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On Friday, the US Supreme Court agreed to take on two landmark social media cases with enormous implications for online speech, as reported by The Washington Post. The conservative-dominated court will determine if laws passed by Texas and Florida are violating First Amendment rights by requiring social platforms to host content they would otherwise block.Tech industry groups, including Meta, X (formerly Twitter) and Google, say the laws are unconstitutional and violate private companies' First Amendment rights. Telling private websites they must give equal treatment to extremist hate isn't just unwise, it is unconstitutional, and we look forward to demonstrating that to the Court," Matt Schruers of the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), one of the trade associations challenging the legislation, told The Washington Post. The CCIA called the order encouraging."The groups representing the tech companies contesting the laws say platforms would be at legal risk for removing violent or hateful content, propaganda from hostile governments and spam. However, leaving the content online could be bad for their bottom lines as they would risk advertiser and user boycotts.Supporters of the Republican-sponsored state laws claim that social media companies are biased against conservatives and are illegally censoring their views. These massive corporate entities cannot continue to go unchecked as they silence the voices of millions of Americans," said TX Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who recently survived an impeachment trial accusing him of abuses of office, bribery and corruption. Appeals courts (all with Republican-appointed judges) have issued conflicting rulings on the laws.The US Supreme Court voted five to four in 2022 to put the Texas law on hold while the legal sparring continued. Justices John Roberts, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett voted to prevent the law from taking effect. Meanwhile, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Elena Kagan and Neil Gorsuch dissented from the temporary hold. Alito (joined by Thomas and Gorsuch) said he hadn't decided on the law's constitutionality but would have let it stand in the interim. The dissenting Kagan didn't sign off on Alito's statement or provide separate reasoning.The Biden administration is against the laws. The act of culling and curating the content that users see is inherently expressive, even if the speech that is collected is almost wholly provided by users," Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar said to the justices. And especially because the covered platforms' only products are displays of expressive content, a government requirement that they display different content - for example, by including content they wish to exclude or organizing content in a different way - plainly implicates the First Amendment."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-supreme-court-will-hear-social-media-cases-with-immense-free-speech-implications-164302048.html?src=rss

The life of a retro gamer is one fraught with delight and frustration. Chasing the unique feeling of waiting years while someone develops a new game for your vintage console of choice in their spare time. But the delight, when it lands, makes it all worth it. Conversely, watching someone snipe your eBay bid for a super rare game you've been seeking for years, that's frustrating. No one appears to understand this yo-yo of emotions better than the team at Analogue - makers of some of the most desirable modern retro consoles around.When I say Analogue understands this, I mean it's perfected the art of inducing both ends of that emotional spectrum. The very existence of the company shows it understands the passion retro lovers feel about gaming history. But almost two years after the release of the (delightful) Pocket handheld, we're still (frustrated) waiting for key accessories and consoles to reliably be in stock. Meanwhile, the company just unveiled some seriously delightful limited editions. (Good luck actually buying one - frustrating.) They really have this retro gaming thing down to a tee, and fans have noticed.AnalogueWhen the Pocket was announced, that sent a wave of delight around the retro gaming community. That was in October 2019 with an estimated release date of 2020." Eagle-eyed readers will have already noticed that the company missed that broad target by almost a year, though there was a pandemic going on at the time. That's a minor frustration, but one that only served to fuel the desire for what is, arguably, Analogue's most complicated and refined product. Almost immediately, the company reopened orders along with a mild bump in price and - depending on how quick you were - a potential two-year window for it to ship.As of this month, most of those orders have finally been fulfilled - but not without sprawling Reddit mega-threads of people comparing shipping statuses, order numbers and total days since ordering (props to the 600+ crew). The recent glow in the dark (GITD) limited edition itself caused a bit of a stir (or, in some cases, contempt) as the lucky few who were able to secure one saw it ship out immediately with no wait at all - including the one Analogue supplied for the images in this story.Things got a bit meta when Analogue quickly unveiled another series of limited editions, this time, the saliva-inducing transparent colors that every gaming handheld deserves. People who had jumped on the GITD Pocket found themselves with buyer's remorse, had they known the other editions were coming, they would have rather tried for one of those. Some folks are just buying the limited editions because they simply want a Pocket, leaving fewer for those that actively wanted them. A delightfully frustrating situation for all involved.Reddit / MrFixterThe Glow in the Dark Analogue Pocket looks fantastic though (we're sure the transparent ones will also). And it's another sign of Analogue's hard-line approach to retro purism. The Pocket, a clear reference to the Game Boy Pocket, which had one little-known, hyper rare limited edition given out at a gaming competition. You guessed it, it was glow in the dark - the only official Nintendo console ever to come in the luminous material. Cruelly, the Game Boy Pocket didn't have a backlight, so the effect was hard to enjoy during play time.Analogue's version, of course, can totally be played in the dark, and it's positively encouraged. Glow in the dark is amazing - when was the last time you've seen a proper consumer electronic fully glow in the dark?" Christopher Taber, founder and CEO of the company told Engadget. And according to Taber, the design involved creating an entirely new material. We spent a few months getting the color and unique starry, chalky texture. Multiple different plastics to allow that to only be shown when it's glowing - when not glowing it has the perfect green, pure." Taber's enthusiasm appears to be matched by Pocket fans as all the units sold out in under two minutes. (Though Taber didn't specify how many were available when asked.)Unsurprisingly, and to the chagrin of, well, everyone, plenty of GITD editions have found their way into the hands of resellers.Now that the shipping of actual Pockets seems to be mostly caught up, I asked whether there'd be stock for the holidays, to which Taber confirmed there would be. Which just leaves those cartridge adapters, and that's a whole other situation, one that's changed a fair bit since launch.Photo by James Trew / EngadgetThe whole selling point of the Pocket was that it could natively play original Game Boy cartridges (including Color and Advanced titles), plus Atari Lynx and Game Gear carts via an adapter. Later, TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine and NeoGeo Pocket adapters were also confirmed to be in development. At launch, the Game Gear accessory was ready to go, but there's been a long wait for the others.Analogue initially communicated they should be available in Q3 this year, but Taber said they were still on track to be shipped out by the end of the year." (FWIW, an archived version of this page showed Q3 up until at least the day before we asked for confirmation, Google has since cached a newer version.) But the real change is that the Pocket can play games from far more systems than it could at launch, including some of the ones for which there are adapters.The Pocket doesn't emulate games so much as it reprograms itself to become" the system you want to play. It does this via something called Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) and more specifically cores" that, in lay terms, mimic each system - it's what sets the Pocket apart from most other retro handhelds that emulate in software.Since launch cores have been made available for a number of consoles, including the NES, SNES, Genesis/Megadrive, Neo Geo and TurboGrafx-16. To play games from these systems, no adapter is required, but it does mean dabbling in the murky world of ROMs. To what extent this diminishes the appetite for the adapters is unclear (the Atari Lynx and Neo Geo Pocket remain the systems with adapters that don't have community-created cores available).Analogue's Transparent Limited Edition Pockets go on sale today at 11AM Eastern.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/analogues-limited-edition-pockets-are-delightful-and-frustrating-140012471.html?src=rss

This week, it's Meta's turn to highlight AI during its device event. In this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn dive into all of the news from Meta's Connect 2023 event, where it unveiled Meta AI and accompanying celebrity-powered chatbots. Oh yah, and it introduced the Meta Quest 3 and new Ray-Ban smart glasses, too. More so than the metaverse and VR, it's really AI that Zuckerberg wants to push across all of Meta's apps and devices.And in other news, we discuss why the end of the WGA strike is a big deal for AI in Hollywood; ex-Microsoft exec Panos Panay officially heading to Amazon; and why the FTC is targeting Amazon over its potential ecommerce monopoly.Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!Subscribe!

Netflix is shipping its final DVD rentals, marking the end of an era that helped make the company the streaming behemoth it is today. "Netflix will mail its final DVD on September 29, 2023," the company said in a post on X yesterday. "But the red envelope remains an enduring symbol of our love of entertainment."Netflix announced in April this year that it would shut down its DVD rental business on September 29, saying the shrinking demand for physical rentals is making it "increasingly difficult" to offer the quality of service it wants. The company shipped its first disc (Beetlejuice) in 1998, and has since shipped 5.2 billion movies in those red envelopes to more than 40 million customers.

Just when Microsoft's buyout of Activision finally seemed to be near complete - and we could focus on Google's legal tussles with the Department of Justice - the Federal Trade Commission said it will revive its attempt to block the $69 billion deal in an adjudicative process. Microsoft received EU approval over the summer when the European Commission endorsed the deal as long as the tech giant could ensure full compliance with commitments."Normally, the FTC drops its challenges to deals when efforts are lost in federal court. This move will not delay the deal, though in the worst-case scenario, Microsoft might have to sell off parts of the gaming company. Microsoft told Bloomberg it's not concerned about the move preventing its purchase. Regardless of the impact it could have, the FTC's in-house hearing will only start after the Ninth Circuit issues an opinion on the appeal.- Mat SmithThe Morning After is going to YouTube. Check out our weekly episodes here!The biggest stories you might have missedHow to use iOS 17's Check In feature in iMessage to let friends know you got home safemacOS Sonoma made me hate widgets lessThe best gaming keyboards of 2023ChatGPT now supports voice chats and image-based queriesScientists confirm some black holes spinThe researchers analyzed 22 years' worth of observations of the galaxy M87.Observing 22 years of the first black hole humanity has ever imaged has offered unequivocal evidence" that black holes spin. There's apparently an oscillating jet that swings up and down roughly every 11 years. An international team of scientists headed by Chinese researcher Dr. Cui Yuzhu analyzed more than two decades of observational data gathered by more than 20 telescopes around the world to make the discovery in the black hole at the center of galaxy M87.A small fraction of particles not falling into the black hole get jetted out. The telescopes' observations show that M87's jet oscillates by 10 degrees in a recurring 11-year cycle -- as Einstein's General Theory of Relativity predicted. Aside from proving Einstein right, it's a significant discovery that massively improves our understanding of black holes.Continue reading.Honda's first all-electric SUV has 300-mile rangeThe Prologue arrives in early 2024.Honda has revealed more details about its all-electric Prologue SUV. The EV will have a listed range of 300 miles and cost around the upper $40,000s" before any incentives or tax credits. The pricing puts it well above rival SUVs, like the Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mustang Mach-E - all of which start around $40,000. Also, the range of Honda's EV is comparatively shorter.Continue reading.This third-party deck makes your Switch feel like a dreamCRKD's Nitro Deck costs $60.EngadgetThe Nitro Deck comes from CRKD, a new company founded at Embracer Group's Freemode incubator lab. The Nitro Deck is a simple idea executed well: Slide your Switch screen into the frame and it acts as a self-contained, beefed-up gamepad, sidestepping the initially innovative but drifty Joy-Con controllers. You can also get it in a decidedly Gamecube colorway. Lots of purple.Continue reading.These origami-inspired flying robots change shape in mid-airThe true foldables.University of WashingtonScientists at the University of Washington have developed flying robots that change shape in mid-air, without batteries, as originally published in the research journal Science Robotics. These miniature Transformers snap into a folded position during flight to stabilize descent. They weigh just 400 milligrams and feature an on-board battery-free actuator, powered by solar. Future-use cases could range from monitoring weather to checking air conditions with a fleet of the lil' thingsContinue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-ftc-is-challenging-microsofts-activision-buyout-again-111600835.html?src=rss

