Posts Tagged: next

Apple may announce new iPads next month. Here’s everything we expect

All signs are pointing to Apple announcing new iPads this March. But what can you expect from those new iPads? Let us fill you in.
Digital Trends

Samsung’s next folding phone could have a shocking price

Foldable phones have always carried a high price tag, which is a deterrent for a lot of people. But Samsung could debut a more affordable foldable this year.
Digital Trends

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 leaked before the next Unpacked event has even been confirmed

It’s hardly a secret that Samsung reveals its latest slate of Galaxy smartphones at the beginning of each year. With only a few weeks to go until the first Unpacked of 2024 is expected to take place, the rumor mill is ramping up and credible leaks are starting to shed some light on what the Korean manufacturer most likely has up its sleeve.

Along with a countdown indicating that the next Unpacked will take place on January 17, leaker Evan Blass shared a spec sheet that purports to break down the components of the Galaxy S24 lineup. There are no prizes for guessing that Samsung likely has three Galaxy devices in store: the regular model, an S24+ and an S24 Ultra. All three are slated to run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, at least in the US, Canada and China (folks elsewhere might have to make do with the company’s own Exynos 2400, as The Verge notes).

The standard Galaxy S24 is slated to have a 6.2-inch AMOLED 2x FHD display along with a 50MP main camera that can shoot video at up to 8K. The leak suggests Samsung will offer Space Zoom of up to 30x and dual telephoto zoom of up to 3x in the Galaxy S24. The device is likely to have 8GB of RAM and internal storage options of 128GB and 256GB. You may be able to charge the 4,000mAh battery to 50 percent capacity in 30 minutes.

Per this leaked spec sheet, the S24+ is likely to have the same camera system as the base model. The key upgrade will come in the form of the display, which seems to be a 6.7-inch AMOLED 2x QHD+ panel. There will probably be a larger 4,900mAh battery as well, with the spec sheet indicating you’ll be able to charge this to 65 percent of its capacity in half an hour. The S24+ will likely have more RAM as well at 12GB, with internal storage options of 256GB and 512GB.

Unlike the other two models, which are slated to have an Armor Aluminum 2.0 casing, the S24 Ultra may have a titanium body. Although it’s likely to have the same RAM and storage options as the S24+, the Ultra will probably have a vastly superior camera system. It will have a 200MP main lens, per the spec sheet, with up to 10x quad telephoto and 100x Space Zoom. The AMOLED 2x QHD+ display is likely to measure 6.8 inches, while the battery should be slightly larger than one in the S24+ at 5,000mAh.

The displays on all three models are expected to have up to a whopping 2,600 nits of brightness, so you shouldn’t have to struggle to make out what’s on your screen while the sun’s out. Expect IP68 water resistance on all three models, while the S24 Ultra is likely the only one of the three that will boast a built-in S Pen.

As for the designs, what we can see of them in the spec sheet indicates they’ll largely be the same as the S23 lineup. However, previous reports suggested that the S24 Ultra has a fully flat screen.

Based on the leaks so far, the Samsung S24 lineup isn’t likely to have any terribly exciting upgrades in terms of the designs and pure specs. However, Samsung is widely expected to integrate its Gauss generative AI system into the S24 lineup. It may be the case that GAI processes will be handled entirely on-device rather than requiring access to the cloud (the new Snapdragon chipset will help on that front).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-galaxy-s24-leak-breaks-down-what-the-lineup-likely-has-to-offer-141214873.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

4 AI features I want in my next iPhone

Whether you love it or hate it, AI is here to stay, and even Apple is looking into it. Here are some AI features I would love to see on the iPhone.
Digital Trends

Here’s our first look at OnePlus’ next Apple Watch killer

OnePlus’ next smartwatch has just popped up in an apparent design leak, but more than the standout looks, it’s the promise of a Wear OS shift that’s excites us.
Digital Trends

‘Final Fantasy XIV’ comes to Xbox next spring

It took a decade, but Square Enix's premier massively multiplayer online role-playing game is finally coming to Xbox consoles. The developer has revealed that Final Fantasy XIV will be available for Xbox Series X/S in spring 2024. Like its PS5 counterpart, this version will support 4K visuals on Series X and faster loading times. It's not yet clear if there will be Xbox-only upgrades.

