Category: Technology

If you’re an Apple TV user who was considering switching to Netflix’s new ad-supported plan, it might be best to hold off for now. The more budget-friendly version of the service (the “Basic with ads” tier) currently isn’t supported on Apple TV devices, including the new Apple TV 4K unit.

“Basic with ads plan support on tvOS is not available at launch but coming soon,” Netflix told Variety. As spotted by 9to5Mac, a Netflix support page notes that you’ll only be able to watch Netflix on Apple TV if you’re subscribed to the Basic, Standard or Premium tiers. Otherwise, you’ll need to access Netflix through a different device.

Netflix didn’t explain why the Basic with ads plan doesn’t work on Apple TV as yet, but it seems a bit of an oversight. It originally planned to start offering that $7 per month tier in early 2023, but it moved the timeline up to this month. It wanted to get out of the gate before Disney+ launches its ad-supported plan in December.

As of today, Netflix’s ad-supported plan is live in the UK, UK, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Spain. It became available in Canada and Mexico on Tuesday. Beyond the inclusion of ads, the plan has some other downgrades from Netflix’s higher tiers, such as video resolution maxing out at 720p (the same as the ad-free Basic plan), some content being unavailable and a lack of offline viewing.

By the time you read this article, Netflix will have started rolling out its new “Basic with Ads” plan. After years of resisting investor pressure, the company, following its first subscriber decline in a decade, announced this past April it would begin offering an ad-supported tier. Here’s everything you need to know about the company’s latest offering.

How is Basic with Ads different from other Netflix plans?

Besides featuring ads (more on that in a moment), the tier will limit you to streaming content at 720p. Additionally, you won’t be able to watch every title in Netflix’s library, and you won’t be able to download shows and films for offline viewing.

How much does the plan cost?

In the US, Basic with Ads is priced at $7 per month.

How many ads will I see?

According to Netflix, Basic with Ads subscribers can expect to see an average of four to five minutes of advertisements per hour of content. Initially, the company plans to play spots that are between 15 and 30 seconds long, though you’ll see them both before and during shows and films. The company will employ “broad” targeting, using criteria like your country and genre preference to inform the ads it shows you

Where is the plan available?

Starting this week, the Basic with Ads plan is available in 12 countries: the US, UK, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Spain. The company expects to launch the tier in more countries over time. 

How do I switch to the new plan?

On either your computer or phone, visit the Netflix website and sign into your existing account. Click or tap on “Account,” and then “Change plan.” There, you’ll see the option to select from any one of the company’s four currently available tiers. Once you confirm you want to switch to the Basic with Ads plan, Netflix will move you over to it at the start of your next billing cycle.

Bioprinted body parts could prove vital to future medical treatments, and scientists are going to great lengths to test it — in a very literal sense. NASA, Redwire and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Center for Biotechnology (4DBio3) are sending a new 3D printer to the International Space Station, Redwire’s BioFabrication Facility, to bioprint a human knee meniscus in orbit and study the result on Earth. Ideally, this will lead to treatments for the meniscal injuries that US soldiers all-too-frequently face.

Redwire hopes to 3D print whole organs in space, although it characterizes this as a “long-term” goal. The company is also using NASA’s Advanced Plant Habitat for a project to identify genes for space-friendly plants. Another investigation will use a NASA furnace to create and demo passive cooling for electronics in low gravity.

The BFF printer will fly to the ISS aboard a supply rocket launching as soon as November 6th from NASA’s Wallops Island spaceport. The mission will carry three extra payloads.

This isn’t NASA’s first spaceborne 3D printer. Last year, NASA carried a Redwire printer to the ISS to demonstrate printing lunar soil. That technology could one day help Moon colonists build habitats without carrying an abundance of supplies from Earth. The bioprinter is more immediately practical, of course. If the research pans out, doctors could replace damaged body parts without resorting to donations or inorganic implants.

Have you ever wanted to use your luggage as a workstation? No? Don’t tell T-Mobile that, then. The provider and Samsara have unveiled a smart carry-on suitcase, the “Un-carrier On” (sorry about the pun), whose stand-out feature is the ability to double as a desk. Like a handful of other bag makers, T-Mobile thinks you’ll rest your laptop on your baggage while you finish a must-send work email. That strikes us as potentially uncomfortable if the case sits on your lap, especially if you have to stare at T-Mobile’s eye-searing magenta — did we mention that’s the only color option?

There are some practical features. T-Mobile claims this is the only carry-on suitcase with wireless charging for your phone, and there’s USB-C charging if you prefer cables. You can track the case when it invariably gets sent to the wrong airport, and an eight-bag packing set (with conspicuous T-Mobile branding, of course) keeps your toothpaste safely away from your shirts.

