Tag Archives: author_name|Lawrence Bonk

Acer finally has a gaming handheld, the Nitro Blaze 7

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The handheld gaming PC race continues to heat up. Acer finally announced a portable console, the Nitro Blaze 7. The specs are pretty dang good here, so this could actually give the Steam Deck a run for its money.

Let’s talk about the display. This is, after all, a portable gaming console. As the name suggests, the Nitro Blaze 7 boasts a seven-inch FHD IPS screen with a 144Hz refresh rate. That refresh rate is better than the original Steam Deck and even the newer OLED model. However, Acer’s machine features an LCD touch panel and not an OLED screen. The size of the display is on par with both the Steam Deck and many of the other portable consoles that have entered the scene in recent years.

A dude on the beach playing games.
Acer

The actual specs are pretty impressive here. The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 includes an AMD Ryzen 8040 Series processor, with up to 39 AI TOPS (trillions of operations per second) and 16GB of RAM. It integrates with AMD FreeSync and ships with up to 2TB of storage. Hard drives fill up really fast with these machines, so that 2TB looks mighty nice. Just one AAA game can sap up 100GB or more.

It’s a Windows 11 machine, but runs something called Acer Game Space. This looks to be a skin of some kind for the UI that makes navigating the library more console-like. There’s also a hotkey that immediately brings up the library. Buyers get three free months of PC Game Pass, which is always nice.

It supports Wi-Fi 6E and USB-C. There’s even a microSD slot for additional storage. Otherwise, it has the same buttons and layout one would expect from a modern portable gaming console. Acer says the console will be released in the near future, but hasn’t announced an exact date. The company also hasn’t revealed pricing. Here’s hoping it’s competitive.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/acer-finally-has-a-gaming-handheld-the-nitro-blaze-7-130025914.html?src=rss

Lyft’s new price lock feature caps the cost of rides, even during peak hours

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Lyft is rolling out a new price lock feature that caps the cost of rides, in an attempt to solve the problem of cost unpredictability for those who rely on the platform for daily commutes. The company says this tool will even work during peak hours, when rides are usually at their most expensive. There are, however, some caveats.

First of all, there’s a required monthly subscription price to use this service, though it’s only $3 per month. There’s also a curious lack of details regarding how exactly the cap works. Does it just average past rides and exclude peak pricing? Is there a limit to just how much can be capped? We reached out to Lyft and will update this post if we hear anything.

The feature in action.
Lyft

One thing is certain. Lyft is planning on this feature being a hit. It has suggested that commuters will take 40 percent more rides once the price lock tool becomes commonplace. However, it's worth noting that Lyft is the one that sets the prices in the first place, so it caused the instability that this tool sets out to solve. 

There’s also a promotion to advertise the price lock mechanism: 100 customers who are starting new jobs will receive free “first day” rides. This will be handled via LinkedIn. Just 100 rides? That seems pretty stingy for a company as large as Lyft, but what do I know?

This isn’t the first time Lyft has tried its hand at a subscription-based service. The company’s Pink subscription service has been an on-again/off-again thing for years. This is more or less a bundle of add-ons at this point. Pink stopped offering ride discounts but began offering perks like free priority pickups and three free cancellations per month. This program is still live, at $10 per month or $100 per year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lyfts-new-price-lock-feature-caps-the-cost-of-rides-even-during-peak-hours-100014522.html?src=rss

DTS built an AI-powered system to make dialog sound clearer

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One of the great universal annoyances of life is that TV explosions and soundtracks are always mega-loud, while dialogue is quieter than a church mouse. This is especially true of modern action movies and TV shows that seem to have been mixed primarily to make our walls shake while remaining mostly indiscernible.

So we dive into the settings. We adjust soundbar placement. We turn on the subtitles. We do it all. Some of this helps, but never enough. DTS is trying to solve this problem once and for all with some well-placed AI. The company just announced its DTS Clear Dialogue feature, which is an “AI-powered solution designed to enhance the clarity of spoken dialogue on TVs.”

DTS says the AI algorithm identifies and boosts dialogue in audio streams, thus eliminating the aforementioned problems. The system also allows for personalized audio settings, as one person’s “perfect” is another’s “please make it stop.”

