Engadget Email Newsletter

Now available on your smart speaker and wherever you get your podcasts

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | iHeart Radio

It's Monday, November 18, 2019.

Hey, good morning!

We kick off the week with the launch of Google’s much-publicized Stadia streaming game service tomorrow, with the company fleshing out the launch line-up with an extra 10 games -- although none of them are particularly new, and none are exclusive. It’s an interesting week to launch something that could be the future of gaming: This is the same week Nintendo launches the Wii, SNES and the DS. And the same week Microsoft’s Xbox One and Xbox 360, the Sega Saturn and, er, the Atari Jaguar all launch, too. Will Google’s Stadia join such illustrious company?

Read in browser.

The new list includes ‘Metro Exodus,’ ‘NBA 2K20’ and ‘Football Manager 2020’.

Google Stadia’s launch line-up gets a 10-game boost

After announcing its cloud-streaming Stadia game service would launch with just 12 titles, Google has nearly doubled that number, a mere day ahead of launch. The service will now arrive with 10 additional games, bringing the total to 22. That’ll include Football Manager 2020 and NBA 2K2020, giving Stadia a couple of the sports titles it was completely lacking before. In comparison, Microsoft is launching its xCloud preview with well over 50 titles.

The full, updated line-up is right here.

But is it an actual Mustang?

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E straddles the world of EVs, SUVs and muscle cars

Ford’s new electric vehicle is the Mustang Mach-E -- but it’s not entirely a Mustang. It's more like a crossover with hints of Mustang design. Ford seems to have a version of the Mach-E for every type of driver. It'll be available in five trim models starting at $43,895 and will roll into showrooms in late 2020. The First Edition (270-mile range at $59,900), Premium (300 miles at $50,600) and GT (235 miles at $60,500) showing up on the road first. The California Route (300 miles at $52,400) and Select (230 miles at $43,895) will both land in early 2021.

Ford famously announced it would stop selling cars in the United States -- except for the Mustang, which continues to be a hit for the automaker. The result is Ford's first big EV -- an SUV with a Mustang badge. Read on for Roberto Baldwin’s report.

This may be more about winning tariff exemptions than anything else.

President Trump will visit Apple's Mac Pro factory on November 20th

The White House has confirmed that President Trump will visit Apple's Mac Pro factory in Austin, Texas, on November 20th, backing up rumors of an impending tour. It's not clear if Tim Cook or other Apple executives will be present, but it wouldn't be surprising given the optics. Apple wants to be seen as having the Trump administration's support, while Trump wants to be seen supporting American jobs.

For Apple, though, there's an extra level of urgency. The next big round of US tariffs on China is poised to take effect on December 15th, and it could easily raise the cost of selling phones, laptops, monitors and other mainstays of Apple's product lineup.

This $40 action cam is the perfect gift for any adventurer

It's trying to reduce dissent by silencing communication.

Iran shuts down nearly all internet access in response to fuel protests

The Iranian government has shut down nearly all internet access in the country amid mounting protests that began over a 50-percent hike in fuel prices and now encompass wider dissent. There are pockets of access that have let people show what's happening on the ground, but they're rare. Phone calls abroad still work, but those are also closely monitored. The government hasn't formally acknowledged the internet shutdown.

But wait, there's more...

1. HP rejects Xerox buyout offer, at least for now

2. mTiny robot review: Screen-free coding for kids

3. Stanford's new tech-laden hospital includes pill-picking robots

The Morning After is a new daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you'll miss if you don't subscribe.

Now available on your smart speaker and wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | iHeart Radio

Craving even more? Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Have a suggestion on how we can improve The Morning After? Send us a note.

You are receiving this email because you opted in at engadget.com.

Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe from this newsletter.

Engadget Email Newsletter

Now available on your smart speaker and wherever you get your podcasts

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | iHeart Radio

It's Saturday, November 16, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Welcome to your weekend! Now that Apple’s new laptop is here, it’s time to tear it apart and look inside. Disney is responding to Simpsons fans, and Amazon has a new high-quality Echo speaker. Finally, there’s a new episode of the Engadget Podcast and we’ll look back at some highlights from this week like our hands-on with Motorola’s new foldable RAZR.

(View in browser.)

The scissor switch is back.

iFixit opens up the 16-inch MacBook Pro to check out its new/old keyboard

Naturally, the teardown team at iFixit was bound to get their hands on the 16-inch MacBook Pro and see exactly how its keyboard works. Just as expected, the new keyboard is nearly identical to the one in the 2015 MacBook Pro as well as Apple's external Bluetooth Magic Keyboard.

Wait for it.

Disney+ will fix its 'Simpsons' widescreen problem in 2020

In a repeat of an issue that occurred when FXX started playing old Simpsons episodes a few years ago, someone decided to crop and zoom older content so it fills out an HD widescreen frame. In a statement, a Disney spokesperson said that "in early 2020" it will offer a toggle for the first 19 seasons of episodes so people can choose to view them in their original format -- important for many visual gags that extend to the top or bottom of the frame.

Just in time.

Engadget's 2019 holiday gift guide is here!

After months of thinking, curating, photographing and more thinking, we've come up with a holiday gift guide that covers all the bases (and budgets), from laptops and mobile devices, to toys, to the smart home, to book and media recommendations (only on nerdy subjects, of course). All told, there are more than 150 items in our guide, spanning 13 categories, with advice from 25 of our writers and editors. You know, the people testing and reviewing this stuff all year long.

And we're not done yet: We have additional picks and buying advice, including gifts for coffee geeks, shopping for hypebeasts and our favorite wireless earbuds.

These gadgets are all on sale at Black Friday pricing

The 16-inch MacBook Pro is here (and so is our gift guide)!

The Engadget Podcast

Get ready for the holidays with an in-depth look at Engadget's holiday gift guide! This week, editor in chief Dana Wollman joins Devindra to chat about how we pick the best gadget gifts and some of the wildest choices we've made. And of course, we find time to dive into the giant laptop in the room, the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

You don’t have to choose between Alexa or a speaker with great sound.

Echo Studio review: Amazon finally nailed the audio quality

To get the most out of this Echo Studio, Billy Steele writes that you’ll want to consider a high-res streaming plan like Amazon Music HD. The 3D audio options are a bit limited for now, but even regular Spotify sounds great on this thing. It’s by far the best-sounding Echo yet, and probably will be for the foreseeable future.

Even if they’re hard to find in the US.

If your family needs a second car, make it a fun, compact EV

According to statistics, the average household has 1.8 to 2 cars. It depends on who you ask, but let's just accept that there are more families that have two cars than have one. Roberto Baldwin makes the argument that if you have two vehicles, at least one of them should be something like a fun-to-drive Mini SE or Model 3.

It’s $5 more than YouTube.

Hulu increases the price of its live TV service, again

This is the second time this year the company has raised its rate on live television streaming. In February, there was a $5/month hike to $45.99 -- up from the $39.99 price when the service debuted in 2017. Now it’s going up to $54.99, as of December 18th.

Forget the Nürburgring, the Taycan is great on any road.

Porsche Taycan first drive

Even in pre-production form, Roberto Baldwin reports the Taycan Turbo S EV feels solid and ready for everything from cruising around town to tackling the track.