Samsung’s SmartTag 2 has dropped to a record-low price. Woot has a four-pack of the item trackers for only $60. That’s $40 off the bundle’s usual price and $10 under its previous low. Included in Engadget’s list of the best Bluetooth trackers, Samsung’s device supports Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for Samsung’s network of Galaxy phones.
Samsung’s second-gen AirTag alternative has an oblong design with a metal ring inside for improved durability. The accessory has IP67 dust and water resistance, an improvement over the previous model. If you want extra protection for the accessory, Samsung makes an optional silicone case for the tag.
The battery in the SmartTag 2 (a CR2032 watch battery) can last 500 days in Normal Mode or 700 days in Power Saving Mode. It also includes a Lost Mode, which lets anyone with an NFC-compatible device tap the tag to scan it and view the owner’s contact info (if you choose to share it) and an optional personalized message. And if you misplace an item with an attached tag, you can activate a Compass View, which displays its direction and distance from your phone.
The biggest limit is that the accessory isn’t universally compatible: It requires a Samsung phone or tablet running at least Android 8.0. Although the SmartTag 2 isn’t part of Google and Apple’s anti-stalking measures, rolled out earlier this year, Samsung included an “Unknown tag alerts” feature. This feature sends an alert to anyone the tag moves with, providing instructions to remove the battery and power it down if needed.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/a-four-pack-of-samsung-smarttag-2-trackers-drops-to-60-for-labor-day-191955308.html?src=rss
With Google's Pixel 9 event in the rear view mirror, it's time to look ahead to the industry's next big showcase. Apple's iPhone 16 event, arguably the biggest date on the tech world's fall calendar, will take place on September 9 at 1PM ET. And as always, rumors about the iPhone 16 lineup have been flying around in the run up to the event.
Apple is using the tagline "It's Glowtime" on an invite it sent to the media. As usual, the event will take place at the Steve Jobs Theater at the company's headquarters, Apple Park, in Cupertino, California.
This year is likely to be a more muted one in terms of hardware changes, with Apple perhaps placing more onus on the software side and AI-powered Apple Intelligence features.
Apple
New iPhone 16 features
Apple will certainly upgrade the chipset that the iPhone runs on, in large part because it will want to make sure all of its current smartphones support Apple Intelligence. As things stand, only the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max have enough oomph to do so. Plus, a new chipset is a bare minimum upgrade.
Apple may slightly increase screen sizes this year. The camera array could get a new look on the base iPhone 16, with Apple ditching the square and switching to a vertical orientation. Apple is likely to upgrade the cameras on several models too.
There may be a more significant change on the camera front as Apple is expected to add a capture button that includes zoom gesture controls. The idea is to make it easier to take photos and shoot videos in landscape mode. It's unclear whether the button will be available on the entire lineup or just the Pro models. However, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are expected to lose the mute switch in favor of the action button that debuted on the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
Apple Watch Series 10
Meanwhile, Apple typically debuts new Apple Watch models at its iPhone events. The Apple Watch Series 10 (or Series X, perhaps) is expected to have a new chip that will either make the device more powerful or power efficient. The screen could be much bigger, with reports suggesting that Apple plans to ditch the 41mm variant and introduce a 49mm one. Rumors also suggest Apple is redesigning the band system with new connectors. This could, unfortunately, prevent you from using your existing bands on the Series X.
Everything else
It's all but certain that iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11 and Apple's other major operating system updates will go live very soon after the event. However, the much-hyped Apple Intelligence features won't be available right away. Since those are in the iOS 18.1 beta, most people will have to wait for the public rollout of that version (and equivalent OS versions on other compatible devices) to try out Apple Intelligence. It's expected that Apple will release iOS 18.1 in October.
Word on the street also suggests that we'll get some updated AirPods at the event. We may see both entry-level and mid-tier versions of the AirPods 4 in a couple of weeks, with only the latter supporting wireless charging for the case.
You'll be able to watch the iPhone 16 event live on YouTube, Apple's website and the Apple TV app. As ever, we'll have full coverage of all the big news right here on Engadget.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-apple-iphone-16-event-is-officially-set-for-september-9-apple-watch-airpods-and-more-160432294.html?src=rss
iFixit took apart Samsung's Galaxy Ring, scrutinized its components and wrote its findings, which could make you think twice about buying the device. It warned that the Galaxy Ring is "100 percent disposable" which is to say: once the battery died, the whole thing becomes junk. It "isn’t designed to last more than two years," iFixit warned.
