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Finally, it’s here. Google’s big hardware press event kicks off later today, and it looks to be an almost entirely Pixel-based affair, with more phones than ever.
First, the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro will be straight-up successors to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Rumors suggest Google will also introduce a Pixel 9 Pro XL, with a larger screen. We’re expecting all three phones to have a redesigned substantial camera module — the Pixel 9 is believed to have 50MP wide and 48MP ultrawide lenses — and Google may introduce a new chipset too, probably called the Tensor G4. Oh, and expect a new foldable to break cover too, with a ‘Pro’ moniker, but will it be even pricier this year?
Expect to hear more about Gemini, Google’s AI-powered assistant, and Android 15. The company has already said Gemini will be more deeply integrated into its next iteration of Android (goodbye, Google Assistant?) and will have better contextual awareness. We’re intrigued to see what shape all of that will take.
We predict Google will unveil a next-gen smartwatch and wireless buds, too. But to make sure, you can watch and read along with our liveblog or follow the Made By Google YouTube channel—or both!
We should also have hands-on impressions of everything Google lets us get our grubby paws on. The event kicks off today at 1PM ET.
— Mat Smith
The biggest stories you might have missed
Patreon will have to use Apple’s in-app purchase system or be removed from the App Store
Elon Musk claims ‘massive DDOS attack’ delayed his live stream with Donald Trump
Taskmaster VR doesn’t quite deliver on the promise of the TV show
​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

The Google Pixel Fold, one year later
More durable than expected
Engadget
On the eve of seeing its replacement (probably), how has Google’s first foldable fared? Our die-hard foldables expert, Sam Rutherford, made the Pixel Fold his main phone for the last year, and for added jeopardy, he doesn’t use a case. It’s not been an issue: It has myriad scuffs and scratches, some dents from being dropped and a few scrapes on its matte Gorilla Glass Victus back, but all of this is purely cosmetic. While he ended up fixing a cracked external screen due to multiple drops on a tile flooring, the bigger (foldable!) display has remained undamaged. The Pixel Fold is a lot tougher than we thought it would be.
Continue reading.

Valve’s new game doesn’t exist, but has racked up 16K concurrent players
Team shooter Deadlock is racing up the charts.

Valve’s next game, not yet officially announced, had 16,000-plus concurrent players over the weekend. We know it’s called Deadlock and that Valve was working on it for a while, so this is a soft launch of some kind. Reportedly in development since 2018, the game is a competitive MOBA shooter, billed as “the next Dota” by veteran Valve reporter Tyler McVicker.
The big question: Where’s my invite to play?
Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-googles-big-pixel-event-kicks-off-today-111503147.html?src=rss

Finally, it’s here. Google’s big hardware press event kicks off later today, and it looks to be an almost entirely Pixel-based affair, with more phones than ever.

First, the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro will be straight-up successors to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Rumors suggest Google will also introduce a Pixel 9 Pro XL, with a larger screen. We’re expecting all three phones to have a redesigned substantial camera module — the Pixel 9 is believed to have 50MP wide and 48MP ultrawide lenses — and Google may introduce a new chipset too, probably called the Tensor G4. Oh, and expect a new foldable to break cover too, with a ‘Pro’ moniker, but will it be even pricier this year?

Expect to hear more about Gemini, Google’s AI-powered assistant, and Android 15. The company has already said Gemini will be more deeply integrated into its next iteration of Android (goodbye, Google Assistant?) and will have better contextual awareness. We’re intrigued to see what shape all of that will take.

We predict Google will unveil a next-gen smartwatch and wireless buds, too. But to make sure, you can watch and read along with our liveblog or follow the Made By Google YouTube channel—or both!

We should also have hands-on impressions of everything Google lets us get our grubby paws on. The event kicks off today at 1PM ET.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

Patreon will have to use Apple’s in-app purchase system or be removed from the App Store

Elon Musk claims ‘massive DDOS attack’ delayed his live stream with Donald Trump

Taskmaster VR doesn’t quite deliver on the promise of the TV show

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

The Google Pixel Fold, one year later

More durable than expected

On the eve of seeing its replacement (probably), how has Google’s first foldable fared? Our die-hard foldables expert, Sam Rutherford, made the Pixel Fold his main phone for the last year, and for added jeopardy, he doesn’t use a case. It’s not been an issue: It has myriad scuffs and scratches, some dents from being dropped and a few scrapes on its matte Gorilla Glass Victus back, but all of this is purely cosmetic. While he ended up fixing a cracked external screen due to multiple drops on a tile flooring, the bigger (foldable!) display has remained undamaged. The Pixel Fold is a lot tougher than we thought it would be.

