We've known it was coming for quite some time, but now Google has a date for when it will start transitioning Fitbit users to Google logins. On June 6th, the tech giant will introduce the option for Fitbit users to log into their accounts using their Google credentials. When it announced the upcoming change following its $2.1 billion purchase of the wearable maker, the company said that it will enable the option for people to move their Fitbit device to their Google account when the log in support arrives. Users will have the opportunity to tweak their data when making the move and will have the option to manage their information either from the Fitbit app or from their Google settings page. 

While logging into Fitbit with Google is only an option for now, soon users will have no choice. The company plans to require the use of a Google login to sign up for a new Fitbit account and to activate new sports devices and smartwatches sometime this year. And then by 2025, it will end support for Fitbit accounts altogether. Those planning to stick to the Fitbit brand will simply have to be OK with linking their devices to their Google account. 

The tech giant is presenting the integration as an easy way for users to "manage all [their] connected apps and paired devices." But it knows that some people will be concerned about the privacy of their information, so it previously said that it won't be using Fitbit users' health and wellness data for Google Ads.

Apparently, the introduction of Windows Copilot signaled the end of Cortana on Microsoft's desktop OS. In a new support document first spotted by Windows Central, the tech giant has announced that it will stop supporting the standalone Cortana app for Windows in late 2023. Microsoft launched Cortana as a voice assistant for Windows mobile devices back in 2014. It was supposed to be the company's answer to Apple's Siri, and it even predates Amazon's Alexa, but it never quite achieved their level of recognition and popularity. 

Over the year, Microsoft scaled back its plans for the voice assistant until it discontinued its Android and iOS apps back in 2021. The company even removed it from partner manufacturers' devices, such as smart speakers. For Windows, in particular, Microsoft changed its status as a baked-in digital assistant and spun it out into its own app for computers. That's the app we're bidding farewell to by the end of the year. 

In its announcement, Microsoft pointed out that users will still have access to "powerful productivity features in Windows and Edge, which have increased AI capabilities." It specifically mentioned the new Bing that's now powered by OpenAI's GPT-4 technology. Microsoft introduced the Microsoft 365 Copilot tool that can create content within Office apps with text-based prompts in March. 

And then in late May, the company revealed at its Build developer conference that it's making AI a deeply integrated part of Windows 11 by putting a Copilot tool in the platform's sidebar. Users can ask it to perform tasks within the OS, such as changing the computer background, or even editing photos and summarizing documents, without having to launch apps or to search for particular settings. Most likely, very few people will be missing Cortana. Those that do use the assistant can transition to using Copilot, which will be available as a preview version for Windows 11 starting this month. 

Will Apple's rumored mixed reality headset set the company up for failure, or for a future where smart glasses are everywhere? That's the big question running through my mind as we prepare for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference next week. Despite Apple's track record with disrupting nascent technology — most notably, with the iPod and iPhone — there's plenty of reason for skepticism when it comes to mixed reality. Existing mixed reality headsets like the HoloLens 2 and Magic Leap 2 are targeted mainly at corporate customers that can more easily stomach the high prices. VR headsets have arguably plateaued when it comes to the depth of their experiences and their potential market. Just look at the PlayStation VR2, which mostly recycles existing VR games.

And then there's the major problem, the one Apple needs to solve more than anything else: Why would mainstream consumers — not the geeky early adopters or impassioned gamers — want to wear something on their head for extended periods? A mixed reality headset wouldn't be like the iPod or iPhone, which expanded the possibilities of existing products but could easily slip into your pocket. It's not just like the AirPods or the Apple Watch, accessories meant to compliment Apple's existing hardware. A headset, by its very definition, would have to be an all-consuming product, a persistent reminder that you're seeing the world through Apple's eyes.

At its WWDC keynote on Monday, Apple will need to make the case for its mixed reality headset as deftly as Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone and iPod. But this time, it likely won't have a completed product meant for mainstream users. (Admittedly, the iPhone took a few years to transform into something more compelling with the addition of 3G and the App Store.) Instead, we’ll probably see an appeal to developers to help build its mixed reality ecosystem, and for consumers to have faith that it'll eventually be more affordable and truly useful.

