If you missed out on securing a pre-order for Sony's PlayStation VR2 headset, you're in luck. The PlayStation Direct store no longer requires an invitation to place a PS VR2 pre-order.
You won't necessarily have to wait for months to get your hands on the next-gen PS5 headset either, as The Verge points out. As things stand, Sony expects to deliver the device between its February 22nd launch date and February 28th.
The initial wave of pre-orders required would-be PS VR2 owners to register their interest and hope they got an invitation from Sony. Now, you can reserve one and at least give yourself the option picking up the headset in February, especially given that it's unclear how much stock Sony will have at launch. You could always cancel a pre-order if you change your mind.
You'll have to dig deep into your pocket to actually buy a PS VR2. The headset costs $550 and you'll need a PS5 to actually use the thing. Games from the original PS VR aren't compatible with the latest model either, so you'll need to build a fresh library of games or hope developers offer free PS VR2 upgrades. Polyarc just confirmed that it's bringing Moss and Moss: Book II to PS VR2, while Sony's positioning Guerrilla Games' Horizon Call of the Mountain, a Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West VR spin-off, as the flagship launch title.
Chevrolet has inadvertently offered a peek at its first electrified Corvette. Fans on CorvetteBlogger, Corvette Forum and elsewhere discovered that GM briefly made the 2024 Corvette E-Ray hybrid available through Chevy's online visualizer tool. The design mates the wide body of the C8 Z06 with the regular model's exhaust pipes, and introduces minor cosmetic tweaks like new colors (Cacti green, anyone?) and model-specific wheels. The biggest changes, as you might guess, sit inside.
Images of the engine bay suggest the E-Ray will use the regular C8 Corvette's LT2 V8 engine. As Jalopnikexplains, past reports have suggested this Vette will use an electric motor on the front axle to provide all-wheel drive. It might offer a combined 605HP. The absence of a charging port suggests this is a conventional hybrid rather than a plug-in, although a glimpse of the interior shows a button to control regenerative braking. You'd also see adaptive cruise control in the lineup for the first time.
C8 Corvette E-Ray, a new hybrid version with an expected total of 605 combined hp (490 engine, 115 electric) expected to be released in the next few months.. thoughts? pic.twitter.com/8l4Wnxwgq3
The slip-up hasn't revealed much about options. A ZER Performance Package will add Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, underside strakes and possibly carbon-ceramic brakes. You'll have your choices of aluminum and carbon fiber wheels, at least.
Chevy briefly confirmed the E-Ray's existence to CorvetteBlogger, noting in a statement that "the holidays came early" and asking enthusiasts to stay tuned. There's no mention of pricing, but the visualizer said the hybrid would arrive in summer 2023. The brand previously said to expect the semi-electric Corvette next year, but didn't narrow the timeframe.
This is just the start of Chevy's plans to electrify its iconic sports car. A full Corvette EV is in development, and future hybrids are rumored to include the 800HP ZR1 in 2024 and 1,000HP Zora in 2025. Like it or not, the American status symbol won't be exclusively piston-powered for much longer — not that GM has much choice when numerous states plan to ban gas car sales by 2035.
Fisker has offered a new look at the upcoming Ronin, which it claims will have the longest range of any production electric vehicle. A render of the four-door convertible has popped up on the company's website.
The image shows the Ronin from a front corner view. It has a light strip that wraps around the front. As Autoblog points out, there's no grille, but it appears as though the front bumper has some air intakes. The Ronin has a low profile and large wheels, along with dihedral front doors that are open in the render, but there's no indication as to how the rear doors open just yet.
Henrik Fisker, the founder of the automaker, said earlier this year that the Ronin will have a 660-mile range under the WLTP testing standard used in Europe. The EPA range is likely to be lower, but all going to plan, Ronin drivers should be able to travel quite a distance before needing to recharge the EV.
As things stand, Fisker plans to show off a near-production-ready Ronin concept in August, with production slated to get underway in 2024. Fisker is said to be keeping the starting price under $200,000.
At the other end of the scale, Fisker started taking reservations earlier this year for the five-passenger Pear, which starts at $29,900 before incentives. The company expects to start building that EV in 2024 as well. Last month, Fisker began production of the Ocean SUV. It will ramp up production slowly, but it expects to build approximately 42,400 units next year.
