The DOJ has sent subpoenas to NVIDIA and other companies as part of an antitrust probe, as reported by Bloomberg. The federal government is seeking evidence that the company violated antitrust laws with regard to its AI processors. The presence of these subpoenas means the DOJ is one step closer to launching a formal complaint.
Officials speculate that NVIDIA is making it difficult for other companies to switch hardware suppliers and that it penalizes buyers that dont exclusively use its artificial intelligence chips. This probe started in June, but recently escalated to include legally binding requests for information.
Nvidia
At the root of the DOJ probe is NVIDIAs recent acquisition of RunAI, a company that makes software for managing AI computing tasks. The concern is that this purchase will make it harder for business customers to switch away from NVIDIA chips, as it would also necessitate a change in software.
However, thats not the only reason behind this investigation. Regulators are also looking into whether NVIDIA gives preferential treatment to customers who exclusively use its technology or buy its complete systems. This special treatment allegedly includes first dibs on hardware and related supplies and unique pricing models.
NVIDIA has offered a terse response, telling Bloomberg that it wins on merit, as reflected in our benchmark results and value to customers, who can choose whatever solution is best for them. The inference here is that the companys market dominance comes down to hard work and not sweetheart deals.
The investigation is still in its early days, as it hasnt yet blossomed into a formal complaint. The companys stock took a hit ahead of the DOJ announcement, but that was likely due to continuing delays for its Blackwell AI chip. However, the stock is still up more than double this year as the AI boom continues to do its thing.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/doj-subpoenas-nvidia-as-part-of-antitrust-probe-regarding-ai-processors-153435877.html?src=rss
If the over-the-ear hook design of the Powerbeats Pro is something you fancy, Beats is planning a successor for next year. The company teased the new product on Instagram, with footage of Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani taking batting practice with the upcoming earbuds. While there aren't any detailed specs or features mentioned in the brief clip, we do get a preview of the updated design.
The Powerbeats Pro were a great set of earbuds when they arrived in 2019, offering stellar audio quality and the power of Apple H1 chip for convenient features. Earbuds have come a long way in the last five years though, and if Beats was going to keep this model around, it was in dire need of an update. From the looks of the video, the company has developed a smaller set of the sport-friendly buds, with a thinner hook that should be more comfortable to wear. It also appears that the company reduced the size of the casing that sits just outside of your ear.
And that's about all we know that this point. The Powerbeats Pro 2 is coming in 2025 and Beats will likely be keen to who them off on athlete's ears between now and the time they're available for purchase.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beats by Dre (@beatsbydre)
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/beats-powerbeats-pro-2-earbuds-are-coming-in-2025-151902492.html?src=rss
This is last year's iPhone 15 Pro. We don't expect a radical redesign for the new models.Apple
It's that time of year again Apple is set to debut its latest lineup of the iPhone 16 models at its iPhone event next week on Monday, Sept. 9. And if you plan to upgrade your phone next week, don't immediately rush to the Apple Store when the event ends because the new iPhones won't be available to buy yet.
Apple is pretty consistent when it comes to releasing their new products and we don't expect that to change this year. We'll tell you when we expect Apple to release the iPhone 16 after its event. We'll also let you know when you can expect to download iOS 18 Apple's latest software on your current iPhone.
Want to follow along with us during Apples big event? Here's how to watch the iPhone 16 announcement. (Well post our liveblog link closer to the event start time.)
When can I buy the new iPhone 16?
While we won't have a set date for when the iPhone 16 will become available until the iPhone event on Monday, we can predict the date based on Apple's past consistency. Heres what we expect:
Monday, Sept. 9: Apples official event (confirmed)
Friday, Sept. 13: Preorders open
Week of Sept. 16: iOS 18 available for download
Friday, Sept. 20: New iPhones and other devices in stores
Again, aside from the confirmed announcement event, these dates are only speculation based on Apple's previous iPhone release history. For instance, Apple generally opens preorders the Friday following the iPhone event. So if Apple follows its previous cadence, you'll be able to preorder an iPhone 16 on Friday, Sept. 13. Likewise, if Apple keeps the same schedule as the past, that would mean the iPhone 16 will officially be available to buy on Friday, Sept. 20.
How about new Apple Watch and AirPods products expected to be announced alongside the presumed new iPhone 16 series? Generally, they also follow the same dates, but there have been some delays in the past. Its entirely possible that one or more of these expected products could hit stores in later weeks possibly even as late as October.
When can I download the new iOS 18?
If you're not planning to buy the new iPhone 16, you'll still have the option to make your older iPhone similar with the new iOS 18 update assuming your iPhone is eligible. (Nearly all models introduced in the past six years are.)
While Apple won't announce when it'll release iOS 18 to the public until its event, we can again speculate based on the past. The newest software will be available the week after the event at earliest, that would be Monday, Sept. 16, though it's possible it won't become available until mid-week.
