Friday, May 27, 2022

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A BTS show will premiere on Apple Music this weekend

Posted: 27 May 2022 09:14 AM PDT

On the heels of BTS dance workouts arriving on Fitness+, Apple is once again teaming up with the all-conquering K-pop group. A three-episode Apple Music series will delve into the history of BTS.

The first episode of BTS Radio: Past & Present will premiere on Apple Music 1 on May 28th at 9AM ET, the Associated Press notes. The other two episodes will arrive on a weekly basis. In the show, the members of BTS will take listeners through their journey to becoming superstars. "We wanted to share the BTS songs that help tell our story," RM, one of the septet, said.

The series will debut just ahead of the group's first anthology/best-of album Proof, which arrives on June 10th, as well as BTS' ninth anniversary three days later. Next week, BTS will visit the White House to discuss Asian inclusion and representation with President Biden, following a rise in reports of anti-Asian discrimination and hate crimes.

PGA has released a new AR gaming app for kids

Posted: 27 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT

Young golfers can now turn their physical surroundings into a digital putting green, courtesy of the same tech behind Niantic's Pokémon Go. The PGA Jr. League today unveiled Safari Par-Tee, a new AR mobile gaming platform available on both iOS and Android. Trigger — the developer behind the app — built it with Niantic's Lightship kit for AR apps. Players can use their smartphone to scan their physical environment into an interactive golf course.

While Safari Par-Tee is aimed toward youth golfers (it even features very cutesy animal avatars), its AR capabilities will likely make it a draw for parents and older family members to join in as well. The game has a number of multiplayer options, allowing players to match with other local players in real-time, or connect with specific players over WiFi The game also allows players to hold communal scoring contests with multiple rounds and different clubs. For players who are new to golf, the game introduces them to the fundamentals of the game as well as the various styles of play. The game features three different terrains, all with different obstacles and objectives. 

Given that the world of golf video games has plenty of options geared to adults (such as PGA TOUR 2K21, Tiger Woods PGA Tour and the recently delayed EA Sports PGA Tour), a free entry for kids seems like a refreshing change of pace. Safari Par-Tee is now available to download on either Apple's App Store or the Google Play store.

It's now easier to take handwritten notes on your Chromebook

Posted: 27 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT

School may be winding down, but that isn't stopping Google from making Chromebooks more useful as note-taking tools. The company is rolling out a Chrome OS M102 release that makes the previously limited Cursive app available on any Chromebook with pen support. The software helps you create, organize and share handwritten notes, in some cases with shorcuts that spare you from using keyboards or finger touch.

You can write or draw, as you'd expect, but you can also use your pen to move content just by circling it, or erase it by scribbling on top. You can even create extra space by drawing a horizontal line. Cursive also lets you paste images, collate material in notebooks and share notes by either copying it or saving them as PDFs.

M102 is also an important update if you're using a Chromebook with Thunderbolt or USB 4 ports. Chrome OS on systems with 11th- or 12th-generation Core processors is now smart enough to recognize if the USB-C cable you're using can't support a display or otherwise falls short of what your laptop can handle. You might not have to wonder why a peripheral isn't working properly.

If you need magnification, the upgrade lets you resize the magnified portion. You can better see zoomed-in content, or keep the area small when you just want a closer look at tiny pictures or text.

Cursive will be preinstalled on all compatible Chromebooks as part of the update, but you can install it manually using the earlier link. It's reasonable to say the update makes stylus-equipped Chromebooks that much more useful — you can jot down class and meeting notes knowing they'll be tidy and easy to access.

The best Memorial Day tech sales we could find

Posted: 27 May 2022 08:45 AM PDT

Memorial Day is nearly here and, as usual, you can find a number of solid gadget deals across the web ahead of the holiday. A few Apple devices are on sale, including the latest AirPods for $150, and you can pick up a bunch of outdoor gear from the likes of Solo Stove, Ooni and BioLite for less. HyperX gaming accessories have been discounted as well, plus you can still pick up Amazon's Fire TV Cube for only $70. Here are the best tech sales we could find for Memorial Day 2022.

Apple AirPods (3rd gen)

Apple totally overhauled AirPods for the third-generation version with the biggest changes coming in the design and audio quality.
Billy Steele/Engadget

The latest AirPods are $30 off and down to $150, which is only $10 more than their all-time-low price. We gave the buds a score of 88 for their improved audio quality, more comfortable design and longer battery life.

Buy AirPods at Amazon - $150

Apple Watch Series 7

Apple Watch Series 7
Engadget

Both the 41mm and 45mm versions of the Apple Watch Series 7 are $70 off right now and down to record lows: $329 and $359, respectively. We gave the wearable a score of 90 for its larger display, faster charging capabilities and powerful watchOS 8 features.

Buy Series 7 (41mm) at Amazon - $329Buy Series 7 (45mm) at Amazon - $359

Apple AirTags

A pack of four AirTags is down to $89 right now, or $10 off its regular price. If you have a few things you want to keep track of, this is a good opportunity to pick up a few AirTags that can help you do so. AirTags show you the location of your things in Apple's Find My app, and if you have an iPhone that supports Precision Finding, it can lead you directly to your stuff.

Buy AirTags (4 pack) at Amazon - $89

MacBook Air M1

Apple MacBook Air M1
Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

Apple's MacBook Air M1 is $100 off right now and down to $900. While not an all-time low, it's a good discount on Apple's thinnest and lightest laptop. We gave it a score of 94 for its speedy performance, excellent battery life and lack of fan noise.

Buy MacBook Air M1 at Amazon - $900

Solo Stove

Solo Stove's Memorial Day sale knocks up to 46 percent off fire pits, so you can pick one up for as low as $200. You'll find the deepest discount on the big Yukon, which is $350 off and down to $400. We like these fire pits because they create much less smoke than their cheaper competitors and, out of the three models available, two of them are pretty portable, too.

Buy Yukon at Solo Stove - $400Buy Bonfire at Solo Stove - $220Buy Ranger at Solo Stove - $200

Samsung Smart Monitor M8

Samsung Smart Monitor M8
Samsung

Samsung knocked $100 off its new Smart Monitor M8. The display combines a smart TV and a computer monitor into one, but it also has a SmartThings hub built in, so you can use it to control your smart home ecosystem. The UHD display supports HDR 10+, refresh rates up to 60Hz and it has built-in access to streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.

