theverge--2020-10-07--Soon anyone from any company can Slack you

Slack will soon let anyone DM each other .
A new Slack Connect direct messages feature will launch for businesses in early 2021 that expands on the idea of shared channels , and allows employees to directly connect with people from other organizations .
If you ’ re a Slack Connect user , you ’ ll be able to share a private link with other Slack users to direct message you .
Slack has been building towards this ease of messaging between businesses for months .
Slack Connect launched back in June , is designed to let businesses large and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cross-organization DMs is the next logical step , and part of a bigger way Slack is aiming to reduce back and forth email threads inside and outside businesses .
“ You could put a link on your Twitter profile or a QR code on your business card that people could use to connect with you , ” explains Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield in an interview with The Verge .
The feature is mostly designed for sales people who need to message vendors , clients , and others without setting up a shared Slack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BlackBerry messaging , so that link is the equivalent of me giving you my BlackBerry PIN but when you message me I still have to approve you , ” says Butterfield .
Businesses will naturally have control over enabling this , and it ’ s something that most will likely turn on as it provides an audit trail of work-related communications rather than people turning to iMessage , SMS , or other ways to DM colleagues from different organizations .
Slack is also enabling a new verified organizations feature early next year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses .
It ’ s designed to make sure channel invites are from verified organizations , rather than verifying individuals like Twitter does .
Both the Slack Connect DMs feature and verified organizations will appear in “ early 2021 .
”

Slack will soon let anyone DM each other. A new Slack Connect direct messages feature will launch for businesses in early 2021 that expands on the idea of shared channels, and allows employees to directly connect with people from other organizations. If you’re a Slack Connect user, you’ll be able to share a private link with other Slack users to direct message you.
Slack has been building towards this ease of messaging between businesses for months. Slack Connect launched back in June, is designed to let businesses large and small collaborate together through shared channels. Cross-organization DMs is the next logical step, and part of a bigger way Slack is aiming to reduce back and forth email threads inside and outside businesses.
Slack’s new DM feature. Slack
“You could put a link on your Twitter profile or a QR code on your business card that people could use to connect with you,” explains Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield in an interview with The Verge. The feature is mostly designed for sales people who need to message vendors, clients, and others without setting up a shared Slack channel.
“It works essentially like BlackBerry messaging, so that link is the equivalent of me giving you my BlackBerry PIN but when you message me I still have to approve you,” says Butterfield. Businesses will naturally have control over enabling this, and it’s something that most will likely turn on as it provides an audit trail of work-related communications rather than people turning to iMessage, SMS, or other ways to DM colleagues from different organizations.


theverge--2020-10-07--Slack is getting Instagram-like stories and push-to-talk audio calls for the pandemic era

Slack is getting ready to introduce Instagram-like stories and push-to-talk audio into its communications software before the end of 2020 .
Both additions are born out of the shift to remote working during the pandemic era we ’ re all adjusting to .
Slack is hoping these features might cut down on constant video calls or inefficient text conversations , and bring back the impromptu office interactions most people haven ’ t experienced for months .
While Instagram stories are designed to share your every day life experiences with friends and family , Slack ’ s stories aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite food , or vacations .
Slack sees the video snippets as a way for remote workers to check in and provide status updates , for example , or to set the daily agenda for a team .
“ It ’ s very much like Instagram stories , or snapchat stories , but in Slack , ” is how Slack ’ s CEO , Stewart Butterfield , explained the new stories video feature in an interview with The Verge this week .
“ There was a joke going around that soon all software @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was funny at the time .
But especially during the pandemic , and the difference in how we as a company are approaching work , means it ’ s an idea that ’ s time has come.
” “ Instead of having this 15-minute daily stand-up meeting , can we record the video earlier ... and get rid of the 15-minute meeting ?
” asks Butterfield .
Slack is still experimenting with and prototyping how stories will show up , but these short videos should appear alongside channels , allowing people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in with each other or even as a form of status updates .
“ It ’ s a little bit more of a human way of giving updates , ” says Butterfield , and a more informal and flexible way for people to participate in meetings without having to hold a dedicated one .
Video conferencing has never been a core part of Slack , and the company ’ s direct video and audio calling features haven ’ t been a particular strong point either , just as Zoom has entered the mainstream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this new era where everyone is suddenly jumping on more video calls for work and even social activities .
Slack partnered with Amazon earlier this year to switch to Chime for voice and video calling , and now it ’ s experimenting with features beyond traditional video calls .
“ Video conferencing is obviously not going away , but I think it ’ s a legacy of the last 20 years of unified communications as a category , ” explains Butterfield .
“ I think over the next 20 years , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobile devices as consumers , I think we need room for more than just video conferencing as a means of people communicating using voice and video.
” Alongside the new stories feature , Slack is also planning to introduce instant audio .
It will work in a similar way to push-to-talk , as a feature to enable spontaneous calls with co-workers within channels .
“ The idea is we already have channels ... starting a call or scheduling a call can feel pretty heavy whereas when we were all in the office leaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of desks away with a question feels very lightweight , so we ’ re trying to recreate that , ” says Butterfield .
This always-available audio sounds like it will work like a Discord call , where there are always available voice channels that people can hop in and out of and see co-workers online and chatting .
“ The idea is that the call isn ’ t something that starts and stops , it ’ s something you enter and leave and the call is always there permanently associated with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems like an ideal feature for smaller , more agile teams where you quickly need to huddle and discuss a project or idea , without scheduling time for a full video call .
“ It ’ s not something that will sneak up on people , it ’ s meant for very specific participation , ” says Butterfield .
“ It ’ s meant for generally small teams that are working very close with each other on a specific problem.
” Voice can also convey more nuance than a typical text-based Slack conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and video features are still in the prototype phase at Slack , but Butterfield says they should arrive “ some time this year.
” With only a few months left of the year that is 2020 , it ’ s safe to say these features will definitely be arriving soon , but they could be marked as beta or roll out gradually .

Slack is getting ready to introduce Instagram-like stories and push-to-talk audio into its communications software before the end of 2020. Both additions are born out of the shift to remote working during the pandemic era we’re all adjusting to. Slack is hoping these features might cut down on constant video calls or inefficient text conversations, and bring back the impromptu office interactions most people haven’t experienced for months.
While Instagram stories are designed to share your every day life experiences with friends and family, Slack’s stories aren’t really about videos of your pets, favorite food, or vacations. Slack sees the video snippets as a way for remote workers to check in and provide status updates, for example, or to set the daily agenda for a team.
“It’s very much like Instagram stories, or snapchat stories, but in Slack,” is how Slack’s CEO, Stewart Butterfield, explained the new stories video feature in an interview with The Verge this week. “There was a joke going around that soon all software will have it, and I thought that was funny at the time. But especially during the pandemic, and the difference in how we as a company are approaching work, means it’s an idea that’s time has come.”
Prototype of how Slack’s stories feature will work. Slack
“Instead of having this 15-minute daily stand-up meeting, can we record the video earlier... and get rid of the 15-minute meeting?” asks Butterfield. Slack is still experimenting with and prototyping how stories will show up, but these short videos should appear alongside channels, allowing people to use them as a way to check in with each other or even as a form of status updates. “It’s a little bit more of a human way of giving updates,” says Butterfield, and a more informal and flexible way for people to participate in meetings without having to hold a dedicated one.
Video conferencing has never been a core part of Slack, and the company’s direct video and audio calling features haven’t been a particular strong point either, just as Zoom has entered the mainstream. That’s left Slack adjusting to this new era where everyone is suddenly jumping on more video calls for work and even social activities. Slack partnered with Amazon earlier this year to switch to Chime for voice and video calling, and now it’s experimenting with features beyond traditional video calls.
“Video conferencing is obviously not going away, but I think it’s a legacy of the last 20 years of unified communications as a category,” explains Butterfield. “I think over the next 20 years, especially given the stuff that happens with our mobile devices as consumers, I think we need room for more than just video conferencing as a means of people communicating using voice and video.”
Prototype of Slack’s always-available audio feature. Slack
Alongside the new stories feature, Slack is also planning to introduce instant audio. It will work in a similar way to push-to-talk, as a feature to enable spontaneous calls with co-workers within channels.
“The idea is we already have channels... starting a call or scheduling a call can feel pretty heavy whereas when we were all in the office leaning over or shouting out to someone a couple of desks away with a question feels very lightweight, so we’re trying to recreate that,” says Butterfield.
This always-available audio sounds like it will work like a Discord call, where there are always available voice channels that people can hop in and out of and see co-workers online and chatting. “The idea is that the call isn’t something that starts and stops, it’s something you enter and leave and the call is always there permanently associated with the channel,” explains Butterfield.
It seems like an ideal feature for smaller, more agile teams where you quickly need to huddle and discuss a project or idea, without scheduling time for a full video call. “It’s not something that will sneak up on people, it’s meant for very specific participation,” says Butterfield. “It’s meant for generally small teams that are working very close with each other on a specific problem.” Voice can also convey more nuance than a typical text-based Slack conversation can.


theverge--2020-10-07--Logitech MX Anywhere 3 review: the best gets smaller

Logitech ’ s MX Anywhere 3 is the recently released successor to the MX Anywhere 2S from 2017 , and the little brother to the MX Master 3 , one of the best mice around .
It ’ s smaller , designed for travel , and serves as a nearly perfect compact mouse for anyone looking to be a little more productive , whether at home or on the go .
Logitech ’ s $ 99 MX Master 3 is most famous for its fantastic scroll wheel , which the company redesigned last year with a new electromagnetic scrolling system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 79.99 MX Anywhere 3 finally brings that same system to Logitech ’ s smaller professional mouse .
The good news is that the scroll wheel makes the transition to the smaller mouse flawlessly , with the same ratcheting and smooth scrolling modes that offer an unparalleled tactile response and let you fly through your pages or spreadsheets .
The MX Anywhere 3 also lets you adjust the resistance , should you prefer even more pronounced haptic feedback .
Logitech says that the battery lasts for up to 70 days , a feat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to check given that I ’ ve only had it for a few weeks , but so far , so good .
Charging is done via USB-C , and connectivity can be done through direct wire , Bluetooth , or with Logitech ’ s Unifying USB-A wireless dongle .
The design has also been tweaked on the new mouse , with the grip , button placement , and shape altered ever so slightly to make it more comfortable to hold .
It ’ s enjoyable to use ; the side buttons nestled right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new model even offers an option to replace one of the biggest missing components from the larger mouse : the lack of a secondary horizontal scroll wheel .
While there ’ s still no secondary wheel , the MX Anywhere 3 lets you hold down one of the side buttons at any time to scroll horizontally using the main wheel .
There ’ s also a few new app-specific software implementations in Logitech ’ s Options software , including the option to use those two side buttons as hotkeys for muting or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel mouse when there ’ s no travel is a tough sell In fact , the only real flaw I ran into with the MX Anywhere 3 is that it ’ s not the MX Master 3 , which still offers a larger , more comfortable grip and that second scroll wheel for $ 20 more .
And while the MX Anywhere 3 does have the edge for portability , it ’ s hard to recommend a portable mouse given the lack of travel right now .
Still , if you do prefer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t mind the missing scroll wheel , or just prefer the smaller size ( and price tag ) , the MX Anywhere 3 is hard to beat .

