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- H&R Block sues Jack Dorsey's Block for trademark infringement
- Uber will test 'autonomous' food delivery sometime next year
- TikTok rolls out 1080p uploads and more editing features
- Hyundai's MobED robot can elevate its wheels to navigate uneven surfaces
- TikTok is testing a desktop livestreaming app
- DirecTV will hike prices for most streaming plans next month
- Google makes it easier to spot price drops in Chrome
- TikTok will switch up For You recommendations to avoid 'repetitive patterns'
- Neymar Jr. cut a streaming deal with Facebook Gaming
- Apple joins the ranks of companies delaying their return to office
- Portal users can now bring sign language interpreters into video calls
- Sidewalk Labs products will be folded into Google proper
- Pixelmator Photo's in-depth image editing comes to the iPhone
- Spotify adds listener ratings for podcasts
- Ransomware attack hits major payroll company right before Christmas
- Researchers call NSO zero-click iPhone exploit 'incredible and terrifying'
- The Mac Mini M1 with 16GB of RAM is $100 off right now
- Apple's newest AirPods fall back to an all-time low of $140
- Citroen reimagines its Ami EV as an adorable off-road buggy
- The Morning After: Oppo's take on folding smartphones doesn't look so huge
- Square Enix suspends sales of 'Final Fantasy XIV' because it's too popular
- Roku will offer 99-cent trials for Showtime, Starz and AMC+
- Uber expands person-to-person deliveries across the US
- Bungie's head of HR steps down following reports of toxic workplace culture
- CD Projekt Red will pay only $1.85 million to settle 'Cyberpunk 2077' lawsuit
H&R Block sues Jack Dorsey's Block for trademark infringement Posted: 16 Dec 2021 11:30 AM PST Block may have hit a snag in its rebranding effort. Per The Wall Street Journal, H&R Block is suing the company formerly known as Square. In a federal complaint filed on Thursday, the tax-prep firm said the name change could hurt its brand. It wants Jack Dorsey's payments outfit to stop using the name and a logo it contends is "nearly identical" to its own. "The goodwill that Block has so carefully created and nurtured over the past six decades is now under attack by a Silicon Valley fintech company," it said. We've reached out to Block, the other one, for comment. Square changed its name to Block at the start of December. At the time, the company said it wanted a name that better reflected the expansion of its business beyond payments and the growing importance of blockchain technologies to its identity. Since its founding in 2009, Block's business has expanded to include stock and crypto trading, money lending and even music streaming. Where things may get tricky in terms of a trademark infringement complaint is that Block bought Credit Karma's tax-prep business in 2020. It plans to offer tax returns through its Cash App. In trademark cases, a court will look at similarities between the products and services two companies offer. It will also consider how the two may compete against one another in the future. Jack, if you're reading this: it's never been a better time to rebrand the company to "Tesseract." |
Uber will test 'autonomous' food delivery sometime next year Posted: 16 Dec 2021 10:31 AM PST Uber and autonomous vehicle company Motional announced a partnership today for "autonomous deliveries" through Uber Eats. As you might imagine, there are some caveats. The pilot is slated to launch at some point in "early 2022," though Motional (itself a partnership between Hyundai and Aptiv) would not provide further details on timing. The full array of food options normally available through Uber Eats also won't be available. Instead customers will pick from "a curated set of meal kits from select restaurants." Nor will this joint venture really be "driverless" per se. A Motional spokesperson told Engadget that "we will be launching the service with safety operators present in the vehicle." Not-quite-autonomous meal kit deliveries will be confined to Santa Monica, California, where a large portion of Motional's team works. Other lingering questions, for instance the number of vehicles Motional plans to put on public roads, or what types of weather they'll be allowed to operate in, remain unanswered. Under its original leadership, Uber initially planned to convert the semi-professionalized cab driver workforce into a contingent one, and then remove those overhead costs entirely by investing in self-driving vehicles. "The reason Uber could be expensive is you're paying for the other dude in the car," former CEO Travis Kalanick said in 2014, "When there is no other dude in the car, the cost of taking an Uber anywhere is cheaper." Six years later the company sold off its self-driving arm, known as the Advanced Technologies Group, to Aurora. Since then, Uber has pursued partnerships with outside self-driving firms, like Waymo. Motional has an ongoing partnership with Uber's chief rival, Lyft, to launch an autonomous fleet in 2023. |
