Hulu adds PBS stations to its live TV channel lineup

Hulu is adding a full spate of PBS channels to its Live TV subscription service. This includes a wide variety of local PBS affiliates and PBS Kids offerings, giving viewers the chance to watch stuff like Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Masterpiece and a whole lot of Ken Burns documentaries.

This is live TV so you’ll be tied to your local affiliate and will have to (gasp) sit down and watch something at the appointed time. Some titles are available on-demand, however, and Hulu+ Live TV offers cloud storage DVR recording options. PBS Kids is also part of this deal, so you can park the little ones in front of the screen to watch Curious George, Arthur, Clifford the Big Red Dog and other anthropomorphic animals. Sesame Street airs on PBS Kids, but only after first running on Warner’s confusingly-named streaming serviceHBO GoHBO Max Max.

Beyond PBS, Hulu+ Live TV is adding the Magnolia Network, a destination for thousands of hours of home improvement and cooking shows like Fixer Upper and Family Restaurant. Additionally, many programs will be available for on-demand viewing, such as Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines, Maine Cabin Masters, Silos Baking Competition and many more.

PBS arrives on the service “in the coming months," but Magnolia Network shows up on May 25th. Hulu+ Live TV subscriptions start at $65 each month for an ad-based tier, ballooning up to $80 per month for an ad-free experience with plenty of cloud storage and access to premium channels like ESPN.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/hulu-adds-pbs-stations-to-its-live-tv-channel-lineup-182038607.html?src=rss

Lordstown Motors may stop Endurance EV production ‘in the near future’

EV startup Lordstown Motors is still in trouble after pausing production earlier this year. The Endurance electronic pickup truck maker said today that it expects to stop producing the vehicle “in the near future” if it can’t find a partner to keep it afloat. The warning follows a separate filing from earlier this week saying it could file for bankruptcy if its deal with Foxconn can’t be resurrected.

“Due to the production delays from early January to mid-April 2023, the failure to identify a strategic partner for the Endurance, and extremely limited ability to raise capital in the current market environment, we anticipate production of the Endurance will cease in the near future,” the company wrote in today’s filing. “To date, we have not identified a strategic partner for the Endurance.”

According to the SEC filing, Foxconn sent a letter to Lordstown on April 21st, threatening to terminate the two companies’ investment deal, which saw the Taiwanese manufacturer investing up to $170 million in the startup. (That followed a previous deal where Foxconn bought its Ohio factory.) In the letter, Foxconn told Lordstown it breached the agreement because the startup’s stock price fell below $1 per share for 30 straight trading days, leading to a NASDAQ delisting notice. Lordstown said it believes Foxconn’s claims are without merit and considers their investment agreement to remain in effect while talks continue. However, it concedes that bankruptcy is on the table if it can’t resolve the dispute “in a timely manner on terms that allow us to continue operating as planned” or find other strategic partners.

Lordstown reported a net loss of $171.1 million in the first quarter of this year, following a loss of $89.6 million in the same quarter a year ago. The EV maker had just $108.1 million in cash (and cash equivalents) on March 31st. Its stock price is currently hovering at 39 cents after peaking at $31.57 in early 2021.

It’s been a short but bumpy ride for Lordstown, which was only founded in 2018. Two years ago, its CEO resigned after an investigation revealed that executives lied about demand, the viability of Endurance’s technology and its ability to start production on schedule by September 2021. The same year, it became the subject of DOJ and SEC investigations. GM sold its stake in the company last March, although Lordstown did finally begin delivering the first trucks from its initial 500-unit order in November. However, it then froze production in February to address “performance and quality issues” and partnered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on a voluntary recall to remedy a connection problem that could cut off motor output while driving.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lordstown-motors-may-stop-endurance-ev-production-in-the-near-future-180630375.html?src=rss

Google officially reveals the Pixel Fold

After months of rumors and leaks, Google has confirmed the Pixel Fold's existence. It showed off the foldable in an official capacity for the first time in a video posted on Twitter and YouTube. The company was expected to reveal the Pixel Fold at Google I/O next week. However, as has often been the case over the last few years, Google has offered an early peek at an upcoming device before a splashier launch event.

