VR Tech Times

Xbox head and Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has revealed that assuming the company's in-progress acquisition of Activision Blizzard goes through, the Call of Duty franchise will remain on PlayStation as long as there is a PlayStation platform for the series to release to.  This news comes by way of a new interview between Spencer and the Same Brain YouTube channel , where Spencer said Activision Blizzard would keep releasing Call of Duty games on Sony consoles "as long as there's a PlayStation out there to ship to," as reported by Eurogamer.   "We're not taking Call of Duty from PlayStation," Spencer said. "That's not our intent. Our intent is not to do that. As long as there's a PlayStation out there to ship to, our intent is that we continue to ship Call of Duty on PlayStation, similar to what we've done on Minecraft since we've owned that. We've expanded the places people can play Minecraft, we haven't reduced the p...

Netflix has announced that Henry Cavill's final season as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher will be Season 3, with Liam Hemsworth picking the mantle for Season 4.  This news comes as a surprise considering how devoted Cavill has seemed to the role over the years, quickly becoming a fan-favorite after the release of Season 1. He released a statement explaining that it was time for him to put down the swords and expressing his enthusiasm for Hemsworth's casting in the role.  "My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4," Cavill's statement reads. "In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam's take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men. Liam, good sir, this ...

Expanding on the already large CNG portfolio, Maruti Suzuki has launched the XL6 S-CNG. Priced at Rs 12.24 lakh (ex-showroom, India) and only available in the entry-level Zeta trim, the XL6 CNG costs about Rs 95,000 more than its equivalent petrol variant. The XL6 CNG along with the Baleno CNG are the first models from the Nexa line-up to be offered with factory-fitted CNG kit.  Maruti Suzuki XL6 CNG: CNG powertrain   Like the updated Ertiga CNG , the XL6 CNG is powered by a 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine, which makes 100hp in petrol mode and 88hp in CNG. The engine is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox and in this CNG version, it does not get the option of a 6-speed automatic that's offered on the standard XL6. Maruti Suzuki claims that the XL6 CNG offers a fuel efficiency figure of 26.32km/kg.  Maruti Suzuki XL6 CNG: styling and equipment  Maruti gave the XL6 a mid-life cycle facelift in 2022, and apart from the CNG sticker, there are no changes to t...

The Ather 450X has been one of the most competent electric scooters on the market for quite some time now. But slowly and steadily, competitors have caught up with the Bengaluru-based startup, and in the realm of range figures, many had surpassed the second generation 450X. Indeed, one of the limitations of the scooter was an 85km ‘True Range’ figure – enough to get the job done, but not enough to completely leave range anxiety behind. For the 450X Gen 3, Ather has packed in a larger battery back (up from 2.9kWh to 3.7kWh) and so the real world range claim has gone up from 85km to 105km. Having had a chance to test the Gen 3 scooter in the real world, we were able to put these figures to the test. Ather 450X Gen 3: range testing format Our range testing routine starts off by first topping up the battery and ensuring that the scooter is running the manufacturer-recommended tyre pressures. The 450X is then ridden within the city, simply riding naturally and keeping pace with the traf...

Triumph Motorcycles is all set to unveil the 2023 Street Triple 765 range on November 3. The company made the announcement about the same on its social media platforms. The Street Triple 765 range is expected to receive comprehensive updates to give it more teeth to fight the ever increasing competition. \The teaser video of the Triumph Street Triple 765 shows the bike going past the camera, revealing the bike’s characteristic, twin headlights. The updated Street Triple may include a few tweaks to its appearance and possibly new colours. The video also reveals the characteristic triple-cylinder engine sound of the Street Triple and we wait to see whether Triumph has made any changes to the engine. At present the engine in the  Triumph Street Triple R makes 118hp at 12,000rpm and 79Nm at 9,350rpm. The Street Triple RS’ engine, on the other hand, makes 123hp at 11,750rpm while the peak torque is the same as the Street Triple R’s engine.  The teaser also shows a TFT display a...

Maruti Suzuki has announced a recall of 9,925 units of the  Wagon R ,  Ignis  and the  Celerio  hatchbacks manufactured between August 3, 2022 and September 1, 2022. The recall is to rectify a possible defect in the rear brake assembly pin, according to the company. Recall to rectify possible defect in rear brake assembly pin Defective parts to be replaced free of cost Maruti Suzuki Recall: all units will be inspected In a regulatory filing by the company with BSE, Maruti Suzuki has said, "It is suspected that there is a possible defect in the rear brake assembly pin ('Part'), which, in a certain case, may break and cause a peculiar noise. There may be a possibility of impact on brake performance in the long run." As a precautionary measure, Maruti Suzuki has decided to recall the cars for inspection and replacement of the faulty part. Parts found defective will be replaced free of cost, the carmaker has mentioned. Parts for replacement are being arran...

