AirPods have a reputation for being unrepairable, but one engineer might have an unofficial workaround. Ken Pillonel (of USB-C iPhone fame) has created an open source repair kit for first- and second-generation AirPods models. If you're comfortable cracking open the case, you can perform repairs (such as installing a fresh battery) and get back to business using a 3D-printed replacement part. Moreover, the kit will drag your AirPods into the modern era — it switches the charging port from Lightning to an EU-friendly USB-C connection.
Pillonel is publishing the necessary 3D printing and PCB (circuit board) files on his GitHub repository. He's not sure about selling ready-made repair kits himself, but he's open to the possibility.
This solution clearly isn't for the faint of heart. You'll need access to printing hardware, not to mention some technical know-how. To Pillonel, however, it's worth the effort. In normal use, the AirPods charging case is destined to become e-waste if it either breaks or loses too much battery life. The DIY kit promises to keep your case useful for years to come, and offers connectivity you won't get by ordering a case from Apple.
TP-Link has introduced two new WiFi 6 routers that use tri-band technology, which translates to more bandwidth for multiple devices and less congestion. The Archer AXE5400, also known as Archer AXE75, is a WiFi 6E router than can deliver speeds of up to 5400 Mbps. It's a standalone router that gives users access to the new 6 GHz band, which increases the number of WiFi devices the router can handle and gives those who own phones and other gadgets that have 6 GHz capability an alternative to the overcrowded 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It doesn't, however, have motorized antennas that can follow devices around like the model the company showed off at CES this year.
TP-Link explains on the device's official page that "[a]ccess to the 6 GHz frequency brings more bandwidth, faster speeds, and lower latency, opening up resources for future innovations like in AR/VR, 8K streaming and more." In addition, the device is protected by the latest WiFi security protocol called WPA3, which is more secure than its predecessors, and has USB 3.0 so it can be connected to an external drive.
Aside from the AX5400, TP-Link has also introduced the Archer AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Tri-Band Router, or Archer AX75. This one does not have access to the 6 GHz band, but it does allow users to distribute demanding devices connected to the network on its two separate 5 GHz bands for better performance.
Both AXE75 and AX75 will set buyers back $200 and are now available on Amazon.
Microsoft is giving select PC gamers free access to four classic games by Bethesda and id Software, which it acquired as part of its $7.5 billion ZeniMax purchase in 2020. And three of them wouldn't have been released if the tech giant isn't acquiring Activision Blizzard, as well. In a post on the Xbox blog, Microsoft has revealed that Xbox Insiders on Windows PC can now preview Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders, HeXen: Beyond Heretic, HeXen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel, The Elder Scrolls: Arena and Quake Champions.
It's not surprising that the offer is only available for PC users part of Microsoft's Insider program — as Ars Technica notes, the first four games in the list were originally released in the mid-90s and run via DOSBox emulation. DOSBox runs software for MS-DOS compatible games, but it's a pretty inelegant solution for making old titles playable.
The Elder Scrolls: Arena is an open-world action RPG published by Bethesda, with a first person perspective and features melee combat and magic. Meanwhile, Heretic, its sequel HeXen: Beyond Heretic and the latter's expansion pack, HeXen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel, are all first-person dark fantasy shooters. They were built using a modified version of the Doom engine, and though they were published by id Software, they were developed by Raven Software. Activision acquired the rights to those games when it purchased Raven in 1997.
Microsoft first announced that it's purchasing Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in January this year and expects the deal to close no later than June 2023 if regulators give it their approval. It's an all-cash deal that values Activision at $95 a share. Microsoft plans to add Activision Blizzard games to the Xbox Game Pass as part of the acquisition, and some of those games may be like the Heretic-HeXen series, which Activision doesn't fully own.
The end is nigh for DSLR cameras. Nikon is reportedly halting the development of new SLR cameras, marking the end of a 63-year run. Canon already confirmed its final flagship DSLR. Sony, which jumped onto the mirrorless train early, moved to selling only mirrorless cameras last year.
Until recently, reflex cameras were regarded as a better option than mirrorless for action photography, so what happened? Mirrorless models improved so dramatically – and so quickly – that they rendered DSLRs moot. Having said that, many pro photographers are holding onto their DSLRs, with the main reason being speed. But in the future, even that might be bested by future mirrorless cameras. Engadget’s Steve Dent explains more.
After you mold some tips to your ears, a custom-made set arrives in 2-4 weeks.
Ultimate Ears, best known for its Bluetooth speakers, is having another attempt at custom-fit buds, only this time the company is making the process more like how you’d order a set of in-ear monitors (IEMs) with the UE Drops.
