Tag Archives: author_name|Kris Holt

How to watch Google launch the Pixel 9 line at the Made by Google event today

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It's Google's turn to hold a major hardware event, albeit a little earlier than usual this year. The Made by Google 2024 showcase will take place at 1PM ET today, August 13. You can stream it live on the Made by Google YouTube channel or simply watch above. We already have a good idea of what the company will reveal. We'll also have full, in-depth coverage of everything announced at the Google Pixel 9 launch event right here on Engadget.

Google has already confirmed that it will show off the latest lineup of Pixel smartphones. We're expecting to see four models, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 XL, which will have a prominent camera bar on the rear. Google is also rebranding its latest foldable. Rather than being dubbed the Pixel Fold 2, the device is called the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The Gemini AI assistant will be baked deeply into all of these phones as Google aims to boost your productivity and make photo editing much easier.

Elsewhere, rumors suggest that Google will announce the Pixel Watch 3, which is expected to be available in two sizes. It's likely that we'll see the Pixel Buds 2 as well.

Given that Google revealed a new TV streaming box and Nest Learning Thermostat a week before the event, it seems that the company wants to keep the focus on Pixel devices. That said, there's always the chance of a genuine surprise or two. For what it's worth, an "after party" event will start at 2:30PM ET.

Catch up on all the news from Google’s Pixel 9 launch event right here!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-watch-google-launch-the-pixel-9-line-at-made-by-google-event-tomorrow-161207616.html?src=rss

Nicolás Maduro bans X in Venezuela for 10 days amid Elon Musk dispute

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Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro has blocked X in the country for 10 days after claiming that the platform's owner Elon Musk had incited hatred and "violated" his own social network's rules. "Shame on Dictator Maduro," wrote Musk, who claimed that the incumbent president had committed "major election fraud."

Maduro, who also argued that his rivals were using the platform to stoke political unrest, said he greenlit a proposal by the national telecoms authority to "remove the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, from circulation in Venezuela for 10 days." That's according to the Associated Press, which said its reporters in the country were unable to access X after the proclamation. X does not have a public relations department that can be reached for comment.

While Musk has arguably fanned the flames of the situation in Venezuela, Maduro could be using him as a scapegoat so he has a pretext to temporarily block X and attempt to quash discussion of election results. The president claimed victory in July's presidential election, but the outcome has been disputed.

Independent exit polls and reviews of voting machine data indicated that Maduro's opposition, Edmundo González, may have received twice as many votes as the incumbent. The Maduro-controlled national electoral council however claimed that Maduro had a 52 percent share of the vote with González taking 43 percent. The council has not yet produced voting tallies as is required by law.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/nicolas-maduro-bans-x-in-venezuela-for-10-days-amid-elon-musk-dispute-163049192.html?src=rss

TikTok will make it easier to identify movies and TV shows that users are clipping

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One of the more annoying aspects of TikTok (and Instagram and X) culture is when a user shares a contextless but captivating clip from a movie or a TV show. Oftentimes, they won't state or tag the name of the source upfront, prompting viewers to ask in the comments where the clip is from in an engagement-boosting trick. TikTok is stepping in to do something about that with a new feature called TikTok Spotlight.

When the platform's tech detects an applicable clip, it will add an anchor link to a landing page with more details about the show or movie. The page will include a synopsis, cast info and official accounts, as well as other TikToks linked to the same title so you can keep going down the rabbit hole. The landing page will also include details on where to watch the show or movie if it's on a streaming service, or a way to buy tickets if a film is still in theaters.

There are benefits for studios that take part in this initiative too. TikTok is now an important part of marketing strategies for movies and TV shows, so having a hub where interested users can go to learn more and possibly buy theater tickets is something Hollywood can take advantage of. TikTok says they'll be able to find creators who are a good match and incentivize them to spread the word about their projects. Studios will also have access to engagement analytics.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/tiktok-will-make-it-easier-to-identify-movies-and-tv-shows-that-users-are-clipping-143449273.html?src=rss

The M4 Mac mini could be Apple’s smallest desktop computer to date

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The Mac mini could be in line for a major overhaul when the M4-powered model arrives. It's said to be about the size of an Apple TV box, according to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. That would make it the smallest desktop computer Apple has built. The M4 Mac mini is expected to emerge later this year and, if the report holds up, this would also mark the first major revamp of the system since 2010 — when it was last redesigned under Steve Jobs.

The next Mac mini may be just 3.7 inches wide, which is less than half the size of the M2 existing model. But while its footprint may be smaller, the M4 Mac mini could turn out to be taller than the current 1.4-inch-high system. It's expected to still have an aluminum shell.

The report indicates the next Mac mini may be roughly equivalent to an iPad Pro, the latest model of which has an M4 chipset. It could be cheaper for Apple to produce than the current Mac mini but it's unclear whether that would result in the company lowering the retail price, which sits at $599 for the M2-powered model. 

