We all think we're pretty good at identifying images made by AI. It's the weird alien text in the background. It's the bizarre inaccuracies that seem to break the laws of physics. Most of all, it's those gruesome hands and fingers. However, the technology is constantly evolving and it won't be too long until we won't be able to tell what's real or not. Industry leader OpenAI is trying to get ahead of the problem by creating a toolset that detects images created by its own DALL-E 3 generator. The results are a mixed bag.OpenAIThe company says it can accurately detect pictures whipped up by DALL-3 98 percent of the time, which is great. There are, though, some fairly big caveats. First of all, the image has to be created by DALL-E and, well, it's not the only image generator on the block. The internet overfloweth with them. According to data provided by OpenAI, the system only managed to successfully classify five to ten percent of images made by other AI models.Also, it runs into trouble if the image has been modified in any way. This didn't seem to be a huge deal in the case of minor modifications, like cropping, compression and changes in saturation. In these cases, the success rate was lower but still within acceptable range at around 95 to 97 percent. Adjusting the hue, however, dropped the success rate down to 82 percent.OpenAINow here's where things get really sticky. The toolset struggled when used to classify images that underwent more extensive changes. OpenAI didn't even publish the success rate in these cases, stating simply that "other modifications, however, can reduce performance."This is a bummer because, well, it's an election year and the vast majority of AI-generated images are going to be modified after the fact so as to better enrage people. In other words, the tool will likely recognize an image of Joe Biden asleep in the Oval Office surrounded by baggies of white powder, but not after the creator slaps on a bunch of angry text and Photoshops in a crying bald eagle or whatever.At least OpenAI is being transparent regarding the limitations of its detection technology. It's also giving external testers access to the aforementioned tools to help fix these issues, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The company, along with bestie Microsoft, has poured $2 million into something called the Societal Resilience Fund, which hopes to expand AI education and literacy.Unfortunately, the idea of AI mucking up an election is not some faraway concept. It's happening right now. There have already been AI-generated election ads and disingenuous images used this cycle, and there's likely much more to come as we slowly, slowly, slowly (slowly) crawl toward November.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-says-it-can-detect-images-made-by-its-own-software-mostly-170012976.html?src=rss
Apple refreshed its iPads in a major way today with new launches in both the iPad Pro and iPad Air lineups. Both have significant hardware updates, but somehow the iPad Pro now weighs less than all of its Air equivalents.The 11-inch iPad Pro is 0.98 pounds (444 grams for the Wi-Fi model and 446 grams with cellular), while the same size version of the iPad Air is 1.02 pounds (462 grams with no difference between the Wi-Fi and cellular models).The weight difference is more evident in the 13-inch tablets - the iPad Air comes in that size for the first time. The 13-inch iPad Pro starts at 1.28 pounds (or 579 grams) for the Wi-Fi model, with the cellular version coming in three grams heavier. Meanwhile, though the Wi-Fi and LTE variants of the 13-inch iPad Air are only one gram apart, they both weigh 1.36 pounds, which is noticeably heavier than the iPad Pro.Apple says the latest iPad Pro is the thinnest product it has made, with a switch to dual OLED panels helping make the tablet more slender than ever. On the flip side, that makes the name of the iPad Air a little janky at this point.Sure, it's just a name and it doesn't matter that much. But at 1.03 pounds, the original Air was nearly half a pound lighter than the iPad 4. The latest model is essentially the same weight, but it's now heavier and chonkier than the iPad Pro, making Apple's premium tablets literally lighter than Air.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Let Loose' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-m4-ipad-pro-is-literally-lighter-than-air-164942372.html?src=rss
Another Apple event is in the books and, as expected, the Let Loose showcase was all about iPad. We now have our first Apple device powered by an M4 chip in the iPad Pro, with the company surprisingly choosing to debut it there rather than in a Mac. There's also an upgraded iPad Air that's available in two sizes: 11 inches and 13 inches.There are some accessory updates too, which isn't a big shock given that an Apple Pencil was prominent in the event's teaser image. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of everything Apple announced at its blessedly brief Let Loose event.iPad ProIt had been expected for a while that any updated iPad Pro would have an M3 chip, but Apple decided to upend the expectations of many by instead slotting the brand new M4 into its highest-end tablet. Apple says the new device delivers 50 percent faster performance than the M2 iPad Pro.Rendering performance is said to be four times faster than on the M2 Pro as well. For the first time on an iPad, Apple is bringing support for dynamic caching, hardware-accelerated ray tracing and hardware-accelerated mesh shading to the Pro with the M4.There are some power efficiencies here too. Apple says the M4 can deliver the same performance as an M2 using half the power. So, if you're using the tablet for tasks that aren't too strenuous, it stands to reason that the battery should last for longer.The other major upgrade for the iPad Pro is new display tech called Tandem OLED. As the name suggests, it uses two OLED panels layered on top of each other. That means this tablet should have richer colors and deeper blacks on what Apple is calling the Ultra Retina XDR display. Apple says the brightness levels max out at 1000 nits for standard and HDR, and 1600 nits for HDR.Despite the dual layer, the OLED panels are still thinner than an LCD display. To that end, Apple says the iPad Pro is now somehow thinner than an iPod nano (RIP, you beautiful thing), making it the company's most slender product ever. There's a nano-textured glass option for the first time on an iPad Pro too, but only if you opt for at least 1TB of storage.One other notable change is that the Ultra Wide 12MP front-facing camera is now on the landscape edge. The Magic Keyboard users out there may be pleased about that tweak.The new iPad Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch, each with 256GB of storage. Add $200 to each of you want 5G cellular connectivity via eSIM.We've already had a hands-on with the iPad Pro and, at first glance, the display seems like the show stealer.M4We have to chat a bit about what's powering the iPad Pro: the all-new M4 chipset. The Pro is the first Apple product to use the M4, even before any Mac.The M4 has a new CPU with up to four performance cores and six efficiency cores. There's a 10-core GPU as well. Notably, the chipset's neural engine is focused on machine learning and AI. Apple says the neural engine is capable of 38 trillion operations per second - it's 60 times faster than the first neural engine that debuted in the A11 chip. AI features that the M4 will power on the iPad Pro will include real-time Live Captions, the ability to isolate subjects and remove backgrounds in videos in Final Cut Pro and automatic musical notation in StaffPad.Odds are high that we'll start seeing Macs with the M4 pop up later this year, which might put folks off from buying the M3 MacBook Air Apple started selling just a couple of months ago (though the company says the MBA is now the best-selling 13-inch and 15-inch laptop on the planet).The main reason for Apple skipping a silicon generation with the iPad Pro is likely to start a transition into AI hardware ahead of its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Expect the company to talk much more about what it plans to do with AI across all its products next month.iPad AirAppleThe iPad Air was well overdue for an update after being stuck with an aging M1 chipset for over two years. The latest model (or models) boast an M2 chipset. Still recent enough to make it a notable upgrade from the previous Air while keeping the more powerful iPad Pro distinct.As I mentioned, the iPad Air now comes in two sizes, the existing 11-inch form factor and the new, larger 13-inch variant. That makes the Air the most cost-effective large screen iPad as things stand. Oh, and the front-facing camera is also positioned on the longer edge of the Air now. Thanks, Apple.The company has doubled the base storage from the previous generation to 128GB. The 11-inch model starts at $599 and the new 13-inch Air is $799. For 5G cellular connectivity, you'll need to pay $150 extra. As with pretty much everything else Apple showed off today, the new iPad Air will drop next Wednesday.We've also had some hands-on time with the new iPad Air. With the combination of the price and the various hardware updates, Apple could be onto another winner here.Apple Pencil and Magic KeyboardAppleThere's a new Apple Pencil around town and it has some nifty tricks up its sleeve, including haptic feedback. The Apple Pencil Pro supports a new squeeze gesture too. If you rotate the barrel, you can change the orientation of brush and pen tools, just as you would with a pen and paper.Find My support for the first time in an Apple Pencil is very welcome, considering how easy it is too lose the dang thing if you don't store it securely on the side of your iPad.The Apple Pencil Pro costs $129. Preorders are open today and it ships on May 15.AppleMeanwhile, there's a new Magic Keyboard that's only compatible with the iPad Pro. This one is made from aluminum to give it a more premium feel and perhaps help users believe that the iPad Pro is the laptop replacement Apple has long envisioned its tablets being.The latest version has a larger trackpad with haptic feedback, while there's a row of function keys, a la a more traditional keyboard.The new Magic Keyboard also ships next week. If you want one for the 11-inch iPad Pro, it'll run you $300, while the larger variant is $350.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Let Loose' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/everything-announced-at-apples-let-loose-ipad-event-161005007.html?src=rss
In the last five days, Helldivers 2 was removed from the PC market in 177 countries and the game's Steam reviews collapsed under the weight of more than 200,000 negative ratings, dropping from Positive to Mixed. It's now Tuesday and the Helldivers 2 Steam page is overrun with people ranting against Sony and celebrating democracy, and for anyone taking their first glance at the game, it's all a bit confusing.Here's what's going on.Helldivers 2 is a third-person co-op shooter developed by independent team Arrowhead Game Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It went live on PlayStation 5 and Steam on February 8, marking a rare instance of cross-platform parity from Sony. Immediately, Helldivers 2 was a hit on PC - it clocked more concurrent players on Steam than any other PlayStation game, beating God of War, Spider-Man Remastered, Horizon Zero Dawn and The Last of Us Part I. Helldivers 2 was so popular in its first few weeks that Arrowhead's servers had trouble meeting demand and had to be capped at 450,000 players.I am completely exhausted by the success," Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt tweeted one week post-launch. So is the team, many, many late nights, on-calls, emergency meetings, discussions around server capacity, shards, capacity units, CPU utilization, login rates and CCU. Tired, but very, very pleased."Sony Interactive EntertainmentHelldivers 2 is one of the first tests of Sony's long-term multiplatform goals. While Pilestedt was taking stock of Helldivers 2's launch week, Sony executives were telling investors about their fresh plans to aggressively chase revenue streams on PC. Sony president Hiroki Totoki said the objective was to proactively work on" releasing first-party games on PC alongside PlayStation, a shift from the company's longstanding console-first approach.Helldivers 2 isn't a first-party Sony game, but it's console-exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Sony has been supporting its development as its publisher. As long as Helldivers 2 has had a Steam page, it's also had a dijon-yellow notification box alerting players that they'll need to link up a PlayStation Network account in order to play. According to Sony, account linking is all in the name of security and cross-platform play, but of course it also helps boost the studio's PSN monthly active user numbers.Due to the game's early network issues, Sony decided to postpone the account-linking requirement when Helldivers 2 went live on Steam on February 8. It hit the digital PC storefront for $40 with no notable region or account-linkage restrictions. For nearly three months, Helldivers 2 had its moment in the sun.And then it started to burn. On Thursday, May 2, Sony announced that all Helldivers 2 Steam players would be required to log into their PSN accounts in order to continue accessing the game on PC. The requirement would go live for new players on May 6, and existing players would start seeing a mandatory login prompt at the end of the month.Due to technical issues at the launch of Helldivers 2, we allowed the linking requirements for Steam accounts to a PlayStation Network account to be temporarily optional," Sony's announcement said. That grace period will now expire."Usually this wouldn't be a massive issue, since PSN accounts are free and it's relatively painless to link one to Steam. However, Helldivers 2 had been sold around the world, and PSN is only available in 73 countries. That would leave well over 100 countries and territories in the lurch, with those players unable to play a game they'd already paid for. Refunds were also out of the question for most players - especially the most dedicated ones - since Steam generally limits those to games that've been played for less than two hours. The bad reviews started pouring in.Sony Interactive EntertainmentNeither Arrowhead nor Sony seemed to know what to do next. Sony published an FAQ in the Helldivers 2 Discord that didn't offer solutions, and instead seemed to advise affected players to create PSN accounts in different countries, a violation of the platform's terms. It became readily apparent through tweets and Discord updates that while Sony was the driving force behind the PSN requirement, Arrowhead developers kind of hated it. They even encouraged the review riot.I want people to make their displeasure known in a place where it might actually make a difference, Steam reviews and refund requests will do that, angry posting in the Discord won't," Arrowhead associate community manager Spitz posted in the game's Discord server on Friday. I'm not happy about this decision either."Over the weekend, more than 200,000 people posted negative reviews of Helldivers 2 on Steam, tanking its overall rating. On Sunday, May 5, Sony silently removed Helldivers 2 from Steam in 177 countries and territories that don't have access to PSN.That same day, Arrowhead CEO Pilestedt tweeted, We are talking solutions with PlayStation, especially for non-PSN countries. Your voice has been heard, and I am doing everything I can to speak for the community - but I don't have the final say."Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn May 6, the day the PSN requirement was set to go live for new players, Sony backtracked. The company tweeted that its account-linking plans would not be moving forward." The message continued, We're still learning what is best for PC players and your feedback has been invaluable. Thanks again for your continued support of Helldivers 2 and we'll keep you updated on future plans."Helldivers 2 is now available in every region that has Steam, with the option to link a PSN account. Its PC review score is slowly recovering as the rioters return to adjust their rankings, now alongside cheeky messages about the power of democracy.On Monday, Pilestedt quoted Sony's reversal tweet and added, Firstly, I am impressed by the willpower of the @helldivers2 community and your ability to collaborate. Secondly I want to thank our partners and friends at @PlayStation for quickly and effectively making the decision to leave PSN linking optional. We together want to set a new standard for what a live game is, and how developers and community can support each other to create the best game experiences."With Helldivers 2, the account-linking issue was easily avoidable. Sony was knowingly selling a game to people who wouldn't be able to play it - but first, it gave them a paid trial and three months of false hope. At best, it looks like Sony was completely unaware of the logistics that would support its bold new PC strategy. At worst, it all feels mildly diabolical.Sony Interactive EntertainmentIt's unclear what the 2024 Helldivers 2 Steam riots will mean for future Sony games on PC, but there's another test coming up soon with the release of Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut on May 16. Just like Helldivers 2, the game's Steam page contains a little yellow rectangle warning players that it requires a PSN account for online multiplayer and the PlayStation overlay. According to SteamDB, Ghost of Tsushima is currently on sale in a handful of countries that don't have PSN.As the Helldivers 2 drama began to kick off on May 3, Ghost of Tsushima developer Sucker Punch Productions responded to a concerned fan on X with the following account-linking clarification: "Just so you are aware, A PSN account is required for Legends online multiplayer mode and to use PlayStation overlay. It is not required to play the singleplayer game."As long as the terms of engagement are clear and Sony doesn't attempt to pull the rug out from under players three months after the game comes out, that all sounds just fine. Account linking isn't a new or even rare scenario in gaming - Microsoft (including Activision Blizzard), Ubisoft, Riot, EA and most other major video game studios require a proprietary sign-in to access their games on Steam and other third-party storefronts. The issue with Helldivers 2 wasn't account linking. The issue was Sony's short-sighted execution of a high-profile PC rollout and its poor communication with upset players after the fact.Most gaming fans want to see PlayStation titles on PC, and Sony wants to wring as much money out of its core franchises as possible by putting them on additional platforms - this plan should be win-win. With Helldivers 2, it's been more like win-lose-win, but at least we got there in the end.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-helldivers-2-163829512.html?src=rss
