The first wave of 2025 prebuilt gaming PCs equipped with the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 and 5090 graphics cards are now available for purchase. Best Buy, Amazon, Newegg, Adorama, and B&H Photo all have fresh listings up on their sites starting today. If you're looking for a complete system equipped with one of these current generation GPUs, this will be your best opportunity to get one for a while, or at least until the big OEM manufacturers like Dell (Alienware), HP (Omen), and Lenovo (Legion) release their own systems towards the end of Q1.If you're looking for a standalone GPU instead of a prebuilt, you've come to the wrong page: Check out our complete RTX 5090 and 5080 preorder guide to see which retailers are likely to have them. Keep in mind that the launch-day stock of GPUs has a good chance of being sold out within hours or even minutes. Retailers have already warned about inventory shortages, and recent Nvidia GPU launches have been marred by bots that buy up mass quantities of GPUs with the intention of reselling at an extremely marked-up rate.AmazonAll RTX 5090 and 5080 Prebuilt Gaming PCs on AmazonSee it at AmazonMSI Gaming PC on AmazonMSI Aegis ZS2 AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5080 Gaming PC (64GB, 2TB SSD)$2,699.99 at AmazonSkytech Gaming PCs on AmazonNote that "DOLICA" is an authorized Skytech reseller.Skytech Chronos AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB RAM, 2TB SSD)$2,499.99 at AmazonSkytech Azure AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB RAM, 2TB SSD)$2,699.99 at AmazonSkytech Chronos Intel Core Ultra 7 265K RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB RAM, 2TB SSD)$2,699.99 at AmazonNot Yet ReleasedSkytech Legacy AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D RTX 5090 Gaming PC$4,599.99 at AmazonCyberpowerpc Gaming PCs on AmazonCyberPowerPC AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB, 2TB)$2,419.99 at AmazonCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme AMD Ryzen 9 9950X RTX 5080 Gaming PC (64GB/4TB)$2,769.99 at AmazonCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cooled Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,319.99 at AmazonBest BuyAll RTX 5090 and 5080 Prebuilt Gaming PCs at Best BuySee it at Best BuyCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB, 2TB)$2,419.99 at Best BuyCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB, 2TB)$2,319.99 at Best BuyCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme AMD Ryzen 9 9950X RTX 5080 Gaming PC (64GB, 4TB)$2,769.99 at Best BuyCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme AMD Ryzen 9 9900X RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB, 2TB)$2,299.99 at Best BuyCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5080 Gaming PC (64GB, 4TB)$2,699.99 at Best BuyCLX Set Intel Core i9-14900KF RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB RAM, 2TB SSD)$2,749.99 at Best BuyCLX Set Intel Core i9-14900KF RTX 5080 Gaming PC (64GB RAM, 2TB SSD, 4TB HDD)$2,949.99 at Best BuyCLX Set AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB RAM, 2TB SSD)$2,999.99 at Best BuyCLX Set Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5080 Gaming PC (64GB RAM, 2TB SSD, 4TB HDD)$3,149.99 at Best BuyCLX Horus AMD Ryzen 9 9950X RTX 5080 Gaming PC (96GB RAM, 2TB SSD, 8TB HDD)$3,529.99 at Best BuyAsus ROG G700 Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,399.99 at Best BuySkytech Legacy AMD Ryzen 9 9900X RTX 5080 Gaming PC$3,299.99 at Best BuySkytech Legacy Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5090 Gaming PC$4,299.99 at Best BuyCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme AMD Ryzen 9 9950X RTX 5090 Gaming PC$4,559.99 at Best BuyCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5090 Gaming PC$4,499.99 at Best BuyAlienwareNew for 2025Alienware Area-51 Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB/2TB)$4,449.99 at AlienwareNew for 2025Alienware Area-51 Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5080 Gaming PC (64GB/4TB)$5,049.99 at AlienwareDell just launched its new Alienware Area-51 lineup of gaming PCs today. Currently, it's available in only two configurations - both paired with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and GeForce RTX 5080 GPU - starting at a bonkers price of $4,449.99. Don't expect to get it right away either; Dell estimates this system to arrive at doorNeweggAll RTX 5090 and 5080 Prebuilt Gaming PCs at NeweggSee it at NeweggABS Kaze AMD Ryzen 7 7700X RTX 5080 Gaming PCABS Kaze AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5080 Gaming PCABS Eurus Intel Core i9-14900KF RTX 5080 Gaming PCAVGPC FrostFire Intel Core i9-14900KF RTX 5080 Gaming PCYeyian Phoenix Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,699.99 at NeweggABS Eurus Intel Core Ultra 9-285K RTX 5090 Gaming PCYeyian Phoenix Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5090 Gaming PC$4,299.99 at NeweggAdoramaAll RTX 5090 and 5080 Prebuilt Gaming PCs at AdoramaSee it at AdoramaCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cooled AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,419.99 at AdoramaCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cooled AMD Ryzen 9 9900X RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,299.99 at AdoramaCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cooled Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,319.99 at AdoramaCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cooled Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,699.99 at AdoramaCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cooled AMD Ryzen 9 9950X RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,769.99 at AdoramaCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cooled Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5090 Gaming PC$4,499.99 at AdoramaCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Liquid Cooled AMD Ryzen 9 9950X RTX 5090 Gaming PC$4,559.99 at AdoramaB&H PhotoAll RTX 5090 and 5080 Prebuilt Gaming PCs at B&H PhotoSee it at B&H PhotoCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,419.99 at B&H PhotoCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme AMD Ryzen 9 9900X RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,299.99 at B&H PhotoCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,319.99 at B&H PhotoMSI Aegis ZS2 AMD Ryzen 9 7900X RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,399.00 at B&H PhotoCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,699.99 at B&H PhotoCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme AMD Ryzen 9 9950X RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,769.99 at B&H PhotoMSI Aegis ZS2 AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5080 Gaming PC$2,799.00 at B&H PhotoCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5090 Gaming PC$4,499.99 at B&H PhotoCyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme AMD Ryzen 9 9950X RTX 5090 Gaming PC$4,559.99 at B&H PhotoMSI Infinite RS Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5090 Gaming PC$4,999.00 at B&H PhotoMSI Vision Elite Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5090 Gaming PC$5,499.00 at B&H PhotoBoutique PC Retailers with Built-to-Order RTX 50XX SystemsSome retailers are offering the option to add RTX 5090 and/or 5080 GPUs to select built-to-order systems in their configurators. New RTX 50-series GPU configs are available at iBuyPower, Origin PC, Maingear, Starforge Systems, NZXT, and Digital Storm. Although RTX 50-series systems are readily available this way, keep in mind that build-to-order systems can be very expensive and are usually the least cost effective route.Dell (Alienware), HP, and Lenovo Prebuilt PCs Coming LaterThe big three OEM computer retailers will not equip their prebuilt gaming desktop PCs with the new RTX 50-series GPUs until later in the year. At CES 2025, Dell showcased its Alienware Area 51 gaming PC, which we presume will be equipped with Nvidia's new GPUs. We expect it to launch sometime later in Q1. HP will eventually offer the option to equip the flagship Omen 45L with the RTX 5090 and 5080, hopefully in mid or late February. Lenovo has yet to mention when it'll start adding the new GPUs to its Legion Tower gaming desktops, so there's currently no expected launch date.Our RTX 5090 FE and 5080 FE Reviews Are LiveThe Nvidia 50-series GPUs were officially announced at CES 2025. The emphasis for this round of cards has been on the new and improved AI features over hardware based raster performance. DLSS 4 technology supposedly quadruples the number of frames with minimal visual compromise. These new GPUs do offer a modest performance boost, but opinions are mixed regarding their value for PC gamers relative to the previous generation RTX 40-series cards.In our Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 FE review, Jackie Thomas wrote that "the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 has officially taken the performance crown from the RTX 4090, but with less force than previous generations. When it comes to traditional non-AI gaming performance, the RTX 5090 provides one of the smallest generational uplifts in recent memory. However, in games that support it, DLSS 4 really does deliver huge performance gains you just have to make your peace with the fact that 75% of the frames are generated with AI."PlayIn our Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 FE review, Jackie offers a similar sentiment. "If you already have a high-end graphics card from the last couple of years, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 doesnt make a lot of sense it just doesnt have much of a performance lead over the RTX 4080, though the extra frames from DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation do make things look better in games that support it. However, for gamers with an older graphics card who want a significant performance boost, the RTX 5080 absolutely provides doubly so if youre comfortable with Nvidias AI goodies."Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

See at Peacock Watch the EPL in the US from $8 a month Peacock See at Peacock See more details See at ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming ExpressVPN See at ExpressVPN See more details See at Fubo Watch the Premier League in Canada from CA$30 per month Fubo Canada See at Fubo See more details See at Optus Watch the Premier League in Australia from AU$7 a month Optus Sport See at Optus See more details Table of Contents Manchester United will look to build on its winning streak as it hosts a Crystal Palace side working its way up to mid-table.After a shaky start to his tenure, Ruben Amorim's team has had just one loss in seven matches across all competitions. Meanwhile, 13th place Palace saw its recent run of good results end last weekend as the team slipped to a 2-1 London derby defeat to Brentford at Selhurst Park.Man United takes on Crystal Palace on Sunday, Feb. 2, at Old Trafford, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. GMTlocal time. That makes it a 9 a.m. ET or 6 a.m. PTstart in the US and Canada, and an1 a.m. AEDTkickoff in Australia in the early hours of Monday morning.Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the match as it happens, wherever you are in the world. Ruben Amorim saw his team claim a place in the Europa League last Wednesday after Man United beat FCSB 2-0 in Bucharest. Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty ImagesHow to watch Man United vs. Crystal Palace in the US without cableSunday's Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace match can be streamed in the USA onPeacock. You'll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live. CNET Peacock offers two Premium plans, and after the recent price increases, the ad-supported Premium plan costs $8 a month and the ad-free Premium Plus plan is $14 a month. See at Peacock How to watch the Premier League 2024-25 season from anywhere with a VPNIf you find yourself unable to view EPL matches locally, you may need a different way to watch the games -- that's where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it's also a great idea if you're traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.With a VPN, you're able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors' Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you're streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions. James Martin/CNET 2024 Latest Tests DNS leaks detected, 25% speed loss in 2024 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN isour current best VPN pickfor people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month.Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months) See at ExpressVPN Can I livestream Man United vs. Crystal Palace in the UK?This Sunday afternoon fixture has not been selected to be shown live by any UK broadcaster.That also means that if you're in the UK traveling for pleasure or for work, you're unlikely to be able to watch the game like you normally would at home, thanks to geo-blocking.There's one option to get around this, however. By using a VPN, as explained above, you can set your location to a country where the match is being broadcast and go from there..Livestream Man United vs. Crystal Palace in CanadaIf you want to stream this EPL game live in Canada, you'll need to subscribe to Fubo Canada. The service has exclusive rights to every Premier League fixture once again this season. Fubo Fubo is the go-to destination for Canadians looking to watch the EPL this season, with exclusive streaming rights to every match. It costs CA$30 a month, though you can save some cash by paying quarterly or annually. See at Fubo Livestream Man United vs. Crystal Palace in AustraliaFootball fans down under can watch EPL matches live on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League fixture of the 2024-25 season live in Australia. Optus With exclusive rights to stream all EPL matches live this season, as well as German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.If you're already an Optus network customer, you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 a month. If you're not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25. See at Optus Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPNWith four variables at play -- your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN -- your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.If you don't see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the "search for city or country" option.If you're having trouble getting the game after you've turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs -- like Roku -- don't have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you'll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you're using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network's sports app, you'll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you're using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommendBrave.

See at Sling TV Watch the Premier League on USA Network from $40 a month Sling TV See at Sling TV See more details See at ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming ExpressVPN See at ExpressVPN See more details See at Now Watch the Premier League in the UK from 15 with Now Now See at Now See more details See at Fubo Watch the Premier League in Canada from CA$30 per month Fubo Canada See at Fubo See more details See at Optus Watch the Premier League in Australia from AU$7 a month Optus Sport See at Optus See more details Table of Contents Tottenham will be hoping to avoid a fifth straight defeat in the Premier League on Sunday as they travel across London to face Brentford.Hovering uncomfortably close to the relegation zone, the pressure on under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou was eased somewhat by a 3-0 win in the Europa League over Swedish team Elfsborg on Thursday.Meanwhile, Brentford will be looking to make it back-to back wins after narrowly beating Crystal Palace last weekend 2-1, a result that lifted Thomas Frank's side up to 11th place in the table. Brentford takes on Tottenham on Sunday, Feb. 2, at the Community Stadium in West London, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. GMTlocal time. That makes it a 9 a.m. ET or 6 a.m. PTstart in the US and Canada, and an1 a.m. AEDTkickoff in Australia in the early hours of Monday morning.Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the match as it happens, wherever you are in the world. Kevin Schade scored a second-half winner for Brentford in their 2-1 away win at Crystal Palace last weekend. Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty ImagesHow to watch Brentford vs. Tottenham in the US without cableSunday's Brentford vs. Tottenham match will be broadcast on the USA Network, which you can access as part of your cable package or at theNBC Sports websitewith a valid login. It can also be streamed via Sling TV and other, more expensive streaming TV services. Sling TV/CNET Sling TV's Blue plan includes USA Network, making it a great option for fans wanting to watch Premier League action. It's $40 a month and features over 40 channels, including other sports channels like ESPN and FS1.Read our Sling TV review. See at Sling TV How to watch the Premier League 2024-25 season from anywhere with a VPNIf you find yourself unable to view EPL matches locally, you may need a different way to watch the games -- that's where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it's also a great idea if you're traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.With a VPN, you're able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors' Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you're streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions. James Martin/CNET 2024 Latest Tests DNS leaks detected, 25% speed loss in 2024 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN isour current best VPN pickfor people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month.Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months) See at ExpressVPN Livestream Brentford vs. Tottenham in the UKThis Sunday afternoon match is exclusive to Sky Sports, showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and UHD channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account and a Now Sports membership to stream the game. Now TV Sky subsidiary Now offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for 15, or sign up to a monthly plan from 35 per month right now. See at Now Livestream Brentford vs. Tottenham in CanadaIf you want to stream this EPL game live in Canada, you'll need to subscribe to Fubo Canada. The service has exclusive rights to every Premier League fixture once again this season. Fubo Fubo is the go-to destination for Canadians looking to watch the EPL this season, with exclusive streaming rights to every match. It costs CA$30 a month, though you can save some cash by paying quarterly or annually. See at Fubo Livestream Brentford vs. Tottenham in AustraliaFootball fans down under can watch EPL matches live on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League fixture of the 2024-25 season live in Australia. Optus With exclusive rights to stream all EPL matches live this season, as well as German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.If you're already an Optus network customer, you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 a month. If you're not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25. See at Optus Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPNWith four variables at play -- your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN -- your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.If you don't see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the "search for city or country" option.If you're having trouble getting the game after you've turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs -- like Roku -- don't have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you'll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you're using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network's sports app, you'll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you're using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommendBrave.

