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Roblox is implementing new safety policies intended to better protect the platform's young users. We learned last month that changes were in the works for the game, and a post on the Roblox developer forum today detailed more about those rules. The big takeaway is that a greater section of Roblox content will not be available to players under age 13.

The first part of the new Roblox policy is that starting December 3, users younger than 13 will not be able to play, search or discover any unrated experiences on the platform. However, they can still view information on the experience detail page via a direct link. Roblox is thus requiring creators to confirm that the information on their experience detail pages — such as the thumbnail, title and description — meets the company's criteria for either all ages or for ages 9 and up.

The second part of the policy will restrict access to Roblox's Social Hangouts and Free-form User Creation experiences to users who are over 13. This rule will take effect on November 18.

Roblox has a rocky history when it comes to safety for youth and preteen users. Since 2018, at least two dozen people have been arrested by US policy on accusations of abducting or abusing child victims met through Roblox.

Update, November 6, 2024, 6:27PM ET: Article has been updated to fix an incorrect date. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/roblox-details-two-new-safety-policies-for-protecting-children-225053423.html?src=rss

A new AI feature is coming to Microsoft’s Notepad called Rewrite. The Verge reports that Microsoft is rolling out a preview of Rewrite to Windows Insiders that will allow AI to rewrite sentences, change the tone and alter the length of text in Notepad.

Windows Insiders can access Rewrite by highlighting text in a Notepad window and right-clicking it in the menu or pushing the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+I. A dialogue box will open showing the AI’s suggested rewrites of the highlighted text and the adjustable features menus including “Longer,” “Tone” and “Format” above the “Replace” button. If you prefer to write with just your fingers and brain, you can turn off the AI feature in the app settings menu, according to the official Windows blog.

Even Microsoft’s Paint app is getting its own AI features called Generative Fill and Generative Erase. The new “fill” feature can edit and add visual features to your photos and drawings by drawing a selection box and using the text box to describe the image you wish to add to the selected area. The “erase” feature for Paint can remove images in photos or drawings by selecting them with the “generative erase brush” while using the eraser tool, according to the Windows blog.

So it took more than four decades just to get spell check in Notepad but it only took a couple of months to get an AI that can paint and rewrite for us?

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/even-microsoft-notepad-is-getting-infused-with-ai-223309323.html?src=rss

OpenAI has scooped up a domain name that sounds like a logical fit. TechCrunch reports that Chat.com, which was previously bought for over $15 million, is now in the hands of the ChatGPT maker.

According to the domain history website who.is, Chat.com was first registered way back in September 1996. Before OpenAI’s acquisition, it last changed hands in 2023, when HubSpot co-founder and CTO Dharmesh Shah reportedly bought it for $15.5 million. We can speculate that the executive saw the burgeoning AI chatbot industry and the concise term’s potential for a big return. It was reportedly one of the top two publicly reported domain sales ever.

OpenAI hasn’t said how much it paid for Chat.com, but it confirmed with TechCrunch that it bought the domain. And if you’re expecting drastic changes from OpenAI’s chatbot, the move isn’t likely tied to a ChatGPT rebrand. Regardless, the domain now redirects to the world-changing AI tool.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-bought-the-web-domain-chatcom-213638986.html?src=rss

Massachusetts has passed a statewide ballot initiative that gives rideshare drivers the opportunity to unionize while remaining independent contractors. The initiative was brought forward by the Service Employees International Union and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. It passed with a narrow margin of about 54 percent of the vote.

The measure will allow the state's 70,000 rideshare drivers to form unions and leverage collective bargaining power, which is not permitted for independent contractors under the National Labor Relations Act. These workers can unionize if they receive signatures from at least 25 percent of active drivers in Massachusetts. The initiative also creates a hearing process so that drivers for companies such as Lyft and Uber can bring complaints about unfair work practices to a state board. However, the ballot initiative does not contain language about strike protections. It also does not extend to food delivery drivers.

Uber and Lyft did not actively campaign against the Massachusetts measure, but they have raised concerns about the specific language. Some labor advocates also opposed the initiative, cautioning that it could hamper efforts for rideshare drivers to win recognition as full-time employees. "We're not against unionization," Kelly Cobb-Lemire, an organizer with Massachusetts Drivers United, told The New York Times. "But we don't feel this goes far enough."

Independent contractors often are not protected by federal or state labor laws because they aren't full-time employees. The Massachusetts ballot measure could create a precedent for other states to offer unionization options for gig workers. California has been a battleground for labor protections for gig workers who drive for Uber and Lyft for several years. Most recently, a court allowed California drivers to retain independent contractor status.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/rideshare-drivers-in-massachusetts-can-unionize-without-being-full-time-employees-212202426.html?src=rss

Jarvis is real. Google’s new AI prototype accidentally found its way to the public through the Chrome Web Store. This isn’t just some AI helper that can tell you the weather or remind you about doctor appointments. The Information reported that the store page describes the Jarvis prototype as “a helpful companion that surfs the web for you” through web browsers to take care of common tasks such as buying groceries, booking flight and research topics

In other words, Google’s new AI has the ability to take control of a computer to complete these simple tasks without manual human input. The prototype that popped up on Google’s extension store wasn’t in full working mode. A reporter tried to use Jarvis but access permissions prevented the app from performing any functions.

Google took down Jarvis’ store page by midafternoon ahead of its planned reveal in December. Jarvis will have some competition from outfits like Anthropic and its Claude AI assistant that started its public beta phase last month. Anthropic’s AI assistant can do more than just basic functions through a web browser. Claude can take over a computer to type text, activate buttons and move the cursor.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-accidentally-leaked-a-preview-of-its-jarvis-ai-that-can-take-over-computers-203125686.html?src=rss

Amazon has a deal on one of LG’s premium OLED TVs ahead of Black Friday. The 65-inch LG OLED evo C4, which only arrived earlier this year, typically costs $2,700. Today, you can get it for an all-time low of $1,394. That’s even lower than its October Prime Day sale price.

