We saw both the AirPods Pro and the second-generation AirPods drop to near record-low prices last week, and now the third-generation AirPods have followed suit. Apple’s latest version of its popular wireless earbuds are down to $150 right now, or $30 off their normal rate and only $10 more than their all-time-low price. We last saw them at this price at the end of March, so now’s a good time to grab them if you missed the previous sale.
Apple made a lot of improvements to these AirPods — most notably, giving them a total redesign that makes them fit better than the second-generation wireless buds. They still don’t quite match the AirPods Pro when it comes to fitting into different ear shapes, but they’re much better than the classic AirPods. Apple also dramatically improved the audio quality on these buds by pairing a custom driver with a high-dynamic-range amplifier. You’ll get crisp highs and a rich, consistent bass out of these buds, and if you’re upgrading from a pair of second-gen buds, you’ll immediately notice the difference in sound quality from the moment you put the new AirPods in your ears.
On top of that, the latest AirPods support Adaptive EQ, spatial audio and dynamic head tracking, plus they have a longer battery life, too. You’ll get up to six hours of listening time before they need a recharge, and when use with their MagSafe case, you’ll get up to 30 hours of total use. And as with other Apple earbuds, this model has the H1 chip inside, which enables convenient features like hands-free Siri access and quick pairing and switching between Apple devices. Overall, these are a solid pair of wireless earbuds that will be a good first pair for iPhone users who have yet to pick one up, or a great upgrade for those running their existing buds into the ground.
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Apple has started manufacturing one of its latest phones in India. Reutersreports the tech firm has begun producing iPhone 13 units in the country. While Apple didn’t say which factory was responsible, a Reuters source claimed a Foxconn plant in the Tamil Nadu town of Sriperumbudur would assemble devices.
This is the fourth iPhone Apple has built in India. The company started domestic production in 2017 with the original iPhone SE.
The decision isn’t surprising. The Indian government has used multiple tools to pressure companies into manufacturing locally, including investment rules that require local sourcing for 30 percent of parts. Rising import duties have also played a role. If Apple didn’t make the iPhone 13 locally, the device might be prohibitively expensive compared to rival equivalents made within India’s borders.
Apple has also been diversifying its production away from China to avoid trade disputes and other issues that might come with a heavy reliance on that country. Indian production could help Apple weather temporary disruptions at Chinese plants. The company was also reportedly set to move some AirPod and MacBook manufacturing to Vietnam, although Nikkeiclaimed the pandemic delayed those plans.
The expansion also comes despite labor trouble in India. Rioting erupted at Wistron’s iPhone plant in the Narasapura industrial area in late 2020 as workers complained about unpaid wages, excessive hours and rough working conditions. Apple put Wistron on probation until the contractor addressed the issues, but it’s safe to say the crisis wasn’t going to help Apple’s manufacturing expansion in the country.
It’s hard to believe Wii Sports came out more than 15 years ago. But to me, the strangest thing is that despite being one of the most memorable Wii games of all time, Nintendo never made a proper sequel, that is until now.
I got a chance to check out Nintendo Switch Sports ahead of its official release on April 29th, and I’m so glad it’s back. Just like the original, Switch Sports is a collection of virtual sports games that rely largely on motion controls. In other words, it’s a game best played standing up, ideally with a bunch of friends or family members.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Returning from the original are tennis and bowling, which are as fun as ever. And like all of the included sports, the game supports both online and local play (with up to four players on a single TV). And for kids who might not have been around during the first Wii Sports craze, they’re a great way to introduce motion controls. But for me, the real stars are the four new additions: soccer, volleyball, badminton and chambara.
In volleyball, there are different gestures for things like bumping, setting and blocking, and the ability to play full 2v2 matches locally is a surefire formula for instant fun. The gestures felt surprisingly natural once I got a hang of the timing, to the point where I was having flashbacks about gym class in high school. Just don’t forget to use your Joy-Con’s wrist straps, because no one wants to see a controller-shaped crack on their big screen TV after going for a spike.
Nintendo
Soccer takes a slightly different approach because, for now, it relies on controller inputs rather than wildly flailing around, which means it plays more like Rocket League than actual soccer. There’s even a jumping headbutt command that’s tricky to land, but is extremely satisfying when you do.
