Author Archives: Sarah Fielding

Google’s Pixel Tablet is up to $110 off right now

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Update 10/26/24 9am ET: The deal below has expired, but you can get a similar deal on the Pixel Tablet at Wellbots right now. The Pixel Tablet with its charging speaker dock is $110 off and down to $489 when you use the code ENGPIX110 at checkout. You can use the same code to get $110 off the 256GB Pixel Tablet on its own, bringing the final price down to $389.

Tablets might be a cheaper alternative to laptops but they can still cost a good chunk of money. Sales make all the difference and, right now, the 128GB Google Pixel Tablet is available for $275, down from $399. The 31 percent discount brings this tablet to a new all-time low price. The sale is only available if you get the tablet in Porcelain and doesn't come with the speaker dock (though that combo is 11 percent off). 

Google released this Pixel Tablet in summer 2023 and gave us things we really liked and others we weren't wowed with. We gave it an 84 in our review thanks, in large part, to its smart home features. Our reviewer, Cherlynn Low, already had a Nest Mini in her room, but was impressed with how much better the tablet worked. The sound is great — though that was thanks to the Speaker Dock — and its Hub Mode is very useful. It shows you all the devices throughout your home, including camera feeds and switch lamps. 

If you want this device for entertainment and ease then it could be great. However, there were a few aspects that we weren't as keen on. Some of the movements aren't very intuitive and we didn't use it much without the stand. But, it has great battery if you do get it without a dock, lasting 21 and a half hours with 50 percent brightness on our test.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-pixel-tablet-is-cheaper-than-ever-right-now-132239944.html?src=rss

Vimeo brings spatial videos to the Apple Vision Pro

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The Apple Vision Pro has experienced a few new perks since its February release, and the latest comes via Vimeo. The video platform has launched an app for Apple's Vision Pro that allows users to view, create and share spatial videos. "The launch of our Apple Vision Pro app marks a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to push the boundaries of video experiences," said Vimeo CEO Philip Moyer. "This kind of spatial content is the future of storytelling, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this revolution." Content can be sent privately or shared publicly from the iOS and visionOS apps or Vimeo's website.

Users can also capture spatial videos with Vimeo on the iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple is also planning to introduce a Final Cut Pro update by the end of 2024 that lets users edit spatial videos on their Macs. 

We had very mixed feelings when Apple released the Vision Pro. We gave it a 74 in our original review as its immersive video and and micro-OLED screens were very impressive, but its weight and lack of native apps, among other issues, led to us calling it, "a beta product aimed at developers." Two months and a few updates later and we were more impressed thanks to features like Spatial Personas, which makes it feel like avatars are right in your home. Plus, it offers some 3D films for Apple TV+ subscribers and more games. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/vimeo-brings-spatial-videos-to-the-apple-vision-pro-123046749.html?src=rss

Redact-A-Chat is an old-style chatroom that censors words after one use

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If you're a word and game lover like me, then prepare to join me in excitement — and, eventual frustration — as there's a new daily word puzzle of sorts. New York-based art collective MSCHF has introduced an AOL-style chatroom called Redact-A-Chat that censors a word each time someone uses it. Josh Wardle, creator of Wordle, recently worked at MSCHF there for a few years. 

So, how does it work? There's a main chatroom where you can write anything, but if a word gets repeated, then it's covered with a blue blurry line and unavailable for the rest of the day. I got to try it out early, and it seems duplicated words in sentences also lead to the second mention being blurred out. All words become fair game again at midnight. Announcements about newly censored words and when the time starts again come from three one-eyed safety pins reminiscent of the Microsoft Word safety pin. 

In a statement, MSCHF said Redact-A-Chat "forces creative communication. You must constantly keep ahead of the censor in order to continue your conversation. On the other hand, you can be that a**hole who starts working their way through the dictionary to deprive everyone else of language."

If you're unsure about participating in the main room, you can start a chat just for your friends. You just click the create a chat room button, give it a name and it will appear. You can then invite other people to the group with a unique code. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/redact-a-chat-is-an-old-style-chatroom-that-censors-words-after-one-use-180014370.html?src=rss

Meta bans private jet tracking accounts on Instagram and Threads

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It's now harder to know where celebrities are flying to and their carbon emissions, with Meta shutting down Instagram and Threads accounts devoted to tracking private jets, TechCrunch reports. "Given the risk of physical harm to individuals, and in keeping with the independent Oversight Board’s recommendation, we’ve disabled these accounts for violating our privacy policy," Meta told the publication. Deleted accounts include those tracking the flights of Taylor Swift, Bill Gates and, the head of Meta himself, Mark Zuckerberg. 

