Here’s a spot of bad news for those looking to upgrade to the forthcoming PS5 Pro. The console isn’t compatible with pre-existing PlayStation 5 faceplates, as reported by IGN and confirmed by Sony.
This is not entirely unexpected, given that the PS5 Pro is slightly thinner when compared to the original PS5. A Reddit user named Zrorro tried out some Cobalt blue plates on the PS5 Pro and concluded that the top plates don’t match because “while they're physically the same size, the teeth that connect to the system are [in] slightly different places. So you can't connect the top part.”
Sony confirmed the story, telling IGN that "PS5 console covers are not compatible with PS5 Pro." However, it’s not all bad news. The company is currently working on faceplates specifically for the expensive new console. It’s also highly likely that third-party accessory makers will come to the rescue sooner rather than later.
In the meantime, you’ll just have to make do with a plain-looking PS5 Pro. The console costs $700, so you probably won’t even have the money for any accessories immediately after making that purchase. The PS5 Pro will be available on November 7.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/playstation-5-faceplates-arent-compatible-with-the-ps5-pro-163046554.html?src=rss
ESU programs have long been in place for commercial entities, but this is the first one intended for personal use. For $30, Windows 10 diehards will get a full year of security updates, bug fixes and technical support. Enrollment doesn’t start until next year, as we get closer to that end of support date.
It’s worth noting that this is only a one-year option. Commercial ESU users can purchase up to three years of support, which brings them all the way to 2028. However, commercial licenses are more expensive and double in price every year until 2028. Personal users just get the year, but that $30 price is right.
Microsoft isn’t entirely heartless. Windows 10 will continue to receive security intelligence updates for Defender Antivirus until “at least” October 2028. More than anything, though, the company wants people to give up on the relatively antiquated Windows 10 and move onto Windows 11.
“With the Windows 10 End of Support moment, now is the time to move to Windows 11 with confidence. We understand change is never easy, but we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. Thank you for your passion and loyalty for Windows,” the company wrote in a blog post.
Once upon a time, Microsoft called Windows 10 the "last version of Windows." Things didn't exactly work out that way.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/microsoft-offers-windows-10-users-a-year-of-security-updates-for-30-160036244.html?src=rss
ESU programs have long been in place for commercial entities, but this is the first one intended for personal use. For $30, Windows 10 diehards will get a full year of security updates, bug fixes and technical support. Enrollment doesn’t start until next year, as we get closer to that end of support date.
It’s worth noting that this is only a one-year option. Commercial ESU users can purchase up to three years of support, which brings them all the way to 2028. However, commercial licenses are more expensive and double in price every year until 2028. Personal users just get the year, but that $30 price is right.
Microsoft isn’t entirely heartless. Windows 10 will continue to receive security intelligence updates for Defender Antivirus until “at least” October 2028. More than anything, though, the company wants people to give up on the relatively antiquated Windows 10 and move onto Windows 11.
“With the Windows 10 End of Support moment, now is the time to move to Windows 11 with confidence. We understand change is never easy, but we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible. Thank you for your passion and loyalty for Windows,” the company wrote in a blog post.
Once upon a time, Microsoft called Windows 10 the "last version of Windows." Things didn't exactly work out that way.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/microsoft-offers-windows-10-users-a-year-of-security-updates-for-30-160036244.html?src=rss
Music streamer Tidal will have its second big layoff in a year, and it might dwarf the last one, Fortune reports. Jack Dorsey, CEO of Block (Tidal's parent company since 2021) announced the organization will return to the style of a start-up, with fewer employees. "So we're going to part ways with a number of folks on our team,” Dorsey told staff in a note. Block also owns Cash App, After Pay and BitKey, among others.
“We're going to lead with engineering and design, and remove the product management and product marketing functions entirely," Dorsey's note to Tidal employees continued. "We're reducing the size of our design team and foundational roles supporting Tidal, and we will consider reducing engineering over the next few weeks as we have more clarity around leadership going forward." Tidal previously laid off about 40 people across multiple departments in December 2023.
