Author Archives: Lawrence Bonk

Two of our favorite Ooni pizza ovens are deeply discounted right now

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Ooni has dropped the price on two of its most popular pizza ovens. The Fyra 2 is down to $250, from $350, and the high-end Karu 16 is $650 instead of $800. These are great deals that get close to record low prices.

The Fyra 12 easily made our list of the best pizza ovens, and for good reason. This outdoor oven features a tried-and-true compact design, so it won’t take up that much storage space when not in use. It's also just 22 pounds. It uses wood pellets instead of chunks, which makes tending the fire much easier. 

It’s also easy to refill the unit with pellets, as there’s a handy chute up top. This oven excels with high-heat bakes, up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit. With temperatures this high, a pizza will cook in around a minute. The only real downside? The oven maxes out at 12-inch pies, which is indicated in the name. Budding pizzaioli will have to bake multiple pies to feed a hungry family, though the rapid cook time helps with this.

The Karu 16 actually topped our list of the best pizza ovens, and we named it best multi-fuel unit. It’s the company’s largest multi-fuel model, meaning people can choose from wood, charcoal or gas to cook up some pies. However, propane and natural gas burners are sold separately.

There’s a hinged glass door for taking a look at the pie as it cooks along with a digital thermometer to monitor the indoor temp. The larger size is also a boon, as this oven will accommodate 16-inch pizzas. That’s around the size of an extra-large pie from a legit pizza joint.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/two-of-our-favorite-ooni-pizza-ovens-are-deeply-discounted-right-no-163146867.html?src=rss

UK opens antitrust investigation into Amazon over its ties to AI startup Anthropic

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The UK’s antitrust regulator is set to carry out an antitrust investigation into Amazon and its ties with AI startup Anthropic. This comes after Amazon completed a $4 billion investment into the company. For the uninitiated, Anthropic is the organization behind the AI chatbot Claude.

The investigation will decide whether the aforementioned $4 billion investment qualifies as a merger under current regulations set forth by the country’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA.) If it’s officially considered a merger, the investigation will then look into whether or not it will harm competition in the country. The investigators have 40 working days to come to a decision.

Amazon has previously stated the investment does not give it a majority stake in Anthropic, according to a report by TechCrunch. The company also told Financial Times that the investment “does not raise any competition concerns or meet the CMA’s own threshold for review.” Anthropic has also dismissed the notion that the investment indicates a merger of any kind.

“We are an independent company,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “Amazon does not have a seat on Anthropic’s board, nor does it have any board observer rights. We intend to cooperate with the CMA and provide them with a comprehensive understanding of Amazon’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”

The investigation is a small piece of a larger puzzle in which UK regulators look to curb “quasi-mergers.” This is when larger companies exert outsized influence over startups via strategic investments or by scooping up talent. This would, in theory, give the older company all of the benefits of a merger but without the regulatory scrutiny that would accompany an official acquisition.

To that end, the CMA is also preparing to launch an investigation into Google and its own massive investments into Anthropic. The company reportedly made two large investments, one for $300 million and another for $2 billion. Anthropic has raised $10 billion since its inception back in 2021, so Google and Amazon account for over half of that amount.

The regulatory agency is carrying out a related inquiry into Microsoft’s close partnership with OpenAI, which could represent a quasi-merger. It’s also looking into Microsoft hiring the core team behind Inflection AI, a rival to OpenAI. Last month, the CMA said it would be extending that last one into a full probe.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/uk-opens-antitrust-investigation-into-amazon-over-its-ties-to-ai-startup-anthropic-153026609.html?src=rss

People are returning Humane AI Pins faster than the company can sell them

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Humane’s universally derided AI Pin is not exactly flying off of store shelves, according to internal sales documents published by The Verge. As a matter of fact, returns seem to be currently outpacing new purchases. So many have been returned, that there are only around 7,000 units out in the wild. The company had once hoped to sell 100,000 in the first year, so that ain’t happening.

To date, around 10,000 have been sold and 3,000 have been returned, leaving the aforementioned 7,000 in the hands of consumers. This gadget costs $700, so I’d obviously have returned it after learning it doesn’t actually do anything useful. Wouldn’t you? To that end, over 1,000 pre-orders were canceled once reviews started coming in.

