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Ayaneo’s Pocket MICRO, a tangible tribute to Nintendo’s GameBoy Micro, is now available for pre-order on Indiegogo. The portable console maker started its crowdfunding campaign for the tiny, rectangular gaming device this morning and it’s already raised more than $50,000 in its opening day.
Ayaneo first announced its new line of portable game players back in May. The lineup included the Pocket MICRO and the Pocket DMG, a GameBoy-esque console with a left thumbstick and touchpad.
The Pocket MICRO may be smaller than the DMG but it offers some features its bigger brother doesn’t have like dual thumbsticks and a 960 x 640 borderless IPS screen. The pocket console’s frame is made from a premium CNC aluminum alloy and runs on a Helio G99 processor and 2,600mAH battery that can power up to 6 hours of play, according to the company’s website.

The Pocket MICRO is available for pre-order with “early bird prices” during the first week of the campaign. You can purchase your Pocket MICRO in one of three tiers: the 6G+128G Pocket Micro in “Magic Black” or “Soul Red” for $190, the 8GB+256GB Pocket Micro in black or red for $220 and the 8G+256GB in “Retro Grey” for $250. Shipping is $30 for each item and 400 orders will be taken for the first two tiers and 200 orders for the third tier.
The “early bird” orders also come with a special gift box that includes a coffee mug, a portable storage bag, a portable stand, tempered film for the screen, a joystick cap and a pack of Ayaneo stickers. The prices increase by $30 once the weeklong “early bird” promotion ends.
Ayaneo is known for its premium portable consoles and Steam Deck competitors, and this GameBoy Advance variant is competing with a ton of other devices that are over $100 cheaper. However, this new portable Android gaming device could feasibly create some real competition with its dual analogs that could play games from all sorts of consoles and streaming services.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ayaneos-take-on-the-game-boy-micro-is-available-to-order-starting-at-190-192714568.html?src=rss

Ayaneo’s Pocket MICRO, a tangible tribute to Nintendo’s GameBoy Micro, is now available for pre-order on Indiegogo. The portable console maker started its crowdfunding campaign for the tiny, rectangular gaming device this morning and it’s already raised more than $50,000 in its opening day.

Ayaneo first announced its new line of portable game players back in May. The lineup included the Pocket MICRO and the Pocket DMG, a GameBoy-esque console with a left thumbstick and touchpad.

The Pocket MICRO may be smaller than the DMG but it offers some features its bigger brother doesn’t have like dual thumbsticks and a 960 x 640 borderless IPS screen. The pocket console’s frame is made from a premium CNC aluminum alloy and runs on a Helio G99 processor and 2,600mAH battery that can power up to 6 hours of play, according to the company’s website.

The Pocket MICRO is available for pre-order with “early bird prices” during the first week of the campaign. You can purchase your Pocket MICRO in one of three tiers: the 6G+128G Pocket Micro in “Magic Black” or “Soul Red” for $190, the 8GB+256GB Pocket Micro in black or red for $220 and the 8G+256GB in “Retro Grey” for $250. Shipping is $30 for each item and 400 orders will be taken for the first two tiers and 200 orders for the third tier.

The “early bird” orders also come with a special gift box that includes a coffee mug, a portable storage bag, a portable stand, tempered film for the screen, a joystick cap and a pack of Ayaneo stickers. The prices increase by $30 once the weeklong “early bird” promotion ends.

Ayaneo is known for its premium portable consoles and Steam Deck competitors, and this GameBoy Advance variant is competing with a ton of other devices that are over $100 cheaper. However, this new portable Android gaming device could feasibly create some real competition with its dual analogs that could play games from all sorts of consoles and streaming services.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ayaneos-take-on-the-game-boy-micro-is-available-to-order-starting-at-190-192714568.html?src=rss

