Author Archives: Lawrence Bonk

iRobot’s Roomba Combo Essential robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $200

Posted on by

The iRobot Roomba Combo Essential vacuum and mop hybrid robot is on sale for just $200. That’s a discount of $75 and one of the best prices we’ve seen on this particular model. This version just came out back in April, so a sale this significant (outside of Prime Day) comes as something of a surprise.

This is squarely a budget-friendly entry in the company’s lineup of robot vacuums, but it’s certainly no slouch. As the name suggests, it can handle both vacuuming and mopping duties, which is always nice. The company says this model actually outperforms the popular Roomba 600 Series, with 20 times more suction power.

It boasts a similar smart navigation algorithm as other iRobot vacuums and offers a robust battery life of 120 minutes. That’s certainly long enough to both vacuum and mop an entire home, with time left over to chase the cats around. Like most of the company’s vacuums, there’s an affiliated app that lets people customize various settings and set up cleaning schedules.

There’s one major downside, though this is true of most robovacs in this price range. There’s no dedicated waste bin so you’ll have to stay on top of emptying and cleaning the vacuum yourself. I own a budget-friendly robot vacuum and have never found this to be a huge deal. The emptying process takes under a minute, though you do have to do it after every cleaning session.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/irobots-roomba-combo-essential-robot-vacuum-and-mop-is-on-sale-for-200-151836301.html?src=rss

A nifty hack made Mario a playable character in 1994’s Donkey Kong Country

Posted on by

Mario and Donkey Kong have been rivals, frenemies, go-kart competitors and tennis partners. The Italian plumber once kidnapped Donkey Kong’s son. DK once, uh, took over Mario’s toy company (?) and stole a bunch of little figurines for some reason. They have history. What they haven’t done, however, is appear as playable characters in one another’s platforming adventures. Thanks to a nifty bit of hacking, that just changed.

Mario is a playable character in a hacked version of the SNES classic Donkey Kong Country, due to a ROM programmer called RainbowSprinklez. It’s appropriately named DKC X Mario and this is not a simple sprite swap. We wouldn’t waste your time with that. Mario had to be completely engineered into the game, as his moveset doesn’t exist in the original code. Donkey Kong is a lumbering beast. He doesn’t spin around, double jump and carry items. Check out the video and prepare to be impressed.

This is a Mario that has been pulled from Super Mario World, with regard to both sprites and controls. There are mushrooms to make him grow, fire flowers and, of course, everyone’s favorite dino-thingie Yoshi. Otherwise, this is Donkey Kong Country. The levels are the same. The enemies, consisting primarily of King K. Rool and his army of Kremlings, are the same. If you're really familiar with the layout of the original DKC, this could be a way to breathe some new life into the ancient platformer.

The music also looks to be altered, replacing the original tracks with songs from Mario, Zelda and Mega Man games. RainbowSprinklez wrote that the hack was "made for no other reason than I like Mario" in a document released alongside the ROM. You can download the whole thing right here to give it a go, and this should probably be done sooner than later. Nintendo isn’t shy about sicking lawyers on projects like this.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-nifty-hack-made-mario-a-playable-character-in-1994s-donkey-kong-country-164036806.html?src=rss

Google just confirmed the Pixel 9 Pro’s outrageous camera bump

Posted on by

Google has officially confirmed the existence of the Pixel 9 Pro smartphone ahead of August’s Made By Google livestream event. This follows a leak earlier this week in which images and videos of the handset started popping up everywhere.

The company confirmed the smartphone via an announcement video, one that could have been waiting for August 13. The video isn’t big on details, but there is some footage of the phone in action that confirms one major suspicion about the Pixel 9 Pro. The absolutely gigantic camera bump is real and is ready to make obvious indentations in pockets everywhere.

Just look at that glorious thing. The bump looks like a 3D approximation of Bender from Futurama’s head. One thing is for sure. If you buy the Pixel 9 Pro later this year, be sure to also buy a newly-designed case. There’s no way previous cases will fit around that monstrosity.

Beyond the camera bump, Google’s video teases heavy integration with the company’s Gemini family of AI models. Affiliated marketing copy simply states “oh hi, AI” and the video shows a chatbot answering a query. This emphasis on AI should surprise absolutely nobody. It’s 2024.

You can sign up for information about the phone directly from Google. While we don’t have any actual specs, it’s likely that ginormous bump exists for a reason (a really good camera system.)

There have been other leaks ahead of next month’s event, though this is the only one proven to be real. These leaks do indicate, however, that the Pixel Pro 9 will be joined by the garden variety Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro XL and a foldable called the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. As always, we’ll be on the scene August 13 to report on whatever Google announces.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-just-confirmed-the-pixel-9-pros-outrageous-camera-bump-185301609.html?src=rss

Cash App Pay integrates with Google Play to offer ‘next gen consumers more choice’

Posted on by

Cash App Pay has integrated with Google Play to give consumers another option when buying stuff online. This will be especially useful for Android users, as Google Play is baked right into the OS. Cash App says this partnership will give “next gen consumers more choice” and the company specifically called out the gaming space.

