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17.12.2024 19:40 I'm really not sure how but suddenly Christmas is only eight days away and the window to order presents online is getting really small. So, if, like me, you've procrastinated a bit this year then it's time to take action and buy those amazing holiday presents. Fortunately, there are great deals on devices that will not only make great gifts, but will arrive before Santa takes off from the North Pole. These sales include the new 16GB Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, which is down to $135 from $160 — a 16 percent discount. However, it's only guaranteed to arrive in time if you're a Prime member. The markdown brings this 2024 model to just $5 more than it cost during Black Friday. It offers a 7-inch screen and the highest contrast of any Kindle. The Paperwhite model is also waterproof and, Amazon claims, has 25 percent faster page turns. It should last up to 12 weeks on a single charge. This deal is available on the version without Kindle unlimited and is ad-supported. Amazon also released a new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, a luxe version of the base Paperwhite model. We gave it an 85 in our review thanks to its excellent touch response, auto-adjusting warm front light and overall premium feel. However, we didn't think any of its perks were essential and, for $200, it's a significant jump in price. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-2024-kindle-paperwhite-is-25-off-right-now-143813447.html?src=rss

17.12.2024 19:40 True wireless earbuds are all the rage right now, as they can provide an excellent listening experience without the hassle of wires. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds are a solid option that are now almost 30 percent off, dropping from $270 to $190. That’s a record-low price for these buds, and, Amazon is also including a $20 gift card to make it into a bundle. Besides delivering some nice, creamy bass combined with plenty of detail, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds have an adaptive equalizer function that lets you tune the sound to your liking. The EQ is AI-powered and makes adjustments depending on your environment. Similarly, the adaptive noise cancelling works well and kicks in when the earbuds detect you’re in a loud environment. Another standout feature is the AI interpreter function, which can hear what another person is saying and translate it for you in real-time. However, the interpretation feature requires a compatible Samsung device to work. According to our review, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds have no issue hitting its advertised battery life. With ANC on, they can last six hours, and the charging case provides an additional 20 hours of ANC-on usage. We also counted it among the best wireless earbuds in 2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-a-free-20-amazon-gift-card-when-you-buy-the-samsung-galaxy-buds-3-pro-141310758.html?src=rss

17.12.2024 19:40  Tim Stevens for Engadget I've been on a bit of a quest to replace all the LCD panels in my life with OLED. I recently swapped an aging iPad Pro with a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, which is much easier on the eyes when watching late-night, trans-Atlantic movies. I've been a Galaxy S user for many years now, and I also switched to a Lenovo X1 Carbon laptop with an OLED display this year. I guess you could say I'm quite drawn to the rich color reproduction and stellar contrast, especially in low-light situations. Given that, I was intrigued by Audi's new Q6 E-Tron, which has the most expansive suite of OLED displays I've ever seen in a car. Not only did Audi's engineers splay a series of curved panels across the dashboard, reaching practically from the left door to the right, they even embedded them into the taillights out back. It's an OLED smorgasbord, but it'd be a big waste of electroluminescence if the car weren't any good. Thankfully, it is. The Q6 E-Tron is Audi's new crossover SUV, a five-passenger model that pairs nicely with the current Q5. The new Q6, though, is slightly larger in most dimensions and — more significantly — battery-powered. This is in keeping with the brand's current mission to differentiate its EV line from its ICE offerings by assigning even-numbered designations to electric models and odd numerals to the gas-powered ones. Tim Stevens for Engadget At first, I thought this numerical nomenclature was just that — odd. But with the market increasingly skeptical about electrification, this gives Audi the ability to position its battery-powered and internal-combustion cars in the market in parallel while also differentiating them, catering to buyers who are happy to plug in as well as anyone who still sees filling up at a gas station as preferable. No judgments, you do you, but for those ready for an electric lifestyle, the Q6 E-Tron is Audi's most compelling offering yet. It starts with a fresh look. This SUV carries enough familiar styling cues, like the brand’s four rings, to make it immediately identifiable as an Audi. Despite that, it looks thoroughly fresh and clean. From the big, aggressive front fascia and lighting on the nose to the evocatively curved fender flares on the side , it looks great at any angle, up to and including the pert and clean lighting at the rear. That continues on the inside. Overlapping shapes and contours create an interesting space, while a selection of mostly quality materials make for surfaces as nice to touch as they are to admire. Tim Stevens for Engadget As you step from the Q6 to the sportier SQ6, that just improves, with a slash of racy microsuede material across the dashboard paired with a bit of carbon fiber. The SQ6 delivers a healthy 509 horsepower to all four wheels in launch mode thanks to a dual-motor configuration. The lesser Q6 Quattro still impresses with 456 hp from the same dual motors . There's also a rear-drive, single-motor Q6 with 322 hp in launch mode , but I don't think many folks will choose that one, for reasons I'll delve into a bit later. At Audi's US