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PlayStation 5 and Xbox Scarlett Might Launch In 2020, According To An Analyst

A lot of rumors about the next-generation consoles emerged on the Internet, lately. Even though we know for sure that we will have a PlayStation 5 and a next Xbox, commonly dubbed Xbox Scarlett, we do not know when the system would come out. Now, according to an analyst, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Scarlett might launch in 2020, following their announcements which would happen this year, 2019.

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Scarlett Might Launch In 2020

In line with other reports, to some extent, Mat Piscatella, an NPD analyst, revealed its own predictions on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Scarlett release dates on GamingBolt.

“I’m forecasting announcements in 2019 for 2020 launches for both PlayStation 5 and the next Xbox. However, I do think we’ve moved past the traditional generational model. I expect both manufacturers to add features that will further blur these lines,” said NPD analyst Mat Piscatella for the GamingBolt.

Both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One Sales Would Drop In 2019

As we’re moving closer to the end of the cycle of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, both PS4 and Xbox One sales would drop significantly in 2019, as the gamers will get ready for the new consoles, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Scarlett, which, according to Mat Piscatella, would roll out in 2020.

“I forecast both PS4 and Xbox One hardware unit sales to decline in the single-digit percentages next year [2019], but more because we’re nearing the latter stages of the cycle, and I don’t anticipate either making drastic moves on price. Both systems have done well in the US, but 2019 will likely be a transition year as we move into 2020,” said Mat Piscatella.

However, all these are just rumors, as we still don’t have anything official from Sony and Microsoft. Nonetheless, Mat Piscatella’s predictions are in line with other reports and information revealed in late-2018, according to which Sony would announce its PlayStation 5 next-gen console in 2019, most likely, in May.

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Sony To Launch A New Face ID System in 2019

Facial recognition would become more popular than fingerprint sensors, setting a new trend in 2019. But that would only happen if the facial recognition systems would work fast, reliable, and would be more secure. Now, Sony is working on a new Face ID system and plans to launch it in 2019.

Since iPhone X rolled out on the market, Apple has made its FaceID accessible for the masses as a much more straightforward and fast alternative to the fingerprint sensor. Now, Apple is using its facial recognition system in the latest devices, including the new iPad Pro, as a substitute for the fingerprint reader.

Also, some Android smartphones manufacturers launched devices with face recognition systems to allow users to unlock their devices much more comfortable and faster than with the fingerprint sensor. However, currently, many producers rely on either complex face ID systems or on 2D face recognition as an alternative to fingerprint readers which are still installed.

Sony To Launch A New Face ID System in 2019

The Face ID alternatives on Android smartphones, as well as Apple’s original FaceID system, are not convincing users. Accordingly, there is the need for a better, improved, and more reliable Face ID system. And, reportedly, Sony is working on a new, more complex facial recognition system, and the company plans to launch it in 2019.

While Android and Apple’s facial ID systems rely mostly on “structured light” systems, which is not as accurate and reliable as the manufacturers would want us to believe, Sony’s new Face ID system would work with pulsating lasers. Sony’s facial recognition would use light emitters to recreate a 3D map of the subject’s face. It would, therefore, be much faster and more precise than the current FaceID-like alternatives.

According to recent reports, the new Sony face ID system would come out in the second half of 2019, but we have no information about which devices would boast this improved facial recognition system. It could also be adopted by Apple for its upcoming FaceID 2.0.

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Games News Tech

New Xbox One Console To Come Out In 2019, Reportedly

I know, many of us are already dreaming about the next-generation consoles, Xbox Scarlett (Xbox Two or whatever Microsoft would name it) and PlayStation 5 from Sony, but recent rumors said that Microsoft is preparing a big surprise for the fans in 2019. Reportedly, based on some suggestions, a new Xbox One console would come out in 2019.

While Sony prepares for a new busy year full of announcements, hopefully about PlayStation 5, and new PS4 updates, Microsoft is also working on something big for the Xbox fans. According to some rumors that rolled out online recently, the famous software developer, Microsoft, is working on a new Xbox One variant.

Currently, Sony has won the battle with Microsoft regarding the current-gen consoles, with PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro scoring more sales than Xbox One and Xbox One X. So, reportedly, Microsoft is not going to give up without fighting before the release of the next-gen consoles.

