Apple has been on a tear this week. The company announced both new iMacs and a refresh to the Mac Mini desktop computer. Buried in the announcement for the Mac Mini, however, is the news that they can be outfitted with the brand-new M4 Pro chip. That's right. As expected, the M4 Pro has entered the chat.The big news? The Apple Silicon M4 Pro chip finally brings Thunderbolt 5 support for Macs. Thunderbolt 5 is a major leap forward in cable tech, with a baseline speed of 80 Gbps and support for 120 Gbps. The cables also offer support for dual 6K screens. This is a boon for Mac Mini users in video editing and related fields.Beyond that, M4 Pro chips bring a host of improvements. Apple says this is currently the world's fastest CPU core, delivering the industry's best single-threaded performance." The company also boasts of dramatically faster multithreaded performance."There are faster cores and a faster ray-tracing engine when compared to the previous generation. The M4 Pro features a 14-core CPU, with ten performance cores and four efficiency cores. There's a 16-core neural engine, which the company says is three times faster than the now-ancient M1. The chip includes a 20-core GPU, with dynamic caching.The M4 Pro chip also supports up to 64GB of unified memory, with 273GB/s of memory bandwidth. Apple says this metric doubles the bandwidth of other AI PC chips, making for accelerated AI workloads."To that end, Apple says the chip will deliver blazing performance for Apple Intelligence." It remains to be seen if and when the M4 Pro will show up in other products, like laptops. The M3 Pro began appearing in last year's MacBook Pro laptops, so there's a strong chance that could also happen this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/apple-introduces-the-m4-pro-chip-which-finally-brings-thunderbolt-5-support-150549096.html?src=rss
You can likely trace the start of the small computer trend back to the original Mac mini, which debuted in 2005 with a simple pitch: What if desktop, but tiny? Now Apple aims to take that concept even further with its latest Mac mini, a five-inch by five-inch box measuring a mere two inches tall, that can tackle some serious workloads. And while we expected it to include Apple's M4 chip, it can also be configured with an even more powerful M4 Pro model, which is also being announced today. Take that hardware together with a standard 16GB of RAM (just like the new M4 iMac), and you've got a pretty compelling Mac mini starting at $599 ($499 for education customers). Why, exactly, did Apple shrink down the Mac mini? It's not as if the previous case, which has been around for years, was very large (it measures 7.75-inches by 7.75-inches, and it's 1.41-inches thick). When I reviewed the the M2 Mac mini early last year, I was still impressed by how slim and sleek it looked, especially compared to small form factor Windows systems. But by trimming down its footprint (at the expense of making it a bit taller), Apple can once again portray the Mac mini as an object of desire. You may not need it, but one look at its diminutive frame, and you might start finding reasons to give it a loving home. Apple Apple claims the M4 chip makes the new Mac mini up to 1.8 times faster than the M1 version, and up to 2.2 times faster when it comes to graphics. (The fact that Apple isn't directly comparing it to the M2 model makes it clear this isn't a major year-over-year upgrade.) While the M4 chip tops out at 10 cores, the M4 Pro reaches up to 14 cores (10 performance and 2 efficiency cores). It also features a 20 core GPU, double the amount in the base M4 chip. M4 Pro delivers Thunderbolt 5 connectivity for the first time on a Mac, which offers up to three times the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 3, as well as up to 64GB of RAM. There's also 273 GBps of memory bandwidth, which should be a huge help for AI processing. Given that Apple Intelligence officially launched this week with the release of iOS 18.1, it's also a major selling point for the new Mac mini. The M4 chip sports 38 TOPS (tera operations per second) of AI processing power, while the M3 topped out at 18 TOPS. While Apple hasn't said this directly, I'd bet AI is also a major reason why the Mac Mini now starts with 16GB of RAM. Apple Intelligence requires at least 8GB of RAM to function, but the company has admitted that may not be enough to run Xcode 16's AI features. As always, having more RAM is better for future proofing, especially when you can't add more memory down the line. Apple has also finally given us a few front ports on the Mac mini, instead of the clean facade of the last few models. There are two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm jack up front, which will make it far easier to plug in jump drives and headphones. On the back, you'll find another three Thunderbolt USB-C ports, HDMI, and Ethernet. While it would be nice to see an integrated SD card reader, Apple currently reserves that for the more expensive Mac Studio. Apple You can preorder the new M4 Mac mini today starting at $599 ($499 for education customers), and it'll be available in stores on November 9th. The M4 Pro model, meanwhile, starts at $1,399 ($1,299 for schools). That price difference may seem high, but it's the same as it was for the M2 models. And as we saw from our M2 Mac mini review, it certainly held its own against other pricey desktops. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/apples-redesigned-mac-mini-is-a-tiny-beast-with-m4-and-m4-pro-chips-150016484.html?src=rss
The biggest audio announcement at Apple's iPhone event last month wasn't the AirPods 4. Instead, the milestone news was the company's plan to introduce a robust suite of hearing health features for the AirPods Pro 2 alongside iOS 18. Apple's three-prong approach includes prevention, awareness and assistance with hearing protection, hearing test and hearing aid tools available directly on an iPhone.People have been eagerly anticipating these hearing health features since Apple announced them in early September. I've had numerous friends and family members who aren't regular Apple users inquire about the hearing test and hearing aid features specifically. The tools have the potential to put a wealth of information, and possibly life-changing assistance, in the pockets of people all over the world. Users will get help for a stigmatized condition without even having to set foot in a doctor's office.Just days after the big announcement in September, the FDA approved Apple's hearing test and hearing aid features. Under the guidelines set forth in its 2022 decision, the FDA allows adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss to obtain hearing assistive devices without a prescription or professional consultation. Apple describes its software-based test as clinically validated," one that was developed with 150,000 real-world audiograms and millions of simulations, and the FDA clearly agrees.Apple has released the entire suite of hearing health tools this week with iOS 18.1 and a firmware update to AirPods Pro 2. I've spent a week with them, and I can definitively say that this upgrade will be a game changer for earbuds, but not in the way that you'd expect.Hearing protectionBilly Steele for EngadgetEven if you don't take Apple's hearing test, and even if you don't have hearing loss, the hearing protection feature on AirPods Pro 2 provides a significant benefit. It helps maintain your current level of hearing health with robust protection in certain loud environments. You could absolutely use it without ever taking the hearing test.Although Apple discussed the potential of AirPods Pro as ear protection from loud noise at launch (specifically the Loud Noise Reduction feature), the company never officially recommended the earbuds for extended use for that purpose. That's because AirPods Pro weren't certified as meeting certain safety standards. What's more, Apple improved the algorithms that reduce the effect of loud noise (attenuation) while maintaining the sound signature with this new firmware update.I've used the AirPods Pro 2 at concerts since their release, employing Transparency mode to cleanly reduce sound to a safer level with minimal sacrifice to overall audio quality. In an age when ear plugs with various filters are a thing, AirPods Pro 2 now officially offer a high-fidelity concert experience that won't kill the vibe of the show by muffling the band. Since you're more likely to always have them when you leave the house, you won't have to remember to grab that pair of Loops or SoundProtex Plus plugs before the show. What's more, Apple says you can use hearing protection on AirPods Pro 2 for things like subway commutes, lawn-mowing and sporting events.There are certain sounds that Hearing Protection isn't recommended for - mostly extremely loud impulse noises like gunfire, fireworks or jackhammers. Apple also explains that the feature shouldn't be used for sustained sound that's louder than 110 dBA (A-weighted decibel). On the other end of the spectrum, the company says the AirPods Pro 2 can provide up to 10 dB of passive noise reduction when they aren't even turned on.AppleHearing Protection can be applied across transparency, Adaptive and noise-canceling modes on the AirPods Pro 2. As you can see in the chart above, the latter two provide the best protection, lowering environmental noise by up to 30 dB. Those two modes also extend the exposure time limit. As a reminder, Adaptive Audio on the AirPods Pro 2 lets you select the blend of active noise cancellation (ANC) and Transparency mode that best matches your surroundings.In my tests with the new hearing protection tools, transparency mode still offers the clearest sound here, but for certain genres, like chaotic heavy metal, ANC mode actually provided more details in the live guitars. I can't tell a difference in Apple's revised algorithms in transparency mode for concerts versus when I used the AirPods Pro 2 at a show last month, but it already sounded great before. I used the Noise app on Apple Watch to confirm the venue sound was at 100 dB, with transparency mode reducing my exposure to 86 dB and noise-canceling mode taking it down to a safer 74 dB - all of which is in line with Apple's stated ratings.As a reminder, the effectiveness of hearing protection relies on how well the AirPods Pro 2 fit in your ears. You'll want to make sure that you have a good seal with properly sized ear tips, which can be validated via the fit test in the AirPods settings.Hearing testBilly Steele for EngadgetApple's hearing aid tool is likely to get the most attention, but I'd argue it's the hearing test that's the most important piece. I don't know about you, but I can't recall the last time I had a hearing test with an audiologist. It has been at least a decade, and most likely longer than that. It's not something adults think about unless they notice potential hearing loss or someone else picks up on the cues. Since 1.5 billion people globally experience some degree of hearing loss, according to the World Health Organization, Apple's tool will provide more awareness of the condition in a quick, easy and private way.According to the company, the hearing test should take about five minutes. During my sessions, it took around seven minutes, which means the software may have repeated some tones I missed along the way. Once iOS 18.1 is installed and your AirPods Pro 2 have been updated, you'll see the hearing test in the AirPods settings and in Apple Health. You'll need to confirm that you're 18 or older, that you aren't experiencing any allergy or cold symptoms and that you haven't been in a loud environment in the last 24 hours in order to proceed.Before the test begins, the iPhone/earbuds duo will check your surroundings to make sure you're in a quiet space and to ensure that the AirPods Pro fit properly in your ears. When the test begins, Do Not Disturb and ANC will be enabled and you'll simply tap the screen when you hear tones. The software will test your left ear first before moving over to the right.The test is as easy to complete as Apple describes, and as promised, you immediately get your results when it's finished. I'll admit that I was concerned about what I might discover about my hearing health since I didn't always wear ear plugs at loud concerts in college and I was in a band long before in-ear monitors were widely available. Thankfully, Apple's hearing test determined that I have little to no hearing loss, with numbers well under the 25 dBHL threshold. The test showed slightly more hearing loss in my left ear than my right, but still nothing to be concerned about. Even though I showed little to no hearing loss, the test still offers tips on healthy habits and clearly states that the current AirPods Pro tuning is correct based on the results. Here's how the classifications shake out:
