Month: August 2022

Categories
Business

Groupon lays off over 500 staff after reporting net loss of $129m

Groupon lays off over 500 staff after reporting net loss of $129m

Online coupon business Groupon has culled more than 500 employees in a bid to reduce costs due to poor business performance.

It’s understood staff were cut from the business’s merchant development, sales, recruiting, engineering, product and marketing teams, with the cuts representing roughly 15 per cent of the company’s global 3416 work force.

The move comes as Groupon reported a US$90.3 million (A$129.3 million) net loss in its second quarter results on Monday. The company reported a steep “decline in engagement” and a 42 per cent year-on-year drop in revenue at $153.2 million.

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In Groupon’s earnings release statement, chief executive Kedar Deshpande said the company would be prioritizing “taking decisive actions to improve our trajectory” after the lower-than-anticipated result.

“We are significantly reducing costs, and based on the progress we’re making on our initiatives to drive customer purchase frequency, we are now ready to begin

reinvesting in marketing to drive growth,” he said.

In a letter to staff sent on Monday, Mr Deshpande stressed the business would be “leaning on” outsourcing staff and focusing “only on mission-critical activities”, TechCrunch reports.

The letter indicated Groupon would also be re-evaluating its real estate assets, in what could be a shift to more remote or a blended working environment.

Mr Deshpande said he believed the company could begin to generate positive cash flow by the end of 2022, while increasing “purchase frequency and customer retention”.

In order to turn around the business, the quarterly report flagged “reducing our cost structure” and improving their customer experience as their two key strategies. Part of this included reducing their tech costs by $US60 million ($A85.99 million), which equates to 30 per cent of Groupon’s annual spend.

In Australia, Groupon has been operating since 2011, with its website claiming the company has built a customer base of 3.3 million across 26,000 merchants.

The site allows customers to buy discounted experiences and products, with the business earning affiliate revenue for the sales. A wide range of offers are available on products from discounted pink slips and car safety checks, to massages and helicopter rides.

It’s unclear how the staff cuts will impact the company’s Australian workforce, however news.com.au has reached out for comment. As it stands, the company is still advertising for four sales and buying roles within their Sydney offices.

While the latest round of lay-offs are significant, they’re a fraction of what the company experienced as a result of the Covid pandemic. In April 2020, the company stood down about 2,800 employees, which amounted to 44 per cent of its work force.

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Categories
Technology

Why Fortnite is banning many accounts as of August 2022

Fortnite has been banned in Indonesia (Image via Epic Games)

The month of August has seen the banning of many Fortnite accounts. Though the situation seems to be wildering on the surface, it is a serious and complex matter, as the banning of so many accounts pertains to legal issues.

The current issue stems from the fact that several websites have failed to register for new licensing rules in Indonesia. Meta, Amazon, PayPal, Yahoo, Google, Epic Games, and many other companies were also affected by the ban.

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Why Fortnite accounts are getting banned left and right

With the implementation of the new rules, companies were asked to provide data on their users by July 29, which was a little over a week ago. If they failed to do so, then those companies would become unlawful in the country.

This ultimately means that the bans are not coming from Epic Games. Rather, it is a result of the new laws that the company did not follow. Thus, right now, players from Indonesia cannot play the game.

In case you didn’t know. Fortnite is banned in Indonesia for “breaking the law”

Indonesia has been identified as one of the biggest gaming markets in the world, and the country with the largest collective playerbase in Southeast Asia.

These bans are not permanent, though. Once Epic Games adheres to the new laws of the country, the game will be unbanned. It seems highly likely that all Indonesian players will eventually get their Fortnite accounts back.

Other reasons why players might get their Fortnite accounts banned

Epic Games bans accounts in Fortnite for a variety of reasons. Oftentimes, players get caught while cheating, which results in a swift ban. Streamers, for example, have often been caught on stream and have been banned right in front of their audience. Other times, players get banned for being offensive in-game or have been reported too many times.