Apple is all over the place today on the hardware side of things, having just announced a slew of new iPads. However, some of Apple's most beloved software is also getting some love. There's a new version of the video editing suite Final Cut Pro for tablets that brings plenty of long-requested features.The big news for video editors? Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 (actual name) now supports external drives. Video editing projects are typically gigantic when you consider all of that raw footage. It's easy to fill up all of the available space of an iPad with footage from one or two scenes, let alone an entire project. This fixes a major barrier of entry for those curious about editing on a tablet. It also makes it easier to hand off footage to another editor or import footage to Final Cut Pro for Mac.The software is even bringing live multicam recording to iPads. This lets creators capture up to four different angles of a single scene spread across multiple devices. Everything connects wirelessly via a new app called Final Cut Camera, which gives a real-time director's view" on four iPhones or iPads. Each feed has its own settings that can be adjusted, like focus, zoom and more. Editable preview clips immediately get passed on to Final Cut Pro for editing.As for customization options, Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 brings 12 new color-grading presets, eight basic text tiles, 20 new soundtracks and more dynamic backgrounds. These will be especially useful when creating title sequences and the like.AppleThe Mac version of Final Cut Pro is also getting a fairly substantial update, with a focus on AI. The software leverages Apple silicon's Neural Engine to bring a bit of AI flourish to basic editing tasks. The update allows users to change up colors, color balance, contrast and brightness all at the same time. There's also something called Smooth Slo-Mo that pairs with AI, in which frames of video are intelligently generated and blended together, providing the highest-quality movement." The timeline has also been refreshed and looks a bit more intuitive.Finally, there's an update to Logic Pro for iPad, with a new session player feature and a stem splitter tool. The updates for Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad are available for free to current users and cost $5 per month for new users, which is the same pricing model as last year when both software packages were first released. Final Cut Pro for Mac costs $300 for new users, but the update is free for pre-existing users. All of these updates drop later this spring.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/final-cut-pro-for-ipad-gets-support-for-external-drives-and-live-multicam-recording-161244729.html?src=rss
Compared to the iPad Pro, the changes Apple made to the iPad Air are more modest. Rather than a total redesign, the iPad Air is getting some expected and slightly overdue changes: a new screen size, a new processor and a front-facing camera that is placed on the landscape side of the tablet.Yes, that's some faint praise, but there's a lot to like about the new iPad Air. It's long been the best overall iPad, straddling the line between the budget entry model and the wildly powerful and expensive Pro lineup. That's the case here, again. But now that the 13-inch iPad Pro is even more pricey than before, it's good to see a large-screen iPad that doesn't cost well over $1,000.The 11-inch iPad Air is identical in size and weight to the old one, though the screen is .1 inches bigger this time. So there's not a whole lot to say about that one. The 13-inch Air, however, feels quite a bit like the old 12.9-inch iPad Pro that was just replaced today. Indeed, it's identical in all dimensions, but a little bit lighter (1.36 pounds instead of 1.5).Photo by Nathan Ingraham / EngadgetThat makes it a little more approachable as a hand-held tablet, though I still feel like an iPad this large is best suited to either be used in a keyboard dock or flat on a table with an Apple Pencil. That said, Apple says that about half of iPad Pro sales were for the larger model, so there's clearly an appetite for this bigger screen. There's definitely something luxurious about using such a large screen tablet, provided it's easy to handle, and that's the case with the iPad Air (at least in the limited time I've had so far to handle the device).I also got to try the new Apple Pencil Pro, which is compatible with the new Air. As I said here, the new tricks like barrel roll for changing the shape of your brush and a squeeze feature to bring up tools like a brush picker are solid additions, and I'm glad that Apple didn't increase the Pencil's price given these new features.Photo by Nathan Ingraham / EngadgetThese tablets might not have the wow factor that I experienced when checking out the iPad Pro, but that's OK. From my first look, it feels like the iPad Air lineup offers most of the same experience that you'll get with an iPad Pro - at least in ways that normal buyers will recognize. And I think Apple did well on pricing this time out. The 11-inch iPad Air costs $599, same as before, but it now has a more reasonable 128GB of storage. The 13-inch model is priced at $799, an expected price bump for the larger screen. It's the first time you can get a large-screen iPad for less than a grand, and I'm definitely curious to see if that helps to improve iPad sales.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/hands-on-with-the-ipad-air-m2-a-big-screen-ipad-that-doesnt-break-the-bank-160655629.html?src=rss
The new iPads are finally here. Apple has announced four new entries in its tablet lineup, including two revamped iPad Pros with OLED screens and an all-new M4 chip, a refreshed iPad Air with an M2 chip and a new larger Air model with a 13-inch display. Along with the new slates, the company also unveiled a new Apple Pencil Pro stylus with haptic feedback support and an updated Magic Keyboard with a more MacBook-like design. The updates come more than a year and a half after the company last unveiled new iPads in October 2022.
Google announced the Pixel 8a smartphone today, one week ahead of the company's I/O conference on May 14. We no longer have to rely on leaked info, as Google has confirmed the Pixel 8a will start at $499, the same price as the Pixel 7a at launch, and will ship the same day as the event. You can pre-order it now from Google's storefront or from Amazon. The sub-$500 price tag maintains the A-series position as the most affordable handset in Google's lineup. We were able to spend a little time with the phone to get some initial thoughts, and our full review will be coming soon. In the meantime, here's what's new about the newest Pixel phone.The Pixel 8a upgrades to the Tensor G3 chip, giving it the same processor as the standard Google Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro. The new phone carries the same 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage as the previous generation, along with the option of 256GB of storage, that model is going for $559. The 6.1-inch OLED display is the same size and resolution as its predecessor, but the refresh rate is a smoother 120Hz. The screen's got a little more dazzle too, with a peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits, an increase from the Pixel 7a that now matches the Pixel 8.The battery is very slightly (about 100mAh) bigger, leading Google to claim a 24-plus-hour battery life, instead of the 7a's flat 24-hour promise. Speaking of promises, the new budget Pixel comes with seven years of promised security and features updates, putting it on par with the 8-series phones. That's two years longer than the support offered with the 7a. Google extended the warranty by one year as well, putting it at two years for the new phone.As we expected, the camera array remains largely the same as the prior generation, with a 64MP wide and a 13MP ultrawide lens in back and a 13MP selfie cam up front. Magic Editor and Best Take, two of Google's AI-assisted photography features that impressed us on the Pixel 8, have come to the Pixel 8a, as well as the new Audio Magic Eraser, which automatically cuts out distracting sounds from video recordings.The Pixel 8a comes in three of the same colors as the Pixel 8 Pro: Obsidian, Porcelain and Bay but the 8a swaps in an Aloe option instead of Mint. Pre-orders for Google's new Pixel 8a are now open and orders will ship on May 14.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-google-pixel-8a-was-just-announced-heres-how-to-pre-order-the-new-smartphone-160051570.html?src=rss
A new Pixel A-series phone typically gets announced at Google I/O. Unfortunately, that means the affordable handset sometimes gets buried amongst all the other news during the company's annual developer conference. So for 2024, Google moved things up a touch to give the new Pixel 8a extra attention. And after checking it out in person, I can see why. It combines pretty much everything I like about the regular Pixel 8 but with a lower price of $499.Right away, you'll see a very familiar design. Compared to the standard Pixel 8, which has a 6.2-inch screen, the 8a features a slightly smaller 6.1-inch OLED display with noticeably larger bezels. But aside from that, the Pixel 8 and 8a are almost the exact same size. Google says the material covering the display should be pretty durable as it's made out of Gorilla Glass, though it hasn't specified an exact type (e.g. Gorilla Glass 6, Victus or something else).Some other changes include a higher 120Hz refresh rate (up from 90Hz on the previous model), a more streamlined camera bar and a new matte finish on its plastic back that Google claims mimics the texture of cashmere. Now, I don't think I'd go that far, but it did feel surprisingly luxurious. The 8a still offers decent water resistance thanks to an IP67 rating, though that is slightly worse than the IP68 certification on a regular Pixel 8. Its battery is a bit smaller too at 4,492 mAh (instead of 4,575 mAh). That said, Google says thanks to some power efficiency improvements, the new model should run longer than the previous model.As for brand new features, the most important addition is that alongside the base model with 128GB of storage, Google is offering a version with 256GB. That's a first for any A-series Pixel. And, following in the footsteps of last year's flagships, the Pixel 8a is also getting 7 years of software and security updates, which is a big jump from the three years of Android patches and five years of security on last year's 7a. Finally, the Pixel 8a is getting a partially refreshed selection of colors including bay, porcelain, obsidian and a brand new aloe hue, which is similar to the mint variant of the Pixel 8 earlier this year but even brighter and more saturated. I must say, even though I've only played around with it for a bit, it's definitely the best-looking of the bunch.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetOne thing that hasn't changed, though, is the Pixel 8a's photography hardware. It uses the same 64-megapixel and 13MP sensors for its main and ultra-wide cameras. However, as the Pixel 7a offered the best image quality of any phone in its price range, it's hard to get too mad about that. And because this thing is powered by a Tensor G3 chip, it supports pretty much all the AI features Google introduced on the regular Pixel 8 last fall, including Best Take, Audio Magic Eraser, Circle to Search, Live Translate and more. Furthermore, while Google is giving everyone access to its Magic Editor inside Google Photos later this month, free users are limited to 10 saves per month, whereas there's no cap for people with Pixel 8s and now the 8a.However, there are a few features available on the flagship Pixels that you don't get on the 8a. The biggest omission is a lack of pro camera controls, so you can't manually adjust photo settings like shutter speed, ISO, white balance and more. Google also hasn't upgraded the 8a's Qi wireless charging speed, which means you're limited to just 7.5 watts instead of up to 18 watts. Finally, while the phone does offer a digital zoom, there's no dedicated telephoto lens like on the Pixel 8 Pro.But that's not a bad trade-off to get a device that delivers 90 percent of what you get on Google's top-tier phones for just $499, which is $200 less than the Pixel 8's regular starting price. And for anyone who likes the Pixel 8a but might not care as much about AI, the Pixel 7a will still be on sale at a reduced price of $349. Though if you want one of those, you might want to scoop it up soon because there's no telling how long supplies will last.The one wrinkle to all this is that at the time of writing, the standard Pixel 8 has been discounted to $549, just $50 more than the Pixel 8a. So unless an extra Ulysses S. Grant is going to make or break your budget, I'd probably go with that. Still, even though the Pixel 8a doesn't come with a lot of surprises, just like its predecessor, it's shaping up to once again be the mid-range Android phone to beat.Pre-orders go live today with official sales starting next week on May 14th.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-pixel-8a-hands-on-flagship-ai-and-a-120hz-oled-screen-for-499-160046236.html?src=rss
Sennheiser's Accentum line is meant to offer flagship-quality features at more affordable prices. So far, the company has debuted two sets of headphones with that moniker, the Accentum Wireless and Accentum Plus Wireless, but it has now added true wireless earbuds to the group. The Accentum True Wireless have a different shape than the pricier Momentum 4 True Wireless, but still pack in several handy features - including hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC).The company explains that the ergonomic shape of the Accentum True Wireless was developed in collaboration with hearing aid manufacturer Sonova (Sennheiser's parent company). Analyzing "thousands of ear models," the pair created earbuds that offer "the ideal balance of stability, comfort and sophistication." The curves of the Accentum True Wireless should lead to a more comfortable fit for more ear shapes and four sizes of ear tips will help you find the best seal for both acoustic and ANC performance.Inside, 7mm transducers offer "powerful and engaging bass, natural mids and crisp treble," according to Sennheiser. The company says beamforming microphones for the ANC setup can reduce low-frequency distractions, even airplane cabin noise, to the point they're barely noticeable. There's also a transparency mode when you need to be aware of your surroundings. The Sennheiser Smart Control app offers EQ customization and Sound Check, a feature that builds a unique audio preset based on your preferences. The app also allows you to reconfigure the earbuds' touch controls as needed.The Accentum True Wireless will last up to eight hours on a charge with another 20 hours in the wireless charging case. When topping off the set via a USB-C cable, a 10 minute plug-in will give you one hour of use. These earbuds also support Bluetooth 5.3, which delivers LE Audio and Auracast broadcast sound in public spaces or from privately-hosted sharing sessions.The Accentum True Wireless is available for pre-order now for $200 and is set to arrive on May 21. The new model comes in black and white color options for now, but according to the company's website a navy version is also on the way.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sennheisers-accentum-true-wireless-earbuds-have-an-all-new-design-and-anc-for-200-154935691.html?src=rss
