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The National Security Agency's director has confirmed that the agency buys Americans' web browsing data from brokers without first obtaining warrants. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) blocked the appointment of the NSA's inbound director Timothy Haugh until the agency answered his questions regarding its collection of Americans' location and Internet data. Wyden said he'd been trying for three years to publicly release the fact that the NSA is purchasing Americans' internet records."In a letter dated December 11, current NSA Director Paul Nakasone confirmed to Wyden that the agency does make such purchases from brokers. "NSA acquires various types of [commercially available information] for foreign intelligence, cybersecurity, and other authorized mission purposes, to include enhancing its signals intelligence (SIGINT) and cybersecurity missions," Nakasone wrote. "This may include information associated with electronic devices being used outside and, in certain cases, inside the United States."Nakasone went on to claim that the NSA "does not buy and use location data collected from phones known to be used in the United States either with or without a court order. Similarly, NSA does not buy and use location data collected from automobile telematics systems from vehicles known to be located in the United States."An NSA spokesperson told Reutersthat the agency uses such data sparingly but that it has notable value for national security and cybersecurity purposes. "At all stages, NSA takes steps to minimize the collection of US [personal] information, to include application of technical filters," the spokesperson said.Wyden has called the practice unlawful. "Such records can identify Americans who are seeking help from a suicide hotline or a hotline for survivors of sexual assault or domestic abuse," he said.The senator urged Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to order US intelligence agencies to stop buying Americans' private data without consent. He also asked Haines to direct intelligence agencies to "conduct an inventory of the personal data purchased by the agency about Americans, including, but not limited to, location and internet metadata." Wyden said that any data that does not comply with Federal Trade Commission standards regarding personal data sales should be deleted.Wyden pointed to an FTC settlement that this month banned a data broker from selling location data. The agency alleged that the information, which it claimed was sold to buyers including government contractors, "could be used to track people's visits to sensitive locations such as medical and reproductive health clinics, places of religious worship and domestic abuse shelters."The FTC stated in its complaint against the broker, formerly known as X-Mode Social, that by "failing to fully inform consumers how their data would be used and that their data would be provided to government contractors for national security purposes, X-Mode failed to provide information material to consumers and did not obtain informed consent from consumers to collect and use their location data."The settlement was the first of its kind with a data broker. In a statement, Wyden, who has been investigating the data broker industry for several years, said he was "not aware of any company that provides such a warning to users [regarding their consent] before collecting their data."The issue of US federal agencies buying phone location data isn't exactly new. In 2020, it emerged that Customs and Border Protection had been doing so. The following year, Wyden claimed the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Pentagon bought and used location data from Americans' phones.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nsa-admits-to-buying-americans-web-browsing-data-from-brokers-without-warrants-154904461.html?src=rss

Tesla is recalling 200,000 vehicles in the US due to a malfunctioning backup camera. There were reports that the cameras wouldn't engage when the cars were in reverse, which is a pretty big safety issue and the whole point of those cameras in the first place. Tesla has processed 81 warranty claims potentially related to the issue, according to Autoblog.The recall includes certain Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles from 2023. Tesla says it delivered 1.8 million vehicles in 2023, so this recall accounts for more than 10 percent of the company's yearly output. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a statement on the matter and said that a software issue was to blame for the problem, according to Reuters.To that end, all of the recalled vehicles feature Tesla's Full Self-Driving" computer 4.0 and run software version 2023.44.30 through 2023.44.30.6, or 2023.44.100. Tesla owners can check to see what software versions they're running. The company has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update to fix the glitch, according to the NHTSA.Tesla became aware of the problem in December and decided on a recall on January 12. Customers will receive a letter alerting them to the problem by March 22. The company says that it's not aware of any crashes, injuries or deaths associated with the malfunction.This latest recall comes just six weeks after Tesla recalled over two million vehicles after serious safety issues regarding its Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system. That was also addressed via an OTA software update.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-recalls-200000-vehicles-because-of-a-faulty-backup-camera-153302523.html?src=rss

A woman has a text chat with her long-dead lover. A family gets to hear a deceased elder speak again. A mother gets another chance to say goodbye to her child, who died suddenly, via a digital facsimile. This isn't a preview of the next season of Black Mirror - these are all true stories from the Sundance documentary Eternal You, a fascinating and frightening dive into tech companies using AI to digitally resurrect the dead.It's yet another way modern AI, which includes large language models like ChatGPT and similar bespoke solutions, has the potential to transform society. And as Eternal You shows, the AI afterlife industry is already having a profound effect on its early users.The film opens on a woman having a late night text chat with a friend: "I can't believe I'm trying this, how are you?" she asks, as if she's using the internet for the first time. "I'm okay. I'm working, I'm living. I'm... scared," her friend replies. When she asks why, they reply, "I'm not used to being dead."Beetz Brothers Film ProductionIt turns out the woman, Christi Angel, is using the AI service Project December to chat with a simulation of her first love, who died many years ago. Angel is clearly intrigued by the technology, but as a devout Christian, she's also a bit spooked out by the prospect of raising the dead. The AI system eventually gives her some reasons to be concerned: Cameroun reveals that he's not in heaven, as she assumes. He's in hell."You're not in hell," she writes back. "I am in hell," the AI chatbot insists. The digital Cameroun says he's in a "dark and lonely" place, his only companions are "mostly addicts." The chatbot goes on to say he's currently haunting a treatment center and later suggests "I'll haunt you." That was enough to scare Angel and question why she was using this service in the first place.While Angel was aware she was talking to a digital recreation of Cameroun, which was based on the information she provided to Project December, she interacted with the chatbot as if she was actually chatting with him on another plane of existence. That's a situation that many users of AI resurrection services will likely encounter: Rationality can easily overwhelm your emotional response while "speaking" with a dead loved one, even if the conversation is just occurring over text.In the film, MIT sociologist Sherry Turkle suggests that our current understanding of how AI affects people is similar to our relationship with social media over a decade ago. That makes it a good time to ask questions about the human values and purposes it's serving, she says. If we had a clearer understanding of social media early on, maybe we could have pushed Facebook and Twitter to confront misinformation and online abuse more seriously. (Perhaps the 2016 election would have looked very different if we were aware of how other countries could weaponize social media.)Beetz Brothers Film ProductionEternal You also introduces us to Joshua Barbeau, a freelance writer who became a bit of an online celebrity in 2021 when The San Francisco Chronicle reported on his Project December chatbot: a digital version of his ex-fiancee Jessica. At first, he used Project December to chat with pre-built bots, but he eventually realized he could use the underlying technology (GPT-3, at the time) to create one with Jessica's personality. Their conversations look natural and clearly comfort Barbeau. But we're still left wondering if chatting with a facsimile of his dead fiancee is actually helping Barbeau to process his grief. It could just as easily be seen as a crutch that he feels compelled to pay for.It's also easy to be cynical about these tools, given what we see from their creators in the film. We meet Jason Rohrer, the founder and Project December and a former indie game designer, who comes across as a typical techno-libertarian."I believe in personal responsibility," he says, after also saying that he's not exactly in control of the AI models behind Project December, and right before we see him nearly crash a drone into his co-founders face. "I believe that consenting adults can use that technology however they want and they're responsible for the results of whatever they're doing. It's not my job as the creator of the technology to prevent the technology from being released, because I'm afraid of what somebody might do with it."But, as MIT's Turkle points out, reanimating the dead via AI introduces moral questions that engineers like Rohrer likely aren't considering. "You're dealing with something much more profound in the human spirit," she says. "Once something is constituted enough that you can project onto it, this life force. It's our desire to animate the world, which is human, which is part of our beauty. But we have to worry about it, we have to keep it in check. Because I think it's leading us down a dangerous path."Beetz Brothers Film ProductionAnother service, Hereafter.ai, lets users record stories to create a digital avatar of themselves, which family members can talk to now or after they die. One woman was eager to hear her father's voice again, but when she presented the avatar to her family the reaction was mixed. Younger folks seemed intrigue, but the older generation didn't want any part of it. "I fear that sometimes we can go too far with technology," her father's sister said. "I would just love to remember him as a person who was wonderful. I don't want my brother to appear to me. I'm satisfied knowing he's at peace, he's happy, and he's enjoying the other brothers, his mother and father."YOV, an AI company that also focuses on personal avatars, or "Versonas," wants people to have seamless communication with their dead relatives across multiple channels. But, like all of these other digital afterlife companies, it runs into the same moral dilemmas. Is it ethical to digitally resurrect someone, especially if they didn't agree to it? Is the illusion of speaking to the dead more helpful or harmful for those left behind?The most troubling sequence in Eternal You focuses on a South Korean mother, Jang Ji-sun, who lost her young child and remains wracked with guilt about not being able to say goodbye. She ended up being the central subject in a VR documentary, Meeting You, which was broadcast in South Korea in early 2020. She went far beyond a mere text chat: Jang donned a VR headset and confronted a startlingly realistic model of her child in virtual reality. The encounter was clearly moving for Jang, and the documentary received plenty of media attention at the time."There's a line between the world of the living and the world of the dead," said Kim Jong-woo, the producer behind Meeting You. "By line, I mean the fact that the dead can't come back to life. But people saw the experience as crossing that line. After all, I created an experience in which the beloved seemed to have returned. Have I made some huge mistake? Have I broken the principle of humankind? I don't know... maybe to some extent."Eternal You paints a haunting portrait of an industry that's already revving up to capitalize on grief-stricken people. That's not exactly new; psychics and people claiming to speak to the dead have been around for our entire civilization. But through AI, we now have the ability to reanimate those lost souls. While that might be helpful for some, we're clearly not ready for a world where AI resurrection is commonplace.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sundance-documentary-eternal-you-shows-how-ai-companies-are-resurrecting-the-dead-153025316.html?src=rss

