One of the Game Boy Advance's better-known games is officially playable on a modern console. Nintendo has announced that Metroid Fusion will be available to Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers on March 9th. The 2D exploration title hasn't changed in the past two decades, but that might not be a bad thing — it represented the culmination of the original Metroid formula before the arrival of Metroid Dread in 2021.
Metroid Fusion added some twists to the plot and mechanics when it arrived in 2002. You have to fight shapeshifting parasites that include clones of Samus Aran — you're not just battling another wave of Metroids. The game also has a more linear, story-driven experience than past titles (there's even a Navigation Room to tell you where to go), and new abilities to climb ladders and grab ledges made you more nimble.
An Expansion Pack membership costs $50 per year. It's not necessarily worth the investment just for Fusion, but the addition makes the Game Boy selection more compelling. That's on top of perks like classic Nintendo 64 releases, Genesis games and Switch game add-ons. You're effectively paying for a nostalgia trip alongside Online's base multiplayer, cloud saves and NES/SNES catalog.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/metroid-fusion-comes-to-switch-online-expansion-pack-on-march-9th-165346579.html?src=rss
Data privacy awareness boomed last June when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, limiting access to safe, legal abortion. Now, eight months later, privacy experts say not to let your guard down. Legislative bodies have made little progress on health data security.
We give up so much data each day that it’s easy to tune out. We blindly accept permissions or turn on location sharing, but that data can also be used by governing bodies to prosecute civilians or by attackers looking to extort individuals. That’s why, when SCOTUS declared access to abortion would no longer be a constitutional right, people began to scrutinize the amount of private health data they were sending to reproductive-health apps.
“The burden is really on consumers to figure out how a company, an app, a website is going to collect and then potentially use and share their data,” Andrew Crawford, senior counsel, privacy and data, at the Center for Democracy and Technology said.
There aren’t widespread industry standards or federal legislation to protect sensitive data, despite some increased regulatory action since last year. Even data that isn’t considered personally identifiable or explicitly health related can still put people at risk. Location data, for example, can show if a patient traveled to receive an abortion, possibly putting them at risk of prosecution.
“Companies see that as information they can use to make money,” Jen Caltrider, lead at Mozilla’s consumer privacy organization Privacy Not Included, told Engadget. Research released by Caltrider’s team in August analyzed the security of 25 reproductive-health apps. Eighteen of them earned a privacy warning label for failing to meet privacy standards.
So, what’s left for users of reproductive-health apps to do? The obvious advice is to carefully read the terms and conditions before signing up in order to better understand what’s happening with their data. If you don’t have a legal degree and an hour to spare, though, there are some basic rules to follow. Turning off data sharing that isn’t necessary to the function of the app, using encrypted chats to talk about reproductive care, signing up for a trustworthy VPN and leaving your phone at home if you’re accessing reproductive health care can all help protect your information, according to Crawford.
While industry standards are still lacking, increased public scrutiny has led to some improvements. Some reproductive-health apps now store data locally as opposed to on a server, collect data anonymously so that it cannot be accessed by law enforcement or base operations in places like Europe that have stronger data privacy laws. We spoke with three popular apps that were given warning labels by Privacy Not Included last August to see what’s changed since then.
Glow’s Eve reproductive-health app introduced an option to store data locally instead of on its server, among other security measures. Glow told Engadget that it doesn't sell data and employees are required to take privacy and security training.
A similar app, Flo Health, has introduced an anonymous mode and hired a new privacy exec since the report. The company told Engadget that it hopes to expand its anonymous mode features in the future with additions like the ability to stop receiving IP addresses completely.
Clue, another app that landed on the warning list, adheres to the stricter privacy laws of the European Union known as General Data Protection Regulation, co-CEO Carrie Walter told Engadget. She added that the company will never cooperate with a government authority to use people’s health data against them, and recommended users keep up with updates to its privacy policy for more information.
