Posts Tagged: latest
Pixel Fold is the Latest Google Phone to Have Screen Issues
Even Google’s own phones are not above flaws. Pixel Fold users complain of sticky scrolling, and here’s how it’s affecting them.
TalkAndroid
Best Google Pixel 8 deals: Save $800 on the latest Pixel
The Google Pixel 8 is a great mid-range smartphone and it’s also highly affordable. Here’s where you can find the best Google Pixel 8 deals.
Digital Trends
Google’s latest Pixel phone update adds new AI tools and a working thermometer
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.
To 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
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
T-Mobile Adds Hulu As Latest Free Perk, Netflix Gets Ads
Get ready to watch more ads as T-Mobile switches over to Netflix’s Ad-supported Plan and adds Hulu (With Ads) to its suite of complementary perks.
TalkAndroid
Samsung’s Latest Galaxy Z Foldables Are Now Self-Repairable
Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 foldables can now be repaired at home thanks to the expansion of the Self-Repair program. Other additions to the list of self-repairable devices include the Galaxy Tab S9 series and the Galaxy Book2 series of laptops.
TalkAndroid
Lenovo’s latest ThinkPad and IdeaPad laptops include new Intel Core Ultra chips
Lenovo has unveiled its latest productivity-focused ThinkPad and IdeaPad laptops ahead of CES. The systems are equipped with Intel's new Core Ultra chipsets, which include three compute engines — a central processing unit, graphics processing unit and neural processing unit. Those are designed to work together for greater efficiency. Lenovo notes that some compute tasks can be offloaded to the GPU or NPU for better performance and power management. Since they run on Windows 11, all three laptops will support Copilot AI features.
The IdeaPad Pro 5i is the first consumer Intel Evo Edition laptop that runs on an Intel Core Ultra chipset. Lenovo claims this will power faster AI-driven features, such as image and text generation, as well as photo editing. There are also claims of improved performance for traditionally demanding tasks like video editing and exporting, along with multitasking.
You can equip the IdeaPad Pro 5i with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, up to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to a 1TB SSD. An expandable SSD slot and SD card reader can help bump up the storage as well.
The laptop is available in 14-inch and 16-inch formats with several display options, including an 16:10 OLED panel with a 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut and 120Hz refresh rate. The IR Full HD camera has a time-of-flight sensor and privacy shutter along with Windows Hello support.
No matter which size of the laptop you opt for, you'll get an 84WHr polymer battery with quick charging support via Thunderbolt 4. You'll get an HDMI 2.1 port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A slots and a 3.5mm audio jack. There's also Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 support. The 14-inch model weighs 3.22 lbs and the larger variant is 4.3 lbs.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i is available now. The laptop starts at $ 1,150.
You'll need to wait slightly longer for the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12. Some configurations will be available later this month (starting at $ 2,989) and the full swathe of options to follow in March. The ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 9 will become available in March too. That laptop is expected to start at $ 2,639.
Lenovo has integrated a major accessibility-focused feature into the new ThinkPads in the form of additional tactile cues on the keyboard to help folks with visual impairments. The company says it worked with Microsoft’s Accessibility Team to help develop new industry standards in keyboard design. For instance, the F2 and F3 keys (often used for volume control) have tactile markings, as does the Insert key to help people tell it apart from the Delete key. Meanwhile, the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 has a larger magnetic pen, which is said to deliver a better experience for those who prefer to use a stylus.
The ThinkPad X1 models include a self-explanatory Low Light Enhancer feature for the webcam. Lenovo says this tool runs on the NPU for greater system efficiency when you have video conferencing software such as Zoom running.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 can be configured with up to 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage. There's no dedicated GPU option as the laptop will support Intel Arc graphics. The 14-inch display can have a resolution of up to 2.8K with a refresh rate of 120Hz on an OLED panel.
As for ports, you'll get two USB-C Thunderbolt 4, two USB-C, an HDMI 2.1 and a 3.5mm audio jack. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 can be equipped with Wi-Fi 6E or 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. There are several webcam options too, up to an 8MP MIPI Computer Vision camera with privacy shutter. The laptop's weight starts at 2.42 lbs.
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 9 has similar specs though it, of course, is a 2-in-1. The other key difference is that the weight starts at 2.92 lbs.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lenovos-latest-thinkpad-and-ideapad-laptops-include-new-intel-core-ultra-chips-150037731.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
The latest Pixel Feature Drop brings Google’s new Gemini AI model to the Pixel 8 Pro
The December 2023 Pixel Feature Drop introduces Google’s Gemini AI for Pixel 8 Pro, enabling offline features like Summarize in Recorder and Smart Reply in Gboard. It also enhances camera functions and productivity tools.
Come comment on this article: The latest Pixel Feature Drop brings Google’s new Gemini AI model to the Pixel 8 Pro
X CEO calls article that led to latest brand exodus ‘misleading and manipulated’
X CEO Linda Yaccarino called a report from a watchdog group that led to a large-scale advertiser pullout “misleading and manipulated” in a note she sent to X employees on Sunday night.
