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Garmin has been pumping out high-quality fitness-based smartwatches for years and now's your chance to score one on the cheap. The company's selling a bunch of its most popular models on Amazon at a steep discount of 25 to 33 percent, depending on which device you go with. For instance, this brings the price of the well-reviewed Garmin Forerunner 745 down from $400 to $300.The sale extends from budget-friendly releases like the Garmin Approach S10 GPS golf watch, now $100 instead of $150, to flagship products like the Garmin Epix Gen 2, which costs $700 instead of $900. The deals even apply to off-the-beaten-path products like the Garmin GPSMAP 66i handheld communicator, which is basically a really fancy walkie-talkie.Other watches involved in the sale include the Forerunner 945 and the Vivoactive 4S, among others, so you can take your pick from the company's many offerings. Garmin has long been known as a manufacturer of well-regarded smartwatches that specialize in fitness tracking and data metrics. We praised the Forerunner 745, for instance, as having accurate distance tracking, advanced training feedback, integration with Garmin's payment module, a long battery life and internal storage that can fit up to 500 songs.There's no telling when Garmin and Amazon will turn off the discount spigot, so you may want to act fast, as many of these discounts nearly match record low prices for the company's line of smartwatches.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/garmin-fitness-smartwatches-are-up-to-33-percent-off-via-amazon-160043982.html?src=rss

Visual effects workers at Marvel Studios have unanimously voted to unionize in an election held by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). It's the first unit composed entirely of VFX workers to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), according to the union, which represents those who work in behind-the-scenes aspects of the entertainment industry. There were 41 eligible voters and all 32 who participated voted in favor of the union.Today, VFX workers at Marvel Studios spoke with a unanimous, collective voice, demanding fair pay for the hours they work, healthcare, a safe and sustainable working environment, and respect for the work they do," Mark Patch, a VFX organizer for IATSE said in a statement. "There could be no stronger statement highlighting the overwhelming need for us to continue our work and bring union protections and standards to all VFX workers across the industry."Recent reports have suggested that Marvel demands a lot from its visual effects workers, especially after expanding its slate from a few movies a year to include several Disney+ TV shows. One person who was offered a short-term contract at the company told Vulture in January that Marvel expected 3,000 feature-quality VFX shots to be completed for a 10-hour TV series on a much shorter timeline than would be typical for one of its superhero movies (which tend to have around 1,600 VFX shots). The worker was reportedly told that he'd have to work 18 hours a day, seven days a week for three months solid and declined the offer.Marvel, which also outsources much of its VFX work, will now have to sit down and negotiate a contract with the union's bargaining committee in good faith. IATSE notes that no negotiation dates have been scheduled as yet.Another unit of VFX workers under the Disney umbrella could soon join the Marvel employees in having IATSE representation. Walt Disney Pictures VFX workers are currently voting in their own NLRB election. The results are expected on October 2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/marvel-studios-vfx-workers-have-unanimously-voted-to-unionize-155557679.html?src=rss

Xbox Live Gold will be no more as of tomorrow, September 14. Replacing it is a new tier of Game Pass called Xbox Game Pass Core. It's a different offering to Games with Gold in that there will be a rotating library of a few dozen games, rather than you being able to claim some titles for your collection each month. Xbox has now revealed the initial list of Game Pass Core titles, but the choices may leave some players hoping for more.The 36 titles you'll be able to play through Game Pass Core on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S at the jump are:

Creating smooth, high-quality is a challenge, with car horns and accidental pauses two of the many obstacles necessary to overcome. Adobe Premiere Pro is attempting to make these points less of a nuisance with the automatic removal of any background noise or accidental "ums" that get muttered.Adobe Premiere Pro should get rid of your "ums" and "hmms" with an update called filler word detection - an AI-based tool that does exactly what it says before deleting them from both the audio and any transcription. It can also identify and cut any long pauses you want out of the final version. Filler word detection works through Adobe's Text-Based Editing tool, which launched earlier in the year.Background noise is processed through an AI-powered tool called Enhance Speech that Adobe touts as turning any audio into the quality of being "recorded in a professional studio." Adobe claims it will automatically remove background noise while providing you with a mix slider if you want to keep any of it.These new features are launching in conjunction with the commercial release of Adobe's Firefly for Enterprise generative AI across Photoshop, Adobe Express and Illustrator -it beta launched this past March. Using the AI tool requires a "generative credits" subscription plan that should "enable customers to turn a text-based prompt into image and vector creations." It's also available as a web application with Creative Cloud paid plans.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/adobe-premiere-pro-is-getting-an-ai-tool-to-cut-your-hems-and-haws-145019681.html?src=rss

The ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware group claimed responsibility for the MGM Resorts cyber outage on Tuesday, according to a post by malware archive vx-underground. The group claims to have used common social engineering tactics, or gaining trust from employees to get inside information, to try and get a ransom out of MGM Resorts, but the company reportedly refuses to pay. The conversation that granted initial access took just 10 minutes, according to the group."All ALPHV ransomware group did to compromise MGM Resorts was hop on LinkedIn, find an employee, then call the Help Desk," the organization wrote in a post on X. Those details came from ALPHV, but have not been independently confirmed by security researchers.The international resort chain started experiencing outages earlier this week, as customers noticed slot machines at casinos owned by MGM Resorts shut down on the Las Vegas strip. As of Wednesday morning, MGM Resorts still shows signs that it's experiencing downtime, like continued website disruptions. MGM Resorts has not responded to a request for comment, but said in a statement on Tuesday that "Our resorts, including dining, entertainment and gaming are currently operational."Katie Malone for EngadgetALPHV has a reputation in the cybersecurity community as being "remarkably gifted at social engineering for initial access," according to vx-underground. From there, it usually uses ransomware ploys to extort a target into paying up, and it's been going after huge corporate targets. In July, ALPHV and another threat actor Clop listed beauty giant Estee Lauder on their data leak sites.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/hackers-claim-it-only-took-a-10-minute-phone-call-to-shutdown-mgm-resorts-143147493.html?src=rss

While rumors have been swirling about Nintendo showing off its next console to developers, the Switch will stick around for a while yet. There are a bunch of first-party games lined up for the current console stretching into next year, and we'll soon find out more about those and third-party titles that are on the way to the Switch. That's because the company has announced a Nintendo Direct for September 14.The showcase will start at 10AM ET and it will run for around 40 minutes. Nintendo says the stream will focus on games that are arriving this winter, though we might hear tidbits about titles that are further out, such as the new version of Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon and a fresh game starring Princess Peach, both of which are scheduled for 2024.On the more immediate horizon are the likes of Super Mario Bros. Wonder(which just got its own dedicated Direct), WarioWare Move It!, Detective Pikachu Returnsand Super Mario RPG. The last batch of Mario Kart 8 DLC courses is scheduled to arrive by the end of the year, so that could make an appearance, while there are two Pokemon Scarlet and Violet expansions for Nintendo to promote.The company typically has a few surprises up its sleeve as well, so expect the unexpected. It's been years since we heard more than a peep about Metroid Prime 4, so perhaps Nintendo will finally be ready to talk about it again sometime before the Switch's successor arrives. Then, of course, there's always the possibility of (whisper so you don't jinx it) a Hollow Knight: Silksong release date.

This week Apple introduced the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro lines which include the long-awaited switch from the company's proprietary Lightning Connector to USB-C. And while the move may have been motivated more by EU regulations than a desire to increase usability, having all the major smartphone makers finally using the same port for data and charging is a positive development. Unfortunately, Apple's transition seems to be bringing some additional confusion to the standard.Now for those of you familiar with the peculiarities of USB-C, a bit of extra complexity probably doesn't come as a big surprise. That's because the USB-C really only refers to the connector itself (as opposed to the traditional boxy USB-A plug or the smaller trapezoidal microUSB jack aka USB Micro-B), while other standards dictate things like data speeds, power delivery and more. The good news is that now that all the big OEMs are using the same port, hopefully the days of asking a friend to borrow an iPhone charging cable or an Android power cord will soon be a thing of the past.The compare tool on Apple's website really highlights the difference in data transfer speeds between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max.AppleHowever, the way Apple is implementing USB-C on the new iPhone 15 and 15 Pro is making things trickier. The first issue is that data transfers on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are capped at USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps), which is the same as what you get with a Lightning Connector. Meanwhile, Apple lists the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max with support for USB 3" data transfer of up to 10 Gbps, or around 20 times faster.That's a huge difference and I'm not sure why Apple limited the iPhone 15s to this degree - especially when you consider all the similarly priced Android phones like the Pixel 7 that feature data speeds of up to 10Gbps. To make matters worse, Apple's use of USB 3" to describe transfer rates on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro max doesn't seem quite right. USB 3.0 (which is not the same thing as USB 3) is supposed to top out at 5 Gbps, which suggests that Apple is actually using USB 3.1 Gen 2 or USB 3.2 Gen 2 on its new phones (both of which go up to 10Gbps) and just labeling it as USB 3 for the sake of simplicity. Confused yet? This is one reason why the USB-IF (the group that governs the USB spec) would prefer for companies to state the data speeds of their devices instead of citing a USB version number.AppleOn a more practical level, trying to purchase the right cables or adapters for your device might present a challenge. Currently, if you go to Apple's website, click on the Accessories tab, choose to browse by product (in this case iPhone) and select the section for Power & Cables, you won't actually find any double-sided USB-C cords on that page. There is a listing for Apple's new USB-C to Lightning Adapter, which feels a bit pricey at $29, but as for cables, you're looking at a bunch of USB to Lightning cords which are about to be outdated.In order to find a cable that you can actually use, you'll need to head over to the iPad or Mac sections where you can choose between a one-meter double-side USB-C cable for $19 or a longer two-meter option for $29. But even with this cable, things are a bit weird. That's because the one-meter cord delivers charging speeds at up to 60 watts while the two-meter cable can handle up to 240 watts. That's plenty given that all versions of the iPhone 15 top out with 27-watt charging. But, both cables only support data transfers of up to USB 2 rates" aka 480 Mbps. More annoyingly, Apple doesn't offer specs for the wire that comes with the iPhone 15 Pro and it very well might be the same one-meter USB-C Charge Cable that's capped to USB 2 speeds. That's not great for anyone buying an iPhone 15 Pro who is basically hamstringing their very expensive handset with a slow bundled cord.AppleFurthermore, in the iPhone accessories section, the cheapest first-party USB-C power adapter tops out at 20 watts, which doesn't take full advantage of the latest iPhone's charging speeds. That's a bit of a problem, because like a lot of phones these days, the iPhone 15 doesn't come with a bundled charging brick. So unless you already have an adapter from a MacBook or iPad Pro, you'll need to shell out extra for that while trying to figure out the wattage you actually need. It's also unclear if the iPhone 15 supports USB Power Delivery with PPS (programmable power supply) that allows a device and charger to dynamically adjust voltage to achieve peak speeds and efficiency.Granted, it's still early and the iPhone 15 line hasn't even gone on sale yet, so I'm sure Apple will be rolling out more options to support its latest devices. But for Apple - a company that long prided itself on making devices that just work - the debut of USB-C on the iPhone seems kind of messy.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-switch-to-usb-c-on-the-iphone-15-brings-more-cable-confusion-140030611.html?src=rss