But there are no one-and-done solutions. With permissions changing frequently, people that use health apps are also signing up to consistently check their settings.
“Apps change constantly, so keep doing your research, which is a burden to ask consumers,” Caltrider said. “Use anonymous modes, when they're available, store things locally, as much as you can. Don't share location if you can opt out of location sharing.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/eight-months-post-roe-reproductive-health-privacy-is-still-messy-160058529.html?src=rss
The Meta Quest Pro's original $1,500 sticker has been a major obstacle to adoption, but it won't be a problem for much longer. Mark Zuckerberg has revealed on an Instagram channel that the Quest Pro price is dropping to a more palatable $999 on March 5th. And if you don't need high-end virtual reality, the 256GB Quest 2 will now sell for $429, or just $30 above the usual price of the 128GB version. The reduced prices are meant to help "more people get into VR," Zuckerberg says.
The lower prices come ahead of a next-gen consumer Quest headset expected later this year. In that regard, the cheaper Quest 2 could help Meta clear inventory before the new model arrives. If you're happy with the current capabilities, though, this is an easier way to get into standalone VR while still having plenty of room for apps and games. With that said, this is also a backtrack — Meta raised prices last August to compensate for higher manufacturing costs.
Both reductions also reflect Meta's struggles to pivot to the metaverse. While it remains committed to the concept and is pouring 20 percent of its 2023 spending into its Reality Labs division, that unit continues to lose billions of dollars per quarter. The better prices could get headsets into the hands of more customers and, by extension, help with the adoption of Horizon Worlds and Meta's other projects.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/meta-drops-the-price-of-its-quest-pro-vr-headset-to-999-153753541.html?src=rss
Apple’s MagSafe battery pack is a handy way to keep your iPhone topped up while you're on the go, and you can now pick one up on sale. The device has dropped to $79 at Amazon. It's not the lowest price we’ve seen for the battery pack — it briefly dipped to $71 at one point. Still, at 20 percent off, that's a solid deal given that it typically sells for between $85 and $91.
The MagSafe battery pack works with the iPhone 12 lineup as well as more recent handsets. It attaches magnetically to your phone for wireless charging, though you'll have to check whether it's compatible with your case if you use one. Once you attach the battery pack, it will automatically charge your iPhone. You'll be able to see the charge level on your lock screen. Depending on your iPhone model, Apple says the battery pack can boost the battery life by up to 70 percent.
For those willing to consider other options, it’s worth taking a peek at the ArcHybrid Mag from Spiegen. It's our pick for the best MagSafe-compatible power bank charger and it has the same 5000mAh capacity. However, it costs $60, making it significantly less expensive than Apple's own model. We found in our testing that the ArcHybrid Mag can charge an iPhone more quickly too.
Meanwhile, Apple's MagSafe wireless charger is also on sale. At $31, it's 21 percent off the usual price of $39. It's worth noting that this is a Qi-certified charger, so if you have an iPhone 8 or later, you can use it to recharge your device.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-magsafe-battery-pack-is-on-sale-for-79-right-now-153220492.html?src=rss
This is a good time to get an Apple Pencil if you plan to use your iPad for art or note-taking. Amazon is once more selling the second-generation Pencil for a record-low $89, or $40 off. That makes it an easy choice if you have a compatible tablet (more on that in a moment) and want a high-end stylus, even if you're considering potentially cheaper third-party alternatives.
The second-gen Pencil offers the most creative flexibility you'll find in an iPad pen, with low lag, double-tap tool controls and low lag. And importantly, it's one of the most convenient options. You'll need a relatively recent iPad Air, iPad mini or iPad Pro, but the magnetic charger on the side of those tablets gives you an easy way to stow your stylus while powering it. You don't have to think about cables, or buy a case with a pen slot.
Don't worry if you have the latest base iPad or an earlier model that doesn't support the second-gen Apple Pencil. Amazon is also selling the first-gen Pencil at an all-time low of $79, or $20 off. It's not as easy to charge (a USB-C adapter is included for the new iPad) and doesn't offer tap control, but it's still one of the best options for drawing and handwriting on supported tablets.
