For fans of handheld gaming PCs, 2023 just keeps getting better. Following the release of ASUS' ROG Ally earlier this year, Lenovo is entering the category with the Legion Go. And, after getting the chance to go hands-on with it, I think some of Lenovo's twists may end up making a big difference.Before we get in too deep, it's important to mention that the units I tried are very much pre-production samples. You can see evidence of this on components like the shoulder buttons, where one side of the device features metallic paint (which is what you'll get on retail devices) while the other side is plain black plastic. Lenovo also says that alongside a stock install of Windows 11, it's planning to equip the Legion Go with a custom app launcher similar to ASUS' Amoury Crate. But, that wasn't present on the demo units I used. The Legion's Go's body also felt a bit rough in places, so if you spot labels or parts of its shell that don't look quite right, Lenovo is likely looking to polish those up before its official launch sometime in October.OK, now that we got that out the way, let's talk about some of the Legion Go's highlight features, the most notable of which is its screen. It's an 8.8-inch 2,560 x 1,600 IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and listed at 500 nits of brightness. So not only is the Legion Go's panel as fast as what you get from the ROG Ally, it's also the biggest screen on pretty much any device in this category. On top of that, colors absolutely pop, which makes the device even more appealing than many of its rivals.The obvious downside to this is that between that big display and a somewhat boxy body, the Legion Go is rather bulky. Measuring 11.8 x 5.15 x 1.61 inches, the Legion Go is much closer in size to the Steam Deck than sleeker rivals like the ROG Ally. As for the rest of its design, you get a familiar Xbox-style button layout in front, with an interesting asymmetrical rear paddle layout in back, with a total of four rear buttons along with a scroll wheel, though I'm not sure what's the intended purpose for that last component. That said, I'm not going to turn my nose up at additional input methods.Interestingly, Lenovo is also drawing inspiration from the Nintendo Switch as evidenced by the folding kickstand in back and the ability to detach the Legion Go's controllers from its main body. However, I did notice that removing the controllers isn't quite as smooth or easy as it is on a Switch. First, you have to press the button in the back and then kind of tilt and slide at the same time. Granted, I mostly got the hang of it after a few minutes, but it definitely takes some practice.This kickstand does make it easy to prop the display up on a table while using the controllers remotely, though. And thanks to the two USB 4 ports, you can even connect peripherals like a mouse and keyboard if you want to turn the Legion Go into a tiny desktop. Alternatively, you can use the single touchpad on the right control to mouse around in Windows, which is a nice nod towards general usability, because unlike the ROG Ally, you can't use the Legion Go's joysticks to move your cursor.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetAnother clever feature on the Legion Go is that on the bottom of the right controller, there's what Lenovo is calling an FPS Switch. If you toggle that and then drop the right controller into an included cradle, suddenly you get what is essentially a vertical mouse that you can drag across a table while playing shooters. That said, I'm not sure I'll ever prefer this setup over a traditional horizontal mouse or even a joystick.Finally, with specs including an AMD Z1 Extreme chip, 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage and a 49.2 WHr battery, the Legion Go looks to be just as powerful as the ROG Ally. But what makes this so impressive is that in addition to coming with an included case (which you don't get from ASUS), Lenovo is being very aggressive with pricing, as the Legion Go will start at $699. That's the same as the Ally, despite the Legion Go's bigger screen, bigger battery and more sophisticated controllers.So while Lenovo still has some polishing to do before the Legion Go officially goes on sale sometime in October, with another big name joining the battle, it's clear the fight for handheld gaming PC supremacy is just beginning.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lenovo-legion-go-hands-on-a-more-switch-like-handheld-gaming-pc-040031587.html?src=rss
Lenovo has introduced its new flagship gaming laptop at IFA 2023, and it's the first 16-inch model under the company's Legion brand. Called the Lenovo Legion 9i, it's powered by the 13th-gen Intel Core i9 processor and can be equipped with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, as well as a 64GB Overclocked 5600Mhz Dual Channel DDR5 RAM or a 32GB Overclocked 6400Mhz DDR5 Dual Channel RAM. Lenovo VP Jun Ouyang said the Legion 9i is the first Legion laptop with an integrated liquid-cooling system and hardware AI chip tuning.The company describes its liquid cooling system as the first of its kind for a 16-inch laptop. It's positioned so that it runs over the GPU VRAM, allowing it to manage heat under extreme gaming sessions, and it switches on when the GPU hits a temperature of 183 degrees Fahrenheit (84 degrees Celsius). This works in tandem with an AI-tuned triple-fan air-cooling system. Speaking of AI, Lenovo's LA-2 AI chip syncs the RGB strips around the keyboard and on other parts of the laptop. As for the device's screen, it uses Lenovo's PureSight 3.2K Mini-LED with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 165Hz variable refresh rate. The laptop can also accommodate up to a 2TB SSD for storage.One interesting thing to note is that the company didn't launch separate Pro and Slim variants like it does for lower-tier gaming laptops, because it says this model fulfills the purpose of both varieties. The Legion laptop will ship with Windows 11 and a 3-month free subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It will be available in October with prices starting at $4,399.LenovoIn addition to the new flagship laptop, Lenovo has also announced a new version of its Legion Glasses, which are a wearable virtual monitor. They use the company's micro-OLED display technology and can deliver full HD resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate for each eye. These glasses provide a portable, large-screen viewing experience for users with Legion Go and other compatible devices, which include most newer Android phones, iPhones, Windows and Mac computers. They will also be available next month and will set buyers back at least $329.Finally, Lenovo has unveiled a 27-inch ThinkVision 3D monitor that doesn't need glasses. It's 3D Explorer software gives users a way to access various 3D apps and provides them with a platform for 3D creation. When 3D isn't needed, though, users can switch to 2D mode instead. The ThinkVision 27 3D Monitor will be available in select markets in January 2024 with prices starting at $2,999.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lenovo-announces-its-first-16-inch-legion-gaming-laptop-040004058.html?src=rss
The New York Police department has been using drones in a limited capacity for years - deploying unmanned aircraft systems for search and rescue missions, to document crime scenes, or to monitor large public events like New Years Eve in Times Square. Soon, you might see one in your backyard as well: NYPD officials have announced plans to use drones to follow up on noise complaints during the long Labor Day weekend."If a caller states there is a large crowd, a large party in a backyard, we're going to be utilizing our assets to go up and check on the party," Assistant NYPD Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said during a press conference Thursday. Privacy advocates have been quick to respond, with a representative from the New York Civil Liberties Union telling the Associated Press that the announcement "flies in the face of the POST Act" that requires police to publish its use policies for surveillance technology.And indeed, the plan could represent a stark departure from those policies. When the Department first announced its new drone program, it promised that the technology wouldn't be used for "warrantless surveillance." That pledge is reflected in the NYPD's POST Act Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Impact and Use Policy, which specifically states that (absent exigent circumstances), drones are not to be used "in areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy without NYPD personnel first obtaining a search warrant that explicitly authorizes the use of UAS."It's unclear if the department plans to obtain a warrant for noise complaints at private events over Labor Day weekend, or if such a complaint falls under "exigent circumstances." Even so, the NYPD has been increasing drone use in recent years, and has deployed unmanned aerial systems 124 times in 2023.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nypd-will-use-drones-to-monitor-private-parties-over-labor-day-weekend-001909102.html?src=rss
A new G.I. Joe beat 'em up is on its way. Hasbro, developer Maple Powered Games and publisher Freedom Games announced G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra today. The upcoming retro game will let you play as series stalwarts Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Roadblock and other classic characters. It joins TMNT: Shredder's Revenge and Double Dragon reboot as the latest evidence that 2D side-scrolling punch-fests are enjoying an unexpected 2020s renaissance.The game's developers promise a variety of locales to bash and kick your way through as you try to defeat Cobra. Navigate land, air, sea, and even space through iconic locations like Cobra Island, the Pit, Cobra's top-secret underwater base, and more as you thwart the devious Cobra Commander's latest scheme to take over the world," the game's announcement reads. It promises an arsenal of weapons, explosives and more.Hasbro / Maple Powered Games / Freedom GamesG.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra has story and arcade modes, each supporting up to four co-op players (online or locally). It includes lovingly hand-drawn pixel art" and classic style cartoon cutscenes." The soundtrack, crafted by Tee Lopes (composer of its spiritual sibling, TMNT: Shredder's Revenge), appears to include a modern take on the animated series' classic theme song. (No word yet on whether it will take timeouts for Knowing is half the battle" PSAs.)G.I. Joe is one the most iconic brands from the 80s and it was the golden era of arcade games. To celebrate the growing popularity of retro themed games we're thrilled to partner with Maple Powered Games and Freedom Games to bring G.I. Joe fans our first ever Hasbro Retro Arcade experience in this exciting interpretation of a classic 2D beat em up," said Eugene Evans, Hasbro's SVP of Digital Strategy and Licensing.G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra will launch on Switch, Windows, macOS and Linux in Q1 2024. You can wish-list the game today on Steam and Epic.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gi-joe-wrath-of-cobra-continues-the-retro-beat-em-up-renaissance-212256623.html?src=rss
Google has just made it easier than ever to capture video stills while using its Chrome web browser. The company highlighted the struggle faced by users when attempting to capture video frames - noting that screenshots often produced lower-quality images with the video's progress bar shown across it. If you're using Chrome (or another Chromium-based browser, like Microsoft's own Edge), that's now a thing of the past. Starting today, users can hit pause at any time during a video, right-click, and select the new "Copy Video Frame" option from the pop-up menu.We went ahead and tried the feature but noticed it didn't work as intended. On YouTube, evoking the new option required two right clicks instead of one. The first right-click brought up the native YouTube menu but after a second try, the menu with the new feature was available. When you click the "Copy Video Frame," Chrome will capture what's currently being shown and you'll have the option to paste your image in supported text fields within the browser, like Google Docs. We were also able to paste the image into the Apple Notes app; from there, you can save the actual file.As of right now, there is no option to save the copied video image directly to your desktop as a file. The feature is also limited when it comes to streaming services, with many of them restricting the ability to capture content. In fact, so far we've only gotten it to work on YouTube. So, while this feature may technically be helpful in a pinch, it may need some fine-tuning to be more useful. Chrome's new "Copy Video Frame" is being rolled out today for Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/chrome-now-lets-you-copy-frames-from-videos-for-easy-sharing-210657406.html?src=rss
New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced today that it's disabling the feature" on its website that made it possible to track people's movements by entering their credit card info. The MTA says it's turning off the seven-day history feature for OMNY as part of its commitment to privacy.This feature was meant to help our customers who want access to their tap-and-go trip histories, both paid and free, without having to create an OMNY account," MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick wrote in a statement to Engadget. As part of the MTA's ongoing commitment to customer privacy, we have disabled this feature while we evaluate other ways to serve these customers."MTAThe OMNY website included a page (screenshotted above) where passengers could enter their credit card number and expiration date to view their seven-day point-of-entry history across NYC's subways. Although intended to provide convenience for users, it was also a gift for abusers," as Eva Galperin, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's director of cybersecurity, described it to Engadget. Joseph Cox of 404 Media, which originally reported on the security hole, successfully tracked someone's entry points (with consent) using their card info. If I had kept monitoring this person, I would have figured out the subway station they often start a journey at, which is near where they live," Cox wrote. I would also know what specific time this person may go to the subway each day."The feature opened the door to stalkers, abusive exes or anyone who got a person's credit card to find out where and when they entered the subway. The feature didn't require a PIN or password; although a separate section allowed travelers to create a more secure account, it was buried farther down the page.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nycs-transit-agency-disables-feature-that-made-it-possible-to-track-subway-riders-195003276.html?src=rss
Nintendo has just announced the latest Switch special edition, one that's steeped in nostalgia. The new colorway has been dubbed the Mario Red Edition and pays tribute to one of Nintendo's most popular video game characters. The system will feature a console, dock and Joy-Con controllers all in Mario's iconic red. On the back of the dock, there's a tiny silhouette of Mario as he leaps into action. There's also a touch of gold thanks to a set of coins hidden inside.The new design will only be available on the OLED model, which was expected. The OLED version of the Switch is the company's flagship model, and we've already seen similar special editions recently. Nintendo has been known to release custom consoles as tie-ins with upcoming games - and with the official release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder set for October, it's not surprising to see the company creating a little buzz with this Mario-themed colorway.
