Monday, December 20, 2021

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Meta is trying to find the people who created more than 39,000 phishing sites

Posted: 20 Dec 2021 11:00 AM PST

Meta is taking legal action to disrupt a large-scale phishing campaign. On Monday, the company filed a federal lawsuit to "uncover the identities" of a group of people that created more than 39,000 websites designed to trick Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users into coughing up their login credentials.

The company says the scammers used relay service Ngrok to redirect people to their websites in a way that allowed them to hide their actions. "This enabled them to conceal the true location of the phishing websites, and the identities of their online hosting providers and the defendants," Meta said. Starting this past March, the company began working with the relay service to suspend "thousands" of URLs linked to the campaign.

This isn't the first time has used the threat of legal action to try and stop a phishing campaign. In 2019 and 2020, the company filed lawsuits against OnlineNIC and Namecheap, two domain name registrars that had allowed cybersquatters to claim domains like instagrambusinesshelp.com and whatsappdownload.site. However, the scale of this campaign would appear to dwarf the ones OnlineNIC and Namecheap enabled. When Meta sued the latter company in 2020, it said it had registered 45 domains that were explicitly made to confuse people.

The PS Plus version of 'FF7 Remake' can be upgraded to 'Intergrade' after all

Posted: 20 Dec 2021 09:39 AM PST

One of the games PlayStation Plus subscribers were able to claim at not extra cost in March was Final Fantasy VII Remake. Sony announced that month's PS Plus lineup at the same time it revealed an upgraded version of the game for PlayStation 5: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade.

However, there was no way for those who snagged the PS Plus version of FF7 Remake to get Intergrade without paying for the full game. As of Wednesday, though, there'll be a way to upgrade. Square Enix clarified that the upgrade won't be free, but it hasn't revealed pricing as yet.

Meanwhile, Square Enix says the "Intermission" expansion, which is only available on PS5, is $15 for a limited time, $5 less than the regular price. The Yuffie-centric DLC was included for those who bought FFVII Remake Intergrade outright. Those who upgraded from the PS4 version had to pay for the DLC.

The FF7 Remake upgrade process has been as convoluted as many Final Fantasy titles. The game was originally released in April 2020, and Intergrade arrived on PS5 in June this year. Meanwhile, FF7 Remake Intergradelanded on PC for the first time last week.

Beats Studio Buds are down to $100 at Adorama

Posted: 20 Dec 2021 08:29 AM PST

If you're scrambling for a last-minute holiday gift, it might be worth checking out a solid deal on Beats Studio Buds. The earbuds have dropped from $150 to $100, which matches the lowest price we've seen for them to date.

Buy Beats Studio Buds at Adorama - $100

We included Beats Studio Buds on our list of the best wireless earbuds on the market after giving them a score of 84 in our review. They offer good sound quality with the kind of bass levels that Beats gear is known for. The earbuds, which have IPX4 sweat and water resistance, include active noise cancellation and an option that automatically adjusts the volume depending on environmental audio levels.

Studio Buds have Apple's H1 chip (Beats is owned by Apple, after all), and they support fast pairing with both Android and iOS devices. You can use them for AirPods-style seamless switching between Apple products, and they support the company's Spatial Audio feature. In addition, Studio Buds work with Apple's Find My and Android's Find My Device. There's also hands-free Siri support.

On the downside, we felt that call quality wasn't great and the lack of wireless charging support might be disappointing for some. There are no on-board volume controls or any options for customizing the sound either. Still, these are a worthy option for those looking for a set of true wireless earbuds.

Democrats press Amazon for details on tornado warehouse deaths

Posted: 20 Dec 2021 07:31 AM PST

Senators and House representatives including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Cori Bush have sent a letter to Amazon asking whether the company's policies played a role in the deaths of six workers after a tornado struck an Illinois warehouse earlier this month. An extreme weather event on December 10th led to the deaths of at least 58 people across the Midwest. The fulfillment center was destroyed in the incident.

In the letter, Democratic lawmakers claim that "Amazon puts worker safety at risk in everyday situations and emergencies alike" and that the incident "fit a larger pattern." The group asked CEO Andy Jassy and executive chairman Jeff Bezos whether Amazon's "policies may have contributed to this tragedy." 

The senators and representatives are demanding details on Amazon's safety policies and information about the workers at the fulfillment center on the day of the incident. They also want to know whether the company told workers to remain at the warehouse in the face of a tornado warning. 

The list of questions and requests also includes demands for details about every on-site death of an Amazon worker over the last 10 years, communications from warehouse managers to workers between December 10th and 12th and "copies of all company emails sent in the course of dealing with this disaster" for the same timeframe." The group — which includes Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, and Sens. Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey — asked for a response by January 3rd.

The lawmakers also expressed concern over Amazon's reported plans to reinstate a ban against workers using phones on the warehouse floor. The company confirmed over the weekend that it would allow employees to continue using phones. Workers asked for access to their devices so they can receive safety alerts and remain in contact during emergencies.

A report by Bloomberg last week detailed an exchange between a delivery driver in the area and a dispatcher. The dispatcher told the driver to "keep delivering" packages, despite warning sirens and radar showing a tornado strike was imminent. Amazon said the dispatcher didn't follow safety guidelines and that they should have instructed the driver to find shelter. It's investigating the matter.

