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Spotify will end support for third-party DJ apps on July 1st
DJing is no longer about two turntables and a fader -- laptops and tablets are essential tools of the trade. Apps like djay help performers beat-match, remix songs and trigger samples, and have the added convenience of cloud-based library integration. However, Spotify -- one of the most popular streaming services -- is pulling support for all third-party DJ apps. It's not clear why the company is longer allowing access to its immense library of music, but Engadget has reached out to hopefully learn more.
The Morning After: NASCAR's using esports to fill in for canceled races
Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Need something familiar to relax with after a long week? Try out the new Nokia-branded phones that were just announced. That includes handsets that an exec said "are supporting the highest number of 5G new radio bands, by far, that you've ever seen in a single design, to date." On the other hand, if 5G isn't your thing -- and not because you've watched a few too many conspiracy videos on YouTube -- then there are cheap Android Go handsets that are the first ones with Google's new camera app and even a few candybar-shaped feature phones for good measure. -- Richard
GDC could return to San Francisco as a 3-day event in August
When GDC's organizers cancelled the annual conference due to the coronavirus outbreak, they said they were hoping to host another even in the summer. Now, they've officially announced GDC Summer, a three-day "celebration of all things game development." It'll be some sort of GDC lite event that would still feature expert-led talks and a two-day expo show. The organizers are promising a new series of microtalks and fireside chats, as well as dedicated space for comprehensive career development sessions for new developers.
Essential designer shows off the phones that might've been
Earlier this year, Essential, Android creator Andy Rubin's once high-profile phone startup, shut down. Besides Project Gem, a concept device it teased late last year, the company had released only one phone: the striking but flawed Essential Phone. However, now we have some idea of what could have been had Essential made more devices.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 review: Pricey and impressive
Sennheiser debuted its first true wireless earbuds in 2019. And while the Momentum True Wireless had that stellar sound profile the company is known for, there were a number of things that made them frustrating to use. Now the company is back with the Momentum True Wireless 2 ($299.95). It added active noise cancellation (ANC) and improved battery life, but the earbuds are still just as pricey.
The first digital wristwatch gets a modern update
Back in 1970, a company called Hamilton launched the first digital wristwatch ever, and it became such a huge hit Roger Moore wore it as James Bond in Live And Let Die. Now, the historic wristwatch is back, with some modern upgrades, for its 50th anniversary. The Hamilton PSR looks just like the Pulsar Time Computer -- that's what the original watch was called -- and even uses a similar pushbutton illumination system.
The Morning After: PS5 specs plus MacBook Air and iPad Pro updates
Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. After a lull, new hardware announcements are creeping back in. Sony followed up on Microsoft's Xbox Series X spec reveal with its own numbers-heavy rundown for the PS5. With GDC canceled it came off as a pretty dry spectacle -- I'm not sure why the company teased the stream yesterday. For those looking to scrutinize teraflops and other vital statistics, though, it was everything they'd need. Hours earlier, Apple revealed a new iPad Pro with a 3D-sensing camera and a companion keyboard accessory that adds a trackpad, too. It also had a new MacBook Air with its own much-improved keyboard, while keeping it just under the $1,000 mark. Note there were no splashy press events or gatherings, however. It's a time of digital briefings on teleconference software, where most won't get to touch a device -- at least not immediately. It makes for drier meetings, but that's the new reality for the time being. -- Mat
Watch Sony's PS5 deep dive in under 10 minutes
Today Sony revealed a ton of information and specs about the upcoming PlayStation 5. Everything from its speedy SSD, details on the clock speed of its CPU and GPU and plans for 3D audio are now revealed. If you tuned in for the hour-long livestream then you've probably heard everything, but if you'd prefer to cut out any filler or just get a quick replay then we have the solution. Besides a rundown of known PS5 specs compared to the Xbox Series X, we have this ten minute video that brings just the parts you need from Sony's presentation. It's the fastest way to get caught up on how Sony's next box will "shape the future of games."
PlayStation 5 will feature a 10.2-teraflop GPU and a speedy custom SSD
It's been almost a year since Sony started talking about the PlayStation 5 in an uncharacteristically revealing Wired interview. We learned the next-generation console will be powered by AMD's third-generation Ryzen CPU and a custom Radeon Navi GPU. Additionally, it'll support hardware-accelerated ray-tracing and feature speedy SSD storage. But beyond confirming the name "PlayStation 5" and announcing a familiar-looking logo, Sony hasn't given us many specific details about the console -- certainly not as many as Microsoft has around the Xbox Series X, which on paper has similar hardware.
Watch Sony's PlayStation 5 'deep dive' right here at 12PM ET
At last, Sony is ready to divulge some more PlayStation 5 details. The company has been rather hush-hush since lead architect Mark Cerny revealed some basic specs and system features in a Wired interview last year. Sony has divulged the console's name, release window and logo, sure, but there's still so much that we don't know. Well, we should find out a little more in a video that kicks off today at 9AM PT/12PM ET. It will be hosted by Cerny and offer "a deep dive into PS5's system architecture, and how it will shape the future of games," Sony explained in a tweet. Excited? So are we. For all the juicy tidbits, be sure to watch the livestream below.
