Saturday, April 9, 2022

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Meta will close a loophole in its doxxing policy in response to the Oversight Board

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 04:59 PM PDT

Meta has agreed to change some of its rules around doxxing in response to recommendations from the Oversight Board. The company had first asked the Oversight Board to help shape its rules last June, saying the policy was "significant and difficult." The board followed up with 17 recommendations for the company in February, which Meta has now weighed in on.

Unlike decisions around whether specific posts should be taken down or left up, Meta is free to completely disregard policy proposals from the Oversight Board, but it is required to respond to each recommendation individually.

One of the most notable changes is that Meta agreed to end an exception to its existing rules that allowed users to post private residential information if it was "publicly available" elsewhere. The Oversight Board had pointed out that there was a significant difference between obtaining data from a public records request and a viral social media post.

In its response Friday, Meta agreed to remove the exception from its policy. "As the board notes in this recommendation, removing the exception for 'publicly available' private residential information may limit the availability of this information on Facebook and Instagram when it is still publicly available elsewhere," the company wrote. "However, we recognize that implementing this recommendation can strengthen privacy protections on our platforms." Meta added that the policy change would be implemented "by the end of the year."

While the company ended one exception, it agreed to relax its policy on another issue. Meta said users would be able to share photos of the exterior of private homes "when the property depicted is the focus of the news story, except when shared in the context of organizing protests against the resident." Likewise, the company also agreed that it would allow users to share addresses of "high ranking" government officials if the property is a publicly-owned official residence, like those used by heads of state and ambassadors.

The policy changes could have a significant impact for people facing harassment, while also allowing some information to be shared in the context of news stories or protests against elected officials.

The board had also recommended Meta revamp the way that privacy violations are reported by users and how reports are handled internally. On the reporting front, Meta said it has already started experimenting with a simpler method for reporting privacy intrusions. Previously, users had to "click through two menus" and manually search for "privacy violation," but now the option will appear without the extra search. Meta said it will have results from the experiment "later this month" when it will decide whether to make the change permanent.

Notably, Meta declined to make another change that could make it easier for doxxing victims to get help more quickly. The company said that it would not act on a recommendation that it "create a specific channel of communications for victims of doxing" regardless of whether they are Facebook users. Meta noted that it's already piloting some live chat help features, but said it "cannot commit to building a doxing-specific channel."

Meta was also non-committal on a board recommendation that doxxing should be categorized as "severe" violation resulting in a temporary suspension. The company said it was "assessing the feasibility" of the suggestion and "exploring ways to incorporate elements of this recommendation."

In addition to the substance of the policy changes, Meta's response to the Oversight Board in this case is notable because it represents the first time the company had asked for a policy advisory opinion, received recommendations and issued a response. Typically, the board weighs in on specific moderation decisions, which can then impact the underlying policies. But Meta can also ask for help shaping broader rules, like it did with doxxing. The company has also asked for help in creating rules around its controversial"cross check" system.

WarnerMedia finalizes $43 billion merger with Discovery

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 02:43 PM PDT

WarnerMedia and Discovery have completed their merger. Warner Bros. Discovery, as the new entity is called, will eventually combine HBO Max and Discovery+ into a single streaming service. The blend of entertainment and reality programming could help Warner Bros. Discovery better compete with the likes of Netflix and Disney+. In the meantime, the company will likely offer a bundle of the two services. WarnerMedia recently launched another streaming service in CNN+.

Not long before the merger closed, WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar announced his departure. Kilar, who started running the company in May 2020, was behind the controversialplan to release all 2021 Warner Bros. movies on HBO Max and in theaters on the same day amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The move seemed to have paid off, as HBO Max and HBO had 73.8 million subscribers combined at the end of 2021.

As if the departures of Kilar and several other WarnerMedia executives didn't make things clear enough, Warner Bros. Discovery will have a new leadership structure. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is running the company.

The merger is the latest in several major media consolidation moves in recent years. Amazon sealed its $8.45 billion purchase of MGM only last month. Disney spent $71.3 billion to snap up most of 21st Century Fox a few years back, while Microsoft agreed a $68.7 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard, which is expected to close by June 2023.

AT&T announced last year it was spinning off WarnerMedia in a $43 billion deal that would combine it with Discovery. Now that the T's are crossed and I's are dotted, the deal is done and AT&T is more or less out of the content business.

After 24 years Black Star is back, but only on the Luminary podcasting platform

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 02:25 PM PDT

In 1998, Brooklyn-based hip-hop superstars Talib Qweli and yasiin bey (still then going by Mos Def and capitalizing his name) found themselves recording solo albums at the same time. With the support of DJ and producer, Hi-Tek, they put their individual projects on hold and made Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star, one of the most critically acclaimed albums in the history of hip-hop. 

Now, Qweli and bey, this time with Madlib on the boards, have announced the imminent release of Black Star's sophomore album, No Fear of Time, on May 3rd. But for indiscernible reasons, the collective's first drop in nearly a quarter century is exclusive to the Luminary podcast network.