As revealed in various leaks, Google's first foldable phone has a vertical hinge that opens up to reveal a tablet-like display, in a similar fashion to Samsung's Galaxy Fold devices. When the Pixel Fold is closed, you can use a smaller touchscreen that's on one side of the exterior. There's a camera array on the rear.

Reports have suggested that the Pixel Fold will start at $1,700 and it could be available as soon as next month (the video and a Google Store page simply note that it's "coming soon"). It's said to run on Google's Tensor G2 chipset — the same one that's found in Pixel 7 devices. The external screen reportedly measures 5.8 inches and the internal display 7.6 inches. As for battery life, rumors suggest the Pixel Fold will run for up to 24 hours based on regular use and up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode enabled.

While the pricing and specs have yet to be confirmed, we'll get the full details on May 10th when I/O kicks off. Here's hoping Google has learned from Samsung's early foldable missteps to make sure the Pixel Fold's hinge is durable enough.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-officially-reveals-the-pixel-fold-174726500.html?src=rss

Paramount+ tops 60 million subscribers thanks to 'Picard' and the NFL

Paramount+ is still growing quickly even as its competitors recover. Paramount has revealed that its streaming service has over 60 million subscribers, having added 4.1 million in the first quarter. For context, the platform had 43 million users at the end of last spring — that's a nearly 40 percent jump in several months. Not surprisingly, the media giant is giving credit to its slate of originals and exclusives.

The service had help from shows like the final season of Star Trek: Picard, Tulsa King and the Yellowstone spinoff 1923. Paramount+ also touts access to recent movies like Top Gun: Maverick. And yes, the NFL playoffs kept customers tuning in. The Showtime bundle also helped draw in people eager to watch titles like Yellowjackets.

There were other successes. Paramount's free-to-watch Pluto TV service topped 80 million monthly active users thanks to a 35 percent year-to-year jump in viewing hours. The company's increasing reliance on streaming also became clear through financial figures. While overall subscription revenue climbed 50 percent compared to a year earlier, the money flowing from Paramount+ surged 65 percent.

To some extent, Paramount+ is taking advantage of its rivals' misfortunes. While Netflix has bounced back from last year's rare losses, it still added a modest 1.7 million new subscribers in its first quarter. That's partly due to saturation — at 232.5 million total customers, Netflix doesn't have as much room to grow. Still, this suggests that studio-owned streaming services can fare well against incumbents.

Don't expect Paramount+ to change its strategy much as a result. The service is still leaning on Star Trek shows like Strange New Worlds, not to mention sports exclusives like the UEFA Champions League. That flurry of new content may come at a cost, as Paramount+ recently hiked prices. If viewers are willing to stay, though, the investment could easily pay off.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/paramount-tops-60-million-subscribers-thanks-to-picard-and-the-nfl-165854248.html?src=rss

Tesla reopens long-range Model 3 orders after almost nine months

Tesla has reopened orders for the long-range Model 3 in the US after putting them on hold last August. At the time, CEO Elon Musk said the waitlist for the electric vehicle was too long and Tesla would reopen orders after ramping up production.

As it has done with its other EVs this year, Tesla has cut the price of the long-range Model 3. It starts at $47,240. As Reuters notes, the company was selling the car for $57,990 before it stopped orders in the US and Canada. The car is eligible for a $3,750 government subsidy as well.

Tesla's configurator shows an estimated delivery window of June for the long-range Model 3 in the US. However, the company has not yet re-enabled orders north of the border. The Canadian version of the configurator only says that the long-range Model 3 will be available again later this year.

One important thing to note is that the long-range Model 3 is listed as having a range of "325+" miles. That's a drop from the 358 miles Tesla previously said the EV would be able to travel on a single charge. In November, it was reported that Tesla was redesigning the Model 3 to cut costs, and the revamp may have included changes to the powertrain. Tesla doesn't have a communications department that can be reached for comment.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-reopens-long-range-model-3-orders-after-almost-nine-months-164744109.html?src=rss

Waymo doubles service area for its fleet of robo-taxis

Waymo is doubling the operational area for its fleet of self-driving taxis, making what the company calls “the largest fully autonomous service area in the world.” The rapid growth is limited to Phoenix and San Francisco, but Waymo has big plans for both territories.