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Etsy just announced an upcoming loyalty program for buyers called Etsy Insider. This is the first-ever program of its type on the platform and the company begins testing in September. Select customers will receive an invite for the service as it gets closer to launch.
So what do you get? It’s sort of like Amazon Prime, but without the streaming video and all of that other stuff. Etsy Insider offers free shipping and access to discounts. Pricing has yet to be announced, but COO Raina Moskowitz says the monthly fee will be close to the cost of a latte. So, anywhere from $3 to $9, I guess.
The company hasn’t decided if this program will go beyond the testing phase, as it all depends on how users respond to it. Etsy says this is part of a larger effort to change how consumers think of the platform.
“We want people to start their shopping journey on Etsy rather than come to Etsy when they’re just looking for something very specific,” Moskowitz said in an interview with AP. This is a very good point, as I’ve never, ever thought of heading to Etsy unless I had something very specific in mind, like a Depeche Mode drink coaster or something.
The company has also been plagued with sluggish sales of late, which forced massive layoffs that impacted 11 percent of employees. Etsy has reported merchandise sales are down over five percent this year when compared to the same period last year. The stock price has also dipped, losing nearly 78 percent of its value since late 2021. To be fair, the stock price rose significantly throughout the early days of COVID-19, as new customers flocked to the service. The bubble burst just as people started going outside more.
Etsy has also been facing tons of new competition. This includes Amazon Handmade, the retail giant’s take on the crafting space, and Temu. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/etsy-just-announced-a-loyalty-program-thats-sort-of-similar-to-amazon-prime-173842311.html?src=rss

Etsy just announced an upcoming loyalty program for buyers called Etsy Insider. This is the first-ever program of its type on the platform and the company begins testing in September. Select customers will receive an invite for the service as it gets closer to launch.

So what do you get? It’s sort of like Amazon Prime, but without the streaming video and all of that other stuff. Etsy Insider offers free shipping and access to discounts. Pricing has yet to be announced, but COO Raina Moskowitz says the monthly fee will be close to the cost of a latte. So, anywhere from $3 to $9, I guess.

The company hasn’t decided if this program will go beyond the testing phase, as it all depends on how users respond to it. Etsy says this is part of a larger effort to change how consumers think of the platform.

“We want people to start their shopping journey on Etsy rather than come to Etsy when they’re just looking for something very specific,” Moskowitz said in an interview with AP. This is a very good point, as I’ve never, ever thought of heading to Etsy unless I had something very specific in mind, like a Depeche Mode drink coaster or something.

The company has also been plagued with sluggish sales of late, which forced massive layoffs that impacted 11 percent of employees. Etsy has reported merchandise sales are down over five percent this year when compared to the same period last year. The stock price has also dipped, losing nearly 78 percent of its value since late 2021. To be fair, the stock price rose significantly throughout the early days of COVID-19, as new customers flocked to the service. The bubble burst just as people started going outside more.

Etsy has also been facing tons of new competition. This includes Amazon Handmade, the retail giant’s take on the crafting space, and Temu. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/etsy-just-announced-a-loyalty-program-thats-sort-of-similar-to-amazon-prime-173842311.html?src=rss

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A deadly accident in Washington that took the life of a motorcyclist earlier this year was caused by a Tesla vehicle while it was in “Full Self Driving” mode. The Associated Press reported that investigators from the Washington State Patrol confirmed that a 2022 Tesla Model S involved in the fatality accident in April was in self-driving mode from the car’s event-data recorder.
The accident occurred on April 19 on the eastbound side of State Route 522 approximately 15 miles northeast of Seattle. The unidentified driver told police he had his Tesla’s self-driving mode on and was looking at his phone at the time of the crash. The vehicle crashed into the back of the motorcycle pinning Jeffrey Nissen, 28, underneath the vehicle. Paramedics pronounced Nissen dead at the scene of the accident, according to Seattle-based KIRO 7 News.
Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk has been making promises for autonomous cars for years now. Musk’s promises coupled with vehicle safety concerns prompted Sen. Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal to issue a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging them to open an investigation into Tesla’s “misleading advertising and marketing” practices for its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving modes. Last year, the NHTSA recalled over 2 million Tesla vehicles due to concerns about driver inattention during Autopilot mode.
Musk also promised “one million robo-taxis” in 2019 by the end of the following year. Four years later, the car company is still delaying the unveiling of its robotaxi initiative due to design changes.
The Washington accident happened just a few days before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded a review that linked 14 deaths caused by 13 accidents to Tesla vehicles operating in Autopilot mode. The NHTSA’s report concluded that “Tesla’s weak driver engagement system was not appropriate for Autopilot’s permissive operating capabilities” and the Full Self-Driving mode “did not adequately ensure that drivers maintained their attention on the driving task.”
The Wall Street Journal conducted its own investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot mode using data obtained from cars involved in accidents and published its findings on Monday. The video report found that Tesla reported over 1,000 crashes to the NHTSA since 2016. The data the WSJ obtained from 222 of those crashes determined that 44 were in Autopilot mode.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-involved-in-fatal-washington-crash-was-using-self-driving-mode-170706606.html?src=rss

