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Samsung scientists are working on a new type of memory that could bring RAM like speeds and SSD capacities together

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Samsung scientists are working on a new type of memory that could bring RAM like speeds and SSD capacities together

Samsung has used advanced computer modeling to accelerate the development of Selector-Only Memory (SOM), a new memory technology that combines non-volatility with DRAM-like read/write speeds and stackability.

Building on the company’s earlier research in the field, SOM is based on cross-point memory architectures, similar to phase-change memory and resistive RAM (RRAM), where stacked arrays of electrodes are used. Typically, these architectures require a selector transistor or diode to address specific memory cells and prevent unintended electrical pathways.

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Squid Game season 2: Everything we know so far about the hit Netflix series

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Squid Game season 2: Everything we know so far about the hit Netflix series

Following a hugely successful first season that exceeded virtually everyone’s expectations, many fans are eager for the potential return of Squid Game. In its first season, the show followed a group of contestants competing against one another in a series of children’s games with deadly stakes.

Some of those playing the game would die, and the rest would move on to the next round. Ultimately, a single winner emerged, and was rewarded with an insanely large cash prize. As many wonder what season 2 could contain, here’s what we know so far about the hit Netflix show’s future.

Is there a trailer for Squid Game season 2?

Yes! There are several trailers for the show that are now available. During Netflix’s Geeked Week in late September, the streamer dropped another teaser showing more of what everyone can expect from season 2 of the hit show.

There’s also another teaser trailer out that once again hints at the scale of the games. In the show, 456 players compete in a life-or-death struggle for enough money to be set for life. And if the identity of player 456 is any indication, it may mean that last season’s winner, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), is somehow back in the games.

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That might be a lateral move of Gi-hun, if he entered willingly. But since he’s expressed his desire to expose the people behind the games, this could also be a way for the Front Man to silence Gi-hun. Winning once was hard enough. Doing it twice may be impossible for anyone who isn’t named Katniss Everdeen.

Netflix released a teaser titled, “You’re Invited,” which features the return of the Recruiter (Gong Yoo.). In season 1, the Recruiter goaded Gi-hun into entering the game, but failed to disclose any details about its deadly nature. The brief teaser shows the Recruiter getting ready to find new players for season 2.

Squid Game: Season 2 | You’re Invited | Netflix

Netflix previously released the first trailer for the upcoming season.

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Squid Game: Season 2 | Date Announcement | Netflix

Also, there is a very quick preview scene featuring Seong Gi-hun in a very tense conversation with someone whom he has vowed to find in the aftermath of Squid Game season 1.

What will season 2 of Squid Game be about?

Along with the teaser, Netflix released a brief synopsis of season 2. “Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the States and comes back with a new resolution in his mind. Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 456 billion won.”

Hwang Dong-hyuk, the show’s creator, has said that he has an outline for the second season. “I do have a basic storyline for season two; it’s all in my head, and I am currently in the brainstorming stage. It will happen, someday, but as for when I cannot tell you the details,” he told AP News.

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In January 2022, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said that the show would be returning for a second season, but most of the details about that second season are still up in the air.

When we last left Gi-hun, the first season winner, he had discovered the identity of the game’s creator and finally started using the funds he had won. In the show’s final scene, Gi-hun is planning to get on a flight to Los Angeles to be reunited with his daughter but sees a man being recruited to play the Squid Game on his way to his plane. He ultimately tries to discover who is behind the game by calling the number on the recruiter’s card, only to be told to get on his plane. Gi-hun then refuses and returns to the airport.

“Season 2 explores how Gi-hun follows through on his words after leaving the airport,” Hwang told Tudum. “Gi-hun’s endeavor to find out who these people are and why they do what they do is the core story of Season 2.”

When will season 2 be released?

Lee Jung-jae in Squid Game season 2.
Netflix

Squid Game fans still have a few more months to wait before the new season arrives, but we now know that the wait is almost over. Netflix is giving the show’s viewers a special post-Christmas gift with the announcement that Squid Game season 2 is coming on December 26. And unlike some of Netflix’s other signature series, Squid Game‘s second season is not being split into multiple parts.