The new 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro models that Apple just introduced may be completely redesigned from the outside in, but they still feel a lot like their predecessors. That's not a bad thing, as the old iPad Pro design was outstanding. But there's no doubt Apple is flexing its hardware engineering muscles with these new tablets, not just with the M4 chip inside.Both tablets are noticeably thinner and lighter than the ones they replace, something I didn't really think was possible before. It's frankly a little absurd to see such a thin and light device with such an advanced display and powerful processor. It still feels like the prior iPad Pro, just in a more refined package. My big question is around durability, something Apple mentioned during its keynote - I'd be a little worried about bending these iPads, but hopefully this is something Apple rigorously tested for. But it has had issues with thin products bending before (albeit a long time ago).Photo by Nathan Ingraham / EngadgetAfter the impressive physical specifications, the next thing you can't miss is the OLED screen. Technically, it's a "Tandem OLED" screen, a display layer that is thinner than the one in the old iPad Pro which helped Apple achieve the wild thinness here. In Apple's extremely bright demo area, the iPad Pro screen showed its quality - everything was extremely clear, blacks were pitch-black and colors really popped. After looking at the iPad Air display, it was obvious how much better these screens are. The viewing angles were particularly impressive to me, as images on the screen remained sharp, bright and clear no matter how I positioned the tablet.I also got a chance to check out the Apple Pencil Pro, which looks and feels nearly identical to the second-generation Apple Pencil revealed way back in 2018. That's OK, as the form factor is fine with me. It still connects to the side of the iPad Pro to charge and pair; all of its new tricks are under the hood. Squeezing the Pencil gives you a little burst of haptic feedback and pulls up a pane for selecting what brush you want to use in the FreeForm app demo I tried. But that action is customizable by third-party developers so the squeeze can do whatever is appropriate for the app you're using. The gyroscope, meanwhile, lets you spin the Pencil as you draw to change angles of your brush on the fly.Photo by Nathan Ingraham / EngadgetUnfortunately, we didn't get to try the new Magic Keyboard Apple is producing for the iPad Pro, but Apple says it's thinner and lighter than the old model. That older one will still be available for the iPad Air.Between the display, the M4 processor and the new dimensions of the iPad Pro, this feels like a major update for Apple's best tablet, with a price to match. Both the 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro are $200 more than their predecessors: the 11-inch model starts at $999, while the 13-inch is a whopping $1,299. But hey, at least storage now starts at 256GB! That pricing firmly puts these iPads out of reach for normal humans, and that's OK - most people will be more than happy with a tablet like the iPad Air. If you want this wildly impressive screen, though, you're going to pay for it.Photo by Nathan Ingraham / EngadgetFollow all of the news live from Apple's 'Let Loose' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ipad-pro-m4-hands-on-absurdly-thin-and-light-but-the-screen-steals-the-show-153641259.html?src=rss
Alongside its lineup of new iPads, Apple revealed an overhauled Pencil today too. The Apple Pencil Pro has a new sensor in the barrel that accepts your squeezes. This action can do things like bring up tool palettes so you don't have to manually tap into them with your free hand. Apple says you can also use the gesture to activate shortcuts or and other actions. What's more, haptic feedback lets you know when the squeeze was accepted or when something you moved has snapped into place. Apple also added a roll gesture "for precise control" of whatever tool you're using, powered by a new gyroscope.The new Apple Pencil works with Find My, so you'll have some extra assistance when you lose it. And, as always, the new version still pairs, charges and stores magnetically on iPad Pro. Apple says developers can make their own actions with the new gestures, so you can expect to see customizations based on the iPad apps you're using. Apple Pencil Pro works with the new iPad Air in addition to the new iPad Pro, so you have multiple Pencil options for the more affordable iPad.Apple Pencil Pro is $129 and is up for pre-order today. It will ship next week.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Let Loose' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-pencil-pro-adds-squeeze-roll-and-haptic-feedback-to-its-bag-of-tricks-144712885.html?src=rss
Apple has announced a refreshed Magic Keyboard accessory at today's iPad event. The new keyboard is designed to specifically work with the M4 iPad Pro line, though it doesn't integrate with the iPad Air or any other model.When connected to the iPad Pro, it makes the tablet look like an actual laptop. Apple says the entire experience feels just like using a MacBook." To further assist this laptop mimicry, the keyboard boasts a larger trackpad with haptic feedback. There's also a new function row for quick access to convenient controls, like brightness and the like.AppleThe keyboard now features an aluminum palmrest and is available in two colors. Magic Keyboard ships with the iPad Pro next week. The keyboard costs $300 or $350, depending on which iPad Pro model it aligns with. The company also announced new iPads today, including an OLED iPad Pro and a refreshed iPad Air.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-new-magic-keyboard-for-the-ipad-pro-gets-a-function-row-and-haptic-trackpad-144312086.html?src=rss
Today at its "Let Loose" event, Apple detailed its new M4 chip featuring a major focus on improved AI and machine learning capabilities.Built on a new second-gen 3nm process, Apple's M4 chip features four performance and six efficiency cores along with a 10-core GPU. On top of that, Apple says it's maintaining class-leading energy efficiency. In terms of general performance, Apple claims the M4's CPU is 50 percent faster compared to M2 with a GPU that's four times more powerful. Memory bandwidth has been improved with speeds of up to 120GB/s.AppleThe M4 also features an upgraded 16-core neural engine capable of delivering up to 38 trillion operations per second.Developing...Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Let Loose' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-m4-chip-arrives-with-a-big-focus-on-ai-142448428.html?src=rss
Apple's new iPad Pro models are its most laptop-like tablets yet. They're the first devices powered by the company's M4 chip, which is said to deliver more AI capabilities. And, for the first time outside of the iPhone and Apple Watch, both the new 11-inch and (slightly larger) 13-inch iPad Pros will sport OLED screens. That's a step up from the LCD and Mini-LED displays on the previous models, and it should lead to bolder colors, inky dark black levels, and far better contrast.These aren't your typical OLEDs, either: Apple says the new iPad Pros feature "tandem" OLED displays for 1,000 nits of typical brightness and 1,500 nits of peak brightness. That solves the brightness issues facing earlier OLED screens, and it means you likely won't miss the extreme brightness of Mini-LED.It's interesting to see Apple skip the M3 chip entirely and debut the M4 on the iPad Pro - that's a sign of just how important the company considers these new tablets. The M4 chip sports a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Apple claims the M4's CPU is up to 50 percent faster than the M2, and its GPU is four times as fast. It also features a Neural Engine that can reach 38 TOPS (tera operations per second) of AI performance. That's faster than any processor shipping today, and it's slightly below the upcoming Snapdragon X Elite chips, which have a 45 TOPS NPU.Developing...Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Let Loose' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-thinner-new-ipad-pros-feature-the-m4-chip-and-tandem-oled-displays-142031520.html?src=rss
It's about dang time. During its Let Loose event, Apple announced it has updated the iPad Air for the first time in over two years. The latest model has an M2 chip, so it's not getting one of Apple's most recent chipsets, likely to keep costs down and differentiate it from the iPad Pro. Still, the M2 is about 50 percent faster than the M1, Apple says, and the tablet is about three times faster than the A14 Bionic-powered iPad Air from 2020.Perhaps more significantly, the company has introduced an iPad Air with a 13-inch screen for the first time. That means there are two variants, as the 11-inch format is sticking around. As such, the iPad Air and iPad Pro effectively have the same display sizes. The 13-inch model has about 30 percent more screen real estate than the 11-inch, Apple says.The smaller model starts at $599 (the same as the previous gen Air originally cost), while the 13-inch version is $799. Both will be available next week, with pre-orders opening today. In a welcome decision, Apple is also doubling the Air's base storage to 128GB.Rumors initially suggested that the 13-inch model would have a mini-LED display. That turned out not to be the case as it has a liquid retina display, but analyst Ross Young says Apple may unveil an updated iPad Air later this year that does have such a display.Another of the updates isn't quite as notable, but it should be a great quality-of-life change for many folks. Apple has moved the front-facing camera to the landscape edge of the display. That means you should be more centered in the frame when your iPad is docked and you're on a video call. The placement of the front-facing camera has been one of our biggest iPad bugbears for years, and it's great to see Apple finally seeing sense and repositioning it.Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Let Loose' event right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-new-ipad-air-comes-in-two-sizes-including-a-13-inch-model-141005701.html?src=rss
Say hello to new iPads - probably. Apple is holding a live event this morning at 10AM ET to unveil new entries in its lineup of tablets. The keynote, dubbed Let Loose, will be starting soon, and you can watch live in a number of ways. We are popping the YouTube stream below, so you can watch right here, but the event is also available on the company's website and on the Apple TV+ app. Engadget is also liveblogging the Let Loose iPad event, if you'd like our play by play.So what is the company likely to announce? Tablets, as far as the eye can see. Apple's been coy as to which iPads are getting a refresh, but rumors and reports indicate a new OLED iPad Pro and an updated iPad Air.The rumored iPad Pro may even skip the M3 chipset, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggested there is a strong possibility" that the tablet could feature the next-gen M4. He also indicated that Apple is going to lean heavy on some new AI branding when it comes to the iPad Pro, referring to it as the company's first truly AI-powered device."Beyond potentially having an AI onboard to confidently, yet mistakenly, answer questions, this will likely be an OLED tablet. That means a glorious display that should bring richer colors and deeper blacks to the line. OLED panels are also thinner than LCD panels, so this could be one slender gadget. There are also rumors that the iPad Pro will feature a glass back to enable MagSafe charging.Nathan Ingraham / EngadgetIt's been two whole years since an iPad Air refresh, which is a lifetime in tech years. The updated iPad Air will likely not have a fancy next-gen chipset or an OLED display. It could, however, boast an upgrade to the M2 chip. The current models still sport the antiquated M1. Reports also suggest that the iPad Air's front-facing camera is moving to the landscape edge.It's also possible that the tablet has been bulking up on creatine, as rumors suggest that Apple is prepping the first 12.9-inch iPad Air. This would make it the most budget-friendly option for a large-screen iPad tablet.The event won't just be for iPads. It'll also be for iPad accessories. To that end, expect Apple to reveal a revamped Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro line, which could be made from aluminum. In addition, Apple is expected to unveil a new Apple Pencil to replace the second-gen model. Some reports have even indicated the next Apple Pencil could work with Vision Pro drawing apps, in addition to tablet apps.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-watch-apples-ipad-launch-event-on-tuesday-152650009.html?src=rss
Fujifilm's X100 V became a surprising viral hit thanks to influencers who loved not only its performance but also its retro-chic cool factor. Now, the company has launched its successor, the similar-looking but more-capable X100 VI. It's only been on sale a short time, but retailers are already reporting months-long waiting lists.It features some key improvements over the previous model, including a much higher-resolution 40-megapixel sensor, in-body stabilization and better video. At the same time, it retains the looks and compact size people loved about the X100 V.I couldn't wait to get a hold of one to check out the performance for myself and see if it's worth a purchase or upgrade. To test, I hopped on the Eurostar over to London with my French photographer friends to see if it's worth the high price and considerable wait.Body and handlingThe X100 series is beloved in large part because of the vintage rangefinder camera styling, and Fujifilm didn't mess with that. In addition to the near-identical looks, the X100 VI's button and dial layout is unchanged. Fujifilm also kept the previous model's 23mm f/2 lens.To accommodate the in-body stabilization, the X100 VI is slightly chunkier and weighs 18.4 ounces, about 1.4 ounces more than before. That's not much, but every bit counts for a camera designed to be carried around all day.The control design with dedicated dials for ISO, shutter, aperture and exposure compensation is a bit old-fashioned compared to modern cameras. But it does serve a purpose, showing settings at a glance. That's a must for shooting on the fly.The X100 VI isn't just cosplaying as a rangefinder, either. On top of the 3.69-million dot electronic viewfinder (same as the last model), it offers a rangefinder-style optical finder and a hybrid of the two with a picture-in-picture EVF. The last setting is for people who still want a digital security blanket, and it works very well.Also unchanged is the rear display, allowing basic up and down tilting for high or low angle shooting. That's not great for selfies or vlogging, but perfect for shooting from the hip.The menu system is mostly the same, which is a good thing as it's relatively easy to find key settings. To avoid diving in, though, you can use the quick menu and numerous buttons and dials for easier adjustments. It's also customizable and I'd advise buyers to set it up to their preferences to avoid any shooting errors.The X100 VI has a single slot that only supports slower UHS-I cards, unfortunately, along with a USB-C port for charging and data. The MicroHDMI port also lets you use external recorders, though the tiny camera looks awkward with one attached. Finally, the battery is the same smallish one as before, unfortunately - more on that in a bit.PerformanceSamuel Dejours for EngadgetDespite the higher resolution, the X100 VI still shoots at a decent 11 fps, with buffer space for about 17 uncompressed RAW frames. JPEG