“While some advertisers may have temporarily paused investments because of a misleading article, the data will tell the real story,” Yaccarino wrote in the note, which was first published by The Hollywood Reporter, and which Engadget has seen a copy of. “Because for all of us who work at X, we’ve been extremely clear about our efforts to combat antisemitism and discrimination, as there’s no place for it anywhere in the world.” Yaccarino’s note was titled “Our Work is Meaningful”.
She also framed the situation as a free speech issue, writing that “no critic will ever deter us from our mission to protect free speech.” In doing so, she aligned herself with X owner Elon Musk’s repeated claims that free speech on the platform is paramount. Musk has repeatedly dismissed concerns of hate speech increasing on X ever since he bought the service last year.
Major advertisers including IBM, Apple, Disney, Lionsgate, Warner Brothers Discovery, Paramount Global, and NBCUniversal, whose advertising division Yaccarino previously headed, pulled their ads from X last week after a report from watchdog group Media Matters for America found that ads from some of these brands ran next to pro-Nazi content on the website. The move also came days after Musk publicly endorsed an antisemitic conspiracy theory as a response to a far-right X user. Musk’s comment drew widespread criticism, including a statement from the White House, which called his post an “abhorrent promotion of Antisemitic and racist hate” that “runs against our core values as Americans.”
On Friday, Musk said that the company would file “a thermonuclear lawsuit against Media Matters and ALL those who colluded in this fraudulent attack on our company[.]" The company filed the lawsuit on Monday.
Yaccarino was already under pressure to resign as X CEO from advertisers who are questioning her decision to risk her reputation to protect Musk, Forbes reported. In a post on X on Monday morning, Yaccarino doubled down on her criticism of Media Matters. “When you’re this consequential, there will be detractors and fabricated distractions, but we’re unwavering in our mission,” she wrote. “Thank you for standing with us!”
An X spokesperson sent a link to Yaccarino’s X post in response to Engadget’s request for comment.
Update, November 20, 2023, 7:41PM ET: This story was updated to state that X filed a lawsuit against Media Matters on Monday.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-ceo-calls-article-that-led-to-latest-brand-exodus-misleading-and-manipulated-204025411.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Don’t need the latest model? Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is $99 today
Add the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to your wardrobe and your fitness regimen with this early Black Friday discount at Walmart.
Digital Trends
Final Cut Pro uses Apple’s latest chips to improve face and object tracking
Following the recent launch of the new M3-equipped MacBook Pros, Apple will soon be releasing an update for its Final Cut Pro to make further use of its own silicon. According to the company, its updated video editing suite will leverage a new machine learning model for improved results with object and face tracking. Additionally, H.264 and HEVC encoding will apparently be faster, thanks to enhanced simultaneous processing by Apple silicon's media engines.
On the user experience side, the new Final Cut Pro comes with automatic timeline scrolling, as well as the option to simplify a selected group of overlapping connected clips into a single storyline, and the ability to combine connected clips with existing connected storylines. As for Final Cut Pro for iPad, users can take advantage of the new voiceover recording tool, added color-grading presets, new titles, general workflow improvements and stabilization tool in the pro camera mode. Both the Mac and iPad versions of Final Cut Pro will receive their updates later this month.
For those who need to focus on music creation, Apple has also updated Logic Pro with some handy new tools. For both the Mac and iPad versions, there's a new Mastering Assistant which claims to help polish your audio mix, by analyzing and tweaking "the dynamics, frequency balance, timbre, and loudness." You can use this tool to refine your mix at any point throughout the creation process. Another good news is that to avoid digital clipping and to boost low-level sensitivity, both flavors of Logic Pro now supports 32-bit float recording when used with compatible audio interfaces.
If you're a fan of "Sample Alchemy" — a sample-to-instrument tool — and "Beat Breaker" — an audio multi-effect plug-in — on Logic Pro for iPad, you'll be pleased to know that both features have been ported over to Logic Pro for Mac. Similarly, the Mac app has gained two free sound packs, "Hybrid Textures" and "Vox Melodics," which can be found in the Sound Library. Some may also find the new "Slip" and "Rotate" tools in the "Tool" menu handy.
