'The Last of Us Part II' will be released on June 19th
Be careful: There are already some leaked spoilers out there.
Naughty Dog / Sony
The Last of Us Part II will finally launch on PS4 on June 19th. Sony and Naughty Dog had originally planned a February 21st release date, but they pushed the sequel back to May 29th. Earlier this month, they delayed the game indefinitely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Library of Congress app lets you make hip hop with century-old samples
'Citizen DJ' was created by the library's innovator-in-residence Brian Foo.
Citizen DJ
The US Library of Congress has launched Citizen DJ, a digital tool that allows you to remix sounds from its massive collection of film, television, video and sound recordings. It was created by "innovator in residence" Brian Foo to recapture the '80s and '90s golden age of hip-hop sampling.
You can draw samples from six collections (including the Free Music Archive and Variety Stage Sound Recordings and Motion Pictures) and remix them into beats using patterns like '60s funk, '70s soul and '80s/'90s hip hop. Once you find a clip, you can remix it using the simple browser-based DJ app. The project is still in a test site phase through May 15th, with just a subset of available sounds. The library plans to collect feedback to improve the app. Continue reading.
UK's NHS won't use Apple–Google approach to COVID-19 tracking
It's opting for a centralized approach.
Apple and Google are expected to release their contact tracing technology to developers tomorrow, but the UK's National Health Service (NHS) says it won't use the tech companies' "decentralized" approach, where the contact tracing happens on users' devices. Instead, the NHS is opting for a "centralized" model, in which the matching and alerts happen via a computer server. This has privacy implications, while benefits to the NHS' approach allow it to monitor the system and adapt it as new scientific evidence comes in.
Apple's solution lets the contact tracing happen in the background on iPhones, but the UK's app would have to wake up every time the device detects another nearby device running the same software, meaning more battery drain in the process. The UK government is set to discuss its approach to the issue later today. Continue reading.
These Google Assistant earbuds may be worth your money.
Pixel Buds
Engadget
According to our review by Billy Steele, Google's updated Pixel Buds are a revelation compared to the previous model. Not only are they true wireless now, but the smart features are reliable, the touch controls are easy to master and comfort is top-notch. Battery life is on par with Apple's AirPods, but it's well below average in 2020. Still, at $179, Google has a powerful set of earbuds for the Android faithful that really shine when paired with a Pixel phone. Continue reading.
Apple's HomePod is on sale for under $220
The Siri-powered smart speaker is back to a more accessible price.
Apple HomePod speaker
Engadget
OWC has discounted both colors of Apple's HomePod to $215 (white) and $239 (black), well under the $299 official price and very close to previous deals. As you'll notice, unusually, the white option is notably cheaper -- and both are coated in the same grey fabric surrounding, making the difference not all that relevant. Continue reading.
You need a password manager, and here are the best ones
No, seriously, you do.
1Password
Password managers are a good thing -- especially as many of us have to login to corporate servers and apps as we get things done from home. We outline how they work and how to choose the best one for you. You'll never forget your Netflix login ever again. Continue reading.
DJI's Mavic Air 2 offers 34 minutes of flight time and 48-megapixel photos
A global rollout is set to begin in mid-May.
Mavic Air 2
DJI
According to the company, the Mavic Air 2 isn't a simple tune-up. It was redesigned from the ground up with a particular focus on user experience and not just ramping up the impressive specs. Though we'll be the judge of that once we get our hands on it. Continue reading.
Everyone's talking about Valorant, a new first-person shooter from the makers of League of Legends. And I haven't even played it. The shame.
Everyone's watching it, too, despite the fact that it's still in beta -- something that creators Riot worked particularly hard to achieve. Its debut broke records on Twitch, and it's benefitting from more streaming viewers as the coronavirus pandemic keeps more of us in our homes, looking at screens.
Like you are, right now. Now, on to everything that happened over the weekend.
-Mat
Twitch has a problem with non-stop 'Valorant' streams
Beta key handouts have led to a lot of Valorant.
Engadget
Riot's Valorant may be the game of the moment, and everyone wants a beta key to play the thing. That's led to Twitch streamers running Valorant streams 24/7, as keys drop from the service after you watch for at least two hours. Naturally, no-one can possibly play all that time, so many streams consist of live segments interspersed with reruns and edited highlights. This is artificially skewing viewing stats, making Valorant's audience seem even larger than it is, and hurts smaller streamers who get pushed down the rankings. Continue reading.
You can use some iPhone 8 parts inside the new iPhone SE
Don't expect to replace the battery, though.
