Latest news with #Sony
Tom's Guide
3 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I review OLED TVs for a living — and this 3-year-old Sony is still one of my favorites I'd buy
There has been no shortage of excellent TVs that've launched in 2025. Specifically when it comes to new OLEDs, the Samsung S95F and LG C5 are among the best TVs ever tested here at Tom's Guide. But newer doesn't always necessarily mean better. In fact, when it comes to recommending premium TV picks to friends, family and readers, it's a 3-year-old set that's often at the top of my list. I'm referring to the Sony A95L, a flagship QD-OLED TV originally released back in 2023 that you can still buy brand-new today. Yes, Sony technically replaced the A95L with the 2025 Bravia 8 II OLED TV. But the successor only comes in 55- and 65-inch configurations. To accommodate those looking for bigger screens, Sony decided to keep the 77-inch A95L in its QD-OLED lineup. And there are a few reasons I think that was a pretty smart move, especially considering I recently introduced it into my own living room. When it originally launched, the A95L set a new standard for premium OLED TVs. It combined Samsung's QD-OLED panel technology with Sony's best-in-class Cognitive Processor XR. The result was a TV with unmatched color volume, excellent peak brightness for HDR content, near-perfect motion handling, and Sony's signature cinematic image tuning. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I don't think anyone in the TV community was shocked when it won the Value Electronics annual TV Shootout event, being crowned the 'king of 4K TVs' by a panel of reviewers and display experts. At the time, it felt like this OLED was in league of its own. The Sony Bravia A95L is a QD-OLED TV that excels with every kind of content, every time. In our Sony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED TV review we said the Editor's Choice TV offers superlative picture and top-notch sound. That clear distinction is why I think, a few years later, it remains a great choice. Our lab tests confirmed near-100% coverage of the P3 color gamut and outstanding Rec.2020 performance when it comes to HDR. Simply put, the A95L didn't leave much room for improvement. Sony A95L Sony Bravia 8 II HDR Brightness (10%, in nits) 1215 1584 UHDA-P3 Gamut Coverage 99.95 100 Rec. 2020 Gamut Coverage 89.41 90.55 Input Lag (ms) 16.1 16.3 The new Bravia II did rise to the occasion with a healthy degree of upgrades, but it's not nearly enough to render the A95L irrelevant as we've seen some other TV manufacturers do with the progression of their OLED lineups year over year. As the close test results above show, the A95L doesn't make customers sacrifice quality much for prioritizing a larger screen size. And if those customers happen to be gamers like me, the A95L offers 4K at 120 Hz, VRR and Auto Low Latency Mode over two HDMI 2.1 ports, plus PlayStation-specific features that optimize HDR and picture modes on the fly. Input lag measures a smooth 16 ms, and for me, the gaming experience has only increased my appreciation for the A95L as my console's monitor. It's rare to recommend a three-year-old TV, but the A95L is that kind of product. It's a no-compromises display with longevity built in, especially if you're serious about upgrading your home theater space and have an appetite for a big-screen gaming TV. Sony's TV division has always prioritized picture fidelity over flashy upgrades, and the A95L is a testament to that approach. Even in 2025, it remains one of the most visually stunning displays you can buy. It may not be new, but it's still among the best — as long as 77 inches fits your wall and your budget.
Metro
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
We have to accept the Nintendo Switch 2 is not for hardcore gamers
A reader examines the pros and cons of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch and argues the 2025 line-up is perfect for casual gamers, even if other fans are disappointed. I think a lot of people are starting to realise that the Nintendo Switch 2 launch has been a bit of a let-down. Only one good game and no clue as to what is happening with most of the big franchises. Literally no clue, because how do you follow up the Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate? The formula has already been perfected, so either you reinvent it again or… you do what Nintendo is doing with this year's line-up. I know some fans are holding out for a secret big Christmas game, but I would bet anything there's not going to be one. The games scheduled for this year may look minor and uninteresting to long-time Nintendo fans but I think the truth is they've been very carefully and cleverly chosen. Hardcore fans might be upset at the Switch 2 at the moment, but Nintendo isn't, not with it being the fastest selling console ever, and ordinary people aren't going to be either. Whatever problems you and I might have with Mario Kart World (I'm assuming anyone reading this is at least a relatively hardcore gamer) ordinary people don't see a problem at all. I think that Nintendo might have learned a little to well from Sony and the PlayStation 5. What is the big take away for this generation, from Sony's point of view? That the less you do and say the more you get rewarded. Sony has no competition from Xbox now, so the PlayStation 5 is really the only console to buy. They don't have to do anything to earn people's support, except make less of a mess of things than Xbox, which is not difficult. Nintendo hasn't had any direct competition since the Switch started. If it wasn't for the Wii U you could say they've been untouchable since the Wii in 2006. Nintendo has a captive audience, that likes their stuff and most people are, for good reasons, very happy with how the Switch 1 turned out. So, I really don't see any eventuality where the Switch 2 isn't a massive success or, I should say, doesn't continue to be a massive success. The Switch 2 could probably go its whole generation just being the Mario Kart machine, which the Switch 1 pretty much did. Obviously, there will be other games, they've got Donkey Kong in just a few weeks, but Mario Kart and whatever Mario game they release to tie into the new movie next year is going to keep Nintendo execs in unicorn pâté for a long time to come. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. What I'm saying, is that we need to calm down a bit with wild expectations and then getting upset because those, completely made-up, expectations don't come true. Nintendo's in no hurry with any of this. They don't want to cannibalise sales of the games they've got out this year, which include a Donkey Kong game (that seems close to being a 3D Mario), a Zelda game, a Pokémon game, a Kirby game, and a new Metroid Prime. The Zelda and Pokémon ones are spin-offs, that might not be that great, and I'm not sure anyone cares about Kirby, but on top of that you've got new content for Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby And The Forgotten Land this year. That really is all the big hitters, in some form or another, and while hardcore gamers can pick problems with all of them (even Metroid Prime 4, in the sense that it's still basically a Switch 1 game) that is not going to matter to casual gamers. Your average parent looking to see whether the Switch 2 is worth getting their kids for Christmas is going to see it has all these major franchises represented right from the start and they're going to think it's a worthwhile investment. They're not going to complain about the screen not being OLED or whether Game-Key Cards are a good idea, they're going to care that it has all the games their kids like and, despite what they've heard, none of them are £80. More Trending It may not seem that way to the likes of you and me, but I'm afraid to say the Nintendo Switch 2 launch was almost perfect, even if I'm not all that happy with it myself. By reader Gunther The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: The 90s and 2000s were the best time for video game creativity – Reader's Feature MORE: I'm going to say it: Mario Kart World is not as good as it should be – Reader's Feature MORE: As a former Xbox 360 owner I don't understand Xbox today - Reader's Feature
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Cobra Kai villain Martin Kove looks disheveled on shirtless stroll as he dodges biting scandal questions
Martin Kove, who played the iconic villain of the Karate Kid films and sequel Cobra Kai series, was spotted on Friday for the first time since his costar accused him of assault. He was seen looking disheveled while out on a walk in photos obtained by and he didn't respond to questions about the incident, in which his Cobra Kai costar Alicia Hannah-Kim accused him of biting her at a fan convention last week. The 78-year-old actor and martial artist — who admitted to biting Hannah-Kim in police bodycam footage of the aftermath obtained by — created a bizarre image as he puffed on a cigar while taking a stroll in Franklin, Tennessee, which is near Nashville. Kove was shirtless for his walk, though he wore a pair of weathered gray athletic shorts and black trainers. He appeared to be having an animated chat on his phone while walking. The strange sighting comes as Kove has been engulfed in a sexual harassment scandal after his conduct on the set of Cobra Kai was investigated by Sony last year. Kove has adamantly denied the accusation, telling Deadline on Thursday: 'It wasn't true then, and it isn't true now.' The accusations resurfaced in the wake of the shocking biting incident last week. Kove, who played John Kreese in the Netflix drama, ignited outrage when he sank his teeth into Hannah-Kim, 37, while attending the Washington State Summer Con in Puyallup, Washington, last weekend. The actress reported to a police officer that Kove bit her so hard he almost drew blood, causing her to scream in pain, and he offered up a strange justification for the assault in police bodycam footage. Hannah-Kim shouted at the Karate Kid villain: 'You cannot bite people, that is not OK! 'You have left a mark on my body, which in your 80-year-old brain, you think is play,' she continued. 'Sir, were you raised in a ditch? You yelled at me! You had the audacity! How dare you, sir.' After Hannah-Kim and her husband, actor Sebastian Roche, confronted Kove following the incident, he reportedly became 'furious and outraged and visibly angry.' The 78-year-old actor and martial artist created a bizarre image as he puffed on a cigar while taking a stroll in Franklin, Tennessee, near Nashville. Kove was shirtless for his walk but wore weathered gray athletic shorts and black trainers while chatting on his phone The strange sighting comes as Kove has been engulfed in a sexual harassment scandal after his conduct on the set of Cobra Kai was investigated by Sony last year Kove has adamantly denied the accusation, telling Deadline on Thursday: 'It wasn't true then, and it isn't true now.' The accusations resurfaced in the wake of the shocking biting incident last week Sources told Deadline that she complained that he had been 'leering' and 'verbally overt' toward her on the Atlanta set of the adapted film franchise. In response to the investigation, producers reportedly dressed down Kove and urged him to remain in his trailer and apologize Kove was filmed apologizing for getting 'angry' and blamed his actions on being overtly playful with Hannah-Kim because he portrayed a male sensei on screen. He told police: 'I tried to say that, and I, you know, to try and find her the moment I arrived in the green room just to say, "I'm sorry, darling, I apologize and I didn't mean to hurt you," you know, because we play all the time, we pop, we hit, we do stuff all the time because she's a female sensei. 