Author - Jerry Paxton

xMEMS Unveils Capsule3 Pro+ xMEMS Speaker AI Adaptive ANC Wireless Earbuds

xMEMS Labs, developers of the foremost platform for piezo MEMS innovation and creators of the world’s leading all-silicon micro speakers, today announced collaboration with SOUNDPEATS to equip its all-new Capsule3 Pro+ TWS earbuds with its Cowell micro speaker. Cowell is the world’s smallest full-range, all-silicon, solid-state speaker that delivers precise, high-fidelity, high-resolution audio, phase consistency, and high-frequency extension.

Capsule3 Pro+ are the first product from SOUNDPEATS to leverage xMEMS’ solid-state micro speakers, and, as a result, excel in sound quality and elevate the user listening experience.

The Capsule3 Pro+ TWS earbuds use xMEMS’ Cowell as the tweeter for exceptional high-frequency response and a 12mm dynamic driver for mid-bass production. With the dual speakers working in tandem, the earbuds deliver well-balanced sound with both powerful bass and pristine high-frequency details – that overcome the typical sound quality limitations of TWS earbuds. Consumers can also expect a more comfortable and ergonomic fit with the Capsule3 Pro+ TWS earbuds due to the integration of xMEMS’ compact hardware.

According to VP Marketing and Business Development at xMEMS Mike Housholder, “Cowell is a leap forward in audio fidelity, setting a new standard for high-resolution, lossless audio in TWS earbuds. We’re excited to bring the Cowell micro speaker to SOUNDPEATS specifically and the TWS market more broadly – helping manufacturers develop high-quality audio products at scale and stand out in an increasingly competitive market.”

The quality of Cowell’s mid-to-high range sound and enhanced high-frequency detail immerses consumers in a broader soundstage where every detail comes to life with unparalleled clarity and precision.

Measuring 3.2 x 6.0 x 1.15mm and weighing only 56 milligrams, Cowell is the first speaker to use xMEMS’ second-generation M2 unit architecture, offering increased volume in a smaller form factor. Available in both top-firing and side-firing packages, Cowell also provides additional sound pressure above 1kHz, significantly improving the speech signal-to-noise ratio of voices and enhancing the clarity of vocals and instruments.

The Capsule3 Pro+ earbuds support LDAC, a high-efficiency audio codec that enables high-resolution audio with a maximum sampling rate of 96kHz and 24-bit depth when paired with a compatible device. Certified as Hi-Res Audio Wireless, these earbuds meet the Japan Audio Society’s standards for high-frequency reproduction and signal processing.

Along with high-quality audio, the new Capsule3 Pro+ earbuds also offer AI adaptive environmental noise cancellation, which detects and reduces noise based on external conditions and the wearing state, providing an immersive and interference-free noise cancellation experience.

The six built-in microphones accurately capture noise during calls, providing a high-definition and quiet environment. Features such as wind noise reduction, 43 hours of battery life, dual-device connectivity, and low-latency gaming mode further enhance the consumer experience.

Recently, xMEMS has also announced several reference designs leveraging Cowell, including the industry’s first 2-way over-ear headphone reference design, as well as cutting-edge reference designs for TWS earbuds and in-ear-monitors.

The SOUNDPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ TWS earbuds are available for purchase here for less than $100.

World of Tanks Hailstorm Update Trailer

The World of Tanks development team is excited to launch one of the biggest updates of the year: Hailstorm. This update introduces a wealth of exciting content, including a new line of Czechoslovakian light tanks with completely new firing mechanics, more dynamic Random Events, a fully reworked Crew Perk system, and a brand-new Battle Pass Season. Additionally, there is a special Back in Action event for those who have been away for a while, offering the chance to earn great rewards like days of Premium account, vehicle rentals, credits and more.

Leading the charge in this update is the new line of Czechoslovakian light tanks, consisting of four swift flankers with the formidable Tier X Vz. 71 Tesák at the top. The high-tier tanks feature unique autocannons that unleash thousands!! of rounds per minute, so tankers should be ready to master these dynamic firing mechanics. Three vehicle branches just got stronger so players can expect the updates to the Bat.-Châtillon 25 t, M48 Patton, and K-91 branches.

Eight maps have been revamped for gameplay comfort, and three more have received Random Events. Players will witness the central plant in Pilsen being bombed, a plane crashing on the Malinovka mountain, and a rockslide altering the landscape in Karelia. These events reshape the battlefield, creating fresh opportunities and challenges.

