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The US Department of Justice and Boeing have reached an agreement that the latter will plead guilty to a conspiracy to defraud the US government charge stemming from two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019, the New York Times reports.In May, the DOJ announced that Boeing violated its 2021 deal to pay penalties and compensation, as well as implement major safety changes - just four months prior, a cabin panel blew off an Alaska Airlines flight while it was at 16,000 feet in the air. The DOJ offered the company a plea deal on June 30, giving it one week to accept or face a trial.Boeing had struck a deal in 2021 over these crashes with the agency, promising to implement major safety changes and engage in no wrongdoing for three years. In May, the DOJ announced the company had violated the agreement, and on June 30 it offered Boeing a choice: accept a plea deal within one week or go to trial.If the new agreement is approved by the court, Boeing will have to pay a fine of $487.2 million - however, part of it could be covered by payments made in the original agreement. Boeing will also be required to invest at least $455 million in safety and compliance over the next three years and have a DOJ-appointed third-party monitor its progress.The deal was criticized as insufficient for the crash victims. "This sweetheart deal fails to recognize that because of Boeing's conspiracy, 346 people died," Paul Cassell, a lawyer representing some of the families, said. "Through crafty lawyering between Boeing and DoJ, the deadly consequences of Boeing's crime are being hidden."In 2021, Boeing agreed to pay its customers $1.77 billion in compensation after authorities grounded the 737 Max plane for a year and a half. The deal also included the company paying $243.6 million in fines and $500 million into a crash-victim fund for the heirs, relatives and legal beneficiaries of the passengers killed in the flights near Indonesia and Ethiopia.The Federal Aviation Administration's Aircraft Evaluation Group (FAA AEG) determined that the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) activated while both planes were in flight and was the likely point of failure. Two Boeing 737 Max flight technical pilots deceived the FAA AEG two years before the first crash, concealing information about an important change to the MCAS. If approved, the new deal will be Boeing's first new felony in decades.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/boeing-agrees-to-plead-guilty-to-conspiracy-to-defraud-the-us-government-124009566.html?src=rss

I've sneered at Apple's F1 movie since it was announced, assuming it'll be a cynical exercise in brand building. Given the close involvement of the sport's governing body, its stars and teams, it has the vibes of a two-hour commercial. But the teaser trailer for the film has made me worried, because it actually looks like it could be quite good. Oh no.F1 was co-produced by (F1 great) Lewis Hamilton himself, who pledged to make it the most realistic racing movie ever made. It centers on Brad Pitt's Sonny Hayes, who is recruited from retirement to be a mentor to Damson Idris' hot new prospect, Joshua Pierce. The last sequence in the teaser, all roaring engines and heavy breathing as the car warps around the track, is enough to make me think this has to be seen in IMAX.There's still time for it all to go wrong, and you can't make a plucky underdog sports movie in this of all environments. After all, even the smallest team is a multi-multi-million dollar outfit with millionaire drivers behind the wheel of each car. And it's not as if you can make a wacky design tweak to improve your car above the others given the yearslong homologation process.But I have to hope that any movie that features (former Haas F1 team principal and living meme) Guenther Steiner in a reaction shot can't be all bad.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-f1-movie-looks-really-good-120035709.html?src=rss

NASA's Mission 1 crew - all volunteers - have left their 1700-square-foot habitat at the Johnson Space Center. Since last June 25, they've conducted a fair few simulated Mars walks, grown vegetables and performed other tasks designed to support life and work in that environment. They also faced (a simulation of) the stressors actual space travelers to Mars could experience, like 22-minute communication delays with Earth.After 378 days in a mock Mars habitat, the four volunteers for NASA's yearlong simulation of a stay on the red planet are coming home. The crew - Kelly Haston, Anca Selariu, Ross Brockwell and Nathan Jones - left the 3D-printed habitat in Houston on Saturday evening.Do you feel like you'd like to live in fake space? There are plans for two more one-year missions. One has already closed applications, but the third is scheduled for 2026.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedStill Wakes the Deep is a modern horror classicApple Watch Series 10 is expected to have a larger displayThe best early Prime Day deals ahead of Amazon's July sale Kia EV9 review: Everything I want in a three-row family EVYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Nike's self-lacing sneakers are losing app supportYou'll have to operate the $350 shoes manually.NikeNike is discontinuing its self-lacing Adapt BB sneakers. First announced in 2019, the sneakers used a Back to the Future II style power-lacing system called FitAdapt, adjustable both manually and with an app. Now, the company will stop making Adapt shoes and is retiring the Nike Adapt App. When the app goes, the shoes will retain the last light color selected. Features still available without it include power on, check battery status, adjust your fit, save your fit, unlace shoes and, wait for it, power off.Continue reading.YouTube upgrades its erase song tool to remove copyrighted music onlyIt'll leave other audio, such as conversations, intact.YouTube has released an upgraded erase song tool to remove music from video segments without deleting other audio, such as conversations. When creators get a copyright claim for music, YouTube allows them to trim out the affected segment or replace the song with an approved one in its audio library. YouTube admits the tool might not always work. If a song is particularly hard to remove, it's presumably due to audio quality or the presence of other sounds.Continue reading.This is NASCAR's first electric race car prototypeNASCAR announced some new sustainability goals at the Chicago Street Race.NASCARNASCAR unveiled its first prototype electric racer this weekend at the Chicago Street Race. It developed the $1.5 million electric crossover in partnership with ABB, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota to call attention to sustainability efforts of... NASCAR. Apparently, it's making an effort.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-nasas-year-long-mars-simulation-volunteers-return-to-the-real-world-111544445.html?src=rss

CMF, a budget-friendly sub-brand Nothing announced last August, has officially unveiled a trio of new products. There's a smartphone, a watch and earbuds, all of which seem to be modest in both price and features.Let's start with the smartphone. Nothing made a splash with its original smartphone, the Nothing Phone 1, and the appropriately-named CMF Phone 1 hopes to follow suit. It wouldn't be a Nothing-adjacent product without some quirky design elements, and the CMF Phone 1 certainly has its share.CMF by NothingThe back cover is interchangeable, so users can swap out to different colors and designs on the fly. The company says this design element makes it easy to access the internal components of the phone for repairs and maintenance tasks. There's also something called an accessory point on this back cover. When unscrewed, this input point can attach to accessories like fold-out stands, card holders and lanyards.As for specs, there's a newly-designed 8-core MediaTek Dimensity 7300 5G processor, a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a flagship-grade" 50MP main camera sensor developed by Sony. There's also a 5,000mAh battery and 8GB of RAM. These are mid-grade specs, but still decent. Perhaps the biggest feature here is the price. The CMF Phone 1 costs just $200 and is available right now. The various back covers and accessories will be available later in the month.CMF by NothingThe CMF Watch Pro 2 is a follow-up to last year's timepiece. The design here is completely different, with a rounded shape rather than the squarish look of last year's model. There's an auto-brightness adjustment algorithm, improved sleep tracking and customizable widgets. The watch ships with a 1.32-inch always-on AMOLED display, built-in GPS, an accelerometer, an ambient light sensor and a trio of health-tracking sensors. The company promises 11 days of use per charge, though that metric shrinks to nine days with heavy use."Just like the CMF Phone 1, there are some unique customization options here. There are multiple bands to choose from, of course, but users can also swap out the bezel to switch fluidly between styles to suit any occasion." These additional bezels are just begging to get lost underneath a couch cushion somewhere, but we appreciate the thought. One thing hasn't changed with this refresh. It's still just $69. The Watch Pro 2 will be available on July 11.CMF by NothingFinally, there's a follow-up to CMF's original earbuds. The Buds Pro 2 offers active noise cancellation and algorithmic spatial audio. The charging case features a control dial that can be customized to adjust nearly every aspect of playback. The battery life seems decent enough, though gets a major hit when using ANC.These earbuds did get a slight price increase. Last year's version was $49 and these are $59. The Buds Pro 2 will also be available on July 11.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nothings-budget-friendly-brand-cmf-announced-three-new-products-including-a-200-smartphone-100417261.html?src=rss

This is it, the first game to nearly make me throw my Playdate against a wall. Angel Pop, a bullet hell shoot em up that landed on the Playdate Catalog last month, is utter chaos. Playing as an adorable little girl, you must fend off a nonstop barrage of enemy fire over the course of 50-or-so levels, trying to clear each stage of all enemies within a limited span of time as projectiles bombard you from every direction. It moves at breakneck speed, and at some points, there may be as many as 1,000 objects on the screen. Basically, it's everything a person could want in a bullet hell, and I'm completely addicted.Angel Pop really tests the limits of the Playdate, with so much happening on screen at all times, but it plays with impressive smoothness. The game is set in what developer NNNN describes as a surreal dreamworld," and the art juxtaposes the cartoonish player character and enemies with moody backdrops like dark cityscapes, to beautiful effect. It really nails the arcade feel of things.Ituses a combination of ever-changing difficulty and points bonuses that give you additional lives to keep things challenging without being entirely unrewarding. You might start out a round in Normal, but play a little too well and you could soon find yourself in a much harder mode. Or, there's the option to only play in Nightmare mode, which locks the game at the hardest difficulty setting (Death). You can use either the crank or the D-pad to control the direction of your bullets, which are unlimited, and you've got a finite supply of bombs that you can drop for close-range attacks when you're in a tough spot.Angel Pop makes a great case for shmups on Playdate, and I'm now inspired to go check out all the others after mostly playing slow-paced games. It's a lot of fun and a lot of frustration - I've only made it about halfway through so far, and there's been a lot of screaming involved.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/angel-pop-brings-cutesy-chaos-to-playdate-in-a-highly-addictive-bullet-hell-213433545.html?src=rss

NASCAR unveiled its first prototype electric racer this weekend at the Chicago Street Race. The $1.5 million electric crossover (per AP) was developed in partnership with ABB, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota to call attention to sustainability efforts under the NASCAR Impact program and show what EVs are capable of. It doesn't mean NASCAR is moving away from gasoline-powered race cars just yet, but rather that it's trying to gauge fan interest in electric racing," people involved with the initiative told AP.NASCAR's head of sustainability Riley Nelson told AP that the series and its partners want to represent electric vehicles, and more broadly electrification, in racing as cool, fun and accessible." The prototype, which has been driven by NASCAR driver David Ragan, has three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors, with one in the front and two in the back. This is all powered by a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery. According to NASCAR, its tunable powertrain can generate 1,000 kW at peak power." It's built on a modified Next Gen chassis.NASCARNASCAR's sustainability plans include adding EV charging stations and switching to 100 percent renewable energy at its race tracks by 2028. By 2035, it aims to achieve net-zero operating emissions.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/check-out-nascars-first-electric-race-car-prototype-192712138.html?src=rss

Ariane 6, the European Space Agency's next-gen heavy-lift rocket, is expected to take its inaugural flight on July 9, ending a yearlong gap in Europe's ability to access space on its own. The launch vehicle, made by ArianeGroup, replaces Ariane 5, which was retired last July following its 117th mission. The launch window opens at 2PM ET on Tuesday (8PM CEST).Ariane 5 was in operation from 1996 to 2023 and was ESA's main launch system. Ariane 6 was supposed to take over right away after its predecessor's retirement, but years of delays in its development meant it ultimately wasn't ready in time. As a result, ESA has had to rely on other launch providers, like SpaceX, to get science missions off the ground over the last year. If all goes smoothly with Ariane 6, Europe will be back in the game. Ariane 6 marks a new era of autonomous, versatile European space travel," ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said in June, adding that it will re-establish Europe's independent access to space."Ariane 6 will launch from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. It'll be streamed on ESA Web TV, with coverage expected to start 30 minutes before liftoff.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/esas-new-heavy-lift-rocket-ariane-6-is-poised-to-launch-for-the-first-time-on-tuesday-172813576.html?src=rss

Bigger screens are coming to the Apple Watch, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the Power On newsletter this week, Gurman writes that the Series 10 models will sport larger displays than we've seen in past versions of the regular Apple Watch, with one of the options likely to be close in size to the Apple Watch Ultra. The Apple Watch Series 10 is expected to be thinner, too, as Gurman previously reported.Apple has also been working on more advanced health features for its smartwatches, but it seems some of these may not be ready in time for the next release. That includes tools to measure high blood pressure and detect sleep apnea. According to Gurman, Apple has run into some serious snags" in developing the technology for these features. Sleep apnea monitoring, for one, would rely on blood oxygen saturation measurements, which Apple currently can't offer thanks to a patent dispute.We may also see a new version of the Apple Watch SE this year with a plastic shell instead of aluminum, according to Gurman, which could make the starting price drop a bit. Both the Apple Watch Series 10 models and the next-gen Apple Watch Ultra will get new chips for a performance boost.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-watch-series-10-expected-to-boast-larger-displays-while-a-plastic-se-may-be-in-the-works-154027422.html?src=rss

