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30.10.2024 17:11 Sennheiser has launched a new all-in-one microphone system that can transform according to your needs. The new Profile Wireless set comes with two clip-on microphones, which are pre-paired with a charging bar. While you can easily clip those mics to wherever you wish, you can also use the included magnetic mounts if you have to attach them to delicate clothing. If you're interviewing people in your video or shooting more traditional reporting-style content, you can turn one of the clip-on mics into a handheld mic by inserting it into the charging bar. You can also add the big foam windshield Sennheiser included in the package to block out environmental noise. Finally, the mic can also turn into a desktop mic by mounting it onto the included table stands. Sennheiser Profile Wireless' charging bar has an OLED touch display that shows the audio levels for the clip-on mics. It can connect to cameras, phones and laptops with the included adapters, so you can film with different devices. If you connect it to a phone using the Lightning or the USB-C adaptor included in the package, the receiver can automatically rotate to make sure its OLED display remains legible and visible to you. Each clip-on mic has a 24-bit recording capability and comes with 16 GB memory for internal recording. If you switch on Backup Recording Mode, it will only use the mic's internal storage if its wireless signal becomes too weak to transmit audio to the recording device. The mics have a range of 245 meters within line of sight, and up to 150 meters within line of sight when taking body blocking into account. ​ The Profile Wireless system is now available for pre-order in the US , Europe and the UK , making it cheaper than DJI's comparable microphone set. That said, Sennheiser's mic doesn't have Bluetooth connectivity, while DJI's does. It doesn't have a solid shipping date yet, but it will be released either sometime in the fourth quarter of 2024 or the first quarter of 2025. Sennheiser This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/sennheisers-profile-wireless-is-a-clip-on-tabletop-and-handheld-mic-all-in-one-123008296.html?src=rss

30.10.2024 17:11 Microsoft has issued a warning about an ongoing spear-phishing campaign by a threat actor called Midnight Blizzard, which US and UK authorities previously linked to Russia's intelligence agency. The company said it discovered that the bad actor has been sending out "highly targeted spear-phishing emails" since at least October 22 and that it believes the operation's goal is to collect intelligence. Based on its observations, the group has been sending emails to individuals linked to various sectors, but it's known for targeting both government and non-government organizations, IT service providers, academia and defense. In addition, while it mostly focuses on organizations in the US and in Europe, this campaign also targeted individuals in Australia and Japan. Midnight Blizzard has already sent out thousands of spear-phishing emails to over 100 organizations for this campaign, Microsoft said, explaining that those emails contain a signed Remote Desktop Protocol connected to a server the bad actor controls. The group used email addresses belonging to real organizations stolen during its previous activities, making targets think that they're opening legitimate emails. It also used social engineering techniques to make it look like the emails were sent by employees from Microsoft or Amazon Web Services. If someone clicks and opens the RDP attachment, a connection is established to the server Midnight Blizzard controls. It then gives the bad actor access to the target's files, any network drives or peripherals connected to their computer, as well as their passkeys, security keys and other web authentication information. It could also install malware in the target's computer and network, including remote-access trojans that it could use to remain in the victim's system even after the initial connection has been cut off. The group is known by many other names, such as Cozy Bear and APT29, but you might remember it as the threat actor behind the 2020 SolarWinds attacks, wherein it had managed to infiltrate hundreds of organizations around the world. It also broke into the emails of several senior Microsoft executives and other employees earlier this year, accessing communication between the company and its customers. Microsoft didn't say whether this campaign has anything to do with the US Presidential Elections, but it's advising potential targets to be more proactive in protecting their systems. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/microsoft-issues-warning-for-ongoing-russia-affiliated-spear-phishing-campaign-120003125.html?src=rss