Has Netflix released any pictures from Squid Game season 2?

FIRST LOOK IMAGES. SQUID GAME SEASON 2. Coming 2024. pic.twitter.com/8p6yTnwC3O

— Squid Game (@squidgame) February 1, 2024

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Yes. Along with the confirmation that Squid Game season 2 will arrive in 2024, Netflix shared the following images on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. We need more context to decipher what’s happening in each picture. But it looks like the games are increasing in scope.

How long will Squid Game season 2 be?

Unknown. The first season was nine episodes long, with each episode approximately one hour each, so we have to think season 2 will mimic that format and length.

Who has been cast in Squid Game season 2?

A man in a green track suit poses and stares.
Netflix

Lee Jung-jae reprises his Emmy-winning role of Seong Gi-hun in season 2. Other cast members returning for the second season are Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man, the masked leader of the game; Wi Ha-joon as Hwang Jun-ho, the detective who sneaks into the game to find his brother; and the Recruiter, the mysterious man who persuaded Gi-hun to sign up for the game.

New cast members joining Squid Game season 2 include Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young,  Park Sung-hoon, Jo Yu-ri, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-uk, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, and Won Ji-an.

“[Season 2] will definitely be more enjoyable than season 1,” said Wi Ha-joon to The Korea Times. “For starters, more unique and interesting characters have been added. And all the cast members are such excellent actors carrying out their part so well. Also, my character Hwang Jun-ho, has his own story in here, so I think season 2 will be even more interesting, allowing his character to develop a little deeper.”

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What needs to be addressed in the second season?

Two men sit at a table in Squid Game season 2.
Netflix

In addition to Gi-hun’s potential attempt to infiltrate the games to shut them down, there are a few other unresolved plotlines from the show’s first season that fans would like to see addressed.

One that has caused the most intrigue is the identities of the masked VIPs who watch the games play out and bet on various contestants. Learning who they are may unravel the entire scheme behind the games, and it could also be an extra satisfying reveal.

It’s also possible that we’ll see more from Hwang Ju-ho, the mysterious Front Man who also turned out to be the missing brother of the detective on the island investigating the games. Jun-ho shot his brother at the end of the first season to protect the games, but how will he feel about that decision? If he has any regrets, that could be fertile ground for the second season to explore.

Will there be a Squid Game season 3?

Attention all players: we’re here to deliver an important message. pic.twitter.com/xspvk8HheP

— Squid Game (@squidgame) July 31, 2024

Yes. As part of the season 2 premiere date announcement, Netflix has confirmed that Squid Game season 3 is happening. And unlike the previous season, there won’t be a three-year gap. The third season of Squid Game is slated to arrive in 2025. The only bad news is that the series will come to a conclusion at that point. Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed the end of the series in a message that was posted on Squid Game‘s social media accounts.

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“Seong Gi-hun, who vowed revenge at the end of season 1, returns and joins the game again. Will he succeed in getting his revenge? Front Man doesn’t seem to be an easy opponent this time, either. The fierce clash between their two worlds will continue into the series finale in season three, which will be brought to you next year. I am thrilled to see the seed that was planted in creating a new Squid Game grow and bear fruit through the end of the story.”

Season 2 will feature the boyfriend of season 1’s killer doll

A giant doll stands in the middle of two men with red jump suits.
Netflix

The most iconic scene of season 1 is arguably the Red Light, Green Light game, where a giant killer doll named Young-hee kills more than half the field. In June 2022, director Hwang teased that he would introduce audiences to Young-hee’s boyfriend, Cheol-su, in season 2. Will Cheol-su be as deadly as Young-hee? It’s definitely possible, given the iconic status of the first season’s memorable statue.

Will there be an American remake of Squid Game?

Seong Gi-hun from Squid Game looking at the honeycomb candy in a scene from "Squid Game."
Noh Juhan / Netflix / Netflix

Since Squid Game is now one of Netflix’s most successful properties, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the streaming giant green-lights production for an American remake, even while the original show is still running.

