Final Fantasy XVIwon't remain a PlayStation 5 exclusive much longer. Square Enix has confirmed that a PC port is officially in development. That's not too much of a shock considering that the game's first trailer in 2020 mentioned a PC version, a tidbit that Square Enix later walked back.In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), producer Naoki Yoshida said his team is currently working on a PC version of the game. Yoshida also noted that Square Enix plans to expand the game. "One thing that came through particularly strongly was how people wanted to see more of Valisthea's story and spend more time with her inhabitants," he said. "To accommodate, the development team has started work on two installments of paid DLC."
Mercedes-Benz is developing a more budget-friendly sibling to its hotly-anticipated G-Class all-electric SUV, as originally reported by Electrek. The EV will be a smaller, cheaper version of its iconic G-Wagon and it was confirmed this weekend at IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich. CEO Ola Kallenius said the baby" G-Class EV will be significantly more compact than its cousin and that it'll be fun to drive."This model is a spinoff from the G-Class EQG concept first unveiled at IAA Mobility 2021. The German newspaper Automobilwochereports that the company has been planning a smaller all-electric G-Wagon for several years, and suggests that the variant could go by the name g-Class" with a purposeful lowercase g." Kallenius told CNBCthat he views the vehicle as the "daughter or son of the big-G."Details are scarce, but it'll be based on a purely electric powertrain and should feature all-wheel drive, especially with Kallenius's assurance that it'll be fun to drive. As for the promise of a cheaper G-Class vehicle, a new Mercedes G-Class SUV starts at $140,000, so it won't be difficult to get in at a lower price point than that. However, if the company wants mass market adoption, a slight price cut to the $100k to $120k range likely won't do the trick. Actual pricing remains a mystery.We still have a long while to wait before getting behind the wheel of this diminutive wonder. The vehicle's powertrain is likely based on the forthcoming MB.EA platform, a proprietary battery technology Mercedes is developing. This platform isn't likely to show up in vehicles until 2025, which places the release of the smaller, cheaper G-Class EV in 2026 at the earliest.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mercedes-benz-teases-a-smaller-cheaper-g-wagon-luxury-ev-173321784.html?src=rss
There's a Labor Day treat in store for anyone who has been on the fence about picking up one of Samsung's latest foldable smartphones as there's a sale taking place right now. You can snap up the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 for $300 less than usual at the moment. The foldable has dropped from $1,800 to $1,500 for a version with 256GB of storage.Samsung has been steadily refining its foldables since debuting the first Fold in 2019. The latest incarnation has a new Flex Hinge that's designed to eliminate the gap between the two halves of the screen and reduce the device's thickness while still being able to offer IPX8 water resistance.There are upgrades to various other components compared with the Z Fold 4, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform chipset. There are new gestures designed to improve multitasking, which we found worked well. In fact, we think the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the best phone for multitasking.Ultimately, we gave the Z Fold 5 a score of 86 in our review. While we feel that it's a solid phone, there's a sense that Samsung isn't doing enough to innovate or (crucially) bring down the base price of the foldable. We like the Flex Hinge and the lack of a gap between the two sides of the screen. Better performance, stronger battery life (thanks to improved efficiency rather than a larger capacity) and a brighter main screen were plus points too.On the downside, it's still a somewhat bulky device when folded. Samsung didn't really update the cameras, though it added new image processing bells and whistles. There's no space to slot an S Pen inside either. Still, if you're looking for a foldable from a major manufacturer, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is one of your main options right now, and a $300 discount might make it a more palatable choice.Meanwhile, if you prefer your screen to fold vertically rather than horizontally, you can pick up a Galaxy Z Flip 5 for less than usual too. A variant with 256GB of storage has dropped from $1,000 to $800.It might take you a while to tweak the settings to get the most out of the device, and you'll likely have to recharge it more often than other Android phones. However, we reckon it's the best flip foldable around and gave it a score of 88. The Z Flip 5 has a slightly unusual document folder-shaped external display that measures 3.4 inches - a major size and quality upgrade over the exterior screen on last year's model. The Z Flip 5 also has a Flex Hinge, and the device is comparatively compact when it's folded.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-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-5-is-300-off-right-now-164259774.html?src=rss
Spotify is said to have had a thorny relationship with the makers of white noise podcasts for some time, and now the company seems to be taking more action against them. According to Bloomberg, white noise podcasters will no longer be eligible for Spotify's Ambassador Ads program as of October 1.Under that program, Spotify pays podcasters to read ads for the company's own products. Its goal is to get more people to make shows for the platform.Bloomberg previously reported that some white noise podcasters were making as much as $18,000 per month, in large part due to Spotify itself paying them for ad placements. It recently emerged that the company considered pulling those types of podcasts from its platform entirely because they were making a $38 million dent on its gross annual profit.Ambassador ads haven't been very effective on white noise podcasts, according to the report, since their listeners aren't typically as engaged as they might be with a conversational or narrative podcast. They're said to be more passive listeners who play these shows for background noise, so Spotify was not seeing much benefit from those ads, according to the report.The makers of white noise podcasts will still be able to make money through direct support from listeners, paid memberships and automated ads. But this move is cutting off a key source of revenue. On the flip side, it may be beneficial for listeners who just want to hear chirping birds or thunderstorms without being interrupted by someone promoting the likes of Spotify's podcasting tools.In addition, Spotify has raised the threshold for Ambassador Ads eligibility. Podcasts now need to have 1,000 unique listeners over 60 days (up from 100) to participate in the program.The company also plans to ask more podcasters to join its automated ads program. Spotify said it will split revenue from these ads in half with podcast operators, moving away from its previous approach of paying a flat rate based on impressions.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/spotify-reportedly-locks-white-noise-podcasters-out-of-an-ad-program-150124532.html?src=rss
Volkswagen's ID lineup is pretty well fleshed out by now, with vehicles ranging from the ID.2all compact to the ID.4 crossover - but where are the enthusiast vehicles? VW has answered that question with the ID.GTI concept, an electric hot hatch that will eventually head to production.Much like original GTI that inspired it (the "I" no longer stands for injection but "intelligence"), it's a sporty, compact hatch that looks fast standing still. Size-wise, it's shorter but taller than the current Golf GTI, with slightly more interior volume. The ID.GTI is based on (and strongly resembles) the ID.2all compact, adding features like 20-inch wheels, front, side and rear spoilers, a rear diffuser, a honeycomb grill, striped graphics, LED fog lights and more.VolkswagenIt'll have handling and performance tweaks as well, but VW didn't provide any details. The ID.2all comes with a 223HP motor, good for a 62MPH sprint in under seven seconds, with an estimated 280-mile range. The ID.GTI is likely to beat those figures handily, though, and the top speed should be faster too.VW did say that the ID.GTI would have an electronically-controlled front-axle differential lock offering traction control, just like the current Golf GTI. And it will work even better, the company wrote, "because the setup of the electric drive motor, as any electric system, can be varied almost infinitely." It also has a low center of gravity to aid handling, thanks to the battery's location in the vehicle floor.VolkswagenInside, the ID.GTI concept has tartan sport seats, a drive selector, a sportier steering wheel and a 10.9-inch instrument cluster, along with a 12.9-inch infotainment system. It also features an AR head-up display, projecting information like speeds and even track layout, both for the driver and front passenger. A special GTI button activates a red lighting scheme.Volkswagen said that it will produce the ID.GTI concept, but didn't say when or what it would sell for. It's a good bet that it'll arrive around the same time as the ID.2all, though, which is priced under $30,000 and slated for a 2025 release.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/volkswagen-will-produce-an-ev-version-of-its-gti-hot-hatch-130029312.html?src=rss
My favorite video game of 2023 involves a portly, balding pizza chef named Peppino Spaghetti scaling a medieval tower to defeat a sentient floating pie threatening to blow up his pizzeria. It was developed by a small independent studio named Tour de Pizza, led by a designer named McPig. Its soundtrack was largely composed by a first-time composer and a high school student. Its art style is at once expressive and grotesque. It's called Pizza Tower, and it is, in all seriousness, one of the best 2D platformers I've played in a long time.I'm late here, as Pizza Tower arrived on PC in January. Currently, it has the second-highest user rating of any 2023 release on Steam. The simplest way to describe it is to call it a modern Wario Land - really, the game's structure is straight out of Wario Land 4. Almost all of its 20 stages are split into two halves. In the first, you can feel things out at a leisurely pace, collecting little pizza topping buddies, unlocking treasures and finding secret rooms. There's a grading system based on how quickly and thoroughly you finish a level - but Peppino can't die, and you don't need a certain score to pass, so you're free to move recklessly.Then it's Pizza Time." At the end of each stage is a pillar that, once knocked over, causes the whole level to begin collapsing on itself. The music intensifies and a timer appears. That's your cue to hurry up and get the hell out of there. You can't just go back the way you came, though; parts of the original path get blocked off, while certain secrets only become accessible during the mad dash back. Fail to reach the entrance in time, and the truly cursed Pizzaface hunts you down. It's a simple dynamic, curiosity inverted by anxiety, but one that always worked for me. Each Pizza Tower stage concludes with the ending of Super Metroid, only you play as a funny pizza man trucking through fork-wielding cheeseballs and pepperoni goblins.Tour de PizzaIt's not just the structure that got me, though, it's the speed, and how it's deployed. In fact, I'd argue Pizza Tower is equal parts resuscitated Wario Land and better Sonic the Hedgehog. Quick explanation: I do not like Sonic. I didn't when I was a five-year-old failing at Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on my great aunt's Sega Genesis, and I don't today after giving the original five games another shake last year. I get if you do. But for me, all Sonic provides is a bad kind of tension, an itch I can't reach. Sonic can go fast, but his worlds do way too much to impede his momentum. The open fields of Green Hill Zone eventually give way to slow-moving platforms, hard-stopping ledges and suffocating water. When I'm halted, it takes several beats to speed back up again. The only way to consistently zoom through its stages is to memorize them.Pizza Tower, on the other hand, knows exactly what it is. Peppino moves like the bus from Speed, bursting through walls and obliterating most enemies in his way. When you dash, his legs spin like a wheel and his body glows in technicolor. When you change direction, it sounds like a car screeching. When you pivot into a super jump, Peppino rockets infinitely into the air. The little guy beats the hell out of himself, smashing stomach-first onto bricks and slamming into dead ends. It's a constant kinetic thrill, the kind I want from any platformer. Like Mario's brisk hop or Donkey Kong's weighty slams, Peppino's runaway-train dashing feels distinctly his own.The key is that you actually have space to explore this form of movement. The fact that Peppino can't die plays a big role - less fear encourages less hesitation. Beyond that, it only takes a second to pick up speed, and the zoomed-out camera gives you just enough time to see what's coming. Crucially, the controls are simple. Wall-running, wall-jumping and diving under ledges only requires one button press. Pizza Tower has you complete strings of precise moves, but it's built on instinct more than memorization. It understands it's partially a racing game, not just a platformer. Indeed, to get the highest rank in a stage, you must complete a Lap 2."Tour de PizzaPizza Tower's rousing kinetics are enough for me to like it. But what makes me love it is its Nintendo-like commitment to exploring new abilities and sensations. One moment you're stampeding on a hot dog horse, the next you're a loosely floating ghost, then you're stopping to play a warped game of golf (a Wario nod). Importantly, Pizza Tower takes care to discard these ideas once they've run their course. Sometimes, it'll introduce a mechanic only to subvert it in the back half of the same level.Everything in Pizza Tower adds to its distinct sense of character. The art style looks like a dream you'd have after downing a meat-lovers pizza and falling asleep to a Rocko's Modern Life marathon. Peppino is a realized character, scared and pissed, purely through the evocative animation and movement. The incredible soundtrack is funkyandfierce, itself a throwback to Dreamcast-era Sega yet completely its own. And it's all funny! Not just in its natural physical comedy, but in its jokes - you haven't truly hated The Noid until you play this game.I haven't even talked about the boss fights (honest duels that strike that tough but fair" balance) or the ending (one of the most intense and cathartic sequences I've played) or the amazing WAR. But I'll conclude by saying Pizza Tower is a model for how to make an homage game. Its inspirations are as clear as day, but it doesn't rehash the past. Instead, Tour de Pizza has thought through how to ignite the spirit of a classic while making it rawer, livelier and a little more unhinged. Every year, I see people fawn over focus-tested blockbusters and pure pastiche projects. Pizza Tower's thrilling wildness rejects them - it couldn't be anything but itself.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/pizza-tower-is-the-wario-land--sonic-crossover-i-didnt-know-i-wanted-130022186.html?src=rss
BMW is continuing to explore an expanded EV lineup, releasing the Vision Neue Klasse - its latest concept design. The model builds on 2021's i Vision Circular concept and this year's i Vision Dee concept. Beyond the aesthetic features worth discussing, BMW notably claims its Vision Neue Klasse will have a 30 percent greater range and charging speed and be 25 percent more efficient.The company clearly wants its new EV to be a real departure from its former models. "With the Neue Klasse, we have embarked on the biggest investment in the company's history. We are not just writing the next chapter of BMW; we're writing a whole new book," Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development, said in a statement. BMW claims that its new design is "so progressive" that, upon first look, you might think the company jumped over a model.One of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse's more interesting features includes vibrant yellow lounge-style seats. While they certainly look fun, they're unlikely to appear in any model heading to market. However, the removal of chrome and leather should theoretically make the entire production more environmentally friendly. The interior also features a new generation of iDrive and the introduction of BMW Panoramic Vision. The latter provides information such as navigation, speed and song across the bottom of the front windshield.The car manufacturer apparently wants to ensure you look at the concept car and feel nothing but happiness, dubbing the exterior paintwork "Joyous bright." Though the company says the color demonstrates "the friendly, future-oriented personality of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse," we can't help but think it sounds like the description for a seasonal affective disorder (SAD) lamp. In either case, the BMW Vision Neue Klasse makes its public debut at the IAA Mobility 2023 International Motor Show in Munich, but it won't hit the market until 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/bmws-vision-neue-klasse-concept-teases-high-efficiency-evs-120045748.html?src=rss