We'll update with the official dates for new hardware and software after Apple announces them on Monday.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/when-does-the-new-iphone-16-come-out-heres-everything-we-know-144939213.html?src=rss
It took a decade, but we finally have a teaser for the live-action A Minecraft Movie. The first look comes courtesy of a video released by Warner Bros. today that clocks in at just over one minute but, hey, we'll take it. The film studio has confirmed its previous target, April 4, 2025, is moving forward with a theater-only release. Yes, once upon a time, it had release dates for May 2019 and March 2022, but the existence of a teaser makes us feel a little more hopeful (gullible?) this time.
After a series of directors joined and left the project, A Minecraft Movie is led by filmmaker Jared Hess. The Nacho Libre director is joined by his former lead, Jack Black, who plays Minecraft Steve. Rounding out the cast are Jason Momoa, Emma Meyers, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, and Jennifer Coolidge. Check out the teaser to get your first look at the world where, as Black says, "Anything you can dream about here, you can make."
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/a-minecraft-movie-trailer-gives-us-our-first-look-at-jason-momoa-and-jack-black-ahead-of-its-2025-release-143741392.html?src=rss
Even though Concord evidently didn't sell anywhere close to the number of copies it needed to be sustainable, the team shooter does have some dedicated players. Sony and Firewalk Studios have stopped selling the PS5 and PC game before taking it offline this Friday, two weeks after its launch. And yet, some folks are still striving to unlock Concord's Platinum trophy before the servers are shut down. What's more, many of them are taking a creative approach to earning that honor, which they get after unlocking the rest of a game's trophies.
Outside of a few slightly more difficult objectives such as killing five enemies in a row without dying, Concord's trophies are largely based around grinding. They include eliminating a total of 50 opponents as each character (or Freegunner) and reaching level 10 with each. Earning one trophy is as simple as playing a match with a friend.
Perhaps the most time-consuming trophy to earn is a Silver that requires players to reach a reputation level of 100. After news of the game's shutdown emerged, some players called for Firewalk to offer extra XP (or experience points) to help them earn the Platinum before Concord goes offline. One of them, GoodGameKofi, wrote on X on Tuesday that they were at level 48 and wouldn't have enough time to hit level 100 in order to claim the last remaining trophy based on how much XP players earn per game.
However, as noted by Gene Park of The Washington Post, Concord players have found a way to speed up matches and farm XP faster. They're yeeting themselves off the map over and over again. It seems that they're primarily doing so in Rivalry, a mode in which players only have one life and don't respawn.
new concord meta is how fast a squad can commit suicide. if you will, its kinda like a suicide squad pic.twitter.com/CYtfQhAyeN Gene Park (@GenePark) September 3, 2024
That said, the strategy won't get players to level 100 in a hurry. After claiming to hurl themselves off the map constantly for an hour, X user Radec "only went from Level 44 to 45... I am NOT getting this Platinum bro."
Ive been doing this shit for an hour and only went from Level 44 to 45 I am NOT getting this Platinum bro pic.twitter.com/EA3wuVvFgX Radec (@realradec) September 3, 2024
After taking down Concord, Firewalk and Sony plan to "explore options, including those that will better reach our players." That suggests that Concord may return at some point, and if so it will probably have a free-to-play model. However, if Concord remains offline for good, the game will have one of the rarest of all Platinum trophies. According to one trophy tracker site, just 14 players have earned the Platinum so far. Those are some valuable bragging rights for those willing to do nothing but jump off the map for dozens of hours.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/concord-players-keep-jumping-off-the-map-in-a-race-to-claim-the-platinum-trophy-143258391.html?src=rss
Google TV is an easy to use operating system that provides access to all of the best streaming services in one centralized location. But even if your smart TV runs a different OS, you can get access to Google TV easily by buying a Chromecast for as little as $30. You may also not know that if you use a VPN with your Google TV set or Chromecast, you can access even more content. Heres how to set up a VPN on Google TV or a Chromecast and why you may want to use one.
Why use a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast?
For streaming purposes, VPNs have one clear benefit: spoofing your IP address to that of a different country so that you can access geo-restricted content. If you use a VPN and connect to a different countrys server, you can access its content library on any streaming platform.
Lets say you live in the US but want to watch some award-winning BBC documentaries on the BBC iPlayer streaming service. All BBC iPlayer content is free if you live in the UK, but blocked everywhere else. Using a VPN, you can connect to a UK VPN server and stream to your hearts content.
VPNs also have considerable security benefits if you use them on your smartphone or PC. Purchasing a single subscription means you can use your VPN on any supported device, so we recommend you purchase one for its flexibility.
What VPNs are available on Google TV?
Google TV doesnt have many apps to install compared to other smart TV systems like Amazons Fire TV OS. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, its actually a blessing in disguise.
