We love a good deal on a great laptop around these parts and that's exactly the case with Apple's M3-powered MacBook Air. The 2024 machine is on sale at Amazon with discounts of up to $300. The base model can be yours for $899, which is $200 off and close to a record-low price. This 13-inch variant has 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage.
You'll find the steepest discount on an M3 MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM and double the SSD storage at 512GB. That's $300 off at $1,199.
The M3 MacBook Air is our pick for the best MacBook and our top recommendation for the best laptop overall. (I own one personally and am very happy with it.)
We gave the system a score of 90 in our review, lauding it for fast performance, as well as the sleek and study design (including a great trackpad and keyboard). It looks and sounds great too thanks to the Liquid Retina display and quad-speaker array. What's more, the M3 MacBook Air supports Apple Intelligence features. Ultimately, the blend of performance and portability is hard to beat.
While this is an attractive deal, there's one important factor to bear in mind. Apple just this week announced the M4 MacBook Air. We've yet to review the latest system, so we can't say for sure how it stacks up against last year's model.
But it's worth considering that an upgraded model is right around the corner before you take the plunge on this deal especially given that Apple has dropped the starting price of the base M4 Air to $999. That's $100 less than the current regular price of the M3 and $100 more than you can get the laptop for through this deal.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-m3-macbook-air-is-up-to-300-off-right-now-153346492.html?src=rss
Nearly 50 years after they were first launched, Voyager 1 and 2 are still traveling around interstellar space though they've faced some setbacks over the years. Now, NASA has announced that the twin Voyager spacecraft are losing some of their features in a bid to extend their lifespans in the face of a diminishing power supply.
On February 25, NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) turned off Voyager 1's cosmic ray subsystem experiment and on March 25, it will shut down Voyager 2's low-energy charged particle instrument.
"The Voyagers have been deep space rock stars since launch, and we want to keep it that way as long as possible," said Suzanne Dodd, Voyager project manager at the JPL. "But electrical power is running low. If we dont turn off an instrument on each Voyager now, they would probably have only a few more months of power before we would need to declare end of mission."
Each probe will continue to run three science instruments, but hold another seven instruments which have turned off over time. Just last October, NASA shut down Voyager 2's plasma science instrument. However, both spacecraft have experienced recent issues. Last June, Voyager 1 finally starting running properly again, following seven months of technical issues, including unreadable data. It had a similar issue two years prior. In 2023, Voyager 2 went dark for two weeks after requiring technical assistance three years earlier.
NASA still puts a lot of value in the Voyager probes. "Every minute of every day, the Voyagers explore a region where no spacecraft has gone before," said Linda Spilker, Voyager project scientist at JPL. "That also means every day could be our last. But that day could also bring another interstellar revelation. So, were pulling out all the stops, doing what we can to make sure Voyagers 1 and 2 continue their trailblazing for the maximum time possible." Maybe at least until they hit 50 years in 2027?
The slightly more cynical take on NASA pulling out all the stops to keep them going is that they'd certainly love for the probes to be functional for their 50th anniversary in 2027 which feels like a tall order despite the agencys best efforts.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasa-is-shutting-down-parts-of-voyager-1-and-2-to-extend-their-lifespan-151322570.html?src=rss
Do Americans think artificial intelligence will take human jobs? That it could cause harm? That it's capable of creativity? To find out, researchers surveyed 800 people in the United States. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
Strong brand positioning starts with research. Discover how to analyze customer perceptions, assess competitors, and refine your brand's market position. Read more. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
Email marketing alone is not enough. Learn how to expand your strategy to other channels using a specific, gradual approach. Read more. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
1Password has added a new feature that allows users to tag their entries with physical locations. That way, when the user is close by a credential's location, that information will be surfaced in the password manager's mobile app. This 'nearby items' feature makes the most relevant information quickly available to 1Password customers and cuts out the need to search for the correct details or remember exactly what you'd named an account.
Location information can be added to any new or existing item in a 1Password vault. The app has also been updated with a map view for setting and viewing the locations of your items. In the blog post announcing the feature, the company cited examples such as door codes for a workplace, health records at a doctor's office, WiFi access at the gym and rewards membership information for local shops as potential uses for location data.
Privacy and security are paramount for a password manager, and 1Password confirmed that a user's location coordinates are only used locally and do not leave the device. Nearby items is available to 1Password customers starting today.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/1password-introduces-nearby-items-tying-passwords-to-physical-locations-140040723.html?src=rss
Another day, another move from the Trump administration that will benefit Elon Musk shocking. The US Department of Commerce has announced an overhaul of 2021's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and its $42.5 billion that will funnel work to Musk's Starlink.
The BEAD program was originally designed to give states funding for fiber-optic cable installation, increase Wi-Fi networks and free broadband internet access for some individuals. Fiber-optic broadband provides the fastest internet speeds, but the new mandate will get rid of BEAD's preference for it.
"The Department is ripping out the Biden Administrations pointless requirements," said US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in a statement. "It is revamping the BEAD program to take a tech-neutral approach that is rigorously driven by outcomes, so states can provide internet access for the lowest cost."
The writing on the wall is clear: Musk, the richest person in the world, leader of a department to reduce government waste (read: cut many critical jobs and programs) and an unelected right hand to what can best be described as an authoritarian government, is about to make even more money.
