Apple used to treat every public-facing announcement like an event. Even its keynotes ostensibly for investors and press were well-orchestrated circuses. If there's any conclusion to be drawn from the sheer number of new products the company's launched without any kind of event since the iPhone 16 series was introduced six months ago, the time for hanging on Apple's every word has passed.
Some of it can be chalked up to the company's new preference for recorded, highly-edited video presentations rather than live shows. Some of it might also have to do with the fact that since Apple started making the chips that power its smartphones, tablets and computers, most of the "new" things it introduces amount to spec bumps. Apple's managed to announce eight new products since the iPhone 16, nine if you count a new chip that debuted in one of the company's updated desktop computers. Here's a look at all of that new hardware, from Apple's most recent releases to the new computers it used to close out 2024.
M4 MacBook Air
Apple
The MacBook Air is one of Apple's most popular laptops, so it's only natural it should get the latest M4 chip. Luckily, that extra power didn't come at the cost of a more expensive computer. A 13-inch MacBook Air now starts at $999, with the 15-inch model coming in at $1,199, down from the $1,099 you used to have to pay to get an M3 MacBook Air. The new laptops also come with an improved 12MP Center Stage webcam, and a new metallic color option Apple's dubbed "Sky Blue." It's not the most exciting announcement, but a new laptop that's twice as powerful as Apple's M1 computers for a lower price is welcome all the same.
Mac Studio
Apple
Apple's update to the Mac Studio, announced alongside the MacBook Air, is even more of a pure spec bump. No cosmetic changes were made to the Studio: The short and stout computer still has USB ports and an SD card reader on the front, with even more I/O options available on the back. What's different are the chips powering the Mac Studio on the inside. Apple offers either an M4 Max with a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU or new M3 Ultra chip, which gives the Studio enough wiggle room to handle most professional creative workloads. With the M4 Max you can get up to 128GB of unified memory but if you opt for the M3 Ultra, that can go all the way up to 512GB. All of that power will cost you, though. The Mac Studio with the M4 Max starts at $1,999, while the M3 Ultra version starts at $3,999.
M3 Ultra
Apple
The M3 Ultra is the truly novel part of the Mac Studio update. The late-arriving chip fills the top spot in Apple's M3 lineup, with a 32-core CPU (24 of which are performance cores), up to a 80-core GPU and a 32-core Neural Engine. Apple claims the M3 Ultra is over two times as powerful as the M1 Ultra, likely because it's technically two M3 Max chips connected together with the company's "Ultrafusion" architecture. The new chip also supports Thunderbolt 5 for faster connectivity and specced with up to 512GB of unified memory. Currently, the M3 Ultra is only available on the Mac Studio, which oddly leaves the Mac Pro out of the loop. It's possible Apple's most expensive Mac will be updated soon, or maybe there's an even more powerful chip waiting in the wings.
M3 iPad Air
Apple
The same week Apple updated the MacBook Air and Mac Studio, it also tweaked the iPad Air, giving the 11- or 13-inch tablet a new M3 chip, and an updated version of the Magic Keyboard with a function row and a slightly larger trackpad. The iPad Air was already capable of Apple Intelligence and plenty fast with the M2 chip it received in 2024, so Apple's announcement mainly keeps it competitive, unless you're interested in ray-tracing, which admittedly is offered in some console games that have been ported to the iPad. The new iPad Air starts at $599, while the new Magic Keyboard starts at $260, and strangely, only comes in white.
iPad
The latest chapter in the troubled tale of Cities: Skylines II won't be ending any time soon. The game has still not launched on consoles, despite an initial launch date of October 2023 for the PC version. Developer Colossal Order delayed the console version to spring 2024, but the latest post on the forums for publisher Paradox Interactive revealed that the city-building sequel still isn't ready for its PlayStation and Xbox debut.
"We know many of you are eagerly awaiting the console release, but to set expectations clearly: we will not have a release before summer. We want to avoid any premature estimates and instead commit to providing you with reliable information when were closer to a launch-ready state," the team said in the official notice. "Our goal remains unchanged: to bring Cities: Skylines II to console in the best possible shape."
In addition to the console port needing more time, the planned asset editor for Cities: Skylines II is also not ready yet. The studio is working to resolve technical issues that are impacting game performance and stability with this editor.