We're in the thick of the holiday season, so we're still seeing good deals on a number of gadgets and tech gear we recommend. Apple's iPad Air, for instance, is down to its second-lowest price to date at $500, while Amazon's Fire HD 8 is down to an all-time low of $55. The Xbox Series S is still $60 off, and a range of Tile Bluetooth trackers and Samsung storage gear are on sale as well. There are plenty more discounts of note beyond that, so here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.
Apple iPad Air
Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Apple's iPad Air is on sale for $500, which is the lowest price we've seen outside of a very brief drop to $479 in August. Typically, the 10.9-inch tablet has retailed closer to $550 in recent months. We gave the iPad Air a review score of 90 earlier this year, and we named it the best iPad for most people in a recent buying guide. It's not cheap, but it represents a noticeable upgrade over the entry-level iPad, providing most of the iPad Pro's best features at a lower price.
If you want a more affordable model, though, the 10.2-inch iPad is down to $280 and still a more complete package than most tablets around that price. The newer 10th-generation iPad is also on sale for $399; that's a decent option with a more conveniently placed webcam, though compared to the Air it lacks second-gen Apple Pencil support, a laminated display and a faster M1 chip.
If you need a spare gamepad for your Xbox or PC, Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S controller is still discounted to $40, extending the deal we saw on Black Friday. While this isn't the lowest price we've ever tracked, it's still roughly $10 lower than its usual street price. Just note that, while comfortable, this controller uses a pair of AA batteries by default, not a rechargeable unit.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopeis one of the higher-profile Nintendo Switch exclusives of the year, a charming and well-reviewed turn-based strategy game starring Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Ubisoft's cutesy Rabbids mascots. The game only released in late October, but Amazon is holding a one-day sale on Friday that brings it all the way down to $32, which is a $28 discount. If stock runs dry there, note that it's also available for $40 at Walmart.
Over on Steam, meanwhile, the seminal puzzle game Portal is down to just $1. And if you're looking for a new tabletop game instead, the classic strategy game Catan is on sale for $25, while the accessible train-themed game Ticket to Ride is available for $24. Neither board game deal is an all-time low, but they both represent the best prices we've seen this year.
Numerous Samsung storage devices are on sale at Amazon, bringing a handful of recommended SSDs and microSD cards down to their lowest prices to date. We recapped this sale earlier this week, but the highlights include the 1TB 980 Pro SSD for $100 and the 128GB Evo Select microSD card for $14.
If you spend $100 on an Apple gift card at Amazon, you can get a $10 store credit to spend on future purchases at no extra cost. This offer applies to both digital and physical gift cards. If you buy the former, use the code APPLEGC at checkout to redeem the offer. If you use the latter, use the code APPLEPGC instead. Best Buy is running a similar promotion, too, if you'd rather shop there. As a reminder, you can use an Apple gift card for App Store credit, subscription services like Apple Music or iCloud, and/or purchases made at a physical Apple store.
Amazon is running a couple of notable bundle deals for its Echo Show smart displays. First, a bundle that includes the 5.5-inch Echo Show 5 and a Blink Mini indoor security camera is on sale for $50, which is about $15 less than what those devices would cost individually. (The display alone is still available for $35.) Second, the 8-inch Echo Show 8 is still discounted to an all-time low of $70, and you can grab a Kids version of the Echo Show 5 alongside it for no extra cost. It's also available with a Blink Mini for $85.
We gave the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5 review scores of 87 and 85, respectively, last year. The former is a better option for most, as it's generally faster and has a superior camera for video calls, though the latter can be useful if you're looking to use the display as a sort of smart alarm clock. Either way, you'll get the most out of an Echo Show if you already own other Amazon gear and use Alexa often.
Amazon's newest Fire HD 8 tablet is back on sale from $55, which matches the all-time low we saw over Black Friday. This is far from a premium device, and you'll have to put up with Amazon promoting its own services all over the OS. Still, it's competent enough at the basics if you merely want a tablet for casual web browsing, e-book reading and video streaming every now and then.
For a step up, consider the Fire HD 10 for $90. That's not an all-time low, but it's still a decent price for a device with a bigger display and smoother performance.
