Dust off your pickaxe because Mojang Studios and Merlin Entertainments are building a new series of theme park style attractions called Adventures Made Real that will bring the world of Minecraft to life.
Merlin Entertainments will create two permanent Minecraft theme park locations including one in the US and another in the UK with a plan to open them between 2026 and 20277. The new Minecraft parks will have interactive attractions from the top-selling video game, along with all the usual experiences like rides, gift shops and restaurants and plans to expand these experiences to other destinations globally, according to Merlins statement.
Of course, the parks will also involve some level of digital perks. It's not clear what they'll involve specifically, but Merlin claims the parks will include "touchpoints that will allow guests to unlock exclusive in-game content to continue their gaming journey."
Merlin Entertainments is the second biggest theme park builder in the world behind Disney. The company operates the LEGOLAND theme parks as well as theme parks such as Alton Towers Resort, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures in the UK, the Gardaland Resort in Italy and Heide Park in Germany.
This isnt the only time Minecraft has lept from its pixelated, buildable universe into the real world. Warner Bros. released a trailer in September for the A Minecraft Movie starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, with Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) directing. A Minecraft Movie is scheduled for release on April 5, 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/minecraft-is-getting-its-own-theme-parks-190603375.html?src=rss
Last month, Sonos debuted its latest premium soundbar in the midst of a difficult year. The company initially delayed launching the $999 Arc Ultra, devoting more time to fixing the major issues that plagued its app since a botched update in the spring. Now that the soundbar is here, Sonos has rolled out its first product to feature its Sound Motion technology that offers increased bass performance from smaller components. This new transducer allowed the company to make other improvements to the Arc Ultra versus the original Arc, so its not just a matter of more low-end tone. So, what is Sound Motion exactly, and will it be available in other Sonos products?
What is Mayht?
The Sound Motion story starts with a company called Mayht. In April 2022, Sonos bought Mayht Holding BV, an audio company based in the Netherlands, for approximately $100 million. At the time, Sonos said Mayht invented a new, revolutionary approach to audio transducers. More specifically, the company re-engineered that foundational component of speakers to be smaller and lighter with no sacrifices to overall audio quality.
In a January 2022 interview with TechCrunch, Mayht CEO Mattias Scheek said the company began working on its speaker technology in 2016. He explained that the company would defend and license the tech rather than manufacture the drivers itself. Early potential use cases ranged from soundbars to compact subwoofers and smaller smart speakers. The companys new approach would become the foundation for Sonos Sound Motion.
What is Sound Motion?
The first implementation of Mayhts technology in a Sonos product via Sound Motion is inside the Arc Ultra soundbar. Sound Motion is a flat, brick-like driver where the motors are positioned at the sides and the membrane in the middle, allowing a greater range of movement for twice as much bass as the first Arc, by Sonos calculations. The four lightweight motors can displace more air inside the soundbar, which leads to increased low-end tone.
By replacing one large motor with four compact units, the Sound Motion transducer is up to three times smaller than a comparable conventional driver. But again, it still produces the same amount of bass. Those four motors power four voice coils, two moving in one direction and two in the opposite direction, enabling dual opposing diaphragms that cancel force and minimize vibrations. Sonos replaced cloth components with injection molded plastics for stable, linear travel. It also designed aluminum ribs to connect the motors to solidify the structure.
The motors themselves have a unique design. Sonos opted for dual magnets inside of each one to create increased force that gives the company more options when it comes to product design.
Sonos' Sound Motion driverSonos
Particularly when were talking about soundbars, we are always constrained by the size of the products, Sonos vice president of audio Chris Davies explained to Engadget. Being able to squeeze the profile down to this opens up opportunities for us to create something thats new and different.
Even with twice the bass output of the Arc, the Arc Ultra is nearly the same size as its predecessor. Not only is that due to the fact that the Sound Motion transducer is smaller than a conventional woofer, but also because the performance is so improved that Sonos only needed one to double the bass output. That difference is immediately apparent when you play some thumping, chaotic rock tunes from Better Lovers or Kaytranadas electronic hip-hip, as I experienced first-hand during my review of the Arc Ultra.
The Sound Motion tech sits on the right side of the soundbar while the amplification electronics occupy the same space on the left. Due to this location, I could hear the bass coming from one side of the Arc Ultra if I stood up close, but at a comfortable sitting distance from my TV, the low-end blends seamlessly.