After creating a strong and mostly positive community around the original Cities: Skylines game, tensions have run high between the players and the studio surrounding this sequel. The community was vocal in their disappointments about technical issues and a rough first DLC rollout. On the side of the developers, those disappointments devolved into personal attacks on team members. The toxic situation will hopefully calm on both sides once the game reaches a more stable state.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/cities-skylines-ii-will-not-have-a-release-before-summer-on-console-team-says-214053248.html?src=rss
As promised, Volkswagen unveiled its upcoming entry-level electric vehicle at an event on Wednesday in Wolfsburg, Germany. The automaker describes the ID.EVERY1 concept car as a "smart, flexible and affordable" EV for the masses as long as those masses live in Europe. The production version is expected to start at around 20,000 (US$21,583) when it arrives in 2027.
The car joins the ID.2all and sport version of the ID.GTI in using Volkswagen's MEB modular platform, which is designed to be flexible enough to support everything from compact cars like the wee ID.EVERY1 to bulkier SUVs. The company plans to roll out four electric models (including this one) based on the front-wheel drive version of the platform by 2027.
In addition, Volkswagen says the ID.EVERY1 will be its first model to run on a "fundamentally new, particularly powerful software architecture," which sounds like the fruit of its $5 billion partnership with Rivian, announced last year. The automaker describes the (unconfirmed but probably Rivian-based) platform as making the concept car more future-proof, allowing it to be "equipped with new functions throughout its entire life cycle."
Volkswagen
As a budget EV, its specs won't make your jaw drop but could still hit a nice balance point for price-conscious buyers. The concept car can reach over 80 mph (130 km/h), thanks to its 70 kW (94 horsepower) electric drive motor. Volkswagen rates it for a range of at least 155 miles (250 km). The compact EV is a mere 12.7 ft. long, placing it between the automaker's now-retired up! (11.8 ft.) and the ID.2all (13.3 ft.). The ID.EVERY1 has room for four and a cargo volume of 10.8 cubic feet.
As for its cute appearance, Volkswagen Head of Design Andreas Mindt said, "Our ambition was to create something bold yet accessible. The ID. EVERY1 has a self-assured appearance but remains likeable thanks to details such as the dynamic front lights and the 'smiling' rear. These design elements make it more than just a car: they give it character and an identity that people can relate to."
If this sounds like the budget car of your dreams, well, you'd better live in Europe, or you're probably out of luck. Volkswagen describes the ID.EVERY1 as being "from Europe for Europe," which sure doesn't like it translates to America-bound.
You can get a better look for yourself in the gallery below.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/volkswagen-previews-its-%E2%82%AC20000-ev-for-everyone-211053623.html?src=rss
We already knew that the aerospace company Firefly successfully maneuvered its Blue Ghost lander onto the surface of the Moon, but now we have some gorgeous video proof. The lander captured footage throughout the touchdown, complete with a cinematic finale. Check it out below.
The POV footage shows the lander descending toward the Moon and the subsequent landing. It ends with a striking view of Blue Ghost emerging from a cloud of dust as its shadow stretches across the lunar surface. Its pretty darn cool, with surprisingly-crisp HD visuals.
The touchdown happened Sunday at 3:30 AM ET and Blue Ghost made its home in a region known as Mare Crisium. This isnt the first commercial lander to make its way to the Moon, but was the first one to land properly. The mission was a joint effort between Firefly and NASAs Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, an organization that hopes to pave the way for an increased commercial presence on good ole Luna.
Since landing, Blue Ghost has begun its surface operations. These include deploying payloads, sampling local regolith and capturing a bevy of images. The stationary lander will spend around two weeks on the lunar surface as it conducts various tests. Its packed with ten NASA instruments designed to probe the ground and to test subsurface drilling methods.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/aerospace-company-firefly-released-fantastic-pov-footage-of-blue-ghost-landing-on-the-moon-195821368.html?src=rss
In an effort to make movies and TV shows more accessible on Prime Video, Amazon announced that it's testing an AI dubbing system that will translate select content on the company's streaming service into other languages.
Amazon says that "AI-aided dubbing" will be available in English and Latin American Spanish on 12 licensed movies and series available through Prime Video, including "El Cid: La Leyenda, Mi Mamá Lora and Long Lost." That the company describes it as "AI-aided dubbing" rather than just AI dubbing appears to be key here. Amazon says it's taking a hybrid approach where "localization professionals collaborate with AI." A safe guess would be that Amazon's AI system takes a first pass at generating dubs and then professionals edit them for accuracy and fit.