According to Epic Games, one of the most common ways to get an account banned is by having an offensive name, as they stated:

“Your display name must not contain any of the following: Vulgarity, hate speech, offensive or derogatory language of any kind, direct references to any Epic Games employee, product, service or character.”

Fortnite’s developers tried to lay out a list of what might be constituted as offensive. They continued:

“Diversity in race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, national origin, and other groups.”

Bans are often handed out for various lengths and are usually temporary, but in the case of harsher crimes, the developers have not been shy of handing out permanent bans.

Account bans can vary in length (Image via McCreamy on YouTube)
Account bans can vary in length (Image via McCreamy on YouTube)

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Epic Games reportedly looks at each case thoroughly before determining whether the player deserves a temporary or permanent ban. This makes it hard to know exactly what might constitute a ban.

Thus, it is a good idea to avoid cheating, do anything even remotely offensive, or impersonate a celebrity. If one feels that there is a chance their behavior might get them banned, it is best to avoid it.

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Categories
Sports

Nemani Nadolo returns to NSW Waratahs

Nemani Nadolo returns to NSW Waratahs

Speaking in Argentina, where he is on tour with the Wallabies, Gordon said Nadolo’s unique threats would be a valuable addition.

“He is obviously a real threat with the ball and I have seen some of the stuff he has done for Leicester, he has been exceptional,” Gordon said.

Nemani Nadolo, who was formerly known as Ratu Nasiganiyavi, at Waratahs training in 2008.

Nemani Nadolo, who was formerly known as Ratu Nasiganiyavi, at Waratahs training in 2008.Credit:Ben Rushton

“He is really dangerous one on-ne and he will be a great inclusion to our back line. I am really excited to see him with the group.

“We have formed some great competition (in the back three). We have obviously lost Alex Newsome, who was the spine of our back line, but we pick up a guy with international experience and who can probably cover a few positions if he needs to be. And you are seeing guys like Dylan Pietsch and Mark Nawaqanitawase really stepping up… so it’s pleasing to see our depth in the back line is really starting to develop.”

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Nadolo had a further year left on his Tigers contract but negotiated a release to come back to Australia. He is set to play the first few months of the English Premiership season with Leicester before joining NSW for pre-season in December.

He retired from international rugby before the 2019 World Cup but Coleman said the Fiji-born, Queensland-raised winger was aiming to use Super Rugby as a launch pad for a bid at making a comeback and going to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Coleman has also brought Kurtley Beale and Tolu Latu back to the Waratahs.

Watch every match of The Rugby Championship on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport. Continue this weekend with South Africa v All Blacks (Sunday 12.30am AEST) and Argentina v Wallabies (Sunday 4.45am AEST). All matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.

Categories
US

3 charged with helping Mall of America shooter; 2 suspects still at large

3 charged with helping Mall of America shooter; 2 suspects still at large

Bloomington Police Chief Hodges says three people in custody for the shooting at the Mall of America each face a felony charge of ‘aiding an offender’ and there are nationwide warrants out for two people.

Denesh Raghubir, 21; Selena Raghubir, 23; and Delyanie Kwen-Shawn Arnold, 23, are all charged with aiding an offender.

There are nationwide warrants out for 21-year-old Shamar Alon Lark and 23-year-old Rashad Jamal May.

“You cannot shoot up a mall and think that you’re going to get away with it,” Chief Booker Hodges told reporters. “I knew there were a lot of people who were traumatized by this. We just want to make sure we do what we can to keep our community safe.”

Officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots on the west side of Mall of America at around 4:17 pm Thursday. Officers were then directed to the Nike store, where three cartridge casings were found just inside the main entrance.

From left: Denesh Raghubir, Selena Raghubir and Delyanie Arnold (Bloomington Police Department)

Surveillance video showed six people had been involved in a fight in front of the store’s checkout area, causing several customers to run away. Two people involved in the fight — identified as Lark and May — left the store briefly and then returned. Upon returning, Lark allegedly fired a handgun several times toward others involved in the fight.

