Playstation 5 Release
News of another new Playstation began to spread like wildfire after insider information leaked inside the gaming community this week. The PS5 Pro could be a game changer in the rivalry between industry giants Sony and Microsoft.
As if 2020 hasn't been a big enough year for the video game industry, news that Japan based electronics company Sony has plans in the works to make a hulk size version of their Playstation console, called the PS5 Pro, certainly made a big splash in the tight-knit gaming community.
If the leaded reports are true the PS5 Pro will come with not one GPU, but TWO GPU's, a development that would be a monumental upgrade to its current system (which already contains the latest and best technology). For those of you not familiar with what that means, let's cover it quickly so you can understand how big of a change it would be!
What Is a GPU?
In the computer industry a GPU is what is known as a "Graphics Processing Unit, which is a processor that has been specifically produced to help computers accelerate the process of rendering graphics on screen. Its ability to simultaneously process large amounts of data has made it a crucial tool in devices meant for design as well as video editing and in the case of Sony, video game applications.
Currently, the PS5, Sony's latest and greatest gaming console comes with one GPU. Rival company Microsoft just released their own brand new console the XBOX Series X with one GPU, in an attempt to stay relevant in its long standing rivalry with Sony. Despite the PS5 being one of the hottest items to find this holiday season, gaming experts have come to the conclusion that Microsoft has distinguished itself as the winner between the two with their Xbox Series X.
While a lot of gaming connoisseurs have expressed glee and awe at the proposed specifications of this supposed PS5 Pro, there were many others that complained of being left having a bad taste in their mouth. Why? Well, for one, the PS5 has broken its record for biggest console launch in Sony's history and it is next to impossible for people to get their hands on one.
Despite a pre-order process that began in September, coupled with large scale launch day events at Gamestops all over the country as well as online, and then several weeks of console releases at every major retailer in America, people still can't find one for themselves.
Why Is PS5 So Popular?
This is a much more complex question that it seems for a lot of reasons. The most obvious being that the difference in technology between the PS4 and PS5 is enormous and a lot of people have been using the PS4 for almost seven years now.
Some of the upgrades that have gamers going crazy over the new console are its 120Hz refresh rate (while this is advertised by Sony, users have found few available games to be able to take advantage of this feature) and ability to display 4k resolution. Specifically concerning the standard edition ($499), which comes with a 4k BluRay player, players will find that the graphics and display are advanced leagues ahead of its predecessor, the PS4.
What Are the Specs Of the PS5?
The PS5 contains an 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU and an AMD Radeon RDNA 2 GPU, all in all, this is technology that will allow the console to produce up to 10 Teraflops of power in the graphics department. While it may seem like a bit of word salad, the translation is that the PS5 is almost a completely different device in the way it is built, operates, and performance it provides to gamers lucky enough to be able to own one this holiday season.
In addition to it being a graphics powerhouse, the PS5 also comes with a sizable amount of storage, clocking in at over 800gbs of available space after the completion of the installation process. Despite this being a pretty serious upgrade, there are some people critical of Sony's decision not to make it bigger or allow immediate expansion with a third party card.
The reason that some people feel it does not have the storage it should is because AAA games being released today can be require up to 350gb of space at installation. Interestingly, Microsoft decided to go with a full 1TB SSD, and while it may only provide approximately 150gm more space, it could mean a big difference when people make the decision on what console to take home.
The Future Of Gaming
Even though it barely gets any press, Sony simultaneously released a cheaper version of the PS5, called the PS5 Digital edition ($399), which comes with similar specs minus the BluRay disc drive. In order for gamers to take advantage of the digital edition they will need to purchase and download any desired games and content directly from the Sony store.
One of the reasons Sony made the digital edition is because it represents the future of Gaming the world. As companies test and begin to move towards cloud based gaming, the need for physical discs becomes less and less. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depends on who you ask) this could also spell the end of brick and mortar video game sales. Sorry Gamestop!
If I was forced to make a bet on it, I would say that the PS5 will be the last generation of consoles to come with a disc drive as non cloud based gaming is phased out of the norm.
When To Expect the PS5 Pro
Before you get all excited I should tell you that there is no indication that Sony has even seriously began working on the PS5, past ideas and thought. The reason the world even knows about the potential of a pro version is because Sony filed a patent for another console which led to this epiphany. At a minimum, it will be several years before we have to start worrying about to get our hands on the PS5 Pro.
How Can I Find A PS5?
If you are one of the millions of people in the world still looking to get a coveted PS5 console in time for the holiday, here is some advice I can give you now. Think long and hard about how important this system is to you and be realistic about how much time and effort you are willing to put into getting one. Between scalpers buying thousands of units for enormous markups, people sleeping in parking lots over Thanksgiving, and seemingly impossible online releases of the PS5, it is a daunting task and one that will definitely be the subject of future console releases. both here in America and world wide.
Check out FindKarma for the rest of our next-gen gaming content as well as in depth tutorials on how to find yourself a PS5 or Xbox Series X today!
