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In this bonus episode, Devindra and Engadget Contributing Reporter Kris Holt break down everything new (and not so new) in the iPhone 16 lineup. Is Apple Intelligence alone enough to entice iPhone owners to upgrade? Does anyone actually need the camera button? And why are we so intrigued by the Apple Watch Series 10 (which is undoubtedly the most interesting product Apple launched today)?

Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you’ve got suggestions or topics you’d like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!

Subscribe!

iTunes
Spotify
Pocket Casts
Stitcher
Google Podcasts

Livestream

Credits 
Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Kris HoltProducer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O’Brien
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/engadget-podcast-the-apple-watch-series-10-was-the-star-of-the-iphone-16-launch-222416888.html?src=rss

In this bonus episode, Devindra and Engadget Contributing Reporter Kris Holt break down everything new (and not so new) in the iPhone 16 lineup. Is Apple Intelligence alone enough to entice iPhone owners to upgrade? Does anyone actually need the camera button? And why are we so intrigued by the Apple Watch Series 10 (which is undoubtedly the most interesting product Apple launched today)?

Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you’ve got suggestions or topics you’d like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!

Subscribe!

iTunes

Spotify

Pocket Casts

Stitcher

Google Podcasts

Livestream

Credits 

Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Kris Holt
Producer: Ben Ellman
Music: Dale North and Terrence O’Brien

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/engadget-podcast-the-apple-watch-series-10-was-the-star-of-the-iphone-16-launch-222416888.html?src=rss

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Kind Words 2 (lofi city pop), a game where you send real letters to real people and then wander around a cozy town, is due to hit Steam on October 7.
It’s the sequel to Kind Words (lo-fi chill beats to write to), an award-winning 2019 game from independent Boston studio Popcannibal. Players in the original game had a single bedroom where, backdropped by a sweet lo-fi soundtrack, they wrote and responded to letters from other players. There were small bits of room customization and sticker collection in the game, but it was truly just about connecting with strangers in a warm and nice way. This was a prescient idea: Just six months after Kind Words came out, the coronavirus pandemic locked down the globe. Connecting with people safely and from a distance suddenly became a top priority, and Kind Words carried this responsibility well. In the five years since launch, hundreds of thousands of players have sent more than 6 million messages in-game.
Kind Words 2 imports your letters, room changes and stickers from the first game, and it allows you to leave the bedroom and explore a small town of shops, cafes and parks. On top of the standard letter-writing loop, you can customize your avatar with new clothes, scream (in written form) into the void, wish on a star, perform poetry and interact with other players in public spaces. The endlessly chill soundtrack comes from Slay the Spire and Kind Words composer Clark Aboud. It all looks — and sounds — incredibly adorable.

In terms of game design, Popcannibal faces a unique and impossible-sounding challenge with the Kind Words series. Instead of having to build innovative environments or ultra-responsive controls, developers have to create a world that encourages anonymous online strangers to be nice to each other. The original game excelled in this regard, using visuals, mechanics, mood and music to foster friendly conversations among thousands of anonymous players worldwide. Kind Words 2 is bigger, but the vibe seems just as snuggly, and this time around Popcannibal has years of experience moderating and vibe-curating under its belt. If anyone can create a troll-free anonymous social network, it’s these folks.
Kind Words 2 was announced in a Day of the Devs stream in December 2023, and it’s available to wishlist on Steam right now.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/kind-words-2-takes-cozy-letter-writing-to-the-city-on-october-7-215127953.html?src=rss

Kind Words 2 (lofi city pop), a game where you send real letters to real people and then wander around a cozy town, is due to hit Steam on October 7.

It’s the sequel to Kind Words (lo-fi chill beats to write to), an award-winning 2019 game from independent Boston studio Popcannibal. Players in the original game had a single bedroom where, backdropped by a sweet lo-fi soundtrack, they wrote and responded to letters from other players. There were small bits of room customization and sticker collection in the game, but it was truly just about connecting with strangers in a warm and nice way. This was a prescient idea: Just six months after Kind Words came out, the coronavirus pandemic locked down the globe. Connecting with people safely and from a distance suddenly became a top priority, and Kind Words carried this responsibility well. In the five years since launch, hundreds of thousands of players have sent more than 6 million messages in-game.

Kind Words 2 imports your letters, room changes and stickers from the first game, and it allows you to leave the bedroom and explore a small town of shops, cafes and parks. On top of the standard letter-writing loop, you can customize your avatar with new clothes, scream (in written form) into the void, wish on a star, perform poetry and interact with other players in public spaces. The endlessly chill soundtrack comes from Slay the Spire and Kind Words composer Clark Aboud. It all looks — and sounds — incredibly adorable.

In terms of game design, Popcannibal faces a unique and impossible-sounding challenge with the Kind Words series. Instead of having to build innovative environments or ultra-responsive controls, developers have to create a world that encourages anonymous online strangers to be nice to each other. The original game excelled in this regard, using visuals, mechanics, mood and music to foster friendly conversations among thousands of anonymous players worldwide. Kind Words 2 is bigger, but the vibe seems just as snuggly, and this time around Popcannibal has years of experience moderating and vibe-curating under its belt. If anyone can create a troll-free anonymous social network, it’s these folks.

