FedEx plans to test a different method of moving goods between depots starting next year, which could speed up the delivery process. The company has teamed up with Elroy Air, which is developing a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) cargo drone, to transport packages between sorting centers via autonomous flights.
Elroy Air unveiled the Chaparral C1 drone in January. The company claims the hybrid-electric system has a range of up to 300 miles and can carry a load of up to 500 pounds in its cargo pod (so FedEx would need a lot of them if it wants to eventually replace planes). The drone has 12 electric motors and 12 propellers.
FedEx noted in a press release that the Chaparral C1 doesn’t need specific infrastructure like an airport or dedicated charging station. It added that adopting the aircraft lines up with its goal of making operations carbon neutral by 2040.
Elroy Air
The companies have been collaborating for over two years and they’re working on securing certifications to use the Chaparral C1 commercially. All going well, the plan is to start test flights in 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Autonomous cargo flights could enable FedEx to move packages between sorting centers more efficiently than by on-the-ground transportation. The Chaparral C1 is in a pre-production phase (the cruise speed is unknown as yet). If it works as promised, FedEx would be able to fly cargo by drone from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City.
Setting up an Apple device to automatically install the latest version of its operating system doesn’t mean you’ll get the update right away. Apple typically takes a few weeks to roll out auto-updates to everyone. Craig Federighi, who oversees iOS in his role as senior vice president of software engineering, shed some light on why that’s the case.
As spotted by MacRumors, redditor u/Kechoopix wrote to Federighi to ask how iOS auto-updates work. Federighi responded and revealed that Apple gradually rolls out “new iOS updates by first making them available for those that explicitly seek them out in Settings, and then 1-4 weeks later (after we’ve received feedback on the update) ramp up to rolling out devices with auto-update enabled.”
That approach makes sense. If, for instance, there are critical bugs in an iOS or iPadOS update, Apple may be able to patch them before it’s installed on all devices with auto-update switched on. Slowing the rollout of an update until Apple is more certain that version of iOS isn’t breaking iPhones is a smart approach (and could help it keep the lid on any negative fallout). A gradual rollout also lessens the strain on Apple’s servers.
However, it may not be the best approach if an iOS version includes a fix for a zero-day vulnerability. In that case, Apple could opt to push out auto-updates more quickly and address other issues later.
Google may be set to integrate Bluetooth tracker detection into Android. With devices like Tile trackers and Apple AirTags becoming more popular, there have been instances of bad actors planting one on someone else and using it to follow their movements.
However, there are some issues with current detection methods on Android. Users would both need to be aware of the fact that Bluetooth trackers can be misused and have apps that can detect them installed on their device. The Apple and Tile apps also require users to scan for trackers manually, a process that can take around 10 minutes.
According to 9to5Google, the Android team has started work on a tracker detection feature in Play services. The most recent APK code includes references to Tile trackers and “ATag” (probably AirTags) and hints that Android users may be able to ring detected devices.
The feature is said to be in early development and it’ll likely be some time before Google releases it publicly (if at all). Having automatic detection built into the OS, or even a manual scanner with a warning to all users about the potential for stalking, would surely help protect users from being tracked. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about Google’s tracker detection plans at I/O in May.
TikTok users will soon have even more ways to make their videos stand out from the crowd. The service has announced the TikTok Library, which will grant creators access to more entertainment-based content. You’ll be able to find GIFs, clips from your favorite TV shows, memes and other content, which you can slot into your TikToks.
Although there are already ways to insert GIFs from Giphy into TikTok videos, it should be easier to do that once you have access to the library. Until now, Giphy GIFs have been available as Stickers and via the Green Screen effect. At the outset, the TikTok Library will also include Giphy Clips, which are essentially GIFs with audio. The initial collection will feature reaction clips, quotes, famous faces and “iconic moments,” which may or may not include certain award show incidents.
TikTok will start testing the Library in some markets on Android today and on iOS next week. It plans to expand the tool to more people in the coming weeks.
Once the feature is available, you’ll be able to access it by tapping the new Library icon on the sidebar. After you find something you want to add to your video, you can trim it to a specific length and then keep building your TikTok from the shoot page.