The improvement of the Crew Perk system, which has undergone significant changes over several years, culminates in this update. From now, each crew member can learn up to 6 perks, and the XP earned thereafter will allow players to receive universal training manuals. Alongside these enhancements, players will find new and rebalanced perks, bonus perks, and more. This is the perfect time to fine-tune crew’s setup, as there will be a one-month period of free perk resets available after the first login to experiment and optimize.

Finally, the last Battle Pass Season of the year infused by the Waffenträger universe, echoing the excitement of the future battle, is ready to explore. It unveils Max von Krieger’s early life and features exclusive customization rewards.

World of Tanks Update 1.26: Hailstorm is now live and ready for players to enjoy.

For more information, visit: worldoftanks.eu

Hasbro Pulse Con Returns on Sept 13 2024

Hasbro, a leading toy and game company, announces an exciting programming lineup for Hasbro Pulse Con 2024 through highly anticipated product showcases and reveals, as well as fan trivia, Q&As, and interactive polls based on TRANSFORMERS, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and G.I. JOE, as well as products based on premier collaboration brands, Star Wars™ and Marvel from Disney Consumer ProductsReaching fans across the globe, including the US, Canada, UK and the entire European Union, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan, Hasbro Pulse Con 2024 will be livestreamed exclusively on Hasbro Pulse YouTubeInstagram and Facebook channels on September 13 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.

Hasbro Pulse Premium Members can enter an exclusive pre-show experience starting at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET where they can expect brand sneak peeks and teasers for the main event. They’ll be treated to a Hasbro Pulse Con Exclusive Product Showcase as well, along with special products and a live Q&A session hosted by members of the Hasbro team.

This year’s virtual pop culture and fandom experience will be hosted by Jordan Hembrough and will feature special guests: Actress Emily Swallow (The Mandalorian) and popular YouTube Creator Dan Larson of Secret Galaxy.  During the 2-hour event, fans will get a first look at the new TRANSFORMERS ONE Studio Series action figures, hear about new G.I. JOE Classified Series product reveals, get a sneak peek of a new Marvel Legends wave, view the latest Hasbro Star Wars products, and take part in the ongoing celebration of the 50th Anniversary of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, among other activities.

Additionally, over 35 products will be showcased, including four Hasbro 2024 Convention exclusives:

  • TRANSFORMERS LEGACY UNITED DINOBOT DINOKING MULTIPACK
  • G.I. JOE CLASSIFIED SERIES #136, EDWARD “STARDUSTER” SKYLAR
  • STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES STAP & BATTLE DROID FIGURE
  • MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES KANG THE CONQUEROR

Pre-orders will be available September 13 at 5 p.m. ET exclusively on Hasbro Pulse.  Early access will be offered to Hasbro Pulse Premium Members at 4 p.m. ET.  To learn more and become a Hasbro Pulse Premium Member, please visit the link here.

Anniversary celebrations continue this year, with Hasbro celebrating the inaugural TRANSFORMERS DAY, on September 17, to honor our iconic franchise. This month has marked significant milestones for the brand, including the launch of the first TRANSFORMERS figure, the premiere of The Transformers (1984), and now, with the highly anticipated theatrical release of the first-ever fully CG-animated movie, TRANSFORMERS ONE on September 20. Additionally, previously announced products, TRANSFORMERS Studio Series Elita-1 and Bumblebee, will be available for preorder on TRANSFORMERS DAY, September 17 at 1 p.m. ET.

To keep the fan engagement up, Hasbro has unveiled its brand panel coming to New York Comic Con on Friday, October 18. During the presentation, fans can expect product updates from TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOEGhostbusters as well as updates on products featuring the premier collaboration brands, Star Wars and Marvel from Disney Consumer Products.

Additional programming details and full schedule for Hasbro Pulse Con can be found on HasbroPulseCon.com. To stay up-to-date, fans can sign up for the Hasbro Pulse newsletter or follow @HasbroPulse on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.

New Poster for V/H/S/BEYOND

V/H/S/BEYOND, the seventh installment of the V/H/S franchise will feature six new bloodcurdling tapes, placing horror at the forefront of a sci-fi-inspired hellscape.

