theverge--2020-09-13--Microsoft says it’s not acquiring TikTok after ByteDance rejects offer

Microsoft says it ’ s not acquiring parts of TikTok ’ s operations , after its bid was rejected by TikTok owner ByteDance .
After weeks of talks and very public back and forths involving the Trump administration , Microsoft ultimately failed in its attempts to acquire TikTok .
“ ByteDance let us know today they would not be selling TikTok ’ s US operations to Microsoft , ” says Microsoft in a statement .
“ We are confident our proposal would have been good for TikTok ’ s users , while protecting national security interests .
To do this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure the service met the highest standards for security , privacy , online safety , and combatting disinformation , and we made these principles clear in our August statement .
We look forward to seeing how the service evolves in these important areas.
” Microsoft originally confirmed last month that it was pursuing a deal to buy TikTok ’ s operations in the US , Australia , Canada , and New Zealand .
Reports also suggested Microsoft might be considering buying all of TikTok ’ s global operations , with the Financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were at the “ preliminary ” stage .
Microsoft ’ s failed bid leaves the door open for Oracle as a potential buyer .
Reports last month suggested Oracle was in the running for a TikTok acquisition , and earlier today Axios reported that Larry Ellison ’ s enterprise software giant had leapfrogged Microsoft for the deal .
Any potential deal with Oracle isn ’ t without complications , though .
President Trump initially threatened a September 15th deadline for a TikTok sale , before setting November 12th as the deadline , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s led to TikTok suing the Trump administration over an alleged lack of due process , and the potential of China blocking a deal or allowing it to be sold without its key algorithm .
It ’ s not clear exactly what will happen to TikTok in the US now that Microsoft has been unsuccessful in its bid .
Oracle looks like the most likely candidate , and it may serve as more of a cloud services provider rather than a parent company with direct control .
Nothing has been simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s reasonable to expect some more twists and turns in the coming days and weeks .

Microsoft says it’s not acquiring parts of TikTok’s operations, after its bid was rejected by TikTok owner ByteDance. After weeks of talks and very public back and forths involving the Trump administration, Microsoft ultimately failed in its attempts to acquire TikTok.
“ByteDance let us know today they would not be selling TikTok’s US operations to Microsoft,” says Microsoft in a statement. “We are confident our proposal would have been good for TikTok’s users, while protecting national security interests. To do this, we would have made significant changes to ensure the service met the highest standards for security, privacy, online safety, and combatting disinformation, and we made these principles clear in our August statement. We look forward to seeing how the service evolves in these important areas.”
Microsoft originally confirmed last month that it was pursuing a deal to buy TikTok’s operations in the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Reports also suggested Microsoft might be considering buying all of TikTok’s global operations, with the Financial Times suggesting talks around this particular deal were at the “preliminary” stage.
Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Microsoft’s failed bid leaves the door open for Oracle as a potential buyer. Reports last month suggested Oracle was in the running for a TikTok acquisition, and earlier today Axios reported that Larry Ellison’s enterprise software giant had leapfrogged Microsoft for the deal.
Any potential deal with Oracle isn’t without complications, though. President Trump initially threatened a September 15th deadline for a TikTok sale, before setting November 12th as the deadline, with the threat of a potential ban. That’s led to TikTok suing the Trump administration over an alleged lack of due process, and the potential of China blocking a deal or allowing it to be sold without its key algorithm.


theverge--2020-09-13--Twitter seems to be testing an edit feature but it’s not quite what you might expect

It looks like Twitter may finally , at long last , be allowing users to edit their tweets .
Users began noticing it Sunday afternoon : If you delete a tweet reply , then try to reply again , the “ deleted ” text reappears , allowing you to fix any mistakes and re-send it .
The Verge ’ s Tom Warren demonstrated how it works : Twitter seems to be testing a neat way to edit tweets .
If you delete a tweet when you reply to someone and then go to reply again it brings the old text @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //t.co/t4KKLNmjWT pic.twitter.com/YNQ6FSIlLS — Tom Warren ( @ tomwarren ) September 13 , 2020 Other users ( including myself ) were not able to duplicate that action , but it ’ s possible Twitter is rolling it out slowly ( if it ’ s rolling this out at all ) .
Editable tweets are something Twitter users have long pined for , and begged Twitter to implement .
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is on the record saying Twitter would “ probably never ” introduce a delete button .
However , Twitter has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including making its reply-limiting feature available to all users , as part of the platform ’ s efforts to give people more control over their conversations .
We ’ ve reached out to Twitter for more information and will update this post when we hear anything .

It looked like Twitter might finally, at long last, be allowing users to edit their tweets. Users began noticing it Sunday afternoon: If you delete a tweet reply, then try to reply again, the “deleted” text reappears, allowing you to fix any mistakes and re-send it. The Verge’s Tom Warren demonstrated how it works:
But on Sunday evening, a Twitter spokeswoman gave us the sad news that it’s just a bug.
Editable tweets are something Twitter users have long pined for, and begged Twitter to implement. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is on the record saying Twitter would “probably never” introduce an edit button. However, Twitter has rolled out other much-desired features recently, including making its reply-limiting feature available to all users, as part of the platform’s efforts to give people more control over their conversations.


theverge--2020-09-13--Nothing says ‘ready to game’ quite like being cocooned in a giant scorpion cockpit

Since I am The Verge ’ s resident “ weird animal stories ” expert ( see : murder hornets and the story of eagle vs. drone ) of course my colleague suggested I would want to look into this gaming chair that is made to look like a giant scorpion .
This is the Cluvens IW-SK zero-gravity esports gaming chair and workstation .
It can , according to the Cluvens website , support an ultra-wide 49-inch monitor , or three curved 27-inch monitors , and comes with HDMI/DP cables to connect them .
It weighs 265 pounds , is 65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 82 inches tall when fully extended .
So it ’ s not going to just neatly fit in a corner , you ’ ll need a bit of room .
Let me just state for the record that I am neither A ) an avid gamer or B ) a fan of insects , especially the ultra-poisonous ones like scorpions .
So a gaming chair is not something I ’ m really in the market for , much less an insectile gaming cockpit with six legs .
I ’ m trying to envision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like a pre-pandemic office , where rando coworkers would inevitably stop by your desk to chit-chat about the Steelers when you are on deadline and just need to focus and — hmm .
Maybe I am seeing the use for this insect cockpit .
If we could affix some kind of device ( nothing too deadly ) to the stinger that would intimidate people from approaching I might be able to get on board here .
According to Cluvens ’ description , the cockpit is motorized , and “ with the touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need it to be.
” The scorpion ’ s “ tail ” extends and becomes the overhang support for mounting screens , and you can adjust both the distance of the monitor and the angle using a controller .
The “ claws ” where the mouse and keyboard rest ( sure why not ) have rounded corners so they ’ re not as dangerous as they look ( but no cupholder ?
Where are you supposed to put your Mountain Dew ? )
And , Cluvens says : Wait wait wait ... it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
That ’ s ... much more interesting .
Still got ta get comfortable laying down in a giant insect , however , so not sure how relaxing it would actually be ?
Catie Keck over at Gizmodo really wants one though so go comment on her story .
We all have to help each other in these trying times .
Cluvens lists the chair at $ 3,299 ( but our friends over at CNET found it on Alibaba for a mere $ 1,900 ) .
You have to reserve them in advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t regret the wait , and says you ’ ll be the envy of all your friends .