After months (if not years) of speculation, Sony has officially announced its revamped game subscription service as it looks to take on Microsoft’s all-conquering Game Pass. The company is keeping the PlayStation Plus branding as it combines PS Plus and PlayStation Now into a three-tier service, but don’t expect Sony to add new PS4 or PS5 games on their release day.
All-new PlayStation Plus launches in June with three flexible membership options.
PlayStation Plus Essential is the lowest tier and it’s effectively the same as the current version of PS Plus. You’ll be able to claim two games per month that you can download and play as long as you maintain your subscription. You’ll also get discounts in the PSN Store, cloud storage for save files and access to online multiplayer. Those on PS5 will still have access to the PS Plus Collection, which includes a great batch of PS4 classics.
Pricing stays the same at $10 per month; $25 per quarter and $60 per year in the US; €9 per month, €25 per quarter and €60 per year in Europe; £7 per month, £20 per quarter and £50 per year in the UK; and ¥850 per month, ¥2,150 per quarter and ¥5,143 per year in Japan.
The middle tier is PlayStation Plus Extra. You’ll get access to the same benefits as the Essential tier along with a library of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games. These will include PlayStation Studios titles as well as ones from third-party publishers. At the outset, Sony plans to offer games including Death Stranding, God of War, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Mortal Kombat 11 and Returnal.
You’ll be able to download these games, and everything else on the Extra tier, for offline play. Sony says the library will be refreshed regularly, so, as with Game Pass, some games might be dropped after a certain period.
The Extra tier costs $15 per month; $40 per quarter and $100 per year in the US; €14 per month, €40 per quarter and €100 per year in Europe; £11 per month, £32 per quarter and £84 per year in the UK; and ¥1,300 per month, ¥3,600 per quarter and ¥8,600 per year in Japan.
Aaron Souppouris/Engadget
At the top end is PlayStation Plus Premium. You’ll get access to everything in the Essential and Extra tiers, of course, and this is where the PS Now aspect really comes into play.
You’ll get access to another 340 or so games, including PS3 titles you can stream via the cloud. A bunch of PS1, PS2 and PSP games will be available to stream or download, meaning that Sony is using on-console emulation. Time-limited game trials will also be available on this tier.
Here’s where things get a little a more complex. Premium subscribers will be able to stream PS1, PS2 and PSP games, as well as PS4 titles on the Extra tier, but only in markets where PS Now is currently available. Those are the US, Canada, Japan, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden.
Sony plans to bring cloud streaming to more regions at a later date. In the meantime, those in markets without cloud streaming will get access to a cheaper version of Premium. Those who subscribe to that service, which is called PlayStation Plus Deluxe, will be able to download and play PS1, PS2 and PSP titles and have access to the game trials as well as the Essential and Extra perks.
The cloud gaming option will work on PS4 and PS5 consoles as well as PC. At least for the time being, you won’t be able to stream PlayStation games natively on phones or tablets (though there’s always the Remote Play option). Xbox Cloud Gaming is available on mobile devices in many regions.
PlayStation Plus Premium costs $18 per month; $50 per quarter and $120 per year in the US; €17 per month, €50 per quarter and €120 per year in Europe; £13.50 per month, £40 per quarter and £100 per year in the UK; and ¥1,550 per month, ¥4,300 per quarter and ¥10,250 per year in Japan. Notably, at least in the US, the annual price is $60 less than Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members pay for a year of access to that service.
Aaron Souppouris/Engadget
One thing you definitely won’t get anytime soon, no matter which tier you subscribe to, is first-party PlayStation games on the day they’re released. “We feel if we were to do that with the games that we make at PlayStation Studios, that virtuous cycle will be broken,” Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan told GamesIndustry.biz in an interview. “The level of investment that we need to make in our studios would not be possible, and we think the knock-on effect on the quality of the games that we make would not be something that gamers want.”
This is a huge move for Sony as it tries to get players more invested in its platforms. Between PS Plus and PS Now, Sony has more than 50 million subscribers. The vast majority of those (more than 48 million) are PS Plus members that Sony is hoping will upgrade to a higher tier. Around 75 percent of PS Now members are also PS Plus subscribers, so they’ll soon pay less for the combined service.