A deadly accident in Washington that took the life of a motorcyclist earlier this year was caused by a Tesla vehicle while it was in “Full Self Driving” mode. The Associated Press reported that investigators from the Washington State Patrol confirmed that a 2022 Tesla Model S involved in the fatality accident in April was in self-driving mode from the car’s event-data recorder.

The accident occurred on April 19 on the eastbound side of State Route 522 approximately 15 miles northeast of Seattle. The unidentified driver told police he had his Tesla’s self-driving mode on and was looking at his phone at the time of the crash. The vehicle crashed into the back of the motorcycle pinning Jeffrey Nissen, 28, underneath the vehicle. Paramedics pronounced Nissen dead at the scene of the accident, according to Seattle-based KIRO 7 News.

Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk has been making promises for autonomous cars for years now. Musk’s promises coupled with vehicle safety concerns prompted Sen. Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal to issue a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging them to open an investigation into Tesla’s “misleading advertising and marketing” practices for its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving modes. Last year, the NHTSA recalled over 2 million Tesla vehicles due to concerns about driver inattention during Autopilot mode.

Musk also promised “one million robo-taxis” in 2019 by the end of the following year. Four years later, the car company is still delaying the unveiling of its robotaxi initiative due to design changes.

The Washington accident happened just a few days before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded a review that linked 14 deaths caused by 13 accidents to Tesla vehicles operating in Autopilot mode. The NHTSA’s report concluded that “Tesla’s weak driver engagement system was not appropriate for Autopilot’s permissive operating capabilities” and the Full Self-Driving mode “did not adequately ensure that drivers maintained their attention on the driving task.”

The Wall Street Journal conducted its own investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot mode using data obtained from cars involved in accidents and published its findings on Monday. The video report found that Tesla reported over 1,000 crashes to the NHTSA since 2016. The data the WSJ obtained from 222 of those crashes determined that 44 were in Autopilot mode.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-involved-in-fatal-washington-crash-was-using-self-driving-mode-170706606.html?src=rss

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Sony has revealed the three games that all PlayStation Plus members can claim at no extra cost in August, and the headliner is a real treat. Starting on August 6, you’ll be able to add the fantastic Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga to your collection.
The game takes you through the entire nine-film arc of the main Star Wars series, from The Phantom Menace to, appropriately enough, The Rise of Skywalker. Studio TT Games did a stellar job of distilling an enormous cinematic experience into a single game — but the developers endured some tough working conditions to make that happen, according to a report. The Skywalker Saga is arguably a little too big, in fact. It’s packed full of Easter eggs, side quests, references and the silly humor that fans of Lego games have come to expect. It looks splendid too.
The PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for August are:🌌 LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga🐻 Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach⚔️Ender Lilies: Quietus of the KnightsMore details on titles available August 6: https://t.co/2lScMoUahG pic.twitter.com/Nueoza4vUw— PlayStation (@PlayStation) July 31, 2024

The other two games on the docket for August are Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach and Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. The former is the latest spin on the horror series, in which you play as a young boy trying to survive the threat of some horrible animatronics. As for Ender Lilies, that’s a Metroidvania from 2021 that earned generally positive reviews from critics. It might help fill that Hollow Knight-sized hole in your heart until Silksong finally comes along.
You’ll have until September 2 to claim these three games. There’s still some time to snag the July lineup of Borderlands 3, NHL 24 and Among Us as well. You have until August 6 to do that.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/augusts-ps-plus-games-include-lego-star-wars-the-skywalker-saga-163215732.html?src=rss

Sony has revealed the three games that all PlayStation Plus members can claim at no extra cost in August, and the headliner is a real treat. Starting on August 6, you’ll be able to add the fantastic Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga to your collection.