Jack Sweeney, a college student in his early 20s who runs the accounts, confirmed the news on his personal account. It's the latest in a line of pushback he has faced in the past. In Late 2022, Elon Musk suspended Sweeney's @ElonJet account — which tracked Musk's flights — on X (then Twitter). He soon made an account with the handle @ElonJetNextDay to post Musk's flights with a one day delay. Then, one year later, Taylor Swift's lawyers sent Sweeney a cease-and-desist letter stating, "While this may be a game to you, or an avenue that you hope will earn you wealth or fame, it is a life-or-death matter for our Client."

In May, Sweeney's job became a little bit harder, with the Biden administration allowing anyone with a private aircraft to keep their registration data anonymous. However, Sweeney said tips and other research make it still doable.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-bans-private-jet-tracking-accounts-on-instagram-and-threads-140429820.html?src=rss

You can no longer sign up for Hulu or Disney+ in Apple’s App Store

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New subscribers to Disney+ or Hulu will no longer be able to sign up through Apple's App Store, both Disney-owned platforms announced through updates to their help centers. Instead, individuals are encouraged to visit their browser sites and sign up directly with them. The reason is obvious: Apple takes a 30 percent cut on purchases made through iOS apps, majorly cutting into developers' (and massive companies like Disney's) profits. 

Existing customers can still manage their subscriptions through Apple, though Hulu notes, "If you no longer wish to be billed by Apple, you will need to subscribe directly through Hulu." Not them trying to plant an idea in your head or anything. You would have to cancel your subscription, though, and then sign up again. Hulu also limited Apple-billed subscribers to two options: Hulu with or without ads. Live TV and add ons have to come through its website.

The move comes alongside price increases going into effect for Disney+ and Hulu. Announced back in August, these changes bring the ad-supported Disney+ Basic and Hulu plans to $10 monthly from 8 and the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan to $16 monthly from $14. Ad-free Hulu is now $20 a month, up from $18.

Apple is unlikely to be thrilled with Disney's decision. The 30 percent cut — and Apple's determination to keep it — has led to a series of lawsuits over the years, with companies like Epic and Spotify claiming that Apple had blocked third-party purchases or app stores.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/you-can-no-longer-sign-up-for-hulu-or-disney-in-apples-app-store-123050085.html?src=rss

iOS 18.1 launches next week with Apple Intelligence and AirPods Pro hearing tests and aids

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Apple iOS 18.1 is officially coming next week, bringing hearing aid software for the AirPods Pro 2 and Apple Intelligence across devices, multiple sources report, including The Wall Street Journal and Tech Crunch. The company previously released a beta version of the update in September. Here's what we know about iOS 18.1.

Let's start with the hearing aids. Since late 2022, companies have been allowed to sell hearing aids over-the-counter. Apple announced the new feature at its September keynote event with the FDA approving it for use just a few days later. It involves a test that lets people know if they might have hearing loss and, if you do, it recommends going for a professional exam. It will also allow people to set their AirPods up as hearing aids.

As for the hearing aid aspect, the device will boost sounds and allow users to customize dynamic adjustments in real-time. The one obvious issue? Unlike hearing aids, wearing AirPods while talking to someone might look like you're not engaging or ignoring them. But, if it helps, then it's worth it. The update could also make a big difference in access for individuals with hearing loss. Hearing aids can cost thousands of dollars, while the AirPods Pro 2 are $249 (not nothing, but much better in comparison).

Apple Intelligence is the other major feature coming through iOS 18.1. The company first revealed its take on AI at its June Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). It includes a range of initial features, including smart audio recording and transcriptions for apps like Mail, Notes and Pages. It also has Writing Tools for things like checking spelling and grammar. Apple should release more features for its AI tool in future updates.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ios-181-launches-next-week-with-apple-intelligence-and-airpods-pro-hearing-tests-and-aids-134617152.html?src=rss

Star Trek: Section 31 will premiere on January 25

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It's been over half a decade since we first heard rumblings of a Section 31 spinoff, and now we finally have a release date. Star Trek: Section 31 will be exclusively available on Paramount+ starting Friday, January 25. The news came during a Star Trek universe panel at Comic Con over the weekend.

The movie stars Michelle Yeoh as Emperor Philippa Georgiou, a role she played in Star Trek: Discovery. She joins a "secret division of Starfleet" that must protect the United Federation of Planets while she faces the "sins of her past." Alongside Yeoh, Star Trek: Section 31 stars actors such as Sam Richardson and Omari Hardwick.

