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- Facebook may be forced to sell Giphy following UK regulator findings
- The Morning After: Samsung unveils the more durable Galaxy Z Fold 3 with S Pen support
- 'Nerf Legends' arena shooter brings the iconic blasters to console and PC
- Zoom's new Focus mode hides people who might distract you
- Spotify's latest Wear OS app supports direct streaming and downloads
- The new season of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ stays true to the show’s core
- Criterion is releasing 'Citizen Kane' and five other classics on 4K Blu-ray
- Medium's Partner Program will start paying writers for subscriber referrals
- German animal shelter is posting profiles of adoptable pets on Tinder
- Senate bill would stop Apple and Google’s complete control over in-app payments
- Twitter rolls out redesign with proprietary Chirp font
- 'Life is Strange: Remastered Collection' delayed until early 2022
- 'Axiom Verge 2' is out on Switch, PC and PlayStation today
- Chevy shows off four-wheel steering on its upcoming Silverado EV
- YouTube suspends Rand Paul for a week over COVID-19 misinformation
- Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ is a fun diversion, but not required viewing
- Razer's latest Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds include ANC and RGB lighting
- Android 12 is almost ready as latest beta focuses on platform stability
- Here's everything Samsung announced at its August Unpacked event
- Facebook's Oversight Board orders a post criticizing the Myanmar coup to be restored
- Ford delays Mach E orders due to the global chip shortage
- Google Assistant has a morning routine for schoolchildren
- Owlet’s latest smart sock is designed to keep tabs on older kids too
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 review: Premium features at an affordable price
- WhatsApp will let you transfer your chat history between Android and iOS
| Facebook may be forced to sell Giphy following UK regulator findings Posted: 12 Aug 2021 04:35 AM PDT The UK's competition regulator has found that Facebook's acquisition of GIF-sharing platform Giphy will harm competition within social media and digital advertising. As part of its provisional decision, the watchdog voiced concerns that Facebook could prevent rivals including TikTok and Snapchat from accessing Giphy, a service they already use. It added that Facebook could also require customers of the GIF platform to hand over more data in return for access. If its objections are confirmed as part of the ongoing review, the regulator said it could force Facebook to unwind the deal and to sell off Giphy in its entirety. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ultimately determined that the deal stands to increase Facebook's sizeable market power. Together, its suite of apps — including Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram — account for 70 percent of social media activity and are accessed at least once a month by 80 percent of internet users, the CMA said. Beyond social media, the watchdog suggested that the acquisition could remove a potential challenger to Facebook in the $5.5 billion display advertising market. Citing Facebook's termination of Giphy's paid ad partnerships following the deal, the regulator said the move had effectively stopped the company's ad expansion (including to additional countries like the UK) in its tracks. This in turn had an impact on innovation in the broader advertising sector, the CMA explained. Facebook's announcement last May that it was acquiring Giphy, with plans to integrate it with Instagram, for a reported $400 million immediately raised alarm bells for regulators. The social network is facing antitrust complaints in the US and the EU over its social media and advertising monopolies, respectively. At the same time, the UK has ramped up its scrutiny of Big Tech by creating a dedicated Digital Markets Unit to oversee the likes of Google, Facebook and Apple. The fledgling agency sits within the CMA and is designed to give people more control over their data. Today, the CMA echoed those principles in its initial decision. The regulator said that it would "take the necessary actions" to protect users if it concludes that the merger is detrimental to competition. It will now consult on its findings as part of the reviews process. A final decision is slated for October 6th. Facebook told Variety that it "disagrees" with the CMA's preliminary findings. "We will continue to work with the CMA to address the misconception that the deal harms competition," the company added. It previously argued that Giphy has no operations in the UK, meaning that the CMA has no jurisdiction over the deal. In addition, it has claimed that Giphy's paid services cannot be classified as display advertising under the regulator's own market definition. |
| The Morning After: Samsung unveils the more durable Galaxy Z Fold 3 with S Pen support Posted: 12 Aug 2021 04:15 AM PDT I'm not sold on foldable phones. They're expensive, have questionable durability and — at least so far — don't offer a compelling reason for the form factor. Having said all that, the Galaxy Z Flip 3, Samsung's new clamshell foldable, is almost enough to change my mind. Revealed alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which unfurls into a squarish almost-tablet display, it's the $1,000 Flip 3 that had me considering buying a foldable. Maybe it's because Samsung seems to be trying to address those issues I have. Both phones are cheaper (if not cheap) compared to their predecessors, with the Z Fold 3 now $200 less than the Z Fold 2 was at launch. Engadget, Mat Smith After the broken screen debacle of the original Galaxy Fold, Samsung is keen to stress the hardiness of its new premium phone, which it says is 80 percent stronger. I'm not sure how that increase was so precisely measured, but with IPX8 water resistance, a new stronger aluminum hinge and frame and a Gorilla Glass Victus coating, on paper at least, it sounds tougher. The Z Fold 3 might have the tech advances, with S Pen support and an in-screen selfie camera that can camouflage itself, but the Z Flip 3 is the one that caught my attention when I had the chance to play with the phones at a London preview event. The Flip series seems like the foldable device for now, melding how we use our smartphones in 2021 with foldable screens that are, let's be honest, still not quite perfect. Samsung has expanded the external screen so it functions better for checking notifications or using the cameras without opening the Flip 3. Not that I need an excuse to flip open the satisfying hinge on the thing. I'll wait for Cherlynn Low's full review on both phones, however, before I start getting into preorders. Expect those very soon. We do have a full review on Samsung's newest true wireless earbuds to keep you occupied for now. -Mat Smith Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 hands-on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 hands-on Here's everything Samsung announced at its August Unpacked event Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 review: Premium features at an affordable price Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic hands-onSamsung's new wearable has a built-in body composition scanner.Cherlynn Low / Engadget Alongside the foldables, Samsung also had two wearables to reveal. These are the fruits of its renewed collaboration with Google. For the sake of clarification, Samsung's getting rid of the "Active" branding from its existing lineup — the Watch 4 is the spiritual successor to the Watch Active 2 (there wasn't an Active 3), while it's adding the "Classic" moniker to the previous "regular" Watch line. The big differences between the two? A rotating bezel and a hundred bucks. Apple drops its lawsuit against maker of iPhone emulation softwareThe move comes after Apple suffered a major court loss in the dispute.Apple has settled its 2019 lawsuit with Corellium, a company that builds virtual iOS devices used by security researchers to find bugs in iPhones and other iOS devices. The terms of the settlement weren't disclosed, but the agreement comes after Apple suffered a major court loss in the dispute in late 2020. Corellium's software allows users to run virtual iPhones on a computer browser, giving them deep access to iOS without the need for a physical device. In addition to accusing Corellium of infringing on its copyright, Apple claimed the company was selling its product indiscriminately, and compromising the platform's security. The hacker behind a giant cryptocurrency heist is returning stolen fundsThe intruder stole about $611 million thanks to an exploit.A hacker stole about $611 million in Ethereum, Shiba Inu and other digital currencies from the decentralized Poly Network finance platform on August 10th, by exploiting a vulnerability. Less than a day later, however, the intruder sent a token indicating they were "ready to surrender" and started returning millions in funds. Second thoughts?
