X just announced a smart TV app for streaming video. Or, more accurately, that it claims it's building one, with absolutely no launch date mentioned. The appropriately-named X TV wants to be your go-to companion for a high-quality, immersive entertainment experience on a larger screen. By high-quality entertainment, X likely means that one Tucker Carlson video where hes really impressed by grocery carts in Russia. Thats not a joke. Carlson is featured prominently in the little teaser video.
Coming soon to a television near you: X TV pic.twitter.com/C7VWNa7jG5 News (@XNews) April 23, 2024
X CEO and marketing robot Linda Yaccarino promises real-time content and wide availability, but other than that details are scanter than scant. Theres some corporate speak nonsense about AI, of course, and boasts about effortless casting from a mobile device to a TV. Wait, I thought this was a TV app? So its also a mobile app that casts to a TV? Is there another word for less than half-baked? Does raw work?
In other words, we dont know much. This is X. All we get are word salads that dont really mean anything and then, one day, the app may or may not actually appear. If it does, its likely to be hopelessly broken. That sounds harsh, but theres plenty of proof-laden pudding to go around. We got receipts.
Back when Twitter first rebranded to X, the company promised the whole thing would soon be powered by AI. X eventually did create a chatbot, Grok, but its not exactly the sharpest algo in the shed. It also doesnt look to be powering the site anytime soon. Elon Musk promised that X would soon become a payments and banking platform, which thankfully hasnt materialized. Remember when Musk said that all major X decisions would be conducted via user poll? When was the last time youve seen one of those? Theres also the whole ongoing blue check fiasco.
The long-promised job search tool did launch, but its just kind of crappy. X did pursue original video content for a while, but things seem to have cooled off ever since the Don Lemon/Elon Musk debacle. Two years after Musk purchased the site, its still far from being the everything app.
Theres also the question of what kind of content will be streaming on this platform. Again, this is X. Im just not sure how many people want to sit on their living room couch and watch a guy scream into the void about how the video game site Kotaku is ruining American society. The ad spotlights Carlson, as mentioned above, which indicates an endless stream of videos of people complaining about the word woke without actually defining it. Call me crazy, but Id rather watch actual TV.
Heck. Even if I wanted to watch a vlog of impotent rage, YouTube is right there. Its on smart TVs now and it works just fine. It has everything Yaccarino promises that one day will come to X TV. Plus, YouTube can teach you stuff, beyond how to block folks with a blue check next to their name.
X TV may or may not release in the near or far future on some or all smart TVs. It may be an actual app on the TV or an app on a phone that casts to a TV. It may be powered by AI, or not. It may have tailored search or it may just show you endless loops of Jordan Peterson bursting into tears. Who the heck knows. Be on the lookout for this latest pivot to video or not.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/elon-musk-says-its-his-turn-to-have-the-remote-161914334.html?src=rss
Razer has rolled out the Viper V3 Pro, its latest high-end wireless gaming mouse. What makes a gaming mouse high-end, you might ask? Mainly, its super lightweight and packed with impressive wireless and sensor tech, all of which makes it extremely responsive in competitive games. Ive had one on hand for about two weeks now and have felt next to zero delay flicking through rounds of Halo Infinite and Apex Legends.
The other thing is the price: The Viper V3 Pro is available today for $160 in the US or 180 in Europe. That isnt unheard of Razers own DeathAdder V3 Pro, the top wireless pick in our gaming mouse buying guide, costs the same but its certainly not cheap.
If you keep up with the gaming mouse market, heres the short version: The Viper V3 Pro has virtually the same shape and soft-touch coating as last year's midrange Viper V3 HyperSpeed, but its far lighter at 54 grams, plus it has optical switches, a technically superior sensor and a few small design tweaks. Its the follow-up to the popular Viper V2 Pro from 2022 and the ambidextrous complement to the aforementioned DeathAdder V3 Pro, which has a more dramatically contoured ergonomic shape.
