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DOJ subpoenas NVIDIA as part of antitrust probe regarding AI processors
The DOJ has sent subpoenas to NVIDIA and other companies as part of an antitrust probe, as reported by Bloomberg. The federal government is seeking evidence that the company violated antitrust laws with regard to its AI processors. The presence of these subpoenas means the DOJ is one step closer to launching a formal complaint.
Officials speculate that NVIDIA is making it difficult for other companies to switch hardware suppliers and that it “penalizes buyers that don’t exclusively use its artificial intelligence chips.” This probe started in June, but recently escalated to include legally binding requests for information.
Nvidia
At the root of the DOJ probe is NVIDIA’s recent acquisition of RunAI, a company that makes software for managing AI computing tasks. The concern is that this purchase will make it harder for business customers to switch away from NVIDIA chips, as it would also necessitate a change in software.
However, that’s not the only reason behind this investigation. Regulators are also looking into whether NVIDIA gives preferential treatment to customers who exclusively use its technology or buy its complete systems. This special treatment allegedly includes first dibs on hardware and related supplies and unique pricing models.
NVIDIA has offered a terse response, telling Bloomberg that it “wins on merit, as reflected in our benchmark results and value to customers, who can choose whatever solution is best for them.” The inference here is that the company’s market dominance comes down to hard work and not sweetheart deals.
The investigation is still in its early days, as it hasn’t yet blossomed into a formal complaint. The company’s stock took a hit ahead of the DOJ announcement, but that was likely due to continuing delays for its Blackwell AI chip. However, the stock is still up more than double this year as the AI boom continues to do its thing.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/doj-subpoenas-nvidia-as-part-of-antitrust-probe-regarding-ai-processors-153435877.html?src=rss
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds are coming in 2025
If the over-the-ear hook design of the Powerbeats Pro is something you fancy, Beats is planning a successor for next year. The company teased the new product on Instagram, with footage of Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani taking batting practice with the upcoming earbuds. While there aren't any detailed specs or features mentioned in the brief clip, we do get a preview of the updated design.
The Powerbeats Pro were a great set of earbuds when they arrived in 2019, offering stellar audio quality and the power of Apple H1 chip for convenient features. Earbuds have come a long way in the last five years though, and if Beats was going to keep this model around, it was in dire need of an update. From the looks of the video, the company has developed a smaller set of the sport-friendly buds, with a thinner hook that should be more comfortable to wear. It also appears that the company reduced the size of the casing that sits just outside of your ear.
And that's about all we know that this point. The Powerbeats Pro 2 is coming in 2025 and Beats will likely be keen to who them off on athlete's ears between now and the time they're available for purchase.
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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/beats-powerbeats-pro-2-earbuds-are-coming-in-2025-151902492.html?src=rss
When does the new iPhone 16 come out? Here's everything we know
This is last year's iPhone 15 Pro. We don't expect a radical redesign for the new models.
Apple
It's that time of year again – Apple is set to debut its latest lineup of the iPhone 16 models at its iPhone event next week on Monday, Sept. 9. And if you plan to upgrade your phone next week, don't immediately rush to the Apple Store when the event ends because the new iPhones won't be available to buy yet.
Apple is pretty consistent when it comes to releasing their new products and we don't expect that to change this year. We'll tell you when we expect Apple to release the iPhone 16 after its event. We'll also let you know when you can expect to download iOS 18 – Apple's latest software – on your current iPhone.
Want to follow along with us during Apple’s big event? Here's how to watch the iPhone 16 announcement. (We’ll post our liveblog link closer to the event start time.)
When can I buy the new iPhone 16?
While we won't have a set date for when the iPhone 16 will become available until the iPhone event on Monday, we can predict the date based on Apple's past consistency. Here’s what we expect:
Monday, Sept. 9: Apple’s official event (confirmed)
Friday, Sept. 13: Preorders open
Week of Sept. 16: iOS 18 available for download
Friday, Sept. 20: New iPhones and other devices in stores
Again, aside from the confirmed announcement event, these dates are only speculation based on Apple's previous iPhone release history. For instance, Apple generally opens preorders the Friday following the iPhone event. So if Apple follows its previous cadence, you'll be able to preorder an iPhone 16 on Friday, Sept. 13. Likewise, if Apple keeps the same schedule as the past, that would mean the iPhone 16 will officially be available to buy on Friday, Sept. 20.
How about new Apple Watch and AirPods products expected to be announced alongside the presumed new iPhone 16 series? Generally, they also follow the same dates, but there have been some delays in the past. It’s entirely possible that one or more of these expected products could hit stores in later weeks – possibly even as late as October.
When can I download the new iOS 18?
If you're not planning to buy the new iPhone 16, you'll still have the option to make your older iPhone similar with the new iOS 18 update – assuming your iPhone is eligible. (Nearly all models introduced in the past six years are.)
While Apple won't announce when it'll release iOS 18 to the public until its event, we can again speculate based on the past. The newest software will be available the week after the event – at earliest, that would be Monday, Sept. 16, though it's possible it won't become available until mid-week.
We'll update with the official dates for new hardware and software after Apple announces them on Monday.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/when-does-the-new-iphone-16-come-out-heres-everything-we-know-144939213.html?src=rss
A Minecraft Movie trailer gives us our first look at Jason Momoa and Jack Black ahead of its 2025 release
It took a decade, but we finally have a teaser for the live-action A Minecraft Movie. The first look comes courtesy of a video released by Warner Bros. today that clocks in at just over one minute — but, hey, we'll take it. The film studio has confirmed its previous target, April 4, 2025, is moving forward with a theater-only release. Yes, once upon a time, it had release dates for May 2019 and March 2022, but the existence of a teaser makes us feel a little more hopeful (gullible?) this time.
After a series of directors joined and left the project, A Minecraft Movie is led by filmmaker Jared Hess. The Nacho Libre director is joined by his former lead, Jack Black, who plays Minecraft Steve. Rounding out the cast are Jason Momoa, Emma Meyers, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, and Jennifer Coolidge. Check out the teaser to get your first look at the world where, as Black says, "Anything you can dream about here, you can make."