In case you missed it, we're officially getting a Jaws Lego set this summer. The company unveiled the upcoming 1497-piece set this week alongside a 90-second mini-movie that reimagines the film in Lego brick form. The Jaws set includes the boat (the Orca), the shark, and minifigures of the protagonists Martin Brody, Matt Hooper and Sam Quint, plus a number of key items from their hunt, like a harpoon and a few bright yellow barrels.LegoIt'll be available to the general public on August 6 for $150, but anyone enrolled in the Lego Insiders loyalty program will be able to purchase it earlier, starting August 3. You'll have the option to build the set on top of a base that's intended to serve as the ocean for the scene, so you can mount the shark in just the right position to make it look as though it's attacking the boat. Or, you can display the shark and the boat as separate pieces, with a stand for the former. One of the tiles in the water set will be printed with the line: You're gonna need a bigger boat."The intense showdown between a haphazard group of shark hunters and a great white that devours humans has never looked so family friendly. Check out Lego's Jaws in a Jiffy" to really get into the spirit of things.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lego-is-releasing-a-jaws-set-in-august-that-recreates-the-final-showdown-on-quints-boat-214504555.html?src=rss

After 378 days inside a mock Mars habitat, the four volunteers for NASA's yearlong simulation of a stay on the red planet are coming home. The crew - Kelly Haston, Anca Selariu, Ross Brockwell and Nathan Jones - is scheduled to exit the 3D-printed habitat in Houston this evening. You can watch the livestream of their return on NASA TV (below) starting at 5PM ET.This marks the end of NASA's first Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) mission. There are plans already for two more one-year missions, one of which NASA recently accepted applications for.The Mission 1 crew entered the 1700-square-foot habitat at the Johnson Space Center on June 25 of last year and has spent the months since conducting simulated Marswalks, growing vegetables and performing other tasks designed to support life and work in that environment, like habitat maintenance. No exact dates for the second CHAPEA mission have been set yet, but it's expected to begin in spring 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/volunteers-who-lived-in-nasas-mars-simulation-for-over-a-year-will-finally-emerge-today-192522497.html?src=rss

It pains me to say this, but it's been 20 years since David Firth's Salad Fingers made its debut and irrevocably altered the humor of the internet. The first episode of the web series hit Newgrounds on July 1, 2004. To mark this milestone birthday, Firth dropped a 20th anniversary special earlier this week that sees the titular Salad Fingers taking a walk down memory lane, bringing us all the way back to those early moments that seared the phrase I like rusty spoons" into the collective consciousness of an entire generation of internet users.Things won't be exactly as you remember them, though. This is how it all went down according to Salad Fingers and, well, are we really expecting Salad Fingers to be a reliable narrator? The 7-minute video expands the lore a bit and revisits characters like the shrieking young child" (who has some clarifications to make regarding their identity) and the disturbing finger puppet friends Hubert Cumberdale, Marjory Stewart-Baxter and Jeremy Fisher. If you've followed the series over the years and made it all the way to 2023's Harvest," you'll also recognize the absolutely horrifying Melvin Wishcake, who Salad Fingers refers to this time as Manky Melvin, the stinky reject."I've got a soft spot in my heart for this deranged cartoon, as I'm sure many of you do, and this was a real treat. I might just have to dive back in and rewatch the whole series now, which is up to 13 episodes not counting this latest special. Thanks for the (cursed) memories, Salad Gregory Stuart Fingers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/salad-fingers-turned-20-this-week-and-theres-a-new-episode-out-to-commemorate-it-163230203.html?src=rss

Update, July 5, 5:25PM ET: The same day it posting a tweet thread about Apple's app submission processes, Epic now says its game store has been accepted by Apple. The company offered no further commentary beyond a single tweet noting that Apple has informed us that our previously rejected Epic Games Store notarization submission has now been accepted."Thirty minutes later, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said "Apple is now telling reporters that this approval is temporary and are demanding we change the buttons in the next version - which would make our store less standard and harder to use. We'll fight this."Guess this saga's got more legs to run.The original story chronicling Epic's moody tweets follows unedited.Epic says that Apple has once again rejected its submission for a third-party app store, according to a series of posts on X. The company says that Apple rejected the latest submission over the design and position of the install" button on the app store, claiming that it too closely resembles Apple's own get" button. Apple also allegedly said that Epic's in-app purchases" label is too similar to its own label, used for the same reason.The maker of Fortnite suggests that this is just another salvo in the long-running dispute between the two companies. Epic says that it's using the same install" and in-app purchases" naming conventions found across popular app stores on multiple platforms." As for the design language, the company states that it's following standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps" and that they're just trying to build a store that mobile users can easily understand."

Don't look down. Don't look down. Don't look down.Waves the size of skyscrapers explode beneath me as I creep across a busted metal beam in the middle of the North Sea, suspended at the base of an oil rig that's in the process of collapsing. I'm crawling swiftly but carefully, knees sliding on the wet metal and eyes locked on the platform in front of me. Don't look down.I look down. The cold sea is boiling just inches from my beam, white spray reaching up, threatening to pull me under miles of suffocating darkness and pressure. Fuck.The Chinese RoomIn Still Wakes the Deep, horror comes in multiple forms. Violent creatures stalk the walkways on thin, too-long limbs that burst from their bodies like snapping bungee cords. Human-sized pustules and bloody ribbons grow along the corridors, emitting a sickly cosmic glow. The ocean is an unrelenting threat, wailing beneath every step. And then there's the Beira D oil rig itself, a massive and mazelike industrial platform supported by slender tension legs in the middle of a raging sea, groaning and tilting as it's ripped apart from the inside. Each of these elements is deadly; each one manifests a unique brand of terror.Still Wakes the Deep is a first-person horror game from The Chinese Room, the studio behind Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, Dear Esther and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture. The game is set in the winter of 1975 and its action is contained to the Beira D, a hulking metal maze that offers mystery, a growing familiarity and death at every turn. The rig is filled with a rich cast of characters from the British Isles, most of them Scottish. Players assume the role of Caz, an electrician on the rig whose best friend is Roy, the cook.The Chinese RoomStill Wakes the Deep feels like a hit from the PS3 and Xbox 360 era, devoid of modern AAA bloat. It's restrained like the original Dead Space, with a core loop that serves the narrative and vice versa. The mechanics steadily evolve without becoming repetitive or cumbersome. Its monsters are murderous but not overplayed. In Still Wakes the Deep, the horror is unrelenting but its source is constantly shifting - vicious eldritch beasts, the crumbling rig, the angry North Sea - and this diversity infuses the game with a buzzing tension until the breathtaking final scene.The game is fully voice acted and its crew members are incredibly charming. An undercurrent of good-natured ribbing belies every interaction, and the dialogue is earnest and legitimately funny, even in life-or-death situations. This skillful sense of character development only makes the carnage more disturbing once the monsters board the Beira D.After the oil rig drills through a mysterious substance deep in the North Sea, a giant eldritch organism takes over the structure, crunching its metal corridors and infesting the bodies of some crew members. Caz is on a mission to survive the creatures and escape the rig - and help save Roy, whose body is fading fast because he can't get to his insulin.The Chinese RoomGameplay in Still Wakes the Deep is traditional first-person horror fare, executed with elegance and expertise. The action involves leaping across broken platforms, balancing on thin ledges, running down corridors, climbing ladders, swimming through claustrophobic holes and hiding from monsters in vents and lockers. There are no guns on the Beira D, and Caz has just a screwdriver to help him break open locks and unscrew metal panels, placing the focus on pure survival rather than combat. Interactive materials tend to be highlighted in yellow, so it's never a question of what to do or where to go, but rather how to get there without falling prey to the monsters, the sea or the rig.Each input feels perfectly precise and responsive. Climbing a ladder, for instance, requires holding RT and pressing the analog stick in the proper direction - but if Caz slips, players need to suddenly press and hold LT as well, so he can regain his grasp in a quicktime event. In these moments of sudden panic, squeezing both triggers feels like the natural thing to do. It's deeply satisfying to clasp the gamepad as tightly as Caz is holding the rungs of the ladder, player and character completely in sync in the aftermath of a sudden scare. Still Wakes the Deep is a prime example of intuitive game design.The Chinese RoomIt's also just a gorgeous game. I stopped short multiple times while playing Still Wakes the Deep simply to admire the crisp lines, complex lighting and photorealism of specific scenes, but every frame is dense with thoughtful and well-rendered details. The otherworldly structures littering the rig cause Caz's vision to bubble like a melting film reel, and multicolored circles overtake the screen every time he passes too close to a pustule - it's disorienting and eerily pretty, much like the rest of the game.Still Wakes the Deep is an instant horror classic. It's filled with heart-pounding terror and laugh-out-loud dialogue, and it all takes place in a setting that's rarely explored in interactive media. Amid the sneaking, swimming, running and climbing on the Beira D, Still Wakes the Deep manages to tell a heartfelt and powerful story about relationships and sacrifice. Caz and Roy have a special friendship, but they also have family back on shore and returning to these people - alive, ideally - is a constant driving force.The Chinese RoomStill Wakes the Deep is available now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and it's included in Game Pass. It's developed by The Chinese Room and published by Secret Mode.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/still-wakes-the-deep-is-a-modern-horror-classic-175304800.html?src=rss

YouTube is trying to make it easy for its creators to remove songs from their videos and resolve copyright claims. In a new Creator Insider video, the website has announced that it has released an upgraded "erase song" tool that has the capability to remove music from video segments without deleting other audio, such as conversations, as well.When creators get a copyright claim for music, YouTube gives them the option to trim out the affected segment or to replace the song with an approved one in its audio library. Creators can't monetize that particular video until they resolve the claim. The website has been testing its "erase song" tool for a while, but in the video, the company says it hasn't been as accurate as it would like. To solve that problem, it redesigned the tool so that it now uses an AI-powered algorithm to accurately detect and remove copyrighted music from videos.Still, YouTube admits that the tool might not always work. If a song is particularly hard to remove, presumably due to audio quality or the presence of other sounds while it's playing, creators may have to resort to other options. In addition to being able to trim out the offending segment or to replace its song, creators will also be able to mute that part of their video through the new erase tool.The website's upgraded erase song tool will be available in YouTube Studio in the coming weeks.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/youtube-upgrades-its-erase-song-tool-to-remove-copyrighted-music-only-140032261.html?src=rss

Amazon changed the face of retail over the last 20 years but has failed miserably to make inroads in the luxury goods market. Now, it's trying something new. The online retailer has purchased a small stake in retailer Neiman Marcus and will reportedly provide data and logistics to Neiman and its new owner, Saks Fifth Avenue.Yesterday, Saks Fifth Avenue and parent HBC announced the $2.65 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus (which also owns Bergdorf Goodman), putting the largest US luxury retailers under the same roof, The Wall Street Journal reported. Amazon is a minority investor in the deal, which is still subject to regulatory approval."How do you future-proof a brand like Saks or Neimans or Bergdorf? You do that through technology," Saks CEO Marc Metrick told Bloomberg. To that end, Amazon will gather high-quality customer data, analyze it to offer more personalized options and improve logistics.Amazon has attempted to access the luxury retail market over the years, but the major brands want nothing to do with it. "We believe the business of Amazon does not fit with LVMH, full stop, and it does not fit with our brands," LVMH said back in 2016. The only place that LVMC (which owns Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givency and other labels) does business is in its own retail stores, at retailers like Neiman Marcus or on its own website.In Europe, luxury brands won the right to block third-party sales of products online if they felt it damaged their image. In addition, the EU ruled in 2010 that brands with less than a 30 percent market share could prevent online retailers from selling their wares.Amazon has tried to break into bricks-and-motor retail with varying degrees of success. Its ownership of Whole Foods is one positive example, but its cashierless Go stores have largely failed to take off.With the acquisition of Neiman Marcus by Saks' parent HBC, Amazon is getting involved in an organization expected to do a combined $10 billion worth of annual sales. There's no word on the size of Amazon's investment, but it seems a relatively safe bet compared to the more radical brick-and-mortar experiments it's tried in the past.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-takes-a-new-brick-and-mortar-approach-with-a-stake-in-neiman-marcus-133019628.html?src=rss

