Tag Archives: language|en-US

The ultra-customizable Arc browser is now available on Windows in beta

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Arc, a formerly Mac-only internet browser from The Browser Company, is coming to Windows. In a post on X, the company today announced that its first Windows beta invites are already hitting inboxes. This comes after months of requests from Windows users who want to give Arc a shot. Back in September, the company said it already had over 500,000 signups on the Windows waitlist, and that number is expected to grow as the waitlist remains open for new users looking to check out the Arc experience.

According to TechCrunch, The Browser Company plans to continue its onboarding process throughout the month before “rapidly” increasing invitation roll-outs in the new year. While the company didn’t say whether the Windows version will have all the same standout features of the Mac, we do know features like Peek (which lets you preview a link before opening it in its own tab) and Little Arc (a lightweight browser window meant for quickly viewing something) are currently being ported. Since the Windows version is still in beta, users may notice several missing features but those will likely come with updates along the way.

The Browser Company describes Arc as a much better way of using the internet. The goal is to provide a cleaner, calmer experience that helps users to better organize their time online. Arc definitely has a few features that sets it apart from other browsers like Safari, Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

Among its unique features is one launched this spring that lets you customize (or vandalize) any website. There’s also a sidebar that holds your bookmarks and tabs. We’re all guilty of having a million tabs open at once and Arc helps to prevent clutter by archiving. That means you’ll always have a fresh and tidy space to work from. You also have the option to create spaces to store research for individual projects. And patient Windows users will finally get to try it, once they get picked from the waitlist anyway.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-ultra-customizable-arc-browser-is-now-available-on-windows-in-beta-200039901.html?src=rss

The ultra-customizable Arc browser is now available on Windows in beta

Posted on by

Arc, a formerly Mac-only internet browser from The Browser Company, is coming to Windows. In a post on X, the company today announced that its first Windows beta invites are already hitting inboxes. This comes after months of requests from Windows users who want to give Arc a shot. Back in September, the company said it already had over 500,000 signups on the Windows waitlist, and that number is expected to grow as the waitlist remains open for new users looking to check out the Arc experience.

According to TechCrunch, The Browser Company plans to continue its onboarding process throughout the month before “rapidly” increasing invitation roll-outs in the new year. While the company didn’t say whether the Windows version will have all the same standout features of the Mac, we do know features like Peek (which lets you preview a link before opening it in its own tab) and Little Arc (a lightweight browser window meant for quickly viewing something) are currently being ported. Since the Windows version is still in beta, users may notice several missing features but those will likely come with updates along the way.

The Browser Company describes Arc as a much better way of using the internet. The goal is to provide a cleaner, calmer experience that helps users to better organize their time online. Arc definitely has a few features that sets it apart from other browsers like Safari, Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

Among its unique features is one launched this spring that lets you customize (or vandalize) any website. There’s also a sidebar that holds your bookmarks and tabs. We’re all guilty of having a million tabs open at once and Arc helps to prevent clutter by archiving. That means you’ll always have a fresh and tidy space to work from. You also have the option to create spaces to store research for individual projects. And patient Windows users will finally get to try it, once they get picked from the waitlist anyway.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-ultra-customizable-arc-browser-is-now-available-on-windows-in-beta-200039901.html?src=rss

TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design has shut down

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Free Radical Design, the company tasked with making a TimeSplitters reboot, has closed its doors, according to employee statements acquired by Eurogamer. Additionally, the developer’s official website now redirects to a 404 error, along with text reading “company not found” and a sad face. Ex-staffers have also taken to social media to announce the closure.

The company was reformed back in 2021 specifically to develop new games based on the long-defunct TimeSplitters franchise. However, parent company Embracer Group has been on a cost-cutting spree these past few months, reducing its overall headcount by more than 900 people. At that time, we noted that Free Radical Design was likely in trouble, putting the TimeSplitters reboot in limbo.

Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors addressed the closure in an email to staffers, expressing “gratitude” for the “remarkable work” the team has done. Wingefors went on to say that the parent company looks to support laid-off employees “as much as we can during this transition.” There are no details, however, regarding severance pay or anything like that. It looks like more than 50 people lost their jobs due to the closure, which is a monumental bummer.

Another bummer is that this likely means the death of the TimeSplitters franchise for the time being, though maybe another company will snap up the IP at some point. The original incarnation of Free Radical went bankrupt in 2008 before being temporarily revived to handle the reboot.