Although the C4 skips out on some bells and whistles of the ultra-premium LG G4 flagship TV, that model starts at $2,600 and goes all the way up to $25,000. (Cue spit take.)

The LG C4 includes AI features, thanks to its Alpha 9 Gen 7 chip. That enables AI Super Upscaling, which enhances your picture quality on the fly. Meanwhile, Multi View lets you split your screen into two, letting you plop your favorite content on each side.

Even if AI features aren’t high on your priority list, the TV has plenty of presentational perks. The 65-inch display has over eight million self-lit pixels and all the quality improvements you’d expect from OLED, like deeper blacks and richer colors. The TV has 100 percent color volume (meaning it can display the full range of colors at any brightness level) and 100 percent color fidelity (content-accurate colors). It boasts a 0.1ms response time and up to a 144Hz refresh rate for high gaming frame rates.

The TV gets brighter than its predecessor, reaching nearly nearly 1,000 nits. Its brightness booster feature magnifies individual pixels. If you have an LG soundbar, you can transmit wireless, lossless Dolby Atmos audio from the TV to it. As Engadget’s Steve Dent summarized at launch, that feature can give you high-quality surround sound with less hassle.

The TV supports Alexa out of the box if your smart home is plugged into Amazon’s ecosystem. Its array of ports includes USB, Ethernet and four HDMI inputs.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/early-black-friday-deal-takes-1300-off-the-lg-c4-oled-191840056.html?src=rss

Stranger Things VR started as a Meta Quest exclusive, but it’s officially coming to Sony’s PS VR2. The game will be available on December 5, with an asking price of $25. However, PS Plus members get 20 percent off.

This announcement was made as part of a fake holiday called Stranger Things Day. Along with cross-platform support for Stranger Things VR, Netflix formally set a 2025 release date for season five of the show. This will be the final season. The platform dropped another trailer with the names of all of the episodes, so that’s something to look forward to.

As for Stranger Things VR, players take control of season four villain Vecna as he wreaks havoc on the poor citizens of Hawkins. Reviews were fairly middling, but it’s a VR game set in the universe of a mega-popular show. It’s going to move some units on the PS VR2. Even if you don’t end up liking the gameplay, hanging out in VR while listening to that blazing synth soundtrack will be fun.

from the set of ST5 📷 #StrangerThingsDay pic.twitter.com/evRVBmBYzO

— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) November 6, 2024

To further commemorate, gulp, Stranger Things Day, the creative team also released some behind the scenes snapshots that chronicle the filming of the final season. They all look like they are having a grand ole time.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/stranger-things-vr-is-coming-to-ps-vr2-on-december-5-180832394.html?src=rss

Stardew Valley on mobile just received its latest update, and in it is a new secret multiplayer mode. Developer ConcernedApe says it’s currently secret because of its experimental nature, and mobile multiplayer can be “frustrating.”

Unlike Stardew Valley multiplayer on other platforms, players on mobile can’t discover others’ farms and can only connect via IP address. They can still join a PC-hosted farm using their mobile devices. The developers also warn that using a mobile network isn’t recommended, as it may not be stable enough. The experience works best when both devices are on the same network, but that’s not compulsory.

ConcernedApe

To unlock mobile multiplayer, you’ll have to tap the leaves in a specific order. It’s actually part of the Konami code, but without the A and B buttons because, well, smartphones and tablets don’t have them. The Stardew Valley multiplayer blog has instructions if you’re interested.

Once you see the new co-op menu on the screen, you can host or join a farm. You’ll need an IP address if you want to join someone’s farm, but that isn’t difficult to find on your mobile device. The Stardew Valley post also has instructions for that for both iOS and Android users.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/stardew-valley-now-has-a-secret-multiplayer-mode-on-mobile-150956438.html?src=rss

US-based glass manufacturer Corning is the company behind Gorilla Glass, a break-resistant glass used to protect screens that’s used on essentially all of the most popular smartphones. Today, the European Commission announced an investigation into Corning for anti-competitive practices, alleging that the glassmaker is preventing competition through exclusive supply agreements.

According to the press release, Corning requires mobile phone manufacturers to source all or nearly all of their alkali-AS glass from it, and it also grants rebates to these companies if they do so. Additionally, these phone makers must tell Corning if they receive competitive offers from other glass manufacturers. They aren’t allowed to accept these offers unless Corning cannot match or beat the price.

Similarly, Corning has agreements with companies that process raw glass, forcing them to get all or most of their alkali-AS glass from Corning. They also aren’t allowed to challenge Corning patents.

These charges reinforce how aggressive Corning is in defending its dominant position in the smartphone glass screen market. The latest Apple and Android devices, like the Google Pixel 9, usually have Gorilla Glass screens, as they’re scratch-resistant and prevent cracking or breaking. While not indestructible, the glass does hold up well against damage. However, Corning’s market dominance coupled with these practices are enough to get the EU’s attention.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/the-eu-is-looking-into-corning-for-alleged-anti-competitive-practices-140328416.html?src=rss

Lyft has just announced plans to partner with three companies in the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector and gradually introduce their technology into its network starting in 2025. The three companies are Mobileye, May Mobility and Nexar.

