Month: August 2024
Huawei’s triple folding phone is officially coming ‘next month’
Huawei’s tri-fold device would be the first of its kind, and is rumored to sport a 10-inch inner screen.
The long-rumored Huawei triple-folding phone will be released “next month” according to a company executive, suggesting that months of speculation could soon be over.
Huawei Consumer Business Group CEO Yu Chengdong (also known as Richard Yu) revealed the information during a press event for Huawei’s STELATO S9 electric vehicle. As Huawei Central reports, a customer asked when he would be able to buy the Huawei triple foldable, and Yu replied: “next month, by September”.
The device, which would be the first of its kind, is rumored to have a 10-inch inner screen, almost as large as the display on the 10th-generation iPad.
Last week, photographs of Yu using what appears to be the new foldable clearly showed three panels stacked into a slab form factor. A large circular camera bump, similar to that of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro, was also visible.
(Image: @WhyLab) (Image credit: @WhyLab)
A previous image showed Yu using the device unfolded, with two creases and a punch-hole selfie camera visible.
(Image: Gizmochina) (Image credit: Gizmochina)
Tri-fold arms race
The announcement is the latest milestone in a behind-the-scenes race between Samsung, Honor, and Huawei to produce the world’s first triple-foldable.
While Samsung’s original Galaxy Z Fold phone was the first foldable on the market, the Korean tech giant may have been beaten to the punch this time.
Honor CEO George Zhao confirmed that the company had laid out a patent for a tri-fold design in July, and rumors of a Samsung tri-fold have circulated all year. Yanko Design has suggested that Samsung may make use of its Flex S screen concept, with reports from Tom’s Guide and CNET speculating further about this potential new product.
However, this apparent confirmation from Huawei itself suggests that it’s set to win the race to bring a tri-fold phone to market – we’ll be watching with interest, and we’ll bring you the news as soon as the company makes it official.
You might also like
Google Pixel 9 Pro review: the AI phone is here, but the future is notSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Slim may switch to a titanium frameThe Pixel 9 Pro XL reminds me why I like Google’s phones so much
‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1’: Release Date and How to Stream From Anywhere
Kevin Costner’s three-hour cowboy drama is set to hit Max on Friday.
Kevin Costner’s three-hour cowboy drama is set to hit Max on Friday.
3 of my favorite thriller movies of all time are free to watch on Tubi – don’t miss them
Who can resist a free movie about a missile the size of the Chrysler building, or about a possibly fictional mob boogeyman?
Free movie streaming service Tubi offers a ton of great movies, and while browsing the range recently I noticed that three of my all-time fave thrillers are on there.
Two are crime thriller classics, while the third is a finely crafted men-versus-the-problem disaster avoidance movie. I’ve seen all of these movies a ton of times – and Thief is actually part of our regular suite of films we use to test the best TVs because it’s such a grainy, analog film and it’s interesting to see how TVs handle that.
These are all rated strongly on Rotten Tomatoes too, but that didn’t influence my selection – these are three movies I genuinely love, and who can resist them for free?
Unstoppable (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
Length: 94 minutes
Director: Tony Scott
A huge freight train full of explosive and toxic chemicals is left rolling while unattended by corner-cutting workers and soon starts to build up speed until, because of its speed and huge mass, there’s no clear way to stop it. Unless Denzel Washington and Chris Pine can save the day…
This was the final movie from the great Tony Scott (Top Gun, True Romance) and it might be his best movie. It’s just pure thrills, full of fast cutting, ridiculous camera moves along a giant moving train, complicated characters, and a healthy disdain for the management class who need to just get out of the way of our heroes and let them save the damn train.
It’s a tight 94 minutes of gripping action, and it’s so rewatchable – I’ve seen it many times, and it always hits. And if you want a tense train double-bill of free Tubi movies, I’d also recommend the excellent zombie horror Train to Busan.
Thief (1981)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%
Length: 122 minutes
Director: Michael Mann
Michael Mann’s first movie ranks right up there with his best – the likes of Heat – in my opinion. It stars James Caan as a professional jewel thief who is very good and breaking into safes, and very bad at dealing with human beings. Mann makes the heists the most incredible viewing you’ve ever seen, even though they’re super-realistic and mostly involve just drilling and torching – you could just watch them forever.