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| 'Nerf Legends' arena shooter brings the iconic blasters to console and PC Posted: 12 Aug 2021 03:17 AM PDT While we wait for Nerf to come to Oculus VR, Hasbro has unveiled a new game featuring its toy blasters. Nerf Legends is a first-person arena shooter with a sci-fi twist that sees players battling robots across 19 single player levels. There's also online multiplayer including four versus four and eight player free-for-all modes. Of course, the game is another way to sell real-life Nerf products to a generation of kids who have grown up playing Fortnite. As such, there are 15 blasters from the Mega, Ultra and Elite lines, with upgrades and skins, to choose from. To help your side win, you'll be able to use dart power-ups like magnetic push and pull, seeker and freeze on your opponents. The game is rated T for Teen, which suggests it's not quite fit for kids of all ages, possibly due to the futuristic violence. Nerf Legends will hit all major consoles, including the Nintendo Switch, and PC on October 19th, according to a Best Buy listing. It will be followed by Nerf Ultimate Championship, another arena shooter, on Oculus Quest in 2022. The double whammy of releases signals that Hasbro is serious about the potential of gaming to boost its long-running line of toy blasters. |
| Zoom's new Focus mode hides people who might distract you Posted: 12 Aug 2021 01:25 AM PDT Zoom has unveiled a new feature called Focus Mode designed to keep students from distracting each in virtual classrooms. When activated, it allows the teacher to see all the students, but each student can only see the teacher or host. That way, a teacher could activate it during lectures to minimize distractions and then turn it on for class discussions. On top of seeing the teacher, students will also see their own video and any presentations, along with the names of other students and emoji reactions. With the setting turned off, students can see all the other students and their reactions, as shown below. Zoom The app appears to be available on any Zoom desktop client, presumably including free versions. That could also make it useful for family gatherings, small business meetings and other situations where you might need to keep distractions to a minimum (or provide space for people less comfortable with showing their face on camera). If you want to make the setting mandatory for all users in your account, you can lock it. The feature arrives as the new school year approaches with the threat of COVID-19 and particularly the Delta version potentially keeping students out of schools. On top of the Focus mode, Zoom also detailed some back-to-school tips to make distance learning work better, with suggestions like checking your internet connection, creating a learning space and learning about lighting and other app features. |
| Spotify's latest Wear OS app supports direct streaming and downloads Posted: 12 Aug 2021 12:45 AM PDT With the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 series and Google's new Wear OS version, Spotify has introduced a significant update to its Wear OS app, the company announced. Much like a feature it added to its Apple Watch app last May, Spotify's updated Wear OS app will let you stream and download music straight to your watch, so you can listen to it without the need for a smartphone or even a connection. "In the coming weeks, Spotify users will be able to play their favorite playlists, albums, and podcasts with their smartwatches that run Wear OS," the company wrote on its blog. "By having Spotify on your wrist, you're more free to run, dance, shop, cook, and socialize—and control your music and podcasts at the same time. Plus, we're excited to unveil one of the most requested features by our users: the ability to download all of your favorite music and podcasts to your smartwatch." Spotify noted that the update will arrive on smartwatches from Fossil, Mobvoi and Suunto, along with Samsung's latest devices. It should also work on older watches too, as Spotify notes that it "requires your smartwatch to run at least Wear OS 2.0 or higher." Once you have the latest app on your Wear OS watch, you'll need to have headphones paired directly to your watch. From there, you can stream music, playlists and podcasts directly with no need for a phone. You can also choose content to download directly to your watch, and once that's done, you'll see a green arrow next to the items. Spotify said the new version would be rolling out "in the coming weeks." |
| The new season of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ stays true to the show’s core Posted: 12 Aug 2021 12:00 AM PDT The following contains some spoilers for the second season premiere of 'Star Trek: Lower Decks.' The first season of Lower Decks was a pleasant surprise to many in the Star Trek fandom. What a lot of people had written off as Family Guy- or Rick and Morty-Trek ended up being a wholesome love letter to the history of the franchise. It was filled with plenty of low-brow humor, sure, but it also showcased characters who genuinely cared about each other and what they do. Thankfully, season two is more of the same. Lower Decks takes its name from a season-seven The Next Generation episode that revolved around the lives of four ensigns, and the parts they played in a mission that only the bridge crew really understood the full scope of. It's generally considered one of the best episodes of the franchise, which meant that anything that even vaguely referenced it had a lot to live up to. Luckily, Lower Decks creator and executive producer Mike McMahan was a big fan with deep knowledge of Trek. He is also the creator of the @TNG_S8 parody Twitter account, as well as a veteran of animated shows like South Park, Axe Cop and, yes, Rick and Morty. CBS The conceit of a Lower Decks series was that the stories would focus on a core group of four ensigns on the USS Cerritos: Beckett Mariner, Brad Boimler, D'Vana Tendi and Sam Rutherford, also known as "beta shift." There was a bridge crew, voiced by stars such as Jerry O'Connell and Dawnn Lewis, but their storylines would always be what's going on in the background, and the ensigns wouldn't always be privy to what's happening with the ship. Unlike the TNG episode, however, even the audience has been kept out of the loop on many occasions, with the ensigns even being forced to testify on their commanders' behalf in an unexplained trial. (It turned out to be a party in honor of the senior officers, which confused our protagonists even more.) CBS It's a pretty great idea for a show, one that's yielded hilarious results. But Star Trek doesn't have a good track record of sticking to a concept. The