Creating captions, subtitles and dubs is a fairly big business, especially now that streaming has increased the number of films and series that are made every year and licensed to be viewed around the world. It makes sense that streamlining the process of making content more accessible would be of interest to Amazon. The possible problem is, at least for film and television, dubbing is done by professional actors. AI-generated voices have gotten more lifelike over the years, but it remains to be seen whether the average person will be okay with a large portion of their media diet being delivered by something human-adjacent rather than the real deal.
Of course, maybe we'll be trained to accept it because it will be all over social media first. Amazon isn't alone in leveraging AI to squeeze more out of the videos on its platform. YouTube released a tool in 2024 that lets creators automatically dub their videos in other languages when they upload them, and more recently, Meta announced plans to automatically dub and lip-sync Reels on Instagram into other languages. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/prime-video-is-beginning-an-ai-dubbing-pilot-program-for-select-movies-and-series-190252188.html?src=rss
The first time you make anything, it probably wont come out perfect, so it wasnt a huge surprise when MSIs debut gaming handheld struggled out of the gate. And thats before you consider the unorthodox choice to go with an Intel chip instead of one from AMD like practically all of its rivals. However, MSI didnt give up, and now its back with not one but two versions of its second-gen handheld, headlined by the Claw 8 AI+. Not only is it bigger than before, it has twice as many Thunderbolt 4 ports, a way bigger battery and some of the best performance weve seen from any device in this category. But more importantly, as the follow-up to a device plagued by lackluster software and unfinished drivers, it feels like the Claw got its bite back.
Design and display: The desert cat
With its 8-inch screen, the Claw 8 AI+ is bigger than its predecessor and a number of its rivals like the ROG Ally X, though it's still smaller than Lenovos chunky 8.8-inch Legion Go. MSI also zagged by giving it a two-toned black and sandstone chassis. Ergonomics are generally fine, but if Im nitpicking, I would prefer slightly larger grips for increased comfort. But aside from that, the handheld features a relatively straightforward mix of premium components strewn across a familiar blueprint.
It has Hall Effect sensors for its joysticks and triggers along with some embedded RGB lighting, the latter of which has become sort of an unspoken requirement among portable gaming PCs these days. You also get two Thunderbolt 4 ports that support both data and charging which are especially handy if you ever plan on using this thing for productivity and a microSD card slot for expandable storage. I appreciate that unlike Lenovos handhelds, MSI included a built-in fingerprint reader that makes unlocking Windows-based devices like the Claw a lot more convenient. That said, you dont get a touchpad, though MSIs software does let you control your cursor with the joysticks, so its not a complete pain in the butt anytime you have to switch between games and apps. And finally, around back, theres a single pair of paddles.
As for the display, while it's an IPS panel instead of the super-rich OLEDs on some handhelds, the Claws screen offers above-average brightness (up to 500 nits), a solid 120Hz refresh rate (with VRR) and the perfect resolution for a system this size (1,920 x 1,200). So all told, theres very little to gripe about when it comes to its visuals. Plus, thanks to some surprisingly punchy front-facing speakers, it has solid audio too.
Performance and software: A low-key beast
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that after lackluster results from MSIs first attempt, the Claw 8 AI+ pumped out strong performance that was easily able to keep up with and sometimes surpass what Ive seen from its competitors. Some of that is assuredly due to more polished software and recent driver updates from Intel, but still, between its Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, the Claw produced framerates that were often 10 to 15 percent higher than what we got from the Ally X.
For example, when set to its 30-watt preset, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 800p on medium settings the Claw hit 75 fps versus 65 fps for the ROG Ally X at the same TDP (thermal design power). Meanwhile, in Returnal at 800p on medium, the Claw also bested the Legion Go by reaching 56 fps compared to just 46 fps for the Lenovo. Now its important to note that MSIs midrange power for the preset on the Claw (which is what I used to get those figures in Returnal) is 17 watts instead of 15 watts like on most of its rivals, which may be MSIs attempt to skew benchmarks in its favor. But even after you account for that, the Claw still comes out ahead.
Another nice thing about the Claw is that if you dont want to fiddle around with settings all the time, theres what MSI is calling its AI Engine mode, which will automatically adjust things to optimize performance or battery life depending on what you want. Its a nice option for quickly changing how much horsepower you need, though as always, youre going to need to tweak things manually for the best results.
