Tuesday, March 29, 2022

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Activision Blizzard agrees to pay $18 million to settle its federal sexual harassment case

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 01:13 PM PDT

A judge has ordered Activision Blizzard to pay $18 million to settle a federal lawsuit accusing the company of fostering a sexist, discriminatory workplace. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the suit in September and that same afternoon, Activision Blizzard agreed to set up an $18 million fund for employees who experienced sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination at the studio. Today's ruling approves this plan.

The fund will be distributed among people who worked at Activision Blizzard from September 1st, 2016, to today. Eligible employees and former employees have to opt-in to receive a payout, and they can submit claims relating to sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination and retaliation.

Today's ruling isn't the end of the legal issues for Activision Blizzard, and it may even complicate efforts still underway by other agencies. California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing first sued the studio in July 2021 following a two-year investigation into allegations that sexism, gender-based harassment and a "frat boy culture" pervaded the Activision Blizzard offices. That state-level lawsuit is still in progress, while the $18 million ruling today applies only to the federal case filed by the EEOC.

Anyone who signs on as a claimant in the EEOC suit will not be eligible to participate in the state's case, at least when it comes to harassment, retaliation or pregnancy discrimination. If they have additional claims, such as pay inequities, they can bring those to the DFEH lawsuit.

The DFEH and EEOC have been battling for dominance with their lawsuits against Activision Blizzard. Lawyers for the California agency have expressed concern that a federal settlement might prevent them from pursuing additional damages at a state level. The DFEH case is scheduled to go to trial in February 2023.

"The DFEH will continue to vigorously prosecute its action against Activision in California state court," spokesperson Fahizah Alim said last week.

Additionally, the DFEH, activists and Activision Blizzard employees have argued the $18 million figure is far too low to properly compensate all potential claimants, which could add up to hundreds of people. Communications Workers of America, the labor union backing Activision Blizzard employees during this time, called the sum "woefully inadequate" in a letter to the EEOC in October.

"This would provide the maximum settlement for only 60 workers," the CWA letter reads. "If any significant number of workers received the maximum under federal law, there would be little available for many other workers adversely affected. We are concerned about how the EEOC got to that number and how it believes that number will be fairly distributed. Please explain."

California's DFEH fought against a similar ruling in the case of Riot Games. Following a 2018 class-action lawsuit claiming rampant sexual harassment and discrimination at the studio, Riot was originally ordered to pay $10 million to eligible employees. The DFEH blocked that payout, arguing it was much too small, and the amount was eventually increased to $100 million.

A spokesperson for the EEOC provided the following statement to Engadget following today's federal ruling: "We are pleased that the judge has indicated her intent to sign the consent decree. The consent decree not only provides monetary relief to potential claimants that were impacted by sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination and related retaliation at Activision Blizzard throughout the United States, but also puts in place significant injunctive relief at Activision Blizzard to prevent and address discrimination, harassment, and retaliation."

Indie hit 'Unpacking' comes to PS4 and PS5 this spring

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 01:04 PM PDT

The peaceful, zen-like puzzle gameplay of Unpacking (the real game, that is) will soon be available to the PlayStation crowd. As Polygonsays, Witch Beam and Humble Games have announced that Unpacking will be available on PS4 and PS5 this spring. It's launching alongside physical releases from Limited Run Games for the PS4, PS5 and Switch versions.

The game is already available in digital form on Macs, Switch, Windows PCs and Xbox consoles.

Unpacking was considered one of the stand-out games of 2021 precisely because it served as an antidote to the chaos and noise of the real world (and, we'd add, many other video games). All you do is unpack items as you settle into a new home — and, ultimately, a new life. The audio and visuals are relaxing by themselves, but the mechanics also encourage patience and curiosity. Throw in a subtle, near-wordless approach to storytelling and you might return just to give yourself a break.

Hackers swipe nearly $600 million from a 'play to earn' crypto game

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 12:40 PM PDT

Digital thieves just pulled off another major crypto heist. Motherboard has learned hackers stole 173,600 Ethereum (about $591.2 million) from the Ronin blockchain that powers Axie Infinity, a popular "play to earn" game where players can receive crypto in exchange for playing and paying some starting costs. The perpetrators reportedly exploited a backdoor in a Remote Procedure Call node from Axie creator Sky Mavis to get a signature, letting them "forge fake withdrawals" using compromised private keys.

Sky blamed the flaw on a holdover from the fall. The firm asked for help from the Axie DAO (decentralized autonomous organization) to handle free transactions and help cope with an "immense user load" in November. The move let Sky sign transactions on the DAO's behalf until December, but the access wasn't revoked after that point.

The company has responded by 'pausing' the Ronin bridge to close off avenues of attack, and has temporarily disabled the Katana decentralized exchange. It hoped to minimize near-term damage by increasing the threshold necessary for validation, but also said it was in the middle of a node migration that would leave the old system behind. Sky intends to track the stolen Ethereum with help from Chainalysis, and is contacting security teams at "major" crypto exchanges.

The theft compounds existing worries for Sky. Motherboard notes Axie Infinity has suffered from plummeting values for its NFTs and tokens in recent months, prompting reforms in a bid to keep the game afloat. An incident like could easily make things worse by not only starving the game of much-needed funds, but rattling the confidence of players.