In Phoenix, for instance, self-driving cars are no longer limited to just the metro area and will travel to nearby communities like Chandler, Tempe and Mesa. This totals 180 square miles of territory and is four times larger than the initial service area back when it launched in 2020. Phoenix also hosts a true open beta of the service, as anyone in the area with the Waymo One app can order up a piping hot robo-car. Waymo opened up a second physical ride-hailing station in the city to help shuttle folks to and from the airport.

The company has only been in San Francisco for several months, so don’t expect the same kind of growth as seen in Phoenix. Still, Waymo says the service is expanding to new parts of the city, like North Beach and Fisherman’s Wharf. You must be enrolled in the company’s Trusted Tester program to hail a self-driving car in the city for now, as the company’s still waiting for a final permit to open up the program to the general public. To that end, Waymo says there are currently “tens of thousands” of San Francisco residents on the waitlist.

“Waymo One remains the only and largest 24/7 fully autonomous ride-hailing service in the world — serving thousands of rides in multiple key markets — and we’re scaling quickly,” said Saswat Panigrahi, Waymo Chief Product Officer.

The company touts more than ten thousand trips per week with a proposed increase to 100,000 trips by next summer. To get there, Waymo says it’s implementing software updates to increase reliability, with improved hand gesture detection, more versatile multi-point maneuvers and new tools to deal with inclement weather. The Alphabet-owned brand is also converting to an all-electric fleet. Finally, Waymo hasn’t forgotten about Los Angeles, its newest trial city, saying it continues to “grow rider-only testing operations” in the area.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/waymo-doubles-service-area-for-its-fleet-of-robo-taxis-163353714.html?src=rss

Xbox app for PC now lets you find games based on accessibility features and estimated playtimes

Microsoft fine-tuned its discovery features in the Xbox app for PC this week. In addition, the desktop app’s April update adds the ability to sort by accessibility features and view collections based on how long it takes to finish them.

Microsoft first let developers add accessibility feature tags to their games in late 2021. Now, you can filter the All PC Games list in the Windows app to show results with specific accessibility features like a steady camera, narrated game menus or custom volume controls (among others). The update brings the desktop app up to speed with Xbox consoles, which already included accessibility filtering.

A byproduct of Microsoft’s HowLongToBeat integration last year, new collections make it easier to find games based on their approximate completion times. The new “Quick Games to Play” and “Longest Games” collections are on the PC app’s Home Screen. For example, HowLongToBeat’s estimates for Mass Effect 3 include 24 1 / 2 hours for the main story, an extra 11 hours to complete side quests and 50 total hours for completionists to wrap it all up. So if you’re hoping to avoid games requiring too much or too little investment, browsing these groups could be a handy way to find a starting point for your next adventure.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/xbox-app-for-pc-now-lets-you-find-games-based-on-accessibility-features-and-estimated-playtimes-162001538.html?src=rss

Apple Arcade adds 20 more games, including an exclusive TMNT co-op title

Apple has bulked up the Apple Arcade games library with another 20 new and classic titles. Among the additions is an exclusive co-op Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game. In TMNT Splintered Fate, you and some allies can battle your way through a litany of enemies as you look for Splinter, who's gone missing.

This is a roguelike brawler, so it'll be different every time you play. You'll be able to combine the turtles' attacks with randomized powerups and get some help from friends such as April O'Neil and Casey Jones. It's worth noting that TMNT: Shredder's Revenge, a terrific retro-style beat-'em-up that arrived last year, is also available on mobile, though you'll need a Netflix subscription to play it on iOS or Android.

🐢 @TMNT Splintered Fate by @SuperEvilMegaco is a new kind of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game. This co-op brawler has rogue-like gameplay that's different, every time you play.

🕹: https://t.co/tXGUhCbBlRpic.twitter.com/b7PoJNH5I5

— Apple Arcade (@AppleArcade) May 4, 2023

Also new is What The Car?, the latest title from What the Golf? and What The Bat? studio Triband. This time around, you'll control a car and take part in races. If you've played Triband's previous games, you'll know to expect some absurd (and probably funny) twists. For one thing, the car has legs.