In an unprecedented decision, Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee announced on Thursday that he will allow not only a press pool, cameras and laptops to be present in the courtroom during the election interference trial of former President Donald Trump, but that the entire proceedings will be livestreamed on YouTube as well. That stream will be operated by the court.Trump and 18 co-defendants are slated their trial on October 23rd. Tsplhey're facing multiple racketeering charges surrounding their efforts in the state of Georgia to subvert and overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, what Fulton County DA Fanni Harris describes as "a criminal enterprise" to unconstitutionally keep the disgraced politician in power. Trump has pled not guilty to all charges.While recording court proceedings can be an uncommon occurrence in some jurisdictions, the state of Georgia takes a far more lax approach in allowing the practice.Georgia courts traditionally have allowed the media and the public in so that everyone can scrutinize how our process actually works," Atlanta-based attorney Josh Schiffer, told Atlanta First News. Unlike a lot of states with very strict rules, courts in Georgia are going to basically leave it up to the judges."For example, when Trump was arraigned in New York on alleged financial crimes, only still photography was allowed. For his Miami charges, photography wasn't allowed at all. This means that the public will not be privy to the in-court proceedings of Trump's federal election interference case, only the Georgia state prosecution.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/trumps-georgia-election-interference-trial-will-be-livestreamed-on-youtube-193146662.html?src=rss
In what can only bode poorly for our species' survival during the inevitable robot uprisings, an AI system has once again outperformed the people who trained it. This time, researchers at the University of Zurich in partnership with Intel, pitted their "Swift" AI piloting system against a trio of world champion drone racers - none of whom could best its top time.Swift is the culmination of years of AI and machine learning research by the University of Zurich. In 2021, the team set an earlier iteration of the flight control algorithm that used a series of external cameras to validate its position in space in real-time, against amateur human pilots, all of whom were easily overmatched in every lap of every race during the test. That result was a milestone in its own right as, previously, self-guided drones relied on simplified physics models to continually calculate their optimum trajectory, which severely lowered their top speed.This week's result is another milestone, not just because the AI bested people whose job is to fly drones fast, but because it did so without the cumbersome external camera arrays= of its predecessor. The Swift system "reacts in real time to the data collected by an onboard camera, like the one used by human racers," an UZH Zurich release reads. It uses an integrated inertial measurement unit to track acceleration and speed while an onboard neural network localizes its position in space using data from the front-facing cameras. All of that data is fed into a central control unit - itself a deep neural network - which crunches through the numbers and devises a shortest/fastest path around the track.Physical sports are more challenging for AI because they are less predictable than board or video games. We don't have a perfect knowledge of the drone and environment models, so the AI needs to learn them by interacting with the physical world," Davide Scaramuzza, head of the Robotics and Perception Group at the University of Zurich, said in a statement.Rather than let a quadcopter smash its way around the track for the month that its controller AI would need to slowly learned the various weaves and bobs of the circuit, the research team instead simulated that learning session virtually. It took all of an hour. And then the drone went to work against 2019 Drone Racing League champion Alex Vanover, 2019 MultiGP Drone Racing champion Thomas Bitmatta, and three-time Swiss champion, Marvin Schaepper.Swift notched the fastest lap overall, beating the humans by a half second, though the meatsack pilots proved more adaptable to changing conditions during the course of a race. Drones have a limited battery capacity; they need most of their energy just to stay airborne. Thus, by flying faster we increase their utility," Scaramuzza said. As such, the research team hopes to continue developing the algorithm for eventual use in Search and Rescue operations, as well as forest monitoring, space exploration, and in film production.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/an-ai-pilot-has-beaten-three-champion-drone-racers-at-their-own-game-190537914.html?src=rss
PlayStation Portal, Sony's $200 handheld for PS5 game streaming, is available to pre-order today before its November 15th launch. The company announced the availability details today in an update to its announcement post from last week. The upcoming device requires a PS5 and a persistent WiFi connection.Sony markets the device as the handheld gateway to your PS5 games." Its eight-inch LCD screen offers 1080p visuals at 60 frames per second, and it includes haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Engadget's Kris Holt aptly described the device's appearance as a bit like a tablet wedged between two halves of a DualSense controller."However, PlayStation Portal doesn't support cloud streaming through PlayStation Plus Premium or similar services. Nor does it have any local apps. The device merely acts as a WiFi remote streaming controller for the PS5 you already own. However, at least it supports long-distance remote play as long as your console is up and running at home.You can pre-order the PlayStation Portal Remote Player exclusively from Sony.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonys-200-playstation-portal-handheld-arrives-on-november-15th-190222052.html?src=rss
Volition, the studio behind the Saints Row series, has closed with immediate effect. The developer said in a statement that the shutdown was a result of restructuring at parent company Embracer Group."This past June, Embracer Group announced a restructuring program to strengthen Embracer and maintain its position as a leader in the video game industry," the studio said. As part of that program, they evaluated strategic and operational goals and made the difficult decision to close Volition effective immediately." Volition's workers will be offered assistance to "help smooth the transition." The studio signed off by thanking its fans.Volition dates back to 1993 and a company called Parallax Software Corporation. That team split a few years later, leading to the formation of Volition. THQ bought the studio in 2000. Future Embracer subsidiary Koch Media (later Plaion) snapped it up for its Deep Silver division after THQ filed for bankruptcy in 2012.Along with the Saints Row series for which it's best known, Volition was also behind the Descent games and the Red Faction franchise. Its final game was a 2022 Saints Row reboot. The game wasn't especially well received, though PS Plus subscribers can claim it at no extra cost in September.Embracer said in June that layoffs and studio closures were on the way as part of the restructuring plan. The company, which spent several years snapping up a wealth of gaming studios and the rights to many notable franchises, noted that a long-in-the-works $2 billion investment opportunity vanished at the 11th hour. Axiosrecently reported that the Saudi government-funded Savvy Games Group was the partner that Embracer had a verbal agreement with before the deal fell apart.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/saints-row-studio-volition-abruptly-closes-due-to-restructuring-at-embracer-group-184731175.html?src=rss
In what essentially amounts to free money, Amazon's selling $100 Xbox gift cards for just $90, a savings of ten percent. This deal only applies to digital codes, not physical gift cards. Additionally, only the $100 card gets the discount, so other denominations are the same price as always. The final caveat? You can only buy two at a time, but that's nearly enough for four AAA games or a lengthy subscription to Game Pass.The codes can be used to purchase full games, DLC, various subscriptions, in-game currency and more. You can even use them to buy controllers and other must-have Xbox accessories, so long as the products are available directly from Microsoft. Gift cards don't go on sale often, for obvious reasons, so the deal will likely sell out before too long.This is a suspiciously-timed deal, as the hotly-anticipated sci-fi RPGStarfield releases next week, on September 6th. In other words, a whole lot of people are going to use their brand-new gift cards to get the brand-new Bethesda adventure. There's also a new Forza game on the horizon, in addition to Alan Wake 2 and a bevy of cross-platform titles. You'll have no shortage of games to spend your digital cash on.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/get-a-100-xbox-gift-card-for-90-at-amazon-184600576.html?src=rss
Google announced today that all Chromebook owners can claim three free months of GeForce Now. Most Chromebook users will get a (usually $10 per month) GeForce Now Priority subscription, while owners of Cloud Gaming Chromebooks will receive access to the Ultimate tier (typically $20 per month). The company is tying the promotion to Baldur's Gate 3 launch on Nvidia's cloud gaming service.Standard Chromebook owners can claim three months of GeForce Now Priority, which uses a premium rig" in the cloud that maxes out at 1080p / 60 FPS streaming and six-hour gaming sessions. Meanwhile, folks who bought a Cloud Gaming Chromebook can claim three months of GeForce Now Ultimate, which boosts performance to an RTX 4080, 4K resolution, 120 FPS and eight-hour sessions.GeForce Now, launched publicly in 2020 after nearly five years in beta, offers instant access to a computer with much greater horsepower than a Chromebook - without worrying about updates, patches or graphic settings. But, of course, you'll need at least a decently fast and low-latency internet connection to stream the games from Nvidia's servers.Building and accessing your library on Nvidia's service can be a bit clunky compared to rivals like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and the now-defunct Stadia: You'll need to link your Steam, Epic Games Store, the Microsoft Store or Ubisoft Connect store accounts (among others) to see which of your purchased titles are eligible. Then, you can stream the games you already own and find out which storefronts are supported for those you still want to add. Nvidia's GeForce Now library webpage is a solid place to start: It simplifies the process by letting you search the service's catalog of over 1,500 support titles.Google hasn't announced how long the promotion will be available, except to say it's for a limited time only. Chromebook owners can claim the offer on this special perks" webpage.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-gives-chromebook-owners-three-months-of-geforce-now-cloud-gaming-182734681.html?src=rss
It's hard to believe that the last brand-new 2D Mario game came out more than 10 years ago. That's not to say I don't appreciate updates to classics like Super Mario 35 or remixes such as the Super Mario Maker series. But without a fresh entry to the franchise, it felt like there was something missing. However, after getting a chance to go hands-on with Super Mario Bros. Wonder ahead of its official release on October 10th, it feels like the magic is back.By shifting locations from the Mushroom Kingdom to the Flower Kingdom Nintendo gave itself the freedom to update practically every aspect of the game, while staying true to the core formula that is running, jumping, smashing blocks and collecting everything in sight. There are power-ups like the new elephant suit that lets you bash enemies with your trunk. And while classic items like the Fire Flower are still around, there are refreshing twists like the Bubble Flower that give you the ability to both attack and reach new heights by jumping on the orbs you shoot out.NintendoSuper Mario Bros. Wonder also boasts the largest roster of characters in any Mario sidescroller yet, including the 2D return of Daisy along with, Peach, Luigi, Toad, Nabbit and multiple colors of Yoshi (the latter two having some important gameplay implications). Unlike the others, Yoshi and Nabbit can't transform, but they also don't take damage from enemies, projectiles or even the environment (like falling debris). Not only does this provide an easy way to adjust game difficulty on the fly, it's also the perfect way to introduce 2D platformers to a new generation. After all, think about how many kids whose first glimpse of Mario might have been in a movie theater instead of on an 8 or 16-bit console. And if that's not enough, Wonder even provides individual difficulty ratings for every level.Mario's horde of enemies has increased as well. There are Koopas wearing roller skates and herds of angry rhinos to contend with. We'll even see entirely new genera of foes like Goombrats, which look like Goombas if they were based on tomatoes instead of mushrooms.NintendoAside from in-game power-ups, there's also the new badge system which is divided into two types (Action badges and Boost badges), giving you yet another way to customize your gameplay. Action badges like the Wall Climb Jump" and the Floating High Jump" can make it easier to reach secrets while Boost badges like the Coin badge and the Add ! Blocks" badge can change how you traverse a stage. And because you can swap in new badges before starting each level, it adds another measure of gameplay customization and replayability. Unfortunately, my preview didn't show how new badges are earned, so that's something we'll have to figure out when the game officially goes on sale.The most impactful new mechanic though is Wonder Flowers, which can completely turn a level on its head. Suddenly, warp pipes are crawling around on the ground like worms while Super Stars fall from the sky. Day becomes night and in some levels you might even find yourself floating through the sky. The effect of Wonder Flowers on each stage is different, but no matter what happened, I found myself smiling at the delightful subversion of my expectations.NintendoOn a more granular level, I love all the little details and animations Nintendo has added. This is easily the most expressive 2D Mario game yet. Mario's face changes the faster he runs while his hat flaps around in the wind. Meanwhile, small gouts of flame pop off your feet every time you jump with a Fire Flower equipped. And in the background, there are happy little flowers that cheer you on as you speed by. Everything looks sharp and snazzy to the point where I feel like I'd be happy just sitting there watching someone else play. It's a real treat for the eyes.Finally, while it's not as big a part of the game as in something like Super Mario Maker, I enjoyed Wonder's online multiplayer. You can play with up to four people online (or up to two locally with another two online) in two different modes. There's a straightforward race mode similar to time trials in Mario Kart with ghosts (or in this game, shadows) that show the progress of other players as you zoom through levels. There's also a more collaborative mode that allows you to see how other players tackle certain challenges, but more importantly, they can even help you out by hitting checkpoints so you don't have to go all the way back to the beginning of a stage if you die.NintendoWith Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Nintendo has managed to reinvent its platformer for a new generation while keeping all the charm and playfulness that made the series a classic almost 40 years ago. And, even though I only got a quick preview of what's in store, Nintendo's next 2D sidescroller already feels like an instant buy.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/super-mario-bros-wonder-hands-on-a-delightful-reinvention-of-a-classic-180012480.html?src=rss