Reporting from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman points to Apple's mixed reality headset — potentially called the Reality One or Reality Pro — being a $3,000 device with a focus on gaming, exercise and productivity. It’s said to rely on finger gestures to navigate a floating interface, and there will be a virtual keyboard along with support for physical keyboards. Additionally, Gurman notes that there will be a Digital Crown, similar to the Apple Watch, that can transition the headset from fully immersive VR into mixed reality, which will combine the digital interface with the real world using onboard cameras.

Magic Leap founder (and This Week in XR podcast co-host) Rony Abovitz sees Apple's potential headset as a major boost for the mixed reality industry. "If Apple actually reveals an XR system next week, that act alone will help to validate the belief shared by many XR pioneers that XR is the next important computing platform," he told Engadget over email. "It will take time and a number of generations to perfect, but we should see the market move more quickly after this milestone."

Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

But not everyone is convinced that "mixed reality" (MR) is the way forward. Edward Saatchi, the founder of the VR studio Fable and the original founder of Oculus's Story Studio, tells me he still he's "unconvinced" about the concept of MR: "As a VR and AR creator, there are significant differences between making AR content and making VR content and it’s hard to see how an MR headset which can’t decide between AR and VR will be hugely successful."

"AR and VR present significantly different design challenges and you can’t port an AR app over to a VR app," Saatchi added. He likens it to smartphone gamepad accessories, like the Backbone and Razer Kiyo, that aim to let you play either complex console games or casual phone games. Putting those together just "doesn't quite feel right" to him.

As cloudy as Apple's intentions may seem right now, the mixed reality industry is primed for the sort of disruption the company is known for. After all, Apple didn't make the first MP3 device, or the first smartphone. But it was the first company to create a simple music store supported by the music industry, and the iPhone represented a dramatic leap forward over what the BlackBerry and other smartphone platforms offered in 2007.

"The biggest piece that Apple brings to the table with this [headset] is the Apple installed base, and the ability to leverage all of the other Apple tech with a wealth of already installed hardware," Jack Gold, President and Principal Analyst at J. Gold Associates told Engadget. "Meta doesn’t have that same ability since it’s really only a browser/software play. Apple could easily couple any headset with links (and OS updates) to iPhones and Macs and have a built-in market of millions. So Apple has a head start against anyone in the market with an installed base of users that could be easily upgraded."

Gold notes it also makes sense that Apple is focusing on developers first: "Given the price and the relatively low volumes expected, it’s much better to get [headsets] to creators than consumers, and save the consumers for follow on products with better features (which are also being debugged by the developers), and a lower price."

Even if Apple manages to build one of the most sophisticated mixed reality headsets on the market, it's still unclear what the mainstream pitch for such a device would be. For it to be truly compelling, I'd imagine the company has to go a step further from what we've seen with the Meta Quest (and the upcoming Meta Quest 3). It'll need to go beyond games to deliver experiences you can't get anywhere else.

One possibility came to mind a few weeks ago when Sightful unveiled its augmented reality laptop, Spacetop. It's basically a small computing box which, together with customized Nreal smart glasses, lets you see a 100" AR display. While I didn't get to test it in person, it's easy to imagine something from Apple offering similar functionality when connected to a Mac, iPhone or iPad.

Just imagine toting a MacBook Air to a coffee shop, slipping on a pair of mixed reality glasses, and having a 100-inch virtual window expanding out of the laptop's screen. It'd be a boon for multitaskers, as well as people who need to work on confidential material in public. (No more people peeking over your shoulder on planes!) It’ll likely be years before this is technically feasible, but that may also align with when Apple can make a more affordable headset.

Apple's vision reportedly extends beyond mixed reality to lightweight AR glasses, but it's still unclear how feasible those will be in the future. "Pure AR glasses seem like a totally logical next step, but it was 10 years ago that we all said it would take 10 years to get there, and they still don’t seem 10 years away to me," Saatchi said.

