Meta is making changes to WhatsApp and Messenger in order to add interoperability with third-party chat apps — in Europe, that is — and the company is sharing how it would work in a new post. Based on previous reports, Meta started working on enabling third-party chats last year after the rules of the bloc's Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into effect. Under the DMA, "gatekeepers" or the largest companies and platforms in the industry have to ensure interoperability with third parties since they're prohibited from favoring their own services.
The company said it gathered feedback from potential partners and other stakeholders to help it shape the new experience. To start with, it designed new notifications for WhatsApp and Messenger that would alert users when a third-party service becomes available for integration. Users will be able to choose which third-party apps they want to receive messages from, and they can choose to either get those messages in a separate inbox. Those who don't mind getting messages alongside their Messenger or WhatsApp chats can choose a combined inbox instead.
The apps will also provide rich messaging features to third-party chats, so they're not purely a text affair. Users will be able to react to and directly reply to specific messages, see an indicator while the other person is typing and get read receipts. Next year, they'll be able to create group chats, and in 2027, they can voice and video call their friends on other apps.
"Users will start to see the third-party chat option when a third-party messaging service has built, tested and launched the necessary technology to make the feature a positive and secure user experience," Meta explained, so not all people's preferred messaging app will be integrated with WhatsApp and Messenger. The company said, however, that it will keep collaborating with other services to expand its availability.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/meta-shares-how-whatsapp-and-messenger-will-interact-with-other-messaging-apps-in-the-eu-143021269.html?src=rss
The Roku smart TV platform is an accessible way to watch your favorite streaming content in a centralized location – either built-in to TVs, or by adding affordable dongles or mini boxes, like the new-for-2024 Roku Ultra, to older televisions. (Look for an Engadget review of that model soon.) One big advantage of the Roku platform is that it's always getting free software updates to keep it current — like the cool new feature that turns your TV into a sort of virtual art museum by displaying famous paintings as a screensaver. However, Roku is less adept when it comes to solving one common frustration of the streaming age: The inability to access popular shows, movies and sporting events because of geographic restrictions.
Using a VPN is a common way to tackle this issue, but unlike Fire TV, Apple TV and other rivals, Roku systems don’t have native VPN support. But that’s not the end of the story: You can still use a VPN to access a wider range of programming via a Roku — you just need to use a workaround. We’ll show you how.
The benefits of using a VPN
When it comes to streaming, a VPN has one main benefit: changing your IP address — the unique number that identifies the general location of the device and network you're using to access the web. A VPN tunnels your connection through its servers to obfuscate your IP, making it seem like you’re watching from elsewhere. As a result, a service like Netflix will see your location as, say, the United Kingdom versus the US. You’ll then have access to a different set of programming. For example, you need Max to stream Friends, The Big Bang Theory or Rick and Morty in the US, but they're all available on Netflix in the UK.
VPNs have several other benefits related to privacy and security. VPN servers have military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, meaning they’re more secure than connecting to the Internet normally. So, since you’re browsing the Internet by tunneling through the VPN, your Internet service provider can’t see all of your browsing destinations (and sell your viewing habits to data brokers).
The easiest way to use a VPN on Roku
Although Roku doesn’t natively support VPNs, there are a few workarounds. You can, for instance, set up a VPN on your home’s router. That allows you to protect the whole network and every device that connects to it, keeping everyone in your household anonymous online. But it can also cause confusion when you want to access local services — and it requires a very high-level of technical knowledge, and only works with certain routers.
Instead, we recommend a far easier method: connecting a VPN to your Roku via AirPlay or screencast. To do this, subscribe to a VPN and install it on your smartphone or laptop. Then, stream content on that device and AirPlay or screencast it to your Roku TV. The icon to do this should look like a TV with Wi-Fi rays.
Engadget
We prefer this method because it’s simpler overall. You can access any geo-blocked content on your smartphone or laptop first and then cast it on your smart TV.
You can make sure your Roku model is AirPlay-compatible by checking this resource on Roku’s site. If it isn’t, you can always just directly patch your phone or laptop to the TV using an HDMI cable or an appropriate dongle.