Google is sending Jamboard on its way to the company's ever-growing graveyard full of products and services that didn't quite work out. It will wind down the Jamboard whiteboarding app sometime in late 2024, it has revealed in a Workspace post, and will switch to working more closely with third-party partners. Jamboard is the tech giant's home-grown whiteboarding solution that provides people the ability to collaborate in real time. Anything drawn or edited on its website or app, for instance, gets reflected on the Jamboard hardware, and vice versa.To continue giving teams that use its tools access to a collaborative digital whiteboard, Google is integrating FigJam, Lucidspark and Miro across its Workspace. It also promised to provide a "retention and migration path" so that users don't lose any collaborative work they've created within an organization. In its post, Google said it received feedback from customers that the advanced features offered by the aforementioned third-party partners helped their teams work better together. Based on that feedback, the company has decided to "leverage [its] partner ecosystem for whiteboarding in Workspace and focus [its] efforts on core content collaboration across Docs, Sheets, and Slides."In addition to killing the Jamboard app, Google is also winding down support for the $5,000 Jamboard device. The 4K digital whiteboard, which originally went on sale in 2017, will stop receiving auto-updates on September 30, 2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-is-sunsetting-its-collaborative-jamboard-app-101658315.html?src=rss

SpaceX has won a $70 million contract with the US Space Force to provide satellite communications for the US Space Force via its Starshield program, Bloomberg reported. The company will effectively be repurposing its Starlink network for military usage as a way to provide a "secured satellite network for government entities," according to SpaceX's website. The contract has a one-year duration."The SpaceX contract provides for Starshield end-to-end service (via the Starlink constellation), user terminals, ancillary equipment, network management and other related services," a Space Force spokesperson told CNBC in a statement. The initial phase requires the Space Force to pay $15 million to SpaceX by September 30th, and SpaceX will support 54 military "mission partners" across Department of Defence (DoD) branches.A group of US senators recently criticized SpaceX's actions in Ukraine, after a biography on Elon Musk revealed that he refused Ukraine's request to extend Starlink coverage to allow a naval attack on Russian-held Crimea. "We are deeply concerned with the ability and willingness of SpaceX to interrupt their service at Mr. Musk's whim and for the purpose of handcuffing a sovereign country's self-defense, effectively defending Russian interests," they wrote.However in a post on his social network X, Musk refuted that sentiment. "Starlink needs to be a civilian network, not a participant to combat. Starshield will be owned by the US government and controlled by DoD Space Force," he said.SpaceX is already a key contractor for the Pentagon, providing the military with rocket launches. Last year, the Space Force approved the company's reusable Falcon Heavy to carry US spy satellites into orbit. Earlier this year, SpaceX won a contract to provide an unspecified number of Starlink ground terminals for use in Ukraine.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/spacex-lands-us-space-force-contract-for-starshield-satellite-communications-085045883.html?src=rss

Tesla has been tolerating racial harassment at its factory in Fremont, California since at least 2015 until today, according to the lawsuit filed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The automaker has violated federal law by tolerating the "widespread and ongoing racial harassment of its Black employees," the agency said. Further, affected workers who raised concerns about the abuse they were getting were apparently subjected to various forms of retaliation: They were transferred, their duties were changed, or they were terminated.The EEOC's lawsuit says Black employees were regularly called variations of the N-word, "monkey," "boy" and "black b*tch" throughout the factory, even in hubs were workers gathered. These employees also encountered drawings of racial graffiti, including swastikas and nooses, on desks, as well as on the walls of bathroom stalls and elevators throughout the factory. If these allegations sound familiar, it's because they're identical to the complaints filed by plaintiffs who previously sued Tesla for racial harassment.One of those plaintiffs was Melvin Berry, who accused Tesla supervisors of using racial slurs against him. And there was Owen Diaz, who said he was subjected to racial slurs and was made to feel unsafe at work with racist graffiti on his workspace, such as drawings of Inki the Caveman. Diaz was originally granted $137 million in damages, which was one of the highest amounts awarded to an individual suing on the basis of discrimination. However, it was significantly lowered following several appeals, until it was reduced to $3.2 million earlier this year.The EEOC filed its lawsuit after doing an investigation on the automaker and trying to reach pre-litigation settlement through conciliation. Now, it's seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, as well as backpay for all affected workers. It's also asking the court for an injunction "designed to reform Tesla's employment practices to prevent such discrimination in the future."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-sued-by-federal-agency-for-racial-harassment-at-california-factory-053220563.html?src=rss

As expected, Apple is making a last-ditch effort to get the Supreme Court to reverse a ruling that would force it to open up its App Store to third-party payments. The iPhone maker filed a petition with the Court Thursday, arguing that the lower court injunction was breathtakingly broad" and unconstitutional."It's the latest beat in a long-simmering feud between Cupertino and the Fortnite developer that's seen both sides ask the Supreme Court to reverse parts of a lower court ruling. But Apple's latest petition could have far-reaching consequences for all developers, should the Supreme Court decide to take up the case.That's because Apple is asking the Supreme Court to reverse an injunction that would require the company to allow app developers to offer payments that circumvent its App Store, and the fees associated with it. Such a move would be a major blow to the App Store's business, which has used the rule to maintain strict control over in-app payments.The rule, often referred to as an anti-steering" policy, has long been controversial and a major gripe for developers. It not only prohibits app makers from providing links to web-based payments, it bars them from even telling their customers that a cheaper rate was available somewhere else.Fortnite developer Epic made the issue a central part of its antitrust lawsuit against Apple in 2020, and the judge in the case ruled in Epic's favor on the issue in 2021. Apple has spent the last two years fighting that part of the ruling.Separately, Epic has also asked the Supreme Court to reconsider part of the lower court's ruling in its bid to keep its antitrust claims against Apple alive.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-asks-supreme-court-to-reverse-app-store-ruling-in-epic-case-221126323.html?src=rss

Uber, DoorDash and Grubhub won't be able to get out of paying minimum wage to their New York City delivery workers after all, following a judge's decision to reject their bid to skirt the city's new law. The upcoming law, which is still pending due to the companies' ongoing lawsuit, aims to secure better wage protections for app-based workers. Once the suit settles, third-party delivery providers will have to pay delivery workers a minimum wage of roughly $18 per hour before tips, and keep up with the yearly increases, Reuters reports.The amount, which will increase April 1 of every year, is slightly higher than the city's standard minimum wage, taking into account the additional expenses gig workers face. At the moment, food delivery workers make an estimated $7-$11 per hour on average.New York Acting Supreme Court Justice Nicholas Moyne put the law on pause back in July, when the three companies and the smaller delivery service, Relay Delivery, sued the city, arguing that the raised rates will have a negative impact on their services. With Moyne's latest decision, it'll now move forward. While Uber, DoorDash and Grubhub will have to comply once it takes effect, Relay will be given more time to renegotiate its contracts with restaurants, according to Reuters.The move makes NYC the first US city to require a minimum wage for app-based deliveries, and others are likely to follow suit. The city previously pushed ride hailing apps to raise their minimum rates for drivers, forcing Uber and Lyft to raise their per-mile rates by just over 5 percent in 2022.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/uber-grubhub-and-doordash-must-pay-nyc-delivery-workers-an-18-minimum-wage-213145847.html?src=rss

Bethesda appears to have shadow-dropped (intentionally or not) a new mobile game set in a familiar universe. The Elder Scrolls: Castles is a building management game reminiscent of Fallout Shelter. The title, first spotted by Reddit user u/tracteurman (via GamesRadar), is available for Android but not iOS.The Elder Scrolls: Castles tasks you with controlling a castle - and your dynasty. Oversee your subjects as the years come and go, families grow, and new rulers take the throne," the game's Play Store description reads. It describes a real-life day in the game covering a year within the virtual world.Its gameplay involves familiar staples of building management sims: customize the castle, add and expand rooms, decorate, place monuments and assign workers to stations. In addition, you can create heroes to embark on epic quests" to battle against classic Elder Scrolls foes.BethesdaThe Play Store listing's What's new" section says, Welcome to early access," which at least suggests the game may have been intended as a closed beta. However, it's downloadable and playable to anyone with a Play Store account at the time of publication. We reached out to Bethesda to find out whether the game's silent publication was intentional, and we'll update this article if we find out more.The Elder Scrolls: Castles is free in the Google Play Store. It's rated Teen" for violence and suggestive themes.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-elder-scrolls-castles-is-like-fallout-shelter-but-skyrim-212404049.html?src=rss

Fortnite maker Epic Games is laying off 16 percent of its staff - or about 830 employees. CEO Tim Sweeney said in an open letter to sent employees that Epic Games has been spending way more money" than it earns. We concluded that layoffs are the only way," he wrote "and that doing them now and on this scale will stabilize our finances."For those impacted by the layoffs, the company says it will offer a severance package that includes six months base pay and healthcare. Epic Games is also offering to accelerate employee's stock option vesting schedule through 2024, while giving two additional years to exercise the options. About two-thirds of the layoffs affected teams outside of core development.Sweeney wrote that Epic had been making an effort to reduce costs by not only freezing hiring but also by cutting spending on things like marketing and events. And while the metaverse is still in a conceptual phase, Sweeney said he wants the company to focus on developing infrastructure for its games to exist in the metaverse ecosystem. For example, Epic teamed up with LEGO to build an immersive digital experience" for kids.