Were able to get more bass out of a small package, Davies explained. Were also able to do that in a way that gives us other flexibility around the design of the product, the architecture of the product and so on.
Sonos' Sound Motion inside of the Arc UltraSonos
That flexibility is what led to improved overall audio performance on the Arc Ultra thats a lot more than just adding bass. Since Sound Motion is designed to create a lot of bass from a compact component, Sonos then had the freedom to redesign the mid-range and high-frequency architecture as well. The company used multiple sizes of both mid-range drivers and tweeters for more positioning options, which allowed it to enhance the sound beamed out across a room.
This is an evolution of what we've done, he continued. For Atmos content were doing a 9.1.4 rendering. This really is an augmentation of what we've done in the past, but it's adding a higher channel count by having all of these different elements now that we can play with.
Sonos was able to employ two wide front channels to keep the sound stage immersive and use four separate height channels so that front and rear spatial sound wasnt crammed together. The reconfiguration inside the Arc Ultra, again thanks to Sound Motion, also enabled the company to expand its speech enhancement feature with three levels of augmentation based on your needs.
We've put a lot of energy into really trying to do a better job in terms of dialog clarity, he said. As a result, Davies said, the company was able to deliver clearer dialog than in any of its soundbars ever.
Will Sound Motion be in future Sonos products?
The short answer: absolutely. You dont spend $100 million on something to only put it inside one product. Im willing to bet Sonos wont just use it inside soundbars either. The company has already confirmed in its press materials that it anticipates introducing more inovative products with Sound Motion in the future. Sonos further explained that the use of the technology will depend on the sound profile, design needs and price point of any future speakers, and noted that each of its acoustic architectures are designed for the intended customer experience.
Its easy to see how a small component capable of producing enormous amounts of bass would benefit Sonos more compact speakers. The company has consistently lacked deep low-end tone in products like the Era 100 and Move 2, despite the excellent clarity and detail these speakers exhibit. It would massively improve overall fidelity if Sonos could somehow cram a Sound Motion driver in future versions of these products. Additionally, the companys most compact soundbar, the Ray, would be a much more compelling product for small spaces if it didnt immediately require a separate subwoofer for adequate bass performance. With the Arc Ultra, for example, you can just use the soundbar for music since it has ample thump when a track demands it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/what-is-sonos-sound-motion-technology-183313680.html?src=rss
While pretty much every TV is a smart TV these days, you might still want a dedicated streaming box to do the heavy lifting or maybe you'd like to have one for a projector. There a number of Black Friday deals on streaming devices, including the latest Roku Ultra. That box has dropped by $20 to $80, which is an all-time low-price for the streaming box.
Roku unveiled the 2024 Ultra in September. It claims that the device is at least 30 percent faster than any of its other players. As such, apps should load quickly and moving around the user interface should feel zippy.
This is our pick for the best set-top streaming box. The Roku Ultra offers 4K streaming with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, as well as Dolby Atmos audio. It supports Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and you can plug in an Ethernet cable as well.
This model comes with a second-gen Voice Remote Pro, which boasts backlit buttons and USB-C charging, though Roku says it should run for up to three months on a single charge. Other features include hands-free voice control and a lost remote finder function. Roku ditched the headphone jack for wired listening this time around, unfortunately, but you can still connect wireless headphones to the Roku Ultra via Bluetooth.
The Roku Channel offers more than 400 free, ad-supported streaming channels, along with on-demand shows and movies. The Roku Ultra is also compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit and AirPlay.
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-2024-roku-ultra-drops-to-80-in-this-black-friday-deal-181528897.html?src=rss
Remedy just announced that Control Ultimate Edition will be released for Mac computers on February 12, 2025. The developer didnt say which Macs would run the title, but its a safe bet that the game will only work on M-series computers.
Control Ultimate Edition contains the original game, post-launch patches and season pass expansions. It hasnt been revealed if this version will include the updates for current-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
This information comes from the companys Capital Markets Day, a meeting of investors. Remedy made some other announcements during the gathering, including that its still working on Control 2.
The game was first revealed back in 2022 and we havent heard much since that original announcement. The developer did note that the sequel would be an action RPG. This is interesting because the first Control had some RPG elements, with various weapon and ability upgrades, but I wouldnt call it a full-fledged action RPG. Remedy owns the Control IP now, so it can do whatever it wants with the franchise.