Kind Words 2 was announced in a Day of the Devs stream in December 2023, and it’s available to wishlist on Steam right now.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/kind-words-2-takes-cozy-letter-writing-to-the-city-on-october-7-215127953.html?src=rss

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Two models of AirPods were largely expected at today’s iPhone 16 event, one of which would add active noise cancellation (ANC) to the “regular” AirPods for the first time. There are other upgrades for the $179 version, but after a brief demo of the ANC setup on the AirPods 4, I wager the noise-blocking tools will be the key selling point for most people. 
Apple is using this version of the AirPods 4 to bridge the gap between the AirPods and the AirPods Pro. As such, this model has some features that were previously exclusive to the company’s priciest buds. Those include Siri interactions that allow you to accept or reject calls with a head nod, Adaptive Audio, Voice Isolation and more — all thanks to the H2 chip that powers the Pro model. All of these will be welcome improvements for people who prefer the open fit of the AirPods 4, but the ANC is the most impressive addition in my book. 
I got a brief demo of the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation in the chaotic hands-on area at Apple Park. Honestly, it’s a perfect place to test ANC. Once I had the AirPods 4 in my ears and I got some music going, I activated noise cancelling to silence the room. And it nearly did. I was blown away by how effective the ANC is on these earbuds that don’t completely seal off your ears. Most open-type designs with ANC barely put a dent in ambient distractions, but do affect battery life. Here, I might as well have been in a room on my own, and I was only aware of the environmental noise when transparency mode jolted me back to reality. 
Billy Steele for Engadget
Apple updated the design for the AirPods 4, calling them “the best-fitting AirPods ever.” This refined shape, in addition to some software tricks and acoustic performance, helps boost passive noise isolation while keeping your ears open for that default audio mode. ANC is yet another place Apple is able to flex the muscle of the H2 chip, and the AirPods 4 performance in that regard is a testament to the component’s abilities. 
I will note that transparency mode on the AirPods 4 didn’t sound as natural as it does on the AirPods Pro. That’s mostly due to the fact that I didn’t feel like the earbuds were piping in as much of my own voice as that pricier model. In fact, I felt like it hardly did so at all. An Apple rep explained that the difference could be attributed to a number of factors, including the fact that my ears weren’t completely closed off. 
Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/apple-airpods-4-hands-on-seriously-impressive-anc-performance-211526269.html?src=rss

Two models of AirPods were largely expected at today’s iPhone 16 event, one of which would add active noise cancellation (ANC) to the “regular” AirPods for the first time. There are other upgrades for the $179 version, but after a brief demo of the ANC setup on the AirPods 4, I wager the noise-blocking tools will be the key selling point for most people. 

Apple is using this version of the AirPods 4 to bridge the gap between the AirPods and the AirPods Pro. As such, this model has some features that were previously exclusive to the company’s priciest buds. Those include Siri interactions that allow you to accept or reject calls with a head nod, Adaptive Audio, Voice Isolation and more — all thanks to the H2 chip that powers the Pro model. All of these will be welcome improvements for people who prefer the open fit of the AirPods 4, but the ANC is the most impressive addition in my book. 

I got a brief demo of the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation in the chaotic hands-on area at Apple Park. Honestly, it’s a perfect place to test ANC. Once I had the AirPods 4 in my ears and I got some music going, I activated noise cancelling to silence the room. And it nearly did. I was blown away by how effective the ANC is on these earbuds that don’t completely seal off your ears. Most open-type designs with ANC barely put a dent in ambient distractions, but do affect battery life. Here, I might as well have been in a room on my own, and I was only aware of the environmental noise when transparency mode jolted me back to reality. 

Apple updated the design for the AirPods 4, calling them “the best-fitting AirPods ever.” This refined shape, in addition to some software tricks and acoustic performance, helps boost passive noise isolation while keeping your ears open for that default audio mode. ANC is yet another place Apple is able to flex the muscle of the H2 chip, and the AirPods 4 performance in that regard is a testament to the component’s abilities. 

I will note that transparency mode on the AirPods 4 didn’t sound as natural as it does on the AirPods Pro. That’s mostly due to the fact that I didn’t feel like the earbuds were piping in as much of my own voice as that pricier model. In fact, I felt like it hardly did so at all. An Apple rep explained that the difference could be attributed to a number of factors, including the fact that my ears weren’t completely closed off. 

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/apple-airpods-4-hands-on-seriously-impressive-anc-performance-211526269.html?src=rss

Read More 

At its big iPhone 16 event, which also included a new Apple Watch and AirPods, the company snuck in a new MagSafe charging cable. Although there’s nothing to see here if you’re standing pat with an older handset, the new magnetic accessory will boost charging speeds for iPhone 16 owners.
9to5Mac spotted that the new MagSafe charger supports maximum charging speeds of 25W when paired with an iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro and a 30W (or higher) wall charger. The OG MagSafe charger only offers speeds of up to 15W, the same max speed the new accessory will give you when used with an iPhone 15 or older. So, other than future-proofing, there’s no reason to get the new charger if you have an older handset and already own the original MagSafe charger.
The new MagSafe accessory comes in two variants: One with a 1m (3.3 ft) cable and another with a 2m (6.6 ft) cable. The shorter cable costs $39 (the same as the original), while the longer one will set you back $49.
The new MagSafe charger is available to order now at the Apple Store with standard shipping times. The iPhone 16 series is available for pre-order with a September 20 release date.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apples-new-magsafe-charger-will-juice-up-the-iphone-16-faster-than-the-old-accessory-can-203435004.html?src=rss

At its big iPhone 16 event, which also included a new Apple Watch and AirPods, the company snuck in a new MagSafe charging cable. Although there’s nothing to see here if you’re standing pat with an older handset, the new magnetic accessory will boost charging speeds for iPhone 16 owners.

