Sony is now offering a free seven-day trial option for PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium. We’re not entirely sure whether this option has only just appeared or whether it’s simply been overlooked up until now, but it’s right there on Sony’s official PlayStation Plus page (as spotted by XGP). And, as far as we can tell, it’s only available to European customers at the time of writing.
This free trial period applies to any Extra or Premium subscription option — that’s one month, three months, or 12 months. If you do grab the free trial, note that you’ll be paying the regular subscription amount once the trial expires — so be sure to cancel before then if that’s not a part of your plans.
It doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but a week’s worth of access to Extra or Premium could actually be quite generous if you spend it wisely. The Extra games catalogue in particular offers an impressive number of titles, all of which can be downloaded. You can check out our massive All PS Plus Games guide for much more information.
Think you’ll give this free trial a go? Hit that subscribe button in the comments section below.
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The shiny new PlayStation Plus is an aging buffet of leftovers
Photo: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images) Every Friday, A.V. Club staffers kick off our weekly open thread for the discussion of gaming plans and recent gaming glories, but of course, the real action is down in the comments, where we invite you to answer our eternal question: What Are You Playing This Weekend?We’re a couple of weeks into the bold new era of the revamped release of Sony’s PlayStation Plus service, the gaming company’s high-profile attempt to a) get people to shell out more money than they should for multiplayer access in their games, and b) try to compete with Microsoft’s GamePass, the premiere way to get brand new Peppa Pig games in 2022.
But we kid GamePass, which over the past few weeks has gone from looking like simply the best of the Big 3 console subscription services to being a minor miracle. Or to put it another way: That PlayStation Plus Premium lineup is pretty rough, huh? Woof!Critics have been poking holes in Sony’s new Plus since the moment it was announced, with a plan to lure consumers to its “Premium” and “Extra” tiers by offering a free catalog of older games for the former plan, and much older games (curated from the company’s PS1, PS2, and PS3 vaults) for the latter. Leaving aside the whole issue with PS3 games only being available through cloud streaming (and the fairly anemic roster of classics on display), it’s very hard to figure out what Sony thought was going to get PlayStation users excited about this. G/O Media may get a commissionProvence Beauty Rose Multi-Use OilIt’s in the name
This blend of vitamins and essential oils from Provence Beauty can be used as a moisturizer for hands, nails, and hair, and like 50 other things, too. The key appeal of Microsoft’s GamePass, after all, is that many of the games you get through it are new, with the company leveraging its powerful relationships with various studios in order to offer first-run free games to subscribers. It’s always been hard to overstate the psychological advantage that confers on the Xbox program—especially now that Sony has resolutely refused to follow suit, instead offering an expanded flow of the trickle of the older titles it’s always used to bribe Plus subscribers into ponying up some cash.Because here’s the rub, as the Bard used to say (while talking about digital distribution models for large-scale video game companies): There are only two kinds of titles available in a collection that’s been curated from a catalog of older games in the way that PlayStation Plus Premium has been—crap you already own, and crap you didn’t want to buy in the first place. That’s not to say there aren’t great games on Plus Premium—there are phenomenal games, which you already know, because you bought them seven years ago when they first came out, or four years ago when they went on sale, etc., etc. The value proposition of the whole service, then, becomes how many games it has that weren’t worth your buck at full price (or even at a discount), but which are worth tossing a couple bucks a month at for a subscription. It is, almost by definition, a buffet of leftovers; possibly tasty, but undeniably warmed over. GamePass gets around this by never asking you to evaluate lower-tier games in the first place; they come out, they’re available, and you never really have to ask yourself “Is this worth it?” The difference is part psychological, part practical, but it leaves PlayStation Plus Premium a great way to catch up on, say, old Dynasty Warriors games, and a pretty lousy way to fill out a collection of high-quality titles. The decision to toss $10 at it in order to get Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age or Chocobo’s Mysterious Dungeon or any of a handful of other games you’d never buy, but might play, becomes less an act of excitement, and more of a resigned “Fuck it.” Not exactly the vote of confidence Sony was probably hoping to receive. .