Chief Hodges said, “Mr. May had prompted Mr. Lark to go back in and shoot up the store, and unfortunately, Mr. Lark chose to display a complete lack of respect for humanity and walked into the store and fired off three rounds into a crowded Nike store.”

Shamar Alon Lark (left) and Rashad Jamal May, suspects in the shots fired incident at Mall of America on Aug. 4, 2022, are still at large. (Bloomington Police Department)

Security footage showed the two then ran out of the mall’s north doors, through the north lot and into the Ikea parking lot. Officers then determined they were picked up by a Best Western hotel shuttle and taken to the hotel just south of the mall.

According to the complaint, phone records showed that May called Arnold two minutes after the shots were fired in the mall. May then got five calls from Arnold between 4:20 pm and 4:23 pm

Chief Hodges further explained that the suspects in custody helped Lark and May escape, saying, “These three people that helped Lark and May, we locked them up—and anyone that helps Lark and May, we’re going to lock up.”

Arnold’s girlfriend is Selena Raghubir, an assistant manager at the Best Western and the cousin of Denesh Raghubir, who was identified as the driver of the shuttle that picked up May and Lark.

The complaint states that hotel management confirmed Denesh Raghubir isn’t the regular shuttle driver and the regular driver was working at that time but he allegedly told officers he dropped Lark and May off at the hotel and knew them as friends of his cousin, Selena.

Denesh Raghubir also told officers that Selena Raghubir left the hotel immediately after he dropped Lark and May off and he didn’t see her for 45 minutes, the complaint states.

Officers searched Arnold’s and Selena Raghubir’s home and vehicle the next day and found the orange shirt apparently worn by May and the white tank top worn by Lark at the time of the shooting.

As of Monday afternoon, Denesh and Selena Raghubir and Arnold were all in custody. If convicted, they could face up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Lark and May remain at large. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has learned that both Lark and May are on probation for past gun-related crimes.

BWH Hotel Group provided the following statement to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS:

“We are deeply saddened by the violence that took place at the Mall of America last week and our thoughts are with the Minneapolis community. Noting this hotel is independently owned and operated, we support the hotel’s decision to immediately terminate the employees who were allegedly involved in this terrible event. The actions of these employees stand in stark contrast to our brand’s values ​​and the sense of community that is at the heart of our hotel family.”

Bloomington police provided an update on their investigation at 3 pm Monday.

Chief Hodges stated, “If someone chooses to pull out a gun or a weapon and has blatant disrespect for humanity, I don’t know what security defense we’re going to have for that. Our security posture will remain the same.”

Chief Hodges says “May is wanted. Right now we’ve going to issue a national warrant for aid to an offender, and we’re going to issue a nationwide warrant. He’ll be wanted for second degree assault.”

Mall of America released a statement which says in part, it’s increased its law enforcement and security presence. This includes k-9 units, patrol, and plain clothes officers.

The mall didn’t say how long those measures will remain in effect.

Categories
Business

Google hit by worldwide outage as users report search engine down | Google

Google experienced a major international internet outage on Tuesday, technology platforms reported.

The realtime online platform Downdetector reported users had registered problems with Google explorer, the world’s dominant search engine from 2.12am BST (9.12pm EST, 11.12AM AEST.

As of 11.38AM, there had been 4,113 confirmed reports of Google outages.

Users said sister platforms Gmail, Google maps and Google images were also experiencing problems. Both rely on Google’s search engine to operate.

Hi Amanda. The Google Workspace Status dashboard (https://t.co/hWKKeG70F3) doesn’t show any outages. Could you tell us more about what seems to be happening with your Gmail address? We’d be happy to help.

— Gmail (@gmail) August 9, 2022

Network intelligence company ThousandEyes Inc reported Google outages were affecting at least 1,338 servers globally across more than 40 countries including the United States, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Israel, parts of South America, Europe and Asia including China and Japan.