The InSneider’s Jeff Sneider alleges that has been in the case back in April 2023. In fact, he claims Netflix eyeing Mindhunter David Fincher, of all people, to direct and produce this remake. This rumor led to Netflix President Ted Sarandos publicly shooting it down as “just a rumor.”



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Xiaomi 15 Pro Obliterates Gaming Benchmarks, Stays Cool Under Pressure

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Xiaomi 15 Pro Obliterates Gaming Benchmarks, Stays Cool Under Pressure

The Xiaomi 15 series will be the next big launch in the company’s flagship phone lineup. This week, the brand confirmed the launch date of the devices in China. Ahead of the event, the Xiaomi 15 Pro showed its power with impressive results in gaming tests, while the company confirmed details about its cameras, battery, and more.

The Xiaomi 15 Pro shows power and efficiency in demanding gaming tests

To start with, the Xiaomi 15 Pro tested has 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1 TB UFS 4.0. In one of the tests, the Antutu team put the Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered device through the stress of running Genshin Impact at maximum graphics settings for half an hour. The device managed an average frame rate of 59.62 FPS with a power consumption of about 4W. However, what’s more impressive is that the phone reached a maximum temperature of just 39°C.

This makes the Snapdragon 8 Elite one of the most efficient chips when running heavy workloads, such as demanding gaming. The Dimensity 9400, another powerful chip, reached a similar average frame rate in the same test, but with higher power consumption.

Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship phone also ran Honor of Kings under the same conditions. The device reached an average of 119.8 FPS with a maximum temperature of 37.9 °C and a power consumption of just 3.65W. Plus, the test included running Honkai: Star Rail, again under the same conditions. In this case, the device showed an average frame rate of 59.34 FPS, while the maximum temperature rose to 44.4 °C. Antutu claims that the results are “significantly stronger” than those of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip.

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Tipster Digital Chat Station also shared results for a couple of additional tests on Weibo. In the Steel Nomad Light graphics benchmark, the Xiaomi 15 achieved a score of 2.5K. Meanwhile, the single-core and multi-core tests of GeekBench v6.6 returned scores of 3K and 9.4K, respectively. In previously leaked benchmarks, the Snapdragon 8 Elite was able to exceed 10K in GeekBench’s multi-core tests.

More confirmed camera, battery and display specs

In addition to the gaming test results, the company confirmed specs for the Xiaomi 15 Pro’s battery, cameras, and more. The company will follow the recent trend of other Chinese brands to include massive batteries in their flagship phones. The Xiaomi 15 Pro will hit the market with an impressive 6,100 mAh cell. The Asian giant also confirmed reduced symmetrical bezels with just 1.38 mm around the screen.

Regarding the screen, it will boast 2K resolution, a maximum brightness of 3,200 nits, and support for hardware-level DC dimming. Likewise, it will be 10% more energy efficient compared to the previous generation. The company says it used custom M9 materials for the OLED panel. Finally, the Xiaomi 15 Pro will have a periscopic sensor for 5x optical zoom in its rear camera system.

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Jeff VanderMeer returns to Area X

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Jeff VanderMeer returns to Area X

One thing I did not foresee happening this year was us getting a new entry in Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach series. But the author announced exactly that back in April, and I’ve pretty much been counting down the days until the book’s release ever since. Absolution, the fourth novel in what previously stood as a trilogy, hit the shelves this week and it takes us back to the beginning of Area X and the ill-fated first expeditions to explore it.

For the uninitiated, the series deals with a strange coastal region in the US that’s inexplicably been shut off behind an invisible border and has returned to a wild state. A shady government agency has been tasked with studying it, but the people who set out on those exploration missions either never come back out, or come back different. The series includes Annihilation (which inspired the 2018 movie starring Natalie Portman), Authority and Acceptance.

Ten years after the series was originally released, a prequel feels like the perfect way to dive back into the mysteries of Area X and the Southern Reach. The trilogy concluded in a way that answered some questions but also left so much else up in the air. And while you probably shouldn’t expect Absolution to neatly wrap it all up, it does give us more insight on the early days of the anomaly and the perspective of key characters in that timeline, like Lowry. Absolution is hefty — it’s structured so there are three novella-like parts, and is nearly 500 pages long in all. Which is great, because I can’t get enough of Area X.

