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GM officially reveals its $107,000 electrified 2024 GMC Sierra Denali
GM took to social media on Thursday to unveil its third electrified offering a burly-looking Sierra Denali EV that does not disappoint.
GM's hands-free Super Cruise is coming to six more vehicles in 2022 (updated)
Beginning the first quarter of next year, GM will make its advanced semi-autonomous driving assistant, Super Cruise, available on six more Cadillac models including the Escalade, CT4,CT5, Silverado, Hummer EV, and Sierra.
Cray is building a supercomputer to manage the US' nuclear stockpile
Supercomputers are used for everything from mapping weather patterns to developing medicine –- now, they're looking after the nation's nuclear stockpile. The US Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have announced they've signed a contract with Cray Computing for the NNSA's first exascale supercomputer, "El Capitan."
Apple releases Meltdown patches for older versions of macOS
Today, Apple released updates that will protect some older operating systems against the Meltdown vulnerability. Patches for High Sierra were released earlier this month and now Sierra and El Capitan will be protected as well.
Mac VR support is more confusing than you think
Early on in yesterday's WWDC keynote, Apple announced VR support in OS X, along with an external GPU dock for Mac developers. That news excited a lot of people. External GPUs, for what it's worth, work right now in macOS Sierra without huge issues (Bizon has been selling external GPU enclosures for a while). What Apple's new High Sierra OS brings is full support for GPU docks in its graphics API. Couple that with NVIDIA's commitment to release graphics drivers for macOS and it's suddenly going to be a lot easier for Apple users to boost the power of their machines. Immediately after Apple's VR announcement, a colleague remarked that adding an external GPU would be "dope if you're buying a MacBook Air or a low-powered machine" -- you'd have an ultraportable that you plug into a dock for VR and high-end gaming. That dream isn't realistic though. It feels like many people don't quite understand what a GPU does and why adding one to an underpowered machine won't make it VR ready.
Apple is bringing the iPhone's night mode to the Mac
Ask Mac users which app they install first and they may well point you to F.lux, which adjusts the color temperature of your screen to cut back on eye strain as night sets in. Well, that recommendation may have just gone out the window for most people. Users have discovered that the latest macOS Sierra beta (10.12.4) includes a Night Shift mode that, like its iOS counterpart, can automatically shift toward a warmer tint. You can set a schedule (say, when sunset arrives) and fine-tune the colors in case they're a little too pronounced for your liking.
Apple is dropping its battery life estimate on Macs
You probably don't trust your laptop's battery life estimates, and that's especially true if you happen to own the latest MacBook Pro. It's supposed to last for up to 10 hours, but the estimated time can vary wildly depending on what's running at any given moment. Apple has a very simple solution to that: get rid of the estimate entirely. The company has released macOS Sierra 10.12.2, which ditches the "time remaining" display from the menu bar. That's not so hot if you depend on that figure to determine when you'll need to recharge, but our TechCrunch colleagues understand that this might be necessary given evolving technology.
The Engadget Podcast, Ep 7: Firestarter
Managing editor Dana Wollman, senior editor Nathan Ingraham and reviews editor Cherlynn Low join guest host Devindra Hardawar to discuss Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 recall, Uber's self-driving cars and why the heck Google is making another messaging app.
Dropbox's Mac app is now clearer about what it can access
After concerns were raised over how its app had gained elevated privileges on users' Macs, Dropbox moved quickly to put people's minds at rest. Desktop developer Ben Newhouse acknowledged that some design decisions made it look like it was circumventing Apple's built-in protections, but now that the new macOS Sierra update is available, Dropbox access requests are becoming a lot clearer. The Dropbox Mac app will explicitly ask Sierra users for permission to access Accessibility, the macOS feature that allows the cloud backup tool to integrate with Microsoft Office, improve file syncing and perform automatic app updates. Apple has updated its protections around Accessibility and Dropbox is using it to better explain why it needs extended access once it has been installed.
macOS Sierra review: Mac users get a modest update this year
This is almost like part two of my macOS Sierra review. I had a chance to test Apple's newest desktop operating system at the beginning of the summer, just before it was released in a public beta. The software hasn't changed much since, but a few of the headline features were missing from that earlier build; Apple said they wouldn't be available until the final version shipped in the fall. As it happens, Sierra arrives today as a free upgrade, so I'm picking up right where I left off. What follows is my full review of Sierra, though if you read my earlier preview, or have been using the software yourself, you won't find many big surprises here.
Apple's macOS Sierra is now available for download
If you skipped the beta releases, today's the day you can put Siri to work on a Mac. Apple's latest desktop operating system, macOS Sierra, is now available for download. While the new version debuted back at WWDC and followed with a public beta, this is the first time the finished product will be available to the masses via the App Store on a Mac.
Sierra hits Macs on September 20th with Siri in tow
Sierra, the latest version of macOS (formerly OS X), will be available to download on September 20th. The update adds Siri to the Mac, the ability to copy and paste among Apple devices, and it enables picture-in-picture, which allows users to pop out a video from iTunes or Safari and keep it playing in a separate floating window. Plus, Apple Music has a new, streamlined UI and the Photos app gets an upgrade with a "Memories" view that collects shots taken in specific places or of certain people.
