Philo’s budget TV service will soon work with Chromecast (updated)
Philo’s budget TV service is now Chromecast compatible. Subscribers with the Android app will soon be able to cast Philo to a Chromecast or Chromecast-supported TV. The feature should be available in “upcoming weeks” and could make it easier to watch Philo on a big screen. The company says this is the first part of “Philo Connect,” which will allow users to seamlessly watch content across multiple devices.
While Philo started out as a streaming service for students, it has become one of the most popular budget-friendly options for cord cutters. For $20 per month, users get 61 channels. Philo lets you watch on the web, iOS and Android smartphones, Roku, Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV. The company says it wants to bring Philo Connect to those devices as well.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/philo-connect-streaming-tv-app-chromecast-154507697.html
My latest lockdown workout is VR boxing
BoxVR workouts land somewhere between those test-your-strength arcade punch cabinets, a boxercise class and, maybe, an arcade shooter. Once you’ve got your stance (a footprint symbol on the floor will direct you as to whether you put your right or left foot first), the soundtrack and the workout begin.
The aim is to hit, block or dodge everything that comes your way. Successful actions stack up on the HUD on the left side of the screen. If you collect enough, these give a boost to your point scores. Get hit (or miss hitting something) and your ‘combo’ gets dinged and you have to start building up your run again.
While a lot of workout games with wands or hand tracking focus on those areas, BoxVR tries to keep it all full-body workout. Yes, neon balloons will shoot towards you, demanding jabs, hooks and uppercuts, but these are joined by “walls” that you’ll need to duck under. These seem set at a good level (given the game can gauge your height) to feel the burn of squatting; it’s always a little deeper than comfortable, but that’s probably good for a workout.
Throughout the session, the game asks you to swap your stance and offer a few seconds of recovery before the next barrage of neon targets. Also, I’m no boxing black-belt (I know that’s not a thing), but these workouts are very much cardio-centric. You’re not going to nail your form and while it helped improve my fitness levels, and possibly responsiveness, BoxVR won’t translate into real-life sparring improvements. There aren’t any coaching cues, and though fitness coaches profiles are matched to classes, I’m not sure what benefit anyone derives from that. Did they program the class?
The game attempts to track how many calories you burn, based on your weight, height and movements. Expect to burn a few hundred calories for more extended workouts.
It’s a VR cliche, but I appreciated the escapism — a workout that’s not a dull run, nor push-ups or handstand holds in my one-bedroom apartment. I am getting pretty sick of these four walls.
With BoxVR, you’re transported to a digital boutique gym that (rejoice!) has no one in it besides you. It feels almost as if it were designed with COVID-19 in mind, even if there are no virtual hand sanitizer dispensers.
When you choose the workout you want, whether that’s the level of intensity or length of the session, you also get to pick the ‘look’ of the gym, which includes a sci-fi-themed landscape if you’d rather keep things gamey.
After a few weeks of workouts on the Oculus Quest, I also tried it on my PSVR. Sadly, it’s not such a great fit on the PS4. The headset is far too heavy, the cables irritate and tangle — it’s all uncomfortable and unwieldy.
That’s why BoxVR, like most VR workouts, works best on the latest (and crucially) lightest hardware. Even then, I found it got a little too sweaty on the longer running workouts — imagine doing a gym class while wearing goggles. It doesn’t matter how light the VR hardware is when you still have to strap it to your face.
Compared to some other titles — we recently tested out the dance-centric Supernatural, but you could add Beat Saber here too — I missed having a soundtrack of more familiar songs and mixes. Now, if you play BoxVR on a PC, you can add your music to workouts — I was pretty envious of this feature.
I haven’t managed to exhaust all the workouts, mostly due to the sweats on longer sessions, but BoxVR now has two different DLC expansions, adding a wider range of both music and workouts. Perhaps disappointingly, it doesn’t offer a major shift in music styles of moves, but in general, these DLC workouts demanded higher levels of skill (not to mention fitness).
The makers of BoxVR have just announced a new VR fitness hub, FitXR. Existing BoxVR users will get a free upgrade to the new ‘studio’ on Oculus Quest, which includes over four hours of boxercise workouts. These workouts are pitched as slightly more elaborate, folding in lunge moves and more classes, but it doesn’t appear to shake things up too much. I’d have loved to see the ability to spar with a trainer and a virtual punch-bag, even if there’s no physical feedback to your swings and jabs. (I’m imagining something like how Sharon Stone gets coached on her tennis serve in Total Recall.)
FitXR’s new hub could help keep you motivated, though, offering virtual fitness classes filled with six other players (or even ghost data) to keep you on your toes and at the top, or middle, of the leaderboards.
