theverge--2020-09-14--Sony announces $1,799 A7C compact full-frame mirrorless camera

Sony has announced the A7C , a new camera that is by far the smallest model yet in its Alpha range of full-frame mirrorless cameras .
The A7C looks more like one of Sony ’ s APS-C models like the A6400 than an A7 , adopting a more compact body with the electronic viewfinder on the top left corner of the camera ’ s back panel , rangefinder-style .
The A7C measures 124.0mm x 71.1mm x 59.7mm and weighs 509g .
It has a 24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor with in-body image stabilization and a standard ISO range of up to 51,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with autoexposure , and it ’ s capable of 4K/30fps or 1080p/120fps video , both at up to 100Mbps .
The body has USB-C , Wi-Fi , and a vari-angle 3-inch 921,000-dot LCD .
Sony has developed a new kit lens designed to pair with the A7C ; when used together , the company describes the combination as “ the world ’ s smallest and lightest full-frame camera system.
” ( Sigma might take issue with that wording . )
It ’ s a 28-60mm f4-5.6 zoom that ’ s just 45mm long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at $ 1,799 body-only , which is $ 200 less than 2018 ’ s A7 III , the camera that it ’ s technically closest to .
But the A7 III is a couple of years old now and widely available at discounted prices , and it might be a better option for anyone who prioritizes viewfinder size or general ergonomics .
As far as the competition goes , the A7C is going up directly against Panasonic ’ s new $ 1,999 Lumix S5 , another compact 24-megapixel full-frame camera .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nikon ’ s Z5 is $ 1,399.95 and comes with a similar collapsible kit zoom lens for $ 1,699.95 , less than the Sony body alone .
Canon ’ s EOS RP is even less expensive these days , though it ’ s quite a bit larger .
Still , Sony has the best native full-frame mirrorless lens range out there by virtue of beating everyone else to market by a few years .
If you want a small camera body to take advantage of that , the A7C could be a compelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale next month for $ 1,799 or $ 2,099 with the new kit zoom lens .

Sony has announced the A7C, a new camera that is by far the smallest model yet in its Alpha range of full-frame mirrorless cameras. The A7C looks more like one of Sony’s APS-C models like the A6400 than an A7, adopting a more compact body with the electronic viewfinder on the top left corner of the camera’s back panel, rangefinder-style.
The A7C measures 124.0mm x 71.1mm x 59.7mm and weighs 509g. It has a 24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor with in-body image stabilization and a standard ISO range of up to 51,200. It can shoot up to 10fps with autoexposure, and it’s capable of 4K/30fps or 1080p/120fps video, both at up to 100Mbps. The body has USB-C, Wi-Fi, and a vari-angle 3-inch 921,000-dot LCD.
Sony has developed a new kit lens designed to pair with the A7C; when used together, the company describes the combination as “the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame camera system.” (Sigma might take issue with that wording.) It’s a 28-60mm f4-5.6 zoom that’s just 45mm long when retracted.
The A7C is priced at $1,799 body-only, which is $200 less than 2018’s A7 III, the camera that it’s technically closest to. But the A7 III is a couple of years old now and widely available at discounted prices, and it might be a better option for anyone who prioritizes viewfinder size or general ergonomics.
As far as the competition goes, the A7C is going up directly against Panasonic’s new $1,999 Lumix S5, another compact 24-megapixel full-frame camera. But there are more affordable options out there — Nikon’s Z5 is $1,399.95 and comes with a similar collapsible kit zoom lens for $1,699.95, less than the Sony body alone. Canon’s EOS RP is even less expensive these days, though it’s quite a bit larger.


theverge--2020-09-14--What to expect from Apple’s ‘Time Flies’ event: Apple Watch Series 6, a redesigned iPad Air, and mor

What to expect from Apple’s ‘Time Flies’ event: Apple Watch Series 6, a redesigned iPad Air, and more

Apple ’ s first big fall event is happening on Tuesday , September 15th , but it may be much different than previous September events .
Let ’ s address the elephant in the room up front : it doesn ’ t seem like there will be new iPhones .
Typically , Apple ’ s September events mark the arrival of Apple ’ s latest and greatest smartphones , but you shouldn ’ t expect to see them on Tuesday , according to The Verge ’ s editor-in-chief Nilay Patel and other well-connected journalists .
And Apple has already said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go on sale during their usual late-September timeframe .
That doesn ’ t mean there aren ’ t some interesting things to look forward to , though , since the Apple rumor mill has been as active as ever .
The event ’ s “ Time Flies ” moniker suggests we ’ ll see Apple Watches at the very least .
And because of gathering restrictions in place due to COVID-19 , it seems likely Tuesday ’ s event will be another slickly produced video presentation , similar to what Apple put together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read on to learn more about what we ’ re expecting during the show .
There aren ’ t a lot of rumors about the next flagship Apple Watch , but in addition to that “ Time Flies ” moniker , we do have another strong hint that a new Apple Watch could be making its debut .
Developer Guilherme Rambo discovered that the metadata for the YouTube page for the event contained the phrase “ Series 6 , ” which would seem to hint that we can expect to see a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As for what that so-called Series 6 Watch might actually bring to your wrist , references to blood oxygen monitoring were found in code snippets of an early version of iOS 14 , obtained by 9to5Mac , so that could be the banner feature .
And we already know that watchOS 7 will have native sleep tracking , more customizations to watchfaces , and a rebranded Activity app called “ Fitness.
” But Apple hasn ’ t committed to a release date beyond “ this fall.
” Perhaps that firmware update will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it launches .
Bloomberg has corroborated that a follow-up to the Series 5 is on the way , but it also reported that Apple may release a new lower-end Apple Watch to replace the $ 199 Series 3 .
It ’ s unclear exactly how that device may differ from the rumored Series 6 or what it might be called .
Perhaps Apple will mirror the convention it uses for the low-cost iPhone and call it the Apple Watch SE — and according to tech leaker Evan Blass , that could in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blass says that so-called Apple Watch SE will come in two sizes and have “ BT and LTE versions , ” which likely refers to whether they need to rely on your phone to connect to the internet ( over Bluetooth ) or whether they ’ ve got their own cellular connection .
He also corroborated that Apple plans to announce the Apple Watch Series 6 , saying that it will come in two sizes with “ both BT and LTE ” versions and have an S4 chip .
An S4 chip , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , might sound like a downgrade from the Series 5 ’ s S5 chip , but the S5 reportedly only adds a gyroscope and 32GB of NAND flash memory to the CPU and GPU in the S4 .
Blass ’ tweet could suggest that Apple might reuse the S4 ’ s CPU and GPU architecture again for the Series 6 .
Or , it could suggest his info is wrong .
The iPad Air might get a redesign with an edge-to-edge screen like the iPad Pros , reports Bloomberg .
That would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air , which currently sports thick top and bottom bezels , and a button for Touch ID .
If you want to get an idea of what that new iPad Air could look like , a rumored manual of the device may have leaked on social media , revealing the new design and features that might be coming to the new device .
That apparent manual says that Touch ID has moved onto the power button on top of the iPad Air .
If that ’ s true , the new tablet would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the power button .
It appears that the iPad Air could adopt the iPad Pro ’ s gesture-based navigation system , as shown in diagrams in the manual .
The manual also shows a Smart Connector on the back of the iPad Air , like the one on an iPad Pro , so perhaps it will be able to connect to accessories designed for the 11-inch iPad Pro .
The current-generation iPad Air starts at $ 499 , but it ’ s unclear if Apple plans to keep the iPad Air at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Monday tweet , reiterated that Apple plans to release a new generation of the iPad Air , saying it would have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port , like the iPad Pros , and an A14 chip , which would be new silicon from Apple .
Interestingly , Apple may also update the base-level iPad with an A12X chip , which was first included on the 2018 iPad Pros and would be an upgrade to the A10 processor in the current model , but keep the Lightning port , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 Apple usually releases its newest version of iOS alongside iPhones in September , but since we aren ’ t expecting new phones at Tuesday ’ s event , it ’ s hard to predict exactly what Apple ’ s plans are for rolling out iOS 14 .
The update is set to bring a new home screen with widgets , a redesigned Siri interface , system-wide picture-in-picture , the ability to set default email and browser apps , and more .
iPadOS 14 will get some of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rebuilt search .
The rumored arrival of the new iPad Air could mean that Apple announces the release of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 for all , but we ’ ll have to wait and see .
We could see new hardware and new subscription bundles Apple isn ’ t just rumored to be working on new iPhones , Apple Watches , and iPads .
There is apparently a smaller and more affordable HomePod along with new over-ear headphones in the pipeline for this fall , according to Bloomberg .
Perhaps they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Apple is also working on a competitor to Tile ’ s location tracking tags called AirTags , Bloomberg reported .
In fact , Nikkei says they may already be in production , which could indicate an imminent release .
And strings for an “ Apple One ” bundle have shown up in code for an Apple Music app for Android , according to 9to5Google , suggesting Apple may be close to launching its rumored range of subscription bundles , which were detailed by Bloomberg in August .
Apple also registered domain names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moniker , according to MacRumors , and strings mentioning “ Apple One ” were spotted in iOS code by 9to5Mac as well .
If you ’ re looking forward to updates on Apple ’ s plans for an ARM-based Mac or further details about macOS Big Sur , though , you might have to keep waiting .
Rumors aren ’ t pointing toward Apple sharing anything about the Mac on Tuesday .
We just won ’ t know what Apple plans to release until the event itself , which kicks off at 1PM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ll be covering the whole thing right here at The Verge .
Update September 14th , 7:50PM ET : Added Apple Watch and iPad rumors from leaker Evan Blass and additional discoveries about the Apple One subscription bundles .
Correction September 13th 1:57PM ET : The article originally misstated that the iPad Air would be the first Apple device with biometrics on the power button , instead of the first iOS / iPadOS device .
The power button on some MacBooks have had Touch ID for some time .
The Verge @ @ @ @

