Archive for September 2018

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Accessories (15)

• FL Studio gets its own dedicated music-making hardware

  The favorite DAW (digital audio workstation) of producers like Metro Boomin and Mike Will Made It finally has a piece of hardware to call its own. Ableton got its first dedicated hardware controller way back in 2009. And Pro Tools has had them since... well honestly I don't even know, but long before that even. FL Studio though, despite its popularity, has had to make do with generic MIDI controllers until now. The Akai Professional Fire changes all of that.

  By Terrence O'Brien Read More

• Photokina marks a massive upheaval in the camera landscape

  Remember the days when Panasonic was dedicated to Micro Four Thirds cameras and Nikon and Canon wanted you to see their latest DSLRs? That was so last month. Over the last 35 days or so, Nikon launched a pair of mirrorless full-frame cameras, the Z6 and Z7, along with the all-new Z-Mount system. Canon then went and announced its full-frame EOS R mirrorless camera and RF mount. This week at Photokina, Panasonic, Sigma and Leica unveiled the L-Mount alliance and Pansonic announced the Lumix S1R and S1 full-frame mirrorless cameras. Sigma will reveal its own full-frame L-Mount model soon too. There hasn't been this much major camera news in ages, and camera fans -- who tend to be loyal to their preferred brands -- have a lot to digest. You can put much of the credit (or blame, if you hate mirrorless) on Sony's success with its A7 mirrorless full-frame lineup, but it's also clear that these models and alliances have been in the works for a long time. All of this is a good thing for buyers, once you sort out the pluses and minuses of all the new models, so let's take a look, shall we?

  By Steve Dent Read More

• HP's voice-controlled Tango printer can be disguised as a book

  Printers haven't really kept up with the times. Sure, you can print from your phone, but the devices aren't built for an always-connected world -- and let's be honest, more than a few of them are eyesores that can feel like '90s throwbacks. HP believes it can do better. Its newly unveiled Tango lets you print from wherever you are, and takes smart speaker commands from Alexa, Cortana and Google Assistant. If you'd like to print your calendar, you don't have to fire up an app or walk across the room. An Instant Ink service can automatically order new ink when you run low, too, potentially sparing you an unexpected trip to the office supply store.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Fujifilm's rotating lens projector adjusts to your viewing space

  If you need to adjust your projector to get a better picture or beam to a different part of the room, you don't have many choices -- you might only have slight adjustments to the lens itself, and might have to move the entire projector in some cases. And that's assuming you can move it at all. Fujifilm will soon have a solution, though, as it's developing the first projector with a two-axis rotatable lens. The design lets you not only fine-tune the placement, but dramatically change the direction without having to move the whole unit. You could project on the living room wall for movie night and switch to the ceiling when you're resting on the couch, or stuff a projector into a narrow space while maintaining a horizontal aspect ratio.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Sony is working on 12 new lenses for its Alpha mirrorless cameras

  Now that Canon and Nikon are eager to get a piece of the mirrorless camera market, Sony is letting it be known that it isn't slowing down its efforts in the space anytime soon. The company announced at Photokina 2018 that it has 12 new E-Mount lenses in its roadmap, which will increase the number of native glass for its Alpha shooters from 48 to 60. Just last week, Sony introduced the FE 24mm f/1.4 GM, a full-frame format lens priced at $1,400.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Logitech's latest media keyboard is designed for your smart TV

  There aren't many media keyboards devoted to smart TVs (they tend to be built for home theater PCs), but Logitech might have just given you another viable option. Its new K600 offers a compact keyboard-and-trackpad combo designed for modern smart TVs. You won't have to laboriously enter web addresses or search queries using just your remote. The K600 won't work with every model, but it covers popular LG, Samsung and Sony 4K sets from 2016 onward.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Epson's latest LCD projector does 4K for $2,000

  If you need another option for a 4K projector that won't completely break the bank, Epson recently introduced this Home Cinema 4010. Like the BenQ HT-2550 projector we reviewed earlier this year, it's doing a bit of trickery to hit that 4K-resolution number. While Epson uses three LCDs instead of DLP, it's still applying "pixel shifting" to the output of three 1080p microdisplays. I haven't seen this projector or its slightly pricier Pro Cinema 4050 sibling introduced at CEDIA, but in my experience, it's very difficult to tell apart from native 4K projector technology in practice.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Belkin's wireless charging dock handles your iPhone XS and Apple Watch

  While we wait to see if Apple's AirPower mat will ever make an appearance, owners of new iPhones and Apple Watches who want to charge both at the same time could consider this Belkin dock. The BOOST↑UP Wireless Charging Dock works with iPhone 8 and newer models (including the just-launched iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max) and all Apple Watches.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Razer's new headset frees your beautiful face while streaming games

  If you're into streaming games on the likes of Twitch, YouTube or Mixer and you'd like to showcase more of your beautiful face to your viewers, Razer's Ifrit headset might be worth your consideration. Instead of bulky over-ear headphones (which might mess up your magnificent mane too), it combines earbuds with a mounted "broadcaster-grade" condenser mic.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Loupedeck's photo-editing console now works for videos

  Loupedeck announced the follow-up to its original photo-editing console back in June, with all its refinements and ergonomic upgrades. Now, the company is also giving its features a big boost: it's rolling out an important software update that gives the device video-editing capabilities for the first time. Loupedeck+ is now compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro CC for video editing, and you can even create your own configurations based on your workflow.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• The crowdfunded Moto Mod keyboard is dead

  More than a few companies tried burying bad news during yesterday's Apple keynote. The latest to come to light is a tough blow for fans of physical keyboards: Livermorium announced that it's ending work on its Moto Mod keyboard. In an update on its IndieGogo page, the company writes that it can't scrounge up any interest in selling the accessory, largely due to the Moto Z being "extremely unpopular in most places."

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Plantronics' updated headphone lineup includes true wireless earbuds

  Plantronics has lately made a point of delivering solid wireless audio for relatively little cost, and that's particularly evident this year. It's releasing a refreshed headphone lineup that sees it both push into uncharted territory and lower prices. The centerpiece for the fitness crowd is the BackBeat Fit 3100 you see above. It promises true wireless listening with ear hooks that should keep the earbuds in place during a workout, with audio awareness that could keep you safe during an outdoor run. It's available now for $150.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Native Instruments’ latest performance controllers do beats on a budget

  If you're into digital DJing or music production, you'll be very familiar with Native Instruments. For disc jockeys, Traktor (software) in combination with the Kontrol S series of hardware is about as comprehensive as it gets. For tunesmiths, it's Maschine (production/performance) and Komplete (studio) -- both also a watertight combination of hardware and software, for whatever your preferred style of songwriting is.

  By James Trew Read More

• TP-Link's latest WiFi router is a gaming beast

  TP-Link has unveiled its most powerful gaming router yet, and it's jacked. The Archer C5400X features 1.8 GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU, three co-processors and 1 GB RAM to reach WiFi speeds up to 5400 Mbps over one 2.4 GHz (1000 Mbps) and two 5 GHz (2167 Mbps) bands. And it comes with three WiFi bands, eight Gigabit LAN ports and one Gigabit WAN port. In other words, it's a superfast monster. Eye-watering specs aside, look at it. Look at those antennae. This isn't a router you want to shove behind the TV. Get it at Amazon, Newegg, Fry's Electronics and Micro Center for $400.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Logitech's Crayon for iPad is available to everyone September 12th

  Logitech's Crayon was a dream for 2018 iPad owners who wanted stylus input without paying a premium for Apple's Pencil, but there was a catch: the schools-only focus ruled it out for anyone besides students. You won't be shut out for much longer, though, as Logitech is making the Crayon available through Apple's retail stores on September 12th. It won't be as much of a bargain, unfortunately -- it'll cost $70 for everyday users instead of the $50 for schools -- but it could be a better choice if that extra $30 for a Pencil seems unnecessary.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

AI (11)

• AI camera can spot guns and alert law enforcement

  Athena Security has developed a camera system that uses artificial intelligence and cloud technology to spot guns and alert authorities. The company says that because the system can recognize weapons and notify police quickly, casualties may be prevented in places where the system is implemented, such as schools or businesses. It has already been installed in Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Senate bill would boost AI adoption in federal government

  The US government is only dabbling in artificial intelligence at the moment. It might make a larger commitment before long, however. A bipartisan group of senators (Brian Schatz, Cory Gardner and Rob Portman) have introduced an AI in Government Act that would increase federal AI adoption by both including AI in data-related plans and supplying the resources to make those plans a reality. Thankfully, this isn't just a question of throwing money at the problem -- it would have multiple government organizations shift more attention to the emerging technology.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• DeepMind and Unity will work together on AI research

  Alphabet's DeepMind division is partnering with Unity to accelerate machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) research. The new collaboration will focus on "virtual environments" that DeepMind can use to test and visualize experimental algorithms. Otherwise, little is known about the partnership. Today's announcement is basically a broad agreement, or statement of intent, between the two companies. "I couldn't be more excited to be collaborating with Unity, creating virtual environments for developing and testing the kind of smart, flexible algorithms we need to tackle real-world problems," Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of DeepMind said in a press release light on detail.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• AI can identify objects based on verbal descriptions

  Modern speech recognition is clunky and often requires massive amounts of annotations and transcriptions to help understand what you're referencing. There might, however, be a more natural way: teaching the algorithms to recognize things much like you would a child. Scientists have devised a machine learning system that can identify objects in a scene based on their description. Point out a blue shirt in an image, for example, and it can highlight the clothing without any transcriptions involved.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• US lawmakers are concerned about deepfake technology

  Three US Representatives have sent a letter to the Director of National Intelligence asking for a report on deepfake technology, how it could be used to harm the US and any countermeasures that can be taken to detect and deter nefarious use of the technology. While deepfakes gained notoriety when Reddit users began swapping celebrity faces onto porn stars, the potential for the technology's use in misinformation campaigns has generated a fair amount of concern. "Forged videos, images or audio could be used to target individuals for blackmail or for other nefarious purposes," the lawmakers said in their letter.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• NVIDIA focuses on AI in the internet and for industries

  NVIDIA's graphics technology is useful for a lot more than just lining up pixels on gamer's monitors, and in a presentation at the GPU Technology Conference, CEO Jensen Huang revealed a few more layers of its plans. The Jetson AGX Xavier platform unveiled earlier this year for autonomy is rolling out, and now developers can order a Drive AGX Xavier devkit to test software for self-driving vehicles. Speaking of AGX, NVIDIA announced that several Japanese companies (FANUC, Komatsu, Musashi Seimitsu and Kawada Technologies) will integrate the Jetson technology into their autonomous robots.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Pentagon pledges $2 billion for AI research

  The US Department of Defense will put up to $2 billion towards artificial intelligence research over the next five years, the Washington Post reports. Steven Walker, director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), announced the plan today at a symposium outside of Washington, DC. He said the agency wants to look into "how machines can acquire human-like communication and reasoning capabilities" and will fund dozens of new research projects going forward.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Mira's AI-powered fertility monitor is now available for purchase (update)

  A company called Mira showed off its fertility monitor at CES earlier this year with the promise that it's much more accurate than the other digital trackers out there. Now, the technology is finally available for purchase worldwide. Mira's Fertility Starter kit comes with an AI-powered egg-shaped analyzer and 10 disposable test wands. Unlike the trackers that only tell you if you're ovulating or not, Mira tells you the quantity of Luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine, which means you can use it to determine your peak fertility days. You only have to pee on a wand and stick it into the monitor to get your results.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Lockheed's drone challenge: create an AI pilot that beats pro racers

  While autonomous drones exist, they're not usually what you'd call speedy when many skilled pilots could beat them in a race. Lockheed Martin and the Drone Racing League want to do better. They're launching an AlphaPilot Innovation Challenge that will encourage the public to develop drone AI that can not only race at high speeds, but win. Competitors will have to build an NVIDIA Jetson-based AI system that can swiftly move through the League's Artificial Intelligence Robot Racing circuit.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Researchers tap AI in fight against elephant poachers

  Cornell University's Elephant Listening Project is a research effort that tracks African forest elephants through acoustic recordings. Part of the project is geared toward conservation and tracking these elephant populations through the animals' calls helps researchers monitor their movements and, ideally, protect them from poachers. But the project generates seven terabytes of data every three months and it takes researchers up to 12 weeks to analyze the audio recordings they collect. That amount of time hampers any response to threats, but a new collaboration is using AI to analyze the data more quickly.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Recommended Reading: AI the music producer

  How AI-generated music is changing the way hits are made Dani Deahl, The Verge The rise of streaming services is one of many challenges the music industry is currently having to contend with. In the latest installment of its "The Future of Music" series, The Verge tackles another pressing issue: AI. This piece tells the story of Taryn Southern, an artist who used AI to co-produce her debut album.

  By Billy Steele Read More

Amazon (42)

• Amazon's new retail store only stocks items rated 4 stars and up

  Amazon isn't limiting its New York City retail openings to its checkout-free Go store. It's launching Amazon 4-star, a shop devoted solely to products in popular categories that are either rated four stars or higher, top sellers or "new and trending" on the Amazon website. You'll also see sections inside the store that focus on recommendations you usually see at the online store, including Most-Wished For, Frequently Bought Together and (of course) Amazon Exclusives. E-paper price tags will show you both the regular and discounted Prime pricing, and you'll even see cards that quote online reviews.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Alexa is down across the UK and parts of Europe

  Alexa appears to be down in the UK and parts of Europe with Twitter and Down Detector users reporting widespread disruptions with Amazon's digital assistant. The problem seems to have started at 8am local time (3AM Eastern) this morning and still hasn't been resolved. Engadget can confirm the issue having tried a few commands with an Echo, only for it to display a red ring and respond: "sorry I'm having trouble understanding right now please try again later." Others have noted that some Echo devices aren't working altogether. We've reached out to Amazon -- which is urging users on Twitter to restart their Echo speakers to no luck -- and will update this article with its response.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Amazon's NFL streams will feature an all-female commentary team

  When Amazon starts streaming its latest round of Thursday Night Football on September 27th, you'll have a few options for commentary -- including one that breaks new ground in the broadcasting industry. The internet behemoth has announced that it will include an option for all-female audio commentary from veteran sports journalists Andrea Kremer (at left) and Hannah Storm. It's the first time two women commentators will cover an entire NFL game, Amazon said. While it's easy to be cynical about the move, it's definitely big news if you want a break from the usual play calling.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon’s gadgets don’t have to be pretty so long as they’re cheap

  We've reached peak consumerism. At Amazon's event this week, it announced a whopping 70 new features and devices, including three new speakers, a revamped FireTV, an in-car dongle, an updated smart display and ... a microwave. The company is squeezing its Alexa assistant into every appliance imaginable, and doesn't care how the devices look, so long as you want to buy them. And at prices much lower than the competition, Amazon's products are especially compelling for those looking for decent, affordable solutions to short-term problems. You'll probably buy these things for your dorm or rental apartment, then try to sell them on Craigslist when you're ready for a permanent upgrade.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• If Amazon wants Alexa everywhere, it needs better language support

  I can't profess to fully understand all of the complexities of localizing services for various languages, nuances, accents and dialects where voice recognition is concerned. However, with Amazon's Alexa ambitions ramping up after its hardware event Thursday, it's worth questioning why the voice assistant's language support is so abysmal.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Amazon's new Echo lineup targets Google, Apple and Sonos

  It wouldn't be an Amazon event without a slew of new Echo devices, and this time is no different. The company announced not one, not two, but seven new Echo products at an event today in Seattle. Not only are there now new versions of the Echo Dot, the Echo Plus and the Echo Show, Amazon also introduced several new Echo companions that you can use to bring Alexa to every room in your house -- and even your car.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• For Amazon, better skills mean bigger ad revenue

  Amazon is improving its Alexa voice assistant with each new update, enabling more natural conversation patterns and upgrading the system's ability to understand complex or vague questions. All of this is great for people who are sick of screaming, "ALEXA," and repeating commands a dozen different ways before the device actually does what it's supposed to. However, these upgrades are also good for advertisers -- and, by association, Amazon.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Here's every Alexa device Amazon announced today

  Amazon caused a few gasps at its Alexa event Thursday when it revealed it had 70 things to announce. If that sounds like a lot to take in, fret not -- not all of those were hardware announcements. We've rounded up all of the Alexa-infused products Amazon showcased, including speakers, an in-car device and, um, a microwave?

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Amazon's Echo Auto puts Alexa in any car

  A growing number of cars have Alexa built-in, but what if yours doesn't? Amazon has its own solution: Echo Auto. The new peripheral uses your phone's cellular connection (through a Bluetooth link) to provide Alexa voice commands in vehicles where they normally wouldn't be an option. The device is ready as soon as you start your vehicle, and it now uses location-based routines to trigger events based on where you are. The lights can come on at home when you're about to pull into the driveway, as an example.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Fire TV Recast offers both DVR and streaming on the go

  At Amazon's launch event today in Seattle the company announced its first DVR called the Fire TV Recast. There's no cable TV tuner built-in, so the channels available will be the ones you can access with a connected over-the-air antenna (like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS or the CW). Also, since the Recast doesn't plug directly into a TV, you can place it anywhere in your house to get the best reception, which the app can also help you determine. It then beams your recorded shows or live TV anywhere through your home to an Echo Show, Fire tablet, mobile device (iOS or Android with the Fire TV app) or a Fire TV device. You can also take your recordings on-the-go with the Fire TV app.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Amazon's new Echo Show packs a larger display and improved audio

  Amazon's seemingly non-stop device announcements now include a revamp of its first smart display. The internet giant has unveiled a second-generation Echo Show that ditches the (frankly boring) look of the original in favor of a minimalist design with a much larger 10-inch display. And there's a good reason for that display -- the Echo Show offers web browsers (both Amazon's own Silk and Firefox) to help you watch YouTube and access other services that aren't built-in. It's also helpful for newly-added Skype video chat support, Vevo music videos and even live TV through new Hulu and NBC integrations as well as a just-introduced Fire TV Recast DVR peripheral.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The new Ring Stick Up Cam works with Ring Alarm security system

  Amazon is rolling out a bunch of new gadgets today, a few of which are focused on home security. Among those is a new Ring Stick Up Cam, which will come in both wired and battery-powered versions. It can be used indoors or outside, comes in black and white and will be able to work alongside the Ring Alarm security system when used indoors. These are the first cameras from Ring that are meant for indoor and outdoor use and they'll feature motion detection, 1080p HD resolution, night vision, two-way talk, a siren and a wide viewing angle. Users will be able to program them to start recording once Ring Alarm is triggered.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Alexa Guard makes your Echo a home security device

  Amazon got into the home security game this year, first by buying Ring and then through the launch of full home security packages. As part of its massive Alexa event today, the company is announcing a new security feature that anyone with an Alexa device can take advantage of. It's called "guard mode," and it can be activated whenever you tell Alexa that you've left your house. It's made up of a few smart alerts, specifically when your Echo (or other Alexa speaker) hears the sound of breaking glass or detects an alarm from a smoke or CO2 detector. In any of those cases, it'll record a clip of the sound and send it to your phone so you are aware of the alert.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• There's even an Alexa-enabled Amazon wall clock

  Amazon has grand plans to connect every single device in your home to the Alexa ecosystem. Today it expanded this reach to your walls with the Echo Wall Clock, which looks a lot like a standard analog clock, until you start some timers. The clock tracks any timers you've set via a series of LEDs around the rim, plus it automatically updates the time whenever Daylight Savings rears its sleep-stealing head.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• The AmazonBasics Microwave is powered by Alexa

  Amazon is continuing its quest to make as many of its own Alexa devices as possible, launching a slew of new gadgets and features at its event in Seattle today. One of the more unusual announcements is the new AmazonBasics microwave, which, predictably, you can control with Alexa.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• Amazon's smart plugs put Alexa in every power socket

  As if having access to Alexa on your phone and in your speakers or even car weren't enough, Amazon now has a way to put its digital assistant in literally every room of your house. At its press conference in Seattle on Thursday, Amazon unveiled its latest connected home product, Smart Plugs. These devices don't technically have Alexa on-board, but you can control them with Alexa through Echo speakers or your smartphone.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Amazon's Echo Input offers Alexa for your existing speakers

  The latest gadget Amazon is shoehorning Alexa into is an audio dongle called the Echo Input. The $34.99 media bridge has line inputs, Bluetooth and a far-field mic. Think of it like a combo Chromecast Audio and Google Home Mini, but without the speaker and sold by Amazon versus Google and you've got the basic gist.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Amazon's Echo Link is its answer to high-end audio

  While the Echo Dot's ability to plug into existing speakers is nice, it's not something fans of high-end audio would hook up to their home theatre. If you're the type of person that scoffs at the tiny sound coming out of the company's voice-powered speakers, Amazon is hoping to win over those audiophiles with two new devices: The Echo Link Amp and Echo Link.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Amazon's new Echo Plus has a better speaker and temperature sensor

  The rumors of a big Amazon hardware event were true, and we're getting a look at all the Alexa-focused devices the company is showing off for the upcoming holiday season. Even though it's only been a year since Amazon released the Echo Plus -- a more expensive version of its standard speaker with a smart hub built in -- the company is announcing a new version today. It still has the smart hub, but Amazon says it'll be a lot better for music playback, something that's been a theme throughout many of the announcements the company has made so far.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Amazon's Echo Sub adds some much-needed bass to its smart speakers

  The Echo is a fine enough smart speaker, but what it's lacking is any sort of oomph in terms of sound quality. That's why Amazon will release the Echo Sub this October. The diminutive bass-maker features 100W of power, a 6-inch downward firing woofer and will work when paired with either a lone Echo or a pair, for a true 2.1 stereo setup. The stereo pairing feature is brand new, as well. Prior, you could only group separate Echo devices together for multi-room listening. More than that, Amazon is opening up its multi-room API to third parties.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Amazon's new Echo Dot offers better sound at the same price

  As rumored, Amazon isn't playing around and it's getting ready to launch a slew of Alexa-powered devices. First up, it's a new Echo Dot, which the company says offers better sound than before and it's still only $50. According to Amazon, this Dot is 70 percent louder compared the previous model, thanks to a 1.6-inch driver that's designed to deliver more powerful sound with lower distortion and "enhanced" bass. It also comes with an upgraded appearance, featuring a fabric coat that makes it look more stylish than the existing plastic hockey puck.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Amazon's Alexa event will take place today at 1:00 PM ET

  For those who've been wondering just when Amazon's mysterious event is going to be, you need wait no longer. That day is today, and it'll take place in the company's Seattle headquarters at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT. We don't know too much about what will be unveiled just yet, but if it's anything like last year's event, chances are good that Alexa will be the prevailing theme.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Amazon Echo Sub and Smart Plug leak ahead of event

  You might just be looking at some of the Alexa-powered devices due to show at Amazon's rumored hardware event this month. Pocket-lint has spotted listings (since pulled) for the Echo Sub wireless subwoofer (above) and Smart Plug (below), both of which see Amazon venturing into unfamiliar territory. The Sub adds 100W of bass to an Echo or Echo Plus setup, whether it's one speaker or two -- yes, stereo pairing would also be new. It reportedly cost £75 (about $99) when it shipped on October 11th, which might be a small price to pay if your rap or trance isn't sufficiently room-shaking.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon could open 3,000 cashierless Go stores by 2021

  Amazon now has four of its Go stores up and running -- three in Seattle and one in Chicago -- with at least one on the way in New York. And while we've heard that there are plans for San Francisco as well, that apparently is just the beginning, because the company is considering plans to open as many as 3,000 of its cashierless stores by 2021, Bloomberg reports.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Amazon shopping test recommends products based on your likes

  Online stores have a common problem: you usually get recommendations based solely on what you've already seen or bought, which isn't much good if you don't know exactly what you're looking for. Amazon is testing a solution that might eliminate that indecisiveness. Its experimental Scout feature recommends products based on little more than like and dislike buttons below product images. If you give the thumbs-up to modern table lamps, you may be shown more cutting-edge designs and fewer vintage models.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon helps others make accessories for Echo speakers

  There aren't many Echo-oriented accessories beyond Amazon's own Echo Button, but that's about to change very shortly. Amazon has released a beta Alexa Gadgets Toolkit that lets hardware brands make Echo-focused Bluetooth accessories that respond to Alexa commands. You can have a cuckoo clock that responds to your Echo's wake word or a notification, a switch that releases dog food after an alarm, or a chime that sounds when time's up. A future update will even allow visual interaction with music -- it's easy to see a lamp that pulses in sync with Amazon Music tracks.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon might launch eight Alexa devices this fall

  Amazon is ready to drop a whole slew of new Alexa devices, CNBC reports. At least eight new devices including a microwave oven, an amplifier, a subwoofer and some sort of in-car gadget are reportedly set to be released before the end of the year. All of the devices will be Alexa-enabled while some will have the virtual assistant built in, according to people familiar with the matter.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Amazon’s Echo Show can use Getty Images to answer your questions

  This week, Getty Images announced a new partnership with Amazon that will allow the online retail giant to use images from Getty's vast image catalog on its Echo devices with a screen. While Alexa was previously able to deliver verbal answers to questions, such as "Who won the Best Actress Oscar this year," now the device will be able to show a picture to accompany the answer.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Amazon opens its next cashier-less store in Chicago

  Amazon's checkout-free convenience store is coming to the Windy City. The fourth Amazon Go location, and the first outside of Seattle, opens in Chicago on September 17th. Located on 113 S Franklin St, the store opens at 7am and closes at 8PM, Monday through Friday. Weekend warriors looking to experience the delights of Amazon Go are out of luck, however, as it's closed Saturday and Sunday.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Amazon looks into reports of staff leaking data to merchants

  Bribery in tech companies or in their supply chains is nothing new (there are numerous stories of factory workers leaking unannounced products), but Amazon is grappling with some particularly serious concerns. The company has confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that it's investigating reports of employees in the US and China leaking data to merchants on the site in return for bribes. The shady resellers have paid as much as $2,000 to obtain internal sales data and reviewers' email addresses (to persuade them to alter or remove harsh reviews). In some cases, the merchants have paid Amazon employees to delete negative reviews outright.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon's gamepad no longer works with newer Fire TVs

  If you were hoping to use your recent Fire TV as a game console, you might need to shop carefully. According to AFTVnews, Amazon has used an update to pull support for its official Game Controller from the third-generation Fire TV, and has listed the pendant Fire TV, Fire TV Edition smart TVs and the Fire TV Cube as incompatible with the peripheral despite working properly as of this writing. You'll need a second-generation or earlier Fire TV box or Stick if you want to keep playing with first-party hardware.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon will announce the home of its 'HQ2' this year

  We'll know where Amazon will build its second major headquarters before the year ends, company chief Jeff Bezos has revealed during a speech in Washington. The e-commerce giant is apparently almost ready to announce its pick from among the 20 candidates it's considering, and we won't be welcoming 2019 without knowing which city will share the company with Seattle.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Bezos family launches $2 billion philanthropy fund

  Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder who happens to be the richest person on the planet, has launched a philanthropic effort with an initial commitment of $2 billion. He and his wife MacKenzie will use the Day One Fund to build a "network of new, non-profit, tier-one preschools in low-income communities" and fund "existing non-profits that help homeless families."

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Amazon will sell full-size, live Christmas trees this holiday season

  During the holidays, you may turn to Amazon for hassle-free gift shopping or for some festive decorations, but this year you'll be able to get one more item to deck your home out for Christmas -- a full-size Christmas tree. Come November, Amazon will begin selling full-size trees, which will ship to customers within 10 days of being cut down, according to the Associated Press. The trees, which will include varieties like Douglas firs, Norfolk Island pines and Frasier firs, will be eligible for Prime free shipping.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Amazon Go competitor opens a cashierless store in San Francisco

  A startup called Standard Cognition hopes to steal some of Amazon's thunder by opening a cashierless store in San Francisco -- Amazon Go currently has three stores, all in the Seattle area. Standard Cognition's store is open to the public now, and it's the first real-world test for the company's retail ambitions.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Amazon's checkout-free Go store is heading to New York

  Amazon is getting ready to open an Amazon Go store in New York, The Information reports. Job listings for a new Amazon Go location popped up Thursday night and the company confirmed to The Information that it has plans for a store in the New York area. Amazon already has three of its cashierless stores up and running in Seattle -- the third opened earlier this week -- and it has plans to expand to Chicago and San Francisco as well.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Amazon poaches Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn for new fashion series

  Project Runway is set to return to its original network, Bravo, after 11 seasons on Lifetime, but when it does, it will be without stars Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. Instead, the two will be working on a new fashion-focused series for Amazon Prime Video. The duo will develop, produce and headline the series, according to Deadline.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Amazon adds Spanish options to its kid-friendly FreeTime Unlimited

  Amazon is expanding its kid-friendly FreeTime and FreeTime Unlimited features by adding Spanish-language media. FreeTime Unlimited is a subscription service starting at $3/month that includes a range of content for kids to enjoy, while parents can control what their youngsters can see and do.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Amazon's newest Fire HD 8 tablet offers always-on Alexa

  Amazon has offered truly hands-free Alexa on the Fire HD 10 tablet, but not its 8-inch counterpart -- you've had to wake it up first, which isn't much use when you're across the room. The company is taking care of that omission today with an updated Fire HD 8. The new model touts always-on Alexa that lets you bark commands even when the device is asleep, turning it into an impromptu Echo speaker. The battery life drops from last year's 12 hours to 10 hours as a result, a spokesperson told CNET, but you can turn off the always-available feature if that extra running time is valuable.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Bernie Sanders bill would tax Amazon and others over low wages

  Critics have frequently accused Amazon of underpaying warehouse employees to the point where staff must live on food stamps and other government subsidies, and there's now a Senate bill that puts some added weight behind that criticism. Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced the Stop Bad Employers by Zeroing Out Subsidies Act (aka the not-so-subtle Stop BEZOS Act), a measure that would place a 100 percent tax on the government assistance workers receive at companies with over 500 employees. If an Amazon staffer had to live in public housing, for instance, the internet giant would have to either foot the bill or pay the person well enough that they didn't need help.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon is the latest $1 trillion tech company

  Apple's status as the only public trillion-dollar company didn't last long. Amazon has been flirting with a $1 trillion market cap throughout trading on September 4th, passing the symbolic milestone in the morning. It reached the figure through a relatively recent surge, CNBC pointed out. While Apple reached $900 billion eight months earlier, Amazon's stock price has been climbing steadily throughout most of 2018 and has thrived since a record-setting Prime Day in July.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Amazon's new ad push will stretch from Twitch to its packaging

  For months there has been discussion about Amazon expanding its focus on internet advertising, whether it's through ad-supported video streaming, changes to Twitch or potentially on Alexa-connected smart devices. Now a New York Times article tracks analysts who are seeing pressure from the other end as companies increasingly make Amazon a part of their advertising plans.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

Apple (43)

• ITC judge denies Qualcomm's request, won't stop iPhone imports

  While the patent lawsuit battle between Qualcomm and Apple is far from over -- remember how long it took for things to get settled with Samsung? -- we do have an update. On Friday, U.S. International Trade Commission judge Thomas Pender found (PDF) that the iPhones violate one of Qualcomm's patents, but still refused to block imports of the devices. Their squabble is focused on Apple's use of Intel chips instead of those made or licensed by Qualcomm, and how they're being used in some iPhones. According to Pender, "statutory public interest factors" weighed into his decision against issuing a ban. Other judges will review the decision, but as Bloomberg explained, if this holds up it removes a tool Qualcomm could use as leverage for a possible settlement from Apple. Reuters quoted Qualcomm lawyer Don Rosenberg saying "It makes no sense to then allow infringement to continue by denying an import ban." Apple is glad its imports haven't been banned, while Intel's general counsel, Steve Rodgers published a blog post that said "(Qualcomm) publicly disparaged Intel's products – products created by the innovation and hard work of dedicated teams of scientists and engineers at Intel." We'll see everyone soon for the next round.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Apple wins appeal in $234 million patent infringement case

  Apple has won its attempt to have a patent infringement damages award against it reversed. In 2015, a jury found that Apple had infringed University of Wisconsin-Madison patents with some iPhone processors, and ordered the company to pay the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (which handles the university's patent licensing) $234 million. Last year, a judge increased that figure to $506 million after determining Apple continued to infringe the patent until it expired at the end of 2016.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Apple's purchase of Shazam is $400 million well spent

  At the tail-end of 2017, Apple announced that it was buying music discovery service Shazam for $400 million. Now that the deal has completed, the company has revealed that the platform will soon go ad-free. Even without the revenue that advertisements bring, it's likely that the purchase price will be a bargain if Apple can use Shazam to become king of streaming.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Qualcomm claims Apple stole trade secrets and sent them to Intel

  The ongoing dispute between Apple and Qualcomm continues as Qualcomm seeks to add new charges to a current lawsuit it's pursuing against Apple. CNBC reports that Qualcomm is now alleging that Apple stole "vast swaths" of trade secrets through their partnership and used that information to help Intel improve its chips. The company is looking to amend allegations made against Apple in a lawsuit filed last November.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Apple has completed its acquisition of music recognition app Shazam

  Back in December of 2017, Apple announced it would purchase the music discovery service Shazam. Now, that acquisition is complete, and it means that the Shazam app experience will soon be ad-free for all users.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Apple reportedly delays original shows over mature content

  Apple has skewed toward safer fare for its upcoming streaming video service (with occasional exceptions), and it now looks like that might be creating problems for a few shows. Wall Street Journal sources have claimed that Apple's push for more family-friendly material led it to replace the showrunner for the drama from Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, which (along with Witherspoon's scheduling issues) led to delays. Apple wanted a "more upbeat" production and didn't like some of the humor, according to the tipsters.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple pays off its $15.4 billion Irish tax bill

  The EU is to drop its litigation against Apple over its cosy tax relationship with Ireland now that the iPhone-maker has paid back 13.2 billion Euros ($15.4 billion) in back taxes, plus interest of 1.2 billion Euros ($1.4 billion). That sum is going in an escrow holding account pending Dublin and Apple's appeal against the ruling.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Don't be afraid to upgrade your old iPhone to iOS 12

  Apple was still selling 2015's iPhone 6s until last week. Then it announced three new phones and made the iPhone 7 its entry-level mobile device. There are likely tens of millions of iPhone 6s devices out there still, but last year's buggy iOS 11 update made the device, as well as other older iPhones, start showing their age. Fortunately, relief is here in the form of iOS 12. In years past, software updates on older devices were something to be wary of. But at WWDC this year, Apple said iOS 12 would deliver improved performance on devices as old as 2013's iPhone 5s. After spending the last day or so playing with iOS 12 on my iPhone 6s, I can say that Apple has definitely breathed new life into the device.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Making the most of iOS 12's Siri Shortcuts

  iOS 12 is here, and while many of the improvements focus on processing and performance, there are a few notable features you shouldn't ignore. Shortcuts is definitely one of the biggest -- not only will it use notifications to suggest actions you can take, such as returning a missed FaceTime call or turning on Do Not Disturb before a meeting on your calendar, but you can also use the brand new Shortcuts app to create your own customized Siri-based triggers for third-party apps.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Trump will reportedly spare Apple products from latest China tariffs (updated)

  If you were scrambling to buy the latest Apple Watch out of concern that Trump's next round of tariffs could lead to price hikes, you can likely relax. Bloomberg sources have claimed that the new tariffs don't affect a technology category that covers many of Apple's products, including the Watch, AirPods, the HomePod and Beats headphones. This is also likely to exempt comparable products from other companies, such as Fitbit's activity trackers and Sonos' speakers, but the scoop only mentioned Apple's by name.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple's iOS 12 is out today

  If you've been waiting with breathless anticipation for Apple to drop the latest version of iOS, your time is now. The company just released iOS 12, though like any iOS update, Apple's servers are currently slammed so it might be awhile before you're able to download and install it.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Apple iPhone Xs, Xs Max and Watch Series 4 pre-orders are open

  Snagging Apple's latest and greatest iPhone costs a bit more than it did in previous years, but some of you early adopters will surely be lined up to secure a device right away. As usual, preorders via Apple and the various wireless carriers will open shortly, at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET. Last year the OLED-screened iPhone X quickly sold through its predicted initial shipments, but one would expect that supply will be more predictable this year for iPhone Xs / Xs Max variants (ranging from $999 to $1,449, with shipments beginning in a week) -- if you're hoping for a $740+ iPhone Xr, that won't be ready to pre-order until October 19th, with shipments beginning on the 26th. Whether or not you're upgrading your handset right away, there's also a new wearable to consider, as the Apple Watch Series 4 arrives with the first big change in screen size since the device first appeared in 2015. It's thinner than ever, still available with its own LTE connection and is ready to take both health and fitness more seriously. It's $399 with just WiFi, and $499 with LTE, and like the Xs will start shipping on September 21st. If you're hoping to snag one of the devices, then Apple.com, or, (at least in the US) the websites for carriers like AT&T / Sprint (phone, watch) / T-Mobile / Verizon are good places to start. Apple's Store app can occasionally be more reliable for access, and naturally you'll want to check beforehand to make sure your payment and shipping information is up to date. Also, there's the Apple iPhone Upgrade program to consider -- with these new higher prices installment plans are more appealing than ever.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Apple raised the price of its best phone by $330, and no one cares

  The trend over the past few years is clear: iPhone sales are slowing down. Apple wasn't going to be able to achieve huge sales growth forever, and until the company makes inroads in India or strengthens its position in China, Apple is looking for other ways to keep revenue on the rise. Perhaps the most obvious way to do that is to raise the price of an iPhone -- and over the past two years, Apple has successfully made buying its latest and greatest phones significantly more expensive.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• The biggest announcements from Apple's iPhone Xs event

  As we all wake from the haze that follows an Apple event, we've collected together all the major announcements, new products and conspicuously absent devices that came from 2018's big iPhone briefing.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• The Morning After: Maximum iPhone excess

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Good morning! After Apple's big iPhone showcase, we've got a lot to tell you -- even if the party was a spoiled a little early. There are three new phones, a new Watch and a powerful new chip from Apple. Meanwhile, we're going to get all the details on Nintendo's online-gaming service very soon, and Google teams up with Samsung for the future of messaging.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Apple's AirPower wireless-charging mat is still MIA

  Apple unveiled its AirPower wireless-charging mat at its iPhone event last year, promising a way for those with multiple Apple devices to be able to wirelessly charge them all at the same time. The company showed how an iPhone, an Apple Watch and a set of AirPods could all be tossed onto the mat to charge simultaneously, noting that AirPower would be available sometime in 2018. But a year later we still don't have it, and today as Apple showed off its latest round of iPhones and the Apple Watch Series 4, there was not a single mention of AirPower. And the device has largely disappeared from the company's website.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Apple is happy to use women and people of color as art, not authority

  Apple's 2018 iPhone event opened with a black woman busting her ass to ensure a white man's success. The introductory video is a Mission Impossible-style short featuring a young woman racing across Cupertino campus to deliver a briefcase to Apple CEO Tim Cook, who's waiting calmly backstage before the event. She arrives out of breath, and he opens the briefcase. Inside is the clicker for the presentation; he picks it up with reverence while the woman asks, incredulously, "The clicker?" She then stands, panting, behind the curtain as Cook walks out to enjoy a raucous round of applause.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Watch Apple's 2018 iPhone event in 12 minutes

  Apple's annual iPhone event has come and gone, and yes, indeed, the company announced new iPhones. They are the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max, the latter of which has a supersize display of 6.5 inches across. Both of these are priced over $1,000 and promise to be the company's "most advanced" iPhones yet (but of course). Interestingly, Apple also unveiled the more budget-friendly iPhone Xr (though, if we're honest, it's not that cheap at all, at $750), which has lower specs but is available in a wider variety of colors. Watch enthusiasts, Apple hasn't forgotten you either, as there's also a brand-new Apple Watch Series 4, which promises to be make you even healthier than ever. Follow all the latest news from Apple's 2018 iPhone event here!

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Apple's iPhone event by the numbers

  Apple brought its A game to Cupertino on Wednesday for the annual September iPhone event. The company showed off its next flagship line of iPhone Xs... uh... eses as well as some fancy new Series 4 Apple Watches, a host of eco-friendly phone materials and some impressive advancements in performance.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Apple just killed the iPhone's headphone jack for good

  Whenever Apple announces new iPhones, it inevitably drops some older models from the lineup. But there's a bigger sea change than usual this time around, because Apple is no longer selling any phones with 3.5mm headphone jacks.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Apple's new iPhones won't include headphone adapters

  Apple really doesn't want you to use wired headphones. It has not only discontinued all iPhones with a headphone jack (the 6 and 6s were the last ones) but also now won't bundle in a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter like it did last year. That means you'll have to either use a pair of Bluetooth headphones for your music or use a pair of Lightning-connector earbuds. To those who do want to use their existing wired headphones, you'll have to cough up $9 for that headphone dongle, which you can still buy separately. I guess that's the cost of courage. Follow all the latest news from Apple's 2018 iPhone event here!

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Apple announces updated macOS Mojave is coming this fall

  The iPhone Xs, Xs Max, Xr and Apple Watch weren't the only new products that Apple showed off in Cupertino on Wednesday. The company also revealed an update to its desktop operating system with MacOS 10.14 Mojave, which will be available for download on Monday, September 24th.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Apple's new iPhone hardware will have more renewable materials

  Earlier this year, Apple announced that it is now globally powered by 100 percent renewable energy. At the iPhone event earlier today, the company reiterated its commitment to the environment and announced that even the materials to make its latest hardware will be recycled too. For example, the Logic Board on the latest iPhones is now made of recycled tin, and a significant portion of the cover glass frame is made from a bio-based plastic. Apple claims that despite being made of plastic, the frame is actually tougher. In general, Apple is transitioning away from traditional plastics to recycled ones. Last but not least, Apple also gave more information about its GiveBack program, where you can trade in your existing iPhone and get the value in return if it's deemed reusable. Follow all the latest news from Apple's 2018 iPhone event here!

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Apple's HomePod speaker will make and receive phone calls

  We haven't heard much about Apple's HomePod speaker since it added multi-room support in May, three months after it launched in the US. Up until then, the device hadn't received much flair due to the lack of features that other smart speakers have out of the box. But for those of you who already have one, there is some good news. Apple has announced that the HomePod will soon be able to make and receive phone calls as well as search music by lyrics -- something rival speakers, like the Google Home, have been able to do for some time.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• iOS 12 will fix your notifications September 17th

  iOS 12 will be released September 17th. After spending nearly half of June's WWDC keynote espousing the virtues of Memojis, Photo search and sharing, a half-hearted digital wellness initiative, and so much more, at the tail end of today's keynote Tim Cook announced that it won't be long before you can install the shiny new operating system on your cadre of Cupertino-designed devices. It's said that the software will improve the performance of your older Apple gadgets too (fingers crossed for my iPad Mini 3), with apps getting up to a 200 percent speed boost in launch speed.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Apple's A12 Bionic is the first 7-nanometer smartphone chip

  Apple's new iPhones come with a fresh chip called the A12 Bionic. The company says it's the industry's first 7-nanometer chip and contains 6.9 billion transistors. That statement is true, to an extent: It's the first chip that will be commercially available to the public. Last month, Huawei also announced a 7-nanometer chip called the Kirin 980. It will debut in the company's Mate 20 flagship and sub-brand Honor's Magic 2 sometime in the future. Both Apple and Huawei worked with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to develop their high-powered silicon, which is why the phones are debuting so close to each other.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Apple’s iPhone Xs and Xs Max are all about the display

  If you've been following the Apple rumors lately, the big news from today's event should come as no surprise. The new flagship iPhone Xs and Xs Max have just been announced, and so far they match up with everything that was rumored. The iPhone Xs sticks with the same notched, 5.8-inch OLED display found on last year's model, which the Xs Max steps up to a massive 6.5-inch panel. That panel also features what Phil Schiller says is the strongest smartphone glass ever made. CEO Tim Cook calls it "the most advanced iPhone we've ever created" -- no surprise there.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Apple’s watchOS 5 and its smarter Siri arrive on September 17th

  Apple has revealed when you'll be able to update your Apple Watch to watchOS 5. The latest version of the software will be available September 17th.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Apple is about to ship its 2 billionth iOS device

  Apple kicked off its fall event for iPhone and Apple Watch with a big statistic: The total number of iOS devices the company has shipped is about to reach 2 billion. The device giant had previously announced that it had topped a billion active devices, including Mac and Apple TVs, back in January 2016. Today's number simply includes all iPhones and iPads that have ever shipped, which is a different, but still impressive, stat. It still trails Android, which Google CEO Sundar Pichai claimed powered 2 billion active devices in July 2017.

  By David Lumb Read More

• Live from Apple's 2018 iPhone event!

  Hello! Happy iPhone Day! (And if you're here early, slow your roll!) Senior mobile editor Chris Velazco and I are reporting live from Cupertino, California, on Wednesday, where Apple is holding its "Gather Round" iPhone launch at the Steve Jobs Theater. Today we expect to see -- what else? -- iPhone. Three, to be exact: the XS, the larger XS Max and a smaller model that borrows many features from last year's iPhone X, while still coming in at a more reasonable price. Also on tap, apparently? The fourth-generation Apple Watch, predictably called the Series 4, which is said to sport a larger display. If it sounds like I'm talking about these unannounced products in an unusual level of detail, that's because these products have already been leaked to the press, with 9to5Mac even getting ahold of some elusive press shots. That said, there's still probably to be some surprises, including some wildcards like an updated iPad Pro, next-gen AirPods and the long-awaited AirPower wireless charging mat. What we're not expecting Tuesday: refreshed Macs or an updated iPhone SE. We're always ready to be surprised, though. Stay tuned at this link and follow along starting 10AM PT / 1PM ET as we report live from Apple Park. Follow all the latest news from Apple's 2018 iPhone event here!

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• A year without Apple's wireless-charging mat

  At Apple's iPhone event last year, the company announced its AirPower charging mat -- a device that promised a way to wirelessly charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods all at the same time. But 12 months later, Apple still hasn't delivered on that promise, and we've been left twiddling our thumbs and charging our Apple devices with cords like schmucks. Today you'll be able to follow our liveblog to see if our wait is finally over, but in the meantime, here are a few instances over the past year where the lack of AirPower was both glaring and egregious.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• How to watch Apple's 2018 iPhone event

  Like clockwork, Apple is gearing up to announce a slew of new products on September 12. And as usual, you'll be able to watch the proceedings live from wherever you're holed up right here at 1PM Eastern/10AM Pacific.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Apple website leak reveals iPhone XS, XS Max and Xr models

  Because it's always right up to the margin, another leak has revealed Apple's new iPhone lineup hours ahead of the big official reveal. Unfortunately for the company, the information has come from its own website. Allthings.now first spotted the phones in Apple's own XML files, and The Verge subsequently managed to unpick references to another model name, the iPhone Xr, inside the AppleCare section. The company has since pulled down the files, but Allthings.now held on to its copy of the XML.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Apple's iPhone event will be livestreamed on Twitter, too

  Don't feel like dusting off Safari or Edge tomorrow to watch Apple's next iPhone reveal? Well, for the first time ever, the event will be live-streamed on Twitter. The news first appeared as a sponsored Tweet from the hardware juggernaut yesterday, and TechCrunch confirmed it with the company. Tap the heart button on the tweet embedded below, and Apple promises you'll get updates as they happen.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Tune into our iPhone event liveblog on Wednesday at 1PM ET!

  Is it that time of year again? My, that was fast. We are already in the second week of September, which means Engadget and the rest of the tech press are about to converge on Apple Park to hear all about the next generation of iPhones. In addition to new handsets -- there are reportedly three on tap -- an updated Apple Watch is a sure bet. Unfortunately, some of the surprise has already been spoiled, thanks to a series of leaks that includes what appear to be authentic press shots. If those images (and the reports) are correct, we're looking at a 5.8-inch iPhone XS and a 6.5-inch iPhone XS Plus, both with OLED screens. There's also reportedly a 6.1-inch iPhone X lookalike that eschews some features (possibly the OLED panel) in favor of a lower price. As for the Series 4, that leaked press photo indicates a larger display. Other possibilities include new AirPods, an updated iPad Pro and the long-delayed AirPower wireless charging mat. Less likely this go-round: Macs and an update to the iPhone SE. My colleague Chris Velazco and I will be liveblogging on Wednesday from inside the Steve Jobs Theater on Apple's campus. Bookmark this link and tune in at or just before 1PM ET (10AM PT) -- we're sure to hear some surprises, those few leaks notwithstanding. Follow all the latest news from Apple's 2018 iPhone event here!

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• Apple's latest show acquisitions include an elephant documentary

  Apple's future streaming video service will have more to offer than a wave of dramas and comedies. The tech giant has bought rights to both the nature documentary The Elephant Queen as well as the animated movie Wolfwalkers. The documentary, from award winners Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble, has narration from 12 Years A Slave's Chiwetel Ejiofor and follows the story of a matriarchal elephant facing a dangerous journey when escaping a drought. Wolfwalkers, meanwhile, comes from Oscar nominee Tomm Moore and follows the story of a young hunter who learns to appreciate wolves after befriending a native girl.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Trump tells Apple to build more US plants in response to tariffs

  If Apple was hoping to elicit sympathy for the potential impact of US tariffs on product prices... well, it's not going to get any from the highest levels of government. In one of his characteristic weekend Twitter sprees, President Trump acknowledged that product prices might go up, but insisted that there would be an "easy solution:" make the products in the US. "Start building new plants now," Trump said.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple seeks major newspaper allies for its subscription bundle

  While rumors indicate Apple has bigger plans for its subscription bundle than just news, it has to start somewhere. In order to get that rolling, Recode reports it has opened discussions with the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post about signing on with its recently-purchased "Netflix of magazines" app, Texture. All three have business models offering subscriptions to their news as premium pay content so it's obvious why Apple would want to include them, but less clear about whether they're inclined to join. According to Recode, Texture pays out to publishers based on how much its customers use a particular title, while the subscriptions each paper has bring money in regardless of whether a customer reads any or all of their content. Apple may have relationships with publishers via their apps and selling subscriptions in its Apple News outlet, but figuring out a way to get content aligned with a new business model could be the first hurdle to becoming an even bigger player in all forms of media.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Apple yanks Alex Jones' InfoWars app

  After Alex Jones and InfoWars drew bans from Facebook, YouTube and Apple Podcasts over repeated violations of their conduct policies, fans of the network downloaded its apps to continue accessing the same content. Tonight Apple confirmed to BuzzFeed News that it has permanently banned InfoWars from the iOS App Store. Apple was not specific about what caused the move, simply referring to its guidelines about objectionable content in the store. Before Twitter finally banned Jones and his site yesterday, we listed a series of posts that violated its policies and had somehow not resulted in the accounts being removed. Despite whatever reason the app had avoided removal until now despite engaging in the kind of defamatory and discriminatory language explicitly banned, Jones' move to confront reporters and even Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey around the Senate building on Wednesday while livestreaming and posting appears to have been the beginning of the end. As of this writing, the InfoWars app is still available on Android via Google Play.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Apple: Proposed China tariffs will make Watch, AirPods more expensive

  Apple claims that proposed US tariffs on $200 billion of goods from China will make some of its products (including Apple Watch, HomePod, AirPods and Mac mini) more expensive. The company said in a letter to the US government, which sought public comments on the levies, that Apple Pencil, Magic Mouse and Trackpad and various leather covers and cases will be among the affected products.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Apple is creating an online portal for law enforcement data requests

  Apple and law enforcement have had a contentious relationship, frequently butting heads over what level of access Apple should provide officials when approached. The issue came into a rather public spotlight in 2016 when the FBI took Apple to court over its refusal to unlock an iPhone belonging to the San Bernardino shooter. But, in an effort to work with officials, Apple has provided training for law enforcement officers on what sorts of data are available from Apple and the legal processes for obtaining it. Now, it's expanding that program and developing an online portal through which officials can submit requests for data.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• European Commission approves Apple’s purchase of Shazam

  After launching an investigation into Apple's proposed acquisition of Shazam in April, the European Commission has cleared the deal. The EC looked into whether data obtained in the purchase would allow Apple to target its competitors' music streaming customers and if rivals, like Spotify, would be harmed if Apple chose to stop referring customers to them through Shazam. "After thoroughly analysing Shazam's user and music data, we found that their acquisition by Apple would not reduce competition in the digital music streaming market," Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Apple will repair defective iPhone 8 logic boards for free

  We haven't seen reports of widespread problems with the iPhone 8, but Apple revealed late Friday that it's opening a Logic Board Replacement Program. According to the company "a very small percentage" of phones sold between September 2017 and March 2018 -- the first six months they were on sale -- have a manufacturing defect that can lead to restarts, freezes or a failure to start. Of course, when you sell as many phones as Apple does, even a small percentage can add up very quickly, as we've seen with previous iPhone flaws like the "no service" iPhone 7 bug or iPhone 6 Plus "touch disease." This does not apply to the iPhone 8 Plus or any other model, and owners of devices purchased during that period can hit Apple's website to check if their device is impacted -- if it is, then Apple will replace the phone for free (FYI: physical damage like a cracked screen will need to be fixed first, and that could cost you). If you'd rather wait, then the replacement program will be in force for three years from the first retail sale of a device, and does not extend its warranty.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

Apps (36)

• MoviePass test reactivates accounts if users don't opt out

  Former MoviePass subscribers who thought they were able to evade the company's previous attempts at reactivating accounts without consent may want to check their emails. According to various social media posts on Twitter and Reddit, the beleaguered company has been sending out letters telling inactive users that their subscriptions will be restored unless they opt out of a test. The letters said the recipients had been chosen to be "part of a select test group" who can use their accounts to see one movie per day again starting on October 5th.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Google Podcasts rolls out Cast support for everyone

  When Google finally launched its dedicated Podcasts app for Android (an iOS version hasn't been released yet), we found it "pretty, but basic." The only way to turn around that reputation is to actually flesh out its list of features, and now that includes Google Cast support. With the button it's easier to tie in with Chromecast devices, Google Home or anything else supporting the protocol, and it's weird the app ever launched without it. 9to5Google notes that while it was available for some users earlier, it's widely available starting today, which Google confirmed to Engadget. It still might not match feature for feature with favorites like Pocket Casts, Stitcher or even Spotify, but for a free app it's in a better position to get the job done.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• SwiftKey for Android now offers real-time message translation

  Microsoft has brought its Translator to SwiftKey, allowing users to translate their conversations without having to leave the app they're in. With an update out today, SwiftKey for Android will translate incoming and outgoing messages in real time and it will be able to do so for over 60 languages. Additionally, while you won't need to install Microsoft Translator to be able to use the new SwiftKey feature, the company says translation will work offline if you do.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Oculus' mobile app now supports the Rift headset

  The Oculus mobile app is no longer just a companion to the Oculus Go -- an update to the app for Android and iOS has introduced Rift support that lets you manage your VR experience away from your PC. You can link up with friends, find events and shop the Oculus Store. This includes installing apps, too. If you want, you can start downloading a VR game while you're out at work so that it's ready to play by the time you're home.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Chrome 70 will let users decline linking web, browser sign-in

  Over the weekend professor and cryptographer Matthew Green noticed that in Chrome 69, signing into Google websites while using Chrome caused the browser to show him as signed in there as well. Concerned about the implications of tracking behavior across a browser session even though he had intentionally not signed into Chrome, he wrote about it. Google Chrome manager Adrienne Porter Felt explained that the change happened to remind users of who is signed in, and that it did not sync activity to the server under the Google profile unless additional steps were taken.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Leica's new app lets you control your camera with a smartphone

  We know Leica is planning to announce some cameras at Photokina 2018, but before it gets to that, the company has revealed a new app for owners of its current shooters. The Fotos application, which will work for iOS and Android when it launches, is going to let Leica users to control their camera remotely with a smartphone and do things like touch to focus.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Try macOS Mojave's Dark Mode on these apps

  It's been a few weeks since Apple announced that macOS Mojave would launch today -- in that time, many app developers have been at work getting their creations ready for the new OS. Probably one of the changes Mac users want to see first and foremost is support for Dark Mode. While it doesn't make any functional difference, it's a nice visual redesign that a lot of users might prefer to the older Mac UI. But apps that aren't updated stick out like a sore thumb -- so the faster key apps get updated, the better.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Slack buys and shuts down intelligent email app Astro

  Slack has acquired email app company Astro and it will be using the company's expertise to better incorporate email into Slack channels. The company said that with over 50 million channels created to date, they're increasingly becoming the platform through which teams collaborate. "But we all know that email is still a very important tool in business communication," said Slack. "We've taken some steps to make it possible to integrate email into Slack, but now we're in a position to make that interoperability much simpler and much, much more powerful."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Waze navigation is now available on Apple CarPlay

  If you're an iPhone owner in need of driving directions, you've probably had one thing on your mind since June: when will that version of Waze with CarPlay support show up? Thankfully, you don't have to wait any more -- it's here. Hot on the heels of a corresponding Google Maps upgrade, the Waze app can take advantage of your car's touchscreen to provide its crowdsourced approach to navigation. The experience will likely be familiar if you've used the Android Auto equivalent.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Deezer's AI mood detection could lead to smarter song playlists

  Astute listeners know that you can't gauge a song's mood solely through the instrumentation or the lyrics, but that's often what AI has been asked to do -- and that's not much help if you're trying to sift through millions of songs to find something melancholic or upbeat Thankfully, Deezer's researchers have found a way to make that AI consider the totality of a song before passing judgment. They've developed a deep learning system that gauges the emotion and intensity of a track by relying on a wide variety of data, not just a single factor like the lyrics.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Audible comes to the Apple Watch

  Apple's latest Watch Series 4 has enough power to free you from your phone, but apart from music, there aren't a ton of entertainment options. Now, Audible's audiobook app has come to the watchOS 5, letting you listen to books directly from your wrist. You just need to sync Audible titles from your iPhone to your Watch, connect it to a pair of Bluetooth headphones, then play and control the audiobooks with no need for an iPhone.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• The Morning After: Playing 'Angry Birds' in real life

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. It's time to give out some early impressions of Apple's latest Watch and find out what happens when Angry Birds meets the real world. Oh, and if you think buying tickets online just isn't fair, you're probably right.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Apple Music on Android Auto is available to everyone

  For those who'd rather diversify than remain loyal to one platform or brand, cross-platform support is a godsend. Apple Music, for instance, has finally rolled out an update that adds support for Android Auto, giving non-iPhone users a native in-car interface for the service. Cupertino first revealed the compatibility when it released a beta version of the music streaming service with Android Auto support back in August, but it was only available for those who sign up to be part of the app's beta testers.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Telegram's move to Swift on iOS promises a more battery-friendly app

  Since January, Telegram has operated two versions of its messaging app on Android and iOS: the original and an experimental one called Telegram X. The app was rewritten from scratch for X; it's built on Apple's Swift programming language on iOS and the Telegram Database Library development tool on Android. Telegram is now set to replace its original iOS app with the Swift version within the next couple of weeks.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Evernote cuts staff as user growth stalls

  Note-taking app Evernote has fallen on hard times of late, culminating in its latest spate of job cuts impacting 15 percent of its workforce (54 employees). CEO Chris O' Neil -- an ex-Googler who took the reins in 2015 -- announced the firings at an all-hands meeting earlier today, reports TechCrunch.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Greyhound joins the modern era with e-tickets on iPhones

  Intercity bus service Greyhound might not be the quickest way of getting around, but purchasing tickets is at least a bit faster now thanks to the new (and arguably well overdue) e-ticketing feature on its iOS app. Passengers can buy tickets directly through the app, then simply flash their device at the driver as they board the bus. Every aspect of a trip can be managed through the app, including check-in, updates and live departure times, plus member rewards. And if you're about to get on a long bus journey, chances are your phone's already juiced up, so you needn't worry about misplacing your info -- unlike Android users, who still have to wait for their update.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Google Maps works with Apple CarPlay following iOS 12 update

  We've known since WWDC in June that iOS 12 would herald the arrival of Google Maps on CarPlay. Apple released the latest version of the iPhone and iPad software Monday, and after Google updated its app to support CarPlay, you can now use that navigation option on your car's infotainment system.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Shopify offers iOS 12's AR features to its 600,000 stores

  iOS 12 made a lot of strides in terms of augmented reality, thanks to the addition of features like AR Quick Look. This allows users to place 3D objects using AR, and now ecommerce platform Shopify is taking advantage of the feature for everyday shoppers.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Firefox brings the thrills of web browsing to VR

  Mozilla's headset-focused web browser is finally ready for your cranium: Firefox Reality is available for HTC Vive, Oculus and Daydream devices through their respective stores. The software is designed from the start for AR and VR hardware, with an interface that revolves around pointer control and voice search. There's a virtual keyboard if you need it, but let's face it -- you'd probably go back to a regular screen if you wanted to type more than once in a blue Moon. And yes, Mozilla knows the flat web isn't so exciting in a headset. The home screen provides fast access to 3D content like Sketchfab models, so you won't be hurting for something to take advantage of AR and VR technology.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Osmo's coding kits for kids come to Amazon Fire tablets

  More than two years since its launch as an iOS exclusive, Osmo's kids' learning system is finally coming to Android by way of Amazon's Fire tablets. For the uninitiated, the kits use reflective AI tech, fitted to your slate's camera, to integrate physical objects into a digital environment. Using Lego-style blocks, tiles, and good ol' pen and paper, children can interact with the onscreen characters to complete objectives in an open-ended world. The more creative you get in the real-world, the bigger the digital rewards.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• The sequel to HQ Trivia is a Wheel of Fortune-style word game

  HQ Trivia hit our phone screens around a year ago, promising us sweet cash money in exchange for our general knowledge skills. Since then it's kept up momentum, partnering with big name franchises and leveraging a social network-like model, in a bid to prove it's not just a passing fad. Now it's expanding further with the launch of a new game, HQ Words.

