Month: May 2024
You could soon be watching Ted Lasso on a Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel
A new job listing at Apple, spotted by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, hints that an Apple TV Plus app for Android is potentially on the horizon.
Ever wish you could stream Ted Lasso or The Morning Show in full resolution with bright, bold, and immersive visuals on a Google Pixel 8 Pro or Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5?
Well, an Apple TV Plus app for Android could be on the horizon. A new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman highlights an Apple job listing for the role “Android Software Engineer – Apple TV app.” That makes it pretty clear that there is interest in bringing one of Apple’s main services to a broad range of devices. After all, you can’t get everyone to switch.
(Image credit: Apple)
The role description notes that the engineer will “lead the development of fun new features and help build an application used by millions to watch and discover TV and sports.” This likely refers to the wide range of content offered by Apple TV Plus, which is all housed in the current Apple TV app we see on first-party and third-party devices. It contains Apple original TV shows, movies, documentaries, and live sports content courtesy of Friday Night Baseball and MLS Season Pass.
Since Apple TV Plus launched in 2019, it has been available on first-party devices like iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV streaming boxes, and Vision Pro within the TV app. The same app is also on third-party devices like smart TVs – including Samsung, Sony, TCL, Fire TV, and Hisense – streaming players and gaming consoles.
Like Apple Music, which offers an Android app, Apple is looking to broaden where you can access the streaming service and let more folks stream the latest shows and movies. As services become a bigger and more important part of Apple, especially from a revenue aspect, it makes sense that they’d want to reach as many users as possible. And that means offering the experience on a mobile device, even if it isn’t made by Apple.
Spreading Apple TV Plus’ reach
Suppose a launch on Google’s Play Store for Android occurs. In that case, it will instantly open up Apple TV Plus to many more users on various devices made by Google, Samsung, Motorola, and OnePlus, among many others.
This potential app would also take a page out of other streaming services’ playbooks like Peacock, Netflix, and Disney Plus, which all offer a range of apps for nearly every major platform. It makes sense to meet a potential customer or someone already signed up on popular devices.
Considering the job listing hints at sports and mentions it by name, it’ll be interesting to see if the recently launched Sports app will ever appear outside iOS. I’d imagine that is a little less likely as it isn’t subscription-based, and judging by Apple Music’s Android release, Apple likely wants it to tie back to revenue, so beyond Apple TV Plus, it could be Fitness Plus, though that requires an Apple Watch or iPhone.
Apple declined to comment in Bloomberg’s first report on the potential of an Apple TV Plus for Android app, but TechRadar has also reached out and will update if we hear back. In the meantime, you can read up on the best streaming services here.
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iOS 18 Rumor Recap: Over 20 New Features to Expect as WWDC Nears
iOS 18 is just around the corner, with Apple set to unveil the software update during its WWDC keynote next month. Below, we recap new features and changes rumored for iOS 18, which is projected to be the “biggest” update in the iPhone’s history.
iOS 18 is rumored to include new AI features for Siri and many apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also expected to introduce a more customizable Home Screen and other user interface design changes, new features in apps like Apple Maps and Calculator, additional accessibility features, and much more.
WWDC 2024 will begin with Apple’s keynote on June 10 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, and the iOS 18 beta should be made available to members of the Apple Developer Program immediately following the presentation. A public beta is typically released in July, and the update should be widely released to all users in September.
For additional information, read our iOS 18 roundup.
Smarter Siri and Generative AI
iOS 18 is rumored to have new AI features for Siri, Spotlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Health, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and more, according to sources such as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and The Information’s Wayne Ma.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly teased that the company is working on generative AI, and plans to share details “later this year,” and Apple’s marketing chief Greg Joswiak also hinted at AI in a social media post about WWDC 2024.
Generative AI surged in popularity in late 2022, when OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot that can respond to questions and other text prompts. The company has also expanded into generative AI tools for images and videos. Other companies like Google and Microsoft have also pushed into the generative AI space, and the technology is quickly evolving.
iOS 18 is not expected to include an Apple-designed chatbot, but a partnership with OpenAI will reportedly be announced at WWDC.
More Customizable Home Screen
iOS 18 will feature a “more customizable” Home Screen, according to Gurman.