30.10.2024 17:11 Over the last four years, the Biden administration’s antitrust efforts have been notable by their sheer number, with ongoing cases against Apple, Meta, Google and Amazon — as well as sparring with tech-adjacent players like Ticketmaster. Biden’s team has pushed to prevent giant mergers, increase competition and punish companies for unfair business practices. So how about your next president? We compare Kamala Harris to Donald Trump, whose stint in the White House was also pretty active in the antitrust space. Trump already has strong opinions on some of the biggest players in the tech space too. — Mat Smith The biggest tech stories you missed Canon’s new lens makes it easier and cheaper to shoot 3D VR content Apple’s AirPods Pro hearing health tools could normalize wearing earbuds everywhere Apple introduces the M4 Pro chip, which finally brings Thunderbolt 5 support Instagram reduces video quality for posts that aren’t raking in views Get this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! Apple gives the Mac mini a tiny redesign And, with M4 and M4 Pro chips, a lot of power. Apple Apple’s refreshed Mac mini is a five-inch by five-inch box, two inches tall, that could be a serious workhorse. Sure, you can equip it with Apple’s M4 chip, but it can also be configured with an even more powerful M4 Pro model, announced alongside the new mini. So yes, it’s smaller than what came before it . In fact, it’s getting down to almost Apple TV sizes. Apple has also finally given us a few front ports: two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. And if you go for the M4 Pro version, which delivers Thunderbolt 5 connectivity for the first time on a Mac, with up to three times the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 3, as well as up to 64GB of RAM. That bandwidth will cost you, though. The new M4 Mac mini is on pre-order now, starting at $599 , and it’ll be available in stores on November 9. The M4 Pro model, meanwhile, starts at $1,399. Continue reading. Sony pulls the plug on Concord and shuts down Firewalk Studios That’s how poorly the team shooter was received. Sony has officially killed off Concord and is shuttering the studio behind the game. Concord's servers were taken down just two weeks after the launch of the competitive team shooter from Firewalk Studios, after poor sales. Sony bought the studio only last spring. Continue reading. Watch the trailer for Netflix’s Senna biopic The six-parter stars Gabriel Leone. Netflix After the success of docuseries Drive to Survive, Netflix is spotlighting a motorsport great. Senna will show the roots, drive and tragic passing of Ayrton Senna as he goes from racing go-karts in São Paulo, Brazil, to international superstardom and 41-time Grands Prix winner. Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-how-will-the-next-us-president-deal-with-big-tech-111712080.html?src=rss

30.10.2024 11:52 Canon has officially revealed its cheapest spatial and smallest VR lens yet, the $450 RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual. It's the same size as a regular camera lens but is designed to let creators shoot 3D VR content for headsets like the Meta Quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro. In fact, it was first teased in June at WWDC 2024 alongside Apple's latest Vision Pro OS. There is one catch, in that the lens is designed for APS-C and only works with Canon's 32.5-megapixel EOS R7 for now. That camera costs $1,300 for the body only, so a full shooting solution is around $1,750. Canon The company has dabbled with stereoscopic VR lenses before, most recently with the RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye. However, that product is bigger and more unwieldy, much more expensive at $2,000 and only supports manual focus. Its main benefit is the nearly 180 degree field of view that's close to human vision and enhanced 3D thanks to the wide 2.36-inch gap between the elements. In comparison, the new 7.8mm crop sensor lens has a much narrower 63-degree field of view. The fact that the the two elements are so close together also reduces the 3D effect, particularly when you're farther from the subject . Autofocus support is a big benefit, though, and it also comes with a button and control wheel that allows separate manual focus for the left and right sides. Photos and video captured with the EOS R7 and new lens must be processed using Canon's EOS VR Utility app or a plugin for Adobe's Premiere Pro, both paid apps. After that, they can be viewed on the Meta Quest 3, Vision Pro and other headsets in a variety of formats including 180-degree 3D VR, 3D Theater and spatial video. The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens is now on pre-order for $449 and will arrive sometime in November. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/canons-new-lens-makes-it-easier-and-cheaper-to-shoot-3d-vr-content-090206553.html?src=rss

