Chrome is getting a series of safety updates that could improve your security while browsing online. In a release, Google announced the new features, which include protecting against abusive notifications, limiting site permissions and reviewing extensions.
Safety Check, Chrome's security monitor, will now run continuously in the background to more readily take protective steps. The tool will let you know what steps it's taking, which should include removing permissions from sites you no longer visit and ones Google Safe Browsing believes are deceiving you into giving permission. It will also flag any alerts it deems you might not want and notify you of issues that require attention, like security issues. Plus, Safety Check on your desktop should alert you to any Chrome extensions that might pose a risk.
Google is also reducing the number of permissions that last for sites on Chrome for desktops or Android devices. The new feature will allow you to approve mic or camera access for one time only instead of always for the site. Instead, they will have to request your permission again on the next use. Plus, Google is also expanding the ability to unsubscribe from a site on Chrome with one button beyond Pixel devices to more Android ones.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/chromes-latest-safety-update-will-be-more-proactive-about-protecting-you-160046221.html?src=rss
Just like the company practically redefined the calculator with Math Notes for the iPad Pro, Apple’s turned a humble voice-note app into a blessing for musicians who use it to record samples, hooks, and lyric ideas.
Apple’s latest update to the Voice Memos app is bound to capture the attention of musicians, especially those who often rely on their iPhone for quick recordings of new sparks of inspiration. With iOS 18 and the iPhone 16, Apple has introduced key features that greatly enhance the functionality of this simple recording app, making it a more useful tool for creative professionals. The ability to layer tracks within the Voice Memos app turns the otherwise basic app into a ‘sonic doodle-pad’ for creating layered multitrack compositions. Previously, musicians would have to open a separate digital audio workstation (DAW) to layer vocals and instruments together, which required time and technical know-how. Now, with this update, musicians can record an instrumental track, such as guitar or piano, and then layer vocals over it without leaving the app. This simple feature is particularly useful for singer-songwriters, allowing them to develop ideas more organically without the distraction of switching between apps. Recording two tracks simultaneously may sound limiting for professional production, but for quick idea generation and song structure building, it’s a practical improvement. Musicians can also mix the two tracks within the app, adjusting volume levels to ensure that vocals and instrumentals are well-balanced.
Advanced processing isolates the vocal from the background sound, delivering a clean, professional result without requiring additional apps or headphones. This integration offers a simple, intuitive way for musicians to build multi-layered recordings directly on their phones, a leap forward for on-the-go production. The iPhone 16 lineup also introduces new audio processing technologies powered by Apple’s A18 chip. With this boost in processing power, the devices can handle real-time audio adjustments more efficiently. Apple’s new AI software, Apple Intelligence, plays a role in optimizing the sound recording experience, ensuring every track captured through Voice Memos or other apps benefits from smart noise reduction and dynamic range adjustments. While these features may not be as obvious to casual users, they represent significant improvements for anyone serious about audio quality.
Another helpful addition is transcription, which converts voice recordings into text. For songwriters, this feature can make the creative process smoother by providing a way to quickly view and edit lyrics. Rather than having to manually type out or remember lyrics after a recording session, users can now see their words appear directly in the app. The transcription function is easy to use; after recording, users tap on the three dots next to their recording and choose the “View Transcript” option. They can then make edits to specific sections, replacing only the parts they want to change. This integration of audio and text simplifies the workflow for lyricists, allowing them to focus more on refining their craft and less on the technicalities of documenting ideas.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this feature saw further innovation over the years. Sure, Apple’s added more mics for better recording chops, and a dual-track ability to the voice-notes feature. A year from now, they could turn it into a multitrack app with the ability to cut/edit/loop samples, probably within the app. Given that the iPhone doesn’t have a Logic Pro app, expanding the Voice Memos feature to become a makeshift DAW sounds wonderful. Who knows, they could revamp Garage Band too, allowing you to make entire album demos right on your smartphone. Sounds too good to be true, sure, but who knows what the future holds?!