We called it the “solution to none of technology's problems” and struggled to understand who it was even for. This was before the charging case accessory became a potential fire hazard, which added to the image of the product being the ultimate example of tech hubris. There’s a reason, after all, why noted tech vlogger Marques Brownlee called it “the worst product” he had ever reviewed.

Humane has been, sort of, trying to turn things around, mostly by trying to find a larger company to scoop it up into its portfolio. HP has been considering a purchase, according to The New York Times. Also, the company’s allegedly been in active negotiations with investors, as reported by The Information.

Humane has taken umbrage with The Verge and its reporting, with spokesperson Zoz Cuccias claiming “inaccuracies” regarding the financial data but didn’t go into specifics. Instead, she said “we have nothing else to provide as we do not comment on financial data, and will refer it to our legal counsel.”

The Verge reports that the company has no refurbishment operation in place, which is another lost opportunity for revenue. The problem allegedly boils down to a limitation with carrier partner T-Mobile that doesn’t allow Humane to reassign one of these pins to a secondary user. The returned pins could be destined for the scrap heap, but Humane is reportedly holding onto the returns for now, in the hopes it solves the problem with T-Mobile.

The company has been releasing software updates to address user feedback, so who knows. Maybe the ship can right itself. There’s still the question of spending $700 for a secondary device that underperforms when compared to a smartphone. The same question applies to a $200 device. We’re looking at you Rabbit.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/people-are-returning-humane-ai-pins-faster-than-the-company-can-sell-them-191523105.html?src=rss

The Ring Stick Up Cam is down to its lowest price yet

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The Ring Stick Up Cam is on sale for $55 via Amazon. That’s a discount of 45 percent and is the lowest price ever for the well-regarded security camera. Last time it got this low was Prime Day, but that was only available to Prime members. Now anyone can get in on the action.

This is a standard security camera, but it’s anything but bare-bones. It’s easily mountable to just about any surface and can be moved at will. It allows for two-way communication via a proprietary app or an Echo device like the Show. People can use these same methods to check in on the camera feed.

There are two versions of this security cam, and both are available with this sale. The only difference is how they are powered. One uses a removable battery pack and the other plugs into a power source. Obviously, the one with the battery pack (as seen above) is easier to mount in a variety of different locations, as there’s no worrying about a nearby outlet. The plug-in version, however, will never run out of juice.

These cameras will record footage and put it all in the cloud, but only with a Ring Protect Plan subscription. The plans range from $5 to $20 per month. On the downside, the two security cams lack some of the features found with the Pro model, so there’s no radar detection.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-ring-stick-up-cam-is-down-to-its-lowest-price-yet-152949573.html?src=rss

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is coming to PS4 and Xbox One on September 17

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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is coming to last-gen consoles on September 17, including the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The game was originally released for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC back in 2023.

For the uninitiated, this is a sequel to the absolutely fantastic Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. It’s a third-person adventure with a bit of Metroidvania flair that’s set in the Star Wars universe in between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. It’s a very good video game, particularly for franchise fans.

Pre-orders are available now and early purchasers get some bonuses. These include in-game cosmetic items that will turn the protagonist into someone who resembles Obi Wan Kenobi and a new blaster set. As for the software, EA says it’s been fully optimized to run on those older consoles.

It’s worth noting, however, that the game has struggled to run on PCs. EA has issued several updates to address performance problems but some still linger. To that end, the company’s prepping a new PC update that’ll release “in the coming weeks.” This will bring “enhancements to the game’s technical performance, controls and more,” in addition to “a variety of quality-of-life improvements.”

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor also recently released on Game Pass. The PS4/XB1 version will cost $50. A third entry in the franchise has already been announced because, well, Star Wars loves trilogies.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/star-wars-jedi-survivor-is-coming-to-ps4-and-xbox-one-on-september-17-181004549.html?src=rss

Teenage Engineering’s built a medieval-themed sampler, complete with Gregorian chants

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Teenage Engineering is no stranger to weird gadgets that defy description. This is a company that released a $250 toy car and, uh, whatever these are. We all knew that. We also knew that the company would likely be releasing a follow-up to its massively successful EP-133 K.O. II sampler. We couldn’t in a million years, however, have guessed that it would be a medieval-themed monstrosity.

