Friday 15 November 2019

Consumer Reports recommends Tesla's sedans

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It's Friday, November 15, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Once you’re done watching episode two of The Mandalorian, you can catch up with all of Microsoft’s news from X019, as well as an update on next-gen texting for Android phones. In car news, details about Ford’s Mach-E have leaked ahead of its unveiling this weekend, and Tesla’s sedans are back in Consumer Reports’ good graces.

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It’s also expanding access to Canada, India, Japan and western Europe.

Microsoft adds over 50 games to xCloud preview, plans launch for 2020

An Xbox event in the UK yesterday revealed a lot more about Microsoft’s cloud gaming plans as it announced the addition of more than 50 new games to the xCloud beta test. Those include titles like Devil May Cry 5, Tekken 7 and Madden 2020. It also explained that next year, the service should work with non-Xbox Bluetooth controllers, cloud streaming for Game Pass and streaming of games that players already own or purchase later.

There are more options to choose from than just the AirPods Pro.

Engadget Holiday Gift Guide: The best true wireless earbuds you can buy this holiday season

New models are popping up all the time, with refined designs, new features, improved battery life and other advancements. With no shortage of choices, though, it can be difficult to cut through the clutter to determine which ones are worth your money. We've compiled a list of the best true wireless earbuds available, along with some tips on what to look for as you shop during the holidays.

Is this a good enough alternative to iMessage?

Google rolls out next-gen RCS texting to Android users in the US

Rich Communication Services (RCS) support is rolling out to Android Messages users across the US. When it arrives, it’ll prompt you to enable chat features in the app. RCS should be "broadly available" by the end of 2019, according to Google. When you have it, you’ll be able to enjoy modern messaging features with high-res media, better group chats and more.

Get these tech DIY gifts at Black Friday prices

The two-door electric crossover arrives in 2020.

Mach-E leak reveals a lot about Ford's electric Mustang SUV

Ford’s ‘Mustang-inspired’ electric crossover will be unveiled Sunday night, but you can find out a lot about the Mach-E right now. That’s because a forum poster dug up an informational page on Ford’s website that revealed trim levels, pricing, pictures and some specs for the SUV. These shots clearly show the two-door crossover in red, which is one of three exterior color options available for its limited edition model. While its Mustang inspiration seems mostly limited to the headlights and taillights, it's at least fairly sleek and imbued with the kind of performance angle Ford is clearly pursuing.

A base Select model starts at about $43k before jumping to Premium, then California Route 1, then the $59,900 limited First Edition and finally the top-of-the-line GT model,which costs about $60k. The base model has around 230 miles of EPA-estimated range, which goes up to 300 miles with an extended battery, while the sporty GT model has AWD, 235 miles of range and an expected 0 to 60 MPH time in the mid 3-second range.

Coming to Xbox Game Pass next spring.

Obsidian’s 'Grounded' is an ant-sized survival game set in a suburban backyard

Obsidian, which Microsoft bought last year, says Grounded is a sandbox title, though it'll include environmental- and narrative-driven storytelling elements. You can explore and try to stay alive by yourself or with up to three friends in co-op multiplayer.

Nostalgia isn’t just for Disney+

Netflix is making a fourth 'Beverly Hills Cop' movie

According to Deadline, series-owner Paramount has signed a one-time licensing deal with Netflix that will allow the company to produce a fourth Beverly Hills Cop movie, which will stream exclusively on its service. Both Eddie Murphy and producer Jerry Bruckheimer are on board to help with the project, and if all goes according to plan, the contract includes an option for Netflix to create a fifth movie.

The Model X didn’t make the list.

Tesla's Model 3 and S are (once again) recommended by ‘Consumer Reports’

Tesla's Model S was added to and removed from CR’s recommended list more than once in the past. It got booted from the list last year due to issues with its air suspension system, while for the Model 3 issues included braking, body trim and glass defects. Despite that, the cheaper electric sedan is now listed as the fifth most reliable car out of 12 luxury vehicles.

But wait, there's more...

1. Disney+ warns viewers of 'outdated cultural depictions' in old movies

2. 'Fortnite' star Ewok is the latest Twitch streamer to switch to Mixer

3. Instagram expands hidden likes test worldwide

4. Wikipedia co-founder wants to give you an alternative to Facebook and Twitter

5. Apple debuts Research app with new iPhone and Watch health studies

6. Rockstar apologizes for buggy 'Red Dead Redemption 2' PC launch

7. Rare's next Xbox game, 'Everwild' is pure 'Princess Mononoke'

8. Microsoft is adding 10 'Final Fantasy' games to Xbox Game Pass

9. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate adds Discord, Spotify and EA Access freebies

10. Amazon is challenging Microsoft's $10 billion JEDI contract victory

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Thursday 14 November 2019

Tech News Flash

Tech News Flash: Thursday -- November 14, 2019

TechNewsWorld -- All Tech - All The Time
https://www.TechNewsWorld.com
Part of the ECT News Network

Headline Scan
Disney+ Launches New Era of Streaming, With a Few Hiccups
Nightingale Project to Turn Over Millions of Medical Records to Google
New YouTube Terms of Service Create Stir
Tech Company Standouts for Giving Veterans Their Due
UPS Chalks Up Another Drone Delivery First