MacRumors exclusively reported that iOS 18 will finally allow users to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid. This means that users will be able to create blank spaces, columns, and rows between app icons. This basic feature has long been available on Android smartphones, and now Apple is bringing it to the iPhone.
iPhone users can already customize the Home Screen with apps such as Shortcuts and Widgetsmith, which can be used to create “blank” app icons and widgets, but Apple’s official solution will be much more convenient.
It was also reported that iOS 18 will allow users to change the color of app icons.
New Accessibility Features
Earlier this month, Apple previewed many new accessibility features coming later this year with software updates like iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2. The announcement came one day ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
Some of the new features coming to the iPhone include Eye Tracking, Vehicle Motion Cues, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts. CarPlay will also be getting more accessibility features with iOS 18, including Sound Recognition, which will allow drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing to turn on alerts to be notified of car horns and sirens.
New Apple Maps Features
MacRumors previously revealed two potential new Apple Maps features coming with iOS 18: custom routes and topographic maps.
With the custom routes feature, Apple Maps users would be able to choose specific roads to travel on while navigating, for reasons such as familiarity or scenic views. This feature is expected to be available in the U.S. only at launch. Google Maps already allows users to create custom routes on the web, and then view them on an iPhone.
Topographic maps first debuted on the Apple Watch last year with watchOS 10, and code suggests that the feature will be expanded to the iPhone, Mac, and Vision Pro with iOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2. These maps include details such as trails, contour lines, elevation, and points of interest for hiking and other outdoor uses.
RCS Support in Messages App
In November, Apple announced that it would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting “later” in 2024, so it will likely be an iOS 18 feature based on that timeframe.
RCS support should result in the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices:
Higher-resolution photos and videos
Audio messages
Typing indicators
Read receipts
Wi-Fi messaging
Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users
These features are already available for iMessage and in many third-party messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS support on the iPhone will extend the features to green bubbles in the Messages app.
More Rumors Per App
Apple Music: With iOS 18, Apple Music will reportedly be able to auto-generate playlists, and there is also a rumor about smarter song transitions.
Calculator: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 are rumored to feature a revamped Calculator app with several new features, including a sidebar that lists recent calculations, an improved interface for converting units, integration with the Notes app, and more. That means the Calculator app will finally be available on iPads.
Calendar: Two apps rumored to be integrated on iOS 18 are Calendar and Reminders. This would allow users to schedule and organize reminders directly within the Calendars app, without needing to open the Reminders app.
Freeform: iOS 18 is rumored to add a new “Scenes” option to Apple’s drawing app Freeform. This feature would allow users to select specific sections (“scenes”) on the canvas for easier navigation.
Health: Apple is reportedly planning new AI-powered features for its Health app, but no specific details are known yet.
Keynote, Numbers, and Pages: Alongside iOS 18, Apple reportedly plans to update its iWork suite of productivity apps with new generative AI features for auto-generating slides in Keynote, writing faster in Pages, and more.
Mail, Photos, and Fitness: These apps will reportedly be “overhauled” with iOS 18. AI-powered photo retouching is reportedly coming to the Photos app with iOS 18, and the Mail app could gain suggested replies to emails, but no other specific details are known yet for these apps.
Messages: In addition to RCS support, it has been rumored that the Messages app will use generative AI to auto-complete sentences more effectively, and to auto-generate custom emojis for users based on the content of messages.
Notes and Voice Memos: With iOS 18, the Notes app is expected to be able to display mathematical notation, allowing users to include more types of algebraic equations and formulas in notes. The app is also rumored to gain a built-in audio recording tool, eliminating the need to switch over to the Voice Memos app. In addition, both Notes and Voice Memos could gain the ability to transcribe audio.
Safari: iOS 18 is likely to add a browsing assistant to Safari, which could summarize web pages and more. A new “Web Eraser” feature that would allow users to remove certain elements from web pages has also been rumored.
