Apple is shelving its plans to offer the iPhone for a monthly subscription, Bloomberg reports. The company was first said to be exploring a hardware subscription in 2022, but like the companys buy now, pay later product, Apple Pay Later, it seems like it ultimately proved too problematic.
The hardware subscription was rumored to work in a similar way to existing options like the iPhone Upgrade Program or Apple Card Monthly Installments, where you pay off a new phone or other Apple device with monthly payments, and in some cases get the option to upgrade to a new device without changing your subscription fee. Unlike those payment methods, which apply your payments to a one-time loan from either Citizen One or Goldman Sachs, Apples subscription was going to be managed through an Apple account and use whatever payment methods you already have connected.
Apples expectation was that if it fronted the cost for an iPhone directly, people would upgrade more often and increase the companys recurring revenue. The problem is that much like Apple Pay Later, which let you split Apple Pay purchases into four smaller installments, the hardware subscription might have required Apple to follow the same regulations as credit card companies, Bloomberg says. Thats extra scrutiny the company didnt want to invite.
Theres also the potential strain a hardware subscription could put on Apples relationships with carriers. You can buy an iPhone 16 from T-Mobile or Verizon with an installment plan that might be technically different from a subscription, but definitely feels like one when youre paying monthly.
Apples hardware subscription was never officially announced, but it reflects what could be a larger retreat from the headaches of financial services. Apple Pay Later was shut down in June 2024 and replaced with access to Affirm loans in Apple Pay as part of iOS 18. The Apple Card is also reportedly in limbo as Apple searches for a partner to replace Goldman Sachs.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-is-reportedly-giving-up-on-plans-to-turn-the-iphone-into-a-subscription-223540728.html?src=rss
Rivian vehicles now offer more entertainment options with the adoption of Google Cast in the company's cars. When the cars are parked, passengers can use Google Cast to stream from thousands of apps to the dashboard screen. The cars are also getting native apps for YouTube and SiriusXM for playing media directly from the vehicle's larger screen. Rivian is offering all its customers a temporary free trial of SiriusXM; after the trial ends, users will need to subscribe to keep using the satellite radio.
Google announced in the spring that it would be updating Android for Cars with a casting feature. Rivian seems to be the first manufacturer to take advantage of the tech. The Google updates are just the latest collaboration for the company. Earlier this month, Rivian also opened up its charging stations to use by other brands of electric vehicles.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/rivian-car-dashboard-screens-now-support-youtube-and-google-cast-222004612.html?src=rss
The pornographic website PornHub is adding Florida to its list of states to block starting next year. Gizmodo reported that Floridians who visited the porn website recently were greeted with a warning that says You will lose access to PornHub in 14 days thanks to a new state law that requires an ID to visit the website.
PornHub has already blocked a number of states from accessing its wealth of sexually explicit content because of new state laws that require visitors to provide a valid government ID to verify their age for access. Floridas legislature passed its porn ID law and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it into law on March 25 as part of a series of regulations intended to protect minors from explicit materials. The adult entertainment trade association The Free Speech Coalition is fighting Floridas law in federal court, according to The Florida Times-Union.
Florida will become the 13th state to institute an age verification law for adult websites. Florida follows Texas, Utah, Arkansas, Virginia, Montana, North Carolina, Mississippi, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky and Nebraska that all have ID verification laws on its books.
Not only does this impinge on the rights of adults to access protected speech, it fails strict scrutiny by employing the least effective and yet also most restrictive means of accomplishing [the states] stated purpose of allegedly protecting minors, according to the official PornHub blog
The PornHub blog also states that the company is concerned about the safety and welfare of children but the idea of using identification creates more risks with users safety and privacy. The Louisiana law in particular has no state regulator overseeing the new laws implementation which results in a flawed enforcement regime, the PornHub blog states.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/pornhub-is-breaking-up-with-florida-202650152.html?src=rss
PlayStation Lead Architect Mark Cerny is back again to explain the nitty-gritty details of how the PlayStation 5 Pro achieves its various graphical improvements. Cerny first introduced the PS5 Pro in September and in a new 37-minute video, he gets into how the Pros improved GPU uses tech from AMD and announces a deeper collaboration between Sony and the chip maker.
The PS5 uses AMDs RDNA 2 GPU architecture originally released in 2020, while the PS5 Pro uses what Cerny refers to in the video as RDNA 2.X. The new GPU is a mixture of what was already offered on the PS5, with some cherry-picked features from the more advanced RDNA 3 architecture AMD introduced in 2022. Thats paired with ray tracing techniques that Cerny says are from future RDNA tech on AMDs roadmap, and custom machine learning features created for the PS5 Pro. Those machine learning components are also apparently a key part of AMD and Sonys future work together.
