Technology - Google News

6 Things to Do With Your Old PS4, Xbox, or Other Console - How-To Geek
10 great games from 2020 for your new Nintendo Switch - The Verge
Apple iCloud sign-in and activation aren’t working for some users - The Verge

6 Things to Do With Your Old PS4, Xbox, or Other Console - How-To Geek

Posted: 26 Dec 2020 03:40 AM PST

A PlayStation 4 console on top of an Xbox One. — robtek/Shutterstock.com

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S ushered in a new generation of console gaming. Since backward compatibility is such a big deal this generation, it's possible you no longer have much use for your old console. So what do you do with an old console you no longer need?

Consider Donating Your Old Consoles

By far, one of the most impactful things that you can do with your old console is to donate it to a charitable organization. This could be a children's hospital or a domestic violence shelter in your area, or it could be an established charity like Gamer's Outreach (U.S.) or Get Well Gamers (U.K.).

Giving your old console to a thrift store or selling it online through eBay for Charity can also make a difference since you'll be raising money for a good cause.

A PlayStation 4 console with a bow on it. — Valentin Valkov/Shutterstock.com

We would recommend contacting any institutions first via phone or email to learn more about their policies for accepting donated goods. Don't forget to include any old games, controllers, and peripherals that you no longer need either.

You could also donate directly to friends, neighbors, or anyone else whom you think might get some entertainment out of your old console. Not everyone can afford a brand new system, and not everyone is invested in video games enough to spend a few hundred dollars. You could awaken a passion for video games in someone who's never touched a controller before.

If you own a PlayStation 4 and you're upgrading to the PS5, you're less likely to play your old games on the older system thanks to the PS5's backward compatibility. Newer consoles run older games better, often with enhancements or optimized versions. The same can be said for the Xbox Series X and Series S, both of which are backward compatible with several generations of Xbox.

Use Your Old Console as a Media Center

Both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 (as well as older consoles like the Xbox 360 and Wii U) have apps for accessing most major streaming services. This includes premium streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, free streaming services like YouTube, music from Spotify and Pandora, or live streaming platforms like Twitch.

While the PlayStation 4 can play DVDs and regular HD Blu-Rays, the Xbox One is able to handle 4K discs in high dynamic range. Both consoles can play files from USB storage, with the Xbox One family even supporting x265 (HEVC) files.

All you need is a TV or a monitor to plug your old console into, and somewhere to put it. You can use an external USB drive to add storage, with both the Xbox One and PS4 supporting external hard drives.

Game Streaming Is a Viable Option, Too

Sony has a game streaming service called PS Now. This premium service lets you stream games from the internet directly to your console without being limited by the hardware. The service is often touted for its emphasis on older PS2 and PS3 titles, but modern PS4 titles are also included.

(Microsoft has its own Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming service, but it can only stream to Android devices. You can't stream games to an old console.)

If you've already bought a PS5, you can use your PS4 to stream games to your console over your local network. This allows you to play PS5 games on your PS4, provided that your network is up to the task. This means that you can stream games from your living room PS5 to a PS4 in your bedroom at glorious 1080p resolution.

Network performance will affect the viability of game streaming, both in terms of online streaming and local remote play. If you're going for local play, a wired ethernet connection will give you a more consistent experience.

Better Multiplayer and Co-op Gaming

Even though the next generation of games consoles is already here, your old consoles should work fine for a few more years at least. If you have multiple gamers in your house, two consoles can help keep the peace. Playing together is often more fun than playing alone, too.

One of the most compelling reasons to hold on to your old console is for multiplayer purposes. Two consoles mean that two players can play together, each with their own display. There are tons of multiplayer experiences that can benefit you, including co-op campaigns, competitive online play, and survival sandbox games.

This includes games like Halo, where entire campaigns can be played together. Fallout 76, Sea of Thieves, and Red Dead Redemption 2 all offer immersive online worlds that are lots of fun to explore together. Hectic shooters like Borderlands can suffer performance drops in split-screen, but that's a problem that you won't have if you're both using separate consoles.

Cross-play is also becoming more prevalent, with games like Minecraft, Rocket League, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Battlefield V allowing players to play together regardless of whether or not they're using Sony, Microsoft, or PC hardware.

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With PS4 and Xbox One games now being considered last-generation, game prices will fall. You'll find more used copies in thrift stores and online marketplaces. There are bargains to be found, but the games are still just as good as they always were.

Check Out the Homebrew Scene

Homebrew is user-developed software designed to run on closed systems like game consoles. It requires you to circumvent protections put in place by the manufacturer to run custom code. Once you've got access to the console's operating system, you can install your own apps.

How far you get with homebrew ultimately depends on which console you have, how technically proficient you are, and much of the time, how lucky you're feeling. If you have a Wii or a Wii U, then you'll find a wealth of homebrew available to you, including user-made channels, emulators, and launchers for loading games directly from the disk.

