Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Playing Phoenix Springs feels like being trapped in a gorgeous dream that's steadily becoming a nightmare. It's a point-and-click mystery set in a bleak futuristic world of dramatic shadows and muted primary colors, its scenes connected by streams of anxious static. The game stars Iris Dormer, a technology reporter who's searching for her estranged brother, Leo. Her hunt takes her from the abandoned buildings of a rundown city, to a rich suburb, and finally to Phoenix Springs, a desert oasis bathed in golden light and occupied by a handful of odd, disconnected people. Iris is the heart of Phoenix Springs. She narrates the on-screen action in a stoic, unaffected tone that belies the cutting poetry of her observations. Iris has just three options when interacting with people and items: talk to, look at or use. Relevant concepts and objects are collected in her mental inventory, a simple word cloud of black text on a white background. Open the inventory with a right click and select a word to bring it into the scene, where it's combinable with other ideas and with Iris herself, prompting her to remember the clue or provide more details about it. Making Iris remember certain things is a key mechanic throughout the mystery, and it's a good move to keep in mind if you ever feel stuck in a point-and-click hole while playing. Iris is the game's only voice and she talks directly to the player, sharing unfiltered thoughts as she processes each new set piece. Iris is jaded, dogged and insightful, and her cadence is sedate but sharp. It's the kind of voice that could make a take-out menu sound both sinister and profound, and it's a thrill to listen to throughout Phoenix Springs. Iris' city is desolate and rife with inequity. The streets are dotted with deserted buildings and barbed wire, and only the richest citizens are allowed to use energy without restriction. Down one alleyway, an intoxicated man is passed out on top of a shipping container, while a mute boy sits nearby, making a plant dance with an electronic box. In an abandoned university, a DJ blasts a thundering playlist for days on end as part of a mass sleep-deprivation experiment, delirious dancers and unconscious bodies piling up on the auditorium floor. The city's shadows are tinged with green, oppressive and sickly. There's a mid-century edge to the game's technology - globe lights, push-button intercoms, bulky computer terminals and long train rides - which makes the world feel intensely familiar, at least until the stasis pods appear. Make no mistake, Phoenix Springs is hard cyberpunk. Oddly enough, this only becomes clearer once you make your way to the oasis. The lushness of Phoenix Springs is an immediate relief, its flowing waters, red wooden huts and vibrant natural textures highlighting the sterility of the city's metal, glass and wires. It's almost relaxing enough to make you ignore the high strangeness of everything and everyone there. Almost. Calligram Studio On top of combining items to generate new leads about Leo's disappearance, it's critical to speak with people, bring them relevant ideas from your inventory and listen closely to their answers. The game relies on making common-sense connections and following your intuition, and rarely are solutions provided at face value. At times trial-and-error is a valid way to progress, and in other cases it's just a matter of taking a breath and thinking about the problem from a fresh angle. My advice is to have patience and try absolutely everything that comes to mind; if you're paying attention, chances are, you're on the right track. Phoenix Springs occasionally suffers from the most common issue in point-and-click games, where it feels like you've tried every combination and nothing is working, so you just randomly click around until something happens - but I encountered only two instances like this in about six hours of playtime. Thankfully, Calligram Studio provides a link to a walkthrough guide in the pause screen, so hope is never truly lost. Calligram Studio The game's simple control scheme supports a surprisingly complex narrative that unspools in Iris' measured narration. There's nothing rushed about Phoenix Springs. Iris walks leisurely across expansive wide shots, her light blue silhouette cutting through high grasses and across cold concrete at the same unhurried pace. When she speaks, she gives each thought time to permeate the scene, sentences short and powerful. Haunting choir chords and droning bass lines are eventually replaced by pristine silence and birdsong. Where the environments aren't blanketed in shadow, their colors constantly shift like there's a stop-motion river flowing just beneath the screen. Each second of Phoenix Springs demands your attention. In return, the game provides a million moments of intrigue for your eyes, ears and deductive mind. And at the inevitable conclusion, every small detail slides elegantly into place. I want to print out this game, frame by frame, and plaster its hand-drawn neo-noir vistas over every square inch of my office walls. Phoenix Springs is an interactive art installation that happens to use point-and-click game mechanics, and Calligram Studio's emphasis on creating something beautiful - and then using this canvas to tell a twisted story about biohacking and familial love - is clear. Calligram Studio What's exciting about Phoenix Springs is that it excels as both a piece of art and a detective game. It occupies a similar territory as Kentucky Route Zero, another title that offers depressing social commentary in a visually fascinating package, also made by a small artist collective. In the case of Phoenix Springs, stunning art direction, expert writing, incredible sound design, fabulous voice acting and satisfying mechanics combine to create an unforgettable, utterly unique sci-fi experience. Sure, Phoenix Springs is a game - but mostly, it's gorgeous. Phoenix Springs is now available on PC, Mac and Linux, developed and published by Calligram Studio. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/phoenix-springs-review-a-dazzling-and-disquieting-sci-fi-mystery-120029156.html?src=rss

It's been a wait. Apple Intelligence will start rolling out on October 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple said last month it was targeting October for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 - which will bring some of the first Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 16 and the rest of the Apple family.The first wave of Apple Intelligence-powered features will include its summarization tool, Writing Tools and smart audio recording and transcriptions for Mail, Notes, Pages and other apps. I've been testing the beta, and so far, the most useful feature has been the summarization tool, tackling my forest of notifications and messages and parsing them into glanceable summaries.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missed

A lot of people started to care about high resolution" digital audio when Apple launched its upgraded music service to the masses. Call that the Apple effect," as infuriating as it may be, but the iPhone maker isn't the only one in the hi-res audio game: Qobuz, Tidal and Deezer have been doing it for a while, and Spotify has been toying with releasing its own version for a while. However, as many were quick to point out, some of Apple's own products don't necessarily support the higher sample rate and bit-depths on offer. No worries, there's a dongle for that, and there are options for Android and desktop, too. We've tested dozens of these devices and the best DACs listed in this guide will play nice with any of the aforementioned services (aside from Tidal's MQA, which is a little more specific). What is a DAC? James Trew / Engadget A digital-to-analog converter takes the digital (D) music from your phone or computer and converts (C) it into analog (A) sound you can hear. All phones and PCs have them, but since handsets moved to USB-C, Lightning or Bluetooth for music, the task of converting that signal was generally outsourced to either your adapter or your wireless headphones. DACs can be used with phones, laptops and desktops but tend to be much simpler than a regular external audio interface. One basic distinction is that DACs are usually for listening only whereas an audio interface might have ports to plug in microphones and instruments (but an external audio interface is also technically a DAC). Some high-end DACs even include XLR outputs for better connectivity with professional audio equipment. The best DACs tend to be lightweight, making them more suitable for mobile use, although it still gets a little tricky with the iPhone as you still might need to add another dongle to make it play nice with Lightning. Also, not all DACs support all the higher audio resolutions like DSD. Most standalone DACs require external power or an onboard battery, though some can use the power from whatever you plug them into - in which case expect a hit to your battery life. Best DACs for 2024 DAC FAQs What does DAC stand for? DAC stands for digital to analogue converter. It's a device that takes digital files, stored on a laptop, computer, etc., and converts them into audio that we can listen to with better clarity and depth. Devices that provide sound, like a CD player, Blu-ray player, TV box, and so on, require good DACs so that the digital files can be decoded in order to output audio. Most of the time, a DAC is built-in to these devices, but sometimes they are external and require a power supply. Why do I need new hardware to listen to music? The short answer is, you don't. You can play hi-res" audio files on most phones and PCs, you just might not be getting the full experience. If your device's audio interface tops out at 44.1 or 48kHz (which is fairly common and covers the vast majority of music online) then that's the experience you'll get. If you want to enjoy better sounding music at a higher sample rate and bit-depth (aka resolution), you'll need an interface that supports it and wired headphones, potentially using a headphone amp for an enhanced experience. It's worth pointing out that lossless" and hi-res" are related terms, but not the same thing and will vary from service to service. Apple uses ALAC encoding which is compressed, but without loss" to the quality (unlike the ubiquitous .aac or .mp3 file formats). CDs were generally mastered to at least 16-bit / 44.1kHz which is the benchmark that Apple is using for its definition of lossless. In audio circles, a general consensus is that hi-res is anything with a sample rate above 44.1kHz. Increasingly, though, the term is being used for anything 96kHz and above. This, of course, isn't only about Apple's new streaming formats. External DACs and audio interfaces are a great way to get the best sound and upgrade your listening experience generally. Especially if you want to get into the world of more exotic (read: pricey) headphones, as they often even require a DAC to provide enough clean digital signal to drive them. For audiophile headphones, a phone or laptop's internal sound chipset often doesn't have the oomph needed to deliver a hi-fi experience, meaning a better DAC could make all the difference in sound quality. Okay, but can't I just use the headphone adapter for my phone? No. Well, yes, but see above. A Lightning or USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter often is an audio interface and most of the ones you're buying for $7 (or that come free in the box) do not support hi-res audio beyond 48kHz / 24-bit. Android is a little more complicated, as some adapters are passive" and really just connect you to the phone's internal DAC like old school headphones. Others (active ones) have a DAC built-in and good luck finding out what your specific phone and the in-box adapter delivers. (Hint: connect it to a PC and see if it comes up as an audio interface. You might find some details there if it does). What about Bluetooth headphones? Chances are that over the last few years you've migrated from wired to wireless headphones (thanks, Apple). The world of Bluetooth headphones changes things a little when it comes to seeking better audio performance. What matters here is twofold, the headphones you're using (as those will technically be the DAC") and the codec - the method used to send the musical data over to the headphones. It's worth checking to see if your headphones support aptX and which version - aptX HD, aptX Adaptive are better than standard and becoming more common. Other systems exist, like Sony's LDAC, but Qualcomm's AptX has wider support thanks to its prevalence in Android devices. Some high-end wireless headphones might even come with a headphone jack for wired connections when higher-quality audio is needed.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-dac-for-lossless-high-resolution-music-iphone-android-160056147.html?src=rss