majority of shows since TNG have started out as one thing and become something else over the course of their runs. All shows evolve, but the changes in Trek have been obvious and purposeful. Deep Space Nine was intended to be a "frontier outpost" type of show, showing the long-term relationship between the Starfleet and one of the planets it encountered, Bajor. By season three they were given a warship, and season four brought in TNG-veteran Worf and a war with the Klingon Empire. Star Trek: Voyager operated on the premise of "what if a Starfleet ship was lost far from home?" And it stuck with that, sure, but it also continued to operate like any other Starfleet vessel over seven seasons, and the ship remained in surprisingly good condition despite the lack of spacedocks for repair — something that frustrated writer Ronald D. Moore and later spurred him to create the Battlestar Galactica reboot (the title ship was a wreck by the finale). They also ended up re-establishing contact with the Federation in later seasons, which dampened the whole "alone in a strange quadrant" theme. Enterprise wasn't even called Star Trek until its third season. But still, though it was a show that promised to show us the early origins of Starfleet and the Federation, the first two seasons got bogged down in a "Temporal Cold War" and later episodes brought in 24th-century-era baddies like the Borg and Ferengi. The latest concept switcheroo was the premiere Paramount+ Trek show, Discovery. The producers touted it as the first series where the captain was not the main character, with the program focusing on Commander Michael Burnham instead. This sounded great in theory, as it could show us a different side of Starfleet. In practice, however, even if Burnham wasn't the captain the entire universe seemed to revolve around her anyway: the mysterious "Red Angel〞of season two turned out to be her mother (and her). The show ended up jettisoning its 23rd century setting after that, traveling to the 32nd century to a galaxy with a Federation in tatters. As of the end of season three Burnham became the captain anyway. So much for any Lower Decks-esque perspective on that show. CBS Season two of Lower Decks starts off a bit shaky in that regard — after the events of the last few episodes, Mariner is now BFF with the captain (who is also her mother) and Boimler is a bridge officer on the USS Titan. Neither of them feel like the scrappy underdog anymore. At least Tendi and Rutherford are still pretty minor players, though Tendi is alarmed at sudden changes in Rutherford's personality and worries she may be losing his friendship. The premiere finds Mariner having the carte blanche to go on any side missions she wants, and in one of these authorized-unauthorized missions she accidentally turns first officer Jack Ransom into a god-like being set on taking over a planet. The latter event is, at least, a pretty standard plot contrivance for Star Trek. Where Lower Decks stands apart is that as Ransom is threatening the Cerritos and banging away at its shields, the camera cuts to Tendi attacking Rutherford in a corridor, afraid that his new personality traits mean he's suffering a serious disease, or that he just doesn't like her anymore. The larger existential threat is background color in this scene (literally, as you can see rainbow beams blasting outside the window) while the show chooses to focus on the individual struggles of these two characters. CBS By the end of the episode Rutherford and Tendi sort things out, and even Mariner gets put back in her place, with the partnership between her and her mother dissolved and Beckett back in the brig. The only missing piece of the fabulous four is Boimler and well, he's not having a great time on the Titan, because maybe things are a bit too exciting up on the bridge. The lower decks of the USS Cerritos are the still place to be, with season two off to a solid start. |
| Criterion is releasing 'Citizen Kane' and five other classics on 4K Blu-ray Posted: 11 Aug 2021 10:56 PM PDT Criterion has unveiled its first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray releases with a six-film slate that includes Citizen Kane, Menace II Society, The Piano, Mulholland Dr., The Red Shoes, and A Hard Day's Night. The new releases will give film buffs a chance to see some of these films with the highest detail ever, even during their theatrical runs. Criterion notes that Orson Welles's 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane was its first laserdisc release 37 years ago. "It now rejoins the library after a long absence, making its first appearance in 4K Ultra HD," Criterion wrote in its blog. The other releases represent an eclectic variety of periods ranging from the 1940s with The Red Shoes, 1960s (Hard Day's Night) to the '90s and aughts with Menace II Society, Mulholland Drive and The Piano) Each title will come in a combo pack that includes both 4K UHD and 1080p Blu-ray versions, along with Criterion's popular special features about each film. Some films will also be available in Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos, though Criterion has yet to say which. Criterion's new 4K UHD releases will likely represent the best way to watch classic films at home. If you don't need the super pristine quality, however, it launched the Criterion streaming service in 2019 and now offers over "1,000 important classic and contemporary films," according to the site. |
| Medium's Partner Program will start paying writers for subscriber referrals Posted: 11 Aug 2021 09:49 PM PDT Medium has announced changes to its Partner Program, offering writers extra incentives for referring new subscribers. At the same time, it's making it more difficult for contributors to join the Partner Program based on follower numbers and other criteria, the platform announced yesterday. When Medium launched its Partner Platform, it used a Netflix-like model that let subscribers access all content for $5 per month of $50 per year. Contributors would then get paid based on how much time members spent reading their content — if a member spent 10 percent of their time on one writer's work, that writer would get 10 percent of the subscriber's payments. At the same time, if a reader converted to a paying member within 30 days of reading a writer's work, the writer would credit for that time. Under the new model, writers in the Partner Program will have a personalized referral landing page. If a reader purchases a subscription via a writer's page, the writer will get half the fee for the entire life of the subscription — minus payment processing fees. So, for every 100 members who sign up via a partner's referral landing page, that partner will make $201 per month.