Mobileye is a pioneer of self-driving technology and has also developed advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Lyft’s partnership with Mobileye will allow vehicles already equipped with Mobileye’s tech to start transporting passengers to their destinations, integrating them into the Lyft network seamlessly. The technology will be available to both small and large fleets on Lyft.

Additionally, Lyft and May Mobility, another AV company, are teaming up to bring AVs to Atlanta next year. May Mobility’s technology helps these cars drive independently and will serve as a proof of concept before Lyft brings them to other locations. Riders in Atlanta can just use the app for a chance to match with Lyft’s autonomous Toyota Sienna minivans in the city.

Because AV technology is still far from mature, Lyft is working with Nexar, the world’s first vehicle-to-vehicle network provider, to gather anonymized fleet and marketplace data to improve autonomous driving technology. Nexar’s smart dashcams not only keep drivers safe but they help fleet operators monitor their drivers. Nexar has plenty of video footage, up to hundreds of millions of hours. Combining this data and Lyft’s can help improve self-driving cars. Besides optimizing its AV’s performance, Lyft wants to “jointly contribute to a more complete data set for autonomous research and development.”

This announcement aligns with Lyft’s 2022 statement saying that it intended to incorporate more self-driving cars into its services. The same year, Lyft, cooperating with Motional, introduced AVs to Los Angeles. However, Motional remarked in May that its AVs won’t deploy on a large scale just yet.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lyft-is-partnering-with-mobileye-and-introducing-more-autonomous-vehicles-in-2025-140054826.html?src=rss

Early Black Friday deals are popping up, and we've got a solid discount to highlight on the best wireless earbuds for Google phones. The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 can be yours for $169 at Wellbots when you use the code ENGBFPIX60. The earbuds typically cost $229, so you'll save 60 bucks.

These earbuds have a small design but they're comfortable to wear and pack a punch. Updated acoustics and drivers help the Pixel Buds Pro 2 deliver solid audio, including ample bass. Google has also included a Tensor chip to help the buds with audio and active noise cancellation signal processing. They're IP54-rated for water resistance too.

You can use Gemini AI hands-free with these earbuds, which offer support for features including Conversation Detection, Hearing Wellness and Find My Device. They'll run for up to eight hours with ANC on, while the charging case holds another 30 hours of juice.

There are other deals on Google devices to be had, including discounts on the Pixel Watch 3. If you use the code ENGBFPIX75 at Wellbots, you can get $75 off the 41mm version (which will drop to $275) and the 45mm variant (down to $325).

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/deals/googles-pixel-buds-pro-2-drop-to-170-in-this-early-black-friday-deal-140019760.html?src=rss

Steam's Game Recording function has come out of beta and is now available to everyone on Mac, PC and Steam Deck, Valve announced. It provides a native tool to record gaming sessions and also offers basic editing tools to trim clips. Users can either run it in the background or manually start or stop recording. On top of that, there's a replay option that lets you quickly review recent recordings. You can then add markers for key moments, and if the game supports Game Recording's Timeline feature, Steam will add its own markers. 

The new feature negates the need for third-party recorders or apps from NVIDIA and AMD. Since the tool was first unveiled in June 2024, several games have provided official support with Timeline and event markers, most notably Valve's own Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. Third-party developers can also implement the features using Valve's SDK. 

Valve says that that the feature will minimize the use of your resources, unless your system lacks a GPU. 

Steam Game Recording has been designed with the goal of taking as little computer resources away from the game you are playing as possible. It takes advantage of NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards to remove most of the performance cost of creating video recordings. When run on systems without those graphics cards, the system's CPU is used to create video recordings which may cause a noticeable performance impact.

Clips can be exported as MP4 files, sent to other devices, shared to mobile via QR code or shared via temporary link anyone on Steam can view. To get the new feature, you'll need to update Steam. Then, head to the Game Recording section in settings and turn the feature on. Note that it's available on Windows 10/11 and MacOS 10.13 or 10.14.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/steams-game-recorder-is-now-available-to-everyone-133031357.html?src=rss

Call of Duty: Mobile has been downloaded over one billion times around the world since it became available, Activision has announced along with the rest of the game's fifth anniversary offerings. The game was released back in 2019 for Android and iOS and reached 270 million downloads within its first year of availability. Despite the game's success, Microsoft told the UK's Competition and Markets Authority in a filing for its Activision Blizzard acquisition that "Call of Duty: Mobile is expected to be phased out over time" with the launch of Warzone Mobile. 

In response to fans' concerns after that information came out, Activision said that it plans to continue supporting the game and that it has a "robust roadmap" of new content and updates "for the long haul." It didn't directly address Microsoft's revelation, however, and it didn't say when the game will be phased out. Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile rolled out on March 21st.

The Season 10 — 5th Anniversary update for CoD: Mobile is going out today, November 6, at 5PM Pacific time/8PM Eastern time. It will include a new Battle Royale map for a location called Krai, which is described as a "dense urban landscape at the base of the Ural Mountain." Each character gets one respawn in the map, and they drop a scannable dog tag if they're eliminated a second time. Their squad will need to reach it and scan it before they can get back in. Players will also be able to buy new passes to get anniversary-related content, such as new operator skins, weapon blueprints and calling cards. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/call-of-duty-mobile-passes-1-billion-downloads-133012839.html?src=rss

When it comes to making a great cup at home, us coffee nerds are constantly learning and love to try new things. Whether the person you’re shopping for is a newly indoctrinated pour over lover or obsessive over every brewing parameter, we’ve compiled a list of the best gear for coffee geeks that you can get this holiday season. Spanning brewing, grinding and, of course, drinking, we’ve got a range of options that can help the java geek in your life expand their at-home setup or just try something new. And for the person that already has it all, we’ve got something for them too.

Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/best-gifts-for-coffee-lovers-130018731.html?src=rss

DJI's has introduced a new affordable headset for FPV drones designed to address complaints about its previous model. The $229 Goggles N3 offers improved comfort over the Goggles 3 and allows users to wear their eyeglasses, all at less than half the price — albeit with a downgrade to the OLED displays and a limited selection of drones. 

The Goggles 3 could cause discomfort due to insufficient padding and excessive weight that's poorly distributed. The Goggles N3 largely eliminates this problem with a design that's larger yet somehow lighter, with extra cushioning and excellent balance. At the same time, it can accommodate even fairly large eyeglasses, so you no longer need to make diopter adjustments or order special lenses for conditions like astigmatism. 

Samuel Dejours for Engadget

It comes with a 1080p display and wider field of view than the Goggles 3, at 54 instead of 44 degrees. Image quality isn't technically as good, though, as the display is downgraded to a single LCD instead of dual Micro-OLED screens as before. 

The Goggles N3 use DJI's O4 transmission system with a bitrate up to 60 Mbps. The battery is integrated into the headphone as before and can run it for up to 2.7 hours, down a bit from 3 hours on the Goggles 3. It only offers live feed sharing to a smartphone over USB-C, with Wi-Fi sharing not available. You can use it with just two drones now, the DJI Neo and Avata 2, where the previous model also worked with the Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro. 

As for controllers, it supports DJI's RC Motion 3 or FPV Remote Controller 3. As with the Goggles 3, it allows head tracking for camera control and comes with a new feature, an augmented reality cursor that can be used when paired with the RC Motion 3. You can also do one-tap power loops, flips, rolls and other tricks. Finally, it offers a new one-tap defogging feature that activates a fan to instantly clear any mist.

DJI

I tried the Goggles N3 with both the Avata 2 and Neo, and was impressed. Comfort was far better than before, with none of the forehead pinching that bordered on painful after less than an hour of use. Rather, it felt like it was barely there and remained comfy even after an hour or so of use. Better still, I could remove the headset when I needed to see the environment without having to fumble for my eyeglasses. Image quality was sharp and bright, and didn't feel like a huge downgrade from the Goggles 3. 

The Goggles N3 headset is now on pre-order for $229 from DJI and Amazon, a huge discount over the Goggles 3 without a lot of downside that I can see. You can also order it (in Europe only for now at €529 or £449) as part of the DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo, which includes the Neo drone, Goggles N3, RC Remote 3, three batteries and a charging hub. Shipping will start later this month, with hopefully no delays stateside.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/djis-goggles-n3-for-fpv-drones-improve-comfort-and-allow-eyeglasses-130012665.html?src=rss

You won't have to worry about repurchasing your Nintendo favorites when the Switch’s successor finally arrives. In its earnings report, Nintendo said its next console will have backwards compatibility and be able to run games made for the Switch. In addition, Switch Online will also be available on the Switch 2.

The earnings report takes a philosophical tone in talking about the why. Its online service, Nintendo Account, ties a user’s history to one account and enables the company, it said, to “maintain a continuous relationship” with them across console generations.

We’re all waiting: Nintendo downgraded its sales forecast for the fiscal year due to a big decline in console sales compared to last year.

— Mat Smith

The biggest tech stories you missed

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Japan sent a wooden satellite to space It’s a test to see if the material is durable enough.

Japanese researchers just sent the world’s first wooden satellite to space, in a bid to figure out whether wood could be a future suitable material for all kinds of space activities. “With timber, a material we can produce by ourselves, we will be able to build houses, live and work in space forever,” said Takao Doi, an astronaut affiliated with Kyoto University.

Continue reading.

Amazon promises to fix the Kindle Colorsoft’s yellow display discoloration We’ve adjusted our review.

While we felt the Kindle Colorsoft was a solid first stab at a color ereader by Amazon, there’s an issue. After several buyers pointed out that a yellow band was discoloring the bottom of the display, the same issue occurred on our review unit. Now, the company says it’s offering refunds and replacements for anyone seeing the same issue. For the time being, Amazon has delayed shipments of the ereader while it juggles replacements. We’ve also pulled the score from our review until it’s resolved.

Continue reading.

Bees reportedly stopped Meta from building a nuclear-powered AI data center Bees? Fox

Meta had plans to build an AI data center that relies on nuclear power in the US — it even already knew where it wanted to build the facility. According to the Financial Times, though, the company had to scrap its plans because a rare bee species was discovered on the land reserved for the project. The report didn’t say whether Meta is looking for a new site — one without rare bees.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-your-switch-games-will-work-on-nintendos-next-console-121526165.html?src=rss

It's pretty easy to tell if the PlayStation 5 Pro is for you. If you have no problems with the PS5's existing performance, if you balk at the $700 price tag, or if you don't have a modern 4K TV, you can just ignore this console entirely. But if you've been annoyed about losing graphical fidelity in 60 fps performance modes, or just want to avoid 30 fps gaming entirely, it could be the console you've been waiting for.

There's no doubt that the PS5 Pro is a niche product, not an upgrade targeted at all PS5 owners. It's meant for the Sony devotees who want the absolute best PlayStation experience, and who will never upgrade to a gaming PC. After all, those rigs typically run well over $1,000 for similar graphics performance, and they also involve all the complexity of Windows PCs, like driver issues, OS instability and juggling multiple game storefronts.

So sure, if you're eager to see what Spider-Man 2 looks like in 60 fps with extra graphical flourishes, it may be worth stepping up to the PS5 Pro. And if you haven't jumped on the PS5 bandwagon yet, it's a solid option if you just want a no-compromise experience. To echo our preview, you might not need it, but you'll want it.

