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Samsung’s 980 NVMe SSD boasts high performance with a tradeoff

Samsung has finally introduced a 980 SSD that isn't part of the high-priced Pro line, and it's mostly good news for performance-minded PC users — with a caveat. The company's new base level 980 NVMe drive is billed as a significant upgrade over the long-serving 970 Evo with similar sequential read speeds (up to 3,500MB/s), but faster writes (up to 3,000MB/s versus 2,500MB/s), and more sustained performance through a larger buffer. It even promises 36 percent lower power consumption, 54 percent greater power efficiency and improved cooling that should prevent overheating. It may be a better fit for laptops as a result.

However, Samsung is also ditching built-in DRAM on the plain 980, joining the ranks of lower-cost SSDs. It's promising speeds "identical" to faster DRAM-equipped drives in part by using Host Memory Buffer technology to directly access system RAM, but it's clear this is a tradeoff to keep prices down and compete with lower-end SSDs.

Those prices are low, thankfully. Samsung is selling the 980 starting at $50 for a 250GB model, $70 for 500GB and $130 for 1TB (there's no 2TB edition, at least not yet). That compares favorably to Samsung's current prices for the 970 Evo line, where a 500GB model normally costs $80 and a 1TB drive will cost you $160. It's certainly lower than the 970 Evo's launch-era prices, when even the 250GB drive started at $120. The 980 may be worthwhile for the price, then, even if it's not the uniform upgrade you might have hoped for.

Germany may restrict games with loot boxes to adults

Another European country could soon place legal restrictions on video game loot boxes. As Der Spiegel and Eurogamer report, Germany's Bundestag has passed a reformed Youth Protection Act that would limit loot boxes to games with an 18-plus age rating. The "gambling-like mechanisms" pose too many risks for kids, according to the law.

The revised law still has to receive approval from the Bundesrat (Federal Council), but could take effect as early as the spring if it moves forward.

Developers like EA have long denied connections to gambling, likening loot boxes to Kinder eggs and other treats with surprises inside. Critics have rejected these defenses, though, accusing studios of designing loot box mechanics to exploit users with promises of rare cosmetic items or pay-to-win advantages.

This wouldn't be an outright ban, as in Belgium, but it could still have a dramatic impact on games sold in Germany. Game stores may have to implement more stringent age checks, and developers might need to either limit access to loot boxes in the country or remove the mechanics entirely. It could be particularly damaging to publishers like EA, which has made these systems a staple in games like FIFA 21's Ultimate Team mode — it would have to raise the game's age rating from 3-plus to 18-plus and cut off some of its audience.

Other countries might follow suit. Elements of the UK government have called for regulations that would treat loot boxes like gambling. If so, developers might face even tougher decisions about loot boxes. No matter how committed a creator might be to these semi-random packs, they might decide to back away if enough governments make the boxes impractical.

Fitbit’s latest activity tracker for kids has up to eight days of battery life

Fitbit has revealed the latest version of its fitness tracker for kids. Fitbit Ace 3 includes many of the features from the previous model, including sleep tracking and a swim-proof design (albeit a more rounded look). It also offers more animated clock faces, along with a battery life of up to eight days. That's an improvement over the five days you can get out of an Ace 2 before having to recharge it.

Parents can review their kids' sleep habits and activity through a Fitbit family account, while parental controls help protect youngsters' privacy. At $79.95, Ace 3 costs $10 more than the last model and it's available in black and sport red or blue and astro green. It's for kids age six and older and they can customize the device with accessories. Minions-themed accessory bands will be available this summer for $29.95.

It's been almost two years since Fitbit released the Ace 2, so it was perhaps about time for an update. Ace 3 could help parents to motivate their kids to stay active and get away from screens a bit more often while the COVID-19 pandemic persists. Fitbit says this is the first of its spring products, so it seems it'll have more items to show off very soon. This is also the first product from the company since it became part of Google earlier this year.

Weekly Short Story: Regarding My Work

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