Logitech's G305 Lightspeed is a wireless gaming mouse we've recommended to those on a budget, offering a compact yet comfortable shape, consistent sensor performance and up to 250 hours of battery life through a single AA battery. It's currently on sale for $28.49 at Amazon when you clip an on-page coupon, matching the lowest price we've tracked. Note that the offer only applies to the black model of the mouse, though, not the lilac version pictured above.
If you're willing to pay a bit extra for a lighter and faster gaming mouse, Razer's Viper Ultimate is worth a shout, and it's currently on sale for $60 with an RGB charging dock. This is an ambidextrous mouse with shortcut buttons on either side, though its shape is a bit larger and flatter than the G305. On its own, it normally retails around $70; with the dock, it usually costs closer to $85.
HyperX's Cloud Alpha gaming headset is on sale for $55, which isn't an all-time low but still comes in about $15 lower than its usual street price. Though you can find better sounding headphones for the price, the Cloud Alpha's profile is still decently well-balanced, its included boom mic should yield few complaints and its design is both sturdy and comfortable to wear for hours at a time.
Amazon is running a sale on various Tile Bluetooth trackers. The offers include the Tile Mate for an all-time low of $18 and the diminutive Tile Sticker down within a dollar of its best-ever price at $19.60. The Tile Pro is back at its all-time low of $25, while a dual-pack that includes a Mate and a wallet-friendly Tile Slim is $10 off its usual street price at $40.
To be clear, if you own an iPhone, Apple's AirTags remain a more powerful and precise option for keeping tabs on your wallet, keys or other frequently misplaced items. If you use Android, though, Tile's trackers are generally the best alternative, with the next largest crowd-finding network and a wider range of designs. Just be aware that only the Tile Pro includes a replaceable battery.
Samsung's 32-inch Smart Monitor M8 is down to a new low of $400, beating its average street price over the last few months by roughly $200. The 4K, 60 Hz, VA panel here isn't the most accurate thing you can buy out of the box, but it's solid for this deal price.
The M8's main selling point, though, is that it doubles as a small smart TV (albeit without a tuner). It uses Samsung's Tizen interface, allowing it to stream Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video and similar apps even when it's not hooked up to a computer. It comes with a webcam, remote, microphone and built-in speakers, and it can double as a SmartThings hub for compatible smart home gear. You have to actually use this smart TV functionality for the M8 to be worth it, but if so, it's one of the more versatile monitors on the market.
If you want to use an iPad Air or 11-inch iPad Pro more like a laptop, Apple's Magic Keyboard case provides a relatively comfortable typing experience, a smooth trackpad, good weight distribution and an extra USB-C port for charging your tablet. We gave it a review score of 84 back in 2020. The main downside is that it's wildly expensive, but right now it's a bit more affordable at $210. That's not an all-time low, but it's still about $75 less than its typical street price over the last few months.
If you use a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, meanwhile, the Magic Keyboard for that tablet is on sale for $249 at Walmart, which is within $10 of its all-time low.
We've seen this deal for past few weeks, but Sony's noise-canceling WH-1000XM5 headphones are down to $348, which is a $50 discount and tied for the lowest price we've seen. We gave the XM5 a review score of 95 in May for its comfortable fit, powerful ANC, 30-hour battery life and pleasing (yet customizable) sound. Right now, it's the top pick in our best wireless headphones guide.
The entry-level version of Apple's M2 MacBook Air is back down to $1,049. We've seen this deal a few times in recent months, but it still matches the lowest price we've seen and beats Apple's MSRP by $150. The latest Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops, and we gave it a review score of 96 in July. Note that this configuration has slower storage performance than pricier SKUs, but that shouldn't be a major issue on a day-to-day basis unless you're doing more involved work like editing high-res video and photos. If you need more storage, though, a 512GB model is down to a low of $1,300 at Best Buy.
If you want a more affordable entry into macOS, note that the older MacBook Air that runs on Apple's M1 chip is still on sale for $800, matching its all-time low. This model has a more dated design than the M2-based Air, but it remains a fantastic value when it's discounted to this extent.