TikTok rolls out 1080p uploads and more editing features Posted: 16 Dec 2021 10:22 AM PST It's a busy day for TikTok. Not only has the company announced upcoming changes for the recommendation algorithm, it's rolling out a bunch of editing features that should improve the look (and maybe the sound) of your videos. Perhaps the most important update is support for 1080p uploads in select countries. You'll be able to share videos at that resolution by switching on the Upload HD setting from the "More options" section of the publishing page. The app is offering an easy way to improve the overall look of a video. With the new Visual Enhancement button, TikTok says it will improve the exposure, low-light and color correction aspects with a single tap. After you record or upload a video, you can tap the Enhance button on the right panel. If you don't like the changes, tapping the button again will undo them. Elsewhere, the Green Screen effect now has Giphy integration, so you can use a GIF from that platform's library as the background of a video. There are more musical and animal voice effects too. TikTok can turn your voice or other sounds into a cat's meow, a flute or a suona (a Chinese double-reed horn). You can try these out by tapping the Voice Effect button on the Editing page. |
Hyundai's MobED robot can elevate its wheels to navigate uneven surfaces Posted: 16 Dec 2021 10:09 AM PST Spot and the rest of the Boston Dynamics family may get all the attention, but Hyundai has a robotics division separate from the firm it acquired earlier in the year. This week, the automaker unveiled the Mobile Eccentric Droid or MobED, a new mobility platform for taking on even the trickiest surfaces and uneven ground. The company's Robotics Lab says it developed MobED to overcome the limitations of existing indoor and service robots. Each of the robot's wheels features independent power and steering control systems that allow it to rotate in place and move in any direction. It also has an eccentric drive system, hence the name, that allows it to independently adjust the height of each of its wheels. As you can see from the video, that means it can provide a stable platform for something as delicate as glass. MobED can expand its wheelbase up to about 25 inches when it needs as much stability as possible. It can also contract to about 17 inches when it finds itself in more complex environments. All told, the platform is approximately 26 inches long, 23 inches wide and 13 inches tall. A 2 kWh battery allows the robot to drive for approximately four hours on a single charge. Outside of working as a service robot, Hyundai envisions MobED helping out in places like the movie industry where film crews could mount their equipment to the platform. It could also be used for deliveries and other purposes where stability is essential. We'll get a chance to see more of the robot when Hyundai demos it at CES 2022 next month. However, the company hasn't said if it plans to commercialize MobED. |
TikTok is testing a desktop livestreaming app Posted: 16 Dec 2021 09:46 AM PST It seems TikTok is getting into livestreaming from desktops. The service is testing a Windows app called TikTok Live Studio, which allows users to run broadcasts on the platform using their computer. Users can stream directly to TikTok Live using the software. One of the most obvious use cases for the app is for livestreaming games, which could turn TikTok into a serious competitor to the likes of Twitch given the already-enormous reach of the platform. Live Studio users are able to broadcast content from their computer, phone or game console.
TikTok Live Studio seems fairly barebones for now. Creators can switch on features like gifting, comments and keyword filters. However, they're unable to set browser windows as a source for their streams, have moderators or create alerts for new followers or tips, as they can with other livestreaming software such as OBS and Streamlabs. Still, it's worth bearing in mind these are early days for the app. TikTok told TechCrunch that only a few thousand users have access for now. If it decides to move forward with the app, the company will likely expand the Live Studio feature set over time. Should TikTok add all of the other necessary bells and whistles streamers want to Live Studio, it could become a viable destination for those who want to forego the likes of Twitch and YouTube or tap into an existing fanbase on the platform. Among other things, the app could give creators a way to bring their broadcasts and on-demand videos together in one place. |
DirecTV will hike prices for most streaming plans next month Posted: 16 Dec 2021 09:28 AM PST DirecTV may have promised no hidden fees following its spinoff from AT&T, but it's not shy about raising the prices themselves. Varietyreports the TV provider will hike the prices of most current and legacy streaming packages on January 23rd, 2022. Only "minimum service" offerings will remain untouched. Everything else is going up. Some increases are modest, such as for Optimo Mas and Choice ($4 and $5 respectively), but grandfathered users subscribed to tiers like Ultimate or Premier will pay $10 more per month. The move raises the base pricing of DirecTV's Stream Choice to $90 per month, while Premier will cost $150 per month. Satellite customers won't be immune to increases, either. Outside of minimum service and ChineseDirect Plus, you'll see increases on January 23rd between $1 (for most Basic and Family plans) to $10 (for Max and Plus). And while some regional sports fees are dropping in price, there's now a fifth, $12 per month tier on top of the previous $10 maximum. You may see a price drop or increase depending on your ZIP code. The firm wasn't shy about its reasoning. While hikes like these are frequently pinned on steeper programming costs, DirecTV said "higher-than normal inflation" from suppliers was also to blame. It costs more to offer service, and the company is passing on at least some of those costs to its customers. These increases are common in the TV industry, and that includes streaming rivals. Hulu recently revealed it would raise its Live TV pricing by $5, and YouTube TV now costs $65 per month where it started at just $35. DirecTV is relatively expensive, though, and the higher prices might not help matters. |