Dorsey didn't announce the exact number of staff getting laid off, but sources within the company speculate it might be 100 individuals — one-fourth of the company's employees. "We have made some internal changes to our Tidal team to focus on serving artists in the most meaningful way," a Tidal spokesperson said in a statement. "This involved the elimination of some roles across our business and design teams. We are going to be smaller, focus on fewer things, and move with a relentless approach to product development." Tidal notably removed its free tier for users in March.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/tidal-which-is-in-dire-need-of-some-good-marketing-lays-off-its-entire-product-marketing-team-143045120.html?src=rss
Google is bringing its Gemini AI assistant into more of its software suite, announcing several new features for Google Maps. Users looking for ideas about places to go in Maps can now ask conversational questions about the type of location they want and receive answers from Gemini. Maps can also use AI to respond to deeper queries about a specific locale. When you're looking at a location on Maps, Gemini can also provide a summary of reviews. These AI-powered features will roll out to the Maps app on Android and iOS beginning this week.
The Immersive View Maps feature introduced last year is growing. Google can now apply AI to show what locations will look like at the date and time a person will be present. Immersive View will be available in 150 cities internationally, including Brussels, Kyoto and Frankfurt. New place categories, such as college campuses, are also being added.
Driving directions are getting an update too. A button to add stops to driving directions will let users explore notable landmarks or stops along their route. Navigation has also been improved to show more exact details about potentially complicated areas of a route, such as clearer directions about what lane to be in or when to merge. The enhanced driving experience will be available on both Android and iOS, the rollout starts next month in more than 30 metro areas.
Waze is also receiving the Gemini treatment in today's announcements. Conversational Reporting that will allow drivers to use natural language to alert the app to road hazards or delays. And why limit AI to Maps when it can be on the whole planet? Google Earth is also getting generative AI tools specifically targeting urban planners with fast access to data.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-is-adding-gemini-ai-powered-tools-to-maps-140045971.html?src=rss
Nintendo has launched its own music streaming service that caters to fans of its games, including Mario and Animal Crossing. Fans will be able to listen to their favorite game tracks on their phones through the new Nintendo Music app, which has a user interface that pretty much looks like Spotify. The tracks are organized by game, so people can play the whole OST for specific titles if they want, but they can also listen to character playlists like a selection of songs performed by Animal Crossing's K.K. Slider.
If they're in the mood for certain songs, they can hit up one of the pre-made themed playlists, which put together tracks for themes like "boss battle" and "victory." The app offers mood playlists, as well, that groups tracks with similar vibes, such as soft, relaxing songs for bedtime listening. One feature that's probably unique to the service is spoiler prevention. If the listener adds a certain game to the setting, the app will hide the soundtracks that could give away a surprise ending or an unexpected final boss, among other potential spoilers. They can also extend a single track and keep it playing on repeat for up to an hour if that's all they want to listen to.
Fans can access the new Nintendo Music service with a Switch Online membership, though they can start listening to game tracks even if they're still on free trial. Every member on a Switch Online Family membership can also access it, so they don't need to pay for an individual subscription.
Nintendo Music, a new smart-device app exclusively for #NintendoSwitchOnline members, lets you stream or download music from Nintendo’s library of soundtracks!
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/nintendo-music-is-a-streaming-service-for-switch-online-subscribers-130035796.html?src=rss
It sounds like Samsung is hoping to launch its extended reality (XR) wearable device sometime next year. The company has revealed its outlook for 2025 in its new earnings report, wherein it said that it's looking to "improve connectivity among products, including upcoming XR devices, to further elevate user experiences in the Galaxy ecosystem." Samsung first revealed that it was working on a wearable device with augmented, mixed and virtual reality capabilities at the Galaxy S23 Unpacked event last year. It will run a Google-designed version of Android specifically made for wearable displays, and it will be powered by a Qualcomm chip.
As 9to5Google notes, previous reports claimed that Samsung will release a developer version of the wearable in October 2024, but that clearly didn't happen. Samsung didn't share more concrete details about the device's launch in its earnings report either, so there's no guarantee that the wearable will be available by next year.