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/a-minecraft-movie-trailer-gives-us-our-first-look-at-jason-momoa-and-jack-black-ahead-of-its-2025-release-143741392.html?src=rss
How to use a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast
Google TV is an easy to use operating system that provides access to all of the best streaming services in one centralized location. But even if your smart TV runs a different OS, you can get access to Google TV easily by buying a Chromecast for as little as $30. You may also not know that if you use a VPN with your Google TV set or Chromecast, you can access even more content. Here’s how to set up a VPN on Google TV or a Chromecast and why you may want to use one.
Why use a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast?
For streaming purposes, VPNs have one clear benefit: spoofing your IP address to that of a different country so that you can access geo-restricted content. If you use a VPN and connect to a different country’s server, you can access its content library on any streaming platform.
Let’s say you live in the US but want to watch some award-winning BBC documentaries on the BBC iPlayer streaming service. All BBC iPlayer content is free if you live in the UK, but blocked everywhere else. Using a VPN, you can connect to a UK VPN server and stream to your heart’s content.
VPNs also have considerable security benefits if you use them on your smartphone or PC. Purchasing a single subscription means you can use your VPN on any supported device, so we recommend you purchase one for its flexibility.
What VPNs are available on Google TV?
Google TV doesn’t have many apps to install compared to other smart TV systems like Amazon’s Fire TV OS. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, it’s actually a blessing in disguise.
With VPNs, you want to ensure you invest in a quality and trustworthy product. There are many untested or free VPNs available that sell your data or falsify their encryption claims. Although this might not be a huge issue for streaming purposes alone, it generally poses massive security and privacy risks.
When installing a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast, we recommend the following VPN services:
ProtonVPN
ExpressVPN
Surfshark
CyberGhost
We also have a guide to the best VPNs where we explain why we recommend them.
How to set up a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast
It’s easy to use a VPN on your Google TV (and perhaps even easier on a Chromecast). Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install one:
Google TV
Navigate to the Google Play Store on your Google TV.
Search for the VPN you want to install (alternatively, search for the keyword “VPN” to view your options).
Install the VPN.
Log in or sign up.
Navigate the country server list and connect.
Note that you can use your VPN on as many devices as it supports. So, once you’ve purchased a subscription, it’s wise to download it on as many platforms and devices you can to maximize your investment.
Chromecast
If you have a Chromecast, you can still enjoy the benefits of a VPN — you just need to use your smartphone or laptop in tandem with the streaming device. Here’s how to do it:
Install a VPN on your smartphone or laptop.
Make sure your Wi-Fi is enabled.
Turn on the VPN on your smartphone/laptop.
Connect your smartphone or laptop to your TV via Chromecast.
Begin streaming your content.
Additional tip: VPNs also work with screencasting. As long as your smart TV is under the same Wi-Fi as the device you’re screencasting from, you can use the VPN securely.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-use-a-vpn-on-your-google-tv-or-chromecast-140619599.html?src=rss
Microsoft is testing a new on-screen keyboard layout that works better with game controllers
Microsoft has been working on improving small-screen and touchscreen input, focusing on making it more accessible to Windows handheld console users (think the ASUS ROG Ally). Typing with a controller isn’t convenient, but Microsoft's latest small update introduced a new onscreen keyboard layout that’s a lot easier to use with an Xbox controller, or the controls on a portable gaming PC.
Windows
The new layout isn’t confined to moving cursors and selecting specific keys anymore. For example, the X button can be used to backspace, while the Y button is a space bar. The left trigger opens the symbols and numbers page as well. It’s almost like a mobile keyboard but optimized for Xbox controller usage. Most importantly, all keys are vertically aligned, making navigating the keyboard easier.
The target users for this change include Windows-powered handheld users and PC gamers who prefer to stick to an Xbox controller while playing games. This latest update follows another change Microsoft made a few weeks ago that makes the Windows Game Bar easier to use on handhelds.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/microsoft-is-testing-a-new-on-screen-keyboard-layout-that-works-better-with-game-controllers-135058122.html?src=rss
Our favorite smart plug drops to only $35 for a four-pack
My nighttime, dim lamp is just out of reach from my bed, forcing me to get up every night just as I've gotten cozy and turn it off. I finally need to pull the trigger and get smart plugs. Thankfully, our favorite smart plug, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25, is currently on sale with a four-pack costing $35, down from $50 — a solid $15 savings. The deal comes courtesy of a 22 percent discount and a $4 coupon you can tack on (just remember to click it). It's only $2 more than the four-pack's all-time low price on Prime Day.
The Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25 is our top choice thanks to its reliability and fuss-free setup. The plug connects to Wi-Fi and works with iOS and Android devices, letting you access assistant support from Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa and Samsung SmartThings. The assistants can do tasks like turning your plug on and off. The EP25 also lets you track your device's power consumption and see your real-time energy usage.
The setup is straightforward for the Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25. You can choose a name for each plug and designate which room it lives in (so you don't accidentally turn the kitchen lights off on someone). Then, program it to switch on at certain times and enjoy getting to stay in bed while turning the light off down the hall.
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/our-favorite-smart-plug-drops-to-only-35-for-a-four-pack-131535200.html?src=rss
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom plays like a traditional Zelda game, remixed
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom feels like a kindred spirit to the 2019 remake of Link’s Awakening, both in challenge and in vibes. It’s a far cry from the incredibly intricate and complex worlds in Tears of the Kingdom, and while I only played for about 90 minutes (spread over two different parts of the game),I came away from the demo charmed by the gorgeous, tilt-shift art style. Not to mention being quite pleased to finally be playing as Zelda for the first time in the series that bears her damn name. And while plenty of adults will surely enjoy The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, it also feels tailor-made as an entry point for younger players.
We already knew about the art style and playing as Zelda — what was most important about this preview was that I got a chance to see just how Zelda’s “echoes” worked in the game itself. As you’d expect, there’s a gentle tutorial that shows you the ropes. My playthrough started not long into the game, with Zelda imprisoned; my first challenge was finding a way to sneak her out of the dungeon. Fortunately, Zelda is equipped with the Tri Rod, a tool that lets her clone objects and beasts alike. Shimmering objects on the screen can be saved as echoes, the first of which was a humble crate. Once you learn an echo, you can summon it with a tap of a button — but echoes use up power so you can only have a few on the screen at once. Along with the Tri Rod is a little spectral creature Tri who helps you along and indicates how much power you have to make echoes at any given time.