Logitech’s MX Anywhere 3 is the recently released successor to the MX Anywhere 2S from 2017, and the little brother to the MX Master 3, one of the best mice around. It’s smaller, designed for travel, and serves as a nearly perfect compact mouse for anyone looking to be a little more productive, whether at home or on the go.
Logitech’s $99 MX Master 3 is most famous for its fantastic scroll wheel, which the company redesigned last year with a new electromagnetic scrolling system. Almost a year later, the $79.99 MX Anywhere 3 finally brings that same system to Logitech’s smaller professional mouse.
9 Verge Score Logitech MX Anywhere 3 $ 79.99 The Good Incredible scroll wheel
Comfortable design
Useful software features The Bad No real horizontal scroll wheel
Isn’t the MX Master 3 $80 at Logitech How we rate and review products
The good news is that the scroll wheel makes the transition to the smaller mouse flawlessly, with the same ratcheting and smooth scrolling modes that offer an unparalleled tactile response and let you fly through your pages or spreadsheets. The MX Anywhere 3 also lets you adjust the resistance, should you prefer even more pronounced haptic feedback.
Logitech says that the battery lasts for up to 70 days, a feat that I haven’t been able to check given that I’ve only had it for a few weeks, but so far, so good. Charging is done via USB-C, and connectivity can be done through direct wire, Bluetooth, or with Logitech’s Unifying USB-A wireless dongle.
The design has also been tweaked on the new mouse, with the grip, button placement, and shape altered ever so slightly to make it more comfortable to hold. It’s enjoyable to use; the side buttons nestled right under my thumb for easy access.
The new model even offers an option to replace one of the biggest missing components from the larger mouse: the lack of a secondary horizontal scroll wheel. While there’s still no secondary wheel, the MX Anywhere 3 lets you hold down one of the side buttons at any time to scroll horizontally using the main wheel. There’s also a few new app-specific software implementations in Logitech’s Options software, including the option to use those two side buttons as hotkeys for muting or toggling your camera in Zoom.
A travel mouse when there’s no travel is a tough sell
In fact, the only real flaw I ran into with the MX Anywhere 3 is that it’s not the MX Master 3, which still offers a larger, more comfortable grip and that second scroll wheel for $20 more. And while the MX Anywhere 3 does have the edge for portability, it’s hard to recommend a portable mouse given the lack of travel right now.
Still, if you do prefer a more traditional=shaped mouse, don’t mind the missing scroll wheel, or just prefer the smaller size (and price tag), the MX Anywhere 3 is hard to beat.


SPACs, explained

I keep hearing about these SPAC things .
First of all , what are they , and second of all , why ?
“ SPAC ” stands for special-purpose acquisition company , which is kind of an obtuse way of saying “ a mountain of cash that exists for a merger ” ; it is also sometimes called a “ blank-check ” company , usually in articles like this one that explain what SPACs are .
You ’ re hearing about them because there were 112 SPAC IPOs .
The Wall Street Journal has dubbed 2020 a record year for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new , though they ’ ve only existed in their current form since 2003 , according to Milos Vulanovic , a professor at EDHEC Business School who ’ s studied SPACs for years .
The problem in the 1980s and 1990s was , um , pump-and-dump schemes .
But a bunch of laws have changed since then , and you are hearing about them more often now because some companies are turning to SPAC acquisition in lieu of a traditional initial public offering .
Well , it ’ s kind of a pain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the roadshow , where you try to get investors interested , and there ’ s uncertainty around your valuation until pretty close to the offering .
You ’ re also negotiating with multiple investors , usually institutional investors , which is complex and annoying .
Plus , uncertainty can tank your IPO — remember WeWork ?
The company expected to raise , like , $ 4 billion with an IPO .
Instead , people staged dramatic readings of its S-1 as comedy routines , and the IPO was canceled .
There seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year Anyway , there seems to be more uncertainty now than there was last year .
There ’ s been this pandemic thing that has made markets a little weirder than usual .
There ’ s a presidential election coming up .
If I ’ m running a unicorn , and I need to raise money , maybe the IPO doesn ’ t look as good as it used to .
Maybe I want something easier — or less risky .
With a SPAC , the IPO is already done .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one party : the SPAC that might acquire you .
That means you already know the valuation , you don ’ t have to do a roadshow , and you can cash out your existing investors .
Plus , the whole process is a lot faster because you ’ re only negotiating with one party !
“ When you compare it to an IPO , the pitch is actually very simple : it is a better way to go public , ” Chinh Chu , an influential SPAC sponsor , told Bloomberg News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the vagaries of the market ; SPACs aren ’ t .
SPACs are another way for companies to get late-stage growth capital , says David Erickson , the former co-head of global equity capital markets at Barclays , who now is a lecturer of finance at Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania .
“ If you ’ re acquired , you want something out of it , ” Erickson says .
Also , depending on the sponsor , you may get to incorporate people who are smart and good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or whatever .
So it ’ s got some merger characteristics , which makes sense since , you know , there ’ s an acquisition involved .
What ’ s the downside to going public through a SPAC ?
Aside from the sponsor , you might not get long-term investors since the people who ’ ve invested in SPACs have different goals than a normal investor ; for starters , they might not know or care about your company until it ’ s time to acquire it .
“ There ’ s less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they ’ re more expensive than an IPO , writes Matt Levine , a columnist at Bloomberg .
In order to do an IPO , you wind up paying investment banks 1 percent to 7 percent of what you raise ; in a SPAC , the underwriter gets 5.5 percent and there may be other fees associated with the merger — you have to pay a bank to consult on the deal , for instance .
“ So SPAC fees are about a quarter of the money raised , three or four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay in an IPO , albeit better disguised , ” Levine writes .
Plus , in most cases , the sponsor gets 20 percent of the stock for cheap .
Some investors may be wary of buying shares of a company that went public through a SPAC because the amount of due diligence required for a merger may be less than what the Securities and Exchange Commission requires for a regular IPO .
“ There ’ s less scrutiny of the existing business , ” says John Howe , a professor of finance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The due diligence is done by Bill Ackman or someone.
” The billionaire founder of Pershing Square Capital Management who tried to buy Airbnb with his SPAC .
He ’ s one of a bunch of people who have formed the shell companies that do the acquisitions .
They ’ re usually led by a famous investor , in fact , and a quick trip through the who ’ s who of SPACs might convince you that forming a SPAC has replaced golfing .
In the last four or five years , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improved , says Erickson .
“ SPAC sponsors have gotten a lot better , ” he says .
Here is an incomplete list of SPAC sponsors : • Gary Cohn , formerly of the Trump administration and Goldman Sachs • Reid Hoffman , the co-founder of LinkedIn , and Mark Pincus , the founder of Zynga • Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan , for some reason For the purposes of the tech world , though , the most influential SPAC booster is probably Chamath Palihapitiya , the founder of Social Capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virgin Galactic and also the SPAC that bought Opendoor .
Now , Palihapitiya , a former Facebook exec , has three more SPACs in the works .
Wait , why are all of these people sponsoring SPACs ?
Finance people notoriously love money , so I ’ m guessing that has something to do with it .
Beyond that , I have a guess .
Silicon Valley is bloated with “ unicorns , ” companies with valuations of more than $ 1 billion , valuations that are that high because many of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to .
It ’ s possible that someone clever has figured out that there are a bunch of companies overdue for going public and has decided that this method will make money for them rather than the banks who traditionally handle IPOs .
Can you explain to me what is going on with these shell companies the famous investors make , using Metallica references ?
Does Lars hate Napster ?
Let ’ s say I am a famous and fancy investor , the founder of Ride the Lightning Capital .
I decide it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create a SPAC because , in my specific case , risk makes me feel alive .
So the first thing I do is put together an investor roadshow for my SPAC IPO and trot off to convince people to join my SPAC as investors .
As part of my pitch , I might say that I am looking for “ mature unicorns , ” or I might just leave it open-ended .
Usually , SPACs are priced at $ 10 for a share and a warrant or fraction of a warrant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person the right to buy a share at a specific price after the merger .
So if you bought into my SPAC , you get a share and the possibility of buying more .
This is the kind of thing that hedge fund people get really excited about Anyway , I raise a bunch of money for my IPO , which is procedurally simple , because there ’ s no business to review ; it ’ s an “ IPO about nothing , ” Barron ’ s wrote in 2005 .
Once my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ BELL ) , successfully IPOs , I then set about finding a business to acquire .
I have a deadline , usually 18 months .
While I ’ m looking for my mature unicorn or possibly a pegasus or maybe the four horsemen , most of the sweet gobs of money I raised from my investors are put in escrow .
If I don ’ t find myself a company to buy , I have to give all that money back , minus maybe some fees .
But let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Load , a laundry-focused startup that aims to disrupt the traditional laundromat .
When I sign my purchase agreement , all the investors in For Whom the Bell Tolls will either vote or engage in a tender offer ; the outcome is roughly the same .
In either case , my investors from the roadshow can either return their shares to me ( in which case , I give them most or all of their money back ) or they are now the proud owners of Load , a brand-new public company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a pretty good deal for the investors !
Participating in the SPAC is low-risk .
If an investor doesn ’ t like the target company I pick , they can simply get their money back .
Plus , they can trade their shares or the warrants .
This is the kind of thing that hedge fund people — who love complex financial engineering — get really excited about , though hedgies aren ’ t the only people who invest in SPACs .
Oh , is laundry a hot sector for SPAC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just thought that was a funny example .
This year , the big boom is electric vehicle companies , according to Kristi Marvin , the founder of SPACInsider .
“ I ’ ve been calling 2020 the year of ‘ deals with wheels ’ for SPACs , ” she said in an email .
EV companies , including Lordstown Motors , Nikola , XL Fleet , Canoo , and Fisker — as well as EV powertrain company Hyliion and EV battery company QuantumScape — have either agreed to be acquired by a SPAC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points out that tech has also been a hot area for deals that have recently been announced , such as Porch , Opendoor , and Shift .
There also have been gaming deals , such as Golden Nugget , DraftKings , and Rush Street .
Several SPACs have gone public without yet making an acquisition .
Among those , biotech and health care are hot now , according to Marvin .
Oh yeah , that ’ s fun .
So… if the SPAC boom ends soon , my guess is that Nikola will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I mentioned this earlier , but one drawback to SPACs — maybe !
— is that someone aside from the SEC does due diligence , and this is where Nikola gets interesting .
It went public on June 4th by merging with former GM chairman Steve Girsky ’ s VectoIQ .
According to its SEC documents from 2018 , VectoIQ had 24 months to make an acquisition or Girsky was going to have to give his investors their money back ; the company listed on the Nasdaq in May .
You don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at math to figure out the 2020 acquisition was near the end of that window .
“ We showed up with an army of people to due diligence this thing.
” So anyway , VectoIQ effectively makes Nikola a public company by buying it , and at first , everything looks rosy — the share price spikes to $ 93.99 , more than double its value .
“ At one point Nikola had a market capitalization above Ford ’ s , despite the fact that the electric vehicle maker said it would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informs us .
CNBC also notes that the stock was popular on Robinhood , an app that allows free stock trades .
GM takes a stake in the company , in exchange for in-kind services , on September 8th — exactly the kind of thing that makes an investor with Girsky ’ s connections a good deal for a company that goes public through a SPAC .
Then , on September 10th , short-seller Hindenburg Capital releases an absolute motherfucker of a report .
( Its title is “ Nikola : How to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Partnership With the Largest Auto OEM in America.
” ) In places , the report echoes a June Bloomberg story that suggests Nikola ’ s founder , Trevor Milton , exaggerated the company ’ s capabilities in a video demo of a Nikola semi truck .
Anyway , Milton stepped down on September 21st , just before a Financial Times report said Milton didn ’ t create Nikola ’ s designs — he bought them .
Girsky and GM CEO Mary Barra say they did due diligence on the company .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to due diligence this thing , ” Girsky said on August 2nd .
That hasn ’ t stopped some investors from raising eyebrows .
“ There is obviously someone on the diligence side who isn ’ t going to get a nice bonus this year , ” Reilly Brennan , founder of VC fund Trucks Inc , told Bloomberg .
Anyway , the SEC is investigating now , so I suppose we will all find out exactly how good the due diligence was .
The entire spicy episode has underlined the concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppose it ’ s possible that if the SEC gives Nikola a clean bill of health , everyone will forget this happened , and the SPACs will continue to bloom .
Is that normal in companies that go public through SPACs ?
Well , the American Bar Association has suggested that there ’ s going to be an uptick in SPAC-related lawsuits , so that ’ s not what I would call a good sign .
But as the ABA itself points out , lawsuits are going to be more likely as SPACs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suits ’ merit .
The company ’ s board launched an investigation , “ eventually concluding that the company ’ s previous management had ‘ participated in a sophisticated scheme to falsify Akazoo ’ s books and records.
’ ” Still , SPACs have a bad reputation when it comes to fraud .
For instance , a Greek streaming company , Akazoo , was listed on the markets in 2019 .
A short-seller named Gabriel Grego did some digging and determined that the subscriber numbers Akazoo gave couldn ’ t possibly be right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigation , “ eventually concluding that the company ’ s previous management had ‘ participated in a sophisticated scheme to falsify Akazoo ’ s books and records , ’ ” including the documents that had been given to the acquiring SPAC , according to the Financial Times .
Usually , though , the risks are less extreme than that .
In 2015 and 2016 , 33 SPACs did IPOs , The Wall Street Journal reported .
Of these , 27 did mergers .
By 2019 , 20 of these companies traded below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story , between 2010 and 2017 , SPACs performed about 3 percent more poorly than the broader market , though some of that may be due to the escrow accounts used to park the pre-merger cash : interest rates were low while the market was frothy .
A similar analysis from the Financial Times of the SPACs from 2015 and 2019 found the majority trade below their original price of $ 10 a share .
This seems like another way for Wall Street to make a lot of profit at retail investors ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comment than a question , but I ’ ll respond to it anyway .
The only book you need to read to understand Wall Street is Fred Schwed ’ s Where are the Customers ’ Yachts ?
Banks make big-boy money on fees .
Any kind .
Underwriting a SPAC ’ s IPO , consulting on the eventual merger… When will the SPAC boom end ?
Hard to say !
There are a lot of things that could shut this down — investors getting cold feet , more companies like Airbnb declining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but looking at the past , SPACs usually cool off in a bear market , says Howe .
How soon do you think we ’ ll be in a bear market ?
If I knew that kind of thing , do you think I ’ d be a professional internet typist ?
Anyway , to tide you over in the meantime , here are some fat bears .

