As December approaches, Sony Group Corp. SONY has revealed the exciting lineup of games coming to its PS Plus subscription service . PlayStation is also celebrating its 30th anniversary with a series of special events for players, as detailed in a blog post. The December offerings will be available from Dec. 3 to Jan. 6, and they include a mix of genre-defining titles, beloved classics, and fresh experiences for both new and long-time fans of the PlayStation ecosystem. See Also: Shuhei Yoshida To Leave PlayStation After 30 Years: ‘I’d Like To Stay In The Industry’; Xbox’s Phil Spencer Reacts December PS Plus Games: A Diverse Lineup PS Plus subscribers across all tiers—Essential, Extra, and Premium—can expect three standout titles to download in December: It Takes Two (PS4, PS5) : This award-winning cooperative adventure from Hazelight Studios has captivated players with its heartfelt story and innovative gameplay mechanics. Players will be tasked with navigating the emotional journey of two dolls brought to life, as they work together to overcome obstacles and save their relationship. Aliens: Dark Descent (PS4, PS5) : Set in the iconic Alien universe, this real-time tactical action game invites players to control a squad of Colonial Marines battling to survive the deadly xenomorphs. With a gripping narrative and intense combat, it’s a must-play for fans of the franchise. TemTem (PS5) : A Pokémon-inspired MMO adventure, TemTem offers an expansive world where players can capture, train, and battle unique creatures known as TemTem. The game continues to evolve, and its arrival on PS Plus gives players an easy entry point into this growing online community. Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2 Trial For Premium Members In addition to the December games, PS Plus Premium members will get access to a new game trial for Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2, starting Dec. 3. The trial will give players the chance to experience the high-octane, third-person shooter set in the Warhammer universe before deciding if they want to purchase the full game. PS2 Classics Make A Comeback For Premium subscribers, the classics catalogue will also expand with three iconic PS2 platformers: Sly 2: Band of Thieves Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Free Online Multiplayer And Esports Tournament Sony is also offering a free online multiplayer weekend from Dec. 6-8 for both PS4 and PS5 users, meaning players won’t need a PS Plus subscription to enjoy online gaming during this period. Furthermore, PlayStation will host an esports tournament during the same weekend, featuring popular titles like EA Sports FC 25, NBA 2K25, Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat 1, Madden NFL 25, College Football 25, UFC 5, MLB The Show 24, and Guilty Gear Strive. Exclusive Offers And Sweepstakes In addition to the game releases, Sony is celebrating PlayStation's 30th anniversary with several special promotions: 30 months of PS Plus Premium : A sweepstakes will be held from Dec. 10-23, where 30 winners will each receive 30 months of PS Plus Premium. 30% off films on Sony Pictures Core : From Dec. 3-9, PlayStation users will be able to enjoy significant discounts on films available through Sony's streaming platform. Film credit on Sony Pictures Core : From Dec. 10 to Jan. 10, any purchase of a 12-month PS Plus membership will include a film credit for Sony Pictures Core. Don’t Miss Out On November’s Games As December’s games arrive, PlayStation subscribers should make sure to grab November's titles before they disappear. This month, players can still download: Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Ghostwire: Tokyo Death Note Killer Within These titles will no longer be available after Dec. 3, so act fast if you haven't already added them to your library. Now Read: Alibaba Vs. PDD: A Grim Showdown In Chinese E-Commerce Stocks Image courtesy: PlayStation. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
The KTC MegPad 32-inch Android tablet is available from Amazon now for $722. With a 32-inch display on a rolling tablet, this device can serve many use cases. The MegPad uses Android 13, which is a bit long in the tooth. I never thought a large Android tablet on a rolling stand with an accompanying mouse would be of any consequence to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Android tablets and think they're every bit as good as iPads (although the typical hardware found on an Android tablet pales in comparison). When a company requested I review a massive tablet on a stand, my initial reaction was, "Yeah, that's not going to go anywhere." Also: The best Black Friday deals: Live updates I was wrong. At least, I think I was wrong. This device turns out to be not only pretty cool, but very handy. If you have a use for such a beast, the KTC MegPad is ready to serve. Before we dive into my experience with the device, let's talk specs. KTC MegPad 32-inch Android tablet This massive Android tablet can serve as a kiosk, an entertainment center, and much more. The specs 32-inch display that rotates, swivels, and tilts on an included stand Display - 4K touchscreen capable of a 3840 x 2160 resolution @ 1080p with a 3000:1 contrast ratio, and a 121% sRGB color gamut One HDMI 2.0 port, one USB-A 3.0 port, and one USB-A 2.0 port RAM - 8 GB CPU - Rockchip octa-core Storage - 128 GB OS - Android 13 Wireless and wired projection