30.10.2024 11:52 If you’ve ever tried listening to your favorite playlist only to have it drowned out by chatty commuters, airplane engines or other distracting noises, you might want to consider some headphones with active noise cancelation . Whether you’re working in a bustling coffee shop, catching a flight, or just trying to focus at home, a good pair of headphones with ANC will block out those distracting outside sounds so you can fully immerse yourself in your music, podcasts, or that new audiobook you’ve been dying to finish. Noise-canceling headphones are designed for all kinds of situations, and each model will be a little different. Some feature plush memory foam ear cushions and an adjustable headband for all-day comfort, ideal for long listening sessions. It’s also worth considering a pair of headphones that offer hours of battery life that will keep the music going from morning meetings to evening workouts. If you’re after high-end sound quality and smart features like customizable ANC, there’s a pair out there that will suit your needs. How to choose the best noise-canceling headphones for you Design When you’re shopping for a pair of wireless headphones, the first thing you’ll need to decide on is wear style. Do you prefer on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the purposes of this guide, I focus on the over-ear style as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are nowadays. Sure, you can find on-ear models with ANC, but over-ear, active noise-canceling headphones are much more effective at blocking outside sounds since your ears are completely covered. For gamers, there are also gaming headsets that feature noise cancellation — some even have detachable microphones, so they can double as over-ear headphones. However, for the purpose of this article, we’re only going to be focusing on noise-canceling headphones rather than headsets. Look for models with a comfortable headband and memory foam ear cups to ensure you can wear them for extended periods without discomfort. Type of noise cancellation Next, you’ll want to look at the type of ANC a set of headphones offers. You’ll come across terms like “hybrid active noise cancellation” or “hybrid adaptive active noise cancellation,” and there are key differences between the two. A hybrid ANC setup uses microphones on the inside and on the outside of the device to detect outside noise and cancel it out. By analyzing input from both mics, a hybrid system can combat more sounds than “regular” ANC, but it does so at a constant level that doesn’t change. Adaptive ANC takes the hybrid configuration a step further by continuously adjusting the noise cancellation for changes in your environment and any leakage around the padding of the ear cups. Adaptive noise-canceling also does a better job with wind noise, which can really kill your vibe while using headphones outdoors. For the purposes of this best headphones list, I’m only considering products with hybrid ANC or adaptive ANC setups because those are the most effective at blocking noise and improving your overall listening experience. Customization You’ll also want to check to see if the ANC system on a prospective set of headphones offers adjustable levels of noise cancellation or presets. These can help you dial in the amount of ANC you need for various environments, but it can also help you save battery life. Master Dynamic, for example, has ANC presets that provide both maximum noise blocking and more efficient cancellation that is more energy efficient. Other companies may include a slider in their companion apps that let you adjust the ANC level to your liking. Some high-end models even allow you to fine-tune the ANC for specific types of environments. How we test noise-canceling headphones The primary way we test headphones is to wear them as much as possible. I prefer to do this over a one-to-two-week period, but sometimes deadlines don’t allow it. During this time, I listen to a mix of music and podcasts, while also using the headphones to take both voice and video calls. Since battery life for headphones can be 30 hours or more, I drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level . Due to the longer battery estimates, I’ll typically power the headphones off several times and leave them that way during a review. This simulates real-world use and keeps me from having to constantly monitor the process for over 24 straight hours. To test ANC performance specifically, I use headphones in a variety of environments, from noisy coffee shops to quiet home offices. When my schedule allows, I use them during air travel since plane noise is a massive distraction to both work and relaxation. Even if I can’t hop on a flight, I’ll simulate a constant roar with white noise machines, bathroom fans, vacuums and more. I also make note of how well each device blocks human voices, which are a key stumbling block for a lot of ANC headphones. ANC-related features are something else to consider. Here, I do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as I work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the headphones I’m testing are an updated version of a previous model, I’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competition for each new set of headphones that I review. Best noise-canceling headphones of 2024 Other noise-canceling headphones we tested AirPods Max Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed headphones that incorporate all of the best features you find on standard AirPods: solid noise cancelation, spatial audio and easy Siri access. However, their $550 starting price makes them almost prohibitively expensive, even for those with Apple devices. There are better options available at lower prices. Sonos Ace The Sonos Ace is an excellent debut for the company’s first headphones. The combination of refined design, great sound quality and home theater tricks creates a unique formula. However, ANC performance is just okay and key functionality is still in the works for many users. Beats Studio Pro The Studio Pro lacks basic features like automatic pausing, and multipoint connectivity is only available on Android. Moreover, they’re not very comfortable for people with larger heads. Overall sound quality is improved, though, and voice performance on calls is well above average. Noise-canceling headphones FAQs Does noise cancellation block all noise? Noise cancellation doesn’t block out all noise, though it does drastically reduce the volume of most external sounds. Is there a difference between wired vs wireless noise-canceling headphones? In terms of sound quality, if you have two headphones — one wired and one wireless — with similar specs, the difference is going to be very minimal. However, wireless headphones offer more convenience, allowing you to move around more freely with your headphones on, which is why they often feature noise cancellation to minimize external sounds. Does noise cancellation impact sound quality? ANC does bear some weight on sound quality, but the impact of this often doesn’t outweigh the benefits. Noise cancellation reduces ambient noise, allowing a greater focus on audio detail. For audiophiles, however, there may be a small difference in sound fidelity when ANC is turned on.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-noise-canceling-headphones-130029881.html?src=rss