launch of the Q6, I sampled both the Q6 Quattro and sportier SQ6 and was really impressed by their disparate driving characters. The Q6 is comfortable and quiet, with generally good ride quality when outfitted with the optional air suspension and engaging handling. As you cycle through the various drive modes, there isn't a radical change, but switch to Dynamic mode, and it does get a fair bit more exciting. Those who want a more vigorous experience, though, will want to step up to the SQ6. The extra power is nice, yes, but the combination of larger wheels with sportier tires and a more aggressive suspension tune makes for a car that feels substantially more engaging. It handles nicely for a small SUV and actually delivers good feedback through the steering, making for something that wants to be pushed through the corners. Tim Stevens for Engadget But that extra helping of aggression does come at a cost. The SQ6 has a noticeably harsher ride quality, even when its air suspension is at its most comfortable mode. There's also a good bit more road noise from the tires, too. That noise is still quite scant compared to a typical, internal-combustion car, making the Q6 a great venue for the 20-speaker, 830-watt Bang Olufsen sound system. It's optional, but it's a worthy upgrade if only thanks to the extra speakers mounted into the headrest. Many cars have stuck speakers behind your head in the past, but Audi's doing some interesting things here, like directing voice navigation prompts and even call audio directly to the driver's ears. Initially, the effect is a little unnerving. It almost feels like bone conduction, as if the nav system were announcing the next turn directly inside your head, but that direct connection means it's far less distracting for anyone else in the car. I always turn off voice prompts in my cars because they disrupt the flow of music, but with this, I could see myself actually leaving them on. Tim Stevens for Engadget As good as the sound is, the visuals are much better. The hallmark of the interior are those aforementioned OLED displays, three of them, measuring 11.9 inches on the left behind the steering wheel, 14.5 in the center for the primary, curved infotainment display and an optional third, 10.9-inch screen for the passenger on the far right. These three aren't as tidily integrated as Mercedes-Benz's mighty Hyperscreen, but the quality of the displays seems higher, and the capability is impressive, too. The passenger can cue up YouTube videos and watch them if they like, while a dynamic privacy filter keeps the driver from snooping. There are plenty of other apps, too. I installed The Weather Channel to get an update on the forecast while I was in the passenger seat to see whether there was any sunshine ahead for the next photo stop , but familiar media apps like Audible and Spotify were primed for download, too. Audi The revised MMI interface is busy, and I occasionally struggled to find settings in various submenus, but it is at least responsive. And, with both wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on offer, you can bring your own experience. My biggest interface problem was actually with the steering wheel. The controls on the spokes are capacitive touch, and during a half-day behind the wheel, I accidentally hit the volume up button a half-dozen times. What's wrong with actual buttons, again? If all those displays aren't enough, the Q6 also offers an optional, augmented reality HUD that sits right in your field of view. This means it can do things like project hovering blue arrows to tell you exactly when to turn but also identify on the road where the speed limits change and even paint warning arrows over cars that you're following too closely. The sweeping and flashing graphics in the HUD are distracting at first but effective. If you're the sort who's never quite sure which turn to take when your nav tells you to take the third exit from the next roundabout, this HUD is for you. So, the tech and the drive are quite compelling. How much are you going to pay for this privilege? It is, predictably, not cheap — but also not outrageous in the grand scheme of today's luxury SUV EV offerings. Tim Stevens for Engadget The base, rear-drive 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron starts at $63,800 and will do 321 miles on a charge from a 100 kWh battery pack. Stepping up to the dual-motor Quattro edition costs just $2,000 more and only loses 14 miles of range, an EPA rating of 307. This is why I think few people will opt for the RWD flavor. The RWD car also charges more slowly: A 260 kW max charge rate compared to 270 kW for the Quattro cars. The SQ6 Quattro does 275 miles on a charge and starts at $72,900, while the version I drove with all the displays and toys was $83,840. Yes, that's a lot, but if you don't need all that performance, the loaded Q6 Quattro I drove was $76,790. Still not cheap, but a bit less than the $77,295 starting price of the electric Porsche Macan, which shares virtually the entire drivetrain and platform. The problem? That's a huge premium over the starting price of Audi's most comparable gas-powered machine, the Q5, which can be had for as little as $45,400. Is the Q6 worth the extra cost? I wouldn't necessarily spring for the sportier SQ6, but even the base Q6 offers far more power and tech than the Q5, plus lower running costs and a lack of maintenance. Despite the similar name, it's in a different class. Sure, it's a bit of a splurge, but I'd rather have the even-numbered one in my garage. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/the-audi-q6-e-tron-is-an-oled-dream-machine-140018286.html?src=rss