If there's one thing we can all agree upon, it's that the 21st century's captains of industry are trying to shoehorn AI into every corner of our world. But for all of the ways in which AI will be shoved into our faces and not prove very successful, it might actually have at least one useful purpose. For instance, by dramatically speeding up the often decades-long process of designing, finding and testing new drugs.Risk mitigation isn't a sexy notion but it's worth understanding how common it is for a new drug project to fail. To set the scene, consider that each drug project takes between three and five years to form a hypothesis strong enough to start tests in a laboratory. A 2022 study from Professor Duxin Sun found that 90 percent of clinical drug development fails, with each project costing more than $2 billion. And that number doesn't even include compounds found to be unworkable at the preclinical stage. Put simply, every successful drug has to prop up at least $18 billion waste generated by its unsuccessful siblings, which all but guarantees that less lucrative cures for rarer conditions aren't given as much focus as they may need.Dr. Nicola Richmond is VP of AI at Benevolent, a biotech company using AI in its drug discovery process. She explained the classical system tasks researchers to find, for example, a misbehaving protein - the cause of disease - and then find a molecule that could make it behave. Once they've found one, they need to get that molecule into a form a patient can take, and then test if it's both safe and effective. The journey to clinical trials on a living human patient takes years, and it's often only then researchers find out that what worked in theory does not work in practice.The current process takes more than a decade and multiple billions of dollars of research investment for every drug approved," said Dr. Chris Gibson, co-founder of Recursion, another company in the AI drug discovery space. He says AI's great skill may be to dodge the misses and help avoid researchers spending too long running down blind alleys. A software platform that can churn through hundreds of options at a time can, in Gibson's words, fail faster and earlier so you can move on to other targets."CellProfiler / Carpenter-Singh laboratory at the Broad InstituteDr. Anne E. Carpenter is the founder of the Carpenter-Singh laboratory at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. She has spent more than a decade developing techniques in Cell Painting, a way to highlight elements in cells, with dyes, to make them readable by a computer. She is also the co-developer of Cell Profiler, a platform enabling researchers to use AI to scrub through vast troves of images of those dyed cells. Combined, this work makes it easy for a machine to see how cells change when they are impacted by the presence of disease or a treatment. And by looking at every part of the cell holistically - a discipline known as omics" - there are greater opportunities for making the sort of connections that AI systems excel at.Using pictures as a way of identifying potential cures seems a little left-field, since how things look don't always represent how things actually are, right? Carpenter said humans have always made subconscious assumptions about medical status from sight alone. She explained most people may conclude someone may have a chromosomal issue just by looking at their face. And professional clinicians can identify a number of disorders by sight alone purely as a consequence of their experience. She added that if you took a picture of everyone's face in a given population, a computer would be able to identify patterns and sort them based on common features.This logic applies to the pictures of cells, where it's possible for a digital pathologist to compare images from healthy and diseased samples. If a human can do it, then it should be faster and easier to employ a computer to spot these differences in scale so long as it's accurate. You allow this data to self-assemble into groups and now [you're] starting to see patterns," she explained, when we treat [cells] with 100,000 different compounds, one by one, we can say here's two chemicals that look really similar to each other.'" And this looking really similar to each other isn't just coincidence, but seems to be indicative of how they behave.In one example, Carpenter cited that two different compounds could produce similar effects in a cell, and by extension could be used to treat the same condition. If so, then it may be that one of the two - which may not have been intended for this purpose - has fewer harmful side effects. Then there's the potential benefit of being able to identify something that we didn't know was affected by disease. It allows us to say, hey, there's this cluster of six genes, five of which are really well known to be part of this pathway, but the sixth one, we didn't know what it did, but now we have a strong clue it's involved in the same biological process." Maybe those other five genes, for whatever reason, aren't great direct targets themselves, maybe the chemicals don't bind," she said, but the sixth one [could be] really great for that."FatCamera via Getty ImagesIn this context, the startups using AI in their drug discovery processes are hoping that they can find the diamonds hiding in plain sight. Dr. Richmond said that Benevolent's approach is for the team to pick a disease of interest and then formulate a biological question around it. So, at the start of one project, the team might wonder if there are ways to treat ALS by enhancing, or fixing, the way a cell's own housekeeping system works. (To be clear, this is a purely hypothetical example supplied by Dr. Richmond.)That question is then run through Benevolent's AI models, which pull together data from a wide variety of sources. They then produce a ranked list of potential answers to the question, which can include novel compounds, or existing drugs that could be adapted to suit. The data then goes to a researcher, who can examine what, if any, weight to give to its findings. Dr. Richmond added that the model has to provide evidence from existing literature or sources to support its findings even if its picks are out of left-field. And that, at all times, a human has the final say on what of its results should be pursued and how vigorously.It's a similar situation at Recursion, with Dr. Gibson claiming that its model is now capable of predicting how any drug will interact with any disease without having to physically test it." The model has now formed around three trillion predictions connecting potential problems to their potential solutions based on the data it has already absorbed and simulated. Gibson said that the process at the company now resembles a web search: Researchers sit down at a terminal, type in a gene associated with breast cancer and [the system] populates all the other genes and compounds that [it believes are] related."What gets exciting," said Dr. Gibson, is when [we] see a gene nobody has ever heard of in the list, which feels like novel biology because the world has no idea it exists." Once a target has been identified and the findings checked by a human, the data will be passed to Recursion's in-house scientific laboratory. Here, researchers will run initial experiments to see if what was found in the simulation can be replicated in the real world. Dr. Gibson said that Recursion's wet lab, which uses large-scale automation, is capable of running more than two million experiments in a working week.About six weeks later, with very little human intervention, we'll get the results," said Dr. Gibson and, if successful, it's then the team will really start investing." Because, until this point, the short period of validation work has cost the company very little money and time to get." The promise is that, rather than a three-year preclinical phase, that whole process can be crunched down to a few database searches, some oversight and then a few weeks of ex vivo testing to confirm if the system's hunches are worth making a real effort to interrogate. Dr. Gibson said that it believes it has taken a year's worth of animal model work and [compressed] it, in many cases, to two months."Of course, there is not yet a concrete success story, no wonder cure that any company in this space can point to as a validation of the approach. But Recursion can cite one real-world example of how close its platform came to matching the success of a critical study. In April 2020, Recursion ran the COVID-19 sequence through its system to look at potential treatments. It examined both FDA-approved drugs and candidates in late-stage clinical trials. The system produced a list of nine potential candidates which would need further analysis, eight of which it would later be proved to be correct. It also said that Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin, both much-ballyhooed in the earliest days of the pandemic, would flop.And there are AI-informed drugs that are currently undergoing real-world clinical trials right now. Recursion is pointing to five projects currently finishing their stage one (tests in healthy patients), or entering stage two (trials in people with the rare diseases in question) clinical testing right now. Benevolent has started a stage one trial of BEN-8744, a treatment for ulcerative colitis that may help with other inflammatory bowel disorders. And BEN-8744 is targeting an inhibitor that has no prior associations in the existing research which, if successful, will add weight to the idea that AIs can spot the connections humans have missed. Of course, we can't make any conclusions until at least early next year when the results of those initial tests will be released.Yuichiro Chino via Getty ImagesThere are plenty of unanswered questions, including how much we should rely upon AI as the sole arbiter of the drug discovery pipeline. There are also questions around the quality of the training data and the biases in the wider sources more generally. Dr. Richmond highlighted the issues around biases in genetic data sources both in terms of the homogeneity of cell cultures and how those tests are carried out. Similarly, Dr. Carpenter said the results of her most recent project, the publicly available JUMP-Cell Painting project, were based on cells from a single participant. We picked it with good reason, but it's still one human and one cell type from that one human." In an ideal world, she'd have a far broader range of participants and cell types, but the issues right now center on funding and time, or more appropriately, their absence.But, for now, all we can do is await the results of these early trials and hope that they bear fruit. Like every other potential application of AI, its value will rest largely in its ability to improve the quality of the work - or, more likely, improve the bottom line for the business in question. If AI can make the savings attractive enough, however, then maybe those diseases which are not likely to make back the investment demands under the current system may stand a chance. It could all collapse in a puff of hype, or it may offer real hope to families struggling for help while dealing with a rare disorder.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai-is-coming-for-big-pharma-150045224.html?src=rss

Apple's Mac just turned 40 years old! This week, Devindra chats with Deputy Editor Nathan Ingraham about his Mac retrospective. We focus on how much has changed since Apple's disastrous 2016 lineup, why the Apple Silicon chips feel so revolutionary, and look back at our earliest Mac experiences. Also, we review the Framework Laptop 16, a wonderfully modular miracle of a laptop, but one that we wish had more graphics power for gaming. (But hey, at least you can replace the GPU eventually!).Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!Topics

A large downside to Windows PCs with Arm64 processors like Microsoft's own Surface Pro 9 5G has been a lack of native support for Chrome, the world's most popular browser. Now, Google has finally released a Chrome Canary beta version that fully supports the Arm64 architecture, Windows Central has reported.The new version should significantly accelerate Chrome performance on Arm64 PCs, negating the need to run Chrome in emulation mode. The download can be installed on PCs running recent versions of Windows 11 for Arm processors, with one user confirming it runs on a seven-year-old Snapdragon 835 SoC.Chrome has been available for some time on Google's Chromium on Arm64 and even Linux for Arm64, along with iOS and Mac. On top of that, Microsoft's Edge browser (which is based on Chrome) has run natively on Arm64 for years. So why the delay for Windows on Arm64? It may be because there aren't that many Arm64 Windows PCs and those that do exist are relatively expensive, especially compared to Chromebooks.Google might be reasoning that now is a good time to introduce the feature, since Qualcomm is set to release its Snapdragon X Elite chip, a successor to the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3. Based on TSMC's latest 4-nanometer tech, it's promising performance double that of some 13th-gen Intel Core i7 CPUs with a third the power draw, allowing it to better compete with Apple's latest M-series silicon.If Windows laptops using the chip can finally deliver performance that's sadly been lacking in models to date, we may finally see them arrive in decent numbers. Snapdragon Elite X models are supposed to launch in mid-2024, so hopefully Google will be ready with a stable version of Chrome. If you have an Arm64 PC, you can download the Canary version here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-chrome-for-windows-is-finally-getting-native-arm-support-134832609.html?src=rss

Apple is making major changes to the App Store in Europe in response to new European Union laws. Beginning in March, Apple will allow users in the EU to download apps and make purchases from outside its App Store. These changes are already being stress-tested in the iOS 17.4 beta.Developers will be able to take payments and distribute apps from outside the App Store for the first time. Apple will still enforce a review process for apps that don't come through its store, but it will be focused on platform integrity and protecting users" from things like malware. The company warns it has less chance of addressing other risks like scams, abuse and harmful content.Apple is also changing its commission structure, so developers will pay 17 percent on subscriptions and in-app purchases, reducing the fee to 10 percent for most developers" after the first year. The company is tacking on a new three percent payment processing" fee for transactions through its store, and there's a new 0.50 core technology fee" for all app downloads after the first million installations.That's a lot of new money numbers to process, and it could shake out differently for different developers. Apple says the new fee structure will result in most developers paying the company less, since the core technology fee will have the greatest impact on larger developers.This all means that yes, Fortnite is returning.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedThe FTC is investigating Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet's investments into AI startupsBudget retailer Newegg just started selling refurbished electronicsNASA's Ingenuity Helicopter has flown on Mars for the final timeMIT researchers have developed a rapid 3D-printing technique that uses liquid metalYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Microsoft launches its metaverse-styled virtual meeting platformMesh is a place for your avatars to float around.MicrosoftMicrosoft has announced the launch of Mesh, a feature for employees' avatars to meet in the same place, even if the actual people are spread out. The virtual connection platform is powered through Microsoft Teams. Currently, Microsoft's Mesh is only available on desktop PCs and Meta Quest VR devices (if employees want a more immersive experience). Microsoft is offering a six-month free trial to anyone with a business or enterprise plan. But no legs, it seems.Continue reading.The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses' new AI powers are impressiveAnd worrying.When we first reviewed the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, multimodal AI wasn't ready. The feature enables the glasses to respond to queries based on what you're looking at. Meta has now made multimodal search available for early access." Multimodal search is impressive, if not entirely useful yet. But Meta AI's grasp of real-time information is shaky at best.We tried asking it to help pick out clothes, like Mark Zuckerberg did in a recent Instagram post, and were underwhelmed. Then again, it may work best for a guy who famously wore the exact same shirt every day for years.Continue reading.Elon Musk confirms new low-cost Tesla modelComing in 2025.Elon Musk has confirmed a next-generation low-cost" Tesla EV is in the works and is optimistic" it'll arrive in the second half of 2025, he said in an earnings call yesterday. He also promised a revolutionary manufacturing system" for the vehicle. Reuters reported that the new vehicle would be a small crossover called Redwood. Musk previously stated the automaker is working on two new EV models that could sell up to five million per year, combined.Musk said the company's new manufacturing technique will be very hard to copy" because you have to copy the machine that makes the machine that makes the machine... manufacturing inception."I just audibly groaned reading that.Continue reading.Japan's lunar spacecraft landed upside down on the moonIt collected some data before shutting down.JAXAThis picture just makes me sad.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-apple-explains-how-third-party-app-stores-will-work-in-europe-121528606.html?src=rss

If you weren't able to get the Microsoft Xbox Series S at a discount this past holiday season, you may want to check out Dell's website. The digital media-only console is currently on sale for $230, down $70 from its retail price of $300. While it can't play disc games, your $230 will get you 512GB in SSD storage and a wireless Xbox controller. The console supports variable refresh rates of up to 120 fps, and while it runs games at a max resolution of 1440p, you can use it to stream shows and movies in 4K. You only need to download the streaming apps you have access to, including Disney+, Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.While we called the Xbox Series S the least powerful console in its generation in our review, we found it to be capable of incredibly smooth gameplay. Even with boosted framerates, current and previous-gen games played like butter when we tested them out. Series S also starts up quickly, and a feature called Quick Resume lets you pick up from where you left off without having to suffer through loading screens that take forever to finish.Storage could be an issue, seeing as this doesn't come with a disc drive, but you can expand it by getting the 1TB card Microsoft developed with Seagate. You can also mainly use it with the Game Pass subscription service that gives you access to a library with hundreds of titles. Bottom line is that the Xbox Series S is a great console if you're looking to go fully digital, and this is your chance to grab a unit without having to pay full price.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-xbox-series-s-is-just-230-right-now-115520855.html?src=rss

GM's driverless Cruise division is under investigation by both the Department of Justice (DoJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), The Washington Post has reported. The probes follow an incident last year in which a jaywalking pedestrian was struck by a Cruise autonomous vehicle and then dragged 20 feet, worsening her injuries.At the same time, yesterday Cruise released its own third-party findings regarding the accident, which took place on October 2 and involved another vehicle (a Nissan). The company said it "failed to live up to the justifiable expectations of regulators and the communities we serve... [and] also fell woefully short of our own expectations," adding that it's "fully cooperating" with investigators. According to its own findings, that's an understatement to say the least.According to the report, Cruise withheld crucial information from officials during a briefing the day after the accident. Specifically, the company failed to mention that its autonomous vehicle (AV) had dragged the victim 20 feet at around 7 MPH, causing serious injuries. According to the internal report, that occurred because the vehicle mistakenly detected a side (rather than a frontal) collision and attempted to pull over rather than stopping.At least 100 Cruise employees, including members of senior leadership, legal and others, were aware of the dragging incident - but failed to disclose it during October 3 meetings with the San Francisco Mayor's Office, NHTSA, DMV and other officials, the report states.The company said it intended to let a video of the dragging incident speak for itself, then answer questions about it. However, the video didn't play clearly and fully due to internet connection issues, and then Cruise employees failed to verbally affirm the pullover maneuver and dragging of the pedestrian. In case that's not bad enough, the third-party findings state:

Catching up on a new podcast should get easier very soon. Apple has announced that it will automatically transcribe podcasts, which should allow more people to enjoy episodes. Apple Podcast will allow creators to upload their own transcript for display or opt for Apple to create one.There are some caveats to be aware of, though. Apple Podcasts should start creating the transcription when the episode is uploaded. However, it has a "short delay" until it's available, so people eager to play their favorite podcast right away will have to wait for an unspecified amount of time (Apple tells podcasters to give it at least 24 hours after uploading an episode). It's likely that the longer the episode is, the longer the transcription will take to be ready. The transcription will also not update if parts of the recording are changed with dynamically inserted audio, and it won't display music lyrics.Podcasters must follow Apple's quality requirements for their episodes to get correctly transcribed. According to Apple, podcasts with people talking over each other or music might not have as good a transcription. If someone chooses to upload their own, it must be a VTT or SRT file. A podcaster can also edit a transcription for greater accuracy.Apple Podcasts' transcriptions should launch in the spring on iOS 17.4 in English, German, Spanish and French. The feature is available in over 170 countries and regions, with older episodes getting transcribed over time.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-podcasts-will-automatically-generate-transcripts-in-ios-174-091040750.html?src=rss

In late 2023, genetic testing company 23andMe admitted that its customer data was leaked online. A company representative told us back then that the bad actors were able to access the DNA Relatives profile information of roughly 5.5 million customers and the Family Tree profile information of 1.4 million DNA Relative participants. Now, the company has revealed more details about the incident in a legal filing, where it said that the hackers started breaking into customer accounts in late April 2023. The bad actors' activities went on for months and lasted until September 2023 before the company finally found out about the security breach.23andMe's filing contains the letters it sent customers who were affected by the incident. In the letters, the company explained that the attackers used a technique called credential stuffing, which entailed using previously compromised login credentials to access customer accounts through its website. The company didn't notice anything wrong until after a user posted a sample of the stolen data on the 23andMe subreddit in October. As TechCrunch notes, hackers had already advertised that stolen data on a hacker forum a few months before that in August, but 23andMe didn't catch wind of that post. The stolen information included customer names, birth dates, ancestry and health-related data.23andMe advised affected users to change their passwords after disclosing the data breach. But before sending out letters to customers, the company changed the language in its terms of service that reportedly made it harder for people affected by the incident to join forces and legally go after the company.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/23andmes-data-hack-went-unnoticed-for-months-081332978.html?src=rss

Following Apple's announcement of enabling third-party app stores for iOS users in the European Union, Epic Games confirms that it'll be bringing Fortnite back to the iPhone and iPad in Europe later this year - by way of a new Epic mobile games store. This will mark the title's official return to Apple's platform since it was yanked back in August 2020, after Epic offered discounts to payments made directly to its own store, instead of Apple's App Store and Google Play which would take a 30-percent cut. iOS users have had to rely on Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce Now to play Fortnite, but this will soon be a thing of the past for those based in Europe.Fortnite's grand return to iOS in Europe is all thanks to the EU's new Digital Markets Act, which goes into effect March 7. This allows developers to take payments and distribute apps from outside of the App Store, pending Apple's new "Notarization" approval process to spot harmful apps. Apple is also introducing a new fee structure that claims to cost less, if not the same, for most developers who publish to European markets.