While the PS5 Pro certainly lives up to the hype, at least based on my week of testing, it's also a bittersweet product. When the PS5 debuted in 2020, Sony touted it as a powerful console that could finally give players a taste of PC gaming with features like ray tracing, while also delivering 4K playback. The reality was far more complicated: While some games ran at 4K, they were typically limited to 30 fps in fidelity modes. If you wanted smoother 60 fps gaming, you typically had to give up ray tracing and/or graphical quality for the performance mode.

But of course, the same was true for the Xbox Series X. Both Sony and Microsoft were limited by hardware constraints and the economics of console gaming. But now, Sony is finally able to deliver on the initial promise of the PS5 by swapping in a more modern GPU and pushing for a higher price. The PS5 Pro is certainly great news for anyone who desires more performance, but I wouldn't blame some PS5 owners for being a bit miffed.

The PS5 Pro's new features: A faster GPU and AI upscaling

So what do you get for a $700 gaming console? Sony threw in a new GPU with 67 percent more compute units, alongside 28 percent faster memory. That leads to 45 percent faster rendering performance, according to Sony, and up to triple the ray tracing power of the launch PS5. All of that new hardware is assisted by PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), an AI upscaling technology that can make lower-resolution graphics appear as if they're natively 4K.

We've already seen similar AI upscaling in action with NVIDIA's DLSS, which has been around since the RTX 20-series cards debuted in 2018. While DLSS wasn't always perfect early on, NVIDIA steadily improved on it to the point where I prefer it to natively rendering a game in 4K. True 4K gaming is far too resource-demanding for a minor visual upgrade (in my eyes, at least) over 1440p. I'd typically rather play a game that's upscaled from a lower resolution if it leads to smoother gameplay.

Engadget

The PS5 and Xbox Series consoles already support AMD's FSR upscaling, but in my experience on PCs, it's not as effective as DLSS. FSR upscaling places dead last in comparisons among PC upscalers, and a recent Digital Foundry deep dive had PSSR (which I just love to pronounce phonetically) beating out FSR, since it delivers a more stable and detailed image with better anti-aliasing around edges. When using the PS5 Pro, PSSR essentially replaces FSR upscaling, making it yet another selling point for fidelity obsessives.

The two other big upgrades are 2TB of storage — 1.86TB is available out of the box, though you can claw some back by deleting Astro’s Playroom — and Wi-Fi 7 support. While your best bet will always be a direct, wired connection to your router, Wi-Fi 7 is a meaningful upgrade for those who can’t or don’t want to use a network cable. We didn’t have a Wi-Fi 7 router on hand, but the Pro was slightly faster than a launch edition PS5 when connected to a Wi-Fi 6 Nighthawk router. The standard PS5 had max download speeds of 401 Mbps and upload speeds of 53 Mbps. The Pro (in the same location and time of day), clocked 484 Mbps down and 53 Mbps up.

What you don't get with the PS5 Pro, oddly enough, is a disc drive. You'll have to pay $80 to add on Sony's disc drive, which was released alongside the PS5 Slim last year, or just rely entirely on digital downloads. With its 2TB SSD, plus room for an additional drive, the PS5 Pro certainly has enough room to hold a decent library of games.

But why give up on the disc drive? Sony is likely just reading the tea leaves: A report by the gaming analytics firm NewZoo (via Destructoid) noted that 72 percent of console title sales in 2022 were digital. Still, it's odd to see what's ostensibly the ultimate PS5 missing a feature that was included in the launch model four years ago. Without a bundled disc drive, players will have to pay extra to take advantage of cheaper used games and watch 4K Blu-ray titles.

Engadget The PS5 Pro in action: The most powerful gaming console yet

The PlayStation 5 Pro is a beast, simply put. Sony makes that clear the moment you power it on, when you're welcomed by a bombastic opening sequence that'll give your surround sound speakers a workout. (Remember when The Simpson's Milhouse played Bonestorm for the first time? It's basically that.) It's a minor thing, but it's one way to impress someone who just spent $700 on a console.

I jumped right into Spider-Man 2's Performance Pro mode, and I was knocked out by how clear and smooth the game looked. It brings over all of the features from the game's standard Fidelity mode, including ray-traced reflections across windows and water, but it also delivers 60 fps with higher-res textures, thanks to PSSR. It was as if I were playing Spider-Man 2 on a gaming PC. Swinging around the city was silky smooth and the reflections on buildings were simply stunning. I found myself just wandering around the streets of NYC or hanging out on rooftops just to drink in the additional detail.

Spider-Man 2's Performance Pro mode basically delivers everything I wanted from the game on the original PS5, where you had to choose between a less graphically intense, 60 fps Performance mode, or the 30 fps Fidelity setting with ray tracing. But, as if to constantly rub compromise in our face, there's also a new Fidelity Pro mode that once again brings the frame rate down to 30 fps to make room for new graphical features, including ray-traced ambient occlusion, key light shadows, and enhanced reflections and interiors.

Much like a gaming PC, you can tweak the levels of those new ray tracing settings to your liking. The Fidelity Pro mode looked fine when there wasn't much action on the screen, but swinging around NYC was far less thrilling at a sluggish 30 fps. It also made me feel a bit dissatisfied with the graphics of the Performance Pro mode. While some console gamers probably won't mind, I can't see myself playing a modern title at 30 fps when I know the same hardware can deliver a more fulfilling 60 fps experience.