Continue reading.

Valve’s new game doesn’t exist, but has racked up 16K concurrent players

Team shooter Deadlock is racing up the charts.

Valve’s next game, not yet officially announced, had 16,000-plus concurrent players over the weekend. We know it’s called Deadlock and that Valve was working on it for a while, so this is a soft launch of some kind. Reportedly in development since 2018, the game is a competitive MOBA shooter, billed as “the next Dota” by veteran Valve reporter Tyler McVicker.

The big question: Where’s my invite to play?

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-googles-big-pixel-event-kicks-off-today-111503147.html?src=rss

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X’s live streaming infrastructure appears to have failed, once again, at a high-profile moment for the company. X owner Elon Musk was supposed to be interviewing Donald Trump live on Spaces, beginning at 8pm ET Monday. But the stream repeatedly crashed and was completely inaccessible to many users.
Musk claimed that the failure was due to a “massive DDOS [distributed denial of service] attack on X,” and that the company “tested the system with 8 million concurrent listeners earlier today.” Instead, only a “smaller number” of people will be able to listen to the conversation live. As of 8:30pm ET, the live stream had yet to begin. “Crashed,” “unable” and “Twitter blackout” trended on the platform.
Those who were able to join the stream were greeted with about a half hour of hold music followed by several minutes of total silence.
It’s not the first time a high-profile live stream on spaces has run into technical difficulties, Last year, Ron DeSantis attempted to announce his short-lived presidential bid during a live conversation with Musk on X, but that stream was also delayed after repeated crashes.
Developing…This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/elon-musk-claims-massive-ddos-attack-delayed-his-live-stream-with-donald-trump-004457451.html?src=rss

X’s live streaming infrastructure appears to have failed, once again, at a high-profile moment for the company. X owner Elon Musk was supposed to be interviewing Donald Trump live on Spaces, beginning at 8pm ET Monday. But the stream repeatedly crashed and was completely inaccessible to many users.

Musk claimed that the failure was due to a “massive DDOS [distributed denial of service] attack on X,” and that the company “tested the system with 8 million concurrent listeners earlier today.” Instead, only a “smaller number” of people will be able to listen to the conversation live. As of 8:30pm ET, the live stream had yet to begin. “Crashed,” “unable” and “Twitter blackout” trended on the platform.

Those who were able to join the stream were greeted with about a half hour of hold music followed by several minutes of total silence.

It’s not the first time a high-profile live stream on spaces has run into technical difficulties, Last year, Ron DeSantis attempted to announce his short-lived presidential bid during a live conversation with Musk on X, but that stream was also delayed after repeated crashes.

Developing…

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/elon-musk-claims-massive-ddos-attack-delayed-his-live-stream-with-donald-trump-004457451.html?src=rss

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Apple takes a lot of strong positions, but their ultimate hill to die on might just be requiring apps to make purchases through the tech giant. The latest example comes from Patreon, which announced that Apple is requiring it to switch over to the iOS in-app purchase system or risk expulsion. Patreon’s entire purpose is to allow creators to offer “patrons” memberships in exchange for content. While some tiers are unpaid, creators offer paid options to make money — something this shift could impact. 
Patreon users need to know about two main changes. By this November, all creators can only offer a subscription-based plan on iOS as the app store doesn’t support other formats, such as first-of-the-month or per-creation plans. As a result, Patreon is rolling out a 16-month-long migration process that will shift all memberships to subscriptions by November 2025. At that point, subscription-based plans will be the only option available, unfortunately proving Apple’s far-reaching power. 
Apple will also be taking a 30 percent cut on all subscriptions made on the Patreon iOS app after November of this year — something its done for Patreon in-app commerce purchases since early 2024. Patreon has designed a tool that allows creators to increase their prices on the iOS app and leave them as is on the browser site and Android devices. However, creators can turn it off if they’d rather leave their rates as is. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/patreon-will-have-to-use-apples-in-app-purchase-system-or-be-removed-from-the-app-store-192631471.html?src=rss

Apple takes a lot of strong positions, but their ultimate hill to die on might just be requiring apps to make purchases through the tech giant. The latest example comes from Patreon, which announced that Apple is requiring it to switch over to the iOS in-app purchase system or risk expulsion. Patreon’s entire purpose is to allow creators to offer “patrons” memberships in exchange for content. While some tiers are unpaid, creators offer paid options to make money — something this shift could impact. 

Patreon users need to know about two main changes. By this November, all creators can only offer a subscription-based plan on iOS as the app store doesn’t support other formats, such as first-of-the-month or per-creation plans. As a result, Patreon is rolling out a 16-month-long migration process that will shift all memberships to subscriptions by November 2025. At that point, subscription-based plans will be the only option available, unfortunately proving Apple’s far-reaching power. 