"Amazon's profits should never come at the cost of our community's lives, health, and safety," Rep. Bush told The Verge in a statement. "This cannot become the cost of doing business in America." Two of the workers who died were Bush's constituents.

"We're reviewing the letter and will respond directly, but right now our focus remains on taking care of our employees and partners, the family members of those killed by the tornado, and the communities affected by this tragedy," Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told Engadget.

Update 12/20 12:50PM ET: Added a link to the letter and more details.

Update 12/20 1:25PM ET: Added Amazon's statement.

In 2021, billionaires headed to the stars

Posted: 20 Dec 2021 07:00 AM PST

We're in the midst of a modern day space race. Where once the two most powerful empires on the planet vied to be first to the moon, we now have corporations led by billionaire barons — Elon Musk's SpaceX, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic — boasting a future filled with exo-planetary tourism. In 2021, the heads of these private companies finally made good on their myriad promises, successfully launching civilians, astronauts and, in two cases, themselves into the uppermost reaches of Earth's atmosphere.

SpaceX continues to lead the burgeoning private spaceflight industry from the front. In January, the company successfully launched its first "rideshare mission" aboard its Falcon 9 rocket, ferrying 133 microsatellites into orbit along with 10 of its own Starlink satellites. SpaceX's Starlink ISP service, which now serves more than 10,000 customers, has put some 1,475 of the microsats into orbit above the planet (with a total of 42,000 planned, offering global coverage by September), despite the vehement protests of astronomers who fear their presence will blind ground-based telescopes.

SpaceX's endeavors to get its Starship prototype off the ground have not been nearly as successful as Starlink, mind you. The 100-passenger spacecraft, which was designed to help fulfill CEO Elon Musk's dream of colonizing Mars and, presumably, titling himself God Emperor of the Red Planet (or some such), spectacularly exploded on the launchpad following a high-altitude test flight in March.

A subsequent test of the SN11 Starship prototype later that month didn't even get back to the landing pad. SN15, which launched in May, did however manage to land in one piece. The company is currently working on a plan to launch a Starship prototype into orbit, though no timetable is currently set for that launch — it was originally slated for July then pushed back to November, depending on regulatory approval, and is now set for January.

But those failed tests have done little to slow SpaceX's roll over its competition. In February, NASA awarded SpaceX with a $331.8 million contract to bring its Gateway station into lunar orbit in 2024. And in April, NASA gave the company a $2.9 billion contract to ferry its Artemis lunar lander to the moon.

Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin responded to the Artemis contract by first protesting the "fundamentally unfair" decision with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), which delayed progress on the project until July when the GAO dismissed the claims, even though Bezos offered NASA $2 billion to grant them the contract instead.

"We stand firm in our belief that there were fundamental issues with NASA's decision, but the GAO wasn't able to address them due to their limited jurisdiction," the company said following the GAO's announcement.

Still seething from the GAO's rebuke, Bezos then filed suit against NASA in Federal Claims court, essentially trying to "sue [its] way to the moon," per Musk. Blue Origin claimed this was done "in an attempt to remedy the flaws in the acquisition process found in NASA's Human Landing System," a spokesperson for Blue Origin told Engadget in August. "We firmly believe that the issues identified in this procurement and its outcomes must be addressed to restore fairness, create competition, and ensure a safe return to the Moon for America." Blue Origin eventually lost that lawsuit as well.

And that's when a prestige competition between the two richest men on Earth devolved into a middle school slap fight with SpaceX accusing Amazon of intentionally delaying proposals for its Starlink service while Amazon countered with incriminations that Musk and SpaceX "don't follow the rules."

"Whether it is launching satellites with unlicensed antennas, launching rockets without approval, building an unapproved launch tower, or re-opening a factory in violation of a shelter-in-place order, the conduct of SpaceX and other Musk-led companies makes their view plain: rules are for other people, and those who insist upon or even simply request compliance are deserving of derision and ad hominem attacks," Amazon's FCC filing reads.

This year, not only did SpaceX become the first private company to successfully transport astronauts to the ISS, it also offered its first orbital flight for civilians with the launch of the Inspiration4 mission in September. A quartet of amatuer astronauts spent three days circling the Earth in a Dragon Capsule before safely returning. And while Musk has not yet left the planet's atmosphere aboard a rocket of his company's design, he has reportedly made a $10,000 down payment on a trip aboard a future Virgin Galactic flight.

One notch Bezos has on his belt that Musk does not is the fact that he has, in fact, flown aboard his own spacecraft. Following successful test flights of Blue Origin's upgraded New Shepard in both January and April, Jeff Bezos and his brother — along with 18-year old Oliver Daemen (whose parents spent $28 million for the honor) and 84-year-old Wally Funk — successfully traversed the Karman line on July 20th. Blue Origin followed up that feat in October when it shuttled William Shatner, of Star Trek fame, into space. During that flight, Shatner, who is 90, unseated 84-year-old Funk as the oldest person to go to space. Way to snatch the last few highlights from an old woman's life, Captain Kirk.

Looking ahead, Blue Origin is working on a spacecraft capable of handling a Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system for DARPA — and competing against Lockheed Martin to successfully demonstrate it outside of low Earth orbit in 2025. The company also announced at the end of October that it hopes to build and deploy a commercial space station called the Orbital Reef — think, the ISS but with more intrusive advertising — by the second half of this decade. NASA has since awarded the project a Space Act Agreement, along with funding through the design phase, as part of its Commercial LEO Development program.