Choosing the best VPN
While you'll be using a phone or laptop as the ultimate source for your VPN-routed streams, that actually gives you a wider list of services from which to choose. Although each VPN has the same basic functionalities, their price and extra features vary. Before deciding which one is right for your needs and the devices you have, take some time to look at what each one offers and see what other users have to say. Start by checking out our list of best VPNs — and happy streaming.
VPN options for other streaming platforms
Don't have a Roku? Good news: Robust VPN options (or alternatives) exist for the other major streaming platforms, too.
If you remember the reMarkable 2 when it was announced in March 2020, you'll be excited to hear about its successor: the reMarkable Paper Pro. This new distraction-free writing slate comes with a nicer chassis, faster internals, a bigger display and most importantly, a color screen.
If you’re unfamiliar, reMarkable is the standard bearer for those devices standing in the delta between high and low tech. It’s an e-paper slate with a stylus (or keyboard) for reading, writing or editing your own documents, or annotating PDFs. The focus is giving you a calmer space to get some Serious Work(™) done, free from the distractions a “proper” computer or tablet would harbor. The company has always maintained that its devices offer you a way to feel like you’re working on paper, without actually having to work on paper. Despite its age, the reMarkable 2 has been a mainstay in our E Ink tablets guide as the pick that's the best option for most people. The only other products currently in the conversation are the Kobo Libra Colour and Onyx Book Tablet Note Air 3 C. Those models also boast color screens and stylus compatibility, but both have smaller displays — 7 inches diagonally on the former and 10.3 inches on the latter.
The Paper Pro is a little more than an inch taller and a quarter inch wider than its predecessor but has been able to cram in a lot more stuff. The rM2 had a 10.3-inch monochrome display while the Paper Pro’s stretched to 11.8-inches. reMarkable’s Chief Design Officer Mats Solberg explained his team worked to reduce the size of the bezels and chin to accommodate the bigger display.
Image by Daniel Cooper / Engadget
Whereas the older model stuck to a rigid notion of post-iPad design language, the new Paper Pro gets a more austere look and feel. The edge band is sharper, if still comfortable to hold, and Solberg emphasized the grooves etched into the sides. He explained they both evoke the idea you’re holding a sheaf of paper, and to add some much-needed grip to a device this thin.
There’s dramatic changes on the inside, with a new 1.8Ghz quad-core Cortex A53 paired with 2GB RAM and 64GB storage. For comparison, the rM2 had a 1.2GHz dual-core chip, 1GB RAM and just 8GB storage. As soon as you turn the Paper Pro on, you’ll see the benefits of the new silicon, with far faster response times. You even get proper animations during the setup process.
But the real showstopper here is the display, which uses a modified version of E Ink’s Gallery 3 technology dubbed “Canvas Color.” It means the display holds a series of ink particles inside each pixel — a White, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow — as in most regular printers. reMarkable says the display is similar to newsprint and it’s an apt analogy with clear, if muted, colors on show.
Image by Daniel Cooper / Engadget
The technology can also dither colors, mixing each ink particle to produce up to 20,000 other colors, and the colors can also be layered. It means you can highlight sections of text in the same way you’d use a highlighter on paper, the more layers you draw, the darker the color. Of course, the benefit of using a digital device is that you can highlight it as many times as you want without anything becoming soggy.
As usual, reMarkable has leveraged a limit and turned it into a benefit, offering you colors with a heavy dose of restraint. And you don’t really need your retinas to be burned inside out if you’re trying to organize your thoughts ahead of a big meeting. Although, having been spoiled by so many well-made displays of late, I do wish the colors popped a little bit more than they do.
The Paper Pro is the first reMarkable with a frontlight, finally letting you get some work done in dark environments. Solberg explained the frontlight was one of the hardest challenges to build without harming the distance between the stylus tip and the display itself. He said the team was determined to keep the gap between the pen and the display to under one millimeter, and succeeded.
The last two slates had active displays but passive styluses, but the Paper Pro gets an Apple Pencil-esque active stylus as well. It’ll charge while magnetically connected to the side of the bezel and the new components help improve accuracy and latency. Solberg said the reMarkable 2 had an input latency of 22ms, and he had targeted 15ms for this model. He was proud to say that the team smashed that target, with the Paper Pro’s latency down to just 12ms.