Would you be willing to pay for Facebook? Meta may add a paid subscription option to Instagram and Facebook for users in Europe, according to The New York Times. The ad-free tier addresses European Union (EU) regulations that have diminished some of Meta's most lucrative data-collection methods, but, the NYT says, the company would continue offering free ad-supported versions of Facebook and Instagram in the EU. So, is this a cost-saving move? Would ad-free sites affect the company's bottom line? Back in April, Meta said that advertising in the EU made up 10 percent of the company's total revenue.The EU fined Meta 1.2 billion in May for moving EU citizen's data to US-based servers. In addition, the company was fined 265 million in 2022 for failing to prevent millions of Facebook users' mobile numbers (and other data) from being scraped and posted online.Oh, and self-promotion time: The Morning After is heading to YouTube for a weekly show. It pits me against a camera and the week's biggest news. I'll run through the most intriguing stories and tech launches of the last seven days - and say what I really think about them. You can watch, like, subscribe, share and abuse me in the comments (don't do that) right here.All with no paid subscription option. At least not yet.- Mat SmithYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedLenovo Yoga Book 9i review: The world isn't ready for dual-screen laptops, but Lenovo is Xbox Series S is now available in Carbon Black with 1TB of storageHitting the Books: The programming trick that gave us Doom multiplayerEngadget Podcast: iPhone 15 event previewWith Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.EngadgetThis week, Devindra and Cherlynn are joined by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the purveyor of many Apple rumors that usually come home to roost. They discuss what we expect from the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Based on Gurman's reporting so far, the iPhone 15 will likely get Apple's Dynamic Island. The iPhone 15 Pro will gain thinner bezels, a titanium frame and a periscope camera could appear on the Pro Max. Oh, and there's the whole USB-C thing.Continue reading.'PowerWash Simulator' will let you clean the grime away from Back to the Future's DeLoreanAnother crossover universe in need of a clean.Square EnixA Back to the Future expansion is on the way to PowerWash Simulator, a self-explanatory game that turned out to be one of 2022's biggest surprise hits. It's the game's latest crossover, following Final Fantasy VII, Tomb Raider and SpongeBob SquarePants DLC.Alongside the DeLorean, you can also clean Doc Brown's van, the Hill Valley clocktower, the Holomax Theatre and the Time Train, from the less-good Back To The Future 3.Continue reading.The best Labor Day tech sales we can findIncluding deals on the MacBook Air, Hisense TVs and Solo Stove fire pits.Labor Day weekend isn't known as an especially fruitful time for tech deals, but there are a few notable discounts. Both the 13- and 15-inch versions of Apple's M2 MacBook Air are down to all-time lows, for one, as are Hisense's well-reviewed U6K and U8K TVs. If you're looking for the latest tech, the new Beats Studio Buds + are $40 off at the moment, too.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-facebook-may-offer-paid-ad-free-plans-in-europe-111508855.html?src=rss
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its "close-to-production" Concept CLA Class EV, boasting of very long range and rapid charging via an 800-volt architecture. The four-door sedan is the first in the company's line of Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) EVs, which will include a shooting brake and a pair of SUVs. Though it was unveiled as a concept at Munich's IAA Mobility motor show, the CLA Class is slated to go into production as a real EV in late 2024.MMA was conceived for the automaker's entry-level CLA Class vehicles as an all-new "electric first" design. The concept is almost exactly the same size as the company's current CLA sedan at 185 inches long and has a soft egg-like shape designed to move through the air as cleanly as possible (the hood is longer than other EVs, as Mercedes may offer it with ICE engines as well). It also has a number of concept car details (weird wheels, LED lighting, etc.) that likely won't make the final cut.Mercedes-Benz AGThe CLA Class is less about brute power than other Mercedes-Benz EVs (no performance figures were shared), focusing instead of efficiency and charging speeds. To that end, it uses an 800-volt architecture and a single rear-mounted 235HP motor borrowed from the Vision EQXX concept (with "close to zero percent" rare earth materials). It also has a new heat-pump to keep the batteries (and occupants) warm in the winter, as cold air can severely impact EV range, along with a two-speed transmission.With all that, the Concept CLA Class can achieve 466 miles of WLPT range (around 400 miles in EPA terms) - a stellar efficiency of around 150 MPGe. It will also allow drivers to add around 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes. Mercedes didn't give the battery size, but it's likely under 100 kWh. Also aiding in that efficiency is a battery design with anodes containing silicon-oxide to improve energy density. The company will also offer a less efficient and reduced kWh lithium-iron phosphate option at a lower cost.Mercedes-Benz AGThe inside has a lot of concept-car fluff that likely won't see the light of day, including a water-cooled processor on the floor, silver-colored leather seats, an engraved moonroof and a dashboard-wide "Superscreen" with few physical controls. Still, the production version is likely to have some design touches in line with other Mercedes-Benz EQ electric models and a relatively luxe interior.Another feature slated to appear in the electric CLA production model is Level 3 automated driving. It won't be available at launch, but the EV will have all the sensors required to enable the feature down the road via over-the-air (OTA) updates. More details are set to arrive in the coming months, like battery size, final range and charging numbers and, most importantly, the price. But if Mercedes can stick to what it said, the CLA could put up a good fight against Tesla's EVs.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mercedes-benz-concept-ev-offers-rapid-charging-and-tesla-beating-range-075800456.html?src=rss
Since its release in 1993, id Software's DOOM franchise has become one of modern gaming's most easily recognizable IPs. The series has sold more than 10 million copies to date and spawned myriad RPG spinoffs, film adaptations and even a couple tabletop board games. But the first game's debut turned out to be a close thing, id Software cofounder John Romero describes in an excerpt from his new book DOOM GUY: Life in First Person. With a mere month before DOOM was scheduled for release in December 1993, the iD team found itself still polishing and tweaking lead programmer John Carmack's novel peer-to-peer multiplayer architecture, ironing out level designs - at a time when the studio's programmers were also its QA team - and introducing everybody's favorite killer synonym to the gamer lexicon.Abrams PressExcerpted from DOOM GUY: Life in First Person by John Romero. Copyright (C) 2023 by John Romero. Published and reprinted by permission of Abrams Press, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved.In early October, we were getting close to wrapping up the game, so progress quickened. On October 4, 1993, we issued the DOOM beta press release version, a build of the game we distributed externally to journalists and video game reviewers to allow them to try the game before its release. Concerned about security and leaks, we coded the beta to stop running on DOS systems after October 31, 1993. We still had useless pickups in the game, like the demonic daggers, demon chests, and other unholy items. I decided to get rid of those things because they made no sense to the core of the game and they rewarded the player with a score, which was a holdover from Wolfenstein 3-D. I removed the concept of having lives for the same reason. It was enough to have to start the level over after dying.There was still one missing piece from the game, and it was a substantial one. We hadn't done anything about the multiplayer aspect. In modern game development, multiplayer would be a feature factored in from day one, and architected accordingly, in an integrated fashion. Not with DOOM. It was November, and we were releasing in a month.I brought it up to Carmack. So when are we going to make multiplayer mode?"The short answer was that Carmack was ready to take it on. Looking from the outside in, I suspect some might wonder if I wasn't just more than a bit concerned since we were hoping to ship in 1993. After all, John had never programmed a multiplayer game before. The truth is that I never had a doubt, not for a second. Back in March, Carmack had already done some innovative network programming in DoomEd. He wanted to play around with the distributed objects system in NeXT-STEP, so he added the ability to allow multiple people who were running DoomEd to edit the same level. I could see him drawing lines and placing objects on my screen from his computer. Then, I'd add to his room by making a hallway, and so on.For multiplayer, Carmack's plan was to explore peer-to-peer networking. It was the quick and dirty" solution instead of a client-server model. Instead of one central computer controlling and monitoring all the action between two to four players, each computer would run the game and sync up with the others. Basically, the computers send each other updates at high speed over the local network. The speed of Carmack's network programming progress was remarkable. He had some excellent books on networking, and fortunately, those books were clearly written and explained the process of using IPX* well. In a few hours, he was communicating between two computers, getting the IPX protocol running so he could send information packets to each computer. I'd worked with him for three years and was used to seeing incredible things on his screen, but this was awe inspiring, even for him. In a matter of hours, he got two PCs talking to each other through a command-line-based tool, which proved he could send information across the network. It was the foundation needed to make the game network-capable. It was great for two players, and good for four, so we capped it at that. We were still on track to deliver on our promise of the most revolutionary game in history before the end of the year.Carmack called me into his office to tell me he had it working. Both PCs in his office had the game open, and they were syncing up with two characters facing one another. On one PC, Carmack veered his character to the right. On the other monitor, that same character, appearing in third person, moved to the left. It was working!Oh my God!" I yelled, throwing in some other choice words to convey my amazement. That is fucking incredible."When I'd first truly visualized the multiplayer experience, I was building E1M7. I was playing the game and imagined seeing two other players firing rockets at each other. At the time, I thought, This is going to be astonishing. There is nothing like this. This is going to be the most amazing game planet Earth has ever seen." Now, the moment had finally arrived.I rushed to my computer and opened the game, connecting to Carmack's computer.When his character appeared on screen, I blasted him out of existence, screaming with delight as I knocked John" out of the game with a loud, booming, bloody rocket blast. It was beyond anything I had ever experienced before and even better than I imagined it could be.It was the future, and it was on my screen.This is fucking awesome!" I yelled. This is the greatest thing ever!"I wasn't kidding. This was the realization of everything we put into the design months earlier. I knew DOOM would be the most revolutionary game in history, but now, it was also the most fun, all-consuming game in history. Now that all the key elements of our original design were in place, it was obvious. DOOM blew away every other game I'd ever played. From that moment on, if I wasn't playing DOOM or working on DOOM, I was thinking about DOOM.Kevin, Adrian, and Jay began running the game in multiplayer mode, too, competing to blow away monsters and each other. They were yelling just as much as I did, cheering every execution, groaning when they were killed and had to respawn. I watched them play. I saw the tension in their bodies as they navigated the dark, detailed world we'd created. They were hunters and targets, engaged in a kill-or-be-killed battle, not just with monsters, but with other, real people. Players were competing in real time with other people in a battle to survive. I thought of boxing or an extreme wrestling match, where you go in a cage to fight. This was much more violent, more deadly. It was all simulated, of course, but in the moment, it felt immediate. It was a new gaming experience, and I searched for a way to describe it.This is deathmatch," I said. The team latched onto the name. It instantly articulated the sinister, survival vibe at the heart of DOOM.In mid-November, we buckled down, getting in the closing zone," where you begin finalizing all areas of the game one by one. Now that Carmack had multiplayer networking figured out, we needed to fine-tune the gameplay and functionality, delivering two multiplayer modes-one in which players work together to kill monsters and demons, and the other where players try to kill each other (usually without monsters around). The first mode was called co-op, short for cooperative. The second, of course, was deathmatch.Another important word needed to be coined. Deathmatch was all about getting the highest kill count in a game to be judged the winner. What would we call each kill? Well, we could call it a kill, but that felt like a less creative solution to me. Why don't we have our own word? I went to the art room to discuss this with Kevin and Adrian.Hey guys, for each kill in a deathmatch we need a word for it that is not kill,'" I said.Kevin said, Well, maybe we could use the word frag.'"That sounds like a cool word, but what does it mean?" I asked.In the Vietnam War," Kevin explained, if a sergeant told his fire team to do something horrifically dangerous, instead of agreeing to it, they would throw a fragmentation grenade at the sergeant and call it friendly fire. The explanation was Someone fragged the sarge!'"So, in a deathmatch we're all fragging each other!" I said.Exactly."And that is how frag" entered the DOOM lexicon.The introduction of deathmatch and co-op play profoundly affected the possibility space of gameplay in the levels. Crafting an enjoyable level for single-player mode with lots of tricks and traps was complex enough, but with the addition of multiplayer we had to be aware of other players in the level at the same time, and we had to make sure the single-player-designed level was fun to play in these new modes. Our levels were doing triple duty, and we had little time to test every possible situation, so we needed some simple rules to ensure quality. Since multiplayer gameplay was coming in quickly near the end of development, I had to define all the gameplay rules for co-op and deathmatch. We then had to modify every game map so that all modes worked in all difficulty levels. These are the rules I came up with quickly to help guide level quality:
Google Nest device owners will have to pay at least $20 more if they want access to their security cameras' and doorbells' more sophisticated features and lengthier footage history. As reported by 9to5Google, the tech giant has sent out notices to subscribers in the US, telling them that the standard Nest Aware subscription now costs $8 per month or $80 a year, up from $6 a month or $60 when paid in an annual basis.The company started offering whole-home Nest Aware subscription plans that cover all a user's devices back in 2019. Before that, they've had to add a subscription for each of their cameras. The plan gives users access to intelligent motion detection, which can differentiate between several types of activities, dog barking alerts and person speaking alerts. It also gives them access to 30 days of video history with recorded events. Without a subscription, users can only access up to three hours of recording saved on their device.The subscription service has a higher tier called Nest Aware Plus, which now costs $15 per month or $150 a year. That's up $3 a month from $12 and up $30 a year from $120. In addition to all the features offered by the basic plan, the Plus tier also includes access to 10 days of continuous video history and 60 days of video history with recoded events.In a page explaining the price hikes, Google said "subscription prices can change to keep up with market shifts, which can include inflation and local tax updates." The new prices already apply to new subscribers, while old members can expect to pay more on the next bill they receive on or after November 6. Google also reportedly said in its letter that it will notify members outside the US 30 days ahead of any price increase, which means that the price hike could make its way to other territories.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-nest-aware-subscription-service-gets-a-20-price-hike-130018980.html?src=rss