I keep hearing about these SPAC things. First of all, what are they, and second of all, why?
“SPAC” stands for special-purpose acquisition company, which is kind of an obtuse way of saying “a mountain of cash that exists for a merger”; it is also sometimes called a “blank-check” company, usually in articles like this one that explain what SPACs are. You’re hearing about them because there were 112 SPAC IPOs. The Wall Street Journal has dubbed 2020 a record year for SPACs.
SPACs aren’t really new, though they’ve only existed in their current form since 2003, according to Milos Vulanovic, a professor at EDHEC Business School who’s studied SPACs for years. The problem in the 1980s and 1990s was, um, pump-and-dump schemes. But a bunch of laws have changed since then, and you are hearing about them more often now because some companies are turning to SPAC acquisition in lieu of a traditional initial public offering.
What’s wrong with a traditional IPO?
Well, it’s kind of a pain in the ass. There’s the roadshow, where you try to get investors interested, and there’s uncertainty around your valuation until pretty close to the offering. You’re also negotiating with multiple investors, usually institutional investors, which is complex and annoying. Plus, uncertainty can tank your IPO — remember WeWork? The company expected to raise, like, $4 billion with an IPO. Instead, people staged dramatic readings of its S-1 as comedy routines, and the IPO was canceled.
There seems to be more uncertainty now than there was last year
Anyway, there seems to be more uncertainty now than there was last year. There’s been this pandemic thing that has made markets a little weirder than usual. There’s a presidential election coming up. If I’m running a unicorn, and I need to raise money, maybe the IPO doesn’t look as good as it used to. Maybe I want something easier — or less risky.
With a SPAC, the IPO is already done. All you’re doing is negotiating with one party: the SPAC that might acquire you. That means you already know the valuation, you don’t have to do a roadshow, and you can cash out your existing investors. Plus, the whole process is a lot faster because you’re only negotiating with one party! “When you compare it to an IPO, the pitch is actually very simple: it is a better way to go public,” Chinh Chu, an influential SPAC sponsor, told Bloomberg News. He noted that IPOs are subject to the vagaries of the market; SPACs aren’t.
SPACs are another way for companies to get late-stage growth capital, says David Erickson, the former co-head of global equity capital markets at Barclays, who now is a lecturer of finance at Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. “If you’re acquired, you want something out of it,” Erickson says.
Also, depending on the sponsor, you may get to incorporate people who are smart and good at running public companies into board seats or whatever. So it’s got some merger characteristics, which makes sense since, you know, there’s an acquisition involved.
What’s the downside to going public through a SPAC?
Aside from the sponsor, you might not get long-term investors since the people who’ve invested in SPACs have different goals than a normal investor; for starters, they might not know or care about your company until it’s time to acquire it.
“There’s less scrutiny of the existing business.”
Also, they’re more expensive than an IPO, writes Matt Levine, a columnist at Bloomberg. In order to do an IPO, you wind up paying investment banks 1 percent to 7 percent of what you raise; in a SPAC, the underwriter gets 5.5 percent and there may be other fees associated with the merger — you have to pay a bank to consult on the deal, for instance. “So SPAC fees are about a quarter of the money raised, three or four times as much as you’d pay in an IPO, albeit better disguised,” Levine writes.
Plus, in most cases, the sponsor gets 20 percent of the stock for cheap.
Some investors may be wary of buying shares of a company that went public through a SPAC because the amount of due diligence required for a merger may be less than what the Securities and Exchange Commission requires for a regular IPO. “There’s less scrutiny of the existing business,” says John Howe, a professor of finance at the University of Missouri. “The due diligence is done by Bill Ackman or someone.”
Bill Ackman?
The billionaire founder of Pershing Square Capital Management who tried to buy Airbnb with his SPAC. He’s one of a bunch of people who have formed the shell companies that do the acquisitions. They’re usually led by a famous investor, in fact, and a quick trip through the who’s who of SPACs might convince you that forming a SPAC has replaced golfing.
In the last four or five years, the quality of SPAC management teams has drastically improved, says Erickson. “SPAC sponsors have gotten a lot better,” he says.
Here is an incomplete list of SPAC sponsors:
For the purposes of the tech world, though, the most influential SPAC booster is probably Chamath Palihapitiya, the founder of Social Capital. He created the SPAC that bought Virgin Galactic and also the SPAC that bought Opendoor. Now, Palihapitiya, a former Facebook exec, has three more SPACs in the works.
Wait, why are all of these people sponsoring SPACs?
Finance people notoriously love money, so I’m guessing that has something to do with it.
Finance people notoriously love money
Beyond that, I have a guess. Silicon Valley is bloated with “unicorns,” companies with valuations of more than $1 billion, valuations that are that high because many of these companies stayed private longer than startups used to. It’s possible that someone clever has figured out that there are a bunch of companies overdue for going public and has decided that this method will make money for them rather than the banks who traditionally handle IPOs.
Can you explain to me what is going on with these shell companies the famous investors make, using Metallica references?
Does Lars hate Napster? Let’s say I am a famous and fancy investor, the founder of Ride the Lightning Capital. I decide it’s a smart idea for me to create a SPAC because, in my specific case, risk makes me feel alive.
So the first thing I do is put together an investor roadshow for my SPAC IPO and trot off to convince people to join my SPAC as investors. As part of my pitch, I might say that I am looking for “mature unicorns,” or I might just leave it open-ended. Usually, SPACs are priced at $10 for a share and a warrant or fraction of a warrant, which is a document that gives a person the right to buy a share at a specific price after the merger. So if you bought into my SPAC, you get a share and the possibility of buying more.
This is the kind of thing that hedge fund people get really excited about
Anyway, I raise a bunch of money for my IPO, which is procedurally simple, because there’s no business to review; it’s an “IPO about nothing,” Barron’s wrote in 2005. Once my SPAC, For Whom the Bell Tolls ($BELL), successfully IPOs, I then set about finding a business to acquire. I have a deadline, usually 18 months. While I’m looking for my mature unicorn or possibly a pegasus or maybe the four horsemen, most of the sweet gobs of money I raised from my investors are put in escrow. If I don’t find myself a company to buy, I have to give all that money back, minus maybe some fees.
But let’s say I find a business I like: Load, a laundry-focused startup that aims to disrupt the traditional laundromat. When I sign my purchase agreement, all the investors in For Whom the Bell Tolls will either vote or engage in a tender offer; the outcome is roughly the same. In either case, my investors from the roadshow can either return their shares to me (in which case, I give them most or all of their money back) or they are now the proud owners of Load, a brand-new public company.
It’s worth pointing out this is a pretty good deal for the investors! Participating in the SPAC is low-risk. If an investor doesn’t like the target company I pick, they can simply get their money back. Plus, they can trade their shares or the warrants. This is the kind of thing that hedge fund people — who love complex financial engineering — get really excited about, though hedgies aren’t the only people who invest in SPACs.
Oh, is laundry a hot sector for SPAC acquisition?
She points out that tech has also been a hot area for deals that have recently been announced, such as Porch, Opendoor, and Shift. There also have been gaming deals, such as Golden Nugget, DraftKings, and Rush Street.
Several SPACs have gone public without yet making an acquisition. Among those, biotech and health care are hot now, according to Marvin.
What’s the deal with Nikola?
Oh yeah, that’s fun. So… if the SPAC boom ends soon, my guess is that Nikola will have had something to do with it. I mentioned this earlier, but one drawback to SPACs — maybe! — is that someone aside from the SEC does due diligence, and this is where Nikola gets interesting. It went public on June 4th by merging with former GM chairman Steve Girsky’s VectoIQ. According to its SEC documents from 2018, VectoIQ had 24 months to make an acquisition or Girsky was going to have to give his investors their money back; the company listed on the Nasdaq in May. You don’t have to be very good at math to figure out the 2020 acquisition was near the end of that window.
“We showed up with an army of people to due diligence this thing.”
So anyway, VectoIQ effectively makes Nikola a public company by buying it, and at first, everything looks rosy — the share price spikes to $93.99, more than double its value. “At one point Nikola had a market capitalization above Ford’s, despite the fact that the electric vehicle maker said it would not generate revenue until 2021,” CNBC informs us. CNBC also notes that the stock was popular on Robinhood, an app that allows free stock trades. GM takes a stake in the company, in exchange for in-kind services, on September 8th — exactly the kind of thing that makes an investor with Girsky’s connections a good deal for a company that goes public through a SPAC.
Then, on September 10th, short-seller Hindenburg Capital releases an absolute motherfucker of a report. (Its title is “Nikola: How to Parlay An Ocean of Lies Into a Partnership With the Largest Auto OEM in America.”) In places, the report echoes a June Bloomberg story that suggests Nikola’s founder, Trevor Milton, exaggerated the company’s capabilities in a video demo of a Nikola semi truck. Anyway, Milton stepped down on September 21st, just before a Financial Times report said Milton didn’t create Nikola’s designs — he bought them.
Girsky and GM CEO Mary Barra say they did due diligence on the company. “We showed up with an army of people to due diligence this thing,” Girsky said on August 2nd. That hasn’t stopped some investors from raising eyebrows. “There is obviously someone on the diligence side who isn’t going to get a nice bonus this year,” Reilly Brennan, founder of VC fund Trucks Inc, told Bloomberg.
Anyway, the SEC is investigating now, so I suppose we will all find out exactly how good the due diligence was. The entire spicy episode has underlined the concerns about due diligence in SPACs, though I suppose it’s possible that if the SEC gives Nikola a clean bill of health, everyone will forget this happened, and the SPACs will continue to bloom.
Is that normal in companies that go public through SPACs?
Well, the American Bar Association has suggested that there’s going to be an uptick in SPAC-related lawsuits, so that’s not what I would call a good sign. But as the ABA itself points out, lawsuits are going to be more likely as SPACs become more popular — regardless of the suits’ merit.
The company’s board launched an investigation, “eventually concluding that the company’s previous management had ‘participated in a sophisticated scheme to falsify Akazoo’s books and records.’”
Still, SPACs have a bad reputation when it comes to fraud. For instance, a Greek streaming company, Akazoo, was listed on the markets in 2019. A short-seller named Gabriel Grego did some digging and determined that the subscriber numbers Akazoo gave couldn’t possibly be right. The company’s board launched an investigation, “eventually concluding that the company’s previous management had ‘participated in a sophisticated scheme to falsify Akazoo’s books and records,’” including the documents that had been given to the acquiring SPAC, according to the Financial Times.
Usually, though, the risks are less extreme than that. In 2015 and 2016, 33 SPACs did IPOs, The Wall Street Journal reported. Of these, 27 did mergers. By 2019, 20 of these companies traded below their IPO price. According to that story, between 2010 and 2017, SPACs performed about 3 percent more poorly than the broader market, though some of that may be due to the escrow accounts used to park the pre-merger cash: interest rates were low while the market was frothy.
A similar analysis from the Financial Times of the SPACs from 2015 and 2019 found the majority trade below their original price of $10 a share.
This seems like another way for Wall Street to make a lot of profit at retail investors’ expense!
That’s more of a comment than a question, but I’ll respond to it anyway. The only book you need to read to understand Wall Street is Fred Schwed’s Where are the Customers’ Yachts? Banks make big-boy money on fees. Any kind. Underwriting a SPAC’s IPO, consulting on the eventual merger…
When will the SPAC boom end?
Hard to say! There are a lot of things that could shut this down — investors getting cold feet, more companies like Airbnb declining to be acquired, regulatory action — but looking at the past, SPACs usually cool off in a bear market, says Howe.
How soon do you think we’ll be in a bear market?


