The morning after: Microsoft spends $ 68.7 billion on ‘Overwatch’ and ‘Call of Duty’

Microsoft has been buying studios for the past few years, adding significant developers and series of games to the Xbox, correcting the mistakes of previous generations of the company’s consoles – namely the lack of exclusive games. And while last year’s purchase of Bethesda seemed like the biggest deal in modern gaming, Microsoft is taking over Activision Blizzard blows it out of the water. However, there have been mixed responses.

First, the studio is mired in multiple investigations into allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the company, with calls for CEO Bobby Kotick to step down. Furthermore, as senior editor Jessica Conditt exposes, this puts an incredible amount of industrial power – and titles – in the hands of one gaming platform. (Two if you turn on the computer.)

And what about exclusivity? In his As for the acquisition, Xbox’s Phil Spencer didn’t specifically look at Sony or Nintendo platforms, but alluded to the possibility of multi-platform support. “Activision Blizzard games are enjoyed on a variety of platforms, and we plan to continue to support those communities in their advancement,” he said, without going into details. said Spencer regarding Bethesda Older scrolls VI at first, only to have his comments changed .

– Matt Smith

Nest speakers now reproduce a different, shorter sound.

Several users have noticed that Google has recently changed the white noise on its Nest speaker series. New ambient noise was repeated every 10 minutes, when it was repeated every hour, and the previously sharp soundtrack was now “muffled” and quieter than before.

There have been at least 100 complaints on Nest community forums, and many people have said they use white noise to put their babies or young children to sleep. Feedback has reached Google, which has restored the feature to the old. Take it easy, angry little ones.

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You can request four tests per household, and the USPS will begin shipping later this month.

A little earlier than planned, people in the U.S. can now order free tests on COVID-19 at home from the U.S. Postal Service website. Each household can request one set of four rapid antigen tests. The USPS will begin shipping kits later this month, usually within seven to 12 days of ordering.

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The top multisport watch so far has been just a button away.

Garmin’s new Fenix ​​7 line will now include touch screens – the first in this series. A great stay outdoors, along with sweat, dirt, gloves and more, can usually spoil the proper operation of the touch interface, so it will be intriguing to see how it will work. The new watches also include a new multi-LED flashlight, which can alternate between red and white as you run, to suit your personal rhythm.

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And Tilted Towers are back!

Say hello to Clombos. These are monsters you can climb with blow holes in your head to launch you into the sky. They also offer items if you feed them. However, provoke them and they will attack. The latest update also revives Tilted Towers, arguably Fortnite’s most famous location. Although there seem to be some cosmetic changes, you will have the opportunity to revisit the clock tower adapted to snipers.

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