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to recreate India's IT boom with space, a government official told Reuters. And the Indian Space Research Organisation's efforts do show that the country truly is serious about wanting to be known as a major player. Just a week after Chandrayaan-3 touched down on the moon, the country's space agency has already launched a rocket carrying Aditya-L1, the first Indian mission dedicated to observing the sun.Aditya-L1 will travel 930,000 miles over four months until it reaches the L1 Lagrange Point between the sun and our planet. A Lagrange point is a place of equilibrium between two massive orbiting bodies where objects tend to stay put, thereby minimizing a spacecraft's fuel consumption. The spacecraft will remain in orbit to collect data that scientists are hoping would help them figure out why the sun's corona is hotter than its surface.They're also hoping that the mission could provide information on how solar radiation and various solar phenomena affect communication systems and satellites, as well as power grids. By understanding those effects, space companies and agencies can better protect satellites in orbit. If scientists can predict coronal mass ejections, for instance, they can alert operators so that they can shut down their satellites' power before the phenomenon occurs. In addition, scientists are hoping that Aditya-L1 can shed light on solar wind behavior and on how the sun's activity can influence the Earth's climate in the long run.Sankar Subramanian, principal scientist of the mission, said: "We have made sure we will have a unique data set that is not currently available from any other mission. This will allow us to understand the sun, its dynamics as well as the inner heliosphere, which is an important element for current-day technology, as well as space-weather aspects."India already has several other missions lined up for the coming years. It's working with Japan to send an uncrewed lander and rover to explore the south pole region of the moon by 2025. Before that, by next year, it's planning to launch orbiters to observe Mars and Venus.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/india-launches-a-spacecraft-to-study-the-sun-a-week-after-landing-on-the-moon-111548216.html?src=rss
Meta may add a paid subscription option to Instagram and Facebook in Europe, according toThe New York Times. The ad-free tier is meant to address European Union (EU) regulations that have diminished some of Meta's most lucrative data-collection methods. The company said in April that advertising in the EU made up 10 percent of the company's total revenue.The move would be the first time Meta has deviated from its standard model of a single free platform supported by advertising (and associated data collection). The NYT says the company would continue offering free ad-supported versions of Facebook and Instagram in the EU. It's unknown exactly when the company would launch the ad-free tiers or how much they would cost.Company insiders" cited by the NYT believe offering a paid ad-free variant could help alleviate some European regulators' concerns," even if few people use it. The optional tier could serve Meta's interests in the region," they added.An ad-free option for European users would mark one of the most significant splits between consumer tech in the EU and the US. Meta and other social platforms have been forced to adapt as the GDPR and other regulations take hold. The EU fined Meta 1.2 billion in May for moving EU citizen's data to US-based servers. In addition, the company was fined 265 million in 2022 for failing to prevent millions of Facebook users' mobile numbers (and other data) from being scraped and posted online.This shows that tech companies are complying with the E.U.'s digital regulations, suggesting that they remain beholden to governments and not the other way around," Columbia University law professor Anu Bradford told The New York Times.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/facebook-and-instagram-may-offer-paid-ad-free-plans-in-europe-to-sate-eu-privacy-concerns-190926273.html?src=rss
The artist formerly known as Twitter has been in some hot water this week after Bloomberg found that the social media site would start collecting biometric details, along with job and education data, from users. Now, a newly-released privacy policy indicates that X will use this data, along with other collected personal information, to train AI models, as originally spotted by Alex Ivanovs at Stackdiary.The privacy policy clearly indicates that the company plans to use information it collects, along with any publicly available data, to help train machine learning algorithms.We may use the information we collect and publicly available information to help train our machine learning or artificial intelligence models for the purposes outlined in this policy," the privacy posting reads.Musk has confirmed the change, but notes that only publicly available information will be collected, and not DMs or anything private." X no longer has a press arm, so there's no real way to get ahold of anyone for more concrete information as to what data and information will be scooped up and what exactly it'll be used for.X doesn't have any public AI ambitions, but owner Elon Musk does. He recently launched a company called, wait for it, xAI that aims to understand the true nature of the universe", so maybe your biometric data and related information will be used to further that lofty and totally achievable goal. Stackdiary points to text on the xAI homepage that says it will work closely with X" to make progress towards our mission."There's another option for where this data is headed. Musk recently announced ambitions to compete with Linkedin, stating that the employment site was cringe" and that X's version would be cool." So that would explain the collection of job and education histories from its user base.Finally, there's a third option. X isn't exactly raking in the advertising dollars, so selling user data would be an easy way to make some coin. However, there's no evidence to point to that, aside from it being a standard practice in the social media world. In the past, Twitter primarily used collected user data to benefit itself, and not third parties.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/elon-musks-x-will-use-public-data-to-train-ai-models-184924197.html?src=rss
There's a new Xbox console available. Microsoft just launched a new version of the digital-only Xbox Series S in a bold Carbon Black" color with twice the available storage, 1TB compared to the standard 512GB that ships with other SKUs. It costs $350, features the same matte finish as the more expensive Series X and ships with an official Xbox Wireless Controller. The new console is available at just about every brick-and-mortar and digital retailer after originally being teased at the Summer Games Fest back in June.The big news here is the extra hard drive space. The Series S doesn't accept physical media, so the hard drive is your only option. Prior versions were locked in at 512GB and, well, you know how that goes. That's enough for around three or four AAA games. For instance, the recently-released Bethesda RPG Starfield clocks in at 130GB. Assuming an average size of around 100GB, the new Series S should accommodate seven or eight high-profile games plus plenty of smaller-sized indie titles. You'll still have to delete older games to make room for newer ones eventually, or get an external drive, but you can worry about that later.The just-released Series S refresh also boasts a relatively eco-friendly design, with many components made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins. This follows a trend originally started back in 2021 with Series S consoles.Modern Xbox naming conventions can get a bit confusing for average consumers, so what exactly is the Series S and how does it differ from the Series X? Both are next-gen consoles, but the Series S is the lower-powered cousin to the Series X, in addition to lacking a dedicated disc drive. However, the Series X costs $500 and the Series S costs $300 to $350, depending on the available hard drive space. Modern games run on both consoles, but the Series S is designed for lower resolutions of 1080p or 1440p, while the Series X is decidedly a 4K console.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/xbox-series-s-is-now-available-in-carbon-black-with-1tb-of-storage-180602071.html?src=rss
Tesla's Model S and X electric vehicles have already received two substantial price cuts throughout the year, but now there's another one to entice consumers hesitant to jump on the EV train. Tesla has cut prices on these cars by 15 to 19 percent, starting today, depending on the model and trim. This price drop is not just for American consumers, as similar discounts have appeared throughout the globe, according to EV experts Electrek.As of today, you can pick up a Model S for the base price of $74,990, which is $3,500 less than the previous base price. The Model X now starts at $79,990, which is a reduction of $8,500. All colors are now included in the base price, so you don't have to pony up for a bit of aesthetic flourish. You can choose between white, black, gray, blue or red.This is a good news and bad news situation, however, as Tesla has suddenly discontinued the Standard Range version of both vehicles, which featured a smaller battery. This isn't that big of a deal, however, as the new discounted prices on the Model X and S make these cars actually cheaper than the Standard Range vehicles.There's one final money-saving item of note. The Tesla Model X now qualifies for a tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. The threshold for qualification is $55K for cars and $80K for trucks and SUVs. In other words, the Model S is still too expensive, but the Model X squeaks in just under the cost threshold for SUVs and trucks. This means that you can actually get a base Model X for cheaper than a Model S, so long as you make less than $150K to $300K a year, depending on if you're single or married.As previously stated, the price cuts also apply across Europe and China, with similar discounts when considering local currencies. While lower prices are obviously a great thing for prospective consumers, some current Tesla owners have expressed dismay regarding an associated drop in resale prices. Earlier this year, protesters in China demanded compensation for price cuts but Tesla said nope.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-once-again-slashes-model-s-and-x-prices-by-nearly-20-percent-164727753.html?src=rss
Every now and then, a device comes along and challenges you to consider the viability of an entirely new product category. That's precisely what Lenovo is doing with the Yoga Book 9i. By replacing the traditional physical keyboard with a second display, the company is rethinking what a laptop can do. In tight confines, you can rely on a virtual keyboard or an included magnetic alternative. But when space isn't a concern, you can prop the whole system up on its custom folding cover to create an engaging dual-screen workspace. It's like a miniature all-in-one PC that's incredibly easy to carry around. And while its software still needs work and it costs twice as much as a standard clamshell, the Yoga Book 9i is proof that it's worth exploring this new branch of the laptop's evolutionary tree.Design and displaysThere's a profound elegance to the Yoga Book 9i's design. Though the laptop's bottom half is a bit thicker than the top, it feels like Lenovo has boiled the device down to its most basic components: two halves (in this case, screens) joined by a hinge in the middle. The dual 13.3-inch displays (2,880 x 1,800) look great too, boasting OLED panels with rich colors and a tested brightness just shy of 400 nits.Around the outside, the Yoga Book features a polished metal frame with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, which is nice to see on a system this size. Unfortunately for fans of wired audio, you don't get a 3.5mm audio jack. Thankfully, Lenovo's 5-megapixel IR webcam is sharper than what you get on most competing devices, and holding everything together is the company's signature speaker bar hinge, which is impressively loud and punchy. All told, despite being slightly heavier than a typical 13-inch ultraportable due to that second layer of glass, it's still very easy to carry around.The remaining pieces of the Yoga Book 9i's kit are its accessories, which include a stylus, a detached magnetic physical keyboard, a folding kickstand cover and even a sleek travel mouse. The keyboard communicates via Bluetooth and has its own USB-C port for charging. Despite its size, it doesn't feel cramped and offers more key travel than you might expect. During transport, the cover wraps around the keyboard to keep it protected, while Lenovo's Digital Pen 3 can be stashed in the attached loop.The mouse is the odd one out because while it's a handy inclusion, it's also rather basic (its only noteworthy characteristic is having a toggle on the bottom for quickly switching between two paired devices). Plus, it doesn't attach to the rest of the system in any way. However, what you can create when you put these pieces together is when things get really interesting.A dual-mode machineIn clamshell mode, the Yoga Book 9i looks and functions like a regular laptop. But of course, it's missing a discrete keyboard and touchpad, so what do you do when you need them? That's easy, you just tap eight fingers on the bottom panel and instantly you get virtual stand-ins. And for times when you only need to mouse around, you can use a three-finger tap instead, which summons a floating touchpad that leaves room for Lenovo's widgets (weather, news, etc.) or anything else you'd like to put down there.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetSurprisingly, typing on a touchscreen isn't as bad as you might think. Don't get me wrong, it's still not nearly as fast or accurate as using a physical keyboard. But it's serviceable, as long as you're willing to make some adjustments. You can't slam your fingers down because there are no switches or actual keys with depth to cushion every strike and you need to be more aware of when your hands start to drift lest your sentence devolves into a jumble. But after a little practice, I'm able to hit 60 to 65 words per minute, which is down from around 85 wpm normally. As for mousing, the tackiness of the glass means swiping around isn't quite as fluid either. But that's OK, because if you don't want to rely entirely on a virtual keyboard or touchpad, you don't have to.Dropping Lenovo's keyboard on the bottom screen instantly converts the Yoga Book into a more traditional setup. The magnets inside even help align it properly. From there you can type away on physical keys if you prefer. Just don't forget to remove the accessory before you close the lid.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetWhat's most impressive about the Yoga Book 9i's is its ability to transform into a portable all-in-one PC when it's propped up on its kickstand cover. In this mode, there are two options for its displays: a stacked setup with one screen on top of the other and a side-by-side arrangement. Both configurations have their uses. Dual portrait-mode panels are great for quickly referencing materials like spec sheets while writing. Alternatively, the vertically stacked orientation is excellent for keeping an important project open up top while the bottom screen is reserved for email or messaging apps.Regardless of your preference, simply having the ability to use two displays on a device gives the Yoga Book 9i a unique advantage over pretty much every normal laptop. Sure, you can recreate a similar situation using a bunch of add-ons, but it's never going to be quite as sleek.SoftwareThe biggest downside to the Yoga Book 9i is that while its hardware is solid, its software is hit or miss. Lenovo attempts to mitigate this with its User Center, which does a great job of showcasing the laptop's dual-screen features and is an easy place to adjust settings like display modes, brightness and more.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetUnfortunately, even with the extra assistance, it's clear Windows 11 isn't designed for laptops like this. Sometimes when launching full-screen apps like a game, the Yoga Book gets confused and puts the window on the wrong panel. Other times, like when you're installing a program or logging in, a prompt pops up that completely disables the lower display, which is kind of annoying when you're relying on a virtual keyboard and touchpad. I can understand that it's hard to optimize software when you don't have a device to test things on. But even so, there's no hiding that this creates a stilted experience compared to a standard laptop, and if you're considering buying a Yoga Book 9i, this is a truth you're going to have to live with (at least for now).PerformancePacking an Intel Core i7-155U chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the Yoga Book 9i can handle most productivity needs. Even when multitasking across both displays, performance felt relatively snappy. However, if you're planning on regularly doing more demanding things like video editing, you'll probably want a beefier machine. On our video encoding test, the laptop took a minute and a half to convert a one-minute movie trailer from 4K to 1080p. That's not great when compared to systems with faster chips that can perform the same task in 30 to 40 seconds.Battery lifePhoto by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetEven with a relatively large 80Wh battery, for a system with two screens, the Yoga Book 9i fared better than expected on our standard video rundown test. It posted a time of eight hours and 12 minutes, which is a couple hours shorter than traditional similarly-sized rivals like the Asus ZenBook S 13 (10:39). But it's longer than what you get from more powerful thin-and-light gaming notebooks, which often struggle to get north of five hours on a charge.Wrap upAs the first laptop to feature two displays, the Yoga Book 9i is a rather divisive machine. Starting at $2,000, not only is it really expensive, its performance is also slower than more traditional competitors in this price range. However, for people like me who constantly yearn for more screen real estate when I'm away from home, Lenovo has created something that is more than the sum of its parts. When space is limited, the Yoga Book 9i's clamshell mode feels right at home on an airplane tray table. But when it's not, it can expand into a portable dual-screen workstation-complete with all the fixings of your desktop at home. And when you need to pack up, everything collapses into a neat, semi-self-contained bundle that fits in the smallest of laptop bags.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetThe Yoga Book 9i is a nifty little transformer that's more engaging than anything Michael Bay has directed in the last two decades. With how little laptops have changed recently, it feels like the Yoga Book has even more room to grow in the years to come. Sure, it's still a bit awkward, but as the starting point for a new type of notebook, Lenovo's debut dual-screen convertible has me convinced.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lenovo-yoga-book-9i-review-the-world-isnt-ready-for-dual-screen-laptops-but-lenovo-is-163009289.html?src=rss