  By Rachel England Read More

• iTunes headache is a reminder purchases might not travel with you

  Anders Gonçalves da Silva recently had three movies disappear from his iTunes library and a letter he received from Apple stated that it was because those titles were no longer available from the iTunes Store. Naturally, the response caused outrage at the idea that Apple can delete movies you've paid for just because the provider doesn't want them on iTunes any longer. But as CNET reports, it turns out da Silva's situation was a little more complicated than that and it's one that highlights the headaches digital content -- and the licensing rules that go along with it -- can cause for people moving to a new region.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Swedish regulator says contraceptive app works as advertised

  The Swedish Medical Products Agency has decided that Natural Cycles, the first app to be certified for contraceptive use, works like it says it does. It launched an investigation into the app after Stockholm's Södersjukhuset hospital reported that it caused 37 unwanted pregnancies. That number was taken from a study involving 668 women who went to the hospital seeking an abortion. Now, the Swedish MPA has closed its investigation after concluding that the rate of reported unplanned pregnancies among Natural Cycles users is in line with the typical use effectiveness rate of 93 percent, based on a study of over 22,000 women that the company conducted in 2017.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Gboard bug breaks glide typing for some Android users

  The glide typing feature of Google's Gboard isn't working for some Android users, with many reporting the issue on Reddit and Twitter over the last 24 hours. As 9to5Google reports, though users can still swipe the keyboard, the word results don't match up with the letters they glide typed. Google acknowledge the issue, telling 9to5Google, "We're aware of a bug that affects glide typing accuracy in Gboard. We're working on a fix." The company recommended that any user affected by the bug try force-quitting Gboard or rebooting their phone, which could fix the problem temporarily.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Chrome gains fingerprint authentication on Android and Mac

  Chrome's tenth birthday came and went, now it's back to the betas for the new look browser. Number 70 touts access to a device's fingerprint or Touch ID sensor for Mac and Android and "shape identification". The latter relies on three different APIs to detect faces (including the eyes, nose and mouth), barcodes (which decodes QR codes into strings), and Latin text in images across the web. Meanwhile, the Web Authentication API enables fingerprint ID on Mac and Android by default, which developers can use on websites as Two Factor Authentication (for example).

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Grammarly will fix your typos inside Google Docs

  Grammarly, the ultra-useful tool for checking your grammar while you type, is teaming up with Google Docs. The functionality has been in beta for the last month or so for Premium subscribers, and it's "gradually" rolling out to everyone who uses Grammarly for Chrome starting today. That's according to a blog post from the firm. As such, it'll only work if you have said extension installed and are using Google's browser. Curious if you've been granted access? Open up a Google Doc and look in the lower right for the red Grammarly logo.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• CareerBuilder is the latest to jump on the AR bandwagon

  How do you spice up a job-finding app when many of them effectively do the same thing? By adding a few buzzword-laden features, apparently. CareerBuilder has launched a revamped iOS app (Android is coming in the "months ahead") where the centerpiece is an augmented reality job search. Think of it as resurrecting Nokia's JobLens -- you're supposed to point your phone at buildings to discover positions (and importantly, salaries) in the world around you. We could see this coming in handy once in a blue Moon when you're just dying to know what people make in a posh-looking office, but you probably aren't going to find a new job wandering around like a lost tourist.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• eBay uses iPhone head tracking to help you shop hands-free

  Online shopping can be difficult if you don't have full use of your hands, since it frequently assumes that you can tap or click your way through a sale. eBay could make internet purchasing more accessible to just about anyone who can use a phone, though. It developed an open source project, HeadGaze, that uses head tracking on the iPhone X (and, we presume, future iPhones) to enable hands-free shopping. It uses Apple's ARKit framework to create a "virtual stylus" that follows your head movements. When you combine it with an interface designed for shopping, you just have to look at the right part of the screen to scroll, add items to your cart and check out.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Finally, an app for people who don’t know how to Google ‘salmon recipes’

  Imagine: You're trying to make do with whatever's left in your fridge or you've just found a choice (or cheap) cut of meat at the grocery store. You could just Google the ingredient(s) and see what recipes pop up, but that's low-tech thinking for simpler minds. Why not harness the power of machine learning, AI and other buzzwordy tech to do it for you? The new app PixFood promises to do just that: It recognizes a photo of a single ingredient and suggests recipes with step-by-step instructions for your culinary adventures!

  By David Lumb Read More

• Fender's music instruction app now includes bass lessons

  Fender has added bass lessons to its Fender Play platform, providing users with bite-sized exercises, a number of instructors to learn from and a slew of skills to master. Those working on developing their bass-playing abilities will have access to a concept glossary, can work from multiple camera angles including close-up finger placement shots and over-the-shoulder views, track their progress and choose which style they prefer -- like funk, rock, R&B, blues or pop.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Comcast's Xfinity Stream app is now available on select Samsung TVs

  Today, Xfinity announced that the Stream app, currently in beta, is now available on 2017 and 2018 model Samsung Smart TVs. This app allows Xfinity customers to watch live TV, on demand programming and recorded shows and movies from their DVRs.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Airbnb helps companies book team building exercises

  You're probably not a fan of corporate team building exercises or offsite meetings, but Airbnb might just make them livelier and easier to organize. The service is expanding its Airbnb for Work program to streamline bookings for company events and beyond. You can sign up for group Experiences that offer team building for a minimum of fuss -- if you think your staff will bond quickly in a sailing lesson, you won't have to sweat all the details. Airbnb will also highlight homes that are helpful for offsites, so you'll know if there's a collaboration-friendly workspace on hand without having to hunt around.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Skype's podcast-friendly call recording is now available

  The Skype team is acting on its promise to make life easier for podcasters and other content creators. Call recording is now available in the latest version of Skype except for Windows 10, which will see an upgrade in the "coming weeks." The clips you record will live in the cloud for 30 days -- you can forward them to others or save them for posterity.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Outlook's simplified redesign arrives in public preview

  Microsoft teased significant upgrades to Outlook as part of its big Office interface update, and they're finally here... in a manner of speaking. Outlook users on the web and Windows can start trying a public preview of a new experience that's simultaneously less overwhelming and more powerful. Most notably, you can use a simplified ribbon that includes the essentials while staying out of your way. You can expand it at any time if you need more, but you don't need that clutter if you're just handling common tasks.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• UE Boom app update removes Alexa support on Android

  You normally hear about companies adding Alexa support, but not so in this case -- the feature is going away for some users. An updated version of Ultimate Ears' Boom app for Android has removed Alexa control (not to mention alarms) for both UE Boom and Megaboom speakers, turning them into simple Bluetooth speakers. If you ask the company, it's a question of focus.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Skype drops Snapchat-like feature since people weren't using it

  Microsoft's about-face on Skype now extends to one of its not-so-subtle attempts to ride the social media bandwagon. As part of a broader app update, Microsoft has revealed that it's axing its Snapchat-like Highlights feature for mobile users in a bid to focus on core features like calls and chats. Simply put, people weren't using it -- the Stories-style posts "didn't resonate with a majority of users," the Skype team said. You'll have until September 30th to download your own Highlights if you want to preserve them for posterity.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

Big Tech (36)

• Elon Musk settles with SEC over fraud charge

  Elon Musk's SEC drama is over almost as soon as it begun -- the entrepreneur has settled with the SEC over the securities fraud charge for his tweets about taking Tesla private. He'll get to keep the CEO position and won't have to admit guilt, but he'll have to step down as Chairman and let an independent person take that position. He won't be eligible for that position for three years, the SEC said. Tesla will also have to appoint a total of two new directors, create a committee of independent directors and establish "additional controls and procedures" for Musk's communications. Both Musk and Tesla will pay $20 million each in penalties, all of which will go toward "harmed investors."

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Elon Musk reportedly backed out of SEC deal at the last second

  Yesterday, the SEC sued Elon Musk over his ill-thought August tweets about having "funding secured" to take Tesla private. (Spoiler alert: He didn't have funding secured and Tesla will remain public.) Now, CNBC reports that the SEC was very close to settling with Musk, but he backed out at the last second.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• The Morning After: The SEC sued Elon Musk

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. We'll wrap up this week with a look at some of the mirrorless cameras from Photokina 2018, plus in-depth looks at what we've seen over the last 20 years from Google. Also, there's some bad news waiting for Elon.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Government sues Elon Musk for tweeting about taking Tesla private

  The Securities Exchange Commission has filed a lawsuit against Tesla CEO Elon Musk in a Manhattan federal court on Thursday, as first reported by Bloomberg. The agency alleges that Musk's tweets in August about having "funding secured" for a potential bid to take the company private constitute fraud for being "false and misleading statements". What's more, the lawsuit seeks to ban Musk from serving as an officer of a public company.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• UK newspapers want big tech to pay for using their work

  In the face of plummeting profits, British newspapers are trying to squeeze compensation out of tech giants that are raking in billions of ad dollars off the back of their content. With the auspice of the newspaper industry's trade body, the News Media Association (NMA), local and national publishers are calling on the likes of Facebook and Google to pay an annual financial levy to fund journalism. They also want a financial regulator to put the legal onus on tech companies for the content on their platforms amid social media's ongoing fake news crisis (which could be implemented as soon as next year, according to The Guardian).

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Walmart will use blockchain to ensure the safety of leafy greens

  Walmart is anxious about the safety of its food following bacterial outbreaks for lettuce and other food, and it's hoping technology will set shoppers' minds at ease. It's telling its leafy green suppliers to use a blockchain system (designed with IBM's help) to track the shipments of their produce. The secure, distributed ledger will help trace the vegetables' path from the farm to the store, revealing the source of any potential outbreak in seconds instead of days. This isn't just for Walmart's internal benefit, either. Eventually, you could scan a bag and use the blockchain to find out where your spinach came from.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Comcast makes ‘sizable’ investment in Tile

  Comcast has made a significant investment in Tile, TechCrunch reports, and the two companies will work together on products and marketing going forward. Though numbers aren't being disclosed, someone with knowledge of the deal told TechCrunch the investment was "sizable." The deal follows a move earlier this year that made Tile's tracking technology accessible through Xfinity Home.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Airbnb hopes to give hosts a stake in the company

  If Airbnb has its way, hosting travelers won't just get you some spending money -- it'll get you a stake in the company's future. Axios has discovered that Airbnb sent a letter to the SEC asking for the regulator to permit offering equity to hosts. Airbnb primarily supported changes to Securities Act Rule 701 that would allow offering shares to gig economy workers, not just investors and staff. CEO Brian Chesky characterized it as vital to rewarding the company's supporters.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Bragi sues OnePlus in Europe for using the word 'Dash'

  Do you see much of a connection between smart earbuds and fast smartphone charging? No? Bragi would beg to differ. The audio company has sued OnePlus in the European Union for allegedly infringing on its trademark for the Dash. According to Bragi, OnePlus is purposefully sowing confusion with the Dash Charge feature in its phones, which sounds similar to the Dash Charger case that tops up Bragi's wireless earbuds.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Comcast to acquire Sky for $39 billion following bidding war

  The fierce bidding battle over Sky has come to a close -- Comcast has successfully outbid 21st Century Fox to acquire the UK media giant for $39 billion. It clinched the deal following an unusual blind auction through the UK's Takeover Panel, which helps moderate these large scale acquisitions. Comcast had led the bidding for months (including a $34 billion offer in August), but had to go through the Panel after neither side made a final offer.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• PayPal is the latest company to ban InfoWars

  InfoWars has been issued another ban, this time from PayPal. The company notified InfoWars on Thursday that it would no longer process the site's store transactions, giving InfoWars 10 days to find a new processor. PayPal said the site had violated its "acceptable use policy," according to InfoWars. The payment company confirmed the move to The Verge. "Our values are the foundation for the decision we made this week," said a spokesperson. "We undertook an extensive review of the InfoWars sites, and found instances that promoted hate or discriminatory intolerance against certain communities and religions, which run counter to our core value of inclusion."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• The Morning After: Amazon's Alexa-powered microwave, iOS 12 reviewed

  The Alexa-powered Amazon microwave you didn't ask for is here. The company's big hardware splurge encompasses your car, your kitchen and even your walls. There's upgraded Echo devices, too, if that's what you were looking for. Meanwhile, Apple's iOS 12 is an update worth your time, and life insurance companies are very interested in your step count.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Skype chats are coming to Alexa devices

  Aside from all of the Alexa-connected hardware, there's one more big development coming for Amazon's technology: integration with Skype. Microsoft and Amazon said that voice and video calls via the service will come to Alexa devices (including Microsoft's Xbox One) with calls that you can start and control just by voice. Last year the two companies announced plans to make Alexa and Cortana work together and it's taken a while to arrive, but now it's here. Amazon's push to make people buy more things via its assistant could provide a boost to Microsoft's aspirations of product integration in a way that didn't happen after the launch of the Xbox One and Kinect, which already featured voice control for Skype before Cortana and Alexa were on the scene.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Bing implements Google's fast-loading AMP tech

  If you're in the US and use Bing as your search engine on mobile, you might start coming across AMP's lightning bolt in the results page. While Microsoft already uses AMP in some of its apps, including Bing, it's only now that the search engine has started implementing Google's open-source technology for its search results within a browser. You can think of AMP as the solution Google conjured up to make web pages load faster on mobile, and it works with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera and UC Browser.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Alibaba will build its own AI chip to support self-driving cars

  Chinese internet giant Alibaba is doubling down on its chip manufacturing with a dedicated subsidiary, co-founder and chairman Jack Ma said at an event in Hangzhou this week. The company wants to launch its first self-developed AI inference chip in the second half of 2019, supporting its move into self-driving vehicles and smart products. The move follows the company's announcement back in April that it had begun testing its own autonomous vehicle technology.

  By Rachel England Read More

• British cave diver sues Elon Musk over 'pedo guy' comments

  Recently, Elon Musk doubled down on his claim that the British cave diver who helped rescue children trapped in a Thai cave was a pedophile, going so far as to tell BuzzFeed News, "I hope he fucking sues me." Well, it looks like Musk got his wish as Vernon Unsworth has filed a defamation suit against the Tesla CEO in a Los Angeles federal court. "Elon Musk falsely accused Vern Unsworth of being guilty of heinous crimes," Unsworth's lawyer said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. "Musk's influence and wealth cannot convert his lies into truth or protect him from accountability for his wrongdoing in a court of law."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Another tech billionaire turns media mogul

  Where Jeff Bezos goes, other tech billionaires follow. The latest titan to invest in print media is Salesforce founder Marc Benioff who, along with wife Lynne, is buying Time magazine. The pair are using $190 million from their personal fortune to buy the esteemed title from current owners, Meredith.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Why PayPal’s crackdown on ASMR creators should worry you

  In June, China banned and excised videos of sound effects while claiming to cleanse its internet of pornography. YouTube had already demonetized the genre in a sex panic; now PayPal is banning people for life and holding individuals' funds, ignorant of the facts and marching lockstep to the tune of 8chan trolls enacting a campaign to punish "whores." The most bitter punchline in all this? A tiny percentage of the entire video genre is even remotely sexual, and those suffering — female creators — aren't even making sex content.

  By Violet Blue Read More

• Walmart relaunches Jet.com with same-day grocery delivery in NYC

  Walmart purchased Jet.com back in 2016, a move likely aimed at helping the retailer compete with rival Amazon. Now, Walmart has relaunched the site with new features. Going forward, Jet.com will now cater more towards city dwellers, and the site's images and offered products will be tailored based on the customer's location. This localization is kicking off with New York City, but TechCrunch reports that it will roll out to more cities as well. Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC are up next.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Uber hopes a new font will symbolize its turnaround

  Uber has been through a lot since it booted Travis Kalanick: a new CEO, a new management team and an emphasis on doing things by the book (even if it proves costly). But how is it supposed to convey that it turned a corner besides ads? Through a new font, apparently. The ridesharing firm has unveiled a new look that revolves around a new typeface, Uber Move. It's unique, inspired by transportation fonts (think road signs and subways) and works in every country where Uber has a presence.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google and Samsung partner to take next-gen texting mainstream

  Google is teaming with what's arguably the biggest Android phone maker to help push its new text-messaging standard to the masses. "Working together, Google and Samsung will ensure that our messaging clients, Android Messages and Samsung Messages, work seamlessly with each company's RCS (Rich Communication Services) technology," Google's Sanaz Ahari writes in a blog post. The first evidence of the partnership will be found in Galaxy S8 handsets (including the S8+ and Note 8) and newer devices like the S9 lineup.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Verizon media chief Tim Armstrong is leaving the company

  Verizon (Engadget's parent company) folded AOL and Yahoo into the Oath brand as part of its plans to become a media powerhouse, but that's not quite how it panned out -- and it's leading to some changes in leadership. Oath chief Tim Armstrong is leaving the company by the end of 2018, with COO and President K. Guru Gowrappan effectively taking the reins on October 1st.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple and Google will testify to Senate on data privacy September 26th

  More tech companies are about to face congressional scrutiny. Leaders from Amazon, Apple, AT&T, Charter and Google are scheduled to testify before a US Senate panel at a data privacy hearing on September 26th. Senators will grill the companies on their existing approaches to privacy, how Congress can press for "clear privacy expectations" and how firms will adapt to stricter requirements like the European Union's GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Sony vows to use 100 percent renewable electricity by 2040

  Sony is the latest tech giant pledging to power its worldwide operations with 100 percent renewable energy. All of its 111 global business sites -- which produce everything from games consoles and semiconductors to Hollywood blockbusters -- will go green by 2040, says the company. Of course, that deadline is decades away, so in the interim it plans to reach at least 30 percent by 2030.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Apple Pay and Google Pay can buy you a Slurpee at 7-Eleven

  After years of holding out, 7-Eleven is finally ready to embrace tap-to-pay in earnest. The convenience store chain has followed through on earlier teasers by supporting Apple Pay and Google Pay at its US stores. "Most" American locations will support both formats by the end of September, and the company told Engadget that it technically started the rollout in August. You could already use Samsung Pay, but this expands the audience to virtually anyone craving a late-night snack.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• HP’s Metal Jet could be a huge leap for commercial 3D printing

  Just a few years after launching its Multi Jet Fusion 3D printer, HP is ready to get into the world of 3D metal printing with Metal Jet, a new commercial platform. (Did you expect it to be called anything else?) While the consumer buzz around 3D printing seems to be cooling off, it's still a useful technology for large-scale manufacturing — especially when it comes to metallic components. The usual benefits of 3D printing still apply: It can be both significantly faster and cheaper than traditional methods.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• China's richest man Jack Ma will retire on Monday (updated)

  In an interview with the New York Times Jack Ma revealed his plan to step down as executive chairman of Alibaba -- often referred to as China's Amazon -- on Monday. He co-founded the Chinese internet retailer in 1999 and built it into an empire currently worth $420 billion and making the former English teacher China's richest man worth about $40 billion. According to the paper current CEO Daniel Zhang is a "candidate" to replace Ma, who plans to pursue philanthropy in education. Monday is his 54th birthday, and the Chinese holiday Teacher's Day, making the announcement particularly timely.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Justice Department antitrust head says big tech isn’t necessarily bad

  Earlier this week, after Facebook and Twitter executives testified before Congress about misinformation, election meddling and content monitoring, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced he would be meeting with state AGs about social networks "intentionally stifling the free exchange of ideas." The talks will also address concerns over anti-competitiveness among big tech companies. But now, Makan Delrahim, the Justice Department's antitrust division head, has put those competition concerns into some context.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• The US government comes for Google, Facebook, and Twitter

  Facebook, Twitter, and Google were threatened by lawmakers from three distinct quarters on Wednesday. A leaked email from the largest US telecom lobbying group tells us where this is headed. One threat came during testimony from Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter's Jack Dorsey to Congress when Senator Mark Warner told the pair of executives that "Congress is going to have to take action here. The era of the Wild West in social media is coming to an end."

  By Violet Blue Read More

• IBM used NYPD surveillance cameras to develop facial recognition tech

  It's not a secret that the NYPD has been using facial recognition tech, though the details of the program have been kept under wraps. Now, The Intercept has learned that IBM developed the technology for the NYPD using police camera footage. The fact that the company had access to these thousands of images of New Yorkers, taken from fewer than 50 of 512 total cameras, was not made public previously. Using these secret images, IBM was able to create a program that searches camera footage by identifiers such as clothing color, hair color, facial hair and skin tone.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Uber gives drivers emergency button and conceals passenger locations

  Uber has added more safety features for passengers and drivers in the last few months, like alerts for trusted contacts and a button to quickly contact emergency services. Today, the company unveiled a roadmap for additional features -- some they're implementing now and others they expect to roll into the platform in the future, from checking in on rides with strange activity to adding voice commands for drivers.

  By David Lumb Read More

• eBay now verifies the authenticity of luxury watch sales

  eBay's Authenticate program now covers more than high-style handbags. The online shopping giant now verifies the authenticity of luxury watch sales from more than 30 luxury brands, including Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Patek Philippe and Rolex. Sellers who pass muster will receive an "authenticity verified" badge that makes clear the watches they sell are the real deal. That's rather important when watches like Audemars' Royal Oak or Patek's Nautilus can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• What to expect when Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testifies to Congress

  Nearly five months after Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified before Congress, it is now turn for Twitter boss Jack Dorsey to do the same. On September 5th, he will take the witness stand twice on Capitol Hill, first in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee and then the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Dorsey will be alongside Facebook's chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg for the Intel Committee's "Foreign Influence Operations' Use of Social Media Platforms" hearing, followed by a solo appearance in the Energy and Commerce Committee's own, entitled "Twitter: Transparency and Accountability."

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• eBay will sell sports apparel and memorabilia on ESPN.com

  ESPN and eBay are teaming up to make the latter's sports equipment, apparel and memorabilia accessible through ESPN.com. Details about how this partnership will be implemented are slim at the moment, but ESPN says this new shopping experience will be delivered through "contextually integrated shopping modules" on web and mobile versions of ESPN.com. Whatever those vague "modules" end up being, the aim is to make eBay's trove of officially licensed products easier to find and shop when fans are browsing ESPN's website.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Watch tomorrow's Jack Dorsey congressional hearings right here

  Another round of social media congressional hearings is upon us. This time, it's Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's turn, who will be testifying alongside Facebook's Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg before the Senate Intelligence Committee on September 5th. But that hearing, which will focus on foreign election interference, won't be the only one of the day for Dorsey. He's also set to testify alone in a hearing from the House Energy and Commerce Committee entitled "Twitter: Transparency and Accountability." There, he'll be asked questions about how the company's algorithms work to filter out abuse, as well as its decision-making process when it blocks certain content (and accounts) from appearing on its site.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• US police arrest China shopping giant's CEO over misconduct claims

  Richard Liu, the CEO of Chinese internet shopping behemoth JD.com, is facing scrutiny after Minneapolis police arrested and temporarily detained him this weekend over sexual misconduct allegations. Officers took him in late on August 31st and released him without bail on September 1st after determining it could conduct a "fair and thorough investigation" without the executive in custody, according to Minneapolis Police Department information officer John Elder.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

Buying Guides (4)

• The new mirrorless cameras you can buy soon

  Photokina 2018 has been great for camera fans, particularly those who love mirrorless shooters. At the event in Cologne, Germany, we saw a few new models from big players like Fujifilm and Panasonic -- some medium format, others full frame. Whatever system you prefer, there's no doubt you won't have any shortage of options if you're looking to buy a mirrorless camera in the near future. There already plenty of great ones in stores right now, such as Sony's A7 III, but Photokina brought us more mirrorless cameras to look forward to. Let's take a look at the best of them.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• How to buy a turntable

  So you want to start collecting vinyl. Great! Record sales have been steadily climbing, and in March, physical music outsold downloads for the first time in six years. You might've even started buying vinyl already to get in on the action. But given how long the format has been around, picking out a turntable can be as daunting as building a home HiFi system to connect it to. It doesn't have to be. You can spend anywhere from $60 on a Crosley all-in-one at Target to more than $3,000 for an audiophile-grade deck, with plenty of options in between. But what's the difference between a budget turntable and something that costs more than a few months' rent? And do you really need to spend that much? What are the features you shouldn't go without? Let us give you a hand.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• The Morning After: The best Roomba yet and Stop BEZOS

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Now that yesterday's very important social media testimony for Congress is over, we're taking a look at what everyone has learned. Also, there's a nearly perfect Roomba, and we've reviewed Samsung's new Galaxy Watch.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• What we're buying: A potent audio sampler that fits in your pocket

  This week, Managing Editor Terrence O'Brien is obsessed with a new sampler that he can take anywhere. It's got its quirks, but that's apparently part of the appeal.

  By Engadget Read More

Computing (10)

• Intel admits 'tight' supply for cheap PC chips, focuses on high-end

  In an open letter, interim Intel CEO Bob Swan admitted the company's supply of CPUs for the "entry level" PC market is "undoubtedly tight," so if you have trouble finding a cheap laptop for the holiday season then you know why. Between consumers upgrading their PCs, gaming and commercial systems he said Intel expects "modest" growth in PC shipments, while it will focus on delivering higher-end Xeon and Core CPUs. We'll see if this creates an opportunity for competitors like AMD and Qualcomm, especially as they bring laptops to market with longer-than-ever battery life. To help improve supply, Intel is investing $1 billion on current 14nm production lines in in Oregon, Arizona, Ireland and Israel. As far as its repeatedly-delayed "Cannon Lake" 10nm CPU technology that saw a limited debut earlier this year, the CEO said "yields are improving" and that the company expects to have volume production at some point in 2019.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• ARM's latest chip is its first one built for self-driving cars

  Efforts to develop fully autonomous self-driving cars have continued to close the gap over the past few years, and now ARM has unveiled its first chip designed specifically for the task. The company's technology already powers many mobile devices, IoT and is in cars today, but this Cortex-A76AE (Automotive Enhanced) chip combines the high power and efficiency we're used to in smartphones with "Split-Lock" tech focus on safety.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• macOS Mojave is now available for download

  If you've been waiting (im)patiently for MacOS 10.14, better known as Mojave, then this is your day. You can now download and install the new operating system on your compatible Mac system.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• macOS Mojave is out today. Here’s what to expect.

  While Apple didn't talk much about Macs at its big iPhone event two weeks ago, we did learn that macOS Mojave would be released on September 24th. Well, here we are. I've been testing a final build of Mojave for the past week or so, and while it's not radically different from what we detailed in our extensive preview three months ago, it's worth highlighting what you can expect when you update your computer today.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Chrome OS revamp delivers a new look and Linux app support

  Now that the Chrome browser has received a makeover, it's Chrome OS' turn... and it's about more than just feature parity. Google has released a Chrome OS 69 update that introduces the updated Material Design visuals alongside a few features that could make your Chromebook decidedly more enticing. Most notably, there's now support for running Linux apps. You'll need a supported machine (a handful of machines from Acer, ASUS, HP, Lenovo, Samsung and Google itself). Still, this could be more than a little helpful if you want to run a conventional desktop app or command line terminal without switching to another PC or a virtual environment.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NVIDIA's new flagship video card is delayed by a week

  Many people have been waiting in eager anticipation for NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, the video card that promises to be the fastest GeForce card ever. Now, it appears that those clamoring to buy it will have to wait a little longer. NVIDIA announced on its forums that the general availability date of the video card will be delayed by one week, to September 27th. Pre-orders are expected to arrive between September 20th and 27th. There is no change to availability for the GeForce RTX 2080. The change in dates was first spotted by Tech Report.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Blackmagic's RAW video codec marries quality and speed

  Following in the footsteps of Apple's ProRes RAW, Blackmagic Design has launched its own RAW video codec into a public beta. Blackmagic RAW "combines the quality and benefits of RAW with the ease of use, speed and file sizes of traditional video formats," the company says. It arrives today on Blackmagic's URSA Mini Pro cameras (in beta) and DaVince Resolve 15.1, and developers can grab the SDK for macOS, Windows and Linux.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Kano adds a touchscreen to its complete DIY computer kit

  Twelve months ago, Kano unveiled a complete build-it-yourself computer kit powered by Raspberry Pi. It looked the part but ignored the fact that most children love tablets, smartphones, and other devices with a touchscreen display. Now, the company is launching an updated version that swaps the standard 10.1-inch screen for a touch-friendly version. That means you can swipe around the company's custom operating system and take care of programming challenges with your finger. It's called, unsurprisingly, the Computer Kit Touch and is available today for $279.99 through Kano.me and a bunch of online and bricks-and-mortar retailers.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Windows 10 Preview highlights its 'silent' storage assistant

  Ahead of its Windows 10 October update, Microsoft is giving Insiders the jump on Storage Sense: a "silent assistant" that automatically frees up disk space by shifting older, unused, local files online.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Sharp's 8K satellite receiver is ready for broadcasts to start in Japan

  As we learned during IFA last month, the 8K hype train is here whether we're ready or not. In Japan everything is timed to coincide with the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, and as such broadcaster NHK is planning to kick off hybrid 4K/8K broadcasts beginning December 1st. Assuming you have access to an 8K TV or projector, you'll need a box to actually catch and process the Super Hi-Vision video signal, and fortunately Sharp has one ready to connect to its 8K TV that has been on sale since 2017.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

Cybersecurity (54)

• Telegram desktop app leaked internet addresses when starting calls

  Telegram has a reputation for privacy and security (much to the chagrin of some governments), but it's not immune to gaffes. Security researcher Dhiraj Mishra discovered that Telegram's desktop app was leaking both public and private IP addresses during voice calls due to its peer-to-peer framework. Where mobile users could turn off peer-to-peer calls and keep their information secret, you had no choice but use the technology on the desktop. That could open you to attacks or disclose your location regardless of how careful you might otherwise be.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• EU now recognizes digital IDs across borders

  If you're a European Union citizen, it just became that much easier to prove your identity -- wherever you happen to be in the region. The EU now officially supports cross-border recognition for digital IDs, making your virtual driver's license or bank card useful in any member state so long as it's notified according to EU rules. Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain have already finished the notification process. Croatia and Estonia are next in line, while Belgium, Portugal and the UK (yes, despite everything) are in the early stages.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• California's new laws bolster security for connected devices

  California just raised the baseline for security in the Internet of Things... to a degree. Governor Jerry Brown has signed very similar Assembly and Senate bills that require hardware makers to include "reasonable" security measures for connected devices. All gadgets will require at least some kind of protection against unauthorized data access. If they connect to the internet, they'll require either a preset password "unique to each device manufactured" or else the ability to generate a new authentication method (such as a custom password) on initial setup. You shouldn't see hackers compromise legions of security cameras or routers simply because they're using the same default password.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• App flaw let anyone access UK Conservative politicians' data

  The UK Conservative party is learning a hard lesson about the importance of basic security measures in mobile apps. Users have discovered that you could log into the party's conference app using only an attendee's email address, providing access to all kinds of sensitive data. And when many of the conference participants are politicians who registered with their email addresses at Parliament... you can guess what happened next.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The Morning After: Facebook got hacked

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Welcome to your weekend! We'll look into Facebook's unfortunate exposure, Photokina, Oculus Connect and other big events from this week like Google's 20th birthday.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Senator calls for investigation into Facebook’s latest breach

  Facebook revealed today that it was hit with a data breach that affected 50 million users, and now Senator Mark Warner has called the incident "deeply concerning." In a statement released shortly after the reports surfaced, Warner said, "A full investigation should be swiftly conducted and made public so that we can understand more about what happened."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Facebook hack exposed info on up to 50 million users

  Facebook announced on Friday that it has suffered a data breach affecting up to 50 million users. According to a report from the New York Times, Facebook discovered the attack on Tuesday and have contacted the FBI. The exploit reportedly enables attackers to take over control of accounts so, as a precaution, the social network has automatically logged out more than 90 million potentially compromised accounts.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• ATM 'jackpotter' sentenced to year in US prison

  One of the men involved in an ATM jackpotting scheme in January this year is already facing punishment. A district court in Connecticut has sentenced Argenys Rodriguez to just over a year in prison, plus two years of supervised release and $121,355 in restitution, for collaborating on hacks that slipped malware into bank machines and forced the devices to spit out their cash. Rodriguez had pleaded guilty to bank fraud in June and will start his sentence on November 26th.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Hacker says he'll livestream deletion of Zuckerberg's Facebook page (updated)

  A white-hat hacker briefly promised to livestream his bid to hack into Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook account on Sunday, September 30th). "Broadcasting the deletion of Facebook founder Zuck's account," Chang Chi-yuan told his 26,000-plus followers on the social network, adding: "Scheduled to go live." By Friday afternoon, the stream had been cancelled.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Voting machines are still plagued with vulnerabilities as midterms loom

  The Def Con Voting Village, which for two years in a row has let conference attendees try their hand at breaching voting machines, has released the report on this year's event. More than 30 voting machines and other pieces of election equipment were available this year and many of them are still used throughout the US. Troublingly, attendees uncovered multiple vulnerabilities, the number and severity of which the report described as "staggering." "What these vulnerabilities in this report and warnings from national security leaders tell us is that this is a severe national security threat," said Voting Village co-organizer Jake Braun.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Teen Apple hacker avoids prison in Australia

  The teenage hacker who pleaded guilty to infiltrating Apple's computer systems and stealing sensitive data won't have to serve time. While he's now an adult, he was 16 when he first hacked the company by exploiting a virtual private network used by authorized personnel between June 2015 and November 2016. He was locked out of the system in November but was able to get through again in April 2017.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• FCC seeks $37.5 million fine on firm that spoofed consumer numbers

  The FCC is looking to fine an Arizona-based company $37.5 million for making spoofed telemarketing calls. The company, Affordable Enterprises of Arizona, made more than 2.3 million calls over the course of 14 months, often masking its own number with those of consumers in the area. The FCC says this is the first major action taken against a company involved in such a practice. While the commission has issued robocall fines before, in those cases, the numbers spoofed were often ones not currently in use.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Uber will pay $148 million for 2016 data breach coverup

  Last year, reports surfaced that Uber had been hit with a data breach, but instead of reporting it to the government or to those affected, it chose to cover it up. Now, the company will pay $148 million as part of a settlement, and the money will be disbursed between each US state and Washington, DC. After the hack and Uber's response to it became public, a number of states launched investigations into the incident while others filed lawsuits.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Former NSA staffer will go to prison for taking top secret documents home

  A former NSA employee with links to the Kaspersky saga has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for illegally taking classified information from the spy agency. Nghia Hoang Pho -- a 68-year-old naturalised US citizen from Vietnam who worked in the NSA's elite hacking unit -- had been amassing "troves" of data at his home between 2010 and March 2015, when he was caught, said the Department of Justice (DOJ). After pleading guilty last December, a judge today handed down his sentence, including three years of supervised release after his prison stint.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Trump administration suggests firmer controls on data privacy

  The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has laid out the Trump administration's approach to bolstering data privacy. The agency is seeking to strike a balance between increased consumer protection and affording companies room to innovate with its proposals, which could lead to a US version of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (better known as GDPR).

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Face scanning in US airports is rife with technical problems

  If you've had misgivings about the effectiveness of Homeland Security's airport face scanning (let alone the privacy implications), you're not alone. The department's Inspector General has issued a report warning that the scanning system is struggling with "technical and operational challenges." Customs and Border Protection could only use the technology with 85 percent of passengers due to staff shortages, network problems and hastened boarding times during flight delays. The system did catch 1,300 people overstaying their allowed time in the US, but it might have caught more -- and there were problems "consistently" matching people from specific age groups and countries.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Firefox Monitor will tell you when your passwords are compromised

  After a few months of testing, Mozilla has launched its free Firefox Monitor service that notifies users when their credentials are stolen as part of a data breach. The website, which is essentially an external interface to Troy Hunt's Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) database, also allows users to sign up for notifications in case their email addresses are found in future breaches.

  By Andrii Degeler Read More

• YubiKey 5’s FIDO2 support will help you ditch passwords entirely

  If you're looking to ditch passwords altogether, then Yubico has some good news for you. The company touts its new YubiKey 5 series as the first to support FIDO2, a standard that allows you to lose passwords entirely. It's been recently supported by Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Lockly's smart locks promise better security through algorithms

  Lockly thinks it has what it takes to stand out in the nascent smart lock market. Its latest model, the Secure Plus, uses a 3D fingerprint sensor combined with proprietary algorithm-based passcode tech which, together, supposedly makes the setup "virtually impenetrable," according to the company. The lock is available in deadbolt and latch-style configurations and you can still use a physical key to lock and unlock the door in case of an internet outage.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Twitter bug sent some DMs to developers for over a year

  A bug in one of Twitter's APIs may have caused unauthorized developers to receive some users' direct messages and protected tweets. Twitter says it hasn't yet discovered evidence that a developer actually received such data, nor does it believe that such information was misused, but can't say for sure that it didn't happen.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• White House sanctions quicker response to foreign cyber attacks

  This week, the White House approved a new policy that allows the military to undertake actions that fall below the "use of force" threshold. This frees up military organizations to engage in more day-to-day "cyber operations" against foreign countries in order to protect US networks and systems, according to The Washington Post.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Mirai botnet hackers will serve their time working for the FBI

  In December, three individuals behind the Mirai botnet pleaded guilty to federal charges that carried sentences of up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. But at a hearing held Tuesday, the three men -- Paras Jha, Josiah White and Dalton Norman -- were sentenced instead to five years of probation and 2,500 hours of community service. The catch though is that the community service has to include work with FBI.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Equifax faces £500,000 fine in the UK over massive data breach

  UK officials have slapped Equifax with a £500,000 (US$660,000) fine for failing to protect up to 15 million citizens' personal data. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has announced its verdict after almost a year-long investigation with the Financial Conduct Authority. Together, they looked into the massive Equifax breach that affected 146 million people around the world. Cybercriminals infiltrated the consumer credit reporting agency's systems by using an exploit on its website to gain access to people's names, addresses, birthdates, SSNs, as well as tax and driver's license information.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• California may ban terrible default passwords on connected devices

  California looks set to enact a law that aims to protect connected devices against hackers. The state senate has sent Governor Jerry Brown draft legislation that could beef up security across the vast ocean of smart gadgets.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Newegg fell victim to month-long card skimming hack

  It's not just British companies succumbing to large-scale payment data breaches in recent weeks. RiskIQ and Volexity have discovered that hackers inserted Magecart card skimming code into Newegg's payment page between August 14th and September 18th, intercepting credit card data and sending it to a server with a similar-looking domain.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• State Department email breach leaks employees' personal data

  The latest government data breach affected State Department employee emails. On September 7th, workers were notified that their personally identifiable information was obtained by an unnamed actor, according to a recent report from Politico. It apparently impacted "less than one percent" of employees and direct victims of the breach were alerted at the time. Apparently, this didn't affect classified information, so at least there's that.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• US government payment site leaks 14 million customer records

  Government Payment Service Inc -- the company thousands of local governments in the US use to accept online payments for everything from court-ordered fines and licensing fees -- has compromised more than 14 million customer records dating back to 2012, KrebsOnSecurity reports. According to the security investigation site, the leaked information includes names, addresses, phone numbers and the last four digits of credit cards.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Facebook will reward those who report bugs in third-party apps

  Facebook is expanding its bug bounty program and will begin offering rewards to those that report vulnerabilities in third-party apps that connect to its platform. Specifically, the company is concerned with the misuse of access tokens, which allow Facebook users to log into other apps and websites with their Facebook account. "If exposed, a token can potentially be misused, based on the permissions set by the user," Dan Gurfinkel, Facebook's security engineering manager, said in a blog post. "We want researchers to have a clear channel to report these important issues, and we want to do our part to protect people's information, even if the source of a bug is not in our direct control."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• North Koreans have been hiding their identities to evade sanctions

  The US Department of the Treasury recently warned IT companies and individuals that individuals from North Korea are using fake online information in order to win employment for technology projects. These individuals often hide behind businesses that are nominally Chinese owned, but often are completely controlled and managed by North Koreans. The Treasury Department specifically identified two guilty companies, China Silver Star and Volsys Silver Star. Doing business with North Korea, or any business that employs North Korean citizens is, of course, against US and UN sanctions.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Canada court says ISPs can charge studios for hunting pirates

  It could soon prove expensive for media makers to chase online pirates in Canada. The country's Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that internet providers are entitled to "reasonable" compensation when asked to link pirates' IP addresses to customer details. Voltage Pictures (the production firm behind The Hurt Locker) intended to sue roughly 55,000 customers of telecom giant Rogers for allegedly bootlegging movies, but balked when Rogers wanted to charge $100 per hour to comply with the requests for information. Rogers won the initial Federal Court case, but had to defend itself at the Supreme Court when Voltage appealed the case.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• A third-party app can use Grindr to expose your exact location

  Back in March, a report revealed that Grindr suffered from flaws that could expose its users' personal information. The company issued a statement in response that said its location tracking feature is more akin to a square on an atlas and can't pinpoint users' exact location. According to a new investigation by Queer Europe, though, Grindr can still expose people's personal data through a third-party app called "Fuckr," which was released in 2015 and can locate up to 600 Grindr users within minutes. And by "locate," we mean it can tell where users are with an accuracy of 6 to 16 feet -- accurate enough to tell which establishment, house or even room they're in.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Kelihos botnet operator pleads guilty to hacking and fraud charges

  The Kelihos botnet story appears to be winding to a close. Russian Peter Levashov has pleaded guilty to charges relating his operation of the botnet, including intentional damage to a computer, wire fraud, conspiracy and identity theft. He reportedly used Kelihos to spread spam email, collect login details, install ransomware and otherwise attack users' computers, including selling access to the botnet.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• European Court rules UK surveillance program violated human rights

  The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is the latest to deem the UK government's mass surveillance program unlawful. Judges ruled the "bulk interception regime" violated the right to privacy and freedom of expression. It said there was "insufficient oversight" over what communications UK agencies were collecting and also noted that there were "inadequate" safeguards for the protection of confidential journalistic sources.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Ad-blocking browser Brave says Google is breaking EU privacy law

  Ad-blocking browser Brave has hit Google and other adtech companies with a formal complaint that could set an important privacy precedent for search engines and digital advertising firms. Mozilla co-founder Brendan Eich and his company want to leverage the new GDPR rules to open an EU-wide investigation against these companies, examining the way the platforms are using people's data. According to Brave, Google and other adtech businesses are broadcasting users' browsing habits to hundreds of companies in order for them to place ads.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Security flaw left Safari and Edge users vulnerable to fake websites

  A security researcher uncovered a flaw in both Safari and Microsoft's Edge browser that allowed the URL of a safe website to be displayed in the address bar while users were actually being taken to a different, and possibly malicious, website. Rafay Baloch spotted the security issue and notified Apple and Microsoft in early June. But while Microsoft issued a fix in August, Apple has yet to respond to Baloch's report.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• British Airways hackers used same tools behind Ticketmaster breach

  The British Airways web hack wasn't an isolated incident. Analysts at RiskIQ have reported that the breach was likely perpetrated by Magecart, the same criminal enterprise that infiltrated Ticketmaster UK. In both cases, the culprits used similar virtual card skimming JavaScript to swipe data from payment forms. For the British Airways attack, it was just a matter of customizing the scripts and targeting the company directly instead of going through compromised third-party customers.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Thieves could have cloned Tesla's Model S key fob

  Tesla may be more security-conscious than many car manufacturers, but it's still vulnerable to the occasional glaring exploit. KU Leuven researchers have detailed a technique that let them bypass the encryption on Tesla's key fob for the Model S, making it trivial to clone the key, get inside and start the vehicle. They discovered that the fobs used an easy-to-crack 40-bit cipher to safeguard the codes. Once they got two codes from a specific fob, they only had to try using encryption keys until they discovered the one that unlocked the EV. From there, the researchers created a data table for code pairs that would let them find the encryption key for cloning any Model S fob.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• FCC received thousands of fake letters supporting NFL's blackout rule

  Fake FCC comments aren't just reserved for net neutrality opponents. The Wall Street Journal has discovered that the FCC received about 21,000 identical letters urging the regulator to let the NFL keep its blackout rule, which let it ban cable and satellite airings of home games that weren't sold out when the league blocked local broadcasts. These weren't even subtle attempts, either. In addition to using the identities and email addresses of some people without their consent, the campaign relied on some obviously fake messages -- at last check, Bilbo Baggins was more interested in magic rings than cheering on American football teams.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Your Vizio smart TV might tell you if it spied on you

  Vizio smart TVs might display a strange notification in the near future -- one telling you if the company collected and sold your data. Back in 2015, a ProPublica exposé revealed that Vizio installed software on its smart TVs that allowed it to track and sell your viewing habits to advertisers without explicit consent. That unsurprisingly spawned class action lawsuits, and a judge ruled back in 2017 that the company has to pay $2.2 million to settle with the government.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Key suspect in JPMorgan hack is now in US custody

  Closure might be coming for victims of the massive JPMorgan Chase hack in 2014. The country of Georgia has extradited the alleged (and until now mysterious) hacker at the core of the crime, Andrei Tyurin, to the US. The Russian citizen pleaded not guilty in a New York court to charges that included conspiracy, hacking, identity theft and wire fraud. He reportedly worked with mastermind Gery Shalon to steal personal data from JPMorgan and other banks for use in a pump-and-dump stock scheme that may have made hundreds of millions of dollars.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• A date with my Tinder data

  I was on Tinder for almost four years. I'm no longer single, but Tinder and its parent company, Match, still have data on me. I didn't delete my profile -- I didn't even think to -- so using GDPR to request what information they had on me was more exciting, or at least more personal, than doing so for other tech companies and services. On the dating apps, I swear I'd tried to keep it classy. I didn't succeed. According to other writers' requests, asking for your data from Tinder leads to varied results, but with FOI requests and GDPR a persistent issue for all tech companies, the dating app thankfully packages everything into a pretty easy to understand and navigable HTML file.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Top-grossing Mac App Store app steals users’ browser histories

  Adware Doctor is a top app in Apple's Mac App Store, sitting at number five in the list of top paid apps and leading the list of top utilities apps, as of writing. It says it's meant to prevent "malware and malicious files from infecting your Mac" and claims to be one of the best apps to do so, but unbeknownst to its users, it's also stealing their browser history and downloading it to servers in China.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• A popular fetish app stored passwords in plain text

  "Pursuant to our records, we have not identified an account associated with [your email address]. In order to enable us to exercise your request to receive access to your personal data, we kindly request the below information (please respond with the below to this email): · The email address you registered with on Whiplr; · Your username on Whiplr; · Your password on Whiplr."

  By Engadget Read More

• FTC seizes fake military recruitment websites

  FTC has successfully seized and shut down a number of fake military recruitment websites that trick people into giving them their personal information. The websites' operators, Alabama-based companies Sunkey Publishing Inc. and Fanmail.com LLC, have agreed to hand over their domains as part of their settlement with the agency. According to the FTC, the websites -- army.com, navyenlist.com and armyenlist.com, among others -- pose as legit military recruitment portals, when in fact they sell the details applicants send in as marketing leads to post-secondary schools for $15 to $40 per. They lure people to their domains by using search ads that include phrases such as "The Army Wants You! " and "Coast Guard Wants You!"

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• The Morning After: A dating app data breach

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. We'll wrap up a short week with an appointment for Google's Pixel 3 event next month, a smart mirror containing the trapped spirit of a fitness instructor and a gaming router you can't blame for your K:D ratio. Oh, and whoever had yesterday in the "when will Alex Jones get banned from Twitter?" pool can contact us to collect your winnings.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• British Airways website hack exposed customer financial data

  While we've gotten used to regular data breaches, it's been awhile since news of one hit the airline industry. But customers who booked flights on British Airways' website or app between 22:58 BST on August 21st and 21:45 BST on September 5th had their personal and financial data compromised due to a cybersecurity breach. The company's post announcing the event unwaveringly stated that anyone who made a booking in that time frame had their information stolen.

  By David Lumb Read More

• US charges North Korean man linked to Sony hack and WannaCry

  The US Treasury Department announced today that it has sanctioned one individual and one group connected to malicious cyber activities perpetuated by North Korea's government. Park Jin Hyok, a computer programmer, was sanctioned today along with Korea Expo Joint Venture, an agency he allegedly worked for. The Treasury Department claims Hyok is part of a conspiracy responsible for the 2014 Sony Pictures hack, the 2016 Bangladesh Bank heist and last year's WannaCry ransomware attack. The Department of Justice also confirmed to reporters that it has charged Hyok with extortion, wire fraud and hacking crimes, according to Motherboard.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• A spying service leaked personal data on millions of customers

  This week, Krebs on Security revealed that mSpy leaked the data of millions of paying customers online, including passwords, call logs, text messages, contacts, notes, location data and even Apple iCloud usernames and authentication tokens. mSpy is software that can be installed on devices and used to snoop on kids, partners and more. The company has since taken the database down.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Biometric security now has an industry-wide testing standard

  Biometric security is par for the course on smartphones and increasingly common on PCs, but there hasn't been a standard way to verify that the technology passes muster. That's where the FIDO Alliance might help. It's launching a first-of-its-kind Biometric Component Certification Program that will use independent labs to test the performance and security of fingerprint readers, face recognition and other sign-in devices across the industry. If a vendor wants to show that its face unlock feature can't be fooled by a photo, it won't have to jump through hoops to prove it.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• DOJ will reportedly charge North Korean operative for Sony hack

  The Justice Department will reportedly announce charges today against at least one North Korean operative connected to the 2014 cyberattack on Sony Pictures, the Washington Post reports. Officials told the publication that computer hacking charges would be brought against Park Jin Hyok, who is said to have worked with North Korea's military intelligence agency the Reconnaissance General Bureau. It's the first time these types of charges have been brought against an operative of North Korea.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• How a data request turned into a data breach

  The process was smooth enough, with the right safeguards apparently in place. I emailed the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel to request personal data. Within 24 hours the company asked for a selfie of me holding an ID card and a piece of paper with the words "Coffee Meets Bagel" scrawled on it. Exactly one month later I received an email from Stephen Brandon, the company's data protection officer.

  By Engadget Read More

• My digital shadow looks nothing like me

  I have a shadow. There's the Dan Cooper writing these words right now, standing at his desk in an attic in Norwich, England. There is also the Dan Cooper who has the same name and address but who only exists inside a computer sitting on a shelf. I had never heard of this man until a couple of months ago, but now I am intimately familiar with who he is, his contradictions and the terrible truth he may reflect upon me.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Who controls your data?

  The average American, one study tell us, touches their phone 2,600 times per day. By the end of a given year, that's nearly a million touches, rising to two million if you're a power user. Each one of those taps, swipes and pulls is a potential proxy for our most intimate behaviors. Our phones are not only tools that help us organize our day but also sophisticated monitoring devices that we voluntarily feed with interactions we think are private. The questions we ask Google, for instance, can be more honest than the ones we ask our loved ones -- a "digital truth serum," as ex-Googler and author Seth Stephens-Davidowitz writes in Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are. Hoover up these data points and combine them with all of our other devices -- smart TVs, fitness trackers, cookies that stalk us across the web -- and there exists an ambient, ongoing accumulation of our habits to the tune of about 2.5 quintillion (that's a million trillion) bytes of data per day.