Google makes it easier to spot price drops in Chrome Posted: 16 Dec 2021 09:00 AM PST With the 2021 holiday shopping season in its final stretch, Google is adding a handful of features to Chrome to help you find last-minute deals. In the US, the Android version of the browser now includes an updated tab interface that makes it easier to see the price of something when you're switching between open web pages. The company suggests the feature will help you spot a price drop without constantly refreshing a page. Handy that. The next time you use Chrome on your iPhone or Android device, you'll also notice a newly added Google Lens icon in the search bar. You can use it to conduct visual searches. Tap the icon and point your phone's camera at something. The company suggests Lens integration in Chrome mobile could be helpful when you're out window shopping. As previously announced, Lens is also coming to the Mac and Windows versions of Chrome. Once it's available, you'll have the option to right-click on an image, tap "Search images with Google Lens" and draw an outline around something to see if you can find more information about what's in front of you. Lastly, if you're someone who tends to leave purchases incomplete, you'll see a new "Your carts" card when you open a tab. It will show you all the websites where you have open carts. The company announced this feature at I/O 2021, and now it's rolling out in the US. Google notes some of its retail partners may even offer you a discount to complete a purchase if they notice you abandoned a cart. Is it on the pushy side? Definitely, but some people could also find it helpful. All the |
TikTok will switch up For You recommendations to avoid 'repetitive patterns' Posted: 16 Dec 2021 08:45 AM PST TikTok is planning some key changes to the For You page (FYP), the app's home screen. It will adjust the algorithm that populates the FYP with a never-ending stream of videos to stop it from showing too much of the same kinds of content. "As we continue to develop new strategies to interrupt repetitive patterns, we're looking at how our system can better vary the kinds of content that may be recommended in a sequence," TikTok wrote in a blog post. "That's why we're testing ways to avoid recommending a series of similar content — such as around extreme dieting or fitness, sadness or breakups — to protect against viewing too much of a content category that may be fine as a single video but problematic if viewed in clusters." The service is also working on a way to identify when the algorithm only shows a user limited kinds of videos. It notes that, while videos about loneliness or weight loss might not violate the platform's rules, those kinds of videos could have a negative impact if they make up most of what a user sees on the For You page. So, preventing that from happening is important. "Our goal is for each person's For You feed to feature a breadth of content, creators, and topics," TikTok said, noting that too many similar videos appearing in the feed doesn't reflect the kind of experience it wants to foster. The service is consulting with its Content Advisory Council and the community, as well as experts from the fields of medicine, clinical psychology and AI ethics. In addition, TikTok is developing an option that will let users block videos linked to certain words or hashtags on the For You page. That will give them more control over what they see on the home screen. The FYP recommendation algorithm is TikTok's secret sauce and one of the main reasons why the app became incredibly popular. The app's systems monitor users' engagement habits, such as how long the screen stays on a particular piece of content and the videos someone likes, to determine the kinds of videos that might keep them hooked on the FYP. At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing in October on the effect of social media on children and teens, senators pressed representatives from TikTok, Youtube and Snap on several matters. Among them was how their algorithms might promote content about issues like eating disorders and self harm. TikTok's latest announcement might help to soothe the lawmakers' concerns. The platform notes that it'll take some "time and iteration" to make these changes to systems and tools and to get them right. |
Neymar Jr. cut a streaming deal with Facebook Gaming Posted: 16 Dec 2021 08:30 AM PST Never mind trying to attract Twitch legends to rival services— Facebook Gaming just landed one of the world's biggest sports personalities. Soccer star Neymar Jr. has signed a deal to livestream exclusively on Facebook, with his first official broadcast starting December 17th at 2PM Eastern on his page. He'll stream games "multiple times" per month and pair with another creator once each month. Don't expect the Paris Saint-Germain forward to play FIFA despite his real-world skills. Varietynoted Neymar previously streamed the likes of Call of Duty and Counter-Strike on Twitch, and we wouldn't rule out some Fortnite when he appeared in the game earlier this year. The deal won't necessarily shift the balance of livestreaming away from Twitch and YouTube, and we wouldn't expect many more deals like this. There are only so many top-tier athletes who are interested enough in video games to livestream them, after all. When Neymar has over 88 million Facebook followers, though, this could easily lead to large audiences and raise Facebook Gaming's profile. |