Apple’s first big fall event is happening on Tuesday, September 15th, but it may be much different than previous September events.
Let’s address the elephant in the room up front: it doesn’t seem like there will be new iPhones. Typically, Apple’s September events mark the arrival of Apple’s latest and greatest smartphones, but you shouldn’t expect to see them on Tuesday, according to The Verge’s editor-in-chief Nilay Patel and other well-connected journalists. And Apple has already said that the new iPhones won’t go on sale during their usual late-September timeframe.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t some interesting things to look forward to, though, since the Apple rumor mill has been as active as ever. The event’s “Time Flies” moniker suggests we’ll see Apple Watches at the very least. And because of gathering restrictions in place due to COVID-19, it seems likely Tuesday’s event will be another slickly produced video presentation, similar to what Apple put together for June’s Worldwide Developers Conference.
Read on to learn more about what we’re expecting during the show.
Apple Watch Series 6 and a new low-end Apple Watch
There aren’t a lot of rumors about the next flagship Apple Watch, but in addition to that “Time Flies” moniker, we do have another strong hint that a new Apple Watch could be making its debut. Developer Guilherme Rambo discovered that the metadata for the YouTube page for the event contained the phrase “Series 6,” which would seem to hint that we can expect to see a successor to the Apple Watch Series 5.
As for what that so-called Series 6 Watch might actually bring to your wrist, references to blood oxygen monitoring were found in code snippets of an early version of iOS 14, obtained by 9to5Mac, so that could be the banner feature. And we already know that watchOS 7 will have native sleep tracking, more customizations to watchfaces, and a rebranded Activity app called “Fitness.” But Apple hasn’t committed to a release date beyond “this fall.” Perhaps that firmware update will be available on the newest Apple Watch when it launches.
Bloomberg has corroborated that a follow-up to the Series 5 is on the way, but it also reported that Apple may release a new lower-end Apple Watch to replace the $199 Series 3. It’s unclear exactly how that device may differ from the rumored Series 6 or what it might be called. Perhaps Apple will mirror the convention it uses for the low-cost iPhone and call it the Apple Watch SE — and according to tech leaker Evan Blass, that could in fact be the name Apple uses.
Blass says that so-called Apple Watch SE will come in two sizes and have “BT and LTE versions,” which likely refers to whether they need to rely on your phone to connect to the internet (over Bluetooth) or whether they’ve got their own cellular connection. He also corroborated that Apple plans to announce the Apple Watch Series 6, saying that it will come in two sizes with “both BT and LTE” versions and have an S4 chip.
An S4 chip, which is used in the Series 4, might sound like a downgrade from the Series 5’s S5 chip, but the S5 reportedly only adds a gyroscope and 32GB of NAND flash memory to the CPU and GPU in the S4. Blass’ tweet could suggest that Apple might reuse the S4’s CPU and GPU architecture again for the Series 6. Or, it could suggest his info is wrong.
A redesigned iPad Air with iPad Pro-like bezels
The iPad Air might get a redesign with an edge-to-edge screen like the iPad Pros, reports Bloomberg. That would be a significant design change from the current Air, which currently sports thick top and bottom bezels, and a button for Touch ID.
If you want to get an idea of what that new iPad Air could look like, a rumored manual of the device may have leaked on social media, revealing the new design and features that might be coming to the new device.
That apparent manual says that Touch ID has moved onto the power button on top of the iPad Air. If that’s true, the new tablet would be the first iPad with biometrics built into the power button.
It appears that the iPad Air could adopt the iPad Pro’s gesture-based navigation system, as shown in diagrams in the manual. The manual also shows a Smart Connector on the back of the iPad Air, like the one on an iPad Pro, so perhaps it will be able to connect to accessories designed for the 11-inch iPad Pro.
The current-generation iPad Air starts at $499, but it’s unclear if Apple plans to keep the iPad Air at that same price.
Blass, in his Monday tweet, reiterated that Apple plans to release a new generation of the iPad Air, saying it would have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, like the iPad Pros, and an A14 chip, which would be new silicon from Apple. Interestingly, Apple may also update the base-level iPad with an A12X chip, which was first included on the 2018 iPad Pros and would be an upgrade to the A10 processor in the current model, but keep the Lightning port, according to Blass.
The possible release of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14
Apple usually releases its newest version of iOS alongside iPhones in September, but since we aren’t expecting new phones at Tuesday’s event, it’s hard to predict exactly what Apple’s plans are for rolling out iOS 14. The update is set to bring a new home screen with widgets, a redesigned Siri interface, system-wide picture-in-picture, the ability to set default email and browser apps, and more. iPadOS 14 will get some of those updates as well as improved handwriting recognition and rebuilt search. The rumored arrival of the new iPad Air could mean that Apple announces the release of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 for all, but we’ll have to wait and see.
We could see new hardware and new subscription bundles
Apple isn’t just rumored to be working on new iPhones, Apple Watches, and iPads. There is apparently a smaller and more affordable HomePod along with new over-ear headphones in the pipeline for this fall, according to Bloomberg. Perhaps they’ll show up at the event. Apple is also working on a competitor to Tile’s location tracking tags called AirTags, Bloomberg reported. In fact, Nikkei says they may already be in production, which could indicate an imminent release.
And strings for an “Apple One” bundle have shown up in code for an Apple Music app for Android, according to 9to5Google, suggesting Apple may be close to launching its rumored range of subscription bundles, which were detailed by Bloomberg in August. Apple also registered domain names related to that “Apple One” moniker, according to MacRumors, and strings mentioning “Apple One” were spotted in iOS code by 9to5Mac as well.
If you’re looking forward to updates on Apple’s plans for an ARM-based Mac or further details about macOS Big Sur, though, you might have to keep waiting. Rumors aren’t pointing toward Apple sharing anything about the Mac on Tuesday.
We just won’t know what Apple plans to release until the event itself, which kicks off at 1PM ET on Tuesday, September 15th. We’ll be covering the whole thing right here at The Verge.
Update September 14th, 7:50PM ET: Added Apple Watch and iPad rumors from leaker Evan Blass and additional discoveries about the Apple One subscription bundles.