But why stop at glasses? Apple's mixed reality ecosystem could easily translate to more advanced technology that doesn’ require you to wear anything. "I think the biggest issue is still having to wear this 'thing' over your head that takes up space and makes it so I can’t really see that well (imagine trying to walk down the street with one of these things on)," Gold said. "I think in five to ten years, what we’ll see is XR that does not require this massive thing on my head to work. That’s when it gets more meaningful, using heads up displays, even 3D displays on phones, etc."

To paraphrase Dr. Emmet Brown in Back to the Future, where we're going, we won't need screens.

The week after Memorial Day can sometimes be a little sleepy on the deals front, but this week we saw a good number of sales, particularly on audio equipment. The headliner deal, a rare sale at Sonos, takes up to 25 percent off some of the brand's most popular speakers. JBL is discounting a few of its better Bluetooth speakers, Sony's new WH-CH720N headphones are down to $128 and Apple's AirPods Pro have dropped back to $200. Solo Stove carried over its holiday sale to this week, in which you can save up to 45 percent on the brand's mostly smokeless fire pits or get $120 off one of our recommended pizza ovens. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today. 

Sonos speaker sale

I heard from a colleague that they'd just bough a Sonos speaker — before this sale popped up. To avoid the same disappointing fate, you may want to shop now if you've been thinking about a speaker from one of our favorite brands. Currently, many of the more popular speakers are up to 25 percent off in a rare sale. Discounts apply to one of our favorite soundbars, the Sonos Arc, which is $719.20 after a 20 percent discount. It calibrates its sound to your living room (or wherever you set it up) and works well with other Sonos speakers as you expand. The Beam, which is our favorite mid-range soundbar is down to $399.20, which is nearly $100 off the street price. I particularly appreciate the way the Beam makes dialogue much clearer.  

Our favorite portable smart speaker, the Sonos Roam, is also part of the sale, down to $134.25 instead of its usual $179. The new Era 100, which our deputy editor Nathan Ingraham gave high marks to, isn't on sale by itself, but is available bundled with the Move speaker for $99 off. 

Sony WH-CH720N headphones

They've only been around for a few months now, but Sony's WH-CH720N wireless headphones are already 20 percent off at Amazon and Adorama, bringing them to just $128. Our audio expert and editor Billy Steele deemed them "budget-friendly headphones with premium sound" in his review last month. They're a mid-range and more affordable alternative to Sony's $400 WH-1000XM5, but compromises like a mostly plastic build make the headphones look "decidedly cheap." It's also missing some advanced features like automatically pausing when you take them off. Still, Billy was impressed by the overall sound quality, remarking on the clarity of detail and ample bass. They have a long, 35-hour battery life and are also lightweight and comfortable, even after hours of wear. 

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

Solo Stove's Memorial Day sale is still going on, with discounts up to 45 percent on some of the brand's nearly smokeless fire pits. The medium-sized Bonfire 2.0 is still just $250 after a $150 discount. It's 19.5-inches in diameter and comes with an improved ash pan for easier cleanup. Solo Stove is also still offering a free mini fire pit, the table-top-friendly Mesa if you enter the code FREEMESA at checkout (just remember to add the mini pit to your cart first). And while Ooni's Memorial Day sale looks to be over, Solo's answer to the pizza oven boom, the Pi Pizza Oven (and one of our favorites), is on sale for $400 after a $120 discount. 

Humble Metroidvania game bundle

Humble Bundle, the online store that sells bundled games at a discount while giving money to charity, has a notable set of games on offer this week. Nine Metroidvania games, including Hollow Knight, Bloodstained and Rain World, are going for the minimum price of $15. Bought separately, the titles would sell for $164. As with all Humble Bundles, you can pick the price you pay, with a portion of the money going to publishers and charities like the Malala Fund, the ACLU and One Tree Planted. This bundle supports Girls Who Code and has already raised $34,061 as of this writing. 