Moment's $100 MagSafe cage makes your iPhone filmmaking a tiny bit more pro

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 12:23 PM PDT

No matter how advanced your smartphone camera is, shaky, wobbly shots can make your videos look amateurish. This is why stabilizing your smartphone — either with a mount or a tripod — is vital to good mobile filmmaking. But if you want a more stable tool for handheld shots and multiple options for customization, Moment's new Mobile Filmmaker Cage with MagSafe may just do the trick. The videocage attaches quickly to your phone with MagSafe, and has multiple attachment points that allow you to mount mics, lights, handles and any other filmmaking accessories you need.

The most obvious perk of Moment's Filmmaker Cage is it allows you to have more manual control over your smartphone. Your smartphone will remain steady as you grip the large, rectangular frame that surrounds it. There's even the option to add extra handles for even more stability. If you're sick of dangling cables, there's also a handy cable management system that lets you tuck in those loose wires. And if you need to pack light and skip the tripod, rest assured that the Filmmaker Cage can stand upright on its own.

If you only use your smartphone to take videos of your cats, the Filmmaker Cage will be overkill. We've written about how the iPhone 13's cinematic mode can mimic the focus capabilities of professional film cameras. While the wealth of stabilization and video editing features are unrivaled on the iPhone 13, it can only do so much. Smartphone filmmakers still rely on a number of tools to perfect their shooting, including mounts, lights, lenses and mics. If you fit into this category of professional filmmaker, or even a serious amateur filmmaker, the Filmmaker Cage may be a good investment.

Unfortunately, the Mobile Filmmaker Cage is only compatible with the iPhone 12 and 13, but older models can work if you use one of Moment's MagSafe cases. If you're an Android user, Moment does make cases, lenses and mounts for the latest Samsung and Pixel models. The Mobile Filmmaker Cage is available now on Moment's site, for $99.

Messenger takes a cue from Slack with an @everyone shortcut

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:58 AM PDT

Meta is adding a handful of features to the Messenger app that will be familiar to anyone who's used Slack, most notably with a new @everyone function. Starting today, typing @everyone in a chat in Messenger will alert the entire group to your message — so make sure it's a good one.

Messenger is also adding a /silent function, which ensures your message will arrive in the chat without alerting anyone, like a ghost in the night. Just type /silent before your message and you're in sneak mode. Both @everyone and /silent commands are live on Android and iOS today.

Meta has more Messenger plans in the works. Over the coming weeks, Android and iOS Messenger users in the US will be able to use a /pay shortcut to send and receive money in-chat. On top of that, iOS users will get /gif, which drops searchable gifs directly into the chat. Messenger on Apple devices will also get /shrug and /tableflip commands, which populate the ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ emoticons, respectively.

Verizon says ‘bad actors’ are to blame for sketchy spoofed spam texts

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:41 AM PDT

Verizon is aware of a spam campaign that is targeting its customers with their own phone numbers. As first reported by The Verge, some of the carrier's subscribers have complained in recent days of receiving text messages that offer "a little gift" for paying off their monthly phone bill, with a link that leads to a Russian website. What has made the campaign unsettling for some is that the perpetrators are spoofing the numbers of their targets.

"Our team is actively working to block these messages, and we have engaged with US law enforcement to identify and stop the source of this fraudulent activity," a Verizon spokesperson told Engadget. "Verizon continues to work on behalf of our customers to prevent spam texts and related activity."

When reports of the campaign first started to appear online, some Verizon customers speculated it was the result of an internal breach, a claim the carrier denies. "We believe this activity is being generated from external bad actors with no direct tie to our company," the company told The Verge. Verizon also said it has no evidence that suggests the texts are coming from Russia. The texts come as US officials, including President Biden, have warned of potential Russian cyberattacks in response to the sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Like with most spam and phishing attempts, the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to not open the link that accompanies the text.

Sennheiser's headphones can now switch modes based on location

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:26 AM PDT

Sennheiser just delivered a pair of updates that could make its audio gear more compelling, particularly at the end of a long work day. To start, an upgrade to the Smart Control app for Android and iOS can automatically change your headphones' EQ, noise cancellation levels and other settings based on your location. This isn't a new feature in the audio world (Sony has offered this for years), but it'll be appreciated if you want to hear colleagues at the office but tune out the world while at home.

The Smart Control revamp also offers a Sound Check feature to help the EQ match your tastes, and user account support helps you carry settings between device. Sennheiser also promises a more intuitive (not to mention sleeker-looking) interface.

The Ambeo soundbar, meanwhile, is becoming decidedly smarter. Sennheiser is launching an "Ambeo OS" platform that expands the TV speaker's functionality. You'll finally get AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect support to stream your music service of choice. And while you can steer the soundbar through Smart Control, you'll also have a web interface if you'd rather navigate from your computer.

This last update won't make the Ambeo's $2,500 sticker easier to handle. It at least provides the kind of connectivity you'd expect for that money, though. And look at it this way: Ambeo OS could make Sennheiser's more affordable soundbar that much more alluring when it arrives later this year.

Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders start April 8th

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 10:19 AM PDT

Apple's first Friday Night Baseball doubleheader will stream on April 8th. Announced at its recent "Peek Performance" event, the program will see Apple stream two exclusive MLB games every Friday through the end of the regular season. The first doubleheader will feature the New York Mets taking on the Washington Nationals in DC at 7PM ET, with a match between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels to follow at 9:30PM ET. You can see the full schedule on Apple's website. The company will share the second half of the slate at a later date.

The games will be available to watch for free for the time being. All you need is an internet connection and access to the Apple TV app. An Apple device isn't necessary. You can download the software on smart TVs from manufacturers like Samsung, LG and Vizio, as well as consoles from Sony and Microsoft. You also don't have to worry about local blackouts. All 24 games Apple announced today will be available to TV+ users in the eight countries and territories where the company has secured the rights for Friday Night Baseball. Here's the complete list: the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the UK.

