Author Archives: Steve Dent

Samsung’s Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Windows Copilot+ laptop supports Android AI features

Posted on by

Samsung has launched its new line of Galaxy Book5 laptops with the Pro 360, a Copilot+ enabled Windows 11 PC with Intel's latest Core 2 CPU and Arc GPU. Unusually, it also supports some Android AI features like Circle to Search with Google that work by connecting the PC to a smartphone.

Intel's latest Core Ultra processor (Series 2) provides the needed Copilot+ performance with four times the NPU (neural processing unit) power of its predecessor. It also uses Intel's Arc GPU to run Samsung's "most premium PC display." That display uses Dynamic AMOLED 2X tech that improves outdoor visibility, while offering 3K resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. 

The new chips also help the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 deliver up to 25 hours of video playback and the battery can be charged back up quickly (35 percent in 30 minutes). It also features Wi-Fi 7 support, Dolby Atmos and more.

Samsung's Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is its first laptop with Copilot+
Samsung

It's the AI features that Samsung wants to spotlight, though. Along with Copilot+, the new model uses Microsoft Phone Link to connect to "select mobile devices and bring Galaxy AI's intelligent features to a larger display," Samsung wrote. 

Some of those AI features include Circle to Search with Google, a feature that uses AI to provide more info about text, an image or anything else you circle with your finger or touch on a webpage. Others include Chat assist (providing suggested replies to conversations), Live Translate and Transcript Assist, which converts recorded meetings to written notes and summaries. 

It's not clear exactly how those features will work, as they're primarily intended for mobile use. However, it looks like you have to link the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 to a supported mobile device like Samsung's Galaxy S24 or Pixel phones which support Circle to Search and other features. In the press release footnotes, Samsung says that the features may be limited to certain smartphone models, markets and Android versions. 

The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 will be available in select markets including Canada, France, Germany, the UK and the US starting in September, but no pricing has been released. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/samsungs-galaxy-book5-pro-360-windows-copilot-laptop-supports-android-ai-features-123046679.html?src=rss

Hyundai is planning to build its wild N Vision 74 concept EV

Posted on by

A couple of years ago Hyundai introduced a wild EV supercar concept called the N Vision 74 designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiario. Now, it looks like that vehicle will go into production in some form, according to several slides in the company's investor day presentation. 

In a slideshow released with the presentation, Hyundai showed off its full EV lineup including 21 models to be released by 2030. Along with the affordable Casper, mass-market Hyundai and luxury Genesis brands, it revealed a "Hyundai N (vision 74") high-performance EV that also carries the "Genesis Magma" branding. 

Hyundai is planning to build its wild N Vision 74 concept EV
Hyundai

The next slide states that the "N Inherits Motorsports Heritage," adding that it's a "high-performance EV delivering consistent driving pleasure and experience." The luxury Genesis brand will soon include "high-end EVs" as well, with both the N and Genesis models building on the current Ioniq EV lineup. 

Late last year, Motor1 reported that Hundai would build the N Vision 74 in very limited numbers, with 70 road and 30 racing models for just a 100 in total, though Hyundai refuted the rumor.

The original N Vision 74 concept promised a 62.4-kWh battery pack along with an 85kWh hydrogen-powered fuel-cell stack with a 10-pound fuel tank, for a range around 373 miles. It featured two rear electric motors outputting 670 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai appears to have dropped the hydrogen part of the concept that, as the Hundai N (vision 74) is described only as a high-performance EV.

If you're think N-model looks like a DeLorean, you're onto something as Giugiario designed that legendary '80s supercar as well. Other notables from the Italian designer include the Lotus Esprit, Maserati Quattroporte and Nikon's F3 SLR camera. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/hyundai-is-planning-to-build-its-wild-n-vision-74-concept-ev-130032327.html?src=rss

Amazon’s Remarkable Alexa will reportedly run on Claude AI and cost $5-10 per month

Posted on by

Amazon's next-gen "Remarkable" Alexa assistant will be powered by Anthropic's Claude AI, cost $5-10 per month and arrive in October ahead of the holidays, five sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. 

The company originally planned to use in-house software for the new chat assistant, but it reportedly struggled with latency issues, taking up to six or seven seconds to acknowledge a request and reply, one source said. By contrast, Claude — a rival to Google's Bard, ChatGPT and others — performed better. 

Amazon didn't confirm the story, but said that it uses language models from partners as well as its own. "When it comes to machine learning models, we start with those built by Amazon, but we have used, and will continue to use, a variety of different models — including (Amazon AI model) Titan and future Amazon models, as well as those from partners — to build the best experience for customers," a spokesperson told Reuters. 