theverge--2020-10-07--Sony’s PS5 teardown video reveals removable sides, dust catchers, and storage expansion

Sony has published a seven-minute teardown video of the PS5 .
The teardown gives us the best look at the PS5 so far , including all of its internal parts and how the sides are removable .
Yasuhiro Ootori , head of Sony ’ s mechanical design for the PS5 , leads the teardown in Japanese , noting that the entire rear of the PS5 is designed to exhaust air out of the console .
Sony is using a base on the PS5 that ’ s held in with a screw when it ’ s oriented vertically and clipped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re planning to use it horizontally .
The white panels on either side of the console can be easily removed by lifting and sliding them off .
This reveals the main cooling fan at the top of the PS5 , which can draw in air from either side .
Sony is also using two dust catchers which can be vacuumed out through two holes .
The teardown also gives us a first look at expandable storage through an M.2 slot that ’ s accessible once you remove the side panels .
PS5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own PCIe 4.0 compatible drives to upgrade storage in the next-gen console .
The rest of Sony ’ s teardown video also reveals just how serviceable this console will be .
It ’ s clear Sony has thoughtfully designed this to make reparability and serviceability easy .
The Blu-ray drive can be easily removed , and even the processor , memory , and SSD sections are easy to access .
The 350-watt power supply can also be removed easily .
The cooling fan Sony is using inside the PS5 is a large 120mm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intake .
Sony is also using a heatsink to help with cooling , with airflow that Sony says should “ achieve the same performance as a vapor chamber.
” The PS5 also uses liquid metal for cooling performance , which should also help cut down on the typical fan noise found on the PS4 .
Sony says it has spent two years working on this liquid metal cooling , with various tests to ensure it ’ s a stable long-term solution .
It ’ s a thermal conductor that sits between the SoC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the cooling performance .
Early hands-on videos and impressions suggested that the console ran quiet and cool during the limited gameplay that Japanese publishers and YouTubers were able to experience recently .
Sony says it has spent five years designing and developing the PS5 and has focused on reducing noise levels and enhancing its cooling methods .
That ’ s encouraging to hear as the previous PS4 Pro suffered from noise problems that Sony quietly addressed with updated models .
“ We ’ ve also highlighted the mechanism in the video that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ console to make the operating sounds even quieter , ” explains Masayasu Ito , head of hardware engineering and operation at Sony Interactive Entertainment .
“ After an extensive and complex trial and error process , we were pleased with the end result and I can not wait for our fans to get their hands on the PS5 console and ‘ hear ’ it for themselves.
” Sony ’ s PlayStation 5 console will go on sale for $ 499 ( $ 399 for the Digital Edition ) in the US on November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other parts of the world on November 19th .