YouTube TV is testing 5.1-channel audio on Android TV and Roku

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 09:19 AM PDT

YouTube TV should soon add immersive sound to more platforms. The service is now testing 5.1-channel audio on Android TV (including Google TV) and Roku devices, and expects to make surround sound available on that hardware if all goes "smoothly." The company is still working on support for Apple TV, Fire TV and game consoles, so don't despair if your preferred platform is stuck with stereo.

At present, 5.1 audio requires either a "traditional" Chromecast (before Google TV) or a TV set from LG, Samsung or Vizio with a version of the YouTube TV app that runs at least Cobalt 20. The shows themselves need to offer surround sound, of course, but the enhancement should automatically kick in whenever it's available.

The addition is relatively late when Hulu, Sling TV and other cord cutter services have offered some form of 5.1-channel output for a while. This might give you a reason to try YouTube TV if the audio wasn't to your liking, though, and it'll help make the most of your home theater setup.

The NFL may launch its own streaming service

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 09:14 AM PDT

The National Football League is developing its own streaming, according to The Athletic. NFL officials reportedly showed off a service tentatively called NFL+ to team owners at the league's annual offseason meeting in Florida this week. Among other content, the service would include games and podcasts.

The Athletic reports the platform likely won't be ready until team owners meet again in May. At that point, a vote would decide whether the NFL moves forward with the project. Potentially complicating the rollout of a subscription service is the state of the NFL's various media deals.

In 2021, the NFL and Verizon extended their longstanding marketing and technology partnership but did so without agreeing on new terms related to mobile streaming. Up until 2018, the carrier had exclusive rights to that content. One analyst The Athletic spoke to suggested the league could use NFL+ as a way to leverage a better deal from either Verizon or another mobile carrier. The league also recently entered into an 11-year deal with Amazon for the retailer to carry Thursday Night Football games through its Prime Video service.

We've reached out to the NFL for comment.

Kia's EV9 SUV will move from concept to reality in 2023

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 08:28 AM PDT

If you thought it wouldn't be long before Kia turned the Concept EV9 into a production model, you guessed correctly. The automaker has revealed that a road-ready version of the electric SUV will be available in Europe in 2023. There was no mention of launches in North America or other regions, but it's an SUV — it may just be a matter of time before you see the EV9 cruising American and Canadian streets.

Kia didn't say what would change in the transition from concept to production. However, we'd expect the badge to cut many of the more exotic features, including the yoke, giant wheels, retractable roof rails and lounge-like seating modes. We wouldn't be surprised if Kia kept the 27-inch display and even the hood-mounted solar panel, though.

The production EV9 might also preserve the claimed specs. The concept promised up to 300 miles of range and 350kW fast charging that could take it from a 10 percent charge to 80 percent in 30 minutes. Kia also recently detailed autonomous "Automode" technology for the EV9 that can take over from the driver on the highway.

There are still important unknowns like pricing. Even so, the EV9 could be one of Kia's most important all-electric vehicles to date, at least in some areas. While the EV6 has been well-received so far, some markets (particularly North America) skew heavily toward crossovers and SUVs. The EV9 could help Kia take on competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4, not to mention reel in buyers who haven't been thrilled by the Niro EV.

Fortnite's zero-building mode is here to stay

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 07:29 AM PDT

Epic isn't wasting time in elevating Fortnite's no-build mode. The developer has launched a "Zero Build" format in the Discover page that, as the name implies, takes the game's signature construction out of the usual last-one-standing gameplay. You'll have to rely on 'just' your weapon and tactical positioning skills to survive. If that sounds like other battle royale games, you're not wrong — Epic has even tweaked the game to add familiar elements.

You now have a recharging shield to protect yourself instead of having to consume pickups. There are also some decidedly Apex Legends-like "Ascender" ziplines to help you reach blimp-based deployment points, and you can mantle over obstacles. Sprints are available if you need a brief burst of speed to avoid gunfire.

Zero Build is available to play in solo, duo, trio and squad playlists. The addition isn't a shock, at least. This not only adds some variety to Fortnite, but might keep you from switching to rivals if you're either frustrated with building or just want the occasional break.

'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' sequel delayed to spring 2023

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 07:26 AM PDT

If you were looking forward to playing the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild this year, we have some bad news. Nintendo just announced in a short video that the game will be delayed and the company is now targeting a spring 2023 release after previously saying the game would come out in 2022.

As is usually the case with such delays, Nintendo didn't offer a ton of details. Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma said that the company decided to "extend our development time a bit" and apologized to those looking forward to playing the new games. 

Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel
Nintendo

The video also offered a quick look at gameplay for the upcoming release, with a big focus on how this adventure will take place in the skies above Hyrule as well as on the ground. It wasn't too different from what we saw in the game's first official trailer that was released at E3 2021, but it is at least a good refresher for what we have to look forward to. One detail that did catch our eye, though, is a scene where Link holds a pretty beat-up looking version of the iconic Master Sword. Your guess is as good as ours as for what that means for the game, though. In the meantime, don't despair, Switch fans — there are still plenty of great games to look forward to in 2022.

NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3090 Ti is now available for a staggering $1,999

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 06:55 AM PDT

NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3090 Ti is finally here, and it's clear the no-compromise design comes with the steep price tag to match. The new flagship GPU is now available at an official price of $1,999. That's $500 more than the 'base' RTX 3090, and closer to the price of line-blurring GPUs like the old $2,499 Titan RTX. And don't be surprised if you pay more thanks to ongoing shortages — we're already seeing more expensive cards at retailers.