To be fair the website did say that "all smart rings like it" are disposable, because they can't be non-destructively opened. It explained that lithium ion batteries "have a shelf life," and while they could be replaced on other devices, it's not possible to dismantle a smart ring to do that without wrecking the device completely. If the battery dies in the ring, you'll have to throw it away.
The website also put the Galaxy Ring through a CT scanner found that Samsung used a press connector to attach the battery to a circuit board. A press connector, as its name implies, connects components inside a device without solder. iFixit said it typically loves press connectors, because they make replacing individual parts easier. However, the one inside the Galaxy Ring is apparently sealed and doesn't make the device repairable. It said that the company most likely used a connector instead of soldering the components for its own benefit, because the parts came from different production facilities.
We gave the Galaxy Ring a score of 80 in our review; we found it basic and expensive at $400 — $100 more than its competitor, the Oura Ring. That said, Oura charges $6 a month to use its software, which does add up over time.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/ifixit-put-the-landfill-bound-samsung-galaxy-ring-through-a-ct-scanner-131529577.html?src=rss
For the first half of Android’s existence, Google was happy simply being in charge of the OS while other manufacturers built a massive ecosystem of devices. Things changed in 2016 with the launch of the original Pixel, a phone that married the company’s hardware and software designs. But even that combo wasn’t enough to immediately catapult Google’s flagship to the front of the pack. However, between the continued evolution of its devices and former major players like LG and HTC getting out of the game, Google has become the third-largest Android phone maker in the US, just barely behind Motorola.
Enter the Pixel 9, which sports a slick new design, a brighter screen, better cameras and even more sophisticated software tricks. In many ways, this thing feels like it best represents Google's vision for what a smartphone should be and it’s here to claim its title as the default Android handset.
Design and display
I usually hate making this comparison, but it’s hard to ignore that the Pixel 9 looks a lot like an iPhone. Similar to recent Apple handsets, the base ninth-gen Pixel features flat sides with rounded corners and a smooth matte finish. Its front and back panels are made out of Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which when combined with the phone’s recycled aluminum frame results in a device that Google says is two times more durable than before.
The big difference though is the Pixel 9’s rear camera module. Gone is the edge-to-edge bar we’ve become familiar with over the previous three generations and in its place is a simple pill-shaped visor. Compared to Apple’s arrangement — which still looks like the top of a stove to me — Google’s design is the essence of simplicity. There are two lenses on the left and a flash on the right, with some additional components like a tiny microphone and a single-zone laser-detect autofocus system scattered throughout. Sure, it’s a bit tall and bulky, but because it largely spans the width of the device, it means the phone doesn’t wobble when you rest it on its back. Points to Google for a more elegant solution.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
In front, the Pixel 9 sports Google’s latest 6.3-inch OLED Actua display, which offers an even higher peak brightness of 2,700 nits (versus 2,000 nits for the Pixel 8). Granted, that’s a few hundred less than the 3,000 nits on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL, but even when viewed side-by-side, you’d be hard-pressed to notice a difference. As before, the Pixel 9 has a variable refresh rate that jumps between 60Hz and 120Hz to help save on battery while Google has tweaked little details like evening out the phone’s bezels so that they are the same size all the way around. Altogether, it’s an excellent display with accurate colors and rich tones. I’ve got to give Google credit, because over the past few years, Pixel displays have made major leaps to the point where they can now hold their own against both Apple and Samsung.
One final small but very welcome upgrade is a new ultrasonic fingerprint scanner hidden beneath the Pixel 9’s displays. It’s even more reliable than the optical sensor used before and, in my testing, it’s unlocked the phone nearly instantly every single time.
Performance
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Google’s Tensor chips are often maligned for focusing more on efficiency and AI processing than general performance. But I think a lot of that noise comes from people who care more about benchmarks than how fast a phone operates in the real world. In my experience, the Pixel 9 and the Tensor G4 delivered everything I wanted with ample haste. Switching between apps happens in a flash, while scrolling feels incredibly smooth. Even relatively demanding games like Zenless Zone Zero ran well, with only the occasional hiccup. Unless you are really pushing it by running a bunch of super resource-hungry apps at the same time, the Pixel 9 can handle the stress.