Buy Smart Monitor M8 at Samsung - $600

Sony Days of Play sale

Sony PlayStation
Sony PlayStation

Sony's Days of Play sale on Amazon discounts a bunch of PlayStation accessories, including all six PS DualSense controllers. You can pick up any of them, including the vibrantly colored ones, for $59, which is up to 21 percent off their normal prices.

Shop Sony Days of Play sale at Amazon

Google Nest Audio

Google Nest Audio smart speaker sitting on a wooden tablet next to a green plant, against a blue wall.
Engadget

Adorama has a sale on Nest Audio smart speakers that bundles two of the gadgets for $120. That brings the price of each down to $60, which is $40 off their usual rate. If you only want one speaker, you can pick it up for $65. The Nest Audio is one of our favorite smart speakers thanks to its solid audio quality, minimalist design and stereo sound capabilities when you pair two of them together. Adorama also has the Nest Hub smart display for $65 and the Nest Hub Max for $179.

Buy Nest Audio (2 pack) at Adorama - $120Buy Nest Audio at Adorama - $65Buy Google Nest Hub at Adorama - $65Buy Google Nest Hub Max at Adorama - $179

Roku Streambar

Roku Streambar soundbar on a white table.
Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Roku's compact Streambar is back down to $99, which is $30 off its normal price. We gave it a score of 86 for its solid audio quality, Dolby Audio support and built-in 4K streaming technology.

Buy Roku Streambar at Amazon - $99

Tile Essentials pack

Tile Bluetooth trackers
Tile

The Tile Essentials four-pack of Bluetooth trackers is 15 percent off and down to $68. These small devices let you keep track of your things via the companion mobile app. You can see the last known location of your items in the app, and if you're within Bluetooth range, you can force the Tile tracker to ring so you can more easily find your stuff.

Buy Tile Essentials bundle at Amazon - $68

Fire TV Cube

Amazon's Fire TV Cube is down to a record low of $70 right now, or almost half off its regular rate. This is the most powerful streaming device that Amazon offers and it supports 4K HDR content, Dolby Vision and hands-free Alexa commands.

Buy Fire TV Cube at Amazon - $70

Fire TV Stick 4K

The Fire TV Stick 4K is 30 percent off and down to $35, which, while not a record low, it's a good sale price on this handy streaming stick. Like the Fire TV Cube, it supports 4K streaming and Dolby Vision, but it takes up much less space and can hide behind your TV. And if you want to spend even less, you can pick up the Fire TV Stick Lite for only $20.

Buy Fire TV Stick 4K at Amazon - $35Buy Fire TV Stick Lite at Amazon - $20

1Password

1Password is offering 50 percent off paid plans for a limited time, which means you can sign up for a personal plan for $1.50 per month (when billed annually) or a Families plan for $2.50 per month. 1Password is one of our favorite password managers because it stores all of the dozens of login credentials you have safely and securely, while also making it easy for you to fill in the correct ones without remembering them as you browse the web.

Subscribe to 1Password starting at $1.50/month

Ooni pizza ovens

Ooni Karu 16 pizza oven
Ooni

Ooni has knocked 20 percent off its pizza ovens, so you can pick one up for as low as $280. We've recommended Ooni pizza ovens in a few outdoor guides, and the new Karu 16 earned a spot on our list of favorite grilling gear thanks to its support for multiple fuel sources, a built-in digital thermometer for keeping track of temperatures and a hinged door with a glass window that lets you see what you're cooking more easily.

Shop Ooni pizza ovens

Samsung Memorial Day sale

A Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 on a table with an S Pen Pro in front of it.
David Imel for Engadget

You can pick up smartphones, earbuds and laptops for less during Samsung's Memorial Day sale. If you've had your eye on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G, you can get one with a free Galaxy Watch 4 this weekend. Plus, the new Galaxy Z Flip 3 Bespoke Edition is $50 off and the company also knocked up to $150 off the Galaxy Chromebook 2.

Shop Samsung Memorial Day sale

Dell summer sale

Dell's latest sale discounts a number of laptops, headsets, monitors and more. Key among the deals is one on the Dell XPS 13 Touch laptop — you can grab the model with an 11th-gen Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and a 4K touchscreen for only $882.

Shop Dell summer sale

HyperX Memorial Day deals

HyperX Quadcast S for the Engadget 2021 Holiday Gift Guide.
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget

A number of HyperX gaming equipment is on sale across the web at Amazon, GameStop and other retailers. A standout is the QuadCast S microphone, which you can pick up for $120 right now. Compatible with macOS, Windows, PS4 and PS5, this mic supports four selectable polar patterns and customizable RGB lighting.

Shop HyperX deals at AmazonShop HyperX deals at GameStop

BioLite Memorial Day sale

BioLite HeadLamp 330
BioLite

BioLite's Memorial Day sale knocks up to 25 percent off its camping and outdoor gear. We've recommended its headlamps in guides in the past, thanks to their slim profiles, adjustable light settings and general versatility. If you go for the Headlamp 330 or the Headlamp 750, you'll get a rechargeable battery, too.

Shop BioLite Memorial Day sale

Sea to Summit Memorial Day sale

Sea To Summit X-Mug
Sea To Summit

Another one of our favorite outdoor brands, Sea to Summit, has also knocked 25 percent off many of its products for Memorial Day. We particularly like the brand's line of collapsible bowls and mugs for their reliability and portability. This sale knocks the X-Mug down to just over $10 and the X-Bowl to only $13.

Shop Sea to Summit Memorial Day sale

Plex Pass

Plex
Plex

Plex is offering 20 percent off a Lifetime Plex Pass this week only, bringing the cost down to $96. If you're unfamiliar, Plex allows you to create a server on which you can store your personal media, including TV shows, movies and music, and then access that content from anywhere. With a premium plan, you'll get access to features like skipping intros and trailers, HDR tone mapping, real-time server stats and more.