At the same time, when a non-paying reader subscribes to a writer's email, they'll automatically be given the option to convert to a Medium member. If they do, that will count toward the writer's referral earnings. Medium noted that subscriber referral earnings will be in addition to Partner Program earnings based on member read time. Presumably, however, there would be less money to go around from referred subscribers, since half their revenue would be going to the referring partner. At the same time, Medium has made it a bit more difficult to become a partner. Going forward, writers must have at least 100 follower and one published Medium story. Even if you meet all those requirements, you might lose your status if you don't publish anything within a six month period. Existing partners will retain their status until the end of 2021, and if they haven't reached the requirements at that point, they'll be removed. Medium's new model appears to be a response to Substack in particular, which pays writers based on their paid subscriber totals. Substack is more generous to individual writers, taking just 10 percent of their revenue compared to the 50 percent for medium, according to TechCrunch. Unlike Substack, though, Medium readers get access to everything on the platform, not just a single writer's work. |
| German animal shelter is posting profiles of adoptable pets on Tinder Posted: 11 Aug 2021 05:08 PM PDT The Munich Animal Welfare Association has taken a unique approach to matching its resident adoptable pets with their new forever homes: putting their profiles on popular dating app, Tinder. The shelter hired a local advertising agency to snap professional headshots for 15 cats and dogs, then posted them with astonishing results. "The response is insane," Jillian Moss of the MAWA told Reuters. "It's exploding everywhere." The move comes amid concerns from animal welfare groups that the high rates of adoptions seen during the COVID lockdowns are slowing and could reverse as the pandemic ebbs. By putting posting the profiles on Tinder, the shelter can potentially connect these pets with motivated adopters. Benjamin Beilke, who works on Tinder's communication team, added, "we hope that these animals really find a new partner, a 'purrfect match' in the long term and not just for a few weeks." |
| Senate bill would stop Apple and Google’s complete control over in-app payments Posted: 11 Aug 2021 03:17 PM PDT A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced legislation that seeks to reshape how app marketplaces operate in the US. Penned by Senators Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, and co-sponsored by Amy Klobuchar, the chair of the Senate antitrust subcommittee, the proposed legislation would "prevent app stores from disadvantaging developers." The Open App Markets Act reads like a wishlist of items groups like the Coalition for App Fairness have advocated for in their fight against Apple and Google. So it should come as no surprise the organization has come out in support of the proposed legislation. One of the most noteworthy provisions included in the bill's current iteration is a clause that would prohibit app marketplace owners from forcing third-party developers to use a payment system they own. Another provision aimed almost exclusively at Apple would force platform holders to allow consumers to sideload software and install third-party app stores. Payment systems have been one of the issues at the heart of the recent antitrust movement. Apple kicked Epic Games off the App Store after the studio implemented a way for Fortnite players to skirt its 30 percent fee. Google, meanwhile, announced at the end of 2020 that it would give developers until later this year to make their apps compliant with the Play Store's billing system. "The legislation would help create a more competitive app marketplace that will ignite innovation in the digital economy, and provide more options for American consumers," the Coalition for App Fairness said in a statement. Outside of the CAF, organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Internet Accountability Project support the bill. Of course, introducing legislation and passing it are two very different things. You can be sure Apple and Google will lobby to soften the Open App Markets Act since it threatens the way they do business. |
| Twitter rolls out redesign with proprietary Chirp font Posted: 11 Aug 2021 01:25 PM PDT If you went to scroll through your Twitter timeline today, you may have noticed that things look a bit different. That's because Twitter has started rolling out a handful of design tweaks to its web client and mobile apps. The company's Design account detailed them in a thread it posted earlier today.
The most visible (and controversial) change involves Chirp, Twitter's first proprietary typeface. The company introduced the font back in January. According to Twitter, one of the main advantages of Chirp is the way it can align the text of tweets written in Western languages to the left-hand side of the interface. The company says that's something that should make it easier to read content as you scroll through your timeline. The company also tweaked its use of color. It says it went out of its way to use less blue and increase contrast so that both frequently used icons and visual content like images stand out. If you're a fan of customization, Twitter plans to roll out additional color palettes soon. "This is only the start of more visual updates as Twitter becomes more centered on you and what you have to say," the company said.
Separate from the redesign, the company is also rolling out a feature to the Spaces app on iOS that allows users to change how their voice sounds when they speak during a presentation. "We know people often feel uncomfortable by the sound of their own voice," the company said. "Giving people fun effects and useful ones might lower the threshold." |
| 'Life is Strange: Remastered Collection' delayed until early 2022 Posted: 11 Aug 2021 12:40 PM PDT A remastered collection of the first two Life is Strange games will arrive a bit later than expected. Square Enix says it's pushing back the bundle of Life Is Strange and Life Is Strange: Before the Storm to early 2022. The Life Is Strange Remastered Collection was originally scheduled for September 30th. "Due to the ongoing challenges of the worldwide pandemic, we want to alleviate any additional pressure on the Life is Strange team by giving more time between the release of Life is Strange: True Colors and the Life is Strange Remastered Collection," Square Enix wrote in a tweet.
While the delay might be disappointing to some, it's good to see the developers getting more breathing room. The new versions will include "vastly improved character animation" drawn from full facial motion capture. If you buy the ultimate edition of Life is Strange: True Colors, you'll still have access to the remastered collection when it eventually arrives. Meanwhile, Square Enix had some other news to share about the franchise. True Colors, from Before the Storm studio Deck Nine, is still on track for its September 10th release date. If you manage to zip through the next game in the series quickly, you won't have to wait until early next year for another fix. The Wavelengths DLC is now scheduled for September 30th, taking the remastered collection's old slot. A trailer will be released on August 12th. |
| 'Axiom Verge 2' is out on Switch, PC and PlayStation today Posted: 11 Aug 2021 12:26 PM PDT With Samsung hosting its latest Unpacked event earlier today, you may have missed Nintendo's Indie World showcase at noon ET. It was only about 20 minutes long, but the company had a lot of news to share. Most notably, you can download Axiom Verge 2, the sequel to Tom Happ's acclaimed 2015 Metroidvania, today. If you don't own a Switch, it's also available on PC via the Epic Games Store and PlayStation 4. Axiom Verge 2 is not the only Switch indie you can download today. In all, there are six other games you can play today. Of those, the highlights are Boyfriend Dungeon and Garden Story. The former is a hack-and-slash title where you can romance and date the weapons you find on your adventure, while the latter is a top-down Zelda-like RPG set in a charming world filled with anthropomorphic plants. Then there are the indie games you can look forward to playing at a later date on your Switch. Leading that pack is Tetris Effect, which will finally make its way to Nintendo's portable console on October 8th. This latest version of the game will include both single-player and multiplayer components. Other highlights include Eastward, a new action RPG from Stardew Valley publisher Chucklefish Games, and the highly-acclaimed Loop Hero, which came out on PC and Mac earlier this year. Both will arrive on Switch before the end of the year. We're also looking forward to a game called Bomb Rush Cyberpunk. It's reminiscent of Jet Set Radio and is coming to Switch sometime next year. |
