Thursday, February 10, 2022

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Artiphon's Orbacam app now lets you record music without its $99 instrument

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 12:10 PM PST

In October, Artiphon released an iOS app to allow owners of its quirky Orba musical instrument to create and share music videos. A suite of built-in visual effects make the software a fun and easy way to create musical "selfies" and clips you can upload to places like TikTok and Instagram. If you want to check out the app, you can now do so without first buying the $99 Orba.

Artiphon has updated the software to add optional onscreen controls. Now all you need to do is tap the eight keys displayed on-screen to make music. At the top of the interface, there's a toggle to switch between drum, bass, chord and lead modes, adding plenty of flexibility to your beatmaking. The app automatically generates visual effects that sync to the music you're creating, and you have a variety of effects to choose from via a selection carousel. You're also free to use either the front- or rear-facing camera on your phone to record footage.

You can download the updated Orbacam app starting today for free from the App Store.

Apple's latest iOS and macOS updates fix a major web security flaw

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 11:49 AM PST

You'll want to update your Apple devices soon if you value up-to-the-minute software security. 9to5Macnotes Apple has released iOS 15.3.1, iPadOS 15.3.1, macOS Monterey 12.2.1 and watchOS 8.4.2 updates that all fix a significant WebKit security flaw. Specially crafted websites can take advantage of a "use after free" bug (that is, referencing memory after it's freed for use) to run arbitrary code on your device. This isn't a theoretical exercise, either — Apple said there was at least one report of the vulnerability being "actively exploited" before a patch was ready.

The macOS upgrade also fixes a battery drain issue for Intel-based MacBooks, although 9to5 said users with M1-based Macs have also noticed the glitch. Install the new iOS version, meanwhile, and it should fix a problem with unresponsive Braille displays.

This is the third in-the-wild exploit Apple has patched in 2022, including a kernel flaw as well as a Safari bug that could leak your browser history and Google account info. While they're not exciting upgrades, they do suggest Apple is determined to keep up with would-be attackers — and that there are more threats to deal with in the first place.

Senate bill would add friction to social media posting

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 11:25 AM PST

Another bill has been introduced in the Senate that takes aim at the spread of misinformation on social media platforms. The proposed legislation seeks to direct the Federal Trade Commission to look into ways of reducing "the harm of algorithmic amplification and social media addiction on covered platforms."

The full text of the bipartisan bill, which was co-authored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) hasn't been published on the Senate website as yet. According to The Verge, were the Social Media NUDGE Act to become law, the National Science Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine would look into content-neutral ways to add "friction" to sharing things on social media platforms. The legislation would prompt the FTC to codify the findings and possibly require social media platforms to implement them.

The overarching goal is to impede the spread of misinformation and other harmful material. Some measures along these lines are already in place. Twitter, for instance, asks users if they want to read the contents of a link before retweeting it. The idea is that people will be more informed about what they're sharing with their followers.

The Social Media NUDGE Act has been referred to the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Unlike similar proposals, it wouldn't require any changes to Section 230, a provision of the Communications Decency Act 1996 that shields online platforms from accountability for their users' activity.

A bill that House Democrats introduced in October aims to limit Section 230 protections for "malicious" algorithms by making platforms liable when algorithms are "knowingly or recklessly" used to recommend content that results in physical or "severe emotional" harm. Another bill that was introduced in November would direct platforms to offer users an option to view content without being impacted by recommendation algorithms.

In the Senate, Klobuchar co-sponsored a bill that was submitted last February, which seeks to limit the protections social media platforms have under Section 230. None of these bills have passed their respective committees as yet.

Apple is trying to make unwanted AirTags easier to detect

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 11:11 AM PST

In the months since Apple's AirTags went on sale last spring, there have been stories of bad actors using the lost item tracker to stalk people. One of the most publicized incidents occured at the start of the year when model Brooks Nader said someone had placed an AirTag in her coat to track her movements for several hours. In an update published today, Apple said it would take additional steps to prevent incidents like that from happening.

In the immediate future, the company will update the device to add a new warning that every user will see when they set up their AirTag for the first time. The notification will remind you that tracking someone without their consent is a crime in many places and that police can request your information from Apple if you misuse the device. To that point, the company notes it has worked with law enforcement on multiple occasions in the past to trace misused AirTags back to their original owners.

At the same time, the company will update its AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and third-generation AirPods, as well as third-party devices that can connect to its Find My network, so that you don't get an "Unknown Accessory Detected" alert on your iPhone. Instead, iOS will more clearly indicate you're traveling with a pair of someone else's AirPods to reduce confusion.

Apple has also updated a support document on its website dedicated to unwanted tracking to include additional on what to do if you believe someone is using its devices to stalk you. The company has additionally added links to organizations like the National Center for Victims of Crime to help those who believe their safety may be at risk.

Later in the year, the company will update the iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 to add a precision finding feature that will allow individuals with those devices to find their way to an unknown AirTag. The tool will display the direction of and distance to an unwanted AirTag. Apple says it also plans to update its unwanted tracking alerts to notify people earlier that someone may be stalking. Lastly, the company will tweak the sound an AirTag emits to ensure it's as loud as possible and add a backup visual alert you'll see on your iPhone.

"AirTag was designed to help people locate their personal belongings, not to track people or another person's property, and we condemn in the strongest possible terms any malicious use of our products," the company said. "We design our products to provide a great experience, but also with safety and privacy in mind. Across Apple's hardware, software, and services teams, we're committed to listening to feedback."

The first Android 13 developer preview is here

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 10:00 AM PST

Superstition schmuperstition. Google is unveiling the first Android 13 developer preview today and it's clear the company is not going to avoid the "unlucky" number. After all, Apple made a massive amount of money from iPhone 13s. The Android 13 preview is a glimpse of things we can expect from the next generation of Google's mobile OS, and developers can test their apps using the Android emulator or flashing a system image to the Pixel 4 or newer Pixel phones. Based on today's announcement, it looks like we can expect the next version of Android to at least offer finer privacy controls and more of Android 12's Material You design throughout the system.

One of the things this preview brings is a new system photo picker, which can let you share specific local or cloud-based photos more securely. It builds on the existing document picker function with lets you share specific files with an app without having to grant it permission to all media files on your device. The updated photo picker "extends this capability with a dedicated experience for picking photos and videos," Google's vice president of engineering Dave Burke wrote in an announcement post. Developers will need to use the photo picker APIs to enable this feature.

An animation showing the new photo picker in Android 13.
Google

Android 13 also adds a "nearby WiFi devices" permission, which will be required for apps that look for the available WiFi devices in your surroundings. This will allow them to "discover and connect to nearby devices over WiFi without needing location permission." It should let apps that need to find WiFi devices in the area that don't need to know where you are get connected without asking for access to your GPS, which is better for your privacy.

Google is also expanding the Material You adaptive color palette beyond its own apps to all app icons. You'll be able to opt in and have the system apply colors it generated from your wallpaper onto your icons. Developers will need to submit monochrome versions of their app icons and tweak some code. This feature will roll out first on Pixels and Burke said "we're working with our device manufacturer partners to bring them to more devices."