The game takes you through the entire nine-film arc of the main Star Wars series, from The Phantom Menace to, appropriately enough, The Rise of Skywalker. Studio TT Games did a stellar job of distilling an enormous cinematic experience into a single game — but the developers endured some tough working conditions to make that happen, according to a report. The Skywalker Saga is arguably a little too big, in fact. It’s packed full of Easter eggs, side quests, references and the silly humor that fans of Lego games have come to expect. It looks splendid too.

The other two games on the docket for August are Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach and Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. The former is the latest spin on the horror series, in which you play as a young boy trying to survive the threat of some horrible animatronics. As for Ender Lilies, that’s a Metroidvania from 2021 that earned generally positive reviews from critics. It might help fill that Hollow Knight-sized hole in your heart until Silksong finally comes along.

You’ll have until September 2 to claim these three games. There’s still some time to snag the July lineup of Borderlands 3, NHL 24 and Among Us as well. You have until August 6 to do that.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/augusts-ps-plus-games-include-lego-star-wars-the-skywalker-saga-163215732.html?src=rss

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The Washington DC Superior Court has filed a lawsuit against ticket-seller StubHub that accuses the company of hiding all kinds of fees from consumers until the very last moment. The suit calls out the “deceptive practice of charging hidden junk fees” and refers to it as a “classic bait-and-switch scheme.”
Anyone who has purchased a ticket via StubHub, or many of its rivals, are probably intimately familiar with the sticker shock that arrives at check out. The added fees can boost the total cost of a ticket by up to 40 percent, the lawsuit alleges. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb says this is due to “a series of deceptive, manipulative, and unfair practices.”
Here is how StubHub’s drip pricing scheme works:1️⃣ First, StubHub baits customers to shop for tickets by displaying deceptively low prices that do not include mandatory fees.The true, significantly higher price with junk fees is not revealed until the very end of the process. pic.twitter.com/EsRj0uy3e2— AG Brian Schwalb (@DCAttorneyGen) July 31, 2024

These practices include the aforementioned bait-and-switch. The company allegedly advertises “deceptively low” ticket prices, adding extra charges after the consumer has clicked on multiple pages. Throughout this whole process, StubHub displays a countdown timer, urging users to act swiftly and, thereby, accept those added fees without really thinking about it. Schwalb calls this a “dark pattern” that creates a “false sense of urgency.” This is otherwise known as drip pricing.
The fees themselves are also said to be attributed to vague and cryptic policies, like “fulfillment and service.” These policies lack adequate explanation and the associated fees vary wildly, according to the suit. The lawsuit points out that StubHub doesn’t disclose how these fees are calculated or what they’re even for.
The complaint goes on to allege that StubHub has sold 4.9 million tickets and accrued over $118 million in hidden fees just in Washington DC by relying on the above methods. This lawsuit doesn’t crunch the numbers for other cities, like New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, though I have a hunch that those residents also attend ticketed events in large numbers.
“We are disappointed that the DC Attorney General is targeting StubHub when our user experience is consistent with the law, our competitors’ practices, and the broader e-commerce sector,” John Lawrence, StubHub’s deputy general counsel, wrote in a statement to The Verge.
To the point of being “consistent with the law,” Schwalb claims that StubHub has violated the District of Columbia’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CPPA). The aforementioned drip pricing strategy isn’t allowed, as the law requires merchants to provide factual information regarding consumer goods sold in the city. The AG has asked the court to financially penalize StubHub and for an injunction to stop the allegedly deceptive practices.
“Hidden fees in the ticketing industry have truly gotten out of control. The price that is advertised is the price that we should pay—full stop,” wrote National Consumers League CEO Sally Greenberg in a press release that accompanied the lawsuit.
This is just the latest attempt to dissuade ticket sellers from using junk fees to line their coffers. The federal government, under President Biden, has been trying to tamp down these practices since 2022, when Ticketmaster caused a straight-up fiasco by promising more Taylor Swift tickets than were actually available and adding plenty of junk fees. In 2023, the FTC proposed a rule to ban junk fees. There will be a decision issued on this by the end of the year.
The House also passed a bill back in May to force ticket sellers to display the actual prices at the start of the purchasing process and not at the very end. Finally, the DOJ took legal action against Ticketmaster’s parent company Live Nation earlier this year, accusing it of monopolistic practices that result in high ticket prices.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lawsuit-alleges-stubhub-deceives-customers-into-paying-extra-for-tickets-162722604.html?src=rss