| Chevy shows off four-wheel steering on its upcoming Silverado EV Posted: 11 Aug 2021 12:00 PM PDT Not to be outdone by the Rivian R1T's "tank-turning" feat or the Hummer EV's crab-walking capabilities, Chevrolet on Wednesday shared a sneak peak of its own all-wheel steering trick arriving with the upcoming Silverado EV. This system is designed to reduce the vehicle's turning radius at low speeds and improve handling and control at higher speeds. Many details about the 2023 Silverado EV remain scarce though we do know that the R1T and F-150 rival will sport GM's Ultium battery technology and share the Hummer EV's electric drivetrain. Depending on the battery pack size, that could translate into a 400 mile range. There's no word yet on pricing, trim levels or specific availability, though the 2023 model is expected to go on sale in early 2024 and, if the EV follows the pricing model for its gas-powered cousins, we could see the electrified Silverado start at around $50,000 — but again, Chevy hasn't officially confirmed those details. |
| YouTube suspends Rand Paul for a week over COVID-19 misinformation Posted: 11 Aug 2021 11:40 AM PDT YouTube has suspended Sen. Rand Paul from the platform after he claimed in a video that "cloth masks don't work" with regard to the spread of COVID-19. It marked the second time YouTube has removed one of Paul's videos. Paul violated YouTube's policy on coronavirus medical misinformation, a company spokesperson told The New York Times. YouTube prohibits videos containing "claims that masks do not play a role in preventing the contraction or transmission of COVID-19." Paul won't be able to upload videos to the platform for seven days. "Most of the masks you get over the counter don't work. They don't prevent infection," Paul said in the now-deleted video. Paul also cited "actual science" while claiming cloth masks don't work. However, he noted that N-95 masks are effective in protecting against COVID-19 infection. Public health experts say masks work in tandem with other preventative measures such as vaccinations and washing hands frequently to stem the spread of COVID-19. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that members of the general public should use masks made with breathable fabric. Paul acknowledged in a statement that YouTube, as a private company, had the right to suspend him. However, he argued that the decision marked "a continuation of their commitment to act in lockstep with the government." YouTube has yanked tens of thousands of videos that made erroneous claims about COVID-19 vaccines, and it suspended Sky News Australia and OANN for spreading misinformation. YouTube has also run a series of PSAs encouraging people to get inoculated. Meanwhile, Twitter suspended Paul's fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene once again on Tuesday over COVID-19 misinformation. Green claimed that coronavirus vaccines were "failing" and that the Food and Drug Administration should not give them full approval. It's at least the third time Twitter has prevented Greene from tweeting after she shared information. Users can be banned from Twitter permanently after violating the policy five or more times. |
| Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ is a fun diversion, but not required viewing Posted: 11 Aug 2021 11:30 AM PDT Marvel has often been taken to task for poor pacing on its shows. The Netflix programs were always said to be padded out, with more installments than they really needed per season. The Disney+ era has given us shows with fewerepisodes, but that hasn't deterred complaints about slow pacing. What If…?, premiering this week on the service, has a different problem: It's frantic and rushed, like a podcast episode played at 1.5x speed. The concept behind What If…? is simple. Take a pivotal moment from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, change one thing, see what happens. In the premiere episode, set during the events of Captain America: The First Avenger, Peggy Carter chooses to stay in the room where Steve is receiving the super soldier serum. Steve gets shot, forcing Peggy to jump into the machine and get bulked up in his place. You'd need to be intimately familiar with the original movie to spot the difference, which is why the omniscient narrator is there to point it out. It's probably the only time the episode stops to catch its breath. The problem is that this is a half-hour show attempting to present an alternate version of a two-hour movie. It isn't even enough to just say that Captain Carter has super powers; they feel the need to show how the events of the entire movie play out, down to the final battle with the Red Skull. There isn't a lot of time for character development, because they assume you already know the characters well from seeing them on the silver screen. (Also, why is she Captain Carter and not Captain Britain?) Marvel Studios It runs from plot point to plot point, a highlight reel of the film with some small and a lot of big changes. You'll probably want to rewatch the original movie either before or after, just because there are so many winks and nudges to it that the episode simply cannot stand alone. It's like a DVD extra and fan fiction had a baby — which, to be fair, is what the original comic felt like. The difference here is that this is a version of What If...? that gets to play in the MCU sandbox, with the voices and likenesses to boot (except for Hugo Weaving, who is once again replaced by Ross Marquand as the Red Skull). Animation is the only way to pull it off, given that the cast and setting changes with every episode so a live action production would be prohibitively expensive. Marvel Studios But, despite being owned by one of the most famous animation studios in the world, Marvel Studios went with third-party animators. It's a cel shaded style, which is more often used in video games and here looks a lot like rotoscoping. It's sort of stiff and awkward, with more attention paid to making characters look like their actors instead of being more fluid or expressive. It's a shame, given that Disney's 2012 short film Paperman utilized a hybrid 2D/3D style which looks similar to this, but with a lot more personality. Future episodes will explore other divergences from the MCU, like T'Challa becoming Star Lord or Tony Stark getting saved by Killmonger. So it's likely some episodes will be far more enjoyable than others based on their conceit alone, though Captain Carter is still a solid start. But a good concept can't completely overcome animation and pacing issues. |
| Razer's latest Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds include ANC and RGB lighting Posted: 11 Aug 2021 10:59 AM PDT When Razer came out with its Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds in 2019, it was one of the first companies to include a low-latency Bluetooth mode for gaming. That's a feature that has since made its way to various headphones, and the true wireless market has only become more competitive in the meantime. Enter the second-generation Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds, which cost $30 more than their $100 predecessor but include additional premium features. Razer To start, they include both ANC and RGB lighting. You won't get the same noise-canceling experience that you can expect from Razer's $200 Hammerhead True Wireless Pro earbuds, but the company says the new model will still filter out sounds like the hum of a plane. Using the Razer Audio App, you can customize the color and brightness of the Chroma RGB. The software also lets you tweak EQ settings to your liking. Other improvements include support for Bluetooth 5.2 and a new design Razer claims improves sound isolation and fit for most people. The amount of battery life you can look forward to eeking out of the 2021 model will vary greatly depending on your use of the RGB and ANC features. With both turned off, Razer claims you can look forward to six-and-a-half hours of playtime on a single charge and an additional 26 hours with the included charging case. However, those figures drop to four and 20 hours when you enable both features. While not necessarily great, that's still an improvement on the 19 hours of total listening time the previous model offered. You can buy the Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds starting today from Razer's website for $129.99. |