The developer preview also offers a new tile placement API that lets developers prompt users to add their custom tiles to the Quick Settings panel in the notification shade. With that, users don't have to hunt for these app-specific shortcuts by editing the Quick Settings shade and won't have to leave the app

A chart showing the release schedule for Android 13.
Google

Other features in this developer preview include a way for apps to more easily set a different language from the system default, improved animations and effects, as well as more feature updates through Google Play. That last one will let Google "push new features like photo picker... directly to users on older versions of Android." Burke also gave a shoutout to Android 12L and devices of varying display sizes and form factors, saying "We'll also build on some of the newer updates we made in 12L to help you take advantage of the 250+ million large screen Android devices currently running."

Google also shared a release timeline that shows the first beta release is expected around April, with platform stability targeted for June to July. That's in line with how previous versions of Android rolled out, and we're likely to keep hearing about Android 13 in the coming months.

Elgato's Key Light Mini provides vlogger-friendly lighting on the road

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 09:52 AM PST

Logitech isn't the only one launching a small light for streamers and vloggers. Elgato has introduced a Key Light Mini that promises strong illumination away from your desk or studio. While its 800-lumen output isn't as powerful as the Corsair brand's 2,800-lumen regular Key Light, it's portable — you can run it on battery for up to four hours at half brightness, which should be enough for an on-the-scene YouTube vlog or TikTok clip.

The Key Light Mini offers the same 2,900K to 7,000K color temperature range as its full-size counterpart, and you can control the diffused light with onboard buttons when the WiFi-based computer and mobile apps aren't an option. A quarter-inch thread lets you mount Elgato's light on a camera or tripod, and you can bypass the battery entirely if you're simply using this to augment your livestreams and video calls at home.

Elgato is selling the Key Light Mini for $100 through Amazon and its own website. That's significantly more than Logitech's $60 Litra Glow, but you're also getting a much brighter display you can take with you. The extra outlay might be easy to rationalize if you either prize mobility or just want more flexibility for tricky lighting conditions.

‘Salt and Sacrifice’ brings 2D Souls-like action to PlayStation and PC on May 10th

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 09:14 AM PST

Salt and Sacrifice will make its way to PlayStation 4, PS5 and PC via the Epic Games Store on May 10th, developer Ska Studios announced today. Like its predecessor, 2016's Salt and Sanctuary, Salt andSacrifice is an action role-playing title inspired by FromSoftware classics like Dark Souls and Demon's Souls.

At the start of the game, your character is drafted into an organization known as the Inquisition and tasked with hunting down mages that have been corrupted by their magic into towering monsters. With each one you're able to overcome, you'll have the ability to craft new weapons and armor. Salt and Sacrifice puts a greater emphasis on multiplayer than its predecessor with the inclusion of sub-factions you can join within the Inquisition that focus on co-operative play and player-versus-player combat. That said, James Silva, the game's creator, made a point of noting in a recent PlayStation Blog that you're free to ignore that aspect of the game.

Between Elden Ring and Salt and Sacrifice, 2022 is shaping up to be another exciting year for fans of challenging action RPGs.

Farewell Douglas Trumbull, visual effects pioneer

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 09:00 AM PST

If you've watched a classic, landmark sci-fi movie and you were blown away by the quality and realism of its effects, then there's a good chance Douglas Trumbull's name is in the credits. The VFX pioneer, who passed away on February 8th, 2022, has worked on key films in the sci-fi canon. Even a short version of his resume would have to include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Blade Runner and Silent Running. To have worked on one of those in your lifetime would have been a big deal, but to have contributed to all of them speaks to just how much work Trumbull did to push the artform forward.

Trumbull was the son of an artist and engineer, Donald Trumbull, who worked on VFX for The Wizard of Oz. Douglas, a talented painter and artist in his own right, got a job at Graphic Films, and worked on a short film about space travel for the 1964 World's Fair. The clip piqued the interest of Stanley Kubrick, then starting work on the film that would eventually become 2001: A Space Odyssey. Kubrick began working with Graphic Films, and by extension Trumbull, but when he relocated production to London, stopped speaking to his would-be partners. Trumbull, however, was so excited by the idea of the film that he reached out to Kubrick personally. He was then hired and brought over to London to work on the title.

Trumbull's job on 2001 was as one of several visual effects heads on the project, the others being Con Petersen, Wally Veevers and Tom Howard. (Kubrick himself was also credited, and it would be his name and his name alone on the Academy Award for best Special Visual Effects the film won in 1969.) His first task was to design the "computer" graphics shown on the displays that littered Kubrick's future world. But his job quickly grew, and Trumbull would eventually be responsible for the use of slit-scan photography that created the film's climactic Star Gate sequence. You can watch Trumbull explain this in some depth during this long talk about his life and career from the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.

Having made a name for himself, he launched his own VFX company and produced the effects for Robert Wise's The Andromeda Strain. That would garner him enough credit at Universal Pictures to earn him the right to direct an experimental, super low-budget film of his own. (The studio was, at the time, experimenting to see if low-budget films would garner a following through word of mouth, aping the success of Easy Rider a few years previously.) This project would become Silent Running, an often-overlooked classic of the genre.

In many ways, Silent Running is a humane rebuttal to 2001, with Trumbull's warmth acting as a reaction to Kubrick's emotionlessness. The film depicts a dystopian future in which the last of Earth's plant life is carried on the back of enormous geodesic arks into space. But when the crews of these arks are told to detach and detonate the domes, one botanist will risk everything to save the plants he so cares for. Despite the low budget, the visuals are top notch, and the central performance from Bruce Dern is one for the ages. Of course, the film's third-act twist – if it can be called that – does rely on the stupidest plot moment in any film ever. But it's the one flaw in an otherwise great movie that, due to its status as a financial flop, means it's often ignored as b-movie fodder.

Trumbull's interest in pushing the boundaries of filmmaking technology meant that he devoted much of the '70s to developing new technologies. That included Showscan, which ran 70mm film at 60 fps, which Trumbull said offered a new level of immersion and engagement. Sadly, the cost and complexity of such a technology proved a key stumbling block to it being picked up by mainstream cinemas. Years before Peter Jackson and Ang Lee experimented with high frame rates, Douglas Trumbull was making it work in the analog world

Magicam, meanwhile, was Trumbull's project to create virtual sets decades before we could use computer-generated keying, simply by blue-screening actors in front of a live miniature, shot at the same time with motorized cameras. The technique would have offered the ability to shoot huge, effects-heavy spectacles on a tiny budget and in a very small studio. The technology was expected to be the lynchpin of Harlan Ellison's infamous TV series The Starlost and its failure then contributed to its demise. But Magicam would, not long after, be used in a variety of Trumbull productions including Carl Sagan's Cosmos.

His energies elsewhere, Trumbull was unable to accept offers to produce the effects for Star Wars, but returned to the industry for Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It would be on this film that he would be nominated for his first Academy Award, and helped pioneer work to shoot effects sequences on 70mm film. This was a way of preserving detail when the footage was then integrated into sequences shot on 35mm, which is why the alien spaceship has so much heft and weight.