An open beta is expected for patch 6.5X. In other words, the Xbox port should be ready in time for the Dawntrail expansion due in summer next year.

Microsoft has been eager to add Final Fantasy games to its catalog. In 2019, it added 10 titles to Game Pass that included many of the releases from VII through to XV. The deluge didn't include XIV, however, leaving Xbox players without an active MMO. The game debuted on PS3 and PC in 2013, with ports for PS4 (2014), Mac (2015) and PS5 (2021) in subsequent years.

The incentives are clear. Final Fantasy XIV helps court fans of the series, particularly those left out by the timed PS5 exclusive for XVI. It's also an attempt to reach out to both Japanese gamers and JRPG enthusiasts. The Xbox has struggled in Japan due in no small part to local studios skipping the platform in favor of domestic consoles from Nintendo and Sony. This game won't suddenly improve Microsoft's fortunes, but it does eliminate a barrier to adoption for some players.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/final-fantasy-xiv-comes-to-xbox-next-spring-192903645.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

I’ve used the Nothing Phone 2. It should be your next smartphone

I’ve been using the Nothing Phone 2 for a couple of weeks. It’s fun, high-quality, and should absolutely be your next smartphone. Here’s why.
Digital Trends

Here’s everything we expect from Samsung’s next Unpacked event

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked July 2023 event will be held on July 26. Here’s everything we’re expecting to see at the event.
Digital Trends

This is what to expect from Samsung’s Unpacked event next month

As we wait for Samsung to set a specific date for its upcoming Unpacked event near the end of July, a serial leaker has revealed all that the Korean brand is planning to unveil. Thanks to the official marketing renders posted by Evan Blass, we’ve got the lineup of Galaxy devices scheduled to be announced […]

Come comment on this article: This is what to expect from Samsung’s Unpacked event next month

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Meta’s rumored Twitter competitor could launch as early as next month

Folks are spending less time on Twitter since Elon Musk bought the social media site last year, but there’s still plenty of demand for similar platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky. To that point, Meta has long been rumored to be building its own platform to rival Twitter. After months of speculation, there’s finally some details to go along with the rumors, according to digital media marketing expert Lia Haberman.

Haberman says the app is nearing completion and could launch as early as the end of June. She says that Meta has been meeting with select content creators to discuss the platform. One of these creators furnished Haberman with all kinds of info about the forthcoming app, calling it “Instagram for your thoughts.”

Instagram is the right word here, as it looks like the entire platform is built out of the popular photo-sharing social network. The decentralized app is said to work with current Instagram parameters, like usernames and passwords. So if you already have an Instagram account you should be able to sign right up and automatically sync up with your current followers. Your handle, bio and verification should all carry over from IG. Haberman says that even blocked Instagram accounts and hidden words transfer to the new platform.

This is also set to be a decentralized app that’ll integrate with other platforms like Mastodon, meaning you should be able to interact with users across multiple services without having to constantly switch between apps. The report indicates that text updates will be limited to 500 characters, which is less than an Instagram caption, but still plenty long enough to make a sarcastic comment or whatever. 

You’ll likely be able to attach links, photos and videos up to five minutes long, which of course is much shorter than Twitter's recently launched two hour video-sharing feature. Just like Twitter and similar platforms, Meta’s service will have its own versions of likes, replies and reposts. Haberman got her hands on a leaked marketing slide that shows the app in action and, well, it looks a whole lot like Twitter, Bluesky and the rest, with a dash of Instagram's design scheme. 