"About 3-4 years ago I was visiting yasiin in Europe and we started to talk about songs to do on an album," Kweli recalled in a Friday press release, "so I flew an engineer out just to see what that would be. Once I realized this conversation is starting to organically become a creative conversation, I started making sure to have the engineer around at all times. There was one day we were just in a hotel listening to Madlib beats, and he's like 'Play that Madlib tape again.' I'm playing the beats and he starts doing rhymes to the beats. And that's how we did the first song."

Kweli added, "This is very similar to how we did the first album. But the first album, there were no mobile studios. This entire album, we have not set foot in one recording studio. It's all been done in hotel rooms and backstage at Dave Chappelle shows."

The 9-track album drops on May 3rd. You'll need a Luminary subscription ($3 a month after a 7-day trial) or access to Apple Podcasts in order to listen. 

Apple hints at its first dual-port USB-C power adapter

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 02:05 PM PDT

Apple isn't exactly known for its cutting edge power adapters — it took ages for the company to embrace gallium nitride (for the current MacBook Pro), and it frequently stuck to basic 5W iPhone adapters while in-box chargers were still a thing. The company may be willing to explore 'new' territory, however. 9to5Mac and AppleInsider report that Apple briefly posted a support document for a "35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter" on its website. While this glimpse didn't include visuals or many details, the accessory would support the USB Power Delivery fast charging standard.

It's unclear whether the brick would use GaN or offer any special features. However, the 35W suggests this would be intended for mobile devices rather than Macs. You could fast-charge an iPhone 13 Pro Max (which supports up to 27W) while still leaving enough power for an Apple Watch or AirPods. Multi-port chargers aren't exactly rare in the third-party market, but this might be appealing if you insist on an official solution.

It's also uncertain as to when Apple might release the dual-port power adapter. This isn't the sort of product that would get screen time at an event like WWDC, and there's no guarantee it would debut in tandem with a higher-profile device. While this apparent slip-up might hint at an imminent launch, that debut could just as easily be months away.

US taxpayers unknowingly paid millions to get Starlink terminals to Ukraine

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 01:40 PM PDT

Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk pledged to send Starlink internet terminals to the country. His company donated thousands of units and is covering the cost of the service for a few months. However, the US government reportedly paid millions for some of the terminals and to get them all to Ukraine, in spite of statements to the contrary from the company's president.

The United States Agency for International Development bought around 1,500 terminals at a cost of $1,500 each, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post. It also covered transportation costs for all the terminals to the tune of $800,000, resulting in the agency shelling out over $3 million. In all, the agency and SpaceX sent more than 5,000 terminals to Ukraine, with a third-party contractor handling transportation and delivery.

It's unclear whether USAID paid over the odds for the terminals. SpaceX recently increased the price of a Starlink terminal from $499 to $549 for deposit holders and to $599 for fresh orders. As of April 22nd, the monthly price of the satellite-powered internet service is increasing from $99 to $110. The company announced a higher tier service earlier this year that costs $2,500 for a terminal and $500 per month for service.

SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell said last month that France and possibly Poland helped get the terminals to Ukraine. "I don't think the US has given us any money to give terminals to the Ukraine," Shotwell said. SpaceX is said to have donated $10 million worth of terminals and Starlink service to the country, which is laudable enough, though the company wasn't exactly clear about where funding for other parts of the operation came from.

On top of that, Musk had to issue a warning over the use of Starlink, given that Russia may be able to triangulate the location of a terminal uplink. Musk urged people to use Starlink only when needed and stay away from other people while doing so.

This isn't the first time that Musk has offered help during a crisis where his input hasn't gone without a hitch. In 2018, he took a mini-submarine to Thailand to assist with the rescue of 12 boys and their coach who were trapped in a cave. Not only were those people safely retrieved by the time he got there, the mini-sub was deemed impractical for the mission anyway.

Amazon Prime is about to get more expensive in Canada

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 01:20 PM PDT

Americans have had to deal with multiple Amazon Prime rate hikes over the years, but not Canadians — these northern neighbors have paid the same $8 CAD per month or $79 CAD per year since Prime became available there in 2013. The good times are coming to an end, however. MobileSyrup has learned Amazon Canada is raising Prime rates to $10 CAD per month and $99 CAD per year. That's still a relative bargain when Americans pay $15 per month or $139 per year, but Canadians won't get to (politely) gloat as much as they did before.

Current Prime users will see the increase take effect with their next renewal after May 13th. New customers will already have to pay the higher rates. Prime Students members will also have to pay $5 CAD per month instead of the previous $4.

The explanation is a familiar one. In a statement, Amazon said it "continues to invest heavily in Prime" between the fast shipping, a larger Prime Video catalog and perks like Music and Prime Gaming. It costs a lot to offer the Lord of the Rings series and other content, in other words. Whether or not you agree with Amazon, it's almost surprising the company hadn't raised prices earlier given its aggressive spending on movies and TV shows.

