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With CES 2024 almost upon us, we're about to hear more talk about smart homes than the rest of the year combined. Samsung has started the proceedings by announcing that it's partnering with Tesla and Hyundai to expand SmartThings into the areas of home energy and vehicle/home automation.The partnership with Tesla will allow owners of the company's EVs, along with products like Powerwall and Solar Inverter, to monitor and control their homes using Samsung's SmartThings Energy app - displaying information related to energy production, storage and usage.For instance, Powerwall users will be able to sync the Tesla app's "Storm Watch" function to their home devices, so they can be alerted to extreme weather events like hurricanes or snowfall through connected Samsung TVs and smartphones. It'll also let you activate the AI Energy Mode before and during power outages to conserve remaining Powerwall energy.Other companies will be able to do the same, as Tesla recently published its "FleetAPI" app that lets developers interact with Powerwall, Solar and Wall Connector in addition to its EVs. Samsung is among the first to hop on board, though. "We are pleased that Samsung has chosen to be an early developer, given its leading position in consumer smart home technology," said Tesla's Drew Baglino.SamsungSamsung has also teamed with Hyundai to expand its SmartThings platform to Hyundai's EVs and other vehicles, allowing "Home-to-Car" and "Car-to-Home" services. That'll let you connect your smart home to a Hyundai car's infotainment system so you can control one with the other. For instance, you'll be able to start your car via the SmartThings app, control the air conditioning, open and close windows and check charging status. And from the car, you'll be able to control home appliances like TVs, AC and EV chargers.It'll also allow you to create a routine where your home lights and climate control are activate when the car arrives home, or the ability to set the car to an ideal temperature after your smartphone's alarm goes off. At the same time, you'll be able to monitor energy information about EVs and chargers to set the optimal time for charging a vehicle, based on factors like energy pricing, solar panel data and more.The new features sound useful, particularly if you have an EV or Tesla power system installed. It's still under development, but Samsung will be providing an early look at its CES 2024 booth next week.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-partners-with-tesla-and-hyundai-to-offer-deeper-smart-home-and-ev-controls-093945383.html?src=rss

Google has just disabled third-party cookies for one percent of Chrome users, years after it first introduced its Privacy Sandbox project. The company announced late last year that it will kick things off by disabling cookies for a random one percent of Chrome users globally on January 4. Chrome owns more than half of the worldwide browser market share, and according to Gizmodo, that means Google has killed cookies for 30 million users.People included in this rollout will see a notification when they launch their browser telling them they're one of the first to experience Tracking Protection. It also explains that Tracking Protection limits sites from using third-party cookies to track them as they browse. Since this rollout is bound to break a few websites that have yet to adapt to a change that will affect most people who go on the internet, Google will allow users to temporary re-enable third-party cookies. They can do so by clicking on the eye icon that's now on their browser bar to toggle off the new feature.Google's Privacy Sandbox initiative, just like its name implies, was designed to be an alternative to cookies that will allow advertisers to serve users ads while also protecting their privacy. It assigns users to groups according to their interests, based on their recent browsing activities, and advertisers can use that information to match them with relevant ads. The system is supposed to be less invasive than cookies - all data and processing take place on the device itself, and Google says it will store user interests for three weeks. The project has caught the attention of regulators over concerns that it will make the company even more powerful than it already is. But if all goes well, Google will continue rolling out Tracking Protection over the next few months until it has disabled third-party cookies for all Chrome users by mid-2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-has-started-disabling-third-party-cookies-for-chrome-users-060955481.html?src=rss

A UK-based company called Clicks is introducing a new iPhone accessory at CES 2024 in Las Vegas that you might like if you loved BlackBerry phones. It's a case and a full physical keyboard in one that you can attach to the iPhone if you want a more tactile typing experience, which kinda brings back memories of Ryan Seacrest's Typo Keyboard from a decade ago. The company's creator keyboard sits at the bottom of the case and doesn't cover any part of the screen or any part of the device at all other than its back and edges. Instead, it extends the phone's length, giving you full view of whatever is on the display even while you're typing.That keyboard connects to the iPhone through its Lighting or USB-C port, depending on what model you have, and allows you to charge your phone as usual. It doesn't have a Bluetooth connection, but that also means it's not powered by a battery you'll need to charge. You can switch on its backlight if you want to use it at night or in the dark, and you can use a bunch of keyboard shortcuts if you want to navigate your device without using the touchscreen. To scroll down web pages, for instance, you can press the space bar. That said, its keys do look terribly small, and you may find yourself having a difficult time typing if you have larger hands and fingers.Clicks is founded by content creators Michael Fisher (MrMobile) and Kevin Michaluk (CrackBerry Kevin), who said that the iPhone keyboard was designed by "a dream team of tech industry veterans." Michaluk added: "We labored over every decision from exactly how the buttons should feel to the keyboard layout, ensuring it would be intuitive for iPhone users." You can order the Clicks creator keyboard from the company's website right now for $139, but shipping won't begin until February 1.ClicksWe're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/clicks-wants-to-make-physical-iphone-keyboard-cases-a-thing-again-180001724.html?src=rss

Razer is previewing two new Blade laptops, which it will officially unveil next week at CES 2024. The company says the new Razer Blade 16 has the world's first 16-inch 240Hz OLED panel, and the updated Razer Blade 18 has an 18-inch 4K 165Hz one. It hasn't revealed pricing or full specs yet, but Razer will roll out more details next week in Las Vegas.The new Razer Blade 16 looks to improve on the display in last year's model, which was already impressive. Razer says the OLED panel in the 2024 version was co-developed by Samsung Display. In addition to its QHD+ resolution and 240Hz refresh rate, it has a 0.2ms response time, and it's VESA Certified ClearMR 11000, a standard that grades motion blur by its ratio of clear to blurry pixels. The panel has a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and its black levels will likely impress with VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification.Meanwhile, the 2024 Blade 18 moves from the 2023 model's QHD, 240Hz panel to a 4K, 165Hz one. It has a 3ms response time with Nvidia G-Sync support and covers 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color space.Although Razer is withholding the devices' full specs until their official CES 2024 reveal on Monday, it added that they're built with high-grade CNC aluminum unibody construction, and they have a 16:10 aspect ratio, up to" an 89 percent screen-to-body ratio and ultra-thin bezels. Both Razer Blade laptops are Calman Verified and have a color accuracy certification. They're also individually calibrated in the factory.Engadget will be on the ground in Las Vegas starting this weekend, and we'll have the full details and hands-on impressions for both of the new Razer Blade laptops.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/razers-2024-blade-16-laptop-will-have-a-240hz-oled-display-172153672.html?src=rss

Set your calendars. Martin Scorsese's latest and greatest, Killers of the Flower Moon, is premiering globally on Apple TV+ in just over a week. The film drops on January 12. It was originally released in theaters on November 20, which means it'll be 12 weeks before arriving on a streaming service, which has become fairly standard in recent years.We knew this would drop on Apple TV+, as Apple Studios financed the film and arranged for theatrical distribution. We just didn't know when, and now we do. Incidentally, this is the first Apple-financed film to get a wide theatrical release.Killers of the Flower Moon is a great match for streaming, as it's well over three hours long, which made for some frantic trips to the theater bathroom once the credits rolled. The movie stars Lily Gladstone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons and is set in 1920s Oklahoma. The narrative is based on a true story and follows the serial murders of members of the Osage Nation tribe. There's a lot more than that, but we ain't about to start handing out spoilers like candy. Watch the movie. It's good.To that end, Killers of the Flower Moon has been nabbing up award nominations left and right, including 12 Critics Choice nominations and seven Golden Globe nominations. It was also named to the American Film Institute's list of Motion Pictures of the Year. Oscar nominations don't drop until later this month, but it's likely to make several appearances across multiple categories.This is the biggest film to come from Apple Studios, but not the only notable release. Coda, another Apple original, actually won Best Picture at the 2021 Academy Awards. Apple is also behind Ridley Scott's Napoleon and forthcoming releases by directors Jon Watts and Matthew Vaughn, among others.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/scorseses-killers-of-the-flower-moon-premieres-globally-on-apple-tv-on-january-12-165918214.html?src=rss

Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet is on sale for just $80 for today only from QVC. This is the latest iteration, originally released in 2023, and ships with 32GB of storage. You also have your pick of various colorways, including green, lavender and black. The regular price on this tablet is $140, so this represents a discount of $60. Incidentally, the sale price of $80 matches what was found on Black Friday, so consider this a bit of a holiday extension.This isn't the lowest price ever for the Fire HD 10 tablet, but it's the lowest for the current eleventh-gen device. We've seen this tablet go on sale for $75, but that was for the 2021 release.The Fire HD 10 is a capable tablet, considering the price, and is a great device for viewing streaming content, browsing the web and playing simple mobile games. It has a USB-C port, which is always nice, and a 2GHz octa-core processor. The HD touchscreen boasts a 1920x1200 resolution, there's 3GB of RAM and a pair of HD cameras on the front and rear. You can also expand the storage via a microSD slot.Is this an iPad Pro? Nope. Not even close. But it gets the job done. I used a Fire HD 10 as my primary content streaming device for years and it was just fine. The Wi-Fi was snappy, Alexa was helpful and the actual headphone jack made it so I didn't have to go digging for an adapter just to have some privacy while I watched Netflix in bed. Again, this deal ends today.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-2023-amazon-fire-hd-10-tablet-is-cheaper-than-ever-in-a-one-day-sale-160446037.html?src=rss

Google Bard Advanced is coming, and it may represent the company's first attempt to charge for an AI chatbot. The code on Bard's website shows the opportunity to get three months free of Bard Advanced - implying that it will come at a cost after that. X (formerly Twitter) user Bedros Pamboukian shared the discovered code, which also includes a defunct Google One link. This could mean that users will be required to get a Google One subscription to access Bard Advanced.

Apple Fitness+ is adding new content for the new year. The workout service's Artist Spotlight series celebrates the Super Bowl halftime show with playlists devoted to recent performers (including this year's artist, Usher). In addition, new meditations, programs and Time to Walk episodes will arrive soon.The Apple Fitness+ Artist Spotlight series dedicates entire workout playlists (across various exercises) to a single artist. In this case, it will devote them to several: Rihanna (available January 8), Britney Spears (January 15), U2 (January 22) and Usher (February 5, ahead of his performance).Three of the four artists have been (or soon will be) Super Bowl halftime headliners: Rihanna in 2023, U2 in 2002 and Usher in 2024. Spears hasn't had top billing, but she performed in the 2001 show, co-headlined by Aerosmith and NSYNC.Fitness+ is also adding sound meditations. Apple says they'll only include light guidance" from the trainer, leaving room for you to focus on the tranquil sounds of singing bowls and the deep pitch of gongs, all arranged to create a sense of ease." There will be seven sound-themed meditations, arriving every week. You can choose between five, 10, and 20-minute sessions.Apple Fitness+ will soon let you walk with Al Roker.NBC via Getty ImagesTime to Walk, Apple's series of celebrity-guided audio walking experiences, is adding Al Roker. The Today Show weather anchor and co-host will share what he learned about mentorship, including a pivotal chat with his father. Other episodes will feature rapper and actor Common (who already works with Apple on the sci-fi series Silo), Trixie Mattel (aka Brian Firkus, RuPaul's Drag Race), actor Colman Domingo (Rustin) and author / actor Lilly Singh will host episodes.50 of Apple's older Time to Walk episodes will be available on Apple Podcasts. Celebrity guests on the available content will include Prince William, Al Roker (again!), Patti LaBelle, Becky G, Simu Liu, Malala Yousafzai, Camila Cabello, Dolly Parton, Jason Segel and Shawn Mendes. Although the podcast version will omit guest-chosen songs and photos, you can still access those through the Fitness+ app. In addition, anyone who isn't subscribed to Fitness+ can listen to 10 free Time to Walk episodes on Apple Podcasts.Golfers will get some love from the service, too. Apple is adding a new workout program designed for links enthusiasts. The workouts will blend strength, core, and yoga training, focused on the specific strength, balance, flexibility and mobility golfers need. The workouts will feature (and were designed by) pro golfer Rose Zhang. Whether people are new to the sport or want to advance their skills, I'm excited that the workouts in this program on Fitness+ will help users feel more confident in their swing and have fun on the course," Zhang said. Fitness+ trainer Kyle Ardill will lead the videos.Apple has partnered with Anytime Fitness, a US gym franchise, to offer perks to use both companies' services. First, prospective members" who try Anytime Fitness will get up to three months" of Apple Fitness+ for free. In addition, Fitness+ subscribers who join the gym and sign up for at least a 12-month membership will get their first 30 days for no charge. The Anytime Fitness app on iOS will also integrate with Apple Fitness+ workouts.Apart from the Artist Spotlight rollouts, Apple hasn't shared specific launch dates for the new content. However, it said the new features will arrive starting Monday, January 8."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-fitness-will-spotlight-super-bowl-halftime-performers-140053585.html?src=rss

