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Apple’s game subscription service will reportedly cost $5 per month
Apple has been pretty quiet about Apple Arcade, the curated gaming subscription service coming this fall. But a few new details are emerging. 9to5Mac reported that a promotional message in one of the APIs used by the app priced the service at $5 a month. The company hasn't officially announced the price for its "Netflix for Games" service, so that price tag could change. Apple declined to comment after Engadget reached out today for confirmation of the news.
'Superhot' and 'Hotline Miami' hit Nintendo Switch today
Time-bending first-person shooter/puzzler Superhot is on its way to Switch. In fact, you'll be able to play it on the go as of today after it goes on sale in Nintendo's eShop. News of the port leaked a few days back, but now it's official.
'Rainbow Six: Siege' adds a 'Fortnite' style Battle Pass
Ubisoft can't resist the siren's call of introducing Fortnite-like Battle Passes in Rainbow Six: Siege. On top of unveiling the details of Year 4's third season (more on that in a bit), the company has outlined plans for Battle Passes in its tactical shooter. The first phase will be a free "Mini Battle Pass" that has players earning Battle Points to unlock tiers and all-important rewards, such as a Harry Chibi charm if you complete the Pass. The real focus, of course, is the paid tier arriving in the fourth season.
Nintendo says there is no Switch exchange program
You might not want to buy a first-generation Switch with the assumption Nintendo will replace it with a new model. A Nintendo spokesperson has flatly denied that swaps are available, telling The Verge that "we do not have a Nintendo Switch exchange program." It's not clear why customer service representatives are saying otherwise. We've asked for comment, but it could be a matter of PR and service reps receiving conflicting information.
Ask Engadget: I'm a student trying to find my first job or internship
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 our "Ask Engadget" column. This week's question is one we frequently get from students: How can I land a good job after graduation? Weigh in with your advice in the comments -- and feel free to send your own questions along to ask@engadget.com! What are the best resources for finding jobs and internships?
Moto’s 5G Mod is now compatible with the two-year-old Z2 Force
Back when Motorola announced the Moto Z in 2016, one way the company tried to sell consumers on Moto Mods was to promise that they would extend the life of the phone. In a way, Motorola is delivering on that promise with a new update to its 5G Moto Mod. Starting this week, Moto Z2 Force owners with Verizon (Engadget's parent company) can use the accessory to add 5G connectivity to the two-year-old phone. With the update, the accessory is now compatible with three different devices: the aforementioned Moto Z2 Force, as well as 2018's Moto Z3 and the relatively new Z4.
Best Buy’s weekend sale takes up to $200 off the pricey iPad Pro (updated)
Best Buy is running another massive 3-day weekend sale. If that sounds familiar, it's because the retailer slashed prices just a few weeks ago. This time around, Best Buy is cutting prices on the latest entry-level MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. It's offering steep discounts on iPads, Surface notebooks and some of our favorite headphones. The sale runs through Sunday.
What makes the Mac Mini a great computer?
When Apple released a refreshed Mac Mini last year, it had been four years since the last iteration. The 2018 update kept the same sleek unibody but included significant spec boots like an eighth-gen Intel processor and a variety of ports (ethernet, 3.5mm headphone jack, full-size HDMI, four USB-C and two USB-3.0 Type-A). The Mac Mini performs tasks quickly and is easy to customize, but also expensive to upgrade and it also lacks a dedicated GPU. Reviewer Christopher Schodt "liked the machine" but admitted that its drawbacks make it useful for only a limited number of people. He handed the 2018 model a respectable score of 80; users gave it an average score of 76.
Bose 700 headphones review: The pursuit of perfection
Bose once dominated the world of noise-canceling headphones. For years, the company's QuietComfort line was the industry standard, mostly due to it's best-in-class ANC (active noise cancellation). At the time, it was a game-changer for frequent fliers and people trying to block out noisy work environments. Enter Sony's WH-1000X line. Now in its third iteration, the WH-1000XM3 has taken over the top spot with a stellar blend of sound, features and the ability to block out the world. Bose is playing second fiddle, but its 700 headphones pack in a lot of features for $399 in a bid to retake the crown.
Is the Dell XPS 13 the best Windows laptop around?
Very little sums up Devindra Hardawar's feelings about the Dell XPS 13 better than the first sentence of his review: It's "pretty much the best Windows ultraportable around, and you should buy it." That's a bold statement. However, the combination of thin bezels, a compact design and speedy performance helped to earn the laptop a phenomenal score of 93. The only drawbacks were the lack of a full-size SD slot and a reliance on integrated (instead of dedicated) graphics.
