Once upon a time, back in 2014, U2 gave away an album’s worth of songs to every iTunes user in the world. And a lot of people were not happy. The blowback was so intense that Apple had to release a special tool to remove it. And it was all Bono’s fault…
The Morning After: Elon Musk reportedly wanted to lay off most of Twitter’s employees
According to a report from The Washington Post, Musk has told prospective investors he plans to axe 75 percent of Twitter’s 7,500-member staff upon completion of the deal, a move that would likely kneecap its ability to moderate content and ensure user…
VanMoof’s new A5 and S5 e-bikes are harder to steal and smoother to ride
It was a breezy three-kilometer ride on VanMoof’s A5 e-bike around Battersea Park in London. Starting from VanMoof’s flagship London store, the company’s CEO, Ties Carlier, took the lead. He shot off on the more typically framed S5 ($3,498), while I go…
The Morning After: The Silent Hill universe is expanding, with help from J.J. Abrams
Konami today dropped a ton of news about the future of its iconic horror franchise. Aside from confirming that remake of Silent Hill 2, the studio revealed three new games. Townfall comes from Annapurna Interactive and No Code, a Glasgow studio known f…
The Morning After: Apple reveals redesigned iPad, M2-powered iPad Pro and new Apple TV 4K
There were rumors of an M2 iPad Pro, but they were just the start of Apple’s announcements yesterday. The company dropped a bunch of new hardware, but let’s start with its most powerful new tablet. The iPad Pro ($799), powered by its M2 chip, offers up…
The Morning After: Kanye West is buying ‘free speech’ app Parler
We don’t know how much Kanye West (aka Ye) is paying, but he’s decided to buy the controversial “free speech” social media app Parler. The deal appears to be happening quickly, with the company behind Parler, Parlement Technologies, expecting to close the transaction by the end of 2022.
West was locked out of his Twitter and Instagram accounts following a weekend of antisemitic posts. “In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves,” West was quoted in the announcement.
“The proposed acquisition will assure Parler a future role in creating an uncancelable ecosystem where all voices are welcome,” said Parlement Technologies CEO George Farmer.
Parler was recently reinstated to the Google Play app store after being banned in January 2021, following the US Capitol insurrection. A Google spokesperson said at the time the removal was down to the app’s lack of “moderation policies and enforcement that remove egregious content like posts that incite violence.” Apple removed the app for similar reasons but restored it in May. Will a new controversial owner tempt new users to the controversial social network?
– 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.
The biggest stories you might have missed
-
TikTok’s livestreaming updates include adult-only broadcasts
-
Mercedes-Benz’ EQE SUV is its first crossover to get the AMG treatment
-
Comcast raises speeds for most of its Xfinity internet plans
-
Netflix moochers can finally transfer their profile to a new account
New iPad Pro M2 models are reportedly just days away
We’ll also see a new entry-level iPad and Macs later in the year.
The next-generation iPad Pro with Apple’s latest M2 processor will arrive in “a matter of days,” according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. It will be the first new model since May 2021 and will reportedly offer a 20 percent speed boost over the M1 version. Apple will also introduce an iPad dock with an integrated speaker in 2023. The idea is that users could attach an iPad to the device and get a full home hub/smart speaker experience – very similar to the Pixel speaker dock Google revealed alongside its Pixel Tablet.
The best cheap Windows laptops for 2022
You don’t have to settle for a Chromebook.
Engadget
You probably don’t think of cheap Windows laptops when you think of daily drivers. But it would be a big mistake to ignore these devices. There’s a reason companies like Acer, ASUS, Dell and the like make Windows devices under $500. Affordable Windows notebooks are great options for people that only use a computer to check email, shop online or post on Facebook. They’re also suitable for kids who have no business putting their sticky little hands on a $2,000 gaming rig. We’ve highlighted the best devices out there.
Konami will reveal what’s next for the Silent Hill series on October 19th
It’s been a decade since the last game if you don’t count ‘P.T.’