There's some justification for the steep price, at least. The RTX 3090 Ti effectively fulfills Ampere's potential with a full 84 Streaming Multiprocessors enabled instead of 82, higher clock speeds (1.67GHz base and 1.86GHz boost) and 24GB of second-generation, higher-clocked GDDR6X memory with a wider 21Gbps of bandwidth. This consumes a massive 450W of thermal design power (the regular 3090 'only' uses 350W), but you'll know that your game or editing app will run as smoothly as possible with today's technology.

The issue, as you might guess, is the word "today's." You're spending two grand on what's very clearly the swan song for NVIDIA's RTX 30 series graphics chips. The company already confirmed at GTC 2021 that its upcoming Ampere Next architecture (likely the basis for the RTX 40 series) is due later in 2022. You're spending a lot of money on a GPU that could feel outdated in a matter of months. The RTX 3090 Ti is for well-heeled gamers and creators who can't (or don't want to) wait to upgrade.

Unicode won't accept any new flag emoji

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 06:15 AM PDT

Don't expect to see new flags in your phone's emoji any time soon. The Unicode Consortium has warned it will "no longer accept proposals" for flag emoji, regardless of category. They're more trouble than they're worth, the organization said, whether it's the inherent politics or the value they bring.

The Consortium noted that flag additions tend to "emphasize the exclusion of others." If the emoji team added regional flags for one country, for instance, it would highlight the lack of regional flags for other countries. Moreover, Unicode can't remove a character once added — while it can update emoji, it's hesitant to add a flag that might not last long.

Usage was also a major concern. Flags are "by far" the least-used emoji, Unicode said, and aren't even used that often in social media bios. The Consortium is trying to limit the number of emoji it adds each year, and there isn't much incentive to add flags that won't see widespread adoption. In some cases, such as for additional LGBTQ flags, the outfit also believed its standard was "not an effective mechanism" for recognition and was expanding heart colors to help people take pride in their identities without using flags.

This doesn't mean you'll never see flags again. Flags are automatically recommended for any country with a Unicode region code (that is, recognized by the United Nations). For now, though, the flags you see will be fixed unless there are significant political upheavals.

The Soundboks Go offers loudspeaker sound in a more portable package

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 06:10 AM PDT

When Soundboks released its Gen 3 portable loudspeaker, I was happy it wasn't any larger than its predecessors. It was on the edge of being truly portable as it was. Now, the company aims to deliver the same signature output capability in a new, smaller package. The Soundboks Go ($699) is about half the size of the Gen 3, resembling more of a chubby briefcase than an end table, and it continues to offer the incredible battery life and connectivity that have become synonymous with the brand. As a bonus, the company is also launching Direkt, an in-app platform that will offer live stream sets from DJs and artists across the globe to Soundboks users.

The Soundboks Go measures 18 x 12 x 10-inches and weighs about 20 pounds. There's a convenient carry handle on top, but you can also opt for the $59 shoulder strap accessory. The speaker is composed of one 10-inch woofer and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter enclosed in an ABS and polycarbonate cabinet and protective grill. Inside, the system relies on two 72W class D amplifiers to drive the audio output and its effective frequency range of 40Hz - 20kHz. Where the Gen 3 had generous input (and output) possibilities, the Go has slimmed the options down to a single 3.5mm aux input.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity will likely be the primary audio source for most casual users and just like the previous model, the Soundboks Go will support TeamUp using SKAA wireless technology to communicate with up to three other nearby Soundboks Gen 3 or Go speakers.

Soundboks Gen 3 and Soundboks Go
The Soundboks Gen 3 and Soundboks Go.

The speaker is built for the outdoors with a rugged silicone rubber bumper around the edges and an IP65 rating – dust-tight and resistant to powerful jets of water but not meant to be submerged.

Battery life appears to be stellar with up to 80 hours at medium volume and around 10 hours at full blast, with 3.5-hours to fully recharge. Like previous models, the battery is removable and swappable if you bring a backup. Plus, you can continuously charge while playing if you have an outlet handy.

The Soundboks app offers a custom EQ, as well as preset sound profiles for extra bass, power and indoor listening. Starting in April, iOS users will get to enjoy the new Direkt live streaming platform as part of the app experience. Every Friday and Saturday night you'll be able to access live sets from clubs and studios in Copenhagen, Barcelona, London, Los Angeles and more. The streams will be available for 24 hours so users across the globe can all enjoy them.

Pre-orders for the new Soundboks Go ($699) start today and the expected release date is April 26th.

Arden brings BBQ indoors thanks to 'smoke elimination' technology

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 06:00 AM PDT

As the weather warms up, it's time for aspiring pit masters to dust off their aprons and meat probes before heading outside for some low-and-slow cooking. Pellet grills have become a popular choice for backyard cooks as they offer the flavor of food cooked over wood with a much more convenient fuel source. However, you still have to go outside to use one, and unless you have a screened-in porch or shelter of some kind, cooking in the rain is no fun. And if you live in an apartment, chances are you can't have a grill in the first place. FirstBuild, a product innovation lab backed by GE Appliances, has built Arden: an indoor smoker that burns wood pellets and "eliminates" the smoke so it's safe to use in your kitchen.