Artificial Intelligence
Looking for a job? In addition to encountering those annoying never-ending job interviews you may find yourself face-to-face with an artificial intelligence bot.
Companies worldwide increasingly use artificial intelligence tools and analytics in employment decision-making – from parsing through resumes and screening candidates to automated assessments and digital interviews. But recent studies claim that AI does more harm than good.
While AI screening tools were developed to save companies time and money, they’ve been criticized for placing women and people of color at a disadvantage. The problem is that many companies lack appreciable diversity in their data set, making it impossible for an algorithm to know how people from underrepresented groups have performed in the past. As a result, the algorithm will be biased toward the data available and compare future candidates to that archetype.
The City’s Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT) law is designed to offset the potential misuse of AI and protect job candidates against discrimination. It was enforced on July 5th, 2023 in New York City - with other cities and states expected to gradually follow suit. Employers must now inform applicants when and how they encounter AI. Furthermore, companies have to commission a third-party audit of the AI software used, and publish a summary of the results to prove that their systems aren’t racist or sexist. Job applicants are able to request information regarding what data is collected and analyzed by the AI. Violations of the law can result in fines of up to $1,500.
Replacing Human Hiring Decisions
However, should a job applicant want to opt-out of such impersonal judgement by a bot, the new law's scope is quite limited.
While the law specifies that instructions for requesting an alternative selection process must be included in the AI screening disclosure, companies aren't actually required to use other screening methods. Not to mention that the law only applies to AI in hiring and not any other employment decisions. It also wouldn't apply if the AI, for example, flags candidates with relevant experience, but a human then reviews all applications, making the ultimate hiring decision.
Some civil rights advocates and public interest groups argue that the law isn’t extensive enough and that it’s even unenforceable. On the other hand, businesses say that it’s impractical, costly, and burdensome, and that independent audits aren’t feasible.
Responsible use of AI in hiring
Although this law may be a good first attempt to assign more regulatory guardrails around AI, it remains to be seen if it ensures the responsible use of AI in hiring processes. At the end of the day, perhaps recruiting talent should remain a human-made decision.
The good news is that AI can help companies without harming potential job candidates in many ways – such as connecting new employees with internal organizational information and company benefits during onboarding. Or helping employees to do their jobs more effectively rather than replacing them.
The world of travel is not the same as it was two years ago. From the surge in "revenge travel" to the TikTok-inspired itineraries that make the most random destinations suddenly the most popular, there's so much about traveling that's out of your control.
What you can control — to some extent — is how much you pay for it.
According to CNBC, “Between dining out and taking trips, Americans are now spending an average of $765 more a month compared with last year when much of the country was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the MassMutual Consumer Spending & Saving Index … Young adults, in particular, are determined to make up for lost time. Millennials and Gen Z, who reported feeling the financial impact from the rise in reopenings and social gatherings, said they are shelling out $1,016 more a month, on average, than they did during the summer of 2020. MassMutual polled 1,000 U.S. adults from July 21 to 28.”
While some are okay with making up for lost time by gleefully spending all their money, not everyone has the desire to blow up their budgets on trips. Yet, the allure of travel still calls. Thus, the appeal of travel hacking.
Travel hacking has been around as long as credit card rewards have. But during the pandemic, travel hacking gurus found unprecedented fame on TikTok and Instagram. With time to learn about the points and miles community, suddenly people were planning for future travel using tips and tricks gleaned from experts sharing their knowledge on social media.
Though it might sound complex, anyone with a fair credit score can enter the travel hacking game. Here’s how:
What Is Travel Hacking?
Travel hacking is using reward points and miles from airlines, hotels, and credit cards towards free or heavily discounted travel. This ranges from opening a number of credit cards for the reward bonuses, optimizing your normal spending in order to max out your points per shopping category, and leveraging loyalty and status for awesome perks.
To a lot of people, the term “travel hacking” can sound shady. The “hacking” scares people off. Is it illegal? Is it a scam? Can you get punished for opening too many cards? Will you ruin your credit score? The answer to all of these concerns is no.
There’s no hidden trick to travel hacking. It’s not a game of risk or cheating, it’s a game of research and planning.
Travel Hacking 101
Most commonly, travel hacking hinges on the points you can get from certain travel credit cards. Credit cards aren’t merely a way to manage cash flow. Many offer rewards programs that give you points for each purpose. These points can then be repurposed to pay for part or all of a trip.
Different networks have different systems, but most can be transferred to a range of partners. Top credit cards are with Chase, Amex, Citi, and Capital One. Simply accumulate points on your credit card, then you have the option to transfer those points to airlines, hotels, and more — for free.
When learning travel hacking, The best tip is to go backward. Don’t just open popular cards with high bonuses. Identify where you want to go, then find out what actions to take. Which airlines travel there? Which cards’ points can be transferred to that airline? Where do you want to stay? Which hotels can you book with points? Once you’ve planned out your dream vacation, see how many points you need. Then strategize for the best way to nab them.
Choose which cards are right for you, then start stockpiling those points towards free travel.