theverge--2020-09-14--Discovery of noxious gas on Venus could be a sign of life

Deep within the acidic clouds of Venus , astronomers have detected a tantalizing gas never found on the planet before — a gas that , remarkably , could be a sign of life on the hellish world .
The gas ’ s presence isn ’ t enough to say for sure that Venus hosts life forms , but the fact that it exists in the planet ’ s clouds indicates that something is going on there that we don ’ t fully understand .
The gas in question is a nasty one called phosphine , a toxic and explosive molecule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead fish .
Astronomers discovered the putrid gas lurking within a layer of clouds on Venus , where temperatures are pretty close to those on our planet .
They didn ’ t find much — just small traces in the swirling mix of sulfuric acid clouds that surround the planet .
“ It ’ s equivalent to a few tablespoons in an Olympic sized swimming pool , ” David Clements , an astrophysicist at the Imperial College of London and part of the team that made the discovery , tells The Verge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ phosphine on Venus is enticing because of how the gas is made here on Earth .
Either it is manufactured artificially by humans — into products like fumigants or biological weapons — or it is a natural byproduct of life .
Phosphine can be found in swamps and marshlands , where it ’ s thought to be produced by microbes .
It can also be found in the guts of animals or in the poop they leave behind .
Above all , it ’ s a gas that is almost exclusively associated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it could be a sign of microbes floating in the Venusian clouds .
“ it has to come from something completely unexpected.
” Or it could be coming from something that we can ’ t yet comprehend .
An international team of researchers , writing today in Nature Astronomy , tried as hard as they could to come up with other explanations for the gas they found on Venus .
They modeled things like lightning strikes and meteors bombarding the planet ’ s surface to see if such phenomena could produce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So far , nothing matches up .
“ That ’ s why this is such an extraordinary detection , because it has to come from something completely unexpected , ” Clara Sousa-Silva , a molecular astrophysicist at MIT and one of the authors on the study , tells The Verge .
“ At some point , you ’ re left with not being able to explain it .
Except we do know of a strange way of making phosphine on terrestrial planets — and that is life.
” The idea of finding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the planet embodies the definition of a hell scape .
Venus is a barren wasteland , surrounded by a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere .
Temperatures can soar to nearly 900 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface , hot enough to melt lead ( and most spacecraft ) .
Heavy clouds swirling around the planet are made of droplets of sulfuric acid that are so acidic , we can ’ t even measure them on our own pH scale .
“ It is literally billions of times more acidic than the most acidic environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an astrobiologist at MIT and an author on the study , tells The Verge .
Still , astronomers have considered the possibility of life forms surviving in this unmerciful place , specifically in the planet ’ s cloud tops .
Celebrity astronomer Carl Sagan and biologist Harold Morowitz proposed the idea in 1967 , and astronomers have speculated on it ever since .
Scientists fixated on dark patches within Venus ’ clouds , regions that absorb more ultraviolet light than other areas .
A possible explanation for these blemishes ?
Large swaths of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , akin to massive blooms of algae .
“ The idea has been around but nobody had really looked into it seriously until we proposed a lifecycle for the bacteria , ” Sanjay Limaye , a planetary scientist at the University of Wisconsin who proposed an explanation for life on Venus and was not part of this study , tells The Verge .
The planet embodies the definition of a hell scape Finding hard evidence for life on a harsh world like Venus poses a particular challenge .
Some probes sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surface , and none have turned up any evidence for life just yet .
On Earth , astronomers can study the planet ’ s atmosphere from afar to determine if any molecules have been farted out by something biological .
Hunting for these gases — so-called biosignatures — is one of the best methods astronomers have to determine if life is lurking on another planet .
Phosphine has emerged as an intriguing gas to watch .
Recently , Sousa-Silva and some of the researchers on this discovery presented phosphine as a possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth life .
That association is still somewhat mysterious .
We still don ’ t know exactly which bacteria produce phosphine on Earth , but some laboratory studies suggest complex microbial communities spawn the substance .
Plus , it takes a lot of energy to make phosphine , and life is a particularly energetic source .
“ We don ’ t know why life on Earth is making it , but it makes sense that only life is making it , ” Sousa-Silva says .
“ Because spontaneously , it just wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth.
” With phosphine in mind , an international team of researchers used two ground-based telescopes — the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in Chile — to search for any possible signatures of phosphine in Venus ’ atmosphere .
Sure enough , they found the gas at a concentration of five to 20 parts per billion in the atmosphere .
That ’ s a lot when you compare it to how much is found on Earth , where the gas is concentrated in parts per trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is all very much evidence pushing towards this exotic explanation of something replenishing it and something making it at large quantities , ” says Sousa-Silva .
The potential is certainly there for this detection to be extraordinary , but no one is crying “ aliens ” just yet .
The astronomy community has been down this road before , where a discovery is hailed as finally being The One only to somewhat fall apart later .
Perhaps the most famous example was the supposed discovery of fossilized bacteria in a Martian meteorite back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by then-President Bill Clinton .
Over time , the claim didn ’ t hold up to scrutiny .
“ I ’ m maybe not jumping up and down here , ” Victoria Meadows , an astrobiologist at the University of Washington who was not involved with the study , tells The Verge .
“ We ’ re in a “ Let ’ s wait and see , ” kind of situation .
I think it ’ s a very intriguing discovery , but it definitely needs to be explored more.
” no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First , we have to be sure that the gas is , indeed , phosphine .
The detection isn ’ t super strong , and even the researchers admit the possibility that this signal could be explained by another gas , sulfur dioxide .
Further observations of the Venusian atmosphere are needed to really confirm that phosphine is there .
If the phosphine detection is confirmed , then people will set to work figuring out where it ’ s coming from .
It may turn out that life isn ’ t even the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been found in clouds with moderate temperatures , but the area is still a ghastly place for life to survive , even for the hardiest of microorganisms .
“ There ’ s nothing definitive saying it is biology , ” Rakesh Mogul , a biological chemist at California State Polytechnic University focusing on extreme microbial life , who is not involved in the study , tells The Verge .
“ There ’ s still a lot of unknowns .
And it ’ s nice to put biology as the answer , but really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back it up and make sure we exhaustively study all the other possibilities.
” If it turns out that life is a good explanation , this discovery could seriously raise Venus ’ clout as a place to visit in the future .
Despite its proximity to Earth , Venus has gone largely unexplored over the last few decades , while our other neighbor Mars has received much more attention .
Confirming phosphine on Venus could prompt the creation of new microbe-hunting missions to the cloudy planet .
The requirements for those types of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more stringent than before to prevent contamination of the Venusian environment .
“ It ’ ll need to be a global conversation of what the ethics of future observations of Venus are , ” Sarah Rugheimer , an astrobiologist at Jesus College , Oxford , who was not involved in the study , tells The Verge .
“ If you ’ re talking about going in and scooping up the Venusian atmosphere and potentially disrupting the habitat , I think we need to have a conversation about that.
” Finding strong evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding of what makes a habitable planet .
During our search for life off of Earth , we ’ ve focused on planets that look a lot like our own .
But Venus may tell us we need to expand our criteria .
“ If it is microbes , then life is really different and can create creatures in environments that we might never expect , ” says Rugheimer .
Ultimately , everything comes back to one question : are we alone ?
Microbes on Venus may not seem that impressive , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right next to each other , that opens up the possibility that life is much more abundant in the Universe than we think .
No matter what , this detection is just the beginning of a long journey to discovering more about Venus and its potential for habitability .
Right now , there ’ s no definitive answer .
There may never be .
“ As they say , extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence , ” says Clements of the Imperial College of London .
“ We ’ ve got pretty good evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s extraordinary yet.
” To dive deeper into this discovery , The Verge produced a video about the phosphine detection , which you can check out at the top of the article .
Let us know what you think of the find in the comments .

Deep within the acidic clouds of Venus, astronomers have detected a tantalizing gas never found on the planet before — a gas that, remarkably, could be a sign of life on the hellish world. The gas’s presence isn’t enough to say for sure that Venus hosts life forms, but the fact that it exists in the planet’s clouds indicates that something is going on there that we don’t fully understand.
The gas in question is a nasty one called phosphine, a toxic and explosive molecule with a lingering odor of garlic and dead fish. Astronomers discovered the putrid gas lurking within a layer of clouds on Venus, where temperatures are pretty close to those on our planet. They didn’t find much — just small traces in the swirling mix of sulfuric acid clouds that surround the planet. “It’s equivalent to a few tablespoons in an Olympic sized swimming pool,” David Clements, an astrophysicist at the Imperial College of London and part of the team that made the discovery, tells The Verge.
But finding even a small amount of phosphine on Venus is enticing because of how the gas is made here on Earth. Either it is manufactured artificially by humans — into products like fumigants or biological weapons — or it is a natural byproduct of life. Phosphine can be found in swamps and marshlands, where it’s thought to be produced by microbes. It can also be found in the guts of animals or in the poop they leave behind. Above all, it’s a gas that is almost exclusively associated with life on Earth, raising the possibility that it could be a sign of microbes floating in the Venusian clouds.
“it has to come from something completely unexpected.”
Or it could be coming from something that we can’t yet comprehend. An international team of researchers, writing today in Nature Astronomy, tried as hard as they could to come up with other explanations for the gas they found on Venus. They modeled things like lightning strikes and meteors bombarding the planet’s surface to see if such phenomena could produce the amount of phosphine they’ve seen. So far, nothing matches up. “That’s why this is such an extraordinary detection, because it has to come from something completely unexpected,” Clara Sousa-Silva, a molecular astrophysicist at MIT and one of the authors on the study, tells The Verge. “At some point, you’re left with not being able to explain it. Except we do know of a strange way of making phosphine on terrestrial planets — and that is life.”
The idea of finding life on Venus may seem absurd, as the planet embodies the definition of a hell scape. Venus is a barren wasteland, surrounded by a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere. Temperatures can soar to nearly 900 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface, hot enough to melt lead (and most spacecraft). Heavy clouds swirling around the planet are made of droplets of sulfuric acid that are so acidic, we can’t even measure them on our own pH scale. “It is literally billions of times more acidic than the most acidic environment on Earth,” Janusz Petkowski, an astrobiologist at MIT and an author on the study, tells The Verge.
Still, astronomers have considered the possibility of life forms surviving in this unmerciful place, specifically in the planet’s cloud tops. Celebrity astronomer Carl Sagan and biologist Harold Morowitz proposed the idea in 1967, and astronomers have speculated on it ever since. Scientists fixated on dark patches within Venus’ clouds, regions that absorb more ultraviolet light than other areas. A possible explanation for these blemishes? Large swaths of light-soaking microorganisms that swell and shrink over time, akin to massive blooms of algae. “The idea has been around but nobody had really looked into it seriously until we proposed a lifecycle for the bacteria,” Sanjay Limaye, a planetary scientist at the University of Wisconsin who proposed an explanation for life on Venus and was not part of this study, tells The Verge.
The planet embodies the definition of a hell scape
Finding hard evidence for life on a harsh world like Venus poses a particular challenge. Some probes sent to Venus have actually melted while plunging to the surface, and none have turned up any evidence for life just yet. On Earth, astronomers can study the planet’s atmosphere from afar to determine if any molecules have been farted out by something biological. Hunting for these gases — so-called biosignatures — is one of the best methods astronomers have to determine if life is lurking on another planet.
Phosphine has emerged as an intriguing gas to watch. Recently, Sousa-Silva and some of the researchers on this discovery presented phosphine as a possible biosignature because of its association with some Earth life. That association is still somewhat mysterious. We still don’t know exactly which bacteria produce phosphine on Earth, but some laboratory studies suggest complex microbial communities spawn the substance. Plus, it takes a lot of energy to make phosphine, and life is a particularly energetic source. “We don’t know why life on Earth is making it, but it makes sense that only life is making it,” Sousa-Silva says. “Because spontaneously, it just wouldn’t be made on an environment like Earth.”
The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii, one of two telescopes used to make the phosphine detection on Venus. Image: Will Montgomerie / EAO / JCMT
With phosphine in mind, an international team of researchers used two ground-based telescopes — the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in Chile — to search for any possible signatures of phosphine in Venus’ atmosphere. Sure enough, they found the gas at a concentration of five to 20 parts per billion in the atmosphere. That’s a lot when you compare it to how much is found on Earth, where the gas is concentrated in parts per trillion and parts per quadrillion. “That is all very much evidence pushing towards this exotic explanation of something replenishing it and something making it at large quantities,” says Sousa-Silva.
The potential is certainly there for this detection to be extraordinary, but no one is crying “aliens” just yet. The astronomy community has been down this road before, where a discovery is hailed as finally being The One only to somewhat fall apart later. Perhaps the most famous example was the supposed discovery of fossilized bacteria in a Martian meteorite back in 1996, which prompted a speech by then-President Bill Clinton. Over time, the claim didn’t hold up to scrutiny. “I’m maybe not jumping up and down here,” Victoria Meadows, an astrobiologist at the University of Washington who was not involved with the study, tells The Verge. “We’re in a “Let’s wait and see,” kind of situation. I think it’s a very intriguing discovery, but it definitely needs to be explored more.”
no one is crying “aliens” just yet
First, we have to be sure that the gas is, indeed, phosphine. The detection isn’t super strong, and even the researchers admit the possibility that this signal could be explained by another gas, sulfur dioxide. Further observations of the Venusian atmosphere are needed to really confirm that phosphine is there.
If the phosphine detection is confirmed, then people will set to work figuring out where it’s coming from. It may turn out that life isn’t even the best explanation. The phosphine may have been found in clouds with moderate temperatures, but the area is still a ghastly place for life to survive, even for the hardiest of microorganisms. “There’s nothing definitive saying it is biology,” Rakesh Mogul, a biological chemist at California State Polytechnic University focusing on extreme microbial life, who is not involved in the study, tells The Verge. “There’s still a lot of unknowns. And it’s nice to put biology as the answer, but really, as scientists, we need to back it up and make sure we exhaustively study all the other possibilities.”
An artistic rendering of the Veritas spacecraft, a proposed mission to Venus out of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech
If it turns out that life is a good explanation, this discovery could seriously raise Venus’ clout as a place to visit in the future. Despite its proximity to Earth, Venus has gone largely unexplored over the last few decades, while our other neighbor Mars has received much more attention. Confirming phosphine on Venus could prompt the creation of new microbe-hunting missions to the cloudy planet. The requirements for those types of missions will likely need to be much more stringent than before to prevent contamination of the Venusian environment. “It’ll need to be a global conversation of what the ethics of future observations of Venus are,” Sarah Rugheimer, an astrobiologist at Jesus College, Oxford, who was not involved in the study, tells The Verge. “If you’re talking about going in and scooping up the Venusian atmosphere and potentially disrupting the habitat, I think we need to have a conversation about that.”
“extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
Finding strong evidence of life on Venus would completely change our understanding of what makes a habitable planet. During our search for life off of Earth, we’ve focused on planets that look a lot like our own. But Venus may tell us we need to expand our criteria. “If it is microbes, then life is really different and can create creatures in environments that we might never expect,” says Rugheimer.
Ultimately, everything comes back to one question: are we alone? Microbes on Venus may not seem that impressive, but if life can form on two worlds right next to each other, that opens up the possibility that life is much more abundant in the Universe than we think.
No matter what, this detection is just the beginning of a long journey to discovering more about Venus and its potential for habitability. Right now, there’s no definitive answer. There may never be. “As they say, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,” says Clements of the Imperial College of London. “We’ve got pretty good evidence, I wouldn’t say it’s extraordinary yet.”
To dive deeper into this discovery, The Verge produced a video about the phosphine detection, which you can check out at the top of the article. Let us know what you think of the find in the comments.