Reddit communities like r/WiiHacks and r/ps4homebrew are a huge help when attempting this sort of thing. There's plenty of risks involved, and you could—possibly—end up bricking your console entirely. You'll also want to avoid using primary accounts (those you still use or have used to purchase games) since companies like Nintendo and Sony often ban users whom they suspect of hacking.

RetroArch menu icons

The Xbox One remains one of the only consoles to never be "hacked" for use with homebrew. Despite this, Microsoft supports a developer mode that allows you to run Universal Windows Program (UWP) apps on your Xbox, provided that you install them yourself. By doing this, you can use your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S console as an emulation box.

Whether it's ultimately worth it to you depends on the level of risk you're comfortable with, and also, what you want to use the console for. Emulators are a popular choice thanks to projects like RetroArch. Just be sure that you understand the legal implications of emulation and ROMs.

Dead or Dying Console? Try and Fix It Yourself

You could sell your "broken" console for a pittance on eBay, or you could try and fix it yourself. This can be a rewarding experience in which you learn a thing or two about hardware. If you know what's broken, you can find spare consoles on eBay for a pittance, after all.

The most common problems will be disc drives that no longer read discs, and dead hard drives. These are relatively easy parts to swap out, and you can even upgrade components like the hard drive while you're at it to increase the console's overall capacity.

A person repairing the inside of a PlayStation 4 Pro console. — nelladel/Shutterstock.com

You may have other problems, like a dying fan, poor thermal performance (heat dissipation) due to dust build-up, or buttons that no longer work as expected. iFixit can help you find your way around the hardware, while communities like Reddit's r/consolerepair offer constructive feedback. Then there's YouTube, with endless video tutorials from enthusiasts to help you along the way.

Just be careful and make sure that you know what you're doing before you open up the console. You can still give yourself a nasty shock, even if the console is off and unplugged. You'll probably want a few basic tools, like an anti-static wristband or mat and a screwdriver set, before diving in.

A console that you've fixed yourself can live for many more years, which is better than having it die a premature death as a pile of e-waste.

Will You Be Upgrading to Next Gen?

The PS4 and Xbox One might qualify as "last-gen" at this point, but they're not that old. Games are still being released for these platforms and will be for years to come. As the dust settles on the generation, used discs will continue to get cheaper. There's plenty of life in these platforms yet.

But when you do eventually decide that it's time for an upgrade, take a moment to consider what's best for your old hardware rather than simply letting it collect dust under the TV.

Ready to pull the trigger on a new console? Here's why you should avoid the all-digital versions.

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10 great games from 2020 for your new Nintendo Switch - The Verge

Posted: 26 Dec 2020 07:00 AM PST

We're now at a point where you can comfortably describe the Nintendo Switch as "mature." It's no longer a new device, but one several years into its life, with a robust and varied line-up of games available. There's a good chance you picked up a Switch to play one of Nintendo's tentpole franchises — whether that's Super Mario, Animal Crossing, or Pokémon — but there are a lot of different kinds of experiences available on the tablet. That includes big social titles, classic games, and inventive indie releases. Heck, one of my favorite experiences this year has been relearning chess on the Switch.

If you're new to the Switch ecosystem, here are 10 great games to get you started.

We've rounded up our favorite and most-used games, apps, and entertainment. Check out our app picks for iPhones, Android phones, Windows PCs, and M1-equipped Macs; our favorite mobile games from Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass; and our top choices for gaming PCs, the PS5, Xbox One and Series X / S, Nintendo Switch, and VR. We've also listed our favorite streaming shows on Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Plus, and Netflix; some great sci-fi books; and exciting new podcasts. (Note: pricing was accurate at the time of publishing but may change.)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

With New Horizons, Animal Crossing went from a quaint and charming life sim to one of Nintendo's most important franchises, up there with Mario and Zelda. It's still a game about carving out a humble, cozy life on an island full of animals, but the addition of online play, more robust customization tools, and the fact that virtually everyone in the world was stuck at home this year, turned it into an important cultural touchstone. New Horizons brought people together, caused family drama, and touched on communities ranging from Twitch streamers to streetwear enthusiasts. And it's still going strong, with (free!) seasonal updates that add more depth and texture to its pleasant world.

Clubhouse Games

Sometimes you just need something familiar, and Clubhouse Games fills that niche perfectly. It's an incredibly simple concept: a collection of more than 50 physical games, from chess to darts to bowling, that you can play on your Switch. The package was clearly put together with lots of love and a level of care and attention to detail that makes this more than just a simple collection. Each game has a pleasantly tactile feel, despite being a digital recreation. Clubhouse Games is full of familiar favorites but will likely also introduce you to new games from all over the world. It's the perfect thing to pick up and play in between other, more complex experiences.