The rest of the MSI Center app feels somewhat spartan. There are sections for launching games, performing software updates, changing the RGB lighting and more. You can even install game stores like Steam directly inside the program. But aside from that, the app isnt very fancy or all that pretty to look at. All the important stuff is there though, which is what really counts since Windows 11 as a whole still feels way clunkier to use than more bespoke platforms like Valves SteamOS.
Battery life: Surprisingly good
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
The Claw 8 AI+ features an 80Whr cell, which is one of the largest battery packs in this category and allows for prodigious longevity. In Elden Ring on medium settings, the handheld lasted just over three hours on a single charge. That aint too shabby, especially after my recent testing with the Lenovo Legion G, which only lasted for two and a half hours at best, and that was when playing a much less demanding game in Metal Slug Tactics.
Wrap-up
After the original bombed, a lot of companies would have simply called it quits. Sure, a lot of the first systems issues may have been caused by Intels chip and unpolished drivers more than anything MSI did (or didnt do). But with the Claw 8 AI+, MSI came back and totally redeemed itself. Not only is it a very competent gaming handheld, this cat offers a solid design, great performance and above-average battery life.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
However, even though it pushes out slightly fewer frames, the $800 ROG Ally X remains a better value (especially if you can find it on sale) and its smaller screen makes it a more portable pick for people planning to game on the go. When it comes to larger competitors, Lenovos Legion Go offers similar horsepower for even less money with starting prices of $700 (or less, now that it regularly receives discounts). But if youre looking for top-notch performance from a portable PC with an assortment of premium components, the Claw 8 AI+ makes an interesting case as an upgrade pick among gaming handhelds.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/msi-claw-8-ai-review-this-cat-got-its-bite-back-184526430.html?src=rss
We knew John Mulaney was getting his own live Netflix talk show after the success of last years Everybody's in LA, but now we have more details. Mulaney dropped a trailer for the show and reconfirmed a March 12 air date.
The trailer absolutely captures the anarchic spirit of last years specials, which is fitting for a guy who has said he never wanted to host a talk show. The whole thing is basically a drone shot of Mulaney in a darkened parking lot, as he complains about filming the promo. Finally, he declares that Everybodys Live is on Wednesdays live, then puts on a pair of sunglasses. Hes also calling Everybody's Live with John Mulaney the first ever celebrity sit-down talk show.
Theres probably one question on the minds of anyone who watched Everybody's in LA. Will co-host Richard Kind be returning? He sure will, along with everyones favorite delivery robot Saymo.
Everybody's Live with John Mulaney will run for 12 weeks, airing on Wednesdays. Its already been picked up for a second season, which will presumably air later in 2025 or early next year. As for Netflix, its been steadily building out its livestreaming infrastructure. It aired that Mike Tyson/Jake Paul fight last year, along with Mulaneys previous show. It has also aired live coverage of golf matches, awards ceremonies and will stream its own Tudum event.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/theres-an-appropriately-ridiculous-trailer-for-john-mulaneys-live-netflix-talk-show-182510750.html?src=rss
Since the 2018 Supreme Court decision letting US states legalize gambling, related content has been hard to miss, whether it's odds tickers flashed during sports broadcasts, superstar athletes and celebrities hawking betting sites during commercial breaks or YouTube videos promising that you won't lose if you only use this gambling service. Although the first two won't change anytime soon, the latter could become scarcer, thanks to some upcoming changes Google announced on Tuesday.
YouTube said it will prohibit content (URLs, embedded links, logos or spoken references) that directs viewers to unapproved gambling sites or apps. The company defines authorized services as those that meet local legal requirements (a large number, post-2018) and are certified by Google Ads or reviewed by YouTube.
But even if a site or app meets those requirements, its content could still be removed if it promises guaranteed returns. Of course, if any truly did offer that, it would cease to be gambling and simply be a service handing out free money. (I believe the technical term is "horseshit.")
Meanwhile, even if content does meet YouTube's requirements, it could still be age-gated for users under 18. However, one gargantuan exception the company carved out of that part is online sports betting. Another omission is the depiction of in-person gambling, which would rule out a healthy swath of Hollywood TV and movies and even some music videos or news reports.
The changes will take effect on March 19. "We've strengthened our policies that prohibit content directing viewers to unapproved gambling websites or applications," YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle told CNN. "We will also begin age-restricting content that promotes online casinos."