Virgin Galactic, on the other hand, started its 2021 off in a holding pattern. The company's SpaceShip II test at the end of last December — its first major flight out of the Spaceport America site in New Mexico – ended in abruptly after the ship's engine failed to ignite. A subsequent redo test scheduled for February was also delayed to May after the company opted to make additional "technical checks."

While these aren't major setbacks in the same vein as say an exploding StarShip, VG's continued delays have pushed back the company's goal of commercial space tourism flights to at least 2022. They did not, however, impact Virgin Galactic's unveiling of SpaceShip III in March.

In May, VG's perseverance paid off when SpaceShip II successfully completed its rocket-powered test flight, flinging a pair of pilots and a cargo hold full of NASA experiments into the very upper reaches of the atmosphere. The following month, Virgin Galactic received approval from the FAA to begin commercial operations, becoming the first such company to secure permission from the aviation industry. With the FAA's blessing firmly in hand, Virgin Galactic decided to blast CEO Sir Richard Branson into space — heedless of Blue Origin's derisions — the following month. On July 11th, Branson and his crew did just that — well, technically.

Buoyed by the success of their boss' flight, Virgin Galactic began offering tickets to would-be space tourists for the low, low discount price of $450,000. As of the start of November, more than 100 tickets have been sold.

Branson's flight was not flawless, however, and that raised the ire of the FAA. During SpaceShip II's landing, the spacecraft "deviated from its Air Traffic Control clearance as it returned to Spaceport America," per the FAA. In a subsequent statement from the company, Virgin disagreed with the FAA's characterization.

"When the vehicle encountered high altitude winds which changed the trajectory, the pilots and systems monitored the trajectory to ensure it remained within mission parameters," the company argued. "Our pilots responded appropriately to these changing flight conditions exactly as they were trained and in strict accordance with our established procedures. Although the flight's ultimate trajectory deviated from our initial plan, it was a controlled and intentional flight path that allowed Unity 22 to successfully reach space and land safely at our Spaceport in New Mexico. At no time were passengers and crew put in any danger as a result of this change in trajectory." A brief investigation by the FAA eventually cleared the company to resume test flights.

Despite these advances in private spaceflight systems, don't expect the space tourism industry to take off before at least the start of the next decade. If Virgin Galactic's recent price hike from $250,000 to $450,000 per ticket is any indication, very few people will be able to afford such a trip for the foreseeable future. So while two of the world's richest men may have had the honor of temporarily escaping our gravity well, don't think you'll get your chance anytime soon — unless you can win it like a Golden Ticket like Keisha S did.

What we bought: Our favorite gadgets of 2021

Posted: 20 Dec 2021 06:00 AM PST

While plenty of gadgets cross our desks, we at Engadget also end up buying a lot of things for ourselves throughout the year. In 2021, some of us invested in smart home devices and others (re)discovered passions for things like e-books and vinyl, but there are plenty of things we bought and loved that didn't make it onto the site. Here, our staffers look back on the year that was by gushing about their favorite items they bought this year.

Dyson V11 Torque vacuum cleaner

Someone stands while using the Dyson V11 Torque stick vacuum cleaner in their brightly lit living room.
Dyson

After a few years of waffling, I finally pulled the trigger in 2021 and bought a Dyson stick vacuum. You could say I fell for the hype, but honestly it's been one of my favorite purchases of the year and arguably the most useful. Until now, we had been relying on a few-years-old Roomba (lovingly named Dale) to clean our two-bedroom apartment — Dale did a good job, but the Dyson is even better. Sure, we have to actually vacuum ourselves, but both my fiancé and I find the task soothing (while our cat finds it absolutely horrific).

The hype is real when it comes to the power of Dyson stick vacuums. The V11 Torque sucks up nearly anything and everything in its path, including the masses of cat hair hiding in our carpet. I like how the machine automatically adjusts the suction power when it moves from carpet to hard flooring, and its three modes let you control how powerful it is to begin with. The LCD screen also shows how long the battery will last in each mode, and it's good enough that I've never had to stop cleaning in order to power up. Maybe that will change if and when we move into a larger home, but even then, it'll be a small price to pay for tidy goodness. My vacuum also came with a bunch of attachments, so the machine transforms from a full-sized vac to a handheld with just a few snaps. That lets me clean around my couch and the couch itself — a joy that 29-year-old me might not have appreciated, but one that 30-year-old me relishes in. — Valentina Palladino, Commerce Editor

Sonos Roam

Sonos Roam portable speaker outside, standing vertically on a wooden railing.
Engadget

I bought the Sonos Roam with one primary purpose in mind. In Canada, the early stage of the vaccine rollout was delayed compared to how it played out in the US. As a result, most restaurants and bars either weren't open or operating at full capacity in the late spring and early summer. And so, for the second year in a row, it looked like any hangouts I would have with my friends would be outside. I figured the Sonos Roam would make those more fun, and I was right.

