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Instant cameras have become a popular category for one simple reason: they’re fun. You can whip one out at a party or event and take a snap, then a couple of minutes later you have a real, physical photo that everyone can touch, feel and enjoy instead of staring at a screen. It’s also a lot cooler than a smartphone shot thanks to the retro, nostalgic vibes.Given the large number of models on the market, choosing one can be tricky. That’s why we’ve put together this buying guide that will help you choose the best instant camera for you based on factors like price, film size, photo quality and more.
What to consider before buying an instant camera
The main factor for most people is the size of the film. Fujifilm’s Instax alone offers three formats: Mini, Square and Wide, with film sizes of 3.4 x 2.1 inches, 3.4 x 2.8 inches and 3.4 x 4.3 inches. The corresponding image sizes are 2.44 x 1.81 inches, 2.44 x 2.44 inches and 2.44 x 3.9 inches.
Leica’s Sofort 2 and Lomography models also uses Fujifilm’s Mini format, while Polaroid’s smaller Go format is 2.64 x 2.13 inches (1.81 x 1.83-inch image) and its i-Type size is 3.46 x 4.21 inches, with a square image size of 3.11 x 3.11 inches.
When most people think of retro instant cameras, they think of a square image size. That’s why Instagram, which used to have a Polaroid-like app icon, only supported square images for years. If that’s what you want, then Fuji’s Square or either of Polaroid’s formats are best. However, if you want as large an image as possible, Fujifilm’s Instax wide is the way to go.
As for prices, Fujifilm’s Instax films are generally around $1 per shot for square or wide color film and $.60 – $.75 for mini color film. Those prices go up a bit if you choose custom models with colorful or patterned borders, and down if you buy in bulk. Polaroid’s i-Type film is a bit more at about $1.50 per shot or $1.00 per shot for Go color film.
Image quality isn’t really the point with instant cameras of course, as they’re always going to be fuzzy compared to digital photos. However, some models (notably Fujifilm and Polaroid models) are a bit better than others.
And in terms of pricing, cameras with larger film are generally more expensive. It also increases if you add hybrid features like USB-C connectivity, smartphone sharing, the ability to print out photos and more, along with niceties like a selfie mirror. The best, most feature-laden cameras can cost upwards of $200 and basic versions can be well under $100.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/best-instant-camera-120034778.html?src=rss

Instant cameras have become a popular category for one simple reason: they’re fun. You can whip one out at a party or event and take a snap, then a couple of minutes later you have a real, physical photo that everyone can touch, feel and enjoy instead of staring at a screen. It’s also a lot cooler than a smartphone shot thanks to the retro, nostalgic vibes.

Given the large number of models on the market, choosing one can be tricky. That’s why we’ve put together this buying guide that will help you choose the best instant camera for you based on factors like price, film size, photo quality and more.

What to consider before buying an instant camera

The main factor for most people is the size of the film. Fujifilm’s Instax alone offers three formats: Mini, Square and Wide, with film sizes of 3.4 x 2.1 inches, 3.4 x 2.8 inches and 3.4 x 4.3 inches. The corresponding image sizes are 2.44 x 1.81 inches, 2.44 x 2.44 inches and 2.44 x 3.9 inches.

Leica’s Sofort 2 and Lomography models also uses Fujifilm’s Mini format, while Polaroid’s smaller Go format is 2.64 x 2.13 inches (1.81 x 1.83-inch image) and its i-Type size is 3.46 x 4.21 inches, with a square image size of 3.11 x 3.11 inches.

When most people think of retro instant cameras, they think of a square image size. That’s why Instagram, which used to have a Polaroid-like app icon, only supported square images for years. If that’s what you want, then Fuji’s Square or either of Polaroid’s formats are best. However, if you want as large an image as possible, Fujifilm’s Instax wide is the way to go.

As for prices, Fujifilm’s Instax films are generally around $1 per shot for square or wide color film and $.60 – $.75 for mini color film. Those prices go up a bit if you choose custom models with colorful or patterned borders, and down if you buy in bulk. Polaroid’s i-Type film is a bit more at about $1.50 per shot or $1.00 per shot for Go color film.

Image quality isn’t really the point with instant cameras of course, as they’re always going to be fuzzy compared to digital photos. However, some models (notably Fujifilm and Polaroid models) are a bit better than others.

And in terms of pricing, cameras with larger film are generally more expensive. It also increases if you add hybrid features like USB-C connectivity, smartphone sharing, the ability to print out photos and more, along with niceties like a selfie mirror. The best, most feature-laden cameras can cost upwards of $200 and basic versions can be well under $100.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/best-instant-camera-120034778.html?src=rss