After three years of service, NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter has flown on Mars for the last time. Earlier this month, during its 72nd flight, Ingenuity stopped communicating with the Perseverance rover. Although NASA later reestablished contact with the helicopter, it emerged that at least one of Ingenuity's carbon fiber rotor blades was damaged during a landing on January 18th. The helicopter is upright and is still in contact with ground controllers, but it's no longer capable of flight.Ingenuity far outlasted its original planned lifespan. NASA designed the helicopter to carry out up to five test flights over 30 days. But it stayed in service for over three years. Ingenuity flew over 14 times farther than originally anticipated and it had a total flight time of over two hours.The historic journey of Ingenuity, the first aircraft on another planet, has come to end," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement. That remarkable helicopter flew higher and farther than we ever imagined and helped NASA do what we do best - make the impossible, possible. Through missions like Ingenuity, NASA is paving the way for future flight in our solar system and smarter, safer human exploration to Mars and beyond."After Ingenuity's initial five flights, NASA decided to keep the helicopter running as an operations demonstration. It scouted ahead for Perseverance.On January 18, the Ingenuity team planned a short vertical flight so they could pinpoint the helicopter's location after it had to make an emergency landing on its previous jaunt. The chopper reached a height of 40 feet and hovered for 4.5 seconds before descending at a rate of 3.3 feet per second. However, it lost contact with Perseverance when it was about three feet above the surface.It's not clear how the rotor blade sustained damage. NASA's looking into whether the blade struck the surface. Perseverance is too far away to take a look at Ingenuity itself. The chopper's own camera spotted damage on the shadow of a rotor blade.NASA/JPL-CaltechThe hardy helicopter endured tough terrain, a dead sensor, dust storms (after which was able to clean itself) and a winter on Mars. The Ingenuity team will wind down the helicopter's operations after carrying out final tests and downloading the last data and imagery from its memory. After making history as the first aircraft from Earth to conduct a powered, controlled flight on another planet, all Ingenuity can do now is rest easy on the surface of Mars.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nasas-ingenuity-helicopter-has-flown-on-mars-for-the-final-time-204004656.html?src=rss

Shortly after Japan's space agency became the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the surface of the moon, its scientists discovered the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) unfortunately touched down upside down. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said that the SLIM landed on the lunar surface on January 20 but it knew it might have bigger problems due to an issue with power generation. Just hours after making landfall, JAXA expected the power to run out, before it ultimately did.SLIM met the moon's surface about 55 meters east of the original target landing site, JAXA said. The agency did get all of the technical information related to its navigation prior to landing and ultimately becoming stationary on the lunar surface. JAXA captured photos of the SLIM from its The Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2, its fully autonomous robot currently exploring the moon.

Researchers at MIT have developed a rapid 3D-printing technique that uses liquid metal to allow for extremely fast prints. The process can manufacture large aluminum components in minutes, whereas many pre-existing techniques would take hours to finish the same build. The technology has already been used to create table legs, chair frames and related furniture parts.It's called liquid metal printing (LMP) and involves directing molten aluminum along a predefined path into a bed of tiny glass beads. These beads quickly harden into a 3D structure. Researchers say the new process is at least ten times faster than comparable metal manufacturing techniques.However, there is one major caveat. This process sacrifices resolution for speed and scale. This is why the researchers have used it to create low-resolution items like chair legs and not, say, intricate parts with complex geometries. MIT researchers say this trade-off still makes the technology useful for creating components of larger structures" that don't require extremely fine details. This includes furniture parts, as mentioned above, but also components for construction and industrial design.Despite the resolution downgrade, parts made using LMP are still durable and can withstand post-print machining, like drilling and boring. The folks behind this technology say the builds are much more durable than those built with wire arc additive manufacturing, which is a pre-existing metal printing method. This is because LMP keeps the material molten throughout the entire process, lessening the chances of cracking and warping.The researchers recommend combining LMP with other techniques for jobs that require both speed and a high resolution. Most of our built world - the things around us like tables, chairs, and buildings - doesn't need extremely high resolution", said Skylar Tibbits, a senior author of a paper that introduced the project.It's also worth noting that this printing method doesn't require aluminum. It can work with other metals. The researchers chose aluminum due to its popularity in construction and the fact that it's easily recycled.The folks behind this tech hope to keep iterating on the concept to improve heating consistency, to prevent sticking, and allow for greater control over the molten metal. The team's been having issues with larger nozzle diameters leading to irregular prints, which is something that needs to be worked out. Tibbits said the method could eventually become a game-changer in metal manufacturing."Despite slightly falling out of favor in the commercial space, 3D printing has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years. Researchers have developed a tiny 3D printer that actually gets inserted into the body to repair and clean damaged tissue. Scientists also recently printed a working piece of the human heart.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mit-researchers-have-developed-a-rapid-3d-printing-technique-that-uses-liquid-metal-194113455.html?src=rss

The Federal Trade Commission is launching an inquiry into massive investments made by Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet into generative AI startups OpenAI and Anthropic, the agency announced on Thursday. The FTC said that it had issued compulsory orders" to the companies and would scrutinize their relationships with AI startups to understand their impact on competition.History shows that new technologies can create new markets and healthy competition," FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement. As companies race to develop and monetize AI, we must guard against tactics that foreclose this opportunity. Our study will shed light on whether investments and partnerships pursued by dominant companies risk distorting innovation and undermining fair competition." The companies have 45 days to respond to the agency.Ever since OpenAI released ChatGPT at the end of 2022, generative AI has exploded, sparking both excitement about its potential to increase productivity as well as anxiety about job losses. Against this backdrop, the world's largest tech companies have been racing to develop their own versions of the tech as well as pouring billions of dollars into smaller startups creating it. Microsoft, for instance, invested more than $13 billion into OpenAI for a 49 percent stake, using the startup's tech to add generative AI capabilities to Bing, its own search engine, as well as Windows and Office. Amazon and Alphabet invested $4 billion and $2 billion in Anthropic, an AI startup that makes a chatbot called Claude.In an opinion column in The New York Times last year, the FTC's Khan wrote that the expanding adoption of AI risks further locking in the market dominance of large incumbent technology firms" and argued for AI regulation.As part of its investigation, the FTC is seeking information about the specifics of Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet's investments, decisions around new product releases, oversight rights, analyses of market share and potential for sales growth among other details.The US isn't the only country examining Big Tech's ties with generative AI startups. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority said last month that it was examining whether Microsoft's investment into OpenAI was subject to antitrust law.In a post on X in December, Microsoft's president Brad Smith characterized the company's OpenAI investment as a partnership that has fostered more AI innovation and competition, while preserving independence for both companies." Microsoft currently has a non-voting observer seat on OpenAI's board, which, said Smith, was very different from an acquisition."We hope the FTC's study will shine a bright light on companies that don't offer the openness of Google Cloud or have a long history of locking-in customers - and who are bringing that same approach to AI services," a Google spokesperson told Engadget."The U.S. has assumed a global AI leadership position because important American companies are working together," Rima Alaily, Microsoft's vice president for Competition and Market Regulation, told Engadget in a statement. "Partnerships between independent companies like Microsoft and OpenAI, as well as among many others, are promoting competition and accelerating innovation.We look forward to providing the FTC with the information it needs to complete its study."Spokespeople from Amazon and Anthropic declined to comment. OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment from Engadget.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-ftc-is-investigating-microsoft-amazon-and-alphabets-giant-investments-into-ai-startups-190939602.html?src=rss

The Last of Us Part II Remastered arrived last week, and if the cutscene commentary from the game's director, writer and key actors wasn't enough for you, Naughty Dog has another behind the scenes piece coming. Grounded II: Making The Last Of Us Part II, a documentary on the game's creation, will arrive on February 2 at 12PM ET on YouTube as well as in the game itself. There's a trailer in the remastered game currently, and the full documentary will be added via a downloadable patch. That patch will also have some new skins for Ellie and Abby in the main game.The development of The Last of Us Part II was challenging, to say the least -Naughty Dog infamously crunched its employees to get the game done, but it was still delayed multiple times. Plus, key scenes from the game that contained extensive spoilers were leaked just a few weeks before the game launched, and the team also had to content with the Covid-19 outbreak while finishing everything up.Judging from the Grounded II trailer that Naughty Dog released a few weeks ago, it looks like all those topics and more will be added in the documentary - though I wager Naughty Dog will only address the crunch situation in a way that doesn't reflect badly on the studio or Sony. That caveat aside, the previous Grounded documentary that covered the development of the original The Last of Us for the PS3 was a pretty in-depth look at how things work inside a game studio. So while we're certainly going to get a sanitized version of the truth, fans of the game will likely be interested to hear directly how the studio decided to make the controversial narrative choices it did, and how the fallout from the leaks affected the game's launch.

Apple is making major changes to the App Store and other core parts of iOS in Europe in response to new European Union laws. Beginning in March, Apple will allow users within the EU to download apps and make purchases from outside of its App Store. The company is already testing many of these changes in its iOS 17.4 beta, which is available now to developers.Apple has long resisted many of these changes, arguing that it would leave users susceptible to scams, malware and other privacy and security issues. But under the EU's Digital Markets Act, which goes into effect March 7, major tech companies like Apple are required to make significant changes to their businesses.In a statement, Apple's Phil Schiller made clear that the company still believes some of these changes, like opening up its App Store, will pose a risk to users. The changes we're announcing today comply with the Digital Markets Act's requirements in the European Union, while helping to protect EU users from the unavoidable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings," he said.The most significant changes will be for developers, who will be able to take payments and distribute apps from outside of the App Store for the first time. Under the new rules, Apple will still enforce a review process for apps that don't come through its store. Called Notarization," the review will use automation and human reviewers and will be focused on platform integrity and protecting users" from things like malware. But the company notes it has less ability to address other risks - including apps that contain scams, fraud, and abuse, or that expose users to illicit, objectionable, or harmful content."Apple is also changing its often-criticized commission structure so that developers will pay 17 percent on subscriptions and in-app purchases with the fee reducing to 10 percent for most developers" after the first year.At the same time, Apple is tacking on a new 3 percent payment processing" fee for transactions that go through its store. And a new core technology fee" will charge a flat 0.50 fee for all app downloads, regardless of whether they come from the App Store or a third-party website, after the first 1 million installations. According to Apple, the new fee structure will result in most developers paying the company less with less than they currently do, since the core technology fee will have the greatest impact on larger developers.AppleThe updates could bring other significant changes for iPhone users in Europe. Apple will offer new APIs that will allow app makers to access the iPhone's NFC chip for wireless payments, enabling tap-to-pay transactions that don't rely on Apple Pay.It's also making a tweak to its Safari web browser so that iOS users in Europe will be immediately prompted about whether they want to change their default browser the first time they launch the app after the iOS 17.4 update. Additionally, browser developer will be able to use an engine besides Apple's own WebKit, which could lead to browsers like Chrome and Firefox releasing new versions using their own technology for rendering sites. Whether that'll make those browsers faster or better than Safari remains to be seen, but it has the potential to be a major change for one of the most important apps on your phone.Update, 4:30PM ET: Added details about browsers not being restricted to using Apples WebKit technology.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/pple-details-how-third-party-app-stores-and-payments-will-work-in-europe-183931334.html?src=rss

New York City has officially become the first city in the US to designate social media as a public health hazard." During a State of the City address, Mayor Eric Adams shared that Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan determined apps like Tik Tok and Instagram are considered environmental toxins" that impose harm onto young teens and adolescents. We are going to correct this crisis that is facing our children," Adams said during the address.Social media, the mayor explained, is fueling the growing mental health crisis in the city. This can be attributed to the addictive nature of these platforms, he added. On X, Adams wrote, We won't let Big Tech endanger our kids." However, besides delivering an advisory warning, the city did not clearly explain how it plans to actually curb the risk" of social media use. More details about this designation and plans to implement strategies will be explained in the near future.

