The roguelike genre has turned from a relative niche into something much bigger. Roguelike games can be famously tough to crack into; generally, they have a high difficulty that means you’ll bang your head against a wall as you learn how to play the game, puzzle out what strategies work best in the procedurally generated levels, and figure out how to overcome tough enemies or challenges. 2024 showed that the genre wasn’t only a commercial force through hits like Hades II and Balatro, and also that a roguelike could be almost anything: from a poker variant to a flashy multiplayer action game.
Technology
2024 has been an amazing year for roguelikes
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25784222/247333_EOY_Package_Check_In_CVirginia_ROGUELIKES.jpg "2024 has been an amazing year for roguelikes")
Speaking of Balatro, it was undoubtedly one of, if not the, best games of the year. The game is supremely easy to pick up because of its roots in building traditional poker hands, but each round feels wildly different because of the clever and sometimes superpowered joker cards that can give you massive bonuses. The game is a perfect mix of skill, risk, and a little bit of luck, and it feels so good when you find a strategy that completely stacks the chips in your favor. I think I’ll be playing Balatro for years to come, especially with whatever’s cooking for the game’s upcoming major update. And now that the game is out on mobile, I can play wherever I want.
That is, when I’m not dipping my toes back into Hades II. The game, which is still in early access, is shaping up to be a worthy successor to Hades, and it’s arguably more fully fleshed out than many finished titles. I’ve already put more than 30 hours into Hades II, and I feel like I still have so much to unlock and master, but I’ve intentionally held myself back from playing more so that I don’t burn out on the game before it reaches v1.0. I only beat the new boss in the most recent major update a single time before deciding that was enough.
There are a couple other roguelikes that I have loved and want to put more time into but haven’t because of the sheer volume of other games in the genre to check out. Shogun Showdown, which is all about tactics and positioning, makes you feel like a genius by showing you the future. I really enjoyed getting a handle on the game’s weapons and items so that I could pull off well-planned combos against waves of enemies.
Windblown, the new roguelike from Dead Cells creators Motion Twin, takes a lot of what makes Dead Cells great and translates it to 3D. Weapons are varied, satisfying, and can combo well with each other. The game’s biomes are creative and fun to explore, with lots of nooks and crannies. But where Windblown really shines is its multiplayer — until playing the game, I had no idea how good roguelikes could be with friends. Like Hades, Windblown is also in early access, so I’m expecting to play it a lot more next year as Motion Twin makes major updates.
And those are just the new roguelikes I’ve actually been able to put time into this year. There are still a bunch more that I want to play or have barely touched that seem extremely promising. Vampire Survivors got two major crossover DLCs that I want to dig into: one with Contra and one with Castlevania. (I’ve only played a couple rounds of the Castlevania expansion, and I was tickled at just how large the map was.) And while I’m talking about Vampire Survivors: Halls of Torment, which is kind of like Vampire Survivors mixed with an old-school Diablo aesthetic, left early access, and I want to check out what’s changed since I first dabbled in it last year.
The Rogue Prince of Persia, a roguelike take on classic Prince of Persia action and platforming, is an example of how big publishers like Ubisoft are jumping into the genre — and it seems like something that’s right up my alley. Rogue is another early access roguelike on this list, but it’s gotten a bunch of big updates since its May launch, including a significant update in November that revamped the art style and added new biomes, bosses, and more. I should also mention that Rogue also has a Dead Cells connection: it’s made by Evil Empire, the studio that worked on many Dead Cells updates and DLCs, which gives me a lot of faith that they’ll do a great job shepherding the game to its eventual full launch.
Heck, 2024 has been such a banner year for roguelikes that even the 2014 classic The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth got a significant new DLC update that added online multiplayer.
The sheer amount of great roguelikes just this year shows that the framework of the genre offers a lot of ways to make interesting games. I particularly appreciate how they’re generally more digestible than blockbuster epics. Next year has some promising roguelikes like Slay the Spire 2 and Hyper Light Breaker, but I know I’ll be returning to a lot of 2024’s excellent roguelikes over and over again — well, after just one more round of Balatro.
Continue Reading
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25742882/DSC_1384_Enhanced_NR.jpg "Bose SoundLink Home review: a speaker that’s all about looks")
Sometimes it’s okay to buy a speaker mostly for the aesthetic. And from the moment it was first announced, Bose’s $219 SoundLink Home stood out from the pack (and Bose’s own other efforts) with a mid-modern style that bears little resemblance to most competitors. It’s the kind of gadget that people are likely to notice and comment on. No one says a word about boring, ho-hum cylindrical speakers.
But this thing, with its fabric housing wrapped in a brushed aluminum band, feels like vintage Bose. The company doesn’t always show this much attention to detail in design and materials, so I’m encouraged by the Home’s unique vibe.
