Monday, November 8, 2021

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Zhiyun's three-axis camera gimbal houses an LED light and small display

Posted: 08 Nov 2021 03:00 AM PST

You might already be familiar with DJI's gimbals, but rival Zhiyun actually carries more models — particularly those designed for mirrorless, DSLR and cinema cameras. Now, it has released the three-axis Crane M3 designed for mirrorless cameras, with some interesting new features like a tiny LED light and a built-in screen.

The Crane M3 is about the size of a water bottle and offers tilt, roll and pan axes with locks for each. It works with smartphones and 90 percent of mirrorless cameras, Zhiyun notes. It has a smart new white and black chassis that the company says delivers a better gripping and user experience. It also offers upgraded motors with stronger torque than the original Crane 3. 

A key feature is the quick-release design with different plates that lets you change rapidly between different sized cameras (action and mirrorless, for instance), without the need to rebalance. It also has a quarter-inch adapter so you can connect a professional microphone to an expansion base and run a second cable to the camera. A mic or other accessory can then be attached to a quarter-inch threaded expansion port. Zhiyun is even selling its own shotgun mic in one of the packages, or you can connect other models.

Zhiyun's three-axis camera gimbal houses an LED light and small display
Zhiyun

The most noticeable feature, though, is an 800-lumen 6 watt dual-color LED light. It's designed for "impromptu low-light shooting," Zhiyun notes, with full stepless dimming control and temperature settings via a control wheel. The light is softened with a translucent filter, though it's largely designed for run-and-gun shooting.

Other features include Bluetooth (or USB-C) control of supported cameras and a joystick and wheel to control, roll axis, aperture, shutter and ISO. If you'd rather not set controls using the smartphone app, it also offers a 1.22-inch full-color interactive touchscreen to change mode settings (portrait, vortex and go modes), as well as follow speed. It also shows camera operational status, gimbal connection and battery levels. 

Zhiyun sent me a unit to try out, complete with the expansion plate, so I attached a Panasonic GH5 II. While some functions weren't working (like the camera app), it was one of the easier gimbals to balance that I've tried and it's certainly easy to detach and attach the camera using the quick release plates. The ability to connect a microphone away from the camera is also smart, reducing complexity and rebalancing, though you'd need some accessories to attach a decent-sized microphone. 

Zhiyun's three-axis camera gimbal houses an LED light and small display
Zhiyun

Operation was smooth, with controls well placed for manual operations. The touchscreen was nice, though it's relatively easy to hit it by mistake — I did so once and accidentally changed the language. The lighting feature works great in a pinch, but because of the small size, it casts some harsh shadows. Hopefully all the features I didn't get to try, including app support, will be available soon.  

The Zhiyun Crane M3 is now available to order starting at $369 (£369) for the standard package, $449 (£449) for the combo package with a backpack, cellphone mount and Tripod Plus, or $649 (£649) for the Pro package, including all the above plus the TransMount Shotgun Microphone and TransMount Expansion Base. 

Disney+ special offer cuts subscriptions to $2 for the first month

Posted: 08 Nov 2021 01:18 AM PST

As part of Disney+ Day on November 12th, Disney is trying to tempt folks to its streaming service with an offer of one month for just $2, it announced. It's available to new or eligible returning subscribers and will cost $8 per month after that, but you can cancel at any time.

On top of a cheap month of streaming, Disney has special offers at its parks, including an early 30 minute entry at Disney World and Disneyland with free Disney PhotoPass photo downloads. It will also unveil new ShopDisney merchandise from Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, along with discounted ebooks available at just $1 until November 17th. 

Other perks include 5 and 10 percent off Disney Plus products at WizKids and Funko, respectively, with the code DISNEYPLUSDAY. More than 200 AMC theaters will screen surprise Disney movies on November 12th-14th for $5 per ticket, with special concessions and a Disney Plus poster thrown in. Finally, Disney is jumping onto the NFT bandwagon with golden NFT statues of characters from The Simpsons and other franchises. 

The $2 promotional pricing is now available until November 14th, providing a good way to try out the service. Just remember that it will revert to the regular $8 price a month later, so don't forget to cancel if you don't want to keep it. 

Disney+ will let you watch 'Shang-Chi' and 12 Marvel films in a large IMAX format

Posted: 07 Nov 2021 10:26 PM PST

Marvel's superheroes are about to get a bit bigger on your TV. Disney+ announced today that it's adding an expanded IMAX aspect ratio for 13 Marvel titles, including Shang-Chi and Black Panther, on November 12th (AKA "Disney+ Day"). The 1.90:1 IMAX aspect ratio will look up to 26 percent taller than the typical 2.35:1 widescreen format in Marvel films, so those annoying black bars will almost disappear while you're watching scenes shot in IMAX. (You'll still see some slight bars, though, as the IMAX format doesn't completely fill 16x9 widescreen TVs.)

