Tag Archives: Handheld & Connected Devices

Fortnite returns to iOS in the EU as the Epic Games Store debuts on mobile

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It's a big day for Epic Games. Not only has the company rolled out the latest season of Fortnite, it has achieved a long-held ambition by bringing the Epic Games Store to mobile devices. The app marketplace is now available on iOS in the European Union (after the bloc required Apple to allow third-party app stores on iPhone and iPad) and on Android worldwide. As a result, that means Fortnite is once again available on iOS in the EU without having to rely on cloud gaming services.

You may recall that, back in 2020, Epic tried to bypass the cut Apple and Google take from in-app purchases by telling Fortnite players on iOS and Android they could save money by buying the in-game V-Bucks currency directly from the publisher. Apple and Google removed Fortnite from their stores, making the game unplayable on their platforms as Epic was no longer able to update it to maintain parity with the console and PC versions. Epic swiftly sued both companies, kicking off legal battles that are still rumbling on today.

But the EU kicked open the door for Fortnite to make a return to iOS in the bloc with the Digital Markets Act coming into force this year. (As Android's a more open platform, Epic can make its store and Fortnite available worldwide there.) Epic said in early 2024 that it would bring its games store and Fortnite to iOS in the EU this year. After yet more cattiness from Epic when Apple twice rejected the app marketplace, the latter eventually approved an iOS version of the Epic Games Store in July.

Along with the official return of Fortnite on mobile, the Epic Games Store is bringing Fall Guys to iOS and Android for the first time. The mobile version of the excellent platformer battle royale has nearly full parity with the console and PC versions — the level-building creative mode isn't available on iOS or Android for now. Otherwise, the game supports full cross-play and cross-progression with the other versions as everything's synced through your Epic account.

Rocket League Sideswipe, a mobile spin-off of Rocket League, is available via the Epic store on iOS and Android too. Epic plans to work with other developers to bring their titles to the storefront in the future.

In addition, Epic is making its games available on other third-party mobile storefronts, starting with AltStore PAL today. It also plans to do so on Aptoide’s iOS store in the EU, ONE Store on Android and other app marketplaces.

“The tide is turning and the mobile ecosystem is finally opening up to competition. We are grateful to the European Commission for making it possible to launch the Epic Games Store and offer our games to iOS users in the European Union," Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney said in a statement. "Now European iOS users and all Android users can access our store and games, as they've always been able to do on open platforms like PC and Mac. The fight is far from over, but this is tangible progress for developers and consumers who can begin to benefit from competition and choice."

Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to dropping back into Fortnite, in part because for the last several years my iPhone's nickname has been Doctor Doom, aka the Marvel villain who is the central figure in the new season. Also, I'm dearly hoping that in short order Epic gives the people what they truly want: an emote of Chappell Roan's "Hot To Go!" dance in Fortnite. I would gladly spend all the V-Bucks I have on that.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-returns-to-ios-in-the-eu-as-the-epic-games-store-debuts-on-mobile-142457411.html?src=rss

Apple is reportedly forging ahead with a rotating, iPad-like tabletop device

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Apple appears to be going full steam ahead on an iPad-like tabletop device from which you may be able to manage smart home products, oversee household security and take part in video calls. The device, which could debut as soon as 2026, is said to have a thin robotic arm that moves around a large display. Apple's riff on products like the Google Nest Hub and Amazon's Echo Show may be able to tilt the screen up and down using actuators and rotate 360 degrees. It's slated to be running on an offshoot of iPadOS for the time being.

Apple is said to have greenlit the device in 2022 but work on it intensified in recent months after the company scuttled its multi-billion boondoggle car project. Indeed, Kevin Lynch, Apple's vice president of technology who oversaw the car project and until recently was in charge of smartwatch and health software, is in charge of the device's development, according to Bloomberg.

