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The PlayStation 6 could ditch the built-in disc drive

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The next generation of PlayStation consoles might not appeal to people who enjoy building physical game collections.

A hardware leaker known as KeplerL2 posted in the NeoGAF forums this week (via WCCF Tech), claiming that the still-unconfirmed PlayStation 6 will not have a disc drive built in.

In a reply to another user's inquiry, KeplerL2 also said the base PS6 would come with just 1TB of storage space on its internal SSD. For reference, that's exactly the same as most PS5 models. Typically, specs like that only get better over time, but it seems like Sony might make a lateral move at best for storage capacity this time around.

That's almost certainly because of the AI-driven global RAM shortage, which was recently rumored to potentially cause the PS6 to miss its intended late 2027 launch date. All things being equal, Sony might be inclined to put a 2TB drive in each base PS5, but that might not be feasible right now.

As for the lack of a disc drive, that's going to ruffle feathers for a multitude of reasons.

Yes, the PS5 has had a no-disc-drive variant since its launch in 2020, but Sony also sells a standalone attachable disc drive unit in case users want one. Obviously, Sony could do the same with the PS6, but we don't know that yet. And while a large majority of video game sales happen in digital marketplaces as opposed to physical retail stores, plenty of people still like to own their games, whether it's out of concern for digital storefronts eventually shutting down, or just to build a nice collection of physical media. And, of course, sometimes you get good discounts on used games.

Needless to say, if this is true, it will be controversial.

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Google just dropped an AI dictation app for iPhone: How to try AI Edge Eloquent

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It seems like software developers are launching new AI-powered dictation apps every other day now. However, this latest one is a bit different. Why? Because unlike the other ones created by startups or solo indie hackers, this one is brought you by a Big Tech behemoth.

On Monday, Google quietly launched its own AI dictation app for iOS devices. The app is called Google AI Edge Eloquent, and it's currently available to download for free on Apple's App Store.

Google's AI dictation app can work completely offline, as the app downloads Google's local Gemma-based speech recognition models directly to the user's iPhone. As everything is local, Google AI Edge Eloquent provides unlimited, and most notably, completely subscription-free use.

Users also have the option to turn cloud mode on if they are interested in using Gemini's AI capabilities. Cloud-based model usage is free, at least for now, as well.

Once Google AI Edge Eloquent is downloaded, users simply need to open the app, hit record, and start talking. Google AI Edge Eloquent will provide the speech-to-text transcription. Thanks to its AI capabilities, the app is able to clean up the text output and remove filler words like "ums" and "uhs" and any corrections made during the voice recording.

When the transcription is complete, users can ask for AI-powered summaries or rewrites by choosing the Polish, Key points, Formal, and Short options provided under the transcription.

The app has a history tab that saves all previous transcriptions. Users can search within all of their transcriptions and also view stats for each session, such as words-per-minute or number of words spoken.

Users can also create their own personal dictionary, familiarizing the app with unique words and names so it can accurately transcribe them.

According to Google's description for the app, an integrated iOS keyboard is coming soon.

The official site for Google AI Edge Eloquent is hosted on Google's google.dev domain name, suggesting that this app is very much a work-in-progress.

It's also interesting that there doesn't currently appear to be an Android version of the app, although Google says on its website that it's "evaluating other platforms," including a desktop version.

Google releasing an AI dictation app at all is fairly notable as it's a fairly simple AI use case when compared to what else Google is doing in the space. However, perhaps the growing trend and market for AI dictation apps was just too much for Google to pass on.

That, or the app could prove to be a valuable source of training data in the future.

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Set off on an adventure with the Ninja FrostVault Go backpack cooler while its $50 off

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a person sits next to the Ninja FrostVault Go Can Soft Cooler outside while food stored in the cooler is on display.

SAVE $50: The Ninja FrostVault Go Can Soft Cooler Backpack (24 can size) is on sale at Amazon for $149.99 in select colorways, down from the list price of $199.99. That's a 25% discount.



Ninja FrostVault Go Can Soft Cooler Backpack (24 can size)

Credit: Ninja

What's a spring or summer adventure without snacks? If your journeys tend to be more mobile than is suitable for a wheeled cooler, you might want to consider a backpack cooler. These can carry your snacks, drinks, and even ice for days while still being ultra portable. If that sounds like something your adventures could use, check out this deal.

As of April 7, the Ninja FrostVault Go Can Soft Cooler Backpack (24 can size) is on sale at Amazon for $149.99 in select colorways, marked down from the normal price of $199.99. That's a 25% discount that shaves $50 off the price.

With room for 24 cans, built-in side cup holder, and storage drawer, the Ninja FrostVault Go backpack would like an invite on your next outing. It's a great backpack cooler option for picnics at the park, the beach, or for taking along on a day hike. The storage drawer is ideal for keeping foods dry from ice and safe from getting squished, while still keeping chilled. Ninja also added a built-in bottle opener, so you'll never need to wonder if you packed one.

The ergonomic straps prove comfortable enough to get the cooler to your destination while fully loaded and the top features a leakproof zipper. That'll come in handy if you'll be adding ice to the cooler. You can also take advantage of the two included Ninja ice packs.

Before your weekend plans get packed with activities, make sure you're ready for snack transportation with the Ninja FrostVault Go backpack. It's on sale at Amazon for under $150 for a limited time only.

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Save up to 20% vs. the other big guys when you switch to T-Mobile

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TL;DR: Save up to 20% when you switch to T-Mobile, compared to Verizon and AT&T.



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Credit: T-Mobile

Save up to 20%

Spring is here, and if you’ve been thinking about spring cleaning your phone plan, it’s worth checking out T-Mobile. Switching from Verizon or AT&T can save you up to 20%.

T-Mobile has a few plans to choose from, each absolutely stacked with benefits. You can get free or discounted streaming services, such as Netflix, Apple TV, and Hulu. Depending on the plan you choose, you'll save up to $117 per month compared to Verizon and AT&T.

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No matter how many lines you add to your plan, T-Mobile always works out to be cheaper than the competition. If you’re curious about the cost breakdown, T-Mobile’s site features a helpful chart that shows you the cost across each company as you add more lines.

If you’ve been searching for a new phone plan, T-Mobile is surely worth a look.

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