Users will be able to edit, share and receive feedback on their Photoshop projects from anywhere on the web, Adobe announced Wednesday, regardless of whether an Adobe product is installed on their PC or tablet. The company is bringing its Photoshop on the web service out of beta and incorporating a few handy new AI features as well.Adobe first introduced a feature-svelt online version of the popular Photoshop app in December, 2021. Originally, users could share their psd files but only if the recipient had a copy of Photoshop or Illustrator on their computer too. That changed with the introduction of Creative Cloud, which allowed for sharing without the need for a local install. The beta version of Photoshop on the web took that concept a step further by incorporating basic editing tools into the web UI geared towards "minor tweaks and quick edits" - the easy sort of stuff that took less time to fix than the program took to boot. The production version released Wednesday does all that and more."With this release we are starting with a focus on the needs of creators who are new to Photoshop with a streamlined user experience," Adobe VP Pam Clark wrote in a blog post. "We have brought the majority of the most commonly used Photoshop tools to the web and have streamlined the user experience, to make it easier for newer users to navigate the app."Users will also be able to experiment with two new AI-driven tools, generative fill and generative expand. As their names' imply, these will "allow you to add, expand, or remove content from your images non-destructively, while magically matching perspective, lighting, and style of your image," Clark wrote. The features were first released as part of Firefly for the desktop edition of Photoshop.The Contextual Taskbar is also migrating over from the desktop. This on-screen menu will observe your workflow and suggest relevant next steps. But for all the new features to play with, a number of existing tools have yet to make the jump to the web, including the patch and pen tools, smart object support and the polygonal lasso, the the company insists that they will be added with future updates.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/adobes-photoshop-on-the-web-service-is-now-available-to-all-creative-cloud-subscribers-210034891.html?src=rss

At dawn on Wednesday, French antitrust authorities conducted a surprise raid on a company in the country that specializes in graphics cards - and according to The Wall Street Journal and Challenges business magazine, that company was NVIDIA. We reached out to NVIDIA for clarification and a spokesperson declined to comment. Here's what we know for sure:The French Competition Authority conducted a surprise raid early Wednesday morning on "a company suspected of having implemented anticompetitive practices in the graphics cards sector," according to a brief press release from the regulator. The raid was tied to a larger investigation into the health of the cloud computing market, with a focus on identifying whether new companies were being unfairly squeezed out by larger, existing ones. The results of that investigation were published in June and they centered on three "hyperscalers," Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure.The results read, in part, "The likelihood of a new operator being able to gain market share rapidly appears limited, excluding companies who are already powerful in other digital markets." NVIDIA is not mentioned in the original cloud investigation.NVIDIA has seen significant financial success this year amid the AI boom. NVIDIA's AI chips and data centers are in high demand, and the company crushed its most recent earnings expectations, pulling in $13.51 billion in the second quarter of 2023, compared with $6.7 billion in 2022.As the French Competition Authority noted, a raid does not mean the targeted company is guilty of anticompetitive practices - but it's a confident step from the regulatory body.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/looks-like-nvidia-got-raided-by-french-antitrust-authorities-205809329.html?src=rss

Google has announced a new control in its robots.txt indexing file that would let publishers decide whether their content will "help improve Bard and Vertex AI generative APIs, including future generations of models that power those products." The control is a crawler called Google-Extended, and publishers can add it to the file in their site's documentation to tell Google not to use it for those two APIs. In its announcement, the company's vice president of "Trust" Danielle Romain said it's "heard from web publishers that they want greater choice and control over how their content is used for emerging generative AI use cases."Romain added that Google-Extended "is an important step in providing transparency and control that we believe all providers of AI models should make available." As generative AI chatbots grow in prevalence and become more deeply integrated into search results, the way content is digested by things like Bard and Bing AI has been of concern to publishers.While those systems may cite their sources, they do aggregate information that originates from different websites and present it to the users within the conversation. This might drastically reduce the amount of traffic going to individual outlets, which would then significantly impact things like ad revenue and entire business models.Google said that when it comes to training AI models, the opt-outs will apply to the next generation of models for Bard and Vertex AI. Publishers looking to keep their content out of things like Search Generative Experience (SGE) should continue to use the Googlebot user agent and the NOINDEX meta tag in the robots.txt document to do so.Romain points out that "as AI applications expand, web publishers will face the increasing complexity of managing different uses at scale." This year has seen an explosion in the development of tools based on generative AI, and with search being such a huge way people discover content, the state of the internet looks set to undergo a huge shift. Google's addition of this control is not only timely, but indicates it's thinking about the way its products will impact the web.Update, September 28 at 5:36pm ET: This article was updated to add more information about how publishers can keep their content out of Google's search and AI results and training.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-will-let-publishers-hide-their-content-from-its-insatiable-ai-202015557.html?src=rss

Google is opening its AI-powered search experience to teens. In addition, the company's Search Generative Experience (SGE) is adding new context pages to shed light on generated responses and individual web links within answers.The company is opening its search-based AI tool to US teenagers between 13 and 17. Google says it received particularly positive feedback" from 18- to 24-year-olds who tested SGE, which influenced its decision. (Younger people being more open to AI isn't exactly a shock, given older adults' tendency to be more suspicious of new technologies.) SGE has been available as part of Google Search Labs since late May.Google says it has added safeguards to prevent inappropriate or harmful content based on its research with experts in teen development. For example, we've put stronger guardrails in place for outputs related to illegal or age-gated substances or bullying, among other issues," the company wrote on Thursday. Google says it will continue to gather feedback and work with specialists to fine-tune SGE for teens.GoogleStarting today, the company is also adding an About this result" tool to SGE responses, helping users understand how the AI settled on its answers. Soon, it will also produce About this result" responses for individual URLs within AI-generated answers so people can understand more about the web pages that back up the information in AI-powered overviews."To help newcomers understand generative AI, Google has published an AI Literacy Guide, serving as a welcome manual to SGE and other AI projects like Bard. It includes tips, FAQs and discussions about its capabilities and limitations.Finally, Google says it's making targeted improvements" to AI-powered results that are false or offensive. It's rolling out an update to train the AI model to better detect hallucinations" or inappropriate content. (Chatbots spreading misinformation has been an issue from the get-go.) The company is also working on using large language models to critique" their first draft responses and rewrite them with quality and safety in mind.Generative AI can help younger people ask questions they couldn't typically get answered by a search engine and pose follow-up questions to help them dig deeper," the company wrote. As we introduce this new technology to teens, we want to strike the right balance in creating opportunities for them to benefit from all it has to offer, while also prioritizing safety and meeting their developmental needs."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-opens-its-ai-generated-search-experience-to-teens-201357386.html?src=rss

Footage captured by a food delivery robot in Los Angeles was used to arrest and convict two people after a failed attempt to steal it off the street earlier this year, according to 404 Media. Serve Robotics, which works with Uber Eats for last-mile deliveries in the area, shared videos of the incident with the Los Angeles Police Department both proactively and after a subpoena. Serve previously met with LAPD to open a line of communication" between the two ahead of any potential troubles, emails obtained by 404 alsoshow.It comes at a time when public wariness around the technology is already high, with concerns about just how much the robots are recording and where that footage ultimately goes. Serve Robotics CEO Ali Kashani boasted about the resulting convictions on social media, tweeting, Some genius once tried to steal one of our robots... It didn't end well (for them)." In a follow-up blog post, Kashani takes a softer stance, attempting to explain how the company balances its approach to involving law enforcement with its responsibility to the public and fostering trust.The company's principles, according to Kashani, include not using robots for surveillance or other purposes that violate the public's sense of privacy," and not putting unnecessary strain on public resources by calling in the police to address every minor incident of robot vandalism." In this case, in which the police were immediately notified and arrests were made, the robot got away on its own and was, as Kashani describes it, unharmed." The company turned in all relevant footage before deleting it.

Scientists at the University of Washington have developed flying robots that change shape in mid-air, all without batteries, as originally published in the research journal Science Robotics. These miniature Transformers snap into a folded position during flight to stabilize descent. They weigh just 400 milligrams and feature an on-board battery-free actuator complete with a solar power-harvesting circuit.Here's how they work. These robots actually mimic the flight of different leaf types in mid-air once they're dropped from a drone at an approximate height of 130 feet. The origami-inspired design allows them to transform quickly from an unfolded to a folded state, a process that takes just 25 milliseconds. This transformation allows for different descent trajectories, with the unfolded position floating around on the breeze and the folded one falling more directly. Small robots are nothing new, but this is the first solar-powered microflier that allows for control over the descent, thanks to an onboard pressure sensor to estimate altitude, an onboard timer and a simple Bluetooth receiver.As for the why of it all, the lil baby Starscreams can be equipped with a wide variety of sensors to make surveys as they soar around the sky, so in theory they could gauge temperature, humidity and air quality conditions, among other types of data. Produced at scale, this would be a highly-cost effective way to keep tabs on atmospheric conditions.The current design only allows them to transition in one direction, from the tumbling state to the falling state, but researchers can control multiple microfliers at the same time, making them disperse upon launch to cover a wider area. They're working on perfecting the reverse transition to allow the robots to transform back from the falling position to the folded position, which should better allow the microfliers to make precise landings even in turbulent wind.It's good to see new robots that don't resemble a Dr. Who death machine or a headless dog with a thirst for blood. Let's hear it for innovation! In the meantime, the University of Washington researchers will have plenty of funds to further develop this microflier concept, thanks to grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA and the Google fellowship program, among others.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/these-flying-origami-inspired-robots-change-shape-in-mid-air-184653938.html?src=rss

Honda has revealed more details about its all-electric Prologue SUV. The EV will have a listed range of 300 miles when the first deliveries arrive in early 2024. The automaker says the vehicle's MSRP is expected to start in the upper $40,000s" before subtracting any available incentives or tax credits.The Prologue's pricing puts its entry point well above rival SUVs like the Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mustang Mach-E - all of which start at around $40,000. Meanwhile, the range on Honda's EV is much shorter than the Ioniq 6's 361 miles and even lags slightly behind the Hummer EV (314 miles).The Prologue is built on the GM Ultium EV architecture, the same platform as GM electrics like the Chevy Blazer EV. Honda's new model has an 85-kWh battery pack that applies to both rear-drive and all-wheel-drive models. However, note that the 300-mile estimated range only applies to the 2WD variant, and we don't yet know how far to expect the AWD one to last. The automaker only lists engine performance stats for the AWD version, which generates an estimated 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque.HondaElsewhere, the Honda Prologue has a 121.8-inch wheelbase, five inches longer than the longer Honda Pilot's. The SUV seats five people and has 136.9 cubic feet of interior space. The vehicle supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and it includes an 11-inch instrument display with an 11.3-inch HD infotainment screen.Honda will give buyers several charging packages to choose from at purchase. First, they can get an 11.5kW home charging station with a $100 charging credit and a $500 installation credit. Second, they can opt for a 7.6kW portable charging kit, a $300 public charging credit and a $250 installation credit. Alternatively, customers can go with $750 in public charging credits.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/honda-first-all-electric-suv-has-300-mile-range-and-starts-in-the-upper-40000s-183146672.html?src=rss