‘Dancing With the Stars’ will be the first live TV show on Disney+

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 12:57 PM PDT

The long-running series Dancing With the Stars is leaving ABC for Disney+. Disney announced that at least two future seasons of the popular competitive dance show will debut on its streaming platform. The first season will debut fall of this year, around the same time that Disney is launching a cheaper, ad-supported tier in the US. Dancing will also be the first live broadcast show to move to a streaming platform, likely due to a broader shift in how the industry is treating live content.

For ABC, the departure of Dancing — a show that has aired on the network for 16 years — means there will be more room for football. "After over 30 seasons of the program on ABC, including two spin-offs, Dancing With the Stars will move off of ABC this fall in order for the Network to showcase several Monday Night Football games as well as develop and invest in new and future programming," said the network in a statement.

Landing Dancing is a significant coup for Disney, which has been trying to boost its flailing audience numbers. Disney+ recently started catering to adults, even debuting parental controls for its R-rated content. The platform has invested heavily in programming for adults, including original Marvel series like Moon Knight and Daredevil. Dancing regularly lands in the most widely-watched network TV series among adults from the ages of 18 to 49, and already has a committed fanbase. Dancing is also likely to draw a more diverse audience than Marvel — the show is widely watched by women and older people.

"The show's broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney+ the perfect home for Dancing with the Stars while continuing to expand our demographic reach," said Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution in a statement.

Researchers may have discovered a galaxy barely younger than the Big Bang

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 12:20 PM PDT

It's been a good few weeks for spotting distant objects in the universe. As Forbesnotes, Japanese researchers have detected what might be the most distant galaxy known to date. HD1 is far enough that its light is estimated to be 13.5 billion years old, or just 300 million years after the Big Bang. That makes it 100 million years older than the previous record-setter, GN-z11, and suggests it might have some of the very first (Population III) stars that emerged in the reionization following the universe's "dark ages."

The team spotted HD1 using about 1,200 hours of observations between the Spitzer Space Telescope, Subaru Telescope, UK Infrared Telescope and VISTA Telescope. They verified the distance using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, and the red hue was indicative of the extreme redshift you'd expect from a very distant galaxy.

Astronomers still want to double-check their results. The signal from HD1 has a 99.9 percent significance, but observers won't be sure until they have a significance of 99.999 percent or better. The researchers may get that opportunity when the James Webb Space Telescope takes a look at the galaxy using its infrared-focused sensors.

If scientists can confirm HD1's existence, that will raise numerous questions. HD1 doesn't fit easily into existing models of galaxy formation, and suggests there were already extremely bright objects in the early universe. Not that the astronomy community would mind — this would help refine their cosmological models.

Nissan plans to launch its first solid-state battery EV by 2028

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 11:20 AM PDT

Solid-state batteries promise to shake up the electric car world by reducing prices and improving performance, and Nissan wants to be one of the earliest adopters. The automaker now plans to release its first EV with completely solid-state batteries by the company's fiscal 2028. To that end, it just unveiled a prototype production facility for these batteries at a Japanese research center and will open a pilot manufacturing line in Yokohama in fiscal 2024.

The shift away from conventional batteries is already expected to make EVs considerably more affordable thanks to the use of less expensive materials. Nissan aims to reduce the cost of solid-state batteries to $75 per kilowatt-hour in 2028, and $65 afterward. EVs would cost roughly as much as gas-based cars at those prices, Nissan said.

The technology has other benefits. Solid-state batteries charge faster and offer roughly twice the energy density of existing lithium-ion batteries, potentially delivering greater range, reduced weight and shorter recharging times. Those, in turn, could make EVs practical for would-be owners 

Nissan isn't the only brand racing to introduce solid-state batteries. Toyota, for instance, expects to use the technology in hybrid vehicles by 2025. However, this is one of the clearest and more ambitious strategies for the tech. It also suggests that Nissan's still-small EV range will expand significantly in the next few years as electrification becomes practical for more of its lineup.

Puerto Rico is slowly recovering from an island-wide blackout

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 10:29 AM PDT

Puerto Rico is gradually recovering from an island-wide power outage that started on Wednesday evening. However, hundreds of thousands of people still lack electricity as the territory continues to struggle with its fragile power grid.

The outage was the result of a failed circuit breaker at Costa Sur power plant. According to The New York Times, the plant produces more electricity than any other facility on the island. Luma, a private Canadian-American entity that took over management of the power grid from a public utility last year, said there was "extensive damage" to the plant. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause, though it appears there was a fire.

According to poweroutage.us, a site that tracks power interruptions, more than 429,000 customers out of 1.47 million were without power as of 1:25PM Eastern time on Friday. As of Friday morning, Luma said it couldn't provide an estimate on how long it would take to fully restore power.