Apple's MagSafe Charger is on sale for $30, which is within $3 of the best price we've tracked and roughly $7 off its usual street price. There are certainly cheaper wireless chargers, but this one aligns easily with any recent iPhone and can supply up to a 15 W charge, which is a smidge more than non-MagSafe alternatives. You can still use it to charge AirPods and other Qi-compatible devices, too.
The 65-inch version of LG's C2 OLED TV is available for $1,442 at eBay from authorized reseller BuyDig. That's a new low, but you have to use the code JOLLY15 at checkout to see the discount. Typically, this TV has gone between $1,700 and $1,800 in recent months. The C2 can't get as bright as a competitor like Samsung's S95B OLED TV, so it's best suited in darker or moderately-lit rooms, but it still provides the deep black levels, high contrast and wide viewing angles you'd expect from a high-end OLED display.
If you're buying for a non-4K TV, the Xbox Series S is worth highlighting at its current sale price of $240. We saw a few gift card deals on Black Friday that effectively dropped the compact console lower, but this is still $60 off Microsoft's MSRP. We gave the Series S a review score of 85 at launch: It's a clear step behind the Xbox Series X (and PS5) in terms of power, it lacks a disc drive, and its 512GB of built-in storage isn't much, but it's still capable of playing all the same games as its pricier sibling.
The chief Black Friday deal we saw for Meta's Quest 2 VR headset, which pairs a 128GB model with the popular rhythm game Beat Saber and the classic horror game Resident Evil 4 for $349, is still available at multiple retailers. Normally, the Quest 2 alone retails for $399.
It's worth remembering that Meta jacked up the price of the Quest 2 by $100 earlier this year, but this is the best offer we've seen in the time since, and the headset itself remains the best option for most people interested in VR even after the price hike. We gave the device formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2 a review score of 89 back in 2020.
Google's Nest Thermostat is on sale for $90, which is about $25 off its typical street price and within a few dollars of the lowest price we've seen. This is Google's entry-level smart thermostat — it doesn't have the nicer dial control or remote sensor support of the Nest Learning Thermostat, but for smaller homes, it offers similar energy-saving and HVAC monitoring features at a lower cost. It'll also support the new Matter smart home standard, something Google hasn't committed to with the Learning Thermostat.
This is another deal we've seen for much of the holiday season, but you can still get Fitbit's Charge 5 for $100, which is within a dollar of the wearable's all-time low and about $20 less than its usual street price. The Charge 5 is the top recommendation in our guide to the best fitness trackers, and we gave it a review score of 82 last year due to its reliable activity tracking, built-in GPS and full-color OLED display.
A configuration of Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5i with an Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage is on sale for $300. That's $30 more than the all-time low we saw on Black Friday, but still about $70 off this config's typical street price in recent months. This is the top pick in our guide to the best Chromebooks: The specs here are enough to run Chrome OS smoothly, and in general the notebook's backlit keyboard, port variety, bright 1080p touchscreen and eight-hour battery life impress for the price.
Apple is ending another battle over wireless patents. The iPhone maker and Ericsson have struck a licensing deal that settles all the legal disputes between the two companies, including civil lawsuits and a US International Trade Commission complaint. While the exact terms remain under wraps, the multi-year pact includes cross-licensing for "standard-essential" cellular technology as well as other patent rights.
The tech giants have a long history of fighting over cell tech. Apple sued Ericsson in 2015 to get more favorable terms for LTE patents, but Ericsson responded with a lawsuit of its own claiming that the iPhone and iPad infringed on its patented ideas. The two achieved peace with a seven-year agreement. As that arrangement neared its renewal time, however, the animosity returned. Ericsson sued in October 2021 over Apple's attempts to shrink royalty rates, while Apple countersued in December that year over allegations Ericsson was using unfair pressure tactics for the renewal. Ericsson filed another lawsuit this January over 5G licenses.
We've asked Apple for comment. In announcing the deal, Ericsson's IP chief Christina Petersson said the ceasefire would let the two companies "focus on bringing the best technology" to the world. Ericsson is one of the world's largest wireless patent holders, and said the Apple agreement would help boost its licensing revenue for the fourth quarter to the equivalent of $532 million or more.
The timing may be significant. Apple is reportedly developing 5G iPhone modems to replace Qualcomm's chips, having bought most of Intel's modem business and even launching not-so-subtle recruitment efforts in Qualcomm's backyard. The Ericsson truce may help clear the path for those modems by reducing the chances of legal dust-ups over whatever Apple builds. And time might be in short supply — rumors have circulated that Apple could use its own components as soon as 2023.