The US presidential election is in its final stretch. Before election day on November 5, Engadget is looking at where the candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, stand on the most consequential tech issues of our day.The Biden administration has been more aggressive than almost any in recent American history in its antitrust efforts. In the tech sector alone, it has ongoing cases against Apple, Meta, Google and Amazon, not to mention its battles with Ticketmaster, Microsoft, Kroger, CVS, Visa, Penguin Random House and more. Biden, Lina Khan (chair of the FTC) and Jonathan Kanter (head of the DOJ's antitrust division) have spent the last several years working to prevent giant mergers, increase competition and punish companies (however lightly) for unfair business practices. It is unlikely that whoever succeeds Joe Biden will be quite as fervent in their fight against monopolies. That being said, it's not only possible but probable that either a Harris or Trump administration would be very active in the antitrust field.Kamala HarrisThere is some expectation that a Kamala Harris White House will pursue these sorts of cases less aggressively. Part of that assumption is simply down to the fact that Harris hasn't said a ton on the issue. She touts her record as attorney general of California in leading lawsuits against the medical industry, and says during her stump speeches that companies need to play by the rules, respect the rights of workers and unions and abide by fair competition. And if they don't, I will hold them accountable." But she often doesn't get more specific than that.Her campaign also released a detailed economic policy document, though it makes little mention of antitrust and antimonopoly proposals. When it does discuss those issues, it focuses exclusively on landlords, grocery stores and the pharmaceutical industry. It does advocate for the passage of the Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act, though. This bill would make it illegal for landlords to use software from companies like RealPage and Yardi to coordinate on housing prices and rent increases.However, Harris' ties to Silicon Valley has led some to believe she would pump the brakes on antitrust efforts focused on the tech industry. Her brother-in-law, Tony West, is chief legal officer for Uber, her debate adviser was Karen Dunn, the lawyer currently heading up Google's defense in an ongoing antitrust case, and she counts Laurene Powell Jobs (widow of Steve Jobs) among her closest friends. She's also been quiet in the face of calls from major donors like Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn) and Barry Diller (IAC, Expedia Group and TripAdvisor) to fire Lina Khan.Nonetheless, she has also surrounded herself with many people deeply engaged in the Biden administration's antitrust efforts, including Brian Deese, the former head of the National Economic Council (NEC); Rachel Brown, who led on competition policy at the NEC and Bharat Ramamurti, who was not only Deese's deputy at the NEC but also worked for Elizabeth Warren, who has made fighting big business a cornerstone of her political identity. It's unlikely these antitrust crusaders would join Harris' campaign if they did not believe she would continue the work of the Biden administration in some meaningful capacity.Donald TrumpUnlike what you'd expect from a typical Republican administration, the Trump White House was actually pretty active in the antitrust space, focusing primarily on the tech and healthcare industries. Trump has made no secret of his animosity towards some of the biggest players in the tech space, so there's little reason to believe he'd scale back or abandon the cases against Google, Apple, Meta and Amazon underway.During his first tenure, the Trump administration went after Google over its search results and Facebook following its purchase of WhatsApp and Instagram in antimonopoly cases. He also sought to block the acquisition of Time Warner by AT&T. Even after he left the White House, Trump continued his assault on big tech by filing personal lawsuits against Twitter, Facebook and Google, alleging censorship. According to Concurrences (an antitrust think tank), while Republican administrations tend to prioritize criminal cartel cases, the Trump DOJ pursued fewer of those than any administration since Nixon and focused more on mergers and antimonopoly cases.While Trump hasn't said much about his antitrust views on the campaign trail, his running mate, JD Vance, has made it a regular topic of his stump speeches. Vance has voiced strong support for breaking up big corporations, especially in the tech industry. He's even praised Lina Khan as one of the few people in the Biden administration I think is doing a pretty good job."Complicating this, however, under Trump, the DOJ and FTC were constantly mired in controversy, and he was routinely accused of using the agencies to punish his perceived enemies. To make things even murkier, there is no mention of antitrust or antimonopoly efforts or policies either on Trump's Agenda 47 site or the official RNC platform. This makes it difficult to predict what to expect from a second Trump term. While there was significant antitrust activity on his watch, at times it seemed guided by political whims and personal vendettas. And without a guiding principle outlined in any official policy document, it's impossible to know what avenues the DOJ and FTC might focus on to go after companies that find themselves the target of Trump's ire.While Donald Trump and the RNC don't spill too many words discussing antitrust issues, the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 document does. It notes there is still some disagreement among Republicans on how aggressively to pursue antitrust action. But it focuses extensively on the changing view within the party that seeks more aggressive actions to break up the largest players in the market.While Project 2025 pays some lip service to the negative impact on consumers of having too much industry power concentrated in too few hands, it spends most of its time discussing ESG (environmental, social and governance) and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives by businesses as a non-economic reason to pursue antitrust efforts, suggesting the Heritage Foundation sees antimonopoly laws not as a way to prevent the concentration of economic power, but as a cudgel to punish those promoting social and political ideologies it dislikes.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/election-2024-how-will-the-candidates-regulate-big-tech-133013600.html?src=rss
Getting a really great tablet for an affordable price is quite an achievement. That's why we're excited to see that Amazon's Fire Max 11 tablet is currently on sale for $140, down from $230 - a 39 percent discount. The deal brings this 64GB tablet back to its all-time low price, previously seen during October Prime Day. Amazon released the Fire Max 11 tablet in 2023 and we were immediately impressed with how much it offered for the price (especially now that it's discounted). It has slimmer bezels and a nice aluminum build, along with being just over a pound. Its 11-inch screen has a 2,000 x 1,200 resolution and is low blue light certified. Plus, it has a fingerprint sensor in the power button and supports Wi-Fi 6. It's worth noting that this model comes with lockscreen ads. If that's a deal breaker then check out the sale on the 64GB version that is ad-free. Right now, it's 36 percent off, dropping to $155, from $245. You can even upgrade to the 128GB model without lockscreen ads for just $5, with a 43 percent discount dropping its price to $160 from $280. 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/deals/amazons-fire-max-11-tablet-returns-to-a-record-low-price-131516001.html?src=rss
It's easy to give into cynicism writing about tech. There are so many underwhelming announcements and iterative improvements. Companies toss the letters AI around like it's a magic elixir sent down from the Gods. The layoffs are harsh. Sometimes, though, you find something simple, useful and fun that forces optimism. That's where I'm at with the Vizio MicMe. It's a soundbar that doubles as a karaoke machine. That's a neat idea, right? The MicMe is being advertised as a two-in-one soundbar system" that totally eliminates the need for a clunky standalone karaoke speaker. It's a legitimate 2.1 soundbar, complete with a subwoofer. It'll get the job done with regard to endless streams of Agatha All Along or Nobody Wants This. Vizio It also ships with two dynamic wireless microphones, and that's where the karaoke magic comes in. The company says that the soundbar enters karaoke mode when one of the microphones is removed from the charging dock, without the user having to fiddle with anything. There is, however, an affiliated mobile app for making sound adjustments. This app also allows access to six different vocal effects. Each microphone boasts eight hours of battery life per charge, which means a solid 8PM to 4AM karaoke session. Vizio says MicMe will have access to 80,000 songs via the proprietary app. It also integrates with many standalone karaoke apps, like Stingray. There should be no shortage of songs to ruin or master. The soundbar hybrid is compatible with Vizio's QuickFit technology, which allows it to attach to the company's TVs without any tools. It's also fully compatible with any smart TV with eARC. The MicMe costs $350. You can order one now but it won't ship until the end of November. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/vizio-just-announced-a-soundbar-that-doubles-as-a-karaoke-machine-130016592.html?src=rss
Amazon, in what it described as a "difficult decision," is winding down Kindle Vella and shutting it down completely in February 2025. When the company launched the serialized story platform in 2021, it said Vella was a way for readers to discover new fictional stories and a new way for authors to earn from the Kindle Direct Publishing service. But it hasn't caught on as it had hoped, Amazon explains on its website, and it has decided to throw in the towel three years after Vella's debut.Authors can only publish stories on Vella until December 4, which is also the last day readers can purchase tokens. While readers will no longer be able to purchase tokens after that, they can continue using those tokens to unlock episodes until the program closes in February. The good news for those who've been following specific authors or stories on Vella is that they won't lose their access to whatever episodes they've already unlocked even after the platform shuts down. They can always read the stories they've purchased in their library in the Kindle app for iOS and Android, though they can no longer open them on the web. Any token they don't use by February will be refunded.Responses to Vella have been pretty lukewarm since it became available. Some authors liked the fact that they could use it to earn money from unfinished stories, while some readers said they'd prefer getting a whole book instead of paying for installments. Personally, as someone who follows a lot of indie authors, I only know of one who publishes on Vella and very, very few readers who actually use it. Amazon tried drumming up interest earlier this year by making the first ten episodes of a story, instead of just three, available to readers for free. The company has also tried keeping authors on the platform by giving away bonuses, but its strategies probably didn't work enough to make it consider keeping Vella around longer.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/amazon-is-shutting-down-its-kindle-vella-serialized-story-platform-in-february-2025-120030125.html?src=rss