Since I am The Verge’s resident “weird animal stories” expert (see: murder hornets and the story of eagle vs. drone) of course my colleague suggested I would want to look into this gaming chair that is made to look like a giant scorpion.
Sigh.
This is the Cluvens IW-SK zero-gravity esports gaming chair and workstation. It can, according to the Cluvens website, support an ultra-wide 49-inch monitor, or three curved 27-inch monitors, and comes with HDMI/DP cables to connect them. It weighs 265 pounds, is 65 inches long, 47 inches wide and 82 inches tall when fully extended. So it’s not going to just neatly fit in a corner, you’ll need a bit of room.
Let me just state for the record that I am neither A) an avid gamer or B) a fan of insects, especially the ultra-poisonous ones like scorpions. So a gaming chair is not something I’m really in the market for, much less an insectile gaming cockpit with eight legs.
I’m trying to envision it in an office setting, however, like a pre-pandemic office, where rando coworkers would inevitably stop by your desk to chit-chat about the Steelers when you are on deadline and just need to focus and — hmm. Maybe I am seeing the use for this insect cockpit. If we could affix some kind of device (nothing too deadly) to the stinger that would intimidate people from approaching I might be able to get on board here.
According to Cluvens’ description, the cockpit is motorized, and “with the touch of a button transforms into whatever you need it to be.”
The scorpion’s “tail” extends and becomes the overhang support for mounting screens, and you can adjust both the distance of the monitor and the angle using a controller. The “claws” where the mouse and keyboard rest (sure why not) have rounded corners so they’re not as dangerous as they look (but no cupholder? Where are you supposed to put your Mountain Dew?) And, Cluvens says:
The body of the Scorpion is where you can choose to sit upright or lie down for a break. And guess what?! The chair even comes with a massage and heating function so you can enjoy some quality time while you’re making yourself look like the ultimate villain.
Wait wait wait... it reclines and has massage and heating functions? That’s... much more interesting.
Cluvens
Still gotta get comfortable laying down in a giant insect, however, so not sure how relaxing it would actually be? Catie Keck over at Gizmodo really wants one though so go comment on her story. We all have to help each other in these trying times.
Cluvens lists the chair at $3,299 (but our friends over at CNET found it on Alibaba for a mere $1,900). You have to reserve them in advance, but Cluvens promises you won’t regret the wait, and says you’ll be the envy of all your friends.


theverge--2020-09-13--Instagram may be planning to charge a fee to put links in captions, patent suggests

Influencers , brace yourselves : Instagram may be considering charging a fee to add links to photo captions , a patent application suggests .
Mike Murphy discovered it as part of his ( fascinating ! )
weekly roundup of tech patents over at Protocol .
The patent application , which Instagram parent company Facebook first submitted back in 2016 , shows a pop-up appearing when the user adds a URL to a caption , asking if the user wants to pay $ 2 to make the link live .
The patent application ( titled “ adding paid links to media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) describes how the system would work : “ If the online system detects the text content of the caption includes a string of link text identifying an address , the online system prompts the posting user to pay a fee in exchange for generating a link.
” This , of course , has long been one of the biggest complaints about Instagram : that if you want to include a link to a story , product , or anything else in your post you can ’ t add URLs to captions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link in bio ” route , and verified Insta users can add links to Stories .
The question here will be whether Instagram influencers , brands , and other users will be willing to pay a per-link fee .
But it seems like a no-brainer to generate revenue for Instagram if this goes into effect .
However , as with any patent , it ’ s important to note that companies apply for patents all the time for products and services that never come to fruition , so there ’ s no telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen .
Maybe don ’ t splurge on that new selfie stick just yet .

Despite what a recent patent application suggests, Instagram says it has no plans to add links to photo captions. The patent application was uncovered by Mike Murphy, in his weekly roundup of tech patents over at Protocol.
Instagram parent company Facebook first submitted the patent application back in 2016, which shows a pop-up appearing when the user adds a URL to a caption, asking if the user wants to pay $2 to make the link live.
The patent application (titled “adding paid links to media captions in a social networking system”) describes how the system would work: “If the online system detects the text content of the caption includes a string of link text identifying an address, the online system prompts the posting user to pay a fee in exchange for generating a link.”
This, of course, has long been one of the biggest complaints about Instagram: that if you want to include a link to a story, product, or anything else in your post you can’t add URLs to captions of photos. Most people go the “link in bio” route, and verified Insta users can add links to Stories.
But paid links won’t appear in Instagram captions any time soon, a company spokesperson says. “We have no plans of introducing this functionality on Instagram,” the spokesperson said in an email to The Verge.


theverge--2020-09-13--New trailers this week: Rebecca, The Truffle Hunters, Sneakerheads, and of course Dune

OK so I got out of my rerun rut and binged Away on Netflix over Labor Day and ...
I really wanted to like it !
The acting was so good , and it looked beautiful , but the script just strained credibility at every turn .
It got off to a promising start with an incident aboard the spacecraft that makes the rest of the crew question whether first-time commander Emma Green ( Hilary Swank ) is really up to the long haul mission of guiding them to Mars .
And there are great performances from a top-notch cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resisted the urge to include the standard rom-com tensions and the endless Eureka !
moments ( ex : person on Earth gets a static electricity shock and realizes it may be the key to helping the space crew out of its latest mishap ! )
, and we could have done away entirely with the B-plot of Green ’ s rebellious teenage daughter .
I held on to the end but honestly the episodes got less interesting as the show progressed .
Maybe season two , if there is one , can put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this sci-fi story .
At least it looked really , really cool .
Also cool : the utter glee my Verge colleagues experienced watching the trailer for the new Dune remake .
I have not seen the 1984 movie or read the novel so I am a total Dune neophyte .
But apparently the sandworm is a big fricking deal and fear is the mind killer .
Here ’ s the team analysis of the trailer .
Dune is scheduled to arrive in theaters December 18th .
And here are a few more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is one hundred percent tailor-made for this former English lit major : “ A young newlywed arrives at her husband ’ s imposing family estate on a windswept English coast and finds herself battling the shadow of his first wife Rebecca whose legacy lives on in the house long after her death.
” I mean just inject this into my veins right now .
Rebecca was a 1938 Gothic novel by Daphne du Maurier that Alfred Hitchcock made into a film starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine that won the 1941 Academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that trailer here ) .
This remake features Lily James as the second Mrs. de Winter , Armie Hammer as Maxim , and Kristin Scott Thomas ( yesssss ) as Mrs. Danvers .
Rebecca hits Netflix ( and select theaters ) on October 21st .
This documentary is about the men who search for rare Alba truffles in Piedmont , Italy , and the beautiful landscapes in the trailer scenes make it look more like a feature film .
Variety says it ’ s not all idyllic countrysides , however ; climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this age-old tradition .
But filmmakers treat the subject matter “ with respect , curiosity , and a sense of awe , ” Variety ’ s review says .
The Truffle Hunters is scheduled to arrive in theaters December 25th .
This series is about former sneakerhead Devin , now a stay-at-home dad who ’ s still obsessed with finding a pair of Zeroes , kind of the holy grail of sneakers .
Minor spoiler : it ’ s not just a show about sneakers .
Allen Maldonado stars as Devin and honestly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the trailer I can ’ t wait to watch this one .
Sneakerheads arrives on Netflix September 25th .

OK so I got out of my rerun rut and binged Away on Netflix over Labor Day and... I really wanted to like it! The acting was so good, and it looked beautiful, but the script just strained credibility at every turn.
It got off to a promising start with an incident aboard the spacecraft that makes the rest of the crew question whether first-time commander Emma Green (Hilary Swank) is really up to the long haul mission of guiding them to Mars. And there are great performances from a top-notch cast.
I just wish the writers had resisted the urge to include the standard rom-com tensions and the endless Eureka! moments (ex: person on Earth gets a static electricity shock and realizes it may be the key to helping the space crew out of its latest mishap!), and we could have done away entirely with the B-plot of Green’s rebellious teenage daughter. I held on to the end but honestly the episodes got less interesting as the show progressed. Maybe season two, if there is one, can put the focus more on the sci- in this sci-fi story. At least it looked really, really cool.
Dune
Also cool: the utter glee my Verge colleagues experienced watching the trailer for the new Dune remake. I have not seen the 1984 movie or read the novel so I am a total Dune neophyte. But apparently the sandworm is a big fricking deal and fear is the mind killer. Here’s the team analysis of the trailer. Dune is scheduled to arrive in theaters December 18th.
And here are a few more trailers to check out, including one that is one hundred percent tailor-made for this former English lit major:
Rebecca
“A young newlywed arrives at her husband’s imposing family estate on a windswept English coast and finds herself battling the shadow of his first wife Rebecca whose legacy lives on in the house long after her death.” I mean just inject this into my veins right now. Rebecca was a 1938 Gothic novel by Daphne du Maurier that Alfred Hitchcock made into a film starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine that won the 1941 Academy Award for Best Picture (check out that trailer here). This remake features Lily James as the second Mrs. de Winter, Armie Hammer as Maxim, and Kristin Scott Thomas (yesssss) as Mrs. Danvers. Rebecca hits Netflix (and select theaters) on October 21st.
The Truffle Hunters
This documentary is about the men who search for rare Alba truffles in Piedmont, Italy, and the beautiful landscapes in the trailer scenes make it look more like a feature film. Variety says it’s not all idyllic countrysides, however; climate change and deforestation are very real threats to this age-old tradition. But filmmakers treat the subject matter “with respect, curiosity, and a sense of awe,” Variety’s review says. The Truffle Hunters is scheduled to arrive in theaters December 25th.
Sneakerheads


theverge--2020-09-13--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 Watch SE ? )
The iPad Air might get a redesign with an edge-to-edge screen like the iPad Pros , reports Bloomberg .
That would be a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 are 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 .
If you ’ re looking forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Correction September 13th 1:57PM ET : The article originally misstated that the iPad Air would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the power button , instead of the first iOS/iPadOS .
The power button on some MacBooks have had TouchID for some time .
The Verge regrets the error .

