it The Risks of Nonprofit Local Journalism By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 11:30:44 +0000 Outrage over the Washington Post’s presidential non-endorsement has renewed interest in a bad idea that would only tilt the media further to the left. Full Article
it It’s Leftism, Stupid By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 11:30:16 +0000 Democrats will come up with all sorts of explanations for Kamala Harris’s defeat just to avoid the obvious one. Full Article
it Help Us Fight Antisemitism — and Defend Israel By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 11:30:55 +0000 Someone has to speak out against the pro-Hamas factions. Full Article
it Honor Veterans by Improving the Benefits of Military Service — and Reducing the Risks By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:45:48 +0000 Private ownership, consumer choice, and competition would deliver better benefits to veterans — and force policy-makers to confront the costs of military engagements. Full Article
it The Left Shifts the Blame to America Itself By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 23:00:14 +0000 But the public’s economic outlook is still the most straightforward explanation for voters’ rejection of the incumbent party last week. Full Article
it It’s Time for Bob Casey Jr. to Concede to Reality By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 21:51:42 +0000 The Pennsylvania Senate race is over. Full Article
it Nintendo Switch 2: Everything we know about the coming release By www.engadget.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:00:36 +0000 As the world turns, so do the console generations. The Nintendo Switch is over seven years old, so it’s due for a refresh. Nintendo Switch 2 rumors have been swirling for years, but now they are really heating up. A sequel to Nintendo's most successful home console ever is coming and it’s likely coming sooner rather than later. Will it be a straight up sequel to the Switch with updated specs while retaining the same hybrid functionality or will Nintendo get weird with it? Will it even be called the Switch 2, or will the company go with something like the Super Switch or even the New Nintendo Switch? You can never tell with Nintendo. Heck, maybe it’ll call the thing the Switch U. In any event, recent weeks have brought feverish speculation regarding all aspects of the forthcoming gaming console. It’s important to note, however, that very little information has been confirmed by Nintendo. The company operates on its own timetable. With that said, here are all of the rumors that are most likely to come true, given industry analysis. When will the Nintendo Switch 2 be announced? As previously mentioned, Nintendo marches to the beat of its own drum. We don’t exactly know when it’ll hold an event to reveal the console. It likely won't be in 2024, as the tech year is winding down and it's rare to get announcements of new harder in late November and December. Even Nintendo has trouble keeping the lid on a major console release, so we could learn something before the official reveal. There are parts that have to be sourced and shipments that have to be made. A senior analyst at MST Financial noted a spike in production equipment spending by Nintendo assembler Hosiden. When will the Nintendo Switch 2 come out? Once again, this is more or less a mystery. We aren’t totally in the dark, but it’s mostly rumor and speculation. One thing we know for sure is that Nintendo will announce the Nintendo Switch 2 (or whatever it chooses to call it) by March 2025, as the company confirmed back in May. Some are saying there will be a March release date, which makes sense given the OG Switch came out on March 17, 2017. However, other reports put the console’s release window later in 2025. We can infer a lot from the announcement date. If the console is announced this year, March would be a safe bet, given that the original Switch was officially confirmed in October of 2016. However, the console likely won't be announced until next year, at this point, so expect a late 2025 release. Will it even be a proper Switch sequel? Nintendo has a weird track record here. The baffling Wii U followed the massive success of the Wii. The Wii itself followed the more traditional GameCube. In other words, it’s possible it’ll be something out of left field and not exactly a true sequel to the Switch. However, this is unlikely this time around. As much as I would love to see wacky VR glasses or a completely bonkers console concept, all points indicate a more traditional approach. Nintendo Patent Points to (Another) VR Headset https://t.co/pofTjclgOt #LaboVR #Nintendo pic.twitter.com/A5WEZUG3kL— The Escapist (@EscapistMag) September 10, 2019 Developers have already seen the hardware, though in a much earlier form, and it seems to be a regular old console. While Nintendo hasn't confirmed hybrid functionality, it’d be a weird omission given the absolute financial firestorm of the Switch. We’ve also heard rumors of a Mini-LED display, which would track for a hybrid console. It’s highly likely this will be a straight-up Switch 2, or something like it, calling to mind the Super Nintendo. A summary of today's alleged Switch 2 images 'leak'. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/Z4rfSGz4WQ— Andy Robinson (@Andy_VGC) September 18, 2024 To that end, recent rumors suggest a design that recalls the original Switch. According to reporting by VGC, photos of the console have appeared online and they show an 8-inch screen and magnetic Joy-Con controllers. There looks to be SL/SR buttons and front-facing player LEDs on these controllers. Is the Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatible? If it’s a sequel to the Switch, the next question has to be about backwards compatibility. The Switch’s library is absolutely massive, and continues to grow, so gamers would be rightfully peeved if they couldn’t play Tears of the Kingdom on their new next-gen console. There’s good news on this front. The company has officially announced in a recent earnings report that the console will be fully backwards compatible. It will also feature access to Nintendo Online, so users will be