Between 2014 and 2016, a YouTube channel called Every Frame a Painting posted 28 video essays critiquing movies and dissecting different aspects of filmmaking before it went silent. Taylor Ramos and Tony Zhou, the people behind the channel, talked about how Robin Williams was a master at blocking and using movement to portray his characters, as well as how Steven Spielberg does one long takes all the time that tend to go unnoticed by the public, among many other topics. Now, the duo is back, promising another series of video essays followed by the debut of a short film at Fantasia International Film Festival on July 20.Ramos and Zhou wrote and directed their upcoming film called The Second starring Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Ethan Hwan. They didn't share a lot of details about the movie, but the film festival's website says it's about "an alternate version of today's world where dueling is still acceptable" in which Philip "must perform the role of 'Second' on the day of his only son's duel."Every Frame a Painting has over 2 million subscribers on YouTube and was one of the creators that helped legitimize video essays on the website. Ramos and Zhou also created the Netflix series Voir, produced by David Fincher, which featured video essays about film, as well. Seeing as they promised new posts on YouTube before their film premieres, we'll likely see them upload a fresh batch of videos in the coming days.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/youtube-film-essay-pioneers-every-frame-a-painting-is-back-130014490.html?src=rss

Nike is discontinuing its self-lacing Adapt BB sneakers and providing a case in point of what can happen to tech that relies on apps. First announced in 2019, the sneakers used a Back to the Future II style power-lacing system called FitAdapt that was adjustable either manually or with an app. Now, the company will no longer make new Adapt shoes and is retiring the Nike Adapt App, it announced in a help document spotted by The Verge."After five years, we're retiring the Adapt App and removing it from the Apple and Android app stores, globally, on August 6, 2024," the page states. "Don't worry, your Adapt shoes will continue to work without the app. See below for more information about the retirement of the Adapt App."A FAQ goes on to state that the Adapt app "should continue to function" follow its removal, if you already have it installed. You won't be able to move it to a new device, though, and future iOS updates may limit or end functionality.Nike goes on to state that if the app is removed, the shoes will retain the last light color selected. Features still available without it include power on, check battery status, adjust your fit, save your fit, unlace shoes and power off.Perhaps the biggest loss with the end of Adapt is in accessibility, as the shoes were marketed in part as a way to make shoe tying easier for people with limited mobility. It also shows the danger of tying functionality of physical technology to custom apps - once the app loses support, the product gets a lot worse and there's not much you can do about it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nike-is-killing-the-app-for-its-futuristic-adapt-bb-sneakers-120039424.html?src=rss

Perhaps unsurprisingly, July 4th was a quiet day for news, but we've still got editorials on e-ink writing, the most-delayed video game ever and more bad news from the makers of ChatGPT.Earlier this week, engineer and Swift developer Pedro Jose Pereira Vieito dug into OpenAI's Mac ChatGPT app and found that it was storing user conversations locally in plain text, rather than encrypting them. Because that app is only available from OpenAI's website, and since it's not available on the App Store, it doesn't have to follow Apple's sandboxing requirements. OpenAI released an update that added encryption to locally stored chats.Then, more bad news stemmed from issues in 2023. Last spring, a hacker obtained information about OpenAI after illicitly accessing the company's internal messaging systems. The New York Times reported that OpenAI technical program manager Leopold Aschenbrenner raised security concerns, arguing that the hack implied internal vulnerabilities.Aschenbrenner now says he was fired for disclosing information about OpenAI and for surfacing security concerns. A representative from OpenAI told The Times that while we share his commitment to building safe A.G.I., we disagree with many of the claims he has since made about our work" and added that his exit was not the result of whistleblowing.It adds to an increasingly messy impression of how the company's oversight and practices can be behind those closed corporate doors.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedFinding the joy in writing again with the Supernote NomadFTC warns some PC manufacturers that they're violating right to repair rulesThe most-delayed video game in history is finally available... on the Game Boy AdvanceYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Texas court blocks ban on noncompete agreementsIt sided with plaintiffs, which were, of course, companies.The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) ban on noncompete agreements was supposed to take effect on September 4, but a Texan court has postponed its implementation. "Noncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism," FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said when the rule was announced. So, surprise, a lot of companies are unhappy with the agency's rule. Dallas tax services firm Ryan LLC sued the FTC hours after its announcement. But the Chamber of Commerce's chief counsel Daryl Joseffer called the ban an attempt by the government to micromanage business decision.Continue reading.How to pick the best Bluetooth speaker for youThe best speakers in each category.EngadgetPicking a portable Bluetooth speaker can be tough. With so many options, finding the right mix of sound quality, durability, and portability is key. We tested dozens of speakers to help you choose, focusing on versatile portable speakers, not smart speakers. We've identified top performers for different needs, whether you want strong bass, long battery life, or a tough build.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-openais-week-of-security-issues-111545506.html?src=rss

OpenAI seems to make headlines every day and this time it's for a double dose of security concerns. The first issue centers on the Mac app for ChatGPT, while the second hints at broader concerns about how the company is handling its cybersecurity.Earlier this week, engineer and Swift developer Pedro Jose Pereira Vieito dug into the Mac ChatGPT app and found that it was storing user conversations locally in plain text rather than encrypting them. The app is only available from OpenAI's website, and since it's not available on the App Store, it doesn't have to follow Apple's sandboxing requirements. Vieito's work was then covered by The Verge, and after the exploit attracted attention, OpenAI released an update that added encryption to locally stored chats.For the non-developers out there, sandboxing is a security practice that keeps potential vulnerabilities and failures from spreading from one application to others on a machine. And for non-security experts, storing local files in plain text means potentially sensitive data can be easily viewed by other apps or malware.The second issue occurred in 2023 with consequences that have had a ripple effect continuing today. Last spring, a hacker was able to obtain information about OpenAI after illicitly accessing the company's internal messaging systems. The New York Times reported that OpenAI technical program manager Leopold Aschenbrenner raised security concerns with the company's board of directors, arguing that the hack implied internal vulnerabilities that foreign adversaries could take advantage of.Aschenbrenner now says he was fired for disclosing information about OpenAI and for surfacing concerns about the company's security. A representative from OpenAI told The Times that while we share his commitment to building safe A.G.I., we disagree with many of the claims he has since made about our work" and added that his exit was not the result of whistleblowing.App vulnerabilities are something that every tech company has experienced. Breaches by hackers are also depressingly common, as are contentious relationships between whistleblowers and their former employers. However, between how broadly ChatGPT has been adopted into major players' services and how chaotic the company's oversight, practices and public reputation have been, these recent issues are beginning to paint a more worrying picture about whether OpenAI can manage its data.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-hit-by-two-big-security-issues-this-week-214316082.html?src=rss

Making a video game on any platform takes hard work, and even if a game is finished it's still not immune to delays (see: Duke Nukem Forever, L.A. Noire and Diablo III.) A group of Italian programmers had to wait 22 years to finally see the release of their fantasy hack n slasher Kien for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) - a console whose last units went into production in 2009. It's likely the most-delayed game in history, according to a feature inThe Guardian.Kien first started its long development in 2002. A small group of Italian programmers formed AgeOfGames, the first company in the country to start production on a GBA title. Two years later, they had a finished product, but the game never saw store shelves because its publisher deemed it too much of a financial risk to release.In the interim, AgeOfGames switched to making educational games to stay in business,and the life cycle of the GBA came and went. Then the retro gaming boom gave the Italian studio an opportunity: a new publisher that specializes in classic console games, incube8 Games, took interest. Now Kien is available in cartridge form, and playable on original hardware.Retro gaming in general is big business these days and more accessible than ever. There are all kinds of new consoles designed to play hundreds of thousands of different titles from yesteryear. The iPhone finally began allowing apps that emulate all sorts of classic consoles in its online stores earlier this year. There's even been a renaissance of new games using old fashioned graphics. You're never far away from the games and experiences that defined your childhood.Kien is available to purchase from incube8's website for the (only slightly shocking) price of $60.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/possibly-the-most-delayed-video-game-in-history-is-finally-available-on-the-game-boy-advance-205150837.html?src=rss

Earlier this year, Nintendo said it would shut down all Wii U servers, putting an end to multiplayer, co-op and other services. Now, the company has announced that it's ending Wii U repairs as well, effectively giving last rites to the loveable but not very popular console.In May, Nintendo forewarned the end of Wii U repairs. "The period for retaining repair parts as stipulated in the repair service regulations has expired, so as soon as the current stock of parts is depleted, repair services will end," the company wrote in a service notice. The Wii U is now listed as no longer eligible for repair on an end-of-life service page, just as Nintendo previewed.The Wii U launched in late 2012 as a successor to the Wii, but it failed to catch on with consumers, selling just 13.56 million units. It was eventually replaced by the Switch, which has gone on to more than 10 times the sales at 141.3 million units.The defining feature of the Wii U was its Gamepad with a built-in 6.2-inch touchscreen. That allowed you to play either fully handheld or connected to a TV, a new feature at the time. The other key selling point was the first-party games like Splatoon, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Mario Kart 8 and Super Mario 3D World. At the time, those offered local multiplayer action you couldn't find anywhere else.It was also just a quirky, weird and fun console that "wiggled its way into the hearts of many players, including myself," Engadget's Jessica Conditt wrote back in 2015. Nintendo is set to announce its successor to the Switch before March 2025, but if you're still playing on Wii U, you'd need to take extra good care of it now that repairs will be far more challenging.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nintendo-ends-wii-u-repairs-190023430.html?src=rss