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--Razer Kishi for iPhone review: a great Apple Arcade controller

Earlier this year , my colleague Cameron Faulkner reviewed the Razer Kishi , a smartly designed game controller for Android phones created in collaboration with Gamevice .
Now a version for iPhones is here , and it ’ s essentially the same story — the biggest difference is what it can do .
The Kishi is like two Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons that are permanently attached to each other , collapsing down into an easily portable package .
The band between them is elasticized , meaning you can pull them over the edges of your phone and get a snug fit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connector on one end and a port for passthrough charging .
I tried it with an iPhone 11 , but it also comes with adapters for smaller phones like the SE .
I really like this design .
It solves many of the biggest pain points of mobile game controllers : they can be awkward to carry , attach , detach , and pair with your device .
The Kishi ’ s setup is effortless , and the iOS version is MFi certified so it ’ s instantly recognized as a gamepad by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controls .
That means it works with , well , a lot of games on the App Store .
My go-to time-waster is the mobile version of NBA2K , for example , and I usually play it on the automatic mode where you only occasionally directly get involved with the action through some basic on-screen buttons .
With the Kishi controller , though , it ’ s not all that different to playing the full version on the Switch .
I also tried the Kishi out with the new mobile version of Castlevania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly becomes an infinitely more appealing proposition .
This is a very good $ 2.99 version of a legitimate classic , but I would never want to play it with a touchscreen — with the Kishi , though , it ’ s arguably one of the best ways to play the game .
I ’ ll say here that I agree with what Cameron said about the Android version of the Kishi : it doesn ’ t feel like a truly premium controller .
The analog sticks and triggers are decent , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than I ’ d like , and similarly , I ’ d prefer more tactile responsiveness from the D-pad .
That said , the D-pad is worlds better than dealing with the Switch Joy-Con ’ s four-button facsimile , and overall , the Kishi does a reasonable job at giving the iPhone a full Xbox-style controller layout .
Would be great for xCloud , but Apple doesn ’ t allow it Unfortunately , the comparison with an Xbox controller is less relevant on iOS than Android .
Apple ’ s restrictions around game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means that the iPhone version of the Kishi misses out on a compelling use case .
On Android , you can stream Xbox Game Pass games right to your phone and use the Kishi to turn it into a handheld console .
Until or unless Apple changes its App Store policies , though , you ’ ll mostly be limited to games that run on the iPhone itself .
( If you have a gaming PC , you can stream Steam games to your iPhone on your home network with Steam Link , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) One thing Apple does offer over Android is Apple Arcade , the company ’ s $ 4.99-per-month subscription service that gives you access to a curated selection of iOS , Mac , and Apple TV games .
All of them support touchscreens and are mobile-exclusive to iOS , but many of them also work with controllers in order to run on the Apple TV , and that ’ s a big boon for the Kishi .
Games like Sayonara Wild Hearts , Oceanhorn 2 , and Shinsekai : Into the Depths are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kishi attached — I think it makes the service a much more compelling proposition overall .
I ’ m never going to play these games on my Apple TV when I have a PS4 and Xbox One hooked up to the same screen , but if the Kishi ’ s in my bag , I ’ ll have much more reason to check them out .
If you ’ re interested in playing controller-based video games on your iPhone , you should consider the Razer Kishi .
It ’ s selling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Android version — which was already expensive for a mobile controller .
But it ’ s by far the best option I ’ ve ever seen for the iPhone in terms of being a product that I could actually see myself using regularly .
The focus is on convenience and ease of use , and I think Razer mostly nailed it .
The biggest knock against the iPhone version of the Kishi has to do with what Apple allows into the App Store — but on the flip side , the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its biggest strengths .
Such is life .

Earlier this year, my colleague Cameron Faulkner reviewed the Razer Kishi, a smartly designed game controller for Android phones created in collaboration with Gamevice. Now a version for iPhones is here, and it’s essentially the same story — the biggest difference is what it can do.
The Kishi is like two Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons that are permanently attached to each other, collapsing down into an easily portable package. The band between them is elasticized, meaning you can pull them over the edges of your phone and get a snug fit. The iOS version has a Lightning connector on one end and a port for passthrough charging. I tried it with an iPhone 11, but it also comes with adapters for smaller phones like the SE.
7 Verge Score Razer Kishi (for iPhone) $ 99.99 The Good Convenient, portable design
Easy to attach and detach
Works great with Apple Arcade The Bad Buttons are a little mushy
Not cheap
Apple won’t allow cloud gaming on the iPhone $100 at Best Buy How we rate and review products
I really like this design. It solves many of the biggest pain points of mobile game controllers: they can be awkward to carry, attach, detach, and pair with your device. The Kishi’s setup is effortless, and the iOS version is MFi certified so it’s instantly recognized as a gamepad by pretty much every game that uses standard controls.
That means it works with, well, a lot of games on the App Store. My go-to time-waster is the mobile version of NBA2K, for example, and I usually play it on the automatic mode where you only occasionally directly get involved with the action through some basic on-screen buttons. With the Kishi controller, though, it’s not all that different to playing the full version on the Switch.
I also tried the Kishi out with the new mobile version of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which suddenly becomes an infinitely more appealing proposition. This is a very good $2.99 version of a legitimate classic, but I would never want to play it with a touchscreen — with the Kishi, though, it’s arguably one of the best ways to play the game.
I’ll say here that I agree with what Cameron said about the Android version of the Kishi: it doesn’t feel like a truly premium controller. The analog sticks and triggers are decent, but the face buttons are a little mushier than I’d like, and similarly, I’d prefer more tactile responsiveness from the D-pad. That said, the D-pad is worlds better than dealing with the Switch Joy-Con’s four-button facsimile, and overall, the Kishi does a reasonable job at giving the iPhone a full Xbox-style controller layout.
Would be great for xCloud, but Apple doesn’t allow it
Unfortunately, the comparison with an Xbox controller is less relevant on iOS than Android. Apple’s restrictions around game streaming services like Microsoft’s xCloud means that the iPhone version of the Kishi misses out on a compelling use case. On Android, you can stream Xbox Game Pass games right to your phone and use the Kishi to turn it into a handheld console. Until or unless Apple changes its App Store policies, though, you’ll mostly be limited to games that run on the iPhone itself. (If you have a gaming PC, you can stream Steam games to your iPhone on your home network with Steam Link, which works well with the Kishi.)
One thing Apple does offer over Android is Apple Arcade, the company’s $4.99-per-month subscription service that gives you access to a curated selection of iOS, Mac, and Apple TV games. All of them support touchscreens and are mobile-exclusive to iOS, but many of them also work with controllers in order to run on the Apple TV, and that’s a big boon for the Kishi.
Games like Sayonara Wild Hearts, Oceanhorn 2, and Shinsekai: Into the Depths are just far better on the iPhone with the Kishi attached — I think it makes the service a much more compelling proposition overall. I’m never going to play these games on my Apple TV when I have a PS4 and Xbox One hooked up to the same screen, but if the Kishi’s in my bag, I’ll have much more reason to check them out.
If you’re interested in playing controller-based video games on your iPhone, you should consider the Razer Kishi. It’s selling for $99.99, $20 more than the Android version — which was already expensive for a mobile controller. But it’s by far the best option I’ve ever seen for the iPhone in terms of being a product that I could actually see myself using regularly. The focus is on convenience and ease of use, and I think Razer mostly nailed it.
The biggest knock against the iPhone version of the Kishi has to do with what Apple allows into the App Store — but on the flip side, the way it works with Apple Arcade is one of its biggest strengths. Such is life.


theverge--2020-09-14--Microsoft will have more than 150 xCloud games when it launches tomorrow

Microsoft is revealing today that the company will have more than 150 games to stream through its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service tomorrow .
Known previously as xCloud , the game streaming feature launches on September 15th for Android tablets and phones .
xCloud is being bundled into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate as a game streaming feature .
Microsoft is launching an update to the Xbox Game Pass app on Android in 22 countries tomorrow , including Austria , Belgium , Canada , Czech Republic , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Hungary , Ireland , Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portugal , Slovakia , Spain , South Korea , Sweden , Switzerland , the United Kingdom , and the United States .
Missing from the list of 150 games are EA ’ s Play titles .
Microsoft revealed last week that it ’ s adding EA Play to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate , but the games won ’ t be available on xCloud until later this holiday .
Microsoft is also working to improve xCloud with touch controls for games .
The first title to launch with touch controls will be Minecraft Dungeons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big controls are on-screen .
Microsoft has previously demonstrated Gears 5 touch controls , and xCloud testers have had access touch controls for Hellblade : Senua ’ s Sacrifice for around a month now .
Expect a lot more games to pick up these touch controls in the months ahead .
Unfortunately , xCloud won ’ t be available on iPhones or iPads initially , due to Apple previously blocking services like xCloud .
Apple extended an olive branch to Microsoft last week , permitting game streaming services like xCloud or Stadia to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big catch .
Apple wants companies like Microsoft to individually submit their games as separate apps using its streaming tech .
Microsoft wasn ’ t happy with this requirement , but it ’ s not clear if the company may eventually package up some games and stream them on iPhone or iPad devices .
Microsoft called Apple ’ s move “ a bad experience for customers , ” noting that streaming movie or song apps don ’ t have to package individual content into separate apps .