This isn’t the only company that Embracer sent packing this year. It abruptly closed Saints Row developer Volition back in August and is reportedly looking to sell Borderlands developer Gearbox. Embracer previously acquired Gearbox for around $363 million as part of a larger deal valued at $1.4 billion.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/timesplitters-studio-free-radical-design-has-shut-down-194718243.html?src=rss

TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design has shut down

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Free Radical Design, the company tasked with making a TimeSplitters reboot, has closed its doors, according to employee statements acquired by Eurogamer. Additionally, the developer’s official website now redirects to a 404 error, along with text reading “company not found” and a sad face. Ex-staffers have also taken to social media to announce the closure.

The company was reformed back in 2021 specifically to develop new games based on the long-defunct TimeSplitters franchise. However, parent company Embracer Group has been on a cost-cutting spree these past few months, reducing its overall headcount by more than 900 people. At that time, we noted that Free Radical Design was likely in trouble, putting the TimeSplitters reboot in limbo.

Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors addressed the closure in an email to staffers, expressing “gratitude” for the “remarkable work” the team has done. Wingefors went on to say that the parent company looks to support laid-off employees “as much as we can during this transition.” There are no details, however, regarding severance pay or anything like that. It looks like more than 50 people lost their jobs due to the closure, which is a monumental bummer.

Another bummer is that this likely means the death of the TimeSplitters franchise for the time being, though maybe another company will snap up the IP at some point. The original incarnation of Free Radical went bankrupt in 2008 before being temporarily revived to handle the reboot.

This isn’t the only company that Embracer sent packing this year. It abruptly closed Saints Row developer Volition back in August and is reportedly looking to sell Borderlands developer Gearbox. Embracer previously acquired Gearbox for around $363 million as part of a larger deal valued at $1.4 billion.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/timesplitters-studio-free-radical-design-has-shut-down-194718243.html?src=rss

iOS 17.2 and Apple’s new Journal app are now available

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After several weeks of testing the latest version of its iPhone operating system in public, Apple is now rolling out iOS 17.2 to all compatible devices. In addition, iPadOS 17.2 and macOS 14.2 Sonoma, which boast many of the same features, are here as well. Finally, watchOS 10.2 is also available for download. The biggest change this time around is the introduction of a new core app called Journal.

Apple's hope with the app is to help "iPhone users reflect and practice gratitude through journaling." It differs from third-party offerings like Day One, as Apple is able to offer suggestions for journal entries based on activity in other apps. Your iPhone might suggest logging a trip populated by photos from your camera roll, accompanied by a writing prompt such as "what will you remember most about your day out?" Your device might also suggest creating a journal entry after a workout or even to note a podcast episode you listened to.

Third-party developers can tap into a Suggestions API to nudge users to create journal entries based on activity in their apps. Apple says the Journal app is end-to-end encrypted and all information is stored locally (though you can sync everything to iCloud if you wish). Users will have control over which apps can offer Journal suggestions too.

The Journal app isn't all that's new in iOS 17.2. You'll be able to set up the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max to act as a quick translation tool for spoken phrases. You could even use it to have a conversation with someone who doesn't speak the same language as you.

Apple is rolling out support for Qi2 charging on all iPhone 13 models and iPhone 14 models (it's already present on iPhone 15 models). Qi2-certified chargers are said to match the 15W wireless charging speeds of MagSafe. As Qi2 chargers become more widespread, it should be easier for both iPhone and Android users to top up their phones' batteries quickly.

Elsewhere, iPhone 15 Pro users can capture spatial video that can be viewed in 3D in Apple Vision Pro's Photos app (once you're eventually able to try out the headset, that is). You'll now be able to access and log Health data with your voice thanks to a Siri update. The Apple Music, Messages and Weather apps are getting a few new features too, while an AutoFill upgrade for PDFs and other forms could prove very useful.

In addition, Apple is rolling out watchOS 10.2. Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 can now log and access Health app data through Siri (both devices process Siri requests on-device for greater privacy). You can ask Siri for information on things like how much you slept the night before, your step count and whether you've closed your exercise ring for the day. You can also instruct Siri to log data such as your weight, medications that you've taken and your body temperature. These requests are available in English (US) and Mandarin Chinese for now, with support for more languages to follow.

Other new Apple Watch features include the ability to automatically view what's Now Playing from a nearby 2nd-gen HomePod or HomePod mini that's playing something from Music or Podcasts. You can enable a setting that'll let you swipe to change watch faces. You'll also be able to choose whether to prioritize the volume of the music or a trainer's voice in most Fitness+ workouts.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ios-172-and-apples-new-journal-app-are-now-available-181348877.html?src=rss

iOS 17.2 and Apple’s new Journal app are now available

Posted on by

After several weeks of testing the latest version of its iPhone operating system in public, Apple is now rolling out iOS 17.2 to all compatible devices. In addition, iPadOS 17.2 and macOS 14.2 Sonoma, which boast many of the same features, are here as well. Finally, watchOS 10.2 is also available for download. The biggest change this time around is the introduction of a new core app called Journal.

