Moment’s Mobile Filmmaker Cage will level up your smartphone filmmaking

No matter how advanced your smartphone camera is, shaky, wobbly shots can make your videos look amateurish. This is why stabilizing your smartphone — either with a mount or a tripod — is vital to good mobile filmmaking. But if you want a more stable tool for handheld shots and multiple options for customization, Moment’s new Mobile Filmmaker Cage with MagSafe may just do the trick. The videocage attaches quickly to your phone with MagSafe, and has multiple attachment points that allow you to mount mics, lights, handles and any other filmmaking accessories you need.

The most obvious perk of Moment’s Filmmaker Cage is it allows you to have more manual control over your smartphone. Your smartphone will remain steady as you grip the large, rectangular frame that surrounds it. There’s even the option to add extra handles for even more stability. If you’re sick of dangling cables, there’s also a handy cable management system that lets you tuck in those loose wires. And if you need to pack light and skip the tripod, rest assured that the Filmmaker Cage can stand upright on its own.

If you only use your smartphone to take videos of your cats, the Filmmaker Cage will be overkill. We’ve written about how the iPhone 13’s cinematic mode can mimic the focus capabilities of professional film cameras. While the wealth of stabilization and video editing features are unrivaled on the iPhone 13, it can only do so much. Smartphone filmmakers still rely on a number of tools to perfect their shooting, including mounts, lights, lenses and mics. If you fit into this category of professional filmmaker, or even a serious amateur filmmaker, the Filmmaker Cage may be a good investment.

Unfortunately, the Mobile Filmmaker Cage is only compatible with the iPhone 12 and 13,  but older models can work if you use one of Moment’s MagSafe cases. If you’re an Android user, Moment does make cases, lenses and mounts for the latest Samsung and Pixel models. The Mobile Filmmaker Cage is available now on Moment’s site, for $99.

Messenger takes a cue from Slack with an @everyone shortcut

Meta is adding a handful of features to the Messenger app that will be familiar to anyone who's used Slack, most notably with a new @everyone function. Starting today, typing @everyone in a chat in Messenger will alert the entire group to your message — so make sure it's a good one.

Messenger is also adding a /silent function, which ensures your message will arrive in the chat without alerting anyone, like a ghost in the night. Just type /silent before your message and you're in sneak mode. Both @everyone and /silent commands are live on Android and iOS today.

Meta has more Messenger plans in the works. Over the coming weeks, Android and iOS Messenger users in the US will be able to use a /pay shortcut to send and receive money in-chat. On top of that, iOS users will get /gif, which drops searchable gifs directly into the chat. Messenger on Apple devices will also get /shrug and /tableflip commands, which populate the ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ emoticons, respectively.

Verizon says ‘bad actors’ are to blame for sketchy spoofed spam texts

Verizon is aware of a spam campaign that is targeting its customers with their own phone numbers. As first reported by The Verge, some of the carrier’s subscribers have complained in recent days of receiving text messages that offer “a little gift” for paying off their monthly phone bill, with a link that leads to a Russian website. What has made the campaign unsettling for some is that the perpetrators are spoofing the numbers of their targets.

“Our team is actively working to block these messages, and we have engaged with US law enforcement to identify and stop the source of this fraudulent activity,” a Verizon spokesperson told Engadget. “Verizon continues to work on behalf of our customers to prevent spam texts and related activity.”

When reports of the campaign first started to appear online, some Verizon customers speculated it was the result of an internal breach, a claim the carrier denies. “We believe this activity is being generated from external bad actors with no direct tie to our company,” the company told The Verge. Verizon also said it has no evidence that suggests the texts are coming from Russia. The texts come as US officials, including President Biden, have warned of potential Russian cyberattacks in response to the sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Like with most spam and phishing attempts, the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to not open the link that accompanies the text.

Sennheiser's headphones can now switch modes based on location

Sennheiser just delivered a pair of updates that could make its audio gear more compelling, particularly at the end of a long work day. To start, an upgrade to the Smart Control app for Android and iOS can automatically change your headphones' EQ, noise cancellation levels and other settings based on your location. This isn't a new feature in the audio world (Sony has offered this for years), but it'll be appreciated if you want to hear colleagues at the office but tune out the world while at home.

The Smart Control revamp also offers a Sound Check feature to help the EQ match your tastes, and user account support helps you carry settings between device. Sennheiser also promises a more intuitive (not to mention sleeker-looking) interface.

The Ambeo soundbar, meanwhile, is becoming decidedly smarter. Sennheiser is launching an "Ambeo OS" platform that expands the TV speaker's functionality. You'll finally get AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect support to stream your music service of choice. And while you can steer the soundbar through Smart Control, you'll also have a web interface if you'd rather navigate from your computer.

This last update won't make the Ambeo's $2,500 sticker easier to handle. It at least provides the kind of connectivity you'd expect for that money, though. And look at it this way: Ambeo OS could make Sennheiser's more affordable soundbar that much more alluring when it arrives later this year.

Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders start April 8th

Apple’s first Friday Night Baseball doubleheader will stream on April 8th. Announced at its recent “Peek Performance” event, the program will see Apple stream two exclusive MLB games every Friday through the end of the regular season. The first doubleheader will feature the New York Mets taking on the Washington Nationals in DC at 7PM ET, with a match between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels to follow at 9:30PM ET. You can see the full schedule on Apple’s website. The company will share the second half of the slate at a later date.