The EV market is hotter than ever in the US, but there are only a handful of options for families who need three rows of seats and tons of storage space. There's the Rivian R1S, a beautiful and well-reviewed car, but one that's firmly in luxury territory with a starting price of $75,900. Tesla's Model X is similarly pricey, and its tiny rear row isn't suited for adults (the smaller Model Y's third row option is even worse). That's why Kia's EV9 is such a big deal. It offers even more internal space than the company's massive Telluride, and it starts at a more palatable $54,900 (along with a $1,495 destination charge). It makes sense why car makers were more focused on smaller EVs up until now. Large batteries are expensive, and many people don't really need three rows of seats. But I'm a dad of two kids still using child car seats, and we also need to travel with my two parents on occasion. So the additional room is a must. And even without rear passengers, we often need extra room to lug two kids' worth of gear to local parks (especially if we bring along our wagon stroller). There are, of course, legitimate reasons to be wary of large EVs. Like any massive vehicle, they're more dangerous for pedestrians, especially when coupled with the near-instant torque power of EVs. They're also far worse for the environment than smaller cars, because they require those aforementioned large batteries and all the rare earth material they contain. If I lived in a city with usable public transportation, I'd give up on the EV9 in an instant. But for now I'm stuck traversing Atlanta suburbs, so the EV9 (ideally a pre-owned one in a few years) is our best worst option. A Tesla Cybertruck parked next to the Kia EV9. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget Design Like Kia's EV6, the EV9 (available in Light, Land, Wind and GT-Line configurations) looks striking up close. It doesn't shy away from being a large SUV - its boxiness is a feature, not a bug. And what it lacks in curves, it makes up for with polygonal body panels that look futuristic without being garish like Tesla's Cybertruck. From the front, the EV9 pairs vertical headlights with customizable LEDs. (You have to buy additional lighting patterns separately, though, a truly unfortunate choice by Kia.) Kia didn't stray too far from the original EV9 concept it revealed in 2019, and that's a good thing. There aren't any rear-hinged suicide doors, but I don't miss them. Structurally, standard door frames are safer for passengers, especially during accidents. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget Interior Upon opening the driver side door, you're greeted with an elegant setup: well-cushioned seats with comfortable mesh headrests; Kia's 30-inch "Triple Panorama Display," which features a gauge cluster, HVAC controls and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen; and tons of clean and usable space. It's similar to the EV6's setup, but a bit less cluttered since gear controls are handled by a stalk on the steering wheel, instead of a dial by the cupholders. Even though it features a massive screen, the EV9 also has a combination of physical and capacitive buttons. You can change the temperature, mode and fan speeds with rocker switches on the driver and passenger side (rear passengers also have easily reachable HVAC controls). You can also control heating and cooling using the small display next to the infotainment screen, but I found that a bit awkward while driving. It was sometimes obscured by the steering wheel, and there wasn't much feedback when changing settings on the screen. Kia's infotainment software is zippy and responsive, befitting the EV9's modern displays. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto support also makes it easy to connect your phone without fiddling for cables. The EV9 has a large wireless charging pad that should fit my iPhone 15 Pro Max just fine, and there's enough room to squeeze in even bigger phones. It was a bit finicky to find the right wireless charging zone, so much so it made me wish Kia had implemented MagSafe or the newer Qi2 standard to keep my phone in place. I'd recommend always having a USB-C cable handy to take advantage of the EV9's fast charging port. I was blown away by the GT-Line EV9's 14-speaker Meridian system, which has just enough low-end oomph (thanks to an open-air subwoofer) for music and precise clarity for voices while listening to podcasts and audiobooks. Meridian says its DSP (digital sound processing) optimizes sound for the EV9's cabin, and it also upmixes audio for 5.1 surround sound (or the equivalent with many more speakers). The EV9 is chock full of ambient lighting at night. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget The company's Intelli-Q Equalization also transforms audio as the EV9's in-cabin noise changes - instead of just raising or lowering the volume, it can emphasize specific frequency ranges to cover something like tire noise. In my testing, the Meridian system sounded great during both noisy highway driving and relaxed local trips. I definitely noticed when the Intelli-Q software kicked in, but it wasn't unbearable like older cars that would just get louder on the highway. (You can also adjust the level of automatic sound equalization, and audio purists can disable it entirely.) The EV9's second row captain's chairs are just as comfortable as the front seats, but they have cushioned headrests instead of flexible mesh. As much as I like the second row, though, my family would likely be better off with the 7-seat arrangement from Light or Wind EV9 models. Those rely on a bench seat instead of two captain's chairs, which my wife prefers when she needs to ride beside my two-year old. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget The EV9's third row seats are comfortable as well, but as in many three-row SUVs, most adults won't have much legroom to work with. I was able to squeeze in my 5-foot 8-inch frame, but I wouldn't call the experience ideal. Anyone riding in the EV9's last row will likely have to bargain with the person in front of them for some leg space. It's also worth noting that the second row is immovable with child seats, since they lock seat belts down. So be sure to have the second row at a comfortable spot for rear passengers before hooking up child seats. Unfortunately, the US version of the EV9 won't have second-row seats that can swivel 180-degrees to face the third row, because they don't meet federal safety standards. That feature, which was a major part of Kia's initial EV9 publicity blitz, will be available in South Korea and other countries. The EV9's trunk space with the third row of seats folded down. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget For cargo, the EV9 sports 20.2 cubic feet behind its third row seats, and a more usable 43.5 cubic feet of storage when the third row is folded flat. If you push down the second row seats as well , you can fit in up to 81.7 cubic feet of gear. There's a front trunk, or frunk, underneath the hood too, but it's not as useful as other EVs. It can hold 3.2 cubic feet in the rear-wheel EV9, and an even more minuscule 1.8 cubic feet in the all-wheel drive models. In both cases, you have just enough room to hold Kia's level 1 charging cable and a few other small items. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget Driving On the road, the EV9 feels like a paradox. Similar to Rivian's R1S, it's a large SUV that's surprisingly quick and nimble for its size. I was able to effortlessly glide through local traffic, launch quickly from stoplights and pass cars on the highway with ease. It wasn't as easy to maneuver as my 2019 Volvo XC90, but I was still impressed since the EV9 is a far boxier car. After visiting my parent's home, a 45-mile highway trip each way, the EV9 dropped from 80 percent charge to 52 percent. The AC was blasting heavily to combat Georgia's heat and humidity, so that range felt about right. Just be aware that an EV's estimated mileage can easily change depending on AC usage, external temperatures and how fast you're driving. My wife, who hasn't spent much time with EVs, noted that she didn't feel like she was actually driving while behind the wheel of the EV9. On well-paved roads, it rides smoothly without much discernible road noise. My wife took a while to adjust to the EV9's touchy brakes - it's easy to slam the vehicle to a halt - but that's something I've noticed on many EVs. You can use the EV9's paddle shifters to adjust regenerative braking, which puts a bit of power back into the battery and doesn't use the car's traditional brake pads. In its most extreme form, the EV9's regenerative braking allows for one-pedal driving, which allows you to completely stop the car simply by lifting your foot off of the accelerator. It's an odd feature to get used if you've only ever driven gas cars, but it's one of those things that EV owners learn to love quickly. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget It would be nice to see Kia offer adaptive suspension on the EV9 eventually, since you can feel the impact of rough roads and large bumps far too easily. For a car that scales up to near $80,000 - like our GT-line review unit - smarter and smoother suspension should at least be an option. Without it, the EV9 doesn't feel nearly as luxurious as the Rivian R1S as driving conditions get worse. I didn't have much trouble parking the EV9 in most lots, but backing out of spaces could sometimes be painful. That was particularly true in locations designed for smaller cars-I'm looking at you, Trader Joe's. It took me six bouts of reversing and precarious turning to make it out of one spot at my local Regal Cinema. Even then, I could only leave in one direction, thanks to a slew of other large cars (including a particularly ugly Cybertruck) sitting around me. Thankfully, the EV9's high-resolution cameras, proximity sensors and 360-degree overhead camera (on the GT Line only) helped me get out of tight spots. But even with those assists, it was still more annoying than the chunky Pacifica hybrid minivan I used to own. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget Charging The Kia EV9 supports 210 kilowatt fast charging, and it's compatible with both 400- and 800-volt chargers. Using the most powerful 800V hardware (which admittedly isn't always easy to find), the EV9 can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 24 minutes. Using a local Electrify America charger, which clocked in at 150kW, the EV9 went from 21 percent of battery to 90 percent in 39 minutes. I don't have a Level 2 charger at home, which could completely juice up the EV9 in six to seven hours, but I was able to plug it into a Level 1 charger using a standard 120V outlet overnight. That typically added an additional 10 to 15 percent of charge after eight to 10 hours. This level of charging may not be feasible for the long term, but it's helpful if you don't have the ability to add a Level 2 system at home, or if you're traveling and need to add a bit more juice to reach the next fast charger. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget Pricing and the competition The Kia EV9 starts at $54,900 (not including destination charges) for the "Light" model, which includes rear-wheel drive, 215 horsepower and 230 miles of range. Leasing options start at $487 a month on average, with $2,000 due at signing for a 36-month term. These numbers could also change depending on the offers Kia makes available, as well as what local dealers are willing to charge. The "Light Long Range'' model gets you a bigger battery with 304 miles of range for $59,200 and a slightly weaker 201hp motor. Higher-end trims are nearly twice as fast with 379hp all-wheel drive motors. That includes the $63,900 "Wind" EV9 and the $69,900 "Land" model, both of which have 280 miles of range. At the top end, there's the flagship GT-Line model we reviewed, which starts at $73,900. It has a bit less range (270 miles) than mid-range choices, but it also has just about every feature Kia could throw in, including a 12-inch heads-up display on the windshield, 21-inch alloy wheels and the 14-speaker Meridien sound system. While its price escalates quickly, the EV9 is still a better deal than every other three-row EV on the market. The Rivian R1S starts at $75,900, and it currently leases for $699 a month with at least $8,500 in signing fees. The aging Tesla Model X starts at $77,990. Those cars are also both significantly faster than the EV9, and they offer better ride options like adaptive suspension. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget Wrap-up After eagerly awaiting the perfect family EV for years - following my time with the Rav4 hybrid, Sienna hybrid and the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid - I'm surprised it's coming from Kia and not a more established brand like Toyota. The EV9 is spacious, more affordable than other EVs and it drives (mostly) like a dream. It charges quickly, and most models have more than enough range to deal with the occasional road trip. Simply put, the Kia EV9 is everything I've been looking for in a three-row family EV.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/kia-ev9-review-everything-i-want-in-a-three-row-family-ev-150048944.html?src=rss

I love an account on X (formerly Twitter) called @LizaMinnelliOutlives (shockingly not run by the icon herself) that lists things like famous deaths or agreements. Well, in a twist, the real Liza Minnelli no longer outlives new words from her deceased mother, Judy Garland. The actress and singer has given ElevenLabs, an AI startup with cloning services, permission to recreate her mother's voice for their new Reader App. Garland joins James Dean, Burt Reynolds and Sir Laurence Olivier as deceased stars whose AI voices are in the "Iconic voice collection," thanks to deals with their estates for undisclosed sums.The voices will exist solely on the Reader App and people can use them for things like narrating an e-book. "It's exciting to see our mother's voice available to the countless millions of people who love her," Minnelli, the representative of the Garland Estate, said. "Through the spectacular new technology offered by ElevenLabs, our family believes that this will bring new fans to Mama, and be exciting to those who already cherish the unparalleled legacy that Mama gave and continues to give to the world." A sample of Garland reading The Wizard of Oz appears in ElevenLab's promotional video on YouTube - personally, I find it a little bit eerie, but I can see the appeal.ElevenLabs released its Reader App in late June to allow users to hear any text on their phone, including messages, PDFs and news articles. It's currently only available in English for iOS users in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. However, ElevenLabs has a waitlist for Android users and claims it will launch in the Google Play store in the "coming weeks." The company also says it's working on making the app available in every language its Multilingual model supports (29 as of now) and will, subsequently, launch it globally.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/you-can-now-get-ai-judy-garland-or-james-dean-to-read-you-the-news-160023595.html?src=rss

The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) ban on noncompete agreements was supposed to take effect on September 4, but a Texan court has postponed its implementation by siding with the plaintiffs in a lawsuit that seeks to block the rule. Back in April, the FTC banned noncompetes, which have been widely used in the tech industry for years, to drive innovation and protect workers' rights and wages. A lot of companies are unsurprisingly unhappy with the agency's rule - as NPR notes, Dallas tax services firm Ryan LLC sued the FTC hours after its announcement. The US Chamber of Commerce and other groups of American businesses eventually joined the lawsuit."Noncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism," FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said when the rule was announced. They prevent employees from moving to another company or from building businesses of their own in the same industry, so they may be stuck working in a job with lower pay or in an environment they don't like. But the Chamber of Commerce's chief counsel Daryl Joseffer called the ban an attempt by the government to micromanage business decisions in a statement sent to Bloomberg."The FTC's blanket ban on noncompetes is an unlawful power grab that defies the agency's constitutional and statutory authority and sets a dangerous precedent where the government knows better than the markets," Joseffer said. The FTC disagrees and told NPR that its "authority is supported by both statute and precedent."US District Judge Ada Brown, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, wrote in her decision that "the text, structure, and history of the FTC Act reveal that the FTC lacks substantive rulemaking authority with respect to unfair methods of competition." Brown also said that the plaintiffs are "likely to succeed" in getting the rule struck down and that it's in the public's best interest to grant the plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction. The judge added that the court will make a decision "on the ultimate merits of this action on or before August 30."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/texas-court-blocks-the-ftcs-ban-on-noncompete-agreements-150020601.html?src=rss

Microsoft is set to pay $14.4 million to resolve a case alleging retaliatory and discriminatory practices against California workers who took protected leave, such as family care, parental, disability and pregnancy leave. The Civil Rights Department of California (CRD) launched an investigation into Microsoft in 2020, looking into whether the tech giant violated laws such as California's Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The proposed agreement is subject to court approval.CRD claimed that workers who took protected leave "received lower bonuses and unfavorable performance reviews that, in turn, harmed their eligibility for merit increases, stock awards, and promotions." The California Department also alleged that Microsoft "failed to take sufficient action to prevent discrimination from occurring, altering the career trajectory of women, people with disabilities, and other employees who worked at the company, ultimately leaving them behind."Microsoft's payment will go toward workers impacted from May 2017 until the date of the court's approval. The company must also retain an independent consultant for policy and practice recommendations, ensuring that managers don't use protected leave as a determinant when deciding rewards and promotions - managers and HR will need to undergo specific discrimination training. The independent consultant will also work with Microsoft to confirm that employees have a straightforward method to raise complaints if they feel taking protected leave has influenced their standing in the company. Furthermore, the independent consultant must provide an annual compliance report reflecting Microsoft's following of the agreement."The settlement announced today will provide direct relief to impacted workers and safeguard against future discrimination at the company," Kevin Kirsh, CRD's director, stated. "We applaud Microsoft for coming to the table and agreeing to make the changes necessary to protect workers in California."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-agrees-to-14-million-california-pay-discrimination-settlement-140016567.html?src=rss