30.10.2024 01:51 Late last week, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency confirmed they were investigating “the unauthorized access to commercial telecommunications infrastructure by actors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China.” At the same time, The New York Times reported that phones used by Donald Trump, JD Vance and Kamala Harris’ campaign staff were among the targets, though it was unclear what data the group may have been able to access. Now, The New York Times has new details about the extent of the hack, which is reportedly linked to a Chinese group known as “Salt Typhoon.” According to The Times, aides to President Joe Biden, as well as Trump’s family members were also targeted, in addition to diplomats and other government officials. Even more concerning, though, is what the hackers may have been able to access. From the report: F.B.I. investigators think the hackers may have been able to access unencrypted SMS text messages on the targeted devices, as well as call logs, according to people familiar with the investigation. They said there was also evidence indicating that audio communications were captured, though it was not immediately clear whether that meant voice mail or phone call conversations. CISA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment The agency said last week in a joint statement with the FBI that the investigation was “ongoing” and that the affected companies and other potential victims had been notified. At least 10 companies, including Verizon and AT&T, were impacted, according to The Washington Post. A spokesperson for AT&T declined to comment. Verizon didn’t immediately respond to questions, but previously told The Times the company was “aware that a highly sophisticated nation-state actor has reportedly targeted several U.S. telecommunications providers to gather intelligence.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/fbi-suspects-china-linked-hackers-accessed-officials-call-logs-and-sms-messages-report-says-000434865.html?src=rss

30.10.2024 01:51 We’re in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential election and both sides are pulling out all the stops to get those all-important undecided voters. The Harris/Walz campaign is exploring an unconventional option: a map in Epic Games’ mega online multiplayer hit Fortnite. The “Freedom Town, USA” map available at 7331-5536-6547 is a little different from the usual Fortnite matches. Forbes senior contributor Paul Tassi played the new map and reported that there aren’t any guns in Freedom Town . Instead, the game focuses on racing with cars and parkour style. The map also has some campaign signs and decorations for Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz’s presidential run. Video games have become a cornerstone of the Harris/Walz campaign. Harris’ camp has its own Twitch page that’s been broadcasting games like World of Warcraft and the latest Madden title as a way to spark discussions with the voting public. The Fortnite map, however, doesn’t look like it’s doing a great job of getting the message out to players. As of this story’s publishing, the map only has less than 300 active players. Political ads and recruitment in video games isn’t just limited to this campaign cycle. Then-candidate Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign introduced the concept to politics when they purchased ads in 18 games including Need for Speed: Carbon and Madden NFL 13 on Microsoft’s Xbox Live service and the mobile version of Tetris, according to NPR.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-harriswalz-campaign-has-its-own-fortnite-map-220450255.html?src=rss

