Thursday, April 7, 2022

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ASUS ROG Flow Z13 review: Practicality can be overrated

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 10:00 AM PDT

The Surface Pro's design has been with us for almost a decade, so it's kind of a wonder that in all that time, no one has really ever tried to make a detachable 2-in-1 gaming machine. Pretty much everywhere you look, there's a hybrid version of every type of gadget — from tablets to smartphones — aside from gaming PCs. And while ASUS teased us with the ROG Mothership back in 2019, now the company has finally returned to transform that concept into an actual retail device: the ROG Flow Z13.

Design and display

For those familiar with Microsoft's detachables, if you take one look at the Flow Z13 (which starts at $1,800) you'll immediately see why I mentioned the Surface Pro line, because ASUS has basically taken that blueprint and made it all gamery. You get a bright 13.4-inch full HD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a handy kickstand in back, and a magnetic strip for hooking up a removable keyboard cover. That cover also feels similar to a Surface, right down to the bounciness of the keyboard and its slightly too-small touchpad. This means any hardcore RTS or FPS gamers will definitely want to keep an external keyboard around. ASUS even hid a microSD card slot and removable M.2 cover behind the kickstand, just like the Surface Pro. You'll also find an 8-MP camera around back, though its image quality leaves a lot to be desired (the cam in front is fine though). Elsewhere, we have one USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4, a USB A port and a couple of other ports hidden beneath a protective seal. But more on those later.

Similar to a Surface Pro, the Asus ROG Flow Z13 features a built-in kickstand and a detachable keyboard.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

That said, while its overall design is a lot like a Surface, the Z13 gives off a very different vibe. ASUS' over-the-top cyberpunk aesthetic combined with a splash of red and black accents might be a bit much for some. But I kinda love it, especially that window with RGB lighting in back. In fact, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say we need more see-through gadgets in general.

Specs and performance

On the inside, we got some relatively beefy components, particularly for a system this size. We're talking an Intel Core i9-12900H CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB M.2 SSD, and an RTX 3050TI. In normal use browsing the web or social media, the Z13 is rather quiet, though that changes when you launch a game. Fan noise is noticeable, but doesn't become a real distraction. And while the back of the Z13 does get warm, ASUS' tablet design and vapor chamber cooling system helps keep throttling to a minimum.

One of the Asus ROG Flow Z13's most eye-catching features is a window with RGB lighting showing the system's motherboard.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Now normally, pairing an i9 chip with a 3050 Ti doesn't make a lot of sense. In most games, the Z13 is going to be bottlenecked by its GPU, which makes a high-end CPU seem like overkill. In benchmarks, I saw frame rates of 37 fps in Forza Horizon 5 on ultra settings, 64 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider on highest and 40 fps in Metro Exodus on high. So decent, but not exactly mind-blowing.

That's where those hidden ports come in. Once you remove the protective seal, you can attach ASUS' optional (and expensive) $1,400 XG Mobile graphics dock, which has even more ports (HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, Ethernet, four USB 3.2 Type-A ports and an SD card reader), along with an RTX 3080 graphics card. And after I hooked everything up, gaming performance basically doubled, with frame rates in Forza Horizon 5 jumping up to 87 fps at the same settings, with similar results for other titles (134 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider and 95 fps in Metro Exodus).

For people who want even better performance from the ROG Flow Z13, Asus made the XG Mobile external graphics dock.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

So now, we're looking at a portable gaming tablet that has the kind of performance you'd typically only get from a big 15 or 17-inch notebook. And because the dock is detachable, you have the option to leave it behind if you're not gonna be gaming. It even has its own power cable, allowing it to send juice to the Z13 when connected. So theoretically, if you throw both of these in your bag, you can leave ASUS' basic charging brick at home. And when you're not using the dock, beneath that seal next to ASUS' proprietary XG port, there's a USB-C 3.2 connection that supports video out with G-sync.

However, there are a number of quirks about the XG dock. First, you can't just disconnect it at will. Before you pull the plug, you need to manually disable it from the icon in the Windows system tray, which takes more than a moment. You also can't pick what GPU goes inside, it's either an RTX 3080 or nothing. That means if you want to upgrade in the future, you're gonna have to buy a whole new dock, assuming ASUS even makes a second generation. And because of that proprietary port, the XG Dock is only compatible with this system and the ROG Flow X13, which is basically the laptop version of Z13.

Battery life

on the Asus ROG Flow Z13, there's a removable seal that hides an extra USB-C port and the system's proprietary XG port.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

One of the biggest downsides of the Z13's tablet design is not having a lot of room for a sizable battery. In our video rundown test, the system's 56 Whr power pack lasted just five hours and 38 minutes. That's four hours shorter than the Zephyrus G14 (9:45) and nearly two and half hours less than the Alienware X14. That means you will probably need to bring ASUS' power brick whenever you leave the house, especially if you plan on actual gaming. And in the real world, even with the most casual workloads, I found the Z13 was often gasping for energy well before the end of the day. On the plus side, the Z13 uses USB-C Power Delivery, so at least the charger can top up other gadgets too.

Wrap up

The right side of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 features a single USB Type-A port and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

When it comes to summing up a product, I'm usually not this conflicted. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea, I love the way it looks, and I love being able to tack on a beefy GPU when I want extra performance. I also love being able to flip it open, pair a controller and just get to gaming – no need to worry about a keyboard. There really isn't anything else like the Z13. The problem is that the whole kit isn't very practical, and it's not a great value either.

When you're using it as a laptop – like you know, on your lap – because all of its guts are stuffed inside what is essentially a tablet chassis, it's really top-heavy. Also, its battery life isn't very good, lasting at least two to three hours shorter than every other gaming laptop we've tested recently. And while it's relatively thin, when you think about all the accessories you might want to carry around with it, the Z13 doesn't really let you pack that much lighter when compared to a rival 14 or 15-inch laptop.

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 comes with a USB-C power adapter, though it can also charge using the optional XG Mobile graphics dock.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

And then there's its price. The Z13 starts at $1,800, or around $1,900 for one similar to our review unit with a 3050TI GPU, which is as high as you can spec it. And if you want the XG mobile graphics dock your all-in price climbs well above $3,000.

A similarly equipped traditional gaming laptop, like an Alienware X14 goes for about $200 less. Meanwhile, ASUS' own G14 Zephyrus can be had for as little as $1,450, and that's with a slightly more powerful RTX 3060. So if you just want to be able to game on the go, you can save a bunch of money simply by getting something less exotic. And if you need some extra performance now and then, you're probably better off getting a regular external GPU enclosure that you can upgrade yourself down the line instead of ASUS' proprietary dock.

The Asus ROG Flow Z13's unique design means you can use it as a tablet, even while gaming.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Now all this doesn't mean you shouldn't get one. But you should know what you're getting into first. The Flow Z13 is a wildly interesting system, and for people looking for a portable and adaptable machine with big time performance, I'm glad that ASUS finally made a gaming tablet/detachable 2-in-1 into a real device after all these years. And while its high price will make the Z13 an incredibly hard sell for most people, I still think it's impractically cool.