That’s right. The sequel to the K.O. II is a sampler built entirely around sounds inspired by the middle ages. It’s all here, from Gregorian chants and lutes to drum sounds that recall Monty Python. The sampler also comes pre-loaded with tons of themed foley effects, like sword slashes, arrows, farm animals and, according to the company, “an actual dragon.” The EP-1320 Medieval has everything, if by “everything” we mean samples of screaming peasants.

Aesthetically, it’s basically the K.O. II with a different skin. The design features red calligraphy, castle towers and, of course, plenty of latin. As a matter of fact, it’s not even referred to as a sampler at all. The company’s calling it “the world’s first medieval electronic instrument” and there’s a large label on the front that reads “instrumentalis electronicum.”

The front panel of the EP-1320.
Teenage Engineering

There are new effects, for those worried it would just crib from last year’s model. These include something called a “torture chamber reverb” and another referred to as a “Bardic ensemble." The arpeggiator has been redesigned and there are hundreds of new multi-sampled instruments. Teenage Engineering also says, and I’m not kidding, that the drum pads smell of cocoa. We reached out about that last one and will report back when we get some info.

Of course, this is a sampler at heart, so users can put anything they want on it via the internal microphone or USB-C connection. It’s also essentially a K.O. II, so there’s the same punch-in FX tool, nine memory slots, dinky speaker and a battery compartment that holds four AAAs. But out of the box, it has everything you could possibly need for a D&D-themed rave.

Just like the original, it’s $300. Orders are available now. Diehards can also pick up a themed t-shirt, a vinyl record and a quilted carry bag.

The EP-133 K.O. II was a huge hit, but was plagued by some performance concerns, including a number of units that shipped with busted faders. TE says all of this was due to poor packaging. Let’s hope the company got all that sorted out.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/teenage-engineerings-built-a-medieval-themed-sampler-complete-with-gregorian-chants-164941795.html?src=rss

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is coming to PC, PlayStation and Xbox on October 17

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If there was ever a movie franchise that was seemingly made to be turned into a video game, it would be A Quiet Place. The films are basically already stealth horror titles. The premise, after all, involves bloodthirsty and noise-sensitive aliens. To that end, we already knew the franchise was getting the gaming treatment. Now we have an official release date of October 17 for the first digital spinoff. 

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is a first-person horror adventure that’s set in the same world as the movies, but tells a brand new story. In other words, you won’t be controlling a digital John Krasinski or a digital Lupita Nyong'o. You’ll play as a brand-new character charting her own path in this royally screwed up dystopia.

Just like the movies, players will have to rely on their wits and whatever simple tools they find when scavenging about, like flashlights and noise detectors. Developer Stormind Games, who was behind Remothered and Batora: Lost Haven, promises both thrills and chills. Today’s release date trailer certainly confirms that. The spooky vibes are off the chart.

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead will be released on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Pre-orders are available right now and early purchasers get “exclusive in-game content and digital concept art.” The game costs $30.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/a-quiet-place-the-road-ahead-is-coming-to-pc-playstation-and-xbox-on-october-17-151706002.html?src=rss

Google’s latest Nest Learning Thermostat is much bigger and offers a customizable display

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Google just announced a refresh of the Nest Learning Thermostat ahead of next week’s Made by Google event. The fourth-gen smart thermostat has been completely redesigned, with a new form factor and plenty of updated features.

The LCD display is 60 percent larger than what’s found with the (now ancient) third generation, with a curved front that eliminates the appearance of bezels. Basically, the whole thing is a screen now, with no giant black plastic loop around the exterior. This leads us to another new feature. The larger display allows for more personalization, as the fourth-gen Nest offers customizable faces. This works just like how it does with smartwatches. You can turn the face into a clock, change colors or transform the background into something artsy. 

