Best video games and consoles for beginners : NPR

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Best video games and consoles for beginners : NPR
Illustration: a person floats with a happy expression, with various gaming consoles sticking out behind them. The consoles include a PC, a Nintendo Switch, a smartphone, a PS5, and an XBOX controller. Individual buttons from the different consoles are scattered throughout the image.
Illustration: a person floats with a happy expression, with various gaming consoles sticking out behind them. The consoles include a PC, a Nintendo Switch, a smartphone, a PS5, and an XBOX controller. Individual buttons from the different consoles are scattered throughout the image.

Around 3 billion people play video games. But if you’re not already in on the fun, the barrier to entry can be daunting. New consoles cost hundreds of dollars, not to mention the price of individual games, which can go as high as $70 each.

Thankfully, you can get started on many games for free or for a few dollars on devices you may already own. So if you crave some entertainment for when you’re on the move, want to relive childhood Mario or Zelda memories, or loved HBO’s The Last of Us and want to play the series it was based on, here are some tips to get you started.

Games for your phone

Best for: Casual gamers on-the-go.

Cost: Free to a few dollars.

Classics like Hearts and Solitaire have graced phones for decades. But if you like card games, consider the mobile app Marvel Snap and its dramatic matches that last mere minutes. You’ll aim to conquer locations from Central Park to Atlantis with a personalized deck of superhero and villain cards.

Like most games on the Android and iOS stores, Marvel Snap comes free — with a catch. It’ll initially shower you with new cards but also entice you to spend real money to expand your collection. This “freemium” model dominates mobile gaming especially, along with market-tested psychological tricks to keep you hooked.

Best games of 2022 chosen by NPR

However, there’s one game subscription you may already have. Netflix has been broadening its gaming catalog with prestigious titles like the live-action mystery Immortality and the indie adventure Oxenfree II. Just open the Netflix app and hit the “Games” section at the bottom of the screen to download them on your phone.

Level up: More mobile games

Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass offer hundreds of titles for $5/month or $30/year, including: excellent puzzle games like Mini Metro, the monarchical dilemma simulator Reigns: Her Majesty, and Escheresque delight Monument Valley and its sequel.

Streaming games to computers, tablets and TVs

Best for: Those with 5G or Fiber internet who want to try big-screen titles for cheap.

Cost: Anywhere from $5 per month to $15 per month or more, depending on the service and tier.

Popular franchises you’ve likely heard of — Mario Kart, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto — tend to be designed for bigger screens and controllers.

You can buy LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga for PC, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, but you can also stream it and hundreds of other titles with Xbox Game Pass.

Warner Bros. Games


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Warner Bros. Games

You can buy LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga for PC, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, but you can also stream it and hundreds of other titles with Xbox Game Pass.

Warner Bros. Games

Take LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, for example. It’s great for families and has a little of everything: podracing, space battles, lightsaber duels and more. Yet its graphics are demanding enough to require a

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SEC Network to Feature a Record 47 Hours of Original Studio Programming for 2023 SEC Kickoff Presented by Regions, Live from Nashville July 17-20

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SEC Network to Feature a Record 47 Hours of Original Studio Programming for 2023 SEC Kickoff Presented by Regions, Live from Nashville July 17-20

SEC Network to Feature a Record 47 Hours of Original Studio Programming for 2023 SEC Kickoff Presented by Regions, Live from Nashville July 17-20

  • Documentary debuts include Roy Kramer: A Vision for the SEC and Them Dawgs
  • SEC Nation primetime special airs Tuesday on SECN and ESPN2 with live guests
  • More than a dozen on-air personalities to provide commentary and perspective from Music City

SEC Network will boast 47 hours of original programming surrounding the 2023 SEC Kickoff Presented by Regions, the most in the network’s history. SEC This Morning, SEC Now and The Paul Finebaum Show will showcase complete coverage from the annual media days event, set in Nashville, Tenn., for the first time – the third city to host the event, and featuring a special edition of SEC Nation on Tuesday night.

An expansive roster of college football analysts will contribute to SEC Network’s presence in Nashville at the Grand Hyatt, including Jordan Rodgers, Greg McElroy, Roman Harper, Paul Finebaum, Takeo Spikes, Benjamin Watson, Chris Doering and more. Studio hosts for the four-day conference media day kickoff include Joe Tessitore, Dari Nowkhah, Peter Burns, Alyssa Lang, Marty Smith and Finebaum.