Three years on, the company appears to be sticking to on-the-rails punching. Now that VR hardware has evolved, I hope BoxVR (Or FitXR) can continue to do the same.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/box-vr-oculus-quest-vr-workouts-160057248.html
Apple now offers a single gift card for digital and physical purchases
Apple is now offering a single gift card you can use towards any of its products. The Apple Gift Card is more flexible than the company’s previous cards, since you can use it for the App Store, subscriptions or other digital goods, as well as physical items from the Apple Store or website.
If you receive an Apple Gift Card, you can add the funds from it to your Apple Account Balance. That’s valid for "products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud, and more,” according to Apple’s website. App Store iTunes gift cards are now redeemable towards your Apple Account Balance too.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/apple-gift-card-digital-physical-purchases-app-store-apple-store-162555232.html
Facebook adds official music videos to News Feed and Watch
Beginning today, Facebook users in the US can watch official music videos on Facebook. The music videos will appear in the News Feed, and Facebook is launching a Music section in Facebook Watch, where you can explore videos by genre, artist or mood.
In the coming weeks, we can expect music video premieres from J. Balvin, Karol G, Sebastian Yatra, Alejandro Fernandez and Calibre 50. Updated Artist Pages should make it easier to find and browse music videos by your favorite musicians.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/facebook-official-music-videos-watch-163112370.html
GM will help EVgo install 2,700 EV fast chargers across the US
The new charging stations will be installed in cities and suburbs, and you’ll be able to use them starting early next year. You’ll find them near the likes of grocery stores, retail outlets and entertainment complexes, with the idea that you can charge your EV while you run errands or have fun. Most stations will be able to charge four vehicles at once, and they’ll have 100-350-kilowatt charging capabilities which, according to GM, will “meet the needs of an increasingly powerful set of EVs coming to market.”
GM is hoping this approach of installing stations in easily accessible locations will make EVs a more viable option for people who don’t otherwise have easy access to charging stations. Those include folks who can’t install chargers in their rented homes or who don’t have stations close to their workplace.
“We are moving quickly to bring new EVs to market that customers will love,” GM chairman and CEO Mary Barra said. “We know how important the charging ecosystem is for drivers, one that includes access to convenient and reliable public fast charging. Our relationship with EVgo will bolster the public fast charging network available to EV customers ahead of increased market demand and reinforce our commitment to an all-electric, zero-emissions future.”
GM has a number of EVs on the way, including electric truck and SUV versions of the Hummer. The company has also said that by 2030, most if not all Cadillacs it makes will be EVs.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/gm-evgo-fast-charging-network-electric-vehicles-172255543.html
The best deals we found this week: MacBook Air, TCL Roku TVs and more
Buy MacBook Air at Amazon - $899
MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro is better suited for those that need their laptop to be a true workhorse and you can still grab a couple of the latest models while they’re discounted at Amazon. The 512GB and 1TB models of the 2020 MacBook Pro are both $200 off right now, dropping them down to $1,600 and $1,800, respectively. You’ll get the new Magic Keyboard on these laptops, too, as well as 10th-gen 2.0Ghz Core i5 processors, 16GB of RAM, 13-inch Retina displays and four Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Buy 13-inch MacBook Pro (512GB) at Amazon - $1,600
Buy 13-inch MacBook Pro (1TB) at Amazon - $1,800
AirPods
Amazon and Staples have Apple’s AirPods (with the standard wired charging case) for $129, which is very close to the lowest price we’ve seen them ($128.99). They typically hover between $135 and $140, so this is a good opportunity to grab them if you don’t own a pair already. If you like the feel of the EarPods that used to come with iPhones, then you’ll like the fit of AirPods. We gave them a score of 84 for their great wireless performance and solid battery life.
TCL 8-series Roku TVs
Two of TCL’s 8-series Roku smart TVs are discounted at Best Buy: the 65-inch 4K model is down to $1,000 and the massive 75-inch 4K model is down to $1,500. Those are the lowest prices we’ve ever seen for both TVs, and while they still cost a lot more than most, they have some of the newest tech you can find. The 8-series, which became available at the end of 2019, uses both quantum-dot and mini LED technology to achieve better color performance and more precise backlighting. If you’d rather not spend that much on a TV, you can snag one of Hisense’s H65 sets that are also on sale: the 43-inch 4K model is on sale for $230 and the 55-inch 4K model is now $300, which is $100 off its normal price.
Buy 65-inch TCL Roku TV at Best Buy - $1,000
Buy 75-inch TCL Roku TV at Best Buy - $1,500
Apple Watch Series 3
You can get the Apple Watch Series 3 for its lowest price ever, only $169, at Amazon. This is a good option if the $400 Series 5 is out of your price range, or you don’t need all the bells and whistles that come with the latest model. The Series 3 does all of the basics you’d want a smartwatch to do, include track daily activity and workouts, monitor heart rate, deliver smartphone alerts, play music when connected to wireless headphones and more.