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is on sale for $145 instead of its usual $180 at both Amazon and from Microsoft. That's close to the lowest price we've seen for the highly customizable controller since its debut in 2019. It works with Xbox Series X or S consoles as well as PCs running Windows 10 or 11 and connects wirelessly via Bluetooth or Microsoft's own Xbox Wireless protocol. If you prefer, you can just plug it in with the included USB-C cable. Many other items are included as well, like a charging dock, four paddles, an extra D-pad, additional thumbsticks and a carrying case. If you don't need all of that (and don't want to have it in black) you can grab the Core version of the Elite Series 2, which is currently on sale for $104 from Microsoft. 

The Xbox Wireless Headset is also on sale for $85 instead of $100, which is an all-time low. Of course, this set didn't make the cut in our guide to the best gaming headsets. Our senior commerce writer, Jeff Dunn, would suggest instead the wired Astro A40 TR, which is on sale for $100 after a 23 percent discount. It's got a more spacious soundstage than many gaming headsets with an emphasized bass that delivers a "a smooth and satisfying thump" without overdoing it. True, they're not wireless, but you can plug them directly into the headphone jack on your new Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.  

Apple AirTags

Losing your keys and wallet is never fun. A Bluetooth tracker can help you stop doing that. Right now Apple's option, the small white AirTags, are on sale for 20 percent off when you buy a four pack from Walmart or Verizon. They're our favorite trackers for iPhone users (and don't work with Android devices) because they tap into the vast FindMy network, enabled by default for every iPhone user out there. That means any nearby phone can anonymously find your lost item and help you zero in on its location. 

In my tests, the AirTags were neither as loud nor as quick with separation alerts as the Chipolo One trackers. Those were the best overall pick in our guide, work with both iPhones and Android phones and are currently just $75 for a four-pack.    

WD_Black 1TB SN850X NVMe Gaming SSD

The latest WD_Black 1TB SN850X NVMe Gaming SSD with a heat sink is currently just $80 at Amazon, which is a 56 percent savings over the usual $180. It offers read/write speeds of up to 7300/6300 MBs and, in addition to PCs, it's also compatible with PS5 consoles. If you need even more storage, check out the 2TB size which is $150 instead of $310. 

If you'd prefer external storage, you can grab the WD_Black 1TB P4 Game Drive SSD for $100 or 44 percent off its $180 list price. The 2TB capacity version is on sale for $160, which is an even steeper 52 percent discount. As they're external, they're compatible with both PS and Xbox consoles and can even store files from your PC or Mac. 

Samsung Pro Plus microSD card

Samsung ran a promotion on its storage devices last week and many of the deals are still live at Amazon. Of particular note is the 128GB Pro Plus microSD card, which is down to $18 after a 31 percent discount and represents a new low price. It's our top pick in our guide to the best microSD cards. This deal bundles a handy USB reader, but if you don't need one, you can get just the card for $15. The 256GB model is $24, which is the lowest price we've seen yet. 

You can also snag deals on the Samsung Evo Select card, which is 55 percent off, or the ultracompact Samsung Fit Plus flash drive which is now just $15 for the 128GB version. The ever-popular portable SSD, the T7 Shield, is 44 percent off in the 1TB size.  

Chromecast with Google TV 

The 4K version of the Chromecast with Google TV is currently $40 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's a 20 percent discount and matches the cheapest price we've seen yet. The streaming dongle can turn any set into a smart TV, giving you a slew of streaming options while offering support for Dolby Vision. If you don't have a screen that can handle 4K video, the HD dongle is even cheaper at just $20 after a 33 percent discount. Our commerce writer Nicole Lee gave the 4K version an 86 in her review and we named it the runner up in our streaming device guide thanks to its great Google Assistant integration and informative Google TV interface. 