Apple will also be taking a 30 percent cut on all subscriptions made on the Patreon iOS app after November of this year — something its done for Patreon in-app commerce purchases since early 2024. Patreon has designed a tool that allows creators to increase their prices on the iOS app and leave them as is on the browser site and Android devices. However, creators can turn it off if they’d rather leave their rates as is. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/patreon-will-have-to-use-apples-in-app-purchase-system-or-be-removed-from-the-app-store-192631471.html?src=rss

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Valve’s next game, which has yet to be officially announced, had over 16,000 concurrent players over the weekend. As of this writing, that number sits at 16,600 via SteamDB. The game is called Deadlock and we’ve known that Valve was working on it for a while, but now it seems as though we are in the midst of a soft launch of some kind.
Again, this game hasn’t been officially announced by the company, though something’s certainly going on. It’s likely that Valve has opened the game up to play tests to gauge how successful the title could be with a proper PR push behind it, as indicated by Eurogamer and others. These numbers are certainly impressive considering, you know, Deadlock has yet to be confirmed by the company.

So what is Deadlock? It’s allegedly a competitive MOBA shooter, billed as “the next Dota” by veteran Valve reporter Tyler McVicker. It’s reported to have been in development since 2018 and is a partnership with IceFrog, an unnamed creator who was originally behind the original Defense of the Ancients mod of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos that started all of the Dota mania.
By all accounts, Deadlock is already in an advanced state of development, given the robust concurrent player count. McVicker describes it as looking “like Valorant, Overwatch, Dota 2 and Team Fortress 2 had a baby.”
Since testers started sharing Deadlock screenshots all over the place, here’s ones I can verify, featuring one of the heroes called Grey Talon. pic.twitter.com/KdZSRxObSz— ‎Gabe Follower (@gabefollower) May 17, 2024

It’s allegedly based in a “fantasy setting mixed with steampunk.” Leaked screenshots certainly point toward a steampunk aesthetic. There are also reportedly Bioshock Infinite-style skyrails that players can hook onto, which is always a good time.
While Valve hasn’t officially announced Deadlock, likely waiting for a surprise drop of some kind, the company did trademark the name back in June. So that’s something. With over 16,000 concurrents, it won’t be long before we all know a lot more about this game.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/valves-new-game-racks-up-16k-concurrent-players-without-officially-existing-184342450.html?src=rss

Valve’s next game, which has yet to be officially announced, had over 16,000 concurrent players over the weekend. As of this writing, that number sits at 16,600 via SteamDB. The game is called Deadlock and we’ve known that Valve was working on it for a while, but now it seems as though we are in the midst of a soft launch of some kind.

Again, this game hasn’t been officially announced by the company, though something’s certainly going on. It’s likely that Valve has opened the game up to play tests to gauge how successful the title could be with a proper PR push behind it, as indicated by Eurogamer and others. These numbers are certainly impressive considering, you know, Deadlock has yet to be confirmed by the company.

So what is Deadlock? It’s allegedly a competitive MOBA shooter, billed as “the next Dota” by veteran Valve reporter Tyler McVicker. It’s reported to have been in development since 2018 and is a partnership with IceFrog, an unnamed creator who was originally behind the original Defense of the Ancients mod of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos that started all of the Dota mania.

By all accounts, Deadlock is already in an advanced state of development, given the robust concurrent player count. McVicker describes it as looking “like Valorant, Overwatch, Dota 2 and Team Fortress 2 had a baby.”

It’s allegedly based in a “fantasy setting mixed with steampunk.” Leaked screenshots certainly point toward a steampunk aesthetic. There are also reportedly Bioshock Infinite-style skyrails that players can hook onto, which is always a good time.

While Valve hasn’t officially announced Deadlock, likely waiting for a surprise drop of some kind, the company did trademark the name back in June. So that’s something. With over 16,000 concurrents, it won’t be long before we all know a lot more about this game.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/valves-new-game-racks-up-16k-concurrent-players-without-officially-existing-184342450.html?src=rss