| Android 12 is almost ready as latest beta focuses on platform stability Posted: 11 Aug 2021 10:10 AM PDT Google has released the fourth beta of Android 12, and while there aren't any major new features here, it marks an important step in the operating system's development. Android 12 has now reached platform stability, meaning work is complete on most of the underlying tech. Google said in March it was hoping to hit platform stability in August, so it's right on track. "Android 12's APIs and all app-facing behaviors are finalized," according to Google. That means developers can start their final Android 12 compatibility tests without worrying things will change much. A final Android 12 beta will emerge in the coming weeks. Google is expected to roll out Android 12 broadly in the next couple of months, likely alongside the Pixel 6 lineup. While there might be more features in the pipeline, we may not learn about those until Google gives an in-depth look at its new flagship handsets. If you'd like to try out the Android 12 beta, a number of devices have access to it. Along with Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi and ZTE phones, it's also available on Google TV. |
| Here's everything Samsung announced at its August Unpacked event Posted: 11 Aug 2021 10:00 AM PDT After a couple of less interesting events, Samsung's latest Unpacked was a more jam-packed affair, with the company announcing a total of four devices. Here's everything the company showed off during its August 11th livestream. Galaxy Z Fold 3Cherlynn Low / Engadget Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy Fold 3 headlined Samsung's latest Unpacked event. One of the more noteworthy features of the foldable is that it includes an under-display camera. When it's not in use, the Fold 3's internal selfie shooter will attempt to blend in with the screen. While you can still see the component, particularly if your eyes drift to that part of the display, it helps make the device feel like more of a traditional tablet. And speaking of tablets, you can use Samsung's S Pen stylus with the Galaxy Fold 3. The company devoted an entire segment of its Unpacked event to detailing the time and effort it invested to make the two compatible with one another. In short, the $50 S Pen Fold Edition and S Pen Pro feature rounder tips that can automatically retract if you apply too much pressure to the Fold 3's internal display. Samsung also made the screen protector 80 percent stronger. Once you get past those upgrades, a more capable Cover Display and the addition of IPX8-rated waterproofing, the one thing that stands out the most about the Fold 3 is that Samsung plans to sell it for a more palatable $1,800. You can pre-order the Galaxy Fold 3 starting today before it goes on sale on August 27th. Galaxy Z Flip 3Mat Smith / Engadget Samsung may have spent less time on the Galaxy Z Flip 3, but in many ways it was the more compelling of the two phones we saw today. A lot of that has to do with the fact Samsung plans to sell its latest clamshell foldable for $1,000 when it comes out on August 27th. That's a $200 price cut from the $1,200 Samsung started selling the Galaxy Z Flip 5G at the start of 2021 and puts it more inline with other high-end phones. Critically, Samsung also outfitted the Flip 3 with a more usable Cover Display that is four times larger than the one found on its predecessor. That means there's more room for notifications and widgets, and you can do things like access Android's quick settings menu and Samsung Pay without opening the device. Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 ClassicSamsung Once you get past the mouthful that is Wear OS powered by Samsung, the Galaxy Watch 4 looks like it has a lot going for it. In our hands-on, we found the Galaxy Watch 4's software had more in common with Tizen than Wear OS. That's not necessarily a bad thing. All of the usual flourishes that made the company's previous wearables compelling were still there, with the added advantage of better third-party app support. In terms of hardware, Samsung added a 3-in-1 BioActive sensor that can measure your body fat percentage, a new 5nm processor and 50 percent more RAM. Those latter additions should make the Galaxy Watch 4 feel faster. What's more, the more expensive Watch 4 Classic features the return of the company's much-loved rotating bezel. The Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic will start at $249 and $349 when they hit store shelves on August 27th. Galaxy Buds 2Billy Steele / Engadget Before closing out the event, Samsung announced the Galaxy Buds 2. They're smaller and lighter than the Galaxy Buds+ and include active noise cancellation. With the ANC feature, you have access to three adjustable ambient sound levels. Samsung also added a machine learning feature that will filter out noises when you're using the Buds 2 to talk to someone over the phone. We had a chance to review them before today's event and came away mostly impressed. The Galaxy Buds 2 are not perfect, but you get a lot of features for the $150 asking price. Follow all of the news from Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event right here! |
| Facebook's Oversight Board orders a post criticizing the Myanmar coup to be restored Posted: 11 Aug 2021 09:43 AM PDT Facebook's Oversight Board has instructed the social network to restore a post from a user that criticized the Chinese state. According to the board, Facebook mistakenly removed the post for violating its hate speech policy under the belief it targeted Chinese people. "This case highlights the importance of considering context when enforcing hate speech policies, as well as the importance of protecting political speech," the Oversight Board wrote. "This is particularly relevant in Myanmar given the February 2021 coup and Facebook's key role as a communications medium in the country." The user, who appeared to be in Myanmar, posted the message in question in April. The post argued that, rather than providing funding to Myanmar's military following the coup in February, tax revenue should be given to the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hlutaw, a group of legislators that opposed the coup. The post, which was written in Burmese, was viewed around half a million times. Although no users reported the post, Facebook decided to take it down. The post used profanity while referencing Chinese policy in Hong Kong. Facebook's translation of the post led four content reviewers to believe that the user was criticizing Chinese people. Under its hate speech rules, Facebook doesn't allow content that targets someone or a group of people based on ethnicity, race or national origins that use "profane terms or phrases with the intent to insult." The user who wrote the post claimed in their appeal that they shared it in an effort to "stop the brutal military regime." The Oversight Board says context is particularly important in this case. The Burmese language uses the same word to refer to both a state and people who are from that state. Other factors made it clear the user was referring to the Chinese state, according to the board. Two translators who reviewed the post "did not indicate any doubt" that the word at the heart of the case was referring to a state. The translators told the board the post includes terms that Myanmar's government and the Chinese embassy commonly use to refer to each other. Public comments the board received regarding the case indicated the post was political speech. The Oversight Board ordered Facebook to restore the post and recommended Facebook ensures "its Internal Implementation Standards are available in the language in which content moderators review content. If necessary to prioritize, Facebook should focus first on contexts where the risks to human rights are more severe." The company has had a complicated history with Myanmar. In 2018, Facebook was accused of censoring information about ethnic cleansing in the country. It admitted it didn't do enough to stop people from using the platform to incite offline violence and "foment division," following a report it commissioned about the matter. Soon after the coup, Facebook was temporarily blocked in Myanmar. After it returned, Facebook took steps to limit the reach of the country's military on its platform, and later banned the military outright on Facebook and Instagram. The Oversight Board previously told Facebook to restore a post from another user based in Myanmar. As with the latest ruling, the board said Facebook misinterpreted the post as hate speech. While it was "pejorative or offensive," the post didn't "advocate hatred" or directly call for violence. |