9to5Mac spotted that the new MagSafe charger supports maximum charging speeds of 25W when paired with an iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro and a 30W (or higher) wall charger. The OG MagSafe charger only offers speeds of up to 15W, the same max speed the new accessory will give you when used with an iPhone 15 or older. So, other than future-proofing, there’s no reason to get the new charger if you have an older handset and already own the original MagSafe charger.

The new MagSafe accessory comes in two variants: One with a 1m (3.3 ft) cable and another with a 2m (6.6 ft) cable. The shorter cable costs $39 (the same as the original), while the longer one will set you back $49.

The new MagSafe charger is available to order now at the Apple Store with standard shipping times. The iPhone 16 series is available for pre-order with a September 20 release date.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apples-new-magsafe-charger-will-juice-up-the-iphone-16-faster-than-the-old-accessory-can-203435004.html?src=rss

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Apple unveiled a quartet of iPhones on Monday, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. As expected, the updates are largely iterative. The standard models now have the programmable Action button from last year’s Pro series, slightly improved battery life and an updated camera module that’s stacked vertically instead of diagonally. 
The Pro phones, meanwhile, feature bigger displays with slimmer bezels, improved battery life and a handful of camera upgrades, including a 5x optical zoom for the smaller Pro and a sharper ultrawide camera. The standard models run on Apple’s new A18 silicon, while the Pro models, fittingly, use a faster and more efficient chip called the A18 Pro.
The most notable hardware change across the board might be a new touch-sensitive “Camera Control” button that makes capturing photos and video a little more DSLR-like. Mostly, though, these phones don’t look to be massive departures from the iPhone 15s before them. Much of Apple’s sales pitch will come down to how helpful its “Apple Intelligence” AI tools are out in the wild. 
We already have a hands-on preview for the iPhone 16 Pro up on the site, and we’ll have full reviews for the entire iPhone 16 lineup in the near future. But if you’re thinking about pre-ordering right away, we’ve broken down how the new iPhone 16 Pro compares to two of its most prominent rivals in the $1,000 price bracket, the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24+, on the spec sheet. Per usual, raw specs won’t tell the full story — you’d probably buy an iPhone because you want iOS and an Android phone because you prefer Android — but if you’re wondering what a $1,000 smartphone gets you in 2024, here’s how Apple’s latest handset stacks up. 

Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S24+

Pricing (MSRP)
$999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB)
$999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,219 (512GB), $1,449 (1TB)
$1,000 (256GB), $1,120 (512GB)

Dimensions
5.9 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches
6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches
6.2 x 3 x 0.3 inches

Weight
7.03 ounces
7 ounces
6.9 ounces

Screen size
6.3 inches
6.3 inches
6.7 inches

Screen resolution
1,206 x 2,622 (460 ppi)
1,280 x 2,856 (495 ppi)
1,440 x 3,120 (512 ppi)

Screen type
OLED Up to 120Hz (1-120Hz) Up to 2,000 nits (peak brightness) Ceramic Shield
LTPO OLED Up to 120Hz (1-120Hz) Up to 3,000 nits (peak brightness) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Up to 120Hz (1-120Hz) Up to 2,600 nits (peak brightness) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2

SoC
Apple A18 Pro (6-core)
Google Tensor G4 (8-core)
US/Canada/China: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (8-core) Int’l: Samsung Exynos 2400 (10-core)

RAM
Not specified
16GB RAM
12GB RAM

Battery
“Up to 27” hours video playback
4,700 mAh “24+ hours” with mixed usage
4,900mAh “Up to 29” hours video playback

Charging
Wired: not specified 25W wireless (with MagSafe charger; up to 15W with Qi2 chargers)
27W wired 21W wireless (with Pixel Stand; up to 12W with other Qi chargers)
45W wired 15W wireless

Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (1TB only available with Obsidian model)
256GB, 512GB

Rear camera
Main (“Fusion”): 48 MP, f/1.78 Ultrawide: 48 MP, f/2.2, 120° FOV Telephoto: 12 MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom
Main: 50 MP, f/1.68, 82° FOV Ultrawide: 48 MP, f/1.7, 123° FOV Telephoto: 48 MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom
Main: 50 MP, f/1.8, 85° FOV Ultrawide: 12MP, f/2.2, 120° FOV Telephoto: 10MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom

Front camera
12 MP, f/1.9
42 MP, f/2.2, 103° FOV
12 MP, f/2.2, 80° FOV

Video capture
Rear: 4K at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps, 1080p up to 240 fps Front: 4K at 24/24/30/60 fps, 1080p up to 120 fps
Rear: 8K at 30 fps, 4K at 24/30/60 fps, 1080p up to 240 fps Front: 4K at 30/60 fps
Rear: 8K at 24/30 fps, 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p up to 240 fps Front: 4K at 30/60 fps

Water and dust resistance rating
IP68
IP68
IP68

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 6e

Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3

OS
iOS 18
Android 14
Android 14

Colors and finish
Glass front, glass back, titanium frame Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium
Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian
Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-iphone-16-pro-vs-the-competition-bigger-with-more-buttons-194622608.html?src=rss

Apple unveiled a quartet of iPhones on Monday, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. As expected, the updates are largely iterative. The standard models now have the programmable Action button from last year’s Pro series, slightly improved battery life and an updated camera module that’s stacked vertically instead of diagonally. 