JBL Flip 6

A handful of JBL speakers are on sale right now, including JBL's Flip 6, Charge 5 and Xtreme 3 — all of which our homepage editor, Jon Turi, recommends in his guide to the best Bluetooth speakers. The Flip 6 puts out impressive volume considering its 1.2-pound size and still manages to deliver "solid lows [and] crisp highs." True to it's name, you can flip it on its side to save tabletop space and the IP67 waterproof rating mean it can handle a dunk. It's down to $100 after a 23 percent discount at both JBL and Amazon. That's not an all-time low, but falls within $10 of its Black Friday pricing. 

The Charge 5 is at little bigger at just over two pounds and can likewise pump out bigger sound. It delivers the same quality sound as the smaller Flip 6 (and has the same waterproof rating). The larger battery not only goes for 20 hours on a charge, it can even juice up your small devices via the USB port. It's on sale for $150 after a 17 percent discount from both JBL and Amazon. For even bigger sound, we recommend the Xtreme 3. Its 4.3-pound size is large enough to warrant a shoulder strap and can adequately output sound for a backyard get-together. It's $100 off after a 25 percent discount and you can get it from JBL or Best Buy.  

Govee M1 RGBIC LED strip lights

Light strips might not be the most necessary smart home devices, but they can add a decidedly fun vibe to a living room, bedroom or gamer cave. The latest option from Govee, the 16.4-foot M1 RGBIC LED Strip Lights are on sale for $85 at Amazon, after you click to apply the $15 coupon. Our senior commerce editor, Valentina Palladino, recommends them in our guide to smart bulbs because they have an impressively wide color spectrum, don't require a hub and let you customize 15 different segments to get just the right lighting scheme. 

Other Govee lights are also on sale, including the 100-foot RGBIC LED Strip Lights for $48.48 after applying the $10 coupon. These have an older chip in them and aren't quite as bright as the newer model, but at less than a dollar per foot, they're an inexpensive way to get started with smart strip lights. 

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

At this point, we'd recommend anyone looking into AirPods Pro to wait for them to go on sale. This week is one such time, as the second generation of Apple's AirPods Pro have dropped back to $199 both at Target and at Amazon. They are Engadget's recommendation for the best earbuds you can buy for iPhones. Billy gave them an 88 in his review, noting their improved performance and better features over the previous generation. They also deliver one of the most natural-sounding transparency modes of any earbuds out there. 

Eero Pro 6 mesh Wi-Fi 6 router

As part of a larger sale on Amazon's line of Wi-Fi routers, the Eero Pro 6E mesh Wi-Fi router is on sale for $200. That's a 20 percent discount, but $20 more than its lowest price so far. Still, if you've brought home a newer smartphone, tablet or laptop that can access WiFi 6 and want a router that can supply that band, this might be a good time to upgrade. If you've got a large area to cover, you may need a few routers. A three-pack of Eero routers can cover up to 6,000 square feet and are similarly discounted.  

Google Nest WiFi Routers

If you'd rather get a WiFi router from Google, take a look at Amazon's sale on Nest devices. A three-pack of the Nest WiFi Pro 6E routers is 15 percent off, or $340, which is the lowest price in the past four months, though not an all-time low. Set these up throughout your home and you'll get 6,000 square feet of coverage with access to the usual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi bands, plus the newer 6 GHz band. Compatible devices, like newer smartphones, laptops and tablets, can access this band and get lower latency and less network crowding.  

Ring Video Doorbell

The wired version of the Ring Video Doorbell is seeing a steep discount this week at Amazon. Usually $65, it's now just $39 after a 40 percent discount. The camera uses motion detection to tell when someone is at your door, sending out instant notifications. You can see, hear and talk to visitors using your phone or an Echo display. To hear a chime inside your home when someone rings the bell, you'll need an Alexa-enabled speaker or a Ring Chime. The devices offer customizable privacy settings, but it's important to note that Amazon's Ring devices haven't had the best track record on that front. 

iRobot Roomba 694

Last week, Wellbots offered a few discount codes on many of our favorite Roomba robot vacs, and now Amazon and iRobot have matched many of those prices. One of particular note is the iRobot Roomba 694, the winner from our guide to budget versions autonomous cleaners. It's currently 35 percent off, or $179, from both Amazon and iRobot. That matches the all-time low on a vac that offers an easy-to-use companion app and powerful suction. 