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TikTok is rolling out some direct message updates, including “highly requested” group chats. Owner ByteDance notes that group chats aren’t available everywhere just yet, but those who do have access to the feature will be able to chat in groups of up to 32 people.
You can start a group chat in a couple of ways. From your inbox, you can tap the Chat button at the top of the screen or a name in the messages list and then the “More options…” button. You can then choose which friends you want to include and then tap “Start group chat.”
The other method to start a group chat is by sharing a post with a bunch of people. When you have a video you’d like to chat about with more than one person, tap the Share button, then select “Create group chat.” Pick the friends you want to send it to, add a message if you like, then start chatting with your buds about the video.
You can accept any group chat invites you receive via your inbox. You can only invite people you mutually follow to a group chat. As with regular DMs, group chats are not available to users aged between 13 and 15. As for 16- and 17-year-olds, they’ll only be able to join a group chat if they have at least one mutual friend in there. If they create a group chat, they’ll have to review and manually approve anyone new who joins.
TikTok is also bringing stickers to DMs. That gives folks another way to engage with each other visually. You can create and upload custom stickers for anyone to use.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-is-finally-rolling-out-group-chats-for-up-to-32-people-180056720.html?src=rss

TikTok is rolling out some direct message updates, including “highly requested” group chats. Owner ByteDance notes that group chats aren’t available everywhere just yet, but those who do have access to the feature will be able to chat in groups of up to 32 people.

You can start a group chat in a couple of ways. From your inbox, you can tap the Chat button at the top of the screen or a name in the messages list and then the “More options…” button. You can then choose which friends you want to include and then tap “Start group chat.”

The other method to start a group chat is by sharing a post with a bunch of people. When you have a video you’d like to chat about with more than one person, tap the Share button, then select “Create group chat.” Pick the friends you want to send it to, add a message if you like, then start chatting with your buds about the video.

You can accept any group chat invites you receive via your inbox. You can only invite people you mutually follow to a group chat. As with regular DMs, group chats are not available to users aged between 13 and 15. As for 16- and 17-year-olds, they’ll only be able to join a group chat if they have at least one mutual friend in there. If they create a group chat, they’ll have to review and manually approve anyone new who joins.

TikTok is also bringing stickers to DMs. That gives folks another way to engage with each other visually. You can create and upload custom stickers for anyone to use.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-is-finally-rolling-out-group-chats-for-up-to-32-people-180056720.html?src=rss

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The Indie Horror Showcase event is returning on October 24. This is a “celebration of upcoming nightmarish games” made by developers throughout the world and will be hosted by DreadXP, an indie publisher responsible for well-received games like The Mortuary Assistant and Sucker for Love.
The upcoming streaming event promises “loads of cool new indie horror” from both DreadXP and plenty of third-party developers. As a matter of fact, submissions are open to anyone, just in case you’ve been tooling around with something particularly frightening.
There were some noteworthy games discussed during last year’s event. These included the now-iconic Slay the Princess and the supernatural phone operator sim Home Safety Hotline. Other standouts from last year included Pneumata and Janet DeMornay is a Slumlord (and a witch). DreadXP says that last year’s showcase featured more than 60 trailers and announcements. This year’s event should fall somewhere in that range.
The publisher hasn’t given any indication as to which titles to be on the lookout for this year, but submissions are still open until September 16. It has promised announcements and trailers from “developers of all sizes in the indie horror scene.” DreadXP has yet to announce a premiere time for the stream.

One game that’ll likely get an update is Paranormal Activity: Found Footage. This title leverages the “found footage” format from many horror movies and brings it to gaming. DreadXP is behind the spooky adaptation and it’s scheduled for release in 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-indie-horror-showcase-gaming-event-returns-on-october-24-162507028.html?src=rss

The Indie Horror Showcase event is returning on October 24. This is a “celebration of upcoming nightmarish games” made by developers throughout the world and will be hosted by DreadXP, an indie publisher responsible for well-received games like The Mortuary Assistant and Sucker for Love.

The upcoming streaming event promises “loads of cool new indie horror” from both DreadXP and plenty of third-party developers. As a matter of fact, submissions are open to anyone, just in case you’ve been tooling around with something particularly frightening.

There were some noteworthy games discussed during last year’s event. These included the now-iconic Slay the Princess and the supernatural phone operator sim Home Safety Hotline. Other standouts from last year included Pneumata and Janet DeMornay is a Slumlord (and a witch). DreadXP says that last year’s showcase featured more than 60 trailers and announcements. This year’s event should fall somewhere in that range.

The publisher hasn’t given any indication as to which titles to be on the lookout for this year, but submissions are still open until September 16. It has promised announcements and trailers from “developers of all sizes in the indie horror scene.” DreadXP has yet to announce a premiere time for the stream.