Everytime I brought it with me to a park hang, my friends would remark how great it sounded. And that's the best compliment you can give the Roam. It's small and compact, making it easy to bring with you on any adventure, but more than anything, it sounds way better than any Bluetooth speaker of its size has the right to sound. Because of that, I ended up using the Roam a lot more than I thought I would. It was my constant companion through the summer and fall months, providing a soundtrack when I had to cook dinner, clean my bike or host friends for a patio party. If music is how we decorate time, the Roam did an incredible job of it. – Igor Bonifacic, Associate Editor

Toro UltraPlus leaf blower and vacuum

Toro UltraPlus leaf blower
Toro

As I've acclimated to the grind of yard work, a part of me feels like I'm transforming into King of the Hill's propane-selling, tool-loving Hank Hill. That realization struck me pretty hard this fall, as I prepared to brave another onslaught of leaves from the enormous trees around my house. Last year, it typically took me around two hours to rake and bag everything from my tiny front yard. I just couldn't go through that again. So I decided to buy a leaf mulching vacuum – and it was the best decision I've made all year.

The Toro UltraPlus (model 51621) looks like a typical leaf blower, but it does so much more, I tell you what. Its vacuum attachment can suck up an enormous pile of leaves in minutes, and its metal impeller grinds it all up into a fine pulp. Best of all, once its mulching bag is full, I can just unzip it to dump out the contents into a yard waste bag, or directly over a portion of my garden. Thanks to the Toro, I was able to clean my entire front yard in under 30 minutes. Getting that free time back was easily worth $100.

Like most consumer-grade yard gadgets, the Toro UltraPlus has its share of downsides. Its leaf blowing is hilariously weak – at full blast, it sometimes had trouble moving just a handful of leaves. That's okay with me, since I also hate the relentless drone of leaf blowers in the suburbs. (And yes, its mulching feature is pretty loud as well, but at least that works quickly.)

My biggest worry about the UltraPlus is that it's almost entirely made of plastic. It feels like it's only a matter of time until the tab that holds in the vacuum tube breaks off. As a plug-in tool, it's also annoying to juggle a long extension cord while I'm trying to beautify my yard. I can live with that inconvenience, though, as cordless leaf vacuums typically cost over $400.

Given how much the Toro UltraPlus has changed fall cleanup for me, I'll probably just buy another if my curent one breaks. And who knows, maybe it'll last long enough for my daughter to start helping out with yard work. (They make rakes for three-year-olds, right?) – Devindra Hardawar, Senior Editor

Apple Watch Series 7

Apple Watch Series 7
Engadget

I've been reviewing various generations of the Apple Watch for Engadget since the original debuted back in 2015. It was always the same routine: I would wear the thing for weeks, take it on runs and become obsessed with closing my rings. And then, I'd send my loaner unit back to Apple, and return to life as someone who wore an ugly, not-very-smart watch, or sometimes no watch at all.

2021 was the first time I felt compelled to buy one for myself. I wish I could say there was something particularly compelling about the Series 7. But it's actually a lot like the Series 6, and I knew that when I bought it. No, I got an Apple Watch mostly because I was fed up with my trusty Garmin. It was never pretty – utilitarian at best – but it became decidedly less so when I broke the strap. Yep, I paid $399 for the Apple Watch because I wanted something stylish that would count my steps.

I'm mostly happy with it. The beige ("Starlight") color scheme goes with everything. I love unlocking my MacBook with the watch instead of being forced to type a long password on Apple's unreliable Butterfly keyboard. And the automatic workout detection is as precise as I remember it, gently tapping me on the wrist a few minutes into each of my daily walks.

The biggest issue is my nightly routine of fighting with the watch over how many hours I spent standing throughout the day. The sensor is mercurial and erratic, ignoring the time I spent literally standing at the stove, or even a long series of squats, but sometimes rewarding me for sitting on my butt. Whatever, Apple: I know how long it took me to make that squash for Thanksgiving – and I have photos of the burn marks to prove it. — Dana Wollman, Editor in Chief

Durablow gas fireplace smart remote control

Durablow gas fireplace smart remote control
Durablow

I live in a quintessential drafty San Francisco apartment. We have central heat, but my partner and I both have allergies and our furnace seems to do a better job at distributing dust around the house than keeping it warm. Which means in the winter months (and, often in the spring and summer too, because San Francisco) we use our gas fireplace to help keep things cozy. We use it so much that we started wishing we could control it from any room in the house. We have smart lights and other devices connected to our Google Home speakers, so why not the fireplace?

That's where Durablow's WiFi-enabled fireplace remote comes in. For about $70, the gadget turns any gas fireplace into a smart fireplace. (We use Google Assistant, but it's also compatible with Alexa and other smart home systems.) The setup itself was fairly painless: it required connecting one set of wires to the gas valve, and downloading an app to pair the receiver with a Google account. Once it's paired, you can control the fireplace with voice commands from your smart speaker.

That may sound like a needless amount of effort for something we can also control from a switch on the wall, but after another year spent (mostly) at home, I can safely say rigging Durablow remote control was life changing. Having it connected to our Google Home system means we can turn the fireplace on from any room, which is especially nice in the early mornings when the living room would otherwise be freezing. We can even activate from the Google Home app on our phones when we're on our way home on a chilly night, brr. – Karissa Bell, Senior Editor

Bombas Performance Running Quarter socks

Bombas Performance Quarter Running Socks
Bombas

I've always had really bad luck with socks, and that might be because I typically bought the cheapest ones I could find. I regularly fought to keep ankle socks from falling down and, after particularly long days in not the best shoes, the backs of my heels would be screaming with cuts and blisters. And I detest nothing more than feeling my sock slip down into the depths of my sneakers in the middle of a run.