sharing 9500 mAh battery provides up to 11 hours of usage on a 3-hour charge Dual 6W 3D speakers 1-year warranty and lifetime tech support Mouse included (with USB dongle) Price - Amazon $722. Also: I upgraded to Android 15 on my Pixel 9 Pro. Here are my 6 favorite features so far My experience First things first. This thing was not easy to assemble. There were only four pieces (tablet, stand pole, stand base, and mouse shelf), but putting this baby together would have been exponentially easier with two people. I can put anything together -- I grew up assembling bicycles -- but this thing nearly bested me. The specific challenge here was having to connect a short power cable from the stand to the monitor while ensuring the cable did not get in the way. This was not easy. Eventually, I did get it assembled, but then I ran into another situation. How does this thing power on? The instruction manual left much to be desired. Eventually, I realized there was a small black button on the base (not the power button!) that has to be pressed before the tablet could draw power. Once that button was pressed, I could press the power button on the back, and the tablet came to life. Setup was as easy as any Android device: Connect it to the Wi-Fi network, associate it with my Google account, and wait for it to complete. Greeted by the home screen, I decided to see what it would be like to play a game on this thing. Also: The best Android tablets: Expert tested and reviewed Lately, I've been enjoying an older game, Fallout Shelter , a basic sim game with a clever aesthetic and plenty of replayability. One of the first things I noticed was that the matte display does a fairly good job of preventing too much glare, which is very important with a screen this large. The screen does have that textured feeling, which can be a bit disconcerting when using it as a touch screen. Fortunately, there's the included mouse, which makes working with Android even more efficient. Who'd have thought, huh? The MegPad has two speakers, two USB-A ports, and one HDMI port on the back side. To use the mouse, you must remove the dongle from within the battery compartment, plug it in, insert an AA battery (not included), and switch it on. The mouse will be automatically recognized and connected, and you'll be ready to go. Use the scroll wheel to zoom in and zoom out and the left button to click. But what is this tablet for? That question lingered in my brain as I tested the KTC MegPad. At first, the cut-and-dry answer would be something like a kiosk for enabling users to log into a service, order things, or interact with a business. However, the longer I used the tablet, the more I realized it has far more applications than I originally thought. A kitchen tablet to view recipes A tablet for the garage An educational center for children A gaming device A device to view stocks An entertainment center And that's just scratching the surface. For my purposes, however, it's been stationed to the side of my desk so I can look over and check how my Fallout shelter is doing -- and it's been quite enjoyable. Also: I bought the Google Pixel 9 Pro, and its most impressive feature was not the software The MegPad isn't the most powerful tablet I've ever used, nor is the display the best. However, its size and stand make up for what it lacks in performance. Here's one thing I've always found with Android tablets : As long as there are enough resources to power the OS and some apps, I can make it work. The mid-range CPU and 8 GB of RAM are just enough to keep this tablet humming. It won't break any benchmark records, but the specs will serve you fine. My biggest issue with the MegPad is that it's running Android 13, which was released in 2022. Android 13 is still supported, and I'd imagine it'll remain so until around 2026. Even so, once you've become used to using Android 15 , going back can feel like you're using something antiquated and far less efficient. Even so -- it works well. ZDNET's buying advice This device is a bit of a hard sell because, at first blush, you might not think this is something you'd ever want or need. The thing is, once you start using it, you'll realize that it's something you wish you had had all along. Over the past couple of weeks, I've grown pretty fond of the MegPad and have started using it more and more. Yes, the cost is high for a tablet with an aging operating system and mid-range specs, but the size and convenience of having it on a stand make this thing very useful. I can imagine tons of use cases for both families and businesses. One of the best QLED TVs I've tested isn't made by Samsung or Hisense (and it's $500 off) I finally found a wireless Android Auto adapter that's reliable, functional, and affordable This is the most bizarre portable power station I've tested - and it actually works One of the best cheap soundbars I've tested performs as well as models twice its priceSparks open 2025 season on May 16 against ValkyriesNone
AJK government is determined to improve quality of education: AJK President