able to play all of those old retro titles. What about specs? The rumors regarding specs are all over the place, so it’s tough to pin down. We know one thing for sure: It’ll be more powerful than the ancient Switch hardware, which was already antiquated back in 2017. One analyst allegedly got a hold of a spec sheet from the Korean United Daily News that said the Switch 2 would boast an eight-core Cortex-A78AE processor, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal eMMC storage. This tracks for me, as these specs are about as underpowered in 2024 as the original Switch was in 2017. However, some reports do indicate that the console would include 12GB of RAM. Another source suggests that the eight-core CPU will be packaged inside an NVIDIA-produced Tegra239 SoC (system on a chip). Given the current Switch runs on an NVIDIA chip, that makes a lot of sense. The CPU will be more powerful, but it's the Switch 2's new GPU that will be a major differentiator. It's all-but-confirmed that the Switch 2 will support DLSS, NVIDIA's "deep learning supersampling" upscaling tech, which would allow the console to render games at a low resolution internally while outputting a high-resolution image. (Fun fact: We actually wrote about how perfect DLSS was for the Nintendo Switch 2 when the technology was announced alongside the RTX 20 series back in 2018.) There are still questions about the Switch 2 and DLSS: Will the system support newer DLSS features like frame generation? Will existing games be automatically tidied up by NVIDIA's algorithm? Regardless of the exact implementation, DLSS upscaling will be a huge leap over the rudimentary techniques available to Nintendo Switch developers. As for the display, there are many conflicting rumors. Early reports from solid sources suggested the Switch 2 would have an 8-inch display LCD display, but there have also been rumors about an 7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Some analysts have suggested this would be an OLED screen, while others have said it would be a Mini-LED display. A Mini-LED display is basically an LCD display that has a backlight made of (surprise!) mini-LEDs rather than edge lighting. This allows for local dimming, making the blacks more black. I’m hedging my bets here. I think it’ll be a standard LCD, to cut costs, with an OLED or Mini-LED model coming later down the line. However, Mini-LED screens are slightly cheaper than OLED displays, so that’s certainly a possibility at launch. As for resolution, recent reporting suggests that the console will output 1080p in handheld and 4K when docked. That's much better than the OG Switch. How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost? We don't have too much information regarding price but we do have plenty of history to work with. The original Nintendo Switch launched at $300, which is pretty much the "magic number" when it comes to Nintendo console releases in recent years. The Wii U also came in at $300. However, there are plenty of rumors circulating that Nintendo could be upping the asking price for the Switch 2. Numerous outlets have reported it'll be $400, or potentially even more expensive. However, the same analysts who say the console will be $400 were also fairly certain it would be out by the end of 2024 and, well, it looks like that ain't happening. Dipping back into history, there is some precedence for a price uptick. The GameCube was $200 and the Wii was $250. The Wii U and Switch increased to $300 and, well, numbers like to go up. A $400 price tag would make it nearly as expensive as a PS5 and Xbox Series X. That would also put it at the same price as the 256GB LCD Steam Deck. Do we know about any launch games? Nope! But it’s certainly been a long time since we’ve gotten a proper 3D Mario adventure, right? That would be one heck of a system seller. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine. Past as prologue, we can expect something from Ubisoft and an off-the-wall title like 1-2-Switch. If there’s a gimmick or hook involved with the console, we’ll also get a game that takes advantage of that. A dual release of Metroid Prime 4, just like Breath of the Wild and Twilight Princess before that, is also a possibility. That's everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2 today. We'll update this article with rumors we trust and with information we gather directly from sources. Any changes made to the article after its initial publishing will be listed below. Update, November 11, 2024, 9:00 AM ET: This story has been updated with details about the Switch 2's backwards compatibility as well as more details about the current expected announcement and release timeline.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-everything-we-know-about-the-coming-release-110023903.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics Game Consoles Consumer Discretionary site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Lawrence Bonk
it A TV show about EA Sports' Madden games hits Prime Video on November 26 By www.engadget.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:48:33 +0000 Madden NFL has been around for almost 40 years (really) so it’s high time the gaming franchise got the documentary treatment. Prime Video has got you covered. The platform just announced that It’s in the Game: Madden NFL will stream on November 26, which is just ahead of Thanksgiving. The four-part docuseries will explore “one of the biggest video games of all time” that “became a worldwide phenomenon, spanning generations.” The show will explore Madden’s “archaic 8-bit origins to its success as an annual must have.” Prime Video says EA Sports has given it access to the vaults, so there should be plenty of new footage for diehard fans. As the story goes, EA founder Trip Hawkins approached commentator John Madden back in 1984 for his endorsement and expertise, but the game took four long years of development before coming out in 1988. This extended development time was allegedly due to Madden himself, who demanded a realistic football experience. I’m sure the documentary will get into all of that. Formerly known as John Madden Football, the franchise became an annual event in 1990 and changed its name to Madden NFL in 1993. These games have sold over 130 million copies worldwide since 1988. The latest iteration, Madden NFL 25, released back in August to fairly middling reviews.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a-tv-show-about-ea-sports-madden-games-hits-prime-video-on-november-26-194833398.html?src=rss Full Article Arts & Entertainment Video Games American Football Sports & Recreation National Football League site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Lawrence Bonk