As work was progressing on Close Encounters, Paramount offered to bankroll his studio and asked him to produce the effects for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Trumbull initially turned down the offer, causing much consternation from Paramount Pictures. But after the film's first effects house, Robert Abel, was deemed to have produced substandard work, Trumbull was more-or-less begged to come on and finish the film ahead of its planned release date.

In the following clip, from 2016, reveals the painstaking process behind creating the Enterprise drydock sequence from The Motion Picture. He said that, in many ways, the sequence – which is adored by fans and detested by casual viewers – was inspired by work done for 2001. One thing that sticks out is that he says that he wanted fans to "buy into the beauty of space" and "buy into the beauty of the Enterprise," to fall in "love" with the revised craft. And, it works.

Before his passing, Trumbull was consulting with the team overseeing the 4K remaster of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Producer David C. Fein, who is leading the project, said that "Doug created the future," and that he "inspired going beyond limitations," adding that Trumbull's "influence will be with us forever." Similarly, Mike Matessino added that Trumbull's work was "truly timeless," which "continues to inspire awe and to spark the imagination," both now and in the future.

Daren R. Dochterman, who spent a lot of time working with Trumbull, said that he was scared to meet him the first time they met. "The fact that he turned out not only to be a sweet, understanding man and a very kind teacher not only surprised me but filled me with such happiness," he added. "Over the years since then I've gotten to know him a little better and he had gotten to know some of my work, and he was the most encouraging voice in my life."

Trumbull's work on Close Encounters would massively inform the visual effects work for Blade Runner. That film would earn him his third Academy Award nomination, a well-deserved effort for simply giving Ridley Scott's world the weight and heft that it required. Here, like in so many other of his films, Trumbull's effects offer a level of realism that means it's easy to suspend your disbelief when you see the fantastic presented to you.

In fact, that's the second time I've used the phrase "heft and weight" in this piece, isn't it – because that is something Trumbull was always able to get right. His worlds, no matter how fantastic, always felt grounded, and that's why his work holds up so well compared to other films both of the era, and even those that followed it. Trumbull knew how to make the fantastical feel real, a commodity that is worth more than its weight in Hollywood.

Unfortunately, Trumbull would leave production on Blade Runner before it was completed to helm his second film, Brainstorm. That was designed as a showcase for Showscan, embracing higher frame rates and using those big 70mm cameras. Unfortunately, studio pressure, the tragic death of one of the film's stars and cold feet from exhibitors killed Trumbull's dream. The film didn't get a wide release and ultimately flopped, leaving Trumbull to move back east to work on his technology passions away from Hollywood. He would also, briefly, be at IMAX in the early '90s.

In later years, Trumbull consulted on visual effects for Terence Malick's The Tree of Life, and worked on his Magi cinematic process. Magi, unlike other HFR projects, runs at 120 frames per second, and the reports, like this RogerEbert.com story from 2014, suggest it lacked the TV-esque effects that so dogged the Hobbit movies. By 2017, Trumbull was hoping to build a pod that could be used to tour Magi-produced films and bring the gospel of higher frame rates to the world.

On February 8th, Amy Trumbull posted to Facebook that her father passed away after a two year battle with cancer, a brain tumor and a stroke. "He was an absolute genius and a wizard and his contributions to the film and special effects industry will live on for decades and beyond." The outpouring of love from both people inside and outside Hollywood was instantaneous.

Daren R. Dochterman said it best, that Douglas Trumbull was "constantly a force trying to pull the movie business into the future with brand new ways of telling stories." And while "the [Hollywood] machine chewed him up and spit him out … Doug's tenacity at trying to create new technologies and new methods for creating images and experiences was something that he tried to provide all his life."

The Nintendo Switch is $20 off at Woot for Prime members

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 07:37 AM PST

Wednesday's Nintendo Direct was packed full of eye-catching games that are coming to Nintendo Switch. If a new version of Wii Sports or the option to play Portal or No Man's Sky on the go intrigues you, but you haven't snagged the console yet, now might be a good time to pick one up. Prime members can get $20 off a Nintendo Switch at Woot. That lowers the price to $280.

Buy Nintendo Switch at Woot - $280

This is a return of a deal that we saw in late January. You'll be able to save on a version of the console with a better battery that Nintendo released in 2019 — you won't be able to get a discount on a Switch Lite or the OLED model this time around.

The Switch is a great console that we gave a score of 88 to in our most recent review (Nintendo has rolled out Bluetooth headphones support since then). It's an excellent way to play games on both your TV and pretty much anywhere else. The library of titles in the eShop is stellar, ranging from blockbustergames and killerindies to Nintendo and Sega classics that are included in Switch Online plans. Of course, the Switch is the only official way to play Nintendo's latestfirst-party console games too.

You'll need to sign in to Woot with your Prime account to see the deal, which is limited to one unit per person. It's worth noting that Woot's return policy is different from parent company Amazon's. The offer runs until February 28th. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

Most Android 12 phones will soon receive the Material You makeover

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 07:00 AM PST

Dynamic colors and a wave of new Google-centric design changes are on their way to most Android phones. First unveiled at I/O last year, Google's Material You appeared to be Android's most dramatic redesign in years and offered users a wave of new customization and accessibility features. Users could tweak their phone's color palette, adjust the placement of widgets and make other adjustments for aesthetic and accessibility purposes. But Google's Material You was only available for Pixel phones and a few Samsung devices.

Soon though Material You will be available for a much wider swath of new Android 12 phones, including those by Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, realme, Xiaomi and Tecno. The exact dates haven't been announced just yet and will depend on the manufacturer, but the release windows are likely to occur within the next few months. The new Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra, both unveiled by Samsung this week, will include Material You.

While cosmetic enhancements are nice, Material You also makes it far easier for Android phones to be integrated into Google's ecosystem. Color palette selections and other visual changes to the phone's themselves appear across Google's apps, including Gmail, Meet and Drive. Much of Google's product library has already gotten a Material You makeover.

In Engadget's review of Material You and Android 12, we noted that the redesign was easy on the eyes and helped declutter Android's interface. It also includes a host of quality-of-life changes, including a Privacy Dashboard. That feature breaks down which apps have been granted specific permissions, as well as what kind of data they're able to access.

How to build a budget home theater setup

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 06:30 AM PST

Just watch Dune once with TV speakers or a basic soundbar, and you'll understand the appeal of a real surround sound system. You may already have stunning visuals thanks to that new OLED set, but if the enormous sandworms of Arrakis don't rattle your living room with butt-shaking goodness, then you're missing out on an essential element of that film. Thankfully, it's never been easier to bring the surround sound experience home without investing thousands of dollars in Hi-Fi components.

Pro tip: Think ahead as much as you can

It's easy to snap up the cheapest surround sound system you can find, or overspend beyond what you actually need. So before you buy anything, I suggest sitting down and thinking about what you need now, and project ahead a few years to see if things may change. If you're stuck in a small city apartment, it's probably not worth investing in enormous speakers that you can never play loud. But if you're moving within a year or two, maybe you can start with a smaller system and build up.

