The week starts without any Microsoft news bombs — it was busy enough last week for the company.
So, instead, my attention is was drawn to Super Nintendo World. Universal Studios' theme park in Japan tentatively reopened to visitors on June 8th, but over the weekend, we heard its highly anticipated Super Nintendo World section is delayed, indefinitely. NHK reports that the company postponed the Nintendo area's debut after originally intending to kick things off in late July. Predictably, it's a precaution against the chances of increasing COVID-19 infection rates. Universal Studios is only allowing park visitors from the surrounding Kansai region and has effectively cut visitor numbers in half.
I'll put my Mario cap back into storage, ready for when I can make the trip and the park has opened.
— Mat
This year's iPhones might not include a charger in the box
It may be for cost-cutting and environmental reasons.
Engadget
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who's been correct pretty often in the past, claims that 2020 iPhone models will not only skimp on the usual headphones but won't include the power adapter either — you may get just a charging cable. There would be a more powerful 20W charger (versus the 18W for the iPhone 11 Pro) made available, but you'd have to buy it after the fact.
Kuo believes this would be a way to cut costs and offset the higher price of 5G wireless technology. There would also be an eco-friendly hook. Environmental critics have argued that including power adapters is frequently a waste when many people have chargers from previous phones or will top up using their computers. I'll admit to having too many (pretty useless) low-watt phone chargers — so this sounds like a good idea. Continue reading.
Blackpink breaks YouTube's 24-hour viewing record
It comes over a year after BTS set the bar.
Getty
K-pop lynchpin BTS' YouTube viewership record has been broken over a year later. Variety reports that K-pop band Blackpink managed to break the record for the most views in 24 hours, racking up 82.4 million views for its new "How You Like That" music video versus BTS' 74.6 million for "Boy With Luv." It might also be the fastest video to reach 100 million views — it claimed 94 million watches in just 30 hours. Continue reading.
OnePlus' incoming affordable phone may feature dual selfie cameras
Back to fundamentals.
Engadget
When OnePlus entered the smartphone scene back in 2014, the company's phones were some of the best value phones you could buy for a while. But that changed slowly — mostly with regard to prices, which have crept up each year. And now, the $899 OnePlus 8 Pro is only $100 less than the iPhone 11 Pro and Galaxy S20.
OnePlus is apparently going back to its roots, with a new, more affordable phone series. OnePlus CEO Pete Lau said the company plans to introduce a new line initially in India and Europe before bringing it to North America. Spec-wise, rumors suggest a 32-megapixel main sensor and an 8-megapixel secondary sensor supporting a wide-angle lens. The Nord will house the cameras in a display cutout at the top-left corner of the screen. Dual front-facing cameras would be a first for OnePlus, mid-priced phone or not. Continue reading.
Google's Phone app will tell you why businesses are calling
It could help you decide whether or not to pick up.
If you're using Google's Phone app, you'll soon be able to know why a business is calling before you even pick up — and hopefully avoid spam in the process. The feature, called Verified Calls allows businesses that pass Google's verification process to send the dedicated Verified Calls server their phone number, your phone number and their reason for calling, such as "scheduling your internet installation" or "your food delivery." Google will then show all that information on your Phone app. Continue reading.
It's not just Mixer. Microsoft announced on Friday that it's permanently closing all of its retail locations. They'd been on hiatus since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, but now the company is going all-in with online stores.
Four locations in London, New York City, Sydney and Redmond will be "reimagined" as Experience Centers that don't sell anything. Like the Mixer shut down, making this move just before launching a new console generation seems odd, but COVID-19 may have accelerated plans that were already in place.
-- Richard
iOS 14 first look: Apple tries to do more but still keep things simple
Widgets and the App Library are just a start.
Apple
According to Chris Velazco, the next version of Apple's mobile OS has "some of the biggest visual changes to iOS since its debut more than a decade ago." While you're probably better off waiting for the public beta in July or its official release later this year, he's taken the developer beta for a spin to find out what's new in iOS 14. Continue reading.
Engadget Podcast: WWDC breakdown and a health-tech check-in
Apple's keynote drives discussion around OS wars and health tech.
Engadget
In Devindra's absence, Cherlynn is joined by Dan Cooper as guest co-host, as well as senior mobile editor Chris Velazco to rip into Apple's latest updates. From iOS 14 vs. Android, to watchOS 7, to macOS and Apple's transition to ARM chips, there's plenty to discuss.
Then, our hosts are joined by CNBC health and health-tech reporter Chrissy Farr to talk about the latest developments in healthcare and telemedicine. Do wearable companies have the right idea when it comes to developing products for COVID-19? What is Apple's approach to this burgeoning industry?
Here's everything Apple announced at its WWDC 2020 keynote
All the details on iOS 14, macOS Big Sur and a coming split from Intel.
Apple
Need some time to catch up on all of the Apple news? We have the highlights right here, with every notable article about new CPUs and operating systems linked and waiting. Or, if you want a no-filler version of the keynote itself, a twenty-minute edit of Apple's presentation will bring everything you need to know and nothing else. Continue reading.
This week's best deals: Apple Watch Series 5, Echo Dot and more
Plus a couple of Sony wireless earbuds for less than $200.
Engadget
The Apple Watch Series 5 dropped to $299 again after WWDC kicked off earlier this week and Amazon still has some of its Echo speakers on sale (including the handy $35 Echo Dot with clock). You can grab some extra storage for your Nintendo Switch for less at Newegg and Steam's Summer Sale has just begun.
Valentina Palladino has the full rundown for you here, and for more updates on Twitter, be sure to follow the @EngadgetDeals account. Continue reading.
Hype and hope: Wearables in the covid era
Put a ring on it.
Oura
Are wearables finally getting to the point where they could detect COVID-19 symptoms before they appear (or provide a form of confirmation at the onset)? Violet Blue looks beyond the promo material and into the potential issues, including what this means for privacy. Continue reading.
Women in Tech: 20 Trailblazers Share Their Journeys
Successful women in the tech trenches share their insights and tackle subjects ranging from how to search out a strong mentor to how to be one -- from how to advance in a large company to how to start your own firm.
This book is an excellent guide for students considering STEM courses, graduates pondering job choices, and career changers at any stage in life. It's also a useful tool for school and career counselors, recruiters, and HR pros eager to diversify their workplaces.
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