Microsoft and Amazon are facing more antitrust scrutiny. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says it will investigate the cloud services market in the country to determine if companies are engaging in anti-competitive practices.

Amazon (through Amazon Web Services) and Microsoft are by far the biggest players in that field in the UK. Between them, they had a market share of between 70 and 80 percent last year, according to a report from media regulator Ofcom, which asked the CMA to investigate the market. Google is in third place with a relatively paltry share of between five and 10 percent.

Ofcom believes that competition in the market is constrained by a number of factors that make it hard for customers to switch suppliers or use more than one at the same time. A key issue is egress fees, which customers often have to pay to transfer their data to another service. "The cost of transferring data between rival providers can discourage customers from using more than one cloud provider and in some cases make switching more costly," Ofcom said in its report.

A lack of interoperability and portability can make it overly laborious for customers to configure their data and apps to work on different services, the regulator said. Discounts can also dissuade customers from using more than one provider.

Those factors give Microsoft and Amazon a leg up over the competition, Ofcom suggests. "Limits on the ability of customers to credibly threaten to switch away can reduce the competitive pressure on the market leaders, giving them a degree of market power," the report states. "If customers have difficulty switching and using multiple providers, it could make it harder for competitors to gain scale and challenge AWS and Microsoft effectively for the business of new and existing customers."

In addition, Ofcom notes that some cloud service providers have raised concerns over the business software licensing practices of some cloud players, especially Microsoft. "We have received submissions that say Microsoft engages in several practices that make it less attractive for customers to use Microsoft’s licensed software products on the cloud infrastructure of rival providers compared to Microsoft Azure," the report states. "The submissions allege that this limits their ability to compete for customers." The products in question include Windows and Microsoft 365. Ofcom says that Microsoft has disputed the veracity of these claims.

"We welcome Ofcom’s referral of public cloud infrastructure services to us for in-depth scrutiny," CMA CEO Sarah Cardell said in a statement. "This is a £7.5 billion [$9.1 billion] market that underpins a whole host of online services — from social media to AI foundation models. Many businesses now completely rely on cloud services, making effective competition in this market essential." The CMA plans to conclude its investigation by April 2025.

Microsoft and Amazon both say they'll work constructively with the CMA. Amazon took issue with Ofcom's claims, telling Reuters that the watchdog's conclusions were rooted in "a fundamental misconception of how the IT sector functions, and the services and discounts on offer."

The cloud has been a sticking point in another Microsoft-CMA tussle. The watchdog initially blocked the company's proposed $68.7 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard due to concerns that Microsoft would hold too much power in the cloud gaming market. Microsoft later pledged to sell cloud game streaming rights to Activision Blizzard titles to Ubisoft if the deal goes through. That concession, made as part of Microsoft's revised agreement, "opens the door to the deal being cleared," the CMA said in September. The regulator will make its final decision on the merger this month.

If you're rocking an iPhone 15, it's probably a good idea to update to the latest version of iOS swiftly. Apple has released a fix for the overheating issues that have plagued its latest batch of iPhones. The company says that iOS 17.0.3 "provides important bug fixes, security updates and addresses an issue that may cause iPhone to run warmer than expected." An iPadOS 17 update is also available.

Apple partially blamed the overheating issue on an iOS 17 bug. It noted that there were also "some recent updates to third-party apps that are causing them to overload the system." The company has been working with the developers of those apps (which included Uber, Instagram and Asphalt 9) to resolve the problem.

Your iPhone may be configured to update to the latest version of iOS automatically during downtime when it's charging. You can also update your device manually, by going to Settings > General > About > Software Update on your iPhone. If iOS 17.0.3 is available to you (Apple rolls out updates gradually), you'll be able to install it right away and hopefully keep your iPhone from getting too toasty.

It was Google's turn on Wednesday to announce a litany of devices and updates. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were the headline acts, though there was lots of interest further down the bill including the reveal of the Pixel Watch 2 and the public version of Android 14 making its way out into the world.