What really makes the movie is how complex Caan’s character is. He’s abrasive and deeply unpleasant at times, but it’s also clear that he’s broken and insecure inside, and he lives his life in a way designed to paint over these cracks – at least, until he meets Tuesday Weld and falls in love. To help build a better life with her, he breaks his working rules and gets involved with working for a mobster… who inevitably betrays him, and you know Caan is going scorched earth at that point.
I think Thief has one of the most interesting central characters in the world of crime thrillers, and it’s both impossible grimy and extremely cool, as most of Michael Mann’s movies are.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
Length: 105 minutes
Director: Bryan Singer
This movie’s legacy has been complicated by the allegations against director Bryan Singer and lead actor Kevin Spacey, but when it comes to the movie itself… what a picture. It follows a group of criminals who are brought together when they’re rounded up by police, and who eventually come to realise they’re being manipulated by someone powerful, who wants payback from them for crimes they accidentally pulled against him. This man is claimed to be Keyser Soze, an underworld legend who most assume is fictional – but his lawyer insists otherwise, and says he’ll kill the people they love if they won’t attack a rival drug-smuggling operation.
The story is told through flashbacks from the only survivor, Verbal Kint (Spacey), a fearful con man who’s confessing all to the FBI. But as the movie builds, the FBI starts to question if they’re getting all the information from him – was Verbal only seeing what he was meant to see?
And there is, of course, the infamous final twist. I’m going into spoiler territory now, so stop reading if you haven’t seen the movie yet.
For real.
What makes this movie so rewatchable once you know the ending is working out which parts of Verbal’s story are true and which aren’t. Some of it logically must have happened as he told it, and some did not. How much do we think he really matches the stories of Keyser? You might change your mind on these things each time you watch it, which means it’s always interesting to revisit.
You might also like
3 free movies added to Tubi in August with 94% and higher on Rotten Tomatoes5 free movies on Tubi with 90% or higher on Rotten TomatoesGot Tubi? Here are three sci-fi spectaculars with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes that you can stream for free
FCC fines telecoms operator $1 million for transmitting Biden deepfake
In January, calls using an AI-generated voice imitating President Biden instructed voters not to take part in the New Hampshire Primary. Now, as the 2024 election nears, the Federal Communications Commission is sending a message by further cracking down on those responsible for the Biden deepfake. Lingo Telecom, which transmitted the fraudulent calls, will pay the FCC a $1 million civil penalty and must demonstrate and implement a compliance plan.
In response to the settlement, The Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal stated, “..the potential combination of the misuse of generative AI voice-cloning technology and caller ID spoofing over the U.S. communications network presents a significant threat. This settlement sends a strong message that communications service providers are the first line of defense against these threats and will be held accountable to ensure they do their part to protect the American public.”
This step follows the FCC’s proposed $6 million fine for Steven Kramer, the political consultant who directed the calls. The FCC alleges he also violated the Truth in Caller ID Act by spoofing a local politician’s phone number. The enforcement action in Kramer’s case is still pending. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fcc-fines-telecoms-operator-1-million-for-transmitting-biden-deepfake-120010234.html?src=rss
In January, calls using an AI-generated voice imitating President Biden instructed voters not to take part in the New Hampshire Primary. Now, as the 2024 election nears, the Federal Communications Commission is sending a message by further cracking down on those responsible for the Biden deepfake. Lingo Telecom, which transmitted the fraudulent calls, will pay the FCC a $1 million civil penalty and must demonstrate and implement a compliance plan.
In response to the settlement, The Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal stated, “..the potential combination of the misuse of generative AI voice-cloning technology and caller ID spoofing over the U.S. communications network presents a significant threat. This settlement sends a strong message that communications service providers are the first line of defense against these threats and will be held accountable to ensure they do their part to protect the American public.”
This step follows the FCC’s proposed $6 million fine for Steven Kramer, the political consultant who directed the calls. The FCC alleges he also violated the Truth in Caller ID Act by spoofing a local politician’s phone number. The enforcement action in Kramer’s case is still pending.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fcc-fines-telecoms-operator-1-million-for-transmitting-biden-deepfake-120010234.html?src=rss
Byju’s, an Indian Ed-Tech startup once valued at $22 billion, faces insolvency; employees anxious
Byju’s, once a prominent figure in India’s EdTech startup sector, is now facing insolvency and a severe financial crisis, raising concerns about its future and that of its employees. Once valued at $22 billion in 2022, the company saw rapid
The post Byju’s, an Indian Ed-Tech startup once valued at $22 billion, faces insolvency; employees anxious first appeared on Tech Startups.