Nintendo
I was surprised at how many random things I could turn into echoes and how useful they ended up being. After learning the crate, I also learned how to create an “old bed” — something that doesn’t provide as much height as the crate, but is long enough to span small chasms. Making three of them on top of each other made for a solid little bridge.
But you can’t fight off enemies with a crate — that’s where learning echoes of monsters comes in. The first bad guy I encountered was defeated by clobbering it with a boulder. But after that, I was able to summon the same gelatinous little bad guy with the Tri Rod and sic him on other enemies. Beating more monsters greatly expands your attacking capabilities. I soon took down a Keese, which I could then use to attack other aerial baddies. I further expanded my arsenal by taking down a spear-throwing Moblin and a powerful knight who has a wicked swing attack.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing what other echoes you can learn throughout the adventure and how you can combine them to bizarre and hilarious effect. For example, I was able to learn an echo for a trampoline, and then drop a Moblin on it and have him bounce up to a higher level in a dungeon to go after enemies up there. I’m sure that there are going to be a ton of wacky and creative ways that people combine echoes, especially as Zelda’s capabilities grow and you’re able to have more on the screen at one time. It’s not nearly as complex as the Ultrahand ability from Tears of the Kingdom, but it does allow players to figure out puzzle solutions in a variety of ways — there won’t always be a “right” way but there may be lots of ways to get the job done.
Nintendo
Zelda also has a “bind” ability, which lets her attach herself to objects that then follow her movements. The example of this shown off in a recent trailer is a great intro to the new power: after grabbing a giant boulder, you can just walk “down” the screen; the boulder follows and is then perched over a chasm that you can drop it into, clearing the path forward. You can also bind yourself to moving objects, like floating platforms, and grab a ride along with them.
Sometimes, though, just relying on echoes to do your dirty work for you won’t be enough. Fortunately, Zelda picks up a crucial new ability in the first dungeon I played: the ability to switch into “swordfighter” mode. To do this, I had to beat up a possessed version of Link, who you might remember as the hero in literally every other Zelda game. Once you defeat this pseudo-link, Zelda is outfitted with a cute shield and sword and can attack enemies head-on. The only catch is that she can only stay in this mode for a limited time. If you run out of power, you’ll need to grab crystals from downed enemies to refresh yourself and switch modes again.
This adds a fun way to get some of the classic Zelda experience in this game, but with a time constraint to make sure players don’t abuse it. Further complicating things is that you can’t use echoes when you’re wielding a sword, so you’ll need to pick your sports. The boss at the end of the Suthorn Ruins dungeon I played through was a great example of how you can use your powers in concert — using echoes and the bind ability, I was able to make the cartoonishly menacing Seismic Talus vulnerable, and then I switched to sword mode and walloped it until I took it down.
Nintendo
While most of my demo took place in the aforementioned dungeon, I was able to explore a relatively small slice of Hyrule. Rest assured, this map is quite different from other versions of Hyrule you’ve explored, though there are some classic traits from other games (mountains to the north, a castle smack in the center, a beach to the south). What I saw was colorful and vibrant, and tailor-made to using your echoes to get around more efficiently.
As for difficulty, this feels like one of the most approachable Zelda games I’ve played in a while — but it’ll present some challenges of its own. The first dungeon was short and sweet, but I did die a few times while I tried to figure out which echoes I needed to combat some powerful enemies. Similarly, the environmental puzzles aren’t too tough, but they differ significantly from other games because you need to use echoes to solve them. For me, it wasn’t always obvious what solution the game was pushing me towards. But I think that was primarily because I often forgot about some of the echoes I had at my disposal. Once I remembered the right tools, the solution was pretty evident.
Nintendo
Probably the biggest challenge that I can see is going to be managing all of those echoes. At the end of the demo, I had picked up more than a dozen, and the linear menu system that I used to switch between them could get extremely unwieldy once that list grows. If you’ve played Tears of the Kingdom, it’s similar to the menu you use to choose an item to attach to an arrow before you fire it, another pretty unwieldy system. I believe you can access different echoes through the pause menu, sort of like selecting weapons or items in the Zelda games of old, but I didn’t spend too much time messing around with such things.
From what I’ve seen so far, Echoes of Wisdom is simultaneously a throwback and a new adventure. The top-down presentation and overall vibe remind me of plenty of old Zelda games besides the obvious Link’s Awakening comparison. But the gameplay is completely different in a way that should provide experienced players with a totally different challenge, and the lower difficulty level will make it, along with Link’s Awakening, a great first Zelda game for younger adventurers.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-legend-of-zelda-echoes-of-wisdom-plays-like-a-traditional-zelda-game-remixed-130053301.html?src=rss
Samsung's Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Windows Copilot+ laptop supports Android AI features
Samsung has launched its new line of Galaxy Book5 laptops with the Pro 360, a Copilot+ enabled Windows 11 PC with Intel's latest Core 2 CPU and Arc GPU. Unusually, it also supports some Android AI features like Circle to Search with Google that work by connecting the PC to a smartphone.
Intel's latest Core Ultra processor (Series 2) provides the needed Copilot+ performance with four times the NPU (neural processing unit) power of its predecessor. It also uses Intel's Arc GPU to run Samsung's "most premium PC display." That display uses Dynamic AMOLED 2X tech that improves outdoor visibility, while offering 3K resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
The new chips also help the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 deliver up to 25 hours of video playback and the battery can be charged back up quickly (35 percent in 30 minutes). It also features Wi-Fi 7 support, Dolby Atmos and more.
Samsung
It's the AI features that Samsung wants to spotlight, though. Along with Copilot+, the new model uses Microsoft Phone Link to connect to "select mobile devices and bring Galaxy AI's intelligent features to a larger display," Samsung wrote.
Some of those AI features include Circle to Search with Google, a feature that uses AI to provide more info about text, an image or anything else you circle with your finger or touch on a webpage. Others include Chat assist (providing suggested replies to conversations), Live Translate and Transcript Assist, which converts recorded meetings to written notes and summaries.
It's not clear exactly how those features will work, as they're primarily intended for mobile use. However, it looks like you have to link the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 to a supported mobile device like Samsung's Galaxy S24 or Pixel phones which support Circle to Search and other features. In the press release footnotes, Samsung says that the features may be limited to certain smartphone models, markets and Android versions.