Hundreds of Apple employees are now said to be working on the tabletop system, which the company reportedly sees as a way to take advantage of its Apple Intelligence tools. Siri and Apple Intelligence are expected to be the main control methods for the device. With a voice command, you may be able to turn the display to face you. It was reported earlier this year that Apple was planning a push into the realm of personal robotics, an effort that includes the tabletop device.

However, there's said to be some internal concern over whether consumers will actually want this product, especially given that Apple already has a strong foothold in the tablet market. Pricing could have an impact on demand as well, with the company aiming to sell the device for around $1,000.

This is one of several devices Apple is working on as it aims to further diversify its offerings and boost its bottom line, Bloomberg notes. While the iPhone still accounts for about half of Apple's revenue, sales have been relatively lagging in recent quarters. This year's lineup, expected to arrive in September, is slated to have relatively modest hardware upgrades with Apple placing more focus on software updates such as Apple Intelligence features.

The other products Apple is reportedly working on include smart glasses and AirPods with built-in cameras. Foldable iPhones and iPads may also be in the works.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/apple-is-reportedly-forging-ahead-with-a-rotating-ipad-like-tabletop-device-193236425.html?src=rss

The Morning After: The biggest reveals from Google’s Pixel 2024 event

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Google’s big Pixel event was packed with phones, and the company has redesigned them all. No more Cyclops camera band, now it’s an Among Us camera oval. That’s across all the Pixels (barring the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold). There are new flattened sides and softer corners, making these phones look more like iPhones than ever before.

First up, the entry-level Pixel 9 has a 6.3-inch screen, slightly larger than its predecessor, and a substantial camera bump up to a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens. New AI-powered photo editing tricks, like Add Me and Reimagine, join features I use daily on my Pixel 8, like Magic Editor and Night Sight.

It’s joined by the same-sized Pixel 9 Pro and the 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL. Technically, the Pixel 9 Pro is the new proposition: the best Pixel camera in a more convenient size. Besides screen size and battery, specs are the same across both Pro phones. The base Pixel 9 has a matte satin finish, while the Pro devices have a shiny, polished treatment. (I wish it was the other way around, personally.) Alongside that 50- and 48-megapixel camera duo, there’s a third 48MP cam with a 5x telephoto zoom. That’s the ‘pro’ part.

One surprise was that Google’s brand-new $1,000 Pixel 9 Phones won’t launch with Android 15.

This may be because the new Pixels are out earlier than usual. Android 14 arrived in October last year, so we can expect to hear more about Android 15 in the fall. Don’t worry, though. There’ll still be plenty of new AI features — which we’ll play with once our review devices land. Trust and believe.

— Mat Smith

All the AI features coming to the Pixel 9 phones

Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro hands-on

Pixel Watch 3 hands-on: A bigger screen

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 are its first earbuds that work with Gemini AI

Waiting for a new Fitbit smartwatch? Google says that’s the Pixel Watch 3

How to pre-order the new Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold

​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

TMA
Engadget

Google’s first attempt at a foldable was different. The company went for different screen ratios, an insane price and capable cameras. This year, don’t call it the Pixel Fold 2, because this is Pixel 9 Pro Fold. As well as a revamped design, it has what Google says is the largest display of any phone on the market. Farewell, passport shape. The new foldable has a 6.3-inch outside display almost identical in size to the standard Pixel 9. But inside… boom. An eight-inch screen that beats Samsung, OnePlus and other rival foldables.

With cameras, a new module houses a 48MP main camera, a 10.5MP ultrawide camera and a 10.8MP telephoto cam with a 5x optical zoom. It’s not quite the Pixel 9 Pro, but on paper, it sounds capable. Still, no support for a stylus.

Continue reading.

The default assistant on all these new Pixels will be Gemini — Google’s AI-powered chatbot — not Google Assistant. “Gemini is an evolution of the Assistant,” said Sissie Hsiao, Google’s vice president and general manager of Gemini Experiences. Gemini, powered by Google’s own family of large language models, can apparently do everything the classic Google Assistant could do. To be clear, you can still use Gemini as your assistant on most current Android phones, Pixels or otherwise — but only if you opt in.