theverge--2020-09-14--And now, a message from Paul Rudd about masks

Actor and comedian Paul Rudd is a certified young person .
He wants to give you some extremely relevant , @ @ @ @ @ appropriate words of advice .
Just ... just watch it .
Trust me : Here @ @ @ @ @ also provided without context :

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theverge--2020-09-14--Amazon rebrands FreeTime to Amazon Kids to make the service less confusing

Amazon debuted FreeTime back in 2012 as a way for kids to enjoy and experience tech and for parents to easily monitor their kids ’ usage .
Yet , the name ( at least to me ) sounds more like a service to help people spend less time on their electronic devices .
To fix this , Amazon is renaming FreeTime to “ Amazon Kids ” and FreeTime Unlimited to “ Amazon Kids Plus.
” Alongside the updated naming scheme , Amazon is also giving the service a new look .
In the next few weeks , Amazon will roll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , recommended for kids ages eight and up , to experience what a “ grown-up tablet ” feels like by changing the layout to look more like a traditional tablet .
The service previously had a simplified interface where kids could swipe between one app at a time .
Parents can use the Amazon Parent dashboard to modify age filters to designate what type of content appears on their kids ’ home screen .
The new home screen also includes quick access to kid-friendly music stations from iHeartRadio .
Amazon Kids is free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 monthly subscription Amazon also announced today that kids will soon be able to use Fire tablets to broadcast announcements across any Alexa device in their homes .
Their parents will have to approve each announcement , so kids can ’ t perpetually ask their parents to come to their room with snacks .
Amazon Kids is free , but Kids Plus requires a $ 5 monthly subscription , or $ 3 a month if you already pay for Amazon Prime .
The paid service provides exclusive access to more audiobooks , books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and media in Spanish .

Amazon debuted FreeTime back in 2012 as a way for kids to enjoy and experience tech and for parents to easily monitor their kids’ usage. Yet, the name (at least to me) sounds more like a service to help people spend less time on their electronic devices. To fix this, Amazon is renaming FreeTime to “Amazon Kids” and FreeTime Unlimited to “Amazon Kids Plus.”
Alongside the updated naming scheme, Amazon is also giving the service a new look. In the next few weeks, Amazon will roll out a new Amazon Kids home screen, recommended for kids ages eight and up, to experience what a “grown-up tablet” feels like by changing the layout to look more like a traditional tablet. The service previously had a simplified interface where kids could swipe between one app at a time. Parents can use the Amazon Parent dashboard to modify age filters to designate what type of content appears on their kids’ home screen. The new home screen also includes quick access to kid-friendly music stations from iHeartRadio.
Amazon Kids is free, but Kids Plus requires a $5 monthly subscription
Amazon also announced today that kids will soon be able to use Fire tablets to broadcast announcements across any Alexa device in their homes. Their parents will have to approve the announcement once, so kids can’t perpetually ask their parents to come to their room with snacks.


theverge--2020-09-14--LG teases an extendable slide-out display for its next Explorer Project phone

LG ’ s official reveal of its twisting Wing smartphone had a Marvel-esque post-credit scene : a teaser of the next phone in its new “ Explorer Project ” range , which appears to have an expandable , slide-out display .
The clip , as spotted by CNET , doesn ’ t offer a lot of information , just a brief shot of the side of the phone expanding out and sliding back before it lights up and a “ hold your breath ” catchphrase appears followed by the LG Explorer Project logo .
But the message is clear : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sliding display for a future device .
LG ’ s Explorer Project — which it introduced with the similar wild-looking Wing — is designed to offer a place for the company to explore ways to “ breathe new life into what makes a smartphone.
” A sliding phone would certainly seem to fit that bill .
Sliding phones aren ’ t a new idea , with ZTE already teasing a prototype earlier this year .
But the company has yet to actually ship a device , and it ’ s possible that LG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plus , the nature of a sliding phone , with a flexible display that rolls around the side and back of the device , makes a lot of sense for LG , in particular , given that the company has been working on a rollable TV ( that operates under a similar principle ) for years .
It ’ s not clear when LG plans to offer more information on its sliding phone , but it ’ s clear that between the Wing and this latest teaser , the company is just getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smartphone designs .

LG’s official reveal of its twisting Wing smartphone had a Marvel-esque post-credit scene: a teaser of the next phone in its new “Explorer Project” range, which appears to have an expandable, slide-out display.
The clip, as spotted by CNET, doesn’t offer a lot of information, just a brief shot of the side of the phone expanding out and sliding back before it lights up and a “hold your breath” catchphrase appears followed by the LG Explorer Project logo. But the message is clear: LG is at least thinking about a sliding display for a future device.
LG’s Explorer Project — which it introduced with the similar wild-looking Wing — is designed to offer a place for the company to explore ways to “breathe new life into what makes a smartphone.” A sliding phone would certainly seem to fit that bill.
Sliding phones aren’t a new idea, with ZTE already teasing a prototype earlier this year. But the company has yet to actually ship a device, and it’s possible that LG might beat it to the punch. Plus, the nature of a sliding phone, with a flexible display that rolls around the side and back of the device, makes a lot of sense for LG, in particular, given that the company has been working on a rollable TV (that operates under a similar principle) for years.


theverge--2020-09-14--Sen. Hawley calls for US to reject Oracle’s TikTok deal

Sen. Josh Hawley is publicly calling on the Treasury Department to reject Oracle ’ s proposed partnership with TikTok , saying the arrangement is unacceptable on national security grounds .
The deal is currently awaiting a recommendation from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ( CFIUS ) , but it has received praise from Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , who chairs the committee .
In an open letter to Mnuchin , Hawley calls on the secretary to take a more skeptical look at the proposal .
“ CFIUS should promptly reject any Oracle-ByteDance collaboration , and send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court so that the company can come up with a more acceptable solution , ” Hawley writes .
“ ByteDance can still pursue a full sale of TikTok , its code , and its algorithm to a U.S. company , so that the app can be rebuilt from the ground up to remove any trace of CCP influence.
” “ The app can be rebuilt from the ground up to remove any trace of CCP influence ” News broke on Sunday that Oracle had forged a deal with ByteDance , TikTok ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US partner as a “ trusted tech partner ” — nominally resolving the national security concerns about Chinese ownership of the app .
ByteDance rejected an accompanying offer from Microsoft , which had proposed more significant changes to TikTok ’ s operating structure .
The Oracle deal differs significantly from President Trump ’ s initial demands , which called for the US version of TikTok to be severed off and sold .
Reports indicate that some in the White House are dissatisfied with the deal , but no one has gone as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be rejected — in part because it might result in the app being shut down entirely .
For Hawley , however , the prospect of a shutdown is a necessary risk .
“ Perhaps , given constraints imposed by Chinese law , the only feasible way to maintain Americans ’ security is to effectively ban the TikTok app in the United States altogether , ” the senator continues in the letter .
“ In any event , an ongoing ‘ partnership ’ that allows for anything other than the full emancipation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party control is completely unacceptable , and flatly inconsistent with the President ’ s Executive Order of August 6.
” The final decision on TikTok ’ s fate will fall to Trump , who is expected to receive the CFIUS recommendation later this week .
The president has yet to comment on the deal .