The Pro phones, meanwhile, feature bigger displays with slimmer bezels, improved battery life and a handful of camera upgrades, including a 5x optical zoom for the smaller Pro and a sharper ultrawide camera. The standard models run on Apple’s new A18 silicon, while the Pro models, fittingly, use a faster and more efficient chip called the A18 Pro.

The most notable hardware change across the board might be a new touch-sensitive “Camera Control” button that makes capturing photos and video a little more DSLR-like. Mostly, though, these phones don’t look to be massive departures from the iPhone 15s before them. Much of Apple’s sales pitch will come down to how helpful its “Apple Intelligence” AI tools are out in the wild. 

We already have a hands-on preview for the iPhone 16 Pro up on the site, and we’ll have full reviews for the entire iPhone 16 lineup in the near future. But if you’re thinking about pre-ordering right away, we’ve broken down how the new iPhone 16 Pro compares to two of its most prominent rivals in the $1,000 price bracket, the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24+, on the spec sheet. Per usual, raw specs won’t tell the full story — you’d probably buy an iPhone because you want iOS and an Android phone because you prefer Android — but if you’re wondering what a $1,000 smartphone gets you in 2024, here’s how Apple’s latest handset stacks up. 

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Google Pixel 9 Pro

Samsung Galaxy S24+

Pricing (MSRP)

$999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB)

$999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,219 (512GB), $1,449 (1TB)

$1,000 (256GB), $1,120 (512GB)

Dimensions

5.9 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches

6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches

6.2 x 3 x 0.3 inches

Weight

7.03 ounces

7 ounces

6.9 ounces

Screen size

6.3 inches

6.3 inches

6.7 inches

Screen resolution

1,206 x 2,622 (460 ppi)

1,280 x 2,856 (495 ppi)

1,440 x 3,120 (512 ppi)

Screen type

OLED

Up to 120Hz (1-120Hz)

Up to 2,000 nits (peak brightness)

Ceramic Shield

LTPO OLED

Up to 120Hz (1-120Hz)

Up to 3,000 nits (peak brightness)

Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Up to 120Hz (1-120Hz)

Up to 2,600 nits (peak brightness)

Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2

SoC

Apple A18 Pro (6-core)

Google Tensor G4 (8-core)

US/Canada/China: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (8-core)

Int’l: Samsung Exynos 2400 (10-core)

RAM

Not specified

16GB RAM

12GB RAM

Battery

“Up to 27” hours video playback

4,700 mAh

“24+ hours” with mixed usage

4,900mAh

“Up to 29” hours video playback

Charging

Wired: not specified

25W wireless (with MagSafe charger; up to 15W with Qi2 chargers)

27W wired

21W wireless (with Pixel Stand; up to 12W with other Qi chargers)

45W wired

15W wireless

Storage

128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (1TB only available with Obsidian model)

256GB, 512GB

Rear camera

Main (“Fusion”): 48 MP, f/1.78

Ultrawide: 48 MP, f/2.2, 120° FOV

Telephoto: 12 MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom

Main: 50 MP, f/1.68, 82° FOV

Ultrawide: 48 MP, f/1.7, 123° FOV

Telephoto: 48 MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom

Main: 50 MP, f/1.8, 85° FOV

Ultrawide: 12MP, f/2.2, 120° FOV

Telephoto: 10MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom

Front camera

12 MP, f/1.9

42 MP, f/2.2, 103° FOV

12 MP, f/2.2, 80° FOV

Video capture

Rear: 4K at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps, 1080p up to 240 fps

Front: 4K at 24/24/30/60 fps, 1080p up to 120 fps

Rear: 8K at 30 fps, 4K at 24/30/60 fps, 1080p up to 240 fps

Front: 4K at 30/60 fps

Rear: 8K at 24/30 fps, 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p up to 240 fps

Front: 4K at 30/60 fps

Water and dust resistance rating

IP68

IP68

IP68

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 6e

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

OS

iOS 18

Android 14

Android 14

Colors and finish

Glass front, glass back, titanium frame

Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium

Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame

Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian

Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame

Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-iphone-16-pro-vs-the-competition-bigger-with-more-buttons-194622608.html?src=rss

