that goes. In any event, we have compiled some tips to help folks snag one of these cards.If you pay attention to NVIDIA product launches, this news should come as no surprise. The same thing happened with the 40 series. There was high demand and limited initial availability. It took months until gamers could cruise online and purchase one of the latest graphics cards. The 30 series cards were also difficult to find at launch, due to the pandemic and bitcoin mining.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/nvidia-says-itll-likely-run-out-of-rtx-5090-and-5080-cards-due-to-significant-demand-172030639.html?src=rss

Sony is once again shaking up its leadership ranks. Effective April 1, Hideaki Nishino will be president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE). Nishino was appointed CEO of the division's Platform Business Group last year. He ran SIE in partnership with Hermen Hulst, who will remain in his role as the head of PlayStation's studios but now report to Nishino. The pair replaced former SIE CEO Jim Ryan."I am truly honored to take the helm at Sony Interactive Entertainment," Nishino said in a statement. "Technology and creativity are two of our biggest strengths as we continue to focus on developing experiences that deliver entertainment for everyone. We will continue to grow the PlayStation community in new ways, such as IP expansion, while also delivering the best in technology innovation."Hulst, meanwhile, will continue to oversee Sony's first-party games. He's also responsible for helping adapt the company's video game franchises into other mediums via PlayStation Productions.The pair have had a tumultuous first year in charge of SIE. Just before they took the reins, Ryan announced that the division was laying off 900 staff and shutting down London Studio.Since then, Nishino and Hulst have been dealing with the fallout of Ryan's deeply misguided efforts to focus on live-service games. After the disastrous debut of Concord a hero shooter that vanished within just two weeks, never to return Sony shut down the game's developer Firewalk Studios, as well as Neon Koi. A subsequent review of Sony's live-service efforts led to the company canning two other projects that were in development at Bluepoint and Bend Studio, with the former said to be a God of War title.Elsewhere within the company, SIE Chairman Hiroki Totoki is giving up that post to become the new CEO of Sony. He'll succeed Kenichiro Yoshida, who will remain the company's chairman. Totoki is also the current president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Sony. Replacing him as CFO is Lin Tao, a senior vice-president of finance, corporate strategy and development at SIE.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sonys-playstation-division-will-once-again-have-a-single-ceo-170758830.html?src=rss

IKEA has announced a new range of colorful home electronics and it just launched two new colors of its Vappeby Bluetooth speaker as a taster.

Google's new "Verified" is designed to highlight VPN apps that prioritize user privacy and safety. Here's how it works.

Meta is slated to report fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday after the close of regular trading.

Tesla's fourth-quarter earnings report comes after a dramatic rally in the company's stock price tied to the election of President Donald Trump.