Places and Things

Apple added a secret button to your iPhone, and you may not have even noticed In today’s digital age, it sometimes feels like hardware has taken a back seat to the software that drives our devices. Button of the Month is a monthly column that explores the physical pieces of our phones, tablets, and controllers that we interact with every day. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/21540028/apple-iphone-ios-14-back-tap-hidden-secret-button-gesture

Amazon’s net income tripled last quarter, and it didn’t even have Prime Day to help Even without Prime Day, Amazon had a blockbuster quarter. Its net income nearly tripled from this time last year, as retail store closures and coronavirus restrictions encouraged people to spend big online. In its earnings report today, Amazon said it made $6.33 billion in net income, up from $2. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/29/21539921/amazon-q3-2020-earnings-net-income-triple

Scientists found an Earth-sized ‘rogue’ planet in the Milky Way Scientists have discovered what they say could be the smallest free-floating planet ever detected. The planet was discovered by University of Warsaw researchers in the middle of the Milky Way, and is estimated to be between the size of Earth and Mars. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/scientists-discover-rogue-planet-milky-way-200824310.html

World Of Warcraft's 'Shadowlands' expansion arrives on November 23rd November 23rd marks the 16th anniversary of World of Warcraft, and Blizzard plans to celebrate the occasion by giving you plenty more to do in the game. It’ll start rolling out the long-awaited Shadowlands update at 6 PM ET on that day. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/world-of-warcraft-shadowlands-release-date-185901602.html

Netflix is raising the price of its most popular plan to $14 today, premium tier increasing to $18 Netflix is introducing price hikes for its US subscribers today, increasing its standard plan to $14 a month and its premium tier to $18 a month. The new pricing for the standard plan is a $1 price increase (from $13 a month), while the new premium tier cost is a $2 increase (from $16 a month). Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/29/21540346/netflix-price-increase-united-states-standard-premium-content-product-features

Forgot what happened in The Mandalorian’s first season? Disney has you covered The Mandalorian’s second season premiere is just two days away, and, if you’re like me, you’ve forgotten most of what happened in the first season. If you’re also like me, you’re not planning to hunker down and marathon the first eight episodes again. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/28/21538716/mandalorian-season-1-recap-video-disney-plus-baby-yoda-moff-gideon-premiere-date

Apple updates Clips with a new interface and iPad-specific tweaks You may have forgotten about Clips but Apple has not. Three years after its initial release, the simple but capable video creation app is getting a significant update. Whatever version of the app you use, you’ll find that the company has streamlined the interface to make adding effects faster. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/apple-clips-3-0-update-165256223.html

EPA tests show Tesla's 2021 models are even tougher to beat on efficiency Tesla’s claims of extended range on its 2021 EVs might be more than marketing bluster. As Electrek reports, the EPA has released MPGe (miles per gallon of gas equivalent) ratings showing the 2021 Model 3, X and Y variants topping the regulator’s electric car efficiency charts. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/tesla-2021-models-top-epa-ev-efficiency-131759815.html

Google will temporarily ban election ads after polls close The presidential election is just a week away and the outcome may not be clear for a while amid an enormous surge in mail-in voting. To help reduce confusion and the spread of misinformation about the results, Google will temporarily ban all election-related ads as soon as the polls close. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/google-election-ad-ban-173317034.html

Cyberpunk 2077 is delayed again to December 10th Cyberpunk 2077 is being delayed yet again, this time until December 10th. Developer CD Projekt Red says it’s still working on a launch day patch for the game, which was previously slated for November 19th. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/27/21536662/cyberpunk-2077-cd-projekt-red-delay-december

Instagram extends the maximum length of Live streams to four hours Instagram Live streams are about to get a whole lot longer. The service is extending the maximum length of a stream to four hours, up from just one hour. That could lead to longer virtual concerts and Q&As with prominent figures, along with — worryingly for some — lengthier remote classes. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/instagram-live-streams-longer-archive-150035541.html