Byju’s, once a prominent figure in India’s EdTech startup sector, is now facing insolvency and a severe financial crisis, raising concerns about its future and that of its employees. Once valued at $22 billion in 2022, the company saw rapid […]
The post Byju’s, an Indian Ed-Tech startup once valued at $22 billion, faces insolvency; employees anxious first appeared on Tech Startups.
How to Get Help With Power Bills in Texas
Need support paying for high energy bills in the Lone Star State? Learn about assistance programs to help manage costs and find relief.
Need support paying for high energy bills in the Lone Star State? Learn about assistance programs to help manage costs and find relief.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Pixel Fold Spec Comparison video
Google’s latest Pixel 9 Pro Fold has landed. Here’s how it compares to the company’s first-gen foldable, the Pixel Fold.
Google’s latest Pixel 9 Pro Fold has landed. Here’s how it compares to the company’s first-gen foldable, the Pixel Fold.
The Verge’s favorite audio gear
Senior reviews editor Nathan Edwards uses a simple spring clamp to store his headphones. | Photo: Nathan Edwards / The Verge
Every year, I ask The Verge’s staff what kind of audio gear they like to use. And they are the perfect set of people to ask: besides working on videos and podcasts, our Slack channels are filled with discussions of the podcasts and music we listen to while working, walking, exercising, or just hanging out.
So here are the headphones, earbuds, and other devices that some of the folks here like to use, both on a professional and personal level.
Headphones and earbuds
RØDE NTH-100 headphones
Andrew Marino, senior audio producer
The RØDE NTH-100 headphones are the comfiest headphones I’ve used. The memory foam cushions let me wear these all day at work without fatigue. The sound is great for the price, too, and the optional headset microphone is one of the best-quality mics I’ve heard on consumer headsets.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Victoria Song, senior reviewer
On sunny walks and runs, I’m not interested in getting flattened by wayward SUVs in my neighborhood — I need that situational awareness. Many open-ear headphones wrap around the top of the ear, and since I often wear glasses, that’s a lot to put on my poor ears. The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses kill two birds with one stone; they’re my go-to headphones these days. The audio quality is great, they protect my eyes from UV rays, and once in a while, I use them to snap a photo of a random bunny or stray cat. There’s a mic right by your nose bridge, so you sound pretty great on calls, too. Who doesn’t love a multitasking gadget?
Sony LinkBuds
Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter
They’re not the wireless earbuds I reach for all the time, but when I’m relaxing on a bike ride at the end of the day, the open design of Sony’s LinkBuds helps keep me aware of my surroundings — whether it’s approaching vehicles or other cyclists who are in more of a hurry. Even with some compromises to sound quality, the LinkBuds still sound very good, and because they sit in my ears, they’re easier to wear with a helmet. My favorite feature is the ability to tap on the side of my head to control playback or adjust the volume while riding. The earbuds detect the nearby vibrations as inputs so I don’t have to precisely target buttons or touchpads.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Emma Roth, news writer
I love my Galaxy Buds 2 Pro; they’re the first wireless earbuds I’ve ever used, and they made the most sense for me, as I’m knee-deep in Samsung’s ecosystem. They fit comfortably inside my ears and their active noise cancellation works well — almost too well — at the gym or on an airplane.
Miscellaneous and accessories
Shure MV7 USB microphone
Andrew Marino, senior audio producer
The Shure MV7 USB has been our go-to microphone to send to remote guests for Verge podcasts. It’s a very flexible dynamic microphone for podcast interviews because of its sonic similarity to typical radio mics like Shure’s SM7b and has both a USB and XLR output for virtually any recording setup.
Apple’s Lightning and USB-C headphone adapters
Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor
Taking away the headphone jack was and is user-hostile and stupid. It is stupid that I need an adapter to connect wired headphones to my tablet, and it is stupid that I need a different adapter to use them with my phone.
At least Apple’s Lightning and USB-C headphone adapters are small and cheap. And the USB-C one is a surprisingly good DAC. I keep one of each in a little pouch in my backpack, along with some cheap wired earbuds. If only there were some universal wired audio connector! Maybe someday.