I've recently accepted the fact that I am, and always will be, a pen-and-paper kind of gal. When it comes to writing, nothing does it for me quite like the act of scrawling by hand. I'm more creative, less distracted and more emotionally invested in what I'm doing than when I type on a keyboard.But over the last decade or so of writing professionally, I've become disconnected from writing by hand. I spend most of my time hunched over a laptop, and have unwittingly conditioned myself into writing almost exclusively in this way for the sake of efficiency. While that's undoubtedly what works best for the day-to-day demands of news blogging (I mean, how else could we do it?), my shift away from notebooks has killed my will to do any creative writing outside of work. These days, every time I crack open a laptop to write in my off-hours, it feels like a chore.But what also feels like a chore is typing up pages upon pages of handwritten text after dumping all the words in my brain out onto paper. This burden is what first got me looking into digital notepads; since many of them can convert handwritten notes to text files, they're kind of the best of both worlds. For a while, though, none of the available options really spoke to me - the reMarkable 2 and other E Ink tablets are just too big for my taste. Then, Ratta came out with the Supernote Nomad, and I was sold.The Nomad is perfectly compact. With a 7.8-inch screen, it's more like the size of an ereader, meaning I can toss it in a mini-backpack and bring it with me everywhere - and I do. My Nomad arrived in May (I ordered the $329 Crystal version, because I'm a sucker for a transparent shell) and I've been using it just about every day since. I was cautiously optimistic about what actually writing on this thing would be like, but it exceeded all of my expectations.It took only a few minutes to get used to, which mainly came down to me getting over my somewhat irrational fear that the pen - the one that's made for this device - would scratch the display. (It was expensive, okay?) The tablet doesn't come with a writing implement, and I shelled out a little extra for the $89 Heart of Metal pen, a decision I'm super happy with. It's nothing like a stylus, but instead has a sharp, precision tip like a real pen - hence my initial hesitation.The experience of writing on the Nomad is so close to the feeling of actually using a pen and paper. There's texture to it, something you don't get with the smooth experience of writing on an iPad. I write pretty fast, and haven't had many issues so far with lagging. It comes with a bunch of writing templates, including lined paper" with a few different ruling size options, and you can create your own templates or download those made by others. I haven't messed around much yet with custom versions, though, because the built-in offerings have been adequate for free writing, note-taking and organizing my life.I was pleasantly surprised by how well the handwriting recognition tool has been able to convert my chicken scratch to typed text. My handwriting is fine at best, but when I'm working fast, things can get pretty messy. It's not 100 percent accurate - it'll throw in the occasional string of gibberish - but the device mostly gets it right. You can export the converted writing as a .TXT or .DOCX file, and have the Nomad format it for you. This requires some cleaning up, but it's never a huge job.Supernote devices can sync with a number of different cloud storage providers, like Dropbox and Google Drive (though Google is currently not working for me, so that's one point against it), along with the company's own cloud. You can lock individual files and folders behind a passcode, too, which I really appreciate. Nothing haunts me more than the thought of someone reading through my unfinished drafts, some of which aren't destined to ever see the light of day.And I've finally ditched my paper planner - something I never thought would happen. Supernote's built-in monthly calendar and weekly planner have finally given me an alternative that actually works for me. One of the main things that's kept me using paper planners is that I like to doodle as a way to make important events or tasks stand out, and the Supernote Nomad allows me to do this. The only thing I miss is using stickers and pens of different colors, but I'll survive.In the last month or so using the Supernote Nomad, I've probably gotten more writing done (the for me" kind) than I had in the last year. It just doesn't trigger that dreaded you're at work" feeling that my laptop and even other distraction-free writing devices, like the Freewrite Traveler, have. Eventually, I hope to get around to drawing and reading on it as well, but for the moment, all I want to do on this thing is write because I'm having such a great time doing it. And before you ask - yes, I wrote this article on my Nomad.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/im-finding-the-joy-in-writing-again-with-a-little-help-from-the-supernote-nomad-130048878.html?src=rss

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reminding several computer companies that "warranty void if removed" stickers are illegal, as is language discouraging consumers from fixing their own devices. The Commission warned ASRock, Gigabyte and Zotech to get rid of them and remove terms threatening to void warranties if users break the seal, it wrote in a press release spotted by The Verge."Letters to three other companies warn against their use of stickers containing 'warranty void if removed' or similar language that are placed in locations on products that hinder consumers' ability to perform routine maintenance and repairs on their products," the FTC wrote. "These letters were issued to ASRock, Zotac, and Gigabyte, companies that market and sell gaming PCs, graphics chips, motherboards, and other accessories."It wasn't just the stickers, but language in the warranties stating that guarantees would be voided if said seals were broken. The practices "may be standing in the way of consumers' right to repair products they have purchased," according to the release. Commission staff will review the companies' websites after 30 days and failure to correct violations may result in law enforcement action.Right to repair laws have spread across US states, but the FTC is actually referencing decades-old rules. Under the 1975 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, companies can't place restrictions on repairs unless they provide the parts or services for free or receive a waiver from the FTC.This isn't a new occurrence, as we wrote about a similar warning from the FTC way back in 2018. At that time, the watchdog sent warnings to six companies: Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, ASUS, HTC and Hyundai. Such stickers and policies aren't necessarily illegal in other nations though, as iFixit wrote last year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ftc-warns-some-pc-manufacturers-that-theyre-violating-right-to-repair-rules-120009736.html?src=rss

We already told you what to expect, but if you demand more proof, the leakers will oblige. This time, @evleaks on X released copies of product pages (and images) for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6.The main spec changes are for the flip. Previous Galaxy Z Flip models only had 12-megapixel rear cameras, so the Flip 6's purported 50-megapixel wide camera (paired with a 12-megapixel ultrawide) is a huge upgrade. If the leak is accurate, it'll also have a bigger battery.According to the product pages, Samsung didn't give the Galaxy Z Fold 6 many substantial upgrades, but the new model will have a slightly larger front display. Conversely, the folding main display is slightly smaller and the phone is a bit thinner.The leak spoils Samsung's July 10 party a little, but we reckon the company has plenty more to show off, including the official debut of its Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. That's a lot to get through in a single presentation - hopefully, Samsung keeps a tight run-time for my sanity.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedYour next webcam could be a Game Boy CameraThe best early Amazon Prime Day deals for 2024What Meta should change about ThreadsYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Japan's government finally says goodbye to floppy disksYes, it's 2024.Getty imagesJapan's Digital Agency announced on Wednesday it ditched the use of outdated floppy disks to operate its government computer systems. The only system still in place that requires the use of floppy disks is an environmental system that monitors vehicle recycling, according to Reuters. Digital Minister Taro Kono told the news agency in a statement, We have won the war on floppy disks on June 28!"Kono's battle against outdated tech in government departments started in 2022. I. The country's love affair with fax machines is well known - Kono has his sights on those next.Continue reading.Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 reviewSuccess at last.While some apps still need extra support to run on Windows on Arm, the Surface Laptop 7 and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip have combined to create a nearly ideal platform for everyday productivity. The design is appealing, the battery life is excellent and the display is bright. The price is premium, starting at $1,300, but Microsoft has finally nailed the Arm-powered laptop.Continue reading.Proton launches its own version of Google DocsIt has all the features you'd expect.Proton now has its own version of Google Docs in its own cloud storage service, and like the company's other products, it comes with end-to-end encryption. The company says its flavor of Docs "offers a unique solution in a market where most popular products neglect privacy" and recommends it for use in the healthcare, media, finance, and legal industries. Like Google Docs, Proton Docs has advanced formatting and image embed options. You'll also be able to pull other document formats into Proton for editing, like Word files.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-samsungs-galaxy-z-flip-6-and-fold-6-leak-early-111522211.html?src=rss

July 4 isn't really a boon for tech deals. Seasonal sales can be hit or miss if you have things like headphones, tablets and other tech gear on your shopping list - you're actually better off looking for early Prime Day deals (if you're a Prime member) right now, since Amazon has already kicked off the discounts in preparation for its July Prime Day event. But we scoured the internet to find as many of the worthwhile tech deals you can get for July 4 - many of them overlap with Prime Day deals, but there are some from the likes of Solo Stove, Casetify, ThermoWorks and others that appear to be limited-time, seasonal discounts. Here are the best July 4 tech deals you can get this year. Table of contents

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 will come with a 50-megapixel rear camera for the first time, a bigger battery than any of its predecessors and a bunch of AI features, according to the product pages leaked by Evan Blass on Substack. Also known as @evleaks on X/Twitter and other avenues, Blass is known to have a good track record for leaking accurate information about unreleased devices. This time, evleaks has obtained and released copies of product pages for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 ahead of an Unpacked event happening on July 10, though the details aren't absolutely certain until Samsung itself announces them.Previous Galaxy Z Flip models only had 12-megapixel rear cameras, so the Flip 6's 50-megapixel wide camera (paired with a 12-megapixel ultrawide) is a huge upgrade. Unlike the previous versions that were equipped with 3,700 mAh batteries, the upcoming model will apparently have a 4,000 mAh battery that can power up to 20 hours of internet browsing on WiFi, up to 23 hours of video playback and up to 68 hours of music playback. Meanwhile, the model's display dimensions, for both its main and external displays, are similar to the Z Flip 5.One of the phone's most interesting AI tools, perhaps, is its personal interpreter function that can display translations on both of its screens. That way, if you're relying on the feature to talk to somebody, they can read what you're saying in their language on the external display. It could be an invaluable tool for traveling, if it's at least reasonably accurate. When the phone is folded, the Chat Assist feature will give you a way to text from the front display by giving you a selection of suggested replies. Google's Circle to Search will also be available on the device.Samsung didn't give the Galaxy Z Fold 6 major upgrades and changes, but the new model will come with a slightly larger front display, based on the leaked product pages. Its main display is just slightly smaller and the phone itself is a bit thinner, which make it lighter than previous models, even though its battery capacity remains the same. Like the Flip 6, the upcoming Fold will come with AI-powered features, such as Note Assist that can automatically transcribe recordings and summarize notes for you. It can also display translations from its personal interpreter on both sides of the main screen, and it has Google's Circle to Search function that you can use with the S Pen.The company is expected to announce both devices, as well as new accessories like the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro at its Unpacked event in a few days.Evan Blass / @evleaks on XThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-6-and-z-fold-6-product-pages-have-been-leaked-015420863.html?src=rss

Forget your phone cameras and laptop built-ins; your next webcam could be your old Game Boy Camera. The team (sort of) bringing this peripheral into the modern age is Epilogue. The company makes the GB Operator, which lets people play original Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color cartridges on a current PC or a Steam Deck.Today, Epilogue announced that it is working on an update that will make the Game Boy Camera into a webcam, but one that's a fuzzy, lo-fi, 16 kilopixel experience. The magic happens through the Playback emulator app that powers the GB Operator.