Users attempting to use the search engine were met with a 502 or 500 error.

“The server encountered a temporary error and could not complete your request,” one error page read.

“Please try again in 30 seconds.”

Users took to Twitter to express their confusion, reverting to alternate search engines including Bing and DuckDuckGo to surf the web.

Google doesn’t release exact traffic numbers however it is the most visited website on the net, receiving more than 80 billion visits per month.

Google is experiencing an outage so I am literally on bing dot com.

— Jesslyn 🇮🇩 (@jtannady) August 9, 2022

The company had not commented publicly on the outage or its cause.

Categories
Technology

Destiny 2 Leaker Suggests Your Power Level May Be Going Away

Destiny 2 Leaker Suggests Your Power Level May Be Going Away

Another day, another destiny 2 leak.

Fans of Bungie’s much-loved online shooter are no strangers to purported leaks about changes that may be coming to the game in the future. Many of these rumors amount to nothing, but every now and then you’ll hear one that strikes a chord.

This time, the destiny 2 rumor in question has to do with Power Level, the game’s metric for a player character’s overall in-game strength; specifically, that Bungie has plans to do away with it.

The rumor comes from DestinyTwoLeaks on Twitter, an account that has proven to be one of the more reliable sources of D2 leaks in the past. One of its most recent called shots was that Bungie would introduce three new Battlegrounds during the recent witch-queen expansion, a leak that struck the nail cleanly on the head.

Effectively, DTL suggests that Bungie is looking at removing destiny 2‘s long-running Power Level system in favor of one more reliant on Artifact Level. This won’t be a new rumor to most who follow the game on social media — several rumors about Power Level changes have been rattling around for over a year. What makes this one different is that it comes from a source with a fairly strong hit rate.

Currently, Artifact Levels are seasonal buffs that can help boost your character’s abilities beyond the current power cap. If you hover the cursor over your Power Level in the menu you can get an idea of ​​your true PL and how much your Artifact Level is helping you out. Your Power Level, as granted by the gear you have equipped, will be represented by a number in white. Your Artifact Level sits alongside this, represented by a number in blue. Because Artifact Levels have no cap, dedicated players can effectively grind them upward indefinitely. As things stand, Artifact Levels are a fast and convenient way for players to quickly hit Recommended Power Levels for attempting certain events.

So, if they’re currently a secondary system designed to appeal to the rise-and-grinders, why would Bungie want to put them in the driver’s seat? One reason could be that Power Level has, over time and multiple destiny 2 expansions, become rather vestigial. Every recent expansion pack has included an automatic Power Level buff that brings players up to around the level required to start the new content. Bungie has been doing this so no player gets left behind the pack for long. Bungie also introduced Legend, Master, and Grandmaster difficulty tiers in most of its endgame content, like Strikes and Raids, and these get bumped up each season.

Therefore, if no one’s getting left behind, and no one’s really on the standard loot treadmill anymore, does your Power Level still mean anything?

DTL’s leak suggests Bungie would pivot the current total Power Level system to one built around seasonal progression with interstitial resets. The thinking in the community is that this would streamline the seasonal grind and make things simpler for returning players, who are often overwhelmed by the total tonnage of destiny 2‘s systems.

I pass this one off to you, Kotaku readers. Thoughts on a change like this? Would prefer Artifact grinding over the day-to-day loot grind that’s been a staple since launch? Sound off in the comments, I’d like to hear your take.

Categories
Sports

Matthew Lloyd’s top seven old-school current day AFL players

Matthew Lloyd's top seven old-school current day AFL players

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd has named his top seven old-school current day players.

Lloyd said the list was off the back of Brayden Maynard’s performance against Melbourne on Friday night, where the tough 25-year-old set the tone for Collingwood’s win.

lloyd told sports day: “Off the back of Maynard’s game, (I’ve named my top seven) old-fashioned footballer (types) who you loved to see in other eras, in the 80s, 90s, 2000s (etc.).”