Continue reading.

Several months after a hacking group claimed to be selling nearly three billion records stolen from a prominent data broker, much of the information appears to have been leaked on a forum. According to Bleeping Computer, the data dump includes 2.7 billion records of people in the US, including names, social security numbers, potential aliases and all physical addresses they are known to have lived at. Worse still, it’s all unencrypted. It may be worth taking some steps to protect yourself against fraud and identity theft.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-the-biggest-reveals-from-googles-pixel-2024-event-111519925.html?src=rss

Google’s Pixel 9 series won’t launch with Android 15

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Google users may have been waiting for an announcement about Android 15, but it seems like we'll be waiting longer to have the new operating system on smartphones. The spec sheet for the upcoming line of Google Pixel 9 devices confirms that the phones will launch with Android 14. This applies to all four of the new devices: the Google Pixel 9, Google Pixel 9 Pro, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Google Pixel 9 screencap
Google

This is an unusual approach for Google, but that may be because the new Pixel models are coming out on an earlier timeline than the usual annual OS updates. Android 14 came out in October last year, so we can expect to hear more about Android 15 later in the fall. The operating system is in its second public beta, so we've already seen some of what it can do. And despite the new phones running Android 14, there are a host of new AI-powered features that'll be available when the phones go on sale next week.

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/googles-pixel-9-series-wont-launch-with-android-15-175323603.html?src=rss

Here are all the AI features coming to the Pixel 9 phones

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Google’s Pixel 9 lineup is powered by cutting-edge hardware like the Tensor G4 processor and tons of RAM that should help keep your phone feeling fast and fresh for years to come. But all that hardware is also designed to power brand new AI experiences.

“Android is reimagining your phone with Gemini,” wrote Sameer Samat, Google’s president of the Android Ecosystem, in a blog post published on Tuesday. “With Gemini deeply integrated into Android, we’re rebuilding the operating system with AI at the core. And redefining what phones can do.”

Here are the big new AI features coming with the new Pixel devices.

Gemini, Google’s AI-powered chatbot, will be the default assistant on the new Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold phones. To access it, simply hold down your phone’s power button and start talking or typing in your question.

A big new change is that you can now bring up Gemini on top of any app you’re using to ask questions about what’s on your screen, like finding specific information about a YouTube video you’re watching, for instance. You’ll also be able to generate images directly from this overlay and drag and drop them into the underlying app, as well as upload a photo into the overlay and ask Gemini questions about it.

Gemini overlays
Google

If you buy the pricier Pixel 9 Pro (starting at $999), Google’s bundling in one free year of the Google One AI Premium Plan that typically runs $19.99 a month for access to 2 TB cloud storage and access to Gemini Advanced, which lets you try Gemini directly in Google products like Gmail and Docs to help you summarize text and conversations.

Crucially, Gemini Advanced also includes access to Gemini Live, which Google describes as a new “conversational experience” to make speaking with Gemini more intuitive (I’m not the only one having a hard time keeping track of all the things Google brands “Gemini,” don’t worry). You can use Gemini Live to have natural conversations with Gemini about anything that’s on your mind, including, Google says, using it for help with complex questions and job interviews, choosing between a variety of voices that sound stunningly lifelike, according to demos that Google showed Engadget earlier this month.

Gemini Live
Google

Recently, OpenAI released Advanced Voice Mode, a similar feature, to paying ChatGPT customers with a voice assistant that can talk, sing, laugh and allegedly understand emotion. When asked if getting Gemini Live to sound as human-like as possible was one of Google’s goals, Sissie Hsiao, the company’s vice president and general manager of Gemini Experiences told Engadget that Google was “not here to flex the technology. We’re here to build a super helpful assistant.”

Google is using AI to make both taking and editing pictures dramatically better with the Pixel 9 phones, something they’ve focused on for years now. A new feature called Add Me, which will be released in preview with the new devices, for instance, will let you take a group photo and then take a picture of the photographer separately and add it to the main picture seamlessly — handy if you don’t have anyone around to take a picture of your entire group.