Ultimately, I caved and decided to give Bombas' running socks a try, and I went with the quarter length because they seemed to be the best option for all kinds of runs. Well, you get what you pay for, folks. These are, without a doubt, the best running socks I've ever had — they don't move around, they don't slip and they keep my toes fairly warm even during late-November morning runs. They've become one of those staples in my wardrobe that are so good precisely because I barely notice them, which is in stark contrast to the cheap socks that always demanded more of my attention than I wanted to give. — V.P.

Astrohaus Freewrite

The Freewrite standalone word processor with keyboard sits on an office desktop.
Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

My first impression of the Freewrite smart typewriter from Astrohaus was one of confusion. I had the feeling that I was looking at a $600 solution searching for a problem. For as much as a modest Windows laptop, the Freewrite combines a small E Ink display with a mechanical keyboard and the ability to sync whatever you write to the cloud. It's a very simple product that sets out to do one thing well: offer an excellent, distraction-free environment for drafting text. As such, there are no bells and whistles here — it's minimalism taken to the extreme.

Under almost any circumstance, this product would make no sense. But, during the pandemic, I got an itch to try my hand at some different writing — fiction, essays, just something different from what I do for work. That's when the Freewrite started calling me. Despite the high price tag, I became enamored with its beautiful design and imagined using it to bang out words without being distracted by Twitter, the vast expanses of the internet or my colleagues on Slack.

As expected, no piece of hardware is enough to turn anyone into a novelist. But the Freewrite is a delightful product because of its simplicity. In the era of multi-use gadgets, it's rare to come across something that focuses on doing one thing exceedingly well. But that's what the Freewrite does. Its keyboard is a joy to use and the E Ink screen is a smart choice for a device like this. Coming from a laptop it takes a few minutes to get used to the refresh rate, but the basic black-and-white is perfectly suited for text. The Freewrite isn't for everyone — but if you make a living writing (or are just passionate about it as a hobby), it's a device worth considering. – Nathan Ingraham, Deputy Managing Editor

Nintendo Switch OLED edition

Samus Aran in a save point
Kris Naudus / Engadget

Sure, it's not the Pro model I hoped for, but the OLED Switch offers the definitive Nintendo experience (for now). This is doubly true if you spend most of your Switch time in handheld mode.

With a bigger seven-inch, higher-contrast OLED display, all of my games look better on the new Switch, without exception. And I get to play it for longer without charging, despite the same specifications and even battery size. The longer battery life appears to be due to the virtue of a less power-hungry OLED screen, and coming from the original launch model, where I was lucky to eke out 4 hours on games like Super Mario Odyssey or Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it's a genuine improvement for me, as I love to used to travel with my Switch everywhere. I love the white Joy-Cons, but I'm afraid to wear them out or get them dirty. But that's my problem.

Most have said it's a nice, if inessential, upgrade for existing Switch owners – but if you typically play untethered from a TV, the OLED model is, for me, a substantially better console. Contingent on Omicron's movements, my OLED Switch will soon have its first test – a long-haul flight to Las Vegas. – Mat Smith, UK Bureau Chief

PopSocket MagSafe grip with Smartish phone case

PopSocket MagSafe Grip
PopSocket

For many years now, I've been a big fan of PopSockets, those round plastic extendable discs you stick on the back of your phone. I didn't really want to like them – I do admit they're pretty bulky – but they're surprisingly useful. They make it a lot easier to hold a slim and slippery phone one-handed, plus they do a decent job propping up your phone, too. There's one major downside though: Reusing them – taking them off and putting them on again – was not something you wanted to do very often, as the gel adhesive gets less sticky over time.

But this year I got myself the new iPhone 13, which supports MagSafe. Now, instead of a normal PopSocket, I could use the PopGrip for MagSafe, which simply attaches magnetically onto the phone. Reusing it is as simple as pulling it off and putting it on again, no need for a sticky adhesive. I still wanted a case for my phone to protect it against the occasional fall, so I made sure to get a MagSafe-compatible one. I ended up choosing this floral Smartish case because I liked the look of it. And yes, the PopGrip works fine with it on.

I know it sounds silly, but I just absolutely love this combination of the Smartish case and the PopGrip MagSafe. The case has a nice texture that makes it feel more secure, and I just love that I can put on and take off the grip as many times as I want without worrying about destroying any adhesive. And I do this more often than you'd think – I usually take it off to power up the phone on my wireless charger, and pop it back on for the rest of the day. I like to joke that this accessory is my number one reason for getting a new iPhone – and not, you know, all the other good things about the phone itself – but honestly, it's probably not far from the truth. – Nicole Lee, Senior Editor

Wahoo Kickr Smart Bike Trainer and Zwift

An in-home setup for Wahoo Kickr Smart and Zwift showing a bike and TV.
Jon Turi / Engadget

I spent the summer of 2020 cycling around my Brooklyn neighborhood most days to keep in shape. But with a long winter looming and growing tired of the chaos in the streets, I decided to pony-up some cash for a home fitness solution. After much deliberation, I settled on the Wahoo Kickr Smart bike trainer. It's one of the pricier models at $1,200, but its folding legs, subtle tilt range, low noise output and top specs seemed future-proof. Paired with Zwift, a massively multiplayer online cycling and running app ($16/month), I now had the biking sim I'd always wanted and an exercise setup that's season agnostic.