Florent Rebrun created this fantastic short film in Blender. The music, a collaboration with Louis Lacoste, reinforces the Ghibli-like atmosphere. It's a fantastic production, and I'm left wanting to see more!Source

This Is AbsurdRockstar co-founder and GTA 5 writer Dan Houser's new studio has offered a small glimpse at its brand new Absurdaverse, and it looks... fineThough it's not a particularly convincing one.Image credit: Absurd Ventures News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Feb. 2, 2025 Dan Houser left Rockstar back in 2020 to form a new studio in 2021, Absurd Ventures, and four years on the developer has revealed the name of another of its universes: Absurdaverse.Ever since Houser set up his new studio in 2021, there's been questions around what it is he's actually going to do. We got some details last year, including about the studio's first project, A Better Paradise, a sci-fi story starting life as an audio fiction series, but will get a TV show and video games too apparently. Earlier this week, though, Absurd Ventures released a look at one of its other universes, putting a name to it too. It's called the Absurdaverse, and all the studio really showed off was a look at "just a few characters" from the universe. "Prepare to meet some new kinds of heroes (and watch them suffer)." To see this content please enable targeting cookies.It did say that there's "more information to come this year about the first animation projects and about our original story-driven action-comedy adventure game set in the Absurdaverse, now in development at Absurd Ventures." You can see the character designs above, but to be honest it's a pretty weak first impression. None of the designs are particularly appealing if you ask me, and Absurdaverse as a name really does feel like something that only a dad would find cool. Still, it's early days so I could be proven wrong!To see this content please enable targeting cookies. The post goes on to note that you should "stay tuned as well for more updates in 2025 about our other two storytelling universes, A Better Paradise and American Caper," so perhaps there'll be a bit more to get excited about further down the line.Of course, while Houser may no longer be at Rockstar, most people that are fans of his work will be thinking about GTA 6, as it's supposedly set to be released in late 2025. Whether that comes to fruition, we'll see, but I'm sure it'll be all anyone will talk about whenever it does come out (sorry, other games).

Looking PatchyBloodborne at 60fps is no more, as the person behind the fan-made patch has been hit with a takedown notice from SonyI'm sure you can manage with an unstable 20-30fps, right?Image credit: FromSoftware News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Feb. 2, 2025 Love playing Bloodborne in 60fps? Too bad, as Sony has filed a takedown notice against the fan-made patch that makes the beloved FromSoftware title run smoothly.Bloodborne is easily one of my favourite games of all time, as is the case for many people out there, but we do all have to admit that it doesn't always run the best. It's something that I'm sure a remaster could fix quite easily, but the thing is, we don't even technically need that fix, as modder Lance McDonald made a patch himself way back in 2021. Unfortunately, though, almost three years on, McDonald has received a takedown notice from Sony, meaning bye-bye 60fps patch. "On February 21st, 2021, I created and released a patch for Bloodborne which makes the game run at 60fps," McDonald shared on Twitter. "Today I received a DMCA takedown notification on behalf of Sony Interactive Entertainment asking that I remove links to the patch I posted on the internet, so I've now done so."To see this content please enable targeting cookies. McDonald explained in a later tweet that the patch that Sony requested to be removed as the "platform-agnostic version of the patch. It was the version used on PS4, PS5, and the PC emulator. It doesnt contain any copyright infringing content, it is a 'patcher.'" But, he noted that he's not interested in "arguing my right to distribute" the patch, even if he says he's "legally protected" if he chose to re-post it. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Now, obviously many of you could be thinking "hey, does this mean a remaster or something is on the way?" but personally I wouldn't bet on it. Many fans were hoping that Bluepoint Games next title would turn out to be a Bloodborne remake, considering it made the Demon's Souls remake, but it turned out that it was actually working on a God of War live service game (which has now been canned by Sony). On top of that, it seems like director Hidetaka Miyazaki is just "too busy" for Bloodborne 2, and doesn't want anyone else to touch the game, so you're probably stuck with the PS4 version for a long while.Of course, some big strides in PS4 emulation have been made recently, and in the case of Bloodborne things are seemingly looking quite good. Take that as a consolation prize I suppose!