Apple Intelligence, the company's all-encompassing branding for its AI tools, features and curios, is finally here. Did you think Apple launched this ages ago? It was announced in June, and drip fed to beta testers, first in the developer preview, then the open preview.It was even a big part of the iPhone 16 sales pitch at launch, but Apple's newest phones lacked those AI features - until now. Arriving as part of Apple's updates to iOS, iPadOS and macOS, it's not everything teased at WWDC (no making your own emojis for now), but it's a tract of new features showing how the company is tackling AI in its software.As well as new proofreading and rewriting tools, there's live transcription for phone calls and Notes' audio recordings. Apple Intelligence also adds text summaries for websites, emails and all those transcriptions. There's also my personal favorite: notification summaries.We'll be taking a closer look at what Apple Intelligence is capable of, but broadly (and from our experience testing the preview builds), the additions won't change your smartphone life. Some of them are very useful, while others, like photo editing, fall behind rivals like Google and Samsung.- Mat SmithThe biggest tech stories you missedGrok can try to explain Elon Musk's terrible jokesYou'll get another chance to pre-order the retro-themed PS5 todayThe best iPhone accessoriesGet this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The iMac gets an M4 refresh for faster Apple IntelligenceIt has the same design as the last two models.AppleIn time for those new features, Apple's new iMac includes new colorways and the latest Apple silicon. The new model has the same display and design as previous models, but there's a new nano-texture glass screen option for a proper splurge. Apple says the M4 inside the new iMac makes the computer 1.7 times faster for daily productivity and up to 2.1 faster for more demanding tasks (i.e. gaming and photo editing) than the M1-powered iteration. The M4 iMac will be available on November 8, starting at the same $1,299 as its predecessor.Continue reading.Netflix's latest feature makes it easier to share and rewatch your favorite scenesMoments is a lot like clips on YouTube.Netflix is rolling out a new feature called Moments, which lets you save, share and rewatch certain scenes from shows and movies. For now, it's mobile only, starting on Netflix's iOS app and coming to Android in the next few weeks. Netflix says episodes and films will start playing from bookmarked scenes when you rewatch them, with an array of share buttons for messaging and social media apps. It's perfectly timed for my recent binging of Kath and Kim. All four series, done.Continue reading.Google starts selling refurbished Pixel phonesIt's only Pixel 6 and 7 handsets for now.Google is selling refurbished Pixel 6, Pixel 6A and Pixel 7 handsets directly through the Google Store. Discounts are up to 40 percent compared to new models, but we are on Pixel 9 now, so there are no brand new Pixel 6s on sale, at least not from Google. Prices start at $339 for the Pixel 6.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111641713.html?src=rss
The Oregon Trail, which is probably one of the most recognizable computer games for people who grew up in the 80s and 90s, is set to become a movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Apple is developing a live-action film adaption for the game, with Will Speck and Josh Gordon attached to the project as directors and producers. Seeing as the collaborators are known for films like Blades of Glory, The Oregon Trail movie will likely be a comedy rather than a depressing drama about a 19th-century pioneer family dying off one by one due to dysentery and starvation.The Hollywood Reporter's sources also said that the movie will feature a couple of musical numbers "in the vein of Barbie." Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, known for La La Land and Dear Evan Hansen and who were recently nominated for an Emmy for a number Steve Martin performed in the past season of Only Murders in the Building, will reportedly produce original music for the film. Kenneth and Keith Lucas (Judas and the Black Messiah), along with Max Reisman, are writing the screenplay. It's still very early days for the production, though: There are no actors attached to the project yet, and Apple hasn't even formally announced it.Originally created by Don Rawitsch, Bill Heinemann and Paul Dillenberger, the original Oregon Trail game was first released in 1971. In the game, you're supposed to buy supplies, hunt for food and travel west at a reasonable pace while trying to keep your caravan your caravan alive.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/apple-is-reportedly-developing-a-comedy-film-based-on-the-oregon-trail-110022317.html?src=rss
The next time you visit your local Apple Store, you might see Form's Smart Swim 2 goggles in the accessory section. Starting November 5, Apple will begin stocking the $249 wearable at 20 of its retail locations across the US and Canada. That same day, the goggles will also go on sale on the company's website, with availability there extending to the UK. In addition to home delivery, select Apple Store locations will offer in-store pickup."With Apple's knowledgeable staff, we know the experience presenting our goggles will be exceptional. As a must-have fitness tech product, we're excited to showcase Form at Apple," said From founder and CEO Dan Eisenhardt.From debuted Smart Swim 2 at the start of April. Building on its original smart goggles, the company integrated a heart rate sensor, and improved comfort and adjustability. It also managed to reduce the size of the tech pack," the component that houses all of the device's electronics. The company continues to sell its original Smart Swim goggles for $179, and they remain a great bargain; they include From's signature SwimStraight feature, which displays a digital compass inside the goggles to assist with open water navigation. However, if you want those, you'll need to order them from the company's website.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/froms-smart-swim-2-goggles-will-be-available-to-buy-at-select-apple-stores-soon-100004858.html?src=rss
Microsoft is accusing Google of funding a proxy campaign designed to discredit it in the eyes of regulatory authorities and policymakers in the European Union and beyond. In a blog post penned by Rima Alaily, the company's deputy general counsel, Microsoft claims the search giant has gone to great lengths to obfuscate its involvement, funding and control" of the Open Cloud Coalition, a group of cloud service providers, industry leaders and stakeholders" that says it's committed to advocating for a fair, competitive, and open cloud services industry across the UK and EU."According to Microsoft, Google hired a lobbying agency in Europe to create and operate the organization, and recruited a handful of" European cloud providers to appear as the public face of the soon-to-launch campaign. The company says that Google plans to present itself as a backseat member" of the Open Cloud Coalition, rather than its leader and primary funder. As one example, Microsoft points to a recruitment document (PDF link) that makes no mention of the group's claimed affiliation to Google. It also notes the involvement of Nicky Steward, who co-wrote a complaint against Microsoft and Amazon Web Services as part of the UK's ongoing antitrust investigation into the cloud services market.It remains to be seen what Google offered smaller companies to join, either in terms of cash or discounts," Microsoft says. It adds that one of the cloud providers Google approached about joining the Open Cloud Coalition claims that the company will direct the group to attack Microsoft's cloud computing business in the European Union and the United Kingdom."Engadget was unable to independently verify Microsoft's claims."We've been very public about our concerns with Microsoft's cloud licensing. We and many others believe that Microsoft's anticompetitive practices lock-in customers and create negative downstream effects that impact cybersecurity, innovation, and choice," a Google spokesperson told Engadget, and pointed us to four separate blog posts on the matter.As for why Google would potentially go to the extraordinary lengths of funding an astroturf campaign, Microsoft points to the recent uptick in regulatory scrutiny of the company's search, advertising and mobile app store businesses. By Microsoft's count, Google faces at least 24 antitrust investigations globally, including a Department of Justice probe that could see the potential break up of the company.Never in the past two decades have Google's search, digital advertising, and mobile app store monopolies faced such a concerted and determined threat as they do today." Alaily writes. At a time when Google should be focused on addressing legitimate questions about its business, it is instead turning its vast resources towards tearing down others. It is disappointing that, with the foundation of their business facing jeopardy, they have sought to bolster their cloud computing service - Google Cloud Platform - by attacking ours."The accusations come after Google had reportedly attempted to derail an antitrust settlement Microsoft had negotiated with the Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE). In July, Bloomberg wrote that Google had offered the group 470 million to go forward with litigation against its rival, an overture CISPE ultimately rejected.As revenue growth from digital ads has slowed for Google in recent years, the company has increasingly turned to the cloud market to pick up the slack. In 2023, Google's cloud business broke even for the first time. More recently, the unit generated a $900 million profit in the first quarter of this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/microsoft-accuses-google-of-secretly-funding-regulatory-astroturf-campaign-203804594.html?src=rss
You're about to get another shot if you missed Sony's brief pre-order window for its 30th anniversary PS5 console. The retro-themed hardware sold out in a flash on its initial September 26 pre-order period, leaving fans fuming at Sony's predictably frustrating order process. An alert on Sony's product page (via Kotaku) says the second go-round will happen on Tuesday, October 29, at noon ET. The limited-edition consoles and accessories have a throwback skin reminiscent of the OG PlayStation, which launched in Japan in 1994. That includes a sleek gray color scheme that gives the old-school Playstation logo room to really pop. Sony The message (Please check back on October 29th from 9 AM PDT") only appears on the 30th Anniversary product pages for the $500 PS5 Slim Bundle and $80 DualSense controller. Unfortunately, no such message appears on the throwback PS5 Pro bundle or PlayStation Portal product pages. Assuming only the Slim bundle is available, this will be your second (and perhaps last) chance to get the cheaper of the two consoles. It includes the digital (no disc drive!) PS5 Slim, a standard DualSense controller (also themed for the occasion), a retro cable connector housing, PlayStation-shaped cable ties and a vertical stand. Oh, and there are some extra goodies like a sticker, poster and PlayStation paperclip, which we can only imagine will be sold for three figures on eBay after the bundle arrives on November 21. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/youll-get-another-chance-to-pre-order-the-retro-themed-ps5-on-tuesday-202504921.html?src=rss