The games will be available to watch for free for the time being. All you need is an internet connection and access to the Apple TV app. An Apple device isn’t necessary. You can download the software on smart TVs from manufacturers like Samsung, LG and Vizio, as well as consoles from Sony and Microsoft. You also don’t have to worry about local blackouts. All 24 games Apple announced today will be available to TV+ users in the eight countries and territories where the company has secured the rights for Friday Night Baseball. Here’s the complete list: the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the UK.

YouTube TV is testing 5.1-channel audio on Android TV and Roku

YouTube TV should soon add immersive sound to more platforms. The service is now testing 5.1-channel audio on Android TV (including Google TV) and Roku devices, and expects to make surround sound available on that hardware if all goes "smoothly." The company is still working on support for Apple TV, Fire TV and game consoles, so don't despair if your preferred platform is stuck with stereo.

At present, 5.1 audio requires either a "traditional" Chromecast (before Google TV) or a TV set from LG, Samsung or Vizio with a version of the YouTube TV app that runs at least Cobalt 20. The shows themselves need to offer surround sound, of course, but the enhancement should automatically kick in whenever it's available.

The addition is relatively late when Hulu, Sling TV and other cord cutter services have offered some form of 5.1-channel output for a while. This might give you a reason to try YouTube TV if the audio wasn't to your liking, though, and it'll help make the most of your home theater setup.

We know 5.1 audio is important to many of you, so we wanted to share an update. We’re currently testing 5.1 audio on Google TV, Android TV, and Roku, and if everything runs smoothly, we can expect 5.1 audio to launch on those devices next.

— YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) March 28, 2022

The NFL may launch its own streaming service

The National Football League is developing its own streaming, according to The Athletic. NFL officials reportedly showed off a service tentatively called NFL+ to team owners at the league’s annual offseason meeting in Florida this week. Among other content, the service would include games and podcasts.

The Athletic reports the platform likely won’t be ready until team owners meet again in May. At that point, a vote would decide whether the NFL moves forward with the project. Potentially complicating the rollout of a subscription service is the state of the NFL’s various media deals.

In 2021, the NFL and Verizon extended their longstanding marketing and technology partnership but did so without agreeing on new terms related to mobile streaming. Up until 2018, the carrier had exclusive rights to that content. One analyst The Athletic spoke to suggested the league could use NFL+ as a way to leverage a better deal from either Verizon or another mobile carrier. The league also recently entered into an 11-year deal with Amazon for the retailer to carry Thursday Night Football games through its Prime Video service.

We’ve reached out to the NFL for comment.

Kia's EV9 SUV will move from concept to reality in 2023

If you thought it wouldn't be long before Kia turned the Concept EV9 into a production model, you guessed correctly. The automaker has revealed that a road-ready version of the electric SUV will be available in Europe in 2023. There was no mention of launches in North America or other regions, but it's an SUV — it may just be a matter of time before you see the EV9 cruising American and Canadian streets.

Kia didn't say what would change in the transition from concept to production. However, we'd expect the badge to cut many of the more exotic features, including the yoke, giant wheels, retractable roof rails and lounge-like seating modes. We wouldn't be surprised if Kia kept the 27-inch display and even the hood-mounted solar panel, though.

The production EV9 might also preserve the claimed specs. The concept promised up to 300 miles of range and 350kW fast charging that could take it from a 10 percent charge to 80 percent in 30 minutes. Kia also recently detailed autonomous "Automode" technology for the EV9 that can take over from the driver on the highway.

There are still important unknowns like pricing. Even so, the EV9 could be one of Kia's most important all-electric vehicles to date, at least in some areas. While the EV6 has been well-received so far, some markets (particularly North America) skew heavily toward crossovers and SUVs. The EV9 could help Kia take on competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4, not to mention reel in buyers who haven't been thrilled by the Niro EV.

Fortnite's zero-building mode is here to stay

Epic isn't wasting time in elevating Fortnite's no-build mode. The developer has launched a "Zero Build" format in the Discover page that, as the name implies, takes the game's signature construction out of the usual last-one-standing gameplay. You'll have to rely on 'just' your weapon and tactical positioning skills to survive. If that sounds like other battle royale games, you're not wrong — Epic has even tweaked the game to add familiar elements.

You now have a recharging shield to protect yourself instead of having to consume pickups. There are also some decidedly Apex Legends-like "Ascender" ziplines to help you reach blimp-based deployment points, and you can mantle over obstacles. Sprints are available if you need a brief burst of speed to avoid gunfire.

Zero Build is available to play in solo, duo, trio and squad playlists. The addition isn't a shock, at least. This not only adds some variety to Fortnite, but might keep you from switching to rivals if you're either frustrated with building or just want the occasional break.

'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' sequel delayed to spring 2023

If you were looking forward to playing the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild this year, we have some bad news. Nintendo just announced in a short video that the game will be delayed and the company is now targeting a spring 2023 release after previously saying the game would come out in 2022.

As is usually the case with such delays, Nintendo didn't offer a ton of details. Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma said that the company decided to "extend our development time a bit" and apologized to those looking forward to playing the new games. 

The video also offered a quick look at gameplay for the upcoming release, with a big focus on how this adventure will take place in the skies above Hyrule as well as on the ground. It wasn't anything different from what we saw in the game's first official trailer that was released at E3 2021, but it is at least a good refresher for what we have to look forward to. In the meantime, don't despair, Switch fans — there are still plenty of great games to look forward to in 2022.