This is an on-device toolset, meaning it’ll eventually get adopted by TV manufacturers. DTS hasn’t announced any partnerships yet, but the company’s tech is usually adopted by all of the bigwigs, like Sony, Hisense, Philips, LG and Vizio, among others. We’ll be on the lookout for the first televisions that incorporate this feature. For now, the company’s demoing the service at the IFA tech conference in Berlin.

DTS has partnerships in place with content providers, bringing theater-grade audio to home releases. It’s recently teamed up with Disney to enhance the sound of MCU movies and to provide an IMAX-like experience. Boy, could those MCU flicks use a bit of that AI-enhanced dialogue magic the company’s promising.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/dts-built-an-ai-powered-system-to-make-dialog-sound-clearer-080032541.html?src=rss

Labor Day sale discounts a four-pack of AirTags to $75

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The Labor Day discounts continue to roll in. You can scoop up a four-pack of Apple AirTags for just $75 via Amazon. That’s a drop of around 25 percent, as the typical cost is $99. It also breaks down to $18 per AirTag, which is a great deal and much cheaper than buying them piecemeal.

For the uninitiated, AirTags are tracking devices that use Bluetooth to send location data to the Find My app on an iPhone or iPad. They have built-in speakers for when something is lost underneath a couch cushion and it’s been driving you mad for weeks. Newer iPhone models also allow for more precise location tracking via Ultra Wideband technology.

In other words, these things are useful. They are so useful, as a matter of fact, that an entire cottage industry of related accessories has popped up. We searched for the best AirTag accessories and came up with all kinds of stuff. There are keychain attachments and wire holders for luggage, as a start. If you have an object you want to track with an AirTag, there’s likely a way to get it done.

We’ve enjoyed using AirTags since they were first released back in 2021. They are smaller than a quarter and get the job done. No muss and no fuss. The only downside is we wish they were slightly flatter, for wallets and the like.

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/labor-day-sale-discounts-a-four-pack-of-airtags-to-75-150721797.html?src=rss

It sure seems like the PS5 Pro will be announced in the next few weeks

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The PS5 Pro will be announced in mid-September and will likely hit store shelves sometime during the holiday season, according to insider information published by VGC. The information was brought forth by a reliable Dealabs user called billbil-kun, who has a pretty good track record for leaking upcoming games and hardware.

Here’s what the leaker has laid out. Take all of this with a grain of salt, as it’s not coming from Sony. First of all, it’ll actually be called the PS5 Pro. This was assumed, based on the PS4 Pro, but we didn’t have any actual naming details. The user claims to have access to the packaging design, but didn’t feel comfortable sharing copyrighted images. Instead, they sketched out the packaging, as seen below.

A sketch of the console based on the packaging.
Dealabs / billbil-kun

As you can see, the design is similar to the PS5 Slim, with a white colorway. We don’t know if it’ll be available in other colors beyond white. There looks to be three black stripes across the middle, which is a new design element. These stripes could double as cooling vents but, again, we just don't know. 

The leaker also doesn’t know if the console will have a disc drive, though it has been theorized that it could ship without a drive in order to keep costs down. It’s equally unclear if there will be two versions of the PS5 Pro, one with a disc drive and a digital-only edition.

The report also indicates that the console will ship with the same standard DualSense controller that comes with the original PS5 and the PS5 Slim. The leaker, however, offers no information regarding internal specifications. In other words, we are still (mostly) in the dark about the “Pro” part of the PS5 Pro.

To that end, there have been other leaks that hint at the console’s power. Back in March, a YouTuber leaked official documentation from Sony that explained some of the console’s specifications. The document is believed to be legitimate by IGN and other sites, but the video has since been taken down at Sony's behest.

The video suggested that the forthcoming console will have the same CPU as the standard PS5, but that there will be a “High CPU Frequency Mode” that pushes the chipset by ten percent to 3.85GHz. It has also been indicated that the GPU will be powered by 33.5 teraflops versus the standard PS5’s 10.28 teraflops.

This doesn’t mean that the PS5 Pro will be three times better at rendering than the regular PS5. There have been recent changes in AMD’s architecture that make it difficult to directly compare teraflops between the PS5 and the PS5 Pro, as indicated by The Verge. The leak suggests a 45 percent uptick with rendering. 