The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 will be available in select markets including Canada, France, Germany, the UK and the US starting in September, but no pricing has been released.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/samsungs-galaxy-book5-pro-360-windows-copilot-laptop-supports-android-ai-features-123046679.html?src=rss
reMarkable’s third-generation tablet gets a color display
It’s wild to think the reMarkable 2 was announced in March 2020, a time more famous for other reasons these days. More than four years later, the company is ready to show off its latest distraction-free writing slate. That long gestation period has been worth it, with the new model packing a nicer chassis, faster internals, a bigger display and crucially, a color screen. Say hello to the reMarkable Paper Pro.
If you’re unfamiliar, reMarkable is the standard bearer for those devices standing in the delta between high and low tech. It’s an e-paper slate with a stylus (or keyboard) for reading, writing or editing your own documents, or annotating PDFs. The focus is giving you a calmer space to get some Serious Work(™) done, free from the distractions a “proper” computer or tablet would harbor. The company has always maintained that its devices offer you a way to feel like you’re working on paper, without actually having to work on paper.
The Paper Pro is a little more than an inch taller and a quarter inch wider than its predecessor but has been able to cram in a lot more stuff. The rM2 had a 10.3-inch monochrome display while the Paper Pro’s stretched to 11.8-inches. reMarkable’s Chief Design Officer Mats Solberg explained his team worked to reduce the size of the bezels and chin to accommodate the bigger display.
Whereas the older model stuck to a rigid notion of post-iPad design language, the new Paper Pro gets a more austere look and feel. The edge band is sharper, if still comfortable to hold, and Solberg emphasized the grooves etched into the sides. He explained they both evoke the idea you’re holding a sheaf of paper, and to add some much-needed grip to a device this thin.
There’s dramatic changes on the inside, with a new 1.8Ghz quad-core Cortex A53 paired with 2GB RAM and 64GB storage. For comparison, the rM2 had a 1.2GHz dual-core chip, 1GB RAM and just 8GB storage. As soon as you turn the Paper Pro on, you’ll see the benefits of the new silicon, with far faster response times. You even get proper animations during the setup process.
But the real showstopper here is the display, which uses a modified version of E Ink’s Gallery 3 technology dubbed “Canvas Color.” It means the display holds a series of ink particles inside each pixel — a White, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow — as in most regular printers. reMarkable says the display is similar to newsprint and it’s an apt analogy with clear, if muted, colors on show.
The technology can also dither colors, mixing each ink particle to produce up to 20,000 other colors, and the colors can also be layered. It means you can highlight sections of text in the same way you’d use a highlighter on paper, the more layers you draw, the darker the color. Of course, the benefit of using a digital device is that you can highlight it as many times as you want without anything becoming soggy.
As usual, reMarkable has leveraged a limit and turned it into a benefit, offering you colors with a heavy dose of restraint. And you don’t really need your retinas to be burned inside out if you’re trying to organize your thoughts ahead of a big meeting. Although, having been spoiled by so many well-made displays of late, I do wish the colors popped a little bit more than they do.
The Paper Pro is the first reMarkable with a frontlight, finally letting you get some work done in dark environments. Solberg explained the frontlight was one of the hardest challenges to build without harming the distance between the stylus tip and the display itself. He said the team was determined to keep the gap between the pen and the display to under one millimeter, and succeeded.
The last two slates had active displays but passive styluses, but the Paper Pro gets an Apple Pencil-esque active stylus as well. It’ll charge while magnetically connected to the side of the bezel and the new components help improve accuracy and latency. Solberg said the reMarkable 2 had an input latency of 22ms, and he had targeted 15ms for this model. He was proud to say that the team smashed that target, with the Paper Pro’s latency down to just 12ms.
And yet, for all the headline changes, it’s the added responsiveness that’s the really compelling feature. The rM2 was no laggard, but the faster input really does help sell the idea you’re sketching out ideas on paper. You can always credit the company for sweating the details, too, like the fact you can add a highlight or handwritten annotation to typed text that will follow the text around as you edit it.
The company is launching a new Type Folio to go with the Paper Pro which, like its parent, is bigger and gets backlit keys. I’ll admit, I was one of a few critics who loved the older model and felt that it made the right compromises to keep its size small. The new model is able to take advantage of the extra room to offer better spacing and a palm rest. It’s fundamentally the same keyboard as before, and I found it pretty easy to work on for long stretches of time.
I’m also impressed with reMarkable’s commitment to making the Paper Pro easier to repair and refurbish than older models. Solberg explained that the Paper Pro is far more modular under the hood, with easily-swappable components. He ruled out end-user repairs, but said that the only adhesive used in the chassis are two replaceable glue strips to keep the battery in place. Repairs would likely need to take place at reMarkable HQ or a partner distributor, but the fact it’s been designed with an eye on long-term repair at all is laudable.
reMarkable Paper Pro is available to order today from reMarkable’s website and Best Buy, priced at $579 with the standard Marker and $629 for the Marker Plus. If you want to add a case, and I heartily recommend you do, it’ll cost you between $89 and $179, depending on your material choice. And if you want to add the Type Folio, you’ll need to cough up an additional $229. The reMarkable 2 is remaining around as a lower-cost option (unsurprisingly, as it’s a really good piece of kit) and will now be available with the standard Marker for $379.
Of course, you and your wallet will have to decide if that’s the sort of sum you can bear to part with, especially in these tightened times. With a product like this, the intentional choices and limits made means it’ll always stack badly in a head-to-head with a similarly-priced iPad. The trick is to work out if you’ll be more productive with less mental and physical clutter in your computing environment, and go forward from there. I’ve found, when I’ve got a lot of work to do and need to focus, it’s a better way to hammer out first drafts than other devices I could name.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/remarkables-third-generation-tablet-gets-a-color-display-120059121.html?src=rss
Snap is testing a less confusing version of its app
One of the most common criticisms against Snapchat is that it's not very intuitive and is quite hard navigate as a new user. Personally, I never quite got the hang of it and find TikTok much, much easier to use. Apparently, Snap is aware of the issue, because it's currently testing a "simplified version of Snapchat." Snap CEO Evan Spiegel has revealed the existence of an experimental Snapchat app in a lengthy blog post discussing the company's highs and lows over the past 13 years, as well as its most recent earnings and future plans.