The Washington DC Superior Court has filed a lawsuit against ticket-seller StubHub that accuses the company of hiding all kinds of fees from consumers until the very last moment. The suit calls out the “deceptive practice of charging hidden junk fees” and refers to it as a “classic bait-and-switch scheme.”

Anyone who has purchased a ticket via StubHub, or many of its rivals, are probably intimately familiar with the sticker shock that arrives at check out. The added fees can boost the total cost of a ticket by up to 40 percent, the lawsuit alleges. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb says this is due to “a series of deceptive, manipulative, and unfair practices.”

These practices include the aforementioned bait-and-switch. The company allegedly advertises “deceptively low” ticket prices, adding extra charges after the consumer has clicked on multiple pages. Throughout this whole process, StubHub displays a countdown timer, urging users to act swiftly and, thereby, accept those added fees without really thinking about it. Schwalb calls this a “dark pattern” that creates a “false sense of urgency.” This is otherwise known as drip pricing.

The fees themselves are also said to be attributed to vague and cryptic policies, like “fulfillment and service.” These policies lack adequate explanation and the associated fees vary wildly, according to the suit. The lawsuit points out that StubHub doesn’t disclose how these fees are calculated or what they’re even for.

The complaint goes on to allege that StubHub has sold 4.9 million tickets and accrued over $118 million in hidden fees just in Washington DC by relying on the above methods. This lawsuit doesn’t crunch the numbers for other cities, like New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, though I have a hunch that those residents also attend ticketed events in large numbers.

“We are disappointed that the DC Attorney General is targeting StubHub when our user experience is consistent with the law, our competitors’ practices, and the broader e-commerce sector,” John Lawrence, StubHub’s deputy general counsel, wrote in a statement to The Verge.

To the point of being “consistent with the law,” Schwalb claims that StubHub has violated the District of Columbia’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CPPA). The aforementioned drip pricing strategy isn’t allowed, as the law requires merchants to provide factual information regarding consumer goods sold in the city. The AG has asked the court to financially penalize StubHub and for an injunction to stop the allegedly deceptive practices.

“Hidden fees in the ticketing industry have truly gotten out of control. The price that is advertised is the price that we should pay—full stop,” wrote National Consumers League CEO Sally Greenberg in a press release that accompanied the lawsuit.

This is just the latest attempt to dissuade ticket sellers from using junk fees to line their coffers. The federal government, under President Biden, has been trying to tamp down these practices since 2022, when Ticketmaster caused a straight-up fiasco by promising more Taylor Swift tickets than were actually available and adding plenty of junk fees. In 2023, the FTC proposed a rule to ban junk fees. There will be a decision issued on this by the end of the year.

The House also passed a bill back in May to force ticket sellers to display the actual prices at the start of the purchasing process and not at the very end. Finally, the DOJ took legal action against Ticketmaster’s parent company Live Nation earlier this year, accusing it of monopolistic practices that result in high ticket prices.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lawsuit-alleges-stubhub-deceives-customers-into-paying-extra-for-tickets-162722604.html?src=rss

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There are many devices out there that no-one really needs, but have a specific purpose that can help to improve one’s quality of life a bit. Twelve South’s AirFly Duo is one such product. It’s a dongle that lets you connect Bluetooth earbuds and headphones to in-flight entertainment systems. The device is currently on sale for $30, which is a record low. The AirFly Duo usually costs $45.
This is one of our favorite pieces of travel gear. It plugs into any 3.5mm audio jack, actually, so you can use it with the likes of gym equipment, gaming systems or even TVs. Musicians can use it to listen to audio from amplifiers too. What’s more, you can connect two sets of earbuds or headphones at once, so two people can watch a movie on the same iPad while traveling.