17.12.2024 14:20 The stench of Cambridge Analytica is still hovering over Facebook, as parent Meta just agreed to pay 311,000 Australian users AUD $50 million over the scandal. The settlement with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner comes after a four-year dispute with Meta and follows a $725 million award in the US, along with payouts in the UK and elsewhere. "It represents a substantive resolution of privacy concerns raised by the Cambridge Analytica matter; gives potentially affected Australians an opportunity to seek redress through Meta’s payment program; and brings to an end a lengthy court process," said Australian information commissioner, Elizabeth Tydd. Cambridge Analytica, now defunct, accessed the personal data Australian users by an app and used the information gathered to target individuals with personally tailored messages. The scandal was exposed by The New York Times and The Guardian in 2018, thanks in large part to whistleblower Christopher Wylie. Though the app was only downloaded by a small number of users, it also accessed the data of their friends, affecting 311,127 people overall. Meta will be required to set up a payment system run by a third-party administrator starting in early 2025. Lesser payments will be issued to people who've experienced "generalized concern or embarrassment," with higher sums meted out to those who can demonstrate that they suffered loss or damage. Anyone affected should be able to apply in Q2 2025. In a statement, Meta displayed no contrition and said the settlement was more or less a business decision. "We settled as it is in the best interest of our community and shareholders that we close this chapter on allegations that relate to past practices no longer relevant to how Meta’s products or systems work today," a spokesperson told The Guardian. The case took four years to resolve largely because Meta claimed it wasn't technically doing business in Australia, but that argument was finally slapped aside by the nation's highest court. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/cambridge-analytica-scandal-still-lingering-on-as-meta-settles-with-australian-users-130016215.html?src=rss

17.12.2024 14:20 The holidays haven’t even kicked off, but we’re already looking to next year when, almost immediately, some of the Engadget team will head to Las Vegas for tech’s biggest annual conference. The pitches from companies, both legit and unhinged, are already filling our inboxes and spam tabs, so what are we excited about? Getty Images Excited might not be the word, but we expect AI to become even more pervasive in good and overhyped ways. There will also be the usual slew of new processors and subsequent laptops. We expect NVIDIA to debut its long-awaited RTX 5000 video cards at CES, while AMD CEO Lisa Su has confirmed we’ll see next-generation RDNA 4 GPUs early next year. While 2024 was a year of endless AI PC hype, 2025 might be a year of reckoning. Microsoft’s long-delayed Recall feature is slowly trickling out to more users, for example, but is still facing struggles. PC makers in 2025 will have to actually prove their new AI-laced devices can live up to their claims. There are also audio products, EVs, flying EVs and more. Check out the full CES 2024 preview. — Mat Smith The biggest tech stories you missed Google’s new AI tool Whisk uses images as prompts Anker’s Prime Power Bank with charging base is back at a record-low price Meta is rolling out live AI and Shazam integration to its smart glasses Get this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! Meta’s Threads has grown to 300 million users More than 100 million people use the site every day. Cementing its status as the fastest growing social network ever , Threads has hit 300 million users, with over 100 million people using the site every day. We could see some big changes for Threads as Meta capitalizes on that growth. The company reportedly has plans to experiment with the first ads for threads in early 2025, according to a recent report in The Information. While it’s still a ways off, Zuckerberg has repeatedly speculated that Threads has a “good chance” of becoming the company’s next billion-user app. Continue reading. TikTok asks the Supreme Court to delay upcoming ban The social media app is just a few weeks away from a potential ban. It’s a tale of two social media networks today. After a federal court last week denied TikTok’s request to delay a law that could ban the app in the United States, the company is now turning to the Supreme Court to buy time. The social media company has asked the court to temporarily block the law. The company, which argues the law is unconstitutional, lost its initial legal challenge earlier this month. The company then requested a delay of the law’s implementation, saying President-elect Donald Trump had said he would “save” TikTok. That request was denied on Friday. TikTok is now hoping the Supreme Court will intervene to suspend the law, otherwise, app stores and internet service providers will begin blocking TikTok next month. Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121528225.html?src=rss

17.12.2024 14:20 Whether you’re already an avid runner or hope to be one as you start a new training regimen, you’ll get more out of your exercise routine if you have some good music to accompany you. Getting into the zone during a long run with your preferred music, be it rap, classic rock or today’s pop hits, can totally change your experience for the better. To do that, you have to start with a good pair of running headphones. But not all wireless workout headphones are created equally, and runners need to consider specific factors before investing in a pair like how long your runs are, what type of music or other audio you prefer listening to and how much you want to block out the world during a session. I’ve tested out more than a dozen pairs of headphones for running to find which are worth your money and which are the best for runners of all stripes. What to look for in running headphones Design Before diving in, it’s worth mentioning that this guide focuses on wireless earbuds. While you could wear over-ear or on-ear Bluetooth headphones during a run, most of the best headphones available now do not have the same level of durability. Water and dust resistance, particularly the former, is important for any audio gear you plan on sweating with or taking outdoors, and that’s more prevalent in the wireless earbuds world. Most earbuds have one of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The first