You can catch up on everything by watching the Made by Google event yourself or checking out our liveblog for real-time insight and analysis. Alternatively, we've rounded up all the major announcements for you right here.

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro

The stars of the Made by Google show are, of course, the company's latest smartphones. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro run on the Tensor G3, which Google says is its most powerful chip yet.

Because it's 2023, the two devices offer a string of generative AI features powered by the latest chipset. Google says the Pixel 8's biggest machine learning model is 10 times more complex compared with the Pixel 6 from two years ago.

Google says it has been able to expand its AI tech to more areas of the device beyond the likes of image processing. The Tensor G3 can help the Call Screen function detect and filter out more spam calls. Improved Clear Calling, oddly enough, should enable clearer phone calls. An audio version of Magic Eraser will let you remove unwanted sounds from videos too.

Google

Google Assistant can summarize text from websites and break down the highlights into bullet points. Similarly, you'll be able to get summaries of whatever you capture in the Recorder app. Those who use Assistant to compose written messages with their voice should find that feature much faster on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch Actua display that can deliver sharp colors and vivid details, Google says. The screen supports a higher refresh rate of up to 120Hz as well, which should make scrolling through web pages and playing games a smoother experience. You'll get up to 1,400 nits of brightness for HDR content and up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness.

Google

The rear camera array is getting an upgrade on the Pixel 8. There's a 50-megapixel wide main camera, with Super Res Zoom up to 8x and a 2x optical quality zoom. The second camera is a 12-megapixel ultrawide with autofocus and a 125.8-degree field of view. The front-facing camera is a 10.5-megapixel lens with a 95-degree field of view and fixed focus.

The Pixel 8 Pro has similar main and front-facing cameras (albeit with autofocus on the front-facing lens). Opt for that device, though, and you'll get a 48-megapixel Quad PD ultrawide with autofocus lens and 48-megapixel Quad PD telephoto lens on the rear array. With the help of Google's image-processing knowhow, the device should help you to capture quality photos and videos.

The 8 Pro's display is larger at 6.7 inches. Google says it will deliver up to 1,600 nits of brightness for HDR content and up to 2,400 nits of peak brightness. The Super Actua screen has a higher resolution than the Pixel 8 (1344 x 2992, compared with 1080 x 2400), and 489 PPI vs. 428 on the smaller device. The Pixel 8 Pro weighs 7.5oz (213g), while the Pixel 8 comes in at 6.6oz (187g).

Google is placing a bigger onus on security this year. For one thing, the company is promising seven years of OS, security and feature drop updates. Both phones have camera and mic toggles, a Google One VPN included at no extra cost and a Titan M2 security coprocessor. Google notes that there's anti-malware and anti-phishing protection, and support for passkeys.

Google

As for battery life, Google is promising "beyond 24-hour battery life" on both phones. With Extreme Battery Saver enabled, they may run for up to 72 hours before you need to recharge. There's fast charging support, of course, with Google claiming they'll reach around 50 percent of capacity within around 30 minutes.

One other intriguing thing about the Pixel 8 Pro is that it includes a temperature sensor. That's an interesting feature that could come in handy for a host of use cases, such as checking whether someone has a fever or if another device may be overheating.

Both devices have 128GB of storage in the base versions. The Pixel 8 has 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and the Pixel 8 Pro comes with 12GB of RAM.

Pre-orders are available starting today and the phones will be available on October 12. The Pixel 8 starts at $699. That's $100 more than the Pixel 7. It's worth noting that Verizon's version of the Pixel 8 starts at $800, because it includes mmWave 5G support. The Pixel 8 Pro, meanwhile, will start at $999.

If you pre-order the Pixel 8, Google will toss in a pair of Pixel Buds Pro at no extra cost. Pre-order the Pixel 8 Pro and you'll get the Pixel Watch 2 for free. Speaking of which...

Pixel Watch 2

The sequel to Google's first own-brand smartwatch is here. The Pixel Watch 2 has been redesigned to offer an IP68 water protection rating. Google says there's a lighter 100% recycled aluminum housing and the device is available in four color combinations: polished silver/bay, polished silver/porcelain, matte black/obsidian and champagne gold/hazel. 