The limited edition Un-carrier On will ship later in November, or just in time for that Thanksgiving family visit you may or may not be dreading. However, the scariest part is the price — T-Mobile is asking $325. That’s a lot to pay for a carrier promo on wheels, even if the functionality might come in handy at the gate. You might want to slip an item tracker into a conventional carry-on instead.

Substack users now have another way to interact with their favorite writers, podcasters and video makers. The platform now has a chat feature, where creators can hang out with their subscribers and perhaps forge deeper links with their communities. “Chat is a community space reimagined specifically for writers and creators— it’s like having your own private social network where you make the rules,” Substack said in a clear dig at Twitter.

The feature is only available through Substack’s iOS app for now. You won’t be able to chat with your favorite Substack writers and podcasters on the web or Android just yet, but chat will eventually be available there.

The company noted that creators can decide the tone and topic of chat threads. They can switch the chat function off and reactivate it whenever they like, and they can decide whether to open it up to everyone or only paid subscribers.

The first time that a creator starts a chat, a notification email will go out to all of their subscribers. That seems a little spammy, but at least it’s a one-time thing. After that, readers will be alerted to a new chat thread only if they have push notifications switched on.

Creators have a few moderation options, according to an FAQ. They can turn off replies in a chat thread, delete replies and stop subscribers from posting images (readers can flag and hide explicit images as well). Creators can also ban users from chat threads and comments. However, it doesn’t seem that there’s a way for a writer to appoint trusted moderators to handle that stuff on their behalf for the time being.

Substack pointed out that many newsletter writers have taken to the likes of Discord, Slack and Telegram to chat with their subscribers. Its developers have been working with a group of writers over the last few months to simplify things with an in-house chat option. However, writers may not be willing to give up on external platforms until Substack has more robust chat moderation options. This marks just the beginning of the chat feature and other social functions on the platform, as Substack says more updates are on the way.

Snap has been using Snapchat lenses to help people virtually try on clothes for a while, and the company has teamed up with another notable partner. Users will soon be able to see how eyewear styles from Amazon Fashion look on their face before ordering a pair.

You’ll be able to try these augmented reality lenses via the @amazonfashion profile, the Lens Explorer (in the For You and Dress Up tabs) or the Snapchat Camera Lens Carousel. The Amazon Fashion profile includes a Shop tab, where you can browse a wide variety of eyewear styles and perhaps buy a pair.

The companies worked on 3D asset standards that work with Snap’s AR Try-On tech. Using Amazon’s 3D Asset technology and lenses, they’re able to offer Snapchat users dynamically updated information, including an up-to-date selection of eyewear, product details and availability. So if the price of a product changes or it sells out, Amazon will be able to update the lenses in real time with that info.

You’ll be able to virtually try on eyewear from brands including Maui Jim, Persol, Oakley and Costa Del Mar. Snap and Amazon plan to expand the partnership to other categories of apparel in the future.

Amazon was quick to pledge support for the Matter smart home standard, and now it’s clear just when (and if) you can expect the technology to reach your household. The company has confirmed that 17 Echo devices, plugs, switches and bulbs will support Matter over WiFi in December, with 30 Echo and Eero products offering support by early next year. You’ll initially need Android to set this up (Apple only released the Matter-friendly iOS 16.1 days ago), and the focus will be on lighting. However, support for iOS, Thread and more smart home tech is also due in early 2023.

The support will extend to years-old Echo products, including the second-generation Echo Plus (shown here). You can see the full compatibility list below. You might not have to replace your equipment just to be sure you’re ready for Matter.

You won’t have to be too picky about which phones and apps you use. Amazon is partnering with Samsung to let you use Alexa or SmartThings to set up Matter hardware. An upcoming Alexa framework will create a simple, unified Thread network that allows control through either company’s platforms.

Accordingly, Amazon is tweaking its Works with Alexa (WWA) certifications to add Matter support. A new device that receives the WWA badge will have to support Matter. Existing hardware that gets a Matter update won’t need to go through the program again, although it will need to pass Matter certification and will still have to meet Amazon’s WWA requirements.

This still leaves you with the prospect of replacing particularly old Echo gear, and there’s a chance some of your connected home components won’t support Matter at all. However, Amazon’s compatibility plans suggest you won’t have to overhaul your entire setup.

Update 11/3 11:30AM ET: Amazon has shared the full list of Echo devices receiving Matter support in December, and it covers a range of speakers, displays and peripherals released in the past few years.

Echo (3rd and 4th generation)

Echo Dot (3rd, 4th and 5th generation, with or without clock)

Echo Plus (2nd generation)

Echo Studio

Echo Show 5 (1st and 2nd generation)

Echo Show 8 (1st and 2nd generation)

Echo Show 10 (3rd generation)

Echo Flex

Echo Input

After Apple finally gave us a decent Siri remote last year, I couldn’t imagine the Apple TV 4K getting much better. It’s not like anyone is clamoring for an 8K upgrade – all we need these days is support for fast 4K streaming, as well as the multitude of HDR (high definition range) formats out there. The new Apple TV 4K can easily meet those demands, but what’s truly impressive is that it’s far faster than before and it’s a lot cheaper at $129 (down from $179)! At last, there’s an Apple TV I can recommend to anyone without hesitation.

