The Morning After: 8K-ready AV receivers are here
And Aibo is ready to greet you at the front door.
The weekend has arrived. I’ll be using the time to catch up on a few PS5 and EA trailers I didn’t catch the first time around, although you may have different plans in store. If you’re running late on shopping for Father’s Day or a recent graduate, then we have some relevant gift suggestions; otherwise, we’ll see everyone back here on Monday for Apple’s online-only WWDC 2020 keynote.
-- Richard
Denon rolls out the first 8K-ready receivers
They’re also ready for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
While the debates rage on over whether or not anyone needs 8K, the new line of Denon receivers are ready for higher resolution video when and if you decide to make an upgrade. Perhaps more importantly, they also support HDMI 2.1, including features like auto low latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rate (VRR), passthrough of 4K video at up to 120 frames per second and quick frame transport (QFT) that reduces input lag.
The 11.2-channel AVR-X6700H ($2,499) and 9.2-channel AVR-4700H ($1,699) are available now via Amazon and other retailers, while the 7.2-channel AVR-X2700H ($849) is scheduled to go on sale August 15th.
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The Engadget Podcast: PS5 details and hesitation over facial recognition
Can anyone guess the price?
Devindra and Cherlynn are joined by deputy managing editor Nathan Ingraham to discuss the PlayStation 5’s eye-catching appearance, size and speculate how much it will cost. Nate also tells us why The Last Of Us II is a heartbreaking game worth the emotional investment. Then, our hosts take a look at the latest developments in major tech companies’ facial recognition systems, as well as Twitter’s new voice message format.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Pocket Casts or Stitcher.
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Sony's Aibo robot will now greet you at the front door
The $2,900 simulacrum keeps adding new features.
Thanks to a new software update, the android companion will now predict when you come home and sit patiently at the front door. Or that’s the idea, anyway. According to Sony’s website, you’ll first need to assign a meeting place — the front entrance to your home — by saying a phrase like “this is where you should go.” Aibo should then lower its head and ‘sniff’ the ground to indicate that it’s storing the location. If the process is successful, a door icon should appear on the map located inside the companion app.
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These moldable HD in-ear headphones are $99 today
This week's best deals: 10.2-inch iPad, Apple Watch Series 5 and more
Several Roku players are on sale too.
As we enter the weekend and Father’s Day is approaching, there are still a bunch of sales you can snag for dad (or for yourself). Apple’s base iPad returns to its lowest price ever of $250, and you can get $100 off the Apple Watch Series 5 ($300) and $50 off the iPad mini ($350). Numerous headphones and earbuds from Bose, Sony and Beats are discounted, while Amazon’s regular Kindle is also on sale for $65.
Valentina Palladino has the full rundown for you here, and for more updates on Twitter, be sure to follow the @EngadgetDeals account.
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NBA restart plan includes using Oura rings to catch COVID-19 symptoms
The league’s ‘bubble’ will be full of wearable devices.
As the NBA moves toward restarting its season with players and other personnel isolated at Walt Disney World in Orlando, details of how it hopes to manage the people on site are leaking out.
The part specifically interesting to us — other than players-only lounges with NBA 2K to play and bracelets that beep if people are within six feet of each other for too long — is its proposed use of Oura’s smart rings. Earlier this month, a study suggested that physiological data from the rings, combined with information obtained from wearers via in-app surveys, can “forecast and predict the onset of COVID-19 related symptoms” three days in advance, with 90 percent accuracy.
According to The Athletic, use of the rings will be optional, and there’s no word on what other data will help track possible symptoms. ESPN reporter Zach Lowe says that if players wear the rings, team personnel will not have access unless it detects an “illness probability score” that triggers a medical review.
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But wait, there’s more...
Samsung reveals US pricing for its very curved gaming monitors
Apple releases Mac version of its developer app just before WWDC
SpaceX has a month to prove Starlink is worthy of rural broadband funding
Scientists locate the first fast radio burst in the Milky Way
T-Mobile offers an explanation for its twelve-hour outage on Monday
Comcast’s public WiFi hotspots will remain free for the rest of 2020
If hindsight is 20/20, how would you rate the original Surface today?
DC fighting game 'Injustice: Gods Among Us' is free for PS, Xbox and PC
EA gives a quick peek at next-gen 'FIFA 21' and 'Madden 21'
What to expect from Apple's online-only WWDC 2020
K.K. Slider's fans span rock stars and remixers
Nintendo's 'Jump Rope Challenge' is a free workout game for your Switch
BMW and Mercedes call it quits on their self-driving car partnership
Tesla's solar panels are now more efficient and affordable