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Apple’s latest attempt to slightly differentiate the iPhone 16 series is… a faux button it’s calling Camera Control. But unlike last year’s new button, this one doesn’t actually physically depress, and uses a mix of sensors and haptic feedback to simulate the sensation of movement. And in my brief hands-on right after Apple’s iPhone 16 launch event, I have to say I actually thought it was a real button. 
I got a quick look at the iPhone 16 Pro here in Apple Park, and got a deep walkthrough of the new camera control and its corresponding interface. When I first picked up the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I felt like it looked sleeker and thinner than my iPhone 15 Pro Max, which was nice. My fingers were then drawn to the new “button,” which has a groove that surrounds it, which helps with identification by touch.
From the home screen, I pressed down on the camera control and the camera app quickly opened. The Apple rep guarding these phones encouraged me to push the camera control with varying pressures, as a lighter touch changed the dial that popped up onscreen next to where the button sat. I dragged my finger on this surface, and the digital knob moved along with me, although I at first found the direction of the movement slightly counterintuitive. I am, however, one of those gamers that needs to flip the direction of my controllers when looking around and navigating any environment though, so that might be just me.
There is no way to change the direction of camera control’s direction when you’re swiping, but you can tweak the settings to adjust pressure sensitivity. When the Apple rep asked me to push harder on the control, I was shocked at what felt like a real button moving below my fingertip. I confirmed again with the Apple rep that this was not a mechanical button that actually moves, and was met with reassuring nods. Next to me, fellow reviewer Brian Tong echoed my sentiment that the camera control feels remarkably like an actual button. 
Cherlynn Low for Engadget
Aside from marveling at the physical sensation on the iPhone 16 Pro, I also took a closer look at the changes to the interface. When I first light-pushed on the camera control, a selection of options came up, allowing me to select Exposure, Zoom, Camera, Styles and Tone. Pressing harder down on each of these locked those modes and a different dial with more markings came up, and swiping on the sensor would move the wheel. In the Camera mode, I was able to quickly switch between the ultrawide, main and zoom options, similar to how the viewfinder currently operates. If you prefer to use the existing interface to switch cameras, you can still do so. 
When you pick the Styles option, you’ll swipe between the new Photographic Styles that Apple introduced this year. In each of these, you can tap an icon on the top right of the app to edit them with the new touchpad-ish interface. Dragging your finger around this square at the bottom will adjust color temperature and hue settings. You can also make changes to the Photographic Style in your picture after it’s been taken, so you don’t have to worry too much about not liking the way something looks. 
I also got to hold the iPhone 16 Pro Max in portrait mode and take a selfie. At first, my thumb was placed too high on the device’s edge, and pressing down did nothing. I shifted the phone in my hand slightly, which felt a little precarious, then found the camera control and quickly took a shot. 
This story is developing, please refresh for updates.
Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/iphone-16-pro-hands-on-how-does-a-faux-camera-control-button-feel-so-real-191406863.html?src=rss

Apple’s latest attempt to slightly differentiate the iPhone 16 series is… a faux button it’s calling Camera Control. But unlike last year’s new button, this one doesn’t actually physically depress, and uses a mix of sensors and haptic feedback to simulate the sensation of movement. And in my brief hands-on right after Apple’s iPhone 16 launch event, I have to say I actually thought it was a real button. 

I got a quick look at the iPhone 16 Pro here in Apple Park, and got a deep walkthrough of the new camera control and its corresponding interface. When I first picked up the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I felt like it looked sleeker and thinner than my iPhone 15 Pro Max, which was nice. My fingers were then drawn to the new “button,” which has a groove that surrounds it, which helps with identification by touch.

From the home screen, I pressed down on the camera control and the camera app quickly opened. The Apple rep guarding these phones encouraged me to push the camera control with varying pressures, as a lighter touch changed the dial that popped up onscreen next to where the button sat. I dragged my finger on this surface, and the digital knob moved along with me, although I at first found the direction of the movement slightly counterintuitive. I am, however, one of those gamers that needs to flip the direction of my controllers when looking around and navigating any environment though, so that might be just me.

There is no way to change the direction of camera control’s direction when you’re swiping, but you can tweak the settings to adjust pressure sensitivity. When the Apple rep asked me to push harder on the control, I was shocked at what felt like a real button moving below my fingertip. I confirmed again with the Apple rep that this was not a mechanical button that actually moves, and was met with reassuring nods. Next to me, fellow reviewer Brian Tong echoed my sentiment that the camera control feels remarkably like an actual button. 

Aside from marveling at the physical sensation on the iPhone 16 Pro, I also took a closer look at the changes to the interface. When I first light-pushed on the camera control, a selection of options came up, allowing me to select Exposure, Zoom, Camera, Styles and Tone. Pressing harder down on each of these locked those modes and a different dial with more markings came up, and swiping on the sensor would move the wheel. In the Camera mode, I was able to quickly switch between the ultrawide, main and zoom options, similar to how the viewfinder currently operates. If you prefer to use the existing interface to switch cameras, you can still do so. 

When you pick the Styles option, you’ll swipe between the new Photographic Styles that Apple introduced this year. In each of these, you can tap an icon on the top right of the app to edit them with the new touchpad-ish interface. Dragging your finger around this square at the bottom will adjust color temperature and hue settings. You can also make changes to the Photographic Style in your picture after it’s been taken, so you don’t have to worry too much about not liking the way something looks. 

I also got to hold the iPhone 16 Pro Max in portrait mode and take a selfie. At first, my thumb was placed too high on the device’s edge, and pressing down did nothing. I shifted the phone in my hand slightly, which felt a little precarious, then found the camera control and quickly took a shot. 

This story is developing, please refresh for updates.