Apple joins the ranks of companies delaying their return to office Posted: 16 Dec 2021 08:21 AM PST Apple has now, for the fourth time, had to adjust its return-to-office plans. Workers were slated to begin a hybrid schedule in February, though the rapid spread of the Omicron variant has thrown a wrench in those contentious plans. Over the course of the pandemic, Apple has repeatedly attempted to set guidance for when in-person work would begin again. The initial target of September 2021 was been received poorly by some employees who formed a "remote work advocates" Slack channel and circulated a letter critical of the policy proposal. The Delta variant necessitated further delays, which were targeted to January, and then February of 2022. The rapid transmissibility of Omicron has brought back mask mandates for Apple stores around the country this week. Three retail locations in Annapolis, Ottawa and Miami were also closed after outbreaks of the virus. Lyft, Uber and Google parent Alphabet have also pushed back their office returns, with the latter two, like Apple, setting no new target date. It's nearly certain that other companies with the option of remote work will follow suit in the coming days and weeks. |
Portal users can now bring sign language interpreters into video calls Posted: 16 Dec 2021 07:32 AM PST Meta's Portal devices are now much more practical for the deaf and hard of hearing. The social media giant has teamed with ZP Better Together to enable Video Relay Services (VRS) on Portal hardware through apps, letting you bring an English or Spanish sign language interpreter into conversations with hearing people. You can place video calls to a far larger audience, in other words, and ZP's interpreters are available 24/7 if a chat can't wait. The functionality works across the range of Portal products. You can also apply to receive a free Portal through ZP's website if you're deaf or hard of hearing. The move could help Meta corner video calling for those with hearing issues, of course, but that doesn't change the vital role it could serve for some people. While smart displays have long been useful for calls between sign language users, this expansion could help the hard of hearing communicate with virtually anyone. That's particularly important during a pandemic, when in-person interpreters might not be available. |
Sidewalk Labs products will be folded into Google proper Posted: 16 Dec 2021 07:17 AM PST Alphabet's smart city project is winding down and Google will take over its products. Sidewalk Labs CEO Dan Doctoroff announced the news in a letter, in which he noted he is stepping down for health-related reasons. A spokesperson confirmed to Engadget that Sidewalk Labs products will be folded into Google, though Alphabet plans to spin out Canopy Buildings as a separate company. "Starting next year, Sidewalk products Pebble, Mesa, Delve, and Affordable Electrification will join Google, becoming core to Google's urban sustainability product efforts," Doctoroff wrote. "These products will continue to be led by Sidewalk Labs President of Urban Products Prem Ramaswami and Chief Technology Officer Craig Nevill-Manning, both Google alumni, and the teams will continue to execute on their vision and serve customers." Pebble is a vehicle sensor system designed to manage curb and parking space, and Delve is centered around bolstering real estate development with the help of AI. Mesa sensors are designed to help save energy, while Affordable Electrification is about managing home energy use. Canopy Buildings, meanwhile, focuses on "factory-automated mass timber construction." Doctoroff started Sidewalk Labs within Google six years ago and it later became its own company under the wing of Alphabet. In October 2017, Sidewalk Labs announced plans to build a smart neighborhood on Toronto's waterfront. Quayside would have featured, among other things, delivery robots and an array of sensors to manage things like noise, traffic and pollution. However, Sidewalk Labs shut down the project in May last year. Doctoroff said at the time that "unprecedented economic uncertainty" as a result of COVID-19 and other compromises it would have to make meant its vision for Quayside was no longer viable. The company also advised on development projects across North America. Several companies were spun out of Sidewalk Labs, including Cityblock Health, which aims to reinvent health care for underserved communities; Replica, a controversial data collection project which aims to revamp transportation planning; and Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, which Doctoroff says "pioneered new forms of tech-enabled infrastructure." Doctoroff said he's stepping aside after doctors determined it was likely that he has ALS or Lou Gherig's Disease. He's focusing on spending more time with his family and fighting the condition. In 2010, Doctoroff started an organization focused on building a new, collaborative approach to ALS research after the deaths of his father and uncle, who had both been diagnosed with the disease. |