'I'm a male sensei. We have a lot of scenes together and we have a lot of fun. 'I really apologize. I was just playing because we're very playful together, and I bit down too hard.' The officer responded: 'So it's emotions. We all have them and sometimes they get the better of us.' Hannah-Kim showed off faint teeth marks on her upper left bicep and told police: 'I would like it to go on his record, on the record between me and him, so that he cannot ever do this to me again.' When officers informed Kove he had committed a crime by biting his costar, Kove responded that he 'didn't interpret the bite as a crime.' Kim then exploded at Kove, saying: 'Its not interpreted as a crime! He can take you away in handcuffs . You committed a crime, that's why we're here! 'See that, those are your teeth you think that's OK? It's not okay. Kove said: 'I understand that I'm ashamed of my behavior. I'm ashamed that I did that and I would, I would like you to accept my apology and you know me long enough to know that my essence is not a vindictive violent essence at all. 'If anything, we have just lots of fun together,' he added. Kim said: 'I came to you in friendship and I extended I had a friendship like, "Hey mate, don't do that." And what you gave me was rage. 'That's what I know. That's why I have rage now because you gave it to me. 'Do you understand that? Can you deny that when we approached you that it was completely calm and I was like, hey, you just can't bite me. 'I didn't lose my s**t 'til you got rageful at me, which only gives me rage back.' Kove said: 'I — I didn't intend your rage and I'm sorry you picked up on it. It wasn't, I know what I did.' Kove was informed that Kim is not pressing charges but is warned to never repeat his actions. Kove was banished from the convention, and recently broke his silence on the incident in a statement to Deadline. 'I deeply regret and apologize for my actions regarding the incident with Alicia [Hannah-Kim], a genuinely kind and wonderful person who didn't deserve to be put in this position,' Kove said in a statement from Jaffe & Company PR & Crisis Management. 'I've always respected her and considered her a highly professional and talented co-worker on Cobra Kai,' he added, before addressing the incident. 'I was being playful in the moment but went too far and there is absolutely no excuse for my behavior,' Kove continued. 'I regret my actions for which I take full responsibility for what I did, and again I apologize to her and her husband. I'm committed to learning from this and it will never happen again,' he concluded. The report from the incident revealed that Kove did apologize to Hannah-Kim and her husband Roche, though he has since done so publicly. Photos were also taken of Hannah-Kim's arm, which showed a, 'very noticeable bite mark on her arm that was already turning blue and bruising.' Kove was told to leave the convention, and the officer instructed him never to do something like that again. Hannah-Kim played Kim Da-Eun, a powerful South Korean sensei who is also the granddaughter of Kim Sun-Yung, the master who taught taught Kove's character John Kreese in his youth. Kove played the Cobra Kai sensei Kreese in the 1984 classic The Karate Kid, as well as in its 1986 and 1989 sequels, The Karate Kid Part II and The Karate Kid Part III. He reprised the role for Cobra Kai, which is set 34 years after the events of the original Karate Kid film. The series originally aired on YouTube Red for its first two seasons before moving to Netflix. The show enjoyed a popular run over six seasons and followed Kreese's old student Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). The series concluded in February of this year. Kove will next be seen in Killing Mary Sue with Sean Patrick Flannery, Dermot Mulroney and Jason Mewes, while Hannah-Kim is filming the South Korean TV series The North Star. In the wake of the biting incident, a past allegation of sexual harassment against Kove — which he has denied — resurfaced. A female extra on Cobra Kai reportedly said Kove made her feel uncomfortable on set with his behavior, and sources told Deadline that she complained that he had been complained Kove had been 'leering' and 'verbally overt' toward her on the Atlanta set of the adapted film franchise. The woman then complained to producers, and Sony subsequently launched an investigation into the alleged incident. has contacted Kove's representatives for comment but hasn't received a response. In response to the investigation, producers reportedly dressed down Kove and urged him to remain in his trailer between takes. They also alleged said he should apologize to the offended extra, though it's unclear if he took them up on that advice. In the wake of Kove's biting incident, a bizarre story from 2013 that the former SNL star Bill Hader told on Marc Maron's WTF podcast about his brief time working with Kove resurfaced.
Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Beginner's pluck: Full-time writer and mother Daria Lavelle
From a creative family, literature has always played a large part in Daria's life. 'I was an imaginative child,' she says. 'I invented stories and games, and at 15, I started writing seriously.' She won some teenage writing awards for short stories, and had a play performed when she was at college. 'From the start my writing had a speculative element, of fantasy and magic.' Daria worked in advertising as a brand strategist for 10 years, but she didn't stop writing. I continuously wrote novels. An agent sent out two YA novels, but they died. She started writing Aftertaste in 2019. 'It was my thesis project,' she says. 'During the MFA they matched students with agents. Lucy Carson showed great passion about the novel.' It has sold to 15 territories, and the movie rights sold to Sony. Who is Daria Lavelle? Date/ place of birth: 1987/ Kyiv, Ukraine. 'I was 2 when we emigrated.' Education: Public school in New Jersey; Princeton University, creative writing and comparative literature; Sarah Lawrence College, New York, MFA in fine arts in writing with a speculative fiction focus. Home: New Jersey. Family: Husband James, twins aged 7, and an 18-month-old. A golden Doodle, Stanley. The day job: Full-time writer and mother. In another life: 'Writing is something in my soul. But I'd love to experience film or TV.' Favourite writers: Karen Russell; Erin Morgenstern; Kelly Link; Amy Bender; Anthony Bourdain; VE Schwab; Jennifer Egan. Second book: 'I'm working on it.' Top tip: 'You have to build a whole world, with tools to help the reader immerse themselves in the novel.' Website: Instagram: @ The debut Aftertaste Bloomsbury, €17.99 While dishwashing in a restaurant, Kostya mixes a cocktail and discovers his ability to summon spirits through the food he cooks. Rising through the culinary ranks, he starts to connect the living with the dead through his cooking. But it's a dangerous game, that threatens the stability of the afterlife — not to mention Kostya's love life — with the psychic, Maura. Full of ghosts, and delectable food, this novel explores life, death, love, and friendship, but mostly the effects of grief, and the difficulty of finding closure. The verdict: A gourmet delight. Highly original and hugely evocative, it definitely tugs at the heartstrings.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
5 Amazing games that are leaving the PS+ Catalogue very soon
Image via Sony The situation with the PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue is that it will always change, and new games will appear on it, and some games could be secretly taken away. As much as new additions are ever interesting, it is difficult to lose some great games. This month, there are a number of notable games due to be removed from the PS+ club, and in case you have not yet played these games, do it before it is too late. Whether it be emotional journeys through life or crazed weapons-blazing missions in open worlds, these five games are a special experience, and as they say, time is fleeting, so this list will not last long. Must-play PS+ Games leaving the catalogue soon PlayStation Plus: Catalog Games Leaving Explained Here are five incredible games leaving PS+ soon that are worth your time. 1. Inscryption More than a card game, Inscryption is a wild blend of strategy, escape from puzzles, and psychological horror. It switches the plot all the time, dragging you even further into its distorted world. If you are in search of something new and really head-scratching, then you better not miss it, or it will be gone. 2. Ghostwire: Tokyo Set up in a beautifully haunted version of Tokyo, this action-adventure blends supernatural combat with atmospheric exploration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Spectacular Cirque Charity GCE Read More Undo You will cast spells, fight ghosts, and solve mysteries based on Japanese folktales. It looks cool and spooky, and none of the other content on the platform can be compared to it. 3. Tchia Tchia is an emotional open-world adventure with a touch of soul-jumping, island exploring, and music influenced by the culture and landscapes of New Caledonia. It looks colorful, peaceful, and adorable, a pure feel-good game that will stand out among them all. 4. Far Cry 5 When it comes to chaotic shootouts, Ubisoft's popular open world, and explosives, all shot in a better-than-usual way to deal with them, then Far Cry 5 is everything you could ask for. The game unfolds in a cult-run American countryside and is full of action and unforgettable characters. It is one of the old-fashioned games in the series, but it still manages to be good nowadays. 5. Marvel's Avengers Although its multiplayer features are no longer supported, Marvel Avengers combines a good single-player campaign and dramatic moments of being a hero. With Iron Man flying around and Thor going thunderous, there is a good deal of action here to satisfy the Marvel audience; just make sure to get it before it disappears. The five games are as varied in both genre and gameplay experience as they are in name, and their loss in the PS+ Game Catalogue is significant in that it signifies the end of a good era. Make sure to download and play them as long as you can, because once they disappear, these incredible games may never pop up ever again. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
