BMW's motorsport division announces first EV based on the i4

BMW M, the German automaker’s motorsport division, has announced that it’s developing its first battery-electric car based on the upcoming i4 EV. According to CarAdvice, BMW M CEO Markus Flasch has made the revelation during a press event for Austral...

source https://www.engadget.com/bmw-m-i4-ev-221525671.html

SpaceX's reused rockets will carry national security payloads for the first time

SpaceX has been reusing rockets for years, but they’ve been off-limits for some crucial launches. They’ll get more use soon, however. The private spaceflight company has signed a contract with the US Space Force to reuse a Falcon 9 booster rocket for...

source https://www.engadget.com/spacex-rockets-to-carry-us-military-payloads-214535299.html

Hyundai's next electric race car hints at the future of sporty road-going EVs

Hyundai’s electric sports car ambitions didn’t end with a spruced-up Veloster. The automaker has unveiled an RM20e Racing Midship Sports Car that not only promises to boost its motorsport plans, but reflects the “next generation” of N performance car...

source https://www.engadget.com/hyundai-rm20e-electric-race-car-210624633.html

Polestar will put its eco-friendly Precept car into production

Polestar’s Precept won’t suffer the same grim fate as many concept cars. The Volvo sibling has revealed that it will turn the Precept into a production car after a strong public response. While Polestar didn’t say just how the mass-produced version w...

source https://www.engadget.com/polestar-precept-production-car-195146141.html

SpaceX scales back plans for Starship's first high-altitude flight

You might want to dial back your expectations for the first high-altitude SpaceX Starship flight. Elon Musk now says the flight with the SN8 prototype will top out at 15km, or close to 50,000ft, instead of the 18km and 60,000ft he’d mentioned earlier...

source https://www.engadget.com/spacex-starship-test-flight-reduced-altitude-182324492.html

Tesla will boost your Model Y's acceleration for $2,000

How eager are you to improve the performance of your Tesla Model Y? Eager enough that you’d pay a hefty sum for what’s ultimately some code changes? Now’s your chance. Electrek reports that Model Y owners with Dual Motor AWD variants (but not Perform...

source https://www.engadget.com/tesla-model-y-acceleration-boost-174341431.html

Windows XP source code leak sheds light on Microsoft's OS history

Microsoft is no stranger to Windows source code leaks, but a new incident might just provide insights into its history. Bleeping Computer and ZDNet report that a 4chan user has posted what’s believed to be source code for Windows XP Service Pack 1, W...

source https://www.engadget.com/windows-xp-source-code-leak-170715593.html

Hitting the Books: The invisible threat that every ISS astronaut fears

Despite starry-eyed promises by the likes of SpaceX and Blue Origin, only a handful of humans will actually experience existence outside of Earth’s atmosphere within our lifetime. The rest of us are stuck learning about life in space second hand but...

source https://www.engadget.com/hitting-the-books-how-to-astronaut-terry-virts-workman-153021872.html

US slaps trade restrictions on China's top chipmaker

The US didn’t waste much time blocking sales to China’s largest chipmaker. According to Reuters and the Wall Street Journal, the Commerce Department has added Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) to its entity list, effectivel...

source https://www.engadget.com/us-trade-export-restrictions-china-smic-152726714.html

The Morning After: How AI shapes the world of 'Flight Simulator'

Am I having a nightmare or did Amazon really announce a security camera that flies around inside your house? I can’t quite get over this being a thing that exists, but with the way things go, we’ll probably have a roundup of twenty similar devices in...

source https://www.engadget.com/tma-flight-simulator-azure-144503469.html

Recommended Reading: The new Apple Watch's blood oxygen feature

The new Apple Watch says my lungs may be sick. Or perfect. It can’t decide.Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Washington PostOne of the key features of the new Apple Watch Series 6 is the built-in oximeter. In theory, the component should give you an idea of yo...

source https://www.engadget.com/recommended-reading-apple-watch-series-6-blood-oxygen-monitoring-140001735.html

Lucid shows off an Air EV running the quarter-mile in 9.245 seconds

Lucid Motors has made performance a selling point of its upcoming EV, and is directly challenging Tesla’s Model S. It’s already promised the Lucid Air will be capable of sub-10-second quarter mile times, and even showed a prototype’s 9.9-second run d...

source https://www.engadget.com/lucid-air-quarter-mile-115555807.html

Microsoft outlines recent Edge browser improvements

In a new post on the Microsoft Edge blog, the browser’s Principal PM Lead Kim Denny has outlined how the company made it faster and more efficient over the past few months. To help users perform their tasks as quickly as possible, the team rolled out...