The simplified app "aims to improve accessibility and usability," he wrote, adding that it's been positively received in early tests. In addition, the app could lead to better app performance and faster load times overall. Even so, Spiegel said that the company "will be thoughtful and deliberate about making a change of this magnitude" despite the app's reception. That most likely means that Snap is still testing the app more thoroughly and that we won't be seeing it anytime soon.
In addition to revealing the existence of a simpler Snapchat, Spiegel has also revealed that the company is testing new advertisement formats. One of those formats called Sponsored Snaps will show up as new Snaps in your chat inbox, alongside your friends' messages. The good news is that you won't get a notification for those Snap ads, and opening the messages is optional. As The Verge notes, though, the ads could sit above your actual friends' messages if you never open them.
The company most likely cooked up the new and potentially more intrusive ad placement as a response to its lagging share performance in the ad market. Spiegel said that the company has managed to reverse two years of declining year-over-year revenue growth, but its advertising business is growing slower than its competitors'. He also said that expanding the company's digital advertising business is key to its long-term revenue potential and that Snap's investors are getting concerned that it's not growing faster.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/snap-is-testing-a-less-confusing-version-of-its-app-113007479.html?src=rss
The Morning After: The X TV app wobbles onto your big screen
The X TV app — teased earlier this year — is out in beta on Amazon Fire TVs, Google TVs and some LG sets. The short teaser video included in the beta app announcement shows a typical-looking streaming video interface sewn into what looks like Google’s version of the X app. There are rows of links to videos for the very small number of original videos on the platform, like content from SpaceX, Tesla and… Tucker Carlson. Naturally, there might (should?) be a bigger range of video once it gets out of beta, but if you’re not a Musk fan, you’re probably long divorced from X anyhow.
— Mat Smith
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Android 15 is here, a month later than expected
The source code is in the Android Open Source Project.
Strangely missing from last month's Google Pixel launch event, Android 15’s source code is finally out. Android 15 will be available on select Pixel models soon, with support for phones from Samsung, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus and Oppo coming in the next few months. Some of the more interesting features include smart volume adjustment and improved split-screen app access.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review
A grown-up, glowed-up foldable.
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Google’s second foldable has arrived. The Pixel 9 Pro fold has refined hardware, superior cameras and a long-lasting battery. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s internal display has an almost square 1:1 aspect ratio, 8 inches wide diagonally, larger than its predecessor’s 7.6-inch panel. Google just needs to iron out a few software quirks — something we’re saying about most foldable.
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Concord is going offline two weeks after launch
Sony will refund everyone who bought the team shooter.
Developer Firewalk Studios says it’s taking Concord offline on September 6, just two weeks after its release, to “explore options, including those that will better reach our players.” You can no longer buy Concord digitally, and Sony will refund everyone who bought the $40 game. Game director Ryan Ellis wrote on the PlayStation Blog that the team recognized “aspects of the game and our initial launch didn’t land the way we’d intended.” There are lots of reasons Concord didn’t take off, from its so-so gameplay and lack of captivating characters to heavyweight competition from other free-to-play team shooters, think Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone and Sony’s own Destiny 2.
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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-the-x-tv-app-wobbles-onto-your-big-screen-111502220.html?src=rss
Microsoft brings 5G to its latest Surface Pros for Business
If you want a new Surface Pro with 5G, you'll have to order it through Microsoft's commercial store for business customers. Today, the company announced that 5G versions of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Pro (Copilot+) for Business will be available on September 26. Last month, Microsoft also kicked off pre-orders for the Wi-Fi Surface Pro and Surface Laptop for Business, which will both start shipping on September 10th. And before you ask, yes these are pretty much the same devices Microsoft launched for consumers in June. The difference now is that IT workers will be able to buy them in bulk via the company's enterprise resellers.
Still, the 5G news could be compelling for anyone who wants instant internet access while travelling around the US. And, at the very least, both the 5G-equipped Surface Pros for Business will be far more capable than the ill-fated Surface Pro 9. That machine was powered by a slow Qualcomm chip and also didn't have the advantage of Microsoft's recent Windows on Arm upgrades, which includes a faster emulator for older apps. It's just a shame that, once again, Microsoft is stuck with an older Intel chip — the Surface Pro 10 for Business still runs the first Core Ultra chips, not the newly-announced Core Ultra 200V.
In other Surface news, Microsoft is also launching a new full-sized Surface Keyboard with a Copilot key on October 11. Surely this will make some corporate drone happy.
The Copilot+ Surface Pro for Business system will cost $1,400 with a 10-core Snapdragon X Plus, 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, while the Surface Pro 10 for Business will run you $1,800 with a Core Ultra 135 and the same specs. It's a good thing those machines have 5G, because you won't be storing much video on those paltry SSDs.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/microsoft-brings-5g-to-its-latest-surface-pros-for-business-110033856.html?src=rss
Lyft’s new price lock feature caps the cost of rides, even during peak hours
Lyft is rolling out a new price lock feature that caps the cost of rides, in an attempt to solve the problem of cost unpredictability for those who rely on the platform for daily commutes. The company says this tool will even work during peak hours, when rides are usually at their most expensive. There are, however, some caveats.
First of all, there’s a required monthly subscription price to use this service, though it’s only $3 per month. There’s also a curious lack of details regarding how exactly the cap works. Does it just average past rides and exclude peak pricing? Is there a limit to just how much can be capped? We reached out to Lyft and will update this post if we hear anything.
Lyft
One thing is certain. Lyft is planning on this feature being a hit. It has suggested that commuters will take 40 percent more rides once the price lock tool becomes commonplace. However, it's worth noting that Lyft is the one that sets the prices in the first place, so it caused the instability that this tool sets out to solve.
There’s also a promotion to advertise the price lock mechanism: 100 customers who are starting new jobs will receive free “first day” rides. This will be handled via LinkedIn. Just 100 rides? That seems pretty stingy for a company as large as Lyft, but what do I know?