More of Sierra's classic adventure games come to Steam
Sure, Sierra's biggest adventure game titles (such as King's Quest and Space Quest) have been around in their original forms on Steam for a while, but many gamers remember playing a lot more than that. What about arresting perps in Police Quest, or saving the day in Quest for Glory (aka Hero's Quest)? You're set from now on. Sierra and Activision have released a wave of further classics on Steam, including the Police Quest Collection, the original Gabriel Knight trilogy and the two Phantasmagoria games. You'll get a handful of non-adventure titles published under Sierra's wing, too, such as Arcanum and Caesar 4.
Apple iPad, Mac rumors suggest upgrades for power users
While we prepare to see the next iPhone on September 7th, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has delivered another batch of rumors centered around Apple's iPad and Mac plans. According to his sources, along with a standalone 5K monitor the company is working on with LG (that would surpass even the 21:9 screens just announced) the next step for iMacs are the option of AMD GPUs built-in, while the Macbook Air is expected to get a USB-C upgrade that could mimic the current Macbook.
Apple releases second public betas for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra
Were you quick to hop on the test versions of iOS 10 and macOS Sierra? It's time to start updating. Apple has released the second public betas of both platforms, and they're not just adding some spit and polish. The new iOS 10 beta introduces a functioning option for using Touch ID to unlock your device the "old-fashioned" iOS 9 way, where resting your finger is enough to get to your home screen. If you lock an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, you'll get vibration feedback. And if you're a health maven, you can opt to share your activity and workout data to help improve Apple's fitness features.
Apple releases macOS Sierra beta to the public
If you can't wait to see how Siri works on Apple's upcoming desktop platform, head over to beta.apple.com. Cupertino has just released the public beta of macOS Sierra, and you can download it today from the company's website. We took an earlier iteration of the OS for a spin in June, so you probably already have an idea of what to expect. Besides Siri, it also introduces a picture-in-picture mode for iTunes and Safari, a universal clipboard for macOS and iOS, a more feature-rich messaging app and a redesigned iTunes. Apple has made a few changes since then, though, including switching up Siri's keyboard shortcut from Fn-spacebar to command-space hold.
Apple details its latest desktop operating system: macOS Sierra
It wouldn't be WWDC without Apple detailing a new version of OS X. Oh wait, scratch that: Cupertino's desktop operating system is now named macOS, as had been rumored in recent weeks. But the name change isn't the only thing being discussed at the developers conference. For starters, Apple is bringing Siri to the Mac, giving users hands-free access to their computer. There's a new feature called Auto Unlock too, which will allow you to unlock your Mac with via an Apple Watch.
Buick and GMC vehicles will support Android Auto and CarPlay
If you prefer to drive big honking Buick sedans and GMC trucks, you won't have to give up a phone-savvy infotainment system for the privilege. Both Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto are coming to the Buick and GMC lineups, starting with the 2016 model year. CarPlay will arrive first, beginning with Buick's LaCrosse and Regal as well as GMC's Canyon, Sierra and Yukon. The Android option will show up some time later in the model year. Between this and similar moves from Cadillac and Chevy, you won't have to be fussy about your choice of cars or smartphones -- so long as you like GM's brands in the first place, you'll be taken care of.
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions review: Game cubed
PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Mac In 2008, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 was the ruler (pun intended) of Xbox Live. It riffed on Asteroids aptly, mixing simple, refined shoot-em-up with a hypnotic techno frenzy. Like a three-legged pub crawl with tequila shots, it delivered in short, impelling bursts that kept you drunkenly chasing high scores through the night, or at least until your thumbs passed out. In short, it was a black hole of time in the best possible way. After such a siesta, it's hard to see Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions outside of what came before. Oddly enough, it's a sometimes overlooked Geometry Wars entry, Galaxies, that brings the most enjoyable component to developer Lucid Games' revival: a dense, challenge-based campaign. In contrast, GW3's freshest defining quality, the third dimension, doesn't make the same impact. If you view GW3 in the inebriated, blurry lens of GW2 it comes up a little short. Take a more sober look at it, and it's a welcome, faithful enough return that you can still sink plenty into.
Joystiq Streams: Relapse with Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions [Replay]
Update: It's over, so catch the full replay after the break! Don't worry, the hard days are all in the past. The habit's been kicked. No more obsessing over leader boards. No more retries at dawn, trying to best your friend's achievements. No more shakes when you put down the controller. Geometry Wars 2 was 2008! We've all moved past it. Wait. There's a Geometry Wars 3? It warps and distorts the old twin-stick shooting? Fine. Just one play. It's easy to stop after just one round. Let's do this. Lucid Games joins Joystiq Streams today to give us an early taste of Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions. Starting at 5:15PM EST on Joystiq.com/Twitch, Ludwig Kietzmann (@LudwigK) will pick up his controller and relapse hard. Joystiq.com/Twitch broadcasts live every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00PM EST, but if you want to catch streams of weird games and upcoming releases like this one, follow us on Twitch to know whenever we go live. [Images: Sierra]