The Kickr Smart is relatively compact with a handle and folding legs for stowing away during downtime. It's direct-drive for use with your bike instead of being a space-hogging standalone device. You remove your back wheel, lock into place and use the unit's own (upgradable) gear cassette so you'll be able to shift gears normally. This allows for quick release, so you can still ride your bike outdoors on a whim, although my road bike has been in position for a while now.

A screenshot from the cycling sim Zwift showing the Neokyo city environment.
An in-game POV screenshot from Zwift's Makuri Islands: Neokyo expansion.
Jon Turi / Engadget

I run Zwift on an Apple TV, which connects to the Kickr Smart via Bluetooth and includes power, cadence and speed tracking. I set up in front of a flatscreen for full POV immersion in one of the various virtual worlds offered, including the new Neokyo cityscape. I also have a fan (it's a sweat fest) and a table for water, snacks and my phone since I use the Zwift companion app for features not readily accessible on the Apple TV. The experience is a combination of fitness and gaming in a form factor that closely enough resembles outdoor riding.

The Kickr Smart trainer adjusts resistance to simulate terrain from flat to climbs and downhill. There are tons of gamified features, long-term goals and you're virtually alongside riders from around the world. You can set structured workouts and join races, but I'm just there to ride and only interact with others on occasion to give "ride ons" — a sort of thumbs up.

I've gone from eight miles during my lunch break to waiting until the evening to fit in fifteen or more, which seems like the minimum these days. My goal wasn't really to train, but it's been compelling enough that I've steadily increased my distances and climbs.

I've been riding year-round, about five days a week and I have to say it's (a lot of) money well-spent, both for fitness and mental health. There are no spin-class tyrants shouting at you, just some gamified nudges and your own desire to ride. – Jon Turi, Homepage Editor

LG's first gaming laptop comes with an NVIDIA RTX 3080 GPU and 11th-gen Intel CPU

Posted: 20 Dec 2021 05:00 AM PST

LG is best known for productivity-oriented laptops and particularly, its lightweight Gram 17 — but not any serious gaming models. Now the company has revealed what it calls its "first gaming laptop" with some high-end specs. The 17-inch UltraGear 17G90Q model packs an 11th-generation Intel Tiger Lake H CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Max-Q graphics, up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

It also comes with a 300 Hz 1080p IPS display, and should have pretty decent endurance for gaming or content creation with the 93Wh battery. There's a good selection of ports, including a USB 4 Gen 3x2 (Type C) with Thunderbolt 4, another USB-C 3.2 2x1, two USB 3.2 Gen 2x1, HDMI, microSD, headphone jack and RJ45. Other features include a power button fingerprint sensor and 1080p webcam. 

LG's first gaming laptop packs NVIDIA RTX 3080 and 11th-gen Intel CPU power
LG

It's got an aluminum case with an attractive grey/purple color scheme and is fairly slim for a 17-inch gaming laptop (21.4mm). It's decently lightweight at 5.82 pounds, though a bit heavy compared to MSI's 17-inch GS76 Stealth laptop, which is 5.4 pounds and has a bigger battery.

LG didn't reveal the key pricing, but it could be a good option for folks who like the LG brand and appreciate the understated styling. It's set to arrive in the US and South Korea starting in early 2022, and LG will reveal more details at CES 2022 on January 4th.

The Morning After: Adidas' first NFT drop made $23 million

Posted: 20 Dec 2021 04:13 AM PST

If you've started to generally understand the ebbs and flows of cryptocurrencies, the volatility of Bitcoin and the rest, and started to comprehend why blockchain tech has a big future beyond Dogecoin, it probably means you're late to the NFT party. Non-fungible tokens are, well, unique. (That's what non-fungible means.) They're sort of like a digital trading card in a lot of ways.

These digital goods are shaking up the art world, sports collectibles and many other fields. And you're late to the party because, well, Adidas is making bank, and Nike is chasing the NFT bucks as well. (We have a deeper dive on NFTs right here.)

Over the weekend, Adidas' first NFT effort made over $23 million in Ethereum, from a $15.5 million Early Access phase and $7.5 million in general sales. It wasn't entirely smooth sailing — Adidas had to halt early transactions due to a technical hitch. It did, however, prove there's an audience for NFT collaborations, starting with this partnership with Bored Ape Yacht Club (an existing collection of Bored Ape NFTs).

— Mat Smith

 

Due to shortages, Microsoft used Xbox dev kits to run a 'Halo Infinite' tournament

Supply chain constraints.

TMA
Microsoft

A Kotaku report over the weekend explains how Microsoft had to use Xbox Series X dev kits to run the first major Halo Infinite tournament, the Halo Championship Series' Raleigh Major, this weekend. Sadly, the company couldn't find enough retail consoles to use — the "global supply chain shortage is real," 343 Industries' eSports lead Tahir Hasandjekic said.

Continue reading.

New Toyota cars don't include remote starting on key fobs

You'll have to use the mobile app, but it should be free.