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/iphone-16-pro-hands-on-how-does-a-faux-camera-control-button-feel-so-real-191406863.html?src=rss

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Hey, there were good intentions! When Apple revealed its new type of case, no longer offering leather cases for the iPhone 15 series, the FineWoven case was pitched as a leather substitute that used 68 percent post-consumer recycled content. 
The material looked a little similar to leather in press shots, but the reality was a material that was smooth and scratchy at the same time, a surface that was almost as absorbent as Bounty with fingerprints and a fantastic opportunity for third-party iPhone case manufacturers. 
When leather gets old, it gets… nicer? There’s a patina. When Finewoven cases got even a few days old, it got scratched and blotchy. It’s not a huge surprise, then, that there are no new FineWoven colorways, or any iPhone 16-compatible FineWoven cases, period. They’re gone. 
It isn’t the end of FineWoven completely. The material will live on in a MagSafe wallet, available in four different colors, and more Apple Watch straps. If you are looking for a new (but official) iPhone look, how about, randomly, these Beats-themed iPhone 16 cases? They’re not microtwill; they’re hard plastic. 

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-quietly-kills-its-terrible-finewoven-iphone-cases-191345213.html?src=rss

Hey, there were good intentions! When Apple revealed its new type of case, no longer offering leather cases for the iPhone 15 series, the FineWoven case was pitched as a leather substitute that used 68 percent post-consumer recycled content. 

The material looked a little similar to leather in press shots, but the reality was a material that was smooth and scratchy at the same time, a surface that was almost as absorbent as Bounty with fingerprints and a fantastic opportunity for third-party iPhone case manufacturers. 

When leather gets old, it gets… nicer? There’s a patina. When Finewoven cases got even a few days old, it got scratched and blotchy. It’s not a huge surprise, then, that there are no new FineWoven colorways, or any iPhone 16-compatible FineWoven cases, period. They’re gone. 

It isn’t the end of FineWoven completely. The material will live on in a MagSafe wallet, available in four different colors, and more Apple Watch straps. If you are looking for a new (but official) iPhone look, how about, randomly, these Beats-themed iPhone 16 cases? They’re not microtwill; they’re hard plastic. 

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-quietly-kills-its-terrible-finewoven-iphone-cases-191345213.html?src=rss

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Apple gave its AirPods lineup a makeover on Monday, introducing two different pairs of wireless earbuds dubbed the AirPods 4, a minor refresh for the over-ear AirPods Max and some new features for the existing AirPods Pro. Both models of the fourth-generation AirPods look like slightly smaller versions of the third-gen model from afar, though Apple says the shape has been refined to improve overall comfort. They also feature Apple’s H2 chip, smaller charging cases with USB-C and promised improvements to sound quality. 
The higher-end version of the two comes with active noise cancellation (ANC), which was previously limited to the AirPods Pro and Max. Its case also supports wireless charging and has a speaker that should make the whole thing easier to find if it’s ever misplaced.
The revised AirPods Max, meanwhile, now charge over USB-C and come in a few new colors. Finally, while there aren’t all-new AirPods Pro, Apple says the current model will receive new software features centered on hearing health, including the ability to function as a “clinical-grade” hearing aid.
Of course, the best way to figure out how much these updates matter is to actually listen to the new headphones. Unsealed earbuds like the AirPods 4 tend to naturally let in lots of outside noise, for instance, so we’ll be eager to see how well its ANC feature works. We’ll have full reviews in the near future. If you’re already dead-set on upgrading in some fashion, though, we’ve put together a quick and dirty breakdown of how the updated AirPods lineup stacks up. 

AirPods 4
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
AirPods Max

Pricing (MSRP)
$129
$179
$249
$549

Design type
Earbud (unsealed)
Earbud (unsealed)
In-ear (sealed)
Over-ear

Active noise canceling
No
Yes
Yes
Yes

Transparency mode
No
Yes
Yes
Yes

Adaptive Audio
No
Yes
Yes
No

Multipoint connectivity
No Automatic device switching with Apple devices only
No Automatic device switching with Apple devices only
No Automatic device switching with Apple devices only
No Automatic device switching with Apple devices only

Battery life (rated)
Up to 5 hours
Up to 5 hours (with ANC off; up to 4 hours with ANC enabled)
Up to 6 hours
Up to 20 hours

Total battery life with case (rated)
Up to 30 hours
Up to 30 hours
Up to 30 hours
N/A

Wired charging
USB-C (cable not included)
USB-C (cable not included)
USB-C (cable included) 5 mins in case = around 1 hour of listening time
USB-C (cable included) 5 mins charge = around 1.5 hours of listening time

Wireless charging
No
Yes
Yes
No

Water and dust resistance
IP54
IP54
IP54
No

Size and weight
1.19 x 0.72 x 0.71 inches 0.15 ounces
1.19 x 0.72 x 0.71 inches 0.15 ounces
1.22 x 0.86 x 0.94 inches 0.19 ounces
7.37 x 6.64 x 3.28 inches 13.6 ounces

Case size and weight
1.82 x 1.97 x 0.83 inches 1.14 ounces
1.82 x 1.97 x 0.83 inches 1.22 ounces
1.78 x 2.39 x 0.85 inches 1.79 ounces
4.74 ounces

Chip(s)
Apple H2
Apple H2
Apple H2 Apple U1 in charging case
Apple H1

Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth codecs
AAC, SBC
AAC, SBC
AAC, SBC
AAC, SBC