Pixelmator Photo's in-depth image editing comes to the iPhone Posted: 16 Dec 2021 07:00 AM PST Pixelmator Photo has been available for pros and enthusiasts who want to work with photos on their iPads, and now it's an option in their pockets. Pixelmator has released a version of Photo for the iPhone that brings the advanced image editor to smaller screens. Much like the tablet app and Pixelmator Pro, you can make a wide range of non-destructive edits to photos either from the phone (including ProRAW from some iPhones) or from 600-plus RAW formats from dedicated cameras. You'll most likely be using some of the 30-plus color adjustments, including basics like exposure and white balance through to a wheel-based color balance system like you'd find for video grading. However, Pixelmator Photo also makes use of some helpful (if increasingly familiar) AI editing features, including object removal and upscaling for low-resolution shots. You can also expect fairly tight integration with Apple's Photos and iCloud, such as saving edits to (or opening images from) your library. Pixelmator Photo normally sells for $8, but it's available for $4 to help spur iPhone buyers. The app is a free update for those already using the iPad version. This probably won't tear you away from Adobe Lightroom and other pro photo editing apps, but Pixelmator's classic strategy might still apply here. It's offering an affordable, pay-once alternative to Lightroom's Premium membership and other subscriptions you frequently need for this level of editing. |
Spotify adds listener ratings for podcasts Posted: 16 Dec 2021 06:49 AM PST As part of its years-long podcast push, Spotify has been constantly adding new features for users on top of steadily expanding its library of 3.2 million shows. Today, the service is debuting yet another tool for listeners to offer feedback on the podcasts they listen to: ratings. The company says the ability to offer 1-5 star ratings will roll out to users "over the coming days." The feature will be available in all markets where podcasts are available on the streaming service. Spotify says features like its podcast charts have helped users find new shows, and the same goes for the service's personalized recommendations. However, until now, there was no real way for listeners to see what other people thought of a show in the company's apps. The star rating system will be familiar to podcast listeners as platforms like Apple Podcasts also use the scoring metric. Like Apple, Spotify will display the number of ratings in parenthesis beside the average score on each show's page. Of course, the system will also allow creators to see how their podcast is performing among listeners, directly from the people who are listening to the show. |
Ransomware attack hits major payroll company right before Christmas Posted: 16 Dec 2021 06:36 AM PST Ransomware has been a recurring problem throughout 2021, and the latest attack could be particularly severe for some workers. NBC Newsreports workforce management heavyweight Kronos has suffered a ransomware attack that could affect its ability to handle hours and payroll at well-known companies like GameStop, Honda and Whole Foods. With many final pre-Christmas paychecks slated to arrive this week, there's a concern some employees might not get paid in a timely fashion when they need it most. Kronos reported the attack on December 11th, but it wasn't until December 13th the company warned it might take "several weeks" to fully restore functionality. The company didn't identify the perpetrators. It also couldn't completely rule out a connection to the recent Log4j vulnerability, but went through "rapid patching" and supply chain checks to make sure its systems weren't susceptible. It's not clear how soon hours and payroll functionality might come back. In the meantime, though, companies have had to scramble to find alternatives. Whole Foods told NBC it had found a way to pay staff this week, but Honda only said it was "taking steps" to mitigate any problems. One anonymous Whole Foods worker said teammates had been asked to rely on paper punch sheets and handwritten schedules. The Kronos incident illustrates the sheer breadth of ransomware victims in recent months, including a meat supplier and a key oil pipeline operator. It also underscores the fragility of modern workplace technology. While a payroll company might not be considered critical infrastructure like food or fuel providers, a cyberattack against it can still deal significant economic damage. |
Researchers call NSO zero-click iPhone exploit 'incredible and terrifying' Posted: 16 Dec 2021 06:32 AM PST Google researchers have described NSO Group's zero-click exploit used to hack Apple devices as "incredible and terrifying," Wired has reported. Project Zero researchers called it "one of the most technically sophisticated exploits we've ever seen" that's on par with attacks from elite nation-state spies. The Project Zero team said it obtained one of NSO's Pegasus exploits from Citizen Lab, which managed to capture it via a targeted Saudi activist. It also worked with Apple's Security Engineering and Architecture (SEAR) group on the technical analysis. NSO's original exploit required the user to click on a link, but the latest, most sophisticated exploits require no click at all. Called ForcedEntry, it takes advantage of the way iMessage interprets files like GIFs to open a malicious PDF file with no action required from the victim. It does so by using old code