Like an outdoor pellet grill, the Arden has a hopper for the fuel and burns it to produce smoke to flavor foods. The difference here is this countertop unit has a separate heating element that helps to regulate the temperature so it's not solely relying on burning pellets to cook. FirstBuild says the Arden circulates smoke around the chamber before a "game-changing smoke-elimination technology" uses "a catalyst" to get rid of it. The company explains that the small appliance doesn't have a filter you need to clean or replace, it just expels carbon dioxide and water vapor out of the back. Details are scarce on exactly what happens during that process, but it's clear the thing doesn't emit any smoke during a cook.

FirstBuild is using smoke elimination tech here that was built for the Monogram Smart Hearth Oven. That appliance is an in-wall electric unit that's designed to mimic the performance of wood-fired brick ovens used in restaurants for pizza, baking and roasting. The company says the idea for a smoker was first implemented in an old GE fridge that had been converted to a BBQ cooker. In order to bring the device indoors to escape the weather, FirstBuild team outfitted it with the smoke trapping tech from the Hearth Oven. 

The company says the smoker generated a ton of interest from its community so it asked if people would buy one and how big it needed to be. The first answer was a resounding "yes," and the second was that it needed to fit on the counter like other kitchen appliances. Unlike the old refrigerator, the Arden is a moveable unit, so you can stash it somewhere else when its not in use — unless you really want to dedicate counter space to showing it off. Despite easy moving, it's still quite a large thing to have out all of the time.

The Arden is about the size of a mini fridge with enough capacity for two racks of ribs, a small brisket or "an average-sized" pork butt. The device can also accommodate a whole chicken standing up on a rack or beer can. Three removable shelves allow you to fit things as needed, but based on FirstBuild's videos, you'll need to cut racks of ribs in half to make them fit. Cook times remain the same as outdoor smokers, so you're looking at three to five hours for ribs and up to 12 hours for a pork butt, for example. The Arden cooks at temperatures between 185-300 degrees Fahrenheit and it allows you to use a meat probe to monitor internal temp. It can also hold foods at a certain temperature once they're done cooking in case you can't get to them immediately. 

Since the Arden has separate heat sources for the pellets and the main heat setting, FirstBuild says the device offers more accurate overall temperature. The company says this smoker also uses a lot less pellets since they smolder for flavor instead of burning to heat an entire grill. While barbecuers seem to be impressed by the smoker flavor the Arden prototypes impart, Mad Scientist BBQ's Jeremy Yoder noted that it's not as "complex" in the overall profile. 

According to Yoder, the smoke flavor is more on the surface, so while you can certainly taste it, it hasn't penetrated the meat like hardwood coals or a full-size pellet grill can manage (BBQ nerds will also notice the lack of a well-defined smoke ring). Yoder did confirm that the results on pork ribs are a massive improvement over what you can get faking it in a regular oven, and they were even better than what he'd had in some restaurants. There is a smoke level adjustment on the Arden control panel, so presumably you could dial that up to fit your desired taste profile. Speaking of smoke, it's unclear if the smoker stops smoldering pellets temporarily if you open the door during the cooking process. 

Like it has in the past, FirstBuild is taking the crowdfunding approach for initial pre-orders. If you snag one via Indiegogo, the earliest devotees can secure it for $599. After that, you'll get a $400 discount off the expected MSRP when the Arden goes on sale ($699 vs. $1,099). Prices will go up during the course of the campaign, so opting in sooner will save you some cash. The only downside to ordering early is backers will have to wait until summer 2023 to get one. However, the product lab crowdfunded the initial launch of the Opal Nugget Ice Maker in 2015 — raising over $2.5 million — so it has a history of delivering the goods. GE now offers a range of Opal machines, so it will be interesting to see what happens if the Arden hits or surpasses that mark. 

TikTok users will soon have an easier way to add popular GIFs

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 06:00 AM PDT

TikTok users will soon have even more ways to make their videos stand out from the crowd. The service has announced the TikTok Library, which will grant creators access to more entertainment-based content. You'll be able to find GIFs, clips from your favorite TV shows, memes and other content, which you can slot into your TikToks.

Although there are already ways to insert GIFs from Giphy into TikTok videos, it should be easier to do that once you have access to the library. Until now, Giphy GIFs have been available as Stickers and via the Green Screen effect. At the outset, the TikTok Library will also include Giphy Clips, which are essentially GIFs with audio. The initial collection will feature reaction clips, quotes, famous faces and "iconic moments," which may or may not include certain award show incidents.

TikTok will start testing the Library in some markets on Android today and on iOS next week. It plans to expand the tool to more people in the coming weeks.

Once the feature is available, you'll be able to access it by tapping the new Library icon on the sidebar. After you find something you want to add to your video, you can trim it to a specific length and then keep building your TikTok from the shoot page.

TikTok Library
TikTok

A bunch of Google Nest device bundles are on sale right now

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 05:58 AM PDT

It's hard to beat the convenience of Google's Nest devices if you're and Android user and already rely on the Google Assistant for many things. If you're looking to outfit your home with a few new smart devices, Google's official store on eBay has a number of Nest gadgets and bundles for less right now. Key among them is a bundle that includes the Nest Video Doorbell Battery with a second-gen Nest Hub for $200, which is $100 off its normal price. It's worth noting that Google's store on eBay offers free shipping and returns, so you're not missing out on perks like that by going through eBay.

Shop Google sale at eBayBuy Nest Video Doorbell bundle at eBay - $200

Nest's video doorbell and hub are design to work together. With the Video Doorbell Battery installed, you can view its feed from the Hub's 7-inch display. This model of the Video Doorbell, as its name suggests, runs on a rechargeable battery that should last for about six months before it needs more juice. This gives you more flexibility on where you install the Video Doorbell, plus you can always hook it up to a wired power source if you prefer.