Bumble is trying to make its apps safe spaces for meeting new people, and that extends to real-life meetups. The latest community guidelines (which also apply to Badoo and Bumble For Friends) take aim at ghosting or people failing to turn up for pre-arranged meetups.The guidelines "discourage no-show behavior through disallowing the act of not turning up to an in-person meet up despite clear plans agreed by both parties," Bumble said. It claims its the first dating platform to "take a stance" on users over the issue, noting that according to experts, being stood up or ghosted can "sometimes have a profound impact on a person's mental health, leading to feelings of depression, anxiety and deflated self-esteem."Ghosting and no-showing IRL meets are now classed as bullying and abusive conduct under the updated policies, but it's not clear how Bumble plans to enforce rules around the topic outside of users reporting such behavior. Engadget has asked Bumble for clarification.Victim blaming (such as shaming someone for being a survivor of sexual assault) is outlawed across the three apps as well. Bumble says this is an industry-first measure that's part of its efforts to foster "a community that is safe and promotes mutual respect." The updated Violence and Bullying Policy includes clarified language related to the platform's ban on doxxing.Many services take action against illicit off-platform activity - Bumble's no-show policy is one of those - so it may be the case that Bumble will take action against those who victim-blame or doxx users outside of its apps. If someone posts Bumble screenshots on X/Twitter to attack a victim and Bumble finds out, it might take action against the offender's account on its platforms.One other problem Bumble is targeting with the latest community guidelines is the use of bots. From now on, Bumble, Badoo and Bumble For Friends "prohibit any attempts to artificially influence connections, matching, conversations or engagement through the use of automation or scripting." So, anyone caught using ChatGPT to try and seem interesting after making a match might not stay on Bumble for very long.The same goes for those who use any of the company's apps to promote an OnlyFans page or profiles on similar services. There's now "a blanket ban on the promotion of adult content in profiles, including attempts to sell, advertise, or buy adult sexual content." The goal is to try and crack down on this kind of spam, which appears all too often in dating apps.Bumble said it will continue to update the guidelines to deal with "emerging risks and potential harms that may occur from new behaviors." The company notes that it uses automated safeguards to tackle guideline violations before users report them, including instances of "harassment, identity-based hate and other inappropriate content." So far this year, Bumble has blocked more than 8.2 million accounts across its apps, most of which were detected and removed by its automated systems.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/bumble-tackles-no-shows-for-irl-dates-with-its-updated-community-guidelines-173027784.html?src=rss
The first trailer for the Five Nights at Freddy's movie was pretty nifty, but suspiciously light on the game franchise's renowned murderous animatronics. That issue has been rectified with the latest trailer, as it features prominent appearances from Foxy, Bonnie, Chica and of course, Freddy himself. The homicidal puppets are doing what they do best, murdering people.You also get a bit more of the plot, which seems to mirror the game. It zeroes in on a character played by Josh Hutcherson, from the criminally underrated Future Man, as he starts a new overnight gig as a security guard at a family entertainment center. However, Freddy and his animatronic gang of thugs pose a terrifying threat to anyone in the building after dark.As expected, the animatronics look great, nearly matching the game's original aesthetic. This is no surprise given they were designed by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. This is a far leap from Kermit and Miss Piggy, however, as the movie contains plenty of strong violent content, bloody images and language."Despite that warning, it's rated PG-13, so the gore will likely be kept to a minimum. Five Nights at Freddy's premieres in theaters and on the streaming service Peacock just in time for Halloween, on October 27th.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/new-five-nights-at-freddys-movie-trailer-shows-the-murderous-animatronics-in-action-171506472.html?src=rss
The US Copyright Office (USCO) wants your thoughts on generative AI and who can theoretically be declared to own its outputs. The technology has increasingly commanded the legal system's attention, and as such office began seeking public comments on Wednesday about some of AI's thorniest issues (viaArs Technica). These include questions about companies training AI models on copyrighted works, the copyright eligibility of AI-generated content (along with liability for infringing on it) and how to handle machine-made outputs mimicking human artists' work.The adoption and use of generative AI systems by millions of Americans - and the resulting volume of AI-generated material - have sparked widespread public debate about what these systems may mean for the future of creative industries and raise significant questions for the copyright system," the USCO wrote in a notice published on Wednesday.One issue the office hopes to address is the required degree of human authorship to register a copyright on (otherwise AI-driven) content, citing the rising number of attempts to copyright material that names AI as an author or co-author. The crucial question appears to be whether the work' is basically one of human authorship, with the computer merely being an assisting instrument, or whether the traditional elements of authorship in the work (literary, artistic, or musical expression or elements of selection, arrangement, etc.) were actually conceived and executed not by man but by a machine," the USCO wrote.Although the issue is far from resolved, several cases have hinted at where the boundaries may fall. For example, the office said in February that the (human-made) text and layout arrangement from a partially AI-generated graphic novel were copyrightable, but the work's Midjourney-generated images weren't. On the other hand, a Federal judge recently rejected an attempt to register AI-generated art which had no human intervention other than its inciting text prompt. Copyright has never stretched so far [...] as to protect works generated by new forms of technology operating absent any guiding human hand, as plaintiff urges here," US District Judge Beryl Howell wrote in that ruling.The USCO also seeks input on increasing infringement claims from copyright owners against AI companies for training on their published works. Sarah Silverman is among the high-profile plaintiffs suing OpenAI and Meta for allegedly training ChatGPT and LLaMA (respectively) on their written work - in her case, her 2010 memoir The Bedwetter. OpenAI also faces a class-action lawsuit over using scraped web data to train its viral chatbot.The USPO says the public comment period will be open until November 15th. You can share your thoughts until then.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/us-copyright-office-opens-public-comments-on-ai-and-content-ownership-170225911.html?src=rss
YouTube Music's latest redesign of the Now Playing page is making its way to iOS and Android devices everywhere. There's a new feature that brings an extra social element to the app. You'll now be able to read and post comments on the Now Playing page. That option was limited to playlists until now.According to screenshots that 9to5 Google shared, some of the comments on the page may date back several years. As such, it seems like Google is populating the section with comments from related YouTube videos, for better or worse (probably worse).The updated design is rolling out gradually, so you may not see it right away, but there are some other changes in store. The cover art is bigger and song titles and artist names now hug the left side of the screen. One other key thing to note is that there's now a carousel with buttons for comments, giving a track a thumbs up or down, saving songs to a playlist, sharing, downloading and the radio. Most of the previously available actions required an extra tap to access until now. The buttons look very similar to the ones you'll see below the YouTube video player. In addition, more of the controls should be easier to access as they're at the bottom of the screen.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/youtube-musics-now-playing-tab-adds-everyones-least-favorite-feature-youtube-comments-164521304.html?src=rss
If you don't want a smartwatch but you do want a smart watch, then Withings is probably your best option. It's spent the last decade producing classy hybrids which resemble old-fashioned Swiss watches to the untrained eye. Three years after launching the ScanWatch, the company is ready to show off its follow-up, the ScanWatch 2. At the same time, it's also announcing the ScanWatch Light, a more wallet-friendly version that is really not much to write home about.ScanWatch 2 is the most iterative of upgrades, with a new temperature sensor which could identify the early signs of infection. The rest of the sensors have been improved for greater accuracy and better power efficiency, but that's about it on the hardware front. The only other change is that people can track their menstrual cycle by inputting the data to their wrist. That will, after a few months, start offering predictions but it's surprising this doesn't work in tandem with the temperature tracking.At first blush, it doesn't look as if much has changed in the case or face designs either, with the same options from the first generation on show here. There's a 38mm or 42mm body with a pick of a thick or thin bezel and lugs attached to a black or white face in the steel bodies. You'll get the choice of a stone or dark blue face and band combo with the rose gold variations, same as before. It's a shame that we didn't get a Horizon version - which puts the same internals in a diver's watch body - at the same time, but I'm sure that'll come next year.In Withings' defense, there isn't much it could add to the ScanWatch that it didn't already have. A few years back, I explained there are only so many pieces of data the laws of physics and biology can monitor from the wrist. Much as I could damn the ScanWatch 2 for a dearth of new features, it's not Withings' fault it did such a good job last time out. Let's not forget its elegant analog and digital subdials, the depth and quality of its tracking and the 30-day battery life. Not to mention Health Mate, which remains the preeminent fitness-tracking platform in its class.A focus on period tracking raises concerns for users living in a post-Roe US, where that data can be weaponized. Withings told Engadget its customer data is stored with a France-based provider, which is subject to EU law. Backups of its consumer data is held on Google Cloud but those backups are encrypted, with Withings the only entity able to decrypt them. This, however, may not be enough to prevent the enforced handover of data concerning a US citizen via the CLOUD Act.The ScanWatch Light, meanwhile, is a ScanWatch with many of the existing bells and whistles taken out. There's basic activity, sleep and heart-rate monitoring, but you lose the ECG, SpO2 and temperature-tracking tools. The hardware's been downgraded, too, with the Sapphire Glass crystal replaced with Gorilla Glass and a less-accurate accelerometer. Given their respective prices, it's probably better to hunt for a discounted first-generation ScanWatch if you can. This, to me, screams of an attempt to offer a lower-cost model that makes its pricier sibling look good.Both the ScanWatch 2 and ScanWatch Light are available to pre-order from today with shipping expected to begin in October. Prices for the ScanWatch 2 start at $349.95 for the 38mm model, while the smaller ScanWatch Light will set you back $249.95.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/withings-scanwatch-2-features-a-body-temperature-sensor-and-improved-health-tracking-160037052.html?src=rss
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revengewas a surprise hit when it launched last summer, breathing new life into the old-school 2D beat-em-up formula. Now there's some new paid DLC to entice players back into the sewers. The Dimension Shellshock update was released today and brings new characters and a new game mode.The DLC was announced earlier this summer, but the reveal didn't include a release date, so today's launch is a nice surprise. Dimension Shellshock allows you to play the entire game as two new players. There's the comic book samurai Miyamoto Usagi from Usagi Yojimbo, an occasional friend to the turtles, and former Foot Clan soldier Karai. Both characters boast unique move sets and power ups.As for the turtles and their cohorts, the DLC introduces palette swaps to keep things fresh. You don't even have to buy Dimension Shellshock for this feature as there's a free update with just the new colors.There's also a brand-new survival mode. This isn't just a rehash that locks your characters in an arena with waves of enemies. Rather, it includes a number of original levels, called dimensions. There's a bit of a roguelite element here, as the more you play, the more crystals you collect. These crystals can be used to purchase power ups, extra hit points and more.Dimension Shellshock costs $8 and requires a copy of the original game. It's currently available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox consoles.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-shredders-revenge-gets-dlc-today-161511983.html?src=rss
