Today sees the return of not one but two classic games, albeit in very different forms. First up is Goldeneye 007, the 1997 Nintendo 64 classic which is releasing on Xbox consoles and the Nintendo Switch today. Second is Dead Space, a remake of the 2008 sci-fi horror game. The former is a traditional remaster that makes more or less the same game playable on modern systems, while the latter is a complete rebuild. Both are worth checking out if you get the chance.
Next up, Google is packing even more functionality into Google Search. Now, if you search for vehicles for sale, it’ll list individual cars that are available from local dealerships (dependent on availability). It’s a helpful feature on its face, but I can’t help worry that it’s yet another reason to never leave Google’s search results to visit another website.
And finally, we recently checked out Amsterdam’s brand new underwater parking garage, which has enough space for seven thousand bicycles and zero cars. It’s an amazing facility, and if you’re anything like me you’ll be left feeling intensely jealous of the Dutch after looking at Thomas Ricker’s photos.
Here’s a silly tweet to start your day:
Stay tuned, as we continue to update this list with the most important news of today: Friday, January 27th, 2023.
Jan 27
“Legislation should not greenlight mainstream institutions, like pension funds, to dive headlong into cryptocurrency markets.”The White House has noticed the crypto shenanigans of the last year, and presumably its denizens are not especially pleased about them.
Of particular note: “While congressional action in these areas would be welcome, Congress could also make our jobs harder and worsen risks to investors and to the financial system.”
Jan 27
“I had been a hot girl and I saw how she had been treated. How could I fare any better?”This post, about working as a social media manager for creators who work on “the pre-eminent marketplace for digital sex work,” is both fascinating and deeply depressing. It’s beautifully-written, and after reading it, I needed to go outside and touch some grass.
my year as a hot girl for hire[elizamclamb.substack.com]
Jan 27
A tech demo worth traveling across the world for.This week, Verge alum Sam Byford launched his new tech blog, Multicore. One of its debut stories is this fun look back on the prototype Oculus Rift VR headset, which Sam flew from Japan to check out with other Verge crew at CES 2013.
VR has come a long way since then, but nothing beats the wonder of your first time with the headset on.
The greatest tech demo ever[www.multicore.blog]
Jan 27
Mercedes-Benz is the first to bring Level 3 automated driving to the US
The company’s Drive Pilot system is approved for use in Nevada, but only at speeds up to 40 mph. You can play Tetris while cruising down the highway, but make sure your face stays visible to the camera, or the system disengages.
Jan 27
World Surf League adopts Apple Watch as its ‘official wearable’ for competitions
The smartwatch will be used to give surfers real-time information about scores, wave priority, and how much time is left in a heat.
Jan 27
FDA proposes further lifting discriminatory blood donation policies.The agency has gradually lifted restrictions on blood donations over the past decade, but rules on who can give blood have still been punishing for gay and bisexual men. The new proposed policy would eliminate time-based deferral requirements, though other restrictions related to sexual behavior still remain.
FDA Proposes Individual Risk Assessment for Blood Donations, While Continuing to Safeguard U.S. Blood Supply[U.S. Food and Drug Administration]
Jan 27
Bob Iger’s big changes at Disney could lead to more layoffs
With Bob Iger back, Disney may be planning to consolidate its TV branches and restructure its marketing division, which would lead to a round of layoffs.
Jan 27
Zuckerberg puts Meta’s middle managers on notice.In the latest edition of my newsletter Command Line, I report on comments Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg made in a recent all-hands meeting: “I don’t think you want a management structure that’s just managers managing managers, managing managers, managing managers, managing the people who are doing the work.”
Also in this last edition: the bigger implications of Meta unbanning Donald Trump, debunking some Twitter office gossip, and the ad industry is still in a tizzy about Apple.
Subscribe to Command Line[The Verge]
Jan 27
Elon Musk is a bad game designer.And this tweet inadvertently highlights the big problem with his free-for-all version of Twitter. PvP games are obsessively — if not always successfully — balanced to make the most players happy for the longest time, not cater to their most abrasive users. (Has the man ever read an Elden Ring patch report?) Also, there are few things players hate more than pay-to-win mechanics. Developers might disguise their competition as a macho deathmatch, but the whole point is making it feel fun and fair — otherwise players will just log off.
Jan 27
The Dead Space remake doesn’t support the Steam Deck, and that’s a shame
You’ll need a next-gen console or a conventional PC.
Jan 27
Medium welcomes posts written with AI as long they’re ‘clearly labeled’
‘We require that any story created with AI assistance be clearly labeled as such.’
Jan 27
Amsterdam’s underwater parking garage fits 7,000 bicycles and zero cars
The four-year, $65 million project has everything — and nothing — to do with the automobile.
Jan 27
Now Google Search results for cars include what’s on the lot at nearby dealerships
A new Google feature lets dealerships plug their inventory into search results, potentially cutting other sites like AutoTrader out.
Jan 27
GoldenEye 007 is now available on Nintendo Switch and Xbox
After years of rights issues, a remastered version of GoldenEye 007 has finally arrived on Xbox, along with a port of the original for Switch that adds online multiplayer.
Jan 26
The Dead Space remake is a grisly cut of classic horror
The new shooter offers low-key but highly effective updates to a great game.