  By Chris Ip Read More

• US, UK and others push for mandatory access to encrypted data

  Western intelligence allies are presenting a united front in their fight against encryption. The "Five Eyes" countries (US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand) have issued a Statement of Principles indicating that they will push for "lawful access" to private data as often as possible. While the governments acknowledged that encryption was valuable, they argued that encrypted data use "should be rare." They hoped companies would voluntarily offer legal solutions, but vowed "technological, enforcement, legislative or other measures" to force access if the tech industry didn't cooperate.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

Entertainment (1)

• US Senate passes bill modernizing music licensing and payouts

  The US Senate has unanimously passed the Music Modernization Act, which aims to bring the way the music business works in line with the digital age. Providing the bill is met with approval from the House, and is subsequently signed by President Donald Trump, the legislation -- renamed the Orrin G Hatch Music Modernization Act in honour of the Republican senior senator responsible for introducing the bill -- will finally be enshrined into law. It's not expected to meet any opposition.

  By Rachel England Read More

EVs and Transportation (75)

• Tesla reportedly met its ambitious quarterly Model 3 production goal

  Tesla CEO Elon Musk is having a lousy week, but the company might have something to crow about. A source speaking to Electrek (historically accurate with these rumors) has reported that Tesla met its lofty target of building at least 50,000 Model 3 cars over its summer quarter, producing about 51,000 examples of the 'entry-level' EV by September 28th. The company had been struggling with manufacturing earlier in the period, but apparently ramped back up to 5,000 Model 3s per week by the end of the quarter.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Tesla asks employees to beta test its full self-driving system

  To get Tesla's full self-driving capabilities, you'd have to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 for an upgrade, depending on the package you choose. The company is offering some of its employees the chance to get it for free, though -- so long as they're willing to share around 300 to 400 hours of driving feedback, that is. In an internal email obtained by Bloomberg, company chief Elon Musk is asking around 100 to 200 employees thinking of buying a Tesla to join an internal testing program for the automaker's full-fledged autonomous system.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• VW and Microsoft team up on cloud services for connected cars

  VW's strategy for smarter cars extends beyond creating a single OS for its cars. It wants unified internet services, too. To that end, it's teaming up with Microsoft to build the Volkswagen Automotive Cloud and provide internet features that are consistent across models -- including when you're outside your car. While the two companies haven't delved into the exact features (it's still early going), they envision a scenario where you could resume listening to music when you enter your car, or hop on a conference call while you're commuting to the office. You could also expect tight connections to VW's We services, like car sharing.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Lyft's dump-your-car challenge expands to 35 more cities

  Lyft is happy enough with its Chicago car ownership challenge to spread it across North America. The ridesharing service is launching a Ditch Your Car program that offers a similar challenge in 35 cities, including New York City, San Francisco and Toronto. The basic principle remains the same: sign up by the end of September and, if you're lucky, you could get enough free transportation options to leave your car at home. What you get varies from city to city, but you'll typically receive Lyft Shared credit, Zipcar access and a local pass for either mass transit or bike service.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Uber's 'sustainable mobility' plan includes e-bike charging stations

  Uber made a handful of announcements today centered on sustainable mobility, including a new fund, partnerships that support data sharing and charging docks for its Jump bikes. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a post today that as more people use Uber's platform as a means for transportation, the company's technology becomes an increasingly important part of the cities in which it's used. "With that comes a responsibility: we recognize we need to step up and support cities that take bold steps to solve their transportation problems," he said. "We are in a unique position to have a meaningful and positive impact on the communities we serve across the globe -- a responsibility we don't take lightly."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Renault is creating France's first 'smart island'

  Back in February, Renault helped electrify the Portuguese islands of Madeira and Porto Santo -- a move not dissimilar to Tesla's efforts in Hawaii. Now it's at work again bringing power to the French island of Belle-Île-en-Mer, in a bid to create the first "smart island" in its home country.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Lucid Motors will give owners access to VW's charging network

  Lucid Motors' first electric car won't roll out of the factory until 2020, but you'll at least know where to charge it when it does arrive. The company has signed a preliminary deal that will give Lucid Air drivers access to VW's Electrify America charging network through a cross-country charging plan. You won't win any prizes for guessing the reason why: it's all about the scale and performance of the network. Electrify America is promising more than 2,000 chargers with power levels up to 350kW. The chances are good are that you'll have access to numerous quick-charge stations in your state.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Uber pledges to cap trip pricing during major emergencies

  Today, Uber outlined a new set of guidelines regarding how the company will respond in the event of a crisis, such as a natural disaster or terrorist attack. The company's Global Security Center (GSC) monitors conditions in every area that Uber operates, around the clock. Once it detects that there is a problem, there are a few actions that Uber can take.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Court rules Uber can force drivers into arbitration over pay, benefits

  Uber drivers hoping to be treated as employees may have to go it alone. A federal appeals court in San Francisco has overturned a ruling that would have allowed drivers to pursue their case as a class action lawsuit instead of going through individual arbitration (which, historically, favors companies over complainants). Judge Richard Clifton cited precedent as the reason, including both another ruling in favor of Uber from 2016 as well as a Supreme Court decision from May that said companies could make workers waive their right to class actions for a number of disputes.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Mercedes A-Class First Drive: Top-level tech comes to an entry-level car

  "Hey Mercedes." "How old is Maury Povich?" The automaker's MBUX infotainment system which makes its debut in the A-Class thinks for a few moments and then informs me that the day-time talk show host and collector of human DNA is 79 years old. It's a silly joke, yet it shows that Mercedes-Benz is investing in one of the more important features of new cars: How we interact with them.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Uber brings 24/7 phone support to the UK

  The whole point of Uber is to make getting from A to B as easy and convenient as possible, but when things go awry (which can include anything from confusing cleaning fees to allegations of harassment) getting in touch with an actual human on Uber's side has been a herculean challenge. Until now. From today, Uber in the UK is launching a 24/7 helpline, available to both passengers and drivers.

  By Rachel England Read More

• AT&T and Harman bring connected features to your existing car

  AT&T is joining the ranks of carriers that can bring a whole suite of connected car technology to older passenger vehicles. It's launching the Harman Spark, an OBD-II dongle that adds diagnostics, tracking and LTE data to cars from 1996 and beyond. Unlike the old ZTE Mobley, this isn't just about internet access. It can alert you to car trouble (including theft), help you find and pay for roadside help and locate your vehicle.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Tesla is hand-delivering the Model 3 to speed up sales

  Tesla is determined to move as many EVs as it can before its summer quarter is over, and that includes saving you from even a short trip to get your vehicle. Electrek has learned that the company just launched a "door-to-door" Tesla Direct service bringing the Model 3 directly to customers, and not just those near the automaker's Fremont factory. Customers in Los Angeles (and possibly other areas) are receiving emails offering to deliver cars directly to their homes and offices for free -- helpful if you'd rather not take time off or plan a trip to get your new ride.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Toyota expected to add Android Auto to its cars

  Toyota joined the modern era when it started adding CarPlay to its vehicles early in 2018, but that hasn't done you much good if you're an Android user. You might get some relief soon, though. Bloomberg sources said that Toyota has agreed to put direct Android Auto support in its cars, with an announcement as soon as October. You could use the feature through Ford's SmartDeviceLink before, but that limited both their appearance on the center screen and limited their data access.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Porsche is the first German car maker to drop diesel

  German brands have stuck to diesel in spite of the fallout from VW's Dieselgate, but they're starting to bow under pressure. Porsche has become the first German automaker to drop diesel from its lineup, announcing that it will "no longer offer" vehicles based on the technology. This wasn't a great stretch when the badge is primarily focused on conventional gas engines and hasn't had a diesel model since February 2018, but it would rule out a comeback.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Bluetooth key fob for Tesla Model 3 spotted in FCC pictures

  Among the quirks of the Tesla Model 3 is that unlike most cars, it doesn't come with a traditional key or key fob at all. Instead, it relies mostly on a Bluetooth Low Energy link to its owner's nearby iPhone or Android device, with keycards available as a backup system to start and unlock the car. Electrek reports that some people have had issues with this system, and spotted a Tesla BLE device making its way through the FCC filing process. Now the documents have been updated with photographs which clearly show the device (as well as its internals and the manual), which is shaped like a Tesla sedan and labeled "Model 3." In real life it will likely look a little slicker than in these unglamorous shots, and it already closely resembles the units available for the Model X and Model S. While Tesla isn't walking back decisions like its center-mounted console in the Model 3, it's definitely taking hints from owners on at least this small part of the experience. Whenever it becomes available, we'd anticipate the newly strengthened security elements will be included, and that other manufacturers working on Digital Keys are taking notes.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Inboard's new e-scooter packs swappable batteries

  Having raised $8 million and conquered Shark Tank, electric skateboard-maker Inboard Technology is now taking aim at Uber, Bird, and Lime with its first e-scooter, dubbed the "Glider". Touted as the "only scooter with a swappable battery," pre-orders for the $1,299 two-wheeler begin this fall ahead of its February 2019 release date. Aside from the general public, Inboard is hoping to sell fleets of Gliders to businesses, cities, and universities.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Tesla Model 3 receives a perfect safety rating from NHTSA

  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the Tesla Model 3 five-star ratings in every single category. That includes the overall front, overall side, side barrier, side pole and rollover categories. The vehicle follows in the footsteps of Tesla's Model S and Model X, both of which received five-star ratings in the past as well.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Jaguar's next-gen Formula E race car packs more power

  The next wave of Formula E cars is finally trickling out, and it's clear they're considerably more exciting this season. Panasonic Jaguar Racing has unveiled the next generation of its racer, the I-Type 3, and it's a dramatic improvement even compared to Jag's last outing. The new machine is 25 percent more powerful than its predecessor without a significant change of weight, producing as much as 250kW (330HP) with a 0-62MPH time of 2.8 seconds. That's important when the league is introducing an "attack mode" that boosts the power to 225kW when a driver just has to overtake a rival.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Lyft Concierge lets businesses schedule flexible rides

  Lyft's Concierge service, which opened up to all businesses earlier this year, lets companies and organizations hail rides for their customers, patients and employees. While it lets those businesses offer an additional service, it's not always clear exactly when a passenger will need a ride. That's why Lyft Concierge is introducing flexible scheduling, which will let passengers use their scheduled ride when they're ready for it. Lyft notes that this new feature will be useful for passengers hit with unexpected delays, like lost baggage at an airport or a long doctor's appointment.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Renault’s EZ-PRO is a workspace, coffee truck and rolling post office

  Renault, one of Europe's major automakers, is trying to help us imagine a world with fewer cars. Earlier this year, it unveiled the EZ-GO concept, a sort of anti-Uber autonomous ride-sharing vehicle for the masses. Now, it has taken the wraps off EZ-PRO, a last-mile autonomous electric delivery vehicle system that can double as a coffee truck, portable office and postal outlet on wheels. The EZ-GO was one of the most interesting concepts we've seen this year, so how does the EZ-PRO stack up? At the company's TechnoCentre near Paris, we get a closer look at Renault's multitasking, multipurpose self-driving solution.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Tesla reportedly faces DOJ investigation over Elon Musk tweets

  It looks like Tesla is in more hot water over Elon Musk's tweets that the company might go private. Bloomberg reports that, according to two people familiar with the matter, the Department of Justice is investigating Tesla because of the CEO's statements. In August, Musk tweeted that he was considering taking his company private, adding that funding had already been secured. Musk later announced that Tesla would remain a publicly traded company for the time being.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Lyft marks its 1 billionth ride as it expands beyond cars

  Lyft may be an underdog relative to Uber, but it's still huge in the transportation world. The ridesharing firm has officially provided 1 billion rides, including 233 million shared rides. That pales in comparison to Uber's 10 billion trips. However, Uber also got a three-year head start (2009 versus 2012) and has focused on international expansion where Lyft only ventured outside the US last year. It's doing well considering its scale.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi tap Google to power in-car systems

  This week, the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance, the world's largest maker of cars, signed a deal with Alphabet's Google to be able to use Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Android OS in its vehicles. The new systems will debut starting in 2021.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• The world's first hydrogen train is now in service

  The world's first (and second) hydrogen-powered trains have entered service in northern Germany, marking the start of a new era for sustainable travel. Two Coradia iLint trains, made by Alstom, have begun working the line between Cuxhaven and Buxtehude just west of Hamburg. Until now, the nearly 100km-long line has been serviced by diesel trains, but will now play host to near-silent engines.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Tesla's built-in dashcam feature is coming with Autopilot 9

  Tesla's upgraded Autopilot hardware comes with eight cameras equipped all over a vehicle. All those "eyes" will eventually enable full autonomy, but they also make another smaller-but-important feature possible: a built-in dashcam for Tesla's cars. The automaker has been working on the feature for quite a while, and now according to company chief Elon Musk, Tesla is giving its customers a way to use their vehicles' cameras as a dashcam with Autopilot version 9.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Audi is adding Alexa to the E-Tron and other select models

  Audi is joining the growing list of automakers, including BMW and Toyota, choosing to add Alexa voice control to their vehicles. The company will integrate Amazon's voice assistant into select models in North America and Europe, starting in January 2019 and with the newly unveiled E-Tron electric SUV. Audi will load Alexa onto the selected vehicles' infotainment systems, so there's no need to dock your phones -- simply link your car to your Amazon account and then activate the assistant through the onboard voice control system. You'll then be able to ask Alexa to play music, read audiobooks, order groceries, tell you sports scores and to add items to your shopping lists while driving.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• EU probes BMW, Daimler and VW for colluding over clean emissions tech

  The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to determine whether BMW, Daimler and VW colluded to avoid competing with each other on clean emission technologies. The EU is assessing whether the companies met to limit the development of catalytic systems that reduce nitrogen oxide diesel emissions and particulate matter ("Otto" systems) from gas-powered cars.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Lyft brings its electric scooters to Santa Monica

  You no longer have to be a Denver resident to try Lyft's electric scooters. The two-wheeled transports are now available in Santa Monica, California under a city pilot program. As usual, it'll cost you $1 to unlock a scooter and 15 cents for every minute you're putting around town. And yes, Lyft is aware of scooters' bad rap. The company has vowed to both watch the effects of the rollout as well as work with "city officials and policymakers."

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Audi rips the camouflage off its E-Tron electric SUV

  Audi finally took the wraps off its E-Tron pure electric SUV. At an event in Northern California, the automaker stripped off the QR code-esque wrap from the vehicle and announced how you can reserve your own and for how much.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• VW hopes to sell 10 million electric cars based on its new platform

  Volkswagen has grand expectations for the platform underpinning its first purpose-built electric cars. The VW Auto Group plans to sell 10 million EVs based on its modular electric drive matrix (MEB) across all its brands during the "first wave." It hopes to have sold 150,000 electric cars in total by 2020, 100,000 of which will be 100,000 I.D. models produced in Germany.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Audi launches luxury car subscription pilot program in Dallas

  Audi is joining the ever-expanding roster of carmakers which have monthly subscription services -- it's piloting its program at five dealerships in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For $1,395 a month (including fees, maintenance and insurance), you can drive the A4 sedan, A5 convertible, S5 coupe and two crossovers: Q5 and Q7. You can switch between the luxury cars twice a month, and you can hang onto one for up to six months, Automative News reports.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Audi: Autonomous cars alone won’t solve traffic jams

  It's easy to think that once cars start driving themselves most of our traffic woes will be eliminated. Robocars are supposed to be better drivers and better driving should mean less gridlock. Unfortunately, that drop in bumper-to-bumper hell won't be as big as we all hoped, according to Audi's research.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Porsche unveils fast, low-cost 'pit stop' EV charging stations

  Fast charging stations promise to end the long wait to top up electric cars, but the technology is expensive, bulky and a little intimidating. Thankfully, Porsche might have solved all three problems in one go. It just unveiled an "electric pit stop" whose design promises to make the company's 800V charging more accessible. Rather than load everything a charging station needs into a single cabinet, Porsche splits things into modular "FlexBoxes" that can offload some of the work and stay far from the customer -- you might only see the charging pole itself.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Lucid Motors gets $1 billion to help build its EV

  Lucid Motors, a struggling electric car startup, has just won itself a reprieve. Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund invested $1 billion in the Tesla competitor; the money will be put towards the company's first production vehicle, the Lucid Air, which is due out in 2020.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Bombardier revives the battery-powered train

  Diesel trains are noisy and polluting, but on stretches of non-electrified rail, what else are you going to do? Hydrogen trains are one option, but now there's another: Canadian transportation firm Bombardier has (re-)introduced the battery powered train. In Berlin, it launched the Bombardier Talent 3 electro-hybrid train, the first of its kind in Europe in over 60 years, the company said. The train took its maiden voyage with local luminaries including the federal commissioner for rail transport and the Brandenburg transport minister.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Tesla will perform most collision repairs 'in-house'

  As mainstream as Tesla has become, its repair process is still far more drawn out than what you'd expect from a conventional. It's not unheard-of for owners to wait weeks or even months for a working vehicle after a crash. That's about to change, according to Elon Musk. Tesla now plans to conduct most collision-related repairs "in-house" instead of farming them out to third parties, which often have to order parts and often aren't very familiar with Tesla's lineup. There are already some repairs that finish within 24 hours, Musk added, with plans for same-day and even one-hour repairs.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Fire at Tesla's Gigafactory briefly disrupts production

  Tesla just had to contend with another fire at one of its facilities. The electric car maker and county emergency staff have reported that a fire broke out in the Gigafactory in Nevada late on Saturday, leading to a halt in production as the company evacuated the building. The company thankfully faced no injuries and resumed operations early on Sunday, but it's not clear what damage was done or how much this might affect the plant's battery and motor output.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Uber tests its own traffic estimates as it moves beyond cars

  Uber has used Google traffic data to estimate conditions in the past, but the company is now trying to go its own way. The ridesharing firm told TechCrunch that it's expanding a previously low-key test that relies on its own traffic data. Fire up the passenger app (it's already in use by all drivers) and you'll see a color-coded representation of traffic along your potential route, calculated both through historical trip info and real-time info from drivers' phones. They're only available on unshared rides for now.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Tesla is ending its lifetime free Supercharging offer

  Tesla's offer of free, unlimited Supercharger access was supposed to have ended in early 2017, but it's been on a form of life support since then. Unless you were buying a regular Model 3, you could get the no-cost charging by ordering your EV with a referral code from an existing owner. Now, however, even that exception appears to be coming to an end. Elon Musk has pointed out that the referral program is about to end. After September 16th, owners will only get to hand out $100 in Supercharging credit to Model S, Model X and Model 3 Performance buyers -- just enough for a few top-ups.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• IKEA promises zero-emissions delivery in five cities by 2020

  IKEA doesn't just want to take the pain out of assembling furniture... it wants to eliminate the environmental impact of receiving that furniture. The company recently pledged to offer emissions-free home delivery in five major inner cities (Amsterdam, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris and Shanghai) by 2020. Order an EKTORP sofa and an electric vehicle or a similarly Earth-friendly machine will roll up to your door. IKEA had already hoped to transition to zero-emissions delivery, but it's picking up the pace to set a "strong example" for urban transport.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Virgin to use eco-friendly jet fuel on commercial flight this October

  Virgin Atlantic is about conduct a real-world test of its greener jet fuel. The airline plans to use LanzaTech's sustainable fuel for the first time in a commercial flight this October, with a Boeing 747 relying on the low-carbon liquid for a trip from Orlando to London's Gatwick airport. The journey will both "raise awareness" for the more environmentally friendly technology and show that it's viable for more than just experimental flights.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• ChargePoint hopes to operate 2.5 million EV chargers by 2025

  ChargePoint currently operates around 54,000 EV charging points -- sure, it's but a fraction of the number of gas pumps in the world, but it's relatively plenty. Even Tesla's growing Supercharger network only has 11,013 chargers at this point in time. Someday, however, those 54,000 chargers won't be enough, so the company has decided to install a lot more EV chargers in North America and Europe over the next few years. ChargePoint chief Pasquale Romano has announced at the Global Climate Action Summit that the company plans to deploy 2.5 million charging spots by 2025.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• BMW unveils its vision for the 'iFuture' of luxury vehicles

  Our Demolition Man future is going to arrive just a bit sooner than we figured. Your next car may not be able to drive you to a local Taco Bell (since they all are in the Demolition universe), but BMW's iNEXT concept vehicle certainly hints at a smart, semi-autonomous, hands-off driving experience within the next decade.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Oklahoma City stores will deliver groceries with autonomous vehicles

  Next year, Oklahoma City residents will be able to have their groceries delivered to them by an autonomous vehicle. Udelv announced this week that a new partnership will bring its self-driving delivery vehicles to the city's largest local chain of grocery stores, which includes supermarkets such as Uptown Grocery, Buy For Less, Buy For Less Super Mercado and Smart Saver. Ten vehicles are scheduled to be delivered to the stores by the end of June 2019.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• GM, Tesla activate features for owners in Hurricane Florence's path

  Hurricane Florence is approaching the East Coast of the US, and is predicted to bring with it catastrophic flooding, high winds, as well as a life-threatening storm surge and rain in North and South Carolina. As a result, both GM and Tesla have remotely activated features in their cars that could be of use in an evacuation. As it did last year prior to Hurricane Irma, Tesla has temporarily activated Supercharging on older cars that didn't have it enabled when they were purchased, and unlocked extra battery capacity on certain vehicles (Model S and X cars that only purchased 60kWh but have 75kWh batteries). A Tesla owner's club for the "Triangle" region has collected relevant info for potential evacuees, and said that owners should see a notification on their screen about the change. For GM, it has activated OnStar Crisis Assist for owners of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles with the feature built-in. Its representatives will handle overflow calls to the Red Cross, while pressing the button in the car will give access to people who can help with the following: Real-time routing information for those needing to evacuate or navigate disaster zones Assistance locating vital resources like hotels, gas, food, water or medical supplies Complimentary Hands Free Calling minutes in order to connect with loved ones Wi-Fi, if downloaded to the vehicle, to keep people connected and informed during the storm First responder communication so they can help locate vehicles and assist before arriving

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Aston Martin offers peek at all-electric Rapide E sedan

  Aston Martin is nearly ready to unveil its first purely electric road car after years of work. The company has provided an early look at the Rapide E, an EV edition of its high-performance luxury sedan. It's not providing complete visuals (just the powertrain and a peek at one of the wheel areas), but it is promising a machine that's both speedy and practical. Its dual motors will deliver the equivalent of 602HP and 701ft/lb of torque, translating to a 155MPH top speed, a sub-4.0-second 0-60MPH time and a 50-70MPH time of 1.5 seconds -- quick given that the Rapide isn't exactly a diminutive car. Its 65kWh battery should deliver a range over 200 miles (on the WLTP testing standard), and its support for 100kW "or higher" charging should top you up in less than an hour.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• BMW developed a self-driving motorcycle to further its safety efforts

  This week, BMW Motorrad showed off a self-driving version of its R1200GS, a motorcycle that it spent more than two years developing. You can see in the video below that the motorcycle, sans rider, can start, accelerate, lean into turns and stop all on its own. But don't expect to see this bike on the roads anytime soon. The company explained that it created the self-driving motorcycle not for consumers but to learn more about how it can implement new safety features.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Tesla's wireless charger is back (and it's cheaper)

  If you missed out on getting Tesla's wireless phone charger when it was first released, you may want to head over to the company's website ASAP. The automaker has relisted the device for sale, and it even costs $16 less than before. From $65, the Qi-certified charger will now set you back $49 -- still more expensive than alternatives with similar specs, but a lot of Tesla fans probably wouldn't mind paying that much. The wireless device comes in a glossy case and has a 6000mAh battery that can charge at 5W.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Mercedes' latest GLE melds tech with a super-smooth ride

  The EQC isn't Mercedes' only tech-heavy SUV launching in the near future. The brand has taken the wraps off a new version of the GLE where the technology matters as much with what you don't notice as what you do. It's billed as the first vehicle to combine a "fully networked," 48-volt active suspension with air suspension, giving it the unique ability to control damping and spring forces at each wheel. It'll not only counteract body roll, but pitching and squat motions. Your passengers should be that less likely to spill their drinks after a bump.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Tesla drops color options to speed up production

  We hope you weren't dead set on getting a Tesla vehicle in Silver Metallic or Obsidian Black. Elon Musk has revealed that the company is taking both colors "off the menu" for all its cars in a bid to streamline manufacturing. They'll stick around for people who want the hues on "special request," but it'll cost you more than the $1,500 it does today.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Lyft vows to make itself completely carbon neutral

  Lyft is taking its environmental commitment to its logical conclusion. The ridesharing outfit has promised to achieve complete carbon neutrality, not just its rides, and will strive to use 100 percent renewable energy. It's buying those renewables directly when it can, but it'll buy renewable energy credits and carbon offsets when it has no choice but to use less than eco-friendly sources. Credits will come from energy projects that sit on the same regional electricity grids, such as wind farms in Colorado and Maine.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Mercedes self-driving van concept swaps bodies to match its cargo

  Self-driving vehicles are useful for hauling both people and cargo, but you can usually only prioritize one of those tasks unless you can afford to buy separate vehicles. Mercedes-Benz might have a solution to the problem: build a machine that can change its role on demand. Its Vision Urbanetic concept van uses a modular body system to switch between people-carrying and cargo duties, with an electric-powered platform underneath.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Tesla offers 'immediate' Model 3 deliveries to boost sales numbers

  Tesla is determined to burnish its Model 3 sales figures, and that means getting the EV into customers' hands as quickly as possible -- including through some unconventional methods. Electrek has learned that Tesla is emailing reservation holders promising "immediate delivery" of certain rear wheel drive Model 3s on a "first-come, first served basis." It's starting by pitching people with day one reservations, but it's widening the net on September 10th.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• BMW will unveil its Formula E racer next week

  The fifth season of the Formula E championship is scheduled to start on December 15th in Saudi Arabia, and it will be the first one where BMW participates as an official manufacturer. While all of the cars will use the same next-generation Formula E chassis designed by Spark Racing, the components inside (electronics, inverters, gearboxes and motors) and livery are up to the teams. For this BMW iFE.18 -- last seen while testing in Spain this spring -- the company said engineers who worked on drive components for its i3 collaborated with its racing team, in a way that should allow information to flow from the track to the street (and vice versa). We'll find out more about how it looks and works when it's officially unveiled on September 14th.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Tesla's new President takes control of automotive operations

  Tesla wrapped up an interesting week -- CEO Elon Musk took a puff or two from a joint live on Joe Rogan's podcast, its recently-hired chief accounting officer quit after less than a month on the job and its HR chief announced she would not return from a leave of absence -- by announcing a round of executive promotions. In a letter to staff that's also posted on the company's website, Musk said: " For a while, there will be a lot of fuss and noise in the media. Just ignore them. Results are what matter and we are creating the most mind-blowing growth in the history of the automotive industry." Most notable, Tesla now has a new President, Automotive. In a move that may take some direct responsibilities and pressure off of Musk, Jerome Guillen "will oversee all automotive operations and program management, as well as coordinate our extensive automotive supply chain." Guillen will still report directly to Elon Musk, and in the letter he's credited for leading the creation of a new Model 3 production line. Recent turmoil including Musk's behavior and employee turnover combined with failures to meet deadlines and production goals have intensified criticism on the company and its founder. After the two departures were announced this morning and news of Musk's podcast appearance spread, the company's stock price dropped six percent to $263, off more than $100 from the $370 high reached a month ago when Musk tweeted he had "funding secured" for the company to go private. Adding new execs for Gigafactory Operations, Director of HR, VP of Environmental, Health and Safety, VP of Global Recruiting and promoting a senior director of Global Communications could help calm some nerves.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Tesla touchscreens to offer minimalist 'fade mode'

  Screens can be distracting and, therefore, dangerous if you're driving an expensive car down the freeway. If you own a Tesla, though, fear not: the company is adding a software feature that will make its giant touchscreens less intrusive. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, replying to a tweet by EV owner Andrew Gold, confirmed that a "fade mode" will soon be added that hides all but "essential info." It sounds like a neat option, and heck -- if the display isn't working so hard, maybe it will save some battery life too? Will add a fade mode with only essential info — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 7, 2018 Fade Mode will form part of version 9, a highly anticipated firmware update for Tesla's electric fleet. The update will change the UI in the Model S and crossover Model X to be closer to the Model 3. It should also include some "significant advancements in autonomy," Musk hinted on a conference call in August. The company's autopilot software could be patched with a long-anticipated "on-ramp to off-ramp solution" that will move into faster lanes on the freeway, identify your exit, move into the correct lane for the exit and then hand back control at a suitable time. Earlier this week, Tesla tinkerer Jason Hughes leaked an early version of the firmware on Twitter. It showed off some of the UI changes, and a new waypoints feature, but little else. In a tweet on September 5th, Musk said he was running version 9 in his car but felt it wasn't quite ready for public release. Tesla owners on the early access program should have the update in the next two weeks, ahead of a full rollout by the end of the month. Am running it in my car, but it's not right yet. Hopefully, will release to advanced early access users in a week or two, then more broadly towards end of month. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 5, 2018

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Walmart orders 30 more Tesla Semi trucks for its fleet

  Walmart must be enthused with Tesla's vision for electric trucking, since it's quadrupling the size of its Semi order. The retailer is buying 30 additional Semis on top of the 10 it purchased back in November 2017, with the latest batch destined for Canada. The first 20 will bolster Walmart's core fleet in Missisauga, while the rest will support a future fulfillment center in Surrey, BC that will rely solely on EVs. It's part of a larger strategy that will see Walmart's Canadian branch rely exclusively on "alternative power" for its fleet by 2028.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Uber app tweak shows how you'll swap between calling a car and a scooter

  Uber has stated its intentions to include scooters alongside in its retinue of transportation options, and last week, news emerged that they're planning on building their own models alongside bike and car rentals. How the company plans to integrate all those offerings has been unclear, and will likely be difficult. But today, Uber revealed how users of its app will toggle between all their offerings with a feature called Mode Switch.

  By David Lumb Read More

• BMW will release its in-car voice-controlled assistant next year

  BMW unveiled its Intelligent Personal Assistant at TechCrunch Disrupt today, which will give drivers voice control over their vehicle's settings, alert them to issues and let them check in on their car's health. It's scheduled to roll out in March of next year to all BMW models with the new BMW Operating System 7.0. "The always on-call technology platform is an intelligent, digital character that responds to the prompt 'Hey BMW' and has the ability to serve the driver in a range of ways from controlling vehicle settings, navigation and entertainment systems to explaining vehicle functions and even conducting a conversation," said BMW.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Lyft's first electric scooters arrive in Denver

  Lyft is making moves in the electric scooter market, as it is bringing the dockless devices to Denver, the first US city in which it will operate its scooter service. Lyft has permits to operate scooters and electric bikes in the Colorado city, and it's starting out with the former. Around 100 scooters will be centered in areas that are underserved by public transport, helping commuters get to bus and train stops more easily -- the Lyft app will soon alert you when you're close to a stop.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Uber will suspend low-rated riders in Australia and New Zealand

  Uber is putting its passenger ratings to use, imposing temporary bans on riders with lower scores. The company introduced this policy in Brazil earlier this year and will begin imposing these bans on passengers in Australia and New Zealand later this month. Uber's ratings are out of five stars and passengers in these countries with ratings of four or lower will be banned from the service for six months.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Toyota recalls over a million hybrid vehicles due to fire risk

  Toyota is recalling more than a million Prius and C-HR hybrids worldwide due to a fire risk. Around 192,000 Prius vehicles in the US and more than 550,000 cars in Japan are involved in the recall, which is related to wiring connected to the power control unit. Insulation may wear down over time, potentially leading to a short circuit that could ultimately cause a fire.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Uber doesn't plan to sell its self-driving car division

  Uber isn't in a rush to sell its self-driving car unit despite the fatal Arizona crash and its aftermath. Company chief Dara Khosrowshahi told Reuters in an interview that there aren't any plans to sell the autonomous driving wing "at this time." The team is a "big asset" to the company, the executive said, pointing to Toyota's $500 million investment as an example. He added that Uber was "quite optimistic" about resuming self-driving tests before the end of 2018.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Didi to spend $20 million on customer service after passenger murders

  Didi Chuxing will spend $20 million on measures meant to fortify its customer service, according to Reuters. The Chinese ride-hailing firm's founder, Cheng Wei, announced the investment to a group of government regulators who visited Didi's offices for a nationwide inspection triggered by a harrowing incident wherein one of its drivers raped and killed a female passenger. Didi halted its carpooling service across the country after authorities confirmed the event, which occurred on August 24th, and after an investigation revealed that it could've been prevented if the company has better customer service.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Golf course drone deliveries help you grab a bite on the green

  You won't have to wait for a human courier (or drive back to the clubhouse) just to satisfy your hunger in the middle of a golf game. Flytrex and EASE drones have teamed up with King's Walk Golf Course in North Dakota to offer the first drone-based food delivery service on an American golf course. If your stomach is growling several holes in, you just have to pick a pre-approved drop-off point through a mobile app, order your meal and watch as a human-piloted drone carries your grub directly to that point. That's potentially much faster than having a worker drive a circuitous route.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Volvo's autonomous concept car is about more than commuting

  Autonomous vehicles are supposed to make our daily commutes more pleasant and potentially quicker. But Volvo wants to take that idea a step further with its 360c concept vehicle. Unveiled at its Gothenburg, Sweden headquarters, the automaker envisions a world where cars become mobile offices, sleep quarters and even a way to skip the airport for short trips.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Polestar wants to change almost everything about how you own a car

  Two older gentlemen walk up the stairs of the Polestar booth at Pebble Beach. "What is this?" one asks the other as they marvel at the design. An employee walks up and explains that the Polestar 1 is the automaker's first car. A hybrid that'll be the last vehicle the company builds with a gas engine. They take photos and continue to chat with the representative. I watch it happen again and again. People unaware of the car and company stopping by to look at a very beautiful car. It's great for Polestar for people to learn about its vehicle at an event, but it's also a problem.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Mercedes-Benz unveils its first electric SUV

  At an event in Sweden Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off its first proper electric vehicle under the EQ brand. The EQC (official name: EQC 400 4Matic) is the automaker's crossover foray into electrified vehicles. With a smooth space-age design, the company calls an "avant-garde electro-look" the EQ is sure to turn heads when it lands on US shores in 2020.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Segway's Drift e-skates aren't nearly as dangerous as they look

  Disgraceful name appropriation aside, hoverboards have blessed us with many an exploitative YouTube compilation. And given the number of bruised coccyxes hoverboards are responsible for, you'd think splitting them into two separate pieces would make for double the danger. Nevertheless, e-skates exist, and what better company to take them mainstream than Segway? The quirky transportation company is due to ship its Drift W1s any day now, and IFA attendees were invited to try them out on a little roller rink Segway had built on the show floor in Berlin. Much to my relief, they are far from the deathtrap they appear, and while they probably won't be suitable for your daily commute, they're a lot of fun all the same.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• The Morning After: Leaving your Pixel 3 in a Lyft

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Welcome back! While some in the US take Labor Day off, we're wrapping up our coverage from Europe's biggest tech show and testing some unpretty wearables and tiny compact cameras with incredible zoom skills. We also give our verdict on Honor's PUBG phone, the Play.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Tesla's Roadster prompts Koenigsegg to rethink its supercars

  Did you suspect that supercar manufacturers would be nervous when Tesla vowed that its next-gen Roadster would deliver a "hardcore smackdown" to gas-powered performance cars? Your hunch was well-founded. In a chat with Top Gear, Koenigsegg's namesake founder Christian von Koenigsegg revealed that his company started reworking its engines just to remain competitive with the Roadster's vaunted 1.9-second 0-60MPH time. "This is embarrassing," he said.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Tesla reportedly missed its latest Model 3 production goal

  When Tesla made over 5,000 Model 3s per week at the end of June, it had lofty ambitions for its future -- it was going to press for 6,000 per week by the end of August. So how'd it do? Not so well, if Electrek is accurate. Its source claims that Tesla made 4,300 Model 3 units in the last week of August, and that there hasn't been a week since June where the company produced more than 5,000 of the new machines. The automaker is reportedly still on track to hit its overall EV production goal for the quarter ending in September, but it might not be shouting its Model 3 numbers from the rooftops.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Tesla package will enable Track Mode for more Model 3 buyers

  Tesla's Model 3 Performance is potentially a tuner's dream EV thanks to its upcoming Track Mode, but there's a problem: to get that Track Mode, you have to spring for a Performance Upgrade package on top of the Performance trim level. You won't have to worry if you had cold feet and bought 'just' the regular version, however. Tesla has confirmed that it's working on an after-the-fact Performance Upgrade package that should arrive around the same time as Track Mode itself. It's not clear how much this will cost, but it's likely higher than the $5,000 you'd pay to have it included at the factory.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple reports its first self-driving car crash

  Apple has been keeping most of its self-driving car plans and progress under wraps, but every once in a while, we get a small peek at what the tech giant has been doing. It has revealed in a DMV filing, for instance, that one of its autonomous vehicles was recently involved in a crash in the Bay Area -- and it was caused by human error. According to the document, an Apple test vehicle driving in autonomous mode on August 24th (2:58PM) was rear-ended by a 2016 Nissan Leaf. It happened while the test vehicle was waiting for a safe gap to merge onto the notoriously congested Lawrence Expressway. Apple's car was driving at less than 1 mph, while the Nissan Leaf was moving at around 15 mph.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

Gaming (64)

• Disney shuts down kid-friendly Club Penguin Island to cut costs

  Last year, Disney's kid-friendly online game Club Penguin shut down and the company relaunched it as a mobile app called Club Penguin Island. But now, Kotaku reports, Club Penguin Island is going away as well. Employees at the Kelowna, British Columbia studio behind the game received a notice this week that Club Penguin Island was being shut down and that they were being let go. "For several years now, we have been experiencing increasing global competition," Disney said in a letter to staff. "We have explored many options to improve efficiency and reduce costs. These measures have succeeded to some extent. However, in order to reduce costs further and become more competitive, we find that we must reduce our workforce."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Cartoon Network will livestream virtual 'Minecraft' convention

  It's almost time for Minecon -- an annual convention exclusively for Minecraft -- and like last year, you can watch the whole event from the comfort of your living room. Cartoon Network will broadcast the 90-minute event on its YouTube channel (which is sadly geoblocked) on September 29th, Saturday, starting at at 11:30 AM ET. The livestream will feature pre- and post-show programming, community panels, costume contests, live gameplay, the latest about the game and more. According to Variety, the livestream will also show merchandise you can purchase from home.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Philip K. Dick's 'The Great C' for Oculus Rift arrives this October

  The virtual reality adaptation of Philip K. Dick's The Great C is now making its way to VR headsets after debuting at the Venice Film Festival. It will be available for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive as soon as October 9th, but PlayStation VR owners will unfortunately have to wait until 2019. Fans can expect to be thrust into a 37-minute immersive sci-fi adventure when they put on their headsets and fire up the experience.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 'Fallout 76' beta begins October 23rd

  You still have a while to wait before you can dive into Fallout 76, though Bethesda is whetting fans' appetites by releasing the game's intro video and revealing launch dates for the beta. The clip sets up the story, in which survivors of a nuclear war are leaving their bunker and stepping into the West Virginia wasteland with the aim of rebuilding America.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• 'Red Dead Redemption 2' will be a massive 105GB download

  Red Dead Redemption 2 is finally dropping next month, and Sony has revealed some of what's in store with the pre-order launch of its PS4 Pro Bundle. The box refers to a "timed exclusive for 30 days" and mentions online content. We knew PlayStation users were getting some unique content, but this confirms they'll get it ahead of everyone else, too.

  By Rachel England Read More

• 'Fortnite' season six arrives with invisibility and pets

  It feels like we had to wait forever, but it's finally here: Fortnite season six has begun. As is customary with any new competitive window, tonnes of new content has landed, but it's also time to say goodbye to items and locations you may have come to love (or really really hate). The theme for season six is "Darkness Rises," turning the island shadowy thanks to the otherworldly powers exhibited by "The Cube."

  By Matt Brian Read More

• Robots reign supreme in new VR games for Oculus headsets

  As Oculus hosts its annual OC5 event in San Francisco this week, the company isn't just looking back at its five years in existence, it's looking forward. Specifically to "the latest and greatest in gaming content," Steve Arnold, head of Oculus Studio Content, told assembled reporters at a preview event held the week prior.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• 'Star Wars' VR experience 'Vader Immortal' will debut on Oculus Quest

  Oculus Quest owners will have an exclusive Star Wars VR series to look forward to this spring: Vader Immortal. We only got a brief glimpse of it during the Oculus Connect 5 keynote today, but it looks like it'll place you on Mustafar, the volcanic planet that houses Vader's lair. The three episode series will be written by David S. Goyer, the prolific genre writer who's also working on the Secrets of the Empire, another Star Wars VR experience developed by the ILMxLAB and The Void. Vader Immortal will also tie into that series, and it's going to take place between Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One in the Star Wars universe.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Telltale stops selling 'The Walking Dead: The Final Season'

  Telltale has temporarily removed the final season of The Walking Dead from digital game stores. Head to its GOG page and you'll be greeted with the following message: "Telltale has requested a temporary pause of sales of The Walking Dead - Final Season." It's also no longer available on Steam or console either, reports The Verge. The now-defunct studio reportedly confirmed to Polygon that season pass sales have been "halted" as it works out how to "finish the final two episodes." We've reached out to Telltale to find out what's going on and will update this article with its response. Of course, a "temporary pause" implies the game should be back at some point.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• 'Professor Layton and the Curious Village' comes to iOS and Android

  Today, the beloved adventure game Professor Layton and the Curious Village is out for both iOS and Android. Studio Level-5 remastered the classic puzzle game in HD and optimized it for mobile. You can pick it up today for $10 from the App Store or Google Play Store.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• This is what Telltale's 'Stranger Things' game might have looked like

  Following the "majority studio closure" of Telltale Games last week, the future of many of its planned projects has been up in the air. Rumors suggest that The Walking Dead: The Final Season has been canceled, incomplete, while The Wolf Among Us 2 has been scrapped entirely. Also on the chopping block is the much-anticipated Netflix partnership for a game version of Stranger Things. And to rub salt into the wound, clips of what the game could have looked like have now emerged on Reddit (admittedly from a random user, but we're pretty sure they're legit -- it'd take a lot of work to mock these up). As you can see, it's a bit of a departure from Telltale's usual artistic style.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Telltale Games: More 'The Walking Dead' episodes on the way?

  On Friday Telltale Games abruptly shut down, laying off most of its employees without warning. The studio was in the midst of wrapping up the Final Season of its The Walking Dead series, and tomorrow will release the second of four scheduled episodes. Fans who may have already purchased a season pass for all of the episodes have no word if they'll ever see the light of day. Earlier today, in a statement to Polygon, Netflix confirmed rumors that Telltale is still finishing Minecraft: Story Mode, which accounts for the remaining employees. Tonight, the game company's Twitter account posted that things might not be over for The Walking Dead, and said that "Multiple potential partners have stepped forward to express interest in helping to see The Final Season through to completion. While we can't make any promises today, we are actively working towards a solution that will allow episodes 3 and 4 to be completed and released in some form. In the meantime, episode 2 will be released tomorrow across all platforms as planned." The series has been popular over the years, and it seems sensible that there would be interest in finishing it properly. However, given the company's recent issues and then out of the blue shutdown, it's hard to trust that we'll see more of these games ever without more concrete information. Only time will tell if this interest turns into anything, which is a tough spot to be in for gamers who've already paid for the content, not to mention former workers suddenly twisting in the wind without severance or benefits -- would any revenue from future episodes end up in their pockets to make up for missing severance or benefits? According to one former employee, there were people who had started there just in the last week, including one who had moved across the country for a job.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Swiss soccer fans interrupt game to protest esports

  While a growing number of professional sports leagues are supporting esports, not everyone is too pleased that they're doing so. This weekend, fans of two Swiss soccer teams -- Young Boys and Basel -- protested the rise of esports during a game, hurling tennis balls and video game console controllers onto the field around 15 minutes in. Some of the controllers appeared to have "fuck esports" written on them. Fans on both sides also unfurled banners, with one featuring a giant pause button and another saying "scheiss esports."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• 'The Gardens Between' is a bittersweet time-bending puzzler

  How much of your childhood do you remember? Fleeting moments, I suspect, that made you chuckle, laugh or sob. The days you spent with classmates, perhaps, pulling pranks or killing time during summer break. But not everything. The Gardens Between, a surreal puzzle game by The Voxel Agents, is a bittersweet exploration of the memories and unforgettable friendships we forge as wide-eyed youngsters. While not the longest or trickiest indie game, it does a stellar job capturing the mundane adventures that, infused with childlike wonder and imagination, brought us closer to the people we knew as kids.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• The early 'Phoenix Wright' games are heading to PC and more consoles

  Phoenix Wright, Maya Fey and their gang of falsely accused clients are making their way to more platforms in the West. At the 2018 Tokyo Game Show, Capcom has announced that the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney trilogy -- the first Ace Attorney game, Justice for All and Trials and Tribulations -- will head to the PC, PS4, Xbox One and Switch in 2019.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 'Overwatch' tests new colorblind options and tweaked Torbjörn

  Ever since Overwatch debuted, Blizzard has continued to poke and prod at the game by adding heroes, game modes, maps and making tweaks to existing content to keep players interested. With a game that functions as a funnel toward its professional esports league, balance is key and that occasionally means big reworks to characters who have been seen as residing outside of the "meta" picks to increase the chance of winning. Blizzard already made major changes to one character who saw little use in its competitive modes, Symmetra, and now it's testing a rework for Torbjörn, a Swedish engineer who built turrets and distributed armor to teammates. As described by the team in a video and patch notes, his armor pack and scrap collecting feature has been removed entirely.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• 'Fortnite' will add more audio cues to help you hunt rivals

  Play enough Fortnite and you'll know that audio cues can make all the difference -- footsteps are your cue to get ready for a fight (or, let's be honest, run for the hills). To that end, Epic has offered a sneak peek at the development and testing of Season 6 spatial audio updates that could save your hide. It wants higher-frequency, higher-contrast footsteps that help you pinpoint someone's location, and better spatial audio cues for gliders. It also wants to provide more sounds for in-air movement that doesn't involve a glider, such as falling or launching off a Bouncer pad.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 'Walking Dead' studio Telltale lays off most of its staff (updated)

  Telltale Games, the studio behind titles such as The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us, has laid off most of its staff in what it's calling a "majority studio closure." The publisher told Engadget in a statement that "a majority of the company's employees were dismissed earlier this morning, with a small group of 25 employees staying on to fulfill the company's obligations to its board and partners."

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Sokpop is selling indie games like a magazine subscription

  There are many ways to buy a video game. You can snag a physical copy, peruse a digital store like Steam, or subscribe to massive Netflix-style services such as PlayStation Now and Xbox Games Pass. There's no shortage of options, but that hasn't stopped Sokpop -- an indie 'collective' in the Netherlands -- from trying something different. For $3 per month, you can access a new game made by the team every fortnight. That's right. Every. Fortnight. In addition, the team is working on larger projects that will, once they're complete, be accessible to subscribers too.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Blizzard bans third-party 'Overwatch' stats apps

  Blizzard has declared that players are not allowed to use certain third-party Overwatch stat-tracking apps. The company said running software such as Visor and Pursuit while playing the game violates the End User License Agreement, and those who continue to use those tools could face permanent bans.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Capcom releases 'Mega Man' classics cartridges

  As promised, Capcom's Mega Man 2 and Mega Man X playable game cartridges are available now from iam8bit's online store for $100 each. Meaning if you put in a pre-order for either -- or both -- back in May, they'll be making their way to you stat.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• 'Resident Evil 2' remake's Story trailer features familiar faces

  We got our hands on Capcom's Resident Evil 2 remake earlier this year at E3 2018, but now it's showing off a "Story" trailer and some familiar characters at the Tokyo Game Show. It's our most extensive look at gameplay since the remake was announced three years ago, with peeks at zombie dogs, mysterious woman of action Ada Wong and many others. Of course Claire and Leon are the stars, but, as Capcom explains in a blog post, the old "zapping" story method where one playthrough could have effects on your next one is no longer present in this edition, with each instead having a separate campaign for you to play through. Resident Evil 2 will be reborn for PS4, Xbox One and PC on January 25th, 2019.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Destiny 2: Forsaken's Gambit mode is open to everyone this weekend

  With the base Destiny 2 free for PS Plus members through the month of September, Bungie is determined to sell newcomers on Forsaken -- and that means giving players a taste of what they're missing. The developer is making Forsaken's Gambit multiplayer mode available to everyone between September 21st and September 23rd. It might be worth a look, especially if you're not usually fond of human-versus-human combat.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 'Red Dead Online' arrives this November

  If you're preparing to strap on your cowboy boots and venture into the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 when the sequel hits consoles at the end of next month, you'll have to wait a little longer to play the game's online mode. Rockstar Games said that Red Dead Online will arrive in November, and it will be a public beta at first.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Sega's Mega Drive Mini won't arrive until 2019

  The retro console craze kicked off by Nintendo's NES and SNES classic systems, with Sony's miniature PS1 inbound, has proven bountiful for nostalgic gamers keen to relive their 8- to 32-bit glory days. But Sega's plans to join the rose-tinted celebrations with its own Mega Drive Mini has hit a speed bump. Slated for release in Japan this year, the iconic console is now being delayed until 2019, the company announced on Twitter.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• 'Angry Birds' makes its Magic Leap debut

  Magic Leap's long-awaited augmented reality headset finally debuted over a month ago, even if its $2,300 price tag makes it much too extravagant for most of us. Still, it's a pretty big step forward for consumer-grade AR, and the company is betting big on developers to create the content library it needs. One such developer is Rovio, which announced it's bringing its most popular game franchise -- Angry Birds -- to the platform.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Capcom closes Vancouver studio behind ‘Dead Rising’

  Video game publisher Capcom is shutting down its Vancouver studio and around 158 employees will be let go. The company told Variety that operations were suspended Tuesday and a skeleton crew would remain on board until January in order to finalize the closure. "Capcom has been focused on increasing the efficiency and growth of its game development operations," a spokesperson told Variety. "To support this objective, new R&D facilities and annual hiring have been underway at the Osaka headquarters. In consideration of this process, as a result of reviewing titles in development at Capcom Vancouver, Capcom has decided to cancel the development projects at this studio and will concentrate development of major titles in Japan."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• The massive 'Gwent' overhaul comes home October 23rd

  Netflix casting its Geralt for the upcoming show based on The Witcher isn't the only reason fans of the fantasy franchise have to be excited. Developer CD Projekt Red has announced a release date for spin-off digital card-game, Gwent: October 23rd on the DRM-free GOG store. Come the end of next month, the game will finally exit beta (after debuting in June 2016) and when it does, it'll arrive with its revamped single-player campaign, "Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales." The developer has said this narrative will have stronger ties to the Witcher universe than the previous single-player mode.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• The cyberpunk bartending sequel to 'VA-11 HALL-A' arrives in 2020

  The expert mixologists at Venezuela's Sukeban Games invented the cyberpunk "booze-em-up" with VA-11 HALL-A, combining William Gibson with a dash of Charles Bukowski -- which Engadget's Jessica Conditt lovingly described as "Papers, Please, but with alcohol instead of immigration papers." That indie hit sold 200,000 copies and now Sukeban has announced its sequel, with yet more eccentric characters and whiskey-soaked shenanigans.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Rare delays 'Sea of Thieves' DLC at the last minute

  You might want to rethink your plans if you expected to swashbuckle your way through Sea of Thieves' "Forsaken Shores" DLC this week. Rare has pushed back the release from September 19th (just over a day away as of this writing) to September 27th. A weekend playtesting session discovered a "complex" memory glitch that led to crashes for many players, and it's going to take a while to both fix the bug and test it with volunteers in the Pioneer program.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Telltale's final 'The Walking Dead' season continues September 25th

  We hope you've steeled yourself for the next installment of Telltale's final The Walking Dead season, because it's almost here. The developer plans to release the second episode on September 25th for PC, PS4, Switch and Xbox One players. You can buy a digital season pass for $20, while PS4 and Xbox One owners can pick up a season pass disc on November 6th for $30. You can also expect a Switch cartridge "at a later date."

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• US and European gambling regulators may crack down on loot boxes

  Gambling regulators from Europe and the US are turning up the heat on game developers over loot boxes, which some jurisdictions claim violate gambling laws. A group of 15 European agencies and the Washington State Gambling Commission agreed to work together to "address the risks created by the blurring of lines between gaming and gambling."

  By Kris Holt Read More

• OnePlus and Google's 'Crackables' game will dish out $30,000 prize

  In a series of firsts, OnePlus has announced that it's ditching the headphone jack on its next flagship, releasing a TV, and now it's gearing up to unleash its first game: Crackables (made with the help of Google, no less).

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• 'PUBG Mobile' update adds Sanhok map and new weapons

  PUBG Mobile's recruited 20 million daily active users (outside of Korea, Japan, and China) in just six months. To celebrate, Bluehole is giving gamers a massive update led by the arrival of the Sanhok map. That also means new weapons (Flare Gun, QBZ, Muscle Car and Bulletproof UAZ), along with a new Season Page that shows all your data -- including titles, highest tier reached and more -- and the usual gameplay improvements, this time tweaking the chat system, clan rankings, air drop items, and friends list, among others.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• 'Final Fantasy VII' and other classics will hit Switch, Xbox One

  If you've always wanted to play classic Final Fantasy titles on your Nintendo Switch, now you can. Nintendo just announced that a whole array of older Final Fantasy games will be available on its flagship console either later this year or in 2019. Final Fantasy XV pocket edition is available now, World of Final Fantasy Maxima will drop on November 6th, Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon will be available this winter, while 2019 will see the arrival of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy IX, a HD remaster of Final Fantasy X/X-2 and Final Fantasy XII: the Zodiac Age. A whole host of legendary FINAL FANTASY titles are being released on #NintendoSwitch over the coming months and into 2019! pic.twitter.com/Y6pLAVx54h — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 13, 2018

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• The 'Assassin's Creed: Odyssey' season pass will take you to Atlantis

  Of course Assassin's Creed: Odyssey will have a season pass. The first add-on pack will drop sometime in December, according to a post on the UbiBlog, with "two major new story arcs told across multiple episodes." Each episode will land six weeks apart from one another, there will be three episodes per arc according to IGN and the full-on second arc will be released sometime next spring.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• THQ Nordic is the Frankenstein monster of video games

  THQ Nordic has built a successful business out of the dead and rotting leftovers from downtrodden video game studios. Since entering the publishing biz in 2011, its specialty has been acquiring the intellectual property rights for midtier and AAA games and breathing new life into them. THQ Nordic has resurrected and remastered franchises including Darksiders, Jagged Alliance, Red Faction, Desperados and MX vs. ATV, to name just a few. The studio's latest purchase has been lifeless for six years, but it's a big one. THQ Nordic announced this month that it acquired the rights to Kingdoms of Amalur, the vast fantasy franchise from Rhode Island developer 38 Studios, which went down in flames and infamy in 2012. Amalur is just the latest limb sewn onto THQ Nordic's undead monster, but it's a clear representation of the company's unique, and so far lucrative, approach to publishing.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Pokémon Go's top players can nominate PokéStops in Brazil and Korea

  Hot off its 35 percent active player boost this summer, Pokémon Go aims to keep the momentum going with a new PokéStop nominations beta. "Coming soon" for level 40 trainers in Brazil and Korea (excluding kids), with plans for a wider rollout, the feature will let you submit PokéStop locations and objects -- all from within the app's Settings menu.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• BlizzCon 2018's feature-packed virtual tickets are on sale now

  There's still two months to go before BlizzCon, but fans can start getting involved now with the launch of the BlizzCon 2018 Virtual Ticket. Pick one up from the Blizzard Shop for $50 and you'll get two months of exclusive video and new content, and when the event gets going you can enjoy comprehensive livestreams covering all the major news, events and panels at the show. Handy if you can't get to the convention itself.