Konami
Almost a decade to the day since it released the last Silent Hill game (as long as you don’t include P.T.), Konami is finally ready to reveal what’s next for the franchise. The company will divulge the “latest updates” for the series during a stream that starts at 5 PM ET on October 19th. We’re expecting an actual game: Composer Akira Yamaoka and art director on the first three games, Masahiro Ito, shared news of the upcoming stream. Both have previously hinted they’re working on a new Silent Hill title.
Amazon’s employee attrition costs $8 billion annually according to leaked documents
And it gets worse.
Amazon churns through workers at an astonishing rate, well above industry averages. According to leaked documents seen by Engadget, that attrition rate now has an associated cost. “[Worldwide] Consumer Field Operations is experiencing high levels of attrition (regretted and unregretted) across all levels, totaling an estimated $8 billion annually for Amazon and its shareholders,” one document stated. The company’s net profit for its 2021 fiscal year was $33.36 billion. “Regretted attrition” – workers choosing to leave the company – “occurs twice as often as unregretted attrition” – people being laid off or fired – “across all levels and businesses,” according to the company’s internal research.
Over-the-counter hearing aids go on sale in the US
You no longer need a prescription.
Adults in the US with mild-to-moderate hearing loss can now buy hearing aids online or from a store without a prescription, medical exam or audiologist fitting. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule in August that allows stores and online retailers to sell over-the-counter (OTC) devices starting today. The move could save consumers thousands of dollars on hearing aids, according to the White House. Taking Walmart’s options as an example, they cost between $199 and $999 per pair. The company claimed comparable prescription hearing aids cost between $4,400 and $5,500.
The Morning After: SpaceX will keep paying for Ukraine’s access to Starlink
SpaceX recently sent a letter to the Department of Defense last month, asking the Pentagon to take over paying for Ukraine’s use of its Starlink satellite internet. According to CNN, SpaceX told the department that continued access would cost the company over $120 million for the rest of 2022 and almost $400 million over the next 12 months. “We are not in a position to further donate terminals to Ukraine or fund the existing terminals for an indefinite period of time,” the company wrote.
Now, company chief, Elon Musk, seems to have backtracked, writing on Twitter that SpaceX will “keep funding” the service in Ukraine.
The Pentagon confirmed after the letter became public that it’s been discussing payments with SpaceX, but it’s also looking into alternatives. Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon’s deputy press secretary, said: “There are other entities that we can certainly partner with when it comes to providing Ukraine with what they need on the battlefield.”
– 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.
The biggest stories you might have missed
-
Hitting the Books: The women who made ENIAC more than a weapon
-
‘Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion’ tries to scale up a PSP game to the PS5
-
Apple’s mixed reality headset reportedly uses iris scanning for payments and sign-ins
-
Nikola founder Trevor Milton convicted on three charges of fraud
‘Dead Space’ hands-on: The return of gruesome sci-fi horror
It won’t be in time for Halloween, sadly.
EA
The original Dead Space came out 14 years ago, immersing us in ravaged corridors in the middle of space. Dead Space was a terrifying space horror. And this is what the remake has to compete with. Engadget’s Jessica Conditt thinks the new Dead Space nails it – mostly. The game hits PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles on January 27th, 2023.
Google Fiber will offer 5Gbps and 8Gbps internet plans in early 2023
Your cable provider’s best plan suddenly seems mediocre.
Google Fiber’s sudden revival will include a dramatic boost to internet speeds. Google has revealed it will offer 5Gbps and 8Gbps plans in early 2023 at monthly rates of $125 and $150. Both tiers will include symmetric upload and download rates, a WiFi 6 router and up to two mesh network extenders. It’s a big jump from the previous-best 2Gbps service Google introduced in 2020 and could make a big difference if you’re a gamer or thrive on cloud computing.
Razer’s cloud gaming handheld will cost $400
It’s expected to launch in January.
Razer
The Razer Edge is a handheld console for cloud gaming. (Yes, it’s a trend now.) The Edge has a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 144Hz and a Full HD+ resolution of 2,400 x 1,080. Razer claims the display has 87 percent more pixels than competitors’ devices. The Steam Deck’s screen, for instance, has a 1,280 x 800 resolution. The Edge comprises an Android 12 tablet inside the new Razer Kishi V2 Pro controller. Initially only available in the US, it will come with dedicated launchers for Epic Games, Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now pre-installed. You’ll also be able to access remote play services, such as Steam Link, Moonlight and Parsec.
