In typical LG fashion, the company is following up its CES soundbar announcement with pricing and availability info a few months later. The company's latest Dolby Atmos model, the S95TR, is now available from LG and other retailers for $1,500. That's pricey for sure, but the company has bundled the soundbar with a subwoofer and a pair of rear surround speakers. That means completing your setup won't require additional purchases.
Inside, the S95TR houses 17 speakers, including five up-firing drivers. LG says this soundbar is the first to feature a center-positioned, up-firing speaker, which enhances dimensional audio and helps with dialog clarity. LG explains that it also upgraded the tweeters in the S95TR and it integrated passive radiators. This combo keeps high frequencies clear while also delivering 120Hz low-frequency response in a 9.1.5-channel setup.
The company's Wowcast tech allows the S95TR to connect to compatible LG TVs wirelessly, including the transmission of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X without a cable. Wow Orchestra can utilize the speakers of an LG TV with the soundbar for "a harmonious fusion of audio channels." There's also the company's 3D Spatial Sound Technology that analyzes audio channels with a three-dimensional engine to make things as immersive as possible. AI Room Calibration is here as well, which will include the rear surround speakers in its room tuning for the first time this year.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lgs-s95tr-soundbar-with-wireless-dolby-atmos-is-now-available-for-1500-175155520.html?src=rss
For All Mankind is coming back for a fifth season of space-based alt-history hijinks on Apple TV+. This is unsurprising news, given the near-universal critical acclaim heaped on season four. However, the company also surprise-announced a spinoff series called Star City that will follow the Russian space program.
Original series creators Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi are all onboard for Star City, though theres no cast yet. The plot synopsis calls it a robust expansion of the universe and refers to it as a propulsive, paranoid thriller. It also looks to be taking viewers back to the events of season one of For All Mankind, chronicling the Russian moon landing that started the story.
This time, we explore the story from behind the Iron Curtain, showing the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers and the intelligence officers embedded among them in the Soviet space program, and the risks they all took to propel humanity forward, Apple wrote in a press release.
The company didnt say if the show would rely on frequent time jumps, like its forebear. To that end, Apple hasn't released any casting information for season five of For All Mankind. Given the shows propensity toward expansive time skips, its highly possible series regulars like Joel Kinnaman and Krys Marshall are on their way out. After all, their characters were really getting up there in age and stretching credulity in season four.
Apple TV+
This is some seriously good news for sci-fi fans, but still doesnt take away the brutal sting of Star Trek: Lower Decks getting canceled. Paramount should probably just sell Star Trek to Apple already, since the latter actually seems to care about science fiction.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-renews-for-all-mankind-and-announces-a-spinoff-series-set-in-the-soviet-union-173950761.html?src=rss
Last night, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson had a rough outing shooting 0 for 10 in a loss against the Sacramento Kings, ending the teams chances of making the NBA playoffs. But then, almost as if to add insult to injury, Xs AI bot Grok generated a trending story claiming Thompson was vandalizing homes in the area with bricks.
Now at this point, even casual basketball fans may be able to see what went wrong. But Grok isnt very smart, because it seems that after seeing user posts about a player simply missing a bunch of shots (aka shooting bricks), the bot took things literally resulting in a completely fictitious AI-generated report.
After misinterpreting user posts about Klay Thompson's poor shooting during an NBA game, X's AI bot Grok created a fictitious story on the social media platform's trending section. Screenshot by Sam Rutherford (via X)
In the event this fabrication which was the #5 trending story at the time of writing gets corrected or deleted by Elon Musk, Grok originally wrote In a bizarre turn of events, NBA star Klay Thompson has been accused of vandalizing multiple houses with bricks in Sacramento. Authorities are investigating the claims after several individuals reported their houses being damaged, with windows shattered by bricks. Klay Thompson has not yet issued a statement regarding the accusations. The incidents have left the community shaken, but no injuries were reported. The motive behind the alleged vandalism remains unclear. Amusingly, despite pointing out the unusual nature of the story Grok went ahead of put out some nonsense anyway.
Granted, in fine print beneath the story, X says Grok is an early feature and can make mistakes. Verify its outputs. But even that warning seems to have backfired, as basketball fans began memeing on the AI with posts sarcastically verifying the AIs erroneous statement.
After Grok created an erroneous story about Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, users began memeing on the situation. Screenshot by Sam Rutherford (via X)
For most people, Groks latest gaff may merely be another example in an ongoing series of early AI tools messing up. But for others like Musk who believes that AI will be smarter than humans as soon as the end of next year, this should serve as a reminder that AI is still in desperate need of regular fact-checking.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/xs-ai-bot-is-so-dumb-it-cant-tell-the-difference-between-a-bad-game-and-vandalism-172707401.html?src=rss
A data scraping service is selling information on what it claims to be 600 million Discord users. A report from 404 Media details Spy Pet, an online service that gathers, stores and sells troves of information from the social platform. But have no fear: It markets its services to totally trustworthy paying clients like law enforcement, AI model trainers or your average person curious about what their friends are up to. Why ask them when you can simply purchase and download a copy of their Discord activity?