Patience. Starfield is a huge game set in a universe of newly inhabited planets, and it combines interstellar travel with furious gunplay, alien exploration, spaceship management, character customization and interpersonal strife, and it takes a moment for all of these layers to merge into a coherent experience. But, give Starfield time, approach its systems with grace, and you'll be rewarded with a big, generic sci-fi RPG.Starfield has moments of beauty, but it features just as many instances of drudgery and disconnection in its main quest line. Playing on pre-release code on Xbox Series S, these issues are only exacerbated by chugging framerates, low-resolution set pieces and roughly one hard crash every five hours. Starfield is big and largely bland, and while it gets some open-world gameplay aspects right, it doesn't offer anything new for the sci-fi or RPG genres.BethesdaThat said, there are plenty of classic cosmic environments to enjoy in Starfield, and chances are, every player will find a gameplay aspect that resonates with them. Bethesda claims it will take hundreds of hours to interact with everything in Starfield, and I can say that 40 hours and one New Game Plus later, this doesn't feel like a lie. I've barely scratched the surface of some late-game systems, like outpost building and in-depth ship customization, but I got a sense of these mechanics while completing the main storyline and related side missions, which featured exploration, mining, social manipulation, resource management, crafting, cooking and combat - both on the ground and among the stars.Combat is one of Starfield's weak points, unfortunately. Gun battles are central to the game's core loop, but they often feel unnecessary. Some encounters are straightforward, but some act as a literal roadblock, with too many enemies, robots and turrets to destroy, no opportunity for stealth, and random drop-ins from high-level bullet sponges. My advice is to pay attention to the level of each foe you're shooting, and if you're overwhelmed, run straight past the bemused enemies to unlock the next step in your mission. (This tactic works in a surprising number of encounters, and it never feels great).My issues with Starfield's combat largely stem from its homogenous weaponry. Maybe I've been spoiled by Borderlands, but the guns in Starfield all feel incredibly similar to each other, and they generally aren't satisfying to shoot. This situation improves with time - players have the option to modify their arsenal and there are a few guns with elemental effects scattered around the galaxy - but overall, combat feels like something tacked on to appease FPS players, despite being central to progression.BethesdaThere are no VATS here, just items to upgrade your stats and a secondary ability tree that eventually gets added to your loadout. The boost pack is a nice touch, allowing players to fly in short bursts without expending precious oxygen. These features help make fighting more dynamic, but even in the final battles of the main mission, gunplay doesn't feel consistent or compelling. Starfield's combat isn't awful, but the experience maxes out at meh.Being sneaky was never really an option for me - I placed a point in my Stealth skill, but even with a crouch meter, security guards and space pirates always spotted me instantly, and they all chose violence. Sure, I could've focused on upgrading my Stealth tree, but I was busy maxing out my Persuasion skills and adding tools like Thrusters to my ship (which I recommend doing early on).It's not just the weapons in Starfield that feel repetitive. Regardless of which planet they're on, buildings come in three flavors: bright utopia, gritty cyberpunk, and industrial laboratory. Combat environments tend to blend together, with metallic platforms, staircases and vents in factory-like bases. Sometimes these are built into an extremely dark cave system, but they're often filled with the same containers, doors and enemies. The cyberpunk city of Neon - I bet you can guess what it looks like - is essentially an expanded version of the underground marketplace at New Atlantis, your character's headquarters. The main commercial districts are recognizable across planets, with clean white architecture.BethesdaNot only are these set pieces similar to each other, but they're also stereotypical in sci-fi. Starfield offers nothing new from a visual standpoint. This isn't too surprising, considering the game's retrofuturistic angle, which limits its design to specific aesthetics that have been mined by Blade Runner, Star Trek, Star Wars and other incredibly popular franchises. On top of this, there are missed opportunities for unique worldbuilding - there is no intelligent alien life in the game, and even generations removed from Earth's rigid borders, humans speak English with distinct regional accents. Across the solar systems, from ships to skyscrapers to clothing, Starfield is filled with drab.Despite its familiarity, I had a good time hanging out in Neon specifically. When building my character, I chose to affiliate myself with the Street Rats of Neon, and this trait helped me feel at home under the prismatic lights of the city, providing valuable dialogue options and insights. When it came time to grind, I chose to spend my time on Neon, completing tasks for various citizens and shop owners, and eventually landing a job in corporate espionage at a massive technology company. Anyone who enjoys Bethesda's dialogue trees and Persuasion mechanics will be happy here, but be aware that combat has been shoehorned into most of these missions, too.When I needed a break from stealing trade secrets, I explored a handful of planets from the main missions, following distortions on my scanner, surveying the landscape and growing in strength along the way. These were some of the most peaceful and deeply enjoyable moments of Starfield, for me: wandering along the ruins of a lost settlement while a soundtrack of simple piano music echoed like interstellar radar, notes building slowly, teasing adventure beyond the next bend.EngadgetThis was the loop that I liked in Starfield. Other players will be drawn to quests outside of Neon; others will spend hours customizing their ships, gear and outposts; some will stick to interstellar combat and completing their Starmap. There's enough variety in the planets to justify exploration, though there remains an abundance of gray and brown in the terrain overall. Ship combat is tricky at first, but it quickly becomes a delightful challenge of resource management and target prioritization, as long as you're not suddenly bombarded by overpowered enemies.There is a lot to do in Starfield, and a lot to enjoy. The Digipick lock-picking mechanic is so satisfying that I'd play it as a standalone game. The end of the main mission line introduces a compelling twist that messes with the player's sense of reality in the middle of a frantic gun fight, and it was the most fun I had in combat. Though I would've loved to meet some extraterrestrials, it was fantastic to see so many women, LGBT folks and people of color in leadership positions throughout the game.Starfield is a classic Bethesda RPG from toot to snoot, and this includes a litany of technical issues. I saw problems with facial and movement animations, I encountered dialogue and persuasion trees that barely made sense, and I had multiple conversations with characters who were rudely facing the wrong way.I played on Xbox Series S, and I attribute a handful of additional glitches to that hardware specifically, including the fact that my game crashed 10 times in 40 hours. There are generous auto saves, so I only lost significant progress twice, but that was more often than I'd like. The game also has lengthy, static loading screens, and consistent framerate issues. In one scene, a character was describing how I should sneak into a rival's headquarters, and an image of the building's layout filled the screen, pixelated beyond recognition.As you can see...," the character said, driving home the visual insult.Click to view full-size imageEngadgetThe story that unravels in Starfield is mainstream sci-fi fare, and while it's not revolutionary, it's perfectly serviceable for an RPG. It establishes a universe of items to collect and knowledge to gain, with mysteries, danger and new characters emerging along the way. The game is at its best when the main narrative falls to the wayside, and players are free to mess around on new planets, play with their spaceships, find settlements or simply explore the galaxy.Starfield is huge, and it contains a mission or mechanic that every player can enjoy - they just might have to get through 40 hours of a game they don't really like before discovering that loop. Todd Howard, the head of Bethesda Game Studios, said in a letter to reviewers that there are 3 million words in the game; he noted the amount of text, but that figure says nothing about quality.Overall, Starfield is fine. It's a Frankenstein monster of other sci-fi games and references, and it doesn't do any of these things better than the existing products. Combat? Cyberpunk 2077 is smoother. Mining and exploration? That's all No Man's Sky. Ship management? FTL still reigns. RPG storytelling? Look no further than Outer Worlds.Digipicks, though? That one goes to Starfield.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/starfield-review-you-will-like-some-of-it-160046067.html?src=rss
Shure may not have changed much of the design of its Aonic 50 headphones for the second-generation version, but it did a lot of work on the inside to massively upgrade all-around performance. The company announced the new model today, a set of $349 premium noise-canceling wireless headphones that now offer spatial audio, improved active noise cancellation (ANC) and twice the battery life of the previous version.In terms of sound quality, Shure says the new Aonic 50 has its spatial audio tech onboard that leverages an "acoustical modeling and critical listening" algorithm to offer immersion without compromising the original audio. There are three modes here - Music, Cinema and Podcast - which the company explains are tailored to each use case. Music mode offers the experience of listening with "high-end speakers" while Cinema mode adds more low-end tone to give the effect of being in a theater, maintains clarity and offers "natural sounding" dialog. Podcast mode positions the host's voice closer to the user's ears. This is all powered by 50mm dynamic drivers and Snapdragon Sound with aptX Adaptive, allowing you to stream music in AAC, SBC and LDAC codecs.Rather than keep the ANC setup from the previous version, tech simply described as "adjustable," Shure opted for a new hybrid active noise cancellation system. Like hybrid ANC on other headphones, the company uses microphones on the inside and the outside of the ear cup to monitor environmental clamor. Shure also allows you to control the amount of noise blocking and ambient sound with four modes: Light, Moderate, Max and MaxAware. The last of which is a new option the company describes as "perfect balance between blocking unwanted noise and maintaining awareness of your surroundings." There's also an Enhanced Environment mode that allows you to adjust those levels with a slider rather than relying on presets.Shure has more than doubled the battery life for the second-gen Aonic 50. It now offers up to 45 hours of listening time on a charge, up from the 20 hours on the previous version. There's also a quick-charge feature on the new model that gives you five hours of use in 15 minutes. The company is also touting "superior" call quality thanks to beamforming mics with automatic gain control. Shure says the six built-in microphones adjust automatically to combat ambient noise, which it claims provides "unmatched" clarity. Companies make lofty promises about voice performance all the time, and since mileage varies greatly on those, we'll have to reserve judgement here until we can complete our own testing.The Aonic 50 (2nd gen) will be available in September.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/shures-new-aonic-50-headphones-have-spatial-audio-and-double-the-battery-life-160025565.html?src=rss
Just over a month after it declared bankruptcy, e-bike maker VanMoof has found a new home. Lavoie, the electric scooter division of McLaren Applied, has agreed to buy VanMoof and make investments in it to grow the business. According to a press release, Lavoie and its parent plan to "inject stability into the VanMoof operations" before bringing together their "capabilities to create a next-generation e-mobility business and establish a world-leading premium e-mobility offering."Terms of the acquisition haven't been disclosed, but Lavoie and McLaren Applied appear to have a reasonable understanding of the challenge that lies ahead to get VanMoof back on track. McLaren Applied Chairman Nick Fry told Reutersthat VanMoof is "a company with a brilliant product" that offers his team an opportunity in a new market, "but this is not going to be a walk in the park. This also is a company that got itself into a difficult financial situation." Fry noted that McLaren Applied would need to invest "tens of millions" of pounds "in the short term" to stabilize VanMoof.Lavoie CEO Eliott Wertheimer pointed out that VanMoof has more than 190,000 e-bike customers, some of whom have been struggling to obtain parts for repairs after production was suspended. Lavoie's goal is to "continue to keep those riders on the road whilst we stabilize and efficiently grow the VanMoof business and continue to develop its world-class products." However, there will be layoffs as part of the acquisition. VanMoof will also shift away from an in-house retail store model to instead sell and service bikes via third-party partners. Peloton has made a similar shift in its business model over the last year or so.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lavoie-buys-vanmoof-giving-the-e-bike-maker-a-bankruptcy-liferaft-151547609.html?src=rss
A much-demanded feature is finally coming to Threads very soon, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed. A keyword search function is on the way. Until now, the search box has only been useful for looking up user accounts.In fact, the company is already testing the function in Australia and New Zealand. It plans to roll out keyword search more broadly to English-speaking territories in short order. We are actively listening to the community's feedback and working on more features to improve the search experience," Meta told TechCrunch.A full-text search feature is seen as critical for Threads to challenge (or perhaps even supplant) X/Twitter as the go-to platform for public conversations, particularly around events that are happening in real-time. Threads is missing some other functions that could help it get to that point, such as a TweetDeck (sorry, XPro) equivalent, but being able to search for posts is vital. It's a key feature that could help Threads bring back some of the users who have drifted away after an initial spike in popularity.To its credit, Meta has been quickly adding other important features to Threads over the last several weeks, including a full web version and a chronological feed of posts. So, other functions that users have been asking for may not be far behind.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/keyword-search-is-finally-coming-to-threads-135516556.html?src=rss