Folks in the European Union finally know when Apple Intelligence will be available on their mobile devices. Apple told EU users on Monday that its AI suite will arrive in April 2025. The first Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools and AI notification summaries, are now available for English speakers elsewhere.Apple announced the EU release date in a press release for the European Union (via 9to5Mac). Translated from Italian, the news post reads, In April, Apple Intelligence features will begin to be distributed to iPhone and iPad users in the EU."The article notes that the first wave of Apple Intelligence is already available for EU users in macOS Sequoia 15.1. That's because Apple used the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as its rationale for delaying its EU AI. In this case, the regulations only affect iPhone and iPad software, not macOS.On Monday, Apple also confirmed that its AI suite will be available in more languages in April and throughout the year through a software update. These include Chinese, Korean, French, Japanese, English (India), English (Singapore), Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, German and Vietnamese. In December, Apple Intelligence will become available in English variants for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.Apple Intelligence is getting a tiered rollout. Today's first batch in iOS 18.1 (for those outside the EU) includes Writing Tools, live transcriptions, notification summaries and more. iOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 will bring additional features like ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, Visual Intelligence and Image Playground. That software is currently in beta and is expected to arrive with an official release in December.The only catch is you'll need a compatible device. On iPhone, that's limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 series. M-series iPads, Macs, and the new seventh-gen iPad mini are also supported.Update, October 28 2024, 4:09PM ET: This story has been updated to correct the timeframe of the release of Apple Intelligence in more languages, clarifying that it's coming "in April and throughout the year" and not just "in April."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-intelligence-is-coming-to-eu-iphones-and-ipads-in-april-191028410.html?src=rss
The wait is finally over. Apple Intelligence is making its proper debut with the public releases of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 today. Typically, point-one versions of Apple operating systems add minor features and fix bugs, but this year it brings a major update since Apple Intelligence features weren't quite ready in time for the rollout of iOS 18. Considering the new iPhone 16 series was touted as "built for Apple Intelligence," but launched without the features they were built for, this release has been long in the making. Those with older devices are likely to find iOS 18.1 to be less dramatic of an update, since the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the only previous-generation iPhones that will support Apple Intelligence.You'll know you can use Apple Intelligence when you get a notification from the company. The initial generative AI features you can check out include writing tools like proofreading and rewriting, as well as text summaries.There are live transcriptions available for phone calls and audio in the Notes app. Apple can helpfully generate summaries of these transcriptions. In addition, Apple can reorganize your photos and videos around memorable events such as trips and special events in the overhauled Photos app. You can create your own Memories in the app as well.The beginnings of a Siri overhaul are here too. You can now type requests and questions to the previously voice-only assistant. If you still prefer speaking to it, Siri should be able to understand requests if you stutter or interrupt yourself. The Siri UI has been tweaked, as you'll see a glowing border around the screen when you activate it. However, you'll need to wait a bit longer for other Siri-driven features, such as the assistant's ability to have a better understanding of your personal context.Apple Intelligence on iPhoneApple Intelligence is currently available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 16 lineup. M-series iPads and Macs also support Apple Intelligence, as does the new A17 Pro-powered iPad mini.Bear in mind that access is currently limited to those who set their device and Siri language set to US English. Apple Intelligence will start to become available in more countries and languages in December. Apple doesn't plan to broadly offer the AI tools in the European Union or Chinese mainland right away due to regulatory issues, though as of September it was in talks with officials in both markets to make Apple Intelligence available there.In addition to Apple Intelligence, iOS 18.1 adds support for other new features, such as a hearing test and the ability to use AirPods Pro as over-the-counter hearing aids. It should be easier to change the mail email address that's linked to your Apple Account as well.You'll need to wait a bit longer for other promised Apple Intelligence features. The company released the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 developer betas last week. Along with additional writing tools, the betas include Genmoji (a custom emoji generator), Image Playground (animated- and illustrated-style image generation), the Google Lens-like Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT integration.Apple Intelligence availability around the worldAs for those who want to use Apple Intelligence in other countries and languages, Apple says that it is adding support for localized English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK in December. A bigger update in April will expand language support beyond English - Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese are among the new languages that'll be supported. Apple also says that unspecified "other languages" will be added, as well.How to update your iPhone to iOS 18.1
Google now offers refurbished Pixel phones, as originally spotted by The Verge. The company is selling refurbed Pixel 6, Pixel 6A and Pixel 7 handsets directly on the Google Store. The phones can be purchased for up to 40 percent off, when compared to new models. Each smartphone ships with the same 1-year limited warranty and customer support options as a new model. Google says that each refurbished handset has been carefully inspected" to ensure that the phones, screens and batteries are all in tip-top shape. However, a company representative offered no guarantees regarding battery life in a statement to The Verge. Phone batteries age like people. Slowly at first and then all at once. However, the prices are enticing. The Pixel 6 is available for $339, instead of $599, while the well-reviewed Pixel 7 Pro is $629 instead of $899. All of these refurbished models offer 128GB of storage, but Google spokesperson Patrick Seybold says that the store will soon offer other storage tiers. Each phone ships with the latest Android software, which is a nice touch, and comes with a compatible charger. There's also free shipping. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-starts-selling-refurbished-pixel-phones-184348702.html?src=rss
The free-to-play mobile game Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is going the way of the dodo on November 28. However, it's being replaced by a paid, (mostly) offline version called Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete. This refresh drops on December 3, giving mobile Animal Crossing players just a few days without access to their beloved campsites.Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete won't be cheap. It'll be $10 from December 2 until January 25. After that, the price doubles to $20. Tom Nook doesn't mess around. However, it will allow existing players to transfer save data and progress via their Nintendo accounts. This should be a boon for those who have been on board with the title since 2017. These players have until June 1 to transfer data from the old version to the new game.The paid version will be different from the original in some ways. First of all, Leaf Tickets are being replaced by Leaf Tokens, likely because the tickets were purchased using real money and this is no longer a freemium game. There's also something called Camper Cards, which Nintendo calls customizable in-game cards that each player can create and trade through a QR Code, and that includes information like your personal favorite animal pal." QR codes? Everyone loves those.Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete is also losing gift-sharing and the Market Box. There are a couple of other caveats for pre-existing players. First of all, there are no discounts available for current campers, even those who have regularly paid a monthly subscription fee. Some people have been paying those subs for years.Finally, it looks like Nintendo plans on discontinuing support for the game next October, according to Kotaku. I'm no economist, but spending $20 on a mobile title that will likely stop receiving updates in less than a year doesn't sound like fiscal responsibility. In any event, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete will be available for both iOS and Android come December.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-paid-version-of-animal-crossing-pocket-camp-arrives-on-december-3-175248073.html?src=rss
In a blog post today, Google said it will make AI Overviews in Google Search available to users living in more than 100 countries. Google says people like AI Overviews, so the company plans to reach 1 billion users each month. Additionally, Google is expanding language support - now, users in any country where AI Overviews can get them in any available language. For example users in Japan are no longer limited to Japanese.If you aren't familiar with AI Overviews by now, it's a feature found in Google Search. Google's Gemini AI model will generate a summary for most things people search for, or at least when Google's systems detect a query where generative AI can be useful. This summary appears at the top of the page. Besides answering questions, it can also act as a meal planner, vacation organizer and brainstorming tool, among many other things.This update follows several released over the last few months since the introduction of AI Overviews in May. The most recent update before this one allowed users to visit websites by clicking on links within the AI Overview text. Google says that this has resulted in a traffic increase to supporting websites." However, some publishers and sites fear that the overviews are destroying their traffic by being the first thing people see.News like this isn't surprising, as Google has been stuffing as much AI into Search as it can. AI Overviews have also generated some controversy after the AI gave people inaccurate information for searches - for example, it recommended putting glue on pizza for a bit. In response to those issues, Google put some protections and guardrails on AI overviews to avoid similar strange issues.Correction, October 28 2024, 1:30PM ET: This story originally stated that Google was adding local language support to AI Overviews. That feature was already available, so we've clarified that any supported language can be displayed in any country where AI Overviews are available. We apologize for the error.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-is-expanding-ai-overviews-in-search-to-more-than-100-countries-170925933.html?src=rss
Stung from the hit it took from an Apple privacy feature three years ago, Meta is reportedly looking to decrease its dependence on Google and Microsoft. The Information said on Monday that Meta is developing a search engine for its chatbot. The company also recently partnered with Reuters to help its AI answer news-related questions.Meta has reportedly been working on indexing the web for at least eight months. The company's goal is said to be to integrate the indexes into Meta AI, giving the chatbot an alternative to Google Search and Microsoft Bing. Meta publicly disclosed its web crawler tech this summer, only saying it was for training AI models or improving products" without stating outright that it was building a search backend. Senior engineering manager Xueyuan Su is reportedly leading the search engine project.The Information says the move directly results from dependence on other Big Tech companies that have stung" the company in the past, like Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT). Meta previously said the iPhone privacy feature introduced in 2021 would cost over $10 billion in lost ad revenue. (It was so concerned about the feature it was sued for allegedly evading its rules.)The thinking is that CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants Meta to be as autonomous as possible to avoid a repeat of that if Google or Microsoft were to cut off its access to web searches. It's unknown if Meta currently pays either company for that access.Engadget reached out to Meta for comment. We'll update this story if we hear back.The company's AI investments appear to be paying off. Zuckerberg posted on Threads in August that Meta AI has over 185 million weekly active users and more than 400 million monthly. Growing quickly, and we haven't even rolled out in UK, Brazil, or EU yet," the Facebook founder wrote. OpenAI said early this month that ChatGPT had 250 million weekly users.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-is-reportedly-developing-a-search-engine-for-its-chatbot-172505704.html?src=rss