Off-Planet Dreams gives you everything you need to succeed, if you really want that. Help is just a few button-presses away at (almost) all times. Because of that, it feels uniquely accessible for what it is - an invisible puzzle platformer" designed to trip you up over and over again until you've learned enough from your mistakes to move forward. Depending on how you approach it, Off-Planet Dreams is either a trial-and-error nightmare loop or a relatively easygoing platform adventure. Or something between the two. I died 274 times in my first playthrough, if that's any indication of how challenging it can be. Off-Planet Dreams presents you (playing as a blob) with a grid and some floating doors, and says, essentially, okay, now find your way out.' There are platforms that form a path to each door, but all the platforms are invisible. This is where the game's difficulty is what you make of it" ethos comes in. You can commit to jumping into the abyss every time and hoping to land on a platform, memorizing each misstep so you know what not to do the next time around if you die, or you can choose one of the three available tools for some guidance. Peek" will give you a quick glimpse of any platforms nearby, Paint" will highlight any platform you've stepped on, and Show" will reveal all of the platforms in that room. Being stubborn, I was determined to get as far as I could without any help. But, I was humbled not too far in when I found myself trapped in Level 2-5 - a level with multiple sublevels that'll repeatedly throw you back to its start if you go through the wrong doors. Here, I eventually caved and enabled Show" just to give my brain some space to work out what the puzzle was without having to worry about remembering platforms. (When I finally figured it out, it wasn't even that complicated. Sigh). After that point, I bounced between going unaided and using the Paint" option as a little treat. The game throws a curveball at you about halfway through when it introduces a new mechanic that requires the crank, which I thought was really clever once I got over the initial frustration of not knowing what the hell was going on. And further on, Off-Planet Dreams undergoes a stylistic shift that transforms it into something else entirely than what it was at the beginning. The developers wrote in the description that Off-Planet Dreams is more than a grid of dots," and they weren't kidding. I had a lot of fun with it. You can get it now on the Playdate Catalog for $6.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/off-planet-dreams-is-a-delightfully-tricky-playdate-platformer-with-invisible-puzzles-230024431.html?src=rss

It seems Apple has a slew of hardware announcements in store for us this fall. In the Power On newsletter this week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is gearing up to announce new MacBook Pro models, the redesigned Mac mini, the M4 iMac and a new iPad mini before the end of the month, and is targeting a release date of November 1 for at least some" of these products.According to Gurman, we're likely to see a low- and high-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, both packing the M4 chips. There will also be a 16-inch high-end MacBook Pro. As for the Mac mini, Gurman previously reported that the upcoming M4 Mac mini may be tiny compared to its predecessors, with a build roughly the size of an Apple TV box. The size reduction may also mean it drops the USB-A ports. Following the fall releases, Gurman predicts Apple will have a bunch of other products ready for early 2025, including a 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air, along with a refreshed iPhone SE and iPad Air in both sizes.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/apples-revamped-mac-mini-and-ipad-mini-could-be-here-as-soon-as-november-1-171029304.html?src=rss

Apple Intelligence will start rolling out on October 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple said last month that it was targeting October for the release of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 - which will bring some of the first Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 16 and other Apple devices - but it didn't set a firm release date at the time. The first wave of Apple Intelligence features will include the text editor and summarization tool, Writing Tools, along with smart audio recording and transcriptions for Mail, Notes, Pages and other apps.We'll also likely see the new Memories feature in Photos, which is designed to be an easy-to-use editor for making movies with images from the gallery, and Clean Up, which can remove objects from the background of images. Other Apple Intelligence features, like ChatGPT integration and Genmoji, are expected to come with later versions of iOS 18 that will roll out across the end of the year and early 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-first-apple-intelligence-features-are-expected-to-arrive-on-october-28-144459627.html?src=rss

Three new theft protection features that Google announced earlier this year have reportedly started rolling out on Android. The tools - Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock and Remote Lock - are aimed at giving users a way to quickly lock down their devices if they've been swiped, so thieves can't access any sensitive information. Android reporter Mishaal Rahman shared on social media that the first two tools had popped up on a Xiaomi 14T Pro, and said some Pixel users have started seeing Remote Lock.

New releases in fiction, nonfiction and comics that caught our attention. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/what-to-read-this-weekend-preventing-an-asteroid-apocalypse-cult-of-the-lamb-comic-louise-erdrich-mighty-red-190816097.html?src=rss

Despite the company's recent decision to abide by the demands of the Brazilian Supreme Court, X still isn't back online in Brazil - and according to Reuters, that's at least in part because it paid its fines to the wrong bank. After weeks being banned in Brazil, X in late September named a legal representative for the country as ordered, and took down accounts the court accused of spreading misinformation and hate speech. Its final hurdle was to pay off the fines that it had racked up, reportedly amounting to roughly $5 million.Citing Friday court filings, Reuters reports that X says it's paid the fines and requested to have services restored. But, Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the funds went to the wrong bank, and the decision will have to wait until they've been transferred. X maintains that it paid its fines correctly, according to Reuters. X has been banned in Brazil since the end of August. While the company initially resisted the court's orders, it recently changed its tune and said it was working with the Brazilian government to get the platform back online in the country.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-reportedly-paid-its-brazil-fines-to-the-wrong-bank-causing-further-delay-in-reinstatement-case-164959494.html?src=rss

People who visited Lego's website on the evening of October 4 were welcomed by a banner with illustrated golden coins bearing the company's logo, claiming that the "Lego coin" is now officially out. It even promised "secret rewards" to those who'd buy some. But Lego wasn't truly launching an official cryptocurrency coin, and according to The Brick Fan, the button to buy led to an external cryptocurrency website selling "LEGO Tokens" with Ethereum. The website was, seemingly, hijacked by bad actors who switched its banner and used it for some sort of crypto scam.As users on the Lego subreddit have noted, the incident happened overnight for Lego's headquarters. The company responded relatively quickly, though, and removed the unauthorized banner and links. As of this writing, the Lego Fortnite collaboration banner is back up, and the "buy now" link leads to the collection. Lego told Engadget that no user accounts were compromised and that it has identified the cause of the issue. It also said that it was implementing measures to prevent anything similar from happening again in the future. However, the company has declined to share details about that "cause" or the measures it's implementing.Here's the company's official statement:

A few months ago, Google introduced a new way to search Gmail with the help of its Gemini AI. The feature, called Gmail Q&A, lets you find specific emails and information by asking the Gemini chatbot questions. You can ask things like "What time is our dinner reservation on Saturday?" to quickly find the information you need. It was only initially available on Android devices, but now Google has started rolling it out to iPhones.In addition to being able to ask questions, you can also use the feature to find unread emails from a specific sender simply by telling Gemini to "Find unread emails by [the person's name]." You can ask the chatbot to summarize a topic you know you can find in your inbox, such as work projects that you've been on for months consisting of multiple conversations across several threads. And you can even use Gemini in Gmail to do general search queries without having to leave your inbox. To access Gemini, simply tap on the star icon at the top right corner of your Gmail app.Google says the feature could take up to 15 days to reach your devices. Take note, however, that you do need to have access to Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium or Google One AI Premium to be able to use it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/gmails-gemini-powered-qa-feature-comes-to-ios-120015661.html?src=rss

Square Enix's multiplayer shooter Foamstars is moving to a free-to-play model. The four-player team multiplayer melee officially turned into a free game today on Sony's PlayStation 4 and 5 meaning you also won't need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play it, according to a posting on the studio's support page.If you purchased the game before Square Enix's price change, the studio will send you a free Legacy Gift" that includes 12 exclusive color-variant Bubble Beastie skins, an exclusive Slide Board design and a Legacy" title. You'll need to keep an eye on the game's official website and X account to find out how to obtain your free Legacy Gift."Foamstarsreleased earlier this year on Sony's past and current gen consoles as a third-person multiplayer battle game. It's basically a mix of the homebase building mechanic of Fortnite and Nintendo's family friendly multiplayer shooter melee Splatoon. Teams use mounds of foam to build terrain for their shooters to traverse at high speeds or build higher vantage points to attack their enemies. You shouldn't learn anymore about the game's backstory and where the mounds of foam come from or at least not while you're eating. Trust us on this one.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/foamstars-is-going-free-to-play-starting-today-231750186.html?src=rss

The past week hasn't been the kindest to the electric vehicle industry. Now, it's capped off with news that the EV startup Fisker is the subject of an investigation from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).TechCrunch reported that SEC officials sent several subpoenas to Fisker. The filing doesn't specifically say what the subpoenas are asking for or looking into but it's clear that the SEC has launched an investigation into the floundering EV maker that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June.Fisker has been struggling to keep its head above water ever since last year's disastrous rollout of its Ocean SUV that failed to score more than a few thousands sellers even though it produced well over 10,000 units. Following its Q4 earnings report last year that saw a gross margin loss of 35 percent, the car maker announced it would lay off 15 percent of its workforce the following March as it shifted to a direct-to-consumer sales strategy.A Fisker spokesperson declined to comment on the matter to TechCrunch saying they could not comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible investigation."Fisker isn't the only EV maker to suffer a noticeable setback. Tesla saw a major stumble with the fifth recall of its beleaguered Cybertruck.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/fisker-faces-more-bad-news-as-the-sec-starts-investigating-its-business-practices-222504280.html?src=rss