Labor Day weekend isn't known as an especially fruitful time for tech deals, but we've found a few notable discounts on good gear ahead of the holiday anyway. Both the 13- and 15-inch versions of Apple's M2 MacBook Air are down to all-time lows, for one, as are Hisense's well-reviewed U6K and U8K TVs. The new Beats Studio Buds + are $40 off, while Solo Stove is running a sale on its popular smokeless fire pits. We're also seeing deals on Xbox gift cards, Roombas and Amazon's Echo Show 8, among others. Here are the best Labor Day tech sales we could find.Apple MacBook AirApple's 15-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chip is down to $1,099 at Amazon, while the 13-inch model is available for $899 at Best Buy. Both represent all-time lows. These prices apply to the entry-level configurations with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, so they're better suited for casual tasks than more involved work. Some reports suggest Apple may introduce a refreshed 13-inch Air later this year, too. Nevertheless, if you need a new notebook right now, the M2 MacBook Air should continue to check all the necessary boxes. Currently, it's top pick in our guide to the best laptops.Solo Stove Labor Day SaleSolo Stove has discounted a number of its (mostly) smokeless fire pits for Labor Day, including the Bonfire 2.0 on sale for $240. While that's not an all-time low, it's still $160 off the stainless-steel pit's list price. We've sung the praises of Solo Stove's 2.0 fire pits in the past, and we recommend them in our guide to the best outdoor gear for the fall thanks to their sturdy frames, efficient burning and easy cleaning mechanisms. The Bonfire 2.0 is the company's medium-sized model, but at 23 pounds, it's still light enough to stash away when you're not using it.Hisense U6KThe 55-inch Hisense U6K is available for an all-time low of $398, which is about $90 off its average street price in recent months. The 65-inch model is down to a low of $548. While we haven't reviewed the U6K ourselves, this TV has receivedpraise elsewhere for offering quantum dots, full-array local dimming and, most notably, a Mini LED backlight for a budget-level price. Its picture quality will still be a step behind the better options up the price bracket, and it doesn't have HDMI 2.1 ports, but it should deliver better contrast and color than most alternatives on the cheap.Elsewhere, the 55- and 65-inch versions of the TCL Q6 are down to new lows of $378 and $498, respectively. This is a notable budget TV for gamers, as it can play at a faster 120Hz refresh rate (albeit in a 1080p or 1440p resolution, not 4K). It lacks local dimming and Mini LEDs, however.Hisense U8KIf you're willing to pay more for a TV upgrade, the Hisense U8K is down to $748 for a 55-inch model and $998 for a 65-inch model. We'll inevitably see the TV drop further over time, but for now, both of these prices represent all-time lows. The U8K has received consistentlyhighmarks for delivering brightness, contrast and colors that belie its mid-range price. It has a host of gaming-friendly features as well, including the ability to play up to 144Hz in 4K. It only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, though, and most reviews say its viewing angles are mediocre. In general, it won't be as vibrant as a good OLED TV. But if you want to stay under $1,000, or if you need a LED set for a brightly-lit room, this looks to be one of the better TV values of 2023.Amazon Echo Show 8The Amazon Echo Show 8 is back down to $75. We've seen this deal several times over the last few months, and it's not an all-time low, but it's $55 off the smart display's list price either way. We recommend the Echo Show 8 in our guide to the best smart displays: If you prefer Alexa over the Google Assistant, it generally offers the best mix of price, performance and all-purpose size in Amazon's Echo Show lineup. Its 8-inch, 1,280 x 800 resolution display is comfortable enough for making video calls and viewing photos, while its built-in speakers can get loud enough to fill a room. And though no smart display like this is ideal for the privacy-conscious, this model at least has a physical camera shutter and mic mute button. We gave the Echo Show 8 a review score of 87 back in 2021.Beats Studio Buds +The Beats Studio Buds + are on sale for $130 at various retailers, which is an all-time low. Normally, Beats sells the true wireless earbuds for $170. We gave the Studio Buds + a review score of 84 in May, praising their improved sound, active noise cancellation (ANC) and call quality compared to the original Studio Buds. Find My tracking, fast pairing and hands-free Siri are nice to have, too, and they play nicer with Android phones than any set of AirPods. That said, they lack wear detection and wireless charging, and because they don't use an Apple-made chip, they don't have AirPods-style features like automatic device switching and audio sharing. Many of the picks in our wireless earbuds buying guide generally perform better. But if you like the Studio Buds +'s styling and want a cheaper set of Apple ANC earbuds than the AirPods Pro, they're a decent value at this price.$100 Xbox Gift CardAs of this writing, Amazon is selling $100 digital Xbox gift cards for $90. There isn't much explanation required for this deal: If you already planned on picking up Starfield, a few months of Xbox Game Pass, Xbox-related accessories from Microsoft's online store or any of the titles in our list of the best Xbox games, it essentially gives you an extra $10 for free.iRobot Roomba 694The iRobot Roomba 694 is down to $179, which is a deal we've seen before but still comes within $5 of the device's all-time low. We consider this the best robot vacuum for those on a budget. It navigates semi-randomly instead of following a set path, so it'll bump into furniture around the house, but it cleans effectively, it's sturdily built and its companion app makes it easy to operate. iRobot says it can last 90 minutes on a charge, though you may get less depending on what surfaces you need to clean.Logitech K380The Logitech K380 is on sale for $24, which isn't quite an all-time low but matches the lowest price we've seen this year. A version with a Mac-specific layout is available for the same price. Normally, the wireless keyboard retails around $30. We recommend the K380 in our MacBook accessories buying guide: Its compact frame is easy to transport, and it can pair with and quickly swap between three devices at a time, be it a desktop, tablet, smartphone or Apple TV. While it requires two AAA batteries for power, it can last around two years on a charge. It lacks backlighting, and the flat rounded keys aren't as luxurious as a good mechanical keyboard - but for a slim travel model, it's pleasant enough.Dashlane PremiumA good password manager is a simple way to enhance your online security and reduce the number of login credentials you need to remember. Dashlane is one of the services we recommend in our buying guide, particularly for those who often need to share passwords with others. If you think this might be worthwhile, new users can get a year of Dashlane's Premium service for $36 when they use the code LD40 at checkout. That's a $24 discount. While Dashlane does have a free tier, a Premium subscription lets you use the service across multiple devices. Dashlane says the deal will run through September 4.TP-Link Deco XE75The TP-Link Deco XE75 is the top pick in our guide to the best mesh WiFi systems: It doesn't have one immediate standout feature, but it struck the best balance of whole-home performance and user-friendliness of all the devices we tested. In our full review, we gave the WiFi 6E system a score of 87. If you're looking to improve the connection speeds in a larger home, TP-Link is selling a two-pack of the Deco XE75 for $210 with the checkout code 20DECOWIFI. That's about $35 below this config's average street price in recent months. If stock runs dry at TP-Link, you can get the two-pack for $10 more at Amazon; just make sure to clip the on-page coupon.Sony HT-A7000Sony's HT-A7000 soundbar is back down to $998, which certainly isn't cheap but matches the lowest price we've tracked. On average, the device has retailed closer to $1,150 over the past few months. The A7000 is the premium recommendation in our guide to the best soundbars. It's a powerful 7.1.2-channel unit with support for Dolby Atmos and Sony's own virtual surround sound tech. It can passthrough 4K HDR video at 120Hz, so it's fairly well-equipped for game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, plus it can receive audio via AirPlay, Chromecast and Spotify Connect. Unfortunately, its high cost doesn't get you a distinct subwoofer, but this deal helps lessen that blow a little bit.If you want to spend a little less, the Sony HT-A5000 is available for $798. That's not a particularly notable deal, but this model offers a similar feature set as the A7000 in a 5.1.2-channel configuration.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-best-labor-day-2023-tech-sales-we-can-find-160000523.html?src=rss
As it turns out, time travel can be filthy work. It seems the DeLorean Doc Brown and Marty McFly use to visit various historical periods is particularly mucky and you'll soon have the chance to clean it up. That's because a Back to the Future expansion is on the way toPowerWash Simulator, a self-explanatory game that turned out to be one of 2022's biggest surprise hits.It's PowerWash Simulator's latest notable crossover, following Final Fantasy VII, Tomb Raider and SpongeBob SquarePants DLC. A Warhammer 40K expansion is on the way too.The classic time machine isn't the only thing you'll get to clean with a virtual high-pressure blast of water in the upcoming DLC. It also features Doc Brown's van, the Hill Valley Clocktower, the Holomax Theatre and the Time Train. There will be 10 more achievements or trophies to snag too. The Back to the Future expansion will arrive later this year. It will cost $8.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/powerwash-simulator-will-let-you-clean-the-grime-away-from-back-to-the-futures-delorean-141050171.html?src=rss
It wouldn't be the end of summer if we weren't gearing up for another iPhone launch! This week, Devindra and Cherlynn are joined by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the purveyor of many Apple rumors, to discuss what we expect from the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Based on Gurman's reporting so far, the iPhone 15 will likely get Apple's Dynamic Island and improved tech from last year's Pro phone. The iPhone 15 Pro, meanwhile, will see thinner bezels, a titanium frame and a periscope camera for the Pro Max.You can also expect Apple to finally move over to USB-C for both of these phones, which should improve data (and potentially charging) speeds. Be sure to subscribe to Mark's Bloomberg newsletter, Power On, to follow his reporting.Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!Subscribe!
BMW has announced its fifth-generation Mini Cooper, and it's the first Mini EV to get a unique design that doesn't completely mirror its combustion counterparts. The first model is the Mini Cooper E, with a 135 kW/184 hp motor, 290Nm of torque and an acceleration from zero to 62 miles per hour in 7.3 seconds. It boasts a much higher range, stretching from 145 miles to 190 miles.That distance jumps to 250 miles for the Mini SE and includes higher outputs, such as a max torque of 330Nm, 160 kW/218 hp and a jump from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds. The batteries can also charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in under a half hour.Looks-wise, the fifth-gen Mini had adopted something the company is calling "Charismatic Simplicity" to emphasize the car's main, modern features. "Inspired by our history, we have developed our own new design language, defining our DNA." Oliver Heilmer, head of Mini Design, said in a statement. "The idea behind it is a design that gives each new MINI model a strong, individual character and is characterized by a clear, reduced design language intuitively focused on the essentials of the brand."Externally, this new design features larger wheels, flush door handles and the removal of fender flares. The interior takes inspiration from the original 1959 Mini that had a "round instrument cluster" front and center, with toggles below it. The modern update features a 9.5-inch high-resolution OLED display that introduces the Mini Operating System 9 and offers everything from media to apps. The Mini also features the brand's first "intelligent personal assistant," in the form of an animated Mini or Spike, the blue and white English Bulldog helper first announced in April, popping up right on the round OLED display. Either way, you can control navigation, entertainment and more through the push-to-talk button or simply saying, "Hey Mini."Additional features in the fifth-generation Mini include an optional Parking Assistant Plus (with 12 sensors and four cameras) and Green Mode, which can extend battery life. Plus, it has four new trim options: Essential, Classic, Favored and JCW.BMW also announced its third-generation Mini Countryman. It's the first time the crossover SUV will be available as an all-electric model, coming in a few inches higher and five inches longer than its predecessor. The Mini Countryman E delivers a 287-mile range, 150 kW/204 hp output and 250Nm of torque. The Mini Countryman SE has a bit more oomph, with 230 kW/313hp and 494Nm, but a slightly shorter range at 269 miles.Additional features include a revamped toggle bar with five switches, improved aerodynamics and wider wheel arches. There have been rumors of an all-electric Countryman since 2021, a shift that aligns with BMW's goals for Minis to be fully electric by 2030.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-mini-cooper-electric-gets-a-brand-new-look-and-a-lot-more-range-121540023.html?src=rss
This is Bethesda's highest-profile game since being bought by Microsoft. It's also a high-profile game for the console maker, as the acquisition turned it into an Xbox exclusive. Starfield is here with vast gameplay options, stories and quests. According to Engadget's Jessica Conditt, every player will find a gameplay aspect that resonates with them. Bethesda claims it will take hundreds of hours to interact with everything in Starfield, and according to Jessica, 40 hours and one New Game Plus later, this doesn't feel like a lie."BethesdaCombat is one of Starfield's weak points. While gun battles are central to the game's core loop, they often feel unnecessary and occasionally monotonous. The scale is grand, but it feels like a mix of other sci-fi games and references. However, if you liked Cyberpunk and you liked No Man's Sky, there's certainly a bit of both in Starfield.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedJabra's Elite 10 is its first wireless earbuds to feature Dolby AtmosTesla reportedly faces investigation over its mysterious glass house project Lower Decks taps into what Star Trek really isThe best gaming monitors in 2023Super Mario Bros. Wonder' hands-on: A delightful reinvention of a classicHP's first 16-inch Pavilion Plus laptop offers NVIDIA RTX graphicsJLab's insanely small wireless earbuds cover the basics for $40And attach to a keyring.JLabJLab's extremely affordable earbuds already strike a solid balance of value and performance, but the company set out to "drastically" reduce size and weight with its latest model. Announced back in December, the JBuds Mini is a set of insanely tiny wireless earbuds with a charging case smaller than a car key fob. While the $40 earbuds lack more advanced features, like active noise cancellation (ANC), there are touch controls, transparency mode and more.Continue reading.Philips Hue gets into home surveillance with its new Secure camerasThe brand's new product category puts it in competition with Ring.Signify, the Philips spinoff known for its Hue lighting products, has announced a new range of security cameras, putting it in direct competition with companies like Ring and Nest. The new Hue Secure cameras are for indoors or outdoors, and you can prop up the wired version with its companion desktop stand. Both will be available this fall, with the wired camera a bit cheaper at $218 (200) than the $273 (250) battery variant. The Philips Hue lineup also has contact sensors, so you can stick them on doors, windows and other places, to get notified if somebody opens them.Continue reading.Lenovo Legion Go hands-onA more Switch-like handheld gaming PC.EngadgetFor fans of handheld gaming PCs, 2023 keeps getting better. Following the release of ASUS' ROG Ally earlier this year, Lenovo is entering the category with the Legion Go. Some of the Legion Go's highlight features are to do with its screen. It's an 8.8-inch 2,560 x 1,600 IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and listed at 500 nits of brightness. That makes it the biggest screen on pretty much any device in this category. Other specs include an AMD Z1 Extreme chip, 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-our-verdict-on-starfield-111426637.html?src=rss