How we rate and review products
If you’ve used or heard Bose’s SoundLink Flex, then you’ve already got a good understanding of what the Home speaker will sound like in your living room. Their tuning is quite similar. Like the Flex, the Home outputs mixed-down mono audio. I’ll always take stereo speakers when given the choice, but mono is common for the portable speaker category — though Bose is pushing it with the price here — and especially at this size.
With that in mind, the SoundLink Home sounds quite detailed and clear. Vocals are crisp. Acoustic instruments have a touch of warmth. And even if you dial the volume up to extremes, there’s little distortion. That’s partially because this speaker is no bass champ; the SoundLink Max wipes the floor with it in that regard, but is bulkier and nearly twice the price. The Home only supports your standard AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs, whereas the Flex (second-gen) and Max both throw in aptX Adaptive compatibility for devices that offer it.
The thing is, you’re going to have to really like the Home’s out-of-the-box sound, because there’s no changing it. In another departure from other Bose speakers, the SoundLink Home lacks any kind of mobile companion app. As a result, you’re unable to customize its EQ at all. That’s a disappointing omission that would be easier to forgive from a cheaper speaker, but not this one. You can at least pair two units together to create a stereo pair. If you’re willing to drop the money on that, you’ll be rewarded with noticeably richer sound.
Another important thing to be aware of with the SoundLink Home is that there’s no water resistance to speak of. The same goes for dust resistance. This is not meant to be a poolside or outdoor speaker. It’s right there in the name, I suppose. You’ll want to put the speaker somewhere safe (and dry). A covered patio is about as far as you’ll want to take it. Bose doesn’t even recommend taking it into the bathroom. The ruggedized Flex is a better choice for those who need a road warrior that can withstand the elements. Durability is one area where the Home falls short of Ultimate Ears, JBL, Soundcore, and other brands that have Bluetooth speakers at similar prices.
So far I’ve discussed a lot of what’s missing, but one advantage over the SoundLink Flex is that the Home supports USB-C audio in. And you can take advantage of that at the same time that you’re paired over Bluetooth. So you could theoretically listen to wired audio from your laptop while using the speaker for phone calls or interacting with Siri or Google Assistant. (You can hold down the multi-function button up top to activate your phone’s voice assistant.) Calls and other Bluetooth activity will override the USB-C connection.
That USB-C port is on the speaker’s left side, which makes some cables look a bit inelegant when they’re plugged in. Bose at least includes a 90-degree USB-C cable to keep it as subtle as possible. Battery life is rated at up to 9 hours of playback, and my tests have shown that number to be mostly accurate. If you’re listening at or above 70 percent volume, expect to lose a couple hours. It’s not impressive endurance, but for a speaker that’ll only be traveling around your house, it’s sufficient. It takes between three and four hours to fully recharge the speaker over USB-C, which seems rather long for the passable battery life you’re getting.
There’s really not much else to cover with the SoundLink Home. It bets a whole lot on looks and feel and clears the bar on sound quality without any glaring tonal weaknesses. The absence of any EQ settings will inevitably disappoint those of you who like to tinker, and I think any $200-plus Bluetooth speaker should have some measure of weatherproofing. But Bose went in a different direction with the SoundLink Home. If you’re looking to buy (or gift) a speaker that’s off the beaten path, I wouldn’t fault you for choosing this one.
Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge
Imagine losing the ability to speak and communicate with your loved ones. It sounds scary, right? What if you could preserve your unique voice and continue expressing yourself, even when speaking becomes challenging?
Apple’s Personal Voice and Live Speech features are groundbreaking accessibility tools designed to do exactly that. These innovative technologies allow you to create a synthesized voice that sounds just like you, giving individuals at risk of losing their speech a powerful way to maintain their personal communication style.
Whether you’re dealing with a progressive medical condition, recovering from an injury, or simply want a backup communication method, Personal Voice and Live Speech offer an incredible solution.
GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS — SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER — THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE
Live Speech and Personal Voice features on iPhone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How does Personal Voice work?
Personal Voice lets you create a digital version of your own voice by recording a series of phrases. Here’s how it works:
- Personalized voice synthesis: Record your voice using your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- Privacy-focused: Voices are encrypted and stored securely on your device.
- Compatibility: Works across Apple devices running iOS 17, iPadOS 17 or macOS Sonoma or later.
Personal Voice feature on iPhone.
BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC, PC, IPHONES AND ANDROIDS — CYBERGUY PICKS
Setting up Personal Voice
Personal Voice allows you to create a synthesized voice that sounds like your own. But first, ensure you have a compatible device running iOS 17, iPadOS 17 or macOS Sonoma or later. Choose a quiet room with minimal echo or background noise. You can pause and resume the recording session as needed. Now, here’s how to set it up:
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Accessibility.