This isn’t the first time Lyft has tried its hand at a subscription-based service. The company’s Pink subscription service has been an on-again/off-again thing for years. This is more or less a bundle of add-ons at this point. Pink stopped offering ride discounts but began offering perks like free priority pickups and three free cancellations per month. This program is still live, at $10 per month or $100 per year.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lyfts-new-price-lock-feature-caps-the-cost-of-rides-even-during-peak-hours-100014522.html?src=rss
The best Android phones for 2024
There’s one clear perk that Android has over iOS and that’s variety when it comes to the phones you have to choose from. Apple has made the iPhone is the only game in town for iOS, but with Google’s operating system, there are dozens of choices out there from manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus and others. But that also means it can be difficult to decide which device is best for you when it comes time to upgrade, or if you want to switch from iPhone to Android in the new year. If you’re looking for a new phone and don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered with a selection of the best Android phones for every budget.
What to look for in a new Android phone
Performance
When it comes to picking our favorite Android phones, the main things we look for are pretty straightforward: good performance (both compute and AI), a nice display, solid design, sharp cameras, long battery life and a significant commitment to ongoing software support. For performance, not only do we look at benchmarks and other metrics, but we also evaluate phones based on responsiveness. Regardless of whether you’re reading, text messaging, scrolling through social media or playing a game, no one wants a gadget that feels sluggish.
Display
When it comes to displays, we generally prefer OLED panels that can produce rich, saturated colors with at least 600 nits of brightness, though many of our top mid-range and high-end phones can hit 1,000 nits or more. And more recently, most of our favorite devices also support screens with fast refresh rates of 90Hz or 120Hz, which adds an extra level of smoothness and fluidity.
Design
Now we will admit there is a bit of subjectivity when deciding which phones look the best, but there are other design aspects like dust and water resistance or screen durability that can make a big difference to long-term survival. It’s also important to consider things like support for wireless charging, power sharing (aka reverse wireless charging) and UWB connectivity, which can have an impact on how your phone interacts with your other devices.
Cameras
Obviously, for photos we’re looking for sharp, colorful shots in both bright and low-light conditions. And we want video clips with high dynamic range, rich audio and smooth image stabilization. Extra cameras for ultra-wide and telephoto lenses are a plus. The best cameras should also include features like dedicated night modes, support for various video recording resolutions, and additional photo modes like timelapse, slow motion and more.
Battery and software
Finally, in terms of longevity, we’re looking for all-day battery life on devices that also delivered great results on our local video rundown test (at least 16 hours on a charge, but more is obviously better). Wireless charging capabilities have become almost ubiquitous over the past few years, and most of our top picks have this extra perk. Fast-charging is available on some Android phones, too. Finally, with people holding onto their phones longer than ever, we like to see companies commit to at least three years of software support, upgrades and regular security updates.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-android-phone-130030805.html?src=rss
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DTS built an AI-powered system to make dialog sound clearer
One of the great universal annoyances of life is that TV explosions and soundtracks are always mega-loud, while dialogue is quieter than a church mouse. This is especially true of modern action movies and TV shows that seem to have been mixed primarily to make our walls shake while remaining mostly indiscernible.
So we dive into the settings. We adjust soundbar placement. We turn on the subtitles. We do it all. Some of this helps, but never enough. DTS is trying to solve this problem once and for all with some well-placed AI. The company just announced its DTS Clear Dialogue feature, which is an “AI-powered solution designed to enhance the clarity of spoken dialogue on TVs.”
DTS says the AI algorithm identifies and boosts dialogue in audio streams, thus eliminating the aforementioned problems. The system also allows for personalized audio settings, as one person’s “perfect” is another’s “please make it stop.”
This is an on-device toolset, meaning it’ll eventually get adopted by TV manufacturers. DTS hasn’t announced any partnerships yet, but the company’s tech is usually adopted by all of the bigwigs, like Sony, Hisense, Philips, LG and Vizio, among others. We’ll be on the lookout for the first televisions that incorporate this feature. For now, the company’s demoing the service at the IFA tech conference in Berlin.
DTS has partnerships in place with content providers, bringing theater-grade audio to home releases. It’s recently teamed up with Disney to enhance the sound of MCU movies and to provide an IMAX-like experience. Boy, could those MCU flicks use a bit of that AI-enhanced dialogue magic the company’s promising.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/dts-built-an-ai-powered-system-to-make-dialog-sound-clearer-080032541.html?src=rss
The best iPad for 2024: How to pick the best Apple tablet for you
The iPad has long been the best tablet for most people, but figuring out which model to actually buy today isn’t so straightforward. Do you just want a thing for occasionally streaming Netflix and browsing the web? Do you need a device that can get actual work done? Does screen size matter? How about those AI features the company’s been going on about? If you’re looking to buy an Apple tablet but unsure where to start, let us help. We at Engadget have tested and reviewed just about every iPad ever made, including all six models in the current lineup, so we’ve broken down which ones should suit most people best.
The best iPads for 2024
iPad FAQs
How long do iPads typically last?
If history is any indication, expect Apple to update your iPad to the latest version of iPadOS for at least five years, if not longer. The forthcoming iPadOS 18 update, for example, will be available on iPad Pros dating back to 2018 and other iPads dating back to 2019. How long your iPad’s hardware will last depends on which model you buy and how well you maintain it (if you’re particularly clumsy, consider an iPad case). A more powerful iPad Pro will feel fast for a longer time than an entry-level iPad, but each model should remain at least serviceable until Apple stops updating it, at minimum.
What’s the difference between the iPad and the iPad Air?
Compared to the 10th-gen iPad, the iPad Air runs on a stronger M2 chip (instead of the A14 Bionic) and has twice as much RAM (8GB) and default storage (128GB). It’s also available in two sizes, 11 and 13 inches, whereas the 10th-gen iPad doesn't offer the larger screen option. The M-series SoC gives the Air better long-term performance, plus access to certain iPadOS features such as Stage Manager. Its display supports a wider P3 color gamut, has an anti-reflective coating and is fully laminated. The latter means there’s no “air gap” between the display and the glass covering it, so it feels more like you’re directly touching what’s on screen instead of interacting with an image below the glass. The Air also works with the newer Pencil Pro stylus and a more comfortable Magic Keyboard, and its USB-C port supports faster data transfer speeds. It technically supports faster Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connections as well; the lower-cost iPad uses Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
Starting at $349, the 10th-gen iPad is $250 less expensive than the iPad Air. It has a similarly elegant design with flat edges, thin bezels, USB-C port, and a Touch ID reader. Battery life is rated at the same 10 hours, and both devices have their front-facing camera on their long edge, which is a more natural position for video calls. The cheaper iPad works with the first-gen and USB-C Apple Pencils – which are more convoluted to charge – and a unique keyboard accessory called the Magic Keyboard Folio.
