Amazon orders up to 83 launches for its Project Kuiper internet satellites

Amazon needs partners if it’s going to send its Project Kuiper internet satellites to space, and the tech giant now has them lined up. The company has reached deals with Arianespace, ULA and its close ally Blue Origin to offer as many as 83 launches for Project Kuiper over the next five years. The arrangements will let Amazon field the “majority” of its 3,236 satellites, and is supposedly the largest commercial launch deal to date.

ULA will provide the most launches, with 48 Atlas and Vulcan Centaur rockets ferrying satellites into orbit. Arianespace’s Ariane 6 will deliver satellites across 18 launches. Blue Origin will provide just 12 launches aboard New Glenn, although there will be options for up to 15 additional flights.

There was no mention of who would provide the first launch, or a narrower timeframe for when that mission will occur. Amazon expects to deploy its first two prototype satellites by the end of this year.

It’s no surprise that Amazon would land such a large deal, however. If Amazon is going to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, it needs guarantees that its satellite constellation will launch in a timely fashion — SpaceX has already deployed over 2,300 satellites to date, and will use as many as 30,000 to offer worldwide coverage. These deals let Amazon focus on getting Project Kuiper ready for service, and spare it the indignity of asking its main rival SpaceX for help with any launches.

The Olive Max 2-in-1 hearing aids come with adaptive hearing tech

Olive Union has started taking pre-orders for Olive Max, its new pair of hearing aids that doubles as a pair of ordinary wireless earbuds. The company says the model was built-on top of the success of Olive Pro, the 2-in-1 hearing aids/earbuds it released back in 2020. While Olive Pro looks like a pair of Apple AirPods, Max uses a custom-built design that wraps around the top the wearer’s ear for a “more stable listening experience.” The new model also serves as a the debut product for Olive’s adaptive hearing technology, which is apparently its most requested feature. 

Olive’s adaptive hearing tech is powered by an AI that learns and improves the feature the more a user wears the device. It then uses machine learning tech to automatically customize Max’s sound settings to suit the wearer’s current environment. The new model also comes with a new voice auto-focus feature and a new sound engine that give it the capability to detect voices better, as well as to more effectively reduce and filter background noise. Olive claims Max is capable of separating voices from noises with such “incredible accuracy” that it won’t distort the user’s own voice while it’s filtering out ambient sounds. 

The Olive Max is an FDA Class 2 hearing aid that works for people with mild to severe hearing loss. It can last for up to 8 hours on a single charge, though its charging case can extend its battery life for up to 18 hours. It also only takes five minutes to set up using its accompanying iOS or Android app. The model is now available for pre-order for $299 and will start shipping in the fourth quarter of 2022. After the promo ends, Olive Max will be sold for $549.

August’s 4th-gen WiFi smart lock is $40 off right now

August’s WiFi smart lock is a good one if you want an easy to use device to expand your smart home. Now you can get $40 off the smart home gadget at Wellbots by using the code EGDTLOCK at checkout. That’ll bring the WiFi smart lock down to $189 — while not the all-time-low price we saw during the holiday shopping season last year, it’s the best price we’ve seen on the gadget in 2022.

Buy August WiFi smart lock at Wellbots – $189

We gave the smart lock a score of 80 when we reviewed it in 2020. The 4th-generation device is smaller than the previous model and, thanks to its WiFi connectivity, doesn’t require a bridge to work. August’s mobile app uses videos to guide you through installation and we recommending checking the company’s support page before buying to make sure that the gadget will work with your door. Overall, the installation process is quite easy and we like that August requires you to turn on two-factor authentication as part of it. It’s an extra layer of security that’s truly necessary for smart devices like these. And on top of that, the lock supports Bluetooth encryption as well as AES 128-bit and TLS encryption.