The developer made an announcement that the original Control would be receiving a free update early next year. This update will unlock some previously released content. It also crowed that the critical darling Alan Wake 2 has sold more than 1.8 million units since launch. The sequel was Remedys fastest-selling game ever.
Finally, the developer offered some extremely vague plans to transform both Alan Wake and Control from great games to world-class franchises by 2030. We arent exactly sure what that means, but it likely points to an expanded pop culture footprint.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/control-ultimate-edition-comes-to-macs-on-february-12-181018677.html?src=rss
Meta is making a pitch to get its AI into the UKs public health system. The Guardian reported on Tuesday that the company held a hackathon in Europe, tasking over 200 developers to use its Llama AI to improve the countrys health services. The company awarded funds for developing AI that shortens wait times in Britains A&E rooms (ERs in the US).
The UKs AI minister, Feryal Clark, told The Guardian that the government can adopt AI, such as Metas open-source model, to support our key missions. Earlier this month, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg gave the green light for Llama to work with the US government. Bloomberg reported on the same day that the company was also working with governments and contractors in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and as we can see movement toward now the UK.
Given that Britains use of the open-source AI model wouldnt provide a direct or immediate financial pipeline back to the company, The Guardian asked Metas president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, what was in it for Meta. It is in the long run indirectly in our interest to see this ecosystem of Llama-based innovation because it then makes it much easier for us to reincorporate innovations that are out there into our own products, Clegg, a former UK deputy prime minister, said.
Mark Zuckerberg said in August that Llama was approaching 350 million downloads, which he credited to the AI models open-source nature.
Clegg sounded dismissive perhaps mockingly so of fears surrounding AI infiltrating governments. Who knows, maybe AI will start developing a mind of its own and will start wanting to turn us into paper clips by next Tuesday, he told The Guardian. But I think that right now, the technology is way more primitive than a lot of the fears suggest.
To be fair to critics, right now is less of a concern than later.
The UK AI minister Clark told The Guardian that the government wouldnt shy away from the significant risk AI represents. Instead, it would make sure that any regulation we introduce is proportionate, supports innovation and does not place undue burden on business.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-wants-its-llama-ai-in-britains-public-healthcare-system-174119281.html?src=rss
We know that theres been a Squid Game-inspired video game in the works since July. Now, Netflix is announcing Squid Game: Unleashed and dropping a trailer on YouTube. The game will be available on Netflix starting December 17.
The multiplayer party royale (think Mario Party) will be available for everyone with a Netflix subscription, and you can pre-register now to get an exclusive skin when the game launches. The games cartoony art style may be eye-catching, but the gameplay will be violent. Fortunately, its not excessive, and there doesnt seem to be any blood.
While Netflix has made mobile spinoff titles based on famous franchises or exclusive shows for years now, it did try to branch out into AAA games. Sadly, it shut down its AAA studio, Team Blue, last month. Whether the streaming giant still has ambitions for bigger games remains to be seen.
You can play Squid Game: Unleashed on Android and iOS after logging in with your Netflix account credentials. If youre interested in more Netflix games, Monument Valley 3 is a great one. Its a beautiful puzzle game and can be enjoyed without playing the previous two titles in the series.
We also have a list of our favorite Netflix games if these two arent enough. These include popular dungeon crawler roguelike Hades, GTA San Andreas and Terra Nil, a peaceful strategy game.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/squid-game-for-your-phone-arrives-on-december-17-170018220.html?src=rss
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is one of the most twisted, trippy, satisfying and deeply complex puzzle games to hit the market in years, and it's heading to a new platform. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes will debut on PlayStation 4 and PS5 on December 3, joining the game's existing versions on PC and Switch. PlayStation players, prepare yourselves for mind-bending riddles in a lonely hotel that exists outside of time.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes comes from Swedish indie studio Simogo, which previously made Device 6, Year Walk and Sayonara Wild Hearts. Simogo is helmed by its two co-founders, Simon Flesser and Magnus Gordon Gardebäck, though they collaborate with other creators on each new project. Lorelei is published by Annapurna Interactive.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes presents a dramatic mystery in a grayscale world shot through with red accents, glitching and bright like the player is watching everything play out on an old surveillance feed. Most of its puzzles require mind-numbing amounts of logic and deduction, though others are solvable by pure instinct, and both types are incredibly gratifying. At the same time, a current of quiet terror underpins every scene: The hotel grounds are filled with maze-faced phantoms, the remnants of unhinged artists, memories of death and ghostly children with owl faces. Simogo knows how to make a puzzle game that David Lynch would love.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is one of the most innovative titles of 2024, and it's nominated in the Best Independent Game category at this year's Game Awards, alongside Animal Well, Balatro, Neva and UFO 50. That's an absolutely stacked category and Lorelei certainly deserves to be there.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/lorelei-and-the-laser-eyes-makes-its-way-to-ps4-and-ps5-on-december-3-170013561.html?src=rss
Apple devices have a few things in common: theyre well-designed, solidly built and easily connect with one another. But chances are, if it bears the Apple logo, its not cheap. Thats why promos like Black Friday are always worth checking out if youre in the market for a new Apple device. Weve reviewed nearly every major release from the company over the last 20 years, including the newest products for 2024, like the AirPods 4, the M4 iPad Pro, the M4 Mac Mini and more. Some of those devices are seeing their first discounts for Black Friday and others are dipping back to the lows they saw earlier in the year. Here are the best Apple Black Friday deals we could find from retailers across the web.