Meanwhile, the updated Logic Pro for iPad offers a better multi-tasking experience. The app now supports iPadOS' "Split View" and "Stage Manager," thus letting you quickly drag and drop audio samples from another app — such as Voice Memos, Files or a browser — into Logic Pro. There's also a new "Quick Sampler" recorder plug-in for easily creating sampler instruments from any sound, via the iPad's built-in microphone or a connected audio input. This update, along with a handful of related in-app lessons, are available immediately.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/final-cut-pro-uses-apples-latest-chips-to-improve-face-and-object-tracking-065025314.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
In the latest episode of nerfed cord-cutting, Max ad-free subscribers are losing 4K streaming
If it isn’t news of a streaming service increasing its prices it’s news that a streaming service is nerfing a current tier to force its subscribers to cough up some extra dough for the things they used to have. Here with its own take on how to gouge its customers is Max which, starting from […]
Come comment on this article: In the latest episode of nerfed cord-cutting, Max ad-free subscribers are losing 4K streaming
This is the OnePlus Open – the latest rival to Samsung’s Galaxy Fold Series
The year 2023 has been a bumper year for foldables of both the clamshell and fold varieties with Motorola’s superb Razr+ proving to be a viable Galaxy Z Flip alternative and Google’s Pixel Fold taking on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Now it’s time for the OnePlus Open to break cover with a flagship Snapdragon […]
Come comment on this article: This is the OnePlus Open – the latest rival to Samsung’s Galaxy Fold Series
T-Mobile iPhone 15 deals: The carrier’s latest iPhone offers
There are some excellent T-Mobile iPhone 15 deals, most requiring an eligible trade-in and upgrade to a new wireless plan.
Digital Trends
T-Mobile claims its latest data leak isn’t caused by a cyberattack
T-Mobile is back in the news and yes, the carrier has once again experienced issues trying to protect its customer’s data. After numerous reports by Uncarrier subscribers saying that they were seeing other subscriber’s data in the T-Mobile app, rather than yet another data breach causing by a cyberattack the carrier is saying that it […]
Come comment on this article: T-Mobile claims its latest data leak isn’t caused by a cyberattack
Google Pixel 8: all the latest rumors and what we want to see
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be here before you know it. Here are all the latest rumors, plus a few things we’re hoping to see.
Digital Trends
GoPro unveils its latest action camera, the Hero 12 Black
Unveiled on Wednesday, GoPro’s new Hero 12 Black action camera offers a few notable upgrades that include a significant boost to battery life.
Digital Trends
Latest Webb Telescope images gives a look at stars being born in the Virgo constellation
It seems like every few weeks, NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) drop an impressive image from the James Webb Space Telescope that is both stunning to behold and advances our knowledge of the universe. The latest is of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 5068, called a "barred" galaxy because of the bright central bar you can see in the upper left of the above image. It's a combination image consisting of infrared shots taken from the telescope's MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) and NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) sensors.
What those sensors captured is a galaxy in the Virgo constellation about 20 million light-years from Earth, and because the JWST can see through the dust and gas that surrounds stars as they're born, the instrument is particularly suited to producing images that show the process of star formation.
Looking at the two individual images that make up the composite reveals different layers of the galaxy. As Gizmodo notes, the image produced by the MIRI sensor provides a view of the galaxy's structure and the glowing gas bubbles that represent newly formed stars.
The second image, taken from the NIRCam, put the focus on a huge swath of stars in the foreground. The composite, meanwhile, shows both the enormous amount of stars in the region as well as the highlights of the stars that have just been "born."
There isn't one specific breakthrough finding in this image; instead, NASA notes that this is part of a wider effort to collect as many images of star formation from nearby galaxies as it can. (No, 20 million light-years doesn't exactly feel nearby to me, either, but that's how things go in space.) NASA pointed to another few images as other "gems" from its collection of star births, including this impressive "Phantom Galaxy" that was shown off last summer. As for what the agency hopes to learn? Simply that star formation "underpins so many fields in astronomy, from the physics of the tenuous plasma that lies between stars to the evolution of entire galaxies." NASA goes on to say that it hopes the data being gathered of galaxies like NGC 5068 can help to "kick-start" major scientific advances, though what those might be remains a mystery.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/latest-webb-telescope-images-gives-a-look-at-stars-being-born-in-the-virgo-constellation-120044569.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
The Pixel Watch has been utterly crushed by its latest rival
After being impressed by the TicWatch Pro 5, we made a return to the Pixel Watch — and it shows exactly where Google went wrong with its smartwatch.
Digital Trends
BeReal’s latest feature is a curated timeline of high-profile users
Days after it started offering users the option to post more than once per day, BeReal is rolling out another new feature. RealPeople is a curated timeline of "the world’s most interesting people." Sorry if you didn't make the cut. The feed includes updates from athletes, artists, activists and other notable users.
As with everyone else on BeReal, users featured in the RealPeople timeline will be prompted to drop everything and take a snapshot of their lives with their phone's selfie and rear cameras when the app sends them a notification at some point during the day. This, BeReal suggests, enables RealPeople to offer "real unfiltered glimpses" into the day-to-day lives of the likes of tennis star Coco Gauff and singers Tinashe and Danny Ocean.
"RealPeople isn’t about influencing, amassing likes or comments or promoting brands," the company wrote in a blog post. "You won’t see perfect photoshopped pictures, product recommendations or ads disguised as posts. It’s trying to show we’re all more alike than we think."
As with the Bonus BeReal feature that debuted last week, RealPeople will only be available in the UK at first before it becomes more broadly available. For now, you'll be able to react to a RealPeople post with an emoji, or hide or report it. Other ways to interact with RealPeople posts are on the way.