As for the functions, there are four pillars of personalization that Google has focused on with the Pixel Watch 2. Those are health, fitness, safety and productivity.

You'll get the most advanced heart rate tracking the company has offered to date, Google says. A new multi-path heart rate sensor works with Google AI to power features such as sleep tracking, high and low heart rate notifications, and Daily Readiness Score. Stress management is a selling point too, as there's a body-response sensor and skin temperature sensor. 

Google

Google says that when your Pixel Watch 2 detects a body response from things like stress, illness or the effects of caffeine or alcohol, the device (and the Fitbit app on your phone) will prompt you to log your mood and suggest things like taking a guided breathing exercise or a walk.

Automatic workout start and stop reminders can detect seven typical workouts, including running and outdoor cycling. Heart Zone Training will use voice and haptic prompts to guide you through personalized heart rate zones. The Pace Training feature uses the same cues to help you maintain pace or get back to your target pace when you fall behind.

You'll get a six-month Fitbit Premium membership at no extra cost with the Pixel Watch 2. This includes access to workouts, your Daily Readiness Score and mindfulness sessions. Features like your Sleep Profile will also remain paywalled behind a Fitbit Premium subscription. In addition, Google is tossing in a one-month trial of YouTube Music Premium.

Speaking of Fitbit, Google showed off a new AI chatbot. It's coming to the Fitbit app next year as part of the Fibit Labs initiative. You'll be able to ask the chatbot things like how well you performed on a run and maybe gain a better understanding of why you might have found a workout particularly difficult.

Google

Android's Safety Check feature will be available on Pixel Watch 2. As with the Check In feature in iOS 17, this can share information such as your location with pre-determined contacts if you don't confirm that you're OK if you haven't reached a specified location before a timer expires. Safety Check also lets users share medical info such as blood type, allergies and existing conditions with emergency services. 

Google suggests Safety Check can help people have more peace of mind while doing things like running errands or coming home late at night. Google notes that Fitbit Premium members can access safety features even if they don't have an LTE plan or their phone nearby.

Gmail and Calendar apps should help you to get things done from your wrist, while the At A Glance watch face delivers contextual information such as weather and traffic updates. The company also says there are new Google Assistant health and fitness queries that should make it easier for you to access real-time and historical stats.

If you have a Pixel phone, you can use the wearable as a remote shutter for your handset's camera. There's support for Find My Device and the Google Home app too.

When it comes to battery life — a major complaint about the original Pixel Watch — Google says the latest device should run for 24 hours even though it has an always-on display. After 75 minutes of charging, you should have enough juice for a full day of use.

The Pixel Watch 2 starts at $349. Pre-orders open today, and the wearable will be available on October 12.

Pixel Buds Pro

Google

The Pixel Buds Pro are available in two new colors — bay and porcelain — to match Google's latest devices. Google is also continuing to roll out new functions for the earbuds as part of its feature drops.

For one thing, there's a new low-latency mode that should reduce audio lag when you're playing games on a compatible Pixel phone or tablet. Bluetooth Super Wideband support doubles the bandwidth for voices with the aim of making you sound clearer and fuller, Google says. The company has also enabled support for Clear Calling on Pixel, so when you're using the Pixel Buds Pro for calls, you should be able to hear the other person more clearly.

A Conversation Detection can, strangely enough, detect when you're speaking. When it does, playback will be paused and Pixel Buds Pro will switch to transparency mode. When you're done talking to someone, your music will start back up and active noise cancellation will kick back in.

In the Pixel Buds app, you'll be able to see how loudly you've been listening to music over a period of time. It will tell you when to lower the volume to help you take care of your hearing wellness.

Android 14

Google

Starting today, you'll be able to install the public version of Android 14 on Pixel devices. The OS will be available on phones from other OEMs at a later date.

Android 14 places a big focus on customization. For instance, you'll be able to use generative AI to whip up custom backgrounds for your phone (this feature will be exclusive to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro at first). There's also the option to enable a monochromatic theme — you know, in case you wish you had an E Ink phone instead.