Also on sale is the iRobot Roomba j7, which is $400 after a $200 discount at both Amazon and the iRobot store. It's the runner-up mid-range vac in our robovac guide, in which Valentina noted its excellent obstacle avoidance and good cleaning power. The standard j7 doesn't come with a clean base, so you'll need to manually empty what the machine picks up in a run. If you want an auto-empty feature, you can opt for the Roomba j7+, which Amazon and iRobot have for $600 instead of $800. If you also want a vac than can mop, the Roomba Combo j7+ includes an on-board mopping pad that automatically deploys when the bot detects hard floors. It's available from Amazon, Target or directly from iRobot.

Our pick for a premium robo vac is the Roomba s9+ which is $749 instead of $1,000. Pick that one up from either Amazon or iRobot. 

Samsung The Frame Smart TV

A sale on Samsung's The Frame Smart TVs at Woot takes 27 to 33 percent off sets ranging from 43 and 75 inches. That makes the 50-inch model $870 instead of $1,300 and the 43-inch $730 instead of $998. The QLED 4K smart TVs run on Samsung's Tizen OS and feature an Art Mode that camouflages the screen as a fairly convincing piece of art when it's off. The anti-reflection matte display, narrow wall mount and external CPU add to the illusion, particularly if you drop the thin connecting wire behind the drywall during installation. 

Apple Mac Mini

Apple's entry-level Mac mini with 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage is $100 off right now at B&H Photo. The deal matches the all-time low of $499 and makes it the most affordable way to get a decent Mac desktop computer. It won't handle heavy workloads and isn't upgradable, so you'll probably want to make sure it can handle what you want it to do before you checkout. If you want a larger SSD, you can grab the version with 512GB of storage for $679, or $120 off. Amazon offered the same deals last week, but has since run out of stock. We gave the beefed up version of the latest Mac mini a score of 86 when it came out earlier this year.  

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

Alongside today’s Street Fighter VI launch, 8BitDo has announced a new Xbox-licensed arcade stick. The wireless accessory, which has moddable controls and supports swappable arcade buttons, arrives later this month.

The Arcade Stick for Xbox is far from the first arcade-style joystick accessory — and it isn’t even 8BitDo’s first in that category — but if the quality of the company’s previous controllers is any indication, it could be worth a look. For starters, it’s highly customizable: You can remap its buttons (including profile support) with 8BitDo Ultimate Software or swap out the physical buttons, choosing between standard 30mm and 24mm sizes. In addition, the company says the joystick’s mounting plate is compatible with “virtually every arcade stick ever made.”

8BitDo

The wireless accessory connects with a bundled 2.4G dongle adapter or wired via the included (nearly 10 ft.) USB-C cable. The accessory also has a 3.5mm audio jack for plugging in headphones. 8BitDo rates its battery life at 30 hours of playtime without headphones and 20 hours with them. Its estimated charging time is around four hours.

The 8BitDo Arcade Stick is compatible with Xbox Series X / S, Xbox One and Windows 10. It ships in black and white color options and costs $120 — undercutting its highest-profile competitor, the Hori Fighting Stick alpha for Xbox, by $80. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox officially launches on June 30th and will be available for pre-order on Amazon.

There's no better way to make a dumb TV smart than Chromecast with Google TV, thanks to the breadth of streaming options, Dolby Vision support and relative affordability. Now, you can grab one for even less at Amazon thanks to a new sale. The 4K version is available for just $40 (20 percent off), tied for the lowest price we've ever seen. And if HD resolution is fine, the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is just $20, for a savings of 33 percent — also back down to an all-time low.

The Chromecast with Google TV isn't as small as some streaming sticks, but it's still a nice compact (and attractive) solution, and the cable makes it easy to plug into most TVs or projectors. It also comes with a nice remote control that's comfortable in hand offers controls that are pleasant to use. 