And yet, for all the headline changes, it’s the added responsiveness that’s the really compelling feature. The rM2 was no laggard, but the faster input really does help sell the idea you’re sketching out ideas on paper. You can always credit the company for sweating the details, too, like the fact you can add a highlight or handwritten annotation to typed text that will follow the text around as you edit it.
I’m also impressed with reMarkable’s commitment to making the Paper Pro easier to repair and refurbish than older models. Solberg explained that the Paper Pro is far more modular under the hood, with easily-swappable components. He ruled out end-user repairs, but said that the only adhesive used in the chassis are two replaceable glue strips to keep the battery in place. Repairs would likely need to take place at reMarkable HQ or a partner distributor, but the fact it’s been designed with an eye on long-term repair at all is laudable.
reMarkable Paper Pro is available to order today from reMarkable’s website and Best Buy, priced at $579 with the standard Marker and $629 for the Marker Plus. If you want to add a case, and I heartily recommend you do, it’ll cost you between $89 and $179, depending on your material choice. And if you want to add the Type Folio, you’ll need to cough up an additional $229. The reMarkable 2 is remaining around as a lower-cost option (unsurprisingly, as it’s a really good piece of kit) and will now be available with the standard Marker for $379.
Of course, you and your wallet will have to decide if that’s the sort of sum you can bear to part with, especially in these tightened times. With a product like this, the intentional choices and limits made means it’ll always stack badly in a head-to-head with a similarly-priced iPad. The trick is to work out if you’ll be more productive with less mental and physical clutter in your computing environment, and go forward from there. I’ve found, when I’ve got a lot of work to do and need to focus, it’s a better way to hammer out first drafts than other devices I could name.
Update, September 6, 4:43PM ET: This story was updated after its original publication to include a comparison to competing writing tablets with color screens.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/the-new-remarkable-paper-pro-adds-a-color-display-120059067.html?src=rss
Building just one smartphone from scratch would be a huge undertaking, even if the world is full of them. Now imagine trying to build one that’s 100 times its normal size with nearly all the same forms and functions.
Perkins started his build with the screen, a massive undertaking that required converting a LG Signature 88-inch OLED TV into a responsive touchscreen. He commissioned a manufacturer to fabricate a piece of touch foil the size of the screen, which he fixed in place with an optically clear glue UV epoxy.
The next challenge was finding a way to fit oversized versions of the phone’s components in a frame: the speakers, three-lens camera array, the volume and power buttons and the special function button. He built a frame out of aluminum with a cross shaped support in the middle. The cameras especially weren't cheap, as Perkins opted to use both a Canon EOS R5 as well as a Sony RX10 Mark 4 to mimic the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s telephoto lens. The frame was also designed to be permanently mounted to a similarly-scaled up phone stand so it could be rotated without giving the user a massive hernia.
The only major component they couldn't recreate was the operating system, since Apple's iOS is closed-source. But using Android had two major perks: the Bliss OS recreated the feel of an iPhone home screen using a themed skin, and they could install Flappy Bird — something actual iPhone owners haven't been able to do in nearly a decade.
The phone may be big but it appears to be just as functional as a handheld iPhone. Maini and a group of friends took the phone into the real world to test it out, and apparently it can make tap-to-pay purchases, send emails and make video calls. Functional or not, it's brave to bring a $70,000 phone onto the streets of London without a case.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/youtubers-built-a-six-foot-tall-working-replica-of-apples-iphone-15-pro-max-201507959.html?src=rss
Building just one smartphone from scratch would be a huge undertaking, even if the world is full of them. Now imagine trying to build one that’s 100 times its normal size with nearly all the same forms and functions.
Perkins started his build with the screen, a massive undertaking that required converting a LG Signature 88-inch OLED TV into a responsive touchscreen. He commissioned a manufacturer to fabricate a piece of touch foil the size of the screen, which he fixed in place with an optically clear glue UV epoxy.
The next challenge was finding a way to fit oversized versions of the phone’s components in a frame: the speakers, three-lens camera array, the volume and power buttons and the special function button. He built a frame out of aluminum with a cross shaped support in the middle. The cameras especially weren't cheap, as Perkins opted to use both a Canon EOS R5 as well as a Sony RX10 Mark 4 to mimic the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s telephoto lens. The frame was also designed to be permanently mounted to a similarly-scaled up phone stand so it could be rotated without giving the user a massive hernia.