Critical facilities such as hospitals are up and running, though public school service was canceled on Friday. Around 182,000 or 10 percent of water and sewer customers didn't have water on Thursday.

When it started running the island's power transmission and distribution, Luma said it would make blackouts less frequent. However, according to reports, outages have persisted and lasted longer than when the public utility was managing the grid.

After Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017, there was a power outage across the island. Some folks had to wait for more than a year before electricity was restored, a situation that highlighted the precarious condition of the territory's power grid.

Apple Watch Series 7 models drop to $330, plus the rest of this week's best tech deals

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 08:45 AM PDT

It was a great week for Apple lovers as many of the company's most popular gadgets went on sale. Amazon discounted both the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Apple Watch SE to near record-low prices, plus the AirPods Pro are back on sale for $174. Also, you can save hundreds on 2021 LG OLED smart TVs and pick up one of many Eufy robot vacuums at a discount. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.

Apple Watch Series 7

Apple Watch Series 7
Engadget

Many color options of the 41mm Apple Watch Series 7 are down to $330, or $70 off their normal price. If you want the larger model, you can pick up the 45mm version for $360. We gave the wearable a score of 90 for its bigger screen, faster charging and handy watchOS 8 features.

Buy Series 7 (41mm) at Amazon - $330Buy Series 7 (45mm) at Amazon - $360

AirPods Pro

Apple AirPods Pro
Billy Steele / Engadget

Apple's AirPods Pro are back on sale for $174, which is 30 percent off their normal price. We gave the company's best sounding earbuds a score of 87 for their improved fit, good sound quality and strong ANC.

Buy AirPods Pro at Amazon - $174

AirPods (2nd gen)

Apple AirPods with wireless charging case
Engadget

The original AirPods are 38 percent off and down to only $99. That's not their all-time-low price, but it's close to it. We gave them a score of 84 when they first came out for their improved wireless performance, wireless charging capabilities (if you have the right case) and solid battery life.

Buy AirPods at Amazon - $99

Apple Watch SE

Apple Watch SE review
Cherlynn Low / Engadget

The more affordable Apple Watch SE is cheaper than usual right now and down to $229. It's a parred-down version of the Series 7, but it supports all of the standard features you'd expect from an Apple Watch including onboard GPS, Apple Pay, daily activity and workout tracking and more.

Buy Apple Watch SE at Amazon - $229

10.2-inch iPad

Apple iPad (2021) review photos
Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

The space gray, 256GB iPad is down to a record low of $429. We gave the updated tablet a score of 86 for its improved performance, excellent battery life and Center Stage-capable front cameras.

Buy 10.2-inch iPad (256GB) at Amazon - $429

LG 2021 C1 OLED smart TVs

LG C1 OLED 4K smart TV
LG

All of LG's 2021 C1 OLED smart TVs are on sale right now, with most of them down to all-time-low prices. You can pick one up for less than $1,000, but the best deal of the bunch is on the 65-inch model, which is 32 percent of and down to $1,697. And if you go for that one, you can also save $150 on LG's SP9YA soundbar if you're looking to upgrade your sound system along with your TV.

Buy 65-inch LG C1 OLED at Amazon - $1,697

Beats Fit Pro

Beats’ latest true wireless earbuds offer all of the best features from Apple’s new AirPods in a less polarizing design.
Billy Steele/Engadget

If you buy the Beats Fit Pro earbuds from Amazon, you'll get a free $25 gift card to use on future purchases. We gave these buds a score of 87 for their comfortable fit, punchy bass and solid ANC.

Buy Beats Fit Pro + $25 gift card at Amazon - $200

Anker Eufy RoboVac 11S

Anker Eufy Robovac 11S
Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Amazon knocked $70 off Anker's budget-friendly Eufy RoboVac 11S, bringing it down to $160. This is a solid option if you want a robot vacuum without dropping too much money. While this model doesn't have WiFi, you can use the included remote to set schedules and change cleaning modes.

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

Nintendo eShop gift card

Nintendo's $50 eShop gift card is 10 percent off again at Amazon
Warner Bros. Games/TT GAmes

Nintendo's $50 eShop gift card is $5 cheaper than usual on Amazon, so you can get it for $45. It's a good card to pick up if you have a bunch of Switch games on your wish list and plan on stocking up soon.

Buy $50 Nintendo eShop gift card at Amazon - $45

Google Nest Hub bundle

Google Nest Hub 2021 (2nd gen) photo. Picture of Google's newest smart display on a nightstand.
Cherlynn Low / Engadget

B&H Photo has a bundle that includes the second-generation Nest Hub and the wired Nest Cam for $150, which is $50 less than usual. These two devices are designed to work together, with the Nest Hub showing you the feed from the Nest Cam, which you can position anywhere around your home.

Buy Nest Hub bundle at B&H - $150

August WiFi smart lock

August Smart Lock 4th gen
Engadget

You can pick up the August WiFi smart lock for $40 less than usual when you use the code EGDTLOCK when checking out at Wellbots. The IoT device earned a score of 80 from us for its easy installation process, WiFi connectivity and extra security with required two-factor authentication.