it Apple's latest Find My update makes it easier to find lost items By www.engadget.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:12:28 +0000 If you have an iPhone that can run iOS 18, you can now download and install the public beta of iOS 18.2. One of the most useful new features is the capability to share the location of a lost item connected to Apple's Find My network with a third party. You can already share an item's location with people in your contacts list, but Apple says this could help in instances wherein you have to rely on the help of a stranger. When you choose "Share Item Location" in the Find My app on iPhone, iPad or Mac, you'll get the option to share a link that shows the location of your missing item. The link's recipient will be able to open it on any device, and they'll also be able to see your Apple account email and/or phone number so that they can get in touch with you. You'll be able to see how many people visited the link, which expires after you're reunited with your lost belonging or after a week if you haven't found it by then. Along with benevolent strangers, you'll be able to share the locations of misplaced AirTags and Find My accessories with select airlines. Apple has worked with several of them to integrate this feature into their systems. Only a small number of airline staff can access each Share Item Location link, and Apple says they'll first need to authenticate themselves with an Apple Account or partner email address. Apple More than 15 airlines will start supporting this feature in the coming months, including Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, United, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling. Apple says that more airlines will get involved over time to help track down mishandled or delayed bags. Air transport tech company SITA is also incorporating Share Item Location into WorldTracer, its baggage-tracing system. According to Apple, this is used by more than 500 airlines and ground handlers at more than 2,800 airports. Of course, installing beta software does have its downsides. There's a higher chance of running into bugs, and some apps or features might still not work as Apple had intended. If you don't mind and want to test iOS 18.2, you'll have to enable Beta Updates under Software Updates in your device's Settings menu. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 18.2 proper in December. Meanwhile, as luck would have it, there's an early Black Friday deal on AirTags at the time of writing. You can scoop up a four-pack for a record low of $70. Update, November 5 2024, 9:10AM ET: This story has been updated to clarify that these new features are in the developer beta of iOS 18.2. The public beta for that software isn't available just yet. Update, November 11, 2024, 3:12PM ET: This story has been updated to include details of the airline integration and to note that a public beta of iOS 18.2 is now available.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/apples-latest-find-my-update-makes-it-easier-to-find-lost-items-133049512.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Mariella Moon
it A white Steam Deck OLED can be yours for $679 By www.engadget.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 23:06:25 +0000 After briefly offering a transparent Steam Deck OLED last year, Valve has announced its next limited edition variant featuring a bold new color: "white." It'll cost you $679 when it's available on November 18, and it features the exact same hardware as the 1TB Steam Deck OLED. (Most importantly, it sports that gorgeous 7.4-inch display with HDR and a 90Hz refresh rate). There's also a white carrying case, naturally. While the perils of white console hardware are hard to ignore (especially for a hefty portable that'll surely trap plenty of hand grease), this new variant may convince early Steam Deck owners to make the jump. As we covered in our review, the Steam Deck OLED's display looks significantly bolder than the original LCD models, especially with the addition of HDR support. This time around, Valve says it's also shipping the limited edition white model worldwide where Steam Decks are already available (including Australia). "We're curious to see what the response is, and will use what we learn to inform future decisions about any potential new color variants down the line," Valve said in an e-mail. "We've always said our intent is to continually work on improving Steam Deck, and that's true from both a software perspective (continuing to ship improvements) and a hardware one (Steam Deck OLED, as well as ongoing work toward the future of Steam Deck and other hardware plans)."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/a-white-steam-deck-oled-can-be-yours-for-679-230625689.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics Consumer Discretionary site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Devindra Hardawar