What we played in August: Gundam building, 'Fire Emblem: Three Houses'
Welcome back to Engadget's Gaming IRL, a monthly segment where we run down what our editors are playing. This time around, we dive into the new Gundam mobile model building game, and chat about our time with Fire Emblem: Three Houses and the new Wolfenstein side-story, Youngblood. Because who wouldn't want a Nazi murder simulator to go alongside their religious high school anime sim? We'd also love to know what you've been playing, shout out in the comments below!
FAA issues flight ban on 2015 MacBook Pros with faulty batteries
If you have a 2015 model of the 15-inch MacBook Pro, you may want to take up Apple on its free battery replacement offer before bringing it with you on a flight. The US Federal Aviation Administration has banned the model -- particularly those sold between September 2015 and February 2017 -- from flights after Apple issued a recall in June. Cupertino said those laptops' batteries may overheat and pose a safety risk.
Jaguar woos Tesla owners with $3,000 I-Pace EV discount
In a bid to kick start sales of its I-Pace luxury electric vehicle (EV), Jaguar has set its sights at an unlikely target: current Tesla owners. The automaker confirmed to Engadget that it's offering a select group of Tesla owners $3,000 off the price of its I-Pace EV. The offer is also available to anyone who lives in a Tesla-owning household. Those consumers can combine the company's "Tesla Conquest" incentive with a $5,000 dealer discount and $7,000 allowance credit to get $15,000 off the I-Pace. With all three discounts, the base model costs $54,500, instead of $69,500.
Google Pixel owners can claim up to $500 in class action settlement
Google's settlement over faulty Pixel microphones has largely cleared the gauntlet, and it's now time to make a claim -- though how much you'll get depends on how well you qualify. The tech giant is offering up to $20 to any US resident who bought a Pixel or Pixel XL made before January 4th, 2017 and didn't receive a replacement made after January 3rd of that year (or refurbished after June 5th). That's true whether or not you suffered from the mic flaw. To get any more, though, you'll have to put in more effort.
Nike rolls out a subscription service for kids’ sneakers
Whether for streaming, productivity software, health-tracking apps, clothing or deliveries, companies are increasingly adopting a subscription model to keep customers hooked and bring in revenue. The latest to join the fray is Nike, which on Monday unleashed a subscription service for kids' sneakers called Nike Adventure Club.
Microsoft drops one-off Office licenses from its Home Use Program
From Netflix to phone apps, tech companies love to chase that sweet, reliable subscription money. Microsoft is no different, joining the charge to sell its Office products as a subscription service. While users have traditionally purchased the Office suite as a one-off perpetual license, the company is pushing customers toward an annual subscription instead.
Jaybird Vista review: The best true wireless buds under $200
For any truly wireless earbuds to be worth a damn, they need to be comfortable, sound great, and fit securely. Jaybird's new Vista buds ($180) hit all those benchmarks — and more. They're fully waterproof and sweatproof. They're incredibly light, weighing just 6 grams, or as much as a sheet of paper. And they sound significantly better than Jaybird's Run, its last wireless earbuds, or any of the company's previous headphones. After spending a few weeks with the Vista, they're easily my favorite workout headphones of the year.
Ask Engadget: How can students score free A/V software?
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 our "Ask Engadget" column. This week's question asks what kind of software deals are available to students. Weigh in with your advice in the comments -- and feel free to send your own questions along to ask@engadget.com! "What are the best free replacement programs for popular audio or digital imaging software? I hear that Libre Office and GSuite will replace most MS Office programs, but what about Photoshop or Pro Tools?"
Thank Google for making it harder to find a phone-repair service
Imagine you dropped your smartphone and its display shattered -- something that happens around 50 million times in the US each year. Unless you're pretty handy, your first port of call is likely to be Google to look for a nearby repair store, but there's a problem. The search engine has blocked paid-for ads below relevant search terms, making it harder to find help.
How would you rate Apple's newest AirPods?
The original Airpods from 2016 had issues with sound quality and fit, but the second generation packed in a few upgrades, including a H1 chipset that bolstered Bluetooth connection speeds and a wireless charging case. In his review Senior Editor Chris Velazco also approved of the new Airbuds' consistent wireless performance and extended battery life. However, the upgrades were not enough to wow Chris entirely; he still thought the earbuds lacked audio quality and a truly comfortable fit.