It may still be October, but Black Friday deals have already started coming down the pike. Case in point? The Amazon Echo Show 5 smart display is available for just $50. This early Black Friday deal knocks 44 percent off the price, bringing it down to what we saw on Prime Day. This sale is for the most recent version of the device, which was originally released last year. The 3rd Gen Echo Show 5 easily made our list of the best smart displays. We said that it doubles as a stellar alarm clock." There's an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen, a tap-to-snooze feature and a sunrise alarm. While others may decry the diminutive 5.5-inch screen size, when compared to rivals, we actually found it to be useful. The small form factor allows the display to easily squeeze on a busy nightstand or a dresser. The Show 5 does have a camera, which is great for video calls but not so great for privacy. After all, this thing was made to sit by your bedside. It does, however, ship with a physical camera cover for the privacy-conscious. The only other downside is that the sound quality here isn't quite as robust as the larger models. Still, this is a whole lot of smart display for $50. 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/deals/early-black-friday-deals-from-amazon-include-the-echo-show-5-for-only-50-163548076.html?src=rss
Today, Dutch National Police announced that it had gained access to the servers of Redline and Meta. Not to be confused with Facebook parent company Meta, Redline and Meta are a type of malware known as infostealers criminals can use to obtain the credentials of users and companies. Operation Magnus, a joint effort by Dutch National Police, the FBI, NCIS and several other law enforcement agencies, disrupted the illegal tools.TechCrunch notes that Redline has been active since 2020, while the Operation Magnus website states that Meta is newer but pretty much the same." A 50-second video in English posted to the Operation Magnus website also lists some VIPs" or people very important to the police" that the authorities are looking for.Redline is often cited as the malware responsible for the 2022 Uber hack. Specops, a password management company, found that Redline was used to steal almost half of the 170 million passwords from data gathered by KrakenLabs. Even gamers aren't immune to Redline; McAfee found that a variant was hidden in fake game cheats.The video showed the agencies accessing user credentials, IP addresses and Telegram bots criminals use to steal sensitive data. Additionally, authorities found the source code for both malware programs on the servers.While there isn't news of any arrests being made, the Operation Magnus website states that involved parties will be notified, and legal actions are underway." There's also a countdown for almost 20 hours later, promising more news to come.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/dutch-police-say-theyve-taken-down-redline-and-meta-credential-stealer-malware-161531556.html?src=rss
A UK man who used AI to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) has been sentenced to 18 years in prison, according to The Guardian. Hugh Nelson, 27, created the images by using photographs of real children, which were then manipulated by AI. Nelson was convicted of 16 child sexual abuse offenses back in August, after a lengthy police investigation. This was the first prosecution of its kind in the UK.Nelson used modeling software called Daz 3D to manufacture the loathsome images. The program has a suite of AI tools, which he used to transform regular photos of children into CSAM. Greater Manchester police said that he sold these images online and was even commissioned in several cases to create specific items of CSAM via photographs of real kids. Police say that Nelson made around $6,500 by selling images online.He was caught when trying to sell images to an undercover cop in a chatroom. I've done beatings, smotherings, hangings, drownings, beheadings, necro, beast, the list goes on," Nelson said to the cop to entice a sale. This is according to a transcript of a conversation provided by the prosecution.It's worth noting that Daz 3D doesn't create deepfakes, in which one face is swapped onto another body. Nelson created actual 3D renders by feeding the photos to the AI algorithm.At sentencing, the judge called the images harrowing and sickening" and addressed Nelson specifically, saying there seems to be no limit to the depths of depravity exhibited in the images that you were prepared to create and exhibit to others." He also said that it was impossible to know" if children had been abused as a result of the images. Police searches of Nelson's devices did find a series of text messages in which he encouraged people to sexually abuse children under 13. These suspects and potential victims are allegedly located throughout the world, including the US.The United States is, of course, not immune from this horrifying trend. A soldier was arrested back in August for allegedly using AI to generate CSAM. A Wisconsin man faces 70 years in prison for allegedly creating over 13,000 AI-generated images depicting CSAM. The world's leading AI companies have signed a pledge to help stop this type of software from being used to generate child sexual abuse material.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/uk-man-gets-18-years-in-prison-for-using-ai-to-generate-csam-154037476.html?src=rss
Apple's new iMac is here. The 2024 model hasn't changed much on the outside (save for new colorways), but it's now updated with the latest Apple silicon. The new model has the same display and colorful designs as previous models, though there's a new nano-texture glass screen option that reduces glare and reflections. The M4 chip inside gives it a speed boost and a more powerful neural engine for the new Apple Intelligence features in macOS Sequoia. Apple says the M4 inside the new iMac makes the computer 1.7 times faster for daily productivity and up to 2.1 faster for more demanding tasks (i.e. gaming and photo editing) than the M1-powered model. The latest iMac now starts with 16GB of RAM - up from the 8GB of base RAM in earlier iMacs. This can be expanded up to 24GB or 32GB. The storage options also stand pat: The base model has 256GB, with 512GB, 1TB and 2TB options available. The M4 iMac has the same aluminum unibody design and 24-inch 4.5K Retina display found in every iMac from the past three years. However, there are fun new colors to choose from. The new iMac is available in green, yellow, orange, pink, purple and blue, as well as silver. The colors are bolder on the rear, but more muted on the front so they're less distracting. Apple has brought in a new 12MP Center Stage camera that includes support for Apple's Desk View feature. There's once again Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support. There are some key configuration differences to take note of. The base model still has only two Thunderbolt USB-C ports. For the first time, all four USB-C ports on the pricier options (with a 10-core CPU and GPU) are Thunderbolt 4-compatible. In addition, you'll only be able to upgrade to 32GB of RAM if you have the more powerful chipset and at least 512GB of storage. The nano-texture display is not available on the base model, which will support one external display, while higher-end versions can handle two. On the sustainability front, the iMac's packaging is entirely fiber-based. This is part of Apple's plan roadmap to eliminate plastic form its packaging by next year. Alongside the new iMac, Apple finally updated its desktop accessories to ditch the old Lightning standard. With the new Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse the company has switched over to USB-C. These are available in colors that match the iMac looks. The M4 iMac will be available on November 8, starting at the same $1,299 as its predecessor. The base model has an eight-core CPU, an eight-core GPU, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. It comes with a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad. More expensive configurations include a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID. Pre-orders start today. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/the-imac-gets-an-m4-refresh-for-faster-apple-intelligence-151251449.html?src=rss
Netflix is rolling out a new feature called Moments that lets you save, share and easily rewatch certain scenes from shows and movies. So if there's a killer bit in a comedy special that you want a friend to see, or a shocking twist in Squid Gamethat you can't get enough of, this might be useful.The feature will be mobile-only for the time being. Moments is debuting worldwide on Netflix's iOS app today. It'll be available on Android in the coming weeks.When you see a scene you want to save or share, you just need to tap the Moments button at the top of the screen. It'll be saved to the My Netflix tab. You'll be able to jump back to Moments on your phone whenever you like. Netflix says that episodes and films will start playing from bookmarked scenes when you rewatch them. There's also the option to share a moment on social media platforms or in messages as you create a moment. You can share scenes with friends from the My Netflix tab as well.Netflix has long had social sharing options for episodes and films, but adding an easy way to help users revisit favorite scenes and share them with friends is a smart idea. It looks like the company's take on the clips feature that Twitch and YouTube have offered for several years. There may be more to come from Netflix on this front though, as the company wrote in a blog post that "Moments will hopefully expand in the future, offering even more ways for members to use and enjoy the feature."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflixs-latest-feature-lets-you-easily-share-and-rewatch-your-favorite-scenes-151053954.html?src=rss
The holidays are fast approaching and if you want to get gifts for the children in your life early (a true feat), then Amazon has a sale for you. Right now, a few of Amazon's Fire Kids tablets are on sale, including our pick for best kids tablet: the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet. It's currently down to $110 from $190 - a 42 percent discount. The Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet is available in the colors Mint, Nebula and Happy Days. It has a 10.1-inch screen with 1080p full display and 13 hours of battery life. It's meant for kids aged six to 12 and comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which offers books, games, apps and more. The Amazon Fire 10 Kids tablet has the same sale as its counterpart, dropping to $110 from $190. Then there's the Fire 7 Kids tablet, which is offering the best discounts at the moment. You can grab the 16GB model for half off - $55, down from $110 - or the 32GB model for 54 percent off - $60, down from $130. Unlike the other two, this one is geared towards children aged three to seven, but does offer many of the same features as its counterparts. 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/deals/amazons-fire-kids-tablets-are-up-to-54-percent-off-right-now-150046661.html?src=rss
Elon Musk's social media platform X is home to the Grok AI model, and it just received an update today to help it understand images. Musk showcased Grok explaining a joke in an X post and mentioned that the technology is still in the early stages. Other than that, neither Musk himself or the Grok account elaborated further.