Microsoft is revealing today that the company will have more than 150 games to stream through its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service tomorrow. Known previously as xCloud, the game streaming feature launches on September 15th for Android tablets and phones.
xCloud is being bundled into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate as a game streaming feature. Microsoft is launching an update to the Xbox Game Pass app on Android in 22 countries tomorrow, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Missing from the list of 150 games are EA’s Play titles. Microsoft revealed last week that it’s adding EA Play to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, but the games won’t be available on xCloud until later this holiday.
Microsoft is also working to improve xCloud with touch controls for games. The first title to launch with touch controls will be Minecraft Dungeons, including support for controlling exactly how big controls are on-screen.
Microsoft has previously demonstrated Gears 5 touch controls, and xCloud testers have had access touch controls for Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice for around a month now. Expect a lot more games to pick up these touch controls in the months ahead.
Unfortunately, xCloud won’t be available on iPhones or iPads initially, due to Apple previously blocking services like xCloud. Apple extended an olive branch to Microsoft last week, permitting game streaming services like xCloud or Stadia to exist on iOS or iPadOS with a big catch. Apple wants companies like Microsoft to individually submit their games as separate apps using its streaming tech.
Microsoft wasn’t happy with this requirement, but it’s not clear if the company may eventually package up some games and stream them on iPhone or iPad devices. Microsoft called Apple’s move “a bad experience for customers,” noting that streaming movie or song apps don’t have to package individual content into separate apps.


theverge--2020-09-14--LG’s swivel-screened Wing leaks again ahead of official reveal

Wing , LG ’ s unannounced smartphone with a main display that swivels to reveal a smaller secondary screen , has leaked again in a series of renders published on Twitter by Evan Blass .
The images show a couple of different use cases for LG ’ s unusual form factor , including watching video on the main screen while the playback controls appear on the secondary display , and displaying two apps side by side .
The new phone is due to be revealed at 10AM ET today .
More examples of how the two screens can be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LG developer documentation uncovered by NextPit .
According to LG , users will have the option of saving combinations of apps to open simultaneously , and you ’ ll also be able to rotate the phone so that the swiveled main screen is above , below , to the left , or to the right of the secondary display .
The LG Wing appeared in a leaked video in August and again earlier this month .
But these new official images and developer documentation give us a much clearer look at the unannounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
News of the LG Wing first leaked in May .
At the time , reports indicated that its main display would be 6.8 inches big , while its secondary display would measure just four inches corner to corner .
It ’ s expected to support 5G and will be powered by a Snapdragon 7-series processor .
Three rear cameras are expected , with the main sensor having a resolution of 64 megapixels .
LG is no stranger to making multiscreen Android devices .
However , in the case of its previous phones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ V60 , their second screens came in the form of optional cases .
But with both phones , LG ’ s software ended up letting the overall experience down .
Android isn ’ t designed for phones with two screens , which means manufacturers like LG and now Microsoft have to build their devices ’ multiscreen functionality themselves , often with mixed results .
LG ’ s official announcement for the Wing is due to kick off at 10AM ET later today .
You ’ ll be able to watch it over on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Wing, LG’s unannounced smartphone with a main display that swivels to reveal a smaller secondary screen, has leaked again in a series of renders published on Twitter by Evan Blass. The images show a couple of different use cases for LG’s unusual form factor, including watching video on the main screen while the playback controls appear on the secondary display, and displaying two apps side by side. The new phone is due to be revealed at 10AM ET today.
More examples of how the two screens can be used emerged over the weekend, thanks to LG developer documentation uncovered by NextPit. According to LG, users will have the option of saving combinations of apps to open simultaneously, and you’ll also be able to rotate the phone so that the swiveled main screen is above, below, to the left, or to the right of the secondary display.
Promotional images give an idea of how the phone’s displays can be used. Image: Evan Blass One app can extend across both displays simultaneously. Image: Evan Blass
The LG Wing appeared in a leaked video in August and again earlier this month. But these new official images and developer documentation give us a much clearer look at the unannounced device and how its software should work.
News of the LG Wing first leaked in May. At the time, reports indicated that its main display would be 6.8 inches big, while its secondary display would measure just four inches corner to corner. It’s expected to support 5G and will be powered by a Snapdragon 7-series processor. Three rear cameras are expected, with the main sensor having a resolution of 64 megapixels.
LG is no stranger to making multiscreen Android devices. However, in the case of its previous phones, like the LG G8X and LG V60, their second screens came in the form of optional cases. But with both phones, LG’s software ended up letting the overall experience down. Android isn’t designed for phones with two screens, which means manufacturers like LG and now Microsoft have to build their devices’ multiscreen functionality themselves, often with mixed results.


theverge--2020-09-14--Facebook Messenger adds Watch Together to let you watch videos with friends

The latest app to add joint video viewing is Facebook Messenger .
The company today announced Watch Together , a new feature inside the messaging app that lets you view videos from Facebook Watch while also seeing live video of your friends .
It ’ s rolling out globally starting today on iOS and Android .
To use the feature , swipe up on a video call or Messenger Room and tap the new Watch Together option .
Facebook will suggest videos for you to watch , or you can browse categories or search for a specific video .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people on a Messenger video call or up to 50 people in a Messenger Room .
Facebook says there are now 150 million video calls on Messenger a day , and that people send 200 million videos to one another daily .
“ It ’ s really getting more and more visual , and it continues to grow very , very fast , ” said Stan Chudnovsky , who runs Messenger , in an interview .
Joint video consumption is maybe the most popular new app feature of 2020 .
Disney Plus introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , following Netflix , Hulu , Amazon , and Twitch .
Meanwhile , third-party apps like Scener let people watch multiple different services together ; Scener includes HBO .
There are significant differences between Watch Together and those apps , though .
All of them have much bigger and more popular libraries of content than Facebook Watch , which contains a somewhat confusing hodgepodge of original series , live events , music videos , creator content , and a small number of Hollywood movies .
( Fruitvale Station and Dear White People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be available at launch . )
And other joint video solutions can generally be enjoyed on the larger screen of the laptop or desktop , whereas Watch Together requires viewing video on the smaller mobile phone screen .
You can use Watch Together in either portrait or landscape mode , though .
Chudnovsky said that early tests found that the feature is popular , especially with next-generation users who may not have access to their own laptops yet .
“ The younger you are , the more you like it , ” @ @ @

The latest app to add joint video viewing is Facebook Messenger. The company today announced Watch Together, a new feature inside the messaging app that lets you view videos from Facebook Watch while also seeing live video of your friends. It’s rolling out globally starting today on iOS and Android.
To use the feature, swipe up on a video call or Messenger Room and tap the new Watch Together option. Facebook will suggest videos for you to watch, or you can browse categories or search for a specific video. You can watch with as many as eight people on a Messenger video call or up to 50 people in a Messenger Room.
Facebook says there are now 150 million video calls on Messenger a day, and that people send 200 million videos to one another daily. “It’s really getting more and more visual, and it continues to grow very, very fast,” said Stan Chudnovsky, who runs Messenger, in an interview.
There are significant differences between Watch Together and those apps, though. All of them have much bigger and more popular libraries of content than Facebook Watch, which contains a somewhat confusing hodgepodge of original series, live events, music videos, creator content, and a small number of Hollywood movies. (Fruitvale Station and Dear White People, both of which are excellent, will be available at launch.)
And other joint video solutions can generally be enjoyed on the larger screen of the laptop or desktop, whereas Watch Together requires viewing video on the smaller mobile phone screen. You can use Watch Together in either portrait or landscape mode, though.