bursts are a bit faster at 13 fps in electronic shutter mode and the buffer size jumps to 37 frames in that case.Unless you really need total silence, the mechanical shutter is your best bet. It's very quiet, and you'll see considerable rolling shutter in electronic mode.Autofocus is much-improved compared to the V. It's more reliable for subject tracking and adds new autofocus modes for animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, airplanes and trains. Fuji's eye- and subject-detection are in separate modes though, forcing you to change settings.Fujifilm's AF system was already middling, lagging behind Sony and Canon. The X100 VI is even less effective than Fujifilm's larger X-H2 and X-T5, due to the slowish motors on the fixed lens. That means focusing on moving subjects is a bit hit or miss. That said, burst shooting is not what this camera is for and the fact that it's decent at all is a bonus.Steve Dent for EngadgetIn-body stabilization might be the biggest improvement to come to the X100 lineup. With six stops of shake reduction, you can get sharp photos down to about a quarter second. That lets you blur motion to make interesting, creative shots.The optical finder takes some getting used to, as it's not a direct view through the lens like with DSLRs. It's off to the side of the lens, so this parallax means subjects that are close to the camera may not be framed the way you expect. That's why the EVF insert mode is so handy as it supplies a second true view of the scene.One issue is battery life, with only 450 shots on a charge or 310 if you use the EVF. I found that one battery wasn't enough for a full day's shooting, so factor extra ones into your buying decision. You may also want an external charger, as Fujifilm doesn't supply one in the box.Image qualityThe 40MP sensor obviously delivers a big boost in resolution over the X100 V's 26MP. The extra pixels are also handy if you need to crop in, which is a common requirement with a fixed wide-angle lens camera. And while the lens is the same as before, it's sharp enough to resolve the extra detail.If this sensor seems familiar, that's because it's the same as the one on the X-T5 and X-H2, so the image quality here is similar to those. In-camera treatment of JPEG and 10-bit HEIF files is handled well, with pleasant, accurate colors and a nice balance of noise reduction and detail. You can often share photos straight out of the camera, too, something that's important to street photographers who do little to no post-processing.The 14-bit RAW photos offer plenty of room for fine-tuning, even in bright or dark areas. However, if you underexpose shots and try to boost levels, noise can get out of hand compared to a full-frame camera.The higher resolution doesn't hurt image quality much at higher ISOs. Noise is well controlled up to ISO 6400, and you can go up to 12800 if exposure is set correctly. I was impressed with the quality when shooting in bars and other dark environments.And of course, the X100 VI offers Fujifilm's full array of film simulation modes. You can experiment with popular looks like Velvia, Eterna or Acros black and white, and still have a full-color RAW backup. As the only major camera company also selling 35mm film, Fuji's simulations are the most pleasing and realistic.VideoThe X100 VI's excellent video specs are another bonus. It has nearly the same feature set as the X-T5, so you can shoot 6.2K at 30 fps with a 1.23x crop, or 4K at up to 60 fps with line-skipping and a 1.14x crop. The camera also offers sub-sampled 4K at up to 30p using the full sensor width, or high-quality 4K 30p with a 1.23x crop. Fujifilm also introduced 10-bit and F-Log2.Samuel Dejours for EngadgetIt took me a while to get used to the different modes and cropping levels. At 6.2K and 4K HQ, rolling shutter is pronounced so you'll need to be aware of that. At the same time, full-sensor sub-sampled 4K is noticeably more low-res than the HQ mode.Video autofocus matches what I saw with photos, meaning it was decent but not super reliable for moving subjects. The AI-powered AF did lock onto subjects, but again, couldn't always keep up to flying birds, animals or vehicles.Handheld video is now a realistic option with in-body stabilization. It worked well as long as I didn't move around much, and offers a boost" mode that smooths out jiggles further. Digital stabilization is also an option, but isn't supported with the 6K or HQ modes, and doesn't really reduce jolts for walking or fast movements.Video quality is solid for a small compact camera, offering the same accurate colors you see in JPEG photo modes. Shooting in 10-bit F-Log makes it possible to adjust footage considerably in post or get creative. You can also shoot video using the film simulation modes if you want a specific look straight out of the camera.Wrap-upSamuel Dejours for EngadgetFujifilm has made all the right moves to keep the X100 VI's popularity high by tucking a very competent street and travel camera into a beautiful retro-cute body. The extra resolution, in-body stabilization and new video features should be more than enough to tempt owners to upgrade.At $1,600, the X100 VI doesn't have a lot of competition - which is odd, given its success. Leica springs to mind with the Q3, though that costs a whopping $6,000. Another option is the $1,000 Ricoh GR IIIx, which also offers in-body stabilization and an ND filter. However, resolution is lower at 24MP and it lacks the X100 VI's high-end video features.Sony's ZV-1 II is also in this compact category, but it's mostly designed for video. Keep an eye on Panasonic, as it may release a new compact camera, according to recent rumors. In any case, if you're in the market for a high-end compact and can afford the X100 VI, I wouldn't hesitate - there's a lot of camera inside that beautiful body.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fujifilm-x100-vi-review-a-one-of-a-kind-camera-for-street-photography-and-travel-133004951.html?src=rss
Newsletter platform Substack is ramping up its video ambitions and trying to lure TikTok stars to its service. The company announced a new creator studio" that will offer a group of creators free promotion and other services if they turn their TikTok channels into Substack shows and communities."The program is part of a larger effort by the newsletter company to expand beyond text newsletters. The timing also happens to come just weeks after a bill that could ban TikTok in the United States became law, though Substack claims its plans are unrelated to the measure. We're not introducing this fellowship because of panic over a TikTok bill or ever-changing algorithms," Substack's Austin Tedesco writes in a blog post. Instead, he says, it's about finding a replacement for all ad-based platforms" which he says are unreliable partners" for creators.It's not clear how Substack intends to create a better home for creators, though the experience of participants in the creator studio will presumably inform its future plans. For now, the company is recruiting ten TikTok creators for the program. Those who are accepted will receive production help and PR services, as well as access to exclusive features" and white glove service" from Subsatck's partnerships team.The company says creators in the program can still post on TikTok, Instagram and other social channels but that Substack should be the primary home base for free and premium content." Creators will also be expected to engage with subscribers on Substack Chat.Substack has been pushing video features for awhile, but the announcement is the clearest sign yet that it wants to expand its service to creators typically found on traditional social media platforms, rather than writers who may also dabble in video. The company also likely won't be the last to try to take advantage of TikTok's uncertain future in the United States. And while YouTube and Instagram may be better-positioned to scoop up TikTok's talent, Substack may be able to carve out a space for creators looking to offer paywalled content.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/substack-is-trying-to-lure-tiktok-stars-to-its-platform-130052380.html?src=rss
China is accused of hacking the payroll system for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence. The BBC and Sky News report that the severe data breach exposed the personal information of active military personnel and veterans. The information mainly consists of full names and bank details, but in some cases, it might also include personal addresses.Affected individuals are being notified, and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps should provide MPs with a more detailed update today. He is anticipated to outline a plan of action for protecting anyone whose data was compromised. All salaries are expected to be paid as usual this month.In a statement, China's foreign minister said the country "firmly opposes and fights all forms of cyber attacks" and "rejects the use of this issue politically to smear other countries." However, this isn't the first time the UK and China have clashed over security concerns. In March, UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden accused China of being behind an August 2021 hack of the Electoral Commission, as the BBC reported at the time. The UK also banned TikTok - owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance - from all government devices in March 2023, claiming protective measures.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-uks-ministry-of-defence-was-hacked-and-the-country-is-reportedly-blaming-china-121954779.html?src=rss
Apple is adding a bunch of new titles to its Arcade video game subscription service next month, including Return to Monkey Island. It's the first new entry in the franchise by series creator Ron Gilbert since Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, which was released way back in 1991. The game still revolves around the pirate Guybrush Threepwood who's on a journey to unearth the secret of Monkey Island. You'll see some familiar locations from the older games in the new title, which also features Threepwood's wife Elaine Marley and his arch-enemy, the zombie pirate LeChuck. Return to Monkey Island is already available on the App Store, but it's coming to Apple Arcade on June 6 where subscribers can access the whole game, including the in-app purchases non-subscribers would have to buy.Ubisoft's Rabbids: Legends of the Multiverse by Ubisoft is also arriving on the subscription service on the same date, along with Tomb of the Mask by Playgendary and Fabulous - Wedding Disaster by GameHouse. Before those games become available on Arcade, though, Where Cards Fall will make its way to the Apple Vision Pro first. The award-winning puzzle game with a coming-of-age narrative will feature tactile controls designed especially for the mixed reality headset. Players will have to use natural gestures to build bridges, pathways and other structures with a house of cards so that they can get around various landscapes. Where Cards Fall for the Apple Vision Pro will be available on May 30.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/return-to-monkey-island-comes-to-apple-arcade-in-june-120016947.html?src=rss
Google's big developer showcase, encompassing software, hardware and all its consumer AI projects, is fast approaching. Google I/O's opening keynote is on May 14, and we've got a good guess on what you can expect.To begin, Android 15's first beta is already out. We know there will be enhanced privacy features, partial screen sharing and system-level app archiving. But they're not the most thrilling updates - hopefully, Google has some spicy features in its back pocket. Redesign something!AI-wise, lots of stuff. Gemini AI is now firmly established, but what about an AI assistant? Reportedly, Pixie, as it's currently called, could debut on the Pixel 9. We're also expecting the company to ramp up its generative AI - but where will it start? More editing features in Google Photos? More text help in Google Docs? Something AI with Google Maps?What about a new Pixel phone? Traditionally, those appear in the fall, but what about a Pixel 8a? Maybe.Before all that, we've got an iPad event in just a few hours today. Make sure to watch and read along here on Engadget.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedHow to watch Apple's iPad launch event on TuesdayDoctor Who is back, louder and more chaotic than beforeBack in theaters, I learned how to appreciate The Phantom MenaceYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Hades II is now available in Early Access on PCIt's on Steam and the Epic Games Store.SupergiantHades II is in Early Access for PC players. The roguelike is out now for $30. Hades II builds on the themes and gameplay of the 2020 timesink original. We're getting a new protagonist, and apparently, there's no need to have played through Hades. (Confession: I never quite beat Hades...) The game will eventually land on PlayStation and Xbox too.Continue reading.Sonos's long-rumored wireless headphones have leakedThey're called the Sonos Ace.SchuurmanSonos's long-awaited debut headphones are dropping in June. That's according to Dutch company Schuurman, which has published information and images of the headphones ahead of time. Schuurman listed the device for 403.58 ($435) with cushion replacements, which is pretty near the $449 pricing Bloomberg reported previously.Continue reading.NASA's first Boeing Starliner crewed flight launch gets scrubbedMore bad news for Boeing.NASA's Boeing Starliner crew flight test was meant to blast off to the International Space Station yesterday. Sadly, Boeing scrubbed the first Starliner crew fight test two hours after it was scheduled to launch. The launch control teams detected anomalous behavior." Astronauts were already onboard and had to exit the vehicle. The company has yet to announce a new launch schedule. It's the latest delay of many previous delays.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-what-to-expect-at-google-io-2024-111531002.html?src=rss
Meta's Oversight Board is taking up a new set of cases that touch on the commentary surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. The board says it will review three cases involving Facebook posts that used the phrase from the river to the sea."Though use of the slogan predates the current conflict by several decades, it's received renewed attention and scrutiny since the October 7 attacks. On the one hand, the phrase has been used to advocate for the dignity and human rights of Palestinians," the board writes in a statement. On the other hand, it could have antisemitic implications, as claimed by the users who submitted the cases to the Board."The board notes that in all three cases, Meta found that the posts didn't violate its policies around promoting violence, hate speech or terrorist content. The Oversight Board says it will consider how Meta should moderate the use of the phrase given the resurgence in its use after October 7, 2023, and controversies around the phrase's meaning."It's not the first time the Oversight Board has considered cases related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The group previously took on a pair of cases on the removal of posts about the October 7 attacks and a subsequent airstrike in Gaza. In those cases, the group's first-ever expedited reviews," the board blamed Meta's automated moderation tools for mistakenly removing posts that should have been left up.Notably, the board says all three posts in its latest cases were originally shared last November. And, unlike the earlier cases related to the conflict, the Oversight Board won't be expediting its decisions. That means it could be several weeks before a decision is published. Meta will then have 60 days to respond to any policy recommendations that come out of the case.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/metas-oversight-board-will-rule-on-from-the-river-to-the-sea-100041727.html?src=rss
Nintendo will unveil a successor to the Switch sometime "within this fiscal year" ending March 2025, president Shuntaro Furukawa wrote in a post on X. That differs slightly from reports that the next-gen console would be announced this year, as it could also be revealed early in 2025.The company added that it will not release any details on the Switch 2 (or whatever it'll be called) at its upcoming Nintendo Direct event in June, so we won't hear anything until at least the second half of 2024."It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015," Furukawa wrote. "We will be holding a Nintendo Direct this June regarding the Nintendo Switch software lineup for the latter half of 2024, but please be aware that there will be no mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during that presentation."