Sony has published a seven-minute teardown video of the PS5. The teardown gives us the best look at the PS5 so far, including all of its internal parts and how the sides are removable. Yasuhiro Ootori, head of Sony’s mechanical design for the PS5, leads the teardown in Japanese, noting that the entire rear of the PS5 is designed to exhaust air out of the console.
Sony is using a base on the PS5 that’s held in with a screw when it’s oriented vertically and clipped to the side of the console if you’re planning to use it horizontally. The white panels on either side of the console can be easily removed by lifting and sliding them off. This reveals the main cooling fan at the top of the PS5, which can draw in air from either side. Sony is also using two dust catchers which can be vacuumed out through two holes.
All parts of the PS5. Image: Sony
The teardown also gives us a first look at expandable storage through an M.2 slot that’s accessible once you remove the side panels. PS5 owners will be able to purchase their own PCIe 4.0 compatible drives to upgrade storage in the next-gen console.
The rest of Sony’s teardown video also reveals just how serviceable this console will be. It’s clear Sony has thoughtfully designed this to make reparability and serviceability easy. The Blu-ray drive can be easily removed, and even the processor, memory, and SSD sections are easy to access. The 350-watt power supply can also be removed easily.
The PS5 sides are removable.
The cooling fan Sony is using inside the PS5 is a large 120mm diameter, 45mm thick, double-sided air intake. Sony is also using a heatsink to help with cooling, with airflow that Sony says should “achieve the same performance as a vapor chamber.” The PS5 also uses liquid metal for cooling performance, which should also help cut down on the typical fan noise found on the PS4.
Sony says it has spent two years working on this liquid metal cooling, with various tests to ensure it’s a stable long-term solution. It’s a thermal conductor that sits between the SoC and heat sink and should help significantly with the cooling performance.
Liquid metal cooling on the PS5. Sony
Early hands-on videos and impressions suggested that the console ran quiet and cool during the limited gameplay that Japanese publishers and YouTubers were able to experience recently.
Sony says it has spent five years designing and developing the PS5 and has focused on reducing noise levels and enhancing its cooling methods. That’s encouraging to hear as the previous PS4 Pro suffered from noise problems that Sony quietly addressed with updated models.
Sony’s PS5 fan.
“We’ve also highlighted the mechanism in the video that we’ve incorporated into the PS5 console to make the operating sounds even quieter,” explains Masayasu Ito, head of hardware engineering and operation at Sony Interactive Entertainment. “After an extensive and complex trial and error process, we were pleased with the end result and I can not wait for our fans to get their hands on the PS5 console and ‘hear’ it for themselves.”


theverge--2020-10-07--Tesla accounts now support two-factor authentication

Tesla accounts can now be secured with two-factor authentication ( 2FA ) , giving owners an extra layer of security around their cars ’ connected services , Electrek reports .
A support page on Tesla ’ s website outlining how to set up the feature says any third-party authenticator apps can be used to provide the passcodes .
There ’ s no mention of support for 2FA codes over less secure SMS .
Users on Twitter have confirmed that the enhanced security works across both the Tesla app and website .
Support for 2FA has been a long time coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August that the feature was “ embarrassingly late.
” Making sure Tesla ’ s user accounts are as secure as possible is important considering how connected Tesla cars are .
According to its Google Play listing , the Tesla app can do anything from locating your vehicle , to flashing its lights , and even unlocking it from afar — although you can set the car to require an additional PIN code before it ’ ll start .
Tesla ’ s support page notes that you can have up to two registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you can set up a backup passcode in case you lose them .
Otherwise , you ’ ll have to contact Tesla if your devices are lost .

Tesla accounts can now be secured with two-factor authentication (2FA), giving owners an extra layer of security around their cars’ connected services, Electrek reports. A support page on Tesla’s website outlining how to set up the feature says any third-party authenticator apps can be used to provide the passcodes. There’s no mention of support for 2FA codes over less secure SMS. Users on Twitter have confirmed that the enhanced security works across both the Tesla app and website.
Support for 2FA has been a long time coming, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk admitting in August that the feature was “embarrassingly late.” Making sure Tesla’s user accounts are as secure as possible is important considering how connected Tesla cars are. According to its Google Play listing, the Tesla app can do anything from locating your vehicle, to flashing its lights, and even unlocking it from afar — although you can set the car to require an additional PIN code before it’ll start.


theverge--2020-10-07--MSI promises refunds after subsidiary sold RTX 3080 cards at markup on eBay

MSI has admitted that its subsidiary Starlit Partner got access to MSI ’ s new GeForce RTX 30-series graphics cards in “ error , ” after it was found selling them at huge markups on eBay .
After links between the two companies emerged , users on Reddit accused MSI of taking advantage of stock shortages to “ scalp ” customers with inflated prices via a subsidiary .
MSI says that anyone who bought graphics cards over their MSRP from Starlit will be offered the choice of a full or partial refund .
In a statement posted on Twitter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ individual sales subsidiary ” under the company , and said it usually sells MSI ’ s “ excess inventory and refurbished items.
” MSI says Starlit would not normally be given new products like the GeForce RTX 30 series graphics cards , but “ an error allowed them access to inventory they were not permitted to handle.
” In response , MSI said that Starlit will be contacting anyone that bought a graphics card at an inflated price to offer them a choice of a full refund , or a partial refund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s MSRP .
“ Moving forward , MSI will enforce a stricter policy to avoid situations like this happening again , ” the company says .
Although the listing has since been removed , Starlit Partner appears to have been selling an MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming X Trio graphics card for $ 1,359 , almost $ 600 over its list price of $ 760 .
Screenshots of the listing published by VideoCardz show that the card was advertised as being in “ new ” condition , and that four had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the product has been removed from sale “ because there was an error in the listing.
” The news comes as Nvidia ’ s latest graphics cards have faced stock shortages due to their popularity .
The GeForce RTX 3080 sold out almost immediately when it went on sale last month , and the cards have since popped up on eBay for hundreds or even thousands of dollars over their original asking price .
Nvidia has apologized for the stock shortages , and has pushed back the launch of the more affordable RTX @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available on launch day .

MSI has admitted that its subsidiary Starlit Partner got access to MSI’s new GeForce RTX 30-series graphics cards in “error,” after it was found selling them at huge markups on eBay. After links between the two companies emerged, users on Reddit accused MSI of taking advantage of stock shortages to “scalp” customers with inflated prices via a subsidiary. MSI says that anyone who bought graphics cards over their MSRP from Starlit will be offered the choice of a full or partial refund.
In a statement posted on Twitter, MSI confirmed that Starlit Partner is an “individual sales subsidiary” under the company, and said it usually sells MSI’s “excess inventory and refurbished items.” MSI says Starlit would not normally be given new products like the GeForce RTX 30 series graphics cards, but “an error allowed them access to inventory they were not permitted to handle.”
In response, MSI said that Starlit will be contacting anyone that bought a graphics card at an inflated price to offer them a choice of a full refund, or a partial refund of any amount paid over the card’s MSRP. “Moving forward, MSI will enforce a stricter policy to avoid situations like this happening again,” the company says.
Although the listing has since been removed, Starlit Partner appears to have been selling an MSI GeForce RTX 3080 Gaming X Trio graphics card for $1,359, almost $600 over its list price of $760. Screenshots of the listing published by VideoCardz show that the card was advertised as being in “new” condition, and that four had been sold. Its eBay page now says the product has been removed from sale “because there was an error in the listing.”
When contacted for comment, MSI told The Verge that the issue only affected four cards in total, and that they were removed from sale as soon as possible. MSI also said that the problem has only occurred in the US.
The news comes as Nvidia’s latest graphics cards have faced stock shortages due to their popularity. The GeForce RTX 3080 sold out almost immediately when it went on sale last month, and the cards have since popped up on eBay for hundreds or even thousands of dollars over their original asking price. Nvidia has apologized for the stock shortages, and has pushed back the launch of the more affordable RTX 3070 so there’s more stock available on launch day.


theverge--2020-10-07--This extremely slippery VR treadmill could be your next home gym

Virtual reality startup Virtuix is building a VR treadmill for your home .
The Omni One is an elaborate full-body controller that lets you physically run , jump , and crouch in place .
Following an earlier business- and arcade-focused device , it ’ s supposed to ship in mid-2021 for $ 1,995 , and Virtuix is announcing the product with a crowdfunding investment campaign .
The crowdfunded Virtuix Omni started development in 2013 .
It ’ s not a traditional treadmill — it ’ s a low-friction platform that ’ s used with special low-friction shows or shoe covers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember the overall VR treadmill concept from Steven Spielberg ’ s Ready Player One . )
As an Omni One prototype video demonstrates , the device basically holds you in place while your feet slide across the platform , and that movement gets translated into a VR environment .
We ’ ve tried earlier iterations of the Omni , and it ’ s an awkward yet fascinating experience .
The Omni One is more compact than its predecessors , anchoring users to a single vertical bar instead of a ring around the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up and put it away .
It will play games from a dedicated store that ’ s supposed to launch with 30 titles .
Virtuix doesn ’ t have a full list , but it plans to feature third-party games alongside experiences it develops itself , with the latter category including games similar to Fortnite and Call of Duty .
The retail Omni One will be a self-contained system with a standalone headset — it ’ s being tested with a Pico Neo 2 , but Virtuix will decide which headset to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A $ 995 developer kit will only offer the treadmill portion .
For users who want the full package , Virtuix is opening a Regulation A funding campaign , which lets companies sell shares through a crowdfunding-style process .
Fans of the concept must invest a minimum of $ 1,000 , and in return , they ’ ll get a 20 percent discount on the consumer Omni One , or a 40 percent discount if they invest in the first week .
Virtuix isn ’ t describing these investments as “ preorders.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposition , since markets and technology can change rapidly as companies are building a product .
Virtuix delivered on its promises far better than some VR startups , but the Omni ’ s purpose still evolved over time .
It was conceived as a home gaming system that would ship all over the world , but Virtuix was forced to cancel some preorders after the device became larger and more complex .
Virtuix later stopped offering the consumer treadmill to focus on VR arcades .
Now , location-based VR has been devastated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s resuming installations for business customers .
The Omni One ’ s release date was moved up amid a surge of pandemic-driven enthusiasm for high-end home fitness tech .
Virtuix describes the treadmill as something like a Peloton bike for gamers and selling it in a similar price range — while fitness isn ’ t the primary focus , you ’ ll definitely be moving a lot in this thing .
If the Omni One finds a niche ( which is , obviously , far from certain ) Virtuix will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VR treadmills happen .