During the company's earnings conference call, Samsung EVP Jaejune Kim also alluded to the possibility of developing a more affordable foldable phone. Kim said that because its foldable devices "have high levels of product satisfaction," the company is "considering ways to ease purchase barriers" so that more people can afford one. A Samsung official previously denied rumors that a cheaper Galaxy Z Fold was in the works, so it's not quite clear if the company changed its mind or if it's only working on a cheaper version of the Z Flip. In addition, Kim revealed that Samsung is "preparing a new form factor" for those "seeking an even more powerful and innovative mobile experience," though he may also be pertaining to the company's extended reality wearable device.
Of course, Samsung has confirmed that it will be launching the S25 series of phones next year. It reiterated plans to focus on AI features, as well as to improve AI offerings designed specifically for foldable phones.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/samsung-could-launch-its-extended-reality-wearable-device-next-year-123008566.html?src=rss
Finally, a color Kindle. Amazon, the dominant force in ereaders, finally brought color eink to its series of devices — and we’ve reviewed it. The Kindle Colorsoft is a solid premium ereader, ideal for readers of comics and graphic novels. The company has upgraded page-turn speed and a handy pinch-to-zoom function makes it easier to fully enjoy detailed images.
But at $280, it’s expensive. More expensive, even, than rival color ereaders. However, it’s hard to argue against the convenience and ubiquity of the Kindle ecosystem. The library is seemingly endless (with regular discounts on books and titles you plan to read), supplemented by Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited. If you’re tempted, check out our detailed review and comparisons with other ereaders.
With the Action 5 Pro, DJI finally has a worthy rival to GoPro and Insta360 action cam. With excellent battery life and solid image quality, the only drawback is slightly less-sharp video. However, if low-light performance is key, head straight for the Action 5 Pro. DJI’s new action cam costs $350, while the Hero 13 Pro and Insta360’s Ace Pro 2 are $400. The DJI beats both in battery life and is on par with its rivals when it comes to stabilization.
They also feature slightly brighter screens and better webcams.
Following the 24-inch iMac, then the adorable new Mac mini, Apple is also bringing its M4 chips to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro too. And, in addition to the base M4 chip and the M4 Pro, they can also be configured with the newly announced M4 Max. Alongside the internal spec boost, the new MacBook Pros have slightly brighter screens, which can reach up to 1,000 nits of SDR brightness (compared to 600 nits before), and there’s also a nano-texture display option, which drastically reduces glare for people working in very bright environments or direct sunlight.
Following the illustrious line of calendar-spanning corporate events like Lobsterfest and Shark Week, Apple tried something new this year with a celebration unofficially known as Mac Week. (Fortunately for Apple, it just so happens to coincide with its earnings call on Thursday!) The company’s three-day product rollout for desktop hardware centered around the M4 chip, built for Apple Intelligence. We recount everything Apple spit out this week, including a new iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro and other goodies like Apple Intelligence’s official arrival on iOS, iPadOS and macOS.
iMac (M4)
Apple
The M4-powered iMac has the same design (apart from some new colors) but with more horsepower inside. Apple says the all-in-one desktop is 1.7 times faster for daily productivity and 2.1 times faster for more demanding tasks like gaming or photo editing. Like all new Macs announced this week, it loses the measly 8GB of RAM previously seen in the cheapest Macs, jumping to 16GB as the baseline. (Woo!)
The new iMac still has a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display encased in an aluminum unibody design. However, it adds a new nano-texture glass screen option for reduced glare and a 12MP Center Stage camera that supports Apple’s Desk View.
You can pre-order the M4 iMac now, starting at $1,299. Deliveries and in-store sales begin on November 8.
Mac mini (M4, M4 Pro)
Apple
Apple’s little Mac that could lives up to its “mini” branding more than ever. The 2024 Mac mini is a mere five-inch by five-inch box, two inches tall. (That’s only slightly bigger than the Apple TV 4K!)
The new Mac mini is available in M4 and M4 Pro configurations. Apple says the M4 variant is up to 1.8 times faster than the M1 model from four years ago. Its graphics are up to 2.2 times faster. It should also be much better for Apple Intelligence: It supports 38 TOPS (tera operations per second) of AI processing power. That dwarfs the 18 TOPS from the (only one-year-old) M3 chip. It, too, starts with 16GB of RAM.