theverge--2020-09-14--The Apple Watch is being held back by Siri

Apple is set to unveil the new Apple Watch Series 6 this week .
It ’ s also rumored to be creating a new , lower-cost version of the Apple Watch instead of just dropping the price on an older model .
The new Series 6 is rumored to add other health features like blood oxygen monitoring , while watchOS 7 will bring sleep tracking and yet more fitness options .
The Apple Watch is , without a doubt , a health device first .
I ’ m curious to see how Apple navigates announcing a feature like blood oxygen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody ’ s mind during the pandemic .
Apple has done a very good job being clear on what the Apple Watch is and is not .
It is a nice health monitoring device that can serve as an early warning system for certain conditions .
It is not a medical device and shouldn ’ t be used as your only health device if you are at risk for the things the Apple Watch looks for .
Apple has never ( and I believe never will ) dissembled about the difference — but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than ever that consumers understand that difference .
Anyway , I ’ m glad the Apple Watch finally found its place .
For the first couple years there , it wasn ’ t entirely clear what it was for and it was even less clear that Apple had a good answer .
Instead , it had several answers .
And as this year ’ s Apple Watch refresh approaches I ’ ve been thinking about one of the answers that hasn ’ t come to pass : ambient computing .
My friend Walt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Verge was titled “ The Disappearing Computer ” and it was about that idea , ambient computing .
Back in 2017 we didn ’ t have a clear definition for it ( and truthfully , it ’ s difficult to pin one down now ) , but Walt had a good working model for some of the signs that it has arrived : We ’ ll leave the mind reading to Elon Musk for now .
As for the rest , it ’ s not that far from what the Apple Watch can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explicitly a computer designed to be on your body all the time , to blend into the background and become invisible , and to get your voice commands .
The Apple Watch , not the HomePod , ought to be Apple ’ s primary device for ambient computing .
It is better suited to that task than the devices any other company sells right now .
Smart speakers from Amazon and Google sit in your home , but they haven ’ t found an ambient computing foothold outside your home .
Sure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your phone or in your headphones , but it ’ s still too phone-centric .
By now you ’ re already guessed the fly in this ointment : Siri .
Apple ’ s digital assistant simply can ’ t be the platform that ’ s necessary to unlock ambient computing .
Alexa and the Google Assistant aren ’ t quite ready either , to be fair , but they ’ re both much further along that path than Siri is .
The person presumably tasked with closing that gap is John Giannandrea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Google until Apple snapped him up in 2018 .
Giannandrea recently spoke with Ars Technica and revealed he created the team that applied machine learning to the iPad ’ s Apple Pencil recognition algorithms so it could have lower latency and better recognize handwriting — something Google was already doing with Chrome OS and Samsung just started doing with the Galaxy Note .
On the iPad , it works : both latency and handwriting recognition are much better than I ’ ve seen before .
The “ scribble mode ” in iPadOS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the task of replacing a keyboard entirely , but it ’ s great for short bits of text .
I bring it up not to draw a line from this application of ML to generalized ambient computing , but to point out that there is a lot that can be done with the ML and AI tools already in everybody ’ s tech workbench .
They just need to be applied in new and clever ways .
Using ML to improve handwriting and latency on the iPad isn ’ t a sea change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step in the right direction .
Stepping in the right direction is what Siri needs right now .
Even on the new beta for watchOS 7 , I still can ’ t ask Siri to do something basic like set multiple timers .
It ’ s actually ridiculous !
If you set a second timer , the first one invisibly gets cancelled without any indication it ’ s gone .
It ’ s the thing that keeps the Echo dot in my kitchen .
Harping on multiple timers in Siri — and harping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen as making too much of small complaints .
But on the flip side , Apple is well aware of this complaint and has been for some time , yet hasn ’ t fixed it .
That ’ s troubling , frankly .
Apple could — and does — add great new capabilities to Siri on a regular basis .
But nobody will ever discover those capabilities if Siri duffs the basics on an equally regular basis .
And it still does .
The first Apple Watch was like the first beta of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watch never had a moment where it was “ fixed , ” but instead was fixed slowly over time via relentless iteration and improvement .
In theory , the same should apply to Siri , but it hasn ’ t happened at the same pace .
Even though Siri isn ’ t where it ought to be , the Apple Watch is still the best smartwatch on the market by a wide margin .
But if Siri could do more , the Apple Watch could be something more .
The era of ambient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ready ?
Towards the end of his interview with Ars , Giannandrea talked about hiring new talent for his team .
“ I guess the biggest problem I have is that many of our most ambitious products are the ones we can ’ t talk about and so it ’ s a bit of a sales challenge to tell somebody , ‘ Come and work on the most ambitious thing ever but I can ’ t tell you what it is.
’ ” That sounds great , but my advice is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the “ talk ” I ’ d like to see is actually action : new features for Siri that arrive via the same relentless improvement of the things people are trying to use Siri for today .
And hey , maybe start with timers .
A rare Monday newsletter today in part because I had been thinking about the Apple Watch and in part because last night was a wild night of tech news !
Nvidia announced it will buy Arm and Oracle is reportedly not buying TikTok but becoming a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect from Apple ’ s ‘ Time Flies ’ event : Apple Watch Series 6 , a redesigned iPad Air , and more .
Jay Peters rounds up the most likely suspects .
High likelihood : new Apple Watches and new iPad Air .
Medium : Apple ’ s new services bundle .
Low : everything else .
┏ Apple Music for Android contains mentions of rumored ‘ Apple One ’ services bundle .
┏ Apple ’ s new App Store guidelines carve out loopholes for xCloud , Stadia , and other apps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t so much loopholes as they are narrow tunnels filled with spikes and poisonous tentacles .
I see these more as clarifications of what Apple ’ s existing policy is than any meaningful change of stance .
┏ Nvidia is acquiring Arm for $ 40 billion .
Kim Lyons on a blockbuster deal : ┏ Oracle reportedly wins deal for TikTok ’ s US operations as ‘ trusted tech partner ’ .
Hopefully by the time you ’ re reading this we ’ ll have more details , but there was way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this and it seems like a much smaller deal than what everybody has been expecting .
┏ Microsoft says it ’ s not acquiring TikTok after ByteDance rejects offer .
Microsoft ’ s statement here is very terse , to the point where it ’ s hard not to think some sort of shenanigans happened leading up to it .
┏ Facebook reinvents Facebook with the launch of Campus for college students .
Ashley Carman : ┏ Bose announces $ 279 QuietComfort Earbuds and $ 179 Sport Earbuds .
Here they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most interesting of which is that Bose is cramming in 11 levels of noise cancellation into these tiny earbuds .
I ’ d have been happy with on or off .
┏ Bose introduces three new pairs of Frames audio sunglasses for $ 249 .
You know I got ta admit I am surprised Bose keeps making these — they must sell pretty well !
┏ Sony announces PS5 event for Wednesday September 16th .
We should finally get a price .
┏ A closer look at Nvidia ’ s new RTX @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Microsoft ’ s new Xbox Series X console .
Microsoft sent Tom Warren a couple dummy units of its upcoming Xbox consoles .
Yep , it ’ s pretty big .
┏ Microsoft ’ s new Xbox Series S is surprisingly small in size and price .
Of the two boxes , the Series S is the more fascinating because it really is quite small .
I expected I ’ d be a no brainer for me to get a Series X , but now I ’ m torn .
┏ Welcome to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xbox and Playstation are exciting , but even if you ’ re not into PC gaming you should keep an eye on the impending reviews of Nvidia ’ s new high-powered graphics card .
If it lives up to Nvidia ’ s claims it could be the driver of a whole new generation of other PC components — starting with monitors .
┏ Microsoft Surface Duo review : double troubles .
My review of the Surface Duo , along with a video I ’ m really proud of .
Microsoft is not off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to be honest .
But even though it has tripped up on software bugs and camera problems , it is running in the right direction .
┏ Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 review : a gaming laptop that doesn ’ t need two screens .
Turns out making a dual-screen gaming PC is just as hard as making a dual-screen phone .
Monica Chin reviews : More from The Verge ┏ Subscribe to Antivirus : a weekly newsletter on COVID-19 research .
This new newsletter from our science editor Mary Beth Griggs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cancel Netflix ’ is trending .
Julia Alexander with the definitive story explaining what the heck is going on with this horrible mess of conspiracy theory and social media .