The new-look PS Plus will start rolling out in June. It’ll debut in some markets in Asia before expanding to North America, Europe and other territories where PlayStation Plus is available. It plans to have the new tiers live in most PlayStation Network regions by the end of June. Expect to learn more details about the service in the coming weeks.
8BitDo’s Pro 2 was already great value at its regular price of $50, but now the controller has dropped to an all-time low on Amazon. It’s on sale for $42.50, which is 15 percent off the usual price.
As with the excellent SN30 Pro+, the Pro 2 is compatible with Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS, Android and Raspberry Pi. This time around, the controller has two back buttons. Like all of the other inputs, those buttons on the handles (where your ring finger or pinky might rest naturally) are fully customizable through a Windows, Mac, Android and iOS app. The controller has a profile configuration switcher as well, so you can swap between three input configurations without having to fire up the app.
It’s a little disappointing that the controller isn’t compatible with iOS devices, PlayStation or Xbox. For those who game on pretty much every other major platform, though, the 8BitDo Pro 2 is well worth checking out, particularly if you pick up a cheap smartphone clip so you can more easily play cloud gaming titles just about anywhere.
The Wolverine V2 Chroma is compatible with Xbox consoles and PC. It’s a worthy alternative to Microsoft’s Elite Wireless Series 2 controller.
It has six more buttons than a standard Xbox controller and they’re all remappable. Those could be useful for swiftly building structures in Fortnite (once that becomes a thing again) or executing rapid combos. There’s also full RGB support via Razer’s Xbox controller app, swappable thumbsticks and a hair-trigger mode that could give you an advantage over your rivals.
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The long-awaited current-gen versions of Apex Legends are almost here. Respawn Entertainment will release native PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the battle royale when the Warriors Collection event goes live today.
All three consoles will support 4K output and full 60Hz gameplay as well as HDR. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions are getting higher-resolution shadow maps and larger level-of-detail distances (so you can see objects from further away).
Some features players might have been expecting at the outset will arrive in future patches. Those include support for 120Hz gameplay, adaptive triggers and haptic feedback on PS5, as well as audio and visual improvements.
The Warriors Collection Event will bring next-gen versions of Apex Legends to PS5 and XSX!
PlayStation players: check out the info below to learn how to update your game 👇 Xbox players: no action is needed. Apex will update via Smart Delivery.
Not having 120 fps capabilities at the jump will be disappointing for many, given the fast pace of Apex Legends matches and the fact the developers have long been discussing that feature as one of their goals for the current-gen versions. Still, after the native PS5 and Xbox Series X/S editions land, it should be somewhat easier for developers to roll out updates across all platforms, so hopefully it won’t be long before 120 fps support is added.
Thanks to Microsoft’s Smart Delivery tech, the Xbox Series X/S versions of Apex Legends should automatically download if you have the Xbox One edition installed. PS5 players will need to download their console’s version manually from the options menu on the Apex Legends game page or from the PSN store if they don’t have the PS4 edition on their system.
Beyond the current-gen versions, there’s a lot more for Apex Legends players to check out later today. The 9v9 Control mode, which proved popular when it debuted earlier this year, is back until April 12th. The Caustic Treatment area of King’s Canyon is getting some changes so it can act as a Control battleground.
There’s a new map called Drop-Off for the 3v3 Arena team deathmatch mode. A collection of 24 limited-time cosmetics will be available during the Warriors Collection event, including skins. Collect them all and you’ll unlock a new sword Heirloom item for Crypto.
Samsung’s latest Smart Monitor, which we first got a look at during CES, is now available to pre-order. The Smart Monitor M8 has support for streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV, as well as cloud gaming platforms. You won’t necessarily need to connect to external speakers, since two built-in 5W speakers and a tweeter will deliver 2.2-channel audio.
The display comes with a magnetic, detachable SlimFit Cam that you can use for video calls. The full-HD webcam has face tracking and auto zoom functions, so it can follow you as you move around and automatically focus on your face. There’s a far-field microphone as well, which will come in handy if you want to bark instructions at Alexa or Bixby from across the room.