For as little as $5 in cryptocurrency, Spy Pet lets you access data about specific users, such as which servers they participate in, what messages theyve sent and when they joined or left voice channels. It claims to have information on an alleged 600 million users across 14,000 Discord servers and three billion messages.
As for what inspired Spy Pet, its creator suggested its a classic case of doing what one enjoys and pushing personal boundaries. I like scraping, archiving, and challenging myself, the creator told 404 Media. Discord is basically the holy grail of scraping, since Discord is trying absolutely anything to combat scraping.
Some people run a 5K, set a weight-loss goal or take up pickleball. Others start a social scraping service that sells data to the feds, AI companies and creepy exes. To each their own!
404 Media says the database lets you search for specific users. For each search result, a page shows the servers the user has joined (at least among those Spy Pet monitors), their connected accounts, a table showing their recent messages (including the server name, time stamps and the message itself) and their voice channel entry and exit times. Paying customers can conveniently export their preys or friends chats into a CSV file.
Discord says its investigating Spy Pet and weighing its options. Discord is committed to protecting the privacy and data of our users, a company spokesperson wrote in an email to Engadget. We are currently investigating this matter. If we determine that violations of our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines have occurred, we will take appropriate steps to enforce our policies. We cannot provide further comments as this is an ongoing investigation.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/creepy-monitoring-service-sells-searchable-discord-user-data-for-as-little-as-5-170228224.html?src=rss
TikTok is experimenting with an all-new app thats just for sharing photos with text updates. Its called TikTok Notes, and its available now in Australia and Canada.
We're in the early stages of experimenting with a dedicated space for photo and text content with TikTok Notes, the company wrote in an update on X. We hope that the TikTok community will use TikTok Notes to continue sharing their moments through photo posts. Whether documenting adventures, expressing creativity, or simply sharing snapshots of one's day, the TikTok Notes experience is designed for those who would like to share and engage through photo content.
Based on App Store screenshots, it appears the app will, like TikTok, have two feeds: a for you timeline of recommended content as well as a following feed. Posts appear to be very similar to what youd see scrolling Instagram (before TikTok-like video took over the app, anyway): single images or carousels of multiple photos with lengthy captions.
Rumors of the Instagram-like app have been swirling for the last month as reverse engineers unearthed references in TikToks code. Some TikTok users had also seen in-app notifications about the new service in recent days.
Its an interesting moment for TikTok to try to take on Instagrams central feature. Having a photo-focused app gives TikTok users a new place to share non-video content and potentially reach their existing audience. The company is also facing the possibility its main app could be banned or drawn into a lengthy legal fight in the United States, so having an alternative app could help it maintain users in the country (TikTok hasnt said when Notes might be available in the US.)
It also comes at a time when many Instagram users are frustrated with Meta about the reach of their feed posts. Instagrams top exec Adam Mosseri regularly responds to frustrated creators on Threads about why their feed posts dont seem to reach as many followers as they used to. If TikTok Notes takes off, those creators may actually have a viable alternative for posting photos.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tiktok-notes-is-basically-instagram-for-your-tiktok-account-170151958.html?src=rss
The surreal puzzle game Lorelei and the Laser Eyes hits the Nintendo Switch and PC on May 16, as revealed at Nintendos Indie World Showcase event. This is a big deal, as the games being developed by Simogo, the company behind the mind-blowing adventure Sayonara Wild Hearts, which was one of our favorite titles of 2019. Its also being published by Annapurna Interactive, who helped steward games like Stray, Open Roads and Cocoon to digital store shelves.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes was originally teased a couple of years back and looks to be a more frightening experience than Sayonara Wild Hearts. The games title is quite literal, as you play as someone named Lorelei who has, wait for it, laser eyes. Its set inside of a mysterious mansion, with a mostly black-and-white color palette. It looks positively soaked in vibes.
There are all kinds of different puzzles to solve as you explore this mansion, so expect the gameplay to change on a dime, just like Sayonara Wild Hearts. Despite the brand-new trailer, much of the title is still soaked in mystery, which is likely a purposeful move by the devs and publisher. We do know that its non-linear, so you can explore and solve puzzles at your own pace.