Volkswagen has begun work on an all-new electric SUV based on the popular ID 3 hatchback that is on sale overseas. This new SUV, according to the carmaker, will be aimed at capitalising on the still fast-growing small SUV market globally. Volkswagen ID 3-based SUV will have unique styling Entry-level EV could be called the VW ID1 MEB platform will be replaced by SSP in future VW ID 3-based EV SUV: design and platform CEO Thomas Schafer has confirmed to our sister publication Autocar UK that VW is “working hard to develop an additional compact SUV based on the ID 3 so that we can launch a Volkswagen product in this fast-growing vehicle segment”. This new SUV would look dramatically different to the ID 3 when it arrives before 2026, rather than being a Russian-doll approach to styling. The Volkswagen ID 4 is currently the German brand’s smallest electric SUV, sharing the MEB platform with the ID 3, but its footprint is significantly bigger than its hatchback counterpart. Two...

Different folks seek different rewards from motorcycling, and to some, looking cool is one of the biggest reasons for doing it. That is why you see all sorts of wacky custom motorcycles emerging from greasy workshops all over the world. A couple of years ago, Jawa took much of the toil out of this process by offering you a gorgeous custom-looking motorcycle straight from the factory, in the form of the seriously cool-looking Perak Bobber. Now, the ‘Factory Custom’ line-up has expanded with the introduction of this 42 Bobber. Jawa 42 Bobber review: design At first glance, it looks very much like its sibling, with a long, low-slung look that makes you stop in your tracks. The vastness of that fully exposed rear fender is an absolute visual treat, and the floating seat unit is incredibly neat. But then you start to see the differences. The company says that the Perak is the bobber form of the classic Jawa, and this is the 42 (Jawa’s bestselling model) receiving its own bobber incarnati...

By BY FRANZ LIDZ from NYT Science https://ift.tt/Gg0Ewcf

Ducati has revealed the new Diavel V4 and, as the name suggests, the biggest change for the power cruiser is the adoption of Bologna’s V4 Granturismo engine. But that isn’t all, Ducati has also given the Diavel significant styling and chassis changes for 2023. Let’s take a look at what those are. V4 engine features cylinder deactivation tech Available in two colours – Ducati Red and Thrilling Black Features an aluminium monocoque frame Ducati Diavel V4: design and features In terms of design, the new V4 is unmistakably a Diavel. It still gets a muscular tank, the large air vents on either side on the headlamp, a scooped seat with a slender tail section and that large rear tyre with a hugger and a single-sided swingarm. However, the Italian manufacturer has made some significant changes for this new model. The 2023 Diavel gets a new LED headlight with C-shaped LED DRLs, two-tone alloys with a diamond cut effect, while the rear light is now an array of small LEDs under the tail ...

As the year nears closing, many automakers are gearing up to introduce their latest products. A majority of these include SUVs from the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, BYD, Jeep and MG. Here’s a rundown of all new cars coming our way over the next two months. 1. Jeep Grand Cherokee - November 11 Jeep will be launching its new flagship SUV, the Grand Cherokee , on November 11. The SUV will be the fourth locally assembled model after the Wrangler, Compass and the Meridian. Unlike the previous-gen Grand Cherokee that was offered with both petrol and diesel engine options, the new model will only get a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard. It will be equipped with four-wheel drive and selectable terrain modes – Auto, Sport, Mud/Sand and Snow. 2. BYD Atto 3 - November Chinese automaker BYD (Build Your Dreams) recently unveiled the Atto 3 in India and prices for the EV SUV will be announced sometime in November. The SUV will be the seco...

The scooter segment in India’s ginormous two-wheeler market witnessed a substantial growth in sales during the April-September 2022 period. According to the data released by the SIAM, a total of 27,64,127 units, up 41 percent year on year (YoY), were sold, marking a revival of sorts. Honda Activa April-September sales give it 43 percent scooter market share TVS Jupiter sales grow 95 percent in April-September 2022 period Okinawa Praise Pro, Ather 450X EVs make it to top 15 scooters list Honda Activa rules the roost The word Activa has become synonymous with scooters and Honda’s bestselling model continues its reign at the top. The Activa dominated FY2023, selling 11,77,626 units and recording a 41 percent YoY growth (first half of FY2022: 8,33,925 units). Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) currently has a 48.56 percent market share, which in turn means the Activa on its own has a 43 percent share of India’s scooter market! The TVS Jupiter, which has nearly doubl...

