Sony's finally ready to show off more of what it's working on for PS5 for this holiday season and beyond. The company will hold a PlayStation Showcase on September 9th.
The presentation, which will run for 40 minutes or so, will feature games from PlayStation Studios as well as other developers. After the main stream, there will be more info from some of the studios that are part of the showcase.
Get a sneak peek at the future of PS5, with updates from PlayStation Studios and industry-leading devs. Hope to see you there!
One thing you shouldn't expect during the event is any news about the next PS VR headset, which won't arrive until next year at the earliest. However, that leaves a lot of cards on the table. Perhaps we'll get a proper look at the God of War sequel, learn more details about the PS5 (and Xbox Series X/S) version of Grand Theft Auto V and maybe even hear about whatever's next for Naughty Dog. Sony might also reveal when the PS5 software update it's beta testing (which unlocks the SSD expansion slot and has some user interface changes) will roll out to everyone.
In any case, we won't have to wait too long to find out. The showcase starts at 4PM ET next Thursday. You can watch it on the PlayStation Twitch and YouTube channels, and Engadget will have coverage of all the biggest news that spills out of the stream.
Internet providers may be fond of zero-rating services (that is, their traffic doesn't count toward data caps), but they might want to think twice about that practice in Europe. As Fortunereports, the EU's Court of Justice has ruled that zero-rating (aka "zero tariff") options violate net neutrality and are "incompatible with EU law." These perks don't honor EU regulations demanding that providers treat traffic equally, the court said.
The decision came after two German courts asked the Court of Justice about the legality of zero-rated options from carriers Telekom Deutschland (with a large stake in T-Mobile in the US) and Vodafone. The former offers a "Stream On" option that doesn't count music or video streaming from partner services toward your cap. Vodafone, meanwhile, offers passes (such as "Video Pass" and "Music Pass") that waives data use for partners in different app categories, but only in Germany on your phone — travel or use hotspot tethering and that benefit disappears.
Critics have attacked zero-rating as an attempt to stifle competition or arbitrarily boost revenue through partner deals and pricier service bundles. Providers can use these exclusions to promote their own media services at the expense of rivals, for example, or force competing services to sign special agreements to avoid being hobbled. You might also be asked to pay more — a carrier could ask you to subscribe to a pass just so you can watch TV shows without worrying about overage fees or throttling.
While the ruling touches on German ISPs, it sets a precedent that effectively bars zero-rating services across the EU. Local courts would only have to refer to the EU case. The question, of course, is whether non-EU countries will look to this as an example. The US has a pseudo-ban on zero-rating thanks to a California law, but the federal government hasn't yet followed suit after the Pai-era FCC shut down investigations.
NVIDIA has rolled out a major update for its Broadcast app that finally makes it compatible with professional cameras. The chipmaker launched the application for PCs equipped with RTX GPUs in 2020 to give people a way to make their livestreams look and feel more professional even if they're streaming from home. Up until now, though, it's only been focused on webcams. Now even streamers who use more specialized or expensive equipment will be able to take advantage of its AI-driven features.
Version 1.3 of the Broadcast app supports Canon's EOS Webcam Utility, Nikon's Webcam Utility and Sony's Webcam Utility, all of which are software tools that bring webcam-like function to the brands' cameras. Perhaps more importantly, the update also gives the app support for OBS Virtual Camera, making it possible to use Broadcast with any video device.
In addition to expanding the app's hardware compatibility, version 1.3 also comes with an upgraded noise removal AI. The feature sometimes removes the host's voice when they're speaking loudly or at a higher pitch than usual, which isn't strange for streams where emotions can run high, such as in gaming streams. To address that, NVIDIA developed dedicated training sound profiles allowing the app to remove background noise without inadvertently muting the streamer.
The new app reduces VRAM usage by over 40 percent compared to its predecessor, as well, which could translate to an increase in FPS while gaming. NVIDIA added the ability to stack effects in version 1.2, but running several AI features for the mic, speakers and camera can eat up a lot of memory. This solves any issue streamers may have with their computers slowing down. To access Broadcast's new features and UI upgrades and to use it with professional cameras, users will have to download and install version 1.3 from the company's website.
