JENNINGS

In exciting news for retro gaming fans, Flappy Bird is set to make a comeback in 2024, a full decade after it was famously pulled from app stores by its creator, Dong Nguyen. The wildly popular mobile game frst launched in 2013 and became a viral hit thanks to its simple, yet addictive gameplay. At the peak of its success, Flappy Bird was reportedly earning over $50,000 a day through in-app advertisements. However, just months after its rise to fame, the game was removed from both the Apple App Store and Google Play in February 2014. Nguyen cited concerns that the game had become too addictive for users, leading to its abrupt removal.

The Return of Flappy Bird Now, after much anticipation, Flappy Bird is offcially returning, thanks to the efforts of dedicated fans and developers. In a recent announcement from the Flappy Bird Foundation, it was revealed that the game will be re-released on web platforms this fall, with iOS and Android versions expected to follow in 2025. While the original, frustratingly diffcult gameplay will remain intact, fans can also look forward to several new features. The revived version of the game will introduce new game modes, including a more accessible “easy mode” for casual players, a basketballthemed mode, and a competitive battle royale mode. Additionally, players will have the opportunity to try out new characters, each with unique abilities, such as Trixie, Peng, and Tekno. is expected to be rolled out worldwide over the coming weeks.

What Made Flappy Bird So Popular?

Flappy Bird’s charm lies in its minimalist design and deceptively challenging gameplay.

Players control a bird that must fap its way through gaps between green pipes, and each tap of the screen propels the bird upwards. The game’s straightforward concept and unforgiving diffculty level captivated millions of players worldwide, sparking a global obsession.

Its sudden removal from app stores only fuelled its mystique, with some fans even reselling phones preloaded with the game for exorbitant prices. Now, with its upcoming return, both long-time fans and a new generation of gamers will get the chance to experience the game that took the world by storm.

Flappy Bird is expected to launch on web platforms later this year, with the mobile release slated for 2025. Fans of the original can look forward to revisiting this classic while enjoying new content and challenges.

PlayStation 5 (PS5) is rolling out a signifcant update with exciting new features aimed at enhancing user experience, customization, and gameplay immersion.

As of September 2024, users in select regions are already starting to experience these updates, with global availability expected soon. The new features focus on providing more personalized experiences, improved social functionality, and energy-saving enhancements.

Welcome Hub

One of the most notable features in this update is the Welcome Hub, a redesigned home screen that allows players to personalize their interface like never before. Users can now add widgets displaying real-time information, such as storage space, battery levels, and friends’ online statuses. These widgets can be added, removed, and rearranged to suit individual preferences.

Another exciting aspect of the Welcome Hub is the ability to customize the background. Gamers can choose from a variety of designs, or even use screenshots from their gameplay to make the interface truly their own. While currently available in the U.S., the Welcome Hub

Personalised 3D

Audio Profles

Sony has also introduced personalized 3D audio profles for headphones, further enhancing the immersive gaming experience. This new feature customizes the 3D audio settings based on an individual’s unique hearing capabilities. By tailoring the audio profle to each user, this update allows gamers to perceive in-game sounds—like footsteps or distant conversations—more accurately and clearly.

The new 3D audio profle is particularly benefcial for players who want a more nuanced, detailed sound environment in games, enhancing the spatial awareness that can be crucial in competitive scenarios. Gamers can create their custom audio profle in the console’s settings, ensuring a sound experience that suits their personal needs.

Adaptive Charging

Another new feature, exclusive to the PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro models, is adaptive charging for the DualSense controller. Adaptive charging intelligently regulates power to ensure that the controller charges only as much as needed. When the console enters rest mode, the system adjusts the power supply based on the controller’s battery level, cutting off power once it’s fully charged. This not only saves energy but also extends the controller’s battery lifespan.

This feature is available through the USB-C port on supported consoles, adding a layer of smart power management to the PS5’s already robust feature set.

Party Share

For players who enjoy gaming with friends, the update introduces Party Share, a new way to share voice chat and party links across platforms. Users can now send invite links to group voice chats through social media apps like WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter), making it easier than ever for friends to join a gaming session. This cross-platform functionality streamlines the process of getting groups together for multiplayer gaming, regardless of whether or not all players are on the PlayStation Network.

Remote Play

Permissions

The update also includes improvements to Remote Play permissions, giving users more control over who can access their console remotely. Players can now set permissions for individual users, offering more precise control over access to the console via Remote Play.

Conclusion

With these new features, the PS5 continues to evolve, offering gamers more customization, smarter energy use, and an even more immersive gaming experience. Whether you’re enjoying personalized audio or the convenience of Party Share, the latest updates are sure to enhance how players interact with the console. As the updates continue to roll out globally, PS5 users everywhere can look forward to a more personalized and streamlined gaming experience.

The all-new 2025 Smart #5 electric SUV is set to revolutionize the way people experience the outdoors, combining cutting-edge electric technology with features designed for adventure.

Created through a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Geely (Volvo’s parent company), the “hashtag fve” is poised to change weekend getaways with a unique blend of offroad capability, luxury, than 700 kilometres on a single charge. But this vehicle isn’t just about getting from point A to point B — it’s equipped to power outdoor adventures. The Smart #5 can run a variety of appliances, including a fridge, movie projector, and a high-fdelity stereo, making it an ideal companion for camping trips and outdoor escapes.

Design and Off-Road Capability Sized similarly to a Subaru Forester, the Smart #5 is designed for mild