Why is it so satisfying to toss, drop, throw and fling ragdoll characters down steps, out of windows and into oncoming traffic in games like Human Fall Flat? Ragdoll games just know how to scratch the lizard part of our brain that enjoys being the destructive force of mayhem while also meeting the moral center of our frontal lobe by not causing any real world harm (or felony charges).Now you'll be able to see the fruits of your destruction in a virtual environment as Human Fall Flat and its hapless, ham-handed hero head to the Meta Quest headsets and Steam VR on Halloween. Curve Games and No Brakes Games are also working on a version for the PSVR2 for a date yet to be announced.Human Fall Flat is a three-dimensional physics platformer that has you control a floppy, ragdoll human named Bob. Just like the other games, you'll see Bob in a third-person perspective as you use his sinewy limbs to guide him through a series of bizarre obstacles like a train that somehow derailed through the top floor of a Victorian style mansion, a dysfunctional power plant in dire need of a OSHA review and the inevitable ice world level.Owners of a Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S headset can pre-order the game now on the Quest App Store for the discounted price of $9.99. The Steam port doesn't have a price yet but you can add it to your wishlist.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/soon-youll-be-able-to-fling-around-the-klutzy-schlub-in-human-fall-flat-on-vr-212033104.html?src=rss

X has lost a legal fight in Australia in which the company tried to avoid a $400,000 fine by claiming that Twitter no longer exists. The creative legal argument, first spotted by ArsTechnica, came amid a more than year-long dispute with Australia's eSafety Commission.The commission had asked the company, then known as Twitter, to provide details about its handling of child sexual exploitation on the platform last February. In its response, X failed to answer a number of questions and left some sections entirely blank," the commission said in a statement last year. As a result, the eSafety Commission slapped the company with a more than $415,000 fine for non-compliance.It was an attempt to fight that fine that led to X's claim that it shouldn't be responsible since Twitter had ceased to exist." From the court filing:

Samsung will begin using the One UI name for all its consumer devices, now including TVs and home appliances. Executive Vice President Sally Hyesoon Jeong made the announcement at the company's 2024 developer conference (via 9to5Google). The One UI branding was previously exclusive to its Galaxy phones, tablets and wearables.One UI now goes beyond mobile as the software experience for all Samsung consumer devices," Hyesoon Jeong said onstage at the San Jose keynote. It's part of the company's aim for more cohesive branding across its consumer ecosystem, especially as its AI approach evolves.SamsungSamsung also teased that its next software user experience, One UI 7, will arrive with the 2025 batch of Galaxy S phones. One UI 7 will bring a fresh, new look to the entire interface," Hyesoon Jeong said at the conference. She laid out three goals for the upcoming software: simple (with a purpose), impactful (leaving a signature impression"), and emotive design that elicits a human reaction from the user.The Samsung VP says the One UI 7 home screen grid represents the more focused design principles. It's sleeker and easier to use, giving you a neat home screen no matter which Galaxy device you're using," said Hyesoon Jeong.Although you'll have to wait until early next year for One UI 7, the company said a developer beta will be available to test-drive by the end of this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/samsungs-one-ui-now-covers-all-of-its-consumer-devices-including-tvs-and-appliances-201850799.html?src=rss

Once again, the European Union has issued a ruling preventing Meta from going too crazy with user information. The top court in the EU ruled that limits must be put in place for how long Meta and other social media networks can use people's information for ad targeting strategies.TechCrunch reported that the EU's highest court sided with an earlier opinion published in April by a court adviser. The previous ruling also urged for limits on the amount of time companies could retain customers' personal data for the purpose of targeting advertising.The rulings referred its retention guidelines to the bloc's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) established by the EU in 2018. Recital 65 of the GDPR establishes a person's right to be forgotten" and the right to rectification and erasure of personal data. Failure to comply with the GDPR could result in a 4 percent global annual turnover penalty, a number that could reach into the billions for a social media mega-corporation like Meta. Last year, Meta had to pay a $414 million fine (or approximately 390 million) for illegally requiring users of its social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to accept personalized ads.The EU and Meta along with other big tech companies like Apple and Google have tangled over the use of personal data in relation to the Digital Markets Act. Meta is currently awaiting a fine ruling for violating the EU's Digital Markets Act when it required users to pay to prohibit the company from collecting and sharing their personal data. Last year, the EU's Court of Justice ruled that Meta needed to obtain consent before delivering personal ads to users in the region.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/eu-court-rules-social-networks-cant-use-personal-data-forever-193013206.html?src=rss

Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner, so the deals are already coming in hot. For instance, the Oura Ring is up to $100 off. The discount depends on which design you go for. The Stealth Horizon design is $350 in all sizes, while many standard colors are $300. The gold option, however, jumps up to $450. The prices also fluctuate depending on if you choose the rounded Horizon design or the more blocky Heritage design. For the uninitiated, the Oura Ring is a smart wearable that tracks activity, sleep and more. The main benefit of choosing a smart ring over another type of fitness tracker is portability. It's a lightweight ring, so after a few days you forget it's even on. We called the Oura Ring the perfect wearable for people who don't like wearables" in our official review. It even made our list of the best sleep apps and gadgets. The device monitors over 20 biometric signals and is particularly precise when reading a pulse. The Oura Ring is also compatible with most of the most popular fitness-tracking apps, like Apple Health, Strava and Google Health Connect. Many of the designs are quite fetching and allow the device to easily pass as a regular non-techy ring. On the downside, a bunch of the ring's features are locked behind a subscription paywall. You get a month free with the initial purchase, but after that it'll cost $6 per month. It's also worth noting that this deal is for the third-gen Oura Ring. The fourth-gen device officially releases on October 15 and it's smaller, with more tracking capabilities. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice, and stay tuned to Engadget.com for all of the best tech deals coming out of October Prime Day 2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-third-gen-oura-ring-is-up-to-100-off-in-this-early-prime-day-deal-184904718.html?src=rss

Meta just announced several updates coming to Facebook during the company's IRL event in Austin. It's testing an Explore tab and adding a new video tab.Let's start with the Explore tab. If you've ever perused Instagram, you likely know how exactly this will work. This tab will house a variety of content tailored to your interests."Meta says that the algorithm has been designed to serve up content that doesn't just entertain, but helps you dive deeper into your interests." Here's hoping I get nothing but content about wild traversal strategies in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. In any event, the new Explore tab is still in the testing phase so it could be a bit before a wide rollout.The video tab is also getting a major update to accommodate Reels. All of the video content on Facebook will now be housed behind this tab. The content will stream on a full-screen video player that lets users seamlessly watch the best short-form, long-form and live videos in a single experience."The updated video tab starts rolling out to users in the coming weeks." This is definitely an attempt by Meta to capture some of those younger eyeballs, as the announcement was accompanied by statistics indicating that young adults on Facebook spend around 60 percent of their time watching videos and Reels.I got news for you, Meta. My dad, who is not a young adult, also spends all of his time on Facebook watching videos and Reels. So we'll all benefit from this expanded video tab.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/facebook-is-testing-an-instagram-like-explore-tab-and-introducing-a-new-video-tab-for-reels-153033149.html?src=rss