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Misinformation is all over the internet, including the — at times — chaos that is X (formerly Twitter). AI bots have a habit of adding to it. Now, with barely two months left until the presidential election, an update to Grok, X’s premium chatbot, could curve some of it (after being called out for said election misinformation). Grok will now direct anyone with an election-related query to Vote.org, a non-partisan website operated through a partnership between the US government, the US Election Assistance Commission and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
The catalyst for change came on July 21, only hours after President Biden announced his decision not to seek reelection, when Grok falsely posted that the ballot deadline had passed in nine states, implying officials couldn’t change the democratic candidate. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon had staff attempt to contact X about the error, to which they received the response, “Busy now, please check back later.” Grok continued to share the response for ten days. 
Secretary Simon joined the Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington Secretaries of State — all states wrongly named by Grok — in writing an open letter to X and xAI CEO Elon Musk calling for Grok to direct any election queries to CanIVote.org, another non-partisan resource. They claimed Grok’s response, though only available to X Premium and Premium+ subscribers, reached “millions of people” due to screenshots and shares. 
The letter also shamed Grok and xAI a bit further, explaining how its competitor, OpenAI, had teamed up with the National Association of Secretaries of State to provide accurate, up-to-date election information. It also mentioned that OpenAI’s bot, ChatGPT, was already programmed to direct users to CanIVote.org if it received questions about the US election.
The update is a start. The bot has also created misleading images of the top party candidates. “We appreciate X’s action to improve their platform and hope they continue to make improvements that will ensure their users have access to accurate information from trusted sources in this critical election year,” the Secretaries of State said in response to the update. “Elections are a team effort, and we need and welcome any partners who are committed to ensuring free, fair, secure, and accurate elections.” This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/xs-grok-chatbot-now-directs-election-queries-to-votegov-114516549.html?src=rss

Misinformation is all over the internet, including the — at times — chaos that is X (formerly Twitter). AI bots have a habit of adding to it. Now, with barely two months left until the presidential election, an update to Grok, X’s premium chatbot, could curve some of it (after being called out for said election misinformation). Grok will now direct anyone with an election-related query to Vote.org, a non-partisan website operated through a partnership between the US government, the US Election Assistance Commission and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

The catalyst for change came on July 21, only hours after President Biden announced his decision not to seek reelection, when Grok falsely posted that the ballot deadline had passed in nine states, implying officials couldn’t change the democratic candidate. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon had staff attempt to contact X about the error, to which they received the response, “Busy now, please check back later.” Grok continued to share the response for ten days. 

Secretary Simon joined the Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Washington Secretaries of State — all states wrongly named by Grok — in writing an open letter to X and xAI CEO Elon Musk calling for Grok to direct any election queries to CanIVote.org, another non-partisan resource. They claimed Grok’s response, though only available to X Premium and Premium+ subscribers, reached “millions of people” due to screenshots and shares. 

The letter also shamed Grok and xAI a bit further, explaining how its competitor, OpenAI, had teamed up with the National Association of Secretaries of State to provide accurate, up-to-date election information. It also mentioned that OpenAI’s bot, ChatGPT, was already programmed to direct users to CanIVote.org if it received questions about the US election.

The update is a start. The bot has also created misleading images of the top party candidates. “We appreciate X’s action to improve their platform and hope they continue to make improvements that will ensure their users have access to accurate information from trusted sources in this critical election year,” the Secretaries of State said in response to the update. “Elections are a team effort, and we need and welcome any partners who are committed to ensuring free, fair, secure, and accurate elections.” 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/xs-grok-chatbot-now-directs-election-queries-to-votegov-114516549.html?src=rss

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As a regular reader of TMA, you might have picked up on regular references to the addictive card-game-that-isn’t-a-card-game, Balatro. If you want to get technical, it’s a single-player poker-themed rogue-like deck builder game where you build and modify your decks with powerful joker cards to overcome scores that increase in each round. (I am aware of how boring that makes it sound, but trust me: It’s amazing)
If you’re not playing it yet, get on it. The makers have announced a collaboration with a handful of games, introducing new themed decks based on The Witcher, Vampire Survivors (another addictive game recently added to Apple Arcade), Dave the Diver and Among Us.
These themed decks are seemingly the only twist. There are no super-powered new jokers, but a new challenge is welcome. Now, where’s that mobile version? According to the creator of Black Mirror, it could end humanity.
— Mat Smith
The biggest stories you might have missed

The biggest announcements from Nintendo Direct
The best daily online games and puzzles
Date Everything! will let you romance objects on October 24

​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

Telegram CEO charges include distributing CSAM and money laundering
There are 12 charges in total.

French authorities have arrested Telegram boss Pavel Durov on charges that include money laundering and distributing child pornography. The charges reportedly come from a judicial investigation opened in July against an unnamed individual. The arrest has sparked debate around how much responsibility platform owners have for content on their platforms. Telegram denies the charges, while Elon Musk (ugh) has called for Durov’s release. French President Emmanuel Macron defended the arrest, stating France is committed to upholding the law.
Continue reading.

Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ laptop review
A capable AI PC but issues with Windows on Arm.

The XPS 13 is a capable and stylish Copilot+ PC, but it’s still slower than the Intel model, at times. On top of that, it doesn’t run some games and apps. Sadly, battery life is also surprisingly average. With an NPU capable of 45TOPS, the laptop is better equipped for future AI features.
Continue reading.

The retro Barbie flip phone arrives only 15 months after the movie
It’s set to launch in October.

HMD’s Barbie Phone finally has pricing and release info. The Mattel-sanctioned hot pink flip-phone launches in October — only 15 months after Greta Gerwig’s movie hit theaters! — for $129. Better late than never? Or just… never?
Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-why-arent-you-playing-balatro-yet-111600293.html?src=rss

As a regular reader of TMA, you might have picked up on regular references to the addictive card-game-that-isn’t-a-card-game, Balatro. If you want to get technical, it’s a single-player poker-themed rogue-like deck builder game where you build and modify your decks with powerful joker cards to overcome scores that increase in each round. (I am aware of how boring that makes it sound, but trust me: It’s amazing)

If you’re not playing it yet, get on it. The makers have announced a collaboration with a handful of games, introducing new themed decks based on The Witcher, Vampire Survivors (another addictive game recently added to Apple Arcade), Dave the Diver and Among Us.