source https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-outlines-edge-improvements-050429243.html

Watch Amazon's entire new hardware event right here

If you have to see the Ring Always Home Cam in action to believe that Amazon made a flying security drone for your house, then check out the video of its hardware event. The live stream wasn’t available publicly yesterday, but now you can click throu...

source https://www.engadget.com/amazon-hardware-fall-2020-echo-ring-eero-012946012.html

The OnePlus 8 is $100 off ahead of OnePlus 8T launch

OnePlus is gearing up to launch its next flagship in October, so it’s no surprise that prices for the existing generation are starting to fall. The OnePlus 8 is currently $100 off on Amazon and the company’s own website, with the 128GB model now goin...

source https://www.engadget.com/oneplus-8-price-drop-before-8t-launch-152006703.html

iOS doesn’t need to be more like Android, it just needs more Google

Apple’s iOS 14 has taken some heat for copying Android features. The most obvious example being the new customizable widgets (iOS had widgets before, but it was limited to the left-most screen of the main menu). Another big change is the introduction...

source https://www.engadget.com/ios-14-android-google-apple-150007924.html

Google Fiber customers can now use their own routers

If you’re a Google Fiber customer, you were given a router to use with your service when you signed on. That might have kept folks who had a router they prefer from signing up for the service, or left some clients with redundant devices left sitting...

source https://www.engadget.com/google-fiber-byo-bring-your-own-router-145128792.html

Amazon's superhero show 'The Boys' is getting a college spinoff

In the war of the streaming services, killer content is the best ammunition. Amazon’s original series The Boys is so popular that not only was a third season ordered before the second season even aired, but a spinoff is also in the works. Executive p...

source https://www.engadget.com/amazon-the-boys-spin-off-142159743.html

'Metal Gear Solid' and other Konami classics come to GOG.com

For the longest time, it was weirdly difficult to play Solid Snake’s early outings on PC. The original Metal Gear was released for the MSX2 computer and then, a few years later, MS-DOS and Commodore 64. Few people still own this kind of hardware, so...

source https://www.engadget.com/metal-gear-solid-substance-castlevania-contra-gog-com-141759959.html

Epic is acquiring SuperAwesome, a company focused on kids' online safety

Epic Games is acquiring UK-based SuperAwesome, a company that powers kid-safe internet technology. “More kids interact online than ever before and now is the time to double down on their safety,” said Epic founder and CEO Tim Sweeney.It’s the company...

source https://www.engadget.com/epic-has-acquired-the-kidsafe-gaming-tech-company-super-awesome-141546599.html

‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ is getting spooky for Halloween

If you’ve spent the last few months building a perfect world inside Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you don’t want to miss the gothiest holiday of the year. That’s why Nintendo is updating the title for Fall, with new goodies for Halloween, including...

source https://www.engadget.com/animal-crossing-new-horizons-fall-update-halloween-140733949.html

Someone bought the new Chromecast and told Reddit all about it

Google’s annual Pixel event is five days away, and the leaks just keep coming. A couple weeks ago, Android Police spotted a listing for a “Chromecast with Google TV” through Target. Now, Redditor u/fuzztub07 has shared photos of that dongle, along wi...

source https://www.engadget.com/google-chromecast-with-google-tv-leak-135002988.html

Capcom wants to bring 'Resident Evil Village' to PS4 and Xbox One

Resident Evil Village could join the growing list of next-gen games also coming to current-gen consoles. At its Tokyo Games Show presentation, Capcom announced that the eighth mainline Resident Evil game may make its way to PlayStation 4 and PC."Whil...

source https://www.engadget.com/resident-evil-village-playstation-4-xbox-one-132801205.html

This week's best deals: The first Apple Watch Series 6 discount and more

Although Xbox pre-orders dominated this week, there were still some solid deals to be found across the web. The Apple Watch Series 6 saw its first discount at Amazon (only on a few models, but it’s better than nothing) and the 512GB model of the late...

source https://www.engadget.com/weekly-deals-apple-watch-series-6-macbook-pro-130005431.html

Podcast: Microsoft buys Bethesda, Apple Watch SE review

This week, Devindra and Cherlynn dive into Microsoft’s massive (and surprising!) acquisition of Bethesda, and all of the other ZeniMax Media studios. Also, Cherlynn talks about her experience with the Apple Watch SE — is it enough to tempt her away f...

source https://www.engadget.com/engadget-podcast-microsoft-buys-bethesda-apple-watch-se-123053444.html