By the end of 2024, the world will have nearly 2,000 Gigawatts of solar generation capacity in service. Each panel is made of silicon, glass, various polymers, aluminum, copper and an assortment of other metals that capture the sun's energy. It's a rule of thumb that, barring damage, a panel will last for up to 30 years before it needs to be replaced. But what happens to all of those raw materials when the current crop of solar panels becomes obsolete? Surely, we're not just wasting it all, are we?What kills a solar panel?Received wisdom suggests solar panels last for around 30 years, but that's not the whole story here. 30 years is our best guess," explained Garvin Heath of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). NREL found there was a higher rate of failures at the start of a panel's life, often due to manufacturing or installation faults. In midlife, only a handful of panels fail. Then the statistics begin to climb northward the closer to the three decade mark you get but, even so, the number of panels that break are less than one percent" of the total in operation at that time.Matt Burnell is the founder of ReSolar, a British startup looking into reusing, repowering and recycling solar panels. As part of his work, Burnell visited a 40,000 panel array solar farm where 200 of the panels were broken during installation. I took about 50 from that site, tested them to see their value for reuse [and] generation capacity," he said, most of which were within the tolerance range of the manufacturer." Essentially, for the odd crack in the glass or bump on the frame - which may cause problems down the line - the panels were otherwise perfectly functional.If a panel has survived its birth and installation, then the biggest thing that kills solar panels is the weather. Heath said a common cause is extreme weather events damaging the panel, or even just regular, aggressive weather causing things to degrade. Sadly, once a panel is broken, it's often not worth the effort to repair.So panels deemed broken" during manufacture or installation may still be very capable of making power from the sun. But there are also plenty of panels that are being withdrawn from service after 25 or 30 years, even if they aren't broken in any meaningful sense. There's a fairly simple reason solar farms don't allow these panels to soak up rays until they simply cease to function.It's the economics, stupid.The key issue is efficiency loss, which is when panels aren't able to generate as much power as they did when first installed. Most solar panels are made with laminated adhesive layers that sit between the glass and the solar cells to hold them together and aid rigidity. Sun exposure can cause those laminated layers to discolor, reducing the amount of light that can reach the cells. That diminishes the energy-generation capacity, which is a problem for large commercial farms.Manufacturer's warranty their [solar] modules' performance for a 30-year period," explained Garvin Heath. For instance, a maker will pledge that its panels will be at least 80-percent efficient for the bulk of its expected three-decade service life. These warranties give large utility-scale customers confidence in what they're buying, and at the point that term has expired, it's often far more cost-effective to simply junk and replace them.Power grids have a limited number of interconnections, essentially the on-ramp that enables them to push power to the grid. Each interconnection has a hard upper limit in terms of the power it can send, so solar farms need to generate the maximum permitted electricity at all times. [Even when] they're working within warranty performance, the opportunity cost of having a module producing [more] power on your interconnection is quite valuable," said Heath.ReSolar's Matt Burnell used an example of a 10 Megawatt solar farm in the UK that had a 15 Megawatt interconnection. 10 years ago, they could only fit 10 megawatts into the space that they had [...] but with newer and more efficient modules, it's now financially viable for them to strip the asset down and rebuild it." You have these big pension funds looking at this from a spreadsheet," looking for ways to better maximize their investment. The end result is that all of these otherwise fine panels are junked. When you think about the embedded carbon of bringing [the panels] over [from China]" said Burnell and then they go into the waste stream [...] seems mad."Even if panels could be repaired to full efficiency,it's not likely solar panel repair shops will be opening in droves. There's a serious question around the labor costs of testing and repairing versus just buying a new panel," said Burnell. He added in another example of panels that had to be taken down to address fire safety legislation, which were similarly at risk of being discarded because the effort to repurpose them was too great. To reduce waste, ReSolar actually wound up collecting and sending on a consignment of those panels to Ukraine for use in a hospital.In the trashMatt Burnell / ReSolarAnother rule of thumb is that only one in 10 solar panels is recycled, with the remaining nine sent to landfills. There is no standard method for tracking a panel's eventual destination, and it's not clear how such a system would be implemented. But there's a risk landfills are about to be overwhelmed with the volume of panels that'll be coming down from roofs. The Los Angeles Times, for instance, reported on the coming glut of panels in California after the state's push to get more solar installed from 2006 onwards.The legal situation is barely patchwork, with Grist describing things in 2020 as the wild west," since only Washington has any sort of mandatory legislation. Decommissioned solar panels are covered by federal solid and hazardous waste rules, dependent on the materials used in their construction. If a panel includes heavy metals like lead and cadmium, then they can't be sent to a general landfill, lest their poisons leech into the soil. But that often just means those panels are redirected to landfills that are designed to handle specialist waste.The EPA is, at present, looking at developing rules that would standardize the recycling process for solar panels and lithium batteries. But while there are no federal mandates for recycling, or even tough legislation at the state level, the situation is far from ideal. A small fraction of the panels are actually sent to recycling centers, the rest left to an uncertain fate. As Heath points out, the risk is that while recycling is uneconomical and unavailable, we'll see huge boneyards of working solar panels, left piled up while the situation changes.In the UK and Europe, solar panels are covered by the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive, or WEEE. The rules oblige supplying companies to collect and recycle discarded panels, or to shoulder the cost for another entity to do so. It means that, hopefully, we won't see tons more panels being dumped to landfills, but also means it's often going to be more economical to send working panels to recycling rather than repurposing them.RecyclingMatt Burnell / ReSolarIf you want to free up the raw materials lurking inside a solar panel, then there are two approaches. There's the mechanical way, in which you can shred the components, which is both simpler and more wasteful: it can recover glass and metal, but little else. Or there are thermal and chemical approaches that seek to separate the components, enabling more of the rarer metals to be recovered.Existing recyclers have traditional markets that their economics are built around, so glass recyclers look at a module and say wow, a module is 80 percent glass by weight, I know what to do with that," said Heath. With the materials inside, there are more precious metals with higher value," he said, but they're mixed in with the plastic polymer layers [...] which are hard to separate economically." Consequently, the silicon, silver and copper embedded in the cells are often ground down into bulk and abandoned.The IEA's 2024 report on panel recycling looked into how these mechanical methods aren't great for material qualities. The outputs of mechanical processing are usually not very pure and better yields of high-quality materials [...] especially silicon and silver, should be targeted," it said. It added that often these recycling processes aren't optimized to run solar panels, and so there is frequently some downgrading of recovered material quality," hardly a great step on the road to circularity.It's also hard to know what goes into a solar panel. The variation in materials [found in solar panels] is wild," said ReSolar's Matt Burnell. The litany of manufacturers don't yet have any obligation to share their raw material data, although new regulations will change that soon. Until then, it's difficult for recyclers to know what they'll be pulling out of the panels they're looking to process.As well as recyclers not knowing the composition of the panels, there's the risk of noxious chemicals being added to expedite some processes. Antoine Chalaux is the general manager of ROSI Solar, a specialist solar panel recycler in France. He talked about the inclusion of chemicals like Teflon and antimony, both of which are toxic and cannot be released into the atmosphere. We've developed our recycling processes to capture [them]," he explained, but we're pushing [manufacturers] to use it less [in future]."Burnell believes that the industry is really at the very dawn" of solar recycling but is confident that with investment today, solutions will be quickly found in the very near future. We've got this massive lead-in time," he said so we know what's coming onto the market today, and we know what's coming into the system in 25 to 30 years." The real ticking clock is for the glut of panels that were installed in the early 2010s that will start entering the waste stream in the next decade.Right now, ROSI's processes aren't as cheap as other recyclers, and Chalaux knows that it can be a problem. Right now, there's no economic reason for companies to [recycle with us], but there's the question of image," he said. All of the manufacturers and owners of PV projects want a good story for the end of life for their panels." The other benefit of this process, however, is to produce high-purity recycled materials that can be used by local manufacturers.The futureGraphic by Al Hicks / NRELOne step toward a more recyclable solar panel might be to eliminate the use of those adhesive polymers in its construction. If a panel could just use sheets of glass with the solar cells sandwiched inside, it would be a lot easier to deconstruct. Not to mention you'd likely get a longer and better performance out of them, since there would be no polymer layers to discolor.Thankfully, a team from the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has demonstrated that such a product can exist. Rather than gluing the layers together, femtosecond lasers weld the front and back panels of glass to each other. The solar cells are sandwiched inside, held by the bonding of the glass to its sibling, and nothing else. And when the panel eventually reaches its end of life, which may be a lot longer than 30 years, it can just be recycled by shattering the glass.The project, led by Dr. David Young, says that if the proposals are accepted, we could see a commercial version of the panel within two to three years. He added that the rigidity offered by welding will be just as sturdy and waterproof as panels using polymer layers. Unfortunately, by that point, we'll have decades upon decades of panels made using the old system that we'll still need to deal with. And until we get a cost-effective, scalable way to recycle them, the answer to the question What happens to solar panels when they die?' will be nothing good.'This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/what-happens-when-solar-panels-die-140019832.html?src=rss

Casetify is bringing back the accessories based on Neon Genesis Evangelionthat it originally launched in 2023, giving you another chance to grab one or two cases for your Apple devices. The crown jewel of the collection is perhaps the collectible case for the AirPods Pro and Pro 2, which was designed to look like the head of Evangelion Unit-01. It opens from the back to reveal a removable inner case that provides another layer of protection. You could also just carry the inner case if the Unit-01 head is a bit too bulky to fit in your bag or if you want to keep it pristine. In addition, the collection features cases for iPhones and iPads, including all iPhone 16 models, with photos of Eva pilots, as well as typography highlighting key terms from the anime series. Casetify says its cases aren't just for collection purposes, though, and can actually protect your devices with their impact-resistant design. There's also a MagSafe charger with a cord that resembles Evangelion units' umbilical cables, as well as other MagSafe-compatible accessories. The collection is now available from Casetify's Co-Lab page, its Co-Lab app and its physical studio locations. Take note that some of these items sold out quickly the first time around, especially the AirPods case which Casetify called a "sought-after item." Casetify This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/casetifys-evangelion-collection-returns-for-evangelion-day-134559673.html?src=rss

The feud between WP Engine and Matt Mullenweg, WordPress co-founder and Automattic CEO, recently came to a head when the web hosting service sued the latter, accusing him of "abuse of power, extortion and greed." In a new blog post, Mullenweg said his opponent's attacks on him and his company have been effective enough so that "a good chunk of [his] Automattic colleagues disagreed with [him and his] actions." As a response, he created a "buy-out package" that offered employees $30,000 or six months of salary, whichever is higher, if they resign. A total of 159 people, or 8.4 percent of the company, took the offer.Most of the employees who left came from the company's Ecosystem / WordPress business, while the rest came from the division working on apps like Tumblr and Cloudup. As TechCrunch notes, Mullenweg gave the event a positive spin and exclaimed that "the other 91.6 percent gave up $126 million of potential severance to stay!"Mullenweg called WP Engine a "cancer to WordPress" and accused the company of violating WordPress' trademarks. He said they offered WP Engine the option to "pay a direct licensing fee, or make in-kind contributions to the open source project," but the company refused. WP Engine argued that its use of the WordPress trademark was legal. In response, the WordPress Foundation changed its trademark policy page to say that the "WP" abbreviation is indeed not covered by the WordPress trademark, but to please not use it "in a way that confuses people." It named WP Engine outright and even said that the company has "never once even donated to the WordPress Foundation, despite making billions of revenue on top of WordPress." The WordPress co-founder also banned WP Engine from accessing some of WordPress' plug-ins and themes, which broke a lot of the websites it's hosting.WP Engine accused Mullenweg of demanding eight percent of the company's monthly revenue as royalty and of libel, slander, as well as of violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and IRS fraud. In a statement, Mullenweg said he stayed up all night reading the complaint and found the whole thing "meritless." He added that he's looking "forward to the federal court's consideration of [the] lawsuit."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/159-employees-leave-wordpress-founders-company-after-extortion-lawsuit-133040801.html?src=rss

Games Done Quick, the organization that organizes charity game marathons featuring high-level speedrunners, has just announced its latest fundraiser. The group will hold an event called Disaster Relief Done Quick in support of the humanitarian nonprofit Direct Relief to aid those affected by Hurricane Helene, it announced in a tweet and press release."Hurricane Helene [was] a life-threatening Category 4 hurricane that has left over 200 dead, millions without power and caused significant flooding and evacuations in the US Southeast," Games Done Quick wrote. "Disaster Relief Done Quick will begin on October 11 at 6PM EDT and conclude on October 13 at 11:59 PM EDT."