Qualcomm will be bringing a new VR/MR chip to CES 2024 in Las Vegas next week. The Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 is an update to the standard XR2 Gen 2 that was revealed back in September. The chip is intended for use in virtual reality headsets, mixed-reality headsets and other wearables.The Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 supports 4.3K per eye resolution, compared to 3K per eye with the previous version, and can integrate with up to 12 cameras at once, up from 10, for passthrough and body tracking. To that end, Qualcomm promises that devices with this chip will be able to enter full-color passthrough in less than 12ms.QualcommAs for standard specs, the XR2+ Gen 2 will be able to handle content up to 90 fps. This chip also represents an improvement in raw power, with an approximate CPU speed increase of 20 percent and a GPU increase of 15 percent compared to last year's chip. It's worth noting that all of this is on one chip to preserve space. There's not a lot of room for this stuff in many VR headsets.Qualcomm is bringing just the chip to CES and hasn't announced any devices to go along with it. It has, however, said that it's working on something with Samsung and Google that will involve the XR2+ Gen 2. The previous XR2 Gen 2 chip powers the recently launched Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headset, so this upgrade should allow for even beefier standalone headsets in the near future.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/qualcomms-improved-snapdragon-xr2-chip-for-vr-headsets-will-debut-at-ces-2024-140047958.html?src=rss

Ford's F-150 Lightning electric pickup was one of the few models to retain the full $7,500 US tax credit for 2024, but a lot of that advantage is about to be negated. The price of 2024 models is set to rise from $49,995 to $54,995 (excluding delivery charges and incentives), while the next model up, the XLT, is going up massively by $10,000 to $64,995, according to a report from The Detroit Free Press seen by The Verge. The 2023 models will retain the same pricing.Buyers eyeing premium versions of the F-150 Lightning are in luck, however. The Platinum model with a 300 mile EPA estimated range is dropping from $91,995 to $84,995, while the price for the Platinum Black (pictured above) is falling $5,000 to $92,995. A complete list of the changes is pictured below (excludes destination charge):

Tetris always endures. The blocks keep coming and the game itself gets reinterpreted, twisted and remade for new generations. Now, a 13-year-old boy has become the first person to beat' the NES version of Tetris, 34 years after it was first released.Yes, beat' goes in quotes because there's no way to complete the game. Instead, he played such a flawless game that he forced a kill screen, from an overflow error. While he's the first person to do this, but not the first time it's been achieved: An AI program called StackRabbit forced a kill screen with the NES Tetris back in 2021.But hey, we got there eventually.- Mat SmithYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedRoku's 'high-end' Pro Series TVs feature Mini LED screensThe best fitness trackers for 2024JLab's first premium ANC headphones will cost just $80Microsoft Copilot keyboard keys are comingComing soon to a Windows 11 PC near you.MicrosoftMicrosoft calls this "the first significant change to the Windows PC keyboard in nearly three decades" in a blog post ahead of CES 2024 in Las Vegas. The Copilot key immediately summons Microsoft's AI companion to do your bidding, and while yes it is just a key, it signifies how serious the company is taking its AI moves. The last time it tweaked the keyboard in a major way might have been the Windows key, following the introduction of the Start menu.Continue reading.LG's 2024 OLED TVs can hit 144Hz refresh ratesThe big CES TV spec fight begins.LG revealed its new lineup of OLED TVs, just days before CES 2024 starts. Its Signature OLED M4 and OLED G4 TVs will have an updated AI processor that offers four times the performance of last year's models. The refresh rates have also been improved. Last year's models capped out at 120Hz, but both the M4 and G4 will now hit refresh rates of up to 144Hz. Marginal? Yes. But better? Yes. Expect the prices to appear closer to going on sale.Continue reading.Finally, you can smoke indoorsBBQ meats, we mean.GEAfter an Indiegogo campaign amassed over $800,000 in funding, GE Appliances is bringing its indoor smoker to consumers nationwide - before CES even started. While the design has been updated since it first appeared, it's still the same thing: a countertop device for all your BBQ smoking needs. I'm British and don't understand good BBQ, so please read on for Billy Steele's explanation - he knows what he's talking about.Continue reading.Jack Black will reportedly play Steve in the long-delayed Minecraft movieHe'll co-star with Jason Momoa.Is there a video game character Black won't play?Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-someone-finally-beat-nes-tetris-121503520.html?src=rss

Dell is bringing the bold design of last year's XPS 13 Plus to the rest of the XPS lineup ahead of CES 2024 in Las Vegas - and now that includes new 14-inch and 16-inch models. The "Plus" name is also gone entirely: the new models are simply called the XPS 13, 14 and 16. They all sport the defining featured of the XPS 13 Plus: A seamless glass wrist rest, which hides an invisible haptic touchpad right in the middle; touch sensitive function buttons above the keyboard; and large key caps for more comfortable typing. And notably, the larger two models fix some of my biggest issues with the XPS 13 Plus.Once again, minimalism is the defining theme for Dell with these computers: They're all polished aluminum and glass at first glance. They're also dominated by their screens: in true Dell fashion, they feature the company's ultra-thin "Infinity Edge" screen bezels. (These computers are also among the first to get dedicated Windows Copilot keys.)Dell arguably went a bit overboard with the minimalism angle last year. The XPS 13 Plus only had two USB-C ports and didn't have a headphone jack. That's true of the XPS 13 this year as well, but not so for the XPS 14 and 16. They both feature headphone jacks, three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a microSD card slot. (Dell also includes a USB C to USB Type A and HDMI adapters in the box, which notably don't come with the XPS 13.)All of these new laptops feature Intel's new Core Ultra chips, which means they also include NPUs to deal with AI work. So even without a dedicated GPU, they have the potential to be more useful for some creative work compared to Dell's last XPS machines (or at the very least, deliver some killer Windows Studio Effect backgrounds during video chats). But if you need additional graphics power, the XPS 14 and 16 can also be configured with NVIDIA's RTX 40-series GPUs.Each new XPS machine also includes variable refresh rate FHD+ screens, ranging form 30hz to 120Hz. But they can also be equipped with OLED screens: the XPS 13 and 14 have optional 3K OLED screens with a maximum 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rate, respectively, while the XPS 16 has a 4K OLED panel that can hit 90Hz. Those higher refresh rates make a big difference: Last year plenty of productivity laptops were achieving smoother screens thank to higher refresh rates, so it's nice to see that finally reach the XPS machines.The XPS 14. Just look at that headphone jack!Devindra Hardawar/EngadgetI was a bit disappointed by the XPS 13 Plus because its touchpad was a bit finicky and it really needed more ports. But the XPS 14 seems like it could be the step forward Dell was originally aiming for - especially since its 14.5-inch screen looks almost as big as a 15-incher if you squint a bit. It's also relatively light at 3.7 pounds (3.8 pounds with OLED), so it's a potential powerhouse that would be easy to move around.The XPS 16 also looks like a genuinely compelling option for Windows users who demand massive screens. Sure, its 16.3-inch screen is smaller than the old XPS 17, but it's also a half-pound lighter. For many power users, that tradeoff may be worth it.Dell's new XPS lineup will be available soon, with the XPS 13 starting at $1,300, the XPS 14 at $1,700 and the XPS 16 at $1,900.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/dell-unveils-new-xps-13-14-and-16-laptops-ahead-of-ces-2024-110041195.html?src=rss

Waking up in the mornings is especially hard in these cold, dark winter months. Now there's a fun incentive to do so, thanks to the release of the Xbox Series S Toaster. For $40 you can get it from Walmart and have the Xbox sphere logo toasted onto your bread every day - a dream fulfilled that you never knew you had? The Xbox Series S toaster was first spotted in France back in March 2023, with gaming deals poster Wario64 sharing the news of its US arrival on X (formerly Twitter).The toaster is more than a fun gimmick: It fits two slices of bread, has six browning levels available, an LED countdown and a removable crumb tray. It also offers bagel and defrost settings.The toaster isn't Xbox's first foray into kitchen appliances. The Xbox Series X "Mini Fridge" started as a meme in 2021 and became a six-foot, 400-pound reality. Now, its third iteration is on sale for $199, down from $250. The Xbox Series X Compact Fridge is actually mini at just over two-feet tall, with a matte black exterior and Xbox green light glowing inside it. The freezer compartment reads: "Power your dreams" - for that extra motivation you need when grabbing a drink mid-gaming.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/you-can-now-buy-the-xbox-series-s-toaster-for-40-104548270.html?src=rss

Coming soon to a Windows 11 PC near you: A dedicated keyboard key for Microsoft's Copilot AI. The company calls this "the first significant change to the Windows PC keyboard in nearly three decades" in a blog post ahead of CES 2024 in Las Vegas. Just like how the Windows key serves as a quick way to open up the Windows Start menu, the Copilot key immediately summons Microsoft's AI companion to do your bidding.While it's not a huge surprise to see Copilot manifest itself in the real world, especially given just how much Microsoft has been pushing AI over the past year, it's a bit of a shock to see it happen so quickly. The company claims the Copilot key is "another transformative moment in our journey with Windows where Copilot will be the entry point into the world of AI on the PC." Sure, let's go with that.Microsoft says the Copilot key will appear in new PCs coming this Spring (expect to hear more about them during CES 2024), as well as in future Surface devices. Symbolically, the key is yet another sign that Microsoft thinks of Copilot as an essential element of Windows' future. At this point, it's just as important as the Start Menu to the company - it's not hard to imagine a future where the Start Menu fuses with Copilot entirely. But for now, baby steps.Now here's a video of someone hitting a key:We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-copilot-keyboard-keys-are-coming-to-windows-11-pcs-at-ces-2024-080126519.html?src=rss

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a complaint against SpaceX, accusing it of unlawfully firing eight employees involved in writing a letter that called Elon Musk's behavior on social media "a frequent source of distraction and embarrassment." According to the filing, the company committed an unfair labor practice when it fired the workers for "engaging in protected concerted activity at work." It also accused SpaceX of interrogating at least one employee about the letter, as well as about the identities of their colleagues and the nature of their "concerted protected activity."In addition, the complaint said SpaceX created an "impression of surveillance" by showing an employee screenshots of a Signal group chat several employees were a part of. The open letter at the center of this case was calling out Musk's "harmful Twitter behavior" before he acquired the website now known as X. In particular, the employees raised concerns about the crude jokes he made on X about the sexual misconduct accusations against him, which SpaceX settled for $250,000. The letter asked the company to hold leadership accountable for their actions and to condemn harmful behavior.The employees involved in writing the letter circulated it within the company in mid-2022. According to The New York Times, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell reprimanded them within a few hours of sending it out and told them to "stop flooding employee communication channels immediately." Five employees were reportedly fired the next day, and four others were fired over July and August. Only one of them didn't take part in filing the unfair labor practice complaint. "At SpaceX the rockets may be reusable, but the people who build them are treated as expendable," Paige Holland-Thielen, one of the fired employees, told The Times. "I am hopeful these charges will hold SpaceX and its leadership accountable for their long history of mistreating workers and stifling discourse."The case is slated to go before an administrative judge on March 5, though the company could settle before it takes place. If the NLRB decides that the company has violated labor laws, it can order SpaceX to reinstate workers and to give them appropriate backpay. SpaceX could appeal the decision to the board and then to a federal court, though, so it could be a long journey for the employees involved.Musk has been at odds with the NLRB for years through his other companies. The board previously accused X of illegally firing an employee who pushed back against his return-to-office policy. Meanwhile, Tesla has dealt with several NLRB complaints, including one accusing the automaker of illegally terminating employees in retaliation for union activity.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nlrb-accuses-spacex-of-illegally-firing-workers-for-criticizing-elon-musk-075244828.html?src=rss