That said, in the shootout mode, you can attach a Joy-Con to your preferred kicking limb using Nintendo’s leg strap. The strap comes included in the $50 physical version of the game, but is also available separately for $10 if you opt for the $40 digital edition. It’s the same strap that comes with Ring Fit Adventure, so if you already have that you don’t need to buy another.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
I found nailing the timing in shoot-out mode to be the hardest out of all the games, but even when I whiffed badly, it was still a blast. And sometime later this summer, Nintendo is going to release a free update that will add motion-kicking controls to the main soccer mode.
Meanwhile, chambara lets you live out all your sword-fighting dreams. It’s frantic, while still rewarding fast reactions on defense. You can hold your Joycon vertically, horizontally, or diagonally to block incoming strikes, and if you’re successful, you can get in a free riposte while your opponent is dazed.
Or you can just do what I did and pretend your Taz from Looney Tunes and try to overwhelm your opponent with a flurry of swings which, pro tip, doesn’t really work. The goal is to knock your opponent off the platform into the water below, which can take as little as one or two hits in later rounds. There are even charge and twin sword modes to spice up the action, but I didn’t get to try those out, which is probably a good thing because the standard mode is hectic enough.
Nintendo
Finally, there’s my absolute favorite of the bunch: badminton. It feels twice as fast as tennis, and even though I only played one match, it might have been the most fun workout I’ve had in weeks. Rallies are frenetic, and if you can make your opponent flub their timing, you’ll be rewarded with a soft lob (denoted by a wobbly birdie) that you can smash back with extra aggression. There’s even a command for doing a drop shot, which adds a nice bit of strategy.
For those thinking about becoming Switch Sports pros, there’s an online competitive mode that lets you rank up as you develop your skills. Bowling also gets a special survival mode that pits 16 players against each other simultaneously. And in the fall, Nintendo is going to push out a second free update that brings golf back to the mix.
Honestly, Switch Sports is so engaging my only question is why something like this wasn’t available at the Switch’s launch in 2017. 1-2 Switch was fine, but it often felt more like a tech demo than a collection of party games. And it didn’t really have the replayability or the pickup-and-play appeal Wii Sports provided. But no matter, a proper sequel is gonna be here soon, and from what I’ve played so far, it’s going to be even better than the original.
A smart thermostat can help you save on energy costs while also letting you conveniently control your home’s environment from anywhere. Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat has a few extra perks that make it a great option for smart home enthusiasts, and now it’s on sale for $50 less than usual. You can pick up the IoT device for $200 right now across the web, which, while not its record low, is close to it and a solid sale price.
The Energy Star-certified Learning Thermostat helps you save energy by learning your preferences and building a schedule around your routines. After using the device for a little while, it’ll learn when you like to keep your home cool and warm, automatically adjusting the temperature when necessary. It can also use sensors in your smartphone to know when you’ve left the house, automatically turning temperatures down to conserve energy. And if you like to have more control over your home’s environment, you can use the Nest app to set temperature schedules, adjust the thermostat remotely and more.
While the standard Nest Thermostat is better for those with tight budgets, the Learning Thermostat gives you a few extra perks that may be worth splurging for. The higher-end model works with Nest Temperature Sensors, so you can adjust settings on a per-room basis. It also looks a lot sleeker than the standard smart thermostat thanks to its metal details, included trim plate and high-res display. The latter also shows more information than the mirrored display on the standard device, including the date, local weather and more.
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GoPro has unveiled Player + ReelSteady, a replacement for the GoPro Player app with added technology from GoPro’s acquisition of ReelSteady. The new app introduces ReelSteady tools that let you stabilize most GoPro footage, including HyperSmooth shots. It works in real time, with “the ability to view the full-quality stabilized shot as soon as your video loads,” GoPro wrote in a press release.
ReelSteady Go has been a popular app with the FPV drone crowd, which used it to smooth out flight videos and add cinematic effects. GoPro purchased the company in March 2020, promising to integrate the tech “across the GoPro App ecosystem to enhance the cinematic output of your content.” GoPro initially sold ReelSteady Go separately, but it’s now been discontinued and replaced by the Player + ReelSteady app.