Twelve South says the device uses aptX Low Latency Codecs to minimize audio lag. The AirFly Duo is said to have a battery life of over 22 hours, so it should last for even the lengthiest of long-haul flights. But, if you need to, you can charge the device while it’s in use.
Again, the AirFly isn’t a product that anyone truly needs — you can buy a set of wired earbuds that’ll work in a pinch for a few bucks. But you’ll be able to use any Bluetooth earbuds or headphones of your choice with this device. Best of all, you’ll avoid the awkwardness of a trailing wire draping over (and perhaps into) your in-flight meal.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twelve-souths-airfly-duo-bluetooth-dongle-drops-to-a-record-low-of-30-144231948.html?src=rss

There are many devices out there that no-one really needs, but have a specific purpose that can help to improve one’s quality of life a bit. Twelve South’s AirFly Duo is one such product. It’s a dongle that lets you connect Bluetooth earbuds and headphones to in-flight entertainment systems. The device is currently on sale for $30, which is a record low. The AirFly Duo usually costs $45.

This is one of our favorite pieces of travel gear. It plugs into any 3.5mm audio jack, actually, so you can use it with the likes of gym equipment, gaming systems or even TVs. Musicians can use it to listen to audio from amplifiers too. What’s more, you can connect two sets of earbuds or headphones at once, so two people can watch a movie on the same iPad while traveling.

Twelve South says the device uses aptX Low Latency Codecs to minimize audio lag. The AirFly Duo is said to have a battery life of over 22 hours, so it should last for even the lengthiest of long-haul flights. But, if you need to, you can charge the device while it’s in use.

Again, the AirFly isn’t a product that anyone truly needs — you can buy a set of wired earbuds that’ll work in a pinch for a few bucks. But you’ll be able to use any Bluetooth earbuds or headphones of your choice with this device. Best of all, you’ll avoid the awkwardness of a trailing wire draping over (and perhaps into) your in-flight meal.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twelve-souths-airfly-duo-bluetooth-dongle-drops-to-a-record-low-of-30-144231948.html?src=rss

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Skype is going ad-free, as indicated in a blog post by Microsoft. The latest update removes all ads from the entire platform, including Skype channels and the main chat interface. Microsoft said this move was a response to feedback and an attempt to make the “Skype experience cleaner and more user-friendly.” This is certainly welcome news, considering every other company seems newly obsessed with ads.
The “today” section of Skype will remain, along with the pre-existing newsfeed. There just won’t be any ads to accompany that feed. Users can also delete the newsfeed tab by heading to the settings menu.
This update also includes a little something for all of the AI-heads out there. Skype will offer a revamped AI image creation system on the desktop app. This lets people access the image creator from the chat window or the top bar. There’s a “more intuitive and visually appealing” interface and pictures now expand when clicked on. Otherwise, it’s just your standard image creator.
Microsoft
Finally, the latest update brings integration with the authenticator OneAuth to the iOS app. This already existed on Android. OneAuth replaces the old sign-in system, so users will login automatically if they’re already signed into other Microsoft apps like Teams. It’s pretty handy because there are already way too many passwords floating around our craniums. Who among us can remember exactly how many numbers or exclamation marks to put after the same word we’ve been using as a password since 2002?
The update is available to everyone enrolled in the Skype Insider Program, so sign up if you aren’t. It begins rolling out today but will take a few days to reach every user. Microsoft urges consumers to keep checking if it doesn’t show up right away.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-is-dropping-ads-from-skype-143155507.html?src=rss

Skype is going ad-free, as indicated in a blog post by Microsoft. The latest update removes all ads from the entire platform, including Skype channels and the main chat interface. Microsoft said this move was a response to feedback and an attempt to make the “Skype experience cleaner and more user-friendly.” This is certainly welcome news, considering every other company seems newly obsessed with ads.