Engadget
So, the new iPhone SE is an iPhone 8 with a high-tech makeover, but how much hardware does it truly share? According to iFixit, quite a lot. The cameras, display assembly (including the mic and proximity sensor), SIM tray (wow!) and Taptic Engine will all work in the newer model. However, there are a few swaps you'll have to rule out — and not just obvious ones like the processor. You won't be able to replace the Touch ID button from another iPhone -- you'll have to visit Apple and authorized repair shops. You'll also have to forget about replacing the battery. That said, iFixit still sees the second-generation SE as an improvement. Many new iPhones have no compatibility whatsoever with older models. Continue reading.
Australia rolls out COVID-19 tracking app amid privacy concerns
Germany, meanwhile, is switching to a more private option.
Engadget
COVID-19 contact-tracing apps are coming to a smartphone near you -- some privacy implications with them. Australia has launched its tracing app, COVIDSafe, despite criticisms of its approach to privacy. The voluntary software is based on Singapore's TraceTogether and uses a mix of Bluetooth and stored contact data on both the app and servers to let people know if they've been in close contact with people who've tested positive for COVID-19. The Australian government has promised that its app doesn't collect locations and only shares data with health officials, and it vows to delete the data once the pandemic is over. (TBA on when that will be, however.)
In Germany, the country has ditched its centralized approach to COVID-19 tracking, based on Pan-European Privacy-Preserving Proximity Tracing (PEPP-PT), in favor of a "decentralized architecture." This seems closer to Apple and Google's approach (set to arrive mid-May), by only storing contact data on devices themselves. Continue reading.
Coursera announces free courses for the unemployed
Government agencies can help the displaced return to work.
Coursera is opening access to its online courses to those newly unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The service has apparently made 3,800 courses and 400 specializations available for free through government agencies hoping to find jobs for residents. The courses focus on skills that should help people find new jobs and opportunities, like business writing and careers like app development. Some courses include professional certificates from companies like Google, IBM and SAS. You'll still have to pay for more... esoteric courses.
Organizations have until September 30th to enroll workers, who themselves will have until the end of 2020 to complete their courses. In the US, Arizona, Illinois and Oklahoma will all offer courses, while countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Greece, Malaysia, Panama, Ukraine and Uzbekistan have followed suit abroad. Continue reading.
Check below for other key stories from Friday and earlier in the week, including an ode to the mid-range smartphone.
-- Richard
The Engadget Podcast: What the heck is a 'Planetary Computer?'
Microsoft's Chief Environmental Officer, Lucas Joppa explains.
Engadget
What if we could track everything happening on Earth in real-time? And — even better — what if all of that data was readily accessible? This week, Devindra chats with Lucas Joppa, Microsoft's Chief Environmental Officer, about the company's "Planetary Computer" concept, which aims to accomplish just that. Cherlynn also helps break down how other companies like Amazon, Google and Facebook are approaching their own environmental initiatives.
Nintendo blocks legacy logins after 160,000 accounts were compromised
Turn on two-factor authentication ASAP.
Nintendo has shut down Nintendo Network ID logins and is encouraging Switch owners to lock down their accounts after a wave of fraudulent attacks. Continue reading.
The best deals we found this week: the iPad, Google Nest WiFi and more
Here are the best deals from this week that you can still buy now.
The iPhone SE and other midrange phones worth your money
You have plenty of options.
Engadget
We spend a lot of time talking about $1,000+ flagship phones, but here's Cherlynn Low's ode to the "sweet spot" presented by sub-$500 midrange devices. Continue reading.
Bad Password: Contact tracing apps are coming whether we like it or not
What should happen next.
Columnist Violet Blue: "Because (digital contact tracing) means mass installation of a surveillance app on everyone's phones in order for it to work, it's a moment when we can decide that fighting for survival means fighting for our future, too." Continue reading.
Apple iPhone SE review (2020)
Chris Velazco explains why this is "the best budget smartphone out there."
Engadget
After a few years away, the iPhone SE is back. For 2020, the name is attached to an iPhone 8-style device that has been updated with the same A13 Bionic chipset as in the iPhone 11 family. With a starting price of $399, it provides an impressive amount of performance and camera wizardry without breaking the bank. Continue reading.
It's Friday -- you made it. In case things weren't already surreal enough, you might want to check out this video of the Travis Scott 'Astronomical' experience that just debuted in Fortnite. In a world where none of us are going to concerts, it drew 12.3 million concurrent viewers to a unique setup with the musician's avatar leading people through space, underwater and right back to the game's map. If you've ever been to a concert like this, you probably didn't remember it afterward.
-- Richard
New ARM-powered Macs could arrive in 2021
It would give Apple even more control over the platform instead of relying on Intel.
The company is reportedly planning three Mac processors based on the A14, a yet-to-be-confirmed chip that is expected to power the next iPhone. Apple will use Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the same firm responsible for its iPhone and iPad processors, to build the new Mac chipsets, according to Bloomberg. And, if all goes to plan, the first hardware featuring the new design will reportedly be sold next year. Continue reading.