  By Rachel England Read More

• 'Pokémon Go' saw a 35 percent growth this summer

  Pokémon Go remains one of the most recognizable mobile games around, but it definitely experienced periods of user decline over the past couple of years after it took the world by storm. While not everyone who used to play the game picked it up again, it sounds like this past summer has been good to it -- according to Niantic, it saw a 35 percent increase in active usage since May. That's in line with a SuperData report from June, which said that the game had its highest active user count in May since its debut in 2016.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 'FIFA 19' demo gives you an early taste of The Journey this week

  It's that time of year again: FIFA demo season. The demo's 2019 installment for, you guessed it FIFA 19, will be released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One September 13th, around two weeks before the full game. The playable teaser features 10 teams total including UEFA Champions League clubs Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• TwitchCon's Hackathon returns on October 27

  TwitchCon 2018 is fast approaching, and the annual celebration of the streamer community will again hold a hackathon for developers to create fun and/or useful Twitch extensions using the platform's API tools. They'll have 24 hours to build their projects.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• One of the most powerful 'Fortnite' guns is no more

  It's the end of an era in Fortnite... not that some players will necessarily mind. As part of a relatively minor update, Epic Games has quietly "vaulted" (that is, retired) the Drum Gun. While the weapon has only been available since July, it caused no small amount of havoc when it premiered. Its 50-round capacity and high rate of fire meant that you could not only take out multiple opponents (certainly unshielded ones) with a single magazine, for starters. It could also create misery for anyone building a structure, since you could easily unload on someone's wall and still have ammo to finish off your opponent. And did we mention it was relatively easy to find?

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Nerf adds 'Fortnite' blasters to its foam arsenal

  Blizzard made waves earlier this year when it announced Nerf guns were coming based on those found in its colorful hero shooter Overwatch, but that's not the only game getting licensed foam blasters. Today, Hasbro and Epic Games announced that Fortnite-themed Nerf guns are coming, too.

  By David Lumb Read More

• 38 Studios' 'Kingdoms of Amalur' finds a second life at THQ

  Curt Schilling's 38 Studios imploded years ago, but its gaming legacy might live for a while longer. THQ Nordic has bought the intellectual property for Kingdoms of Amalur, including the Amalur-based ( and unreleased) online RPG Project Copernicus. The publisher hasn't said what it intends to do with the fantasy franchise, but its team in Austria will conduct "evaluation of sequels and new content."

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NVIDIA Shield update includes in-game voice chat support

  NVIDIA is rolling out a Shield software upgrade today, bringing users new features as well as the return of one old one. The company's new GeForce Now beta was released not long ago and today's update introduces some improvements to the streaming service including in-game voice chat support for popular games like Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and the ability to connect a headset and mic to the Shield controller. Additionally, NVIDIA is tweaking its keyboard and mouse experience, introducing smoother and more accurate mouse movements, keyboard shortcuts and a Keyboard and Mouse Games row on GeForce Now. More day-and-date releases are on the way as well, like the upcoming Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• 'Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles' is coming to the Switch and PS4

  Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition isn't the only Final Fantasy game coming to the Switch. Square Enix is doubling down on its ports of the JRPG series by bringing Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles to Nintendo's console as soon as next year. Oh, and it's also getting its Sony debut on the PS4.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Bungie will offer real-life rewards to ‘Destiny 2’ raid victors

  If you're planning on participating in Bungie's Destiny 2: Forsaken Last Wish raid starting this Friday, then you may want to take note of the prizes on offer. The first fireteam to emerge triumphant will receive real-world trophies, not just in-game virtual ones. Each teammate will receive one. The belt pictured above was not cited specifically as one of the possible trophies, but since the image was included, it's fair to say that the champion wrestling-style belt may be given to members of the winning team.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• 'Professor Layton and the Curious Village' is coming to iOS

  More than 11 years after its Japan debut on the Nintendo DS, the game that started the Professor Layton franchise is heading to iOS. Apple tweeted that Professor Layton and the Curious Village is "coming soon" to the App Store, with no word on a release date or gameplay details (in their place was a tophat emoji). It follows a Japanese HD port for iPhones and Android in June.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Square Enix survival-shooter 'Left Alive' delayed to 2019

  Square Enix's mysterious Left Alive project has been pushed back from an ambiguous "2018" release date to February 28th, 2019 in Japan. The delay isn't a huge surprise given how little we've seen of the game. Square Enix did, however, show a new cinematic trailer today during Sony's pre-Tokyo Game Show event. Set in the fictional city of Nova Slava, it follows three characters as they try to endure a futuristic warzone filled with soldiers and mechs. The teaser had no gameplay (boo) but did show some impressive-looking robots sliding around. Which is no surprise, really, given the game's director is Armored Core legend Toshifumi Nabeshima.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• 'Kingdom Hearts 3' trailer shows off 'Big Hero 6' world

  Back in 2015, Square Enix confirmed that Big Hero 6 would be a playable world in Kingdom Hearts 3. Since then, though, we've heard zilch about Hiro, the lovable Baymax and the rest of San Fransokyo's residents. Well, the wait is finally over. During a "Lineup Tour" event ahead of Tokyo Game Show, Sony revealed a new Kingdom Hearts 3 trailer that shows cutscenes and gameplay from the superhero-inspired locale. As expected, Sora, Donald and Goofy team up with Baymax and eventually acquire a transformational Big Hero 6 keyblade called Nano Arms. Combat sequences take place on a bridge, atop a skyscraper, and on the city streets.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Pro gaming tournament will ask attendees to open fight sticks

  Following the shooting that occurred last month during a Madden 19 tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, a number of tournament organizers said they planned to beef up security at their upcoming events. Additional safety measures would include metal detectors, more thorough searches of attendees as well as a heavier law enforcement presence. But later, the SoCal Regionals tournament took its new security measures to another level, saying attendees would need to unlatch or unscrew their arcade sticks for inspection upon entry.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• In 'Fortnite' Monopoly, Tilted Towers is the new Boardwalk

  How do you get Fortnite-obsessed kids to play an old-school board game? By putting Fortnite in the board game, of course. Epic and Hasbro have revealed a Fortnite version of Monopoly that replaces the usual property trading with elements from the battle royale shooter. Island locations replace buildings (popular drop point Tilted Towers is the new Boardwalk), while health points replace money. Don't just call it a cosmetic change, though -- there are genuine changes to the game mechanics.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Overwatch League adds teams from Toronto, Vancouver and Paris

  Activision Blizzard has rounded out the Overwatch League ranks for the second season of Overwatch's top-level professional competition. The company confirmed that eight more teams will compete, including new additions Toronto and Vancouver (the first Canadian teams in the league), along with Paris, which is the second European squad after the 2018 champions London Spitfire. Teams from Washington, DC, and Chinese cities Chengdu and Hangzhou are also part of the 2019 lineup. They join the previously announced Atlanta and Guangzhou teams as the number of rosters rises to 20 this time around.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• ’Overwatch’ is part of October’s $12 Humble Bundle

  If you haven't heard of Humble Bundle, it's a service that offers discounted games and ebooks for charity. You purchase a pre-selected bundle that offers a very good value, and part of your money goes to charity. It's pretty simple and offers a win-win situation: You get the games you want at a low price, and you get to feel good while doing it. Now, Humble Bundle has announced that its October 2018 Humble Monthly will feature Overwatch.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• How to watch EA's Jacksonville Tribute Livestream

  Today, EA will hold The Jacksonville Tribute Stream to remember Elijah Clayton and Taylor Robertson, the professional gamers who were killed in a shooting at a Madden 19 tournament. Since its purpose is to bring the community together to support everyone affected by the tragic incident last August 26th, the gaming giant is making the livestream as accessible as possible. You can choose to watch and follow the tribute later today, September 6th from 5PM to 6:30PM ET, on the game's official Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Mixer accounts. If you have a cable provider that gives you access to ESPN's streams, you can also go that route.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 'Eve Online' studio acquired by Korean MMO maker

  Eve Online developer CCP Games has been acquired by Pearl Abyss, the South Korean studio behind the action-oriented MMORPG Black Desert Online. According to VentureBeat, the deal was worth $425 million and will close in early October. It's a surprise announcement for CCP, which has long operated as an independent developer. Eve Online isn't the biggest MMORPG on the market, but it has maintained a steady and loyal userbase through continuous updates and a well-timed switch to a hybrid premium and free-to-play model. The 15-year-old game is unique, too, with its large-scale battles and notoriously complex economic and political systems.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Nielsen steps up its tracking of digital gaming and esports

  Nielsen has acquired gaming industry intelligence firm SuperData Research to give its ability to track games and esports a boost. According to its announcement, the acquisition will allow it to keep a closer eye on digital gaming use, sales and audiences. It will also give the company a way to track spending on esports events, tickets, marketing and sponsorships. In other words, SuperData will beef up Nielsen's capability to measure various metrics other than sales alone for an industry where those metrics matter. VentureBeat notes, though, that it doesn't always have the most accurate figures.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Ubisoft rewards two-factor use with free 'Rainbow Six: Siege' skin

  Epic isn't the only one using the promise of free in-game fashion to promote healthier security. Ubisoft is rewarding account holders with a free Rainbow Six: Siege skin if they enable two-factor authentication. It's a somewhat complicated process (it entails the Google Authenticator mobile app and QR codes), but the developer is betting that the allure of a unique operator outfit will be worth the hassle. As it is, you'll need to do this if you're the competitive sort -- 2FA will be required for ranked matches in the near future.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• A 'Lord of the Rings' game is coming from the publisher of 'Warframe'

  If you're itching for a new Lord of the Rings game to move past the controversy of Shadow of War, we have good news -- although it might not be quite what you're expecting. Athlon Games (partner to Digital Extremes and Splash Damage) has signed a licensing deal that will see it create an "online game set in the world of Middle-earth." There are precious few details beyond that, but you can likely rule out seeing the likes of Frodo or Aragorn when the title will be set "long before" the events of the LOTR novels, with new places and characters. Much like Amazon's future show, Athlon isn't messing with the canonical material.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The latest limited-time 'Fortnite' game mode is a daring jewel heist

  Epic has another high-profile Fortnite mode on the way, but this one won't involve a gauntlet-wielding supervillain. It's launching a themed "High Stakes" event on September 5th, and the star of the show is a limited-time The Getaway mode that has squads swiping a jewel from one of four safes around the island and bringing it to an escape van. The event also brings loads of purchasable cosmetics, including male and female skins with card-themed masks, a money-laden glider and a trail of bills when you drop.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• BioWare will offer a full 'Anthem' demo on February 1st

  Full demos for games aren't very common these days, especially for online-focused games where you're more likely to see alpha and beta tests. BioWare is promising something different for Anthem, however. The studio plans to release an honest-to-goodness demo for the shared-world shooter on February 1st for PS4, Xbox One and PC players. You'll likely have to be a "VIP" (that is, either a pre-order customer or an EA Access subscriber) to try it, but this should offer a proper taste of the game rather than a technical preview like Destiny's alpha tests.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Prison survival game 'Scum' no longer includes neo-Nazi tattoos

  Days after prisoner survival game Scum came out in Steam Early Access, players discovered their criminal characters could be given Nazi-related tattoos. Today, its publisher Devolver Digital scrubbed the customization options from the title and apologized.

  By David Lumb Read More

• Honor’s Play gaming phone is far from perfect for 'PUBG'

  The new Honor Play is business as usual for Huawei's under-brand. A marriage of surprisingly good specs, premium-esque design and a mid-range price tag is Honor's modus operandi, but the Play was created with a specific demographic in mind: The avid mobile gamer. While most phones are more than capable of running games, the Play has a couple of special features that are supposed to give you, the player, an advantage over the competition.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

Google (51)

• Best Buy inadvertently sold Google's next-gen Chromecast

  Google is still having an absolutely lousy time keeping its October 9th announcements under wraps. Redditor GroveStreetHomie managed to buy the as yet unreleased third-generation Chromecast at a Best Buy that had mistakenly put it out for sale. Externally, it's more a subtle refresh of the 2015 model than a revolution -- it's still a puck-shaped dongle, just with a matte surface and the Chrome logo replaced with the virtually omnipresent "G" from newer devices. Inside, however, it might be more interesting.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google’s CEO will testify before Congress about bias and China

  Google CEO Sundar Pichai will testify before the House Judiciary Committee in November, following the midterm elections. He met with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and other senior Republicans Friday to discuss accusations that Google is biased against conservatives (a charge the company has denied). McCarthy told Reuters that Pichai had agreed to appear before the committee.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Google Clips update lets you capture more moments

  Google is rolling out an update for Clips, its hands-free camera that automatically records short video segments when it determines something interesting is going on. When we reviewed the camera earlier this year, one of our complaints was how unpredictable it was. It wasn't fully clear why certain events were captured when others weren't, and a number of memorable moments featuring both people and pets were left unrecorded. But with the latest update, Clips now offers a "completely rebuilt" High Capture Rate so you can "capture many more hugs, jumps, smiles, dances and more."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google Images will display creator and credit information

  While it's easy to find an image of pretty much anything you want on Google, it's not always easy to find credit information for that image. But Google is looking to change that, and it has teamed up with media and image organizations CEPIC and IPTC to bring rights-related metadata to Images. Now, when you find an image on Google Images, you can click the menu icon and then "Image Credits" to see both creator and credit information. Google says it will add copyright notice information in the coming weeks.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google makes it easier to keep track of travel research

  Google is introducing new features that will make it easier for you to keep track of your travel plans. When you're putting a trip together, you might end up juggling a lot of information like flights that you're keeping an eye on, hotel options and restaurants or sites you're interested in visiting. Beginning in October, Your Trips will help you manage all of that info, organizing what you've saved and searched for and letting you resume planning where you left off. Additionally, Google will assist with your planning, surfacing things to do, day plans and travel articles in Search that will become more customized as you settle your dates and hotels reservations.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Just Google it: The journey from search to desktop OS

  It's hard to imagine, but only 10 years has passed since Google launched the Chrome browser in September 2008. A world without Chrome feels like a distant past -- it's now the most popular browser by a wide margin. Barely a year after Chrome debuted, Google introduced Chrome OS. "It's our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be," Sundar Pichai, then the VP of product management, wrote in a blog post at the time. He described Chrome OS as an open-source desktop operating system that was a "natural extension" of the browser.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• Google’s success story has a few forgettable chapters

  In its 20-year history, Google has given, and Google has taken away. Companies of its size often dabble with new projects to see if the public will take them to their hearts. Sadly, for every Gmail and Maps, there are ten projects that felt the swing of the Mountain View ax. Sometimes these doomed projects have outlived their usefulness, didn't catch on with the public, or just didn't work as they should have. But while everyone celebrates Google's long life, let's spare a moment to remember the ones that didn't make it this far, and what happened next.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• Google confirms secret Dragonfly project, but won’t say what it is

  Representatives from a number of major tech companies appeared before the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Energy and Transportation today, discussing data privacy and concerns over consumer protection. Google sent its new chief privacy officer, Keith Enright, to the hearing, who was questioned multiple times over rumors that Google is working on a censored search engine for China. VentureBeat reports that Enright confirmed a project codenamed Dragonfly, though he stopped short of discussing what that project entailed. "I am not clear on the contours of what is in scope or out of scope for that project," Enright told Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google's best Doodles of the last 20 years

  It's hard to believe Google is about to turn 20 years old. And while the company has changed drastically in the past two decades, going from being a simple search engine to a global tech titan, there's one thing that's been there from the very first day: the homepage Doodle. Since 1998, Google has kept its site looking fresh by creating different variations of its logo, inspired by cultural icons, events and phenomenons such as Pac-Man, the birth of hip-hop and more. More than 2,000 Doodles have adorned Google's homepage, each with a unique charm. But there are some that have stood out from the rest and will forever be embedded in people's memories. Let's take a look at the best and most important Google Doodles from the past 20 years.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Google Maps now helps you plan group events

  If you've ever tried to settle on a place to eat, you know how time-consuming it can be. If you're not trying to describe each and every restaurant, you're sending a flood of links. Google is making that simpler from now on. As promised back in May, it's rolling out a Group Planning feature on Google Maps for Android and iOS that helps you coordinate events with friends. When you've found places to go, you only have to press and hold to add it to a shortlist that stays on-screen as you find places. Once you're satisfied, you can both share the entire list on messaging services and vote on the choices from Maps itself.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google discusses privacy regulation ahead of Senate hearing

  On Wednesday, a number of tech companies, including Apple, AT&T, Amazon, Twitter and Charter, will discuss data privacy before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Google will be there as well, represented by its new chief privacy officer, Keith Enright. In a blog post, Enright, who previously led Google's privacy legal team, discussed his new role and shared the company's thoughts on what data protection regulation should look like in the US.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google relaxes its ban on cryptocurrency ads

  Google is tweaking the ban on cryptocurrency ads it put into place earlier this year and will soon allow regulated exchanges to advertise on its platform in the US and Japan. The company said that advertisers will have to apply for certification in order to place ads and they'll have to do so for the specific country in which their ads will be circulated.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google CEO Sundar Pichai will meet US officials to discuss censorship

  Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, will appear at a private meeting with Republican lawmakers on the Capitol Hill on Friday, September 28th, following recent allegations that the company had previously censored search results. In addition to that, Pichai is scheduled to attend a public hearing at a House Judiciary Committee in November after the midterm elections.

  By Andrii Degeler Read More

• Google Lens is coming to Image search results

  Google is celebrating the twentieth birthday of its search engine, and is continuing to make changes to the way we find information. Searches are getting more visual, and the results that Google delivers need to cater to what we're looking for -- like a stunning gown Jennifer Lopez wore at a red carpet, for example. Google will launch Featured Videos and further emphasize its existing AMP Stories in search. It'll also bring Google Lens to its image results so you can do more with the photos you find on the search engine.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• Google Feed gets renamed Discover, will appear on mobile homepage

  Last year, Google announced Feed, a personalized news feed that lives under the Google search box in the mobile app. Today, however, the company is rebranding Feed to Discover. You'll still get the same listing of current topics and upcoming events, but it'll be even more tailored to your interests. But what's especially intriguing, however, is that Discover will now no longer live just in the app; it'll appear in the Google mobile homepage as well.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Google's new activity cards will save your previous searches

  It's been twenty years since Google launched its search engine, and today it's hard to imagine a world without it. At an event in San Francisco today, the company announced new features to Search that would change the way we use the internet in the decades to come. The next chapter of search, according to the company, will be powered by AI, and starts with a new "activity card" and collections of results. It will use information from your previous searches to show you what you've already found, and surface relevant data for activities it looks like you're about to start.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• Google is quietly logging users into Chrome, but it's not all bad (updated)

  Google has found itself under fire over a recent change the company made to the way users sign into its Chrome browser. Released in early September, Chrome 69 logs the user in automatically at the moment they sign in to any Google service. The change predictably led to a backlash from privacy-concerned members of the community. Matthew Green, a cryptographer and professor at John Hopkins University, published a lengthy blog post outlining why the change ultimately made him decide to part ways with Chrome.

  By Andrii Degeler Read More

• Google and uBreakiFix provide free Pixel repairs to hurricane victims

  If you own one of Google's Pixel phones and it fell victim to Hurricane Florence, relief might be at hand. Google is partnering with uBreakiFix to offer free repairs for any Pixel phone damaged in the storm So long as you can visit one of uBreakiFix's locations in North Carolina, South Carolina or Virginia, the repair shop will fix cracked screens and water damage at no cost. You don't need an appointment to take advantage of the offer.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google Drive 'Priority' AI monitors your team to surface the right files

  Google's 'G Suite' of apps and services has been applying machine learning everywhere over the last couple of years, and the latest update it's testing for Google Drive goes a bit further. Two years ago it launched the machine learning-enhanced Quick Access feature to put files it thinks users need right in front of them before they even start searching. Google said users have reported that feature saves about 50 percent of their time.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Google tests see-through mode, better motion tracking for Daydream

  Google has introduced some new experimental features for developers working with the Lenovo Mirage Solo, the standalone Daydream headset released earlier this year. First up is see-through mode, a setting that lets the user see the real space around them through the VR headset. Google says this mode plus the Mirage Solo's tracking technology will allow developers to build AR prototypes. It demonstrated an application of this feature through an experimental app that lets Mirage Solo wearers position virtual furniture in a real-world surrounding.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google responds to lawmaker concerns over Gmail scanning

  In July, Senators John Thune (R-SD), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) sent Google a letter that sought information on Google's practice of allowing third-party app developers access to its users' emails. While Google stopped scanning Gmail messages for ad-targeting purposes earlier this year, it still offers access to others if users give their consent. Now, Google has replied to the lawmakers' letter.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• This might be Google's first Chrome OS tablet

  If you suspect that Google might have more to show at its October 9th event than the Pixel 3 series and the Home Hub, your theory could be well-founded. About Chromebooks has discovered a Chrome OS tablet keyboard from Brydge that includes an image of what appears to be Nocturne, a likely Google-made tablet that has appeared in Chromium code for the past several months. While there is a chance that it's just a render, there are hints that this isn't just a flight of fancy.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Gmail users will be able to opt out of Smart Replies on desktop

  Google's big Gmail redesign, which will become the default for users next month, includes a feature called Smart Reply -- short responses at the bottom of an email that users can choose to send instead of writing their own reply. They've had mixed reviews so far, with some saying they're convenient and others saying they often lack an appropriate tone. But the Wall Street Journal reports that Gmail users will be able to opt out of Smart Reply on the desktop version of Gmail in the coming weeks.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google Home Mini was the top selling smart speaker in Q2

  Alexa had better watch out: Google, not Amazon, had the bestselling smart speaker worldwide in Q2 of 2018. The Google Home Mini had a 20 percent market share during that quarter, selling 2.3 million units. It was followed closely by the Amazon Echo Dot, at 2.2 million. Rounding out the top five were the Amazon Echo, Alibaba Tmail Genie and Google Home.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Nest is secretly planning a move into digital health for elders

  Nest is quietly planning a move into digital healthcare off the back of its purchase of Seattle-based startup Senosis Health. Google's smart home brand has remained tight-lipped since the deal came to light in August 2017. But its secret is revealed in internal communications and financial documents on the Senosis acquisition obtained by GeekWire.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Google provides 911 call centers with more accurate location data

  Google is providing 911 operators with more accurate location information from callers using Android phones. The company has partnered with T-Mobile and emergency technology companies RapidSOS and West to send location data from its Emergency Location Service to 911 call centers when an Android user places an emergency call. For T-Mobile customers, that information will be sent via the carrier and when call centers use RapidSOS, Google's location data will be sent through the emergency technology company. In the US Virgin Islands, Google has integrated this technology in partnership with West.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google gives its Slack rival the ability to snooze notifications

  You can now stop Hangouts Chat notifications from breaking your concentration when you're in the zone... or taking a short nap after a stressful task. Google has updated its Slack rival with the ability to block notifications for a set amount of time -- just click on your status button and choose from the snooze notification options in the drop-down menu. You can choose to block alerts for as short as 30 minutes to as long as 8 hours, but you have to do so manually each time and can't set a schedule for it.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Google's own smart display is reportedly the $149 Home Hub

  On October 9th, Google will reveal its latest hardware lineup. Rumors have spread for some time that the company is preparing to unveil a smart display at the event, and a leak unearthed by MySmartPrice corroborates the existence of the device, indicating that it will be called Home Hub. Meanwhile, a separate leak of a retail listing suggests the smart display will cost $149, according to Android Authority.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Google's Trafalgar Square lion uses AI to generate crowdsourced poem

  In London's Trafalgar Square, four lions sit at the base of Nelson's Column. But starting today, there will be a fifth. Google Arts & Culture and designer Es Devlin have created a public sculpture for the London Design Festival. It's a lion that over the course of the festival will generate a collective poem by using input from the public and artificial intelligence.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google's 'Family Link' parental controls expands to teens

  "Family Link," Google's parental controls for Android and Chromebooks, is growing up. Well, in a sense. For one, it's no longer limited to kids -- soon adults will also be able to manage their teen's devices with existing Google accounts. Wisely, that can only occur with the teenager's permission, and they can also "unlock" their devices after parental controls are enabled (though that'll send an alert to parents). The idea isn't to control teens, instead it's a way for adults to still be involved as their kids grow more attached to devices. Parents won't be able to change teen's devices or change their passwords, like they can for younger children.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Google isn't killing 'www' in Chrome just yet

  Google's grand plan to rethink the URL has suffered a temporary setback after it was forced to reinstate the axed "www" in Chrome's address bar following user outrage. It now wants the public to weigh in on the change but claims it will correct course again with the release of Chrome 70.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Google brings its AI song recognition to Sound Search

  Google's Now Playing song recognition was clever when it premiered late in 2017, but it had its limits. When it premiered on the Pixel 2, for instance, its on-device database could only recognize a relatively small number of songs. Now, however, that same technology is available in the cloud through Sound Search -- and it's considerably more useful if you're tracking down an obscure title. The system still uses a neural network to develop "fingerprints" identifying each song, and uses a combination of algorithms to both whittle down the list of candidates and study those results for a match. However, the scale and quality of that song matching is now much stronger.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The Gmail Offline Chrome app will disappear after December 3rd

  Offline access to our Gmail is a feature that has come, gone and changed before, and 2018 will be no different. While Google's announcement Wednesday that it will pull the plug on Inbox got a lot of the attention, it also revealed that the old Gmail Offline Chrome app would be pulled after December 3rd. For an alternative, Google has prepared a native offline experience in its recent redesign of Gmail that syncs up to 90 days of emails and keeps everything listed in the same familiar interface. That means if you want offline access (useful for flights or other locations that combine dodgy WiFi with a possible need to pull up old messages) you will have to switch to the new experience -- we hope you like it.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Google's rumored 'Dragonfly' search prototype tied data to phone numbers

  While Google employees push back against and lawmakers ask questions about a rumored version of its search engine for China -- with censorship and blacklists for terms like human rights, democracy or protest built-in -- The Intercept revealed more details about how it might actually work. According to its sources, a "Dragonfly" prototype was built that worked similar to many online services in China, with an Android app that linked search activity to a phone number. The Chinese government has pushed for services like WeChat and Weibo to tie ID cards or phone numbers to their accounts before, while also attempting to make sure the large mobile carriers only sell SIMs to customers under their real names. Still, a Human Rights Watch member points out that linking search activity could make it that much harder for anyone to avoid government surveillance. Also mentioned is the idea that it would operate as a joint venture with a company in China, and host its data on servers there that leads some to worry it could be accessed by the authorities. Finally, there's a rumored customization for the source of weather and air pollution data, which The Intercept said has been manipulated before by the government.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Google changed a battery setting on Android phones by mistake

  Some Android users probably noticed some strange things happening with their phones over the last couple of days. Apps might have stopped updating in the background, location services maybe weren't in use when your screen was locked, and your notifications were perhaps delayed. That's because Google accidentally enabled the battery saver feature remotely on some phones running Android Pie, with the setting kicking in even on devices that were almost fully charged.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Congress wants to know if Google plans to relaunch search in China

  A cross-party group of congresspeople have asked Google if it plans to launch a censored version of its search engine in China, as has been rumored. In their letter to Google, the 16 Democrats and Republicans wrote they had "serious concerns" over the possible move, according to Reuters. A group of senators, including Marco Rubio and Ron Wyden, previously sought answers from Google over its reported return to China.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• YouTube will now show vertical ads

  Over the past few months, YouTube has made watching vertical videos feel more natural on the platform. It first gave mobile users the ability watch full-sized vertical content without black bars last year before rolling out the feature to the web in July 2018. Now, YouTube wants to make sure it can provide a seamless mobile viewing experience by allowing brands and companies to serve vertical video ads. If the YouTube player senses that the viewer is watching on mobile, the ad expands based on the video's dimensions.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Google is discontinuing Inbox

  Google launched Inbox in 2014 as a sort of incubator for new approaches to email, but it hasn't been quite so novel in the wake of steady Gmail upgrades, including April's big redesign. Appropriately, the company is sunsetting Inbox at the end of March 2019. The company wants a "more focused approach" to email, according to product manager Matthew Izatt, and that clearly leaves Gmail as the lone survivor.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google supports small-scale journalism with free G Suite licenses

  Earlier this year, Google announced that it would put $300 million towards fighting fake news and part of that effort included the Google News Initiative, a program aimed at strengthening the quality of journalism, enabling new business models to drive growth and empowering news organizations through innovative technologies. Now, the company says it will support local, small and medium-sized news organizations through its new Google News Initiative Cloud Program.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google Gboard test makes finding a relevant GIF even faster

  The whole point of Google's Gboard is to help you find relevant items without leaving your phone's keyboard, but how do you know there's something useful available while you're casually typing away? You might get a clue soon enough. Android Police has learned that Google is testing a smarter Gboard search feature that changes the distinctive "G" button when there's a relevant GIF, info or sticker search for what you're typing. Punch in "works for me" and you may see a sticker icon, while typing a famous name may show a magnifying glass to indicate that there's an info card. Tap the button and you'll search for the material without having to retype a thing.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Alphabet's Loon internet balloons broadcast their strongest signal yet

  Mere months after shedding its "project" moniker, Google's internet-by-balloon moonshot, Loon has hit another milestone. Last month, the tech juggernaut pushed data packets across seven of its balloons at a distance of nearly 1,000 kilometers. Previously, the record was 100 kilometers across two balloons, according to a Medium post from Loon.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Google Home updates may help you wind down at night

  While Google has yet to launch its digital wellbeing features on Android phones, it's already thinking of how to bring them to the smart speaker in your living room. The 9to5Google team has discovered material in the the latest Google app for Android that points to these digital health features coming to Home speakers and other Assistant-equipped devices. While the exact functionality isn't clear, there's a Downtime feature that could stop people from using Home at certain times of the day, such as when they're winding down at the end of the night. That could be particularly helpful if you have a bad habit of playing music or asking questions when you should be getting to bed.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Outdated concepts for Google's 'Shortwave' podcast app leak

  A few weeks ago, Google confirmed its Area 120 startup incubator is working on a podcast app called Shortwave. It told The Verge at the time that it "helps users discover and consume spoken-word audio in new ways" but didn't get specific about how. Now 9to5Google has posted some related "design experiments" that portray an app focused on surfacing small segments from within longer podcast episodes.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Google will reveal its latest Pixel phones October 9th

  Google has confirmed that its upcoming hardware event will take place October 9th in New York City at 11AM Eastern Time. The company is likely to reveal the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones, though plenty of leaks have given us a good idea of what Google has in store for its flagship Android handset this time around. They suggest that the display will have a deep notch, and the phone will probably have Qi wireless charging and an all-glass design. Other leaks suggested that the Pixel 3 will have a 5.5-inch screen, with a 2160x1080 resolution and a 2:1 aspect ratio.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Google helps scientists search for public data

  There's a sea of open research data available on the web, but it can be time-consuming to sift through those sites to get at the data -- and it's not always presented in an easy-to-parse format. Google hopes it can make that information more accessible to scientists, journalists and plain old data junkies with its new Dataset Search feature. The tool provides more direct access to data presented in an open standard that makes it clear who created the info, how it was collected and how you're allowed to use it. You could not only track down climate data for a report, but make sure that it's relevant and legal to use.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google wants to change the way we interact with URLs

  Google's done a lot with Chrome -- and by extension, our relationship with the internet -- in its relatively short life. Autofill, ad management, web encryption... These are all things that were at one time pretty ground-breaking, but which we now simply take for granted. Now, following the browser's 10th birthday and coinciding with its major redesign, Google has announced it's thinking about Chrome's Next Big Thing: killing the URL.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Google shares ‘testimony’ for Senate hearing it won’t attend

  Tomorrow, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey will appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee to discuss election meddling and security. Google was invited to send a representative as well and it offered Chief Legal Officer Kent Walker, but the committee rejected Walker as a witness, insisting that higher-level leaders like Alphabet CEO Larry Page or Google CEO Sundar Pichai would be more appropriate. Now, however, Walker has released the company's "testimony" online even though it appears that no one from Google will be at the hearing to deliver it.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google redesigns Chrome to celebrate its 10th anniversary

  Chrome recently marked its 10th birthday (September 2nd, to be exact), and Google is taking advantage of that milestone to unveil a major redesign of its now-ubiquitous web browser. After a few rounds of beta testing, the new version being pushed to everyone touts a more rounded Material 2 aesthetic that both drags Chrome into the modern era and promises some functional improvements. It's ditching the trapezoidal tabs in favor of straightforward designs that make web icons easier to see when there are loads of tabs open. Menus, prompts and addresses are also much simpler, and the toolbar is now on the bottom for iOS users to make it easier to reach.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Google offers AI toolkit to report child sex abuse images

  Numerous organizations have taken on the noble task of reporting pedophilic images, but it's both technically difficult and emotionally challenging to review vast amounts of the horrific content. Google is promising to make this process easier. It's launching an AI toolkit that helps organizations review vast amounts of child sex abuse material both quickly and while minimizing the need for human inspections. Deep neural networks scan images for abusive content and prioritize the most likely candidates for review. This promises to both dramatically increase the number of responses (700 percent more than before) and reduce the number of people who have to look at the imagery.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• A proper explanation of Google’s Android One program

  I must admit I didn't know much about Android One before coming to IFA 2018. I had assumed it was some form of software or set of specifications for midrange phones, although a lot of people around me were also confusing it with Android Go. Android One is neither of those things. If you're here expecting an Android Go explainer, sorry. Best go live your life now. This is not the (An)droid you're looking for.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• Google widens crackdown on ads for tech support scams

  Tech support scams are seemingly as plentiful as ever, and Google is taking some strict measures to prevent those fraudsters from showing up in its ads. The search firm has begun "restricting" tech support ads worldwide, and it's planning to introduce a verification system in the "coming months." This won't guarantee that you'll avoid support scam ads, but the odds should be higher that you'll get real help.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

Laptops (2)

• Surface Pro and Surface Laptop may only receive simple spec bumps

  We hope you weren't expecting major overhauls of the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop at Microsoft's October 2nd event -- you might be disappointed. Sources for WinFuture have claimed that both the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 (not necessarily their actual names) will largely represent spec bumps. They'll be available in black in higher-end configurations, but the design would otherwise be unchanged -- and that would leave you without USB-C for yet another year. That could be particularly frustrating if you have a USB-C smartphone or other modern peripherals, especially when the Surface Go and Surface Book 2 do have the newer connector.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Samsung’s $1,800 Odyssey Z gaming laptop is on sale in the US

  Samsung's Notebook Odyssey Z gaming laptop is now available in the US. The laptop, which features a slim design, a keyboard pushed to the lower portion of the tray and a right-side touchpad, comes in just one configuration that includes a 15.6-inch display, an Intel i7 hexa-core processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD. "Today's games are more intense, immersive and graphic-rich than ever before, and gamers need technology built specifically for them," Alanna Cotton, general manager of mobile computing and enhancements at Samsung Electronics America, said in a statement. "The Notebook Odyssey Z was engineered to enhance the gaming experience wherever you are -- take it anywhere, play without overheating and use it for the most intense games and projects."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

Meta (32)

• Facebook reportedly avoided DOJ wiretap of Messenger calls

  As part of a case involving members of the MS-13 gang, the US Department of Justice has been pushing to get access to Facebook Messenger voice calls. It even attempted to hold Facebook in contempt of court last month when the company pushed back on a wiretap order. Now, Reuters reports that a US District Court judge ruled in favor of the social media giant, according to sources familiar with the matter, but because the proceedings are sealed, the reason why isn't yet clear.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Facebook admits using two-factor phone numbers to target ads

  Facebook has admitted that it uses the phone number provided by users for two-factor authentication (2FA) to target them with ads. Naturally, its repurposing of information passed on for security purposes to make more ad dollars is causing quite the stir, with users lambasting its tactics on social media. Facebook's acknowledgement comes in the wake of a Gizmodo report that exposed the practice.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Oculus CTO John Carmack reveals what's next for Oculus Go

  Oculus CTO John Carmack is known for giving an unfiltered speech on day two of Oculus' annual Connect conference, and this year is no different. Today, he talked extensively on the trials and tribulations of making Oculus' latest slate of standalone headsets, and more intriguingly, gave a sneak peek as to what expect in the next generation of the Oculus Go. He also said that current Go headsets will soon get support for microSD cards over USB, a night mode and a low-power mode.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Facebook and RED unveil their Manifold 3D VR camera

  Facebook and RED are finally ready to show their 3D VR camera after months of teasing. They've revealed Manifold, a ball-shaped array that uses 16 of RED's Helium 8K sensors (with 180-degree Schneider lenses) to capture a complete, 60FPS VR video in one scene, including depth information. The The result is high-quality 360-degree video that reacts when you move your head. You might not walk directly through a video, but you wouldn't be stuck in one camera position when watching with an Oculus Quest or a similar six-degrees-of-freedom headset.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Oculus predicts a VR future that includes ultra-thin headsets

  Oculus' virtual reality ambitions extend well past standalone headsets. In a talk at Oculus Connect 5, the company's Michael Abrash updated his predictions for the future of VR headset technology. Most notably, he sees an end to the bulky headsets that define the experience today. Pancake lenses (already in use with interchangeable lens cameras) could slim down headsets or lead to ultra-wide fields of view, but the real star may be waveguide displays, where light bounces down extremely thin glass plates. You could see VR headsets that are scarcely thicker than glasses, with images that are as wide as you need. Abrash showed a concept drawing (this isn't a hint at a future product, he stressed) for a headset that would make your Rift or Go look positively ancient, although he wouldn't predict just when you might see such a device.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Oculus teases 'Hybrid Apps' that merge the desktop with VR

  During its Oculus Connect 5 event in San Jose, California on Wednesday, Facebook unveiled a new mid-tier Oculus Quest VR headset as well as a host of new gaming titles for the burgeoning immersive entertainment platform. But the social media company has more in store for the Oculus beyond fun and games -- it wants people to work in VR too.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Oculus' major Core 2.0 update officially arrives in October

  Amid a string of announcements at Oculus Connect 5, including the standalone Oculus Quest headset, Facebook revealed some updates to the Rift Core 2.0 platform, which is moving out of beta and will be available for everyone in early October. If you don't want to wait, you can access it through the Public Test Channel starting Wednesday.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Oculus has a mixed reality vision that goes far beyond Microsoft

  Microsoft has been pushing the idea of mixed reality -- combining virtual and augmented reality -- for years now. But today at Oculus Connect 5, Facebook showed off a concept that pushes the notion of mixed reality even further. We caught a brief glimpse of Andrew Bosworth, the company's head of AR and VR, wearing an upcoming Oculus Quest headset. Instead of seeing an artificial VR environment, he saw a crude real-time rendering of the room around him, drawn in a cartoon-like style. As he panned his head around, the layout and furniture in the room appeared, as if it were being painted in place.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Oculus' most powerful, wireless VR headset ships spring 2019 for $399

  Project Santa Cruz has left the pre-production phase. Oculus VR's powerful standalone headset is officially called Oculus Quest and it's due to hit the market in the spring of 2019 for $399 -- let's just call it an even $400. That's the starting price, for a 64GB model. Oculus Quest has a display resolution of 1600x1440 per eye. The new headset will ship with more than 50 titles, plus developers are working to bring notable Rift VR games such as Moss, The Climb and Robo Recall to it as well.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Watch the Oculus Connect 5 keynote at 1PM ET

  What's arguably the biggest VR event of the year, Oculus Connect 5, is about to kick off -- and to no one's surprise, Oculus is encouraging you to tune in. It's streaming the OC5 keynote, and you can watch the regular stream live below or on Facebook starting at 1PM Eastern. On top of that, you can watch in VR this year -- if you have an Oculus Go or Gear VR, you can spectate with fellow headset wearers using Oculus Venues.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Facebook and Sphero team up to offer coding robots to schools

  Facebook has announced a new initiative that aims to teach coding skills to more school kids. Targeting primarily underrepresented student groups — such as Black, Latino/Hispanic, Native American and female demographics — CodeFWD will allow teachers to apply for a free set of 15 Sphero Bolt robots upon completion of a series of curricula.

  By Andrii Degeler Read More

• Facebook pulls over a dozen political pages tied to fake accounts

  Facebook isn't just removing fake political pages to thwart election meddling -- sometimes, it's just about culling spam. The social site has removed more than a dozen "hyperpartisan" pages across the political spectrum after learning that fake accounts were administering the bunch. All of them had recently started spamming links to LifeZette, the conservative site founded (and still promoted by) Fox News' Laura Ingraham. These were not small outlets, either. At least several of the pages, such as American News and Truth Examiner, had millions of fans each.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Facebook is racing to build Africa’s internet infrastructure

  Facebook and Google are locked in a race to bring connectivity to the 3.8 billion people worldwide that still can't get online. As part of that mission, Zuckerberg and Co. are now turning to internet exchange points (IXP) in Africa, having done away with WiFi-delivering drones earlier this year. The move, in conjunction with non-profit the Internet Society, is designed to develop a local internet infrastructure in the region.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Instagram founders resign from Facebook

  Just about six years after Facebook closed its $1 billion purchase of Instagram, both of the company's founders are resigning, according to a report from The New York Times and confirmed by a post on the company's blog. Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger served as the company's CEO and CTO, respectively, after pivoting the app from a Foursquare-style check-in service called Burbn to focus on photography in 2010. Less than two years after launching an Instagram iOS app, Facebook announced plans to purchase the company. At the time it had around 30 million users and has since grown to over 800 million. Their departure brings to mind the path taken by the founders of (fellow Facebook acquisition) Whatsapp, Jan Koum and Brian Acton. Acton left a year ago and later tweeted "#deleteFacebook" during revelations over the company's privacy issues, while Jan Koum announced his departure earlier this year, reportedly due to clashes over how to handle user data. Update: The news has been confirmed in a blog post written by Systrom. There was no indication of any issues as he said that the two are "now ready for our next chapter."

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Former Facebook moderator sues over mental trauma

  Facebook's content moderators don't have an easy task. They often have to see the very worst of what people post, including graphic violence and sexual abuse. And while the social network has resources to help, at least one former worker doesn't believe that's enough. Ex-contractor Selena Scola has sued Facebook for allegedly "ignoring its duty" to protect moderators who deal with mental trauma after seeing disturbing imagery. Rather than create a safe environment, it's producing a "revolving door of contractors" who are permanently scarred by what they've seen, Scola's lawyer Korey Nelson said.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Facebook will no longer offer political candidates in-person support

  Facebook has apparently decided keep its distance from political candidates' campaigns going forward. According to Bloomberg and Reuters, the social network will no longer dispatch employees to serve as on-site support for nominees like it did for President Trump's 2016 campaign. Facebook, as well as Twitter and Google, used to embed staff members in campaign offices, which turn into some of their biggest advertisers during election periods.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Facebook could launch its video chat devices this month

  Facebook will finally reveal its long-rumored video chat device called "Portal" next week, according to financial website Cheddar. A previous report by the same publication said the company was supposed to unveil the device during its annual F8 conference in May. However, the revelation was pushed back due to all the scandals the social network had to face over the past few months, particularly the Cambridge Analytica fiasco and the role it played in Russia's election interference in 2016.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Walmart turns to VR and Oculus Go for associates' training

  Walmart is harnessing the power of virtual reality to train over a million associates across the country. The big-box retailer will deploy 17,000 Oculus Go headsets to almost all of its 5,000 stores in an effort to provide its employees the caliber of training its managers get at the Walmart Academy facilities. Walmart took VR training for a spin at those facilities using PC-tethered Oculus Rifts, but the standalone Go headsets make it so much easier to expand the program.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Facebook pushed for access to financial firms' user data

  Facebook is in hot water again over its data sharing deals -- or rather, attempted deals. The Wall Street Journal has learned that Facebook had spent "years" negotiating for access to financial companies' user data. The amount of data it wanted to collect varied. It initially insisted that it had access to all data on its servers, but later backed off and arranged limited data use.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• ACLU: Facebook allowed gender-discriminating job ads

  The ACLU has filed a complaint against Facebook with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for what it says is unlawful gender-based targeting of job ads. The organization filed the charges on behalf of three women, the Communications Workers of America and the women the CWA represents. Its charges allege that Facebook allowed employers to target their job ads toward men and it names 10 companies that it says took advantage of that feature.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Oculus will livestream its next Connect conference in VR

  The VR community's biggest annual event, Oculus Connect, is just over a week away, and as you'd expect from the tech in question, you won't have to actually be there in order to enjoy proceedings. The company will livestream key OC5 moments in Oculus Venues, so you can experience keynotes, esports action and gameplay alongside other fans in the crowd, using Oculus Go or Gear VR.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Facebook expands security measures for political campaign staff

  The US midterm elections are just weeks away, and Facebook is still scrambling to prevent election meddling with every means at its disposal. It's launching a pilot program that will expand its protections for American political campaigns. Candidates at the federal or state levels, as well as their staff and party committees, can apply to receive extra protection for their Pages and individual accounts. Facebook will help activate two-factor authentication, proactively monitor accounts (through both automation and human staff), and prioritize reports of suspicious activity from campaign members. If there's an attack against one person, Facebook will check other related accounts.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Facebook is hiring a human rights policy director

  Facebook has faced criticism for its slow response to the Myanmar government's use of its social network to fuel atrocities, and it's determined to prevent that from happening again. The company is hiring a Director of Human Rights Policy who will develop approaches that foster human rights and peace while simultaneously cracking down on those who "enable harm, stifle expression, and undermine human rights." This leader would steer investigations into human rights abusers and work with both government and corporate partners.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Facebook hopes to prove AR is more than selfie filters and games

  As I sit surrounded by software engineers in a conference room with no natural light, playing augmented reality games on an iPhone, I forget for a second that I'm in Seattle visiting Facebook. Not Amazon or Microsoft. Facebook, a company that's evolved from a simple social network to a full-on technology behemoth. Here, inside the company's largest engineering hub besides its Menlo Park headquarters, Facebook says people are working on many of the projects that will impact its 10-year road map and mission of "bringing the world closer together," including Games, Groups, Messenger and, of course, ads. But I'm here to talk about one particular emerging technology that the company believes will be key to its future: augmented reality.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Zuckerberg says intel-sharing key to halting election meddling

  Just days after his op-ed in The Washington Post, Mark Zuckerberg has published another lengthy note titled 'Preparing for Elections,' this time via Facebook. In it the Facebook CEO describes his platform's removal of fake accounts ahead of elections in France, Germany, Alabama, Mexico, and Brazil -- along with its takedown of foreign influence campaigns from Russia and Iran targeting the US, UK, and Middle East.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Facebook's 'Rosetta' AI can extract text from a billion images daily

  People online tend to communicate not just with words, but also with images. For a platform like Facebook with over 2 billion monthly active users, that means a plethora of images gets posted every day, including memes. In order to include images with text in relevant photo search results, to give screen readers a way to read what's written on them and to make sure they don't contain hate speech and other words that violate the website's content policy, Facebook has created and deployed a large-scale machine learning system called "Rosetta."

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Facebook’s next big augmented reality push is multiplayer games

  Even as Facebook faces extreme pressure from Congress on issues like foreign interference and fake news, the company has to remain focused on keeping users tied to its many products. After all, that's how it makes its money. One of the ways Facebook is doing that is by going in heavy on augmented reality. Aside from bringing the technology to its News Feed and main app's camera, Facebook sees AR as the perfect medium to bring a different layer to one particular service: Messenger, where friends interact with one another on a daily basis.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Sandberg’s ‘alternative facts’ comment won’t help Facebook’s cause

  Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee today, addressing social media's role in election meddling and their platforms' efforts to combat it. When discussing misinformation, Sandberg described Facebook's use of fact checkers, saying that once third-party fact checkers mark a story as false, the platform then shows related articles next to the original in order to provide readers with additional and more factual coverage. But her choice of words was rather telling. "If it's marked as false we dramatically decrease the distribution on our site, we warn you if you're about to share it, we warn you if you have shared it, and importantly we show related articles next to that so people can see alternative facts," she said (emphasis added).

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Facebook sues BlackBerry over voice messaging patent infringement

  In the latest battle in the patent war between Facebook and BlackBerry, the social networking giant is suing the phone maker over alleged infringement of six patents, including one related to a voice messaging feature in BBM Enterprise. Facebook asked for a trial to resolve the matter and is seeking unspecified damages in the suit, which it filed in San Francisco federal court.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Mark Zuckerberg op-ed describes the election interference 'arms race'

  Ahead of Senate hearings that will see Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testifying about foreign election interference, Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg has chimed in via an op-ed in the Washington Post. While we wait to watch the hearings in the morning, you can have a look at his essay, which is mostly a rehash of things we've been hearing about for months in terms of fighting fake accounts, fact checking hoaxes, tracking influence networks and the efforts it has made around elections in France, Germany, Mexico and Italy. Zuckerberg said that Facebook has strengthened its defenses, but it remains to be seen how that will go over with members of Congress and the public. In closing, the CEO said "It's an arms race, and it will take the combined forces of the U.S. private and public sectors to protect America's democracy from outside interference." Whether or not Facebook has done enough, if there are other weak points allowing for misinformation and propaganda -- as researchers found when they were easily able to buy Google ads for Russian troll-inspired material using rubles and known IRA identities -- it may not matter.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Facebook tells Senate it needs help stopping election interference

  Facebook has been scrambling to fight election meddling ahead of the 2018 midterms, but it doesn't want to go alone. The social network has released COO Sheryl Sandberg's prepared testimony ahead of her Senate appearance on September 5th, and she uses the presentation to call for more government help in battling interference from countries like Russia. Facebook's staffers "can't stop interference by ourselves," she said, noting that Facebook doesn't have "all the investigative tools" of government and can't always identify perpetrators or their motivations.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Facebook is building a 'war room' for the midterm elections

  In a bid to protect its millions of users from further instances of foreign interference, Facebook is building a physical "war room" ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections. In an interview with NBC News, Facebook's head of civic engagement, Samidh Chakrabarti, said the company is "laser focused on getting it right" this time, after more than 126 million Americans were exposed to meddlesome posts from Russia-linked accounts during the 2016 presidential election.

  By Rachel England Read More

Microsoft (11)

• Microsoft will end support for classic Skype in November

  Microsoft's reprieve for classic Skype users didn't last long. In an update to its earlier blog post, the Skype team revealed that it will end Skype 7 support for desktop users on November 1st, and mobile users on November 15th. These older versions might keep working "for a little while," but the developers suggest that you upgrade to Skype 8 to avoid any disruptions.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Microsoft's Surface is back in Consumer Reports' good graces

  Microsoft's Surface PCs have regained Consumer Reports' "recommended" status after the organization conducted reliability evaluations by surveying its members. Based on its latest study, most of the magazine's subscribers now find the laptops' predicted reliability "on-par with most other laptop brands" listed in the survey. The new criteria might have something to do with it -- apparently, this is the first year that brand reliability and owner satisfaction are being factored into overall scores -- though the organization didn't say that outright.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Microsoft releases Office 2019 for Mac and Windows

  Just because Microsoft is bent on moving everyone to cloud-based subscriptions doesn't mean it has forgotten about those who want a one-and-done purchase. The company is rolling out Office 2019 for Mac and Windows, giving you a "subset" of the upgrades that have come to Office 365 ProPlus in the past three years. They're not revolutionary, but they could be helpful if you've stuck to Office 2016 or earlier releases.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Microsoft merges search across Windows 10, Office, Edge and Bing

  Amid hardware updates and other announcements at Ignite 2018 Monday, Microsoft said it's releasing a string of new features to boost productivity, including one major change that will affect how you find what you're looking for. The company is unifying search across Windows 10, Office, Edge and Bing in Microsoft Search. The search box will live in a "consistent, prominent place" across the apps, the company said.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Microsoft’s AI tech will aid humanitarian efforts

  Microsoft is offering up its AI technology to those working on humanitarian efforts around the world. Over the next five years, its AI for Humanitarian Action program will put $40 million towards initiatives focused on four priorities -- disaster response, needs of children, refugees and displaced people and human rights. "We believe that technology, like artificial intelligence combined with cloud technology, can be a game changer, helping save more lives, alleviate suffering and restore human dignity by changing the way frontline relief organizations anticipate, predict and better target response efforts," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a blog post.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Microsoft’s Surface Hub 2 can be upgraded with a CPU cartridge

  Microsoft's Surface Hub 2 will officially arrive in the second quarter of next year -- but not in the way you expect. During its Ignite conference today, the company revealed that it'll offer two models of the collaborative display: the Surface Hub 2S, which runs the current Hub software in a slimmer 50.5-inch display, and the Hub 2X, which will offer the intriguing ability to rotate and tile multiple screens together. The 2X won't arrive until 2020, but 2S owners will be able to turn their displays into a 2X with a processor cartridge upgrade.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Microsoft quietly scrubs Windows 10 warning against Chrome and Firefox

  Microsoft is joining Google in walking back a bad browser decision having decided to ditch its controversial Windows prompt urging users not to download rivals Chrome and Firefox. The experiment smacked of desperation and any fears that it would make the cut on the Windows 10 October Update have now (thankfully) been put to bed, according to The Verge.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Windows 10 test 'warns' users against installing Chrome or Firefox

  Edge has a reputation as "the browser you use to download Chrome," and Microsoft clearly doesn't like that... to the point where it's using some not-so-kind tactics to drive people away from the competition. Users have discovered that a recent Windows 10 Insider preview pops up a "warning" when you try to run the Chrome or Firefox installers. The dialog box tells you that you don't need to install the competition when "you already have Microsoft Edge." You can choose to install regardless and disable the pop-up in the future, but it's clearly trying to hinder the installation in hopes you'll have second thoughts and give Edge a try.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Microsoft lets companies pay for Windows 7 support until 2023

  Microsoft must still be scarred by having to support Windows XP well past its expiry date, as it's drawing a line in the sand for Windows 7 users. Corporate and institutional customers can only pay for extended security update support through January 2023, or about three years after Microsoft stops providing regular patches. On top of this, the price will increase every year between 2020 and 2023 -- the longer a company clings to the past, the costlier it gets.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Microsoft is hosting a Surface event in NYC on October 2nd

  It's that time of the year again! Microsoft just sent out invites for its next major Surface hardware event on October 2nd. It'll be set in NYC, just like last year when it showed off the Surface Book 2. We're hearing there will be both updates to existing devices, as well as some new gadgetry. Perhaps we'll see a refresh for the Surface Laptop, which could use some updated hardware. Don't expect anything crazy like a Surface Phone, though. Microsoft's mobile strategy is still primarily focused on spreading to iOS and Android.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Microsoft sunsets Surface Plus upgrade program after a year

  Microsoft will no longer accept enrollments into the Surface Plus Program. The tech giant has quietly shut down the trade-in program on August 31st, just a bit over a year since it launched, with a short notice on its portal. Surface Plus gave customers a way to avail 24-month payment plans at zero interest and to upgrade to the latest model after just 18 months, so long as they can return their existing devices in good condition. It mainly targeted students who want to get new Surface devices on the regular without having to deal with selling their old one to get the latest model.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

Mobile (18)

• Cellphone and internet adoption may have peaked in the US

  There's no question that technologies like cellphones and internet access have become ubiquitous, but they now appear to be hitting their peak in the US. Pew Research Center's latest technology study has shown that key categories technological adoption has gone virtually unchanged since the last study in 2016, suggesting they've hit saturation points. Much like two years ago, about 95 percent of all Americans studied (99 percent in the ages 18-49 group) have cellphones, 89 percent have internet access, 77 percent have smartphones and 69 percent use social networks. In fact, PC adoption went down -- 73 percent have a computer where 78 percent did in 2016.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• New York City's WiFi kiosks have over 5 million users

  New York City's high-speed WiFi kiosks have been around for a while, but just how many people are using them? Quite a few, in fact. The LinkNYC team has revealed that there were over 5 million registered WiFi users as of September 2018, with over a billion sessions spread across the 1,700-plus units in the city. People make over 500,000 calls every month, too, although it's not clear how many of those were ice cream truck pranksters. You can safely presume that there's plenty of demand.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Verizon hits 1.45Gbps 4G LTE speeds in New York

  Verizon may be busy rolling out its 5G tech in several US cities, including its inbound 5G Home internet and TV service, but that doesn't mean it's forgotten 4G. With the help of Nokia's AirScale base station and a Qualcomm test device with a Snapdragon X24 LTE modem, Verizon says it's reached peak data speeds of 1.45 gigabits per second (Gbps) on 4G LTE in New York.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• eBay offers low-cost wireless plans to go with your phone purchase

  eBay is a popular marketplace for cell phones, and now the company wants to give purchasers the option of pairing those devices with a cellular plan when they check out. It is partnering with Red Pocket Mobile to offer low-priced wireless plans to all eBay customers who purchase a cell phone.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• FCC gives cities 90 days to process 5G carrier applications

  The FCC is enacting an order that limits how long cities have to review the rollout of 5G and how much they can charge carriers for deploying the technology. Cities will have a 90-day "shot clock" to approve or deny carriers' applications to install small wireless facilities (cell sites that connect your devices to their networks) or 60 days if the companies want to attach 5G equipment to existing infrastructure. If cities can't meet those deadlines, the carriers have grounds to sue.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• T-Mobile relaunches prepaid service with Amazon and Google perks

  T-Mobile hasn't showered much of its attention on its prepaid MetroPCS brand, but it's rectifying that omission today. It's relaunching the budget carrier as Metro, and introducing unlimited plans that not only edge closer to T-Mobile's regular service, but break some new ground. Both the $50 and $60 plans ($140 and $150 respectively for four lines) are the first to include a Google One subscription -- you and your family won't have to pay extra for gobs of cloud storage. Spring for the $60 plan and you also get an Amazon Prime membership with all the media and shipping perks that entails.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• T-Mobile aims to lower broadband prices with its 5G service

  More and more companies are turning to at-home 5G service to fill in the gaps in availability of broadband internet. Now, T-Mobile has revealed details about its plans for at-home 5G service to the FCC, as was first spotted by Fierce Wireless.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• AT&T will power Airstream RVs' smart controls and mobile internet

  Airstream revealed in early August that its 2019 Classic RVs will feature app-based smart controls and other high-tech features. Turns out the trailer-maker has teamed up with AT&T to provide the vehicles with LTE connectivity, allowing you to monitor and control your RV's temperature, lights, propane tank and battery levels through the Smart Control mobile app.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• FEMA postpones mobile ‘Presidential Alert’ test to October 3rd

  FEMA announced recently that it would be conducting a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). Both were initially scheduled to take place on September 20th, but FEMA said today that the WEA test has been postponed until October 3rd. The delay is due to severe weather stemming from Hurricane Florence and ongoing response efforts.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• FEMA will test mobile 'Presidential Alert' on September 20th

  Don't be surprised if your phone (and everybody else's) goes into a panic in the near future -- that's on purpose. FEMA and the FCC are conducting a national test of both the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts on September 20th starting at 2:18PM Eastern. If you're included in the test, your device will receive a tone and a "Presidential Alert" warning that makes clear this is just a dry run. You can't opt out, and if circumstances make it inappropriate to send an alert, the test will be postponed to October 3rd.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Walgreens' and Sprint's partnership expands to Chicago and Dallas

  If your options for a new phone are limited by your budget, transportation options or not wanting to sign a contract, an expanded partnership between Sprint and Walgreens could help you out. The pair recently announced that by year's end, between the Chicago and Dallas-Ft. Worth metro areas the there will be some 80 new Sprint Express locations at the corner-store chain. The two promise further details will be announced within the next few months.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• US carriers create single sign-on service that could end passwords

  AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon have teamed up to create a single sign-on service that could mean you won't have to use a password manager or remember your (hopefully strong) login credentials for every app on your phone. The carriers say Project Verify can authenticate your logins by confirming your identity using factors like your phone number, SIM card information, the type of phone account you have, IP address and how long you've had your plan.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Verizon's 5G Home internet and TV service launches October 1st

  Today Verizon announced it's launching "the world's first commercial 5G broadband internet service" on October 1st. 5G Home service uses the next generation wireless technology to offer home internet service without a cable or fiber hookup. Residents of "certain neighborhoods" in Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Sacramento can pre-order access beginning on Thursday to get their service free for the first three months. Priced at $50 for people who already have Verizon wireless and $70 for those who don't, it's promising speeds of "around 300 Mbps" up to 1 Gbps, with no data caps. Beyond the "First On 5G" marketing push, Verizon is also branding its service as being built on a "5G Ultra Wideband Network" because of its spectrum holdings, fiber connections and small cell base stations. A video angle comes courtesy of Apple and Google. The package includes three months of free access to YouTube TV, plus a free Apple TV 4K or Chromecast Ultra. "White glove" installation is free, as well as a free router and "router upgrades" due next year, plus a promise that customers will get first dibs on 5G Mobile devices once those hit the market.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• FCC presses pause on review of the T-Mobile and Sprint merger

  The FCC just announced it's "pausing the Commission's informal 180-day transaction shot clock" on the merger between Sprint and T-Mobile. The reasoning for this apparently comes from material submitted only recently by the companies, that break down a planned network engineering model, as well as T-Mobile's "Build 9" business model explaining the deal's financial backing. According to the FCC's letter, it didn't get all of the information about this until September 5th and is still awaiting additional economic modeling from T-Mobile, so it needs more time for staff and third parties to review everything. After years on on-and-off talks, in April the two announced their plan to combine forces just as 5G wireless technology takes over. Then, both companies submitted their initial pitch to the FCC back in June. The Justice Department also needs to decide whether it will allow the merge to occur without a challenge, and now it's unclear how long a full review may take. Update: T-Mobile and Sprint have responded, saying they look forward to working with the FCC. You can find the full statement below.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Sacramento Kings use next-gen texting to send tickets and schedules

  The Sacramento Kings are still as obsessed with technology as ever, although their latest move could be particularly helpful in the long run. The basketball team has teamed up with Zipwhip to become the first pro sports outfit to use next-gen RCS texting. The richer format lets the Kings send tickets, schedules and other rich info without making you check your email or use a specialized app -- you can just use the same texting app you would to message your friends.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• AT&T's LTE-M device can help doctors perfect prosthetic limbs

  AT&T has teamed up with prostheses provider Hanger Clinic to develop a standalone, network-connected device that can help prosthetists (thanks, Jaclyn!) tweak prosthetic limbs for each patient's needs. The small device, designed to stick to a prosthesis, is equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer. Those components can detect and collect the data medical providers need to be able to figure out if a patient has issues with their limb's fit and comfort or if they're having any movement issues. And, since the device uses AT&T's LTE-M network, it can upload that information to the cloud in near-real time even with no WiFi or Bluetooth connection.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• AT&T is launching mobile 5G in five more cities this year

  Today, AT&T announced the remaining cities to receive mobile 5G through the end of 2018. These are Houston, Jacksonville, Louisville, New Orleans and San Antonio. This is in addition to the seven previously announced cities, which are Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, Raleigh and Waco. What's more, the company also revealed cities that would receive the service in early 2019: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Sprint's newest Unlimited plan includes Amazon, Hulu and Tidal

  Virtually every major US carrier offers one or more free services (however temporary) with at least one of its plans, so how is Sprint going to compete? By including more services, naturally. The carrier has launched an Unlimited Premium plan that, for $90 per month, adds Amazon Prime and Lookout Premium Plus security on top of the Hulu and Tidal services you get with the Unlimited Plus plan. You're ostensibly saving about $480 per year versus subscribing to all those extras on your own. The wireless access itself has been upgraded, too.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

News (83)

• CA governor signs net neutrality bill into law, Justice Department sues

  A net neutrality bill that its sponsor Scott Weiner calls "the strongest in the nation" (after being restored to its original form) is now state law in California after being signed by governor Jerry Brown. SB 822 is intended to restore the protections put in place by a (now-rescinded) 2015 FCC Order, as well as closing "loopholes" that its backers said could have allowed anti-competitive forms of zero-rating. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai captained the effort to repeal those rules, and has called the bill "illegal," setting the stage for a squabble between the state and federal government. And just as quickly as the bill has been signed, the New York Times reports that the Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against it. In a statement, the department claimed "Senate Bill 822, an Internet regulation bill signed into law earlier today by Governor Jerry Brown, unlawfully imposes burdens on the Federal Government's deregulatory approach to the Internet."