The Razer Viper V3 Pro (left) and Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 (right), another high-end wireless gaming mouse with a symmetrical shape.Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
For everyone else, the main thing to know about mice like this is that theyre built for competitive gaming above all else. As such, the Viper V3 Pro deliberately excludes features thatd make it more convenient for day-to-day use: Theres no Bluetooth and only two side buttons, while the DPI switch is located on the bottom of the mouse. The scroll wheel can't tilt left or right, and theres no lighting, either. But these omissions make sense if you view the mouse as a tool for esports: They keep the weight down and make it harder to hit buttons by accident.
The most important thing with any gaming mouse is its shape, and the Viper V3 Pros should fit most hand sizes well. Its highly similar to Logitech's G Pro X Superlight 2, its chief competitor, but slightly longer and flatter. A modest but noticeable hump in the center rests naturally in your palm, while the sides are gently contoured in then out to welcome the tops of your thumb and ring finger (or pinkie). The main click buttons are grooved, slightly flared and amply sized. None of the angles are aggressive. Razer says it works best with a fingertip or claw grip; I have few issues as someone who uses the latter. But the design isnt so short or flat that its horrible for palm grips. In total, it measures 5.0 x 2.51 x 1.57 inches.
The mouses coating is pleasingly soft and smooth. Itll pick up fingerprint smudges over time, but it should be grippy enough for most people out of the gate. (Razer includes some pre-cut grip tape in the box if it still feels too slippery.) The device as a whole is sturdily built, with no sign of flex or creaking in my two weeks of daily use.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
The Viper V3 Pro isnt the absolute lightest gaming mouse, but calling a 54g device too heavy to move around would be splitting hairs. Notably, it achieves this weight without any cutouts in its top or bottom shell. Rival gaming mice like the Pwnage Stormbreaker or Pulsar X2V2 are similarly light but leave their interiors more open to dust and detritus.
The mouses main click buttons are fast, not sticky and on the softer side for a device that uses optical switches. They arent as loud as the clicks on the G Pro X Superlight 2, though the right-click panel on my test unit sounds a little less full than the left-click one. (Thats more of a nitpick than a dealbreaker.) As with most optical mice, the main buttons may not be as satisfying to press as good mechanical switches, but theyre more likely to avoid durability issues over time. Id also give the Viper V3 Pro the edge over Logitechs mouse when it comes to the side buttons and scroll wheel. The Viper's wheel is tighter, quieter and has grippier ridges on its exterior, while its side buttons are a bit less mushy by comparison.
In terms of performance, the Viper V3 Pro uses Razers new Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor en-2. It can reach a maximum of 35,000 DPI, and you can adjust that sensitivity in 1 DPI increments. A max speed of 750 IPS and max acceleration of 70 G accompany that. Per usual with gaming mice, these higher figures are partly marketing fluff: Many older gaming mice have few issues when it comes to sensor accuracy and consistency.
The mouse is available in black or white, though Razer says the white model weighs a gram more.Razer
Along those lines, the mouse comes with Razers HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, which costs $30 on its own. It advertises a maximum polling rate of 8,000Hz, which technically allows for more precise movements but has a negligible effect on real-world performance. Mostly, it saps battery life: Razer says the Viper V3 Pro can last up to 95 hours at a 1,000Hz polling rate, which is fine, but that dips to just 17 hours at 8,000Hz.
Still, while I am far from an pro-level player, I cant foresee many complaints about the Viper V3 Pros responsiveness or connection quality. The shape, weight and sensor all play a role in that as do the large PTFE feet, which let the mouse glide smoothly across surfaces. Somewhat less agreeable is the included cable, which is cleverly angled to reduce drag but isnt the thinnest or most flexible cord I've seen. The dongle still requires running the cable from a PC to a desk, too.