Netflix is making multiple 'Assassin's Creed' shows “Requiescat in pace.” That’s what I tell myself every night as I try to eradicate the memory of the live-action Assassin’s Creed movie. A better brain-wiping solution, perhaps, will be to watch Netflix’s newly-announced Assassin’s Creed series. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/netflix-assassins-creed-live-action-anime-animated-series-144647646.html

COVID-19 Public Immunity Could Only Last a Few Months Fewer than five percent of adults had coronavirus antibodies, scientists said in a UK study which suggests that any virus immunity would wane quite rapidly, leading to a greater risk of reinfection. Continue Reading . . . https://flipboard.com/@health/covid-19-public-immunity-could-only-last-a-few-months-acbagggt6ced2qa3?from=share&utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=share

UK to ban sale of carrier-locked phones from December 2021 The UK’s communications regulator Ofcom is banning phone carriers from selling locked handsets starting in December 2021 to make it easier for people to switch providers, the watchdog has announced. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/27/21535957/uk-ofcom-locked-carrier-phone-ban-ee-vodafone-tesco-mobile

What's on TV this week: 'The Mandalorian' is back This week we finally get back to our Disney+ viewing with the Babysitting Baby Yoda adventure show. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/the-mandalorian-listings-000508963.html

Google says all Made by Google products now use recycled materials Last year, Google pledged that, by 2022, it would include recycled materials in all of its Made By Google products, a list that includes Pixel phones, Pixelbooks, Google Home speakers, Nest devices, and accessories like phone cases and charging stands. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/26/21534337/made-by-google-recycle-sustainable-pixel-nest

NASA confirms presence of water on sunlit surfaces of the Moon Astronomers have been aware of water ice present on the surface of the Moon, but it had only ever been discovered in deep, perpetually shadowed impact craters at its poles. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/nasa-moon-sunlight-water-sofia-artemis-162600047.html

Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR is Pandora on four wheels Moodify wants you to follow your nose to safer driving Moodify wants you to follow your nose to safer driving by Continue Reading . . . https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/pictures/mercedes-benz-vision-avtr-ces-2020/

Samsung's influential chairman Lee Kun-hee dies at 78 The tech industry has lost one of its most important figures. Samsung has revealed that Chairman Lee Kun-hee died on October 25th at the age of 78 after spending the past six years in hospital following a heart attack. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/samsung-chairman-lee-kun-hee-dies-151234050.html

Judge again blocks Trump administration push to ban WeChat in the US A judge in California has rejected a request from the Department of Justice to reverse a previous decision allowing WeChat to remain active in US app stores. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/23/21531154/judge-denies-trump-administration-ban-wechat-tencent-china

Here’s how Apple imagined AirTags would work one year ago As well as letting you find lost items, Apple has considered allowing its unannounced, but heavily leaked AirTags to do everything from measuring your posture to helping your phone display information relevant to the building you’re in. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/23/21529927/apple-airtags-location-tracker-find-my-accessory-patent-applications-posture

Photography Equipment for Beginners: What to Buy When Starting Out You’ve decided you want to get more serious about photography, move beyond just making snapshots with your cellphone, and perhaps even pursue making money from your hobby. You’re ready to start shopping for a better camera and the accessories that go with it. Continue Reading . . . https://digital-photography-school.com/?p=195387

The Apple TV app is coming to PS4 and PS5 The Apple TV app has rolled out to seemingly every platform except consoles, but even that is changing today. Sony has revealed the PlayStation 5’s initial media apps, and Apple TV one of them. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/apple-tv-app-ps4-ps5-140329408.html

Windows 10: Best 3 new features, and how to use them The Windows 10 ($145 at Amazon) October 2020 Update has finally arrived, and will be slowly rolling out to desktops, laptops and two-in-ones over the coming weeks. Once you've updated, you'll find a few important new features that will help you get the most out of your device. (Learn how to . Continue Reading . . . https://www.cnet.com/how-to/windows-10-best-3-new-features-and-how-to-use-them/