One way to quickly amass points is to take advantage of sign-up bonuses. Many credit cards use sign-up bonuses to entice users. And if you play smart, just one or two sign-up bonuses can account for one entire flight cost. However, there’s one catch: you must meet a minimum spend requirement to qualify for the bonus.
The best way to approach this is to funnel all of your regular expenses through those credit cards to chip away at the minimum spending. Pro tip: open your card right before you need to make a lot of purchases. The holidays are a good time to open a card so the cost of festivities ends up working for you.
And remember: it’s key to always pay off your monthly credit card balance before the due date! The benefits of those points are useless if you go into debt to accrue them.
And here’s a hack for you newbie travel hackers out there — be sure to manage your money and keep track of how much you’re spending for that bonus with the MeetCleo app.
MeetCleo is the personal finance tool that’s actually fun to use. Taking control of your money while “earning” free travel using your credit cards? Finances have never been more fun.
It's Southwest Companion Pass Season. Here's Why It's The Best Flight Deal on the Market
Southwest Companion Pass
There’s all this talk about solo travel. And for good reason — no wasting precious time waiting for others to get their act together, take the plans out of the group chat and actually buy the tickets. Going solo, you can be spontaneous. You can plan your trips according to your precise tastes. You can hop on any flight and fly awayyyyyy.
But what if each time you flew you’d get a free ticket? That’s what you get with the Southwest Companion Pass.
Award status, upgrades, lounge access — there are many perks in the frequent flier game. But one of the coveted holy grails is the Southwest Companion Pass.
What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Companion Pass is part of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program. You get to choose one person to be your “companion,” and they fly with you for free (plus some taxes and fees) on every flight. That’s right. Two for the price of one. That’s half off each ticket if you split it! Whether you’re flying with a partner, family member, friend, or anyone else, they can tag along for free.
And it gets better: once you earn the pass, you can reap the rewards for that full calendar year … AND the next. That’s why people go mad trying to earn a companion pass during the early months of the year. The sooner you qualify, the longer you can use it.
There are also no blackout dates. There are no limits. And if you didn’t purchase the ticket (think: work travel, your companion, or a generous benefactor), there are no restrictions! As long as you’re the one on the plane, your companion can also … be on the plane.
You can also switch out your designated companion 3x a year. So, no need to stay in a relationship simply to get the most out of your companion pass! Ghost and fly away — with a whole new companion!
If this sounds too good to be true — it’s not. But there is one small catch. It’s kinda tough to earn this mega reward.
How to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass?
You can qualify for the pass in one of two ways:
- Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights
- Earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.
Clearly, this is no small feat — especially if you’re trying to qualify ASAP.
So how do you actually earn the Southwest Companion Pass?
Don’t worry, there’s a path to earning this amazing reward without climbing on 100 flights or spending an exorbitant amount of money.
Earning 135K reward points may seem completely impossible, but it’s easier than it sounds. Simply sign up for a Southwest Credit Card and turn those spending habits into a rapid rewards account. Through the Rewards Priority Credit Card, earn points when using local transit and commuting, plus score major points and miles whenever you spend.
Stay with me here. This is not some scheme to get you into credit card debt. Many airline cards come with potential savings, giantic rewards, awarding you points, and cashback with every purchase you make that can be redeemed for travel. And often they can come with passive sign-up bonuses. If you spend a specific amount of money within a certain timeframe of opening the card, you can be in for a windfall of points.
Now that’s where the companion pass comes in:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
- Southwest Priority Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- Southwest Performance Business Credit Card
Southwest has three personal cards and a business card. Each of these cards offers rewards between 30K-80K points. In the past, people could open two cards and get a bonus that granted enough points to almost meet the minimum. However, with new restrictions on personal cards, you can only get one bonus every 24 months. Boo!
However, this doesn’t apply to business cards. If you’re eligible, have good credit, and not likely to spiral into insane credit card debt, you can open a business card and a personal card, and accrue 100K+ points. The Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card will get you points after you spend money in no time.
Now to earn the rest of them.
The secret to gaining these credit card points is to plan your card sign-ups around big purchases. Just before a recent move, I opened a card . . . and the rewards came rolling in — a small balm to ease the pain of how exorbitant moving can be.
Put everyday spend — especially big purchases or bulk items — on your Southwest credit card and watch your award points quickly add up. Typically, you earn 1 point per $1 spent on your Southwest card and 2 points per $1 on actual Southwest purchases.
But there are other ways to earn points, including:
- Flying Southwest: Booking travel on Southwest earns more points. The cost of this travel will be worth it with your companion pass
- Shopping from Rapid Rewards Partners: Purchases with Southwest’s “Home & Lifestyle” and “Shop and Dine” Partners also earn Companion Pass qualifying points. While you shouldn’t make gratuitous purchases, browse Southwest’s partners to see if you could earn extra points for items you'd be purchasing anyway. All this, simply from enrolling in their Dining Program and shopping with their partners.
So there you have it! And since it’s almost Spring, get to earning and soon you’ll be flying two for the price of one!