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against TikTok claiming the company violated a new child privacy law in the state. It's set to be the first test of Texas' Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act since it went into effect just over a month ago.Under the law, parts of which were struck down by a federal judge, social media platforms are required to verify the ages of younger users and offer parental control features, including the ability for parents to opt their children out of data collection.Paxton alleges that TikTok's existing parental control features are insufficient. "However, Defendants do not provide the parents or guardians of users known to be 13 to 17 years old with parental tools that allow them to control or limit most of a known minor's privacy and account settings," the lawsuit states. For example, parents or guardians do not have the ability to control Defendants' sharing, disclosing, and selling of a known minor's personal identifying information, nor control Defendants' ability to display targeted advertising to a known minor."The lawsuit also argues that the app's Family Pairing" tool isn't commercially reasonable" because it requires parents to make their own TikTok account and because teens are free to deny their parents' requests to set up the monitoring tool. TikTok didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The app already prohibits most targeted advertising to anyone younger than 18."We strongly disagree with these allegations and, in fact, we offer robust safeguards for teens and parents, including family pairing, all of which are publicly available," the company said in a statement shared on X. "We stand by the protections we provide families."The lawsuit adds to TikTok's growing legal challenges in the United States. The company is currently fighting a law that could result in a total ban of the app in the United States. It's also facing a separate Justice Department lawsuit related to child privacy.Update, October 3, 2024, 8:05 PM ET: This story has been updated to add a statement from TikTok.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/texas-is-suing-tiktok-for-allegedly-violating-its-new-child-privacy-law-235432146.html?src=rss

OpenAI is beta testing a new workspace interface for ChatGPT called Canvas. The AI giant unveiled its new ChatGPT workspace on its official blog and it's currently available for ChatGPT Plus and Team users. Enterprise and Edu users will be able to access Canvas sometime next week.Canvas is a virtual interface space for writing and coding projects that allow users to consult with ChatGPT on certain portions of a project. A separate window opens besides the main chat space and users can put writing or code on this new canvas" and highlight sections to have the model focus on and edit like a copy editor or code reviewer," according to the blog.Canvas can either be opened manually by typing use canvas" in your prompt. Canvas can also automatically open when it detects a scenario in which it could be helpful," according to the blog post.There are also several shortcuts that can be used for writing and coding projects. Users can ask ChatGPT for suggested edits, length adjustments, reading level changes and emojis on writing projects. Coders can have ChatGPT review certain lines of code, add logs and comments for further clarity, fix bugs and port coding to a different language such as JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, C++ or PHP in Canvas mode.OpenAI's Canvas feature brings ChatGPT in line with other AI assistants that have separate workspaces to focus on certain areas of a project like Anthropic's Artifacts and the coding focused AI model Cursor.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-rolls-out-canvas-its-newest-chatgpt-interface-230335185.html?src=rss

Tesla issued another recall for more than 27,000 Cybertrucks. This is the fifth time the electric truck has been recalled in the last year.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the recall due to an image delay from the rear-view camera. The delayed rear-view camera failed to produce an image to the driver of what's driving behind them within the legally required two seconds, increasing the risk of a crash," according to the official recall notice.Reuters reports that the camera display is caused by a software glitch in the Cybertruck's system. Some vehicles failed to complete the shutdown process before booting up again, causing a noticeable delay in the rear-view camera of up to eight seconds. So far, no crashes or injuries have occurred as a result of the software issue. Tesla is issuing a software update to address the rear-camera display delays.This recall is just the latest in a string of notices and hiccups for the D-minus geometry project on wheels just this year. Tesla announced in April that it had to delay deliveries of the Cybertruck because of accelerator issues, a problem that prompted one of its most infamous recalls later that month due to sticky accelerator pedals.Delivery delays led to another recall for the Cybertruck in June due to safety issues with the windshield wiper motor and trim. Several Cybertruck owners including some who just picked up their vehicle reported that the wipers failed to work.Even virtual versions of the Cybertruck had to undergo repairs shortly after its release. The Cybertruck made an appearance in Fortniteas part of the game's Summer Road Trip promotion but several players reported a weird glitch when they tried to morph a vehicle into Tesla's signature truck. Epic Games pushed out a fix for the bug sometime later.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/teslas-fifth-cybertruck-recall-is-due-to-a-rear-view-camera-glitch-214029747.html?src=rss

Samsung TV Plus, the company's FAST live TV app preinstalled on its TVs, is getting many more K-dramas. Over 4,000 hours of K-Dramas, K-Thrillers, K-Crime and K-Romance from Samsung's home country of South Korea were added to the ad-supported streaming app on Thursday.The content comes from partnerships with Korea's most acclaimed production companies," including CJ ENM, NEW ID and the distribution company KT Alpha. Newly added series include Voice 4, Dark Hole and Doom at Your Service (a terrific title if ever there was one). The psychological thriller Beyond Evil will arrive soon.New unscripted shows are also part of the package. These include food entertainment series like The Genius Paik and Three Meals a Day, along with travel shows House on Wheels and Youn's Kitchen.Samsung says it now has the best library of NEW ID and KT Alpha K-Movies in the US. The award-winning Burning (starring Steven Yeun), A Taxi Driver (not the De Niro one but the Kang-ho Song one) and Assassination (starring Squid Game's Lee Jung-jae) are among those on the Samsung TV Plus now.K-Content is no longer niche - it's one of the fastest growing and most watched categories globally, and Samsung TV Plus is uniquely positioned to deliver an unparalleled experience in this space with an endless offering of premium K-Content," Salek Brodsky, Senior VP and General Manager of Samsung TV Plus, wrote in a press release.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/samsungs-fast-tv-plus-service-is-going-all-in-on-k-dramas-203821372.html?src=rss

Uber has entered a new deal to offer customers in select cities an option for self-driving vehicles. The partnership is with Avride, which used to be the self-driving unit for Russian conglomerate Yandex.The multi-year deal will begin by introducing Avride's self-driving robots as a delivery option for Uber Eats orders in Austin, Texas. Later this year, the robots are expected to become available for delivery orders in Dallas and Jersey City, New Jersey. Autonomous driving is slated to begin service for Uber ride requests in Dallas in 2025. It will only be an option for "qualifying orders" on either Uber or Uber Eats, but the company didn't specify what those qualifications are.Before spinning out as a new business concern, Yandex landed a similar deal in 2021 for its self-driving robots to make Grubhub deliveries to college campuses in the US. That year its autonomous vehicles reached a milestone of 6 million miles logged under "challenging conditions," mostly traveled in and around Moscow.Uber had its own department exploring self-driving vehicles. However, it sold the unit to Aurora, another autonomous vehicle company, in December 2020.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-teams-with-avride-to-offer-self-driving-vehicles-for-rides-and-food-deliveries-201622292.html?src=rss

Playing The Sims, the virtual life simulator created by sim game maven Will Wright, has always given its players the feeling that they can control life and death. A new expansion for The Sims 4 takes that concept even further with the Life & Death pack that launches on Halloween.The Life & Death expansion pack will take the world of Sims to a new plane of existence. It comes with new career paths, neighborhoods, haunted items and achievements about living life to the fullest until you die.The biggest addition is a new suburb called Ravenwood that has three new neighborhoods to explore, including Crow's Crossing, Whispering Glen and Mourningvale. You'll be able to commune with the souls of the dead until they find a channel to the afterlife, make wishes with and investigate ancient shrines with mysterious powers and explore a cemetery. Each area also has a Mysterious Merchant" who sells haunted objects and helps you pick out a final resting place during the Try Before You Die Casket Sale."The Life & Death pack's new achievements don't just lean on the dead side of things. Your Sims can aspire to live a full life with the Soul's Journey" achievement track that offers a chance to Rebirth a Sim" and create special Bucket Lists" for young adult or older Sims. Once your Sim dies, they can come back as a ghost to complete unfinished business with the help of the living.There's also new career paths in the Life & Death pack that deal more with the darker side of the equation. Sims can pursue a profession on the Undertaker career track to become a mortician or a funeral director and achieve grisly rewards like a Plague Mask" or a Corpus Commendation Plaque." The Reaper career path deals with the living and soon-to-be no longer living. Your Sim will work as the Netherworld Department of Death (NWDD) and train to become a soul reaper giving them the power to take life or give it back if your soul quota is too high.The Life & Death expansion pack is available for pre-order for PC, Mac, PlayStation 4 and 5 and Xbox One and Series X|S. If you pre-order, you'll receive some creepy collectibles including the Lasting Legacy Family Portrait, the Mournful Melodies Music Box and the Plumed Elegance Mask.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/find-a-new-life-in-death-in-the-sims-4s-halloween-themed-expansion-195544792.html?src=rss

Gemini Live, Google's AI chatbot you can talk to like a person, is about to support more languages. The company is rolling out support for the generative AI virtual assistant in over 40 languages in the coming weeks.Gemini Live is Google's take on free-flowing, natural conversations" in this new generative AI era. You can use it for things like brainstorming for events, diving down learning rabbit holes or practicing for job interview questions (and receiving real-time feedback). Although Google describes it as like talking with a friend, I'm unsure how many would do all of that.Additionally, the tool will let you chat in two languages on the same device, and further expansion of supported languages is in the works. Multi-language support will also work with Gemini integrations for other Google apps and services, like Google Calendar, Tasks, Keep and Utilities.You can set your preferred language(s) in the Android app. In the Google app, go to Settings > Google Assistant > Languages, and choose your first preference. If you want a second one, there's an option below that to Add a language."You'll need an Android phone to use it. Google hasn't yet announced any plans to bring Gemini Live to iPhone. At least for now, the company seemingly prefers to use it to attract folks to its own mobile platform.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-will-expand-gemini-live-to-over-40-languages-in-the-coming-weeks-194521661.html?src=rss

Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner, so deals have begun to trickle in. The company's own Smart Thermostat has dropped to just $56, which is 30 percent off. The typical price is a whopping $80, so this is a legit bargain. It's not a record-low price, but it's darn close. This is a fantastic smart thermostat with a vast array of features. It integrates with Alexa, so you can lay in bed and bark orders at it to get the temperature just right. Adjustments can also be made via the Alexa app on your phone, if those vocal cords are running dry. App control lets you change your home's temperature from afar, which is handy when on the way home from work. This is, basically, a Honeywell thermostat packed with Amazon's smart tech, so it's durable, easy to use and reliable. It's highly possible that a smart thermostat like this will help save money on those monthly energy bills, as you can set schedules or make adjustments while, say, on vacation. On the downside, this is a real-deal thermostat, so it requires a C-wire connection or a power adapter. Both of these kits are sold separately. The bundle with the C-wire connector is also on sale for $78. It does lack a couple of the features found with some of its more expensive rivals, like the Google Nest thermostat. There are no touchscreen controls and no motion sensor. The voice and app controls, however, more than make up these omissions. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice in the lead up to October Prime Day 2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazons-smart-thermostat-drops-to-56-in-this-early-prime-day-deal-181514522.html?src=rss