Back in March when these rumors first surfaced, Meta said it was indeed “exploring a standalone decentralized social network for sharing text updates.” So this is coming, it’s just a matter of what it’ll look like and if it’ll be “the one” to dethrone Twitter. There's no name for the service yet, though within Meta it has a few codenames like Barcelona and P92. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/metas-rumored-twitter-competitor-could-launch-as-early-as-next-month-181625616.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Motorola’s Edge 40 Pro could be the next flagship killer of 2023

Motorola’s latest flagship is here and boy, it’s packing heat (the good kind) thanks to the excellent Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the ability to fully charge in just 23 minutes, a triple rear camera setup, and an FHD+ pOLED quad-curved display with 165Hz refresh rate. All for the rather accessible price of €899/£799 (~$ 999), […]

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TalkAndroid

Oppo’s Find X6 Pro looks to take smartphone photography to the next level

The Oppo Find X6 Pro is a high-end smartphone that was released earlier today at an event in China. It has a number of features that make it a top-of-the-line device, including Qualcomm’s newest 8-series processor, a large and vibrant AMOLED display, and a long-lasting battery with ultra-fast charging. And, as you may have guessed […]

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Xbox head says Microsoft’s mobile game store could arrive next year

Microsoft is preparing to launch an Xbox store on iOS and Android as early as next year, according to Phil Spencer. The head of the company’s gaming division shared the timeline in a Financial Times interview published on Monday, noting the plan is dependent on regulators approving Microsoft’s $ 68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

“We want to be in a position to offer Xbox and content from both us and our third-party partners across any screen where somebody would want to play,” Spencer told the outlet. “Today, we can’t do that on mobile devices but we want to build towards a world that we think will be coming where those devices are opened up.”

Microsoft first revealed it was working on an Xbox store for mobile devices in regulatory documents the company filed with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last year. At the time, the tech giant didn’t provide a timeline for the plan, noting only its proposed merger with Activision Blizzard would play a critical role. Spencer was more direct on Monday. “The Digital Markets Act that’s coming — those are the kinds of things that we are planning for,” he said. “I think it’s a huge opportunity.”

Under the Digital Markets Acts (DMA), major platforms the European Union designates as “gatekeepers” will be required to open their devices to competing app stores. Last fall, a Bloomberg report said Apple was already at work preparing to make iOS compliant with the legislation ahead of its March 2024 deadline. The EU will allow companies it labels as gatekeepers to appeal the designation, a carveout that could delay enforcement of the law. Additionally, with challenges from the Federal Trade Commission and CMA, there’s no guarantee Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard will close before the new rules apply to Apple and Google, a fact Spencer seemed to acknowledge when interviewed by the Financial Times. However, he said it would be “pretty trivial” for Microsoft to adapt its existing Xbox and Game Pass apps to sell games and subscriptions through mobile devices.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/xbox-head-says-microsofts-mobile-game-store-could-arrive-next-year-180007168.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Apple, please release the iPhone 14 in these colors next 

The iPhone 14 now comes in yellow. And it looks great! But there are a few other colors I wish Apple had released instead.
Digital Trends

The Fitbit app is losing Challenges, Adventures, and Open Group features next month

We always knew that Google’s acquisition of Fitbit would result in certain synergies but it was hoped that the move would create a better experience for those with Fitbit devices rather than a diminished one. Sadly, it’s the latter proposition that is the present situation, with today’s announcement that the Fitbit app is losing three […]

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TalkAndroid

5 ways Apple needs to turbocharge the next iPad Pro

The M2-fueled iPad Pro has little competition, but it has a ton of issues, too. Here are a few areas of improvement that will truly elevate its successor.
Digital Trends

Nothing could release its next wireless earbuds under a new brand

Nothing is reportedly preparing to release a pair of true wireless headphones under a new flanker brand. Digging through the company’s latest firmware, developer Kuba Wojciechowski (via 91mobiles) found evidence of an unreleased set of “Particles by XO” earbuds.