Apple is set to unveil the new Apple Watch Series 6 this week. It’s also rumored to be creating a new, lower-cost version of the Apple Watch instead of just dropping the price on an older model. The new Series 6 is rumored to add other health features like blood oxygen monitoring, while watchOS 7 will bring sleep tracking and yet more fitness options.
The Apple Watch is, without a doubt, a health device first. I’m curious to see how Apple navigates announcing a feature like blood oxygen monitoring — something that has been on everybody’s mind during the pandemic.
Apple has done a very good job being clear on what the Apple Watch is and is not. It is a nice health monitoring device that can serve as an early warning system for certain conditions. It is not a medical device and shouldn’t be used as your only health device if you are at risk for the things the Apple Watch looks for. Apple has never (and I believe never will) dissembled about the difference — but right now it’s more important than ever that consumers understand that difference.
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Anyway, I’m glad the Apple Watch finally found its place. For the first couple years there, it wasn’t entirely clear what it was for and it was even less clear that Apple had a good answer. Instead, it had several answers. And as this year’s Apple Watch refresh approaches I’ve been thinking about one of the answers that hasn’t come to pass: ambient computing.
My friend Walt Mossberg’s final column for The Verge was titled “The Disappearing Computer” and it was about that idea, ambient computing. Back in 2017 we didn’t have a clear definition for it (and truthfully, it’s difficult to pin one down now), but Walt had a good working model for some of the signs that it has arrived:
The technology, the computer inside all these things, will fade into the background. In some cases, it may entirely disappear, waiting to be activated by a voice command, a person entering the room, a change in blood chemistry, a shift in temperature, a motion. Maybe even just a thought.
We’ll leave the mind reading to Elon Musk for now. As for the rest, it’s not that far from what the Apple Watch can do today. The Apple Watch is explicitly a computer designed to be on your body all the time, to blend into the background and become invisible, and to get your voice commands.
The Apple Watch, not the HomePod, ought to be Apple’s primary device for ambient computing. It is better suited to that task than the devices any other company sells right now. Smart speakers from Amazon and Google sit in your home, but they haven’t found an ambient computing foothold outside your home. Sure, you might have the Google Assistant on your phone or in your headphones, but it’s still too phone-centric.
By now you’ve probably already guessed the fly in this ointment: Siri. Apple’s digital assistant simply can’t be the platform that’s necessary to unlock ambient computing. Alexa and the Google Assistant aren’t quite ready either, to be fair, but they’re both much further along that path than Siri is.
The person presumably tasked with closing that gap is John Giannandrea, who led up search and artificial intelligence at Google until Apple snapped him up in 2018. Giannandrea recently spoke with Ars Technica and revealed he created the team that applied machine learning to the iPad’s Apple Pencil recognition algorithms so it could have lower latency and better recognize handwriting — something Google was already doing with Chrome OS and Samsung just started doing with the Galaxy Note.
On the iPad, it works: both latency and handwriting recognition are much better than I’ve seen before. The “scribble mode” in iPadOS 14 isn’t quite up to the task of replacing a keyboard entirely, but it’s great for short bits of text.
I bring it up not to draw a line from this application of ML to generalized ambient computing, but to point out that there is a lot that can be done with the ML and AI tools already in everybody’s tech workbench. They just need to be applied in new and clever ways. Using ML to improve handwriting and latency on the iPad isn’t a sea change, but instead, it’s a step in the right direction.
Stepping in the right direction is what Siri needs right now. Even on the new beta for watchOS 7, I still can’t ask Siri to do something basic like set multiple timers. It’s actually ridiculous! If you set a second timer, the first one invisibly gets canceled without any indication it’s gone. It’s the thing that keeps the Echo dot in my kitchen.
Harping on multiple timers in Siri — and harping on Siri in general — can be seen as making too much of small complaints. But on the flip side, Apple is well aware of this complaint and has been for some time, yet hasn’t fixed it.
That’s troubling, frankly. Apple could — and does — add great new capabilities to Siri on a regular basis. But nobody will ever discover those capabilities if Siri duffs the basics on an equally regular basis. And it still does.
The first Apple Watch was like the first beta of Siri: a mess. The Apple Watch never had a moment where it was “fixed,” but instead was fixed slowly over time via relentless iteration and improvement. In theory, the same should apply to Siri, but it hasn’t happened at the same pace.
Even though Siri isn’t where it ought to be, the Apple Watch is still the best smartwatch on the market by a wide margin. But if Siri could do more, the Apple Watch could be something more. The era of ambient computing is still coming. Will Siri be ready?
Towards the end of his interview with Ars, Giannandrea talked about hiring new talent for his team. “I guess the biggest problem I have is that many of our most ambitious products are the ones we can’t talk about and so it’s a bit of a sales challenge to tell somebody, ‘Come and work on the most ambitious thing ever but I can’t tell you what it is.’”
That sounds great, but my advice is to start talking sooner rather than later. And the “talk” I’d like to see is actually action: new features for Siri that arrive via the same relentless improvement of the things people are trying to use Siri for today. And hey, maybe start with timers.
A rare Monday newsletter today in part because I had been thinking about the Apple Watch and in part because last night was a wild night of tech news! Nvidia announced it will buy Arm and Oracle is reportedly not buying TikTok but becoming a “trusted tech partner.”
Apple News
┏ What to expect from Apple’s ‘Time Flies’ event: Apple Watch Series 6, a redesigned iPad Air, and more. Jay Peters rounds up the most likely suspects. High likelihood: new Apple Watches and new iPad Air. Medium: Apple’s new services bundle. Low: everything else.
┏ Apple’s new App Store guidelines carve out loopholes for xCloud, Stadia, and other apps that Apple had blocked. These aren’t so much loopholes as they are narrow tunnels filled with spikes and poisonous tentacles. I see these more as clarifications of what Apple’s existing policy is than any meaningful change of stance.
Tech news
┏ Nvidia is acquiring Arm for $40 billion. Kim Lyons on a blockbuster deal:
Arm will operate as a division of Nvidia and will remain headquartered in the UK, and, will “continue to operate its open-licensing model, while maintaining its global customer neutrality,” the company said. But the deal is still likely to face intense regulatory scrutiny.
┏ Oracle reportedly wins deal for TikTok’s US operations as ‘trusted tech partner’. Hopefully by the time you’re reading this, we’ll have more details, but there was way too much sound and fury leading up to this and it seems like a much smaller deal than what everybody has been expecting.
the company has been selected as a “trusted tech partner” instead. This is different from an outright sale, and appears to suggest Oracle will be helping run TikTok’s US operations with its own cloud technologies.
┏ Microsoft says it’s not acquiring TikTok after ByteDance rejects offer. Microsoft’s statement here is very terse, to the point where it’s hard not to think some sort of shenanigans happened leading up to it.
Most recently, the unannounced phone was found on Verizon’s website by Android Police. Leaks and rumors have suggested it will retain some hardware specs of the standard S20 — like a 120Hz display and Snapdragon 865 processor — but will make downgrades elsewhere (like a 1080p resolution) to help drive down the price below the flagship. As for exactly what that price will be, we’re not yet sure.
┏ Facebook reinvents Facebook with the launch of Campus for college students. Ashley Carman:
Campus might be one way Facebook tries to keep students and younger people on the original Facebook app and engaged for longer. At the same time, it’s building off behavior Facebook says it’s already seen on the platform.
┏ Bose announces $279 QuietComfort Earbuds and $179 Sport Earbuds. Here they are. Chris Welch has the details, the most interesting of which is that Bose is cramming in 11 levels of noise cancellation into these tiny earbuds. I’d have been happy with on or off.
┏ Bose introduces three new pairs of Frames audio sunglasses for $249. You know I gotta admit I am surprised Bose keeps making these — they must sell pretty well!
Gaming news
┏ Sony announces PS5 event for Wednesday September 16th. We should finally get a price.
But there’s no reason for Sony to hold back now that Microsoft has revealed its hand. The question is how low Sony should go, how low it can afford to go, because as strong as the PS4 has been and as weak as Xbox once seemed, $299 is an incredible starting price that seems impossible to meet or beat.
┏ A first look at Microsoft’s new Xbox Series X console. Microsoft sent Tom Warren a couple dummy units of its upcoming Xbox consoles. Yep, it’s pretty big.
┏ Microsoft’s new Xbox Series S is surprisingly small in size and price. Of the two boxes, the Series S is the more fascinating because it really is quite small. I expected I’d be a no brainer for me to get a Series X, but now I’m torn.
┏ Welcome to the next generation of gaming. The Xbox and Playstation are exciting, but even if you’re not into PC gaming you should keep an eye on the impending reviews of Nvidia’s new high-powered graphics card. If it lives up to Nvidia’s claims it could be the driver of a whole new generation of other PC components — starting with monitors.
Reviews
┏ Microsoft Surface Duo review: double troubles. My review of the Surface Duo, along with a video I’m really proud of. Microsoft is not off to a great start here, I have to be honest. But even though it has tripped up on software bugs and camera problems, it is running in the right direction.
┏ Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 review: a gaming laptop that doesn’t need two screens. Turns out making a dual-screen gaming PC is just as hard as making a dual-screen phone. Monica Chin reviews:
For example, if you run Tomb Raider in full-screen mode and try to click on a Discord chat downstairs, it minimizes the game. You can fix this problem by using windowed mode, but tinkering with the ScreenPad still tabs you out.
More from The Verge
┏ Subscribe to Antivirus: a weekly newsletter on COVID-19 research. This new newsletter from our science editor Mary Beth Griggs is a must-subscribe:
This month we’re officially launching a newsletter version of Antivirus, a column that we’ve been quietly rolling out on the site every Saturday morning. It’s all about the unflagging efforts scientists are making to understand the coronavirus — and figure out how to stop it.