The new iPhones are set to hit the market on September 20, with prices starting at $799 for the base model and $999 for the Pro. It’s unclear whether the new Voice Memo features will come to older iPhones given the reliance on the A18 chip. Given that Apple Intelligence will be made available to the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, one could assume that at least last year’s flagship Pro models should get this new set of app-based features.
It’s easy to forget that there’s another social network besides Threads for people tired of Elon Musk’s totally normal X platform. Bluesky is a fine alternative, as it definitely “feels” like Twitter. However, it has been lacking some of the features that made Twitter such an internet hotspot back in the day. Well, we just got a big one. The company just announced that users can now upload video content.
There are some caveats. First of all, the videos have to be under a minute. That’s a fairly huge hurdle for just about every piece of content other than TikTok-style shorts. As a comparison, Meta’s Threads allows for five minute videos. Also, the videos autoplay by default, though that can be handled in the settings. Finally, there’s a hard limit of 25 videos per user each day, though the company says it could tweak that in the future.
The platform supports most of the major video file types, including .mp4, .mpeg, .webm, and .mov files. Users can also attach subtitles to each video, which is a nice little bonus. There are some guardrails in place to protect against “spam and abuse.” Only users who have verified their email address can upload videos and illegal content will be “purged” from the infrastructure. There’s also a way to submit reports to the moderation team. Additionally, each video will be scanned for CSAM by Hive and Thorn.
Update to version 1.91 of the mobile app to get started, though it also works via the desktop client. Not every user will be able to access this feature right away, as version 1.91 will be a gradual rollout to “ensure a smooth experience.”
Bluesky recently added direct messages into the mix, which is something Threads doesn’t have. The platform may be a distant third, when compared to X and Threads, but it’s certainly growing. A massive influx of Brazilian users recently joined the social media site after X was banned in the country.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/bluesky-now-lets-you-upload-videos-but-there-are-some-caveats-185702403.html?src=rss
Apple's latest attempt to slightly differentiate the iPhone 16 series is... a faux button it's calling Camera Control. But unlike last year's new button, this one doesn't actually physically depress, and uses a mix of sensors and haptic feedback to simulate the sensation of movement. And in my brief hands-on right after Apple's iPhone 16 launch event, I have to say I actually thought it was a real button.
Editors' Note: After some investigation, it turns out that at least part of the camera control is a real, depressable button. You'll feel the actual movement when you push all the way down, but the half-press is what's simulated by the iPhone 16's haptic feedback. It does a remarkably good job of simulating a two-stage button.
I got a quick look at the iPhone 16 Pro here in Apple Park, and got a deep walkthrough of the new camera control and its corresponding interface. When I first picked up the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I felt like it looked sleeker and thinner than my iPhone 15 Pro Max, which was nice. My fingers were then drawn to the new "button," which has a groove that surrounds it, which helps with identification by touch.
From the home screen, I pressed down on the camera control and the camera app quickly opened. The Apple rep guarding these phones encouraged me to push the camera control with varying pressures, as a lighter touch changed the dial that popped up onscreen next to where the button sat. I dragged my finger on this surface, and the digital knob moved along with me, although I at first found the direction of the movement slightly counterintuitive. I am, however, one of those gamers that needs to flip the direction of my controllers when looking around and navigating any environment though, so that might be just me.
There is no way to change the direction of camera control's direction when you're swiping, but you can tweak the settings to adjust pressure sensitivity. When the Apple rep asked me to push harder on the control, I was shocked at what felt like a real button moving below my fingertip. I confirmed again with the Apple rep that this was not a mechanical button that actually moves, and was met with reassuring nods. Next to me, fellow reviewer Brian Tong echoed my sentiment that the camera control feels remarkably like an actual button.
Cherlynn Low for Engadget
Aside from marveling at the physical sensation on the iPhone 16 Pro, I also took a closer look at the changes to the interface. When I first light-pushed on the camera control, a selection of options came up, allowing me to select Exposure, Zoom, Camera, Styles and Tone. Pressing harder down on each of these locked those modes and a different dial with more markings came up, and swiping on the sensor would move the wheel. In the Camera mode, I was able to quickly switch between the ultrawide, main and zoom options, similar to how the viewfinder currently operates. If you prefer to use the existing interface to switch cameras, you can still do so.