Particles by XO
91mobiles

Renders of the headphones showcase a unique design that’s reminiscent of a peanut or molecular chain. According to Wojciechowski, the earbuds include LHDC codec support and active noise cancelation. In other words, it looks like Nothing is preparing a product that has traits from both its Ear 1 and Ear Stick wireless buds. There are a few bits of evidence linking the earbuds to Nothing. To start, the company’s internal codename for them is “B154.” Nothing has reportedly used a similar codename, B155, for its upcoming Ear 2 headphones. On Saturday, the US Patent and Trademark Office awarded a shell company called “The Most Unknown LLC” a trademark for “Particles by XO.”

As for why Nothing, a company with only three products to its name, would establish a new brand just to launch another pair of wireless earbuds, it’s probably another marketing scheme by the company’s founder, former OnePlus executive Carl Pei.

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

HP will lay off up to 6,000 employees over the next few years

Add HP to the list of tech companies cutting staff. The PC maker plans to lay off as many as 6,000 employees over the next three years. The cuts are part of a broader restructuring HP announced during its Q4 earnings call on Tuesday (via Gizmodo). The company estimates its “Future Ready Transformation plan” will save it $ 1.4 billion by the end of fiscal 2025, in part by reducing its headcount by at least 4,000 employees.

“The company expects to reduce gross global headcount by approximately 4,000-6,000 employees,” HP said. “These actions are expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2025.”

HP employs approximately 51,000 employees globally. The company’s most recent fiscal quarter saw revenue drop by more than 11 percent year-on-year to $ 14.8 billion. CEO Enrique Lores blamed the poor performance on macroeconomic conditions and “softening demand” for the company’s PCs and printers.

Following Tuesday’s announcement, Lores said HP’s restructuring plan would “enable [the company] to better serve our customers and drive long-term value creation by reducing our costs and reinvesting in key growth initiatives to position our business for the future.”

HP isn’t the only tech company to announce significant job cuts in recent weeks. Twitter completed multiple rounds of layoffs after Elon Musk took control of the company on October 27th. Meta and Amazon also announced job cuts this month. In the case of the social media giant, the 11,000 employees it let go on November 9th represented the first mass layoffs in the company’s history.

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

Ugreen Nexode charger series review: Check these over Anker for your next wall charger

If it’s time to upgrade your phone chargers or finally make the jump to gallium nitride charging blocks, Ugreen might have a few that you’d be interested in. The Nexode series of GaN chargers deliver all the benefits of the latest and greatest charging tech; faster speeds, more ports, and smaller sizes. We tested a […]

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Footage of Hideo Kojima’s next game may have leaked in bizarre fashion

For many people, the list of their most hotly anticipated video games will include “whatever Hideo Kojima is working on.” If you’re one of those folks, you may be interested to learn that a video showing the Death Stranding auteur’s next title seems to have leaked ahead of a formal reveal from his studio, Kojima Productions.

The video, which has been removed from Streamable for violating the platform’s terms of service, shows a character who looks like Mama from Death Stranding. That character was played by Maid and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor Margaret Qualley. The character shown here navigates dark corridors with the help of a flashlight while an ominous figure follows them. Eventually, someone or something catches up to them. A game over screen is then shown, along with text reading “A Hideo Kojima Game” and “Overdose.”

Reporter Tom Henderson noted that the footage was the same as the leaked video he described in June at Try Hard Guides. Kojima Productions seemingly asked him to take down the initial report — a request that Try Hard declined.

The presentation of the video is bizarre. The gameplay footage has a picture-in-picture view of a person seemingly playing the game, as though they are a Twitch streamer. Text reading “camera player 1” appears at the top of the screen, suggesting that this is from a playtest. The footage appears on a YouTube-style interface, indicating that it may have been stored on Google Drive. It gets stranger, because someone has filmed that footage offscreen. That version of the video is then played on a tablet, which, according to a pretty prominent reflection on that screen, is being filmed offscreen a second time by a shirtless person.