When I first reviewed the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, I wrote that some of the most intriguing features were the ones I couldn't try out yet. Of these, the most interesting is what Meta calls multimodal AI," the ability for the glasses to respond to queries based on what you're looking at. For example, you can look at text and ask for a translation, or ask it to identify a plant or landmark. The other major update I was waiting for was the addition of real-time information to the Meta AI assistant. Last fall, the assistant had a knowledge cutoff" of December 2022, which significantly limited the types of questions it could answer.But Meta has started to make both of these features available (multimodal search is in an early access" period"). I've now been trying them for a few weeks and the experience has been unexpectedly eye-opening about the current state of AI. Multimodal search is impressive, if not entirely useful yet. But Meta AI's grasp of real-time information is shaky at best, often providing completely inaccurate information in response to simple questions.When Meta first teased multimodal search at Connect last fall, my first impression was that it could be a total game changer for its smart glasses. The first-generation of shades Meta made with Ray-Ban looked nice enough, but weren't all that useful. And as much as I still feel weird about saying hey Meta," having an AI assistant that can see" seemed like something where the usefulness might outweigh my own discomfort with having a Meta-enabled camera on my face.After a few weeks of actually trying it, I still think multimodal has significant potential, but whether or not it's actually useful will depend on what you want to use it for. For example, I could see it being incredibly useful while traveling. One of my favorite features so far is the ability to get real-time translations and text summaries.I frequently rely on the Google Translate app's camera-based features while traveling, but it's not always practical to pull out my phone. Being able to look at a street sign or bit of text and say Hey Meta, look and tell me what this says" is actually really useful. That said, the wide-angle lens on the glasses' camera means you have to be fairly close to the text for Meta AI to be able to see it clearly and translate it. And for longer chunks of text, it tends to provide a summary rather than an exact translation so you'll probably still need your phone to decipher things like restaurant menus.Similarly, landmark identification might be a useful feature for travelers, kind of like having an audio guide with you at all times. But the early access version of multimodal search doesn't yet support those features, so I haven't been able to try it myself.Karissa Bell for EngadgetBack at home though, I haven't found many practical uses for multimodal search just yet. It can identify some types of plants, as well as a bunch of other random objects. Right now, this feels like a bit of a gimmick, though if I ever run across an exotic and unidentifiable fruit I know where to turn.I've asked it to write goofy social media captions and have mostly been underwhelmed. Its suggestion for a funny Instagram caption for a photo of my cat (who happened to be laying near an air purifier) was: Purifying the air and napping like a pro. #airpurifier #catsofinstagram." I've tried asking it to help me pick out clothes, like Mark Zuckerberg did in a recent Instagram post, and was also unimpressed. It may work well for a guy who famously wore the exact same shirt every day for years, but I wouldn't count on it for any major fashion inspiration.Karissa Bell for EngadgetOne interesting potential use case I discovered was for recipe ideas. I pulled out some chicken thighs, chicken broth, sweet potatoes, rice noodles, garbanzo beans and tomato sauce and asked Meta AI what I should cook with my ingredients. It suggested a hearty chicken stew" or a healthy chicken stir fry," which seemed like reasonable enough suggestions.As is often the case with AI tools, I had a bit more luck with specific questions. When I showed it chicken and chicken stock and asked it what else I needed to make chicken pot pie, it correctly named two key missing ingredients (though not an exhaustive list of everything I would need). Meta AI was also able to walk me through a very basic recipe for completing the dish.Is this the most practical way to find recipes and get cooking tips? Not at all, especially if youre using the sunglasses rather than the Ray-Ban frames with clear lenses. But as someone who frequently cooks with online recipes and gets frustrated with trying to unlock my phone in the middle of a crucial step, it did make me imagine a scenario where I could get seamless audio cues about what I was doing without turning my attention away from the stove. To be clear, Meta AI isn't able to do anything like that, but it does feel like that's the direction multimodal is going in, albeit slowly.At the same time, Meta AI struggles with real-time information in bizarre, and sometimes worrying, ways. It often gets simple questions completely wrong, and sometimes cites news articles that don't support the answer it's providing..I asked Meta AI more than a dozen times over the course of several days who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives." It didn't answer correctly once. It often insisted that Nancy Pelosi was speaker (this has been false since November 17, 2022.) Sometimes, it stated Kevin McCarthy held the role (also false as of October 3, 2023.) One time, I asked how long Mike Johnson had been speaker and it got that spectacularly wrong too (Johnson has been speaker since October 25, 2023).The company has said its real-time information gathering is powered in part" by Bing, but a question like who is the speaker of the house" is easily answered by the search engine. I asked Meta's comms team to weigh in on what might be going on and I never got a response. But sometime after I reached out, I noticed Meta AI began responding to the question slightly differently (though still inaccurately):Me: Hey Meta, who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives?

Apple's app platform is finally opening up a bit. Today, the company said that it will allow developers to utilize new in-app experiences, including streaming games, accessing mini-apps, and talking with chatbots. That means devs can create a single app that houses an easily accessible catalog of their streaming titles. Perhaps we'll finally see a usable Game Pass app from Microsoft (or even its long-awaited mobile game store).The new in-app experiences, which also includes things like mini-games and plug-ins, will also get new discovery opportunities. Apple isn't being clear about what that means, but it could involve new sections of the App Store pointing to specific features. It wouldn't be too surprising to see a collection of apps feature chatbots, for example. Apple also says the new built-in experiences will be able to use its in-app purchase system for the first time (like easily buying a subscription to a specific mini-game or chatbot).The changes follow Apple's recent moves towards opening its ecosystem (mostly in response to pressure from the EU). The company is now letting developers link to third-party payment solutions through apps (of course, it still wants a cut), and it will reportedly charge developers who offer side-loaded apps outside of the App Store."The changes Apple is announcing reflect feedback from Apple's developer community and is consistent with the App Store's mission to provide a trusted place for users to find apps they love and developers everywhere with new capabilities to grow their businesses," the company said in a blog post. "Apps that host this content are responsible for ensuring all the software included in their app meets Apple's high standards for user experience and safety."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-lets-apps-feature-streaming-games-chatbots-and-other-built-in-experiences-180016453.html?src=rss

Budget electronics retailer Newegg just opened up a program to sell refurbished gadgets. The appropriately-named Newegg Refreshed promises to offer top pre-owned products at competitive prices."The service is already live and is available in multiple product categories, from Apple products like iPhones and MacBooks to GPUs and even robot vacuums. The program also includes laptops, gaming desktops, monitors and all kinds of smartphones and tablets. Newegg has teamed up with industry-leading refurbishing partners" like CTS Warehouse and Back in the Box to provide the stock.The company says that each item is professionally inspected, tested and cleaned before being put back on the digital store shelf. Newegg also offers a guarantee on all refurbished products, giving customers 90 days to return the product.Newegg's pre-existing graphics card trade-in program has also been folded into this service. For the uninitiated, the company offers credit toward new GPUs by trading in old ones, and provides customers with a 14-day window to mail in the new chip. This gives people time to test out the new GPU before mailing in the old one. These traded-in graphics cards will then be moved to Newegg Refreshed to be resold.To celebrate the launch of the program, Newegg's offering customers 15 percent off (up to $150) on refurbished Apple products, though you have to use the buy now, pay later" service Zip and use the promo code rezip." This offer ends on February 28.Newegg touts the environmental benefits of choosing refurbished products, as it reduces waste. With that in mind, this program is a part of a larger industry push toward sustainability. This push includes the sale of refurbished items, but also involves the right to repair movement.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/newegg-just-started-selling-refurbished-electronics-175250892.html?src=rss

Another former PlayStation 5 exclusive is coming to PC very soon. It's been known for a while that Horizon Forbidden Westwould be Sony's next title to make the leap, and now the company has revealed that the PC version of the game will drop on March 21.This is the game's Complete Edition, which includes last year's Burning Shores expansion (which is next up on my list of things to play). It also has a bunch of additional features for PC, including ultra-widescreen support, unlocked frame rates, DirectStorage and NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR and Intel XeSS upscaling technologies.Custom graphics options are at your disposal and you can set up mouse and keyboard controls however you wish. Players can expect support for a wide array of controllers, though if you have PlayStation's DualSense at hand, you can take advantage of its adaptive triggers and haptic feedback functions.Sony has brought several of its high-profile games to PC over the last few years as it chases more opportunities for extra revenue. Horizon Zero Dawn, Days Gone, God of War, Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Miles Morales and The Last of Us Part 1 are among the titles that have landed on PC.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/horizon-forbidden-west-is-coming-to-pc-on-march-21-173643297.html?src=rss

It's happened to pretty much all of us. Unless you're very organized or hyper attentive to your phone's battery life, your device will have died at least at one point while you're away from home or the office. Rather than scrambling to borrow a charging cable or get a top-up from someone else's device, you can nip this problem in the bud by making sure you have a battery pack on hand. Anker is currently running a sale on its battery packs and chargers. One of its products, the Anker 334 MagGo MagSafe battery pack, has dropped to a record low of $31.49 in this sale. It typically costs $45.This pack attaches magnetically to compatible iPhones (iPhone 12 and later). It has a capacity of 10,000mAh, which Anker says is enough to increase video playback time on iPhone 14 by up to 22 hours. It can charge the iPhone 15 Pro 1.7 times over, the company claims. You'll also be able to charge the battery pack via a USB cable and top up your phone's battery at the same time.Elsewhere, some of our favorite power banks are included in the sale, though you'll need to make sure to clip a 20 percent off coupon on Amazon to get the best price. The Anker Prime 20,000mAh 200W power bank is available for a record low of $104.This is our pick for the best premium power bank. It has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port capable of delivering a total charging output of 200W. That means you can charge two laptops at 100W each simultaneously. That 100W charging goes the other way too, so you can fully recharge the power bank in 75 minutes.The Anker Prime is a fairly compact power bank despite its large capacity. It also bears a digital display that provides details on remaining battery capacity, power input and power output.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/anker-battery-packs-and-chargers-are-up-to-30-percent-off-165838626.html?src=rss

Porsche just officially revealed the new all-electric Macan SUV, after giving us a little tease last year. Along with the reveal, the company dropped specs, pricing information and an approximate release date.This looks to be a direct rival to vehicles like Jaguar's I-Pace and the Polestar 4. To that end, this is a well-equipped vehicle. First and foremost, the battery is on point, allowing for 381 miles before running out of power. That's Miami to Jacksonville on a single charge, with some juice to spare. It'll be available in two variants: the 397hp Macan 4 and 621hp Macan Turbo. The company promised 600 horsepower and it looks to have delivered, with the Turbo at least. It's worth noting that the range here dwarfs the popular Porsche Taycan EV, though that model's made for speed and not distance.PorscheOn the interior, the EV Macan features three digital displays as part of a robust infotainment system. There's a standard 12.6-inch curved instrument cluster and an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen. The vehicle also offers another 11-inch touchscreen for passengers, to allow them to stream content and adjust controls. The whole platform's powered by Porsche's proprietary voice assistant, which is built on top of the Android Automotive operating system. There's even a dedicated app store, appropriately named the Porsche App Center.You'll also notice a streamlined exterior that looks exceptionally sleek when compared to earlier iterations of the Macan. The rear even boasts a retractable spoiler that automatically adjusts positioning to increase downforce. The front motor was developed by Bosch, but the rear motor was made in-house at Porsche's manufacturing center in Zuffenhausen, Germany.PorscheThere's also a new electronically-controlled traction management system, which Porsche says is up to five times faster than the four-wheel drive system of the existing gas-powered Macan. The vehicle also includes Porsche's Torque Vectoring Plus system, for enhanced steering behavior.The Porsche Macan EV, which is no longer called the E-Macan, will be sold alongside the gas-powered version until next year, at which point the company will sunset the OG model. This is part of the company's promise to transition 80 percent of global sales to electric vehicles by 2030.Porsche should release the car by the end of the year, though it was originally supposed to show up in 2023, so we shall see. The EV Macan SUV will cost $88,600 for the standard model and a whopping $120,000 for the Turbo, according to Autocar.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/porsches-all-electric-macan-suv-boasts-a-381-mile-range-and-up-to-621hp-163940921.html?src=rss

In 2021, Meta restricted adults on Instagram from being able to message under-18 users who don't follow them. Now, it's expanding that rule to help protect younger teens from potentially unwanted contact. Users under 16 - or 18, depending on their country - can no longer receive DMs from anybody they don't follow by default, even if they're sent by fellow teens.This new safety measure applies to both Instagram and Messenger. For Messenger, in particular, young users will only be able to receive messages from their Facebook friends or people in their phone contacts. Since this setting is enabled by default, teens who have accounts under parental supervision will need to get any changes to it approved by their guardian. Of course, the setting will have to depend on a user's declared age and Meta's technology designed to predict people's ages, so it's not 100 percent foolproof."We want teens to have safe, age-appropriate experiences on our apps," Meta said in its announcement. Earlier this month, Meta announced that it will start hiding content related to self-harm, graphic violence, eating disorders and other harmful topics from teens on Instagram and Facebook. If a user is under 16, they won't see posts with those topics in their Feeds and Stories even if they're shared by accounts they follow. It also recently rolled out a mindfulness feature that will send "nighttime nudges" to teens under 18 to close the app and go to bed if they've been scrolling for more than 10 minutes.Meta made these changes after being hit by lawsuits and complaints related to how it protects its younger userbase. An unsealed lawsuit filed against the company by 33 states accuses it of actively targeting children under 13 to use its apps and websites and of continuing to harvest their data even after it's already aware of their ages. A Wall Street Journal report also accused Instagram of serving "risque footage of children as well as overtly sexual adult videos" to accounts that follow teenage influencers. In December 2023, the state of New Mexico sued Meta, claiming that Facebook and Instagram algorithms recommended sexual content to minors. And just this month, The Wall Street Journal reported on unredacted internal Meta presentations related to that case. Apparently, 100,000 child users were harassed daily on Facebook and Instagram based on employees' estimates, underlining the need for stricter measures on its platforms.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/facebook-and-instagram-will-block-dms-to-teens-unless-theyre-from-a-friend-130552718.html?src=rss

