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• Amazon’s consumer chief Dave Clark is departing the company
• 5G voice calls arrive for some T-Mobile customers in Salt Lake City and Portland
• Hyundai says it's the first to pilot a large autonomous ship across the ocean
• FTC says victims of crypto scams have lost more than $1 billion since 2021
• Samsung app hints at a Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
• Mozilla made a Firefox plugin for offline translation
• New York State passes a right-to-repair bill
• Coinbase is retracting job offers amid hiring freeze
• Survival horror game 'The Callisto Protocol' will arrive on December 2nd
• New York passes a bill to limit bitcoin mining
• AirPods Pro drop to $180, plus the rest of the week's best tech deals
• Sega's Mega Drive Mini 2 includes Sega CD games
• iRobot's Roomba 694 is $94 off at Amazon right now
• NASA probably won't need Russia to send more astronauts to the ISS
• What to expect at WWDC 2022
• The best fitness recovery gadgets
• Devolver Digital will host a not-E3 games showcase on June 9th
• 'Horizon Call of the Mountain' PSVR2 trailer reveals a perilous climb
• Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2 drop to a new record-low price
• Square will support Apple's Tap to Pay on iPhones later this year
• Google's Nest Learning Thermostat is back on sale for $199
• Engadget Podcast: Gearing up for Apple’s WWDC 2022
• TikTok launches a $5 subscription comedy series
• The 44mm Apple Watch SE falls back to a low of $229
• The Morning After: Apple may reveal a major iPad multitasking update at WWDC

Amazon’s consumer chief Dave Clark is departing the company Posted: 03 Jun 2022 05:24 PM PDT Dave Clark, who headed Amazon's worldwide consumer operations, announced he is resigning after 23 years at the company. The former Kentucky warehouse manager was in charge of overseeing the company's retail business as well as its warehouse and shipping operations, which expanded due to the pandemic. Clark tweeted the announcement today along with an email sent to his team, writing that he had discussed "transitioning out of Amazon" for some time with family and those close to him. Clark was promoted to his current role only last year, following the departure of longer-serving executive Jeff Wilke. I've had an incredible time at Amazon but it's time for me to build again. It's what drives me. To all I've had the honor of working with: thank you for making it so much fun to come to work every day for 23 years to invent cool, amazing things for customers. Email to team below pic.twitter.com/c8Ao46VvaJ — Dave Clark (@davehclark) June 3, 2022 Clark's resignation comes as the company is dealing with its first quarterly loss in seven years, a unionization push and more warehouse space than it needs. Clark was in charge of the company's logistic operations, which he expanded as demand soared during the pandemic. The company reported in April that excess warehouse space would contribute to $10 billion in excess costs for the first half of 2022. The executive regularly defended Amazon's warehouse operations, even amid criticism of its unsafe working conditions. After John Oliver investigated Amazon warehouses in an episode of Last Week Tonight, Clark tweeted that Oliver was "wrong on Amazon" and that the company was "proud of the safe, quality work environment" of its facilities. Clark's resignation will be effective in July, according to a regulatory filing by Amazon. So far a successor has not been named.

5G voice calls arrive for some T-Mobile customers in Salt Lake City and Portland Posted: 03 Jun 2022 03:24 PM PDT Telecoms have been slow to hop on the 5G bandwagon — your smartphone normally relies on 4G or LTE for old-fashioned phone calls. But T-Mobile is venturing forward by launching its commercial Voice over 5G service today in limited areas of Portland and Salt Lake City. For now, only customers with Samsung Galaxy S21 5G phones will be able to access the technology. So while this is a truly small sample size, T-Mobile says it plans to keep rolling out the feature to other areas and other brands of 5G phones later this year. Support for the Samsung Galaxy S22 will arrive later this year. The Samsung Galaxy S21 with 5G has HD Voice+, but as some customers have noted, there's no ability to use this nifty feature over 5G. For customers who don't use T-Mobile, you'll likely face an even longer wait for 5G voice calls. As FierceWireless noted, both AT&T and Verizon haven't made 5G voice calls a priority yet. "We plan to implement VoNR when we believe we can offer a voice experience that rivals our HD Voice capabilities," AT&T toldFierce in a statement. It's unlikely customers will notice a wild difference in sound quality between 5G voice calls and LTE voice calls. According to T-Mobile, callers may notice "slightly faster call set-up times," or a shorter amount of time between when they dial a number and the phone starts to ring. But as more carriers build standalone 5G networks, we're likely to see major advances in voice technology to follow, such as the use of 5G in immersive audio and conference calls.

Hyundai says it's the first to pilot a large autonomous ship across the ocean Posted: 03 Jun 2022 01:34 PM PDT Autonomous ships just took a small but important step forward. Hyundai's Avikus subsidiary says it has completed the world's first autonomous navigation of a large ship across the ocean. The Prism Courage (pictured) left Freeport in the Gulf of Mexico on May 1st, and used Avikus' AI-powered HiNAS 2.0 system to steer the vessel for half of its roughly 12,427-mile journey to the Boryeong LNG Terminal in South Korea's western Chungcheong Province. The Level 2 self-steering tech was good enough to account for other ships, the weather and differing wave heights. The autonomy spared the crew some work, of course, but it may also have helped the planet. Avikus claims HiNAS' optimal route planning improved the Prism Courage's fuel efficiency by about seven percent, and reduced emissions by five percent. As you might have guessed, the feat didn't quite usher in an era of zero-crew shipping. The other half of the trip still required human navigation, and most of the route was in the open sea. It would have been tougher for an autonomous system to control the entire voyage, particularly in ports where docking and packed waterways would pose additional challenges. Avikus plans to commercialize HiNAS 2.0 by the end of the year. And even if fully AI-driven shipping is nowhere on the horizon, the company hopes its Level 2 autonomy will mitigate crew shortages, improve safety and reduce the environmental impact of seaborne transportation. The firm also expects to bring this navigation to leisure boats, not just giant merchant ships. Your next pleasure ride aboard a cabin cruiser or yacht might not always require someone at the helm.