Activision Blizzard gives 1,100 QA testers full-time jobs and higher base pay

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:51 AM PDT

Activision Blizzard is converting all of its temporary and contract quality assurance workers in the US to full-time employees starting on July 1st. Many of the 1,100 workers will receive a pay raise — the minimum hourly rate is going up to $20 per hour as of April 17th. As permanent employees, the workers will receive benefits and can participate in a bonus plan.

The company says bringing those workers on board as staff will bolster its development resources and increase its number of full-time employees by 25 percent. It recently converted nearly 500 other temp and contract roles across its studios to full-time positions.

The move comes in the wake of a unionization drive spearheaded by QA team members at Raven Software. Workers from across Activision Blizzard staged a walkout in December after some Raven QA contractors were laid off. The following month, QA workers at the studio announced their intention to unionize, which would make them members of the first union at a AAA gaming company in North America.

Activision declined to voluntarily recognize the Game Workers Alliance union and shuffled some people to other departments. Executives also tried to convince workers not to form a union by questioning the benefits of organizing. Nevertheless, the Raven QA workers pressed forward with their plans and have filed for a union election through the National Labor Relations Board. 

Microsoft, which has agreed a deal to buy the company for $68.7 billion, said last month it respected the right of Activision Blizzard employees "to choose whether to be represented by a labor organization and we will honor those decisions."

Workers at Activision Blizzard have been pressuring leadership on other fronts. Many staged a walkout this week after it lifted COVID-19 vaccine requirements. The company clarified it would allow its studios to set their own return-to-office policies.

Elsewhere, the company is the subject of multiple ongoing harassment and misconduct lawsuits. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued Activision Blizzard last July, accusing the company of discrimination against female employees and fostering a "frat boy culture." A wrongful death suit and a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit from an individual plaintiff have also been filed over the last month or so. Last week, a judge ordered Activision Blizzard to pay $18 million to settle a federal suit that accused it of enabling a sexist and discriminatory environment.

Activision Blizzard isn't the only major company in the gaming sector that's hiring temp and contract QA workers into permanent roles. In February, Epic Games said it would offer most of its US-based QA workers full-time positions.

Here's the full statement Activision Blizzard provided to Engadget:

Across Activision Blizzard, we are bringing more content to players across our franchises than ever before. As a result, we are refining how our teams work together to develop our games and deliver the best possible experiences for our players. We have ambitious plans for the future and our Quality Assurance (QA) team members are a critical part of our development efforts.

Therefore, today we announced the conversion of all US-based temporary and contingent QA team members at Activision Publishing (AP) and Blizzard — nearly 1,100 people in total — to permanent full-time employees starting July 1. Additionally, we are increasing the minimum hourly rate for these team members to $20/hr or more effective April 17. These employees also will be eligible to participate in the company's bonus plan and will have access to full company benefits.

This change follows a process that began last year across AP and Blizzard of converting temporary and contingent employees, including 500 at AP's studios, to permanent full-time employees.

Epic Games and Lego team up to build a kid-friendly metaverse

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:42 AM PDT

Epic Games and The Lego Group are building a new, family-friendly virtual world. The companies haven't revealed too many details just yet, though they plan to "shape the future of the metaverse to make it safe and fun for children and families."

The pair have agreed on three principles they'll adhere to as they "build an immersive, creatively inspiring and engaging digital experience" for people of all ages to enjoy. They pledged to:

  • Protect children's right to play by making safety and wellbeing a priority.

  • Safeguard children's privacy by putting their best interests first.

  • Empower children and adults with tools that give them control over their digital experience.

Epic and Lego didn't announce a timeline for when their collective vision of a virtual world will open for business. Of course, Epic runs perhaps the foremost example of a kid-friendly metaverse in Fortnite. The battle royale modes, countless crossovers, concerts, movie nights and creative islands have helped Fortnite become a massively popular virtual space where people go to hang out.

Lego has experience in virtual worlds as well. Along with its long-running series of licensed games (including one that just dropped this week in Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga), it was behind a sandbox game called Lego Worlds.

While that didn't prove to be quite the Minecraft competitor Lego would have hoped, perhaps its collaboration with Epic will stand a better chance. Their take on the metaverse is also likely to compete with Roblox. That platform has an enormous player base of mostly young people and measures in place to shield them from adult content.

Barnes & Noble is finally offering an audiobook service

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:21 AM PDT

Barnes & Noble finally has a direct answer to Amazon's purchase of Audible. The bookseller has launched a B&N Audiobooks service in the US that lets you either buy recordings or pay $15 per month for a subscription that offers one recurring monthly credit. You'll have access to more than 300,000 titles through the web as well as the Nook apps for Android and iOS.

The launch is arguably overdue. Amazon bought audiobook heavyweight Audible in 2008, and has both woven it into services and expanded its offerings with original books and services like the all-you-can-read Audible Plus plan. That investment has helped Audible dominate the market for years, and that's not including longstanding competition from Apple, Kobo and others. Barnes & Noble is entering a very well-established market as a relative outsider.

The bookshop might not be deterred, however. Barnes & Noble chief James Daunt has been leading an e-book revival at the company that includes much-needed hardware upgrades. An audiobook service could help with that strategy by letting B&N match its competitors' core features, even if it's unlikely to topple its biggest rivals any time soon.

'Slow Horses' makes me glad I forgot to cancel Apple TV+

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:00 AM PDT

Confession time: I'd never read any John LeCarré until after I'd seen the 2011 film of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. It's a brilliant movie, and one that sent me scuttling to read the Karla trilogy and then watch the two excellent Alec Guinness adaptations. After devouring the first two episodes of Apple TV+'s Slow Horses, I can think of no higher compliment than to say that I'm bulk-buying the book series it was adapted from in short order.

Slow Horses is an adaptation of Mick Herron's series of Slough House novels, featuring a group of British spies trapped in administrative purgatory. MI5 agents who have committed high-profile mistakes but know far too much to be fired are dumped in the dingy Slough House. There, they are given harmless busywork too demeaning for real spies to undertake, all the while being tormented and demeaned by division chief Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman.

It's this world that former superstar spy River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) is thrust into after his own notorious error while out in the field. There, he's given jobs like searching a dodgy journalist's trash can and acting as a courier between offices. It's hardly a spoiler to suggest that Cartwright's arrival triggers something of a major case for the rejects to handle, which has mostly kicked off by the time the second episode finishes.

What Slow Horses has to offer, beyond the enjoyment of a modern-day thriller done right, is a sense of pulpy fun. A sequence in the second episode I can't spoil plays out with the beats of a Chuck Jones cartoon rather than an entirely gritty espionage potboiler. It helps, too, that the show isn't trying to make everyone a two-dimensional cut-out, which can so often be the case when prestige TV attempts to make spy-fi.