Acer’s cloud gaming Chromebook is a solid laptop
Even if you don’t game.
Last week, Google and hardware partners ASUS, Acer and Lenovo announced a somewhat surprising initiative to build Chromebooks expressly for cloud gaming. (Yes, just after Google gave up on its own Stadia game service.) While many Chromebooks are a riff on the classic 13-inch laptop, the first round of these devices have large, high-resolution screens with fast refresh rates, anti-ghosting keyboards and powerful processors. Nathan Ingraham, Engadget’s Chromebook expert, is loving the premium screen and keyboard.
‘Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion’ tries to scale up a PSP game to the PS5
In 2007, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core was a spin-off game; One part of a cash grab aimed at Final Fantasy 7 obsessives that were looking for something to play on the PlayStation Portable. It was a prequel-flavored slice of Midgar and the world of FF7 with real-time battles, baffling reels and enough goodwill and story lore to make it all just about work.
The story centers around a relatively minor (but popular!) character from the original game, Zack. Without spoiling the whys and whens (and 2020’s FF7R is shaking up the canon of Final Fantasy 7 anyhow), Zack has significant connections to Cloud, the big bad Sephiroth and other characters. Unfortunately, he dies before the original game starts and only appears in flashbacks.
As Square Enix tees up part 2 of its big-budget Remake project, Crisis Core Reunion gives newer players the chance to fill in the storyline blanks on Zack. He’s featured in post-credit scenes in Remake, suggesting he might be a more significant character going forward.
Square Enix has upgraded the character models, backgrounds, textures and the UI to bring some degree of graphical parity between Crisis Core and the recent Remake. There’s also voice acting across the entire storyline of the game. However, the character animations haven’t benefited from the same level of attention – it looks like Final Fantasy X’s HD remaster. That’s not so bad, but it’s a little disappointing from a PS5 game in 2022. Crisis Core Reunion has several character models that look almost good enough to appear in Remake, even if they move like characters in a PS2 game. (Sephiroth in particular, who appears briefly in the demo, seems more lovingly remastered than even Zack.)
It’s not all bad news. Now on a home console, you have two analog controllers to control camera and movement simultaneously: the PSP just had one analog nub. It makes the battles far easier to parse and focus on. And the battles were still enjoyable, if a little simple, during my demo.
Square Enix
Don’t expect the responsive battles and spectacle of Remake, either. Crisis Core’s slot-machine battle mechanism called “Digital Mind Wave (DMW) – no idea – is still here. During battles, it will cycle automatically through numbers and pictures of characters you meet through the game. If some of the numbers match, you can pick up health, ability points, improved chances of a critical hit and more. If the reel pictures match up, you can launch a powerful Limit Break attack that can do a lot of damage, buff your character and some other nice things. If the numbers line up as “777”, Zack will gain a level — and that’s still weird.
The battle system, like the visuals, is from a simpler time. You’ll fight with a combination of sword swings, spells, and techniques, topped up with Limit Breaks. You can block and dodge, which was crucial in the two boss battles I faced. But it all felt a little too basic.
I keep comparing Crisis Core with Remake, with its fluid animation, slow-mo menus and.. Millions of dollars of development capital. That’s a little unfair, but Crisis Core Reunion is here for FF7 fans looking dive deeper into the game’s lore — 2007 was a very long time ago.
The Morning After: Netflix with ads launches on November 3rd
Netflix’s ad-supported tier finally has a release date. The new Basic with Ads plan will be available November 3rd from 12 PM ET for $7 per month in the US. It launches at the start of November in 11 other countries: the UK, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Canada (November 1st), Mexico (November 1st) and Spain (November 10th).
The ads will run for an average of four to five minutes per hour, and you’ll be limited to 720p/HD resolution. That’s not the only limitation: Licensing will also prevent you from watching certain movies and TV shows on the ad plan.
While we don’t know what kinds of ads you’ll get, we do know they’ll initially be 15- to 30-second spots and will play both before and during shows. There’ll be “broad” targeting for those ads based on criteria like your country and the content genres you watch.
