Microsoft's big purchase kicks off the metaverse, LEGO globe, sleepless Google night, and more

January 19, 2022

Yesterday started with a bombshell as Microsoft announced it plans to purchase game developer Activision Blizzard for $68.7 Billion. Yes, billion with a  B. And while that might seem like great news for Xbox and its general lack of exclusives, that’s not the real big news here. Not at all.

No, this purchase is about the future. It’s about the Metaverse. And hear me out because usually, I’m the first to advocate not using the Metaverse to describe pretty much everything on the internet. But here, we’re using the right word for the situation on this occasion. Don’t believe me? Hit up the top story.

Other Highlights:

• In other gaming news, Sony gave us more details about its upcoming VR headset for the PS5. And we don’t have nice things to say about it.
• Check out this amazing LEGO globe! It spins and everything!
• Google ruined a good night of sleep for a lot of people.
• …and more!

-Josh

Microsoft will acquire Activision Blizzard, the developer behind Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush, for $68.7 billion. This deal, which is the most expensive acquisition in Microsoft’s history, will make Microsoft the third-largest game company by revenue behind Tencent and Sony. But more importantly, it will kick off Microsoft’s venture into the metaverse. Read More »

After Samsung bailed on its Exynos 2200 launch event last week, it promised to debut the chip alongside its next device, presumably the Galaxy S22. But for whatever reason, the company changed its mind. It’s now giving us a first look at the chip … without any of the key details. Read More »

Holy cow, the latest LEGO set is a fully functional globe. Designed by LEGO fan Guillaume Roussel, the LEGO Globe adds an air of sophistication to any room with its old-school nautical design and incredible use of LEGO bricks. It’s available on February 1st for $200. Read More »

After three major OS updates and nearly four years of service, the OnePlus 6 and 6T are officially unsupported by OnePlus. They will not receive the Android 12 update or any new security patches. If you own a OnePlus 6 or 6T, it’s time to start shopping for a new phone. Read More »

One of Google Assistant’s best features, simply called ambient sound, can rock you to sleep with the repetitive noise of a babbling brook, a fireplace, or white noise. Unfortunately, Google has replaced its white noise sound with a quieter, “muffled” audio file, and its customers aren’t happy. Read More »

It’s always a good time to upgrade your HDMI cables or to grab an extra one to have on hand in case of a tech emergency. This male-to-male 4K HDMI cable features gold connectors and 30WG copper wires that are triple-tin shielded, and is compatible with laptops, desktops, TVs, gaming consoles, projectors, computer monitors, streaming sticks, and more. It measures 10 feet and is made of braided nylon so it’s extra durable and ready to stand up to daily wear and tear. The cable supports 18Gbps transfers, 4K video at 60Hz, 1080p, 48bit/px HDR color depth, TrueHD 7.1, ARC, and Ethernet.

Get it at Amazon →

Ready to blast your music down the block? Monster’s latest Bluetooth speaker, the Blaster 3.0, is a bold new take on retro boombox design. While it doesn’t have a cassette player or integrated radio, the loud-as-heck Blaster 3.0 sports a proper carrying handle and costs less than similar products from brands like JBL. Read More »

Sony has officially announced PlayStation VR 2 (PSVR2). The list of features includes eye-tracking, immersive sensory features, and an OLED display. These are all features you would expect from an industry leader. Unfortunately, I think the whole thing will be a massive flop. Read More »

Using a humidifier to boost the relative humidity of your home is great for your health and comfort when you live in a dry climate or just have very dry winters. But sometimes they can leave white dust on everything. What gives? Read More »