Nevertheless, the Viper V3 Pro is well worth a look if you take competitive gaming seriously, prefer an ambidextrous shape and have money to burn. To be clear, there are still several gaming mice thatll feel comfortable and perform well for less cash, especially if youre OK with a wired model. And if you own an older Viper youre still happy with today, theres no pressing need to upgrade. A mouse like this is closer to a Ferrari, when most people can live just fine with a Subaru. That said, Ferraris are pretty nice, right?
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nobody-needs-to-spend-160-on-a-gaming-mouse-but-razers-new-viper-v3-pro-is-excellent-anyway-150017198.html?src=rss
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is only a few weeks away, but the company simply can't wait that long to make some more announcements. It has scheduled a virtual event for May 7. The stream will be available on Apple's website and the Apple TV app (and likely YouTube) and it will start at 10AM ET.
As usual, Apple hasn't been totally forthcoming about what to expect. However, the animated image it included in the announcement shows a hand holding an Apple Pencil in the center of a stylized, colorful Apple logo. That indicates the event is very likely going to be focused on iPad.
Rumors have been swirling for some time that Apple was likely to update the iPad Pro and iPad Air in a couple of sizes in May with M3 and M2 chips, respectively. The company is expected to bring OLED displays to the iPad Pro, while adding a larger 12.9-inch iPad Air to the lineup. Reports suggest a new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and a fresh Apple Pencil may be in the offing too. In any case, it's been over two years since the last iPad Air and around 18 months since the M2-powered iPad Pros debuted, so both are due for a refresh.
Pencil us in for May 7! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/1tvyB7h450 Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 23, 2024
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-will-host-a-pre-wwdc-virtual-event-on-may-7-145859085.html?src=rss
What are the foundational elements of social media marketing success? According to this infographic, they are: community, content, curation, creation, connection, conversation, and conversion. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
Some 91% of buyers say they've encountered at least one issue that's prevented them from placing an order online with a B2B vendor, according to recent research. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
Discover the power of personalization in B2B marketing. Learn how personalization tech, tools, and tactics can transform campaigns and boost customer engagement and conversions. Read more. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
For most wireless headphones, active noise cancellation (ANC) is a primary feature, especially at the mid-range to premium levels. ANC is a popular tool, especially for headphones youre going to use in a variety of locations and settings. To help you cut through the noise of all the options on the market, weve compiled a list of the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy right now. Judged primarily in terms of ANC performance, this guide not only offers suggestions in various scenarios and prices, but also gives you advice on what to look for on a spec sheet while youre shopping.
How to choose the best noise-canceling headphones for you
Design
When youre shopping for a pair of wireless headphones, the first thing youll need to decide on is wear style. Do you prefer on-ear or over-ear? For the purposes of this guide, I focus on the over-ear style as thats what most noise-canceling headphones are nowadays. Sure, you can find on-ear models with ANC, but over-ear, noise-canceling headphones are much more effective at blocking sound since your ears are completely covered.
Type of noise cancellation
Next, youll want to look at the type of ANC a set of headphones offers. Youll come across terms like hybrid active noise cancellation or hybrid adaptive active noise cancellation, and there are key differences between the two. A hybrid ANC setup uses microphones on the inside and on the outside of the device to detect ambient noise and cancel it out. By analyzing input from both mics, a hybrid system can combat more sounds than regular ANC, but it does so at a constant level that doesnt change.
Adaptive ANC takes the hybrid configuration a step further by continuously adjusting the noise cancellation for changes in your environment and any leakage around the padding of the ear cups. Adaptive ANC also does a better job with wind noise, which can really kill your vibe while using headphones outdoors. For the purposes of this best headphones list, Im only considering products with hybrid ANC or adaptive ANC setups because those are the most effective at blocking noise.
Customization
Youll also want to check to see if the ANC system on a prospective set of headphones offers adjustable levels of noise cancellation or presets. These can help you dial in the amount of ANC you need for various environments, but it can also help you save battery life. Master & Dynamic, for example, has ANC presets that provide both maximum noise blocking and more efficient cancellation that is more energy efficient. Other companies may include a slider in their companion apps that let you adjust the ANC level to your liking.