Buy August WiFi smart lock at Wellbots - $189

Native Instruments Maschine hardware

Maschine+ review.
James Trew / Engadget

Native Instrument's latest sale knocks up to $200 off its Maschine hardware and throws in some free expansions on top of that. The best deal is on the Maschine+, which is $200 off and down to $1,199. And if you're an existing customer, you might qualify for a bigger discount. You'll find that out once you log in.

Shop Native Instruments sale

New tech deals

Beats Studio Buds

Beats' Studio Buds are back on sale for $120, which isn't an all-time low, but is only $20 more than that. We gave the true wireless earbuds a score of 84 for their balanced sound, comfortable design and quick pairing on both Android and iOS.

Buy Beats Studio Buds at Amazon - $120

Zwift cycling gear

All of Zwift's cycling gear is 25 percent off right now, including the Wahoo Kickr smart power trainer, which is down to $900. The Tacx Neo Bike is down to $2,400 in this sale, and you can pick up Wahoo's heart rate arm band for only $60.

Shop Zwift cycling gear sale

PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller (Xbox)

PowerA's Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox is 32 percent off and down to only $26. It's a good option if you want another controller for your console but don't want to pay the premium attached to the first-party options. This one has a familiar, ergonomic design, dual rumble motors and mappable buttons.

Buy PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller at Amazon - $26

Xbox Stereo Headset 20th Anniversary Special Edition

You can pick up this special edition Xbox headset for $50, which is 29 percent off its normal price and a record low. This is a wired headset that has green accents and support for Windows Sonic spatial sound.

Buy Xbox Stereo Headset at Amazon - $50

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

Axiom Space's first private mission to the ISS has launched successfully

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 08:31 AM PDT

Axiom Space has successfully launched its AX-1 mission, which is taking the first fully private crew of astronauts to the International Space Station. The quartet departed from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a SpaceX Dragon capsule, which was propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket. Both the first stage and the Dragon separated without issue. 

The spacecraft is expected to dock at the ISS on April 9th at around 6:45AM ET. The hatch opening is scheduled for approximately 9:30AM and, all going well, the welcoming ceremony will happen at around 10:05AM.

The crew members are commander and former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría and three businessmen: Larry Connor, Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy. The foursome are due to spend eight days on the ISS, during which they'll take part in scientific research, outreach and commercial activities. They will also retrieve some scientific samples for NASA.

Axiom plans to conduct further private missions to the ISS over the next several years. The company has a contract with NASA to build the first commercial module for the space station. It's also expected to construct a module (SEE-1) containing a film studio and sports arena, which could be attached to the ISS as soon as December 2024. Axiom Station (with SEE-1 still connected) is scheduled to split from the ISS in 2028 and operate independently.

Google and iFixit will offer parts to help you repair Pixel phones

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 08:00 AM PDT

Google is joining Apple and Samsung in giving you the resources needed to fix phones yourself. The tech firm is partnering with iFixit to provide official parts for Pixel phones later this year. The initiative will cover models ranging from the Pixel 2 through to the Pixel 6 Pro and beyond. You'll have access to a "full range" of components like batteries, cameras and displays, whether you buy them by themselves or alongside tools in iFixit Fix Kits.

The initiative will be available in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and those EU countries where Pixel phones are sold. Google also said it's "expanding" authorized repair shops' access to parts, tools, documentation and training if you'd rather have someone else fix your handset.

The company characterized the move as one step in a broader sustainability push. All Google hardware will include at least some recycled material in 2022, and the firm pointed to other longevity-related features like five years of Pixel security updates and tools to turn old laptops into Chromebooks. Ideally, these efforts will help you use devices for longer and keep them from becoming e-waste.

There's also a likely pragmatic motivation. Like Apple and Samsung, Google is facing pressure from regulators and the public to remove limitations on do-it-yourself repairs. The iFixit partnership isn't guaranteed to help Google fend off criticism, but it might show that the company is willing to bend to avoid or accommodate new Right to Repair rules.

Halo Infinite's delayed second season starts on May 3rd

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 07:04 AM PDT

Microsoft and 343 Industries have revealed that season two of Halo Infinite will get underway on May 3rd. The season, which is called Lone Wolves, will herald the arrival of fresh arena and Big Team Battle maps, more modes (including Land Grab and free-for-all elimination in Last Spartan Standing) and limited-time events. There'll also be a new battle pass that won't expire and a slew of other updates.

Season two was initially supposed to arrive three months after the game's launch. That would have been February or March, depending on whether 343 Industries defined the launch date as mid-November (when the multiplayer component debuted) or December, when the full game was released. However, in November, the studio said season one would run until May.