The Mac turned 40, putting Apple's longest-running product squarely in middle age. But like someone who sees the back half of their life approaching and gets in marathon-runner shape, the Mac is in the strongest place it's been for decades. While (its own) smartphones have chipped and undercut PC revenues for Apple, it follows years of growth and a major milestone for personal computers: the introduction of Apple Silicon.But before all that, let us take you on a journey through Macintosh, Macs, MacBooks and more, with Nathan Ingraham... who has also turned 40. (A few years ago.)- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedThe new GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker is $300 off right nowTesla is reportedly building a compact crossover Google's latest Pixel phone update adds new AI tools and a working thermometerAudio-Technica ATH-TWX7 review: Good earbuds with frustrating flawsYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Wired headphones are about to have a mini revivalNew models make any phone Apple Music Hi-Res Lossless ready.It's been over seven years since Apple found the courage to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone, forcing wireless headphones into the limelight. Now, listening to hi-res lossless music on a phone usually means a hunt for a rare handset with a 3.5mm jack.However, a new breed of wired headphone has emerged, and it promises audiophile quality on any phone, with no need for a dongle. Of course, there's a marketing term to go with it: True Lossless Earphones (TLE). James Trew explains.Continue reading.Esports are messy in 2024And our new gaming video series.EngadgetWith the news that Blizzard and ESL FACEIT are preparing to launch a new esports circuit for Overwatch 2, mere months after the death of the Overwatch League, it's a good time to take stock of the entire esports' scene - and introduce our weekly video series, with Jessica Conditt.Continue reading.The Pokemon Company is investigating Pokemon with guns' satire PalworldIt will address products that infringe on its IP.EngadgetThe Pokemon Company knows about Palworld and is very much aware the game is drawing a lot of comparisons with its intellectual property. Palworld, released on January 18, is an open-world game featuring monsters resembling Pokemon, except they can use guns. It also has a darker tone, allowing players to sell their pals" to slavery, kill them and eat them as well as being able to battle them to the death.While the company didn't explicitly name Palworld, it said it will investigate a game released in January 2024" and will take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to Pokemon."Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-mac-turns-40-121528390.html?src=rss

Elon Musk has confirmed that a "next-generation low-cost" Tesla EV is in the works and is "optimistic" that it'll arrive in the second half of 2025, he said in an earnings call yesterday. He also promised "a revolutionary manufacturing system" for the vehicle that's far more advanced than any others in the world by a "significant margin."An article yesterday from Reutersindicated that the new vehicle would be a small crossover codenamed "Redwood." Tesla reportedly sent requests to suppliers for quotes, predicting a weekly production volume of 10,000 vehicles. Musk previously stated that the automaker is working on two new EV models that could sell up to 5 million per year, combined."Our current schedule shows that we will start production towards the end of 2025, sometime in the second half," he said on the call. The vehicle will be built in Tesla's Austin, Texas Gigafactory to start with and other locations around the world later. Musk hinted that there would be a strong push to ramp up assembly: "We'll be sleeping on the line practically," he said.

While many organizations are pushing for their employees to return to offices, Microsoft suggests trying a new type of "hybrid" working. The company has announced the launch of Microsoft Mesh, a feature that lets employees' avatars meet in the same place, even if the actual people are spread out. The virtual connection platform is powered through Microsoft Teams.Microsoft has tested out Mesh on companies like consulting firm Accenture and pharmaceutical-focused Takeda. "The world of work continues to evolve at a rapid pace, but the importance of human connection has never gone away. Lunchtime conversations, hallway catch-ups, coffee chats - they often hold the key to both workplace success and employee happiness," Takeda's chief technology officer Leo Barella explained in a statement. He claims their meetings have been "more collaborative and immersive."Mesh provides a series of pre-made spaces that companies can customize with everything from informational videos to logos - without needing to enter any code. The Mesh toolkit works through Unity, Microsoft's 2D and 3D development platform, to tailor the virtual world further. Basically, if there's a retreat an employer has always wanted to take everyone, they can create a version of it and invite everyone's avatars.Currently, Microsoft's Mesh is only available on desktop PCs and Meta Quest VR devices (if employees want a more immersive experience). Microsoft is offering a six-month free trial to anyone with a business or enterprise plan. Otherwise, prices range from $4 per user monthly for Microsoft Teams Essentials all the way up to $57 per user monthly for Microsoft 365 E5.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-launches-mesh-a-virtual-meeting-platform-on-teams-095018763.html?src=rss

AlphaTheta has come out of the gate swinging with its release of the Omnis-Duo all-in-one DJ controller and Wave-Eight speaker today. These two products are the first under the company's new moniker since changing it from Pioneer DJ, although both brand names are expected to coexist for now. The launch coincides with the NAMM event this week and it's also the 30th anniversary of the landmark Pioneer CDJ-500.Both the controller and speaker are brimming with connectivity and battery power, making them an appealing option for mobile DJs. Rekordbox is a necessity right now, either for direct play or file prep and the app comes bundled with the Omnis-Duo controller. Serato DJ Lite support is expected later this summer and the software should already be bundled with the product. The Wave-Eight is more flexible and can work just as well with any audio source that has an RCA output.Omnis-DuoThe Omnis-Duo ($1,499) is built to be portable, but also packs in some high-end tech. It's a 10-pound device with fairly reserved and minimal styling that the company says you can fit in a good-sized" backpack given its 20 x 12 x 3-inch in size. There's a two-channel mixer flanked by two jog wheels and eight performance pads under each, although those only work for hot cues and have white LED lighting only. On top you'll find a touchscreen display with an XDJ-style workflow and both light and dark modes. The display is flat and not angled up for easier viewing.Omnis-Duo all-in-one DJ controllerAlphaThetaYou get essential controls for volume, EQ, playback, pitch and dedicated ones for beat jump and beat loop. There are also ones to select eight types of beat FX and six types of sound color FX from, but expect some touchscreen coordination to select which channel to apply to.On the front edge you'll find both 1/4-inch and 3.5mm stereo headphone jacks. The rear panel displays a wide selection of inputs for USB-A, SD cards and USB-C laptop input next to a USB-C charging port that lets you use either a power bank to top up the battery or an AC adapter. When fully charged we're told you can expect around five hours of runtime and the system has an eco mode if things are looking grim.As for wireless connections, there's a novel Bluetooth input option. People can find the Omnis-Duo in their mobile device settings and connect. If they have files on the phone, the DJ should actually be able to select, load and play files in their set with effects and all. It's not entirely clear yet, but the other option is likely just normal playback through the controller from a connected Bluetooth device. This is for one user at a time since multipoint is not supported. There's also a wireless output option for connecting to the Wave-Eight speaker using its SonicLink Bluetooth transmitter which connects to the RCA outputs.And for Wi-Fi connectivity, you can take advantage of CloudDirectPlay to access cloud file storage through a wirelessly connected computer or mobile device running Rekordbox. Additionally, you can use Rekordbox Link Export to directly select and play tracks from a connected device running the app.Wave-EightThe Wave-Eight speaker isn't quite part of a bundled release, it's just a great pairing with the Omnis-Duo, given its portability, battery power and wireless capability. This speaker has an 8-inch driver and what the company calls a Vortex Bass Accelerator" for its output. The 28-pound build includes an extendable handle and casters for luggage-style rolling, plus a couple of convenient grab handles for local lugging.Wave-Eight wireless loudspeakerAlphaThetaYou can mount it on a stand with its pole socket, so it's a proper PA speaker, and it's IPX4 rated, so it's good for the outdoors unless rain really starts coming down. There's an onboard battery that should give you about eight hours of playtime on a charge and it takes about four hours or more of charging to get back to one hundred percent. Obviously you can use it as a powered-speaker all night long if there's an outlet nearby.What makes this speaker interesting is the removable AlphaTheta transmitter with SonicLink technology. Each speaker comes with a transmitter packed into a side panel. They have an RCA input and a USB-C cable. With one speaker, you take the transmitter out and connect it to an RCA output from your audio setup. Then return to the speaker and set it to connect wirelessly via SonicLink. Once connected that way, it should display a green light on the front panel, so you can confirm the status at a distance.If you have a second speaker, you take that one's transmitter and pop it into the first speaker via the USB-C port. That will transmit the audio to the second unit where you set that one to connect via SonicLink (and so on). The speakers support left and right for stereo delivery as well via a channel selector button on the back.To make things more interesting, each speaker has a variety of audio output settings which include Music, Music (Low Cut), Flat, Flat (Low Cut), Vocal and Subwoofer modes. This means each Wave-Eight speaker can be set as a top or sub. You can set one speaker to a low-cut setting and use another one as its subwoofer accompaniment if you like.The SonicLink is said to provide a latency-free listening experience, so there shouldn't be any delay and you can beat match by ear from the output. Of course you can also send audio to a single Wave-Eight via a normal Bluetooth signal and expand to more speakers as you would before. This time, however, you're subject to the normal Bluetooth signal's whims in terms of potential audio delays.Alternatively, we're told there's also an XLR wired input for the speakers, so you're not stuck with wireless connections exclusively. We're also still curious about the Bluetooth range for these devices, but expect that it falls within the normal range of about 30 feet.AlphaTheta has chosen an interesting combo of high-end features, wireless connectivity and battery-powered portability for its premier offering. While they may not be cheap, there's quite a lot built into both products to balance out the equation.The Omnis-Duo all-in-one DJ controller ($1,499) and the Wave-Eight speaker ($899) are both available starting today.

The Pokemon Company knows about Palworld and is very much aware that the game is drawing a lot of comparisons with its intellectual property, based on a statement it has published. While the company didn't explicitly name Palworld, it said it's going to investigate a game "released in January 2024" and will "take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to Pokemon." It also clearly stated that it has "not granted any permission for the use of Pokemon intellectual property or assets in that game."Palworld, released on January 18, is an open-world game featuring monsters that look like Pokemon, except they can use guns. It also has a darker theme, allowing players to sell their "pals" to slavery, kill them and eat them aside from being able to battle them to the death. It has gotten a lot of attention since it was released, and according to its developer Pocket Pair, it sold 7 million copies on Steam alone in just five days.As IGN notes, Pocket Pair previously said that its game is more like Ark Survival Evolved and Vanaheim than Pokemon. In an interview with Automaton, the company's CEO Takuro Mizobe said Palworld "cleared legal reviews" and that there had been "no action taken against it by other companies." The Pokemon Company's statement insinuates that that could change if it determines that the developer has infringed on its copyright, though we'll have to wait for the results of its investigation to know for sure.The full statement reads:"We have received many inquiries regarding another company's game released in January 2024. We have not granted any permission for the use of Pokemon intellectual property or assets in that game. We intend to investigate and take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to the Pokemon. We will continue to cherish and nurture each and every Pokemon and its world, and work to bring the world together through Pokemon in the future."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-pokemon-company-is-investigating-pokemon-with-guns-satire-palworld-083627388.html?src=rss

HP Enterprise was infiltrated by a hacking group linked to Russian intelligence last year, the business IT company has revealed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The threat actor is believed to be Midnight Blizzard, also known as Cozy Bear, which was the same group that recently breached the email accounts of several senior executives and other employees at Microsoft. It was also the same hacking group behind the SolarWinds attacks that affected multiple government entities, including the US Treasury Department and Homeland Security. In addition, the National Security Agency accused it in 2020 of trying to steal research on COVID-19 vaccines from the US, UK and Canada.In its filing, HPE said it was notified on December 12, 2023 that an attacker had gained access to its cloud-based email environment. It worked with external cybersecurity experts that found that the threat actor was able to access and steal data from "a small percentage" of email accounts owned by employees from various divisions, including those in cybersecurity. HPE didn't say what kind of data was stolen, but it believes the incident is related to an earlier security breach that took place in May 2023, wherein the bad actor was able to get away with "a limited number of SharePoint files." SharePoint is a document management and collaborative platform for Microsoft 365.HPE spokesperson Adam R. Bauer told AP that the company can't say whether this incident is related to Microsoft's data breach. Bauer also said that the "total scope of mailboxes and emails accessed remains under investigation." So far, HPE's investigation has shown that the attack hasn't had material impact on its operations, but it's still looking into the incident and working with law enforcement.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/hp-enterprise-was-hacked-by-the-same-russian-state-sponsored-group-that-targeted-microsoft-060743999.html?src=rss