FTC says victims of crypto scams have lost more than $1 billion since 2021 Posted: 03 Jun 2022 01:18 PM PDT The world of crypto continues to draw scam artists and fraud. People have reported losing a combined total of over $1 billion due to crypto scams since the beginning of 2021, according to an FTC report released today. From January 2021 through March of this year, more than 46,000 individuals filed a crypto-related fraud report with the agency. The median individual reported loss in these reports was $2,600. Perhaps ironically, the most common coins used in scams are also the most widely used, as well as a top stablecoin. A total of 70 percent of scams used Bitcoin as the payment method, followed by Tether (10 percent) and Ether (9 percent). Ether is the prime currency of choice for NFTs, a relatively new crypto market where fraudsters and hackers have thrived. Crypto investment scams were the most common type of scam reported to the FTC, accounting for an estimated $575 million in losses. Normally these scams target amateur investors by promising them large returns in exchange for an initial investment. "Investment scammers claim they can quickly and easily get huge returns for investors. But those crypto 'investments' go straight to a scammer's wallet," wrote the FTC's Emma Fletcher in a blog post. Romance scams also account for a large slice of reported scams, totaling $185 million in losses. Many of these scammers reach individuals by social media or dating apps. A type of dating app scam known as "pig slaughtering" — where criminals build a fake relationship with a victim in order to con them into investing in crypto — has become more common, reported CoinTelegraph. It's important to note that the FTC report is only a small snapshot of how much crypto fraud has truly occurred, since the agency is relying on direct reports submitted by victims. An FTC paper estimated that less than five percent of fraud victims reported it to a government entity, and likely an even smaller number report to the FTC. As crypto becomes more popular, the number of scams have also increased. Blockchain platform Chainanalysis estimated that illicit addresses received over $14 billion in crypto last year, nearly twice the amount in 2020.

Samsung app hints at a Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Posted: 03 Jun 2022 12:30 PM PDT Samsung might tweak its Galaxy Watch strategy the next time around. 9to5Google and The Verge report the company's latest beta Health app listed both a Galaxy Watch 5 and, unusually, a Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. There's no mention of a Galaxy Watch 5 Classic. While the listings don't necessarily spell the end of the sporty-looking Classic design, they do suggest Samsung is rethinking its high-end smartwatch. Just what the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro would look like isn't clear. Well-known tipster Ice Universe has hinted Samsung might drop the rotating bezel, and that the wristwear might use a light-but-strong titanium case and scratch-resistant sapphire glass. While those could add to the price, they could also give the new timepiece a more upscale look even as they improve its durability. The Pro is expected to run Wear OS like its predecessor. Although there's no rumored release date, the Galaxy Watch 4 arrived last August. We wouldn't be shocked to see the Watch 5 family arrive in a similar timeframe. If so, the Pixel Watch might not be your only choice for a posh Google-powered smartwatch in late summer.

Mozilla made a Firefox plugin for offline translation Posted: 03 Jun 2022 12:05 PM PDT Mozilla has created a translation plugin for Firefox that works offline. Firefox Translations will need to download some files the first time you convert text in a specific language. However, it will be able to use your system's resources to handle the translation, rather than sending the information to a data center for cloud processing. The plugin emerged as a result of Mozilla's work with the European Union-funded Project Bergamot. Others involved include the University of Edinburgh, Charles University, University of Sheffield and University of Tartu. The goal was to develop neural machine tools to help Mozilla create an offline translation option. "The engines, language models and in-page translation algorithms would need to reside and be executed entirely in the user's computer, so none of the data would be sent to the cloud, making it entirely private," Mozilla said. One of the big limitations of the plugin as things stand is that it can only handle translations between English and 12 other languages, according to TechCrunch. For now, Firefox Translations supports Spanish, Bulgarian, Czech, Estonian, German, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian Bokmal and Nynorsk, Persian, Portuguese and Russian. Mozilla and its partners on the project have created a training pipeline through which volunteers can assist out by helping train new models so more languages can be added. They're looking for feedback on existing models too, so Firefox Translations is very much a work in progress. For the time being, though, the plugin can't hold a candle to the 133 languages that Google Translate supports. Apple and Google both have mobile apps that can handle offline translations as well. On the surface, it's a little odd that a browser, which is by definition used to access the web, would need an offline translation option. But translating text on your device and avoiding the need to transfer it to and from a data center could be a boon for privacy and security.

New York State passes a right-to-repair bill Posted: 03 Jun 2022 11:53 AM PDT New York has just passed the digital fair repair act (Assembly Bill A7006B), making it one of just a few states in the US to do so. The bill, which was introduced in April 2021, passed the senate on June 1st and passed assembly today. It's now headed to the governor for signing (or veto), and will take effect a year after it becomes law. The act, titled "Digital Fair Repair Act," will require OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to "make diagnostic and repair information for digital electronic parts and equipment available to independent repair providers and consumers if such parts and repair information are also available to OEM authorized repair providers." That means companies can no longer dictate where you can bring your devices to get them repaired by limiting the access to components or diagnostic information. If a part is no longer available to the OEM, it will not need to make the same part available to everyone. For things that require security-related locks or authorizations, the OEM has to, "on fair and reasonable terms," supply the tools or documentation needed to access or reset such devices "through appropriate secure release systems." The amended version of the bill also states that the proposed requirements will apply to "products with a value over ten dollars" and that OEMs or authorized repair providers don't have to make available any parts, tools or documentation if the intended use is for modification of the products. It also excludes public safety communications equipment and "home appliances with digital electronics embedded within them" from the act. Given the way companies have been trending towards making smart fridges, washing machines and more, this could potentially be an enormous loophole or at the very least exclude a large number of products. Massachusetts previously passed its own Digital Right to Repair Act, which covered parts or machines containing microprocessors. The state has recently expanded that to include connected automobiles. Meanwhile, the California state Senate introduced its own right to repair bill in February, which appears to have bipartisan support.

Coinbase is retracting job offers amid hiring freeze Posted: 03 Jun 2022 10:51 AM PDT Coinbase isn't just freezing new hires as it grapples with a rough cryptocurrency market. Protocolsays Coinbase is now rescinding some of its already-accepted job offers. The company determined that it needed to take "more stringent measures" to slow its growth and limit expansion to the most important segments. This will improve the company's recovery from the tumultuous crypto market, Chief People Officer LJ Brock said. Brock added that the firm would extend its hiring freeze for as long as necessary, and that the pause included "backfills" (that is, replacements) for all but the most essential roles. Coinbase is creating a talent hub to help place affected candidates and workers, and has promised to use its severance policy to soften the blow. The company has reeled from a mix of volatile crypto prices and optimistic hiring. In its first quarter, Coinbase saw its revenue fall 27 percent year-to-year, and by half from the previous three months. Combine that with higher expenses from a 2021 hiring spree and Coinbase was faced with a $430 million loss even before a crypto price plunge earlier in May. Its stock value has also tumbled by 75 percent in the past six months. This isn't the only well-known technology company slowing down. Meta, Uber and others are also limiting hires and trimming costs amid market uncertainty. However, Coinbase's moves are tied to the very nature of the tech it depends on — its business might only stabilize when crypto does.