Eargo’s approach to hearing aids is more inline with tech brands like Apple and GoPro than its industry peers. While the hearing industry is busy trying to shake off its dowdy medical product image, Eargo’s out there releasing yearly models with ever new features rolling over stereotypes as it does so. This year’s model, the Eargo 7, doesn’t offer a huge leap over its predecessors, but like the latest aforementioned phone or rugged camera, it’s still the best model to date. But with continued improvements comes a narrower focus on the areas for improvement.
Most of these areas are minor software details. For example, the hearing test in the app initially left me unsure whether it had worked properly or not. On my first pass, not all the tones seemed to play (there’s a “replay” button, and pressing that sometimes the tone was unmissable). On a second pass, after speaking with an Eargo representative, I had a more reliable experience, but it was enough to give me some doubt about its efficacy until I was told my results were as expected on both tries.
After the first test, the app told me to place the hearing aids into their case to update them with the new settings – at which point it remained stuck on “connecting” until I restarted it.
To be clear, the above is the biggest wrinkle I’ve experienced with the Eargo 7, and if anything it’s a testament to the all round experience. One other minor annoyance is that the charging case seems to go into a deep sleep when it’s low on battery, which means it won’t wake the hearing aids when you remove them - even if they themselves have charge. A quick connection to a power cord is all you need to fix, but if you were out and about at the time, you might be out of luck.
James Trew / Engadget
The above aside, the experience from there on out has been smooth sailing. Eargo positions itself as a more affordable option for “invisible” hearing aids aimed at those with mild to moderate hearing loss. At $2,650, it might seem expensive compared to other OTC options, but most of the alternatives are not the tiny in-canal (CIC) type. Nor do they always offer other quality of life features like a slick charging case, personalized hearing profiles and other features you typically only find on conventional models your audiologist would supply.
The Eargo 7 adds a new enhanced version of the company’s “Sound Adjust” program that adapts the settings depending on your environment - this is what you need to take the hearing test for. This iteration includes a new “clarity” option which puts a focus on conversation. The new hearing aids are also IPX7 rated meaning you can wear them during a vigorous workout or even in the shower without worrying about damaging them. (They are not marketed as fully waterproof.)
Eargo’s other selling point is its ongoing customer support. The company urges new users to schedule a “welcome” call with one of its personal hearing professionals (PHP). There are a total of four ways to speak with a PHP depending on your needs (email, phone, chat, or video call). Scheduling a call is a trivial task in the app and there’s no cost at all. It’s this combination of modern technology and enhanced user experience that puts Eargo in a fairly unique spot in the growing pile of assistive hearing devices.
Of course, a well thought out app experience, sleek technology and good customer service are really important parts of the experience, but none of that matters if the hearing assistance isn’t up to scratch. For me, my unilateral hearing loss is certainly helped by the Eargo and there’s very little feedback unless you cover your ear canal completely. If you have mild to moderate hearing loss these are effective, but as always, you should probably consult your audiologist if you’re not sure what you need.
James Trew / Engadget
What I do appreciate is the way the assistive sound doesn’t emphasize sharp noises like jangling keys or enthusiastic typing and the general lack of feedback, which is a common issue for devices of this size. They definitely amplify sound adequately if I wear both, but with that comes a slight discomfort from having augmented hearing even in my “good” ear, which is a unique problem for unilateral hearing loss that obviously doesn’t apply to those with problems on both sides.
As before, battery life is plenty enough for all day use and the charging case offers two full re-charges. All day use is pretty comfortable, but for me, the first hour or two I am definitely aware I have something inside my ears before I gradually adapt. In general the built-in rechargeable battery adds to the convenience, though it also means a risk of degrading over time compared to using disposables.