3D-printed rack mounts
Andrew Marino, senior audio producer
If you have a lot of audio gear on your workspace, I’d recommend making some room by mounting some of that stuff under your desk. I bought a 3D-printed mounting bracket for my Motu audio interface from an Etsy store, which makes my setup look a lot more professional and keeps the tech away from any spilled drinks.
Teenage Engineering PO-33 K.O.!
Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter
I am by no stretch of the imagination a musician, but I do enjoy living out my Daft Punk fantasies with the Teenage Engineering PO-33 K.O.! It’s part of the company’s Pocket Operators lineup of calculator-sized drum machines, but what sets the PO-33 apart is a built-in microphone that can be used to record sounds that can be turned into beats. I won’t be releasing an album anytime soon, but the PO-33 is an endlessly fun distraction — easy to learn but with enough functionality that it feels like it will take years to master.
Audio-Technica AT-HPH300 headphone hanger
Barbara Krasnoff, reviews editor
My partner spends a lot of time wearing headphones — among other things, he has a radio show and a YouTube channel — but occasionally he does have to put them aside. When he does, he uses the Audio-Technica AT-HPH300 headphone hanger that he bought a few years ago. It fastens securely to the edge of his desk and has an adjustable padded hook. The hook rotates so he can also move the headphones out of the way and under the desk if he needs to.
A spring clamp
Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor
I hang my headphones from a spring clamp I found in the garage.
Senior reviews editor Nathan Edwards uses a simple spring clamp to store his headphones. | Photo: Nathan Edwards / The Verge
Every year, I ask The Verge’s staff what kind of audio gear they like to use. And they are the perfect set of people to ask: besides working on videos and podcasts, our Slack channels are filled with discussions of the podcasts and music we listen to while working, walking, exercising, or just hanging out.
So here are the headphones, earbuds, and other devices that some of the folks here like to use, both on a professional and personal level.
Headphones and earbuds
RØDE NTH-100 headphones
Andrew Marino, senior audio producer
The RØDE NTH-100 headphones are the comfiest headphones I’ve used. The memory foam cushions let me wear these all day at work without fatigue. The sound is great for the price, too, and the optional headset microphone is one of the best-quality mics I’ve heard on consumer headsets.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Victoria Song, senior reviewer
On sunny walks and runs, I’m not interested in getting flattened by wayward SUVs in my neighborhood — I need that situational awareness. Many open-ear headphones wrap around the top of the ear, and since I often wear glasses, that’s a lot to put on my poor ears. The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses kill two birds with one stone; they’re my go-to headphones these days. The audio quality is great, they protect my eyes from UV rays, and once in a while, I use them to snap a photo of a random bunny or stray cat. There’s a mic right by your nose bridge, so you sound pretty great on calls, too. Who doesn’t love a multitasking gadget?
Sony LinkBuds
Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter
They’re not the wireless earbuds I reach for all the time, but when I’m relaxing on a bike ride at the end of the day, the open design of Sony’s LinkBuds helps keep me aware of my surroundings — whether it’s approaching vehicles or other cyclists who are in more of a hurry. Even with some compromises to sound quality, the LinkBuds still sound very good, and because they sit in my ears, they’re easier to wear with a helmet. My favorite feature is the ability to tap on the side of my head to control playback or adjust the volume while riding. The earbuds detect the nearby vibrations as inputs so I don’t have to precisely target buttons or touchpads.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Emma Roth, news writer
I love my Galaxy Buds 2 Pro; they’re the first wireless earbuds I’ve ever used, and they made the most sense for me, as I’m knee-deep in Samsung’s ecosystem. They fit comfortably inside my ears and their active noise cancellation works well — almost too well — at the gym or on an airplane.
Miscellaneous and accessories
Shure MV7 USB microphone
Andrew Marino, senior audio producer
The Shure MV7 USB has been our go-to microphone to send to remote guests for Verge podcasts. It’s a very flexible dynamic microphone for podcast interviews because of its sonic similarity to typical radio mics like Shure’s SM7b and has both a USB and XLR output for virtually any recording setup.
Apple’s Lightning and USB-C headphone adapters
Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor
Taking away the headphone jack was and is user-hostile and stupid. It is stupid that I need an adapter to connect wired headphones to my tablet, and it is stupid that I need a different adapter to use them with my phone.