New software and AI features
When Google introduced its big suite of AI-powered features on the Pixel 8 last year, it felt like the company was trying to live up to its own self-fulfilling prophecy on the proliferation of machine learning. But with the launch of even more AI-based tools alongside the Pixel 9, Google’s strategy is becoming much clearer thanks in large part to the new Pixel Screenshots and Pixel Studio apps.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
The thing I like most about the Pixel Screenshots app is that it enhances the way people already use their phones. When you’re doomscrolling and you come across something fun or interesting, what do you do? You either share it immediately or save it for later, often by taking a screencap. That’s where the Screenshots app comes in. By using AI to analyze the contents of a pic, you can easily retrieve it later with a quick search.
My favorite use case is for recipes. Previously, I would find an interesting dish and leave it open in a browser tab, which always felt like a clunky workaround. But now, I can just screenshot it and feel confident about finding it in the future. And unlike Microsoft’s Recall feature in Windows 11, Google’s Screenshots app only looks at the stuff you capture manually instead of automatically recording everything you do, so it feels less intrusive.
For those who want to create their own content, Pixel Studio lets you use AI to generate images by typing in a handful of prompts. It’s basically a free version of Midjourney built just for Google’s phones and I feel like I’ve only begun to explore its potential. It can turn people’s faces into cute little stickers that you can copy into pictures or give you inspiration on how to decorate your room. The possibilities are endless.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Then there are a handful of smaller but still very useful tools like the Pixel Weather app, which features AI-generated summaries to help you plan your day. Instead of checking the hourly forecast and looking at every stat and figure, you can quickly read a couple of sentences to see when the UX index will peak or if there’s a surprise thunderstorm headed your way.
Meanwhile, other features like Gemini Live let you ask questions and bounce ideas off of Google’s most powerful AI assistant in a more natural way (you know, if you’re into that kind of thing). Phone conversations also sound better thanks to improvements to Clear Calling, which cuts down background noise. If you’re distracted or don’t feel like paying attention, you can use the new Call Notes feature to transcribe everything before giving things a closer look later. There’s even a Satellite eSOS feature that’s free for the first two years, which lets you call for help when you don’t have service. Thankfully, I haven’t needed to test it out myself, though for anyone who’s curious, Google offers a demo experience that’s slated to go live on August 22.
Cameras
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Superb image quality has long been one of the Pixel family’s calling cards and it’s getting even better on the Pixel 9 thanks to two new cameras. The main wide-angle lens features a new 50MP sensor while the ultrawide lens is powered by an updated 48MP cell, the latter of which can be used to shoot close-up macros.
In situations with good light, the Pixel 9 outperformed the more expensive Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Colors were generally brighter and Google’s processing typically preserved more details. One of the most impressive examples was a backlit shot of a Transformer, where the Pixel 9 captured a photo with much richer hues and better focus while the S24U struggled, producing a shot with muddy colors and a surprising amount of noise.
At night, Google’s superb Night Sight mode reinforced the Pixel’s lead in image quality, capturing brighter and more well-exposed photos. The only time Samsung’s phone came out on top was in a single low-light shot of a flower, because even though the S24U’s pic was a touch oversharpened, it was still better than the overly soft result I got from the P9.
Of course, you can’t have a new Pixel with some fresh camera features to go with it. This time, we’ve gotten a range of improvements including Auto frame which uses AI to cleverly recompose images and fill in the missing parts where needed. Or you can use Reimagine to create more fantastical pics by replacing elements (foregrounds and backgrounds work best) with whatever you can think of. Panorama mode can also be used at night now and while it takes some practice to get the best results, even on my first attempt in a less-than-ideal location, I got a neat-looking shot of the NYC skyline.
If you zoom in, the results don't really hold up. But from afar, the Pixel 9's Reimagine feature can create some fantastical photos like this one with an AI-generated starry night.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Then there’s Add Me, which lets you take multiple group shots with different people holding the camera to create a single composite image with everyone in the shot. Now, no one has to be left out simply because they’re the designated photographer that day. It’s surprisingly easy to use and great for introverts like me who don’t want to ask a stranger for help. But you have to stay still or else things can get wonky. Perhaps the coolest thing about this feature is that you can also use it to clone yourself multiple times in the same image, which is a really fun, if unintended, use case.