Apple's hope with the app is to help "iPhone users reflect and practice gratitude through journaling." It differs from third-party offerings like Day One, as Apple is able to offer suggestions for journal entries based on activity in other apps. Your iPhone might suggest logging a trip populated by photos from your camera roll, accompanied by a writing prompt such as "what will you remember most about your day out?" Your device might also suggest creating a journal entry after a workout or even to note a podcast episode you listened to.

Third-party developers can tap into a Suggestions API to nudge users to create journal entries based on activity in their apps. Apple says the Journal app is end-to-end encrypted and all information is stored locally (though you can sync everything to iCloud if you wish). Users will have control over which apps can offer Journal suggestions too.

The Journal app isn't all that's new in iOS 17.2. You'll be able to set up the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max to act as a quick translation tool for spoken phrases. You could even use it to have a conversation with someone who doesn't speak the same language as you.

Apple is rolling out support for Qi2 charging on all iPhone 13 models and iPhone 14 models (it's already present on iPhone 15 models). Qi2-certified chargers are said to match the 15W wireless charging speeds of MagSafe. As Qi2 chargers become more widespread, it should be easier for both iPhone and Android users to top up their phones' batteries quickly.

Elsewhere, iPhone 15 Pro users can capture spatial video that can be viewed in 3D in Apple Vision Pro's Photos app (once you're eventually able to try out the headset, that is). You'll now be able to access and log Health data with your voice thanks to a Siri update. The Apple Music, Messages and Weather apps are getting a few new features too, while an AutoFill upgrade for PDFs and other forms could prove very useful.

In addition, Apple is rolling out watchOS 10.2. Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 can now log and access Health app data through Siri (both devices process Siri requests on-device for greater privacy). You can ask Siri for information on things like how much you slept the night before, your step count and whether you've closed your exercise ring for the day. You can also instruct Siri to log data such as your weight, medications that you've taken and your body temperature. These requests are available in English (US) and Mandarin Chinese for now, with support for more languages to follow.

Other new Apple Watch features include the ability to automatically view what's Now Playing from a nearby 2nd-gen HomePod or HomePod mini that's playing something from Music or Podcasts. You can enable a setting that'll let you swipe to change watch faces. You'll also be able to choose whether to prioritize the volume of the music or a trainer's voice in most Fitness+ workouts.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ios-172-and-apples-new-journal-app-are-now-available-181348877.html?src=rss

Arturia’s MiniFreak synthesizer gets a firmware update with new engine and effects

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Arturia just launched a massive firmware update for its MiniFreak hybrid hardware synthesizer. Firmware version 2.0 brings a host of improvements and new features for avid fans of Arturia’s weird-but-powerful instrument. The biggest news here is a brand-new wavetable sound engine, boasting 32 wavetables and 64 patches. However, the engine’s only available on one of the oscillators, which does slightly decrease sound design options. Still, more engines are never a bad thing.

There’s also a new Super Unison effect, which is basically a souped-up chorus that increases stereo width by stacking up to six copies of a sound on top of the dry signal. The MiniFreak has some high-quality effects, so this should be fun to fool around with. Arturia says this effect will “transform a simple patch into a supersaw monster.”

LFO modulation has gotten a bit more useful with this update. Users can now adjust the LFO rate to correspond to a single step or even the entire curve, encouraging more “nuanced, evolving and expressive modulations.” For those with active sound design aspirations, Arturia is adding an easily-accessible favorites panel to the MiniFreak to store and bring up custom-made patches.

MiniFreak owners can now also access a dedicated store to purchase sound banks. There are three free banks at launch, with 32 patches, and two paid banks, with 64 patches. These sound packs are available for both the hardware MiniFreak and the affiliated software plugin. Arturia-branded sound packs typically cost $10 to $15. The company promises this is just the beginning, with more MiniFreak sound packs to come.

Other minor enhancements include more control over the Macro Edit mode and increased volume options. MiniFreak Firmware 2.0 is available now as a free update to current owners.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/arturias-minifreak-synthesizer-gets-a-firmware-update-with-new-engine-and-effects-185416143.html?src=rss

Arturia’s MiniFreak synthesizer gets a firmware update with new engine and effects

Posted on by

Arturia just launched a massive firmware update for its MiniFreak hybrid hardware synthesizer. Firmware version 2.0 brings a host of improvements and new features for avid fans of Arturia’s weird-but-powerful instrument. The biggest news here is a brand-new wavetable sound engine, boasting 32 wavetables and 64 patches. However, the engine’s only available on one of the oscillators, which does slightly decrease sound design options. Still, more engines are never a bad thing.