The following article discusses the fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks.There's a risk, using a word like should" that we're a short hop away from a tantrum to police the borders of What Proper Star Trek(TM) is. But after watching most of Star Trek: Lower Decks' fourth season, it does feel as if the show's outlook is the most Star Trek of the bunch. Part of this is because the show is mature enough to laugh at itself, and part of it is because it's now letting its characters grow. This is a sitcom, so its first duty is to be funny rather than weighty, but it's a welcome sight to see the quartet escape the bottom rung.I don't think that's much of a spoiler, because it's in the trailer, the press material and the cast's promotional interviews with TrekMovie. At the start of season four, some of the quartet get their promotions to Lieutenant Junior Grade, and out of their shared bunk. Now they're expected to lead away missions, take on real real responsibilities and actually lead other people. It affects them all differently, with Boimler struggling to grow into his role, and Mariner fighting every urge in her body not to self-sabotage, with varying degrees of success. And it's here, I think, that we see the side of Star Trek that so often gets overlooked in its other properties.After all, Starfleet is an organization of people coming together to do better for other people, but also to improve themselves. For every daring scientific experiment and skin-of-the-teeth rescue, we see more of the senior officers' desire to actually nurture their charges. This, too, helps to broaden the series' focus, to include T'Lyn, the fan-favorite who joined the Cerritos at the end of last season. The broader view also gives Captain Freeman more of a central role in several episodes, especially highlighting the times when her knowledge is ignored by her superiors. For all we've seen of the dung rolling downhill and landing in Beta Shift's trench, it's not as if those higher up the chain don't get their fair share of excrement, too.I wonder if its status as Star Trek's officially-sanctioned Class Clown gives it room to be more subversive than anyone gives it credit for. Time and again, both in this series and before, we see totems of Star Trek's past commoditized and packaged for sale. It's an easy way to milk fans' nostalgia glands, but it's also potentially a subtle critique about the nature of nostalgia. As much as Lower Decks was created by a Next Generation fan who wants to recapture some of that magic, it's also a commentary on that very same desire. And the show's creative team is clear-eyed enough to notice that series' blind spots and mine them for comedy.But, for all of this high-falutin' talk, this remains Lower Decks, a series that can have you in tears at the sight of a pair of dueling [SPOILERS] trying to out-compliment each other. And, if nothing else, it's a pleasure to spend more time with Starfleet's horniest and weirdest crew.The first two episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks will be available to watch on Paramount+ on Thursday, September 7. A new episode will arrive on subsequent Thursdays.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lower-decks-taps-into-what-star-trek-really-is-130059999.html?src=rss
Jabra was one of the first companies to solve the puzzle of true wireless earbuds. From its first model in 2018, the Elite 65t, the company has consistently offered a great mix of sound and features across a range of prices. And on top of that, Jabra's earbuds have been some of the most reliable from the jump, consistently staying connected even in the early days of true wireless. Today, the company adds two more options to its lineup: the Elite 10 and the Elite 8 Active. While the first is Jabra's new full-featured premium model, the latter is a rugged workout companion that's been put through military-grade testing.Jabra didn't change much in terms of design between its most recent earbuds and these two new models. On the Elite 10, the company says it combined the fit from the Elite 7 Pro with the "all-day" comfort from the Elite 85t. Jabra also developed what it calls ComfortFit for the Elite 10, a semi-open design with less occlusion and ear pressure. The earbuds are wrapped in soft silicon to further enhance the fit and slight tweaks to the shape should fit more ears than previous Jabra models.The key addition on the Elite 10 is Dolby Atmos audio. This is the first Jabra model to feature Dolby's immersive sound and the earbuds also support the company's head tracking tech. The Elite 10 has 10mm drivers and "advanced" active noise cancellation (ANC) which Jabra says automatically adjusts to your surroundings using infrasonic waves to measure the ear canal. The system then leverages an algorithm to detect any leakage or change in wind conditions. The company also explains that this advanced ANC blocks twice as much noise as it's "standard" noise cancellation.Jabra is hyping up the productivity aspect of the Elite 10 as well. It's promising "crystal-clear calls" thanks to six built-in microphones and voice clarity algorithms. Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity, HearThrough (transparency) mode with wind noise reduction, automatic pausing, hands-free voice assistants, fast pair, wireless charging and Bluetooth LE support round out the list of conveniences. The IP57-rated earbuds can withstand dust and full immersion so they'll also do well during workouts. In terms of battery life, Jabra says you can expect up to six hours with ANC on and the case provides another 21 hours of use.The Elite 10 will be available in September for $250. They will come in cream, cocoa, titanium black, gloss black and matte black.Jabra Elite 8 ActiveJabraIf you need a set of wireless earbuds that can withstand the rigors of a more adventurous lifestyle, the Elite 8 Active should fit the bill. While the company has built workout-friendly Active models before, this new option takes things up several notches. In fact, Jabra is calling the Elite 8 Active "the world's toughest earbuds." They've passed all the required testing for the US military's Standard for Ruggedized Electronics (810H), which includes humidity, high temperature, rain and altitude. The company says the Elite 8 Active are completely watertight, supported by an IP68 dust and waterproof rating (the case is IP54).Jabra didn't stop the testing there. It also conducted High Accelerated Corrosion Testing (HACT). The trial includes 11 full cycles of two hours in 104 degree Fahrenheit temperatures with 93-percent humidity, a 15-minute splash test in saltwater and a 15-minute 104 degree Fahrenheit drying test. Jabra says the Elite 8 Active also stayed in place the entire time - in a mannequin we hope - thanks to the ShakeGrip coating that has covered previous Active models.In terms of audio, the Elite 8 Active packs in 6mm drivers and support for Dolby Audio. It's not Atmos, but it's likely better than standard sound. There's also adaptive ANC that automatically adjusts to your environment, although it's not as powerful as the "advanced" noise canceling on the Elite 10. However, the less powerful ANC leads to better battery life. Jabra says you can expect up to 8 hours of listening time with ANC on and 32 hours total with the case factored in. HearThrough (transparency) mode is here once again, as is a six-microphone setup for calls that's equipped wind-blocking mesh. There's also smartwatch connectivity (HFP, A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles), Google Assistant, fast pair, Spotify Tap, Bluetooth LE and more.The Elite 8 Active are available today for $200 in caramel, cocoa, navy, black and dark grey color options.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/jabras-elite-10-are-its-first-wireless-earbuds-to-feature-dolby-atmos-130012056.html?src=rss
Meta's Oversight Board has put a new case, which it believes is relevant to its strategic priorities, under the spotlight. In a post, the board has announced that over the next few weeks, it's reviewing and accepting public comments for a case appealing Meta's non-removal of content that denies the Holocaust on its platforms. Specifically, this case pertains to a post going around on Instagram that puts a speech bubble on an image with Squidward, a character from SpongeBob SquarePants, denying that the Holocaust had happened. Its caption and hashtags also targeted "specific geographical audiences."The post was originally published by an account with 9,000 followers in September 2020, and it was viewed around 1,000 times. A few weeks after that, Meta revised its content policies to prohibit Holocaust denial. Despite the new rules and multiple users reporting it, the post wasn't quickly removed. Some of the reports were auto-closed due to the company's "COVID-19-related automation policies," which were put in place so that Meta's limited number of human reviewers can prioritize reports considered to be "high-risk." Other reporters were automatically told that the content does not violate Meta's policies.One of the users who reported the post chose to appeal the case to the Board, which has determined that it falls in line with its efforts to prioritize "hate speech against marginalized groups." The Board is now seeking comments on several relevant issues, such as the use of automation to accurately take enforcement action against hate speech and the usefulness of Meta's transparency reporting.In a post on Meta's transparency page, the company has admitted that it left the content up after initial review. However, it eventually determined that it was left up by mistake and that it did violate its hate speech policy. The company has since removed the content from its platforms, but it promised to implement the Board's decision. Meta's Oversight Board can issue policy recommendations based on its investigation, but they're not binding, and the company isn't compelled to follow them. Based on the questions the Board wants the public to answer, it could conjure recommendations that would change the way Meta uses automation to police Instagram and Facebook.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/metas-oversight-board-escalates-holocaust-denial-report-122625970.html?src=rss
Anker charging accessories are popular for good reason. They mirror many of the features found in first-party products and they're often cheaper too. That goes for the company's wireless MagGo lineup, which has been refreshed to include support for the Wireless Power Consortium's (WPC) new Qi2 charging standard.There are seven products in Anker's new Qi2 MagGo range, including a 6,600mAh power bank that attaches to your phone and a compressible 3-in-1 fast-charging station for your AirPods, Apple Watch and 15-watt Qi2 phone charging. A new generation of Anker's 8-in-1 charging station will also be available, with a pair of USB-A ports, another pair of USB-C ports, three plugs and a Qi2 phone charger.Before now, Anker's MagGo accessories were MagSafe compatible, rather than MagSafe certified, which meant they could only deliver 7.5-watt magnetic wireless charging instead of the full 15-watt output. Anker claims that its Qi2 MagGo product lineup is one of the first to be given a mark of full compliance through the Wireless Power Consortium's (WPC) most recent Qi2 official certification, which builds on top of Apple's tech.Anker says that the effectiveness of each accessory is equal to Apple's 15W MagSafe technology and should work with any Apple MagSafe iPhone products. However, it's possible - though not confirmed - that Apple's iPhone 15 offerings will feature Qi2 support, removing the need for MagSafe certification.Anker's new MagGo products are set to arrive in the fall, possibly around the same time Qi2-compatible phones will begin to hit the market.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ankers-new-maggo-lineup-supports-magnetic-qi2-charging-121530053.html?src=rss
HP's Pavilion Plus lineup offers some of the best mid-range laptop models out there, thanks to features like 16:10 displays with slim bezels, good keyboards/touchpads and solid specs. Now, the company has released its first 16-inch model, the HP Pavilion Plus 16, offering a 16.5-inch 120Hz 2.5K display, along with the latest Intel Core i7 processors - and starting at $1,000. HP also refreshed the Pavilion Plus 14 with the latest AMD and Intel processors and, as before, an OLED display option.The Pavilion Plus 16 is targeted to serious business and education users, but is available with up to a 13th-gen Intel Core i7-13700H (14 cores, 20 threads) and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. That, along with the 2,560 x 1,600, 120Hz VRR display, means the high end model is good for content creation and gaming as well - though it will obviously cost a lot more than the $1,000 base model.HPOther specs include 16 GB LPDDR5x-5200 MHz RAM, a 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe TLC M.2 SSD, a wide array of ports (Thunderbolt 4 with USB power delivery, USB 3.2 Type-C, two USB Type A), a headphone/mic port, and HDMI 2.1). You also get WiFi 6E, B&O audio, and a 68Wh battery that provides up to 11:45 hours of life in mixed usage, or 15:45 for video playback. HP's Pavilion Plus 16 arrives in October starting at $1,000, in natural silver or warm gold. It'll be available at hp.com, Costco and Amazon.HPAs for the HP Pavilion Plus 14, the 2023 model will be available with up to an AMD Ryzen 7 7840H 8-core processor, along with Radeon Premium Pro or 780M graphics. (It'll also have Intel options but HP hasn't specified those yet). The displays on option include a 14-inch 16:10 2,880 x 1,800 OLED 48-120HZ HDR model (up to 500 peak nits, IMAX enhanced certified), a 2,560 x 1,600 IPS panel or a 1,920 x 1,200 version. The latter makes it an excellent option for serious entertainment and content creation usersThe Pavilion Plus 14 come with 16GB LPDDR5x-6400 MHz RAM (up to 32GB) and up to a PCIe Gen4 NVMe TLC M.2 SSD. It lacks the Thunderbolt 4 port of the 16-inch model, but does offer HDMI 2.1, along with a pair of USB 3.2 Type-C ports (10Gbps), two USB-A ports and a headphone/microphone jack. Two battery options are available (51Wh and 68Wh), with the latter delivering up to 12:30 hours of mixed usage or 13:30 with FHD video playback.HPThe Pavilion Plus 14 arrives to hp.com in September starting at $850 in natural silver, moonlight blue, and tranquil pink. You'll also be able to get one Amazon (Intel and AMD), along with Costco.com and BestBuy.com (AMD model only). HP also announced the new 420/425 Programmable Bluetooth Mouse, now available for $30 at hp.com and Amazon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/hps-first-16-inch-pavilion-plus-laptop-offers-nvidia-rtx-graphics-120056916.html?src=rss