- Click Personal Voice.
- Tap “Create a Personal Voice.”
- Authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or your device passcode.
Steps to set up Personal Voice feature on iPhone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Click Continue.
- Click the record button at the bottom of the screen.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, which require you to “Read the Phrase” on the screen to record 150 randomly chosen phrases.
- It will tell you once you are done recording. Then click Continue.
Steps to set up Personal Voice feature on iPhone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
On Mac:
Steps to set up Personal Voice feature on Mac. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Click System Settings.
- Then, select Accessibility.
- Click Personal Voice on the left of the screen.
- Then, click “Create a Personal Voice.”
Steps to set up Personal Voice feature on Mac. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Authenticate using Touch ID, or your device passcode.
- Then tap Continue, and then Continue again.
Steps to set up Personal Voice feature on Mac. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Click Continue one more time.
- Click “Continue with Default Phrases.”
- Click the record button at the bottom of the screen to check the sound quality.
- Then tap Done.
Steps to set up Personal Voice feature on Mac. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Follow the on-screen instructions, which require you to “Read the Phrase” on the screen to record 150 randomly chosen phrases. In this example, you’d say, “Does he know how to speak Spanish?”
- Make sure it’s set to Continuous recording so that you can go from reading one phrase to the next without stopping.
- It will tell you once you are done recording. Then click Continue.
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
Steps to set up Personal Voice feature on Mac. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Note: The device will generate your personal voice after you complete the 150-phrase recording process, which typically takes a few hours to days to fully process. It will process your speech securely on your device overnight while it is charging and connected to Wi-Fi. You can create multiple voices on each device, and the voice generation occurs only when your device is locked and charging.
TALK IN TWO LANGUAGES WITH APPLE WATCH’S REAL-TIME TRANSLATIONS
Using Live Speech
Live Speech allows you to type what you want to say and have it spoken aloud using your Personal Voice or other system voices. Here’s how to set it up and use Live Speech:
On iPhone/iPad:
- Click Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Click Live Speech.
- Toggle on Live Speech.
Steps to use Live Speech on iPhone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
On Mac:
- Tap Apple menu.
- Click System Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Click Live Speech.
Steps to use Live Speech on Mac. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
On Apple Watch:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Click Live Speech.
- Toggle on Live Speech.
- Then scroll down and select a voice to use, including your created Personal Voice, if available.
Steps to use Live Speech on Apple Watch. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
APPLE AIRPODS PRO 2 MAKES HEARING TESTS AS EASY AS A FEW TAPS
How to use Live Speech
On iPhone/iPad:
- Triple-click the side or top button.
- Tap “Live Speech.”
- Type your message.
- Tap “Send” to have it spoken aloud.
On Mac:
- Click the Type to Speak text field in the Live Speech window.
- Type your message.
- Tap the play button to have it spoken aloud.
On Apple Watch:
- Triple-click the Digital Crown.
- Tap Live Speech
- Tap where it says “Type to Speak.”
- Type your message using the letters below it.
- Tap “Send” to have it spoken aloud.
SUBSCRIBE TO KURT’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR QUICK VIDEO TIPS ON HOW TO WORK ALL OF YOUR TECH DEVICES
Kurt’s key takeaways
Personal Voice and Live Speech provide a means of communication for those who may lose their ability to speak and offer a deeply personal touch by allowing users to maintain their own voice. The ability to use these features across multiple Apple devices ensures continuity and accessibility in various situations, from phone calls to in-person conversations. It’s important to note that Apple has designed these features with privacy and security in mind. Personal Voice data is encrypted and stored securely on the device, and when shared across devices, it uses end-to-end encryption in iCloud.
Can you share a personal experience where advanced accessibility tools made a significant difference in your or someone else’s life? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.
Follow Kurt on his social channels:
Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:
New from Kurt:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
With the release of iOS 18.2, AirTag owners can now enjoy a powerful new feature that enhances their ability to keep track of personal belongings: Share Item Location. This innovative capability allows you to share the location of your AirTag or Find My network accessory with anyone you trust, significantly easing the recovery of lost items. Whether you’re traveling and need to keep track of your luggage or simply want to share the location of a valuable item with a friend or family member, this feature is designed to provide peace of mind and convenience.
GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE
Share Item Location AirTag feature (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What is Share Item Location?
Share Item Location is a new feature in the Find My app that enables you to create a secure link showing the location of your AirTag or compatible Find My network accessory. This link can be shared with trusted individuals or organizations, such as airlines, to help locate misplaced items.
Share Item Location AirTag feature (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
ASK KURT: HOW DOES AN APPLE AIRTAG WORK AND HOW FAR CAN YOU TRACK?
