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Positive Grid unveils ultra-portable Spark Go enhanced guitar amp
Positive Grid has a new ultra-portable version of its high-tech Spark guitar amplifier. Designed for musicians seeking a versatile and powerful practice amp, the 3.5-inch-tall Spark Go works with a companion app loaded with virtual amps, pedals and other effects — and it can even flesh out your sound with AI-powered drums and other backing instruments.
Universal Audio's Spark plugin subscription is now available on PC
It will run audio plugins natively on Windows 10 and 11.
The best Memorial Day tech sales we could find
The best Memorial Day 2022 tech deals include Apple AirPods for $150, Google's Nest Audio for $65, up to $350 off Solo Stove fire pits and 20 percent off Ooni pizza ovens.
Positive Grid Spark Pearl review: A high-tech guitar amp that's easy on the eyes
The Positive Grid Spark is one of, if not the most high-tech practice amp out there and packs a lot of versatility for $299.
Positive Grid's Spark amp helps you learn and jam to your favorite songs
Guitar amps are getting more connected and more flexible. Boss' latest Katana offerings simulates 10 different amp models and 60 effects. While Yamaha's THR line features a rechargeable battery and wireless connectivity. Positive Grid is taking things even further. Its upcoming Spark amplifier adds both learning and musical accompaniment features thanks to its companion mobile app.
Amazon closes down its shopping-focused Instagram rival Spark (updated)
Amazon Spark, the e-commerce giant's social network, has seemingly shut down after only a couple of years. If you don't even know what it is, we don't blame you. You can think of it as Amazon's version of Instagram, except it focuses on shopping discovery and was never quite as popular. Users can tag products available on Amazon on their posts, since the service is specifically aimed at Prime subscribers. As TechCrunch has noted, the service has vanished from the face of the internet, with the amazon.com/spark URL now redirecting to the new #FoundItOnAmazon page.
Spark email app debuts on Android as Inbox gets the axe
For years, iOS and macOS users have had access to Spark, an organization-focussed email app. Until now, Android users were left in the dark, but as of today, Spark is officially available in the Google Play store.
New Zealand ISPs block websites hosting Christchurch shooting video
Internet providers in New Zealand aren't relying solely on companies like Facebook and YouTube to get rid of the Christchurch mass shooter's video. Major ISPs in the country, including Vodafone, Spark and Vocus, are working together to block access at the DNS level to websites that don't quickly respond to video takedown requests. The move quickly cut off access to multiple sites, including 4chan, 8chan (where the shooter was a member), LiveLeak and file transfer site Mega. The block goes away the moment a site complies, and Vodafone told Bleeping Computer that a "number of sites" were unblocked that way.
The best drones for photos and video
By Signe Brewster This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full drones guide here. After 45 hours of research and test flying 14 models, we think the DJI Mavic 2 Pro is the best drone for aspiring aerial photographers and videographers thanks to its high-end camera, autonomous obstacle avoidance, long battery life, and portability. Pilots of all skill levels will find it to be exceptionally reliable and easy to fly. The Mavic 2 Pro features a Hasselblad-branded camera (DJI bought a majority stake in the camera brand in 2017), which captures 20-megapixel photographs and 4K videos that look more colorful than those captured by the competition. Its ability to sense and avoid obstacles in all directions and steadily hold its position even in moderate winds lets you focus on your cinematography instead of worrying about keeping the drone steady. It also features DJI's smart-flight modes like ActiveTrack, which directs the drone to autonomously follow and film a subject while still avoiding obstacles. Its 31-minute battery life means you don't have to land for a battery swap as often as other drones, and at 8.4 by 3.6 by 3.3 inches folded and 2 pounds, you can take the Mavic 2 Pro almost anywhere—it fits exceptionally well in our top pick for drone backpacks. It's also compatible with the DJI Goggles FPV headset we recommend. The Mavic 2 Zoom looks and flies identical to the Mavic 2 Pro, but it trades out the Hasselblad camera in favor of a different camera that can zoom 2 times optically and 2 times digitally (with software that avoids losing detail), for up to 4x usable "lossless" zoom. However, filming with more than 2x zoom will require you to shoot at 1080p instead of 4K. It's a great choice for aerial photographers and videographers who need to work from a distance, whether they're shooting a child's soccer match or wildlife. Like our top pick, it features DJI's obstacle avoidance and smart-flight mode tech, plus a 31-minute battery life and foldable body. If you're just getting into drone photography for personal use and social-media sharing, the DJI Spark is a less expensive model that still includes collision avoidance. Compared to our top pick, the Spark has shorter battery life and range, and it can't capture 4K video (just 1080p), but it weighs half as much and folds up to about the size of your hand. It still includes the important features you need from a video drone, including image and flight stabilization and an included controller, and it has gesture controls and smart-flight modes like ActiveTrack.
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.
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.