Looks like Cities: Skylines II is truly going to be colossal. The console release of Cities: Skylines II has been delayed to spring 2024, and the game's minimum and recommended PC specs are now slightly more demanding. The PC version of the game will still land on October 24, 2023, as originally planned.Anyone who pre-ordered the game on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S should automatically receive a refund through those platforms. Developer Colossal Order is shutting down pre-orders of the console version for now. Cities: Skylines II is still coming to PC Game Pass on October 24, and it'll hit Xbox Game Pass next spring, alongside the console release.The new minimum and recommended PC specs aren't wildly different than the original figures, but there are two notable changes. The recommended specs now call for an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor, rather than a Ryzen 5 5800X. The minimum specs start with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 graphics card (or AMD equivalent), an upgrade from the original GTX 780.Colossal Order explained that the console delay and the PC update stem from the same root cause: This game is bigger and requires more optimization than they first thought. Here's how the studio explained the adjustment to the game's PC specs:"Cities: Skylines II is a next-generation title and therefore has certain hardware requirements. The recommended specs were set when the game was still in development. After having done extensive testing with different hardware we made the decision to update the minimum/recommended specs for a better player experience."It's been a rough year for PC games in general. The diversity baked into the PC market has always been a challenge for developers, but ninth-generation console hardware is now outstripping many common PC setups, leading to ambitious games with lots of bugs on PC. With today's Cities: Skylines II news, it seems like Colossal Order is attempting to insulate itself from this phenomenon.Developers have also had a tough time offering parity between the Xbox Series X - the most technically powerful console this generation - and the Series S, Microsoft's cheaper and less powerful option. Microsoft requires all games to launch with the same features on both consoles, and this has led to a handful of delays, dropped features, and at least one accidental PS5 console exclusive. Microsoft recently allowed Baldur's Gate 3 creator Larian Studios to bend these rules, but the requirement remains in place generally.Colossal Order has an FAQ about the changes to Cities: Skylines II right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cities-skylines-ii-will-hit-ps5-and-xbox-series-xs-in-spring-2024-173416073.html?src=rss

Beyerdynamic is no stranger to the gaming community, as the company's wired headsets are regularly seen at professional esports events and the like. However, it's never released a wireless gaming headset, until now. The company just revealed the Beyerdynamic MMX 200 and this headset's packed with modern features, all without frustrating wires to get in the way.The company says the MMX 200 offers the same competitive advantage" of its wired cousins, thanks to 40mm high-performance drivers that provide expanded detail across the entire frequency range. There's also an integrated digital signal processor (DSP) that promises to add more oomph to the sound, helping to create the ultimate gaming experience."Gaming is more than just listening, however, especially when you're playing with friends. You also have to trash talk. The MMX 200 features a detachable boom mic with an integrated 9mm condenser capsule that Beyerdynamic says will make listeners think your voice is coming from a podcast studio. That's quite a lofty promise, as the microphones that typically accompany gaming headsets are, in a word, trash.Being a wireless headset, connectivity options are extremely important. To that end, the MMX 200 integrates with a wide variety of audio codecs and features Bluetooth 5.3, along with a low-latency wireless adapter. There's even an interesting hybrid mode that allows the headphones to connect via an analog wired connection and Bluetooth at the same time.The advertised battery life is certainly impressive, allowing for 35 to 50 hours of use per charge. This metric doesn't even include idle periods, so the real-world battery life could creep even higher. You can also charge the headset during use, which is always a nice time-saver and a feature more companies should implement. As with most gaming headsets intended for prolonged use, there are some comfort-forward features here, like memory foam padding on the earpads and a light clamping force that shouldn't squeeze your head like a grape.All of the components have been designed for self-repair, with replacement parts available. Additionally, Beyerdynamic doesn't really trade in gimmicks, so there's no RGB lights or anything like that. The MMX 200 headphones are available today for $250 straight from the company or via Amazon.While this is Beyerdynamic's first wireless gaming headset, it's not the company's first foray into wireless audio. It released a pair of wireless earbuds last year, called Free Byrd.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/beyerdynamic-releases-its-first-ever-wireless-gaming-headset-172641714.html?src=rss

Just when Microsoft's buyout of Activision seemed to finally be near complete, the Federal Trade Commission said it will revive its attempt to block the $69 billion deal in an adjudicative process. The FTC plans to restart its in-house trial against Microsoft's multibillion-dollar acquisition of the Call of Duty maker.This effort by the FTC is unlikely to be anything more than a nuisance for Microsoft. It already received EU approval over the summer when the European Commission endorsed the deal as long as the tech giant could ensure full compliance with commitments." And more recently, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority issued a preliminary approval of the merger. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick called it a significant milestone for the merger" in a statement and said he remains optimistic that the deal will complete soon. The CMA's consultation on Microsoft's proposed changes is expected to be complete by October 6, just days ahead of the October 18 deadline for the CMA's review process.Normally, the FTC typically drops its challenges to deals when efforts are lost in federal court and despite the agency's effort, this move will not delay the deal from going through. The likely worst-case scenario for Microsoft would be divestiture. Being forced to sell Activision or parts of it after the fact would not be ideal, but at least short term there seems to be little chance of the FTC derailing things.The agency's failed attempt to block the acquisition over the summer in the US should have put an end to the bargaining when the FTC's injunction request to block the deal got rejected and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the agency's last-ditch effort. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said in her ruling that the FTC did not prove the deal would harm consumers.Microsoft told Bloomberg that it's not overly concerned about the move preventing its purchase. Regardless of what impact it could have, the FTC's in-house hearing will only start after the Ninth Circuit issues an opinion on the appeal, according to the filing.

Sega announced on Thursday that it's canceling multiplayer shooter Hyenas. Citing lower profitability of the European region," the company said it would also shutter other unannounced titles under development.According to Sega, it will implement reduction of various fixed expenses" at Hyenas developer Creative Assembly. Unfortunately, that sounds like corporate jargon for layoffs" at the studio, also known for Total War and Alien: Isolation.Sega also braced investors for a loss in the current fiscal year. As a result of implementation of the structural reform described above in Consumer area, we expect to record losses of approximately 14.3 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024," Sega wrote. In a statement to Engadget, Creative Assembly confirmed the beginning of layoff discussions. Creative Assembly, part of Sega Europe, has announced the beginning of a redundancy consultation process, alongside ending development of Hyenas," the developer wrote. This decision affects areas of its UK operations, which may result in job losses."Creative Assembly / SegaCreative Assembly staff allegedly learned about the game's cancellation today at the same time Sega issued its statement, according to IGN. Yanking Hyenas so close to its scheduled launch was reportedly a shock to employees at the UK-based developer, although there was apparently internal concern at the studio about the game's prospects. IGN's sources say Creative Assembly employees face redundancy but also expect company-wide cuts at Sega.Announced in 2022, Hyenas was billed as a team-based extraction shooter for PlayStation, Xbox and PC, with players looting coveted pop-culture objects in wild zero-gravity environments. The over-the-top multiplayer title completed a closed beta earlier this month, dropped its final trailer in August and was still slated for a 2023 launch before today's news.Creative Assembly says it will try to reassign employees when possible. Our people-first approach remains foundational to how we operate; the priority is to work with those whose jobs are at-risk and re-allocate them to other available opportunities at CA wherever possible," a Creative Assembly representative wrote in an emailed statement to Engadget. We are absolutely committed to delivering more exciting game experiences long into the future, which will delight both current and potential players all over the world."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sega-cancels-multiplayer-shooter-hyenas-at-the-last-minute-162614456.html?src=rss

Reddit has announced a slew of changes to its user preference settings, the most notable being that users will no longer have a say in whether they see personalized ads based on their site activity. Reddit's Head of Privacy, Jutta Williams, shared a breakdown of the impending updates in a post to r/reddit on Wednesday night, writing that only users in select [unspecified] countries" will be exempt from the new ad policy. For the rest, advertisers will be able to target users based on what communities you join, leave, upvotes, downvotes, and other signals."Users were also sent a private message notifying them of the update, which is expected to take effect over the next few days. While users are losing control over activity-based ad personalization more broadly, they will be able to limit certain types of ads from appearing. Reddit is adding opt-out buttons for sensitive advertising categories" including Alcohol, Dating, Gambling, Pregnancy & Parenting, and Weight Loss. Jutta notes that these will be identified both by manual tagging and machine learning, so it may take a while for the filters to work effectively.In an attempt to get ahead of users' concerns about their data, the post insists that the vast majority of redditors will see no change to their ads," further stating that [for] users who previously opted out of personalization based on Reddit activity, this change will not result in seeing more ads or sharing on-platform activity with advertisers." Responding in a later comment, Jutta wrote that this update does not change the way we collect or share data."This data informs how we target ads on our platform," Jutta continued. We do not share your information or activity with third parties for advertising outside Reddit." Unsurprisingly, a lot of users are neither pleased nor convinced. Though Reddit hasn't named the exact countries that will continue to have opt-out abilities, the exemption is likely intended to keep the platform in compliance with the GDPR, the EU's data protection law that came into effect in 2018.In addition to changing the ad preferences, Reddit has also reorganized its location customization settings and made some tweaks to its privacy settings' descriptions for clarity. Users should see the changes in their settings over the coming weeks.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/redditors-will-now-be-forced-to-see-personalized-ads-161510093.html?src=rss

Netflix held a virtual event called DROP 01 to celebrate its forthcoming slate of animated projects. The showcase was an absolute cornucopia of trailers and announcements for animation fans, particularly those who enjoy video game adaptations (all of us.) It started with a global livestream of Castlevania: Nocturne's first three episodes ahead of the official premiere later today.After that, the hits kept on coming. We knew there was a Devil May Cry anime being produced, adapting the popular game series, and now we have a trailer. There's no release date, other than coming soon", but the show's being produced by Capcom and animated by Studio Mir, the same folks behind The Legend of Korra, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf and My Adventures With Superman. In other words, we should be in for a good time.Sonic Prime is coming back for season three and there's a trailer to prove it. The new episodes focus on the fallout of chapter two as the speedy hedgehog faces off against Nine Tails for the fate of the entire Green Hill Zone. Netflix makes games now and also showed off a trailer for the related mobile title Sonic Prime Dash.It's been nearly three years since the announcement of a Tomb Raider animated series, leaving fans wondering if the show would evaporate into vaporware heaven. Worry no longer. It's real and it's coming soon. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is a team effort between game developer Crystal Dynamics and media dynamos Legendary Television. It's being drawn by Powerhouse Animation, the studio behind Castlevania and Masters of the Universe. There's no release date on this one yet but it looks nifty.Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix isn't exactly a video game adaptation, but it's inspired by the world created in Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon. As such, Ubisoft is on board, as is Netflix's animation wunderkind Adi Shankar. This is a cyberpunk show, through and through, with the unusual addition of Ubisoft mascot Rayman. The series releases soon, on October 19.We don't have that long to wait before Scott Pilgrim Takes Off graces our screens, as it premieres on November 17. To hype up fans, Netflix dropped a sneak peek with an actual scene from the show. The eight-episode series brings back every single cast member from the movie, including Michael Cera, Brie Larson, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Chris Evans and Aubrey Plaza.It wasn't all video game adaptations. Netflix also showed off trailers for the cinematic anime Blue Eye Samurai, a new season ofMasters of the Universe: Revolution and a series based on Astro Boy called PLUTO. Prepare to go cartoon crazy in the coming months.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/netflix-animation-event-dropped-trailers-for-tomb-raider-devil-may-cry-and-sonic-160012736.html?src=rss