theverge--2020-09-14--Facebook’s Oculus Quest 2 leaks in full via official promo videos

The Oculus Quest 2 VR headset has leaked in full via a pair of promotional videos uploaded to a marketing hub run by parent company Facebook , The videos outline the specs of the standalone headset , which is a successor to 2019 ’ s Oculus Quest .
Also listed on the site is a pair of live demos of the headset , scheduled for September 16th and 17th .
That lines up neatly with a previously-rumored launch date for the Quest 2 of September 15th .
According to the videos , the new headset is powered by Qualcomm ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically designed for AR and VR hardware ( unlike the general purpose Snapdragon 835 that powered the original Quest ) .
One video boasts that the Quest 2 has an “ almost 4K display , ” which it says translates to “ nearly 2K per eye , ” which a second video says is 50 percent more pixels than the original Quest .
The headset also has 6GB of RAM ( up from 4GB ) and up to 256GB of storage ( up from a maximum of 128GB ) , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of controller-free hand tracking .
Although the videos provide plenty of new details about the Oculus Quest 2 , there are a couple of lingering questions .
It ’ s not clear , for a start , what the display ’ s refresh rate will be , which previous reports indicated could increase from 72Hz to 90Hz or even 120Hz to display smoother motion .
There ’ s also no mention of the headset ’ s size or weight .
Previous reports suggested that the Quest 2 would be less bulky than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refer to the new hardware as “ streamlined ” and “ light.
” The videos do mention a new soft-touch strap which they say make the headset easier to slip on and off as well as a pair of updated controllers with “ new ergonomics ” that Oculus claims should make them more comfortable to use .
Oculus Link support also returns for the Quest 2 , allowing you to use a USB-C cable to connect the headset to a PC and use it to play PC-based VR games .
This isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headset , images of which leaked back in July .
The Oculus Quest 2 looks set to be the first headset Facebook will release following its controversial decision to require Oculus users to have a Facebook account .
Although users of the company ’ s existing headsets can use a separate Oculus account until 2023 , Facebook has said future devices will require a Facebook login , regardless of whether you already have a separate Oculus account .
There ’ s no word on how much the headset is due to cost , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 256GB variant could retail for $ 399 .
With the Facebook Connect developer conference scheduled to start on September 16th , it ’ s likely that an official announcement isn ’ t too far away .
Correction : An earlier version of this article said that the original Oculus Quest had a 60Hz display .
This is incorrect , it actually had a 72Hz display .
Previous reports also indicated that the headset would be getting less bulky , not more , as we previously stated .

The Oculus Quest 2 VR headset has leaked in full via a pair of promotional videos uploaded to a marketing hub run by parent company Facebook, The videos outline the specs of the standalone headset, which is a successor to 2019’s Oculus Quest. Also listed on the site is a pair of live demos of the headset, scheduled for September 16th and 17th. That lines up neatly with a previously-rumored launch date for the Quest 2 of September 15th.
According to the videos, the new headset is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 platform, which is specifically designed for AR and VR hardware (unlike the general purpose Snapdragon 835 that powered the original Quest). One video boasts that the Quest 2 has an “almost 4K display,” which it says translates to “nearly 2K per eye,” which a second video says is 50 percent more pixels than the original Quest. The headset also has 6GB of RAM (up from 4GB) and up to 256GB of storage (up from a maximum of 128GB), as well as 3D positional audio, and the return of controller-free hand tracking.
Although the videos provide plenty of new details about the Oculus Quest 2, there are a couple of lingering questions. It’s not clear, for a start, what the display’s refresh rate will be, which previous reports indicated could increase from 72Hz to 90Hz or even 120Hz to display smoother motion. There’s also no mention of the headset’s size or weight. Previous reports suggested that the Quest 2 would be less bulky than the original Quest, but the videos simply refer to the new hardware as “streamlined” and “light.”
More ergonomic controllers are promised. Image: Facebook Blueprint Oculus says the new strap makes it easier to slip the headset on and off. Image: Facebook Blueprint Previously, the headset had been rumored to launch on September 15th. Image: Facebook Blueprint The new headset features a higher-resolution display, and comes with updated controllers. Image: Facebook Blueprint
The videos do mention a new soft-touch strap which they say make the headset easier to slip on and off as well as a pair of updated controllers with “new ergonomics” that Oculus claims should make them more comfortable to use. Oculus Link support also returns for the Quest 2, allowing you to use a USB-C cable to connect the headset to a PC and use it to play PC-based VR games.
This isn’t our first look at the new headset, images of which leaked back in July.
The Oculus Quest 2 looks set to be the first headset Facebook will release following its controversial decision to require Oculus users to have a Facebook account. Although users of the company’s existing headsets can use a separate Oculus account until 2023, Facebook has said future devices will require a Facebook login, regardless of whether you already have a separate Oculus account.
There’s no word on how much the headset is due to cost, but a now-removed Walmart listing suggested its 256GB variant could retail for $399. With the Facebook Connect developer conference scheduled to start on September 16th, it’s likely that an official announcement isn’t too far away.


theverge--2020-09-14--A faster Wi-Fi 6 Eero is coming

A faster Wi-Fi 6 Eero is coming

Amazon ’ s home networking company Eero could be about to launch its first routers with support for Wi-Fi 6 , according to a pair of leaks .
ZatzNotFunny reports that two devices — a Eero 6 Gateway and Eero 6 Extender — have hit the FCC , and has also posted an image of a third device ’ s box , the Eero Pro 6 .
Wi-Fi 6 is the latest version of the Wi-Fi standard and it delivers faster speeds and better support for more devices connecting to a single router .
Eero is adding support for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its competitors , who had Wi-Fi 6 products available last year .
However , this year the prices of Wi-Fi 6 routers have started hitting more mainstream price points and are now much more widely available .
In terms of specs , Eero ’ s new gateway and range extender will reportedly both be dual-band devices , while the Eero Pro 6 router will be tri-band , indicating it should be capable of faster speeds .
The dual-band gateway is expected to have a pair of Ethernet ports as well as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extender will reportedly come with just a charging port .
The routers also appear to contain hardware to support the Zigbee wireless protocol , which ZatzNotFunny notes could allow them to connect to devices like smart light bulbs without needing to go through a Zigbee hub .
There ’ s no word on when the new devices will be released , but we ’ re coming up on a year since Amazon used its late-September 2019 event to announce new Eero hardware alongside a host of new Alexa-enabled devices .
If it follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official announcement might not be far away .

Amazon’s home networking company Eero could be about to launch its first routers with support for Wi-Fi 6, according to a pair of leaks. ZatzNotFunny reports that two devices — a Eero 6 Gateway and Eero 6 Extender — have hit the FCC, and has also posted an image of a third device’s box, the Eero Pro 6.
Wi-Fi 6 is the latest version of the Wi-Fi standard and it delivers faster speeds and better support for more devices connecting to a single router. Eero is adding support for the new standard a little later than some of its competitors, who had Wi-Fi 6 products available last year. However, this year the prices of Wi-Fi 6 routers have started hitting more mainstream price points and are now much more widely available.
The router’s label published by the FCC. Image: FCC A photo of one of the devices appears in another FCC document, though it’s unclear which one. Image: FCC
In terms of specs, Eero’s new gateway and range extender will reportedly both be dual-band devices, while the Eero Pro 6 router will be tri-band, indicating it should be capable of faster speeds. The dual-band gateway is expected to have a pair of Ethernet ports as well as a USB-C port for charging, but the extender will reportedly come with just a charging port. The routers also appear to contain hardware to support the Zigbee wireless protocol, which ZatzNotFunny notes could allow them to connect to devices like smart light bulbs without needing to go through a Zigbee hub.


theverge--2020-09-14--Ikea’s Sonos-compatible Symfonisk speakers get more colorful

Ikea has started selling colorful accessories for its Sonos-compatible Symfonisk speakers .
Owners of the $ 99 Symfonisk bookshelf speaker can now buy either red or blue fronts , while owners of the $ 179 Symfonisk lamp speaker can buy new washable fabric sleeves in the same colors .
In the UK and the Netherlands , the Tradfri Gateway is currently discounted from £25 to £22 , or from €32.95 to €24.95 .
The Tradfri Gateway is required for Ikea blinds , lights , and speakers to interact , and to control them via scenes , timers , the Home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexa , Siri , and Google Assistant voice assistants .
The Gateway is still priced at $ 35 in the US .
The Symfonisk speakers were previously only available in white or black .
The colorful options were first teased by Ikea ’ s Johanna Nordell , business leader for Home Smart hardware , when The Verge wrote about the company ’ s smart home ambitions in December .
Right now , the colorful fronts and sleeves are only available in a few international stores .
In the Netherlands , the bookshelf speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lamp cover is priced at €10 .
Both are available for delivery or in-store pickup .

