The Morning After: Wednesday November 2nd, 2016
120 things to want.
Yes, it's the start of hump day, but you may have missed Google revealing unpatched Windows 10 bugs, the truth of the dark web and (in cheerier news) our beautiful Engadget Holiday Gift Guide. We also take a closer look at Xiaomi's plan to become more than just the king of budget smartphones.
Google reveals unpatched Windows bug that hackers are exploiting
Google announced that it had found previously undiscovered vulnerabilities in both Windows and Flash last month, and while Adobe had fixed its issue by October 26th, Microsoft has yet to do so. Worse still, Google says that hackers are "actively exploiting" the flaw. Microsoft responded by saying that enhancements from the Windows 10 Anniversary Update protected computers from this vulnerability. There is, however, a patch coming on November 8th.
Stuck for presents? Already? We may have a few ideas ...
A hundred and twenty of them, in fact. It's our biggest guide ever, separated into ten categories, divided further by price. The aim is to offer suggestions for pretty much every reader. Or relative of an Engadget reader. Hopefully. Take a dive.
Watch out, Twitch and YouTube: Facebook wants to get deeper into eSports
Given its continued growth, it's not surprising that Facebook is showing increased interest in professional gaming. The social network has already partnered with publishers like Activision Blizzard to bring daily content to Facebook Live, but now it's apparently been holding talks to stream professional gaming matches with companies like Super Evil Megacorp. Facebook is in talks with Activision to acquire streaming rights to more eSport competitions -- putting it in direct competition with other streamers like YouTube and Twitch.
Xiaomi aims for more than king of the budget smartphones
The company's ludicrous Mi MIX phone didn't happen overnight. Here's how the company (with some Philippe Starck magic) managed to make a device with a near-bezel-less display and fancy ceramic body -- and why it did it.
Zoltan Istvan wants your vote for US president
Not happy with the current choices for president? Engadget interviewed Transhumanist Party candidate Zoltan Istvan about his platform, which is "putting science, health and technology at the forefront of American politics."
The first phone with Google's Project Tango augmented reality tech is here
The $499 Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is packed with sensors and cameras that let it "see" its environment better than any phone before. Playing "Pokémon Go" is one thing, but Project Tango apps go even further, blending virtual objects with real life or using the phone itself as a precise motion controller. Still, we'll need software that goes beyond furniture shopping or toy car racing to prove Tango is at the must-have level of GPS.
The Fisker EMotion shows off drool-worthy specs and design
Sure, the Fisker Karma will go down as a smoky footnote in EV history, but its creator is back to try again with the EMotion. Henrik Fisker tweeted pictures of this slick design and pie-in-the-sky specs (fully autonomous driving, carbon fiber, 400 miles of range, 161 mph top speed, butterfly doors) while claiming it will start shipping in mid-2017. You probably have a better shot at getting a Model 3.