It's almost time for CES, which means that, among many other things, there'll soon be a heap of new monitors vying for your attention. Dell is hoping that its new UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor will stand out from the pack. Announced days before CES 2024 is set to kick off, this model is the "first 40-inch 5K monitor certified for five-star eye comfort," Dell claims.Five-star eye comfort is a new industry standard stemming from TUV Rheinland. The aim is to highlight displays that help reduce signs of eye fatigue. Dell says it did three things to achieve this certification with the latest UltraSharp monitors. First, it doubled the refresh rate to 120Hz for smoother visuals. It incorporated an ambient light sensor, which allows the monitors to automatically adjust screen brightness and color temperature to match the light conditions. Dell cites studies suggesting this can help reduce the frequency of eye fatigue signs by up to 17 percent.DellLast but not least, Dell says it upgraded its ComfortView Plus tech with the help of an advanced LED backlight to reduce blue light exposure from 50 percent to under 35 percent. This, too, can help reduce signs of eye fatigue.None of that should diminish the monitor's performance. Dell says the UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub has a 99 percent DCI-P3 / Display P3 color space and 1.07 billion colors. It's VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified and features IPS Black Panel tech and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio.On the connectivity front, there's Thunderbolt 4 support with up to 140W power delivery. An Ethernet connection allows for speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps, while there are HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 ports. Dell notes that pop-out front-facing USB-A and USB-C ports should make it easy to connect and charge your devices.DellIf the 40-inch model is perhaps too much real estate for your needs, you might want to consider Dell's 34-inch variant. The UltraSharp 34 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor also features TUV Rheinland five-star eye comfort certification, IPS Black technology and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. It's not a 5K monitor, however, as it has a WQHD resolution of 2,560 x 1,440.Both monitors will be available globally starting on February 27. The UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor starts at $2,400 in the US and $3,290 CAD in Canada. The 34-inch model will run you $1,020 in the US and $1,400 CAD north of the border.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/dell-unveils-its-curved-40-inch-5k-monitor-at-ces-claiming-five-star-eye-comfort-050102378.html?src=rss

LG just announced that it will bring a brand-new 27-inch 480Hz QHD OLED gaming display to CES 2024 in Las Vegas, which the company is calling an industry first and a new era of OLEDS." This panel was developed by LG Display, so it won't actually be available for purchase. Rather, the tech will be sold to other companies for use in forthcoming gaming monitors.480Hz is a blazingly fast refresh rate, and may also be something of a bummer if you bought into last year's 240Hz displays. This latest OLED monitor boasts QHD (2560x1440) resolution and a response time of just 0.03ms, which LG says is the quickest of any panel on the market today."LG also promises enhanced image quality via the company's proprietary META technology, not to be confused with that other Meta. This tech incorporates a micro lens array to maximize the emission of light from the OLED panel and minimize external reflections. This should be especially helpful when navigating darker-than-average gameplay environments.The company says this display emits the lowest level of blue light in the industry", at around half the amount emitted by standard LCDs. This is useful to minimize eye fatigue, of course, but also works to reduce flicker.LG Display says this panel will begin showing up in products during the first half of the year, though partner companies have yet to be announced. This isn't the only 480Hz panel that LG is showing off at this year's CES. There's a new monitor that runs at 480Hz in HD and 240Hz in 4K.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lg-display-plans-to-debut-an-ultra-fast-480hz-oled-panel-for-gaming-at-ces-010059437.html?src=rss

If you're active on Facebook or Instagram, you might have noticed prompts about a setting called link history." The feature allows users to keep track of all of the links they visit via Facebook and Instagram's in-app browsers.According to Meta, the feature allows users to ensure they never lose" a link. Easily get back to recent links you've visited with your Facebook browsing activity now saved in one place," an in-app notification about the feature says.But, as Gizmodo points out, the feature also gives Meta a convenient way to improve its targeted advertising, which has taken a hit following Apple's crackdown on app tracking. Keep in mind that when link history is on, we may use link history information from Facebook's Mobile Browser to improve your ads across Meta technologies," the company notes in a support article.Instagram has a similar feature, which keeps tabs on links users visit via the app's browser. Though it seems many users are just now discovering the settings, a Meta spokesperson confirmed the features began rolling out last summer.Though link history is not enabled by default, it's the kind of setting many people may opt into without giving much thought, especially because the company markets it as a way to avoid losing" links. That's sparked concern among some privacy advocates who worry Meta is using increasingly sneaky ways to gather data about users' online activity.The good news, however, is that it's easy to double check if you have link history enabled, and opt-out if you do.On Facebook, users will need to open a link from within the app and tap on ... menu to open the settings from the in-app browser. Then, look for the link history" toggle. If it's on, you'll need to turn it off, and then confirm via the pop-up that you want it disabled.Screenshots via FacebookThe process on Instagram is pretty much the same: Head to the in-app browser's settings, look for link history" and confirm your choice.Of note, though both apps will immediately delete your link history from their respective apps, Meta says it can take up to 90 days to complete the deletion process." This means your previous browsing activity could still play a role in your targeted ads for several weeks after you've disabled link tracking.Of course, the company still has numerous other ways of tracking your online activity, so opting out of link history alone won't be enough to fully take back control of your data. Privacy conscious ad-haters who live in the European Union, however, do have another option, though it may be even less appealing. Meta recently began offering the ability for EU users to opt out of Facebook and Instagram ads entirely, in exchange for a rather hefty monthly fee.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/opting-into-link-history-on-facebook-and-instagram-means-agreeing-to-more-ad-targeting-003746719.html?src=rss

JLab has a proven track record with its headphones and earbuds for solid audio quality at extremely affordable prices. At CES 2024, the company is debuting its first premium headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC), but it's keeping the price low at just $80. Despite the affordable investment, JLab didn't cut too many features as the JBuds Lux ANC Wireless Headphones pack long battery life, multipoint Bluetooth, customizable EQ, spatial audio, Google Fast Pair and a quick-charge feature.JLab says the JBuds Lux have the same size drivers, 40mm, as flagship headphones from the likes of Bose, Sony and others. The company further explains that these components are capable of 20-20kHz frequency response, the most common rage for headphones, and promises "exceptional audio quality" as a result. In terms of ANC, the JBuds Lux can reduce noise by up to 25dB with the option to turn it off or employ Be Aware (transparency) mode, and levels are customizable via the JLab App. You can fully configure the EQ with that software or choose from one of three audio presets. The JBuds Lux also support spatial and Bluetooth LE audio.The company touts over 40 hours of use with noise canceling on, with that figure extending to over 70 hours with it disabled. Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity adds convenience, as does Google Fast Pair and a 10-minute quick-charge feature that gives you four hours of playback. JLab opted for a folding design for easy storage, with cushiony ear pads and physical playback controls.The JBuds Lux ANC headphones are available for preorder now from JLab. White, gray and green color options are scheduled to ship in late February while the purple version will arrive in March.JLabBefore the party officially begins in Las Vegas, JLab also revealed a new set of budget earbuds. The third-gen JBuds ANC ($60) can manage seven hours of use with noise cancellation turned on with nearly four full charges in the case. With ANC off, you can expect up to nine hours from the earbuds and another 33 in the case. As JLab has done on previous models, the charging case here is still about the size of a flash drive, and an attached USB-C cord tucks away for storage.Onboard touch controls handle both playback and calls, plus JLab says they're customizable inside of its app. Sound profiles can also be tailored to your preferences by either tweaking the EQ or using an audio preset. The company has included a Safe Listening Mode that keeps the maximum volume within the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Bluetooth multipoint is here as well, with an IP55-rated design that can withstand workouts, a low-latency Movie Mode for streaming and Google Fast Pair.The JBuds ANC 3 wireless earbuds are available now, but they only come in black.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/jlab-debuts-its-first-premium-anc-headphones-for-only-80-204305515.html?src=rss

Twitch has revised its nudity policies yet again. The latest change bars streamers from pretending to be fully or partially nude," wrote Angela Hession, Twitch's VP of Trust and Safety, in a blog post. The change comes several weeks after the company said creators could post properly labeled" sexual content, only to flip-flop two days later.The company added the new language to its community guidelines (reported by The Verge) in response to streamers implying" nudity with carefully placed objects, censor bars or camera angles. The update to Twitch's terms goes into effect today.The revised terms also ban see-through clothing, clarifying that apparel must be fully opaque on bodily areas that require coverings. Hession also emphasized the importance of categorizing content correctly, including when streaming from near a pool, beach, or hot tub, where the full coverage of the buttocks" requirement is loosened.Twitch plans to eventually blur thumbnails for streams labeled as having sexual themes. While most streamers have labeled this content appropriately with the Sexual Themes label and are wearing clothing behind the object or outside the camera frame, for many users, the thumbnails of this content can be disruptive to their experience on Twitch," Hession wrote. Twitch says it will also update its settings to allow users to control the content they see based on how it's labeled.As it stands now, Twitch requires streamers to cover theirbuttocks, genitals and (for female-presenting streamers) the nipples and underbust areas. Visible outlines of genitals are also prohibited, but cleavage is fine as long as it's clear the streamer is clothed. But you may want to check back soon: At the pace we're going, Twitch may have revised its policies again by next week.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twitch-re-revises-its-guidelines-to-ban-the-implication-of-nudity-201037204.html?src=rss

Tetris is one of the most popular and enduring video games of all time, with versions on just about every console, computer and gadget. Many of these iterations have endings baked into story modes and the like, but the original endless mode was considered unbeatable by humans, until now. A 13-year-old boy has become the first person to beat' the NES version of Tetris, 34 years after it originally released back in 1989, as announced by YouTuber aGameScout.The reason we put beat' in quotes is due to the nature of the achievement. Oklahoma teenager Willis Gibson, also known as Blue Scuti on YouTube, didn't access an authorized ending, as there isn't one. Instead, he played the game so perfectly for so long that it forced a kill screen that crashed the game. These kill screens are usually caused by an overflow error that occurs when you speed the game up so much that the software can't keep up.The teen achieved this feat after 38 minutes of gameplay and captured the moment on video. He's the first person to do this, but not the first, uh, entity. An AI program called StackRabbit forced a kill screen with the NES Tetris back in 2021. Score one for the humans!This was done by incorporating a gameplay style called the rolling technique, which has players glide their fingers along the bottom of an NES controller and use that momentum to roll the controller into the other hand. When done correctly, you can hit the D-pad up to 20 times per second. The method revolutionized competitive Tetris play a couple of years back. Prior to this achievement, the 13-year-old had already broken the game's high score record, level achieved record and the total number of lines cleared by using the rolling technique.Gibson, aka Blue Scudi, told another YouTuber that he's dedicating the achievement to his late father, who recently passed away in December. He also said that the gameplay session was so frantic that he couldn't feel his fingers afterwards.Achieving the mythical kill screen is something of a rite of passage for old-school games. If you've seen the documentary King of Kong, involving the arcade cabinet Donkey Kong, you know just how competitive it can be to snag those bragging rights. Players have hit the kill screen on Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Duck Hunt, and many others.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/this-kid-just-became-the-first-person-to-beat-nes-tetris-191557002.html?src=rss

Jack Black is reportedly set to play Minecraft Steve. Deadline wrote on Tuesday that the School of Rock actor will play the game's blocky protagonist alongside Jason Momoa in the game's long-delayedfilm adaptation.The Minecraft adaptation has been in development since 2014. It's cycled through at least three previous directors (Shawn Levy, Rob McElhenney and Peter Sollett) and two missed release windows (2019 and 2022). Its current target date is April 4, 2025.The writers for the project's current iteration haven't yet been revealed. However, adapting the sandbox building game into a plot-driven Hollywood blockbuster will allow for (and probably require) ample creativity from its scribes. A plot synopsis published in 2019 (which may or may not still apply) describes the film as following a teenage girl and her unlikely group of adventurers. After the malevolent Ender Dragon sets out on a path of destruction, they must save their beautiful, blocky Overworld."Minecraft SteveMojang / MicrosoftBlack is fresh off a beloved performance as Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, where he showed the effectiveness of his larger-than-life comedic presence in gaming adaptations. IGN even noted that both of Black's gaming roles -Bowser and Steve - appeared in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.Napoleon Dynamite creator (and Black collaborator on Nacho Libre) Jared Hess will direct. Deadline says production will start soon on the film, which hails from Warner Bros, Vertigo, Legendary, Mojang / Microsoft and On the Roam. Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks and Sebastian Eugene Hansen have signed on to join Black and Momoa in the cast.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/jack-black-will-reportedly-play-steve-in-the-long-delayed-minecraft-movie-adapatation-175331365.html?src=rss

LG just announced a new lineup of OLED TVs just days before CES 2024 kicks off in Las Vegas next week. The LG Signature OLED M4 and OLED G4 TVs are, surprise, packed with an updated AI processor that offers four times the performance of last year's models. The Alpha 11 AI processor works to enhance picture and audio quality, offering a 70 percent improvement of visual performance when gaming compared to its predecessor.The AI chip upscales objects and backgrounds to reduce blur and allegedly analyzes and adjusts colors to best convey the mood and emotional elements intended by filmmakers." LG also promises a more three-dimensional" image, thanks to its proprietary Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro technology that fine-tunes brightness and contrast on the fly. The AI chip also allows for virtual surround sound and even separates vocals from soundtracks to enhance the dialogue.The resolution remains 4K but the refresh rates have gotten a glow up. Last year's models capped out at 120Hz, but the M4 and G4 now offer a refresh rate of 144Hz. Obviously, high refresh rates are great for watching action-packed content and for gaming. To that end, each TV offers access to LG's webOS platform for viewing streaming content and playing games via the cloud.LGThe M4 ships with LG's proprietary Zero Connect Box that streams audio and video wirelessly, eliminating the need for connected cables. The tech provides real-time video and audio transmission up to 4K with a 120Hz refresh rate. This is for people absolutely committed to a clean living room aesthetic.Each of LG's new OLED TVs offers support for both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, which is great for gamers. The panels also come with LG's Game Optimizer selection screen, allowing users to instantly switch between display presets designed for different gaming genres.Pricing and availability are both still up in the air. Maybe we'll get more information at CES 2024 next week. In addition to this reveal, LG also announced an absolutely massive 97-inch M3 OLED display and a 98-inch QNED model.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lg-reveals-new-oled-tvs-with-high-144hz-refresh-rates-ahead-of-ces-2024-164550931.html?src=rss