Since last year, reports indicated Amazon was planning to supercharge Alexa with generative AI features. Remarkable Alexa will supposedly allow complex prompts like composing and sending emails while ordering dinner, all from a single command. It will also offer upgraded home automation capability, deeper personalization and, of course, shopping advice. 

The latter is key for the company, as Alexa has long been an unprofitable business. Late last year, it laid off several hundred people who were working on the voice assistant.

In September 2023, Amazon announced it had invested $4 billion in Anthropic, promising its customers early access to the AI. Earlier this year, Anthropic boasted that Claude 3 scored better than ChatGPT 4 on key benchmarks including math, coding, reasoning and knowledge. 

Remarkable Alexa (still an internal codename only) reportedly won't be offered as a Prime benefit and users may need new devices to run the upgraded AI properly. Any monthly fee is likely to be a tough sell to consumers, as Amazon will continue to offer its "classic" voice assistant for free. In any case, the company's plans could still change if the updated voice AI fails to meet internal benchmarks, Reuters' sources said. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazons-remarkable-alexa-will-reportedly-run-on-claude-ai-and-cost-5-10-per-month-122532161.html?src=rss

The best instant cameras for 2026

Posted on by

Instant cameras have become a popular category for one simple reason: they’re fun. You can whip one out at a party or event and take a snap, then a couple of minutes later you have a real, physical, instant photo that everyone can touch, feel and enjoy instead of staring at a screen. It’s also a lot cooler than a smartphone shot thanks to the retro, nostalgic vibes of analog photography.

Given the large number of camera brands on the market, choosing one can be tricky. That’s why we’ve put together this buying guide that will help you choose the best instant camera for you based on factors like price, instant film size, photo quality and more.

The main factor for most people is the size of the film. When most people think of retro instant cameras, they think of a square image size. That’s why Instagram, which used to have a Polaroid-like app icon, only supported square images for years. If that’s what you want, then Fuji’s Square or either of Polaroid’s formats are best.

However, if you want as large an image as possible, Fujifilm’s Instax wide is the way to go. For those who prefer a smaller size to pin on their fridge or slip in an envelope (or the cheaper film), Fujifilim’s Instax Mini or Polaroid’s Go format are best.

With that in mind, here are the choices. Fujifilm’s Instax alone offers three formats: Mini, Square and Wide, with film sizes of 3.4 x 2.1 inches, 3.4 x 2.8 inches and 3.4 x 4.3 inches. The corresponding image sizes are 2.44 x 1.81 inches, 2.44 x 2.44 inches and 2.44 x 3.9 inches.

Leica’s Sofort 2 and Lomography models also uses Fujifilm’s Mini format, while Polaroid’s smaller Go format is 2.64 x 2.13 inches (1.81 x 1.83-inch image) and its i-Type size is 3.46 x 4.21 inches, with a square image size of 3.11 x 3.11 inches.

As for prices, Fujifilm’s Instax films are generally around $1 - $1.20 per shot for square or wide color film and $.60 - $.75 for mini color film. Those prices go up a bit if you choose custom models with colorful or patterned borders, and down if you buy in bulk. Polaroid’s i-Type film is a bit more at about $2.00 per shot or $1.00 - $1.35 per shot for Go color film.

Image quality isn’t really the point with instant cameras of course, as they’re always going to be fuzzy compared to digital photos. However, some models (notably Fujifilm and Polaroid models) are a bit better than others.

And in terms of pricing for the cameras themselves, models with larger film are generally more expensive. It also increases if you add hybrid features like USB-C connectivity, smartphone sharing, the ability to print out photos and more, along with niceties like a selfie mirror. The best, most feature-laden cameras can cost upwards of $200 and basic versions can be well under $100.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/best-instant-camera-120034778.html?src=rss

Samsung expands its UST projector lineup with the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9

Posted on by

After teasing them at CES 2024 earlier this year, Samsung has officially launched the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 ultra short throw (UST) 4K projectors. They offer enhanced picture quality compared to the previous Premiere LSP9T and LSP7T models, particularly in the areas of brightness and color accuracy. Samsung's main goal with the new products, it said, was to give buyers a "cinematic experience."

Smart TV features are available via Samsung's Tizen OS, offering access to Samsung TV Plus, Netflix, YouTube and other streaming services. The newly integrated Samsung Gaming Hub also comes with more than 3,000 titles from Xbox and others, with no console needed. Both models include 4K AI upscaling and Vision Booster, which automatically adjusts color and contrast for different lighting conditions.