What's more, fans will need to be a bit more patient for the arrival of the long-awaited campaign co-op mode. That was originally supposed to be available at the start of season two. It will emerge sometime later in the season. Forge mode, which allows players to create custom games with map modifiers and unique rules, is still slated to arrive in season three. At least players will have new maps to learn and more game modes to master in the meantime.

Hummer EV first drive: An enormous electric super truck

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 06:30 AM PDT

The Hummer has always been ostentatious. So it should have been a surprise to no one that the Hummer EV is not only large, but also heavy, and really not all that efficient as an EV. But what it lacks in miles per kilowatt, it makes up for in over-the-top fun.

We had the opportunity to drive the larger-than-life SUV from GMC in the Arizona desert. It proved to be a capable off-roader that's being used to showcase GM's Ultium platform. It's more Halo car than a daily driver, but it's still a Hummer.

Spotify expands access to its TikTok-like discovery feed

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 06:11 AM PDT

Spotify's TikTok-style music discovery feed is official. The streaming service has formally launched a beta test that helps you find new tunes through a vertical, customized feed of Canvas visual loops. The test is limited to Android and iOS users in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK, but promises a relatively easy way to find new artists and songs.

The new discovery tool is available from the home screen and, like TikTok, lets you scroll when you're done with a given track. If you like what you hear, you can follow the artist, add the song to a playlist or share it with your social networks. Spotify will offer up to 15 new recommendations per day — you won't have to listen to old material, but you also won't be scrolling for long.

The company didn't say if or when the beta might expand to the US. Having said this, it wouldn't be shocking to see an expansion. The TikTok-like vertical feed could help Spotify court younger listeners by giving them both a familiar experience and a reason to keep coming back.

How to watch Axiom Space send the first all-civilian crew to the ISS

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 06:00 AM PDT

After several delays, Axiom Space is set to launch its first private crew to the International Space Station (ISS) today. Three paying passengers and a NASA astronaut will launch aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon, saying they'll perform research and not be passive space tourists.

Axiom's passengers include Axiom Space VP and former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría; entrepreneur and non-profit activist investor Larry Connor; impact investor and philanthropist Eytan Stibbe; and entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist Mark Pathy. The latter three reportedly paid $55 million for the voyage.

The 10-day mission goes far beyond the relatively quick, non-orbital flights space tourists can take aboard Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin flights. It's also more elaborate than SpaceX's own Inspiration 4 mission that launched a civilian crew into low-Earth orbit for three days. NASA and its international partner agencies had final approval over Axiom's proposed crew, which trained for the mission last summer. 

The mission was originally schedule to launch on March 30th, but it was pushed forward to April 3rd and then April 6th. The launch moved to today at 11:17 AM EST, and you'll be able to catch the livestream at Axiom's website. 

Engadget Podcast: Twitter gets Elon Musk and an edit button

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 05:30 AM PDT

What a week it's been for Twitter. Elon Musk snapped up 9.2 percent of the company, becoming its biggest shareholder. He soon became a board member and shortly after, Twitter announced it was bringing a long-awaited Edit feature to its Blue service. Senior reporter Karissa Bell joined us this week to discuss how it all went down, as well as the potential repercussions. Then, we looked at Peloton's newest gadget, Microsoft's updates to Windows 11 as well as more controversy over Apple's AirTags.

Listen below, or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcasts, the Morning After and Engadget News!


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Topics

  • Why did Elon Musk buy 9.2% of Twitter? – 1:42

  • Our Peloton Guide hands-on – 27:08

  • Windows 11 getting a redesigned File Explorer and video call upgrades – 38:31

  • Dyson's headphone / mask combo isn't an April Fool's joke – 41:01

  • OnePlus 10 Pro review – 44:07

  • Dates for Microsoft Build and WWDC have been announced – 46:40

  • Police reports indicate AirTag stalking may be more prevalent than we know – 48:34

  • Snapchat Lens helps users learn the ASL alphabet – 52:38

  • Open AI's DALL-E 2 latest generative art project creates amazing images – 53:41

  • What we're working on – 56:25

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Microsoft blocked Russian cyberattacks targeting Ukraine

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 04:52 AM PDT

Microsoft said it has disrupted cyberattacks from a Russia-linked group called Strontium (aka APT28 and Fancy Bear) targeting Ukraine and the West. The software giant obtained a court order allowing it to take control of seven internet domains being used by Strontium to coordinate attacks. It announces the news shortly after the FBI said it disrupted botnets also run by the GRU. 

"On Wednesday, April 6th, we obtained a court order authorizing us to take control of seven internet domains Strontium was using to conduct these attacks," said Microsoft security VP Tom Burt. "We have since re-directed these domains to a sinkhole controlled by Microsoft, enabling us to mitigate Strontium's current use of these domains and enable victim notifications."

Organizations targeted included Ukrainian institutions and media organizations, along with foreign policy government bodies in the US and EU. "We believe Strontium was attempting to establish long-term access to the systems of its targets, provide tactical support for the physical invasion and exfiltrate sensitive information," Microsoft said. 