Last week, the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) released a statement expressing its regret that the US Copyright Office's refused to grant an exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to help preserve rare video games. However, the VGHF continued by saying it won't back down and will continue advocating for improved video game preservation.For some context, the VGHF had been a longtime supporter of the Software Preservation Network's (SPN) petition to receive a DMCA exemption for the sake of preserving video games, especially for researchers who need access to them and can't do so due to unavailability. As the only currently legal way is to get a legitimate hard or soft copy of the game and play it on its corresponding console, researchers are encountering difficulties in progressing in their studies. Piracy would be illegal, of course, which is why the SPN is fighting for an exemption. However, there are those who don't see things this way.Despite not convincing the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and the US Copyright Office, the VGHF doesn't regret supporting the SPN's petition for a DMCA exemption. Its goal, and that of several like-minded organizations (as mentioned by Rock Paper Shotgun), is to help preserve out-of-print and obscure video games for future generations to enjoy. The petition sought to allow researchers to access these games remotely from libraries and archives.The ESA pushed hard against the petition, refusing to allow any remote game access whatsoever. ESA members have even ignored calls for comment on the situation, IGN reports. As the VGHF says, researchers are now forced to use extra-legal methods to access the vast majority of out-of-print video games that are otherwise unavailable."Three years of fighting for a cause and not giving up shows that the VGHF remains committed to video game preservation. The organization ended its statement by calling game industry members to support its cause.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-video-game-history-foundations-fight-for-game-preservation-isnt-over-135817436.html?src=rss
The iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch Series 10 and other devices Apple announced this fall are banned from sale in Indonesia. That's because Apple has failed to meet its local investment commitments by around $15 million.It's said to have invested 1.48 trillion ($94 million) of the 1.71 trillion rupiah ($109 million) it pledged to plow into local sourcing and/or infrastructure to meet Indonesia's requirements. Due to Apple not meeting the investment threshold, the Ministry of Industry has not issued the certifications that are required for Apple's latest products to be sold there. The ban doesn't impact older Apple devices, which the company can still sell in the country.Under Indonesia's local content rules, certain devices sold there have to contain at least 40 percent "domestic content." This can be reached by, for instance, using materials sourced in the country, having manufacturing plants or employing local workers. Apple has established four developer academies in Indonesia and, as of earlier this year, it was looking at setting up a manufacturing facility there. Samsung and Xiaomi are among the smartphone makers that now have factories in the nation.By not investing the remaining $15 million needed to meet the threshold, Apple can't sell its latest products in Southeast Asia's largest economy, which may prove to be shortsighted. While it's hardly the most popular smartphone brand in Indonesia (it's not in the top six, Bloombergnotes), Apple has room to grow there. Indonesia is said to have a $1 trillion economy and a youthful population that's becoming increasingly tech-savvy. The government has also reported that there are 350 million active mobile phones in the country, which has a population of 270 million.According to officials, there are around 9,000 iPhone 16 units in Indonesia. These have been mailed to the country or brought in by crew and passengers by hand. Bloomberg reports that personal use of the phones is permitted, but they can't be resold. Since 2020, any mobile phones that are bought overseas and brought in are subject to a tax and have to be registered with the Indonesian government.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-iphone-16-is-banned-from-sale-in-indonesia-after-apple-fails-to-invest-enough-locally-133907141.html?src=rss
I only hopped on the headphone trend earlier this year after being a forever earbud devotee, and they're truly life changing. They're so expensive, though, so a sale - especially a big one - can make all the difference. Right now, the Beats Studio Pro are just $169, down from $350 - a 51 percent discount. This all-time low price is available in Black, Sandstone, Deep Brown and Navy, though every other colorway but one is close at 46 percent off. We gave the Beats Studio Pro an 81 when they came out last year, thanks to improved sound quality and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. It offers "near-zero" distortion, even at the highest volumes, which provides it with an 80 percent improvement from the Studio 3. That heavy bass that Beats was once known for is long gone here, only appearing when a track actually calls for it. The headphones also have transparency mode and new USB-C EQ modes: Signature, Conversation and Entertainment. Plus, they have up to 40 hours of battery life. There are some drawbacks worth mentioning when discussing the Beats Studio Pro. They are not the most comfortable headphones on the market, so you might not want to wear them for extended periods of time. They also have no automatic pausing or multipoint connectivity for iOS. 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/deals/the-beats-studio-pro-headphones-are-back-on-sale-for-51-percent-off-131525350.html?src=rss
It doesn't take much to make your gaming stream look and sound professional - you just need the right tools, and then let your sparkling personality and on-screen skills take care of everything else. Here, we've collected more than a dozen of the best streaming gadgets that you can buy today, separated into five categories: microphones, headphones, cameras, lights and accessories. You won't need everything on this list, but there's a good starting point for most budgets under each heading. Microphones Headphones and headsets Cameras Lights Accessories This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/best-game-streaming-gear-160012102.html?src=rss
Imagine going to the doctor, telling them exactly how you're feeling and then a transcription later adds false information and alters your story. That could be the case in medical centers that use Whisper, OpenAI's transcription tool. Over a dozen developers, software engineers and academic researchers have found evidence that Whisper creates hallucinations - invented text - that includes made up medications, racial commentary and violent remarks, ABC News reports. Yet, in the last month, open-source AI platform HuggingFace saw 4.2 million downloads of Whisper's latest version. The tool is also built into Oracle and Microsoft's cloud computing platforms, along with some versions of ChatGPT.The harmful evidence is quite extensive, with experts finding significant faults with Whisper across the board. Take a University of Michigan researcher who found invented text in eight out of ten audio transcriptions of public meetings. In another study, computer scientists found 187 hallucinations while analyzing over 13,000 audio recordings. The trend continues: A machine learning engineer found them in about half of 100 hours-plus worth of transcriptions, while a developer spotted hallucinations in almost all of the 26,000 transcriptions he had Whisper create.The potential danger becomes even clearer when looking at specific examples of these hallucinations. Two professors, Allison Koenecke and Mona Sloane of Cornell University and the University of Virginia, respectively, looked at clips from a research repository called TalkBank. The pair found that nearly 40 percent of the hallucinations had the potential to be misinterpreted or misrepresented. In one case, Whisper invented that three people discussed were Black. In another, Whisper changed "He, the boy, was going to, I'm not sure exactly, take the umbrella." to "He took a big piece of a cross, a teeny, small piece ... I'm sure he didn't have a terror knife so he killed a number of people."Whisper's hallucinations also have risky medical implications. A company called Nabla utilizes Whisper for its medical transcription tool, used by over 30,000 clinicians and 40 health systems - so far transcribing an estimated seven million visits. Though the company is aware of the issue and claims to be addressing it, there is currently no way to check the validity of the transcripts. The tool erases all audio for "data safety reasons," according to Nabla's chief technology officer Martin Raison. The company also claims that providers must quickly edit and approve the transcriptions (with all the extra time doctors have?), but that this system may change. Meanwhile, no one else can confirm the transcriptions are accurate because of privacy laws.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-whisper-invents-parts-of-transcriptions--a-lot-120039028.html?src=rss
If you've used Cash App in the last six years, you might be entitled to compensation as part of a class-action settlement. The company set up a $15 million fund after breaches enabled a trove of user personal data to leak. You can file a claim through a dedicated settlement website, and depending on what you can prove, you could receive up to $2,500. If there's a downside beyond having your private financial data leaked, it's that you've only got until November 19 to file.- Dan CooperGet this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!News in Brief
In an AMA this weekend, Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared some insight into why some videos on the platform appear reduced in quality well after they're posted, and it all boils down to performance. Responding to a question about old stories looking blurry" in highlights, Mosseri said, In general, we want to show the highest-quality video we can. But if something isn't watched for a long time - because the vast majority of views are in the beginning - we will move to a lower quality video." If the video later spikes in popularity again, then we will re-render the higher quality video," he said in the response, which was reposted by a Threads user (spotted by The Verge).Further elaborating in a follow-up reply, though, Mosseri added, We bias to higher quality (more CPU intensive encoding and more expensive storage for bigger files) for creators who drive more views." The comment has sparked concern from small creators in the replies who say it puts them at a disadvantage competing with others who have larger platforms. Meta has previously said it uses different encoding configurations to process videos based on their popularity" as part of how it manages its computing resources.The performance system works at an aggregate level," Mosseri said, not an individual viewer level... It's not a binary theshhold [sic], but rather a sliding scale." In response to one user who questioned its fairness for smaller creators, Mosseri said the quality shift doesn't seem to matter much" in practice as it isn't huge" and viewers appear to care more about video content over quality. Quality seems to be much more important to the original creator, who is more likely to delete the video if it looks poor, than to their viewers," he said. Understandably, not everyone seems convinced.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mosseri-confirms-instagram-reduces-video-quality-for-posts-that-arent-raking-in-views-233033536.html?src=rss
Apple's rumored smart home display may look a lot like an old friend - the iMac G4 of the early 2000s. In the Power On newsletter this weekend, Mark Gurman reports that the countertop tablet will feature a square screen that's positioned at an angle on a small base, making it reminiscent of the circular bottom of the iMac G4." That may be where the speakers are housed too. The device is expected to arrive sometime next year, followed later on by a higher-end version with a robotic limb that can change the position of the display.The more affordable model, which will be released first, will have a relatively small screen, according to Gurman, being about the size of two iPhones side by side." It's intended to be used for smart home controls, but will also run apps like FaceTime and Calendar, and display photos and videos. The more expensive model will boast a larger screen in addition to its robotic capabilities, according to Gurman. We likely won't see that product until at least 2026, as he previously predicted, and it may run you almost $1,000. Both models are expected to come with Apple Intelligence.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/apple-may-tap-into-a-beloved-retro-design-for-its-smart-home-display-210412601.html?src=rss