My one gripe is that I wish Google had included support for Zoom Enhance on the Pixel 9. It would be really nice to have a tool to sharpen blurry or cropped photos available on the base model, especially since, unlike its more expensive Pro siblings, it doesn’t have a dedicated telephoto lens.
Battery life and charging
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Thanks to a larger 4,700mAh cell (up from 4,575mAh) and improved power efficiency, Google claims the Pixel 9 has 20 percent longer battery life than the previous model. But I found that it fared even better, lasting 27 hours and 32 minutes on our video rundown test. Not only is this the best we’ve seen from any Pixel to date, it also tops the OnePlus 12’s time of 26:40 for the best longevity of any phone we’ve tested.
Unfortunately, despite Google having just released a new 45W power adapter (sold separately), the Pixel 9’s wired charging speed remains the same at 27 watts. You also get Qi wireless support (but not Qi2) at up to 15 watts and reverse wireless power sharing when you want to help out a friend with a device that’s short on juice.
Wrap-up
For so many years, non-Pro Pixels have existed as an also-ran next to Samsung’s base Galaxy S phones, primarily for people who appreciate Google’s software wizardry and regular feature drops. But with the Pixel 9, Google has upped its hardware design while once again doubling down on what it does best. It has a gorgeous screen, class-leading cameras and a more refined appearance, plus more AI-powered tools than anyone else. Pretty good ones at that. You also get fantastic software support including seven years of OS and security updates.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Aside from a couple of omissions like no support for Qi2 magnetic wireless charging and Zoom Enhance, the Pixel 9 has everything you want and need from a high-end Android handset. Google’s software — which was already a major plus — is becoming a pillar of dominance. That said, owners will need to be more proactive about embracing these features to get the most out of their devices. AI still succumbs to hallucinations and errors (a lot of the new tools are still in preview phase), so many features remain far from foolproof. But the foundations for a wide range of powerful tools are at your disposal. At this point, the big question is, at least in the $800 price range, why buy anything else? In some respects, Google might even be its own biggest competitor, because for those who aren’t as enthusiastic about AI, you can save some money and get a Pixel 8a for $499. But for everyone else, while Samsung might still have a lead in total sales, the Pixel 9 should be the go-to flagship Android phone.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-pixel-9-review-the-go-to-android-smartphone-133005548.html?src=rss
The biggest news we're expecting from Apple's It's Glowtime event is the iPhone 16 lineup. Following past events, we're also anticipating a new Apple Watch or two. But a late-breaking update from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests that we won't be seeing a full refresh on the Apple Watch Ultra line — just a new Ultra 2 color. (See below for details).
Beyond that, rumors have been swirling about various changes to the AirPods line, including new noise-canceling models and maybe even a small refresh to the AirPods Max. And what about new M4 Macs, HomePods, iPad mini or even the baseline iPhone SE? Some of those may hit later this year, while others probably won't see the light of day until 2025 or beyond. But until Tim Cook takes the (virtual) stage, however, everything is pure speculation. With that said, let’s get into the most likely leaks and rumors ahead of the Apple event.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro
No matter what else happens, these new handsets will take center stage during the Apple event. That’s good news for people ready for an upgrade. The bad (ish) news? The vast majority of leaks and rumors indicate that this will be another year of iterative improvements, so don’t expect a game-changing new hardware feature.
Cherlynn Low / Engadget
There are likely to be four new models announced at the event, which is similar to what Apple did last year. The new phones will allegedly be called the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, according to industry analyst Mark Gurman. This is the exact same naming convention as last year’s iPhone 15 reveal, so the rumors of Apple adopting an “iPhone Ultra” moniker seem to have been greatly exaggerated.