Virtual reality startup Virtuix is building a VR treadmill for your home. The Omni One is an elaborate full-body controller that lets you physically run, jump, and crouch in place. Following an earlier business- and arcade-focused device, it’s supposed to ship in mid-2021 for $1,995, and Virtuix is announcing the product with a crowdfunding investment campaign.
The crowdfunded Virtuix Omni started development in 2013. It’s not a traditional treadmill — it’s a low-friction platform that’s used with special low-friction shows or shoe covers and a harness. (You may remember the overall VR treadmill concept from Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One.) As an Omni One prototype video demonstrates, the device basically holds you in place while your feet slide across the platform, and that movement gets translated into a VR environment. We’ve tried earlier iterations of the Omni, and it’s an awkward yet fascinating experience.
The Omni One is more compact than its predecessors, anchoring users to a single vertical bar instead of a ring around the whole treadmill. You can also fold it up and put it away. It will play games from a dedicated store that’s supposed to launch with 30 titles. Virtuix doesn’t have a full list, but it plans to feature third-party games alongside experiences it develops itself, with the latter category including games similar to Fortnite and Call of Duty.
The retail Omni One will be a self-contained system with a standalone headset — it’s being tested with a Pico Neo 2, but Virtuix will decide which headset to use for retail in the coming months. A $995 developer kit will only offer the treadmill portion. For users who want the full package, Virtuix is opening a Regulation A funding campaign, which lets companies sell shares through a crowdfunding-style process. Fans of the concept must invest a minimum of $1,000, and in return, they’ll get a 20 percent discount on the consumer Omni One, or a 40 percent discount if they invest in the first week.
Virtuix isn’t describing these investments as “preorders.” VR crowdfunding campaigns can be a high-risk proposition, since markets and technology can change rapidly as companies are building a product. Virtuix delivered on its promises far better than some VR startups, but the Omni’s purpose still evolved over time. It was conceived as a home gaming system that would ship all over the world, but Virtuix was forced to cancel some preorders after the device became larger and more complex. Virtuix later stopped offering the consumer treadmill to focus on VR arcades. Now, location-based VR has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, although Virtuix says it’s resuming installations for business customers.


theverge--2020-10-07--Samsung’s Android 11-powered One UI 3.0 update enters public beta in the US

Samsung ’ s One UI 3.0 update , which incorporates Android 11 ’ s new features alongside some Samsung-specific improvements , has started rolling out in public beta in the US , SamMobile reports .
The software is reportedly available for the T-Mobile variants of Samsung ’ s Galaxy S20 lineup , including the standard S20 , S20 Plus , and S20 Ultra , though the rollout should expand in the hours and days ahead .
If you ’ ve got a supported device , you can enroll in the beta via the Samsung Members app .
Thanks to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a pretty good idea of what to expect from One UI 3.0 .
There are minor UI tweaks like being able to touch and hold an app to quickly access its widgets , or double-tapping the home screen to turn off the phone ’ s display .
A full list of these Samsung-specific improvements , which also include include DeX , stock app , and Bixby updates , can be found in a full changelog posted by Android Police .
Coming to the S20 , S20 Plus , and S20 Ultra first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , One UI 3.0 also delivers Android 11 ’ s new features , which include updated media player controls and notification panel tweaks .
You can read all about them in our full Android 11 review .
The update also includes Android ’ s latest security patch from October 2020 , SamMobile reports .
Samsung ’ s One UI 3.0 beta launched in South Korea yesterday , and SamMobile reports that it ’ s expected to launch soon in China , Germany , India , Poland , and the United Kingdom .

Samsung’s One UI 3.0 update, which incorporates Android 11’s new features alongside some Samsung-specific improvements, has started rolling out in public beta in the US, SamMobile reports. The software is reportedly available for the T-Mobile variants of Samsung’s Galaxy S20 lineup, including the standard S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra, though the rollout should expand in the hours and days ahead. If you’ve got a supported device, you can enroll in the beta via the Samsung Members app.
Thanks to the earlier developer beta release, we already have a pretty good idea of what to expect from One UI 3.0. There are minor UI tweaks like being able to touch and hold an app to quickly access its widgets, or double-tapping the home screen to turn off the phone’s display. A full list of these Samsung-specific improvements, which also include include DeX, stock app, and Bixby updates, can be found in a full changelog posted by Android Police.
Coming to the S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra first
As well as Samsung’s changes, One UI 3.0 also delivers Android 11’s new features, which include updated media player controls and notification panel tweaks. You can read all about them in our full Android 11 review. The update also includes Android’s latest security patch from October 2020, SamMobile reports.


theverge--2020-10-07--The Nuraphone headphones are getting a gaming microphone attachment

The company behind the $ 399 Nuraphone Bluetooth hearing-correcting headphones have made a new gaming microphone accessory that effectively makes the wireless headphones wired .
The microphone costs $ 49.99 — on top of the somewhat steep cost for the Nuraphone .
However , it allows the headphones to plug into anything that accepts a 3.5mm jack , so they can be used with PCs , Macs , mobile devices , the Nintendo Switch , and modern console controllers .
The microphone attachment is as simple as it sounds .
The flexible boom microphone attaches to a proprietary port on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right earcup , which means you can ’ t use it with any other set of headphones .
Part of the way down the long cord there ’ s an inline remote with volume controls and a mic mute switch .
Once it ’ s plugged in ( and after you ’ ve updated the Nuraphone app ) , the Bluetooth headphones effectively become a wired gaming headset .
Though that ’ s underselling it a bit .
For this wired mode , the Nuraphones utilize the same unique hearing profile that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a phone via Bluetooth .
With this new functionality enabled by an app update , Nura aims to make its Nuraphones a solid option for gamers .
The profile should play to the strengths and compensate for any hearing weaknesses you may have , in addition to letting you chat with your friends .
A bit of active noise cancellation kicks in when you plug it in , too .
After my short experience with both the Nuraphone and the microphone attachment , I think the accessory is a no-brainer purchase for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The sound performance is very punchy , yet balanced , and the microphone works exactly as I hoped it would .
I haven ’ t spent enough time with the Nuraphone or the new accessory to fairly judge whether they make a huge difference in a variety of games , though Control ’ s amazing audio design rang out in full effect .
It wasn ’ t revelatory at first blush , but I enjoyed the experience .
As for whether you should pony up $ 399 for the Nuraphone just to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defer to my colleague Jake Kastrenakes ’ review from 2017 .
Granted , the Nuraphone has gotten some extra features and enhanced performance since then , so the review might not totally reflect what it ’ s like to use them today .
Today ’ s new accessory marks another instance of the team adding a welcome update for its headphones , albeit this time with a $ 49 price tag .
Nura isn ’ t the only company releasing accessories to make its headphones more appealing for gamers .
Bose recently unveiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which adds a wired microphone to its Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones for a total cost of $ 329 .

The company behind the $399 Nuraphone Bluetooth hearing-correcting headphones have made a new gaming microphone accessory that effectively makes the wireless headphones wired. The microphone costs $49.99 — on top of the somewhat steep cost for the Nuraphone. However, it allows the headphones to plug into anything that accepts a 3.5mm jack, so they can be used with PCs, Macs, mobile devices, the Nintendo Switch, and modern console controllers.
The microphone attachment is as simple as it sounds. The flexible boom microphone attaches to a proprietary port on the bottom of the Nuraphone’s right earcup, which means you can’t use it with any other set of headphones. Part of the way down the long cord there’s an inline remote with volume controls and a mic mute switch. Once it’s plugged in (and after you’ve updated the Nuraphone app), the Bluetooth headphones effectively become a wired gaming headset. Though that’s underselling it a bit.
For this wired mode, the Nuraphones utilize the same unique hearing profile that’s active when you’re connected to a phone via Bluetooth. With this new functionality enabled by an app update, Nura aims to make its Nuraphones a solid option for gamers. The profile should play to the strengths and compensate for any hearing weaknesses you may have, in addition to letting you chat with your friends. A bit of active noise cancellation kicks in when you plug it in, too.
After my short experience with both the Nuraphone and the microphone attachment, I think the accessory is a no-brainer purchase for anyone who has already bought the headphones. The sound performance is very punchy, yet balanced, and the microphone works exactly as I hoped it would. I haven’t spent enough time with the Nuraphone or the new accessory to fairly judge whether they make a huge difference in a variety of games, though Control’s amazing audio design rang out in full effect. It wasn’t revelatory at first blush, but I enjoyed the experience.
Image: Nura
As for whether you should pony up $399 for the Nuraphone just to get this attachment, I’ll defer to my colleague Jake Kastrenakes’ review from 2017. Granted, the Nuraphone has gotten some extra features and enhanced performance since then, so the review might not totally reflect what it’s like to use them today. Today’s new accessory marks another instance of the team adding a welcome update for its headphones, albeit this time with a $49 price tag.
Nura isn’t the only company releasing accessories to make its headphones more appealing for gamers. Bose recently unveiled its QC 35 II gaming headset, which adds a wired microphone to its Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones for a total cost of $329.


theverge--2020-10-07--You can deck out your Switch Pokemon-style with these Hori accessories

If you ’ ve got pokémon on the brain with the imminent release of Pokémon Sword and Shield ’ s next expansion , Hori ’ s got lots of good-looking accessories on the way to help you deck out your Nintendo Switch with the beloved pocket monsters , including carrying cases , skins for your Switch Lite , and even themed versions of Hori ’ s Split Pad Pro grip controller .
Here ’ s a picture of all of them in one place , as shared by Hori on Twitter : Unfortunately , if you ’ ve now set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new accessories , you can ’ t actually do that just yet .
Hori ’ s tweet says that pre-orders are coming “ holiday 2020 , ” so hopefully that means they ’ ll kick off soon .
If you want to start planning which fit your budget now , Hori ’ s online storefront does at least list prices .
If you absolutely must buy some pokémon merch in the meantime , there ’ s a lot to browse through on the Pokémon Center website .
The store even has Halloween-themed items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candy bowl and plushies of pokémon dressed up as other pokémon .
Adorable !