it The Morning After: Apple makes its iOS Find My features much more useful By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:15:25 +0000 One of the most useful new features in the public beta of iOS 18.2 is the capability to share the location of a lost item connected to Apple’s Find My network. Sure, you could already share an item’s location with people in your contacts list, but Apple says this could help when you have to rely on the help of a stranger. When you choose Share Item Location in the Find My app on iPhone, iPad or Mac, you get the option to share a link that shows the location of your missing item. The link’s recipient will be able to open it on any device, and they’ll also be able to see your Apple account email and/or phone number so they can get in touch with you. You can even share the information with selected airlines. Apple has apparently worked with several carriers to integrate this feature into their systems. Better still, air transport tech company SITA is also incorporating Share Item Location into WorldTracer, its baggage-tracing system. Apple says more than 500 airlines and ground handlers at 2,800-plus airports use it. Perfect for when I head to Portugal in just five days’ time. Yes, brag. For now, it’s part of the public beta, so if you want the feature, you’ll have to install iOS 18.2. — Mat Smith The biggest tech stories you missed Amazon reportedly wants drivers to wear AR glasses for improved efficiency This Shin Megami Tensei board game features 72 intricate demon figurines A white Steam Deck OLED can be yours for $679 Get this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar review New tech powers a big audio upgrade. Engadget It’s not been a great year for Sonos, but still, here comes its latest upgraded soundbar. While the design is mostly unchanged from the Arc that debuted in 2020, there are several key changes inside the Arc Ultra that make this a better all-in-one solution. Sonos is promising better bass performance, thanks to new speaker tech debuting in the Arc Ultra, but just how good can it be? $999 worth of good? Continue reading. Google’s Pixel 8a is only $399, and it’s not even Black Friday Just. Buy. This. Phone! If you want an excellent midrange smartphone or an upgrade from that crunchy Android of yours from 2014, just get yourself the Pixel 8a, down $100 to $399. With Google’s Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a supports many of the same AI features as the flagship Pixel devices. The cameras are excellent, and it has a gorgeous (and smooth) 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED display. The only caveat is… we’ve seen it drop to $380 briefly. Still, it’s a deal. We gave it a score of 90 in our review. Continue reading. An Overwatch: Classic event takes fans back to the beginning A 6v6 limited-time Overwatch 2 mode starts November 12. For the first time in over two years, Overwatch 2 players will be able to group up in teams of six for a three-week event starting today. But there’s a twist: You won’t be able to select Kiriko or Sombra or battle it out with an additional player on each side on Push maps just yet. Yes, you’ll be limited to the first 21 heroes, kitted out with their old movesets and ultimates. Did someone call for Symmetra, teleport savior? No, but they will. Continue reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121525242.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Mat Smith
it Baidu announces its own pair of AI smart glasses By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:30:44 +0000 Baidu, which is often called China's answer to Google, has launched its own pair of AI-powered smart glasses at its annual World Conference event in Shanghai. The device will run on the company's ERNIE generative AI technology and was designed to "become a private assistant," according to the Financial Times. Users will reportedly be able to interact with the device using their voice and ask it questions about what it sees in their current environment. They can also tell it to play music and even track their calories consumption. And since the glasses are equipped with cameras, they can ask it to snap photos or take videos. When the glasses start shipping sometime next year, they could become the Chinese consumers' alternative to Meta's and Snap's devices. Meta teamed up with Ray Ban a few years ago to release a pair of smart sunglasses that can livestream and send photos hands-free. Its latest model comes built-in with Meta's generative AI assistant that users can talk to. However, the company's device isn't officially sold in China, because its servers are blocked in the country. Baidu has yet to announce how much its glasses would cost, but Meta is selling its device for $299. The Baidu World Conference had a huge focus on the company's AI efforts, as it takes steps to make sure ERNIE can keep up with its competitors' technologies. It also launched a new AI image generator called iRAG that apparently experiences fewer hallucinations than its predecessor, along with a tool that enables people to create software programs even if they don't have coding expertise. According to The Times, ByteDance's Doubao is now the leading AI chatbot in China based on monthly active users as observed by Sensor Tower. ByteDance is also growing its hardware offerings and recently launched a pair of earbuds with access to its AI assistant Doubao. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/baidu-announces-its-own-pair-of-ai-smart-glasses-143044805.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics Information Technology site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Mariella Moon
it Rode's tiny $149 Wireless Micro kit is designed for smartphone users By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:00:40 +0000 Rode has announced the Wireless Micro, a two-mic kit with a smartphone receiver and charging case that costs just $149. The idea is to help TikTok and other creators capture much better-quality audio than their smartphone's microphone can offer. The receiver unit connects to the bottom of your smartphone via a USB-C or lightning port. Meanwhile, the microphones (aka transmitters) attach to the subject via integrated clips or magnetic attachments, then capture what Rode calls "pristine" quality sound. Specifically, they offer a 20-20 kHz frequency range and 73 dB signal-to-noise ratio, with a transmission range around 330 feet. Rode To use it, simply connect the receiver to your iOS or Android device and it will take over as the system microphone. From there, everything is automatic, as the transmitter mics are automatically paired to the receiver and sound will be captured to your camera app of choice. Levels are automatically controlled with the company's GainAssist technology. The omnidirectional transmitters weigh just 12 grams (0.42 ounces) and are tiny enough to be discreet when clipped onto your subject. The built-in microphones use what Rode calls "acoustic chambers" with a patent-pending design. That supposedly lets you capture clear and intelligible audio while reducing wind noise, though a pair of windmuffs is also included in the kit. Rode The Wireless Micro also includes a charging case that delivers two full recharges for up to 18 hours of battery life, while giving you a secure place to store everything. There are a few things missing, though. You can't connect an external mic to the transmitters, unlike with other Rode wireless mics or the DJI Mic 2. There's no smartphone Bluetooth capability, and it doesn't offer a 3.5mm connection for cameras — a feature that will supposedly exist on the rumored DJI Mic Mini. Still, this looks like a great option for creators who primarily use smartphones. It's now available in a two mic kit with a receiver and charging case for $150. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/rodes-tiny-149-wireless-micro-kit-is-designed-for-smartphone-users-150040695.html?src=rss Full Article Audio Technology Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Steve Dent
it Signal makes it easier to start group video calls By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:35:19 +0000 Signal users may be familiar with the problem of creating group chats just for a group call, but that’s about to become a thing of the past. You can now share a call link and let up to 50 people hop in, all in the span of a few seconds. The days of selecting contacts one by one are over. Now, all you have to do is create a call link after going to the Calls tab and send it to whomever you want. The link is also reusable, which is convenient if you have fixed call times. Participants can raise their hands and send emojis. Hosts can set the room up so people must be approved before joining the conversation. Based on Signal’s blog post, the new group call experience highly resembles Zoom. Those interested in privacy yet desire a conference call-like experience may find the new update helpful. Like Zoom, the desktop app offers more options. Besides Zoom, these features will be familiar to frequent users of Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and some WhatsApp users. Raising hands is found on all three platforms as a non-verbal way to signal the speaker. WhatsApp does have a lower participant count of 32 people after an update in June. While there’s no raise hands function, doing certain gestures can send emojis for all to see. It’s worth noting that many apps with group call functionality are adopting similar features. These new features are available on Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. If you don’t see them yet, we recommend updating your Signal app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/signal-makes-it-easier-to-start-group-video-calls-153519653.html?src=rss Full Article Software Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Jeremy Gan
it The M3 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM is on sale for $899 ahead of Black Friday By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:49:22 +0000 It's rare that you'll find discounts on Apple products through the company's own retail channels, but other storefronts are often happy to slash prices on such wares. You can find early Black Friday deals on a bunch of Apple products, including MacBooks. The M3 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM has dropped to its lowest price to date at Amazon. The laptop will run you $899, which is $200 off the list price. This is a 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage. Other configurations with more storage space are on sale too. One with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is $300 off at $999, though we'd recommend having at least 16GB of memory. It's not possible to upgrade the RAM in an Apple Silicon MacBook, but you can always add external storage if need be. To that end, you can snag a 13-inch M3 MBA with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of built-in storage for $1,099. If a model with 24GB and the same SSD is what you're looking for, you can snap one up for $1,299. Both are $200 off. Apple just released its first M4-powered Macs, but it has yet to slot the latest chip into the MacBook Air. To that end, we reckon the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air is the best laptop for most people. It's our pick for the best laptop for college students too. The 13-inch MBA's blend of power and portability makes it a potent choice and we gave it a score of 90 in our review. It delivers fast performance and has a killer display. The design is sleek and sturdy and it sounds great thanks to a quad-speaker array. We like the trackpad and keyboard as well, while the upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E connectivity is a definite plus. Our main quibble is that the USB-C ports are on the same side of the unit as the one for the charger — having even one USB-C on the right side would be handy. But that's a minor complaint about an otherwise excellent laptop. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-m3-macbook-air-with-16gb-of-ram-is-on-sale-for-899-ahead-of-black-friday-154922025.html?src=rss Full Article Computing Shopping Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Kris Holt
it One of our favorite Anker power banks is 41 percent off for Black Friday By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:15:43 +0000 I'm a big fan of Anker's chargers, especially its portable ones, as they tend to be sleek, fast and small enough to shove in my pocket (the last bit is a requirement for me). While the company's products run the gambit price-wise, there's a big sale on one of Anker's more expensive options: the 200W Prime Power Bank. Right now, you can get this power bank and its 100W charging base for just $110, down from $185 — a 41 percent discount. Anker's 200W portable charger is our choice for best premium power bank thanks to features like charging an iPhone in an average of one hour and 48 minutes. One of the best parts of the power bank is its sleek screen, which shows the power coming in or out and how much battery the accessory is holding. This feature is much more exact than the four dots on my cheaper (but still loved) Anker Nano Power Bank. The power bank and charging base both offer one USB port and two USB-C ports so there's plenty of ways to charge your devices. The base also uses magnets to secure its pins to the power bank and charge it upright. Our biggest quip with the power bank was its high price, but with this sale it's definitely worth looking into. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-anker-power-banks-is-41-percent-off-for-black-friday-161543537.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Sarah Fielding