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is publicly calling on the Treasury Department to reject Oracle’s proposed partnership with TikTok, saying the arrangement is unacceptable on national security grounds.
The deal is currently awaiting a recommendation from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), but it has received praise from Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who chairs the committee. In an open letter to Mnuchin, Hawley calls on the secretary to take a more skeptical look at the proposal.
“CFIUS should promptly reject any Oracle-ByteDance collaboration, and send the ball back to ByteDance’s court so that the company can come up with a more acceptable solution,” Hawley writes. “ByteDance can still pursue a full sale of TikTok, its code, and its algorithm to a U.S. company, so that the app can be rebuilt from the ground up to remove any trace of CCP influence.”
“The app can be rebuilt from the ground up to remove any trace of CCP influence”
News broke on Sunday that Oracle had forged a deal with ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, which would name the US partner as a “trusted tech partner” — nominally resolving the national security concerns about Chinese ownership of the app. ByteDance rejected an accompanying offer from Microsoft, which had proposed more significant changes to TikTok’s operating structure.
The Oracle deal differs significantly from President Trump’s initial demands, which called for the US version of TikTok to be severed off and sold. Reports indicate that some in the White House are dissatisfied with the deal, but no one has gone as far as publicly calling for the deal to be rejected — in part because it might result in the app being shut down entirely.
For Hawley, however, the prospect of a shutdown is a necessary risk.
“Perhaps, given constraints imposed by Chinese law, the only feasible way to maintain Americans’ security is to effectively ban the TikTok app in the United States altogether,” the senator continues in the letter. “In any event, an ongoing ‘partnership’ that allows for anything other than the full emancipation of the TikTok software from potential Chinese Communist Party control is completely unacceptable, and flatly inconsistent with the President’s Executive Order of August 6.”


theverge--2020-09-14--AMD reveals its Radeon RX 6000 GPU design on Twitter — and in Fortnite

AMD ’ s last batch of new graphics cards , the midrange Radeon RX 5700 series , didn ’ t wow with their designs or high-end performance — but the new Radeon RX 6000 looks like it could actually be the long-awaited answer to Nvidia ’ s flagship graphics cards .
When I say “ looks like , ” I mean it quite literally , though : AMD revealed the design of its new card on Twitter today , and its triple-fan , giant shroud , and twin 8-pin power connectors show it ’ s visually ready to play the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refined look than its previous flagship Radeon VII , too .
Remarkably , AMD is letting you check out a full render of the card in its own Fortnite island , though we don ’ t expect many surprises that you can ’ t already see in the full , high-res image below : Nvidia offered a similar tease for its RTX 3090 design ahead of its recent GPU reveals , and we recently took a longer look at the RTX 3080 design as well .
AMD should be formally revealing the RX @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28th , well after the $ 700 Nvidia RTX 3080 ships but potentially before you buy a $ 500 RTX 3070 , which is set to arrive in October as well .
Perhaps it ’ s worth waiting to see what kind of performance AMD ’ s card has up its sleeve .
The new GPUs will share the same GPU architecture as the PS5 and Xbox Series S and X , by the way .

AMD’s last batch of new graphics cards, the midrange Radeon RX 5700 series, didn’t wow with their designs or high-end performance — but the new Radeon RX 6000 looks like it could actually be the long-awaited answer to Nvidia’s flagship graphics cards.
When I say “looks like,” I mean it quite literally, though: AMD revealed the design of its new card on Twitter today, and its triple-fan, giant shroud, and twin 8-pin power connectors show it’s visually ready to play the part.
It’s a more refined look than its previous flagship Radeon VII, too. Though maybe that's because it's a dead ringer for the Nvidia RTX 2080 only with one more fan?
Remarkably, AMD is letting you check out a full render of the card in its own Fortnite island, though we don’t expect many surprises that you can’t already see in the full, high-res image below:


theverge--2020-09-14--Facebook ignored blatant political manipulation around the world, claims former data scientist

A fired Facebook data scientist has written a 6,600-word memo condemning the company for ignoring evidence the platform was wielded to sway public opinion and manipulate elections around the world , according to a report from BuzzFeed News , which obtained a copy of the memo .
The data scientist , Sophie Zhang , was fired earlier this month and posted the memo on her final day , the report reads .
Zhang implies she was fired after bringing her concerns to upper management and being told to stop focusing on issues beyond the scope of her role , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinated inauthentic behavior , ” Facebook ’ s phrase for bot networks and other malicious activity with ulterior motives like influencing election outcomes and promoting or undermining various political candidates and controversial topics .
The memo indicates she also turned down a $ 64,000 severance package because it involved signing a non-disparagement agreement that would have restricted her ability to speak publicly about the company .
“ In the three years I ’ ve spent at Facebook , I ’ ve found multiple blatant attempts by foreign national governments to abuse our platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizenry , and caused international news on multiple occasions , ” Zhang , who is listed on LinkedIn as working for Facebook ’ s Site Integrity fake engagement team , wrote in her memo .
“ I know that I have blood on my hands by now.
” “ I know that I have blood on my hands by now.
” In her memo , Zhang said Facebook often focused on big-picture issues while ignoring many individual cases of outright political manipulation , like efforts to use Facebook to sway public opinion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overall , the focus of my organization — and most of Facebook — was on large-scale problems , an approach which fixated us on spam , ” Zhang wrote .
“ The civic aspect was discounted because of its small volume , its disproportionate impact ignored.
” Zhang ’ s memo also illustrates how even midlevel employees specializing in areas like data science , like herself , wield immense power within Facebook to moderate the activities of users as high-profile as world leaders .
“ I have personally made decisions that affected national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enforce against so many prominent politicians globally that I ’ ve lost count , ” she wrote .
In other cases , Zhang says her workload , the sheer magnitude of the problem , and Facebook ’ s overall US and Europe-centric approach to moderate made it so numerous instances of such political manipulation went unpunished , as no one could dedicate time to enforcing the company ’ s rules or taking proper action against foreign actors overseas .
The memo says Facebook was not acting of malice , but for failing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the problem and caring more about the public relations backlash of any one issue .
“ It ’ s an open secret within the civic integrity space that Facebook ’ s short-term decisions are largely motivated by PR and the potential for negative attention , ” Zhang wrote .
The memo notes how stories published in major newspapers like The New York Times or The Washington Post would attract Facebook leadership ’ s attention and help accelerate a solution to a problem like political manipulation in an election in India .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities of escalations shoot up when others start threatening to go to the press , and why I was informed by a leader in my organization that my civic work was not impactful under the rationale that if the problems were meaningful they would have attracted attention , became a press fire , and convinced the company to devote more attention to the space , ” she explained .
Facebook did not respond to a request for comment .

A fired Facebook data scientist has written a 6,600-word memo condemning the company for ignoring evidence the platform was wielded to sway public opinion and manipulate elections around the world, according to a report from BuzzFeed News, which obtained a copy of the memo. The data scientist, Sophie Zhang, was fired earlier this month and posted the memo on her final day, the report reads.
Zhang implies she was fired after bringing her concerns to upper management and being told to stop focusing on issues beyond the scope of her role, which involved analyzing the platform to identity “coordinated inauthentic behavior,” Facebook’s phrase for bot networks and other malicious activity with ulterior motives like influencing election outcomes and promoting or undermining various political candidates and controversial topics. The memo indicates she also turned down a $64,000 severance package because it involved signing a non-disparagement agreement that would have restricted her ability to speak publicly about the company.
“In the three years I’ve spent at Facebook, I’ve found multiple blatant attempts by foreign national governments to abuse our platform on vast scales to mislead their own citizenry, and caused international news on multiple occasions,” Zhang, who is listed on LinkedIn as working for Facebook’s Site Integrity fake engagement team, wrote in her memo. “I know that I have blood on my hands by now.”
“I know that I have blood on my hands by now.”
In her memo, Zhang said Facebook often focused on big-picture issues while ignoring many individual cases of outright political manipulation, like efforts to use Facebook to sway public opinion in countries like Ukraine and India. “Overall, the focus of my organization — and most of Facebook — was on large-scale problems, an approach which fixated us on spam,” Zhang wrote. “The civic aspect was discounted because of its small volume, its disproportionate impact ignored.”
Zhang’s memo also illustrates how even midlevel employees specializing in areas like data science, like herself, wield immense power within Facebook to moderate the activities of users as high-profile as world leaders. “I have personally made decisions that affected national presidents without oversight, and taken action to enforce against so many prominent politicians globally that I’ve lost count,” she wrote.
In other cases, Zhang says her workload, the sheer magnitude of the problem, and Facebook’s overall US and Europe-centric approach to moderate made it so numerous instances of such political manipulation went unpunished, as no one could dedicate time to enforcing the company’s rules or taking proper action against foreign actors overseas.
The memo says Facebook was not acting of malice, but for failing to divert enough attention and resources to the problem and caring more about the public relations backlash of any one issue. “It’s an open secret within the civic integrity space that Facebook’s short-term decisions are largely motivated by PR and the potential for negative attention,” Zhang wrote. The memo notes how stories published in major newspapers like The New York Times or The Washington Post would attract Facebook leadership’s attention and help accelerate a solution to a problem like political manipulation in an election in India.
“It’s why I’ve seen priorities of escalations shoot up when others start threatening to go to the press, and why I was informed by a leader in my organization that my civic work was not impactful under the rationale that if the problems were meaningful they would have attracted attention, became a press fire, and convinced the company to devote more attention to the space,” she explained.