Survival horror game 'The Callisto Protocol' will arrive on December 2nd Posted: 03 Jun 2022 10:23 AM PDT The Callisto Protocol, a survival horror game from Dead Space creator Glen Schofield has a release date. It's coming to PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on December 2nd. The date was revealed in a trailer that offers a first look at the gory, atmospheric terrors the game has in store. The trailer evokes a similar feeling of dread as the Dead Space series. Schofield says his team put a lot of work into the lighting and other elements to make The Callisto Protocol seem suitably creepy. Players will take on the guise of Jacob Lee (played by Josh Duhamel), an inmate at a prison on Jupiter's so-called "dead moon" of Callisto. Jacob is thrust into a fight for survival when guards and fellow inmates start mutating into monsters called Biophage. You'll wield a gravity weapon called the GRP (which was intended for use by the prison's guards. Schofield says you'll be able to freeze a charging enemy or launch the creatures into environmental hazards. The game is in development at Schofield's Striking Distance Studio, a subsidiary of PUBG owner Krafton. Originally, The Callisto Protocol was supposed to tie into the PUBG universe, but Schofield said last month his game is now a separate entity. You'll get another look at The Callisto Protocol next Thursday, as the Summer Game Fest showcase will feature a gameplay demo. Meanwhile, EA is working on a remake of the original Dead Space, which is set to arrive on January 27th.

New York passes a bill to limit bitcoin mining Posted: 03 Jun 2022 09:11 AM PDT New York lawmakers have passed a bill that would temporarily ban new bitcoin mining operations. Early on Friday, state senators voted 36-27 to pass the legislation. It's now bound for the desk of Governor Kathy Hochul, who will sign it into law or veto the bill. The law would come into effect immediately after it's signed. An attempt to enact similar legislation last year hit a wall when the New York State Senate passed it but Assembly members did not. The latest bill passed the Assembly in April. The legislation seeks to establish a two-year moratorium on licenses for cryptocurrency mining operations that use power-hungry proof-of-work authentication methods for validating blockchain transactions. Right now, bitcoin and ethereum (the two largest cryptocurrencies) fall under that category, though the latter is shifting to a different setup. The moratorium only covers mining operations that run on carbon-based power sources. Any that harness entirely renewable energy sources or an alternative to proof of work that requires less power won't be affected. Existing operations and those already going through a permit renewal process won't be impacted either. While the moratorium is in place, New York will carry out a study into the environmental impact of proof-of-work authentication methods, per the bill. As CNBC notes, New York has ambitious climate goals that require the state's greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced by 85 percent by 2050 under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. New York became a hotbed for crypto mining operations in part due to its plentiful hydroelectricity, low electricity prices and cooler climate than other areas of the US (which means less energy is needed to cool mining hardware).  Some mining companies have threatened to leave New York due to regulatory uncertainty and set up shop in more crypto-friendly states. Even so, crypto proponents have suggested that, given New York's status as a legislative leader, other states could follow suit with similar regulations.  Meanwhile, the Biden administration is working on a policy regarding bitcoin mining. The White House is looking into the impact of such technology on greenhouse gas emissions.

AirPods Pro drop to $180, plus the rest of the week's best tech deals Posted: 03 Jun 2022 08:45 AM PDT Memorial Day may have come and gone, but you can still pick up some of our favorite electronics for less thanks to some holiday deals that are still available now. Apple's third-generation AirPods are still down to $150, and the AirPods Pro have returned to a sale price of $180. Two pairs of Samsung wireless earbuds are down to new all-time-low prices, and Solo Stove's extended Memorial Day sale allows you to get up to 46 percent off its fit pits. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today. AirPods Pro Billy Steele / Engadget Apple's AirPods Pro are back on sale for $180, which is about $70 off their original price. These buds earned a score of 87 from us for their solid audio quality, comfortable design and hands-free Siri capabilities. Buy AirPods Pro at Amazon - $180 AirPods (3rd gen) 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 (3rd gen) at Amazon - $150 AirPods (2nd gen) Chris Velazco / Engadget The classic AirPods are down to $100 right now, or 37 percent off their usual price. We gave these a score of 84 when they first came out for their solid battery life and improved wireless performance. Buy AirPods (2nd gen) at Amazon - $100 Apple TV 4K Devindra Hardawar/Engadget The latest Apple TV 4K is $30 off and down to $150. The model with extra storage is also $30 off and down to $170. The set-top box earned a score of 90 from us for its improved performance, Dolby Vision and Atmos support and redesigned Siri remote. Buy Apple TV 4K at Amazon - $150 MagSafe battery pack Apple Apple's MagSafe battery pack for iPhone is down to $80 right now — the cheapest it's been all year. The pack magnetically attaches to the latest iPhones and will start powering them up instantly once attached. While its capacity isn't enough to fully charge an iPhone from 0 percent, it provides a convenient way to top up your phone's battery. Buy MagSafe battery pack at Amazon - $80 Apple Watch Series 7 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 at Amazon starting at $329 Apple Watch SE Cherlynn Low / Engadget The Apple Watch SE in 44mm is down to a record-low of $229 right now, or $80 off its normal price. We gave it a score of 88 for its powerful performance, comfortable design and handy watchOS features. Buy Apple Watch SE (44mm GPS) at Amazon - $229 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 Eero 6 eero LLC Most Eero 6 WiFi packs are 20 percent off right now. That means you can grab the router for only $71 or a pack of three routers for only $199. This dual-band system supports WiFi 6, speeds up to 900Mbps and comes with a built-in Zigbee smart home hub. Shop Eero 6 WiFi packs at Amazon Logitech MX Mechanical Sam Rutherford/Engadget The latest in Logitech's MX Master line — the MX Mechanical keyboard and the MX Master 3s mouse — have received their first discounts. You can pick up the keyboard for $133, or 12 percent off, and the mouse for $90, or 10 percent less than usual.  Buy MX Mechanical at Amazon - $133Buy MX Master 3s at Amazon - $90 Solo Stove Solo Stove's Memorial Day sale has been extended so you can still get up to 46 percent off fire pits.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. Shop fire pits at Solo Stove Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Billy Steele/Engadget Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2 in olive and graphite are down to $95, which is $55 off their regular price and a new all-time low. We gave them a score of 84 for their improved sound quality, adjustable ambient sound mode and wireless charging capabilities. You can also pick up the higher-end Galaxy Buds Pro in phantom violet for only $120. Buy Galaxy Buds 2 at Amazon - $95Buy Galaxy Buds Pro at Amazon - $120 Google Nest Learning Thermostat Google The Nest Learning Thermostat is $50 off at Wellbots when you use the code ENGDT50 at checkout, so you'll get it for $199. It's a good smart device to add to your home if you want to save on energy costs in the long run. You can also pick up the battery-powered Nest Doorbell for $130 using the same code to knock $50 off its usual price, or the wired version for $149 with the code ENGDT80 at checkout, which will discount it by $80. Buy Nest Learning Thermostat at Wellbots - $199Buy Nest Doorbell (battery) at Wellbots - $130Buy Nest Doorbell (wired) at Wellbots - $149 Roomba 694 Valentina Palladino / Engadget iRobot's Roomba 694 has dropped to $180, or $94 off its usual price. It earned a spot in our best affordable robot vacuums guide thanks to its good cleaning power and easy to use mobile app. Buy Roomba 694 at Amazon - $180 Roomba j7+ Valentina Palladino / Engadget iRobot's Roomba j7+ is down to a new low of $589 at Amazon, or $210 off its normal price. We included the Roomba j7 in our best robot vaccums guide because it did a good job cleaning both carpeted and hard floors, plus it has good obstacle avoidance and an easy to use companion app. The j7+ adds a clean base into the mix, so the robot will automatically empty its bin into the clean base after every job. Buy Roomba j7+ at Amazon - $589 Sonos refurbished sale Kyle Maack/Engadget Sonos has discounted a bunch of refurbished speakers and soundbars. You can pick up the Arc soundbar for $718, or $180 less than the cost of a new model, and the Sonos Five speaker for $439, or $110 less than a new unit. Sonos' refurbished program tests all devices to make sure they're as good as new and these devices come with the same one-year warranty as new products do. Shop Sonos refurbished sale Sony Days of Play sale 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 DualSense controllers at Amazon Tile Essentials pack 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 Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

