The Morning After: Next-gen consoles are real big

In case you needed reminding.

Sony / Microsoft

Tiktok stays for another week — read more about that below — but can we talk about how huge the PlayStation 5 looks? We’re talking bigger than the Xbox Series X, PS3 and the first Xbox. Sony has spelled out the dimensions itself: 15.4 inches in length, 10.2-inch depth and 4.1-inch thickness. That looks something like this:

PS5
PS5

There’s not much more to say, except it’s probably time to see if your entertainment console  / TV stand can handle the footprint of next-gen gaming. That is, if you were able to pre-order one.

— Mat

Trump approves TikTok deal with Oracle and Walmart 'in concept'

TikTok will also create an education fund, much to its surprise.

TikTok
TikTok (Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

TikTok appears to have avoided a US ban at the last minute... probably. President Trump has agreed to a deal “in concept” that theoretically allays US security issues while letting it operate in the country. True to earlier discussions, Oracle and Walmart would claim a 20 percent investment stake in a newly formed TikTok Global company, which will run the social video service’s business in the US and “most of the users” worldwide.

To that end, the ban on downloading the TikTok app has been delayed for a week. Continue reading.

Sony apologizes for botched PlayStation 5 pre-orders

More consoles will be available soon.

Sony has apologized for botched PS5 pre-orders, noting that the process “could have been a lot smoother.” It promised that more consoles would be available to pre-order in the “next few days,” and that retailers would tell customers about when those extra units would be available. Sony effectively surprise-launched pre-orders for the console. They were supposed to be available on September 17th, but many retailers started pre-orders soon after the PS5 showcase event ended — many gamers were caught unprepared and missed out on a system.
Continue reading.

Massive 'Marvel's Avengers' patch fixes over 1,000 bugs

Square Enix says the next patches will focus on quality-of-life improvements.

Marvel's Avengers
Marvel's Avengers

Square Enix has rolled out a huge update for Marvel’s Avengers, fixing issues affecting the game on consoles and PC. In fact, it’s meant to address over 1,000 bugs that players came across in the past two weeks. The lengthy changelog includes fixes for serious issues that prevent progression.

Since the fixes may well come with their own issues, Square Enix is encouraging players to report bugs on a dedicated thread on Reddit. Also, not a good sign: The company has advised players to stop refreshing their Weekly Challenges if they see a missing one as it may result in a crash. Continue reading.

Sponsored by Yahoo Mobile

Back-to-school shoppers, get up to $200 when you buy a new phone and switch

Yahoo Mobile
Yahoo Mobile

Microsoft releases a final preview for Windows 10's October update

It’s coming soon.

Microsoft Windows 10 update
Microsoft Windows 10 update

The Windows 10 20H2 update will arrive next month with a few new features, like a visually refreshed Start menu, improved notifications, pre-installed Chromium Edge browser .

If you want to try it out first, even if you’re in the Insider program in the Release Preview channel, you’ll need to go into the Windows Update panel and choose to install Build 19042.508 (KB4571756). If you’re in the beta channel, then it should reach you automatically. Continue reading.

But wait, there’s more...

Homeland Security warns of a 'critical' security flaw in Windows servers

Logitech’s new MX Anywhere 3 mouse has buttons to control Zoom calls

Twitter has 'more analysis to do' after algorithm shows possible racial bias

Bird releases more affordable, foldable Air electric scooter for $599

After Math: Quibi wins some Emmys and Ridley Scott's 'Wolves' is renewed

Six people face charges for allegedly bribing Amazon staff to help sellers