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• After Math: Hello Darkness, my old friend

  Well, this week lasted years. While we weren't being bludgeoned by the cantankerous Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, we were learning about how 50 million Facebook users had their accounts hacked, that Elon Musk is being sued by the SEC for his Twitter posts (the ones about privatizing Tesla, not the ones wherein he libels a rescue diver), and that Red Dead Redemption 2 will rustle the remainder of your hard drive's free space.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Tim Berners-Lee project gives you more control over web data

  After incidents like Facebook's Cambridge Analytica scandal, it'd be understandable if you felt like your data wasn't really under your control. Web pioneer Tim Berners-Lee hopes to put that data back in your hands -- he's been collaborating with people at MIT and elsewhere on a startup (Inrupt) whose open source project, Solid, gives you the final say over personal info. You can decide where the data goes, who's allowed to see certain elements,which apps can access that data. You can peek at the same data with two different apps, and share data with whoever you like.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 17 people charged in a string of Apple store robberies

  A number of individuals have been arrested in conjunction with a series of Apple store robberies that resulted in the theft of over $1 million worth of devices. The California Attorney General's office said in a statement on Thursday that seven were arrested earlier in the week, another suspect was in custody and nine others had been charged with the crime. Since then, at least two additional individuals have been arrested. In a string of robberies, groups rushed retail stores, grabbed products on display and left in just a few seconds.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Silicon Valley’s Brett Kavanaugh problem

  As we steel ourselves to careen numbly toward whatever new horrors lay in store with Trump, his Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh, and the conservative politicians willing to help them, it's impossible not to contemplate how deep and depraved the culture of silence actually goes here. USA Today wrote: "When Kavanaugh gave a speech in 2015 at Catholic University's Columbus School of Law and stated, 'What happens at Georgetown Prep stays at Georgetown Prep. That's been a good thing for all of us, I think,' he summed up the culture perfectly (...) It was their job to protect each other from their misdeeds no matter how big or alcohol-fueled. The boys kept each other's secrets."

  By Violet Blue Read More

• The EPA will dissolve its science advisory office

  The Environmental Protection Agency will eliminate the Office of the Science Advisor, an entity within the agency that works to ensure its policies and decisions are based on quality science. The New York Times reports that the scientific advisory position, which currently reports directly to the head of the EPA, will be merged into another office -- the Office of Research and Development. "It's certainly a pretty big demotion, a pretty big burying of this office," Michael Halpern, deputy director of the Center for Science and Democracy with the Union of Concerned Scientists, told the publication. "Everything from research on chemicals and health, to peer-review testing to data analysis would inevitably suffer."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Zeiss' first digital camera is the ZX1 full-frame compact

  Zeiss has unveiled its first-ever digital camera, the interesting and exotic ZX1 compact. It has a full-frame 37.4-megapixel sensor and a fixed 35mm f/2.0 T* lens, putting it into exclusive company with Sony's RX1 and the Leica Q. The boxy body is distinctive, to say the least, with a triangular grip and bright yellow lettering on the lens and dials. Most notably, Zeiss teamed up with Adobe to build Lightroom CC into the camera, letting you shoot, tweak and share images.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• WikiLeaks replaces Julian Assange as editor-in-chief

  Julian Assange hasn't been able to do much as WikiLeaks editor-in-chief since the Ecuadorian embassy cut off his communications, and the outlet is now acknowledging that reality. Assange has appointed legal project manager and Icelandic journalist Kristinn Hrafnsson as WikiLeaks' new EIC due to the "extraordinary circumstances" that made him go "incommunicado." The site founder will remain as publisher, but he clearly won't be running day-to-day affairs.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• European football is finally embracing VAR

  The Champions League will begin using VAR, or video assistant referees, during the 2019 to 2020 season, UEFA announced. The technology will also be used in the Europa League starting in 2020 and in the 2019 Super Cup, at Euro 2020 and at the 2021 finals of the Nations League.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Delta’s fully biometric terminal is the first in the US

  Delta Air Lines is launching what it calls the first "biometric terminal" in the US. The airline will use facial recognition at check-in, security and boarding inside the international terminal at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson -- similar to systems already in place in Dubai and Australia, but more comprehensive than the biometric checks already in use at other airports around the US.

  By Rachel England Read More

• TiVo targets cord-cutters (again) with the Bolt OTA

  What happens when you take TiVo's latest Bolt Vox DVR, remove the cable functionality, but keep just about everything else? You've got the new Bolt OTA, the replacement for the Roamio OTA box, which gives cord-cutters access to all of the TiVo DVR features they know and love. It features four separate tuners for recording multiple shows at once, a voice remote, Alexa integration, and it can store up to 150 hours of HD video on a 1TB hard drive. While there isn't any 4K over-the-air content yet, it supports 4K HDR for streaming video services like Netflix and Hulu. The only downside, as usual, is the price: $250 for the hardware, and either $7 a month or $70 a year service plan. You could also go all in with TiVo and pay a flat $250 for lifetime service.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• The Morning After: Oculus Connect, 'Fortnite' S6 and LG V40 teaser

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Sony surprised everyone with a fix for our Fortnite headaches, and we're taking a look at all the VR plans Oculus has in store for the next year.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Leica's S3 is a slick, 64-megapixel medium format DSLR

  Leica's biggest news of Photokina was the launch of the L-Mount alliance with Panasonic and Sigma, but it also unveiled a camera. The Leica S3 is a rakish DSLR with a massive 64-megapixel medium-format sensor and 4K video capability that's set to arrive in spring of 2019. I got a chance to handle it at Photokina 2018 and take a few shots (but not keep them), and I can tell you that this is one beautiful-feeling camera. Given the likely price, however, I'm quite sure I'll never own one.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Panasonic's full-frame mirrorless S1R is loaded with potential

  Yesterday, Panasonic made a big splash by announcing the L-Mount alliance with Leica and Sigma, and unveiling its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Lumix S1 and S1R. The 24- and 47-megapixel cameras, respectively, are still prototypes and the specs aren't final, but they look promising. Both have built-in image stabilization, a large, high-resolution EVF, triaxial tilt LCD for both selfie photographers and vloggers, the highest flash sync speeds on the market, and double slots for SD and XQD cards. We were able to get our hands on the S1R, and although the camera was non-operational, the design and layout are nearly final. As such, I was able to check out the handling of the camera and compare it to Panasonic's flagship GH5. So far, in terms of dials and buttons, I prefer it to what Canon and Nikon have done. Where Canon tried some bold layout changes on the EOS R, Panasonic has stuck to a more traditional and more tactile layout.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Fujifilm shakes it off with a Taylor Swift-themed instant camera

  Fujifilm is no stranger to collaborating with people from other industries, particularly when it comes to its instant cameras. A couple of years ago, the company worked with designer Michael Kors on a special, fashionable edition of the Instax Mini 70, and now it's enlisting none other than Taylor Swift to help it sell its retro cameras. Pictured above is the Taylor Swift Edition of Fujifilm's first analog square-format shooter, the SQ6, which was apparently designed by the pop star herself.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Insta360's next VR camera is made to be thrown around

  With the Insta360 One marking its first anniversary earlier this month, it's no surprise that the company is preparing a follow-up model to this standalone 4K 360 camera. But first, we have a teaser (as usual). From afar, the first video appears to be yet another sample that shows off "FlowState" video stabilization combined with slow motion and FreeCapture editing, so nothing new in that sense. What actually caught my attention were two brief moments when the camera operator's shadow gave the game away -- that person was throwing the camera, as opposed to waving it around on a selfie stick. Later on, you can also just about see another person holding an upside-down umbrella for catching the camera.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• China bumps up renewable energy target to reduce reliance on coal

  China, the world's biggest energy consumer, is stepping up its push into clean power with a revised renewable energy target. The nation is now aiming for renewables to account for at least 35 percent of energy consumption by 2030, whereas its previous target only stipulated "non-fossil fuels" making up 20 percent of energy use within the same time frame.

  By Rachel England Read More

• The Google graveyard: Remembering three dead search engines

  Buffy the Vampire Slayer was the first show on American television to use the word "Google" as a transitive verb. It was 2002, in the fourth episode of the show's seventh and final season. Buffy, Willow, Xander and the gang are trying to help Cassie, a high school student who cryptically says she's going to die next week. In Buffy's dining room, they search through hard copies of Cassie's medical records and find nothing noteworthy. Willow, tapping away on a thick white iBook, turns to Buffy and asks, "Have you Googled her yet?" Xander replies, jokingly, "Willow, she's 17." "It's a search engine," Willow explains, because that's something that had to be done in 2002.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 3D-printed gun advocate Cody Wilson resigns from Defense Distributed

  Cody Wilson, the man behind the 3D-printed gun company Defense Distributed, has stepped down as CEO of the company. Paloma Heindorff, who has taken over as the chief executive, said in a press conference today that it was Wilson's decision to resign and he would no longer have any role at the company.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Fujifilm's Instax Square SQ20 uses video to improve instant photos

  Fujifilm has unveiled a new Instax Square camera, the SQ20, that uses new tricks to help you capture the ideal moment. Like the original Instax Square SQ10, it shoots square, Instagram-like photos from the digital sensor, then prints out the photo right away, Polaroid style. The SQ20 has a new trick, however. By capturing up to 15 seconds of video, you can cherry pick the best still image. You can also use it to create a faux long exposure by adding motion blur, and another option, "time shift collage," gives you a sequence of up to four photos all on one frame.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Kodak's retro Ektachrome film arrives after a long wait

  It took a while but Kodak is finally releasing its Ektachrome color reversal film, beloved by analog photographers and filmmakers alike. First to ship will be Ektachrome Film E100 in 135/36x camera format (which will make its way to buyers immediately) followed by Ektachrome 7294 for Super 8 movie films from October 1st, with 16mm format coming later this year.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Fujifilm shows off an insane 100-megapixel medium format camera

  The GFX 50R isn't the only new camera Fujifilm is unveiling at Photokina 2018. As rumored, the company has also introduced the GFX 100, a ridiculous 100-megapixel medium format mirrorless shooter. Fujifilm says that its GFX 100 will be the world's first medium format and mirrorless camera with a 100-megapixel sensor, and it will have in-body image stabilization and 4K video.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Yale and August join forces to make a new line of smart locks

  Yale and August are no stranger to the smart lock; both companies have done various versions of it before, often with the assistance of third parties like Google's Assistant or Amazon's Alexa. Today, however, the two are actually coming together -- thanks to the purchase last year -- to come up with a new line of keypad smart locks that they say is one of the most secure on the market. What's especially intriguing is that it's compatible with three personal assistants -- Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant -- so you can choose whichever suits your fancy without having to commit to one.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Panasonic announces two full-frame L-Mount mirrorless cameras

  Following the launch of the L-Mount alliance, Panasonic has revealed a pair of full-frame L-Mount mirrorless cameras, the 47-megapixel Lumix S1R and 24-megapixel S1. Both have built-in image stabilization, a large, high-resolution EVF, triaxial tilt LCD for both selfie photographers and vloggers, the highest flash sync speeds on the market, and double slots for SD and XQD cards. Both models are set to arrive in spring of 2019, with further specifications to be revealed later. To take on its larger rivals, Panasonic isn't going it alone. It has partnered with Sigma and Leica, and will be using Leica's existing full-frame-L mount system. That's a practical move, as Panasonic and Leica have worked together in the past, and Leica already has nearly a dozen SL lenses and adapters. The mount is compatible with its APS-C TL lenses, too.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Panasonic, Leica and Sigma unveil the L-Mount mirrorless alliance

  Panasonic, Leica and Sigma have joined forces to create the L-Mount alliance for full-frame and APS-C sensor cameras to better compete against Nikon, Canon and Sony. The alliance will support Leica's L-Mount system, first launched in 2014 and used by the company for its TL APS-C and SL full-frame mirrorless models. The alliance makes it likely that Panasonic and possibly Sigma will unveil their own full-frame L-Mount mirrorless cameras and lenses soon.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• We're live from Photokina 2018!

  While Canon and Nikon have already unveiled their long-awaited full-frame mirrorless cameras, there are other big players that may be looking to enter the category next. We're in Cologne, Germany for Photokina 2018, where rumor has it Panasonic is set to reveal a full-frame mirrorless shooter of its own -- though it could just be a prototype, with an actual launch not expected until 2019. Fujifilm, for its part, is reportedly preparing to announce another medium-format camera, one with a massive 100-megapixel sensor. Then there's Sony, which could reveal a high-end APS-C model inspired by its A9 full-frame mirrorless. Stay tuned, because it's going to be a busy week of camera news in Germany. Follow all the latest news from Photokina 2018 here!

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Ricoh adds a new lens and sensor to its lightweight GR III

  Richoh's GR series is notable for combining its small, lightweight frame with a large APS-C sensor that the company claims makes it "the ultimate street photography camera." However, after a GR II refresh in 2015 to add WiFi and NFC, some of its features have lagged behind the latest camera technology available. Today at the Photokina event we're meeting the GR III which adds a "newly designed lens, image sensor and imaging engine" to the mix that should keep it as a competitive option at sub-$1,000 prices. We only have a single picture to judge by, but the design doesn't appear to have changed from its previous model The sensor has been upgraded from 16 MP to 24.2 MP, it has a USB-C connection and there's a new software interface to make it easier to use. It will be available in early 2019, but so far there's no word on exactly how much it will cost.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• What's on TV: 'FIFA 19,' 'The Good Place' and 'Forza Horizon 4'

  Fall TV returns at full strength this week, with new seasons of shows we love like The Good Place and Chef's Table on Netflix. There are also new shows to look out for, including God Friended Me on CBS, the Magnum P.I. reboot and FX's criminal/magician show Mr. In Between. For gamers, Life is Strange 2 has its first episode ready to go at the same time The Walking Dead team drops what may be its last, FIFA 19 drops at the end of the week and owners of the Forza Horizon 4 Ultimate Edition can start racing a little early. On 4K Blu-ray there's Punisher War Zone, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Halloween. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• After Math: To infinity... and Taiwan!

  Apparently, this was the week to shoot for the Moon, in some ways more literally than others. SpaceX announced on Monday that it'd found its first Guinea Pi- I mean "paying customer" for a slingshot sightseeing trip around the far edge of la luna and back. 3D-printed guns' strongest advocate made a break for the hills (of Taiwan) after being accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old, Telltale Studios told virtually all of its employees to start looking for alternative employment opportunities, and Amazon is hawking a bargain-basement microwave because they'll put a digital assistant in anything these days.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• White House downplays talk of executive order targeting internet bias

  Is President Trump looking at an executive order that would investigate internet companies over his accusations of political bias? Not officially... although the government isn't strictly denying the claims, either. After Bloomberg reported the existence of a draft order, deputy White House press secretary Lindsey Walters issued a statement that the document was "not the result of an official policymaking process." It's not saying the story is wrong, as such -- it is, however, downplaying the prospect of such an order becoming a reality.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 3D gun distributor Cody Wilson deported to the US

  Authorities aren't wasting any time bringing Cody Wilson, the owner of 3D-printed gun maker Defense Distributed, back to the US. Taiwan officials deported Wilson to the US on September 22nd following his arrest a day earlier over his annulled legal status in the area. It wasn't clear where in the US Wilson was headed, although a Texas city is a possibility given the US arrest warrant issued for him in state over allegations he paid for sex with an underage girl.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The Morning After: Weekend Edition

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Welcome to your weekend! We have the iPhone XS review you've been waiting for, plus some shocking news from Telltale Games.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Lawmakers want to expand AMBER Alerts to US territories

  Two US lawmakers have introduced legislation that would help expand the AMBER Alert system to all territories, which include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Established nationally in 2003, the system sends alerts over TV, radio, digital billboards and cellphones and has helped find more than 900 missing children across the US. "AMBER Alerts have helped save hundreds of children. There's no good reason for US territories to be excluded from this system," said Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), who introduced the bill along with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). "With this bill, we can help children and their families quickly end the nightmare that is child abduction."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• NYT lawsuit accuses FCC of withholding evidence of Russian meddling

  Are you frustrated that the FCC has been reluctant to cooperate with investigations into fake anti-net neutrality comments? So is the New York Times. The newspaper has sued the FCC after the regulator repeatedly refused to provide server logs for its public comment system under the Freedom of Information Act, even after the NYT reduced the scale of its requests. Journalists believe the records will "shed light" on the degree to which Russians interfered with both the commenting process and American democracy at large.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• FCC’s Ajit Pai labels California net neutrality law 'illegal'

  FCC head honcho, Ajit Pai, didn't mince words in comments regarding California's recent passing of a tough net neutrality bill. In his keynote speech for neoconservative policy organization Maine Heritage Policy Center, Pai called California's SB 822 "illegal" and said it "poses a risk to the rest of the country." Pai also hinted that he'd be coming for California should SB 822, seen as the toughest net neutrality law in the nation, receive the governor's signature, as it's expected to in the next two weeks.

  By Violet Blue Read More

• 3D gun publisher Cody Wilson was arrested in Taiwan

  Cody Wilson, owner of Defense Distributed, a company currently involved in a legal battle over whether it can legally sell plans for 3D-printed guns, has been arrested in Taiwan, BuzzFeed News reports. Wilson was charged with sexual assault earlier this week for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old girl in Austin, Texas. He was reportedly arrested today in Taipei after checking into a hotel.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Photokina 2018: What to expect

  Starting on September 25th, camera obsessives will converge on Cologne for Photokina 2018, the world's largest camera show. This year has been the the busiest for cameras in a long while, with Nikon and Canon unveiling their much-anticipated Z6/Z7 and EOS R full-frame mirrorless cameras. That doesn't mean there won't be surprises and big launches, though. We might see some more full-frame mirrorless cameras, a new medium-format model and a lot more.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• GoPro unveils three Hero 7 cameras starting at $199 (updated)

  The leaks were true, and then the subsequent leaks covered nearly everything else. GoPro has unveiled the Hero 7 action camera family, and the focus this year is on the basics -- that is, an easy-to-understand lineup of cameras that take better shots. The highlight of the bunch is undoubtedly the $399 Hero 7 Black (which we've just reviewed), whose in-camera HyperSmooth stabilization is billed as good enough to rival the rock-solid footage you'd get using a gimbal. We're not convinced it's that good in practice, but it's certainly a perk. Accordingly, there's a TimeWarp feature that behaves like a souped-up version of Instagram's Hyperlapse, turning your bike ride or diving session into a smooth seconds-long clip.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Ticketmaster caught enlisting pro scalpers for online resales (updated)

  Ticketmaster claims it's fighting scalpers tooth and nail, but it may be aiding them in private. Exposés at CBC News and the Toronto Star have shown the company courting professional scalpers, even when it's clear they're using bots or otherwise violating Ticketmaster's terms of service. The company quietly launched a secretive ticket inventory system, TradeDesk, that lets scalpers upload high volumes of tickets and quickly resell them at the price of their choice. Moreover, Ticketmaster salespeople caught on camera were adamant that they didn't verify whether or not TradeDesk users were violating terms of service, including the use of bots -- at least one rep was fully aware of the activity.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Owner of 3D-printed gun company wanted on sexual assault charge

  Cody Wilson, owner of Defense Distributed and at the center of lawsuits over the ability to sell plans for 3D-printed guns online, is now wanted by the US Marshals. Wilson has been charged with sexually assaulting a child in Texas, and Austin Police have said that his last known location is in Taipei, Taiwan. Wilson is accused of committing the sexual assault on a 16 year old in an Austin hotel on August 15th and paying her $500, after the two started talking on SugarDaddyMeet.com where he used the name "Sanjuro." Police said that he identified himself to the girl, and that surveillance footage from the hotel shows them together. During a press conference, the Austin Police said that Wilson had missed a planned flight back from Taiwan, and that they are putting together plans to arrest him if he does not come back and surrender. Last month Wilson said he would sell plans for the guns via his website and deliver them via email, USB stick or other file transfer methods, despite the efforts of state attorneys to stop him.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Teenage Engineering's OP-Z synth finally goes on sale in October

  We got our first look at Teenage Engineering's next synthesizer in early 2017, and now the company is gearing up to finally ship the portable instrument/control center. The OP-Z is set to go on sale next month, but the company didn't include pricing info in its availability announcement this week. However, pro audio retailer Sweetwater has the OP-Z listed at $599. As a refresher, the compact synth offers a 16-track sequencer that enables live composition of audio, visuals and lights at the same time. Teenage Engineering says this is the first device with that skill set.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• The Morning After: PlayStation Classic and iPhone XS

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Sony picks up a strategy from Nintendo, and we have our first impressions of the iPhone XS family. It's Wednesday, so update your old iPhone without fear and take a look at an awe-inspiring early image taken by NASA's TESS spacecraft.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Ubtech introduces a new construction-themed STEM robotics kit

  Believe it or not, the holidays are quickly approaching, which means that companies are getting ready for prime gift-buying season. Ubtech, an AI and robotics company, just released a brand new STEM-focused kit aimed at students ages 8 and up. It's called the Overdrive Kit and it allows kids (and their parents) to build and code construction-themed vehicles called DozerBot and DirtBot.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• This medical kit increases your odds of quitting smoking

  The company trying to solve erectile dysfunction (ED) with technology is doing the same to help folks quit smoking. Ro has launched the Zero Quit Kit that uses multiple strategies and end-to-end services to give smokers a better chance to kick their habit.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Vizio's Dolby Atmos home theater speakers arrive starting at $500

  You have to pay if you want room-shaking Dolby Atmos vertical surround sound, even if you're looking at value brands. Vizio has revealed pricing and availability for its upward-firing home theater systems, and the cheapest is the $500, 36-inch 5.1.2 home theater system. The 46-inch 3.1.2 and 5.1.4 models, meanwhile, will cost you $800 and $1,000 respectively.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Tech Will Save Us' new kits let kids harness electromagnetic energy

  In the lead-up to Christmas, the STEM toys are coming thick and fast -- we've seen everything from DIY computers to robotic arms and Lego trains for pre-schoolers. Enter Tech Will Save Us (TWSU) with two new kits that teach kids to learn to play with electromagnetic wireless power and conductive thread (setting them apart from other STEM gear). Both cost $24.99, making for cheap stocking fillers.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• The Morning After: iOS 12 is here

  Hey, good morning! It's Tuesday, and we're testing out new Siri Shortcuts on iOS 12 (you've updated, right?), getting all the details on Audi's high-tech SUV and rejoicing that Twitter plans to revive the purely chronological timeline.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Soylent's meal replacement drinks are coming to the UK

  Soylent and its hugely divisive food replacement drinks will launch in the UK on Thursday. As BBC News reports, the Silicon Valley startup has swapped seven ingredients and tweaked some of the vitamin and mineral content to appease British regulators. We doubt it will taste hugely different to the version sold in the US, however. In the UK, Soylent will be sold in 12-bottle packs for £39.99 (roughly £3.33 per drink) through Amazon. By comparison, Huel -- an already established rival in the British Isles -- sells enough powdered food to whip up 28 meals for £45 online.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• UNC Health Care offers free virtual appointments to hurricane victims

  UNC Health Care announced that it will give anyone in North Carolina free access to its virtual care service through September 23rd as the state works to recover from Hurricane Florence. Via phone, tablet or computer, UNC Urgent Care 24/7 gives users virtual access to physicians who can then diagnose them, recommend treatments and prescribe medications. The healthcare group initially waived its virtual visit fees over the weekend, but it's extending the free access since many North Carolina residents have been displaced or can't travel because of the storm.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• New York sues US treasury for allowing fintechs to become banks

  New York is suing the US over a decision to permit US financial technology firms to apply for national bank charters, blasting it as "lawless" and "ill-conceived". Maria Vullo, superintendent of New York's Department of Financial Services, filed the suit against the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in a Manhattan federal court.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• OnePlus is building its own smart TV

  OnePlus, known for making budget-priced phones with flagship specs, plans to shake up the TV segment in a similar way. Founder and CEO Pete Lau told Business Insider that it will launch the OnePlus TV, possibly by 2019, with a focus on design, image quality and sound. "We feel the current market of TVs is still feeling quite traditional in their functionality and experience," said Lau. "And they haven't really well-integrated the internet ... making the experience match with what would be expected in today's connected society."

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Trump expected to announce more China tech tariffs within days

  The White House isn't just dismissing technology companies' concerns about tariffs on China, it's picking up the pace. Both Reuters and the Wall Street Journal have learned that the Trump administration is likely to formally announce its latest tariffs on Chinese goods within the next few days (possibly as soon as September 17th). Imports for "internet technology products," circuit boards and other electronics are still likely to become more expensive, although the tariff level is reportedly set at 10 percent, not the originally proposed 25 percent also used for earlier tariffs. The administration may have lowered the tariffs to reduce the chances that companies would instantly raise prices to make up for the higher costs.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• After Math: Oh boy, new toys!

  The holidays seem to kick off earlier and earlier every year. Apple rang in the start of the season in the first week of September at its annual fall iPhone event, but they weren't the only ones showing off new products ahead of post-Labor Day madness. Amazon unveiled plans to deliver live Christmas trees on demand, Spotify tripled its download limits, Nintendo is going to start selling wireless NES controllers for the Switch, and Verizon is ready to roll out its 5G home internet service.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• E-cig makers have 60 days to show they aren’t targeting minors

  The Food And Drug Administration may force several e-cigarette brands to stop selling flavored products if they can't prove they can keep their products out of minors' hands. The brands -- Juul, Vuse, MarkTen, blu and Logic -- have 60 days to convince the agency they have adequate plans to stop kids from vaping with their products. Those five collectively account for more than 97 percent of the e-cigarette market.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Littlebits' latest kits are inspired by modern inventors

  LittleBits is introducing three new kits that teach children about electronics and how to think with a creative, inventive and activist mindset. The Base Inventor Kit, which will retail for $99.99, comes with 10 color-coded pieces that snap onto a wearable "arm." A companion mobile app guides you through a series of activities inspired by real-life inventors; a sound-activated gripper arm, for instance, is based on modern prosthetics, while a "stuff protector" mimicks an alarm made to protect lions and cattle in Kenya. The app then challenges you to create new inventions that protect the environment or help your local community.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• European MPs vote in favor of controversial copyright laws

  The EU has voted on copyright reform (again), with members of European Parliament this time voting in favor of the extremely controversial Articles 11 and 13. The 438 to 226 vote, described as "the worst possible outcome" by some quarters, could have significant repercussions on the way we use the internet.

  By Rachel England Read More

• PayPal will instantly pay businesses after they make a sale

  PayPal is adding a new feature for businesses that use its platform for their sales. Funds Now will let certain businesses in good standing -- that means without fraud concerns or an excess of customer complaints -- get instant access to funds from completed sales, even if there's an ongoing dispute. The company says that one of the biggest complaints from small businesses has been delays in accessing funds, which are sometimes upwards of 21 days long. Funds Now eliminates that wait by getting rid of any holds, delays and reserves on that cash.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• A letter from the editor: Engadget’s next chapter

  Hello again. Allow me to reintroduce myself: I am Dana Wollman, once Engadget's resident laptop reviewer, later managing and executive editor, and now editor in chief. I'm delighted to be taking the reins at the site I've called home for the past seven and a half years. When I first joined the team in 2011, Engadget was a different place, and so was the technology scene we covered. I remember the urgency of those early days, dropping everything to cover topics that today seem quaint: FCC filings, an Android update rolling out on yet another carrier, the Apple Store going dark on launch days. Our headlines were frequently an alphabet soup of specs. Hands-on videos were accomplished by setting up a desk-size tripod and manipulating said gadget from behind the camera. Back then, we felt compelled to touch every single thing at CES (yes, even the bad stuff). Engadget was all about, well, gadgets, and gadgets at that time were mostly defined by their hardware. Things have changed a lot, and so has Engadget. And we're not done yet.

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• Sonos IFTTT recipes let your smart home control your music

  Last month, Sonos promised to open up its API to third-party companies, and it's off to a great start by partnering with IFTTT. IFTTT lets you automate smart home devices like door locks, thermostats and lights, which opens up some interesting possibilities. For instance, you can have Sonos play your radio station of choice when you unlock your door, program Hue light colors to playlists, or play a specific song when your Dominoes pizza goes out for delivery (like, I don't know, William Tell Overture).

  By Steve Dent Read More

• New York state approves two dollar-based cryptocurrencies

  Today, New York approved the first digital currencies that are tied to the US dollar, called "stablecoins." These cryptocurrencies avoid the price volatility of their brethren by being pegged to stable assets. The digital currencies in question, from Gemini Trust Company and Paxos Trust Company, are available to trade on their respective exchanges. It's a good sign that cryptocurrency is maturing.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Sphero Bolt is a robotic ball with programmable LED lights

  Sphero has a new robotic ball, and it's noticeably livelier and more colorful than its older models. The Sphero Bolt will look like the SPRK+ at first until its 8x8 LED Matrix starts moving and displaying data, directions or animations programmed using the Sphero Edu app for iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, Windows and Chrome. It features 360-degree infrared communication, so several devices can talk to each other no matter what their positions are. A couple of Bolts displaying Pac-Man ghosts, instance, can follow or evade the one displaying Pac-Man anywhere it is.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• After Math: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

  This has been quite the "disruptive" week with TechCrunch's marquee event going on at the San Francisco Moscone Center, and not just for startups. InfoWars was disinvited from yet another social media platform, Walmart is drastically expanding its self-driving Tesla truck order, and the world's largest wind farm just opened for business.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Recommended Reading: Brands are not your friend

  Why Comcast Sent Me Pizza Ian Bogost, The Atlantic Brands -- well, #brands may be the more accurate term here -- do all sorts of things that seem like they're rewarding you, dear customer, for some action or loyalty. The Atlantic dives into how these acts of kindness and mountains (literally) of freebies almost always stem from an ulterior motive, especially when social media is part of the equation. Just because Comcast sends you a stack of pizzas, doesn't mean you're best pals.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• The Morning After: Weekend Edition

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Welcome to your weekend! Before looking back at some highlights from the last few days, we'll make sure NASA's Kepler spacecraft is still going, and discuss the incredibly detailed version of NYC contained inside Sony's new Spider-Man game.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Largest offshore wind farm opens off England's coast

  The largest offshore wind farm to date has officially opened off of the Cumbrian coast in the Irish Sea and it has the ability to power 590,000 homes. The 659-megawatt Walney Extension takes up an area roughly the size of 20,000 soccer pitches and is made of 87 wind turbines. "The UK is the global leader in offshore wind and Walney Extension showcases the industry's incredible success story," said Matthew Wright, the UK managing director at Ørsted, the Danish company that developed the wind farm. "The project, completed on time and within budget, also marks another important step towards Ørsted's vision of a world that runs entirely on green energy."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Fujifilm's X-T3 arrives with faster autofocus and 4K 60 fps video

  Fujifilm has unveiled the $1,500 X-T3, the newest and most technologically advanced member of its X-Series APS-C mirrorless cameras. It's a follow up to the company's high-end X-T2, already a very capable and well-reviewed model. The X-T3 has an all-new 26.1-megapixel X-Trans CMOS IV sensor and X-Processor 4, a jump up in resolution and speed from the last model's 24.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III. With the new hardware, it has "dramatically improved autofocus," said Fujifilm, along with improved image quality and 4K, 60 fps video capability.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Skydio drops the price of its R1 follow-me drone to $1,999

  Today, Skydio, the company behind the camera drone R1, announced new features for its autonomous photography and video device. These include new Skills which are focused on obtaining quick, easy video clips that are optimized for sharing on social media. They can also be used as a shortcut to obtaining different angles for longer videos. These One-Shot Skills include Dronie, Boomerang, Vortex and Rocket, and Skydio has added a Stabilize option to help streamline editing shaky video.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• A $1,500 smart mirror brings live fitness classes to your home

  Fitness apps aren't anything new, but none of them can really replicate how it is to be in a class, with the instructor encouraging you in real-time or helping you out if you can't quite do those push ups. Mirror, however, aims to do for fitness classes what Peloton did with the cycling class: bring a live instructor into your home. And it does all this with a full-size mirror.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• You can now buy Brilliant's light switch smart home hubs

  Brilliant debuted its smart home control system at CES back in January, and now it's finally available to buy. Unlike other smart home products, Brilliant's works by plugging directly into your home's existing light switch ports, and from there controls a range of devices, including lights, music, Alexa, thermostats and video entry systems. Just connect your gear over WiFi, and use the device's touch screen or voice commands to do your thing. It also comes with Android and iOS apps for remote control, so you can manage your home when you're not in it.

  By Rachel England Read More

• There’s finally a Roomba that can empty itself

  Since 2002, iRobot's Roomba has been something of a status symbol: a robot vacuum that can clean your floors while you sit back and relax. It's steadily become better and more efficient at cleaning since it debuted -- the last flagship model, the Roomba 980, added floor mapping three years ago. But once your Roomba finishes up, you still have to unload the dustbin manually. It's a stark reminder that we haven't reached the automated cleaning utopia of The Jetsons. That changes with the $949 Roomba i7+ -- it's smarter than ever before, and it can unload up to 30 dirty bins on its own without any help. Rosie the Robot, here we come.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• ESPN is testing a global fantasy soccer game

  ESPN has launched a new global fantasy soccer game that will let soccer fans around the world compete across 13 global editions of ESPN.com. ESPN Fantasy Soccer, which launched in beta today, is presented in three languages -- English, Spanish and Portuguese -- and is available on smartphones, tablets and computers. At launch, the game supports multiple professional leagues -- Champions League, English Premier League, La Liga and Liga MX -- and more will be added next year.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• TSA plans wider expansion for 3D luggage-scanning machines

  The TSA had already planned to expand its pilot program using specially-designed CT scanners to screen airline passenger luggage from tests in Phoenix and Boston to major airports in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington-Dulles. By the end of 2019, they envisioned spreading 145 of these machines in security checkpoints across the country. But it seems the tests have gone so well that the agency is increasing its order to 200 scanners in the next year, the TSA chief told Congress today.

  By David Lumb Read More

• Vimeo's latest tool for video pros is stock footage

  For the longest time, Vimeo was one of YouTube's most conspicuous alternatives. It was where you posted your indie production if you weren't a fan of YouTube's approach and it even created original material in a bid to stand out. The company has always lived in the shadow of its Google-owned rival, however, and now it's backing away from that obvious rivalry. In an Axios interview, company chief Anjali Sud said Vimeo was shifting away from its emphais on indie filmmaking and will instead focus on selling a creative tool, Vimeo Stock. However, a Vimeo spokesperson told Engadget that the company is absolutely not moving away from its core offering of video hosting and embedding tools; instead, Vimeo Stock footage is meant as a feature that creators can use in their videos shared on Vimeo and other platforms.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Nike releases its first NFC-enabled soccer kit for Chelsea FC

  Nike is bringing its NFC-enabled replica sports jerseys to the soccer sphere for the first time through its partnership with English Premier League club Chelsea. The $90 shirt, which the likes of Eden Hazard will wear in Europa League games, features a NikeConnect label. Fans who use the NikeConnect mobile app to connect to the label will gain access to exclusive content and experiences, including playlists, the chance to win tickets and the opportunity to collaborate with Nike designers on a "fan jersey."

  By Kris Holt Read More

• The Morning After: Netflix has its Geralt and Canon's mirrorless EOS R

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. It's a big day for social-media networks on Capitol Hill, but before the execs face a Congressional grilling, we'll take a look at what's going on with our data, the big Chrome redesign and the first electric SUV from Mercedes.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• 'Bingeable,' 'biohacking' and 'fintech' are now officially words

  To say that the internet has played a massive role in the shaping of global society is a bit of an understatement, really, but one area that often gets overlooked is its influence on language. Thanks to teh interwebz (bear with me), we're all exposed to words, phrases and spellings from languages and subcultures we might never have access to otherwise, and this has opened up a whole world of linguistic joy (and loathing). Today, Merriam-Webster has added more than 840 new entries to its dictionary, a step in the continuous process of recording our ever-expanding language.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Theranos is shutting its doors for good

  Theranos has been hanging by a thread ever since an explosive report came out a couple of years ago detailing the erratic quality of its blood test results. Now, the embattled company has finally waved the white flag. According to The Wall Street Journal, the publication that brought the company's dubious practices to light, Theranos is formally dissolving. The blood-testing firm's acting chief and general counsel David Taylor sent an email to shareholders explaining that it has no choice but to shut its doors due to its deal with the Fortress Investment Group.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• FCC chairman pushes for internet content transparency laws

  The FCC isn't involved in the latest round of tech companies' congressional testimony, but that isn't stopping Chairman Ajit Pai from chiming in. The regulator has written a blog post effectively calling for laws requiring internet companies like Facebook, Google and Twitter to disclose how they decide on bans, demonetization and other policy decisions. People have "virtually no insight" into how tech giants make their decisions, he said, arguing that people should "seriously think" about forcing companies to "abide by new transparency obligations."

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The biggest news from IFA 2018

  We're wrapping up our coverage of IFA 2018, and things just seemed... quieter in comparison to last year. There were next to no new wearable announcements, plenty of mid-range phones, but only one premium smartphone. Meanwhile, PCs followed the trend seen at both CES and CEATEC, with shrinking bezels on high-spec laptops from ASUS. Your go-to IFA topics (huge TVs, curious home appliances and mobility tech) only had a few things to show off. That said, there were new moves in audio -- especially if you're in the market for wireless headphones or smart speakers -- and Samsung brings 8K TVs one step closer to reality. We sum up everything worth knowing from last week in Berlin. It's the best of IFA 2018.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Canon's full-frame mirrorless camera leaks in vivid detail

  You don't have to wonder how Canon will respond to Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras (and by extension Sony) -- many of the details now appear to be out in the open. Nokishita and Canon Rumors have posted leaked details of the EOS R, a 30.3-megapixel full-frame cam that would primarily compete with the Nikon Z6 and Sony's A7 III. The design would thrive on low-light photography with a wide ISO 100 to 40,000 normal sensitivity (up to ISO 102,400) and the company's familiar dual-pixel autofocusing. Those aren't exceptional specs given the increasingly competitive full-frame mirrorless space, but there would be a few twists that might give it an edge over its rivals.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• After Math: This is the end

  All good things must come to an end, often not nearly soon enough. Unfortunately for you, generous reader, this week's deadpool does not include After Math. But we are, however, witnessing the death knells of long-haul driving, fossil fuel energy and Mr. Robot, among others.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• GoPro Hero 7 leak hints at steadier action shots

  'Tis the season for major device leaks, it seems. Austin Mittelstadt has posted photos of a store display that spills the beans on GoPro's unannounced Hero 7 action cameras. The leak shows a cam that looks similar to the Hero 6 on the surface, but promises "gimbal-like" image stabilization that's smoother than what you get with its soon-to-be-outdated precursor. There's also a hint at a shakeup in product strategy, for that matter.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• This funky new font is made up entirely of brands

  A digital studio called Hello Velocity has created a typeface that embraces well-known corporate logos and is still somehow far less annoying than Comic Sans. The studio says it creates "thought-provoking internet experiences," and its Brand New Roman font is a clever statement on consumerism.

  By Kris Holt Read More

Nintendo (26)

• Nintendo may have put an end to Tokyo's real-life 'Mario Kart' tours

  Chances are you've probably glimpsed or partaken in Japan's "real-life" Mario Kart. The rent-a-kart service finds locals and tourists dressing up as Mario, Peach, and Luigi and driving around the busy Tokyo streets. What's not to like? Well, turns out Nintendo itself was never a fan. Last year, the gaming giant sued the company behind the service, Marika Co., for copyright infringement. Now, a fresh ruling could derail the entire attraction.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Nintendo’s gacha RPG ‘Dragalia Lost’ arrives on mobile

  Nintendo's new mobile game Dragalia Lost has landed on iOS and Android in the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. The game boasts all the hallmarks of a Japanese RPG made by gacha specialists Cygames: turn-based action (check), anime-style characters (check), microtransactions galore (check), and dragons (check). Of course, you can opt not to spend any cash on in-game characters and dragons -- which you can morph into during battle -- and just grind it out instead.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Switch Online cloud saves last six months after your subscription ends

  When Nintendo launched Switch Online, it raised more than a few alarm bells over its attitude toward cloud saves. Based on the FAQ, your saved games would vanish from the internet the moment your membership expired. Not much of a safety net, is it? Thankfully, that's not quite how it works. In a statement to IGN, Nintendo said that the cloud saves remain for up to 180 days (about six months) after a subscription lapses. That doesn't mean you can use those saves, but you can get them back even if you wait months to resubscribe.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Nintendo used ‘Pokémon Go’ to reveal a new mythical critter

  Recently, there have been sightings of a new mythical Pokémon in the popular mobile game Pokémon Go. The rare creature is apparently called Meltan, and it's a Hex Nut Pokémon. But there's more going on here than just the addition of a Pokémon: According to the release, Pokémon Go is somehow the key to encountering Meltan in the upcoming Nintendo Switch games Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, which are available on November 16th. The video below teases more, but it doesn't tell us much because this is apparently just the first of many updates.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Switch NES emulator already hacked to run unofficial games

  Nintendo Switch Online has barely been live a day and hackers have already had their way with it. According to a modder who goes by the name KapuccinoHeck, it's pretty easy to load your own ROMs onto a hacked Switch and play them directly through the NES emulator, which comes as part of the $20-a-year service.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Nintendo Switch Online lands today, complete with strange cloud saves

  Welcome to 2018, Nintendo. After 38 years in the gaming-hardware business and 15 years after the launch of Xbox Live, Nintendo is finally offering an online subscription service in its latest console, the Switch. Nintendo Switch Online goes live on the evening of Tuesday, September 18th, allowing players to access multiplayer, cloud saves and a collection of 20 classic NES games for $20 a year. However, there are a handful of caveats. Nintendo operates outside of the standards established by Xbox and PlayStation, its two main rivals in the console market. Both Xbox and PlayStation have offered online subscription plans for well over 10 years, with Xbox Live launching in 2002 and PlayStation Network in 2006. Nintendo has offered barebones connection options for a handful of games in the past, but Switch Online is its first attempt at a subscription scheme. And, like many of Nintendo's grand plans, it's wrapped in red tape.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'Fortnite' Switch bundle arrives October 5th with in-game perks

  Back in June, Fortnite fans cheered when the popular game arrived on the Nintendo Switch. But starting October 5th, fans of the battle royale shooter can express their love for the game in a new way: a Nintendo Switch bundle featuring special items from the game. The set retails for the same price as a regular Nintendo Switch console, $300.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• The Morning After: 'Fortnite' will still be free to play on the Switch

  Good morning! You're waking up to a lot of transport tech news: Germany has restarted running an electric-hybrid train, Tesla is ending free Supercharger access to new car buyers and Uber is relying more on its own traffic estimates in a bid to beat gridlock. We'll also learn the name of SpaceX's first Moon-bound passenger. Oh, and you will be able to play Fortnite for free on the Switch, even if Nintendo's online gaming service costs money. What can you expect this week? Deeper dives on Apple's new hardware, ahead of launch day and much more.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• 'Fortnite' on Switch won't require an online subscription

  When Nintendo set a launch date for its Switch Online service, there was an overriding question for many gamers: would you have to pay to play every game online, especially free-to-play hits like Fortnite? The answer is a resounding "yes." The company has posted a Switch Online FAQ that mentions "some games," including Fortnite, won't require the subscription plan when it goes live on September 18th. There's no mention of the criteria that will decide exceptions to the rule, although it wouldn't be surprising if other free-to-play games, like Warframe, make the cut.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Watch the 'Civilization VI' trailer for Nintendo Switch

  Civilization VI is invading Nintendo Switch on November 16th, and now its creators have dropped a trailer showing what you can expect from the empire builder. In early September, 2K and Firaxis Games accidentally revealed the game's arrival's on the console in an announcement that they also quickly took down. You don't have to worry, though: the game is truly set to invade the platform with its expansions and scenario packs in tow.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 'Assassin's Creed: Odyssey' will head to Switch as a cloud game

  Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Odyssey will also land on the Switch, but in a way that probably wouldn't please a lot of people. The upcoming title is following in Resident Evil 7's footsteps and will be available for the platform as a cloud game on October 5th, 2018. Yes, that means players will have to stream it to play it and won't be able to download the whole game in one go. Also, the Switch version seems to be scheduled for release in Japan only for now.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 'Pokémon' developer is releasing a Switch RPG called 'Town'

  Game Freak, the Japanese video game developer behind Pokémon, is working on a turn-based RPG simply called Town. Thankfully, that's only a working title for the new IP, so they might still come up with something more memorable. Nintendo has announced the game during its latest Direct presentation, showing some of its characters and a short preview of its gameplay. Apparently, the game is a new story set "in a village with a secret to hide." Under the protection of a castle, the village's residents enjoyed peace until giant monsters started showing up and wreaking havoc. The villagers now have to team up and fight off the fiends with their smarts and their tools.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Switch 'Super Smash Bros. Ultimate' set bundles system and game for $360

  If you're planning on picking up a Nintendo Switch to play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate this winter, consider this branded bundle edition. There's a special dock emblazoned with many of the game's characters to hold your system, while the Joy-Cons themselves have the game's logo splashed all over them.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Yes, 'Animal Crossing' is coming to the Nintendo Switch

  Nintendo has heard your pleas, Animal Crossing lovers -- A new, full-fledged entry in the series is heading exclusively to the Switch in 2019. Nintendo saved this juicy announcement for the end of its September 2018 Nintendo Direct live stream, keeping hungry fans waiting just a little bit longer. Over the past few months, players have been clamoring for a Switch version of Animal Crossing, and they've finally gotten their wish.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe' hits Switch in January 2019

  New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is the latest previously released Nintendo game to find a fresh home on the Switch. It's heading to Nintendo's new console on January 11th, 2019, throwing New Super Mario Bros. U and the Luigi-based platformer New Super Luigi U into the same package.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'Katamari Damacy Reroll' upgrades the original for HD

  The original Katamari Damacy game is coming back, and this time it's in high definition. Katamari Damacy Reroll is a remastered version for the Switch and PC that's due in December 7th, complete with motion control via Joy-Con, HD Rumble support, and a two-player mode. The arrival of the game simply makes sense, as we argued the original Wii's motion controllers made it an ideal target for a port many years ago -- the Switch adds everything we'd hoped for and more.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Nintendo unveils $60 wireless NES controllers for the Switch

  If you want a classic NES gameplay experience on the Switch, be prepared to shell out $60. Nintendo announced new wireless NES controllers today as an exclusive for subscribers of the Switch's online service. From what we can tell from the Nintendo Direct presentation, they seem to be an accurate rendition of the classic console gamepads. But even though they charge on the Switch in dock mode, they don't work as Joy-Cons. (You can probably figure that out since they both have proper directional pads.) You can pre-order the Switch NES controllers on September 18th, and Nintendo says shipments will start in December. Naturally, they'll want to get these out by the holidays.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• New 'Splatoon 2' gear adds exploding spray paint to your arsenal

  Splatoon 2 hit the Switch last summer and we're still seeing a steady stream of updates like fancy toilet-based weaponry. During today's Nintendo Direct we found out version 4 is ready to roll — and by ready, I mean today.

  By Kris Naudus Read More

• Catch the September 2018 Nintendo Direct right here, right now

  The time has come. Nintendo delayed the September edition of its Nintendo Direct live stream after an earthquake rocked Hokkaido, Japan, earlier this month, but it's full steam ahead today. The show kicks off at 6PM ET / 3PM PT, and Nintendo will finally share details about the Switch's coming online features. Watch it in the embedded stream below, and we'll break out all of the big news as it lands, so keep the Engadget homepage fresh.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• 'Diablo III' sends your Switch to Hell on November 2nd

  You'll have to wait several weeks to slay the minions of Hell on your Switch. Blizzard has announced that Diablo III: Eternal Collection will launch on Nintendo's hybrid console November 2nd for $60. As promised, the isometric slasher includes the Reaper of Souls and Rise of the Necromancer add-ons, Zelda-themed exclusives. Moreover, it's the version to get if you like the thought of local co-op play -- up to four people can adventure together on a single Switch, and there are two- and four-Switch options if your friends have their own systems.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Nintendo's Switch Online service launches September 18th

  Nintendo has finally revealed when its Switch Online service will be available -- and with only a few days left to go. The $20 per year subscription service will go live on September 18th (19th in Europe), with a week-long free trial available from the eShop at launch. Many of the launch details are under wraps, such as the games that will require a subscription to play, but Nintendo promises to shed more light on the subject with a Direct presentation on the 13th at 6PM Eastern.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Nintendo's Pikachu & Eevee Switch is a 'Pokémon' fan's dream

  Unless you live in Japan (or won a Labo contest), you haven't had access to a special-edition Switch that's been customized top to bottom. Nintendo is about to change that: it's releasing two Pikachu & Eevee Edition Switch bundles that cover the entire console in Pokémon-themed artwork to go with the Let's Go games (one of which is pre-installed with each bundle). On top of Pikachu- and Eevee-colored Joy-Cons, you'll find the two critters in silhouette form on the back of the system and featured prominently on the dock. Combine this with an included Poké Ball controller and it's safe to say this is the Switch to get if Pokémon represents more of a lifestyle to you than a mere game.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Nintendo Switch cloud saves won't be available for some games

  There are a lot of reasons why cloud-based backup is one of Nintendo Switch Online's most awaited features. It can make sure you don't lose your progress if your game suddenly gets corrupted, if your console gets stolen or if you decide to buy a new Switch. Sadly, it looks like it won't be available for some games on the platform. GameInformer has discovered that a number titles that need a subscription to the service for online play don't have access to the feature. Their entries on the Nintendo website explicitly state: "This game does not support Save Data Cloud backup."