The best Black Friday Apple iPad deals
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
The line between Apples tablets and laptops is a little blurry at this point, especially with the release of the iPad Pro this year, which (at the time) housed the companys most powerful chip. The iPad Air is our current pick for the best iPad you can buy and we were delighted by the iPad mini that came out just last month. The only problem is iPads are among the more expensive tablets you can buy. Hopefully these Black Friday iPad deals help out.
Apple iPad (2021, 9th gen) for $200 ($129 off): Apple discontinued this model with the release of the new iPad Pro and Air models earlier this year. In what's likely an effort to get rid of current stock, the price is down to a new record low. The 9th generation iPad is the former budget pick in our guide to the best Apple tablets and will serve well as a casual browsing, streaming and game playing machine. Also at Amazon and Walmart.
Apple iPad Pro (2024, 7th gen, 11-inch) for $899 ($100 off): The latest iPad Pro came out back in May and, notably, wa the first Apple device to sport the M4 system-on-a-chip. We gave it an 84 in our review calling it an engineering marvel and the best screen our reviewer had ever seen. Its also our pick for the best iPad for power users. The only problem is its very expensive, but this sale helps a little. Also at Amazon.
Apple iPad Air (2024, 6th gen, 11-inch) for $499 ($100 off): The iPad Air is the Apple tablet we recommend for most people in our buying guide and it earned a high score of 91 in our review. It strikes the best balance between performance, price and features of all slabs in the lineup. It has an M2 chip which is really overkill for casual browsing and gaming, but will ensure that your tablet is compatible with the latest Apple Intelligence tricks and demanding games. Also at Target.
Apple iPad mini (2024, 7th gen) for $479 ($20 off): This is technically Apples newest iPad overall, as the mini was just released this October right before the announcement of a few new Macs the new Pro and Air tablet came out in May along with the other iPads. In his review, Engadgets Nathan Ingraham called the mini a necessary update to the best small tablet on the market. This is a small discount, not surprising for a brand new slate.
The best Black Friday Apple AirPods deals
Billy Steele for Engadget
Apple has four models of AirPods right now: The AirPods Pro 2, the over-ear AirPods Max and two AirPods 4, one with active noise cancellation and one without. Apple has been doing a lot of interesting things with their headphones lately, making this a good time to dive in. Though the discounts for Black Friday look to be minor, it's better than paying full price.
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) for $539 ($10 off): Apples only over-ear headphones havent had a full revamp in a few years. When the iPhone 16 came out, Apple swapped out the lightning port for a USB-C connector and introduced new colors. While the overall design and build is a bit old at this point, they still deliver balanced sound in a premium package. Also at B&H Photo.
Apple AirPods 4 (standard) for $119 ($10 off): Here's a minor discount on Apples newest personal audio device. They were announced alongside the iPhone 16 back in September. There are two versions of the AirPods 4, this is the standard version without active noise cancellation. Both have a redesigned shape for a better fit and offer an open ear design (as opposed to the closed-ear shape of the Pro model). We gave them an 88 in our review.
Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) for $169 ($10 off): The new buds with ANC got a respectable 86 in that same review. We noted they had pro-level features like letting you nod or shake your head to respond to Siris questions and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
The best Black Friday Apple Watch deals
Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget
If you take steps or do a workout and youre not wearing a smartwatch, does it really count? Of course, the Apple Watch is more than a fitness tracker, its also a shortcut to your iPhone notifications, a handy Siri portal and an always-on weather forecast. Plus it tells time. While theyre not cheap, these Black Friday Apple Watch discounts should help.