After setting up the smart lock, you can control it from anywhere using your phone. You can remotely unlock or lock your door whenever you want, controlling who can get into your home and when. You can also send limited-time keys to friends and family so they can get in when necessary, plus the Auto-Lock feature will automatically secure the door when the device detects its been shut. And your old-school keys aren’t suddenly useless now either — you can still use them with August’s device to lock and unlock your door. That’ll come in handy if you forget to replace the gadget’s dual CR123 batteries before they run out.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

Apple’s 256GB iPad returns to a record low of $429

Apple’s base iPad isn’t for early adopters or those looking to replace their laptop with a more svelte solution. Instead, it’s the iPad for those who just want a more than capable tablet at a relatively affordable price. And if you’ve been eyeing the model with extra storage, you have an opportunity to grab it for $50 less than usual. The 256GB iPad is back down to its record-low price of $429 at Amazon right now. Currently, only the space gray WiFi model is this low, but if you absolutely must have silver, you can get that one for $450, or $30 off its usual price.

Buy iPad (256GB) at Amazon – $429

The 2021 tablet has a few key differences from the previous model. First and foremost, Apple upgraded the processor inside to the A13 Bionic chip, which provides a boost in performance and an overall smooth experience. We didn’t experience any slowdowns or hiccups when using the iPad for things like web browsing, watching videos, messaging, playing games and drawing with the first-gen Apple Pencil. For most people, the A13 Bionic chip is more than powerful enough to handle all of the things you could throw at this iPad.

Apple also updated the base storage and the front-facing cameras on the new iPad. The base model has 64GB of storage now, but with these models on sale, you’re getting the maximum amount possible: 256GB. That will come in handy if you plan on storing a lot of photos or documents on the iPad, or you just have a lot of apps and games you want to keep on the device at all times. The new front-facing camera now supports Center Stage, which is Apple’s new feature that keeps you in the center of the frame during FaceTime video calls. It’s a neat feature that comes in handy if you move around a lot when you’re chatting with friends and family.

Otherwise, the 2021 iPad is much the same as the previous model, with features like a 10.2-inch touchscreen, a physical Home button with TouchID, chunkier bezels, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a Lightning port for charging. If you have the previous iPad, you may not feel the need to upgrade considering the minor changes made to the 2021 version. But if you don’t have an iPad or are looking for a solid tablet at a decent price, this iPad is worth considering.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

GM and Honda announce plans to build ‘affordable’ EVs arriving in 2027

GM and Honda will co-develop a series of affordable EVs using a global architecture and GM’s Ultium battery technology, the companies announced. They promised to build vehicles in multiple product segments, including the compact crossover category, calling it a “new chapter” in their partnership. That significantly expands on previous news that Honda would create two EVs using GM’s battery technology.

“GM and Honda will share our best technology, design and manufacturing strategies to deliver affordable and desirable EVs on a global scale, including our key markets in North America, South America and China,” said GM CEO and chair Mary Barra. 

The companies promised to share technology, design and sourcing strategies, while working toward “standardizing equipment and processes to achieve world-class quality, higher throughput and greater affordability,” GM’s press release states. The companies will also discuss EV battery collaboration in an effort to drive down costs and improve performance and sustainability. 

GM and Honda's new co-developed EVs will arrive in 2027
The Honda E
Engadget

The word “affordable” comes up a lot in the press release, as both companies emphasized the idea of building cheaper EVs than are currently available. “Honda and GM will build on our successful technology collaboration to help achieve a dramatic expansion in the sales of electric vehicles,” said Honda president & CEO Toshihiro Mibe. 

The tie-up makes a lot of sense, particularly for Honda, which has lagged way behind rivals in terms of EV development. By joining forces with GM, it can share development costs and contribute its considerable BEV and hybrid expertise. The two automakers previously announced a collaboration in 2018 to produce autonomous vehicles, with Honda taking a stake in GM’s Cruise self-driving division. The companies also joined force on hydrogen fuel cells.

Honda recently showed that it can build EVs with the Honda E, a cute and technologically advanced vehicle with limited battery range, designed mostly for urban use. More recently, it unveiled a pair of vehicles it’s developing with GM including the Prologue, to be launched in early 2024, followed by Acura’s first EV SUV.