Bloomberg had reported back in February the Sonos' long-rumored and long-awaited headphones are dropping in June, a month later than the company originally intended due to a software issue. While Sonos itself has yet to release details about the device, its Dutch authorized dealer Schuurman seems to have published information and images of the headphones ahead of time. A Redditor in the Sonos group has discovered Schuurman's listings (via The Verge) after someone else found out that the wireless headphones will officially be called the Sonos Ace.SonosBased on the images, the Ace device package will come with the headphones, some wires and a carrying case. It looks like the headphones themselves will have buttons and a toggle switch on the earphone parts of the device. The images are pretty low-quality, so we can't comment on how premium the model looks, but it does seem like the device is going to be a pair of over-ear headphones. Schuurman has listed the device package for 403.58 ($435), which is pretty near the $449 pricing Bloomberg mentioned in its previous report.As the news organization said at the time, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence is hoping that launching the new device category can help fuel growth for the company known for its speakers and sound bars after years of sluggish sales. The upcoming Ace headphones were reportedly designed to work with the company's existing devices and can stream audio directly from TVs and music streaming services using its built-in Wi-Fi connection. Bloomberg said that Sonos is also looking into the possibility of releasing an in-ear model in the future to compete with Apple's AirPods and other similar products.SchuurmanThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/heres-what-the-long-rumored-sonos-wireless-headphones-will-look-like-054450404.html?src=rss
Proton's encrypted password manager, Proton Pass, has received a significant update with an emphasis on security. This comes in the form of a new toolset called Pass Monitor, which will alert users of account weaknesses and data breaches.This is done automatically and the system will even guide users through solutions in the event of a data leak from a third-party service, which happens a whole lot. It also scours the dark web and alerts people if Proton addresses, email aliases and up to ten custom email addresses have been leaked and used for nefarious purposes. If this happens, you'll get an alert so you can take action.Pass Monitor includes a password health feature that flags any weak or reused passwords that could use an update. The inactive two-factor authentication portion of the toolset is an additional layer of security that identifies various accounts that offer the option for 2FA.Finally, the company's bringing its Proton Sentinel feature into Pass Monitor. The service uses a combination of AI and human analysts to detect and block account takeover attacks.The password health and 2FA checks are available to free users, but monitoring of the dark web and Proton Sentinel are only for paying members. Luckily, Pass Plus memberships are currently on sale for $2 per month. These new tools, available on Windows, Android and iOS, will roll out to current users in the next few days."Proton is actually a fairly new entrant in the password security game, as the password manager just celebrated its one-year birthday. The company is more famous for its stellar VPN software, which topped our list of the best VPNs.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/protons-new-password-monitor-update-will-scour-the-dark-web-on-your-behalf-183914473.html?src=rss
More than anything, Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace is a fascinating cultural object. It's been 25 years since I saw the film in theaters, and over a decade since I last rewatched it (in a vain attempt to help my Trekkie wife catch up to the prequels). I've had enough time to process the initial disappointment and embarrassment of introducing my wife to Jar Jar Binks. So when Disney announced it was bringing the prequel trilogy back to theaters, I was practically giddy about revisiting them to see how George Lucas's final films compared to the onslaught of Star Warsmedia we've experienced over the past decade. Was The Phantom Menace as bad as I'd remembered? Well, yes and no.Disney/LucasfilmBoring but full of imaginationIn 1999, I knew Episode 1 would be a bit of a slog as soon as we hit the second line of the opening crawl: "The taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems is in dispute." Really, George? This was what Star Wars fans were waiting for since 1983's Return of the Jedi? During this rewatch, I was more tickled than annoyed by the many baffling narrative choices: The empty drama of a trade blockade; the confusing decision to establish a romance between a literal child and an older teenager; and throwing in Jar Jar Binks to appease kids amid the hideously dull dialog.It's as if The Phantom Menace was written and directed by an alien who hadn't actually seen a movie, or engaged in any aspect of pop culture, since the early '80s. At the same time, that near-outsider perspective is part of the film's charm. Seeing a society slowly lose control of an idealistic democracy to a power-hungry dictator is a lot for a PG-rated fantasy film. Yet that also sets up the first two prequels to feel eerily-prescient beside the global response to 9/11.By the time we reached 2005's Revenge of the Sith, the allusions to George W. Bush's Patriot Act and Global War on Terror were hard to miss. "This is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause," Padme says as her fellow Senators hand over emergency powers to Palpatine, turning Supreme Chancellor Palpatine into the Emperor, and transforming the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire.Disney/LucasfilmBeyond political machinations, The Phantom Menace is filled with loads of gorgeous imagery: Naboo's lush palace and aquatic Gungan city; the designs of new ships and weapons; and, of course, every single outfit worn by Princess Amidala. It would have been nice if these visuals cohered into the narrative better, but their presence makes it clear that Lucas was surrounded by world-class talent, like renowned costume designer Trisha Biggar.The Phantom Menace also leaps to life in its handful of action set-pieces. Sure, maybe the pod-race goes on a bit too long, but the sense of speed, scale and bombastic sound throughout is still absolutely thrilling. (The film's sound team - Gary Rydstrom, Tom Johnson, Shawn Murphy and John Midgley - was nominated for an Oscar, but lost out to The Matrix.)And yes, the entire Duel of the Fates fight is still an absolute banger. There's no doubt that The Phantom Menace would have been a stronger film with less-clunky dialog and more character development shown through action. At one point in the fight, all of the participants are separated by laser barriers. Qui-Gon Jinn meditates, almost completely at peace. Darth Maul prowls like a caged lion. And Obi-Wan Kenobi is simply eager to get on with the fight, like a hot-shot student who just wants to show off. That sequence tells you more about those characters than the remaining two hours of the film.Disney/LucasfilmA precursor to ubiquitous digital charactersWhile I didn't come around to loving Jar Jar Binks during this rewatch, his very existence as a fully-CG character felt more significant than ever. Voiced by the actor and comedian Ahmed Best, Jar Jar was roundly trashed upon release and his implementation was far from seamless. But it was also the first time we saw a motion-captured performance be transformed into a fully-realized character. Now that technology is so common in movies we practically take it for granted."You can't have Gollum without Jar Jar," Best said in a recent interview for TheNew York Times. "You can't have the Na'vi in Avatar' without Jar Jar. You can't have Thanos or the Hulk without Jar Jar. I was the signal for the rest of this art form, and I'm proud of Jar Jar for that, and I'm proud to be a part of that. I'm in there!"In 2017, Best offered an expanded version of his thoughts in a Twitter thread (via ScreenRant): "Jar Jar helped create the workflow, iteration process and litmus test for all CGI characters to this day. On some days the code was being written in real time as I was moving. To deny Jar Jar's place in film history is to deny the hundreds of VFX technicians, animators, code writers and producers their respect. People like John Knoll, Rob Coleman and scores of others who I worked with for two years after principal photography was ended to bring these movies to you."Disney/LucasfilmA great story stuck in a bad filmI've learned the best way to watch The Phantom Menace is to take in the aspects that I like and replace Lucas's many baffling choices with my own head canon. The story of Anakin Skywalker being born through the sheer power of the Force and becoming the Jedi's Chosen One? That's interesting! Inventing Midi-chlorians to give people a literal Jedi power score? That's bad, to hell with you! (Midi-chlorians are still technically canon, but they've been largely ignored in recent Star Wars media.)This time around, I couldn't help but imagine how a more natural and energetic storyteller would have tackled The Phantom Menace. Surely they wouldn't front-load trade disputes and taxation. A more skilled writer, like Andor's Tony Gilroy, could thoughtfully weave together the Republic's potential downfall. And I'd bet most people wouldn't waste Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan by keeping him off-screen for an hour, while everyone else goes on a pod-racing adventure. (It sure would be nice to have him spend more time with Anakin!)Disney/LucasfilmI still haven't seen Topher Grace's fabled 85-minute edit of the Star Wars prequels, but his decision to start in the middle of Phantom Menace's climactic lightsaber battle makes sense. So much of Episode 1 feels entirely superfluous when the real story of Anakin Skywalker is about falling in love, being tempted by the Dark Side and ultimately betraying his master.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/i-guess-i-learned-how-to-appreciate-the-phantom-menace-173010855.html?src=rss
The Biden Administration has opened applications for $285 million in CHIPS Act funding for an institute to develop digital twins for the chip manufacturing industry. The investment aims to speed up silicon design and engineering while boosting national security. It's part of a multi-billion-dollar push to establish the US as a thriving chip fabrication powerhouse, reducing dependence on the global supply chain and establishing technological dominance over China.Digital twins are advanced software models of hardware (in this case, processors) that can help save time and money and increase efficiency. The virtual clones allow engineers to anticipate problems and adjust designs accordingly before manufacturing even begins. The auto industry and Space Force (for satellite simulations) have also used the tech.The Department of Commerce says AI also plays a role. Digital twin-based research can also leverage emerging technology like artificial intelligence to help accelerate the design of new U.S. chip development and manufacturing concepts and significantly reduce costs by improving capacity planning, production optimization, facility upgrades, and real-time process adjustments."NvidiaThe funding is part of the 2022 CHIPS Act's $39 billion allocated for semiconductor R&D. The US had already doled out billions in CHIPS Act manufacturing incentives, including $6.4 billion to Samsung, $6.6 billion for TSMC, $6.1 billion for Micron and $8.5 billion for Intel. However, Bloomberg notes that R&D funding like this could be the most crucial piece of the Biden Administration's long game to spark homegrown silicon innovation and avoid scenarios where supply chain shutdowns halt parts of the US economy and national security.The government says the institute's funds will go toward basic operations, research on digital twins, establishing and supporting shared digital facilities and workforce training. The Biden Administration wants to avoid scenarios like depending on foreign adversaries for tech that can influence America's national security (as the US military increasingly relies on advanced tech), economic independence and supply chain control.The Biden Administration's CHIPS program will host a meeting for potential applicants on May 16.This new Manufacturing USA institute will not only help to make America a leader in developing this new technology for the semiconductor industry, it will also help train the next generation of American workers and researchers to use digital twins for future advances in R&D and production of chips," Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo wrote in a press release.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-biden-administration-opens-285-million-funding-for-digital-twin-chip-research-institute-172736449.html?src=rss
Amazon's entry-level 16GB Kindle is on sale for $80, which is a discount of 20 percent. This is the latest iteration of the standard ereader, dating back to 2022. Amazon doesn't do too many Kindle hardware updates, so we don't know if this sale precludes a forthcoming refresh. The sale covers both the black and blue denim versions.The Kindle is one of the most iconic brands in the ereader space, and for good reason. Amazon has been pumping them out for 17 years. This model actually made our list of the best ereaders, and we recommend it for anyone shopping for a budget-friendly reading tablet. We loved the price, which is made even more alluring by today's sale, and the huge ebook selection via Amazon.We also liked how easy it is to use. Even if you've never held an ereader in your life, you'll be quickly turning pages in no time. There are a bunch of customization options, allowing you to fiddle with font type, font size, margins and more. You can even save a bunch of settings together as a theme", which is handy in households with more than one reader. The integration with audio books is also nice, as it ensures you'll be on the same page no matter how you absorb the content.This ereader isn't waterproof and it lacks many of the add-ons common with more expensive models. The standard Kindle is about as basic as this tech gets, but as a one-purpose device, are extra bells and whistles really necessary? I splurged for the fancier Kindle Scribe, which comes with a stylus, but I kind of wish I didn't. Since buying it, I've read like 150 books and written approximately zero notes. Simple is better, and cheaper.As with most Kindles, there are ads on the lock-screen, which may be a dealbreaker for some. I fully understand aversion to advertisements, they generally suck, but I've never found them to be a problem on Kindles. I barely notice them.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/amazons-standard-kindle-is-on-sale-for-80-171207351.html?src=rss
Hades II is now available in Early Access for PC players. After performing a technical test from April 16 to 29, Supergiant Games said Early Access for the bewitching sequel" would follow relatively soon after." The developer lived up to its word, as a week after wrapping the preliminary test, PC players can now buy and play the highly anticipated roguelike title for $30.Hades II builds on the themes and gameplay of the acclaimed 2020 original. This installment introduces a new protagonist, Melinoe, the sister of Zagreus, the original game's hero. Creative Director Greg Kasavin and Studio Director Amir Rao clarified that you don't need to have played the first game or be well-versed in Greek mythology to enjoy it. (However, the creative team still sprinkled delightful references" for those in the know.)The sequel's plot revolves around a showdown with a time-controlling rapscallion. Chronos, the Titan of Time and the wicked father of Hades and his brothers, has escaped his imprisonment in the depths of the Underworld to wage war on Olympus," Supergiant says. Can Time itself be stopped?"The game's creators said last year they want Hades II's early access period to have at least as much content as the original did when it arrived in beta in 2018. Even though early access inherently means a game is not yet complete, we still want to do everything we can to make sure Hades II is worth your while as soon as you can play it in any capacity," the studio said in 2023.You can play Hades II on Steam and the Epic Store for $30. The game will eventually launch on consoles, but for now, PlayStation and Xbox gamers will have to hop on a PC or wait it out.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/hades-ii-is-now-available-in-early-access-on-pc-170527415.html?src=rss
The latest and greatest 15-inch M3 MacBook Air is on sale right now for $1,150 via Amazon. This includes a sale discount of $100 plus a clipped coupon for $50, bringing the total price drop to $150. That's not a bad deal for a laptop that just came out a couple of months ago.We were surprised by just how much we enjoyed this computer, as the larger screen truly makes a significant difference when compared to the standard MacBook Air. We found that the big display allowed for longer periods of use before getting fatigued, which was aided by truly excellent battery life. This thing easily lasts an entire workday, with Apple suggesting 18 hours of battery life before requiring a charge.One of our only complaints about the M2 MacBook Air was regarding the chip itself, as the computer could struggle with certain intensive tasks. That's been fixed with the inclusion of the M3 chip. It's not as powerful as the M3 Pro, of course, but it certainly gets the job done, and then some.This is also a fairly light computer, despite the size increase. It weighs around three pounds and can easily slip into a tote bag. However, the added size does make it a bit more cumbersome to carry than the 13-inch model. But that's the trade off with any 15-inch laptop. There's really only one serious downside to this model, and that's with regard to port placement. The charging and USB-C ports are only on one side, which can get annoying when you have plenty of accessories to connect on a crowded desk.This particular deal is for the base model, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of solid-state storage. Every available iteration on Amazon, however, has been discounted. Don't forget to clip that coupon.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-latest-15-inch-m3-macbook-air-is-150-off-right-now-161847204.html?src=rss
Jack Dorsey has apparently exited the Bluesky board. As spotted by TechCrunch, the former Twitter CEO who was previously Bluesky's highest-profile proponent shared the life update this weekend on X, where he's been posting a lot lately. In response to a user who asked are you still on the bsky board," Dorsey said only, no." That's it, nothing more. Engadget has reached out to the company for comment and will update this story if we hear back.