Apple Watch Series 10 for $349 ($50 off): Heres a new low price on the latest Apple Watch. It is our top pick for the best smartwatch you can buy and has a slightly thinner and lighter design, a wide-angle OLED panel for better viewing angles, plus all of the watchOS 11 features that Apple recently released. Also at Walmart.
Apple Watch SE for $189 ($60 off): Apples budget smartwatch hasnt had an update since 2022. There were rumblings that wed see an update with the launch of the Apple Watch Series 10 but that didnt happen. But if you just need a reliable wrist companion for your iPhone and an accurate fitness and workout tracker, this will serve. It went as low as $170 for October Prime Day, so this isn't an all-time low.
The best Black Friday Mac and MacBook deals
Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Apple held a quiet Mac Week at the tail end of October in which it announced the new desktop M4 Mac mini, the all-in-one M4 iMac and the M4 MacBook Pro laptop. The MacBook Air from back in March is still the model we recommend for most people
Apple MacBook Air (2024, M3, 13-inch) for $899 ($200 off): Apply the coupon to get the full deal on the latest MacBook Air. It's our top pick for the best laptop for most people, and this model has 16GB of RAM built in double the previous base amount so it can tackle the demands of the burgeoning Apple Intelligence. Also at B&H Photo, no coupon required.
Apple MacBook Air (2022, M2, 13-inch) for $800 ($200 off): The previous MacBook Air has a (still very fast) M2 processor and its our previous pick for the best overall laptop for most people. This is the 13-inch model with 16GB of RAM. It's previously gone as low as $749, so this isn't an all-time low.
Apple iMac (2024, M4, 24-inch) for $1,150 ($148 off with coupon): Apple just released the refreshed iMac last month, but now the silver model is already on sale. It has the latest Apple silicon, the M4 system on a chip that gives it a speed boost and enables the new Apple Intelligence features in macOS Sequoia. Also at B&H Photo. for $100 off.
Apple Mac mini (2024, M4) for $549 ($50 off): Use the coupon to get the full deal as this is a first-time low on Apples $599 example of good things, small packages. The five-inch by five-inch box can tackle some serious workloads and remains the most affordable entry point to accessing Apples latest silicon. We gave it a solid score of 90 in our review, praising the incredibly fast M4 chip and useful ports.
Apple MacBook Pro (2024, M4 Pro, 14-inch) for $1,400 ($199 off with coupon): The main update Apple gave to its most powerful laptops is the faster than ever M4 chip. Not much else changed, but thats not a bad thing as the Pros are excellent machines that we recommend to pro users. They have enough power to handle even the most demanding video, audio and any other productivity tasks you can throw at it.
The best Black Friday deals on Apple gear
Apple
Apple AirTags (four-pack) for $73 ($27 off): These are the Bluetooth trackers we recommend if you have an iPhone. They allow you to keep track of your keys, wallet and other belongings using the Find My app and nearly every other nearby iPhone. Note that youll need an AirTag holder or case to use them with your keys and a new generation is rumored for next year. The record low for the four pack was $70 which we saw earlier this month, this deal is a few dollars more. Also at Walmart.
Apple Pencil Pro for $99 ($30 off): Its true that you may need a roadmap to help you figure out which stylus is compatible with which iPad. The Pro is the newest Apple Pencil and itll work with the newest iPad Air and Pro models and adds haptic feedback, squeeze and barrel roll movements to the mix of features. The all-time low was $90, but this is still a decent deal. Also at Target.
Apple Pencil (2nd gen, USB-C) for $69 ($10 off): The USB-C Apple Pencil was released late last year and effectively serves as Apple's "budget" stylus. It works with the widest range of Apple tablets, though not all of them so check before you buy. This is about $4 more than the all-time low. Also at Walmart.
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/black-friday-apple-deals-2024-the-best-apple-sales-on-ipads-airpods-apple-watches-and-macbooks-165143887.html?src=rss
When the A1 arrived in 2021, it put the camera world on notice. In more than a few categories, Sonys full-frame mirrorless camera outperformed rivals like the Canon R5 and came with a lofty $6,500 price to match. However, after nearly four years, the A1 finds itself in an awkward position. Despite its position as Sonys flagship, the A1 is not the most complete camera in the companys lineup, with the more recently released A7R V and A9 III each offering features not found on their sibling. Thats changing today with the introduction of A1 II, which retains the performance capabilities of its predecessor while borrowing quality-of-life improvements from the A7R V and A9 III.