The Xbox Series X is once again on sale for $450 at Dell. That's $50 off its usual going rate. We've seen this deal pop up before, but discounts on Microsoft's highest-end game console have generally been rare since it arrived in late 2020, so this is another good opportunity to save.Compared to the $300 Xbox Series S, Microsoft's other current-gen Xbox, the Series X packs a stronger GPU and 6GB more RAM, which lets it more consistently play demanding games at higher frame rates and resolutions. It also has a disc drive and twice as much storage by default at 1TB. You can still play every Xbox game on either console, but the gulf in power between the two devices is starting to become more evident; the hit RPG Baldur's Gate III, for instance, will come to the Series S without split-screen co-op - something that will be available on the Series X - after developer Larian Studios had issues achieving feature parity with the less powerful machine. Broadly speaking, the Series X is built to play games in 4K at 60fps (or higher), while the Series S is more for 1440p or 1080p displays.As for the games themselves, Microsoft has had some struggles producing first-party hits - we were lukewarm on its most recent blockbuster, the space RPG Starfield - but the Xbox library still has tons of titles we like, from blockbusters like Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infiniteto smaller gems like Hi-Fi Rushand Pentiment. If you like to sample a variety of games, an Xbox Game Pass subscription is still a decent value as well, though a recent price hike has made it a little less of a must-have.The caveat to any Xbox deal right now is the trove of documents that accidentally leaked earlier this month as part of the FTC v. Microsoft court battle. That leak included details of an apparent Xbox Series X refresh that could arrive next year with a cylindrical design and 2TB of storage but no disc drive, which could make the current model more appealing for those who don't want to go all-digital. As that info stems from older internal documents, however, it's possible that those plans have changed over time.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-xbox-series-x-is-back-down-to-450-154534111.html?src=rss

Apple has introduced all kinds of useful features to the iPhone in iOS 17. One, called Check In, can automatically let your friends and family know when you've arrived somewhere safely or if you've been delayed. The feature can also tell you when you're moving in the wrong direction.If you're delayed, you can add extra time to complete your check in. If you don't do so before the timer runs out, your device will send your friend or family information such as your location, battery percentage and cellular signal (you can decide which details to share.How to turn on Check InTo set up a Check In, find an existing conversation in the Messages app or start a new one with the person or people you want to keep tabs on your safe arrival. Tap the Plus button, then More > Check In > Edit.Here, you have two options. The first is called When I Arrive. Punch in your destination and specify how you're getting there. You can add extra time if you need to. If your iPhone isn't moving toward your destination for a certain period of time or it doesn't reach that location as expected, Check In will notify your trusted contact and inform them about your phone's journey. When you do reach your destination on time, Check In will let your friend or family member know you've arrived.The other Check In option is time-based. If you don't end the Check In before the time limit expires, your iPhone will notify your friend. This could be a useful option if you're on a first date or otherwise hanging out with a new pal.AppleWhichever Check In option you go with, tap the blue up arrow (as if you were sending any other type of message) to confirm the Check In and start the timer. If you lose service or your iPhone shuts off before a Check In is complete, the friend or family member you set it up with may receive a notification early or later than expected and access the details you decided to share with them.To add extra time to a Check In, go to the conversation with the person you shared it with. Find the Check In message, then tap Details > Add Time. You can then choose how much time to add.How to cancel a Check InIf you'd like to cancel a Check In for any reason, find the Check In message, then tap Details > Cancel Check In. You'll be asked to confirm the request.How to modify Check In dataSelecting the details you want to share with Check In recipients is a little different. To do so, go to the Messages section of your iPhone's Settings app, then find the Check In Data option. When you arrive at your destination, Check In can share your location, network signal and iPhone and Apple Watch battery level if you select the "When I Arrive" option. The "Full" option will share all of that data, along with the route your iPhone took and details about the last time you unlocked your phone or Apple Watch.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-use-ios-17s-check-in-feature-in-imessage-to-let-friends-know-you-got-home-safe-153634490.html?src=rss

If you missed last week's one-day-only deal on Blink cameras, here's another opportunity to add video security to your home's exterior. Amazon is selling two third-generation wireless outdoor cameras plus a video doorbell and Sync Module for just $100, but you'll need to be a Prime member to get the discount. The sale could be related to the upcoming October Prime Day event, though there's no indication whether this savings will stick around until then. Bought separately at full price, the bundle would run you $240.These aren't the latest generation Outdoor cameras, which were announced last month - those have a wider field of view and better low-light sensitivity. But these third-gen cameras can still deliver 1080p daytime footage and infrared video at night. Both the cameras and the doorbell let you see, hear and talk to whomever stands before them and a live feed goes directly to your phone or compatible smart display via the Blink app. The included Synch Module 2 lets you store footage locally and supports USB downloads. If you want to store clips in the cloud, you'll need a Blink subscription, which goes for $10 a month. You get one free month with this bundle so you can try it out - just remember to cancel if you decide you don't want it after that.Blink Outdoor cameras are one of our picks for the best smart home devices you can buy. We like the ease of setup and the battery efficiency (up to two years on a set of AA cells). The bundle's a good pick if you already use Alexa as your smart home assistant. However, if you prefer the Google Assistant or Siri and HomeKit to run your smart home, you'll probably want to go with a different brand, as Blink devices aren't natively compatible with those ecosystems.The doorbell is wireless, but if you want it to ring inside your home when the button's pressed, you'll either need to connect it to your existing doorbell wires or, if you opt for a wireless setup, buy a Blink mini indoor camera. This bundle does include mounting hardware, so at least you won't need to make an extra purchase for that.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/prime-members-can-get-a-blink-video-doorbell-and-two-outdoor-cameras-for-100-151520100.html?src=rss

It's been nearly two years since the Fitbit announced the Charge 5. But the company has taken that time to deepen its ties with the Google services ecosystem. The Charge 6 is Fitbit's first fitness tracker specifically designed to take advantage of its new owner's services. Though, it's no surprise that Google is tightening its bond with Fitbit after dropping $2.1 billion on the company.The 6th generation Charge will start at $160, which is $20 less than the Charge 5's launch price (though, that's fallen to just $150 these days). The bigger news though, is that the navigation button is back. After an earful of complaints from buyers, Fitbit decided to bring back the physical side button that it removed on the Charge 5. This means you will no longer solely rely on tapping to navigate the watch's apps - a relief for those with touchscreen fatigue.Fitbit/GoogleThe Charge 6's face is made of aluminum, glass and resin and comes in black, champagne gold or silver. Each face can be paired with three new primary silicone bands that are water-resistant - an off-white porcelain, a black-like obsidian and a bright coral band. The loops are interchangeable with previously released Charge 5 accessories, giving buyers dozens of color combinations to choose from. Like the previous generation, the bands come in both small and large sizes, and connect to the tracker's 1.04-inch AMOLED touchscreen.The Charge 6's battery is supposed to last seven days without a charge, like its predecessor, and can be fully recharged in about two hours. In terms of memory capacity, the new wearable can save seven days worth of detailed motion data and can sample heart rate data at one-second intervals during exercise tracking.Fitbit/GoogleOne of the biggest improvements to the Charge 6, at least according to Fitbit, is that it should provide heart rate readings that are up to 60 percent more accurate than its predecessor through its optical heart rate monitor and electrical sensors during vigorous activities like HIIT, spinning and rowing. Fitbit claims that the Charge 6 is the most accurate heart rate tracker it has made to date. This means you will get more precise information about calories burned and Active Zone Minutes, a metric unique to Fitbit that uses heart rate data to provide clearer insights into how effective your workouts are.Another new key feature on the Charge 6 is the ability to pair the tracker with compatible exercise machines to see how your heart rate performs in real time during workouts. This will allow you to focus more on your movement and less on your wrist while you are on a treadmill, elliptical, rower or exercise bike. The tracker will pair with select workout machines that support Bluetooth Heart Rate Profile, like those from Peloton, Tonal and Nordic that the company has established partnerships with. While it is notable, this is a feature we've seen on devices from competitors.Fitbit/GoogleAdditionally, Fitbit says the Charge 6's tracking capabilities have expanded with 20 new exercise modes and it will continue to offer a 6-month premium Fitbit membership to new buyers. This will include smart recommendations for workouts based on your Daily Readiness Score which helps users figure out how hard to push it at the gym based on things like heart rate variability, sleep quality and stress levels.Furthermore, as part of its software updates, Fitbit's Charge 6 will now give you the option to stream and listen to music through YouTube Music Controls. Everyone knows good tunes can make all the difference during a workout. This is a considerable change from the Charge 5, which removed all music control functionality, even for Spotify Premium users. Now, you don't need to pull out your phone to pick a song mid-run and you can skip through 100 million tracks that are available through YouTube. However, you will need to pay for a YouTube Music Premium subscription.Fitbit/GoogleIn addition to tracking your pace and distance during runs and bike rides with GPS, the Charge 6 can now give you directions if you're trying out a new route thanks to Google Maps integration. This means you can see turn-by-turn directions right on your wrist. In the same vein of expanding Google integration, you can also tap to pay with Google Wallet on the Charge 6, when previously you could only use Fitbit pay. All of these updates come in tandem with the launch of Fitbit's redesigned app, which simplifies engagement to three categories on the Today tab, the Coach tab, and the You tab, each offering unique metrics and access to activities.The Fitbit Charge 6 will work with most phones running Android 9.0 or newer or iOS 15 or newer and it still requires a Google Account. You can still get notifications for calls, texts, and smartphone apps like Google Calendar, Gmail, and WhatsApp and also send quick replies from your wrist.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fitbits-160-charge-6-fitness-tracker-brings-back-the-physical-side-button-150028424.html?src=rss