These themed decks are seemingly the only twist. There are no super-powered new jokers, but a new challenge is welcome. Now, where’s that mobile version? According to the creator of Black Mirror, it could end humanity.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

The biggest announcements from Nintendo Direct

The best daily online games and puzzles

Date Everything! will let you romance objects on October 24

​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

Telegram CEO charges include distributing CSAM and money laundering

There are 12 charges in total.

French authorities have arrested Telegram boss Pavel Durov on charges that include money laundering and distributing child pornography. The charges reportedly come from a judicial investigation opened in July against an unnamed individual. The arrest has sparked debate around how much responsibility platform owners have for content on their platforms. Telegram denies the charges, while Elon Musk (ugh) has called for Durov’s release. French President Emmanuel Macron defended the arrest, stating France is committed to upholding the law.

Continue reading.

Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ laptop review

A capable AI PC but issues with Windows on Arm.

The XPS 13 is a capable and stylish Copilot+ PC, but it’s still slower than the Intel model, at times. On top of that, it doesn’t run some games and apps. Sadly, battery life is also surprisingly average. With an NPU capable of 45TOPS, the laptop is better equipped for future AI features.

Continue reading.

The retro Barbie flip phone arrives only 15 months after the movie

It’s set to launch in October.

HMD’s Barbie Phone finally has pricing and release info. The Mattel-sanctioned hot pink flip-phone launches in October — only 15 months after Greta Gerwig’s movie hit theaters! — for $129. Better late than never? Or just… never?

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-why-arent-you-playing-balatro-yet-111600293.html?src=rss

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HMD’s Barbie Phone, the novelty device for Y2K-nostalgic hot pink aficionados, finally has pricing and release info. The Mattel-sanctioned champion of tardy movie tie-ins launches in October — only 15 months after Greta Gerwig’s movie hit theaters! — for $129.
The handset is the creation of Human Mobile Devices (HMD), which currently owns the branding rights to Nokia phones. Rather than a smartphone replacement, the Barbie Phone is a retro-styled flip phone (positively Nokida-esque) with a T9 keyboard and no third-party apps in sight. The company pitches it as “the perfect tool to live your best life and take a vacation from your smartphone.”
You won’t find any social media apps, but the phone still makes calls and sends texts. When powering the handset up, you’ll be greeted by a “Hi Barbie” voice before you fire up Malibu Snake for a tribute to OG mobile gaming. Its keypad (in “Barbie pink,” of course) has hidden designs like palm trees, hearts and flamingos that light up in the dark. Because why the hell not?!
HMD
The Barbie Phone has a 5MP camera with a flash that “delivers authentic Y2K style images.” It ships with two alternate covers in addition to the standard one. The two plates include one honoring “the brightly colored swirls of the 1992’s iconic Totally Hair Barbie doll” and another with a shooting-heart design.
Also in the box is a pastel-beaded phone strap that you can adorn with charms like a tiny roller skate or a “Barbie doll-sized ice cream.” You’ll also get sparkly stick-on gems and retro vintage Barbie stickers (including flowers, flamingos and rainbows) to decorate the phone to your heart’s content. It even has a pink USB-C charger.
Naturally, the phone has a Barbie-themed user interface (described as “achingly easy to navigate”), themed wallpapers and app icons. Since HMD is branding the handset as a vacation from smartphone hell, it even includes a digital well-being app.
The Barbie Phone will be available on October 1 for $129. It will ship unlocked and ready to activate on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon networks. You can pre-order it from HMD’s website beginning on September 23.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/the-retro-barbie-flip-phone-arrives-in-october-only-15-months-after-the-movie-230136984.html?src=rss

HMD’s Barbie Phone, the novelty device for Y2K-nostalgic hot pink aficionados, finally has pricing and release info. The Mattel-sanctioned champion of tardy movie tie-ins launches in October — only 15 months after Greta Gerwig’s movie hit theaters! — for $129.

The handset is the creation of Human Mobile Devices (HMD), which currently owns the branding rights to Nokia phones. Rather than a smartphone replacement, the Barbie Phone is a retro-styled flip phone (positively Nokida-esque) with a T9 keyboard and no third-party apps in sight. The company pitches it as “the perfect tool to live your best life and take a vacation from your smartphone.”

You won’t find any social media apps, but the phone still makes calls and sends texts. When powering the handset up, you’ll be greeted by a “Hi Barbie” voice before you fire up Malibu Snake for a tribute to OG mobile gaming. Its keypad (in “Barbie pink,” of course) has hidden designs like palm trees, hearts and flamingos that light up in the dark. Because why the hell not?!

The Barbie Phone has a 5MP camera with a flash that “delivers authentic Y2K style images.” It ships with two alternate covers in addition to the standard one. The two plates include one honoring “the brightly colored swirls of the 1992’s iconic Totally Hair Barbie doll” and another with a shooting-heart design.

Also in the box is a pastel-beaded phone strap that you can adorn with charms like a tiny roller skate or a “Barbie doll-sized ice cream.” You’ll also get sparkly stick-on gems and retro vintage Barbie stickers (including flowers, flamingos and rainbows) to decorate the phone to your heart’s content. It even has a pink USB-C charger.