Rather than using scene analysis like other apps to stabilize shots, ReelSteady uses gyro data directly from GoPro cameras. Previously, ReelSteady did not work with HyperSmooth footage (the setting needed to be disabled) but the Player + ReelSteady app now supports it. On the Player + ReelSteady product page, GoPro shows that you can achieve even smoother stabilization by combining the two (above).
Along with the stabilization features, the app lets you remove wide-angle lens curvature using ReelSteady, GoPro said. It also comes with a batch export feature to queue “hundreds of files” for export, the ability to reframe 360 MAX content, a player for regular and 360 content, the ability to do frame grabs and a trim function for editing.
It’s now available for Mac and PC, with a $100 in-app purchase required to unlock the ReelSteady and Lens Correction features. However, existing ReelSteady Go customers “can use their existing activation key to redeem a free upgrade to the new GoPro Player + ReelSteady,” the company wrote.
TP-Link‘s first WiFi 6E mesh router system is now available to order. The Deco XE75 is a tri-band system that the company claims delivers speeds of up to 5,400 Mbps. It says users can connect up to 200 devices without impacting performance.
The system includes AI features that TP-Link says will allow the routers to optimize coverage based on the layout of your home. The HomeShield service is included too, which TP-Link says provides network protection, parental controls and real-time protection for connected devices. Each unit has three gigabit Ethernet ports as well.
Two of the Deco XE75 routers will cover up to 5,500 square feet. You can pick up a two-pack for $300. That makes TP-Link’s offering significantly less expensive than WiFi 6E mesh systems from Linksys, Netgear and Eero.
TP-Link
Meanwhile, if your PC isn’t WiFi 6E-compatible, TP-Link has a way for you to get the most out of its latest mesh system. It has released a Wi-Fi 6E PCIe adapter called Archer TXE75E. The adapter costs $80.
Google is the latest phone maker to join Apple and Samsung in giving you resources to fix phones yourself. It’s partnering with the tinkerer of all tinkerers, iFixit, to provide official parts for Pixel phones later this year. Notably, the initiative will cover models ranging from the Pixel 2 (from 2017) through to the Pixel 6 Pro and beyond. According to the announcement, you’ll get access to a “full range” of components, like batteries, cameras and displays, whether you buy them individually or with iFixit’s own Fix Kit tools.
It’s shaping up to be an interesting year for people willing to repair their own phones. We still haven’t had a chance to see how Apple’s iPhone repair proposal will fare in real life — how hard is it going to be? — but Google is being smart by pairing with, arguably, the go-to people for those willing to take their phone’s life into their own hands.
The Hummer has always been ostentatious. So it’s no surprise the Hummer EV is not only large but also heavy, and really not all that efficient as an EV. But what it lacks in miles per kilowatt, it makes up for in over-the-top fun.
Roberto Baldwin got to drive the larger-than-life SUV, and it proved to be a capable off-roader that showcases GM’s Ultium platform. It is still, at its core, a Hummer.
The next major update of iOS could include “significant enhancements,” according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman anticipates iOS 16 will include an update to notifications and an assortment of new health-tracking features.
Gurman added that the Apple Watch’s watchOS 9 may include upgrades to its activity and health-tracking features, but stopped short of sharing specifics. Boo.
Breaking the record set by… the first Sonic movie.
Paramount
With a $71 million debut at the domestic box office, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has set a new record for the US film debut of a video game adaptation, beating the previous high watermark set by its predecessor in 2020. The sequel made $57 million during its opening weekend, and Paramount now plans to expand this success into a cinematic universe. What have you done?
Since February, GM’s Cruise self-driving unit has offered public taxi rides across San Francisco. And so far, the service hasn’t had many issues. A video from April 2nd showed San Francisco police attempting to pull over a driverless Cruise vehicle in the city’s Richmond District, only for the car to temporarily take off.
During an event celebrating the franchise’s 20th anniversary, we got our first proper glimpse at the next Kingdom Hearts game. Kingdom Hearts IV marks the return of Sora after 2019’s Kingdom Hearts III seemingly concluded the story arc that began with the original game in 2002. The trailer showed Sora waking up in a city called Quadratum, a Tokyo-inspired city rendered in a semi-realistic way, marking a major artistic shift for the series. The city is soon attacked by a towering monster and the story-centric opening scenes seamlessly transition to gameplay… and fighting.