Sega's Mega Drive Mini 2 includes Sega CD games Posted: 03 Jun 2022 07:52 AM PDT Sega is set to relive some of its past glories once again with another retro console. The company has announced the Mega Drive Mini 2. While the system has only been confirmed for Japan for now, it seems likely Sega will bring it to other markets as well. If and when it comes to the US, it'll probably be called the Genesis Mini 2. The Mega Drive Mini 2 will include Sega CD games in its lineup of 50 titles. The full list hasn't been revealed, but it includes Sonic the Hedgehog CD, Virtua Racing and Shining Force CD. It also features Fantasy Zone, which was never released on Mega Drive/Genesis — it was an arcade title that arrived on Master System. It's worth noting the library may be different in other countries. Sega says all of the games have been faithfully reproduced. You'll be able to save your progress at any point too. The company will release the Mega Drive Mini 2 in Japan on October 27th. It will cost ¥9,980 (around $75). Sega is also making a cosmetic attachment that looks like an adorably smaller version of the Sega CD accessory. Using an included spacer, you can mount the original Mega Drive Mini, which is slightly larger than its successor, as well. The Sega CD attachment will cost ¥4,500 (roughly $37). We were big fans of the original Genesis Mini, which Sega released in 2019. It had a solid selection of games that were adeptly emulated and USB ports that allowed users to plug in alternate controllers. Fingers crossed Sega includes the six-button version of its controller when it inevitably offers the Mega Drive Mini 2 outside of Japan. Sega

iRobot's Roomba 694 is $94 off at Amazon right now Posted: 03 Jun 2022 07:40 AM PDT A robot vacuum can take one chore off your hands, and now you can grab one of iRobot's most affordable machines for less. The Roomba 694 robot vacuum is back down to $180, which is just about an all-time low (we've seen it $1 cheaper in the past). That's $94 off, making it a great deal if you've had your eye on a robo-vac for a while but have been hesitant to drop a lot of money on one. Buy Roomba 694 at Amazon - $180 The Roomba 694 is one of iRobot's most basic machines, but don't let that fool you. It earned a spot on our list of favorite affordable robot vacuums thanks to its good cleaning power and easy to use companion app. Its three-stage cleaning system and dual multi-surface brushes do a good job sucking up dirt and debris on both carpeted and hard floors, and it has sensors that can detect furniture and "cliffs" (stairs, really) so it can avoid or maneuver around those obstacles. You can control the robo-vac via its on-device buttons or from within the iRobot mobile app, and when it has finished cleaning your home, it'll automatically return to its charging base to power up. Even if you've never used a robot vacuum before, you'll likely be able to learn the ins and outs of the iRobot mobile app pretty easily. It'll be your portal for doing things like setting cleaning schedules, checking the status of your machine and more. And if you have an Alexa or Google Assistant smart speaker in your home, you can use voice commands to control the Roomba 694. Most people will find all of their semi-autonomous vacuuming needs met by the Roomba 694, but if you want to splurge, the Roomba j7+ is also on sale right now for $589. That's $210 off its regular rate and a new record low. The j7+ is one of iRobot's newest machines and its first "pet poop-detecting" robot vacuum. It has advanced obstacle avoidance which should allow it to avoid unexpected things on your floors, including a robo-vac's arch nemesis: pet poop. It also comes with a clean base into which the machine will automatically empty its dustbin after each job. Buy Roomba j7+ at Amazon - $589 Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

NASA probably won't need Russia to send more astronauts to the ISS Posted: 03 Jun 2022 07:35 AM PDT NASA might not have to lean on Russia again to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station. Ars Technicanotes the agency has bought five extra crewed ISS flights from SpaceX, or enough to maintain "uninterrupted" US staffing aboard the station until its expected 2030 demise. While NASA still intends to use Boeing's Starliner, the new SpaceX missions will be necessary to fulfill plans for alternating between the two companies once both are an option. The extra flights could be used as soon as 2026. They'll help with redundancy and keep the ISS operating safely if any problems prevent Boeing or SpaceX from launching in a timely fashion, NASA said. At present, SpaceX is the only private company certified to fly astronauts. Boeing isn't expected to fly its first operational mission until 2023. This might not deprive Boeing of more chances to fly astronauts to the ISS. If NASA doesn't order more flights, however, the company will have missed its big chance to one-up SpaceX. The current arrangement provides a total of 14 Crew Dragon missions versus just six Starliner trips — the aerospace giant will have lost a large chunk of its potential business to a relative newcomer.