Buy Plex Pass (Lifetime) - $96

Hisense TVs

2022 65-inch Hisense A6 Series smart TV
Hisense

A number of Hisense smart TVs have been discounted for Memorial Day. A standout is the 2022 65-inch A6 Series smart TV, which is $350 off and down to $450. You're getting a 4K TV with built-in Chromecast technology, Dolby Vision support and Sport and Game modes.

Shop Hisense TVs at Amazon

Spark Grills

Spark Grills
Spark Grills

Spark Grills are $200 off for Memorial Day, so you can pick one up for as low as $900. These retro-looking grills heat one piece of charcoal to between 250 and 900 degrees, and you can keep track of cooking temperatures from the companion mobile app as long as you're within Bluetooth range.

Shop Spark Grills Memorial Day sale

Satechi Memorial Day sale

Satechi iPad dock
Valentina Palladino / Engadget

You can pick up keyboards, hub adapters and more for less during Satechi's Memorial Day sale. Use the code MD15 to get 15 percent off your order, or the code MD20 to get 20 percent off orders of $100 or more.

Shop Satechi Memorial Day sale

Twelve South Memorial Day sale

The Twelve South PlugBug Duo adapter in a backpack on top of a tablet and a laptop.
Twelve South

Twelve South has knocked 20 percent off everything in its online store for Memorial Day. That means you can pick up the PlugBug Duo adapter for $48, the AirFly Bluetooth transmitter for as low as $40 and the ActionBand for Apple Watch for $24.

Shop Twelve South Memorial Day sale

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

Masterclass offers US college students three months of access for $1

Posted: 27 May 2022 08:02 AM PDT

US college students who want to keep learning over the summer break might be interested in checking out the latest promotion from Masterclass. They can get a three-month individual membership for just $1.

Masterclass hosts video-centric classes from notable, successful figures including Lewis Hamilton, Gordon Ramsay, Anna Wintour, Spike Lee and Serena Williams. The company says it now has more than 2,500 lessons on topics including gardening, writing, filmmaking, business leadership, wilderness survival and interior design.

You'll need a .edu email address and to meet a few other criteria, such as being a current student enrolled in a college or university program in the US. Masterclass says your promotional plan won't auto-renew. Once it expires, you'll have the option of continuing your membership at the regular price. The plans start at $15 per month.

It's not quite as great a deal as the one year of access for $1 Masterclass offered students in 2020. Still, it's a low-cost way to try the service and learn a thing or two.

You'll need to act swiftly if you're interested. Masterclass says there's a limited supply of promotional memberships available and the offer expires at 11:59PM PT tonight. You can sign up for the so-called Summer of Learning via a dedicated page on the Masterclass website.

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

PlayStation's next State of Play will showcase PSVR2 games on June 2nd

Posted: 27 May 2022 07:31 AM PDT

Sony is holding its first PlayStation State of Play event in months, and you'll want to tune in if you're looking forward to PlayStation VR2. The company has announced a stream for June 2nd at 6PM Eastern that will include a "sneak peek" at several PSVR2 games. There aren't any clues as to what those entail, but the company recently noted that there will be at least 20 "major" games for the VR platform at launch — we wouldn't be surprised to see some of those during the presentation.

The State of Play video will also feature other game reveals from third-party developers as well as some "updates." The event will be available to watch live through PlayStation's Twitch and YouTube channels.

Only a few games have been confirmed for PSVR2 so far, including the spinoff Horizon: Call of the Mountain as well as Among Us VR, Cyan Worlds' Firmament and unnamed projects from Coatsink (Jurassic World Aftermath) and nDreams (Fracked). It's not certain if Sony will mention those games, or even show any gameplay, but it's clear the company is ready to shift more of its attention toward the new headset's software.

Apple Watch Series 7 models drop back down to a record low of $329

Posted: 27 May 2022 05:42 AM PDT

Memorial Day sales have brought one of the best discounts we've seen on the Apple Watch Series 7. Multiple models of Apple's flagship smartwatch are down to $329 right now, with is $70 off and a return to its record-low price. The price applies to the 41mm GPS Watches, but the larger, 45mm models are also $70 off and down to $359.

Buy Series 7 (41mm) at Amazon - $329Buy Series 7 (45mm) at Amazon - $359

The Series 7 is only a moderate update from the Series 6, but Apple did make some key improvements. Most notably, the Series 7 has a larger screen that makes it easier to see the time, messages and other information displayed in complications. The design appears unchanged, but it's the first Apple Watch to be IP6X dust resistant, making it more durable than previous models. It also supports faster charging — we were able to get 10 percent juice after 10 minutes of charging, and the Watch was fully powered up in less than one hour.

Otherwise, the Series 7 is much the same as the Series 6. It has an always-on display, a built-in GPS, ECG and blood oxygen measurement capabilities, fall detection, support for dozens of trackable workouts and more. Our biggest complaint with the latest model in particular is its lackluster sleep tracking abilities — you'll only be able to track how long you slept with the native watchOS feature, which is much less information than you'd get if you used a Fitbit or a Garmin device to do the same thing. But if that's not much of a concern for you, it's hard to beat the Apple Watch for iPhone users who are set on getting a wearable.

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

Engadget Podcast: Clearview AI’s facial recognition is on the ropes

Posted: 27 May 2022 05:30 AM PDT

This week, Devindra and Deputy Editor Nathan Ingraham dive into the latest news around Clearview AI, the controversial facial recognition company that's now seeing pushback from governments and regulators around the world. Will a few fines put a stop to the company's facial recognition search platform? Also, they discuss how Clearview's troubles relate to countries being more restrictive about data in general. Finally, they pour one out for Seth Green's lost Bored Ape – RIP NFT!

Listen above, 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!


Subscribe!


Topics

  • Facial Recognition company Clearview AI is on the ropes after several big settlements – 1:22

  • The era of borderless data may be ending – 15:04

  • Privacy focused search company DuckDuckGo quietly allowed Microsoft browsing trackers – 23:08

  • New details about AMD's Ryzen 7000 chips – 28:34

  • Oh no, somebody stole Seth Green's Bored Ape – 33:16

  • Working on –36:29

  • Pop culture picks – 41:36

Livestream

Credits
Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Nathan Ingraham
Producer: Ben Ellman
Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien
Livestream producers: Julio Barrientos
Graphic artists: Luke Brooks and Brian Oh

Anker charging accessories are up to 37 percent off in a one-day Amazon sale

Posted: 27 May 2022 04:40 AM PDT

It's a good time to stock up if you've been waiting for a sale on wireless, solar or high-speed chargers. An assortment of Anker products are on sale at Amazon with discounts up to 37 percent, including its magnetic 623 MagGo 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Station bundle, a pair of 20W PIQ fast chargers and the 20W Nano Pro with a 3-foot USB-C to Lightning cable. 