Current Toyota drivers might not be thrilled about having to subscribe just to remotely start from their key fobs, but what about new buyers? There's mixed news. The automaker told Roadshow in a statement that remote starting won't be available on key fobs for new vehicles. Drivers will have to use the brand's mobile app, in other words. With that said, they may not ever have to pay for the feature. Some 2020-model year and newer vehicles include a 10-year trial, instead of the much shorter three-year trial offered before these models.

For older Toyota owners, however, it won't really assuage their frustrations.

Continue reading.

GM's first Hummer EV is here

The 'supertruck' kicks off GM's next EV wave.

TMA

GM has started deliveries of the Hummer EV as promised, with its first "supertruck" (an Edition 1) rolling off the line at Factory Zero in Hamtramck, Michigan. The automaker didn't name the initial customer, who definitely paid for bragging rights given the Edition 1's $110,295 sticker. Maybe GM should get into NFTs?

Continue reading.

Amazon scraps new ban on phones in warehouses 'until further notice'

Deadly tornadoes may have led Amazon to reconsider its plans.

Amazon has confirmed it'll back off its efforts to ban personal phones in its warehouses. Staff were told on December 17th they could keep their phones at hand "until further notice."

The company banned phones in warehouses for years but eased its approach as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The ban was poised to resume in January 2022. While Amazon didn't explain the U-turn, it comes just after a tornado struck a warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, killing six people.

Continue reading. 

 

The biggest news stories you might have missed


Malaysia's updated copyright law imprisons streaming pirates for up to 20 years

Tesla provides free off-peak Supercharger use during the holidays

Analogue Pocket review: The best retro handheld in town

'Hades' is the first video game to win a Hugo Award

Netflix drops a surprise teaser for its 'Witcher' prequel

ICYMI: We listen to Yamaha's latest headphones with 3D sound

Ford’s Extended Range F-150 Lightning has a massive 131 kWh battery pack

Posted: 20 Dec 2021 01:23 AM PST

In a livestream last week, Ford quietly revealed the battery capacities available on its Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup, Auto Evolution reported. To start with, the Standard Range model, with a projected 230 miles of range, will come with a 98 kWh battery pack. Meanwhile, the optional Extended Range version (300 miles targeted) will have a massive 131 kWh battery. 

The Standard Range package will be the main offering on the first three of four versions: the fleet-oriented Lightning Pro, the XLT and the Lariat. The Extended Range is optional for the XLT and Lariat, and standard on the top-end Platinum model. Ford said that the "F-150 Lighting Pro model will be available with the standard-range battery to retail customers," but it previously said that it would be available with the Extended Range option for fleet buyers. 

Ford also revealed that the power fold mirrors would only be available on the Lariat and Platinum models, and that the Tough Bed spray-in bed liner is not standard, but an available option on all trims. Other options we already knew about include a high-powered 9.6 kW Pro Power system for the first two trims (it's standard on Lariat and Platinum) and 15.5-inch touchscreen with Sync 4A, available on the upper trim levels.

Ford has yet to reveal exact retail prices, but it previously said that the Standard Range Lightning Pro will start at $39,974 before any tax incentives for commercial buyers, while the Extended Range model (again only for fleet buyers) will start at $49,974. Retail prices are expected to start at $42,000 and top out at $90,000 for the Platinum model. That's a fair bit higher than the $28,000 base price for an F-150 ICE version, but then again, most folks pay considerably more than that on average. 

Given the large battery sizes, Ford's prices actually seem surprisingly reasonable. By comparison, Hyundai's Kona Electric has a much smaller 64 kWh battery and starts at $34,000. We should know the exact F-150 Lightning prices soon, as Ford said in the livestream that order banks would open in January 2022. Currently, it has 200,000 pre-orders in hand, and recently cut off further reservations. 

Malaysia's updated copyright law imprisons streaming pirates for up to 20 years

Posted: 19 Dec 2021 01:59 PM PST

Illegal streaming could be particularly costly in Malaysia. TorrentFreakreports the country has passed amendments to its Copyright Act that punish those who enable pirate streaming. People who offer streaming services and devices that "prejudicially" hurt copyright owners can face fines equivalent to $2,377 or more, prison sentences up to 20 years, or both.

The updated law also discourages companies from either participating in streaming piracy or tolerating its presence. Unless managers can show they were unaware of a violation and took "all due diligence" to stop such acts, they'll be considered guilty of the relevant crime.

Copyright laws worldwide frequently cover digital piracy, but some of them were designed to tackle downloads and other, older forms of bootlegging. That was a problem for Malaysia, which couldn't use the Copyright Act against people selling piracy-oriented streaming devices until a High Court decision allowed those cases.

The potential punishments are strict, and the wording suggests it may be difficult for some companies to avoid entanglements with rogue employees. How much diligence is necessary, for example? Still, this shows how some countries may specifically address streaming through legislation, and might please the US and other copyright-driven nations worried their neighbors might tolerate illegal internet services.

ESPN, ABC are back on YouTube TV following a deal with Disney

Posted: 19 Dec 2021 01:35 PM PST

YouTube TV's battle with Disney is over almost as soon as it began. The two have struck a deal that restores access to ESPN, FX and other Disney channels on YouTube's streaming service. Local ABC stations will come back over the course of the day (December 19th), but you may already see access to any recordings of Disney-owned channels.

The base subscription rate is returning to $65 per month, but YouTube TV promised that "all impacted members" would still receive a one-off $15 discount. More details would be coming through email, the service said.