Google is adding more accessibility settings, such as the ability to increase the size of a certain chunk of text and not everything on the page. You'll also have more control over your data and privacy. For one thing, you'll now find Health Connect options right in the OS settings.

Meanwhile, Google is rolling out the fall feature drop for Pixel phones and tablets. Those with a Pixel Fold will be able to take advantage of a nifty interpreter mode that translates a conversation across the dual displays. The camera interface is being updated on Pixel phones too.

As for Pixel Tablet, there's a more streamlined navigation bar in the kids' experience. When your tablet is docked and in Hub Mode, you can ask Assistant to play news and podcasts through it.

Assistant with Bard

Google

Although most of the announcements leaked in advance, Google had one surprise up its sleeve. It's working on bringing Assistant and Bard AI together.

The aim is to bring information from different apps and services together to make Google Assistant far more useful. During a demo, Google showed the Assistant pulling details from a party invite in Gmail. Ask where the party is, and Assistant with Bard can tell you the location and tap into Google Maps to offer you directions.

You might also also ask Assistant with Bard to whip up a meal plan with a grocery list. You'll be able to export that to Google Docs or Gmail. Assistant with Bard can whip up text to go along with a photo you snapped for a social media post too. 

Google says Assistant with Bard is coming soon, first to select testers. The company plans to expand access to the opt-in experience over the next few months. 

Follow all of the news live from Google’s 2023 Pixel event right here.

The day many Android users have been waiting for is finally here. Google is rolling out the public build of Android 14. As ever, Pixel users will be able to download the new version of the operating system first on supported models (Pixel 4a and newer). Compatible Samsung Galaxy, iQOO, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, vivo and Xiaomi devices will gain access to Android 14 later this year.

Deeper customization is a major focus this time around. You'll be able to choose from a variety of lock screen templates. There's the option to add new clocks and shortcuts (such as the QR reader or the Google Home app) to the lock screen for swift access. Switching between wallpapers should be easier too.

You'll have more ways to customize your wallpaper thanks to the addition of generative AI capabilities. Select a text prompt and the AI will whip up a related image for you (this feature is coming to Pixel 8/Pixel 8 Pro first). Google is also rolling out support for Ultra HDR images and a monochromatic theme.

There are welcome updates on the accessibility front. New features include non-linear font size scaling to make certain sections of text easier to read. There's a Quick Setting tile for font sizing too. Google says it has improved the magnification options and made them more intuitive thanks to the addition of things like a pinch-to-zoom function you can enable only for specific apps. As for hearing accessibility updates, the company says it added hearing aids improvements and introduced flash notifications that light up your device's screen or camera LED when there's an alert for you to check out.

Google aims to give you more control over your data and security in Android 14 as well. Health Connect is now baked into the OS settings to help you manage privacy aspects of health, fitness and wellness apps. Google says such data is encrypted on your device. After you install Android 14, you should find it easier to understand how your data is being used by apps that request access to it, thanks to data sharing updates.

Follow all of the news live from Google’s 2023 Pixel event right here.

French police have arrested five former Ubisoft executives after an investigation into claims of abuse, harassment and discrimination at the company, according to the newspaper Libération. Ex-Chief Creative Officer Serge Hascoët and Tommy François, a former vice president of editorial and creative services, were among those taken into custody. Both men left Ubisoft in 2020 following accusations against them.

When asked about the arrests, Ubisoft told GamesIndustry.biz that it didn't have "knowledge of what has been shared and therefore can't comment."

In 2021, a French workers union and two ex-Ubisoft employees sued the publisher for allegedly enabling a culture of "institutional sexual harassment." Solidaires Informatiques claimed that, rather than addressing the issues head on, Ubisoft found it easier to tolerate alleged misconduct. Francois and Hascoët were among those named in the suit.

According to Libération, police spent more than a year investigating the case. They collected testimonies from approximately 50 staffers and former employees. A lawyer for the plaintiffs claimed (according to a translation) that "beyond simple individual behavior, [the case] reveals systemic sexual violence" in an environment where a "'schoolboy atmosphere' was tolerated."