Buy Anker charging products at Amazon

The best deal is on Anker's 632 MagGo 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Station that delivers 20 watts of charging power for iPhone 13/13 Pro and iPhone 12/12 Pro models, while also letting you charge up your AirPods Pro wireless earbuds. Your phone attaches to the charging base magnetically, and it can even flip up 60 degrees so you can easily see the screen. Included is a 20-watt USB-C charger and USB-C to USB-C charging cable, all for $50 or 37 percent off, in black only.

If you're tired of losing iPhone charging cables and just want to get a bunch of them, Anker's USB-C to Lightning cable is available in a three-pack for $29, or 31 percent off the regular $42 price. For that, you get a 3-foot, 6-foot and 10-foot cable, each compatible with USB-C chargers up to 87 watts. They also allow you to connect your iPhone to a Mac for seamless sync and charging.

For a small yet powerful charger, check out Anker's original 20-watt Nano charger for iPhone and Android devices, available at $21.70 or $9.30 off the $31 list price. Finally, the Nano Pro USB-C with a 3-foot USB-C to Lightning cable is selling for $28, or 30 percent off the list price. There are a number of other items too, including Anker's 18-watt dual-port PowerCore solar charger priced at $49 (30 percent off), but you'll need to act fast as the sale ends in less than a day. 

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

The Morning After: Sony reveals plans for 'Horizon' and 'God of War' TV shows

Posted: 27 May 2022 04:16 AM PDT

Yes, Sony's boosting PS5 production. It needs to. But during its investor briefing yesterday, the company also revealed it's expanding its efforts to bring major PlayStation IPs to TVs in a non-interactive form. While a The Last of Us series is already on its way to HBO, Sony revealed planning is underway for a show based on the Horizon games, coming to Netflix.

Spreading the goodness around, Sony's planning a God of War series for Amazon Prime Video, too. Less interesting, at least as a concept, there will also be a Gran Turismo show in the works.

— Mat Smith

 

The biggest stories you might have missed

Broadcom is buying VMware in a $61 billion mega-deal

It would be one of the largest tech acquisitions to date.

Broadcom isn't done attempting major acquisitions. The chip giant is buying cloud- and virtualization-focused software developer VMware for the equivalent of $61 billion in cash and stock. The move would fold Broadcom's software division into VMware and could create a cloud service powerhouse that helps companies run apps in all sorts of environments. It's a lot of money, but Microsoft's still-pending buyout of Activision Blizzard rings in at more: $68.7 billion.

Continue reading.

Oura made an 18-carat gold smart ring with Gucci

It comes with a lifetime subscription to its services.

TMA
Oura

Oura teamed up with fashion house Gucci to launch the limited-edition Gucci x Oura Ring. It's made of black synthetic corundum and is adorned with the famous interlocking "G" and a braided torchon pattern, both in 18-carat yellow gold. You'll obviously pay a premium for this thing, now available at select stores around the world for $950. The good news is Oura's Lifetime Membership subscription is included in the price. This offers useful recovery insights and other metrics based on your activity, sleep and everything else.

Continue reading.

 

The best smart lights you can buy

Ditch the "dumb" bulbs.

TMA
Westend61 via Getty Images

Start with smart lights. Not only are they relatively affordable compared to other smart home gadgets, often as cheap as $10 a bulb, but they can also completely change the feel of your home. There are now more players in smart lighting than ever before, so we've tested out some of the best options.

Continue reading.

Sony says PSVR 2 will have at least 20 games at launch

Fingers crossed 'Half-Life: Alyx' is one of them.

PlayStation VR2 (PSVR 2) may not have a release date yet, but Sony clearly has big plans for it. At an investor briefing, the company revealed there'll be at least 20 "major" PSVR 2 games available at the start. Crucially, these will include both first- and third-party titles.

Continue reading.

Microsoft's free 'Top Gun Flight Simulator' expansion is finally here

Eagle one, fox three.

With Top Gun: Maverick finally in theaters, the matching Microsoft Flight Simulator expansion is launching as well. The free add-on offers a taste of the US Navy's real-world flight training. You'll get a Maverick Edition livery for the F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet, learn to land on an aircraft carrier and perform combat maneuvers.

Continue reading.

 

What we bought: A $200 pepper mill

His new favorite kitchen gadget.

If you're going to upgrade your kitchen tools, go hard. That's what Sam Rutherford did with his pepper mill, upgrading from pre-filled disposable mills to the $200 Pepper Cannon. What. A. Name.

Continue reading.

Google Nest Audio bundle offers two smart speakers for just $120

Posted: 27 May 2022 03:10 AM PDT

If you're looking to get a few smart speakers for your connected home, this may be your chance to grab a handful at a discount. You can get a pair of Google Nest Audio smart speakers right now from Adorama for $120. If you just want the one, you can also grab a singular speaker for $65, saving $35 in the process.

The Google Nest Audio has always offered a robust music experience without a hefty price tag to go with it, but now it's even more affordable at $80 or 40 percent off the bundle's regular price. While we didn't find the Nest Audio to be quite on par with bigger music-focused speakers when it comes to audio quality when we tested it out, it still sounds a lot better than the Nest Mini.

Buy Google Nest Audio Smart Speaker 2-Pack at Adorama - $120Buy Google Nest Audio Speaker at Adorama - $65

It's loud enough for small- and medium-sized rooms, and pairing two of them can deliver stereo sound. Since it's a Google smart speaker, it supports Assistant voice commands, and you can tell it to play what you want after linking it to your account and your music streaming services. Like other Nest speakers, it's covered in cloth for a clean, minimalist aesthetic that will complement most home decor. And at 7 inches tall and only 3 inches thick, it will fit in most places you decide to put it. 