Samsung is expanding its OLED TV range with a new entry-level lineup. It's introducing the S85 series alongside several additional sizes of the S90D.The S85D includes many of the same features as more premium models, such as the NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor, 4K AI Upscaling capabilities and Pantone Validated Colors. Dolby Atmos, the Samsung TV Plus ad-supported streaming service and Samsung Gaming Hub are also included.Samsung says the S85D also has Motion Xcelerator technology, as well as a "bold look and feel" thanks to its contour design (though as you can see above, it just looks like a modern TV). Having four HDMI 2.1 ports with support for 4K, 120Hz inputs on each is a welcome touch. One key tradeoff is that the display has a maximum 120Hz refresh rate, compared with the 144Hz of the S90 line.The S85D models start at $1,700 for a 55-inch TV. A 65-inch model will set you back $2,100, while the 77-inch variant will run you $3,400.The S90D (which initially had the same three sizes as the S85 lineup) will soon have a less-expensive entry point, with a 42-inch model that costs $1,400. A new 48-inch unit costs $1,600, while Samsung has added a 83-inch S90D that'll run you $5,400.Samsung is positioning the S90D line as one that's ideal for gamers as the TVs use Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ to help minimize lag. The displays also offer OLED HDR+ for extra brightness and contrast.These two lineups nestle alongside the higher-end S95D series, which offer OLED Glare-Free and HDR Pro tech. That line starts at $2,600 for a 55-inch model, running up to $4,600 for a 77-inch TV.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-adds-an-entry-level-series-to-its-oled-tv-range-150041922.html?src=rss
Update 10:54am ET: This deal has expired.If you're looking for a great pair of earbuds without breaking the bank for yourself (or as a gift), now's a good time to shop. Apple's third-generation AirPods are currently down to $140 from $169 - a 17 percent discount. This deal brings the AirPods back down to their record-low price.Apple launched its third-generation AirPods in 2021, and they were a big improvement on their predecessor. We gave the model an 88 in our review thanks to features like a more comfortable design and much better audio quality. The new look is more contoured and a third of the second-generation model's length. The new shape also helps improve audio quality as they're better at directing sound into your ear.The third-gen AirPods and their charging case also offer IPX4 sweat and water resistance. Speaking of charging, this model has a longer battery life, lasting for six hours at a time and 30 hours in total with the case. Plus, they have always on-Siri and more accurately determine when they're in your ears.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-third-gen-airpods-are-back-on-sale-for-140-132303235.html?src=rss
Watch along today as NASA's Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test finally - most likely - blasts off to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA should start streaming its coverage at 6:30PM ET on its YouTube channel, with the official launch set for 10:34PM ET. The spacecraft will carry two astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore.We say "most likely" because the road to this day has not been a smooth one. It was a decade ago that NASA first chose Boeing and Space X to construct spacecraft that would fly from the United States to the ISS. Boeing received a $4.2 billion contract, while NASA gave SpaceX $2.6 billion. Yet, the latter had its first successful crewed flight in 2020 and has replicated it about a dozen times since.Boeing's Starliner failed to reach orbit during its first uncrewed orbital test flight in 2019 due to too much fuel burning. A follow-up flight was scheduled for August 2021 but was scrapped due to a valve issue, with Boeing finally reaching the ISS in spring 2022 with an uncrewed vessel. Two plans for crewed flights came and went, amongst faults in aspects such as the parachute system. Last August, Boeing announced it should have these issues straightened out by March 2024.It's now two months later than that initial goal and Boeing, Williams and Wilmore seem prepared for take off. "We are ready, the spacecraft's ready and the teams are ready," Wilmore told the press. NASA associate administrator Jim Free added: "The first crewed flight of a new spacecraft is an absolutely critical milestone. The lives of our crewmembers Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are at stake - we don't take that lightly at all."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-watch-nasas-first-boeing-starliner-crewed-flight-launch-today-130046785.html?src=rss
Doctor Whois famous for constantly reinventing itself while remaining more or less exactly the same. The show has had a rough few years, which has led to some dramatic changes behind the scenes. Russell T. Davies, who was behind Doctor Who's 2005 revival, has stepped in to rescue the show. What was historically an in-house BBC production is now being handled by a Sony-owned production company. And Disney has bankrolled it, with this new revival billed outside the UK as a Disney+ Original.The dramatic behind-the-scenes changes prompted some fundamental questions about how Doctor Who would thrive in this new world. Would Davies be able to bring the show back from the brink a second time? And would the show appeal to Zoomers in the same way it found a devoted audience of Millennials? And would Doctor Who survive intact under Disney, which is used to obsessive levels of control?It's that last question I can already answer, having watched the first two episodes of this new eight-episode season: Doctor Who hasn't been watered down to suit its new paymasters or the broad international audience who will see this show pop up every Friday. In fact, Who 24 has doubled down on being weird, avant-garde, difficult to handle and harder to pigeonhole. It's a little punk and a little rough around the edges which makes it all the more interesting compared to, say, some other Disney+ series I could choose to mention.I'm not allowed to share much of what I saw, but episode one, Space Babies," features the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Ruby (Millie Gibson) visiting a space station crewed by babies. As you can see in the trailer, there's liberal use of unconvincing and creepy CGI mouths for said rugrats. The Devil's Chord," meanwhile, sees the TARDIS head to Abbey Road to meet the Beatles at the dawn of their careers.If this is your first experience of Doctor Who, please start with the Christmas Day special The Church on Ruby Road." These first three episodes are the jumping-on point, and form Davies standard Present," Future" and Past" trilogy he uses to open his runs. All three are sold as fun romps, but there's a spikiness that stems from Davies' underlying cynicism. As much as he may paint in primary colors, his worldview is a lot darker than some of his colleagues.Davies is a strong advocate for better queer representation in film and TV and is arguably one of the most powerful gay men in media. Many of his shows, including Queer as Folk, Cucumber, A Very English Scandal and It's a Sin center on queer narratives. Davies has made it clear he wants to foreground queer experiences in this season of Doctor Who and does so, proudly. He toldVariety that the Doctor chimes with queer energy" and that he's not a neutered Doctor."Some context: In 2021, Davies called out Disney+ for its lack of real representation in some of its other shows. During a virtual panel as reported by Pink News, he pointed at Loki's single reference to the lead character's fluid sexuality as a warning sign. Loki makes one reference to being bisexual once and everyone's like oh my god, it's like a pansexual show," he said. Adding the single spoken reference was a a ridiculous, craven, feeble gesture towards the vital politics and the stories that should be told."Davies returned to the job after the failure of his immediate predecessor, Chris Chibnall, who will likely go down in infamy. Chibnall inherited a successful show and opted to broaden its horizons by hiring a far more diverse crew both in front of and behind the camera. That included writers like Malorie Blackman and Vinay Patel and casting two women, Jodie Whittaker and Jo Martin, to play the Doctor. Chibnall also refused to bow down to culture war pressure when tedious people started screaming that the show had gone woke."But for all of the goodwill the show had - and which Chibnall's early decisions helped accrue - the showrunner quickly started to burn his own legacy as he built it. The quality of his episodes were never great and he wrote episodes that were incoherent, or said some pretty awful things by implication. He then started using the show as a vehicle for his own fan theories, re-litigating niche matters of continuity so nit-picky even I rolled my eyes so hard my skull caved in.And then he created a secret origin story for the Doctor that essentially overwrote much of the previous 60 years' worth of character development. He turned the Doctor into some sort of Space Jesus and then set about destroying a significant amount of the series' fictional universe. Audiences were not thrilled: 8.2 million people watched Chibnall's first regular-season episode but, by the end of his tenure, the figure had tumbled to 3.47 million.It would have been smart to ditch all of this and declare a fresh start but Davies took a different approach. He has opted to Yes-And Chibnall's hamfistedness, incorporating the catastrophic events of the last season as a new backdrop for the series. The universe is now "knackered," which has led to the show's fictional reality warping in new, weirder and more whimsical directions. Whereas before Doctor Who sat at the crossroads of science and fantasy, it has now become a soft fantasy show. Villains like the Toymaker and the Goblin King push the Doctor into a more mythic register than ever before.BBC / Disney+CGI baby mouths aside, Doctor Who's slick production values don't work unless they're tied to great writing and great acting. Ncuti Gatwa had already become a superstar thanks to his work on Sex Education and Barbie and is a magnetic presence on screen. I struggle to take your eyes off him, but he's clearly willing to cede space and time to his co-stars. Millie Gibson has the harder role as Ruby Sunday, having to keep her character grounded and believable in this fantastic world. The role of the Doctor's traveling companion has minted many British A-listers since the show's return and Gibson is clearly destined for big things.If there's one thing that comes across too much in these opening episodes, it's that Doctor Who isn't the same show from one week to the next. It revels in being chaotic, freewheeling through genres and styles with the freedom its lead character so relishes. So, if this is your first time on board the TARDIS, welcome, and strap yourselves in for some silly and serious fun.Oh, and they fixed the title sequence.The first two episodes of Doctor Who arrive globally on Disney+ on Friday, May 10 at 7:00pm ET and in the UK on BBC iPlayer at midnight on Saturday, May 11. One episode will arrive at the same time for the following six weeks.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/doctor-who-is-back-louder-and-more-chaotic-than-before-130041838.html?src=rss
After creating a massive kerfuffle by forcing Helldivers 2 PC players to link their Steam accounts to the PlayStation Network, Sony is backing down. The May 6 update will no longer be released and, presumably, the game won't be removed from sale on Steam in 177 countries and territories as reported yesterday."Helldivers fans - we've heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update," the company said on X. "The May 6 update, which would have required Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and for current players beginning May 30, will not be moving forward."In a separate post, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt said, "firstly, I am impressed by the willpower of the @helldivers2 community and your ability to collaborate. Secondly I want to thank our partners and friends at @PlayStation for quickly and effectively making the decision to leave PSN linking optional. We together want to set a new standard for what a live game is, and how developers and community can support each other to create the best game experiences."