Disney+ IMAX Enhanced Shang-Chi
Disney

Before this Disney+ partnership, IMAX and DTS brought the "IMAX Enhanced" home viewing format to a handful of TV streaming apps, like Sony's Bravia Core. IMAX-ified films will have a prominent label on their Disney+ screens, and you'll also be able to launch the standard widescreen version if you prefer. Physical Blu-ray collectors are already used to shifting IMAX aspect ratios in some films, most notably The Dark Knight, Tenet and Mission Impossible: Fallout, but streaming films have typically lost on this perk.

The expanded aspect ratio should give Marvel's action sequences more room to pop on your TV, and it's a feature Disney+ can lord over its streaming competitors. Technically, IMAX Enhanced isn't delivering the large film format's true aspect ratio, which is more square. But, as we saw with Zack Snyder's Justice League, that leads to enormous black bars on the sides of your TV. It's also worth noting that we won't see IMAX versions of The Avengers and Ant-Man, as those are the rare Marvel films that used the TV-filling 1.85:1 aspect ratio (a choice made to convey a better sense of height).

Looking ahead, IMAX Enhanced will also bring immersive DTS sound to Disney+, a competing option to the more ubiquitous Dolby Atmos format. Representatives from all of the companies involved tell us that IMAX Enhanced films will also support Dolby Vision, HDR10, 4K (naturally) and Dolby Atmos sound.

Here are all the IMAX Enhanced films arriving on Disney+ on November 12th:

  • Ant-Man and the Wasp

  • Avengers: Infinity War

  • Avengers: Endgame

  • Black Panther

  • Black Widow

  • Captain America: Civil War

  • Captain Marvel

  • Doctor Strange

  • Guardians of the Galaxy 1 & 2

  • Iron Man

  • Thor Ragnarok

  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Apple fixes macOS Monterey flaw that bricked some T2 Macs

Posted: 07 Nov 2021 01:59 PM PST

MacOS Monterey didn't have the most graceful launch for some users. According to 9to5Mac, Apple told YouTuber Rene Ritchie it fixed a firmware issue preventing some Macs with T2 security chips from starting. New upgraders who install Monterey will now get updated firmware alongside the OS. The T2 chip exists in most Macs released between 2018 and 2020.

Apple didn't say which systems were most likely to be affected. However, it said only a "very small number" of users ran into the problem.

Unfortunately, there's no easy way to recover if your Mac bricked as a result of the update. If you ran into trouble, you'll have to contact Apple technical support. It's not clear if you'll have to send your Mac in for service, but it's safe to presume this could sour your Monterey experience. As common as OS launch bugs may be, they're seldom this serious.

Netflix will supposedly make iOS games available through the App Store

Posted: 07 Nov 2021 01:27 PM PST

Now that Netflix is offering mobile games on Android, there's a lingering question: how will iOS players join in when Apple's policies bar all-in-one gaming services? The hard way, apparently. In his "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman (with help from developer Steve Moser) claimed to have seen code indicating Netflix would release all its games "individually" on iOS, through the App Store. They won't all be downloadable and playable within the app, Gurman added.

The main Netflix app would still offer access to the game catalog, but you'd merely be launching a separate app when you tap a game. That's currently how it works with Android, but Netflix has the option of folding games into its Android app. On iOS, it would have no choice but to make games available separately. Apple requires that every game on the App Store receive an individual screening, even if it's only available through the cloud.

You could see this coming in light of Apple's approach, but it still indicates that Netflix will have to make some compromises if it's going to bring mobile games to iOS. This also underscores a growing rivalry between Apple and Netflix, as Gurman explained. The two are competing on an increasing number of fronts, ranging from gaming to streaming video services, but neither can afford to estrange the other. The potential exists for a significant conflict, especially if Apple has to make further concessions on App Store rules

Google pins slow Pixel 6 fingerprint recognition on 'enhanced security'

Posted: 07 Nov 2021 11:50 AM PST

Ask Pixel 6 owners about their top gripe and they'll likely point to the slow, finicky fingerprint sensor. There may be an explanation for that momentary anguish, though. Google is telling users that the Pixel 6's fingerprint reader is using "enhanced security algorithms" that may either take longer to check your digits or require better sensor contact.

Google hasn't elaborated on its statement. We've asked Google for comment.

Some users have suggested the sluggish performance might be due to Google's use of an optical under-display fingerprint reader instead of the ultrasonic sensor found in phones like the Galaxy S21. However, Reddit users noted there are phones with optical sensors that perform faster, such as the OnePlus 9. There's a real chance software may play a role in the Pixel 6's quirks.

It's not certain if Google can or will address this through a software update. Whether or not it can, it's unlikely to provide an alternative beyond entering your passcode. Face unlock is typically insecure without a depth sensor present, as facial recognition systems can sometimes be fooled by masks and photos. Short some kind of revision, you might just have to be patient when using the latest Pixel flagship.