If you'd rather get a smart display, the second-generation Google Nest Hub is also down to $65, which is $35 off the usual price and one of the best deals we've seen it dropped to an all-time low of $55 in March. Its bigger sibling, the Google Nest Hub Max is also on sale at Adorama for $179, or $50 off its retail price. With its 10-inch touchscreen, the Nest Hub Max is the biggest Google smart display available and also has the best sound quality. We gave it a score of 86 in our review, praising it not just for having a great display and sound quality, but also for its ability to double as a Nest Cam and to play and pause media with gestures.

Buy Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) at Adorama - $65Buy Google Nest Hub Max at Adorama - $179

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

Microsoft confirms it's taking a 'new approach' with its game streaming device

Posted: 27 May 2022 02:01 AM PDT

Earlier this month, a rumor suggested that Microsoft might be nearly ready to launch a Chromecast-like game streaming stick for its Xbox Cloud Gaming service. The company has now confirmed that such a device (codenamed Keystone) does exist, but it may not be coming any time soon after all, according to a report from Windows Central

"As announced last year, we've been working on a game-streaming device, codename Keystone, that could be connected to any TV or monitor without the need for a console," a Microsoft spokesperson told Windows Central. "We have made the decision to pivot away from the current iteration of the Keystone device. We will take our learnings and refocus our efforts on a new approach that will allow us to deliver Xbox Cloud Gaming to more players around the world in the future."

Last year, Microsoft confirmed that it was making Xbox video game streaming sticks and baking the technology into Smart TVs. "We're... developing standalone streaming devices that you can plug into a TV or monitor, so if you have a strong internet connection, you can stream your Xbox experience," the company said at the time. 

Since Stadia didn't light up the market as much as Google likely hoped, Microsoft may be taking stock of its own project. "As part of any technical journey, we are constantly evaluating our efforts, reviewing our learnings, and ensuring we are bringing value to our customers," the spokesperson said. 

Xbox Cloud Gaming (née xCloud) has rolled out to PCs, mobile devices and Xbox consoles as part of the $15/month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription — though it's still technically in beta almost a year after launching widely. However, Stadia can run on Google's relatively inexpensive Chromecast devices, plus NVIDIA Shield TV and numerous Smart TVs. Microsoft is obviously being careful about its own streaming device, so it doesn't look like a launch is in the near future after all. 

PayPal has been laying off workers to reduce costs

Posted: 26 May 2022 10:37 PM PDT

PayPal has laid off workers in risk management and operations this week, according to Bloomberg. It's the latest in a series of layoffs within the company — and it also won't be the last. The publication says the payment processor also recently reduced its employee numbers in Chicago, Omaha, Nebraska and Chandler, Arizona. Further, it previously revealed that it was going to permanently lay off 80 people working in its headquarters in San Jose, California.

While the company approved plans to strategically reduce its workforce in 2020, these recent layoffs come after PayPal's growth showed signs of slowing down. In the first quarter of the year, spending on the platform increased by 15 percent to $323 billion, which is the smallest growth it has seen in five years. The lack of availability of certain products due to the global supply chain crisis may have contributed to that, as well as the fact that people returned to in-store shopping after pandemic restrictions had eased. 

PayPal spent $100 million in severance pays and other expenses related to the job cuts, and it expects to spend even more. In the long run, though, the restructuring will save the company $260 million a year. The payment processor is just one of the many tech companies that's reducing headcount or implementing freezing hires due to the economic slowdown. Microsoft, Meta and NVIDIA will limit their hiring due to tumbling stock prices and slowing sales and revenue growth. Uber and Lyft are also cutting back on hiring as part of their cost-cutting measures. More recently, Instacart announced that it's doing the same thing in order to focus on profitability ahead of its planned IPO.

Xbox head Phil Spencer said he supports Raven Software union in internal meeting

Posted: 26 May 2022 04:33 PM PDT

Xbox head Phil Spencer reportedly said he would recognize a union at Raven Software once Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is complete, according to a recording of today's all-hands company meeting viewed by Kotaku. QA testers at Raven earlier this week voted to unionize, becoming the first organized workers within a AAA gaming studio in North America to do so. 

"Once the deal closes, we would absolutely support [an] employees' organization that's in place," said Spencer. "We think it is a right of employees and something that can be a part of a relationship between a company and people who work at the company."

Microsoft has previously said it wouldn't "stand in the way" of unionization efforts at the game studio. "Microsoft respects Activision Blizzard employees' right to choose whether to be represented by a labor organization and we will honor those decisions," said the company's corporate vice president Lisa Tanzi in an interview with the Washington Post in March.

The FTC is currently investigating Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which the agency must approve before the deal is finalized. According to The Information, the FTC probe — which will mainly look into any anti-competitive impacts of the deal — will also focus on how it effects Activision's current labor force, particularly workers who have lodged discrimination and harassment complaints against the company.

The Santa Monica-based videogame publisher has faced or is in the midst of addressing a number of lawsuits regarding its workplace, including one filed earlier this month by the New York City Employees Retirement System that alleges it devalued pension plans by failing to address allegations of workplace sexual discrimination and harassment. Meanwhile, both the SEC and DOJ are investigating Activision and its CEO for potential insider trading that occurred in advance of the Microsoft deal being made public.

Raven's QA testers began unionization efforts last year after the company abruptly terminated 12 contractors. This followed long-running claims from Raven testers that they aren't compensated as well as those in similar roles at Activision, as well as engage in "crunch" — a term for the often brutally long overtime hours many in the video game industry are expected to work in order to ship products on schedule. The company made attempts to disperse the team internally and otherwise frustrate the organizing process, ultimately without success. Overwhelmingly the vote swung in favor of unionization (19 voted for, while only three voted against). Both parties have until May 31st to file any objections; barring that, NLRB will certify the GWA union — after which point Activision will be obligate to begin negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with Raven workers, regardless of the outcome of the Microsoft merger.

Engadget has reached out to Xbox and the Game Workers Alliance for comment on Spencer's remarks, and will update if we hear back.

Minecraft's big wilderness update arrives June 7th

Posted: 26 May 2022 02:45 PM PDT

It took several months, but Minecraft's The Wild Update is nearly here. Mojang and Microsoft are releasing The Wild across all platforms on June 7th, and it remains as expansive as promised. The refresh adds two biomes, a mangrove swamp as well as a "deep dark" that hides vicious mobs (such as the Shrieker and Warden) as well as special resources. You can also sail a boat with a chest, so you won't need to leave supplies behind if you're crossing a lake.