Ikea has started selling colorful accessories for its Sonos-compatible Symfonisk speakers. Owners of the $99 Symfonisk bookshelf speaker can now buy either red or blue fronts, while owners of the $179 Symfonisk lamp speaker can buy new washable fabric sleeves in the same colors.
In the UK and the Netherlands, the Tradfri Gateway is currently discounted from £25 to £22, or from €32.95 to €24.95. The Tradfri Gateway is required for Ikea blinds, lights, and speakers to interact, and to control them via scenes, timers, the Home Smart and Sonos apps, or the Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant voice assistants. The Gateway is still priced at $35 in the US.
The Symfonisk bookshelf speaker in red or blue. Image: Ikea
The Symfonisk speakers were previously only available in white or black. The colorful options were first teased by Ikea’s Johanna Nordell, business leader for Home Smart hardware, when The Verge wrote about the company’s smart home ambitions in December.


theverge--2020-09-14--The Xbox Series S plays Xbox One S versions of Xbox One games

Microsoft ’ s new Xbox Series S should offer impressive next-gen performance for its $ 299 price , but where does that leave the Xbox One X ?
According to Microsoft , the 4K-targeting Xbox from 2017 will still hold some advantages over the Series S — at least when it comes to running Xbox One X-enhanced current-gen games .
“ Xbox Series S was designed to be the most affordable next-generation console and play next-generation games at 1440p at 60fps , ” Microsoft says in a statement to VGC .
“ To deliver the highest quality backwards compatible experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent , the Xbox Series S runs the Xbox One S version of backward compatible games while applying improved texture filtering , higher and more consistent frame rates , faster load times and Auto HDR.
” What this means is that most Xbox One games will run on the Xbox Series S at 1080p or below in backward-compatibility mode , though they will benefit from certain built-in hardware advantages like the faster SSD .
Games with unlocked frame rates should also perform better than on the Xbox One S. But specific Xbox One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t apply .
It ’ s possible that current-gen titles could receive updates just for the Xbox Series S , and this will be the case for some first-party games like Gears 5 and Forza Horizon 4 .
Without a patch , though , you ’ ll essentially be getting the Xbox One S version .
VGC reports that the same is true of backward-compatible Xbox 360 titles , though it ’ s not clear what this means for compatible original Xbox games , all of which run at close to 4K on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of this is simply a function of the two machines ’ different priorities .
The Xbox One X was designed to play Xbox One games at up to 4K resolution , and it achieved this by adding a much more powerful GPU with fairly minor tweaks to the rest of the spec sheet .
The Xbox Series S , meanwhile , exists to run genuine next-gen games at 1080p or 1440p , which is why it ’ s built around a much faster CPU and SSD than the One X despite in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The confirmation from Microsoft goes some way to clarifying the messaging around its two next-gen consoles .
In short , if you want to play games in 4K , you should be considering the $ 499 Series X .
But if you don ’ t consider raw resolution output to be a priority , the $ 299 Series S may well be of interest .

Microsoft’s new Xbox Series S should offer impressive next-gen performance for its $299 price, but where does that leave the Xbox One X? According to Microsoft, the 4K-targeting Xbox from 2017 will still hold some advantages over the Series S — at least when it comes to running Xbox One X-enhanced current-gen games.
“Xbox Series S was designed to be the most affordable next-generation console and play next-generation games at 1440p at 60fps,” Microsoft says in a statement to VGC. “To deliver the highest quality backwards compatible experience consistent with the developer’s original intent, the Xbox Series S runs the Xbox One S version of backward compatible games while applying improved texture filtering, higher and more consistent frame rates, faster load times and Auto HDR.”
What this means is that most Xbox One games will run on the Xbox Series S at 1080p or below in backward-compatibility mode, though they will benefit from certain built-in hardware advantages like the faster SSD. Games with unlocked frame rates should also perform better than on the Xbox One S. But specific Xbox One X enhancements like higher resolution won’t apply.
It’s possible that current-gen titles could receive updates just for the Xbox Series S, and this will be the case for some first-party games like Gears 5 and Forza Horizon 4. Without a patch, though, you’ll essentially be getting the Xbox One S version. VGC reports that the same is true of backward-compatible Xbox 360 titles, though it’s not clear what this means for compatible original Xbox games, all of which run at close to 4K on the One X.
The reason for all of this is simply a function of the two machines’ different priorities. The Xbox One X was designed to play Xbox One games at up to 4K resolution, and it achieved this by adding a much more powerful GPU with fairly minor tweaks to the rest of the spec sheet. The Xbox Series S, meanwhile, exists to run genuine next-gen games at 1080p or 1440p, which is why it’s built around a much faster CPU and SSD than the One X despite in some ways having a less powerful GPU.


theverge--2020-09-14--Zipline and Walmart to launch drone deliveries of health and wellness products

Zipline is partnering with Walmart for a new drone delivery operation in the US , the companies announced .
The program is for on-demand deliveries of health and wellness products and will begin in a trial early next year near Walmart ’ s headquarters in Bentonville , Arkansas .
Zipline ’ s launch and release system allows for on-demand delivery in less than an hour , and operating from a Walmart store , can service a 50-mile radius .
Earlier this year Zipline announced it was partnering with a hospital system in North Carolina to make contactless deliveries of medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year wasn ’ t the first time Zipline ’ s drones have been used for medical supply deliveries .
In 2016 , it launched the first national drone delivery system in the world to deliver blood to patients in remote areas of Rwanda .
The company says it ’ s delivered more than 200,000 critical medical products to health facilities in multiple countries .
The partnership with Walmart is the first step toward potential national-scale operations across the US .
The pilot program with Zipline is the latest of Walmart ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2015 the retail giant conducted drone delivery tests , and in 2016 experimented with using drones to check warehouse inventory .
And last week , Walmart announced a small pilot program in North Carolina using automated drones from startup Flytrex to deliver “ select groceries and household items.
” It didn ’ t provide details about how many drones are involved in that pilot but acknowledged it would be some time before drone deliveries become more widespread .
It will be interesting to see which of the two retail giants hyperfocused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickest inroads .
In August , Amazon got approval from the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) to operate as a drone airline in the US , which could mean the beginning of larger commercial operations for the retail behemoth .

Zipline is partnering with Walmart for a new drone delivery operation in the US, the companies announced. The program is for on-demand deliveries of health and wellness products and will begin in a trial early next year near Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. Zipline’s launch and release system allows for on-demand delivery in less than an hour, and operating from a Walmart store, can service a 50-mile radius.
Earlier this year Zipline announced it was partnering with a hospital system in North Carolina to make contactless deliveries of medical supplies and personal protective equipment. And this year wasn’t the first time Zipline’s drones have been used for medical supply deliveries. In 2016, it launched the first national drone delivery system in the world to deliver blood to patients in remote areas of Rwanda.
The company says it’s delivered more than 200,000 critical medical products to health facilities in multiple countries. The partnership with Walmart is the first step toward potential national-scale operations across the US.
Zipline/Walmart
The pilot program with Zipline is the latest of Walmart’s moves toward wider drone use. Back in 2015 the retail giant conducted drone delivery tests, and in 2016 experimented with using drones to check warehouse inventory.
And last week, Walmart announced a small pilot program in North Carolina using automated drones from startup Flytrex to deliver “select groceries and household items.” It didn’t provide details about how many drones are involved in that pilot but acknowledged it would be some time before drone deliveries become more widespread.