Check out his top seven below:

7. James Sicily (Hawthorn)

“I think that I’d love to see him fighting and scrapping in another era.”

6. Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)

“I think with this guy, you can see the glint in the eye sometimes.

“I think he could play in any era and he’s tough, he’s underrated for his toughness.”

5. Mitch Robinson (Brisbane)

“The way Mitch plays, I would love to have seen him in the 90s.”

4. Cam Zurhaar (North Melbourne)

“Cam Zurhaar, I could see him and his build (fitting in with an old-fashioned style).”

3. Joel Selwood (Geelong)

2. Jack Viney (Melbourne)

1. Brayden Maynard (Collingwood)

“What he did at the start of the game and the end of the game (on Friday night), he plays on the edge.

“He rarely gets suspended… I like the way he went to Ed Langdon. Did it well, did it smartly and put a bit of fear into him.”





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Categories
US

Nebraska Republicans lack votes to pass 12-week abortion ban

Nebraska Republicans lack votes to pass 12-week abortion ban

By Gabriella Borter

(Reuters) – Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts will not agree the state legislature for a special session to consider stricter abortion laws because Republican lawmakers did not have the votes to pass a ban on abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, he said on Monday.

The statement by Ricketts, a Republican, comes as several other Republican-led states have grappled in recent weeks with how far to go in restricting abortion access after the US Supreme Court in June overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

Indiana on Friday became the first state to pass a new abortion ban since Roe’s overturn, but Republican lawmakers there were divided over which exceptions to allow.

Nebraska currently allows abortions up to 20 weeks post-fertilization. Ricketts had expressed interest in calling a special session to further restrict abortion access, saying he would support a near-total ban with no exceptions for rape or incest.

But in his statement on Monday, the governor said only 30 state senators would support a ban on abortions past 12 weeks. The legislation requires 33 votes to pass.

Nebraska’s state legislature is unicameral, meaning it only has one chamber, and is comprised of 32 Republicans and 17 Democrats.

“It is deeply saddening that only 30 Nebraska state senators are willing to come back to Lincoln this fall in order to protect innocent life,” Ricketts said. “As Governor, I will continue doing whatever I can in my power to affirm the rights of preborn babies and to support pregnant women, children, and families in need.”

Nebraska state Senator Megan Hunt, a Democrat, wrote on Twitter last week that the 12-week ban proposal was part of an effort by the state’s Republican leadership to seem “moderate” in comparison to the total bans that have taken effect in some 10 other states.

“Abortion is a right. Abortion is health care. And the decision about whether and when to become a parent does not belong to the government,” Hunt tweeted on Monday.

The near-total ban signed by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb on Friday prohibits all abortions except when the life of the mother is endangered, the fetus develops a fatal abnormality or the pregnancy results from rape or incest but has not advanced beyond 10 weeks of gestation.

West Virginia’s legislature, also led by Republicans, is on the verge of passing a near-total abortion ban during a special session this summer. But lawmakers disagree over whether doctors who perform abortions outside narrow exceptions should face prison time.

The defeat last week of a Republican-backed Kansas constitutional amendment to restrict abortion has boosted Democrats’ hopes that they can harness voter anger to prevail in competitive November midterm elections.

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Josie Kao)

Categories
Business

KFC launches plant-based popcorn chicken, Wicked Wings

KFC launches plant-based popcorn chicken, Wicked Wings

Fans of fast food giant KFC have gotten a hot new take on a favorite menu item for a limited time only – but not everyone’s convinced.

KFC has announced a new meat-free option that takes the iconic spice of Wicked Wings and packs it into delectable bite-sized morsels known from the fast-food giant’s Popcorn Chicken.

Wicked Popcorn is completely plant-based – however the menu item is currently only being trialled at select outlets in NSW.

A sampling of the Wicked Popcorn in news.com.au’s newsroom had those tasting it divided.