After announcing details of the Jeep  Avenger EV , the focus now moves on to the petrol-powered Avenger, the brand's smallest SUV. It will go on sale in Europe initially, and its engine and powertrain details have now been revealed via the configurator on its website.  Avenger t o come with a manual gearbox initially Will go on sale in Europe first Jeep Avenger: powertrain details The Avenger will be powered by a 100hp, 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine and have a front-wheel drive layout. This is the same engine that also powers the India-spec Citroen C3 's top trim but puts out 110hp. The Avenger's engine will only be paired to a manual gearbox as there’s no word on the automatic transmission yet; however, for India, the C3 will come with an automatic gearbox soon. The Avenger also shares the modular CMP platform with the C3. Both the ICE and EV versions of the Avenger SUV will get Jeep's Selec-Terrain off-road modes (Normal, Eco, Sport, Snow, Mud and Snow), whic...

Users can record their voice through a smartphone, tablet or a computer by logging onto webpage of Coswara, a sound-based Covid-19 diagnostic tool developed by Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) researchers. Once data is uploaded, the tool will display the probability score (whether Covid-19 positive or not) from The Hindu - Science https://ift.tt/GI0y5V1

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest scooter and motorcycle manufacturer, has announced plans to commence operations in the Philippines in partnership with Terrafirma Motors Corporation (TMC). TMC is a part of the Columbian Group of Companies, which is among the leading automotive groups in the Philippines and also represents brands like BMW, Kia, Mazda, Range Rover, Peugeot and Mahindra. Will set up an assembly facility spread across 29,000 square metres This marks Hero’s entry into the South-East Asian market Hero MotoCorp Philippines expansion: more details Under this joint venture, Terrafirma will be the exclusive assembler and distributor of Hero MotoCorp products in the Philippines. The company will set up an assembly facility, spread across 29,000 square metres in its existing state-of-the-art principal manufacturing facility situated in Laguna City and start its operations in the second half of FY2024 (October 2023-March 2024). This project will mark Hero MotoCorp’s entry ...

Toyota has revealed the bZ3 as its second born EV after the bZ4X SUV and it will go on sale next year first in China and then likely to other markets in Europe and Asia. The new Toyota bZ3 sedan gets battries from BYD and promises a range of up to 599km on a single charge. The exterior design had surfaced earlier and now we have more details about the Corolla-sized EV sedan.  The bZ3 is Toyota’s second born EV  Has a drag coefficient value of 0.218Cd Toyota readying Creta-rivalling EV for India  Toyota bZ3: exterior and interior design  The bZ3 EV sedan borrows design elements from the Toyota bZ4X SUV including the split headlamp design with and an LED strip running the length of the bonnet. In terms of dimensions, the bZ3 measures 4,275mm in length, 1,835mm in width and 1,475mm in height. This makes it marginally larger than its chief rival - the Tesla Model 3.  Toyota claims that the bZ3 provides a drag coefficient value of 0.218Cd, thanks to air ...

Developer Free Range Games has just revealed a whole lot more about Lord of the Rings: Return To Moria , its survival crafting game set in Middle-earth's Fourth Age. In a recent livestream, the developers showed off concept art, screenshots, and explained more about their ethos in developing the game. Return to Moria is set in the Fourth Age of Middle-earth, the time period also known as the "Age of Men" that kicks off directly after the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In Return to Moria however, players will be taking the mantle of dwarves who are venturing into the goblin and Balrog-plagued mines of Moria to reclaim their legacy. 🚨SNEAK PEEK for #ReturntoMoria 🚨 First up, four screenshots from The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria game revealed during today's stream with @ReturnToMoria @FreeRangeGames @tolkienprof ! Full Sneak Peek Stream: https://t.co/U3ysgHi2jZ 1/4 pic.twitter.com/KIDHMfoF1Q — The Nerd of the Rings (@nerdoftherings1) Octobe...

Around half the population of the world now lives in areas where dengue is present, the Lancet report says. from The Hindu - Science https://ift.tt/xT9uJeN

The upcoming scrambler model from Royal Enfield, powered by the company’s 648cc parallel-twin engine, has been spotted testing in India for the first time. The company has made some small changes to the bodywork on the motorcycle, but the fundamentals appear to have remained the same. Sports a 2-into-1 exhaust system Features a flyscreen this time around Continues to roll on wire-spoke wheels in off-road sizes It’s only been about a month since we first saw Royal Enfield testing a new scrambler-style model in the UK, powered by its 648cc parallel-twin motor, and the bike has now already been spotted testing in India for the first time. Much of the bike has remained the same since the previous sighting, making it easy to identify as the same scrambler model, but there are a couple of noteworthy differences since last time. The most apparent of these is the side panels, which previously featured a large oval section, similar to what you see on dirt track racers. This time around,...