An adaptation focused solely on Section 31 and starring Yeoh has been in the works since 2019. At the time, CBS All Access (now Paramount+) announced it would be a TV show focused on her character, Captain Georgiou. Then, in 2023, the production officially got the green light but, instead, as a movie. The news came just one month after Yeoh won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once (lesson: winning prestigious awards can get things going).

Paramount+ released a teaser for Star Trek: Section 31 in July, which you can watch here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/star-trek-section-31-will-premiere-on-january-25-123023747.html?src=rss

Alien: Romulus is coming to VHS

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First, records came back into fashion, and now it could be (*checks notes*) VHS tapes. The last major movie put on VHS was A History of Violence in 2006, but Alien: Romulus, this year's addition to the Alien franchise, is being released as a limited edition VHS tape on December 3rd, The Verge reports. Its director, Fede Alvarez, announced the news at a Beyond Fest-partnered viewing.

The Alien: Romulus VHS tape celebrates the 45th anniversary of Alien, a cultural icon infamously described as "a movie where nobody listens to the smart woman, and then they all die except for the smart woman and her cat." The tape will show viewers Alien: Romulus in a 4:3 aspect ratio and comes in a retro-looking case designed by artist Matt Ferguson.

Alien: Romulus premiered in August and has reportedly garnered $350 million worldwide — we were fans, calling it "a gorgeous and terrifying Alien tale for a new generation." We'll have to wait and see how much VHS sales add to this (seriously, does anyone own a VHS player anymore?), but it will simultaneously be released on 4K-UHD, DVD and Blu-Ray in December. There's no word yet on pricing or quantity for the limited edition VHS tape.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/alien-romulus-is-coming-to-vhs-110055668.html?src=rss

The US Treasury is using AI (a vehicle for fraud) to detect fraud

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AI has been used to defraud people through everything from calling voters to faking celebrity giveaways. Now, the US Treasury Department claims machine learning AI has played a critical part in its enhanced fraud detection processes over the past year — if a broken clock can be right twice a day, maybe AI can do something good one time? 

In a new release, the Treasury states it prevented and recovered "fraud and improper payments" worth over $4 billion over the last fiscal year (October 2023 to September 2024). This number represents a tremendous increase from the previous year, which reached just $652.7 million. One-fourth of the $4 billion apparently comes from recovery by "expediting the identification of Treasury check fraud with machine learning AI." Again, does it feel a bit like making a deal with the devil? Yes. But, such is 2024. 

The $1 billion comes alongside $2.5 billion in prevention from "identifying and prioritizing high-risk transactions" and another $680 million toward additional prevention techniques. 

The Treasury plans to share the technology with other federal agencies, though some have already implemented their own. The IRS, for example, has taken steps to use AI to find tax evaders, automate services and conduct audits. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-us-treasury-is-using-ai-a-vehicle-for-fraud-to-detect-fraud-123845481.html?src=rss

LG’s C3 OLED TVs are more than $600 off before Black Friday

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Update 10/17/24 11:05am ET: Amazon has raised the price of the 55-inch model by $100, which brings the final price down to $1,297. While not quite as low as it was just a few hours ago, that's still about $500 off the original price and a good deal.

I don't know about you but I will be spending most of the upcoming cold months sitting on my couch and watching television (with some books thrown in). The only thing I'm missing is a really good television set and, while I'll be opting for a more budget-friendly pick, I'm tempted by the sale on LG's C3 Series OLED TV. Right now, the 55-inch model is down to $1,197 from $1,800 — a 34 percent discount. The all-time low price isn't the only version on sale, with the 42-inch option dropping to $997 from $1,197.

LG released the C3 series last year as a mid-range OLED option. It offers an a9 AI Processor Gen6, HDR tone mapping, AI upscaling and object-based picture sharpening. The TVs also come with Brightness Booster, which — though not to the level of some of its competitors — makes it easier to watch even in a relatively sunny room. 

If you want the newest model then check out LG's C4 OLED series. The 2024 release is also on sale, with the 55-inch version down to $1,297 from $2,000 — the same 35 percent discount we recently saw on Prime Day. The C4 TVs offer nearly 1,000 nits of brightness and a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz. This model will also wirelessly connect with LG soundbars, foregoing the need for messy cables. 

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/lgs-c3-oled-tvs-are-more-than-600-off-before-black-friday-135916937.html?src=rss