Spatial audio
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Control type
Touch controls with force sensor
Touch controls with force sensor
Touch controls with force sensor and swipes
Digital Crown dial + Noise control button

Mics and sensors
Dual beamforming microphones Inward-facing microphone Optical in-ear sensor Motion-detecting accelerometer Speech-detecting accelerometer
Dual beamforming microphones Inward-facing microphone Optical in-ear sensor Motion-detecting accelerometer Speech-detecting accelerometer
Dual beamforming microphones Inward-facing microphone Skin-detect sensor Motion-detecting accelerometer Speech-detecting accelerometer
Nine microphones total: eight ANC mics, three mics for voice pickup (two shared for ANC) Optical sensor Position sensor Case-detect sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/heres-how-the-new-airpods-4-compare-to-the-rest-of-apples-headphone-lineup-190150611.html?src=rss

Apple gave its AirPods lineup a makeover on Monday, introducing two different pairs of wireless earbuds dubbed the AirPods 4, a minor refresh for the over-ear AirPods Max and some new features for the existing AirPods Pro. Both models of the fourth-generation AirPods look like slightly smaller versions of the third-gen model from afar, though Apple says the shape has been refined to improve overall comfort. They also feature Apple’s H2 chip, smaller charging cases with USB-C and promised improvements to sound quality. 

The higher-end version of the two comes with active noise cancellation (ANC), which was previously limited to the AirPods Pro and Max. Its case also supports wireless charging and has a speaker that should make the whole thing easier to find if it’s ever misplaced.

The revised AirPods Max, meanwhile, now charge over USB-C and come in a few new colors. Finally, while there aren’t all-new AirPods Pro, Apple says the current model will receive new software features centered on hearing health, including the ability to function as a “clinical-grade” hearing aid.

Of course, the best way to figure out how much these updates matter is to actually listen to the new headphones. Unsealed earbuds like the AirPods 4 tend to naturally let in lots of outside noise, for instance, so we’ll be eager to see how well its ANC feature works. We’ll have full reviews in the near future. If you’re already dead-set on upgrading in some fashion, though, we’ve put together a quick and dirty breakdown of how the updated AirPods lineup stacks up. 

AirPods 4

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

AirPods Max

Pricing (MSRP)

$129

$179

$249

$549

Design type

Earbud (unsealed)

Earbud (unsealed)

In-ear (sealed)

Over-ear

Active noise canceling

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Transparency mode

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Adaptive Audio

No

Yes

Yes

No

Multipoint connectivity

No

Automatic device switching with Apple devices only

No

Automatic device switching with Apple devices only

No

Automatic device switching with Apple devices only

No

Automatic device switching with Apple devices only

Battery life (rated)

Up to 5 hours

Up to 5 hours (with ANC off; up to 4 hours with ANC enabled)

Up to 6 hours

Up to 20 hours

Total battery life with case (rated)

Up to 30 hours

Up to 30 hours

Up to 30 hours

N/A

Wired charging

USB-C (cable not included)

USB-C (cable not included)

USB-C (cable included)

5 mins in case = around 1 hour of listening time

USB-C (cable included)

5 mins charge = around 1.5 hours of listening time

Wireless charging

No

Yes

Yes

No

Water and dust resistance

IP54

IP54

IP54

No

Size and weight

1.19 x 0.72 x 0.71 inches

0.15 ounces

1.19 x 0.72 x 0.71 inches

0.15 ounces

1.22 x 0.86 x 0.94 inches

0.19 ounces

7.37 x 6.64 x 3.28 inches

13.6 ounces

Case size and weight

1.82 x 1.97 x 0.83 inches

1.14 ounces

1.82 x 1.97 x 0.83 inches

1.22 ounces

1.78 x 2.39 x 0.85 inches

1.79 ounces

4.74 ounces

Chip(s)

Apple H2

Apple H2

Apple H2

Apple U1 in charging case

Apple H1

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth codecs

AAC, SBC

AAC, SBC

AAC, SBC

AAC, SBC

Spatial audio

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Control type

Touch controls with force sensor

Touch controls with force sensor

Touch controls with force sensor and swipes

Digital Crown dial + Noise control button

Mics and sensors

Dual beamforming microphones

Inward-facing microphone

Optical in-ear sensor

Motion-detecting accelerometer

Speech-detecting accelerometer

Dual beamforming microphones

Inward-facing microphone

Optical in-ear sensor

Motion-detecting accelerometer

Speech-detecting accelerometer

Dual beamforming microphones

Inward-facing microphone

Skin-detect sensor

Motion-detecting accelerometer

Speech-detecting accelerometer

Nine microphones total: eight ANC mics, three mics for voice pickup (two shared for ANC)

Optical sensor

Position sensor

Case-detect sensor

Accelerometer

Gyroscope

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/heres-how-the-new-airpods-4-compare-to-the-rest-of-apples-headphone-lineup-190150611.html?src=rss