In short, with the Eargo 7, the company once again makes a good case for how OTC hearing aids don’t have to mean scrimping on features and performance. But with the company’s tech-forward “start-up” approach do come some small challenges, such as the quirks in the app I mentioned right at the open. Fortunately, these are far easier to address and iron out than poor hardware of inadequate performance, which isn’t an issue here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/eargo-7-the-tiny-hearing-aids-you-wont-need-to-take-out-to-shower-140000815.html?src=rss
This week, our hosts are joined by UK Bureau Chief Mat Smith to dive into the most interesting devices that were announced at Mobile World Congress, which has been happening this week in Barcelona. Are foldables getting more interesting, or are they going to become as stale as regular smartphones have become? Also, just how fast is too fast when it comes to charging? Then, we go over Cherlynn’s review of the Galaxy S23+ and why Microsoft bringing Bing AI to the Windows 11 taskbar isn’t what it seems.
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 cool at Mobile World Congress with UK bureau chief Mat Smith – 1:22
Hands on with the Oppo Find N2 Flip – 6:44
Motorola’s Rizr is a concept phone with a rolling screen – 21:09
Samsung Galaxy S23+ review: solid, but not outstanding – 31:17
Microsoft brings Bing AI to the Windows 11 taskbar…sort of – 32:43
Meta says it plans to release AR glasses in 2027 – 34:51
US House panel gives Biden the power to ban TikTok – 38:00
Working on – 41:17
Pop culture picks – 42:57
Livestream
Credits Hosts: Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar Guest: Mat Smith Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien Livestream producers: Julio Barrientos Graphic artists: Luke Brooks and Brian Oh
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-podcast-mwc-2023-most-interesting-phones-foldables-rollables-fast-charging-133021266.html?src=rss
If you're looking to buy a small tablet you can carry with you everywhere, the 64GB Apple iPad Mini is back to its all-time low price of $400 at Amazon. That's $99, or 20 percent, less than what you'd pay if you buy directly from Apple and $69 lower than its list price at Amazon over the past few days. The pink, purple and space gray variants are all discounted at the moment, so you have quite a few options to choose from. And if you need more storage, you can also get the 256GB iPad Mini for $550. While that's not quite the lowest price we've seen for the model on the website, that's still $99 less than its retail price.
In our review, we said the tablet was really more of an iPad Air Mini, because Apple gave it an "all-screen" Liquid Retina design, a TouchID-capable top button, a USB-C port for charging and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. It was a significant redesign for the tablet, which stayed mostly the same its previous iterations. The fact that it has USB-C for charging and that it works with the second-gen Apple Pencil also means you can use your accessories with it if you have already another iPad that supports them.
In addition, we praised the iPad Mini for having a 12-megapixel ultra wide front camera with Center Stage. That allows the camera to automatically zoom and pan to follow you around during video calls, so the person on the other end can still see you while you're moving. Overall, we found the device's performance to be solid and even called it the best small tablet available when it was released in 2021. It's been a while since then, but the device remains a great option even if it's not as powerful as the iPad Air and the iPad Pro.
Neuralink’s efforts to bring a brain-computer interface still have a way to go. According to a new report from Reuters, Elon Musk’s startup was apparently denied authorization by the FDA in 2022 to conduct human trials using the same devices that, well, killed 1,500 animals. Those tests, according to internal reports, lead to needless suffering and death of test subjects.
Current and former Neuralink employees told Reuters: "The agency’s major safety concerns involved the device’s lithium battery; the potential for the implant’s tiny wires to migrate to other areas of the brain; and questions over whether and how the device can be removed without damaging brain tissue."
The FDA is concerned that, because of the minuscule size of the electrical leads, they are at risk of breaking off during removal (or even during use). At Neuralink's open house last November, Musk claimed the company would secure FDA approval "within six months," basically by this spring. That’s looking increasingly unlikely.