When you pick the Styles option, you'll swipe between the new Photographic Styles that Apple introduced this year. In each of these, you can tap an icon on the top right of the app to edit them with the new touchpad-ish interface. Dragging your finger around this square at the bottom will adjust color temperature and hue settings. You can also make changes to the Photographic Style in your picture after it's been taken, so you don't have to worry too much about not liking the way something looks.
Cherlynn Low for Engadget
I also got to hold the iPhone 16 Pro Max in portrait mode and take a selfie. At first, my thumb was placed too high on the device's edge, and pressing down did nothing. I shifted the phone in my hand slightly, which felt a little precarious, then found the camera control and quickly took a shot. I'm not sure of the position here just yet, but it feels like something I'll figure out in time.
Some of the camera improvements on the iPhone 16 Pro are new video editing features, but I didn't quite get to recording 4K120 footage yet. I did get to peek at the updated video-editing interface, which has a tab on the side for Audio Mix, which lets you isolate the voices of people on camera or make the shot sound like it was recorded inside a studio. It's all so very cinematic. I don't know that I believe people can shoot IMAX-friendly films on any iPhone ever, but the idea that you can is certainly intriguing.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max vs the iPhone 15 Pro Max display
Part of the reason I found the iPhone 16 Pro slightly sleeker than its predecessor is likely to do with its display. It's 6.9 inches large now, compared to its predecessor's 6.7-inch screen. However, Apple has managed to keep the handset at the same size as before, shaving the bezels down even further to do so. It's not something you'll notice without putting the two devices side by side and really scrutinizing the borders, but it makes a small difference in making this year's Pro Max feel new.
Whether that makes a meaningful difference in maneuvering the phone or reading more content at once is something I'll wait till I can scroll Reddit for hours on my couch before judging. I'd also need more time to see if Apple Intelligence and the new A18 Pro chip will improve the iPhone 16 Pro experience and battery life. I know I'm super stoked for the update to the Voice Memo app and will be loudly singing into my iPhone 16 Pro whenever I get the chance. If you want the most comprehensive review from an aspiring singer, definitely come back to check out our full impressions soon. If not, well, you have been warned.
Update, September 09 2024, 8:04PM ET: This story has been updated to clarify that there is a real button in Camera Control, and that the half-step is what's simulated by haptic feedback.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/iphone-16-pro-hands-on-how-does-a-faux-camera-control-button-feel-so-real-191406863.html?src=rss
Apple has introduced a new feature called Visual Intelligence with the iPhone 16, which appears to be the company's answer to Google Lens. Unveiled during its September 2024 event, Visual Intelligence aims to help users interact with the world around them in smarter ways.
The new feature is activated by a new touch-sensitive button on the right side of the device called Camera Control. With a click, Visual Intelligence can identify objects, provide information, and offer actions based on what you point it at. For instance, aiming it at a restaurant will pull up menus, hours, or ratings, while snapping a flyer for an event can add it directly to your calendar. Point it at a dog to quickly identify the breed, or click a product to search for where you can buy it online.
Later this year, Camera Control will also serve as a gateway into third-party tools with specific domain expertise, according to Apple's press release. For instance, users will be able to leverage Google for product searches or tap into ChatGPT for problem-solving, all while maintaining control over when and how these tools are accessed and what information is shared. Apple emphasized that the feature is designed with privacy in mind, meaning the company doesn’t have access to the specifics of what users are identifying or searching.
