If you've been thinking of buying Apple's HomePod (2nd generation), now's the time to act — it's on sale right now at Verizon for $175. That's a significant $125 discount (42 percent off) and represents one of the best deals we've seen on the smart speaker to date. In addition, Verizon is currently offering a deal on the HomePod Mini, letting you get a pair for $150, or 25 percent off.
With sound that's clearer and richer than offerings from Amazon and Google, the second-gen HomePod garnered a solid 84 score in our review last year. However, it's really only aimed at Apple users, working best with iPhones, Apple TVs and other devices from the company, along with services like Apple Music.
As a smart home device, it's compatible with Matter and Thread on top of Apple's own HomeKit protocol, so you can use it to control a growing range of security cameras, thermostats, plugs and other smart home accessories. It also has built-in temperature and humidity sensors, and its included mics do well to pick out your voice through noise.
Speakers like the Sonos Five and Sonos Era 300 cost more but offer a bit better sound, while the Sonos Era 100 is normally a bit better value (Google Assistant and Amazon Echo users should look elsewhere). In addition, there's no Bluetooth audio and Siri isn't the most capable assistant At $175, however, the second-gen HomePod is a solid deal if you've been eyeing one.
If you don't need the sound quality of the HomePod, the HomePod Mini is also on sale at Verizon in a "buy one, get the second one half off" deal (two for $150, basically). That will get you a stereo pair or let you stock a couple of bedrooms. It comes with nearly all the same smart home features if that's your main concern, while offering superior sound quality to the Echo Dot and Google Home Mini.
iOS 18 is poised to be a substantial update, introducing a plethora of new features and improvements designed to elevate your iPhone experience. From a revamped Settings app and an updated Control Center to extensive AI integration across core apps, this update promises to deliver a more intuitive, efficient, and engaging user experience. The video […]
Battery drain is a common issue faced by iPhone users, especially after updating to a new iOS version like 17.5.1. If you find your device’s battery life deteriorating faster than usual, don’t worry. There are several effective steps you can take to mitigate the problem and extend your iPhone’s battery life. This guide will walk […]
The M4 iPad Pro is a powerful and versatile device that can be used for a wide range of tasks, from productivity and creativity to entertainment and communication. To truly maximize the functionality and user experience of your new iPad Pro, it’s essential to have the right accessories. The video from UrAvgConsumer shows us ten […]
Imagine having the power to unlock over 1,200 hidden features on your Mac without ever touching a command line tool or diving into complex file operations. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it’s time to turn that dream into reality with MacPilot. This incredible software offers a **user-friendly interface** that feels just like your beloved […]
Another Ubisoft studio is pitching in to help develop Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. Ubisoft Toronto has announced on X/Twitter that it's joining the company's Montreal division to work on the game. In 2022, Ubisoft Montreal took over the project from Ubisoft Pune and Mumbai after several days from its target release date of as far back as January 2021. The company said back then that Montreal was "building upon the work achieved" by its studios in India. In an interview last year, though, producer Jean-Francois Naud revealed that the project was still "in conception" and that it's "looking at feedback from the community and finding [its] own way of delivering the game."
Ubisoft Toronto is joining the development of the remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time!
We’re excited to rewind time and bring our studio’s creativity, expertise and updated tech to refresh this beloved classic with our partners at @UbisoftMTL. pic.twitter.com/kksyihIjKG
Ubisoft Montreal was "the very birthplace of the epic Sands of Time trilogy," the company wrote in its message when the studio took the reins. The original Sands of Times was itself a reboot of the original Prince of Persia series of PC games by Jordan Mechner. Montreal was also the studio behind a number of Splinter Cell series and Rainbow Six series titles, as well as most Assassin's Creed games. Meanwhile, Toronto developed Far Cry 5 and 6 and Watch Dogs: Legion. It's also currently working on the Splinter Cell remake that's being rebuilt from the ground up using the company's own Snowdrop engine.
The Sands of Time Remake has no new release date yet.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ubisoft-toronto-is-helping-out-with-the-troubled-prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-remake-050059045.html?src=rss
Intel recently revealed that its upcoming Lunar Lake chips would be available this fall for Copilot+ AI PCs, but the company waited until Computex to give us more technical details. For one, they'll offer up to 48 TOPs (tera operations per second) of AI performance, thanks to an updated neural processing unit (NPU). In comparison, Intel's previous Meteor Lake chips sported a 10 TOPS NPU, while AMD announced its Ryzen AI 300 chips yesterday with 50 TOPS NPUs. The AI race is on, if you couldn't tell.
Intel will once again have to play catch up in the AI PC space: AMD's Ryzen AI 300 chips will be available in July alongside Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus. It's unclear when, exactly, Lunar Lake systems will launch this fall. Still, for the Intel faithful, Lunar Lake appears to be a major upgrade. It will also sport a new Xe2 GPU, which will offer 80 percent faster gaming performance than the last generation, as well as an AI accelerator with an additional 67 TOPS of performance. (We're still waiting to see how AMD's new Radeon graphics will compare.)