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Headphones Review: Premium Sound and Build
It’s one thing to pick a fight with the biggest kid in the playground. It’s quite another to attempt to do it on your own terms. But with its new Px7 S2 wireless over-ear headphones, Bowers & Wilkins has basically squared up to Sony and enquired as to whether or not the Japanese behemoth would like some. Bold? Reckless? A bit of both? A couple of years ago, Bowers & Wilkins launched its original Px7 wireless noise-canceling on-ear headphones and priced them to meet the incumbent class leader, Sony’s WH-1000XM4, head on. And by playing on its heritage as well as to its strengths, Bowers & Wilkins delivered a pair of headphones able to compete where the fundamentals of sound quality were concerned. Yes, they were a bit chintzy, a bit try-hard in appearance, but they had it where it counted, and they were a valid audio-focused alternative to the all-singing, all-dancing, all-conquering Sony option.Last month, Sony launched its WH-1000XM5. The price is up a bit, the weight is down a bit, the list of features and functionality remains as long as your arm. And so here comes Bowers & Wilkins with a new model. The price is up a bit, the weight is down a bit, the emphasis on sound quality and rather self-conscious “sophistication” remains exactly the same.Photograph: Bowers & WilkinsWhat that means for the outside of the Px7 S2, then, is a look that’s both premium and understated, delivered by deploying high-quality and tactile materials. At least, that’s true of our black review sample. The $399 (£379) Px7 S2 is also available in gray or blue, but we’d be surprised if those finishes undermine the impression of quality. A combination of soft, pliant, memory-foam-filled leather at the contact points, flawlessly applied fabric on the outer parts of the headband and ear cups, high-quality and silent plastics for the arms and hinges, and a sky-high overall standard of build helps the Px7 S2 look and feel good. Even the case in which they travel feels a cut above the norm. Comfortable, Fast-Charging CansBowers & Wilkins has finessed the headband hanger arrangement and reassessed the clamping force in an effort to make these headphones more comfortable than the model they replace. And assisted by shaving a percentage point off the weight (307 g against the 310 g of the old Px7), it’s actually worked. The Px7 S2 are no burden to wear, and they stay comfortable even through long listening sessions. It helps that the ear pads resist returning your own body heat to the sides of your head for an impressively long time.Photograph: Bowers & WilkinsThere have been revisions on the inside too. But what hasn’t altered is Bowers & Wilkins’ determination for these headphones to be the choice for customers who value sound quality more highly than, say, adaptive active noise cancellation. The Px7 S2 use Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity and are compatible with SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs—so 24-bit high-resolution audio quality is available. The sound itself is delivered by a pair of 40-mm full-range, free-edge dynamic drivers. This is an all-new bio-cellulose design with lower total harmonic distortion figures than the driver it supersedes. .
Existing PS Plus & PS Now subscribers get free PS Plus Premium upgrade
Sony has clarified on exactly how subscription upgrades will work with the new PlayStation Plus 3-tier plans. VIEW GALLERY – 2 IMAGES Sony plans to merge PS Plus and PS Now on June 13. So what if you’re already subscribed to both services? Sony confirms that these users will get access to the higher-end PlayStation Plus Premium tier.Existing subscribers of both PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now will migrate to PS Plus Premium at no cost, unlocking access to 740 games across six console generations including PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5 and PlayStation Portable.
Sony had previously said that PS Now subscribers would be upgraded to PS Plus Premium: “PlayStation Now customers will migrate over to PlayStation Plus Premium with no increase to their current subscription fees at launch.”It’s unclear whether or not current PS Now subscribers will still get upgraded to PS Plus Premium.Remember, do not subscribe to the PlayStation Plus Extra tier. Our analysis shows it is not worth subscribing to.Here’s what Sony’s new FAQ says:I’m a PlayStation Plus member. What will happen to my subscription when the new PlayStation Plus launches?When the new service launches, your membership will roll into PlayStation Plus Essential and you will retain access to the same PlayStation Plus benefits you enjoy today. Your recurring membership fee and payment date will remain the same as well.If I am subscribed to both PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now, what happens to my subscriptions and payment date?If you are subscribed to both services when the new PlayStation Plus launches, you will be migrated into the PlayStation Plus Premium membership plan and you will have a new single payment date based on the longer of your two subscriptions. You will be notified via email of your new payment date and subscription fee. .
Amazon ‘Electronics Days’ and ‘Mega Music Fest’ sale is on. Up to 65% off on these items
Amazon has announced ‘Electronics Days’ and ‘Mega Music Fest’ bringing a host of exciting deals and offers on gadgets such as laptops, headphones, speakers, guitars and more from popular brands and latest launches. Customers can get great offers on top brands such as OnePlus, boAt, Sony, Microsoft, Mi, Zebronics, Noise, HP, Sennheiser, Airtel, Sandisk, Blaupunkt, Maono and more. ‘Electronics Days’ and ‘Mega Music Fest’ will be live until February 27 and February 28, 2022 respectively.