Apple claims that Visual Intelligence maintains user privacy by processing data on the device itself, ensuring that the company does not know what you clicked on.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-invents-its-own-version-of-google-lens-called-visual-intelligence-180647182.html?src=rss
Many of Apple Intelligence’s most anticipated features will arrive in a trickle well after the release of iOS 18, and according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it could be December before the iPhone will offer things like AI-generated images and custom emoji. Apple Intelligence is expected to make its debut with iOS 18.1, which Gurman has previously reported will likely come sometime in October. Genmoji and the upcoming image-generation tool, Image Playground, reportedly won’t be among its first features. Instead, Gurman predicts they’ll ship with iOS 18.2, which he says is slated for December.
Apple showed off Genmoji and Image Playground during its June event. With Genmoji, users will be able to create custom emoji from a prompt or make emoji of real people based on their photos. Image Playground, on the other hand, will let users generate images in three styles: Animation, Illustration and Sketch. It’ll be offered as a standalone app and as a built-in tool in other apps, including Messages.
All of these features will eventually be available for the iPhone 16 line, which will be unveiled on Monday Sept. 9 at Apple’s It’s Glowtime event, as well as other recent iPhone models. Apple Intelligence will also bring ChatGPT integration, message summarization, a smarter Siri and more.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/genmoji-and-image-generation-tools-for-iphone-reportedly-delayed-until-ios-182-152526073.html?src=rss
Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, has issued a recall for Ram 1500 pickup trucks from 2019 and 2021-2024 due to a software problem in the anti-lock brake system. The bug could cause the anti-lock brake system to “disable the electronic stability control system,” which in turn can increase the risk of a crash, according to a notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The recall affects roughly 1.46 million vehicles worldwide, Reutersreports, with the vast majority of them being in the US. So far, there are no known injuries or crashes relating to the issue, according to Reuters. If the problem arises, owners should see the ABS, ESC, Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning lights go on upon starting the truck. Per Reuters, the software issue does not affect foundational braking.
The NHTSA says notices will be mailed to owners in early October, and they’ll have to bring their trucks into a dealership so the ABS control module software can be updated. As of now, the vehicles do not comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standard for electronic stability control systems, the NHTSA says. If you’re unsure whether the recall applies to your truck, you can plug your information into the NHTSA recall search tool to find out.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/over-14-million-ram-1500-trucks-recalled-to-fix-a-bug-in-the-anti-lock-brake-system-172807815.html?src=rss
One of the most common criticisms against Snapchat is that it's not very intuitive and is quite hard navigate as a new user. Personally, I never quite got the hang of it and find TikTok much, much easier to use. Apparently, Snap is aware of the issue, because it's currently testing a "simplified version of Snapchat." Snap CEO Evan Spiegel has revealed the existence of an experimental Snapchat app in a lengthy blog post discussing the company's highs and lows over the past 13 years, as well as its most recent earnings and future plans.
The simplified app "aims to improve accessibility and usability," he wrote, adding that it's been positively received in early tests. In addition, the app could lead to better app performance and faster load times overall. Even so, Spiegel said that the company "will be thoughtful and deliberate about making a change of this magnitude" despite the app's reception. That most likely means that Snap is still testing the app more thoroughly and that we won't be seeing it anytime soon.
In addition to revealing the existence of a simpler Snapchat, Spiegel has also revealed that the company is testing new advertisement formats. One of those formats called Sponsored Snaps will show up as new Snaps in your chat inbox, alongside your friends' messages. The good news is that you won't get a notification for those Snap ads, and opening the messages is optional. As The Verge notes, though, the ads could sit above your actual friends' messages if you never open them.
The company most likely cooked up the new and potentially more intrusive ad placement as a response to its lagging share performance in the ad market. Spiegel said that the company has managed to reverse two years of declining year-over-year revenue growth, but its advertising business is growing slower than its competitors'. He also said that expanding the company's digital advertising business is key to its long-term revenue potential and that Snap's investors are getting concerned that it's not growing faster.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/snap-is-testing-a-less-confusing-version-of-its-app-113007479.html?src=rss
The X TV app — teased earlier this year — is out in beta on Amazon Fire TVs, Google TVs and some LG sets. The short teaser video included in the beta app announcement shows a typical-looking streaming video interface sewn into what looks like Google’s version of the X app. There are rows of links to videos for the very small number of original videos on the platform, like content from SpaceX, Tesla and… Tucker Carlson. Naturally, there might (should?) be a bigger range of video once it gets out of beta, but if you’re not a Musk fan, you’re probably long divorced from X anyhow.
