Gadgets, Game & Mobile News

EU takes action against X over illegal content and disinformation

Engadget - Mon, 2023-12-18 07:41

It might be ending 2023 with a new name, but X (formerly Twitter) is also capping off a year of criticism and legal action with even more condemnation. The European Commission has announced it's opening formal infringement proceedings into X's operation and potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for internal market ironically shared the news on X, detailing the platform's suspected breach of obligations to be transparent and to counter illegal content. X's potentially "deceptive design" is also being investigated. 

In its press release, the European Commission states that it will look to X's Community Notes feature to determine whether it's effective enough in "mitigating risks" to "civic discourse and electoral processes." It'll also address "suspected shortcomings" in X's decision to limit access to its data firehose, which could negatively affect researchers and other public bodies. The company's advertising platform is in the Commission's crosshairs, too, as is the "suspected deceptive design" of features like paid checkmarks.

In February 2023, all online services operating in the EU had to declare their size to determine if they were a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP). A VLOP is any platform with over 45 million users across the EU. Any company designated as a VLOP had four months to comply with the DSA. These measures include establishing a specific point of contact, transparency in advertising and content moderation and clear, user-friendly terms and conditions. It also requires identifying and mitigating risks such as illegal content, gender-based violence and protecting minors. Other logistical stipulations include permitting vetted researchers to access data that informs about systemic risks in the EU, sharing data with the Commission and having an independent audit annually.

The Commission's actions follow a risk assessment report X submitted in September, a transparency report the platform published in November and ongoing concerns about how X is handling — or mishandling, for that matter — content about the Israel-Hamas War. Breton sent a letter to Elon Musk about the platform's responsibility to moderate posts in line with the DSA. The European Union opened an investigation into X's handling shortly after.  

Today we open formal infringement proceedings against @X :

⚠️ Suspected breach of obligations to counter #IllegalContent and #Disinformation

⚠️ Suspected breach of #Transparency obligations

⚠️ Suspected #DeceptiveDesign of user interface#DSA pic.twitter.com/NxKIif603k

— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) December 18, 2023

In a statement, Breton explained that the newly announced proceedings show "the time of big online platforms behaving like they are 'too big to care' has come to an end." He continued: "We now have clear rules, ex ante obligations, strong oversight, speedy enforcement, and deterrent sanctions and we will make full use of our toolbox to protect our citizens and democracies." This instance marks the first time the Commission has opened formal proceedings to enforce these EU regulations. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/eu-opens-an-official-probe-into-x-over-illegal-content-and-disinformation-124139507.html?src=rss

Save Up to 47% Off Beats Earbuds in Some Stunning Colors Before Christmas - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-18 07:41
You can put a pair of gorgeous new Beats earbuds under the tree for a lot less than usual right now.

US lawmakers call for DOJ probe into Apple's blocking of Beeper's iMessage app

Engadget - Mon, 2023-12-18 07:25

A bipartisan group of US senators and representatives have urged the Department of Justice to investigate whether Apple violated antitrust laws by attempting to block Beeper Mini's access to iMessage. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Lee (R-UT), along with Representatives Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Ken Buck (R-CO), have asked an assistant attorney general to look into “potentially anticompetitive conduct” by Apple.

There have been a number of efforts in recent months to provide Android users with access to iMessage via workarounds. Earlier this month, Beeper said it was able to reverse engineer the iMessage protocol and support it on Android devices. Within a couple of days, Beeper Mini's iMessage integration was acting up and Apple (without elaborating too much) soon confirmed it had blocked an iMessage exploit.

It didn't take long for Beeper to find yet another way to get iMessage working on Android, though this time it required an Apple ID. Last week, the company said it suspected Apple was "deliberately blocking iMessages from being delivered" to around five percent of Beeper Mini users and that it was working on a solution.

The back and forth between Beeper and Apple caught the attention of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). "Green bubble texts are less secure. So why would Apple block a new app allowing Android users to chat with iPhone users on iMessage? Big Tech executives are protecting profits by squashing competitors," Warren wrote on X. "Chatting between different platforms should be easy and secure." 

Last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook responded to a question about improving iOS-Android communication compatibility by telling a journalist to "buy your mom an iPhone." 