Roku is stepping into premium TV territory at CES 2024 with its new Pro Series sets, which feature Mini LED backlighting for better brightness and contrast, as well as enhanced audio. The company announced its first self-made TVs at CES last year - a surprising move, since it has also partnered with TCL and others for years to build "Roku TVs" powered by the Roku OS. Roku's first batch of TV sets, the Select and Plus models, were clearly value-oriented, with prices ranging from $149 to $999. The Pro Series - which includes 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch models - tops out at $1,500. We expect to see them in person in Las Vegas next week once CES kicks off.Calling these "high-end" TVs is relative, of course. You can easily spend thousands more for QLED sets from Samsung, Sony and LG, and the prices only get higher once you're looking at OLED TVs. Rather than gunning for the top of the heap, Roku still appears to be targeting value-oriented shoppers who would normally consider TCL's cheaper TVs. (Roku told us last year it wasn't planning to compete with partners like TCL, but that seems harder to believe now.)While Roku's earlier mid-range Plus TVs included some notable features, like QLED displays and support for Dolby Vision and Atmos, the Mini LED backlighting in the Pro Series TVs will be a noticeable upgrade. Most mid-range TVs feature a small amount of local dimming backlight zones, which can increase the brightness and contrast in specific areas of the screen. Mini LED backlights offer higher brightness, and since they're so small, they allow for hundreds (and potentially thousands) of dimming zones.At this point, Mini LEDs are the closest you'll get to the power of OLEDs - which can turn individual pixels on and off to achieve perfect blacks and extreme levels of contrast - on a standard LED screen.RokuOn top of a new family of TVs, Roku also announced that it will be tapping into AI and machine learning for its new Roku Smart Picture features, which can automatically adjust Roku TVs for specific types of content. The company says most consumers don't typically adjust their TV settings, which means they're likely stuck viewing content in sub-optimal ways. We won't see Smart Picture in action until Spring 2024, but it could potentially help to tone down motion smoothing during films and bump it up for sports, where you want footage to look more realistic. (And of course, image purists can always turn it off.)Roku says its new Pro Series TVs will arrive in the US in Spring 2024. The company will also expand retail availability for its Select and Plus series sets, but we don't have specifics on where they'll show up yet.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/roku-high-end-pro-series-tvs-feature-mini-led-screens-164354589.html?src=rss

If you're looking to buy a fitness tracker for the new year, a sale on Fitbit devices that kicked off earlier this week may be of interest. Chief among the discounts is the Fitbit Inspire 3, the top budget pick in our fitness tracker buying guide, down to $70 in multiple colors. That matches the lowest price we've tracked. Fitbit normally sells the device for $100, though we've seen it fall $80 at several points in the past year. The sale is available at multiple retailers, including Amazon, Walmart and Fitbit's online store.The Inspire 3 is an entry-level fitness band with a simple interface and no built-in GPS, so it's not ideal for dedicated runners or cyclists. (Instead, you'll need to bring your phone with you to map runs and bike rides.) For more casual users who just want a dedicated device to log their everyday activity, however, it should be enough. It's slim, light and easy to wear, and navigating its color OLED display is straightforward. Its step, sleep and heart rate tracking is relatively accurate, and it can detect various workouts automatically. Fitbit rates its battery life at 10 days per charge - you may not always reach that, but it'll last longer than most smartwatches either way. The design is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, so it'll be safe in the pool. And while there's no support for contactless payments or digital assistants, it can still display basic smartphone notifications.Fitbit's app remains an uncomplicated way to view all your metrics after a recent makeover, though it did lose some longtime social features last year. New users will also need to log in with an account from Fitbit's parent company Google. We wouldn't be surprised to see more Google-related tweaks going forward, but for now, the Inspire 3 is still a good buy at this price for those who only need the essentials.If you do have a little bit more to spend and want a Fitbit smartwatch, however, the Fitbit Versa 4 is also worth a look at $150. That one is bigger and gets less battery life but has built-in GPS and more of the smart features the Inspire 3 lacks. We've seen this price for much of the last few months, but it's only $10 above the best deal we've tracked.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fitbits-inspire-3-fitness-tracker-drops-back-to-an-all-time-low-of-70-162153884.html?src=rss

After an Indiegogo campaign that amassed over $800,000 in funding, GE Appliances is bringing its indoor smoker to consumers nationwide in the US ahead of CES 2024. Originally dubbed the Arden as a project of GE Appliance's "maker space and micro factory" FirstBuild, the appliance is now known as the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker. While the design has been updated to a degree, The basic idea remains the same: a larger countertop device that brings the ability to smoke foods inside the kitchen without setting off the fire alarm in your house or apartment.With an appliance the size of a compact mini fridge, the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker uses so-called Active Smoke Filtration technology that employs a "catalyst system" to create wood smoke from pellets and combine it with an electric heating element. The airflow setup is designed to impart "maximum flavor" into a variety of foods while tight gaskets keep the smoke inside. GE Appliances says the unit is suitable for all skill levels thanks to five smoke presets. There are also six food-specific settings for popular smoked foods like brisket, ribs, pork butt, chicken wings, chicken breast and salmon. The company says the customization available on the smoker also allows users to prepare side dishes and desserts with the device.GE AppliancesWhat's more, there are some conveniences that outdoor smokers don't offer. A Smoke and Hold feature prepares foods and then keeps them at food-safe temperatures for up to 24 hours. GE Appliances says the smoker also uses a fraction of the wood pellets as outdoor grills, thanks in part to the additional heating element, and that a pellet capture system extinguishes used pellets in a water tank. Lastly, all of the racks and drip trays are dishwasher safe where those components are typically so large on outdoor smokers they need to be washed by hand.As the name implies, there's a connected aspect to the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker. With GE Profile Connect+ app, you can adjust smoke levels and monitor the cooking process as the unit includes a food probe. The company says feature updates like guided recipes will be available in the future. This is an indoor device, but you don't have to sacrifice capacity. GE Appliances says there's enough room for three racks of baby back ribs, a brisket, up to 40 wings or a 14-pounds pork butt. Since most pork butts you'll find at grocery stores are around eight pounds or less, there's ample room for pulled pork.The GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker will be available from retailers this month for $1,000. The unit will be on display at CES next week, so hopefully we'll get an early look and taste of what it can do. If you're already convinced, you can order one now.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ge-profile-smart-indoor-smoker-150044423.html?src=rss

Samsung threw a dart at the year's calendar and chose January 17. Yes, its next Unpacked event is coming earlier this year and will be held at the SAP Center in San Jose. The event, usually held in February, is typically when Samsung reveals its latest array of flagship smartphones. At this point we'll see the Galaxy S24 - unless the company shakes up the numbering - and I remember the S8!*This is all broadly unofficial, though. Samsung typically isn't explicit about what it'll reveal (unless it's bantering about foldables unfolding"). If you're feeling risky, the company has already started a pre-reserve" program where you can register your email address to pre-order... something Galaxy flavored.- Mat Smith*Yes, I know Samsung changed its naming nomenclature to S20 back in 2020, but let me have my fun.You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedSquare Enix plans 'aggressive' use of AI to create new forms of contentApple's AirPods Pro with USB-C are back down to $190 right nowA jarring Tekken 8 colorblind filter is concerning accessibility expertsThe best VPN service for 2024LG made a jukebox with a transparent OLED and vacuum tubesBecause it could.LGLG has teased another reveal for CES: its DukeBox by LG Labs. The audio device combines vacuum tube audio with a transparent OLED panel to control it. Vacuum tubes have been around since 1906, while transparent OLEDs appeared around 2015. Why not put them together? Functionality-wise, it's a smart speaker with glamor. LG appears to be pitching it at older rich men who stack their books so you can't see the spines. What a power move.Continue reading.Pornhub blocks Montana and North Carolina as their age verification laws take effectThe website says the states' ID requirement would put users' privacy at risk.Montana and North Carolina have been leading the list of US states with the highest number of searches for "VPN" over the past few days. Why's that? New age verification laws were enacted on January 1, and adult websites now either require a copy of visitors' government IDs or have blocked access in the regions altogether.Pornhub has decided to block users in both states from accessing its website, instead of asking for verification. The other websites owned by its parent company Aylo (formerly MindGeek), including Brazzers, Redtube and YouPorn, are also no longer accessible.Continue reading.Tesla says it delivered a record 1.8 million EVs in 2023China's BYD was close behind with sales of 1.6 million fully electric cars.Tesla has unveiled its EV delivery and production figures for 2023, and the company had another banner year. It produced 1.846 million EVs last year and delivered 1.809 million, besting 2022 deliveries by 38 percent. That said, Tesla originally projected it would sell 2 million vehicles in 2023, but revised that figure downward in its October 2023 earnings call. Its EV sales also benefited from several price drops over the last year, with the Model 3 and Model Y most recently dropping to $38,990 and $45,990, respectively.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-samsung-schedules-its-galaxy-s24-event-for-january-17-121624331.html?src=rss

Tesla has unveiled its EV delivery and production figures for 2023, and the company had another banner year - but it has Chinese rival BYD close behind. Elon Musk's company produced 1.846 million EVs last year and delivered 1.809 million, besting 2022 deliveries by a wide 38 percent. Those figures include 494,989 EVs produced last quarter and 484,507 delivered.Tesla's originally projected it would sell 2 million vehicles in 2023, but revised that figure downward in its October 2023 earnings call. It did exceed analyst expectations for Q4 2023, though, according to CNBC.Tesla built 476,777 Model 3 and Model Y EVs last quarter and delivered 461,538 of them. Those include sales of the refreshed "Highland" Model 3. While Elon Musk predicted last quarter that the Model Y would become "the bestselling car on Earth," the company didn't break down sales between its two most popular models. The company sold 18,212 "other models" consisting of Model S and Model X EVs. There are no sales figures yet for the Cybertruck.Tesla has battled some negative press with its EV lineup, particularly around its Autopilot system, which has seen regulatory scrutiny in the US and other countries. EV sales no doubt received a boost from several price drops over the last year as well, with the Model 3 and Model Y most recently dropping to $38,990 and $45,990, respectively. Tesla chalked up the price drops to "economic uncertainty, higher interest rates, and shifting consumer sentiment" in its October earnings call.One of Tesla's biggest markets is China, but the company is facing stiff competition there from another EV giant, BYD. That company announced sales of 3.02 million electrified vehicles in 2023, including 1.6 million were fully electric cars and 1.4 million hybrids. Most of BYD's EVs sell at significantly lower price points that Tesla's cars, however.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-says-it-delivered-a-record-18-million-evs-in-2023-082906995.html?src=rss

In the US, Montana and North Carolina have been leading the list of states with the highest number of searches for "VPN" over the past few days. That's most likely because their new age verification laws have gone into effect on January 1, and adult websites are now either requiring a copy of visitors' government IDs or have blocked access in the regions altogether. As 404Media reports, Pornhub has chosen to block people in both states from accessing its website instead of asking for verification. The other websites owned by its parent company Aylo (formerly MindGeek), including Brazzers, Redtube and YouPorn, are also no longer accessible.If anybody in Montana and North Carolina tries to access an Aylo website, they'll see a video message from performer Cherie DeVille, explaining that giving a copy of their ID to adult platforms puts their children and their privacy at risk. "We believe that the best and most effective solution for protecting children and adults alike is to identify users by their device and allow access to age-restricted materials and websites based on that identification," DeVille added.That's the same video message users from other states with similar age verification laws see when they visit Pornhub. Montana and North Carolina are but the latest states to require adult platforms to verify visitors' ages: Louisiana started the trend in early 2023, and since then, Utah, Arkansas, Mississippi, Virginia and Texas have passed their own versions. In North Carolina's case, the rule was approved as part of legislation that requires high school students to take computer science classes.Other adult websites not owned by Aylo are using third-party providers to authenticate users' ages in lieu of blocking whole regions altogether. Pornhub uses Louisiana's digital driver's license wallet app to verify local users' identities, but not all states have ID apps that work with its system. The website told us that its traffic in Louisiana dropped by 80 percent when the state started enforcing its age verification law. That makes this new development another potential blow to Aylo after it was slapped with a $1.8 million fine in December for hosting and profiting from pornographic content that featured sex trafficking victims.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/pornhub-blocks-montana-and-north-carolina-as-their-age-verification-laws-take-effect-033830719.html?src=rss