Cash App users will be able to pull money from a pre-existing balance or via a linked debit card to pay for stuff on Google Play. Cash App currently has four million monthly active users and the company claims to have added one million new users each quarter for the last year. That’s a lot of new people flowing into Google’s ecosystem.

To use Cash App on an Android device, just select the payment method when checking out on Google Play. Obviously, new users should download the app and make an account before all of that.

The Cash App integration, however, extends beyond Europe and Google already allows PayPal as an option in most countries. Also, Android developers who distribute apps on the Google Play store Google’s parent company Alphabet is considered a gatekeeper under the DMA and one of the mandates of the legislation is that these organizations must allow for alternative payment methods. 

The Cash App integration, however, extends beyond Europe and Google already allowed PayPal as an option in most countries. Also, Android developers who distribute apps on the Google Play store can already use an array of third-party payment systems in Europe, to comply with the DMA. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cash-app-pay-integrates-with-google-play-to-offer-next-gen-consumers-more-choice-172310452.html?src=rss

Nintendo finally made a first-party Joy-Con charging station

Posted on by

Nintendo just announced its own first-party Joy-Con controller charging station, which releases on October 17. This is an obvious boon for couch co-op addicts, as you can have two Joy-Cons charging on the dock and another two charging via the console at the same time. Nintendo’s charging station also integrates with the company’s retro wireless NES gamepads, which are primarily used with Nintendo Switch Online games.

The Joy-Con Charging Stand (Two-Way) accessory draws power from the Switch’s dock, via the USB-C port, or any other power adapter. The vertical support can also be removed to make it more portable, another bonus for those couch co-op sleepovers. Nintendo hasn’t released any pricing information yet to go along with the October release date. It’s currently set for a launch in the US, Europe and Japan. October 17 is the same day that Super Mario Party Jamboree launches, so that would make for some good accessory-based synergy.

It’s worth noting that the Nintendo Switch is over seven years old. This accessory will be released 2,785 days after the console originally launched. Heck, the Switch 2 (or whatever it ends up being called) will probably hit store shelves early next year. What I’m saying is that this would have been a lot more useful six or seven years ago. Better late than never?

This is likely to be the Switch’s final holiday season. There’s a new Legend of Zelda game hitting on September 26, along with a themed console. Another big holiday-adjacent title is Mario & Luigi: Brothership, which comes out on November 7.

Update, July 18 2024, 2:57 PM ET: This story has been updated to confirm a US release after speaking to a company rep. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nintendo-finally-made-a-first-party-joy-con-charging-station-152326371.html?src=rss

Xbox 360’s digital store heads to Valhalla with an avalanche of cheap games

Posted on by

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 digital storefront will close up shop on July 29, which is creeping up on us. To commemorate the closure, the company is holding a fire sale of sorts, with all kinds of games available for around $1.

If you have a working Xbox 360 or if the game supports backwards compatibility, you can pretty much spend $20 and have stuff to play for years. The underrated FPS Black, by the Burnout devs, is just one dollar, and the iconic zombie shooter Dead Island is $0.74. That fantastic Strider reboot? It’s $1.50.

Of course, not every game is quite that cheap. Devil May Cry 4 will set you back a whopping $2 and Dishonored a full $3. Resident Evil: Revelations is $2, and the same goes for Dead Rising 2. Watch Dogs is $4, if you really wanna get crazy. You can see the full list by clicking the link above. 

Microsoft has also brought back the 360’s iconic Blade dashboard as a dynamic theme for modern consoles. If you are of a certain age, this is likely to fill you right up with nostalgia. It looks like the old UI. It feels like the old UI. It doesn’t, however, make that satisfying “whoosh” sound. You can’t win ‘em all. As for the aforementioned deals, they vanish like bubbles on July 29.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/xbox-360s-digital-store-heads-to-valhalla-with-an-avalanche-of-cheap-games-161551444.html?src=rss

This Amazon Prime Day deal on a four-pack of Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 trackers has the best price we’ve seen

Posted on by

Amazon Prime Day has been dropping hot deals all week and things don’t seem to be slowing down. One of today’s best deals is for a four-pack of Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 trackers, which are down to $65. That’s a record-low price and a discount of $35. You get two black trackers and two white trackers, so they can sub in during a game of backgammon. We tested and reviewed this product so we know these tags are the real deal. 

Samsung’s tracking tags are extremely reliable and easy to use, and both are reasons why they made our list of the best Bluetooth trackers. This is obviously the best choice for those already tied into the Galaxy ecosystem, but they only work with Samsung devices. This could be a dealbreaker for some.

We loved the large finding network and the attractive design. These things are downright cute. The design also features a large hole near the top which makes it easy to attach keys, cables, luggage or even bicycle components. The affiliated app features an intuitive interface that makes it easy to track down lost objects.