The long-promised Playdate Stereo Dock is officially dead, at least for now. After many months with the desktop accessory stuck in development limbo, Panic has updated the product page so it no longer says it's coming soon," but instead that it's been put on pause indefinitely due to issues with the Bluetooth experience, the factory that handled it and the rising costs of resolving it all. The Stereo Dock, first announced in 2021, was meant to be a charging dock that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker (and pen holder), along with being a cute way to display your Playdate when it's not in use. But, things didn't quite work out as planned.The Playdate team said it hit some unexpected hurdles in trying to bring the idea to life, and found that making the Stereo Dock was almost more challenging than making the Playdate itself." The statement explains:
Google may be close to unveiling an AI agent that can operate a web browser to help users automate everyday tasks. The Information reports that the company is working on a computer-using agent" under the codename Project Jarvis, and it may be ready to be previewed as soon as December. According to sources that spoke to The Information, Jarvis responds to a person's commands by capturing frequent screenshots of what's on their computer screen, and interpreting the shots before taking actions like clicking on a button or typing into a text field."Jarvis is reportedly made to work only with web browsers - particularly Chrome - to assist with common tasks like research, shopping and booking flights. It comes as Google continues to expand the capabilities of its Gemini AI, the next-gen model of which is expected to be revealed in December, as reported by The Verge. Gemini Live, Google's AI chatbot, gained support for dozens of new languages this month, and Gemini integration has recently made it to Google Meet, Photos and other applications.The news of Jarvis comes days after Anthropic introduced a similar but seemingly more expansive feature for its Claude AI, which it says has been equipped with computer skills so it can use a wide range of standard tools and software programs designed for people." That's available now in a public beta.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-is-reportedly-developing-jarvis-ai-that-could-take-over-your-web-browser-163404705.html?src=rss
Google is reportedly working on a new Android API for what it's calling Rich Ongoing Notifications, which would allow apps to display at-a-glance information in a status bar much like Apple's Live Activities in the Dynamic Island on iPhone. This is according to journalist Mishaal Rahman, who spotted the code in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 release. It could work a lot like the time tracker that currently appears when you're on a phone call, with a bit of text in a bubble at the top of the display that you can tap to open the app for more details.Writing for Android Authority, Rahman says the API will let apps create chips with their own text and background color that live in the status bar." It could be especially useful for things like transit updates, allowing users to keep track of pertinent information like departure times or an Uber's ETA while using other apps. The feature isn't yet complete, though, and it could still be some time before we see it. Rahman predicts it'll arrive with Android 16.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/ongoing-notifications-similar-to-apples-live-activities-could-be-coming-to-android-210443338.html?src=rss
New releases in fiction, nonfiction and comics that caught our attention. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/what-to-read-this-weekend-jeff-vandermeer-returns-to-area-x-160004379.html?src=rss
The legal battle between Apple and medical technology company Masimo rages on, with the bigger company - sorta, kinda - winning their latest face off. A federal jury has agreed with Apple that previous versions of Masimo's W1 and Freedom (pictured above) watches infringed on its design patents, according to Reuters. It only awarded Apple $250 in damages, which is the smallest amount that could be awarded for patent infringement, but the company's lawyers reportedly told the court that it wasn't after money anyway.What Apple, which is worth $3.5 trillion, wanted was an injunction on the sales of Masimo's current smartwatch models. However, the jury determined that those newer models don't violate Apple's intellectual property. That is why Masimo is also treating the jury's decision as a win, telling the news organization that it's thankful for the verdict that's "in favor of Masimo and against Apple on nearly all issues." Apparently, the ruling only affects a "discontinued module and charger." As for Apple, it told Reuters that it was "glad the jury's decision today will protect the innovations [it advances] on behalf of [its] customers."Masimo sued Apple in 2021, accusing it of infringing on several of its light-based blood-oxygen monitoring patents, while the tech giant countersued a year later. A court sided with Masimo in 2023, forcing Apple to pause sales on its latest smartwatch models, as the US International Trade Commission blocked all Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 imports into the country. The company appealed and was ultimately able to sell its watches in the country earlier this year by removing the technology from the units offered in the US.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-wins-250-in-masimo-smartwatch-patent-case-150020340.html?src=rss
Update 10/26/24 9am ET: The deal below has expired, but you can get a similar deal on the Pixel Tablet at Wellbots right now. The Pixel Tablet with its charging speaker dock is $110 off and down to $489 when you use the code ENGPIX110 at checkout. You can use the same code to get $110 off the 256GB Pixel Tablet on its own, bringing the final price down to $389. Tablets might be a cheaper alternative to laptops but they can still cost a good chunk of money. Sales make all the difference and, right now, the 128GB Google Pixel Tablet is available for $275, down from $399. The 31 percent discount brings this tablet to a new all-time low price. The sale is only available if you get the tablet in Porcelain and doesn't come with the speaker dock (though that combo is 11 percent off). Google released this Pixel Tablet in summer 2023 and gave us things we really liked and others we weren't wowed with. We gave it an 84 in our review thanks, in large part, to its smart home features. Our reviewer, Cherlynn Low, already had a Nest Mini in her room, but was impressed with how much better the tablet worked. The sound is great - though that was thanks to the Speaker Dock - and its Hub Mode is very useful. It shows you all the devices throughout your home, including camera feeds and switch lamps. If you want this device for entertainment and ease then it could be great. However, there were a few aspects that we weren't as keen on. Some of the movements aren't very intuitive and we didn't use it much without the stand. But, it has great battery if you do get it without a dock, lasting 21 and a half hours with 50 percent brightness on our test. 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/deals/googles-pixel-tablet-is-cheaper-than-ever-right-now-132239944.html?src=rss
Lyft has agreed to to tell its drivers how much they can truly earn on the ride-hailing platform - and back it up with evidence - as part of its settlement for a lawsuit filed by the US Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission. The lawsuit accused the company of making "numerous false and misleading claims" in the advertisements it released in 2021 and 2022, when the demand for rides recovered following COVID-19 lockdowns in the previous years. Lyft promised drivers up to $43 an hour in some locations, the FTC said, without revealing that those numbers were based on the earnings of its top drivers.The rates it published allegedly didn't represent drivers' average earnings and inflated actual earnings by up to 30 percent. Further, the FTC said that Lyft "failed to disclose" that information, as well as the fact that the amounts it published included passengers' tips. The company also promised in its ads that drivers will get paid a set amount if they complete a certain number of rides within a specific timeframe. A driver is supposed to make $975, for instance, if they complete 45 rides over a weekend.Lyft allegedly didn't clarify that it will only pay the difference between the what the drivers' earn and its promised guaranteed earnings. Drivers thought they were getting those guaranteed payments on top of their ride payments as a bonus for completing a specific number of rides. The FTC accused Lyft of continuing to make "deceptive earnings claims" even after it sent the company a notice of its concerns in October 2021, as well.Earlier this month, the company launched an earnings dashboard that showed the estimated hourly rate for each ride, along with the driver's daily, weekly and yearly earnings. But under the settlement, Lyft will have to explicitly tell drivers how much their potential take-home pay is based on typical, instead of inflated, earnings. It has to take tips out of the equation, and it has to to clarify that it will only pay the difference between what the drivers get from rides and its guaranteed earnings promise. Finally, it will have to pay a $2.1 million civil penalty.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lyft-will-have-to-tell-drivers-how-much-they-can-truly-earn-with-evidence-120011572.html?src=rss
Apple is reportedly still working on glucose management - this time through software. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the company tested an app this year for pre-diabetic people, helping them manage their diet and lifestyle. Apple is said not to have plans to launch the app to consumers, but it could play a part in future health products.The company reportedly tested the app internally, with employees confirmed through a blood test to be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The subjects actively monitored their blood sugar via various devices available on the market," logging corresponding glucose changes. The app would then note correlations between dietary changes and blood sugar levels (for example, don't eat the pasta").Gurman says Apple paused the test to focus on other health features. Bloomberg notes that the Apple Health app currently lacks meal tracking, something rival services offer. The publication also says Apple could eventually offer deeper third-party glucose tracking integration into its products.The study reportedly wasn't directly related to Apple's 15-year quest to offer non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, something that's seemingly regurgitated in Apple Watch rumors every cycle. The company's current hardware prototype is reportedly an iPhone-sized wearable device that uses lasers to shoot light into the skin. Gurman claims Apple's first consumer-facing version - whether in the Apple Watch or some other form - will likely only notify users if they may be pre-diabetic. Providing specific glucose levels would have to come in later iterations.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-reportedly-tested-a-blood-glucose-monitoring-app-204241266.html?src=rss
Heads up if you've had a Cash App account over the last six years or so: you may now be able to claim thousands of dollars as a result of a class-action settlement. The company proposed the $15 million settlement earlier this year following two security incidents. If you're eligible to make a claim, you only have a few weeks to do so.The first related breach took place in December 2021 when, according to Cash App, a former employee downloaded reports containing information on more than 8 million users. This included their full names, brokerage account numbers and, in some cases, the holdings and value of investment portfolios. Cash App disclosed the incident in April 2022.The consolidated class-action complaint alleged that Cash App and parent company Block failed to enact sufficient security measures to prevent another data breach. This involved Cash App's person-to-person payment services. According to the plaintiffs, an unauthorized user accessed certain Cash App accounts in 2023 using recycled phone numbers." The complaint contended that Cash App and Block mishandled complaints related to both breaches and fraudulent transactions.Cash App and Block have denied any wrongdoing, The New York Times reports. They say the settlement is not an admission of liability.You may be eligible to make a claim if you had a Cash App account between August 23, 2018 and August 20 of this year. The settlement will cover up to $2,500 of out-of-pocket costs stemming from the breaches, as well as up to three hours worth of lost time at $25 per hour. Those who have sustained a monetary loss and haven't yet been reimbursed can file a claim for that too.If you plan to file a claim through the settlement website, you'll need to do so by 2AM ET on November 19. A final court hearing in the case is set for December 16.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/cash-app-users-can-claim-thousands-of-dollars-in-a-data-breach-settlement-194520756.html?src=rss