| Ford delays Mach E orders due to the global chip shortage Posted: 11 Aug 2021 09:18 AM PDT Ford is delaying shipments of Mach-E electric vehicles due to the global chip shortage that's causing problems across all manner of industries. The company told affected owners their deliveries will be delayed by at least six weeks. In an effort to make up for the delay, Ford is offering an additional 250kWh worth of charging on the house, which should be good for around 700 miles of driving. That doubles the complimentary charging Mach E owners receive with their EV. According to Elektrek, the delay affects EVs that were scheduled for production between July 5th and October 1st. "We'd like you to know that while we're working nonstop to deliver your very own Mustang Mach-E vehicle, we project your vehicle delivery will be delayed by a minimum of six weeks," Ford wrote in an email to customers. "Once your vehicle receives the required chip, your vehicle status will be updated, and you'll receive an email with an estimated week of delivery." The semiconductor shortage has impacted production of a broad range of products in recent months. Along with EVs and other vehicles, gameconsoles, graphics cards, smartphones, Apple products and other goods have been affected. Ford cut vehicle production earlier this year due to the problem. |
| Google Assistant has a morning routine for schoolchildren Posted: 11 Aug 2021 09:00 AM PDT Now that many kids are about to go back to school, Google thinks it can offer a helping hand — including after class. It's introducing Assistant and search features to help parents coordinate in morning and kids to learn more (or at least, stay entertained). To start, Family Bell is coming to mobile devices. Accordingly, it can soon start a checklist on a Nest Hub to remind kids to make the bed and brush their teeth before they fly out the door. Kids will also have more ways to improve their education at home. Search now has an interactive periodic table that uses augmented reality and 3D to help children visualize atoms and learn useful tidbits about the elements. On their phones, young ones can tap a Live Translation button in search to recall a particular phrase. Assistant will also offer more diverse educational stories from The English Schoolhouse, while Harry Potter fans will have the option of listening to Fantastic Beasts stories on Android or Assistant smart displays. And yes, there's something for the parents who need to get moving. You'll soon have the option of starting your morning Assistant routine the moment you dismiss your alarm, making it easier to focus on your kids or just getting dressed for the day. The feature additions might be particularly apt in a year where back-to-school will be complicated. Many kids will finally return to in-person classes as the pandemic subsides, but some will still have to learn remotely for some or all of the school year. In theory, Google is covering both bases. |
| Owlet’s latest smart sock is designed to keep tabs on older kids too Posted: 11 Aug 2021 08:37 AM PDT Owlet, the company best known for its smart sock wearables for infants and babies, has just released the Smart Sock Plus. The new product is designed to monitor the same stats as the previous versions — heart rate, pulse ox and sleep metrics — but can now be used on children up to five years old or 55 pounds. Owlet says that one of the most frequent requests they received from parents was the ability to use the sock past the 18 month cut off period. The company has updated the algorithms to measure older children as they grow, but otherwise works much the same as before. A sock with a sensor is fastened around your child's foot and readings are sent to a base station that will alert parents and caregivers if your child's heart rate or pulse ox drop below a preset zone. The app also tracks sleep metrics and will work along side the company's camera to provide a complete picture of your child's well being as they sleep. The Smart Sock Plus includes three sizes of the fabric sock to fit your kiddo as they grow and is available now for $359. Existing Smart Sock 3 customers can purchase an expansion pack for $69 which provides users with two additional sock sizes. The Owlet Cam retails for $149 on its own, or you can get the bunlded package with the Smart Sock Plus for $459. |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 review: Premium features at an affordable price Posted: 11 Aug 2021 08:00 AM PDT After the introduction of the Galaxy Buds Pro earlier this year, Samsung finally had a true wireless lineup that covered all of the bases. Ambient sound, wireless charging and other premium features were already standard on the company's earbuds, but with the Pro it added true active noise cancellation (ANC), 360 audio and more. Now Samsung is circling back and redesigning its entry-level buds. With the Galaxy Buds 2, the company brings features typically reserved for its pricier models to a set of $150 earbuds, reducing the number of tradeoffs that are usually required if you want to spend a little less. DesignBilly Steele/Engadget For the Galaxy Buds 2, Samsung ditched the triangular touch panel and fit wing for an oval shape that's reminiscent of the Galaxy Buds Pro. The outer panel is seamless, so you can't tell where the touch controls are exactly. There's no button or frame outlining them; the only things visible on the outside are two of the three microphones, one of which replaces the tiny grille on the Pro model. Samsung says the Galaxy Buds 2 are 15-percent smaller and 20-percent lighter than the Galaxy Buds+ which were already quite tiny. This makes them noticeably smaller than the Galaxy Buds Pro as well, even though the overall design is similar. The Galaxy Buds 2 aren't as deep, which accounts for their more compact stature. Indeed, Samsung's smallest and lightest earbuds yet are also some of its most comfortable. These earbuds are among the tiniest I've tested and the size helps them nestle snugly in your ear without the burden of extra weight or the protruding design you get with larger models. Like the Galaxy Buds Pro, the outer touch panel area of the Galaxy Buds 2 has a glossy finish, although this new model is clearly made of plastic. The Pro version has a bit of metallic character, giving them a more premium look. Samsung kept the same IPX2 rating, which means you should be fine if you get caught in some drizzle, but frequent splashes and sweaty workouts might cause problems. The cases for both the Galaxy Buds 2 and Galaxy Buds Pro are nearly identical. They're the exact same size and shape: a small square with rounded corners. With the Galaxy Buds 2, Samsung opted for a glossy finish over the previous matte exterior. Plus, every case for this new model is white, no matter which color bud you choose. Only the interior cradle that holds the earbuds and the thin seam where the case closes matches your hue preference. A single LED up front keeps you aware of the charging status while a USB-C port around back is available for wired top-ups. SoftwareBilly Steele/Engadget Samsung's Galaxy Wearable app is where you access all of the controls and settings for the Galaxy Buds 2, just like it was for the company's other recent earbuds. This includes the ability to switch between ANC, ambient sound and both off as well as adjusting ambient sound levels, reassigning the touch and hold gesture, selecting an EQ preset, activating hands-free Bixby and checking battery percentage. It's also where you can employ Samsung's Find My Earbuds feature should you misplace a bud. Touch controls are mirrored on both sides by default with a single tap for play/pause, a double tap to skip tracks ahead and a triple tap to return to the previous song. A touch and hold function switches between active noise cancellation and ambient sound. You can't adjust the level of environmental noise you let in on the earbuds; this just returns to your last selection. There is the option to set this to toggle between ANC and off or ambient sound and off if you dive further into the settings. You can also choose to disable all of the touch controls entirely or one or more of them individually. Samsung gives you the ability to reconfigure the touch and hold option, but you have limited alternatives. You can set it to activate Bixby, give you one-touch access to Spotify or on-board volume control. If you choose that last option, you can only assign volume down to the left earbud and volume up to the right. As was the case with previous Galaxy Buds, a full suite of volume controls means you lose access to something handy like ANC/ambient sound. Similar to lots of other companies, Samsung has once again included an ear tip fit test in its app. This short diagnostic plays a few seconds of sound to ensure optimal audio quality