AMD has been a fantastic partner for SIE for many years now, Cerny says. And Im honored to announce that we have begun a deeper collaboration with a focus on machine learning-based technology for graphics and gameplay.
Amethyst, the name the companies chose for their new project together, is primarily concerned with creating a more ideal architecture for machine learning, according to Cerny. The new hardware architectures the companies are developing could benefit future consoles and AMDs own GPUs, but theyre just one part of the plan. Sony and AMD are also working towards the democratization of machine learning, which sounds like possible software tools to make it easier for developers to implement AI in gameplay and graphics.
The whole video is jam-packed with information on the thinking and engineering that went into the PS5 Pro and worth a watch if youre looking for more detail on what Pro means in this case. It might not convince you to upgrade to the new $700 console, but it certainly makes the case that Sony didnt take designing it lightly.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/playstations-mark-cerny-did-a-deep-dive-on-the-ps5-pro-and-sonys-new-partnership-with-amd-193613727.html?src=rss
LGs transparent wireless OLED TV is now available. The 77-inch OLED T has 4K resolution, LGs wireless transmission tech for video and audio and the ability to shift between transparent and opaque modes with the push of a button. This futuristic tech, first introduced at CES 2024, will only set you back oh, holy hell, this thing costs $60,000.
Engadgets Billy Steele checked out the OLED T in January and was impressed with its unique presentation. Although some transparent visuals can appear unsettling like a miniaturized singer who appeared to be in the room the fish tank video in the image below was more pleasant. He also found the TVs downward-firing speakers to sound surprisingly good.
Billy Steele for Engadget
You can change between transparent and opaque modes by pressing a button that raises or lowers a contrast screen. It rolls down into a box at its base when you prefer the funky fish-tank look. It also includes backlights to accentuate its transparent look.
The TV also has a chyron-like T-Bar at the bottom, which you can use to check out sports scores, weather, song titles and more. The bar can stay on even when the rest of the TV is off.
The OLED T is powered by LGs Alpha 11 A1 processor, which has four times the performance of the previous-gen chip including 70 percent better graphics performance and 30 percent faster processing speed. The TV maintains its clean profile with LGs Zero Connect Box, which sends video and audio wirelessly to the TV. Just plug your streaming boxes and game consoles into it rather than the TV.
If you happen to be Bill Gates (sup, Bill!), you can lay down $60 grand to order the LG OLED T starting today. Its available on LGs website and at select retail partners, including Best Buy.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/lgs-transparent-oled-t-television-can-be-yours-for-the-low-low-price-of-60000-185850374.html?src=rss
Teamsters unions at five additional Amazon facilities have voted to go on strikes, following similar action in New York City and Illinois. The international Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) announced in a statement that union members unanimously approved measures to authorize strikes in four Southern California facilities and a fifth facility in Atlanta.
The four Southern California facilities are based in City of Industry, Palmdale, Victorville and San Bernardino, according to SiliconValley.com. This brings the total number of Amazon facilities that have authorized worker strikes to eight. The total includes a facility in Skokie, Illinois and two New York City warehouses on Staten Island and in Queens. The IBT represents just under 10,000 workers in 10 Amazon facilities nationwide.
These facilities approved a strike right in the middle of the holiday shopping season, one of the busiest and most lucrative times of the year for the online retail giant. Amazon crews went on strike to protest against low wages, hazardous working conditions and Amazons illegal refusal to recognize their union, according to IBT statements.
Teamsters General President Sean N. OBrien said in the statement that Amazon has failed to provide adequate compensation and protections for its workforce. If their demands are ignored, OBrien says they will start strikes.
Amazon workers want to earn a good living, have decent health care and be safe on the job, OBrien said. They are done with the disrespect and if Amazon keeps pushing them, they will push them to strike.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/five-more-amazon-facilities-authorize-worker-strikes-185030459.html?src=rss
ChatGPT is now available on WhatsApp. Starting today, if you add 1 (800) CHAT-GPT to your contacts that's 1 (800) 242-8478 you can start using the chatbot over Meta's messaging app. In this iteration, ChatGPT is limited to text-only input, so there's no Advanced Voice Mode or visual input on offer, but you still get all the smarts of the o1-mini model.
What's more, over WhatsApp ChatGPT is available everywhere OpenAI offers its chatbot, with no account necessary. OpenAI is working on a way to authenticate existing users over WhatApp, though the company did not share a timeline for when that feature might launch. It's worth noting Meta offers its own chatbot in WhatsApp.
Separately, OpenAI is launching a ChatGPT hotline in the US. Once again, the number for that is 1 (800) 242-8478. As can probably imagine, the toll-free number works with any phone, be it a smartphone or old flip phone. OpenAI will offer 15 minutes of free ChatGPT usage through the hotline, though you can log into your account to get more time.