How we test noise-canceling headphones
The primary way we test headphones is to wear them as much as possible. I prefer to do this over a one-to-two-week period, but sometimes deadlines dont allow it. During this time, I listen to a mix of music and podcasts, while also using the headphones to take both voice and video calls.
Since battery life for headphones can be 30 hours or more, I drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually around 75 percent). Due to the longer battery estimates, Ill typically power the headphones off several times and leave them that way during a review. This simulates real-world use and keeps me from having to constantly monitor the process for over 24 straight hours.
To test ANC performance specifically, I use headphones in a variety of environments, from noisy coffee shops to quiet home offices. When my schedule allows, I use them during air travel since plane noise is a massive distraction to both work and relaxation. Even if I cant hop on a flight, Ill simulate a constant roar with white noise machines, bathroom fans, vacuums and more. I also make note of how well each device blocks human voices, which are a key stumbling block for a lot of ANC headphones.
ANC-related features are something else to consider. Here, I do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as I work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the headphones Im testing are an updated version of a previous model, Ill spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competition for each new set of headphones that I review.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-noise-canceling-headphones-130029881.html?src=rss
If you use Sonos speakers, chances are youve used their app and encountered at least a little frustration at some point. I dont think its a bad app when you consider the many functions it needs to juggle: finding and playing music from dozens of services, managing multiple connected speakers, running people through setup and troubleshooting and so on. But at the very least, its fair to suggest that its a little long in the tooth. Sonos knows this, too, and is announcing a totally new app for Android and iOS that was written from the ground up. Itll be available on May 7.
I spoke to Sonos VP of user experience and user research Neil Griffiths about the redesign, and he said that it came as a result of talking to hundreds of customers about their listening habits and the way they want to use the app. From those conversations came two principles the company followed for the new app. One was to make it easier for people to play back whatever audio content they have, whether its streaming music, podcasts, radio, audiobooks, devices plugged into Sonos speakers like TVs or turntables and more. The second is making the app into a hub thats better-suited to getting to exactly what you want to hear.
The end result is a much simpler app the old one had the usual five tabs along the bottom, three of which could be used to find music. Now, theres a single, customizable home screen with a persistent search bar and rows of content. By default, youll see a recently played section at the top that pulls things in from any service you use; below that youll see a carousel of the different services you have hooked up to Sonos. Theres also an area that controls different inputs, like line-in to speakers that support it or TVs plugged into soundbars. That way, you can tap those to switch between streaming music and playing back the connected device.
Sonos
Theres still a now playing bar at the bottom of the app that you can tap to get the full playback controls and volume adjustments, but if you swipe up from the bottom of the screen youll instead get a view of your whole Sonos system. This shows all your speakers and whats playing where; you can adjust volume for each from here or group speakers together.
Easily the best thing about this new app is the customizable home screen, though. Not only can you change the order of things that appear there, you can also pin content directly from within different apps so you can get to it immediately. For example, Spotify, Apple Music and basically every other music service typically have a new releases for you section that shows recent albums based on your listening habits. If you always want to see that, you can pin it straight to your home screen and itll dynamically update when Spotify has new picks. And you can re-order these carousels so your most-used one is right at the top of the screen.
The old Sonos home screen had a recently played section at the top and let you pin songs, albums, playlists and stations from across your services, so it had some degree of flexibility. But being able to add full, dynamically updating sections from the apps you use feels like a major step forward. I can easily see pinning a half-dozen lists from different apps to my home screen, which will make the process of starting music from the Sonos app itself a lot more fluid. I still mostly use AirPlay or Spotify Connect to broadcast to my speakers, but I think itll be worth setting up my home in this new app and see if I use it more. Pulling together content from the too many streaming apps I use in one place sounds like a nice improvement over jumping in and out of apps depending on what I want to hear.
Sonos also made it easier to jump right into the service of your choice. All of the streaming apps that youre logged in to will appear in a carousel as well, with your default / favorite option always at the beginning of the list. The same goes for search when you open the search bar and type something in, youll get the results from your favorite service first.