Even if Apple doesn't use the Ultra naming, the Pro models might be getting slightly larger screens, which is always nice (if you like big phones, that is). The regular Pro is likely to move to 6.3 inches from 6.1 inches, while the Pro Max should hit 6.9 inches, an increase from 6.7 inches. Finally, there will likely be a new color or two, as always. Bloomberg’s Gurman suggests that Apple is ready to ditch the blue model in favor of the return of rose gold. Separately, 9to5Mac has reported on a new "gold-colored titanium" hue for the iPhone 16 Pro model. Based on a source who apparently nailed last year's gray titanium color, they are showing off what appears to be more of a dusky sand hue than gold.
On the hardware side of things, look for a new chipset that takes advantage of the company’s recent push toward AI, also known as Apple Intelligence. Beyond that, the upgraded A18 chip will be an iterative improvement, specs-wise. As is typical, the Pro and Pro Max will likely get a more powerful chip than the standard models. It looks like the base amount of RAM here will be 8GB, so as to handle those aforementioned AI tasks.
It’s also been rumored that the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will get the Action Button, a feature introduced last year for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct replacement for the mute switch, by default, but can be adjusted to control a bunch of different things. The Action Button can be used to to change ringer settings, turn on the flashlight, launch the camera and more.
Cherlynn Low/Engadget
There’s also talk of another new button, this one on the right side of the phone. This will control camera features, operating like a button on a DSLR. Reporting indicates that a soft press will trigger autofocus and a harder press will take a photo. Consumers may also be able to swipe along the button to zoom in and out while shooting photos or taking videos. It’s been reported that this camera button will only come with the Pro and Pro Max, which makes sense since the high-end models typically offer a more robust camera experience.
To that end, new iPhones always get a camera spec bump, but we don’t know exactly what that will look like this time. It’s been reported, however, that the iPhone 16’s camera module could be getting a design refresh. Apple might be ditching the square and going with a vertical orientation. This might only apply to the base iPhone 16 and maybe the Plus, as the Pro and Pro Max phones tend to place a much higher emphasis on photos and videos.
Apple
We already know what’s coming on the software side of things, thanks to the recent WWDC event. Based on previous years, iOS 18 should be available within the week following the event. The software update features a more customizable Control Center and Home Screen. It'll also finally bring RCS support to iPhones.
As for Apple Intelligence, you’ll have to wait a bit. It was announced as part of iOS 18, but it’s been delayed until iOS 18.1. This isn’t a huge deal, as that OS refresh is expected in October, but does mean that early adopters of the iPhone 16 won’t be able to fool around with AI right away.
The new iPhone drop may also spell the end of Apple’s widely panned FineWoven case, which was just introduced last year as an alternative to leather but has been criticized for durability issues. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently reported that FineWoven inventory is getting low, suggesting the company is either phasing it out or planning a refresh. One leaker on the Saturday ahead of the event shared a look at an array of iPhone cases in neutral colors, claiming these may be coming out in a new material to replace FineWoven.
Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3
Ever since 2016, iPhone events have also included a deep dive on the latest Apple Watch. This year looks to be no different. As a matter of fact, this is a big year for the Apple Watch. We are coming up on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as to whether the next entry will be called the Apple Watch Series 10 or the Series X.
No matter what it ends up being called, Apple’s next standard smartwatch is reported to have a bigger screen that’s more in line with the Ultra. It’s expected that the company will ditch the 41mm form factor and introduce a 49mm design.
Rumors have also suggested that Apple has completely redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This will likely make these straps easier to adjust, but there’s a downside. This move could make it so all of those old bands no longer work.
Cherlynn Low / Engadget
Of course, there’s going to be a new chip to power these watches, but we don’t have any specifics. It’s been suggested that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s recent foray into AI, but that integration is likely to happen later on. For now, Apple Intelligence will be tethered to iPhone, iPad and Mac.
There are likely to be two watches revealed at the event, which are codenamed N217 and N218. It’s possible one of these will be the Apple Watch Ultra 3, though Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the high-end smartwatch won’t get a major redesign this time out. It’ll likely be an iterative refresh.
On the software front, it looks like Apple has run into some snags while developing long-anticipated health tracking tools. Health monitoring is one of the key features of the Apple Watch, so the company has been working on new sensors to detect high blood pressure and sleep apnea. However, the tech will likely not be ready for this year’s smartwatch. Apple’s also been developing a glucose sensor for almost a decade so, who knows, maybe it’ll finally show up with the Series X.