Cloudflare has released a new free tool that prevents AI companies' bots from scraping its clients' websites for content to train large language models. The cloud service provider is making this tool available to its entire customer base, including those on free plans. "This feature will automatically be updated over time as we see new fingerprints of offending bots we identify as widely scraping the web for model training," the company said.In a blog post announcing this update, Cloudflare's team also shared some data about how its clients are responding to the boom of bots that scrape content to train generative AI models. According to the company's internal data, 85.2 percent of customers have chosen to block even the AI bots that properly identify themselves from accessing their sites.Cloudflare also identified the most active bots from the past year. The Bytedance-owned Bytespider bot attempted to access 40 percent of websites under Cloudflare's purview, and OpenAI's GPTBot tried on 35 percent. They were half of the top four AI bot crawlers by number of requests on Cloudflare's network, along with Amazonbot and ClaudeBot.It's proving very difficult to fully and consistently block AI bots from accessing content. The arms race to build models faster has led to instances of companies skirting or outright breaking the existing rules around blocking scrapers. Perplexity AI was recently accused of scraping websites without the required permissions. But having a backend company at the scale of Cloudflare getting serious about trying to put the kibosh on this behavior could lead to some results."We fear that some AI companies intent on circumventing rules to access content will persistently adapt to evade bot detection," the company said. "We will continue to keep watch and add more bot blocks to our AI Scrapers and Crawlers rule and evolve our machine learning models to help keep the Internet a place where content creators can thrive and keep full control over which models their content is used to train or run inference on."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cloudflare-is-taking-a-stand-against-ai-website-scrapers-220030471.html?src=rss

Floppy disks may seem like a relic from an ancient time of computers but there are still places and even governments in the world that still use them to run its most basic functions. Japan is no longer one of those countries.Japan's Digital Agency announced on Wednesday it has rid its use of outdated floppy disks to operate its government computer systems. The only system still in place that requires the use of floppy disks is an environmental system that monitors vehicle recycling, according to Reuters.Digital Minister Taro Kono declared in a statement to the news agency, We have won the war on floppy disks on June 28!" Presumably, the statement wasn't printed on that annoying dot matrix printer paper with the edges that never tear straight.Kono's agency started his crusade against 90s era computer technology in 2022 shortly after his appointment to the Digital Agency. Around 1,900 of Japan's government procedures used floppy disks and other outdated technology such as fax machines, CDs and MiniDiscs. He famously declared a war on floppy discs [sic]" to his 2.5 million followers on X.Of course, Japan isn't the only country that used to rely on floppy disks long after the rest of the world moved on to more efficient forms of data storage. The US military was still using 8-inch floppy disks to operate its Strategic Automated Command and Control System (SACCS), a 1970s computer system that received nuclear launch codes and sent emergency messages to military centers and field sources. The world learned the scary truth about SACCS thanks to CBS's 60 Minutesand reporter Lesley Stahl. The Defense Department finally phased out the system in 2019. Let's hope they also removed the shag carpeting and velvet upholstery.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/japans-government-says-goodbye-to-floppy-disks-214449682.html?src=rss

Ever since the open world hacker adventure game Watch Dogs captured the attention of 2012's E3, there were rumors circulating of a movie remake before the game even got a release date. Now more than 10 years later, the film version is finally happening. Ubisoft announced today on X that filming has begun on the Watch Dogs movie with a picture of a clapboard and the caption Lights_Camera_Action.exe."The Watch Dogs movie was first announced in 2016 at Sony's GamesCon press conference, according to IGN. Sony announced that Ubisoft Partners teamed up with New Regency to make a film adaptation of Aiden Pearce's data-hacking adventure in a metropolis overseen by an intrusive server.Since then, drips and hints of the movie's status came and went for years until last month, when Ubisoft posted a press release announcing that production on Watch Dogs would start sometime this summer. The press release also announced that actor Tom Blyth from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sophie Wilde from the sleeper horror hit Talk to Me will star in the Watch Dogs film. The movie is being directed by Mathieu Turi based on a script written by Christie LeBlanc (who wrote the 2021 Netflix sci-fi film Oxygen)with rewrites by Victoria Bata.A few years ago, there was also talk of turning Watch Dogs and Far Cry, another big Ubisoft franchise, into an animated TV series following a run of the Rabbids Invasion cartoons. However, there's been nothing but radio silence from those projects ever since then. Maybe if the Watch Dogs movie becomes a hit, the animated series will follow it into production.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-watch-dogs-movie-has-finally-started-filming-after-10-years-201040830.html?src=rss

It's July, and that means Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner. We're seeing a lot of early Prime Day deals ahead of July 16, and the latest offer coming from within Amazon's umbrella is for the readers out there. Prime members can now lock in three months of a free Kindle Unlimited subscription, an exclusive deal that will save you $36. As the name implies, this program offers unlimited reading of more than 4 million book titles in the KU library, free access to magazines and comics, and free listening to thousands of included audiobooks. The book library has a mix of classics, popular series and new releases across genres. Once your three free months are up, the subscription will renew at the usual rate of $12 per month. As with most Amazon subscriptions, you can cancel at any time. We're not seeing a specific end date for when this offer will end, so interested Prime members should move fast. For voracious readers and listeners, this subscription could be a nice counterpart to the three-month free Audible subscription Amazon put on offer yesterday. Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Amazon Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/this-kindle-unlimited-early-prime-day-deal-gives-you-a-free-three-month-subscription-195856022.html?src=rss

After less than eight months, Amazon has discontinued the business version of its Astro security robot. GeekWire reported on Wednesday that despite being fully committed" to its home robotics division, the company has discontinued the higher-end model that doubled as a security guard for spaces as large as 5,000 square feet.Amazon launched Astro for Business in November 2023, pitching it as a workplace security robot. The $2,350 screen-on-wheels had an HD periscope and a tangled web of subscription types and tiers, including Ring Protect Pro, Astro Security and Virtual Security Guard memberships. Suddenly, only lasting about eight months doesn't sound so surprising.An Amazon spokesperson told GeekWire that it hasn't laid people off because of Astro for Business' demise, and the company plans to divert resources into its home robotics work. The consumer version of Astro, launched in 2021, is still available (invite-only) for $1,600. Panos Panay, the former Microsoft Surface (and much more) guru, joined the company to head up its Devices & Services division last year, which includes consumer robotics work.Although Astro's home version isn't a full-fledged security guard replacement, it can patrol your home and alert you if it sees someone it doesn't recognize or hears breaking glass or alarms. It can also do things of sketchier value, like follow you around with music, deliver messages to other people and set timers -most of which can be duplicated by devices that cost much less.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-pulls-the-plug-on-the-business-version-of-its-astro-robot-193907015.html?src=rss

With the current rebellion against Adobe's subscription model, folks are taking a hard look at Blackmagic Design's DaVinci Resolve Studio. And many like what they see. It's arguably more powerful than Adobe's Premiere Pro, offering better color correction tools along with built-in effects and audio apps. Best of all, it's free (though you can pay $300 to upgrade to the Studio version).To make it more practical for those editing on the go, Blackmagic introduced an iPad version in late 2022 with the Cut (editing) and Color pages, but no effects or audio apps. The idea was to offer creators a way to edit or color-correct on the road, with everything syncing up via Blackmagic Cloud. It was also a good option for those who prefer to work on mobile devices.Earlier this year, Blackmagic introduced the $509 Micro Color Panel that gave users tactile control for color correction, just like the highly paid colorists in Hollywood. Better still, it can be used with Resolve on iPad, so you can click, dial and roll in a precise manner, rather than pawing inaccurately on a touch display.Steve Dent for EngadgetI love control surfaces, so I was eager to test the Micro Color Panel with my iPad Air M2 to see how they work together. At the same time, I wanted to try out Blackmagic's Cloud to share projects on multiple devices.You get two installs with DaVinci Resolve Studio, so I used my desktop key to install it on my iPad Air M2. Blackmagic recommends an iPad with an M1 or later processor, and though it will work with earlier iPads, you may be restricted to HD and features will be limited.Blackmagic provided me with a free trial of its Cloud service so I could transfer projects from my desktop over to the iPad. That normally costs $5 per month per library, which gives you 500GB of storage and unlimited projects that can be shared with up to 10 collaborators.You can easily share timelines, effects, metadata and media. To transfer files, you can either connect a USB-C drive or share full or proxy media (smaller versions of your video clips) on Blackmagic Cloud. That requires a fast connection - both to upload and download - but once that's done, they live locally on your iPad. Any new media files are automatically synced to the Cloud.Steve Dent for EngadgetThe downside of DaVinci Resolve on an iPad is the clumsy touch-based interface, especially for color correction - but that's where the Micro Color Panel comes in. Blackmagic has a rich history of building such controllers for professional use, but the new model is its smallest and cheapest to date.Though diminutive compared to the $859 version, the new Micro Panel still oozes quality. Its black finish can draw some dust but otherwise looks professional. The buttons light up to help you find them in a dark studio, but the labels on the dials don't, so they can be hard to read.The panel comes with its own battery that gives you about 15 hours on a charge. Though you can use USB-C to connect to PCs or Macs, iPads only support Bluetooth, with USB-C reserved for charging.After pairing the Micro Control Panel to your iPad, you need to enable it in DaVinci Resolve's preferences. Then, you can slide your iPad into the slot on the back and you're ready to work.Steve Dent for EngadgetTo be clear, the Micro Control Panel is not designed for editing - it's strictly for color correction. To that end, it mirrors the interface of DaVinci Resolve's Color Page. The main controls are for Lift" (black levels), Gamma" (contrast) and Gain" (overall brightness).Those wheels and dials offer nice levels of resistance and accuracy, compared to the Loupedeck+ and other types of control surfaces I've tried. They're used for things like shadows, highlights and saturation, while the buttons let you view the image full screen, move from clip to clip, add keyframes and more.The tactile experience is a strong selling point of the Micro Control Panel, but there's a catch-22 using it with the iPad. At home, I'd be likely to use it with my PC or Mac for more speed and versatility. When I'm on the road with my iPad, though, I'm not sure I'd take the Micro Control Panel with me, because it's too bulky.Steve Dent for EngadgetSo despite Blackmagic marketing this as an iPad accessory, I'd say it's currently better for desktop DaVinci Resolve Studio users who want more tactile control. It's great for people who only edit on iPad, but I'd imagine that in a Venn diagram of those folks and the ones willing to spend $508 on a color correction panel, there is only a tiny overlap.In sum, Blackmagic's Micro Color Panel is portable, attractive, well-designed, nice to use and reasonably priced. If you spend a lot of time on color correction, you'll find it to be a timesaver once the controls become second nature. It'll also make your editing suite look more professional.Though not yet a great match for the iPad, that could change. Apple recently launched the iPad Pro M4, including a 13-inch model that offers similar performance to many MacBooks. At the same time, Blackmagic Design has promised to bring the iPad version of DaVinci Resolve more on par with the desktop versions. If that happens, many Resolve users may opt to use the iPad version exclusively - which would make the Micro Color Panel more desirable.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-ipad-and-blackmagics-micro-color-panel-make-strange-bedfellows-183835929.html?src=rss

Popular virtual tabletop service Roll20 has experienced a serious security breach, according to an email the company sent out to users. The email, written on July 2, warned users that their personal data may have been exposed, including first and last name, email address, last known IP address, and the last four digits" of credit cards. However, the breach didn't expose passwords or full financial information, so that's good.The company discovered unauthorized access" to an administrative account last week. It immediately blocked the impacted account, but this particular account had access to the aforementioned personal information. Roll20 doesn't know if anyone actually used this breach to scoop up data, saying it has no reason to believe that your personal information has been misused" and that it's notifying users out of an abundance of caution."Engadget reached out to the company for more information regarding the timeline and the potential impact. We'll update this post when we hear more. We truly regret that this incident occurred on our watch," Roll20 founder Riley Dutton told Wargamer.It's worth noting that users have been asking the company to implement two-factor authentication (2FA) for years, to no avail. It experienced a similar data breach in 2018 that impacted four million users. It's probably time for Roll20 to bump its charisma stats and approach a 2FA service provider, for the good of the realms.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/virtual-tabletop-gaming-platform-roll20-experienced-a-serious-data-breach-181052179.html?src=rss

Amazon has Engadget's favorite pair of budget running headphones on sale for 33 percent off. The JLab Go Air Sport surprised us with its combination of affordability, sound quality and battery life. The hook-style earphones are only $20 when you click a $10-off coupon. The JLab Go Air Sport adopts the style of workout headphones with flexible hooks that wrap around the outside of your ears. It makes them more comfortable and can help stabilize them during runs, aerobics or other fitness routines with lots of quick or jerky movements. Although you won't get sound quality equivalent to high-end models that cost hundreds of dollars, we found them to sound much better than expected (a pleasant surprise for this price range). They have three EQ modes (Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost), which you can cycle through on the device - no need to mess with an app. The JLab Go Air Sport is IP55-rated for water and dust resistance, so they should be fine if you get caught in the rain. The JLab earphones have a solid eight hours of playtime on the headphones themselves, and the charging adds another 24 hours. However, one of our biggest gripes is that they have a bulky case with a USB-A cable instead of USB-C. But at this price, that's a relatively minor gripe. Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Amazon Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/prime-day-deals-have-already-discounted-our-favorite-jlab-wireless-earbuds-to-only-20-174550539.html?src=rss