The series was created by the unfortunately named Will Smith, the British standup, actor and writer who, far as we know, has never slapped Chris Rock on stage. The dialog sparkles, not surprising given that Smith has written for Avenue 5, Veep and The Thick of It. It's also clear-eyed about its politics, offering something approaching nuance concerning the benefits and burdens of living in a surveillance state.

Much has already been made about the fact that this is Gary Oldman's first starring role in a TV series. But Apple also spent big to recruit serial award-winner Kristin Scott-Thomas and Jonathan Pryce, who appears as a former spymaster who has lost none of his imperial pomp. Mentions too, to Olivia Cooke's Sid Baker, a vastly more talented spy who, despite slumming it in Slough House, is actually allowed to undertake real espionage work, and Saskia Reeves' as Lamb's long-suffering assistant, Standish.

I'll admit, I get a kick out of watching the once-and-hopefully-future George Smiley playing a cracked-mirror version of that same character. Lamb is trapped in the grimy whiskey and tobacco-stained late '70s, and Oldman has never looked grander than as a man in ruins. Even at this early stage, there are hints that Lamb was once a spectacular agent whose fall from grace was similarly staggering, but the series isn't teasing it out in mystery-box fashion.

There are two reasons I'm recommending this to you. Firstly because I thought it was good, and I feel like sharing cool stuff is part of my job. But also because the only reason I even started Slow Horses was because I'd forgotten to cancel my TV+ subscription. I saw the email hit my inbox, and felt resentful at yet another £4.99 that I'd wasted on something I've not used at all. (I keep meaning to use that money to subscribe to Disney+ now that my kids are old enough to sit through a whole movie in one sitting.) Ted Lasso aside, TV+ in my mind remains the home of mostly middle-of-the-road fare that aspires to do well enough on either coast, and much of the middle.

It didn't help that The Morning Show left me cold, and I can't imagine myself watching Jason Momoa wandering around a forest in in See. You can't fault Apple for not wanting to just throw a fortune at its TV department and flood its service with forgettable originals. But that deliberate process of slowly building up its catalog has always made me feel a bit like a chump for paying for the privilege of not wanting to watch what was on offer. And yet, after Slow Horses, I decided to take a gamble and watch Severance. I'm only a few episodes deep, and it's not one of those shows you can, or should, binge over a couple of bloodshot nights, but it is good. It's a left-field exploration of the nature of memory, personality and corporate life that defies easy explanation. (Also, check out our interview with creator Dan Erickson!)

If I needed to have a grand theory about All Of This (and I'm not sure at this point that I do), it's that TV+ needs to get weirder. Yes, it has the cash to buy as many prestige-TV series as it wants, but we're swimming in worthy, often dull series (looking at you, WeCrashed!). I've still not bothered with either of the two (two!) Tom Hanks films Apple rescued from the ignominy of a COVID-era cinema release. But shows like Severance and Slow Horses, one a highbrow exploration of something, the latter the televisual equivalent of a luxury dirty burger. Neither of which you could imagine HBO, even in its post-Netflix anxiety pomp, buying. Hopefully we'll see more of this sort of thing in the future, and I can feel a bit less resentful about paying for TV+.

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Spotify's Car Thing can now take calls and control other apps

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 08:18 AM PDT

Just a couple months after it started selling its $90 Car Thing to anyone in the US, Spotify is rolling out a bunch more features for the device this week that should make it more useful. Among the updates is what Spotify says is one of the most-requested features: an add to queue option.

There are a few ways to put more songs or podcast episodes onto your ad-hoc playlist. You can tap the add to queue icon next to a track or hold down the dial when you have a song highlighted. There's voice ]support as well, so you can say something like "Hey Spotify, queue 'Happier Than Ever'" or any other song you'd like to hear. You can view the queue with a voice command or by holding down the dial in the Now Playing view.

Also new is a way to generate a playlist based on a genre, mood or activity. You can say something like "Hey Spotify, play upbeat Sunday morning pop" and the platform will put together a personalized playlist on the fly that fits those criteria. The feature is available on all platforms with Hey Spotify support.

Elsewhere, there are a couple more Car Thing features that should prove useful. You'll be able to see, answer and reject incoming calls. There's also a way to play and control other media. You can switch back to Spotify control by tapping the screen, using presets or issuing a voice command. These two features are iOS-only for now. They'll be available for Android later. Updates to Car Thing, which requires a Premium Spotify subscription, also roll out automatically for iOS users.

'Rogue Legacy 2' will hit PC and Xbox on April 28th

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 08:00 AM PDT

Almost exactly two years after Rogue Legacy 2 was announced, Cellar Door Games has revealed when the sequel is coming out of early access. It will officially arrive on PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on April 28th.

Cellar Door has switched up the art style, creating 3D characters that are set against hand-drawn backgrounds. There are new classes, weapons and abilities, and the studio has freshened up the procedurally created environments with fresh biome generation. There's also an heirloom system that grants heroes permanent new abilities and accessibility features designed to help "players succeed even when they're struggling," according to a press release.

Rogue Legacy 2 has been in development for almost four years and it'll arrive nearly nine years after its predecessor. Rogue Legacy helped usher in an era of successful indie roguelikes like Hades. 

Rogue Legacy 2
Cellar Door Games

What helped set Rogue Legacy apart from many of its peers, such as Spelunky and FTL: Faster Than Light, was a system that allowed players to continue their journey by selecting an heir of their previous character. Each heir has their own traits.

If you're wondering what all the fuss is about, you can check out Rogue Legacy for free by claiming it from the Epic Games Store. It'll be available as a freebie until April 13th. Given that it takes most players around 16 hours to complete the main story, you might even finish it in time for the sequel's proper debut.

Meta may return to digital currencies despite its failures

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:25 AM PDT

Meta might not give up on the concept of digital currency just because its Diem crypto project has floundered. The Financial Timessources claim Meta is "exploring" a digital currency (internally nicknamed "Zuck Bucks") aimed at the metaverse. This probably wouldn't be a cryptocurrency, however — rather, the insiders said they would be centrally-managed, in-app tokens like those available through game platforms such as Roblox. In a sense, it would mark a return to the defunct Facebook Credits introduced in 2009.

The company is also reportedly mulling similar rewards for its biggest social media contributors, such as "creator coins" for Instagram influencers and "reputation tokens" for Facebook group participants. They might help communities moderate themselves, according to the leakers. You might also see conventional financial services like small business loans. These and the "Zuck Bucks" are said to be in the early stages of development and might be cancelled or changed.

Meta's NFT plans appear to be moving forward, at least. The Times' sources said a pilot for ad- and fee-based NFTs was expected to debut on Facebook in mid-May, with support for NFT-oriented groups soon afterward.

The company has already declined to comment. If accurate, though, the scoop suggests Meta would rather overhaul its virtual finance strategy than give up altogether. The focus on self-managed currencies and NFTs might help Meta profit from the metaverse and its existing social media base while reducing the chances of regulatory pushback, executive departures and other headaches that plagued its cryptocurrency efforts.