Its actions are part of a larger effort by businesses and government to thwart a wave of attacks directed at Ukraine. Microsoft has been taking legal and technical action to seize infrastructure used by APT28 as part of an "ongoing long-term investment started in 2016," said Burt. "We have established a legal process that enables us to obtain rapid court decisions for this work."

The FBI announced yesterday that it had silently removed Russian malware that allowed the country's GRU military intelligence arm to create botnets using infected computer networks. Strontium has reportedly operated since the mid-2000s and has been linked to attacks against US government agencies, EU elections, NGOs, non-profits and other agencies. 

The Morning After: Wordle’s Wordlebot will judge your poor word choices

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 04:15 AM PDT

As the interest in Wordle ebbs and flows, The New York Times is trying to keep you hooked on its recent acquisition. So how about some post-match analysis? WordleBot is an optional feature that breaks down a completed game and reveals what players could have done to play more efficiently — perfect for those of us who struggle to grab the winning word on the fifth try, take hours to finish playing or are just stumped completely. Or cheat. Not namingnames.

The bot will offer up an efficiency score, making the word game suddenly feel like something closer to a chore or work. But for those addicted to sports stats and figures, it might add a compelling twist to Wordle. Me? I've moved on to Heardle.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

ASUS ROG Flow Z13 review

Practicality can be overrated.

TMA
Engadget

If you're looking for a unique portable gaming PC, ASUS ROG obliges, yet again. Putting gaming PC components in a detachable 2-in-1 design makes for an innovative system that's both adaptable and rather travel-friendly. According to Sam Rutherford, when paired with ASUS' optional XG Mobile Dock, it can give you desktop-level performance with way less bulk. However, the Z13's short battery life and high price make it hard to love. Yes, that high price makes the Z13 an incredibly hard sell for most. It's all very intriguing.

Continue reading.

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

The apps may have taken users' precise location, email, phone numbers and more.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Google has pulled dozens of apps used by millions after finding they covertly gathered data. 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. They were traced to Measurement Systems, a company reportedly linked to a Virginia defense contractor that does cyber-intelligence and more for US national-security agencies. It denied the allegations.

Continue reading.

The FBI silently removed Russian malware to thwart global cyberattacks

Sometimes even without the network owner's knowledge.

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. The White House recently warned companies that Russia could attack critical infrastructure in the country, such as financial institutions and the power grid. Apparently, the malware the US removed would have enabled Russian military intelligence to create botnets out of the infected computer networks, which they could use in DDoS attacks, spamming networks and more.

Continue reading.

Smart reveals the production version of its compact electric SUV

The Smart #1 offers up to 273 miles of range.

TMA
Smart

Smart's compact electric SUV has kept the distinctive design of its concept origins. The Smart #1 will still have frameless windows and a "floating halo" glass roof. Alas, the scissor doors didn't make the… cut.

While the estimated 273 miles of maximum range isn't all that impressive, it comes from a 66kWh battery that charges quickly, taking it from a 10 percent charge to 80 percent in under 30 minutes with a 150kW DC charger. Even with a more typical 22kW AC supply, it takes less than three hours. For now, pricing and release dates are still TBC.

Continue reading.

Google Meet will kick you out if you're the only person in the meeting

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 03:35 AM PDT

If your co-workers or friends don't show up within the first five minutes of your scheduled video call, you'll soon be able to blame Google for why you left early. The tech giant will start rolling out an update for Google Meet so that it will prompt you to exit meetings when you're the only person in it. Say, you log into a team meeting, but nobody shows up within five minutes: A notification will show up asking if you're still there and if you'd like to keep waiting or to leave the call. If you don't respond within two minutes, you'll automatically get kicked out. 

Other services like Discord already implement similar measures to prevent wasting bandwidth. Zoom also has a time limit for idle meetings, but it lasts for up to 40 minutes. Google didn't say whether it introducing the new feature as a way to stop wasting resources, but the company is hoping that it can help prevent you from unintentionally broadcasting your video and audio feed. Regardless, you can easily switch it off if you don't want to be prompted to leave your meetings. The feature will be on by default, but you can go to General under Settings to toggle it off. 

Google will gradually roll out the "leave empty calls" feature starting on April 11th, and it will take 15 days to reach all desktop and iOS users. It will also be available for Android users "soon."

Google
Google

Audio-Technica releases a $79 Bluetooth version of its popular M20x headphones

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 02:25 AM PDT

Audio-Technica recently launched a $199 wireless Bluetooth version of its M50x headphones (the M50xBT) and now it's doing the same for a popular budget model. It just released the M20xBT, a wireless version of its top-selling M20x wired headphones, priced at just $79. 

The M20x is a pretty nice-looking set of over-ear cans, though it lacks some design features of the M50xBT like the ability to fold them up. Still, it uses "professional-grade ear pad and headband material," according to Audio-Technica, built for "long-lasting durability and comfort." They come with 40mm drivers for enhanced low frequency performance, and allow for a wired as well as a wireless connection. 