It's been a year since Meta pushed out Threads in an attempt to take on the platform now known as X. At the time, Mark Zuckerberg said that he hoped it would turn into a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it."Meta's timing was good. Threads launched at a particularly chaotic moment for Twitter, when many people were seeking out alternatives. Threads saw 30 million sign-ups in its first day and the app has since grown to 175 million monthly users, according to Zuckerberg. (X has 600 million monthly users, according to Elon Musk.)But the earliest iteration of Threads still felt a little bit broken. There was no web version, and a lot of missing features. The company promised interoperability with ActivityPub, the open-source standard that powers Mastodon and other apps in the fediverse, but integration remains minimal.One year later, it's still not really clear what Threads is actually for. Its leader has said that "the goal isn't to replace Twitter" but to create a public square" for Instagram users and a less angry place for conversations."But the service itself still has a number of issues that prevent it from realizing that vision. If Meta really wants to make that happen, here's what it should change.Fix the For You' algorithmIf you follow me on Threads, then you probably already know this is my top complaint. But Meta desperately needs to fix the algorithm that powers Threads' default For You" feed. The algorithmic feed, which is the default view in both the app and website, is painfully slow. It often surfaces days-old posts, even during major, newsworthy moments when many people are posting about the same topic.It's so bad it's become a running meme to post something along the lines of I can't wait to read about this on my For You' feed tomorrow," every time there's a major news event or trending story.The algorithmic feed is also downright bizarre. For a platform that was built off of Instagram, an app that has extremely fine-tuned recommendations and more than a decade of data about the topics I'm interested in, Threads appears to use none of it. Instead, it has a strange preference for intense personal stories from accounts I'm entirely unconnected to.In the last year, I've seen countless multi-part Threads posts from complete strangers detailing childhood abuse, eating disorders, chronic illnesses, domestic violence, pet loss and other unimaginable horrors. These are not posts I'm seeking out by any means, yet Meta's algorithm shoves them to the top of my feed.I've aggressively used Threads' swipe gestures to try to rid my feed of excessive trauma dumping, and it's helped to some extent. But it hasn't improved the number of strange posts I see from completely random individuals. At this moment the top two posts in my feed are from an event planner offering to share wedding tips and a woman describing a phone call from her health insurance company. (Both posts are 12 hours old.) These types of posts have led to blogger Max Read dubbing Threads the gas leak social network" because they make it feel as if everyone is suffering some kind of minor brain damage."Stop avoiding news, politics and anything potentially sensitive"Look, I get why Meta has been cautious when it comes to content moderation on Threads. The company doesn't exactly have a great track record on issues like extremism, health misinformation or genocide-inciting hate speech. It's not surprising they would want to avoid similar headlines about Threads.But if Meta wants Threads to be a public square," it can't preemptively block searches for topics like COVID-19 and vaccines just because they are potentially sensitive." (Instagram head Adam Mosseri claimed this measure was temporary" last October.) If Meta wants Threads to be a public square," it shouldn't automatically throttle political content from users' recommendations; and Threads' leaders shouldn't assume that users don't want to see news.DMs, DMs, DMsA year in, it's painfully clear that a platform like Threads is hamstrung without a proper direct messaging feature. For some reason, Threads' leaders, especially Mosseri, have been adamantly opposed to creating a separate inbox for the app.Instead, users hoping to privately connect with someone on Threads are forced to switch over to Instagram and hope the person they are trying to reach accepts new message requests. There is an in-app way to send a Threads post to an Instagram friend but this depends on you already being connected on Instagram.Exactly why Threads can't have its own messaging feature isn't exactly clear. Mosseri has suggested that it doesn't make sense to build a new inbox for the app, but that ignores the fact that many people use Instagram and Threads very differently. Which brings me to...Decouple Threads from InstagramMeta has said that the reason why it was able to get Threads out the door so quickly was largely thanks to Instagram. Threads was created using a lot of Instagram's code and infrastructure, which also helped the company get tens of millions of people to sign up for the app on day one.But continuing to require an Instagram account to use Threads makes little sense a year on. For one, it shuts out a not-insignificant number of people who may be interested in Threads but don't want to be on Instagram,There's also the fact that the apps, though they share some design elements, are completely different kinds of services. And many people, myself included, use Instagram and Threads very differently.A public square" platform like Threads works best for public-facing accounts where conversations can have maximum visibility. But most people I know use their Instagram accounts for personal updates, like family photos. And while you can have different visibility settings for each app, you shouldn't be forced to link the two accounts. This also means that if you want to use Threads anonymously, you would need to create an entirely new Instagram account to serve as a login for the corresponding Threads account.It seems that Meta is at least considering this. Mosseri said in an interview with Platformer that the company is working on things like Threads-only accounts" and wants the app to become more independent."These aren't the only factors that will determine whether Threads will be, as Zuckerberg has speculated, Meta's next 1 billion-user app. Meta will, eventually, need to make money from the service, which is currently advertising-free. But before Meta's multibillion-dollar ad machine can be pointed at Threads, the company will need to better explain who its newest app is actually for.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/what-meta-should-change-about-threads-one-year-in-173036784.html?src=rss

If you use Authy, update your app immediately. Twilio, the messaging company that owns the two-factor authentication service, confirmed to TechCrunch on Wednesday that hackers breached Twilio and acquired mobile phone numbers for 33 million users.Twilio published a statement on its website also confirming the hack. Twilio has detected that threat actors were able to identify data associated with Authy accounts, including phone numbers, due to an unauthenticated endpoint," the statement reads. We have taken action to secure this endpoint and no longer allow unauthenticated requests."The company added that there was no evidence that the hackers accessed Twilio's systems or sensitive data. But updating to the latest version of the iOS and Android apps (on any devices you're running) is critical as they include new security updates.Twilio stressed that Authy accounts weren't compromised. However, the hackers (and anyone they share the data with) could try to use the phone number associated with Authy accounts for phishing and smishing attacks."If you aren't familiar with the term, smishing is the text-message equivalent of phishing. So, if you have an Authy account, be extra cautious about any unexpected texts that appear to come from trusted sources, especially Authy or Twilio.Rachel Tobac, a social engineering expert and CEO of SocialProof Security, illustrated to TechCrunch what that may look like. If attackers are able to enumerate a list of user's phone numbers, then those attackers can pretend to be Authy/Twilio to those users, increasing the believability in a phishing attack to that phone number," Tobac said.We encourage all Authy users to stay diligent and have heightened awareness around the texts they are receiving," Twilio stressed.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twilio-hack-leaves-authy-users-exposed-to-text-messaging-scams-165156650.html?src=rss

Amazon Prime Day is nearly upon us, as the festivities officially kick off on July 16. However, there are already plenty of early Prime Day deals making the rounds. Even better? Some of these discounts are among the best Prime Day deals we've seen so far. Case in point? There's a sweeping sale on various Amazon Fire tablets with some record-low prices. The Fire HD 8 has been discounted to just $55, which is 58 percent off and a record-low price. Don't let the low cost fool you. This is a surprisingly decent tablet that's perfect for content consumption. I have one and it's great for streaming episode after episode of 90s Star Trek while sick in bed. The battery lasts around 13 hours per charge and the HD display gets the job done, though it won't be winning any visual fidelity awards. This sale is for the 64GB model, which is twice the storage of the entry-level tablet. Additionally, there's a microSD slot that adds up to 1TB of expandable storage. This isn't an iPad Pro, however, so there are trade-offs. It's underpowered and only offers 2GB of RAM. Like I said before, this tablet is for laying around and watching stuff or playing simple mobile games. It's not for power-intensive creativity-focused apps. You get what you pay for, though the price has certainly been sweetened. For those looking for a slightly higher-end experience, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is also on sale for $75 instead of $140. The kid-friendly version of this model actually made our list of the best tablets. The RAM is slightly increased compared to the Fire 8, at 3GB, though the base storage is 32GB. This one also has a microSD slot that accommodates up to 1TB. Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Amazon Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/early-prime-day-deals-include-up-to-58-percent-off-amazon-fire-tablets-154648570.html?src=rss

Investing in a new tablet can be costly but early Prime Day deals are making it a bit more reasonable. Ahead of Amazon Prime Day, the online marketplace has discounted Samsung's Galaxy S9+ tablet by 25 percent, bringing its cost down to an all-time low price of $750 from $1000. This deal is available for the 256GB Beige model, while the Graphite model is down to $800 from $1,000 - still lower than we've previously seen it (let's hear it for the best Prime Day deals). The Samsung Galaxy S9+ tablet is part of a series of great tablets that includes the Galaxy S9 Ultra and Galaxy S9 - the latter of which is our choice for 2024's best Android tablet. The Galaxy S9+ is a slightly larger model (12.4-inch screen, compared to 11-inch), with Vision Booster and a 2800p x 1752p max screen resolution. Plus, it has exceptionally thin bezels and an Armor Aluminum finish. Samsung's Galaxy S9+ is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, providing it with faster processing. The device also offers 12GB of RAM, 10,090mAh battery and an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Amazon Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/early-prime-day-deals-bring-the-samsung-galaxy-s9-tablet-down-to-a-record-low-price-142946216.html?src=rss

Later this year, millions of Apple devices will begin running Apple Intelligence, Cupertino's take on generative AI that, among other things, lets people create images from text prompts. But some members of the creative community are unhappy about what they say is the company's lack of transparency around the raw information powering the AI model that makes this possible.I wish Apple would have explained to the public in a more transparent way how they collected their training data," Jon Lam, a video games artist and a creators' rights activist based in Vancouver, told Engadget. I think their announcement could not have come at a worse time."Creatives have historically been some of the most loyal customers of Apple, a company whose founder famously positioned it at the intersection of technology and liberal arts." But photographers, concept artists and sculptors who spoke to Engadget said that they were frustrated about Apple's relative silence around how it gathers data for its AI models.Generative AI is only as good as the data its models are trained on. To that end, most companies have ingested just about anything they could find on the internet, consent or compensation be damned. Nearly 6 billion images used to train multiple AI models also came from LAION-5B, a dataset of images scraped off the internet. In an interview with Forbes, David Holz, the CEO Midjourney, said that the company's models were trained on just a big scrape of the internet" and that there isn't really a way to get a hundred million images and know where they're coming from."Artists, authors and musicians have accused generative AI companies of sucking up their work for free and profiting off of it, leading to more than a dozen lawsuits in 2023 alone. Last month, major music labels including Universal and Sony sued AI music generators Suno and Udio, startups valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, for copyright infringement. Tech companies have - ironically - both defended their actions and also struck licensing deals with content providers, including news publishers.Some creatives thought that Apple might do better. That's why I wanted to give them a slight benefit of the doubt," said Lam. I thought they would approach the ethics conversation differently."Instead, Apple has revealed very little about the source of training data for Apple Intelligence. In a post published on the company's machine learning research blog, the company wrote that, just like other generative AI companies, it grabs public data from the open web using AppleBot, its purpose-made web crawler, something that its executives have also said on stage. Apple's AI and machine learning head John Giannandrea also reportedly said that a large amount of training data was actually created by Apple" but did not go into specifics. And Apple has also reportedly signed deals with Shutterstock and Photobucket to license training images, but hasn't publicly confirmed those relationships. While Apple Intelligence tries to win kudos for a supposedly more privacy-focused approach using on-device processing and bespoke cloud computing, the fundamentals girding its AI model appear little different from competitors.Apple did not respond to specific questions from Engadget.In May, Andrew Leung, a Los Angeles-based artist who has worked on films like Black Panther, The Lion King and Mulan, called generative AI the greatest heist in the history of human intellect" in his testimony before the California State Assembly about the effects of AI on the entertainment industry. I want to point out that when they use the term publicly available' it just doesn't pass muster," Leung said in an interview. It doesn't automatically translate to fair use."It's also problematic for companies like Apple, said Leung, to only offer an option for people to opt out once they've already trained AI models on data that they did not consent to. We never asked to be a part of it." Apple does allow websites to opt out of being scraped by AppleBot forApple Intelligence training data - the company says it respects robots.txt, a text file that any website can host to tell crawlers to stay away - but this would be triage at best. It's not clear when AppleBot began scraping the web or how anyone could have opted out before then. And, technologically, it's an open question how or if requests to remove information from generative models can even be honored.This is a sentiment that even blogs aimed at Apple fanatics are echoing. It's disappointing to see Apple muddy an otherwise compelling set of features (some of which I really want to try) with practices that are no better than the rest of the industry," wrote Federico Viticci, founder and editor-in-chief of Apple enthusiast blog MacStories.Adam Beane, a Los Angeles-based sculptor who created a likeness of Steve Jobs for Esquire in 2011, has used Apple products exclusively for 25 years. But he said that the company's unwillingness to be forthright with the source of Apple Intelligence training data has disillusioned him."I'm increasingly angry with Apple," he told Engadget. "You have to be informed enough and savvy enough to know how to opt out of training Apple's AI, and then you have to trust a corporation to honor your wishes. Plus, all I can see being offered as an option to opt out is further training their AI with your data."Karla Ortiz, a San Francisco-based illustrator, is one of the plaintiffs in a 2023 lawsuit against Stability AI and DeviantArt, the companies behind image generation models Stable Diffusion and DreamUp respectively, and Midjourney. The bottom line is, we know [that] for generative AI to function as is, [it] relies on massive overreach and violations of rights, private and intellectual," she wrote on a viral X thread about Apple Intelligence. This is true for all [generative] AI companies, and as Apple pushes this tech down our throats, it's important to remember they are not an exception."The outrage against Apple is also a part of a larger sense of betrayal among creative professionals against tech companies whose tools they depend on to do their jobs. In April, a Bloomberg report revealed that Adobe, which makes Photoshop and multiple other apps used by artists, designers, and photographers, used questionably-sourced images to train Firefly, its own image-generation model that Adobe claimed was ethically" trained. And earlier this month, the company was forced to update its terms of service to clarify that it wouldn't use the content of its customers to train generative AI models after customer outrage. The entire creative community has been betrayed by every single software company we ever trusted," said Lam. It isn't feasible for him to switch away from Apple products entirely, he's trying to cut back - he's planning to give up his iPhone for a Light Phone III.I think there is a growing feeling that Apple is becoming just like the rest of them," said Beane. A giant corporation that is prioritizing their bottom line over the lives of the people who use their product."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/artists-criticize-apples-lack-of-transparency-around-apple-intelligence-data-131250021.html?src=rss