Under the Biden administration in 2023, Starlink received a rejection from the Federal Communications Commission for nearly $900 million in subsidies. The FCC stated that Starlink's application, which was part of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund program, failed to meet the program's requirements. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/musks-starlink-stands-to-benefit-from-changes-to-a-broadband-equity-program-132521582.html?src=rss
If youre into kite surfing, skiing, rock climbing or other adventure sports and want to film your activities, an action camera is the only way to go. In the past, GoPro was uniquely associated with this type of first-person action filming. But now, buyers now have more choice, with models also available from DJI and Insta360. Each company has its own strength, with Insta360 specializing in 360-degree video, DJI known for low-light video quality and GoPro making solid all-around cams with a wide choice of accessories.That raises the question, which one has the best features for your personal exploits? Engadget has been testing action cameras for more than 16 years and with that experience, we can help you find the right model for your budget and needs.
What to consider before choosing an action camera
Action cameras have certain traits that separate them from regular cameras or smartphones. The most important is ruggedness that makes them resistant to water, dust and shocks. Most action cameras are now waterproof without the need for a separate enclosure. At the same time, you can purchase housing accessories to make them waterproof to even greater depths.
Video quality is also key. Every model we recommend goes to at least 4K 60fps, but some models like GoPros latest Hero 13 boost resolution up to 5.3K 60fps, or even 8K 30p with the Insta360 Ace Pro 2. That allows you to crop in on shots and capture vertical video at higher resolutions for social media. Another nice feature is log video that improves dynamic range when filming on sunny, contrasty days. And if you film in dim environments, youll want the largest sensor possible for the best low-light performance.
For activities with bumps and jolts like mountain biking, stabilization is incredibly important. You want your video to look smooth, but still need to convey the thrill and speed of the action. The Hero 13 is still the best in this regard, delivering jolt-free video that makes the viewer feel like theyre going down the bike trail or ski slope, with no annoying digital artifacts. DJI and Insta360s products are good, but not quite at that level yet.
Some action cameras are easier to handle and use, so take that into account as well. Youll want bright and colorful displays both front and back, buttons you wont have to fumble to find and easy-to-use menus. Remote control is another factor that can ease operation. And youll want to check which software is available to improve stabilization, edit video, remove selfie sticks and more.
Then there's the area of accessories. Do you need helmet or chest mounts, waterproof housings or battery charger? GoPro has the largest number of those, but DJI makes handy wireless mics that connect directly with its cameras. And of course, battery life is critical for action shooting as its hard to change one when youre out surfing.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/best-action-camera-130017459.html?src=rss
February 2025 saw Roblox unveil the first graduate collection from its Digital Fashion Program, developed in collaboration with Tokyo's Bunka Fashion College and Dentsu Group. Students' virtual fashion creations were exhibited in a Roblox experience where visitors can try on, vote for and purchase outfits for their avatars. As part of the course, designers were tasked with creating digital fashion items based on a 'My Brand' theme using Roblox Studio, as well as accompanying physical pieces. The initiative expands on a previous partnership with Parsons School of Design. Roblox also plans to exhibit student works in galleries across Japan and globally, while expanding the digital fashion program in the coming years.As consumers spend more time in digital worlds, more value and significance are ascribed to their digital personas. Consumers see their virtual avatars as an extension of themselves, a canvas to represent their identity, tastes and preferences. Roblox found that 56% of Gen Z users on the platform consider their avatars' digital style more important than their style in the physical world. And they're backing this sentiment with action the platform earned USD 1.1 billion from in-game spending in Q3 2024, much of it from the purchase of virtual items, with 82% of adult gamers on Roblox having spent money in games. The Digital Fashion Program is the latest step towards establishing a well-rounded economy around virtual products. It is time to consider how your brand might play in the space. How might you create products, not just for your consumers' IRL selves, but also for their digital twins?
Utah has once again passed a bill that attempts to place new limits on childrens ability to access social media and other apps. The state legislature passed a bill that requires app store makers to verify the ages of users and get parental consent for the downloading of apps. Should the governor sign the bill into law, it would be (as The Verge points out) the first such measure in the country.
The Beehive State has previously attempted to restrict how children can use social media. The state passed two laws in 2023 that imposed age verification and parental permission requirements onto social media companies. Those laws were later revised amid legal challenges, and a Utah judge blocked them from taking effect last fall.
The App Store Accountability Act takes a different approach. It puts the burden on app stores (namely, Apple and Google) to conduct age verification and parental permission rather than individual social media platforms. Unsurprisingly, Meta and other social media companies have long preferred the app store-centric approach to age verification.
On Wednesday, Meta, Snap and X issued a rare joint statement praising the Utah measure. Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their childs age and grant permission for them to download apps in a privacy-preserving way, the companies said. The app store is the best place for it, and more than a quarter of states have introduced bills recognizing the central role app stores play. We applaud Utah for putting parents in charge with its landmark legislation and urge Congress to follow suit.
Apple and Google so far havent publicly weighed in on Utahs bill, though weve reached out to both for comment.
Given the controversy surrounding previous attempts to impose age verification requirements on platforms, the Utah bill will likely face legal challenges if and when its signed into law. Even so, other states are likely to follow Utahs lead on this issue. At least eight more states are considering similar measures.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/utah-is-poised-to-pass-an-age-verification-law-for-app-stores-000542476.html?src=rss