The Apple Watch Series 8 is on sale at Amazon again, and it has even reached a new low for certain colors. You can get the 41mm Series 8 with Midnight or Starlight aluminum cases and bands for $310, which is the lowest we've seen them go for at Amazon. The model with a Red case and band is on sale for the same price - it went for as low as $280 on Prime Day, but you can at least get one today at 22 percent lower than retail if you missed your chance last time.We called the Apple Watch Series 8 the best smartwatch at the time it was released last year and praised it for having "excellent health and fitness tools." It can track your body temperature, and if it's relevant to you, it can use that information to determine if and when you had ovulated. The watch also has the capability to measure your blood oxygen and can tell you the quality of the sleep you've been having. Plus, it comes with ECG capabilities.It comes with an enhanced Workout app that can suggest new ways to train. You can use it to text, make calls and listed to music without having to take out your iPhone. And, like other Apple Watches, you can use it to unlock your Mac, find your other Apple devices and pay with Apple Pay. The tech giant is selling the devices at a discounted price less than a couple of weeks before we could potentially find out what's next for the wearable. Apple recently announced that the iPhone 15 event is taking place on September 12th, and it's very much possible that the company will also unveil the next Watch model at the same time.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-watch-series-8-falls-to-310-at-amazon-113545052.html?src=rss
Google (accidentally?) published a photo of the Pixel 8 Pro before it unveiled the device, within 24 hours of rival Apple announcing the iPhone 15 launch. X (Twitter) user Android Setting spotted a photo of a beige phone on Google Store.It's since been pulled from the page that promotes Google's subscriptions and services, but its alt text reportedly read: "A person takes a call on a Pixel 8 Pro phone in Porcelain."It broadly looks like another Pixel pro' phone, with the same camera array across the back. Google hasn't announced a launch date yet, but we have an event date: October 4th. Timing is everything, though.- Mat SmithYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedGarmin's new Venu 3 smartwatch knows when you've been napping Samsung debuts its own 'AI-powered' smart recipe appLate-night TV's biggest hosts start a 'Strike Force Five' podcast to support striking staffGoogle Chat now plays nice with Slack and Microsoft Teams 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III' will use AI to clamp down on toxic voice chatsGoogle's Duet AI can generate emails and documents in different tonesSony's two new A7C series cameras offer premium features for less moneySony is jacking up annual PlayStation Plus plans by as much as $40Might be wise to stack an extra year on your current membership.A few months after Microsoft revealed plans to increase Game Pass subscription prices, Sony is getting in on the act. An annual Essential subscription will soon cost $80 per year, up from $60. The Extra plan is going up by $35 to $135 per year, while an annual Premium plan will soon cost $40 more at $160. The price changes won't take effect for current PS Plus users on an annual plan until their next renewal date, which is on or after November 6th.PS Plus is generally less expensive than the equivalent Game Pass tiers. An annual PS Plus Essential plan is $52 less than a year of Xbox Game Pass, while a 12-month PS Plus Premium membership is $44 less than Game Pass Ultimate over the same timeframe. That said, Microsoft offers all of its first-party games via Game Pass upon their release.Continue reading.The Fairphone 5 is boring... how exciting!The modular, repairable smartphone has matured.EngadgetThe Fairphone 5 doesn't stray far from the template laid down by its predecessor. It has the same hefty chassis, the same camera housing, the same fingerprint-sensing power button and the same easily removable backplate. The changes include a bigger battery, a bigger display and better cameras. Thanks to Fairphone's efforts to improve its product, and the general stagnation in smartphones, the gulf between cutting-edge and midrange has closed by a lot.Continue reading.NYC subway security flaw makes it possible to track riders' journeysThe MTA's OMNY website shows a 7-day ride history with only a credit card number.The contactless payment system for New York City's subways has a security hole. Anyone with access to someone's credit card number can see when and where they entered the city's underground transit in the last seven days. The problem lies in a feature on the website for OMNY, the tap-to-pay system for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which allows you to view your recent ride history using only credit card info. The MTA's loose implementation could allow stalkers, abusive exes or anyone who hacks into or purchases a person's credit card information online to find out when and where they typically enter the subway. The MTA, in an email to Engadget, said it will consider security changes as it improves its system.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-google-didnt-mean-to-leak-the-pixel-8-pro-on-its-own-website-111557008.html?src=rss
The social network X plans to compete with LinkedIn by offering job listings and more, CEO Elon Musk said in a new post. To aid in that, it has started gathering information about users' jobs and education histories, along with biometric data for "safety, security and identification purposes," according to a new policy spotted by Bloomberg. The company previously created an official @TwitterHiring account, TechCrunch reported last month."People send me LinkedIn links sometimes, but the cringe level is so high that I just can't bring myself to use it, so I ask for the resume or bio to be emailed," said Musk (who is often mocked for his own cringe-worthy posts). "We will make sure that the X competitor to LinkedIn is cool."On top of work history and education, X is collecting biometric information, though it didn't say what kind. "Based on your consent, we may collect and use your biometric information for safety, security, and identification purposes," the updated privacy policy states. Twitter confirmed the update to Bloomberg, without elaborating more.Some verified organizations including Workweek have been able to post job listings in the form of scrolling cards under their bios, as TechCrunch noted. According to a screenshot posted by user Nima Owji last month, "Twitter [X] will let verified organizations import all of their jobs to Twitter by connecting a supported ATS or XML feed." Those listings may only work in the US for now, as they don't appear for myself in Europe.Elon Musk previously hinted at the feature in May, and X purchased a job-matching tech startup called Laski in May - the company's first acquisition under Musk. Workweek CEO Adam Ryan said the job posting feature was included in X's $1,000 per month "verified for organizations" package.The job listings might eventually connect with the work history and education data gathered. "We may collect and use your personal information (such as your employment history, educational history, employment preferences, skills and abilities, job search activity and engagement, and so on) to recommend potential jobs for you [and] to enable employers to find potential candidates," the policy states. However, it may also be used "to show you more relevant advertising."Biometric data is also relevant to Elon Musk's stated goal of ridding the site of inauthentic accounts. Gathering that data may draw attention from regulators, though. X is already facing a proposed class action suit for biometric data captured without consent, reportedly from every photograph containing a face that is uploaded to X, according to a suit seen by Bloomberg.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-sets-its-sights-on-linkedin-with-a-job-listing-feature-104525893.html?src=rss
Microsoft is finally making good on a promise it made back in April, with the company announcing that it will finally unbundle Teams from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 productivity suites across the European Union. The move follows a three-year saga that began when Slack filed an antitrust complaint against its competitor, claiming that including Teams in these bundles was illegal and that Microsoft was blocking some people from getting rid of the program.The tech giant finally agreed to separate Teams from its productivity suites earlier this year but said it was "unclear" how it would happen. Then, in July, the European Commission appeared to get tired of waiting and launched a probe into whether bundling Teams into productivity suites was in defiance of EU competition rules.Now, it seems Microsoft is trying to play nice and get the European Commission off its back. "We recognize our responsibility as a major technology provider to support a healthy competitive environment. We appreciate the clarity that has emerged on several of the concerns from extensive and constructive discussions with the European Commission," Microsoft's vice president of European Government Affairs, Nanna-Louise Linde, said in the blog post announcing the decision. "With the benefit of this clarity, we believe it is important that we start to take meaningful steps to address those concerns. We do this not with the sense that this will necessarily resolve all concerns, whether from the Commission or our competitors, but we believe this is a constructive step that can start to lead to immediate and meaningful changes in the market."Well, now there's a when and a how. Starting October 1st, Microsoft 365 and Office 365 should each be available for 2 less per month or 24 across the whole year for customers in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. Teams should also be available on its own for 5 per month or 60 for the year. Anyone who previously bought a productivity suite can keep paying for the entire bundle or remove Teams switch plans. However, Microsoft claims that any frontline workers or small business owners in the region will still have the option to include Teams in their purchase.Microsoft also says it will create additional support resources to direct developers to public APIs and address questions from users, such as how their data is being transferred from Teams. Plus, Microsoft "will develop a new method" for using its programs in competing apps.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-to-unbundle-teams-in-europe-in-bid-to-avoid-eu-antitrust-fine-090825495.html?src=rss
Signify, the Philips spinoff known for its Hue lighting products, has announced a new category for the brand that puts it in direct competition with companies like Ring and Nest. Yes, the company has launched new security products, most of which will be available this fall. They include Philips Hue Secure cameras in wired and wireless (or battery) versions that feature a 1080p HD video feed with night vision.You can use the cameras to talk to a visitor or delivery person outside your door, and you can program them to work in tandem with your Hue lights and sound alarms to help deter intruders. The devices can notify you of movements, but it has the capability to differentiate between pets, packages or people. Signify also says that end-to-end encryption is enabled by default, so your footage remains private. The new Hue Secure cameras can be used indoors or outdoors, and you can prop up the wired version with its companion desktop stand. Both will be available this autumn, though the wired camera will be a bit cheaper at $218 (200) than the $273 (250) battery variant.If you want something specifically for outdoor use, though, you can also get the Philips Hue Secure floodlight camera. When you trigger a light alarm from the Hue app, it instantly illuminates a large area in any color you want to help ward off potential intruders. This one is coming out later, in the first quarter of 2024, and will sell for $382 (350).SignifyAside from the aforementioned security cameras, the new Philips Hue lineup also includes contact sensors. You can stick them on doors, windows and other places, so you can get notified if somebody opens them. Plus, you can program them to work with Hue lights so that they'd switch on or off if the sensors detect doors being opened or closed. The sensors will be available this autumn in black and white for $44 (40) each or $76 (70) for a two-pack.SignifyTo make it easier to access any Secure device you purchase, the company has also updated its app to add a new Security Center. You can trigger alarms from there, flash lights and sound the siren on the Secure camera. It also gives you a quick way to call local authorities or a contact you trust, so they can check your home in case you're away.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/philips-hue-gets-into-home-surveillance-with-its-new-secure-cameras-063036218.html?src=rss
At least two government agencies are looking into Tesla's secret glass house project dubbed "Project 42," according to The Wall Street Journal. Back in July, the publication reported that the automaker's board launched an investigation over concerns that its CEO, Elon Musk, was using company funds for the project. Now, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has reportedly asked for information on how much Tesla spent on the project and on personal benefits Musk enjoys. Likewise, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also opened a civil probe, the Journal said, and has sought the same information.The plans for Project 42 involved building a glass structure that appeared to be a living space with bedrooms, bathrooms and a kitchen near Tesla's facilities in Austin, Texas. A couple of concepts envisioned it as a "twisted hexagon" or a glass cube similar to Apple's 5th Avenue store. The Journal previously said that the board launched an investigation after employees raised concerns regarding the special glass ordered for the project, which they believe would cost the company millions of dollars. It's unclear if that investigation is finished and if the company's order for the special glass pushed through.As the publication notes, SEC requires transactions over $120,000 when an executive has a material interest in them. Any personal benefits paid to executives that amount to over $10,000 must also be disclosed to investors. Authorities have only just started looking into the initiative, however, and these probes might not lead to any formal charges.In addition to investigations regarding Project 42, Tesla is also reportedly facing inquiries from federal prosecutors over the driving range of its vehicles. The company is being questioned after Reuters reported last month that its EVs frequently don't meet their range estimates and that the company set up a team specifically to cancel service appointments related to driving range complaints.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-reportedly-faces-investigation-over-its-mysterious-glass-house-project-051518583.html?src=rss
