Apple secretly included quantum dot tech in the M4 MacBook Pro’s display

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Apple's latest M4-powered MacBook Pro is a pretty stellar laptop. We gave it a score of 92 in our review, due in part to its great screen. The display is brighter this time around, peaking at 1,000 nits for SDR (standard dynamic range) content and 1,600 nits for HDR material. However, there's another aspect of the screen about which Apple has strangely been keeping mum.

As noted by display expert Ross Young, Apple used a quantum dot (QD) film instead of a red KSF phosphor film on the display. "In the past, Apple went with the KSF solution due to better efficiency and lack of cadmium (Cd), but the latest Cd-free QD films are very efficient, feature as good or better color gamut and better motion performance," Young explained. That means the latest MacBook Pro screen should offer a wider color range than in the past while making motion look smoother.

Rather than being an early adopter itself, Apple often waits until technology has advanced to the point where it makes sense for the company to use it in products. Apple had considered using quantum dot tech in iMac displays at least as far back as 2015. But as TechRadar notes, cadmium is a toxic element and that would not have squared with Apple's stated commitment to environmentalism efforts, so the company abandoned that idea. However, cadmium-free film now makes quantum dot tech more feasible for Apple.

Quantum dots aren't exactly new. Other manufacturers have been using them in QLED TVs and monitors for many years at this point. QD-OLED panels are becoming more commonplace too. Apple is still using MiniLED backlighting in its MacBook Pros, but this could be a case of the company laying the groundwork for future QD-OLED MacBook Pro variants.

Engadget has contacted Apple for comment.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/apple-secretly-included-quantum-dot-tech-in-the-m4-macbook-pros-display-173424130.html?src=rss

Xbox Black Friday deals are live, so snag Halo: The Master Chief Collection for just $10

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The Black Friday elves are smiling today. Xbox holiday deals are officially live, and there are some real goodies to choose from. This is a digital sale, so it’s a great time to pad that backlog, particularly if your Xbox lacks a disc drive.

Perhaps the most noteworthy deal here is for Halo: The Master Chief Collection. It’s on sale for $10, which is a massive discount of 75 percent. This collection includes Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3 and Halo 4. This adds up to 45 campaign missions and more than 100 multiplayer maps. Much of this content has been updated to provide 4K visuals and HDR support.

The well-reviewed Street Fighter 6 is on sale for $30, which is a discount of 50 percent. We said the game “oozes style” in our official review and praised the robust World Tour mode, which is sort of like a tutorial mixed with an RPG. The controls are as tight as ever and the myriad of playable characters are a whole lot of fun.

The first-party game Pentiment is also half off, going down to $10 from $20. This is an RPG with a fantastic historical art style. It’s a niche title, but a great one, particularly for ten bucks. The game’s certainly easy on the eyes.

Everyone’s favorite walking simulator, Death Stranding: Director’s Cut, is available for $20 instead of $40. Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred is 25 percent off, bringing it down to $30, and Star Wars Outlaws is $52 instead of $70. Other discounted games include Hogwarts Legacy, Resident Evil 4, Tekken 8 and, well, too many more to list. The sale ends on December 2. 

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/xbox-black-friday-deals-are-live-so-snag-halo-the-master-chief-collection-for-just-10-170334593.html?src=rss

Acoustic panels uses textile waste for sustainable production

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With the popularity of fast fashion, there is also a lot of textile waste that ends up in landfills and have not been recycled or upcycled. There are several groups that have been advocating for more eco-friendly fashion that includes not supporting these kinds of manufacturers and looking for ways to have better use for household textile waste. You don’t even have to create new clothes from them but find other uses outside of fashion.

Designer Name: Sze Tjin Yek

The Sorbet acoustic panels is one such project, turning all these shredded textile waste into acoustic panels that can be used for homes, offices, and other commercial spaces. Panels like these are important to minimize noise pollution within closed areas for both the mental and physical health of users. But instead of the usual acoustic panels made from open cell polyurethane, these are made textile waste which have the second lowest recovery rate in Australia after plastics.

These panels are made from 100% laundered and upcycled household textile waste. These are durable enough but of course they need to be bonded together and the inventor used a starch-based glue. And since the textile used have different colors and textures, there are three aesthetic options created: Blueberry Lemonade (blue and gold), Red Velvet (red and black(, and Hundreds and Thousands. The third one uses more color options since textiles are of course varied.

