💾 There Will Never Be Another Windows XP — Why Ray Tracing is a Big Deal in Gaming

                                                                                                                                              Also: What to Know About Google's Project Astra, and More! [How-To Geek Logo](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d/1/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/jCHLvn5jmKVq9iHHBCHKeX1GmPU=374) May 17, 2024 Did You Know The very first mass-manufactured drinking straw was made of paper coated in wax; the straw was invented by Marvin C. Stone in 1888 because he found the grassy flavor that the natural rye grass straws of the day imparted to his cocktails to be unacceptable. 🛰️ Calls From Space Happy Friday! The first [portable 2.5-inch hard drives](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fwestern-digital-6tb-portable-hdd%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d/1/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/ecVQjYWUwMc7GvnAt0tJhxhinVg=374) have arrived, and [AT&T wants to use satellites](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fatt-satellite-cell-signal%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d/1/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/HbmUOSAjARVIn3BmktXaKIVlutI=374) to boost phone network coverage. TODAY'S TOP STORY [There Will Never Be Another Windows XP](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fthere-will-never-be-another-windows-xp%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d/1/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/Tn_eztKLTeC6Zzh1dBmvIRLsHss=374) [Laptop with the default Windows XP wallpaper and the Windows XP logo with a crown in the center.](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fthere-will-never-be-another-windows-xp%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d/2/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/dmxIfIPtJnXKCkZFuWxlAhsEzXw=374) There has never been an operating system as iconic as Windows XP. Many of us associate Windows XP with our childhoods or early office work, as it's practically synonymous with the era of desktop computers. Let's explore what made this operating system so special. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fthere-will-never-be-another-windows-xp%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d/3/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/0_hEkmGULlZsAiM-SExVEv-C3NE=374) %2F%2Fsli.howtogeek.com%2Fclick%3Fs=1071559%26li=how-to-geek-general-6%26brand=HTG%26sh2=d4748e765fd4e7f28c4f36850781d8b641cd39312285ecd144489b6a1ae07e59%26p=HTG-202405171530%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d%26stpe=default%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/sllZXoTk7bHFvz4lNbDcX50E8-g=374 %2F%2Fsli.howtogeek.com%2Fclick%3Fs=1071559%26li=how-to-geek-general-6%26brand=HTG%26sh2=d4748e765fd4e7f28c4f36850781d8b641cd39312285ecd144489b6a1ae07e59%26p=HTG-202405171530%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d%26stpe=default%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/l6JlOhrkPwDoVDacEfN_164Wbj8=374 %2F%2Fsli.howtogeek.com%2Fclick%3Fs=1071560%26li=how-to-geek-general-6%26brand=HTG%26sh2=d4748e765fd4e7f28c4f36850781d8b641cd39312285ecd144489b6a1ae07e59%26p=HTG-202405171530%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d%26stpe=static%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/PNolauF55Cr9w6mWJ51NAkgUBuU=374 %2F%2Fsli.howtogeek.com%2Fclick%3Fs=1071562%26li=how-to-geek-general-6%26brand=HTG%26sh2=d4748e765fd4e7f28c4f36850781d8b641cd39312285ecd144489b6a1ae07e59%26p=HTG-202405171530%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d%26stpe=static%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/wV3Y7aB7AK7YUfozyPp22CoRDyY=374 [Ray Tracing Isn't a Gimmick, It's a Way Bigger Deal Than You Think](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fray-tracing-isnt-a-gimmick-its-a-way-bigger-deal-than-you-think%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d/1/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/81ntV3WJ8XuS9nYQ9I_s3nF9uvM=374) [Quake II RTX before and after.](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fray-tracing-isnt-a-gimmick-its-a-way-bigger-deal-than-you-think%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d/2/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/7ObN8qiohNPxWTGAdE2u-6vx8Ew=374) Are you unimpressed with how ray tracing is being implemented on current-generation consoles? Do you wonder what all the fuss is about? Let’s take a step back and reassess what ray tracing means for games. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fray-tracing-isnt-a-gimmick-its-a-way-bigger-deal-than-you-think%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202405171530%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t%26lctg=8010030bea35d8591f3773f7d2e8a0341ae18d86419f6491cd5e79afa285899d/3/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/qhZHLhDo-zVs6Nrs6S4YCLDNXAM=374) SPONSORED [Get Up To 50%+ Off with Samsung's Memorial Day Sale on Home Appliances and Vacuums](%2F%2Fhowl.me%2FcmfdProdyUO/1/0100018f883c1a05-21c96fc0-fdaa-44eb-bc95-95f2ec08f13e-000000/eABorr72WZaHk5yiWwIDK5sX6AI=374) [Samsung AI appliances] Samsung's 2024 home appliance lineup is packed with advanced smart features, AI, and more to elevate your home. Enjoy big screens on your fridge that'll double as a family hub, do-it-all robot vacuums, and more. 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Near the end of the demo, the Google employee puts on a pair of glasses and seamlessly continues to converse with the assistant. I think smart glasses have just found their killer feature. 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