"Were only just getting started on making ChatGPT more accessible to everyone," said Kevin Weil, chief product officer at OpenAI, during the company's most recent 12 Days of OpenAI livestream. According to Weil, the two features were born from a recent hack week the company held. Other recent livestreams have seen OpenAI make ChatGPT Search available to all free users and bring its Sora video generation out of private preview. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-brings-chatgpt-to-whatsapp-184653703.html?src=rss
The company behind the news app Flipboard just launched something called Surf, which is sort of like an RSS feed for the open social web. The app allows users to create feeds that pull from the open social web, including services like Mastodon and Bluesky. It also sources content from blogs, podcasts and YouTube videos.
Flipboard CEO Mike McCue calls it a browser for the social web and that description makes a whole lot of sense. Surf supports a whole bunch of open protocols, including RSS, Blueskys AT Protocol and ActivityPub. That last one is used to power decentralized platforms like Mastodon, Threads, Pixelfed, PeerTube and Friendica, among others. This follows Flipboard itself moving to the fediverse, which allowed for full interoperability with Mastodon and other decentralized networks.
The app has been in development for nearly two years and lets users build custom feeds using a combination of sources. If you wanted to follow a niche topic like, say, 3D printing, you could add notable people to a feed, along with hashtags, specific RSS feeds, preferred podcasts and more. As of the initial beta launch, Surf comes with 30,000 predefined topics to explore. Custom feeds can also explore multiple topics at once, to personalize things.
Flipboard
The apps home page includes a wide swath of curated feeds to follow that are organized into sections like Featured, Trending, Communities and Expert Voices. Feeds are configurable in a number of ways, which lets users include or exclude stuff like replies, reposts or mature content. Thankfully, the order of the feed is also fully adjustable, with an option for a Twitter-like timeline.
This sounds pretty cool right? One of the main problems in this new era of the social web, in which the old guard has lost so much steam, is the lack of a centralized hub. This looks to solve that problem to some extent.
Now a spot of bad news. Surf is technically available right now, but only as an invite-only, closed beta. If you can get a hold of one of those invites, the app is available for both iOS and Android, with a desktop client coming soon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/flipboard-just-launched-surf-which-is-sort-of-like-an-rss-feed-for-the-open-social-web-184015833.html?src=rss
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear TikTok owner ByteDances appeal of a law that could ban the app. The court took up the case (via NBC News) unusually quickly only two days after the company filed its appeal. Oral arguments are scheduled for January 10.
The law being challenged, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, is set to go into effect on January 19, the day before President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration. The court didnt provisionally block the law when saying it would take up the case.
The bill mandates that the app be banned if ByteDance doesnt sell the platform to an American company. It was passed with overwhelming support in Congress and signed by President Biden in April. The argument was that TikTok had become a national security issue.
The Justice Department defended the law in lower courts, citing concerns that the Chinese government could influence the company and collect data about American citizens. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the legislation earlier this month.
ByteDance has claimed the law violates free speech rights, a position the ACLU has supported. Trump tried to ban TikTok during his first term but changed his tune during the 2024 Presidential campaign.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/us-supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-tiktoks-ban-appeal-172302392.html?src=rss
The survival horror indie hit Pacific Drive is getting turned into a TV show, according to a report by Variety. Director James Wan, who is best known for Saw and Aquaman, has scooped up the rights to the game, though thats about all we know. Theres no casting news yet, or even information as to which streamer or network it will premiere on. Its time to play the waiting game.
Pacific Drive is certainly a unique take on the survival horror genre. Its a first-person driving sim that tasks players with exploring a supernatural version of the wilds of Washington. Its like Twin Peaks, if it was set entirely in the drivers side of a beat-up station wagon. The game has been lauded since its release back in February, securing a nomination for Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards, among other accolades.
We are in something of a golden age for video game adaptations. Peacocks Twisted Metal was surprisingly decent and the Fallout show was a legit phenomenon. The Super Mario Bros. Movie was one of the biggest animated hits of all time and Sonic the Hedgehog now leads an entire cinematic universe. Let us also not forget The Last of Us, Arcane and Five Nights at Freddys. Let us do forget Borderlands.
This is to say that Pacific Drive is far from the only forthcoming video game adaptation. The horror-tinged fishing sim Dredge is being turned into a movie and theres a cartoon coming out based on Vampire Survivors. Even The Legend of Zelda is getting a live action film, as is Minecraft. Are video games the new superheroes?This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nifty-survival-horror-game-pacific-drive-is-getting-turned-into-a-tv-show-163512558.html?src=rss