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Today's Story Highlights

Disney+ Launches New Era of Streaming, With a Few Hiccups

The much-anticipated Disney+ streaming service has arrived. In the first
24 hours, the app was downloaded 3.2 million times. Demand for the new
over-the-top streaming service prompted the company to announced that it
had exceeded its highest expectations -- but with problematic results.
Many users were unable to launch the app on its huge opening day.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86358.html

Nightingale Project to Turn Over Millions of Medical Records to Google

A venture between Google and Ascension, one of the largest healthcare
providers in the United States, will give the tech giant access to the
sensitive medical information of as many as 50 million patients in 21
states. Its venture with Google, called "The Nightingale Project," would
enable it to improve the experience of patients, consumers, providers
and associates, Ascension said.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86353.html

New YouTube Terms of Service Create Stir

Google has published changes to YouTube's Terms of Service Agreement
that have stoked fears among some users. "YouTube may terminate your
access, or your Google account's access to all or part of the Service if
YouTube believes, in its sole discretion, that provision of the Service
to you is no longer commercially viable," the new ToSA states. Many
creators are deeply concerned over the prospect of YouTube changing its
practices.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86352.html

Tech Company Standouts for Giving Veterans Their Due

Today is Veterans Day. I got a note last week from Joe Sestak, one of
the shrinking field of United States presidential candidates, reminding
me that we should observe a moment of silence in recognition of our
veterans today. We've asked these people to put their lives on the line
for us, and we get a day to offer our thanks. Giving our thanks is the
least we can do.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86348.html

UPS Chalks Up Another Drone Delivery First

UPS has announced the first two revenue-generating residential
deliveries of prescribed medicines to consumers. Its drone delivered the
prescription medications from a CVS pharmacy in Cary, North Carolina, to
a consumer's home, and to a customer in a retirement community. The
drone flew autonomously but was monitored by a remote operator who could
intervene if needed.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86342.html

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Motorola revives the RAZR as a $1,500 foldable phone

Engadget Email Newsletter

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It's Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Two of the most-leaked products this year have been officially unveiled. We knew they were coming, but now we’ve seen Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro (and put our fingers on its revamped keyboard) as well as Motorola’s foldable RAZR. Beyond the new hardware, there’s a deeply discounted iPad Pro to consider, and Netflix is teaming up with Nickelodeon to fight back against Disney+.

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The butterfly keyboard is dead.

Apple unveils a 16-inch MacBook Pro

To answer some of your likeliest questions: Yes, it's fast; no, it's not as big or as heavy as you think; no, there's still no SD card reader and yes, there's a new keyboard that brings back “scissor” switches and copies Apple’s Magic Keyboard for desktops. After 24 hours, Engadget Editor in Chief Dana Wollman writes “Yes, I like it. Quite a lot.”

The starting price has stayed the same as the 15-inch model it replaces at $2,399 for the entry-level configuration and $2,799 for the step-up model. It’s slightly heavier at 4.3 pounds but also upgrades the battery inside from 84Wh to 100Wh -- the largest size allowed on planes. We’ll need more time for a full review, but with a bigger screen, improved microphone and speakers and a physical escape button, things are looking up.

Forget the leaks -- it’s time to go hands-on.

Motorola's revived RAZR is a fashion-forward foldable

Confirming the rumors we’ve heard all year, Motorola is rolling out a Verizon-exclusive $1,500 handset that folds up while reviving the classic RAZR in name and style. Now that Chris Velazco has checked out the device at Motorola’s LA launch event, he said that while “people who demand peak smartphone performance or superior battery life might be a little disappointed… the company might be on to something.”

Amazingly, making a small device that unfolds into a regular-sized smartphone is more appealing to many than the Galaxy Fold approach of turning a phone into a tablet. The RAZR even has a few features that are usable while it’s closed, and the motion of its hinge -- which relies on that sizable chin for support -- makes the phone satisfying to open. And when it’s open, that 6.2-inch, 21:9 screen is ready to go. What we’ll need to find out in our review is if its smallish dual-battery setup and midrange specs are too big of a sacrifice for the high price of flexibility.

In case you need something more powerful than a MacBook Pro.

Apple now says the Mac Pro will arrive in December

Other than the new 16-inch laptop, Apple confirmed that non-EDM DJs will be able to grab its new Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR in December. A spokesperson now says that the machine can handle six simultaneous 8K streams, up from the previous claim of three streams, made back when the machine was unveiled at WWDC in June.

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With a new ‘Avatar’ live-action series

Netflix and Nickelodeon team up to take on Disney+

Nickelodeon and Netflix have announced a new multi-year deal to produce original animated content based on the Nickelodeon library and new characters. The details are still vague, but the companies have previously worked together to bring us Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus and Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling and promised a "reimagined" live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series with original creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko involved again.

On April 20th a leak during similar tests destroyed one Crew Dragon capsule.

SpaceX successfully completes Crew Dragon engine tests without an explosion

Everything that was on fire was supposed to be on fire.

Just what you need right now.

The 2019 Engadget Holiday Gift Guide: The best gifts for coffee geeks

From travel mugs to an all-in-one pour-over kit, we have gifts for all levels of caffeine consumption.

And its Black Friday ad is here for you to see the deals coming up in two weeks.

Walmart's early Black Friday deal: 512GB 10.5-inch iPad Pro for $599

This iPad Pro is the older second-generation model that lacks FaceID and a USB-C port, but it still packs plenty of power and runs the latest multitasking-friendly iPad OS. Walmart’s pre-Black Friday price of $599 is cheaper than it’s ever been, so if you’re looking for a tablet upgrade today this might be the one to pick.