It’s all very unusual. As Polygon notes, there’s at least a small chance that the footage is fake, even though creating it would require a lot of effort from some prankster. Qualley’s character model looks just like the one used in Death Stranding —which may indicate that Overdose is a direct follow-up to Kojima’s last game. It’s also odd to see the name of a game’s creator pop up during a game over screen, though this is likely work-in-progress footage (though it’s not impossible to imagine Kojima actually putting his name on a game over screen). 

In any case, we may not have to wait too much longer to gain more clarity as to what’s going on here. Kojima has been teasing his next project, and he’s a regular presence at The Game Awards, the next edition of which takes place in a month. Kojima is developing a game in partnership with Microsoft, but a Death Stranding sequel is reportedly in the works too.

If the reports and rumors hold up, Overdose will be the first full horror game from Kojima. The only horror project that the Metal Gear creator has released to date is P.T., an infamous playable teaser that’s no longer available. It was designed as a proof of concept for Silent Hills, a project that was canceled amid Kojima’s acrimonious departure from Konami (which, coincidentally, just revived the Silent Hill franchise).

Meanwhile, Kojima claimed this week that he’d received some “ridiculously high” offers for Kojima Productions. However, he has no plans to sell the company as he wants to retain creative independence.

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

iPhone 15 ‘Ultra’ could replace next year’s Pro Max model

Next year’s iPhone could introduce a change to Apple’s naming convention. According to Bloombergreporter Mark Gurman, the company could call its largest and most expensive device in 2023 the iPhone 15 Ultra instead of the iPhone 15 Pro Max as you would expect given its recent track record. The shift would reportedly coincide with the most significant redesign of the iPhone since Apple released the iPhone 12 in 2019. Gurman expects the iPhone 15 to feature USB-C, among other “bigger changes.”

Apple’s smartphone line has seen a couple of branding tweaks over the years. In the early days of the iPhone, when the company released a substantial update every two years, iterative models carried an “S” designation. Since 2019 and the diversification of the line to include separate mainstream and premium variants, the company has employed “Pro” and “Pro Max” designations to market its most advanced phones. Moreover, earlier this year saw the return of the Plus branding, which Apple had not used since 2017. Dropping Pro Max in favor of Ultra would make a lot of sense since the Apple Watch line now includes an Ultra model.

The iPhone 15 rumor mill has already produced a few interesting predictions. Gurman previously reported that Apple was testing USB-C iPhones ahead of the European Union implementing a law requiring all new smartphones made after 2024 to feature the port. More recently, display analyst Ross Young said the entire iPhone 15 line would feature the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island display cutout.

Looking to the more immediate future, Gurman also wrote today that Apple might not hold another event this fall. He says the company plans to announce new Mac mini, MacBook Pro and iPad Pro models before the end of the year. However, as those will be primarily iterative updates to existing devices, Gurman suggests Apple is “more likely” to share the existence of those products with the world through a series of press releases.

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

The next big thing in science is already in your pocket

By borrowing computing power from millions of smartphones and home PCs, researchers can crack big scientific problems faster than ever before.
Emerging Tech | Digital Trends

Rocksmith+ launches next week, and it’ll cost you at least $100 a year

The RockSmith+ subscription service can help you learn how to play guitar for a monthly fee.
Android | Digital Trends

Ubisoft’s Rocksmith+ guitar learning service arrives on PC next week

Ubisoft’s Rocksmith+ subscription service will arrive on September 6th, the publisher announced today. Following a nearly year-long delay, the guitar learning platform will be available on PC exclusively through the Ubisoft Store. With 5,000 songs available at lunch, including tunes from Alicia Keys, The Clash and Santana, Ubisoft claims Rocksmith+ will feature the “largest catalog of official songs ever offered in a music learning service.” Additionally, the company has pledged to add “millions” of more tracks in the future.

If you played a previous Rocksmith release or participated in the closed beta, you can take advantage of loyalty pricing. Subscribe for three months upfront and you’ll receive one month free. You can also prepay for a year of service and Ubisoft will give you an additional three months for free. One-, three- and 12-month subscriptions are priced at $ 15, $ 40 and $ 100 per respective billing period.