Observers have suggested that BeReal didn't move quickly enough to capitalize on the momentum it gained in 2022. The company has said that last year was largely about stabilizing the service amid a large influx of users. It has refuted claims that its user numbers have nosedived in recent months. To help it keep folks engaged though, BeReal is finally starting to roll out new features, something the company wasn't able to do before largerrivals started copying it.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/bereals-latest-feature-is-a-curated-timeline-of-high-profile-users-172232299.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
VentureBeat is the latest publication to use AI in its articles
More media outlets are using AI to write articles, if not as aggressively as others. VentureBeat editorial director Michale Nuñez tellsBloomberg his publication is using Microsoft's Bing Chat to help edit and write stories. Reporters are encouraged to slip AI-written "sentences and fragments" into articles so long as they're accurate and independently verifiable.
The OpenAI-powered tech is akin to having "another person on the team," Nuñez says. It theoretically summarizes content in seconds instead of hours. VentureBeat doesn't disclose the use of AI content provided it's limited and authentic, but also doesn't intend to create whole articles using the technology.
Word surfaced in January that CNET had been using AI to produce entire financial explainer articles since November. Although characterized as a trial, over half of the articles required at least minor corrections. Some effectively plagiarized their sources. It also wasn't clear that algorithms had produced the pieces.
Generative AI like Bing Chat, ChatGPT and Google Bard has become increasingly popular as a creative tool, for search results and even for entertainment. However, there are ethical concerns that include plagiarism, basic accuracy and cheating. There are also questions of trust — should creators disclose uses of AI, even if it's minor and undetectable? While the broader news industry isn't expected to completely replace human writers, there are worries AI might be used to reduce the need for real people.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/venturebeat-is-the-latest-publication-to-use-ai-in-its-articles-202514471.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Tile’s latest accessory helps track your cat
Tile, best known for its AirTag-like trackers that help you locate lost objects, can now find something that can get lost on purpose — your cat. The $ 40 Tile for Cats tracker from Life360 is a modified version of the Tile Sticker with a silicon collar attachment and 250 foot Bluetooth range. The idea is to give you peace of mind that your cat is somewhere in the house, and then help you figure out exactly where that sneaky floof is hiding.
The battery on the Tile for Cats lasts a generous three years, and you can easily replace the sticker. It even offers AI assistant integration with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, so you can locate Sir Fluffybutt with a voice command.
For the $ 40 price tag, you get a Tile sticker and attachment that’s compatible with most cat collars, including breakaway collars. The attachment can stretch up to 1.7 times without breaking and is water resistant, so it’ll continue to function even if hit with a few drops.
Tile for Cats is Life360’s first pet tracker, though the company was already marketing its regular Tile Trackers for the same purpose. It’s designed for indoor use only, though, due to the limited range. If you’re worried about your pet getting lost outside, you’d be better off with a dedicated pet tracker, typically costing around $ 100 plus a subscription fee.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tiles-latest-accessory-helps-track-your-cat-095531840.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
The latest Nvidia Shield TV update removes Gamestream in favor of GeForce Now
The venerable Shield TV is receiving a new software update which is removing the Gamestream tool which allowed for the streaming of game titles from a PC and replacing it with GeForce Now. Gamestream has already been closed down so its removal from the Shield TV is just Nvidia tidying things up. The update is […]
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Sam Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty to latest fraud, bribery charges
FTX founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (aka SBF) pleaded not guilty to five additional criminal charges this morning, according toCNBC. Prosecutors accuse the disgraced crypto exec of fraud and bribery for conspiring to send at least $ 40 million to Chinese government officials so they would unfreeze more than $ 1 billion in cryptocurrency, which he allegedly used to fund loss-generating trades.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) unsealed the third round of criminal charges against SBF in a superseding indictment; SBF has now pleaded not guilty to all 13 charges. Additionally, he faces civil charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). His attorney, Mark Cohen, claimed he would file a motion that SBF can’t be tried on charges brought after his extradition from the Bahamas in December.
Federal prosecutors allege SBF and his partners tried “numerous” legal and personal methods to unfreeze the funds before moving forward with the bribe. They say SBF directed Alameda Research, FTX’s sister company, to transfer more than $ 40 million to a private wallet. Of course, it’s illegal for US citizens to bribe foreign officials to generate business. The new charges ramp up pressure on the 31-year-old Bankman-Fried, who reportedly “arrived at the courthouse about an hour before the hearing, looking disheveled after an intense media scrum.”