– Mat Smith
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I'm sick of winter, but I love pizza, okay? Ooni is one of the biggest names in the pizza oven game. The company has a full line of models that use wood, charcoal or gas to give you the hot-and-fast pizzeria experience in minutes. Ooni promises high-heat cooking for Neapolitan-style pizza, plus the ability to bake other styles, bread and even sear steaks with its ovens. Until now, all of the company's products have been made for outdoor use, but today it's debuting its first indoor model: the $999 Volt 12. Taking design cues from the high-end Karu 16, the Volt 12 is also Ooni's first all-electric pizza oven. The company says you can use it indoors or outside thanks to "advanced" insulation and powder-coated carbon steel exterior that retains heat and withstands the weather.
You can make the chatbot more entertaining or direct.
Microsoft’s web services chief Mikhail Parakhin has revealed that 90 percent of Bing preview testers should see a toggle that changes the chatbot's responses. A Creative option allows for more "original and imaginative" answers, while a Precise switch emphasizes shorter, to-the-point replies. There's also a Balanced setting, somewhere between the two. The company reined in the Bing AI's responses after early users noticed strange behavior during long chats and 'entertainment' sessions. As The Verge noted, the restrictions irked some users as the chatbot would simply decline to answer some questions.
It paused work after a battery issue caused one of the electric trucks to catch fire.
Ford says it’s aiming to restart production of the F-150 Lightning on March 13th, several weeks after it put the EV on hold. It paused production and sent a stop-shipment order to dealers after a battery issue caused a truck to catch fire in a holding lot on February 4th. It’s unclear what exactly led to the fire or how Ford has resolved the problem, though the company has said there's no indication a charging fault was to blame. Since it initially started F-150 Lightning production last April, Ford has sold fewer than 20,000 of the EV. But it’s very much in demand: Ford initially capped reservations at 200,000 in 2021 before reopening them last August. And a reminder: The F-Series has been America’s best-selling vehicle for 41 years.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-fda-reportedly-denied-neuralinks-request-to-begin-human-trials-of-its-brain-implant-121545291.html?src=rss
There's only one more season left before Star Trek: Discovery bids farewell. The Paramount+ series is ending after season 5, which according to its official summary, "will find Captain Burnham (Martin-Green) and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery uncovering a mystery that will send them on an epic adventure across the galaxy to find an ancient power whose very existence has been deliberately hidden for centuries." According to Variety, Paramount+ is also streaming the fifth season in 2024 as opposed to this year as previously expected.
Star Trek: Discovery marked the first time the franchise has had a Black female lead and has prominently featured LGBTQIA+ characters. It also largely took on a more serialized format, wherein each episode is its own installment in a season's main storyline, unlike other entries in the franchise. That became a point of criticism about the series, however, until the showrunners changed course and embraced storytelling with an overarching plot in season four.
As The Hollywood Reporter notes, the series currently holds the distinction for being the longest-running drama on Paramount+ so far. Its debut back in 2017 led to record sign-up numbers for the streaming service then known as CBS All Access, and its success paved the way for other Trek shows, including Lower Decks and Prodigy.
Tanya Giles, chief programming officer at Paramount Streaming, said in a statement: "Star Trek: Discovery is a perennial favorite on the service, near and dear to the hearts of legions of ‘Star Trek’ fans as well as all of us here at Paramount+. The series and its incredible cast and creatives ushered in a new era for Star Trek when it debuted over six years ago, embracing the future of streaming with serialized storytelling, bringing to life deep and complex characters that honor Gene Roddenberry’s legacy of representing diversity and inclusion, and pushing the envelope with award-winning world-building. This final season will see our beloved crew take on a new adventure and we can't wait to celebrate the series’ impact on the franchise leading up to its final season early next year."
At the moment, Trek fans can watch Star Trek: Picard, which is streaming on Paramount+. Its third season will also be its last, but there are rumors going around that the service is developing spinoffs centering on characters from the show.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/star-trek-discovery-ending-season-5-next-year-070320271.html?src=rss