Shortcuts: With iOS 18, users will reportedly be able to automate complex tasks more easily with the Shortcuts app.While they are not dedicated apps, it has also been rumored that generative AI technology will allow the iPhone’s virtual assistant Siri and built-in search tool Spotlight to respond to more complex questions and search queries.Related Roundup: iOS 18This article, “iOS 18 Rumor Recap: Over 20 New Features to Expect as WWDC Nears” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
iOS 18 is just around the corner, with Apple set to unveil the software update during its WWDC keynote next month. Below, we recap new features and changes rumored for iOS 18, which is projected to be the “biggest” update in the iPhone’s history.
iOS 18 is rumored to include new AI features for Siri and many apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also expected to introduce a more customizable Home Screen and other user interface design changes, new features in apps like Apple Maps and Calculator, additional accessibility features, and much more.
WWDC 2024 will begin with Apple’s keynote on June 10 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, and the iOS 18 beta should be made available to members of the Apple Developer Program immediately following the presentation. A public beta is typically released in July, and the update should be widely released to all users in September.
For additional information, read our iOS 18 roundup.
Smarter Siri and Generative AI
iOS 18 is rumored to have new AI features for Siri, Spotlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Health, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and more, according to sources such as Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman and The Information‘s Wayne Ma.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly teased that the company is working on generative AI, and plans to share details “later this year,” and Apple’s marketing chief Greg Joswiak also hinted at AI in a social media post about WWDC 2024.
Generative AI surged in popularity in late 2022, when OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot that can respond to questions and other text prompts. The company has also expanded into generative AI tools for images and videos. Other companies like Google and Microsoft have also pushed into the generative AI space, and the technology is quickly evolving.
iOS 18 is not expected to include an Apple-designed chatbot, but a partnership with OpenAI will reportedly be announced at WWDC.
More Customizable Home Screen
iOS 18 will feature a “more customizable” Home Screen, according to Gurman.
MacRumors exclusively reported that iOS 18 will finally allow users to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid. This means that users will be able to create blank spaces, columns, and rows between app icons. This basic feature has long been available on Android smartphones, and now Apple is bringing it to the iPhone.
iPhone users can already customize the Home Screen with apps such as Shortcuts and Widgetsmith, which can be used to create “blank” app icons and widgets, but Apple’s official solution will be much more convenient.
It was also reported that iOS 18 will allow users to change the color of app icons.
New Accessibility Features
Earlier this month, Apple previewed many new accessibility features coming later this year with software updates like iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2. The announcement came one day ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
Some of the new features coming to the iPhone include Eye Tracking, Vehicle Motion Cues, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts. CarPlay will also be getting more accessibility features with iOS 18, including Sound Recognition, which will allow drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing to turn on alerts to be notified of car horns and sirens.
New Apple Maps Features
MacRumors previously revealed two potential new Apple Maps features coming with iOS 18: custom routes and topographic maps.
With the custom routes feature, Apple Maps users would be able to choose specific roads to travel on while navigating, for reasons such as familiarity or scenic views. This feature is expected to be available in the U.S. only at launch. Google Maps already allows users to create custom routes on the web, and then view them on an iPhone.
Topographic maps first debuted on the Apple Watch last year with watchOS 10, and code suggests that the feature will be expanded to the iPhone, Mac, and Vision Pro with iOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2. These maps include details such as trails, contour lines, elevation, and points of interest for hiking and other outdoor uses.
RCS Support in Messages App
In November, Apple announced that it would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting “later” in 2024, so it will likely be an iOS 18 feature based on that timeframe.
RCS support should result in the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices:
Higher-resolution photos and videos
Audio messages
Typing indicators
Read receipts
Wi-Fi messaging
Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users
These features are already available for iMessage and in many third-party messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS support on the iPhone will extend the features to green bubbles in the Messages app.
More Rumors Per App
Apple Music: With iOS 18, Apple Music will reportedly be able to auto-generate playlists, and there is also a rumor about smarter song transitions.
Calculator: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 are rumored to feature a revamped Calculator app with several new features, including a sidebar that lists recent calculations, an improved interface for converting units, integration with the Notes app, and more. That means the Calculator app will finally be available on iPads.
Calendar: Two apps rumored to be integrated on iOS 18 are Calendar and Reminders. This would allow users to schedule and organize reminders directly within the Calendars app, without needing to open the Reminders app.
Freeform: iOS 18 is rumored to add a new “Scenes” option to Apple’s drawing app Freeform. This feature would allow users to select specific sections (“scenes”) on the canvas for easier navigation.