In The Last of Us Part 2, the new 4K/60 fps Pro mode is a striking upgrade over when I originally played it on the PS4. It also looks noticeably more fluid and realistic than the previous PS5 revamp. While the game is being rendered at 1440p and relies on PSSR to hit 4K, textures and skin tones appear sharp, and characters’ hair is far more natural. I wasn't the biggest fan of The Last Of Us Part 2 when it debuted (the revenge narrative felt a bit simplistic), but the visual leap on the PS5 Pro is enough to make me want to replay the entire campaign.

Sony

Demon's Souls, a game that already looked great on PS5, also gets an impressive update. The new Pro mode looks sharper than the old Performance option, it still runs at 60 fps and it features a more lifelike contact shadow system. While it's arguably a game that didn't need a huge graphical bump, the improvements are still welcome. Once again, it feels reminiscent of playing Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring on my gaming PC.

I spent most of this review playing the PS5 Pro on my Formovie UST 4K projector, which was outputting to a 120-inch screen around eight feet away from my seat. So, as you can imagine, I had a pretty close look at graphical details. It's often annoying to play console games on such a large screen, where every imperfection is magnified to an obscene degree. But the PS5 Pro felt similar to projecting from my RTX 4090 gaming PC: Gameplay looked wonderful at 60 fps and it was all delivered in scrumptious detail.

The author of our PS5 Pro preview, Jessica Conditt, tested out the new console on a 55-inch LG OLED C2. Her impressions are as follows:

After playing a bunch of games on the PS5 Pro at Sony’s office last month, I really just wanted to take the console home, boot up one of my favorite titles, and see how it felt from the comfort of my own couch. So, that’s exactly what I did. I played Alan Wake 2’s The Lake House DLC on the Pro, swapping between Quality and Performance modes, and generally ooh-ing and aah-ing between the jump scares. Quality mode on the Pro keeps Alan Wake 2’s framerate at 30 fps and enables ray-traced reflections, a feature that doesn’t exist in the standard PS5 version. Performance mode is essentially the launch version’s highest-res Quality mode, which outputs at 2160p, but it runs at 60 fps. Both modes utilize PSSR upscaling.

Alan Wake 2 performs beautifully in either setting on the Pro, but ray tracing makes the most noticeable impact. Accurate, responsive reflections help ground the game’s environments, adding realistic depth and movement to the concrete hallways and metal elevators in The Lake House. In Quality mode, details like whiteboard scribbles and scattered documents render crisply, preserving tension and immersion. Alan Wake 2 isn’t really an action game at its core — as I’ve previously argued — so the 30 fps limit in Quality mode isn’t a huge bother. Truly, it only stands out when you play in performance mode and then swap back.

That said, Alan Wake 2 feels fantastic at 60 fps. Performance mode removes the sense of sluggishness and visual nausea that sometimes accompanies 30 fps play, and the game still looks like a dream — rather, a beautiful nightmare. Alan Wake 2’s Performance setting on PS5 Pro is the solution for anyone who couldn’t decide between the game’s two modes at launch: Now you can have high res and 60 fps at the same time.

Similar to Devindra’s complaints about Fidelity Pro in Spider-Man 2, the fact that some upgraded PS5 Pro games include the option to play at 60 fps or with ray tracing only highlights how much I want to play with both features enabled. I realize this could be viewed as a bratty take, but it’s born out of pure excitement — games on the PS5 Pro look and feel so fantastic that I can’t help imagining how much better it can actually get from here. There are already a handful of PS5 Pro titles that offer 60 fps and ray tracing at once, including Spider-Man 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and EA Sports F1 24, and this is an excellent sign for the future, considering it’s early days and developers are still testing the limits of Sony’s new hardware. The PS5 Pro is laying the foundation for the next generation of console gaming and, damn, things are looking good.

Alan Wake 2's Quality mode vs. its Performance setting. Remedy Entertainment

PSSR certainly isn't without fault, though. Sometimes while playing Spider-Man 2, objects like spinning fans or signs with fine text would get distorted. Some textures would start shimmering for no reason. I remember coming across similar issues in the early days of DLSS, and I still frequently see these issues while using AMD's FSR technology on PS5 and PC titles. There's still room for Sony to improve PSSR down the line, so hopefully obvious problems will get ironed out soon.

The PS5 Pro can enhance the quality of PS4 titles, similar to the PS4 Pro's boost mode. Bloodborne was the only older game I was eager to try out, and I can confirm that it looks a bit more detailed, particularly when it comes to the intricacies of your wardrobe. But while the facelift is nice to see, and it's the best we'll get until Sony listens to fan demands and remakes Bloodborne, it's still not running at 60 fps.

Should you buy the PlayStation 5 Pro? 

A $700 game console isn't for everyone — that much is obvious. Most players would be better off with the $450 all-digital PS5, or the standard $500 model if you need disc support. Given how long the console has been around, you can also often find used or refurbished PS5s for $400 or less.

The PS5 Pro clearly isn't meant for anyone who is prioritizing value — unless, of course, you're comparing it to a full-fledged gaming PC. If you want 4K-like graphics with ray tracing at 60 fps, the PS5 Pro is simply your best choice under $1,000.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/playstation-5-pro-review-a-superpowered-700-console-for-gamers-who-wont-buy-a-pc-110056410.html?src=rss

Proton is continuing to build out its Drive suite of productivity tools for its privacy-focused alternative to Google Docs and Microsoft Word. The latest update is to the Docs app, which now has a "suggesting mode." Proton claims that this is the "first and only encrypted, real-time collaboration feature designed for teams managing sensitive documents to streamline review processes and allowing seamless and secure collaboration."

Suggesting mode should be familiar to anyone who's shared a Google Doc with someone else for feedback. It offers things like suggestions for modifying the text, tracked changes and a way to save a copy of the original version to make sure nothing's accidentally lost during the editing process.