The source code is in the Android Open Source Project.
Strangely missing from last month's Google Pixel launch event, Android 15’s source code is finally out. Android 15 will be available on select Pixel models soon, with support for phones from Samsung, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus and Oppo coming in the next few months. Some of the more interesting features include smart volume adjustment and improved split-screen app access.
Google’s second foldable has arrived. The Pixel 9 Pro fold has refined hardware, superior cameras and a long-lasting battery. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s internal display has an almost square 1:1 aspect ratio, 8 inches wide diagonally, larger than its predecessor’s 7.6-inch panel. Google just needs to iron out a few software quirks — something we’re saying about most foldable.
Sony will refund everyone who bought the team shooter.
Developer Firewalk Studios says it’s taking Concord offline on September 6, just two weeks after its release, to “explore options, including those that will better reach our players.” You can no longer buy Concord digitally, and Sony will refund everyone who bought the $40 game. Game director Ryan Ellis wrote on the PlayStation Blog that the team recognized “aspects of the game and our initial launch didn’t land the way we’d intended.” There are lots of reasons Concord didn’t take off, from its so-so gameplay and lack of captivating characters to heavyweight competition from other free-to-play team shooters, think Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone and Sony’s own Destiny 2.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-the-x-tv-app-wobbles-onto-your-big-screen-111502220.html?src=rss
X has entered the streaming wars, sort of. Owner Elon Musk announced that the X TV app — teased earlier this year — is available now for some Amazon Fire TVs, Google TVs and some LG panels.
If your TV doesn’t fit into one of those categories, don’t fret. You’re not missing anything.
The short teaser video included in the beta app announcement shows what appears to be the Google version of the app with a typical looking streaming video interface. There are rows of links to videos for the very small number of original shows on the platform like right-wing dog whistler Tucker Carlson and accounts for SpaceX and Tesla. However, the actual app (or at least the version for Amazon Fire TVs) looks nothing like the video and offers even less in terms of content.
Currently, the X TV app is just a video delivery system for the X app. You’ll need an X account to log in and it just sends you to a curated list of X videos that are already on the platform. However, what appear to be the default recommendations are truly hideous to anyone not of the same political mind as Musk.
Danny Gallagher
I used a burner account that wasn't following many users, and the videos the X TV app offered me on first viewing includes a Megyn Kelly video accusing Tim Walz of committing “stolen valor,” a report from right-wing social media influencer Andy Ngo and Carlson’s fawning interview with historian Darryl Cooper who performs some revisionist history by calling Winston Churchill “the chief villain of the Second World War.”
X TV's video library is reflective of its users; after years of skewing liberal, its most active userbase is now conservative fans ready for whatever red meat X dangles over them. The videos on show may entertain those users, and Musk’s fan club may fawn over finally having a streaming app on smart TVs, but even if you’re in that demo, it’s a disappointingly barebones app compared to rivals like Rumble.
So far, X's efforts to attract top-tier talent have been rocky, at best. While Khloé Kardashian announced a video podcast deal on X earlier this year, Musk bungled the launch of Don Lemon's planned show so badly that Lemon is suing him. Other participants in X's video plans include the WWE and sports commentator Jim Rome, not to mention Tucker Carlson friend and deplorable human being Tulsi Gabbard.
If for some reason you still want to try this mess out, Musk tweeted earlier today that X "will soon be available on all home TV screens." Not exactly the most detailed proclamation, but when has he ever mislead people before? So while compatible devices are limited at the moment, we're sure it'll be more widely available before long.
Update: September 4, 2024, 3:45PM ET: This story has been updated with more details on celebrities using X video as well as details on when X TV might come to more devices.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-x-tv-app-is-out-now-and-yes-it-really-sucks-204931559.html?src=rss