Building your first custom mechanical keyboard can be intimidating. Between all the parts and terminology involved, it's hard to know where to start. Thankfully, it's also never been easier to jump into the hobby. For this guide, I interviewed two YouTube creators - Brian Philips of BadSeed Tech fame and Alexander Alexotos' Medeot. Between them, Philips and Medeot have built and reviewed hundreds of custom keyboards. Note that this guide isn't meant to be exhaustive; instead, it's designed to highlight features newbies should look for when shopping for their first custom keyboard.The basicsAt its most basic, building a custom keyboard involves buying a case, printed circuit board (PCB), plate, mechanical switches and keycaps, and then assembling all those parts together to make something you can type on. Depending on how ambitious you want to get, you can source all those components separately or purchase bundles that include almost everything you need. One of our recommendations even allows you to skip the entire build process and get right into experimentation.This guide won't go into the subject of modding too much, but that's another way to further customize a new board to your liking. To make things as easy as possible, I've structured this article in order of the parts you need to buy, with relevant suggestions for each.Pick a layout that works for youEvery keyboard build starts with a case. Your decision will determine the most important features of your future board, including its size, layout and mounting style. From a usability perspective, the layout of a keyboard is probably the most important decision one can make when buying a case.You have to find a layout that is serviceable for you," says Philips. If your professional life depends on owning a keyboard with a set of function keys, then your search should start and end with a tenkeyless (TKL) or 75 percent model. Both layouts come with a set of function and navigation keys, making them practical for coding and other productivity tasks. If you need to frequently input numbers, a full-sized keyboard with a numpad will be the best option.The point here is that keyboards are tools. They should reflect your needs, not what's popular at the moment. This is something Philips returned to a few times in our conversation. Don't listen to public opinion," he told me. Public opinion is worthless in the pursuit of what is important to you and what you're going to interact with on your desk every day."Aluminum keyboards aren't necessarily betterPhoto by Igor Bonifacic / EngadgetWhen most people start shopping for their first custom keyboard, they tend to gravitate to an aluminum chassis, equating the material - and its higher price point - with superior quality. So it might come as a surprise that the creators Engadget spoke to both say a plastic or polycarbonate case is often a better starting point.There are two reasons for this. The first, and more obvious, reason is that plastic cases are usually much cheaper than their aluminum counterparts. As you will see below, the most affordable aluminum case on our recommendation list will set you back at least $150. By contrast, one of the best plastic kits costs a more modest $135. The price difference between plastic and aluminum cases becomes more dramatic when comparing larger TKL and full-sized keyboards since those designs require more complex milling if the case is made from aluminum.The second reason is less obvious, but no less important: plastic cases are far more forgiving than aluminum ones. If you're set on building a keyboard that produces a deep thock" sound when you type on it, it's easier to achieve that result with a plastic case and you won't need to do much tinkering.I've had aluminum boards that required extensive modification to sound good, at price points that would shock you," Philips says. I think it's easier to tune an aluminum case, but not all aluminum cases sound good," Medeot adds. If it's not built well, an aluminum case can sound like a bell. It really resonates."The last thing to consider when buying a case is how it was designed to keep the other components that make up a keyboard in place. That's because the mounting style" of a case can make a dramatic difference in how a keyboard feels and sounds. Unfortunately, like most things in this hobby, the style that's right for you will depend on personal preference. The one piece of advice I can give is to avoid keyboards that feature integrated plates like the Drop CTRL. Typing on them tends to feel stiff and it can be tricky to make them produce a consistent sound. For most beginners, a gasket-mounted keyboard is a good starting place. Gasket I think is the most newcomer-friendly," Medeot tells me. They're just soft and firm enough in most cases."Hot-swap PCBs are the ultimate beginner-friendly componentOnce the case is sorted, the next component on the list is the PCB where you will install your switches (more on those in a moment). Thankfully, finding the right PCB for a new keyboard isn't too complicated. Most boards can only fit circuit boards specifically designed to accommodate the quirks of their mounting style and layout. Most of the boards in our recommendations come with a PCB bundled.The one complication to this is that some keyboards offer a choice of hot-swap' or solder' PCB. You may not know how to use a soldering iron, and even if you do, both Phillips and Medeot recommend beginners buy a hot-swap keyboard. It will make putting together your first keyboard a lot easier, and more importantly, it will let you try out new switches more easily.Plate material is important, but don't overcomplicate itAfter the case and circuit board, you'll have to make a decision about the plate that will sit between your keyboard's PCB and whatever switches you decide to buy. Not all mounting styles incorporate plates, but the majority do. The amount of choice here can be intimidating, with different materials producing different sound profiles, some offering more or less flexibility and others changing how it feels to bottom out a switch.To simplify things, Philips recommends going with an aluminum plate. It's not the most exciting option, but aluminum plates tend to work well with most switches and they're not too expensive. Another option is an FR4 plate. Since they're made from a fiberglass material, FR4 plates tend to produce more high-pitched sounds and they're more flexible.One switch type will not work for everyonePhoto by Igor Bonifacic / EngadgetSwitches are the defining component of any mechanical keyboard and will play a major role in how your keyboard will sound and feel. To overly simplify things, mechanical keyboard switches generally fall into one of three categories: linear, tactile or clicky. Linear variants are known for their smooth action. Tactiles, meanwhile, produce a smooth bump right before they bottom out. Clicky switches add an audible click" to the tactile bump, making them great for irritating roommates and significant others.As a general rule of thumb, linears are considered the best for gaming, while tactiles and clicky switches are thought to be better for typing. That said, since buying my first mechanical keyboard in 2020, I've exclusively used tactile switches, so don't feel like you need to stick to those guidelines. If you're completely new to the world of mechanical keyboards, your best bet is to buy a few dozen of each type to determine the kind you like the most. Once you've settled on a favorite switch type, you can then experiment with different models to find the one you enjoy the most.Since most switches on the market today reference Cherry MX switches in one way or another, start with those. They're relatively affordable and will provide you with a frame of reference for everything to follow. Companies like Drop and Keychron sell packs of 35 Cherry switches for about $22. Cherry Red, Brown and Blue switches will give you a good sense of what other linear, tactile and clicky switches offer.After that, it's all about experimentation. As you try new switches, pay attention to the materials they're made from, as that will give you a sense of what to expect from models you have yet to try. Believe it or not, a lot of switches are not full recolors of one another, but there's also not a huge amount of variance between some stuff," says Medeot. If in doubt, start small before you spend too much money on too many switches. If you're not in a position where you can drop $70, $80 or $90 every time you want to buy a set of switches, buy a few," Philips says.One thing I would advise against is turning to YouTube in search of switch reviews." There are some creators who attempt to objectively test and compare different switches, but the reality is how a specific switch will sound and feel in your new keyboard will depend on all the other factors I outline above.One last note on the subject of switches: the larger keys on a keyboard require stabilizers. These, too, come in a few different forms, but as a beginner, don't worry about them too much. Some of our recommendations come with a set of stabs in the box. If not, and the PCB supports screw-in" stabilizers, it's hard to go wrong with Durock V2s. I've also had success with Zeal's plate and screw-in stabilizers.Keycaps should be funThe final piece of kit every new keyboard build requires is a set of keycaps. The majority of keycaps sold online are made from either ABS or PBT plastic. According to Medeot, ABS keys tend to produce a higher-pitched sound, while PBT can come off as a bit duller. One disadvantage of ABS plastic is that it is prone to developing an unsightly shine over time. Another thing to look out for is if a set of keycaps are double shot" or dye-sublimated." The former is preferable as the legends, the symbols etched onto the keycap, tend to be more durable and resistant to wear. Most newcomers will want to stick to Cherry Profile" keycaps as they're the most readily available and represent a good midpoint in terms of height.Spend enough time on this hobby and you will eventually come across GMK keycaps. With their crisp legends and playful colorways, GMK keycaps are highly sought after, and a single set can easily cost upwards of $135 to $150 and involve group buys or lengthy wait times. I love the two GMK sets I own but don't feel the need to push your budget to obtain one for yourself. In 2023, there are plenty of brands that offer fun, well-made PBT keycaps that will cost you $100 or less. Retailers like NovelKeys, KBDFans and Drop offer a lot of different, high-quality keycaps.A final noteFor most people, the best keyboard is sitting right in front of them. If you're unhappy with your current setup, it's not that difficult to make it sound and feel better. Out of the box, most mechanical keyboards suffer from squeaky stabilizers that rattle when you press the Space, Shift, Enter and Backspace keys. Online retailers like Kinetic Labs sell syringes of industrial lubricant that cost less than $10. It might seem weird to use a syringe to tweak a keyboard, but what it allows you to do is smooth out the action on the stabilizers without taking them or your entire keyboard apart.Custom keyboard recommendationsA great polycarbonate case: KDBFans Tiger LiteFor one of the most affordable entryways into the custom keyboard hobby, look no further than the Tiger Lite from KBDFans. For just $25, you get a gasket-mount TKL case that sounds great with minimal modding. Best of all, KBDFans offers the Tiger Lite in a series of cheerful colorways that are reminiscent of the Nintendo 64's classic funtastic" lineup. Although KBDFans has stopped selling Tiger Lite kits, retailers like Kinetic Labs still have stock.A great polycarbonate case: NovelKeys 87 Entry EditionTwo more affordable options are the NovelKeys 87 Entry Edition and its 65 percent sibling. Availability of those keyboards is limited at the moment, but NovelKeys is promising a major restock in the coming weeks. At $135 for almost everything you need to build your first keyboard, the NK87 is a great value. It also features RGB lighting, and it comes with a bundled carrying case. Both the Tiger Lite and NK87 came highly recommended by Philips and Medeot. Of the former, Medeot says the Tiger Lite is absolutely amazing for its price point."An affordable aluminum case: CannonKeys Bakeneko65If you're set on an aluminum keyboard, consider the Bakeneko. CannonKeys sells three different versions of the Bakeneko: a 60 percent model, and two different 65 variants differentiated by their construction. The cast aluminum variant is the more affordable of the two 65 models (and comes in more colors), but can feature some visual blemishes. By contrast, the CNC aluminum model is more expensive at $195, but it feels more premium.Either way, all three versions of the Bakeneko come bundled with a hot-swap PCB, FR4 plate and clip-in stabilizers. All you need to provide are the switches and keycaps. The Bakenekos also feature a nifty o-ring" gasket mounting system that simplifies assembly and maintenance. However, one feature you won't find on them is RGB lighting.A high-end aluminum case: Mode Designs SonnetThe Mode Sonnet is for those who want a statement piece on their desk. I've been testing one for a few months now, and it's easily the best keyboard I've ever used. The construction of the Sonnet is unmatched, and it feels great to type on thanks to a top mount design that makes the keys bounce. The Sonnet's 75 percent layout also lends itself to a keyboard that is functional without taking up too much space. That said, be prepared to spend a lot to own a Sonnet, with pricing starting at about $300 (and going up from there depending on how you decide to customize it). All of that is before you factor in the cost of switches, stabilizers and keycaps.I'll note here Mode also produces the excellent Envoy. It's a smaller 65 percent keyboard with a unique lattice block" mounting system Mode claims gives the Envoy a bouncy typing feel. I haven't had a chance to test it yet, but the Envoy has enjoyed a lot of positive coverage, and it's more affordable than the Sonnet.A no-fuss option for gamers: Razer BlackWidow V4 75%I know what you're thinking: how did a Razer product make it on this list? Well, the recently announced BlackWidow V4 75% is here because it's truly a great keyboard. It has all the features I suggest beginners should look for in their first custom board, including a hot-swap PCB and gasket mounting system. It also sounds and feels great out of the box. Best of all, it costs $190 and comes with keycaps and tactile switches.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/build-custom-keyboard-130021619.html?src=rss

Amazon's Ring is mostly known for doorbell cams and consumer-grade surveillance tech, but the company's moving past humans and onto our beloved furry friends. It just announced the Ring Pet Tag to help find lost pets, as the tag attaches to a collar and allows access to a bevy of digital information about the animal, should it wander away from the yard.Here's how it works. If you happen upon a lost pet wearing the Ring Pet Tag, flip the tag backwards and scan the QR code to find out who owns the animal, where they live, their phone number and relevant health information, such as required medications and the like. You can even contact the owner through the app and engage in a two-way conversation. Of course, all of this involves coaxing a scared dog or cat into allowing you access to that QR code, which could be problematic.Though the tech on display is interesting, it's worth noting what the device doesn't feature. There's no GPS, so no way to geolocate a lost pet. The tag also lacks a camera, which is a common feature for some pet accessories. It's basically a QR code on a tag that provides the same kind of information that could simply be written onto a collar, though most collars don't boast enough room to detail medication requirements and other unique data points. So it's useful from a all of your information in one place" standpoint.The price, however, is right. The Ring Pet Tag costs just $10, which isn't that much more than a standard analog tag with no scannable QR code to speak of. Preorders start today via Amazon and Ring, with shipments starting on October 4th.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ring-announces-a-wearable-for-your-lost-pets-thats-just-a-qr-code-133036863.html?src=rss

WhatsApp's Channels came on the scene in early June and has since only made its way into ten countries. Now, Meta has announced its expanding channels to over 150 countries - quite the leap - along with adding new features and public figures.Meta claims thousands of new organizations and celebs are coming to Channels, ranging from the MLB to Olivia Rodrigo. As part of its expansion, you should now get recommendations of accounts to follow based on your location and their popularity. Other updates include the ability to provide feedback with emojis and letting channel admins to edit their Updates for the entire 30 days before WhatsApp automatically deletes them. Arguably, the most helpful new feature for community building is that any Update you forward to friends will now link back to the original channel. WhatsApp is launching its own channel, as well, to share future updates as they come.With Channels, Meta hopes to "build the most private broadcast service available." To this end, other users can't see who you follow, and your phone number isn't shared with someone simply because you follow them.Channels first made its way onto fellow Meta-owned company Instagram in February as a not-so-subtle copy of Telegram's channels feature. Its expansion to WhatsApp came as one of Meta's many attempts to make the messaging app, well, more than just a basic messaging app. Much of this has involved launching features similar to other companies, such as entering and leaving ongoing group chats (Discord) and instant video messages (Snapchat, Telegram). None of this is to knock WhatsApp specifically- it's rare that you get a totally original idea on social media these days.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/whatsapp-channels-are-expanding-to-150-countries-130143201.html?src=rss

Just seven months, and reportedly 2 billion generated images, after first incorporating the beta AI into its suite of image and video editing tools, Adobe announced on Wednesday that its Firefly for Enterprise generative AI is now commercially available in Photoshop, Illustrator and Adobe Express workflows. And with the release comesa new Firefly web application as well, available as part of the company's Creative Cloud paid plans.The new subscription plan revolves around generative credits" (GCs), which Adobe defines as, tokens that enable customers to turn a text-based prompt into image and vector creations in Photoshop, Illustrator, Express and the Firefly web application." It's a made up currency that facilitates the transmutation of your money into faster access to the Firefly AI. Once users hit their monthly allowance of GCs, they'll be able to continue using Firefly, just at a slower rate.The web application will be available through Creative Cloud, at the Express and Express Premium price points. Those users will also gain access to the full paid version of Express Premium. Per a company release. Adobe Express is a new AI first, all-in-one creativity app" designed specifically to generate commercially safe images and effects (and presumably the correct number of fingers). With it users can generate design elements, images and video, pdfs and animations in over a 100 languages, then export that content to social media and publishing platforms.For enterprise users, Firefly and Express Premium will be bundled together as an all-in-one editor.Generative AI has not exactly been greeted with the warmest of welcomes, mostly on account of it ripping off an entire internet's worth of art for its training. Then there was the whole subsequent replacing actual artists with cheap AI knockoffs after stealing their work for training purposes" issue as well.To help allay those well-founded fears, Firefly embeds Content Credentials by default in all generated works. These credentials act as a as a digital nutrition label," displaying the asset's name, creation date, creation tool and a log of any edits made to it. They're the latest measure to come out of Adobe's Content Authenticity Initiative, an industry group seeking to establish baseline ethical and transparency norms for AI development before the Feds step in and impose real regulations.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/adobes-firefly-ai-is-now-commercially-available-on-photoshop-illustrator-and-express-130049419.html?src=rss

The latest software update for the PlayStation 5 adds a number of useful features to the console, starting with the ability to enjoy its 3D Audio powered by Tempest 3D AudioTech on compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled HDMI devices. Sony first made the feature available, along with the other ones we're mentioning here, as part of a beta update released back in August. Now, it's available to all PS5 users.Another notable upgrade brought by the new software is support for larger capacity M.2 SSDs. You can now use SSDs up to 8TB, double the previous limit of 4TB, so long as they meet the requirements for compatibility. And if you're playing with someone who may need help beating a particularly difficult level or boss, the console will now allow you to assign a second controller as an assist controller. By doing so, your PS5 will recognize two controllers as one device, and either can control whatever's on screen.PS5's latest update also comes with enhancements for the console's social features. When you're invited into a closed party, you won't automatically get added to the group anymore, so you don't have to interact with anyone you don't want to. And if someone is sharing a screen in the party you're joining, you'll see a preview of it even before you jump in. If you're the one inviting people, take note that you can now send both closed and open party invitations to several players at the same time. In addition, you can now see which of your friends are doing an activity you can join under the Friends tab, since the interface will now show a "joinable" icon next to them.Aside from those features, the update will give you the ability to stream PS5 or PS4 games from devices running Android TV OS 12. So far, Sony has verified that the PS Remote Play app is compatible with the 4K Chromecast with Google TV device and the BRAVIA XR A95L model smart TV. In the US and in UK, the update adds new voice commands you can use: Simply say "Hey PlayStation, help" to quickly bring up help pages or "Hey PlayStation, what's new?" to check for the latest features and the current PS Plus lineup. And if you want to game in the middle of the night and don't want anybody else hearing what you're up to, you can now mute the beep sound the console makes when you turn it on or off. Simply go to Beep Sound under System in Settings and then mute or or adjust its volume.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonys-big-ps5-update-adds-dolby-atmos-support-and-lets-you-turn-off-the-startup-beep-120620769.html?src=rss