The main attraction of UE Drops is the custom fit, which is coordinated via the company's FitKit. Once you place your order, Ultimate Ears will ship you a FitKit that the company says includes the "technology and information" to guide you through the process of taking your "earprint."
Atari is marking its 50th anniversary with a Lego collaboration: a piece-by-piece recreation of the Atari 2600, which debuted in 1977. The Lego kit includes a little ‘80s gaming diorama inside the computer case, and is made up of 2,532 pieces. It will be available on August 1st and costs $240/€240. Lego says the movable joystick included even feels like the original.
Apple could soon compensate MacBook owners for their troubles with faulty "butterfly" keyboards. The company has agreed to pay $50 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that it knew about and concealed the unreliable designs of keyboards on MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models released between 2015 and 2019. Apple eventually began reverting to more conventional keyboards starting with the 16-inch MacBook Pro from late 2019. Attorneys said they expected a $395 payout for people that had to replace multiple keyboards, $125 for one full replacement and $50 if you only replaced keycaps.
The campaign that helped pave the way for the "Snyder Cut" version of Justice League was boosted by a large number of bots and fake accounts, according to a report from Rolling Stone. An investigation commissioned by WarnerMedia said that: "At least 13 percent of the accounts that took part in the conversation about the Snyder Cut were deemed fake."
Twitter has scored an early victory in its lawsuit against Elon Musk over his attempted exit from a $44 billion takeover deal. In an initial hearing, Delaware Court of Chancery chancellor Kathaleen McCormick has granted Twitter's request for an expedited, five-day trial beginning in October. The company originally sought a four-day trial in September as part of its effort to make Musk "honor his obligations." Musk's lawyers wanted the court to delay the trial to February 2023.
Google has introduced a small but very useful change to Photos on the web, spotted by 9to5Google. In the info section for each photo, there's a new category called "Backed up" after the current day/date, location, device, EXIF and image size. It shows whether the file has been saved in "Original quality" or "Storage saver," and how much space it's taking up, if any.
This will be especially informative for users on Google's free tiers following its storage policy changes instituted on June 1, 2021 that ended unlimited free storage of photos. They'll let you manage your photos on a more granular basis if you need to free up space, or just check the quality at a glance. That's on top of the current "Manage storage" feature that provides an overview and management of your cloud storage.
Oddly, much like the "Uploaded from" and "Shared by" information, the "Backed up" info isn't available on the Android or iOS apps — only on the web. The feature has started to hit some accounts, but has yet to widely roll out.
Porsche is releasing a comprehensive dealer-installed update to its sporty Taycan EV that provides a substantial range boost, faster charging, updated infotainment features and more, The Drive reported. The changes are available for free to all Taycans ever manufactured (2020-2022 models), as Porsche again shows the benefits of the software upgrade path paved by Tesla.
The biggest change is improved efficiency that adds up to 31 miles of range (50 km) on the WLTP cycle (somewhat less in EPA rating terms), giving a considerable boost to the Taycan's 200 mile EPA rating (on the base 71.0-kWh model). Porsche achieved that feat by de-energizing the front motor in Normal and Eco mode operation, while retaining the driver's regenerative braking settings when drive modes are switched. With the update, the first 2020 year models will run as efficiently as the latest 2022 versions.
Porsche also optimized thermal management to allow the battery to charge longer at its maximum 270-kilowatt rate. That will be especially helpful if you come in with a higher charge level, as the system would previously throttle down the speeds.
The other main change is to the Taycan's display-laden infotainment system. We enjoyed it in our road test and found it easy to use, but others noticed latency in some operations. Porsche has now updated that to improve startup and response times, while making everything more robust. It also revised the heads-up display and added new integrations for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing both to work wirelessly. Drivers can also search the navigation system online for points of interest and filter out stations without fast chargers.
Porsche also announced several extra hardware options for 2023 Taycans, including a panoramic roof and hard-wiring for the company's optional Dashcam system. The one drawback to the update is that it'll basically take a day and that you have to bring the EV to a dealership. However, Porsche said that the update optimizes the Taycan's control units, allow the EVs to accept more over-the-air (OTA) updates in the future. Owners will be contacted when it's available.
When Netflix's cheaper ad-supported tier launches next year, subscribers may find themselves unable to access some of the service's titles available on its regular plan. As Deadline notes, Netflix co-CEO and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos has admitted during the company's most recent earnings call that the upcoming subscription option will not include all of its licensed content at launch. It will be missing shows and movies from both US and international studios and distributors, unless the company can successfully (and quickly) convince them to change the deal they originally agreed to.