My best headphones aren’t always the best headphones for every situation. When I’m settling in to work for a few hours, then yeah, I’ll grab my old Oppo PM-3s or trusty Koss KSC75s to make streaming music more of a pleasure. When I’ve got a long plane or train ride ahead of me, I’ll bring the AirPods Max to block out the world more comfortably. (I own too many headphones, to be clear.) But not every instance calls for something nice – or, in the KSC75’s case, fragile – and I don’t want to run the gear I’ve paid good money for into the ground when I can avoid it.
That’s when I turn to Panasonic's ErgoFit earphones (or, “RP-PCM125 ErgoFit,” to use their proper name.) This is a basic, $15 pair of earphones that’s been around for the better part of a decade but continues to provide an unobtrusive fit, sturdy design and agreeable-enough sound.
Put another way, they’re my preferred set of beater headphones. Even if you don't know that term, you can probably guess what it means. These are the headphones you use when putting on your “good” pair is more trouble than it’s worth. When you need to make a quick run to the store but only have a few minutes left in your podcast, you bring the beaters and finish it up. When you see an amusing video online but you aren’t sure if it’ll be appropriate to blare over your speakers, you use the beaters to be safe. If, like me, you need to listen to something in bed before drifting to sleep, the beaters are the headphones that won’t get in the way but will survive your tossing and turning if you pass out with them still on. And if they don’t, who cares? They’re just your beaters.
There are a million different headphones that could make for good beaters, but when most people talk about them, they think of in-ear headphones that are cheap and durable. You can toss them in a bag or (larger) pocket and know they’re likely to survive. You never have to be delicate or deliberate with them the way you would with a good set of over-ears. You don’t want to accidentally step on them or leave them on the train, but it won’t ruin your day if you do, because buying a new pair won't bite a hole in your paycheck. They don’t sound as nice as your good headphones, but when you can’t sit and listen for a long stretch or truly savor a recording’s details, they’re there, and they work.
Jeff Dunn/Engadget
The ErgoFit earphones fit this description more or less exactly. Everyone takes to in-ear headphones differently, but the ErgoFit’s earpieces are small and noticeably lightweight, with soft silicone ear tips that, for me, don’t grate over time. Panasonic includes three different sizes of tips in the box, and with the right fit they seal a decent if not amazing amount of noise. (Voices are still likely to get through if they’re loud enough, though.) They come in a variety of colors, if that matters to you. And while there’s a bit of cable noise when they rustle against your chest — which can be irritating — I’ve never had to worry about them coming loose, either.
Unlike many earphones in this price range, there’s also an in-line remote and mic for pausing tracks and taking calls. The quality of that mic isn’t anything better than “usable,” but that it’s even there is a plus at this price. (If you don’t need a mic, Panasonic sells a variant without one for $10.)
These are simple wired earphones made at a time when 3.5mm jacks were still common, so you need a dongle to use them with most phones and tablets today. That is annoying, but for “beater” purposes, I’ll take the trade-off of not worrying about battery life (and degradation) or having to take a beat to ensure everything's paired first. When my AirPods died on an eight-hour flight to Europe earlier this year, the ErgoFit slotted right in as backup.
Most importantly, they’ve lasted. I’ve carried these earphones on my person constantly over the past four-ish years and straight up fallen asleep on them more times than I can count, but in that span I’ve only had to outright replace them once due to a frayed wire. The plastic-heavy design looks and feels cheap, but it’s been enough to survive.
These things are still old and $15, so I can’t say they sound fantastic. You won’t hear the sort of detail or treble sparkle that you can get from better-sounding earphones in the $30 to $50 range, and the sound profile might be a bit too boosted in the mid- and upper-bass range for some. This isn’t a Koss KSC75 deal where the ErgoFit outperforms earphones five times their price.
Still, what's here isn't bad. The low-end is emphasized but not overly boomy, and higher-frequency sounds aren’t piercing. The profile misses finer details, but it's usually smooth. With less intricate hip-hop and rock tracks, it’s fine. For $15 beater earphones, it’s good.