To start, the A1 II features the same fully stacked 50.1-megapixel CMOS sensor found inside the A1. As before, Sony says photographers can expect 15 stops of dynamic range for stills. The company has once again paired that sensor with its Bionz XR image processing engine but added a dedicated AI processor to handle subject recognition and autofocus. As a result, the A1 II can still shoot at up to 30 frames per second using its electronic shutter, and the autofocus system once again offers 759 points, good enough for 92 percent coverage of the sensor.
Sony
However, Sony is promising substantial improvements in autofocus accuracy due to that dedicated AI processing unit. Specifically, the camera is 50 percent better at locking eye focus on birds and 30 percent better at eye autofocus when it comes to other animals and humans. Additionally, you wont need to toggle between different subject-detection modes. Instead, the camera will automatically handle that for you. Sonys pre-capture feature also offers a one-second buffer that can capture up to 30 frames before fully depressing the shutter button.
That said, the most notable addition is the inclusion of Sonys most powerful in-body image stabilization (IBIS) to date, with the A1 II offering an impressive 8.5 stops of stabilization. For context, thats three additional stops of stabilization over the original A1.
When it comes to video, the A1 II is no slouch. It can capture 8K footage at up to 30 fps using the full readout of its sensor. It can also record 4K video at 120 fps and FHD footage at 240 fps for slow motion, with support for 10-bit 4:2:2 recording. If Super 35 is your thing, there you have the option for 5.8K oversampling. In addition to Sonys color profiles, the A1 II can store up to 16 user-generated LUTs, and the camera offers the companys breathing compensation and auto stabilization features. Of the latter, Sony says you can get gimbal-like footage with only a slight crop.
Sony
On the useability front, the A1 II borrows the deeper grip and control layout of the A9 III. Also carried over from the A9 III is the cameras 3.2-inch four-axis LCD screen and 9.44-million dot OLED viewfinder with 240Hz refresh rate. Moreover, the new camera includes Sonys latest menu layout design. Oh, and the company plans to include two separate eyecups in the box. Nice. When it comes to connectivity, theres a full-sized HDMI connection, USB-C and an upgraded Ethernet port that supports transfer speeds up to 2.5Gbps. For storage, the camera comes with two CFexpress Type A card slots that are also capable of reading and saving to UHS-II SD cards.
Alongside the A1 II, Sony also announced a new 28-70mm G Master Lens with a constant f/2 aperture (pictured above). While not the lightest lens in Sonys stable, it still weighs under a kilogram. Both the A1 II and the 28-70mm F2 G Master will arrive in December. They will cost $6,500 and $2,900, respectively.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/sonys-a1-ii-features-a-dedicated-ai-processor-and-refined-ergonomics-164840579.html?src=rss
The UKs competition regulator has cleared Google's $2 billion investment in Anthropic, according to reporting by Bloomberg and others. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially concluded that the company hasnt acquired material influence over the AI startup Anthropic as a result of the investment.
The continuing investigation into the partnership has also been squashed, with the UK antitrust watchdog saying that the investment doesnt qualify for a full probe under merger rules. This is after phase one of a formal investigation was announced back in October.
Anthropic is an independent company and our strategic partnerships and investor relationships do not diminish our corporate governance independence or our freedom to partner with others, a company spokesperson said after the CMA announced its findings.
Googles investment into Anthropic gives the company non-voting shares and consultation rights on significant business issues. Anthropic is best known for creating the Claude AI assistant, which is in direct competition with Google Gemini. Earlier this year, the CMA expressed concern regarding the interconnected web of partnerships and investments in the rapidly advancing world of AI.
The CMA also allowed a similar investment to go through in which Amazon forked over a whopping $4 billion to Anthropic. It didnt even investigate that one, on the grounds that Anthropics UK turnover didnt exceed 70 million and the two parties didnt combine to account for 25 percent or more of the regions supply of AI LLMs and chatbots.
Microsofts investment into OpenAI, however, is still under scrutiny by the CMA. The watchdog group did clear Microsofts investments with the AI startups Mistral and Inflection.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-uk-approves-googles-2-billion-investment-in-anthropic-162226536.html?src=rss