Proton

Elsewhere, a new public links feature allows you to set permissions to read-only and apply an expiration date, giving you more control over shared documents. In the Proton Drive Windows app, you'll be able to see all of the files that collaborators have shared with you. It's possible to sync these for offline access as well.

Since Proton debuted Docs in July, it has been expanding the app's feature set with options including PDF exporting, keyboard shortcuts, additional formatting tools and a word count function. With the addition of suggested mode, it's getting closer to having all of the features that folks have come to expect from the likes of Google Docs, making it more of a viable option for collaborative teams who are concerned about sharing documents containing sensitive information.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/proton-brings-more-encrypted-collaboration-features-to-its-docs-app-110045848.html?src=rss

The vacuum world has gone cordless, untethering us from outlets and saving us fights with pesky wires. Cordless vacuums can be great alternatives to traditional corded models since they’re lightweight and easier to maneuver around your home. They’ve also gotten much more powerful in recent years. Some even come with extra features like app connectivity, self-emptying bases and more. But just like the robot vacuum space, there are dozens of cordless vacuums to choose from now (no, Dyson isn’t your only option). Before you upgrade to a cordless vacuum it’s important to do your research. We at Engadget can help make your decision a bit easier. After testing a bunch of the most popular cordless vacuum cleaners available today, we’ve come up with our top picks, plus loads of buying advice to help you figure out which cordless vacuum is right for you.

Table of contents

• Best cordless vacuums for 2024

• Factors to consider before buying a cordless vacuum

• How we test cordless vacuums

• Other cordless stick vacuums we tested

• Cordless stick vacuums FAQs

Best cordless vacuums for 2024

Factors to consider before buying a cordless vacuum Design and bin capacity

Most of the cordless vacuums you’ll find today have stick designs, with a handle at the top attached to a debris bin, which has a space to connect different attachments at one end. These designs are more versatile than old school vacuums of yesteryear because, while you may use the long stick attachment most of the time to clean your floors, many cordless vacuums come with other attachments as well. Some allow you to clean hard to reach spaces like the interior of your car, while others make it easier to vacuum furniture and clean inside crevices.

Bin volume is worth keeping in mind when you’re choosing a cordless vacuum. The larger the bin, the more debris it can hold, but it might also mean a heavier machine. All of the cordless vacuums we tested had a bin size between 0.1 and 0.8 gallons and all were able to handle cleaning an entire one-pet home (roughly 2,000 square feet) in a single run without needing to be emptied. Anything smaller and you may have to deal with more frequent emptying during each cleaning session.

Some cordless vacuums also have removable, replaceable battery packs, which is super handy. That means you can buy a replacement battery and install it easily, without needing to seek out professional assistance. Also, these extra batteries cost around $150-$200 a pop — expensive, yes, but nowhere near as costly as buying a whole new cordless vacuum.

Suction and power modes

Cordless vacuum suction power is typically measured in air wattage (AW), but you’ll see some that list the power of the motor in wattage (W) instead. Typically the higher the air or motor wattage the stronger the suction power, and often strength is proportional to price — more expensive cordless vacuums tend to have stronger suction power. A general rule of thumb is that those with precocious pets or mess-making children would benefit from a cordless vacuum cleaner with stronger-than-average suction power.

Most cordless stick vacuums will have two different power modes: a “normal” or default power mode that balances suction power with battery life, as well as a “max” or stronger mode that kicks suction strength up a notch. Some vacuums, like those from Dyson, also have an “eco” mode, or one that prioritizes run time over strength.

Separate from power modes you can select yourself, some cordless vacuums will automatically adjust motor strength depending on the detected floor type or the amount of mess in its wake. Not only is this convenient, but it also ensures that the machine is working its hardest only when you need it.

Floor type

The best cordless vacuums will be able to clean any standard floor type — hardwood, tile, carpet and everything in between. As mentioned previously, some can even detect floor type and adjust suction power accordingly. That said, it's still worth thinking about the types of flooring you have in your home. If you primarily have carpet, you may want to consider a cordless vacuum with the most powerful suction you can afford, since there are more nooks and crannies for debris to get suck in with carpet.

Battery life

Obviously, battery life is important since you’ll probably want to clean more than one room in a shot. All of the cordless vacuums we tested had a battery life of at least 40 minutes in standard cleaning mode. I tested each by cleaning all three floors of my home (upstairs, downstairs and basement) on a single charge with the machine running in its standard (“auto”) mode and none of them ran out of juice before I could finish the third floor. That said, extra battery life can come in handy if you’re switching between power modes since “max” or high-power programs use more energy.

Base style

Most cordless stick vacuums come with some sort of base or mount where the machine lives when you’re not using it. Wall mounts are the most common, but some have free-standing bases where you dock and charge the vacuum. Consider the space in your home where you want the cordless vacuum to live, since it will have to have an outlet or another power source nearby.

Some high-end cordless vacuums come with self-emptying bases that act much like those included with expensive robot vacuums. After cleaning and returning the vacuum to the base, it will automatically empty the dustbin into a larger dustbin that you can then detach from the base when you need to empty it. This kind of base adds an extra layer of convenience into the mix, since you typically will only have to empty the larger dustbin every month or two.

“Smart” features

Yes, some cordless vacuums have “smart” features like Wi-Fi and app connectivity. But before we get into those, let’s talk about the extra perks scattered among these devices. Some models, like the latest from Dyson, include particle sensors that show you how many different sized pieces of debris it’s sucking up in real time. Dyson’s, for example, is a piezo acoustic sensor that detects particle size and frequency and displays that information on the vac’s LCD screen. Tineco’s iLoop sensor is similar, controlling its vacuums’ automatic suction power adjustment and changing a circle on the display from red to blue as you fully clean an area.