Three former FTX executives, Caroline Ellison, Zixiao “Gary” Wang, and Nishad Singh, have pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges and have agreed to cooperate with the prosecution. There’s no word yet on the judge’s ruling about whether SBF will be forced to use a feature phone and limit internet access as part of his bail terms. After it was revealed SBF was using a virtual private network (VPN) and possibly tampering with witnesses, District Judge Lewis Kaplan previously said he didn’t want SBF “loose on his garden of electronic devices.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sam-bankman-fried-pleads-not-guilty-to-latest-fraud-bribery-charges-165445328.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Epic made a Rivian R1T demo to show off its latest Unreal Engine 5 tools
In 2020, Epic Games publicly demoed Unreal Engine 5 for the first time. Nearly three years later, gamers are still waiting for the tech to go mainstream. Outside of Fortnite and The Matrix Awakens, there aren’t any UE5 games you can play right now, and the first salvo probably won’t arrive until the end of the year at the earliest. None of that stopped Epic from showcasing the engine’s latest capabilities with a handful of new demos during its recent State of Unreal keynote at GDC 2023.
Arguably the most impressive one saw Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 developer Ninja Theory show off Epic’s new MetaHuman Animator. The tool promises to make realistic facial capture accessible to indie developers by allowing them to use an iPhone, instead of dedicated equipment, to capture facial performances. As you can see from the two demos Epic shared, the tool makes it possible to quickly and accurately transform a closeup video of an actor into something a studio can use in-game. Epic said the animator would launch this summer.
Separately, Epic showed off some of the enhancements coming to Unreal Engine 5.2 with a demo that featured, of all things, a digital recreation of Rivian’s R1T electric truck. The EV turned out to be the perfect showcase for UE 5’s new Substrate shading system. The technology allows artists to create different shading models and layer them as they see fit. In the demo, Epic gave the R1T an opal body to show how Substrate can allow different material layers to interact with one another without creating lighting artifacts. The demo was also a showcase for Epic’s new set of Procedural Content Generation tools. They allow artists to create expansive, highly detailed levels from a small set of hand-crafted assets.
If all goes according to plan, it won’t be much longer before the first slate of Unreal Engine 5 games arrive. Provided it’s not delayed again, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is slated to release this year. Lords of the Fallen and Black Myth: Wukong, two other UE5 projects, don’t have a release date yet but have been in development for a few years now.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/epic-made-a-rivian-r1t-demo-to-show-off-its-latest-unreal-engine-5-tools-214300199.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Ring’s latest doorbell offers head-to-toe views of your visitor
Ring may boast that it’s good to monitor when visitors and packages arrive at your front door, but sometimes it’s hard to see everything that’s going on. That’s why the company today announced the Battery Doorbell Plus, its first unit with a 150-by-150 degree field of vision and 1536p video. It says that the greatly-increased view of the vertical space will make it easier to get a “head to toe” view of your visitors, as well as better visibility when a driver leaves a box on the floor. Plus, the higher resolution footage will make it easier for users to identify what’s going on when they’re away from home.
Despite claims that this unit has a longer battery life compared to some of its brethren, the Plus does not compromise on features. Users will be able to set the usual alerts for Motion Detection and Privacy Zones, as well as Quick Replies, use Live View and talk to whoever’s at the door. It’s also equipped to support end-to-end encryption, but you’ll have to opt-in if you want to activate it, and you should. Plus, Ring will sell you a subscription package for $ 4 a month that’ll let you set rich notifications as well as the aforementioned Package Alerts.
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is available to pre-order today for $ 180, with shipping expected to begin on April 5th.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ring-battery-doorbell-plus-150-degree-field-of-vision-140038902.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
It may not be the latest model, but this iPad is a steal at $79 off
While the 2021 Apple iPad is a couple of generations old, the gorgeous 10.2-inch screen and A13 biochip are still great, especially at this deal’s price!
Digital Trends
Apple’s latest hire could mean more ads are coming to TV+
An ad-supported Apple TV+ tier is starting to look all but inevitable. According to The Information, Apple recently hired Lauren Fry, a former ad tech executive, “to help build a video advertising business” for its streaming service. Before her most recent stint at digital advertising firm Simulmedia, Fry held ad sales roles at AT&T and Comcast.
Bringing more ads to Apple TV+ would fall in line with some of Apple’s more recent actions. Toward the end of last year, the company began displaying additional ads within the App Store, a move that could be a precursor to search ads appearing in Apple Maps and other first-party software. It’s worth noting before Fry’s hiring, Apple was already showing ads alongside Major League Baseball games. In November, Bloomberg also reported Apple was building a live tv ad network to support its 10-year deal with Major League Soccer. As The Information points out, an ad-supported tier would be the most straightforward way for Apple to bring more ads to TV+. A handful of other streaming platforms, including Netflix and Disney+, already offer such tiers to customers as they’re an easy way for those services to broaden their subscriber base.
Dead by Daylight’s latest killer is a tech executive with a surveillance penchant
Dead by Daylight features a roster full of memorable killers. If horror icons like Freddy Krueger and Pyramid Head aren’t your thing, you can turn to more original additions like Ji-woon, a K-pop star turned serial killer. The game’s newest killer fits in that latter mold. Adriana Imai, aka The Skull Merchant, is a wealthy tech executive who, when she’s not eliminating competition like any good monopolist, uses the skulls of her past victims to craft aerial drones to hunt her next kill. A bit on the nose? Definitely, but she looks to add something new to a game that has been around since 2016.