The best wireless workout headphones

As some of you might know, I’m a runner. On occasion I review sports watches, and outside of work I’m a certified marathon coach. So when it became clear Engadget wanted to round up the best wireless workout headphones, I raised my hand. And the timi...

source https://www.engadget.com/best-wireless-workout-headphones-2020-123012821.html

E1 is like Formula E, but with boats

Another electrified motorsport is in the works. Today, Formula E and Extreme E founder Alejandro Agag unveiled E1, a competition that will revolve around battery-powered boats. There’s no start date just yet, but the organizers hope to develop the id...

source https://www.engadget.com/e1-electric-boat-motorsport-launch-formula-extreme-e-120710579.html

Amazon's new Echos are cheaper if you pre-order two

Apple launched a new Echo speaker yesterday with a futuristic spherical design and new features borrowed from the Echo Studio and Echo Plus. It also unveiled a globe-shaped version of the budget Echo Dot. Normally, you’d pay full price to get all-new...

source https://www.engadget.com/amazon-new-echo-30-multibuy-discount-111949504.html

The Morning After: Amazon's new security camera is also an in-home drone

If your least favorite thing about current security cameras is their inability to get up and fly around your house, then congratulations — you’re about to get some good news from Amazon. For the rest of us, we’ll make another attempt at locking down...

source https://www.engadget.com/ring-awalys-home-cam-amazon-eero-router-tma-111508224.html

Apple's Irish tax deal will be scrutinized by Europe's highest court

The European Commission refuses to back down in its long-running legal battle against Apple and the Irish government’s tax arrangements. Today, the executive branch of the European Union announced that it would appeal a decision granted by the Genera...

source https://www.engadget.com/apple-european-commission-court-justice-ireland-taxes-appeal-110141982.html

AirPods Pro with AppleCare are just $230 at B&H until Sunday

If you’ve been waiting for a discount on the AirPods Pro, you may want to check out B&H Photo’s latest deal for a pair, especially if you’re also looking to get an AppleCare+ plan for it. The retailer has listed an AirPods Pro with AppleCare+ bun...

source https://www.engadget.com/bnh-airpods-pro-applecare-deal-094531737.html

Apple confirms it bought podcast curation app Scout FM earlier this year

Apple has purchased Scout FM, an app that makes it easy to find podcasts tailored to your tastes, according to Bloomberg. Rather than just letting you choose individual podcasts, Scout FM curates them based on your listening history. Much like YouTub...

source https://www.engadget.com/apple-reportedly-bought-the-topic-based-podcast-app-scout-fm-084109915.html

Apple is allowing Solo Loop returns without sending back the Watch

With the launch of the Watch Series 6 and Watch SE, Apple also introduced clasp-free stretch bands, the Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop. However, sizing them proved to be tricky despite a printable price/size chart, so many buyers found themselves wi...

source https://www.engadget.com/apple-solo-loop-returns-on-watch-074508313.html

Roland's synth engine comes to mobile devices with the Zenbeats 2.0 app

Roland has rolled out an upgraded version of its cross-platform digital audio workstation app, and it comes with several feature and workflow enhancements. The biggest addition to Zenbeats 2.0, though, is ZC1, which brings the company’s Zen-Core synt...

source https://www.engadget.com/roland-zenbeats-2-app-zc-1-070016582.html

Twitter's changes since the June attack include requiring security keys

Back in July, Twitter became the target of cyberattackers that hijacked high-profile accounts to run a bitcoin scam. Now, the company has published a post detailing how it’s keeping Twitter secure and making sure that incident won’t happen again, esp...

source https://www.engadget.com/twitters-security-changes-july-attack-054328827.html

Google server problems took out Gmail and other services briefly

It feels unusual to see internet problems that aren’t related to someone trying to pre-order gaming equipment, but this evening users on the East and West coasts of the US experienced issues accessing Google services like Gmail, Google Docs, and even...

source https://www.engadget.com/google-cloud-gsuite-gmail-outage-034841550.html

The first 'Left 4 Dead 2' expansion in years is available now for free

In yet another unexpected development from 2020, there’s a massive content update available for Left 4 Dead 2. Valve’s co-op zombie shooter was originally released in 2009, but the community is still active enough to produce a new content pack dubbed...

source https://www.engadget.com/left-4-dead-2-free-the-last-stand-023707760.html

Email app Superhuman adds a cheaper plan for students and teachers

Premium email client Superhuman has introduced a cheaper plan for teachers and students. Superhuman for Education costs $10 per month instead of the usual $30, and it’s open to those with active school email addresses. Classes have gone remote in 2...