How do I take a screenshot on an iPad?
As we note in our screenshot how-to guide, you can take a screenshot on your iPad by pressing the top button and either volume button at the same time. If you have an older iPad with a Home button, simultaneously press the top button and the Home button instead.
Recent updates
June 2024: We’ve touched up this guide to reflect some of the new iPadOS features Apple announced at WWDC, though our picks remain the same.
May 2024: After reviewing Apple’s newest crop of iPads, we’ve overhauled our guide with new recommendations. The iPad Air M2 is now our top pick, while the 10th-gen iPad and iPad Pro M4 slot into our budget and power user spots, respectively. You can check out our reviews of the new iPad Air and iPad Pro for more on those devices.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-ipads-how-to-pick-the-best-apple-tablet-for-you-150054066.html?src=rss
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DraftKings gets slapped with fine for online slots that paid zilch
DraftKings and White Hat Gaming must pay the state of Connecticut a total of $22,500 in fines after its online slot machine failed to issue players a win for a whole week. NBC News reported that the state’s Department of Consumer Protection uncovered the non-paying slot machine and issued the fines.
The sports betting and gambling website received a $19,000 fine and White Hat Gaming received a $3,500 fine. The website promised its players that its Deal or No Deal Banker’s Bonanza online slot machine would pay out 95 cents for every dollar it took from players. However, a Department of Consumer Protections report found that the slot machine didn’t pay out one red cent from August 15-21 last year. A total of 522 players put almost $24,000 into the machine for more than 20,569 spins during the period the machine refused to pay out any winnings.
An improperly loaded file caused the machine to glitch and refuse to let players win the advertised amount. Once the faulty file was located and identified as the cause of the glitch, DraftKings and White Hat Gaming relaunched the game on August 22, 2023.
The report also found that DraftKings and White Hat Gaming did not disclose the faulty machine to state officials until the Consumer Protections department requested the information last year. One player told the gaming website that they played “a couple hundred spins” at 20 cents per spin and the machine never paid out a “single winning spin or partial win,” according to the report. DraftKings officials responded to several complaints with messages like “I understand it can be frustrating to have a bit of a cold streak, but I can assure you there is nothing wrong with the game itself.”
The slot machine continued to withhold its winnings for another week until White Hat Gaming identified the glitch and repaired the software a second time. White Hat also says in the state’s report that all customers received refunds “without any notification from DraftKings,” according to the report.
A spokesperson for the Department of Consumer Protection also told NBC News that White Hat Gaming “responded swiftly” to investigators’ inquiries. However, DraftKings’ response “was not satisfactory” hence the higher fine.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/draftkings-gets-slapped-with-fine-for-online-slots-that-paid-zilch-222651632.html?src=rss
DraftKings gets slapped with fine for online slots that paid zilch
DraftKings and White Hat Gaming must pay the state of Connecticut a total of $22,500 in fines after its online slot machine failed to issue players a win for a whole week. NBC News reported that the state’s Department of Consumer Protection uncovered the non-paying slot machine and issued the fines.
The sports betting and gambling website received a $19,000 fine and White Hat Gaming received a $3,500 fine. The website promised its players that its Deal or No Deal Banker’s Bonanza online slot machine would pay out 95 cents for every dollar it took from players. However, a Department of Consumer Protections report found that the slot machine didn’t pay out one red cent from August 15-21 last year. A total of 522 players put almost $24,000 into the machine for more than 20,569 spins during the period the machine refused to pay out any winnings.
An improperly loaded file caused the machine to glitch and refuse to let players win the advertised amount. Once the faulty file was located and identified as the cause of the glitch, DraftKings and White Hat Gaming relaunched the game on August 22, 2023.
The report also found that DraftKings and White Hat Gaming did not disclose the faulty machine to state officials until the Consumer Protections department requested the information last year. One player told the gaming website that they played “a couple hundred spins” at 20 cents per spin and the machine never paid out a “single winning spin or partial win,” according to the report. DraftKings officials responded to several complaints with messages like “I understand it can be frustrating to have a bit of a cold streak, but I can assure you there is nothing wrong with the game itself.”
The slot machine continued to withhold its winnings for another week until White Hat Gaming identified the glitch and repaired the software a second time. White Hat also says in the state’s report that all customers received refunds “without any notification from DraftKings,” according to the report.
A spokesperson for the Department of Consumer Protection also told NBC News that White Hat Gaming “responded swiftly” to investigators’ inquiries. However, DraftKings’ response “was not satisfactory” hence the higher fine.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/draftkings-gets-slapped-with-fine-for-online-slots-that-paid-zilch-222651632.html?src=rss
Volvo's EX90 SUV was (mostly) worth the wait
There's a big trend in electric SUVs right now, and it probably isn't what you think. It isn't a longer range. It's not more advanced battery construction, super-fast charging or even NACS plugs. No, the real trend in electric SUVs is being delayed. Porsche's electric Macan took its sweet time going to production, as did its sibling the Audi Q6 E-Tron, which was also delayed for months.
Volvo's EX90 has suffered from the same fate. Originally slated to be on the market in 2023, it, plus its corporate cousin the Polestar 3, are only now finally starting to stumble out of Volvo's manufacturing facility near Charleston, South Carolina. Finally, Volvo let me behind the wheel of a pre-production model on a test drive to see whether it was worth the wait.
Was it? Yes and no, but I'm happy to say it's mostly yes.
Let's start with what it is. As the name implies, the EX90 is something of a battery-powered counterpart to the brand's XC90 SUV, the biggest in its lineup. Like the XC90, the EX90 is a three-row SUV with seating for six or seven, depending on configuration, a big, upright stance, and, of course, more safety features than you can shake a stick at.
But Volvo didn't just gut an XC90 and slap a big battery pack in where the engine, exhaust, and fuel tank once lived. This is a dedicated EV platform, an all-new one, designed from the get-go to be electric. It houses a 111-kilowatt-hour battery pack (107 kWh usable) and has a pair of electric motors, one at the rear and one at the front, delivering all-wheel drive.