Audio-Technica releases a $79 wireless version of its popular M20x headphones
Audio-Technica

The key feature for this model is multipoint Bluetooth pairing that allows you to smoothly connect two devices at once. There's also a low latency mode to ensure audio and video are synced, and to limit audio lag for gaming. 

They offer a 60-hour battery life on a full charge and up to three hours on a 10-minute rapid charge via USB-C. Meanwhile, you can control calls, music playback and volume with the microphone and buttons on the left earcup. While Audio-Technica promises "excellent sound isolation" they don't offer any form of ANC, which is what you'd expect for headphones in this price range. The M20xBT wireless headphones are now available at B&H and Amazon on pre-order for $79. 

Nintendo's $50 eShop gift card is 10 percent off again at Amazon

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 01:20 AM PDT

If you want the latest Switch games, particularly the most popular AAA titles, usually the only choice is to suck it up and pay full price. There is a way to get a discount, though. Right now, you can purchase a $50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card for $45, for a savings of $5 or 10 percent, which you can then use to purchase any game in the store — including the latest titles like LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. 

Buy $50 eShop Gift Card at Amazon - $45

You could choose from a number of new blockbuster titles that aren't likely to be discounted anytime soon, including MLB The Show 22 (coming to Switch for the first time), Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Rune Factory 5. All of those titles cost $60, so the purchase of an eShop Gift Card would save you $5 (or $6 if you get two). 

If you're more interested in indie titles, remasters or DLCs, new releases include Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition (remaster, $20), Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass (DLC, $25) and OlliOlli World (indie, $30). And for any discounted eShop games, you can make a good deal even better. Finally, you're a regular eShop buyer but not in the market right now, it might be worth getting the card now to get a pre-discount on anything you'll buy in the future.

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

Tesla's Cybertruck will go on sale in 2023, says Elon Musk

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 12:17 AM PDT

Tesla will finally start selling the Cybertruck next year, Elon Musk has announced at the opening party for the company's Giga Texas factory. During his presentation on stage, Musk showed off the production Cybertruck vehicle, which still looks like the previous versions, except its doors no longer have handles. The car will be able to tell that you're there and will know that it's supposed to open the doors. He also apologized for the delay on releasing the Cybertruck that was first announced back in 2019. Tesla's original (and highly optimistic) target release date was 2021, but it delayed the vehicle's launch to 2022, and now to 2023.

The automaker will manufacture the Cybertruck at its Texas Gigafactory, which it expects to become the "highest volume" car factory in America. Musk touched upon its other planned Gigactories around the world, as well, and how manufacturing vehicles near where they're going to be shipped is much more environmentally friendly. This year is all about scaling up production — a scale that "no company has ever achieved in the history of humanity," Musk said during the presentation — while next year is all about releasing a "massive wave of new products." 

In addition to the Cybertruck, the company also plans to release the Tesla Semi EV next year, as well as other products it hasn't revealed yet. The electric big rig that's designed to haul cargo across long distances was supposed to be released in 2019, but its launch also got pushed back a few times. Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot will also start production in 2023, Musk said, and will be designed to accomplish any task humans don't want to do. Another future product we can apparently look forward is a dedicated robotaxi that will be designed to look quite futuristic. Before all those, however, Tesla will be launching a wide beta of its Full Self-driving Technology in North America this year.

You can watch Musk announce Cybertruck's new launch date below:

Read more

Ford and Lincoln owners can now personalize their Alexa commands

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 10:53 PM PDT

Ford and Lincoln owners whose vehicles have hands-free access to Alexa don't have to stick to using standard voice commands if they don't want to. The automaker has rolled out enhanced Car Control capabilities, and with it comes the option to teach Alexa commands that reflect their natural way of speaking. For example, they can program in "Alexa, I'm cold," and then teach the voice assistant to respond by asking what course of action it should take, such as "I can increase the temperature by 5 degrees or turn off the AC. What should I do?"

Another example of a personalized phrase would be: "Alexa, set the AC to full blast." The assistant can then ask the owner what they mean by "full blast." Training Alexa to respond to personalized phrases is made possible by the assistant's teachable AI technology. All vehicles with Alexa Built-in will get access to enhanced Car Control when it becomes available to them.

At the moment, the models with access to the hands-free experience are the 2022 F-150, Bronco, Mustang Mach-E, Edge, the new Expedition, Nautilus and newly launched Navigator. The long-awaited 2022 F-150 Lightning will also come with the capability when it launches. Ford debuted the hands-free Alexa capability for its vehicles last year, marking the beginning of its six-year partnership with Amazon. As part of that partnership, it's giving its customers complimentary access to Alexa for up to three years that begin on the new vehicle's warranty start date.

Ford will demonstrate its enhanced Car Control and Alexa capabilities at the New York International Auto Show from April 15th through the 24th.
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