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.

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A Monkey Island sequel is incoming

From creator Ron Gilbert.

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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.

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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.

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The DeLorean EV will be unveiled on August 18th

Italdesign helped shape the concept car.

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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.

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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.

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Hulu’s iOS and Apple TV apps now support SharePlay

When Apple rolled out SharePlay with iOS 15.1 last year, it was only supported by a handful of apps. The list has grown a bit over the past months, with ESPN, Twitch and Disney+ updating their apps with the capability to use the group viewing feature. Now, you can add Hulu to the roster. The streaming service’s latest iOS and tvOS update introduces SharePlay as a feature for its iPhone, iPad and Apple TV app, so you can hold watch parties for shows like The Handmaid’s Tale or The Dropout, which tells the story of controversial Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. 

To use SharePlay, all participants in the watch party will have to be on iOS 15.1 or newer and will need to have Hulu accounts and subscriptions. You have to start a FaceTime call before you open the app. After you do, you’ll see an alert at the top of your screen asking if you want to stream your content. Anyone who joins the session will have access to the pause, skip forward and rewind controls to make sure you’re all watching the same thing at the same time. FaceTime will also have a picture-in-picture box at the top, which will show whoever is talking at the moment. SharePlay even comes with a feature called smart volume that automatically lowers the show’s volume whenever somebody in the call is talking. 

In addition to SharePlay support, Hulu’s latest update has also introduced a new feature that gives you a way to easily flip between the live TV channels you’re currently watching. You can now get the update Hulu app from the Apple App Store.  

Google’s Pixel 6 April update arrives with camera and charging fixes

Google’s Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are great phones on paper, but they’ve been beset by bugs and problems that have annoyed a fair number of users. Google’s April update has now arrived (on time, for once) with fixes for several key issues around charging, the camera and security, 9to5Google has reported. 

On the camera side, Google said the update fixes “issues causing front-facing camera preview in certain apps to appear zoomed in.” It’s also addressed an issue that occasionally caused a green screen to appear in the camera preview. On the wireless charging side, there’s a patch for performance issues with “certain accessories,” an issue that popped up on Reddit and elsewhere with various Qi charging stands. 

It also fixed various UI issues and bugs (with all Pixel devices from the 3XL up), including crashes that happen in Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode, error messages with certain live wallpapers, incorrect animation displays and more. It also includes security fixes, particularly for a “high security vulnerability in the Framework component that could lead to local escalation of privilege,” as detailed in a security bulletin.

After arriving two weeks late, the March security bulletin fixed a number of key bugs related to WiFi connectivity issues, battery management and fingerprint recognition. However, it also made haptic vibration weaker, generating user complaints on various forums. Google acknowledged the issue, but there’s no word yet on a fix or update. Meanwhile, the April update is now rolling out “over the next week in phases depending on carrier or device,” Google said, so you should see it soon.

Hackers breached Mailchimp to target crypto holders

Hackers used internal tools from Mailchimp to target customers from a total of 102 users, including hardware cryptocurrency wallet Trezor, reportedThe Verge. Trezor users over the weekend received emails claiming that their accounts were compromised in a data breach. The email included a purported link to an updated version of Trezor Suite, along with instructions to set up a new pin — though in actuality it was a phishing site meant to capture the contents of their digital wallets.

In a tweet on Sunday, Trezor confirmed that the emails were a part of a sophisticated phishing campaign by a malicious actor that targeted MailChimp’s newsletter database. “The Mailchimp security team disclosed that a malicious actor accessed an internal tool used by customer-facing teams for customer support and account administration,” Trezor wrote in a blog post. “The bad actor gained access to this tool as a result of a successful social engineering attack on Mailchimp employees.”

In other words, the hackers managed to trick employees in MailChimp’s customer support team into handing over their log-in credentials, then used the company’s own internal tools to send the emails. The Trezor attack specifically was planned to a “high level of detail”, according to the company’s blog post. Still, in order for the attack to be successful, Trezor users had to download the fake app and submit their wallet credentials. It’s unlikely many made it that far, as Trezor points out in its post, considering that most operating systems would have notified the user that they were downloading software from an unknown source.

MailChimp first became aware of the breach on March 26th, according to a statement by its chief information officer Siobhan Smith given to The Verge. The hackers were able to obtain audience data from 102 different MailChimp clients, meaning that Trezor is far from the only company likely impacted. Decentraland, the in-browser metaverse platform, confirmed on Twitter that its newsletter was among those caught up in the hack.

We’ll likely find out what other companies were involved in the MailChimp hack in the days to follow. The company has already alerted all of its clients who were involved.

Amazon’s planned worker chat app would reportedly ban words like ‘union’

Amazon’s anti-union stance might spill into the apps for employees. The Intercept says it obtained internal documents detailing a planned worker chat app that, while meant to boost happiness, would include a blocklist focused heavily on silencing pro-union keywords. In addition to forbidding the use of the word “union,” it would also block terms like “compensation,” “pay raise,” “ethics” and even “robots.”