There’s also a new Super Unison effect, which is basically a souped-up chorus that increases stereo width by stacking up to six copies of a sound on top of the dry signal. The MiniFreak has some high-quality effects, so this should be fun to fool around with. Arturia says this effect will “transform a simple patch into a supersaw monster.”

LFO modulation has gotten a bit more useful with this update. Users can now adjust the LFO rate to correspond to a single step or even the entire curve, encouraging more “nuanced, evolving and expressive modulations.” For those with active sound design aspirations, Arturia is adding an easily-accessible favorites panel to the MiniFreak to store and bring up custom-made patches.

MiniFreak owners can now also access a dedicated store to purchase sound banks. There are three free banks at launch, with 32 patches, and two paid banks, with 64 patches. These sound packs are available for both the hardware MiniFreak and the affiliated software plugin. Arturia-branded sound packs typically cost $10 to $15. The company promises this is just the beginning, with more MiniFreak sound packs to come.

Other minor enhancements include more control over the Macro Edit mode and increased volume options. MiniFreak Firmware 2.0 is available now as a free update to current owners.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/arturias-minifreak-synthesizer-gets-a-firmware-update-with-new-engine-and-effects-185416143.html?src=rss

Apple will reportedly reward artists for offering music in spatial audio

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Apple will reward record labels and artists who offer their music in spatial audio, a relatively new audio format that is more immersive than regular stereo. According to a Bloomberg report, artists who release their music in spatial audio will receive “added weighting” starting next year. That, Bloomberg speculates, could mean higher royalties.

Nearly all of Apple’s audio hardware such as AirPods, HomePod, the iPhone and the upcoming Vision Pro headset, support playback in spatial audio, so the company’s move to incentivize artists is almost certainly to ensure that most music available on Apple Music is available in a format that Apple has positioned as a selling point. Notably, Bloomberg notes that Apple Music listeners wouldn’t necessarily have to stream a song in spatial audio for artists to be rewarded. Simply having their music available in the format would be enough.

Apple added spatial audio, which is powered by technology from Dolby Atmos, to Apple Music in 2021. Most of the company’s original shows and movies on Apple TV+ are also offered in the format. Artists also have the option of mixing their older music in the new format, something that bands from all decades are already doing. Mixing music in the format isn’t wildly expensive, according to Bloomberg; if true, this push could help get independent musicians and smaller acts on board.

Some Apple Music competitors like Amazon Music and Tidal also offer spatial audio on their services. But Spotify, Apple’s biggest music stream rival, is a notable exception, even though rumors about a high-quality music format on the service have swirled for years.

Update, January 22, 2024, 5:07 PM ET: Apple started offering 10 precent higher royalties to artists who offer music in spatial audio on Apple Music from January, according to a new report from 9to5Mac. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-will-reportedly-reward-artists-for-offering-music-in-spatial-audio-183713277.html?src=rss

Apple will reportedly reward artists for offering music in spatial audio

Posted on by

Apple will reward record labels and artists who offer their music in spatial audio, a relatively new audio format that is more immersive than regular stereo. According to a Bloomberg report, artists who release their music in spatial audio will receive “added weighting” starting next year. That, Bloomberg speculates, could mean higher royalties.

Nearly all of Apple’s audio hardware such as AirPods, HomePod, the iPhone and the upcoming Vision Pro headset, support playback in spatial audio, so the company’s move to incentivize artists is almost certainly to ensure that most music available on Apple Music is available in a format that Apple has positioned as a selling point. Notably, Bloomberg notes that Apple Music listeners wouldn’t necessarily have to stream a song in spatial audio for artists to be rewarded. Simply having their music available in the format would be enough.

Apple added spatial audio, which is powered by technology from Dolby Atmos, to Apple Music in 2021. Most of the company’s original shows and movies on Apple TV+ are also offered in the format. Artists also have the option of mixing their older music in the new format, something that bands from all decades are already doing. Mixing music in the format isn’t wildly expensive, according to Bloomberg; if true, this push could help get independent musicians and smaller acts on board.

Some Apple Music competitors like Amazon Music and Tidal also offer spatial audio on their services. But Spotify, Apple’s biggest music stream rival, is a notable exception, even though rumors about a high-quality music format on the service have swirled for years.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-will-reportedly-reward-artists-for-offering-music-in-spatial-audio-183713277.html?src=rss