it Meta cuts the price of its ad-free plan by 40 percent in a bid to sate EU regulators By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:49:26 +0000 Meta has long been at loggerheads with European Union officials over its approach to targeted Facebook and Instagram ads. The company is hoping to placate regulators with some changes to its ad model in the bloc, which includes lowering the price of its ad-free subscription. Starting November 13, the plan will cost 40 percent less — €6 ($6.36) per month for signups via the web and €8 ($8.48) for those who subscribe on an iOS or Android device. The fee for each additional Facebook and Instagram account is €4 per month on the web and €5 via mobile. The company will automatically drop current subscribers down to the lower pricing. It says that it will once again ask users in the bloc if they'd like to sign up. When they see this prompt (which can only be ignored for a certain period of time), there will be a third option for EU Facebook and Instagram users to choose from. Those who don't want to pay for a subscription can instead opt to only view ads that are based on what they see in a given session in the apps. Meta will also factor in a few key data markers such as "a person’s age, location, gender and how a person engages with ads." These less-personalized ads naturally won't be as tailored to a given user's interests, the company notes. As such, people are perhaps less likely to click on such ads. To make up for that (and make sure this option doesn't hit Meta in the pocket too hard), folks who choose the less-personalized ads option will sometimes encounter unskippable ads. According to The Wall Street Journal, these will be displayed full screen. "Such ad breaks are common across other services, and are already offered by many of our competitors," Meta argues. "This change will help us continue to provide value to advertisers which ensures we can offer people a less personalized ads experience at no charge." Targeted ads are Meta's biggest revenue driver, but EU officials have reportedly been pressuring the company to offer a free, less-personalized option in its apps. Meta has argued that would negatively impact its bottom line. Although it has seemingly caved to officials' requests, the unskippable ad aspect may be construed as malicious compliance, as it worsens the user experience. Meta claims that these changes to its ad model "meet EU regulator demands and go beyond what’s required" by the bloc's laws. The company introduced its ad-free subscription a year ago to comply with laws such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), as well as stricter interpretations of the General Data Protection Regulation. It was previously ordered to seek permission from users in the bloc before showing them personalized ads. The EU didn't take too kindly to the paid ad-free approach, however. An investigation into the "consent or pay" model is ongoing. In July, the EU said that in its preliminary findings, Meta was violating the DMA with this plan. These latest changes are said to be Meta's attempt to settle the case, but according to the Journal, the EU's discussions with the company haven't concluded. The bloc's regulatory body has until late March to finish its investigation and make a final decision. If it determines that Meta has indeed violated the DMA, the company could be on the hook for a fine of up to 10 percent of its annual global revenue. Based on its total revenue for 2023, it could have to pay up as much as $13 billion or so.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-cuts-the-price-of-its-ad-free-plan-by-40-percent-in-a-bid-to-sate-eu-regulators-174926790.html?src=rss Full Article Internet & Networking Technology site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Kris Holt
it Fortnite will turn back the clock (again) on December 6 By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:59:56 +0000 Is Fortnite old enough to elicit nostalgia? Last year’s trial run of bringing back the battle royale game’s original map, weapons and early seasons would suggest so — at least for folks of a certain age. That test led to record-breaking player counts, topping 44.7 million in October 2023. Epic Games said on Tuesday that the OG Fortnite rewind is coming back again, and this time, it’s for good. OG Fortnite will let you play the original map, along with the loot and seasons as they were in 2017. In addition to the nostalgia factor, many players appreciate that era’s simpler gameplay mechanics, map designs, weapons and items. It was also before expansion updates that added new game modes (it was Battle Royale only) and vehicles like cars, boats and helicopters. Old-school Fortnite fans have less than a month to wait. The OG version returns to the game on December 6. Blizzard must have seen something it liked in the 2023 trial. It borrowed a page from Epic and brought back Overwatch in its original form for a three-week event starting today. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-will-turn-back-the-clock-again-on-december-6-185956191.html?src=rss Full Article Sports & Recreation Consumer Discretionary site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Will Shanklin
