As someone who enjoys playing video games, I like to keep a watchful eye for any announcements regarding new hardware. So my interest was peeked with an announcement from Valve Software regarding a new Steam Machine, Steam Controller and Steam Frame VR system.
For those that may not remember, Valve first tried releasing a Steam Machine and Steam Controller back in November 2015. With Valve’s aim being to move PC gaming into the living room. However, it was found that while the initial Steam Machine’s were roughly the same price as a PlayStation 4. Because the Steam Machine relied on SteamOS, a custom build of Linux. Windows games would often not work, and the Linux based games were just not very compelling.
Not perturbed, Valve went away and continued to develop SteamOS by improving the compatibility that allows Windows software to run in Linux. Then with a revamped version of SteamOS, re-released it on a handheld PC console called the Steam Deck.
As someone who owns a Steam Deck. I can attest to how truly fantastic this console is. Not only is it more powerful and comfortable to use than a Switch. It’s a relatively cheap console, that because of FSR, allows me to play games like Cyberpunk, Ghost of Tsushima and Space Marine 2. Sure there are a number of AAA games that probably will not run well on a Steam Deck, but that’s where I am hoping Valve’s new Steam Machine will come in to play.
While it’s early days, the general consensus seems to be that the Steam Machine will be less powerful than a PlayStation 5. Which is a little disappointing. However as we don’t currently know the price of the new Steam Machine. We can’t tell if this new console will be a success or failure. Particularly as Sony is currently aggressively pricing the PS5 and PS5 Pro, in order to increase its market share over Christmas.
As to the Steam Controller, that does look like an improvement over the original Steam Controller, whose design was a little divisive. However, as I recently bought a GuliKit KK2T to use with my Steam Deck. I’m not sure I would bother with the new Steam Controller, as I don’t really like using touch pads when playing games.
However, what I do find intriguing, is the new Steam Frame VR headset. While there are VR headsets from other manufacturers. I never bought into VR due to concerns about comfort, the need to use a social media account or having the headset tethered to another device.
So as the Steam Frame is only 440grams, requires that I sign in with an existing Steam account, and does not require being tethered to a PC in order to work. I might finally take the plunge and see what all the fuss with VR is about.
Age verification in video games!
Still on the topic of video games. Just a little reminder that if you are a UK gamer, you might start to see messages nagging you to enable age verification on your Xbox or PSN accounts. While I have no intension of complying with this action, as non compliance will simply disable the social media features in an account. You will need to make a decision as to what you will be doing.
However what annoys me, is that this should never have been an issue in the first place. Particularly as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo could have simply verified someone’s age, based on whether on not a gaming account has an active credit card associated with it. Something that Steam has already done, in order to comply with the Online Safety Act.
The slippery slope of the UK Child Protection Act.
The reason I’m concerned about age verification in video games. Is that I have a feeling it’s going to be used as a back door to digital ID. With digital ID being something that the UK government has already declared it intends to do, but is currently very unpopular with the British public.
So in order to make digital ID more palatable. A government could argue that because big tech companies already keep so much of our personal data, and you already have an online account that you use for things like age verification. Why not make your life easier and more convenient, and just put your whole identity online? Something that Apple basically just announced that it was trialing for Apple Wallet.
Add to this, that there are already doubts that the UK government is capable of creating a secure digital ID system for its citizens. I could easily see our politicians take the easy option and ask big tech to give them a solution.
Which could leave us all in a situation where a government mandates, that all of its citizens use Digital ID. Which would be a prerequisite in order to work, be educated, have access to medical care, or to bring up a family. Then as big tech would be the gatekeepers to our identities, we would be giving them unfettered access to our lives. Which makes me wonder how much privacy or personal freedom we would all eventually have.
New malware to watch out for over Christmas.
According to an article in TechRadar, a malware technique called ClickFix has evolved just in time for Christmas. For those not familiar with this type of malware, it’s really just a social engineering technique that tricks someone into thinking they have been infected with malware, and then offering a software fix. The only problem is, the software fix is actually the malware.
While ClickFix has been around for sometime. This new variant is more sophisticated, using OS detection, timers and video guides to convince you that you have a problem, and offer up a “fix” for the OS you are using.
As this is a social engineering technique, the only way to defend against it is to use a reputable anti-malware solution, keep your Operating System up to date, and don’t panic click if you see a notification or warning.
Check if your Asus router has been hacked.
In an Ars Technica article it was reported that thousands of Asus routers have been hacked. While it would appear that the hack was targeted at seven models of router, all of which are no longer supported by Asus. It might be a good idea to check your router for updates, and make sure that the router is still being supported by the manufacturer.
For anyone using an Asus router, the models effected are as follows: Asus Wireless Router 4G-AC55U, Asus Wireless Router 4G-AC860U, Asus Wireless Router DSL-AC68U, Asus Wireless Router GT-AC5300, Asus Wireless Router GT-AX11000, Asus Wireless Router RT-AC1200HP, Asus Wireless Router RT-AC1300GPLUS, Asus Wireless Router RT-AC1300UHP.
Content we will be posting for December.
In the dim distant past, when you first opened Microsoft Word. The application would just display a blank page, ready for you to start typing. However in the current version of Word, you will now see the Start screen which will display templates and previously saved files. So as I prefer how the old version of Word loads. This month we are going to take a look at customising the Microsoft Word startup page.
Then for our Microsoft Excel series, we will be taking a look at the CONCATINATE function. Which is a function that will allow us to group data into a series. Something that is very handy to know if for example, you need to join someone’s first and last names together into one cell on a spreadsheet.
One of the first tools I ever purchased was a Victorinox Cyber Tool M. A tool which to this day has given me stellar service, and has on numerous occasions gotten me out of a hole. So in the next video in our series, “whats in my tech tool kit“. We will be taking a look at this versatile penknife.
Finally for the last video of the year, we are going to take a look at using Synology BeePhotos with a Windows computer. While you probably intend to use BeePhotos as a way to free up space on your smartphone. As a computer with a larger screen is better for managing and organising photos. We thought it might be useful to take a look at how you use BeePhotos with your Windows computer.
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