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Twitch sees uptick in views thanks to September subathons | StreamElements

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Twitch sees uptick in views thanks to September subathons | StreamElements

Viewer numbers and hours watched are both on the rise for Twitch, according to the latest report from StreamElements. This might be due to the rise of September subathons, which many streamers hold to capitalize on the platforms discount on subscription prices. Several members of FaZe Clan held such subathons, with many of them hitting StreamElements’ list of Top 10 Streamers for the month.

According to data from StreamElements’ analytics partner Rainmaker.gg, gamers watched 1.653 billion, slightly below August’s 1.660 billion. However, the daily hours watched was higher than it was in August — 55 million and 54 million, respectively. World of Warcraft and Dota 2 saw large boosts in hours watched, and EA Sports FC 25 debuted in the Top 10 games category

Four out of the top ten streamers for September were members of FaZe Clan, many of whom hosted subathons during the month and each reportedly streamed over 695 hours. StableRonaldo took the crown with 9.7 million hours watched.

Or Perry, CEO of StreamElements, said in a statement, “Twitch experienced two significant highlights in September that fueled each other: a rise in daily hours watched and a reshuffling of its top streamer rankings. Members of FaZe Clan held simultaneous subathons, each lasting over 695 hours, propelling four creators into the top 10 for the first time, with Stableronaldo claiming the crown… FaZeClan members benefited by joining each other on stream, which could bolster the use of features like Stream Together that streamline the collaborative process.”


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2 days until Disrupt 2024 begins and ticket prices increase

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TechCrunch Disrupt

We are a mere 2 days away from one of the most anticipated tech events of the year! 

San Francisco is about to be electrified by the global tech community. Join the crowd at Moscone West from October 28-30 (and all week) as Silicon Valley’s finest come together for TechCrunch Disrupt 2024.

Only two days left to save! Register now to get $400 off your ticket or grab two Expo+ tickets for half the price of one with our Expo+ 2-for-1 Pass. Prices go up when the doors to Disrupt open on October 28.

Lock in your discounted pass now.

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Join the ultimate tech gathering

Connect with 10,000+ innovators and VC leaders

Join 10,000 tech visionaries, startup founders, and VC leaders for unparalleled opportunities to connect, collaborate, and forge lasting partnerships.

Discover 350+ showcasing startups

Enter the Expo Hall to experience the future of tech as over 350 startups showcase their groundbreaking innovations from across the globe. You can also look forward to these startups presenting their ideas in dynamic, quick-fire pitches to TechCrunch editors and attendees on the Pitch Showcase Stage in the Expo Hall.

Gain insights from 250+ industry giants

Uncover exclusive insights from leading industry experts across six specialized stages, focusing on key sectors of the tech landscape: AI, startups, venture capital, fintech, SaaS, and space.

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Participate in 50-minute interactive Q&A Breakout Sessions and 30-minute Roundtable discussions, where industry leaders tackle pressing challenges in the fast-changing tech landscape. Explore our expanding agenda for more details on these sessions.

Witness the intense startup battle

Experience the excitement as the top 20 hand-picked startups compete in the Startup Battlefield 200 pitch competition at the Disrupt Stage, vying for a $100,000 equity-free prize and the coveted Disrupt Cup. Top-tier VCs will judge the competition, providing invaluable feedback on what it takes to build a successful startup. Discover valuable lessons from the top contenders in this thrilling showdown.

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Enhanced networking opportunities

Beyond casual networking throughout the venue, elevate your connections with the Braindate app, which lets you create or explore topics for more meaningful discussions. Meet in person at the Networking Lounge powered by Braindate on level 2 for 1:1 or small-group conversations.

60+ pre and after-hours Side Events

Keep the energy of Disrupt 2024 alive by joining company-hosted Side Events happening all week across San Francisco. From workshops and cocktail parties to morning runs and Meetups, there’s an activity for everyone to enjoy!