Sony has unveiled the Xperia 5 V smartphone with some nice high-end features and one fewer camera, along with a slightly lower price tag. The company also promises an "extraordinary music and video experience" thanks to the HDR display, updated speakers and more - all at a slightly lower price than the previous Xperia 5 IV model.Sony smartphones are all about the cameras, and there's good news in that regard, despite what looks like a worse camera array. The Xperia 5 V (yes that's "five five") has the same 52-megapixel Exmor T backside illuminated (BSI) Type 1/1.35-inch stacked sensor as the Xperia 1 V, meaning it's very fast and very good in low-light. In addition, Sony has improved the AI-powered "bokeh mode" to get pictures "closer to the standards of interchangeable lens cameras," the company said.Sam Benard for SonyAs the photo above shows, though, there's now only two rear cameras - the 48-megapixel Exmor T and a 12-megapixel 16mm ultrawide - rather than three as on the Xperia 5 IV. However, the primary sensor has much higher resolution than the previous 12-megapixel telephoto camera, and can dynamically switch between 24mm and 48mm (around 48mm and 96 mm 35mm equivalent) focal lengths, so you still get an equivalent 2X optical (lossless) zoom that should take much sharper images.As before, you can shoot 4K video at up to 120fps in HDR, and it comes with optical image stabilization, along with 5-axis gyro-powered electronic stabilization for maximum smoothness. Other features include HDR recording, eye-tracking, "Creative Look" color presets and a new Video Creator app that automatically creates a final video based on your choice of shots and music. And for audio creators, it has a dedicated voice recording mic "that picks up your voice even with other voices and environmental sounds in the surroundings," Sony says.SonyIt's also designed as an entertainment machine, starting with the 6.1-inch OLED HD+ (1,080 x 2,520) display (the same specs as the last model). For watching movies, it comes with Sony's TV Bravia X1 image quality engine for mobile, along with a newly developed front stage speaker system that offers "powerful deep bass" and negates the need for external speakers, Sony claims. And thanks to the power-saving tech, the 5,000mAh battery can go over 24 hours on a charge and maintain 80 percent or higher capacity after three years, according to the company. (That's a subtle dig at Apple's iPhone 14, in case you didn't notice.)The Xperia 5 V should also be solid for gaming, thanks to the flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Gen2 processor, 120Hz display refresh rate and a larger heat diffusion sheet (it's available with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, plus 128GB of expandable storage). Meanwhile, the game enhancer adds features like an audio equalizer, voice chat mic and a screen recording function.Despite a small drop in price in Europe, the Xperia 5 V isn't cheap. It's priced at 849 / 999 in the UK / Europe, with availability in "late September." There's no word on US pricing or availability, but we should hear something soon - and as a reminder, the Xperia 5 IV cost $1,000 at launch.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonys-xperia-5-v-phone-comes-with-a-flagship-52-megapixel-sensor-110148895.html?src=rss
There's a new Rugrats game coming out next year, and you can play it with graphics that make it look like it was developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The Mix Games and Wallride have unveiled Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland, which you can play either in HD cartoon mode or in 8bit mode, if you're feeling nostalgic. It's a puzzle platformer where you have to control the Rugrat of your choice - Tommy, Chuckie, Phil and Lil - as they pretend that they're inside a game.Its official page says: "Through the power of imagination, the babies transform Tommy's house into a video game world full of action, excitement, and adventure!" The game features multiple levels with different themes and bosses, and each Rugrat has unique abilities of their own that you can use to navigate the environment and to defeat enemies. You can also play solo or in a two-player coop if you want to enjoy the game with friends.According to the developers' announcement, the game is making its way to PC and consoles sometime next year. They didn't say which consoles exactly, but Mix confirmed on Twitter that it will be playable on NES hardware. The game will most likely be available as a software download, but the developers are also planning to release physical versions of the title via Limited Run Games.You can watch a trailer of Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland below:This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/rugrats-adventures-in-gameland-is-a-throwback-to-the-nes-era-091004983.html?src=rss
Tesla's refreshed Model 3 has finally gone on sale in China, Europe and elsewhere after leaking out here and there over the last year. It has a mild redesign, more range and an updated interior with new materials - along with a higher price tag in some regions. It's supposed to start shipping in Europe next month, and US buyers could see it on the company's ordering website soon.In a tweet from Tesla Europe, the company posted pictures showing the styling changes, particularly in the front end, which is sleeker and less bulbous than before. That in turn helps it travel farther on a charge."Go up to 629 km (390 miles) on a single charge with updated exterior styling optimized for max aerodynamics," a caption reads. That's based on Europe's WLTP range, though, which equates to 10-12 percent better range compared to the previous model. Given the 272 mile/333 mile EPA range of the current base/long range Model 3, that means US range could rise to about 300 miles/365 miles.TeslaTesla is also promising "more refined & relaxed ride quality, thanks to a combination of a stiffer body & updated suspension tuning." Two new colors (ultra red & stealth grey) are on offer for 2,000 over the base white color, and are designed to change subtly based on viewing angle and lighting.The interior has been refreshed as well (with physical controls still nowhere to be seen). Tesla is promising "more sophisticated materials, ventilated seats & customizable ambient lighting," along with a rear touchscreen that gives entertainment and climate controls to backseat riders. Meanwhile, the the main touchscreen has more usable screen space thanks to the smaller bezels, and also "brighter, higher contrast & more responsive," Tesla wrote.TeslaThe Model 3 was already relatively quiet, but its silent electric operation also makes every exterior noise more pronounced. To that end, the new version has "360 degree acoustic glass [that] ensures silence inside the cabin no matter what's happening around you" with significantly less road and wind noise, Tesla promised. It also comes with a better sound system that now has up to 17 speakers, dual subwoofers and dual amplifiers. "Obviously goes to 11," Tesla said (read that in Elon Musk's voice).Tesla has already made significant updates to the Model 3 since it was first released in 2018 (via firmware updates and minor physical changes), but the new version appears to make it more sophisticated and efficient - likely in response to polished EVs from Kia, Mercedes and others. It may also make the Model 3 cheaper to produce, according to rumors from last year.However, the new Model 3 could cost more when it arrives in the US. In China, the base model is now around $35,800, or 12 percent more than the previous version, according to The Wall Street Journal. At the same time, the base model is the same price in Norway, but the long range version is about $950 more. As mentioned, Tesla's configurators are now live in Europe, with deliveries expected in October - and it should arrive in the US soon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/teslas-redesigned-model-3-comes-with-a-new-interior-and-more-range-083832464.html?src=rss
For fans of handheld gaming PCs, 2023 just keeps getting better. Following the release of ASUS' ROG Ally earlier this year, Lenovo is entering the category with the Legion Go. And, after getting the chance to go hands-on with it, I think some of Lenovo's twists may end up making a big difference.Before we get in too deep, it's important to mention that the units I tried are very much pre-production samples. You can see evidence of this on components like the shoulder buttons, where one side of the device features metallic paint (which is what you'll get on retail devices) while the other side is plain black plastic. Lenovo also says that alongside a stock install of Windows 11, it's planning to equip the Legion Go with a custom app launcher similar to ASUS' Amoury Crate. But, that wasn't present on the demo units I used. The Legion's Go's body also felt a bit rough in places, so if you spot labels or parts of its shell that don't look quite right, Lenovo is likely looking to polish those up before its official launch sometime in October.OK, now that we got that out the way, let's talk about some of the Legion Go's highlight features, the most notable of which is its screen. It's an 8.8-inch 2,560 x 1,600 IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and listed at 500 nits of brightness. So not only is the Legion Go's panel as fast as what you get from the ROG Ally, it's also the biggest screen on pretty much any device in this category. On top of that, colors absolutely pop, which makes the device even more appealing than many of its rivals.The obvious downside to this is that between that big display and a somewhat boxy body, the Legion Go is rather bulky. Measuring 11.8 x 5.15 x 1.61 inches, the Legion Go is much closer in size to the Steam Deck than sleeker rivals like the ROG Ally. As for the rest of its design, you get a familiar Xbox-style button layout in front, with an interesting asymmetrical rear paddle layout in back, with a total of four rear buttons along with a scroll wheel, though I'm not sure what's the intended purpose for that last component. That said, I'm not going to turn my nose up at additional input methods.Interestingly, Lenovo is also drawing inspiration from the Nintendo Switch as evidenced by the folding kickstand in back and the ability to detach the Legion Go's controllers from its main body. However, I did notice that removing the controllers isn't quite as smooth or easy as it is on a Switch. First, you have to press the button in the back and then kind of tilt and slide at the same time. Granted, I mostly got the hang of it after a few minutes, but it definitely takes some practice.This kickstand does make it easy to prop the display up on a table while using the controllers remotely, though. And thanks to the two USB 4 ports, you can even connect peripherals like a mouse and keyboard if you want to turn the Legion Go into a tiny desktop. Alternatively, you can use the single touchpad on the right control to mouse around in Windows, which is a nice nod towards general usability, because unlike the ROG Ally, you can't use the Legion Go's joysticks to move your cursor.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetAnother clever feature on the Legion Go is that on the bottom of the right controller, there's what Lenovo is calling an FPS Switch. If you toggle that and then drop the right controller into an included cradle, suddenly you get what is essentially a vertical mouse that you can drag across a table while playing shooters. That said, I'm not sure I'll ever prefer this setup over a traditional horizontal mouse or even a joystick.Finally, with specs including an AMD Z1 Extreme chip, 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage and a 49.2 WHr battery, the Legion Go looks to be just as powerful as the ROG Ally. But what makes this so impressive is that in addition to coming with an included case (which you don't get from ASUS), Lenovo is being very aggressive with pricing, as the Legion Go will start at $699. That's the same as the Ally, despite the Legion Go's bigger screen, bigger battery and more sophisticated controllers.So while Lenovo still has some polishing to do before the Legion Go officially goes on sale sometime in October, with another big name joining the battle, it's clear the fight for handheld gaming PC supremacy is just beginning.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lenovo-legion-go-hands-on-a-more-switch-like-handheld-gaming-pc-040031587.html?src=rss
Lenovo has introduced its new flagship gaming laptop at IFA 2023, and it's the first 16-inch model under the company's Legion brand. Called the Lenovo Legion 9i, it's powered by the 13th-gen Intel Core i9 processor and can be equipped with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, as well as a 64GB Overclocked 5600Mhz Dual Channel DDR5 RAM or a 32GB Overclocked 6400Mhz DDR5 Dual Channel RAM. Lenovo VP Jun Ouyang said the Legion 9i is the first Legion laptop with an integrated liquid-cooling system and hardware AI chip tuning.The company describes its liquid cooling system as the first of its kind for a 16-inch laptop. It's positioned so that it runs over the GPU VRAM, allowing it to manage heat under extreme gaming sessions, and it switches on when the GPU hits a temperature of 183 degrees Fahrenheit (84 degrees Celsius). This works in tandem with an AI-tuned triple-fan air-cooling system. Speaking of AI, Lenovo's LA-2 AI chip syncs the RGB strips around the keyboard and on other parts of the laptop. As for the device's screen, it uses Lenovo's PureSight 3.2K Mini-LED with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 165Hz variable refresh rate. The laptop can also accommodate up to a 2TB SSD for storage.One interesting thing to note is that the company didn't launch separate Pro and Slim variants like it does for lower-tier gaming laptops, because it says this model fulfills the purpose of both varieties. The Legion laptop will ship with Windows 11 and a 3-month free subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It will be available in October with prices starting at $4,399.LenovoIn addition to the new flagship laptop, Lenovo has also announced a new version of its Legion Glasses, which are a wearable virtual monitor. They use the company's micro-OLED display technology and can deliver full HD resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate for each eye. These glasses provide a portable, large-screen viewing experience for users with Legion Go and other compatible devices, which include most newer Android phones, iPhones, Windows and Mac computers. They will also be available next month and will set buyers back at least $329.Finally, Lenovo has unveiled a 27-inch ThinkVision 3D monitor that doesn't need glasses. It's 3D Explorer software gives users a way to access various 3D apps and provides them with a platform for 3D creation. When 3D isn't needed, though, users can switch to 2D mode instead. The ThinkVision 27 3D Monitor will be available in select markets in January 2024 with prices starting at $2,999.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lenovo-announces-its-first-16-inch-legion-gaming-laptop-040004058.html?src=rss
The New York Police department has been using drones in a limited capacity for years - deploying unmanned aircraft systems for search and rescue missions, to document crime scenes, or to monitor large public events like New Years Eve in Times Square. Soon, you might see one in your backyard as well: NYPD officials have announced plans to use drones to follow up on noise complaints during the long Labor Day weekend."If a caller states there is a large crowd, a large party in a backyard, we're going to be utilizing our assets to go up and check on the party," Assistant NYPD Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said during a press conference Thursday. Privacy advocates have been quick to respond, with a representative from the New York Civil Liberties Union telling the Associated Press that the announcement "flies in the face of the POST Act" that requires police to publish its use policies for surveillance technology.And indeed, the plan could represent a stark departure from those policies. When the Department first announced its new drone program, it promised that the technology wouldn't be used for "warrantless surveillance." That pledge is reflected in the NYPD's POST Act Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Impact and Use Policy, which specifically states that (absent exigent circumstances), drones are not to be used "in areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy without NYPD personnel first obtaining a search warrant that explicitly authorizes the use of UAS."It's unclear if the department plans to obtain a warrant for noise complaints at private events over Labor Day weekend, or if such a complaint falls under "exigent circumstances." Even so, the NYPD has been increasing drone use in recent years, and has deployed unmanned aerial systems 124 times in 2023.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nypd-will-use-drones-to-monitor-private-parties-over-labor-day-weekend-001909102.html?src=rss
A new G.I. Joe beat 'em up is on its way. Hasbro, developer Maple Powered Games and publisher Freedom Games announced G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra today. The upcoming retro game will let you play as series stalwarts Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Roadblock and other classic characters. It joins TMNT: Shredder's Revenge and Double Dragon reboot as the latest evidence that 2D side-scrolling punch-fests are enjoying an unexpected 2020s renaissance.The game's developers promise a variety of locales to bash and kick your way through as you try to defeat Cobra. Navigate land, air, sea, and even space through iconic locations like Cobra Island, the Pit, Cobra's top-secret underwater base, and more as you thwart the devious Cobra Commander's latest scheme to take over the world," the game's announcement reads. It promises an arsenal of weapons, explosives and more.Hasbro / Maple Powered Games / Freedom GamesG.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra has story and arcade modes, each supporting up to four co-op players (online or locally). It includes lovingly hand-drawn pixel art" and classic style cartoon cutscenes." The soundtrack, crafted by Tee Lopes (composer of its spiritual sibling, TMNT: Shredder's Revenge), appears to include a modern take on the animated series' classic theme song. (No word yet on whether it will take timeouts for Knowing is half the battle" PSAs.)G.I. Joe is one the most iconic brands from the 80s and it was the golden era of arcade games. To celebrate the growing popularity of retro themed games we're thrilled to partner with Maple Powered Games and Freedom Games to bring G.I. Joe fans our first ever Hasbro Retro Arcade experience in this exciting interpretation of a classic 2D beat em up," said Eugene Evans, Hasbro's SVP of Digital Strategy and Licensing.G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra will launch on Switch, Windows, macOS and Linux in Q1 2024. You can wish-list the game today on Steam and Epic.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gi-joe-wrath-of-cobra-continues-the-retro-beat-em-up-renaissance-212256623.html?src=rss