Finally, it’s highly possible that Apple announces a new version of the budget-friendly Watch SE. This was last updated in 2022, so a refresh is overdue. There has been some reporting that Apple will be swapping out the aluminum exterior with a rigid plastic shell. This should help get costs down even further. As it stands, the Apple Watch SE is $250, but Samsung’s cheapest wearable is the $200 Galaxy Watch FE. Apple may want to compete closer to that price range.
Two new sets of AirPods
Billy Steele/Engadget
It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its standard earbuds. According to a Bloomberg roundup that was published on September 6, Apple will introduce an entry-level model and a mid-tier version, which would effectively replace AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.
The big news here is that both new AirPods versions are likely to transition to a USB-C case to keep pace with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Pro. It’s been suggested that the cheaper of the two forthcoming models would lack wireless charging, but that the mid-tier version would support this technology. This is the same strategy Apple followed with previous generations, so it makes sense. The case for the more expensive AirPods may also include a speaker, which would make it easier to find with Apple's Find My feature.
Both versions should feature similar designs, though the mid-tier variant is likely to support active noise cancellation like the Pro model. If that's the case, it's not really clear what's left to differentiate those earbuds from the AirPods Pro, but we'll find out soon enough.
As for the AirPods Max, four years on, we might finally an updated model, too. In a tweet just a day before the big event, Mark Gurman says we could see a new pair of premium headphones. They'll get USB-C and "better noise cancellation."
One more thing
The iPhone event doesn’t typically have a “one more thing” moment, but there’s one piece of hardware that could get a surprise shout out. It’s been rumored that Apple is preparing a massive redesign of the Mac mini, which would include ditching the USB-A port, according to Gurman. Analysts have suggested that this will be the company’s smallest ever desktop computer and could be around the same size of an Apple TV streaming box.
There will reportedly be two versions of the upcoming Mac Mini, one with the standard M4 chip and another with the more powerful M4 Pro chip. The base model is rumored to start shipping from suppliers this month, so it’s possible Apple will spend a few minutes on the computer at the iPhone event. However, don’t count on it. This is an event for iPhones and smartwatches and a miniaturized desktop could feel out of place. And, just like it did last fall, Apple could easily hold a Mac-specific event later this year.
There's also a lot of noise online about an upcoming iPad mini refresh. Apple's smallest iPad hasn't had an update since 2021, and is currently "considered 'constrained' internally," according to Gurman. While a new model is likely to come soon, it's not common for Apple to announce iPads during its iPhone event.
Beyond that, a whole bunch of software updates are about to drop. There’s iOS 18, which we’ve written about extensively, and iPadOS 18. As for smartwatches, watchOS 11 is also coming out sometime this fall. Apple already detailed all three operating systems at WWDC, but the upcoming iPhone event would be a good time to announce official release dates.
One... early thing?
Here's something we know for sure: Apple has a updated Beats Powerbeats Pro update coming next year. Beats teased an update to the earbuds on its Instagram account on September 4 with a short Reel. In the clip, Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani swings a bat while wearing the upcoming earbuds, before a "Powerbeats Pro 2" wordmark and "Coming 2025" flash up on screen.
That's it — there's no mention of specs, pricing, or a tighter release window, but we do at least see a tweaked design. You can read senior reporter Billy Steele's analysis of this glimpse here. Chances are we won't hear about this new set of buds at the iPhone event, but expect to see them adorning many more athlete and celebrity ears before long.
The Engadget Podcast with special guest Mark Gurman
In preparation for Apple's September 9 event, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman joined Engadget Podcast hosts Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar to talk all things Apple. The trio talked at length about the latest Apple rumors, including the new camera button for iPhone, tweaks to screen sizes, the new AirPods lineup and what to expect from the latest Apple Watch models. There's also a little more detail on the future of Apple, from next year's "super slim" iPhone redesign through to the company's burgeoning ambitions in home robotics. You can listen to the episode above, and a full transcript is available here.
Update, September 9 2024, 8:00AM ET: This story has been updated multiple times since its original publishing. The updates were as follows, in chronological order:
Added a link to our liveblog and last-minute rumors from Bloomberg about new AirPods Max.
Added the time and date of the Apple event.
Added some details on the iPad mini being stock-restrained.