Google's greenhouse gas emissions spiked by nearly 50 percent in the last five years, due to data centers required to power artificial intelligence, according to the company's 2024 Environmental Report. The report shows the company's progress towards meeting its self-proclaimed objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 - despite this additional challenge.Using AI features (let alone training the models) uses a lot of energy. In 2023, researchers at AI startup Hugging Face and Carnegie Mellon University found that generating a single image using artificial intelligence can use as much energy as charging a smartphone.Google has a lot of AI projects on the go. Alongside the likes of Gemini, generative AI tools, it's using the technology to add over 100 languages to its translation services. And there's also the rumored AI chatbots.According to the report, Google said it expects its total greenhouse gas emissions to rise before dropping toward our absolute emissions reduction target," without explaining what would cause this drop.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedMeta is changing its policy for the most-moderated word on its platformsHow Apple redesigned its Photos app around customizationA new Resident Evil game is in the works from the director of Resident Evil 7You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Michigan is getting the nation's first smart highwayThree miles of I-94 will have special sensors and communication equipment.CanvueThe Alphabet-backed startup Cavnue has started constructing the smart highway as part of a new pilot project for smart highways. The new smart road is one long tracking system, designed to inform both Michigan's Department of Transportation (MDOT) and drivers about potential issues ahead, It's hoped that the project will help relieve traffic congestion and even prevent accidents. The pilot program of the highway is located between Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan, with future plans to extend the smart highway to 40 miles in six more phases that would connect to both cities.Continue reading.DJI announces a move into e-bike motorsIf the future of drone sale is looking dicey...With a US ban of its hyper-popular drones increasingly likely, DJI has been diversifying into something very different. Enter the Avinox Drive, an e-bike motor system that will go up against dominant players like Bosch and Shimano. The Avinox system, on paper at least, appears to out-spec some popular systems from those rivals, thanks to the lower weight, extra torque and higher-capacity batteries. DJI however won't be making bikes, so let's see how it fares. The system will first appear with a new bike brand called Amflow, which is launching the new PL model weighing in at 19.2kg (42 pounds) - on the low-end for electric mountain bikes (eMTBs).Continue reading.Netflix's newest remake is that Minesweeper game from the '90sFortunately not a gritty 10-part action drama.The latest title to join the Netflix Games roster is a modern remake of Minesweeper, ancient timekiller on 90s Windows PCs. The classic PC puzzle game has been reimagined with an international setting, tasking the player with very literally looking for underwater minesContinue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-googles-greenhouse-gas-emissions-climbed-nearly-50-percent-in-five-years-due-to-ai-111514346.html?src=rss

Proton now has its own version of Google Docs in its Drive cloud storage service, and like the company's other products, it comes with end-to-end encryption. The company says its flavor of Docs "offers a unique solution in a market where most popular products neglect privacy" and recommends it for use in the healthcare, media, finance and legal industries. Proton Docs has advanced formatting and image embed options like Google Docs has and can create, open and edit documents in multiple formats, including Microsoft .docx.It has collaboration tools similar to Google Docs', as well. Users can invite anyone to view and edit their documents, though those without a Proton account will be prompted to create one first. The free tier of Proton Drive includes essential document features so people don't have to pay for the service if they don't want to. Participants will be able to add comments to the document, reply to them and resolve them. And users will see other participants' presence and their cursor placements in real time, so that they know who's working on which part of the document and so that their edits don't clash.Proton didn't say whether the launch of Docs means it's going to roll out analogues of Google's other Workspace apps in the future, but the company did expand its offerings with several different products over the last few years. In addition to Drive cloud storage - and, of course, its email service - the company has a VPN, an encrypted calendar and even a password manager. Docs will make its way to Proton users over the coming days.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/proton-launches-its-own-version-of-google-docs-100044471.html?src=rss

With a US ban of its hyper-popular drones more likely than not, DJI has been diversifying into products that won't be affected by the Countering CCP Drones Act, like backup batteries. Now the company is entering the e-bike arena with the Avinox Drive System that will go up against the likes of Bosch, Bafang, Shimano and SRAM.The Avinox system promises a relatively light 2.52 kg (5.6 pound) weight (5.39 kg including the batteries), while offering up to 105Nm (850W) of peak torque/power and 600Wh or 800Wh battery options. It uses GaN 3x fast charging tech, so the 800Wh battery can be charged from 0 to 75 percent in 1.5 hours. A planetary gearset and polymer gears allow for a balance of size, weight and power output, along with a quiet ride, according to DJI.The system offers four standard riding assist modes, Auto, Eco Trail and Turbo, along with a Boost mode for extra power when required. The Auto mode uses what DJI calls "multi-sensor fusion" to continuously adjust assistance based on riding resistance.Avinox includes a two-inch OLED full-color touchscreen display to control the assist modes and display pertinent information. It allows riders to connect their smartphones to access features like security, data recording, sharing and real-time bike status/location. You can also use the app to access and customize assist levels and parameters.Finally, it comes with dual Wireless Controllers with Bluetooth connectivity for a "clutter-free handlebar setup," the company wrote. The Avinox system appears to out-spec some popular systems from Bosch, Shimano, Brose and others thanks to the lower weight, extra torque and higher-capacity batteries.It'll first appear with a new bike brand called Amflow, which is launching the new PL model weighing in at 19.2kg (42 pounds) - on the low-end for electric mountain bikes (eMTBs). The Amflow PL also includes a four-bar linkage structure and "cutting-edge geometry," a rear shock co-tuned with FOX, and an SRAM rear derailleur.As for the US ban on DJI's drones, the Countering CCP Drones Act has passed through Congress as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. It's now set to be reviewed by the Senate and if approved, would likely be signed into law by President Biden. In a counterpoint article, DJI wrote: "This act damages not just DJI, but also the broad ecosystem of operators, businesses and public safety agencies that rely on their technologies to conduct safe and efficient operations."DJI's Avinox Drive system will be sold only to manufacturers, so no retail price is available. The Amflow eMTB doesn't have an exact price yet, but will be sold for between 7,000 and 12,000 ($7,500 and $12,850) in Europe. It's due to be released in Q4 2024 "through authorized dealers in Germany, the UK and Australia, amongst others," the company said.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/dji-further-diversifies-from-drones-with-the-avinox-e-bike-drive-system-070043218.html?src=rss

A number of pretty good titles are coming to Microsoft's Game Pass this month for Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, including Engadget staff favorites Neon White and Tchia. Neon White is a first-person shooter and puzzle platformer, wherein you play the part of an assassin taken from Hell to exterminate demons in Heaven in an annual competition. It was one of Engadget's best games for 2022, and we praised it for being smooth and fast-paced, having complex weapons and having almost 100 replayable levels to go through.Meanwhile, Tchia is one of our top game picks for 2023. In the charming action-adventure game, you play the role of Tchia, a young girl who has to find and rescue her kidnapped father. Tchia uses her power of "soul jumping" to take control of animals and inanimate objects in order to solve puzzles, find items, fight enemies and travel to new areas. Both Neon White and Tchia will be available on Game Pass starting on July 11.Before that, on July 3, Journey to the Savage Planet is returning to the Game Pass library. In the game, you play an explorer for a company called Kindred Aerospace, traveling across galaxies and planets and interacting with alien life forms. Meanwhile, a game called Flock published by Annapurna Interactive will be available on the service on July 16, the same day it's released. It's a multiplayer co-op game, where you play shepherd to a flock of flying creatures. But if you want to play something food-related, the cooking game Magical Delicacy will also arrive on the cloud gaming service on the same day.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/neon-white-tchia-and-a-bunch-of-other-titles-are-coming-to-game-pass-this-month-045548792.html?src=rss

Google's greenhouse gas emissions spiked by nearly 50 percent in the last five years thanks to energy-guzzling data centers required to power artificial intelligence, according to the company's 2024 Environmental Report released on Tuesday. The report, which Google releases annually, shows the company's progress towards meeting its self-proclaimed objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.Google released 14.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2023, the report states, which was 48 percent higher than in 2019, and 13 percent higher than a year before. This result is primarily due to increases in data center energy consumption and supply chain emissions," said Google in the report. As we further integrate AI into our products, reducing emissions may be challenging due to increasing energy demands associated with the expected increases in our technical infrastructure investment."Google's report spotlights the environmental impact that the explosion of artificial intelligence has had on the planet. Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Apple and other tech companies plan to pour billions of dollars into AI, but training AI models requires enormous amounts of energy. Using AI features uses significant amounts of energy too. In 2023, researchers at AI startup Hugging Face and Carnegie Mellon University found that generating a single image using artificial intelligence can use as much energy as charging a smartphone. Analysts at Bernstein said that AI would double the rate of US electricity demand growth and total consumption could outstrip current supply in the next two years," the Financial Times reported. Last month, Microsoft, which also pledged to go carbon negative" by the end of this decade, reported that its greenhouse gas emissions had risen nearly 30 percent since 2020 due to the construction of data centers.Google's report said that the company's data centers were using way more water than before to stay cool as a result of expanded AI workloads. Some of those workloads so far have involved Google Search suggesting that people eat rocks and put glue on their pizza to prevent the cheese from falling off, as well as Gemini, the company's AI-powered chatbot, generating images of ethnically diverse Nazis.In 2023, Google's data centers consumed 17 percent more water than the year before. That's 6.1 billion liters, enough to irrigate approximately 41 golf courses annually in the southwestern United States, according to the company's strangely kooky measure.As our business and industry continue to evolve, we expect our total GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions to rise before dropping toward our absolute emissions reduction target," Google's report stated, without explaining what would precipitate the drop. Predicting the future environmental impact of AI is complex and evolving, and our historical trends likely don't fully capture AI's future trajectory. As we deeply integrate AI across our product portfolio, the distinction between AI and other workloads will not be meaningful."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-greenhouse-gas-emissions-climbed-nearly-50-percent-in-five-years-due-to-ai-002646115.html?src=rss

It's been a hot minute since we've had a brand new Resident Evil game. Then again, it's hard to blame Capcom for that - Resident Evil: Village created such a high bar for future sequels to limbo under or jump over, depending on which hypothetical bar-based sport you're playing in your head.Capcom has finally confirmed that Resident Evil 9 is on the way and they've tapped a veteran director to oversee the tenth zombie adventure shooter. IGN reported that Capcom confirmed the news of the sequel during its Next Summer 2024 stream.Director Koshi Nakanishi will be in charge of the new Resident Evil game. Nakanishi has over a decade of experience directing Resident Evil games including The Mercenaries 3D for the Nintendo 3DS, Resident Evil Revelations and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. "We're making a new Resident Evil," Nakanishi said. "It was really difficult to figure out what to do after 7, but I found it, and to be honest it feels substantial. I can't share any details just yet, but I hope you're excited for the day I can."Capcom has unleashed a deluge of remasters of some of its biggest game classics. During the same stream, Capcom also announced a re-release of the first Dead Rising called Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The emaster of the mall zombie slayer will feature a new voiceover for the game's journalist protagonist Frank West, updated HD graphics and fluffier poodles.Capcom also announced a demo for the Japanese-inspired, strategy action game Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddessand a re-release of Resident Evil: Biohazard for Apple mobile devices and Apple computers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-new-resident-evil-game-is-in-the-works-from-the-director-of-resident-evil-7-235543024.html?src=rss