The Morning After: Google revealed a replacement for the Home speaker
And Canon has two new flagship cameras.
People are buying more PCs! The economy is back!
Not so fast. Multiple reports yesterday say PC shipments did indeed grow over the last quarter, but this is due to the recovery of factories hit early by COVID-19 and also the boom in working (living or studying) from home.
Unsurprisingly, that growth focused on mobile PC and laptops, but according to both IDC and Gartner, the boom is short term. IDC predicts the recession will be back with a vengeance for PCs.
— Mat
Canon announces two new flagship cameras
It’s ready to take the fight to Sony.
Canon has finally taken the wraps of the 45-megapixel, $3,899 EOS R5, the most impressive-looking mirrorless camera for video we’ve seen so far. As we already knew, it will shoot 8K 12-bit RAW video aided by a new in-body stabilization system and Canon’s class-leading Dual Pixel autofocus.
And then it followed it up with the 20.1-megapixel EOS R6. At $2,499, the R6 is everything we hoped the EOS R would be (and more) and a much better rival to the Sony A7 III, Nikon Z6 and Panasonic S1.
Confused by the idea that the R5 is ‘better’ than the R6? Canon is now lining up the names of its full-frame mirrorless cameras with its DSLRs, with the R5 flagship corresponding to its 5D-series DSLRs, and the R6 model matching its more budget-oriented 6D-series DSLRs. Both cameras are expected later this summer.
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Google reveals its new Nest smart speaker
It’s doubling down on the fabric aesthetic.
In 2016, Google’s Home smart speaker brought Cast features and Assistant to more places, and they haven’t stopped expanding. The company stopped selling its original speaker a few months ago and is preparing this new Nest-branded unit as a replacement. After images of it leaked from Japan’s version of the FCC, Google sent out a teaser image and sizzle reel to show the unit off properly. Now all we need is its real name and some specs.
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Apple's iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 public betas are available
And we go hands-on with iPadOS 14.
While the final versions of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 won't be available for a few months yet, Apple officially opened its public beta program for anyone who can't wait to see what all the fuss is about. iPhones as old as 2015's iPhone 6s and 6s Plus can install iOS 14, while any iPad newer than the nearly six-year-old iPad Air 2 can run iPadOS 14 — those interested can sign up right here.
Chris Velazco has already tried out the next version of Apple’s tablet software, testing out its unique approach to widgets and revamped search UI. Some changes impact Apple’s apps that more closely mirror their desktop counterparts, and there are several changes to the experience of using its Pencil, too.
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Here's 10 minutes of 'Paper Mario: The Origami King' gameplay
Get a taste of the basic moves and ring-based battles.
We’ve been waiting, and it’s almost here. The sixth main entry in the Paper Mario series, The Origami King is an RPG with large worlds to explore. Among the coin collecting and puzzle solving, battles commonly take place in an arena of concentric rings. Mario stands in the center while players rotate and slide the rings to line up the enemies for the most powerful attack. There’s a set number of ring moves players can make and a timer ticking down the entire strategizing session. It sounds more complicated than it is — so watch our 10-minute gameplay preview. And wait for July 17th.
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Logitech will discontinue and disable its Harmony Express remotes
The device only launched one year ago.
Harmony Express was meant to be a sleek, Alexa-enabled alternative to universal remotes with touch screens and cluttered programmable buttons. But Logitech says its “expectations were not met,” so it’s scrapping the device.
Logitech will officially discontinue Harmony Express on September 30th, at which time units in the field will no longer work. Customers who purchased the $250 remote can get a replacement Harmony Elite (still one of the best universal remotes) free of charge. They can also pursue a refund, but may need to show proof of purchase to get it.
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But wait, there’s more...
Dell's unveiled its XPS Desktop and ‘frost white’ XPS 15 laptop
iFixit takes the Oura smart ring apart to see how it works
The Paul Feig space comedy everybody missed will stream next month for free
GoPro turns your Hero 8 Black into a wide-angle webcam
OnePlus owners can claim an exclusive 'Fortnite' dance emote
Spirit Dot 2 and Spirit X2 review: Anker's impressive $80 earbuds
Chevrolet's 2021 Corvette has wireless CarPlay, Android Auto
Facial mocap comes to Unreal Engine via new iPhone app