This is Simogos ninth game. In addition to Sayonara Wild Hearts, the Swedish company made Year Walk, The Sailors Dream and Device 6. All of these games toyed with surreal imagery and unique gameplay mechanics, and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes most definitely follows suit. Theres no price yet, but eager players can already wishlist it on Steam.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lorelei-and-the-laser-eyes-by-sayonara-wild-hearts-devs-comes-out-on-may-19-165030366.html?src=rss
How many of you had sequel to a game from 1982 on your Nintendo Indie World Showcase bingo card? If so, you just won big. Yars Rising is a modern metroidvania take on the Atari 2600 classic Yars Revenge, and all it took was 42 short years to reach fruition. By my math, this is the longest break between sequels in gaming history, and it's not even close.
Thats not the only interesting tidbit about this game. As previously mentioned, its a metroidvania, but this one is made by WayForward. For the uninitiated, the companys basically a metroidvania and retro-gaming factory, going all the way back to the Game Boy Color and the original Shantae. Since then, WayForward has released a slew of fantastic Shantae titles and many other games in the metroidvania genre, including the criminally underrated The Mummy Demastered. WayForward also helped with Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, which is considered the spiritual successor to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The devs know their stuff.
Now, Yars Rising may be the sequel to Yars Revenge, but that doesnt mean it plays anything like it. The original was an early version of what eventually became known as shoot 'em ups, like R-Type and Ikaruga. The new one is a sidescrolling platformer in which you play as a person, and not a flying alien bug. However, there looks to be plenty of narrative nods to the original.
In addition to traditional metroidvania action, the developer promises a balance of stealth and combat and plenty of retro-inspired mini-games. Its coming to consoles and PCs later this year. In the meantime, Ill start preparing for Yars Returns in 2066.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/yars-rising-revives-a-40-year-old-atari-game-as-a-modern-metroidvania-163023972.html?src=rss
It's always nice to get a release date for a game that's caught the eye whenever it has popped up. We've had a few looks at Schim, a pretty puzzle platformer, in previous game showcases. It emerged during Nintendo's Indie World stream on Wednesday that the game is coming to Switch, PlayStation, Xbox and PC on July 18. The creators say it will run smoothly on Steam Deck too.
You'll take on the guise of a schim, a frog-like creature that's linked to a human but gets separated from them. To get back to your person, you'll need to leap from one shadow to the next. Schim seems to play around with light and shadows in intriguing ways, such as a forklift activating to give your character access to a new area horizontally and pulling back on a sign to propel yourself further forward.
Schim uses an abstract art style that hopefully lends itself to moderately challenging gameplay. Developers Ewoud van der Werf and Nils Slijkerman, who have worked on the game for four years, also say that each level will feature small stories. I'm looking forward to this one.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/shadow-platformer-schim-is-coming-to-pc-and-consoles-on-july-18-162815433.html?src=rss
When Sony debuted its ULT lineup of speakers and headphones last week, it took the first step towards a big change on naming its products. For years, the company has used an awfully confusing mix of letters and numbers, some of which are just one letter off from products with entirely different designs. Youll no longer have to remember something like WH-B910N to find the headphones youre hunting for as the new names make it immediately apparent what product youre reading about.
The ULT line of audio gear is replacing the Extra Bass brand Sony has used for several years. Described as the ultimate step into the evolution of its portable audio devices, ULT Power Sound is an improved progression of the low-end boost the Extra Bass products offered. ULT breaks down even further into Tower (large party speakers), Field (smaller, portable Bluetooth speakers) and Wear (headphones). Ill concede that Field is a bit obscure at first glance, but at least Tower and Wear accurately describe the products bearing those labels. All three are a massive upgrade from SRS-XV900, SRS-XG300 or WH-CH720N, three model names that were used for previous versions of three similar models.
Sony is also revising the names for both home audio and TV products, employing its existing Bravia moniker here. The companys new TVs are the Bravia 9 (mini LED), Bravia 8 (OLED), Bravia 7 (mini LED) and Bravia 3 (LED) instead of older names like XR-65A95L. For soundbars and speakers, the company will use the Bravia Theater name along with much more descriptive terms. For example, the new soundbars are Bravia Theater Bar 9 and Bravia Theater Bar 8, while a new four-speaker setup is the Bravia Theater Quad. Previously, comparable models had names like HT-A7000, HT-A5000 and HT-A9. Ill admit Im not entirely sure how Sony will distinguish the next-gen models from these. Maybe it will add second-gen, or perhaps a different number. Either way, sticking with Bravia for its living room devices and adding theater, bar or even a single digit is much better than the previous jumble of letters and numbers.