The only major component they couldn't recreate was the operating system, since Apple's iOS is closed-source. But using Android had two major perks: the Bliss OS recreated the feel of an iPhone home screen using a themed skin, and they could install Flappy Bird — something actual iPhone owners haven't been able to do in nearly a decade.
The phone may be big but it appears to be just as functional as a handheld iPhone. Maini and a group of friends took the phone into the real world to test it out, and apparently it can make tap-to-pay purchases, send emails and make video calls. Functional or not, it's brave to bring a $70,000 phone onto the streets of London without a case.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/youtubers-built-a-six-foot-tall-working-replica-of-apples-iphone-15-pro-max-201507959.html?src=rss
Apple did not announce the Apple Watch Ultra 3 during its iPhone launch event, but right now, you can save big on the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The company's high-end, performance smartwatch is down to $689 at Amazon right now, much cheaper than what it was during Amazon Prime Day in July. That represents a savings of $110, which is one of the best discounts we've seen. Keep in mind that October Prime Day will be returning this year (although specific dates haven't been announced yet), so there's a chance this smartwatch could go on sale again in a few weeks' time.
This high-end watch is geared toward serious athletes and others with specialized fitness-tracking needs, so the sensors are on point and the exterior is incredibly durable. It still features the same 49-millimeter form factor as the original, so it's not too chonky. The screen is much brighter than the OG Ultra, up to 3,000 nits. This should make it easier to read in low light conditions, which is another boon for extreme athletes who do early morning training sessions.
As for power, the smartwatch includes Apple’s new S9 chip, which allows for the aforementioned Double Tap gestural controls and upgraded Siri functionality. The battery can last up to 72 hours on a single charge, so long as it’s in low power mode. Otherwise, it’ll brick out after around 36 hours.
This is a whole lot of smartwatch. Not only is it double the price of the Apple Watch 9, but it's chock full of features that most people don’t need. This is a machine for serious fitness enthusiasts or those who go off the grid for long periods of time. With that being said, today’s sale makes this thing pretty darn attractive for the rest of us.
October Prime Day 2024 is around the corner, serving as Amazon’s (un)official kickoff to the holiday shopping season. If you’re eager to snag some early holiday deals for those on your list (or yourself), here’s what we know so far about the next Prime Day shopping event.
When is October Prime Day 2024?
Amazon has not announced the dates of fall Prime Day 2024 yet, but we do know it will be returning sometime in October.
What is October Prime Day?
October Prime Day is an extension of the regular Prime Day sale held annually in July. It features exclusive deals on Amazon for Prime members, although not quite on as big of a scale as the main summer Prime Day.
How long is October Prime Day?
In years past, October Prime Day has been two days long, just like Prime Day in July.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-ultra-2-is-cheaper-now-than-it-was-during-amazon-prime-day-163255367.html?src=rss
Apple did not announce the Apple Watch Ultra 3 during its iPhone launch event, but right now, you can save big on the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The company's high-end, performance smartwatch is down to $689 at Amazon right now, much cheaper than what it was during Amazon Prime Day in July. That represents a savings of $110, which is one of the best discounts we've seen. Keep in mind that October Prime Day will be returning this year (although specific dates haven't been announced yet), so there's a chance this smartwatch could go on sale again in a few weeks' time.
This high-end watch is geared toward serious athletes and others with specialized fitness-tracking needs, so the sensors are on point and the exterior is incredibly durable. It still features the same 49-millimeter form factor as the original, so it's not too chonky. The screen is much brighter than the OG Ultra, up to 3,000 nits. This should make it easier to read in low light conditions, which is another boon for extreme athletes who do early morning training sessions.
As for power, the smartwatch includes Apple’s new S9 chip, which allows for the aforementioned Double Tap gestural controls and upgraded Siri functionality. The battery can last up to 72 hours on a single charge, so long as it’s in low power mode. Otherwise, it’ll brick out after around 36 hours.