For the first time, the machine ditches legacy USB ports. It has two USB-C ports on the front and three Thunderbolt USB-C ports on the back (along with HDMI and Ethernet).
The M4 Mac mini is available to pre-order. It starts at $599, while the souped-up M4 Pro variant starts at $1,399. It arrives on November 9.
MacBook Pro (M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max)
Apple
Most of Apple’s Mac sales are in the MacBook lineup, which makes sense. Not only can you use them on the go, but you can also grab a Thunderbolt cable and hook them up to the monitor of your choice to double as a desktop. So, the climax of Mac Week was the new M4-powered MacBook Pro.
The only new Mac with three chip tiers, the MacBook Pro comes in M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max options. Apple says the M4 Pro is up to three times faster than the M1 Pro, and the M4 Max is up to 3.5 times faster than the M1 Max. The M4 variant is up to 1.8 times faster than the M1-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro for photo editing. That jumps to 3.4 times faster for demanding work like rendering scenes in Blender.
Its Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence (and other AI) is over three times as powerful as the M1. Helping out on the AI front (and for all-around performance) is the same 16GB of RAM as a baseline.
The laptop offers the same nano-texture display option as the iMac and up to 1,000 nits of brightness for SDR content. It also adopts the 12MP Center Stage camera for much better built-in video call capabilities. The device has three Thunderbolt 4 ports and an estimated 24 hours of battery life — as Apple puts it, that’s the longest ever in a Mac.
The new MacBook Pro is available in familiar 14-inch and 16-inch models. The smaller model with the M4 chip starts at $1,599, the M4 Pro variant starts at $1,999, and the ultra-high-end M4 Max will set you back at least $3,199. The 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499 with the M4 Pro chip, while an M4 Max flavor is $3,499 and up.
Apple Intelligence cometh
Apple
Apple’s first wave of on-device AI features is now in consumers’ hands, with no beta software required. This round includes writing tools like proofreading, rewiring and summaries, live call transcriptions and notification summaries.
The beginnings of a more intelligent Siri also arrived with this batch, including typed queries and an improved ability to recognize stutters or self-interruptions. You also get a neat new glowing border that announces to the world, “This ain’t the shitty Siri you’re used to!” But you’ll have to wait for the next wave of Siri upgrades for a more significant overhaul, like a better understanding of personal context.
Now, the bad news. Apple Intelligence is only available on a handful of recent devices in each of Apple’s major product categories. For the iPhone, that’s the iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max and the new iPhone 16 lineup (including non-Pro models). You’ll need a model with an M-series chip on the iPad, although the new iPad mini (with an A17 Pro chip) is an exception. As for Macs, you’ll also need a model with M-series Apple silicon, which stretches back to the last four years of models.
Apple Intelligence (round one) requires iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 or macOS Sequoia 15.1. The X.2 variants of each OS will bring the next wave of AI features, like ChatGPT integration and Image Playground.
Announced at Apple’s September iPhone launch, the hearing features include a “clinically validated” hearing test, hearing protection (like for concerts) and the ability to use the device as a hearing aid if it detects mild to moderate impairment. (If severe, it will nudge you towards a professional.)
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/everything-apple-announced-during-its-unofficial-mac-week-210115997.html?src=rss
Proton announced the debut of an Apple TV app for its virtual private network. The new app, which was "among the most requested features from our community," according to the company's blog post, is available for download from the App Store on any Apple TV. It will allow customers with a paid Proton VPN plan to stream their media content from any location on Apple's set-top box.
Proton VPN was our favorite when we reviewed it in 2023, and it's still our top pick this year for a virtual private network. The service boasts excellent features for security, privacy and usability. Our only real complaint was that the free tier comes with a lot of limitations. But if you're interested in the company's platform, Proton is currently running an early Black Friday deal where you can snag one or two year plans at a steep discount.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/proton-brings-its-vpn-to-apple-tv-with-new-app-204549019.html?src=rss