If you’ve got pokémon on the brain with the imminent release of Pokémon Sword and Shield’s next expansion, Hori’s got lots of good-looking accessories on the way to help you deck out your Nintendo Switch with the beloved pocket monsters — and you can preorder them now from Amazon. The accessories include carrying cases, skins for your Switch Lite, and even themed versions of Hori’s Split Pad Pro grip controller.
Here’s a picture of all of them in one place, as shared by Hori on Twitter:
Hori’s tweet says that preorders are coming “holiday 2020,” and you can get a closer look at the products on Hori’s online storefront. But on Amazon, preorders are already live, with the accessories shipping between the end of October and November, depending on which one you buy. If you want to start planning which items fit your budget now, here’s a list of how much each product will cost on Amazon.
If you want to buy some other pokémon merch while you’re waiting on Hori’s accessories, there’s a lot to browse through on the Pokémon Center website. The store even has Halloween-themed items right now, such as this Gengar candy bowl and plushies of pokémon dressed up as other pokémon. Adorable!


theverge--2020-10-07--Feast your eyes on the first DDR5 memory modules

Three years after the computer industry promised to double the speed of the world ’ s computer memory with the DDR5 spec , it ’ s finally nearly almost here .
SK Hynix has officially announced the world ’ s first DDR5 memory modules .
The company tells The Verge it expected to start selling them in Q3 2021 , but they ’ re ready whenever systems can support them .
Here they are : SK Hynix claims this DRAM offers up to 5,600Mbps of raw bandwidth — not quite the maximum 6,400Mbps the DDR5 spec allows , but a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and all at a lower voltage of 1.1V instead of 1.2V , for what SK Hynix claims will be a 20 percent power savings .
( Power consumption is measured in watts , not volts , in case you ’ re wondering about that math . )
In practical terms , today ’ s announcement won ’ t mean much to your average computer builder or buyer , partially because RAM speed increases haven ’ t provided a big boost for normal apps and games in a while , and partially because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be able to buy them , much less slot them into a system .
Intel has announced it ’ ll be supporting DDR5 with future processors , but AMD hasn ’ t officially embraced DDR5 and may not until 2022 .
But eventually , the capacity of DDR5 might catch your eye .
As AnandTech points out , 128GB modules are likely , and 2TB server-grade modules aren ’ t out of the question .
Today ’ s announcement is more about proving that a company can actually build such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building an ecosystem around the tech .
In this case , SK Hynix says companies like Synopsis , Renesys , Montage and Rambus are all signed on — not exactly the kinds of companies that bring RAM to us gadget lovers .
Which is basically also how DDR4 first rolled out .
It took a while after the spec was first announced .
Plus , JEDEC only managed to finalize the spec this July , a couple years behind schedule .
If you have the need for speed sooner , there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can already buy a pair of 5,100MHz sticks for ~ $ 900 , and try to overclock them to 5,600MHz .
Update 7:53PM ET : Added SK Hynix ’ s comment that it expects to commercialize the DDR5 modules in Q3 2021 .

Three years after the computer industry promised to double the speed of the world’s computer memory with the DDR5 spec, it’s finally nearly almost here. SK Hynix has officially announced the world’s first DDR5 memory modules. The company tells The Verge it expected to start selling them in Q3 2021, but they’re ready whenever systems can support them.
Here they are:
Currently, we’re looking at 32 or 64GB to a stick. Image: SK Hynix
SK Hynix claims this DRAM offers up to 5,600Mbps of raw bandwidth — not quite the maximum 6,400Mbps the DDR5 spec allows, but a full 1.8 times faster than standard DDR4, and all at a lower voltage of 1.1V instead of 1.2V, for what SK Hynix claims will be a 20 percent power savings. (Power consumption is measured in watts, not just volts, in case you’re wondering about that math.)
In practical terms, today’s announcement won’t mean much to your average computer builder or buyer, partially because RAM speed increases haven’t provided a big boost for normal apps and games in a while, and partially because it could be many months before you’ll be able to buy them, much less slot them into a system. Intel has announced it’ll be supporting DDR5 with future processors, but AMD hasn’t officially embraced DDR5 and may not until 2022.
But eventually, the capacity of DDR5 might catch your eye. As AnandTech points out, 128GB modules are likely, and 2TB server-grade modules aren’t out of the question.
Today’s announcement is more about proving that a company can actually build such a module and get other manufacturers involved in building an ecosystem around the tech. In this case, SK Hynix says companies like Synopsis, Renesys, Montage and Rambus are all signed on — not exactly the kinds of companies that bring RAM to us gadget lovers.
Which is basically also how DDR4 first rolled out. It took a while after the spec was first announced. Plus, JEDEC only managed to finalize the spec this July, a couple years behind schedule.
If you have the need for speed sooner, there’s always ridiculously expensive off-spec DDR4; you can already buy a pair of 5,100MHz sticks for ~$900, and try to overclock them to 5,600MHz.


theverge--2020-10-07--Instagram made a big change to Threads and I, as the sole user of Threads, am sad

Instagram has rolled out an update to the Threads app , and it ’ s a pretty big change .
While Threads previously only allowed you to message close friends ( that is , accounts you ’ d added to your “ Close Friends ” list on Instagram ) , you can now use it to message any Instagram user .
As planet Earth ’ s only user of Threads , I am sad .
Okay , so I exaggerated .
I ’ m not the only user of Threads — some 220,000 people were using Instagram ’ s Threads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s less than 0.1 percent of Instagram ’ s monthly active users , which number more than one billion .
And it ’ s not hard to see why Threads isn ’ t that popular — it essentially takes some stuff you can already do with Instagram and asks you to do it on a different app .
But I use Threads because it just feels intimate .
It ’ s the only messaging app where there ’ s no junk , no small talk , no massive group chats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just me and my best buds .
The app infers what you ’ re doing based on your phone ’ s location and activity , and keeps your Close Friends updated with statuses like “ On the Move , ” “ Out and About , ” “ Chilling , ” and “ Low Battery.
” ( Don ’ t freak out — you can turn this off . )
And you can send any Close Friend a photo or video with the click of a single button , on the home screen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Snapchat .
I get why Instagram is making this change .
The ability to DM any user makes Threads more broadly useful to people who don ’ t use the Close Friends feature .
Facebook also recently launched cross-platform messaging on Instagram and Messenger , bringing some of Messenger ’ s features to Instagram ’ s DMs .
Instagram says that cross-platform messaging won ’ t be enabled for Threads , but it shows that the company is making an effort to integrate its various services and draw more customers in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navarra and Jane Manchun Wong on Twitter , isn ’ t that big of a change in practice .
The app still separates your DMs into tabs for “ Close Friends ” and “ Everyone Else.
” The interface looks almost identical .
Notifications are only enabled for Close Friends by default , though you can change that .
Still , this update is a change to the philosophy of Threads .
And without that philosophy behind it , I ’ m not sure what makes Threads unique .
I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular Instagram DMs , not to mention Messenger , Snapchat , and all the other things I already have at my disposal .
Sure , I ’ ve always had the option to use those apps to message my close friends as well .
But Threads only contained those people , and that exclusivity made it attractive for me .
Threads felt different .
But I also just like apps that don ’ t try to be everything that every other app is .
And while Threads didn ’ t do a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one thing it did — making it super easy to hit up your favorite people .
If it continues to expand into a multipurpose product more similar to Instagram Direct , I hope it doesn ’ t lose that focus .

Instagram has rolled out an update to the Threads app, and it’s a pretty big change. While Threads previously only allowed you to message close friends (that is, accounts you’d added to your “Close Friends” list on Instagram), you can now use it to message any Instagram user. As planet Earth’s only user of Threads, I am sad.
Okay, so I exaggerated. I’m not the only user of Threads — some 220,000 people were using Instagram’s Threads app as of last year. But that’s less than 0.1 percent of Instagram’s monthly active users, which number more than one billion. And it’s not hard to see why Threads isn’t that popular — it essentially takes some stuff you can already do with Instagram and asks you to do it on a different app.
But I use Threads because it just feels intimate. It’s the only messaging app where there’s no junk, no small talk, no massive group chats to mute and ignore. It’s just me and my best buds. The app infers what you’re doing based on your phone’s location and activity, and keeps your Close Friends updated with statuses like “On the Move,” “Out and About,” “Chilling,” and “Low Battery.” (Don’t freak out — you can turn this off.) And you can send any Close Friend a photo or video with the click of a single button, on the home screen, through an interface eerily similar to that of Snapchat.
I get why Instagram is making this change. The ability to DM any user makes Threads more broadly useful to people who don’t use the Close Friends feature. Facebook also recently launched cross-platform messaging on Instagram and Messenger, bringing some of Messenger’s features to Instagram’s DMs. Instagram says that cross-platform messaging won’t be enabled for Threads, but it shows that the company is making an effort to integrate its various services and draw more customers in.
The update, first spotted by Matt Navarra and Jane Manchun Wong on Twitter, isn’t that big of a change in practice. The app still separates your DMs into tabs for “Close Friends” and “Everyone Else.” The interface looks almost identical. Notifications are only enabled for Close Friends by default, though you can change that.
Still, this update is a change to the philosophy of Threads. And without that philosophy behind it, I’m not sure what makes Threads unique. I don’t see why I should use it over regular Instagram DMs, not to mention Messenger, Snapchat, and all the other things I already have at my disposal. Sure, I’ve always had the option to use those apps to message my close friends as well. But Threads only contained those people, and that exclusivity made it attractive for me. Threads felt different.