“The weird fake chicken is actually pretty good?” one offered, while another admitted, “I think I prefer it to normal popcorn chicken.”

But not everyone agreed – others found it “rubbery” and that it “tasted like broccoli”.

From August 9 to September 5, Wicked Popcorn, the Wicked Popcorn Bowl and Wicked

Popcorn Combo can be purchased from 14 KFC restaurants on the South Coast.

In addition, KFC has dropped a brand-new Lime Ranch dipping sauce to combine spicy, zest and crunch.

Sally Spriggs, CMO at KFC Australia, commented: “We’re excited to serve up Wicked Popcorn – an innovative product that offers more choice on our menu.

“We’re always looking to treat our fans with new products, so we hope they’ll enjoy this meat-free option which offers that great KFC taste our fans know and love.

“South Coast locals should head down to KFC for the limited-time offer and try it while they can.”

The Wicked Popcorn can be purchased from the 14 restaurants or the KFC app.

A snack-sized Wicked Popcorn and Lime Ranch sauce retails for just $2.95.

The offer is for a limited time only.

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Categories
Technology

Best tech for dad this Father’s Day

Father’s Day is just around the corner, 9News.com.au has put together a list of the best tech for dad this year.

If you need some ideas to show the father figure in your life how much you love them, we’ve got you covered. But one thing’s for certain, tech for dad doesn’t always come cheap.

Mark your calendar, Father’s Day is on Sunday September 4.

Senheisser Momentum – $599

The Senheisser Momentum over-ear headphones have great sound and active noise canceling technology. (Senheiser)

These noise-cancelling headphones can help dad drain out the chaotic noise of life for an excellent listening experience.

They’ve also got a smart on/off function, allowing dad to quickly pick up where he left off after any slight interruptions.

The Soundboks Go retails for around $1099 (Soundboks)

This is a heavy-duty Bluetooth speaker with great battery life.

If dad isn’t cranking it at full volume you should be able to get two days out of a full charge. It’s also surprisingly light for its size, making it easy to take with you on any camping or fishing trip.

The July Carry On Pro has a hidden phone charging station. (July)

This carry-on luggage bag has a detachable laptop pocket and a phone charger system hidden away under the handle.

The Carry On Pro is lightweight but sports a tough outer shell. It’s also on four wheels, so lugging it across terminals is a breeze.

Belkin Boost Charge Power Bank 20K – $79.95

Belkin also has some great porta-power solutions, Belkin Boost Charge Power Bank 20K, which retails for just under $80, can charge two devices at once.

Belkin Boost Charge 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with MagSafe – $230

Belkin’s latest three-in-one charger offers fast charging in a stylish design. (belkin)

It’s the perfect bedside table companion. I’ve used Belkin’s phone and watch charging station for years now and it hasn’t let me down.

This device works best with MagSafe-compatible iPhones but also has a Qi charger underneath for Airpods and the like. This charge stand retails for $229.95.

Twelve South Power Pic – $99

The Twelve South Power Pic looks unsuspecting on any bedside table. (Twelve South)

A picture frame that doubles as a wireless charger? Your Dad already draws power from the sight of your face and for $99, his phone can too.

Magnets connect a plate of glass to the back panel that together, slide into a plain black base which will suit most desktops. Make sure your phone supports wireless charging before you buy!

Nanoleaf Elements have a wooden design and start from $119. (Nanoleaf)

Nanoleaf’s range starts at about $120 and now features a stack of different shapes and styles. The Nanoleaf Elements have a wooden style, offering a natural finish to any bar, workshop, or garage. The module design allows you to add as many panels as you like in any direction. Nanoleaf also has their classic triangular panels and Nanoleaf Lines.

The MoeBot robotic lawn mower starts from $999. (Robot My Life)

How about a robotic lawnmower to give dad back his weekends? This little robot can independently mow lawns up to 600 square meters, navigating inclines up to 30 degrees.