Senator @amyklobuchar + @SenMikeLee + @RepJerryNadler @RepKenBuck sent this to DOJ regarding ongoing fight betwn Beeper Mini vs Apple “to investigate whether this potentially anticompetitive conduct by Apple violated antitrust laws.” I’ll have the full story on @CBSMornings tmrw pic.twitter.com/pj6ef432TK

— Jo Ling Kent (@jolingkent) December 18, 2023

"Interoperability and interconnection have long been key drivers of competition and consumer choice in communications services," lawmakers noted in their letter to the DOJ. "But consumers will never benefit from competition if dominant firms are allowed to snuff out that competition at its incipiency."

As such, the officials are "concerned that Apple's recent actions to disable Beeper Mini harm competition, eliminate choices for consumers and will discourage future innovation and investment in interoperable messaging services. We also fear these types of tactics may more broadly chill future investment and innovation from those that seek to compete with existing digital gatekeepers. Thus, we refer this matter to the Antitrust Division to investigate whether this potentially anticompetitive conduct by Apple violated the antitrust laws."

Apple has made at least one commitment to improving messaging interoperability. The company has pledged to support the RCS protocol starting in 2024, after years of Google openly pressuring Apple to do so. Adopting RCS will mean that messaging between iPhone and Android will be more secure than SMS and allow for higher-quality media sharing.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/us-lawmakers-call-for-doj-probe-into-apples-blocking-of-beepers-imessage-app-122554473.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Apple tests App Store discounts

Engadget - Mon, 2023-12-18 07:15

Apple says it’s testing a new App Store feature called contingent pricing to lure customers into cheaper subscriptions based on their other purchases. This contingent pricing model will let developers offer discounts to customers who already have subscriptions to other services, be it those developers’ own apps or connected partner apps.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple says these bundled discounts will be highly visible to customers both on the App Store and “in off-platform marketing channels” — so elsewhere too. It’s starting with a select group of participants before rolling out to more developers “in the coming months.”

It’s been a year of increased scrutiny into Apple’s App Store and how it handles in-app purchases. Just this fall, Apple asked the Supreme Court to reverse the previous ruling that required it to allow developers to use outside payment systems, circumventing Apple’s 30 percent transaction fee. This is a way, of sorts, to get back in developers’ good graces.

— Mat Smith

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Baldur’s Gate 3 will never come to Xbox Game Pass So says developer Larian Studios. TMALarian Studios

According to Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke in an interview with IGN, Game of the Year, Baldur’s Gate 3, won’t come to Microsoft’s Game Pass. Vincke also noted this was always the plan, and the title had never been considered for Microsoft’s subscription gaming platform. Vincke says Baldur’s Gate 3 is a “big game” available for a “fair price.” He also touted the title’s lack of microtransactions and its complete story, saying “you get what you pay for.”

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Meta Quest headsets join the exciting world of Microsoft Office apps Mmm, virtual Word.

Meta Quest users can now write reports, edit spreadsheets and create presentations — if they even want to do any of those tasks on a VR headset. Support for the basic Microsoft Office suite has arrived on the original Oculus Quest, the Meta Quest 2, the Quest Pro and the Quest 3. Users can now download Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint from the Meta Quest store for free. That said, typing on the Quest’s onscreen keyboard is not particularly easy, so you might want to bring your Bluetooth keyboard along for virtual office hours.

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Engadget Podcast: RIP E3 And diving into The Game Awards.

This week, Engadget Senior Editor Jessica Conditt joins Cherlynn and Devindra to talk about the death of E3 and what it means for the gaming industry. They also explore some of the highlights (and low points) of last week’s Game Awards, which couldn’t quite balance celebrating video games and functioning as a marketing tool. We’re particularly excited for Light No Fire, the next ambitious game from the folks behind No Man’s Sky. (Oh, you should check out Jessica’s video on the subject.)

Listen here.