Google has just made it easier than ever to capture video stills while using its Chrome web browser. The company highlighted the struggle faced by users when attempting to capture video frames - noting that screenshots often produced lower-quality images with the video's progress bar shown across it. If you're using Chrome (or another Chromium-based browser, like Microsoft's own Edge), that's now a thing of the past. Starting today, users can hit pause at any time during a video, right-click, and select the new "Copy Video Frame" option from the pop-up menu.We went ahead and tried the feature but noticed it didn't work as intended. On YouTube, evoking the new option required two right clicks instead of one. The first right-click brought up the native YouTube menu but after a second try, the menu with the new feature was available. When you click the "Copy Video Frame," Chrome will capture what's currently being shown and you'll have the option to paste your image in supported text fields within the browser, like Google Docs. We were also able to paste the image into the Apple Notes app; from there, you can save the actual file.As of right now, there is no option to save the copied video image directly to your desktop as a file. The feature is also limited when it comes to streaming services, with many of them restricting the ability to capture content. In fact, so far we've only gotten it to work on YouTube. So, while this feature may technically be helpful in a pinch, it may need some fine-tuning to be more useful. Chrome's new "Copy Video Frame" is being rolled out today for Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/chrome-now-lets-you-copy-frames-from-videos-for-easy-sharing-210657406.html?src=rss
New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced today that it's disabling the feature" on its website that made it possible to track people's movements by entering their credit card info. The MTA says it's turning off the seven-day history feature for OMNY as part of its commitment to privacy.This feature was meant to help our customers who want access to their tap-and-go trip histories, both paid and free, without having to create an OMNY account," MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick wrote in a statement to Engadget. As part of the MTA's ongoing commitment to customer privacy, we have disabled this feature while we evaluate other ways to serve these customers."MTAThe OMNY website included a page (screenshotted above) where passengers could enter their credit card number and expiration date to view their seven-day point-of-entry history across NYC's subways. Although intended to provide convenience for users, it was also a gift for abusers," as Eva Galperin, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's director of cybersecurity, described it to Engadget. Joseph Cox of 404 Media, which originally reported on the security hole, successfully tracked someone's entry points (with consent) using their card info. If I had kept monitoring this person, I would have figured out the subway station they often start a journey at, which is near where they live," Cox wrote. I would also know what specific time this person may go to the subway each day."The feature opened the door to stalkers, abusive exes or anyone who got a person's credit card to find out where and when they entered the subway. The feature didn't require a PIN or password; although a separate section allowed travelers to create a more secure account, it was buried farther down the page.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nycs-transit-agency-disables-feature-that-made-it-possible-to-track-subway-riders-195003276.html?src=rss
Nintendo has just announced the latest Switch special edition, one that's steeped in nostalgia. The new colorway has been dubbed the Mario Red Edition and pays tribute to one of Nintendo's most popular video game characters. The system will feature a console, dock and Joy-Con controllers all in Mario's iconic red. On the back of the dock, there's a tiny silhouette of Mario as he leaps into action. There's also a touch of gold thanks to a set of coins hidden inside.The new design will only be available on the OLED model, which was expected. The OLED version of the Switch is the company's flagship model, and we've already seen similar special editions recently. Nintendo has been known to release custom consoles as tie-ins with upcoming games - and with the official release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder set for October, it's not surprising to see the company creating a little buzz with this Mario-themed colorway.
In an unprecedented decision, Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee announced on Thursday that he will allow not only a press pool, cameras and laptops to be present in the courtroom during the election interference trial of former President Donald Trump, but that the entire proceedings will be livestreamed on YouTube as well. That stream will be operated by the court.Trump and 18 co-defendants are slated their trial on October 23rd. Tsplhey're facing multiple racketeering charges surrounding their efforts in the state of Georgia to subvert and overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, what Fulton County DA Fanni Harris describes as "a criminal enterprise" to unconstitutionally keep the disgraced politician in power. Trump has pled not guilty to all charges.While recording court proceedings can be an uncommon occurrence in some jurisdictions, the state of Georgia takes a far more lax approach in allowing the practice.Georgia courts traditionally have allowed the media and the public in so that everyone can scrutinize how our process actually works," Atlanta-based attorney Josh Schiffer, told Atlanta First News. Unlike a lot of states with very strict rules, courts in Georgia are going to basically leave it up to the judges."For example, when Trump was arraigned in New York on alleged financial crimes, only still photography was allowed. For his Miami charges, photography wasn't allowed at all. This means that the public will not be privy to the in-court proceedings of Trump's federal election interference case, only the Georgia state prosecution.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/trumps-georgia-election-interference-trial-will-be-livestreamed-on-youtube-193146662.html?src=rss
In what can only bode poorly for our species' survival during the inevitable robot uprisings, an AI system has once again outperformed the people who trained it. This time, researchers at the University of Zurich in partnership with Intel, pitted their "Swift" AI piloting system against a trio of world champion drone racers - none of whom could best its top time.Swift is the culmination of years of AI and machine learning research by the University of Zurich. In 2021, the team set an earlier iteration of the flight control algorithm that used a series of external cameras to validate its position in space in real-time, against amateur human pilots, all of whom were easily overmatched in every lap of every race during the test. That result was a milestone in its own right as, previously, self-guided drones relied on simplified physics models to continually calculate their optimum trajectory, which severely lowered their top speed.This week's result is another milestone, not just because the AI bested people whose job is to fly drones fast, but because it did so without the cumbersome external camera arrays= of its predecessor. The Swift system "reacts in real time to the data collected by an onboard camera, like the one used by human racers," an UZH Zurich release reads. It uses an integrated inertial measurement unit to track acceleration and speed while an onboard neural network localizes its position in space using data from the front-facing cameras. All of that data is fed into a central control unit - itself a deep neural network - which crunches through the numbers and devises a shortest/fastest path around the track.Physical sports are more challenging for AI because they are less predictable than board or video games. We don't have a perfect knowledge of the drone and environment models, so the AI needs to learn them by interacting with the physical world," Davide Scaramuzza, head of the Robotics and Perception Group at the University of Zurich, said in a statement.Rather than let a quadcopter smash its way around the track for the month that its controller AI would need to slowly learned the various weaves and bobs of the circuit, the research team instead simulated that learning session virtually. It took all of an hour. And then the drone went to work against 2019 Drone Racing League champion Alex Vanover, 2019 MultiGP Drone Racing champion Thomas Bitmatta, and three-time Swiss champion, Marvin Schaepper.Swift notched the fastest lap overall, beating the humans by a half second, though the meatsack pilots proved more adaptable to changing conditions during the course of a race. Drones have a limited battery capacity; they need most of their energy just to stay airborne. Thus, by flying faster we increase their utility," Scaramuzza said. As such, the research team hopes to continue developing the algorithm for eventual use in Search and Rescue operations, as well as forest monitoring, space exploration, and in film production.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/an-ai-pilot-has-beaten-three-champion-drone-racers-at-their-own-game-190537914.html?src=rss
PlayStation Portal, Sony's $200 handheld for PS5 game streaming, is available to pre-order today before its November 15th launch. The company announced the availability details today in an update to its announcement post from last week. The upcoming device requires a PS5 and a persistent WiFi connection.Sony markets the device as the handheld gateway to your PS5 games." Its eight-inch LCD screen offers 1080p visuals at 60 frames per second, and it includes haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Engadget's Kris Holt aptly described the device's appearance as a bit like a tablet wedged between two halves of a DualSense controller."However, PlayStation Portal doesn't support cloud streaming through PlayStation Plus Premium or similar services. Nor does it have any local apps. The device merely acts as a WiFi remote streaming controller for the PS5 you already own. However, at least it supports long-distance remote play as long as your console is up and running at home.You can pre-order the PlayStation Portal Remote Player exclusively from Sony.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonys-200-playstation-portal-handheld-arrives-on-november-15th-190222052.html?src=rss
Volition, the studio behind the Saints Row series, has closed with immediate effect. The developer said in a statement that the shutdown was a result of restructuring at parent company Embracer Group."This past June, Embracer Group announced a restructuring program to strengthen Embracer and maintain its position as a leader in the video game industry," the studio said. As part of that program, they evaluated strategic and operational goals and made the difficult decision to close Volition effective immediately." Volition's workers will be offered assistance to "help smooth the transition." The studio signed off by thanking its fans.Volition dates back to 1993 and a company called Parallax Software Corporation. That team split a few years later, leading to the formation of Volition. THQ bought the studio in 2000. Future Embracer subsidiary Koch Media (later Plaion) snapped it up for its Deep Silver division after THQ filed for bankruptcy in 2012.Along with the Saints Row series for which it's best known, Volition was also behind the Descent games and the Red Faction franchise. Its final game was a 2022 Saints Row reboot. The game wasn't especially well received, though PS Plus subscribers can claim it at no extra cost in September.Embracer said in June that layoffs and studio closures were on the way as part of the restructuring plan. The company, which spent several years snapping up a wealth of gaming studios and the rights to many notable franchises, noted that a long-in-the-works $2 billion investment opportunity vanished at the 11th hour. Axiosrecently reported that the Saudi government-funded Savvy Games Group was the partner that Embracer had a verbal agreement with before the deal fell apart.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/saints-row-studio-volition-abruptly-closes-due-to-restructuring-at-embracer-group-184731175.html?src=rss
In what essentially amounts to free money, Amazon's selling $100 Xbox gift cards for just $90, a savings of ten percent. This deal only applies to digital codes, not physical gift cards. Additionally, only the $100 card gets the discount, so other denominations are the same price as always. The final caveat? You can only buy two at a time, but that's nearly enough for four AAA games or a lengthy subscription to Game Pass.The codes can be used to purchase full games, DLC, various subscriptions, in-game currency and more. You can even use them to buy controllers and other must-have Xbox accessories, so long as the products are available directly from Microsoft. Gift cards don't go on sale often, for obvious reasons, so the deal will likely sell out before too long.This is a suspiciously-timed deal, as the hotly-anticipated sci-fi RPGStarfield releases next week, on September 6th. In other words, a whole lot of people are going to use their brand-new gift cards to get the brand-new Bethesda adventure. There's also a new Forza game on the horizon, in addition to Alan Wake 2 and a bevy of cross-platform titles. You'll have no shortage of games to spend your digital cash on.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/get-a-100-xbox-gift-card-for-90-at-amazon-184600576.html?src=rss
Google announced today that all Chromebook owners can claim three free months of GeForce Now. Most Chromebook users will get a (usually $10 per month) GeForce Now Priority subscription, while owners of Cloud Gaming Chromebooks will receive access to the Ultimate tier (typically $20 per month). The company is tying the promotion to Baldur's Gate 3 launch on Nvidia's cloud gaming service.Standard Chromebook owners can claim three months of GeForce Now Priority, which uses a premium rig" in the cloud that maxes out at 1080p / 60 FPS streaming and six-hour gaming sessions. Meanwhile, folks who bought a Cloud Gaming Chromebook can claim three months of GeForce Now Ultimate, which boosts performance to an RTX 4080, 4K resolution, 120 FPS and eight-hour sessions.GeForce Now, launched publicly in 2020 after nearly five years in beta, offers instant access to a computer with much greater horsepower than a Chromebook - without worrying about updates, patches or graphic settings. But, of course, you'll need at least a decently fast and low-latency internet connection to stream the games from Nvidia's servers.Building and accessing your library on Nvidia's service can be a bit clunky compared to rivals like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and the now-defunct Stadia: You'll need to link your Steam, Epic Games Store, the Microsoft Store or Ubisoft Connect store accounts (among others) to see which of your purchased titles are eligible. Then, you can stream the games you already own and find out which storefronts are supported for those you still want to add. Nvidia's GeForce Now library webpage is a solid place to start: It simplifies the process by letting you search the service's catalog of over 1,500 support titles.Google hasn't announced how long the promotion will be available, except to say it's for a limited time only. Chromebook owners can claim the offer on this special perks" webpage.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-gives-chromebook-owners-three-months-of-geforce-now-cloud-gaming-182734681.html?src=rss