Google debuts 'Works With Chromebook' badge for accessories
If you've ever bought a cable, a charger or any other accessory that ended up incompatible with the device it's meant for, you'll likely appreciate Google's latest "Works With" badge. The tech giant has debuted the "Works With Chromebook" logo, which can give you a sure way to know that you're not wasting your money on something you can't use with a Chromebook device.
The Morning After: 'Westworld' remembers that TV can be fun
Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Now that Movies Anywhere has supplanted Ultraviolet as the digital video locker of choice, it's apparently time to start adding some features. The formerly Disney branded setup is much smoother to operate than the old locker system, and it now has announced a closed beta for Screen Pass. That's a feature that enables you to share up to three films per month with other users. It's a nice thing to have among friends and encourages more people to sign up for the service just to get tossed a few free movies from people they know. The only thing that bothers me is that, at least right now, its implementation falls short of what Ultraviolet was doing a decade ago. An overlooked part of the old service worked like this: "Ultraviolet also allows consumers to share their entire Ultraviolet digital library with other members on their account, and they can even watch the same title simultaneously from different locations." Vudu even launched its own variation with Share My Movies, which let others stream or download movies for viewing on almost any screen. So far, the Movies Anywhere version works on much less than an entire library -- and with more restrictions. There's no downloading, and according to the FAQ, you can only send movies if you've redeemed a code or bought something via a participating retailer in the past six months. If it's easier for people to use then that's good, but on its face, it appears less functional than what it replaces. That's not the kind of progress I was hoping for. -- Richard
Apple accidentally listed four new iPad Pro models on its website
An iPad Pro refresh could be imminent if what appears to be an accidental leak on Apple's part is any indication. Over on its Chinese website, the company temporarily listed four new iPad Pro models in a support document. Canadian Apple blog iPhone in Canada was the first website to spot and screenshot the manual before Apple updated it to remove any references to the new tablets.
That quirky e-reader you could draw on is back
The second version of reMarkable, the e-paper table you can doodle on, is now available for pre-order. A Norwegian startup of the same name launched the original version back in 2017 to provide people an easy way to digitize handwritten notes. The company says that reMarkable 2 is "the most paper-like digital device the industry has ever seen." It's 0.19-inch thin -- reMarkable claims it's the world's thinnest tablet -- and boasts the company's completely redesigned second-generation Canvas display that's partially powered by e-ink technology. You can pre-order the device, which is slated to start shipping in June, from its official website for $399.
Sony will reveal more PlayStation 5 details in a livestream tomorrow
It's time. In a tweet, Sony announced that it will be hosting a livestream tomorrow about the PlayStation 5. The broadcast will start on the PlayStation blog at 9AM PT (12PM ET/4PM GMT) and be hosted by Mark Cerny, the console's lead system architect and director of both Knack games. According to Sony, the presentation will provide "a deep dive into PS5's system architecture, and how it will shape the future of games."
The Morning After: What's inside the Xbox Series X?
Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. Monday morning brought a flood of new information about the Xbox Series X. No, Microsoft's reps did not reveal a price or any details on why we should still expect new consoles to launch as planned later this year, but they did toss around a lot of technical terms for us to bury ourselves in as an alternative to dealing with other problems. Whether you're a gamer or not, Xbox Velocity Architecture could represent a significant shift in computing, with SSDs ready to deliver massive amounts of data faster than ever before. For game consoles, that means multiple titles on standby and ready to launch in an instant even after a reboot or system update, but it also reduces the load on the CPU. Microsoft says the DirectStorage tech that underlies the technology and all of its compression/decompression magic is coming to Windows, too, and I can't wait to see it. The Seagate-only-at-launch expansion slot, however, is a bit concerning. Microsoft also explained its use of new HDMI 2.1 features and how the system lowers latency between your controller inputs and every frame that displays on the screen. Using the One S and One X, it worked with the TV industry for several years to promote variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low latency mode (ALLM). Now, a healthy ecosystem of capable Ultra HD screens should be ready and waiting whenever the Series X boxes arrive. -- Richard
US ITC to probe Apple and Samsung over touchscreen patent complaint
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has announced that it will launch a probe on Apple, Samsug and other tech companies that manufacture certain touch devices. Its decision was prompted by a complaint filed by Ireland-based company Neodron, which accused several device manufacturers of infringing on its touchscreen-related patents.
San Diego police ban Clearview AI's facial recognition tool
The backlash to Clearview AI's facial recognition tool is extending beyond tech companies and civil liberties groups. San Diego's police department and district attorney's office have confirmed that they banned use of Clearview AI in recent weeks. However, that wasn't before they were used in free trials. Police Lieutenant Shawn Takeuchi said that two detectives used Clearview for investigating financial crimes in tandem with "partners in the banking industry," while the DA office's Steve Walker said that eight investigators tried the tech in cases that didn't lead to charges.
Best Buy knocked $70 off the Instant Pot Viva
Instant Pots go on sale fairly often, but it's rare for them to drop below $60. Today, Best Buy is selling the Instant Pot Viva six-quart, 9-in-1 pressure cooker for just $50. This model's original list price is $120, so that's a significant, $70 discount.
Oculus Quest update will make it easier to multitask
Facebook is introducing a new system experience that it says makes its standalone Quest VR headset "more flexible, social and easy to use than ever before." The centerpiece of the upcoming update is a redesigned universal menu Facebook claims will organize information more clearly, as well as provides faster access to your favorite apps with a menu that displays the ones you use most frequently.