Added a recap of the Engadget Podcast with Mark Gurman.
Added a link to 9to5Mac's reporting on a new color for the iPhone 16 Pro.
Added a link to Mark Gurman's reporting on the Mac mini.
Added a section on the surprise announcement of the Powerbeats Pro 2.
Added more details about the two new sets of AirPods.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-event-2024-all-the-iphone-16-apple-watch-and-airpods-news-expected-today-192347434.html?src=rss
It's back to school season, which means many students and/or their parents are on the lookout for a laptop on which they can get schoolwork done. Depending on your needs, though, a tablet may do the trick (but you'll likely still want a keyboard attachment for extended typing sessions). Tablets offer flexibility in terms of study and play, and it's pretty hard to go wrong with a recent iPad.
As luck would have it, the 13-inch iPad Air M2 has dropped to its lowest price since Apple released it in May. The blue and space gray models are available for $729. That's $70 off the regular price.
While it's not the most powerful iPad around — the latest iPad Pro is the first device to use Apple's M4 chips — the M2 iPad Air is a great option. It's our recommendation for the best iPad for most people and we gave it a score of 91 in our review.
The M2 iPad Air delivers a great balance of performance, features and price. The 13-inch model has a brighter screen than its 11-inch sibling, and more screen real estate to get things done on. However, the 60Hz refresh rate is not as smooth as the 120Hz OLED panel on the latest iPad Pro.
The 8GB of included RAM and 128GB of base storage should be enough for basic tasks. The iPad Air will run for up to 10 hours on a single charge too.
There are cheaper and less-powerful iPads, but you'll be futureproofed to a certain degree with this one. AI-driven Apple Intelligence features will be available on the M2 iPad Air when Apple rolls those out later this year, and you can play some modern games such as Death Strandingand the Resident Evil 4 remake on the tablet (there's always the option to stream games from the cloud or local hardware too). One other feature we appreciate about this model is that Apple finally moved the front-facing camera to the horizontal edge, which makes much more sense for FaceTime or video calls in landscape mode.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-13-inch-ipad-air-m2-drops-to-a-record-low-price-143504371.html?src=rss
If you’re looking for an iPad that’s more affordable than cutting-edge, Amazon has the 2021 base model for only $199 as part of its Labor Day sale. Although that’s a generation behind the current version, this model is a solid option for kids, seniors or those wanting a HomeKit-based smart home hub to control things like smart light bulbs and other IoT gear.
The three-year-old model is still a capable tablet for anyone content with forgoing the latest and greatest hardware. The ninth-gen iPad has a 10.2-inch Retina display and Apple’s old home button-based Touch ID sensor. It runs on the A13 Bionic chip, which has a six-core processor, quad-core GPU and octal-core Neural Engine. This isn’t the model to get if you want screaming-fast speeds, the most eye-popping display or the upcoming Apple Intelligence, but it’s hard to nitpick too much about any of that when you look at the price.
Engadget’s 2021 review found this model to be “a modest update” over the previous version. Nathan Ingraham described it as “a fast, lightweight tablet with a nice display and tons of apps, without having to spend too much.” In our battery test, we found that it outperformed Apple’s 10-hour estimate, lasting about 14 hours of video streaming.
This model runs iPadOS 17 and will support iPadOS 18 when it launches this fall. It isn’t known how many annual updates it will be eligible for after that, but the upcoming 2024 software will still run on two hardware generations behind this model, hinting that it may not be approaching the end of the line just yet.
It’s also well-suited for video chat, and its 12MP ultrawide front-facing camera supports Center Stage. Apple’s machine learning-based feature tracks your and anyone else’s faces in the shot, adjusting the call’s framing accordingly through automatic pans and zooms.
It’s worth keeping in mind that this model uses a Lightning connector rather than the USB-C that Apple has shifted its product lineup toward. It includes a charger in the box, but you may want to consider that if you’ve already chucked all your old Lightning cables. On the other hand, some may consider it a bonus that it still includes Apple’s now-defunct headphone jack.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-early-labor-day-sale-discounts-apples-9th-gen-ipad-to-an-all-time-low-of-199-191018429.html?src=rss
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 cloudgamingservices.
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 suedboth 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 Guysto 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 whattheytrulywant: 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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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