This kind of panel is of course more sustainable than your usual ones that use recycled PET and textile fibers bonded with mycelium. The next step would be to create a process that can make this commercially viable and also look at installation methods for it.

The post Acoustic panels uses textile waste for sustainable production first appeared on Yanko Design.

The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal is down to an all-time-low price for Black Friday

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If you’re looking for a gift for the aspiring vlogger in your life, or you want to try your hand at making more content for social media, this Black Friday deal may have just what you’re looking for. The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 smartphone gimbal has dropped to only $89; that’s a 36 percent discount and an all-time-low price on the camera-stabilizing device.

For the uninitiated, this product keeps a steady lock on smartphones so as to provide smooth camera and video footage. The Osmo Mobile 6 is a step up from its predecessors in nearly every way. It features a newly-designed handle that’s more comfortable to hold and a larger clamp to accommodate all of those modern giant phones. The clamp can also wrap itself around smaller phones in bulky cases. 

This model boasts a built-in extension rod, so it doubles as a selfie stick. It also features the company’s ActiveTrack software. This allows for increased stability over longer distances and will actually track subjects as they turn, spin or move. Another new feature is Quick Launch for iPhone models. This automatically forces the phone into the camera view when the gimbal is unfolded.

There’s a built-in status panel to check battery levels, a timelapse feature, gestural controls and a whole lot more. It’s a nifty little gadget. On the downside, this is a lot of money for a smartphone clamp, even at $89. This is for people who prioritize top-tier footage.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-dji-osmo-mobile-6-gimbal-is-down-to-an-all-time-low-price-for-black-friday-161257902.html?src=rss

The Dyson Airwrap is $110 off for Black Friday

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There are lots of early Black Friday deals beyond phones, tablets, smartwatches and laptops. Another item worth considering as a gift for yourself or a loved one is the Dyson Airwrap, a popular hair styling tool. The device has dropped to $490 at QVC. That's $110 off the list price. If you're interested, you'll need to act fairly quickly, as this deal is only available for a single day.

This isn't quite the lowest price we've seen for the Dyson Airwrap. It dropped to $480 for Black Friday last year. But this is still a good deal for those looking for a different way to style their hair.

Instead of employing a high level of heat to help you dry and shape your hair, this device has an air flow system (as the name suggests). As such, the Airwrap could be healthier for your hair in the long run compared with using a blow dryer, straightener or curling iron.

More specifically, the Airwrap harnesses the Coanda effect, which is an aerodynamic phenomenon related to the flow of air around a curved surface. Air follows the barrel or the surface of an attachment. As such, it can wrap, dry and style your hair all at the same time. It's designed to give hairstrands maximum alignment, so it should help minimize flyaways.

Features include three airflow speeds, a trio of heat settings and a cold shot function that switches off the heat and delivers a gust of cool air to help set your hair. The Airwrap comes with a host of accessories as well. Better yet, this deal is part of a bundle that includes a comb and a travel bag.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-dyson-airwrap-is-110-off-for-black-friday-154434246.html?src=rss

Porsche Taycan GTS and Sport Turismo GTS Arrive with More Power and Performance

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Porsche Taycan GTS

The Porsche Taycan GTS is the latest addition to the Taycan family, bringing a blend of power, performance, and precision that enthusiasts have come to expect from the iconic brand. The GTS, which stands for Gran Turismo Sport, has a storied history within Porsche, and the new Taycan GTS continues this legacy with its sporty […]

The post Porsche Taycan GTS and Sport Turismo GTS Arrive with More Power and Performance appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

25 SECRET Apple TV Features That Will Blow Your Mind!

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Apple TV

Apple TV is a versatile and feature-rich streaming device that offers users a wealth of options to customize and enhance their viewing experience. While many users are familiar with the basic functionalities of Apple TV, there are numerous hidden features that can significantly elevate the way you interact with your device. In the video below, […]

The post 25 SECRET Apple TV Features That Will Blow Your Mind! appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

25 SECRET Apple TV Features That Will Blow Your Mind!

Posted on by
Apple TV

Apple TV is a versatile and feature-rich streaming device that offers users a wealth of options to customize and enhance their viewing experience. While many users are familiar with the basic functionalities of Apple TV, there are numerous hidden features that can significantly elevate the way you interact with your device. In the video below, […]