Meanwhile, Magic Editor, the built-in, AI-powered editing tool on Android, can now suggest the best crops and even expand existing images by filling in details with generative AI to get more of the scene. Finally, a new “reimagine” feature will let you add elements like fall leaves or make grass greener — punching up your images, yes, but blurring the line between which of your memories are real and which are not.

You can already search anything that you see on your phone by simply circling it, but now, AI will intelligently clip whatever you’ve circled and let you instantly share it in a text message or an email. Handy.

Circle to Search with Share
Google

Pixel Screenshots
Google

If you can't figure out how to sort through the tons of pictures of receipts, tickets and screenshots from social media littering your phone's photo gallery, use AI to help. A brand new app called Pixel Screenshots available on the new Pixel devices at launch will go through your photo library (once you give it permission), pick out screenshots, and then identify what's within each picture. You can also click pictures of real-world signs (such as a music festival you want to attend, for example), and directly ask the app relevant questions like when do the tickets for the festival go on sale. 

A new feature called Call Notes will automatically save a private summary of each phone call. so you can refer back to a transcript to quickly look up important information from the call like an appointment time, address, or phone number later. Google notes that the feature runs fully on-device, which means that nothing is sent to Google's servers for processing. And everyone on the call will be notified if you've activated Call Notes. 

Pixel Studio
Google

We've been able to use AI to generate images for a long time now, but Google is finally building in the feature right into Android thanks to Pixel Studio, a dedicated new image-generation app for Pixel 9 devices. The app runs on both, an on-device model powered by the new Tensor G4 processor and Google's Imagen 3 model in the cloud. You can share any images you create in the app through messaging or email directly. 

A similar feature called Apple Image Playground is coming to newer iPhones with iOS 18 in September.

Google will use AI to create custom weather reports for your specific location right at the top of a new Weather app so you "don't have to scroll through a bunch of numbers to get a sense of the day's weather," according to the company's blog post. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/here-are-all-the-ai-features-coming-to-the-pixel-9-phones-173551511.html?src=rss

Google Pixel 9 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: how the flagship Android phones compare

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The latest Made by Google showcase is in the books and, as expected, we got the formal unveiling of the Pixel 9 lineup. Google has redesigned its smartphone lineup with an eye-catching (and perhaps pocket-catching) camera bar. The camera array in the Pixel 9 includes a new 48MP ultrawide sensor for Macro Focus closeups. 

The company has given the entry-level device a welcome memory increase to 12GB and included the latest Tensor G4 chipset. The 6.3 Actua display, meanwhile, is 35 percent brighter than the one on the Pixel 8. The Pixel 9 has Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and rear along with a 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure.

In terms of features, there is, of course, a heap of AI-powered tools. One called Add Me seems pretty interesting as it allows you to both take a photo and be in it. After you take a photo of a group, take one of the photographer. The phone will then "magically" merge the two photos, Google says. The Magic Editor has a new generative AI feature called reimagine, which allows you to make changes using natural language prompts.

Google is also infusing its Gemini AI assistant into the Pixel 9. You'll just need to hold the power button to activate it and get help with things like drafting an email or text message. Gemini can pull data from Google apps such as invitation details from Gmail so you can RSVP.

We've already had some hands-on time with the Pixel 9 and you can read our first impressions in our report. 

As things stand, the Pixel 9's closest flagship Android rival is the Samsung Galaxy S24 given that they're effectively the same price and share a lot of similarities. The S24 has a triple rear camera array compared with the Pixel's dual-lens setup. However, the Pixel 9 has a marginally larger screen and it will be the first of the pair to get Android 15 — Galaxy S24 users will have to wait a little longer to gain access to the new operating system's features. 