Health: Apple is reportedly planning new AI-powered features for its Health app, but no specific details are known yet.
Keynote, Numbers, and Pages: Alongside iOS 18, Apple reportedly plans to update its iWork suite of productivity apps with new generative AI features for auto-generating slides in Keynote, writing faster in Pages, and more.
Mail, Photos, and Fitness: These apps will reportedly be “overhauled” with iOS 18. AI-powered photo retouching is reportedly coming to the Photos app with iOS 18, and the Mail app could gain suggested replies to emails, but no other specific details are known yet for these apps.
Messages: In addition to RCS support, it has been rumored that the Messages app will use generative AI to auto-complete sentences more effectively, and to auto-generate custom emojis for users based on the content of messages.
Notes and Voice Memos: With iOS 18, the Notes app is expected to be able to display mathematical notation, allowing users to include more types of algebraic equations and formulas in notes. The app is also rumored to gain a built-in audio recording tool, eliminating the need to switch over to the Voice Memos app. In addition, both Notes and Voice Memos could gain the ability to transcribe audio.
Safari: iOS 18 is likely to add a browsing assistant to Safari, which could summarize web pages and more. A new “Web Eraser” feature that would allow users to remove certain elements from web pages has also been rumored.
Shortcuts: With iOS 18, users will reportedly be able to automate complex tasks more easily with the Shortcuts app.While they are not dedicated apps, it has also been rumored that generative AI technology will allow the iPhone’s virtual assistant Siri and built-in search tool Spotlight to respond to more complex questions and search queries.
This article, “iOS 18 Rumor Recap: Over 20 New Features to Expect as WWDC Nears” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Sony pulls fabricated ‘interview’ with Naughty Dog head Neil Druckmann
Last week, Sony published a seemingly innocuous bit of fluff, touting its long-term “creative entertainment vision” in broad terms, along with some interviews of key employees. Neil Druckmann, studio head of Sony’s Naughty Dog, was one of those — and his interview made waves in the game world. According to the interview, Druckmann said AI could “create nuanced dialogues and characters” and also said that the new game Naughty Dog was developing (but hasn’t officially announced) “could redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.” Some mighty strong and potentially controversial statements from the head of a studio beloved for its The Last of Us and Uncharted franchises.
Problem is, Druckmann was wildly misquoted by his own employers. A few days after Sony published its interview, Druckmann took to X and said “this is not quite what I said.” He then went full Ellie-in-revenge-mode on Sony, posting a section of the original interview transcript. (He was actually pretty polite if we’re being honest — even the powerful can only bite the hand that feeds so hard.) Regardless, things here do not add up.
In editing my rambling answers in my recent interview with SONY, some of my words, context, and intent were unfortunately lost. Well, here’s the full long rambling answer for the final question about our future game… pic.twitter.com/tVuxX3LYJF— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) May 25, 2024
Gaming reporter Stephen Totilo shared his own comparison of what Druckmann said and what Sony published, bolding the words in Sony’s answer that Druckmann never said — and those words were the majority of the quote. Sony basically put words in his mouth and published them, kicking off a classic gamer freakout.
To be fair, if I was Druckmann, I’d be pretty pissed too. Look at this butchery!
If you’re curious (about what he said; and how I spend a Friday night when my wife and kids are away), here’s a comparison of the original answer and the edited one. Many changesNo surprise, this was cut: “Not because games need to be movies, or they need to be TV shows” pic.twitter.com/FkxNkqQPY2— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) May 25, 2024
Now, five days later, Sony has removed the interview from its site entirely. However, they didn’t just delete the page — they left it up with an apology to Neil and the Naughty Dog team “for any negative impact this interview might have caused.”
My favorite bit is easily this:
In re-reviewing our recent interview with Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann, we have found several significant errors and inaccuracies that don’t represent his perspective and values (including topics such as animation, writing, technology, AI, and future projects).Sony
So everything he said about animation, writing, technology, AI and future projects had errors. Hey, at least they nailed his name and title.