The upgrade also adds a mud block (made with dirt and water, naturally), a crowd-voted item collector mob (the allay) and a frog that grows from tadpoles. It even produces "froglights" if it attacks magma.

The debut comes a while after Mojang had to rethink its expansion strategy. The deep dark biome was originally meant to appear in 2021, but was folded into The Wild as the developer grappled with the size of its two-part Caves and Cliffs Update. While it isn't surprising that the Minecraft team wants to keep its game relevant more than a decade after launch, the schedule suggests it might have been a little too eager to please.

'Rogue One' prequel series 'Andor' will debut August 31st on Disney+

Posted: 26 May 2022 01:45 PM PDT

Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres on Disney+ tomorrow, but Lucasfilm is already offering peeks at other Star Wars shows that are on the way to the streaming service. One of those is Andor, in which Diego Luna reprises his role as Cassian Andor. The series takes place five years before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Based on the trailer Lucasfilm released today, it looks like Andor leans into the grittier side of the Star Wars universe, given the tone and muted color palette. The show will debut on August 31st with two episodes.

Lucasfilm also released the first trailer for Andor, which takes place five years before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. It looks like the series leans into the grittier side of the Star Wars universe, given the tone and muted color palette.

Andor is described as a "tense nail-biting spy thriller," which isn't a huge shock given the connection to Rogue One and the fact it was created by Tony Gilroy, the writer of the Bourne movies — he was a co-writer on Rogue One too. Forest Whitaker and Genevieve O'Reilly, who featured in the movie alongside Luna. will return as well.

The first season of Andorwill have 12 episodes — more than the previous live-action Star Wars Disney+ shows. A second season will start filming in November.

Lucasfilm also confirmed at Star Wars Celebration that The Mandalorian will return for its third season next February. Ahsoka, which features the return of Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano, will arrive in 2023 too.

There's yet another live-action Star Wars series coming to Disney+ next year, this time starring Jude Law. It's called Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and it's from Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts and writer Christopher Ford.

Skeleton Crew is set around the same time as The Mandalorian. It centers around "a group of kids who are about ten years old who get lost in the Star Wars universe," according to Watts, who stressed that "it's not a kids show."

'Willow' TV series comes to Disney+ on November 30th

Posted: 26 May 2022 12:46 PM PDT

Disney+ is finally ready to share more details of its Willow revival. The streamer has revealed that the TV series (simply titled Willow) will premiere November 30th. The accompany teaser trailer doesn't show much, but it has an older Willow Ufgood returning to save a future empress from the clutches of evil. He'll join an eclectic band of adventurers, but this time he's clearly more experienced than in the 1988 movie.

The show sees Warwick Davis reprise his role as Willow. At least a few familiar actors are joining the cast, including Ellie Bamber (most recently in Netflix's The Serpent) and Disney alumnus Erin Kellyman (Solo and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier). Jon Chu was originally slated to direct, but was replaced by multiple directors when he had to step down due to pandemic restrictions. Willow movie director Ron Howard is involved as an executive producer.

The announcement comes just as Disney shared a wave of details about its next Star Wars shows, including Andor and Skeleton Crew. The company isn't shy about its Disney+ strategy, then. The service is packing its schedule with ever more originals in a bid to keep people watching, and it's not afraid to mine multiple old franchises in the process.

Twitter investors sue Elon Musk over stock manipulation claims

Posted: 26 May 2022 12:05 PM PDT

Elon Musk is facing yet another lawsuit over his planned Twitter acquisition. Reutersreports investors have sued the Tesla CEO for allegedly manipulating stock prices ahead of his $44 billion takeover bid. As in an earlier suit, Musk supposedly saved $156 million by failing to disclose that he'd bought more than a 5 percent stake in Twitter by March 14th, violating SEC rules. The investors said Musk only disclosed his investments in early April, when he revealed that he owned a 9.2 percent slice of the social network.

Musk's post-announcement statements also amounted to manipulation, the investors said. They were particularly concerned about his claim that the deal was "on hold" until Twitter could prove that bots weren't a major problem and represented less than 5 percent of accounts.

The plaintiffs in the case are hoping for class action status, and ask for unspecified damages if they're successful. Twitter has declined comment, and Musk hadn't responded to Reuters' requests for comment.

Musk's hoped-for purchase has already sparked a flurry of legal action. In addition to the previously mentioned lawsuit from April, a Florida pension fund sued Musk for purportedly violating a Delaware law that would bar the merger until 2025. The SEC, meanwhile, is investigating Musk's disclosure timing. There's no certainty any of these actions will succeed, but they still pose serious challenges to Musk's ambitions.

Sony says PSVR 2 will have at least 20 games at launch

Posted: 26 May 2022 12:00 PM PDT

Along with bolstering production of the PlayStation 5, Sony is will bring another next-gen product to market: an upgraded virtual reality headset. PlayStation VR2 (PSVR 2) may not have a release date yet, but Sony clearly has big plans for it. At an investor briefing, the company revealed that there will be at least 20 "major" PSVR 2 games available at the jump.

There will be a blend of first- and third-party titles. The company didn't reveal more specifics in its slide deck, but it did include key art for Horizon: Call of the Mountain. That's a VR spinoff of the Horizon games, but it's not a confirmed PSVR 2 launch title as yet.

It's not clear whether any of the games in question will be remasters, upgraded versions of existing titles (such as No Man's Sky and Tetris Effect) or ports from other VR platforms. In any case, here's hoping that Sony can bring over Half-Life: Alyx from SteamVR.

One third-party game that will definitely be available when PSVR 2 arrives is Among Us VR, according to Schell Games. Other titles that are coming to the platform include Firmament from Myst developer Cyan Worlds, multiple games from Fracked studio nDreams and one by Coatsink, the team behind Jurassic World Aftermath.

Sony revealed the design of the PSVR 2 back in February. The headset will come with new VR2 Sense controllers and have a display resolution of 2000 x 2040 pixels for each eye, a 110-degree field of view, a maximum framerate of 120Hz and 4K HDR support. Pricing hasn't been announced.