Different rooms may also require different types of equipment. It makes sense to go wire-free in a family room that's always filled with kids and their toys. But if you're lucky enough to have a basement or some sort of dedicated home theater space, feel free to go big. Just leave yourself room to upgrade: Consider an Atmos receiver, even if you're not buying Atmos speakers yet.

Get a soundbar system

Sonos Arc
Kyle Maack/Engadget

Soundbars have come a long way over the last decade. It used to be that you'd sacrifice a significant amount of quality to have a tidy little box sitting underneath your TV. But today's entries are much better at mimicking two separate front channels and a center speaker. Some models also support newer immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X by bouncing sound off of your ceilings with upward firing speakers. (That may seem a bit silly, but this technique does a decent job of simulating overhead sounds.)

As a bonus, soundbar systems only need one cable to connect to your TV. They also typically rely on wireless subwoofers and rear speakers, which don't require stringing any long cables around your living room like a traditional surround setup. Naturally, you'll still need to power those up, though, so be sure to have outlets nearby.

As you'd expect, the most expensive options sound the best, like Sonos's Arc ($899) and Vizio's Elevate 5.1 system ($799), but you don't have to spend that much to get a decent surround experience. Vizio's 5.1.2 M-series system ($500 normally, currently $350 at Best Buy) has everything you'd want: A powerful soundbar equipped with two Dolby Atmos/DTS:X height channels, a wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear channels. Vizio's V-series 5.1 system is even cheaper at $200, but the smaller speakers and subwoofer will sound significantly worse and you'll lose Atmos support.

Buy Arc at Sonos - $899Buy Vizio Elevate at Amazon - $799Buy Vizio 5.1.2 M-series at Best Buy - $350Buy Vizio V-series 5.1 system at Best Buy - $200

Another simple option is Roku's family of speakers. The Streambar Pro ($150) is a capable soundbar that also doubles as a Roku streaming box, making it ideal for older TVs with no apps (or not-so-smart recent sets). It's a good option if you want to build your surround system over time: You can always add Roku's Wireless Speakers ($150) as rear channels, as well as the company's wireless subwoofer ($180) when you need more low-end oomph. The complete system will run you $480, but remember that it doesn't have any Atmos support like Vizio's M-series.

Buy Streambar Pro at Amazon - $150Buy Roku Wireless Speakers at Amazon - $150Buy Roku Wireless Subwoofer at Amazon - $180

Want something more? Start with an amplifier

Denon AVR-S540BT
Denon

The beauty of soundbars is that they handle all the audio processing you'd need. But if you want to get really serious, you'll need a receiver that can decode your audio signals and direct them to speakers. Notably, sound isn't their only task these days; modern receivers are usually equipped with multiple analog video and HDMI ports to handle all of your devices. So instead of plugging your PlayStation 5 and streaming boxes into your TV, they'd go directly into your receiver. Any decent option will also offer Bluetooth, Spotify Connect and support for other popular streaming services, so they're still plenty useful without turning on your TV.

A receiver like the Denon AVR-S540BT ($349) is a decent start, with support for the latest non-immersive audio formats (Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master) and 4K HDR video at 60Hz. You'll have to step up to something like the Sony STR-DH790 ($450) to get Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, unfortunately.

Buy Denon AVR-S540BT at Amazon - $349Buy Sony STR-DH790 at Amazon - $450

Since you probably won't be upgrading your receiver too often, I'd say it's worth paying for those formats now. They go a long way toward making your surround sound experience sound more natural. Instead of having audio coming from individual channels — say, just the center speaker for dialogue — Atmos and DTS:X treat individual sounds as objects that can move across all of your speakers. And once you have upward-firing speakers (or even better, units installed directly into your ceiling), those formats can make you feel like you're right inside a movie.

If you want to future-proof yourself even more, look out for receivers that support HDMI 2.1, which allows for 4K video at 120Hz and 8K/60Hz. The Denon AVR-S760 ($620) is one of the most capable options available now, though take note that this model (as well as other Denon, Yamaha and Marantz AVRs) currently has issues with the Xbox Series X. (A free box should fix that, though.) Alternatively, you could always connect your HDMI 2.1 console directly to your TV (assuming it supports that), and route that devices audio back to your receiver using eARC.

Buy Denon AVR-S760 at Amazon - $620

Box it up

Klipsch Reference Black Home Theater
Klipsch

So now that you've got a receiver in mind, how about some speakers? The easiest way to solve that is with a boxed system, like Klipsch's Reference Black Home Theater ($360). It has the typical 5.1 setup: two fronts, a center, two rears and a convenient wireless subwoofer. The Reference Black system has been well reviewed by the team at CNET, and the current price is practically a steal compared to its original $1,000 MSRP. The ever-budget-friendly brand Monoprice also has an immersive system going for $250, which includes two satellites with upward-firing speakers. (And if you lucked into a receiver with more than two Atmos channels, there's also a $300 set with two more upward-firing speakers.)

Buy Klipsch Reference Black Home Theater at Amazon - $360Buy Monoprice 133831 at Amazon - $250Buy Monoprice 133832 at Amazon - $300

If you're aiming for something closer to a premium Hi-Fi setup, Fluance's Elite 5.0 system ($500) is worth a look. It includes two front towers, a larger center channel and wall-mountable rear speakers. They're also available in a variety of colors, which is more than you see from some high-end offerings. I haven't tested these myself, but the reviews I've seen have been practically rapturous, and Fluance is a company known for producing high quality speakers. You'll have to add your own subwoofer down the line, but those towers should shake your living room plenty. And if you wanted to add Atmos later, you can just throw on some Atmos additions like the ELAC Debut 2.0 speakers ($260).

Buy Fluance Elite 5.0 system at Amazon - $500Buy ELAC Debut 2.0 speakers at Amazon - $260

What about starting with a 2.1 or 3.1 setup?

ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
ELAC

You don't necessarily have to buy your entire surround sound system at once. In fact, that's a great way to extend your budget, since you'll have more money down the line to add better hardware. Once you've picked up an AV receiver, a decent pair of bookshelves like the ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 ($340) will be an incredible upgrade over a simple soundbar or TV speakers. My only suggestion is to try to stay within the same speaker family to keep your sound consistent.

For example, you could add any of ELAC's Debut 2.0 subwoofers for a bit of low-end action, or snag the C6.2 center channel ($280) to round out your front speaker setup. And eventually, you could add more bookshelves, or perhaps move them to the rear and pick up the Debut F6.2 towers ($400 each) for an even beefier sound stage. All of those components will add up to an incredible sounding system, though you'd never consider it a "budget" solution.

Buy ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 at Amazon - $340Buy ELAC Debut 2.0 subwoofers at Amazon - $280Buy ELAC C6.2 center channel at Amazon - $280Buy ELAC Debut F6.2 tower at Amazon - $400

Tesla recalls more than 578,000 vehicles over pedestrian warning sounds

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 06:26 AM PST

Tesla is once again recalling hundreds of thousands of cars over a technical issue. According to Reuters, he EV producer has recalled 578,607 Model 3, S, X and Y vehicles over concerns the Boombox feature can overpower Pedestrian Warning System sounds. The ability to play external audio while the car is in motion violates a federal safety rule requiring a clearly audible sound when EVs and hybrids are moving at speeds below 18.6MPH.