Really, any cheap set of headphones you like could work as good set of beaters. The general sound quality of inexpensive earphones has risen over the years, with sub-$40 pairs like the Moondrop Chu and BLON BL-03 earning praise from reviewers as of late. But if you occasionally find yourself not wanting to put your good headphones at risk, the ErgoFit earphones have given me peace of mind as a competent, comfortable, and hard-to-kill backup plan. They're anything but modern, but their utility is timeless.
When we tried the original Evercade handheld, it was a fun-but-curious concept. Old games on a new handheld with cartridges? Nostalgia squared, basically. Whether you thought it was a good idea or not, there are now almost 40 collections available totalling hundreds of games. There’s also the VS home-console for playing against friends on the big screen. Now, there’s the Evercade EXP ($130/£150), a revamped handheld that improves on the original in some key ways. Evercade’s wacky idea, then, seems to be working.
In a curious turn of events, and potential further proof of its popularity, it seems a literal truck-load of EXP consoles have been stolen. Blaze, the company behind Evercade, has stated that it's working to restart production to replace the missing handhelds, so if you preordered one, you might want to check the company website for more information.
The EXP brings with it an improved, 800×480 display - more than double the resolution of the original (480x272). Games look much sharper this time around, though it’s still 4.3-inches diagonally which feels a little undersized for really any type of handheld device in 2022. Though there literally is more actual power with a new 1.5Ghz processor and a larger battery that’s good for about five hours of play.
James Trew / Engadget
The new all-white design gives the EXP a bit more of a grown up vibe than the original which looked a little toyish. The D-pad is particularly eye-catching, as it’s a large disc and almost looks like it protrudes from the casing a little too much. In use it’s fine, but something a little smaller and lower profile might add to the quality feel. The buttons, for example, are nice and clicky and are just the right height. It’s a slightly mixed combo but functional though moves in fighting games can be a little tricky to pull off sometimes.
One of the main perks with the EXP are the built-in games from Capcom. The console also comes with the Irem Arcade 1 collection which features six games (including R-Type) but the real fun is among those Capcom classics such as Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting, Mega Man, Ghouls and Ghosts and Breath of Fire (among others). These are some solid titles that mean there are 24 games available to play right out of the box.
If that’s not enough for day one, there’s also a way to expand this number even further to 29 thanks to a large banner on the home screen titled “HIDDEN GAMES” (it’s in all caps yep). This is a carry over from the VS that introduced a “Secret” menu option – which, despite the name, is not hidden, it’s right there in the main menu and it’s literally called “Secret.” Here, you can enter some codes and unlock even more games. No spoilers here, but a bit of googling around might turn up some clues.
Unfortunately, even though you can connect the EXP to a TV over HDMI and there’s a USB-C port on the bottom, you can’t connect a controller – not even a VS controller – to enjoy two player mode on the built-in games. This is a real shame with Street Fighter II sitting right there, begging to be played as nature intended. Blaze told Engadget that it’s something being explored but there’s nothing immediate to share. Games on the VS console can all be played in 2-player mode, but the license with Capcom only really allowed the company to include the games on the EXP itself, not as cartridges.
James Trew / Engadget
The final main update on the EXP over the original is the inclusion of “Tate” mode. Many of those early arcade games were played in portrait, rather than landscape mode and the EXP has a pair of extra buttons beside the D-pad so you can flip the console 90-degrees and play these titles vertically just like back when quarters were required. Some of the included Capcom titles, such as 1942 and Commando, use this mode, as do many on the bundled Irem Arcade cartridge. It’s nice to see these games with the option to play them in the right orientation and will be of particular appeal to fans of vertical scrolling shooters (of which there are plenty on the Evercade platform).
Finally, the EXP sports a newer user interface than the original. In fact, it’s borrowed almost directly from the VS console. The original handheld was updated to bring a similar-looking interface, but it’s a little lacking compared to that on the VS and EXP. It’s simple and easy to navigate but also has some useful added data in each game’s menu where you can see the how often and for how long you’ve played a game among other information. You can also set a “coin” limit here for truly re-creating that ‘90s arcade experience where you only had seven quarters and had to use them wisely.