Tech China unveils the worlds fastest high-speed train with a top speed of 280 mph Bullet train prototype sets new standards in high-speed rail innovation Published February 2, 2025 6:00am EST close China unveils the worlds fastest high-speed train with a top speed of 280 mph China is committed to leading the world in railway innovation. In a significant advancement for high-speed rail technology, China recently unveiled the CR450 bullet train prototype in Beijing.This state-of-the-art train is a testament to China's commitment to leading the world in railway innovation.With a test speed of 280 mph, the CR450 is poised to break records and set new standards in the area of high-speed travel. The CR450 bullet train prototype (China State Railway Group)Speed and performance of the high-speed trainThe CR450 is designed to operate at an impressive 248 mph, surpassing its predecessor, the CR400, which operates at 217 mph. This significant increase in speed is accompanied by a remarkable reduction in operational resistance by 22% and a weight decrease of 10%, thanks to the use of advanced materials, such as carbon fiber composites and magnesium alloys. The CR450 bullet train prototype (China State Railway Group)Innovative technology behind the bullet trainEquipped with over 4,000 sensors, the CR450 features intelligent monitoring systems that allow for real-time data collection on various operational parameters, including axle temperature and pressure. This technology enhances safety and efficiency, enabling the train to adapt to changing conditions autonomously.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? The inside of the CR450 bullet train prototype (China State Railway Group)Comfort and design with passengers in mindPassenger comfort has not been overlooked. The CR450 includes noise reduction technologies that lower interior noise levels by two decibels compared to earlier models. Additionally, it offers more passenger space, expanding service areas by 4%.The design incorporates aerodynamic features aimed at minimizing air resistance, ensuring a smoother ride even at high speeds. The interior of the CR450 bullet train prototype (China State Railway Group)Safety features of the CR450Safety remains a top priority with the CR450. It features a braking response time of approximately 1.7 seconds, allowing it to come to a complete stop from its operational speed within 21,325 feet, the same distance required by the CR400. Furthermore, an over-the-horizon system enhances emergency situation recognition capabilities.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE The inside of the CR450 bullet train prototype (China State Railway Group)Future prospectsThe China State Railway Group has announced plans for extensive line testing of the CR450 prototypes to refine technical specifications before entering commercial service. The goal is to integrate this advanced technology into China's already extensive high-speed rail network, which spans over 24,855 miles. Inside the CR450 bullet train prototype (China State Railway Group)Kurt's key takeawaysThe unveiling of the CR450 bullet train marks an exciting chapter in high-speed rail travel. With its impressive speed, innovative technology and focus on passenger comfort, it promises to transform how we think about train travel. As China continues to lead in railway advancements, we can look forward to a future where traveling at unprecedented speeds becomes a reality for millions.What are your thoughts on whether the U.S. should strive to keep pace with or surpass China's advancements in high-speed rail technology? Do you believe investing in high-speed rail is essential for the future of transportation in America?Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Kerry Wan/ZDNETBefore there were smartwatches that could call 911 or smart rings that predicted illness, there was the Fitbit, which clipped onto clothing and counted steps and calories.The device launched in 2007 and instantly became a hit among early adopters and fitness enthusiasts. Back then, if a user wanted to view their data, they had to sync the device to a computer to see it on the Fitbit website.Also: The best fitness trackers in 2025: Expert tested and reviewedThat's worlds different from the fitness and health tech circulating today that automatically captures our heart rate and variability as it beats and displays them on a graph with instant insights and recommendations -- or notifies us about our stress levels and then offers breathing exercises to reduce them.The second decade of wearable health techWhile the first decade of wearable health tech was marked by deployment and accessibility -- getting the devices onto as many wrists as possible -- this second decade is more concerned with tracking far more health metrics than ever before and creating more discreet biotech that blends into the background of our day-to-day lives.We see this most poignantly with the dawn of the smart ring, an unburdensome and screenless alternative to the clunky smartwatch that tracks our sleep, activity, and stress. Its battery life lasts days longer than that of most watches.Also: The best smart rings of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedWe're two years away from the 20th anniversary of theFitbit, the first mass-market wearable fitness tracker that fundamentally changed the health tech industry. So, what major improvement will wearable tech's third decade be marked by? These brands give us a few clues.A new take on health monitoringDuring Praveen Raja's presentation onnew Samsung Health app featuresduring the company's annualUnpacked event, Samsung's head of digital health offered a mission statement for the brand's take on health monitoring. "Our vision is to develop a comprehensive system that supports you through every stage of your health journey," said Raja. "From measuring your current health to giving you personalized health insights and coaching, and connecting you with providers and caregivers.Let's break that vision down into two categories: already accomplished and yet to be accomplished. Measuring current health? Check. Its Galaxy Watches and Galaxy Rings do that already. Providing personalized health insights and coaching? Check.Sure, they could keep improving on this one through new features and updates, but it's nearly accomplished. Connecting users with providers and caregivers? This has