Sonos
The company is also replacing its existing desktop controller app for Mac and Windows with a web app that'll offer the same functionality and design as you get on your phone. That's probably a good call, as the Sonos controller feels pretty out of step with the company's current design and feature set, though I'm sure some will bristle at it being a web app. That should also start rolling out on May 7, and the existing Mac and Windows app will eventually be shut down.
For a lot of people, I wager the Sonos app will still be a set it and forget it kind of thing, used to get speakers set up and then tucked away in case something goes wrong. If you only have one or two speakers and do nearly all your listening through Spotify, for example, itll probably be preferable to just use the Spotify app itself still. But people who have a more involved speaker setup and use multiple sources for audio should find a lot to like here when the app arrives in a few weeks.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-rebuilt-sonos-app-focuses-on-getting-you-to-your-tunes-faster-130022601.html?src=rss
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, the director's cut version of Castlevania for the Nintendo 64, is a classic today despite issues like blurry graphics and wonky gameplay. You'd think a title designed in the last century (well, 1999) would have no new surprises, but there's a twist to the story. A new Konami Code has been found and it's interesting enough that Castlevania fans may want to give it a fresh look.
The trick was first revealed by Moises and LiquidCat on the Castlevania 64 Discord server, as shared by YouTuber JupiterClimb. To unlock it, you just need to double the inputs of the original Konami Code (press B A, twice), and all the characters from Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness Cornell, Reinhardt, Carrie and Henry are instantly unlocked.
It also opens up all their alternate costumes, along with the game's hard mode. Without the code, you have to win the game (twice!!) to unlock all four characters.
Along with the main code, Moises and LiquidCat also dug up codes to fill all inventories, regardless of character being played. The PAL and JPN version also lets players max out their jewels and weapon power.
JupiterClimb speculates that the code was a developer shortcut accidentally left in the game, as has happened before with Konami titles. In any case, it's a fun surprise that breathes some new life into the 25-year-old vampire game. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/castlevania-fan-uncovers-new-konami-code-in-1999-game-124727119.html?src=rss
Rivian will give you up to around $5,470 in discount if you trade in an eligible gas-powered truck or SUV when you purchase or lease a qualifying R1 electric vehicle package in the US and Canada. As an "Electric Upgrade Offer" for Earth Day, Rivian said it will accept 2018 or newer Ford F-150, Explorer, Expedition and Bronco (excluding Bronco Sport) vehicles, as well as 2018 or newer Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, Highlander and 4Runner vehicles for trade in. You can also trade in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Wrangler or Gladiator from the same model years. Rivian will take a 2018 or newer Audi Q5, Q7 and Q8 and a BMW X3, X5 and X7, as well.
As you can see, some of those models are incredibly popular gas vehicles, like the Ford F-150, as the company is likely hoping to appeal to a wide range of people who may be considering switching to electric. Of course, the amount you get will depend on your vehicle and its condition, which means you could get more if you sell it yourself. In addition, the discount will only apply to specific R1T truck and R1S SUV packs at amounts that range from CAD$1,000 ($730) to CAD$7,500 ($5,470). You'll also still have to put in a $1,000 non-refundable deposit to reserve the configuration you choose, and you must be able to accept a delivery between April 22 and June 30.
As TechCrunch notes, Rivian launched the promo at a time when there's lower demand for electric vehicles, especially for more expensive premium models. Other automakers recently introduced discounts of their own Tesla, for instance, shaved $2,000 off the starting prices of the Model Y, Model X and Model S. It's also ending its referral program on April 30 and is making its Full-Self Driving software $4,000 cheaper. If you do trade in an eligible gas vehicle to buy an R1, you'll also be able to charge your new EV at all Rivian Adventure Network sites for free for one year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/rivian-offers-up-to-5000-discount-if-you-trade-in-your-gas-powered-truck-120007769.html?src=rss