Disney channels vanished on December 18th after the media giant and YouTube TV failed to reach an agreement on channel carriage fees. As is often the case with disputes like this, each side blamed the other. Disney claimed YouTube TV "declined to reach a fair deal," while YouTube maintained that it was advocating on "behalf" of viewers.

This isn't YouTube TV's only row over carriage deals. The service has traded blows with NBCUniversal and Sinclair, for instance. With that said, the Disney fight may have been one of its most important. It's not just that channels like ESPN remain a major draw for live TV services — it's that Disney could easily have siphoned some of those customers to its equivalent Hulu offering. YouTube may have decided that any increased costs (and possible rate hikes) were less painful than losing viewership.

Amazon scraps new ban on phones in warehouses 'until further notice'

Posted: 19 Dec 2021 11:44 AM PST

Amazon is loosening its control of workers' activities as safety concerns mount. The internet retailer has confirmed to Bloomberg that it will back off a rejuvenated effort to ban personal phones in warehouses. Staff were told on December 17th they could keep their phones at hand "until further notice."

The company banned phones in warehouses for years, but eased its approach as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The ban was poised to resume in January 2022.

While Amazon didn't explain the decision, it comes just after a tornado struck a warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, killing six people. It also follows a surge in COVID-19 cases. Warehouse employees have demanded access to their phones both for safety alerts and to stay in touch in the event of emergencies. A reinstituted ban would have appeared tone deaf, particularly in light of an incident where a dispatcher pressured a driver to keep delivering packages while a tornado rampaged through the Edwardsville area.

Companies are allowed to ban phone use on the clock, whether it's to improve safety or prevent staff from leaking sensitive information. That stance is changing as smartphones become an important part of daily life, though, and the combination of Amazon's poor safety reputation with recent incidents may leave the company little room to reimpose a ban — not without significant public pushback.

'Hades' is the first video game to win a Hugo Award

Posted: 19 Dec 2021 09:39 AM PST

Months after the finalists were announced, a video game has won a Hugo Award for the first time. Gizmodoreports Supergiant Games' Hadeshas won the one-time award for Best Video Game, beating out the likes of Animal Crossing and The Last of Us: Part II (among others). Creative director Greg Kasavin gave a virtual acceptance speech saying he was "grateful" organizers were recognizing work in the game industry.

Hades has been available since September 2020, shortly before the Hugo Awards revealed plans for a game category in November that year. It came to PlayStation and Xbox consoles this August, however. The title has generally received a warm reception through fast-paced roguelike gameplay, a solid narrative element and mechanics that reward repeat playthroughs.

Whether or not other games receive awards is another matter. There aren't yet any plans for a permanent games category. However, the Hugo Awards have expanded over the years to consider digital content like podcasts and streaming video. It won't be surprising if games eventually have a long-term berth, if just because fantasy and sci-fi game storylines are increasingly sophisticated.

Listen to the 'sound' of Jupiter's moon Ganymede thanks to the Juno probe

Posted: 19 Dec 2021 08:33 AM PST

You'd think moons would be quiet compared to their host planets, but that's not entirely true — if you know how to listen. The principal investigator for NASA's Juno mission, Scott Bolton, has produced an audio recording of magnetic field activity around Jupiter's moon Ganymede as the Juno spacecraft flew past on June 7th, 2021. The 50-second clip reveals a sharp change in activity as the probe entered a different part of Ganymede's magnetosphere, possibly as it left the night side to enter the daylight.

The audio came from shifting electric and magnetic frequencies into the audible range. Jupiter's magnetosphere dominates that of its moons and is present in the recording, but Ganymede is the only moon in the Solar System to have a magnetic field (likely due to its liquid iron core). This isn't a feat you could replicate elsewhere in the near future.

The soundtrack was part of a larger Juno briefing where the mission team revealed the most detailed map yet of Jupiter's magnetic field. The data showed how long it would take the Great Red Spot and the equatorial Great Blue Spot to move around the planet (roughly 4.5 years and 350 years respectively). The findings also showed that east-west jetstreams are ripping the Great Blue Spot apart, and that polar cyclones behave much like ocean vortices on Earth.

You wouldn't hear these sounds if you could visit Ganymede yourself. However, they're a reminder that even seemingly dead worlds are frequently brimming with activity you can detect using the right instruments. It's just a question of how easy it is to notice that activity.

Tesla provides free off-peak Supercharger use during the holidays

Posted: 19 Dec 2021 07:19 AM PST

Tesla owners are already grappling with overcrowded Supercharger stations at times, and the company is taking extra steps to minimize those long lines during the Christmas travel period. According to Electrek, Tesla has made Supercharging free at some stations during off-peak hours (7PM to 10AM local time) between December 23rd and December 26th. The stations tend to be near major routes and urban centers, and are limited to 11 states including California, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

The EV maker has tried discounting off-peak Supercharger rates before, but there have still been significant waits at some stations. Free charging during these hours is relatively new, though, and might entice owners willing to leave early (or late) to save recharging costs.

The promo underscores a growing problem for Tesla: its Supercharger network is straining to handle an ever-larger customer base. Tesla has acknowledged the issue and vowed to triple the size of the network within two years, but even that might have its limitations when the company is piloting support for non-Tesla EVs. Don't be surprised if free off-peak charging returns on occasion to help Tesla manage growth.
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