Samsung's Unpacked event is coming early this year, so set your calendar for January 17 at 1PM ET. Typically, these events drop the first week of February, so this is an interesting switch-up, given the proximity to CES 2024. This will be an in-person event, at the SAP Center in San Jose, but will also be live streamed across Samsung's various channels, including YouTube.This is Samsung, so it's not advertising any details regarding this year's Unpacked. We do, however, have some ideas. It's highly likely the company will not only announce the arrival of the Galaxy S24 flagship smartphone series, but will open up pre-orders immediately following the event. To that end, the company has already started a pre-reserve" program in which you plop down your name and email address to pre-order, well, something.You won't know what you've pre-ordered until January 17. Thankfully, there's no commitment here and you even get a $50 credit toward whatever devices Samsung has got cooking up. The company made a similar offer last year, so it must have worked out.Speaking of last year, we got the Galaxy S23 line in all of its glory. The Galaxy S23 and S23+ were minor refreshes, so perhaps the S24 will up the ante a bit. In 2022, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S22 smartphone line. Are you seeing a pattern? Just like Apple tends to use September for new iPhone announcements, Samsung drops new Galaxy smartphones at Unpacked.That doesn't mean, however, that the presentation will just be Galaxy S24 smartphones. Samsung tends to also announce new laptop iterations at the first Unpacked each year, so we could get the Galaxy Book4 or something similar.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsungs-first-unpacked-event-of-2024-will-take-place-on-january-17-230040664.html?src=rss

Samsung has released some details regarding a trio of forthcoming Odyssey gaming monitors, just ahead of CES 2024. These are all OLED displays with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400. Each monitor also features the company's proprietary anti-glare technology that minimizes daylight and ambient light reflections.First up, there's the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G95SD curved ultra-wide monitor. The screen offers DQHD (5120x1440) resolution, a 0.03ms response time, a 240Hz refresh rate, a 32:9 aspect ratio and access to both Samsung's smart TV platform and the company's cloud-based Gaming Hub. The aesthetics are on point, with a slim form factor and a slightly smaller size than the mammoth Odyssey Ark.SamsungThe Odyssey G80SD is the first flat 32-inch OLED gaming monitor in Samsung's lineup. It features 4K UHD (3840x2160) resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio, a 0.03ms response time and a snappy 240Hz refresh rate This ultra-thin monitor is made for cramped desks, with a width of just under four millimeters. The peak brightness is 450 nits and the monitor ships with CoreLighting+ technology for unique ambient lighting schemes.Samsung The relatively diminutive 27-inch OLED G60SD boasts a 360Hz refresh rate and a QHD (2560x1440) resolution. This monitor also ships with Samsung's CoreLighting+ tech, for ambient tomfoolery, and a slim, metal form factor. The display can be adjusted for comfort via tilt, pivot and swivel.There's no pricing yet, though that could come when CES 2024 actually starts next week. Samsung has promised that each will release sometime this year. For reference, the company announced a slew of Odyssey gaming monitors at CES 2023, and they were all out in the wild by the middle of the year.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-reveals-three-anti-glare-odyssey-oled-gaming-monitors-ahead-of-ces-2024-230028536.html?src=rss

If you've got some gift card money to spend after the holidays and are looking to grab a new pair of wireless earphones, here's a deal worth noting: Apple's AirPods Pro are back down to an all-time low of $189 at Amazon and Walmart. If stock runs dry there, other retailers like Target and Best Buy have them for a dollar more. This offer applies to latest version of the earphones, which comes with a USB-C charging case as standard. For reference, Apple normally sells the pair for $249, though it's almost always gone for less at third-party retailers since arriving last September.The second-gen AirPods Pro are the "best for iOS" pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds, and we gave the Lightning-based model a score of 88 in our review back in September 2022. This USB-C model adds slightly improved dust resistance and lossless audio support with Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset on top of the new charging port but is effectively identical otherwise. That means it still delivers pleasant and warm sound, effective active noise cancellation (ANC), a superb transparency mode, and a host of features that make life easier for Apple device owners, including faster pairing, hands-free Siri, virtual surround sound (which is personalized to your fit) and Find My tracking.A software update last fall added a few more helpful tricks, including an "Adaptive Audio" mode that automatically adjusts the ANC and transparency modes based on your surroundings and lowers the volume when you start a conversation.You really need to be an iPhone owner to get the most out of the this, though. Even then, the AirPods Pro's call quality and six-hour battery life are just OK, and its sound isn't as customizable as competing models. Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer better ANC, the Beats Fit Pro has a better fit for the gym and Sony's WF-1000XM5 is more well-rounded on the whole. Apple may also add ANC to its lower-cost AirPods at some point in 2024, according to a recent Bloomberg report (though new Pros aren't expected until 2025). And if you already own the Lightning-based Pros and just want the USB-C case, you can now buy the latter separately. All that said, at this price, the USB-C AirPods Pro remain a solid value for Apple diehards in search of a new pair of premium wireless earphones.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-airpods-pro-with-usb-c-are-back-down-to-190-right-now-153404826.html?src=rss

Generative AI provoked a lot of discussion last year around images, text and video, but it may soon affect the gaming industry as well. Square Enix said it plans to be "aggressively applying" AI and other cutting-edge tech in 2024 to "create new forms of content," according to president Takashi Kiryu's New Year's letter."Artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential implications had for some time largely been subjects of academic debate," he said. "However, the introduction of ChatGPT, which allows anyone to easily produce writing or translations or to engage in text-based dialogue, sparked the rapid spread of generative AIs. I believe that generative AI has the potential not only to reshape what we create, but also to fundamentally change the processes by which we create, including programming."The company will start by using it to improve productivity in development and assist in marketing. "In the longer term, we hope to leverage those technologies to create new forms of content for consumers, as we believe that technological innovation represents business opportunities," Kiryu added. Square Enix also plans to build more immersive AR and VR experiences, including "new forms of content that fuse the real world and virtual worlds."Kiryu name-checked ChatGPT, despite the fact that its creator OpenAI was recently sued by The New York Times for copyright infringement. In the gaming industry directly, companies including Valve have said they may restrict games that use AI on their platforms over similar concerns.Square Enix didn't specifically state that AI would be used to generate content in the form of characters, voices, environments or anything else, though. Rather, it appears to be more of a broad aspiration than anything specific. The company has made similar proclamations in the past about blockchain, NFTs and Web 3.0, but it only gave those scant mention in this year's letter.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/square-enix-plans-aggressive-use-of-ai-to-create-new-forms-of-content-141602313.html?src=rss

CES 2024 is just around the corner and tech companies are already providing sneak peeks of what we can expect to see on the ground in Las Vegas. LG is bringing a range of wonderful, weird gadgets to the showcase, including the just-announced DukeBox by LG Labs. The audio device marries old and new with vacuum tube audio working alongside transparent OLED panel technology.Vacuum tube audio has been around for over 100 years and is beloved for its ability to produce a warm sound quality that highlights each instrument - almost creating the sense that musicians are playing the music live. The DukeBox utilizes this technology alongside front-facing bottom speakers and 360-degree speakers on top. The vacuum pipes remain visible for an extra retro feel, though the OLED display's transparency is adjustable.The DukeBox is kind of like a smart speaker for people who want a more sleek, retro design. While it's reminiscent of old jukeboxes, this device isn't exclusive to music. It has the option to play content like movies or even create a "fireplace" with the tubes visible along the flames.The company claims its Labs zone at CES 2024 will be twice the size of last year's space. Other LG CES 2024 announcements include a two-legged AI-powered robot; laptops with AI features; and the CineBeam Qube, a 4K projector with 3,840 x 2,160 resolution images measuring up to 120 inches. The three-pound device also has image-mapping and a handle that could pass for a crank. Although LG has a CES 2024 press conference planned, the company has a pattern of announcing many of its products in the days and weeks leading up to CES.Neither the DukeBox or the CineBeam Qube currently have a release date or price. LG will likely release more information on these and other new products during CES. The showcase should also give us a chance to test out the products' quality for ourselves and provide some early hands-on impressions.We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lgs-dukebox-puts-vacuum-tube-audio-behind-a-transparent-oled-display-125526158.html?src=rss

New Year's resolutions are usually set with the best intentions - I may have already failed at one of mine already - but the right tools (and resolutions, if I'm honest) can make achieving those goals easier.Naturally, with all the wearables and smartwatches around, there's a fitness theme to half of our guide, but smartwatches can help nudge you into better habits and even remind you to meditate, which is something I've set up on my Apple Watch this week.We've also got to-do list app recommendations, cable organizing advice (that is a weak-ass New Year resolution) and help on how to cultivate a new reading habit in 2024.What are your resolutions for the coming year? And what will you do (or buy) to achieve them?- Mat SmithYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedThe Morning After: The biggest tech stories of 2023The biggest winners in tech in 2023How to find and cancel your unused subscriptionsSome Vizio TV owners can claim a share of a $3 million settlementCES 2024: What we expect to see in Las Vegas this yearWireless TV, plug-and-play solar and next-gen headphones.The Engadget team is prepping itself for another tour (in military terms) of Las Vegas. CES is back again. Alongside the glory of huge TVs in every size, new autonomous car tech and weird robots that will never make it outside of tech trade shows, we've compiled a few predictions for all the tech companies and startups planning to attend. We've got next-gen headphones, new display technology and more.The show officially runs from January 9 to 12, though we'll be on the ground well before that. The first CES-related events will kick off on January 7, so get ready!Continue reading.LG is bringing a 4K projector with a weird handle to CES 2024The CineBeam Qube weighs just 3 pounds.LGLG's latest 4K projector looks a little like, well, I'll say it: an objet d'arte from TJ Maxx. I say that from a place of love: I'd love a projector that looks like this. I mean, it has a handle that looks like a crank! The style does betray the high-tech insides. The CineBeam Qube can blast 4K images that measure up to 120 inches, with an RGB laser light source, a 450,000:1 contrast ratio and 154 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut.Continue reading.Meta's Quest 2 headset is about to get even cheaperThe price has dropped permanently to $249 following the launch of the Quest 3.Meta is permanently cutting the price of its Quest 2 VR headset to $250 following the launch of the Quest 3, according to Meta's official Quest blog. The Quest 2 has been on sale at that price since Black Friday anyway, but a new official retail price might spell even better deals for the previous-gen model in the next few months.Continue reading.Take a look at this dreamy timelapse of MarsFrom NASA's Curiosity rover.NASANASA's robotic Mars explorers were given some time off, as a natural phenomenon would likely interfere with communications. Leading up to the pause, the Curiosity rover was put in park - but its Hazard-Avoidance Cameras (Hazcams) kept snapping away. By the end of the period, Curiosity recorded the passage of a Martian day over 12 hours from its stationary position, as the sun moved from dawn to dusk.Take a look.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-tech-to-help-you-stick-to-your-new-years-resolutions-121518467.html?src=rss

The developers of Tekken 8 are boosting the upcoming game's accessibility with color blind options, but some experts and users say some of the settings may cause more harm than good. One filter in particular that displays horizontal and vertical black and white lines appears to be causing headaches and vertigo, and may even "hospitalize players (or worse), in the same way as the infamous Pokemon episode," said gaming accessibility specialist Ian Hamilton in a post on X. (We have embedded a still from the game at the bottom of the article. Viewer discretion is advised.)The various filters were posted by X user @itwhiffed, who said "why is no one talking about the color blind accessibility of Tekken 8." His post thread shows multiple filters for red, green and blue blindness, with different strength settings for each. However, one set of filters also shows characters as vertical and horizontal lines, with different white or black backgrounds.