For the morbidly curious, you can still read the “interview” on archive.org.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sony-pulls-fabricated-interview-with-naughty-dog-head-neil-druckmann-210340146.html?src=rss
Last week, Sony published a seemingly innocuous bit of fluff, touting its long-term “creative entertainment vision” in broad terms, along with some interviews of key employees. Neil Druckmann, studio head of Sony’s Naughty Dog, was one of those — and his interview made waves in the game world. According to the interview, Druckmann said AI could “create nuanced dialogues and characters” and also said that the new game Naughty Dog was developing (but hasn’t officially announced) “could redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.” Some mighty strong and potentially controversial statements from the head of a studio beloved for its The Last of Us and Uncharted franchises.
Problem is, Druckmann was wildly misquoted by his own employers. A few days after Sony published its interview, Druckmann took to X and said “this is not quite what I said.” He then went full Ellie-in-revenge-mode on Sony, posting a section of the original interview transcript. (He was actually pretty polite if we’re being honest — even the powerful can only bite the hand that feeds so hard.) Regardless, things here do not add up.
In editing my rambling answers in my recent interview with SONY, some of my words, context, and intent were unfortunately lost. Well, here’s the full long rambling answer for the final question about our future game… pic.twitter.com/tVuxX3LYJF
— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) May 25, 2024
Gaming reporter Stephen Totilo shared his own comparison of what Druckmann said and what Sony published, bolding the words in Sony’s answer that Druckmann never said — and those words were the majority of the quote. Sony basically put words in his mouth and published them, kicking off a classic gamer freakout.
To be fair, if I was Druckmann, I’d be pretty pissed too. Look at this butchery!
If you’re curious (about what he said; and how I spend a Friday night when my wife and kids are away), here’s a comparison of the original answer and the edited one.
Many changes
No surprise, this was cut: “Not because games need to be movies, or they need to be TV shows” pic.twitter.com/FkxNkqQPY2
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) May 25, 2024
Now, five days later, Sony has removed the interview from its site entirely. However, they didn’t just delete the page — they left it up with an apology to Neil and the Naughty Dog team “for any negative impact this interview might have caused.”
My favorite bit is easily this:
In re-reviewing our recent interview with Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann, we have found several significant errors and inaccuracies that don’t represent his perspective and values (including topics such as animation, writing, technology, AI, and future projects).Sony
So everything he said about animation, writing, technology, AI and future projects had errors. Hey, at least they nailed his name and title.
For the morbidly curious, you can still read the “interview” on archive.org.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sony-pulls-fabricated-interview-with-naughty-dog-head-neil-druckmann-210340146.html?src=rss
The Pro tablet you wish Apple and Microsoft would make is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 with OneUI for tablets is the best professional tablet software, better than iPad or Surface.
The Apple iPad Pro M4 launch left tech pundits vexed. Why did Apple debut its powerful new M4 processor on a device that’s a gigantic, glorified smartphone? What benefits could the M4 offer iPadOS, a system built for simplicity, if not strength? If you stare at the latest iPad Pro, wishing it could be more Pro, I suggest looking at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 instead because it’s probably the tablet you wish Apple made.
But wait, here comes Microsoft with its new Surface Pro tablet. Is it a tablet if it runs Windows just like my laptop and always comes with the keyboard accessory? Or is it a laptop that can detach, like the saucer section of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), in times of trouble? Whatever it is, it stands on the other side of the looking glass from the Apple iPad Pro.
The new Microsoft Surface Pro in the best color (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Both tablets have new, powerful chipsets inside, based on ARM’s processing cores, instead of Intel’s x86 chips. Both have an OLED display, a new pen for writing, and a price tag that starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699, or more if you want a larger display, extra storage, or other optional features (like 5G networking on the iPad Pro).
Both of these new device families also come with questions. Why? Why make an iPadOS device so powerful, Apple? Why is Windows so convoluted on a tablet, Microsoft? Why couldn’t these devices be just a little bit more … like … each other?!
The iPad Pro needs to be more professional and extensible, like the Surface Pro. The Surface Pro needs to be approachable, like iPadOS. I have good news. There’s already a tablet that gets it right.
Samsung makes the best tablet software. Seriously…
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is the tablet that compromises between the iPad Pro’s touch-friendly mobile interface and the Surface Pro’s multi-window, professional workflow. Samsung’s OneUI software on the Galaxy Tab S9 is the best tablet software you’ll find on any tablet, by far. Samsung just gets it right.