Google's Nest Hub and Nest Cam bundle is $50 off at B&H

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:19 AM PDT

If you're looking to build out your smart home setup, it's worth considering a bundle of two Google products that are now on sale. You can save $50 if you buy the Nest Hub smart display and Nest Cam together. They typically cost $100 each, but you can scoop them up from B&H for $150.

Buy Google Nest Hub and Next Cam at B&H - $150

You'll get the second-gen Nest Hub, which Google released last year. We gave it a score of 89 in our review and felt that it had better audio than its predecessor. We appreciated Google Assistant working faster this time around as well as the lower price. The radar-powered sleep tracking feature (which doesn't require the use of a camera to detect movement) is pretty accurate too.

You can use the device to watch shows and movies from streaming services, listen to music and control your smart home devices. The Nest Hub can help keep you organized through access to your calendar, reminders and to-dos.

Google Nest Cam
Google

Of course, you can use the smart display to monitor the Nest Cam as well. It's important to note this is the wired model designed for indoor use, rather than a battery-powered one you can place anywhere.

The camera can capture 1080p video at 30 fps. Google claims the infra-red LEDs allow the Nest Cam to have night vision detection for objects up to 15 feet away. There's a 135-degree diagonal field of view, two-way audio (with a noise cancellation feature) and motion detection.

Nest Cam can tell the difference between people, animals and vehicles that enter the frame (though you'll likely need to be pointing it at a window to detect the latter). You can receive alerts for various activities it observes and you can view a live feed on your phone, computer, tablet or smart display at any time. You'll get up to three hours of event video history at no extra cost, though you can subscribe to Nest Aware for features like continuous recording and detection of familiar faces.

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What we bought: Logitech’s G Pro X Superlight isn’t just for gaming

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:00 AM PDT

This winter, I spent $160 (or, $200 CAD for me) to buy a new gaming mouse. I've never owned one that cost more than about $50. My previous one was the Logitech G305. And before that, I owned a SteelSeries Sensei 310. If you're not familiar with the G305, it's one of the best wireless mice you can buy for under $50. Thanks to its Hero sensor, it's as fast and accurate as some of the most expensive gaming mice on the market. Another highlight is that it draws on an AA battery for power, meaning you can go up to 250 hours of uptime on a single charge. For most people, including those who play competitive games, I think the G305 is about all the mouse they need.

Logitech G Pro X Superlight
Igor Bonifacic / Engadget

So why did I decide to trade in a perfectly good mouse for one many times its price? For me, it came down to build quality. By the time I decided to pick up the Logitech G Pro X Superlight, the scroll wheel on my G305 was starting to get mushy, and the back battery cover would creak when I put the palm of my hand on it. And by that point, I had been eyeing the Superlight ever since Logitech announced it in 2020.

If you spend a lot of time watching videos on YouTube about PC gaming, you know the appeal of this mouse. Logitech claims it weighs less than 63 grams, making it one of the lightest you can buy at the moment. As someone who plays a lot of Valorant and League of Legends, a lightweight mouse is appealing because it allows you to be both fast and accurate with your mouse movements. The reason for this is that you can maintain a low DPI (a setting that determines the sensitivity of your mouse) while still quickly flicking it across your mousepad, thanks to its light weight.

Logitech G Pro X Superlight
Igor Bonifacic / Engadget

There are mice you can buy that are even lighter than the G Pro X, but almost all of them use a perforated design where the main body of the mouse features a honeycomb-like pattern of holes. But that can compromise build quality – a mouse with holes won't feel as solid as one without because, well, it has holes.

Instead, the G Pro X represents a different kind of compromise. It features the same body design as Logitech's incredibly popular G Pro Wireless, but it doesn't have all of the same features. It doesn't come with RGB lighting or even a DPI switch for quickly adjusting its sensitivity on the fly. But the most notable omission is that the Superlight doesn't come with a second set of buttons on the right side of the mouse. Sorry, lefties.

But here's the thing: I don't mind that it's missing those features. Maybe my opinion would change if I was left-handed, but I'm not, and I think the white model looks great without RGB lighting. It's also not a deal breaker for me that it doesn't come with a DPI switch since I can recall situations with my old G305 where I accidentally clicked that button during a crucial moment in a game.

Logitech G Pro X Superlight
Igor Bonifacic / Engadget

Put differently, I could live without those features, but I didn't want another mouse that would wear down on me. And the G Pro X Superlight has yet to disappoint on that front. It features Omron switches that produce a satisfying click whenever you press down on the left and right buttons, and it has one of the best scroll wheels I've ever used on a mouse. The plastic also has yet to develop the shine you see when it gets worn down in certain areas. This thing is built to last.

I also found the features that make the Superlight a great gaming mouse lend it just as well to productivity use. It doesn't include Bluetooth connectivity, but what it does have is a clever magnetized storage compartment for storing its wireless dongle. Pair that with its light design, and you have a great travel mouse. It also features a shape I find works well with my palm grip style, making it ideal for long Lightroom and Photoshop sessions.

Logitech G Pro X Superlight
Igor Bonifacic / Engadget

Yes, $160 is a lot to spend on a mouse, but it got me one of the best gaming mice on the market. When you think about how much it costs to buy the "best" graphics card, monitor or almost anything else gaming-related, you're looking ahead at spending upwards of thousands of dollars. The G Pro X Superlight didn't cost me that much, and I got a mouse that's great not just for gaming, but for everything else I use my computer for.

Star Trek's first NFTs lean heavily on incentives

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 06:16 AM PDT

If you've been yearning for an official Star Trek NFT, now's your chance. Paramount and Recur are launching the first batch of Star Trek NFTs through Paramount.xyz in a 24-hour sale starting April 9th at 11AM Eastern. Despite the franchise's futuristic vision, though, the experience will be familiar to blockchain art buyers. Spend $250 on a Season 0 pack and you'll get unique, algorithmically-built starships (see an example above) that you can flaunt and sell to other Trekkies. There will be 20,000 items in this first wave, with 2,000 more "in reserve."

There will be incentives to buy early. Starship owners will receive crew member NFTs ahead of their wider release in Season 1, and Season 2 will let you use that crew for missions in a play-to-earn game.

The Star Trek offering is part of a larger Paramount strategy to offer NFTs across its "key franchises." Don't be surprised if you see a CSI or Indiana Jones drop, then. It's just a question of whether or not they'll be successful. The NFT market is still young, and the industry frequently deals with scams, spam and other headaches. It's not yet clear that there's sustainable demand for (and trust in) digital rarities, even if they're attached to a well-known sci-fi series.

Anker's affordable Eufy RoboVac 11S drops to $160 at Amazon

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 06:10 AM PDT

Spring cleaning has a way of sneaking up on us all, but luckily you can outsource the vacuuming portion of your chores to a semi-autonomous robot. Anker's Eufy brand has a number of solid robot vacuums at various prices, and many of them have been discounted on Amazon. Key among them is the Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S, which is $70 off and down to $160. This model earned a spot in our budget robot vacuum guide thanks to its slim frame and solid cleaning chops.