two are the most popular. In-ears are arguably the most common, while those with hooks promise better security and fit since they have an appendage that curls around the top of your ear. Open-ear designs don’t stick into your ear canal, but rather sit just outside of it. This makes it easier to hear the world around you while also listening to audio, and could be more comfortable for those who don’t like the intrusiveness of in-ear buds. Water resistance and dust protection Water resistance and dust protection are crucial for the best running headphones to have since you’ll likely be sweating while wearing them. Also, if you have the unfortunate luck of getting caught in the rain during a run, at least your gear will survive. Here’s a quick rundown of ingress protection ratings, which you’ll see attached to many earbuds on the market today. The first digit after the abbreviation rates dust protection on a scale from one to six — the higher, the better. The second digit refers to water- resistance, or waterproofing in some cases, ranked on a scale from one to nine. A letter “X” in either position means the device isn’t rated for the corresponding material. Check out this guide for an even more detailed breakdown. All of the earbuds we tested for this guide have at least an IPX4 rating , which means they can withstand sweat and splashes but do not have dust protection. Active noise cancellation and transparency mode Active noise cancellation is becoming a standard feature on wireless earbuds, at least in those above a certain price. If you’re looking for a pair of buds that can be your workout companion and continue to serve you when you’re off the trail, ANC is good to have. It adds versatility by allowing you to block out the hum of your home or office so you can focus, or give you some solitude during a busy commute on public transit. But an earbud’s ability to block out the world goes hand in hand with its ability to open things back up should you need it. Many earbuds with ANC support some sort of “transparency mode” or various levels of noise reduction. This is important for running headphones because you don’t want to be totally oblivious to what’s going on around you when you’re exercising outside along busy streets. Lowering noise cancelation levels to increase your awareness will help with that. Battery life All of the earbuds we tested have a battery life of six to eight hours. In general, that’s what you can expect from this space, with a few outliers that can get up to 15 hours of life on a charge. Even the low end of the spectrum should be good enough for most runners, but it’ll be handy to keep the buds’ charging case on you if you think you’ll get close to using up all their juice during a single session. Speaking of, you’ll get an average of 20-28 extra hours of battery out of most charging cases and all of the earbuds we tested had holders that provided at least an extra 15 hours. This will dictate how often you actually have to charge the device — as in physically connect the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wireless charger to power up. How we test headphones for running When testing to determine the best running headphones, I wear each contender during as many runs as possible. I typically run three to five days each week, completing at least a 5K each time. I’m looking for comfort arguably most of all, because you should never be fussing with your earbuds when you’re on the tread or trail . I’m also paying attention to fit over time, particularly if the earbuds get slippery or loose while I sweat, or if they tend to pop out or feel less stable in my ears as I pick up speed or make quick movements. I also use the earbuds when not running to take calls and listen to music, podcasts and the like throughout the day. Many people will want just one pair of earbuds that they can use while exercising and just doing everyday things, so I evaluate each pair on their ability to be comfortable and provide a good listening experience in multiple different activities. While I am also listening for audio quality, I’m admittedly not an expert in this space. My colleague Billy Steele holds that title at Engadget, and you’ll find much more detailed information about sound quality for some of our top picks in his reviews and buying guides. Here, however, I will make note of audio-quality characteristics if they stood out to me . Most of the wireless workout headphones we tested work with companion apps that have adjustable EQ settings, so you’re able to tweak sound profiles to your liking in most cases. A note about Jabra headphones Jabra announced earlier this year that it will exit the consumer earbuds business, which is disappointing considering the company has made excellent headphones for running . Our top picks include two Jabra models and we feel comfortable recommending them still because Jabra plans to support its current earbuds for "several years." However, we're constantly testing new buds and reassessing our top picks, so we'll update this list accordingly in the future. Best headphones for running Others headphones for running we tested Apple AirPods Pro The Apple AirPods Pro have an IP54 rating, which protects them from brief encounters with dust and splashes. While that’s more dust protection than many other earbuds we tested, it’s the same level of water-resistance that most exercise-specific competitors have. We generally like the AirPods Pro, but the Beats Fit Pro offer many of the same features and conveniences , with a design that’s more appropriate for working out. Beats Powerbeats Pro The Powerbeats Pro are a good alternative to the Beats Fit Pro if you’re a stickler for a hook design. However, they cost $50 more than the Fit Pro and don’t offer any significant upgrades or additional features aside from their design. They’re also quite old at this point and it appears Beats is putting more effort into updating its newer models instead. Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is Anker’s version of the Shokz OpenFit, but I found the fit to be less secure and not as comfortable. The actual earbuds on the AeroFit Pro are noticeably bulkier than those on the OpenFit and that caused them to shift and move much more during exercise. They never fell off of my ears completely, but I spent more time adjusting them than I did enjoying them. JBL Endurance Peak 3 The most noteworthy thing about the Endurance Peak 3 is that they have the same IP68 rating as the Jabra Elite 8 Active, except they only cost $100. But, while you get the same protection here, you’ll have to sacrifice in other areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didn’t blow me away when it came to sound quality or comfort and their charging case is massive compared to most competitors.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-headphones-for-running-120044637.html?src=rss