What to expect at WWDC 2022 Posted: 03 Jun 2022 07:30 AM PDT Hopes are riding high for WWDC 2022. Rumors are Apple may deliver huge upgrades to its operating systems. Moreover, the company is nearing the end of a roughly two-year transition to ARM chips, and many anticipate there will be some long-awaited upgrades to the Mac. Throw in murmurs of a mixed reality headset and the June 6th keynote could prove to be one of the most memorable in recent years. Here's what to expect when executives take to the virtual stage. iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 David Imel for Engadget Apple's iPhone and iPad software updates are often the centerpieces of WWDC, but this year they may be more important than usual. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently claimed that iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 will represent "fairly significant" upgrades that touch on many aspects of the interface. Key apps, such as Health and Messages, as well as notifications should see improvements. We may also see Android-style car crash detection that automatically dials an emergency number. More importantly, iOS 16 could also deliver the first meaningful changes to the lock screen in years. Gurman hinted at "major enhancements" that could include wallpapers with widget-style functionality. However, rumored always-on display features might be limited to the future iPhone 14 Pro. The OS updates may also refine multitasking, particularly for iPad users. Code sleuth Steve Troughton-Smith noticed that the WebKit team recently added hooks for an iOS "multitasking mode" that allows for freely resizable windows. While we wouldn't count on a full Mac-like experience with iPadOS 16, Apple's tablets may become more useful for heavy-duty computing. The likely release schedule is predictable, at least. Apple has historically offered its first developer previews of iOS and iPadOS around WWDC, and public previews a few weeks later. The finished software tends to arrive in September alongside new iPhone and iPad hardware. We'd expect iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 to follow a similar pattern. MacBook Air M2 Jon Prosser x Renders by Ian Macs started moving to Apple's in-house silicon a year and a half ago. While the processing power has held up, there's no question that early M1-based systems like the MacBook Air are starting to feel outdated as x86-powered Windows PCs catch up or surge ahead. Thankfully, you might just see a refresh at WWDC. Gurman previously said Apple was testing nine or more Macs, and planned to launch a redesigned MacBook Air using the M2 at the conference. The new Air could represent the first big rethink of the thin-and-light portable since the Retina Display model arrived in 2018. As Jon Prosser and others have claimed, it'll supposedly have a more squared-off design reminiscent of last year's 24-inch iMac, and come in multiple bright colors with a white keyboard. It's not clear if the camera notch will carry over from the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro, but there's a chance you'll see a MagSafe power connection and more Thunderbolt ports. Sorry, the SD card reader and HDMI port from the newer Pros might not make the cut. As for the M2? Don't expect a giant leap in performance. The new system-on-chip is still believed to use eight CPU cores, and would bump up the GPU from a maximum of eight cores to 10. Any other speed boosts are more likely to come from minor architectural changes. The new MacBook Air may be more competitive with its 2022-era rivals, but you probably won't feel much regret if you bought the M1 model. If a new MacBook Air does premiere at WWDC, there's no guarantee it will ship in a timely fashion. Apple's supply chain (like many others) has been affected by COVID-19 shutdowns in China. MacOS 13, tvOS 16 and watchOS 9 Cherlynn Low/Engadget As important as iOS and iPadOS may be, there are indications Apple's other platforms are in line for overhauls. Bloomberg's Gurman has hinted that watchOS 9 may receive some of the largest changes. You could see a low power mode that extends battery life without limiting you to basic timekeeping (as with the existing power reserve mode). More recently, the reporter claimed the new Apple Watch software will have tangible navigation improvements You might also see more robust health tracking that brings more running stats, better sleep tracking and a "burden" feature that detects how long you're in a state of atrial fibrillation. Other platforms might not see equally sweeping changes. MacOS 13 will supposedly include a revamped System Preferences pane more in sync with iOS' settings, not to mention some redesigned default apps. Apple TV owners, meanwhile, should anticipate more (if unspecified) smart home features. Wildcards: Mixed reality headset and more Macs JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images There's a mounting volume of hype surrounding Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset, but we wouldn't bet on a WWDC debut. Although the company appears to be registering trademarks and otherwise gearing up for an introduction, Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have both voiced doubts. The technology doesn't appear ready for a public debut; late 2022 or 2023 appears more likely. We wouldn't rule out a brief peek to help developers prepare apps, but that seems doubtful without more evidence. Likewise, we wouldn't anticipate computers beyond the MacBook Air. Despite those rumors of Apple testing nine M2-based Macs, there haven't been signs of imminent releases for most of them. An ARM-based Mac Pro still looks distant, and Gurman doesn't expect any other M2-based refreshes until later in 2022. With that said, be prepared for surprises — Apple launched the M1 with three Macs. You likely won't see other consumer hardware. WWDC is still a developer-first gathering, and Apple typically reserves new iPhones, Watches and most other mainstream devices for the fall. The hardware that does surface is either aimed at professional content creators (such as the Mac Pro previewed in 2019) or meant to familiarize developers with new technologies (like 2020's M1-based testbeds). If the MacBook Air M2 arrives on June 6th, it will represent an exception to a normally firm rule. Follow all of the news from WWDC right here!