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have figured out a way to turn everyday earbuds into high-tech gadgets that can record electrical activity inside the brain. The 3D screen-printed, flexible sensors are not only able to detect electrophysiological activity coming from the brain but they can also harvest sweat. Yes, sweat.More specifically, sweat lactate, which is an organic acid that the body produces during exercise and normal metabolic activity. Because the ear contains sweat glands and is anatomically adjacent to the brain, earbuds are an ideal tool to gather this kind of data.You may be wondering why scientists are interested in collecting biometric info about brain activity at the intersection of human sweat. Together, EEG and sweat lactate data can be used to diagnose different types of seizures. There are more than 30 different types of recorded seizures, which are categorized differently according to the areas of the brain that are impacted during an event.But even beyond diagnostics, these variables can be helpful if you want to get a better picture of personal performance during exercise. Additionally, these biometric data points can be used to monitor stress and focus levels.Erik Jepsen, UC San DiegoAnd while in-ear sensing of biometric data is not a new innovation, the sensor technology is unique in that it can measure both brain activity and lactate. However, what's more important is that the researchers believe, with more refinement and development, we will eventually see more wearables that use neuroimaging sensors like the one being made to collect health data on everyday devices. In a statement, UC San Diego bioengineering professor Gert Cauwenberghs said that, Being able to measure the dynamics of both brain cognitive activity and body metabolic state in one in-ear integrated device," can open up tremendous opportunities for everyday health monitoring.Throughout the development of the sensor technology, the researchers had to grapple with some obstacles. They needed to make the sensors as small and thin as possible so that they could collect tiny sweat samples. They also had to integrate components that can bend" to account for the irregular shape of the ear according to Ernesto De La Paz, a Ph.D. alumnus who co-authored the research.One primary technical challenge was being able to fit the sensors in the ear, specifically in the tragus of the ear, which is an anatomically unique space situated in front of the ear canal that can vary from one individual to another. This led the researchers to create a stamp-like stretchable sensor," which can be easily tacked onto an earbud's surface.Erik Jepsen, UC San DiegoBut in order to make sure that the sensors would actually have direct contact with the ear and accurately pick up readings, researchers opted for 3D printed, spring-loaded sensors that hold contact but can adjust as earbuds move." The biometric sensors also had to be covered with a hydrogel film that made sure they would amply collect sweat from a wearer.Despite their capabilities and rosy future as a potential diagnostic aid, the 3D printed sensors really need a considerable amount of sweat in order to be useful for data analysis. But the researchers said down the line the sensors will be more precise, so hard workouts may not be necessary for meaningful sweat analysis.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/researchers-developed-3d-printed-sensors-that-can-record-brain-activity-on-earbuds-150000043.html?src=rss

Apple has quietly launched a new iPhone Wallet feature in beta that lets UK users see their current account balance, along with recent deposits and payments, 9to5Mac has reported. It's powered by the UK's Open Banking API, and follows Apple's purchase of Credit Kudos, a company that uses Open Banking to give users a snapshot of their financial health and creditworthiness.The new feature, which also shows users their balances after purchasing something with Apple Pay, arrives as part of the iOS 17.1 developer beta. Users must first authorize it through the Wallet app, then authenticate using their bank's app or website. All banking data will be stored strictly on users' devices and not on Apple's servers. Supported banks in the beta launch include Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, RBS, Monzo and Starling.The Wallet addition is a rare Apple feature that premieres in a territory outside the US. Apple doesn't even have its Apple Card available in the UK yet, so it's a relatively minor player in the region so far. At the same time, its purchase of Credit Kudos gives it major connections in Open Banking. The latter company's API taps into the UK's open banking platform to analyze bank account data, aiming to help banking providers make faster and better decisions for people seeking loans or other financial services.Open Banking - which forces the United Kingdom's nine major banks to to release their data in a secure, standardized form - is unique to the region and doesn't exist in the US (though the government is working on it). Europe introduced a similar system called PSD2 back in 2020. The two are similar, so Apple could feasibly bring the same features to Europe, where it effectively dominates smartphone-based payment systems with Apple Wallet.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-wallet-can-now-show-uk-users-their-bank-account-balances-113554313.html?src=rss

Meta's big product showcase for 2023 focused on its new headset, the Quest 3, which Mark Zuckerberg claims is the first mainstream mixed reality headset," hurting the feelings of the Quest 2, which preceded it.The Meta Quest 3 has full color passthrough on its external cameras, able to blend augmented reality elements into your surroundings. It's also the first consumer device that runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, and Meta claims it delivers double the performance of the Quest 2. Expect higher resolution and a larger depth of field, thanks to upgrades to the screen and lenses. Meta has also revamped the Quest controllers, ditching the weird tracking rings and letting new sensors handle tracking instead.Meta teased a handful of new games and experiences - mostly underwhelming - with an extra push towards fitness apps and upgrades. (You know Zuckerberg is hench now, right?) That said, Xbox Cloud gaming is coming to the Quest 3 in December, unlocking a bigger range of (admittedly non-VR) games with no need for a TV or monitor.The event also revealed next-gen Ray-Ban smart glasses, AI updates and more - read on for those.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedMeta's chatbot platform starts with over 25 AI personalitiesHonbike's ebike of the future is perfect for citiesShure hid a preamp inside its latest SM7dB microphoneHow to use iOS 17's Live VoicemailMercedes take the wheel: Testing Drive Pilot L3 autonomy in trafficValve fails to get out of paying its EU geo-blocking fineGenerative AI image editing is coming to Instagram

The first black hole humanity has ever imaged has also provided us with what researchers are calling "unequivocal evidence" that black holes spin. An international team of scientists headed by Chinese researcher Dr. Cui Yuzhu analyzed 22 years of observational data gathered by more than 20 telescopes around the world. What they found was that the black hole at the center of galaxy M87, which is 6.5 billion times more massive than our sun, exhibits an oscillating jet that swings up and down every 11 years. This phenomenon confirms that the black hole is indeed spinning.Yuzhu Cui et al. 2023, Intouchable Lab@Openverse and Zhejiang LabBlack holes gobble up huge amounts of gas and dust, which they attract with their massive gravitational pull. A small fraction of those particles that don't fall into the black hole get spewn out and travel close to the speed of light, showing up as narrow beams along the axis. These beams are called "jets." The telescopes' observations show that M87's jet oscillates by 10 degrees in a recurring 11-year cycle, just as predicted by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.So, what causes the M87's jet to swing back and forth? The researchers' analysis indicates that the black hole's spin axis doesn't perfectly align with the rotational axis of its accretion disk. This disk-like structure is typically found surrounding a black hole, because it's made of materials that gradually spiral into the void to be consumed. That misalignment between the rotating mass and the matter that swirls around it causes "a significant impact on surrounding spacetime," which affects the movement of nearby objects in what the General Theory of Relativity calls "frame-dragging."This is a significant discovery that massively improves our understanding of the mysterious region of spacetime - aside from proving Einstein right, of course. Scientists have yet to find out the size of M87's accretion disk and how fast its black hole is spinning, though, and that entails further observation and analysis.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/scientists-confirm-that-the-first-black-hole-ever-imaged-is-actually-spinning-105041168.html?src=rss

X has cut over half its election integrity team including the head of the group, according to a report from The Information at least partially confirmed by Elon Musk in an X post. That's despite X recently promising to expand the team ahead of 2024 US elections, and in the face of criticism from the European Commission that X has a major disinformation problem.X reportedly cut all four Dublin, Ireland-based members of the team, including leader Aaron Rodericks. Yet only yesterday, CEO Linda Yaccarino said X was planning to expand its safety and election teams around the world, according to The Financial Times. And less than a month ago, the company was planning to hire a civic integrity and elections lead focused on combatting disinformation. "If you have a passion for protecting the integrity of elections and civic events, X is certainly at the center of the conversation," said Rodericks in a LinkedIn post.Rodericks was subsequently suspended for liking posts critical of X, Musk and Yaccarino. After The Information published its story and it was quoted by X News Daily, Musk responded: "Oh you mean the 'Election Integrity' Team that was undermining election integrity? Yeah, they're gone."Yesterday, the EU released its first report on social media platforms' handling of disinformation as part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), finding that X had much higher levels of mis- and disinformation than its peers. X said in a series of posts that it disputed the "framing" of the data and remained "committed to complying with the DSA" despite pulling out of a voluntary Code of Practice on disinformation. In a statement accompanying the report, European Vice President Vera Jourova said that "my message for Twitter/X is you have to comply. We will be watching what you do."However, since Elon Musk purchased X (nee Twitter) last October, the company has cut more than 80 percent of its staff, and the company already had challenges staying on top of disinformation prior to his tenure. Under the DSA, X must comply with the stricter laws or face fines up to 6 percent of its annual global revenue - though to date, Musk has faced very little pushback for all that's happened with X.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-reportedly-cuts-half-of-its-election-integrity-team-091135783.html?src=rss

The Vivaldi browser, which has been in beta testing for iOS devices over the past few months, is ready for a public release. Vivaldi for iPhones and iPads is now available for download from the App Store, bringing with it the features Android and desktop users have been enjoying for a while. One of the features that sets the browser apart from its peers on mobile is its desktop-style Tab Bar, which is enabled by default. It shows tabs lined up at the top of the interface, similar to how they're displayed on a computer.Since mobile devices have smaller screens, though, the browser does come with a Tab Switcher that will show users a snapshot of all the open tabs. The active tab will be highlighted in the switcher with a border around its thumbnail, and users can close or choose other tabs from there. Vivaldi also has a built-in Notes feature, which can automatically save text users highlight on websites if they long press on it and choose the "Copy to note" option. And if a user wants to save pages to read later without clogging the Tab Bar, they can save them to the browser's Reading List instead.Similar to other iterations of Vilvaldi, the browser for iOS has built in ad and tracker blocker. Users will have to enable the option under Privacy in Settings, where they can also customize it and manage blocking levels per website.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/vivaldi-browser-arrives-on-iphones-and-ipads-070035712.html?src=rss