At least Apple’s Lightning and USB-C headphone adapters are small and cheap. And the USB-C one is a surprisingly good DAC. I keep one of each in a little pouch in my backpack, along with some cheap wired earbuds. If only there were some universal wired audio connector! Maybe someday.
3D-printed rack mounts
Andrew Marino, senior audio producer
If you have a lot of audio gear on your workspace, I’d recommend making some room by mounting some of that stuff under your desk. I bought a 3D-printed mounting bracket for my Motu audio interface from an Etsy store, which makes my setup look a lot more professional and keeps the tech away from any spilled drinks.
Teenage Engineering PO-33 K.O.!
Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter
I am by no stretch of the imagination a musician, but I do enjoy living out my Daft Punk fantasies with the Teenage Engineering PO-33 K.O.! It’s part of the company’s Pocket Operators lineup of calculator-sized drum machines, but what sets the PO-33 apart is a built-in microphone that can be used to record sounds that can be turned into beats. I won’t be releasing an album anytime soon, but the PO-33 is an endlessly fun distraction — easy to learn but with enough functionality that it feels like it will take years to master.
Audio-Technica AT-HPH300 headphone hanger
Barbara Krasnoff, reviews editor
My partner spends a lot of time wearing headphones — among other things, he has a radio show and a YouTube channel — but occasionally he does have to put them aside. When he does, he uses the Audio-Technica AT-HPH300 headphone hanger that he bought a few years ago. It fastens securely to the edge of his desk and has an adjustable padded hook. The hook rotates so he can also move the headphones out of the way and under the desk if he needs to.
A spring clamp
Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor
I hang my headphones from a spring clamp I found in the garage.
The latest Netflix competitor is coming from… Chick-Fil-A – and its got the creator of 13 Reasons Why on board
Chick-Fil-A is starting their own streaming service that could rival Netflix (yes, really).
It looks like Netflix has found another competitor in the form of…Chick-Fil-A? The American fast food giant has plans to fly the coop by launching its own streaming service – and the creator of 13 Reasons Why is involved.
Deadline has reported that Chick-Fil-A is moving rapidly into the entertainment space with plans to launch original content for its own streaming platform. According to the publication, the chain restaurant has been working with a number of major production companies and studios to create “family-friendly shows.” Chick-Fil-A is reportedly focused on developing original unscripted content (ie, reality shows), but is also in talks to license and acquire titles.
The budgets for the reality shows is believed to be in the range of $400,000 per half-hour episode, and there are also rumors of scripted projects and animated titles in the works. Move over best Netflix shows, we might need a new guide to the best Chick-Fil-A shows.
Chick-Fil-A to Flick-Fil-A
Chick-Fil-A’s streaming service is expected to launch later this year and television executive Brian Gibson, who worked on The History Channel’s Top Gear remake and The X Factor on Fox, is reportedly in charge of the programming for the streamer.
The fledgling streamer already has some shows in development, including from producer Michael Sugar’s Sugar23, which is behind Netflix drama series 13 Reasons Why, which as reportedly received a 10-episode order There will also be a family-friendly gameshow from Glassman Media, which produces the popular NBC gameshow The Wall.
A source apparently told Deadline that it was a positive move for the reality TV industry, a genre that’s been dwindling in recent years, while another source revealed that it “was a good opportunity.” Chick-Fil-A isn’t the first company to dive into the unfamiliar waters of the entertainment industry, with the likes of Lyft and Airbnb producing series such as gameshow Lucky Lyft and MTV documentary Gay Chorus Deep South. There’s also a long history of surprising streamers: free service Crackle has long been owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul, as was Redbox.
Chick-Fil-A may be known for its chicken sandwiches, but it already produced a series of short animated films, collectibles, and experiences called Stories of Evergreen Hills for its own website, as well as children’s puzzles and games (there’s a 1000 piece chicken sandwich-shaped puzzle you can enjoy).
Now the question remains: which fast-food chain will be next to compete against the best streaming service? Is Dunkin’ Donuts going to become Dunkin’ Shownuts, or will Pizza Hut transform into Pizza Hub? Only time will tell.
You might also like
The Union is Netflix’s #1 movie, but here are 3 better action comedies with over 80% on Rotten TomatoesNetflix is turning a Harry Hole book into the mystery series Detective Hole – I just hope it’s better than the movie adaptation’s 7% Rotten Tomatoes scoreEverything new on Netflix in August 2024