James Trew / Engadget
Most of all, the EXP maintains the same authenticity and nods to the retro era that made the original and the VS more fun. Things like secret games and things to unlock were a mainstay of that era, so combined with the nostalgia of cartridges it all goes a long way to making the Evercade platform something beyond just another way to play old titles. There’s even a “game of the month” program that offers the chance to play forthcoming releases for a limited time free of charge.
It’s not all about vintage games, though. Evercade already has an indie collection of modern retro games, including the very recommendable Game Boy game Deadeus. There’s a second collection on the way, too. Old classics are one thing, but there are many ways to play them. Evercade provides a nice, legal option and one that compensates the rights owners appropriately, but it’s also well positioned to become a destination for modern retro and lighter indie titles.
There are a lot of options for retro games, whether that’s other handhelds, things like Nintendo’s virtual console/Switch online or the semi-recent trend of “mini” consoles. Evercade’s approach is unique but obviously requires a bit of a collector’s itch or a penchant for the lesser-known gems for it to really make sense. One thing’s for sure, there’s already a community gathering around the platform and for them and the like, the EXP elevates the handheld experience nicely.
This week, many of us saw our social media feeds taken over by colorful, surreal pictures of people we follow, except they don’t quite look like themselves. The images were generated by Lensa AI, and it’s the latest in what feels like a now-annual trend to use a new app to create mockups of your face in various scenarios. Alongside Lensa, some folks also saw blocks of text from another AI generator, ChatGPT. So on this episode of the podcast, Devindra and Cherlynn chat the appeal, implications and possible future of these types of AI, before being joined by Engadget editor-at-large James Trew for a check in on the state of action cameras.
Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcasts, the Morning After and Engadget News!
What’s the state of the GoPro-style action camera in 2022? – 23:47
iPhone users can now share digital car keys with Pixel owners – 43:02
iOS 16.2 includes time limits on AirDrop receiving – 47:44
Carl Pei said Nothing wants to come to the US – 53:40
Working on – 1:08:02
Picks – 1:10:51
Livestream
Credits Hosts: Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien Livestream producers: Julio Barrientos Graphic artists: Luke Brooks and Brian Oh
You can now play Square Enix's action RPG Forspoken after several launch delays — as a demo, that is. The developer and publisher has released a demo for the PS5 game on the PlayStation Store at this years Game Awards, where it also announced that Final Fantasy XVI will be available for Sony's current-gen console on June 22nd, 2023.
Forspoken was originally supposed to be released in May, but it got pushed back to October 11th and then again to January 24th next year. It looks like Square Enix truly is gearing up for the game's release this time, now that we're just a bit over a month before its latest launch schedule. The game puts you in control of Frey Holland, a woman from New York City who's transported to another world called "Athia," where she gains magical abilities. There, she must find her way home while battling monsters and the Tantas, who were once "benevolent matriarchs [that] now rule the lands as evil and maddened sorceresses."
Square Enix says the demo will give you a "deeper look at the devastating effects of the Break," which is the powerful force responsible for corrupting everything it touches, the Tantas included. Forspoken will also be available on PC via Steam, Epic Games and the Microsoft Store, but the demo only seems to be available for the PS5. If you don't have access to the console, you can also watch the game's new trailer below:
You'd think that after launching a ton of products in 2022, DJI would be finished for the year. However, that isn't quite the case, as it just announced the DJI Mini 3 drone aimed at the consumer market. It's a stripped down version of the Mini 3 Pro, with no forward or rear obstacle detection, no ActiveTrack and video that's limited to 4K 30p. Those compromises are reflected in the price, meaning you'll pay $469 for just the drone compared to $669 for the Mini 3 Pro.
The company believes the Mini 3 Pro is ideal for first time users, in scenarios like "suburban outings, holiday travel, and urban shooting/exploration with family and friends." In that sense, it's more a spiritual successor to the DJI Mini 2 than a Mini 3 Pro-lite. That said, it's nearly identical to the Mini 3 Pro, apart from the front sensors being removed and replaced with grills and smooth plastic where the rear sensors would be located on the Pro.