Buy Eufy RoboVac 11S at Amazon - $160Shop Eufy robot vacuums at Amazon

The most important thing to know about the RoboVac 11S is that it does not have WiFi connectivity. That means you won't be able to control it from your phone, but it does come with a physical remote that lets you do things like set cleaning schedules and up the suction power using BoostIQ or Max modes. It cleans both hard and carpeted floors well and has pretty decent collision avoidance. Most robot vacuums will bump into furniture every now and then, and the 11S is no different, but it's better at avoiding obstacles than many others at this price range. It's also less than three inches high, so it may be able to slip under some of your furniture to clean hard-to-reach spots. It's hard to beat a robot vacuum for $160, so if you can live without WiFi features, the 11S is a solid option.

In addition to the RoboVac 11S, there are a number of other Eufy robot vacuums on sale right now. The RoboVac G30 is essentially an updated version of the 11S with more suction power and WiFi connectivity, and it's $90 cheaper than usual and down to $230. Another one of our favorites, the RoboVac X8 Hybrid, is down to $530 thanks to a clippable $120 coupon on its product page. It held its own against premium Shark and iRobot devices, earning a spot in our best robot vacuums guide. Despite not having a self-cleaning base, the X8 Hybrid impressed us with its easy setup, strong cleaning abilities, accurate home mapping and its 250-milliliter water tank than you can fill to turn the vacuum into a smart mop.

Buy Eufy RoboVac G30 at Amazon - $230Buy Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid at Amazon - $530

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

Google Lens can now search images and text at the same time

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 06:00 AM PDT

At I/O 2021, Google announced it was using a new technology called Multitask Unified Model to enhance the capabilities of its search engine. Then, in September of that same year, it showed off how MUM would make it possible to search images and text simultaneously within Google Lens. At the time, the company promised that multisearch would launch "in the coming months." And while it's not using MUM to enhance searches just yet, it has started beta testing multisearch.  

Google multisearch GIF
Google

Provided you live in the US, you can try the feature out in the Google app on Android and iOS. To do so, tap the Lens icon and then swipe up after snapping a new photo or importing an existing image from your camera roll. Then tap the "Add to your search" icon.

You can use this field to either ask questions about the image before you or to refine your search. For instance, you could take a photo of your bike's rear derailleur (the component that moves the chain from one gear to another) and then search for how to fix or adjust it on your own. By combining text and images, Google suggests it's making it easier to complete searches where doing so with words alone might be tricky. After all, even most casual cyclists don't know what a derailleur is or what it does.

Multisearch inline
Google

As mentioned already, you can also use the feature to refine your searches. So say you see a shirt with a pattern you like but want to see if that same pattern is available on socks and other items of clothing. You could type "white floral Victorian socks" into Google, but again that would depend on you having the fashion vocabulary to know what you want from Google, and even if you accurately describe what you see, the search engine might not produce useful results. At the moment, Google suggests the feature works best when posed shopping-related searches such as the one pictured above.

"All this is made possible by our latest advancements in artificial intelligence, which is making it easier to understand the world around you in more natural and intuitive ways," Google said. "We're also exploring ways in which this feature might be enhanced by MUM – our latest AI model in Search – to improve results for all the questions you could imagine asking."

Nike is opening a 'technology center' in Atlanta next year

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 06:00 AM PDT

Nike has facilities all over the world for product innovations and its aspirations beyond footwear. Today, the company announced that it's opening a new Technology Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Nike says the location will be located in West Midtown and is slated to open in early 2023. Until it's ready, employees based out of the new center will work remotely. 

The Atlanta Technology Center will focus on expanding Nike's digital-first supply chain and logistics operations. The location will also be home to a new east coast cybersecurity command center for the company. Third, the new center will use AI and machine learning to "reimagine consumer experiences." Details are vague at this point, but we expect specifics from Nike as the Technology Center's opening approaches. 

Atlanta may not be a city that screams tech hub, but Nike touted its deep sports roots and skilled workforce for the decision to build there. "We chose Atlanta because of its strong connection to sport, as well as the city's wealth of skilled and diverse tech talent — both in the private and public sectors — and all the great universities in the region," the company said in a press release. Atlanta is home to Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory University, Morehouse College and many other schools. The University of Georgia isn't far away either, located a little over an hour down the road in Athens. The city also has professional sports franchises in the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL and MLS. 

Nike has tapped Dr. Mona-Lisa Pinkney to lead the Atlanta Technology Center. Pinkney has worked with the company as its senior director of cybersecurity as well as co-founder of the Black Employees in Technology Network (BEiT) and she assists with the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS). As senior site leader, Pinkney will oversee "work on cutting-edge technology and innovation initiatives that move the world forward through sport." 

SpaceX's Texas expansion plans derailed by environmental paperwork

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 05:19 AM PDT

SpaceX can't start expanding its launch facilities in Boca Chica, Texas anytime soon. According to documents obtained by Bloomberg and CNBC, the Army Corps of Engineers has closed its review of the company's application to build a new launch pad, landing pad and other related infrastructure in Boca Chica. SpaceX reportedly failed to provide the Army Corps with the environmental information it requested, and the permit process can't continue without it. 

The company was planning to build new infrastructure on 17 acres of land that includes wetlands and mud flats. As CNBC notes, the Army Corps has stewardship over wetland areas that serve as habitat for fish and wildlife in the country. It oversees any development over wetlands to ensure it doesn't cause significant impact on the endangered species living in them, as well as on drinking water for people in the area. It's also in charge of examining whether it's feasible for companies applying for a permit to move construction elsewhere.

In the letter it sent to the company, the Army Corps listed the information it's seeking from SpaceX, including how its expansion would impact the wetlands exactly. It's also asking for data on threatened or endangered species that may be significantly impacted by the construction, as well as the company's current knowledge on the presence or absence of historic properties on the land. While the Army Corps suspended the company's application, SpaceX can reinitiate the permit process if it can provide all the information being requested. 

The Federal Aviation Administration is also conducting a separate review of the facility to determine whether launching the Starship out of Boca Chica will cause safety issues or have significant environmental impact on the area. SpaceX was supposed to hear from the FAA last year, but the agency has delayed its decision quite a few times since then: Its latest target date of completion is April 29th. Without permission from the FAA, it won't be able to launch its massive spaceship from Boca Chica for its first orbital test flight that's expected to take place in the next few months. Elon Musk previously said that if SpaceX fails to secure the permits company needs in Texas, it will move Starship launches to Cape Canaveral in Florida. 

Facebook may crack down on Russian government accounts to fight disinformation

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 05:00 AM PDT

Facebook says it's eyeing new ways to limit the influence of official Russian government accounts as it sees a surge in cyber espionage and "covert influence operations" tied to "government-linked actors" from Russia and Belarus.