JLab's extremely affordable earbuds already strike a solid balance of value and performance, but the company set out to "drastically" reduce size and weight with its latest model. First announced back in December, the JBuds Mini is a set of insanely tiny wireless earbuds with a charging case smaller than a car key fob. While the $40 earbuds lack more advanced features like active noise cancellation (ANC), JLab didn't cut corners on the basics. Those items include customizable touch controls, transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth and solid battery life.The company explains that the JBuds Mini are 30 percent smaller than its already svelte Go Air Pop earbuds. It also shaved 50 percent off the size of the new case as compared to the one that came with that previous model. Inside the earbuds, 6mm dynamic drivers handle the audio while noise-canceling microphones are onboard for calls. The Mini's Bluetooth multipoint feature allows you to connect to multiple devices simultaneously and easily switch between them when needed.Touch controls cover actions like play/pause, adjusting volume, answering calls, activating Be Aware (transparency mode), cycling through EQ presets and summoning a voice assistant. You can further customize those gestures inside the JLab App, which also allows you to change the EQ settings. JLab says you can expect over five and a half hours of battery life on the earbuds themselves with over 20 hours of total playtime when you factor in the charging case. The JBuds Mini are also IP55 rated, so they offer some protection from dust and moisture. Lastly, Google Fast Pair is on the spec sheet, making the connection process quick and easy with compatible devices.The JBuds Mini will be available September 1st in mint, sage, pink, aqua and black color options.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/jlabs-insanely-tiny-wireless-earbuds-cover-the-basics-for-40-040141921.html?src=rss
Google has been working to marry its new-found focus on generative AI with its existing expertise in search since mid-May, as part of Search Lab's Google Search Generative Experience (SGE) project. On Wednesday, the company announced that the SGE program is expanding beyond America's digital borders and into both the Japanese and Indian marketplaces.SGE is Google's answer to Microsoft's Bing AI and is designed to provide summarized and curated answers to input prompts rather than a list of webpages. Google's system differs from Microsoft's in that it incorporates its AI directly into the existing search bar rather than run it as a separate chatbot assistant. The company began expanding access to the SGE program in late May for US users and, this week, rolled out Search Labs to users in India and Japan.The AI-enhanced search feature will be available in Japanese in Japan and in both English and Hindi for users in India, reads a Wednesday Google Search blog. "We're also launching with voice input, so users can simply speak their query instead of typing it and listen to the responses," the blog continues. "Search ads will continue to appear in dedicated ad slots throughout the page."Google also claimed that "people are having a positive experience," using SGE "for help with more complex queries and entirely new types of questions." In fact, the company notes that SGE's highest satisfaction scores came from 18-24 year olds, though did not offer data to back up those assertions.Following the meteoric rise in popularity of generative AI systems with the release of ChatGPT last November, the technology's luster is already beginning to fade as the seemingly inevitable misuse of its capabilities ramps up. The tech is already being used in online scams and has attracted the attention of both federal regulators and Congress itself, seeking to crack down on such shenanigans.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-is-pushing-its-ai-powered-search-on-india-and-japan-next-003057376.html?src=rss
Clearblue has launched a new product that can determine what stage of menopause a person is in. The "Menopause Stage Indicator" is a urine testing device and it's the company's first for this underserved market in women's health.The Menopause Stage Indicator looks like a standard pregnancy test stick but instead of measuring urine for pregnancy hormones, it will look for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, which are measured to confirm menopause. To get accurate test results, you'll have to conduct five urine tests over ten days, and Clearblue recommends they be taken every other day. Using FSH levels, menstrual cycle history, and a person's age, the company will be able to determine and confirm the menopause stage. The app will calculate if a person is in premenopause, early perimenopause, late perimenopause, or postmenopause.In its press release, Clearblue acknowledges that only a healthcare professional can confirm someone's menopause stage. However, through the app, you can generate a personalized report and share it with your healthcare provider to confirm test results and discuss potential treatment options. The Menopause Stage Indicator will be available on Amazon for a starting price of $20.Women's health has long been cast aside as a mere subset of healthcare. And it's even worse for aging people entering menopause. The market for a menopause testing device by Clearblue, a brand most famous for its pregnancy tests, is prime for the taking. Studies show that 73 percent of women experience menopause but do not seek treatment for their symptoms and the global menopause market size is projected to grow to $21.6 billion by 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/clearblues-cheap-menopause-test-fills-a-hole-in-the-at-home-health-market-230039337.html?src=rss
When Sennheiser debuted the original Ambeo Soundbar in 2019, it was the company's only living room speaker to carry its immersive audio tech. It was also very expensive at $2,500. That model, now dubbed the Ambeo Soundbar Max, is still $2,000 and its big sonic chops come in a massively large package. Last year, Sennheiser revealed the Ambeo Soundbar Plus: a $1,500 option that carried much of what makes Max such an acoustic marvel in a smaller design and a lower price (which is now $1,200). Today, the company announced the most affordable Ambeo model yet, the Ambeo Soundbar Mini, which packs that immersive audio tech in a much smaller speaker. It's a bid to take on the likes of Sonos Beam, but this Mini is still comparatively pricey at $800.Sennheiser says the Ambeo Soundbar Mini is less than half the size of the Ambeo Soundbar Plus. The smaller stature alleviates potential obstruction when you place it in front of your TV and the company says it's compact enough to put on your desk. Despite the reduced footprint, the Mini still packs 250 watts of amplification power behind four full-range drivers and two four-inch subwoofers. Sennheiser says these components combine for the "sharp fidelity, impactful bass and crystal-clear presence" exhibited by the larger two Ambeo soundbars.The main attraction here remains the company's immersive Ambeo technology. Sennheiser's 3D audio system uses the Mini's four microphones to calibrate the soundbar to any space. This process takes into account room size, reflective surfaces and textures. The one-touch process adjusts the speaker's 7.1.4 surround sound virtualization for the best performance. The Mini supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X MPEG-H and Sony's 360 Reality Audio while connecting to your TV or display through a single HDMI 2.1 (eARC) port. While Sennheiser says the soundbar is capable of "room-filling sound and impactful bass" down to 43 Hz, it gives you the option of connecting up to four Ambeo Subs ($600 each).The Ambeo Soundbar Mini is equipped with WiFi and Bluetooth, both of which can be used to stream music from the likes of Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and Tidal. Sennheiser says the speaker's Ambeo OS allows quick access to audio via Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. The Mini's microphones can also be used for voice commands via the built-in Alexa compatibility, but leveraging Google Assistant or Siri will require Chomecast or AirPlay, respectively.Ambeo Soundbar Mini, Ambeo Soundbar Plus, Ambeo Soundbar Max and Ambeo SubSennheiserIf you wish to expand your Ambeo setup beyond the Mini, your only option is to add an Ambeo Sub. The soundbar doesn't support subwoofers from other companies and there's no compatibility with wireless rear satellite speakers. That's due to the lack of Ambeo integration on both (Sennheiser really needs to make a set of rear speakers ASAP). This, in addition to a lower price, is a key difference between the Mini and the Sonos Beam. Sonos' second-gen compact soundbar adds Dolby Atmos, but it doesn't have up-firing drivers so the overall effect is limited. Still, a bundle that includes the Beam, a Sub Mini and two Era 100 speakers is available for $1,356 - around $50 less than the Ambeo Soundbar Mini and its compatible sub.The Ambeo Soundbar Mini will be available on September 1st.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sennheisers-ambeo-soundbar-mini-crams-3d-audio-in-a-beam-like-design-220051570.html?src=rss
Another ChatGPT rival is out in the wild. Baidu has made ERNIE Bot, its generative AI product and large language model, generally available to the public through various app stores and its website. Alongside ERNIE (Enhanced Representation through Knowledge Integration), the company plans to release a string of AI apps it says will allow folks "to fully experience the four core abilities of generative AI: understanding, generation, reasoning, and memory."Opening up ERNIE Bot (which is focused on the Chinese market) to the public will enable Baidu to obtain much more human feedback, according to CEO Robin Li. The company notes that this will help it iterate on ERNIE Bot more quickly and improve the user experience.Baidu announced the chatbot back in March, demonstrating capabilities such as summarizing a sci-fi novel and offering suggestions on how to continue the story in an expanded universe. It can generate images and videos based on text inputs too. Earlier this month, Baidu said ERNIE Bot's training throughput had increased three-fold since March and that it's now capable of data analysis and visualization, generating results more quickly and handling image inputs.As of August 15th, Chinese companies need to obtain approval from authorities before they can release generative AI experiences to the public, and Baidu was one of the first to get the green light, according to Bloomberg. The report suggests officials see AI as a "business and political imperative given the transformative nature of the technology." Beijing is said to want guardrails in place to keep a tight lid on content while still enabling Chinese companies to compete with overseas rivals.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/baidu-opens-up-its-ernie-generative-ai-to-the-public-200655940.html?src=rss
The contactless payment system for New York City's subways has a security hole. Anyone with access to someone's credit card number can see when and where they entered the city's underground transit during the last seven days. The problem lies in a feature" on the website for OMNY, the tap-to-pay system for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which allows you to view your recent ride history using only credit card info. Further, subway entries purchased using Apple Pay - which gives merchants a virtual number instead of your real one - still somehow link to your physical credit card number.The MTA's loose implementation could allow stalkers, abusive exes or anyone who hacks into or purchases a person's credit card information online to find out when and where they typically enter the subway. Joseph Cox of 404 Media initially reported on the story, detailing how (with a rider's consent) he tracked the stations they entered - with corresponding times. If I had kept monitoring this person, I would have figured out the subway station they often start a journey at, which is near where they live," Cox wrote. I would also know what specific time this person may go to the subway each day."This is a gift for abusers," Eva Galperin, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's director of cybersecurity, told Engadget. The OMNY website also allows passengers to create a password-protected account, but it sits below the more prominent Check trip history" section atop the page, requiring only a number and expiration date without any further security input. It is a real problem that the option to track your location - without any kind of password security - is available first on the website," noted Galperin. She says the MTA could have fixed this simply" by including a PIN or password requirement alongside the credit card field.Metropolitan Transportation Authority The website still shows your travel history even if you paid with Apple Pay. The iPhone maker says its tap-to-pay system gives merchants a virtual number rather than the physical card's number. And when you pay, your card numbers are never shared by Apple with merchants," a marketing blurb on the company's website reads. But an Engadget staffer confirmed that entering their actual credit card number linked to the used Apple Pay account - without having directly used that card to ride - still revealed their seven-day point-of-entry history.When asked about the OMNY website linking the two regardless, the MTA told Engadget it can't see the credit card numbers of customers who use Apple Pay. Apple didn't immediately respond to an emailed request for comment about how the MTA website associates the two without vendors having access to the physical credit card number.The MTA says it will consider security changes as it improves its system. The MTA is committed to maintaining customer privacy," MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick wrote to Engadget in an email. The trip history feature gives customers a way to check their paid and free trip history for the last 7 days without having to create an OMNY account. We also give customers the option of paying for their OMNY travel with cash. We're always looking to improve on privacy, and will consider input from safety experts as we evaluate possible further improvements."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nyc-subway-security-flaw-makes-it-possible-to-track-riders-journeys-195600685.html?src=rss