Higher-end cordless vacuums may also have companion apps that show things like battery level, filter status and cleaning logs. It’s an added level of convenience, but by no means necessary. Unlike the best robot vacuums, or even the best budget robot vacuums, which rely on their apps to set cleaning schedules, manually control the machines and more, cordless vacuums that you operate yourself really don’t need Wi-Fi or an app connectivity.

Price

Cordless stick vacuums range in price from $150 all the way up to over $1,000. The best ones for most people lie in the middle, in the $400 to $700 range. You’ll notice most of our picks land in the higher end of that range, but for good reason: More expensive machines tend to have more sucking power, which means less time wasted going over the same spots over and over. But does that mean everyone needs the most premium cordless vacuum? Definitely not. We’ve come up with top picks at various price points that should work well for people with different budgets, lifestyles, home sizes and more.

How we test cordless vacuums

Engadget doesn’t have a dedicated lab in which we can test cordless vacuums, but I used each model in my home for weeks. I ran them over hardwood and tile flooring, as well as low-pile carpet. And my first runthrough consisted of cleaning all three floors of my home on a single battery charge. I performed the same cleaning job as many times as possible, but also intermittently cleaned a single floor as needed, or sucked up isolated messes like crumbs, cat litter spills and tufts of pet fur. Over the course of many cleanings with each model, I made note of how loud the machine was, how easy it was to maneuver around my home, how easily it sucked up pieces of large debris (or if it pushed it around my floor instead) and if they got warm or hot.

Other cordless stick vacuums we tested Dyson Gen 5 Detect

The Dyson Gen 5 Detect has a single-button start and stronger suction power than our top pick, but it’s otherwise quite similar. However, since the Gen 5 Detect is more expensive at $950 (although it does receive discounts at Dyson online), the V15 Detect still provides greater value for your money. The Gen 5 Detect is arguably best for those who want the latest Dyson, or care about getting a more future-proof machine, since it came out just last year.

Shark Detect Pro

The Shark Detect Pro provides a lot of value for the money, but it was ultimately beat by the Tineco Pure One S15 Pet for our runner-up slot thanks to the Tineco’s stronger suction power. The kicker for the Detect Pro is that it includes a self-emptying base in its $450 price, which is super handy. It’ll automatically dump the contents of the vacuum into the larger bin in the base after every cleaning, and you only need to empty the base’s container every month or so. The Detect Pro did a good job cleaning up messes across different types of flooring, and it’ll auto-adjust suction power depending on the amount of debris and whether you’re cleaning hard or carpeted floors. However, it’s not as smooth to use as any of our top picks and its main cleaner head is a bit tall, making it difficult to use to clean under low furniture.

Cordless stick vacuums FAQs How long does the battery last on a cordless vacuum?

Most cordless vacuums will run for at least 30-40 minutes on a single charge, but you can find cordless vacuums with battery lives of up to 60 or 70 minutes. Manufacturers will outline an estimated battery life for each model, and they’re usually based on using the vacuum’s standard power mode for the entire runtime; if you switch between modes or prefer to use a higher-powered program for improved suction, you’ll drain the battery faster.

Can cordless vacuums be as powerful as corded ones?

Cordless vacuums do sacrifice a bit in overall power when compared to corded models, but that doesn’t mean they can’t handle everyday messes just as well. If suction power is your biggest concern, we recommend springing for a high-powered, high-end cordless vacuum since, typically, the more expensive a cordless vacuum is, the stronger the suction. Also, cordless vacuums have the edge over corded models when it comes to weight and convenience: cordless vacuums are much lighter than their corded counterparts, and you’ll never have to worry about placement or picking a fight with a cord while cleaning your living room.

Are cordless vacuums effective on pet hair?

Yes, cordless vacuums can handle pet hair well, but we recommend getting a model with strong suction power to get the best results. It’s also wise to get one with a larger bin, since pet hair can quickly fill up smaller bins, which may force you to stop cleaning to empty the vacuum before finishing.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/best-cordless-vacuum-130007125.html?src=rss

You don't have to take great pains to preserve your Switch to ensure that you can still play your favorite games on it years and years from now. Nintendo has revealed in its earnings report that the upcoming successor to the Switch will have backwards compatibility and will be able to run games made for the current console. In addition, Switch Online will also be available on the Switch 2, which means your saves stored on the cloud will be carried over and you'll be able to play NES, SNES and Game Boy titles on the new console. 

Nintendo explained that it's making Switch Online available on the upcoming console, because it thinks it's important for the company's future to "carry over the good relationship" it has built with its more than 100 million annual playing users to the new device. The main way to do so is to make use of the Nintendo Account, which ties a user's history to one account and enables the company to "maintain a continuous relationship" with them across console generations. Before the Nintendo Account was introduced, Nintendo had no easy way to carry a user's history and purchases over to the next console. "As a result, our relationship with the consumers was interrupted when a new system was purchased," it said. 

The company promised to reveal more information about the Switch 2 "at a later date," though it didn't say when exactly. In a recent event where we thought the new Switch could be announced, Nintendo launched an alarm clock instead. Based on its earnings results, it looks like people could be choosing to wait for the new console instead of buying the current Switch: The company had to downgrade its sales forecast for the fiscal year due to a big decline in console sales compared to the same periods last year. 

This is Furukawa. At today's Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well. Further information about…

— 任天堂株式会社（企業広報・IR） (@NintendoCoLtd) November 6, 2024

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/youll-be-able-to-play-your-nintendo-switch-games-on-its-successor-045657774.html?src=rss