Facebook's security researchers shared the update as part of the company's first quarterly adversarial threat report, which detailed its latest efforts to prevent its platform from being exploited amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

During a call with reporters, Meta's President of Public Policy Nick Clegg said that the company has seen an uptick in state-backed disinformation and other efforts to sow misinformation. "Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, we've seen attacks on internet freedom and access to information intensified," Clegg said. "It's manifested itself in two ways: One focus is on pushing state propaganda through state-run media, influence operations and espionage campaigns. And the other aimed at closing down the flow of credible information."

Clegg added that the company is considering new steps to prevent official government accounts from spreading disinformation, but didn't elaborate. Though Facebook has been demoting Russian state media outlets since March, the company hasn't had a clear strategy for addressing misinformation and lies about the war from official government accounts. Up to know, it's taken one-off actions against specific posts, like when an account belonging to Russia's UK embassy falsely claimed a photo of a hospital bombing was staged.

Now Facebook is apparently considering how it can better prevent these accounts from spreading misinformation, said Clegg, who has previously been a vocal defender of Facebook's policy against fact-checking politicians. "We are actively now reviewing additional steps to address misinformation and hoaxes coming from Russian government pages," Clegg said.

Official pages are just one area of concern for Facebook though. In its report, Facebook security researchers detailed several influence operations and other campaigns to manipulate its platform in favor of pro-Russian interests and disinformation.

"For example, we detected and disrupted recidivist CIB [coordinated inauthentic behavior] activity linked to the Belarusian KGB who suddenly began posting in Polish and English about Ukrainian troops surrendering without a fight and the nation's leaders fleeing the country on February 24, the day Russia began the war," they wrote in the report. "On March 14, they pivoted back to Poland and created an event in Warsaw calling for a protest against the Polish government. We disabled the account and event that same day."

The company also said it saw renewed activity from Ghostwriter, an entity that uses phishing attacks on email accounts to take over its targets' social media accounts. Facebook previously said Ghostwriter targeted a handful of Ukrainian journalists, military officials and other public figures at the start of the war. This time, Ghostwriter "attempted to hack into the Facebook accounts of dozens of Ukrainian military personnel," Facebook wrote. "In a handful of cases, they posted videos calling on the Army to surrender as if these posts were coming from the legitimate account owners. We blocked these videos from being shared."

Facebook also spotted renewed activity from Russia's Internet Research Agency, the troll farm behind Russia's 2016 election interference campaign that's made repeated attempts to get back on Facebook in recent years. Facebook said their attempts to make new accounts on the platform were "unsuccessful" and appeared to be trying to drive traffic to a separate website that "blamed Russia's attack on NATO and the West and accused Ukrainian forces of targeting civilians."

Finally, Facebook also said it has removed "tens of thousands' ' of accounts, pages and groups for using spammy and misleading tactics in an attempt to profit off the war in Ukraine. These efforts included meme pages posing as on-the-ground reports from Ukraine as well as spammers trying to sell merch or lure people to outside websites for ad revenue.

Google is clamping down on out-of-date Android apps

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 04:45 AM PDT

Google has unveiled new policies for the Play Store that will effectively bar any existing Android Apps that are significantly out of date. All apps in the Store must target an API level within two years of the latest major Android release, or they won't be available for discovery or installation, it announced on its Android Developer blog. The aim is to "protect users from installing older apps that may not have these protections in place," the company said. The changes will go into effect on November 1st, 2022.

Currently, Google requires new apps and app updates to target an Android API level within just one year of the latest Android OS version release. The new changes, by contrast, target existing apps that may not have been updated in a while. Google notes that if you're running an older device, you'll "continue to be able to discover, re-install, and use the app on any device running any Android OS version that the app supports."

Google said the "vast majority" of apps already follow the incoming standard. While that may be true, the Play Store has around 2.87 million apps in total, so there are a no doubt a huge number that need attention. For those that don't conform, it's notifying developers and giving them any resources needed to update.

Play has seen a lot of new security measures over the last few years. The most significant came in 2017 when Google launched Play Protect designed to scan for rogue apps with help from machine learning. However, some still get through that pose security risks and violate user privacy. The new policy may help stop a good chunk of those, but as we all know by now, it will never catch them all. 

The Morning After: OpenAI’s DALL·E 2 is imagination meets AI image generation

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 04:18 AM PDT

The OpenAI consortium has unveiled the next iteration of DALL·E, a multimodal AI that could generate rudimental, low-res images from a text-based prompt. This time around, the system is capable of generating images at higher resolution and with lower latency than the original. They're also eminently more shareable and impressive — check the AI's Instagram account right here.

TMA
OpenAI

DALL·E 2 uses OpenAI's CLIP image recognition system and adds the ability for users to edit the results. They can now select and edit areas of existing images, add or remove elements, mash together two images into a single collage and generate further variations of an existing image. What's more, the output images are 1,024 pixel squares, up from the 256 x 256-pixel canvases generated by the original version. Unlike the first, which anybody could play with on the OpenAI website, this new version is currently limited to vetted partners who are also constrained in their uploads and creations. The consortium is trying to keep it all family-friendly, too.

Anyone interested in collaborating with DALL·E 2 can register for the waitlist here.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

The Peloton Guide wouldn't let me skip a single push-up

The connected camera is a simple but persistent workout monitor.

TMA
Engadget

Peloton's Guide, a $295 movement-tracking camera that brings strength training to the company's fitness offering, is finally available to purchase. Before you do that, check out some early first impressions. For people like me, who loathe cardio, it could be a high-tech way to add some scrutiny and guidance to your bodyweight (and weight-lifting) workouts. Expect the detailed, polished interface of a Peloton product, even if I wish the Guide could share a little more, well, guidance.

Continue reading.

Police reports suggest a larger pattern of AirTag stalking

Fifty women in eight jurisdictions called the cops about unwanted trackers.

A report from Motherboard, based on police data, suggests that bad actors are using Apple's AirTag to track people without their consent. Motherboard received 150 reports from eight police departments and found that, in 50 cases, women called the cops after receiving notifications suggesting someone was tracking them with an AirTag or they heard the device chiming. Half of those women suspected the tags were planted in their car by a man they knew, such as a current or former romantic partner or their boss.

Continue reading.

ESPN aired last night's Nets and Knicks game with decade-spanning classic graphics

To mark the NBA's 75th anniversary.

On November 1st, 1946, the Toronto Huskies and New York Knicks played what is now considered the first game in NBA history. With the league celebrating its 75th birthday this season, ESPN took fans down memory lane, with ESPN2 broadcasting an alternative presentation of the game with in-game graphics from past NBA broadcasts. These spanned 1960s on ABC, the 1970s and 1980s on CBS and the 1990s on NBC, each represented during the game with graphics changing between quarters.

Continue reading.

MLB will fight cheating with an electronic pitch-calling system

PitchCom could prevent opposing teams from stealing signs.

Baseball catchers have long signaled pitches with their fingers, but that could soon become a thing of the past in the big leagues. Major League Baseball has approved a system for catchers to send directions to their pitchers electronically. The PitchCom system centers around a sleeve catchers wear on their forearm. They can press buttons to identify the pitch type and location. The pitcher hears the call through a bone-conduction listening device. The channels are encrypted and teams can program codewords to replace terms like "fastball" or "curveball." It all sounds delightfully espionage heavy. I love it.