Other bans would focus mostly on keeping things positive, such as “rude” and “stupid.” Most, however, appear centered on working conditions. Amazon supposedly decided on the words at an upper-echelon meeting in November 2021, when they outlined an app that would encourage “Shout-Outs” and offer digital rewards for providing value to the company. 

The program linked to the app will reportedly launch in April. In a statement to The Intercept, however, Amazon spokeswoman Barbara Agrait said the initiative “has not been approved yet” and might be changed or scrapped.

If the program and its associated app launch, they would come at a tense moment. Amazon warehouse workers in Staten Island just voted to unionize, and those at a Bessemer, Alabama facility just had a highly contested rerun election where both sides accused each other of interference. While this app isn’t about to hinder union organizers (they weren’t likely to use Amazon-monitored chats), it could underscore the very labor concerns the company doesn’t want employees to mention.

DJI made a $329 clip-on mic for your vlogs

DJI is better known for its drones and cameras than any of its audio tech, but it’s apparently eager to change your mind. The company has released the Mic, its first dedicated audio recording gear, in the US. The wireless clip-on system promises 24-bit, 48KHz audio capture for your vlogs or other spoken-word content at distances of up to 820 feet. That’s not too special in itself, but DJI is clearly hoping to snag wireless earbud fans with the design — you charge the transmitters and receiver in a battery case that provides a total of 15 hours of use. You’re looking at up to 5.5 hours of use per session.

The Mic can output through a 3.5mm jack, Lightning and USB-C, and you’ll get familiar audio adjustments like sensitivity (between -12dB and +12dB) and variable gain. An included furry windscreen will prevent a blustery day from ruining your show.

The system is available now for $329. That’s a lot to spend if you’re just looking to record audio using your phone. You can spend a fraction of the price if you only need the basics. However, the outlay might be easier to rationalize if you either depend on long-distance recording or want the flexibility that DJI’s charging case and output selection can offer.

Amazon’s Prime Video and IMDb TV are staying on Roku

Roku users who might be used to major third-party services disappearing for a while (or taking forever to arrive) won’t lose access to Prime Video and IMDb TV any time soon. Amazon and Roku have reached a multi-year deal to keep the apps on the platform.

“Roku and Amazon have reached a multi-year extension for their distribution agreement,” Roku said in a statement. “Customers can continue to access the Prime Video and IMDb TV apps on their Roku devices.” It didn’t disclose terms of the deal.

The Amazon negotiations seem to have gone more smoothly than talks with other streaming services. It took months for Roku to reach a deal with WarnerMedia to get HBO Max on the platform. As for YouTube TV, that vanished from the Roku Channel Store for eight months. The company and Google aired their grievances in public while working on a new deal. Securing all those agreements means users will have access to more of the streaming services they might want to use under one umbrella.

Update 4/4 2:33PM ET: Clarifying that the YouTube TV app was removed from the Channel Store, not the entre Roku platform.

Samsung’s 2022 TV lineup has something for everyone

While Samsung announced all of its new 2022 TVs back at CES, due to the pandemic we haven’t been able to check them out in person until now. And even though Samsung didn’t bring all of its 30-plus new sets to its flagship store in New York, from what I saw there’s a lot to like about Samsung’s latest big-screen lineup.

The centerpiece of Samsung’s portfolio is, without a doubt, 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, the TV looks seriously sharp.

Thanks to Quantum Dot technology and a new processor, the QN900B sports top-notch brightness along with a stunning 8K resolution.
The QN900B’s higher peak brightness and 8K resolution deliver super sharp details in practically any lighting conditions.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

But the most promising upgrades might be the changes Samsung made behind the glass, including an updated Neural Quantum processor the company says can analyze the content being shown to further optimize image quality. As for audio, the QN900B also gets a new 90W 6.2.4 channel speaker setup featuring Dolby Atmos with Object Tracking Sound Pro. This allows the TV to tweak sounds and voices based on where they appear on screen, adding an extra level of immersion.

As a gamer, I really like that in addition to improved support for game streaming services like Google Stadia and NVIDIA GeForce Now built into Samsung’s Gaming Hub, the QN900B (along with the 4K QN95B and QN90B) also gets one HDMI 2.1 port that supports refresh rates of up to 144Hz (up from 120Hz). Meanwhile, all of Samsung’s new TVs from the Q80B and up will come standard with four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 120Hz inputs. That means you won’t need to constantly mess with your cables to make sure you’re getting the best possible image quality for your Xbox Series X, PS5, or any gaming PCs you might have connected to the TV. That’s a big quality of life upgrade compared to my two-year-old TV that only has a single port that supports 120Hz inputs.

I also want to mention the QN900B’s design, which features practically non-existent bezels. Particularly with its slimmer base, the TV really gives the impression that the whole thing is floating in mid-air. Samsung even tweaked the sides of the TV’s bezels with a brushed metal finish and patterned cut-outs, which looks slick but not distracting. Sadly, with the smallest 65-inch model starting at a whopping $5,000, Samsung’s latest 8K TVs aren’t cheap. Thankfully, if you don’t care about 8K (which is very understandable), Samsung’s Neo QLED 4K QN85B starts at just $1,500 for a 55-inch model.