Register before rates rise

Grab the chance to save up to $400 on your ticket! You can also enjoy our Expo+ 2-for-1 deal, allowing you to bring a +1 for just half the cost of one Expo+ Pass. These limited-time offers end on October 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and ticket prices will go up when the event kicks off on October 28.

Secure your discounted ticket now.

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Classic survival horror is still alive and scaring

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Classic survival horror is still alive and scaring

More than most genres, survival horror feels rooted in time. It started with the methodical Resident Evil on the original PlayStation and is defined in part by limitation — a slow pace, grimy visuals, and scant resources to help amplify the scares. Many of those elements stemmed from the early, awkward days of 3D gaming, whether it was Resident Evil’s clunky controls, which made zombie chases more terrifying, or Silent Hill’s fog, which lent an iconic atmosphere while also letting the developers get around technical limitations of the time.

And a few decades later, developers are still finding ways to bring the most important elements of those games — namely, the mood and scares — to modern horror without feeling dated.

The most obvious way to do this is keeping the style and tone of classic survival horror while updating the gameplay to make it more approachable. The most recent example of this is Fear the Spotlight, the first release from horror movie studio Blumhouse’s new gaming label. Much like Crow Country and Signalis, it’s a game that looks like it was ripped right out of 1998; the visuals are blocky, the textures low-res. It gives the experience a grimy feel, which is just the right note for horror.

Fear the Spotlight.
Image: Blumhouse Games

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Fear the Spotlight — developed by the two-person team at Cozy Game Pals — starts out simple enough, with two friends breaking into their high school to perform a seance in the library. But, of course, things go bad, and they get pulled into a nightmare realm that connects both to their own pasts and a dark mystery the school has been hiding for decades. It’s part coming-of-age story, part romance, and part true crime. But it’s all rendered in the crunchy style of PlayStation-era horror, which lends it an uneasy edge.

The game also lets you really focus on the story by streamlining the gameplay. There’s a lot of puzzle-solving; much like in early Resident Evil games, you’ll be fixing all kinds of complex mechanical problems and dealing with arcane statues and locks. But there’s almost no actual combat. Instead, you have little choice but to run and hide when the terrifying monsters appear. Some of the scariest moments of the game have you huddled under a desk, waiting for the creatures — which have deadly spotlights for faces — to pass.

In some ways, removing combat makes the game even scarier since you have no way to fight back. These moments in Fear the Spotlight reminded me a bit of stowing away in a locker in Alien: Isolation, hoping the xenomorph couldn’t see me. The hazy, dirty visuals only amplify this feeling, as it’s often difficult to get a clear view of what’s ahead of you.

Silent Hill 2.
Image: Konami

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On the other side of the spectrum is the recent remake of Silent Hill 2. Instead of creating a brand-new survival horror experience with modern sensibilities, it’s an attempt to take one of the genre’s most influential titles — a particularly idiosyncratic one at that — and reimagine it as a big-budget release in 2024. That has pros and cons. Like the remakes of classic Resident Evil games and the original Dead Space, Silent Hill 2 looks and plays like a modern release. The visuals are crisp and detailed, instead of hazy and disorienting. And it controls like a well-tuned third-person action game. It’s immensely satisfying to swing a bat, whether you’re smashing in windows or fending off a living mannequin.

There’s a shift in tone. The modern Silent Hill 2 is still scary. The level of realism makes the squirming enemies and cramped hotel hallways feel incredibly unsettling, and there’s a level of immersion that can be panic-inducing. But now it plays and feels like a lot of other games and is, for lack of a better word, a lot cleaner than the original. It’s no longer as weird and distinct. It reminds me a bit of the 2018 remake of Shadow of the Colossus: a cover song that doesn’t replace the original but provides a different way of looking at it, one that’s welcoming for newcomers. (If only Konami made the original Silent Hill 2 more accessible.)

The point is, these games show there is still plenty of room to do interesting things with survival horror. And they do it in a way that both connected to the genre’s history without being stifled by it. More importantly: they find new ways to scare.

Fear the Spotlight and Silent Hill 2 are both available now.

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