The Skull Merchant’s power, Eyes in the Sky, allows her to send up to four drones to scout for the survivors she’s tasked with eliminating. Once Imai finds her targets, she can use a hand claw to eliminate them. Alongside Imai, Dead by Daylight developer Behavior Interactive is adding two new survivors as part of the game’s upcoming “Tools of Torment” update. Thalita and Renato Lyra are siblings who hail from Brazil. Before they had the misfortune of being tossed into the hellscape that is Dead by Daylight's world, Thalita and Renato owned a kite-flying business that mentored kids in their local community. The two come with teamwork perks that prompt cooperative play.
Tools of Torment won’t introduce a new map, but it will come with a tweak to the game’s existing Shelter Woods arena that adds The Skull Merchant’s hunting ground. You can play the update starting on March 7th when it arrives on PC and consoles.
G-Shock’s latest watch turned my wrist into a poisonous frog
G-Shock’s latest connected Frogman watch is styled after a poisonous frog, but don’t let that put you off. We wore it and loved it.
Digital Trends
Latest iPad is $50 off, with delivery in time for the holidays
The holidays are kicking off soon, but a 2022 Apple iPad can kick itself into your hands sooner… at $ 50 off!
Digital Trends
Sonicware’s latest groovebox is made for lofi beats
You know that lofi beats have taken over when companies are designing entire instruments around them. Sonicware has introduced the Liven Lofi-12, a groovebox devoted to producing subdued tracks. The machine centers around a 16-bit, 12/24kHz sampling engine with a 12-bit sampler mode that gives any sound that “genuine” lofi vibe. You can’t just recreate the effect with a bit crusher or similar tools, the company claims.
You’ll also find a “laid-back” knob to introduce a delay, as well as 11 track and eight master effects that can introduce cassette or vinyl simulations as well as common modifications like distortion, high/low pass filters and reverb. Pattern presets help you get started, too. A four-track sequencer includes options to lock parameters and sound changes. You’ll find MIDI and 3.5mm ports for both input and output. You can use the groovebox with either an AC charger (not included) or AA batteries.
The Liven Lofi-12 is available now for $ 239. You may want to spring for Sonicware’s SmplTrek if you’re more interested in a general-purpose beatmaker than devoting your energy to a specific sound. This is more feature-laden than rivals like the Korg Volca Sample 2, mind you, and may be just what you’re looking for if you’re hoping to create tunes for one of the trendiest genres on YouTube.
Watch NASA’s latest Artemis 1 launch attempt here at 1:04AM ET
NASA is once again preparing to launch Artemis 1 after technical issues and hurricanes upended previous attempts. The next launch window for the uncrewed test flight around the Moon will be open for two hours, starting at 1:04AM ET on November 16th. In case NASA has to scrub it once again, the agency has scheduled another backup launch window, which opens at 1:45AM on November 19th.
The agency had penciled in a launch attempt for November 14th, but Hurricane Nicole forced a slight delay to those plans. NASA kept the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft on the launch pad as the hurricane battered the Kennedy Space Center. They sustained minor damage, but not enough to force a lengthier delay.
NASA first tried to send Artemis 1 into space on August 29th, but engine issues and a hydrogen fuel leak forced the agency to scrub the initial launch attempts. The next stab at a launch in late September didn’t work out either. NASA took the SLS and Orion back to the Vehicle Assembly Building to protect them from Hurricane Ian. Here’s hoping NASA can finally send them on their way this time.
You can watch a livestream of the latest launch attempt below. Alternatively, you can watch the launch in virtual reality. If you happen to be in Florida or the south east region of Georgia, you may be able to see the SLS and Orion soar into the skies by going outside, if conditions are favorable enough.
Latest Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro leaks give cause for optimism ahead of October 6 launch event
A little over a week before the official unveiling of the Pixel 7 series on October 6th, leaks have shed further light on the device and help to confirm a previous rumor about its pricing in the US. The first leak comes via a premature Amazon listing which appears to confirm the $ 599 pricing of […]
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Soundcore’s latest earbuds steal some of Apple’s smartest features
Soundcore’s Liberty 4 noise-canceling wireless earbuds cost $ 100 less than the AirPods Pro, but they have many similar features, including spatial audio.
Wearables | Digital Trends
Google Photos gains a collage editor, re-designed Memories, and Styles feature in the latest update
Possibly the second best app in the search giant’s inventory, Google Photos has gained a bunch of new tricks in the latest update including a collage editor, Styles, and a redesigned Memories. The new features are aimed at making important memories stand out more and easier to customize to your liking, all from within the […]
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Apple blocked the latest Telegram update over a new animated emoji set
Ever since Apple launched the App Store, developers big and small have gotten caught up in the company's approval process and had their apps delayed or removed altogether. The popular messaging app Telegram is just the latest, according to the company's CEO Pavel Durov. On August 10th, Durov posted a message to his Telegram channel saying the app's latest update had been stuck in Apple's review process for two weeks without any real word from the company about why it was held up.