Intel's Lunar Lake NPU 4 performance, versus its NPU 3 hardware on Meteor Lake.
Intel
In a surprising twist, Lunar Lake chips will also feature on-board memory, similar to Apple Silicon. The chips will be available with either 16GB or 32GB of RAM, and just like Apple, you won't be able to add more down the line. By bringing the memory much closer to the processor cores, Intel was able to reduce latency and system power usage by 40 percent. You're out of luck if you actually need more RAM though. You'll have to sit tight for Intel's next chip family, code-named Arrow Lake.
Additionally, Lunar Lake will offer eight cores with revamped performance and efficient cores (P-cores and E-cores). Intel also says the chip features an "advanced low-power island" for efficiently handling background tasks. Thanks to that, along with other optimizations, the company claims battery life is 60 percent better than Meteor Lake.
Clearly, both Intel and AMD are going to do whatever it takes to combat Qualcomm's Copilot+ hardware. Those mobile chips are inherently more power efficient — they reportedly get over 20 hours of battery life on Copilot+ Surface devices (though we haven't tested them yet).
When it comes to connectivity, Lunar Lake will offer the updated standards you'd expect: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, PCIe Gen5 and Thunderbolt 4. (It's strange that Intel isn't committing to Thunderbolt 5 yet, since it plans to launch that standard later this year.)
Intel
Given just how far off Lunar Lake actually is, Intel didn't have more information to share about specific chip models or deeper specs. But judging from the company's benchmarks, released during a media briefing ahead of Computex, it'll should be significantly faster than Meteor Lake while running Stable Diffusion, completing 20 iterations in 5.8 seconds compared to 20.9 seconds. While it does draw a few more watts of power, the increased speed should make up for that.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/intel-officially-unveils-lunar-lake-its-copilot-ai-pc-chip-030029548.html?src=rss
The xTool F1 Ultra represents a significant advancement in the engraving industry. It is the world’s first desktop engraver featuring a dual laser system with a 20W fiber and 20W diode galvo. This system allows it to handle a diverse array of materials, such as wood, acrylic, leather, metals, and plastics. Its versatility makes it an ideal option for both professionals and hobbyists.
Using an IR (infrared) laser as its laser source and a fiber (diode-pumped fiber laser) as the gain medium, the F1 Ultra stands out in its capability. These components are crucial for generating laser light. When the laser source strikes the gain medium, the intensity of the laser beam is amplified. Unlike the xTool S1 & F1 and other common IR lasers on the market that use DPSS (diode-pumped solid-state laser) as the gain medium, this engraver uses fiber to maximize laser power. This design choice results in deeper engraving and cutting at the same power level, making the F1 Ultra an exceptionally powerful and efficient tool.
The F1 Ultra, combining a 20W fiber and a 20W diode laser, broadens the range of materials that can be engraved. This powerful system supports deep engraving, embossing, and cutting. The 20W fiber laser excels on all metals, plastics, rocks, and ceramics, enabling deep engraving, embossing, and cutting thin metal sheets. The 20W diode laser is perfect for common materials like wood, acrylic (excluding translucent colors), leather, glass, paper, rubber, and fabric, and can efficiently cut these materials. In addition, the F1 Ultra is adept at metal cutting. Its 20W fiber laser can cut thin pieces of stainless steel (0.3mm), brass (0.4mm), and aluminum (0.2mm), making it suitable for various metalworking projects.
The Auto Streamline Production technology is enhanced by a built-in 16MP camera, which can automatically recognize shapes and patterns on the production line. This intelligent system allows the F1 Ultra to accurately fill patterns on each piece. The process is streamlined and requires only a single cable to connect to the conveyor, simplifying operations.
With the largest working area among desktop galvo engravers, the F1 Ultra measures 220x220mm and extends to 220x500mm with the conveyor. This area is nearly double the size of other brands, which typically measure 110x110mm and expand to 170x170mm with the conveyor. Despite its large size, the F1 Ultra maintains laser power concentration, making it the largest of its kind, whether equipped with a conveyor or not.
The world’s first 20W fiber and diode dual laser. Not only does it expand the range of materials that can be engraved, F1 ultra’s 20W high power allows you to do deep engrave, emboss and cut.
Both the diode and fiber lasers inside the F1 Ultra are engineered for exceptional performance, capable of engraving at impressive speeds on a wide variety of materials, including wood, metals, plastic, acrylic, and leather. The high power and precision of the lasers enable rapid processing without compromising on quality. This speed significantly reduces waiting times, allowing for more projects to be completed in a shorter period. As a result, the F1 Ultra enhances productivity and improves workflow efficiency. Whether you’re working on a single intricate piece or a batch of items, the swift engraving capabilities of the F1 Ultra ensure that deadlines are met and output is maximized. This level of efficiency is particularly beneficial for businesses offering personalized services, as it allows for quick turnaround times and the ability to handle a higher volume of custom orders, ultimately boosting profitability and customer satisfaction.