Whether dad has a sore back or is simply over having to maintain the grass, the MoeBot robot lawnmowers are a cut above the rest.

The Traeger Pro 575 can be controlled through an app on your phone. (bring)

This wood-fired barbecue is full of tech, Bringer calls it WiFIRE technology. Temperature, timers, and alerts can all be controlled through the Traeger app – meaning you can set and forget, then return later to a succulent, smokey feast. It also boasts “all terrain” wheels, meaning no surface is a problem when it’s time for grilling.

Philips PicoPix Max TV – $1,495

The Philips PicoPix Max TV is one of the most portable projectors on the market. (Phillips)

This small-sized projector is the perfect travel companion.

The box may say it’s only a 120-inch screen size, but that size can easily stretch out to double that with minimal quality loss. It includes Android TV, has built-in speakers and one charge will get around four hours of playtime.

Lavazza A Modo Mio Voicy – $349

The Lavazza A Modo Mio Voicy has Alexa built in. (Lavazza)

This coffee machine has Amazon’s voice assistant built in. This means you can ask ‘Alexa’ to make you a coffee from anywhere in the house.

It may sound a little gimmicky, but it’s two presents in one – a high-quality coffee machine and a smart assistant.

Nespresso’s Atelier has a button for almost every coffee type. (Nespresso)

Nespresso’s latest original line capsule machine has a detachable milk frother that froths the milk while it’s in your cup, meaning less washing up for dad. Right now they’re only available for Nespresso’s boutique stores and online.

Forcite’s helmets are owned and designed in Australia (force)

Forcite’s latest helmet has an inbuilt camera, an audio system for music and calls, notification lights, and one of the highest safety grades going around.

It’s also owned and designed in Australia. These helmets can be customized to suit your needs.

Engraving your gamertag costs an extra $12.95. (Nine)

Customize your own Xbox controller with Xbox Design Lab. These controllers can be customized down to the grips on the handles – you can also have a name or Gamertag engraved on the controller.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless – $649

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless retails for $679. (Nine)

Known for their quality gaming gear, SteelSeries’ latest gaming headphones are the best on the market, not just in sound quality but in design too. Dad can’t go wrong with these.

(sony)

Sony’s new INZONE Gaming headphones should be hitting the shelves just before Father’s Day. 9News recently went hands-on with the devices and can happily recommend the H7 and H9 to any gaming dad. Sony’s INZONE range is coming to stores and online on August 18.

HTC VIVE Pro 2 VR
HTC VIVE Pro 2 VR (9News)

5K resolution, wide 120-degree field of view, 120Hz refresh rate – if the price wasn’t a giveaway, the HTC VIVE Pro 2 is an absolute beast when it comes to VR. It offers a near unmatched virtual reality experience, taking dad to places all around the world from the comfort of the lounge room – and is still much cheaper than a family holiday to Europe.

Gtek Replicator Mechanical Keyboard – $99

The Gtek Replicator is affordable and great for everyday use. (Laser / Gtek)

This keyboard has been my daily keyboard for a couple of months now and hasn’t let me down. The keyboard can comfortably handle it all, from active gaming to everyday computer work. The RGB lighting, palm rest and volume scroll wheel are also a nice touch.

When it comes to the latest games for dad, here’s our list:

  • Lawn Mowing Simulator: Landmark EditionDoes dad like mowing the lawn but the yard is already done? This is the solution for the dad addicted to cutting grass.
  • MLB The Show 22Despite being published by Sony, MLB The Show is available on Xbox and PC too. It’s perfect for any major league baseball lover.
  • NBA 2K23this one is releasing a few days after Father’s Day, but a sure winner for the basketball-loving dad.

Or you could always swing dad a subscription to Xbox GamePass or PlayStation Plus Deluxethere are hundreds of games on both platforms for dad to indulge in.

God of War: Ragnarok (2022)

The most anticipated video games of 2022 and beyond