As noted by The Verge, the update was finally released yesterday, and Durov again took to Telegram to discuss what happened. The CEO says that Apple told Telegram that it would have to remove a new feature called Telemoji, which Durov described as "higher quality vector-animated versions of the standard emoji." He included a preview of what they would look like in his post — they're similar to the basic emoji set Apple uses, but with some pretty delightful animations that certainly could help make messaging a little more expressive.
"This is a puzzling move on Apple's behalf, because Telemoji would have brought an entire new dimension to its static low-resolution emoji and would have significantly enriched their ecosystem," Durov wrote in his post. It's not entirely clear how this feature would enrich Apple's overall ecosystem, but it still seems like quite the puzzling thing for Apple to get caught up over, especially since Telegram already has a host of emoji and sticker options that go far beyond the default set found in iOS. Indeed, Durov noted that there are more than 10 new emoji packs in the latest Telegram update, and said the company will take the time to make Telemoji "even more unique and recognizable."
There are still a lot of emoji-related improvements in the latest Telegram update, though. The company says it is launching an "open emoji platform" where anyone can upload their own set of emoji that people who pay for Telegram's premium service can use. If you're not a premium user, you'll still be able to see the customized emoji and test using them in "saved messages" like reminders and notes in the app. The custom emoji can be interactive as well — if you tap on them, you'll get a full-screen animated reaction.
To make it easier to access all this, the sticker, GIF and emoji panel has been redesigned, with tabs for each of those reaction categories. This makes the iOS keyboard match up with the Android app as well as the web version of Telegram. There are also new privacy settings that let you control who can send you video and voice messages: everyone, contacts or no one. Telegram notes that, like its other privacy settings, you can set "exceptions" so that specific groups or people can "always" or "never" send you voice or video messages. The new update — sans Telemoji — is available now.
Oppo’s latest Apple Watch clone has an important spec under the hood
Oppo has just announced the first smartwatches with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip and a fascinating new design.
Wearables | Digital Trends
There’s Nothing to look at in this latest high-quality leak
If you thought that the leaks would stop now that we are just a few days away from the launch of Nothing’s first smartphone on Prime Day July 12th, the Phone (1), you are sadly mistaken. Or happily, in case you live in Europe or the UK. While we’ve already seen renders (both official and […]
Come comment on this article: There’s Nothing to look at in this latest high-quality leak
Valve’s latest Steam Deck update promises less fan noise
On Thursday, Valve began rolling out SteamOS 3.2 for Steam Deck, addressing one of the more prominent issues people have had with the handheld since its release. According to the company, the update introduces an “all-new OS-controlled fan curve” Valve claims allows Steam Deck’s internal fan to quickly and smartly respond to heat. In turn, the company says that allows the component to more quietly go about its job, particularly “in low usage situations.”
“This has been tested extensively, and we're continuing to work on improvements – so please let us know what you think,” Valve said. Excessive fan noise is something many reviewers, including Engadget’s Jessica Conditt, mentioned in their Steam Deck reviews. In fact, when iFixit began selling replacement parts for the handheld early last week, it quickly sold out of Huaying fan units. Valve sourced fans for Steam Deck from two companies, with the ones from Huaying producing less noise, according to some owners.
SteamOS 3.2 also introduces an option to adjust the handheld’s display refresh rate while in-game. Valve recommends Steam Deck owners try setting their device to 40Hz for the sweet spot between responsiveness and battery life. It’s now also possible to push the volume of Steam Deck’s speakers even higher and the company has made formatting microSD cards faster. Check out the full changelog for SteamOS 3.2 on Valve’s website.
‘Slay the Spice’ all over Bikini Bottom with the latest SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off update
If you can’t get enough of SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off (and apparently 58 million people fit into this category) then you’ll be stoked to learn that the latest update to the Cooking Fever game adds the new ‘Slay the Spice’ game mode. The Slay the Spice game mode lets players cross a map full of restaurants […]
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Google’s latest Pixel 6 and 6 Pro update fixes weak haptic feedback for notifications
Google’s recent Pixel software updates haven’t always landed flawlessly. At the end of last year, for instance, the company was forced to pause the release of an OTA after reports that the software caused the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro to drop calls. More recently, the March update introduced an issue that left the company’s latest phones producing much weaker notifications when you got a notification. Many Pixel 6 and 6 Pro owners complained after Google released the update, noting that no matter what they set their phone’s haptic feedback to, they would miss calls and emails because they couldn’t feel their device vibrating.