If you're looking for an Alexa speaker on the cheap, this Amazon Prime Day deal will be hard to beat. The Echo Dot (5th gen) has improved audio that competes with more expensive rivals like the HomePod mini. Usually going for $50, the latest Echo Dot is only $23 today, cheaper than its July Prime Day price. This Echo Dot model launched in 2022 with clearer vocals, deeper bass and more vibrant overall sound than previous generations. Of course, it will pale in comparison to bigger and much more expensive speakers, but good luck finding anything else of this quality for that sale price. It's Engadget's current pick for the best smart speaker under $50. The speaker supports direct streaming from Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music. It works great for podcasts, too, and you can use it as a Bluetooth speaker with unsupported apps. Alexa lets you control smart home accessories, get weather updates and ask general questions. Fitting your home with smart speakers can be expensive, but this sale price could allow you to put Alexa in any room for a modest upfront investment. The speaker has a cute, round shape and a minimalist style. It measures only 3.9 inches at its widest point and won't take up much space on a table or desk. It's available in charcoal, white and blue - all on sale for the same price. If you're transforming your home into a smart home, you can opt for a bundle with a smart light for the same price. For $23, you can get a TP-Link Tapo smart color bulb and the smart speaker. Although its audio isn't quite in the same class as the Dot, the Echo Pop for even cheaper. The equally cute smart speaker is on sale for Prime Day for $18. This could be a good option if you're fitting your home with Alexa devices, but there are some rooms where you won't listen to music. Otherwise, the slightly more expensive Echo Dot will be the better bet. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice in the lead up to October Prime Day 2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-echo-dot-is-going-for-a-record-low-of-23-thanks-to-a-prime-day-deal-175633670.html?src=rss

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is back this year, returning on October 8 and 9. The fall Prime Day" of sorts has served as the online retailer's unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for the past few years. We expect most of the deals to be Prime exclusives, meaning you must be an active Prime subscriber to get the discounts. There are always a couple of deals available for everyone, though, so it's worth perusing Amazon's site even if you don't pay for Prime. It's also worth doing so now because we've found a number of solid early Prime Day deals already available. These are the best of the bunch; we'll be updating this post regularly in the lead-up to October Prime Day, so check back for the latest deals.Prime Day deals: Engadget's top picks

If you have an older Samsung Galaxy smartphone, you may want to hold off on the latest software update. 9to5Google reported that the update that has been rolling out from Samsung over the past few days is bricking devices from the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 series of phones. The publication also found some users reporting the same issue with Galaxy M51 and A90 models. After downloading the update, the devices get stuck in a bootloop and never fully turn back on.Impacted devices can perform a factory reset to recover functionality, but that's not a perfect fix. It should make the phone usable, but any data that hasn't already been backed up will be lost. If you own an older Galaxy smartphone and haven't yet downloaded the latest update, you may want to disable automatic updates until Samsung shares more information about this issue.Software support for older models can become an issue for any hardware manufacturer. The Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ are five years old now, which is an age where companies may stop providing regular updates.We've reached out to Samsung for a comment and will update this post with any additional information.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsungs-latest-software-update-may-be-bricking-older-phones-175136078.html?src=rss

Paramount just announced that it's going ahead with a new video game based on Avatar: The Last Airbender, which will be developed by Saber Interactive. For the uninitiated, Saber is behind titles like Snowrunner and Teardown. It also has plenty of experience making licensed content, as it published Evil Dead: The Game and World War Z: Aftermath, among others.A new game in the Avatar-verse isn't that notable on its own. After all, there have been plenty already. Paramount is already crowing about the title, though, calling it a AAA RPG" and claiming it'll be the biggest video game in franchise history." That's not exactly a high bar, given the cartoon's rocky history in gaming. There was that one good Bayonetta-like gamethat featured Avatar Korra, but everything else is pretty much trash.This upcoming RPG won't follow Aang or Korra. Players will control an all-new, never-before-seen Avatar." The game's set thousands of years" before the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. The story has been developed in close collaboration with Avatar Studios", though we don't know if franchise creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko are involved in any way.This looks to be an action RPG and not a turn-based affair, as a press release suggests dynamic combat" and a quest to master all four elements." However, there's no release date and no suggestion as to how far along the game is. Paramount says it'll be available soon", but the company hasn't released a trailer or even artwork, so one person's soon" is another person's probably sometime in 2026."In any event, sign me up. I'm a big-time cabbage head, or honorary member of the Aang Gang or whatever fans are called. Saber Interactive has proven itself worthy with other pre-existing IPs, so why not this one? It could work.The Avatar franchise has been relatively quiet lately, though the live-action Netflix show was renewed for two more seasons to finish up the story. Franchise creators DiMartino and Konietzko are making an animated film that follows an adult Aang and friends, but it's been awhile since we've heard anything about that.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/saber-interactive-is-making-a-aaa-rpg-based-on-avatar-the-last-airbender-171655351.html?src=rss

Hey! If you have fond memories playing Manic Miner or Jet Set Willy on your family TV, you'll love The Rubber Keyed Wonder. It's a new documentary chronicling the birth, life, death and rebirth of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum that premieres today. The crowdfunded film is an adoring look at the iconic and legendary artifact of computing history with plenty of high profile contributors. Two thumbs up! Go watch the film now, there's no need for you to keep reading beyond this point, I hope you have loads of fun!If you're a die-hard fan, there's no need to keep reading!(Hopefully they've gone now.)It was while watching The Rubber Keyed Wonder that I realized what makes me itchy about the current crop of pop-culture documentaries going around. A documentary should be an authored essay offering a point of view, an argument, or at least educating you about a subject matter. They're usually deeply one-sided, but they normally have something to say beyond hey, isn't this neat?" That's what I've found lacking in documentaries like this and GoldenEra, since they don't have much at all to say beyond that. Which is heartbreaking when the film's subject matter is nowhere near as neat and far more interesting as it's made out to be here.If you're unfamiliar, Sir Clive Sinclair was a British inventor whose work made a huge impact on the electronics industry. He developed ultra-small transistor radios, pioneered the pocket calculator, the digital watch and the portable TV. His interest in green transport saw him build a single-rider electric vehicle decades before the advent of the e-scooter. But all of that is a footnote to his range of affordable home computers, the most notable being the Spectrum.The Britain Sinclair grew up in was broke, and he made it his life's mission to produce products that were affordable enough for anyone to buy. His cheap, mass-market products were big hits and deeply undercut the competition, especially in home computers. Unfortunately, the low cost also meant his gear was badly-made, unreliable and severely underpowered.But the affordability and limitations sparked a creative boom that is credited with creating the UK's computer games industry. The heads of several major British studios cut their teeth on developing and selling games for the ZX Spectrum. And the second-order effects of Sinclair's work left a far deeper impact on the technology industry more broadly. Sinclair's protege turned rival Chris Curry left to build Acorn Computers and, from there, founded ARM. The founder of what would become Rockstar North worked on the Sinclair production line in Dundee.Sinclair was also reportedly difficult to work with, had severe temper tantrums and quite a big ego, too. He was fairly bad at business, and his refusal to listen to other people wound up costing him both of his companies, once during a fight with the UK's National Enterprise Board in 1976 and once again in 1985. Then there was his habit of rushing out unfinished products to keep money flowing into his company at the cost of his reputation.The reason I bring all of those things up is because every single one is either given the briefest of attention or elided completely. The Rubber Keyed Wonder would much rather streamline its focus to the Spectrum itself and its impact, erasing the more interesting story around it. But if you know anything about the territory, and how bound up the machine and its idiosyncratic founder were, these omissions hurt the story.But I understand why: This isn't a documentary that aspires to being a serious examination of a very interesting period in computing history. Instead, it's a product of the fan-nostalgia industrial complex, where the most insightful comments are buried in favor of misty-eyed rememberings. That's not to say it isn't honest; even the Spectrum's most ardent fans are happy to admit the machine sucked on several fundamental levels. Even the Sinclair employees joke that they knew they were selling barely-functional crap a lot of the time, but that the hobbyists who bought them loved it nevertheless.The film can't help but be informative, delving into the broader ecosystem that cultivated around the Spectrum. There's its genesis, the games that made it famous, and the culture it spawned from independent computer stores to the cottage industry of magazines focused on it. But there's also plenty of time-sucking montages of playthrough footage from Spectrum games that sap the film's momentum in favor of squeezing the audience's member berries.That's not to say The Rubber Keyed Wonder is a waste of time, especially given the dearth of material on the subject*. There's plenty in there that I learned for the first time, and found some of the games I'd not encountered as a kid to be seriously impressive. It's just a shame that you will probably leave this film with a nagging desire to answer some of the questions it's just not at all interested in engaging with.* It's probably the law that I have to mention Micro Men, the tongue-in-cheek BBC comedy that satirizes the feud between Sinclair and Curry. Both men went on the record to decry its factual inaccuracies, with Curry saying the film was very unfair" on Clive Sinclair. It is, however, quite a fun watch so long as you accept that it's mostly fictional. You can probably find it for free online if you look hard enough.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-rubber-keyed-wonder-is-an-adoring-portrait-of-the-sinclair-zx-spectrum-170047407.html?src=rss