The best fitness recovery gadgets Posted: 03 Jun 2022 07:15 AM PDT A lot of us have been on post-pandemic health kicks or just relishing a return to the sports and fitness regimens we enjoyed before COVID-19 derailed everything. Subsequently, many of us (raises hand) might have overexerted ourselves. Unfortunately, a few minutes of post-workout stretching isn't always enough to relieve the aches and pains of a Couch to 5K excursion. While several popular massage gadgets have hit the market over the last few years, the pandemic has led to many seeking out recovery methods that don't require coming face to face with a massage therapist. These gadgets might not measure up to a professional's hands, but they may help. We've researched and tested all of the following picks, including percussive therapy guns, compression therapy tech, and even some analog accessories that don't require charging. About me I'm not an athlete, but I've had several chapters in my fitness journey over the years. I have a black belt in Judo, and am currently trying to perfect a backflip. I sweat my way through HIIT and weight training classes five times a week. And because of all these things, I have my own particular aches and pains, especially with my knee, neck and shoulders. When testing some of these devices, I used them daily for over a week. Depending on what kind of recovery gadget it was, I would spend at least 15 minutes targeting stiff areas, alongside stretches. I've intermittently been using some of these accessories, like a foam roamer, for years. The basics Foam roller Trigger Point There's no vibrating function here, just a cylinder-shaped piece of foam (sometimes plastic or rubber) for you to gingerly roll yourself across. I've personally enjoyed some relief from knee issues (combined with recovery exercises and guidance from my physio) and found that it helped loosen up tight quads. The great thing about a foam roller is its versatility. There are exercises for the shoulders, back muscles, the iliotibial (IT) band and every other part of your leg. Many rollers come with basic diagrams to try out, but you can also follow along with many YouTube videos; just search for a specific tight area. If you're new to foam rolling, I'd suggest this one from Trigger Point, which is gentler on your tender muscles than some of the plastic-molded options. Buy foam roller at Amazon - $35 Trigger point massage balls These rigid massage balls, usually the size of a tennis ball, offer a trigger point massage that helps tackle knots in your shoulder blade, or that tight corner of your glutes. Place the ball on a yoga mat (or carpet) and position your problem area over the ball, using your body weight to apply force. Relief isn't just limited to the floor either. Try positioning the ball between your back – or shoulder – and a wall. There are several guides online, but this set of balls, with differing levels of stiffness, should ensure you feel the pressure at just the right level. Buy massage ball at Amazon - $17 Bolster This recommendation comes from my colleague Valentina Palladino, who loves this bolster for improving her yoga habit. Bolsters are firm pillows that come in several shapes and sizes which help many yoga practitioners maintain proper posture in certain movements, due to lack of flexibility or minor injuries. According to Valentina: "While I definitely don't stretch as much as I should, this bolster that I originally bought solely for yoga practice has come in handy when I do sit on the mat for a 10-minute, post-run stretch. I mostly use it for back extensions, placing the bolster underneath my lower back so I can get a gentle spinal decompression. She adds: "There are dedicated back stretchers you can buy that do something similar, but I have come to prefer the bolster for its supportive comfort and its versatility. I still use it during yoga sessions as a tool to get deeper into certain movements, and it provides extra support in sitting poses." Buy bolster at Amazon - $40 Percussive therapy and massage guns Mat Smith/Engadget Should you splurge on something a little more powerful and expensive, though? There is established evidence that manual hand massage helps to reduce pain, but there's less supporting data for many of the benefits claimed by percussive therapy devices. Depending on the company and the device, some claims (like improved performance or range of motion) are backed up by small studies, but others (including reduced cellulite and sped-up muscle recovery) are not. Dr. Kelly Starrett, Athlete Performance Advisor for Hyperice (and founding mobility expert for CrossFit) told Engadget: "When we are trying to change how the brain interprets information from the body's tissue systems as threatening or unsafe; vibration, percussion, and even heat can help us feel better." My own experience tracks with this: using one with a targeted approach to tight areas feels good and can help you prime your body ahead of a workout without overexerting yourself. If you've seen the Instagram ads, you already know there are many massage guns to choose from, but our picks come from two of the most prominent players in the field, Therabody's Theragun and Hyperice' HyperVolt series. Theragun Prime Mat Smith/Engadget We've touched on the benefits of the Theragun Prime before, but it's the company's unique triangle design that helps its devices stand out. It offers multiple ways to grip the Theragun and help target trickier parts of the body. As one of the more premium massage devices, you get 16mm amplitude (typically only beaten by devices several hundred dollars more) and speeds of up to 2,400 percussions per minute. The Prime comes with three extra attachments in addition to the standard ball: a cone, a dampener with a flattened head, and a thumb attachment, which can help dig deeper. Therabody's latest family of percussive therapy devices is also quieter than older Theraguns – and most of the competition – but it certainly isn't silent. Buy Theragun Prime at Amazon - $289 HyperVolt 2 Pro The HyperVolt 2 Pro has a more conventional design, but I prefer its dial for switching between different speeds. It, too, comes with extra head attachments, including a fork attachment, a flat wedge and a cushioned head. This is the premium flagship Hypervolt, so it offers the fastest speeds (faster than even the Theragun Prime). However, while it's also quieter than the Prime, it is a little trickier to maneuver into difficult tight spots without assistance from someone else. These devices are generally safe in most use cases, but check out each company's safety guideline pages. It's sensible to talk to your doctor before use if you're pregnant, have had recent surgery or have any existing skin or nerve system conditions. Buy HyperVolt 2 Pro at Amazon - $399 Hyperice Hypersphere Mat Smith/Engadget Hyperice has also combined its vibration tech with the targeted relief of a massage ball. The Hypersphere (and HyperSphere mini) include three levels of vibration and an easy-to-understand LED read-out to gauge battery life and intensity levels. In addition, the shape adds a different degree of versatility, as you don't need to reach with your arm to where you might need relief. It's also got a rubber coating that helps it stay in place if you're not stretching or massaging on a yoga mat. Notably, the smaller Mini has a more powerful motor and is more comparable in size to a lacrosse ball. Despite a more powerful motor and roughly identical battery life, it's more affordable than the bigger model. Most will find the Mini the better option, but the larger Hypersphere, I found, worked well on my lower back and chest, as it raised my body further off the ground, increasing the targeted pressure. Buy Hypersphere at Amazon - $99Buy Mini at Hyperice - $74 Therabody RecoveryAir Therabody, the company behind Theragun, has branched out into several additional recovery products. The company also offers a vibrating foam roller and ball, but its RecoveryAir series is entirely different, using controlled compression to massage your legs or arms gently. The RecoveryAir system is split into a lower (for your legs, from foot to hip) and upper body system, but the "trousers" seem like the best device for most, massaging some of the biggest muscle groups in your body. They feel particularly good after a heavy session of squats or a lengthy run. While Therabody might be new to compression therapy, science and research into it has continued for decades, with medical compression garments as far back as the 1950s used for treating conditions following the end of World War II. The AirRecover squeezes at your legs, stimulating your body's circulation like – and this is a quote from a Therabody's spokesperson – "squeezing a toothpaste tube." It's a relaxing sensation: the AirRecover cycles through squeezing at your feet, calves, knees, hamstrings and thighs. You can adjust both the strength of the compression and the length of the massage up to an hour. Compared with massage guns and static tissue massage, you get to be a little lazier and let the AirRecover do the work. You can just chill on your sofa or favorite chair, watching Netflix, while it squeezes away. That ease of use comes at a high price, though: $1,299. It's rather expensive compared to the other devices we've included here, but it's also a very different experience and one that steers itself. Buy Recovery Air Pro at Therabody - $1,299

Devolver Digital will host a not-E3 games showcase on June 9th Posted: 03 Jun 2022 07:00 AM PDT Did you think there couldn't possibly be space for another gaming event in the next couple of weeks? Guess again. Devolver Digital has added its summer showcase to the calendar. You'll be able to catch the Devolver Direct on Twitch on June 9th at 6PM ET. If the slightly NSFW trailer is anything to judge by, expect a typically off-the-wall stream from Devolver. This time around, the gist is that the publisher's event takes place during a 30-minute countdown before one of the big summer showcases, when the audience is at its most hyped. As it happens, the Devolver Direct will take place in the hours after one of the larger events happening this month, the Summer Game Fest showcase. Devolver Direct will be hosted by a "mecha" version of Japanese developer Goichi Suda (aka Suda51), who is best known for the No More Heroes series. Expect at least four announcements of new games. Here's hoping for a look at Return to Monkey Island too.