Yeah, I can’t believe I just said that. I’ve been critical of Samsung’s phone software. I praise Samsung hardware: the phones look great, they are well-built, and often outperform the competition. Samsung’s hardware is top-notch. Samsung’s software needs help.
Except on the Galaxy Tab S9, from the high-end Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra to the less-expensive Galaxy Tab S9 FE. Samsung’s OneUI software needs room to spread out. It needs air to breathe. Samsung’s software can seem cluttered and confusing on a smartphone screen, even on a big honking display like the Galaxy S24 Ultra. On a big tablet display, it works.
Snapping a window on the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus (Image credit: Future)
Samsung’s software is filled with tabs that slide in from the side, buttons that appear when you hover the pen, and windows that pop up notifications over apps. It is robust, complicated, and densely packed on a phone but perfect on a tablet.
You want to work between multiple windows? Samsung’s Tab S9 handles multi-window chores better than anything short of a Windows desktop. Simply drag and pull windows where you want them. Drag a window to the edge and it splits the screen neatly. It all works intuitively; I never had to read instructions to organize my display the way I wanted.
The Galaxy Tab S9 goes from laptop to tablet seamlessly
Samsung also does the best job switching between a laptop look and a touch-friendly tablet OS. Its DeX software has been doing this on phones for a long time, turning your Galaxy S24 into a desktop computer when you connect a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. On the Galaxy Tab S9, connecting the keyboard accessory does the same thing.
You get DeX, a desktop environment with a taskbar, multiple windows, and a look that kind of mimics a Chromebook. When you disconnect the keyboard, you go back to touchable icons. Samsung’s latest DeX is more touch-friendly, but you can still keep the older Chromebook look and feel.
Galaxy Book laptops pair perfectly with the Galaxy Tab (Image credit: Samsung)
Samsung even does a spectacular job synchronizing across Galaxy devices, whether you own a Galaxy S phone, a Galaxy Book laptop, or both. When you use a mouse pointer on your Galaxy Tab S9, you can drag the pointer off one screen and onto another, moving across devices. It just works. I rarely say that about Samsung and Android software, but Samsung got this cross-device action to work intuitively, and it looks like a magic trick.
Features you need instead of power you don’t
So what’s the problem with Samsung tablets, why isn’t Samsung dominating the tablet market? It’s hard to say, but I think Samsung’s pricing may be a bit confusing. The Galaxy Tab S9 is priced to compete with the iPad Air, not the base model iPad 10.9. Surprisingly, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a really good deal when you consider the technology you’re getting, but you may experience sticker shock after seeing the $1,199.99 / £1,199 / AU$1,999 price tag.
Do you really need to render 3D video on your tablet? (Image credit: Future)
To be fair, Samsung doesn’t give you a laptop-class processor inside. On the Galaxy Tab S9, you get the best mobile processor from mid-2023; on the Tab S9 FE, you get a step-down. Compared to the Apple M4 or the Snapdragon X Elite processors in the latest Apple and Microsoft gear, you won’t be able to use the same level of professional software. You won’t get Logic Pro or Final Cut, like you’ll find on the iPad, or even a desktop version of Adobe Photoshop as you can find on a Surface Pro.
What you will find is a tablet that is fun to use with real productivity features that are intuitive and snappy. You’ll find a larger display (also OLED) and battery than you get with an iPad or Surface at the same price, an S Pen included (that doesn’t need charging, ever), and tons of thoughtful features that utilize the design advantages these cutting-edge tablets offer.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 isn’t just an iPad clone or another generic Android tablet. It combines the best of tablet and laptop worlds, offering an intuitive experience for everyday tasks while also catering to pros who need more from a tablet. Stop trying to rethink what the iPad Pro should be, the Galaxy Tab S9 is already there.
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New Peacock Deal: Get an Annual Subscription for Just $20 – CNET
The streamer offers original shows like The Traitors and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The streamer offers original shows like The Traitors and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s first discount takes $15 off
You shouldn’t miss this rare opportunity to grab the GOTY contender. | Image: Square Enix
As legendary as Final Fantasy VII is, even its staunchest supporters have a hard time recommending newcomers to play the original PlayStation’s classic JRPG. The sharp polygonal graphics of the era don’t do the memorable story and characters justice today for many audiences, but Final Fantasy VII Remake was a refreshing first attempt at modernizing it.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — the second game in the planned trilogy — has been out on PlayStation 5 for a few months now, and it’s worth continuing the journey, especially with a $15 discount that brings it down to $54.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop.