You will need a way to connect your electric, acoustic or bass guitar to your computer. Your first option is to download the Rocksmith Plus Connect app on an iOS or Android device. It will use your phone’s built-in microphone to detect your playing. Alternatively, you can use Ubisoft’s Rocksmith Real Tone Cable to connect your instrument. The advantage offered by the latter option is that you can add effects to your playing. Ubisoft notes it’s also possible to use a third-party audio interface, but not every single one will work and the company won’t offer you technical support in that case.

Notably, Ubisoft makes no mention of the previously announced PlayStation and Xbox versions of Rocksmith+. It does note, however, that the mobile release will arrive this fall.

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

Huawei’s Mate series to return with the Mate 50 next month

Huawei’s Mate 50 might not be coming to the U.S. and Europe, but it may clue us in on what to expect from the next Honor Magic phone.
Mobile | Digital Trends

Genshin Impact’s next major update arrives on August 24th

Genshin Impact’s long-awaited 3.0 update will launch on August 24th, Hoyoverse announced on Saturday. Dubbed “The Morn a Thousand Roses Brings,” the update will add a new rainforest and desert-themed region called Sumeru for players to explore, as well as a handful of new characters, including multiple five-star combatants, to collect. Collie, one of the new additions to the roster, can be earned for free through the upcoming Graven Innocence event. As you might expect, 3.0 will also continue Genshin Impact’s overarching story. 

Hoyoverse shared a lengthy teaser trailer detailing what the update has to offer. The studio also announced that Genshin Impact’s next three updates will arrive within five weeks of one another. As such, you can expect to play them around September 28th, November 2nd and December 7th, respectively. The game’s most recent update arrived on July 13th

New content for Genshin Impact is only one of a few projects Hoyoverse is working on at the moment. Earlier this year, the studio announced Zenless Zone Zero and Honkai: Star Rail. Neither game has a release date yet, but Hoyoverse began beta testing the former at the start of August.

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

RTX 4090: everything we know about Nvidia’s next flagship GPU

From prices to performance to cooling rumoured release dates, we’ve got this chip covered.
Emerging Tech | Digital Trends

Razr 2022: everything we know about Motorola’s next foldable

The Razr 2022 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting foldable phones of the year. Here’s every detail we know ahead of its upcoming debut.
Mobile | Digital Trends

Nothing’s next phone may ignore the one thing that makes the Phone 1 special

A new rumor says Nothing is working on a new phone — and it might be missing the Nothing Phone 1’s most unique feature.
Mobile | Digital Trends

HBO Max will begin streaming ‘Game of Thrones’ in 4K HDR next month

Ahead of the debut of House of the Dragon on August 21st, HBO Max will begin streaming all eight seasons of Game of Thrones in 4K. HBO parent company Warner Bros. Discovery announced the news this week in a programming notice spotted by FlatpanelsHD (via The Verge). The company said all eight seasons would also support Dolby Atmos, as well as HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Whether that’s a good reason to revisit the show’s infamous “The Long Night” episode and less-than-stellar final season is up to you.

Previously, the only way to watch the entirety of Game of Thrones in 4K was to buy the Ultra HD Blu-ray collection, which can cost as much as $ 255. Streaming the series in 4K will be considerably more affordable since all you will need is a subscription to HBO Max’s $ 15 per month ad-free tier and a supported device like an Apple TV 4K, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K or Google Chromecast Ultra. Those same devices will allow you to watch House of the Dragon in 4K HDR when it arrives late next month.

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

‘Star Trek: Picard’ season three trailer teases return of ‘The Next Generation’ cast

Paramount has shared a new trailer for the upcoming third season of Star Trek: Picard. And while we already knew Picard’s final adventure would reunite Patrick Stewart with most of the principal cast of The Next Generation, it’s still good to see some characters we haven’t seen in a while. The minute-long clip Paramount released during San Diego Comic-Con features voiceovers from nearly all of Picard’s season three cast, including LeVar Burton, Gates McFadden and Michael Dorn. It’s not much more than what Paramount had to offer back in April, but at least this time we get to see the former crew of the USS Enterprise in their new uniforms.