Apple's Mac Mini M1 is a good option for those eager to replace an aging desktop but also want to conserve space. We've seen the machine go on sale a number of times this year, and now it's back down to a record low of $600. Amazon has the Mac Mini M1 for $659 right now, but an automatically applied coupon for $59.01 will bring the final price down to just about $600.
We haven't tested the Mac Mini fully, but we have tested Apple's M1 laptops and we've been mostly impressed. Designs haven't changed much across the board with Apple's latest computers, so the M1 chipset really is the star of the show. Using an eight-core CPU and an eight-core GPU, it makes everything run more smoothly and quickly, and there's an additional 16-core Neural Engine that handles machine learning tasks. The base Mac Mini M1 includes 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, which should be just fine for most people, but keep in mind that neither RAM or storage are upgradeable.
All of the new stuff is inside the desktop, so the Mac Mini M1 will look very familiar to those that have used the machine before. It's a small box that will fit neatly in most desk setups, and it includes two Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A connectors, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Even at its normal price, the Mac Mini M1 is the cheapest device you can get with Apple's latest chipset, making it a cost-efficient option if you're itching to get a new desktop. However, there are rumors that Apple could debut a redesigned Mac Mini soon. However, there's no guarantee we'll hear about that if and when Apple announces the latest iPhones later this month.
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When it comes trade show time, JBL typically debuts an entire truckload of newproducts. Although IFA isn't happening in Berlin this year due to COVID-19, the company is still ready to show off all of the new audio gear that will arrive this fall. That list includes four new models of true wireless earbuds, two new portable speakers, a set of noise-cancelling headphones for kids and a wireless gaming headset.
All of the true wireless earbuds
JBL Endurance Race
JBL
Sitting atop JBL's latest true wireless earbuds list is the Reflect Flow Pro. This sporty model is rated IP68 waterproof with the company's Powerfin fit wings to help keep them in place during a run or workout. Active noise cancellation (ANC) can help you block out unwanted distractions while a Smart Ambient feature allows you to be aware of your surroundings with audio transparency.
JBL promises "perfect voice clarity" on calls with the Reflect Flow Pro thanks to six microphones: two beamforming with a third for wind suppression on each side. Companies make lofty claims about voice performance all the time, so it will be interesting to see how close JBL actually gets to perfection. The Reflect Flow Pro will last up to eight hours on a charge with ANC on, with an additional two charges in the wireless charging case. You can also expect hands-free access to Google Assistant, customizable touch controls and compatibility with JBL's Headphones app. The Reflect Flow Pro will go on sale November 14th for $179.95 (€179).
For more affordable options, JBL is debuting follow-ups to the Tune 125 TWS and Tune 225 TWS earbuds. The new Tune 130NC and Tune 230NC have nearly identical spec sheets that include features like Pure Bass Sound, ANC, eight-hour battery life (ANC on), IPX4 water resistance, touch controls and a four-microphone array for calls. The differences are mostly in the designs: the Tune 230NC has an AirPods like stickbud look while the Tune 130NC is a more compact round shape. The latter also has larger 10mm drivers compared to the former's 5.8mm components. Both versions will arrive on October 17th and they're both $99.95 (€99).
Last but not least, JBL's fourth new true wireless model will only be available in the US. The Endurance Race joins the company's lineup of sport-themed Endurance products that include the Run, Sprint, Jump, Dive and Peak audio options. Like previous installments, the Endurance Race is IP67 waterproof, designed to mix durability with comfort to withstand workouts and weather. JBL's Pure Bass Sound is here as well, on top of 10-hour battery life, touch controls and ambient sound. There's no active noise cancellation or wireless charging here, but the price is affordable at $79.95. The Endurance Race is set to go on sale October 17th.
JBL JR 460NC headphones
JBL
Let's face it: most wireless headphones aren't designed to be used by kids. They're not nearly durable enough to withstand the constant drops and tosses into backpacks, plus you have to worry if your little ones are listening too loud. JBL says its new JR 460NC should address both of those concerns. The company's Safe Sound feature keeps volume under 85dB and the headphones are made with "child-friendly, safe materials." ANC will help block out distractions for homework or travel, controls should be easy for kids to master and 20 hours of battery life ensures lots of use between charges. The JR 460NC is scheduled to arrive in the US this month for $79.95.