The “today” section of Skype will remain, along with the pre-existing newsfeed. There just won’t be any ads to accompany that feed. Users can also delete the newsfeed tab by heading to the settings menu.

This update also includes a little something for all of the AI-heads out there. Skype will offer a revamped AI image creation system on the desktop app. This lets people access the image creator from the chat window or the top bar. There’s a “more intuitive and visually appealing” interface and pictures now expand when clicked on. Otherwise, it’s just your standard image creator.

Finally, the latest update brings integration with the authenticator OneAuth to the iOS app. This already existed on Android. OneAuth replaces the old sign-in system, so users will login automatically if they’re already signed into other Microsoft apps like Teams. It’s pretty handy because there are already way too many passwords floating around our craniums. Who among us can remember exactly how many numbers or exclamation marks to put after the same word we’ve been using as a password since 2002?

The update is available to everyone enrolled in the Skype Insider Program, so sign up if you aren’t. It begins rolling out today but will take a few days to reach every user. Microsoft urges consumers to keep checking if it doesn’t show up right away.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-is-dropping-ads-from-skype-143155507.html?src=rss

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Streaming services are expensive, especially with many companies cracking down on sharing passwords. Gift cards are a great way to help someone save some money, especially when you don’t even have to pay full price. For today only, Best Buy is running a 15 percent off sale on Disney+ gift cards.
That’s right: currently, you can get a Disney+ gift card worth $25 for $21.25, $50 for 42.50, and $100 for $85. The gift cards are only good for monthly subscriptions to Disney+ in the United States that are billed by Disney (rather than a third party). They also applies to the Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+.

A typical Disney+ subscription’s price varies by tier. Disney+ Basic (with ads) is $8 per month, while an ad-free viewing experience is $14 per month. Disney+ bundles range in price from $10 monthly for the Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Disney+ and Hulu with ads) to $24 monthly for the Disney Bundle Trio Premium (Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ with no ads). 
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/save-15-percent-on-disney-streaming-gift-cards-today-only-133245598.html?src=rss

Streaming services are expensive, especially with many companies cracking down on sharing passwords. Gift cards are a great way to help someone save some money, especially when you don’t even have to pay full price. For today only, Best Buy is running a 15 percent off sale on Disney+ gift cards.

That’s right: currently, you can get a Disney+ gift card worth $25 for $21.25, $50 for 42.50, and $100 for $85. The gift cards are only good for monthly subscriptions to Disney+ in the United States that are billed by Disney (rather than a third party). They also applies to the Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+.

A typical Disney+ subscription’s price varies by tier. Disney+ Basic (with ads) is $8 per month, while an ad-free viewing experience is $14 per month. Disney+ bundles range in price from $10 monthly for the Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Disney+ and Hulu with ads) to $24 monthly for the Disney Bundle Trio Premium (Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ with no ads). 

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/save-15-percent-on-disney-streaming-gift-cards-today-only-133245598.html?src=rss

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Google has rolled out updates for Search with the intention of making explicit deepfakes as hard to find as possible. As part of its long-standing and ongoing fight against realistic-looking manipulated images, the company is making it easier for people to get non-consensual fake imagery that features them removed from Search. 
It has long been possible for users to request for the removal of those kinds of images under Google’s policies. Now, whenever it grants someone’s removal request, Google will also filter all explicit results on similar searches about them. The company’s systems will scan for any duplicates of the offending image and remove them, as well. This update could help alleviate some of the victim’s fears if they’re worried about the same image popping up again on other websites. 
In addition, Google has updated its ranking systems so that if a user specifically searches for explicit deepfakes with a person’s name, the results will surface “high-quality, non-explicit content” instead. If there are news articles about that person, for instance, then the results will feature those. Based on Google’s announcement, it seems it also has plans to school the user looking for deepfakes by showing them results that discuss their impact on society. 
Google doesn’t want to wipe out results for legitimate content, like an actor’s nude scene, in its bid to banish deepfakes from its results page, though. It admits it still has a lot of work to do when it comes to separating legitimate from fake explicit images. While that’s still a work in progress, one of the solutions it has implemented is to demote sites that have received a high volume of removals for manipulated images in Search. That’s “a pretty strong signal that it’s not a high-quality site,” Google explains, adding that the approach has worked well for other types of harmful content in the past.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-makes-it-easier-to-remove-explicit-deepfakes-from-its-search-results-130058499.html?src=rss

Google has rolled out updates for Search with the intention of making explicit deepfakes as hard to find as possible. As part of its long-standing and ongoing fight against realistic-looking manipulated images, the company is making it easier for people to get non-consensual fake imagery that features them removed from Search. 