Customers can get 7.5% instant discount of up to ₹2,000 on minimum purchase of ₹8,000 on Amazon using HSBC and Standard Chartered credit card.
Here are some products with offers and deals:
Electronics Days
boAt Airdopes 441
Plug into Nirvana with boAt Airdopes 441 TWS earbuds to enjoy your music in a truly wireless way. It has the IWP (Insta Wake N’ Pair) Technology, meaning as soon as one opens the charging case lid, the earbuds power on and enter connection mode. One may hit the gym or play on any field as its secure sports fit earbuds remain intact and comfortably in place. Its latest Bluetooth v5.0 offers seamless instant connectivity. With a battery capacity of 35mAh for each earbud, indulge in blissful audio experience for up to 5 hours in a go and get an additional 25H of playback with the carry cum charge case. This TWS earbuds is available for ₹1,999.
boAt Rockerz 550
It comes with its latest Bluetooth V5.0. It has been designed and structured as an over-ear headphone to provide the best user experience. The mighty 500mAh battery capacity offers a superior playback time of up to 20 Hours. One can connect to boAt Rockerz 550 via not one but two modes, Bluetooth as well as AUX. Get it for ₹1,899.
boAt Stone Marvel Edition 5W Bluetooth Speaker
boAt Stone Marvel speaker is a must have if you’re a Marvel fan. Its powerful 800mAh battery offers a playback time of up to 4 hours. Its speaker possesses the TWS feature, meaning that you can connect two Stone speakers and forge them into one for a greater impact. It has been ergonomically designed keeping in mind the enhanced portability while on the move. Get this speaker for ₹1,299.
Noise Buds VS303
Buds VS303 offer a playtime of up to 6 hours on a single charge and an additional 18 hours making a total playtime of up to 24 hours with the charging case. Its Hyper Sync technology makes you connection easy which ensures instant pairing on just opening the charging case. Get these buds for ₹1,499 and enjoy rich, powerful sound every time via its 13mm speaker driver.
Sony ZV-1 Digital Vlog Camera
Take your YouTube product reviews to a new level of professionalism with the Sony ZV-1 Digital Vlog Camera. Sony’s enhanced color science ensures lively, natural images and is especially strong across the diverse range of skin tones. Even while walking with the camera, you can get smooth, highly stable imagery thanks to the Steady-Shot joint optical and electronic stabilization system. It’s specifically designed for handheld shots and vlogging with a shooting grip, so you’ll enjoy the confidence of blur- and shake-free shots. Get it for ₹69,490.
Mega Music Fest
Blaupunkt SBA40
Blaupunkt is an iconic German brand that has developed cutting edge audio technology since 1924. Today this legendary Audio Tech German brand is available in India with a wide range of Audio Products. Blaupunkt SBA40’s dual passive radiators produce crystal clear surround sound which bring you an immersive sound experience. Blaupunkt SBA40 Bluetooth improves TV sound. The Soundbar is a must-have device to accompany today’s modern TVs, brings best leisure experience. Get it for ₹3,999.
boAt Rockerz 330
boAt Rockerz 330 pumps out your favorite tunes with powerful immersive sound via its 10mm dynamic drivers. The neckband offers a huge playback time of up to 30 hours in a go. 10 minutes of charge offers a playtime of up to 10 hours and a full charge can be achieved in just 40 minutes courtesy of its ASAP Fast Charge technology. The ergonomically designed neckband dons magnetic earbuds, has a premium alloy metal control board with high-grade silicone finish and is IPX5 marked for resistance against water, to offer substance with style. Get it for ₹1,399.
LG FP5
Tune into premium audio and tune out the rest with LG FP5’s Active Noise Cancellation. Plus, a contoured design fits to the shape of your ear for comfortable listening. A built-in equalizer delivers impressive bass and treble tones that sound like a live recording with pristine clarity. Get this for ₹9,990 and experience Clear calls with noise reduction & echo cancellation.
Maono AU-AM200
Maono AU-AM200 comes with 0-Latency’ Monitoring that makes you experience your performance clearly, with no delay or lag in the returning signal, resulting in a better performance and recording. It provides 48Hkz/16Bit sampling rate to capture vocal accurately. It is especially suitable for guitar playing. The 1-Click noise-cancellation can remove most of the environmental noise. It means that you can bring a clearer and more realistic sound to your performance. Get it for ₹5,999.
Yamaha FS100C Acoustic Guitar
Quality and tone at an affordable price is the hallmark of the F series guitars. These guitars share every bit of the passion that ignites the premium range and are the perfect instrument for student or seasoned player alike. Get it for ₹9,290.
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