In any event, it sure looks like we are mere weeks (or even days) away from an official announcement from Sony. Here’s to hoping the PS5 Pro won’t absolutely shred our bank accounts.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/it-sure-seems-like-the-ps5-pro-will-be-announced-in-the-next-few-weeks-173708822.html?src=rss

This Labor Day sale discounts Apple’s MagSafe charging pad to just $29

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The Labor Day discounts are coming in hot. Here’s one for Apple’s fantastic MagSafe charging pad. It’s usually $39, but this Amazon sale brings it down to $29. That’s a savings of 26 percent and close to a record low price.

If you haven’t tried a charging pad before, you are in for a treat. There’s a reason this thing made our list of the best iPhone accessories. All you do is plug it in and then plop the device right on top of it. It’ll juice up, thanks to the magic of inductive charging.

Apple’s MagSafe charging pad will work with just about any Apple handset past the iPhone 8, though the internal magnetic locking mechanism only works with the iPhone 12 and later. All this means is it’ll be a bit more finicky to place older handsets. Also, the charging pad isn’t tethered to phones. It powers up the charging cases that ship with most AirPods earbuds.

We loved the powerful internal magnets, which makes phone placement a breeze. The only real downside is that the cable that runs from the pad to a power outlet is on the shorter side, so it may require some furniture rearrangement or the use of an extension cord.

The original $39 asking price was also a sticking point, given that off-brand products are much cheaper. That’s changed with this sale. Why get a third-party charging pad for $25 when you can get the real deal for $29?

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/this-labor-day-sale-discounts-apples-magsafe-charging-pad-to-just-29-150200016.html?src=rss

Xbox’s streaming app is coming to more Fire TV devices

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The Xbox August update is here, bringing with it plenty of little tweaks and new features. Perhaps the biggest news is that the Xbox streaming app is coming to more Fire TV devices. This means that more people will be able to access the wonderful world of Xbox Cloud Gaming. 

It was already available for the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) and the Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen), but now it’s available for the previous iterations of those devices, alongside the Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen.) Expanding the availability of cloud-gaming is never a bad thing. There’s the usual caveat, however, as a Game Pass subscription is required here.

Xbox is also amping up Discord integration, which is welcome news. Xbox consoles will now deliver let people know when a friend is playing, chatting or streaming, making it easy to jump into a voice chat or watch that stream. This can all be done directly from the console, without having to use the Discord app on PC or mobile.

As indicated above, users can now watch Discord streams straight from Xbox consoles — or stream their gameplay directly to Discord — which is a nice add-on.

This is showing off download customization.
Xbox

The update will also let people customize downloads. This should allow users to only download what’s needed to actually play the game, saving crucial hard drive space. Somebody should get the Call of Duty team on the horn about this one. 

Finally, there are additional controller customization options. Toggle hold is coming to the Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and the Xbox Adaptive Controller. When enabled, toggle sends a string of consecutive inputs just like old-school 'turbo' buttons, but without the need to keep that button depressed. That sounds like a great way to sail past “push this button a million times” minigames.

This update is rolling out now and should reach all users by the end of the week. It applies to the Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xboxs-streaming-app-is-coming-to-more-fire-tv-devices-172946436.html?src=rss

Labor Day sales include up to $150 off fire pits and pizza ovens from Solo Stove

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Labor Day deals are in full swing, so that means fall is almost here, bringing with it leaves of changing colors and crisp weather. In other words, it’s nearly bonfire season. To commemorate this, Solo Stove is holding a sitewide Labor Day sale that includes fire pits, pizza ovens and just about everything else.

You'll find straight-up discounts on a lot of gear, but you can also get up to an additional $150 off using the code LABORDAY when you check out. Purchases of at least $250 get a discount of $25, while purchases of at least $450 receive a discount of $75. If you really splurge and buy at least $850 worth of stuff, the discount balloons up to $150.

Perhaps the best deal of the bunch is this bundle that includes the Bonfire 2.0 firepit, a removable base plate and ash pan, a stand, a lid, a carrying case and a shelter for outdoor storage. This bundle costs $455, which is a discount of $75 (with the coupon code.) We praised not just the Bonfire 2.0, but many of the accessories that ship with this kit. The removable base plate and ash plan makes it much easier to clean than rival products.