it 23andMe is laying off 40 percent of its staff By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 22:12:07 +0000 More than 200 employees of 23andMe are being laid off as part of the company’s ongoing cost-cutting measures. The layoffs will impact 40 percent of the genetic testing company’s workforce. 23andMe CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki said in a statement released on Monday that the staff reduction would save the beleaguered company more than $35 million. She called the layoffs “difficult but necessary actions as we restructure 23andMe and focus on the long-term success of our core consumer business and research partnerships.” The company also announced it will start to shut down its therapeutics clinical programs that used its genetic database to research and develop new drugs. The therapeutics division housed two “immuno-oncology programs” that investigated therapeutic antibodies “designed to restore the ability of the body’s immune cells to kill cancer cells,” according to the division’s website. The San Francisco-based company has not had an easy year. Hackers hit the genetics giant in April of last year and leaked information of 6.9 million customers. The data breach went unnoticed for a year and a half, leading to a $30 million settlement of a class action lawsuit and resignations from the company’s entire board.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/23andme-is-laying-off-40-percent-of-its-staff-221207302.html?src=rss Full Article Health site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Danny Gallagher
it Roy et les Islanders en visite chez McDavid By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 08:26:30 EST Les Islanders ont une lourde tâche qui les attend ce soir. Full Article
it Canadien: Il faut parfois laisser son petit frère gagner By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:00:00 EST J’ai beaucoup de mal à comprendre ce qu’il y a d’étonnant dans le fait que le Canadien soit dernier au classement. Full Article
it Une victoire qui va calmer les esprits By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:00:00 EST Quel match de fou, hier après-midi, à Buffalo! Mais puisque c’est le résultat qui compte, ce n’est pas le temps de faire la gueule fine. Full Article
it Devant ses anciens coéquipiers du CH, Shea Weber fait son entrée au Temple de la renommée By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:50:24 EST Voyez ce que l’ancien défenseur avait à dire sur son passage dans la Belle Province! Full Article
it Le plus grand hockeyeur au monde ne devrait pas patiner comme ça, surtout à 16 ans: «Il est une énigme» By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 23:50:00 EST Un défenseur bélarusse au potentiel incalculable réalise bien malgré lui les défis quotidiens qui accompagnent son physique hors-norme. Full Article
it Fruit thieves av it away with brekky By www.couriermail.com.au Published On :: Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:00:00 GMT FIRST came the smash, now comes the grab. It’s the crime wave that will send terror into the heart of every cafe owner worried that their stock standard breakfast basic is under threat of extinction. Full Article
it Clueless, scared and with huge debt By www.couriermail.com.au Published On :: Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:00:00 GMT OPINION: Queensland, we can’t have it all. The state is stuck with staggering debt and leaders — on both sides — refuse to accept an even half-decent strategy to reduce it. Join the Cage Fight from 7am. Full Article
it Wild weather: ’It was like a tidal wave’ By www.couriermail.com.au Published On :: Mon, 20 Jun 2016 01:34:00 GMT UPDATE: An emergency situation has been declared after wild storms left a trail of destruction on the Sunshine Coast. Brisbane residents have also described what was “like a tidal wave” hitting their homes. Full Article
it ‘It’s still a prison. I feel like an animal’ By www.couriermail.com.au Published On :: Mon, 20 Jun 2016 13:12:00 GMT REACTION to the first TV crew’s story to emerge from Nauru tonight ranged from stunned to cynical. And it was a surprise to Australia’s Immigration minister. Full Article
it Smog sickness: India's capital struggles as pollution surges By www.terradaily.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:57:03 GMT New Delhi (AFP) Nov 5, 2024 The toxic smog season in India's capital has just begun, but those unable to escape cancer-causing poisonous fumes say the hazardous impact on health is already taking its toll. New Delhi regularly ranks among the world's most polluted capitals, with a melange of factory and vehicle emissions exacerbated by agricultural fires blanketing the city each winter, stretching from mid-October until Full Article
it Indian capital plans drone flights to combat smog crisis By www.spacewar.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:57:03 GMT New Delhi (AFP) Nov 8, 2024 India's capital unveiled plans Friday to fly special drones to clear pollution from its smog-choked skies - a plan derided by experts as another "band-aid" solution to a public health crisis. New Delhi and the surrounding metropolitan area, home to more than 30 million people, consistently tops world rankings for air pollution in winter. The smog is blamed for thousands of premature de Full Article
it NISAR satellite to offer precise monitoring of Earth's surface movements By www.terradaily.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:57:03 GMT Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 09, 2024 Data from NISAR will improve our understanding of such phenomena as earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides, as well as damage to infrastructure. Earth's surface is in a state of continuous motion, although often unnoticed. Scientists have utilized satellite and ground-based technology to observe movements linked to geological events such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity. A Full Article
it Drinking water outage hits half of France's Mayotte By www.terradaily.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:57:03 GMT Mamoudzou (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Around half the people in the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte were without potable water Tuesday after a "technical incident" at a treatment plant, a local authority said in a statement. The "event of electrical origin" at the Ouroveni plant overnight from Monday to Tuesday "is leading to water cuts mostly located in the centre and south" of Mayotte's main island Grande Terre, the p Full Article