Tee S95B is Samsung's first new OLED TV in almost a decade
The S95B features Quantum Dot tech and is Samsung’s first new OLED TV in almost a decade. 
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

However, I think the S95B (which starts at $2,200 for a 55-inch model) is Samsung’s most interesting TV for 2022. Not only is it the company’s first new OLED TV in almost a decade, it also features Quantum Dot technology and a new sub-pixel architecture that delivers some truly impressive colors. Unlike traditional OLED displays, Samsung got rid of the traditional white sub-pixel and instead uses blue sub-pixels as the main source of illumination. And when paired with the same Neural Quantum Processor used in the QN900B, the S95B delivers better brightness than traditional OLEDs without washing out colors or reducing saturation. Honestly, the richness and vibrancy of this display is jaw-dropping, and I actually stopped in my tracks the first time I walked past it.

Now, it’s important to remember that the S95B still isn’t as bright as one of Samsung’s QLED sets, so for people watching TV in a room with lots of windows or tons of ambient light, something like the 4K QN90B would probably be a better option. And while the S95B (which starts at $2,199.99 for a 55-inch model) does get four HDMI ports that support 120Hz inputs, sizes top out at just 65 inches compared to 85 inches for most of Samsung’s QLED sets.

The big upgrade for the 2022 Frame is a new matte, anti-reflective coating.
The 2022 Frame’s new matte coating also makes the TV’s art mode look much more lifelike. 
Sam Rutherford/Eng

Finally, when it comes to Samsung’s Frame TVs (which starts at $1,000 for a 43-inch model), the big change for 2022 is a new matte finish that reduces reflections and helps the set do an even better job of disguising itself as art when you’re not watching it. To me, the matte finish gave things like brush strokes in paintings an extra level of texture, resulting in a more lifelike appearance. That said, there is a downside because the anti-reflective coating slightly reduces how much light gets through the TV’s front glass. Thankfully, Samsung easily remedied that by increasing the 2022 Frame’s overall brightness, both in art mode and when showing content.

Here's a comparison showing the difference between the anti-reflective coating on the 2022 Frame (left) versus last year's model.
Here’s a comparison showing the effect the 2022 Frame’s (left) anti-reflective coating has when light is shined on it versus last year’s model (right). Note how the glare is much less harsh on the new Frame. 
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

But perhaps my big takeaway after seeing Samsung’s new TV lineup is that it feels like there’s more choice than ever before when it comes to picking your perfect set. If you want a super high-res TV with excellent brightness that will look great even in bright rooms with lots of windows, there’s the QN900B. Alternatively, if you want brilliant colors and deep inky blacks, the S95B represents a welcome return for Samsung to the OLED TV space, which is a market its cross-country rival LG has dominated in recent years. And if you prefer a TV with a more subdued design that might blend in better with your decor, there’s the Frame and its updated matte finish.

All of Samsung’s new 2022 TVs are available for pre-order today, with devices expected to begin shipping out sometime later this month.

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

Upgrading to an OLED TV will make a big difference in your living room setup, but the best displays out there don’t come cheap. However, Amazon has slashes the prices of LG’s 2021 C1 OLED lineup, bringing most of them down to new record lows. The cheapest of the bunch, the 48-inch model, is down to $997, which is about $50 cheaper than its previous record-low price. But you’ll get the best deal on the 65-inch TV, which is 32 percent off and down to $1,697. And if you go for that model, you can also save $150 on LG’s SP9YA soundbar if you’re looking to upgrade your sound system along with your TV.

Buy 48-inch LG C1 OLED at amazon – $997Buy 65-inch LG C1 OLED at Amazon – $1,697

The mid-tier C1 sets have been quite popular since they give you all of the features you expect in an OLED set along with extra gaming perks, all at a decent price point. As with any OLED TV, you’re getting deep blacks and more accurate colors than standard sets, and the C1 models support 120Hz refresh rates and run on LG’s a9 Gen4 AI Processor 4K. LG’s smart TV interface gives you access to all of the top streaming platforms, including Netflix and Apple TV+, and it supports voice commands from both Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant.

Along with the high refresh rate, the C1 sets have HDMI 2.1, support for G-Sync and FreeSync and are capable of a 1ms response time. Those features make these TVs excel when it comes to console gaming, and LG lets you control all of those relevant settings in its Game Optimizer menu.

It’s worth mentioning that LG’s 2022 OLED sets are available now, too, including the updated C2 lineup. The company made a few changes in this year’s sets, upgrading the processor to its a9 Gen5 chip, adding new features to Game Optimizer and reducing response times even further. However, the C2 TVs start at nearly $1,500, so if you’re willing to skip out on the latest improvements, you can get last year’s models at much better prices. Same goes for LG’s G1 “Gallery” series right now — while the 2022 G2 family is available starting at a whopping $3,200, most 2021 models have been discounted and the 65-inch G1 is down to a new all-time low of $1,997.

Buy 65-inch LG G1 OLED at Amazon – $1,997

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