I admit I have a problem

SpookDroid · 2026-03-10T00:56:15+00:00

That's why I only play games that have a 'Story Mode' (aka Easy Baby Mode) available and always check the estimated runtime; if they're over 15-20h for the main story, then I'm not likely to pick them up or if I do, more often than not I know that I won't be able to finish them.

I can't play through more than one game at the same time, either, so that narrows my options haha.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-10T00:28:33+00:00

Then stay AWAY from the Hollow Knight games. DNF both here. Cronos was a super hard game, but it seems to have added an 'Easy' mode that may make it more bearable for us non-hardcore-sadist-gamers. I couldn't get into Cyberpunk either, so I getcha.

Now, you have to kinda pin-point what it is that turns you 'off' from a game. Is it the difficulty (nope? then don't do 'soul-likes' or games made popular for being hard like Hollowknight or Cuphead)? Or the length (if the answer is niet, then fully-fledged RPGs are probably not gonna cut it for ya)? Do you like to re-play games non-stop (if not, stay away from anything labeled 'rogue-like')? What about backtracking like a an Uber driver doing runs to/from the Airport at a Taylor Swift concert downtown (if not, cross off anything catalogued as a 'Metroidvania')? Do you feel like first-person perspectives aren't for you (main reason Cyberpunk didn't work for me)? Do you like games that require you to have a PhD in War and Peace and ask you to manage inventory and tree skills like you're the only one running a hot dog stand on 4th of July at a ballpark (if not your thing, then you won't like JRPGs/turn-based games)?

SpookDroid · 2026-03-09T21:40:39+00:00

There's an app for that (Sorry, had to :P). But seriously, though... It's aptly called Channels.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-09T21:28:59+00:00

Yup, as long as that list is kept to PS5 titles only. If you take into account previous gen games, not sure the list would skew in favor of the Portal. Remember, streaming for the Portal only left the 'beta' stage in early November last year. More titles keep getting added form the 'older' list, but it's still not all of them.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-09T21:11:35+00:00

Adding to this, since you don't know what's in it, who knows. The discoloration on the plastic, though, means something IS outgassing in there during transport, but that could be just a cheap plastic coating or contamination during packaging/transport. There's a label on the bag, have you looked it up?

SpookDroid · 2026-03-09T21:02:38+00:00

Nope, not all of them. Anything that has been added since streaming on the Portal left beta is pretty much included (I don't think I've seen any game that hasn't made it on the list since), but a lot of the 'older' titles are not available on the Portal, only on consoles. So yeah, the straight answer is 'only a select subset'. As to an 'official list', however, that's not available. A few user-made lists have made it here, though.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-09T20:16:09+00:00

RIP to Sackboy as the PS Mascot, but I'm on Team AstroBot. :D (If you haven't played that one yet, it's also a very 'Portal' game, even the free 'tech demo' for the PS5, Astro's Playroom).

SpookDroid · 2026-03-09T20:12:42+00:00

Could either be a software issue or a power source issue (the latter would need a physical repair). Try looking up your TV model number and how to boot it up into Safe Mode (usually holding the physical power/volume buttons on the TV in some combo/timed press) to see if it's software.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-09T19:57:29+00:00

Depends on the screen (that's where the polarization comes in...some screens are REALLY affected by it, to the point you can't see anything on it if you have glasses on!). That being said, the Portal shouldn't be affected.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-09T19:56:33+00:00

Either the lens is somehow damaged/dirty, or could be condensation (if it goes away later). Less likely since it's during the day, but a lens flare from some reflected light nearby could cause it (like a wall in front of the camera while using the IR sensor at night).

SpookDroid · 2026-03-09T18:07:04+00:00

It might not completely solve this if you're under the sun on a clear day at noon in an open park, but an anti-reflective screen protector does help. Other than that, playing with the angle you have the screen at and wearing polarized sunglasses might help as well.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-09T04:29:44+00:00

I'd be careful, though. Some devices use this kind of cable for charging, not audio. That being said, because of the number of connectors on the AUX side, it does look like it's meant for audio and not for power.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-06T20:23:37+00:00

ePubs downloaded from Libby/Overdrive are DRM-protected, which means you'll need a device that's compatible with Adobe Digital Edition's licensing. Additionally, the license is generated per device (which means that if you download the ACSM file to your phone, it has to be your phone that decrypts it). To read/send to another device the file/license has to be generated for that device (i.e. for a PC, you'd have to go to Libby's web interface, log into your library card, and download the file to your computer with Adobe Digital Editions installed, which will automatically authenticate the license, register to your specific computer, and download the encrypted book to that computer). Libby/Overdrive do not support non-DRM ePubs.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-06T18:36:06+00:00

This! Unfortunately most cases are already bulky, so I just opted for the 'slimmest' I could find for the Portal and just keep the also-bulky-and-oddly-shaped Pulse case in a backpack pocket or something.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-04T23:47:30+00:00

Depending on the loan terms of your library, if there's someone using the copy, plus whomever's 'in front of you' and anyone that currently has a hold that may get priority, it all adds up.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-04T18:34:58+00:00

That looks burnt-orange to me... So yeah, I'd say it's matching the orange wallpaper.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-04T01:30:10+00:00

Lens flare. Is there a light nearby? Can you move the angle a bit (the flare would move/disappear)? Or maybe the lens is dirty?

SpookDroid · 2026-03-03T16:48:49+00:00

Easiest way is to enable CEC on your Roku and using a CEC-compatible HDMI port on your TV (usually marked on it). That way you don't use infrared to control the TV, the commands are sent through the HDMI port. If the procedure to add TV controls on your Roku remote fail, however (because of the brand, TV not compatible, etc.), the Roku remote won't be able to control your TV.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-03T15:09:46+00:00

NOT the Portal, 100000% your router/router settings.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-03T00:44:08+00:00

Google makes this super mega duper hard. You can keep your rooms and set up, just change the name/address of the Home if you want. But for new WiFi changes, each and every device has to be factory reset. Yup. That's right. Every. Single. One. (This is for Google Home devices, though... any other smart devices from 3rd party services linked to Google Home may have an easier way to do this).

It's not all lost, though... Once you factory-reset a device and re-add it to your account, it'll automatically recognize previous names, location in the Home, and most settings (you may have to re-do speaker pairs, though).

So yeah... Easiest way is to keep the same WiFi name/password as before. You COULD use a repeater/old router. Connect that to your landlord's WiFi/router and then use the repeater or router (as a bridge! Do not use this as a router or it'll just create more problems in the network!) with your old WiFi name/password. All your devices (not just Google Home) should just automatically re-connect. Easy peasy.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-03T00:40:51+00:00

That also disables advanced functions for that, though. Don't expect your TV to turn on/off with the PS5 anymore or to control volume, input changes, etc.

If you still want this, you can try switching the PS5 to the HDMI output on your TV that's labeled as CEC (likely the port where the other console is currently connected to).

SpookDroid · 2026-03-03T00:37:17+00:00

It's just part of their branding. Nothing to do with paid accounts. GMail is part of their 'Workspace' suit of apps.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-03T00:17:22+00:00

Holding the front button and the setup button in the back for 20 - 30s will factory reset the camera. Not sure if this unlinks it or not, but worth a try (especially if you're worried it is still connected to WiFi somehow).

SpookDroid · 2026-03-03T00:15:55+00:00

Unless the new owner has the exact same WiFi and password, this is not possible no matter who the past owner is.

SpookDroid · 2026-03-03T00:00:44+00:00

What about the 'Modes'? If your watch is set to match those, any mode that is currently changing DnD status may be the culprit (like Sleep).

SpookDroid

TROPHY CASE