Our May software update is now rolling out to supported Pixel devices! The update includes:
👆🏽👆🏿👆🏻 Improvements for haptic feedback
📱 Fixes for display & launcher
🔒 Latest security fixesDevice applicability varies
Learn more on our Community post: https://t.co/36iwv6s3WS
— Made By Google (@madebygoogle) May 2, 2022
On Monday, Google began rolling out the May Pixel software update. It includes a fix for the vibration issue. “Improvements for haptic feedback under certain conditions and uses cases,” the company writes on its community website. The update resolves two other issues that affect all recent Pixels devices. The first involves a bug that had caused those phones to wake their displays without any input. The second solves a problem that could crash the Pixel launcher after you restarted your device. The update also includes the latest Android security patch from Google.
According to Google, it will roll out the May 2022 update to all eligible Pixel devices in the coming weeks. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can attempt to install the software on your phone by manually sideloading it. Just note that flashing a device always comes with a degree of risk.
Google’s Pixel Watch looks really round in the latest leaked images, could cost up to $400
Google’s Pixel Watch is finally a thing, and thanks to the unit that was casually left behind in a restaurant we now know that it’s also really round. First, there were images posted on Reddit of the Pixel Watch casing, and now there are pictures of the smartwatch with its strap attached and a separate […]
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Latest OnePlus 10 Pro update brings some much-needed bugfixes
The OnePlus 10 Pro launched in the US recently and if you’ve bought the phone you’ll probably be interested to learn that there is a new update available which brings a number of bug fixes to help with fingerprint optimization, audio processing, as well as selfie picture quality, just to name a few. OxygenOS 12 […]
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Fade, Valorant’s latest agent, is a shadowy recon specialist
Riot Games has just revealed the newest agent coming to its popular tactical shooter. Shown off during the finals of Valorant’s Masters Reykjavík tournament on Sunday, Fade is a shadowy bounty hunter that hails from Turkey. “I’ve seen your darkest fears,” she declares ominously in her agent trailer. “Mine would eat them alive.”
In designing Fade, Riot’s Nicholas Smith said the studio’s intent was to create a foil to Sova, previously the game’s only scouting-focused agent. “Fade brings recon to a personal level, more potent in a localized area,” Smith said. “Haunt,” one of her primary abilities, allows you to throw an orb that reveals the location of enemy agents caught in its line of sight. Fade also has an ability called Prowler that sends out a creature that seeks out enemy agents. If an enemy player is hit by the nightmare, they’re left temporarily nearsighted. Fade can also temporarily immobilize enemies with her Seize ability.
Fade will join Valorant’s roster with the release of Episode Four, Act Three, which Riot is expected to release next week.
TAG Heuer’s latest golf smartwatch offers more help with your shots
TAG Heuer was virtually certain to follow up its Connected Calibre E4 smartwatch with a version for golf enthusiasts, and it's now clear you didn't have to wait long. The watchmaker has introduced a Calibre E4 Golf Edition that melds the updated wristwear with some matching upgrades to your experience on the fairway. Most notably, the brand has overhauled the on-watch map interface to show more of the course and your game, including the distances for the target and tracking shot.
You can also expect automatic shot tracking when you swing at the tee — the feature will eventually come to the Apple Watch app, but it's worth noting if you're determined to perfect your drive. If you pair with an iPhone, you can also use TAG Heuer's iOS app to share 3D videos of your best shots. Like you'd expect, the Golf Edition E4 has its share of game-inspired faces and a strap that not-so-subtly mimics the dimples on your ball.
This is otherwise the titanium 45mm Calibre E4 introduced in February, although that's plenty if you want a reasonably current Wear OS watch. You'll find a Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chip that promises both faster performance and 30 percent more battery life than previous models. An altimeter will help with your hiking trips, and the brighter screen will help on sunny golfing days. TAG Heuer should upgrade the watch to Wear OS 3 when it's available.
The Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition will be available this month for $ 2,650 with three Titleist balls and a spare marker in the box. That's more than the regular titanium E4 ($ 2,550) and well above the $ 1,800 'entry' price for the watch range. But let's be honest: if you're even considering a TAG Heuer smartwatch and already devote your weekends to golf, you can likely afford to pay the premium for this variant.
Google’s latest Pixel Feature Drop is here with Night Sight in Snapchat, Custom Text Stickers and more
It’s three months since December which means that it’s time for the next Pixel Feature Drop to be announced by Google. This latest drop brings a bunch of new features such as Night Sight in Snapchat and Custom Text Sticks to eligible Pixel handsets from today onwards. Exciting news, yes? Well, there is one fly […]
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BlackBerry’s latest revival attempt crashes before launch
BlackBerry’s partnership with a Texas-based startup has ended in failure, with the startup announcing its closure. A 5G QWERTY BlackBerry had been planned.
Android | Digital Trends
The latest OPPO Find X5 Pro leak leaves little to the imagination
Expected to be announced sometime during Q1 of 2022, the Find X5 Pro has already been the subject of a number of leaks but this latest one is pretty conclusive. Complete with renders and a list of specifications, this leak reveals almost everything about OPPO’s upcoming flagship phone, as you’ll see after the break. The […]
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