Reportedly, A New Xbox One Console Would Come Out In 2019

According to some new information regarding PS4, a new game would come out on Sony’s console, exclusively, so the battle between Microsoft and Sony is still active, although we’re moving closer and closer towards the next generation of video games consoles. More specifically, a Bloodborne sequel might roll out exclusively for PlayStation 4, and that would be a massive kick in Xbox’s butt.

Reportedly, Microsoft might tackle any of the Sony’s move in 2019 with the release of a new Xbox One console. According to the rumors, that Xbox One 2019 model would be the one without a disc drive so that it would provide a digital-only experience. Also, it might come with new features and enhanced configuration.

In other news, Xbox Scarlett (or Xbox Two) might also be announced in 2019, while the deployment of the next-gen consoles, including the Sony’s PlayStation 5, might happen in 2020, according to many analysts of the industry.

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Sony Releases Android Oreo Update for Older Smart TVs

US owners of Sony Android TVs from 2016 and 2017 will be happy to learn that a new update has been released and it brings the long awaited Oreo features to the devices.

The update has been released gradually in last two weeks and it will become available for more devices in the following days. Sadly EU customers may not receive the update in the foreseeable future as the company has remained silent when it comes to EU TVs.

The main feature of the update is a revised home screen that streamlines the user interface while also improving the overall user experience. New customizations options are also available and select content is now highlighted when the home screen is accessed. In order to benefit from these improvements users will also have to updates their apps.

It is expected that updates for the Android TVs sold earlier in 2018 will also become available.

Are the updates safe for my device?

The answer is mostly yes. Some owners of late 2016 models have complained on the official forums that they have encountered a few problems. Among them users mentioned issues with audio after awakening the device form deep sleep mode, incorrect playback of locally saved 4K content and visible frame drops when HD content is streamed. Fixes should arrive soon but owners that enjoy the previously mentioned functions should wait a little more before installing the device.

Data mining has revealed that the Oreo version offered to the A2TV hardware devices (encountered in the models that received the updates first) employs a dated Linux kernel that can be traced to Android KitKat. The update also lacks support for the Project Treble, an API that aims to make updates easier to develop and deliver.

The update also adds improved support for select Netflix content and fixes a variety of issues.  It seems that Sony won’t offer an update for models that were released prior to 2016, but the situation may change in the future.

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Games News Tech

PlayStation 5 – Everything We Know So Far

Recently, Sony announced that it wouldn’t participate at the E3 2019, news that shocked many of the video games industry enthusiasts. However, at the same time, the Japanese company announced that it would reveal something significant in 2019, and fans believe it would be about PlayStation 5, the next-gen console of Sony.

On the other hand, Sony did not reveal anything meaningful about its future PlayStation 5 console, so everything we have comes thanks to leakers and rumors. However, we know for sure that Sony is currently working on the PlayStation 5 (or whatever it would call it, as it might come out with another name).

PlayStation 5 Would Come Out Between 2019 and 2021

As I’ve already mentioned, Sony revealed nothing meaningful regarding its next-gen console, so we don’t know when PS5 would come out. However, according to some rumors, PlayStation 5 would come out anytime between 2019 and 2021. Most likely, PS5 would hit the shelves in 2020, but there’s nothing official to confirm that release date.

In reality, 2020 sound like the ideal year for a PS5 release since Sony is skipping E3 2019, and, apparently, it’s working on something big. There should be a good reason behind the Japanese company’s decision to ditch next year’s E3.

PS5 Would Launch With An Astonishing Design

We don’t know how the PlayStation 5 would look like, and there is no official information on that, so everything we know about Sony’s next-gen console design comes from concepts released on the Internet, allegedly, based on various leaks.

In the image below, you can see the latest PlayStation 5 concept:

PlayStation 5 Backward Compatibility and Graphics

As in the case with the other rumors regarding PS5, the PlayStation 5 backward compatibility is not officially announced by Sony. So, everything we have on this topic comes from rumors. Accordingly, PlayStation 5 might indeed come out with backward compatibility, allowing users to play PS4 games and, who knows, maybe even PS3 titles. That would be lovely, wouldn’t be?

As for the PS5 graphics, recent leaks an rumors say that PlayStation 5 would go beyond the 4K of PS4 Pro so that it would support 8K resolutions and 120 FPS.

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