September typically brings crisper weather and new iPhones, and this year is no different. Apple recently unveiled the new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, and as rumors suggested, the company has finally done away with its storied Lightning port in favor of a USB-C connector. While iPhone 15 models now support the Dynamic Island and come in fun colors, the iPhone 15 Pro handsets sport titanium designs and the new A17 Pro processor. Apple also revealed the latest models of its wearable, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, both of which sport an upgraded chipset for better performance. Here's everything you need to know about how to pre-order the new iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, along with everything else Apple announced today.Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 PlusThe latest iteration of the iPhone looks much the same as the previous model, with the biggest difference being the new USB-C charging port on its bottom edge that replaces the age-old Lightning socket. The USB-C ports support charging and data transfer, and practically, they allow users to power up most of their Apple devices - think MacBooks, iPads and now iPhone - using the same cable.Another new feature for the base iPhones is Dynamic Island, which was previous only available on the Pro handsets. The floating black-pill section at the top of the iPhones' displays hides the front-facing camera and the FaceID sensor, while also showing things like alerts and animations unique to apps you're using.Both the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have the same screen sizes as their predecessors: 6.1 and 6.7 inches, respectively, and they both have Super Retina XDR displays that can reach up to 2,000 nits of brightness. The revamped camera array includes a 48-megapixel main rear camera with a 12MP telephoto lens, plus a TrueDepth front camera. Both models run on Apple's A16 Bionic chipset, the same found in last year's iPhone 14 series, and will support an all-day battery life.Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro MaxAs with the standard models, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max handsets eschew Lightning in favor of USB-C charging ports. But new for the Pro models only is a titanium design that makes both the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max much lighter than their predecessors. Apple claims it managed to shrink the overall dimensions of both handsets without affecting screen size; you'll find a 6.1-inch display on the iPhone 15 Pro and a 6.7-inch screen on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.Another noticeable design change is the new Action button that replaces the side mute toggle switch. Apple essentially made it a more customizable tool on the iPhone, allowing users to pick the action they want associated with a button press. Muting the iPhone remains an option, but you can change it so a button press allow you to quick access to your phone's camera, flashlight, accessibility tools and more.As far as cameras go, the iPhone 15 Pro models have a 48-megapixel main camera with a larger sensor than that found on the standard iPhone 15 models, and it provides improved low-light performance and the ability to shoot higher resolution photos at different focal lengths. There's also a 12MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom capabilities, which is the most on any iPhone yet. The entire rear array can also capture spatial video, which Apple is billing as a perk for those who want to get the Vision Pro when it becomes available next year.The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max run on Apple's latest A17 Pro chipset, a new GPU and a dedicated USB controller that's not present on the standard models. The new GPU is noteworthy for its six-core design and hardware-accelerated ray-tracing capabilities, both of which should improve overall gaming experiences on the new iPhones.Apple Watch Series 9If you were expecting a lot of changes on the latest Apple Watch, you'll unfortunately be disappointed. The new Apple Watch Series 9 is almost identical to last year's version, but it runs on a new S9 SiP, which is the biggest chipset upgrade for Apple's wearable since 2020. It will provide a general performance boost and things like smoother watchOS 10 animations and quicker Siri request processing. The Series 9 also has a new four-core neural engine that should help process machine learning tasks more quickly, and enable new features like the Double Tap gesture. The Watch will also be able to ping your iPhone and help you find it with on-screen directions and haptic feedback (aka Precision Finding) thanks to the new, built-in ultra wideband chip.Otherwise, the Series 9 will be available in the familiar sizes, 41mm and 45mm, and come in pink, starlight, silver, midnight and Product Red aluminum case colors.Apple Watch Ultra 2Similarly to the Series 9, the Apple Watch Ultra got an incremental update for 2023. The new model runs on the updated S9 SiP and features all of the perks of the Series 9, including on-device Siri command processing and Precision Finding for iPhone with the new, built-in ultra wideband chip. The externals are mostly the same, but Apple changed the display architecture here so the Ultra 2's screen can hit up to 3,000 nits of brightness. That should make it even easier to view watch faces, complications and more in direct sunlight.Otherwise, the Ultra 2 is the same GPS + Cellular, 49mm wearable as it was last year, with the biggest screen on any Apple Watch and the longest battery life of any Apple wearable too.Apple AirPods Pro with USB-CApple didn't spend much time talking about the newest version of its Pro earbuds, probably because the major upgrade here is USB-C. The new AirPods Pro have a charging case that now features a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, following the iPhones as another Apple gadget to ditch Lightning entirely. On top of the new connector, the upgraded earbuds will have improved dust resistance and lossless audio with Apple Vision Pro.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-pre-order-the-new-apple-iphone-15-apple-watch-series-9-120532354.html?src=rss

Farewell Lightning cable. I will miss you when I inevitably get rid of all my cables, only to forget my MacBook wireless keyboard and trackpad still need you. Yes, the iPhone is going USB-C for 2023. That's true across the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. And AirPods Pro.AppleApple hasn't changed the screen sizes of this year's iPhones. The base iPhone 15 and the Pro have 6.1-inch displays, while the Plus and Pro Max have 6.7-inch screens. All the 2023 family now get the dynamic island display cutout that debuted on last year's iPhone 14 Pro, and the iPhone 15 hardware has an all-new design with rounded edges. Apple has introduced a new camera system to the iPhone 15, which includes a 48MP main camera, but the most impressive imaging upgrades are just for the Pro phones.Touching on the most-specced out device, thePro Max differentiates itself with some heady camera upgrades I'm very excited to try. You'll get a 5x telephoto zoom lens with a 120mm focal length equivalent - a substantial jump from 3x zoom of the iPhone 15 Pro (and last year's models). Apparently, this was achieved withtetraprisms.On the side of the iPhone 15 Pro, there's a new Action button that replaces the old Mute switch. This allows users to quickly access features like the camera, flashlight, Voice Memos and more. You can also configure it to activate your own shortcuts, with a new press-and-hold gesture, featuring haptic feedback and visual cues from the Dynamic Island, to ensure you know when a command goes through.Both Pro phones will get a newA17 Pro chip, capable of ray tracing graphics, and Apple is teasing that AAA games, like Death Stranding, Resident Evil Village and Assassin's Creed Mirage (more on that one below), will come to the iPhone 15, running natively.We've got more highlights from the event below.- Mat SmithYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedApple unveils the A17 Pro, a 3nm chip powering the iPhone 15 ProApple discontinues the iPhone 13 mini, its last small phone worth owningApple is ditching leather JackRabbit's XG e-bike adds more range, power, fun and expenseApple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 can handle Siri requests without your iPhoneThe S9 chip and neural engine provide more power and longer battery life.EngadgetApple revealedtwo new watches this year. The Series 9 features overall performance boosts and a new processor, the S9 chip, which promises 18-hour battery life. Apple has also added a gesture to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2:Double Tap. This lets you control various system functions by tapping your thumb and index finger together twice quickly. You can use Double Tap to answer or end calls, snooze alarms, play / pause music or start and stop timers.The hardware might not be entirely game-changing, but the software is shaping up to offer a more usable interface than ever before, at least according to my time so far with the beta version. The premiumApple Watch Ultra 2 offers a brighter screen (3,000 nits!) and, according to Apple, will top out at 36 hours of battery life on one charge.Continue reading.Assassin's Creed Mirage previewA throwback in the best of ways.UbisoftAssassin's Creed Mirage is blessedly billed as a return to the series' leaner early days, when Ubisoft was restricted by PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 hardware. After a few hours of hands-on time across three sections of the new game, it feels like that's the case. Mirage largely takes place in ninth-century Baghdad, a couple of centuries before the Holy Land setting of the original Assassin's Creed, but around the same time as AC Valhalla (Mirage protagonist Basim made his first appearance in that game). Assassin's Creed Mirage will arrive on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on October 5.Continue reading.iOS 17 lands as a free update on September 18If you bought an iPhone after 2018.The latest iPhone software update will be available next week, on Monday, September 18. The public preview for iOS 17 has been available since June and has already shown off a number of design refinements, which Apple recapped during its keynote. Those include user-definable outgoing call screens, so you can pick what people see when you call them, and an option to send incoming calls to voicemail and read a transcription of them instead. Users will also be able to send quick voice or video messages if someone doesn't pick up their FaceTime calls. You can see our in-depthiOS 17 preview right here.Continue reading.Intel's Thunderbolt 5 could be the cable upgrade we've been waiting forThe single PC cable dream lives on!Up to three times the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4. Support for multiple 8K displays, as well as gaming monitors running at up to 540Hz. And 240 watts of charging power. These are key features of Thunderbolt 5, Intel's latest stab at creating the ultimate PC cable. Great, so my iPhone USB-C cable is already going to be defunct in a year or two...Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-everything-announced-at-apples-iphone-15-event-111544573.html?src=rss

After September 29th, Netflix will no longer rent DVDs by mail and will be winding down that part of its business altogether. Most people might be surprised that the streaming giant is still even renting DVDs, but if you're one of its subscribers who'll be sad to see the service go, there's now another rent-by-mail option you can use anywhere you are in the US. Scarecrow, the largest independent video store in the US, has launched its own rent-by-mail service that will send DVDs and Blu-ray discs straight to your door.The store first piloted the service back in 2019 before it started working on making its library available to people across the country during the pandemic. As The Seattle Times reports, it launched a campaign in 2021 to raise funds for an overhaul of its aging website, making it more searchable and giving it a more modern look. Now, Scarecrow's rent-by-mail website is live, with step-by-step instructions on how to avail of the service and a searchable library divided by genres.To be able to rent from Scarecrow, you'll need to sign up for an account, which will have to be verified and approved by a staff member. After that, you can start adding DVDs to your cart. Titles are priced individually, but shipping will cost you $12 for up to six discs. That's discs, not titles, which means if one movie has six discs, you can't add more to the same shipment. The rental window is 14 days, including shipping, after that you can either renew by phone or pay late fees.Scarecrow has 140,000 titles in its collection - comparably, Netflix has around 5,000 titles in its US catalog, according to CordCutting - most of which you can rent by mail. There are exceptions, however, including rare and out of print videos that require a security deposit, newly released movies and adult titles. It also doesn't mail VHS tapes and laser discs, so you'll have to go elsewhere for those formats.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/americas-largest-independent-video-store-is-taking-its-dvd-by-mail-service-nationwide-094751920.html?src=rss

Bluesky, one of the most notable alternatives to the platform formerly known as Twitter, has just hit a million users. That's admittedly tiny compared to the number of users on major social networks, but it's a big deal for a service that remains inaccessible to most people until today. Bluesky team member Rose Wang, who has announced the milestone on X, told TechCrunch that the service's app reached a million downloads in July. However, those interested in getting in on the action at Bluesky will have to secure invite codes to log in, and it's only now that enough people were able to create accounts for the social network to be able to announce that it has reached 1 million users.

In the world of console video games, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo stand as titans. For PC gamers, however, Valve reigns supreme. Its distribution platform, Steam, may not be the only place to buy and play games on the PC, but it's easily among the largest, oldest and most iconic. Today marks Steam's 20th anniversary.Valve is celebrating by slashing prices on its self-published games, offering most of its catalog for 90 percent off, except Half-Life: Alyx. The sale's landing page doubles as a cheery retrospective of Steam's last two decades. It's a fun read that offers users the chance to buy the "Top Games" from key years in the platform's history, punctuating footnotes about the very first Steam Sale with a chance to buy the original Portal for just $0.99.Again, it's fun, but the nostalgic look back leaves out a few key details. Folks who were around when Steam first launched might remember its early days as a time of frustration. Valve built the platform as a way to easily deliver updates to its games and combat cheating in online multiplayer - but many saw it as an antagonistic force and an early attempt to impose restrictive DRM on players.Digital distribution was in its infancy in 2003, and most PC gamers bought their games at the store, installing them manually from a CD or DVD. That didn't change, but when Valve released Half-Life 2, players were surprised to find that the game required Steam - and an internet connection - to launch the single player experience. It was unheard of at the time, and people hated it.As history shows, however, we got used to it. Other publishers started selling games on Valve's platform. Users were drawn in by the convenient distribution model and the allure of the aforementioned Steam Sales. Steam added cloud save backups, a hub for player-created content, social features and more. Soon, Valve started toying with making its own hardware, first with the somewhat lackluster Steam Machines initiative, and later, the much more successful Steam Deck.Today, Steam is a household name in the gaming community, and with good reason. Go ahead, celebrate. Valve even brought back the platform's original dark green color to give the anniversary a nice, retro feel.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/steam-is-green-again-on-its-20th-anniversary-000859141.html?src=rss

Court filings have revealed new details about the FTC's investigation into Elon Musk over his handling of privacy and security issues at X. In newly public court documents, the Department of Justice says Musk fostered a chaotic environment" at Twitter, now known as X, that prevented company officials from complying with their obligations to the FTC.The FTC investigation stems from a 2022 settlement between the FTC and Twitter over the company's use of deceptive ad targeting under the leadership of Jack Dorsey. Prior to Musk's takeover, the company paid a $150 million fine and signed on to an agreement to implement specific privacy and security measures. It was those additional data protection measures that apparently fell by the wayside once Musk took control, triggering new scrutiny from the regulator.In March, the FTC began investigating the rushed rollout of Twitter Blue, which reportedly launched without the privacy and security review required under the FTC order, as well as Musk's handling of the so-called Twitter Files."In the latest court documents, the Department of Justice details new information provided by a number of former top Twitter executives. According to the DoJ, Twitter's former chief privacy officer Damien Kieran said Twitter Blue launched so quickly a security and privacy review was not conducted in accordance with the company's process for software development."It also details employee concerns over Musk's attempts to grant an outside journalist unfettered access to the company's internal systems. (The filing notes that longtime information security employees intervened" and the reporter was ultimately given access to files and systems via an intermediary.)The government also raises concerns over Musk's rearranging of company servers between data centers. The company's policy required that servers be wiped prior to being moved, but that didn't happen, according to former Twitter employees. The government also notes that Musk's rapid-fire layoffs resulted in deep cuts among the Twitter staff who could have helped the company stay in compliance with the FTC.X didn't respond to a request for comment. Musk has previously described the investigation as the weaponization of a government agency for political purposes."Ultimately, the owner of X may end up having to answer to the FTC directly on these issues. The regulator argues that Musk should be deposed, though lawyers for X have sought to prevent the deposition. Evidence the FTC uncovered during its investigation reveals that Musk has been deeply involved in the fundamental transformation' of X Corp.," the government wrote. Musk exercised granular control of X Corp., at times directing employees in a manner that may have jeopardized data privacy and security."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ftc-says-elon-musk-may-have-jeopardized-data-privacy-and-security-at-twitter-232642914.html?src=rss

Last year Devialet, the French luxury audio company known for mighty speakers with even mightier price tags, launched its first pair of earbuds. Gemini carried many of the usual Devialet features, including good design, excellent sound and noise cancellation. But it also had some quirks around fit, weird audio modes and a bulky charging case that turned off plenty of reviewers. It's those pain points that the company is addressing with its second-generation edition, the Gemini II.The first and most welcome change is to the charging case, which was awkward and bulky last time out. Now, it's a lot smaller, and uses the same pocket-friendly lozenge design you'll find with pretty much every other pair of good TWS earbuds. Inside, the company has added a new custom driver and designed a new Active Wind Reduction mode to help screen out more unwanted sound. And to resolve the issues around fit, the buds are smaller and have been redesigned to better fit any ear."You'll also spot plenty of quality-of-life improvements like wireless charging and Bluetooth 5.2. But there has been a few spec-drops compared to the last version, with promised battery life falling from 24 hours on the first model to 22 hours here. The per-charge life has also dropped, with the Gemini II pledging five hours on a single charge, down from the six on the original.This is Devialet, of course, which means you can pick up the standard version from today in black or white, each model costing $450. But you can also get an Opera de Paris edition, which adds a 24-carat PVD gold plating onto the white case and earbuds, priced at $649. That way, when you're strutting down the Boulevard Richard-Lenoir, everyone will know how classy you are.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/devialets-450-gemini-ii-earbuds-offer-improved-fit-and-a-smaller-charging-case-230141910.html?src=rss

Unity announced a new fee structure today, and developers are none too happy. We are introducing a Unity Runtime Fee that is based upon each time a qualifying game is downloaded by an end user," the company wrote in a blog post announcing the change. We chose this because each time a game is downloaded, the Unity Runtime is also installed." The new per-install fees are set to kick in on January 1, 2024.The company says developers will be charged for installations after passing both a minimum revenue threshold from the last 12 months and a minimum lifetime install count. The exact fees will vary depending on which plan they use. Unity Personal and Unity Plus subscribers will pay $0.20 per install after reaching $200,000 in revenue from the past 12 months and 200,000 lifetime installs. Meanwhile, after hitting $1 million in revenue in the last 12 months and one million lifetime installs, Unity Pro members' fees start at $0.15 per install, while Unity Enterprise fees start at $0.125 per install.Members using Unity Pro and Enterprise plans have a tiered fee structure that decreases their rates after reaching thresholds of 100,000, 500,000 and one million installs. The company claims making developers hit both marks before requiring them to pay the fee will ensure that only those who reach significant success" will be charged.Unity CEO John RiccitielloUnity TechnologiesThe gaming developer community reacted to the announcement about as positively as you'd expect. If you buy our Unity game, please don't install it," Newfangled Games designer Henry Hoffman quipped on X (formerly Twitter). This is such an abysmally catastrophic decision that it really will either (likely) be u-turned, or the engine is completely done for on all scales of the indie industry," posted gaming industry worker Ryan T. Brown on X.Axios gaming reporter Stephen Totilo wrote on X that Unity clarified several points that, if anything, make the change sound like even more of a hassle for developers. He wrote that if a player deletes and reinstalls a game, that counts for two installs and two charges. Ditto for players installing a single game on two devices. However, charity games and bundles are supposedly exempt.