Buy Apple Watch Series 3 at Amazon - $169
Echo Dot bundle
The Echo Dot is Amazon’s most affordable Alexa speaker, but now you can get it for much less than its $50 starting price. Those new to Amazon Music Unlimited can buy two months of the service and get either an Echo Dot for $0.99 extra, or an Echo Dot with Clock for $10 extra. That’s the cheapest you’ll ever see an Echo Dot (albeit for the rare occasions it’s a freebie when you buy a more expensive device) and you can try out Amazon’s answer to Spotify and Apple Music in the process. Just remember that your Music Unlimited subscription will renew at $10 per month if you don’t cancel before the two months are up.
Buy Echo Dot bundle at Amazon - $21
Buy Echo Dot with Clock bundle at Amazon - $30
New deal additions
Anker accessories
Anker has another one-day-only sale on Amazon today. While not as expansive as the brand’s last Amazon deal, it does include an MFi-certified Powerline+ II USB-C to Lightning cable for only $16, which is $9 less than its normal price and the lowest we’ve seen it. We like these Powerline cables for their braided nylon design that helps them resist breaking and fraying. Using this cable with an 18W or higher USB-C PD charger will let you charge your iPhone to 50 percent in only a half hour.
Buy Powerline+ II USB-C to Lightning cable at Amazon - $16
Shop Anker’s one-day-only sale
Vantrue dash cams
Two of Vantrue’s excellent dash cams are on sale for their lowest prices ever right now: the N1 Pro Mini dash cam costs $52 when you use the code NPRTR7BQ at checkout, and the N2 Pro Dual dash cam costs $120 when you use the code VH2U6RYN at checkout. The N1 Pro Mini is best for most people as it films the road ahead of you while you’re driving in 1080p, includes a night vision mode, uses loop recording so you never run out of storage space for recordings and has a G-sensor for saving impact footage. The N2 Pro films both the road and the interior of your car, making it better for those who drive for ride-sharing services.
Buy N1 Pro Mini dash cam at Amazon - $52
Buy N2 Pro Dual dash cam at Amazon - $120
Arturia summer sale
Arturia is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a summer sale that slashes 50 percent off some of its music software. Many individual instruments are discounted, but the best deals are on Pigments and Analog Lab, both of which are $99. The last time these two programs were this low was back in April. Analog Lab gives you a bunch of software synths with 6,500 presets, built-in effects, splits, multis and a live mode, along with a sound store with thousands of presets. Pigments provides a powerful synth with multiple engines, sound sources, effects and modulation.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/weekly-deals-apple-macbook-air-tcl-8-series-roku-tv-174503987.html
Tampa teenager and two others arrested for Twitter Bitcoin hack
Clark was unnamed by the Department of Justice due to his juvenile status, but was outed by the WFLA affiliate in Tampa, Florida. Clark will be prosecuted in Hillsborough County instead.
According to WFLA, Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren has filed 30 felony charges against the teen, which include one count of organized fraud, one count of fraudulent use of personal information with over $100,000 or 30 more victims, one count of access to computer or electronic device without authority, 10 counts of fraudulent use of personal information and 17 counts of communications fraud.
The outlet reported that the hacked tweets had directed followers to send Bitcoin to accounts that were associated with the Tampa teenager.
“Upon opening an investigation into this attack, our investigators worked quickly to determine who was responsible and to locate those individuals," said FBI Special Agent in Charge John L. Bennett in a statement. “While investigations into cyber breaches can sometimes take years, our investigators were able to bring these hackers into custody in a matter of weeks. Regardless of how long it takes us to identify hackers, we will follow the evidence to where it leads us and ultimately hold those responsible for cyber intrusions accountable for their actions. Cyber criminals will not find sanctuary behind their keyboards.”
Kelly R. Jackson, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office said that its Cyber Crimes Unit analyzed the blockchain and de-anonymized bitcoin transactions, which allowed them to identify two of the above hackers.
The Twitter hack on July 15th originally targeted Bitcoin-related accounts, but then expanded to include accounts of high-profile celebrities and politicians such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Kanye West, Jeff Bezos, Mike Bloomberg, Joe Biden and even former president Barack Obama. The hacked tweets told their followers to send Bitcoin to a certain address, with the promised exchange of double the amount of Bitcoin in return.
According to Twitter, the hack was orchestrated via a phone spear phishing attack that targeted a few of its employees. The perpetrator then “used their credentials to access our internal systems and gain information about our processes.” There was a report that said access came from finding logins in a Slack channel, but Twitter has not confirmed it.
