Category: Technology

Apple is slowly but surely getting rid of the Lightning cable as it transitions to having a USB-C charging port in more of its devices and accessories. On the same day it announced iPhone 15 devices (which have USB-C ports), Apple revealed that it changed the physical charging jack on the second-generation AirPods Pro. But to get a USB-C case for the earbuds, you’d need to buy a fresh set of AirPods Pro too.

That’s no longer the situation as Apple has started selling the USB-C AirPods Pro case separately. The case by itself costs $99, which is much less than the $249 you’d have had to shell out before. 

It might be worth picking up a case if you don’t want to have to deal with Lightning cables at all (and you perhaps aren’t a fan of wireless or MagSafe charging). Of course, if you’ve lost your previous case and need to replace it, you may as well switch to a USB-C version at this point. Of note, Apple says the case is only compatible with the second-gen AirPods Pro.

Apple’s transition away from Lightning and toward USB-C isn’t exactly voluntary. The European Union has mandated that most rechargeable devices sold in the region will need to have a USB-C charging port by the end of 2024. Apple was already moving to USB-C in iPads but making the switch on iPhone marked a significant sea change.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-is-now-selling-the-usb-c-airpods-pro-case-separately-182655258.html?src=rss 

Tesla has offered a look at the latest version of its Optimus robot. In a new video, the second-gen humanoid machine appears to have greater dexterity than its predecessor, though you’ll likely have to wait quite a while longer before you can pick up one of these to help around the house. Milan Kovac, who works on the Optimus project, noted on X that the footage is in real-time and that there was no CGI involved.

While the previous version of Optimus struggled to walk during a live demo, the latest model is able to move with more grace, perhaps thanks to its Tesla-designed actuators and sensors. The machine has an actuated neck with two degrees of freedom and it’s said to be 30 percent faster at walking while mimicking the geometry of human feet.

The second-gen Optimus has a sleeker design and Tesla says it has been able to reduce the weight of the robot by 10 kilograms without sacrificing any functionality. The company claims this model has improved balance and full-body control — it’s shown squatting and getting back up in the video.

Among the biggest upgrades are to the hands. Tesla says these now have 11 degrees of freedom and they can move more quickly. Optimus is able to handle objects more delicately, as shown by a demo of it picking up and gently placing down an egg. These all seem like marked improvements over the last iteration of Optimus, which we first saw in September last year.

While the robot looks mechanically more impressive than its predecessor, that’s only one piece of the puzzle, as Electrek points out. If the robot is to be used in the real world as a “general purpose, bi-pedal, humanoid robot capable of performing tasks that are unsafe, repetitive or boring” (as Tesla is aiming for), it will need to have a robust artificial intelligence that allows it to operate safely and independently. 

That’s likely many years away from becoming a reality, particularly when Tesla has had problems with the AI features of its cars. In fact, the company just recalled nearly every car it has shipped in the US to fix issues with the Autopilot system.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/teslas-latest-optimus-robot-can-handle-an-egg-without-breaking-it-154610781.html?src=rss 

By the end of this year, Netflix will have already released 86 games, and it has no plans to slow down its gaming ambitions anytime soon. The streaming company already has an initial lineup of titles to add to its library in 2024, including Game Dev Tycoon. In the oddly engaging indie business simulator, you can build your own gaming company and create your own video games. You can even research new technologies in your field and invent your own game types like a real developer. 

Sonic Mania Plus, which was originally released for consoles and for PC through Steam, will also debut on mobile through Netflix. The enhanced version of Sonic Mania adds Sonic’s friends, Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel, as well as a new mode to the game. Spry Fox is releasing the sequel to its life sim Cozy Grove, as well. Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit introduces new activities, including one wherein you can powerwash a ghost with a blowfish and new furry companions with abilities of their own. And if you’re a fan of Barbie, fashion and dress-up games, there’s Fashionverse, where you can style models and even create outfits for them. Netflix says it’s an AI-enhanced title that puts 3D models against photorealistic backgrounds. 

In addition to announcing some of the games it’s rolling out next year, Netflix Games has also taken a look back at its updates and releases for 2023. It launched 40 games this year, which already include the definitive edition of the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy that will be available starting tomorrow. The streaming company’s gaming arm also debuted two internally developed titles: Night School’s Oxenfree II: Lost Signals and Boss Fight Entertainment’s interactive game, Netflix Stories: Love is Blind. Finally, the company started testing the ability to play its games on smart TVs and browsers in select regions with the intention of eventually making its titles playable on any device. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/netflixs-2024-game-lineup-includes-game-dev-tycoon-sonic-mania-and-a-cozy-grove-sequel-160014745.html?src=rss 

Apple has announced a major expansion of its self-repair program, as the company will now allow iPhone 15 and M2-powered Mac users to fix their own devices. This comes after the tech company opened up the program to include iPhone 14 models and M2-powered laptops earlier this year.

The devices added to the DIY repair roster include the entire iPhone 15 lineup, the Mac Pro, Mac Studio, the 16-inch MacBook Pro and the 15-inch MacBook Air, among others. Additionally, Apple’s bringing the program to 24 new countries, including Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland, bringing the Self Service Repair initiative to a total 33 nations.