One game that’ll likely get an update is Paranormal Activity: Found Footage. This title leverages the “found footage” format from many horror movies and brings it to gaming. DreadXP is behind the spooky adaptation and it’s scheduled for release in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-indie-horror-showcase-gaming-event-returns-on-october-24-162507028.html?src=rss

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It’s Google’s turn to hold a major hardware event, albeit a little earlier than usual this year. The Made by Google showcase will take place at 1PM ET on August 13. You can stream it live on the Made by Google YouTube channel or simply watch above. We’ll also have full, in-depth coverage of everything Google announces right here on Engadget.
The company has already confirmed that it will show off the latest lineup of Pixel smartphones. We’re expecting to see four models, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 XL, which will have a prominent camera bar on the rear. Google is also rebranding its latest foldable. Rather than being dubbed the Pixel Fold 2, the device is called the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The Gemini AI assistant will be baked deeply into all of these phones as Google aims to boost your productivity and make photo editing much easier.
Elsewhere, rumors suggest that Google will announce the Pixel Watch 3, which is expected to be available in two sizes. It’s likely that we’ll see the Pixel Buds 2 as well.
Given that Google revealed a new TV streaming box and Nest Learning Thermostat a week before the event, it seems that the company wants to keep the focus on Pixel devices. That said, there’s always the chance of a genuine surprise or two. For what it’s worth, an “after party” event will start at 2:30PM ET. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/made-by-google-pixel-event-how-to-watch-on-august-13-161207703.html?src=rss

It’s Google’s turn to hold a major hardware event, albeit a little earlier than usual this year. The Made by Google showcase will take place at 1PM ET on August 13. You can stream it live on the Made by Google YouTube channel or simply watch above. We’ll also have full, in-depth coverage of everything Google announces right here on Engadget.

The company has already confirmed that it will show off the latest lineup of Pixel smartphones. We’re expecting to see four models, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 XL, which will have a prominent camera bar on the rear. Google is also rebranding its latest foldable. Rather than being dubbed the Pixel Fold 2, the device is called the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The Gemini AI assistant will be baked deeply into all of these phones as Google aims to boost your productivity and make photo editing much easier.

Elsewhere, rumors suggest that Google will announce the Pixel Watch 3, which is expected to be available in two sizes. It’s likely that we’ll see the Pixel Buds 2 as well.

Given that Google revealed a new TV streaming box and Nest Learning Thermostat a week before the event, it seems that the company wants to keep the focus on Pixel devices. That said, there’s always the chance of a genuine surprise or two. For what it’s worth, an “after party” event will start at 2:30PM ET. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/made-by-google-pixel-event-how-to-watch-on-august-13-161207703.html?src=rss

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This Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe charging station is on sale for $88, which is a discount of 20 percent. That’s actually a record low price for the popular charging apparatus. It’s also been built primarily to suit Apple devices.
The big hook here is the “3-in-1” from the name. The Anker MagSafe can simultaneously charge an iPhone, Apple Watch and a pair of AirPods. That’s just about everything a modern Apple fan could need, aside from a gigantic harness to accommodate the Vision Pro.

This particular charger made our list of the best Apple Watch accessories, and with good reason. It’s a MagSafe device, so it offers Qi2 wireless charging. This means that devices juice up by just laying on the charging station. It also means that it circumvents the recent switch to USB-C with iPhones. As long as you have an iPhone 12 or above, you’re good to go.
It works with every Apple Watch model, though you need a wireless charging case for AirPods. The AirPods Pro earbuds ship with one but standard AirPods do not. Other than that caveat, this is a solid device. We enjoyed the high-speed 15W charging and the nifty folding design, which makes it easy to pack.
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/deals/this-anker-3-in-1-magsafe-charging-station-is-cheaper-than-ever-right-now-151757235.html?src=rss

This Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe charging station is on sale for $88, which is a discount of 20 percent. That’s actually a record low price for the popular charging apparatus. It’s also been built primarily to suit Apple devices.

The big hook here is the “3-in-1” from the name. The Anker MagSafe can simultaneously charge an iPhone, Apple Watch and a pair of AirPods. That’s just about everything a modern Apple fan could need, aside from a gigantic harness to accommodate the Vision Pro.

This particular charger made our list of the best Apple Watch accessories, and with good reason. It’s a MagSafe device, so it offers Qi2 wireless charging. This means that devices juice up by just laying on the charging station. It also means that it circumvents the recent switch to USB-C with iPhones. As long as you have an iPhone 12 or above, you’re good to go.

It works with every Apple Watch model, though you need a wireless charging case for AirPods. The AirPods Pro earbuds ship with one but standard AirPods do not. Other than that caveat, this is a solid device. We enjoyed the high-speed 15W charging and the nifty folding design, which makes it easy to pack.