Auto Streamline Production with Camera, No More Complex Procedures
Safety is a primary focus in the F1 Ultra’s design. The fully enclosed machine is engineered to prevent accidental injuries from the invisible fiber laser light, providing a secure operating environment. The enclosure is specifically designed to filter out strong blue light emitted by the diode laser, which protects users’ eyes from potential harm. This design consideration is crucial, as exposure to intense laser light can cause serious eye damage. Additionally, the F1 Ultra is equipped with an efficient smoke extraction system. This system swiftly removes smoke and dust generated during the engraving process, ensuring clear visibility of the working area and maintaining air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory issues for the user. This feature is particularly important for storefront use, where maintaining a clean and safe environment is essential for both employees and customers.
These safety features make the F1 Ultra suitable for various settings, including educational environments where safety is paramount. These features collectively ensure that the F1 Ultra is powerful and safe, allowing users to focus on creativity and productivity without compromising health and safety standards.
Designed to be user-friendly, the F1 Ultra comes pre-assembled for immediate use. Its intuitive xTool Creative Space Software, combined with a built-in camera for easy focusing and positioning, makes it accessible even to beginners. With 7GB of storage, the touchscreen control panel allows users to save projects directly on the machine and start processing without needing to connect to a computer or tablet. Future updates will include 3D curve engraving, enabling engraving on curved surfaces up to 45°, further expanding its capabilities.
For business owners, the F1 Ultra is a big potential revenue generator. Its speed of 10000mm/s and versatility make it ideal for on-site customization, attracting customers, and creating memorable experiences.
Whether engraving names on metal jewelry or adding intricate designs to wooden items, the F1 Ultra is a valuable asset for any store offering personalized services. Its ability to perform deep engravings, cut thin metal pieces, and automate production processes sets it apart from other desktop engravers on the market. Dubbed the “Crazy Money Maker,” the F1 Ultra excels in on-site customization in stores, batch production with factory-level productivity, and jewelry making, including deep engraving and 3D embossing on metals.
Empowered by Makeblock, xTool aims to turn creativity into reality with powerful software and user-friendly hardware. Since its inception in 2018 and the launch of the first xTool Laserbox in 2019, the brand has consistently innovated in laser engraving technology. The F1 Ultra builds on this legacy, providing a versatile and powerful tool for creators, crafters, and educational professionals. It offers unmatched versatility and efficiency, making it an exceptional choice in the engraving industry.
The F1 Ultra is now available at xTool’s official website, priced at $3999. Participate in the xTool trade-up program to enjoy an extra $200 off, making the final price $3799. This offer is open to anyone with a used laser machine or vinyl cutter of any brand.
Once upon a time, there was a company called Island Plastics, not many of us have heard of and chances are not many would hear about it after this either. But one person/family can take home an available footprint of this company, its standard trailer camper available for grabs in the US. Reportedly, only 200 of these campers called Romini were ever built between 1985 and 1990 and are unfortunately out of production now.
The little camper, made from fiberglass panels sandwiching foam in between for insulation, is laid out with a bed and features requisite gear inside for a good time on the road. Owing to its petit size, 9.8-foot long and gross weight of 750kgs, the little camper is designed to be hauled by cars as small as the original Mini, making it the ultimate companion for tiny camping.
Through the years, the American trailer market has flourished with hefty options, then the tide shifted toward teardrops and those willing to trail these little ones for a short trip on the road would love to check out the Romini. The interior of the camper is pretty similar to the Romahome C15 micro motorhome but the layout is different.
Romini has a sleeping arrangement that’s across the interior instead of in length, which is the norm. The seating arrangement by the day here can transform into a double bed for the residents. The bed is only 6 feet across, so if you’re taller, you may have to pass this trailer. Otherwise, look on for the other features and you will be awestruck how all that is really stuffed in this small form factor.
A Romini back in the day came fully equipped with a kitchenette featuring sink, stove, fridge, and storage. The dinette cum bedroom had a skylight above, while a chemical toilet stowed away from sight. The camper was even provided with an awning for sitting outside in the shade. The one for sale is a standard model from ’85, so the features are limited to seating, bed, and kitchen essentials including a grill and a porta potti under the seating.
New York is poised to pass a law that will bar social media platforms from showing algorithmic feeds to teens without parental consent. The Wall Street Journalreports that lawmakers in the state have reached a “tentative agreement” on a bill that will be voted on later this week.
State officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, introduced a bill requiring parental consent for algorithmic feeds last year. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act doesn’t restrict the type of content teens can view on social media apps, but they wouldn’t be able to view algorithmic feeds without permission from their parents or guardians. The latest version of the bill will also block teens from seeing in-app notifications overnight without parental consent, according to The Wall Street Journal.
If passed into law, New York would become the latest state to attempt to rein in social media platforms’ access to teens with age verification requirements. Utah passed a law last year requiring social media apps to get parental consent, though the measure was later scaled back. Lawmakers in California have also proposed limiting teens’ access to algorithmic feeds.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/new-york-is-about-to-give-parents-more-control-over-their-kids-social-media-feeds-230205845.html?src=rss
with Camera, No More Complex Procedures