theverge--2020-09-14--Microsoft’s underwater server experiment resurfaces after two years

Back in 2018 , Microsoft sunk an entire data center to the bottom of the Scottish sea , plunging 864 servers and 27.6 petabytes of storage 117 feet deep in the ocean .
Today , the company has reported that its latest experiment was a success , revealing findings that show that the idea of an underwater data center is actually a pretty good one .
On the surface , throwing an entire data center to the bottom of the ocean may seem strange , but Microsoft ’ s Project Natick team hypothesized that placing would result in more reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , data centers run into issues like corrosion from oxygen and humidity and controlling shifts in temperatures .
But in a water-tight environment with tight temperature control , far fewer issues crop up .
The idea is that these kinds of servers can be easily deployed in sizes big and small near the coasts of areas that need them , giving better local access to cloud-based resources in more places .
The benefits are big .
Microsoft says the underwater data center had just one-eighth the failure rate of a land-based data center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure rate is important , given that it ’ s much harder to service a busted server when it ’ s in an airtight container at the bottom of the ocean .
The company ’ s been exploring the idea of submerged servers for some time already ; back in 2015 , it dunked a data center off the coast of California for several months as a proof of concept to see if the computers would even survive the trip .
This round of trials was for a far longer amount of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proving that the company could accomplish this task on a practical scale that could be manufactured and produced for real-world use .
Next up for Microsoft ’ s Project Natick team : showing that the servers can be easily removed and recycled once they reach the end of their life .

Back in 2018, Microsoft sunk an entire data center to the bottom of the Scottish sea, plunging 864 servers and 27.6 petabytes of storage 117 feet deep in the ocean. Today, the company has reported that its latest experiment was a success, revealing findings that show that the idea of an underwater data center is actually a pretty good one.
On the surface, throwing an entire data center to the bottom of the ocean may seem strange, but Microsoft’s Project Natick team hypothesized that placing would result in more reliable and energy-efficient data centers.
Related Microsoft is experimenting with underwater data centers
On land, data centers run into issues like corrosion from oxygen and humidity and controlling shifts in temperatures. But in a water-tight environment with tight temperature control, far fewer issues crop up. The idea is that these kinds of servers can be easily deployed in sizes big and small near the coasts of areas that need them, giving better local access to cloud-based resources in more places.
The benefits are big. Microsoft says the underwater data center had just one-eighth the failure rate of a land-based data center, a dramatic improvement. That lower failure rate is important, given that it’s much harder to service a busted server when it’s in an airtight container at the bottom of the ocean.
The company’s been exploring the idea of submerged servers for some time already; back in 2015, it dunked a data center off the coast of California for several months as a proof of concept to see if the computers would even survive the trip. This round of trials was for a far longer amount of time, though, with the aim of proving that the company could accomplish this task on a practical scale that could be manufactured and produced for real-world use.
Photo: Microsoft


theverge--2020-09-15--A first look at Samsung’s Android 11-based One UI 3.0 update

Android 11 has arrived , which means Samsung ’ s custom One UI skin is also due for an update to incorporate Google ’ s latest software , One UI 3.0 , which the company has started rolling out to selected developers in the US and South Korea in a “ pre-beta ” ahead of a larger public beta test .
The early screenshots , obtained by XDA-Developers , give us a nice look at what changes we can expect in the update , which includes a mixture of new features that are being added at on OS-level , thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweaks and enhancements .
Android Police has posted the full changelog for the update , which gives a broader overview of what to expect .
Visually , One UI 3.0 looks fairly similar to the current One UI 2.5 , although there ’ s a host of new features and gestures added .
For example , you can now touch and hold an app on your home screen to view all of the widgets that can be added for that app ( instead of having to navigate through the usual widget menu ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn off your display .
There ’ s also a variety of DeX improvements , a new volume slider UI , and enhancements to Bixby routines .
That ’ s in addition to Android 11 features like the new chat bubbles and the updated media player .
Right now , Samsung is only offering One UI 3.0 — and therefore , Android 11 — for its Galaxy S20 lineup ( which includes the S20 , S20 Plus , and S20 Ultra ) , although the finished product should be available on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beta .
The public beta will be available in China , Germany , India , Poland , South Korea , the United Kingdom , and the United States , although Samsung has yet to announce a release date .

Android 11 has arrived, which means Samsung’s custom One UI skin is also due for an update to incorporate Google’s latest software, One UI 3.0, which the company has started rolling out to selected developers in the US and South Korea in a “pre-beta” ahead of a larger public beta test.
The early screenshots, obtained by XDA-Developers, give us a nice look at what changes we can expect in the update, which includes a mixture of new features that are being added at on OS-level, thanks to Android 11, along with Samsung-specific tweaks and enhancements. Android Police has posted the full changelog for the update, which gives a broader overview of what to expect.
Visually, One UI 3.0 looks fairly similar to the current One UI 2.5, although there’s a host of new features and gestures added. For example, you can now touch and hold an app on your home screen to view all of the widgets that can be added for that app (instead of having to navigate through the usual widget menu) as well as double-tap your home screen to turn off your display. There’s also a variety of DeX improvements, a new volume slider UI, and enhancements to Bixby routines. That’s in addition to Android 11 features like the new chat bubbles and the updated media player.


theverge--2020-09-15--Netgear’s new $509.99 5G hotspot is coming to AT&T on September 18th

AT & T has announced pricing and a release date for Netgear ’ s latest 5G hotspot , which it will start selling exclusively for $ 509.99 on September 18th .
The Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro can connect to both flavors of 5G — mmWave and sub-6GHz — and support up to 32 devices attached over Wi-Fi 6 .
As well as buying the hotspot outright , AT & T is also selling it for $ 17 a month over 30 months .
Internally , the hotspot is running on Qualcomm ’ s Snapdragon X55 mobile platform , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery .
AT & T doesn ’ t provide any estimates for how long the Nighthawk will last on a single charge , but it notes that it can also run without a battery when its power adapter is plugged in .
It can be controlled via a built-in touchscreen , and there ’ s an Ethernet port on the side of the device .
This isn ’ t the first time Netgear has partnered with AT & T to sell a 5G hotspot , but this new device offers a big upgrade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the new hotspot can now connect to AT & T ’ s 5G network using sub-6GHz 5G in addition to short-range mmWave .
That should mean you can get the best of both worlds , benefiting from wider coverage in areas where sub-6GHz 5G is available , alongside super-fast mmWave speeds where supported .
The release of the new hotspot comes just a couple of months after AT & T said its 5G network is available nationwide .
According to the company , its 5G services are now available to over 205 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US .

AT&T has announced pricing and a release date for Netgear’s latest 5G hotspot, which it will start selling exclusively for $509.99 on September 18th. The Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro can connect to both flavors of 5G — mmWave and sub-6GHz — and support up to 32 devices attached over Wi-Fi 6. As well as buying the hotspot outright, AT&T is also selling it for $17 a month over 30 months.
Internally, the hotspot is running on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55 mobile platform, and it’s powered by a 5,040mAh battery. AT&T doesn’t provide any estimates for how long the Nighthawk will last on a single charge, but it notes that it can also run without a battery when its power adapter is plugged in. It can be controlled via a built-in touchscreen, and there’s an Ethernet port on the side of the device.
The hotspot can be controlled via a touchscreen. Image: Netgear
This isn’t the first time Netgear has partnered with AT&T to sell a 5G hotspot, but this new device offers a big upgrade over its previous model. Most notably, the new hotspot can now connect to AT&T’s 5G network using sub-6GHz 5G in addition to short-range mmWave. That should mean you can get the best of both worlds, benefiting from wider coverage in areas where sub-6GHz 5G is available, alongside super-fast mmWave speeds where supported.


theverge--2020-09-15--SteelSeries’ new Arctis 9 wireless headset is ready for the PS5 and PC

There ’ s a new version of SteelSeries ’ Arctis 9 wireless gaming headset available starting today for $ 199.99 .
The design and feature set is almost an exact match to the SteelSeries Arctis 9X .
But while the Arctis 9X supports the Xbox One ( and is forward compatible to Xbox Series S / X ) , the new Arctis 9 is compatible with the PC and PlayStation 4 , with compatibility for the PS5 ensured at launch .
And while the Arctis 9X doesn ’ t require a dongle to connect to the Xbox , the Arctis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can toggle from PC to PlayStation , depending on the platform you ’ ve plugged it into .
Otherwise , the new headset has the same claim of 20-hour battery life and the ability to be connected via 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth simultaneously — a feature that I love dearly .
It ’ s great if you want to listen to podcasts or take calls on your phone while you listen to your game audio .
The controls on this new headset are also unchanged , with a chat and game audio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the back side of the left ear cup .
Unfortunately , this feature is currently usable only on PCs due to the way Sony currently handles routing game audio and chat audio via USB on its PlayStation consoles .
The left ear cup also contains a retractable boom microphone .
Everything else is housed over on the right ear cup .
That ’ s where you ’ ll find a 3.5mm jack that gives the option for wired listening , a Micro USB port for charging , buttons for turning on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mic mute button , and , finally , a master volume dial .
We ’ ve been seeing an uptick in gaming headsets from companies that claim to be ready for next-generation consoles .
While brands like SteelSeries and Turtle Beach seem to be staying the course of releasing headsets made specifically for each platform , other options like the Audeze Penrose and the Astro A20 Gen 2 can work with both consoles — that is , if you have wireless receivers for both the Xbox Series S / X and PS5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headsets coming this fall as the consoles near their launch , so there won ’ t be a shortage of options to choose between if you ’ re in the market .