Multiple Solo Stove products made our list of the best outdoor gear, including the aforementioned Bonfire 2.0. If fire pits aren’t your bag, the code can also be used for the company’s line of pizza ovens. Who doesn’t love pizza?!

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/labor-day-sales-include-up-to-150-off-fire-pits-and-pizza-ovens-from-solo-stove-164539472.html?src=rss

Watch out, there’s a new AI pin in town that can transcribe all your conversations

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I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. Standalone AI devices have crashed and burned harder than the Hindenburg. They are, as one might say, not ready for prime time. Heck, the jury’s still out on AI for smartphones. However, the show must go on, so here’s another AI pin that will likely cause Marques Brownlee’s hair to fall out when it officially launches.

The Plaud NotePin could solve some of the issues that plagued rival products by limiting the scope. This thing isn’t a purported digital assistant that will streamline every aspect of modern life. It’s a note-taking device, albeit one with some AI bells and whistles.

The NotePin automatically records and transcribes conversations, and that’s pretty much it. I could see this being useful for students, stopping the cruel punishment known as “jotting down notes.” The same goes for people stuck in an endless kaleidoscope of meetings.

The AI comes into play in a number of ways. First of all, this thing isn’t stuck on English. The pin can transcribe and translate 59 languages, with more on the way. It also, allegedly, will pay attention to context to correctly name each speaker and organize the talk into something resembling a script.

Finally, there’s an AI analysis component that summarizes everything. This data can be accessed via a chat window, so you can ask specific questions about any of the dozens of conversations you’ve had while wearing the pin.

A pin on a wrist.
Plaud

The NotePin is small and light, with the company saying it weighs about the same as a AA battery. This form factor will let users pin it just about anywhere, so it won’t be quite as obvious as the scalding-hot (and heavy) Humane AI pin. Pre-orders are available now, and it’s fairly reasonable at $170. However, an $80 annual subscription is required if you want to record more than 300 minutes of audio per month.

But I’m not done. Here’s where things get weird. This is just the first step in the company’s plans toward something grandiose. Plaud hopes to one day use the trove of recordings to create a “digital twin” of each user, according to an interview with Wired.

“Someday, you’re going to be able to utilize AI to reproduce yourself—create this real digital twin. That’s kind of this grand mission, where we think if we’re able to help users connect to so many memories, it’s going to be grand,” said Plaud CEO Nathan Hsu.

However, Hsu says this dream may take “decades” to achieve, so at least he’s being realistic, unlike every other AI company out there. Also, I don’t want a digital twin. One of me is enough, thank you very much.

For now, though, there’s the NotePin. I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t work (mostly) as advertised. I also don’t see why anyone would need it when they already carry around a computer with a microphone that could very easily house software to do everything the NotePin can do. Shrug.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/watch-out-theres-a-new-ai-pin-in-town-that-can-transcribe-all-your-conversations-153131281.html?src=rss

This Walmart Labor Day deal discounts the Ninja Creami by $50

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Labor Day is nearly upon us, so the deals are rolling in. Case in point? The Walmart Labor Day sale includes the Ninja Creami ice cream maker for $150, which is a discount of $50. This isn’t the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the innovative gadget, but it’s close.

This isn’t your ordinary ice cream maker, as we mentioned in our Ninja Creami review. The design is based on high-end machines found in restaurants. Until recently, the technology was under a strict patent. Once that patent expired, Ninja scooped up the tech and, well, here we are.

So what makes it different? The Creami doesn’t churn in the traditional sense. You make a liquid base, freeze it for 24 hours and then the machine uses a drill-like mechanism to blend everything together. The end result is something that resembles soft serve ice cream, with options for sorbets and other frozen desserts.

It comes with two pint-sized containers for storage, so you’ll always have some ice cream on hand to scream about. The form factor is also on the smaller side when compared to rival ice cream makers, due to the lack of a traditional churning mechanism. It’s fairly tall, but not that wide.

The ice cream this machine makes is extremely delicious, though there are a couple of downsides. It’s loud during use, but no more than a blender. The noise also lasts just a few minutes. The machine creates a softer product when compared to rival ice cream makers, so you had better eat it or get it back in the freezer as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’ll be staring down some thick milky liquid.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-walmart-labor-day-deal-discounts-the-ninja-creami-by-50-184648150.html?src=rss