It's been four years since Raspberry Pi 4 was released, and since then, the company has only rolled out minor upgrades, including doubling the RAM for the base $35 version. Now, the company has officially launched Raspberry Pi 5, which is the first full-size computer from the brand that uses silicon it built in-house. It offers double or even triple the CPU performance of Raspberry Pi 4, with better graphics capability, thanks to its 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU. The company describes the new model's processor as a 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU, with cryptography extensions, 512KB per-core L2 caches and a 2MB shared L3 cache.The device has dual HDMI ports, with each one having a 4K display output at frame rates of up to 60 fps, as well as support for HDR. It also comes with "state of the art" camera support using a rearchitected Raspberry Pi Image Signal Processor. Raspberry Pi has more than doubled its aggregate USB bandwidth to enable faster transfer speeds, gave it the components needed to be able to better handle any combination of up to two cameras and displays, doubled its peak SD card performance and provided support for high-bandwidth peripherals.Raspberry Pi 5 is expected to be available for purchase before the end of October and to remain in production until January 2035. The 4GB variant will cost enthusiasts $60, while the 8GB one will set them back $80.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-raspberry-pi-5-uses-the-companys-own-chip-designs-061316561.html?src=rss

Jim Ryan, Sony Interactive Entertainment's (SIE) President and CEO, is stepping down in March 2024. In a post announcing his retirement, the executive said he's been finding it "increasingly difficult" to juggle his home life in the UK and his job that's located in the US. Ryan has been with SIE since 1994, before the first PlayStation was launched worldwide. He helped establish the company's presence in Europe and held several positions before he was eventually named as the CEO of SIE in 2019.SIE launched the PlayStation 5 under Ryan's leadership. While the company struggled to produce enough consoles in the height of the pandemic due to component shortages, it was eventually able to increase production and meet demands. In the first quarter of 2023, Sony shipped 3.3 million PS5 units, bringing the total number of consoles sold to 41.7 million. Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida praised Ryan for "overseeing the launch of PlayStation 5 in the midst of the global COVID pandemic," saying that the device is now "on track to become SIE's most successful console yet."On April 1, 2024, Hiroki Totoki will step in as interim CEO of SIE, taking on the responsibility on top of his roles as the president, COO and CFO of Sony Group Corporation. The company said that he will work with management to "help define the next chapter of PlayStation's future" and to find the next boss for Sony Interactive Entertainment.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sony-playstation-boss-jim-ryan-is-retiring-in-march-2024-051609995.html?src=rss

Epic Games has asked the US Supreme Court to review a ruling from 2021 that cleared Apple of violating antitrust laws, according to a Bloombergreport. The Fortnite maker previously claimed that Apple violated California's Unfair Competition law, stating that the App Store prohibits developers from directing users to other third-party payment systems. The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the 2021 court's decision back in April, finding that Apple's practices had a substantial anticompetitive effect that harms consumers," but didn't meet the bar for an antitrust case.Should Epic win its appeal, Apple could stand to lose a substantial source of revenue. The company takes a cut of all purchases made through its App Store, which can run as high as 30 percent. Epic Games has been the loudest voice protesting this cut, though other companies like Spotify and Tile are also part of the Coalition for App Fairness, which has been pressuring Apple to change its policies. Outside of the US, Epic and its peers have had more success in changing the status quo: Authorities in both South Korea and the Netherlands have ruled that Apple must allow third-party payments, though Apple is still taking a considerable cut as a transaction fee." Apple is also rumored to be preparing support for third-party app stores in response to the European Union's Digital Markets Act.Bloomberg says the Supreme Court could decide if it will take up the case before the end of the year. In the meantime, Fortnite is still not available on the App Store. It's been absent since August 2020, when Apple banned the game after Epic added alternative payment methods to bypass the App Store cut.Epic is also in a legal battle with Google for similar practices. Both Epic and the Match Group, which operates dating apps like Hinge and Tinder, are alleging that Google abuses its control of Android app distribution through the Play Store by establishing unfair fees and requirements for in-app purchases. That trial is supposed to kick off in the next few weeks.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/epic-games-asks-supreme-court-to-reconsider-apple-antitrust-ruling-221622184.html?src=rss

Ironically, when ChatGPT debuted last November and basically broke the internet for a few days, the AI itself wasn't informed. In fact, its entire knowledge base stopped abruptly in September, 2021 because that was the most recent data the system was initially trained on. Wednesday, OpenAI announced that ChatGPT will now be able to answer even the most modern of queries as the generative AI assistant can now look up information, in real-time.

Valve launched Counter-Strike 2 today. The long-rumored game, officially announced in March, has replaced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive as a free upgrade. It uses Valve's in-house Source 2 engine, leading to sharper textures, more believable lighting and new geometry.Valve said it broke down maps into three categories. First, Touchstone" maps are classic scenes with solid foundations" left mostly untouched so players can check out fundamental gameplay changes from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to Counter-Strike 2. Next, Upgrade" maps focus on Source 2 lighting for more realistic-looking reflections and materials. Finally, Overhaul" maps are fully rebuilt from the ground up, showcasing Source 2's full capabilities.Smoke grenades should also appear more realistic. Valve says it overhauled how they function, making them more dynamic. Now not only do all players see the same smoke regardless of position, but the smoke can interact with the environment in interesting ways," Valve said in a behind-the-scenes video. It reacts to lighting [and] grows to fill spaces naturally. The shape of the smoke cloud can be pushed and carved by bullets and grenades."Valve says Counter-Strike 2 also supports sub-tick updates. That means the server will process player actions in between primary (64Hz) tick updates. The company says this will let servers know the moment you fire a weapon or chuck a grenade, leading (at least in theory) to more responsive sessions.Counter-Strike 2 is a free upgrade to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on Steam. Any cosmetics collected in CS:GO will automatically transfer to CS2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/counter-strike-2-is-now-available-as-a-free-upgrade-to-csgo-204755738.html?src=rss

As of November 1, Disney+ will restrict its Canadian users from sharing their accounts with people outside their households unless they're willing to pay more. The company sent out an email to subscribers notifying them of the change, which Disney CEO Bob Iger foreshadowed in an earnings call back in August. With this move, the company is following closely in the footsteps of Netflix, which officially began its crackdown on password sharing in the US and other countries in May.In the updated Subscriber Agreement, Disney specifies that a household includes only the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence" and used by the people who live there. It also suggests Disney+ will introduce new fee options for users who want to add outside members to their accounts, noting that the upcoming rule applies to everyone unless otherwise permitted by your Service Tier." The details on that haven't been released yet, but Netflix has set the precedent with its $8 per extra person, per month charges.Iger previously said the company was targeting 2024 to begin clamping down on account sharing, so the bans up north are coming ahead of schedule. He also stated that addressing the significant" level of account sharing could take more than the entire next calendar year to solve. It's as yet unclear how, if at all, Disney+ will try to enforce the ban on mobile devices, and when it will come to other regions.On November 1, Disney+ users in Canada and parts of Europe will also get access to the streaming service's less costly ad-supported tier, which has been available in the US since 2022. That's likely little consolation for anyone about to get kicked off their parents' Disney+ account.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/disney-is-getting-strict-about-password-sharing-starting-in-canada-194038029.html?src=rss

Meta has just wrapped up its 2023 Connect keynote. As promised, the company had a lot more to share about its Meta Quest 3 headset. It also announced the latest pair of smart glasses it created in collaboration with Ray-Ban. In an astoundingly shocking turn of events, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also had some AI updates to discuss.Meta Quest 3 release dateMeta first showed off the Quest 3 back in June to preempt Apple's announcement of the Vision Pro. However, we had to wait a few months to get all of the details about Meta's mixed reality headset (which we've already had some hands-on time with).The Meta Quest 3 has full color passthrough and it's able to blend augmented reality elements into your physical surroundings. It's the first consumer device that runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip and Meta claims it delivers double the performance of the Quest 2. Expect higher resolution and a larger depth of field, but the refresh rate is staying the same at 90Hz.The latest model should be more comfortable for those who wear glasses (hi) and there's a dial for adjusting inter-pupillary distance. Meta has revamped the Quest controllers by adding haptic feedback and ditching the tracking rings - it says new sensors can handle tracking instead.Along with a bunch of native VR games and experiences that are on the way, the Quest 3 will gain support for Xbox Cloud Gaming in December. You can use the headset to get some work done, if you're so inclined. Microsoft 365 apps will be available on Quest by the end of the year, and you'll soon be able to access Windows on the headsets.Pre-orders for the Meta Quest 3 are open now. It starts at $500 for a version with 128GB of storage and you'll need to pony up $650 for a variant with double the storage. The 512GB model comes with a six-month trial of Meta Quest+ and, for a limited time, the company is bundling in Asgard's Wrath 2 with both versions. The headset will be available on October 10.Ray-Ban Meta smart glassesMeta had another hardware device to show off at Connect. It teamed up with Ray-Ban to whip up another set of smart glasses.The inventively titled Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses offer vastly improved specs compared with the Ray-Ban Stories. There's a 12MP wide-angle camera that can record 1080p video at 60fps. There's a 60-second time limit on video capture, but that works out quite nicely for Instagram Stories. The glasses have 32GB of storage as well.There are five mics that can capture spatial audio. The speakers are louder and leak less noise. Meanwhile, there's a second frame design option and the charging case looks just like a regular Ray-Ban protective pouch.Pre-orders for the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses open today. They start at $299 and the device will ship on October 17.AI updatesThere's no escaping AI in 2023, so of course Meta had some updates on that front. The company is starting to offer a couple dozen AI chatbot personalities voiced by a who's who (literally, in some cases) of celebrities. Its new generative AI assistant, the on-brand Meta AI, will be available on platforms including WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and the new hardware.Meanwhile, generative AI image editing is on the way to Instagram. You'll be able to switch up the looks of images by, for instance, giving them the appearance of a watercolor painting. A generative AI-powered green screen feature similar to the one YouTube just unveiled is coming soon. In addition, AI-generated stickers are coming to Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Facebook Stories.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/everything-announced-at-meta-connect-quest-3-release-date-smart-glasses-and-meta-ai-192757855.html?src=rss