17.12.2024 09:10 There’s a good chance you own a couple of gadgets that support wireless charging now, be it your iPhone or Android phone, wireless earbuds or smartwatch. Multi-device wireless chargers can help power them all up in one place, without the need for a bunch of cords messing up your space. There are dozens of these accessories out there today, and we’ve tested a bunch of the most popular models. You’ll find out top picks below for the best wireless charging stations, plus some advice on how to choose the right one for your needs. Table of contents Best wireless charging pads Do wireless charging pads work with any phone or device? How to pick the best wireless charging pad for your needs Wireless charging speed and performance Wireless charging pad quality, box contents and small details Best wireless charging pads Do wireless charging pads work with any phone or device? It won’t be shocking to hear that your smartphone choice influences your choice in a wireless charger. Only iPhone owners will need to consider Apple Watch compatibility. Likewise, you’ll need an Android phone if you expect to power a Galaxy Watch. Buy an iPhone 12 or newer and you can attach your phone magnetically using MagSafe, while the latest Android phones often have some form of fast Qi wireless charging. However, it’s not simply a question of getting the fastest charger. You should consider what you might buy in the future. Don’t buy a two-device charger if you have an iPhone and AirPods, but have been eyeing an Apple Watch. And if you think you might switch to an Android cell phone , you’ll want to get something more generic that doesn’t lock you into any one ecosystem. Some chargers include cradles, trays and other features that are heavily optimized for particular products, and might not even account for year-to-year changes. Some vertical stands are too tall for small phones like the iPhone 13 mini, for instance. While you can never completely guarantee that next year’s phone or watch will work, it’s worth buying something more likely to last. Having said all this, don’t be afraid to get a charger with vendor-specific features if you’re fiercely loyal to one brand. Apple isn’t expected to ditch MagSafe any time soon, and Samsung will likely keep making Galaxy Watches for a while to come. How to pick the best wireless charging pad for your needs Even without a charging cable to worry about, you’re probably buying a multi-device wireless charger with one location in mind. It might sit on your nightstand or on your desk. Not everyone buys a charger just for themselves, though; you might want to use one as a shared station for you and a partner. If the charger will sit on your nightstand, you’ll likely want a compact, stable unit that won’t swallow all your free space or tumble to the floor . You may also prefer a lay-flat phone pad so your screen is less likely to keep you awake. The Apple Watch and some other smartwatches can double as tiny alarm clocks, so you might want a vertical charging option for any wristwear. At a desk, however, you may want a vertical phone stand so you can check notifications. Will the charger sit on a low table? Horizontal charger pads may make it easier to grab your devices in a hurry. Travel chargers should fold up or otherwise protect the pads while they’re in your bag. And, yes, aesthetics count. You may want something pretty if it’s likely to sit in a posh room where guests will see it. For vehicles, consider a wireless car charger if you frequently need to top off your device on the go. These chargers combine convenience with functionality, ensuring your phone stays powered while you’re navigating and taking calls at the same time. If it’s a shared charging station, you’ll want something with multiple generic surfaces, and you’ll probably have to forgo charging more than one watch at a time. In those cases, consider the handful of 4-in-1 wireless chargers on the market, or models with USB ports. Wireless charging speed and performance It’s no secret that wireless charging is typically slower than wired, and powering multiple devices adds a new wrinkle. As these chargers often have to support a wide range of hardware, you’ll have to forget about the fastest, device-specific options from brands like Google, OnePlus and Samsung. That’s not to say these will be slow, but there just isn’t much separating them on the charging speed front. As a general rule, the quickest multi-device chargers tend to top out at 15W for phones. And you’ll need an Apple MagSafe charger if you want to get that full 15W on an iPhone. It’s rare that you’ll find a truly slow example, mind you. Even some of the most affordable options we’ve seen will recharge your phone at a reasonable 7.5W or 10W, and the 5W for other devices is more than enough. If you’re only docking overnight or while you work, speed won’t make a huge difference. Just be sure that whatever you buy is powerful enough for a phone in a case. Some chargers may also include an AC adapter or require one to maximize their performance. Wireless charging pad quality, box contents and small details The difference between a good charger and a great one often boils down to little details. You won’t always need to pay extra to get those, but a larger outlay may be worthwhile to avoid frustrations for years to come. A textured