The Premiere 7 looks like a solid mid-range contender in the UST category with 2,500 ISO lumens of brightness and 100 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 HDR standard. That should allow for accurate colors and expanded dynamic range, though most projectors fall well short of required HDR specs in terms of brightness. 

Speaking of HDR, the Premiere 7 only offers HDR10, while others like the Formovie Theater can handle Dolby Vision content. As for sound, it comes with Dolby Atmos tech and 30W 2.2ch speakers.

Samsung expands its UST projector lineup with the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 4K models
Samsung

Meanwhile, the Premiere 9 sits a notch below the Premiere 8K UST projector also announced at CES. With the triple laser engine, it ups the brightness to 3,450 ISO lumens, below the Premiere 8K's 4,000 lumens but higher than most 4K UST projectors (Epson's EpiqVision Ultra LS800W 4K 3LCD projector is a notable exception with 4,000 ISO lumens). 

It also comes with Samsung's answer to Dolby Vision, HDR10+. Considering the brightness and 154 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy, the picture should be impressive. It also features 40W speakers with Dolby Atmos in a 2.2.2 channel up-firing configuration. 

Samsung projectors can be expensive compared to others and the new models are no exception. The Premiere 7 retails for $2,999, while the Premiere 9 doubles that to an eye-watering $5,999. Both models are now available at samsung.com and across select retailers. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/samsung-expands-its-ust-projector-lineup-with-the-premiere-7-and-premiere-9-150002515.html?src=rss

Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli ordered to surrender copies of one-off Wu-Tang Clan album

Posted on by

Convicted felon and ex-pharmacy profiteer Martin Shkreli has been ordered to surrender all his copies of a one-off Wu-Tang Clan album he used to own, ArtNet reported. The preliminary injunction, issued by federal judge Pamela Chen, was made on behalf of an NFT collective called PleasrDAO, the current owner of the record. 

As part of the ruling, the court ordered Shkreli to turn over all copies to his attorney within a week, along with an affidavit confirming he'd done so (under penalty of perjury). He must provide an inventory of all copies of the album, a list of anyone who may have received it and any money made from distribution.

The judgement could prove a challenge for Shkreli. In a May 2024 podcast, he reportedly said he copied the album and "sent it to like, 50 different chicks," while also boasting that "thousands of people have listened to it," according to PleasrDAO's original complaint.

Shkreli — who became infamous for buying and jacking up the price of life-saving AIDS medication Daraprim — purchased the only copy of the Wu-Tang album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin back in 2015 for a reported $2 million at auction. Following his securities fraud conviction, the album was seized along with other assets to satisfy a forfeiture judgement. The government then sold the album in 2021 to PleasrDAO for $4.75 million. 

However, that group sued Shkreli in June 2024, accusing him of streaming the music as part of a "Wu-Tang Official Listening Party" on social media. To promote that, he reportedly boasted in a now-deleted video that he made copies "hidden in safes around the world." In June, Judge Chen issued restraining order requiring Shkreli to stop distributing the album and to appear in court to explain why he should be allowed to keep his copies. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-ordered-to-surrender-copies-of-one-off-wu-tang-clan-album-120013576.html?src=rss

Fortnite’s second Marvel season puts Doctor Doom center stage

Posted on by

Marvel supervillain and Fantastic 4 foil Doctor Doom is everywhere these days. After appearing at Comic Con as Robert Downey Jr.'s latest role, the green-caped menace will be heavily featured in Fortnite's Chapter 5 Season 4 as part of the Absolute Doom battle pass, Epic announced. 

"Wielding the ancient power of Pandora’s Box, Marvel's armored despot Doctor Doom has transplanted his Latvarian domain to the Battle Royale Island and seized a foothold with his army of loyal henchmen," according to Fortnite's blog.

On top of Doom, you'll get characters like War Machine, Gwenpool, Mysterio and, of course, the Fantastic Four. The island will also feature themed locations like Doomstadt and Castle Doom and Marvel-themed weapons are on tap, including Captain America's shield (previously seen in Fornite's 2019 Avenger's Endgame event) and Doom's own Arcane Gauntlets. 

It's Fortnite's second Marvel-themed season, with the previous August 2020 romp offering Iron Man, Storm and a different version of Doctor Doom. We've also seen Deadpool, various X-Force members and other Marvel heroes before. 

Along with its Marvel cast, Disney is also bringing its own villains and characters to the new season including Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, Maleficent and The Incredibles. This is likely no coincidence, as Disney recently bought a $1.5 billion stake in Epic Games — so expect more of the same down the road. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnites-second-marvel-season-puts-doctor-doom-center-stage-120027832.html?src=rss

Steam reviews are now a little more useful but a little less fun

Posted on by

Steam reviews tend to be a medley of serious, helpful, jokey and meme-y, but Valve is looking to switch that vibe up a bit. The company has started publicly testing a new "helpfulness" system that will bring useful reviews to the top and effectively demote the fun ones, depending on what the user wants to see.