'Horizon Call of the Mountain' PSVR2 trailer reveals a perilous climb Posted: 03 Jun 2022 06:20 AM PDT Sony has finally revealed key details for PlayStation VR2's marquee title. The company, Guerilla Games and Firesprite have shared the first gameplay trailer for Horizon Call of the Mountain along with details of the story. You play Ryas, a disgraced Shadow Carja Warrior who seeks freedom and redemption by tackling a new threat to the tribe. As you might guess, the gameplay revolves around VR-friendly exploration and combat. You'll scale mountains using climbing picks, take down rogue machines with your bow and craft new gear. While the trailer doesn't offer too many spoilers, the developers made clear that Call of the Mountain has tangential links to the main Horizon narrative. You'll run into Aloy and other familiar characters alongside new ones. This is also clearly a technological showcase for the PSVR2 headset. Besides the lush visuals, you can show off the experience in a "River Ride" segment practically tailor-made for spectators watching your TV. There's still no release date for the game, although that's not surprising when Sony has yet to narrow down launch timing for the PSVR2 itself. You won't have to wait to get some fresh Horizon content, at least. Guerilla has released a major update for Horizon Forbidden West that adds New Game+ and Ultra Hard modes for players who felt the existing difficulty levels weren't enough of a challenge. You'll also see better antialiasing for visuals in Performance mode on PS5 and PS4 Pro, and tinkerers will be happy to know they can both reassign their skill points and customize their outfits to look like anything they already own. More technical upgrades are coming, too. Guerilla has teased a patch with variable refresh rate support for compatible TVs, not to mention a 40 frames per second mode that might split the difference between graphical beauty and smooth frame rates. The studio is still determined to keep Forbidden West relevant, then, even if its attention has shifted more toward VR.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2 drop to a new record-low price Posted: 03 Jun 2022 06:02 AM PDT Samsung fans looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds can get a couple of the company's latest models for less. Amazon has the Galaxy Buds 2 in graphite and olive at the lowest price we've seen — just $95, which is $55 off their usual rate. If you prefer earbuds with a more power and perks, the Galaxy Buds Pro in phantom violet are also down to a new low of $120, which is $80 off their normal price. Buy Galaxy Buds 2 at Amazon - $95Buy Galaxy Buds Pro at Amazon - $120 Both of these wireless earbuds came out last year, with the Galaxy Buds 2 being the newer of the two. Samsung brought a number of premium features down to these relatively affordable earbuds, including adjustable ambient sound mode and wireless charging. The Buds 2 are 15 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than the Galaxy Buds+ that came before them, plus they have much improved sound and an IPX2-rated design. Just keep in mind that the Buds 2 don't have any iOS integration — while you could use them with an iPhone, you'd be stuck with thee default settings. Those with Samsung handsets will get the most out of these buds. Same goes for the Galaxy Buds Pro, which we dubbed Samsung's best earbuds yet when they first came out. Normally $200, these are the company's direct competitor to the AirPods Pro and they hold their own against Apple's offering. Sound quality is excellent and ANC is strong enough to block out surrounding noises like those from a fan or running dishwasher. The Buds Pro also have an IPX7-rated design and support for 360 Audio and wireless charging. If you're on a tight budget, we recommend opting for the Galaxy Buds 2, but if you can spend a bit more, you'll appreciate the extra perks that come with the Galaxy Buds Pro.  Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

Square will support Apple's Tap to Pay on iPhones later this year Posted: 03 Jun 2022 05:55 AM PDT Soon, sellers using Square's Point of Sale app can accept payments with only an iPhone. The mobile payment company has announced that it's working with Apple to enable the feature within its application and will launch the service to the public later this year. It will provide sellers with an easy-to-use payment solution, since they'll no longer need to use Square's add-on devices and terminals. All customers need to do is to tap their credit cards, debit cards or phones with digital wallets such as Apple Pay on the seller's iPhone. It does require sellers to have an iPhone XS or later device, but there'd be no extra expenses on hardware if they already have one. When Apple introduced Tap to Pay in February, it was seen as a product that could disrupt the business of companies like Square. The tech giant promised back then, however, that it will "work closely with leading payment platforms and app developers across the payments and commerce industry," and it looks like Square is part of that list. Apple was testing the feature at its visitor center in Cupertino as recently as last month, allowing staff members to accept payment using the method. While the general public won't have access to the feature for a while, Square has opened an Early Access Program to give select sellers the chance to try it out. The company has a sign up page on its website where sellers can submit their details to learn more about it.

Google's Nest Learning Thermostat is back on sale for $199 Posted: 03 Jun 2022 05:35 AM PDT Outfitting your home with smart devices can get expensive quickly, but now you can grab some Google Nest devices for less. The Nest Learning Thermostat is $50 off at Wellbots when you use the code ENGDT50 at checkout, so you'll get it for $199. That's close to the device's record-low price and a decent discount on Google's most capable smart thermostat. You can also pick up the battery-powered Nest Doorbell for $130 using the same code to knock $50 off its usual price, or the wired version for $149 with the code ENGDT80 at checkout, which will discount it by $80. Buy Nest Learning Thermostat at Wellbots - $199Buy Nest Doorbell (battery) at Wellbots - $130Buy Nest Doorbell (wired) at Wellbots - $149 A smart thermostat is a good way to keep track of how you use energy in your home and hopefully save money in the long run. Google's Energy Star-certified device learns your preferences over time and will build an energy schedule around your routines. It'll learn how warm or cool you like to keep your home so it can automatically adjust temperatures depending on the time of day or even when you're home or away. You could leave the Learning Thermostat to do its thing, or you can customize temperatures, schedules and more using the Nest mobile app. The Nest Learning Thermostat also has a few extra perks that the standard thermostat does not have. It has a sleeker design with metal details and a high-res display, plus it works with Nest Temperature Sensors that let you adjust the climate in your home on a room-by-room basis. Google's smart doorbells do exactly what you think: let you see who's at your front door before you answer it. The device can send you alerts when you have visitors and you can chat with them from the companion smartphone app and the device's built-in mic and speakers. These gadgets also have "intelligent alerts," which just means they'll be able to differentiate when you have a visitor, a delivered package or an animal sighting outside your home. You can either opt for the hardwired version or the battery-operated model, the latter of which runs on a rechargeable battery that should last up to six months before it need more juice. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

Engadget Podcast: Gearing up for Apple’s WWDC 2022 Posted: 03 Jun 2022 05:30 AM PDT We're prepping for Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference! This week, Cherlynn and Devindra chat about the announcements they're expecting at WWDC, including new computers with M2 chips (and potentially a revamped MacBook Air!). What's next for iOS and MacOS – will lockscreen widgets really be useful? And they hold out hope to hear something about the company's AR/VR glasses. Also, they discuss the surprising news about Sheryl Sandberg leaving Meta, as well as Microsoft's new Surface Laptop Go 2. Engadget · What to expect at Apple's WWDC 2022 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! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts RSS Topics What to expect at WWDC 2022 – 1:29 Could Apple AR Glasses make an appearance? Some rumors – 2:30 Possible news on iPhone 14, iOS 16, iPadOS, and WatchOS – 14:10 Youtube's TV app now lets you use your phone as a second screen – 30:15 Surface Laptop Go 2 announcement – 33:19 Sheryl Sandberg leaves Facebook after 14 years – 36:23 France bans English e-sports terminology – 42:33 Working on – 44:22 Pop culture picks – 52:38 Livestream Credits Hosts: Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien Livestream producers: Julio Barrientos Graphic artists: Luke Brooks and Brian Oh