it Europe dispatches Proba-3 satellites to India for December eclipse mission By www.spacedaily.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:57:03 GMT Paris, France (SPX) Nov 03, 2024 ESA's Proba-3 mission, designed to create a solar eclipse in space, is leaving Europe to head to its Indian launch site. The mission's two spacecraft, designed to align precisely in orbit so one will block the Sun for the other, have departed from Redwire Space's facilities in Kruibeke, Belgium. The pair will be transported to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre near Chennai, India, to prepare for th Full Article
it Artist José González is creating an underwater universe — with an iPad By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 06:30:00 EST José González is an illustrator, author and animator originally from Buenos Aires now living in English Harbour. González was selected to be one of the Artists in Residence at Business and Arts N.L. (Un)Common Threads Creativity and Innovation Summit happening on Nov. 7. In advance of the summit, González has been busy preparing for his installation, which will feature a large-scale fish tank with animated sea creatures brought to life through projections and augmented reality. Full Article
it 'No happy paintings': Dozens of art works by Canadian war artist at Calgary exhibit By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:04:20 EST Bill MacDonnell's paintings are on display at the Military Museums in Calgary through Remembrance Day and into 2025. Full Article News/Canada/Calgary
it Alan Hollinghurst explores identity and political change in his latest novel, Our Evenings By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Wed, 06 Nov 2024 08:20:42 EST The prolific British author discussed his latest book on Bookends with Mattea Roach. Full Article Books/Bookends
it Joni Mitchell's 25 greatest songs, ranked By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Thu, 07 Nov 2024 04:00:00 EST In honour of the icon's 81st birthday, we're celebrating the best music she's made — so far. Full Article Music
it Beyoncé leads with 11 nominations for 2025 Grammy Awards By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 12:08:28 EST Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammy Award nominations with 11, bringing her career total to 99 nominations. That makes her the most-nominated artist in Grammy history. Full Article News/Entertainment
it Mattel apologizes for mistakenly printing porn website on Wicked toy doll packaging By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 13:08:11 EST Toy giant Mattel says it "deeply" regrets an error on the packaging of its Wicked movie-themed dolls, which mistakenly links toy buyers to a pornographic website. Full Article News/Entertainment
it Blitz recalls a long line of war movies going back decades, but that doesn't mean it's not relevant By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 04:00:30 EST Following a mother and son during the the Blitz, Nazi Germany's bombing campaign on London during the Second World War, director Steve McQueen's new drama understands the war film — perhaps a bit too well. Full Article News/Entertainment
it 27 000$ dérobés à Hydro-Québec: un avocat de Laval a volé de l’électricité pendant 14 ans By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:00:00 EST Un avocat de Laval épinglé pour son compteur d’Hydro-Québec trafiqué qui lui a fait économiser près de 27 000$ d’électricité devra payer une amende. Full Article
it Administration Trump: un «faucon» anti-Chine comme secrétaire d'État, une «tueuse de chiens» à la Sécurité intérieure By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:14:27 EST Un «faucon» anti-Chine à la diplomatie, une gouverneure «tueuse de chiens» à la sécurité intérieure. Full Article
it Le comptable disparu de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu aurait été assassiné By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:12:46 EST Un mois après la mystérieuse disparition d’un comptable sans histoire de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, le corps de l’homme de 68 ans a été retrouvé. Full Article
it Vivez l’expérience de l’Université de Sherbrooke sur la Rive-Sud By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:00:00 EST Depuis 35 ans, l’Université de Sherbrooke est présente à Longueuil. Full Article
it Un citoyen souverain qui se présente comme un «gentilhomme de la paix» encore coupable d’entrave By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:56:21 EST Amoury Lapointe a résisté à son arrestation lors d’une intervention de routine à laquelle il refusait de se soumettre dans son «véhicule diplomatique» Full Article
it «C’était absolument nécessaire»: Laurence Jalbert a tout arrêté pendant deux mois pour guérir de la COVID By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:30:00 EST Laurence Jalbert a dû tout arrêter pendant deux mois Full Article
it Lock-out dans les ports: Ottawa n’aurait pas été assez «proactif», selon un expert By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:15:42 EST Ottawa aurait laissé trop de liberté aux syndicats, en leur donnant «carte blanche» pour déclencher des grèves dans les ports du pays. Full Article
it Attaque à la voiture-bélier en Chine: 35 morts et des dizaines de blessés By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:34:56 EST Attaque avec une voiture en Chine: 35 morts et des dizaines de blessés. Full Article
it «Ce n’est pas vrai que je n’ai rien fait»: une ex-directrice de l'école Bedford avait sonné l’alarme à propos du climat toxique By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:00:00 EST Pour la première fois, une ex-directrice de l’école Bedford explique de vive voix avoir alerté plusieurs fois ses supérieurs quant au climat toxique. Full Article
it L’ancien premier ministre de la Colombie-Britannique John Horgan est décédé By www.journaldemontreal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:45:35 EST L’ex-premier ministre de la Colombie-Britannique John Horgan est décédé à l’âge de 65 ans après une bataille contre le cancer. Full Article