Twitch made a similar move in 2022, banning streams featuring specific types of gambling content. When the Amazon-owned platform expanded its prohibition the following year, it said views for betting-related streams were down by 75 percent.
YouTube's changes aren't likely to stem the highly visible onslaught of gambling content in modern culture, which includes betting on esports (something younger users are more likely to engage in). Gambling companies and gaming trade organizations insist that legal gambling content pushes those who would be betting illegally into more regulated areas a fair point in at least some cases.
On the other hand, Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), told CNN last year that his organization believes the risk of harmful gambling has risen by about 30 percent since SCOTUS and 38 states (plus Washington, DC) decided to open the floodgates. "Im in the District of Columbia right now," Whyte said. "The mayor recently cut every single penny of public funding to prevent and treat gambling problems. So right where the [American Gaming Association] and the [NCPG] is located the nations capital they abolished all public funds for problem gambling."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/youtube-will-tighten-its-policies-on-illegal-gambling-content-180703194.html?src=rss
We're over four years into the current generation of consoles (which is probably past the halfway point) and while Sony is still selling tons of PlayStation 5 units, the price of the system means it remains out of reach for many. To help address that, Sony has teamed up with a leasing company called Raylo to offer a PS5 rental service in the UK via the country's PlayStation Direct website.
Leases for the PS5 Digital Edition, the version with a disc drive and the PS5 Pro are available on 12-, 24- or 36-month agreements or a rolling monthly contract. The longer a term you lock in, the lower the monthly price will be. For instance, a 36-month agreement for a PS5 Digital Edition costs 11 (around $14) per month. A rolling contract for the PS5 Pro, however, will run you a whopping 35.59 (nearly $46) per month. There are also leasing options available for the PlayStation Portal and the PS VR2 headset, which just got a price cut.
As The Standard points out, there's a lifetime warranty on each device. Raylo won't force customers to pay extra if they return one at the end of a lease with minor dents, scratches or discoloration (though there will be penalties for "significant damage"). You can cancel at any point, but you'll need to pay a fee if you change your mind before 18 months have passed, though there is a 14-day grace period.
While there are some benefits to leasing, particularly for those who want to play a PS5 but can't afford the initial cost of buying one upfront, there are drawbacks. Depending on the lease term and length of the plan, renting a PS5 can cost more than buying one. There are options to buy a device at the end of a lease, or to continue renting or upgrade (a three-year contract would take you up around the time the PS6 is rumored to arrive in 2028). Otherwise, you won't own the thing you've been paying for over the last several months.
On the other hand, Xbox has offered monthly payment plans for the Xbox Series X/S from the outset with Game Pass Ultimate included. And yes, you do get to keep that console at the end of the financing period.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-opens-an-official-ps5-rental-service-in-the-uk-174653347.html?src=rss
Apple has issued a legal challenge against the British government over a demand to create a backdoor for encrypted iCloud accounts, as reported by Financial Times. The company has filed a complaint in the hopes to reverse the order. The iPhone maker made its appeal to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), which is an independent judicial body.
This comes after a leak revealed the order from the UK government, which tasked Apple with building the aforementioned backdoor for iCloud encrypted backups. This was an attempt by the government to try to force the company to make data available to law enforcement. Apple didnt acquiesce. Instead, the iPhone maker announced that it would end national access to the strongly encrypted version of iCloud storage, also known as Advanced Data Protection.
The 2016 Investigatory Powers Act is what allows UK authorities to demand access to encrypted accounts in this way, but its believed that this is the first time it has faced a legal challenge. The IPT has accepted Apples case and will consider whether the UKs demands were lawful.
The case could be heard as soon as this month. It remains unclear if the hearing will be open to the public, as the UK government is likely to argue that the case should be restricted on the grounds of national security.
Apple hasnt commented on its legal action against the UK government, merely pointing to a statement it made last month. This statement read, in part, that "we have never built a back door or master key to any of our products or services and we never will."
UK security minister Dan Jarvis has defended the demand for access to encrypted accounts on a case-by-case basis, saying that "the Investigatory Powers Act contains robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and ensure that data is obtained only on an exceptional basis, and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so."
The original request would have allowed UK law enforcement access to an encrypted iCloud account after obtaining a warrant that was approved by a judge. Its worth noting that not even Apple has access to this data.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-is-now-fighting-the-uk-over-its-demand-for-backdoor-access-to-icloud-accounts-171234908.html?src=rss