The design, along with the solid feature set helped the 4K version earn an 86 score in our Engadget review and top pick in this year's streaming devices buyer's guide. For compatible TVs, it offers support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, along with regular HDR10. It also offers excellent Google Assistant integration that makes voice commands a breeze. And while past Chromecast devices could be laggy, both the 4K and HD versions offer much improved performance. 

The main downside is the lack of Apple TV, but Chromecast with Google TV works just fine with Apple devices. As mentioned, both the 4K and HD devices are down to all-time lows ($40 and $20 respectively), so it's best to act soon if you're interested in buying one.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

Mark Zuckerberg has revealed the Meta Quest 3, the company's long-rumored, next-gen virtual reality headset, just a few days before Apple's WWDC, where it’s expected to debut its own first, mixed reality headset. As with the Quest Pro, the Quest 3 supports mixed reality and offers full-color passthrough. This enables users to see a color version of the physical space around them, and the headset will apparently be able to add augmented reality elements into it.

Zuckerberg says it will offer twice the graphical power of the Quest 2, and it’s 40 percent thinner than its predecessor. Meta has redesigned the controllers, too, nixing the outer tracking rings and adding TruTouch haptic feedback. The headset will start at $500 for 128GB of storage, and it'll be available this fall in all countries the Quest 2 is available. Expect to hear more details at its Connect conference on September 27th.

If you already own a Quest headset, there’s good news too: An upcoming software update will boost the performance of the Quest 2 and Quest Pro. Meta says the CPU of each headset will get a performance increase of up to 26 percent, with a GPU boost of up to 19 percent on Quest 2 and 11 percent on Quest Pro. Dynamic Resolution Scaling will be enabled on both headsets as well, to help stabilize frame rates.

– Mat Smith

The Morning After isn’t just a newsletter – it’s also a daily podcast. Get our daily audio briefings, Monday through Friday, by subscribing right here.

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Apple is reportedly testing high-end Macs powered by its new M2 chips

And they could be unveiled at WWDC.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is testing a couple of high-end Macs powered by its new M2 Max processor and the M2 Ultra chip that the company has yet to announce. Apple debuted the M2 Max on its 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops, as well as its Mac mini, earlier this year. The desktop with the chip will reportedly have eight high-performance cores, four efficiency cores and 30 graphics cores. It will also have a heady 96 GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the unannounced M2 Ultra chip is supposed to be the more powerful of the two, with twice as many processing cores. Specifically, the chip is expected to have 16 high-performance, eight efficiency and 60 graphics cores, though Bloomberg reports the company will offer a more powerful version with 76 graphics cores.

Continue reading.

Fiat's Topolino EV is an Italian twist on the Citroen Ami

Still cute.

Fiat

Fiat already has its own cute EV in the 500 series, but it has now gone even tinier in its latest urban mobility push. The Topolino is essentially a rebadged Citroen Ami, sharing the Ami's drivetrain (both Citroen and Fiat are under the Stellantis umbrella) and looks nigh-on identical, apart from a few tweaks. It has a 5.5kWh battery that delivers a 47-mile range, and it'll hit a top speed of 28MPH. The Topolino is technically a "quadricycle" – not a car – so you can buzz around cities in it without needing a driver's license.

Continue reading.

Motorola's folding Razr+ has a giant external display

And a budget-friendly foldable is coming soon.

Engadget

Motorola returns to the foldables. Headlining the 2023 Razr family is the Razr+ (Razr 40 Ultra in Europe), a flagship-level model whose centerpiece is a comparatively huge 3.6-inch, 1,056 x 1,066 external display running at up to 144Hz. That’s substantially bigger than other flip-phones.

Like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip, the device opens at different angles for hands-free recording and video viewing. A redesigned hinge also makes this the thinnest foldable phone on the market when closed, Motorola claims. The company will sell the Razr+ with 256GB of storage on June 23rd through its website on AT&T, Google Fi, T-Mobile, Optimum Mobile and Spectrum Mobile for $1,000, or $41.67 per month in a two-year plan. That's well below the price of past US models. We’ve had a play with the Razr+ and the rest of Motorola’s foldable family.