Google's rolling out its first update of 2024 for Pixel phones and it brings new health features and AI tools. Perhaps the most interesting new doodad is an actual working thermometer, which is only available for the recently-released Pixel 8 Pro. We knew this feature would come at some point, as the phone includes a temperature sensor and, well, a thermometer's the most likely use case.All you have to do is scan your forehead to see if your headache is just from staring at a screen too long if you have an actual fever. You can beam these results to your Fitbit profile and integrate them with other health metrics.The company's also giving that Tensor G3 chip a workout with the addition of a new AI-powered circle to search tool. It works exactly as advertised. You draw a circle over something on your phone's screen, and the AI will search for the image, text or whatever else you highlighted. This will likely come in very handy in future episodes of spy and detective shows.That's just the first AI-adjacent feature included with the new update. There's something called Photomoji that works exactly as you assume. It turns your favorite photos into emojis or reactions. Magic Compose is like the Magic Editor tool, but for text. Google says the tool crafts stylized, suggested responses with the context of your messages."Finally, there's the recently-teased Quick Share icon that shows you a list of devices nearby you can share content with. Google's actually working to also get this feature included with Windows PCs.GoogleTo accompany this new update, Google's releasing a mint green colorway for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. They look really cute and I sort of want to eat them. The new feature drop starts rolling out today.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-latest-pixel-phone-update-adds-new-ai-tools-and-a-working-thermometer-140006522.html?src=rss

Like many major tech companies, Amazon is looking to cut costs. Its Twitch division recently laid off 35 percent of its head count (just over 500 employees) and now it's reducing how much streamers make from each Twitch Prime subscription.Every Amazon Prime member can toss a Prime subscription in the direction of their favorite Twitch streamer at no extra cost. Since that program debuted in 2016, streamers have received the same amount from Twitch Prime subs as they do from a base paid subscription. That's changing, though.Starting on June 3, Twitch is moving to a fixed-rate model that bases Prime payouts based on the location of a Prime subscriber (and how much they pay for Amazon Prime)."We believe this is the right structure for the program going forward and are making this change to ensure that the monthly Twitch subscription available to Prime members is a long-term, sustainable benefit for the Twitch community," CEO Dan Clancy wrote in a blog post.Clancy says that for most countries, the payout rate is dropping by less than five percent, but there are steeper drops elsewhere. For instance, a Prime sub from a viewer in the US will soon be worth $2.25 to a streamer, down from $2.50. That's a drop of 10 percent. A Prime sub from someone in the UK will soon be worth $1.80, while one from a viewer based in Turkey will pay a streamer just nine cents.As Clancy points out, Prime subscriptions are just one of the ways that streamers can earn money on the platform, alongside tips and regular paid subscriptions. He also announced some changes to the Partner Plus program, which is designed to give smaller creators a bigger slice of the pie.Twitch is making it much easier for creators to benefit from improved revenue sharing. Until now, they've had to maintain at least 350 paid subscriptions for at least three months. That would qualify them for a 70 percent cut of subs for the next 12 months, up from 50 percent.Starting on May 1, the platform is changing Partner Plus to a two-tier Plus Program that's based on a points system. A base $5 subscription is worth one point, a $10 Tier 2 sub is worth two points and a $25 Tier 3 sub three points. Gift and Prime subs don't count toward points, but qualifying streamers will get a better cut of revenue from gifted subscriptions.When a streamer earns at least 100 Plus points for three consecutive months (points reset on the first of each month), they'll receive a 60 percent split of subscription revenue from the next 12 months. If they maintain 350 Plus points, that revenue share jumps up to 70 percent in their favor. Clancy says these changes will enable three times as many streamers to qualify for improved revenue sharing. It should result in a solid increase in earnings for many of them, while giving those who hover around 300-350 points a bit more of a cushion instead of dropping back to a 50 percent revenue shareTwitch announced one more change to its revenue-sharing model. It's getting rid of the $100,000 cap on the 70-30 revenue split for high-earning creators. A change implemented last year saw that split drop to 50 percent after a streamer hit $100,000 in subscription revenue. This won't change anything for the vast majority of creators, but it could help Twitch convince high-profile streamers to stay on its platform instead of jumping to the likes of YouTube or Kick.In the wake of the layoffs, Clancy said Twitch is still unprofitable (streaming live video to millions of people simultaneously isn't cheap!), so something had to give. While the Twitch Prime changes will be hard to swallow for some streamers, the perk wasn't really sustainable as is. Reducing payouts is better for creators than the program going away entirely. Twitch will also be hoping that improved revenue sharing will push creators to convince their viewers to shell out for a paid subscription instead.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twitch-is-cutting-how-much-streamers-earn-from-prime-subscriptions-214053412.html?src=rss

Last year Aviate Audio launched the Developer Edition of its Multiverse pedal - basically a plug-in host in guitar pedal format. Now, just in time for NAMM 2024, the company has announced the Player Edition of the Multiverse. The pedal is, for all intents and purposes, unchanged. Same basic design, same processor under the hood (a 600MHz Cortex M7), it's just cheaper now at $349, and presumably won't have access to some of the developer focused tools.The pedal itself has a small 1.3-inch OLED screen to navigate the UI. There are four programable push encoders, plus two programable foot switches. There's stereo 1/4-inch TRS ins and outs, an 1/8-inch TRS midi input on the side, two expression jacks and a USB-C port. While the Multiverse can be used with a standard AC adapter, it can also be powered over USB-C, which is pretty handy when loading new effects or testing out a patch.To celebrate the launch of the Player Edition Multiverse, Aviate Audio is also announcing version 1.3 of its Multiverse Designer software, which will add support for impulse responses (IR) for speaker emulation. If you shell out the $349 to grab one of these customizable multi-effects pedals, you'll have access to a small, but growing library of effect plugins through the Multiverse shop (21 of them by my count).They cover most of the basic effects you'd need on a pedal board, fuzz, delay, reverb, et cetera. There's even an emulation of a Klon Centaur, that's cheekily marked as being on sale for $0 with an original price of $7,999. Most of the effects currently in the Aviate shop are free, but there are a few that ask you to pay $5 or $10 for them. The set up isn't terribly different from what Mod Devices tried to do with its Duo line. Clearly Aviate Audio feels it can succeed where Mod struggled.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/aviate-audio-multiverse-player-edition-is-a-349-pedal-store-in-a-stomp-box-212133895.html?src=rss

As new European tech regulations are set to take effect in the coming weeks, Apple is preparing for a future where it will be required to allow users to download apps from sources outside of its App Store. The company hasn't shared details about how the process, called sideloading, will work, but it seems it may not allow developers to circumvent the company's fees and app review rules after all.The Wall Street Journal reports that the App Store owner plans to collect fees from developers that offer downloads outside of the App Store" and that it will require some kind of review for downloads that don't go through its storefront. Sideloading would only be offered to iOS users in the European Union in order to comply with the bloc's Digital Markets Act.While the report notes Apple's plan hasn't been finalized, the strategy would be in line with another significant change the company just made to its US App Store policies. Last week, the company officially changed its rules for US developers to enable in-app purchases that bypass the App Store's billing system.However, the new rules, which came after a lengthy court battle with Fortnite developer Epic Games, stipulate that developers must still pay a hefty 27 percent commission on purchases made outside of the App Store (some smaller developers will only be charged 12 percent). The new rules also give Apple the right to audit developers' records to ensure compliance. That's already led to much criticism from Epic, Spotify and other developers who have long been critical of the App Store's restrictive rules and fees.If Apple were to charge developers for sideloading, that could lead to similar criticism from app makers. The Digital Markets Act is set to go into effect March 7, and even though Apple has yet to share its plan to comply with the regulation, companies that have previously butted heads with Cupertino over its rules are already preparing. Spotify, a longtime opponent of the App Store's commission, just previewed what the European version of its app will look like once users can pay for subscriptions and audiobooks inside of its app.The Wall Street Journal also reports that Meta, another vocal Apple critic, is working on its own project that would allow it to distribute developers' apps via Facebook ads. The effort, reportedly called Project Neon" internally, could allow the Facebook owner to compete with the App Store more directly, at least in Europe.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-reportedly-plans-to-charge-developers-if-they-offer-sideloaded-apps-202345977.html?src=rss

It looks like Ring is reversing course on its police-friendly stance regarding data sharing, according to reporting from Bloomberg. Amazon told the publication that Ring's home doorbell unit would stop acquiescing to warrantless police requests for footage from users' video doorbells and surveillance cameras. This practice has long been derided by privacy advocacy groups, like the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Senator Ed Markey even launched a probe into the policy back in 2022.Additionally, Ring will disable its Request For Assistance tool next week, which is a program that allows law enforcement to ask users for footage on a voluntary basis, according to an official blog post. From now on, police and fire departments will have to seek a warrant to request footage from users, though Amazon could provide footage without a warrant if the agency can prove its essential for an ongoing emergency.As a matter of fact, the entire Neighbors app, which is where the Request For Assistance feature lives, is undergoing an overhaul to shift its focus from crime and safety to more of a community hub, according to Ring spokesperson Yassi Yarger. To that end, the Neighbors app is getting a new highlight reel feature for users to peruse the most popular video captures of the week. Ring hasn't given a reason given for this sudden shift in priorities. Crime is down nationwide, sure, but it's not like we live in a Star Trek utopia. The company has been diversifying its portfolio lately, adding new products to the lineup, which could be one reason.Ring has been cozying up with law enforcement since inception, as the company always stated its primary reason to exist was to improve public safety. Our mission to reduce crime in neighborhoods has been at the core of everything we do at Ring," founding chief Jamie Siminoff said when Amazon bought the company for $839 million back in 2018.Of course, we don't exactly know if Amazon and Ring will stick by this decision, or if they'll start quietly allowing law enforcement to nab videos six or eight months down the line. However, this is becoming something of a trend in the tech industry. Google just changed its location history feature on Maps to stop police from nabbing data on everyone in the vicinity of a crime. Law enforcement had been relying on the feature for years.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ring-is-reportedly-walking-back-its-police-friendly-stance-on-data-sharing-191514423.html?src=rss

It's been over seven years since Apple found the courage" to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone, in turn forcing wireless headphones into the limelight. To this day, listening to hi-res lossless music on a phone usually means a hunt for a rare handset with a 3.5mm jack or accepting your new dongle life. As if from nowhere, a new breed of wired headphone has emerged, and it promises audiophile quality on any phone with no need for a dongle. Of course there's a marketing term to go with it: True Lossless Earphones (TLE).You might not have heard of Questyle, but the company has been making hobbyist HiFi gear for years. Last November, the company tried something different with its NHB12 Lightning headphones. The IEM-style buds incorporate a digital audio converter (DAC) capable of handling Apple Music's top-tier Hi-Res Lossless files (192kHz/24-bit). Ahead of CES this month, the company released a USB-C version - the $350 NHB15 - bringing its all-in-one hi-res digital headphone to almost every other phone, tablet or PC.Two days after Questyle announced the NHB15, rival company Hidizs claimed that its own DAC-packing ST2 Promodel was the world's first hi-res digital IEM. It's not quite a trend yet, but expect a mini wave of similar products to follow and I'm not sure it matters who was first. What's more interesting is that, with iPhones switching to USB-C and plug-and-play hi-res options on the table, all the ingredients are there for mini wired headphone revival - although I don't think it would last and we'll get to why later.Photo by James Trew for EngadgetIt's worth noting that all these USB-C headphones have some sort of DAC in them, but rarely are they hi-res capable. Hi-res" audio is a broad term, but here we're following Apple's own language, which is anything above 48kHz. In recent years, some HiFi companies have released USB-C cables with DACs in them that support higher resolutions. Queststyle and Hidizs are just taking it to the next logical conclusion by bundling everything together - which is what makes them more interesting to the casual (but audio curious) listener.I've tried a fair few standalone DACs over my years here at Engadget and I appreciate the superior audio quality they provide, but I never found one I'd use while out and about. There are some that come close, like the fantastic DragonFly Cobalt by AudioQuest or the sleek Onyx by THX but they all require something between your phone and your headphones - by which time I'll just reach for my best wireless set and be done. The NHB15 though, I could see myself using these on the regular.The experience is no more complicated than connecting a regular 3.5mm set. The DAC isn't invisible; at first you might think it was in-line, yoke-style media controls. In fact, if this had buttons on it that would both complete the illusion and add handy functionality, but for now it's purely there to turn your music from zeros and ones into audible sound. LEDs let you know if you're slumming it with lossy music (one illuminated) or living the true lossless life (two illuminated). It's a minimal but effective approach.AppleLet's ignore that the cheapest 3.5mm buds you can buy on Amazon are theoretically also truly lossless earphones, but TLE isn't an entirely useless term. If it can become the equivalent of UHD" but for USB-C headphones, with a minimum confirmed level of hi-res audio support - anything above Apple's standard lossless (48kHz) perhaps, that's useful enough.Importantly, Questyle's NHB15 does a good job with music. Listening via Qobuz, I wasn't getting two-LEDs all the time, thanks to the variety of lossless" configurations on the platform, but it was a fun game listening to the sound first and then turning over the DAC to reveal how many lights were on and if I guessed correctly. Mostly I didn't, but perhaps that's a testament to how clear these sound. The NHB15 is fairly neutral and less bass heavy than a typical pair of Beats, paired with the right amount of brightness on the higher frequencies.For something with its own DAC/amplifier, the max volume isn't as loud as I'd expect, but it's plenty. Even when listening to Spotify, which offers no lossless music at all right now, these IEMs imbue a sense of space you're unlikely to find with Bluetooth buds.What's harder to determine is whether these are OK IEMs with a nice DAC, an OK DAC with decent drivers attached or something in between. Handily, Questyle includes a regular 3.5mm cable in the box so you can use the NHB15s with all your devices or make the direct comparison yourself. At least for my ears, the Spotify tracks all sounded just as good over the trusty 3.5mm connection connected to my PC. And as far as I can tell, you can use the NHB15's DAC cable with any IEMs you might already own as long as they have the 2-pin style connector so it's a flexible idea if nothing else.Photo by James Trew for EngadgetIt's worth mentioning that there are several competing efforts to bring wireless headphones up to par with lossless cabled options. Qualcomm's family of codecs is the best known, with the latest AptX Lossless having the technical power to do a pretty good job even if there aren't a lot of phones or earbuds (and you need both) that support it.Then there's the first wave of MEMS-based headphones, the newish kid on the block. These solid state" drivers aren't designed specifically for wireless headphones but California-based xMEMS is selling its technology on the promise it delivers a HiFi experience regardless of boring things like codecs. The first products to market show some promise, but we'll likely have to wait until next year until we see MEMS-based headphones reach their full potential.The question remains, then, who might want these? The average person paying for a regular music service doesn't need a hi-res DAC. The average audiophile might be interested, but then it's competing with dedicated mobile DACs and BYO headphones and for this crowd, convenience isn't as much of a selling point. The only conclusion is that they are meant for me, the lazy audiophile. I don't mind cables if the trade off is better, louder sound, and that's what these do.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wired-headphones-apple-hi-res-lossless-184534388.html?src=rss