Zorua and its evolution Zoroark were meant to have made their debuts in Pokemon Go this past week, as part of the game's ongoing Halloween events, however the trickster Pokemon has been pulled--or at least delayed, due to a bug. In keeping with its nature as a trickster Pokemon, Niantic had planned a unique event for Zorua's debut , where the Pokemon would appear on the map in the form of the player's buddy Pokemon, only revealing itself as Zorua when caught. The event seemed to run as intended for players in New Zealand, the first time zone to receive Pokemon Go events, however a second spawn didn't occur as planned, and players in Australia saw no sign of Zorua. According to a series of tweets by Niantic Support, the event was bugged, causing caught Zorua to take on the stats--including height, CP, and attacks--of the buddy Pokemon that was originally caught. While some players in early time zones were able to catch Zorua and add it to their Pokedex, the Pokemon t...

The CT 125X is Bajaj’s new competitor in the 125cc commuter space and is the new, bigger sibling of the existing CT 110X. The Pune-based manufacturer has been absent from the 125cc segment for a while, and with established rivals like the Honda Shine and Hero Glamour to contend with, the CT 125X has its work cut out. Let’s see what it’s like. Bajaj CT 125X review: design and features In line with its utilitarian nature, Bajaj has done well to give the CT 125X a rugged and tough appearance. Elements such as the fork gaiters, the beefy metal belly pan, engine guard and the luggage rack not only look nice, but are functional as well, and this is something that will be appreciated by its target audience. The small headlight grille, black alloys, engine casing and body panels also help to make it stand out from other commuters.  Metal belly pan is functional and feels like it can take a beating. Build quality is also acceptable for this price point. The materials do feel a bit b...

After nearly two decades, World of Warcraft's user interface has received a major facelift, making it both more modern in appearance and more customizable without the needing multiple fan-made mods. But even if the new UI options added as part of the Dragonflight pre-patch are a giant step in the right direction for Blizzard's nearly 20-year-old MMORPG, players still have some feedback on how to make it even better. The first phase of Dragonflight's pre-patch dropped last night after an extended maintenance period, and in addition to new class talent trees, it added the new Edit Mode feature which allows players to (almost) fully customize the UI to their liking. Players have been sharing their new UI layouts on social media , and while the response to the changes have been largely positive, there are a few standout complaints. For starters, there are a few pieces of the UI that can't be moved. The vast majority of the UI can be scaled up or down and moved around t...

Nothing is better than a free game, and right now on GOG, you can grab the very first entry in the Witcher series for essentially nothing. You'll need to tackle some light work to claim it, as getting your hands on the enhanced edition of the RPG requires signing up for the GOG newsletter. As an extra bonus, you'll also score a free Card Keg for Gwent. Plus, the end result will be email notifications of good deals on GOG whenever they're available (you can always unsubscribe at a later time). In case you haven't heard of it, GOG is owned by Witcher company CD Projekt and is a digital storefront similar to Steam. It's home to a wide selection of modern and classic games, so if you prefer retro entertainment, this is a good store to visit first. What makes GOG different is that it has a "you buy it you own it" mentality, which means that games purchased through it don't come with intrusive DRM features. Claim The Witcher on GOG Another great element...

Team Ninja has announced that its upcoming Souls-like Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty will officially launch on March 3, 2023. Set in a dark fantasy version of China during its warring Three Kingdoms period of history, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is aiming to be bigger in scale than Team Ninja's Nioh games and even more challenging. While its core structure will be familiar to fans of the genre--tough foes that can easily smash through your defenses, checkpoints that respawn enemies, and limited healing options--the game does have a much faster and more aggressive approach to that genre's foundation. After launch, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty will receive three DLC packs that contain new stages, weapons, demons, and more. The game itself will also be available in several editions, including a deluxe digital version that comes with a season pass, digital artbook, and digital soundtrack. The game is entering a very busy month next year, as March 2023 will see the release of Capcom's Reside...

A recently spotted job listing seems to suggest that The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog is working alongside the studio behind the game's recent remake on a new "high visibility" project. Not only that, but PlayStation may be creating a new internal game studio for this project, whatever it may be. A job ad spotted by Push Square at PlayStation Global calls for a senior producer who will work at a "new internal game development team" that PlayStation is building. The listing said this new team will work alongside PlayStation Studios Visual Arts--the team that worked on the Last of Us Remake--and Naughty Dog. "This high visibility project is being developed in collaboration with Naughty Dog. Though currently unannounced, we have a clear vision and plan to release. Using our existing expertise and premier talent, we will guarantee a high visual quality bar for the game and a compelling experience for our players," the listing said. The job ad is s...