Although they may seem random, there was a method to Sonys madness. To my knowledge, the company never released any type of key to its alpha-numeric mess, but some of the terminology was easy to figure out. HT in home theater product names is pretty straightforward, while WF in true wireless models likely stood for wire free and the WH for headphones was probably wireless headphones. What followed after the hyphens was a creation from the minds at Sony, but thankfully things like 1000X became mainstays over the last several years. That consistency certainly helped keep track of things.
The WF-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM5 are one letter apart, but very different products.Billy Steele for Engadget
Speaking of the 1000X lineup, thats where some of the biggest confusion in Sonys naming scheme resides. The companys flagship headphones, the WH-1000XM5, are literally one letter different from its flagship earbuds, the WF-1000XM5. You likely wont encounter any issues if youre searching for 1000XM5 headphones or 1000XM5 earbuds, but in situations where both are being discussed, youll have to pay careful attention.
For audio gear, the two letters before the dash describe the type of product. Immediately following the dash, you get an indication of the product family or brand, whether that be XB for Extra Bass or 1000X for the flagship earbuds and headphones. Then, youd get a model or generation number like 910 or M5. Unless youre keeping track of Sony's product news, it can be a chore to decipher these. And even if you are paying close attention, it can be difficult to recall exact names accurately. Id wager there has even been confusion among Sonys own employees. Its a terrible naming scheme that causes massive headaches.
The main reason for Sonys new naming convention is to expand recognition by adopting a more memorable and understandable name for customers, a Sony spokesperson told Engadget. The company didnt offer any more detail about the timing of the change or if it will rename other product lines as new models are introduced. Maybe the company transferred the task of naming products from the engineers to the marketing department. Sony has already been using the LinkBuds name for a few true wireless models. So, if the company continues what it started with the ULT and Bravia series, we could be in for easily distinguishable names instead of the (presumably upcoming) WH-1000XM6 and WF-1000XM6.
Lets hope that happens.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/good-riddance-wh-xb910n-sonys-confusing-product-names-are-going-away-161034581.html?src=rss
Sony just revealed its lineup of new TVs for 2024. While many boast interesting features that well get into later, the biggest change is naming conventions. Sony TVs used to be named confusing strings of numbers and letters, but thats all gone now. The names here are clean and simple. They all use Bravia, a long-time Sony moniker for televisions, and a single digit number.
The Bravia 3 is a standard 4K LED TV with dynamic HDR, upscaling technology and a 60Hz refresh rate. This is the most basic box within Sonys lineup, but it still looks plenty capable. The company promises that it also uses eight percent less power than last years equivalent, which is always nice. The TV is available in sizes ranging from 43-inches all the way up to 85-inches, with prices going from $600 to $1,800.
Sony
Dont ask what happened to Bravia 4, 5 and 6, because the next TV in the lineup is called the Bravia 7. This is a mini LED box with some neat tech, including a powerful updated processor and Sonys proprietary Backlight Master Drive local dimming algorithm. The company says this allows it to feature 790 percent more dimming zones compared to last years similar X90L. The more dimming zones a TV has, the smaller each one will be. This leads to an increase in precision and a better contrast ratio.
It also uses less power than the X90L, to the tune of 15 percent, and boasts a new calibration mode primarily intended for Prime Video content. The Bravia 7 is available in sizes ranging from 55-inches to 85-inches, with prices fluctuating from $1,900 to $3,500.
The Bravia 8 is the companys latest OLED model. The OLED panel ensures a perfect black response and the box includes the same calibration mode for Prime Video found with the Bravia 7. However, the most interesting aspects of this line have to do with size and form factor. The Bravia 8 is 31 percent thinner than last years equivalent model, with a slimmed down bezel. It should really pop when hung on a wall. There are only three sizes in this lineup, and the 55-inch model costs $2,000, the 65-inch version costs $3,400 and the 75-inch box costs a whopping $3,900.
Sony
Finally, theres the flagship Bravia 9. This is basically a souped-up version of the Bravia 7, as its another mini LED box. Sony says that the display technology is similar to whats found in a mastering monitor, which is a lofty promise. Its 50 percent brighter than last years X95L, which was already plenty bright, with a 325 percent increase in dimming zones.
Theres also a 20 percent reduction in power consumption when compared to the X95L and new beam tweeters for improved audio. The Bravia 9 features Sonys proprietary Backlight Master Drive and the new Prime Video calibration feature. The 65-inch version of this TV costs $3,300, while the 85-inch model comes in at a jaw-dropping $5,500.
All of these TVs are available right now for purchase, so go ahead and empty that bank account. In addition to the new televisions, Sony just released a whole bunch of new audio products, including soundbars and an update of its neckband speaker.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonys-new-bravia-tvs-boast-powerful-processors-and-a-prime-video-calibration-mode-160046996.html?src=rss