and noise cancellation. Samsung offered deep iOS integration on the Galaxy Buds+. In fact, you got nearly all of the same features on your iPhone as someone with a Galaxy device. The company backed off of that with its recent products and continues to do so with the Galaxy Buds 2. You'll need an Android phone to dive into all the Galaxy Wearable app offers. Samsung also has a Galaxy Buds app for Windows, but if you're hoping to use these new earbuds with an iPhone, iPad or Mac, just know you're stuck with the default settings. Sound qualityBilly Steele/Engadget The audio quality hasn't ever been mind-blowing on Samsung's more affordable Galaxy Buds. It was a huge disappointment on the original model, but the company made some improvements to the low-end on the Buds+. Still, overall sound quality needed work. With the Galaxy Buds 2, the company has made some strides that bring its $150 model more in line with the pricier Galaxy Buds Pro. This new version doesn't have the same clarity and depth as its more expensive sibling, but the dynamic range is at least comparable. Things definitely sound compressed on the Galaxy Buds 2. There's ample bass and enough treble for certain details to cut through, but low-end tone lacks punch and tracks that are meant to sound big and bombastic are somewhat subdued. On the Buds Pro, songs like CHVRCHES "How Not to Down" are nicely layered creations of drums, piano and other instruments with airy vocals sitting on top. That all sounds noticeably flatter when I switch to the Galaxy Buds 2. It's better than the Galaxy Buds+, but it's worth noting that although the Galaxy Buds 2 are balanced, the company could do better when it comes to details and depth. The EQ presets in the Galaxy Wearable app don't offer any improvement over the default (Normal) mode. All of the options seem to pipe in too much bass, mids or treble depending on which one you select, and a few of them feel muffled. Billy Steele/Engadget For the first time, Samsung is offering active noise cancellation on its most affordable Galaxy Buds. The Buds+ had an ambient sound mode, but they didn't do anything to block environmental ruckus beyond passive noise isolation. The ANC on the Galaxy Buds 2 will help reduce distractions but it's not as powerful as pricer earbuds can muster. Samsung says the setup on this model can reduce 98 percent of background noise, but things like a white noise machine and box fans cut through to varying degrees. It's definitely better than passive isolation on its own, but if you're interested in earbuds that block out nearly everything, you'll want to look elsewhere. Lastly, there's also only one setting here where the Galaxy Buds Pro offers options for high and low noise cancellation. Like the Pro model, the Galaxy Buds 2 is equipped with adjustable ambient sound. However, where the Galaxy Buds Pro has four levels, these new earbuds only have three. It's basically a volume adjustment for how much environmental noise you're letting in. One other new feature with the Galaxy Buds 2 is available on the new Galaxy Watch 4. With that wearable, a new Buds Controller puts noise controls on your wrist. This gives you the ability to switch between ANC and ambient sound. It will come in handy if you decide to remove that option from the earbuds' touch controls. You can also view battery status on the Watch 4 as well as disable the touch controls entirely if needed. Call qualityBilly Steele/Engadget Samsung is once again making big promises about call quality on the Galaxy Buds 2. The company says the combination of machine learning alongside three microphones per earbud and a voice pickup unit (VPU) "maximizes call clarity in all conditions." In practice, the earbuds actually do combat background noise to a degree. They don't entirely get rid of it, but they can reduce things like background conversations and the TV a low roar, according to the person on the other end of my calls. My wife noted that while I still sounded like I was on speaker phone, the noise around me was subdued when either of us began to talk. It's not pristine call quality, but at least Samsung delivers on some of its claims here. Battery lifeSamsung is promising up to five hours of battery life on the Galaxy Buds 2 themselves with an additional three charges in the case (20 hours total). That's with active noise cancellation turned on. If you disable that feature, the company says you can expect up to seven and a half hours on a charge (29 hours total with the case). Like all of the previous Galaxy Buds devices, the case supports wireless charging via Qi-certified devices and Samsung's Power Share feature on the back of its phones. There's a quick charge option on the Galaxy Buds 2 as well that gives you an hour of non-ANC listening time after five minutes. While five hours isn't exactly impressive, the range for the Galaxy Buds 2 is on par with a lot of true wireless earbuds I've tested recently. It may not be enough to last an entire trans-continental flight, but it might get you through a full day of work, especially if you can disable noise cancellation for a spell. During my tests, I managed just over seven hours of what I'd consider "regular" use. That's a mix of ANC, ambient sound at varying levels, calls and only using one earbud at any given time. The competitionBilly Steele/Engadget The playing field at the $150 price point is getting increasingly crowded as more companies have solved the riddle of how to cram premium features in affordable earbuds. The Beats Studio Buds are a recent entry, offering nearly identical battery life to the Galaxy Buds 2. The only difference there is Samsung gives you one more charge in the case. The Studio Buds don't support wireless charging and there are no options for customizing the sound, but the audio is balanced and the earbuds are tiny and comfy. Beats tossed in quick pairing support for both Android and iOS, and with the latter, you get hands-free access to Siri. They're also the exact same price as the Galaxy Buds 2, unless you can find them on sale. For around $150, I'm also a big fan of the Jabra Elite 75t. These earbuds are getting a little long in the tooth after a late-2019 debut, but the company added active noise cancellation through a firmware update last fall. If you purchase a set now, they'll ship with ANC already installed. You'll have to pay extra for a wireless charging case, but once again, battery life is nearly identical to the Galaxy Buds 2. Jabra also massively improved the audio quality on the 75t and a new design is smaller and more comfy. Although the Elite 75t debuted at $180, you can find them nowadays for around $150, but some colors are available on Amazon for as little as $90. Wrap-upWith the exception of the Galaxy Buds Live, Samsung has a solid track record with its recent earbuds. That's true once again with the Galaxy Buds 2 where a tiny curved design keeps things comfy even for long periods of time. The company brought all of what made the Buds+ a solid affordable true wireless option back and added active noise cancellation to what is now its cheapest model. Sure, the audio could be better, but the combination of features and price make the Galaxy Buds 2 a solid option for Android users. And if you own a Samsung phone, you'll get even more out of them. |
| WhatsApp will let you transfer your chat history between Android and iOS Posted: 11 Aug 2021 07:47 AM PDT WhatsApp is finally addressing one of the biggest problems with its chat histories: the inability to carry them over when you switch platforms. The Facebook brand has used Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event to introduce the option of importing your WhatsApp chat history between Android and iOS. It'll initially reach Android phones, starting with Samsung phones running Android 10 or newer (including the new foldables), but it'll eventually be available on both operating systems. The transfer includes photos and voice memos, and should reach users in the "coming weeks." The implementation was difficult, according to WhatsApp. As the messages are end-to-end encrypted and stored on-device, migrating them demands "additional work" from WhatsApp, OS developers and phone makers. It took a collaborative effort to enable transfers like these, in other words. It's not surprising that WhatsApp would announce the news at Unpacked. Samsung is clearly hoping this will rope in iPhone users who were hesitant to lose their WhatsApp histories when switching to a Galaxy phone. However, this will also be useful for people switching to iPhones, or anyone worried about losing an important conversation thread when they hop from one platform to the other. |
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