from the 1990s used to process text in scanner images. Once inside a device, the malware can set up its own virtualized environment and run javascript-like code, with no need to connect to an outside server. From there, it gives an attacker access to a victim's passwords, microphone, audio and more. The exploit is extremely hard to detect and is "a weapon against which there is no defense," Project Zero researchers said. Apple recently filed a lawsuit against the group to "hold it accountable" for governments using it to spy on iOS users. Apple alleged that targets are often activists, journalists and other critics of regimes that routinely suppress political dissent. It also accused NSO of "flagrant violations" of federal- and state-level laws in the US. Last month, the US Department of Commerce added NSO Group to its "entity list", essentially banning it for use in the US. |
The Mac Mini M1 with 16GB of RAM is $100 off right now Posted: 16 Dec 2021 05:50 AM PST While the Mac Mini M1 on sale at Amazon continues to come in and out of stock, you can grab a version of the desktop with extra RAM for less at Adorama. The online retailer has the Mac Mini M1 with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $799, or $100 off its normal price. That's double the RAM in the base model and a configuration that's not as readily available at third-party retailers. Buy Mac Mini M1 (16GB RAM) at Adorama - $799You can still get the desktop with 512GB of storage for $750 at Amazon if you prefer to bulk up on storage. But extra RAM can be quite useful as it'll help make multitasking smoother. Base on our experience testing out other M1 machines like the MacBook Air, the Mac Mini M1 should already feel speedy and smooth thanks to the performance gains brought by Apple's updated chipset. It has an eight-core CPU and an eight-core GPU, plus a Neural Engine for handling machine-leaning tasks. Adding extra RAM into the mix will only improve the experience, especially when doing things like video editing, running dozens of browser tabs and more. The latest Mac Mini is all about the performance enhancements, which is to say that it doesn't look all that different from previous models. It's designed to be compact so it should fit in even the most cramped work-from-home spaces, and it has a number of ports including two USB-A ports, two Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port and a headphone jack. It's a good option for those who don't have a lot of space but want to invest in an upgraded, all-purpose machine for their home. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. |
Apple's newest AirPods fall back to an all-time low of $140 Posted: 16 Dec 2021 05:02 AM PST You now have another chance to grab Apple's third-gen AirPods for $140 on Amazon if you missed the sale last week. That's the lowest price we've seen for the wireless earbuds, which originally retailed for $179 and which Apple has been selling for $150 over the past few days. While the model is currently in stock, make sure to check your estimated delivery dates before you decide to buy it as a Christmas gift, because it may arrive after the holidays even if you purchase it right now. Buy New Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) at Amazon - $140If you don't mind the possibility that your order might arrive after the holidays and have been looking to buy a pair of AirPods in the first place, the third-gen model is a great buy. While it still doesn't come with the Pro's silicone buds, it represents a complete redesign for the product line. In our review, where we gave it a score of 88, we found it more comfortable than its predecessors due to its new "contoured design." It's shorter than previous models and can direct sounds better into your ear, leading to massive improvements to its audio quality. Apple also paired a custom driver with a high-dynamic-range amplifier to produce "rich consistent bass" and "crisp, clean" sounds that improve audio quality even further, making it more immersive than before. And, thanks to the H1 chip, the third-gen AirPods feature Adaptive EQ, spatial audio, one-touch fast pairing and always-on Siri. Finally, we praised the model for its battery life: The earbuds themselves can last for six hours, and the case can extend your listening time for up to 30 hours total. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. |
Citroen reimagines its Ami EV as an adorable off-road buggy Posted: 16 Dec 2021 04:35 AM PST Going camping or hiking just got cuter thanks to a new CitroĂ«n concept car. The My Ami Buggy is based on the Ami we all know and love, but adds some practical and stylistic touches like wider knobby tires, an LED light bar and removable canvas doors. The buggy is mainly a way for CitroĂ«n's designers to show off their chops by adding "stylish attributes to assert its intrepid and friendly backpacker personality," according to the company. As such, they drew inspiration from things like construction games, industrial design and fashion. To be sure, it looks like your ten-year-old's idea of a buggy, assuming the kid had some design talent. The khaki, black and yellow color scheme is the first attention-grabbing feature, giving it an outdoorsy camouflage feel and yet high visibility. Another key feature is the doors, or lack thereof. The regular ones have been replaced by removable canvas doors with zippers, bringing some much-needed air circulation and buggy allure. The knobbier and wider tires