Influencers have been using TikTok to land brand deals and promote products for years, but now the company is ushering in a more formal shopping experience. TikTok is launching its e-commerce product in the United States in an attempt to capitalize on the app's popularity, and turn its viewers into consumers. In a recent blog post, the company announced its TikTok Shop - which includes a host of features for users, content creators and businesses.The TikTok Shop includes a Shop Tab" for businesses to display their products, affiliate videos placed in users' feeds that allow creators to earn commissions and shopping ads for businesses. TikTok is also launching its own logistics arm called Fulfilled by TikTok," which will facilitate storage and shipping for registered merchants.In an interview with The New York Times, TikTok executive Nico Le Bourgeois said the TikTok Shop had more than 200,000 registered sellers, with over 100,000 creators already having access to its livestream shopping buttons. Bourgeois went on to discuss the company's plans to shake up the industry.We have a very aggressive plan to make a splash in the industry and make sure that people out there understand that TikTok is a place for shopping," he said. We'll be very present for Black Friday and Cyber Monday through a combination of traffic, free shipping and deals."TikTok Shop is based on a similar and hugely successful feature on its sister app, Douyin, available across Asia. While there's no doubt that hashtags like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt has fueled product discovery on TikTok, live shopping hasn't quite taken off in the US yet. Of course, TikTok isn't the first social media app to attempt a pivot to e-commerce. Meta has tried for years with Facebook and Instagram. Pinterest has also been navigating the e-commerce waters by offering its users an easier and faster way to by what they see. However, those efforts have not skyrocketed just yet.As of right now, the Shop Tab is available for 40 percent of TikTok users. The feature will be rolled out gradually and become available for all users by early October.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tiktok-is-pushing-shopping-features-into-nearly-every-part-of-its-app-212002587.html?src=rss

Not much was leaked about the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 ahead of the company's launch event today, and it might be because most of the changes weren't easily photographed. One of the biggest updates to the company's flagship smartwatches is the S9 SiP (system-in-package), which promises better animations, on-device Siri processing, as well as a whole new gesture called Double Tap. The latter allows you to make a pinch gesture twice in mid-air and use it to do things like answer calls, pause music, dismiss alarms and more.There's also a new material called FineWoven that's meant to replace leather, and features in some new straps and accessories. While most of the other changes this year, like brighter displays and greater use of recycled material, are less exciting, I found myself very intrigued by Double Tap.This isn't Apple's first attempt at gestures that minimize having to tap a smartwatch screen, by the way. It introduced Assistive Touch in 2021 to allow people who may not have full use of their fingers or have other mobility issues to clench their fists (and perform other actions) to navigate watchOS.Based on my experience with both so far, Double Tap feels like a more refined approach. I put on a demo unit of the Watch Ultra 2, and pinched quickly in mid-air. By default, doing so from the home screen brings up the Smart Stack, and continuing to double tap will scroll through individual cards. You can also tweak it so that the subsequent pinches will launch the top card of your Smart Stack.For the most part, the Watch Ultra 2 recognized all my pinches, and wasn't tricked by me clenching other fingers together. It also wasn't fazed when I touched my thumb to my knuckles, only reacting when I quickly brought thumb to index finger pad.Apple uses the same mechanism that's looking for blood flow anomalies to recognize when you're pinching, by tapping the optical heart rate sensor, accelerometer and gyroscope. It's surprisingly accurate, but didn't always detect when I put my thumb to my pointer finger. You'll have to be quite deliberate when doing it, but I imagine over time users will learn the right way to double tap.Photo by Cherlynn Low / EngadgetAs someone who hates getting dirt or smudges all over my devices, I love the idea of this gesture for when I'm cooking or cleaning. It could also come in handy if you've forgotten to start a workout when you're out on a run, and the watch prompts you to launch one after it auto detects your activity.Double tap is arguably the most interesting new feature, and also the easiest one to check out at this hands-on space. From my limited time so far, I can't tell you whether the Watch Ultra 2's new display, which can get as bright as 3,000 nits, is truly more readable on a hike, for example. Nor did I get to see how much faster on-device Siri is or ask the assistant for my health queries.I do like that the new Modular Ultra face manages to squeeze in so much info at once. With this new layout, Apple's making full use of the space, expanding content all the way to the extreme edges of the screen - so much so that it's even saying you can find information about elevation or depth in the bottom bezel. (It's not actually in the bezel, since bezels aren't screens and are not capable of displaying anything.)The new Watches will also activate Night Mode automatically when the ambient light sensor detects it's too dark. I especially appreciate that the Ultra 2 can go down to one nit so those who are particularly bothered by bright screens can be exposed to as little as possible while still reading their watch displays.As mentioned earlier, as part of Apple's goal to be net carbon neutral by 2030 the company has stopped selling leather bands and accessories and in place of that material, it's developed FineWoven. I tried putting on a FineWoven magnetic loop, and it felt... normal. That's a good thing, since FineWoven is made from recycled materials and yet manages to have a suede-like feel.While the Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 may not seem like massive upgrades at first glance, I have a feeling that features enabled by the S9 SiP, like Siri on-device and Double Tap will make for a meaningful change in the long run. But I will only be able to know for sure after spending more time with a unit out in the real world, so make sure to stay tuned for our detailed review.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-watch-ultra-2-and-series-9-first-impressions-double-tap-is-accurate-and-tricky-203116431.html?src=rss

Fresh off of Apple's Wonderlust" event, Devindra and Engadget Editor-in-Chief Dana Wollman dive into the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro and the Apple Watch Series 9. We explain why Apple's move towards USB-C on the iPhones has been a long time coming, and why we're excited about even more emergency satellite calling capabilities. And while the Apple Watch Series 9 looks like a worthwhile upgrade, we're more intrigued by the new double tap finger gesture.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!

Apple announced both the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Pro during today's "Wonderlust" keynote event. Some of the numerousrumors about the new handsets have been confirmed, while others, like the possibility of an iPhone Ultra, didn't materialize. Like in years past, Apple reserved its newest mobile chip for the Pro model (giving last year's Pro-level chip to the new standard iPhone). The A17 Pro is the first "Pro" chip for an iPhone and sports 19 billion transistors. Apple claims its two performance cores are 10 percent faster than last years's A16.The long-hoped-for conversion to USB-C charging has been confirmed for all models of the iPhone 15, but the Pro got a few perks that the standard model isn't getting such as the Action Button. Formerly the mute toggle, the button can be programed to quickly activate the camera, flashlight, Voice Memos, or your own Shortcuts. The new titanium case, fused to an internal aluminum frame makes this the lightest iPhone Pro yet.It starts at $999 which is actually the same price as the iPhone 14 Pro, and you can pre-order it on Friday. Before you dive in, you may want to take a moment to compare it to other high-end handsets on the market. Here's a side-by-side comparison highlighting how the specs of the new iPhone 15 Pro compare to Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra and Google's Pixel 7 Pro.Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Google Pixel 7 ProApple iPhone 15 ProSamsung Galaxy S23 UltraGoogle Pixel 7 ProPricingStarts at $999Starts at $1,200Starts at $899Release dateSeptember 22, 2023February 17, 2023October 13, 2022Dimensions5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 in(146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm)6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in(163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm)6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in(162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm)Weight6.60 oz(187 g)8.25 oz(234 g)7.48 oz(212 g)Operating systemiOSAndroidAndroidScreen size6.1 in6.8 in6.7 inScreen resolution2556 x 1179 at 460ppi3088 x 1440 at 501ppi3120 x 1440 at 512ppiScreen type (refresh rate)Super Retina XDR (120Hz)Dynamic AMOLED 2X (120Hz)LTPO OLED (120Hz)ProcessorA17Pro chipSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Tensor G2Water and dust resistanceIP68IP68IP68Batteryunlisted5000mAh5000mAhRAMunlisted8GB /12GB12GBInternal storage128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB256GB / 512GB / 1TB128GB / 256GB / 512GBRear camera(s)Three cameras:Main: 48MP, f/1.78 apertureUltrawide, 2x optical zoom: 12MP, f/2.2 apertureTelephoto, 3x optical zoom: 12MP, f/2.8Four cameras:Wide: 200MP, f/1.7 apertureUltrawide: 12MP, f/2.2 apertureTelephoto, 3x optical zoom: 10MP, f/2.4 apertureTelephoto, 10x optical zoom: 10MP, f/2.4 apertureThree cameras:Main: 50MP, f/1.85 apertureUltrawide: 12MP, f/2.2 apertureTelephoto, 5x optical zoom: 48MP, f/3.5 apertureVideo capture4K at 60 fps8K at 30 fps4K at 60 fpsFront camera12MP, f/1.9 aperture12MP, f/2.2 aperture10.8MP, f/2.2 apertureWi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 6ECharging20W fast charging, 15W wireless45W fast charging, 15W wireless23W fast charging, 23W wirelessConnectorUSB-C 3UCB-CUSB-CFollow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-iphone-15-pro-vs-the-competition-clash-of-the-cameras-201700930.html?src=rss

Apple's iPhone 15 event today saw the company spend a lot of time (and money) talking about its "Apple 2030" vision for carbon neutrality and environmental responsibility. The irony is, Apple wants you to buy more iPhones, and to do so, it's introducing new models with slightly different features so you'll spend your money. With the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro this year, Apple is also beginning to comply with EU regulations that mandate every new device made by the end of next year support USB-C charging. While that's good news for most people, it does mean that those who might not have already a compatible wire will have to, once again, get a new charger.In addition to the new port (farewell, Lightning!), the iPhone 15 Pro Max gets a zooming lens thanks to a tetraprism system, as well as a so-called Action button that replaces the slider switch on the side. On the base iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, we're also bidding goodbye to the notch and saying hello to the Dynamic Island. It looks like with the iPhone 15 series, we're leaving a lot of things in the past, hopefully for better things.The most intriguing of these changes is the Action button, which can be programmed to do one of many things. By default, it will still switch between Silent and Ring modes. But by going into the settings, you can customize it to start a voice recording, open the camera, switch focus modes and more. Within each shortcut, you can get more precise about what the action button does. Say you choose the Camera shortcut. You can tap a dropdown list to choose whether it launches in regular photo mode or in selfie, video or portrait.One thing worth noting about the Action button is that, aside from the default mode, you'll have to long-press it to actually start your shortcut. If you just press it, you'll see an onscreen indicator next to the button that tells you to hold it down, while the Dynamic Island changes to indicate what will launch. I thought it would be annoying to have to long-press the button to actually trigger what I want, but in spending a bit more time with it I felt it might be too easy to set the action off. While I don't think a long-press will necessarily prevent accidental pushes, it's at least less likely to happen than a simple tap. This is clearly something I'll have to test in the real world by throwing into my purse or fanny pack to see how annoying it will be.I was able to quickly check out the new zoom lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max by taking pictures of media personalities from far away. I used my iPhone 14 Pro to get a picture of Michael Fisher (aka The Mr Mobile) from across the giant demo area, pushing my camera to its maximum 15x zoom. Then, with a demo iPhone 15 Pro Max, I snapped a pic of another person from slightly farther away, using the maximum 25x zoom. Not only were images from the newer phone a lot closer, they also seemed a bit brighter and clearer.Of course, that's not something I can properly evaluate until a real world side-by-side comparison with fairer setups, but I can already tell you that on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you'll get a little window at the top left to show where in the frame you're zoomed in on. This is basically how all phones with extreme zooms (like the Pixel and Galaxy flagships) do it, too.Photo by Cherlynn Low / EngadgetMost of the other changes to the iPhone 15 Pro line weren't things I could test at the demo area, like the performance of the new A17 Pro processor, the second-generation ultra wideband (UWB) chip and battery life. I did get a sense for how smooth the hardware-accelerated ray tracing looked as an Apple staff member played a bit of Diablo IV for me to see. I also couldn't plug a USB-C cable into the new port, of course, but I did spend a few minutes gawking at it while taking pictures.I do like the way the new titanium material feels, though. The iPhone 15 Pros feature a brushed metal finish, and the Pro Max that I spent time with definitely felt noticeably lighter than its chonkster of a predecessor. The iPhone 14 Pro Max always felt like it would crush my skull if I dropped it on my face while reading in bed, while the new model felt like it would only gently dent my cranium.I also briefly fondled a case made from Apple's new FineWoven material, which is meant to replace leather as the company ceases to sell items made from that. The case felt slightly furry, sort of like suede, and though no one said if this would change, it's the sort of texture I could see Apple tweaking over time. The idea is that suede also feels somewhat premium like leather, and though I prefer the feeling of leather over FineWoven, I can live with it if it means better things for the environment.Photo by Cherlynn Low / EngadgetiPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus first impressionsOf course, the Pros weren't the only new phones unveiled today. The iPhone 15s may be slightly less interesting, but they did get some potentially useful updates, too. They now feature 48-megapixel main cameras on their rear, supporting 24-MP default resolution pictures, and ditch the longstanding notch for the pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout that was introduced last year.I'm a fan of the new colors on the iPhone 15 series, as well as the way they've been infused into the back glass. It gives off a slight frosted effect that makes the pastel pink, blue, green, yellow and black hues look classy as opposed to cute. The phone's enclosure is also slightly different than the iPhone 14, with a contoured edge that makes the device feel slightly thinner.I was taken by how much thinner the bezels on the iPhone 15s looked, too. Together with the contoured edges, brighter screens and losing the notch, the handsets feel refreshed and definitely like a bigger change than last year's models were.There wasn't a lot more about the iPhone 15 line that I could check out at the demo area, but for all the details on what's new this year, check out our article laying out all the updates.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/iphone-15-pro-max-first-impressions-lights-camera-action-button-200647981.html?src=rss