source https://www.engadget.com/superhuman-email-client-education-pan-teachers-students-154001693.html

Google wants you to train its AI by lip syncing 'Dance Monkey' by Tones and I

Google is asking users to help teach its AI how to speak. A new “Experiments with Google” called LipSync asks users to lip sync a small part of “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I, Android Police reports.LipSync, which is built by YouTube for Chrome on des...

source https://www.engadget.com/google-experiment-ai-lip-sync-152640651.html

Tell us all about your Surface Earbuds

Microsoft made some waves with the release of the Surface Earbuds: from their distinct design shape to their comfortable fit and quality sound, they were intended to make a real impact on the wireless headphone market. Our reviewer Devindra Hardawar...

source https://www.engadget.com/surface-earbuds-user-reviews-wanted-150051465.html

YouTube is sharing more ‘authoritative' election info with voters

YouTube already has a few election protection measures in place, like removing videos that encourage election meddling and banning claims that could mislead voters. Today, YouTube announced that it’s paying special attention to mail-in voting content...

source https://www.engadget.com/youtube-2020-election-authoritative-information-143432234.html

Watch the Blue Origin sensor test that will help NASA land on the Moon

Blue Origin is set to launch its reusable New Shepard rocket on a suborbital mission today (September 24th) and test sensors for a vehicle that could one day land on the Moon. The NS-13 mission, using a rocket that has already flown six times in a ro...

source https://www.engadget.com/blue-origin-new-shepard-lunar-landing-sensor-test-141520348.html

'Nier' remaster heads to the West on April 23rd, 2021

A remaster of the original Nier video game will be released in the West on April 23rd, 2021. The cult classic, directed by Yoko Taro, was first released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2010. It was a spin-off from the Drakengard series and foll...

source https://www.engadget.com/nier-replicant-remaster-april-23-24-2021-release-date-140515920.html

Even LinkedIn has Stories now

LinkedIn is the latest platform to embrace the disappearing Stories format. The professional networking site unveiled its latest redesign that makes the company’s months-long experiment with LinkedIn Stories official. Beginning today, the company is...

source https://www.engadget.com/linkedin-launches-redesign-with-disappearing-stories-140052516.html

Roli’s light-up, learn-to-play Lumi keyboard is available for pre-order

Pre-orders for Roli’s crowdfunded Lumi keyboard are now open. The small, light-up keyboard pairs with a companion app and is meant to help you learn how to play music, whether you want to dive right into your favorite pop songs (Beyonce) or start wit...

source https://www.engadget.com/roli-lumi-keyboard-available-pre-order-140014559.html

Epic, Spotify and others ally against Apple and Google app policies

A diverse variety of companies including Epic Games, Spotify, Match Group, Tile and others have formed an alliance to pressure Apple, Google and others to change their app store rules. The Coalition for App Fairness debuted today, stating that “Apple...

source https://www.engadget.com/epic-spotify-and-others-form-alliance-against-app-store-dominance-135026221.html

Apple's brand-new iPad is down to $299 on Amazon

Amazon joins Walmart with a new sale on the latest 8th-generation iPad — yes, the one that only came out last week. Amazon now has the iPad starting at $299, which is $30 less than its normal starting price. Both the 32GB and the 128GB models are on...

source https://www.engadget.com/apple-8th-generation-ipad-amazon-discount-matching-walmart-124548697.html

Facebook's Oversight Board will begin hearing cases before the US election

Faceboook has confirmed that it’s Oversight Board set up to rule on moderation disputes across the company’s platforms will begin to hear cases as early as mid-October, just ahead of the November US elections (via the Financial Times). “Since the fir...

source https://www.engadget.com/facebooks-oversight-board-will-begin-hearing-cases-before-the-us-election-122520018.html

'Microsoft Flight Simulator' is getting a Japan-centric update next week

At its Tokyo Games Show event, Microsoft today announced a major free update to Microsoft Flight Simulator. Appropriately, the update adds a lot to the experience of flying in Japan. Six cities, including Tokyo, are getting improved with 3D photogram...

source https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-world-update-japan-122506531.html

Microsoft makes a last-minute Xbox Series S price cut in Japan

Seemingly out of nowhere, Microsoft has decided to change the price of the Xbox Series S in Japan. The next-gen console was originally going to retail for 32,980 yen (roughly $313), but that’s now been revised down to 29,980 yen (roughly $284). It’s...

source https://www.engadget.com/xbox-series-s-price-cut-japan-nintendo-switch-114550376.html