The Nest Video Doorbell lets you keep an eye on what's going on outside your door, sending you alerts and allowing you to speak to guests at the other end of the camera. The Nest Hub provides all of the usual Google Assistant smart features, plus a pleasant design, clearer and louder audio than on the previous model and a new sleep tracking feature that you can use if you place the device on your nightstand.

If you're not on the market for a video doorbell, a number of other bundles have been discounted, too. You can grab a Nest Mini smart speaker and a second-gen Nest Hub for a total of $110, or $40 off its usual rate, as well as a Nest Audio with a Nest Hub for $150, or $50 off. And if you want to upgrade your home's WiFi network, a bundle with a 3-pack of Google WiFi routers and a Nest Hub is $50 off and down to $250.

Buy Nest Mini bundle at eBay - $110Buy Nest Audio bundle at eBay - $150Buy Google WiFi bundle at eBay - $250

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

Xiaomi's cheapest 5G phone now starts from $199

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 05:45 AM PDT

Xiaomi has come a long way since the launch of its budget Redmi line back in 2013, and while the latter has since extended its coverage across a wider price range, it isn't about to abandon the budget market. Ahead of its 12th anniversary on April 6th, Xiaomi announced a new Redmi 10 5G which, starting from $199, happens to be the company's — and some markets' — cheapest 5G smartphone to date. To put things into perspective, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G costs $240, and Samsung's recently-launched Galaxy A13 5G is priced at $250.

The Redmi 10 5G — not to be confused with the 4G-only Redmi 10 or 10A — is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor with dual 5G standby, and it runs on MIUI 13 based on Android 11. You get a reasonably-sized 6.58-inch 2,408 x 1,080 LCD with up to 90Hz refresh rate, along with a generous 5,000mAh battery which supports 18W fast charging (interestingly, the phone comes with a 22.5W charger), a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a 3.5mm headphone jack. 

Redmi 10 5G in
Redmi 10 5G in "Aurora Green."
Xiaomi

There's not much going on in terms of design — just a plastic body with a grooved concentric circle texture and flat edges. Likewise with photography: just a 50-megapixel main camera paired with a 2-megapixel depth camera on the back, plus a 5-megapixel "dot drop" selfie camera above the screen.

As with all Xiaomi phones these days, the Redmi 10 5G won't be headed to the US, but a spokesperson confirmed that we can expect it to land in most of Xiaomi's global markets, including the UK, Europe, South East Asia, Middle East and more. You'll have two options: the $199 model comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, whereas the $229 version bumps the storage up to 128GB. These will come in "Graphite Gray," "Chrome Silver" and "Aurora Green."

Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G in
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G in "Forest Green."
Xiaomi

Also announced for the international markets are the higher-end Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G and Redmi Note 11S 5G, both of which also pack a MediaTek processor (Dimensity 920 and Dimensity 810, respectively) with dual 5G standby, a side-mounted fingerprint reader, an IR blaster, a 3.5mm headphone jack and dual speakers (with JBL tuning on the Pro+).

The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G has been available in China since October, and it's all about its 15-minute fast charging on its 4,500mAh dual-cell battery, thanks to Xiaomi's 120W HyperCharge tech. You also get a 6.67-inch 2,400 x 1,080 AMOLED screen, which delivers up to 120Hz refresh rate and up to 360Hz touch sampling rate for some slick scrolling, as well as a high brightness mode of up to 700 nits for outdoor usage. With its 108-megapixel main camera (Samsung HM2 sensor), 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, 2-megapixel telemacro camera and 16-megapixel punch-hole selfie camera, you should be able to get some nice photos out of this device. Prices range from $369 (6GB + 128GB) to $449 (8GB + 256GB), and you can pick "Graphite Gray," "Star Blue" or "Forest Green."

Redmi Note 11S 5G in
Redmi Note 11S 5G in "Midnight Black," "Twilight Blue" and "Star Blue."
Xiaomi

The marginally cheaper Redmi Note 11S 5G is a slight variant of China's earlier Redmi Note 11 5G, with the main difference being the extra 2-megapixel macro camera on the back. The rest appears to be identical: 6.6-inch 2,400 x 1,080 LCD (90Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate), 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging, 50-megapixel main camera, 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera and 13-megapixel punch-hole selfie camera. Prices range from $249 (4GB + 64GB) to $299 (6GB + 128GB), with color options including "Midnight Black," "Twilight Blue" and a sparkly "Star Blue."

Willow launches new cord-free smart breast pump at a lower price

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 05:30 AM PDT

Willow — a line of smart breast pumps that promises a higher milk yield than other pumps — today unveiled the Willow Go. The new model retails at $329, a considerable drop from the $500 price tag of the Willow 3.0. While some insurance plans offer breast pumps for free or at a reduced cost, many will only cover the cost of a manual breast pump (which normally are in the ballpark of $20). The Willow Go is likely to be an attractive option for women who are forced to pay out-of-pocket for a smart breast pump. According to the company, the Willow Go costs $150 through most insurers. Each set includes two cups. 

"More than 20 percent of Willow pumps were purchased with insurance in 2021. Offering Willow Go at an affordable price point, as low as $150 with most insurance plans, allows more moms than ever to have access to best-in-class technology without requiring any tubes, cords or bulky external motors," said Willow CEO Laura Chambers in a statement.