How Share Item Location works
When you share an item’s location, the recipient can view it on an interactive map through a web browser. The location updates automatically, and a timestamp shows when it was last refreshed. The shared location expires after seven days or when you’re reunited with your item, whichever comes first.
Share Item Location AirTag feature (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
IS YOUR AIRTAG ABOUT TO DIE?
How to update your software to iOS 18.2 or later
First things first, let’s update your software to iOS 18.2 or later:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Select Software Update
- Tap Update Now
- Enter your passcode and agree to terms
- Wait for the installation to complete
Steps to update your iPhone’s software (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
BRUSSELS SPROUTS CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS UP SCIENCE
Steps to share your AirTag’s location
Now, let’s move on to how to share your AirTag’s location:
- Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac
- Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen
- Tap the Items tab at the bottom of the screen
- Select the AirTag or item you want to share
Steps to share your AirTag’s location (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Scroll down and tap Share Item Location
- Tap Continue to generate a link
- You can now copy the link or use the Share Link option to send it via AirDrop, Messages, email or other apps.
Steps to share your AirTag’s location (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Click the up arrow to send it as a text message
- A reminder that the shared location expires after seven days
Steps to share your AirTag’s location (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN USE APPLE AIRTAGS WITH YOUR ANDROID PHONE?
Privacy and security
Apple has designed this feature with privacy and safety in mind. The shared location can be disabled by the owner at any time, and it automatically expires after seven days. The item owner can also see how many people have visited the shared link. Here are steps to stop Sharing Item Location:
- Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac
- Tap the Items tab at the bottom of the screen
- Select the AirTag or item for which you want to stop Sharing Item Location
- Scroll down and tap Share Item Location
- Click Stop Sharing Item Location
- Confirm your decision by clicking Continue
Steps to stop Sharing Item Location (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Airline integration
One of the great aspects of this feature is its potential to revolutionize luggage tracking. Over 15 major airlines, including Delta, United, Air Canada, British Airways and Lufthansa, plan to integrate this feature into their customer service processes for locating mishandled or delayed baggage.
Note: While Apple has expanded AirTag location-sharing capabilities to include Android users as recipients, the management of AirTags still requires an iPhone or an Apple device.
SUBSCRIBE TO KURT’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR QUICK VIDEO TIPS ON HOW TO WORK ALL OF YOUR TECH DEVICES
Kurt’s key takeaways
The Share Item Location feature in iOS 18.2 is a significant upgrade for AirTag users. It addresses a common pain point for travelers and offers a secure, user-friendly solution for sharing item locations with trusted parties. As more airlines and organizations adopt this technology, we may see a future where lost luggage becomes a thing of the past.
How have you used technology to keep track of your belongings while traveling, and what challenges or successes have you experienced? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.
Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:
New from Kurt:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Illinois24 seconds ago
Why Illinois Basketball Is Strangely Sinking in KenPom Rankings
Indiana6 minutes ago
Indiana Basketball So Far: Oumar Ballo Has Served Expected Role Well
Iowa10 minutes ago
Iowa football roster cuts have made for a challenging December
Kansas17 minutes ago
Kansas City Chief’s Hollywood Brown Has A Real Estate Investment Company And Wants to Empower Other Athletes To Invest
Kentucky21 minutes ago
WATCH: Kentucky five-star signee Jasper Johnson sinks longest shot in OTE history
Colorado2 years ago
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Videos1 year ago
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Midwest3 years ago
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
South2 years ago
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
South3 years ago
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Politics4 hours ago
Trump has Christmas message to 'Radical Left Lunatics,' tells inmates Biden granted clemency to 'GO TO HELL!'
World5 hours ago
2024: Top 10 defining moments in the European Parliament
News5 hours ago
Popeye, Tintin and more will enter the public domain in the new year
Politics13 hours ago
Trump picks Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera for Panama ambassador
World14 hours ago
Five journalists killed in Israeli strike near Gaza hospital
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24924653/236780_Google_AntiTrust_Trial_Custom_Art_CVirginia__0003_1.png "Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps")
Technology5 days agoGoogle’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps
-
News6 days agoNovo Nordisk shares tumble as weight-loss drug trial data disappoints
-
Politics6 days agoIllegal immigrant sexually abused child in the U.S. after being removed from the country five times
-
Entertainment7 days ago'It's a little holiday gift': Inside the Weeknd's free Santa Monica show for his biggest fans
-
Lifestyle6 days agoThink you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you!
-
Technology1 week agoFox News AI Newsletter: OpenAI responds to Elon Musk's lawsuit
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25672934/Metaphor_Key_Art_Horizontal.png "There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does")
Technology2 days agoThere’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does
-
News3 days agoFrance’s new premier selects Eric Lombard as finance minister