8BitDo, once known exclusively as a purveyor of Nintendo-infused nostalgia, has expanded in recent years into all sorts of gaming controllers and accessories. The company's latest foray is into mobile gaming controllers. The 8Bitdo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller takes the highlights of its well-received Ultimate series - Hall effect included! - and brings them to an extendable accessory that latches onto your smartphone, a la Backbone and Razer Kishi. First, the bad news (for some). The 8Bitdo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller is Android only, so no love here for iPhone owners. It's also a Bluetooth accessory, rather than a plug-in one like Backbone's, which means it has a 350mAh battery and weighs more than some rivals. (As The Verge notes, it tips the scales at 236g, making it 71 percent heavier than the BackBone One.) 8Bitdo says its battery lasts up to 15 hours from 1.5 hours of charging time. But for Android device owners, it's a versatile controller. 8Bitdo says it's compatible with mobile devices that are 100mm to 170mm in length. That can even include some small tablets, although not many these days are that small. (Even Amazon's relatively small Fire HD 8 is about 32mm too wide.) However, it should fit just about any Android phone. 8Bitdo The controller has Hall effect triggers and joysticks, so you shouldn't have any drifting worries. It includes a standard four action buttons, a clicky," smooth" and tactile" D-Pad, a profile button and two paddle buttons on its back. The sticks have wear-resistant metal joystick rings." It works with 8BitDo's Ultimate Software, letting you remap buttons, adjust stick and trigger sensitivity and create or edit profiles. The software is available on Windows and Android. The iOS version is installable on Macs from the App Store. You can't get the 8Bitdo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller quite yet, but you can pre-order it now from Amazon. It costs $50 (half the price of Backbone One!), comes in black and white options and will arrive on November 29, Black Friday. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/8bitdo-has-a-new-50-android-gaming-controller-with-hall-effect-sticks-and-triggers-192521405.html?src=rss
Apple's beta testing service Testflight just got a fairly substantial update, according to a report by TechCrunch. The software refresh gives developers much more control over who can join a beta and how new features are shared. It also allows beta testers to get more information about an app before they dive in.Developers will be able to set all kinds of criteria as to who can or cannot access the beta. This should help devs narrow the test groups to specific audiences, like those using a particular device or OS version. Testflight offers a maximum of 10,000 invitations by default, so this should help reserve spots for an intended audience. The developers can also now decrease this maximum number to whatever they want.The update allows for more control over the beta invites, as they can highlight new features and content. Apple says that beta builds of apps that have already been approved for publication can now include screenshots and the app category along with the invite.App creators will also be able to view metrics regarding the success of a beta invite, which includes information as to how many people viewed the invite, who opted in and why folks declined.As for users, beta invites can include a feedback field. This is for people to let the developer know why they chose not to download an app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-updates-its-beta-testing-service-testflight-with-redesigned-invites-and-more-185002704.html?src=rss
There are days where it feels like nothing will ever change and the best thing you can do is just learn to tolerate mediocrity. Today is not one of those days. Public Knowledgeannounced that the US Copyright Office granted an exemption request from the non-profit public interest group and the DIY repair site iFixit to allow McDonald's franchise owners to hire a third-party to repair their McFlurry and soft service ice cream machines.Franchise owners legally couldn't hire any outside business to work on the machine because of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). McDonald's soft serve ice cream machines have a digital lock and Section 1201 of the DMCA makes it illegal for anyone to bypass the lock on a copyrighted work even if no copyright infringement occurs. Only the original manufacturer of the machine can repair a copyrighted device with a digital lock. The recent exemption overrules the digital lock law.If you've ever pulled up to a McDonald's drive-thru window and couldn't get an ice cream treat like a McFlurry, it probably wasn't an anomaly. Franchises had to wait on the McDonald's corporation to send an approved repair person to fix the machines. The problem caught the attention of the Federal Trade Commission in 2021 under a directive by President Joe Biden to draft new regulations to allow consumers to legally repair their own devices and hire third-parties to fix them. The FTC contacted McDonald's franchise owners to learn more about the ice cream machines and the difficulties in repairing them.iFixit did a teardown of a McDonald's ice cream dispenser last year and found it had lots of easily replaceable parts" but they couldn't be fixed without earning the wrath of federal copyright laws. The teardown prompted the companyto work with Public Knowledge to obtain a copyright exemption to repair them. The repair website also compiled a video explaining the machine's innerworkings in more detail.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/mcdonalds-restaurants-can-finally-repair-their-own-mcflurry-machines-183006996.html?src=rss
NASA spent the last two weeks hoisting a 103-ton component onto a simulator and installing it to help prepare for the next Moon missions. Crews fitted the interstage simulator component onto the Thad Cochran Test Stand at Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The connecting section mimics the same SLS (Space Launch System) part that will help protect the rocket's upper stage, which will propel the Orion spacecraft on its planned Artemis launches.The Thad Cochran Test Stand is where NASA sets up the SLS components and conducts thorough testing to ensure they'll be safe and operating as intended on the versions that fly into space. The new section was installed onto the B-2 position of the testing center and is now fitted with all the necessary piping, tubing and electrical systems for future test runs.NASAThe interstage section will protect electrical and propulsion systems and support the SLS's EUS (Exploration Upper Stage) in the rocket's latest design iteration, Block 1B. It will replace the current Block 1 version and offer a 40 percent bigger payload. The EUS will support 38 tons of cargo with a crew or 42 tons without a crew, compared to 27 tons of crew and cargo in the Block 1 iteration. (Progress!) Four RL10 engines, made by contractor L3Harris, will power the new EUS.The interstage simulator section NASA spent mid-October installing weighs 103 tons and measures 31 feet in diameter and 33 feet tall. The section's top portion will absorb the EUS hot fire thrust, transferring it back to the test stand so the test stand doesn't collapse under the four engines' more than 97,000 pounds of thrust.NASA's testing at Stennis Space Center will prepare the SLS for the Artemis IV mission, which will send four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft to the Lunar Gateway space station to install a new module. After that, they'll descend to the Moon's surface in the Starship HLS (Human Landing System) lunar lander.You can catch some glimpses into NASA's heavy lifting in the video below:This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasa-spent-october-hoisting-a-103-ton-simulator-section-onto-a-test-stand-to-prep-for-the-next-moon-mission-173008826.html?src=rss
Waymo has raised another huge chunk of change from investors. The company announced on its blog that it secured an oversubscribed investment round" of $5.6 billion in funding, the largest of which came from Google's parent company Alphabet.The company is working with Uber to expand to Austin and Atlanta by the early part of next year. Waymo says it plans to use this latest infusion of capital for the expansions. This latest round brings Waymo's total capital fundraising to $11.1 billion, with the $5.5 billion it picked up in two earlier rounds in 2020 and 2021.Waymo currently operates in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix with a curbside transport service for Sky Harbor International Airport through its Waymo One driving system for businesses. The company announced it's also started offering fully autonomous freeway operations in Phoenix and San Francisco."The new funding will also help Waymo advance its Waymo One system, an adaptable autonomous driving system for different businesses. Waymo wrote on its blog it plans to support a variety of business applications over time" through Waymo One.Alphabet ponied up $5 billion for Waymo back in July as part of what Alphabet's chief financial officer Ruth Porat called a multi-year investment." The driverless vehicle fleet logged a total of 25 million miles in July outpacing companies like Uber, which sold its self-driving unit four years ago before joining forces with Waymo.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/waymo-raises-56-billion-to-fund-austin-and-atlanta-expansion-172031686.html?src=rss
Black Friday/Cyber Monday is more than a month away (Thanksgiving falls on November 28 this year - I looked it up so you don't have to). So while we wait for all of the best-of-the-year discounts the shopping event usually entails, there are still a few worthy sales out there on the tech we've reviewed and recommend. For example, the space gray M2 MacBook Air (our pick for the best budget Apple laptop) is down to $700 with an on-page coupon. For those ready to make (very tasty) ice cream at home, the Ninja Creami has a coupon code for $40 off. There are plenty of Anker batteries and accessories on sale too, plus we found discounts on a few choice video games to round out the savings. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
The long-anticipated iPhone iOS 18.1 officially launches next week, bringing with it Apple Intelligence, but we are already on to the next new thing. The company is busy preparing iOS 18.2, which has already entered its beta stage and should be widely released in December. This next operating system will include daily Sudoku puzzles for Apple News+ subscribers, as reported by MacRumors.Users will be able to choose from three difficulty options each day, ranging from easy to challenging. There's a scoreboard to track stats, which includes the total number of puzzles solved, speed metrics and more. This is the fourth puzzle game to be included with an Apple News+ subscription, joining Crossword, Crossword Mini, and Quartiles. The New York Times also offers a slew of games with a subscription, including Wordle, so this is becoming an actual trend.
The UK's competition regulator is probing Alphabet's investment in AI startup Anthropic. After opening public comments this summer, the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) said on Thursday it has sufficient information" to begin an initial investigation into whether Alphabet's reported $2.3 billion investment in the Claude AI chatbot maker harms competition in UK markets.The CMA breaks its merger probes into two stages: a preliminary scan to determine whether there's enough evidence to dig deeper and an optional second phase where the government gathers as much evidence as possible. After the second stage, it ultimately decides on a regulatory outcome.The probe will formally kick off on Friday. By December 19, the CMA will choose whether to move to a phase 2 investigation.Google told Engadget that Anthropic isn't locked into its cloud services. Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world," a company spokesperson wrote in an email. Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don't demand exclusive tech rights." Engadget also reached out to the CMA for comment, and we'll update this story if we hear back.TechCrunch notes that Alphabet reportedly invested $300 million in Anthropic in early 2023. Later that year, it was said to back the AI startup with an additional $2 billion. Situations like this can be classified as a quasi-merger," where deep-pocketed tech companies essentially take control of emerging startups through strategic investments and hiring founders and technical workers.Amazon has invested even more in Anthropic: a whopping $4 billion. After an initial public comment period, the CMA declined to investigate that investment last month. The CMA said Amazon avoided Alphabet's fate at least in part because of its current rules: Anthropic's UK turnover didn't exceed 70 million, and the two parties didn't combine to account for 25 percent or more of the region's supply (in this case, AI LLMs and chatbots).Although the CMA hasn't specified, something in Alphabet's $2.3 billion Anthropic investment constituted a deeper dive. Of course, Google's Gemini competes with Claude, and both companies make large language models they provide to small businesses and enterprise customers.Update, October 25, 2024, 11:10AM ET: This story has been updated to add a quote from a Google representative.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-uks-antitrust-regulator-will-formally-investigate-alphabets-23-billion-anthropic-investment-171043846.html?src=rss
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