With VPNs, you want to ensure you invest in a quality and trustworthy product. There are many untested or free VPNs available that sell your data or falsify their encryption claims. Although this might not be a huge issue for streaming purposes alone, it generally poses massive security and privacy risks.
When installing a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast, we recommend the following VPN services:
ProtonVPN
ExpressVPN
Surfshark
CyberGhost
We also have a guide to the best VPNs where we explain why we recommend them.
How to set up a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast
Its easy to use a VPN on your Google TV (and perhaps even easier on a Chromecast). Heres a step-by-step guide on how to install one:
Google TV
Navigate to the Google Play Store on your Google TV.
Search for the VPN you want to install (alternatively, search for the keyword VPN to view your options).
Install the VPN.
Log in or sign up.
Navigate the country server list and connect.
Note that you can use your VPN on as many devices as it supports. So, once youve purchased a subscription, its wise to download it on as many platforms and devices you can to maximize your investment.
Chromecast
If you have a Chromecast, you can still enjoy the benefits of a VPN you just need to use your smartphone or laptop in tandem with the streaming device. Heres how to do it:
Install a VPN on your smartphone or laptop.
Make sure your Wi-Fi is enabled.
Turn on the VPN on your smartphone/laptop.
Connect your smartphone or laptop to your TV via Chromecast.
Begin streaming your content.
Additional tip: VPNs also work with screencasting. As long as your smart TV is under the same Wi-Fi as the device youre screencasting from, you can use the VPN securely.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-use-a-vpn-on-your-google-tv-or-chromecast-140619599.html?src=rss
The Federal Trade Commission has published a report that aims to warn people about Bitcoin ATM (or BTM) scams, which have apparently increased tenfold from 2020 to 2023. Americans had lost $65 million to fraud losses involving BTMs within the first six months of this year alone, and the actual amount may be a lot more than that, since most scams go unreported. Further, losses due to BTM scams have been exceptionally high, with people reporting a median loss of $10,000 over the past six months.
In most of the BTM scams reported, the bad actors impersonated government and business entities, as well as tech support representatives. Almost half of the instances reported started with a phone call, though some victims were fooled by fake security warnings from online ads, pop-ups and emails from scammers pretending to be from Microsoft or Apple.
Some scammers pretend to be government agents or employees from utility providers, for instance, and tell people that they have to settle their bills by paying through a nearby BTM. Others pretend to be feds or bank agents and scare would-be victims into believing that their accounts are being targeted by hackers, so they have to transfer their money to a "secure account." Those are just some examples of how the bad actors can fool their victims.
According to the commission's warning, scammers tend to send their targets to specific BTM locations, showing that they prefer some operators over others. Those preferences have changed over time, though, likely due to the fraud prevention measures crypto companies introduce to their systems. Whatever operator the scammer chooses, they send QR codes to their victims, since BTMs typically require depositors to scan one linked to the recipient's account. Those QR codes, of course, send money straight to the scammers' wallets.
As you can guess, most of the BTM scam victims are older people. The FTC says $46 million of the total losses involving BTMs in the first half of 2024 that's 71 percent of the overall amount came from people over 60. If you take BTMs out of the equation, most of the losses from cryptocurrency fraud were reported by people between 18 and 59 years old who fell victim to fake investment opportunities.
If you have an older person in your life, it's best to warn them about potential BTM scams before they get targeted, because recovering the money they lose from these schemes would most likely be impossible. In addition, it may be time for all BTM operators, as well as the supermarkets, convenience stores and other locations where the machines are installed, to post warnings next to BTMs about these scams. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/bitcoin-atm-scams-have-cost-americans-over-10-million-per-month-this-year-140031675.html?src=rss
Which marketing channels and tactics are driving the best results for small businesses in 2024? To find out, researchers conducted a survey among 400 small business owners and small business marketing managers in the United States. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
Discover how AI is transforming ad optimization, creative strategies, and audience targeting to deliver impactful advertising results. Find out more. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
Microsoft has been working on improving small-screen and touchscreen input, focusing on making it more accessible to Windows handheld console users (think the ASUS ROG Ally). Typing with a controller isnt convenient, but Microsoft's latest small update introduced a new onscreen keyboard layout thats a lot easier to use with an Xbox controller, or the controls on a portable gaming PC.
Windows
The new layout isnt confined to moving cursors and selecting specific keys anymore. For example, the X button can be used to backspace, while the Y button is a space bar. The left trigger opens the symbols and numbers page as well. Its almost like a mobile keyboard but optimized for Xbox controller usage. Most importantly, all keys are vertically aligned, making navigating the keyboard easier.
The target users for this change include Windows-powered handheld users and PC gamers who prefer to stick to an Xbox controller while playing games. This latest update follows another change Microsoft made a few weeks ago that makes the Windows Game Bar easier to use on handhelds.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/microsoft-is-testing-a-new-on-screen-keyboard-layout-that-works-better-with-game-controllers-135058122.html?src=rss