We reviewed the Willow 3.0., which debuted at CES in 2020, and noted it seemed like a quieter, more user-friendly version of the older models, along with advanced features and more milk capacity. Willow Go seems to follow the same trend, and is at a lower price point. Since the smart breast pump market is more saturated in 2022 than it was when Willow first launched, it might be worth it to shop around. There are cheaper smart breast pumps in the market today than the Willow Go, as well as high-end models that offer hospital-grade technology for upward of $2,000.

Willow Go offers more milk capacity than other generations of the Willow, at 14 ounces. This is a considerably heftier load than the Willow 3.0., which can only hold four ounces of milk per bag (for a total of eight ounces). The Willow Go offers an "Expression" mode with nine levels of suction, a notable upgrade from the seven levels offered by the Willow 3.0. The device comes with two reusable milk containers for storage. Alternatively, mothers can opt to store their milk in disposable bags, which retail at $24 for a pack of 48.

PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium are Sony's take on Xbox Game Pass

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 05:10 AM PDT

After months (if not years) of speculation, Sony has officially announced its revamped game subscription service as it looks to take on Microsoft's all-conquering Game Pass. The company is keeping the PlayStation Plus branding as it combines PS Plus and PlayStation Now into a three-tier service, but don't expect Sony to add new PS4 or PS5 games on their release day. 

PlayStation Plus Essential is the lowest tier and it's effectively the same as the current version of PS Plus. You'll be able to claim two games per month that you can download and play as long as you maintain your subscription. You'll also get discounts in the PSN Store, cloud storage for save files and access to online multiplayer. Those on PS5 will still have access to the PS Plus Collection, which includes a great batch of PS4 classics.

Pricing stays the same at $10 per month; $25 per quarter and $60 per year in the US; €9 per month, €25 per quarter and €60 per year in Europe; £7 per month, £20 per quarter and £50 per year in the UK; and ¥850 per month, ¥2,150 per quarter and ¥5,143 per year in Japan.

The middle tier is PlayStation Plus Extra. You'll get access to the same benefits as the Essential tier along with a library of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games. These will include PlayStation Studios titles as well as ones from third-party publishers. At the outset, Sony plans to offer games including Death Stranding, God of War, Marvel's Spider-Man, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Mortal Kombat 11 and Returnal. 

You'll be able to download these games, and everything else on the Extra tier, for offline play. Sony says the library will be refreshed regularly, so, as with Game Pass, some games might be dropped after a certain period.

The Extra tier costs $15 per month; $40 per quarter and $100 per year in the US; €14 per month, €40 per quarter and €100 per year in Europe; £11 per month, £32 per quarter and £84 per year in the UK; and ¥1,300 per month, ¥3,600 per quarter and ¥8,600 per year in Japan.

PlayStation 5 and DualSense controller
Aaron Souppouris/Engadget

At the top end is PlayStation Plus Premium. You'll get access to everything in the Essential and Extra tiers, of course, and this is where the PS Now aspect really comes into play.

You'll get access to another 340 or so games, including PS3 titles you can stream via the cloud. A bunch of PS1, PS2 and PSP games will be available to stream or download, meaning that Sony is using on-console emulation. Time-limited game trials will also be available on this tier.

Here's where things get a little a more complex. Premium subscribers will be able to stream PS1, PS2 and PSP games, as well as PS4 titles on the Extra tier, but only in markets where PS Now is currently available. Those are the US, Canada, Japan, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden.

Sony plans to bring cloud streaming to more regions at a later date. In the meantime, those in markets without cloud streaming will get access to a cheaper version of Premium. Those who subscribe to that service, which is called PlayStation Plus Deluxe, will be able to download and play PS1, PS2 and PSP titles and have access to the game trials as well as the Essential and Extra perks.

The cloud gaming option will work on PS4 and PS5 consoles as well as PC. At least for the time being, you won't be able to stream PlayStation games natively on phones or tablets (though there's always the Remote Play option). Xbox Cloud Gaming is available on mobile devices in many regions. 

PlayStation Plus Premium costs $18 per month; $50 per quarter and $120 per year in the US; €17 per month, €50 per quarter and €120 per year in Europe; £13.50 per month, £40 per quarter and £100 per year in the UK; and ¥1,550 per month, ¥4,300 per quarter and ¥10,250 per year in Japan. Notably, at least in the US, the annual price is $60 less than Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members pay for a year of access to that service.

PlayStation 5 DualSense controller.
Aaron Souppouris/Engadget

One thing you definitely won't get anytime soon, no matter which tier you subscribe to, is first-party PlayStation games on the day they're released. "We feel if we were to do that with the games that we make at PlayStation Studios, that virtuous cycle will be broken," Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan told GamesIndustry.biz in an interview. "The level of investment that we need to make in our studios would not be possible, and we think the knock-on effect on the quality of the games that we make would not be something that gamers want."

This is a huge move for Sony as it tries to get players more invested in its platforms. Between PS Plus and PS Now, Sony has more than 50 million subscribers. The vast majority of those (more than 48 million) are PS Plus members that Sony is hoping will upgrade to a higher tier. Around 75 percent of PS Now members are also PS Plus subscribers, so they'll soon pay less for the combined service.

The new-look PS Plus will start rolling out in June. It'll debut in some markets in Asia before expanding to North America, Europe and other territories where PlayStation Plus is available. It plans to have the new tiers live in most PlayStation Network regions by the end of June. Expect to learn more details about the service in the coming weeks.

Otter's AI now spares you the pain of summarizing meetings

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 05:00 AM PDT

You might not have cause to panic the next time you miss an important meeting. Otter is updating its collaboration tool with a beta "Automatic Outline" feature that uses the AI-based Assistant to automatically create a meeting summary. You should get the gist of what your colleagues said without having to listen to an entire conversation or read a transcript.