Poster Debut

Directors: Jordan Downey, Christian Long & Justin Long, Justin Martinez, Virat Pal, Kate Siegel, and Jay Cheel

Language: English

Running Time: 110 mins

POLARIS Pre-Alpha Test Delayed

Affirming their interest in a community-centered development process, the UK-based indie studio, Variable State, just announced plans to delay the POLARIS pre-alpha test until later this fall, as their team works to further polish the early build for an improved playtest experience. Players keen to take flight in the upcoming sci-fi co-op shooter still have time to sign up to the POLARIS Newsletter; subscribers will receive 4 pre-alpha Steam keys ahead of the upcoming playtest. Variable State will announce a new timeline for the playtest once confirmed.

The small team hopes to work closely and candidly with community members, seeking honest feedback at an early stage of development. The pre-alpha playtest will showcase a prototype for the co-op shooter: players should expect a build that includes some placeholder artwork and work-in-progress features.

Frostpunk 2 | City Unbound Featurette Compilation

Right from the start, 11 bit studios aimed for Frostpunk 2 to build upon the bestselling original’s success and it was imperative to focus on enhancing every gameplay layer to both welcome new players while also respecting the experience of the original Frostpunk’s players. The City Unbound series—a collection of development diary videos about the upcoming city-builder survival game—has been packed with insights into Frostpunk 2’s new features, improvements, and more.

For a recap of all eight City Unbound episodes, featuring bite-sized highlights for your viewing pleasure, check out the summary video HERE:

In the series, Game Directors touched on various aspects of Frostpunk 2 focusing on many of the things players can expect when they launch the game for themselves:

  • Expanded City-Building Scope: Instead of constructing individual buildings, players now build entire districts—while also managing relationships between them—offering strategic advantages that demand deeper planning
  • Factions and Political Tension: Frostpunk 2 introduces factions, often with extremely conflicting interests, that will stir political turmoil for the player to mediate. Players can choose to support or oppose their causes, shaping not just the economy and architecture but also the intellectual direction of their city
  • The Council Hall: This marks a shift from totalitarian rule to a more nuanced decision-making process. Proposing and voting on laws requires patience or subtle maneuvering. Failing to navigate the complex ideological landscape could spark a looming civil war, spiraling the player’s city into a downfall
  • Frostland Exploration: The frostlands are now divided into territories, with the most difficult areas reserved for veteran Scouts. You can also establish outposts and colonies with their own economies and logistics, connected by railroads, to provide a steady flow of resources
  • Community-Driven Changes: Feedback from players has driven several improvements, including redesigned districts, HUBs that provide extra heat, improved menus for city management, and “Zoom Stories” that allow you to closely observe the daily life in New London
  • A New Story: Set 30 years after the original, the sequel follows humanity’s efforts to continue to prosper under the oppressive weight of a harsh, never-ending winter. New London—after the era of the old Captain—seeks a new leader to guide it through this uncertain future.
The highly anticipated Frostpunk 2 is launching on PC on September 20th and will be available on day one through PC Game Pass, with a console launch to follow later. The Digital Deluxe edition, which includes access to three yet-to-be-announced DLCs, an in-game item, and a variety of extras, will allow players to access game content 72 hours earlier, starting on September 17th.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection Out Now

Sharpen your wits and dive into the drama with Ace Attorney Investigations™ Collection, available today on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and PC via Windows and Steam for MSRP $39.99! This must-play collection features the Ace Attorney series’ sharp-minded prosecutor Miles Edgworth in two adventures: Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, originally released in 2009, and the long-awaited Western debut of Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit. Players will be on the edge of their seats as they step into Edgeworth’s polished shoes, unravel mysteries, and bring back justice.

This fully remastered collection comes packed with new and updated features that both rookie and veteran prosecutors can enjoy:

  • Enjoy a New Gameplay Experience with the Collection: Unlike the mainline Ace Attorney games, these titles include point-and-click puzzles and adventure gameplay, offering a fresh perspective within the Ace Attorney universe. Explore crime scenes, interact with diverse environments, and solve puzzles that bring you closer to the truth in a more hands-on investigative journey.
  • Visuals That Demand a Verdict: Study crime scenes down to the pixel! Brought to life by a team of talented designers, including original character designer Tatsuro Iwamoto, every character, environment, and animation is more vivid and life-like, enhancing the experience with a whole new level of detail. Switch between HD and Pixel Art style character sprites to suit your style.
  • No Detail Left Behind: Ensure that justice is served with the History function, enabling you to revisit dialogue at any time and uncover clues or inconsistencies you might have missed. Never let an incriminating detail slip through the cracks.
  • Effortless Storytelling: Enjoy the plot without interruption! With Story Mode, you can keep the narrative flowing seamlessly by automatically advancing the gameplay. This feature also solves mysteries and puzzles for you, letting you savor every twist and turn without missing a beat.
  • Explore the Gallery: Explore an expansive gallery packed with illustrations, character animations, sketches, and more. Immerse yourself in all 106 in-game background music tracks, 23 orchestral tracks, one completely new track, and special arrangements of five songs from the original Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth.