Cuphead developer Studio MDHR is celebrating the indie game's sixth anniversary by giving Xbox and Windows players free behind-the-scenes content. The DLC includes high-res photos, concept art, a video player and the entire soundtrack. The developer describes the bonus content as a love letter" to fans on the game's initial platforms. It will be available on Friday, September 29.The Cuphead DLC will include over 100 behind-the-scenes photos, including never-before-seen concepts and unused art pieces" from one of gaming's most stylistic titles. Among the images is a peek at early concept art that Studio MDHR describes as akin to Microsoft Paint.With our process being so painstaking once we put pencil to paper, we often use paint tools during brainstorming sessions to communicate ideas very quickly to one another for the broad strokes of a boss attack or phase transition," said MDHR co-director Chad Moldenhauer. A few of these made their way into the photo gallery, and we think they're a fun break from tradition for the more handcrafted art we usually put out!"Studio MDHRThe bonus content also includes the entire 86-track Cuphead soundtrack for the first time. In addition, a never-before-heard MIDI demo track will play in the background as you browse the stylized DLC menus.Moldenhauer says the team wrestled with including music from The Delicious Last Course DLC as it was concerned about spoilers. After much discussion, though, we came down on the side of giving the Xbox community access to as much of Kris's great tunes as possible - especially as we feel most of the players enjoying a section like this will have experienced the full Cuphead game experience already!" said Moldenhauer. The song used over 110 musicians, more than on any tracks from the base game."We thought it would be fun to give this to our Xbox community as a gift on the game's anniversary, as our Cuphead journey really started with the release on Xbox," said Moldenhauer. In game development, plans like that don't always work out, but we were fortunate that all our testing and finalization for the update seemed to finish with enough time to launch on the game's sixth birthday!"This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cuphead-is-adding-free-behind-the-scenes-bonus-content-191723749.html?src=rss

Meta is starting to make good on its promise to bring generative AI to all of its products. At the company's Connect event, it revealed new AI image editing and sticker-creation features for Instagram.A tool called "restyle" is a bit like a supercharged generative AI filter. It allows users to remix their existing photos into different looks. Think of typing a descriptor like watercolor' or a more detailed prompt like collage from magazines and newspapers, torn edges' to describe the new look and feel of the image you want to create," the company explained.The company also previewed a new tool called backdrop," a generative AI-powered green screen feature. Users can type prompts like put me in front of a sublime aurora borealis" will create a new version of the image with the relevant background applied. The company didn't say when restyle and backdrop would be available to Instagram users, but said the tools would be arriving soon."MetaIt added that posts created using both backdrop and restyle would come with labels indicating "the use of AI to reduce the chances of people mistaking them for human-generated content." Meta didn't share what the labels will look like, but info screens saying "image generated by Meta AI" have previously been spotted in Instagram.Meta also showed off new AI-generated stickers, which will be available on Instagram, as well as WhatsApp, Messenger and Facebook Stories. The feature allows users to quickly create custom stickers for their chats and Stories via text prompts. The stickers will be rolling out to select English-language users" of the company's apps over the next month," Meta said.The features come as Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly promised that generative AI features will be coming to every Meta-owned app. The company also announced more than 25 generative AI chatbots, including several personalities based on real-life celebrities and creators.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/generative-ai-image-editing-is-coming-to-instagram-183711111.html?src=rss

Mondays rumors turned out to be true, Meta announced at its Connect event on Wednesday that it will release a line of digital personalities built on the company's freshly announced Meta AI chatbot platform. What could possibly go wrong?Meta AI is a new genAI assistant that will span the company's various properties including WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram (and arriving shortly on the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Quest 3). User will be able to interact with it using natural language prompts. The AI is built on a custom model derived from Meta's LLaMA 2 LLM and will pull real-time information from the web using Microsoft Bing.What's more, the company is also rolling out 28 (!!!) chatbot "characters" meant to address specific niche interests, whether those are specific sports, media, or genre choices. These personalities will be voiced by a variety of modern influencers and celebrities:

We learned at last year's Meta Connect that Quest headsets would gain official support for Xbox Cloud Gaming and now we have a clearer idea of when that will happen. During this year's event, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the game streaming service will be available on Meta Quest 3 sometime in December.Using your headset, you'll be able to stream games like Halo Infinite, Starfield andForza Horizon 5to a large, virtual 2D screen. You'll need an Game Pass Ultimate subscription to use Xbox Cloud Gaming, as well as a compatible controller. A disclaimer notes that the service will only be available on Quest in select regions. It's unclear if and when Xbox Cloud Gaming will be available on Quest 2 and Quest Pro.Enthusiasts have already found ways to access Xbox Cloud Gaming on Quest headsets, but official support will make it easy for anyone to dive right in. By the time the service becomes available on Quest, Microsoft may have closed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, so you might kind of be able to play the likes of Call of Duty and Overwatch 2 in virtual reality in a few months.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/meta-quest-3-will-gain-offical-xbox-cloud-gaming-support-in-december-181329521.html?src=rss

I haven't posted on Instagram in more than two years and I often find social media to be a bit of a chore. But after checking out its second-gen high-tech sunglasses announced today at Connect, officially called the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, it feels like Meta has transformed this line from a wacky concept for people who are terminally online into something regular folk might actually buy - even if they don't plan on sharing a ton of your content.The issue with the original Ray-Ban Stories was their somewhat clunky design and underwhelming specs. Photos topped out at five megapixels while videos were capped at a weird 1,184 x 1,184 resolution and just 30 fps. And to hold all your content, the glasses had just 4GB of onboard storage.However, with the new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, you get a noticeably improved kit. In addition to a new 12-MP wide-angle camera and 32GB of storage (eight times more than before), you can also record videos at 1080p/60fps, though clips are restricted to just 60 seconds. That said, for people who want to capture longer vids, you can now livestream footage directly from the glasses to Facebook or Instagram with the help of a nearby paired device. And to my surprise, photos and videos both looked surprisingly sharp. Granted image quality isn't quite as detailed or colorful as what you'd get if you used a phone, but it's good enough for social media. The one caveat is with livestreaming, Meta's redesigned View app automatically selects video quality based on the speed of your connection and a few other factors, so clips can sometimes look fuzzy.As for audio, the smart glasses now feature five built-in mics that can record spatial audio including one receiver hidden in the nose to improve voice quality during calls. But, perhaps my biggest surprise, is simply how good the new speakers are. Meta says that not only are they 50 percent louder than before, they also leak less noise so people around you won't be able to hear what you're listening to. Regardless, they sound great with just enough bass to balance out sharper highs, while still letting ambient noises waft in from the outside world. Despite advancements with pass-through audio in recent headphones and earbuds, this is still the closest thing you can get to having a soundtrack for your life. And working in tandem with the mics, the speakers support spatial audio too, so there's an extra level of immersion when playing back previously recorded material (though it's unclear if the glasses support spatial audio in streaming services like Tidal and Apple Music).Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetYou can also use voice controls to start a livestream or even send content to contacts. At first, you'll need to explicitly designate who you're sending things to and what service to use (WhatsApp, FB Messenger, Instagram, et cetera), but after it learns your habits, Meta says the glasses can use AI to streamline and speed up sharing.I also appreciate their updated design, which despite the glasses' upgraded specs features thinner arms and a generally sleeker design while also sporting a larger touchpad that's super easy to use. To control music, you just tap once near your temple to play, tap again to pause, or double-tap to skip to the next track. Meanwhile, adjusting volume is as simple as swiping forward or back. And when you want to record something, you can press down once on the capture button to snap a pic or press and hold to take a video. And to help make its glasses easier to use, Meta says it has completely redesigned the Meta View app with a new UI and features that are more discoverable.The Headliner is the new frame style joining the line for Meta's second-gen smart glasses. Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetAnother major change is the addition of a second frame called the Headliner, which is a nice alternative to the boxier look of the classic Wayfarers. On top of the existing shiny and matte black frames, there are three new semi-transparent color options: jeans, caramel, and a smokey Rebel Black. The whole effect is that Meta's latest sunglasses kind of just look like sunglasses. That might not seem important, but for people who want their tech to blend in, this goes a long way to prevent these shades from sticking out too much. And with the option to add polarized lenses or even prescription glass, there are way more options for customizing them than before.On the privacy side, there's also a new LED indicator on the left that's brighter than before while also adding some symmetry with the camera on the right. The light turns on every time you record a picture or video, so there's no hiding when you're capturing content. But the clever thing is that Meta says that if anyone tries to cover up the light, it will block the glasses from recording altogether.The last big upgrade is with the smart glasses' case, which has gotten a makeover so that it looks almost exactly like a classic Ray-Ban protective pouch. The small difference is that there's a handy LED indicator light in front that tells you when it's charging and a USB-C port down below for topping it up. In normal use, Meta says its smart glasses should last for around six hours of mixed use (or four if you're livestreaming), with the case holding around eight additional charges (for a total of 36 hours).After using the new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, my biggest takeaway is that they finally feel like a complete product. The original Ray-Ban Stories sort of felt like a concept device meant to steal the limelight from Snapchat's Spectacles than to address a specific desire. Photo quality was mediocre and even though audio was decent, it was a bit quiet.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetBut with the new model, you get way better image quality along with big mic and speaker upgrades, which makes them feel like better rivals for devices like Bose' Frames. Then you factor in the ability to livestream and now it feels like Meta has made a much more well-rounded product. And of course with Ray-Ban in charge of the updated styling, Meta's smart glasses look better than all of its rivals. So while I'm still not sure I need these in my life, Meta's second-gen sunnies could make a convincing argument to some.The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are available for pre-order today starting at $299, $329 with polarized lenses or $379 for transition lenses with official sales slated for October 17.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ray-ban-meta-hands-on-techy-sunglasses-you-might-actually-want-to-wear-180852514.html?src=rss

Developed in collaboration with Meta, on Wednesday Qualcomm announced two new Snapdragon chips designed to power the upcoming wave of next-gen headsets and smart glasses.The Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 is the more powerful of the two boasting 2.5 times better GPU performance compared to the last generation and up to eight times faster AI speeds. It's optimized to support mixed reality devices with display resolutions of up to 3,000 x 3,000 per eye while also delivering more detailed textures and higher frame rates.For headsets that can switch between VR and AR, Qualcomm says the XR2 Gen 2 allows headsets to transition to full-color passthrough vision in less than 12ms. Other capabilities include support for devices with up to 10 cameras, improved wireless speeds (up to Wi-Fi 7) and 50 percent increased GPU power efficiency.The Meta Quest 3 will be the first retail device featuring Qualcomm's new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip. QualcommAlternatively, for more lightweight devices like smartglasses, Qualcomm's Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip offers improved on-device AI processing, better noise and echo cancellation and dual ISPs for improved image quality. The new silicon can also support devices with up to 12-MP cameras (6-MP for video) and up to eight microphones with spatial sound for richer audio recording.Notably, due to its collaboration with Meta, Qualcomm's latest XR and AR processors will be available first on the new Quest 3 and Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses, both of which go on sale in October. Qualcomm says "additional devices from other manufacturers to follow next year," which suggests that Meta will enjoy some level of limited exclusivity regarding the use of these new chips.So while Meta may have a bit of a headstart compared to some of its rivals, it will be interesting to see what other OEMs can do with these chips when devices featuring them become more widely available in 2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/qualcomm-announces-two-new-snapdragon-chips-for-next-gen-headsets-and-smart-glasses-180010526.html?src=rss