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NVIDIA's Neuralangelo is an AI model that can generate 3D objects from 2D videos

It can even create 3D assets from videos taken by smartphones.

NVIDIA has introduced a new AI model called Neuralangelo, which can create 3D replicas of objects from 2D videos, whether they're classic sculptures or run-of-the-mill trucks and buildings. Neuralangelo works by selecting several frames showing the subject from different angles in a 2D video, so it can get a clear picture of its depth, size and shape. It then creates a rough 3D representation of the object before optimizing it to mimic the details of the real thing. NVIDIA said it can even create large-scale vistas from drone footage.

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If you've been debating whether to pick up some Apple AirTags, now might be the time finally to go for it. The AirTag 4-pack currently has a 20 percent discount, dropping from $100 to $80. Not only does this bring the pack close to its all-time-lowest price, but it makes each AirTag only $20 — $8 less than buying one on its own. So, in a sense, it's a buy three get the fourth free sale, with four extra dollars saved for a coffee.

AirTags pair to your iPhone or iPad in one tap with their live location available in the Find My app alongside your friends and other devices. Its small frame — about an inch and a quarter in length and width — is water and dust resistant with an included battery that requires replacing about once a year. You can get detailed instructions to reach your AirTag on newer iPhone models thanks to Ultra Wideband technology or put it in "Lost Mode" to immediately receive notifications if it pings off another person's device.

You can slip your AirTag into your wallet or purse as is or pick up a case to connect it to your keys or pet's collar. Either way, it's one of the better Bluetooth trackers on the market, especially at such a low price.

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Last year, Nintendo put its eShop in "maintenance mode" in Russia, which prevented access to the eShop for customers in the country. Now, the company is making it official: Nintendo is halting all sales in Russia.

Nintendo of Europe announced that as of May 31st, 2023, the company will halt all new eShop sales in Russia. This means that you won’t be able to make any new purchases from the store or redeem digital codes. Nintendo says all credit card information and PayPal details will be deleted for security reasons and that you won’t be able to create new Nintendo Accounts as long as Russia is set as the country.

The good news is users with a Russian eShop account will still be able to download previously-purchased games and DLC "for the foreseeable future." It’s unclear at this time how long Nintendo plans on keeping the eShop available for these users.

"As of May 31, 2023, and for the foreseeable future, Russian customers with an existing Nintendo Account will be able to redownload digital content that they have previously purchased. It will not be possible to make any new purchases or use download codes within [the] Nintendo eShop in Russia."

We’ve reached out to Nintendo for additional comment and will update this story when we’ve heard back.

Both Microsoft and Sony halted all sales from Russia over a year ago as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Game studios such as Epic, Activision Blizzard and EA made similar moves and halted sales in the country at around the same time. Nintendo joining the mix means that no major console makers currently allow its Russian users to purchase new games in the country.

It's no secret that Vimeo has shied away from challenging YouTube in favor of serving as a business-friendly video platform, and now that's affecting its living room apps. The company is ending support for its current TV apps on June 27th, including the versions for Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku devices. They'll no longer be available in app stores, and you won't see any updates. If you want to watch a clip on the big screen, you'll have to stream it from a mobile device using Apple AirPlay or Google Cast. We've asked Vimeo for comment.

The company is fairly clear about its reasoning. The focus on creatives and corporations means those TV apps aren't a priority, and Vimeo shelves products that are "no longer consistent with [its] standards." Vimeo isn't about to maintain apps that don't fit its strategy and will increasingly fall behind, in other words. Casting will provide a "better ongoing experience," the firm claims.

The catch, of course, is that you might still use Vimeo for watching your favorite videos. There won't be an easy way to browse the "Watch Later" queue from the living room. While this won't stop you from watching videos on a TV, this could make marathon viewing sessions more of a hassle. Like it or not, Vimeo is happy to steer you to your computer or phone for any extended streaming.