Google has been busy making a bunch of announcements for its cloud-based productivity apps this week, largely centered on Duet AI integration. There are some other helpful updates on the way to several apps, including Google Chat.A feature is now available in beta on several Workspace plans (with full availability on the roadmap for early next year) that allows for messaging interoperability between Chat and other services including Slack and Microsoft Teams. Google, which teamed up with a company called Mio to make this function work, suggests that this could be handy for organizations that use a variety of communications apps."We know that communication and collaboration happens over multiple channels and tools," Google wrote in an announcement post. "This can cause missed messages, silos of communication, and a frustrating experience monitoring multiple chat tools." It notes that organizations need Mio licenses to use the feature. According to GIF Google shared, it seems that if you edit a message in one of the connected apps, the change will be replicated in the others.Meanwhile, 9to5 Google reports that Chat will gain support for voice messages. These will enable users to save typing and allow recipients to hear the tone and context of the message," according to Google. The feature should be available in early 2024, but it's unclear whether it will be available in group chats and one-on-one DMs. It's also uncertain whether there will be transcription support from the jump.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-chat-now-plays-nice-with-slack-and-microsoft-teams-190033902.html?src=rss
The annual Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) speedrunning charity gaming event is returning in January. It's going to be an in-person affair once again, the first time since COVID. It all takes place in Pittsburgh at the Wyndham Hotel from January 14th to the 21st. Despite the change to an in-person format, you'll be able to stream the festivities via the Games Done Quick Twitch channel.For the uninitiated, AGDQ is a speedrunning marathon event that runs all day and night throughout the week. AGDQ 2024 will be held in support of the Prevent Cancer Foundation and you'll be able to quickly donate to the charity on Twitch or via the Games Done Quick website. The event raised over $3.5 million for the foundation back in 2022 and $2.6 million last year. There's also a sibling event held in the summer that has raised millions of dollars for Doctors Without Borders.AGDQ 2024 is still months away, so the organizers have yet to issue a list of participants and games. Past years have seen speedrunners take on hundreds of releases, from newer titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice to retro-flavored gems like Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Doom. Yes, labeling 2010's Super Mario Galaxy 2 as retro makes me feel old too, but it is what it is.Games Done Quick has stated that speedrunners don't have to head to Pittsburgh to take part, as there will be remote runs available for those unable to travel. The organization is accepting speedrunning submissions from September 1st to the 10th, so start practicing your runs now.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/speedrunning-charity-event-awesome-games-done-quick-returns-in-january-183533237.html?src=rss
Late-night comedy's five biggest hosts are starting a podcast. Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver and Jimmy Fallon will host Strike Force Five, a weekly chat about the complexities behind the ongoing Hollywood strikes." All proceeds will go to out-of-work staff from the hosts' five talk shows.The hosts bring their unique insights, opinions, and humor to the show as they navigate the Hollywood strikes and beyond," a Spotify blog post reads. The five comedians will take turns moderating the episodes. Spotify's Megaphone is producing the series, and the streaming service is the podcast's sole sales partner - but the series isn't exclusive to the platform. [It's available on] Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts," Meyers said in a video Kimmel posted to X (formerly Twitter). But Spotify, you fucks," Oliver aggressively deadpanned.The series launches on August 30th (day 120 of the strike, as noted byTVLine). It will run for at least 12 episodes.The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have been at odds without much discernible progress since the WGA began striking on May 2nd. The WGA described the sides' latest meeting last week as more of a lecture" than a negotiation. We were met with a lecture about how good their single and only counteroffer was," the WGA negotiating committee wrote to members. But this wasn't a meeting to make a deal. This was a meeting to get us to cave, which is why, not 20 minutes after we left the meeting, the AMPTP released its summary of their proposals. This was the companies' plan from the beginning - not to bargain, but to jam us. It is their only strategy - to bet that we will turn on each other."
The fall season of major tech events is ramping up and now we know when Google will host its big Pixel showcase. The next Made by Google event is set for October 4th at 1PM, and there's little doubt as to what the company plans to show off. "You're invited to an in-person Made by Google event where we'll introduce the latest additions to our Pixel portfolio of devices," reads an invitation that Engadget received.The company announced the date soon after leaking an image of what seemed to be the Pixel 8 Pro on its storefront - coincidentally on the same day that Apple confirmed its iPhone event will take place on September 15th. Google may have a new Pixel Watch to blab about, along with some other hardware.As with Microsoft's (likely Surface-related) event, this one will take place in New York City. Of course, we'll have full coverage of all the major Made by Google announcements right here on Engadget.GoogleThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-pixel-8-event-is-set-for-october-4th-170334767.html?src=rss
A couple months after Microsoft revealed plans to increase Game Pass subscription prices, Sony is getting in on the act. The company is bumping up the annual prices of all three PlayStation Plus plans on September 6th.An annual Essential subscription will soon cost $80 per year, up from $60. The Extra plan is going up by $35 to $135 per year, while an annual Premium plan will soon cost $40 more at $160. The price changes won't take effect for current PS Plus users on an annual plan until their next renewal date that's on or after November 6th. If you make any changes to your plan between September 6th and then (such as changing tiers), the new pricing will apply.Sony has not announced changes to the monthly ($10 for Essential, $15 for Extra and $18 for Premium) or quarterly ($25 for Essential, $40 for Extra and $50 for Premium) for the time being. It notes that the annual plan is still less expensive than a monthly or quarterly subscription in the long run.You still have a few days to stack an extra year (or two or three) onto your existing PS Plus plan at the current prices. It's too early to tell whether it will be worth waiting until Black Friday in case there are better deals, so if you have the cash to spare, now might be the time to add extra time to your plan.Sony notes that it's bumping up PS Plus plans globally to "enable us to continue bringing high-quality games and value-added benefits to your PlayStation Plus subscription service." That's maybe a difficult case to make given the three monthly games that will be available for all three tiers in September: the reboot of Saints Row, Black Desert - Traveler Editionand (a game I'm admittedly interested in) Generation Zero, all of which have received middling or poor reviews.Although they're somewhat different offerings, it's worth noting that PS Plus is generally less expensive than the equivalent Game Pass tiers. An annual PS Plus Essential plan is $52 less than a year of Xbox Game Pass, while a 12-month PS Plus Premium membership is $44 less expensive than Game Pass Ultimate over the same timeframe.That said, Microsoft offers access to all of its first-party games via Game Pass upon their release, an enticing offering that Sony can't match. The new Game Pass Core tier (which is replacing Xbox Live Gold) is $60 per year and includes full online multiplayer access and an initial library of 25 games.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sony-is-jacking-up-annual-playstation-plus-plans-by-as-much-as-40-164534502.html?src=rss
It looks like Instagram is about to significantly increase the maximum length of Reels posts, according to reputable mobile developer and leaker Alessandro Paluzzi. The current hard limit for these videos is three minutes, but screenshots provided by Paluzzi indicate a forthcoming leap to 10 minutes. This would effectively transform the social media site into a more robust video-sharing platform like YouTube.This move would also allow Meta's Instagram to further compete with rival TikTok, as the latter already lets users post videos up to ten minutes in length. TikTok and Instagram seem to be caught in some sort of ouroboros of mimicry, with one app regularly adopting features originally unveiled by the other.As TikTok and Instagram vie for a share of the long-form video pie, YouTube's moving in the opposite direction. It's been making a push to gain more ground in the short-form video space, recently adding a suite of creator tools and a TikTok-esque music-discovery feed. The days when you could easily label Instagram as the photo one", TikTok as the short video one" and YouTube as the long video one" are gone. It looks like they all want to be does everything one."Engadget reached out to Meta for clarification regarding the move toward long-form video content. The company confirmed that the leaked images are real but that they represent an "internal prototype" that's not being tested externally.Update, August 30th, 2023, 1:36 PM ET: This story has been updated to include a statement from Meta.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/instagram-reportedly-making-reels-longer-to-take-on-tiktok-and-youtube-163059898.html?src=rss
Google has revealed more details about how you'll be able to use the Duet AI assistant to help you rapidly whip up emails and documents. In Gmail, the tool builds on existing AI-powered features such as Smart Reply. Click or tap the "help me write" button and you'll have several options at your disposal.Select "write your draft" and you can detail the type of message that you'd like Duet AI to generate. The tool will be able to draw from previous messages in the thread to make the draft response more relevant, Google says. If Duet AI creates a message in a tone that's perhaps too casual, you can ask the assistant to make it more formal. There are options to make the draft more elaborate or condensed, and if you're feeling adventurous, you can slap the "I'm feeling lucky" option. This, Google says, will "introduce fun variations on tone and style for content you've drafted."The options are pretty similar in Google Docs, though you'll be able to make the tone of Duet AI's screed more casual if you wish. There are options to generate a summary for a section or an entire document, use bullet points (for those Axios fans out there) and to create a different draft based on your initial description. Additionally, Google says you can use a custom instruction to "refine the generated content." The "help me write" tool for Docs can pull in smart canvas features.For now, the new virtual assistant is only available to organizations who pony up an extra $30 per user per month for the Duet AI for Google Workspace Enterprise add-on. Duet AI will be available for small- and medium-sized businesses as well as consumers in the coming months, but Google hasn't revealed pricing as yet.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-duet-ai-can-generate-emails-and-documents-in-different-tones-161534645.html?src=rss
Games have the power to connect people across the world in enjoyment and teamwork, but they can also create a space ripe for toxic speech and hatred. Activision is attempting to minimize the latter, announcing a new collaboration with Modulate, a company using technology to identify these issues, for direct voice chat moderation in Call of Duty.Modulate's AI system, ToxMod, attempts to identify threats like hate speech, radicalization and self-harm in real-time. It claims to work in three steps: triage, analyze and escalate. ToxMod listens to all voice chats and pinpoints which warrant a further look. This flagged data is stored in their servers, while all other data will be processed right on the initial device. The company says it then evaluates everything from tone to emotion, analyzing not only "what is being said, but also how it is said and how other players respond to it." Finally, it attempts to alert moderators about the most toxic incidents and leaves it up to them to take action. The company claims it's the "only voice-native moderation solution" currently available, having protected "tens of millions of players."The integration of ToxMod could aid in preventing toxic responses as a whole, working alongside existing text-centric and reporting systems. "Tackling disruptive voice chat particularly has long been an extraordinary challenge across gaming," Activision's chief technology officer Michael Vance said in a statement. "With this collaboration, we are now bringing Modulate's state of the art machine learning technology that can scale in realtime for a global level of enforcement. This is a critical step forward to creating and maintaining a fun, fair and welcoming experience for all players." Last year, Activision started allowing games' moderation teams to mute players using toxic language in voice and text chats.ToxMod is now available as an English language beta release in North America for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone. It will be released globally - with the exception of Asia - when Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III releases on November 10th.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii-will-use-ai-to-clamp-down-on-toxic-voice-chats-160027704.html?src=rss
Most of us could stand to learn a new trick or two in the kitchen. Getting to grips with a new technique doesn't have to be difficult though, especially if you have the right equipment on hand. To wit: we reckon the Anova Precision Cooker 3.0 is the best sous vide machine you can buy right now, and best of all, it's on sale. The device has dropped by 25 percent to $149 at Amazon.This is the latest standard model of Anova's sous vide machines. It's one of the best prices we've seen for it to date - it has dropped a little lower in the past but this is still a solid deal all the same.The Precision Cooker 3.0 is a great all-rounder that's easy to use. It can handle all the basics of cooking things like meats and eggs. The latest model includes digital touch controls, a stainless steel and water-resistant IPX7 design and a longer power cord than previous iterations. There's WiFi connectivity, while the eight-liter-per-minute flow rate means it can bring water to the correct temperature faster than a lot of rival gizmos.Anova teamed up with highly regarded chef J. Kenji Lopez-Alt to feature a wealth of fully tested sous vide recipes in its app. And hey, if you're not exactly sure how to get started with sous vide, you're in luck: we have a handy guide just for that.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-anova-precision-cooker-30-is-50-off-right-now-151510851.html?src=rss
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