As with some of its recalls, the company will address the issue with a free over-the-air update. The patch will disable Boombox while cars aren't parked, Tesla said. The company didn't provide a timeframe for the update, but noted it would affect 2017 and newer Model 3 sedans as well as 2020 and newer Model S, X and Y vehicles.

Tesla wasn't available for comment. The company disbanded its communications team years ago.

This latest notice represents Tesla's fourth announced recall in two weeks. On top of a seat belt chime fault, the brand recently issued recalls over Full Self Driving flaws and slow heating systems. Tesla is fixing all of these problems through software, but they come after recalls in the past year for physical defects like fragile rearview camera systems and loose trim. There have been 15 recalls since the start of 2021. The issues have typically been minor, but they've still fuelled broader quality concerns.

This latest recall also reflects more aggressive scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency began investigating Autopilot functions after a string of collisions with emergency vehicles, and Tesla responded to an investigation of its Passenger Play feature by disabling video games while in motion. The NHTSA is clearly determined to keep Tesla in check, particularly for software-driven features that relatively new in the automotive world.

Apple's 2021 iPad mini is up to $50 off at Amazon

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 06:10 AM PST

Apple gave the iPad mini some much needed love last year when it came out with the 6th generation of the small tablet. But naturally, all of the improvements came with a $100 price increase from the previous version. Now, you can save a bit on the 2021 iPad mini as Amazon has a few models for up to $50 off. The 256GB WiFi version in space gray has that discount, bringing it down to $599, while the 64GB WiFi model in starlight is $25 off and down to $474.

Buy iPad mini (256GB, space gray) at Amazon - $599Buy iPad mini (64GB, starlight) at Amazon - $474

Because of its "mini" name, Apple's smallest tablet could easily be confused for its least powerful model. But that hasn't been the case for some time, and the 2021 iPad mini truly puts that notion to bed. It runs on an A15 Bionic chip and sports a 2,266 x 1,488 resolution, 326ppi Liquid Retina screen. It had been a long time since Apple redesigned the mini, but the company rectified that by making the latest model look like a tiny iPad Air with its flat edges, USB-C charging port, TouchID-toting power button and (sadly) lack of a headphone jack. It feels fresh and has solid performance to boot — it handled everything we threw at it in our testing, including daily tasks like sending emails, watching videos, light gaming, FaceTime calls and note-taking with the second-generation Apple Pencil.

Speaking of FaceTime, the iPad mini comes with a Center Stage-capable camera, which means that Apple's technology will keep you in frame by automatically panning and zooming to follow you. Its battery life is formidable too — Apple estimates 10 hours on a single charge, but we found it was closer to 12 hours, depending on how (and how much) you're using the slab. If you know an e-reader-sized iPad will make a difference in your life, Amazon's latest sale is one worth considering.

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Reliable Indiegogo campaigners will now get a 'Trust-Proven' badge

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 06:00 AM PST

Indiegogo wants to do more to make crowdfunding safer and more trustworthy. Offering users assurances that campaign organizers will deliver on their promises is a key part of that. The platform is now rolling out a program designed to place a spotlight on those who've run well-organized campaigns and delivered perks to backers in the past.

As part of the Trust-Proven Program, Indiegogo is reviewing the histories of active campaign organizers to determine if they have a solid track record of fulfilling perks, positive feedback from backers and a proven ability to manage campaigns well. Those who meet the criteria will have a Trust-Proven Badge on their campaign page.

The badge doesn't automatically mean that campaign organizers will fulfill their perks and come through on their latest project. It does offer an at-a-glance indication that they know what they're doing when it comes to crowdfunding campaigns, and it's more likely that they'll deliver on their pledges. If organizers don't stick to Indiegogo's policies, though, they risk losing the badge.

The program builds on an initiative that ramped up last year to provide more transparency about what Indiegogo's doing behind the scenes to ensure it has a safe, trusted platform. Among its goals is to review every campaign before it goes live.

At the outset, Indiegogo was an open platform that would allow most kinds of legal campaigns. However, "that's not really what backers want." Will Haines, Indiegogo's vice president of product and consumer trust, told Engadget. "They want a platform where there's some baseline level of trust." This latest program aligns with what users are asking for.

The Trust-Proven Badge is now live on campaigns from Firewalla, SIRUI, VAVA and, the most recognizable name among the bunch, Canon. The badge is placed prominently on the page. Hovering over the question mark icon will inform users the badge denotes that the "campaigner has a history of fulfilling campaigns on the IGG platform or is an Enterprise-run campaign."

For now, the Trust-Proven Program is limited to organizers who have run several projects in the technology and innovation category. Indiegogo might expand it to other types of campaigns in the future, though Haines noted that building physical products is "a more challenging area" than, perhaps, making a low-budget film or a tabletop game, not least because of ongoing supply chain issues.

These types of projects "tend to be at a higher price point, which raises the risk for the backer, just because they're putting more money on the line," Haines said. "But on the other hand, backers have spoken in our community and we have a community of tech enthusiasts who love these kinds of products." As such, Indiegogo wants to provide "a baseline level of security without stifling the innovation on the platform."

Haines called the Trust-Proven Program a first step for Indiegogo as it seeks to bolster transparency and trust on the platform. Over the coming year, it's hoping to provide more information to backers about where entrepreneurs are in the process of turning their ideas into a reality. While there are some details Indiegogo can't or won't disclose to prevent people from gaming the system, "we're looking for avenues to be able to provide this kind of information to the backers so that they can be along for the ride each step of the way," Haines said.

There will always be an element of risk with crowdfunding campaigns. Indiegogo isn't looking to do away with that entirely. The Trust-Proven Program and similar efforts are about providing users with relevant info so they can make better informed decisions about whether to back a project.

"We want to be clear to backers what they're getting into when they contribute on the site; if someone has something that they created on the back of a napkin, and it's really just the concept," Haines said. "There is, I would argue, a place for that on the platform, but it had better be really clear that it's a napkin sketch."

Corsair’s new K70 keyboard is a welcome improvement

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 06:00 AM PST

Corsair has made inroads in the gaming accessories market, having purchased companies like Scuf and Elgato to increase its market share, and dabbled in new technology like opto-mechanical keys. Still, it's Corsair's mechanical keyboards that we at Engadget love the most – they're often included in our gift guides and "best of" lists. This year, Corsair is going back to basics with the latest revision to its classic K70 RGB Pro, which packs in a solid enclosure and bright lighting alongside that signature typing experience.

I'm not exaggerating when I use the word love. The Rapidfire K70 that I tested way back in 2016 is still sitting on my desk, as it's my go-to deck when I'm not testing new keyboards. That certainly makes a head-to-head comparison easy, and putting the two right next to each other brings out the otherwise-subtle design tweaks. The Corsair text logo is gone, replaced by the company's "sailing ship" graphic, now LED backlit. The font on the keys has been changed, to a narrower sans-serif font that doesn't scream "gamer" quite as loudly. Corsair keyboards have always been more office friendly than other gaming accessories, but now they're just office friendly, period. Onlookers might not realize right away that what they're looking at is a gaming keyboard at all.