will let you take it onto rougher roads, as long as you remember that ground clearance isn't amazing. It also has headlight protectors and a spare knobby tire mounted on the roof that add a "spirit of adventure" and ratchet up the cuteness factor. Other additions include an LED lightbar, removable "nomadic speaker," a roof cap to protect against the sun and a graphics package that includes the words "Pilot" and "01" on the driver's seat and "Copilot" and "02" on the passenger seat. It also offers thicker memory foam in the seats, new storage bins on the dashboard and even a range of luggage designed to "fit perfectly into the vehicle's interior spaces," according to CitroĂ«n. Other features like smartphone clamps, bottle holders and more were all built using 3D printing so that they can be reproduced on demand. As a reminder, the Ami can hit a top speed of 28 MPH and go 44 miles on its 5.5 kWh battery. It's also legal for teenagers 14 and older to drive in France and elsewhere in Europe. The company's designers must have had a lot of fun with the My Ami Buggy concept, but there's no word yet on whether CitroĂ«n will ever build and sell it — though the kid in all of us certainly hopes so. |
The Morning After: Oppo's take on folding smartphones doesn't look so huge Posted: 16 Dec 2021 04:15 AM PST Still not sold on foldable smartphones? I get it. But companies continue their efforts to make them happen, with Oppo the latest to reveal its first take on a foldable flagship. Somehow, for a fold-up widescreen phone, it's kind of cute. It has a different screen ratio to devices from Samsung and the rest, resulting in a more horizontal (possibly more useful) touchscreen. Unfortunately, it's still pricey (although it's cheaper than the Galaxy Fold) and, adding another barrier to entry, it's only launching in China. Engadget Chinese Editor-in-Chief Richard Lai is testing one out — expect to hear our full verdict soon. — Mat Smith US adds drone maker DJI to investment blocklistUS citizens will be barred from making any investments in the companies.The US government is adding eight Chinese companies, including drone manufacturer DJI, to an investment blocklist for alleged involvement in the surveillance of Uyghur Muslims. The companies will be put on the treasury department's "Chinese military-industrial complex companies" list next week, meaning US citizens will be barred from making any investments. The government said it was among companies that "enabled wide-scale human rights abuses within China through abusive genetic collection and analysis or high-technology surveillance." However, unlike products from Huawei and others, DJI drones have not been banned for sale in the US. NASA's James Webb telescope launch delayed again until December 24thThe team is fixing a communication issue between the telescope and its launch vehicle.NASA was hoping to send the James Webb telescope to space by December 22nd, but its launch has been delayed yet again. Yes, again. In an announcement posted on the project's official page, NASA said the James Webb team is working on a communication issue between the telescope and its Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Disney+ adds SharePlay group viewing for the iPhone and iPadWatch 'Boba Fett' or 'Encanto' with 31 of your friends.The latest Disney+ app update adds SharePlay group viewing to its iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, letting up to 32 people watch and chat together. To ensure it works, everyone in the call needs Disney+ to stream, and you need to ensure the title is available to everyone in your virtual gathering. You might also find that some titles don't work across different regions and countries. Homeland Security offers bug bounties as part of new 'Hack DHS' programResearchers could receive up to $5,000.The US Department of Homeland Security is offering up to $5,000 in bug bounties under a new program called Hack DHS. Vetted security researchers invited by the agency will get access to select external DHS systems to identify vulnerabilities bad actors could exploit. Payments will vary between $500 and $5,000, depending on the severity of the bug. The DHS said attacks against it were up fourfold in 2021. Huawei documents reportedly show involvement in China's surveillance efforts'The Washington Post' said it found PowerPoint slides that detail its surveillance technologies.Huawei has long denied working with the Chinese government to spy on other countries and China's own citizens. But The Washington Post has reviewed 100 PowerPoint presentations from the company that, Post reporters say, can show Huawei's links to China's surveillance projects. While many of the slides were marked confidential, they were reportedly posted on a public-facing Huawei website until they were removed in 2020. Many of them were created back in 2014 and edited as recently as last year. A 'Splinter Cell' remake is underwayUbisoft wants to meld classic stealth gameplay with modern tech.Ubisoft is finally ready to make a new Splinter Cell game — in a manner of speaking. The game developer has revealed plans for a Splinter Cell remake that aims to recreate the stealth action of the early games while embracing modern technology. The project will use the Snowdrop engine present in newer games like The Division 2 and the upcoming Avatar game, but you'll play in small linear environments, unlike most of Ubisoft's AAA titles. Check out the announcement video at the link.