When I first saw the Rabbit R1, it was more appealing than the Humane AI Pin. The R1 had an actual screen, not a dim projector, and it had a twee scrolling wheel, all wrapped up in a glossy, fiery orange-red shell.Alas, as our review explains, it doesn't work as well as promised. It doesn't do much and is, at launch, riddled with bugs and issues. Devindra Hardawar, who reviewed it, even took issue with the scrolling wheel. Nooooo.EngadgetThe main takeaway might be: If your phone can do all these tasks just as well (or better, in most cases), what's the point, Rabbit?The truth might be I just wasn't into the Rabbit R1. Even if I am into pretty much anything Teenage Engineering designs.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedParrots love video-chatX is using Grok to publish AI-generated news summariesThe best gifts to upgrade your grad's tech setupYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Carbon dioxide removal plans may not be enough to meet Paris treaty goalsThere's a gap between plans and what's needed.New research conducted by the University of East Anglia (UEA) suggests current carbon removal plans will not be enough to comply with Paris treaty goals to limit global warming to 1.5C. There's a gap of up to 3.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) between current global plans to remove carbon from the atmosphere and what's needed to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. The study says a rapid reduction in emissions is far more important than where to stuff the CO2 already around.Continue reading.Google bans ads for deepfake porn apps and servicesOr it will on May 30.Google has updated its Inappropriate Content Policy to expressly prohibit advertisers from promoting websites and services that generate deepfake pornography. There are already restrictions in place for ads that feature some types of sexual content, but this aims squarely at synthetic content that has been altered or generated to be sexually explicit or contain nudityThe company will start implementing the rule on May 30, giving advertisers the chance to remove any ad in violation of the new policy.Continue reading.Nintendo blitzes GitHub with over 8,000 takedown requestsThey're aimed at emulators.EngadgetNintendo sent a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice for over 8,000 GitHub repositories hosting code from the Yuzu Switch emulator. You might recall the games maker said Yuzu was enabling piracy at a colossal scale." Redacted entities representing Nintendo assert the Yuzu source code illegally circumvents Nintendo's technological protection measures and runs illegal copies of Switch games." This is all happening as game emulators enjoy a resurgence. Last month, Apple loosened its restrictions on retro game players in the App Store. However, the more earnest reasons for emulation (archiving a history of gaming that could otherwise be lost; playing games no longer in circulation) evaporate when you're doing it for a free copy of Tears of the Kingdom.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-verdict-on-the-rabbit-r1-111538948.html?src=rss
Threads is giving users more control over who can quote their posts (as in, reposting with commentary). If you don't want just anyone to be able to quote your posts, you now have the option to allow only people you follow to do so. Or, you can make it so no one can quote your posts at all. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri announced the update this weekend, saying he hopes it will help keep Threads a more positive place." The platform tested the feature among a group of Threads users last month, but it's now rolling out to everyone.Threads, which now has over 150 million monthly users, has been slowly adding more features to improve safety and the overall user experience, borrowing some tools from Instagram. Last month, it introduced the Hidden Words feature, so users can designate certain terms that they want to be filtered out of their feeds. Threads also recently started testing options for archiving posts, either manually or automatically after a chosen expiration date.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/threads-now-lets-you-control-who-can-quote-your-posts-184754374.html?src=rss
Parrots are innately social creatures. In captivity, where they typically don't have a flock to interact with, that can present some real challenges for keeping them happy and healthy. But recent research suggests technology may be able to help them meet more of their social needs. A new (very small) study led by researchers at the University of Glasgow and Northeastern University compared parrots' responses when given the option to video chat with other birds via Meta's Messenger versus watching pre-recorded videos. And it seems they've got a preference for real-time conversations.The research builds on findings from a series of small studies over the last few years, including one in which the team trained pet parrots to make video calls to each other (with human assistance) and another where they were taught to play tablet games. In the latest, nine parrot owners were given tablets to set up for their pets, who were then observed over a period of six months. During that time, the parrots - who'd been introduced to each other at the beginning over video chat - were able to engage in calls amongst themselves of up to three hours long over a total of 12 sessions. Half of these sessions featured pre-recorded videos, while the other half were live Messenger video chats.Their caregivers, who recorded the sessions, reported that the birds seemed more engaged during the live interactions. They initiated more calls in those scenarios, and spent more time on average engaging with the birds on the other end.In each session, the parrots were allowed to make up to two calls, and the researchers found that those chatting over Messenger hit this limit 46 percent of the time, compared to almost half that when they were watching pre-recorded videos. Overall, they spent a combined 561 minutes video-chatting on Messenger compared to just 142 minutes watching the pre-recorded videos.The appearance of liveness' really did seem to make a difference to the parrots' engagement with their screens," said Dr. Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, though noting that further study would be needed before definite conclusions can be drawn. Their behavior while interacting with another live bird often reflected behaviors they would engage in with other parrots in real life, which wasn't the case in the pre-recorded sessions." Still, the caregivers mostly reported that the live and pre-recorded calls both seemed to have a positive impact on the birds.The internet holds a great deal of potential for giving animals agency to interact with each other in new ways, but the systems we build to help them do that need to be designed around their specific needs and physical and mental abilities," said Dr. Hirskyj-Douglas. Studies like this could help to lay the foundations of a truly animal-centered internet."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/parrots-in-captivity-seem-to-enjoy-video-chatting-with-their-friends-on-messenger-165911437.html?src=rss
Google has updated its Inappropriate Content Policy to include language that expressly prohibits advertisers from promoting websites and services that generate deepfake pornography. While the company already has strong restrictions in place for ads that feature certain types of sexual content, this update leaves no doubt that promoting "synthetic content that has been altered or generated to be sexually explicit or contain nudity" is in violation of its rules.Any advertiser promoting sites or apps that generate deepfake porn, that show instructions on how to create deepfake porn and that endorse or compare various deepfake porn services will be suspended without warning. They will no longer be able to publish their ads on Google, as well. The company will start implementing this rule on May 30 and is giving advertisers the chance to remove any ad in violation of the new policy. As 404 Media notes, the rise of deepfake technologies has led to an increasing number of ads promoting tools that specifically target users wanting to create sexually explicit materials. Some of those tools reportedly even pretend to be wholesome services to be able to get listed on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, but it's masks off on social media where they promote their ability to generate manipulated porn.Google has, however, already started prohibiting services that create sexually explicit deepfakes in Shopping ads. Similar to its upcoming wider policy, the company has banned Shopping ads for services that "generate, distribute, or store synthetic sexually explicit content or synthetic content containing nudity. " Those include deepfake porn tutorials and pages that advertise deepfake porn generators.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-prohibits-ads-promoting-websites-and-apps-that-generate-deepfake-porn-130059324.html?src=rss
X is using Grok to publish AI-generated summaries of news and other topics that trend on the platform. The feature, which is currently only available to premium subscribers, is called Stories on X," according to a post from the company's engineering account.According to X, Grok relies on users' posts to generate the text snippets. Some seem to be more news-focused, while others are summaries of conversations happening on the platform itself. One user posted a screenshot that showed stories about Apple's earnings report and aid to Ukraine, as well as one for Musk, Experts Debate National Debt," which was a summary of a candid online discussion" between Musk and other prominent figures" on X.If any of this sounds familiar, it's also remarkably similar to Moments, the longtime Twitter feature that curated authoritative tweets about important news and cultural moments on the platform. The feature, which was overseen by a team of human staffers, was killed in 2022.Like other generative AI tools, Grok's summaries come with a disclaimer. This story is a summary of posts on X and may evolve over time," it says. Grok can make mistakes, verify its outputs." Grok, of course, doesn't exactly have the best track record when it comes to accurately interpreting current events. It previously generated a bizarre story suggesting that NBA player Klay Thompson went on a vandalism spree" because it couldn't understand what throwing bricks" meant in the context of a basketball game.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-is-using-grok-to-publish-ai-generated-news-summaries-215753934.html?src=rss
Nintendo sent a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice for over 8,000 GitHub repositories hosting code from the Yuzu Switch emulator, which the Zelda maker previously described as enabling piracy at a colossal scale." The sweeping takedown comes two months after Yuzu's creators quickly settled a lawsuit with Nintendo and its notoriously trigger-happy legal team for $2.4 million.GamesIndustry.biz first reported on the DMCA notice, affecting 8,535 GitHub repos. Redacted entities representing Nintendo assert that the Yuzu source code contained in the repos illegally circumvents Nintendo's technological protection measures and runs illegal copies of Switch games."GitHub wrote on the notice that developers will have time to change their content before it's disabled. In keeping with its developer-friendly approach and branding, the Microsoft-owned platform also offered legal resources and guidance on submitting DMCA counter-notices.Nintendo's legal blitz, perhaps not coincidentally, comes as game emulators are enjoying a resurgence. Last month, Apple loosened its restrictions on retro game players in the App Store (likely in response to regulatory threats), leading to the Delta emulator establishing itself as the de facto choice and reaching the App Store's top spot. Nintendo may have calculated that emulators' moment in the sun threatened its bottom line and began by squashing those that most immediately imperiled its income stream.Sadly, Nintendo's largely undefended legal assault against emulators ignores a crucial use for them that isn't about piracy. Game historians see the software as a linchpin of game preservation. Without emulators, Nintendo and other copyright holders could make a part of history obsolete for future generations, as their corresponding hardware will eventually be harder to come by.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nintendo-blitzes-github-with-over-8000-emulator-related-dmca-takedowns-200021877.html?src=rss
Linking to a random third-party account when you just want to play a video game you paid for is truly annoying and, honestly, keeps me from even launching certain games by certain publishers who shall remain nameless. Helldivers 2 players are experiencing this frustration right now, as the PC version of the massively popular third-person shooter will soon require a link to a PlayStation account.New players will be required to link both accounts on May 6, but pre-existing players have until June 4 before the requirement kicks in. Sony says that forcing people to link to a PSN account helps protect players from griefing and abuse by enabling the banning of players that engage in that type of behavior." Ah, the popular few bad apples" excuse.This was always the plan, according to publisher Sony, but technical issues" upon launch forced a delay in the linking mandate. In other words, when the PC version came out on February 8, you could just play it like any other game as nature intended, but now you gotta do the whole insert credentials" rigamarole. This can be time-consuming, particularly if you don't already have a PSN account or if you're playing on something like a Steam Deck. Also, some regions where Helldivers 2 is available on PC don't even support PSN accounts.
As Microsoft tries to beef up its in-house Xbox studios, it may want to be more careful about leaving a trail of broken promises when things don't go as planned. A year after the hyped vampire shooter Redfall landed with a thud, a Kotaku report highlights how players are still waiting for the advertised post-launch DLC they already paid for.Redfall's Bite Back Edition is a $100 collector's variant (or $30 add-on) that includes, among other content, a pass for two future heroes" to complement the game's original four. As you may have guessed, the new playable characters still haven't materialized.In addition, Microsoft-owned Bethesda has gone silent on the new protagonists' absence since November. We're continuing development of The Hero Pass and we're excited to share more about Redfall's new heroes and other updates later next year," developer Arkane Austin wrote late last year.At the very least, it seems customers are owed clear communication - or refunds if Bethesda has noped out of further development. Engadget has reached out for comment, and we'll update this story if we hear back. In the meantime, Kotaku's reporting on the maddening saga is worth a read.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/redfalls-two-dlc-heroes-are-still-mia-a-year-later-180838827.html?src=rss
Instagram just announced some new features coming to Stories, including a suite of interactive stickers. The music one is perhaps the most interesting, as it's an extension of the pre-existing Add Yours feature. The Add Yours Music sticker lets users share their favorite songs, along with a prompt for followers to get in on the fun by sharing their own related tracks. Of course, the song has to already be in Instagram's music library to work.To that end, Instagram has partnered with Dua Lipa to promote her new album, Radical Optimism. Many of the songs from the album are available for use in this way, and the artist herself has been posting Stories with Add Your Music stickers.InstagramAnother nifty sticker added today is called Reveal. Opting for this sticker blurs the visuals of a story post and the only way followers can see the content is to DM the person who shared it. Direct messages have become a key factor behind Instagram's continued growth, with site head Adam Mosseri stating that teens actually spend more time in DMs than anywhere else on the platform.He also says that virtually all" engagement growth over the past few years has come from DMs and Stories, according to reporting by Business Insider. So, yeah, this will most definitely be used as a hack by savvy creators looking to boost their engagement. The thirst traps will be thirstier and trappier than ever before.InstagramInstagram has also unveiled a sticker called Frames. This tool throws a Polaroid-esque overlay over a photo, turning it into an instant print image. To reveal the contents, followers will have to channel Andre 3000 and shake their phones like a Polaroid picture, though there's also a button. Creators can add captions which are also revealed upon shaking. This feature was originally revealed at this year's Coachella festival.InstagramFinally, there's a feature called Cutouts. This tool turns any part of a video or photo in your camera roll into a sticker, which can then be applied to a story or reel. Once a cutout is created, it gets saved into an easily-accessible sticker tray for future uses. This also works with photos posted to Instagram, though the pictures have to be shared by public accounts.This has been a big month of changes for Instagram. In addition to the aforementioned new sticker systems, the social media app recently overhauled its algorithm to boost original content and deemphasize aggregator accounts. The company also changed the way Reels works to give smaller accounts a chance to expand their reach, though it remains unclear how this works. Instagram has also recently made Meta's AI chatbot available in DMs, if you want some confident, yet absolutely wrong, answers to questions.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/instagrams-add-yours-sticker-now-lets-you-share-songs-180730795.html?src=rss