PitchCom will be optional, and teams can still use traditional hand signals if they wish. However, according to AP, around half of MLB teams have expressed interest in using the new system.

Continue reading.


Anker says its first 3D printer is built for speed.

It's a little different to a power bank.

The AnkerMake M5 is the company's first 3D printer, and Anker claims the M5 should prototype creations faster, while also offering a slower, smoother finish when needed.

The AnkerMake M5 has a basic print speed of 250 mm/s² for more detailed projects that need a smooth finish. However, the printer also has a much speedier mode that hits 2,500 mm/s². The end result is rougher and less detailed, but Anker says it enables the M5 to reduce average print times by up to 70 percent compared to other printers. The company isn't entirely on board: For now, it's a Kickstarter project, and you can back it for an early bird price of $429. After that, you'll have to pledge at least $499 to grab the printer.

Continue reading.

The FBI silently removed Russian malware to thwart global cyberattacks

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 03:55 AM PDT

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has revealed that the United States secretly removed malware from computer networks around the world over the past few weeks to pre-empt Russian cyberattacks. As The New York Times reports, Garland's announcement comes shortly after the White House warned companies that Russia could attack critical infrastructure in the country, such as financial institutions and the electric grid. Apparently, the malware the US removed enabled the intelligence arm of the Russian military called the GRU to create botnets out of the infected computer networks. 

According to the Justice Department, the malware was designed to infect firewalls and made the compromised networks part of a botnet called Cyclops Blink. It's controlled by Sandworm, a notorious group that the US government had previously connected to the GRU. Cyclops Blink is Sandworm's latest known botnet, and it only came to light back in February. It's still unclear what Russia was planning to do with the hijacked computers, but botnets are typically used to perform large-scale Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, as well as to send spam and to compromise sensitive information. 

In its press release, the DOJ said the FBI notified owners of infected devices in the US before Cyclops Blink was identified in February 23rd. It also notified companies outside the country through local law enforcement partners. However, US authorities didn't want to wait to find out what the botnet would be used for. 

The Justice Department and the FBI obtained secret court orders in the US and secured the help of governments worldwide to quietly remove the malware from infected devices. Those court orders even gave them the power to remotely remove the malware from American companies' networks without their knowledge. After the feds disinfected the compromised machines, they also closed the external management ports Sandworm was using for access.

Over the past months, the Biden administration has been exposing as much intelligence on Russia as possible without giving away its actions to catch Putin off guard. This disclosure is just its latest effort to send a message to the Russian president. The fact that Sandworm infiltrated networks around the world to create a botnet just shows, however, that there's a cyber warfare going on that might end up affecting countries other than Ukraine. If you'll recall, a major cyberattack took down Ukraine's government websites before the Russian invasion of the country began. Ukraine's government, as well as US and UK authorities, blamed the attacks on the GRU.

Volvo says all its new vehicles now support over-the-air updates

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 03:15 AM PDT

Volvo now offers over-the-air (OTA) software updates across its entire vehicle lineup, it announced. After first introducing it on all-electric models like the XC40, it's bringing the feature over to all new XC90, S60 and V60 ICE and hybrid vehicles. 

The latest update (Volvo's eighth so far) will roll out to over 190,000 vehicles this week. Owners will get the latest version of Android Automotive OS with Android 11 on their infotainment systems, with new app categories on Google Play ranging from navigation to charging and parking. Video streaming is expected to arrive later in the year. 

Volvo extends over-the-air software updates to all its vehicles
Volvo S60 interior
Volvo

It also brings feature improvements around energy management, climate timers and mobile app functionality. The energy management updates will help keep the battery temperatures stable in both warm and cold weather to boost range and lower charging times. You'll also see more frequent charging percentage updates during sessions.

Tesla pioneered over-the-air software updates on its Model S, X, 3 and other vehicles, assuring buyers that their EVs would get features found on newer models. It not only updates the software for entertainment and other systems (SOTA), but also firmware controlling the hardware (FOTA). Most automakers now offer some form of OTA updates, but many (BMW, Audi, Fiat) only deliver SOTA updates to the infotainment systems. 

Others, including GM and Ford, offer more extensive updates to vehicle systems, allowing them to improve range, performance and other factors. Volvo appears to fall into that category, improving not just the navigation and entertainment systems but charging and other features as well. It also promised that the infotainment system, developed jointly with Google, will feature on all new models across its lineup. 

TAG Heuer's latest golf smartwatch offers more help with your shots

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 02:30 AM PDT

TAG Heuer was virtually certain to follow up its Connected Calibre E4 smartwatch with a version for golf enthusiasts, and it's now clear you didn't have to wait long. The watchmaker has introduced a Calibre E4 Golf Edition that melds the updated wristwear with some matching upgrades to your experience on the fairway. Most notably, the brand has overhauled the on-watch map interface to show more of the course and your game, including the distances for the target and tracking shot.

You can also expect automatic shot tracking when you swing at the tee — the feature will eventually come to the Apple Watch app, but it's worth noting if you're determined to perfect your drive. If you pair with an iPhone, you can also use TAG Heuer's iOS app to share 3D videos of your best shots. Like you'd expect, the Golf Edition E4 has its share of game-inspired faces and a strap that not-so-subtly mimics the dimples on your ball.

This is otherwise the titanium 45mm Calibre E4 introduced in February, although that's plenty if you want a reasonably current Wear OS watch. You'll find a Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chip that promises both faster performance and 30 percent more battery life than previous models. An altimeter will help with your hiking trips, and the brighter screen will help on sunny golfing days. TAG Heuer should upgrade the watch to Wear OS 3 when it's available.

The Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition will be available this month for $2,650 with three Titleist balls and a spare marker in the box. That's more than the regular titanium E4 ($2,550) and well above the $1,800 'entry' price for the watch range. But let's be honest: if you're even considering a TAG Heuer smartwatch and already devote your weekends to golf, you can likely afford to pay the premium for this variant.

Google pulls apps that may have harvested data from millions of Android devices

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 01:45 AM PDT

Google has pulled dozens of apps used by millions of users after finding that they covertly harvested data, The Wall Street Journal has reported. Researchers found weather apps, highway radar apps, QR scanners, prayer apps and others containing code that could harvest a user's precise location, email, phone numbers and more. It was made by Measurement Systems, a company that's reportedly linked to a Virginia defense contractor that does cyber-intelligence and more for US national-security agencies. It has denied the allegations.

The code was discovered by researchers Serge Egelman from UC Berkeley and the University of Calgary's Joel Reardon, who disclosed their findings to federal regulators and Google. It can "without a doubt be described as malware," Egelman told the WSJ. 

Measurement Systems reportedly paid developers to add their software development kits (SDKs) to apps. The developers would not only be paid, but receive detailed information about their user base. The SDK was present on apps downloaded to at least 60 million mobile devices. One app developer said it was told that the code was collecting data on behalf of ISPs along with financial service and energy companies. Measurement Systems also said it wanted data mainly from the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe and Asia. 