That list of caveats might stop existing Netflix subscribers from downgrading (the Basic plan starts at $10), but it could convince folks with other video subscriptions – or a lapsed Netflix sub – to start paying again.
– Mat Smith
The biggest stories you might have missed
-
Two unreleased and ‘never digitized’ NES games are up for auction on eBay
-
Apple Card users can soon sign up for a ‘high-yield’ savings account
-
Microsoft’s HoloLens headsets are giving US Army testers nausea
Microsoft Office is dead. Long live Microsoft 365
Because it’s more than just Word and Excel.
Back in 2020, Microsoft announced it would change the name of its Office 365 subscription to Microsoft 365, acknowledging it had become more than just a work app. Now, it’s removing most of the remaining Office branding. “In the coming months, Office.com, the Office mobile app and the Office app for Windows will become the Microsoft 365 app, with a new icon, a new look and even more features,” an FAQ says.
Sony and Honda will open pre-orders for their first EV in 2025
Their joint company aims to make the first deliveries in the US by 2026.
Sony and Honda have announced they’ll open pre-orders for their first electric vehicle model in the first half of 2025. Their joint venture, Sony Honda Mobility Inc., hopes to begin deliveries in the US by spring 2026. The companies didn’t give us a glimpse of the vehicle they’re working on during the event, and they didn’t mention anything about its pricing or its battery technology and range. They did say, however, they’re planning to focus on online sales, like Tesla.
Microsoft accuses UK regulator of adopting Sony’s complaints in Activision probe
The regulator focused on ‘Call of Duty.’
Activision Blizzard
Microsoft’s $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard will have to gain approval from various regulators around the world before the deal can go through, including the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA has recommended a more in-depth inquiry. Shortly after the CMA published its decision, Microsoft accused the regulator of relying “on self-serving statements by Sony.” In a response it shared with Ars Technica, the tech giant said the CMA’s decision was rooted in the concern that Activision’s catalog of games, specifically the Call of Duty franchise, will allow Xbox to “foreclose its competitors.” Microsoft called that concern “misplaced.”
Sony’s ZV-1F is its most affordable vlogging camera yet
At $500, it’s designed as a smartphone step-up cam.
Sony
Sony has unveiled the ZV-1F, its third and most affordable vlogging camera. At just $500, it’s slotted below the $700 ZV-1 compact, with a Type-1 Exmor 20.1-megapixel sensor, 4K video and a raft of Sony camera features. Those include the “product showcase” feature, which lets you place a product in front of the camera to quickly get focus and background defocus, for quick-and-easy bokeh backgrounds. And a new Shot Mark feature lets you grab a 15-, 30- or 60-second clip and send it to a smartphone. The camera arrives on October 24th.
The best smart light bulbs for 2022
Ditch the dumb bulbs for ones you can control from anywhere.
One of the best places to start when building a smart home ecosystem is smart light bulbs. Not only are they relatively affordable compared to other IoT gadgets, often costing between $10 and $50 a bulb, but they can also completely change the feel of your home. And there are now more players in smart lighting than ever before. Here are our top picks.
The Morning After: Our verdict on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
Yes, we’ve got full reviews of Google’s new flagship phones as well as its first smartwatch. The phones fare better than the wearable, but we are on the seventh generation of Pixel smartphones, so that’s to be expected.
In addition to new software features and Tensor G2 chip, the Pixel 7 Pro gets a number of extra hardware upgrades compared to the standard Pixel 7. There’s a longer 5x telephoto zoom, and its ultra-wide cam can also take macro shots. The Pixel 7 Pro’s battery doesn’t last quite as long as its smaller, cheaper sibling, but it will easily last a day. But most importantly, priced at $899, the Pixel 7 Pro offers more for your money than most of its rivals.
Engadget
With the $599 Pixel 7, the specs and hardware haven’t changed a ton since last year’s device, but battery life is good, lasting almost 18 hours on our video rundown test. It’s also got a nicer matte finish compared to the glossy Pro. Check out our full review of both phones here.
Meanwhile, we have all the big Microsoft news, including early impressions of some new Surface PCs.