Apex Legends will soon offer a Solos mode for the first time since 2019, even though developer Respawn Entertainment said earlier this year it had no plans to let players run amok in the battle by themselves again. When the next season starts, Solos will replace the Duos mode for six weeks.The game is designed and tuned for squads of three, but Respawn recently told reporters that it "wanted to acknowledge the growing interest in Solos from our players," many of whom were looking for new ways to play the game. Running the mode for half of season 21 will give the developers a chance to gain plenty of feedback from players. Perhaps that could help them figure out if Solos could become a more permanent fixture."With growing demand from players and a desire on the team to explore the concept again with everything we've learned since the mode's last appearance in 2019, Upheaval felt like the right time to reintroduce a Solos experience to Apex," events lead Mike Button said.To compensate for the lack of support from teammates, the revived Solos mode will have three unique features. If you're eliminated in the first four rounds, you'll be able to use a one-time respawn token to rejoin the action. Any unused tokens after the fourth circle closes are converted to Evo, which is used for shields and ability upgrades. The idea behind this, according to the developers, is to encourage players to be more engaged in the early going.Respawn has also created a mechanic for Solos called Battle Sense. This gives you an audio and visual cue whenever an enemy is within 50 meters. Last but not least, you'll heal passively when you're out of combat. It'll take a moment for the gradual health regeneration to start, but you can skip that initial timer by securing a kill. You'll still be able to use med kits and such to heal manually. Respawn is making some other tweaks for Solos, including adding fully kitted-out weapons, adjusting circle sizes and reducing the lobby size from 60 to 50 players.Respawn Entertainment/EAAlongside some map, cosmetic, balance and ranked changes, there'll be a new legend for players to check out. Alter hails from another dimension and that plays into her kit. She can create portals through walls, ceilings and floors.The Void Passage ability can be fired from some distance away and it has a maximum depth of 20 meters, so it can't go through mountains. After going through a portal, you'll have a few seconds of safety to assess your surroundings and prepare for a fight if need be. Allies and enemies can use the portals too, so Void Passage can open up all kinds of opportunities for flanking and rotations.With her passive ability, Alter is able to see death boxes through walls and snatch an item from one. Alter's ultimate is called Void Nexus. This drops a device that you and your teammates can interact with remotely, even while knocked down. Doing so will teleport you back to the regroup point. However, enemies have a short window to follow you. Alter's upgrades include the ability to see enemy health bars while moving through a portal.You'll be able to check out the revived Apex Legends Solos mode and play as Alter when the Upheaval season starts on May 7.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apex-legends-is-getting-a-solo-mode-for-the-first-time-in-five-years-170018005.html?src=rss
We recommend Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 in our Bluetooth tracker buying guide to Galaxy phone owners who want an AirTags-style device that can keep tabs on their keys, luggage and other sensitive items. If that describes you, here's a quick PSA: A four-pack of the little oblong devices is currently $30 off and down to $70 at Amazon. This discount has popped up periodically since Samsung released the tracker last October, but it nevertheless matches the four-pack's lowest price to date. If you'd rather not shop at Amazon, the same bundle is available at B&H for $2 extra.If you don't need quite so many trackers, meanwhile, single SmartTag 2s are also on sale for $21 each. That's a dollar more than the device's all-time low but still $9 off its usual street price.The key thing to note with the Galaxy SmartTag 2 is that it's a Samsung-only affair. You need a Samsung phone or tablet running Android 11 or later for it to fully work, and it uses the company's SmartThings Find crowd-finding network to locate items. The latter is Samsung's alternative to Apple's Find My network and Google's recently-launched Find My Device network. (Yes, the names of these things are way too similar.) It's not as large as either of those, so it'll generally be less precise at pinpointing an item that winds up outside of your tracker's Bluetooth range. Samsung hasn't confirmed any plans for the Galaxy SmartTag 2 to support Google's expanded network, either. If you're an Android user who isn't beholden to Galaxy phones, you should wait and see if it's worth buying upcoming trackers from Chipolo and Pebblebee (among others) that are designed to use the Find My Device network.That said, because there are still a few hundred million Samsung devices that've opted into SmartThings Find out in the wild, we've found the Galaxy SmartTag 2's crowd-sourcing to be effective enoughin testing. Its separation alerts - i.e., its ability to ping you when you've left a tagged item behind - worked about as reliably as any model we tested, and it does well to map out its location history over time. It's capable of tracking up to 120 meters (roughly 394 feet) directly over Bluetooth, which is on the longer side, plus it supports ultrawideband tech, which can help it more accurately direct you towards an item once you're close by.The device itself is simple to set up, and its flat design has a built-in cutout, so it's easy to stash in a wallet or attach to a keychain. It's also IP67-rated, so it can survive a dip underwater. Samsung says the device can last up to 500 days with typical use, and you can replace the battery once it peters out. There are technically more capable options out there (with more to come), and all Bluetooth trackers carry some level of privacy issues. A device like this isn't ideal for warding off theft, either. But for forgetful Galaxy diehards who are looking to save some cash, this is a decent deal.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/a-four-pack-of-samsungs-galaxy-smarttag-2-trackers-is-back-on-sale-for-70-165237932.html?src=rss
New research conducted by the University of East Anglia (UEA) suggests that current carbon removal plans will not be enough to comply with Paris treaty goals to limit global warming to 1.5C, as reported in a study published by Nature. Scientists came to this conclusion by measuring the emissions gap" between various national climate protection plans and what is actually needed to reach that goal.This first-of-its-kind study found a gap of up to 3.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) between current global plans to remove carbon from the atmosphere and what's needed by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. These impacts include heatwaves, floods, droughts, melting ice and sea level rise.Since 2010, the United Nations environmental organization UNEP has taken similar measurements of this emissions gap. UEA's research, which focuses primarily on CO2 removal, indicates that climate policy requires a more ambitious scope if we are to, well, survive as a species.This means a more nuanced and robust approach that still keeps current carbon removal practices in place, but with a renewed focus on cutting emissions, renewable energy and minimizing deforestation. There are also novel carbon removal options that many nations have been slow to discuss, let alone implement.These include advanced air filters systems and enhanced rock weathering. The latter is a technique in which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and stored in rocks. These techniques account for the removal of just 0.002 billion tons of C02 per year, compared to 3 billion tons through conventional options. The research indicates that these novel options must become more prevalent in the coming years to help meet that 1.5C threshold.The calculation should certainly be refined," said the study's lead author, Dr. William Lamb, of the MCC Applied Sustainability Science working group. This much is clear: without a rapid reduction in emissions towards zero, across all sectors, the 1.5C limit will not be met under any circumstances."Co-author Dr. Naomi Vaughan, of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at UEA, added that countries need more awareness, ambition and action on scaling up carbon dioxide removal methods together with deep emissions reductions to achieve the aspirations of the Paris Agreement."To that end, even if every country sticks to promises regarding carbon removal targets, the amount of carbon removed would likely increase by a maximum of 0.5 billion tons by 2030 and 1.9 billion tons by 2050. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that it would take a removal increase of 5.1 billion tons to avoid the worst effects of climate change. So, yeah, there's that gap of 3.2 billion tons.We aren't doomed, at least not yet anyways. The IPCC suggests an alternative scenario in which the world's governments work together to reduce global energy demand, hastened by politically initiated behavior." In this scenario, carbon removal would increase by 2.5 billion tons by 2050 and alternative methods would help tighten the emissions gap to just 400 million tons. So we basically have to shift our entire society from one of self interest to one of global cooperation. It never hurts to dream and, hey, maybe AI will swoop in and save us.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/research-indicates-that-carbon-dioxide-removal-plans-will-not-be-enough-to-meet-paris-treaty-goals-161113129.html?src=rss
I hate the Rabbit R1. It's yet another sign that standalone AI gadgets, like the Humane AI Pin, are fundamentally useless devices meant to attract hype and VC funding without benefitting users at all. It's like trying to build a skyscraper on quicksand: Today's AI models are great for parlor tricks, but they're ultimately untrustworthy. How do you create a device around that?The Rabbit R1's big selling point has been its "large action model," or LAM, which can supposedly understand what you say and get things done. But really, that's just marketing speak. At the moment, the R1 can barely do anything as an AI assistant. And the few tasks it can actually accomplish, like placing DoorDash orders, are faster and easier to tackle on your phone. You know, the device we already own that can tap into AI features and fast cellular networking.Rabbit R1: design and buildI'll admit, the Rabbit R1 looks adorable, but that's mostly down to the design magic of Teenage Engineering, a company that can make a simple tripod look desirable. The R1 is clearly building on the Playdate, another tiny square gadget from Teenage Engineering. Instead of that game handheld's iconic crank, the R1 has a far less satisfying scroll wheel. Its glossy plastic case also feels a lot cheaper and thicker than the Playdate, almost like what you'd expect from a child's toy.Alongside the dull 2.9-inch screen, there's a unique 8-megapixel "360 eye" camera, which can rotate either towards you or away from you. It's an interesting way to avoid bundling two separate cameras, so I'll give Rabbit credit for that. But the 360 eye isn't meant for taking photos: Instead, it's all about computer vision. You can ask the R1 to describe what's in front of you, from objects to documents and articles, and wait for an AI-generated summary. While this is something that could be useful for people with visual impairments, those users could do the same with ChatGPT, Microsoft's Copilot or built-in tools on their phones (which also have vastly superior cameras).Using the Rabbit R1 is an exercise in futilityBeyond its looks, the Rabbit R1 is mostly a failure. Once it's turned on, you should be able to hit the push to talk button on its side and ask the AI assistant whatever you want: the weather, local traffic or a summary of a recent book. In my testing, though, the R1 would often deliver the weather when I asked for traffic, and sometimes it would hear my request and simply do nothing.The R1 becomes more frustrating the more you use it: Its scroll wheel is the only way to interact with its interface (even though the display is also a touchscreen), and it's simply awkward to use. There's no rhyme or reason for how long you need to scroll to move between menu options. The mere act of selecting things is a pain, since the confirmation button is on the right side of the R1. That button would be far easier to hit somewhere below the scroll wheel - or better yet, just let me use the damn touchscreen!Photo by Devindra Hardawar/EngadgetOddly, the Rabbit's touchscreen does recognize taps whenever you need to enter text like a Wi-Fi network password. But even that process is annoying, since it involves turning the R1 on its side and typing on a laughably tiny keyboard. Honestly, I felt like I was being punked every time I had to use it. (Cue the obligatory, "What is this, a keyboard for ants?")Third-party apps on the Rabbit R1The more I used the Rabbit R1, the more I felt like it was purposefully designed to drive me insane. It can play music from Spotify (if you have a paid subscription), but what's the point of doing that with its terrible 2-watt speaker? Are you expected to connect Bluetooth headphones? You can ask the R1 to generate art via Midjourney AI (again, with a paid account), but it often failed to show me the pictures that were created. On the rare occasion they did show up, I couldn't actually do anything with the AI pictures from the R1. I'd have to load up Midjourney's Discord server on my phone or computer to share them around.Photo by Devindra Hardawar/EngadgetWhen I asked the R1 to find me an Uber to a local theater, it told me that the Uber service may be slow to load on RabbitOS and isn't available everywhere (uh, thanks?). After 30 seconds of idling, it said the Uber service may be under maintenance, or there may be an issue with my credentials. (I logged out and back into Uber on the "Rabbit Hole" website, which you use to manage the R1, but the error persisted.)LAM works by operating the Uber web app on the cloud on your behalf," Rabbit representative Ryan Fenwick told me over e-mail when I asked why I couldn't get the Uber service to work. Uber ultimately decides how and whether it serves users, so depending on factors like the location you're booking from, your ride history, etc., it may vary from time to time. We're implementing measures that help to improve the success rate and transparency of ride booking through R1, so over time the experience should improve."At least the Rabbit R1 was able to get me a sandwich. I asked it to find some lunch nearby and it spent an entire minute communing with Postmates and its AI cloud - the precise amount of time it would take me to complete a GrubHub order on my phone. The R1 eventually returned with three chaotic choices: Subway, a nearby Henri's Bakery and a restaurant five miles away I've never heard ofPhoto by Devindra Hardawar/EngadgetI opted for Henri's (they do make killer sandwiches), and the R1 showed me a whopping six menu items. Its tiny screen could only hold a picture of the item, its name and the price - you can't tap into it to get a longer description or customize anything. You can only add items to your cart or remove them. I chose two sandwiches and, to my surprise, the R1 completed the order without ever confirming my payment information or delivery address. It was working entirely off of my DoorDash defaults, and thankfully those were up to date.As soon as the order was placed, my iPhone started lighting up with all sorts of useful information from DoorDash. I received a confirmation from the restaurant, a detailed look at the bill (the R1 apparently added my default 20% tip) and the name of my delivery driver. It took the R1 several minutes before it confirmed the order, and it only occasionally updated me that it was coming closer.My sandwiches eventually arrived, but I was more struck by the many ways things could have gone wrong. This isn't 1999; I'm no longer impressed by simply being able to order food online like I did from Kozmo.com (RIP). But even back then, I was able to get a full look at menus and customize things. The fact that I could look over at my phone and see the DoorDash app being far more useful made me instantly lose faith in the R1.There are other things the R1 can do, like recording and summarizing meetings. But that's also something several apps can do on my phone and computer. The on-demand translation feature seemed to work fine converting English to Spanish and Japanese, but it's no better than Google Translate or ChatGPT on my phone.Photo by Devindra Hardawar/EngadgetWhat's the point of the Rabbit R1?All of this leads me to ask: What's the point of the Rabbit R1, really? it certainly can't replace your phone, since it can't make calls or send texts. While you can add a SIM card for always-on connectivity, that just makes it more expensive. It'll still be useless on the go, anyway. Perhaps, you could argue, it's a companion device to help avoid being distracted by your phone. But it's so slow and hard to use that I find my smartphone's notification-filled hellscape far more calming. There's nothing zen at all about having yet another device that you have to buy, charge and carry.And if you suffer battery life anxiety, you absolutely should stay away from the Rabbit R1. When I first received it, the R1 would burn through its battery while sitting idle, doing absolutely nothing, for eight hours. The first major RabbitOS update helped considerably, but the R1 still can't last an entire day on a single charge. For a device that has such a tiny screen and offloads its work to the cloud, that's simply inexcusable.Photo by Devindra Hardawar/EngadgetI suppose you could argue that the $199 Rabbit R1 is a good deal compared to the $699 Humane AI Pin (which also requires a $24 monthly subscription), but that's like saying rabbit droppings don't smell bad compared to dog poop. Technically true! But in the end it's all still shit. The Humane's projection screen is at least an interesting twist on mobile UI, and its potentially less cumbersome as a wearable. The Rabbit AI assistant, on the other hand, is basically just a chunkier and dumber phone.Don't buy the R1. Even if Rabbit somehow manages to deliver on some of the promises of its LAM - like the ability to train the R1 to handle the variety of tasks - I have no faith that it'll actually work well. My advice extends to every standalone AI gadget: Just stay away. Your phone is enough.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/rabbit-r1-review-a-199-ai-toy-that-fails-at-almost-everything-161043050.html?src=rss
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