It has long been possible for users to request for the removal of those kinds of images under Google’s policies. Now, whenever it grants someone’s removal request, Google will also filter all explicit results on similar searches about them. The company’s systems will scan for any duplicates of the offending image and remove them, as well. This update could help alleviate some of the victim’s fears if they’re worried about the same image popping up again on other websites. 

In addition, Google has updated its ranking systems so that if a user specifically searches for explicit deepfakes with a person’s name, the results will surface “high-quality, non-explicit content” instead. If there are news articles about that person, for instance, then the results will feature those. Based on Google’s announcement, it seems it also has plans to school the user looking for deepfakes by showing them results that discuss their impact on society. 

Google doesn’t want to wipe out results for legitimate content, like an actor’s nude scene, in its bid to banish deepfakes from its results page, though. It admits it still has a lot of work to do when it comes to separating legitimate from fake explicit images. While that’s still a work in progress, one of the solutions it has implemented is to demote sites that have received a high volume of removals for manipulated images in Search. That’s “a pretty strong signal that it’s not a high-quality site,” Google explains, adding that the approach has worked well for other types of harmful content in the past.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-makes-it-easier-to-remove-explicit-deepfakes-from-its-search-results-130058499.html?src=rss

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If you’re a dedicated Google Maps user like me, then you know its not perfect. But, Google is now announcing some improvements with a range of new features for Maps and Waze. One of the things I find most exciting is the additional guidance on entering buildings and where to park. In the coming weeks, Maps will start lighting up the destination and entrance to it as you approach, so you (hopefully!) don’t have to circle it three times in the dark. 
Google is also now making it easier to report incidents while using Maps, increasing the size of these icons so you can share quickly — and safely — while on the go. You can also tap to confirm a previously reported incident after approaching it. 
Waze is getting three updates, including new camera alerts. Now, Waze will be able to alert you if a camera is approaching and tell you what it’s monitoring, whether it be speed, seat belts or accurate carpool lane use. Waze will also notify you if there’s a traffic event nearby or close to one of your starred locations. You can then send an alert to a friend or family member. Both of these updates are rolling out now on iOS and Android. Rounding out Waze’s updates is the ability to get navigation guidance even when your phone is locked. This feature will launch globally on Android soon, while it will arrive on iOS in the fall. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-maps-will-show-you-where-to-enter-your-destination-130021496.html?src=rss

If you’re a dedicated Google Maps user like me, then you know its not perfect. But, Google is now announcing some improvements with a range of new features for Maps and Waze. One of the things I find most exciting is the additional guidance on entering buildings and where to park. In the coming weeks, Maps will start lighting up the destination and entrance to it as you approach, so you (hopefully!) don’t have to circle it three times in the dark. 

Google is also now making it easier to report incidents while using Maps, increasing the size of these icons so you can share quickly — and safely — while on the go. You can also tap to confirm a previously reported incident after approaching it. 

Waze is getting three updates, including new camera alerts. Now, Waze will be able to alert you if a camera is approaching and tell you what it’s monitoring, whether it be speed, seat belts or accurate carpool lane use. Waze will also notify you if there’s a traffic event nearby or close to one of your starred locations. You can then send an alert to a friend or family member. Both of these updates are rolling out now on iOS and Android. Rounding out Waze’s updates is the ability to get navigation guidance even when your phone is locked. This feature will launch globally on Android soon, while it will arrive on iOS in the fall. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-maps-will-show-you-where-to-enter-your-destination-130021496.html?src=rss

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