A thermostat pretending to be a clock.
Google

No matter which face you choose, the UI automatically adjusts what’s displayed on the screen depending on how far you’re standing from the thermostat. For instance, the font will be bigger the further you step back. This is all thanks to integrated Soli radar sensors.

As for the actual inner workings of the thermostat, the new Nest leverages AI for more accurate readings and to offer potential actions to save money on that monthly energy bill. It'll even take action on its own depending on the ambient temperature and other factors. The thermostat also comes with one wireless temperature sensor that you can place anywhere. This is helpful for sussing out cold spots or when trying to find a perfect average temperature across the whole home. Google says this wireless device can go for three years before requiring a battery replacement. You can also buy these separately, as each Nest integrates with up to six sensors.

The device boasts some eco-friendly bona-fides. The internal battery is made entirely from recycled cobalt and the packaging is free from plastic. Pre-orders for the new Nest Learning Thermostat are open right now, with shipments beginning on August 20. It’s available in three colors, including silver, black and gold. Each thermostat costs $280, with additional temperature sensors priced at $40 or $100 for a three-pack.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/googles-latest-nest-learning-thermostat-is-much-bigger-and-offers-a-customizable-display-130045155.html?src=rss

Apple’s AirPods Max drop back down to $400

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Apple’s AirPods Max headphones are on sale for $400 via Amazon. This isn’t a record-low, though it’s close, but does represent a savings of $150. The sale includes a bunch of colorways, like gray, blue, silver and pink.

For the uninitiated, these are Apple’s high-end over-ear headphones. They are, in a word, luxe. In our official review, we praised the excellent, balanced sound and useful ANC. These headphones sound very good, which is aided by an adaptive EQ system that automatically adjusts low and mid-frequencies. This algorithm takes into account how the headphones are being worn, such as the fit and earcup seal.

We also praised the solid battery life, getting around 20 hours of use even with ANC and spatial audio turned on. The battery life is enhanced by an automatic “lower power mode” that kicks in after 72 hours outside of the case. This mode disables Bluetooth and Find My. There’s no power button, so the headphones never really turn off until the battery is completely drained. However, the quick-charge feature provides 90 minutes of listening time in just five minutes at the charger.

A case.
Billy Steele/Engadget

On the downside, the included case isn’t really a case at all. It’s basically a wraparound piece of cloth. However, resting the headphones inside of the "case" automatically puts them in a power-preservation mode. The other significant drawback is the price. Simply put, $550 is just a whole lot of money for a pair of headphones, especially ones that are over four years old. Many of the features have been surpassed by the newer second-gen version. In other words, these headphones don't have adaptive transparency and lack USB-C charging. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-airpods-max-drop-back-down-to-400-164310126.html?src=rss

New Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom footage features cute horseback riding and uh, smoothie shops

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Nintendo just dropped a rather lengthy new overview trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. That’s the top-down Switch entry that stars the titular princess instead of Link. The six-minute video focuses on “traversing Hyrule,” so there’s plenty of cool stuff here about the kingdom and, more importantly, the overworld map.

This looks like a brand-new map. Many people had assumed this game would lift the map from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Some of the landmarks, however, are in the same place. The castle is at the center, for instance, and the mountains are up top.

A map.
Nintendo

Otherwise, this game includes all of the various cultures and towns from 3D Zelda games. You can meet Gorons, Zora and even enter the all-female Gerudo Town. This is also the first top-down Zelda game to feature traversal by horse. There are a few horses in the trailer, though none look exactly like the world-famous Epona. It’s possible that Princess Zelda’s white stallion from Breath of the Wild is hanging around though. In any event, they are all pretty darn cute.

The trailer also shows off some deliciously kooky stuff, and we all love it when Nintendo gets weird. There are smoothie shops scattered throughout Hyrule, candy-obsessed Deku Scrubs and more.

Finally, there’s a newly-featured ability for Zelda called Bind. It forces objects and creatures in the game world to follow you around, likely for puzzle-solving purposes.

All of this is good news. This doesn’t look like a throwaway “end of a console’s lifespan” game. It looks adorable and inventive. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom comes out on September 26.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/new-zelda-footage-features-cute-horseback-riding-and-uh-smoothie-shops-154503850.html?src=rss