SEC This Morning
SEC This Morning, hosted by Burns and Doering, returns for its fifth SEC Kickoff. The duo delves into all things SEC, with all the headlines, highlights and hijinks from around the conference. The show will be simulcast on SEC Network (and Sirius XM channel 374) live from Music City, and will air at 8 a.m. ET until the start of each day’s podium action.

SEC Now
SEC Now: 2023 SEC Kickoff Presented by Regions will have full coverage from Nashville beginning Monday, July 17 at 11 a.m., with analysis and insight of the day’s proceedings. Coaches and players from all 14 SEC teams will stop by the set during their time at the media event. Tessitore, Nowkhah and Lang will rotate duties in the anchor chair, with nearly two dozen hours of SEC Now surrounding all 14 coaches’ podium trips.

The Paul Finebaum Show
The network’s coverage will also be anchored by The Paul Finebaum Show Presented by Regions each afternoon, with various coaches, players and media cycling through the SEC Network set. The show, which will have reaction to the latest news and buzz of the annual college football kickoff event, will also air on ESPN Radio.

SEC Nation
GRAMMY-nominated band Midland will headline a free concert on Tuesday, July 18. The event on Lower Broadway will activate at 6 p.m. and will be part of a special edition of SEC Nation Presented by Regions on ESPN2 and SEC Network at 7 p.m. The street concert will follow at approximately 8 p.m. Regions will host fan engagement opportunities on site throughout the evening, and SEC Network will have its own brand activation featuring a photo booth, free swag and more. Full details.

Planned in-person guests for the SEC Nation primetime show include comedian Nate Bargatze, SEC head coaches Josh Heupel (Tennessee) and Clark Lea (Vanderbilt), and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. Head coach Kirby Smart of two-time defending champion Georgia is also expected to join

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Grasp Boot File (MBR) vs. GUID Partition Table (GPT)

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Grasp Boot File (MBR) vs. GUID Partition Table (GPT)

  • Selecting the proper partitioning plan for your computer’s storage is important for optimum general performance and compatibility.
  • The Master Boot File (MBR) and the GUID Partition Table (GPT) are two greatly made use of partitioning techniques.
  • This write-up explores the benefits and drawbacks of MBR and GPT, aiding you make an informed selection about the greatest option for your pc.

When setting up a storage travel on your computer, 1 vital decision is choosing concerning Grasp Boot History (MBR) and GUID Partition Table (GPT) as the partitioning scheme. They play a important function in running the disk structure and deciding how knowledge is saved and accessed. Each have their pros and limitations. Comprehension the discrepancies and choosing the correct scheme is important for best effectiveness, compatibility, and upcoming-proofing your procedure.

Let’s delve into the aspects of MBR and GPT and review their functions, strengths, and cons to aid you make an informed decision.

What is Grasp Boot Record?

The MBR partitioning plan has a lengthy record courting back again to the early 1980s. It was released as the regular partitioning technique for IBM-compatible PCs. MBR turned extensively adopted thanks to its simplicity and compatibility with a variety of operating devices, which include Windows, Linux, and macOS. It suppliers crucial partitioning facts in a one 512-byte sector at the starting of the storage generate. The MBR partition table consists of 4 principal or three most important and one particular prolonged partition that can be even more divided into rational types.

Rewards of MBR

  • Compatibility: MBR enjoys broad compatibility with more mature devices, functioning units, and disk utilities. It operates effectively with legacy BIOS (Basic Enter/Output Process) firmware frequently uncovered in more mature computer systems.
  • Familiarity: MBR has been the conventional partitioning scheme for a prolonged time, and quite a few process directors and users are acquainted with its set up and management procedures.
  • Uncomplicated and light-weight: MBR is deemed uncomplicated and light-weight for the reason that it occupies a smaller volume of house (a solitary 512-byte sector) on the storage push and has a uncomplicated structure, earning it comparatively quick to manipulate and repair.

Drawbacks of MBR

  • Constrained partition measurement: MBR drastically restrictions partition dimension, supporting drives up to 2 terabytes (TB). If you have a more substantial storage push, MBR are not able to entirely make the most of its capability.
  • Partition limits: MBR has a maximum restrict of 4 major or three major and 1 extended partition. This restriction can be a hurdle if you have to have more partitions for numerous functions.
  • Absence of knowledge redundancy: MBR does not include things like built-in mechanisms for details redundancy or integrity checks. If the MBR or partition table receives corrupted, it can end result in details reduction or booting challenges.