The Chinese EV with 650 miles of range From a 150kWh battery. TMANio

Chinese manufacturer Nio is about to start selling an EV with a “semi-solid state” 150kWh battery (140kWh usable). That’s the biggest battery of any passenger EV so far. Nio CEO William Li drove a prototype version of the ET7 1,044km (650 miles) in 14 hours, a distance surpassing many gas-powered vehicles. The ET7’s 150kWh battery will only be available on a lease separate from the car, much as we’ve seen with some cars sold in Europe. We’re unlikely to see this specific battery pack in the US, however. With the Biden administration’s latest rules, some US cars, like Tesla’s Model 3 Long Range, that use specific Chinese battery components will no longer receive the full $7,500 tax credit.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-apple-tests-app-store-discounts-121517653.html?src=rss

Mortgage Refinance Rates on Dec. 18, 2023: Rates Drop - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-18 06:48
Several key refinance rates decreased this week. If you're hoping to refinance your home, keep an eye on where rates are headed.

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Beats headphones and earbuds are up to 49 percent off right now

Engadget - Mon, 2023-12-18 06:20

The winter months are ripe with long journeys — whether through a road trip to a relative's house or a flight somewhere warm — and require good quality music to get through them. Achieving this is quite a bit cheaper right now, with the Beats Studio Buds dropping to an all-time low of $80 from $150. The 47 percent discount is available on every color, from Black to Sunset Pink. 

Beats Studio Buds are a solid option for noise-canceling earbuds and — even more so now — are much more affordable than competitors like AirPods. They have IPX4 sweat and water resistance, three soft ear tip sizes and eight hours of battery life or 24 hours with the charging case. Android users can download the Beats app to see stats and updates, while this technology is built in for iOS users. 

The Studio Buds aren't Beats' only good deal to check out right now. The Beats Fit Pro is 20 percent off, dropping to $160 from $200 in every color except Moon. The secure wing-tipped earbuds can last six hours on a single charge or 24 hours with the case and add adaptive EQ to the list of listening modes. Plus, they're also IPX4 sweat and water-resistant. 

Then there's the Beats Studio Pro headphones, available for $180, down from $350 — a 49 percent discount. The sale price increases to $205 when adding in two years of AppleCare+. The Studio Pro headphones have 40 hours of battery life and can get another four hours with just a 10-minute charge. The on-ear buttons can activate Siri, accept calls or control the music. The Beats Fit Pro and Studio Pro are both only $10 off their all-time low prices. 

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/beats-headphones-and-earbuds-are-up-to-49-percent-off-right-now-112029335.html?src=rss

Amazon's deal to make Warhammer 40,000 movies and TV shows is done

Engadget - Mon, 2023-12-18 05:25

Amazon and Games Workshop have confirmed they're working on TV shows and movies based on Warhammer 40,000. The news comes 12 months after the two sides reached an agreement in principle to develop adaptations of the miniature wargame for big and small screens. 

The companies have now inked a full agreement, which gives Amazon the exclusive rights to develop films and TV shows based on the intellectual property. In turn, the adaptations could help Games Workshop attract new Warhammer 40K tabletop players.

Games Workshop says an "elite band" of screenwriters is coming together to create the shows and movies. Assisting them will be Henry Cavill, a long-time Warhammer 40K fan, who will be an executive producer and perhaps star in some of the TV shows and films.

Don't expect to see a Warhammer movie hitting Prime Video anytime soon, though. As Games Workshop notes, it typically takes at least a couple of years for a project to go from the development phase to something you can actually watch. Still, the ball is officially rolling on Amazon's Warhammer adaptations. Games Workshop says it will share some details about what's in store as soon as it's able.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazons-deal-to-make-warhammer-40000-movies-and-tv-shows-is-done-102509727.html?src=rss

A Chinese EV squeezed 650 miles of range from its 150 kWh battery

Engadget - Mon, 2023-12-18 04:24

An EV from Chinese manufacturer Nio will soon go on sale with a "semi-solid state" 150kWh battery (140kWh usable) that's the largest in any passenger car, Car News China reported. To show much range that will deliver, Nio CEO William Li drove a prototype version of the ET7 1,044km (650 miles) in 14 hours, a distance surpassing many gas-powered vehicles. 