It's a new year and you're going to need fresh tools to accomplish all those goals for 2024. A new iPad is a great way to keep track of and produce lots of tasks, especially when touting a 22 percent discount. That's right, the 10th-generation Apple iPad 64GB model is back down to its Black Friday all-time low of $349, dropping from $449. The $100 savings is available in the Silver, Blue and Pink versions, with the Yellow model available for $399.Apple's 10th-gen iPad came on the scene at the end of 2022 with an entire new design - namely removing the home button, a 10.9-inch screen and moving Touch ID to the lock button. We gave it an 85 in our review thanks to those updates and additional features like an A14 Bionic chip. It's an upgrade from the 9th-generation's A13 model but still falls behind the M1 and M2 in the iPad Air and Pro.Notably, the 10th-gen iPad also introduced a landscape edge to its front-facing camera - the first instance of this across any model. This update is a big deal for anyone who uses their iPad to take video calls. The battery is solid as well, lasting 11 hours and 45 minutes while playing a movie from the iTunes store and nearly 10 hours when it (and an attached keyboard) were in work mode all day. Speaking of the keyboard, this model's Magic Keyboard Folio comes in two pieces and is an improvement from the 9th-gen's version. However, it's not very stable for lap use and retails for a steep $250 - though it's on sale right now for $219.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-10th-gen-ipad-falls-back-to-a-low-of-349-102057197.html?src=rss

Meta is permanently cutting the price of its Quest 2 VR headset to $250 following the launch of the Quest 3, according to a Quest Blog update spotted by TechCrunch. The Quest 2 has been on sale at that price since Black Friday anyway, but the new retail price might spell even better deals for the previous-gen model."We knew we could do even more to make VR more affordable and bring even more people into the community... that's why we're permanently lowering prices on Quest 2 and its accessories, effective January 1," the company wrote. To wit, the 128GB Quest 2 is now $250, while the 256GB model is $300. Meta is also dropping the prices for refurbished units to $230 and $270, respectively. Similar pricing can be found on Amazon.Quest 2 accessories are also carrying lower prices, with the Elite Strap with battery receiving the biggest drop from $120 to $90. The regular Elite Strap is now $50, the carrying case has dropped to $45, the Active Pack is now $60 and the Quest 2 Fit Pack falls from $50 to $40.The Quest 2 became one of the more popular VR headsets thanks to the low $300 launch price, but the buzz died down when Meta jacked the price to $400 in mid-2022. The $500 Quest 3 was a big step forward with improved screens and lenses, a more compact design, faster performance, mixed reality cameras and more.With hundreds of VR titles available - including Resident Evil 4, the new Roblox game and ever-popular Beat Saber - the Quest 2 is still a great entry into the world of VR, though. It's now even more attractive at that price, and we might see it drop even lower via sales over the next year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/metas-quest-2-headset-is-about-to-get-even-cheaper-090433083.html?src=rss

NVIDIA may have figured out a way to go around the US export restrictions on China, but apparently ASML, the Dutch firm behind the key chipmaking equipment, isn't having much say on this end. According to Bloomberg, Biden's administration reportedly reached out to ASML "weeks before" the January 1, 2024 export ban deadline, requesting the firm to halt some pre-scheduled shipments of its deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) machines to its Chinese customers. This came after the revelation that SMIC used ASML tech to manufacture Huawei's latest flagship processor, the 7nm HiSilicon Kirin 9000S.In addition to DUV machines, ASML also manufactures extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines for making more advanced chips - with node processes of 5nm or less - for the likes of Apple and Qualcomm. While ASML was never allowed to sell EUV equipment to China, the Dutch government did grant licenses to the firm for shipping DUV machines to China until the end of 2023.Bloomberg reports that things changed when the US government - National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, specifically - allegedly contacted the Dutch government regarding some of ASML's final shipments to China, to which his team was asked to reach out to ASML directly. "Shipments of a limited number of machines" were affected.While China had been able to source lithography machines from elsewhere, they tended to be off less advanced methods. Not to mention the joint effort between the US, Japan and the Netherlands on limiting China's access to such equipment. That said, China had since been pushed to beef up its own silicon ecosystem, to the point where it surprised the world with its homegrown 7nm mobile 5G chip. It's no wonder the US was desperate to halt ASML's final DUV shipments to China, though doing so before the agreed deadline may be a questionable move.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/us-reportedly-halted-asmls-chipmaking-machine-shipments-to-china-weeks-before-ban-075407978.html?src=rss

A few weeks ago, NASA's robotic Mars explorers were given some time off from hard work while the agency waited out Mars solar conjunction, a natural phenomenon that could interfere with their communications. Leading up to the pause, the Curiosity rover was put in park - but its Hazard-Avoidance Cameras (Hazcams) kept snapping away. In a first for the rover, Curiosity recorded the passage of a Martian day over 12 hours from its stationary position, capturing its own shifting shadow on the landscape as the sun moves from dawn to dusk. It held onto the images until after the conjunction ended on November 25.NASA/JPL-CaltechCuriosity was given instructions to record the 12-hour sequences a few days before the conjunction began in mid-November, according to NASA. The idea was to see if it could catch any weather events that might crop up. That didn't end up happening, but the images Curiosity snapped on November 8 are still pretty enchanting. They've been pieced together in two videos showing the view from its front and rear Hazcams.Curiosity's Hazcams are normally used to help drivers avoid terrain that could be dangerous to the rover. But with the rover parked ahead of its pause in duties from November 11 to November 25, the cameras were freed up for a bit of sight-seeing. Curiosity recorded from its position at the base of Mars' Mount Sharp from 5:30AM to 5:30PM. It and the other Mars explorers have since resumed their normal activities.NASA/JPL-CaltechThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nasas-curiosity-rover-snapped-this-dreamy-timelapse-of-a-martian-day-175701537.html?src=rss

Vizio TVs' effective" refresh rates have been confusing customers for years, and the company may now owe payments to some buyers who were misled by the term. As spotted by The Verge, Vizio recently agreed to settle a class action lawsuit in California over what plaintiffs claim is false and misleading" advertising. While some Vizio TVs are marketed as having a 120Hz Effective Refresh Rate" or 240Hz Effective Refresh Rate," that describes a result achieved using motion clarity technology. Their actual, native refresh rate in most cases is 60Hz.Vizio has denied any wrongdoing on its part, but agreed to a $3 million settlement covering all Vizio TVs purchased in California that were advertised with the above descriptions, going back to April 30, 2014 and up until the final court judgment. The final approval hearing is right now set for June 20, 2024. People may be entitled to payments of up to $50, but claims must be in by March 30, 2024. The claim form can be found here. Vizio also agreed to stop marketing its TVs this way and to provide enhanced services and a limited one-year warranty to all Settlement Class Members."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/some-vizio-tv-owners-can-claim-a-share-of-a-3-million-settlement-over-misleading-marketing-220925933.html?src=rss

NASA's campaign to gather names for a sort of message in a bottle" that will fly with its upcoming Europa Clipper mission closes after this weekend, so if you were hoping to participate but haven't yet made your submission, you'd better hurry up and do so. The signatures will accompany a poem written for Europa by US Poet Laureate Ada Limon, which will be engraved in Limon's handwriting on a metal plate attached to the spacecraft. Europa, one of Jupiter's largest moons, is thought to have a deep saltwater ocean beneath its icy crust - and there, the conditions could be suitable for microbial life.To enter the Message in a Bottle campaign, you just need to go to NASA's website and fill out a short signup form. The deadline is tomorrow, December 31. So far, more than 2.4 million people have added their names. According to NASA, the names of everyone who participated will be stenciled in tiny, tiny letters onto microchips using an electron beam that can create lines of text smaller than 1/1000th the width of a human hair. These microchips will be affixed to the plate containing the poem.The Europa Clipper spacecraft is scheduled to launch in October 2024, and it'll be another six years from then before it reaches Jupiter's orbit. Once there, it'll investigate Europa's potential habitability through a series of close flybys. Europa is one of an estimated 95 moons circling Jupiter and among the longest known to humanity.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nows-the-last-chance-to-send-your-name-to-one-of-jupiters-moons-on-nasas-europa-clipper-181639628.html?src=rss

What do you do when the tech world mostly grinds to a halt at the end of December? You reheat your hot takes, force a narrative thread on a company's ups and downs and edit it all up for consumption.Yes, it's a little quiet at the end of the year (barring Apple Watch bans), but that won't stop TMA from finding something for me to talk to himself about. We're looking at a few of the major stories from the last 12 months and .. some other things where I just has to say my piece. And if not on a short YouTube video that's clipped, cropped and pushed into socials, then where? On X? Pschh.This week:How OpenAI's ChatGPT has changed the world in just a yearApple's switch to USB-C on the iPhone 15 brings more cable confusionMicrosoft officially owns Activision BlizzardAnd read this:I couldn't cover all the big things in tech in one tiny video. I'd recommend taking a look at all of the big tech wins in 2023 (and all the big losses), and it's definitely worth reading through our picks of the best games of the year.Like email more than video? Subscribe right here for daily reports, direct to your inbox.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-biggest-tech-stories-of-2023-140022006.html?src=rss

A few days ago, Microsoft released a standalone Android app for Microsoft Copilot, giving you a quick way to access the AI assistant. Turns out the iOS and iPad versions weren't far behind, because they're now available from Apple's App Store. Just like in Copilot on desktop and other AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, you can type in your question and wait for responses generated by artificial intelligence. In Copilot's case, you'll get responses spun by OpenAI's GPT-4, the company's latest large language model. The free version of ChatGPT, in comparison, is powered by the older ChatGPT-3.5, and you'll need to pay for ChatGPT Plus to get access to the newer model.In addition, Copilot on iOS has the capability to turn your words into images. That particular feature is powered by OpenAI's DALL-E 3 text-to-image AI system, which the company previously said is "significantly better" at being able to grasp the final product you want to achieve with the text prompt you type in. DALL-E 3 was also designed to be better at rendering the elements its predecessors were having trouble with, such as human hands.This is but the latest Copilot product Microsoft has released since it rebranded Bing Chat. The company also brought Copilot to Windows 10 and then to Windows 11, giving around a billion devices - based on the platforms' user numbers - access to the AI chatbot. With these mobile rollouts, Microsoft is expanding Copilot's reach even more, especially since the apps are free to use.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsofts-copilot-ai-chatbot-app-arrives-on-ios-112559129.html?src=rss

Firefly Green Fuels, a UK-based company, has developed a new form of jet fuel that is entirely fossil-free and made from human waste. The company worked with experts at Cranfield University to confirm that the fuel they developed had a 90 percent lower carbon footprint than what is used in aviation today, according to the BBC. Tests by independent regulators validated that what Firefly Green Fuels has developed is nearly identical to standard A1 jet fuel.In 2021, the company received a 2 million grant from the Department of Transport to continue developing its sustainable aviation fuel. Although it's not yet available commercially, the company says it is on track to bringing its fuel to the global market and it will have its first commercial plant operating within 5 years. The company has already inked a partnership with the budget airline Wizz Air - the name of the company and the source of its potential combustibles could scarcely be a more perfect pairing - to supply it with fuel starting in 2028.It currently sources its waste from water companies in the UK and takes the refined sewage through a process called hydrothermal liquefaction, which converts the liquid waste into a sludge or crude oil. Solid by-products can also be made into crop fertilizer. The company claims that the carbon intensity of the whole process - which measures how much carbon is needed to produce energy - is 7.97 grams of carbon dioxide per megajoule (gCO^2e/MJ). Comparatively, the ICCT says carbon intensity recorded for jet fuel ranges from 85 to 95 gCO^2e/MJ.Organic matter, as the company points out, takes millions of years to develop into the fossil fuels that power cars and planes. Firefly's solution makes it possible to generate fuel in a matter of days - and more importantly, human waste is a widely available resource. It's unclear if sustainable jet fuel will be more or less expensive than what is currently available. The company could not immediately be reached for comment. However, in a statement, the company's CEO James Hygate made mention that using human waste is a cheap and abundant feedstock [that] will never run out."The achievement of carbon neutrality in our airspaces has been a longtime goal for regulators and leaders in Europe and the US. While EVs have made headway in the car industry, it might be a while before we see battery powered commercial jets. So in the meantime, solutions for creating more environmentally-friendly jet fuel are welcome.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/from-toilets-to-the-sky-uk-startup-makes-waste-into-low-carbon-jet-fuel-194003678.html?src=rss

NVIDIA is set to release a low-powered version of the GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card specifically for the Chinese market to comply with US export rules, as reported by The Verge. The RTX 4090D already has a product page on the company's Chinese website and it boasts fewer CUDA cores than its similarly-named cousin. It also features a lower power draw of 425W instead of 450W.Most of the other specs remain the same between the two versions, but the fewer CUDA cores and decreased power draw force a five percent reduction in speed when gaming and using creative applications, according to Reuters. Even with the performance dip, NVIDIA still says the 4090D is a "quantum leap in performance, efficiency and artificial intelligence-driven graphics."This is all due to US export restrictions on high-end computer chips shipped to China and Russia, in an attempt to curb both nations from developing technology that could be used in applications like weapons making and surveillance. These rules were announced back in 2022 but officially put into place this year, leaving manufacturers like NVIDIA scrambling to find a solution that met the needs of both Chinese consumers and US regulators.We knew that the company was going to make new chips specifically for the massive Chinese market, as the restrictions prevented it from selling the original RTX 4090 and a bevy of AI-related GPUs. NVIDIA says the updated GPU has been designed to fully comply with US government export controls" and added that it extensively engaged with the US government" throughout development of the chip.The RTX 4090D will be available throughout China at some point in January, at a price of 12,999 or around $1,836 USD. This should help lessen demand for powerful graphics cards in the country, as the aforementioned restrictions have reportedly led to the repurposing of factories to focus on AI accelerators instead of the banned RTX 4090.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nvidia-nerfed-its-rtx-4090-graphics-card-for-chinese-buyers-thanks-to-us-export-rules-190621145.html?src=rss