SpaceX now expects Crew-3 to launch November 10th

Posted: 07 Nov 2021 11:13 AM PST

SpaceX and partners are still struggling to put Crew-3 into orbit. NASA has delayed the mission's launch yet again, to November 10th at 9:03PM Eastern. They moved the liftoff date after deciding to return Crew-2 (itself delayed to November 8th) first and avoid "weather considerations" affecting launch as well as recovery, according to the European Space Agency. SpaceX noted there was an 80 percent chance of favorable weather for the new date.

Crew-3 should dock with the International Space Station at roughly 7:10PM Eastern on November 11th. The launch was originally set for Halloween but was pushed to November 3rd due to weather. NASA postponed the launch again, aiming for a late November 6th launch, after a crew member suffered a "minor medical issue."

Delays are common in spaceflight, including for Crew Dragon flights, but Crew-3 mission has suffered more headaches than you might expect given weeks of setbacks. While SpaceX and its agency allies clearly don't have much choice in the matter, this isn't what they'd want to endure as they try to make privately-operated spaceflights more routine.

Iraqi prime minister says he was the target of a drone assassination attempt

Posted: 07 Nov 2021 10:24 AM PST

Drones are apparently turning into assassination tools. According to CBS News and Reuters, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi says he survived a drone-based assassination attempt today (November 7th) at his home in Baghdad's highly secure Green Zone. The country's Interior Ministry said the attack involved three drones, including at least one bomb-laden vehicle. Six bodyguards were injured during the incident, and an official speaking talking to Reuters claimed security forces obtained the remnants of a small drone at the scene.

While the Iraqi government publicly said it was "premature" to identify culprits, CBS sources suspected the perpetrators belonged to pro-Iranian militias that have used similar tactics against Erbil International Airport and the US Embassy. The militias directly blamed al-Kadhimi for casualties in a fight between Iraqi security forces and pro-militia protesters who objected to their side's losses in an October 10th parliamentary vote.

Iraq, the US, Saudi Arabia and Iran have publicly condemned the attack. Militia leaders, however, suggested the drone attack might have been faked to distract from protesters' reported deaths.

Drone-based terrorism isn't a completely novel concept. ISIS, for instance, modified off-the-shelf drones to drop explosives. Attacks against political leaders are still very rare, though. If accurate, the reported Iraqi plot suggests drone terrorism is entering a new phase — extremists are using robotic fliers to hit major targets too dangerous to strike using conventional methods.

Uber considers dispatching yellow taxis in New York City

Posted: 07 Nov 2021 09:10 AM PST

Uber might compensate for driver shortages by reviving an old feature. The New York Postreports Uber has lobbied the chief of New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission on the "potential" of dispatching the area's legendary yellow taxis. The details of the lobbying weren't revealed in the public disclosure, but the description suggested you would hail a taxi from the Uber app like you could in the company's earlier days.

We've asked Uber for comment, although it declined to speak to The Post. A TLC spokesperson shied away from discussing details, saying only that the Commission "meets frequently" with licensees to explore ideas and that it was focused on relief efforts for drivers struggling with taxi medallion debt.

Yellow cab hailing might seem an unusual choice for a company that has routinely clashed with the taxi industry and is frequently blamed for gutting NYC's cab demand. Uber would likely have to rethink its commissions to compensate taxi drivers who pay steep costs to operate in the city, and it could still face political opposition given its history.

Even so, it's easy to see why Uber might consider offering NYC taxis. The revival would increase the chances of passengers scoring some kind of ride through the Uber app, even if there aren't enough ridesharing drivers to go around. That could keep New Yorkers using the Uber app and increase the chances they'll use the company's more familiar options.

Apple's AirPods Max drop to a new low price of $430 at Amazon

Posted: 07 Nov 2021 07:20 AM PST

Don't worry if you've been tempted by the AirPods Max, but put off by that eye-watering initial price tag — they're a considerably better value right now. Amazon is running a sale for Apple's over-ear headphones that drops the price to $430, or a steep $120 lower than their official sticker. The discount applies regardless of color, too, so you can spring for blue, pink or any other shade.

Buy AirPods Max (Sky Blue) on Amazon - $430Buy AirPods Max (Space Gray) on Amazon - $430Buy AirPods Max (Pink) on Amazon - $430

While the AirPods Max are expensive, you also get a lot for your money. They deliver a balanced sound with an adaptive EQ (to optimize for your ear) and solid active noise cancellation. You can expect healthy battery life, convenient controls and tight integration with Apple devices — the usual setup and device switching headaches won't be an issue. They've become more valuable over time, too. Now that Apple Music offers spatial audio, you can immerse yourself in songs that take advantage of the all-enveloping sound stage.

Some familiar caveats still apply. You can buy competing headphones like Sony's WH-1000XM4 or Bose's 700 for less, and they may offer advantages in key areas. Their Apple-centric focus makes them less appealing if you prefer Android or Windows. And you can't listen to lossless Apple Music audio even when you're plugged in. With that said, the sale price makes the AirPods Max considerably easier to justify if you have an Apple device and enjoy the eye-catching design.

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