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 'Civilization VI' arrives on the Nintendo Switch November 16th

  On November 16th, the latest installment in the popular Civilization video game franchise will launch on the Nintendo Switch. The studio announced (update: in a post that has since been taken offline) that the Switch version of Civilization VI will include the latest updates, including the Vikings scenario and the Poland, Australia and Persia and Macedon civilizations and scenario packs.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• 'Let's Sing 2019' is the latest game destined for the Wii

  Just Dance isn't the only modern game franchise headed to a 12-year-old console. Amid the Gamescom shuffle, THQ Nordic announced that it would be releasing its Europe-focused music title Let's Sing 2019 for the PS4, Switch... and the Wii. This isn't completely shocking when the publisher also made the 2018 game available for Wii, but the system is rapidly running out of time -- the Wii Shop Channel is shutting down in 2019. If this isn't the last Wii version in the franchise, it's pretty close.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The first 'Valkyria Chronicles' comes to Switch on October 16th

  Valkyria Chronicles 4 will be available on the Switch, but what if you never played the original and want to brush up on your WWII-inspired turn-based strategy? Don't worry, you're set. Sega has confirmed that the original Valkyria Chronicles will be available on Nintendo's system October 16th for $20, or $15 if you have the newest title in your Switch library. This isn't the remastered edition from 2016, so you might not get a visual extravaganza -- though you might not mind if you're defending Gallia in handheld mode.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

PC Gaming (10)

• Meet 'Minecraft: Dungeons,' an adventure game with online co-op

  The new game from Mojang answers the eternal question, what if Minecraft and Gauntlet had a baby? Minecraft: Dungeons is a brand-new game inspired by classic dungeon crawlers like Wizardry and Ultima Underworld, and it turns the series' traditional formula on its head. Instead of providing a vast, open canvas where players can let their imaginations run wild, Dungeons is an adventure game filled with discrete quests, characters, items and enemies. It still looks like classic Minecraft fare, complete with cube-headed characters and 3D swords with jagged, pixelated blades.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Blizzcon 2018 Virtual Ticket includes 'WoW Classic' demo

  The Blizzcon 2018 Virtual Ticket is the gift that keeps on giving. Aside from video streams, skins, and in-game loot, Blizzard says the $50 digital entry fee will also grant you access to the World of Warcraft: Classic demo -- that's the base game as it was before the expansions ruined it for purists. The demo will be showcased on the Blizzcon floor on November 2nd and you'll get to play at the same time as attendees (on or around 1PM PT, 4PM Eastern). It will then be available until 10am PT (1PM Eastern) on November 8th, meaning those going to the event can jump on again when they get home.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• PC gamers like using controllers more than you might think

  While PC gamers enjoy many benefits over using a console, the latest Steam stats released by Valve show there's a shared appreciation for one thing: console gamepads. According to Valve, since 2015 when it released an update allowing players to map gamepad inputs to any combination a game understands, over 30 million of its players have registered a controller, and about half of them have registered more than one.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• 'Alto's Adventure' arrives on Mac for $10

  If you're a fan of Alto's Adventure, you might be pleased to know you can at long last play the revered endless runner on Mac. It's available on the redesigned Mac App Store for $10. Alto's Adventure debuted on iOS in 2015, so it's taken quite some time to reach macOS. The game's also available on Android, Kindle Fire, Android and Linux.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Valve gives its Knuckles finger tracker better battery life

  Valve has debuted the latest Knuckles EV3 VR finger tracking controller with subtle improvements that show it's nearly ready for a consumer release. The biggest update to the latest developer kit is in the area of battery life; improved sensor efficiency means it'll go for up to eight hours, up over two hours from the EV2 kit released earlier this year.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Valve will start moderating comments on Steam

  ??????Starting on September 25, Valve will "review" community comments across Stream's game hubs. Reported discussion threads and individual posts will fall on the desk of the platform's content moderation team, who will remove anything that violates Steam's community guidelines. Developers that already take a DIY approach to moderation can opt-out of the new system.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Watch a Twitch stream to unlock 'Black Ops 4' battle royale PC beta

  PC players on the fence about Call of Duty Black Ops 4 can get an early taster of the game's Battle Royale mode today -- the same day as those who paid for a pre-order. All you have to do is sign up to Blizzard's desktop gaming hub, Blizzard.net, and watch an hour of Twitch broadcasts from partnered streamers Ninja, Shroud, Summit1G or TimTheTatman between 10AM PT/1PM Eastern and 2PM PT/5PM Eastern. Then early access will be sent straight to your Battle.Net account.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• NVIDIA’s RTX cards are a gamble on the future of gaming

  NVIDIA's RTX series of GPUs has been a long time coming. The company's last meaningful hardware revision, the 10 series, came out back in May 2016. And real-time ray-tracing, the intensive rendering technique that RTX cards purportedly make a reality, has been dreamed about for decades. But, although it hasn't dominated the headlines as much, the most important change RTX brings is the shift away from raw power and towards algorithms and AI. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. First, let's have a quick look at what exactly NVIDIA is trying to sell you. Next week, two cards, the $700 RTX 2080 and $1,000 RTX 2080 Ti, will be vying for your cash, followed in October by the RTX 2070, which at $500 is likely to be the best seller of the three.

  By Aaron Souppouris Read More

• Valve approves first uncensored porn game on Steam

  Valve's Steam store is getting its first "100% uncensored" porn game with the approval of Dharker Studios' Negligee: Love Stories. Its developer tweeted that the title featuring "sexual interactions and nudity" got the "thumbs up" and will be available to download this Friday.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Valve explains 'progress' toward a new Steam Store content policy

  It's been a few months since Valve announced an "allow everything onto the Steam Store, except for things that we decide are illegal, or straight up trolling" content policy and it's still working out the details. A new blog post provides some insight on how it plans to handle the store once sexual content is again admitted, and what kind of content will be banned.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

PlayStation (18)

• Sony confirms PlayStation Experience won't happen this year

  Sony's PlayStation Experience event won't take place this year. Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden confirmed the news Friday on the PlayStation Blogcast, noting that it was a "hard decision."

  By Kris Holt Read More

• There's an all-white Sony headset for your limited-edition PS4

  Sure, Sony has made limited-edition white PS4s, but you've been out of luck if you've wanted a completely white official headset to match. That's so... gauche. You won't have to worry about fashion missteps from now on, though. The company has unveiled an all-white version of the PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset that will coordinate nicely with the pale-hued PS4 in your living room. There's no added functionality over the black version, but that's not necessarily a problem when the headset has generally been well-received. Every headset owner is receiving widened audio mode compatibility, too, including titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Spyro Reignited.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Two classic 'Castlevania' games arrive on PS4 in October

  Today, Sony announced that two classic Castlevania titles are coming to the PlayStation 4. Castlevania Requiem will bundleS ymphony of the Night and Rondo of Blood. They will available in the online store starting one month from now, on October 26th, for $20.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Sony finally gives in to ‘Fortnite’ PS4 cross-play demands

  PlayStation gamers have been frustrated by the lack of cross-platform support for the popular game Fortnite. But now Sony has some good news. Today, the company announced an open beta that will allow for Fortnite cross-platform play between the PlayStation 4 and iOS, Android, the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows and Mac.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• ‘Death Stranding’ adds Troy Baker to its star-studded cast

  Death Stranding's latest trailer sans gameplay footage has debuted at the Tokyo Games Show. Again, the talking point is the game's star power, with one Troy Baker (of Uncharted and Telltale's Batman fame) the latest addition to its stacked cast. He joins protagonist Norman Reedus, Oscar-winning director Guillermo Del Toro, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, and (newly announced) Tommie Earl Jenkins. We've seen a-listers headline games in the past -- Mark Hamill in the Batman Arkham series and Willem Defoe in Beyond: Two Souls spring to mind -- but nothing on this scale.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• PlayStation Now users can download certain PS4 and PS2 games

  The biggest hindrance to Sony's PlayStation Now streaming service is lag. Because the game isn't stored locally, whatever device you're playing on has to send your button mashing back to Sony's servers to process the input and then feed it back to your TV screen. That's changing. PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 2 games remastered for PS4 on the service will be downloadable as well as streamable starting today, according to the PlayStation Blog.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Sony will cease PS Vita production in Japan next year

  At the 2018 Tokyo Game Show, Sony has announced the birth of a new product and what could possibly be the final nail in the coffin for another. Sony Interactive Entertainment SVP Hiroyuki Oda has revealed that the company will cease PS Vita's production in Japan sometime in 2019. Further, he said the electronics/gaming giant has no plans to create a successor, echoing Shuhei Yoshida's revelation way back in 2015 that Sony doesn't see a market for a follow-up to the handheld console.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• PlayStation Classic and original PlayStation, side by side

  At the Tokyo Game Show Sony showed off its PlayStation Classic system for the first time in person. Engadget Japan editor Ei Ito said it wasn't playable so we don't know if this is just a mockup or the real thing, but it is sitting next to one of the original consoles that launched in 1994 so you can get an appreciation for the hardware design. Unfortunately Sony is still keeping quiet about the other 15 games it will pack-in, but a press release does note that the miniaturized console (45 percent smaller on the sides and 80 percent smaller in volume) will output video in 720p or 480p only, so it's likely that your TV will have more upscaling work to do.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• 'PUBG' could be en route to PlayStation 4 this year

  Since 2017, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds has been exclusive to PC and Xbox. That could be changing. The battle royale game may appear on PlayStation 4 soon if a Korean ratings board slip-up (spotted by Eurogamer) is to be believed. Each time I've spoken with PUBG Corp over the past year, whoever I've talked to said that a PlayStation 4 version wasn't in the cards because the team wanted to get the Xbox version up to par with the PC first. It looks like that time may have come.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• PlayStation Classic jumps on the retro trend December 3rd for $100

  With "Classic" game systems occasionally outselling modern ones, Sony is bringing back its own old school system. The PlayStation Classic will launch in December, loaded with 20 "generation-defining" games in their original format for $100 (€99.99 RRP). It's 45 percent smaller than the original system and uses a virtual memory card for saves. It will arrive with two PS1-era replica controllers from the time before analog sticks for local multiplayer and connect to modern TVs via HDMI-out, but you'll have to bring your own USB power adapter.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• 'Tetris Effect' drops a color bomb on your PS4 November 9th

  Back at E3, Sony revealed the first trailer for Tetris Effect, a modern spin on the classic puzzle game. Sure, at its core, it's the same game we've been playing for decades. But you've never seen Tetris look like this before. You won't have to wait too much longer to play it either, as developer Enhance announced Tetris Effect will arrive on PS4 and PSVR November 9th.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• 'The Last Remnant' finally comes to PlayStation a decade late

  If you've been waiting patiently for a decade to play The Last Remnant on a PlayStation, we finally have good news for you. A remastered version of the Japanese RPG is coming to the PlayStation 4 on December 6th in celebration of the game's 10th anniversary. It will cost $20 in the PlayStation Store.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• PSVR mystery adventure ‘Déraciné’ arrives November 6th

  These days, FromSoftware is known for its grim Dark Souls and Bloodborne action games, and the upcoming Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice isn't disabusing us of that notion. But before the latter hits stands next March, the game maker has partnered with Japan Studio with another treat for us: Déraciné, the PSVR adventure game about a boarding school mystery, is coming out on November 6th for $30.

  By David Lumb Read More

• 'Project Judge' is the new series from the creators of 'Yakuza'

  If you're all Yakuza'd out, then we have some good news. The creators of your favorite gangster series have something new -- Project Judge (or Judge Eyes, depending on your translation choice). This time you're starting off on the other side, playing a lawyer-slash-detective who's looking to clear his name, save innocents and generally do good. The teaser trailer appears more narratively driven, with creator Toshihiro Nagoshi hinting that you'll be able to control dramatic interactions of the characters, and making it sound possibly less violent and less action-driven than the Yazuka series. For now, it's hard to discern how the game will play, but it looks like it'll have the same drama and angst that fans loved from Sega's gangster series.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• SNK fighting series 'Samurai Shodown' is making a comeback on PS4

  It's been ten years since the last genuinely new Samurai Shodown title has appeared. At Sony PlayStation's Tokyo Game Show warmup, we were treated to a brief teaser of a brand new game, Samurai Spirits, powered by the Unreal engine, and bringing the iconic beat-em-up to modern consoles -- namely the PS4.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• New York shines in Sony’s new ‘Spider-Man’ game

  With its high rent, heavy traffic and unreliable subway system, New York can be a tough place to live. For many, it's a nonstop grind of work and sleep to make rent and pay the bills each month. It's also an exciting city full of diverse people and enormous skyscrapers. It's both aspects of Manhattan -- the hectic lifestyle and stunning architecture -- that make it a perfect fit for Spider-Man, a witty web-slinger who struggles to balance his work and love life with the responsibilities of a powerful superhero. The latest Spider-Man video game, developed by Ratchet & Clank studio Insomniac, treats New York as a character. A place that can pose real, relatable problems for Peter Parker and his alter-ego.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• PlayStation’s latest VR bundles include ‘Creed’ and ‘Superhot VR’

  PlayStation has announced that two new VR bundles are on the way. The first includes Creed: Rise to Glory and Superhot VR and will be released in the US and Canada on September 25th, the same day Creed: Rise to Glory is set to launch. With the bundle, you'll get a Creed: Rise to Glory Blu-ray disc and a Superhot VR digital game voucher as well as a PlayStation VR system, a PlayStation camera and two Move controllers. It's confirmed for the US and Canada and is priced at $350 ($450 CAD).

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Sony adds 'Bloodborne' to PlayStation Now's game streaming lineup

  Sony's PlayStation Now game streaming service is adding perhaps its highest-profile PS4 title to date in Bloodborne. The infamously difficult action RPG from Dark Souls developer FromSoftware racked up a litany of awards and nominations after it was released in 2015. It's available on PS Now starting today.

  By Kris Holt Read More

Reviews (48)

• Watch the iPhone XS survive drop tests on concrete

  We've all had that brief moment of panic when our (probably expensive) smartphones plunge onto solid ground, so Apple's claim that the glass on Apple's latest iPhones is the toughest on any smartphone might be welcome news for the clumsiest among us. To see if Apple's proclamation held weight, Tom's Guide put the iPhone XS and XS Max through their paces with a drop test onto concrete from varying heights on the edge, face and rear of the devices.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Sony's full-frame mirrorless cameras finally have some competition

  Since the launch of the A7 and A7R in 2013, Sony has had virtually no competition in the full-frame mirrorless space. Major players like Canon, Nikon and Panasonic were keeping their focus on other camera formats, such as APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, point-and-shoots and full-frame DSLRs. But that's all starting to change. At Photokina 2018, Panasonic introduced its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Lumix S1R and S1, which feature 47- and 24-megapixel sensors, respectively. While these are still in development and likely won't launch until next year, the fact that Panasonic has finally given in and is making a full-frame mirrorless shows Sony is about to start facing some serious competition. It validates all the efforts the company's been making in that market for the past few years, leading up to the gold standard that's its latest model, the A7 III.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Wear OS review: Google puts usability first

  It may be time to give smartwatches another chance. Companies like Apple, Qualcomm, Samsung and Fitbit have kept trying to make these devices actually useful, and the industry seems to be gaining momentum. Google is rolling out the latest iteration of Wear OS, and its continued efforts seem like they're starting to pay off. This third major release of the OS offers a more proactive Assistant and puts more emphasis on health-tracking, making it a platform that you'll actually want to keep on your wrist.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• Apple Watch Series 4 review: Small tweaks make a big impact

  The first time I strapped on an Apple Watch was three years ago. A friend had been needling me about how badly I needed one and how it was the first truly new Apple product since Steve Jobs died and how cool Digital Touch was. I caved, and 45 minutes later, I had claimed a slice of Apple's history for myself. My friend was right: The Apple Watch was cool. What he didn't tell me was that the Watch's underpowered hardware and the scarcity of must-have apps made Apple's first wearable kind of feel like a dud in those early days. Eventually, I let a coworker borrow it. When she left the company, I didn't try to get it back. What can I say? I didn't really miss it. That wouldn't be true with the Series 4. During the past three years, Apple has dutifully added features and refined the overall Watch experience. Series 2 pivoted to focus more on fitness. Series 3 had an LTE radio, so you could feasibly leave your phone at home. It wasn't until this year's Series 4, though, that the Apple Watch finally seemed to step out of the iPhone's shadow. The Series 4 is bigger and better in every way that counts, and more important, it now feels like a fleshed-out, worthy device in its own right.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• BMW throws all its new tech at the X5

  The average BMW X5 never strays too far from asphalt. It's more at home navigating mall parking than on a backwoods trail. BMW is changing that with its latest X5, starting at $60,700 for the xDrive 40i. The new SUV (or Sports Activity Vehicle, as BMW calls it) ships with actual "sports" capabilities along with an impressive suite of new technology that's premiering on the X5. The result is a BMW off-roader with a new infotainment system, updated driver's assist features and a big pile of features that that should keep X5 owners of the future happy even if they never take it off-road. But they totally could.

  By Roberto Baldwin Read More

• Oculus Quest has Rift-like VR without the wires

  Hugo Barra, Oculus' head of VR, said earlier this year that the standalone headset is the key to mass adoption of VR. And in 2018, the company is doubling down on that claim. A few months ago, Oculus released its first standalone headset, the Oculus Go, an affordable phone-free alternative to Samsung's Gear VR. Today, at Oculus Connect 5, the company unveiled the Oculus Quest, which promises Rift-like experiences, but without a PC. In my brief experience with it, the Quest lives up to the standalone VR promise, though it doesn't quite match up to the quality of the Rift. At least not yet.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• The importance of sitting in 'Life is Strange 2'

  Where is dad? The question rings in my head. I'm roughly 15 minutes into the first episode of Life is Strange 2 and I've just realized the real stakes at play for the two main characters, Daniel and Sean Diaz. Daniel is 9 and Sean is 16, and the two brothers are wandering alongside an empty highway on the Pacific Northwest coast, dense trees to their right and asphalt to their left. Their clothes and faces are dusted in dirt. This article contains spoilers for the first episode of Life is Strange 2

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• A closer look at Fujifilm's GFX 50R and GFX 100 medium format cameras

  We knew coming into Photokina 2018 that Fujifilm had some big plans for the event, and the company did not disappoint with its announcements. Aside from introducing the Instax Square SQ20, Fujifilm's had two major reveals at the show: the GFX 50R and GFX 100. These are medium format mirrorless cameras, powered by system Fujifilm likes to call Super Full Frame, that come with large sensors and a hefty price tag. The GFX 50R, for starters, is essentially a successor to the GFX 50S from 2017, which was $6,500 when it launched. Inside, it's nearly identical to the 50S, sporting a 51.4-megapixel sensor, 100-12,800 ISO range a 400-shot battery capacity and a weather-sealed body.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Fujifilm's Square SQ20 is an ideal modern instant camera

  Over the past few years, Fujifilm has been trying hard to make instant cameras a thing again. And the company has introduced yet another model at Photokina 2018. The Instax Square SQ20 follows the SQ10 from 2017, featuring a similar hybrid instant system that lets you print out Polaroid-style photos while simultaneously giving you access to a small touchscreen. That retro tech combined with digital features is what makes Fujifilm's SQ line appealing to new and old generations alike.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Fujifilm's GFX-50R is a smaller 'budget' medium format camera

  Two years ago, Fujifilm made a fateful decision to skip over full-frame mirrorless cameras and go bigger with the medium-format GFX-50S. Now, it's doubling down on that with the 51.4-megapixel GFX-50R, a smaller and cheaper version of the original. As the rumor mill had suggested, it looks a lot like its compact X-E3 mirrorless camera, but don't be thinking you'll slide this into your pocket. It's still a 775 gram camera (without a lens) that outweighs Sony's A7R III and at $4,500, costs a lot more, too.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• The Morning After: Inside Apple Watch Series 4

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. This morning, we're taking a peek inside Apple's latest wearable and getting prepared for Photokina. Also: the latest info about macOS, Office 2019 and Telltale Games.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Apple Watch Series 4 teardown exposes all the big changes

  Apple Watch Series 4 brings a lot of changes, but how much has it changed on the inside? Quite a bit, actually -- iFixit has torn down the new smartwatch, and it's clear that this was Apple's opportunity to rethink some of the hidden details. For one, it offers a good look at Series 4's ECG monitoring, including the components in the Digital Crown that complete the circuit. You'll also see a much thinner (if longer) Taptic Engine, a much larger speaker and a smaller battery -- the 44mm Watch pack has 20 percent less capacity than that from the 42mm Series 3. Apple may be counting on the newer processor and other refinements to make up the difference.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Sony Xperia XZ3 review: One flagship too many

  This isn't a case of déjà vu -- Sony is indeed launching yet another high-end handset next month. The new Xperia XZ3 is the latest in Sony's rapid-fire approach to smartphones, first announced just a month after the XZ2 Premium went on sale. It's also been less than six months since the Xperia XZ2 hit retail, and in many ways, the XZ3 is a repackaged XZ2 with a bigger and better display. It's a unique device for Sony, though, being the company's first handset with an OLED screen. I'm just struggling to see why we, the consumer, should care.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• Apple iPhone XS and XS Max review: Pricey but future-proof

  When Apple introduced the iPhone X last year, it didn't just release a new phone -- it presented a new vision of what iPhones should be. The fact that the X became Apple's top-selling model quarter after quarter was proof that people were embracing change. Now, with the arrival of the new iPhone XS and XS Max, Apple's vision feels almost inescapable. That's not necessarily a bad thing for iOS fans. These new XS models represent Apple at the top of its hardware game, and if you buy either of them, you probably won't need to upgrade for quite a while. They're that good. The bigger question here is whether the iPhone XS and XS Max are must-own devices, and that's where things get complicated. Before we can divine an answer to that question, though, we need to understand what makes these iPhones as valuable as they are.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• iPhone XS teardown shows few changes aside from the battery

  You know it was only a matter of time before the people over at iFixit tore apart Apple's latest and greatest smartphones. For the first time, they took their screwdrivers and tools to two phones at once: the iPhone XS and the XS Max.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Amazon's Alexa-powered microwave is pretty unnecessary

  One of the most surprising announcements from today's Amazon event was a microwave oven, of all things. It's part of the AmazonBasics line of products, and you can use it for reheating food, making popcorn or, you know, using it for whatever a normal microwave would do. Except there's one special thing about it -- it works with Alexa. And while that might sound like a cool thing at first, I can't help but think it's really quite unnecessary.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Amazon's 2018 Echo Show finally gets it right

  When the original Echo Show debuted last year, plenty of people (including us) made fun of its chunky and bulky design. Well, Amazon must've taken those comments to heart, because the new Echo Show is decidedly much better looking. While the older Echo Show might've reminded us of mall kiosks, the newer Show looks a bit more like a smaller, cuter TV.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Apple iOS 12 review: Less mess

  The wait is over: After a splashy announcement at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in June, iOS 12 is finally ready. And the best part? While it's far from the flashiest iPhone update ever -- there's no visual overhaul here or many hyped-up new features -- iOS 12 might be the most pleasant Apple software update I've ever used. Yes, "pleasant" -- not "feature-packed." As reported many, many times even before the announcement, Apple's developers focused on sanding down the software's rougher edges and making iOS as a whole faster and easier to use. That was no small feat, especially when you consider the number of issues that wound up plaguing last year's big software release. For once, Apple crafted a software update that feels just as valuable on old hardware as it does on the shiny new stuff.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• GoPro Hero 7 Black review: An action camera for the social age

  Ever wondered why GoPro's flagship camera is called "the Black" but has always been silver or gray? Well, with the Hero 7, the company has righted that wrong. Cognitive dissonance aside, there are a few other things fixed with this year's update, but the big question is: Are they the issues that matter to you? If your frustrations center around shaky footage or wrangling your videos onto social media, then yes. If you were hoping for a laundry list of new video modes then, maybe not so much (4K/60fps is still the max). There is a little something here for everyone, though, and -- importantly -- it keeps the $399 price tag of the Hero 6 it replaces. The question this time seems to be: Can it replace your phone (camera)?

  By James Trew Read More

• Apple's bigger, better Watch Series 4 makes a great first impression

  Apple's new iPhones are impressive and all, but I'd argue the company's new Watch Series 4 stole the show in Cupertino last week. In addition to the first major redesign in the wearable's history, Apple crammed a host of improved health and fitness features into the Series 4's new and improved body. There's a lot to dig into and honestly, we're just not done testing the thing yet. As we work on our full review, though, there a few features and flourishes you should definitely keep in mind.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Bose Sleepbuds review: Helpful but needs improvement

  Bose, which is well-known for its quality (and pricey) audio equipment, went an interesting route with its latest piece of hardware. Two years ago, the company took to Indiegogo to gauge interest in a pair of noise-masking sleep earbuds. Essentially, customers paid to be part of the beta test and received hardware at up to a $100 discount. At the end of the campaign, the company had raised $450,320 -- more than 900 percent of its $50,000 goal -- so clearly there's a market for these. The Sleepbuds went on sale for $249.95 in June, and I was pretty much first in line to buy a pair at my local Bose store.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• NVIDIA RTX 2080 and 2080 Ti review: To 4K 60 FPS, and beyond

  NVIDIA's new RTX graphics cards are for the gamer that wants it all. I'm talking about 4K gaming beyond 60 frames per second, with the graphics settings dialed to the max. Both the RTX 2080 and RTX 2080 Ti are a significant leap beyond NVIDIA's last GPU generation, but they're more than just the gold standard of 4K gaming. They also bring the possibility of real time ray tracing -- a light rendering technology that used to be reserved for big budget CG movies -- to consumers for the first time. And that has the potential to change the gaming landscape forever.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• 'FIFA 19' has everything it needs to be the best

  I've always tried to love FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer equally, though there are years when one franchise wins me over the other -- even if it's by a tiny bit. You can always count on the game mechanics of Konami's PES to be a pleasure to play, but EA Sports' advantage with FIFA has been that it owns the official licenses to the biggest clubs and players. I don't know about you, but I'd rather play with Manchester United than Man Red. This year, the most important change to FIFA 19 is the addition of the UEFA Champions League, Europe's premier club competition, which had featured on PES since 2008. EA Sports didn't need the Champions League to make FIFA great, but it was basically the only thing it was missing. And now, at the expense of PES, it's finally here.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• iPhone XS and XS Max, Day 1: A clear step forward

  Last year was a big one for Apple — with the launch of the iPhone X, the company redefined what it meant to be iPhone. This year, Apple's job wasn't any easier. It had to figure out what worked, what didn't, and put that knowledge to use building a trio of new smartphones that would make its new vision more accessible. And now that the iPhone XS and XS Max are finally here, we're getting to see if Apple actually achieved those feats.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones review: Goodbye, Bose

  Sony's WH-1000XM3 headphones are the sort of dream gadget I can review succinctly in one sentence: They're incredibly comfortable, and they sound amazing. That's it. End review. When the first 1000XM pair debuted in 2016, they weren't just another set of premium cans -- they were a sign that Sony was ready to take on Bose for the high-end noise-canceling crown. The company managed to deliver something that sounded better than Bose's best headsets while matching them at their own game. Now, with its third version, Sony is giving us little reason to look elsewhere. The $350 WH-1000XM3s are basically the ideal pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• JBL Link View: A Google Smart Display that puts audio centerstage

  Even though Amazon was the first to come up with the smart display concept (via the Echo Show), it's Google that transformed it into a whole new consumer category. Much of this is due to Google's hardware strategy: It partners with different manufacturers to make several products, while it concentrates on building out the software ecosystem. The result is a slew of different Google Smart Displays, each with a different take on the idea.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Nintendo Labo Vehicle Kit: Rewarding builds with better games

  Nintendo Labo has been out for a while now. We've been charmed by the company's inventive designs and the way they fuse cardboard with the Switch's powerful Joy-Con controllers. The product line hasn't been a runaway success, though. In its last quarterly earnings, Nintendo revealed that 1.39 million Labo sets were sold between their debut in April and the end of June 2018. That's by no means a disaster, and not a huge surprise given Labo is more education focused than Nintendo's usual wares. The kits are also a tad more expensive than a typical Switch game like ARMS.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Master & Dynamic MW07 review: Premium sound, premium price

  For about a year now, the true wireless earbud craze has been in full swing. Even the holdouts introduced sets this month. At IFA, both Audio-Technica and Sennheiser debuted their belated entries in this audio arms race. Now there's another company entering the fray: Master & Dynamic. The company revealed its $299 MW07 true wireless earphones today -- a set that exhibits the company's affinity for premium materials and stellar sound. In fact, these may be the best-sounding wireless earbuds I've tested, but crafting the perfect pair takes more than audio prowess.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• The iPhone Xs Max vs. the competition: A huge step up in size

  Farewell "Plus" and hello "Max" as the name for Apple's larger handsets, with today's reveal showcasing a massive 6.5-inch screen size on the iPhone Xs Max. But how does it compare to the current crop of flagship phones, to which screen sizes bigger than six inches are old hat? We've taken the Xs Max and lined it up against two of Samsung's Galaxy siblings as well as the budget-friendly OnePlus 6. (We'll have to wait a few weeks to see how it stacks up against the Pixel 3 XL.) Of course, specs aren't everything. For a full accounting of how the iPhone XS Max shakes out, check out today's hands-on with the new device, and keep an eye out for our full review in the next few weeks.

  By Kris Naudus Read More

• The iPhone Xs vs. the competition: It's all about the cameras

  It's time for a new flagship iPhone, and while the "s" in its name usually means no drastic changes on the outside, there are quite a few souped-up features in the Xs worth noting, like the camera's adjustable depth of field and smart HDR. But the competition continues to be heated, with phones like the Galaxy S9 and the notched G7 ThinQ boasting their own enhanced shooters and Snapdragon 845 chips. We've lined up all these devices in the table below so you can get an idea of how their specs contend, and we even threw in Huawei's P20 Pro with its stellar tri-lens rig. It's one of our favorite phones from this year, even if you can't officially buy it here in the US. What we can't do is compare the iPhone XS to the upcoming Pixel 3 -- for that you'll have to wait until Google's event next month. So stay tuned for that as well as our full reviews of Apple's new handsets.

  By Kris Naudus Read More

• iPhone Xr hands-on: Premium power for everyone

  Apple's iPhone Xr wasn't exactly a surprise -- tons of leaks saw to that. Even so, the Xr is easily the most fascinating device the company released today. As expected, this less-expensive version of the iPhone X packs a 6.1-inch LCD display and an aluminum frame, all in the hopes of keeping costs down so more people can benefit from the work Apple poured into this generation of smartphones. And like the iPhone 5c before it -- way before it -- it comes in a host of pretty colors. Actually, hold on. iPhone 5c comparisons like the one I just made are almost impossible to avoid, but they're not exactly fair. The iPhone 5c packed year-old phone guts into a charming, plastic body. The iPhone XR takes much of what makes the iPhone Xs special -- like that A12 Bionic chipset -- and squeezes it into a body that would've felt premium not long ago.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Comparing the iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max and iPhone Xr

  We're long past iPhone events where Apple would debut one big flagship handset and all you had to worry about was whether you would upgrade or snag an older phone at a now discounted price. Today we're looking at three new devices, and they're all pretty snazzy: The 5.8-inch iPhone Xs has the new A12 Bionic chip and new camera features like adjustable depth of field while the Xs Max sizes that up with a huge 6.5-inch display. And let's not forget the gorgeous iPhone Xr, which comes in a rainbow of colors, has the same wide-angle camera as its siblings and boasts a Liquid Retina LCD screen. While you'll have to wait for our review for the full skinny on these three, we have the specs all lined up below so you can get an idea of the power each one is packing.

  By Kris Naudus Read More

• iPhone Xs and Xs Max hands-on: The new normal

  After months of rumors, leaks and breathless speculation, Apple's iPhone Xs and Xs Max are here -- and they're exactly what we expected. The former is the logical, technically impressive sequel to the iPhone X, and the the latter is, well, the same thing but bigger.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Apple Watch Series 4 hands-on: Subtle improvements

  Apple has just wrapped its Gather Round press event, and as expected, we got our first glimpse at the new Apple Watch, the Series 4. As promised by some press phots that leaked ahead of the keynote, the watch has a larger screen than what we became used to on the first three editions: It's 35 percent bigger on the smaller 40mm model and 32 percent larger on the 44mm edition. It's also thinner, with haptic feedback, a louder speaker, longer battery life, more watch faces, a Mindfulness app and some new build materials: ceramic and sapphire. It ships next week, on September 21st, but I just strapped one on my wrist at the Steve Jobs Theater to bring you some early impressions.

  By Dana Wollman Read More

• A year on, the iPhone X looks ordinary

  When Apple unveiled the iPhone X, Tim Cook said it represented the company's vision of the smartphone of the future. Well now we're in 2018 -- it's technically the future. Given 12 months of hindsight (and use), how are all those controversies (like that notch) and marquee features faring? And how did the competition counter Apple's most expensive iPhone yet?

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Qualcomm’s new chipset gives smartwatches new personalities

  "Smartwatches are a highly integrated platform," said Pankaj Kedia, Qualcomm's senior director of smart wearables, at the company's Snapdragon Wear 3100 event earlier today. To that end, Qualcomm has been working closely with Google over the past few years or so to perfect its chipset with Wear OS in mind. That's why, thanks to the new Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset, the next version of Wear OS will support three new modes: rich-ambient mode, a dedicated sports mode plus a traditional watch mode. We saw a brief demo of all three modes at Qualcomm's event earlier today, and all three appear to have a specific theme in mind: to make the smartwatch feel as close to a real watch as possible.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Three days with Canon’s EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera

  Earlier this week, Canon unveiled one of the most critical products in its history: the full-frame mirrorless EOS R. On paper, it had a lot going for it, like an all-new mount that will allow for superior lens designs, excellent handling and a much-improved Dual Pixel autofocus system. There was also some not-so-good, like the cropped 4K and lack of in-body stabilization. But specs are specs, and Canon let us give the EOS R a thorough hands-on test with a variety of lenses and shooting scenarios. Three days isn't a lot of time to test an all-new camera, but it was enough to get the flavor of it. So far, there's a lot to like, but the company didn't look hard enough at what rivals Sony and Nikon were doing.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• How fitness- and health-tracking apps failed me during my pregnancy

  I'm not a super fit person. I am considered a healthy weight, and I exercise simply because I enjoy eating and drinking whatever I want. For my type A personality, fitness and health tracking has been an incredible motivator. Being able to close all the rings on my Apple Watch is enough to get me on the treadmill desk or spin bike instead of just sitting with my laptop in front of the television. But since becoming pregnant with my first kid, all that's changed. I was determined to have a healthy pregnancy; while I'm not too particular about what I eat, I wanted to exercise regularly and gain a reasonable amount of weight. I figured my fitness-tracking apps would be a real help in monitoring my goals and progress. I was laughably wrong. Seven months in, I've stopped all fitness and weight tracking because these apps don't take my pregnancy into account.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• DJI Mavic 2 review: Two fantastic drones, one tough choice

  The wait is over. DJI recently announced the sequel to the immensely popular Mavic Pro, and it looks like the new version has almost everything a Mavic fan could want. The new Mavic 2 comes in two variants, the "Pro" -- which features a Hasselblad camera with a 1-inch CMOS sensor -- and a "Zoom" version, which (as you may have guessed) comes with an optical zoom lens mounted in front of a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The Pro and Zoom are identical apart from the cameras and gimbals, and both versions of the Mavic 2 improve on the original Mavic's specs in just about every aspect, from image quality to obstacle avoidance. But all this tech doesn't come cheap. At $1,249 for the Zoom or $1,449 for the Pro model, the Mavic 2 may be too expensive to match the explosive popularity of the original Mavic (which cost just $999 at launch).

  By Stephen Loewinsohn Read More

• The Das Keyboard 5Q's fingertip notifications aren't that useful

  We deal with an utter firehose of information in our daily lives, and sorting through it all is a huge task. It's not uncommon to miss important messages or forget some key task. Das Keyboard's new 5Q and X50Q -- both out today -- are aimed at taking your notifications and reducing them to something incredibly simple: the blinking of the keys under your fingertips.

  By Kris Naudus Read More

• Samsung Galaxy Watch review: Safe but satisfying

  Samsung is one of those companies you can count on to take interesting risks, like resuscitating the stylus or reselling a version of a phone that was best known for bursting into flames. With its latest wearable, the Galaxy Watch, Samsung couldn't have played things safer: It combined some of the Gear S3's design language with some Gear Sport fitness features and added a handful of new software flourishes to boot. It's about as measured as a hardware update gets. That's not necessarily a bad thing though: While the Galaxy Watch probably isn't the most interesting wearable we'll see this year, it's still a solid performer with some room to grow.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Everything you need to know about Canon’s EOS R mirrorless camera

  Canon and Nikon protected their DSLR turf as long as possible, but Sony has been killing them lately with its mirrorless range. Nikon finally jumped into the fray by launching the Z6 and Z7 models, and today, Canon unveiled the $2,299 EOS R, a 30.3-megapixel video-centric full-frame mirrorless camera. It also introduced a new lens mount, Canon RF, along with four lenses, including three interesting high-end "L" models. The EOS R slots between Sony's A7 III and A7R III and the Nikon Z6 and Z7, resolution-wise. It's a near match to Canon's own EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR, with similar resolution, dual-pixel autofocus, shooting speeds and video specifications.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• How good can a $300 'flagship' smartphone camera be?

  There were plenty of phones announced at IFA 2018, ranging from flagships like the Sony Xperia XZ3 to midrange options like the Motorola One. BlackBerry also unveiled a "Lite Edition" of its flagship KEY2, which is meant to reach a wider audience by dropping the cost and offering more color options. When it comes to creating more affordable devices, companies often skimp on cameras, which frankly sucks for anyone who wants a midrange phone but still wants solid photo quality. Without a good camera, your phone is basically a sad little work machine with no window to your world. The $300 Pocophone F1 has an impressive list of specs for the price, like a powerful Snapdragon 845 processor and a 6.18-inch full HD+ display, but we were curious how its cameras measured up. What better excuse then, to take the phone out on a "tourist test" here in Berlin, shooting the gorgeous architecture around the city's Konzerthaus?

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• Save me, water-powered eye massager

  After days of fighting crowds and trudging through miles of IFA's chaotic show floor, I just needed a break. I found my oasis in Aurai's water-powered eye massager. It's exactly what it sounds like: A small $239 headset that rubs your eyes with pulsating water jets. And on top of that, it can also alternate between warming and cooling modes. It's something Aurai has been working on for years, following a lengthy crowdfunding campaign. Now, the company is also gearing up for a more portable model, the Rio, which it plans to release in the first quarter of 2019 for between $150 and $175.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Sony's new HX99 compact camera does things your smartphone can't

  At a time when everyone is carrying around a generally capable camera inside their smartphone, compact cameras have struggled to stay relevant. Barring Sony's own wonderful RX100 series and Fujifilm's X100F family, the world of point-and-shoots is usually an unremarkable one. Sony's only camera announcements at IFA 2018 were intriguing, at least. It revealed two cameras, the Cybershot HX99 and HX95, which cram a technically impressive 30x, 24-720mm f/3.5-6 equivalent zoom lens into a 1.5-inch wide camera frame that feels very similar to the premium RX100 series. Both compacts join the Cybershot camera family, meaning they are cheaper than Sony's aforementioned premium compact camera series. The HX99 -- the one I tested -- is priced at €520 (around $610), making it pretty much half the price of the latest RX100 models.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• RHA's high-end planar magnetic earbuds sound incredible

  Planar magnetic headphones don't use the magnet-and-coil driver typical to most cans. Instead, they use a fixed but flexible diaphragm that undulates to create sound. RHA is the first company to concentrate this technology into wireless earbuds (the kind that are tethered to a Bluetooth collar that hangs around your neck). The CL2 Planar earphones are an impressive, and expensive, engineering feat, but how do they sound?

  By Mat Smith Read More

• This audacious curved-screen wearable has a gaudy camera

  Just as Google is making Wear OS feel less like a smartphone system squeezed onto a watch, ZTE spinoff Nubia wants to slap a full phone on your wrist. At IFA 2018, the company unveiled a prototype device called the Nubia-A, which it's touting as a "wearable smartphone". That, to me, means smartwatch, but given the way companies like Apple, Google and Qualcomm seem to be moving away from wrist-worn smartphone wannabes, my definition might be inaccurate soon. Feast your eyes on this fascinating oddity, though you might want to avoid looking directly at the monstrous onboard camera.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• Strategy RPG 'Valkyria Chronicles 4' is a wonderful return to form

  For 99 percent of people, Valkyria Chronicles 4 might as well be called Valkyria Chronicles 2. The first game was a captivating war story that blended top-down strategy with third-person movement and gunplay. The second, admittedly decent title was stuck on the PlayStation Portable and the third instalment never made it to the West. Sega tried to revive the franchise last year with Valkyria Revolution, an action-focused spin-off, but it was panned by critics and fans alike. A true successor to the 2008 original has been an awfully long time coming.

  By Nick Summers Read More

Robotics (12)

• Robots are learning to carefully peel lettuce leaves

  Technology is designed to improve and streamline every facet of life, and that inevitably includes areas most people would never even think about. Such a lettuce peeling. A random issue for many, perhaps, but for the agriculture industry, a new development in this field is a big deal. Researchers from Cambridge University have developed the first robotic lettuce leaf peeling system, which not only demonstrates advances in automation, but addresses increasing food and labor demands.

  By Rachel England Read More

• xArm looks like a 1950s sci-fi robot, and works like one too

  For the most part, robot arms are something we see only in factories -- or, you know, in dopey sci-fi cartoons. They're not something we'd encounter in our daily lives, as much as we'd love to have an extra hand around to open jars, carry bags or set the table. We're still a ways off from that level of convenience, but next year uFactory aims to get us a little closer with xArm, a consumer-friendly robotic appendage that performs simple tasks. It's not quite Rosie the Robot, but at least it can pour you a cup of coffee.

  By Kris Naudus Read More

• Tokyo cafe to use robot waiters operated by people with physical disabilities

  Japan is taking steps to fight social isolation by employing robots in as many aspects of life as possible. After introducing autonomous robots in various roles in a hospital and a number of nursing homes and schools, a cafe in Tokyo will soon open with robotic waiters controlled remotely by people with physical disabilities who wouldn't be able to work otherwise.

  By Andrii Degeler Read More

• Programmable 'skins' turn any household object into a robot

  When you think of a robot, a certain image probably comes to mind. Maybe it's on wheels, maybe it's a dog, but it's probably a sizeable electronic machine built specifically for a purpose. But what if you could create a flexible robot that could have countless uses, and it could take any shape you wanted? That's what researchers at Yale University have created: a programmable robot "skin" that can turn any object into a robot.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Sony's reborn Aibo robot is available for pre-order in the US

  Sony's relentlessly adorable Aibo robot is finally ready to return to American shores. After months of waiting, you can pre-order a First Litter Edition of the robo-pup in the US ahead of an expected mid-December ship date. You'll be spending a staggering $2,900 to play with the limited-run mechanical canine. The kit includes everything you'll need to get started, however -- you'll get a bone (sorry, aibone), a pink ball, paw pads and three years of AI cloud service to help Aibo learn.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Dyson's second robot vacuum isn't afraid of the dark

  It's been three years since the launch of Dyson's very own robot vacuum, the 360 Eye, and our very own Mat Smith was left impressed when he briefly lived with one in his old Tokyo apartment. That said, the machine wasn't perfect, but Dyson believes that its follow-up model will solve many key problems. The 360 Heurist announced in Beijing earlier today is a familiar-looking robot packed with some notable upgrades. For one, it's powered by a quad-core 1.4GHz processor, which is apparently 20 times faster than what was on its predecessor. According to the company, this helps the machine pick up 60 percent more detail about the environment, thus reducing the chances of bumping into things by 50 percent. Hopefully this also means fewer instances of misaligned docking.

  By Richard Lai Read More

• The Morning After: The drone that can fly for two hours straight

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Good Tuesday morning! Heard about the drone that just keeps flying? How about a bumper crop of gaming news from the Tokyo Game Show? Sony showed off a new trailer for Kingdom Hearts 3 and a bunch more games.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• These robotic 'trees' can turn CO2 into concrete

  Climate change is killing our planet. The excess production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses are filling the atmosphere and warming the Earth faster than natural processes can effectively negate them. Since 1951, the surface temperature has risen by 0.8 degrees C, with no sign of slowing. So now it's time for humans to step in and rectify the problem they created -- by using technology to suck excess CO2 straight from the air.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• 'Flying battery' drone can apparently hover non-stop for two hours

  A startup called Impossible Aerospace claims its "flying battery" drone has a flight time of up to two hours. If that holds true, the US-1 will be able to stay in the air almost five times longer than many other drone makers' devices before you have to recharge the battery system.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• MIT machine vision system figures out what it's looking at by itself

  Robotic vision is already pretty good, assuming that it's being used within the narrow bounds of the application for which it's been designed. That's fine for machines that perform a specific movement over and over, such as picking an object off of an assembly line and placing it into a bin. However for robots to become useful enough to not just pack boxes in warehouses but actually help out around our own homes, they'll have to stop being so myopic. And that's where the MIT's "DON" system comes in.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Hospitals will use robot ducks to comfort kids with cancer

  Aflac's robotic therapy ducks have started waddling their way to children's cancer hospitals nationwide after making their debut at CES earlier this year. The company is distributing the robotic waterfowl through a series of events as part of its activities for National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It started with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, where kids were sent on a scavenger hunt to find their very own high-tech chubby companion. Later this month, Aflac will distribute the second batch of therapy ducks at the Palmetto Health Children's Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• AI robots can develop prejudices, just like us mere mortals

  It's not only humans and animals that can hold biases against outsiders. Psychology and computer science researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cardiff University have discovered that artificial intelligence robots can develop prejudices by learning from each other.

  By Kris Holt Read More

Samsung (8)

• Samsung chairman indicted for allegedly suppressing labor unions

  Today, the board chairman of Samsung, Lee Sang-hoon, was indicted by South Korean prosecutors for illegally sabotaging a labor union. This comes after years of whispers about Samsung's intolerance of labor unions, according to Bloomberg. Twenty-seven other people from Samsung and its partner companies have also been indicted.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Samsung's mid-range Galaxy A7 has a triple camera setup

  Triple-camera smartphones are officially the new normal. Samsung has unveiled the mid-range Galaxy A7 with three cameras at the rear: an 8-megapixel shooter with an ultra-wide 120 degree lens, a 24-megapixel main camera, and a "depth" lens to give you out-of-focus bokeh effects. The cameras use Samsung's Intelligent Scene Optimizer, which figures out what you're shooting and adjusts the contrast, brightness and color to optimize image quality.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Samsung teases October 11th Galaxy event with ‘4x fun’

  Samsung has released invitations for an October 11th event that teases a new Galaxy device and the cryptic message "4x fun," CNET reports. What that could mean is really anybody's guess, but there are some rumors circulating that may give us a clue. Samsung Mobile CEO DJ Koh said earlier this month that it was "time to deliver" on the company's long-awaited foldable smartphone, but he mentioned it could be unveiled -- emphasis on could -- at the Samsung Developer Conference in November. Another possibility could center on cameras. Leaker Ice Universe tweeted last week, "Samsung Camera Camera Camera Camera," later noting all four would be on the back.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Samsung launches three wireless AKG headphones in the US

  Samsung-owned Harman has released two new wireless headphones under its AKG brand in the the US, with one more model -- a premium one with more advanced features -- arriving later this year. Starting today, you can buy the AKG Y100 earbuds and the Y500 on-ear headphones from AKG.com, Amazon, Samsung.com, Sprint and US Cellular. The Y100 has magnetic earbuds and fabric cables similar to ones used for the AKG-tuned in-ear headphones that come with the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S9. On the other hand, the Y500 is a pair of on-ear headphones that can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time. It can also automatically pause and start what's playing when you take it off and put it back on.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Samsung's LTE tracker locates lost items wherever they are

  There are legions of Bluetooth item trackers that can help you find your keys or your bag. However, there's a common problem: without always-on data, you might not find them unless someone with a tracking app happens to wander nearby. Samsung might have a better approach. It's launching a SmartThings Tracker that uses low-power LTE-M data to share its location where Bluetooth and other technologies won't have the range. You could track your backpack even if if you only remembered it when you got home.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Samsung's New York AI center will focus on robotics

  Samsung now has an artificial intelligence center in New York City -- its third in North America and sixth in total -- with an eye on robotics; a first for the company. It opened in Chelsea, Manhattan on Friday, walking distance from NYU (home to its own AI lab) boosting Samsung's hopes for an academic collaboration.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Two of Samsung's livelier mid-range devices reach the US

  Competition among mid-range mobile devices hasn't been particularly fierce in the US as of late. Outside of value-for-money phones like the Moto G6, the focus has remained squarely on premium gear. Samsung might just spice things up a bit with its latest additions, however. It's launching the latest versions of two mid-tier gadgets, the Galaxy A6 and Galaxy Tab A, in the US. While neither will make you think twice about picking up a Note 9, they aren't just the usual watered-down devices -- the A6 in particular (above) might raise an eyebrow.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Samsung's foldable smartphone teased for November reveal

  Samsung's foldable smartphone has been in the works for years, but now it looks like we're finally going to get a sneak peek of the technology within the next couple of months. Speaking to CNBC at the IFA electronics show in Berlin last week, Samsung Mobile's CEO DJ Koh said it's "time to deliver" on the long-promised device, and that it could be unveiled at the Samsung Developer Conference in November. Strong emphasis on the could, though -- Samsung does have a history of bigging up its plans.

  By Rachel England Read More

Science (18)

• Artificial insemination used to breed lions for the first time

  Artificial insemination isn't new, but the technique is still breaking new ground -- and it might just save one of the world's better known species. South Africa's University of Pretoria has successfully used artificial conception with lions for the first time, producing two cubs (Isabel and Victor, above) who've been healthy since their birth on August 25th. This wasn't a simple case of repeating familiar methods, either. The researchers relied on a new approach that could represent a breakthrough for species conservation.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Brain-to-brain network allows three people to share their thoughts

  There have been experiments in direct brain-to-brain communication before, but that's now extending to full-fledged networks. Researchers have developed a three-person brain network that lets participants send thoughts to each other -- in this case, to play a Tetris-style game. It used familiar technology, but in a much more scalable format.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NHTSA study forecasts dangerous rise in world temperatures by 2100

  The Trump administration has accepted the scientific consensus of human-made global warming. However, it's not being used to push for tougher environmental regulations -- just the opposite, in fact. In a draft NHTSA environmental impact statement for Trump's proposed fuel standards freeze, the agency predicts that the worldwide temperature will increase about 7 degrees Fahrenheit (4 Celsius) over pre-industrial levels by 2100. Rather than use that as an incentive to push for more drastic cuts in emissions, though, the report claims that there's not much point. It's allegedly "not currently technologically feasible or economically feasible" to move enough people to clean transportation to make a difference, the NHTSA argued, so why bother with tougher rules?

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The ancient earthquake detector that puzzled modern historians

  Modern seismographs are extremely sensitive pieces of equipment. By recording the slightest movements of laser light or magnets, these devices can detect the smallest of rumbles even when we can't sense them. There are networks of thousands upon thousands of seismographs set up across the globe that can accurately determine the epicenter of an earthquake -- its point of origin. And with all the data these clusters produce, we are constantly improving our understanding of these geological events, developing early warning systems and figuring out how to build the safest structures. We have technology on our side, of course, and yet the design of the earliest earthquake detection device isn't that different from today's versions. Only it was created nearly 2000 years ago, before people even understood what an earthquake was.

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• How Dandelion is making geothermal heating affordable

  Millions of US citizens still use oil and natural gas to heat their homes during the winter. Many would like to switch to geothermal, a cleaner and ultimately cheaper system that leverages the natural temperature of the earth. A few feet below the surface, the soil sits at a reliable 50- to 60-degree Fahrenheit all year round. Pipes known as 'ground loops' push round a special antifreeze solution that absorbs this constant temperature in winter and disperses unwanted warmth in the summer. A large indoor heat pump uses the mixture to boil a refrigerant fluid; the resulting gas is then compressed to higher temperatures and distributed around the home. Installing the necessary equipment is expensive, however. Dandelion, a company that started inside Alphabet's X division, is trying to make geothermal cheaper and easier to install. While not the most eye-catching technology, especially compared to electric cars and sea-cooled data centers, it's arguably one of the most important for the environment.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Electronic implant helps paralyzed people walk again

  People paralyzed because of spinal cord injuries could one day be able to walk again, thanks to an implant that helps send "lost signals" from the brain to leg muscles. In Nature Medicine and the New England Journal of Medicine, research teams report that several patients -- all paralyzed from the waist down -- have been able to walk again after having the electrical patch fitted to their spinal cords. The approach is called epidural stimulation.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Skeletal stem cells could regrow damaged bones

  Believe it or not, scientists are still discovering new forms of stem cells -- and these latest examples could shake up how doctors treat a multitude of common injuries. A Stanford-led research team has identified the human skeletal stem cell, helping the group create a "family tree" of cells that can regenerate bones and cartilage. You can either isolate them from existing bones or generate them from specialized cells in fat, and they're predictable enough (that is, they'll always make bone tissue) that doctors wouldn't have to worry much about unintended results when using them in treatments.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Recommended Reading: The reality of sci-fi's AI immortality obsession

  Are Hosts, Replicants, and robot clones closer than we think? Jayson Greene, The Ringer Black Mirror already uncomfortably aligns with the real world, but we might be even closer to more advanced concepts from that show and others, like Westworld and Altered Carbon, becoming reality. The Ringer offers a look at just how far away we could be from Hosts, Replicants and robotic clones following a new trailer release for Keanu Reeves' long lost Replicas movie.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• The ESA teamed with Nissan to build an off-road astronomy lab

  Nissan unveiled its Navara Dark Sky concept vehicle at the Hannover Motor Show this week, and it's a vehicle designed for astronomers. The truck is an enhanced version of the automaker's Navara vehicle and along with including some handy new features, it also has a trailer in tow that carries a powerful PlaneWave telescope. Designed with the European Space Agency, the trailer not only houses the telescope but has a number of features that protect the telescope and help researchers collect and transmit data.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Baby tooth stem cells could regrow kids' dental tissue

  If you injure a tooth as a kid, there's a real chance you'll grow up with a 'dead' tooth whose roots didn't grow properly due to tissue damage. However, scientists have conducted a successful trial for a method that could regrow kids' dental tissue using stem cells from their baby teeth. The team extracted human deciduous pulp stem cells (hDPSC) from patients' healthy baby teeth, allowed the cells to reproduce in a lab culture, and implanted them in the injured teeth. A year later, enough healthy tissue had regrown that the kids could feel at least some sensations, such as hot or cold.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• CO2 emissions in 27 major cities have declined since 2012

  There is some good news about efforts to fight human-made climate change. The C40 Cities group, which unifies climate initiatives in 96 urban areas around the world, reported that CO2 emissions peaked in 27 major cities (including London, New York City, San Francisco, Paris and Toronto) by 2012, and have been declining by an average of 2 percent each year since then. Greenhouse gas levels were "at least" 10 percent higher at peak than during the most recent study, C40 said. And that's despite economies and populations that have grown since then.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• MIT built a health-tracking sensor that can ‘see’ through walls

  An MIT professor has built a prototype device that can wirelessly track your health -- even through walls -- using a mix of radio signals and machine learning. Dina Katabi's gadget resembles a WiFi router and is designed to sit in your pad and monitor your breathing, heart rate, sleep, gait, and more as you go about your day. It's already doing that in over 200 homes around the US of both healthy people and those with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, depression, and pulmonary diseases.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• FDA and USDA will meet to debate the future of lab-grown meat

  It's inevitable that lab-grown meat will play some kind of role in the future of food supply, but at this stage, it's unclear how much of a role, or what its regulatory frameworks will look like. This is why the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are hosting a joint public meeting on the issue, to address public concerns about cell-cultured meat products and to examine how they will fit into existing food systems.