Apple's Stolen Device Protection is a new feature that protects iPhone data and makes it harder for thieves to wreak havoc. Introduced in iOS 17.3, the feature requires a combination of Face ID (or Touch ID) scans and time delays before using payment features or changing account security when the device is away from familiar locations. Here's precisely how Stolen Device Protection works.What is Stolen Device Protection for iPhoneStolen Device Protection takes a bad situation -someone stealing your iPhone -and reduces the chance of it spiraling into something much worse. When activated, the feature will prompt you to perform a biometric scan (Face ID or Touch ID) when you're away from familiar locations, like home or work. In those situations, it won't allow you (or an iPhone snatcher) to use your passcode as a backup method. It also incorporates time delays for some security-related features.The tool may have been inspired by a Wall Street Journal report from early 2023 about an increasingly common practice of thieves spying on users while entering their passcode - right before snatching the phone and taking off.If the perp has both the phone and its passcode (without Stolen Device Protection activated), they could reset the Apple ID password, turn off Find My, possibly steal payment info or passwords and factory reset the iPhone. If they're experts, they could theoretically do all that within minutes (if not seconds) before you can log onto Find My and report your device as lost.With Stolen Device Protection turned on, a thief in the same situation would be largely stymied. Requiring Face ID or Touch ID and time delays would prevent them from accessing your passwords and payment information, changing security features (to lock you out and further hijack your device) and factory resetting it. This gives you precious time to find another device, report your phone as lost in Find My, change your password and file a police report.How does it work?Stolen Device Protection requires a biometric (Face ID / Touch ID) scan - without the passcode as a backup option -for the following situations when your phone is away from your familiar locations:

The recently-released GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker is $300 off right now via Amazon, bringing the price down to $700. That's a discount of 30 percent for the indoor smoker that managed to snag $800,000 in crowdfunding before being released to the masses at CES 2024.As a matter of fact, the kitchen gadget ruled the roost at this year's CES. It made our list of the best devices unveiled at the event and was a regular topic of conversation. A kitchen gadget has to be pretty special to garner buzz when competing with the latest laptops, smart TVs and bunny-shaped anthropomorphic AI assistants. In other words, GE's Profile Smart Indoor Smoker delivers.We praised the appliance for offering home cooks a legitimate way to smoke meats indoors, which is something that was previously out of reach for apartment dwellers and the like. The GE device ditches an open flame for electric heating elements to bring low-and-slow smoking indoors.We also liked the built-in filtration system that prevents odorous smoke from wafting throughout the entire home. As for techy components, this smoker connects to Wi-Fi for remote cooking and monitoring, a feature we admired in our official hands-on with the unit. We got our hands on some brisket prepared by the unit and it sure was delicious. The primary downside to this device is the price. Spending $1,000 on a smoker is likely to empty bank accounts and speed along divorce proceedings. This discount to $700 makes it a more reasonable purchase option. We'll have an official review of the smoker published soon.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-new-ge-profile-smart-indoor-smoker-is-300-off-right-now-173049256.html?src=rss

With the news that Blizzard and ESL FACEIT are preparing to launch a new esports circuit for Overwatch 2, mere months after the death of the Overwatch League, it's a good time to take stock of the entire esports scene. Things are looking slightly frantic, at least in North America. League of Legends and Rocket League are particularly messy, entering their 2024 seasons with lean budgets and major shakeups. Meanwhile, an expansion of the open-qualifiers model should provide more opportunities for everyday players to compete in Valorant, Overwatch 2, Rocket League and all manner of fighting games. Get those fingers ready, folks.This week's storiesXbox lineup in 2024Xbox held its first showcase of 2024 last week, highlighting a handful of games that have been in development for years. Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is due out later in 2024, and it comes from Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus studio MachineGames. The new footage showcased lots of whipping, quipping and Nazi punching, just like Indy would want.Next, Obsidian's big fantasy RPG, Avowed, will hit PC and Xbox in the fall. Obsidian is the studio that made Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, and Avowed looks like its spin on an Elder Scrolls game.Finally, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II will come out on May 21, nearly five years after it was announced alongside the reveal of the Xbox Series X.Esports are back and smaller than ever2024 is a moment of reckoning for esports, especially in North America. Blizzard killed the Overwatch League last year and it's trying to start a new series with the ESL, viewership of North American League of Legends is on the decline, and Rocket League's RLCS tournament is in a state of upheaval.League of Legends is the king of esports, and in 2023, its World Championship tournament broke viewership records, driven by legendary performances from Korean and Chinese teams - OK, mostly Faker. But no matter how hard I cheer for them, North American League of Legends teams are still kind of a joke on the world stage. Last year, the Korean summer split attracted 1.5 million concurrent viewers, while the LCS summer tournament peaked at 223,000 viewers, and that was down from 370,000 in 2022. The 2024 season kicked off this month with regional tournaments, and the North American LCS looks like a brand new beast. The number of teams competing in the LCS has been cut from 10 to 8, meaning Evil Geniuses and Golden Guardians are gone, and the league is using a faster-paced best-of-one format in the regular season. We'll see how this all pays off at MSI in May.In the Rocket League Championship Series, budgets are tight and teams are scattered. There will be two major tournaments this year instead of three, plus the World Championship, and there are fewer spots reserved for both North America and Europe. Six established casters were dropped from this year's events and it looks like only North America and Europe will have hosted tournaments, in English only. The RLCS prize pool is also smaller this year, down from $6 million to $4.3 million. A handful of teams lost sponsorships heading into 2024 and there was a ton of player shakeup among existing orgs. To top it all off, the game's most famous player, Squishy, announced plans to retire from pro play to focus on streaming. It's just a confusing time in Rocket League esports.One side effect of esports shrinkage is a shift to open qualifiers. Rocket League swapped to open qualifiers this year, meaning basically anyone could compete for a spot in the RLCS, rather than teams buying in for the season. The RLCS prize pool is deeper, even though it's also smaller, and the top 128 teams in North America will receive small payouts.The Valorant esports scene has been steadily solidifying since the game's launch in 2020, with a peak of 1.4 million viewers for the 2023 Valorant Champions Tour. The VCT has always featured open qualifiers, and this year that system is expanding with Premier, an in-game competitive track that acts as another funnel for everyday players to compete on the main stage. (As a side note, the VCT Game Changers series highlights players of marginalized genders and it's really awesome, check it out sometime.)Just this week, Blizzard announced the Overwatch Champions Series, a multi-region esports tournament for Overwatch 2. Unlike the deceased Overwatch League, the Champions Series will have open qualifiers. The new series is produced by ESL FACEIT, which is owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which makes me sad.Meanwhile, the fighting game community has been all over open registration for a while. EVO is the biggest fighting game tournament of the year, and in 2023 it hosted more than 9,000 players competing across eight titles. As a one-on-one genre, fighting games often find themselves on the frontlines of experimentation in esports, and EVO is always a good time.I think open registration is a cool move for esports in general - it allows more people from diverse backgrounds to participate and provides a sustainable entry point for young pros. This is how talent pipelines are built.Now PlayingAfter taking a few months off to play other games, I'm back on Cult of the Lamb. The free Sins of the Flesh update landed last week, and it's big and sexy, adding layers of debauchery and plenty of new content to the game. As Engadget weekend editor Cheyenne MacDonald said in her review, We're having a great time sinning, my followers and I."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/esports-are-messy-in-2024-this-weeks-gaming-news-170043963.html?src=rss

The Mac, formerly the more austere Macintosh, turns 40 today, putting Apple's longest-running product squarely in middle age. But like someone who sees the back half of their life approaching and gets in marathon-runner shape, the Mac is in the strongest place it's been for decades. From a revenue perspective, Mac sales declined precipitously in 2023, but that came on the heels of four years of growth that was likely the product of pent-up demand for an improved Mac lineup.In 2020, Apple finally started delivering on that, thanks in large part to Apple Silicon arriving in the Mac, ushering in the era we're in now. While the Mac was on shaky ground prior to Apple Silicon, it would now be pretty silly to suggest the Mac won't make it to its 50th birthday. That wasn't always a given, though. While the Mac is Apple's oldest product, it's also gone through numerous moments where it appeared to be on the brink of irrelevance or complete disaster. Through most of the 90s, before CEO Steve Jobs returned to lead the company he had founded, the Macintosh was a mess.It was too expensive for the power it delivered, Apple's product lineup was confusing and cluttered and Windows PCs now had both the GUI and performance to make the Mac a poor choice for most people. And even after Jobs returned and introduced the iMac and iBook while revitalizing the Power Mac and Powerbook lines, the G3 and G4 still lagged behind PCs in most tasks. Ironically, the move to Intel in 2006 helped make the Mac more relevant, even as it held Apple back a decade later, as the company chased thin and light laptop designs with innovations" like the Touch Bar and butterfly keyboard that held it back while letting its power languish.But in 2014, when the Mac turned 30, it was in a pretty good place. Apple had spent the recent years focusing on the iPhone and then the iPad, with former CEO Steve Jobs famously comparing PCs to trucks - an implication that the iPad would be the more mainstream car for most people. But at least as far as laptops go, the Mac was fairly compelling. The MacBook Air had finally become what Jobs had wanted when he pulled it out of an envelope on stage in 2008. It was a thin, light and reasonably powerful laptop with a reasonable price, and the spill-over effect from people buying iPods and then iPhones had helped the MacBook Air become ubiquitous in coffee shops and college campuses. The MacBook Pro, meanwhile, was well-suited to the creative professional Apple marketed towards, with a great screen, plenty of ports and enough power for it to be a compelling mobile studio.However, there were plenty of weak spots in the lineup if you looked closely. Perhaps the most obvious was the strange saga of the Mac Pro. For years, Apple's tower-style computer had gotten more and more expensive, clearly priced out of the range of most consumers. That wasn't a bad thing on its own, but Apple failed to recognize what its target market was looking for when it released the cylindrical Mac Pro redesign in 2013 - and then failed to meaningfully upgrade it for years. Between the lack of updates and a design that limited expandability, the Mac Pro was a bit of a joke in Apple's lineup for the better part of a decade.Apple then made a similarly disastrous change to the MacBook Pro in 2016. Let us count the ways Apple dropped the ball with this generation of laptops. First, the unreliable butterfly keyboard, which existed seemingly only so Apple could make these laptops as thin and light as possible. Then there was the removal of useful ports like HDMI, USB-A and an SD card slot in favor of just four USB-C / Thunderbolt ports, one of which was needed for charging. There's also the Touch Bar, a thin OLED strip on the keyboard that dynamically changed depending on what app you were using. A neat idea, though one that failed to gain much traction with developers or end users, and the lack of a physical escape key baffled users for years to come.Finally, while Apple managed to make the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro models much thinner and lighter than their predecessors, it came at a performance cost. Plenty of users experienced overheating and CPU throttling, as if the extremely thin enclosure combined with the powerful chips was a bad combo.Meanwhile, the venerable MacBook Air was left to languish for years with minor updates and a design and low-resolution screen that were quickly becoming uncompetitive. The iMac and Mac mini chugged along as solid options for users looking for a desktop machine, but picking a Mac laptop at the time was an exercise in compromise and paying for something that probably did not check all the boxes.Things showed signs of turning around in 2019, when Apple introduced a new, tower-style Mac Pro with increased expansion options. But more significantly, Apple reversed course on the terrible butterfly keyboard and brought back scissor-style keys to the MacBook Pro and, a few months later, the MacBook Air (which had since been updated with a Retina display and more current Intel processors). Amazingly enough, Apple made the revamped 16-inch MacBook Pro thicker and heavier than the one it replaced, something that showed the company was moving away from thinner and lighter at all costs, especially in products like this where it just didn't make sense to chase a smaller form factor at the expense of performance.However, the Mac really rebounded in late 2020, when Apple released the first Macs running on the company's own custom silicon. Apple had been designing chips for years, ever since the A4 first arrived in the iPhone 4 and original iPad in 2010, and the combo of efficiency and power the company had hit on had proven to be a big advantage for the company. And the first round of Macs running Apple Silicon included some of Apple's most popular models, like the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro.The improvements were immediately obvious - when we reviewed it, we said the M1-powered MacBook Air redefines what an ultraportable can be." The combo of huge performance gains alongside wildly impressive battery life made the MacBook Air a no-brainer. Meanwhile, the Mac mini provided a ton of bang for the buck if you were looking for an inexpensive desktop computer.The next big move for the Mac came in late 2021, when Apple fully fixed the MacBook Pro issues it introduced with the 2016 model. The totally redesigned 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models brought back a lot of the ports that Apple initially removed, banished the Touch Bar and utilized new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that boosted the multicore performance of these laptops far beyond their Intel-based predecessors.The last major piece of the puzzle came into place in March of 2022, when Apple introduced the Mac Studio. While the Mac Pro lingered on with Intel chips, the new Mac Studio represented a middle ground between the Pro and mini. The $2,000 model included the M1 Max chip, which you can also get in a MacBook Pro if you were willing to pony up the cash, but the $4,000 model basically strapped two of those chips together to make the M1 Ultra. That monster processor had up to 64 GPU cores, while the M2 Ultra that replaced it lets you get up to a 76-core GPU to go along with its 24-core CPU and 32-core Neural Engine for machine learning tasks. Plain and simple, it's the kind of power Apple hadn't offered in its computers for a long time.Since 2022, Apple has mostly been in a refine, upgrade and iterate mode, with many Macs moving on to the M3 architecture. But there are a few places that could still use an overhaul - the Mac Pro moved to Apple Silicon late in the transition to these new chips, only arriving this past June. And while it has an expandable tower-style case, it runs the same M2 Ultra that you can get in the Mac Studio but costs a whopping $3,000 more. There's a pretty big opportunity for Apple to put in an even higher-end workstation-class - maybe it can just bolt two of the M3 Ultras that are surely coming together to further separate the Mac Pro from the Studio.On a more consumer-focused level, Apple has recently made another stab at making Mac gaming a thing, with the company bringing popular, mainstream titles like Death Stranding and Resident Evil 4 to the platform. But the company still isn't in the same realm of gaming on Windows, despite the massive power Apple Silicon offers. If the company can figure out a way to make porting games easier, developers could have a whole new market to sell to - and Apple would have another feather in its cap. If the company has any ambitions of really pushing past PCs the way the iPad came to dominate the tablet market, they'll need to push even harder to get big games on the Mac.And, of course, we're just a week away from Apple releasing its first new platform in almost a decade, the Vision Pro. While it's launching as a wildly expensive, standalone device, it's not hard to imagine the market expanding if the form factor catches on. If that happens, we might see a Vision device that runs Mac apps natively, instead of just viewing them. Apple has long held the belief that its platforms should stand on their own, though - witness the futile calls for a touchscreen Mac or a version of MacOS for the iPad Pro. But in this case, maybe we'll be talking in 10 years about how spatial computing was the next thing to move the Mac forward.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-mac-turns-40-how-apple-silicon-cured-its-midlife-crisis-161520642.html?src=rss