Let’s start with what’s new: this year’s Apple TV 4K is powered by an A15 Bionic chip, which launched with the iPhone 13 (and is still being used in the iPhone 14). That’s a huge leap forward from the 2018-era A12 in the previous model. The new box also ships with 64GB of storage, instead of a meager 32GB. If you’re planning to load up a ton of games and apps, there’s also a 128GB model for $149, which adds an Ethernet port and support for the Thread internet-of-things protocol. Finally, Apple has integrated HDR10+ support, which works similar to Dolby Vision for delivering more accurate HDR in every scene.

At first glance, the Apple TV 4K looks the same as the previous models: a smooth black box with obscenely rounded corners. Peer a bit closer, though, and you’ll notice it’s actually smaller, like a prop rendering of its predecessor. Apple says it has 20 percent less volume than before, a result of losing the fan from previous models (this one runs silently) and being powered by more efficient hardware. Apple wouldn’t say what, exactly, led to the dramatic price drop. But I’d bet it’s down to simpler manufacturing, as well as a dip in component pricing across the board.

If you want to hear me wax poetic about Apple’s Siri Remote, just check out my review of the last Apple TV. I’m still enamored with it a year later: It’s easy to hold, has all of the basic functions you’d want, and it’s far harder to lose than the previous super-thin remote. I’m still baffled why we were forced to use a glass-backed remote with a crummy touchpad on the original Apple TV 4K. Long live the new model and it’s touch-sensitive, directional clickpad.

So sure, the hardware is great, but how’s the software? Setting up the Apple TV 4K is now surprisingly easy, assuming you’re already beholden to Apple’s ecosystem. After plugging it in, I just had to tap my iPhone to the box to send over my WiFi and iCloud credentials. I chose to synchronize my home screens, which made all of the apps from my current Apple TV pop over. At that point, all I had to do was log into my usual streaming haunts, and I was ready to go.

After using every Apple TV the company has put out over the last decade, I had one immediate thought as I started using this new model: Holy hell this thing is fast. That’s not to say the last version was slow, by any means. But there’s a snappiness to this year’s box that just feels freeing. I can swipe through all of the apps on my homescreen with ease, launch Netflix a few seconds faster than before, and drill through my library of movies without breaking a sweat. No more slight loading delays or pinwheels.

It could just be that I’m experiencing the rush of a brand new device, one uncluttered by a year’s worth of use. But using the new Apple TV 4K feels like the difference between using an iPhone X and an iPhone 14 — everything just happens faster, with a greater sense of urgency. I found that most useful when I was flipping between apps and different videos. While I was catching up on Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities on Netflix, I could quickly hop over to check out my YouTube channels while my wife needed a bathroom break, and then resume the creepiness when she returned. Again, this is something I did frequently with the previous box, but now the Apple TV feels completely unencumbered.

Amid my speed viewing, I was also impressed to see that the Apple TV handles HDR 10+ without any issues. The opening chase in No Time to Die looked glorious, with excellent highlights in the brightly-lit European streets, but also solid shadow detail in darker scenes. That’s the main appeal of HDR10+. Like the original HDR 10 standard, it delivers both brighter brights and darker darks. But, it can also adjust those settings based on the scene you’re viewing, just like Dolby Vision. That avoids some issues commonly seen with HDR 10, where one HDR profile setting may not work well across a wide variety of scenes.

While testing the Apple TV 4K on Samsung’s 55-inch Odyssey Ark monitor, I was also able to view Dolby Vision titles from iTunes via HDR10+. That feature is particularly useful on the Ark, since it doesn’t support Dolby Vision on its own. You can expect HDR10+ to work across Apple TV+ offerings, as well as many titles available for rent or purchase. Amazon has also been pushing the standard for years, so you’ll find native HDR10+ support across all of its originals. (It looked particularly great during the opening of The Peripheral.)

If you weren’t a fan of the Apple TV’s interface before, this new model won’t change your mind. But as someone who has tested plenty of streaming devices, I still feel most at home with the Apple TV. I appreciate its wide variety of apps, its seamless integration with iOS devices, and the overall polish you don’t see on Roku’s software. Sure, you can use the Apple TV app on competing devices today (including Roku’s!), but that’s just a gateway to content. It’s not the same as living with an elegantly designed streaming interface day-to-day.