Old K70 on the left, new K70 on the right
Kris Naudus / Engadget

Of course, the most important changes are to the keys and media buttons. Nothing has been removed or replaced from the earlier model, but the media controls have been elevated about three quarters of an inch, making them easier to press. The volume scroll is also wider, with a slightly rougher texture. Both of these small changes should make it easier to find without having to look down at the keyboard.

For a direct comparison of the keys, I chose to receive the new K70 with MX Speed keys, which took me a while to get used to years ago but now are second nature for me. The typing experience is still crisp and excellent, though it seems to require just a tad more force to press. It's nothing you'd notice on your own, but switching between the two I find the older model a little easier to type on. So easy, in fact, that sometimes I'd brush my arm against the deck and accidentally end up activating the keys. This new one won't have that problem.

Key view
Kris Naudus / Engadget

I do have one nitpick about the new K70, though, and that's what I've come to call the "Tibetan singing bowl" effect. It's something that plagued last year'sK65 RGB Mini: a metallic ring that echoes after each key press. If you're typing quickly it becomes a constant chime that overlaps and lingers for a second whenever you pause. If you're wearing a headset or blasting music at your home or office it might not be as noticeable, but in a quiet room it's incredibly annoying.

This type of metallic echo was also a problem with the originalRazer Huntsman keyboard. That was the company's debut offering with opto-mechanical keys, and I wasn't sold on the concept at first because of that hollow ringing. But the revision from this past September added padding underneath to cut down on the echo, making for a much better typing experience. I can only hope that Corsair takes the hint and makes similar improvements to its own keyboards if it wants to stay on top. But the new K70 is still a solid, top-of-the-line deck, and you can grab one today starting at $160.

Apple's AirPods Pro are on sale for $175 right now

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:50 AM PST

The AirPods Pro are down to the bet price we've seen them since the start of the year. Apple's best sounding earbuds are 30 percent off right now and down to $175, which is $5 cheaper than their previous sale price. We likely won't see Black Friday's $159 deal return for quite some time, so this discount is worth considering if you need a new pair of earbuds or want to give them to someone special for Valentine's Day.

Buy AirPods Pro at Amazon - $175

The AirPods Pro earned a score of 87 from us when they first came out, and while they didn't receive the slew of updates that the base AirPods did a few months ago, they do now come with a MagSafe charging case. That means you'll be able to use them with magnetic charging pads that also work with the latest iPhones.

These remain the AirPods to get if you care just as much about sound quality as you do convenience. Along with a built-in amplifier, they support Adaptive EQ, which automatically tunes frequencies to each user's ear. Their active noise cancellation is also solid, and you can flip in and out of Transparency mode whenever you need to join a conversation. They also provide arguably the best fit of any AirPods thanks to their interchangeable ear tips (although the improvements that Apple made in the fit of the third-gen AirPods shouldn't be overlooked).

You're also getting Apple's H1 chip inside the AirPods Pro, which enables things like hands-free Siri and quick pairing and switching between iOS and Mac devices. The latter feature becomes particularly handy if you use many Apple devices regularly, allowing you to switch from taking a call on your iPhone to listening to music from your Mac with ease. As far as battery life goes, you can expect about five hours of use before the Pros need a recharge, and with its case, you should get up to 24 hours of total listening time.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

Biden administration unveils $5 billion plan for EV charging infrastructure

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:35 AM PST

The Biden administration has announced a $5 billion plan to help states build half a million EV charging stations by 2030 — five times the current number. The goal is to allow EV owners to find a charging port anywhere within 50 miles of their location across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. "It's going to help ensure that America leads the world on electric vehicles," Biden said. 

The idea is to build on the "Alternative Fuel Corridor" created by 40 states along interstate highways across the country. To oversee the effort, the White House recently unveiled a new agency called the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. The $5 billion will come from the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which will also distribute an additional $2.5 billion in discretionary grants later on. 

A total of $615 million will be distributed this year alone, with states having until August 1 to apply. The money can only be used for battery-electric vehicles only, not hydrogen or other alternative energy vehicles. States can team up with private enterprises to build and maintain the stations. 

Americans need to know that they can purchase an electric vehicle and find convenient charging stations when they are using Interstates and other major highways.

The aim with the charging network is to reassure potential EV buyers that they'll be able to charge their cars while travelling. "Americans need to know that they can purchase an electric vehicle and find convenient charging stations when they are using Interstates and other major highways," said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack in a statement. 

The White House is also pushing for the charging stations to be built domestically. To that end, it touted a company called Tritium that plans to produce up to 30,000 DC fast chargers per year in Tennessee, creating 500 local jobs. The government will also direct 40 percent of funding to underserved and rural areas. The agency released a state-by-state disbursement plan that shows the largest funding levels going to Texas, California and Florida — the three most populous states.

It's all part of a larger plan to reduce US carbon emissions, as the transportation sector is responsible for a third of greenhouse gas pollution. To that end, the Biden administration wants half the vehicles sold in the US to be EVs or plug-in hybrids by 2030. 

TAG Heuer's smaller luxury smartwatch will set you back $1,800

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:20 AM PST

It's been a while since TAG Heuer introduced a Connected smartwatch that wasn't just a special edition of an earlier model, but that new model is finally here — and it might just be a welcome upgrade. The watchmaker has introduced the Connected Calibre E4, a revamp that brings both modern components and an expanded lineup. There's a redesigned, easier-to-use 45mm version (shown below) for those who prefer sporty watches like some TAG Carrera models, but you'll also find a new 42mm variant (above) with a sleeker, thinner case. This is for enthusiasts who either prefer mid-sized timepieces or want something better-suited to formal occasions.

You can also expect some much-needed internal upgrades. Calibre E4 promises speedier performance through a Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chip with Bluetooth 5.0, and you'll reportedly see 30 percent longer battery life with the 45mm Connected versus its predecessor (the 42mm should last a "full day" that includes five hours of golfing). An altimeter will help you track workouts like hikes, while a brighter display should keep content visible outdoors. There's even a improved, vertically-oriented charger that uses magnets to keep the watch in place and use it as a very expensive nightstand clock.

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 45mm smartwatch
TAG Heuer/LVMH

Software plays an important role as well. The new Connected will run Wear OS 2 out of the box, but it will be TAG Heuer's first to support Wear OS 3 when the free upgrade arrives. The company's updated Sports app now offers guided workouts as well as performance tracking for activities like golf, running and swimming.

Be ready to pay a premium — these are luxury smartwatches, after all. TAG Heuer launches the Connected Calibre E4 on March 10th starting at $1,800 for the steel 42mm model, and $2,050 for its 45mm counterpart with a rubber strap. You'll need to spend $2,250 to get the 45mm edition with a steel bracelet, and a "full titanium" version will cost $2,550. Look at it this way, though: this is arguably a better bargain than sibling brand Louis Vuitton's $3,500 smartwatch, especially if you want a broadly supported platform.