What is GUID Partition Desk?

The GUID Partition Table (GPT) partitioning scheme emerged in the late 1990s as a contemporary substitute to the MBR. It was formulated as section of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specification. It utilizes a

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New Marine Electronics and Accessories for 2024

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New Marine Electronics and Accessories for 2024

There have been a lot of new introductions in marine electronics, fish finders, trolling motors and more. As well as a bunch of fishing accessories being introduced for the upcoming fishing seasons. Check out a bunch of the new fishing electronics and accessories in the following introductions.

MINN KOTA QUEST ULTREX TROLLING MOTOR

MINN KOTA QUEST TECHNOLOGY TROLLING MOTORS

NEW Quest Technology trolling motors will feature enhanced GPS Suite including Drift Mode (as well as enhanced Follow Contour and Dodge modes), Out of the Box connectivity to Humminbird One Boat Network including all necessary adapters, one app to control everything, as well as enhanced built-in 2D Sonar with dual spectrum CHIRP. The Quest version of the Ultrex will feature a brushless motor for the quietest control and rigid long-lasting powerful trolling motor on the water. Read the full release here.

Garmin power pole integration

GARMIN POWER-POLE INTEGRATION

Coupled with an award-winning Garmin Force® trolling motor or new Force Kraken, anglers with a compatible Garmin chartplotter and a dual Power-Pole anchor setup can take advantage of the advanced anchor system integration to access new boat control features, including: 

  • Smart Anchor
  • Smart Anchor Jog
  • Drag Detection
  • End of Route
  • Auto Stowgarmin force kraken trolling motor

GARMIN FORCE KRAKEN TROLLING MOTORS

Kraken’s brushless motor uses a high-efficiency propeller to produce 100 pounds of thrust on a 36-volt system, or 80 pounds on a 24-volt system, making it one of the most powerful trolling motors ever produced. It also features through shaft wiring so no more pinched cables on your LiveScope. Utilizing multi-band GPS signal reception and integrated AHRS (attitude and heading reference system) for heading hold, Kraken delivers Garmin’s most precise boat positioning technology. Select Kraken models include a built-in GT56UHD all-in-one transducer with Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonar along with CHIRP traditional sonar. Read the Full Release here.

Power pole move trolling motor

POWER POLE MOVE TROLLING MOTORS

The Power Unity System of the brushless motor and reinforced TechflowTM Propeller create 30-percent more power than industry leading trolling motors, all while being whisper quiet in the propulsion and the steering systems. The low-profile bracket features the ported aluminum design made famous by our Blade Shallow Water Anchors and is protected by Power-Pole’s Multi-layer Corrosion Resistance Technology. The shaft is revolutionary, manufactured from nearly unbreakable aerospace-grade titanium that will hold up to extreme pressure. That shaft combined with the bracket has been tested to withstand the harshest environments in fishing. While it is built to last, the Power-Pole MOVE Brushless Trolling Motor is built with contingencies so that anglers can stay on the water. Read the Full Realease Here.

Impulse Lithium

IMPULSE LITHIUM 12V-160AH LIFEPO4 BATTERY

Perfect for Marine Starting, Trolling, Electronics and more.  Equipped with Bluetooth for Smart Phone Monitoring and Backed with a FULL 10yr Warranty. This battery also comes equipped with an internal heater. This allows these batteries to charge and function flawlessly in the coldest environments possible. This is the perfect setup for anyone who loves to fish during the heart of winter and demands the best out of their electronics and overall battery performance.

 

 

 

Lithium Battery Company 36V 60AH LIFEPO4 battery

LITHIUM

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GFN Thursday: ‘Dragon’s Dogma’ On GeForce NOW

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GFN Thursday: ‘Dragon’s Dogma’ On GeForce NOW

Crop up, associates! Capcom’s legendary function-actively playing recreation Dragon’s Dogma: Darkish Arisen joins the GeForce NOW library today.

The RPG and THQ Nordic’s Jagged Alliance 3 are recently supported on GeForce NOW, playable on approximately any device.

From Dusk Till Pawn

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen on GeForce NOW
It’s dangerous to go by itself, so carry a Pawn alongside in “Dragon’s Dogma: Darkish Arisen.”

Come to be the Arisen and choose up the challenge in Capcom’s critically acclaimed RPG. Set in a big open environment, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen delivers players on an epic experience loaded with tough battles and action.

But there is no need to have to go it by yourself: Experience with up to a few Pawns. These customizable AI companions combat independently, demonstrating prowess and capacity they’ve created based mostly on characteristics uncovered from each individual player.