The test was run in relatively cool temperatures (between 28 – 54 F) and livestreamed. Driving was done mainly in semi-autonomous (or Navigate-on-Pilot+, as Nio calls it), and speed-limited to 90 km/h (56 MPH). The average speed was 83.9 km/h (a respectable 52.4 MPH), with a travel time of 12.4 hours excluding stops.

"The completion of this endurance challenge proves the product power of the 150kWh ultra-long endurance battery pack," said Li in a Weibo post (Google translation). "More importantly, all models on sale can be flexibly upgraded to 150kWh batteries through the Nio battery swap system."

In fact, the ET7's 150kWh battery will only be available on a lease separate from the car, much as we've seen with some cars sold in Europe. Previously, the company said that the battery alone would cost as much as an entire car (the company's entry-level ET5 EV), or around $42,000. 

A Chinese EV with a locally-made 150kWh battery went 650 miles on a chargeWeLion New Energy Technology

Manufactured by WeLion New Energy Technology, the battery has a single-cell energy density of 360 Wh/kg or 260 Wh/kg for the entire pack (Tesla's latest cells are under 300 Wh/kg). Semi-solid state batteries use gel, clay or resin electrolytes, offering greater energy density and fire-resistance than current batteries. However, they're still far from the promised land of full solid-state batteries, which could feasibly double energy density. 

We likely won't see the 150kWh battery pack stateside, though. With the Biden administration's latest rules, some US cars like Tesla's Model 3 Long Range that use specific Chinese battery components will no longer receive the full $7,500 tax credit. 

Nio is a luxury EV manufacturer in China that offers vehicles without a battery, letting you sign up to a battery-as-a-service (BAAS) monthly subscription. That service also allows you to swap out your battery at any time for a larger one. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-chinese-ev-squeezed-650-miles-of-range-from-its-150-kwh-battery-092427301.html?src=rss

Make Post-Holiday Cleanup a Breeze With 40% Off the Dyson V12 Detect - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-18 04:00
The Dyson V12 Detect is currently on sale but it won't last long.

An electric car completed the world's first-ever drive from the North to the South Pole

Engadget - Mon, 2023-12-18 02:31

Earlier today, Scottish adventurers Chris and Julie Ramsey were finally able to announce their completion of the nine-month, 17,000-mile "Pole To Pole EV" expedition, the world's first drive from the 1823 Magnetic North Pole to South Pole — on an electric car, no less. The couple actually reached their destination on December 15 (Friday), but they could only share the news after re-establishing satellite connection later. This feat was achieved using a Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE electric vehicle, which was modified by Icelandic specialist Arctic Trucks — mainly with larger 39-inch tires plus matching wheel arches, along with some ice-friendly gear and body reinforcement work. The powertrain and suspension were mostly stock — just with a lifted height, according to Electrek.

All that extra load on the electric vehicle meant it had to make do with a reduced range of just 150 to 200 miles — a drop from the original 272-mile mark. During the Arctic and Antarctic parts of the trip, the Ramseys picked up tricks on keeping the car battery warm for improved efficiency. Most notably, they would pile up a snow wall to shield the car's underside and front radiator from the cold wind, or they would even use a dedicated tent to cover up the entire car, when it wasn't not too windy. 

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A post shared by Pole to Pole EV (@poletopoleev)

Depending on the weather, the duo would use either a 5kW wind turbine or a prototype solar hybrid charging solution to juice up their Ariya. Failing that, there were moments when they had to fall back to their petrol generator — a mandatory equipment for traversing the Arctic regions. Likewise with their diesel support vehicles, as no electric version of those exist. Chris explained to Expedition Portal that the purpose of "Pole To Pole EV" is to prove that electric vehicles make a viable replacement for existing diesel-powered expedition vehicles in the polar regions.

In between the poles, the Ramseys traveled through the Americas, with the northern part being relatively easy thanks to the readily-available chargers along the way. It was a different story down south, but "Pole To Pole EV" collaborated with EV charging solutions provider, Enel X Way, to install chargers along their route through Central and South America — especially the Peru leg of the expedition. Better yet, Enel X Way has promised to keep these new chargers available to the public afterwards, thus extending its electric Pan-American charging corridor.