  By Rachel England Read More

• A project to remove 88,000 tons of plastic from the Pacific has begun

  An ambitious project to clean up the 88,000 tons of plastic floating in the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" has begun. On Sunday, the Ocean Cleanup Project started towing its "Ocean Cleanup System 001" from San Francisco to a trial site some 240 nautical miles (260 miles) away. Once it arrives, the wind and waves will push System 001 into a U-shape and it will slowly drift along on its own. A 10-foot long skirt hanging below will collect pieces of plastic as small as a millimeter in size, and smaller boats will later scoop them up and take them to shore for recycling.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Walmart is experimenting with wireless power to cut battery costs

  Today, Ossia announced that it has struck a deal with Walmart to explore how its wireless power technology can be used by the retail giant. Walmart is hoping to save money on power costs across its many stores. Walmart confirmed the report to Engadget. "When we find ways to lower costs it means we can lower our prices even further for customers, and that's something we're always looking to do," the company's director of public relations, Ravi Jariwalla, told Engadget. "As part of that, we been exploring new ways we might lower our power costs in our stores, clubs and facilities. One interesting technology we're excited to test is wireless power transfer from a company named Ossia, Inc. which could one day reduce and even eliminate our daily dependence on batteries and wired connections for power."

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Boring Company steers its latest machine with an Xbox controller

  It might not be all that exciting to dig tunnels, but The Boring Company may have a way of livening things up a bit: give the operators a gamepad. The Elon Musk-owned outfit has posted a video showing a test that used an Xbox One controller to steer the company's latest boring machine. It's not as riveting as using Xbox 360 controllers to steer submarine periscopes, but this is certainly one of the largest pieces of gamepad-guided machinery.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Sound-based liquid printing could lead to new designer drugs

  Liquid printing is virtually ubiquitous thanks to inkjets, but the materials can only be so sluggish before it stops working. What if you wanted to print a biological material, or even liquid metal? That might happen soon. Harvard researchers have developed a technique that uses acoustic levitation to print droplets of materials that wouldn't normally be so accommodating, including metal and honey. The approach uses a subwavelength acoustic resonator to create a sound field that pulls substances from the printer nozzle at over 100G -- even some of the most viscous materials can't resist that tug. You can control the size of the droplets using the amplitude of the soundwaves, and place them anywhere you like.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Embassy 'sonic attacks' may have been microwave blasts

  When researchers postulated that the "sonic attacks" on embassies in Cuba (and more recently China) were the fault of malfunctioning surveillance gear, that wasn't the end to concerns about the true cause... if anything, there's more worry than ever. The University of Pennsylvania's Douglas Smith (who led a paper discussing the trauma of embassy victims) said in an interview that microwave blasts are now considered primary candidates. The concussion-like symptoms more closely line up with microwaves and other radio frequency-related illnesses than previous explanations, including straightforward acoustic attack, anxiety or viruses.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

Smartphones (31)

• Some iPhone XS units won't charge until you wake the screen

  It wouldn't be a major phone launch without some teething troubles, and the iPhone XS appears to be no exception to the rule. Some device owners on Apple's forums, Reddit and Unbox Therapy (among others) have reported that their units won't charge properly through the Lightning cable until the screen wakes up. In certain cases, it won't work until you both wake the screen and reconnect. Suffice it to say this could be inconvenient if you plugged in at night and were counting on a full charge the following day.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Oppo's Find X could be the first phone with 10GB of RAM

  Considering all the attention that's been heaped on the Oppo Find X's pop-up selfie camera, you'd be forgiven for thinking the upcoming handset is a one-trick pony. But a new variant of the flagship has popped up on Chinese phone regulator Tenaa's site with another ace up its sleeve: a whopping 10GB of RAM and 256 GB of ROM.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Samsung's Galaxy Note 9 gets two new colors in the US

  When Samsung's excellent Galaxy Note 9 launched in the US earlier this year, it came in some... shall we say, unconventional colors. It's not often that a massive, sales-focused company moves past safe options in favor of lilac and ocean blue, but whatever -- we appreciate gutsy moves around here and the phones looked great.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• LG V40 unveiled with all five of its cameras

  We'll get our hands on the LG V40 ThinQ October 3rd, but in Korea the company has partially lifted the curtain on its latest V-series phone. While the line has grown more conventional since the release of the V10 a few years ago, this one separates itself from the pack by bringing the previously-rumored five cameras -- three in the back and two up front.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Sikur launches high-security phones based on Sony hardware

  Sikur garnered attention with its reportedly hack-resistant GranitePhone back in 2015, but the follow-up has been a long time in coming -- it only just announced a follow-up in February. The sequels are here, however, and they'll look more than a little familiar. The company has started shipping the SIKURPhone XZ1 and SIKURPhone XA2, both of which run SikurOS (a hardened version of Android) on top of existing Sony hardware. Either device promises "several layers" of security, including a carefully-vetted app store (due to launch by the end of 2018) and a cryptocurrency wallet -- it's just running on branded third-party hardware.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The Morning After: Android is ten years old

  Good morning there! Google's Android has reached ten years, setting up a few weeks of milestone anniversaries for the tech company. (Expect to hear more from Mountain View later this week...) We'll also have our final verdict on Apple's Watch Series 4, not to mention reports from camera show Photokina as well as Oculus's own event later in the week. It's going to get busy.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Android at 10: Google's mobile OS has come a long way

  The mobile world is celebrating a momentous anniversary today: Android is ten years old. The T-Mobile G1 (and Android 1.0) made its debut on September 23rd, 2008, launching both a new operating system and a new era. It didn't look like much in those early days, but it eventually became the dominant mobile platform and set the baseline for what many people expect in a smartphone. It also helped topple more than a few giants -- the story of Android is as much about a sea change in the industry as Google's own development.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• OnePlus rolls out its version of Android Pie

  OnePlus isn't wasting too much time in bringing its version of Android Pie to its phones. A little over a month after Google released the OS, OnePlus is rolling out OxygenOS 9.0, which includes Pie features such as gesture navigation, adaptive battery support and a refreshed user interface. The update also brings OnePlus' own features like customizable accent colors and Gaming Mode 3.0. OnePlus noted that, going forward, its own OS will match Android's version number.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Samsung makes it easier to avoid Bixby on the Note 9

  Samsung's Bixby isn't exactly the most popular voice assistant, which is why some Galaxy Note 9 owners have been frustrated by the inclusion of a Bixby button on their handset. One tap would bring up the voice assistant, often by accident, and there was no way to disable it. Now, according to Android Authority, the new Note 9 software, which rolls out today, gives users the option to launch Bixby with a double tap, rather than a single tap.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Xiaomi's cheap handsets have ads in the Settings app

  How much of a discount would it take for you to accept ads all over your phone? That's the question that Xiaomi seems to be asking its potential customers. A reddit user noticed that the fourth-largest handset maker now has ads displayed everywhere, even within its Settings app. This comes after complaints that the number of ads on the handset had increased within MIUI apps after the installation of the latest software update.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• The Morning After: Weekend Edition

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Welcome to your weekend! Before looking back at some highlights from the last few days, we'll point out a NASA launch happening early Saturday morning, and take a look at Google's latest Pixel 3 teaser.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Razer is expected to unveil its second phone on October 10th

  Razer sent out invitations today for an October 10th event where it's expected to unveil its Razer Phone 2. The invite doesn't say as much, but the company noted in a financial report last month that it was working on a follow up to its Razer Phone and some reported images of the new phone leaked earlier this week. If it is launching its latest gaming-geared smartphone, it's doing so just one day after Google reveals its newest Pixel phones and a day before Samsung's upcoming Galaxy event. That's a lot of phones in one week. But don't forget, there's also a Microsoft Surface event, a Huawei launch and likely a OnePlus debut in October as well. Hope you're ready for a lot of new gadgets.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Google's Pixel 3 might come in a mint flavor

  Google's Pixel 3 phones have been some of the leakiest devices in recent memory, but there's at least one big question left.... what color options will you have? However, even that might not be much of a mystery. Google Japan has posted a "coming soon" teaser page that cycles through three colors when you click the company's "G" logo: black, white and (most importantly) mint green. Yes, you might get a phone with a color as fresh as chewing gum or mouthwash. The white graphic has mint accents, too, suggesting that (as leaks have indicated) even the white version will have a little splash of color.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• LG will unveil its five-camera V40 ThinQ on October 3rd

  It's official: LG has yet another V-series phone on the way this year. The Korean tech giant has sent invitations to a V40 ThinQ launch event on October 3rd, with a not-so-subtle "take five" reference hinting at the device's photographic skills. There aren't any other clues, but previous scoops suggested that the V40 would have three cameras on the back (à la Huawei's P20 Pro) to provide zoom and portrait mode effects, while dual cams on the front could provide face recognition. It'd also borrow G7 ThinQ elements like a notched display, Snapdragon 845 and Google Assistant button while offering V-series features like the Quad DAC.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• OnePlus is dropping the headphone jack from the upcoming 6T

  Apple seemingly hammered the final nail in the coffin for the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack in iPhones Wednesday after dropping the 6s and SE models (the last of its handsets to include the port) from its lineup. Another company is axing the headphone jack too, after OnePlus confirmed its upcoming phone won't include the port.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Apple iPhone Xs will come with dual SIM capability

  At Apple's fall event today, the iPhone Xs is certainly stealing the show, and not just for sharper screens and cameras. As rumors anticipated, the new devices will finally get eSIM technology, which had been available in iPads and Apple Watches but not the company's smartphones. That's not all: The Xs will also get the ability to juggle dual SIMs.

  By David Lumb Read More

• The iPhone Xs adjusts depth of field on your photos after the fact

  Apple wants you to know that it cares about cameras. Executives spent a significant portion of the company's 2018 iPhone event explaining the tweaks and upgrades to the camera technology in the new iPhone Xs and Xs Max, but it saved the most impressive feature for last. The latest iPhones feature a slider that allows users to adjust the depth of field of a photo after it's taken, in the Photos app.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• Apple's iPhone Xr is an 'affordable' iPhone X

  We more or less knew that Apple was going to unveil the iPhone Xs and Xs Max today, but few of us were expecting the iPhone Xr. Apple wants to reach as many people as it can, so it has to make an iPhone people can (or want to) afford. Instead of sticking to previous nomenclature and calling it the iPhone XC, the company has finally updated its less-expensive (let's be real, it's not cheap) series. The iPhone Xr is the budget-friendlier alternative to the Xs flagships that will no doubt cost about $1,000. For the lower price, you'll have to make do with some compromises, like no dual cameras, but at least you'll get some new features.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• The Morning After: It's iPhone event day

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. It's new iPhone day, and as usual our team is preparing for Apple's launch event, which is scheduled to stream live at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT. We'll be operating under new leadership, so get acquainted with new EIC Dana Wollman before you check out one tech-filled Mercedes crossover and the details of a small manufacturing tweak from Tesla.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• OnePlus 6T will include an in-display fingerprint reader

  OnePlus' next phone, likely to be called the OnePlus 6T, will have an in-display fingerprint reader, CNET reports. OnePlus confirmed the feature, dubbed Screen Lock, saying it had initially planned for the fingerprint reader to be included in the OnePlus 5T, but that the technology wasn't quite ready for public release at the time. "We unlock our phones multiple times a day, and Screen Unlock reduces the number of steps to complete the action," OnePlus told CNET. "By adding this feature as an addition to other display unlocking options such as Face Unlock, users will have options to unlock the display in a way that is most efficient for them."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• The Morning After: Maybe this is the new cheap iPhone

  Welcome back! The major news this week is set to be Apple's big iPhone showcase on Wednesday. We're expecting new phones, a new Apple Watch and possibly more from the company's fancy new HQ -- and we'll be there to report on everything.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Purported 'iPhone XC' leak shows color varieties and dual SIMs

  There's been plenty of buzz around the iPhone XS ahead of Apple's September 12th event, but what about the rumored 6.1-inch LCD iPhone, the more affordable device of the bunch? Don't worry, you're covered as well. A leaker has posted photos of what are claimed to be prototypes of the device, possibly called the "iPhone XC." The basic design isn't shocking -- we've seen the glass back and single rear camera before on dummy units. This latest leak, however, shows a variety of colors that include white, space gray (here appearing slightly blue), rose gold and... red. If accurate, that suggests Apple might release a Product RED iPhone XC straight away instead of waiting until the spring to boost sales.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Ask Engadget: Which devices are easiest to sanitize?

  The support shared among readers in the comments section is one of the things we love most about the Engadget community. Over the years, we've known you to offer sage advice on everything from Chromecasts and cameras to drones and smartphones. In fact, our community's knowledge and insights are a reason why many of you participate in the comments. We truly value the time and detail you all spend in responding to questions from your fellow tech-obsessed commenters, which is why we've decided to bring back the much-missed "Ask Engadget" column. This week's question asks about how to keep smartphones squeaky clean and sanitized. Weigh in with your advice in the comments -- and feel free to send your own questions along to ask@engadget.com! I'm a medical student, and I'm in and out of different hospital and clinic rooms. The reality is, students and doctors all have their phones will them pretty much constantly: in pockets, in use throughout the hospital, and with or without gloves on. When I think about it, it actually can be kind of gross. My question is: What smartphones and smartwatches are easiest to clean effectively, or what accessories make it easy to sanitize or otherwise protect them? Of course, it would be nice if they also looked good (because why buy the new iPhone if you're going to put a clunky case on it, right?).

  By Amber Bouman Read More

• Huawei was caught cheating on phone benchmarks (updated)

  You'd think smartphone manufacturers would have learned their lesson after being caught cheating multiple times, but that's apparently not the case. UL Benchmarks (aka the Futuremark team) has delisted Huawei's P20 Pro, P20, Nova 3 and Honor Play from 3DMark's charts after internal testing and an AnandTech exposé showed the devices ramping up performance whenever they detected the public versions of benchmarking apps. These were not subtle differences, either, with results up to 47 percent higher than they were with private test variants Huawei couldn't catch.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Leaked five-camera Nokia phone has a few lenses too many

  In a world overtaken by dual-camera monstrosities, one company wanted more. Much more. All the more. If this leaked image of a new Nokia phone from HMD is to believed, the company will attempt to push the envelope in smartphone imaging with a penta-lens camera array that looks equal parts Matrix, Ghost In The Shell, Evangelion and the rest. To HMD's credit, it certainly looks like no other smartphone -- at least from the back.

  By Mat Smith Read More

• Xiaomi teases 5G support for its all-screen Mi Mix 3

  Earlier this year Chinese phone maker Xiaomi announced its plans to expand into Europe and the US, and if the company's latest teaser tweets are anything to go by, there's good reason to be excited about that. Director of product management Donovan Sung has posted a real life photo of the upcoming Mi Mix 3, and has hinted that it'll be 5G-ready (competitors Oppo and Vivo have also recently revealed their 5G progress).

  By Rachel England Read More

• The Morning After: Ignoring 8K hype and explaining Android One

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Welcome back to those returning from a long weekend! Now that IFA 2018 is over, we're sifting through the information to figure out what's really going on with extra-large 8K TVs, extra-small smartphones and everything else in between.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Will 2018 be the year small phones die?

  Sony is perhaps the last bastion of smaller smartphones. Or at least, it used to be. For years now, Sony has been making "Compact" versions of its top-tier handsets that are more or less flagships in their own right. Each generation of Sony's latest XZ series of phones hasn't deviated from this tradition until IFA 2018, where Sony announced the new Xperia XZ3, but no XZ3 Compact. Has the appetite for smaller phones finally vanished? Or are manufacturers content to let the hungry starve either way?

  By Jamie Rigg Read More

• Here are all the new phones at IFA that you won't get in the US

  I know what you're thinking: Why should you care about a bunch of phones you might never get to buy? Well, in addition to feeding your FOMO, it's also worth learning about technologies available elsewhere in the world. Things that first showed up abroad (think: all-screen phones) have a habit of showing up stateside after some time. There are already a few phones in other countries that offer advanced features like in-screen fingerprint readers that we're expecting to arrive in the US soon. Granted, the phones we saw at IFA weren't groundbreaking flagship devices, but it's still worth noting what we're missing out on. Fasten your seatbelts, close your tray tables and return your seats to the upright position and join me on this journey around the world.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• The latest Pixel 3 leak came from the back of a Lyft

  In a truly global smartphone market, unreleased devices leak all the time. It's become almost impossible for Apple, Samsung and other major handset manufacturers to keep designs, specifications and features of their latest flagship secret before their official launch. The same can be said for Google, which has seen its upcoming Pixel 3 launch beset by a number of leaks -- none more puzzling than having the larger model appearing in the back seat of a Lyft.

  By Matt Brian Read More

• The Morning After: Weekend Edition

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Welcome to your weekend! We'll have more info from IFA 2018 coming in all weekend, but first, we'll look back at the highlights from the past few days, plus some leaked images of the Google's Pixel 3 and a preview of what to expect from Apple's upcoming iPhone launch event. (FYI: If you'd prefer to get this in your inbox six days a week and of course you do, we have good news -- after a short break email signups are open again.)

  By Richard Lawler Read More

Social Media (61)

• Facebook will never be completely secure

  Yesterday, Facebook announced that it found -- and fixed -- a stunning security breach that put 50 million people's accounts at risk. In the words of Facebook executives, the attack was "sophisticated" and its reach was "broad." And, more chillingly, we don't know who was behind it or what they intended to do with that account data.

  By Chris Velazco Read More

• Twitter explains dehumanizing speech so you maggots will understand

  Twitter is still taking your responses and suggestions on its incoming policy against "content that dehumanizes others based on their membership in an identifiable group, even when the material does not include a direct target." Apparently, a lot of the feedback received over the last few days has complained that the policies aren't clear enough, so the company updated its blog post with more details and a couple of examples.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Facebook test lets users add songs to photos and videos

  Starting next week, some Facebook users will see the option to add songs to their photo and video posts. The social network first mentioned that it's working on a feature that will allow you to add an appropriate soundtrack to your media posts when it announced Lip Sync Live. That time, though, the option was supposed to be exclusive to Stories -- the platform has decided to expand its scope and will now test the feature on both Stories and News Feed.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 300 million people use Facebook Stories every day

  Facebook Stories appeared to be a major flop after they were launched, with seemingly few users adopting the feature in the months after it became available. But it looks like that's changing because Facebook announced today that more than 300 million people are using Stories on Facebook and Messenger every day. While the company didn't share what the rate breakdown was between the two, it's a sizable usage number, putting it closer to Instagram, which hit 400 million daily users in June.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Sweden's ad regulator says 'Distracted Boyfriend' meme is sexist

  One of the most popular memes of recent times is sexist, according to Sweden's advertising watchdog. A Swedish Internet company named Banhof jumped on the bandwagon by sharing the viral "distracted boyfriend" meme online to advertise job vacancies, only to be chastised by the regulator. The image -- which shows a man gawking at a woman in a red dress while his girlfriend looks on in shock -- is discriminatory to both men and women, ruled Sweden's Reklamombudsmannen.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Instagram pushes notifications to Lite and web versions

  Instagram's web version is still nowhere near as robust as its app, but the platform has slowly been adding more and more features to it these past few years. Now, it looks like Instagram has finally given it the power of notifications. Next time you visit the platform on a Chrome browser whether on mobile or on desktop, you'll see a message asking if you'd like to switch on notifications for new followers, likes and comments. According to Android Police, the option is now also available for Instagram Lite, the lightweight version of the app for phones with small RAM and storage, as well as for places with slow or intermittent internet connection.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Tinder borrows Bumble's women-message-first feature

  If Tinder was hoping to bring its feud with Bumble to a quick end, it's not helping matters. It has been testing a "My Move" feature in India that gives women more control over conversations. If women enable the feature in their settings, only they can start a conversation after a match -- you know, like Bumble. Tinder had launched the feature in the country as it needed to draw more women to the app by making them feel safer, the company's Taru Kapoor told Reuters. India also uses the in-app messaging more than anywhere else, so it's an ideal testing ground.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Snapchat drives voter registration inside its app

  The November midterms are just weeks away, and following efforts from Instagram and Twitter to engage users in the voting process, Snapchat has now joined the fold. Starting today, all US Snapchat users aged 18+ will see a voter registration link on their user profile page. Tap it, and you'll be taken to a made-for-Snapchat TurboVote mobile site, where you can register to vote quickly and easily, as well as get all kinds of other info about the election. Team Snapchat will send a video message to all of its 18+ US users, encouraging them to sign up, and those that do get a special filter. Everything will be available in Spanish, too.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Twitter's new content policy takes aim at 'dehumanizing speech'

  Though Twitter has a policy against hateful conduct, which prohibits threats of violence against others based on factors like their race, ethnicity or sexual orientation, the platform has come under frequent criticism for what it still allows on its site. But the company is now considering a new policy and before it's implemented, Twitter is asking users what they think. The new policy addresses dehumanization and it says users can't "dehumanize anyone based on membership in an identifiable group, as this speech can lead to offline harm," and Twitter is asking you to weigh in on the proposed rule.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Facebook expands mid-video ads to 21 more countries

  Facebook is bringing Ad Breaks (the ads you see in the middle of videos on the platform) to 21 more countries, with support for five more languages. Alongside the global rollout of Facebook Watch, Ad Breaks expanded beyond the US last month to the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Twitter will help you prepare for election day

  As the US heads closer to November's midterm elections, a number of social platforms are making an effort to encourage their users to vote. The latest to join in is Twitter, which launched its #BeAVoter campaign today. Through the campaign, Twitter will connect users to TurboVote, a nonprofit that can help them register to vote, sign up for election reminders and apply for absentee ballots. The #BeAVoter effort will be featured in Twitter's top US trends and in a prompt in users' timelines.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Bumble forges ahead with Tinder countersuit while pursuing an IPO

  Earlier this year, the Match Group, which owns the dating service Tinder, filed a lawsuit against rival Bumble, alleging that the company had infringed on patents and misused intellectual property. Just weeks later, Bumble countersued the Match Group for accessing trade secrets fraudulently. Now, Bumble has filed court paperwork for the lawsuit while "actively pursuing an IPO," CEO Whitney Wolfe told TechCrunch. We've reached out to Bumble for a comment.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Snapchat will let you shop on Amazon using its camera

  Snapchat will soon let you use its camera to shop for products on Amazon, following reports that such a tool was on the way. When you point the camera at a product or barcode and hold your finger on it, an Amazon card will pop up when the tool recognizes the item.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• WhatsApp hires grievance officer to battle fake news in India

  WhatsApp has hired a grievance officer for India in order to meet a key demand set by the country's government to halt the spread of fake messages that triggered mob lynchings. In an update to its FAQ section, WhatsApp directs users to lodge complaints through the mobile app, send an email, or write in to grievance officer Komal Lahiri (formerly of Facebook and PayPal), who's based out of the US. According to her LinkedIn, Lahiri was brought on in March as "senior director of global customer operations and localization."

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Instagram says it’s not working on a regram feature

  Rumors of an Instagram regram function have circulated a number of times, and they were renewed this week when The Verge reported that the company was working on a reshare feature. But while Instagram initially told the site that it had no comment about the report, it is now saying that such a function is flat out "not happening." It told both The Verge and TechCrunch that it's neither building nor testing a regram feature.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Twitch is reportedly blocked in China

  Last month, Twitch became the third most popular free app on China's App Store as users wanting to watch the Asian Games flocked to the app. But now, Abacus reports, residents in China are finding that Twitch is no longer accessible and that the Twitch app has been removed from the country's App Store.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Giphy's GIFs are sliding into Instagram DMs

  Instagram and Giphy are teaming up yet again after their original partnership was marred by a racist GIF that slipped through the cracks. After bringing GIFs to Stories earlier this year, Instagram is now giving you access to Giphy's collection from within the main app's Direct Messages and the standalone Direct app. The Facebook-owned platform has added a new GIF button in the compose bar, and you simply need tap on it to load all of Giphy's trending GIFs. You can either surprise your friend and yourself by tapping on the "random" button or look for something specific by using keywords and phrases.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Instagram may tidy up captions by hiding hashtags

  Instagram appears to be testing a way to add hashtags to a post without having to include them in the caption itself. App researcher Jane Manchun Wong spotted the feature and tweeted a screenshot of an updated interface. In the image, you can see a new "Add Hashtags" section and a screen where you can search for and select hashtags to add to your post. Wong added that it appears, as of now, there is no limit to how many hashtags can be added with the new feature.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Facebook's Dating feature aims to prevent harassment and dick pics

  Where will you meet your next bae? If Facebook has anything to do with it, it'll be through its new dating feature, which it's now testing in Colombia. Announced back in May at the F8 developer's conference, Facebook wants to help its 200 million+ single users find more meaningful, deeper connections – and given its monopoly in online social interactions, it's pretty well-placed to do that.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Facebook’s 'War Room' is its latest effort to protect elections

  Facebook has more than 300 people working on protecting elections from misinformation aimed at influencing voters. But starting next week, the company will have one more weapon in its arsenal -- a War Room. The New York Times reports that Facebook is currently converting a conference room into a final line of defense against fake news campaigns that target elections. Around 20 people, including engineers, data scientists and executives, will sit in the room and monitor dashboards that show activity on the platform and how it's changing in real time.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Why are people pretending to be dead on Instagram?

  Ahmed Simrin, 15, is one of the millions of teenagers who uses Instagram. He doesn't post pictures on his page every day (there are two total), yet somehow he's managed to get nearly 3,000 people to follow it. That doesn't make him a social media influencer, by any means, but his Instagram page quickly stands out when you realize one of the photos has over 22,000 comments and 4,000 likes. This type of engagement is typically only seen on accounts from celebrities. His viral picture, posted in October 2017, isn't anything out of the ordinary, either: It's Simrin simply standing next to his friend, each staring directly into the camera, with a caption that reads "Fresh out the oven." But then you look at the comments, and it would appear that poor Simrin is no longer with us. There are thousands of users telling him to rest in peace. "RIP, you'll be missed." "RIP, bro." "You died way too young." "I can't believe you're gone." The list goes on and on.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Instagram uses Stories to encourage voter registration

  The US midterm election is right around the corner, and Instagram is doing its part to encourage as many people as possible to register to vote. It launched a registration push Tuesday, helping 'Grammers get the information they need to sign up to vote using ads in feeds and stories.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Twitter will revive the purely chronological timeline

  Ever since Twitter started mucking with the timeline to insert tweets people "might have missed" or things supposedly "liked" by people they follow, some have complained they miss things. Now, Twitter has announced that in the coming weeks it will start testing a "way to switch between a timeline of Tweets that are most relevant for you and a timeline of the latest Tweets." A change that's in place now, is Twitter's "Show the best Tweets first" setting. Starting today, if a user has it turned off it will also eliminate the "In case you missed it" roundups and suggested tweets from people you don't follow. It sounds like exactly the change people have been looking for, and even pursued by setting up filters on their own like the one found at RealTwitter.com. Now, if Instagram could just get the same memo...

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Instagram shopping invades the Explore tab

  Like it or not, Instagram is continuing its quest to make shopping ubiquitous inside its app. The social service is launching a dedicated Shopping channel in the Explore tab that offers a personalized selection of goods. If money is burning a hole in your pocket, you won't have to stumble across a shoppable post to lighten your bank account. The channel is gradually rolling out now, although it'll only be available worldwide sometime in the "coming weeks."

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Path is closing its private social network for good

  Path, the Facebook rival and sticker pioneer that gained a million users a week at its peak, is officially dead. "It is with deep regret that we announce that we will stop providing our beloved service," the site announced. Founded by ex-Facebooker Dave Morin, along with Dustin Mierau and Shawn Fanning from Napster, the site is probably best known for its more private nature and helping to pioneer "sticker"-style emojis.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Researchers say Facebook’s anti-fake news efforts might be working

  Since the 2016 US presidential election, social network sites have acknowledged the issue of fake news as well as their roles in spreading it. Companies like Facebook and Twitter have made efforts to address the problem, instituting a number of measures aimed at stemming the spread of misinformation and disincentivizing those that spread it. But how useful have those efforts been? Researchers at Stanford University and New York University say at least in Facebook's case, they may be working.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Twitter puts live streams at the top of your feed

  Twitter is making it easier to catch live broadcasts from the accounts you follow. Now, anytime an account you follow starts a stream and shares a tweet about it, the broadcast will be pushed to the top of your timeline. The company announced the new feature in a tweet.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Snapchat is opening up your shared Stories to media partners

  Snapchat is opening up public, user-submitted videos to the "Our Stories" feature to its media partners. Soon, the likes of CNN and NBC News will pull from public videos to supplement their own stories. Deadline writes that media companies using Snapchat will likely overlay graphics and text to the videos for context. For example, folks attending a late-season baseball game and adding it to the Our Stories for the game could see their footage in a post from ESPN.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Facebook is fact-checking photos and videos to fight fake news

  It's no secret that Facebook has been struggling to stop fake news from spreading on its site, though it has indeed made progress since the 2016 US presidential election. Now, as part of its ongoing efforts to fight misinformation, Facebook has announced that its 27 fact-checking partners across the world now have access to a new tool that will analyze pictures and videos. According to Facebook, this feature is powered by machine learning and is designed to help reviewers identify and take action against false content faster.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Twitter expands its video programming in Asia-Pacific

  Twitter's quest for video dominance isn't confined in the US or even in the West, and its team up with a bunch of new partners prove that. At a conference in Singapore, the platform has revealed a bevy of content partnerships that would bring hundreds of hours of livestreams and other videos to the platform in the Asia-Pacific region. Just like Twitter's deals in the US and in other places, its new deals will give users in the Asia-Pacific access to more sports, news and entertainment content.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Reddit bans communities promoting QAnon conspiracy theory

  Reddit's tougher policies just led to more community bans, albeit not for typical reasons. The site has confirmed to Slate that it shut down subreddits associated with the QAnon conspiracy theory, including GreatAwakening, QProofs and thestorm, among others. While the company didn't say exactly what had prompted the bans, it noted that its rules bar activity that "incites violence, disseminates personal information, or harasses." It had banned a related board in March, but it hadn't conducted such a sweeping response until now.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The BBC will host the first non-US news show on Facebook Watch

  After launching its news section in June, Facebook Watch has its first non-US show. BBC News' has unveiled a weekly news show for the fledgling video channel called Cut Through the Noise, Variety reports. The show, specifically aimed at mobile users with the use of vertical video, will run weekly and report on various issues from Washington, DC and elsewhere.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Instagram offers help to people struggling with drug abuse

  Instagram is expanding its proactive help to people grappling with drug addiction. The social network will pop up an offer of support when users search for certain drug-related hashtags, including references to opioids and other frequently abused substances. The message won't prevent people from finding material if they insist on it, but it will give them a moment of pause and could help them find treatment referrals as well as prevention and recovery information.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• EU will fine social media sites for lingering extremism

  The EU has been threatening to take action against online platforms that fail to remove extremist content within an hour for the most part of the year -- and now we know what form its punishment will take. The likes of Google, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube could be slapped with fines as high as 4 percent of annual turnover, revealed European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• OKCupid users can choose a pronoun to display in their profile

  Online dating service OkCupid now allows its non-binary and LGBT users to choose their pronoun. Once they've selected their gender(s) from their profile, they can either select from a trio of options (she/her, he/him and they/them) or type in their chosen pronoun. Once entered, it will show up in the 'details' section alongside gender and sexual orientation for others to publicly see.

  By David Lumb Read More

• Tinder's curated 'Top Picks' list is available worldwide

  In June, Tinder announced that it was testing a feature that provides Gold members a list of their top matches. Now, Top Picks, as it's called, is available to all paying Tinder Gold subscribers worldwide. The highlighted profiles, which are refreshed daily, are chosen based on a user's profile information and swiping behavior. While non-paying members will receive one Top Pick daily, only Gold members will have access to multiple picks. Subscribers can also buy additional picks if they want more options.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Instagram may soon let you tag your friends in videos

  Instagram is testing a feature that lets users tag their friends in videos. Unlike with photos, where an overlay on the image shows everyone who's tagged, you can tap a button that takes you to page listing all the people tagged in the clip.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Pinterest is still being used by 250 million people every month

  While more prominent social networks are facing slightly slower growth or even seeing user numbers dip a little, Pinterest has quietly become bigger than ever. The company has revealed that more than 250 million people are using the service every month. Pinterest also has more than 175 billion pins, an increase of 75 percent since early 2017, which underlines the platform's growth.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Facebook Lite adds Community Help crisis response tool

  Facebook announced today that it's bringing its Community Help tool to Facebook Lite. The feature, which evolved out of Safety Check, helps users connect in the event of a crisis, allowing them to share updates, communicate with others and find or provide help. Now the tool will be available on Facebook Lite in more than 100 countries, giving more Facebook users access to information on essential needs such as where to find food, shelter or transportation after a disaster. "Our priority is to build tools that provide people with ways to get the help they need to recover and rebuild after a crisis," Facebook Crisis Response Product Manager Jeong-Suh Choi said in a statement. "By making Community Help available on Facebook Lite, event more people can get the help they need in times of crisis."

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Instagram's emoji shortcuts help you comment in record time

  If you can't post comments without tossing in at least one emoji to make your feelings clear, you'll be glad to know that Instagram has your back. After months of testing, Instagram has introduced an emoji shortcut bar on Android and iOS that offers quick access to your most-used icons when wading into a post's comments. You won't have to sift through your phone keyboard's emoji selection when you want to heart someone's touching moment or tell them their new look is fire.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• YouTube pulls Russian opposition ads ahead of elections

  YouTube is no stranger to pulling videos based on their content, but now it also has to worry about when a video is available. The Google-owned service has removed ads from Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny following officials' claims that the videos would violate a campaign silence law by remaining available ahead of regional governor elections on September 9th. In a statement, YouTube's Russian branch said it responded to "all justified appeals from state bodies" and said advertisers had to honor local laws. Whether or not the law was an issue is another matter.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Twitter and Periscope now offer audio-only live broadcasts

  Twitter has offered at least some form of live video for years, but what if you can't (or don't want to) put something on camera? You no longer have to point followers somewhere else to hear your thoughts. The iOS versions of both the main Twitter app and Periscope now support audio-only live broadcasts, giving you the chance to reel in listeners without having to make yourself presentable or draw attention to your presence. You can track audience stats like you can with video, as well.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Bumble adds a 'Snooze' feature to encourage digital detox

  More and more app developers are recognizing that sometimes, it's good to take a break from your phone and other devices. Bumble is the latest company to take part in this trend. The dating, networking and friendship set of apps now offers a "Snooze" mode, which allows you to take a break for a day, three days, a week or indefinitely.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Twitter design test brings Explore and Bookmarks to the web

  Twitter is testing a redesign that brings some features from its mobile app and browser to the desktop. The trial run, which the company says a small number of people are already seeing, adds the Explore tab and Bookmarks to the desktop site, along with some other features.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Banning Alex Jones proves Twitter can’t be impartial

  All efforts to save @RealAlexJones and @InfoWars from themselves have failed, and you can blame Jack Dorsey for that. Whether or not he intervened in applying a seven-day suspension for rulebreaking tweets (the company denies it) he's successfully undermined the values Twitter claims to hold high. A month ago, when YouTube and Facebook took action against the accounts, Dorsey said: "We're going to hold Jones to the same standard we hold to every account, not taking one-off actions to make us feel good in the short term, and adding fuel to new conspiracy theories." So how'd that work out? Twitter claims justification for the ban comes from tweets and videos posted yesterday targeting CNN reporter Oliver Darcy. Unfortunately, we won't ignore the fact that this action occurred within 24 hours of its CEO being personally exposed to Jones' outrage. If Twitter wants to show, as Jack told Congress yesterday, that "Impartiality is our guiding principle" then it's difficult to imagine a more spectacular example of failure.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Twitter bans Alex Jones and InfoWars permanently

  Alex Jones can add Twitter to the ever-growing list of social media sites that he's no longer welcome on. The micro-blogging platform announced on Thursday afternoon that Jones and his InfoWars channel have been "permanently suspended" due to "new reports of Tweets and videos posted yesterday that violate our abusive behavior policy."

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Are Facebook and Twitter scared enough to work together?

  The last time a bunch of social media execs testified before congress the hearings ended with US House Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) calling it a "dumb" and "stupid" sideshow. He said there were more important matters for Congress to be discussing the "content-filtering practices" of internet companies, and that Facebook, Twitter and Google can't have user posts be regulated because of the First Amendment anyway. Still, members of the Senate and House are keen on finding ways for Silicon Valley giants to keep their services safe, particularly from foreign interference and other bad actors trying to create discord among Americans. But rather than get into a battle with Congress over potential federal regulation, which would likely cause some controversy, Facebook and Twitter seem willing to work together on solutions for these issues in order to avoid that path.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Instagram offers parents a guide for children's social safety

  Using smartphones and other digital devices in a less obsessive, more mindful way has been a hot topic of conversation with consumers and tech companies alike. Instagram, probably one of the most addictive social networks around, recently launched a new feature to help users analyze how much time they spend on the network, and today the company has published a new guide specifically focused on helping parents help their kids use the service responsibly.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Sweden’s official tweets won’t come from citizens anymore

  IKEA, ABBA, Volvo... Sweden has given the world a lot of great things, and back in 2011 it added to the list by becoming the first country to let regular citizens run its official Twitter account. Every week, a new Swede was given free rein to tweet whatever they wanted, in a pioneering bid to show the world how the country exists in the eyes of its people (much like The Swedish Number, which let anyone around the world chat to a random Swede). Now, the award-winning project -- which inspired similar accounts in other countries and cities around the world -- is coming to an end.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Twitter wants to ‘increase the health of public conversation’

  Twitter doesn't only want to be more transparent about the toxic content on its site, it also wants to be more proactive about removing it altogether. Speaking to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce today, as part of a hearing titled "Twitter: Transparency and Accountability," CEO Jack Dorsey said that his company's singular objective is to "increase the health of public conversation." But he said this isn't just about spotting and removing abusive content like harassment, or blocking suspicious accounts. It's also about doing so in a timely, more proactive manner. As it stands, Dorsey said, Twitter relies heavily on users reporting others' bad behavior and that simply needs to change.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Twitter is keeping 500,000 bots from logging in every day

  Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is currently testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee and in response to questions from Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Gene Green (D-TX) about bots, Dorsey said that the platform is keeping around 500,000 bot accounts from logging in every day. He also reiterated that every week, Twitter's systems are challenging between eight and ten million accounts that are suspected of misusing automation or disseminating spam.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Twitter's shadow banning bug 'unfairly filtered' 600,000 accounts

  Twitter's supposed account shadow banning, which the company says was a bug, was "unfairly filtering 600,000 accounts, including some members of Congress" in search auto-complete and results. CEO Jack Dorsey confirmed the figure during his opening statement to the House Energy and Commerce Committee Wednesday; he shared the statement in a thread of tweets.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Jeff Sessions worries social networks are 'intentionally stifling' speech

  You can add another voice to the chorus of right-wing figures alleging (or insinuating) that internet giants may be biased against conservatives. The Justice Department has confirmed to TechCrunch that US Attorney General Jeff Sessions is meeting with state AGs later in September to talk about a "growing concern" that social networks might be hurting competition and "intentionally stifling the free exchange of ideas." The DOJ didn't say whether Sessions was calling for regulation or formally investigating the companies' practices.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Twitter is considering a transparency report on suspended accounts

  As part of his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee today, in a hearing titled "Foreign Influence Operations' Use of Social Media Platforms," Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said that his company is exploring the idea of a transparency report for suspended accounts. He said that, while details of what this document would look like or what information exactly it could include are still being worked out, it's something that's heavily on his mind. Twitter already has a bi-annual transparency report which discloses how many accounts it removes for promoting terrorism, and Dorsey said doing something similar for suspended accounts would only be a matter of figuring out its implementation.

  By Edgar Alvarez Read More

• Facebook users are changing their social habits amid privacy concerns

  The Pew Research Center has released the results of a survey that shows many Facebook users have changed how they interact with the site over the past year. The center polled 4,594 US adults between May 29th and June 11th and it found that 54 percent said they had adjusted their privacy settings, 42 percent had taken a break from the platform for at least several weeks and 26 percent said they deleted the Facebook app from their phone in the past year. In all, 74 percent of those surveyed had taken at least one of those actions over the past 12 months, though it's unclear if that's a typical rate or a response to recent privacy-related scandals.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Instagram is reportedly developing a dedicated shopping app

  Instagram has been rolling out various shopping-related features over the past few years, making it crystal that it sees a future in e-commerce. Now, it's reportedly going all in -- according to The Verge, the Facebook-owned company is building a standalone shopping application that may be called "IG Shopping." It will apparently give people a way to browse and purchase goods from the businesses they follow from within the app itself. The app has no release date yet, and it's possibly still very early in its development. While that means there's a chance that we won't even see it, the publication's sources said Instagram is "well-positioned to make a major expansion into e-commerce."

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Twitter says unwanted tweets on your timeline are a bug, not a feature

  A few users on Twitter have noticed something odd with its algorithmically-inserted tweets: it's inserting tweets and claiming people they follow Liked them, even though a scan of their profile page and its list of Liked tweets shows that they didn't. As it popped up on the timeline for @TappyPaws, she noticed a trend towards political tweets by the president, so there was some speculation that this is part of a test by Twitter to break people out of so-called "bubbles" and increase interaction with other viewpoints. More investigation showed that some of the inserted tweets had been quoted in posts that those friends did actually click like on, or were tweets that the actually-Liked tweets replied to, suggesting that the service's process has a bug. While a Twitter spokesperson was not specific about the reason, they backed that interpretation up and told Engadget "This is not a test. This is a bug involving Likes that we're working to fix. The issue is affecting numerous accounts." Whatever the issue is, if you'd like some control back -- in lieu of Twitter offering a strictly chronological timeline -- user Andy Baio has posted a search filter that "strips out all retweets, replies, media, links, and people you don't follow." You can easily access it at any time by just going to www.realtwitter.com.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• TikTok lets users add reaction videos to clips they watch

  TikTok, which absorbed Musical.ly last month, is rolling out a new feature that will let users add their reactions to other videos. In the "Share" menu, there's now a "React" option, and when you select it, the app will record a video of you as you watch a clip. You'll then be able to move your reaction video around the screen to place it where you want. An app update with the new feature should be available in both the App Store and Google Play within the next couple of days, according to TechCrunch.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Jack Dorsey: Twitter isn’t guided by ‘political ideology’

  Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey will be testifying before Congress tomorrow and today he released a prepared statement he'll make during his House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing. The CEO will touch on a number of timely and important topics including conversational health on the platform, Russian interference during the 2016 presidential election and recent activity on Twitter linked to Russian and Iranian groups, but Dorsey also addresses accusations of political bias. "Let me be clear about one important and foundational fact: Twitter does not use political ideology to make any decisions, whether related to ranking content on our service or how we enforce our rules," said Dorsey.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• UK broadcasters urge the government to create a social media watchdog

  A smorgasbord of TV broadcasters, mobile network and internet service providers has urged the UK government to strengthen its oversight of social media companies. In a letter to The Sunday Telegraph, executives from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as well as Sky, BT and TalkTalk, called for a new, independent regulator to help tackle fake news, child exploitation, harassment and other growing issues online. "We do not think it is realistic or appropriate to expect internet and social media companies to make all the judgment calls about what content is and is not acceptable, without any independent oversight," the collective wrote.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• Twitter is testing threaded replies and status indicators

  Twitter wants to be more conversational -- and apparently more like a message board and a chat app. In a post retweeted by Twitter chief Jack Dorsey, the company's head of product Sara Haider showed screenshots of two features the platform is testing. One of them is reply threading, which shows responses as nested, color-coded tweets. They seem more similar to Reddit's threads and Facebook's, since even a response to a response is indented.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

Space (23)

• Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin beats key rival to rocket engine deal

  Blue Origin is best known for its own rocket programs, but it just scored a deal that could make it an important name in the spaceflight industry. United Launch Alliance has chosen Blue Origin's BE-4 engine (two of them, to be exact) to power the booster stage its next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket, which is due to launch in mid-2020. Jeff Bezos' outfit won't be the only rocket vendor involved, but it crucially beat out Aerojet Rocketdyne -- a behemoth in the industry that had tried to pressure ULA into avoiding Blue Origin tech altogether.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Hayabusa 2 probe snaps a close-up of its asteroid target

  JAXA's Hayabusa 2 has taken the most high-resolution photo of its target asteroid, the 162173 Ryugu, we've ever seen. Unlike previous images that only showed Ryugu from afar, this one shows its surface in detail -- you can clearly see its texture and its lumpy rocks as if you're hovering right above them. The spacecraft's Optical Navigation Camera - Telescopic (ONC-T) snapped the image just as Hayabusa was zooming close to the asteroid to deploy the MINERVA-II1 rovers. ROVER-1A and 1B successfully touched down on the surface of the asteroid and have already started taking photos of their surroundings.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• NASA's pint-sized satellite could improve weather forecasts

  Apparently, NASA has been testing a small, shoebox-sized satellite that could make weather forecasts a lot more accurate. It's called RainCube for "Radar in a CubeSat," and it uses tiny instruments to provide real-time look inside storms. The agency has deployed the test unit from the ISS into Low Earth Orbit in July, which captured its first images of a storm over Mexico in August. In September, the satellite also captured images of Hurricane Florence's first rainfall. In other words, the experiment has been successful, though most likely far from over. See, the hope is to use a whole fleet of RainCubes to monitor severe storms.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• The Morning After: Space tourism and 100-megapixel cameras

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Anyone interested in cameras needs to check out all the latest news from Photokina, like the incredible 100-megapixel medium-format camera from Fujifilm. In non-shutterbug news, Google is backtracking on a Chrome update, we tested Mercedes' MBUX voice controls and the Xbox One is getting support for mouse and keyboard.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• How the first space tourists will make it back to Earth alive

  When SpaceX launches Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa and his eight traveling companions for a trip around the Moon in 2023, the company will be undertaking an unprecedented step toward the future of civilian space flight. But with being the first to attempt this feat comes a number of technical and safety challenges that less ambitious expeditions, like Blue Origin's treks to the Karman Line, won't have to face. So, just how will SpaceX ensure that its first trip to the Moon doesn't turn into a real-life Gravity?

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Japan's Hayabusa 2 mission lands on target asteroid

  After months of hovering around its target, Japan's Hayabusa 2 mission has made contact. Two of the host spacecraft's landers (ROVER-1A and 1B) have touched down on the surface of the asteroid 162173 Ryugu and have already been hopping around as they take photos (like the one above) and gauge the space rock's temperature. As far as the mission has come, though, it's really just the start.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• SpaceX gives us a glimpse of its Mars base vision

  SpaceX chief Elon Musk has tweeted two photos that give us a peek into the company's Martian dreams. One of the images shows the BFR, the massive rocket SpaceX is developing for deep space missions, while the other shows the BFR and what he called "Mars Base Alpha." It's no secret that the private space corporation wants to build a human settlement on the red planet. Back in 2017, it announced its plans to launch two BFR cargo missions to Mars by 2022 to prepare for the arrival of the first Martian settlers by 2024. Before any of that can happen, though, SpaceX has to be able to start testing its BFR system in the first half of 2019.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Mars trips may involve less radiation exposure than previously thought

  There's no question that the first human mission to Mars will be extremely dangerous. Some studies have suggested that the radiation levels would exceed the maximum career dose for a given astronaut, greatly increasing the risk of cancer and other illnesses. It might not be quite so bad as it sounds, though. Newly presented ESA ExoMars orbiter data indicates that astronauts would receive "at least" 60 percent of their maximum recommended career radiation exposure on a round trip to Mars that takes six months both ways. That's still several times what ISS crew members receive, but it's relatively gentle compared to what some had feared.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Who is Yusaku Maezawa, SpaceX's first lunar tourist?

  Elon Musk shocked the world on Monday when he revealed the identity of SpaceX's first lunar orbit tourist to be Mr. Yusaku Maezawa, a Japanese billionaire who made his fortune in online fashion retail.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• NASA's planet-hunting TESS spacecraft captures 'first light' image

  Back in May, one of the cameras on NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) snapped a two-second test exposure to make sure that it works. It was but a taste of what we can expect from Kepler's successor, though, and now we finally know what its cameras are capable of. The planet-hunting spacecraft's four cameras have taken their "first light" image -- the first astronomical photo after a telescope has been assembled -- showing the satellite's full field of view.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• SpaceX reveals identity of the world's first lunar space tourist

  The last time that humanity set foot on the lunar surface, Richard Nixon was still president and Pink Floyd was still in the midst of recording their seminal album about its dark side. And while SpaceX's tourism plans don't involve actually setting down on our nearest celestial neighbor, the company does hope to put Yusaku Maezawa, the billionaire founder of Japanese fashion retailer, Zozotown, as close to it as any human has been in the past couple of decades.

  By Andrew Tarantola Read More

• Watch SpaceX announce its first BFR passenger at 9PM ET

  SpaceX announced last week that it booked its first private passenger for a flight around the Moon in its BFR spacecraft, and today the company will share who that is. Elon Musk gave a hint about who the passenger might be last week, replying to someone asking if the passenger was Musk himself with a Japanese flag emoji. SpaceX says we'll be able to find out who is flying and, interestingly, why during an event today, which will be livestreamed at 9PM ET. You can check it out below. Update: Elon Musk announced that "fashion innovator and globally recognized art curator Yusaku Maezawa" has been selected for the trip, currently scheduled to occur in 2023.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• California plans to launch its own climate satellite

  The current White House doesn't accept climate science, and California is worried that this may lead to NASA switching off climate probes under pressure from President Trump. The state's solution? Build its own probe. In a speech at the Global Climate Action Summit, Governor Jerry Brown declared that California would launch its "own damn satellite" to detect pollution and address climate change. While he hinted at the possibility in 2016 remarks, it's more than just an allusion this time. The state is working with Planet Labs on the project, and will rely on the California Air Resources Board for further help.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NASA will launch its ice-tracking satellite ICESat-2 on Saturday

  On Saturday, NASA will attempt to launch its Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2, or ICESat-2, a satellite that will help researchers measure the height of natural features on Earth. With the help of a powerful on-board laser, ICESat-2 will measure changes in Earth's ice across seasons and years. "Retreating glaciers. Shrinking sea ice. Melting ice sheets. The frozen reaches of Earth are changing at dramatic rates," NASA said, "and the impacts, from sea level rise to altered weather patterns, span the planet." So ICESat-2's mission is to collect incredibly precise measurements of Earth's ice as well as the heights of other features like forests, oceans and clouds.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• The Morning After: SpaceX is sending someone to the Moon

  Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Morning there! Did you know Nintendo's Switch is killing it? You're waking up to a bumper crop of Nintendo news, including new games, classic franchises and more bound for the hybrid console. We finally got the details on its online service, too. Meanwhile: Book your SpaceX tickets to the moon. Makes the iPhone Xs Max look cheap...

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• SpaceX booked 'world's first' private passenger for a BFR Moon trip

  We haven't seen SpaceX's BFR -- the rocket that it hopes will enable trips around the world, to the Moon, and, eventually, to Mars -- actually take flight yet, but the company says it has already booked a private passenger for a trip around the Moon. No one has been to the Moon since Apollo missions ended in the 70s, but now, in a "world's first" SpaceX is apparently taking reservations. Details like who is going and "why" are to be revealed during a livestream on Monday September 17th at 9 PM ET. Early last year Elon Musk said we'd see two humans take that trip at some point in 2018, but now we're anticipating a delay so that it can occur on the LA-built BFR, instead of a Falcon Heavy carrying a Dragon capsule. Musk has said the spaceship part of BFR could be ready for "short hopper flights" next year and test flights in three to four years. Interestingly, he also tweeted that what's shown above is a new version of the BFR, and in response to a tweet asking if he's the passenger, posted a Japanese flag emoji.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• JAXA plans to send robot avatars with human-like hands to space

  JAXA unveiled the Avatar X project in early September, revealing its plans to send humanoid machines controlled by human operators to space. Now, Japanese robotics company Meltin has announced that it has teamed up with JAXA and ANA to start the full-scale development of its MELTANT-α cyborg technology for the initiative. MELTANT-α was designed with hands that are about as strong and as fast as real ones -- they're also equipped with haptics to make them as human-like as possible. It's the perfect candidate for a project that intends to use remote-controlled humanoid machines to conduct experiments, to repair space stations and to build human settlements, among many other things.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Watch NASA test Orion's parachutes by dropping it from a plane

  NASA has been putting the Orion capsule's parachute system through rigorous testing for years -- it has to work perfectly if it's meant to ensure a safe landing for the spacefarers onboard, after all. Now, the agency is getting ready for its final test in a series of eight and will broadcast the event live on NASA TV, the agency's website and Orion's Facebook page, starting at 10:15AM Eastern on September 12th.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• South Pole Telescope will study 'noise' from the early universe

  Scientists just got a valuable tool in their quest to understand the cosmic microwave background radiation that persists from the earliest days of the universe. The South Pole Telescope recently received an ultra-sensitive camera that will study the cosmic microwave background at an extreme level of detail. Its 16,000 detectors (ten times more than a previous experiment) can spot minuscule changes in temperature when they receive light, helping them pick up the ancient microwave energy that's virtually omnipresent in the universe but difficult to detect with conventional methods.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Planet-hunting Kepler telescope declares that it is not, in fact, dead

  At this point, most space enthusiasts and insiders have said their goodbyes to the Kepler spacecraft. We've known for months that it's very low on fuel, and its planet-hunting replacement, TESS, has already launched. But Kepler has a mind of its own, apparently. Despite the fact that its level of fuel is now crippling, and it's had its share of mechanical issues, the telescope is once again back to work collecting scientific data and looking for new exoplanets.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Russians say ISS air leak could be a result of sabotage

  Last Thursday, NASA informed the public that there was an air pressure leak aboard the International Space Station. It was extremely small and posed no immediate danger to astronauts. Flight controllers worked with the astronauts to determine that there was what appeared to be a drill hole aboard an attached Soyuz capsule that the astronauts attempted to patch. Now, the Russians are investigating sabotage as a possibility.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• NASA explores product endorsements and rocket naming rights

  NASA's new leader is gung-ho on privatizing spaceflight, and that could lead to some new approaches to branding... like it or not. Administrator Jim Bridenstine has unveiled a NASA Advisory Council committee that will explore the feasibility of commercializing the agency's operations in low Earth orbit to lower its costs while its eyes turn toward the Moon and Mars. Some of these plans could include product endorsements from astronauts and even selling the naming rights to rockets and other spacecraft. You could see an astronaut on a box of Wheaties, or a Red Bull mission to the Red Planet.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NASA's public CO2 challenge could help astronauts endure on Mars

  NASA would really prefer that Mars astronauts produce their materials on Mars, but that's not so easy when resources we take for granted on Earth are hard to get on the Red Planet. The administration has an idea as to how it might accomplish that feat, though -- and it wants your help. It's launching a CO2 Conversion Challenge that asks the public to find ways to turn carbon dioxide into compounds that would be useful on Mars, where the substance is plentiful.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

Streaming (67)

• Spotify may start cracking down on family plan sharing (updated)

  Spotify's Premium for Family plan is a good deal: $15 a month snags you up to six ad-free accounts on the service, which would normally cost $10 each. It's not a surprise, then, that people have been sharing the accounts among friends to save a few bucks. Now Spotify appears to be cracking down on the practice.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• PlayStation Vue's local channel count expands to over 500

  A month ago Sony added more than 200 local broadcasters to its PlayStation Vue streaming service, and today the number grew by more than 85. That puts the total number of local stations available at 540 or so, although for any individual viewers it's probably just going to matter for the several stations in their area. The list of new additions is available on Sony's website and consists mostly of ABC, CBS and Fox affiliates around the country, with a couple of new NBC stations for good measure. Now that the starting price is at $45, at least more customers can know they'll be able to watch and DVR fall shows from the major networks without having to add an antenna to their setup.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Spotify event series offers aspiring artists music industry tips

  Spotify appears to be on a mission to aid emerging artists as much as possible, with efforts including allowing them to upload music directly to the streaming service and offering some of them advances for licensing their work. The latest plan to help them out is a series of events designed to connect them with music industry experts and provide them with advice.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Amazon launches pre-game show for 'Thursday Night Football'

  Amazon is launching a new Thursday Night Football pre-game show. Nothing too unusual about that, except this one, The Drive, will be hosted by two women -- a move some will sadly consider surprising, even in this, the year 2018. Charissa Thompson and Rachel Lindsay (pictured) –- who both boast impressive sports broadcasting resumes -- will interview two opposing players both on and off the field as they gear up for their Thursday Night Football game. One interview will take place during the player's daily commute, the other at their home, or team's training facilities.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Dish adds dual tuners to AirTV Player through an adapter

  Dish's AirTV Player is an intriguing mix of an over-the-air player with streaming services, but that single tuner has made it difficult to recommend if you want to both record and watch live broadcasts. You won't have to make that compromise from now on, though, if you're willing to pay. The company has launched a dual tuner adapter that enables simultaneous recording and viewing, or recording for two channels if there are two must-see shows you're going to miss.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Plex is sunsetting Cloud Sync and other features

  Plex is clearly doing some major spring cleaning, because it has just killed a handful more barely used features after shutting down its personal cloud streaming service in early September. The company has announced that it's sunsetting plugins, Cloud Sync and Watch Later. If you don't even recognize those features, we wouldn't be surprised -- that's pretty much the reason why Plex is killing them anyway. For instance: only 2 percent of its userbase uses plugins. That's why even though they provided users a way to tie third-party accounts with their Plex accounts, the company ultimately decided to lay them to rest.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• What's coming to Netflix in October: 'Bodyguard' and 'Daredevil'

  October was always going to be a packed month for new shows and movies on Netflix, with a litany of horror titles, and returns for Daredevil and Making a Murderer. Among the other Netflix original shows you'll be able to check out are BBC smash hit Bodyguard (October 24th), Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj (weekly episodes start October 28th), drag queen reality series Dancing Queen and season two of Big Mouth (both October 5th).