Volvo
Whether you go for the base, the $79,995 Plus, or the more luxe $84,345 Ultra trim, you get the same dual-motor configuration making 402 horsepower and 568 foot-pounds of torque. If that's not enough, you can spend $5,000 more for the Twin Motor Performance option, which turns the wick up to 510 hp and 671 lb-ft of torque. Both versions are rated for up to 310 miles of range on the EPA test, depending on which options you select.
Interestingly, though, the two models have exactly the same motors and other related hardware. What do you get with the extra $5,000 then? A different set of software and a little white badge on the back that says "TWIN PERFORMANCE." Welcome to the future.
Interior
At six feet tall, I could barely squeeze into that third row. There just wasn't anywhere for my feet or knees to go. The second row was much more comfortable, with plenty of headroom, but I still wouldn't call it spacious, with nothing like the generous legroom found in the second row of a BMW iX or even a Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Volvo
Thankfully, I spent most of my time in the front seats, which are excellent. Volvo offers a pair of interior fabrics, Dawn Quilted Nordico, which has a leather-like feel, or Tailored Wool Blend, which feels like a higher-end woven upholstery. My favorite is the latter, by far. Those seats offer generous adjustment and a surprisingly comprehensive massage. Ventilation is about the only thing missing, and that is a bit of a shame.
The rest of the interior is quite stark and clean. The white trim over the charcoal fabric on the machine I drove looks fantastic, as does the raised grain on the wooden dash insert, let down only a bit by the unfortunate bands of chrome running around it.
The highlight of the dash, though, is the 14.5-inch portrait touchscreen that sits upright in the middle. On it, you have access to the Android Automotive system that controls the entirety of the user interface, including the 9.0-inch gauge cluster behind the steering wheel and the projected heads-up display.
Volvo's interface here looks similar to what they started offering about five years ago, but it's so much more comprehensive and responsive to use than before. Google Maps running natively is a great experience, as is being able to do things like adjust vehicle settings via voice with Google Assistant. The inevitable Gemini integration should only make it more powerful.
Android Automotive also gives access to numerous media apps, including Tidal, which offers Dolby Atmos streaming. For the first time, Volvo has a sound system capable of taking advantage of it. A new Bowers & Wilkins system with a whopping 25 speakers fills the cabin with rich, crisp sound. It's available as part of the Ultra trim, which nearly makes it worth the upgrade cost over the base EX90 on its own.
Drive time
The EX90 I test drove was outfitted with the company's largest wheels, 22 inches, and those were wrapped in sticky, European-spec summer tires instead of the more moderate all-season tires American EX90s will feature. Despite those two factors, the EX90 offers superb ride quality.
It was smooth, quiet, and comfortable over every separation joint on the highway and the few broken bits of asphalt I could find. Only a hint of wind noise at the highway speed betrayed the fact that I was moving through space and time and not just the latter. All that conspires to make it an even better soundscape for each of those 25 speakers.
Volvo
The suspension is tuned for compliance, and the EX90 tends to float a bit after striking larger bumps or the like. But, despite that, it was still reasonably engaging on tighter, twistier canyon roads. I wouldn't say it was sharp or necessarily sporty, but it was genuinely fun.
It turns well and has minimal body roll for such a tall thing, thanks in part to situating that big battery pack down in the floor. And, yes, it has plenty of acceleration. Perhaps too much, actually. The throttle pedal is a bit sharp, which may have rear-seat passengers with sensitive stomachs turning green. Perhaps another reason to skip the white interior, lovely as it is.
The one-pedal driving mode is likewise quite sharp, promptly bringing the EX90 down to a complete stop. If that's not to your liking, you can disable it. When off, the EX90 is happy to coast along. There's a third option, too: Automatic. Here, the car coasts most of the time, but if there's a car ahead, it'll more aggressively apply regen to maintain distance.
That's just one aspect of the car's advanced driver systems, which were a bit hit-or-miss.
Big sensors
The most interesting styling cue of the EX90, an SUV that is very smart and sophisticated looking but rather understated, is the sensor pod perched above the windscreen. Inside lives a Luminar Lidar pod, scanning the road ahead and generating a 3D point map of every obstacle. Or, at least, it will.
Right now, that little bit of roof decor is just that. But Volvo said they'll light that sensor up and start collecting data via software update next year. At some point in the future, it'll start integrating better into the car's adaptive safety system, basically acting as another point of reference to augment the other sensors.
Volvo
What's in there now feels more or less like Volvo's current machines. The Pilot Assist system provides comprehensive active lane-keep assistance, meaning it'll keep the car centered in the lane. Volvo has also added an automatic lane-change feature, but you still need to trigger it manually with a full press of the turn stalk. It's all good enough, but a decided step behind the hands-off systems available from Ford, General Motors, and BMW. I also had some issues during my drive, with the lane-centering system refusing to engage on secondary roads.
There were other problems, too. The car uses UWB (ultra-wide band) connectivity with smartphones to work without a key, but our car struggled to detect the phone, leaving me stuck for a few minutes of annoying fiddling every time I got out of the car. It also struggled to detect that my hands were on the wheel, going so far as to disable the active steering system at one point because it thought I wasn't paying attention. (I was.)Finally, the entire active safety suite threw errors twice, once requiring a technician with a laptop to fix.
Wrap-up
After all the delays for the machine, I have to admit I was expecting a more polished experience. That said, I'd suggest not holding that against the EX90. I'm confident Volvo's engineers can fix these issues before the SUVs start showing up at dealerships, which Volvo says will happen sometime before the end of the year.
That the active safety suite lags behind the competition is a bit unfortunate, but surely Volvo has bigger plans for the EX90. The company didn't throw that Lidar sensor on the roof just for looks. Those things are expensive.
Which brings us to the price. Again, the EX90 starts at $79,995 for a dual-motor version with up to 310 miles of range, which puts it in the same ballpark as the Rivian R1S or the Tesla Model X, two other premium three-row SUVs. However, the upcoming Polestar 3, built on the same platform but lacking the Lidar sensor on the roof and the third row of seats out back, starts at $5,000 less.
Is the Volvo worth the extra cost? We'll have to wait until we get some seat time in its corporate cousin until we can say for sure. Stay tuned for that.
Update, September 3 2024, 6:01PM ET: This story has been updated to remove two paragraphs that inaccurately described the dimensions of the EX90 due to a conversion error.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/volvos-ex90-suv-was-mostly-worth-the-wait-153035616.html?src=rss