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/deals/this-anker-3-in-1-magsafe-charging-station-is-cheaper-than-ever-right-now-151757235.html?src=rss

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High-quality active noise cancellation headphones are always going to cost a pretty penny. But, a new sale has dropped Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones to a record-low price. A 43 percent discount brings the M4s down to $198, from $348. 
Sony released the WH-1000XM4 headphones in 2020, further improving on a model that was already our top pick. Our review gave the M4 a 94, thanks to a more premium finish — tactile matte coating versus slick plastic — and a better overall fit. The device also offers powerful ANC, a punchy bass and automatic pausing if you start talking. These headphones provide comfort without compromising on sound or ANC quality. 

Our choice for the best wireless headphones on the market are also on sale for $328, down from $400 — an 18 percent discount. Sony released the WH-1000XM5 model two years after its predecessor came out and took its place as our top pick. Improvements compared to the M4 include increased comfort and better noise cancellation, thanks to the addition of a V1 chip and eight ANC mics — double that of the M4. I will say that I own the M5, and on a recent transatlantic flight, I was one of the only people unbothered by the wailing baby. 
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/audio/headphones/sonys-wh-1000xm4-headphones-drop-to-a-new-low-of-198-145024912.html?src=rss

High-quality active noise cancellation headphones are always going to cost a pretty penny. But, a new sale has dropped Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones to a record-low price. A 43 percent discount brings the M4s down to $198, from $348. 

Sony released the WH-1000XM4 headphones in 2020, further improving on a model that was already our top pick. Our review gave the M4 a 94, thanks to a more premium finish — tactile matte coating versus slick plastic — and a better overall fit. The device also offers powerful ANC, a punchy bass and automatic pausing if you start talking. These headphones provide comfort without compromising on sound or ANC quality. 

Our choice for the best wireless headphones on the market are also on sale for $328, down from $400 — an 18 percent discount. Sony released the WH-1000XM5 model two years after its predecessor came out and took its place as our top pick. Improvements compared to the M4 include increased comfort and better noise cancellation, thanks to the addition of a V1 chip and eight ANC mics — double that of the M4. I will say that I own the M5, and on a recent transatlantic flight, I was one of the only people unbothered by the wailing baby. 

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/audio/headphones/sonys-wh-1000xm4-headphones-drop-to-a-new-low-of-198-145024912.html?src=rss