Apple's 2023 iPhone event came and went almost in the blink of an eye. As always, the company had a bunch of new devices to show off during the "Wonderlust" showcase but thanks to long-standing rumors, there weren't too many major surprises.On the phone front, we have the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. There's no new iPhone SE just yet, unfortunately, while the rumored iPhone Ultra may join the lineup next year. Though it was widely expected, the biggest news is that Apple has ditched the Lightning port across the entire iPhone 15 lineup. USB-C is the way of things now.Elsewhere, we have an Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, along with AirPods that have a USB-C port in the charging case. In addition, we learned just when iOS 17, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, watchOS 10 and macOS Sonoma will arrive.iPhone 15 and 15 PlusAppleAs mentioned, Apple is sending the Lightning port sailing into the sunset. After gradually phasing out the port in favor of USB-C on iPad over the last few years, the company is making a more immediate switch with the iPhone 15 lineup. The European Union has forced Apple's hand here, due to legislation that requires mobile devices sold in the bloc to have a USB-C charging port.On the downside, that means the collection of Lightning cables, dongles and accessories you've amassed over the years will become less useful. On the other hand, there should be far greater compatibility of cables and other devices with the latest iPhones. It'll probably be easier for you to find a charging cable when you need one - the same cable can power up your Mac, iPad, iPhone or new AirPods Pro case. Those who still plug their phones into computers may be pleased, since USB-C data transfer rates are far faster than what Lightning cables are capable of. In a pinch, you can also charge your AirPods case or Apple Watch from your phone.Apple hasn't changed the screen sizes of this year's iPhones. The base iPhone 15 and the Pro have 6.1-inch displays, while the Plus and Pro Max have 6.7-inch screens.The iPhone 15 has an all-new design with rounded edges, Apple said. The most obvious consequence of that is the dynamic island that debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro is coming to this year's entire lineup. There's a 2,000-nit Super Retina XDR display in the iPhone 15 that's twice as bright as the one on the iPhone 14. You'll get up to 1,600 nits of brightness while viewing Dolby Vision video and other HDR photos and videos.Apple has introduced a new camera system to the iPhone 15 that includes a 48MP main camera, an ultrawide lens and TrueDepth front camera. With the rear cameras, you'll be able to take more details "next-generation portraits," Apple says. You won't have to manually switch to portrait mode either, since the phone's machine leaning capabilities will be able to tell when you're focusing on a person, according to Apple. You can even switch the focus to a different person after the fact when you're editing the image.The iPhone 15 runs on the same A16 chip as the iPhone 14 Pro and it has a second-gen ultra wideband chip. Apple says the latter can help you find your friends' exact location when you're looking for them in a crowded place. The company also claims that the latest iPhone does a better job of filtering out background noise on calls.If you're in a remote location and need roadside assistance, satellite connectivity can help you contact who you need to. You'll be able to use satellite connectivity to contact first responders in an emergency too.The iPhone 15 is available in pink, yellow, green, blue and black. It starts at $799 and the iPhone 15 Plus starts at $899. Pre-orders start on September 15. Both phones will arrive in stores on September 22.iPhone 15 Pro and Pro MaxAppleApple has a significant change in store with the iPhone 15 Pro designs this year too: a titanium body for durability. That also makes these the lightest iPhone Pro models to date. Apple says the iPhone 15 Pro has the thinnest screen borders of any iPhone as well. Another interesting thing to note is that Apple says an updated internal architecture makes the device more repairable.Perhaps of more interest to many folks, however, is the introduction of an Action button on an iPhone for the first time. You can think of it as an upgraded mute switch. While you can still use it to put your phone in silent mode, you simply hold it down to activate Action button mode.As is the case on the Apple Watch Ultra, you can customize the Action button. You might set it to launch the camera app instantly, activate a voice recording, turn on an accessibility function or even trigger a shortcut.A new A17 Pro chip powers the latest iPhone Pro models. It's a 3nm chipset that has 19 billion transistors. It has a six-core CPU with two high-performances cores and four high-efficiency cores, along with a six-core GPU that supports hardware-accelerated ray-tracing that's four times faster than before, Apple claims.There's also a 16-core neural engine on the A17 Pro, along with dedicated ProRes engines, support for an always-on display. Video streaming should get an upgrade too, thanks to an AV1 video decoder. All of that power means that the iPhone 15 Pro can natively run modern AAA games such as Assassin's Creed Mirage, Death Stranding and Resident Evil Village.As for the iPhone 15 Pro's camera system, that can capture 3D spatial videos that will be compatible with Apple Vision Pro headsets. What's more, if you opt for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you'll get a 5x telephoto zoom lens with a 120mm focal length equivalent.The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max start at $999 and $1,199, respectively. Pre-orders open this Friday (September 15), and the phones will ship on September 22.Apple Watch Series 9AppleThe major change in the Apple Watch Series 9 is an upgraded chipset. The S9 chip has 5.6 billion transistors and a GPU that Apple says is 30 percent faster than before. There's a four-core neural engine and machine learning capabilities that are up to twice as fast on those seen in the Series 8.These power more advanced Siri experiences, Apple says. Siri requests are now processed on-device, which should make them faster as Apple won't need to send them to the cloud and back. You'll be able to log and ask for health data with Siri too.There's a second-gen ultra wideband chip to help you find a misplaced iPhone with more precision (as long as the phone has that chip too). The display reaches 2,000 nits, making it twice as bright as the Series 8 and as bright as the Apple Watch Ultra. The brightness can also drop as low as one nit, which should be useful for when you're at the movies and don't want to bother other people with the always-on display.On top of that, Apple is introducing a new gesture called Double Tap. By tapping your thumb and index finger together twice, you'll carry out the primary action in an app - answering or ending a call, playing or pausing a song, stopping a timer and so on. The S9 chip's neural engine powers Double Tap (so don't expect to see it on earlier models) and the feature will be available in October. This builds on accessibility features that have been available on Apple Watch for some time.The Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399 for a GPS model and $499 if you want cellular connectivity. You can pre-order the new wearable today. It will ship on September 22.Apple Watch Ultra 2AppleThe Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the same S9 SIP, Double Tap, on-device Siri and ultra wideband features as the Series 9. It has the same battery life as the first Ultra (up to 36 hours and 72 on low-power mode). That's despite having a far brighter display.The screen is 50 percent brighter than the previous model at 3,000 nits. An ambient light sensor will be able to automatically switch the display to night mode.The Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at $799 for GPS and cellular connectivity. Pre-orders go live today and it will ship on September 22.SoftwareAppleThose of you who aren't convinced about getting the latest iPhone or Apple Watch won't miss out on all the new stuff entirely. More features are coming to recent iPhones and Watches thanks to iOS 17 and watchOS 10, both of which will drop on September 18.That's not all, though. Apple has announced that iPadOS 17 and tvOS 17 will arrive on September 18 as well. As for those of you with an Apple desktop or laptop, you can upgrade your operating system to macOS Sonoma on September 26.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/everything-announced-at-todays-apple-event-iphone-15-usb-c-apple-watch-series-9-and-more-200111613.html?src=rss

One of the main benefits of Apple's "pro" iPhones is the camera rig, which somehow gets pretty significant improvements every year. The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are no exception. As they've done for several years now, both phones sport three-lens arrays, but there are a handful of noteworthy details this year, particularly for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.For the first time, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a "5X" optical zoom, with a 120mm focal length equivalent. That's significantly longer than the 3X 77mm focal length that you find on the standard iPhone 15 Pro (as well as both of last year's 14 Pro phones). It has a 25 percent larger sensor than the 3X camera in the 14 Pro Max while keeping an f/2.8 aperture, which Apple says is the largest of any smartphone in this optical range.Usually, longer telephoto lenses are literally longer in physical space, as well. To get around this, Apple is using what it calls a "tetraprism" design. Light rays are reflected four times through the glass which lets the light travel for longer without needing a physically larger design. There's a more advanced image stabilization system on board as well, something necessary when shooting at longer focal lengths. Of course, we're going to want to try this camera out to see how it performs, but it sounds like an impressive upgrade for anyone buying the iPhone 15 Pro Max - if you're an avid smartphone photographer, these changes alone might make the Max worth buying over the smaller model.A number of other updates are coming to both Pro-level iPhones. The "main" camera is 48 megapixels again, but advances in using that resolution will allow you to shoot with that main lens at your choice of three effective focal lengths: 24mm, 28mm and 35mm. You can choose your preferred setting and set it as your default. You won't typically output photos at the full 48-megapixel resolution - Apple combines pixels to improve low-light performances and the default output will be 24 megapixels. But if you'd rather use the full resolution, you can shoot in 48-megapixel ProRAW format, or in HEIF for a file that's smaller and more easily shareable.As with last year's cameras, the "main" shooter can also use the center of that 48-megapixel sensor to give you effective 2X zoom photos at 12 megapixels. And the smaller iPhone 13 Pro retains the 3X optical lens.Naturally, there are software improvements all throughout the iPhone's photo processing system, which Apple calls the Photonic Engine. That includes things like better low-light performance, improved HDR, continuous zoom when shooting portraits, the ability adjust portrait focus after the photo has been shot, improved dynamic range and more. But one of the ones that'll be immediately obvious is the iPhone automatically switches into Portrait mode when focusing on a human or pet, saving you the step of having to decide to activate it.While most of the camera improvements this year focused on photos, there is a big video change directly tied to a future Apple device. Later this year, the iPhone 15 Pro lineup will be able to shoot spatial video that can be viewed on the upcoming Vision Pro headset. These are essentially 3D videos shot using both the ultra-wide and main camera sensors to give a more immersive experience when using Apple's headset. Obviously, very few of us have had the chance to see how this works, but it's a smart way for Apple to get people shooting videos that'll presumably look compelling on the Vision Pro.While the standard iPhone 15 received a more modest set of upgrades, there's still a few things worth noting. The main camera sensor has been upgraded to 48 megapixels. This means that you can get a 2X zoom on the standard iPhone 15 for the first time, as it can crop into the center of the sensor and produce a 12-megapixel image without the degradation you get from digital zoom. You'll also get 24-megapixel images that combine pixels to improve low light and detail while still offering manageable file sizes. These are good improvements for people who don't want to think too much about the finer points of iPhone photography - but if you want more control over your images, the Pro models remain the best choice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-used-tetraprisms-to-cram-a-120mm-lens-into-the-iphone-15-pro-max-195545915.html?src=rss

Apple snuck in a significant change to iCloud data storage near the end of its Wonderlust" iPhone 15 event. The company added two new iCloud+ storage tiers: 6TB ($30 / month) and 12TB ($60 / month).The 6TB and 12TB cloud storage tiers join the existing 50GB, 200GB and 2TB plans currently available. Greg Joswiak, the company's marketing VP, said during the keynote that the higher-capacity options will provide even more room to keep your photos and videos safe," as Apple targets professional photographers and filmmakers who need extra space.The new plans are great for users with large photo and video libraries or those using Family Sharing, and will provide access to premium features, including Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domains, and HomeKit Secure Video support," the iPhone maker wrote today.Apple says the plans will arrive next week, and they aren't yet available to purchase on the iOS 17 betas. The current iCloud+ monthly payment options are $0.99 for 50GB, $2.99 for 200GB and $9.99 for 2TB. (Free users get 5GB with their account.) The monthly cost for Google's 5TB and 10TB plans cost $25 and $50, respectively, putting them in the same echelon as Apple's. Meanwhile, Dropbox's per-month pricing is more aggressive at $15 for 5TB and $24 for 15TB.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/icloud-adds-new-6tb-and-12tb-storage-tiers-194853580.html?src=rss

An FDA medical advisory panel ruled that phenylephrine (PE), a key ingredient in many over-the-counter cold medications, does not actually work to treat nasal congestion when taken orally at the recommended 10 mg dose every 4 hours. Phenylephrine was last evaluated for over-the-counter use as an oral and intranasal decongestant in 1976, according to the panel. If you're keeping score at home, that means many of the OTC decongestants consumers in the US have been buying for nearly the last 50 years were, according to the FDA, "failed to provide any benefit over [a] placebo."This determination will impact drug makers that use PE as an active ingredient, which can be found in Sudafed, Vicks Sinex, and Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion, for example.As part of the panel's review, the FDA reported that in 2022, an estimated 242 million packages of OTC cough and allergy oral products containing PE were sold in retail stores, which raked in about $1.8 billion in sales. It even notes that the true extent of use of PE-containing cold products is likely underestimated because retail sales data does not capture sales activity from Costco, convenience stores, specialty stores, internet sales, phone sales, or kiosks."The FDA will now need to determine if it will revoke PE's oral OTC designation as safe and effective." Without that designation, drug makers may see their products removed from stores.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-most-common-oral-decongestant-in-the-us-does-not-work-fda-finds-193003406.html?src=rss

After the usual flurry of rumors, we now know exactly what Apple is packing into the new iPhone 15. We also know models start at $799 and are up for pre-order starting this Friday with availability on September 22. The headline feature is the charging port: now all iPhone 15 models have USB-C instead of the old Lightning port (thanks, European Union). Other changes include the introduction of the Dynamic Island, previously reserved for Apple's Pro-level handsets only. Around back, the dual cameras incorporate a 48MP lens and a 12MP telephoto cam with a 2x optical zoom. And now Portrait Mode is enabled automatically, letting you apply the effect later, or not at all. It's all powered by the A16 Bionic chip, previously found in the iPhone 14 Pro models of the previous generation.If you're intrigued by that USB-C port and are in the market for a new iPhone, you may want to compare Apple's newest handset to the latest, most similar models: Samsung's Galaxy S23 and Google's Pixel 7. Here's a side-by-side comparison of all three of the major flagship phones:Apple iPhone 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. Google Pixel 7Apple iPhone 15Samsung Galaxy S23Google Pixel 7PricingStarts at $799Starts at $700Starts at $599Release dateSeptember 22, 2023Feb 17, 2023October 13, 2022Dimensions5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in(147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm)5.76 x 2.79 x 0.30 in(146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm)6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 in(155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm)Weight6.02 oz(171 g)5.93 oz(168 g)6.95 oz(197 g)Operating systemiOSAndroidAndroidScreen size6.1 in6.1 in6.3 inScreen resolution2556 x 1179 at 460ppi2340 x 1080 at 425ppi2400 x 1080 at 416ppiScreen type (refresh rate)Super Retina XDR displayDynamic AMOLED 2X (120Hz)OLED (90Hz)ProcessorA16 Bionic chipSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Tensor G2Water and dust resistanceIP68IP68IP68Batterynot listed3900mAh4355mAhRAMnot listed8GB8GBInternal storage128GB / 256GB / 512GB128GB / 256GB128GB / 256GBRear camera(s)Two cameras:Main: 48MP, f/1.6 apertureWide, 2x optical zoom: 12MP, f/2.4 apertureThree cameras:Wide: 50MP, f/1.8 apertureUltrawide: 12MP, f/2.2 apertureTelephoto: 10MP, f/2.4 apertureTwo cameras:Wide: 50MP, f/1.85 apertureUltrawide: 12MP, f/2.2 apertureVideo capture4K x 60 fps8K at 30 fps4K at 60 fpsFront camera12MP, f/1.9 aperture12MP, f/2.2 aperture10.8MP, f/2.2 apertureWi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 6ECharging20W fast charging, 15W wireless25W fast charging, 12W wireless20W fast charging, 20W wirelessConnectorUSB-C 2UCB-CUSB-CFollow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-iphone-15-vs-the-competition-goodbye-lightning-hello-usb-c-192629676.html?src=rss