JBL Flip 6 and Partybox 710 portable speakers
JBL Flip 6
JBL
For your portable speaker needs, JBL has two very different new options. First, the Flip 6 is a compact Bluetooth model designed for the outdoors with an IP67 dust and waterproof rating and 12 hours of battery life. The company says its dual passive radiator speaker configuration offers "deep bass" and "stunning detail," thanks in part to a "racetrack-shaped" woofer and separate tweeter. The Flip 6 can also be used in PartyBoost mode where you can connect it to other compatible JBL speakers for more volume. This model will arrive in the US in December for $129.95 after debuting in Europe in November for €139. Grey, teal, blue, black and "squad" color options will be available at launch.
The JBL PartyBox 710 is, as the name suggests, a single speaker large enough to power a whole dang party. This model joins the company's other options that are built for more than just casual listening. With 800 watts of power and an on-board light show, this quickly becomes an all-in-one entertainment machine. That's especially true when you factor in the guitar and microphone inputs. There's also Bluetooth and USB connectivity for music and one-touch stereo pairing with another PartyBox 710. The JBL PartyBox app allows you to control everything from tunes to the light show and more. Lastly, the massive speaker is IPX4 splashproof to evade accidental spill damage and its built-in handle and wheels help with transport. The 710 will debut in Europe in October for €749 before arriving in the US in November for $799.95.
JBL Quantum 350 wireless gaming headset
JBL
If you're looking for a new wireless gaming headset, the JBL Quantum 350 checks a number of boxes. The headphones support "gaming-grade" lossless 2.4G wireless connectivity with a USB dongle, according to the company. JBL says 40mm drivers inside are powered by its QuantumSound Signature and QuantumSurround handles the immersive audio. The company's QuantumEngine PC software will enable you to customize the EQ, sidetone, mic settings and more. JBL promises comfort with a lightweight design and memory foam ear pads with up to 22 hours of battery life to keep you going well into the night. The company says the Quantum 350 is Discord certified and also compatible with both Skype and TeamSpeak. Most importantly, the headset goes on sale later this month for $99.95 (€119).
Locast, a company that claimed to improve access to local TV stations for people who can’t get the signal via traditional means, has been dealt a blow by a New York Court. It lost a courtroom battle with CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox, which said the company was violating copyright. Deadline reports the group’s request for summary judgment was granted, and it couldn’t use its non-profit status as a defense against further action.
The nonprofit streaming service is funded in part by AT&T Inc and Dish Network Corp, and the lawsuit said the service helped AT&T and Dish avoid paying to carry broadcast content.
It all echoes 2014 when broadcasters accused Aereo of copyright infringement. Aereo rented physical antennas that offered local channels and a cloud DVR service that streamed to smartphones, tablets and PCs. Broadcasters and the federal government claimed it was a violation of copyright law, as it technically rebroadcast content from the airwaves. Aereo was forced to pay broadcasters $950,000.
Oh, and it’s worth noting, as the lawsuit continues, that Locast’s founder, David Goodfriend, conceived the service after Aereo was forced to close.
Yesterday, SpaceX told the FCC that Amazon is purposefully trying to delay proposals for its Starlink satellite internet service because Amazon still can't compete with its own satellite solution, Kuiper Systems. A similar complaint led NASA to put SpaceX's lunar lander contract on hold. SpaceX says Amazon is neglecting “to resolve the Commission’s concerns about [its] own non-geostationary orbit (“NGSO”) satellite system."
Amazon last week urged the FCC to reject SpaceX's proposal for Starlink, claiming it broke the agency's rules by offering two separate configurations for its satellite internet.
According to a report from Nikkei Asia, the company is developing processors for Chrome OS-powered laptops and tablets in-house. The tech giant has hired chip engineers from around the world, including talent from its suppliers like Intel and Qualcomm. It also recently announced its own mobile chip, Tensor, would debut on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
Samsung has introduced multiple new sizes for some of its premium sets. The Neo QLED 4K QN90A series is now available in a huge 98-inch version (85 inches was the previous peak) alongside relatively tiny 43- and 50-inch models. In short, more options at both ends of the TV size spectrum.