Keeping ChatGPT running is expensive as heck, so OpenAI needs access to plenty of cash to make sure the lights stay on. A day after the company said it had secured $6.6 billion in funding - the biggest ever funding round for a startup - it confirmed that it has a new $4 billion revolving line of credit. OpenAI has yet to tap the credit line, which it obtained from JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Santander, Wells Fargo, SMBC, UBS and HSBC. Some of those banks are also among OpenAI's customers.All told, OpenAI now has a war chest of over $10 billion in liquid funds. The company says that will give it the ability to invest in new projects and research, expand its infrastructure and hire top talent. This credit facility further strengthens our balance sheet and provides flexibility to seize future growth opportunities," OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar said.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-now-has-a-4-billion-credit-line-on-top-of-66-billion-in-funding-163230350.html?src=rss

If you're eager to snag some tech deals during October Prime Day next week, you'll be happy to know you can already do so today. Apple deals can be hit or miss during sale events like this, but at the moment, we're seeing a record-low price on the USB-C Apple Pencil. You can grab the peripheral for onl y $69, which is $10 off and the lowest price we've seen. While not a huge discount, it does represent a savings of 13 percent, and it is currently the most affordable Apple Pencil you can buy. Apple debuted this model last year as its most budget-friendly Apple Pencil so far, and this sale makes the peripheral even more wallet-friendly. However, Apple's long had a problem with making it clear to consumers which version of the stylus is compatible with their iPad. For the sake of clarity, here are all the iPad models with which the USB-C Apple Pencil works:

Google is adding more AI to search. On Thursday, the company unveiled a long list of changes, including AI-organized web results, Google Lens updates (including video and voice) and placing links and ads inside AI Overviews.One can suspect that AI-organized search results are where Google will eventually move across the board, but the rollout starts with a narrow scope. Beginning with recipes and meal inspiration, Google's AI will create a full-page experience" that includes relevant results based on your search. The company says the AI-collated pages will consist of perspectives from across the web," like articles, videos and forums.Google's AI Overviews, the snippets of AI-generated info you see above web results, are getting some enhancements, too. The company is incorporating a new link-laden design with more prominent links to supporting webpages" within the section. Google says its tests have shown the design increased traffic to the supporting websites it links to.Ads are also coming to AI Overviews - an inevitable outcome if ever there was one. The company says they're rolling out in the US, so don't be shocked if you start seeing them soon.left to right: Google Lens speak to search, ads in AI Overviews, Lens video searchGoogleCircle to Search is getting Shazam-like capabilities. The feature will now instantly search for songs you hear without switching apps. Google also noted that Circle to Search is now available on over 150 million Android devices, as it's expanded in reach and capabilities since its January launch.Google Lens, the company's seven-year-old visual search feature for mobile, is getting some upgrades, too. It can now search via video and voice, letting you ask complex questions about moving images." The company provides the example of seeing fish at an aquarium and using Lens to ask it aloud, Why are they swimming together?" According to Google, the AI will use the video clip and your voice recording to identify the species and explain why they hang out together.Along similar lines, you can now ask Google Lens questions with your voice while taking a picture. Just point your camera, hold the shutter button and ask whatever's on your mind - the same way you'd point at something and ask your friend about it," the company wrote.Google Lens is also upgrading its shopping chops. The company describes the upgraded visual product search as dramatically more helpful" than its previous version. The AI results will now include essential information about the searched product, including reviews, prices across different retailers and where to buy.The Google Lens capabilities are all rolling out now, although some require an opt-in. Video searches are available globally for Search Labs users; you'll find them in the AI Overviews and more" experiment. Voice input for Lens is now available for English users in the Google app on Android and iOS. Finally, enhanced shopping with Lens starts rolling out this week.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-stuffs-more-ai-into-search-160003918.html?src=rss

YouTube Shorts are about to get quite a bit longer. Starting on October 15, the platform is increasing video limits from one minute to three minutes. TikTok, arguably Shorts' biggest competitor, has allowed users to share 10-minute videos for over two years. The new update should work for any Shorts that are square or taller in aspect ratio, and it won't affect any videos you shoot before the 15th.YouTube is also releasing a few other Shorts updates, including a preview of comments in the Shorts' feed. Plus, the company is working on letting you to pull clips from across YouTube through the Shorts camera and make remix clips. YouTube first released the remix feature in early 2024, letting you strip the audio, use the video as a background, cut a piece of it to use in your Short or put it side-by-side with your creation.If Shorts aren't your thing, it's also going to be easier to skip them as YouTube is introducing a tool to show fewer Shorts. You can choose this option through the three dot menu on the upper right corner - though YouTube says the preference only lasts temporarily.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-shorts-can-now-run-up-to-three-minutes-160002081.html?src=rss

The James Webb Space Telescope's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) captured a curious sight in a region 3.6 billion light-years away from Earth: A supernova that appears three times, at three different periods during its explosion, in one image. More importantly, this image could help scientists better understand how fast the universe is expanding.A team of researchers chose to observe the galaxy cluster PLCK G165.7+67.0, also known as G165, for its high star rate formation that also leads to higher supernova rates. One image, which you can see above, captures what looks to be a streak of light with three distinct dots that appear brighter than the rest of it. As Dr. Brenda Frye from the University of Arizona explained, those dots correspond to an exploding white dwarf star. It is also gravitationally lensed - that is, there's a cluster of galaxies between us and the star that served as a lens, bending the supernova's light into multiple images. Frye likened it to a trifold mirror that shows a different image of the person sitting in front of it. To note, it is the most distant Type Ia supernova, which is a supernova that occurs in a binary system, observed to date.Because of that cluster of galaxies in front of the supernova, light from the explosion travelled three different paths, each with a different length. That means the Webb telescope was able to capture different periods of its explosion in one image: Early into the event, mid-way through and near the end of it. Trifold supernova images are special, Frye said, because the "time delays, supernova distance, and gravitational lensing properties yield a value for the Hubble constant or H0 (pronounced H-naught)."NASA describes the Hubble constant as the number that characterizes the present-day expansion rate of the universe, which, in turn, could tell us more about the universe's age and history. Scientists have yet to agree on its exact value, and the team is hoping that this supernova image could provide some clarity. "The supernova was named SN H0pe since it gives astronomers hope to better understand the universe's changing expansion rate," Frye said.Wendy Freedman from the University of Chicago led a team in 2001 that found a value of 72. Other teams put the Hubble constant between 69.8 and 74 kilometers per second per megaparsec. Meanwhile, this team reported a value of 75.4, plus 8.1 or minus 5.5. "Our team's results are impactful: The Hubble constant value matches other measurements in the local universe, and is somewhat in tension with values obtained when the universe was young," Frye said. The supernova and the Hubble constant value derived from it need for be explored further, however, and the team expects future observations to "improve on the uncertainties" for a more accurate computation.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasas-latest-supernova-image-could-tell-us-how-fast-the-universe-is-expanding-130005672.html?src=rss

Soon after launching AI playlists in the US, Spotify is adding a new way to keep the music going when you lose your internet connection. The new Offline Backup feature for iOS and Android automatically creates a playlist of your queued and recently played tracks, ready for listening on flights or off-the-grid excursions. Offline Backup is for Premium users only.The feature complements Spotify's existing offline mode for user-triggered downloads. In contrast, the Offline Backup playlist doesn't require any manual downloads. So, think of it as more preparation with less planning. (And, of course, the standard offline mode will still be there.)Spotify says the playlist will evolve," learning your habits as you continue to listen. It will also include the tracks already cached on your device from regular use.SpotifyOnce you go offline, the Offline Backup playlist will appear automatically in your Home feed. Once it populates, you can filter and sort songs within it to more easily nail down the artist, genre or vibe you're feeling. Spotify also lets you add the playlist to your library for easier access.You'll need to turn it on manually to start using the feature. You'll find it under Data Saving and Offline or Storage in the Spotify app's settings. Turn on the toggle for Offline Listening to activate Offline Backup.Offline Backup is available now for Spotify Premium subscribers globally. (And you'll need to have listened to five songs or more recently.) If you don't see it after toggling it on and going offline, the company recommends checking for updates to the Spotify app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/spotify-can-now-automatically-create-a-playlist-for-airplane-mode-120038259.html?src=rss

Oura's next-gen ring appears to be an upgrade in every way. It features a sleeker design, longer battery life and smarter sensors to offer deeper insights for wearers. No more squarish edges; it's a perfect ring this time. Oura says Ring 4 has 18 signal pathways, up from eight in the Gen3, which is paired with its new Smart Sensing algorithm.OuraNew features include automatic heart rate and activity detection for up to 40 activities. It'll land in six colors: Silver, Brushed Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Stealth and Black. All bar the Stealth is made of titanium. Oura Ring 4 is available to pre-order today, with shipping expected to begin on October 15, 2024. Prices start at $349.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedOpenAI rakes in over $6 billion in new fundingBose QuietComfort Earbuds review: A more affordable ANC aceAmazon tablets are getting AI tools, like writing assist and website summariesStudents used Meta's smart glasses to automatically dox strangersThrough an Instagram stream and publicly available information.Two Harvard students used facial recognition tech and a large language model to unearth a subject's name, occupation and other details. Their setup (dubbed I-XRAY) can use that information to pull data like addresses, phone numbers, family member details and partial social security numbers from various sources online.In a demo video, AnhPhu Nguyen and Caine Ardayfio used the glasses to address people who appear to be strangers by name, discuss their work and bring up a place where they may have met in the past, based on information picked up. The students told 404 Media they developed I-XRAY to make people aware of what's possible with current technology - they won't release the code they used.Continue reading.Polestar 3 first driveThe long-awaited SUV is finally here.EngadgetFollowing its first two cars of the same name, the Polestar 3 delivers what many of us were looking for. It's a mass-market machine to fill the needs and wants of buyers looking for an all-electric SUV with proper dimensions - and yellow seat belts. After all the delays, we've got a test drive.Continue reading.Tesla stops selling its cheapest carThe new minimum price for a Model 3 is $42,500.Tesla's Model 3 Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive is no longer available in its online configurator. Electrek first reported on the absence of the cheapest option from the electric vehicle brand, with a price tag of $39,000. Now the Model 3 with Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive takes that title with a retail price of $42,500.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-ouras-return-to-the-smart-ring-fight-111642885.html?src=rss