surface like rubberized plastic or fabric will reduce the chances your expensive gadgets will slide off their charging points. The base should have enough grip and weight that the charger won’t easily shift out of place. Any floating or vertical stands should be sturdy — steer clear if there’s any wobble. You’ll also want to make a note of what’s included in the box. Some chargers don’t ship with power adapters, and we've seen numerous models whose Apple Watch “stands” are merely holders for your existing charging puck. Make sure you know whether a wall charger or other components are included to avoid disappointing surprises. Then there’s helpful touches like status lights for confirming correct placement, although you’ll want to make sure they dim or shut off after a certain amount of time. And while it’s still true that cradles and trays can limit compatibility, you do want your devices to stay where you put them. Shelves and lips can prevent your phone or watch from sliding. Oh, and be wary of floating smartwatch mounts, as heavier timepieces might sag.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-multi-device-wireless-charging-pads-120557582.html?src=rss

17.12.2024 09:10 Waymo will deploy its driverless cars in Japan and will test its technology in another country for the first time. According to CNBC, the company will begin testing its Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Tokyo in early 2025 and expects to remain in the country for an "extended period." During the vehicles' experimental phase, which will last for several quarters, human drivers from the Japanese taxi company Nihon Kotsu will operate Waymo's cars so that its technology can map the city. Particularly, they're driving Waymo's Jaguar I-PACEs through the streets of Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo's other key areas. The data gathered from those tests will then be used to train the company's self-driving system. Waymo will also be recreating Tokyo's driving conditions in a closed course in the US, where it will put more of its robotaxis to the test, and will be using data collected from that effort for training. The company has yet to announce when it will open rides to the public, but it has already formed a partnership with Japan's "GO" taxi app, which will presumably offer driverless rides to users in the future. As CNBC notes, Japan is keen to introduce driverless rides as a transportation option despite its efficient train system due to its aging population. Last year, it amended its laws to allow level 4 autonomous driving on its roads. In the US, Waymo operates its driverless cars in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles. It announced several plans to introduce its vehicles to more locations over the past months, however, and raised $5.6 billion to fund its expansion to Austin and Atlanta next year. Waymo will also be deploying its Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Miami in early 2025 and will offer rides to the public in the city sometime in 2026. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/waymo-will-start-testing-its-driverless-cars-in-tokyo-next-year-051729407.html?src=rss

17.12.2024 05:00 Watching videos on the Apple Vision Pro is one of the few use-cases early adopters have found for the VR headset, but Apple’s produced only a handful of immersive videos to watch on it. Blackmagic’s new camera could change that. The Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive is the first camera that can shoot in Apple’s Immersive Video format, and it’s available to pre-order now for $29,995 and shipping in “late Q1 2025.” Blackmagic first announced it was working on hardware and software for producing content for the Vision Pro at WWDC 2024. As promised then, the camera is capable of capturing 3D footage at 90 fps, with a resolution of 8160 x 7200 per eye. Blackmagic says the URSA Cine Immersive uses custom lenses that are “designed for URSA Cine’s large format image sensor with extremely accurate positional data.” It also has 8TB of network storage built-in, which the company says “records directly to the included Blackmagic Media Module” and can be synced live to a DaVinci Resolve media bin for editors to access footage remotely. Blackmagic Design Along with the URSA Cine Immersive, Blackmagic is also updating DaVinci Resolve Studio to work with Apple’s Immersive Video format, and including new tools so editors can pan, tilt, and roll footage while they edit on a 2D monitor or in a Vision Pro. The whole package sounds expensive at nearly $30,000, but you’re getting a lot more out of the box than you normally would with one of Blackmagic’s cameras. A normal 12K URSA Cine camera costs around $15,000, but doesn’t include lenses or built-in storage. Those come standard on the URSA Cine Immersive. Apple filmed several short documentaries, sports clips, and at least one short film in its Immersive Video format, but hasn’t released a camera of its own for third-party production companies to produce content. And while any iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 can capture 3D spatial videos, they can’t produce Immersive Video, which has a 180-degree field of view. Blackmagic’s camera should make it possible for a lot more immersive content to be created for the Vision Pro and other VR headsets. Now Apple just needs to make a Vision product more people are willing to pay for.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/blackmagics-vision-pro-camera-is-available-for-pre-order-and-costs-30000-000053495.html?src=rss