– Mat Smith
Did you know you can get these reports delivered daily, direct to your inbox? Subscribe right here!
The biggest stories you might have missed
-
Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million after misinformation campaign
-
Intel will reportedly lay off thousands of employees as PC sales slow
-
Apple iCloud photo libraries will soon be viewable in Windows
-
Ooni’s Fyra 12 pizza oven is cheaper than ever for Prime Day
Google Pixel Watch review
Google and Fitbit’s imperfect marriage.
Engadget
The Pixel Watch, well, just feels good. As Engadget’s Cherlynn Low puts it, it’s like a “smooth, shiny pebble.” As a smartwatch, though? The software is competent, and Fitbit’s health-tracking integrations are excellent. Unfortunately, the Pixel Watch has a relatively short battery life and a Fitbit Premium paywall barricades many health metrics. But if you’re looking for an Android-friendly wearable that feels as premium as Apple, this might be it.
Microsoft’s Surface Studio 2+ gets 11th-gen Intel chips and RTX 3060 graphics
No, you didn’t read that CPU model wrong.
Microsoft
It’s been four years since we got the Surface Studio 2, Microsoft’s flexible all-in-one PC. Now it’s time for a, er, mild upgrade. The Surface Studio 2+ is indeed significantly faster than before, thanks to Intel’s 11th-gen CPU and NVIDIA’s RTX 3060 graphics. But we’ve also spent most of this year being impressed by Intel’s terrific 12th-gen hybrid chips, which deliver vastly better performance than 11th-gen CPUs. It’s not called the Surface Studio 3 for a reason, I guess, but prices still start at $4,300.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 hands-on
Can Intel and ARM models live in harmony?
The Surface Pro 9 is pretty much what we expected: a jump up to Intel’s 12th-gen CPUs. But Microsoft surprised us with a huge shakeup for its tablet PCs. There’s also a Surface Pro 9 running a custom SQ3 ARM chip, which includes built-in 5G. Choices! Either way, you’re getting tablet PCs that can easily transform into functional laptops with their keyboard cases.
The SQ3 Arm model also has a few features the Intel version doesn’t, thanks to its neural processor. That includes some real-time enhancements to video chats, like blurring your background. According to Microsoft, it’s possible to bring those features to Intel chips when they have their own neural chips, but unfortunately, those aren’t available in Intel’s current lineup.
Scientists got lab-grown human brain cells to play ‘Pong’
But how long until they can play ‘Doom’?
Ollie Millington via Getty Images
Researchers who grew a brain cell culture in a lab claim they taught the cells to play a version of Pong. Scientists from a biotech startup called Cortical Labs say it’s the first demonstrated example of a “mini-brain” being taught to carry out goal-directed tasks. DishBrain received a strong and consistent feedback signal (effectively a form of stimulus) when the paddle hit the ball and a short, random pulse when it missed. Apparently, after playing Pong for 20 minutes, the culture improved at the game.
Roku is moving into smart home tech
It’s launching a video doorbell, cameras and smart bulbs.
Roku is expanding beyond home theater setups and into smart home devices. The initial batch of Roku Smart Home products, which it collaborated on with Wyze, includes a smart doorbell, cameras, smart bulbs, smart light strips and smart plugs. The company didn’t reveal specs for the devices in advance, but previous reports suggested they are rebadged versions of Wyze products, including Cam v3, Cam Pan V2 and Bulb Color. You’ll also be able to use the Roku Voice Remote to bring up live camera feeds on your TV. Roku didn’t offer a breakdown of pricing, but said its cameras “start below $27.”
Microsoft made a hybrid speaker and laptop hub
Listen to music (and meetings).
It’s always nice to see something beyond what we’d expect from Microsoft. Microsoft has unveiled an Audio Dock that, as the name implies, combines a speaker with a laptop hub. The design centers on an omni-directional speakerphone and includes a 60W USB-C connection for charging your computer, two regular USB-C ports, an HDMI 2.0 jack and a single USB-A port. The company is leaning heavily on the Audio Dock’s usefulness for meetings, whether that’s from the office or the home office. You’ll find large dedicated buttons for the microphone toggle (handy for working from home) and launching Teams. Because Microsoft.