Apple is said to be testing two versions of the Mac mini, including the iPad Pro equivalent and a more powerful setup with an M4 Pro chipset. According to Gurman, the company has tested builds with three or more USB-C ports, a power socket and an HDMI port. It'll be very interesting to see if the company foregoes USB-A ports with the new Mac mini.

Elsewhere, we could see M4-powered iMacs and MacBook Pros this year too. The next-gen MacBook Airs may not arrive until spring, while Gurman suggests that the next Mac Pro and Mac Studio could debut in mid-2025.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/the-m4-mac-mini-could-be-apples-smallest-desktop-computer-to-date-180005568.html?src=rss

Apple’s 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is $300 off

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Those seeking a good deal on a powerhouse MacBook need not look much further. The base M3 14-inch MacBook has dropped to its lowest price to date. Apple's laptop is available for $1,300 from Amazon when you apply a $99 coupon.

This was already the most affordable M3 MacBook Pro. But thanks to this deal, you can grab the laptop for $300 less than the regular price.

This model comes with the standard M3 chip, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. We typically recommend opting for a configuration with at least 16GB of RAM, especially if you plan to use your MacBook Pro for video editing. But given this deal, there's currently a $600 gap between the base model and one that has 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. However, if you just need more storage, a model with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD will run you $1,500 when you apply a coupon. That's also $300 off.

The M3 MacBook Pro is our pick for the best MacBook for creatives, especially if you're able to swing a higher-specced configuration. But the base 14-inch model still has a lot going for it. There's a great MiniLED Liquid Retina XDR display with a 120Hz refresh rate, for one thing. While there's a 16-inch M3 MBP available, the 14-inch form factor strikes a nice sweet spot in terms of portability and screen real estate.

The six-speaker array and built-in mics do an excellent job of handling the audio side of things. The MacBook Pro also has far more ports than the current MacBook Air as you'll get an SD card slot, headphone jack, HDMI port and two Thunderbolt 4 sockets as well as the MagSafe charging port. The 14-inch MBP's battery, meanwhile, lasted for 20 and a half hours in our video rundown test.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-14-inch-m3-macbook-pro-is-300-off-154142961.html?src=rss

Vampire Survivors hits PS4 and PS5 on August 29

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As developer Poncle promised, Vampire Survivors is making its way to PlayStation this summer and now there's a firm release date. Many people's pick for the best game of 2022 is coming to PS4 and PS5 on August 29. All of the paid expansions will be available on launch day as well.

PlayStation was the last remaining major platform for the all-conquering, vampire-less game to land on. After coming out of early access on PC and Mac in October 2022, it hit Xbox the following month and then mobile that December (an ad-free version arrived on Apple Arcade earlier this month). The Switch port dropped a year ago. The only place that's really left to go now is VR.

For the uninitiated, each character in Vampire Survivors has a unique starting perk and weapon, which fires automatically. All you essentially have to do is control your character's movement and make careful choices about weapon and perk additions and upgrades when you level up as you fend off literally thousands of monsters. Runs typically last for up to 30 minutes, if you can survive that long. It's terrifically chaotic and, best of all, the game costs just five bucks. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/vampire-survivors-hits-ps4-and-ps5-on-august-29-134602924.html?src=rss

The Disney+ password-sharing crackdown starts ‘in earnest’ in September

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A few months back, Disney promised to further crack down on password sharing, or the practice of multiple households using the same account for a streaming service. That's set to come into effect in the very near future for many more Disney+ users, meaning that account sharers will have to pay extra or have separate subscriptions to keep using the service. Disney started targeting account sharing in Canada late last year and in June in select other countries. It's about to expand those efforts in the coming weeks.

Referring to the streaming division, "we need to basically make it a higher return, a higher margin business and a more successful business," Disney CEO Bob Iger said on an earnings call with investors on Tuesday. "And we're doing that right now. We started our password sharing initiative in June. That kicks in, in earnest in September. By the way, we've had no backlash at all to the notifications that have gone out and to the work that we've already been doing."

It's unclear how much Disney will charge US customers to share their account with someone located outside of the primary household. Netflix charges an extra $8 per month per additional household, and that strategy has paid off.

It's also worth noting that the expanded password-sharing crackdown is scheduled just before Disney increases its streaming prices yet again. Most Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ plans are going up by $1 or $2 per month in October. The ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu bundle is going up from $10 to $11 per month as well.

Iger added that along with bolstering the programming slate, Disney+ needs "stronger recommendation engines" — something that's being worked on — and more efficient marketing to keep viewers engaged and paying for the service every month or year. To help with that, the company will soon start rolling out what it's calling "continuous playlists." These are effectively cable-style channels that will stream around the clock. The first batch includes ABC News Live and a playlist of TV shows and shorts for pre-schoolers.

