Engadget Email Newsletter

It's Saturday, July 22, 2017.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Welcome to the weekend. We’ll take a look back at some of the big stories from earlier this week, plus key updates like NASA’s tips for viewing a solar eclipse.

Getting the weekend started early.

DC security robot says everything is fine, throws itself into pool

Don't read too much into this, but a security robot face-planted into an indoor fountain inside of a Washington, DC office building.

Important information.

NASA doesn't want you to go blind during the solar eclipse

Please, for the love of god (and your eyesight), do not try to make your own eclipse glasses. Buy a pair, and make sure they're less than three years old with lenses that are in good shape. The much-celebrated full solar eclipse is just one month away for those in the continental United States, and NASA really does not want you to go blind when it finally happens.

Phones, tablets and accessories

The best smartphones and mobile gear for students

We imagine many of today's college first-year students already have phones, but for those of you who've earned an upgrade, we crammed five into our back-to-school guide, including some budget options. Other recommendations include an external battery pack and a fast microSDXC card.

One of the largest marine surveys ever.

Missing Malaysia Airlines flight search yields valuable seafloor data

The massive search for MH370 since 2014 has not located the lost airplane or its occupants. As a result of the effort, however, researchers have now released detailed topography data for 710,000 square kilometers of Indian Ocean seafloor. The maps they generated with sonar have at least 15 times greater resolution than the ones that existed before the search.

A new space filled with old names.

The traditional sports world is taking eSports into the mainstream

It's odd to think that eSports still hasn't reached its full potential. The NBA, NFL, ESPN, NBC and many others have taken notice though, and now they're looking to cash in. Street Fighter, FIFA, Rocket League and Overwatch are moving in next to traditional sports, and fans are asking for more.

Meet the Ataribox

Atari's new console will come in two suitably retro editions

The first new gaming system from Atari in over twenty years will be available in two colors, include an array of ports (HDMI, USB and SD card) and… well, we don’t know much else. The Ataribox appears to be more capable than Nintendo’s nostalgia-bait systems, but an email to interested buyers stopped at revealing some design details.

It’s the biggest independent-film production ever, with a budget of $180 million

Luc Besson on ‘Valerian’ and his return to bold, inventive sci-fi

Luc Besson to Engadget: "I'm back! Honestly, The Fifth Element was a nightmare to do, because, at the time, special effects were old-fashioned, it was before we went digital. Every time I wanted to use a green screen, it took like six hours. It was really painful. This one ... because we prepped a lot, it was easier. Longer, but easier. The Fifth Element has 188 shots with special effects; Valerian has 2,734. It was less painful, but technology has made it easier for a director. You just have to specifically be very precise about what you want, and you need to have a good time to do it."

But wait, there's more...

1. Microsoft shows off a Nest-like thermostat based on Cortana

2. Disney's immersive 'Star Wars' hotel is a Jedi dream come true

3. Google Glass is back

4. LG's friendly robots will help travelers at Seoul airport

5. This Japanese VR arcade put me inside 'Mario Kart'

6. 'The Defenders' Comic-Con trailer features punching, heroes

7. 'Pokémon Go' is getting Legendary monsters for its birthday

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Engadget Email Newsletter

It's Friday, July 21, 2017.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Is it Friday already? We have big news from Comic-Con featuring Will Smith and Stargate. Also, a deep dive into the cautionary tale of LeEco and a date for the Galaxy Note 8 is revealed.

The next Note.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 unveiling happens August 23rd

Last year, Samsung released the excellent Galaxy Note 7, which had just one tiny problem: a tendency to overheat and melt down. Now, after investigations and even a Fan Edition re-release, we’re close to seeing the company’s next attempt at a large-screened cellphone. It just sent out invites for a launch event August 23rd, where we’re expecting to find out everything about the Galaxy Note 8.

It may not last much longer.

Inside LeEco's spectacular fall from grace

LeEco's fall from grace has been astonishing. Once hailed as the "Netflix of China," the daring startup and its then-outspoken founder were bold enough to challenge Tesla and criticize Apple as "outdated." But in recent months, the company has faced a series of setbacks and may be reaching its breaking point. Former employees told Engadget that LeEco shuffles funds between its subsidiaries to mask losses.

Worth a trip.

Google Street View takes you aboard the ISS

Since there's no gravity, the astronauts make use of surfaces in every direction, so the Street View in space truly spans 360 degrees. But that's not all: Google included info nodes for the curious to learn more about the station's technical machinery and points of interest.

Is Richard Dean Anderson busy?

'Stargate Origins' will launch a new MGM streaming service

MGM is asking CBS All Access and Star Trek Discovery to hold its beer, announcing plans to launch an all-Stargate subscription streaming platform. Stargate Command will be the “official” destination not only for older content but also a brand new Stargate Origins show launching later this year.

But who?

Elon Musk’s Hyperloop plan is verbally approved by someone somewhere

Elon Musk tweeted that he has “verbal govt approval for The Boring Company to build an underground NY-Phil-Balt-DC Hyperloop.” The only problem is that, apparently, no one has told the governments of those cities about it. There’s some indication he may be talking about the White House, but for now, we’re waiting for a more “formal” approval.

‘Bad Boys’ meets ‘D&D.’

Netflix drops the full trailer for David Ayer's 'Bright'

This movie may have cost Netflix as much as $100 million, so hopefully it’s worth it. Bright stars Will Smith and Joel Edgerton are a pair of cops, but the twist here is that one of them is an orc. In this world, elves and magic are just part of the deal, which may entice viewers to check it out when the movie launches December 22nd.