To illustrate other similarities and differences, here's a spec comparison of the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S24:

None

Google Pixel 9

Samsung Galaxy S24

Pricing (MSRP)

From $799

From $800

Dimensions

6.0 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches

5.79 x 2.78 x 0.3 inches

Weight

7.0 ounces

5.93 ounces

Screen size

6.3 inches

6.2 inches

Screen resolution

1,080 x 2,424

1,080 x 2,340

Full HD+

Screen type

OLED Actua Display

60-120Hz

Up to 1,800 nits (HDR) and 2,700 nits (peak brightness)

2,000,000:1 contrast ratio

HDR support

Gorilla Glass Victus 2

AMOLED 2x

Up to 120Hz (1-120Hz)

Up to 2,600 nits brightness

Gorilla Glass Victus 2

SoC

Google Tensor G4

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

RAM

12GB

8GB

Battery

4,700mAh

4,000mAh

Charging

USB Type-C 3.2

Up to 55 charge in around 30 minutes

Fast wireless charging (Qi-certified)

Battery Share

USB Type-C

Up to 50 percent charge in around 30 minutes

Fast Wireless Charging 2.0

Wireless PowerShare

Storage

128GB / 256GB

128GB / 256GB

Rear camera(s)

Main: 50 MP, ƒ/1.68

Ultrawide: 48 MP with Macro Focus, ƒ/1.7

Up to 8x Super Res Zoom

Up to 2x optical zoom

Main: 50 MP, ƒ/1.8

Ultrawide: 12 MP, ƒ/2.2

Telephoto: 10 MP, ƒ/2.4

3x optical zoom

Front camera(s)

10.5 MP, ƒ/2.2

12 MP, ƒ/2.2

Video capture

Rear: 4K at 24/30/60 fps, 1080p at 24/30/60 fps

Front: 4K at 30/60 fps

Rear: 8K at 24/30 fps, 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60/240/960 fps

Front: 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30 fps

Water and dust resistance

IP68

IP68

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 6E

Bluetooth

v5.3

v5.3

NFC

Yes

Yes

OS

Android 14

Android 14

Finishes

Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony

100% recycled aluminum enclosure

Sapphire Blue, Sandstone Orange, Jade Green, Cobalt Violet, Marble Gray, Onyx Black, Amber Yellow

Armor Aluminum frame

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/google-pixel-9-vs-samsung-galaxy-s24-how-the-flagship-android-phones-compare-171550491.html?src=rss

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A battle of Android’s biggest phones

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Google just unveiled the Pixel 9 Pro XL smartphone during its Made by Google event and, boy oh boy, is it a doozy. This is a larger version of the Pixel 9 Pro. It ships with the brand-new Tensor G4 processor and 16GB of RAM. As with most modern handsets, it's designed for AI tasks and ships with a one-year subscription to Google’s One AI Premium Plan. This allows for unfettered access to Google Gemini.

The camera system has been improved, and Pixel phones were already pretty dang good at snapping photos and shooting video. There’s a triple rear camera, and an upgraded 42 MP front camera. Footage can be algorithmically enhanced to 8K and the company is finally bringing Super Res Zoom to videos.

It’s important to note that the XL is really just a larger version of the Pixel 9 Pro. Beyond slightly faster charging and a bigger display, there aren’t really any features to set it apart from its smaller cousin. That display, however, is pretty nice. It’s a 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED screen that really pops, with Google promising it shows “true-to-life colors, even in direct sunlight.” This is because the brightness level has ticked up a bit to 3,000 nits. The Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $1,100, and will be available in four colors. These include obsidian, rose quartz and hazel.

Side-by-side visual showing prices for the two phones.
Google / Samsung / Will Shanklin for Engadget

Despite not being released yet, the Pixel 9 Pro XL already faces some stiff competition. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra released back in January and has proven itself to be a bona-fide hit. We gave it high marks in our official review, praising the useful AI tools, sturdy titanium frame, excellent battery life and bright display. But how does it stack up against the just-revealed Pixel 9 Pro XL? Let’s compare specs.