As it does from time to time, Amazon has launched a sale on both Fire HD tablets and Kindle devices, with most items at the second-best prices we’ve seen so far. One of the best deals is on the Fire HD 8 tablet, now available for $50 instead of $90, for a savings of $40 or 44 percent off.
There’s a lot to like about the Fire HD 8 tablet, provided you’re okay without direct support for Google apps. It includes Alexa support, a USB-C port for faster charging, solid build quality, 32GB of storage that can be upgraded via a microSD card slot, a relatively sharp 1,280 x 800 display, 2GB of RAM, a 4,850 mAh battery and a quad-core chip that offers decent performance.
The Fire HD8 Plus boosts RAM to 3GB, includes wireless charging and comes with a 9W charger in the box. And the Fire HD 10 gives you a 10-inch 1080p display, 32GB of upgradeable storage, 2GB of RAM, an 8-core processor and a battery that allows for up to 12 hours of reading with fast USB-C charging.
Engadget
Several Kindle tablets are also on sale at the second best prices we’ve seen. The regular ad-supported model is on sale for $55, a discount of $35 from the regular $90 price. You can also pick up the Kindle Kids Edition with the “Rainbow Birds Cover” for $65 instead of $110, a savings of 41 percent.
The latest Kindle models offer a lot for the money, including an LED-lit screen, weeks of reading time and a touch interface. The Kids Edition adds some perks, like one of four colorful cases, a two-year worry-free guarantee and a year of complimentary access to the company’s FreeTime Unlimited service.
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Apple Watch Series 7 models are still on sale at Amazon starting at $330, but one model in particular just fell even further. The 41mm GPS model with a green aluminum case and green “Clover Sport” band has now dropped to $314 or $85 off, marking a new low price for Watch Series 7 models.
If you’re fond of green, you’ll get Apple’s latest Watch Series 7 model with improvements over the Series 6 like a larger screen, faster charging and IP6X dust resistance. The bigger display makes it easier to see time at a glance, and the faster charging is handy if you like to wear your Watch continuously — even while you sleep. As with past models, it also comes with features like an always-on display, a rich app ecosystem and tight integration with Fitness+ and other Apple apps. On the downside, it doesn’t have the best sleep-tracking app around and isn’t the best option for Android users.
If you’re looking for a more neutral or other color, worry not. Other 41mm Apple Watch Series 7 GPS models are still on sale in Red, Abyss Blue, Midnight (black) and Starlight (white) at the $330 price tag we saw last week. And there are a variety of 41mm GPS+Cellular models on sale for $429 ($70 off), 45mm GPS models for $359 ($70 off) and 45mm GPS + Cellular models for $459 (also $70 off). These are essentially the same deals we saw last week, but a dollar cheaper for some reason.
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Some owners of the new Apple Studio Display have reported having problems updating to the latest firmware. As MacRumors points out, after multiple failed attempts, users were being told by Apple support to bring their display in for repair to an Apple Store or authorized repair facility.
The issue has affected a growing number of users on Apple’s support forum. When attempting the update, users get a message stating “Apple Studio Display firmware could not be updated. Try again in an hour. If the problem persists, contact an authorized Apple service provider.” Subsequent attempts then fail, even if connecting via another computer. (Engadget has reached out to Apple for comment on the issue.)
The Studio Display is off to a shaky start, with criticism of its 60Hz refresh rate, relatively high price tag and mediocre webcam. Apple promised to fix the webcam via firmware update, but has yet to provide a timeline. The Studio Display packs an A13 Bionic chip (the same as on the iPhone 11) and runs a full version of iOS 15.4. As such, fixes arrive as part of an iOS update, allowing users to update it through System Preferences on macOS.
Update: 04/11/22 at 6am ET — Apple has reportedly begun re-signing an older iOS 15.4 firmware, allowing the Studio Display to resume updates.
Apple stopped signing iOS 15.4 on 4/7
On 4/8, users started reporting that they couldn’t update the Studio Display to iOS 15.4 Firmware.
As of one hour ago, iOS 15.4 Firmware for the Studio Display (Appledisplay2,1) is being signed again