Donald Trump's former fixer," Michael Cohen, used Google Bard to cite made-up legal cases that ended up in a federal court. The New York Times reported Friday that Cohen admitted in unsealed court papers that he passed on documents referencing bogus cases to his lawyer, who then relayed them to a federal judge. Cohen reportedly wrote in the sworn declaration he hadn't stayed on top of emerging trends (and related risks) in legal technology."Cohen's legal team filed the paperwork in a motion asking for an early end to court supervision from his 2018 campaign finance case, for which he served three years in prison. After Cohen's attorney, David M. Schwartz, presented the legal documents to the federal court, Judge Jesse M. Furman of the Federal District Court said he was having trouble finding the three decisions cited by Schwartz (via Cohen).Judge Furman told Schwartz that if he couldn't provide documentation of the cases, the attorney needed to provide a thorough explanation of how the motion came to cite cases that do not exist and what role, if any, Mr. Cohen played in drafting or reviewing the motion before it was filed." Schwartz must also explain why he shouldn't be sanctioned for citing nonexistent cases to the court." Cohen is a former lawyer who was disbarred after pleading guilty to multiple felonies.Enter Bard. Cohen said he didn't realize the AI bot was a generative text service that, like ChatGPT, could show citations and descriptions that looked real but actually were not." Cohen also blamed his lawyer, saying he didn't realize Schwartz would drop the cases into his submission wholesale without even confirming that they existed."Although lawyers using AI chatbots to cite hallucinated cases makes for easy comedy, this flub could have profound implications for a critical case with potential political ramifications. Cohen is expected to be the star witness in the Manhattan criminal case against Trump for allegedly falsifying business records. The Bard flub gives Trump's lawyers new ammunition to discredit the onetime fixer.Cohen joins the company of ChatGPT Lawyer Steven Schwartz, who cited made-up cases (sourced through OpenAI's chatbot) in a civil case earlier this year. He was allegedly joined by the attorney for Fugees rapper Pras Michel. In October, the artist accused his lawyer of using an AI program he may have had a financial stake in to produce his closing arguments.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/former-trump-fixer-michael-cohen-admits-using-google-bard-to-cite-bogus-court-cases-184125792.html?src=rss

This is the last weekly deal roundup we'll do this year, but unlike other end-of-year posts, we won't be looking back wistfully at the 2023 deals that once were - all that matters are the ones you can get right now. This week, we're seeing a few sale prices that are still live from Black Friday; snag those before they inevitably go back up. A few new discounts have popped up that actually beat lows from November's shopping holiday, including a Prime-only deal on Amazon's Echo Show 8, all-time lows on Anker charging accessories, and discounts on Apple AirTags and Tile Pro trackers. Until next year, these are the best tech deals that you can still get today.Anker charging accessories saleAs part of a larger Anker charging accessories sale at Amazon, the Anker 511 Nano 3 wall charger is down to $16 which is a 30 percent discount and close to an all-time low. It's our top pick for a 30-watt option in our fast charger buying guide. And if you want two USB-C ports instead of just one, you can get the 47W Nano 3 for $21, which is within a dollar of its best price so far. Other notable deals include our top pick for a 65 watt charger from the same guide, the Anker GaNPrime 65W, which is 37 percent off putting it at a new all-time low of $38.Amazon Echo Show 8The latest generation of Amazon's Echo Show 8 smart display is now 40 percent off, bringing it to a new all-time low of $90. That's about $15 cheaper than it sold for during Black Friday, but this deal is only for Prime members. The Echo 8 is our favorite Alexa display and Amazon debuted the third-generation of the device at a company event in September. We took time to appreciate the edge-to-edge front glass and new, more refined look - along with the new features. The most notable of the bunch is Adaptive Content, which knows how far you are from the device and displays different content accordingly, such as large format weather when you're across the room and personalized info like calendars and news when you step closer.Amazon EchoIf you have a Prime membership, you can use it to get the company's flagship smart speaker, the 4th generation Echo, for $50, which is half price and matches the lowest it's ever sold for, and comes in a full $10 less than it went for during Cyber Week. The latest Echo is our top pick for a smart speaker under $100 because it churns out a good amount of volume for its size and packs in all of Alexa's helpful smart home management and other skills.ZOIA EuroburoEmpress Effects is selling its two ZOIA modular synthesizers at a discount. The original ZOIA guitar effects pedal typically sells for $549, but is now 20 percent off and down to $439. The modular synth ZOIA Euroburo mini modular synth is 15 percent off, bringing it down to $607 instead of the $714 MSRP.We called the ZOIA "a complex and rewarding modular effects pedal" in our review and gave it a score of 86. While it's likely overkill for someone looking for a standard effects pedal, the ZOIA will give you almost limitless combinations of effects and modules, along with customization capabilities that other models can't match.The ZOIA Euroburo is pretty similar to the original ZOIA, but is instead configured into a Eurorack format which you could easily add to a larger modular synth setup. There's a powerful audio processor inside, plus 80 modules and 20 dedicated effects modules. These can be combined to create anything from basic reverbs to complicated microloopers or even full-fledged synthesizers.Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbudsWe named the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless earbuds our top pick for noise cancellation in our updated guide to the best earbuds. Right now Amazon, Walmart and Bose are selling them for $249 or $50 off, which is the sale price the buds hit for Black Friday. The standout feature is the active noise cancellation, but we also appreciated the sound quality bump from the new Immersive Audio tech, which we tested out in our full review.Hatch Restore 2The Hatch Restore 2 is seeing a rare discount at Amazon. It's down to $140 instead of the $200 list price. We recommend the device, which is a combination of a sunrise alarm clock and sleep-sounds speaker, in our guide to sleep gear. The design is attractive and the large, tactile buttons are easy to find and use in the dark or when you're groggy. Hatch offers a vast library of original content with bedtime stories, meditations, music and white noise to help you fall and stay asleep, and a big selection of wake-up pep talks and stretches to get you energized in the AM. Only catch is most of the content isn't free. You'll need to pay $5 per month for full access, the value of which we discuss in our review.iRobot Roomba 694The iRobot Roomba 694 is down to $160 directly from iRobot and at Amazon. That's within a dollar of its Black Friday price and $90 off the $275 list price, though it's been regularly on sale over the past few months. This is our top pick for a budget robot vacuum because it combines an easy-to-use app with good cleaning power. It doesn't have the smart obstacle avoidance or self-emptying features of pricier robot vacs, but at $160, you won't likely get a better deal on a reliable machine.Google Pixel TabletGoogle's Android tablet, the Pixel is still down to $399 - a $100 discount that matches what it sold for on Black Friday. It popped back up to full price after the sale, but then at Amazon and Target, it dropped back down in early December and hasn't gone back up. The version with 256GB of storage is also $100 off. The Google Pixel Tablet gets a mention in our guide to tablets. Though we don't think it's more compelling than the Samsung that nabs the top Android spot, it's a good pick for someone who wants a tablet that can handle casual browsing and streaming, but can also act as a smart home display. The included speaker and charging dock prop it up so you can use Google Home or manufacturer apps to control compatible smart lights, speakers, plugs and cameras.Blink security camera bundleA Blink sale at Amazon includes a number of security camera bundles, with discounts of up to 53 percent off. The company often sells bundles of its home security cameras at deep discounts and the combinations and sale percentages vary. Whether these are compelling deals or not depend on what you need for your home right now. If you're in the market for a Blink Mini camera to keep an eye on your home's interior, and would like to pair that up with the latest generation of Blink Outdoor camera, this bundle will save you $83 over buying the two separately and at full price. Both cameras offer 1080p video, two way audio and allow for local storage of clips with the included Sync Module 2.Apple AirTagA bundle of four Apple AirTags is currently on sale at Amazon for $79, which is a dollar less than it sold for on Black Friday. These Bluetooth trackers are our pick for iPhone users to keep tabs on your stuff. You'll need some sort of accessory to attach them to your stuff as the smooth round discs lack any sort of hole or attachment point. But AirTags tap into the largest finding network of any tracker, calling on the passive locating power of nearby iOS devices to find a lost tag in real time. It's not as loud, nor as quick with the left behind alerts as our overall top pick, the Chipolo One. A four-pack of those tags is currently $60.Tile Pro 1-packA single Tile Pro is down to $22 at Amazon, which is cheaper than it went for on Black Friday and matches the all-time low it hit for July's Prime day. We named it the best Bluetooth tracker for Android users, though it'll work with iPhones too. It's louder than an AirTag, and while the Tile finding network is nowhere near as vast as Apple's it worked well enough in our tests to get us to the approximate location of a misplaced item. The Pro model is also the only Tile with a replaceable battery.KitchenAid stand mixer attachmentsIf you took advantage of KitchenAid mixer sales over Cyber Week or were lucky enough to get one as a gift, you may want to look into snagging a few attachments to make your new kitchen appliance even more versatile. Right now a big assortment of attachments is on sale at Amazon. The pasta roller is down to $75 from $100, the spiralizer is $70 instead of $130, and the ice cream maker set is $70 as opposed to the $100 MSRP. The Classic series stand mixer itself is down to $240, which is about $10 more than it went for on Black Friday.Tribit Stormbox Micro 2The super portable Tribit StormBox Micro 2 puts out decent volume and right now it's down to $46 instead of the full-price $60 after you click the 5 percent coupon. That puts very close to its all-time low and even beats its Black Friday price last month. We named it one of the best small Bluetooth speakers you can buy in our guide to those devices. There's a strap in the back that works well on belts, backpacks - or even bike handlebars, so it's easy to take with you. And on-the-go is where this speaker performs best, as it's more about portable volume than pure fidelity.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/anker-chargers-are-up-to-30-percent-off-plus-the-rest-of-this-weeks-best-tech-deals-173037120.html?src=rss

A federal judge in California has shot down Elon Musk's attempt to invalidate a state social media law, first reported by The Verge. The state's AB 587 requires social companies to publish their content moderation policies, something Musk's X (formerly Twitter) claimed violated the First Amendment. US District Judge William Shubb wrote on Thursday, It does not appear that the requirement is unjustified or unduly burdensome within the context of First Amendment law."X's lawyers had argued the law was unconstitutional and would lead to censorship. AB 587 has both the purpose and likely effect of pressuring companies such as X Corp. to remove, demonetize, or deprioritize constitutionally-protected speech," the company wrote in its lawsuit, filed in September. The company claimed the law's true intent" was to pressure social media platforms to eliminate' certain constitutionally-protected content viewed by the State as problematic."Judge Shubb saw things differently. The reports required by AB 587 are purely factual," he wrote. The reporting requirement merely requires social media companies to identify their existing content moderation policies, if any, related to the specified categories."He continued, The required disclosures are also uncontroversial. The mere fact that the reports may be tied in some way to a controversial issue' does not make the reports themselves controversial."Shubb concluded that California's Attorney General Rob Bonta met the burden of demonstrating the law was reasonably related to a substantial government interest in requiring social media companies to be transparent about their content moderation policies and practices so that consumers can make informed decisions about where they consume and disseminate news and information."It's been a rocky year for X in Musk's first year of ownership. The company changed its name, hired a new CEO, launched a snarky AI chatbot, brought back a notorious conspiracy theorist and bled money as the ad industry got cold feet about brands sitting next to content from Nazi sympathizers. Oh, and the EU has opened formal infringement proceedings against the company formerly known as Twitter.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/federal-judge-rejects-xs-claim-that-californias-content-moderation-law-violates-free-speech-171713008.html?src=rss