Tinder brings blind dates to its Explore section

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:00 AM PST

Tinder has launched a new feature that could bring back memories of dating in the pre-smartphone era. It's a new Fast Chat experience called Blind Date that pairs members before allowing them to view each other's profiles. Tinder says its purpose is to give users a "low-pressure way to put their personality first," since they'll have to rely on conversation to make a first impression. 

The mode, which was perhaps partly inspired by the popularity of Netflix dating show Love is Blind, pairs people up based on their answers to random icebreaker questions, such as "I put ketchup on ____." Participants then enter a timed chat with their only knowledge of each other being their answers to those questions. If they end up matching after the timer runs out, their profiles will be revealed to each other. 

Tinder says members who used Blind Date made 40 percent more matches than those using another Fast Chat feature with visible profiles in an early test. It could be a great way to meet new people a user might have otherwise ignored. But it could also be a brutal experience, as there's also the risk of getting ghosted and rejected once profiles and looks are revealed — users can always choose to get paired with someone new.

The dating app's new Blind Date feature is now available in Explore in the US and will eventually make its way to users around the world. 

The Morning After: Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra is your new Galaxy Note

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 04:15 AM PST

While I was very distracted this morning by Nintendo's barrage of game announcements, the big story remains Samsung's new Galaxy S lineup. Encompassing no less than three new phones and three new tablets, it was a busy day for the biggest and most influential Android phone maker.

While the giant Tab S8 Ultra is literally the biggest announcement (a 14.6-inch OLED tablet built for creating and viewing), the most important might be the Galaxy S22 Ultra — despite the name, to most people, this is really the next-gen Galaxy Note.

TMA
Engadget

My colleague Cherlynn Low has written about how the Note's legacy will live on in any device that works with a Samsung stylus, but it's a much-needed consolidation of the myriad flagship devices the company often launches at a speedy clip.

Last year, sidestepping Samsung's cheaper phones, like the A series, it revealed the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra in January. Then, in August 2021, the company marched out its latest foldable devices, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3. (Not to mention the S21 Fan Edition that popped up just a few weeks ago…) Phew. There was no Galaxy Note that year, presumably because Samsung needed to figure out where it would belong.

The S22 Ultra, with lots of camera sensors, a huge beautiful screen and space to holster an S Pen stylus, now has enough unique features to differentiate itself from the more standard (and cheaper) S22 and S22+. Now I need to figure out how to stop calling it a Note.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

The Galaxy S22 and S22+ have improved cameras and slightly smaller screens

Both devices launch on February 25th.

The 6.1-inch Galaxy S22 and 6.6-inch S22+ look very similar to the S21 family they replace, but they include some notable camera upgrades, including a 50-megapixel main rear camera with a sensor 23 percent larger than in the 12MP shooter from their predecessors. There are some new software-based camera tricks, including Auto Framing to keep up to 10 people in focus. Portrait-mode photos should look more natural thanks to an AI-based stereo depth map. Prices start at $800 for a Galaxy S22 with 128GB of (non-expandable) storage and $999 for the bigger S22+. Still not sure? We've already written up some first impressions right here, and you can expect our full review soon.

Continue reading.

Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra has a built-in S Pen and lots of cameras

It's the Galaxy Note in all but name.

Compared to its S22 siblings, the Ultra model has a flatter design and built-in storage for Samsung's S Pen stylus, which itself features improved responsiveness. It also comes with a 108MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture lens. The phone includes a 12MP ultra-wide camera and two 10MP telephoto cameras. Pre-orders for the device open today, with prices beginning at $1,200 for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Check out our early thoughts here.

Continue reading.

Samsung reveals the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

Android on a very big screen.

Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Tab S8 series, which includes the Tab S8, S8+ and the Tab S8 Ultra. It's the first time Samsung is making a tablet with the "Ultra" name; that branding is normally reserved for its S-series phones, but the S8 Ultra has some high-end specs to match. According to Samsung, it features the "world's only 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display on an Android 2-in-1" as well as "our smoothest writing experience yet," courtesy of an upgraded S Pen. Pricing across the family starts at $700 for the Tab S8, the S8+ at $900 and the Ultra at $1,100. They are all impressively slim.

Continue reading.

Watch Samsung's bizarre 'Bridgerton'-esque Galaxy S22 reveal

Bridgertown.

I can't explain what Samsung's original idea was. There's a vague dig at Apple (I think), as an old Mr. Mackintosh pitches a dowdy raincoat before a younger handsome man appears to reveal… oil paintings of Samsung's newest phone.

The matriarch he's trying to impress demands her servants carry the paintings around in a circle, by candlelight, creating (possibly) a sort of zoetrope effect. I'm not sure. You won't be sure.

Continue reading.

SpaceX loses 40 Starlink satellites to a geomagnetic storm

They'll burn up as they re-enter the atmosphere.

Almost all of the Starlink internet satellites a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried beyond the atmosphere on February 3rd won't reach their intended orbit. SpaceX has revealed a geomagnetic storm a day after liftoff had a severe impact on the satellites, and up to 40 of them will re-enter or have already entered Earth's atmosphere. The deorbiting satellites pose no collision risk, SpaceX said, and will completely burn up as they re-enter the atmosphere, leaving no orbital debris.

Continue reading.

You may never have to charge Garmin's newest smartwatch

You'll just need to spend a few hours in bright sunlight every day instead.

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Garmin

Garmin's new Instinct 2 Solar watch will apparently be able to run continuously on smartwatch mode (i.e. with features like heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking, activity tracking and 24/7 health monitoring turned on), with no need to recharge — so long as you get enough hours in the sun. Garmin says the device needs to be outside in 50,000 lux conditions for an average of three hours a day to maintain the "unlimited" battery life.

Continue reading.

Apple source code references 'realityOS' for potential VR/AR headsets

The headsets are reported to arrive in 2022 or 2023.

The operating system powering Apple's rumored virtual or augmented reality headset may be called realityOS, MacRumors has reported. The term was spotted by multiple sources in recent GitHub open source code and App Store upload logs. "What is Apple's realityOS doing in the App Store upload logs," tweeted iOS developer Rens Verhoeven. If the references are real, they could suggest that developers are getting or will be getting access to the OS. As another developer, Steve Troughton-Smith, warned, however, they "could just be a remnant of somebody's pull request from a fake account," too.

Continue reading.

JET nuclear fusion reactor shatters record for energy production

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 02:59 AM PST

The Joint European Torus (JET) fusion reactor near Oxford in the UK has produced the highest level of sustained energy ever from atom fusion, Nature has reported. On December 21st, 2021, the "tokamak" reactor produced 59 megajoules of energy during a five second fusion pulse, more than double what it managed way back in 1997. 

"These landmark results have taken us a huge step closer to conquering one of the biggest scientific and engineering challenges of them all," said Ian Chapman, lead of the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE). 

The JET reactor is the flagship experimental device of the European Fusion Program (EUROfusion) funded by the EU. It's mainly designed to help scientists prove that their modeling is correct, with an eye toward future experiments with the much larger ITER reactor being built in France, set to start fusion testing in 2025. "JET really achieved what was predicted. The same modelling now says ITER will work," fusion physicist Josefine Proll (who is not involved with JET) told Nature. 