"User reviews that are identified as being unhelpful for potential customers, such as one-word reviews, reviews comprised of ASCII art, or reviews that are primarily playful memes and in-jokes, will be sorted behind other reviews on the game’s store page," the company said.

Steam reviews are now a little more useful but a little less fun
Less of this
Valve

The new "helpfulness" button is toggled on by default and works only when you're in the "summary" and "most helpful" views. When enabled, you'll see reviews with the highest scores in terms of helpfulness up top, with jokey but relatively useless reviews pushed down below. Unticking the helpfulness box will bring back Steam's old review system. 

Comments both negative and positive are evaluated using AI algorithms, user reports and Steam's moderators. In a FAQ, Steam said it will "take quite a while" to rate the 140 million+ existing reviews, and longer still for recently published ones. 

"That doesn't mean players won't ever see... humorous, but unhelpful posts, but it hopefully means that they’ll see them less frequently when trying to learn about a game," Valve wrote. "The primary goal of Steam User Reviews is to help potential players make informed decisions about the games they are considering purchasing."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/steam-reviews-are-now-a-little-more-useful-but-a-little-less-fun-110038814.html?src=rss

Google announced a 45W USB-C charger that’s faster than its new Pixel 9 phones can handle

Posted on by

To support its latest Pixel 9 phones with faster charging speeds, Google has quietly unveiled a new 45 watt charger. That speed is well beyond what its latest devices can handle, so it may allow for future device support.  

Charging rates are a mixed bag with the new Pixel 9 phones. The Pixel 9 charges at 27W, the same as before, and the Pixel 9 Pro also charges at 27W, less than the Pixel 8 Pro's 30W. The new Pixel 9 Pro XL, however charges at 37W, up considerably from any previous model (the PIxel 9 Pro Fold's 21W max charging speed is unchanged).

The previous charger topped out at 30W, matching the Pixel 8 Pro's maximum rate, but the new 45W model has an extra 8W of capacity over the Pixel 9 Pro XL. That could allow Google to use the same charger for the Pixel 10, much as it used the 30W charger for both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8.

It's nice to have the extra charging speeds on the Pixel Pro XL (and no other model) and it does keep pace with its primary competitor, Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra (45W). However, some Chinese phones like the Redmi Note 12 Explorer (210W) and Realme GT5 (240W) leave them both in the dust. The latter, for instance, can go from empty to a 100 percent charge in less than 10 minutes. The fastest-charging phone currently sold in the US is the OnePlus 12 (80W).

Google's new charger sells for $30, which is a decent price if you want to stick with the brand. However, you can find a fully compatible Anker or third-party 45W USB-C PD charger for $20 any day of the week. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-announced-a-45w-usb-c-charger-thats-faster-than-its-new-pixel-9-phones-can-handle-120035213.html?src=rss

PUBG: Battlegrounds publisher acquires Hi-Fi Rush studio after Microsoft shut it down

Posted on by

Under a cloud of studio closures and layoffs, there's a sliver of sunshine in the gaming business. After being closed by Microsoft in May, Hi-Fi Rush studio Tango Gameworks has been acquired by PUBG: Battlegrounds developer Krafton.

"Krafton intends to collaborate with Xbox and ZeniMax to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks, allowing the talented team to continue developing the Hi-Fi Rush IP and explore future projects," Krafton wrote in a press release spotted by Polygon.

Following its $7.5 billion purchase of ZeniMax in 2021, Microsoft shut down three of its studios, Arkane Austin, Tokyo-based Tango Gameworks and Alpha Dog Studios. Tango was behind several notable titles, including The Evil Within, Ghostwire Tokyo and the rhythm-based brawler Hi-Fi Rush. The latter debuted in 2023 as an exclusive on Xbox Series X and PC, and recently came to PS5 in March this year. 

Krafton said the acquisition will not affect current Tango games including The Evil Within, The Evil Within 2, Ghostwire: Tokyo and Hi-Fi Rush.

Tango Gameworks was founded in 2010 by Resident Evil 4 game director Shinji Mikami and initially made its name with horror titles like The Evil Within. Hi-Fi Rush was a significant departure and became a critical hit with a 10 out of 10 Steam score thanks to the fluid, engaging gameplay and unique graphical style.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pubg-battlegrounds-publisher-acquires-hi-fi-rush-studio-after-microsoft-shut-it-down-120005467.html?src=rss