Naturally, the phone has a Barbie-themed user interface (described as “achingly easy to navigate”), themed wallpapers and app icons. Since HMD is branding the handset as a vacation from smartphone hell, it even includes a digital well-being app.

The Barbie Phone will be available on October 1 for $129. It will ship unlocked and ready to activate on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon networks. You can pre-order it from HMD’s website beginning on September 23.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/the-retro-barbie-flip-phone-arrives-in-october-only-15-months-after-the-movie-230136984.html?src=rss

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Electrek reports that a solar energy company is renting 8.5 million square feet of roof space from the National Storage Affiliates Trust’s (NSA) buildings for its newest solar panel project.
The commercial and community solar developer Solar Landscape’s new rooftop solar panel grid on the NSA’s 1,052 self-storage facilities and properties across 42 states and Puerto Rico are expected to produce at least 100 megawatts of solar capacity. The NSA, headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, is one of the nation’s largest self-storage operators with brands like iStorage, Move It, Northwest and SecurCare.
These solar energy panels won’t just generate power for the NSA’s facilities. The panels will also provide clean power to nearby businesses and homes for a discounted price.
One of the challenges of implementing solar energy is finding enough space for the solar panels. These panels can take up a lot of space, like the Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant that set a world record in 2019 with 3.2 million solar panels taking up over 3 square miles of space.
Solar Landscape and the NSA may have found an interesting solution to solar panel projects’ space problem. If this partnership is successful, it could inspire similar deals for other communities looking to benefit from solar power technology.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/self-storage-rooftops-will-become-a-nationwide-100mw-solar-farm-223004138.html?src=rss

Electrek reports that a solar energy company is renting 8.5 million square feet of roof space from the National Storage Affiliates Trust’s (NSA) buildings for its newest solar panel project.

The commercial and community solar developer Solar Landscape’s new rooftop solar panel grid on the NSA’s 1,052 self-storage facilities and properties across 42 states and Puerto Rico are expected to produce at least 100 megawatts of solar capacity. The NSA, headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, is one of the nation’s largest self-storage operators with brands like iStorage, Move It, Northwest and SecurCare.

These solar energy panels won’t just generate power for the NSA’s facilities. The panels will also provide clean power to nearby businesses and homes for a discounted price.

One of the challenges of implementing solar energy is finding enough space for the solar panels. These panels can take up a lot of space, like the Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant that set a world record in 2019 with 3.2 million solar panels taking up over 3 square miles of space.

Solar Landscape and the NSA may have found an interesting solution to solar panel projects’ space problem. If this partnership is successful, it could inspire similar deals for other communities looking to benefit from solar power technology.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/self-storage-rooftops-will-become-a-nationwide-100mw-solar-farm-223004138.html?src=rss

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Google Meet is getting a new AI tool called take notes for me, which will generate summaries of key points during a video call. Rather than offering a word-by-word transcription, this feature uses Gemini AI to record key discussion points in a Google Doc that will appear in the meeting owner’s Google Drive. The document can be automatically sent to the attendees or added to the calendar event after the call. It will also include links to the meeting recording and transcript if those features have been enabled.
Google Workspace customers with the Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education Premium, and AI Meetings & Messaging add-ons will be the first to have access to this note-taking feature. Its use is currently limited to English language and to meetings on computers or laptops.
The tech company announced plans to include generative AI in more services last year, and has been aggressive in putting AI features into its hardware and software since then. Its Gemini AI assistant is getting baked into Android and into its Workspace apps. As always, the usefulness of these features may vary depending on how well the AI works and how accurate it is. The specter of Google’s AI Overviews telling people to eat glue pizza will likely continue to hang over its ongoing efforts in this space.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-gemini-ai-can-now-take-notes-on-your-meet-video-calls-215741583.html?src=rss

Google Meet is getting a new AI tool called take notes for me, which will generate summaries of key points during a video call. Rather than offering a word-by-word transcription, this feature uses Gemini AI to record key discussion points in a Google Doc that will appear in the meeting owner’s Google Drive. The document can be automatically sent to the attendees or added to the calendar event after the call. It will also include links to the meeting recording and transcript if those features have been enabled.

Google Workspace customers with the Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education Premium, and AI Meetings & Messaging add-ons will be the first to have access to this note-taking feature. Its use is currently limited to English language and to meetings on computers or laptops.

The tech company announced plans to include generative AI in more services last year, and has been aggressive in putting AI features into its hardware and software since then. Its Gemini AI assistant is getting baked into Android and into its Workspace apps. As always, the usefulness of these features may vary depending on how well the AI works and how accurate it is. The specter of Google’s AI Overviews telling people to eat glue pizza will likely continue to hang over its ongoing efforts in this space.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-gemini-ai-can-now-take-notes-on-your-meet-video-calls-215741583.html?src=rss