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The Pixel Fold was Google’s first phone with a flexible display when it launched last year. And at its upcoming Made By Google event, we’re about to get a successor in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. So there’s no better time to check in on how Google’s original bendy handset has survived being my daily driver for an entire year.
The Pixel Fold doesn’t look like any other foldable on the market. It has a curvy polished aluminum frame with squatty dimensions that results in something shaped more like a passport than a traditional handset or Samsung’s long and skinny batons. When you open it up, you’ll find relatively chunky bezels and a big main display that sits in landscape orientation instead of portrait like practically all of its rivals. Around back, there’s an absolutely massive camera bar. But as I found out after talking to the phone’s designers, the opportunity to shape Google’s first foldable gave the team a blank slate to try new approaches. And I think the phone is much better off for it.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
That’s because even though its widescreen setup sometimes causes issues with apps and websites that expect portrait mode, it made sitting down with a movie much faster and more enjoyable. Meanwhile, its thick frame left enough room for Google to build a selfie camera into the phone’s bezel rather than taking up room on its main display. And even though its rear camera module is definitely bulky, it allowed Google to equip the Fold with sensors that are basically as good as those on a standard flagship Pixel (including a 5x optical zoom). That’s something Samsung still hasn’t managed to do for the Z Fold line, which continues to take a backseat in photo quality compared to an equivalent Galaxy S Ultra.
Granted, Samsung’s version still boasts a few features the Pixel Fold doesn’t get such as native stylus support and Dex mode, which offers a superior layout for multitasking. Plus, thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, it delivers slightly faster overall performance. However, I think Google largely makes up for that with better software including apps like the Pixel Recorder, Call Screener and Live Translate.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
All in all, despite being Google’s first foray into the category, the Pixel Fold is a very compelling device with a unique design, class-leading cameras and great displays — that’s pretty much everything you want in a big fancy flexible phone. That said, one thing I couldn’t properly evaluate in my original review was the phone’s long-term durability. To close the loop, here’s how it’s faring one year later.
Before we get in too deep, I should note that I’m pretty tough on devices. The Pixel Fold I’ve been using has been naked since the day I got it, simply because I don’t like cases. After all, companies like Google spend millions coming up with exquisite designs, so it seems like a shame to throw a cheap smock over everything. I also live with a toddler who doesn’t care about nice things, so he doesn’t think twice about batting the phone around when it’s in his way. But even so, the Pixel Fold has held up surprisingly well.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
On its frame, there are a ton of scuffs and scratches all over along with some dents from being dropped. There are also a few scapes on its matte Gorilla Glass Victus back, but all of this is purely cosmetic. If you’re the type of person who gets jazzed up about wear and patinas on vintage furniture, you might even say the Pixel Fold is aging rather gracefully considering how much abuse it’s absorbed. Most importantly though, none of this damage has impacted the phone’s functionality.
That said, there is a small crack in the phone’s exterior display. But I want to be clear, that one is 100 percent my fault. While trying to potty train my toddler, I would often sit on a low stool near him in a bathroom with hard tile flooring. And often, because of how I was seated, the phone would slip out of my pocket. This happened countless times and I should have simply put the phone on a nearby changing table. But I didn’t, and about a month ago, it fell and hit the corner of its display, causing a small cobweb of fractures. Still, even with that blemish, the screen’s functionality is unaffected.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Naturally, I tried to get the exterior display repaired. Unfortunately, a representative at my local uBreakiFix (which is a Google-authorized repair center) told me that they didn’t have the required parts or the proper jig for a panel replacement. I was then told to contact one of the company’s main locations in Kearny, NJ, which did have the necessary materials and gave me a rough estimate (over the phone) of about four hours and $220 for the repair. Then, just to be sure, I took the Pixel Fold into Google’s flagship retail store in NYC for a second opinion, which resulted in a slightly cheaper ballpark quote of $180. Both prices are in the same range as what it would cost to replace a display on a traditional candybar-style handset, which is nice considering the added complexity of the Pixel Fold’s design. As for its main display, probably due in large part to the fact that it’s protected by the rest of the phone when closed, it’s remained pristine.
I’ve also dropped this thing in the sand, which scared the crap out of me since its IPX8 rating technically only specifies its level of water resistance (up to 5 feet for 30 minutes). Things got even more concerning when I tried to open it and was greeted by the distinctive sound of particles grinding somewhere inside. But after wiping it off and blowing in the hinge like it was an old NES cartridge, everything went back to normal. Perhaps the most impressive thing is that even after a year, there’s not a single hint of bubbling from the Fold’s factory-installed screen protector, which is something I’ve experienced on every one of Samsung’s Z Fold phones I’ve owned. And based on the searches I’ve done online, aside from a small handful of odd cases, I haven’t seen many complaints from other Pixel Fold users either.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
In a lot of ways, the Pixel Fold’s impressive durability is yet another sign that Google has been carefully watching the evolution of rivals like the Z Fold and studying it to see what aspects can be improved. Despite being the company’s first go at a phone with a flexible screen, the Pixel Fold definitely doesn’t suffer from a lot of the issues you typically get on first-gen devices. The one thing I might do differently in the future is to perhaps use a sleeve instead of a case to make the device a bit less slippery when it’s in my pocket.
My one gripe with the Pixel Fold’s design is that it never fully opens all the way. Granted, this is an incredibly minor complaint, but it looks awkward when the phone stops at 179 degrees, just short of being totally flat. During my initial review, I thought the phone’s hinge might relax over time, but it’s just as stiff as ever, which in all other situations is a good thing.
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Regardless, for a type of device that many think needs to be treated with kid gloves, the Pixel Fold has proven that it’s a lot tougher than I thought. And while it seems Google has some significant design changes in store for the next model, I’m quite satisfied with what I’ve experienced thus far.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-pixel-fold-durability-report-one-year-later-more-durable-than-i-expected-133037946.html?src=rss

The Pixel Fold was Google’s first phone with a flexible display when it launched last year. And at its upcoming Made By Google event, we’re about to get a successor in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. So there’s no better time to check in on how Google’s original bendy handset has survived being my daily driver for an entire year.

The Pixel Fold doesn’t look like any other foldable on the market. It has a curvy polished aluminum frame with squatty dimensions that results in something shaped more like a passport than a traditional handset or Samsung’s long and skinny batons. When you open it up, you’ll find relatively chunky bezels and a big main display that sits in landscape orientation instead of portrait like practically all of its rivals. Around back, there’s an absolutely massive camera bar. But as I found out after talking to the phone’s designers, the opportunity to shape Google’s first foldable gave the team a blank slate to try new approaches. And I think the phone is much better off for it.

That’s because even though its widescreen setup sometimes causes issues with apps and websites that expect portrait mode, it made sitting down with a movie much faster and more enjoyable. Meanwhile, its thick frame left enough room for Google to build a selfie camera into the phone’s bezel rather than taking up room on its main display. And even though its rear camera module is definitely bulky, it allowed Google to equip the Fold with sensors that are basically as good as those on a standard flagship Pixel (including a 5x optical zoom). That’s something Samsung still hasn’t managed to do for the Z Fold line, which continues to take a backseat in photo quality compared to an equivalent Galaxy S Ultra.