This isn't the first time Chris and Julie Ramsey made headlines involving electric vehicles. Back in 2017, the Scottish couple became the first to enter and complete the Mongol Rally in an electric car — a modified Nissan Leaf Acenta. Charging was relatively easy between the UK and Turkey, but from there onwards, they had to rely on domestic plug sockets and would end up with many memorable encounters with locals. The two drove 10,000 miles in 56 days — quite a challenge given the modified Leaf's 90-mile range. "But we are pleased that a huge charging network has sprung up across the route since we completed the rally in 2017," Chris added, in case anyone else is up for the EV challenge.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/an-electric-car-completed-the-worlds-first-ever-drive-from-the-north-to-the-south-pole-073155506.html?src=rss

Best Booze for Sci-Fi Fans: Star Wars Wine, GoT Whiskey and More - CNET

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From Skywalker wines to Game of Thrones spirits, these are the best boozy gifts for fantasy fans.

Best USB-C Hub 2023 - CNET

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From inexpensive travel hubs to full-size Thunderbolt docks, these are the best USB-C hubs and docks tested by CNET editors.

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A key supplement you should add to your skin care routine is vitamin C. Yes, you read that right.

Best Minecraft Server Hosting Service of 2023 - CNET

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Choose the best Minecraft server host for your gaming needs. We've broken down pricing, features, performance and support to make the choice easier for you.

A One Piece anime remake is in the works from Netflix and Wit Studio

Engadget - Sun, 2023-12-17 17:14

Right now’s a really good time to be a One Piece fan. Netflix announced on Sunday that it’s working with Wit Studio — the animation studio behind the early seasons of Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga — for a new anime adaptation of the long-running series. It’ll start fresh from the East Blue saga, or the beginning of Eiichiro Oda’s manga, which is now in its final saga and expected to wrap up in the next few years.

One Piece follows the adventures of the rubber-limbed pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, known as the Straw Hats. Both the manga and the original anime series have been ongoing since the late ‘90s. And, just this summer, Netflix released a live-action One Piece adaptation that was surprisingly well received considering Hollywood’s track record with live-action anime remakes. 

As many have been preparing for the inevitable void that will be left when the manga and original anime come to an end, the latest announcement couldn’t be better timed. There’s little information available about the new series at this stage beyond the fact that it will be called The One Piece and “will recreate the story of the original One Piece manga.” We don’t have a release date yet, but Netflix says it’s in production now.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-one-piece-anime-remake-is-in-the-works-from-netflix-and-wit-studio-221411871.html?src=rss

Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket will return to flight tomorrow after over a year grounded

Engadget - Sun, 2023-12-17 14:17

Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, has finally set a date for its New Shepard rocket’s first flight in more than a year, after a failure last September left it grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The company is targeting Monday, December 18 for liftoff from its West Texas facility. The launch window opens at 9:30AM ET.

New Shepard won’t be carrying a crew for this flight, but will have science and research payloads on board, plus 38,000 student postcards stamped “Flown to Space!” from the Club for the Future program. It’ll be livestreamed on Blue Origin’s website starting 20 minutes before takeoff.

Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital rocket has completed both crewed and payload missions in its past, including a flight with Bezos on board in 2021 that kicked off its entry into human spaceflight. Six of its 24 flights have had humans on board its crew capsule. On September 12, 2022, an uncrewed New Shepard experienced a failure after takeoff and crashed back to the ground. Before doing so, though, it was able to abort the capsule, which separated and made a safe parachute landing.

The FAA conducted an investigation into the incident and gave Blue Origin 21 corrective actions to complete before it could fly again. The cause of the issue was found to be the failure of an engine nozzle that overheated. The FAA closed its investigation at the end of September this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/blue-origins-new-shepard-rocket-will-return-to-flight-tomorrow-after-over-a-year-grounded-191711814.html?src=rss

Cowboys vs. Bills Livestream: How to Watch NFL Week 15 Online Today - CNET

CNET News - Sun, 2023-12-17 13:25
Want to watch the Dallas Cowboys play the Buffalo Bills? Here's everything you need to stream Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET game on Fox.

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49ers vs. Cardinals Livestream: How to Watch NFL Week 15 Online Today - CNET

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