yet to be accomplished. But Raja implies that this connection between healthcare providers and wearable users is next for the tech giant. Matthew Miller/ZDNETIn other brands, it's already here. Take Withings, the maker of smartwatches, smart scales, and blood pressure monitors. Earlier this month, itunveiled Cardio Check-Up, a feature available for Withings+ members that sends heart rate data collected through a Withings device to a board-certified cardiologist for evaluation and detailed feedback, which is returned to the user within 24 hours.Withings partners with Heartbeat Health Partners, a "tech-enabled specialty care" healthcare company with the largest virtual cardiologist practice in the US, to make Cardio Check-Up happen.The future of health technologyThese partnerships are the future of health technology. And it's not just Withings catching on. Smart ring brand Oura announced in October a "first-of-its-kind" partnership with Medicare Advantage (MA) provider Essence Healthcare.Starting this year, Essence Medicare Advantage members can receive a complimentary Oura Ring and a subscription to the app for health monitoring purposes. In a press release, Essence wrote that it's the first and only MA plan to offer such a setup.Also: Two OTC continuous glucose monitors won awards at CES - and you can try them nowEssence is a value-based care provider, which is slightly different from most healthcare in the US. Value-based care focuses more on patient outcomes in patients over time, with compensation structures that reward providers for healthier populations, compared to fee-for-service care, which compensates providers for each medical service they provide, Oura's VP of Healthcare, Jason Oberfest, explained to me.Oberfest explained that primary care faces many challenges. For one, there are a limited number of clinicians available to support patients, putting further pressure on an already outdated healthcare system. Could wearable technology not only make primary care more efficient for both the provider and the patient but also help providers identify who needs more help? Oberfest thinks so. Nina Raemont/ZDNET"The data from Oura really does help these care teams understand where an individual is in their own health journey and helps them think about ways to discuss improving health choices with the individual they're working with within a care setting," Oberfest said.Oberfest explained that any Essence MA plan member has the option to receive an Oura Ring. Upon setting up the ring, the member is asked if they'd like to share their health information with a care team to receive more efficient care.Also:This smart air purifier with a 'floating' wireless charger is now a mainstay in my homeOnce they opt-in, their data is passed on to the care team. Having such longitudinal and personalized data on hand at a doctor's visit means that the care provider is comparing the data it gathers at the visit to a person's historical averages -- not national averages -- which can help them spot irregularities they may not otherwise, Oura's Shyamal Patel explained to me. When asked if this model -- providing free wearables to healthcare members to monitor their health more efficiently -- could be the future of healthcare, Oberfest said it's a very strong possibility. He also said that while Oura's partnership with a healthcare provider like Essence is a first, the smart ring brand has other, similar partnerships on the way in categories like metabolic, cardiovascular, and women's health. Matthew Miller/ZDNETThere are groundswells of stories on Reddit about people using wearable tech like Oura or the Apple Watch to get a medical professional diagnosis. One Reddit poster recounted how their Oura Ring urged them to see a general practitioner after it recorded heart palpitations and stress peaks. At the doctor, they were diagnosed with an autoimmune disease."I know it's fun to track your sleep and activity, but my Oura Ring has seriously helped me through this challenging period of my life. It helped me get diagnosed (my doctor took the data seriously) and made me more in tune with my body," the user wrote.As much as theAI doomerssay that AI will render medical professionals obsolete, the reality is more collaborative between tech that evaluates health data using AI-embedded wearables and the doctors that provide diagnostics.Apple's FDA-cleared AirPods Pro 2not only function as hearing aids but also offer users a hearing test they can take to their doctor for a hearing loss diagnosis. The same goes for theApple Watch Series 10and itssleep apnea detectionfeature.There is, of course, the question or concern that tech brands and healthcare brands could misuse or fail to protect this customer data or charge people different prices based on the data it collects on them, like how certain insurance companies offer lower rates to law-abiding drivers who install in-car monitoring devices. Given that this is merely a prediction, we don't have the answers to these concerns yet.Wearable medical devices will continue to growAccording to Fortune Business Insights, the market for wearable medical devices is predicted to grow from $91.21 billion in 2024 to $324.73 billion by 2032.This growth comes as the healthcare industry's competitive barriers are eroded by "technology advancements, regulations, data-sharing standards, and empowered healthcare consumers," as Patricia Birch and William Shea write in aCognizant blog poston the industry's challenges.Oberfest says the second decade of wearable tech is less about the simple presentation of data and more about the context the information provides to the user. "It's about helping the individual put that information in context and make better decisions every day as a result of the information," Oberfest said.Health