Maryland residents can now add driver's licenses to Apple Wallet

Posted: 26 May 2022 09:24 AM PDT

Residents of Maryland can now add their driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch. Users there will be able to verify their identity digitally, though there are limited use cases for the Maryland Mobile ID program for now.

At present, IDs in Wallet are only really useful at certain Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at some US airports. When asked for ID by a TSA agent, you'll be able to review the requested information then tap your phone or smartwatch against a reader.

Apple says it designed the feature with a focus on security and privacy, in part because you won't need to present the physical version of your ID. You'll need to use Face ID or Touch ID to authorize a verification and your device will only share the necessary information from your stored identification.

As things stand, law enforcement won't accept driver's licenses or other ID presented in Wallet, as MacRumors notes. The state's Motor Vehicle Administration also said residents can't rely solely on Maryland Mobile ID — they'll still need to carry their physical license or ID card. Eventually, the agency noted, any business, government entity or law enforcement agency in Maryland will be able to verify someone's identity with IDs stored in Wallet.

Maryland is only the second state thus far to enable the feature. Arizona became the first in March. Other states and territories have pledged to support the technology, including Georgia, Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Connecticut and Utah.

The earliest devices that support digital IDs in Wallet are iPhone 8 and Apple Watch Series 4, which need to be running at least iOS 15.4 or watchOS 8.4. If you're eligible, you can add an ID by tapping the plus sign in the Wallet app and following the prompts.

Ooni pizza ovens are 20 percent off for Memorial Day

Posted: 26 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT

If you're looking to up your homemade pizza game, investing in an Ooni oven is a good way to do so. We've recommended them in numerous outdoor guides and now you can pick one up for 20 percent off. Ooni's Memorial Day sale has discounted all of its pizza ovens, bringing the most affordable of the bunch, the Ooni Fyra 12, down to $280. The newest version, the Karu 16, is nearly $160 off and down to $640.

Shop Ooni Memorial Day saleBuy Fyra 12 at Ooni - $280Buy Karu 16 at Ooni - $640

Chances are you've seen social media posts recently of people removing delicious-looking, bubbling pizzas from one of these Ooni ovens. We've found them to be easy to use and pretty consistent in making restaurant-quality pizzas at home. The Ooni Fyra uses wood pellets to heat up to 950 degrees, so you can cook stone-baked pizzas in as little as one minute. The "12" in its name indicates its size, so this one's best for making smaller, personal pizzas. We also appreciate that the Fyra is fairly portable — it weighs 22 pounds and has foldable legs along with a detachable chimney, so you can store the various parts of the machine inside the oven while you transport it. 

The Karu 16 is best for those that want the latest tech from Ooni, or those that prefer to make larger pies. One of the key features of the Karu 16 is its multiple fuel support, so you can choose to cook with wood or charcoal, or even go the gas route if you buy the appropriate gas burner attachment. Unlike the Fyra, the Karu 16 has a clear glass door so you can keep an eye on your pizza as it cooks. There's also a mounted digital thermometer to help you better keep track of the machine's temperature. These ovens are still expensive outdoor machines even during this Memorial Day sale, but pizza lovers will want to grab one now while you can get them for much less then usual.

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

What we bought: How a $200 pepper mill became my favorite kitchen gadget

Posted: 26 May 2022 08:30 AM PDT

Let's get this out of the way right off the bat: a $200 pepper mill is an inherently ridiculous product. I mean really, we're talking about a device designed to turn dried berries (yes, peppercorns are technically a stone fruit) into a powder you can sprinkle on food. You can buy a totally decent pepper mill for under $20 from brands like OXO. Or if that's too much, you can simply buy your pepper pre-ground (please don't though) or opt for one of those pre-filled disposable grinders.

My point here is that there are a ton of pepper mills that don't cost two Benjamins and are more than capable of getting the job done. But even so, I love my Pepper Cannon and since getting it, it's quickly become one of my absolute favorite kitchen gadgets.

Unlike a lot of less expensive mills, the Pepper Cannon features a stainless steel grinder that be adjusted from fine to coarse.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

OK, now that I've roasted my overpriced pepper grinder, at least let me put up a defense. While I've always hated the word, I'm sort of a foodie, and during the pandemic cooking felt like one of the few activities that I could still enjoy while being confined indoors. And given the spike in people learning to make bread from scratch and all the social media food trends over the last two and a half years, I'm clearly not the only one who feels this way.

So a while back when I was searching for ways to upgrade my kitchen gadgets, I stumbled on Männkitchen's Kickstarter campaign for the Pepper Cannon. Like a lot of people, at the time I was using cheap pre-filled pepper grinders from the grocery store. But after cooking more during the pandemic, I had become frustrated with how annoying they are to use. Their low-quality components often made cranking the grinder feel like trying to open a stuck pickle jar. And even when I was able to get a twist or two in, I was often left with a coarse pile of pepper sand so small even Anakin couldn't find it irritating.

Compared to a disposable pre-filled grinder, the Pepper Cannon produces significantly more ground pepper per crank.
Here's how much more pepper the Pepper Cannon produced despite being cranked the same number of times as a pre-filled grinder. And as you can see, the Pepper Cannon wasn't even using its coarsest setting.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

The bigger issue was that after testing out countless models in stores, I never really found an upgrade that had the design or output I was looking for. A lot of pepper mills look like they were made out of a handrail from a pre-war brownstone. If that's your style, fine, but it doesn't work in my kitchen. More importantly, I wanted something simple, durable and easy to use that allows me to adjust grind sizes while cranking out big mounds of pepper.

Then came my mistake, because after finding the Pepper Cannon, I forgot to back it in time to get the $50 off early bird discount. $150 is still a lot for a pepper mill, but it's damn sure less than $200. Thankfully, my wife is both thoughtful and encourages my stupid obsessions, so last year, she bought me one for Christmas after it went on sale for the holidays. And I can't thank her enough, because in a lot of ways, it's a perfect gift. It's so expensive you can't really justify buying it for yourself, but you still want it anyway, so you need someone to give you a loving push.