With its captivating storylines, challenging puzzles, and beloved characters, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection offers a unique mix of logic, intrigue, and fun. Get ready to crack cases and see where the mysteries take you!

NETFLIX Unveils Geeked Week 2024

Fandom is forever! In its fourth year, Netflix’s Geeked Week is back and bigger than ever, giving fans sneak peeks, news and surprises from Squid Game, Arcane, One Piece, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Don’t Move, Wednesday, Cobra Kai, Monument Valley 3, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, Devil May Cry and more.

Today, Netflix revealed JOE MANGIANELLO (Deal or No Deal Island) will host Netflix’s GEEKED WEEK 2024 LIVE, a live (8:00 PM ET Live), in-person fan event on September 19 in Atlanta; the event will stream live on YouTube, Twitch and X around the world.

In addition, Cobra Kai stars JACOB BERTRAND and XOLO MARIDUEÑA will serve as special correspondents throughout the two-hour live event.

Geeked Week 2024 Live also confirmed the following talent scheduled to appear:  ALYCIA DEBNAM-CAREY (IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE), BRITTANY O’GRADY (IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE), CHARLIE BROOKER (BLACK MIRROR), DALLAS LIU (AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER), FINN WITTROCK (DON’T MOVE), GAVIN LEATHERWOOD (IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE), IAN OUSLEY (AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER), JAMES MOROSINI (IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE), JEFF WARD (ONE PIECE), KELSEY ASBILLE (DON’T MOVE), KIRBY (THE SANDMAN), KOFI KINGSTON (WWE), MATT OWENS (ONE PIECE), TOM STURRIDGE (THE SANDMAN), XAVIOR WOODS (WWE) and ZACK SNYDER (TWILIGHT OF THE GODS, REBEL MOON), among others.

FREE TICKETS

Visit GeekedWeek.com today to get your free tickets to attend the September 19 event in person. Plus: Shop the latest merch from your faves, catch up on the latest Geeked news and relive your favorite Geeked moments with our special Geeked Week collection on service.

FANDOM IS FOREVER

This year, for the first time, Geeked Week is inducting our best fans (as voted by other fans like you) into a permanent Geeked Hall of Fandom as a testament to their amazing cosplay, art, crafts and creations around Netflix Geeked titles. The fans with the most votes will be honored on stage during Geeked Week Live and presented by Netflix talent with a custom award. Voting begins TODAY on GeekedWeek.com.

In addition to Geeked Week Live, we’re putting fans front and center all week long. Check out special experiences like Geeks Who Drink trivia on September 16, Geeked Ink with creator-collab Netflix-inspired tattoos on September 18 from 11-7 pm ET at Apocalypse Tattoo in Buckhead, a Twilight of the Gods fan screening with co-creator and executive producer Zack Snyder on September 18, and Geeked Goodies — a Redlight, Greenlight livestream where fans online can win real Squid Game Season 1 props and other prizes starting at 7:30 pm ET before our September 19 showcase. Event attendees can also visit the Netflix Has Games lounge to play our latest games and have the opportunity to win more goodies.

Shout! Studios Unveils Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal Limited Edition Collector’s Sets

Get ready to bring home the epic fantasy movies from prolific genius Jim Henson when Shout! Studios, in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company, presents LABYRINTH Limited Edition 4K UHD™ + Blu-ray™ Collector’s Set and THE DARK CRYSTAL Limited Edition 4K UHD™ + Blu-ray™ Collector’s Set on home entertainment shelves on November 19, 2024, just in time for the holidays. Moreover, each Limited Edition SteelBook (4K UHD™ + Blu-ray™) of LABYRINTH (starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly) and THE DARK CRYSTAL (starring Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, and Frank Oz) will be available to own separately at Walmart.

Labyrinth | Limited Edition Collector’s Set | COMING SOON

The Dark Crystal | Limited Edition Collector’s Set | COMING SOON

Jim Henson masterfully created original fantastical worlds that transcend imagination – brimming with magic and mystery, complete with a host of iconic characters. Whether it is the world of Thra, or the Goblin King’s Labyrinth, these unforgettable realms reflect Henson’s unparalleled talent to bring the magical, the whimsical, the bizarre, and the extraordinary to life.