Several senior employees resigned or were fired in 2020 after reports emerged of widespread misconduct at the company, including at Ubisoft studios in Montreal and Toronto. That summer, CEO Yves Guillemot laid out a plan to address such issues and clean up a culture of toxicity within the ranks.

Another day, another streaming service price hike. Those who sign up for the ad-free Discovery+ plan starting today will now pay $9 per month, up from $7. The ad-supported plan isn't changing in the US, though, as it will still cost $5.

There's a similar price hike in Canada, as the ad-free plan is going up from $7 CAD to $9 CAD. Those north of the border will need to pay extra for the ad-lite plan too — that's increasing from $5 to $6 per month.

Existing subscribers will still pay their existing rate for another month. The price increase will be applied to their account on their next billing cycle on or after November 2.

It's the first time that Discovery+ has increased prices on monthly plans in the US and Canada since the service debuted in the countries in January 2021. The price hike "will allow us to continue to provide can’t miss-stories in the food, home, relationships, true crime, paranormal genres — plus so much more," Discovery+ said in a press release and an email to users.

Along with generating more revenue from subscribers, Warner Bros Discovery may be using the price increase to push customers to switch to a Max subscription instead. Max includes all of the Discovery+ content and much more. It's a pricier affair, though, with the base ad-supported plan costing $10 per month.

We've seen many streaming services increase prices in recent months, including various music services. The Disney+ premium and Hulu ad-free plans will become significantly more expensive next week. Netflix, meanwhile, looks set to increase prices again after the actors' strike ends, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

It's Google's turn to step up to the plate and swing for the fences with a fall hardware event. The company is holding a Pixel showcase in New York City, and you're invited — at least to tune into a livestream of the Made by Google event. The fun starts at 1PM ET on October 4. You can watch the stream below. We'll also have full coverage of all the Pixel news you need to know right here on Engadget, including in our liveblog.

There's no big secret about the focus of the event. For weeks, Google has been teasing the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2 in images and videos, and there have been leaks galore.

Google says the new Pixel phones have “the most advanced Pixel cameras yet and Google AI to help you do more, even faster.” Rumors suggest there will be other spec bumps, including a display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz (faster than the Pixel 7's 90Hz screen) and a Tensor G3 chipset that powers everything. Meanwhile, there may well be a price increase in store for the base Pixel 8 — rumors suggest it'll cost $699, $100 more than the Pixel 7.

As for the Pixel Watch 2, that's expected to feature IP68 water- and dust-resistance. It's believed that Google is making extended battery life a focus with the help of a processor that's more efficient than the one used in the original model. There could be a slightly larger battery too. Meanwhile, there are indications that Google may toss a Pixel Watch 2 in as a freebie for those who pre-order a Pixel 8 Pro.

Google may have some other things to discuss during the event. Given how things have been going this year, it would be a shock if the company didn't spend a significant chunk of time talking about AI updates. In any case, we won't have to wait long to find out what's up Google's sleeve.

It has only been a few months since Apple's Beats division unveiled the Beats Studio Pro, a long-overdue new set of noise-canceling headphones. While it took several years for Beats to update its over-ear headphones, consumers haven't had to wait nearly as long for a discount on the latest cans. The Beats Studio Pro has dropped from $349 to $250 at Woot. That's a 29 percent discount, and it matches the lowest price we've previously seen.

While Amazon owns Woot, it's worth bearing in mind that the latter has a different returns policy. So, be aware of that if you were considering picking up the Beats Studio Pro just to try them out.

The Beats Studio Pro is a solid option for a set of over-ear wireless headphones. We gave the device a score of 81 in our review. A big improvement to the sound quality from previous models is a major plus point, with a second-gen version of Beats' audio chip powering upgraded active noise cancellation, spatial audio and dynamic head tracking. We felt that the headphones delivered above average voice performance, while the addition of a transparency mode and USB-C wired audio for higher-resolution audio are certainly welcome.