Players can share their Pawns on-line and experience rewards of treasures, strategies and technique hints for having down terrifying enemies. Pawns can also be borrowed when unique competencies are desired to comprehensive a variety of challenging quests.

Revisit Gransys or experience Dragon’s Dogma for the to start with time. Users can play the true Steam edition of this RPG basic with aid for amazing visuals and large-resolution graphics, even on equipment like Macs, cellular gadgets and good TVs. Priority customers can experience at up to 1080p 60 frames for each second, or up grade to an Supreme membership for gameplay at up to 4K 120 fps, for a longer period streaming sessions and RTX ON for supported video games.

Activity On

Jagged Alliance 3 on GeForce NOW
The cloud is locked and loaded.

One more 7 days suggests new game titles.

THQ Nordic’s tactical RPG Jagged Alliance 3 joins the cloud this week. Chaos reigns when the elected president of Grand Chien — a country of rich normal means and deep political divides — goes lacking and a paramilitary pressure recognised as “The Legion” seizes control of the countryside. Recruit from a significant solid of special mercenaries and make possibilities to impact the country’s fate.

Members can appear ahead to the adhering to this 7 days:

  • Jagged Alliance 3 (New release on Steam, July 14)
  • Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (Steam)

On major of that, in collaboration with EE, the U.K.’s largest and quickest cellular community, GeForce NOW introduced new cloud gaming bundles showcasing Precedence and Best memberships. To celebrate, examine out how streamer Leah ‘Leahviathan’ Alexandra showcased GeForce NOW in motion at the U.K.’s optimum-altitude gaming den on the slopes of Ben Nevis, 1,500 feet previously mentioned sea stage in the clouds of the Scottish Highlands.

What are you organizing to engage in this weekend? Enable us know on Twitter or in the feedback under.

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Programming the Arduino UNO R4 WiFi’s LED Matrix

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Programming the Arduino UNO R4 WiFi’s LED Matrix

As soon as I held it in my arms, I could not wait to get started out with the Arduino UNO R4 WiFi and its LED matrix! This very little board has a ton of cool features, but the constructed-in show promptly can make it additional charismatic, expressive, and “alive”. Here’s how to bring yours to life!

Online video edition – examine on for the penned instructions!

The UNO R4 WiFi merchandise page by now inbound links to a quite superior formal finding-began guidebook, but I got a bit perplexed by the different web site for the LED matrix – which talks about the UNO R4 Main and one-way links to a considerably inscrutable GitHub repo – so I’ll apparent that up initial as we acquire the first measures.

UNO R4 Core?

To be apparent: equally new UNO R4 boards run on a Renesas RA4M1 processor, which allows the CAN interface, DAC, and so forth. But inspite of what the LED matrix web site suggests, you will not want to go and down load a separate Main and put in it someway from that repo. Just search for “R4” in the Boards Supervisor to add the new board definitions in the Arduino IDE, as you usually would, and it ought to perform smoothly!

Browser compatibility: UNO R4 WiFi’s LED Matrix on the web software

I have just learned about Arduino Labs, which hosts a number of experimental tasks which include a MicroPython editor, a BLE facts dashboard, and a lovable little “Contain” robot. They also have a resource you can use to are living-edit the pixels on your LED matrix! Sad to say, the connection failed to perform for me in Firefox (on a MacBook Professional running OS X 11.7.6 with the newest Firefox update), so I switched to Chrome, and it worked like a aspiration.

…Let’s go!

Materials

For this project, you can need to have:

  • An UNO R4 (if possible the WiFi version)
  • A USB-C cable that can interface with your computer system
  • Optional: a piece of paper, or a little something else to diffuse the LED matrix

1. Put in the Arduino IDE and board definitions

If you don’t already have it, grab the Arduino IDE and put in it on your equipment. If you have not used the IDE in a though, it might acquire a minute to get utilised to variation 2. However, I’ve uncovered that it operates quite effortlessly.

In the new IDE, you’ll click on on the UNO-formed icon in the left sidebar to toggle the Boards Supervisor. (You can also discover the Sketchbook and Library Manager listed here, furthermore a couple of other tools. On the other hand, you can however use the menu bar for all of these capabilities, if you desire.) Enter R4 in the research box and set up the board definitions – no need to futz all-around with the “R4 Core” GitHub files.

Now, plug in your UNO and choose it from the leading dropdown in

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