The new version should make it easier to translate meetings into real-world decisions, too. Otter is introducing a "Meeting Gems" panel that can create to-do entries and highlight crucial moments by highlighting segments from the notes. You can also mark action items as complete and copy notes for sharing.

Other improvements aren't quite so dramatic, but could still prove helpful. You can use Otter Assistant to quickly add slides and other presentation images to your notes, and you can join meetings directly from the calendar panel. The home feed now prioritizes "high signal" meetings, and rookies will find more help from the outset.

The AI summaries may tempt you to skip less-than-essential meetings. However, they could easily prove useful as companies settle into the realities of hybrid and remote work. The pandemic has led to a surge in virtual meetings, and it's not always easy to attend every one. Otter's new AI functionality could help you spend more time working — and less time helping coworkers catch up.

The Morning After: Tiktok tests a watch-history feature

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 04:15 AM PDT

Your TikTok habits may vary, but I've sometimes pulled myself out of a fugue of lengthy viewing, hopping and browsing on the social app, barely recalling what I just spent 15 minutes doing. For me, and possibly you, a new watch-history feature could offer some insight to exactly what we're wasting our time on.

According to Hammond Oh, TikTok is testing a watch-history tool to show you a list of videos that previously appeared in your For You feed, making it easier to rediscover clips (and creators) you may have not liked or followed.

There are other ways to seek out your TikTok watch history, but they're not exactly easy to use. One method involves navigating to the Discover page, tapping search, entering an asterisk and toggling on the "watch videos" option in the search filters tab. As is the case with random feature tests on TikTok, Instagram and others, this might not make its way to all users, but keep an eye on your For You feed — just in case.

— Mat Smith

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OnePlus as we knew it is dead. Here's what's next

The company is chasing mainstream appeal.

OnePlus began as a startup making smartphones with high-end specs at relatively reasonable prices. In an age of black slabs, the company was able to forge an identity for itself, backed by devoted fans and a strong online presence. But now, after 10 generations of flagship phones, Sam Rutherford feels like the OnePlus we knew is gone, and it's probably not coming back.

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Samsung's $700 Smart Monitor M8 is now available to pre-order

You can control smart home devices using the 32-inch 4K display.

TMA
Samsung

Samsung's latest Smart Monitor is now available to pre-order. The kinda-familiar-looking Smart Monitor M8 has support for streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV, as well as cloud gaming platforms. You won't necessarily need to connect to external speakers, with two built-in 5W speakers and a tweeter that delivers 2.2-channel audio. The Smart Monitor M8 starts at $700 for the white model. The spring green, sunset pink and daylight blue models will cost you a little extra at $730.

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Amazon Games' chief is leaving the company

Just after finally achieving some success with 'Lost Ark' and 'New World.'

The Amazon Games struggle bus was finally going somewhere, but now studio head Mike Frazzini is stepping down. On LinkedIn, Frazzini cited the desire to spend more time with family. "While there's never really a perfect time to step away from a great role, now is a good time," he wrote. Amazon's MMORPG New World was one of 2021's biggest moneymakers on Steam.

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Spotify adds promised COVID-19 content advisory

This follows the drama with Joe Rogan's podcast.

TMA
Getty

Spotify has finally acted on its promise to add a COVID-19 content advisory label. You'll now see a tab for a COVID-19 Guide when you visit podcasts and other content discussing the coronavirus. Tap it and you'll visit a section that points you to authoritative sources (such as the World Health Organization and the UK's National Health Service) as well as trustworthy content from the likes of The Guardian and the BBC.

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8BitDo's Pro 2 controller drops to an all-time low in Amazon's gaming sale

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 03:51 AM PDT

8BitDo's Pro 2 was already great value at its regular price of $50, but now the controller has dropped to an all-time low on Amazon. It's on sale for $42.50, which is 15 percent off the usual price.

Buy 8BitDo Pro 2 controller at Amazon - $42.50

As with the excellent SN30 Pro+, the Pro 2 is compatible with Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS, Android and Raspberry Pi. This time around, the controller has two back buttons. Like all of the other inputs, those buttons on the handles (where your ring finger or pinky might rest naturally) are fully customizable through a Windows, Mac, Android and iOS app. The controller has a profile configuration switcher as well, so you can swap between three input configurations without having to fire up the app.

It's a little disappointing that the controller isn't compatible with iOS devices, PlayStation or Xbox. For those who game on pretty much every other major platform, though, the 8BitDo Pro 2 is well worth checking out, particularly if you pick up a cheap smartphone clip so you can more easily play cloud gaming titles just about anywhere.

Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma from side with yellow-green lighting
Razer

Elsewhere as part of Amazon's gaming accessory sale, you can save on Razer's wired Wolverine V2 Chroma controller. It also dropped to an all-time low. At $127.50, the white variant is slightly cheaper than the black model ($130). The controller usually costs $150.

Buy Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma (white) at Amazon - $127.50Buy Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma (black) at Amazon - $130

The Wolverine V2 Chroma is compatible with Xbox consoles and PC. It's a worthy alternative to Microsoft's Elite Wireless Series 2 controller.

It has six more buttons than a standard Xbox controller and they're all remappable. Those could be useful for swiftly building structures in Fortnite (once that becomes a thing again) or executing rapid combos. There's also full RGB support via Razer's Xbox controller app, swappable thumbsticks and a hair-trigger mode that could give you an advantage over your rivals.

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