Google discontinues the Nest Secure Alarm System Google has discontinued Nest Secure, the company's DIY home security system. Announced in late 2017 for a starting price of $499, the Nest Secure Alarm System was Google's high-end answer to other self-installed home security systems from SimpliSafe, Abode, Scout and others. Continue Reading . . . https://www.cnet.com/news/google-discontinues-the-nest-secure-alarm-system/

Manual Exposure Cheat Sheet for Beginners: How to Expose Manually Photographers are visual people. Learning is often made easier for us with the help of graphics and images. In this article, I want to break down this classic manual exposure cheat sheet: Beginner photographers, and even more experienced ones, often think that Manual mode is complicated. Continue Reading . . . https://digital-photography-school.com/?p=187440

Jony Ive is bringing his design talents to... Airbnb I’m not going to pretend it makes obvious sense, but famed former Apple designer Jony Ive will soon be working for Airbnb. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/21/21527824/apple-designer-jony-ive-airbnb-hired-lovefrom

Apple's HomePod gets its new intercom feature today Apple has rolled out HomePod Software 14.1, adding intercom functionality and a handful of other updates to its devices a month before the launch of the HomePod Mini. The 14.1 update allows the speakers to work as an intercom system, sending announcements to other HomePods in the house. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/ios-homepod-update-intercom-siri-maps-iphone-12-202035823.html

Apple updates HomePod with intercom and other new features Apple’s HomePod smart speaker is getting some new capabilities thanks to a software update that’s available today as part of iOS 14.1. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/20/21525384/apple-homepod-update-intercom-maps-podcasts-siri

Windows 10 October 2020 Update is now available with an updated Start menu and more Microsoft is releasing its Windows 10 October 2020 Update to over a billion users today. Much like last year, this second Windows 10 update of 2020 is more of a Service Pack than a major release. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/20/21524590/microsoft-windows-10-october-2020-update-download-install-release

Cyberpunk 2077's dialogue was lip-synced by AI Cyberpunk 2077 is just a few weeks away and the action-packed RPG will launch with support for dialogue in 10 languages and subtitle options for several others. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/cyberpunk-2077-dialogue-language-lip-sync-artificial-intelligence-dubbing-154523977.html

Lightroom’s enhanced color grading tools are now available Adobe is updating Lightroom today with revamped color grading tools meant to offer more powerful and flexible ways to adjust an image’s color. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/20/21515950/lightroom-color-grading-now-available-adobe-max-2020

After outcry, Microsoft presses pause on unsolicited Windows 10 web app installs On Saturday, I pointed out how Microsoft force-restarting Windows 10 computers to install unwanted web apps was the latest proof you don’t own your own Windows PC. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/19/21524006/microsoft-pause-unsolicited-pwa-office-app-windows-10

Apple should switch the iPhone to USB-C if it really wants to help the environment If you buy an iPhone in the future, you’re not getting an included charging brick or earbuds. Apple says the reasons are environmental. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/21522980/apple-iphone-12-pro-usb-c-lightning-environment-charger-box-electronic-waste

Disney Plus has a new warning label for content with racist stereotypes Several movies and shows on Disney+ now carry an unskippable content warning that flags racist stereotypes. "This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures,” the warning reads (via Polygon). “These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/disney-plus-content-advisory-racism-stereotypes-182133046.html

AMC offers private theater rentals for as little as $99 The USA’s largest cinema chain AMC is making its screens available for private hire, allowing groups of up to 20 people to watch a film on the big screen without having to share an auditorium with strangers. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/19/21522815/amc-private-cinema-hire-coronavirus-tenet-new-mutants

Microsoft releases emergency security updates for Windows and Visual Studio Microsoft has published today two out-of-band security updates to address security issues in the Windows Codecs library and the Visual Studio Code application. Continue Reading . . . https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-releases-emergency-security-updates-for-windows-and-visual-studio/