Meanwhile, Disney revealed that its streaming business is now profitable. Disney+ alone reached profitability for the first time in the January-March period, while the entire direct-to-consumer (DTC) business was $47 million in the black last quarter. That's a stark turnaround from the $512 million loss Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ collectively posted a year earlier. Disney said the business became profitable one quarter earlier than expected.

The company is also planning to roll out a fully standalone ESPN streaming service next year. Venu, a joint sports streaming venture from ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery, is slated to go live this fall, but that service is facing an antitrust backlash from rivals and lawmakers.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-disney-password-sharing-crackdown-starts-in-earnest-in-september-184122554.html?src=rss

Balatro is getting its first big, free gameplay update in 2025

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Balatro, the terrific card game that pushes you to break most of the rules of poker to achieve ever-higher scores, is in line for its first major gameplay update. You'll have to wait until next year for that, but developer LocalThunk promises it will bring "new ideas and strategies to the game." What's more, it will be a free update "as a token of huge appreciation to the game’s brilliant and passionate community."

This is the first of three Balatro announcements/surprises LocalThunk and publisher Playstack are revealing this summer (one of them has to be a mobile version, right?) just after the game reached two million sales. Some players might be a little nervous about the developer tinkering with a stupendously well-balanced title — which is surely going to end up on many people's game of the year lists — but LocalThunk has probably earned most fans' trust at this point given how exquisitely designed and tuned Balatro is already.

Meanwhile, LocalThunk this week doubled down on a promise never to let Balatro be used for gambling purposes. The developer says he's been approached by several parties over the last few months to license the intellectual property, "presumably to make Balatro-themed gambling games like slots or video poker." That's something LocalThunk has firmly opposed though, to the point the developer has made clear in his will that "the Balatro IP may never be sold or licensed to any gambling company/casino."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/balatro-is-getting-its-first-big-free-gameplay-update-in-2025-161938348.html?src=rss

Apple’s 9th-gen iPad is on sale for $229 right now

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We don't always need the latest and most powerful version of a device, especially when it'll cost more money than an older one that does the trick. If you've been waiting for a good deal on an iPad that can handle the basics, it's worth considering the 9th-generation iPad. A variant with 64GB of storage will run you $229, which is $100 off the regular price. The discount applies to both the silver and space gray colorways.

This model is from 2021 and Apple actually discontinued it in May, so this is effectively a fire sale as the company looks to clear out stock — quite possibly ahead of a new base iPad. This isn't quite the lowest price that this model has dropped to (it dipped to $209 at one point), but it's a decent offer as long as you're not planning on video editing or playing the latest games natively.

The 10.2-inch Retina display should be plenty capable of handling much of your streaming video, web browsing and productivity needs. The iPad should be reasonably zippy as well, thanks to the A13 Bionic chip. You can even use it for sketching if you have the first-gen Apple Pencil.

The front-facing ultra-wide camera supports Apple's Center Stage feature. As such, you should stay in the middle of the frame while you're on FaceTime or other video calls.

One factor worth considering is that this is the last mainline iPad with a Lightning port. So that's worth keeping in mind if you have an iPhone 15 and have been getting rid of your old Lightning cables. And while Apple's still allowing 9th-gen iPad owners to upgrade to iPadOS 18 when it becomes available, the OS updates won't last forever. Still, if you're looking for an iPad on which to catch up on reading, zip through your inbox or watch the latest season of a show you dig, this is a good option.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-9th-gen-ipad-is-on-sale-for-229-right-now-151616014.html?src=rss

Castlevania comes to Dead by Daylight on August 27

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Yet another video game crossover is coming to Dead by Daylight in the near future. Behaviour Interactive says the previously announced Castlevania chapter will go live on August 27. Those who can't wait that long for the official release can check it out on the Steam public test build right now.

The chapter brings both a new killer and survivor to The Fog. Of course, the latest killer to join the lineup is Dracula. Whenever he's the killer, you might see his castle looming on the horizon of the map.

He's also the first shapeshifting killer. In vampire form, Dracula "stalks his prey, able to conjure flames that sear flesh and render bone to ash," Behaviour says. As a bat, he can move quickly and quietly. When he's a wolf, Dracula is said to be a relentless hunter.

As for the new survivor, it's a Belmont, but perhaps not the first one that springs to mind. You can play as Trevor Belmont, a skilled vampire hunter. While he's maybe not the most physical member of the Belmont bloodline, his teamwork focus and ability to find allies in a pinch should stand him in decent stead in The Fog.

So far this year, Behaviour has brought Alan Wake, Tomb Raider's Lara Croft and Dungeons and Dragons to DbD. An original chapter will arrive in December. That's not all, though, as the publisher is gearing up to release a spinoff game called The Casting of Frank Stone on September 3. That will be a narrative horror-adventure along the lines of developer Supermassive's previous projects, such as Until Dawn and The Quarry.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/castlevania-comes-to-dead-by-daylight-on-august-27-190954431.html?src=rss