The post 25 SECRET Apple TV Features That Will Blow Your Mind! appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

US government finalizes TSMC’s $6.6 billion CHIPS Act incentives

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TMSC) is the first CHIPS Act awardee to get part of the money that the government has promised. The Biden administration has finalized its grants for TSMC, which expects to receive $6.6 billion in grants as part of their agreement to grow semiconductor production in the US. TSMC will also loan another $5 billion from the government to fund the expansion of its planned $65 billion three-factory complex in Arizona. According to Bloomberg, it's getting at least $1 billion from the total before the year ends, since it has already met a certain set of requirements. 

In October, a Canadian research firm discovered that Huawei was using TSMC chips for its artificial intelligence accelerators even though that violates US government sanctions. TSMC denied having any working relationship with Huawei, and it stopped shipping to the client that may have been illegally sending its chips to Huawei. It also decided to stop producing advanced AI chips for its Chinese clients, reportedly because it wanted to show the US government that it's "not acting against US interests."

"Today’s final agreement with TSMC — the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced semiconductors — will spur $65 billion dollars of private investment to build three state-of-the-art facilities in Arizona and create tens of thousands of jobs by the end of the decade.... The first of TSMC’s three facilities is on track to fully open early next year," President Joe Biden said in a statement. 

Other companies, like Intel and Samsung, are still waiting to get their grants. Business groups are reportedly urging the government to finalize their CHIPS Act deals before Biden leaves the office. While they're not worried about the new administration killing the CHIPS Act, which enjoyed bipartisan support, they apparently want to avoid the possibility of having to renegotiate with the government. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/us-government-finalizes-tsmcs-66-billion-chips-act-incentives-143007608.html?src=rss

This Desktop Robot Toy Is A Delightful Tribute to the Iconic Apple IIe Computer

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Imagine having a tiny robot on your desk that can transform into a mini version of the classic Apple IIe computer. That’s the Classicbot IIe for you! Standing at just 8.5 cm (3.35 inches), it’s like having a bit of tech history right at your fingertips. With its detachable arms and track feet, this little guy is both adorable and a fun nod to the past. It’s a playful companion that brings a smile to your face and sparks curiosity among your friends and colleagues.

Designer: Classicbot

Each Classicbot IIe is crafted with care and made from resin in small batches. This means every piece is unique, which adds a special touch to its charm. The attention to detail is spot-on, right down to the Duodisk 5″ floppy drive. It’s like a tiny, joyful celebration of retro tech that makes you smile every time you look at it. The craftsmanship involved in creating each piece is evident, turning it into more than just a desk accessory — it’s a piece of art that captures the essence of a bygone era.

The Apple IIe is probably one of the best-selling computers the company sold in that era. Since not everyone can get their hands on an honest-to-goodness replica, this robot is a fun hidden gem for those who love a bit of retro flair. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just someone who appreciates a good throwback, this little robot is a delightful companion. It speaks to the inner geek in all of us, reminding us of the early days of computing when floppy disks were all the rage and the sound of a modem connecting was music to our ears.

The best part? Switching it from a robot to a computer model is super easy and fun: just remove the arms and the tracks. The robot’s face naturally becomes the monitor, and its eyes make you think you’re playing the classic Pong game. It’s like having a mini Transformers on your desk! With a quick change, you can transport yourself back to the 1980s, a time when the Apple IIe was a revolutionary piece of technology.

Its small size makes it perfect for any workspace, no matter how cluttered. It’s a conversation starter, an icebreaker, and a reminder of how far we’ve come in the world of technology. The Classicbot IIe is not just for those who lived through the era of the Apple IIe; it’s for anyone who appreciates the journey of technology and enjoys a little whimsy in their day-to-day life.

If you love a good blend of history and playfulness, the Classicbot IIe is a delightful way to brighten up your day. It’s a cheerful reminder of how far technology has come, all while keeping things light and fun. It’s the perfect desk buddy for those moments when you need a break from the digital world, offering a tangible connection to the past. Right now it’s on pre-order for $85, and those who put in the money now will get their hands on a limited edition mini joystick accessory to really drive home that throwback design.

The post This Desktop Robot Toy Is A Delightful Tribute to the Iconic Apple IIe Computer first appeared on Yanko Design.