30.10.2024 01:51 The town of Springfield will host a National Football League game in December at Atoms Stadium, but neither the Springfield Atoms nor the Shelbyville Sharks will take the field. Instead, the Bengals-Cowboys game on December 9 will be transformed into the world of TV’s longest running sitcom The Simpsons for a special Funday Football edition of Monday Night Football. The special Simpsons-ized broadcast will air on the ESPN+ and Disney+ streaming services and the NFL+ mobile app. The game will broadcast in its regular form on ESPN, ESPN+, ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. The game will implement tracking technology to turn the players on the field and ESPN commentators Mina Kimes, Dan Orlovsky and Drew Carter into Simpsons characters. Kimes, Orlovsky and Carter will wear Meta Quest Pro headsets to see their virtual environments. The quarterbacks will be transformed into Bart for the Cincinnati Bengals and Homer for the Dallas Cowboys using Sony’s Beyond Sports AI data analyzer and Hawk-Eye Innovations sports tracking and broadcast technology, according to a Disney press release. The game will also feature more characters and pre-animated scenes from the show’s original cast including Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner and Yeardley Smith along with some surprise sports cameos. Characters like Lisa, Krusty the Clown, Carl, Lenny, Moe and Milhouse will be on the sidelines rooting for their respective teams. The announcement doesn’t mention Harry Shearer, so don’t expect Mr. Burns or Smithers to be at the game. This isn’t the first time that ESPN has turned a regular season NFL game into an animated spectacle. Last year, Disney, ESPN and the NFL teamed up to turn an October game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars into a Toy Story themed game that transformed London’s Wembley Stadium into Andy’s room. The kids’ cable network Nickelodeon has also aired a few NFL games for its NFL Slimetime broadcasts featuring live commentary from animated characters like SpongeBob voiced by Tom Kenny and Patrick Star voiced by Bill Fagerbakke and computerized slime spewing in the end zones after touchdowns.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-simpsons-will-join-monday-night-football-on-espn-and-disney-202238589.html?src=rss

30.10.2024 01:51 X is trying to speed up its crowdsourced fact-checking system, Community Notes. In an update, the company says it has “re-architected” the scoring system that powers the feature so that the user-generated notes can now appear less than 20 minutes after a post is published on its platform. Community Notes, introduced in 2022, relies on other X users to fact-check or add missing context to posts on the platform. Contributors are required to cite their sources, and other users then rate the “helpfulness” of the note. Creators are also penalized for posts that get “community noted” in an effort to discourage them from trying to monetize misinformation. Now, that whole process should be able to move a lot quicker. According to X, these new “lightning notes” can “go live in as little as 14m33s after being written, and 18m20s after the post itself was written.” The change could help address a long running criticism of the crowdsourced fact checking system: that it moves far too slowly compared with the speed of viral misinformation on the platform. For example, an analysis last year by Bloomberg found that it could take several hours for a Community Note to appear on a viral tweet and that, often, only a fraction of users see the fact check compared with the original post. The new speedier system could change that, though it’s unclear how often the faster “lightning” version of the process will actually play out. Not all posts with incorrect information, misstated facts or AI-generated imagery are immediately flagged for review, if they are at all. X says it has more than 800,000 contributors to the program globally, but some posts will likely still take much longer to wind their way through the Community Notes process.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-is-trying-to-make-community-notes-faster-with-lightning-notes-202227151.html?src=rss