Traveling with little ones can be stressful because they rely so much on their established routines; anything that deviates from that is going to be hard for them and you. But there are a few tricks and gadgets to help. Amber Bouman walks us through some ideas for kids and parents.
After a rocky start, No Man’s Sky is rolling into its fifth anniversary with its 17th major update. The space exploration game’s Frontiers update adds alien settlements you can take charge of and rule however you like. You'll be able to see the population's overall happiness level, earn income from the town and gain insight into the intentions and thoughts of residents.
Samsung has just thrown down a gauntlet and insisted that its newest imaging sensor may be the thing that knocks Sony off its perch. The Korean giant has today announced the ISOCELL HP1, which it says is the first 200-megapixel image sensor (with 0.64μm pixels) for mobile devices. It added that the silicon is already small enough to fit in mobile hardware and that the promise of all of those extra pixels is to retain fidelity when pictures are cropped or resized.
Of course, these eye-catching figures don’t really mean a huge amount given that the HP1 will use pixel-binning just like every other overpowered image sensor. But arguably, the biggest innovation here is ChameleonCell, which can adjust the extent of the binning depending on the environment. For instance, in very low light, the camera bins down (by 16) to a 12.5-megapixel sensor, but promises images that are far brighter and clearer compared to its rivals.
Samsung
When shooting video in clear light, meanwhile, the system will divide by four, offering a 50-megapixel lens capable of shooting 8K videos at 30 frames per second. All of this averaging, Samsung says, will produce pictures and video that hold “an astonishing amount of detail that helps the image stay sharp even when cropped or resized.”
Samples of the new silicon are available right now, and we would expect to see them popping up in mobile devices in the far-flung future. It's worth noting that Samsung's Exynos 2100 already supports image sensors up to 200-megapixels, so while we wouldn't want to speculate that we'll see this in a future Galaxy flagship, we're also not not saying that.
The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into an anomaly on the Virgin Galactic flight that carried Richard Branson to space. In a piece discussing not just that particular flight but the company's various safety issues throughout the years, The New Yorker explained that Virgin's spacecraft went off-course during descent, triggering an "entry glide-cone warning." The spacecraft uses the glide cone method, which mimics water circling down the drain, for landing. Apparently, the pilots for the mission didn't fly as steeply as they should have, causing the system to raise the alarm.
An FAA spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that the vehicle "deviated from its Air Traffic Control clearance as it returned to Spaceport America" and it's investigating the incident. The agency gives missions to space a designated airspace they can fly in to prevent collisions with commercial planes and to minimize civilian casualties in the event of an accident. Virgin's Unity 22 mission flew out of that designated airspace for a minute and forty-one seconds before the pilots were able to correct course.
Nicholas Schmidle, author of The New Yorker piece, said he attended a meeting a few years ago, wherein the same pilots on the Unity 22 flight said a red light entry glide-cone warning should "scare the shit out of you." Apparently, that means it's too late, and that the safest course of action is to abort. In a statement it published after the article went out, though, Virgin Galactic said it "disputes the misleading characterizations and conclusions" in the piece and that the people on the flight weren't in any danger as a result of the flight deviation. The company said:
"When the vehicle encountered high altitude winds which changed the trajectory, the pilots and systems monitored the trajectory to ensure it remained within mission parameters. Our pilots responded appropriately to these changing flight conditions exactly as they were trained and in strict accordance with our established procedures. Although the flights ultimate trajectory deviated from our initial plan, it was a controlled and intentional flight path that allowed Unity 22 to successfully reach space and land safely at our Spaceport in New Mexico. At no time were passengers and crew put in any danger as a result of this change in trajectory."
It also said that the spacecraft did not fly outside of the lateral confines of the mission's protected airspace, though it did drop below the altitude of the airspace it was provided. The company added that it's "working in partnership with the FAA to address the airspace for future flights."
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has ordered Tesla to hand over detailed Autopilot data by October 22nd or else face fines of up to $115 million, according to The New York Times. Back in August, NHTSA announced that it's investigating incidents wherein Tesla vehicles with Autopilot activated crashed into parked first responder vehicles with flashing lights. The agency originally cited 11 such crashes, which resulted in 17 injuries and one death since 2018, but a 12th incident occurred just this Saturday.
