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Android 14 is fast approaching. But before Google publicly releases the next big version of the mobile operating system alongside its latest Pixel devices, the company has revealed a refreshed Android logo.

In a blog post, Android consumer brand management director Jason Fournier wrote that the company wanted the bugdroid to “appear as dynamic as Android itself.” By overhauling the full-body look of the mascot, the hope is that it will be easier for the bugdroid to look consistent across both digital and real-world environments. The refreshed bugdroid and updated logo will start appearing on Android devices and elsewhere later this year.

Along with the rebrand, Google has revealed the details of the quarterly Android feature drop. The headline feature is a new widget called Assistant At a Glance. The aim of this is to bring helpful information such as weather alerts, event reminders and travel updates. The widget uses AI to surface these details.

There’s a very useful-sounding accessibility feature coming to Android imminently. It’s called Image Q&A on Lookout. You’ll be able to use voice commands or type questions to find out more details about AI-generated audio descriptions of visual content. Google designed the feature with blind and low-vision people in mind.

You’ll soon be able to add passes with barcodes and QR codes (such as your library and gym cards) to Google Wallet to save you having to carry those around. There will be the option to add Fitbit/Google Fit activity and sleep data to personal routines to help you keep track of your wellness goals. Meanwhile, Google has redesigned the Personal Safety app with the goal of making it easier for users to share their live location, record surroundings and call 911.

Last but not least is an Android Auto update. Webex and Zoom support is coming soon. You’ll be able to join conference calls via audio and view meeting schedules on the car’s display. We’ve seen automakers bring meeting apps to their infotainment systems, but Android Auto support may mean that there’s no escape from a conference call.

These features, which Google will roll out gradually, will start arriving today on Pixel 5, Pixel 5a and Pixel 4a. They’ll land on Pixel 6 and Pixel 7-series phones as well as Pixel Fold over the next few weeks. You can expect all of these features on the latest batch of Pixel devices that Google will announce next month too.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-android-logo-gets-a-new-look-and-a-3d-bugdroid-170037292.html?src=rss 

You might be in for a lengthy wait if you were planning on catching a United Airlines flight today. The company has issued a nationwide ground stop because of a “computer issue,” according to ABC News.

The nature of the problem is unclear as yet. Engadget has contacted United for comment. “United Airlines asked the FAA to pause the airline’s departures nationwide,” the Federal Aviation Administration told Engadget.

United has grounded flights following a similar issue in the UK just last week. An air traffic control glitch led to the cancellation of a fifth of UK departures and 27 percent of flights that were due to arrive into the country last Monday, when the issue occurred. 

This story is developing, please refresh for additional updates.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/united-airlines-has-grounded-all-flights-due-to-a-computer-issue-174007552.html?src=rss 

Anker makes a wide range of useful devices, from charging gear to USB hubs and beyond. You can save on many of the company’s products right now as a sale is taking place on Amazon. One device that’s worth paying attention to if you have too many gadgets and not enough ports to plug them into is the Anker 332 5-in-1 USB-C hub, which is 49 percent off at $18. At the time of writing, there’s also a $2 coupon you can apply to save a bit more.

This hub has a 4K 30Hz HDMI port, two for USB-C (which unfortunately don’t support video output), one for USB-A and a 100W PD-IN port. There’s passthrough charging support for up to 85W. You can use the hub to snappily move files between devices as well, since Anker says the three USB ports support data transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps.

Another product worth considering is the GaN II 735 Charger, which supports 65W charging. It has dropped by 15 percent from $40 to $34. It can top up your phone, tablet and laptop batteries simultaneously. Alternatively, you can connect a single device with support for 65W fast charging to juice up the battery at maximum speed. We reckon this is the best 65-watt fast charger you can buy. It’s probably smaller than the charger you’re using for your laptop.

In addition, you’ll be able to snap up the 313 wireless charging stand for $15.19, nearly a quarter off the usual price. This is our pick for the best budget wireless charging stand. Don’t expect fast charging here — Anker’s device tops out at 10W (and just 5W for iPhones). But you can position your phone in landscape orientation while it’s charging and that price is tough to beat.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/anker-chargers-and-accessories-are-up-to-49-percent-off-right-now-154836694.html?src=rss 

The classic survival horror series Alone in the Darkrecently announced a reboot set to release in October, but it just got delayed to January. This push isn’t for the usual reasons. The game doesn’t need more polish or anything like that. It’s simply a matter of finding an audience in the bustling gaming month of October, given the flood of titles coming in the next several weeks.

The new release date is January 16, with publisher THQ Nordic noting that the game’s “eerie embrace of solitude” would be “impossible to achieve in a gaming month as busy as October.” The company isn’t blowing smoke, as October sees the release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Forza Motorsport, Spider-Man 2, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Detective Pikachu Returns, Sonic Superstars, Alan Wake II and, well, the list goes on and on. It’s certainly a wallet-busting month.

This is in addition to September’s crowded release schedule, so the January launch of Alone in the Dark will give gamers more time to finish Starfield, Baldur’s Gate 3, Mortal Kombat 1 and a fresh round of Cyberpunk 2077 DLC. It’s interesting to note that none of these September or October releases are survival horror games, though Alan Wake gets close, so the title could have found a niche anyways.

So what is Alone in the Dark? The original title is considered the first 3D survival horror game, beating Resident Evil to the punch by four years. Since the 1990s, there have been sequels, spinoffs and even other attempts at rebooting the franchise. This latest installment is the first mainline entry since 2015 and the first game in the series developed since THQ Nordic bought the license from Atari back in 2018.

The reboot’s story is written by Mikael Hedberg, the mind behind the survival games Soma and Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Creature designs are being handled by long-time Guillermo del Toro collaborator Guy Davis. THQ Nordic has stated that the new Alone in the Dark is a completely original game, but will feature playable characters from the 1990s titles. It’ll release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC on January 16, 2024.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/alone-in-the-dark-reboot-delayed-to-the-oh-so-spooky-month-of-january-161346620.html?src=rss