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Square Enix suspends sales of 'Final Fantasy XIV' because it's too popular Posted: 16 Dec 2021 03:40 AM PST Square Enix is suspending the sales and delivery of Final Fantasy XIV Starter Edition and Complete Edition, because it's doing too well and the company can't keep up. The decision applies to both physical and digital versions of the game and will be enforced in the coming weeks. It's a gradual process that will take some time and will require coordination with retail partners — at the moment, both versions are still available in digital game stores — but the company says it will be coordinating with those partners "as swiftly as possible." FFXIV players have been struggling with lengthy queues ever since the Endwalker expansion came out in late November. They still have to wait hours to get into a server and be able to play the game. In its announcement, Square Enix explained it has to suspend FFXIV sales because the "dense concentration of play hours... far exceed [its] server capacity, especially during the peak times." The developer previously said that it's unable to add more Worlds or servers prior to Endwalker's release to ensure that it can accommodate all players due to the global semiconductor shortage. FFXIV director and producer Naoki Yoshida issued an apology in early December for the ongoing issue and granted seven days of free game time to all players who own the full version of the game and have an active subscription. In his newest post, he said Square Enix is now giving those players an additional 14 days. In addition to halting FFXIV sales, the company will prioritize the logins of people with an active subscription going forward. It will no longer accept free trial subscriptions, and current free trial players won't be able to log in outside of late night and early morning hours anymore. |
Roku will offer 99-cent trials for Showtime, Starz and AMC+ Posted: 16 Dec 2021 03:00 AM PST Roku is looking to close out 2022 with a bang. Not only is it setting up a New Year's Eve experience, it's offering 99-cent trials on a bunch of subscription services. Between December 23rd and January 1st, eligible users can sign up for the likes of Showtime, Starz, Epix, AMC+, BET+, BBC Select, AcornTV, Hallmark Movies Now and Lifetime Movie Club via The Roku Channel and pay less than a dollar for their first month. The company has also revealed more details about the New Year's Eve experience it announced earlier this month. Starting on December 27th, you can access the experience through the navigation menu on the left of the screen or by searching for "New Year." Features include a countdown clock that starts at 11:55 PM local time on December 31st, six days of giveaways, daily trivia and music on The Roku Channel. A special called The Year in Streaming will highlight the top 10 shows of 2021, and some of the year's most memorable shows will be available to stream for free. In addition, you'll be able to deck out your device with New Year- and winter-themed wallpapers and screensavers from Roku. |
Uber expands person-to-person deliveries across the US Posted: 16 Dec 2021 03:00 AM PST Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in March 2020, Uber started a person-to-person package delivery service. Now, the company has expanded Uber Connect to more than 6,000 towns and cities (including all major metropolises) across the US and added a couple of extra features. As with Uber Eats, couriers can now drop off or pick up the package from the customer's door. Previously, Uber Connect only officially had a curbside meeting option. Customers will be able to add delivery notes or instructions for their driver before pickup or delivery — it's probably worth letting them know about a fragile package, for instance. New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego are among the cities in which Uber Connect is available. Uber initially tested Connect in 25 cities in the US, Australia and Mexico. Other companies have offered similar services for years, such as TaskRabbit. Still, Uber Connect's expansion suggests the service has proven popular enough to make it part of the company's offerings on a much broader basis, helping families and friends in thousands of towns and cities to quickly send each other items. |
Bungie's head of HR steps down following reports of toxic workplace culture Posted: 16 Dec 2021 02:35 AM PST Gayle d'Hondt has stepped down as head of HR at Bungie after 14 years, according to IGN. The move comes shortly after the same publication released a report with accounts by former and current Bungie employees painting a picture of a workplace culture that's both toxic and sexist. In some instances, HR personnel were reportedly unwilling to help complainants and actively protected harmful individuals. In her email sent to employees and seen by IGN, d'Hondt said she wants to do "everything in [her] power to make sure everyone who works [at Bungie] has a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment." It's necessary, she added, for the company's HR team to move forward with membership "largely comprised of people new to Bungie." d'Hondt didn't say who would be replacing her, but she told employees in the email that the HR team needs "to be trusted to be [their] advocates — not labeled as 'enablers' or seen as company resources who provide bad actors with safe harbor." It's also unclear if d'Hondt is leaving the video game developer completely or just moving to a different role. The former HR head mentioned about her own experience with an abuser at the company, as well: A male executive whom she thought was her friend. While she didn't name her abuser, she said Bungie eventually fired him. She concluded:
While IGN's report showed the company in a less-than-flattering light, it also showed how the studio is struggling to shake its toxic culture in an effort to foster a better one. In response to it, company CEO Pete Parsons published an apology letter, admitting that Bungie's "actions or, in some cases, inactions, caused these people pain." He also talked about the changes the company has made over the past few years to make it a better place for employees, including removing bad actors irrespective of their "tenure, seniority or interpersonal relationships." |
CD Projekt Red will pay only $1.85 million to settle 'Cyberpunk 2077' lawsuit Posted: 16 Dec 2021 01:54 AM PST Developer CD Projekt has reportedly agreed to pay $1,850,000 to settle an investor lawsuit over the buggy launch of Cyberpunk 2077, The Verge has reported. That's a fairly tiny sum next to the game's reported $316 million development budget and the fact it was an instant hit last year with eight million pre-orders. The settlement is still preliminary and must be approved by a court. The lawsuit was effectively four separate actions combined into one, brought by shareholders who alleged that the company misled them about financial performance. It's not clear why the settlement was relatively low, however. CD Projekt's shares have dropped 54 percent since the game's release, and analysts have lowered Cyberpunk 2077 sales forecasts significantly, according to Bloomberg. On top of that, CD Projekt has delayed the much-anticipated next-gen console updates for Cyberpunk 2077 and Witcher 3 for the end of 2021 until the first quarter of 2022. "Apologies for the extended wait, but we wanted to make it right," the company said. The developer released a Cyberpunk DLC in August, but it only added a few cosmetic items and a car. |
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