Apple unveiled the new Apple Watch Series 9 on Tuesday. The main upgrade is a new S9 chipset, which includes the wearable's first real CPU upgrade since the Series 6 in 2020 and helps enable features like a "double tap" gesture for controlling parts of apps hands-free. There's also a brighter display, a new neural engine, a fresh pink colorway and, according to Apple's product listing, a more expansive 64GB of storage. Designwise, however, the new watch looks much like the old ones.Should you upgrade? We'll have to review the Series 9 to see, but for now, we've laid out how the new wearable compares to a couple top rivals, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and the Google Pixel Watch, on the spec sheet. Specs can't tell the whole story, of course: WatchOS and Wear OS are different beasts, and many of Apple's biggest updates this year are software-based. Plus, just because two watches have similar sensors doesn't mean they're equally accurate. But if you're curious about what your money gets you in 2023, here's how the Series 9's hardware stacks up.There is a caveat to this, as Google has already confirmed that a new Pixel Watch will arrive in October. That one will come with better water resistance and, in all likelihood, an improved chipset. That said, we won't have full rundown of its specs until next month, and Google's sneak preview suggests it'll be similar to the existing model physically.Apple Watch Series 9Samsung Galaxy Watch 6Google Pixel WatchPricing (MSRP)41mm Aluminum: $39945mm Aluminum: $42941mm Stainless steel: $69945mm Stainless steel: $74940mm: $299.9944mm: $329.99$349.99Dimensions41mm: 1.61 x 1.38 x 0.42 inches45mm: 1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 inches40mm: 1.53 x 1.59 x 0.35 inches44mm: 1.69 x 1.75 x 0.35 inches41mm: 1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 inchesWeight (approx.)41mm Aluminum: 1.13 ounces45mm Aluminum: 1.37 ounces41mm Stainless steel: 1.49 ounces45mm Stainless steel: 1.82 ounces40mm: 1.02 ounces44mm: 1.16 ounces1.27 ouncesCase materialAluminum or Stainless steelAluminum (Stainless steel on Galaxy Watch 6 Classic)Stainless steelDisplay size41mm: 1.69 inches45mm: 1.9 inches40mm: 1.31 inches44mm: 1.47 inches1.2 inchesDisplay resolution / pixel density41mm: 430 x 352, 326 ppi45mm: 484 x 396, 326 ppi40mm: 432 x 432, 330 ppi44mm: 480 x 480, 327 ppi320 ppiDisplay typeLTPO OLEDAluminum: Ion-X glassStainless steel: Sapphire crystal glassSuper AMOLEDSapphire crystal glassAMOLEDCorning Gorilla Glass 5Display brightnessUp to 2,000 nitsUp to 2,000 nitsUp to 1,000 nitsChipsetApple S9 (dual-core)Exynos W930 (dual-core, 5 nm)Exynos 9110 (dual-core, 10 nm)Storage64GB16GB32GBBattery life (claimed)Up to 18 hours / up to 36 hours in Low Power ModeUp to 40 hours with always-on display (AOD) off / up to 30 hours with AOD on40mm: 300mAh44mm: 425mAhUp to 24 hours294mAhWireless chargingYes, via proprietary standardYes, via WPC-based chargers10WNot officially supportedWater resistanceUp to 50 meters, IP6X dust resistanceIP68, 5 ATM5 ATMGPSGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, GalileoGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, GalileoHealth featuresOptical heart rate sensor, blood oxygen measurements, temperature sensor, ECG app, sleep tracking, irregular heart rhythm notificationsOptical heart rate sensor, blood oxygen measurements, temperature sensor, ECG app, sleep tracking, irregular heart rhythm notifications, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensorOptical heart rate sensor, overnight blood oxygen measurements, Fitbit ECG app, sleep trackingWi-Fi802.11 b/g/n802.11 a/b/g/n802.11 b/g/nBluetoothv5.3v5.3v5.0NFCYesYesYesOSwatchOS 10Wear OS 4, One UI 5 WatchWear OS 3.5Case colorsAluminum: Pink, Starlight, Midnight, Silver, Product RedStainless steel: Gold, Silver, GraphiteGraphite, GoldChampagne Gold, Matte Black, Polished SilverOther featuresAlways-on display, ultra-wideband chip, fall detection, crash detection, emergency SOS, optional 4G LTE (standard with stainless steel model), altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscopeAlways-on display, fall detection, emergency SOS, optional 4G LTE, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscopeAlways-on display, Fitbit integration, fall detection, emergency SOS, optional 4G LTE, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscopeThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-apple-watch-series-9-vs-the-competition-same-design-more-power-191333859.html?src=rss

Apple just teased an interesting feature for the just-announced iPhone 15 Pro line of smartphones. Thanks to the redesigned camera system and the addition of the powerful A17 Pro CPU, these phones can shoot 3D spatial videos and photos which can then be viewed by using the forthcoming Apple Vision Pro mixed-reality headset.When Apple unveiled the Vision Pro, it spent some time on the notion of spatial videos and photos. Basically, these are completely three-dimensional experiences that you can relive by donning the headset. For instance, if you make a spatial video of your daughter's birthday party, you can wear the Vision Pro and relive the day, as the operating system makes it feel like you're back in the moment.

We figured the iPhone 15 Pro would feature some sort a new A17 chip, but Apple surprised us by debuting its first "Pro" chip today. The A17 Pro is Apple's most powerful mobile silicon yet. The 3 nanometer chip features 17 billion transistors and a six-core CPU. Apple claims its two performance cores are 10 percent faster than the A16, while its four efficiency cores offer far better performance per watt. The 6-core GPU is also 20 percent faster than before, and it features advanced graphics features like hardware accelerated ray tracing.Developing...Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-unveils-a17-pro-a-3nm-chip-powering-iphone-15-pro-182113747.html?src=rss

Today at its annual fall iPhone event, Apple announced its next two flagship handsets in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. And while their overall design looks similar to last year's devices, there are a handful of interesting new features that could make them worthy upgrades.Starting with their displays, screen sizes are staying pat at 6.1 and 6.7 inches respectively while Apple's Dynamic Island is being used againto house the phone's selfie cam and FaceID sensors. However, their bezels are noticeably thinner, resulting in a slightly larger screen-to-body ratio. On top of that, thanks to their new grade 5 titanium frames, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the lightest Pro handsets Apple has ever made while also offering improved durability compared to the stainless steel chassis on the previous models. The company says the back glass on the iPhone 15 Pro is also easier to replace due to a new substructure. And on the side of the phone, there's also a new Action button that uses haptic feedback to give you more control over the device's settings and controls.As for performance, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will be powered by Apple's latest 3nm A17 chip and a USB-C port that's faster than what you get on the standard model due to support for up to USB 3 speeds. Apple says its A17's GPU is 20 percent faster than before with even better power efficiency. And for the first time ever on an A-series chip, the A17 supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing.For photography, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max feature a new 48-MP main camera with a larger sensor, while portrait pics are getting an upgrade thanks to a feature that captures depth information automatically so you don't need to select the mode yourself. Meanwhile in darker environments, Apple says its improved Smart HDR does a better job of capturing bright colors with more detailed highlights and dynamic range.But perhaps the biggest photo upgrade is the new 5x telephoto zoom lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The new optical zoom is based on a new tetra-prism setup to deliver increased range over the 3x optical zoom on the smaller iPhone 15 Pro.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This story is still developing...This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/iphone-15-pro-has-a-titanium-case-an-action-button-and-usb-c-181257580.html?src=rss

Apple is switching from Lighting to USB-C for the port on the entire iPhone 15 lineup, but the company isn't stopping there. During today's Apple event, the company announced it would also be swapping out the wired charging jack on the second-generation AirPods Pro that debuted last year. You can use a USB-C cable to charge the AirPods Pro case from an iPhone 15 too.The second-gen AirPods Pro are a big improvement over the company's first version, with better audio quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) performance. Apple's earbuds and headphones have the most natural-sounding transparency mode of any we've tested, which is a huge boost for both video and voice calls. You can hear yourself so well you don't need to shout, and at times, it sounds like you aren't even wearing them. Conveniences like hands-free access to Siri, seamless switching between iCloud-connected devices and the added volume control also come in handy.Apple is also getting ready to add three new features to the latest AirPods Pro. Adaptive Audio will fine-tune ANC and transparency mode to your environment. This tool "dynamically blends" the two as you move from one spot to the next and encounter varying degrees of ambient distractions. Personalized Volume, according to Apple, uses machine learning to predict your desired listening level based on your activity over time. And lastly, Conversation Awareness will lower the volume while also focusing on voices and reducing background noise. It's triggered when you start speaking, so you don't have to press a button to use it.In addition to those main items, Apple's pending update will further improve seamless switching between various devices synced to your iCloud account. This includes jumping from iPhone to MacBook Pro when you have a video call, for example. Speaking of calls, you'll soon be able to mute/unmute by pressing the stem on the AirPods Pro. This feature will also be available on the first-generation AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and the third-gen AirPods. We expect the software-based updates to arrive soon, but there's no word yet on exactly when that will be.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-airpods-pro-now-come-with-a-usb-c-charging-case-175348512.html?src=rss

At today's Apple event, the company has pulled the cover off the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus and, as expected, it's mostly another iterative update - but with a few nice new features nonetheless. That said, the biggest change will undoubtedly impact lots of potential buyers, as Apple is saying goodbye to the Lightning port it introduced in 2012 with the iPhone 5. In its place, as expected, is USB-C.As you'd expect, USB-C will carry power, audio and video, and a USB-C Apple Watch charger cable will let you power up your Watch via your iPhone's battery.Like last year, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus include 6.1- and 6.7-inch displays, respectively. The big change this year is that the notch is gone, replaced by the so-called Dynamic Island that Apple first brought to the iPhone 14 Pro lineup last year. Almost everyone will likely appreciate a less obtrusive front camera cutout, though the notification utility of the Dynamic Island isn't exactly the game-changer that Apple positioned it to be last year.Another big change to the display this year is that it is brighter than ever before - the peak brightness in sunlight reaches 2,000 nits, while HDR video playback goes up to 1,600 nits.The camera is getting some notable upgrades, as well. While there are still only two distinct camera lenses, the phone now has the same 48-megapixel sensor that Apple first introduced in last year's iPhone 14 Pro. It groups the pixels and makes a 24-megapixel output, but you can also crop in closer and use the middle 12 megapixels for a 2x telephoto option. Naturally, it still also has a wide-angle lens as well. There's also a new portrait mode that is enabled automatically when it sees you focusing on a person or pet.Unsurprisingly, the iPhone 15 is using the A16 Bionic chip that Apple put in the iPhone 15 Pro last year. That's not a big surprise, given that the A15 chip is now two years old - even though it's still plenty powerful, it would have been surprising to see Apple try and stretch it for another year.There's a new ultra-wideband chip in the iPhone 15, same as the one found in the Apple Watch Series 9. This makes it easier to find friends or devices when you're near them. You'll get an indicator showing you which direction to head and about how far away you are. Apple's existing SOS service is being extended to work with AAA roadside service, as well.Like Apple is doing with the Apple Watch, new iPhone cases will not use leather; instead they are using Apple's own FineWoven fabric. As usual, the iPhone 15 comes in five colors: Black, light blue, mint green, light yellow and pink. (These are my interpretations of these colors; I'm sure Apple will have their own names for them.) Pricing is unchanged from last year: The iPhone 15 will cost $799 and the 15 Plus will cost $899, both with 128GB of storage.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-iphone-15-has-a-48-megapixel-camera-and-the-dynamic-island-174520662.html?src=rss

Apple's premium smartwatch is getting its first major upgrade. The company showed off the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 2, the first update for the high-end watch meant for extreme athletes and others with more specialized fitness-tracking needs.As expected, the second-gen device will keep the same 49-millimeter form factor as the original, but still sport some significant upgrades. Notably, the Ultra 2 comes with a new extra-bright 3,000 nit display to make the screen easier to read in any lighting conditions. In darker settings, the display's night mode will activate automatically thanks to its ambient light sensor.The Ultra 2 will be among the first watches to get Apple's new S9 chip, which will power the new double tap" gesture, and upgraded Siri functionality. As with the Series 9, the gesture allows wearers to answer calls, snooze alarms and perform other tasks by quickly pinching their thumb and forefinger together.As with the original Ultra, the second-gen device boasts a longer battery life than its smaller Series 9 counterpart. According to Apple, the Ultra 2 will top out at 36 hours of battery life on one charge, but can last up to 72 hours in low-power mode. That's a slight improvement over last year's model, which could go 60 hours in low-power mode and 36 hours on one charge.When the Ultra launched last year, one of its standout features was its depth-tracking abilities meant for scuba divers and other underwater activities. Now, the onboard depth app has been upgraded to automatically save past dives so you can track depth history directly from the watch.The Ultra 2 will also get the same software upgrades as the Series 9, thanks to watchOS 10. Among the upgrades are new cycling workout-tracking features and new, more powerful widgets, as well as an upgraded compass app.Apple noted it switched to 99 percent recycled materials in the Ultra 2, part of its broader push to less the environmental impact of its products (the company claims the Ultra 2 is carbon neutral" when paired witht he company's new Alpine loop band).The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available now for pre-order, and will ship on September 22.Developing...Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-apple-watch-ultra-2-has-an-extra-bright-display-and-s9-chip-174156027.html?src=rss

Apple's watchOS 10 will officially be available on September 18, the company announced during its iPhone 15 launch event today. The update is simultaneously one of the biggest facelifts ever for watchOS, while also being a throwback to the original "Glances" feature from the original Apple Watch. Instead of focusing on individual apps, WatchOS 10 relies on widgets in every watch face - just turn the Digital Crown and you'll have quick access to things like timers, music, or a podcast episode that you're listening to.Given how confusing multitasking has been in watchOS for some time, it makes sense for Apple to reorient the platform around simple tasks, rather than have you flip through multiple app screens. (Maybe Apple just noticed that people really like using the Siri watch face, which offered a similar array of widgets.)As we saw during WWDC, watchOS 10 will come equipped with two new watch faces - a colorful view called Palette, and one featuring Woodstock and Snoopy - and includes a slew of other upgrades. You'll be able to add corner shortcuts to the Activity app, for one, while the Compass app will automatically log where you last had cellular connectivity (in case you need to backtrack for an emergency call).watchOS 10 will be available on the Apple Watch Series 4 or later, and it also requires an iPhone XS running iOS 17.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/watchos-10-brings-widgets-to-your-apple-watch-on-september-18-173827349.html?src=rss