29.10.2024 20:52 Game studio Enhance is celebrating its tenth anniversary and marking the occasion with two limited run box sets that showcase the art and audio of its creative titles. Founded by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Enhance has released some stellar video games over the past decade, including Tetris Effect: Connected, Rez Infinite, Lumines Remastered and Humanity. One collection — The Enhance Soundworks Collection Boxed Set — centers on the music and soundtracks from the studio's history. It includes nine LPs with the soundtracks to each of the four games above, all on custom-printed vinyl. The box set also includes a liner booklet with insights on the music from game composers and creators, a turntable slipmat, a poster and a set of pin badges. Only 505 collections will be sold and are scheduled to ship in spring 2025. The other collection is called The Sounds Visions: Enhance at 10 Boxed Set. This contains a 300-page oral history of the studio's founding and its game projects, a laser-etched glass sculpture inspired by Rez Infinite, prints of concept art for Tetris Effect: Connected and Rez Infinite, and a CD of audio tracks by Hydelic from the same pair of games. This set will begin shipments in summer 2025 and is limited to 1,010 copies. Each of these box sets is available to pre-order now and will retail for $259. Even the packaging on these collectors' items align with the blend of art, audio and design that has become a hallmark of Enhance's creations. Both Rez Infinite and Tetris Effect: Connect impressed Engadget's team for their mindful, meditative approach to immersive, flow-state gaming.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/enhance-unveils-two-collectors-box-sets-in-honor-of-its-tenth-anniversary-194435400.html?src=rss

29.10.2024 20:52 Now isn’t a bad time to try our pick for the best VPN service for 2024. ProtonVPN is on sale for 70 percent off 24-month subscriptions and 50 percent off 12-month plans . That averages out to $3 monthly if you go with two years and $5 monthly for the single-year option. ProtonVPN is Engadget’s favorite VPN service of 2024. Although most services passed our tests with high marks, Proton’s service stood out for its independently audited no-logs policy, a proven record of refusing law enforcement requests, open-source code and a peer-review program that discloses potential vulnerabilities. We also liked its user-friendly interface. The company offers a limited free plan, but ProtonVPN Plus gives you access to 6,500 servers in more than 110 countries. It also includes the company’s high-speed servers, BitTorrent support, a built-in ad blocker and the option to route your connection through multiple servers. Other Proton services are also on sale. That includes Proton Mail, the company’s fully encrypted email service that put it on the map. You can get 12 months for 60 percent off or 24 months for 30 percent off . ProtonMail recently added an AI-powered writing feature to its mail service. Even if you aren’t a fan of robots putting words into your mouth, the service still gives you up to 10 email addresses , smart filters and labels, one-click unsubscribe and dedicated mobile and desktop apps. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/proton-vpn-black-friday-deals-include-70-percent-off-a-two-year-plan-192530586.html?src=rss

29.10.2024 20:52 Sony has officially killed off Concord and is shuttering the studio behind the game. Concord's servers were taken down just two weeks after the launch of the competitive team shooter from Firewalk Studios after poor sales. Firewalk's game director Ryan Ellis chose to move himself into a more supportive role following Concord's struggles, and Sony had said it would consider its options for the project. The decision is in. "After much thought, we have determined the best path forward is to permanently sunset the game and close the studio," Hermen Hulst of Sony Interactive Entertainment's Studio Business Group said in a statement today. "I want to thank all of Firewalk for their craftsmanship, creative spirit and dedication." A representative told Bloomberg News that Firewalk Studios had 172 employees who will lose their jobs. The online game business is brutal, and Concord may have suffered for its long development time, which meant other team shooters had already risen to prominence and defined players' expectations. Many similar games are free to play and support themselves financially with a battle pass or seasonal model. Gamers may have balked at the $40 price tag for a new property, or maybe the genre was simply too crowded for Concord to muscle in. Whatever the reasons, today's news marks another difficult chapter for the game development world. Firewalk Studios is an outlier for having this level of commercial failure, but it's still yet another closure in the industry that has seen a lot of turbulence in recent years. Layoffs and shutdowns have been a top story in gaming, but several of the recent cases have been like Firewalk, which was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment just last spring. Netflix abruptly shut down its AAA studio last week before the team had even announced a project. Microsoft closed three studios from the Zenimax family earlier this year. As fewer parties control a growing share of the games industry, the tolerance for experimentation and slim profit margins will likely shrink too. And this type of sudden upheaval could become all the more common. Update, October 29, 2024, 2:52PM ET: Story updated with additional context about Concord, Firewalk Studios' staff numbers and broader studio closure trends.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-pulls-the-plug-on-concord-and-shuts-down-firewalk-studios-180321212.html?src=rss