"A database mapping someone's actual email and phone number to their precise GPS location history is particularly frightening, as it could easily be used to run a service to look up a person's location history just by knowing their phone number or email, which could be used to target journalists, dissidents, or political rivals," Reardon said in the AppCensus research blog.

Though Google has pulled those apps from the Play Store, the researchers noted that they still exist on millions of devices. At the same time, they found that the SDK stopped collecting user data after their findings were revealed.

The Measurement Systems domain was registered by a company called Volstrom Holdings Inc., which deals with the federal government through a subsidiary called Packet Forensics LLC. A company called Measurement Systems S de R.L. "also listed two holding companies as officers, both of which share a Sterling, Va., address with people affiliated with Volstrom," the WSJ noted. 

In a statement, Measurement Systems told the WSJ by email that "the allegations you make about the company's activities are false. Further, we are not aware of any connections between our company and U.S. defense contractors nor are we aware of… a company called Vostrom. We are also unclear about what Packet Forensics is or how it relates to our company."

'Mario Golf' will join Nintendo's Switch Online Expansion Pack on April 15th

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 12:52 AM PDT

You can already play Mario Golf on the Switch thanks to Super Rush, but soon you'll also be able to play the original game that started the series if you're feeling nostalgic. Nintendo is giving Switch Online subscribers paying extra for the Expansion Pack tier access to the first Mario Golf published in 1999. 

The Nintendo 64 game lets you choose from characters that include Mario, his friends and allies, as well as his enemies, and play golf on Mario-themed courses. It has several gameplay modes, such as Tournament, Speed Golf and Mini Golf, though it was developed to be easy to play, even for kids. 

Nintendo launched the Switch Online Expansion Pack in October 2021 as a higher tier subscription that costs $50 a year. That's $30 more than an individual basic subscription, but it will give you access to classic N64 and Sega Genesis games. The basic subscription only includes access to Nintendo's NES and SNES titles. 

While the gaming giant launched the service with a limited number of games, it has added quite a few more since then. They include the original Paper Mario, Banjo-Kazooie and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Nintendo has also rolled out some improvement updates that fix several emulation issues plaguing the service since its debut, such as bad input lag.

The original Mario Golf will be available to Expansion Pack members on April 15th. 

The SEC is reportedly investigating Amazon over its use of third-party seller data

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 10:35 PM PDT

Back in 2020, a Wall Street Journal report revealed that Amazon employees routinely used data collected from third-party sellers to launch competing products for the company's private-label business. The US Congress is already investigating the e-commerce giant over that practice, and according to The Journal, so is the Securities and Exchange Commission. Apparently, the SEC is looking into how Amazon disclosed its business practices, including how its employees used data for its private-label brands. 

As The Journal notes, the SEC is in charge of regulating how publicly traded companies communicate with their investors. It can impose fines and other enforcement actions against them if it finds that they had failed to disclose important business information to investors in a timely manner. As part of the probe, which has reportedly been underway for over a year now, the SEC asked for emails and other communications from several senior Amazon executives.

After the original report from The Journal came out, Amazon denied that it uses third-party seller data to launch competing products. It launched an internal investigation of its private-label division, but it refused to provide Congress a copy of its results. Last month, the House Judiciary Committee asked the Department of Justice to launch another investigation into Amazon over a possible criminal obstruction. 

The committee said back then that the company refused to turn over business documents and communications "to conceal the truth about its use of third-party sellers' data to advantage its private-label business and its preferencing of private-label products in search results." As you'd expect, an Amazon spokesperson denied that's the case and referenced the "huge volume of information [the company has] provided over several years of good-faith cooperation with this investigation."

Mark Zuckerberg thinks this looks like a home office

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 05:48 PM PDT

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg — a real, human man who works — understands the plight of those who work remotely. The 37-year-old founder of one of the world's largest companies is actually working remotely as you read this. But unlike you or me, Zuckerberg's home office is in the metaverse. Zuckerberg on Facebook today teased an upcoming software update to the Quest 2's Horizon Home that includes a home office space. It looks kind of like a Blue Bottle Coffee, or maybe a dentist's office. But it's in VR, you see.

It's becoming glaringly clear that Zuckerberg wants the future of work to look like the world's most boring VR video game. It's less boot stamping on a human face forever, and more expensive, inconvenient solution in search of a problem. According to Zuckerberg, workers can use the metaverse office to take "Messenger calls, read emails or work on your next big project." It's also true that most of us can do those tasks just fine on our computers. But imagine the productivity boost you'll get doing all these mundane tasks while strapped to a Quest 2 headset!

Meta's Horizon, for those who don't know, is a group of three social VR apps that rolled out last December. It includes Horizon Worlds (user-created experiences), Horizon Venues (sports and concerts) and Horizon Workrooms (work). They resemble 3D social playplaces, where users create their own avatars and interact with each other (all the while keeping a four-foot personal boundary from each other.) As of February, Worlds and Venues had around 300,000 users, against an estimated 10 million Quest 2 headsets sold. Dismal numbers, some might say. A company spokesperson would not disclose many people — including Meta employees — currently use Workrooms in any capacity.

Working in VR is still a relatively novel concept, mostly because it's been terrible so far. If you're curious about what kind of work applications are available in VR for Quest 2, there are still only a handful — two of which are Facebook and Instagram (both in beta). There are also apps for spreadsheets (Smartsheet), visual collaboration (MURAL), email (Spike) and VR versions of Dropbox and Slack.

If you want to know what it feels like to read your emails in VR, Lifewire took one for the team. While reading emails can become grating in the real world, the Quest 2 speedruns the experience and gets "uncomfortable after half an hour." Spike's VR app also lacks the ability to attach files to an email, a feature that has been available outside the metaverse since 1998.

While Workplaces might seem to an outsider like a complicated, physically nauseating way to perform tasks most people already hate doing, what matters most is how the product is being received by Meta's audience.

"I really don't see the point of it? Why would you need to do office work in a virtual world? It looks great for sure, but that's about it," wrote one user in the comments to Zuckerberg's post.

From another enthused user: "How primal and old-fashioned. It looks like the futuristic spaces of the 80's lol. Who in their right mind will waste their time on this."

As dubious as a VR-enabled workspace may be, there's still more interest than ever in all that virtual reality entails. IDC reported that more than 11.2 million VR/AR headsets were sold in 2021, a 92.1 percent increase from the year prior. The newly rebranded Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2) hit stores this week. The Quest 2 is currently the world's best-selling VR headset, but that could change when Sony, Apple and other tech giants enter the space.

While we can't know for sure how much Meta has spent developing digital cubicles specifically, the company plans to sink at least $10 billion in metaverse projects this year alone. For reference, WeWork —essentially a mass subletter of actual, physical offices — went public on a valuation of $9 billion — although simply buying up companies may no longer be a viable growth strategy.
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