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Lyft is piloting its own rider verification program, much as Uber did earlier this year. This feature confirms to drivers that the person getting in their vehicle is who they say they are. The program is launching first in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Miami, Phoenix and Seattle.
Lyft will confirm riders’ legal names using third-party databases, but has not disclosed which services it is using. If a rider is unable to be verified in one of those unspecified databases, they can also provide a government ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or state ID card in order to be verified. Once a rider completes the process, drivers will see a verification badge on that person’s profile.
For now, at least, the verification process isn’t mandatory, although Lyft’s FAQ says that “riders are highly encouraged to participate.” If the program works as Lyft is expecting, then drivers may be more inclined to accept requests from verified riders (and unverified riders could see longer wait times.)
Ridesharing poses significant safety risks for drivers. Between 2017 and 2019, Lyft received more than 4,000 reports of sexual assault (though it did not differentiate between those allegedly committed against drivers vs passengers). Driving gig workers also face the risk of carjacking and other violent crimes. The hope is that verification programs like this one could make drivers feel more at ease when letting a stranger into their vehicle. One of Lyft’s other recent measures to improve driver safety is the Women+ Connect feature, which was expanded to more cities in February.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lyft-is-testing-a-new-rider-verification-safety-measure-201515898.html?src=rss

Lyft is piloting its own rider verification program, much as Uber did earlier this year. This feature confirms to drivers that the person getting in their vehicle is who they say they are. The program is launching first in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Miami, Phoenix and Seattle.

Lyft will confirm riders’ legal names using third-party databases, but has not disclosed which services it is using. If a rider is unable to be verified in one of those unspecified databases, they can also provide a government ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or state ID card in order to be verified. Once a rider completes the process, drivers will see a verification badge on that person’s profile.

For now, at least, the verification process isn’t mandatory, although Lyft’s FAQ says that “riders are highly encouraged to participate.” If the program works as Lyft is expecting, then drivers may be more inclined to accept requests from verified riders (and unverified riders could see longer wait times.)

Ridesharing poses significant safety risks for drivers. Between 2017 and 2019, Lyft received more than 4,000 reports of sexual assault (though it did not differentiate between those allegedly committed against drivers vs passengers). Driving gig workers also face the risk of carjacking and other violent crimes. The hope is that verification programs like this one could make drivers feel more at ease when letting a stranger into their vehicle. One of Lyft’s other recent measures to improve driver safety is the Women+ Connect feature, which was expanded to more cities in February.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lyft-is-testing-a-new-rider-verification-safety-measure-201515898.html?src=rss

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It’s only been four months since we reviewed the latest Intel version of the XPS 13, but now Dell has released a model built for Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI PC initiative. It’s running Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, making it an Arm-based laptop like the recent Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. But with that mobile-focused hardware comes new expectations: More battery efficiency than Intel’s x86 chips, as well dramatically faster AI capabilities thanks to its beefier NPU (neural processing unit). As with all Arm-based Windows systems, though, there’s also the potential for trouble with older x86 apps, which may run slowly through emulation or simply not launch at all.
It’s undoubtedly a chaotic time for the PC industry, as chipmakers and PC companies build for an uncertain AI-powered future. For consumers, that just means confusion. That’s partially why Microsoft kicked off the Copilot+ program to begin with, since it requires system makers to include at least 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and an NPU with at least 40 TOPS (tera-ops per second) of AI performance. If it says Copilot+ on the box, it should be a decent PC.
So does this XPS 13 live up to the Copilot+ branding? Mostly, it turns out. And it’s fascinating to see how it compares to the current Intel version of the very same product.

What’s new about the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?
The biggest addition to this XPS 13 — and the main reason we’re reviewing it — is that Snapdragon X Elite chip. Everything else about this XPS 13 is the same as the previous iteration. There’s its strikingly minimalist design, with an “invisible” touchpad that blends into the wrist rest, as well as large-capped keys running edge-to-edge. And don’t forget the capacitive function row, which remains a baffling feature.
If you want a deeper take on the XPS 13’s design, just take a look at my previous review. In short, though, it’s a machine that basically prioritizes looks over usability. It’s light, sturdy and dramatically different from every other laptop out there. But to get there, Dell made the trackpad harder to use (it’s not quite as accurate as Apple’s MacBooks or Microsoft’s Surface PCs), and its capacitive function row is simply a pain.
As for the XPS 13’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, it features 12 cores running up to 3.4GHz, with a dual-core boot reaching 4GHz. In comparison, the Intel variant’s Core Ultra 7 155H chip offers 16 cores and reaches up to 4.8GHz. Qualcomm has the advantage with a more powerful 45 TOPS NPU, compared to Intel’s 10 TOPS, but I haven’t found that to make a huge difference with the few AI features in Windows 11 today. As the benchmarks below show, bigger chip numbers don’t always lead to better performance.

PCMark 10
Geekbench 6 CPU
3DMark Wildlife Extreme
Cinebench 2024

Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ (Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite)
14,024 (Applications)
2,621/14,194
6,191
122/748

Microsoft Surface Pro (2024, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite)
12,615 (Applications)
2,769/13,842
6,430
120/770

Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Intel Arc)
6,806
2,276/11,490
4,579
90/453

Apple MacBook Air (M3)
N/A
3,190/12,102
8,310
141/490

What’s good about the XPS 13 Copilot+?
In short, this XPS 13 delivers most of what you’d want from a modern ultraportable, while also preparing you for a potential future with more AI-powered apps and features. It’s attractive, fast (for most apps, anyway) and sturdy. It’s also the perfect system if you want to stand out a bit, since it looks unlike any other laptop out there.