What’s more, the M8 has an integrated SmartThings hub, which will allow you to control compatible smart home devices. You can connect wirelessly to a Windows PC or Mac and mirror your smartphone screen to the display as well. There’s also the option to browse the web, edit documents and work on projects without connecting to a computer, in part thanks to built-in Microsoft 365 support.
Samsung
The M8 is 11.4mm thick, which Samsung says is around a quarter of the depth of previous displays. The 32-inch display has a UHD resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 and HDR 10+ compatibility. It has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a contrast ratio of 3,000:1. There’s support for 1.07 billion colors, which covers 99 percent of the sRGB spectrum.
The refresh rate tops out at 60 Hz, which may not cut it for some folks, while the response time is 4ms. On the connectivity front, the display has a one micro HDMI port and two USB-C ports, along with WiFi 5, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth 4.2 support. It comes with a height-adjustable stand for which you won’t have to pay an extra $400.
The Smart Monitor M8 starts at $700 for the white model. The spring green, sunset pink and daylight blue models will cost you a little extra at $730.
Wolverine wants to help Halo fans finish their fight in style. The boot company has teamed up with Microsoft to create rugged limited-edition footwear inspired by Master Chief.
Halo developer 343 Industries worked with Wolverine for over a year to design the boot, which is based on the company’s Hellcat footwear. Wolverine says when it revealed the Hellcat in August 2020, many people noted that the safety toe made the boot look like it was straight out of the Halo universe.
The snappily named Wolverine x Halo: The Master Chief boot has rubber lug outsoles for grip and an UltraSpring high rebound midsole, which Wolverine claims will provide wearers with a “lightweight, energized ride.” It’s made with full-grain leather and there’s a hook and loop cover for the laces.
Wolverine
The footwear comes in the green of Master Chief’s armor and has his Spartan number, 117, on the heel of the left boot. The boots also feature the United Nations Space Command and the logo of the Materials Group, which made Master Chief’s armor. For better or worse, the footwear certainly catches the eye.
A pair will cost $225 and you’ll be able to buy them at noon Eastern time on March 29th from Wolverine’s website. You’ll probably need to act fast (and get lucky) if you want to wear the boots while racking up frags in Halo Infinite or kicking back and watching the Halo TV show. Wolverine is only making 117 pairs of them.
These boots aren’t the only Xbox-related footwear to hit the streets in recent months. At the tail end of 2021, Adidas releasedseveral models of sneakers modeled after Xbox consoles to mark the brand’s 20th anniversary.
The US and the European Union have struck a preliminary agreement on an updated Privacy Shield framework to re-enable the flow of data between the two regions. A previous agreement was struck down by the EU’s top court in 2020 over concerns that Europeans would not be fully protected from mass surveillance by the US.
“We have found an agreement in principle on a new framework for transatlantic data flows,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden. “This will enable predictable and trustworthy data flows between the EU and US, safeguarding privacy and civil liberties.”
“Privacy and security are key elements of my digital agenda,” Biden said. “And, today, we’ve agreed to unprecedented protections for data privacy and security for our citizens. This new arrangement will enhance the Privacy Shield framework, promote growth and innovation in Europe and the United States and help companies, both small and large, compete in the digital economy.”
Pleased that we found an agreement in principle on a new framework for transatlantic data flows.
It will enable predictable and trustworthy 🇪🇺🇺🇸 data flows, balancing security, the right to privacy and data protection.
Biden added that should the new deal come into force, it will “allow the European Commission to once again authorize transatlantic data flows that help facilitate $7.1 trillion in economic relationships with the EU.” He said the US and EU reached other agreements on bolstering renewable sources of energy and reducing Europe’s reliance on fossil fuels from Russia.
The provisional deal on data privacy comes one day after the European Union reached an agreement on adopting the Digital Markets Act (DMA), legislation aimed at reining in the power of the biggest tech companies and giving smaller players more of a chance to compete. One provision could force the likes of Meta and Apple to make their messaging services interoperable with other platforms.
At a separate press conference on Friday, Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission’s executive vice president for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, said the DMA will come into force in October.