DJI unveils Spark drone with cutesy Line Friends bear on it
DJI apparently felt that its tiny Spark drone wasn't quite cute enough. The company has unveiled a version of the Spark that slaps Line Friends' extra-adorable Brown the bear on its back. The rationale? DJI believes the drone is becoming a "lifestyle accessory" -- it's something you might always carry with you, so you might as well have a quadcopter that echoes your style. We'd question that philosophy when you can't see Brown the moment you start using the drone, but it does beat the simple colored shells that usually pass for fashion in the drone world.
The best gadgets of 2017
2017 hasn't been the easiest year to live through, but we've found joy and comfort in some of the hardware we've tested over the last 12 months. Last year, we saw VR surge in prominence, but our picks this year are more conventional -- not to mention more diverse. The usual suspects include the iPhone X and Surface Laptop for getting helping us get things done, and the Nintendo Switch and the Sonos One for their ability to let us luxuriate at home and on the road. There's some more unexpected stuff on our list, too, like the easy-to-use DJI Spark drone as well as the Mighty, a tiny music player that won over much of the Engadget staff. Ultimately, we appreciated these picks for the ways they made our lives more pleasant, even if only a little.
DJI Mavic Pro Platinum edition boasts longer battery life
DJI's Mavic Pro drone already has fantastic battery life, but it's still got nothing on its upgraded sibling. The dronemaker has revealed the Mavic Pro Platinum edition at this year's IFA convention in Berlin, and it boasts 11 percent more battery life than the original version. If the basic variant of DJI's foldable drone can last up to 27 minutes, this model can last up to around 30. Sure, the upgrade only adds a few minutes, but most drones, including known Mavic Pro rival GoPro Karma, only promise around 20 minutes of flight time. That's made even more impressive by the fact that drone's battery cell is tiny.
DJI won't let you fly your Spark drone without a safety update
DJI is no stranger to imposing limits on drones unless you take certain actions, and that's truer than ever right now. The company is releasing new firmware for the Spark this week to tackle problems with in-flight shutdowns, and it's giving users an ultimatum: if you don't update the aircraft or battery by September 1st, the drone won't take off. The company says it made the judgment call to "maximize flight safety and product reliability."
DJI's Spark drone starts recording when you raise your arm
When we reviewed DJI's Spark drone, one of our gripes was the limited set of gesture controls. You can't do everything you want without reaching for your phone. DJI is already taking steps to close those gaps, though. It's delivering a firmware update that adds a gesture for starting and stopping video recording. All you have to do is stand within 6.5 feet of the drone's front and raise your arm at a roughly 45-degree angle like you were waving hello. This does require that you be within the frame when recording starts, but that's fine if you planned to star in your own production -- it beats staring down at a screen.
Flying a DJI Spark by waving your hand isn't as great as it sounds
DJI's Spark is the company's first attempt at a true drone for everyone. DJI has made no secret about the fact it thinks non-RC enthusiasts want a lightweight, compact quadcopter that's easy to control. That's exactly what the Spark is. But after spending some time with it (and a Mavic Pro, for comparison), I'm torn. The Spark is, indeed, incredibly fun, simple to use and easy to carry around. But, the gesture controls aren't as useful, or reliable enough for new pilots. And therein lies the dilemma.
DJI's palm-sized Spark drone delivers epic selfies
Everyone loves taking selfies, even if they don't like to admit it. And if you're looking to take those snaps of yourself to the next level, DJI's new, cutesy Spark drone may be just for you. The company's latest drone is designed to fit on the palm of your hand and can be controlled with motion gestures, letting you take some over-the-top pictures and videos without much effort. You can wave your hand to have move it up or down, right or left and pull it toward or away from you, while a quick gesture that resembles you taking a picture will trigger the camera's selfie mode. The only drawback to this is that the Spark can only go up to 10 feet away from you, and that's where the Spark's companion app and remote control come in.
You can fly DJI's cutesy Spark drone with hand gestures
DJI made a name for itself with its chunky flying Phantom drones, but within the last year we've seen the company really embrace the value of smallness. Despite numerous delays, the Mavic Pro was greeted very positively, and now the company has another small drone — the Spark — made for first-time pilots and drone dabblers alike. DJI likes to call the Spark the "perfect lifestyle accessory," which sounds like a stretch if we've ever heard one, but the company might not be totally off-base. After all, the Spark weighs less than a can of pop, comes in five colors, and can be controlled (at least a little) with simple hand gestures.
Chevy stops making the Spark EV following the Bolt's arrival
It's hard not to take a look at the Chevy Bolt and ask: why on Earth would anyone buy the Spark EV over this? And GM feels the same way, apparently. The automaker has confirmed to Detroit News that it quietly ended production of the Spark EV in summer 2016, about 3 years after it hit the scene. The company hasn't explained why besides saying that it will "build on the great experience of our electrification program," but it's not hard to see why -- the Spark just wasn't as compelling as the Bolt and other modern electric cars.