The last few years have been, to put it mildly, rough. And 2023 continued to bring sad tidings. Amid the humanitarian crisis that is the Palestine-Israeli conflict, plus increased fears around the credibility and reliability of AI and Elon Musk's ongoing meltdown, tech's biggest players also suffered their fair share of losses. This year, we saw the demise of the E3 gaming convention, the deterioration of popular online forums and the decline of cryptocurrencies, Silicon Valley banks and financial institutions. Not to mention the poor neighbors of the Twitter office in San Francisco who had to endure obnoxious, potentially epilepsy-triggering lights flashing from the building. While we can happily say good riddance" to many of these things, it is with some sadness that we bid farewell and condolences to some of this year's worst developments.The X, Twitter and Elon Musk fiascoNo Losers in 2023" list is complete without mentioning the fiasco that is Elon Musk's Twitter (or X). Last year, shortly after Musk acquired Twitter, some of us were asked to make predictions about how Musk's new venture would fare. I felt that it was a high-risk, high-reward move that might work due to Musk's combination of luck and smarts, based mainly on his previous success heading up Tesla and SpaceX.However, I also said that Twitter might devolve into the most chaotic social media platform around, which is pretty much what happened. In hindsight, what I failed to account for was that unlike Tesla and SpaceX, Musk doesn't seem to give a crap about running X like a business and has treated the company more as an expensive toy meant to call attention to the sins (at least in his mind) of social media. And when you combine his increasingly unhinged personality with shortsighted decisions, what you get is an organization in turmoil. So while not all of these things occurred in 2023, here are just a few of the dumbest things that Musk and X have done in the last 18 months.A little over a year ago, Musk blew up Twitter's verification system, which promptly led to fake accounts sporting seemingly legit handles doing things like posting an image of Mario flipping the bird, the pope spreading conspiracy theories and more. Then earlier this year in June, Musk decided to block users who weren't logged in from seeing tweets, which caused Google and others to remove Twitter content from search results. That's not a very smart move for a company that relies heavily on traffic to generate ad revenue, so it wasn't a big surprise when Musk backtracked a week later.But perhaps Musk's biggest blunder was changing Twitter's name to X in July, a move so silly that most people continue to pretend like the rebranding never happened. Oh and let's not forget that the name change was commemorated with a sign that was mounted on the company's HQ in San Francisco that blinded its neighbors and didn't have proper permits, resulting in an installation that lasted barely more than a weekend. More recently, citing a rise in hate speech, major companies including Apple and Disney decided to pull ads from X, which later prompted Musk to tell Disney CEO Bob Iger to Go fuck yourself." Another clearly wise business move made by a very grounded individual. (That's sarcasm, in case it's not clear.)At this point, it's hard to imagine how much worse X can get, but given everything that's happened in 2023, it's plain that the company formerly known as Twitter hasn't even hit rock bottom yet. - Sam Rutherford, Senior reporterDavid Imel for EngadgetMicrosoft's Surface tabletNo offense to the Surface Laptop Studio 2, which is a mighty powerful and uniquely convertible laptop, but this year felt like a low point for Microsoft's iconic Surface tablets. The Surface Pro 9 hasn't been upgraded at all since last, so it's still running either an older 12th-gen Intel chip. There is a 5G-equipped model with a custom ARM-based Microsoft SQ3 chip, but we recommend staying far far away from that thing. And beyond the Laptop Studio 2, we only got the Surface Laptop Go 3 for consumers(the tiny Surface Go 4 tablet is now firmly targeted as business users, it doesn't even show up on the main Surface site).It almost seems like Microsoft's dream of creating a true tablet/laptop hybrid is dead - or at the very least, it's on pause as the company focuses on shoving its AI Copilot into all of its products. Let's face it: While the Surface business has earned a bit of money for Microsoft, it's a pittance compared to what the company sees from its Azure cloud revenue. Instead, the Surface devices proved that Microsoft could produce high-end Windows hardware that occasionally pushed the PC industry forward.It's been 11 years since Microsoft announced its first Surface devices, but it turns out most consumers didn't want to replace their laptops with tablets. Simpler 2-in-1 convertible devices, like HP's Spectre x360 16, are far less common these days (and notably, they also work best in their notebook modes). And it doesn't help that Windows 11 is still far from tablet friendly. If you really want to get work done on a slate, it simply makes more sense to get an iPad and a keyboard case instead.With Microsoft's Surface visionary, Panos Panay, now at Amazon, there doesn't seem to be much hope left for the company's tablet concept. But who knows, maybe the Surface Neo will finally make a return as a true foldable some day. (Remember the Surface Duo, another failure?) A Windows user can only dream. - Devindra Hardawar, Senior reporterAmazonAmazon's Halo hardware productsSpeaking of dreams, mine were dashed by Amazon in July this year when the company pulled support for its Halo line of health-related hardware products. In fact, my sleep itself might have been affected, since I had just gotten used to checking my Halo app each morning to see the amount of rest I got the night before.Amazon's Halo division has been plagued with controversy since it launched the screenless Halo wearable in 2020. The device was a barebones activity tracker, but stood out for an opt-in feature that used onboard mics to listen to you speaking and tell if you sound stressed, upbeat or emotional. This caught a lot of attention, with people saying this was akin to Amazon trying to police your way of speaking. Many other reviewers, myself included, were more critical of the fact that, though the Tone feature did flag times when wearers sounded happy or sad, it did not present enough information for that data to be useful.The Halo app also offered a way for you to use your phone's camera for a body composition scan. You'd have to enter your height and weight, before stripping down to your underwear and posing for four pictures, showing your front, back and sides. The app would then tell you how much of your body is fat or muscle.If it sounds dubious, it's probably because it is. Though Amazon said its Halo body fat measurement is as accurate as methods a doctor would use-and nearly twice as accurate as leading at-home smart scales." Spoiler: It wasn't. I used the Body feature every few months for about two years, comparing it to the bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA) sensor on Samsung's Galaxy Watch when that became available. Over time, as my body composition changed, I also got BIA scans at the F45 gym I go to, which uses a more sophisticated machine. Amazon's scans were wildly off, while the Samsung watch came closer to the data gleaned from the machine at my gym.Photo by: Cherlynn Low / EngadgetAll that is to say that Amazon's Halo products haven't been great. But that seemed to start to change when the company launched the Halo Rise bedside sleep tracker this year. I loved it for the way it accurately detected when I fell asleep, calculated the different stages I was in (REM, Deep, Light etc) and more importantly how it did all that without requiring me to wear something to bed or install a new mattress. I finally had a feasible way to track my sleep and use that to figure out how hard or easy I should take each day's workout, along with other activities and stresses.Alas, that joy was short-lived. Despite Amazon acquiring healthcare companies and clearly investing more into becoming a pharmaceutical provider, it gave up on the Halo business this year. Maybe that's not such a bad thing, since one good product doesn't an entire profitable endeavor make. Amazon not having access to my sleep, heart rate, steps and tone is probably for the best, as we contemplate a future where the online shopping giant is also our doctor and pharmacist. - Cherlynn Low, Deputy editorE3For as long as I can remember, I've been reading and talking about games, but the internet expanded my horizons beyond the confines of the UK magazine industry. In the late 90s, at age 13, I started writing (very badly) for a popular game site, covering release dates, special editions and other unimportant things.Within a couple of years I'd lost interest in writing, but I still hung out in the same IRC channels talking about games with likeminded people. IRC started my obsession with E3 and the Tokyo Game Show; weeks where I'd talk about these huge events with a weird milieu of fans and industry professionals.In 2000, the fever around Metal Gear Solid 2's E3 debut was out of this world. The first-person reports from the show were unbelievably positive. When the trailer finally became available to download a few weeks later, it quickly spread across the internet. I can still remember the mix of frustration and excitement as I downloaded it from an IRC bot at 7KB a second to finally get a glimpse of next-gen" gaming.MGS2 was peak E3 for me, and in hindsight it was also the moment E3 began to die: Why did I need to read a 1,000-word breakdown of a trailer when I could just download and watch it myself? Why should Konami spend big money on a booth when it could just release a trailer directly to its potential customers?Back then, I was the only person I knew IRL who was extremely online." Now, everyone is. By the 2010s, when I started to attend E3 myself, the role of press and the show had shifted. Nintendo E3 Directs were in full swing, and the big shows from Sony, Microsoft, Bethesda, Ubisoft and EA were all beamed live to fans. Sure, I got to play some games and interview some developers, but that's something that happens throughout the year now.E3 remained one of the highlights of my calendar, and there were always some memorable moments - the PS4 and Xbox One reveals were probably the highlight of my in-person years - but by 2019, my excitement was more tied to seeing farflung colleagues and old industry friends than it was the event itself. When the pandemic canceled the 2020 event, it was obviously it would never recover. We'd written about how the industry didn't need E3 years before.Summer Game Fest will happen again next year. It will never hit the scale of the show it's replacing, but I hope that it becomes a strong enough brand to keep the idea of E3 going. There's still something exciting for fans, and journalists, about a week of gaming announcements to predict and dissect. If more companies spread their events throughout the year, that last bit of E3 magic will be gone. - Aaron Souppouris, Executive EditorCryptocurrencies and finance in techMuch as we pretend mathematics represents an immutable truth, we must remember it's not without its loopholes. Centuries from now, historians researching crypto may assume humanity forgot that as it decided to substitute math for truth in its entirety. That the prodigies of this world sought to engineer out human fallibility between League of Legends sessions. Uncertain, wooly and hard-to-quantify concepts like truth" and trust" would be tossed out in favor of the certainty of pure math. That's the PR line: The Bitcoin white paper describes the virtual currency as a system based on cryptographic proof instead of trust." It's ironic, then, that so many high-profile people who hitched their mast to crypto are either in prison, or are awaiting trial for fraud.Those same historians may wonder if crypto was merely a vehicle ripe for hijack by unethical types, or if its inherent fraudiness was written into its DNA. 2023 will offer plenty of material to scrub through given the number of figures who wound up face-to-face with law enforcement. Coinbase started the year accused of leaving gaps in its systems big enough to enable fraud, money laundering and drug dealing. Former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky was sued and later arrested - alongside the company's chief revenue officer, Roni Cohen-Pavon. Not long after, Terraform Labs was charged by the SEC for securities fraud after it wiped out $45 billion or so. Bear in mind, this is a year-in-review story, and I've only managed to make it as far as February.Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange by volume, dominated headlines this year much as FTX had in 2022. Regulators accused it, and its founder Changpeng CZ" Zhao of deliberately undermining its own controls and processes to not-so tacitly enable users to break the law. Zhou would plead guilty, step down as CEO and pay a hefty fine which enabled the company to keep running. Oh, and we should mention the Winklevoss Twins, their exchange and its partners, who were accused of defrauding investors to the tune of $1 billion. Ironic then, that Ferrari finally decided to try to appeal to the Lambo-and-Tendies demographic by opening up crypto purchases for its cars just as things started to get tough.Of course, the real loser in all of this has to be Michael Lewis who, with an MA in Economics and experience as a bond trader for Salomon Brothers in one hand, and a ringside seat with Sam Bankman-Fried in the other, managed to miss what was going on at FTX. Lewis has doubled down in support of his latest muse but now that SBF has been found guilty of fraud, it looks like his reputation as the most credible financial journalist of the age is in tatters. - Daniel Cooper, Senior reporterSTRF/STAR MAX/IPxRedditI've been a longtime Reddit lurker, occasional poster and always a first-party app user. But when the drama about the company's decision to start charging for API access started to unfold in April, my eyes were opened to the wonderful world of third-party Reddit clients. Too bad, though, that the company proceeded to then botch it all.Because API access was no longer free, many apps like Apollo, RIF, BaconReader and Narwhal had to reconsider their pricing or shut down altogether. Reddit's policy change didn't just challenge these apps, which mostly offered superior browsing experiences to the company's own. It also created problems for clients that were built for more accessible use, rendering them unusable unless their developers ponied up the fees, which could go up as much as tens of thousands of dollars (or, in Apollo's case, an estimated $20 million a year).While Reddit did eventually seem to concede that the API fees would shut out some users with disabilities and ended up working with some unnamed developers to give them free access, the company dug in its heels in the wake of public outrage and subreddit blackouts. In the second half of the year, subreddits all over the platform either stopped posting, changed their settings to private or NSFW or dedicated themselves to only putting up salacious images of Last Week Tonight host John Oliver.Reddit didn't just ignore the protests and carry on with its planned fees. It went as far as to forcibly take over some communities that went dark, while looking for volunteers to take over certain subreddits that it deemed to have violated its Moderator Code of Conduct.According to internet analytics company Similarweb in June, Reddit saw a 6.6 percent drop in average daily traffic. We don't have the latest statistics on how the company is doing now, but I can tell you from personal experience that the first-party app on iOS is a complete shitshow. Like many other Redditors have pointed out before, videos will autoplay unmuted out of nowhere for no reason, while I've encountered numerous infuriating bugs, including one where a video on a post was repeatedly going on and off mute while I was also trying to stream Spotify to a speaker. It just sucks.After the mass subreddit blackouts spawned a bunch of duplicate communities with different moderators, the quality of posts have noticeably fallen, as well. Not to mention the company got rid of trophies and then attempted to bring them back again in a confusing format. Throw in the fact that the community now seems to be a mix of karma-farming bots and commenters who copy and paste the same jokes over and over again, the days of enjoyable Reddit scrolling seem to have come to an end in 2023. - Cherlynn LowThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/techs-biggest-losers-in-2023-170017317.html?src=rss