The company said that the attacker targeted 130 accounts, tweeted from 45 of them, accessed 36 DM inboxes and copied account data from 7. Twitter has said that it is now improving its “methods of detecting and preventing inappropriate access” to its internal systems and “prioritizing security work” across its teams.
Twitter later left a statement expressing gratitude to law enforcement:
We appreciate the swift actions of law enforcement in this investigation and will continue to cooperate as the case progresses. For our part, we are focused on being transparent and providing updates regularly.
For the latest, see here 👇 https://t.co/kHty8TXaly
— Twitter Comms (@TwitterComms) July 31, 2020
Update 7/31 3:33pm: Updated story with details from Department of Justice on the two additional individuals who were accused and charged for the Twitter hack.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/teenager-arrested-twitter-bitcoin-hack-183302700.html
Trump admin will reportedly force ByteDance to sell TikTok
It’s unclear exactly what steps Trump plans to take separate the U.S. version of the app from its Chinese owners. According to Gasparino, Trump could force a sale via the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The Trump administration used a similar tactic last year when it forced the Chinese owner of Grindr to sell the dating app to a U.S buyer.
In a statement, a spokesperson for TikTok said the company is “confident in the long-term success” of the app. "While we do not comment on rumors or speculation, we are confident in the long-term success of TikTok,” the spokesperson said. “Hundreds of millions of people come to TikTok for entertainment and connection, including our community of creators and artists who are building livelihoods from the platform. We’re motivated by their passion and creativity, and committed to protecting their privacy and safety as we continue working to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform."
Microsoft didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The news comes after weeks of speculation about TikTok’s future in the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier this month that the government was “looking at” banning the app, and Congress has recently moved to bar TikTok from federally-issued devices.
TikTok has maintained that the app operates independently from its Chinese parent company, and that it wouldn’t cooperate with requests to hand over user data. The company recently appointed an American CEO, former Disney executive Kevin Mayer, and has taken several steps to increase transparency of its policies and product.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/trump-administration-will-force-sale-tiktok-183730178.html
Netflix confirms it’s adding playback speed controls to its Android app
While director Judd Apatow and others were worried that variable playback can distort their art, Netflix VP Keela Robison says that it tried to be respectful of the creative community by capping fast-forward speeds to 1.5x. YouTube, in comparison, lets you double the speed of whatever you’re watching. Netflix’s variable playback settings also need to be enabled manually for every video, so you won’t be stuck watching everything in an altered speed by accident.
“We’ve decided to press ahead for several reasons,” Robison wrote in a blog post. “Similar functionality has been available on DVD players and DVRs for years and the feature has been much requested by members. Most important of all, our tests show that consumers value the flexibility it provides whether it’s rewatching their favorite scene or slowing things down because they’re watching with subtitles or have hearing difficulties.”
She also noted that surveys of users testing the feature didn’t perceive the content any differently (though I’d argue that would be tough to tell). Now I can understand the uproar over changing playback speeds, but it’s hard to fault Netflix for adding a feature that many consumers expect. In addition to YouTube, plenty of podcast listeners speed up their shows.
And, as I mentioned back in October, it’s not as if every Netflix show is a work of art that needs to be savored. I have a feeling I’d enjoy The Umbrella Academy, or plenty of Netflix’s genre offerings, a lot more if I could speed through the dull parts.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/netflix-playback-speed-android-184657667.html
Microsoft will shut down the Cortana iOS and Android apps in 2021
Microsoft's plan for Invoke speakers is likely to cause the most resentment. The company will push a firmware update to the smart device to turn it into a Bluetooth speaker. "The firmware update will be delivered automatically to devices connected to WiFi within six months of its release," the company said.
As an olive branch to Invoke owners, Microsoft plans to send them $50 gift cards. To be eligible, you'll have to have used your Invoke speaker to ask something of Cortana between July 31st and before today's announcement.
As mentioned above, Microsoft also plans to remove the current iteration of Cortana from its first-generation Surface Headphones in early 2021. Once the change goes through, you'll still be able to use the digital assistant, but only through the integration that comes with Outlook Mobile. First-generation Surface Headphones owners can get a $25 gift card.
"We've spent a lot of time thinking through this transition and understand that these changes may be disruptive to some of our customers," the company said.
As The Verge points, the changes mark another step in Cortana reinvention as a productivity-focused digital helper. Cortana isn't going away, but Microsoft is tweaking the software to better compliment apps like Outlook and Teams. In doing so, the company likely hopes to carve out a niche for the digital assistant away from the likes of Assistant and Alexa. Of course, all of that is small consolation if you bought into the company's original vision for Cortana.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/cortana-shutdown-harman-kardon-invoke-ios-android-191700426.html