Indian man rescued from mortuary freezer dies A 74-year-old Indian man, who was mistakenly declared dead and put in a mortuary freezer, has died days after being rescued. Mr Balasubramanyam was declared dead by a doctor at a private hospital in Tamil Nadu on Monday and placed in a freezer. Continue Reading . . . https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-54566167

Google Search will help you identify that song stuck in your head Over a billion people every day use Google Search, the company said. Despite having worked on the software for more than 20 years, every day there are 15 percent of queries that Google has never seen before. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/google-search-hum-to-search-song-ai-200947045.html

HomePod will soon have Dolby Atmos support for Apple TV 4K An upcoming home cinema feature will soon enable Apple HomePod to blast Dolby Atmos audio from Apple TV 4K. The feature, which is on the way as part of a future firmware update, will also support 5.1 and 7.1 channel audio (via The Verge). Only the regular HomePod will get the option, however. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/apple-homepod-dolby-atmos-apple-tv-4k-142055970.html

Apple’s HomePod will soon support Dolby Atmos with the Apple TV 4K Apple’s HomePod is getting a lot more useful as a home cinema speaker for Apple TV 4K owners. Apple has confirmed to The Verge that an upcoming software update will let the speaker output Dolby Atmos audio as well as 5.1 and 7.1 channel audio from Apple’s streaming box. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/15/21517321/apple-homepod-dolby-atmos-tv-4k-virtual-surround-sound-5-1-7-1

Solar energy reaches historically low costs In some parts of the world, solar power is now the cheapest source of electricity in history, thanks to policies encouraging renewable energy growth. That’s according to a new report released today by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/13/21514902/solar-energy-cost-historic-low-energy-agency-outlook-2020

Apple’s new iPhones won’t ship with earbuds or chargers Apple’s new iPhone 12 lineup ships without a charger or pair of Lightning earbuds in the box to reduce their environmental impact, the company announced today. Instead, they’ll come with just a USB-C to Lightning cable. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/13/21514480/apple-iphone-charging-brick-charger-earbuds-box-environmental-impact-carbon-emissions

Research finds coronavirus can survive on phone screens for 28 days The virus that causes COVID-19 can stay active on smooth surfaces like smartphones, metal surfaces and paper money for much longer than the flu virus, according to researchers from Australia’s national science agency. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/coronavirus-flu-virus-smartphone-screens-080440373.html

5 Helpful Tips for Faster Editing in Lightroom A lot of us spend a pretty large chunk of time working in Lightroom, and any tricks or techniques for working more efficiently can really add up in the long run. This helpful video will show you five great tips for working more quickly and efficiently in Lightroom. Continue Reading . . . https://fstoppers.com/education/5-helpful-tips-faster-editing-lightroom-523442

Comcast tests tech that enables gigabit upload speeds over cable Just a few years ago Comcast started rolling out 1Gbps cable service and now it’s widely available in many areas across the country, but it still can’t match fiber for upload speed. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/comcast-1-gb-upload-trial-035904628.html

Sony reveals PS5 will play most PS4 games, but some ‘may exhibit errors’ Sony is detailing its PS5 backward compatibility support for playing older PS4 games today. The next-gen PS5 will support more than 4,000 PS4 games on the new PS5 console, a number Sony says is the “overwhelming majority. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/21509379/sony-ps5-backward-compatibility-ps4-games-support-features

Microsoft is letting some employees work from home permanently Microsoft is allowing some of its employees to work from home permanently. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/9/21508964/microsoft-remote-work-from-home-covid-19-coronavirus

Adobe brings more AI-powered tools to Photoshop and Premiere Elements 2021 The 2021 versions of Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements are now available, and Adobe has added a number of AI-powered features to them. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/adobe-photoshop-premiere-elements-2021-features-145621547.html

Drone truck startup Einride unveils new driverless vehicles for autonomous freight hauling Einride, the Swedish autonomous trucking startup, unveiled a new vehicle type that the company hopes to have on the road delivering freight starting in 2021. The vehicles, dubbed Autonomous Electric Transport (AET), came in four different variations. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/8/21506125/einride-self-driving-truck-pod-aet-reveal