Coffee Talk

The name Coffee Talk couldn't be more apt: this is a game about both talking and coffee. You take the role of a barista at a late-night cafe in an alternate version of Seattle, one full of magical creatures, all of whom bring their own personal problems with them when they enter the shop. From behind the counter you'll hear all of the drama, occasionally chiming in with some advice, all while making sure to serve the perfect latte or hot chocolate. It's warm and comforting, and it's a great way to spend a cozy evening.

Hades

Ever since its debut with Bastion, developer Supergiant Games has released a steady stream of hits, from the cyberpunk Transistor to the magical Pyre. All of the studio's work features incredible 2D visuals, deep and engaging worlds, and a gameplay hook that makes it hard to step away. Hades feels like a culmination of the team's past efforts. In your efforts to escape the underworld you'll die a lot, but each failure is a chance to explore new techniques and learn more about the incredible cast of characters. Get ready to lose some sleep.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

No Switch collection is complete without The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Nintendo's first true open-world game upended the genre, with an experience that feels vast and deep, yet leaves much of the exploration and discovery up to players. In a world full of games with copious signposts and mini-maps packed with points of interest, Breath of the Wild lets you move and learn at your own pace. It could be both thrilling and quiet, overwhelming and subtle, all at the same time. I'm still learning new things about the game more than three years after launch. Even better: now you can dig further into the story with the spinoff Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

Murder By Numbers

Sometimes two things go together so well you have to wonder why no one tried it before. Such is the case with Murder By Numbers. It's a silly-yet-touching crime drama that plays out like a visual novel, one that's packed with lovable characters and surprising plot twists. But it's also a puzzle game, one where you complete sudoku-like challenges in order to find clues and solve crimes. It may not make a lot of sense on the surface, but in practice these two halves fit together just about perfectly.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

There are few things that match better than Pokémon games and Nintendo handhelds, but Sword and Shield go an extra step by also being great console experiences thanks to the Switch's hybrid nature. The base game that launched last year remains one of the best roleplaying games available on the Switch, and it's since been made even bigger thanks to two significant expansions that add new storylines to dissect, locations to explore, and — most importantly — pocket monsters to collect.

Ring Fit Adventure

Ring Fit Adventure isn't just a great game, it's also one of a few ways to get a decent workout, thanks to COVID-related restrictions. It also does something very rare: makes the tedium of a workout fun. Ring Fit is structured like a fantasy roleplaying game, one where you travel to distant worlds fighting all kinds of magical creatures. But in order to attack, you'll need to do yoga poses, squats, and a whole lot of planks. It's exhausting in the best possible way, and Nintendo has also released an update that turns Ring Fit into a rhythm game complete with classic Super Mario tunes.

Streets of Rage 4

Sometimes you just want to hit things. Streets of Rage 4 is here to oblige. The newest entry in the classic beat 'em up series doesn't change the formula: you still play as one of a handful of heroes, exploring side-scrolling levels while pummeling every street punk in sight. This time, though, the 2D visuals look incredible, and the gameplay has been streamlined so that it feels a bit more modern. Surprisingly, the best part might just be the music, with an incredible soundtrack that includes new tunes from famed composer Yuzo Koshiro.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars

This collection brings together three of Mario's most influential 3D adventures: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. Not every element stands up in 2020, so you might find yourself frustrated with 64's relic of a camera, or the awkward controls of Sunshine's water pack. But for the most part, each game in Super Mario 3D All-Stars remains fun, and playing through them today is a great way to see how Nintendo's design philosophy has changed over the years. You'll never look at Super Mario Odyssey the same way again.

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Apple iCloud sign-in and activation aren’t working for some users - The Verge

Posted: 26 Dec 2020 06:32 AM PST

To all of you who got a new Apple device for Christmas, congrats! But you might have some difficulty setting up and signing in to iCloud along with other Apple users. First reported by Apple Insider, as of Saturday morning, Apple's system status page was showing "some users affected" by an issue that began at around 4:45AM ET on December 25th. "Users may be experiencing a problem with this service," the status update reads.

The issue appears to be affecting multiple devices. The system status page doesn't show issues with any other parts of iCloud or other Apple services. Apple Support tweeted Friday afternoon that it was aware of the issue, and said it was "experiencing a high capacity at this time, which is impacting your ability to set up iCloud, please try back in a couple of hours." The message was directed to a user trying to set up their mother's new iPad and HomePod mini.

We know your mom is eager to have everything working and appreciate you helping to set them up. We are experiencing a high capacity at this time which is impacting your ability to set up iCloud, please try back in a couple of hours. https://t.co/waNYZdXpJm
— Apple Support (@AppleSupport) December 25, 2020

It's still not clear how widespread the problem is, but there's been no further update from Apple for several hours. Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from The Verge on Saturday morning. We'll update this article with any new information if we hear back from them.

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