It's hard to believe that the last brand-new 2D Mario game came out more than 10 years ago. That's not to say I don't appreciate updates to classics like Super Mario 35 or remixes such as the Super Mario Maker series. But without a fresh entry to the franchise, it felt like there was something missing. However, after getting a chance to go hands-on with Super Mario Bros. Wonder ahead of its official release on October 10th, it feels like the magic is back.By shifting locations from the Mushroom Kingdom to the Flower Kingdom Nintendo gave itself the freedom to update practically every aspect of the game, while staying true to the core formula that is running, jumping, smashing blocks and collecting everything in sight. There are power-ups like the new elephant suit that lets you bash enemies with your trunk. And while classic items like the Fire Flower are still around, there are refreshing twists like the Bubble Flower that give you the ability to both attack and reach new heights by jumping on the orbs you shoot out.NintendoSuper Mario Bros. Wonder also boasts the largest roster of characters in any Mario sidescroller yet, including the 2D return of Daisy along with, Peach, Luigi, Toad, Nabbit and multiple colors of Yoshi (the latter two having some important gameplay implications). Unlike the others, Yoshi and Nabbit can't transform, but they also don't take damage from enemies, projectiles or even the environment (like falling debris). Not only does this provide an easy way to adjust game difficulty on the fly, it's also the perfect way to introduce 2D platformers to a new generation. After all, think about how many kids whose first glimpse of Mario might have been in a movie theater instead of on an 8 or 16-bit console. And if that's not enough, Wonder even provides individual difficulty ratings for every level.Mario's horde of enemies has increased as well. There are Koopas wearing roller skates and herds of angry rhinos to contend with. We'll even see entirely new genera of foes like Goombrats, which look like Goombas if they were based on tomatoes instead of mushrooms.NintendoAside from in-game power-ups, there's also the new badge system which is divided into two types (Action badges and Boost badges), giving you yet another way to customize your gameplay. Action badges like the Wall Climb Jump" and the Floating High Jump" can make it easier to reach secrets while Boost badges like the Coin badge and the Add ! Blocks" badge can change how you traverse a stage. And because you can swap in new badges before starting each level, it adds another measure of gameplay customization and replayability. Unfortunately, my preview didn't show how new badges are earned, so that's something we'll have to figure out when the game officially goes on sale.The most impactful new mechanic though is Wonder Flowers, which can completely turn a level on its head. Suddenly, warp pipes are crawling around on the ground like worms while Super Stars fall from the sky. Day becomes night and in some levels you might even find yourself floating through the sky. The effect of Wonder Flowers on each stage is different, but no matter what happened, I found myself smiling at the delightful subversion of my expectations.NintendoOn a more granular level, I love all the little details and animations Nintendo has added. This is easily the most expressive 2D Mario game yet. Mario's face changes the faster he runs while his hat flaps around in the wind. Meanwhile, small gouts of flame pop off your feet every time you jump with a Fire Flower equipped. And in the background, there are happy little flowers that cheer you on as you speed by. Everything looks sharp and snazzy to the point where I feel like I'd be happy just sitting there watching someone else play. It's a real treat for the eyes.Finally, while it's not as big a part of the game as in something like Super Mario Maker, I enjoyed Wonder's online multiplayer. You can play with up to four people online (or up to two locally with another two online) in two different modes. There's a straightforward race mode similar to time trials in Mario Kart with ghosts (or in this game, shadows) that show the progress of other players as you zoom through levels. There's also a more collaborative mode that allows you to see how other players tackle certain challenges, but more importantly, they can even help you out by hitting checkpoints so you don't have to go all the way back to the beginning of a stage if you die.NintendoWith Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Nintendo has managed to reinvent its platformer for a new generation while keeping all the charm and playfulness that made the series a classic almost 40 years ago. And, even though I only got a quick preview of what's in store, Nintendo's next 2D sidescroller already feels like an instant buy.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/super-mario-bros-wonder-hands-on-a-delightful-reinvention-of-a-classic-180012480.html?src=rss
Bumble is trying to make its apps safe spaces for meeting new people, and that extends to real-life meetups. The latest community guidelines (which also apply to Badoo and Bumble For Friends) take aim at ghosting or people failing to turn up for pre-arranged meetups.The guidelines "discourage no-show behavior through disallowing the act of not turning up to an in-person meet up despite clear plans agreed by both parties," Bumble said. It claims its the first dating platform to "take a stance" on users over the issue, noting that according to experts, being stood up or ghosted can "sometimes have a profound impact on a person's mental health, leading to feelings of depression, anxiety and deflated self-esteem."Ghosting and no-showing IRL meets are now classed as bullying and abusive conduct under the updated policies, but it's not clear how Bumble plans to enforce rules around the topic outside of users reporting such behavior. Engadget has asked Bumble for clarification.Victim blaming (such as shaming someone for being a survivor of sexual assault) is outlawed across the three apps as well. Bumble says this is an industry-first measure that's part of its efforts to foster "a community that is safe and promotes mutual respect." The updated Violence and Bullying Policy includes clarified language related to the platform's ban on doxxing.Many services take action against illicit off-platform activity - Bumble's no-show policy is one of those - so it may be the case that Bumble will take action against those who victim-blame or doxx users outside of its apps. If someone posts Bumble screenshots on X/Twitter to attack a victim and Bumble finds out, it might take action against the offender's account on its platforms.One other problem Bumble is targeting with the latest community guidelines is the use of bots. From now on, Bumble, Badoo and Bumble For Friends "prohibit any attempts to artificially influence connections, matching, conversations or engagement through the use of automation or scripting." So, anyone caught using ChatGPT to try and seem interesting after making a match might not stay on Bumble for very long.The same goes for those who use any of the company's apps to promote an OnlyFans page or profiles on similar services. There's now "a blanket ban on the promotion of adult content in profiles, including attempts to sell, advertise, or buy adult sexual content." The goal is to try and crack down on this kind of spam, which appears all too often in dating apps.Bumble said it will continue to update the guidelines to deal with "emerging risks and potential harms that may occur from new behaviors." The company notes that it uses automated safeguards to tackle guideline violations before users report them, including instances of "harassment, identity-based hate and other inappropriate content." So far this year, Bumble has blocked more than 8.2 million accounts across its apps, most of which were detected and removed by its automated systems.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/bumble-tackles-no-shows-for-irl-dates-with-its-updated-community-guidelines-173027784.html?src=rss
The first trailer for the Five Nights at Freddy's movie was pretty nifty, but suspiciously light on the game franchise's renowned murderous animatronics. That issue has been rectified with the latest trailer, as it features prominent appearances from Foxy, Bonnie, Chica and of course, Freddy himself. The homicidal puppets are doing what they do best, murdering people.You also get a bit more of the plot, which seems to mirror the game. It zeroes in on a character played by Josh Hutcherson, from the criminally underrated Future Man, as he starts a new overnight gig as a security guard at a family entertainment center. However, Freddy and his animatronic gang of thugs pose a terrifying threat to anyone in the building after dark.As expected, the animatronics look great, nearly matching the game's original aesthetic. This is no surprise given they were designed by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. This is a far leap from Kermit and Miss Piggy, however, as the movie contains plenty of strong violent content, bloody images and language."Despite that warning, it's rated PG-13, so the gore will likely be kept to a minimum. Five Nights at Freddy's premieres in theaters and on the streaming service Peacock just in time for Halloween, on October 27th.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/new-five-nights-at-freddys-movie-trailer-shows-the-murderous-animatronics-in-action-171506472.html?src=rss
The US Copyright Office (USCO) wants your thoughts on generative AI and who can theoretically be declared to own its outputs. The technology has increasingly commanded the legal system's attention, and as such office began seeking public comments on Wednesday about some of AI's thorniest issues (viaArs Technica). These include questions about companies training AI models on copyrighted works, the copyright eligibility of AI-generated content (along with liability for infringing on it) and how to handle machine-made outputs mimicking human artists' work.The adoption and use of generative AI systems by millions of Americans - and the resulting volume of AI-generated material - have sparked widespread public debate about what these systems may mean for the future of creative industries and raise significant questions for the copyright system," the USCO wrote in a notice published on Wednesday.One issue the office hopes to address is the required degree of human authorship to register a copyright on (otherwise AI-driven) content, citing the rising number of attempts to copyright material that names AI as an author or co-author. The crucial question appears to be whether the work' is basically one of human authorship, with the computer merely being an assisting instrument, or whether the traditional elements of authorship in the work (literary, artistic, or musical expression or elements of selection, arrangement, etc.) were actually conceived and executed not by man but by a machine," the USCO wrote.Although the issue is far from resolved, several cases have hinted at where the boundaries may fall. For example, the office said in February that the (human-made) text and layout arrangement from a partially AI-generated graphic novel were copyrightable, but the work's Midjourney-generated images weren't. On the other hand, a Federal judge recently rejected an attempt to register AI-generated art which had no human intervention other than its inciting text prompt. Copyright has never stretched so far [...] as to protect works generated by new forms of technology operating absent any guiding human hand, as plaintiff urges here," US District Judge Beryl Howell wrote in that ruling.The USCO also seeks input on increasing infringement claims from copyright owners against AI companies for training on their published works. Sarah Silverman is among the high-profile plaintiffs suing OpenAI and Meta for allegedly training ChatGPT and LLaMA (respectively) on their written work - in her case, her 2010 memoir The Bedwetter. OpenAI also faces a class-action lawsuit over using scraped web data to train its viral chatbot.The USPO says the public comment period will be open until November 15th. You can share your thoughts until then.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/us-copyright-office-opens-public-comments-on-ai-and-content-ownership-170225911.html?src=rss
YouTube Music's latest redesign of the Now Playing page is making its way to iOS and Android devices everywhere. There's a new feature that brings an extra social element to the app. You'll now be able to read and post comments on the Now Playing page. That option was limited to playlists until now.According to screenshots that 9to5 Google shared, some of the comments on the page may date back several years. As such, it seems like Google is populating the section with comments from related YouTube videos, for better or worse (probably worse).The updated design is rolling out gradually, so you may not see it right away, but there are some other changes in store. The cover art is bigger and song titles and artist names now hug the left side of the screen. One other key thing to note is that there's now a carousel with buttons for comments, giving a track a thumbs up or down, saving songs to a playlist, sharing, downloading and the radio. Most of the previously available actions required an extra tap to access until now. The buttons look very similar to the ones you'll see below the YouTube video player. In addition, more of the controls should be easier to access as they're at the bottom of the screen.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/youtube-musics-now-playing-tab-adds-everyones-least-favorite-feature-youtube-comments-164521304.html?src=rss
If you don't want a smartwatch but you do want a smart watch, then Withings is probably your best option. It's spent the last decade producing classy hybrids which resemble old-fashioned Swiss watches to the untrained eye. Three years after launching the ScanWatch, the company is ready to show off its follow-up, the ScanWatch 2. At the same time, it's also announcing the ScanWatch Light, a more wallet-friendly version that is really not much to write home about.ScanWatch 2 is the most iterative of upgrades, with a new temperature sensor which could identify the early signs of infection. The rest of the sensors have been improved for greater accuracy and better power efficiency, but that's about it on the hardware front. The only other change is that people can track their menstrual cycle by inputting the data to their wrist. That will, after a few months, start offering predictions but it's surprising this doesn't work in tandem with the temperature tracking.At first blush, it doesn't look as if much has changed in the case or face designs either, with the same options from the first generation on show here. There's a 38mm or 42mm body with a pick of a thick or thin bezel and lugs attached to a black or white face in the steel bodies. You'll get the choice of a stone or dark blue face and band combo with the rose gold variations, same as before. It's a shame that we didn't get a Horizon version - which puts the same internals in a diver's watch body - at the same time, but I'm sure that'll come next year.In Withings' defense, there isn't much it could add to the ScanWatch that it didn't already have. A few years back, I explained there are only so many pieces of data the laws of physics and biology can monitor from the wrist. Much as I could damn the ScanWatch 2 for a dearth of new features, it's not Withings' fault it did such a good job last time out. Let's not forget its elegant analog and digital subdials, the depth and quality of its tracking and the 30-day battery life. Not to mention Health Mate, which remains the preeminent fitness-tracking platform in its class.A focus on period tracking raises concerns for users living in a post-Roe US, where that data can be weaponized. Withings told Engadget its customer data is stored with a France-based provider, which is subject to EU law. Backups of its consumer data is held on Google Cloud but those backups are encrypted, with Withings the only entity able to decrypt them. This, however, may not be enough to prevent the enforced handover of data concerning a US citizen via the CLOUD Act.The ScanWatch Light, meanwhile, is a ScanWatch with many of the existing bells and whistles taken out. There's basic activity, sleep and heart-rate monitoring, but you lose the ECG, SpO2 and temperature-tracking tools. The hardware's been downgraded, too, with the Sapphire Glass crystal replaced with Gorilla Glass and a less-accurate accelerometer. Given their respective prices, it's probably better to hunt for a discounted first-generation ScanWatch if you can. This, to me, screams of an attempt to offer a lower-cost model that makes its pricier sibling look good.Both the ScanWatch 2 and ScanWatch Light are available to pre-order from today with shipping expected to begin in October. Prices for the ScanWatch 2 start at $349.95 for the 38mm model, while the smaller ScanWatch Light will set you back $249.95.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/withings-scanwatch-2-features-a-body-temperature-sensor-and-improved-health-tracking-160037052.html?src=rss
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revengewas a surprise hit when it launched last summer, breathing new life into the old-school 2D beat-em-up formula. Now there's some new paid DLC to entice players back into the sewers. The Dimension Shellshock update was released today and brings new characters and a new game mode.The DLC was announced earlier this summer, but the reveal didn't include a release date, so today's launch is a nice surprise. Dimension Shellshock allows you to play the entire game as two new players. There's the comic book samurai Miyamoto Usagi from Usagi Yojimbo, an occasional friend to the turtles, and former Foot Clan soldier Karai. Both characters boast unique move sets and power ups.As for the turtles and their cohorts, the DLC introduces palette swaps to keep things fresh. You don't even have to buy Dimension Shellshock for this feature as there's a free update with just the new colors.There's also a brand-new survival mode. This isn't just a rehash that locks your characters in an arena with waves of enemies. Rather, it includes a number of original levels, called dimensions. There's a bit of a roguelite element here, as the more you play, the more crystals you collect. These crystals can be used to purchase power ups, extra hit points and more.Dimension Shellshock costs $8 and requires a copy of the original game. It's currently available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox consoles.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-shredders-revenge-gets-dlc-today-161511983.html?src=rss