In a letter it sent the automaker, the NHTSA told Tesla to produce detailed information on how the driver assistance system works. It wants to know how it ensures that human drivers will keep their eyes on the road while Autopilot is engaged and whether there are limits on where it can be used. Feds have long criticized Tesla for not having the safeguards to make sure human drivers are keeping their hands on the wheel. A few months ago, the company finally activated the camera mounted above the rear view mirror in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to "detect and alert driver inattentiveness while Autopilot is engaged." In addition, Autopilot is only meant for use on highways, but there's nothing keeping drivers from using it on local roads.
In addition to detailed Autopilot data, the NHTSA is also asking for information on how many cars Tesla has sold in the US. It wants to know every Autopilot-related arbitration proceeding or lawsuit the company has been involved in, along with all the complaints Tesla has received about the driver assistance technology from customers.
This post contains minor spoilers for season two, episode four of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks.’
If you were a Star Trek newbie, today’s episode of Lower Decks, “Mugato, Gumato,” is not a good place to start. It’s packed full of references across the franchise, including Beckett Mariner, Sam Rutherford and Brad Boimler engaging in a not-so-friendly match of anbo-jyutsu, the appearance of not-so-enlightened Ferengi and even the episode name, which references how no one can seem to agree on how to pronounce the creature whose name is spelled “mugato.”
CBS
However, after a season and a half, the show has already settled into a groove, and as a streaming program there’s no reason why “Mugato, Gumato” would be anyone’s first episode. Paramount+ would only pull up this one if last week’s “We’ll Always Have Tom Paris” had recently been watched. With less need to be accessible, that leaves a show like Lower Decks free to dabble in continuity and in-jokes for the long-time fans.
Fan service is often derided for being gratuitous at best, and an act of gatekeeping at worst. After nearly 55 years and over 800 episodes aired, Star Trek has a lot of baggage that can be intimidating to a newcomer. The Abrams reboot in 2009 tried to wipe the slate clean but was still bogged down by decades of cultural knowledge, with even Trek casuals expecting to hear phrases like “beam me up” and “I’m a doctor!” It found itself trying to appease multiple groups of fans and ultimately thrilling few.
And yet, despite its deep dives into Star Trek lore, Lower Decks can still be a great entryway for new fans in how it chooses to subvert so many long-time franchise tropes. Both newcomers and hardcore Trekkies get to be on the same page when it comes to the all-important question: What comes next?
In that vein, “Mugato, Gumato” is a fun ride. The main plot revolves around the re-discovery of a rare species only previously seen in a rather forgettable TOS episode, with the USS Cerritos charged with finding out how the animals got so far from their home planet. It’s not the most thrilling adventure on the surface, which makes it a perfect assignment for the crew of the lower-tier ship. Boimler and Rutherford are assigned to the away team, which would normally spell doom for a pair of chronically unlucky ensigns.
CBS
Instead, the rest of the group is captured by a group of Ferengi poachers, leaving Brad and Sam in the unlikely and awkward position of saviors. But rather than have them step into the role of “action-oriented leading men,” they instead embrace their unique skills as “nerdy supporting characters.” Meanwhile, it’s the captain and bridge crew who get stuck with the b-plot of helping out a stranded trader whose ship they accidentally destroyed.
After Boimler and Rutherford save the day with a well-thought-out PowerPoint (yes, really) it ends up being the senior staff who isn’t fully informed of what happened on the planet. This is in direct contrast to a previous episode where Boimler has pointed out that it’s not their place to know what’s going on. Captain Freeman just shrugs the whole incident off as some “environmentally conscious Ferengi,” apparently unaware of the two ensigns’ key role in getting the ultra-capitalist Ferengi to change their ways in favor of a more profitable path without resorting to violence.
CBS
It also ends up being good for continuity, in how it reconciles the two versions of Ferengi we’ve seen throughout the franchise. Here, it argues, they really are the same species in the end, just that the offensive, retrograde Ferengi from “The Last Outpost” hadn’t found a less overtly evil way to make money.
“Mugato, Gumato” may have trafficked in old tropes, but it also twisted them in a way to teach the characters and audience something new about themselves and the franchise. Or, as Boimler and Rutherford would say, “If we’re both unhappy, it means we’ve reached… a compromise!”