There’s also a brand-new diagnostic tool to help users to get to the bottom of things. Apple already offered a System Configuration tool that came up when the device was in Diagnostics mode, but this goes several steps further. The web-based diagnostic tool is now available in the US and can directly test for a number of common issues (assuming you have a second device on hand to run it.) It will require putting the hardware you’d like to test into Diagnostics mode and entering its serial number into the site.

Apple will attempt to diagnose the problem and offer up a step-by-step repair process. This system can test for issues with the display, software integration, audio output, camera functionality and Face ID, with more tests on the way. This essentially gives regular users the same access to diagnostic tests as Apple authorized service providers.

As always, Apple’s not doing this out of the kindness of its M2-powered heart. The company has been facing increasing pressure from various world governments to abide by newly-mandated right-to-repair laws. This program potentially heads off any legal troubles, though Apple still has some more work to do to cement its right-to-repair commitment. Still, additional DIY repair options are always welcome, no matter how we got here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-self-repair-program-now-includes-the-iphone-15-and-more-m2-powered-macs-162040671.html?src=rss 

The holidays are right around the corner and you might be a little more behind on your shopping than you’d like to admit. We don’t blame you — between family gatherings and the final work rush before PTO kicks in, it’s hard to find the time to go to a store to pick out presents. And once you get there, you could find half-empty shelves and very few choices. But that’s why we have the internet: you still have time to buy holiday gifts online.

USPS, UPS and FedEx have laid out their holiday shipping deadlines for 2023: Ship your items via USPS by December 16 to have them safely arrive before Christmas, while FedEx and UPS have deadlines of December 15 and December 18, respectively, for standard shipping. At this stage in the game, we recommend picking up small, affordable gifts that will ship quickly so you have plenty of time to wrap them up nicely and make it look like you had everything well-planned from the start. Here are the best last-minute Christmas gifts you can get right now and still have in time before the holidays.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock

Freelancers

Anker 511 portable charger

JLab Go Air Pop

TP-Link Kasa smart lights

PopSocket Phone Wallet

Amazon Smart Plug

UE Wonderboom 3

Stanley IceFlow Tumbler

Anker magnetic power bank (10,000 mAh)

Apple AirTag

Tile Mate

Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Camera

8Bitdo Pro 2

Audible Premium Plus

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-15-last-minute-christmas-gifts-for-2023-140037362.html?src=rss 

Following a two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla will recall over two million vehicles to make fixes to its Autopilot system, according to new NHTSA documents. Fixes will be issued to owners for free via over-the-air (OTA) updates to add features that ensure drivers pay attention while using Tesla’s controversial driver assistance system. It affects all current Tesla EVs built since Autopilot launched in 2015, including the Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X. 

“The remedy will incorporate additional controls and alerts to those already existing on affected vehicles to further encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility whenever Autosteer is engaged,” the NHTSA stated in a document. It noted that while Autopilot (specifically its Autosteer component) does have several controls to ensure drivers pay attention, they’re not always enough. 

“In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature’s controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature,” the document states. That in turn may lead to “an increased risk of a collision.” 

Tesla was ordered to address the driver monitoring system. “The remedy will incorporate additional controls and alerts to those already existing on affected vehicles to further encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility whenever Autosteer is engaged, which includes keeping their hands on the steering wheel and paying attention to the roadway,” it states. Those will include more prominent visual alerts, making it easier to turn Autosteer on and off, and eventual suspension from Autosteer if the driver fails to behave responsibly on an ongoing basis. 

In a letter to the NHTSA, Tesla acknowledged the order and said it would issue the required fix. “Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 10, 2023.” The order affects 2,031,220 vehicles, though models that went into production after December 7th will have already incorporated the update. 

The NHTSA said last August that it was opening an investigation into Autopilot following 11 crashes with parked first responder vehicles since 2018 that resulted in 17 injuries and one death. In a letter to Tesla sent shortly afterward, the regulator requested detailed documentation on how the driver assistance system works. Specifically, it wanted to know how it ensures that human drivers will keep their eyes on the road while Autopilot is engaged and whether there are limits on where it can be used.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-recalls-2-million-cars-in-order-to-fix-autopilot-safety-controls-123308343.html?src=rss 

If you need a spare gamepad for your Xbox or PC, Microsoft’s wireless Xbox Series X/S controller is currently available for $45 at Amazon. That’s close to the lowest price we’ve seen and the sale applies to multiple finishes (carbon black, blue and velocity green). 

The Series X/S controller is the classic well-balanced model with responsive face buttons, triggers, and joysticks. The d-pad offers nice tactility compared to Sony’s DualSense PS5 controller, though it still uses an asymmetrical joystick layout. It comes with Bluetooth connectivity so you can use it with a PC or mobile device, plus a dedicated “Share” button for screen and video capture. 

While you don’t get the advanced haptic feedback features of the DualSense, it fits nicely in your hand and is generally easier to use on a PC — especially for clients besides Steam. Alternatives like the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller and Microsoft’s own Elite Series 2 pad offer a wider array of features, but if you just need the basics, the standard Xbox controller is solid.

The primary drawback is a reliance on AA, rather than rechargeable batteries for power. That lets it last longer on a charge than the DualSense, but you’ll have to buy a separate rechargeable battery pack if you don’t want to regularly swap out batteries. If you can live with that limitation, the sale offers a cheap way to get an extra high-quality controller or two. 

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsofts-official-xbox-wireless-controllers-drop-to-45-093236413.html?src=rss