17.12.2024 05:00 Meta’s Threads app has now grown to 300 million users, with more than 100 million people using the service each day. Mark Zuckerberg announced the new milestone in a post on Threads, saying “Threads strong momentum continues.” Zuckerberg has repeatedly speculated that Threads has a “good chance” of becoming the company’s next billion-user app. Though it’s still pretty far off of that goal, its growth seems to be accelerating. The app hit 100 million users last fall, and reached 275 million in early November. Elsewhere, Apple revealed that Threads was the second-most downloaded app in 2024, behind shopping app Temu, which took the top spot in Apple’s rankings. The coming weeks could see some major changes for Threads as Meta looks to capitalize on that growth. The company reportedly has plans to begin experimenting with the first ads for threads in early 2025, according to a recent report in The Information. Threads isn’t the only app trying to reclaim the “public square” as some longtime users depart the platform now known as X. Bluesky has also seen significant growth of late. The decentralized service nearly doubled its users base in November, and currently has just over 25 million users. Though still much smaller than Threads, Meta seems to have taken inspiration from some of Bluesky’s signature features in recent weeks, including its take on starter packs and custom feeds.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/metas-threads-has-grown-to-300-million-users-234138108.html?src=rss

16.12.2024 23:40 NASA says it was able to use the James Webb telescope to capture images of planet-forming disks around ancient stars that challenge theoretical models of how planets can form. The images support earlier findings from the Hubble telescope that haven’t been able to be confirmed until now. The new Webb highly detailed images were captured from the “Small Magellanic Cloud,” a neighboring dwarf galaxy to our home, the Milky Way. The Webb telescope was specifically focused on a cluster called NGC 346, which NASA says is a good proxy for “similar conditions in the early, distant universe,” and which lacks the heavier elements that have traditionally been connected to planet formation. Webb was able to capture a spectra of light which suggests protoplanetary disks are still hanging out around those stars, going against previous expectations that they would have blown away in a few million years. ASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Olivia C. Jones , Guido De Marchi , Margaret Meixner “Hubble observations of NGC 346 from the mid 2000s revealed many stars about 20 to 30 million years old that seemed to still have planet-forming disks,” NASA writes. Without more detailed evidence, that idea was controversial. The Webb telescope was able to fill in those details, suggesting the disks in our neighboring galaxies have a much longer period of time to collect the dust and gas that forms the basis of a new planet. As to why those disks are able to persist in the first place, NASA says researchers have two possible theories. One is that the “radiation pressure” expelled from stars in NGC 346 just takes longer to dissipate planet-forming disks. The other is that the larger gas cloud that’s necessary to form a “Sun-like star” in an environment with fewer heavy elements would naturally produce larger disks that take longer to fade away. Whichever theory proves correct, the new images are beautiful evidence that we still don’t have a full grasp of how planets are formed.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasas-new-webb-telescope-images-support-previously-controversial-findings-about-how-planets-form-213312055.html?src=rss

16.12.2024 23:40 After a federal court last week denied TikTok’s request to delay a law that could ban the app in the United States, the company is now turning to the Supreme Court in an effort to buy time. The social media company has asked the court to temporarily block the law, currently set to take effect January 19, 2025, it said in a brief statement. “The Supreme Court has an established record of upholding Americans’ right to free speech,” TikTok wrote in a post on X. “Today, we are asking the Court to do what it has traditionally done in free speech cases: apply the most rigorous scrutiny to speech bans and conclude that it violates the First Amendment.” The company, which has argued that the law is unconstitutional, lost its initial legal challenge of the law earlier this month. The company then requested a delay of the law’s implementation, saying that President-elect Donal Trump had said he would “save” TikTok. That request was denied on Friday. In its filing with the Supreme Court, TikTok again referenced Trump's comments. "It would not be in the interest of anyone—not the parties, the public, or the courts—for the Act’s ban on TikTok to take effect only for the new Administration to halt its enforcement hours, days, or even weeks later," it wrote. Trump's inauguration is one day after a ban of the app would take effect. TikTok is now hoping the Supreme Court will intervene to suspend the law in order to give the company time to make its final legal appeal. Otherwise, app stores and Internet service providers will be forced to begin blocking TikTok next month, making the app inaccessible to its 170 million US users. Update December 16, 2024, 1:30 PM PT: Updated with details from TikTok's court filing. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-asks-the-supreme-court-to-delay-upcoming-ban-211510659.html?src=rss

16.12.2024 23:40 Google has yet another AI tool to add to the pile. Whisk is a Google Labs image generator that lets you use an existing image as your prompt. But its output only captures your starter image’s “essence” rather than recreating it with new details. So, it’s better for brainstorming and rapid-fire visualizations than edits of the source image. The company describes Whisk as “a new type of creative tool.” The input screen starts with a bare-bones interface with inputs for style and subject. This simple introductory interface only lets you choose from three predefined styles: sticker, enamel pin and plushie. I suspect Google found those three allowed for the kind of rough-outline outputs the experimental tool is most ideal for in its current form. As you can see in the image above, it produced a solid image of a Wilford Brimley plushie. Whisk also includes a more advanced editor . In this mode, you can use text or a source image in three categories: subject, scene and style. There’s also an input bar to add more text for finishing touches. However, in its current form, the advanced controls