It runs most productivity apps well, and had no problem multitasking when I had dozens of tabs open across Chrome and Edge, while video conferencing in Zoom and chatting with colleagues on Slack.
Across most benchmarks like Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024, this XPS 13 easily trounced its Intel sibling by several thousand points.
Qualcomm’s 45 TOPS Snapdragon X Elite NPU makes the Copilot+ XPS 13 more future-proof than the current Intel model.
Dell’s XPS 13 keyboard is lusciously wide and delivers excellent feedback. It may take a bit of getting used to though, since the spacing differs from most other notebooks.
I tested the XPS 13’s base-level 1080p+ non-touchscreen display, and while it wasn’t as glorious as the OLED-equipped XPS devices I’ve seen, it still looked sharp and colorful.
As always, Dell’s thin InfinityEdge bezels also help the screen pop even more.

Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

What’s bad about the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?
Take most of the downsides from the Intel version of the XPS 13, as well as problems still plaguing Arm-based Windows devices like the Surface Pro, and you’ve got the big issues with the XPS 13 Copilot+ PC.

Some emulated x86 apps like Evernote run into noticeable slowdowns. I often encountered lag when switching between notes, as well as scrolling down long documents.
The built-in AI features in Paint and Photos are mostly useless, and it’s still unclear when the long-awaited Recall feature will arrive for general users.
We also don’t know when to expect any other AI features in the OS, or when other developers will start releasing more AI capabilities in their apps.
Battery life was average compared to most Windows PCs and surprisingly low for an Arm-based system. It reached seven hours and 48 minutes in the PCMark 10 Applications battery benchmark, which was far below the 13 hours and 15 minutes the Intel XPS 13 hit in the Modern Office PCMark test. Microsoft’s Surface Pro Copilot+ system, meanwhile, lasted for twelve hours and 15 minutes in the Applications test.
Games like Fortnite, Destiny 2 and League of Legends won’t run on the XPS 13, because their anti-cheat software isn’t compatible with Arm chips.
I’m still not a fan of the XPS 13’s invisible trackpad. It’s sometimes hard to locate and swiping around isn’t as smooth as on Apple’s MacBook Air.
The XPS 13 desperately needs more than two USB-C ports, otherwise many users will be stuck living the dongle life.
The capacitive function row still disappears in direct sunlight and it’s impossible to use without directly looking at it. After all, it’s hard to build up touch typing memory without physical keys.

Check out those disappearing function buttons!

Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

Should you buy the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?
The XPS 13 typically starts at $1,300 with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. At the time of this review, it’s currently on sale for $999, but it’s unclear how long that discount will last. The Intel model also starts at $1,300 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but you’ll have to add another $100 to get 16GB of memory. (The Intel XPS 13 was recently marked down to $1,200, so don’t be surprised if you see Dell’s prices fluctuate frequently.)
If you need a powerful 13-inch laptop right now, the XPS 13 Copilot+ is a solid choice. Just be wary of the downsides and potential software issues I mentioned above. If you’re on the fence, though, it may be worth waiting until Dell refreshes the XPS 13 once again with Intel’s new Lunar Lake CPU. That’s expected to arrive this fall, and it’ll feature an NPU that’s even faster than the Snapdragon X Elite’s. And since it’s an x86 chip, the Lunar Lake XPS 13 won’t have to emulate older software, and it will also be able to run games like Fortnite.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/dell-xps-13-copilot-review-a-capable-ai-pc-but-windows-on-arm-issues-remain-200050685.html?src=rss

It’s only been four months since we reviewed the latest Intel version of the XPS 13, but now Dell has released a model built for Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI PC initiative. It’s running Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, making it an Arm-based laptop like the recent Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. But with that mobile-focused hardware comes new expectations: More battery efficiency than Intel’s x86 chips, as well dramatically faster AI capabilities thanks to its beefier NPU (neural processing unit). As with all Arm-based Windows systems, though, there’s also the potential for trouble with older x86 apps, which may run slowly through emulation or simply not launch at all.

It’s undoubtedly a chaotic time for the PC industry, as chipmakers and PC companies build for an uncertain AI-powered future. For consumers, that just means confusion. That’s partially why Microsoft kicked off the Copilot+ program to begin with, since it requires system makers to include at least 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and an NPU with at least 40 TOPS (tera-ops per second) of AI performance. If it says Copilot+ on the box, it should be a decent PC.

So does this XPS 13 live up to the Copilot+ branding? Mostly, it turns out. And it’s fascinating to see how it compares to the current Intel version of the very same product.

What’s new about the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?

The biggest addition to this XPS 13 — and the main reason we’re reviewing it — is that Snapdragon X Elite chip. Everything else about this XPS 13 is the same as the previous iteration. There’s its strikingly minimalist design, with an “invisible” touchpad that blends into the wrist rest, as well as large-capped keys running edge-to-edge. And don’t forget the capacitive function row, which remains a baffling feature.

If you want a deeper take on the XPS 13’s design, just take a look at my previous review. In short, though, it’s a machine that basically prioritizes looks over usability. It’s light, sturdy and dramatically different from every other laptop out there. But to get there, Dell made the trackpad harder to use (it’s not quite as accurate as Apple’s MacBooks or Microsoft’s Surface PCs), and its capacitive function row is simply a pain.

As for the XPS 13’s new Snapdragon X Elite chip, it features 12 cores running up to 3.4GHz, with a dual-core boot reaching 4GHz. In comparison, the Intel variant’s Core Ultra 7 155H chip offers 16 cores and reaches up to 4.8GHz. Qualcomm has the advantage with a more powerful 45 TOPS NPU, compared to Intel’s 10 TOPS, but I haven’t found that to make a huge difference with the few AI features in Windows 11 today. As the benchmarks below show, bigger chip numbers don’t always lead to better performance.