GM, meanwhile, continues to develop its Ultium battery tech that uses pouch- and prismatic-style cells rather than cylindrical cells like Tesla. The aim to use it in up to 30-plus vehicles over the coming years, with the first models arriving in 2023. GM affirmed that it would release “a new all-electric product for North America positioned at a price point lower than the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV, building on the 2 million units of EV capacity the company plans to install by the end of 2025.”

PayPal’s credit card will offer up to three percent cashback

PayPal has revealed its upgraded credit card, which will now offer users more cashback, depending on how they make their purchases. As before, users will still get unlimited two percent cashback on anything they buy, wherever a Mastercard is accepted. However, if you check out with PayPal, you’ll get unlimited three percent cashback. This goes for online, mobile and in-store (with the PayPal QR Code) payments.

The new PayPal Cashback Mastercard still has no annual fee and you’ll now get cashback daily, rather than having to wait for a monthly statement. PayPal says it has redesigned the card’s user interface on its app and the web. It promises a more simplified way to access rewards and make payments.

Existing users will automatically get access to the upgraded card, while newcomers will get a bonus of $100 on their first $500 spent. The new PayPal Cashback Mastercard will be available soon, though be sure to look at the fine print before applying.

Offering customers more cashback should help PayPal better compete with rival companies. The Apple Card also has no annual fee. It offers three percent cashback for Apple Store purchases, two percent on Apple Pay purchases and one percent on other purchases.

The Morning After: Elon Musk is now Twitter’s largest shareholder

Twitter founder Jack Dorsey might not like what’s become of the internet. But the internet doesn’t stop moving. Elon Musk now owns part of Twitter, after purchasing $2.89 billion in stock, according to a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing spotted by CNBC. The purchase follows recent criticism by Musk over the social media site’s free speech policies. Musk loves tweeting, so it makes sense beyond those criticisms. His tweets have even set off SEC lawsuits.

Musk is now the platform’s largest shareholder, and he’s already inquiring into an edit button.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

LG’s 2021 C1 OLED TVs are up to 32 percent off right now

No, not my TV!

The worst thing about buying something new, cutting-edge and kinda pricey is when it’s no longer new, cutting-edge and, well, on sale. So my awesome LG C1 OLED has just had substantial price cuts from the 48-inch model through to the 65-inch option. Sigh. Still, they’re great TVs with some notable specs for gamers, like 120Hz refresh rates and support for variable refresh rates.

Continue reading.

A Monkey Island sequel is incoming

From creator Ron Gilbert.

TMA
Monkey Island

One of the best video game series of all time is making a return in 2022 with some of its key original creatives on board. Return to Monkey Island is “a game by Ron Gilbert,” who conceived the point-and-click comedy-adventure saga in the late ’80s.

Gilbert wrote and directed the original game, The Secret of Monkey Island. He was director, programmer and designer on the sequel, Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge.

Continue reading.

The UK plans to issue an official NFT

The government is moving to embrace stablecoins.

The UK government’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has announced the Royal Mint will issue an official NFT sometime this summer. 

Yeah. I’m British and I winced too.

Continue reading.

The DeLorean EV will be unveiled on August 18th

Italdesign helped shape the concept car.

TMA
Delorean

After years of teasing, the DeLorean Motor Company announced it’ll unveil an all-electric vehicle on August 18th, promising to share its official name at the same time. Details on the concept car are scant. The automaker is working with Italdesign, best known for its work with Volkswagen, to design the upcoming car.

Continue reading.

Samsung’s 2022 TV lineup has something for everyone

Including its first new OLED TV in a decade.

The centerpiece of Samsung’s new TV family is the new QN900B, the centerpiece of the company’s Neo QLED 8K family. For 2022, Samsung has added 14-bit HDR mapping (up from 12-bit mapping on last year’s models) to improve picture detail in both bright and dark scenes. When combined with that massive 7,680 x 4,320 resolution, according to Sam Rutherford, the TV looks seriously sharp.

Continue reading.