29.10.2024 20:52 Amazon’s shopping-focused chatbot Rufus is launching throughout Europe, after coming to the US back in February. It starts rolling out today as a beta in Germany, France, Italy and Spain, after coming to the UK in September. This is a gradual rollout and the company says it could be a few weeks before every single user in the aforementioned countries receives a software update. To get started with Rufus, look for the icon on the bottom right-hand corner of the mobile app. This will open up the chat box. Customers can tap on this chat box to ask follow up questions or receive more information on a pre-existing query. This is a beta release, so Amazon encourages customers to leave feedback by “rating their answers with a thumbs up or thumbs down.” There’s also an option for more directed freeform feedback. For the uninitiated, Rufus is a generative AI shopping assistant that was trained on Amazon’s entire product catalog, along with customer reviews, community Q&As and “information from across the web.” It’s a chatbot, so customers can ask Rufus questions about products and the like. For instance, users can ask Rufus if a particular pair of running shoes are durable or if a jacket is machine-washable. This is AI, though, so even Amazon admits that the information may not always be correct. “It’s still early days for generative AI, and the technology won’t always get it exactly right,” the company writes. If you live in the US, you already have access to the chatbot. Just look for the tell-tale icon that looks like two chat bubbles, along with the name Rufus.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazons-ai-powered-shopping-assistant-rufus-launches-in-europe-today-184255137.html?src=rss

29.10.2024 20:52 After introducing many Americans to Formula One racing with the docuseries Drive to Survive, Netflix is spotlighting one of the motorsport’s greats. Senna will show the roots, drive and tragic passing of Ayrton Senna as he goes from racing go-karts in São Paulo, Brazil, to international superstardom and 41-time Grands Prix winner. You can watch the trailer below a month before the limited series’ debut. “Fascinated by cars since childhood, Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna became a sports legend — until tragedy struck, changing Formula 1 forever,” Netflix’s description reads. Showrunner Vicente Amorim helms the six-part series. In addition to Leone in the starring role, its cast includes Kaya Scodelario and Matt Mella . Netflix The trailer below showcases Senna’s determination in the face of adversity, his uncanny ability to drive in the rain and his love of his home country. The LA Times reports that the series was produced in Brazil, filmed mainly in Portuguese and is supported by F1’s governing body. You can stream Senna exclusively on Netflix after you wrap up your Black Friday shopping on November 29. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflixs-senna-showcases-the-rise-and-untimely-death-of-the-brazilian-f1-legend-175721183.html?src=rss

29.10.2024 20:52 The Wii U was an unsuccessful console with some fantastic and overlooked games. Many of these titles have already been ported to the Nintendo Switch and, well, here’s another one. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition heads to the Switch on March 20. Preorders are open right now. This refresh of the 2015 action RPG will feature “enhanced visuals, added story elements and more.” As the name suggests, this is being advertised as the definitive edition of the game. There’s a trailer, embedded below, and the graphics look quite fetching. The trailer also includes a mysterious hooded figure. Nintendo says we should “stay tuned to learn more” about this new character. This definitive edition will feature some multiplayer components. Players can join online squads to take on missions and fight baddies. You can even recruit the avatars of other players to your team in the main story. There’s a swap feature that lets you fill the party up with the avatars of friends and family. Xenoblade Chronicles X is generally considered one of the stronger entries in the franchise, with a huge open world map and equally mammoth beasts to slay. There are five continents to explore across the hostile planet of Mira. You can also roam the world while riding a giant mech. The story is a standalone affair, so you don’t have to be well-versed in any lore. This isn’t the first Xenoblade game to get the refresh treatment. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is a remake of the very first title in the franchise and was released for the Switch back in 2020. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/xenoblade-chronicles-x-definitive-edition-heads-to-the-switch-on-march-20-171622499.html?src=rss