PCMark 10

Geekbench 6 CPU

3DMark Wildlife Extreme

Cinebench 2024

Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ (Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite)

14,024 (Applications)

2,621/14,194

6,191

122/748

Microsoft Surface Pro (2024, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite)

12,615 (Applications)

2,769/13,842

6,430

120/770

Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Intel Arc)

6,806

2,276/11,490

4,579

90/453

Apple MacBook Air (M3)

N/A

3,190/12,102

8,310

141/490

What’s good about the XPS 13 Copilot+?

In short, this XPS 13 delivers most of what you’d want from a modern ultraportable, while also preparing you for a potential future with more AI-powered apps and features. It’s attractive, fast (for most apps, anyway) and sturdy. It’s also the perfect system if you want to stand out a bit, since it looks unlike any other laptop out there.

It runs most productivity apps well, and had no problem multitasking when I had dozens of tabs open across Chrome and Edge, while video conferencing in Zoom and chatting with colleagues on Slack.

Across most benchmarks like Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024, this XPS 13 easily trounced its Intel sibling by several thousand points.

Qualcomm’s 45 TOPS Snapdragon X Elite NPU makes the Copilot+ XPS 13 more future-proof than the current Intel model.

Dell’s XPS 13 keyboard is lusciously wide and delivers excellent feedback. It may take a bit of getting used to though, since the spacing differs from most other notebooks.

I tested the XPS 13’s base-level 1080p+ non-touchscreen display, and while it wasn’t as glorious as the OLED-equipped XPS devices I’ve seen, it still looked sharp and colorful.

As always, Dell’s thin InfinityEdge bezels also help the screen pop even more.

What’s bad about the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?

Take most of the downsides from the Intel version of the XPS 13, as well as problems still plaguing Arm-based Windows devices like the Surface Pro, and you’ve got the big issues with the XPS 13 Copilot+ PC.

Some emulated x86 apps like Evernote run into noticeable slowdowns. I often encountered lag when switching between notes, as well as scrolling down long documents.

The built-in AI features in Paint and Photos are mostly useless, and it’s still unclear when the long-awaited Recall feature will arrive for general users.

We also don’t know when to expect any other AI features in the OS, or when other developers will start releasing more AI capabilities in their apps.

Battery life was average compared to most Windows PCs and surprisingly low for an Arm-based system. It reached seven hours and 48 minutes in the PCMark 10 Applications battery benchmark, which was far below the 13 hours and 15 minutes the Intel XPS 13 hit in the Modern Office PCMark test. Microsoft’s Surface Pro Copilot+ system, meanwhile, lasted for twelve hours and 15 minutes in the Applications test.

Games like Fortnite, Destiny 2 and League of Legends won’t run on the XPS 13, because their anti-cheat software isn’t compatible with Arm chips.

I’m still not a fan of the XPS 13’s invisible trackpad. It’s sometimes hard to locate and swiping around isn’t as smooth as on Apple’s MacBook Air.

The XPS 13 desperately needs more than two USB-C ports, otherwise many users will be stuck living the dongle life.

The capacitive function row still disappears in direct sunlight and it’s impossible to use without directly looking at it. After all, it’s hard to build up touch typing memory without physical keys.

Check out those disappearing function buttons!

Should you buy the XPS 13 Copilot+ AI PC?

The XPS 13 typically starts at $1,300 with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. At the time of this review, it’s currently on sale for $999, but it’s unclear how long that discount will last. The Intel model also starts at $1,300 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but you’ll have to add another $100 to get 16GB of memory. (The Intel XPS 13 was recently marked down to $1,200, so don’t be surprised if you see Dell’s prices fluctuate frequently.)

If you need a powerful 13-inch laptop right now, the XPS 13 Copilot+ is a solid choice. Just be wary of the downsides and potential software issues I mentioned above. If you’re on the fence, though, it may be worth waiting until Dell refreshes the XPS 13 once again with Intel’s new Lunar Lake CPU. That’s expected to arrive this fall, and it’ll feature an NPU that’s even faster than the Snapdragon X Elite’s. And since it’s an x86 chip, the Lunar Lake XPS 13 won’t have to emulate older software, and it will also be able to run games like Fortnite.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/dell-xps-13-copilot-review-a-capable-ai-pc-but-windows-on-arm-issues-remain-200050685.html?src=rss

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X, in its quest to become an “everything app,” is working a new feature that seems to be geared more for its own employees than its actual users. The company is testing its own version of Zoom, called X Conference.
X employee Chris Park said the company was testing the tool internally, in a post on X spotted by TechCrunch. Based on Park’s screenshot and description of the tool, it sounds like it’s a fairly basic version of multi-person video conferencing compared with Zoom or Google Meet. He said the ability to pin speakers and improved notifications are “likely coming” to the tool, which he claimed was “already a really strong alternative to Google Hangouts, Zoom, AWS Chime, and certainly… Microsoft Teams.” Elon Musk also briefly weighed in, posting a fire emoji in response to Park’s post.
First ever 𝕏 Conference meeting with some of my great @X and @XDevelopers teammates.Already a really strong alternative to Google Hangouts, Zoom, AWS Chime, and certainly… Microsoft Teams 🤠Minimal feedback that is likely coming:- better vis or notification when someone… pic.twitter.com/FJ252w6m4C— Chris Park (@chrisparkX) August 23, 2024