On the downside, some may find the lack of an automatic pausing function irksome, while the headphones perhaps don't offer the most comfortable fit out there. Most egregiously, there's no support for iOS multipoint connectivity, even though this is a device from an Apple brand. That means you can't connect to more than one Apple device at once for seamless switching. Here's hoping Beats enables that at some point.

Overall, the Beats Studio Pro is a solid choice for a set of over-ear headphones, especially at this price. If you're a Beats fan looking to upgrade, now seems like a good time to do so. Alternatively, there are many other great sets of wireless headphones worth considering.

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Robot vacuums can save you a lot of time when it comes to maintaining your home, even more so when they include a mopping function. Several Roomba models that can both vacuum and mop your floors are on sale right now, including the new j5 devices. The iRobot Roomba j5+ Combo is currently available for $649 with free shipping at Wellbots. That's $150 off the regular price. Be sure to use the code ROOMBAENG150 at checkout.

The Roomba j5+ Combo has a few advantages over the standard j5 Combo, which is also on sale (we'll get to that in a second). The higher-end model can pinpoint no-mop zones, so you won't have to worry about the machine spraying a cleaning solution onto a rug or carpet and trying to mop that up. The j5+ is also able to avoid more than 80 common floor obstacles. Under its P.O.O.P. pledge, iRobot promises to replace the cleaning machine if it doesn't avoid solid pet waste.

The Roomba j5 Combo was already a more budget-friendly option and you can now save even more when you use the code ROOMBAENG200. The price will drop by $200 to $399 and Wellbots will still ship the device for free.

One factor to consider with both the j5+ Combo and j5 Combo is that you'll need to manually swap out the bins to switch between vacuum and mopping functions. That's the major tradeoff of plumping for one of these devices instead of a pricier option such as the Roomba j7.

Speaking of which, the Roomba j7+ Combo is also on sale. You can get $200 off of that model as well — it has dropped to $800. Not only can this machine vacuum and mop at the same time, it can automatically empty its contents into the charging station.

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Apple has introduced all kinds of useful features to the iPhone in iOS 17. One, called Check In, can automatically let your friends and family know when you've arrived somewhere safely or if you've been delayed. The feature can also tell you when you're moving in the wrong direction.

If you're delayed, you can add extra time to complete your check in. If you don't do so before the timer runs out, your device will send your friend or family information such as your location, battery percentage and cellular signal (you can decide which details to share.

How to turn on Check In

To set up a Check In, find an existing conversation in the Messages app or start a new one with the person or people you want to keep tabs on your safe arrival. Tap the Plus button, then More > Check In > Edit.

Here, you have two options. The first is called When I Arrive. Punch in your destination and specify how you're getting there. You can add extra time if you need to. If your iPhone isn't moving toward your destination for a certain period of time or it doesn't reach that location as expected, Check In will notify your trusted contact and inform them about your phone's journey. When you do reach your destination on time, Check In will let your friend or family member know you've arrived.

The other Check In option is time-based. If you don't end the Check In before the time limit expires, your iPhone will notify your friend. This could be a useful option if you're on a first date or otherwise hanging out with a new pal.

Apple

Whichever Check In option you go with, tap the blue up arrow (as if you were sending any other type of message) to confirm the Check In and start the timer. If you lose service or your iPhone shuts off before a Check In is complete, the friend or family member you set it up with may receive a notification early or later than expected and access the details you decided to share with them.

To add extra time to a Check In, go to the conversation with the person you shared it with. Find the Check In message, then tap Details > Add Time. You can then choose how much time to add.

How to cancel a Check In

If you'd like to cancel a Check In for any reason, find the Check In message, then tap Details > Cancel Check In. You'll be asked to confirm the request.

How to modify Check In data

Selecting the details you want to share with Check In recipients is a little different. To do so, go to the Messages section of your iPhone's Settings app, then find the Check In Data option. When you arrive at your destination, Check In can share your location, network signal and iPhone and Apple Watch battery level if you select the "When I Arrive" option. The "Full" option will share all of that data, along with the route your iPhone took and details about the last time you unlocked your phone or Apple Watch.