Nintendo has revealed exactly when most remaining online services for the 3DS and Wii U will come to an end. After 7AM ET on April 8, it will no longer be possible to jump into a multiplayer match on the original Splatoonor check out other players' levels in Super Mario Maker. Online co-op play, leaderboards and data distribution are among the features that won't be available on either console (unless you find an adequate homebrew solution). The Badge Arcade feature, which allows players to customize their Nintendo 3DS home menu, is going away too.Nintendo previously said that online services on the systems would end in early April, but hadn't shared a specific date until now. It also warned that it may "have to discontinue services earlier than planned" - some players had difficulty accessing them late last year.

Remember the Apple car rumors? Project Titan, as it's apparently called, is still progressing, with perhaps, a dose of reality. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the company's decade-old project has shifted from creating a fully self-driving car to an EV more like Tesla's. The car's autonomous features have reportedly been downgraded from a Level 5 system (full automation) to a Level 4 system (full automation in some circumstances) - and now to Level 2+ (partial automation). For context, Tesla's Autopilot is Level 2. Level 2+ doesn't have a formal description yet.(JOSH EDELSON via Getty Images)Some rumors and reports posited a vehicle without a traditional steering wheel or pedals, but it might end up a more traditional car now. Apple has apparently talked with potential manufacturing partners in Europe about its updated plans. Bloomberg says the company still wants to offer a Level 4 autonomous system... at some point.Some of us can wait. Some of us have been writing about it since 2015.- Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedNintendo honors Princess Peach with a pair of pastel pink Joy-ConsGoogle's next Chrome update adds three new generative AI featuresSamsung says its new 990 Evo SSD delivers improved performance and efficiencyYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!TurboTax owners face FTC ban on advertising free servicesThe Commission said Intuit's actions were misleading.Intuit is, again, facing consequences for misleading advertising. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is banning TurboTax's maker from claiming services are free when most customers will have to pay. The FTC said in a statement: We find that Intuit's ads on their face, expressly or by strong implication, conveyed to reasonable consumers the message that they can file their taxes with TurboTax for free".Continue reading.Framework Laptop 16 reviewModular marvel, mediocre gaming laptop.EngadgetFramework has already proved it can build compelling modular laptops, but can the Laptop 16 cram in powerful graphics, a fast display and other components to keep up with the likes of Alienware, Razer and ASUS? Sort of. Hardware quirks abound, battery life is mediocre and it still looks like an incredibly generic laptop. But how many other notebooks could let you completely upgrade your CPU or GPU in a few years' time?Continue reading.Death Stranding is coming to select Apple devices on January 30It's also half off on iPhone, iPad and Mac if you pre-order.Hideo Kojima's walking simulator - the director's cut - will be available on iPhone 15 Pro models and iPads and Macs with M-series chips on January 30. This version of the gloomy open-world adventure will run you $40. However, if you pre-order, you'll save up to 50 percent. And you'll be ready for the forthcoming sequel when it arrives.Continue reading.The OnePlus 12 will cost $799And the OnePlus 12R will use an older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and cost $599.OnePlusOnePlus has announced Western pricing and availability for its flagship OnePlus 12. While it's been on sale in China for a while, you'll still have to wait till February 6 to get one. Prices start at $799 for the 256GB version, with the 512GB model priced at $899. The base model is $100 more than last year's, so what's changed?The OnePlus 12 has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and a new camera system. This has a 50-megapixel main camera and a 64-megapixel periscopic telephoto lens, capable of 3x optical zoom. This is the first OnePlus flagship to feature its new Aqua Touch screen technology, where you'll still be able to operate the device even if it's covered in rain or water.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-apples-car-project-still-exists-121559781.html?src=rss

Spotify will go through massive changes when the European Union's Digital Markets Act goes into full effect on March 7. The audio streaming service says EU residents will finally be able to purchase a Premium subscription or upgrade from Individual to a Duo or a Family plan from within the app itself. Spotify hasn't allowed users to pay for a subscription through Apple's in-app payment system since 2016 and has long been a vocal critic of the 30 percent cut the iPhone-maker takes from app developers. Last year, it even stopped accepting Apple payments altogether - it used to let iOS users who've had a subscription since before 2016 to keep paying through Apple's in-app system.And since Spotify is launching its own in-app payments, users will also be able to easily purchase audiobooks while browsing titles within the application, as well. Yes, customers will be charged the actual amounts for subscriptions and purchases and will no longer have to pay extra to cover Apple's commission. The users who used to pay through Apple's in-app system were charged $3 on top of Spotify's subscription prices, but EU's DMA prohibits the practice.In addition to being able to implement its own in-app payment system, Spotify will also be able to put prices in the app. At the moment, it shows a note for its products where the price is supposed to be, telling users that they can't be purchased from within the application. When the DMA takes effect, Spotify will display its products' pricing, and it will also be able to start informing iOS users about deals and promotions from within the application."It should be this easy for every single Spotify customer everywhere," the company said in its announcement. "But if you live outside certain markets, you will continue to encounter frustrating roadblocks because of Apple's ridiculous rules. That's why developers everywhere are continuing to ask other governments to pass their own laws like the DMA."SpotifyThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/spotify-will-launch-its-own-in-app-payment-system-for-ios-users-in-the-eu-110046271.html?src=rss

Tesla is reportedly working on compact crossover EV codenamed "Redwood" with production set to start in June 2025, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The company reportedly sent requests for quotes for the new model to suppliers last year, predicting a weekly production volume of 10,000 vehicles.The rumor lines up with Elon Musk's comments at a May 2023 shareholder meeting that Tesla was working on two new EV models that could sell up to 5 million a year combined. "Both the design of the products and manufacturing techniques are head and shoulders above anything else that is present in the industry," he said at the time.Tesla has also been promising a $25,000 car for some time, with Musk dropping the idea then reviving it due to high consumer interest rates (the cheapest Model 3 is $38,990). However, Reuters' sources didn't mention the price of the vehicle set to arrive in 2025.The report arrives at a convenient time for Tesla, as critics have recently been after the company for sitting on its haunches with the relatively stale Model 3 and Y designs. The timing of any new EVs was one of the most voted questions from investors for Tesla's earnings call, set for this afternoon (January 24).If the new vehicles live up to Musk's description, they could help allay those concerns. At the same time, Tesla is starting to ship its Cybertruck EV to decidedly mixed reviews, with some users decrying quality issues and others lauding the performance and audacity of the vehicle.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-is-reportedly-building-a-compact-crossover-codenamed-redwood-103223757.html?src=rss

The latest tech giant impacted by the economy is eBay, which announced earlier today that it is reducing its workforce by around 1,000 roles. That apparently equates to roughly 9 percent of the company's full-time employees. US employees are asked to work from home on January 24, and those affected will be notified "shortly." Unlike Discord and Riot Games, though, eBay's post stopped short at sharing severance or benefit details. The company also plans to scale back the number of contractors over the coming months.eBay's impact scale matches that of Unity and Google from earlier this month, which doesn't paint a pretty picture for the tech scene right at the beginning of 2024. Like its peers, eBay blamed this round of layoff on having hired too many people in recent years. "While we are making progress against our strategy, our overall headcount and expenses have outpaced the growth of our business," president and CEO Jamie Iannone said in the memo. Hopefully LinkedIn's new AI-powered categorization tool will come in handy for those in need.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ebay-is-laying-off-9-percent-of-its-workforce-035136287.html?src=rss

In its Q4 2023 earnings report from earlier today, Netflix announced that starting in Q2 2024, its cheapest ad-free "Basic" plan will be completely gone in Canada and the UK. You haven't been able to sign up for this tier since last July, but now, even current subscribers will no longer be able to keep their 'Basic' plan, which was originally $10 or 7 per month but bumped up to $12 or 8 in October. In other words, you'll basically be forced into one of the two more expensive ad-free packages (from $16.49 or 11 per month) or the cheaper ad-supported plan ($6 or 5 per month).It'll be interesting to see which side the current user base will lean towards when they eventually have to make their decision, but it's clear that Netflix wants to boost its ad business, rather than relying too much on the constant price hikes - as is the case with the entire streaming market, it seems. After all, the ads plan currently accounts for 40 percent of all Netflix sign-ups in its ads markets, according to the earnings report. We wouldn't be surprised if the same will be applied to the US before long. "We're looking to retire our Basic plan in some of our ads countries, starting with Canada and the UK in Q2 and taking it from there," Netflix added.The company is also seeing success in gaming, with user engagement in this area tripled in 2023. The Grand Theft Auto trilogy, which only arrived on the platform on December 14, is credited as Netflix's "most successful launch to date in terms of installs and engagement... with some consumers clearly signing up simply to play these games." But the firm added that it's still early days compared to the scale of Netflix's core streaming business, with no figures significant enough to share just yet. Who knows, maybe we'll see another leap with the 2024 gaming lineup.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/netflix-is-killing-its-cheapest-ad-free-plan-in-canada-and-the-uk-in-q2-024458235.html?src=rss

Positive Grid has already proven its aptitude for guitar amps with increasingly small entries in its Spark line. But for NAMM 2024 its going big with the Spark Live, a 150 watt portable PA system with four speakers and four channels of audio inputs. Rather than quiet solo practice, the Spark Live is meant for band practices or small gigs.The first channel is dedicated to guitar and has pretty much the full power of Positive Grid's modeling technology at its disposal. There are 33 amp models and 43 effect builtin that can be combined into eight different presets that are easily accessible from the main control panel.Channel two has a combo 1/4-inch / XLR input and has presets and effects customized for bass, vocals and acoustic guitar. There are preamp models as well as new effects unique to the Spark Live. Channel three and four are a stereo pair of direct ins. There are amp models or effects here, but you can run straight in from a synth, a amp simulator pedal or even just a backing track from a computer.There's also a sensor inside that allows it to dynamically change its EQ based on position. When vertical the Live has a more direct and punchier tone. But when laid on its side, it delivers a wider, softer stereo field. There's even a built in tilt stand so you can direct the sound where necessary. It can also adjust volume automatically based on incoming signals. There's even an option battery pack for $79 that can power the Spark Live for up to eight hours.In addition to the Live, Positive Grid also announced the Spark Control X, a Bluetooth foot controller for its Spark line of amps. It can connect to the Spark Live all the way down to the minuscule Spark Go. It has six customizable foot switches, MIDI support, an expression pedal jack and a builtin rechargeable battery. Positive Grid even includes three clear overlays that you can write on with a dry erase marker so you know what each switch does.To round out it deluge of announcements for NAMM 2024, Positive Grid also unveiled the Spark Link wireless guitar system. Wireless guitar transmission systems are nothing new, but Positive Grid undercuts other players in the field with a price of $129. And it claims the Link has a range of 70 feet, 20 feet more than most.All of Positive Grid's new products are available for pre-order direct from the company. Spark Live will retail for $549, but there's a $50 off coupon available during the pre-order period. The Spark Control X and Spark Link can be preordered for $149 and $129, respectively.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/positive-grid-spark-live-is-a-4-channel-all-in-one-pa-and-guitar-amp-231741696.html?src=rss