This is a whole lot of smartwatch. Not only is it double the price of the Apple Watch 9, but it's chock full of features that most people don’t need. This is a machine for serious fitness enthusiasts or those who go off the grid for long periods of time. With that being said, today’s sale makes this thing pretty darn attractive for the rest of us.
October Prime Day 2024 is around the corner, serving as Amazon’s (un)official kickoff to the holiday shopping season. If you’re eager to snag some early holiday deals for those on your list (or yourself), here’s what we know so far about the next Prime Day shopping event.
When is October Prime Day 2024?
Amazon has not announced the dates of fall Prime Day 2024 yet, but we do know it will be returning sometime in October.
What is October Prime Day?
October Prime Day is an extension of the regular Prime Day sale held annually in July. It features exclusive deals on Amazon for Prime members, although not quite on as big of a scale as the main summer Prime Day.
How long is October Prime Day?
In years past, October Prime Day has been two days long, just like Prime Day in July.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-ultra-2-is-cheaper-now-than-it-was-during-amazon-prime-day-163255367.html?src=rss
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is cheaper than we’ve ever seen it before, dropping well below the Prime Day price. The company’s premium smartwatch is available via Amazon for $689, which is a savings of $110.
This is Apple’s latest and greatest (for now) ultra-premium smartwatch. It boasts the company’s Double Tap feature, which lets users pinch quickly in mid-air to bring up the home screen and make adjustments.
The high-end watch is geared toward serious athletes and others with specialized fitness-tracking needs, so the sensors are on point and the exterior is incredibly durable. It still features the same 49-millimeter form factor as the original, so it's not too chonky. The screen is much brighter than the OG Ultra, up to 3,000 nits. This should make it easier to read in low light conditions, which is another boon for extreme athletes who do early morning training sessions.
As for power, the smartwatch includes Apple’s new S9 chip, which allows for the aforementioned Double Tap gestural controls and upgraded Siri functionality. The battery can last up to 72 hours on a single charge, so long as it’s in low power mode. Otherwise, it’ll brick out after around 36 hours.
This is a whole lot of smartwatch. Not only is it double the price of the Apple Watch 9, but it's chock full of features that most people don’t need. This is a machine for serious fitness enthusiasts or those who go off the grid for long periods of time. With that being said, today’s sale makes this thing pretty darn attractive for the rest of us.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-ultra-2-drops-below-its-prime-day-price-163255875.html?src=rss
You can get a Max subscription at half the amount it costs other subscribers in the US if you're a college or a university student. The streaming service is bringing back its student discount promo that it also offered back in July. If you can verify that you're in college or university with UNiDAYS, you can now get Max — with ads, anyway — for $5 instead of $10 per month. You can easily sign up for a UNiDAYS account for free if you don't have one yet to be able to grab the deal, as well as promotional offers from other companies like Apple, Microsoft and Uber Eats. After Max verifies your status, you'll get a discount code that you can then redeem for the discounted subscription.
Formerly known as HBO Max, the streaming service offers classic HBO series and newer HBO titles created for streaming. You'll be able to watch HBO Originals like The Last of US, House of the Dragon and Euphoria. But you can also stream old titles in the service's offerings, including Friends, South Park and Rick and Morty. Of course, you'll also be able to watch whatever movies the company has on offer, including Dune and Barbie.
Max will keep charging you the same amount as long as you're a student. You will have to reverify your status every 12 months, however, so you will lose access to the discount eventually. Of course, if you'd rather not watch your shows and movies with commercial breaks, you can get the Ad Free version of Max for $17 a month. The more expensive Ultimate Ad Free version will cost you $21 a month, but it'll allow you to stream on four devices at once instead of just two, to keep 100 downloads for offline viewing instead of just 30 and to stream in 4K UHD, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and HDR 10 for select titles.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/max-is-giving-college-students-in-the-us-a-50-percent-discount-again-123029469.html?src=rss
Puzzle games come in a range of styles, from mindless relaxation machines to hardcore logical quagmires, and we have a little bit of everything in this list. From classics like Threes! and Braid to new-school entries like Lorelei and the Laser Eyes and Escape Academy, there’s always a puzzle game to play between meetings, during a slow Sunday afternoon or with a group of friends on the couch. Here we’ve compiled some of the best puzzle games to activate your brain in new ways or unwind after a long day.