ZDNET's key takeaways The $799 Samsung Galaxy S25 is for users who want a flagship experience in a smaller form factor. This year's hardware upgrades are fairly limited, but a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy does improve the battery and camera quality. The camera still suffers from shutter lag, making it less ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects. more buying choices The Samsung Galaxy S25 might not be as flashy as the Ultra, but it's still the best compact phone you can buy right now. It refines an already great formula with a slimmer, lighter design, better battery life, and smarter AI features. But with minimal hardware upgrades over its predecessor, is it still worth $799?Also: I replaced my iPhone 16 Pro with the Galaxy S25 Ultra - and there's a clear winnerIt helps that Samsung is counting on an upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor this year, which not only brings speed improvements but also better image clarity and more efficient battery life -- arguably the three most important aspects for consumers. I've spent the past week testing the device, and while the spec sheet may not excite you, the real-world experience tells a different story. details View at Samsung The Galaxy S25 is slimmer and lighter than last year's Galaxy S24. In fact, it's one of the most comfortable phones I've held and used. Unlike the larger Galaxy S25 Ultra, the flat sides don't feel unwieldy, and the curved edges keep it handy. I'd go as far as to say it offers a better in-hand feel than the Google Pixel 9 and iPhone 16.Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: I compared the base models that most people should buyOn the front, there's a 6.2-inch AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution, which, on paper, is less sharp than the QHD+ screens found on the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra. But in practice, it's still sharp and vibrant for its size. From scrolling through Reels on Instagram to browsing on Chrome to watching movies on Netflix, the Galaxy S25 display delivers a satisfying content consumption experience. Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETI just wish the anti-reflective coating of Gorilla Armor 2 from the Galaxy S25 Ultra had trickled down to this model, as it makes the screen more usable in bright environments. It's a quality-of-life upgrade that would have made the compact phone experience truly one of a kind. That said, the screen is still fairly legible in direct sunlight, as shown in the image above.At Galaxy Unpacked, I had the impression that Samsung was over-relying on the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor to deliver a substantial upgrade over the Galaxy S24 this year. Maybe I dismissed it too quickly because, in my time reviewing the Galaxy S25, I've noticed battery life improvements that I've never seen from the smallest Samsung model.From my tests, the Galaxy S25 lasted me at least an hour and a half longer than its predecessor under similar usage. It's a one-day phone for moderate users -- those who browse, use social media, and message frequently. While navigation and camera use will drain the battery faster, most people will be satisfied with the battery life here.While I like the fact that Samsung has managed to deliver better battery life in a slimmer and lighter design, I'd have preferred a charging rate faster than 25W this year. At least keep it on par with the Galaxy S25 Plus and Ultra's 45W! Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETLike the charging, Samsung hasn't updated the cameras on the Galaxy S25 this year. It features the same optics as the Galaxy S24, which are the same as the Galaxy S23 from the year before. Instead, Samsung continues to lean on the latest processor to enhance its camera hardware, which keeps the devices market-relevant, but nothing more.For a refresher, the camera system includes a 50MP primary camera with optical image stabilization, a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide-angle sensor.Also: These useful One UI 7 features are coming to the Galaxy S25 series - and older models tooThe phone offers good dynamic range and consistent colors across its sensors. I've found my image samples to be slightly more detailed than those from last year's model. Samsung has also worked on delivering more accurate human skin tones, along with better low-light results in terms of clarity and lesser noise in challenging environments. 1x, 3x and 5x photos on the Galaxy S25. Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETCompared to the iPhone 16 and Pixel 9, I prefer the Galaxy S25 camera for its versatility. A dedicated 3x telephoto camera is essential for me. However, if your camera usage involves capturing toddlers or pets, the iPhone may serve you better, as these cameras still struggle with fast-moving subjects. Unless you use the Expert RAW app to adjust the shutter speed for all photos, this isn't the best camera system for capturing little humans and furry friends.Some of the biggest camera upgrades come in video mode. You can now shoot log videos with Galaxy Log, enabling cinematographers to apply LUTs to color-grade their 10-bit footage.Also:Every Samsung Galaxy S25 model compared: How to decide which phone to buyThe Galaxy S25 also introduces a new post-editing feature called Audio Eraser, which uses AI to recognize and remove unwanted noises such as wind, water, or public chatter. A similar feature is available on Apple and Google phones, so I'm happy to report that Samsung has finally caught up -- and it works well. Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe Samsung Galaxy S25 runs Android 15-based One UI 7, which will soon roll out to the older Galaxy S24 series, bringing most, if not all, of the features I'm about to mention to last year's phones.Starting with AI Select, my most-used AI feature over the past few days. It works like Circle to Search, allowing you to highlight on-screen content and suggest on-device actions based on the information.Also: This $300 Samsung phone looks as good as the Galaxy S25 - at a fraction of the priceFor example, if you receive an event invite via text or email with time, date, and location details, you can tap on AI Select from the Edge Panel, highlight the invite details, and the phone will suggest an "Add to Calendar" option. Tap on it, and the time, date, and location are automatically filled in within your Calendar app.There's also a new Galaxy AI feature called Now Brief, an app-widget hybrid that consolidates important data in one place. In theory, it can show weather updates, suggest taking the day easy if Galaxy Health detects poor sleep, recommend Spotify playlists from your favorite artists, display news and calendar events, and suggest YouTube Shorts. Now Brief Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETHowever, in my experience, it has mostly been a glorified weather app. It couldn't detect my Google Fit data synced with Galaxy Health and didn't show me any news. The suggested Spotify playlists weren't based on my preferences either. Samsung claims the service will improve over time, so I'll update this review if I notice changes.One UI 7 introduces the Now Bar, a new way to display active app notifications on the lock screen. If you have a timer, music player, or navigation running, they appear as stacked cards on the lock screen that you can swipe and interact with.It reminds me of Dynamic Island and Live Activities on iPhones and, in a similar fashion, supports a limited number of apps at launch. I expect it to gain support for more apps as developers integrate it into their products. For now, it feels like a nice feature in its early stages.Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: I compared the base models that most people should buyOther Galaxy AI party tricks include Portrait Studio for creating 3D cartoons and sketches from portraits, Sketch to Image, and Generative AI for adding objects to photos. These features are more refined and consistent, but tasks like Generative AI and background expansion in the Gallery app can still take more than 10 seconds to process.The Galaxy S25 also includes Gemini AI upgrades. The new, transformed version of Google Assistant can be triggered by a long press of the side button. It allows you to ask for information, plan things, and send WhatsApp messages to contacts. It's better at handling multiple commands in a single line, and I'm looking forward to broader third-party app support.ZDNET's buying adviceWhile it may seem like an underwhelming upgrade on paper, I've enjoyed using the Samsung Galaxy S25. My only gripe is its inability to capture moving subjects well without adjusting the shutter speed in Expert RAW. If you can overlook that, this is a solid phone for $799 -- and an even better deal if you can snag it with a trade-in offer or promotion.Compared to Google and Apple, the Galaxy S25 offers a better display, the best in-hand feel in its segment, a more versatile camera setup, and good battery life. It's better than the similarly priced Pixel 9 and iPhone 16 -- and my top pick for anyone looking for a compact flagship right now.Featured reviews

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 13: Dana Downey of Pennsylvania speaks at a roundtable on Capitol Hill on ... [+] September 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. Health advocates and community members gathered in Washington D.C. to push for action on medical debt in an event hosted by Community Catalyst, a national organization fighting for race equality and health justice. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Community Catalyst)Getty Images for Community CatalystThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule issued by the Biden administration in January that would bar medical debt from being included on credit reports. The agency estimates the step will remove $49 billion in debt from the credit reports of at least 15 million people. The rule would take effect in March. However, President Trump signed an executive order pausing for 60 days all pending rulemaking activity for federal agencies. This includes the CFPB medical debt rule. He also fired the head of the CFPB, Rohit Chopra. Consumer advocates are worried that Trump and legislators may upend action to reduce debt burdens.The health policy organization KFF estimates that up to 100 million Americans have some form of medical debt, with over 40 million owing around $88 billion. In turn, this affects the credit reports of almost half of the people with medical debt, which can lower their ability to take out loans and be considered creditworthy by lenders.A last-minute effort by the Biden administration to ease the burden of medical debt includes guidance issued in January to curb improper medical debt collections and publish resources to help consumers navigate medical bill disputes.But the rule now faces challenges from the new Trump administration. The guidance has also been criticized by Republican lawmakers, who have said that the CFPB lacks the statutory authority to issue its final rule prohibiting lenders from using medical debt data to inform their credit decisions. Theyve called it a threat to credit reporting accuracy. And, companies that issue credit have also threatened legal challenges, including a preliminary injunction to stop it from being implemented, arguing their members would suffer harm in the form of unrecoverable compliance costs if the rule is not enjoined.Thus far, President Trump hasnt taken action to rescind the rule. But given his desire to shrink government and reduce regulations, hes expected to roll back certain rules. Moreover, Trump just ousted Chopra, the Biden-appointed Director of CFPB.MORE FOR YOUThroughout his tenure, Chopra targeted the financial services industry by spearheading consumer protection regulations, such as capping overdraft and credit card fees on banks, mortgage lenders, credit card providers, payday lenders and others. He worked closely with former Vice President Kamala Harris to address the medical debt crisis, too.In 2022, KFF reporters investigated the financial burdens families face when saddled with medical debt. At the time, it was reported that U.S. medical debt totaled $195 billion. Approximately half of adults didnt have sufficient cash to cover an unexpected medical bill, while 50 million adults were paying off bills on an installment plan for their or a family members care.The situation may have worsened since then, given the increase in the numbers of underinsured. Recent numbers suggest that approximately 43% of working-age adults are inadequately insured. These are individuals who are uninsured (9%), have a gap in coverage during the year (11%) or are insured year-round but have coverage that doesnt provide them with affordable access to healthcare (23%).While the CFPB rule could provide immediate relief if it is not nixed by the Trump administration, the underlying causes of medical debt remain unresolved. Structural deficiencies in the healthcare system include the ongoing problems of un- and underinsurance and high out-of-pocket costs for patients. This raises the question of whether there will at some point be reform to the health insurance systems in America, so as to not just alleviate the current medical debt crisis but also prevent it from happening in future.