I already mentioned the biggest downside. This product only works with Samsung phones and tablets. This is in reference to the app and finder network. You can pop the tags on anything and let them do their thing. Each tag does include an NFC code that pulls up contact info and a custom message, if someone with an iPhone happens to find one laying about.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Amazon Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/this-amazon-prime-day-deal-on-a-four-pack-of-samsung-galaxy-smarttag2-trackers-has-the-best-price-weve-seen-142513645.html?src=rss

Tinder’s new AI will pick your most attractive photos for you

Posted on by

Tinder is trying to end the long-festering nightmare of having to actually look at yourself long enough to choose profile pictures. The new Photo Selector feature uses AI to pore through pictures to pick the ones most likely to get that much-coveted right swipe.

The tool has been in a testing phase since August of last year and it’s finally ready for prime time. Photo Selector works by automatically browsing through a smartphone’s entire camera roll and using AI algorithms to pick the, well, hottest ones. It’s like a supercharged version of the pre-existing Smart Photos feature.

“With Photo Selector, Tinder offers a digital companion that curates a diverse selection of photos from users’ camera roll optimized to help users find a match,” the company wrote in a press release.

You have to pose for a selfie and give the system access to the camera roll to get started. The AI uses that selfie to find other photos and presents you with a selection of your best and brightest glow ups. You make the final selections and then get married and sail off into the sunset or whatever.

Photo Selector will be available to US customers later this month, with a global launch coming at some point during the summer. I very much plan on popping a wig and some glasses on my cat to try to trick the algo.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tinders-new-ai-will-pick-your-most-attractive-photos-for-you-100020367.html?src=rss

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 has leaked online two months before release

Posted on by

A pre-release build of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has leaked online two months before release, according to reporting by Insider Gaming. This is a fully playable version that was “randomly posted on a tracker,” according to sources who have downloaded and experimented with the build. It remains unclear how the game ended up online.

Players have said that the game is around 75GB in size. Though this leaked build is playable, it does have some issues. There are missing strings and a bunch of placeholder assets, but the version does include server data that should allow for online play. As expected, gameplay footage has begun popping up online, but we’ll refrain from posting any so as to keep things spoiler-free. We will drop a trailer though, because the game looks neat. 

In addition to forgoing gameplay videos, we don’t recommend heading to a torrent site to look for the leaked build. This is not only bad for the hard-working folks who made the game, but will more than likely riddle your PC with more bugs than an open Florida patio in summer. Torrents ain’t what they used to be.

Developers Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive have issued a statement regarding the leak, asking fans to wait for the official release and thanking them for ongoing support. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 comes out on September 9 and will be available for the PS5, Xbox Series S|X and PC.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/warhammer-40k-space-marine-2-has-leaked-online-two-months-before-release-185034761.html?src=rss

Sling will finally stream its first live event in 4K, the 2024 MLB All-Star Game

Posted on by

Sling is coming in hot in the year 2024 and offering its users live 4K content. The platform says that Sling TV subscribers will be able to watch the forthcoming MLB All-Star Game in glorious UHD. The event airs on Fox Sports on July 16.

The company says this 4K experience will only be available to customers in “certain markets,” though did indicate that this will lead to more high-resolution offerings in the near future. “Get ready to see your favorite sports like never before,” said Seth Van Sickel, senior vice president of product & operations, Sling Video Services. 

Competitor Fubo TV has been offering 4K streams on select sporting events since 2019 and YouTube TV has been doing the same since 2021. Univision aired the first 4K soccer broadcast all the way back in 2016.

It is true, however, that a vast majority sporting events aren’t streamed in 4K. Even many that are advertised as being 4K are actually upscaled 1080p streams. It’s actually pretty difficult to broadcast live sports in 4K, due to the number of cameras required to adequately cover one of these events. Major NFL games often require 80 to 100 cameras and, well, 4K cameras are much more expensive than HD cameras.

There are also several bottlenecks to overcome. 4K cameras require at least twice the amount of cabling running from the cam to the production area. With a sporting event, that translates to thousands of feet of dense cabling for a single camera, let alone 80. 4K cameras also increase the number of required video console inputs by a factor of four.

The stream has to be processed and compressed for broadcast, which takes a whole lot of computing power. These processors must be kept cool, which is yet another expense. Finally, the broadcaster has to send the feed to its distribution partners, and many of them simply can’t handle 4K. The whole thing is just an expensive undertaking, despite the fact that 4K TVs have been standard in homes for around a decade.

As for Sling, it plans on continuing with this experiment in 4K streaming with college and pro football on Fox Sports and the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics on NBC. Maybe this will finally make 4K sports streaming the norm and not a once-in-a-while experience.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sling-will-finally-stream-its-first-live-event-in-4k-the-2024-mlb-all-star-game-173536869.html?src=rss