App researcher Nima Owji also spotted the feature earlier this month, posting a screenshot that indicates X Conference will support spatial audio and have built-in captions. But even with those features, it’s not at all clear that there is any demand for an X-owned video conferencing platform outside of its own employees.
The app already supports person-to-person video calls as well as public broadcasts over Spaces. X has repeatedly struggled with technical difficulties during high-profile streams, like Musk’s recent talk with Donald Trump. Musk blamed the issues on a “DDOS attack,” an explanation that has been questioned by some security experts and former employees.
While it’s unclear who X is targeting with its new video conferencing feature, it wouldn’t be the first time the company has ventured into seemingly corporate-friendly features. X also added a job search tool last year and Musk has said he wants X to make a “cool” version of LinkedIn.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-is-working-on-its-own-version-of-zoom-for-some-reason-194054470.html?src=rss

X, in its quest to become an “everything app,” is working a new feature that seems to be geared more for its own employees than its actual users. The company is testing its own version of Zoom, called X Conference.

X employee Chris Park said the company was testing the tool internally, in a post on X spotted by TechCrunch. Based on Park’s screenshot and description of the tool, it sounds like it’s a fairly basic version of multi-person video conferencing compared with Zoom or Google Meet. He said the ability to pin speakers and improved notifications are “likely coming” to the tool, which he claimed was “already a really strong alternative to Google Hangouts, Zoom, AWS Chime, and certainly… Microsoft Teams.” Elon Musk also briefly weighed in, posting a fire emoji in response to Park’s post.

App researcher Nima Owji also spotted the feature earlier this month, posting a screenshot that indicates X Conference will support spatial audio and have built-in captions. But even with those features, it’s not at all clear that there is any demand for an X-owned video conferencing platform outside of its own employees.

The app already supports person-to-person video calls as well as public broadcasts over Spaces. X has repeatedly struggled with technical difficulties during high-profile streams, like Musk’s recent talk with Donald Trump. Musk blamed the issues on a “DDOS attack,” an explanation that has been questioned by some security experts and former employees.

While it’s unclear who X is targeting with its new video conferencing feature, it wouldn’t be the first time the company has ventured into seemingly corporate-friendly features. X also added a job search tool last year and Musk has said he wants X to make a “cool” version of LinkedIn.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-is-working-on-its-own-version-of-zoom-for-some-reason-194054470.html?src=rss

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Samsung’s SmartTag 2 has dropped to a record-low price. Woot has a four-pack of the item trackers for only $60. That’s $40 off the bundle’s usual price and $10 under its previous low. Included in Engadget’s list of the best Bluetooth trackers, Samsung’s device supports Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for Samsung’s network of Galaxy phones.

Samsung’s second-gen AirTag alternative has an oblong design with a metal ring inside for improved durability. The accessory has IP67 dust and water resistance, an improvement over the previous model. If you want extra protection for the accessory, Samsung makes an optional silicone case for the tag.
The battery in the SmartTag 2 (a CR2032 watch battery) can last 500 days in Normal Mode or 700 days in Power Saving Mode. It also includes a Lost Mode, which lets anyone with an NFC-compatible device tap the tag to scan it and view the owner’s contact info (if you choose to share it) and an optional personalized message. And if you misplace an item with an attached tag, you can activate a Compass View, which displays its direction and distance from your phone.
The biggest limit is that the accessory isn’t universally compatible: It requires a Samsung phone or tablet running at least Android 8.0. Although the SmartTag 2 isn’t part of Google and Apple’s anti-stalking measures, rolled out earlier this year, Samsung included an “Unknown tag alerts” feature. This feature sends an alert to anyone the tag moves with, providing instructions to remove the battery and power it down if needed.
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/mobile/a-four-pack-of-samsung-smarttag-2-trackers-drops-to-60-for-labor-day-191955308.html?src=rss

Samsung’s SmartTag 2 has dropped to a record-low price. Woot has a four-pack of the item trackers for only $60. That’s $40 off the bundle’s usual price and $10 under its previous low. Included in Engadget’s list of the best Bluetooth trackers, Samsung’s device supports Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for Samsung’s network of Galaxy phones.

Samsung’s second-gen AirTag alternative has an oblong design with a metal ring inside for improved durability. The accessory has IP67 dust and water resistance, an improvement over the previous model. If you want extra protection for the accessory, Samsung makes an optional silicone case for the tag.

The battery in the SmartTag 2 (a CR2032 watch battery) can last 500 days in Normal Mode or 700 days in Power Saving Mode. It also includes a Lost Mode, which lets anyone with an NFC-compatible device tap the tag to scan it and view the owner’s contact info (if you choose to share it) and an optional personalized message. And if you misplace an item with an attached tag, you can activate a Compass View, which displays its direction and distance from your phone.

The biggest limit is that the accessory isn’t universally compatible: It requires a Samsung phone or tablet running at least Android 8.0. Although the SmartTag 2 isn’t part of Google and Apple’s anti-stalking measures, rolled out earlier this year, Samsung included an “Unknown tag alerts” feature. This feature sends an alert to anyone the tag moves with, providing instructions to remove the battery and power it down if needed.

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/mobile/a-four-pack-of-samsung-smarttag-2-trackers-drops-to-60-for-labor-day-191955308.html?src=rss

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