Patience. Starfield is a huge game set in a universe of newly inhabited planets, and it combines interstellar travel with furious gunplay, alien exploration, spaceship management, character customization and interpersonal strife, and it takes a moment for all of these layers to merge into a coherent experience. But, give Starfield time, approach its systems with grace, and you'll be rewarded with a big, generic sci-fi RPG.Starfield has moments of beauty, but it features just as many instances of drudgery and disconnection in its main quest line. Playing on pre-release code on Xbox Series S, these issues are only exacerbated by chugging framerates, low-resolution set pieces and roughly one hard crash every five hours. Starfield is big and largely bland, and while it gets some open-world gameplay aspects right, it doesn't offer anything new for the sci-fi or RPG genres.BethesdaThat said, there are plenty of classic cosmic environments to enjoy in Starfield, and chances are, every player will find a gameplay aspect that resonates with them. Bethesda claims it will take hundreds of hours to interact with everything in Starfield, and I can say that 40 hours and one New Game Plus later, this doesn't feel like a lie. I've barely scratched the surface of some late-game systems, like outpost building and in-depth ship customization, but I got a sense of these mechanics while completing the main storyline and related side missions, which featured exploration, mining, social manipulation, resource management, crafting, cooking and combat - both on the ground and among the stars.Combat is one of Starfield's weak points, unfortunately. Gun battles are central to the game's core loop, but they often feel unnecessary. Some encounters are straightforward, but some act as a literal roadblock, with too many enemies, robots and turrets to destroy, no opportunity for stealth, and random drop-ins from high-level bullet sponges. My advice is to pay attention to the level of each foe you're shooting, and if you're overwhelmed, run straight past the bemused enemies to unlock the next step in your mission. (This tactic works in a surprising number of encounters, and it never feels great).My issues with Starfield's combat largely stem from its homogenous weaponry. Maybe I've been spoiled by Borderlands, but the guns in Starfield all feel incredibly similar to each other, and they generally aren't satisfying to shoot. This situation improves with time - players have the option to modify their arsenal and there are a few guns with elemental effects scattered around the galaxy - but overall, combat feels like something tacked on to appease FPS players, despite being central to progression.BethesdaThere are no VATS here, just items to upgrade your stats and a secondary ability tree that eventually gets added to your loadout. The boost pack is a nice touch, allowing players to fly in short bursts without expending precious oxygen. These features help make fighting more dynamic, but even in the final battles of the main mission, gunplay doesn't feel consistent or compelling. Starfield's combat isn't awful, but the experience maxes out at meh.Being sneaky was never really an option for me - I placed a point in my Stealth skill, but even with a crouch meter, security guards and space pirates always spotted me instantly, and they all chose violence. Sure, I could've focused on upgrading my Stealth tree, but I was busy maxing out my Persuasion skills and adding tools like Thrusters to my ship (which I recommend doing early on).It's not just the weapons in Starfield that feel repetitive. Regardless of which planet they're on, buildings come in three flavors: bright utopia, gritty cyberpunk, and industrial laboratory. Combat environments tend to blend together, with metallic platforms, staircases and vents in factory-like bases. Sometimes these are built into an extremely dark cave system, but they're often filled with the same containers, doors and enemies. The cyberpunk city of Neon - I bet you can guess what it looks like - is essentially an expanded version of the underground marketplace at New Atlantis, your character's headquarters. The main commercial districts are recognizable across planets, with clean white architecture.BethesdaNot only are these set pieces similar to each other, but they're also stereotypical in sci-fi. Starfield offers nothing new from a visual standpoint. This isn't too surprising, considering the game's retrofuturistic angle, which limits its design to specific aesthetics that have been mined by Blade Runner, Star Trek, Star Wars and other incredibly popular franchises. On top of this, there are missed opportunities for unique worldbuilding - there is no intelligent alien life in the game, and even generations removed from Earth's rigid borders, humans speak English with distinct regional accents. Across the solar systems, from ships to skyscrapers to clothing, Starfield is filled with drab.Despite its familiarity, I had a good time hanging out in Neon specifically. When building my character, I chose to affiliate myself with the Street Rats of Neon, and this trait helped me feel at home under the prismatic lights of the city, providing valuable dialogue options and insights. When it came time to grind, I chose to spend my time on Neon, completing tasks for various citizens and shop owners, and eventually landing a job in corporate espionage at a massive technology company. Anyone who enjoys Bethesda's dialogue trees and Persuasion mechanics will be happy here, but be aware that combat has been shoehorned into most of these missions, too.When I needed a break from stealing trade secrets, I explored a handful of planets from the main missions, following distortions on my scanner, surveying the landscape and growing in strength along the way. These were some of the most peaceful and deeply enjoyable moments of Starfield, for me: wandering along the ruins of a lost settlement while a soundtrack of simple piano music echoed like interstellar radar, notes building slowly, teasing adventure beyond the next bend.EngadgetThis was the loop that I liked in Starfield. Other players will be drawn to quests outside of Neon; others will spend hours customizing their ships, gear and outposts; some will stick to interstellar combat and completing their Starmap. There's enough variety in the planets to justify exploration, though there remains an abundance of gray and brown in the terrain overall. Ship combat is tricky at first, but it quickly becomes a delightful challenge of resource management and target prioritization, as long as you're not suddenly bombarded by overpowered enemies.There is a lot to do in Starfield, and a lot to enjoy. The Digipick lock-picking mechanic is so satisfying that I'd play it as a standalone game. The end of the main mission line introduces a compelling twist that messes with the player's sense of reality in the middle of a frantic gun fight, and it was the most fun I had in combat. Though I would've loved to meet some extraterrestrials, it was fantastic to see so many women, LGBT folks and people of color in leadership positions throughout the game.Starfield is a classic Bethesda RPG from toot to snoot, and this includes a litany of technical issues. I saw problems with facial and movement animations, I encountered dialogue and persuasion trees that barely made sense, and I had multiple conversations with characters who were rudely facing the wrong way.I played on Xbox Series S, and I attribute a handful of additional glitches to that hardware specifically, including the fact that my game crashed 10 times in 40 hours. There are generous auto saves, so I only lost significant progress twice, but that was more often than I'd like. The game also has lengthy, static loading screens, and consistent framerate issues. In one scene, a character was describing how I should sneak into a rival's headquarters, and an image of the building's layout filled the screen, pixelated beyond recognition.As you can see...," the character said, driving home the visual insult.Click to view full-size imageEngadgetThe story that unravels in Starfield is mainstream sci-fi fare, and while it's not revolutionary, it's perfectly serviceable for an RPG. It establishes a universe of items to collect and knowledge to gain, with mysteries, danger and new characters emerging along the way. The game is at its best when the main narrative falls to the wayside, and players are free to mess around on new planets, play with their spaceships, find settlements or simply explore the galaxy.Starfield is huge, and it contains a mission or mechanic that every player can enjoy - they just might have to get through 40 hours of a game they don't really like before discovering that loop. Todd Howard, the head of Bethesda Game Studios, said in a letter to reviewers that there are 3 million words in the game; he noted the amount of text, but that figure says nothing about quality.Overall, Starfield is fine. It's a Frankenstein monster of other sci-fi games and references, and it doesn't do any of these things better than the existing products. Combat? Cyberpunk 2077 is smoother. Mining and exploration? That's all No Man's Sky. Ship management? FTL still reigns. RPG storytelling? Look no further than Outer Worlds.Digipicks, though? That one goes to Starfield.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/starfield-review-you-will-like-some-of-it-160046067.html?src=rss
Shure may not have changed much of the design of its Aonic 50 headphones for the second-generation version, but it did a lot of work on the inside to massively upgrade all-around performance. The company announced the new model today, a set of $349 premium noise-canceling wireless headphones that now offer spatial audio, improved active noise cancellation (ANC) and twice the battery life of the previous version.In terms of sound quality, Shure says the new Aonic 50 has its spatial audio tech onboard that leverages an "acoustical modeling and critical listening" algorithm to offer immersion without compromising the original audio. There are three modes here - Music, Cinema and Podcast - which the company explains are tailored to each use case. Music mode offers the experience of listening with "high-end speakers" while Cinema mode adds more low-end tone to give the effect of being in a theater, maintains clarity and offers "natural sounding" dialog. Podcast mode positions the host's voice closer to the user's ears. This is all powered by 50mm dynamic drivers and Snapdragon Sound with aptX Adaptive, allowing you to stream music in AAC, SBC and LDAC codecs.Rather than keep the ANC setup from the previous version, tech simply described as "adjustable," Shure opted for a new hybrid active noise cancellation system. Like hybrid ANC on other headphones, the company uses microphones on the inside and the outside of the ear cup to monitor environmental clamor. Shure also allows you to control the amount of noise blocking and ambient sound with four modes: Light, Moderate, Max and MaxAware. The last of which is a new option the company describes as "perfect balance between blocking unwanted noise and maintaining awareness of your surroundings." There's also an Enhanced Environment mode that allows you to adjust those levels with a slider rather than relying on presets.Shure has more than doubled the battery life for the second-gen Aonic 50. It now offers up to 45 hours of listening time on a charge, up from the 20 hours on the previous version. There's also a quick-charge feature on the new model that gives you five hours of use in 15 minutes. The company is also touting "superior" call quality thanks to beamforming mics with automatic gain control. Shure says the six built-in microphones adjust automatically to combat ambient noise, which it claims provides "unmatched" clarity. Companies make lofty promises about voice performance all the time, and since mileage varies greatly on those, we'll have to reserve judgement here until we can complete our own testing.The Aonic 50 (2nd gen) will be available in September.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/shures-new-aonic-50-headphones-have-spatial-audio-and-double-the-battery-life-160025565.html?src=rss
Just over a month after it declared bankruptcy, e-bike maker VanMoof has found a new home. Lavoie, the electric scooter division of McLaren Applied, has agreed to buy VanMoof and make investments in it to grow the business. According to a press release, Lavoie and its parent plan to "inject stability into the VanMoof operations" before bringing together their "capabilities to create a next-generation e-mobility business and establish a world-leading premium e-mobility offering."Terms of the acquisition haven't been disclosed, but Lavoie and McLaren Applied appear to have a reasonable understanding of the challenge that lies ahead to get VanMoof back on track. McLaren Applied Chairman Nick Fry told Reutersthat VanMoof is "a company with a brilliant product" that offers his team an opportunity in a new market, "but this is not going to be a walk in the park. This also is a company that got itself into a difficult financial situation." Fry noted that McLaren Applied would need to invest "tens of millions" of pounds "in the short term" to stabilize VanMoof.Lavoie CEO Eliott Wertheimer pointed out that VanMoof has more than 190,000 e-bike customers, some of whom have been struggling to obtain parts for repairs after production was suspended. Lavoie's goal is to "continue to keep those riders on the road whilst we stabilize and efficiently grow the VanMoof business and continue to develop its world-class products." However, there will be layoffs as part of the acquisition. VanMoof will also shift away from an in-house retail store model to instead sell and service bikes via third-party partners. Peloton has made a similar shift in its business model over the last year or so.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lavoie-buys-vanmoof-giving-the-e-bike-maker-a-bankruptcy-liferaft-151547609.html?src=rss
A much-demanded feature is finally coming to Threads very soon, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed. A keyword search function is on the way. Until now, the search box has only been useful for looking up user accounts.In fact, the company is already testing the function in Australia and New Zealand. It plans to roll out keyword search more broadly to English-speaking territories in short order. We are actively listening to the community's feedback and working on more features to improve the search experience," Meta told TechCrunch.A full-text search feature is seen as critical for Threads to challenge (or perhaps even supplant) X/Twitter as the go-to platform for public conversations, particularly around events that are happening in real-time. Threads is missing some other functions that could help it get to that point, such as a TweetDeck (sorry, XPro) equivalent, but being able to search for posts is vital. It's a key feature that could help Threads bring back some of the users who have drifted away after an initial spike in popularity.To its credit, Meta has been quickly adding other important features to Threads over the last several weeks, including a full web version and a chronological feed of posts. So, other functions that users have been asking for may not be far behind.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/keyword-search-is-finally-coming-to-threads-135516556.html?src=rss
The following article discusses the fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks.There's a risk, using a word like should" that we're a short hop away from a tantrum to police the borders of What Proper Star Trek(TM) is. But after watching most of Star Trek: Lower Decks' fourth season, it does feel as if the show's outlook is the most Star Trek of the bunch. Part of this is because the show is mature enough to laugh at itself, and part of it is because it's now letting its characters grow. This is a sitcom, so its first duty is to be funny rather than weighty, but it's a welcome sight to see the quartet escape the bottom rung.I don't think that's much of a spoiler, because it's in the trailer, the press material and the cast's promotional interviews with TrekMovie. At the start of season four, some of the quartet get their promotions to Lieutenant Junior Grade, and out of their shared bunk. Now they're expected to lead away missions, take on real real responsibilities and actually lead other people. It affects them all differently, with Boimler struggling to grow into his role, and Mariner fighting every urge in her body not to self-sabotage, with varying degrees of success. And it's here, I think, that we see the side of Star Trek that so often gets overlooked in its other properties.After all, Starfleet is an organization of people coming together to do better for other people, but also to improve themselves. For every daring scientific experiment and skin-of-the-teeth rescue, we see more of the senior officers' desire to actually nurture their charges. This, too, helps to broaden the series' focus, to include T'Lyn, the fan-favorite who joined the Cerritos at the end of last season. The broader view also gives Captain Freeman more of a central role in several episodes, especially highlighting the times when her knowledge is ignored by her superiors. For all we've seen of the dung rolling downhill and landing in Beta Shift's trench, it's not as if those higher up the chain don't get their fair share of excrement, too.I wonder if its status as Star Trek's officially-sanctioned Class Clown gives it room to be more subversive than anyone gives it credit for. Time and again, both in this series and before, we see totems of Star Trek's past commoditized and packaged for sale. It's an easy way to milk fans' nostalgia glands, but it's also potentially a subtle critique about the nature of nostalgia. As much as Lower Decks was created by a Next Generation fan who wants to recapture some of that magic, it's also a commentary on that very same desire. And the show's creative team is clear-eyed enough to notice that series' blind spots and mine them for comedy.But, for all of this high-falutin' talk, this remains Lower Decks, a series that can have you in tears at the sight of a pair of dueling [SPOILERS] trying to out-compliment each other. And, if nothing else, it's a pleasure to spend more time with Starfleet's horniest and weirdest crew.The first two episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks will be available to watch on Paramount+ on Thursday, September 7. A new episode will arrive on subsequent Thursdays.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lower-decks-taps-into-what-star-trek-really-is-130059999.html?src=rss
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