TikTok launches a $5 subscription comedy series Posted: 03 Jun 2022 05:10 AM PDT TikTok is joining forces with Pearpop to launch a comedy docuseries hosted by creator Jericho Mencke, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It's cost $5 for all eight episodes, each 30 minutes long, with the first two running for free for all TikTok users.  Called Finding Jericho, the series will feature Mencke doing comedic interviews with characters like a clown from Craigslist. It'll be executive produced by Pearpop executives Zack Bernstein and Austin Sokol, along with Mencke.  Last month, TikTok unveiled the Live monthly subscription tool for creators on an invitation-only basis, after unveiling the service in January 2022. It allows creators to "increase their earnings while continuing to grow their communities" with perks like subscriber badges, custom emotes and a subscriber-only chat.  In 2020, TikTok announced a $200 million fund to support creators, but the subscription service gives personalities a more direct stream of income. Pearpop, meanwhile, is a separate platform that allows creators to "monetize their influence" through challenges and brand sponsorships. The first episode of Finding Jericho premiered late yesterday at 9PM PST and following episodes will arrive Tuesday and Thursdays at the same time on the @Jercho1 and @pearpopofficial TikTok accounts.

The 44mm Apple Watch SE falls back to a low of $229 Posted: 03 Jun 2022 04:40 AM PDT You can now grab a 44mm Apple Watch SE for $229 from Amazon. The smartwatch has been on sale a few times for around that much before, but it has mostly been for the smaller 40mm variant. This deal is for the bigger GPS version of the Watch SE, specifically for the model with the silver case. It's the lowest price we've seen for the smartwatch, which typically goes for $309, and is a fantastic deal if you've been looking to buy the device. Buy Apple Watch SE [GPS 44mm] Smart Watch at Amazon - $229 We gave the Apple Watch SE a score of 88 in our review and praised it for being an excellent starter smartwatch. It's light and feels like a high-end machine on your wrist, and it has a crisp and bright OLED Retina display. The device also served as an introduction to Apple's Solo Loop continuous straps that don't come with buckles and clasps. We found it comfortable to use when we tested it out, but since the strap can't be adjusted, you'll have to make sure to get the perfect size for you.  If you want a newer model and don't mind paying more for a smartwatch, however, you can also grab an Apple Watch Series 7 model at a discount. The 41mm version is currently on sale for $329, while its larger 45mm sibling is selling for $70 less at $359. That's a record—low price for the 41mm Watch Series 7, which typically sells for $399. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

The Morning After: Apple may reveal a major iPad multitasking update at WWDC Posted: 03 Jun 2022 04:15 AM PDT I've started testing the waters writing this newsletter (and several other stories) on an iPad, with keyboard folio, of course. And it works surprisingly well, if not perfectly. Apple's journey in getting its tablets to dip into the world of laptops has taken a while, but it's almost there. Now, a report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests Apple will push iPadOS even further in version 16, with some software changes apparently nudging the device further in that direction. Gurman's sources say iPadOS 16 will have a revamped multitasking interface, including more resizing options. Currently, you can run apps in full screen or side by side in Split View. The Slide Over function allows you to bring in a narrower version of a third app as well. The next version of iPadOS will make it easier to move between apps and see which ones you have open. That may even include freely resizable windows in iPadOS, which sounds like a dull, dull upgrade, but it's exactly what I need when flitting between web browsers, Google Docs and Slack windows. Please, give me what I want, WWDC. — Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed Quentin Tarantino is getting his own film podcast on Stitcher Polestar is making a production version of its 'Beast' performance EV The first 'Final Fantasy XVI' gameplay trailer reveals a summer 2023 release window Oregon is shutting down its controversial child welfare AI in June Google is scrapping Assistant's ability to set location-based reminders Sonos' refurbished sale includes $180 off the Arc soundbar Amazon employees call on the company to stop selling 'anti-trans' books What we bought: How BenQ's ScreenBar completed my home office setup Toyota's prototype 'cartridge' is a way to make hydrogen portable Capcom's 'Resident Evil 4' remake lands on March 24th, 2023 Amazon takes on PS5 and Xbox scalpers with a new invite system The goal is to help legitimate shoppers get their hands on in-demand products.  Amazon is trying to fend off scalpers and bots that snag all the latest consoles before you can secure one. It's rolling out an invite-based ordering option for high-demand products in low supply to help legitimate shoppers get their hands on the items. The invite option is available now for PS5 in the US. Amazon will enable it for Xbox Series X in the next few days. Continue reading. The best wireless headphones you can buy right now And not all of them will break the bank. Engadget Updated for mid-2022: We've collated the best wireless headphones — some of which are the best headphones, period. For this guide, we've focused on the over-ear style, covering a range of prices, so you can decide how much you're comfortable spending. Continue reading. Chipotle now accepts cryptocurrency payments As long as your wallet app supports a Flexa digital payments platform. You can now pay for your burritos and tacos with Bitcoin and other digital currencies, as long as you don't mind spending your coins directly instead of going through exchanges. Flexa has announced that the Mexican fast-food chain can now accept digital payments through its platform at all Chipotle locations in the US if have a Flexa-enabled wallet app enabled, such as Gemini. Continue reading.​​ 'Street Fighter 6' arrives in 2023 with new modes and real-time commentary It also features simple controls for special moves. Capcom Capcom has revealed that Street Fighter 6 will come out in 2023 for the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Like the company promised earlier, the game will include Luke, a key DLC character for Street Fighter V, as well as fan favorites Ryu and Chun-Li. There also seems to be an open-world aspect to the game, but one of the most intriguing new features is real-time commentary, which will provide easy-to-understand explanations about gameplay for your matches. These commentaries will be voiced by notable Fighting Game Community commentators, starting with Jeremy "Vicious" Lopez and Aru, and they'll support subtitles in 13 languages. Continue reading. 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' will hit Disney+ on June 22nd That's just 47 days after the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film debuted in theaters. You won't need to wait much longer to catch the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie at home. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will start streaming on Disney+ on June 22nd — roughly a month and a half since its debut. Continue reading.

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