LABYRINTH

Produced by The Jim Henson Company and Lucasfilm Ltd. with creatures brought to life by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, LABYRINTH was directed by Jim Henson, who worked closely with acclaimed artist and Conceptual Designer Brian Froud, and Executive Producer George Lucas to create a mesmerizing fantasy movie adventure.

LABYRINTH, starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, was originally released in 1986. The film is an unforgettable fantasy adventure that follows Sarah Williams (Connelly) as she makes her way through the labyrinth of the Goblin King Jareth (Bowie) in search of her little brother Toby.  A mainstay of the fantasy genre with its spectacular visual effects and ground-breaking animatronics, LABYRINTH is of special interest to David Bowie fans worldwide as the film contains original songs written and recorded by Bowie especially for the film.

LABYRINTH Limited Edition 4K UHD™ + Blu-ray™ Collector’s Set & LABYRINTH Limited Edition SteelBook®

Special Bonus Features

Disc One (4K UHD™):

  • NEW Fan Event Q&As with Brian Henson and Toby Froud
  • NEW Contact Juggling Tutorial
  • Audio Commentary with conceptual designer Brian Froud

Disc Two (Blu-ray™):

  • Audio Commentary with Brian Froud
  • “Reordering Time: Looking Back at Labyrinth”
  •  “The Henson Legacy”
  • “Remembering The Goblin King”
  • Labyrinth Anniversary Q&A
  • “Inside The Labyrinth” Making-Of Documentary
  • “Journey Through The Labyrinth: Kingdom Of Characters”
  • “Journey Through The Labyrinth: The Quest For Goblin City”
  • The Storytellers: Picture-In-Picture Track
  • Deleted and Alternate Scenes including Audio Commentary with Brian Henson
  • Theatrical Trailer

THE DARK CRYSTAL

From the brilliant imagination of Jim Henson, this puppetry work of genius recounts the timeless tales of good versus evil, becoming a cult favorite around the world. Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, the film features innovative animatronics and uniquely memorable characters created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™. Since its initial release in 1982, the film has earned a place in cinematic history as a masterpiece of fantasy and continues to reign as one of the must-see classics of its genre.

Travel back in time to the faraway planet of Thra where evil Skeksis are in control and the Gelfling Jen, the last of his kind, is sent on a quest by the peaceful Mystics to find the missing shard that will restore balance and heal the world.

THE DARK CRYSTAL Limited Edition 4K UHD™ + Blu-ray™ Collector’s Set & The Dark Crystal Limited Edition SteelBook®

Special Bonus Features

Disc One (4K UHD™)

  • NEW Fan Event Q&A with Lisa Henson
  • Audio Commentary with conceptual designer Brian Froud

Disc Two (Blu-ray™)

  • Audio Commentary with Brian Froud
  • “The Dark Crystal: The Myth, Magic and Henson Legacy”
  • “The World of The Dark Crystal” Documentary
  • “Reflections of The Dark Crystal: Light On The Path Of Creation”
  • “Reflections of The Dark Crystal: Shard of Illusion”
  • Picture-in-Picture Storyboard Track
  • Original Skeksis Language Scenes With Introduction By Screenwriter David Odell
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Photo Galleries
  • Theatrical Trailers

Mirthwood Delayed Until November 6th

Bad Ridge Games, the two-man development team behind the highly anticipated fantasy life-sim Mirthwood has announced that the game’s official release has been postponed to November 6th, 2024.
The decision to delay the launch comes from a desire to deliver a more complete and polished experience. “We want Mirthwood to be the best it can be on day one,” said Daron Otis at Bad Ridge Games.

“As a small, passionate team, we’ve worked tirelessly to create a world that players will love, but we felt there were still key areas, like performance optimization, localization, and some of the systems, that need to be fleshed out and more attention before launch.”

The extra development time will allow Bad Ridge Games to fine-tune the gameplay experience, improve overall performance, and ensure Mirthwood is fully localized for players worldwide. “Releasing a game that isn’t 100% ready isn’t something we want to do,” said Michael Brown, CEO of V Publishing.

“We’re committed to ensuring that when Mirthwood reaches players’ hands, it’s as polished as possible. The fans of the game are the most important thing, and making them happy is more of a priority than hitting a date, no matter what.”