The Mini 3 weighs less than 249 grams so it doesn't require a special permit to fly in many countries. It has the same Type 1/1.3 (9.6 x 7.2 mm) f/1.7 sensor as the Mini 3 Pro, so you can film in 4K HDR and take 12-megapixel photos. However, video is limited to 4K 30p, rather than 4K 60p on the more expensive model. It also offers "true vertical" video and photo shooting, with the camera flips 90 degrees to allow for high quality social media content.
DJI has ensured 2.7K and full HD captures max out at 60fps, so there's no 120fps as found on the Mini 3 Pro. You can shoot HDR at up to 30fps, and it has dual native ISO for decent low-light performance in a relatively small sensor.
The Intelligent Flight Batteries provide long flight times, delivering up to 38 minutes with the standard and 51 minutes with the extended batteries (the latter are available in North America but not in Europe and other regions). Those times are under ideal conditions; you'll more likely see around 30-32 minutes. Still, that's excellent for this category and provides a cushion for beginners who may let the drone fly a bit too far away. Despite the small size it has "robust power," DJI says, which helps it handle reasonably stiff winds as well.
As with the Mini 3 Pro, you can get the Mini 3 with DJI's RC controller for an extra $230. That option is well worth it, because it's far more convenient than using a smartphone with the regular RC-N1 controller. It has a similar layout to DJI's other controllers, with the addition of photo and video triggers that automatically switch between those respective modes. The RC controller joysticks can be stowed underneath the controller chassis for travel and while the screen struggles a bit in bright sunlight, it is otherwise sharp and clear.
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The Mini 3 has a key feature for social media users, namely DJI's QuickShots. That lets you take short and cute videos without the need to pilot, as the drone does all the work. Some of those include "Dronie" (starting tight on the subject and flying up and away to reveal the background) and "Circle," where the camera moves around the subject.
However, it lacks many of the AI features found on the Mini 3 Pro like ActiveTrack (following a subject), Timelapse and Mastershots. The fact that it can track a subject with QuickShots suggests that its capable of ActiveTrack, but that the functionality may simply be disabled.
It has other intelligent functions to help beginners. Those include Auto Takeoff, Return to Home (RTH) including Smart RTH, Low Battery RTH and Failsafe RTH, instructing the aircraft to return to its starting point if the battery is low or signal drops.
That brings us to one big issue with this drone. It does feature a downward vision system and infrared sensing for stable hovering, which is a big help for novice users. However, it lacks forward and rear obstacle detection sensors. That means a user can fly it directly into a tree or building more easily, and as it doesn't have DJI Avata-like propeller protection, you could end up with a broken drone. Even if you're careful, using the RTH function could be risky as the drone could automatically fly itself into an object when trying to navigate home. You'll also want to make sure the area is clear when doing a Dronie or other Quickshots maneuver.
I received the Mini 3 from DJI, but it was a bit too late to do a video (we'll release a full review soon). However, my drone pilot friend and I had a day to test it, and we found it just as stable and easy to fly as the Mini 3 Pro. The footage quality looks sharp and clear with accurate colors, and I didn't really miss the 4K 60p, as I don't often use that mode anyway.
We were acutely aware of the lack of obstacle sensors, though. We didn't dare wander too far away from base, as a loss of signal could be disastrous — particularly in Europe where laws restrict the transmission distance significantly compared to the US. The lack of sensors also limit what you can shoot, as it would be foolhardy to get it too close to obstacles or fly in tight spaces.
Steve Dent/Engadget
Lastly, I'm wondering about the Mini 3's pricing. If you don't already have a DJI drone, you'll need to pay $559 with the RC-N1 controller, compared to $759 for the Mini 3 Pro. The Fly More Combo (two extra batteries, RC-N1 controller, three-battery charger) costs $718, compared to $948 for the Mini 3 Pro. The Fly More Combo with the RC controller is $858, while the same kit for the Pro model is $1,098.
If you're just having fun or starting out and only need a battery, drone and controller, $559 might be a bit steep for many folks. For just a minor stepdown in capability, the Mini 2 is just $449 in the same configuration, for instance. And, if you want a more serious kit with more batteries and possibly the RC controller, it would make sense to cough up $240 more to get the Pro.
That said, the Mini 3 Pro is perpetually out of stock, so this one will probably sell like hotcakes regardless of my misgivings. So far it looks like an easy-to-fly drone that takes better video than anything else in this price range — just keep it it well away from obstacles.