That’s not the only Star Trek news to come out of Comic-Con. Paramount also announced that season two of Strange New Worlds will feature a crossover episode with Lower Decks. Jonathan Frakes will direct the episode, which will feature a combination of live-action and animated footage. Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid will also reprise their roles as the voices of Beckett Mariner and Brad Boimler. Season two of Strange New Worlds doesn’t have a release date yet, but Star Trek fans can look forward to watching a new season of Lower Decks starting on August 25th. On that note, Paramount also shared a new trailer for the animated show, which you'll want to watch through to the end if you're a Deep Space Nine fan. 

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

Optical illusions could help us build the next generation of AI

Computer vision algorithms can’t see optical illusions as we humans can — and scientists are using that quirk to their advantage
Emerging Tech | Digital Trends

Best Prime Day Phone Deals 2022: What to expect next week

With Amazon Prime Day on the horizon, let’s take a look at when it will happen, what Prime Day phone deals to look for, and more tips those who want to buy one!
Android | Digital Trends

FromSoftware’s next game is ‘in the final stages’ of development

FromSoftware fans may not have to wait years before they get the chance to play the company’s next game. In a recent Japanese-language interview translated by Gematsu, Elden Ring director and From president Hidetaka Miyazaki said his studio’s next game is in “the final stages” of development. Miyazaki shared the tidbit in response to a question about a previous interview he gave in 2018.

At the time, he told 4Gamer.net that FromSoftware was working on “three-and-a-half games.” Since then, the studio has released all but one of those projects. In 2018, we got Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and PSVR exclusive Déraciné. This year, From came out with Elden Ring, leaving only one of the projects Miyazaki mentioned in 2018 unaccounted for. "Development is currently in the final stages," he told 4Gamer.net this week when asked about the state of that game.

Miyazaki didn’t go on to share any other details on the project. However, some fans, citing a Resetera leak from January, have speculated the unannounced game could be a new entry in From’s long-running Armored Core series. The studio hasn't released a new mainline entry in the franchise since 2012. In the same interview, Miyazaki also said he was already working on his next game as director, and that he would like to create a "more abstract fantasy" title in the future. 

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

Insta360’s next camera could be amazing for lowlight photography

Insta360 is teasing a new camera with apparent links to astrophotography and lowlight imaging.
Mobile | Digital Trends

iPadOS 16: Everything we know about the iPad’s next update

Apple will likely announce iPadOS 16 during the keynote presentation at WWDC 2022 on June 6, and here’s what we know about the software so far.
Mobile | Digital Trends

A second Apple Store union election will take place next month

Employees at an Apple Store in Towson, Maryland have set a date for their union election. Workers at the Towson Town Center location will vote in person over four days, starting on June 15th.

The organizers call themselves Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (AppleCore). They're aiming to unionize with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. 

In a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, the group said "a solid majority" of staff supports the union drive. They said they are organizing "because of a deep love of our role as workers within the company and out of care for the company itself." They want "access to rights that we do not currently have" and for Apple to apply the same neutrality agreements it has with suppliers to workers, "so that as employees we can obtain our rights to information and collective bargaining that the law affords us through unionization."

They will be the second group of Apple Store workers to stage a union election. Those at the Cumberland Mall location in Atlanta will vote in early June on whether to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

Employees at Apple Stores other than the Towson and Atlanta locations are conducting union drives as well. Workers at the Grand Central Terminal store in New York City have been collecting signatures for a union vote.

While Apple has agreed to the elections in Maryland and Georgia, the company is reportedly fighting unionization efforts. It's said to have hired the same anti-union law firm as Starbucks. The company has also reportedly used anti-union talking points in pre-shift meetings at some locations. This week, workers at two stores accused Apple of union busting in Unfair Labor Practice filings.