Netflix is in talks with studios to amend their deals and be able to make their shows available for streaming alongside ads. Based on a previous Wall Street Journal report, Netflix is renegotiating its deals with Warner Bros. (the studio behind You), Universal (the producer of Russian Doll) and Sony Pictures Television (producer of Cobra Kai). The service will reportedly have to renegotiate the terms for some of the older shows it carries, as well, including Breaking Bad.
Sarandos said during the earnings call:
"Today, the vast majority of what people watch on Netflix, we can include in the ad-supported. There’s some things that don’t and we’re in conversations with the studios on, but if we launched the product today, members in the ad-tier would have a great experience. We will clear some additional content but certainly not all of it but don’t think it’s a material holdback for the business."
In the same call, Netflix also admitted that it lost nearly 1 million subscribers in the second quarter of 2022. It still turned a $1.44 billion net profit and expects to add a net 1 million subscribers in the next quarter, but it's hoping that some of the measures it's taking will help it grow its userbase yet again. The ad-supporter tier it's launching with Microsoft early next year could help Netflix grow in markets where there's strong ad spending.
It looks like our slow gadget summer is about to end, with Samsung ready to launch its next slate of products soon. The company today sent out invites to its next Unpacked event (after sharing a teaser puzzle this morning), which is set for August 10th at 9am ET. The keynote will be streamed online via Samsung's website, and there will be no in-person component. If you are dying to get ahead of other shoppers, you can already sign up to reserve the upcoming products, too.
Like it's done in previous years, Samsung is giving early birds special offers via its Reserve program. This time, you have till August 10th to register. According to Samsung, this is a "no-commitment offer" and you'll only need to provide your name and email address. Those who sign up can get:
$200 credit towards Galaxy phone, watch and buds bundle
$150 credit towards Galaxy phone and watch bundle
$130 credit towards Galaxy phone and buds bundle
$80 credit towards Galaxy watch and buds bundle
$100 credit to use on Samsung.com towards eligible products when you reserve a Galaxy phone, which is doublethe credit of the Galaxy S22!
$50 credit to use on Samsung.com towards eligible products when you reserve a Galaxy watch
$30 credit to use on Samsung.com towards eligible products when you reserve Galaxy buds
The company is widely expected to launch the next generation of its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones, alongside a pair of new smartwatches and a set of wireless earbuds. We don't know much yet about the upcoming products, although reports suggest Samsung might be selling the foldable devices for a lower price than before.
We'll be hosting a livestream of Unpacked, along with a live Q&A session after Samsung wraps. Join us at about 8:40am ET on August 10th on the Engadget YouTube channel, so we can all react together in real time. Chances are, we'll have answers for your questions about the new products, so come through to get all the details!
Netflix warned it might lose more subscribers in the second quarter of this year than it did in the first, and that prediction has come true — though it wasn't as bad as feared. The streaming service said it lost nearly 1 million subscribers (970,000 to be exact) in Q2. That's far more than the 200,000-member decline from Q1, but not as bleak as the 2 million Netflix was prepared to part with.
The company attributed the slightly rosier outcome to "better-than-expected" subscriber growth, particularly in areas like Asia-Pacific. The company still turned a $1.44 billion net profit despite the shrinking customer base and unfavorable foreign exchange values for the US dollar. Unfriendly exchange rates are a particularly difficult problem when nearly 60 percent of revenue comes from outside the country, Netflix said.
The media giant is expecting a turnaround for the third quarter, if a slow one. It's now predicting that it will add a net 1 million subscribers. While that's a far cry from the 4.4 million Netflix added a year earlier, it's a decided improvement over the past six months. The strong start for Stranger Things 4 could help — the nostalgic show is now Netflix's most watched season of English TV to date with over 1.3 billion hours of viewing.
Netflix's recovery plan will sound familiar. The company is still pinning its hopes on a lower-priced ad-supported tier due in early 2023, and expects to launch it in a "handful of markets" where there's already strong ad spending. The service also plans to fight account sharing, and is experimenting with ideas that include charging for additional homes. The finished sharing system could also roll out in 2023.
Lightyear didn't hit the box office heights Disney hoped for, despite it being the first Pixar movie to debut exclusively in theaters in over two years. You won't have to wait too much longer to stream the movie at home, though. It's coming to Disney+ on August 3rd, 47 days after it landed in theaters.
While it's technically a Toy Story spinoff, it has a meta element to it. The action figure in the Toy Story movies is supposedly based on Lightyear, an in-universe film characters like Andy seemingly watched (making this a quasi-prequel). This time around, Buzz is in human form and is voiced by Chris Evans. He's an astronaut who, along with his crew and commander, gets stuck on a strange planet and needs to find a way home. The cast also includes Keke Palmer, Peter Sohn, Taika Waititi, Dale Soules, James Brolin and Uzo Aduba.