Rebirth picks up right where the original left off, with Cloud Strife leading his comrades on a search for Sephiroth across an expansive open world. The latter proposes a selfish, humanity-threatening method of stopping the malevolent and careless Shinra corporation from stripping the planet of its natural energy, which obviously won’t fly for a band of wholesome protagonists.
Compared to the PS1 original, Square Enix expanded the cities surrounding Midgar (the megalopolis that’s the de facto lifeblood of the region) so broadly that many iconic locations are now represented with a richness and depth that wasn’t possible decades ago.
There’s a ton to do in the world, too, thanks to a healthy helping of side content and minigames including card battling, Chocobo racing, and your occasional puzzle. Some may find it a little too much, as Andrew Webster did in his run-through for The Verge’s review, but much of it is largely skippable if you’re only interested in running through the main plot. I have yet to sink my teeth into it since I’m still savoring the 2020 remake, but I’ve heard from quite a few enthusiasts whose taste I trust, and they swear Rebirth has a strong chance to contend for game of the year.
You shouldn’t miss this rare opportunity to grab the GOTY contender. | Image: Square Enix
As legendary as Final Fantasy VII is, even its staunchest supporters have a hard time recommending newcomers to play the original PlayStation’s classic JRPG. The sharp polygonal graphics of the era don’t do the memorable story and characters justice today for many audiences, but Final Fantasy VII Remake was a refreshing first attempt at modernizing it.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — the second game in the planned trilogy — has been out on PlayStation 5 for a few months now, and it’s worth continuing the journey, especially with a $15 discount that brings it down to $54.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop.
Rebirth picks up right where the original left off, with Cloud Strife leading his comrades on a search for Sephiroth across an expansive open world. The latter proposes a selfish, humanity-threatening method of stopping the malevolent and careless Shinra corporation from stripping the planet of its natural energy, which obviously won’t fly for a band of wholesome protagonists.
Compared to the PS1 original, Square Enix expanded the cities surrounding Midgar (the megalopolis that’s the de facto lifeblood of the region) so broadly that many iconic locations are now represented with a richness and depth that wasn’t possible decades ago.
There’s a ton to do in the world, too, thanks to a healthy helping of side content and minigames including card battling, Chocobo racing, and your occasional puzzle. Some may find it a little too much, as Andrew Webster did in his run-through for The Verge’s review, but much of it is largely skippable if you’re only interested in running through the main plot. I have yet to sink my teeth into it since I’m still savoring the 2020 remake, but I’ve heard from quite a few enthusiasts whose taste I trust, and they swear Rebirth has a strong chance to contend for game of the year.
Google is Killing Off the Messaging Service Inside Google Maps
An anonymous reader shares a report: Google is killing off a messaging service! This one is the odd “Google Business Messaging” service — basically an instant messaging client that is built into Google Maps. If you looked up a participating business in Google Maps or Google Search on a phone, the main row of buttons in the place card would read something like “Call,” “Chat,” “Directions,” and “Website.” That “Chat” button is the service we’re talking about. It would launch a full messaging interface inside the Google Maps app, and businesses were expected to use it for customer service purposes. Google’s deeply dysfunctional messaging strategy might lead people to joke about a theoretical “Google Maps Messaging” service, but it already exists and has existed for years, and now it’s being shut down.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
An anonymous reader shares a report: Google is killing off a messaging service! This one is the odd “Google Business Messaging” service — basically an instant messaging client that is built into Google Maps. If you looked up a participating business in Google Maps or Google Search on a phone, the main row of buttons in the place card would read something like “Call,” “Chat,” “Directions,” and “Website.” That “Chat” button is the service we’re talking about. It would launch a full messaging interface inside the Google Maps app, and businesses were expected to use it for customer service purposes. Google’s deeply dysfunctional messaging strategy might lead people to joke about a theoretical “Google Maps Messaging” service, but it already exists and has existed for years, and now it’s being shut down.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.