Apple added a new gesture to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 that the company believes will change how you use your wearable. Double Tap lets you control various system functions by tapping your thumb and index finger together twice in quick succession - no need to touch the display or free up your other hand.The company gave several examples of the feature in action. You can use Double Tap to answer or end calls, snooze alarms, play / pause music or start and stop timers. Apple COO Jeff Williams said it's especially useful for times when your other hand isn't free, like when walking a dog or carrying groceries. Williams added that you can use Double Tap to call up the Smart Stack, watchOS 10's new scrollable series of widgets you can also reach by twisting the Digital Crown from your watch face.Apple says Double Tap requires the faster Neural Engine S9 SIP, so older models will be left out. The company says the Neural Engine processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor with a new machine learning algorithm. The algorithm detects the unique signature of tiny wrist movements and changes in blood flow when the index finger and thumb perform a double tap."The S9 will be found in the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the company says it will arrive in a software update next month.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/double-tap-adds-versatile-gesture-control-to-the-apple-watch-series-9-and-apple-watch-ultra-2-173610798.html?src=rss

Native Instruments' Kontrol S series MIDI keyboards are a favorite among producers and musicians for their solid build and tight integration with the company's instruments like Kontakt and Massive X. This year the controllers are getting a pretty significant upgrade that pushes the hardware to new heights and tightens the integration with the company's flagship software.Physically there are few immediately obvious differences on the Kontrol S MK3. For one the stark matte black aesthetic has been toned down a bit. Don't get me wrong, it's still a mostly black affair, but there are some additional lights and colored labels have been added to some of the buttons. The touch strip has also been moved above the pitch and mod wheels which, might seem like a minor tweak, but greatly improves playability. It could often get in the way and it's something that a lot of Native Instruments' customers complained about, so it's good to see the company listening to feedback.Terrence O'Brien / EngadgetThe other glaring difference is the screen. Where the MK2 had two small, but functional screens, the MK3 has one large hi-res screen. It's bright and crisp and easy to view from any angle. Many of the graphics and UI elements have been updated to take advantage of the new display, too. You can't do everything in your DAW on the keyboard, the way you might with say with an Ableton Push, but you can do almost anything inside of Komplete Kontrol. The screen allows you to browse through all your Native Instruments plugins and sound packs, and even many third party VSTs, like those from Arturia, complete with artwork. And then change parameters, complete with visual feedback, until you get the sound you're looking for.If you'd rather not deal with the additional overhead of Komplete Kontrol, the keyboard can tap directly into Kontakt 7. Frankly I much preferred this. While being able to browse, load and tweak presets, regardless of instrument directly from the keyboard is nice, it can be a little overwhelming. And there is a touch more lag loading Kontakt soundbanks when you're going through the middleman of Komplete Kontrol. (And they open slow enough on my four-year-old Dell as is.)Terrence O'Brien / EngadgetThe eight knobs under the screen give you quick access to a number of parameters based on what instrument you've loaded. And in Kontakt, there's additional flexibility because they can vary based on preset, which loads with a performance mode by default. These are the eight parameters deemed most important for live tweaking. But you can dive deeper by hitting a button above the screen to switch to edit mode where you can page through the complete set of options and get really detailed designing a patch. All of this is thanks to the new NKS 2.0 (Native Kontrol Standard) platform.Two of the other major changes to the S Series are a little less obvious. For one there's a new unibody shell that, might not make any practical difference, but does give generation a slightly more solid feel. The capacitive encoders and pitch and mod wheels are all made from machined aluminum as well. This is a keyboard that feels worthy of a professional studio.Terrence O'Brien / EngadgetMore exciting though, is the new keybed which was developed in coordination with Fatar and brings polyphonic aftertouch to the Kontrol series. While there aren't a lot of Native Instruments' plugins that take full advantage of this yet, it does add a bit of future proofing to the lineup. With MPE gaining in popularityThe company had to do something to keep pace with the time.It feels great too. I tested the Kontrol S49 which, like its slightly bigger sibling the S61, has a semi-weighted keybed. The travel for aftertouch is short, but satisfying and in general it responds to playing naturally allowing you to get a lot of nuance from your playing. The S88 however will have a full hammer action keyboard that might appeal more to serious piano players.Terrence O'Brien / EngadgetLastly, it's worth noting that there is plenty of connectivity on board as well. Obviously, there's MIDI over over USB-C, but there's also dedicated five-pin MIDI ins and outs, plus four pedal input jacks (one sustain, one expression and two assignable).The Native Instruments Kontrol S Series MK3 keyboards are available for preorder today starting at $749 for the S49, $849 for the S61 and $1,299 for the S88. All three are expected to start shipping sometime in October.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/kontrol-s-series-mk3-hands-on-a-high-end-midi-keyboard-for-the-native-instruments-faithful-162055627.html?src=rss

In a world of generic electric bikes, the JackRabbit is hard to ignore. The micro, pedal-free ride blends the convenience of a scooter with the sitdown comfort of a bicycle. We loved the original, but there was plenty of room for improvement. That room has been dramatically reduced with the unveiling of the JackRabbit XG - a newer, more powerful and slightly (just slightly) bigger version available starting today.The XG initially looks very similar to the OG" (as it has since been dubbed) that came before it. What you will notice is that it sports a more conventional diamond-style frame. There are also two batteries this time around for up to 20 miles of range (double the original). As mentioned earlier, the wheelbase is a shade longer, but only by an inch or two. The result is a more refined bike with not only more range but, thanks to a new 500W motor, more power for going up hills with the same 20 mph max speed.The quality-of-life enhancements also extend beyond extra power and range. The JackRabbit XG comes with an actual bike computer so you can see real time speed, trip length and a more refined battery life gauge. Before, the only feedback you had for anything were three LEDs to indicate remaining power. Additionally, there are new all-metal footpegs, which is great as the original used rubber shoes" on its pegs and they easily fell off - I lost both within two short rides.The addition of the extra battery, combined with that new motor are what really makes the JackRabbit XG feel like an improvement on the original. I stated in my review that the battery life was perhaps on the shorter side and if you ever ran out of juice, like I once did, it wasn't a very fun time getting back home on, effectively, an adult balance bike. Thankfully, with double the amount of cells, the XG now reaches up to, and maybe even beyond 20 miles of normal usage putting it well on par with what you'd expect from a scooter. (There are no pedals here, so that range is motor-only.)Photo by James Trew / EngadgetOne of the first things you noticed when you rode the original was the higher center of gravity which gave the JackRabbit a lively" riding experience. Thankfully, the XG feels a lot more stable and doesn't seem to feature any of the twitchy physics at higher speeds. And thanks to the three power modes, you have more control over the maximum speed (and thus range and ride feel) of the bike.Naturally, that extra battery and longer frame add a bit of heft. The OG model weighed in at 24 pounds, while the XG adds another eight to that. You can still easily lift the bike with one hand though, and a dash up the subway stairs with it is still perfectly manageable. By keeping with the same battery as the OG, upgraders might even have some spares ready, but also the double battery bay means you can ride on just one cell if needed, or if you just fancy a lighter ride with less range. Thankfully, the batteries no longer require a key to unlock them for swapping out, with new permanent clips on the underside of the XG instead, which is much easier and saves having to carry another, easily losable, key.Some smaller details show how the JackRabbit is maturing. For example, the bike now comes with powered front and back lights which connect to a new power port on the side. There's also a front brake now to augment the rear one so you won't have to pull a rad slide in certain strong braking situations. That said, there are a couple of other listed features that are perhaps more creative on the marketing side than practical for the user. For one there's a walk mode" - which typically has the bike roll itself along slowly as you stroll. But here that mode is achieved not by holding down a button to engage the throttle slightly, instead you loosen the handlebars, rotate them 90 degrees (so that the bike is thin") and Jackrabbit's walk mode" is activated." That said, the same process does easily allow for tidy storage of the bike.Photo by James Trew / EngadgetIt's in the riding that the XG comes to life. The OG model would pull away when you pressed the accelerator, but the new model requires you to push off first, much like on a scooter. It's a minor change, but one that does stop the bike pulling away from you if you accidentally activate the throttle. In high" mode, you don't need to push off to start moving, so if that's what you prefer you can keep it in that setting. Having the three power modes is a welcome way of moderating battery usage without having to be as judicious with the accelerator. I won't lie though, high" is the most fun and that's where I find myself keeping it now that it sports the extra range.The OG model had a few rough edges, but was a fun alternative to scooters or small e-bikes. The XG feels much more refined and practical with all the major pain points addressed with very little tradeoff - though it's a shade larger and heavier making it just that much less convenient than a foldable scooter. With all these changes though comes a much higher price tag. The original was $1,200 when we wrote about it but has since dropped back to $1,000. The XG will cost $1,750 at launch.That's a decent step up, but it bests its younger sibling in every conceivable way. That also puts it up in the same price range as many regular e-bikes. If you're considering the XG purely as an alternative to a scooter then it's clearly a pricier option. If, however, you want the flexibility of a bike that can perk up your daily commute and go on adventures that scooters can't, the JackRabbit XG suddenly seems much more attractive.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/jackrabbits-xg-e-bike-adds-more-range-power-fun-and-expense-160038972.html?src=rss

Once again, we're at Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, waiting for the company to unveil new hardware. But unlike WWDC earlier this year, there is much less hype over what we expect to see. Instead of a mixed reality headset that was a first for the company, this time we're most likely getting new iPhones and Apple Watches - things that Tim Cook and friends have spent so many years refining it's hard to imagine them looking drastically different.Still, iPhones are the most popular phones around, and we might still be treated to surprise announcements. Stick around as we bring you all the news straight from Apple Park. The keynote begins at 1pm ET (or 10am PT), and we'll begin liveblogging about an hour before that, so come through with your favorite snacks and beverages!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-event-2023-live-updates-on-the-new-iphone-15-160001658.html?src=rss

Virtual private networks (VPNs) continue to increase in popularity, and one of the most famous services is offering a great deal to entice new customers. NordVPN is selling two-year subscription plans for up to 68 percent off, depending on which tier you go with. You also get three free months of service when you sign up, which is never a bad thing.Here's how the deal breaks down. The company's Standard plan is 62 percent off, costing $108 for two years, while the Advanced plan is 68 percent off, coming in at $140 for two years. The Standard plan is likely the best option for average consumers, unless you run a crypto mining farm in your basement or something. This plan gives you access to the VPN itself for secure browsing in addition to ad-trackers, ad-blockers, malware protection software, a file-sharing service and a dark web monitor.The Advanced plan is for power users and includes all of the above plus access to a dedicated and permanent IP address you can use when browsing. The fluctuating IP address available with the Standard plan is fine for most people, but using a static IP address is good when pursuing online activities that demand higher security, like online banking or remotely accessing sensitive data.NordVPN just missed our list of best virtual private networks, due to a higher-than-average price point, so this deal certainly solves that problem. The company's generally considered to be solid, with well-performing networks and an active customer service arm. There's a reason NordVPN's been around since 2012, which is an eternity in the volatile VPN industry.If you aren't even sure what you would need a VPN for, they are actually quite useful for those who spend a lot of time online. These services are nearly-mandatory if you often access public Wi-Fi, to protect from nefarious cybercriminals. VPNs also work to block malicious sites and help keep your personal data private. Finally, they let you pretend you are in other locations, allowing you to access your favorite streaming platforms when, say, traveling abroad.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/good-deal-nordvpn-two-year-plans-are-up-to-68-percent-off-right-now-154504370.html?src=rss

Fujifilm has taken the wraps off the GFX100 II medium format camera, a successor to the original GFX100 launched back in 2019. It carries the same 102-megapixel resolution of the original model, but has a new sensor and processor that delivers faster shooting speeds, improved autofocus, full-sensor 4K (and even 8K) video and a lot more. At the same time, it's more like the GFX100S in terms of size and price.Where the GFX100 was gigantic in size due to the built-in battery grip, the GFX100 II has separated those two things, so the camera body alone is considerably smaller (the grip is sold separately for $500). It has a new 9.44 million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF), the highest in the industry, that's removable as before. That allows the use of an optional $569 tilt adapter that makes low-angle shooting easier. The rear touch display tilts up, down and a bit to the side, but doesn't flip out (sorry, rich vloggers).FujifilmWith the latest X-Processor borrowed from the X-H2S and X-H2 cameras, the GFX100 II can shoot at 8fps (up from 5fps before), pretty darn fast for a medium format (43.8 x 32.9mm) sensor camera. It now comes with subject-detection autofocus with face/eye detection, and can also track animals, birds, vehicles and other fast-moving subjects like insects and drones - both for photos and video.The body looks more like the X-H2/X-H2S than other X-series cameras, with just a single mode dial and a large LCD display on top. It offers 5-axis in-body stabilization with up to 8-stops of shake reduction. In terms of storage, it supports dual cards with one CFexpress Type B and one SD UHS-II slot - and you can also capture video to an external SSD via the USB-C port. Other features include headphone/mic ports, a full-sized HDMI port and an ethernet port. It even supports timecode jamming for video via the Atomos AirGlu BT.FujifilmIf you want to shoot video with a nearly 70mm-sized frame, the GFX100 II can do that impressively well also. It supports 4K at up to 60p using the full width of the sensor, and even keeps rolling shutter to a reasonable level - likely via line skipping or pixel binning. There's even an 8K mode, albeit with a 1.53 times crop, that reads the sensor pixel-for-pixel with some upscaling. On top of 8K, UHD and 4K DCI modes, it can shoot anamorphic video at up to 4.8K.It can record Apple ProRes vide in three formats (422 HQ, 422 and 422 LT), along with H.264 and ProRes 422 proxy files. The higher-quality codecs require CFexpress Type B or USB SSD capture.Fujifilm clearly thinks that pros will use the GFX100 II for video, as it offers waveform and vectorscope overlays to help nail exposure. It has front and rear tally lamps, the ability to use fractional shutter speeds to avoid flicker and an optional fan accessory that allows for unlimited 4K/60p recording times. And as mentioned, it supports timecode sync and jamming, so it can work in a multi-camera shooting environment. On top of all that, it supports up to four channels of audio.Along with the camera, Fujifilm introduced a new $2,300 55mm f/1.7R WR lens (44mm equivalent in full-frame terms), along with two tilt-shift 30mm and 110mm lenses for architectural an artistic shooting ($4,000 and $3,500 respectively). The GFX100 II launches in "early fall 2023 for $7,500, compared to $6,000 for the GFX100S and $10,000 for the GFX 100.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fujifilm-launches-the-slimmed-down-cheaper-gfx-100-ii-medium-format-camera-153054647.html?src=rss

If you've been thinking about getting a new keyboard for yourself, there are some fresh options on the market to consider. Drop is launching updated editions of its CTRL, ALT and SHIFT models. New features for the V2 keyboards include plate-mounted Drop Phantom Stabilizers, more LED customization and 50 new LED patterns. The new keyboards also have additional layers of foam, including Poron top and bottom case foam and IXPE switch foam. Plus, the SHIFT V2 comes with a new black colorway.The aircraft-grade aluminum of Drop's original keyboards remains alongside the upgrades. "The new and improved CTRL, ALT, and SHIFT V2 keyboards represent a leap forward in design, performance, and functionality while preserving the cherished qualities that made their predecessors beloved by our community," Drop CEO Jef Holove said in a statement. "With the addition of highly requested features such as stabilizer upgrades, new switch options, and enhanced RGB LED capabilities, we offer the community an upgraded and unparalleled typing experience that will make them fall in love with these reinvented, classic keyboards all over again."The news follows Corsair's recent acquisition of Drop for an undisclosed amount. In the July announcement, Holove said that Drop would still work together with "community favorites" while providing products to a larger audience at a quicker speed.Drop's V2 CTRL, ALT and SHIFT keyboards are available as barebones or fully assembled models. You can get the scaled-down versions for between $140 to $190 and the completed keyboards for $180 to $250. The company is also releasing the PCBA + foam kit and Phantom Stabilizers as add-ons - starting at $105 - if you already own a Drop keyboard but want to upgrade it a bit.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/drops-refreshed-ctrl-alt-and-shift-keyboards-offer-improved-stabilization-and-led-patterns-150003774.html?src=rss