There’s a new version of SteelSeries’ Arctis 9 wireless gaming headset available starting today for $199.99. The design and feature set is almost an exact match to the SteelSeries Arctis 9X. But while the Arctis 9X supports the Xbox One (and is forward compatible to Xbox Series S / X), the new Arctis 9 is compatible with the PC and PlayStation 4, with compatibility for the PS5 ensured at launch. And while the Arctis 9X doesn’t require a dongle to connect to the Xbox, the Arctis 9 needs the included USB receiver that you can toggle from PC to PlayStation, depending on the platform you’ve plugged it into.
Otherwise, the new headset has the same claim of 20-hour battery life and the ability to be connected via 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth simultaneously — a feature that I love dearly. It’s great if you want to listen to podcasts or take calls on your phone while you listen to your game audio.
The majority of controls are on the right ear cup. Image: SteelSeries
The controls on this new headset are also unchanged, with a chat and game audio mix dial that’s easily accessible on the back side of the left ear cup. Unfortunately, this feature is currently usable only on PCs due to the way Sony currently handles routing game audio and chat audio via USB on its PlayStation consoles. The left ear cup also contains a retractable boom microphone.
Everything else is housed over on the right ear cup. That’s where you’ll find a 3.5mm jack that gives the option for wired listening, a Micro USB port for charging, buttons for turning on the headset and pairing it via Bluetooth, a mic mute button, and, finally, a master volume dial.
We’ve been seeing an uptick in gaming headsets from companies that claim to be ready for next-generation consoles. While brands like SteelSeries and Turtle Beach seem to be staying the course of releasing headsets made specifically for each platform, other options like the Audeze Penrose and the Astro A20 Gen 2 can work with both consoles — that is, if you have wireless receivers for both the Xbox Series S / X and PS5.


theverge--2020-09-15--EA’s Origin client to become the EA Desktop app

EA ’ s Origin desktop app is getting a rebrand and a visual refresh , GameIndustry.biz reports .
The client is now set to be called the “ EA Desktop App , ” and it will be faster , simpler , and include more cross-platform features , EA tells GamesBeat .
Other improvements reportedly include a “ better patching experience ” for updating games and access to more information about how much time you ’ re spending playing .
You ’ ll also be able to access EA ’ s game subscription services via the client .
This isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move away from its Origin branding , which GamesBeat notes dates back to its acquisition of Origin Systems way back in 1992 .
Last month , the company announced it would be rebranding its Origin Access and Origin Access Premier subscriptions to EA Play and EA Play Pro , respectively .
The company also announced that EA Access ( the non-Origin name for the same subscription service on console ) would be rebranded under the same EA Play umbrella .
Following last month ’ s rebrand of Origin Access The rebranding comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Origin as the exclusive store for its games on PC .
The company announced last year that it would start releasing its games on Steam once more , and EA has continued to add more titles this year .
It also said its EA Play subscription service ( previously EA Access ) would be coming to Steam , which allows users to download and play a variety of EA ’ s games for the price of a single monthly subscription , similar to Xbox Game Pass .
On PC , access to EA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclusive to Origin .
EA isn ’ t the only company that ’ s trying to bring its various services and platforms together under the same branding .
Last month , Amazon rebranded Twitch Prime as Prime Gaming , bringing it in line with more of its subscription lineup .
However , previous efforts to rename game services have faced challenges .
Back in 2017 , Blizzard was forced to abandon its plans to rename its iconic Battle.net launcher to the Blizzard Launcher after deciding the rebrand was a marketing blunder .
Closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ App have just opened , according to PCGamer , but an official rollout date is yet to be announced .

EA’s Origin desktop app is getting a rebrand and a visual refresh, GameIndustry.biz reports. The client is now set to be called the “EA Desktop App,” and it will be faster, simpler, and include more cross-platform features, EA tells GamesBeat. Other improvements reportedly include a “better patching experience” for updating games and access to more information about how much time you’re spending playing. You’ll also be able to access EA’s game subscription services via the client.
This isn’t the first step EA has taken to move away from its Origin branding, which GamesBeat notes dates back to its acquisition of Origin Systems way back in 1992. Last month, the company announced it would be rebranding its Origin Access and Origin Access Premier subscriptions to EA Play and EA Play Pro, respectively. The company also announced that EA Access (the non-Origin name for the same subscription service on console) would be rebranded under the same EA Play umbrella.
Following last month’s rebrand of Origin Access
The rebranding comes as EA is placing less focus on Origin as the exclusive store for its games on PC. The company announced last year that it would start releasing its games on Steam once more, and EA has continued to add more titles this year. It also said its EA Play subscription service (previously EA Access) would be coming to Steam, which allows users to download and play a variety of EA’s games for the price of a single monthly subscription, similar to Xbox Game Pass. On PC, access to EA’s game subscription services had been exclusive to Origin.
EA isn’t the only company that’s trying to bring its various services and platforms together under the same branding. Last month, Amazon rebranded Twitch Prime as Prime Gaming, bringing it in line with more of its subscription lineup. However, previous efforts to rename game services have faced challenges. Back in 2017, Blizzard was forced to abandon its plans to rename its iconic Battle.net launcher to the Blizzard Launcher after deciding the rebrand was a marketing blunder.


theverge--2020-09-15--Amazon launches Luxury Stores to separate the hoi polloi from the haute couture

Can shopping on your phone be a luxury experience ?
It seems unlikely , but that ’ s not stopping Amazon ’ s latest attempt to get high-end brands onboard its platform .
Today , the company is unveiling what it calls Luxury Stores — a new way for brands to present their wares to discerning customers on Amazon ’ s mobile app , with high-end ready-to-wear brand Oscar de la Renta as the first official partner .
Luxury Stores will allow brands to create what Amazon is calling a “ store within a store ” experience .
That means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selection , and pricing , while leveraging Amazon ’ s enormous reach to find customers .
The online retailing giant will also supply brands with the digital equivalent of fancy shop windows , giving them the option to display their clothes in interactive 360-degree views .
“ This interactive feature will begin rolling out with select garments at launch , allowing customers to explore styles in 360-degree detail to better visualize fit , and making shopping for luxury easier and more engaging , ” said Amazon in a press statement .
The feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Renta , but other brands will be joining in the months to come .
Actually browsing the new Luxury Stores won ’ t be an option for just anyone , though .
In line with the luxury ethos , Amazon is introducing some artificial scarcity .
Only selected Amazon Prime members in the US will be invited to browse the digital racks , with Amazon presumably targeting affluent customers .
( You can also request an invitation . )
More broadly speaking , the launch of Luxury Stores is Amazon ’ s latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although the company certainly sells a great deal of clothes ( it ’ s the largest seller of apparel in the US ) , these items are mostly considered “ fast fashion.
” The retailing giant has never managed to attract or retain designer and luxury brands , who have criticized the site ’ s shopping experience and the prevalence of generic brands .
Nike , for example , stopped all direct sales through Amazon in 2019 , claiming it wanted “ more direct , personal relationships ” with customers than Amazon could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to address this complaint , giving brands more control over the look of their little corner of Amazon ’ s platform .
Think of it as the digital equivalent of a red velvet rope , with Luxury Stores separating the hoi polloi from the haute couture .
Will it be a trade-off brands are willing to make ?
Some , certainly , will be interested in courting Amazon ’ s 100 million Prime customers , especially at a time when the pandemic has stifled the footfall necessary to sustain many luxury shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolen told Vogue it just made sense to reach customers where they were .
“ For me to get more mindshare with existing customers in addition to getting new customers — that ’ s the name of the game .
We want to be able to talk to her wherever she ’ s comfortable shopping , ” said Bolen , adding : “ This idea that you don ’ t want to speak to a customer where she ’ s spending a lot of her time is a mistake .
”