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

The next Google System Update will begin rolling out on April 1st (really)

As April looms on the horizon with its silly tradition of pranks and outrageous stories, Google has released the details on its latest System Update which brings a bunch of fixes and new features for the Play Service and Google Play functions that perform a myriad of functions behind the scenes on your Android smartphone. […]

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Next iPad Pro with Apple M2 chip coming in fall 2022

Apart from a new processor, the next iPad Pro could come equipped with MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging.
Mobile | Digital Trends

Garmin Instinct 2 series tipped to launch next month

Garmin has several smartwatch launches in the pipeline this year. One of the most anticipated — the Instinct 2 — is expected to arrive in February 2022.
Wearables | Digital Trends

Samsung Galaxy S22: Everything we know so far about Samsung’s next big flagship

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 is coming soon. Here’s everything we know so far about the company’s 2022 flagship.
Mobile | Digital Trends

Apple Watch SE 2: What we want to see from the next budget Apple watch

Apple is expected to release a rugged Apple Watch and Watch SE 2 alongside the Series 8 in 2022
Wearables | Digital Trends

Audi built a custom EV for Ken Block’s next Gymkhana video

Ken Block’s Gymkhana series is ready to go electric. On Wednesday, the rally driver showed off his new Audi S1 Hoonitron, a purpose-built EV the automaker designed specifically for Block. Audi didn’t share many details on the prototype, but as you can see from the photo above, it pulls more than a few design cues from the company’s iconic Sport Quattro S1. That’s not by accident; it was that car that inspired Block to pursue his career.

Block promised to show off what the EV can do in a future video tentatively called “Elektrikhana.” It’s unclear if Travis Pastrana will join with a custom-built Solterra from Subaru. If you’ve not seen a Gymkhana event, they involve some of the most skillful driving you’ll see on a closed course. The S1 Hoonitron could significantly change how Block tackles the annual series. 

The instant torque of an EV should help with the constant drifting that’s involved in Gymkhana courses. The lower center of gravity could also make cornering a lot tighter. One thing we’ll have to see is if the S1 Hoonitron replicates the sound a rev limiter makes in a traditional internal combustion engine car. After all, that sound is part of the fun of watching rally car driving.

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

Google’s long rumored Pixel Watch may finally be coming next year

Google could finally be launching a Pixel Watch after years of speculation. It may even come as early as next spring.
Mobile | Digital Trends

Scientists think the next big solar storm could create an ‘internet apocalypse’

Scientists say that our existing internet infrastructure — namely undersea cables — isn’t equipped to weather the next big solar storm. Here’s why.
Emerging Tech | Digital Trends

The future of sustainability: A look at the next evolution of environmental tech

Sustainable energy tech has come a long way in the past decade, but we’ve still got a long road ahead if we hope to slow climate change. Here’s what’s next
Emerging Tech | Digital Trends

The future of manufacturing: A look ahead to the next era of making things

The way we make things — from cars to shoes to dental floss — has changed dramatically over the past few generations. Here’s what could change next.
Emerging Tech | Digital Trends

Next up on Google’s kill list is Android Things

Having killed off Google Play Music and preparing to kick Cloud Print to the curb by December 31st, Google has found time to announce the upcoming demise of Android Things, its lightweight OS for smart displays and speakers that launched as Brillo back in 2015. Google will begin shutting down Android Things from January 5th, […]

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The next Nubia Red Magic phone could have an electrochromic shell

Nubia Red Magic phones are getting pretty well known these days, especially if you’re into the mobile gaming scene. They typically feature high-end hardware and some useful extra features, but Nubia wants to take that a step further and make the designs really stand out in the crowd. Nubia Red Magic electrochromic design This new […]

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The Morning After: Samsung might not release a new Galaxy Note next year

So Samsung might give the Galaxy Note series a break in 2021, according to a Reuters report, but the stylus (Samsung calls it an S-Pen, of course), compatible with Galaxy S devices, may well live on. The decision apparently comes due to a drop in dem…
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