Lyft has announced an initiative that aims to bolster safety for riders and drivers who identify as women or nonbinary. Women+ Connect is a feature that gives women and nonbinary drivers the option to match with women and nonbinary riders more often. Lyft says this is an opt-in feature that's preference-based. If a driver activates Women+ Connect but there are no women or nonbinary people who are looking for a ride close by, they'll still be matched with a male rider and vice versa.The feature will initially be available in Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose. Lyft plans to enable it in more cities in the near future. When it's available in their area, women and nonbinary riders and drivers will see a "count me in" prompt. If they agree to this, it's more likely that they'll be matched with a woman or nonbinary person.Improving safety is a major goal for Lyft with this effort. The company is also hoping it will encourage more women and nonbinary folks to sign up as drivers. Lyft says that, according to a recent survey, nearly half of riders are women, but they make up 23 percent of drivers on the platform. Women drivers tell us it's hard to drive at night," Jody Kelman, Lyft's executive vice president of customers, told The New York Times. We need to remove a barrier for women drivers today."Ridesharing platforms such as Lyft and Uber have added more safety features to their apps over the years amid reports of sexual assaults and other violent encounters. They have made it easier for riders and drivers to contact support staff and 911, keep loved ones up to date with their location and record audio from the ride. Lyft consulted with experts such as the Human Rights Campaign and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives as it built Women+ Connect.It is worth noting that Lyft makes it a cinch for riders and drivers to change their gender identity in the app with a few taps. You'll see a driver or rider's preferred pronouns in the app, but not their gender identity.Access to Women+ Connect is based on the gender that users identify with in the Lyft app. Lyft says the default gender identity it uses for drivers is based on the license it has on file, while riders always self-identify their gender. However, any user can change their gender identity in the app at any time. Balancing the ability for users to easily express their gender accurately (particularly for those who are transitioning) while ensuring this feature works as intended is a tricky needle to thread and may cause some issues, but at least Lyft is considering that factor while implementing Women+ Connect.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lyft-aims-to-match-women-and-nonbinary-riders-and-drivers-with-each-other-more-often-145047131.html?src=rss

A deal is great, but a deal and a gift card is even better. Amazon is offering just that, giving customers who purchase an already discounted Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 or Galaxy Tab S9+ a $100 gift card to - you guessed it - Amazon. The Tab S9 is 13 percent off, dropping from $920 to $800, and the Tab S9+ is 11 percent off, taking it from $1,120 to $999.Samsung's Galaxy Tab series is a solid option overall, with the S9 and S9+ both representing good buys. We're partial to them over the newer Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, which we gave a 78 to in our review due to its beautiful screen and powerful hardware (pro), but a $1,200 price tag (con). The cheaper Galaxy Tab S9 still has excellent features like an 11-inch high-quality screen, Wi-Fi 6E compatibility and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. The Tab S9+ has a 12.4-inch screen, a 10,090mAh battery (compared to the S9's 8,400mAh) and a 512GB option.The $100 gift card is available with your purchase until September 24th, using the code PDHMT3LPAACC, and will be sent in an email as soon as your shipment is complete. If you prefer to buy directly from the manufacturer, Samsung currently has the same sales going on as Amazon. Of course, you'd be foregoing the gift card though.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/amazon-is-giving-away-100-gift-cards-with-samsung-galaxy-tab-s9-purchases-142045167.html?src=rss

Panasonic has unveiled the Lumix G9 II, its first Micro Four Thirds camera with hybrid phase-detect autofocus. A successor to the 20-megapixel photo-centric G9 released way back in 2017, it comes with a new 25.2-megapixel (MP) sensor, and offers features like 60 fps burst speeds, 5.7K and 4K 60p ProRes video, USB-C SSD recording and 8 stops of optical image stabilization. It instantly becomes Panasonic's best Micro Four Thirds camera and should appeal to users ranging from wildlife photographers to content creators.The key feature is the new 25.2-megapixel dual native ISO sensor. It carries the same resolution as the GH6, but adds hybrid phase-detect (PDAF) autofocus with 779 points that's married to Panasonic's AI subject tracking. The new system allows not only for faster tracking, but better AF in backlit conditions, low illumination and other tricky conditions. It recognizes not just faces and eyes, but also human bodies, and can track animal eyes, cars and motorcycles.Panasonic is promising blackout-free burst speeds of 60 fps with continuous AF and the electronic shutter, or 10 fps in mechanical mode. At the same time, the buffer takes three seconds to fill, meaning you can grab around 160 RAW+JPG images before shooting slows. It's also got a pre-burst shooting function (0.5-, 1- or 1.5-second settings), meaning photographers won't miss a decisive moment if they're a bit late on the shutter.PanasonicPanasonic also borrowed the "Dynamic Range Boost" function from the GH6. It's essentially an HDR photo mode that combines low and high ISO images to produce a composite with both low noise and high saturation. The G9 II also has Panasonic's handheld high-res mode that combines multiple images to create a 100MP JPEG photo with extra detail. It uses the camera's IBIS mechanism to keep the camera steady, meaning no tripod is required.As for the IBIS, it's also borrowed from the GH6 and delivers 8 stops of compensation, or 7.5 stops in 5-axis Dual IS 2 mode (used for longer telephoto lenses). As with other recent models, the G9 II also offers Active IS for shooting on the move, and Enhance IS to correct larger shake when running or walking.The G9 II has a weather-resistant design, a new 8-direction joystick and supports an all-new optional $350 camera grip (also compatible with the S5 II/S5 IIx). The 1,840K dot LCD display fully articulates for vloggers and self-shooters, of course, and it comes with a decent 3,680K dot OLED. Other features include microphone/headphone ports and a full-sized HDMI port.PanasonicPanasonic downplayed it a bit, but the G9 II is now the company's most powerful Micro Four Thirds mirrorless model for video, thanks largely to the PDAF. It can shoot 4:2:0 10-bit 17:9 5.7K video at up to 60 fps, or 10-bit 4K at up to 120p. It also offers 4:3 open gate (5.8K) and 4:3 anamorphic shooting (4.4K). Plus, it supports regular MP4 formats (including I-frame) and Apple ProRes - not bad for a camera aimed at photographers.You can shoot V-Log/V-Gamut video with 13+ stops of dynamic range, while applying your own LUTs in real time to see how graded footage will look. Panasonic also has a few new creative looks including Leica Monochrome "for deep black-white contrasts."Other handy video features include a red rec frame indicator, a frame marker and AWB (auto white balance) lock. You can capture video not just to the dual UHS-II SD cards (relay, backup and allocation recording), but also to an SSD via the USB-C Gen 3.2 port. It also supports external ProRes recording via HDMI. The major drawback compared to the GH6 is the lack of a fan and a dedicated cooling design - so it may shut off during long recordings at high frame rates in hot conditions.PanasonicThe Panasonic G9 II arrives to the US in early November for $1,900. That's $200 more than the original G9 at launch, but a bit less than OM System's OM-1 Micro Four Thirds camera. Along with the G9-II, Panasonic introduced the new $1,600 Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 II Power OIS lens (200-800mm 35mm equivalent), ideal for wildlife and macro photography. It also unveiled the $1,150 Leica DG 35-100mm f/2.8 (70-200 35mm equivalent).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/panasonics-lumix-g9-ii-is-its-first-micro-four-thirds-camera-with-hybrid-autofocus-140036804.html?src=rss

Up to three times the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4. Support for multiple 8K displays, as well as gaming monitors running at up to 540Hz. 240 watts of charging power. These aren't just the highlights of my PC connectivity dreams: They're key features of Thunderbolt 5, Intel's latest stab at creating the ultimate PC cable. And this time, the chip maker may actually succeed.When Thunderbolt 4 dropped in 2020, it mostly seemed like a refined version of Thunderbolt 3. It had the same maximum bandwidth of 40 gigabits per second, but its increased efficiency allowed Intel to standardize support for multiple 4K screens, as well as double storage device speeds. At the very least, Intel required at least one Thunderbolt 4 to support USB-C charging.Thunderbolt 5, on the other hand, is a major leap forward. It's built on the USB4 v2 spec, which offers the same speed improvements, but Intel is making key features a requirement. That includes a baseline speed of 80 Gbps and support for 120 Gbps using bandwidth boosting (USB4 requires 20 Gbps); support for dual 6K screens (Thunderbolt 4 requires dual 4K monitors); and a minimum of 140 watt charging and a more powerful 240W mode.Since it was originally known as Light Peak, Intel's goal with Thunderbolt was to develop a single cable that could handle all of your data and power needs. This latest version should satisfy even more demanding PC users. With up to 240W of charging, for example, some gaming laptops and workstations wouldn't need a separate power port. That means fewer cables to carry, as well as the assurance that you could always borrow someone else's USB-C cable and adapter to juice up.IntelAs Intel previously announced, Thunderbolt 5 will also support the DisplayPort 2.1 and PCI Express Gen 4 standards. The latter should be particularly helpful with external GPUs, which have been significantly bandwidth limited until now. We can also expect that additional bandwidth to support new accessories like external AI accelerator, as well as far faster external storage.Intel says that Thunderbolt 5 accessories and PCs will be available in 2024. It'd be nice to have a clearer time frame, but Intel may be trying to avoid scaring off people from buying new systems this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/intel-thunderbolt-5-launch-130006804.html?src=rss

I waved goodbye to Assassin's Creed Valhalla after 12 hours. I took my time to do everything I could in the opening area, then spent a couple of hours in the main part of the game. After yet another side objective that Ubisoft jammed into this bloated game, it dawned on me - nope, I can't go any further.Ubisoft's tendency to overstuff its games coiled around AC Valhalla, squeezing much of the fun out of my time with it. I could tell early on that the world was too big with too much to do. I had a similar problem with Far Cry 6, another recent open-world Ubisoft game I endured for around the same length of time.Assassin's Creed Mirageis blessedly billed as a return to the series' leaner early days, when Ubisoft was restricted by PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 hardware. After a few hours of hands-on time split across three sections of the new game, it feels like that's the case, but it's hard to say for sure given the curated nature of the demo.I started out with a brief prologue and a time skip to a training segment, the latter of which included an appropriately weighty initiation ceremony, the critical moment in which Basim, the protagonist, became a Hidden One and received the iconic hidden blade. It also featured the incredible voice of Shohreh Aghdashloo as Master Roshan, Basim's mentor.I was then able to spend 90 minutes or so in the open world. After I loaded into this section, Basim appeared on a perch and I was told that there were new points of interest to check out. I immediately opened the map and was pleased to see there weren't a million icons that threatened to pull me away from the main objectives. There were 15 or so, which feels far more palatable than the overwhelmingly busy maps I've seen in previous games.Mirage largely takes place in ninth century Baghdad, a couple of centuries before the Holy Land setting of the original Assassin's Creed, but around the same time as AC Valhalla (Basim made his first appearance in that game). Ubisoft has crafted a rich, lived-in world that's full of detail and is said to be around the same size as Paris in Assassin's Creed Unity. Most importantly, the bits I played were dense with structures, so it was far more about parkouring across rooftops than sailing on Viking ships with raiding parties. It reminded me of exploring Venice in Assassin's Creed II.There were some key things to try, such as tearing down posters to reduce my wanted level, a returning mechanic from previous games. That was essential to avert unwelcome attention after I executed every single person responsible for stealing tea from one of Basim's associates (there's no forgiveness for such a crime). Pickpocketing was also an important part of Basim's toolkit, as a means of procuring valuable items to bribe contacts for information. Still, I had no trouble focusing on the missions instead of getting distracted by, say, a nearby eagle feather.UbisoftThe last section of my hands-on time centered on an investigation. Ubisoft's approach here is a callback to the black-box format of games like Unity: You'll need to discover information about an assassination target before you can take them out by completing smaller objectives. You can take these on however you like.One involved infiltrating an enemy camp to find intel. It took me a few attempts to find an approach that worked here. Sending Basim's eagle companion Enkidu to scout out bad guys' locations was a big help, but it all inevitably fell apart when I failed to account for one goon whose buddy I executed right in front of them. I learned to be more careful in my later attempts, and not to rush through the encounter despite the time limit on my demo.The enemy AI seemed smarter than before, too. During the prologue, I messed up (intentionally, of course) an attempt at pickpocketing, which used a timing-based minigame. It took a few minutes of fleeing over and around buildings to finally shake my foes so I could return to my task. I also had to account for more intelligent adversaries that seemed wise to some of Basim's tricks during my foray into the enemy camp. I died a few times, but eventually found a way to complete my task.While you'll be able to unlock new abilities and level up Basim's weapons and tools through skill trees, it seems Ubisoft has pulled back on some of the RPG elements that have seeped into the series in recent years. I didn't need to worry about finding armor to boost a certain stat, for instance, and I was very thankful for that.Mirage feels like a throwback in the most positive of ways. It's a return to a format that feels fresh rather than dated. Basim's movement feels fluid and he has enough tools at his disposal to give you a lot of strategic options for enemy encounters. Stealth-based combat and the return of social blending are welcome. However, I completely forgot to try Basim's chain-assassination ability, which looked cool whenever Ubisoft showed it off.UbisoftI think we need more AAA games that are smaller in scope, rather than the enormous blockbusters that can take more than 100 hours to complete. Cutting out bloat could reduce developers' workloads and mitigate the need for crunch as well. After reading some Starfield reviews suggesting that game doesn't really get going until around the 12-hour mark, I'm far less interested in checking it out (though I inevitably will).Assassin's Creed Mirage is an entirely different game than Starfield, but I'd like to see more projects going in this direction. There will still be plenty of room for games that will take months to fully complete, but major publishers and studios stand to benefit from offering more intimate experiences in their key franchises - or at least different ones.It remains intriguing that Ubisoft has decided to charge $50 for Mirage, rather than the typical $60 or $70 that AAA games cost these days. The publisher may be wary of criticism over charging more" for "less" purely in terms of game length: Mirage is expected to ship with about 30 hours of content.On one hand, the pricing decision devalues the work of the development team that created Mirage. On the other, Ubisoft might be very wary of bad press after years of thuddingbody blowafterthuddingbody blow. That said, there's still an in-game store where you can buy cosmetic items if you wish, so some old tendencies remain.This is one of Ubisoft's first steps in a grand plan to bring its tentpole series together as part of a project called Assassin's Creed Infinity. Based on my first few hours with Mirage, the company is moving in the right direction, which may involve scarpering up the side of an exquisitely crafted structure.Assassin's Creed Mirage will arrive on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on October 5.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/assassins-creed-mirage-preview-a-throwback-in-the-best-of-ways-120018919.html?src=rss