Pixel 9 Pro XL

Galaxy S24 Ultra

Pricing (MSRP)

Starts at $1,100

Starts at $1,300

Dimensions

162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 (mm)

162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 (mm)

Weight

7.8 ounces

8.2 ounces

Screen size

6.8”

6.8"

Screen resolution

1,344 x 2,992

31,20 x 1,440 (Quad HD+)

Screen type

LTPO OLED

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

SoC

Google Tensor G4 / Titan M2 security coprocessor

Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

RAM

16 GB

12 MB

Battery

5,060 mAh 24+ hour battery life (depending on usage type)

5,000 mAh24+ hour battery life (depending on usage type)

Charging

USB Type-C

USB Type-C

Storage

128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB

512GB

Bluetooth

Bluetooth v5.3

Bluetooth v5.3

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 7

Water and dust resistance

IP68

IP68

Rear cameras

50 MP Octa PD main

48 MP Quad PD ultrawide

48 MP Quad PD telephoto

200 MP main

10 MP telephoto

50 MP periscope telephoto

12 MP ultrawide

Front camera

42 MP Dual PD

12 MP Dual PD

OS

Android

Android

Finishes

Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz

Gray, Black, Violet, Yellow

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-pixel-9-pro-xl-vs-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-a-battle-of-androids-biggest-phones-170055756.html?src=rss

This Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe charging station is cheaper than ever right now

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This Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe charging station is on sale for $88, which is a discount of 20 percent. That’s actually a record low price for the popular charging apparatus. It’s also been built primarily to suit Apple devices.

The big hook here is the “3-in-1” from the name. The Anker MagSafe can simultaneously charge an iPhone, Apple Watch and a pair of AirPods. That’s just about everything a modern Apple fan could need, aside from a gigantic harness to accommodate the Vision Pro.

This particular charger made our list of the best Apple Watch accessories, and with good reason. It’s a MagSafe device, so it offers Qi2 wireless charging. This means that devices juice up by just laying on the charging station. It also means that it circumvents the recent switch to USB-C with iPhones. As long as you have an iPhone 12 or above, you’re good to go.

It works with every Apple Watch model, though you need a wireless charging case for AirPods. The AirPods Pro earbuds ship with one but standard AirPods do not. Other than that caveat, this is a solid device. We enjoyed the high-speed 15W charging and the nifty folding design, which makes it easy to pack.

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-anker-3-in-1-magsafe-charging-station-is-cheaper-than-ever-right-now-151757235.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

Apple’s iPad mini drops to a record low of $380

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If you’ve been holding out for a deal on an iPad mini, it may be time to make a move. Apple’s mini-tablet has dropped to a record low on Amazon. Usually $499, the sixth-gen model with 64GB is on sale for a mere $379. If you want more storage, the 256GB variant, typically $649, is on sale for $529.

Although the iPad mini is a niche device these days, it’s still a terrific tablet for those who like something smaller to easily hold in one hand and stow away in a small bag or purse. It can serve as a fancy eReader (through Apple Books, Kindle or any other iPadOS reading app), and it’s handy for perusing other content, watching videos and FaceTiming friends. It even includes Apple’s AI-powered Center Stage feature, which keeps you in frame on video calls.

This sixth-generation model is several years old (it launched in 2021), but it’s still Apple’s newest model. It was the first to shed the old Touch ID home button design from iPads in the days of yore, moving to an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display that nearly covers its entire face. Like the iPad Air, its Touch ID sensor is on its power / sleep button, which is on the tablet’s side. It has a 2266 x 1488 resolution with 326 ppi.

Its battery life is rated for up to 10 hours, but it lasted around 12 in Engadget’s continuous video playback test. Powering it is the A15 Bionic chip, only one generation behind the A16 found in the (non-Pro) iPhone 15 series.

The iPad mini supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, which attaches magnetically to its side. The tablet includes a USB-C charging port, aligning with Apple’s current standard.

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/apples-ipad-mini-drops-to-a-record-low-of-380-163004518.html?src=rss