So once again, while its price is kind of outrageous, the Pepper Cannon really delivers everything I wanted and needed. The thing is milled from a big piece of aluminum, it's got an adjustable grinder with burrs made from stainless steel, a one-touch top that makes it super simple to refill and a built-in catch cup. Oh, and it absolutely pumps out pepper. When I first heard about it, I thought calling it a cannon was silly, but after owning one for six months, it makes total sense. Also, I should mention it's so heavy you might even be able to use it to stop a home invasion.

At this point, some of you may be wondering, who the hell needs THAT much pepper? It's true, this grinder seems like overkill. But nailing seasoning is one of the best ways to improve your cooking, and I'm willing to bet there are a lot of people who would be surprised how much of a difference an extra sprinkle of salt or pepper can have on a dish. Thankfully, salt is easy, as it doesn't gain much from being freshly ground. But pepper definitely does, and as America's Test Kitchen attests, newly crushed berries contain a lot of tasty volatile compounds that disappear from pre-ground stuff while it sits in a tin. So regardless of whether I'm making a spice rub or pumping out a pile of the good stuff for biscuits and gravy, it's really nice to have a fast and reliable way to churn large quantities of fresh black pepper.

Refilling the pepper cannon is as easy as pressing down on its lone top button.
Refilling the pepper cannon is as easy as pressing down on its lone top button.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

That said, I should point out that even a pepper mill this pricey ain't perfect. The o-ring on the catch cup is a tiny bit too tight for my liking, though I suspect that will get better as it breaks in over time. It's also only available in black, which might not suit everyone's kitchen decor. And because it's so damn expensive, I don't really want to buy a second one for white pepper or other spices. But those are really the most minor nitpicks, because in every other meaningful way, it's basically my perfect pepper mill.

Honestly, my bigger concern about buying a pepper mill this expensive comes from a scene from Fight Club. In some respects, paying a 5x premium for a kitchen gadget feels like a by-product of a lifestyle obsession. No one wants the things they own to end up owning them. But then I remember, the search for a nice pepper grinder didn't come from a desire to put a trophy on my counter. It's a way to enhance a hobby I'm passionate about. Cooking is something I enjoy and hopefully my family enjoys the results. Sure, the Pepper Cannon is an extremely luxurious kitchen gadget, but it's still just a tool.

While its price is eyewatering, the $200 Pepper Cannon is easily one of the best pepper mills on the market.
Look, you don't need to buy a super expensive pepper mill. But at the very least, please stop using pre-ground pepper or low-quality disposable mills.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Clown on me all you like for thirsting after a premium pepper mill (though there are a lot of chefs way better than me who like it too). But at the end of the day, everyone has something they get overly enthusiastic about. Besides, the real joy comes from having a kitchen full of tools that makes cooking both easier and more fun at the same time. And ideally, that's what all good gadgets should do, even if the Pepper Cannon is only a small part of a longer ingredient list.

Launchkey 88 brings a luxurious keybed to a budget MIDI controller

Posted: 26 May 2022 08:00 AM PDT

Novation already makes five different versions of its venerable Launchkey series of MIDI controllers, ranging from the travel-friendly Launchkey Mini all the way up to the studio centerpiece Launchkey 61. But for some, 61 keys isn't enough. And a serious piano player might balk at the unweighted keys. But now Novation offers the Launchkey 88 with a semi-weighted keybed.

The latest addition to the family essentially bridges the gap between the budget-minded Launchkey and the higher-end SL series, which starts at $600. The Launchkey 88 keeps the cost to just $400 by leaving out more advanced features like CV outputs, color screens and built-in sequencer. But, if you're primarily producing in-the-box you probably won't miss the extras that much.

Novation Launchkey 88
Terrence O'Brien / Engadget

This is to be expected, and it's not a con, but the Launchkey 88 is huge. It's not the controller for you if space is at a premium. I honestly had trouble finding room for it in my small attic studio. That being said, the keybed is excellent. I'm not a piano player, and have no particular allegiance to weighted keys, but these were clearly a step above your average MIDI controller. They lack the springy bounce of the cheaper members of the Launchkey line and I found it much easier to get nuanced velocity response.

Otherwise, the hardware is basically the same as the rest of the Launchkey line. It's all plastic, but feels solid enough. The 16 velocity sensitive pads are passable but nothing to write home about. The faders have an excellent amount of resistance, but are a tad wobbly. And the knobs are incredibly solid but a tad small. The pitch and mod wheels are lovely though, full stop. The resistance is perfect, and they're rock solid. Going back to the touch strips on other controllers feels like punishment.

Novation Launchkey 88
Terrence O'Brien / Engadget

Of course, the big selling point of any Launchkey device is its tight integration with Ableton Live. It's not quite good enough to go completely mouse and keyboard free, but you can get a lot accomplished directly on the controller. You can launch clips from the pads, control macros with the knobs and mix your tracks with the faders. You have control over send effects, the panning, and there's a dedicated button for looping a portion of your track to jam over, as well as a capture MIDI button in case you play something truly inspired but forgot to hit record. You can do quite a bit with looking at the computer, though it can be a bit tough to navigate larger projects.

There are some odd quirks right now, though, that will presumably get ironed out in firmware and script updates pretty quickly. Specifically, Live gets confused by playing in the upper octaves. There's a couple of dead zones, from G4 through E5, for example, and some keys in the highest octave trigger various recording modes instead of notes. But this only happens in Live.

Novation Launchkey 88

The arpeggiator is still incredible, though. The random, Mutate and Deviate features make it easy to create unique patterns and introduce a little unpredictability to a composition. This is the feature that has me coming back to the Launchkey line again and again in my personal studio. And the five-pin MIDI DIN connection allows you to bring that top-notch arpeggiator to hardware synths. However, I still think the controller is best suited to a primarily software-based setup.

Novation Launchkey 88
Terrence O'Brien / Engadget

The Launchkey 88 isn't a true luxury MIDI controller. It's really an affordable workhorse. But it does go a bit beyond some of its more affordable competitors, and even its siblings. The expansive size probably isn't necessary for most producers, but the semi-weighted keybed does make a huge difference in playability. And I'd love to see Novation bring it to the smaller members of the family like the Launchkey 49, which is probably a bit more my speed (and easier to shove on my cramped desk).

The Launchkey 88 is available now for $400.

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