Tesla competitor Polestar 2 will start at $59,900 in the US
The Volvo–Gheely joint venture plans to start deliveries of its first pure EV this summer.
Polestar
More than a year after Polestar unveiled its stylish, all-electric Polestar 2, the company announced that the EV will cost $59,900 in the US. That isn't exactly cheap, but it's close enough to the Model 3's $40,000 price to make it a solid competitor. While it's arguably better looking than the Model 3, it has similar specs. Its 78 kWh battery delivers a range of roughly 275 miles, and it packs 408 horsepower. Continue reading.
This robot dog is chipping in to help COVID-19 patients
Spot is allowing healthcare workers to remotely triage potential cases
Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics announced that its Spot robots are helping healthcare providers to triage patients remotely at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. The company is sharing the hardware and software behind this robotic telehealth approach, and it hopes other mobile robotics platforms will take advantage of the tech.
The platform uses an iPad and a two-way radio mounted to a Spot robot. Healthcare workers can guide the robots through triage tents where patients suspected to have COVID-19 are asked to line up for an initial assessment. Doctors and nurses can speak with the patients from a safe distance, possibly even their own homes. Continue reading.
Apple and Google will release COVID-19 contact-tracing tools next week
The EU has said it will only approve the tech for a limited time.
Apple and Google's COVID-19 contact-tracking technology will be released to developers on April 28th, weeks before the companies initially said it would arrive. Tim Cook revealed the information to European commissioner Thierry Breton after the two met by video conference, according toLes Echos. Continue reading.
LG will unveil its new Velvet smartphone in May
The event is supposed to be an 'online fashion show.'
LG
New phone season continues. We only just got our hands on the iPhone SE (2020) and Motorola Edge+, but here comes LG with a Velvet device. Following weeks of teasers, the company announced a launch event in Korea on May 7th, where it will reveal all about the smartphone and its raindrop rear camera setup. Continue reading.
Chris Velazco explains why this is "the best budget smartphone out there."
Engadget
After a few years away, the iPhone SE is back. For 2020, the name is attached to an iPhone 8-style device that has been updated with the same A13 Bionic chipset as in the iPhone 11 family. With a starting price of $399, it provides an impressive amount of performance and camera wizardry without breaking the bank. Continue reading.
Zoom 5.0 update will bring much-needed security upgrades
This is just one part of a 90-day plan to improve the platform.
Zoom
A worldwide response to the coronavirus pandemic caused a surge in users for Zoom's conferencing setup and also uncovered some unsettling flaws. As part of its response to security and privacy concerns, the company will release version 5.0 of its software this week with upgraded encryption and improved host controls, which include the ability to "report a user." Make sure you grab that as soon as it's released. Continue reading.
Motorola's flagship plans take shape with the $1,000 Edge+
The original plan was to reveal this at MWC.
Engadget
Four years after its last true flagship phone, Motorola is back with the Edge+. While leaks spoiled most of the surprise, the official spec list is pretty good: a Snapdragon 865 with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of storage, support for mmWave and sub-6 5G, an 5,000mAh battery and 15W fast charging.
It also adds an Infinity Edge display with some software tweaks intended to make it more usable and useful than curved-edge devices we've seen in the past. Chris Velazco has thorough first impressions of the device, and some bad news -- this high-end version with its $1,000+ price is exclusive to Verizon (Engadget's parent company). Continue reading.
Microsoft's Flight Simulator won't require a super-powerful PC rig
But if you can, it may be time to upgrade.
Microsoft
One of the most anticipated games this year is Microsoft's Flight Simulator 2020. Not only do the graphics look lush and detailed, but it'll simulate the entire flying world, including 37,000 real-world airports, real-life air traffic and up-to-date weather conditions.
A minimum spec machine requires at least an AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or Intel i5-4460 CPU, both of which are several generations old. You'll also need either a Radeon RX 570 or NVIDIA GTX 770 GPU with at least 2GB of VRAM, along with 8GB of RAM, a 150GB hard drive and a 5 Mbps connection.
Our own Steve Dent is already flying around the game's alpha program and has tried it on a GTX 1070-powered laptop as well as a desktop PC with an RTX 2080 Ti GPU. From his experience, there's a "pretty big difference" as you edge closer to those high-end ideal specs. Just something to consider before it launches officially later this year. Continue reading.
Ford's electric Mustang dragster delivers over 1,400 horsepower
8-second quarter-mile times without the screaming engine noise and exhaust fumes.
Ford
This Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 is Ford's first factory-built dragster prototype with an all-electric powertrain, which the company said is capable of over 1,400 horsepower and 1,100 ft-lbs of torque. That should be enough to make it worthy of a historic nameplate. Continue reading.