didn’t produce results that looked anything like my queries. For example, check out my attempt to generate the late Mr. Brimley in a lightbox scene in the style of a walrus plushie image I found online: Google / Screenshot by Will Shanklin for Engadget Whisk spit out what looks like a vaguely Wilford Brimley-esque actor eating oatmeal inside a lightbox frame. As far as I can tell, that dude is not a plushie. So, it’s clear why Google recommends using the tool more for “rapid visual exploration” and less for production-ready content. Google acknowledges that Whisk will only draw from “a few key characteristics” of your source image. “For example, the generated subject might have a different height, weight, hairstyle or skin tone,” the company warns. To understand why, look no further than Google’s description of how Whisk works under the hood. It uses the Gemini language model to write a detailed caption of the source image you upload. It then feeds that description into the Imagen 3 image generator. So, the result is an image based on Gemini’s words about your image — not the source image itself. Whisk is only available in the US, at least for now. You can try it at the project’s Google Labs site.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-new-ai-tool-whisk-uses-images-as-prompts-210105371.html?src=rss

16.12.2024 23:40 Instagram is adding an option to schedule DMs. Social media expert Lindsey Gamble unearthed the feature, and Instagram confirmed to TechCrunch that it's rolling out scheduled DMs to all users. When you type a message, simply hold down the send button and you can select a date and time. It seems messages can be scheduled up to 29 days in advance. Until all timed-up messages are sent, you'll see a banner reading something like "x scheduled messages." This will be handy for folks who want to schedule birthday messages for a bunch of friends at once or, for instance, to remind someone to pick them up from the airport on a certain day. It'll also be useful for people who tend to take care of correspondence at night and don't want everyone to know how late they're staying awake. That's definitely not something I ever do with emails. It's worth noting that Instagram is rolling out this DM scheduling feature before all users are able to time up posts and Reels in advance. For now, that feature is limited to folks who have set up a professional account. Meanwhile, Instagram is rolling out several limited-time, end-of-year features to help you celebrate the holidays and your 2024 memories. For one thing, there's a collage tool for Stories that has an end-of-year theme. Based on images Instagram shared, it appears that you can go with a Happy New Year overlay. There are multiple Add Yours templates based around New Year's as well, such as one you can use to prompt friends to share photos in the how 2024 started/how 2024 ended format. If you hit the like button on end-of-year Stories, you'll see a custom effect. There's a New Year font and Countdown text effect for Stories, Reels and feed posts as well. Festive chat themes for the holidays include New Year's, one called "chill" and, of course, another based on Mariah Carey. Last but not least, if you use certain emoji based around celebrations or phrases like "Happy New Year" or "hello 2025" in DMs or notes before the end of the year, you'll see a little Easter egg of some kind.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-is-adding-a-dm-scheduling-feature-before-everyone-can-schedule-posts-203957229.html?src=rss

16.12.2024 23:40 Snap is changing up its program that allows creators to make money from shortform videos. The company announced a new monetization program that will allow the app’s influencers to make money from Spotlight videos that are one minute or longer by earning a share of their content's ad revenue. The change will streamline Snap’s monetization features across Spotlight, its in-app TikTok competitor, and Stories, where Snap first launched its revenue sharing feature. It also means the company will end its Spotlight Reward Program, the creator fund-like arrangement that paid creators directly. That program will be discontinued January 30, 2025, with the new monetization arrangement taking effect February 1. Snap announced the update as TikTok moves closer to an outright ban in the United States. The ByteDance-owned service is currently facing a January 19, 2025, deadline to sell or be banned f the Supreme Court doesn’t intervene. In its announcement, Snap notes that Spotlight viewership is “up 25% year-over-year” and that “there is a unique and growing opportunity for creators to monetize this format in the same way they do with Stories.” Under the new “unified” program, creators are eligible to earn money from Spotlight videos or Stories if they meet the following requirements: -Have at least 50,000 followers. -Post at least 25 times per month to Saved Stories or Spotlight. -Post to either Spotlight or Public Stories on at least 10 of the last 28 days. -Achieve one of the following in the last 28 days: -10 million Snap views -1 million Spotlight views -12,000 hours of view time Some of those metrics are a bit higher than Snap’s previous requirements for Stories, which set the bar at only 10 Story posts a month. But, as TechCrunch notes, the new threshold is much higher for Spotlight creators, who could previously earn money from the company’s creator fund with only 1,000 followers and 10,000 unique views. The change also pushes creators to make longer content for Spotlight as they can no longer be paid for videos shorter than one minute. If TikTok does end up being banned, Snap will be one of several platforms trying to lure creators to its product. And while the app is known primarily for its private messaging features, the company says that the number of people posting publicly has “more than tripled” in the last year, and that it will be “evolving and expanding the total rewards available to creators” going forward.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/snap-will-expand-ad-revenue-sharing-to-creators-on-spotlight-193029473.html?src=rss