The experiment pushed the reactor to its "absolute maximum," said CCFE plasma scientist Fernanda Rimini. JET used a mixture of deuterium (aka heavy water) and tritium, the same fuel mix that will power ITER. Tritium is a radioactive hydrogen isotope that generates more neutrons when fused with deuterium than deuterium fused with itself, increasing energy output. The researchers also replaced the tokamak's inner wall to reduce tritium waste. 

JET hit a Q value of 0.33, meaning it produced about a third the energy put in. The highest Q value achieved so far is 0.7 by the US Department of Energy's National Ignition Facility, but it only hit that figure for 4 billionths of a second. The goal with ITER is to reach a goal of Q factor of 10 or greater, while creating 500 MW of power for long 400 to 600 second pulses. ITER will not produce net energy in the form of electricity, but will pave the way for future machines that can. 

Before that happens, however, researchers must solve several challenges. Principally, they have to deal with the heat created in the exhaust region of ITER, as it will be much greater proportionally than with the JET reactor. Still, the experiment's success allowed the team to glean a wealth of information that can be analyzed over the next few years. "If we can maintain fusion for five seconds, we can do it for five minutes and then five hours as we scale up our operations in future machines," said EUROfusion program manager Tony Donne. 

California is suing Tesla over 'racial discrimination and harassment'

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 01:21 AM PST

A California civil rights agency has filed a lawsuit against Tesla for alleged racial discrimination and harassment at its Fremont factory, according to The Wall Street Journal. "After receiving hundreds of complaints from workers, DFEH found evidence that Tesla's Fremont factory is a racially segregated workplace," said California Department of Fair Employment and Housing director Kevin Kish in a statement. 

The DFEH said Black employees were frequently exposed to racial slurs and graffiti, with one worker saying they heard such slurs 50 to 100 times per day. "Black workers are subjected to racial slurs and discriminated against in job assignments, discipline, pay, and promotion creating a hostile work environment," said Kish.

Tesla called the lawsuit "unfair and unproductive" in a blog released prior to the complaint being made public. "Tesla strongly opposes all forms of discrimination and harassment and has a dedicated Employee Relations team that responds to and investigates all complaints," the company wrote. "Tesla is also the last remaining automobile manufacturer in California. The Fremont factory has a majority-minority workforce and provides the best paying jobs in the automotive industry to over 30,000 Californians." It also said that over 50 previous DFEH investigations over the last five years were closed without any findings of misconduct.

Last October, Tesla was ordered to pay $137 million in damages to a former Black worker who accused the company of turning a blind eye to discrimination and racial abuse in 2015 and 2016. Tesla disagreed with the verdict, with a spokesperson saying the company was "not perfect" at that time but has "come a long way" since then. Tesla recently moved its corporate headquarters to Texas from California, but has also said it would expand its manufacturing activities by 50 percent in California. 

Tesla has previously tussled with the state of California over COVID-19 related plant closures, and isn't the only high-profile company in the DFEH's crosshairs. The agency recently sued Activision Blizzard for alleged harassment and discrimination against female employees. 

Laid-off Peloton employees reportedly crash new CEO's introductory meeting

Posted: 09 Feb 2022 11:20 PM PST

Peloton laid off around 20 percent of its corporate employees as part of its attempt to get past its growth struggles following a meteoric rise to fame in the early days of the pandemic. Some of them are understandably upset and angry, and according to CNBC, some of them have crashed the company's first all-hands meeting meant to introduce the new CEO. 

In addition to letting a chunk of its workforce go — no instructors were affected by the layoffs — Peloton also replaced its top executive. John Foley, who's also a company co-founder, stepped down and was replaced with former Spotify COO Barry McCarthy. CNBC says both former and current employees fired off angry comments in the meeting's chat section, with one calling the all-hands "awfully tone deaf." 

Another person proclaimed that they're selling all their Peloton apparel to be able to pay their bills. "The company messed up by allowing people who were fired into this chat," said yet another person. The meeting, attended by both Foley and McCarthy, was reportedly cut short.

Peloton was massively popular just over a year ago and even reached a market value of $50 billion in January 2021. Now, it's worth around $8 billion dollars, and bigger companies like Amazon and Nike are reportedly showing interest in acquiring the fitness equipment maker. While Peloton didn't say outright that it was planning to let people go, Foley previously said that the company "need[s] to evaluate [its] organization structure and size of [its] team" to make the business more flexible. That was part of his response to an older CNBC report claiming that the company was halting Bike and Tread production. Foley denied the rumor. 

The former CEO also didn't say whether the calls for him to be ousted were part of the reason he's stepping down. Activist investor Blackwells Capital previously accused him of misleading investors about certain information, among other things that cost the company $40 billion. "I have always thought there has to be a better CEO for Peloton than me," Foley said when McCarthy was formally named as the company's new CEO. McCarthy is expected to use his knowledge of content-driven subscription models to keep Peloton running, but he clearly has to win over his own employees first. 

Nintendo Switch Online adds 'EarthBound' and 'EarthBound Beginnings'

Posted: 09 Feb 2022 03:12 PM PST

Classic role-playing games EarthBound Beginnings and EarthBound will be available on Nintendo Switch Online starting today. Safe travels, Ness and friends.

EarthBound Beginnings is also known as Mother, and it originally hit the NES (locally known as the Famicom) in Japan in 1989. Its sequel, EarthBound, is a SNES classic that hit Western markets in 1995, and the entire series has been pivotal to the RPG genre, with mechanics and visual stylings that still influence games to this day. The final entry in the series, Mother 3, landed on Game Boy Advance in Japan in 2006, and it's never been officially localized for English audiences.

Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service that unlocks online play, cloud saves and access to a library of NES and SNES games on the Switch. An additional paid tier, dubbed the Expansion Pack, adds access to N64 and Sega Genesis titles. Switch Online costs $20 annually, while the Expansion Pack is $50 per year.

Today's announcement wasn't a total surprise — EarthBound creator Shigesato Itoi tweeted some hints just hours before the Nintendo Direct went live.

'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' is getting 48 courses from older games as paid DLC

Posted: 09 Feb 2022 03:09 PM PST

There was a mixed bag of news for Mario Kart fans during the latest Nintendo Direct. While there wasn't any word about the next game in the long-running series, Nintendo revealed it isn't done with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe just yet.

The company is remastering courses from older games in the series and bringing them to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as paid DLC. The first batch of courses will arrive on March 18th. Next month, you'll once again be able to race around Coconut Mall from Mario Kart Wii, Choco Mountain from Mario Kart 64 and Tokyo Blue from Mario Kart Tour and five other versions of classic courses.

Nintendo will add eight courses at a a time over six waves. All 48 courses should be available by the end of 2023. Pre-orders for the $25 Booster Course Pass open today. However, if you're a subscriber to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, you'll get access to the remastered courses at no extra cost. 

The company previously offered subscribers a paid Animal Crossing: New Horizons expansion as part of the plan. Expansion Pack (which also includes a library of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games) costs $50 per year for an individual plan and $80 annually for a family membership. You need either that or a Switch Online subscription to play with friends online.
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