Judge hears closing arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopoly ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The Justice Department and Google have made their closing arguments in a trial alleging Google’s online advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly. The arguments in federal court Monday in northern Virginia came as Google already faces a possible breakup of the company over its ubiquitous search engine. The Justice Department says it will seek the breakup of Google to remedy its search engine monopoly. The case in Virginia focuses not on the search engine but on technology that matches online advertisers to consumers on the internet. A judge is expected to rule by the end of the year. ‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’: How the TSA plans to handle record air travel DALLAS (AP) — The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million people in the U.S. will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday — most of them by car. Thanksgiving Day falling so late this year has altered traditional travel patterns. At airports, the Transportation Security Administration says it could screen a record number of U.S. air travelers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration says a shortage of air traffic controllers could cause flight delays. Transportation analytics company INRIX says roads could be congested on Monday with both commuters and returning holiday travelers. Macy’s says employee hid up to $154 million in expenses, delaying Q3 earnings Macy’s says it’s delaying the release of its fiscal third-quarter earnings results after it discovered an up to $154 million accounting-related issue. The company did provide some preliminary results for its third quarter, including that net sales fell 2.4% to $4.74 billion. It anticipates reporting its full third-quarter financial results by Dec. 11. Newsom says California could offer electric vehicle rebates if Trump eliminates federal tax credit SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California could offer state tax rebates for electric vehicle purchases if the incoming Trump administration eliminates the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Gov. Gavin Newsom says Monday he'll propose creating a new version of the state’s successful Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which was phased out in 2023 after funding nearly 600,000 new cars and trucks. Officials didn’t say how much the program would cost or how the rebates would work. Newsom’s proposal is part of his plan to protect California’s progressive policies ahead of Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. But a budget shortfall could complicate California’s resistance efforts. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by handing out more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations Monday, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Stock market today: Dow hits another record as stocks rise NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose, with those benefiting the most from lower interest rates and a stronger economy leading the way. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3% Monday to pull closer to its record set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 440 points to its own record set on Friday, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%. They got a boost from easing Treasury yields after President-elect Donald Trump said he wants hedge-fund manager Scott Bessent to be his Treasury Secretary. Smaller companies can feel a big boost from easier borrowing costs, and the Russell 2000 index of small stocks finished just shy of its record. Workers at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — American Airlines says it doesn’t expect significant disruptions to flights this week as a result of a labor strike at its hub in Charlotte, North Carolina. Service workers there walked out Monday during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services authorized the work stoppage. Union spokesperson Sean Keady says the strike is expected to last 24 hours. The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. The companies have acknowledged the seriousness of a strike during the holiday travel season. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Eggs are available -- but pricier -- as the holiday baking season begins Egg prices are on the rise again as a lingering outbreak of bird flu coincides with high demand during the holiday baking season. The average price for a dozen eggs in U.S. cities was $3.37 in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was up 63% from October 2023, when a dozen eggs cost an average of $2.07. Avian influenza is the main culprit. The current bird flu outbreak that began in February 2022 has led to the slaughter of more than 111 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens. But the American Egg Board says egg shortages at grocery stores have been isolated and temporary so far. ‘Buy now, pay later’ is more popular than ever. It can cost more than you think NEW YORK (AP) — More shoppers are using ‘buy now, pay later’ plans heading into Black Friday and the holiday season, as the ability to spread out payments looks attractive at a time when Americans still feel the lingering effect of inflation and already have record-high credit card debt. Experts say the short-term loans can lead consumers to overextend themselves and warn that those who use credit cards for the service face higher interest expenses. The data firm Adobe Analytics predicts shoppers will spend 11.4% more this holiday season using buy now, pay later than they did a year ago.
CDW Corp. stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitors despite daily gainsNone