Another plus? The Apple TV actually has games you may want to play .I was able to load up Sonic Racing in a few seconds, pair an Xbox controller, and start zooming around the track without much issue. The A15 Bionic should allow for smoother performance on more demanding games, but I’ve personally never seen anything stress these boxes much.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of the Apple TV this year: you don’t have to pay as much of a premium to own it. At $129, it’s a bit pricier than the $100 Roku Ultra, but in exchange you get a far more robust app platform and more features. The $149 model we reviewed is a smarter buy if you demand Ethernet, or would like to start using Thread IoT devices. (I didn’t have any Thread-compatible hardware to test, unfortunately.) But even that model is a decent bit cheaper than the previous $179 Apple TV.

If you already bought last year’s Apple TV 4K for its new Siri remote, this new box probably isn’t worth the upgrade. But if you picked up an HDR10+ TV recently, it may be worth the step up, just so you’re seeing the best HDR picture possible.

It’s taken a while, but Apple has finally managed to craft the ideal streaming box: one that’s relatively inexpensive, filled with modern features and fast. So damn fast.

WiFi’s friendliness to other devices might pose a significant threat in the wrong circumstances. University of Waterloo researchers have discovered a security flaw in the networking standard that lets attackers track devices through walls. The technique identifies the location of a device within 3.3ft just by exploiting WiFi devices’ automatic contact responses (even on password-protected networks) and measuring the response times. You can identify all the connected hardware in a room, and even track people’s movements if they have a phone or smartwatch.

The scientists tested the exploit by modifying an off-the-shelf drone to create a flying scanning device, the Wi-Peep. The robotic aircraft sends several messages to each device as it flies around, establishing the positions of devices in each room. A thief using the drone could find vulnerable areas in a home or office by checking for the absence of security cameras and other signs that a room is monitored or occupied. It could also be used to follow a security guard, or even to help rival hotels spy on each other by gauging the number of rooms in use.

There have been attempts to exploit similar WiFi problems before, but the team says these typically require bulky and costly devices that would give away attempts. Wi-Peep only requires a small drone and about $15 US in equipment that includes two WiFi modules and a voltage regulator. An intruder could quickly scan a building without revealing their presence.

Research lead Dr. Ali Abedi is calling for changes to the WiFi standard to prevent devices from responding to “strangers.” That may take years, however, and Abedi suggests that hardware makers address the issue in the meantime by introducing randomized response times. The chances of burglars using drones to map your home devices aren’t high at this stage (they’d still need the know-how), but there are things developers can do to thwart these aerial spying efforts.

Square Enix has revealed that Symbiogenesis, an upcoming project that was widely rumored to be Parasite Eve-related, is actually something else — and it’s centered around NFTs (non-fungible tokens). The publisher described Symbiogenesis as “its first digital collectible art project designed from the ground up for Web3 fans.”

Symbiogenesis takes place in a self-contained world containing a large cast of characters that can be collected as NFTs. Square Enix says you’ll be able to use these digital artworks as profile pictures on social media accounts, something you definitely wouldn’t be able to do by simply taking a screenshot.

In addition, you can use your character “in a story that takes place in an alternate world where the player can ’untangle’ a mystery by completing missions that revolve around questions of the monopolization and distribution of resources,” Square Enix said in a press release. That’s somewhat ironic, given that the entire perceived value of NFTs is derived from artificial scarcity.

The publisher will start selling NFTs (which will likely be on the Ethereum blockchain) in spring 2023, alongside the debut of “a free browser service” on Google Chrome. The browser-based approach makes some sense. Symbiogenesis wouldn’t make it onto Steam, which banned NFT games last year.

This is one of the highest-profile stabs at an NFT-driven gaming experience yet. However, the NFT market has cratered this year. Gamers have largely rejected NFTs too.

Last December, it emerged that Ubisoft had sold barely any NFTs in Ghost Recon Breakpoint, the first title in which it employed blockchain tech. A few weeks later, an Ubisoft executive claimed players would benefit from having a marketplace where they could buy and sell NFTs of in-game items, “but they don’t get it for now.” In April, Ubisoft announced that the game wouldn’t receive any more content updates, effectively putting the game on ice and diminishing whatever value Ghost Recon Breakpoint‘s NFTs had.

It seems Square Enix is facing an uphill battle to make Symbiogenesis a success. It’s not a surprise that the company is moving in this direction after announcing in January that it would invest in blockchain games. Square Enix sold off some of its more notable Western studios this year and it initially planned to plow much of the proceeds into the blockchain and other tech before walking back on that plan.

Meanwhile, Square Enix may have to try to placate fans who were convinced that Symbiogenesis was actually a revival of 1998’s Parasite Eve. After the publisher registered Symbiogenesis as a trademark last month, some pointed out that the term means “the merging of two separate organisms to form a single new organism” — which is one of the foundations of Parasite Eve‘s story. While that connection is somewhat tenuous, it’s hard to blame fans for beingupset and disappointed that the project is ultimately an NFT grift.