The Morning After: A 'no-compromise ultraportable gaming laptop' has arrived
And 'FFVII Remake' delivers.
This week had everything from PS5 gamepads to an unprecedented team-up by Apple and Google on Bluetooth tracking tech. However, the fiercest tech rivalry is between video conferencing platforms, and Microsoft Teams hit back at Zoom -- now the ‘Facebook of video apps’ -- by adding its own version of custom backgrounds. Your move, Google Hangouts / Chat / Meet / whatever it’s called this week.
-- Richard Lawler
The Engadget Podcast
Quibi and a chat with 'Devs' creator Alex Garland
This week, Devindra chats with TechCrunch’s Anthony Ha about Quibi, the mobile video startup from Hollywood producer Jeffrey Katzenberg. Is it any good? (Spoiler: Not really.) And what does it mean for the future of mobile only video? Also, Devindra interviews Alex Garland, the director of Annihilation and Ex Machina, about his new FX series Devs, a trippy exploration of free will in the quantum computing era.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Pocket Casts or Stitcher.
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'Final Fantasy 7 Remake' is a gamble that paid off
The new story twists help change things up just enough.
Decades in the making, Square Enix’s refreshed vision of Final Fantasy VII is here. Mat Smith had some doubts about the project, but now he says “it delivers.”
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LG V60 5G ThinQ review
‘A compromised phone I like anyway.’
LG is still trying to make its version of dual-screen mobile devices happen, with two screens linked by a case instead of one foldable display. The V60’s software isn’t exactly up to par with other flagships, but LG’s hardware decisions make it easier to use than many other top of the line phones and -- perhaps most importantly -- a lot cheaper. Let Chris Velazco explain why this might be the two-screen device to choose right now.
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ASUS Zephyrus G14 review: Ultraportable gaming done right
You don’t really need a webcam.
What do you need from a laptop other than 13 hours of battery life, NVIDIA RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics and a healthy selection of ports? The Zephyrus G14 has all of that and weighs just 3.5 pounds so you can truly take it anywhere.
The only downside? Showing your face for a Zoom session or Twitch broadcasting will require an add-on webcam -- this laptop doesn’t come with one built-in. Our review unit had an AMD processor and 16GB of RAM for $1,450 for what Devindra Hardawar calls “a truly no-compromise ultraportable gaming laptop.”
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Apple and Google are collaborating on COVID-19 contact tracing
The first step will come with APIs that roll out next month.
On Friday Apple and Google announced they’re collaborating on Bluetooth technology that will enable easier contact tracing. The COVID-19 crisis is pushing previously unthinkable changes closer to reality, but it’s still a bit shocking to see roll out.
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But wait, there’s more...
Dr. Dre classic 'The Chronic' comes to more streaming services on 4/20
Samsung's old S Voice assistant will shut down in June
This week's best deals: NVIDIA Shield TV, the Apple Watch and more
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook review: Great, until the battery runs out
The work-from-home gear you should actually buy
The Big Picture: See every square foot of asteroid Bennu, Earth's little frenemy
Dell's XPS 15 and 17 leak with sleek new designs
NASCAR driver 'rage quits' esports race
Stadia Pro is free for two months