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If you were hoping for three new Apple Watches today, you might be disappointed. However, Apple did reveal the largest Apple Watch display ever on the Series 10 wearable. The device is also thinner, delivering the bigger-but-slimmer update the company loves to give new devices. It’s lighter too, so all three of the design changes should make the wearable more comfy to… wear. And of course, the new display will be a key selling point for this updated model. 
That display is the standout update to me. The panel is said to be 40 percent brighter when viewed at an angles, which will make it so much easier to see Watch info at a glance. I tried on the Series 10 in the demo area here at Apple Park in both the 46mm and 42mm sizes. The larger of the two isn’t that much of burden for me as I’m rocking a 45mm Series 7 on the daily. Still, the OLED display is a massive upgrade over what I’m used to, and it will offer better performance over recent Apple Watches too. I also got a look at that screen update feature, which lets you see time and other info even when the display is in ambient mode. 
Billy Steele for Engadget
In addition to the new display, both it and the Apple Watch case have more rounded angles. Combine that with new finishes (hello, jet black!) and you’ve got the biggest update to Apple’s wearable since the Series 4 in terms of design. There are also a host of new features we weren’t able to test in the demo area, like the depth gauge and water temperature sensor, but we did get a brief look at the upcoming sleep apnea tool in Apple Health. 
Here, Apple Watch will monitor your sleep for breathing disturbances. Like other sleep metrics, you’ll see data for the current month, path six months and previous year, so you’ll be aware of any changes over time. Of course, the app will alert you if you might need to see a doctor, and it will offer all of the logged data for you to share when you do. Millions of people suffer from sleep apnea, so being able to detect the signs of the condition without time-consuming sleep testing will certainly be a welcome addition to Apple’s suite of health-tracking tools with Watch Series 10. 
Billy Steele for Engadget
The main aesthetic update to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a new black color option. And while there’s isn’t a ton to say there, I will note that it looks very nice. Plus, it provides some contrast for those people who didn’t care for the lighter silver option that was available before now. 
Billy Steele for Engadget
Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/apple-watch-series-10-hands-on-bigger-lighter-and-thinner-than-ever-190000233.html?src=rss

If you were hoping for three new Apple Watches today, you might be disappointed. However, Apple did reveal the largest Apple Watch display ever on the Series 10 wearable. The device is also thinner, delivering the bigger-but-slimmer update the company loves to give new devices. It’s lighter too, so all three of the design changes should make the wearable more comfy to… wear. And of course, the new display will be a key selling point for this updated model. 

That display is the standout update to me. The panel is said to be 40 percent brighter when viewed at an angles, which will make it so much easier to see Watch info at a glance. I tried on the Series 10 in the demo area here at Apple Park in both the 46mm and 42mm sizes. The larger of the two isn’t that much of burden for me as I’m rocking a 45mm Series 7 on the daily. Still, the OLED display is a massive upgrade over what I’m used to, and it will offer better performance over recent Apple Watches too. I also got a look at that screen update feature, which lets you see time and other info even when the display is in ambient mode. 

In addition to the new display, both it and the Apple Watch case have more rounded angles. Combine that with new finishes (hello, jet black!) and you’ve got the biggest update to Apple’s wearable since the Series 4 in terms of design. There are also a host of new features we weren’t able to test in the demo area, like the depth gauge and water temperature sensor, but we did get a brief look at the upcoming sleep apnea tool in Apple Health. 

Here, Apple Watch will monitor your sleep for breathing disturbances. Like other sleep metrics, you’ll see data for the current month, path six months and previous year, so you’ll be aware of any changes over time. Of course, the app will alert you if you might need to see a doctor, and it will offer all of the logged data for you to share when you do. Millions of people suffer from sleep apnea, so being able to detect the signs of the condition without time-consuming sleep testing will certainly be a welcome addition to Apple’s suite of health-tracking tools with Watch Series 10. 

The main aesthetic update to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a new black color option. And while there’s isn’t a ton to say there, I will note that it looks very nice. Plus, it provides some contrast for those people who didn’t care for the lighter silver option that was available before now. 

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/apple-watch-series-10-hands-on-bigger-lighter-and-thinner-than-ever-190000233.html?src=rss

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During Monday’s It’s Glowtime iPhone 16 launch event, Apple announced a new generation the AirPods 4. Last year, when Apple put a USB-C connector in the iPhone 15, it stuck one in the charging case for the second generation AirPods Pro, too. That’s the version Apple is sticking with for now — but the high-end buds are getting a ton of new hearing features as a software update this fall. The AirPods Max got some updates too, but the AirPods 4 were the only net-new audio devices. As for the new buds, the most notable features are probably addition of the optional active noise cancellation. They got for $129 without noise cancellation and $179 with it. They’re available for preorder now and will land in stores on September 20. Here’s how to pre-order them now.  

This is a developing post. Refresh for the latest updates…
Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/how-to-pre-order-the-apple-airpods-4-174518535.html?src=rss

During Monday’s It’s Glowtime iPhone 16 launch event, Apple announced a new generation the AirPods 4. Last year, when Apple put a USB-C connector in the iPhone 15, it stuck one in the charging case for the second generation AirPods Pro, too. That’s the version Apple is sticking with for now — but the high-end buds are getting a ton of new hearing features as a software update this fall. The AirPods Max got some updates too, but the AirPods 4 were the only net-new audio devices.

As for the new buds, the most notable features are probably addition of the optional active noise cancellation. They got for $129 without noise cancellation and $179 with it. They’re available for preorder now and will land in stores on September 20. Here’s how to pre-order them now.  

This is a developing post. Refresh for the latest updates…

Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/how-to-pre-order-the-apple-airpods-4-174518535.html?src=rss

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