Oura, the Finnish company that has done more than most to put smart rings on the map, is ready to show off its fourth-generation Ring. The new model gets a sleeker design, longer battery life and smarter sensors producing even smarter insights for wearers. But the thing I really care about is that the company has finally made a perfectly-round ring that doesn't include any ugly-ass etchings on the outside. The biggest change made to the Ring 4 is in the sensors, which were previously housed in raised bumps that kept contact with your finger. Now, the sensors are flush with the body, making the whole thing a lot smoother and sleeker than it was before. And while I haven't seen it in the flesh yet, the press images seem to suggest it's a decent chunk thinner than its predecessors. Those sensor improvements aren't just focused on making them smaller, but also improving their ability to peer into our bodies. Oura says Ring 4 has 18 distinct signal pathways, up from eight in the Gen3, which is paired with its new Smart Sensing" algorithm. The ring will automatically optimize which of those 18 pathways to use to maintain a constant reading, given how much jewelry moves around through the day. This is a real issue for some Oura users, because if the ring shifts around too much, you'll get inconsistent readings. The company claims that the new hardware offers a 30 percent increase in blood oxygen sensing, 31 percent fewer gaps in nighttime heart rate and seven percent fewer gaps during the day. Oura hasn't said what battery size the Ring 4 has, but says the above tweaks should help it get up to eight days of life on a single charge. Oura Ring 4 is available in 12 sizes (4-15) and in six colors; Silver, Brushed Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Stealth and Black. All bar the Stealth is clad in titanium with physical vapor deposition coating, with the outlier draped instead in titanium with diamond-like carbon coating. Much like its predecessor, its water-resistant to depths up 100 meters, and is suitable for saunas and swimming, but not deep-sea diving. The company is also redesigning its mobile app to group all of the data it collects about you into three distinct categories: Today, Vitals and My Health. The first two of those help you explore your vital signs for the day in aggregate or in detail. My Health, meanwhile, will offer longer-term insights including your cardiovascular age, cardio capacity, stress and sleep. This will start rolling out today for all users, regardless of which generation of ring they own. When I reviewed the third-generation Ring, I griped about the company's decision to paywall features behind a monthly subscription. Look, I get you can't build a sustainable hardware business on device sales alone and this sort of recurring revenue helps keep the lights on. But that only works if what you're offering is compelling enough to justify the $5.99 a month, or $70 per year, which is why the Ring 4 is getting some new membership-only features. Oura That includes automatic heart-rate and activity detection for up to 40 different activities, removing the need for users to manually log their stats after a workout. When the app detects symptoms of high stress, it'll now place that data in context with your movement, activities and tags. There's also a better-developed suite of features for people who menstruate, with new insights for fertility windows - the company adding that this is designed to aid pregnancy, not prevent it. Of course, while Oura's never been the only game in town, it's now got competition from Samsung's Galaxy Ring. You can see that Samsung got to the integrated sensors ahead of the company it's drawing inspiration from, but the Galaxy Ring is fairly basic, features-wise. Oura CEO Tom Hale told Bloomberg he feels the Korean giants are two years behind his company as things stand. Oura Ring 4 is available to pre-order today, with shipping expected to begin on October 15, 2024, with prices starting at $349. The first month of membership is free, with users asked to cough up $5.99 a month or $69.99 for the year. Even if you already have an Oura Ring sizing kit, the company urges you to get the new updated sizing kit before ordering your ring, which is available in sizes 4-15. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/ouras-fourth-generation-smart-ring-gets-smaller-and-smarter-070005477.html?src=rss

One of the year's scariest and most engrossing horror games is clawing its way to a new console. SFB Games' Crow Country will launch on the Nintendo Switch on October 16.Crow Country may look like a cheerier, grainier Animal Crossing but that just adds to the horror adventure's creepy and dark atmosphere. You play as Mara Forest, a plucky young woman exploring the remains of an abandoned amusement park called Crow Country. Its owner Edward Crow mysteriously disappeared in his park and has been missing for two years. It's up to Mara to uncover the mysteries behind the abandoned theme park and its long lost owner.Engadget's Cheyenne MacDonald reviewed the game back in May and highlighted that it drew some inspiration from the aesthetics and horrific monsters of horror games on Sony's first Playstation like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. She also described the game as cozy," an odd word to describe a horror game. Crow Country's cozy" nature adds to the horror by taking familiar seeming characters and putting them in the Lovecraft-ian atmosphere of terror and mystery. It's so good that it even made our list of the best horror games of the year.Crow Country is also available on Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-creepy-crow-country-is-coming-to-nintendo-switch-on-october-16-215954902.html?src=rss

Tesla's least expensive car is off the market: the Model 3 Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive is no longer available in the online configurator. Electrek first reported on the absence of that Model 3 build. It was the cheapest option from the electric vehicle brand with a price tag of $39,000. Now the Model 3 Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive takes that title with a retail price of $42,500. Tesla unveiled a refresh to its Model 3 line in the US in January.The company also posted numbers for the third quarter today, with 462,890 vehicles delivered between July and September. Sales were aided by price cuts and other incentives during the quarter, enough to reach a 6.4 percent increase from the previous year's deliveries. However, the figure fell short of analysts' predictions for more than 469,000 deliveries during the period. This quarterly result could also hamper CEO Elon Musk's projections for the company to surpass the 1.8 million vehicles it handed over in all of 2023.Tesla has also been struggling with recalls this year. Most of those issues were fixed with over-the-air updates, but the scope and number of the issues may also be leaving customers with doubts. Recalls impacted 200,000 vehicles in January, 2 million in February, 125,000 in May, 12,000 in June, 1.8 million in July, and more than 9,000 in August.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-has-stopped-selling-its-cheapest-car-212756966.html?src=rss

Until now, the mobile version of the Epic Games Store has mostly been focused on the brand's staples like Fortnite and Fall Guys. It won't be that way for long.Epic Games Store general manager Steve Allison announced at Unreal Fest in Seattle that it plans to expand the Epic Games Stores' mobile library with 10 to 50 new third-party games and start a free games program, according to mobilegamer.biz.Allison said the free games program and third-party titles will be available in Q4" or the last part of the year. Epic's Unreal Fest keynote also teased that Ark: Ultimate Mobile Edition will be one of the new third-party games on the mobile store.Epic Games also wants to make the game submission process a lot easier. Allison mentioned the store would offer self publishing tools" for developers. This will allow them to release their games without any interactions with us, like they do on PC today."The Epic Games Store is available worldwide on Android devices and for iOS users in the European Union.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/epic-will-extend-its-free-games-program-to-its-mobile-store-211158377.html?src=rss

Meta is rolling out some of the previously announced features to its AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses for users in the US and Canada. CTO Andrew Bosworth posted on Threads that today's update to the glasses includes more natural language recognition, meaning the stilted commands of "Hey Meta, look and tell me" should be gone. Users will be able to engage the AI assistant without the "look and" portion of the invocation.Most of the other AI tools showed off during last month's Connect event are also arriving on the frames today. That includes voice messages, timers and reminders. The glasses can also be used to have Meta AI call a phone number or scan a QR code. CEO Mark Zuckerberg demonstrated the new reminders features as a way to find your car in a parking garage in an Instagram reel. One notable omission from this update is the live translation feature, but Bosworth didn't share a timeline for when that feature will be ready.

Physical books are heavy and given everything else a youngster has to carry around in their backpack, who needs to deal with those as well? An ereader can help to lighten the load and there's a good deal on a kid-friendly option at the minute. Just ahead of the October edition of Prime Day, Amazon has dropped the price of the Kindle Paperwhite Kids by $55, bringing it down to $115. That's close to the all-time-low price. Along with a Kindle Paperwhite with 16GB of storage, the bundle includes a year of Amazon Kids+ access, a kid-friendly cover and a two-year worry-free guarantee. If the ereader breaks for any reason in that timeframe, Amazon will replace it. Amazon says all of that equates to a value of up to $263. Amazon Kids+ typically costs $6 per month. It includes thousands of kid-friendly books, Amazon says. The Paperwhite is all about reading. So while Amazon Kids+ includes access to games, videos and apps on a Kindle Fire, there's none of that here. The Kindle Paperwhite Kids has a couple extra features called Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise to help youngsters develop their reading skills. The ereader also includes a font called OpenDyslexic, which Amazon says some readers with dyslexia prefer. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice in the lead up to October Prime Day 2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/prime-day-deals-include-32-percent-off-amazons-kindle-paperwhite-kids-193131655.html?src=rss

Now that OpenAI is becoming a for-profit company, it's making a tidy profit in the process. The Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI has raised $6.6 billion in new funding from investors, nearly doubling its value to $157 billion. The new funding also makes it the largest venture capital deal in history.The new investors jumped on board after the artificial intelligence startup planned to switch from a charitable non-profit to a for-profit, product-focused company. If OpenAI fails to make the move to for-profit, investors have the right to pull their funding, according to Axios.The venture-capital firm Thrive Capital founded by Joshua Kushner, the youngest son of convicted-turned-pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner, led the new round of funding with $1.25 billion. Other investors included SoftBank, Nvidia, Fidelity Management and OpenAI's previous largest investor Microsoft.One name that was notably absent from the investor list is Apple. The tech giant was in the process of negotiating a funding deal but apparently the agreement fell apart.Funding isn't the only thing that's growing for OpenAI. Its AI app ChatGPT has attracted 250 million weekly active users, up from the 200 million announced at the end of August, and 11 million paying subscribers. The higher usage rate has OpenAI officials thinking they should raise the subscription price for ChatGPT to $22 a month by the end of the year and $44 a month in the next five years.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-rakes-in-over-6-billion-in-new-funding-192110908.html?src=rss