theverge--2020-10-07--Here are the best iPad deals right now

Here are the best iPad deals right now

Deals on Apple ’ s iPad are more common than you might think .
Whether you ’ re after the most affordable iPad , the high-end iPad Pro , or something in between like the iPad Air or iPad Mini , there ’ s usually some sort of price cut happening somewhere .
Of course , it ’ s difficult to know exactly where you can find those deals unless you ’ re looking around at all of the major retailers .
But that ’ s what we ’ re doing each day when we hunt for deals , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ ve listed each of the current iPads available for purchase .
Sometimes , there just isn ’ t a deal happening .
In that case , we ’ ve mentioned how much the most recent sale price was for , so you know when to take the plunge .
But most of the time , there ’ s some sort of deal going on , be it on a new or refurbished model .
When there is a deal we think is worth telling you about , you ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ context you need to hear .
If you need a little help figuring out exactly which iPad is best for you , we ’ ve got you covered with a comparison post featuring all of the latest models here .
This is Apple ’ s most affordable iPad , usually costing $ 330 for the tablet with 32GB of storage or $ 429 for the 128GB model .
Each has a 10.2-inch display and features the A12 Bionic processor , a Touch ID fingerprint sensor , and a Smart Connector for connecting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revision was just released , it hasn ’ t many price drops .
It ’ s possible that someday we ’ ll see it selling for up to $ 80 or $ 100 off its usual price , like the previous generation .
However , the latest deal on this model isn ’ t too shabby .
You can save $ 30 off the 32GB Gold version at Amazon , dropping the price to $ 300 .
You can also get the the 32GB model at Walmart , but only the gold and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you want more storage , Walmart has the 128GB in Silver for $ 34 off , marking down the price to $ 395 .
Apple released a new iPad mini in early 2019 , carrying forth the same 7.9-inch display and design from previous iterations with refreshed internal specs within .
It has the A12 Bionic processor found in the iPhone XS .
Apple makes a 64GB and 256GB model of the iPad mini with Wi-Fi support , set at $ 400 and $ 500 , respectively .
If you want LTE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 530 .
Sales on this model are a little rarer , but we ’ re seeing some deals right now that knock about $ 50 off the final cost of the 64GB version .
If you need more storage , the 256GB model is available in all colors for $ 490 on Amazon .
The same price is also available at Walmart , but only if you buy this model in gold .
In September , Apple announced a new iPad Air that deviates greatly from its predecessors in terms of design , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The latest model has a slightly larger 10.9-inch display than the 10.5-inch screen found on last year ’ s model .
The 2020 iPad Air features thinner bezels around the display and has relocated the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to the power button , which is located on the top of the device .
Like its predecessor , this year ’ s iPad Air model comes in 64GB or 256GB storage configurations .
The Wi-Fi models start at $ 600 and $ 750 , making the starting price slightly more than last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the model that also supports LTE starts at $ 730 .
The 2020 iPad Air is slated to begin shipping sometime this month , so as of now no deals are available at this time .
Currently , there ’ s no good deals on the 2019 version of the iPad Air , but we ’ ll likely start seeing some decent price drops soon once the 2020 model launches .
Previously , we ’ ve seen the price for the 64GB / Wi-Fi model of the 2019 iPad Air drop by $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ price down to $ 400 .
Apple ’ s 2020 iteration of the iPad Pro looks a lot like the one that came in 2018 , aside from its dual-lens rear camera array .
Unlike the less-expensive models , this one ditches the headphone jack and uses a USB-C port instead of Lightning .
It also utilizes Face ID to unlock instead of relying on the Touch ID fingerprint sensor .
The iPad Pro has the most powerful internals of Apple ’ s entire iPad lineup , and that comes through in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of storage starts at $ 800 , and bumping up the screen size to 12.9 inches raises the price to $ 1,000 .
Each size supports up to 1TB of storage , and going up that high costs $ 1,299 for the 11-inch model and $ 1,499 for the 12.9-inch model .
Don ’ t expect to see huge price drops for this model , though there are a few deals , the lowest deal right now is the 12.9-inch entry model with 128GB of storage , which is $ 50 off right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending over $ 1,000 , the 12.9-inch Wi-Fi 256GB in silver is $ 1,050 right now , about $ 50 off its current retail price .
If you want that same storage configuration but with LTE as well , that model is available in space gray for $ 1,219 , $ 30 off its original price .

While the best iPad deals usually come around during major sale events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and even last month’s Amazon Prime Day, you can still find plenty of great discounts at all times of the year if you know where to look. Whether you’re after the high-end iPad Pro or the most affordable entry-level iPad, there’s likely a sale going on somewhere that you may be interested in.
Of course, it’s difficult to know exactly where you can find the most notable deals unless you’re scouring the major retailers on a daily basis. But that’s often what our deal hunters at The Verge are doing each and every day, so let us help you out. Below, we’ve listed the best deals you can get on each iPad model that is currently available, including the latest ones equipped with Apple’s powerful M1 and M2 chips.
Announced alongside the iPhone 13, the 2021 iPad is Apple’s aging entry-level tablet that still makes a fine device for doing the basics today. The ninth-gen model starts at $329 with 64GB of storage. The base configuration with Wi-Fi is available at Amazon and Best Buy for $269.99 ($60 off) at checkout, its second-best price.
As for the 256GB model that normally costs $479, Walmart and Amazon are both selling it for $389.99 ($89 off). This is an especially good deal, as it’s a new low on a tablet that would only drop to $429 not too long ago. If you prefer your iPad to include cellular connectivity, the 64GB model is currently on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $399.99 ($60 off) instead of $459. Lastly, the 256GB variant is also available at Amazon and Walmart for $519.99 ($89 off). It’s pretty much all-time lows across the board here in ninth-gen iPad land.
A last-gen model is still worth considering
The last-gen iPad uses an A13 Bionic processor and a 12MP wide-angle camera with Center Stage, a feature designed to keep you framed up and centered while on video calls. The tablet also carries over a number of features from its predecessor, such as the 10.2-inch display, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the home button, and a Smart Connector for connecting a Smart Keyboard.
Although the newer 10th-gen iPad came out in October, the last-gen model is still an excellent tablet with a better value. The latest iPad modernizes the design with a switch to USB-C, uniform bezels with no home button, a side power button with a fingerprint sensor, and a larger display, but it excises the headphone jack and costs a much steeper $449. That’s not much of an entry-level price, so hopefully the ninth-gen model sticks around and continues to see moderate discounts.
The base configuration of the 10th-gen iPad is on sale right now for $399.99 ($50 off) in various colors at Amazon and Target. As for the 256GB version that normally costs $599, Amazon and B&H Photo are currently offering it for $549 ($50 off) at checkout. These are decent deals for the 10th-gen model, but they’re not quite the value offered by previously steeper discounts, the heavily discounted ninth-gen model, or the better features you get by stepping up to the iPad Air.
The best iPad Mini (2021) deals
The sixth-generation iPad Mini has a larger screen than its predecessor, along with a top-of-the-line processor, support for USB-C, and options for 5G. It has forfeited its 3.5mm headphone jack and dedicated home button in the process, but overall, it’s a solid device that brings a fully refreshed design to Apple’s small tablet form factor.
The changes and refinements to the new iPad Mini come at a heftier price, however, and the new 64GB Wi-Fi model now starts at $499. Electing for 256GB of storage brings the price up to $649, while the 5G cellular models are $649 for 64GB and $799 for 256GB. These are some big numbers for a small iPad, and the larger iPad Air might be worth considering if you prefer your dollar to go further with more screen real estate. But if you want the latest and greatest from Apple in a smaller format, this is where the action is.
Amazon is selling the 64GB base model of the iPad Mini for just $399.99 ($100 off), which is around $20 off the mark from the lowest price on Apple’s smaller iPad. If you’re in need of additional storage, Amazon also has the 256GB Wi-Fi model for $539.99 (about $110 off) after an additional discount at checkout, which is as good as you’re going to find. As for the cellular model, the 64GB model with 5G in its starlight and pink colors is on sale for $549.99 ($100 off) at Amazon when you check out.
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The best iPad Air (2022) deals
The 2022 iteration of Apple’s lightweight tablet is similar in terms of its capabilities when measured against the previous-gen model but still offers a handful of iterative upgrades. The most pronounced improvement is the M1 processor, which offers better performance, and the front-facing 12MP camera comes equipped with Apple’s Center Stage feature that helps to keep a moving subject centered when recording video or during video calls.
The best iPad Pro (2022) deals
The latest generation of iPad Pros looks a whole lot like the prior model from 2021, as the changes are primarily on the inside. The new Pros still come in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, with the better-looking Mini LED panel once again reserved for the larger model, though both now pack Apple’s newer M2 CPU for even better processing power.
The striking resemblance to the prior generation aside, there are a few reasons to opt for a Pro over something like an Air, such as Face ID unlocking and additional base storage. If display quality is the most important factor in your purchasing decision, the 12.9-inch version is the way to go, as its Mini LED display achieves deeper blacks and better contrast, much like an OLED panel.
Aside from that, as well as a nifty new hover feature that shows where your second-gen Apple Pencil’s tip will land before you touch the screen, they’re very similar to the older models from 2021. The 128GB base models even start at the same price — the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models retail for $799 and $1,099, respectively, and go up from there. As for 5G cellular versions, the 11-inch model starts at $999, and the 12.9-inch model starts at $1,299.
Sadly, the current deals on iPad Pros are pretty paltry. The 11-inch M2 iPad Pro with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage is only $40 off at Best Buy and B&H Photo. Stepping up to the 256GB model — which, if you’re getting a Pro, you may want to do anyway — nets you the same $40 discount at Best Buy, dropping the price to $869. It’s not until you step up to the 512GB configuration that you start seeing a nicer discount of $100 off at Amazon, which makes it $999.99 at checkout instead of $1,099. If you are opting for a cellular 5G model, the best deal is $70 off a 128GB model at B&H Photo, dropping its price to $929.
If you prefer the larger 12.9-inch model with its lovely Mini LED display, Amazon is selling the M2 tablet for $1,049 ($50 off), while the 256GB model is $1,149 (also $50 off) at Amazon. Stepping up to the 512GB model still only nets you a $50 discount at Amazon and Best Buy — making the fairly beefy iPad $1,349 instead of $1,399. It’s just not a great time to buy an M2 iPad Pro right now, unless you really need one right away and can’t go for a secondhand last-gen or refurbished model.