Can shopping on your phone be a luxury experience? It seems unlikely, but that’s not stopping Amazon’s latest attempt to get high-end brands onboard its platform. Today, the company is unveiling what it calls Luxury Stores — a new way for brands to present their wares to discerning customers on Amazon’s mobile app, with high-end ready-to-wear brand Oscar de la Renta as the first official partner.
Luxury Stores will allow brands to create what Amazon is calling a “store within a store” experience. That means giving companies more control over inventory, selection, and pricing, while leveraging Amazon’s enormous reach to find customers. The online retailing giant will also supply brands with the digital equivalent of fancy shop windows, giving them the option to display their clothes in interactive 360-degree views.
“This interactive feature will begin rolling out with select garments at launch, allowing customers to explore styles in 360-degree detail to better visualize fit, and making shopping for luxury easier and more engaging,” said Amazon in a press statement.
How Oscar de la Renta’s new store will appear in the Amazon mobile app. Image: Amazon via Vogue
The feature is launching with just Oscar de la Renta, but other brands will be joining in the months to come. Actually browsing the new Luxury Stores won’t be an option for just anyone, though. In line with the luxury ethos, Amazon is introducing some artificial scarcity. Only selected Amazon Prime members in the US will be invited to browse the digital racks, with Amazon presumably targeting affluent customers. (You can also request an invitation.)
More broadly speaking, the launch of Luxury Stores is Amazon’s latest attempt to break into high-end fashion. Although the company certainly sells a great deal of clothes (it’s the largest seller of apparel in the US), these items are mostly considered “fast fashion.” The retailing giant has never managed to attract or retain designer and luxury brands, who have criticized the site’s shopping experience and the prevalence of generic brands. Nike, for example, stopped all direct sales through Amazon in 2019, claiming it wanted “more direct, personal relationships” with customers than Amazon could supply.
Luxury Stores look like an attempt to address this complaint, giving brands more control over the look of their little corner of Amazon’s platform. Think of it as the digital equivalent of a red velvet rope, with Luxury Stores separating the hoi polloi from the haute couture.
Will it be a trade-off brands are willing to make? Some, certainly, will be interested in courting Amazon’s 100 million Prime customers, especially at a time when the pandemic has stifled the footfall necessary to sustain many luxury shops. Oscar de la Renta CEO Alex Bolen told Vogue it just made sense to reach customers where they were.


theverge--2020-09-15--Arlo’s latest video doorbell ditches the wire

Arlo has announced a new wire-free video doorbell that runs on rechargeable batteries , which should make it much easier for most people to install .
The Arlo Essential Wire-Free Video Doorbell is available to preorder now for $ 199.99 , and Arlo says it should start shipping “ this holiday season.
” Aside from its new rechargeable battery , the new doorbell has very similar specs to last year ’ s Arlo Video Doorbell .
You still get a camera with a 180-degree field of view and a 1:1 aspect ratio , it still supports HDR and night vision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for video calls , two-way audio conversations , and the ability to send pre-recorded messages .
You also still have the option of hardwiring the new battery-powered doorbell and having it charge continuously , if you don ’ t want the hassle of having to recharge its batteries every few months .
Included with the price of the doorbell is three months of Arlo Smart .
The subscription service gives you 30 days of rolling cloud recordings , as well as smart object detection that allows the doorbell to automatically detect people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and send alerts about them to your phone .
After your complimentary time expires , prices start at $ 2.99 per month for ongoing access to the service .
Battery-powered video doorbells are available from other manufacturers like Ring and August .
But if you ’ re already invested in Arlo ’ s ecosystem of smart security cameras and have an Arlo Smart subscription for multiple cameras , then its new video doorbell should make for a seamless addition .

Arlo has announced a new wire-free video doorbell that runs on rechargeable batteries, which should make it much easier for most people to install. The Arlo Essential Wire-Free Video Doorbell is available to preorder now for $199.99, and Arlo says it should start shipping “this holiday season.”
Aside from its new rechargeable battery, the new doorbell has very similar specs to last year’s Arlo Video Doorbell. You still get a camera with a 180-degree field of view and a 1:1 aspect ratio, it still supports HDR and night vision, and it still comes with support for video calls, two-way audio conversations, and the ability to send pre-recorded messages. You also still have the option of hardwiring the new battery-powered doorbell and having it charge continuously, if you don’t want the hassle of having to recharge its batteries every few months.
Arlo’s new video doorbell supports direct-to-mobile video calls and two-way audio. Image: Arlo
Included with the price of the doorbell is three months of Arlo Smart. The subscription service gives you 30 days of rolling cloud recordings, as well as smart object detection that allows the doorbell to automatically detect people, vehicles, animals, and packages, and send alerts about them to your phone. After your complimentary time expires, prices start at $2.99 per month for ongoing access to the service.


theverge--2020-09-15--HP’s Omen Vector Wireless is a long-lasting mouse with USB-C charging

HP debuted a value-priced Omen Vector wired gaming mice earlier this summer , but the new Vector Wireless is the company ’ s high-end option .
It ’ s $ 99.99 and is available starting today in the US .
What stands out about the Vector Wireless is its USB-C charging port that , beyond being convenient , allows for very fast charging speeds .
HP claims that 30 seconds is all the charging time it needs to get an hour of battery life .
Also according to HP , five minutes of charging time should be enough for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while 15 minutes will get you 30 hours of performance .
It supposedly takes 90 minutes to fully charge the mouse , yielding up to 180 hours of battery life .
Given the name , the Vector Wireless is meant to be used wirelessly .
Out of the box , its 2.4GHz wireless receiver is tucked away just below where your palm rests on the mouse .
If you want to use it wired instead , HP includes a braided cable that it claims can deliver a 1ms polling rate .
( The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USB-C cables can deliver the same speed . )
This new mouse from HP uses the PixArt PAW3335 sensor , which has 16,000 DPI resolution with a customizable range between 100-16,000 that you can tweak using the HP Omen Command Center software .
It uses Omron mechanical switches , which yield deep travel and a satisfying bounce .
Additionally , you can tweak the button assignments , the colors , and the lighting pattern of the LEDs to your liking .
As for how the mouse feels in the hand , I like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so they shape to your fingers .
HP ’ s new mouse also has textured sides for grip and a thumb rest that provides some relief when you don ’ t want to hold your thumb up next to the mouse ’ s two side buttons .
So far , battery life seems to be stellar , but I ’ ll be testing it for the next few weeks to see if it stands up to HP ’ s claims .

HP debuted a value-priced Omen Vector wired gaming mice earlier this summer, but the new Vector Wireless is the company’s high-end option. It’s $99.99 and is available starting today in the US. What stands out about the Vector Wireless is its USB-C charging port that, beyond being convenient, allows for very fast charging speeds.
HP claims that 30 seconds is all the charging time it needs to get an hour of battery life. Also according to HP, five minutes of charging time should be enough for it to last through an entire day, while 15 minutes will get you 30 hours of performance. It supposedly takes 90 minutes to fully charge the mouse, yielding up to 180 hours of battery life.
The Omen Vector Wireless ships with a braided USB-C to USB-A cable, a 2.4GHz wireless receiver, and an extender. Image: HP
Given the name, the Vector Wireless is meant to be used wirelessly. Out of the box, its 2.4GHz wireless receiver is tucked away just below where your palm rests on the mouse. If you want to use it wired instead, HP includes a braided cable that it claims can deliver a 1ms polling rate. (The company made it clear that not all USB-C cables can deliver the same speed.)
This new mouse from HP uses the PixArt PAW3335 sensor, which has 16,000 DPI resolution with a customizable range between 100-16,000 that you can tweak using the HP Omen Command Center software. It uses Omron mechanical switches, which yield deep travel and a satisfying bounce. Additionally, you can tweak the button assignments, the colors, and the lighting pattern of the LEDs to your liking.
As for how the mouse feels in the hand, I like that the main mouse buttons are concave, so they shape to your fingers. HP’s new mouse also has textured sides for grip and a thumb rest that provides some relief when you don’t want to hold your thumb up next to the mouse’s two side buttons.


theverge--2020-09-15--How to watch today’s Apple event

How to watch today’s Apple event

No , Apple ’ s latest event isn ’ t about iPhones or even Macs .
However , it is likely about iPads and Apple Watches , and if those are things that interest you — or if you want to know what else Apple may have up its sleeve — then you ’ ll want to watch the live stream of today ’ s events .
What can you expect ?
Rumors abound .
In answer to the “ Time Flies ” moniker , you can probably expect two new Apple Watches : one high-end successor to the Series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and one less expensive version to replace the Series 3 .
Another possibility is a new , redesigned iPad Air .
There is talk of a new , more affordable HomePod and new subscription bundles .
And who knows what else ?
Want to know more ?
To find out , watch the keynote and follow our reporters as they contribute their expert commentary on the proceedings .
It starts today , September 15th , at 1PM ET / 10AM PT / 6PM BST .
We have the live stream video embedded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around here to watch when it begins .
Otherwise , head to these links : • Tune in to The Verge ’ s live blog for expert commentary ( we ’ ll add a link as soon as we begin ) • Apple is streaming the event live on its website • Keep an eye on @ verge on Instagram for live updates

No, Apple’s latest event isn’t about iPhones or even Macs. However, it is likely about iPads and Apple Watches, and if those are things that interest you — or if you want to know what else Apple may have up its sleeve — then you’ll want to watch the live stream of today’s events.
What can you expect? Rumors abound. In answer to the “Time Flies” moniker, you can probably expect two new Apple Watches: one high-end successor to the Series 5 (probably the Series 6), and one less expensive version to replace the Series 3. Another possibility is a new, redesigned iPad Air. There is talk of a new, more affordable HomePod and new subscription bundles. And who knows what else?
Want to know more? To find out, watch the keynote and follow our reporters as they contribute their expert commentary on the proceedings.
WHEN DOES APPLE’S EVENT START?
It starts today, September 15th, at 1PM ET / 10AM PT / 6PM BST.
WHERE CAN I WATCH APPLE’S EVENT?