🤪 This secret has been driving us mad 🤪

We made an absurd racing game,
and SURPRISE! ✨ It's out NOW on @applearcade

You play as a car with legs, and it's called 🎉🐻WHAT THE CAR?🚗🥳https://t.co/98CLL3m6DGpic.twitter.com/YD1pFFL5rL

— WHAT THE GAMES? (@tribandtweets) May 4, 2023

Apple has added several Disney titles to Arcade, including the Words With Friends-style Disney SpellStruck, 3D sticker book creator Disney Coloring World+ and match-three puzzle game Disney Getaway Blast+. Elsewhere, Apple Arcade subscribers now have access to a 4K version of Temple Run, an ad-free Snake.io and Farming Simulator 20.

Other classic indies are available to Apple Arcade subscribers at no extra cost starting today as well, including the brilliant Limbo and tough physics-based platformer Getting Over It. In addition, you'll be able to check out Octodad: Dadliest Catch from Young Horses, whose charming Bugsnax is also coming to iOS this summer.

There are more than 200 games on Apple Arcade. Even so, this marks a significant expansion of the library. Meanwhile, Netflix recently said it planned to add 40 more titles to its catalog of mobile games this year, including Oxenfree II: Lost Signals.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-arcade-adds-20-more-games-including-an-exclusive-tmnt-co-op-title-152809631.html?src=rss

Astronomers finally spot a star consuming a planet

Scientists know that a dying star will become a giant that swallows all the planets within a certain radius, but they've never seen it happen... before now, that is. Astronomers at Caltech, Harvard, MIT and other schools have detected a star consuming one of its orbiting planets as it turns into a red giant. A star about 12,000 light-years away, close to the Aquila constellation, became 100 times brighter for over 10 days in an outburst that researchers say represented a hot jovian world falling into its host star's atmosphere and, ultimately, its core.

The group first observed the burst in May 2020, but took roughly a year to determine what happened. Thanks to the NEOWISE infrared telescope, the team ruled out merging stars. The energy from the outburst was only a thousandth of what it should have been for a star-on-star collision, and there was a stream of cold dust rather than hot plasma. MIT's Kishalay De, who led the paper, also notes that Jupiter's mass is about a thousandth that of the Sun, providing a handy reference point.

This phenomenon is believed to be common in the universe, and it's believed that the Earth and other inner Solar System planets will face a similar demise when the Sun dies roughly 5 billion years from now. In that regard, the astronomers confirmed their existing models. Past studies caught stars just before and after they swallowed planets, but never in mid-digestion.

There are still unknowns surrounding planet-munching stars. This finding helps complete the picture, though, and De tellsScienceNews that the next wave of infrared-capable observatories will increase the chances of finding similar events. That, in turn, could illustrate how these apocalyptic processes vary across the cosmos.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/astronomers-finally-spot-a-star-consuming-a-planet-145950652.html?src=rss

Apple's 256GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro drops to its lowest price yet

The latest iPad Pro is one of the best tablets on the market right now. Those looking for a good deal on a 12.9-inch version with more storage than the base 128GB model may be tempted by a new sale. The 256GB variant has dropped by $150 to $1,049. That’s the lowest price we’ve seen to date for this version. It’s the same price as a 128GB iPad Pro, so you’d effectively be doubling the storage at no extra cost.

We gave the tablet a score of 87 in our review, with the design and build, solid battery life and Apple Pencil Hover feature among the aspects that stood out.

The 2022 iPad Pro is Apple's most powerful model to date. It boasts the beefy M2 chipset, so it should handle just about any task you can throw at it with ease. For one thing, it supports Apple's Stage Manager multitasking feature. The tablet has a Liquid Retina XDR screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The display offers up to 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness and up to 1,600 nits for HDR playback.

There's an ultrawide 12-megapixel front-facing camera that's unfortunately positioned on the narrower edge of the screen, which might make things a little awkward for those who prefer to put their tablet in a keyboard dock while taking video calls. On the rear, the iPad Pro has 12MP wide and 10MP ultra wide cameras, as well as a LiDAR scanner.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro weighs in at 1.5 pounds, which might tire out your arms pretty quickly if you're holding it (you could always place it in a case with a stand, of course). Although this model doesn't have 5G connectivity, it does support WiFi 6E.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-256gb-129-inch-ipad-pro-drops-to-its-lowest-price-yet-141637566.html?src=rss