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Amazon Music Unlimited is now available in Canada

  Today, Amazon announced the expansion of its Music Unlimited service to Canada. Listeners can sign up for a free 90-day trial; after that period has passed, Prime members will pay CDN $8 per month or CDN $79 per year to continue service. The family plan costs CDN $15 per month, whether you have a Prime membership or not. It's CDN $149 per year for Prime members. Non-Prime members will pay CDN $10 per month. Subscribers can also opt for a single device plan for CDN $4 per month, which will allow Unlimited subscribers to listen to their music on one Echo device.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• The new ‘MST3K’ arrives on Netflix November 22nd

  Thanksgiving is a special time, where you and your family can avoid talking to one another in order to marathon Mystery Science Theater 3000. Netflix and Shout Factory have revealed that this year's Turkey Day will be an MST3K marathon with a difference: it's the day that the new Season 12 arrives. Six new episodes will drop on November 22nd in the US and Canada, as well as the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• US bill modernizing music royalties only needs the President's signature

  The House of Representatives has given the Senate's version of the Music Modernization Act two thumbs up, which means the bill is now heading to the White House. MMA will update rules regarding royalties and licensing when it comes to streaming in an effort to make sure creators are properly compensated. It will lead to the creation of a publicly-accessible database that makes it easier to see which publishers and artists need to be compensated for particular songs. Further, it will update the royalty rates for artists behind pre-1972 songs and will update royalty rates to reflect market changes all around.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Watch Will Smith's Grand Canyon helicopter bungee jump at 6 PM ET

  Of all the things you could possibly be doing on a Tuesday afternoon, watching a live stream of Will Smith bungee jumping out of a helicopter is probably not among the worst. Oh, and he's doing the stunt over the Grand Canyon on his 50th birthday. No biggie. The multi-hyphenate megastar is celebrating his big day in Big Willie Style, and you can watch the jump as it happens, because YouTube is airing it as one of its originals.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Netflix's 'Making a Murderer' continues October 19th

  While Halloween is on the horizon, October isn't only about horror movies and shows for Netflix. True-crime docuseries Making A Murderer, which seemed to grab everyone's attention when it premiered over the 2015 holiday season, is returning with 10 more episodes on the streaming service October 19th.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• SoundCloud’s web series shines a spotlight on its creators

  You only rarely hear SoundCloud positively associated with the words "internet superstar," but the music sharing platform helps a lot of creators get their work out there. To shine a spotlight on its community, the company has launched a series entitled "First on SoundCloud: Studio Sessions Berlin." The web series will focus on emerging creators whose careers began on the platform — simply put, it's a documentary that will follow their journeys and the creative process behind their latest tracks SoundCloud has opened up its Berlin production studio to the creators it chose to highlight, so the company can capture all the behind-the-scene happenings when they create music. It also gave them access to the studio's in-house sound engineer. The company is kickstarting the series with electronic music producer San Holo — yes, that's a play on Han Solo — who used SoundCloud's Berlin HQ to produce worthy, the feature track for his new album. San's album aptly entitled album1 is now available for streaming on the platform.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Netflix's Halloween lineup includes 'The Shining'

  Netflix has certainly touted its Halloween shows before, but this year you may have a particularly good reason to pay attention. The streaming giant has outlined all the horror movies and thrillers you can expect to see in the run-up to October 31st, and the highlight this year might not be one of its originals. You see, The Shining arrives on October 1st -- you now have an easy way to watch Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of the classic Stephen King novel. It's a well-worn tale for horror fans, but it could be worthwhile to remind yourself why you shouldn't visit room 237.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Ancestry hopes you'll share your DNA for a custom Spotify playlist

  What would your music selection sound like if it reflected every last bit of your genealogy? Ancestry can tell you... if you're willing to shed some control. The company has partnered with Spotify to offer custom playlists based on your genetic heritage. It's fairly straightforward on the surface: once you've received your results from an AncestryDNA test, you can visit a website to generate a playlist based on the regions that represent your genetic code. You may hear A Tribe Called Red if you have native North American roots, for instance, or Papa Wemba if you have certain African lineage.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Roku's tiny Premiere box brings 4K streaming down to $40

  At this point, Roku's only option with streaming players is to make them cheaper and more capable. And so we have the new Premiere and Premiere+, the company's lowest-priced 4K HDR players yet at $40 and $50, respectively. They're arriving just as 4K sets are becoming ubiquitous, and as more consumers might want something more than the apps built into their TVs. Previously, the Premiere line was priced at $70 and $90 -- not much less than the $100 high-end Ultra player. (The Ultra is sticking with the same price and hardware this year, but it's now coming with JBL earbuds.) The new Premiere is available for pre-order today, while the Premiere+ will hit Walmart in October.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• SiriusXM acquires Pandora for $3.5 billion

  Pandora's search for a buyer is over. SiriusXM, which previously invested $480 million in the music streaming service, is now acquiring it outright in an all-stock deal worth $3.5 billion. It gives the satellite radio company access to Pandora's 70 million monthly users, including the 5.6 million paying members signed up to its Premium service.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Tommy Wiseau's wonderfully terrible 'The Room' is free on YouTube (updated)

  You no longer have to go to a special screening (or track down bootlegs) to watch The Room. Tommy Wiseau has posted his so-bad-it's-good classic movie on YouTube for free in its entirety. If you've ever wanted to relive every "oh hi" moment or see Lisa tear Johnny apart one more time, you just have to fire up your web browser. The title hasn't been officially available online before, so this is likely your best chance to see what the fuss is about.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• NextVR brings virtual reality broadcasts to the Oculus Rift

  NextVR provides access to immersive sports and entertainment broadcasts for a number of virtual reality headsets, but it had a huge Oculus-shaped gap in its compatibility list. Now, the platform has finally rolled out support for the Oculus Rift and even for its standalone sibling, the Oculus Go. NextVR chief David Cole said the VR community has been asking for the feature for a long time, and the company is merely answering the call.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Streaming accounts for 75 percent of music industry revenue in the US

  The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has released music industry revenue statistics for the first half of 2018 in the US, and on average, revenue growth has slowed. While overall revenue was up 10 percent compared to the same time last year, clocking in at $4.6 billion, that rate is only around half of the increase observed between the first halves of 2016 and 2017. Streaming revenue growth slowed as well, though it was still up 28 percent compared to last year. Notably, streaming accounted for the vast majority of revenue so far this year, with 75 percent of overall revenue coming from streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Spotify taps DJ Semtex for hip-hop culture podcast

  Following in the footsteps of Zane Lowe and Ryan Newman, hip-hop aficionado DJ Semtex is the latest BBC Radio veteran to jump ship to a music streaming service. He'll be handling co-presenting duties alongside RCA's Parris O'Loughlin-Hoste on season two of Spotify's original podcast Who We Be TALKS_; a weekly show that explores the "music and lifestyle that surrounds [hip-hop and grime] culture".

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Four 'Star Trek: Discovery' shorts are coming to CBS All Access

  CBS All Access is getting a quartet of Star Trek: Discovery preludes to tide you over until the show's return in early 2019. Star Trek: Short Treks is comprised of four standalone episodes, described as "short stories", each focusing on a different character or theme from the franchise's bulging universe.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Hulu’s website looks different today

  Hulu.com has a fresh face today, following a design update that emphasizes thumbnails and hovering. It's a clean, graphic look, and Hulu has worked to keep the number of clicks to a minimum.

  By Jessica Conditt Read More

• It took ESPN+ just over five months to hit one million subscribers

  ESPN+, a streaming service for the dedicated sports fan, launched back in April. Today, the Walt Disney Company, ESPN's owner, announced that the service has one million paid subscribers. That's quite the accomplishment in just five months.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Spotify offers free direct uploads for indie artists

  Spotify is making life easier for indie artists who want to get their music on the service by letting them directly upload their own tracks without having to go through an intermediary like a label or distributor. The free feature is launching in beta in Spotify for Artists.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Spotify sued over executives' alleged gender discrimination

  Spotify has been accused of turning a blind eye to sexism in its workplace. Former sales executive Hong Perez has sued the streaming service over allegations that male execs have perpetuated systemic gender discrimination. The global head of sales reportedly provided higher compensation (including equity) to men, while multiple male executives received little punishment (and in one case, a promotion) despite sexual harassment claims.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Netflix comes to Sky Q boxes in November

  Earlier this year, Sky announced that it would allow its customers to access Netflix through its set-top boxes. Now the company has revealed that the streaming giant will hit Sky Q boxes in November, and how exactly the whole thing will work.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• American Airlines offers free live TV through Dish

  You might not be stuck watching a handful of mediocre movies (or your offline copies of streaming shows) the next time you're on a long-haul flight. American Airlines and Dish recently started offering free live TV for domestic US flights aboard 100-plus aircraft with Gogo's 2Ku satellite access. It won't match your service back home, but you will have access to a dozen major networks including CNN, ESPN, NBC and Telemundo. And you don't have to squint at a small seatback display -- you can stream the channels directly to your laptop or mobile device.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• MCU heroes could get their own shows on Disney's streaming service

  We still don't have an official name for the streaming service Disney is working on to compete with Netflix, but a new rumor from Variety suggests there will be plenty of Marvel content on it. According to the report, Disney has similar plans for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it has already revealed for Star Wars: several spin-off shows. A key difference here is that the shows could be solo vehicles for heroes in the MCU like Loki or Scarlet Witch, and feature the actors from the movies, like Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen, in six- to eight-episode runs. While we shouldn't expect to see top-tier stars that have already had solo flicks, these series will apparently feature the next rung of heroes, branded under Marvel Studios and under the oversight of its boss, Kevin Feige. The budgets may be large also, as Disney jumps in late battling Netflix, Amazon and the rest, it will reportedly spend up to $100 million on Jon Favreau's Star Wars series, while also charging less per subscriber than Netflix when it launches in 2019.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Netflix picks up hit BBC drama ‘Bodyguard’

  Netflix has purchased the streaming rights to Bodyguard -- a six-part BBC One series that has been raking in viewers in the UK. The show had a strong premiere, drawing in 10.4 million viewers, which is the highest launch figure for any new drama on any UK channel in the last 12 years. The fourth episode reportedly drew 11.1 million viewers and the series has consistently attracted more viewers than any other BBC show outside of World Cup coverage. Netflix now holds the rights outside of the UK and Ireland and will debut the show on October 24th.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Bikini Kill's riot grrl punk is available to stream for the first time

  Prince, The Beatles and other well-known artists gave into the siren's call of streaming music years ago, but not Bikini Kill -- you still had to get the iconic riot grrl group's music the old-fashioned way. Until now, that is. The feminist punk group has posted its small but influential catalog on streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify and Tidal. Why now? If you ask singer Kathleen Hanna, it's about accessibility.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• The 2018 Emmys were a watershed moment for streaming TV

  "The goal is to become HBO before HBO can become us." That's what Netflix's Ted Sarandos told GQ back in 2013, and it subsequently became a corporate mantra. Back then, it was hard to see how this upstart could supplant the bluest chip in TV's firmament. It had money, sure, but nobody could have expected it to execute the change from being a DVD rental business to a ubiquitous TV platform. Just five years after launching its first original, House of Cards, Netflix has won.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• YouTube's revamped gaming hub offers faster access to top streams

  YouTube is as determined as ever to compete with Twitch, and it's giving its dedicated gaming portal a makeover to make sure that happens. The new YouTube Gaming hub borrows key features from the mobile app, including faster access to top live streams, pages for specific games and a new "On the Rise" section that highlights up-and-coming creators. You'll also find entire "shelves" for both live streams and trending videos on top of personalized content that reflects your tastes and subscriptions.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• YouTube's $5-per-month Membership bonuses come to more channels

  When YouTube first launched Memberships to give creators another way to earn money on the platform, it only offered the opportunity to channels with 100,000 subscribers. Now, the Google-owned video-sharing website is lowering the barrier of entry, giving channels with 50,000+ subscribers the chance to take advantage of the feature. Fans of creators who choose to implement Channel Memberships can get exclusive access to emoji, badges and other perks by paying a $5-a-month subscription fee. The creators could give them first or even free access to events, for instance, and other free goods.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' leads the pack of streaming Emmy winners

  Just a few years ago it was still novel to see Emmy winners coming from internet services instead of cable or network TV, but now it's just a part of the landscape. Netflix notably edged out HBO this year when it came to nominations, but now that all the trophies have been handed out they ended up tied with 23 wins each.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Pandora's customized new music playlist 'The Drop' arrives today

  If you ask Spotify users why they're loyal to the music service, chances are many of them will cite personalized new music playlists like Discover Weekly and New Release Radar. Today, Pandora is releasing a similar playlist for its Premium on-demand users: it's called "The Drop," and it's a custom playlist that features newly-released tracks selected based on a user's listening history over time. Pandora says the playlist will automatically show up in Premium users' libraries with around a dozen songs to start with, but it'll be continuously updated over time as new songs are released.

  By Nathan Ingraham Read More

• Streaming services in talks to release movies in IMAX theaters

  Outside of Netflix's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel, streaming movies haven't really had a chance to shine on IMAX screens. They might make a regular appearance before long, though. IMAX chief Richard Gelfond told investors that his company is in "active discussions" with "all" streaming services about IMAX releases. It's not certain how close the two sides are to a deal, but Gelfond saw it as just a matter of time. If streaming firms were going to have a giant "opening day" for their releases, the executive argued, the best way to do it was on an equally giant IMAX screen.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• CBS All Access' 'Star Trek: Discovery' is viewable offline with a catch

  We're inching closer to a future where more of our streaming services make their offerings available offline. The latest is CBS All Access, as spotted by TechCrunch. Unfortunately, this feature is exclusive to folks paying for the no-commercials tier. In addition to Star Trek: Discovery you'll also be able to grab a range of TV episodes from the service's catalog including Big Brother and Survivor.

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Netflix alliance helps filmmakers meet its stringent video demands

  Netflix doesn't care whether its content comes from small producers or large studios, but cash-strapped filmmakers might blanche at its strict video quality requirements. To make it easier to figure out what to buy or rent, Netflix has launched the Post Technology Alliance. It's partnered with camera, editing, color correction and encoding companies to show producers exactly what equipment they'll need to create Netflix shows from start to finish.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• YouTube greenlights documentary on the LGBTQ Pride movement

  YouTube has greenlit a documentary that will focus on the impact the gay pride movement has had on the LGBTQ community. State of Pride will be directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman -- who worked together on The Celluloid Closet and the Academy Award-winning Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt -- and will feature interviews conducted by Raymond Braun, former YouTube LGBT marketing lead. He'll travel across the US, attending Pride events in major cities and smaller towns and interviewing individuals about how the movement has impacted them.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• YouTube Kids lets parents choose what their children watch

  YouTube has added two new features to its Kids app, both of which give parents more control over what their children are watching. First, parents now have the option to limit what their kids watch to just what they approve. After parents select "approved content only" in their child's profile, that child won't be able to search for content on their own. Instead they'll have access to the videos, channels or collection of channels their parents have specifically added to their approved list. YouTube announced this feature back in April and it's available now on Android globally. The company says iOS users will have access to it soon.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Amazon unveils first trailer for 'Mad Men' creator's 'The Romanoffs'

  Amazon has unveiled the first official trailer for one of its most anticipated series, The Romanoffs. Created by Mad Men's Matthew Wiener, the anthology drama of eight separate stories has an all-star cast including Isabelle Huppert (above), Aaron Eckhart, Diane Lane, John Slattery and Amanda Peet. Despite the name, it's not a period piece; the series is set in modern times in cities around the globe.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Audible unveils a behind-the-scenes 'Fantastic Beasts' audiobook

  Audible is launching a new Fantastic Beasts audiobook on November 16th as a companion to the movie that's showing on theaters on the same date. It's not another novel by J.K. Rowling, though -- sad to say, if that's what you were expecting -- but a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Crimes of Grindelwald. It's aptly entitled Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald -- Makers, Mysteries and Magic, and it's narrated by Dan Fogler, the actor who plays the lovable Muggle baker Jacob Kowalski in the films.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• The BBC has 'solved' the lag between live streams and TV

  Live streams often lag behind TV, sometimes by half a minute or more -- and that's a big problem when you may hear your neighbors cheer a goal or story event you haven't seen yet. The BBC might have licked the problem, however. Its researchers have developed a streaming method that could dramatically reduce the gap between online coverage (such as through iPlayer) and TV. The solution, according to the broadcaster, is to manage the rate at which you receive chunks of the video feed.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Spotify raises offline download limit to 10,000 tracks

  Spotify has quietly lifted its 3,333 song download limit with its latest software update, according to Rolling Stone. That's not such a small number, especially since it's per device for three devices, that it would keep you awake at night. But if you've been using Spotify for years and had already hit the limit in the past or don't have access to more than one phone, then this is definitely great news. Apparently, a number of people recently noticed that they're now able to download more than 3,333 tracks for offline listening. A Spotify spokesperson has confirmed the change to the publication, revealing that you can now store 10,000 tracks per device for five devices.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Hulu nabs five Discovery channels for its live TV line-up

  Hulu is adding five extra Discovery networks to its live TV line-up along with thousands of on-demand shows. Viewers can look forward to watching Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Motor Trend (the rebranded Velocity), and Animal Planet this December -- the fruits of a multi-year pact that's been in the works since before the launch of Hulu's livestreaming option in May, 2017, according to Variety.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Apple TV adds Dolby Atmos audio on Monday

  We're getting more than just new iPhones at Apple's big event. Today, the company put a date on its tvOS 12 update that will bring the promised support for Dolby's Atmos audio technology. When Apple announced the feature at WWDC earlier this year, it also said people who owned movies in iTunes that have Atmos soundtracks available would have their copies upgraded for free. Tim Cook didn't mention the zero sign-on technology that's also a part of tvOS 12, so we'll have to see if that's ready for a wide launch next week or if it's still waiting for more testing (or agreements with more cable TV providers and channels). Apple TV owners can expect the new software release on Monday, September 17th, dropping along with the HomePod update that will add new features and additional languages for Siri.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Vudu adds Sony TVs to its list of compatible 4K devices

  Vudu users with Sony 4K TVs can now watch hundreds of movies in ultra HD, thanks to an update to its Android TV app. If you've got auto-updates enabled, you don't need to do anything to enjoy a clearer, crisper picture -- it's ready to go. If you don't, just update to the new app from the Google Play Store.

  By Rachel England Read More

• YouTube will stream Rihanna's fashion show on September 12th

  Paul McCartney isn't the only superstar to have lined up a live YouTube stream these days. Rihanna is broadcasting her Savage x Fenty brand's fashion show on Google's service at 7:30PM Eastern on September 12th. She's promising an "immersive experience" that, to no one's surprise, will showcase the label's lingerie and "intimate accessories" (which, of course, you can buy after the show). You might not want to invite your parents to watch with you, then.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Plex is shutting down its personal cloud streaming service

  Media streaming service Plex is shutting down its cloud service at the end of November. The company is making the move because of technical issues and cost concerns. Once support ends, you'll have to stream media from your own server, computer or Network Attached Storage to your connected devices instead of your favored cloud storage service.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Amazon snags exclusive Jack White documentary and EP

  Amazon will soon be the home for some exclusive Jack White content, the company announced on Tuesday. The musician will release a documentary on Prime Video that centers on his concert at The Anthem in Washington, DC -- part of his Boarding House Reach tour -- as well as White's time spent exploring the nation's capital. Additionally, Amazon will release an EP featuring six live recordings from the concert through Amazon Music. It includes four songs from White's most recent album along with the title tracks from Blunderbuss and The White Stripes' Icky Thump.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• SoundCloud adds weekly personalized playlists

  SoundCloud announced today that it's releasing a weekly personalized playlist for its users. Updated every Monday, SoundCloud Weekly pulls music from the platform's millions of creators, which the company notes is "multiple times more than are featured in playlists on other streaming services." Like those from other services, such as Spotify's Discover Weekly, SoundCloud Weekly's tracks are determined by the creators and tracks users like, share and listen to the most. It follows the release of the daily mixes of new uploads the company launched last year.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Netflix, Hulu and Amazon win numerous creative Emmy awards

  The Primetime Emmys might not take place until September 17th, but that isn't stopping streaming services from enjoying some critical acclaim ahead of time. Amazon, Hulu and Netflix all took home multiple awards on the first night of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, including a few surprises. Netflix claimed the biggest upset, with the "USS Callister" episode of Black Mirror winning an award for best TV Movie. The series also received awards for single-camera picture editing and sound editing.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Judge OKs Dish lawsuit over Univision's soccer livestreams

  Dish and Univision haven't been on the friendliest of terms for quite a while now, and we doubt this development will help bridge the widening gap between the two companies. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Univision has failed to convince a judge to toss the lawsuit Dish filed over content it streamed on Facebook. The direct-broadcast satellite provider accused Univision of violating their licensing deal by streaming Liga MX matches -- Mexico's top level soccer league -- on the world's biggest social network while it's broadcasting the games on TV at the same time.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Audible offers two of its original audiobooks free every month

  Audible isn't done offering freebies (of sorts) to subscribers. Members now receive two Audible Originals audiobooks every month on top of whatever they download using their credits. The Amazon-owned service will make six of its Originals available on the first Friday of every month, and ask you to choose two favorites from the bunch. The initial selection gives you a sense of what to expect. You'll see high-profile titles like Carey Mulligan's theatrical production Girls & Boys, an X-Files side story (Cold Cases) and a fresh reading of Jane Austen's classic novel Emma.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple Music adds global and regional top 100 charts

  Apple is adding a new feature to its music streaming service today -- charts of Apple Music's top-streamed songs. Rolling Stone reports that the company now has 116 "top 100" charts, which include one global chart and one for every country in which the service is currently available. They're rolling out to users through a software update today.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• YouTube TV users can pause their subscription for up to six months

  Google is now giving YouTube TV subscribers the option of pausing their subscription. Spotted by Android Police, the new feature allows users to pause their membership for up to six months. Google notes that while you won't have access to new or recorded programs while your subscription is paused, YouTube TV will save your previous recordings, though they're still subject to the standard nine-month expiration date. The date that you resume your membership becomes your new billing date.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Netflix’s ‘Narcos: Mexico’ premieres November 16th

  Netflix has released a trailer for its new series Narcos: Mexico, a follow-up to its three-season series Narcos. With Narcos: Mexico, the show moves out of Colombia and away from the Cali cartel, focusing instead on the rise of Mexico's Guadalajara cartel in the early 1980s. In the short trailer, we see what we've come to expect from the Narcos title -- drugs, battle and the rise of an empire. We also see the two new stars. Diego Luna (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Y Tu Mamá También) will play cartel leader Félix Gallardo and Michael Peña (Ant-Man and the Wasp, End of Watch) will play undercover DEA agent Kiki Camarena, the man tasked with bringing Gallardo down. Narcos: Mexico premieres November 16th.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Netflix revives political thriller 'Designated Survivor'

  Netflix has saved President Tom Kirkman's re-election bid from failure by snapping up Designated Survivor after ABC canceled the show. According to Deadline, the third season of Kiefer Sutherland's political thriller will be a global Netflix original -- yup, even in the US and Canada, where it's streaming on Hulu. Its creator's deal with Hulu reportedly made the transition to Netflix tougher than it should be. In the end, though, they were able to hammer out a deal that involves giving Netflix exclusive streaming rights to the show's first two seasons in the US and Canada starting this fall. The title is already available on the platform in other countries.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Paul McCartney will play a YouTube concert on September 7th

  Paul McCartney is no stranger to embracing technology, and you're about to get further proof of it. The iconic musician is performing an "intimate" YouTube concert on September 7th at 8PM Eastern as part of a YouTube Original production. It's a plug for his new album Egypt Station, as you might have guessed, but he'll also play tunes from his Beatles and Wings days.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• WWE’s live Facebook show is returning for a second season

  Some of WWE's biggest superstars will return to Facebook Watch when the second season of Mixed Match Challenge premieres September 18th at 10PM Eastern. A preshow will air before each 30-minute episode this time around, while a round-robin format replaces the single-elimination tournament from the first season, which took place earlier this year.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• 'Serial’ podcast's third season premieres September 20th

  It's been quite the wait since the second season finale of Serial, the true crime podcast that aired its last episode on March 31st, 2016. Today, the show debuted a new trailer for its third season. The first two episodes will debut on September 20th, and new episodes will drop weekly on subsequent Thursdays.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Netflix hires Christie Fleischer to help it sell merchandise

  Netflix has dabbled in merchandise before, but its newest hire suggests it's planning on really doubling down on its efforts. Christie Fleischer has joined the company as head of its global consumer products team, coming from Disney, where she was head of merchandise for parks, experiences and consumer products. According to Netflix, Fleischer will oversee retail and licensee partnerships, publishing, interactive games, merchandising and experiential events.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Tenacious D created a YouTube series to accompany their new album

  If you're wondering what Jack Black's been up to lately, other than starring in box-office-conquering movies, he's drawn every single frame of a YouTube show starring himself and Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass. The comedy-rock duo's web series is called Post-Apocalypto, which shares a name with their upcoming record.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• CBS will stream Super Bowl LIII on mobile devices without a sign-in

  CBS is determined to make the most of the NFL's loosened streaming rules. The broadcaster has revealed its streaming plans for Super Bowl LIII, and you'll finally have the option to watch on mobile devices without a sign-in through CBS Sports' website and mobile apps. You'll also have mobile access through authenticated apps from CBS' cable, satellite, telecom and streaming TV partners. To no one's surprise, you can watch through All Access on mobile if you're a subscriber.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Ellen DeGeneres' return to stand-up arrives on Netflix December 18th

  Ellen DeGeneres hinted over a year ago that she'd return to stand-up specials through Netflix, and that revival is now close at hand. Netflix has announced that DeGeneres' comedy one-off Relatable will premiere on the streaming service December 18th. The teaser clip doesn't say much about what to expect, but it does have DeGeneres engaging in some tongue-in-cheek name-dropping as she confirms the premiere over and over again.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Netflix and Amazon will have to make more European content by law

  Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video will likely soon have to ensure at least 30 percent of their libraries are dedicated to local content in the European Union. A preliminary agreement on the rules is already in place, and Roberto Viola, who oversees the European Commission department in charge of networks, content and technology, said the quota is set to become law in December. He indicated to Variety that the vote is "a mere formality."

  By Kris Holt Read More

Tablets (2)

• Google's Chrome OS tablet might support Windows 10

  Google's rumored Chrome OS tablet may have an extra trick up its sleeve: namely, that you might not have to run Chrome OS at all. The 9to5Google team has discovered some code references indicating that Google has been working on Windows 10 support for the future slate, codenamed Nocturne. "Windows 10 will BSOD early during boot," one Nocturne developer wrote.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• iOS 12.1 beta hints at a new iPad this year

  If you were bummed that Apple didn't release a refreshed iPad Pro at this month's event, then code from the iOS 12.1 beta might brighten your day. According to 9to5Mac, there's a daemon embedded within the code that could contain the ability to sync Memoji via iCloud. There aren't a lot of reasons you'd need to store a Memoji in iCloud unless an iPad capable of supporting them was on the way.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

Tomorrow (2)

• What will Android look like in the next ten years?

  A decade ago, Android launched... to a world of challenges. But back in 2008, Google wasn't worried about artificial intelligence, it was just trying to make a stable mobile operating system. One that stood out in a very crowded playing field. Back then, the competition was Apple, BlackBerry, Nokia/Symbian, Palm and Windows Mobile. By 2009, however, Android's market share was steadily climbing, and by early 2010, sales inched past that of iOS devices (according to Statista). Android's upward trajectory hasn't stopped since. Now, Statista reports 88 percent of all smartphones sold run Google's mobile operating system, with iOS devices making up around 12 percent (based on total sales). What started as an alternative mobile experience for nerds has gone full mainstream. But what does that mean for the future of Android?

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• Boring Company will build a futuristic tunnel garage

  The Boring Company has some fairly grand plans when it comes to its tunnelling ambitions. It's proposed a 3.6 mile tunnel from an LA Metro station to Dodger Stadium, and it's recently been selected to build a high-speed transport link in Chicago. Now, it's set its sights on residential applications, and has purchased a property near SpaceX headquarters where it plans to build a private, prototype garage.

  By Rachel England Read More

TV & Movies (27)

• 'House of Cards' teaser previews Claire's battle with nearly everyone

  Netflix has followed its brief peek at House of Cards' final season with a larger teaser, and we now know how Claire Underwood will handle the presidency with Frank out of the picture: by fighting for it every step of the way. This latest preview shows Claire remaking the White House under her rules, telling people that Frank's promises don't count under her tenure and that they shouldn't believe anything her late husband said. Not that it's likely to deter others. More than a few former associates come out of the woodwork to challenge Claire, including former Chief of Staff Doug Stamper.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Disney agrees to sell Fox's Sky stake to Comcast

  Last week, Comcast successfully bid $39 billion to acquire the UK TV giant Sky. Now, the Walt Disney Company has agreed to allow 21st Century Fox to sell its remaining 39 percent stake in Sky to Comcast for roughly $15 billion.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Alaska Airlines is offering VR movies during certain flights

  Some first class Alaska Airlines passengers might find themselves face to face with a virtual reality headset rather than the plane's usual in-flight entertainment system. The airline will pilot SkyLights' Allosky Cinematic VR headset aboard its Seattle-Boston and Boston-San Diego routes. It will give passengers access to immersive 3D and forward-facing 360 degree films, though they can also choose to watch in 2D in case the combination of 3D and plane travel is a bit too much to handle.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Apple snags Chris Evans for limited series ‘Defending Jacob’

  Chris Evans is the latest star to join Apple's growing TV lineup. The actor, known for playing Captain America, will lead Defending Jacob, a limited series based on a 2012 novel by William Landay. The story centers on an attorney whose 14-year-old son is accused of murdering a classmate. Defending Jacob, which was ordered straight-to-series, will be written by Mark Bomback (Outlaw King, War for the Planet of the Apes) and directed by Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game).

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Jordan Peele will host CBS All Access’ ‘Twilight Zone’ reboot

  We knew that CBS was working on a Twilight Zone reboot and that it was being produced by Jordan Peele. Now the company has released a short teaser that reveals Peele will also host and narrate the new series. The Twilight Zone will stream on CBS All Access and is set to debut sometime in 2019.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• ‘Veronica Mars’ reboot is coming to Hulu in 2019

  Rumors have been swirling that a Veronica Mars reboot is on the way and series lead Kristen Bell just confirmed it. She tweeted today that a new series is headed to Hulu, as are all of the back episodes. "Thank you to all the marshmallows for staying excited and to @Hulu for giving Veronica a chance to wear her big girl pants," wrote Bell. The original series ran for three seasons, but developed a strong and still very present following even in that short time. A follow-up movie came together in 2014 with the help of some avid crowdfunding.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• 'Daredevil' season three premieres October 19th

  It's been a long, long wait for a third season of Daredevil, but it's very nearly here. Netflix has confirmed that the next installment of its landmark superhero show will debut October 19th. The teaser trailer is wonderfully cryptic, but makes clear that Matt Murdock (aka Daredevil) is tired of subduing evil only to watch it bounce back -- the only way to stop evil is to "finish it for good," he said. The teaser and accompanying tweet also make nods to Murdock's conflicted Catholicism, referencing Deuteronomy 30:15 ("see, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction").

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• You can’t make a reality game show out of social media

  Technology's ubiquity has become a real problem for the entertainment industry because life is easier now. There's a reason that horror films these days always seem to feature a shot of someone discovering they're in a signal blackspot. Shows like Sherlock have found novel ways to incorporate technology into their narratives, but clearly, it's still a bit of a fudge. It's even worse in the world of reality TV, which often relies on throwing people into hostile situations and filming the results. Would-be victims can cope with the faux-isolation or trauma much easier if you're packing the sum total of human knowledge in your back pocket. It explains why so many big reality shows, like Jersey Shore, Big Brother and The Amazing Race ban the use of phones.

  By Daniel Cooper Read More

• What we're watching: 'Mandy,' 'Succession' and 'Great News'

  This month, Reporter Timothy J. Seppala checks out the latest Nicolas Cage joint and explains why you should too, while Senior Editor Daniel Cooper returns from a break with impressions of some binge-worthy television.

  By Engadget Read More

• Netflix series 'What/If' is a social thriller anthology

  Netflix recently ordered 10 episodes of a new social thriller anthology entitled What/If with Renee Zellweger in a lead role. Now, the streaming service has announced the names of the actors joining the cast and starring opposite Zellweger, Glee alum Blake Jenner and Castle Rock's Jane Levy. According to Deadline, Dave Annable of the ABC show Brothers & Sisters will play a character called Dr. Ian Harris, while Westworld's Louis Herthum will play Zellweger's driver and right-hand man.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' returns as a live-action Netflix series

  That sound you heard was legions of Avatar: The Last Airbender fans squealing with glee. Netflix has announced that it's releasing a "reimagined," live-action Avatar series on its service in partnership with Nickelodeon. Production will start in 2019, and the animated show's creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko will executive produce the new run. Details are unsurprisingly scarce at this early stage, but DiMartino and Konietzko stressed that the Netflix production would include a "culturally appropriate, non-whitewashed" cast.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Comcast's X1 set-top box helps you buy concert tickets

  Comcast isn't stopping at offering movie tickets through the X1. It's using Ticketmaster's platform to sell Kelly Clarkson tickets with the help of its set-top box. Say "Kelly Clarkson Tour" to the remote and you'll go to a promo screen that will show you nearby concert dates and start the ticket purchasing process if you just have to see a show. Unfortunately, you can't complete the purchase on your TV -- you'll instead receive a text code on your phone that you use to finish the process. Still, it might be easier to browse on the big screen if you've already been curled up on the couch.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• What's on TV: Emmys, 'Maniac' and 'Quincy'

  After tonight's Emmy awards, there's still plenty to choose from. On TV, Netflix debuts Maniac, a series from True Detective season one director Cary Fukunaga starring Jonah Hill and Emma Stone as strangers in a drug treatment trial together. It also dives into the life of producer Quincy Jones with the documentary Quincy, and premieres the movie Nappily Ever After. For gamers, we have the Scribblenauts Mega Pack and Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle, while movie fans can get the new Jurassic World sequel on 4K Blu-ray. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Sinemia's $30 unlimited plan tries to fill a MoviePass-shaped hole

  MoviePass attracted a lot of users with its $10 one-movie-per-day subscription plan, but as the last few months have shown, that price point was rather unsustainable. As its money troubles mounted, the company hit its subscribers with a number of sudden plan changes including surge pricing, limited film selections and, recently, a reduction to just three allowed viewings per month. However, MoviePass rival Sinemia is bringing back the unlimited plan and subscribers in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia can get it for $30 (£30) per month.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• AMC’s A-List subscription service now supports Fandango and Atom

  AMC is making it even easier for you to use the Stubs A-List subscription program, as members will now be able to get movie tickets through Fandango and Atom Tickets. The company launched A-List, its answer to MoviePass, in June, and though the three-movies-per-week plan cost more than what MoviePass was offering at the time -- one movie per day for $10 per month -- it also featured a few perks that MoviePass lacked, such as IMAX and 3D showings, repeat viewings and booking in advance.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• An ‘Alan Wake’ TV series is in the works

  The 2010 mystery-thriller game Alan Wake was deliberately designed like a television series, splitting the plot into episodes capped with cliffhangers and other tropes. So it only makes sense that the idiosyncratic title may finally get adapted for TV, though the endeavor is still in its very early stages.

  By David Lumb Read More

• What's on TV: 'Shadow of the Tomb Raider' and 'Bojack Horseman'

  The NFL is back in action, and along with it we have a slew of fall TV shows returning. That includes bingeable (it's a word) options on Netflix, Amazon and Hulu like Bojack Horseman season five, The First, Forever and American Vandal season two. For gamers, the standard edition of NBA 2K19 is here, plus the latest Tomb Raider game, while Blu-ray fans can get Oceans 8 or Batman: The Killing Joke on 4K Blu-ray. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• What we're listening to: Ghibliotheque

  I firmly believe that Studio Ghibli is one of the best animation studios in the world. So does Michael Leader, digital lead for Film4 and regular host of Truth & Movies, a film podcast by Little White Lies magazine. Six weeks ago, he launched a new podcast called Ghibliotheque with Jake Cunningham, a commissioner for Channel 4's short film program Random Acts and, more importantly, a relative newcomer to the company's work. Every week, they watch a different Ghibli movie, give their honest assessment and explain the circumstances surrounding its release. It is, without fail, a thoroughly entertaining and informative listen.

  By Nick Summers Read More

• CBS chief Les Moonves to step down amid new sexual assault claims (updated)

  After weeks of swirling sexual misconduct allegations, CBS chief Les Moonves appears to be on the way out. CNN's executive sources have claimed that Moonves is about to step down now that an exit deal is effectively complete. CBS could announce the departure by the morning of September 10th, according to the insiders. Just how he'll leave isn't clear, but he may not have a gentle departure due to a follow-up exposé from The New Yorker detailing more claims of sexual assault and harassment.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• MoviePass product chief leaves after six months

  If MoviePass was hoping that recent talent additions would help it escape its financial woes, it might want to put those dreams on hold. The company has confirmed to Variety that Chief Product Officer Mike Berkley has left the company about six months after he joined. It's not certain why he left, although MoviePass had recruited him to improve the user experience at a time when its subscriber count was growing at a breakneck pace.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Physical copies of 'Jurassic World' come with an AR baby raptor experience

  The franchise hype leading up to the theatrical release of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom earlier in the summer included a slew of AR and VR games. Unsurprisingly, there's another on the way to celebrate the film's home release on September 18th through the Facebook and Messenger mobile apps: An in-store display featuring the film's Indoraptor antagonist, and an insert slipped into physical copies that boots up an interactive baby version of the beloved Velociraptor, Blue.

  By David Lumb Read More

• Comcast adds three more ESPN networks to Xfinity X1

  Comcast is bringing three new ESPN networks to Xfinity X1 just in time for the college football season. ESPN3, ACC Network Extra and SEC Network + are available on Xfinity X1 now, bringing with them coverage of over 150 live college football games as well as thousands of other events. The three networks will cover more than 5,000 events annually including international soccer, Grand Slam tennis matches and college basketball as well as other collegiate athletics from dozens of schools throughout the US.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• 'IMAX Enhanced’ promises the highest quality 4K in your living room

  Today, IMAX announced a new program called IMAX Enhanced, which was launched in partnership with DTS. It's a certification and licensing program that will allow users to play the highest quality 4K images and most powerful audio in the comfort of their own home.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• 'House of Cards' teaser reveals the fate of Frank Underwood

  Today, Netflix released a teaser for the final season of House of Cards, which will premiere on November 2nd. It's just 19 seconds long, but it contains a crucial piece of information: How the show dealt with the removal of lead actor Kevin Spacey. The teaser shows Claire Underwood, played by Robin Wright, speaking to Frank's grave, making it clear that Spacey's character is dead.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Netflix's 'The Witcher' series casts Henry Cavill as Geralt

  Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher has landed a big name for the leading role. Henry Cavill will don the guise of monster slayer Geralt of Rivia in the eight-episode series. The show, which replaces a planned movie, is based on Andrzej Sapkowski's novels and short stories -- they also inspired CD Projekt Red's series of The Witcher games.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• What's on TV: 'Spider-Man,' 'Next Gen,' and 'The Purge'

  We're officially moving into the fall TV season as the NFL returns to action and premieres pop up on the schedule. On Tuesday FX has its Sons of Anarchy spinoff Mayans M.C., USA brings The Purge to TV and on Sunday Showtime features Jim Carrey in Kidding. Movie fans can get Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom via digital outlets, while Won't You Be My Neighbor? arrives on Blu-ray. Netflix has its animated robot film Next Gen as well as the premiere of Iron Fist season two, but you should also check out Sierra Burgess is a Loser. It features two familiar faces from other Netflix releases: Noah Centineo from the recent rom-com To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Shannon Purser, who played Barb in season one of Stranger Things. For gamers it's a big week as Spider-Man is released on PS4, Destiny 2 gets a big DLC expansion and NBA Live 19 goes head-to-head with NBA 2K19. There's also Dragon Quest XI, and on Switch several indie titles like Hyper Light Drifter, Broforce and Gone Home come to Nintendo's platform for the first time. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• 8K TVs are coming, but ignore the hype

  It's time to throw out your 4K TV, 8K is here! Well, not quite. At IFA in Berlin this week, Samsung, LG and TCL showed off their upcoming 8K sets. It's like a flashback to the early days of 4K in 2013 -- all of a sudden the video format we've been hearing about for years is finally gearing up to reach consumers. Samsung is planning to actually sell its 8K QLED TV, LG gave us a glimpse at the world's first 8K OLED TV. But is this actually a huge leap beyond 4K? That's where things get complicated.

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

Wearables (25)

• LG may unveil a hybrid Wear OS watch October 3rd

  For months, reports have suggested LG is working on a smartwatch that combines Wear OS and physical watch hands. It appears that the company will reveal said wearable, called LG Watch G7, at the V40 ThinQ smartphone launch next week, according to VentureBeat's Evan Blass.

  By Kris Holt Read More

• Samsung's Galaxy Watch Golf Edition puts a caddie on your wrist

  There are plenty of wearables that track your golf swing or help you choose the right club (Garmin has two, for example), but none of them are made by Samsung. Which is why the arrival of a Galaxy Watch Golf Edition smartwatch is exciting news -- or at least it would be if it actually packed some true golf-centric software upgrades under the hood. Instead, Samsung has put out a regular Galaxy Watch with a pre-installed Smart Caddie app -- much like the stunt it pulled with the Gear S3. Oh, and it's only available in South Korea.

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• YouTube VR and casting features are coming to Oculus Go

  Your Oculus Go is about to become much more useful for immersive viewing sessions. Oculus has revealed that YouTube VR is coming to its entry-level headset, giving you a chance to watch 800,000 360-degree videos in your own virtual environment. It's not clear when you'll see it, but this is big news if you didn't want to get a Daydream headset just to watch YouTube clips.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Jaybird's Tarah are $100 wireless earbuds built for sweaty workouts

  Jaybird has been a solid option for wireless earbuds for years now, and today the company is debuting yet another model for your workouts. The Tarah Wireless Sport Headphones are built for the gym, complete with an IPX7 rating to ensure you don't run into moisture troubles when things get sweaty. With a design similar to the company's X4 that debuted in August, the Tarah is $30 cheaper at $100. That's also $50 less than the Beats X.

  By Billy Steele Read More

• Casio's see-through G-Shock watches are an icy blast of nostalgia

  Casio's G-Shock watch line is enjoying a bit of a renaissance on its 35th anniversary (you can even get a full metal model if you like), and the company is making the most of it with some particularly eye-catching wristwear. It just introduced a Glacier Gold collection of G-Shocks that are virtually guaranteed to stand out while scratching that nostalgic itch. Each model has a semi-transparent resin casing and band, with a gold-colored watch sitting at their heart, recreating both the look of classic G-Shock models and the clear style of 1996's stand-out DW-6900K.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Sennheiser is making spatial audio accessories for Magic Leap

  Magic Leap has teamed up with audio giant Sennheiser to help it "explore and enhance [its] spatial audio accessory solutions." The secretive mixed reality-maker's first headset, the One Creator Edition, is equipped with onboard speakers for audio. However, it can also accommodate headphones through its 3.5 mm jack. Sennheiser will be creating accessories specifically for Magic Leap devices, and you might be able to plug some of them into that port. We've said it before and we'll say it again: for virtual and mixed realities to be truly immersive, they need convincing sound to match.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

• Jordan XXXIII adds lacing tech 'informed' by Nike's HyperAdapt

  Tonight Nike's Jordan Brand unveiled the Air Jordan 33, and besides a design that harkens back to the Jordan III shoe from 1988, it includes technology relating to a more recent model. The "FastFit" tightening system that activates by tugging a strap on the forefoot took some hints from Nike's $720 self-tightening HyperAdapt 1.0 that debuted in 2016.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Your phone can wirelessly charge Huawei's new AirPod-like Freepods

  Apple's stumbles with wireless charging could be Huawei's gain. The Chinese tech giant's upcoming Freebuds 2 Pro truly wireless earbuds look an awful lot like Apple's AirPods and in a twist, their battery case can supposedly be charged via the forthcoming Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro, according to marketing materials obtained by WinFuture (translated).

  By Timothy J. Seppala Read More

• John Hancock will offer fitness tracking benefits for all policies (updated)

  Life insurance company John Hancock is going "interactive." The company, which is one of the oldest and largest life insurance underwriters in the US, will offer all of its life insurance policy holders additional incentives and benefits for adding fitness tracking to their plans for free.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Tap's wearable keyboard makes typing in VR applications a breeze

  To date, the VR experience has largely centered around games and entertainment -- doing any actual work, such as typing up a document or sending an email, has been a slow and cumbersome process due to clunky point-and-click virtual keyboards. Now, a company behind a wearable keyboard, mouse and controller has demonstrated that its kit can be used with Microsoft's virtual desktop environment, making it easier, quicker and more intuitive to get stuff down within a VR realm.

  By Rachel England Read More

• Garmin built a Spider-Man activity tracker for kids

  Spider-Man is seemingly everywhere this year. The web slinger jumped off cinema screens in Avengers: Infinity War and on to his first console game in years, the universally-acclaimed Marvel's Spider-Man for PS4. Just in time to cash in on the craze, he's getting his own Garmin Vivofit Jr. 2. The shrunken activity tracker for kids already boasts a bunch of colourful editions (including Disney Princesses) and now you can get it in two new Spider-Man themes that match his outfit, red and navy (sold separately).

  By Saqib Shah Read More

• Fitbit leans hard into healthcare with a new enterprise offering

  Today, Fitbit launched a new platform called Fitbit Care aimed at employers, health plans and health system that is aimed at wellness and preventing and managing disease. Fitbit Care is a combination of health coaching and and virtual care through the Fitbit Plus app, along with fitness tracking through the company's wearable devices.

  By Swapna Krishna Read More

• Withings makes its comeback with the Steel HR Sport

  In 2016, Nokia bought Withings, which was then renamed to Nokia Health as part of an overall strategy to re-enter the consumer market -- but that didn't quite work out as planned. The health and fitness industry is apparently a lot harder than it looks, and Nokia wanted out. As luck would have it, Withings co-founder Eric Carreel decided to buy it back, with big plans to revive the brand once more. Today, it's unveiling a new logo, a new website, a new app and, last but not least, a new product. That product would be the Steel HR Sport, which renews the company's focus on fitness.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Apple releases watchOS 5 with fitness upgrades and smarter Siri

  If you have an Apple Watch and aren't determined to buy Series 4, your upgrade is here. Apple has released watchOS 5 right on schedule, promising big updates to fitness and Siri as well as a few apps that were arguably overdue. You now have automatic workout detection , competition with friends, advanced run tracking and expanded workouts that include hiking and yoga. Siri, meanwhile, no longer needs to wait for "hey Siri" when you raise your wrist, and the Siri watch face both provides more info (including Siri Shortcuts) and third-party app support.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Elvie’s wearable breast pump promises silent, hands-free pumping

  Elvie, a company that previously released a connected kegel trainer, has developed a cordless, wearable breast pump that aims to make life a little easier for nursing mothers. Like the Willow Pump, it fits inside of a standard nursing bra, allowing for hands-free pumping. But unlike the Willow, Elvie's model doesn't require a separate, disposable bag with which to collect pumped milk. Instead, the milk is collected in a reusable, BPA-free bottle that's dishwasher and microwave safe. And importantly, Elvie claims the device is silent.

  By Mallory Locklear Read More

• Smartwatches promised to make us healthier, and they finally might

  It's been a big week for smartwatches. Big month, really. On Wednesday, Apple unveiled the latest version of its Watch, which -- in addition to cosmetic updates -- got new features like an FDA-cleared ECG app, irregular heart rate notification and fall detection. Meanwhile, Qualcomm launched a new made-for-wearables chip that promises much better battery life. Google also just released the latest iteration of Wear OS, which places your health data front and center. The company also worked with the American Heart Association (AHA) to come up with the new Fit app's health-tracking system to encourage users to engage in more cardio activity.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• Polar's latest watches know if you're maximizing your workouts

  Polar has a way to compete against ever more fitness-savvy smartwatches: offer exercise tracking that's difficult to match. It's launching two fitness watches, the Vantage V (above) and Vantage M (below), that promise more insights for particularly committed athletes. Both include a Training Load Pro system that melds cardiovascular, muscular and perceived loads into a single metric that gives you a sense of just how effective your workouts are. You'll have a better sense of whether you're overreaching or need to ramp up the intensity. The pro-oriented Vantage V adds a Recovery Pro system whose daily and long-term tracking help you understand when your body has had enough rest.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple’s latest pitch: This gadget will save your life

  The most interesting device Apple announced today wasn't an iPhone; it was the Apple Watch Series 4. On top of some significant design upgrades -- like that drool-worthy edge-to-edge screen -- it's also breaking new ground with its built-in electrocardiogram (ECG). It's the first over-the-counter, consumer-grade device to include that feature, which allows the Apple Watch to detect potentially deadly heart issues like atrial fibrillation. Now the Apple Watch is not only something that can make your life better but also a device that can literally save your life. How can you say no to that?

  By Devindra Hardawar Read More

• Apple's luxurious Watch Edition is no more

  Do you insist on having only the finest materials in your smartwatch? You might be disappointed after today: As hinted at in leaks, the arrival of the Apple Watch Series 4 has marked the end of the luxurious Edition models. From now on, you'll have to "settle" for stainless steel models if you want a little flash. It's a good thing there's a new gold-hued steel model, then.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Apple's latest Watch can sense falls and heart irregularities

  The current Watch 3 is already pretty health-centric, but Apple has taken it to a new level with its latest model. Thanks to a new electric heart sensor built into the backside, the Watch Series 4 can not only detect a low heart rate but also act as an electrocardiogram (ECG). That means it can sense a dangerous condition known as an atrial fibrillation and warn you to talk to your doctor. The Watch Series 4 has received clearance from the FDA and is the first over-the-counter ECG app offered directly to consumers, Apple claimed.

  By Steve Dent Read More

• Apple Watch Series 4 has a sleeker edge-to-edge screen

  After some rather spectacular leaks, the Apple Watch Series 4 is official. The new models represent the first big change in screen size since the smartwatch premiered in 2015, with 40mm and 44mm models packing larger displays (35 percent and 32 percent, respectively) that run much closer to the case edge. Even so, the bodies are thinner than before. The extra visual real estate provides more room for apps, and there's a new watch face that touts as many as eight (!) complications -- yes, that image you saw earlier was real. You'll also see a Mindfulness watch face as well as ones that interact with the edges of the screen.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Montblanc Summit 2 will be the first Snapdragon Wear 3100 watch

  Moments after Qualcomm announced its latest Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset for smartwatches, it also unveiled the first Wear OS device to make use of it: The Montblanc Summit 2. Essentially a sequel of last year's Montblanc wearable, the Summit 2 retains the same premium appeal of the original. It's relatively small, which should be good news to those with slender wrists, and has a simple, elegant appearance. It's "built for travel, fitness or exploration," says Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretski.

  By Nicole Lee Read More

• Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon Wear chip could revitalize smartwatches

  Don't give up on smartwatches just yet. Qualcomm has finally unveiled its latest made-for-wearables processor, which it first teased at Google I/O earlier this year. The new chipset is called the Snapdragon Wear 3100 and succeeds the existing 2100 model you'll find in many smartwatches currently on the market. The 3100 features revamped architecture that should provide the long-lasting and always-ready performance that wearables have been missing for years. The new Wear 3100 platform also integrates with Google's Wear OS and features three new software modes that are designed to maximize battery life and utility in a variety of scenarios.

  By Cherlynn Low Read More

• Garmin adds Deezer to its music-playing fitness watches

  To date, Garmin's music-capable fitness watches have had access to iHeartRadio and... that's about it. You're about to get some much-needed variety, though, as Deezer's music service has finally arrived on Garmin fitness wearables after months of promises. You can store more than 100 tunes on your wrist and sync playlists (including curated workout playlists) like you might with other services on smartwatches, but the ace up Garmin's sleeve may be Deezer's Flow feature. While the mix of favorites and recommendations isn't that special on your phone or PC, it gives you a fresh mix every day -- important when you'd rather not repeat your gym soundtrack.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• Snap's new Spectacles 2 frames are now available

  Snap's second-gen Spectacles are way better than the first and all, but some fashion-conscious users might have passed on buying it because the frame didn't suit their faces. Thankfully, the company seems to understand that a pair of glasses is still a fashion accessory, because it has launched two new designs for Spectacles 2. Starting today, Snap will sell the new styles named Nico and Veronica on the device's dedicated website in the US, Canada and select European countries, including the UK, France, Germany and Italy for US$199.

  By Mariella Moon Read More

Xbox (5)

• Xbox One mouse and keyboard support is coming with Razer's help

  Yes, the rumors were true. Microsoft has confirmed that it's weeks away from adding mouse and keyboard support to the Xbox One (initially for Insiders), and it's enlisting some help from none other than Razer. The gaming-oriented brand will provide the "best possible" experience for input on the console, Microsoft said. There aren't many details as to what that entails (a November 10th Inside Xbox episode will share more), but an earlier Windows Central leak hinted at Chroma RGB lighting compatibility and touted the Turret lapboard as a solution for living room gaming.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 'Forza Horizon 4' activates in-game bonuses for Mixer streams

  Following a move we've seen executed by GTA Online and Facebook, Microsoft is using Forza Horizon 4 in-game bonuses to drive livestreams of the game on both the viewing and broadcasting sides. It gives streamers more reasons to play, and, of course, more opportunities to show it off to potential players.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Twitch tests a redesigned Xbox One app to match the PS4

  Last spring, Twitch launched a redesigned game streaming app for the PS4, and now it's testing a similarly upgraded front end for Xbox One. Currently to the Insiders test group, Microsoft said it's showing off three key adjustments: Live video previews – check out live streams while you browse Better support for past broadcasts – see chat on offline videos Improved stability – the Twitch app has been rebuilt from the ground up to improve your viewing experience Functionally, it's nearly identical to the version currently running on PS4. I gave it a try tonight on my launch Xbox One console, and the app is running more smoothly than the old one did. With video previews pushed up in the UI and menus that pop smoothly into and out of place, it runs more like Microsoft's own Mixer app, while some users report it now supports low-latency streaming with a 1-3 second delay. I tried some broadcasting as well and the only difference I noticed is that it supports a bitrate of up to 6,500kbps. It works smoothly enough that I'd expect to see a wide release sooner rather than later, but anyone in the Insider program can try it out now by opening the beta program's hub app and looking under Insider content.

  By Richard Lawler Read More

• Alexa and Cortana devices can control your Xbox One by voice

  Microsoft's Alexa-Cortana love affair now extends to the console in your living room. As rumored in June, Xbox Insiders in the US can now use Alexa and Cortana voice commands to control Xbox One systems using a new skill that fills in most of the Kinect-sized void. You can turn on (or turn off) your console, navigate to Xbox interface areas, control media playback, capture game media and toggle Mixer broadcasts. These won't be revelations if you've used a Kinect, but it's much more flexible this time around -- and, of course, brings these voice controls to people who've never owned Microsoft's depth camera.

  By Jon Fingas Read More

• 'PUBG’ launch on Xbox brings Sanhok map, but no War Mode

  Bluehole celebrated the full launch of PUBG 1.0 out of its preview phase on Xbox One by adding the small map Sanhok, which debuted on PC back in June, and a special Event Pass. Unfortunately, players will have to wait for War Mode, which will only be available on certain weekends and for special events, starting in mid-September.

  By David Lumb Read More