Granted, Samsung’s version still boasts a few features the Pixel Fold doesn’t get such as native stylus support and Dex mode, which offers a superior layout for multitasking. Plus, thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, it delivers slightly faster overall performance. However, I think Google largely makes up for that with better software including apps like the Pixel Recorder, Call Screener and Live Translate.

All in all, despite being Google’s first foray into the category, the Pixel Fold is a very compelling device with a unique design, class-leading cameras and great displays — that’s pretty much everything you want in a big fancy flexible phone. That said, one thing I couldn’t properly evaluate in my original review was the phone’s long-term durability. To close the loop, here’s how it’s faring one year later.

Before we get in too deep, I should note that I’m pretty tough on devices. The Pixel Fold I’ve been using has been naked since the day I got it, simply because I don’t like cases. After all, companies like Google spend millions coming up with exquisite designs, so it seems like a shame to throw a cheap smock over everything. I also live with a toddler who doesn’t care about nice things, so he doesn’t think twice about batting the phone around when it’s in his way. But even so, the Pixel Fold has held up surprisingly well.

On its frame, there are a ton of scuffs and scratches all over along with some dents from being dropped. There are also a few scapes on its matte Gorilla Glass Victus back, but all of this is purely cosmetic. If you’re the type of person who gets jazzed up about wear and patinas on vintage furniture, you might even say the Pixel Fold is aging rather gracefully considering how much abuse it’s absorbed. Most importantly though, none of this damage has impacted the phone’s functionality.

That said, there is a small crack in the phone’s exterior display. But I want to be clear, that one is 100 percent my fault. While trying to potty train my toddler, I would often sit on a low stool near him in a bathroom with hard tile flooring. And often, because of how I was seated, the phone would slip out of my pocket. This happened countless times and I should have simply put the phone on a nearby changing table. But I didn’t, and about a month ago, it fell and hit the corner of its display, causing a small cobweb of fractures. Still, even with that blemish, the screen’s functionality is unaffected.

Naturally, I tried to get the exterior display repaired. Unfortunately, a representative at my local uBreakiFix (which is a Google-authorized repair center) told me that they didn’t have the required parts or the proper jig for a panel replacement. I was then told to contact one of the company’s main locations in Kearny, NJ, which did have the necessary materials and gave me a rough estimate (over the phone) of about four hours and $220 for the repair. Then, just to be sure, I took the Pixel Fold into Google’s flagship retail store in NYC for a second opinion, which resulted in a slightly cheaper ballpark quote of $180. Both prices are in the same range as what it would cost to replace a display on a traditional candybar-style handset, which is nice considering the added complexity of the Pixel Fold’s design. As for its main display, probably due in large part to the fact that it’s protected by the rest of the phone when closed, it’s remained pristine.

I’ve also dropped this thing in the sand, which scared the crap out of me since its IPX8 rating technically only specifies its level of water resistance (up to 5 feet for 30 minutes). Things got even more concerning when I tried to open it and was greeted by the distinctive sound of particles grinding somewhere inside. But after wiping it off and blowing in the hinge like it was an old NES cartridge, everything went back to normal. Perhaps the most impressive thing is that even after a year, there’s not a single hint of bubbling from the Fold’s factory-installed screen protector, which is something I’ve experienced on every one of Samsung’s Z Fold phones I’ve owned. And based on the searches I’ve done online, aside from a small handful of odd cases, I haven’t seen many complaints from other Pixel Fold users either.

In a lot of ways, the Pixel Fold’s impressive durability is yet another sign that Google has been carefully watching the evolution of rivals like the Z Fold and studying it to see what aspects can be improved. Despite being the company’s first go at a phone with a flexible screen, the Pixel Fold definitely doesn’t suffer from a lot of the issues you typically get on first-gen devices. The one thing I might do differently in the future is to perhaps use a sleeve instead of a case to make the device a bit less slippery when it’s in my pocket.

My one gripe with the Pixel Fold’s design is that it never fully opens all the way. Granted, this is an incredibly minor complaint, but it looks awkward when the phone stops at 179 degrees, just short of being totally flat. During my initial review, I thought the phone’s hinge might relax over time, but it’s just as stiff as ever, which in all other situations is a good thing.

Regardless, for a type of device that many think needs to be treated with kid gloves, the Pixel Fold has proven that it’s a lot tougher than I thought. And while it seems Google has some significant design changes in store for the next model, I’m quite satisfied with what I’ve experienced thus far.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-pixel-fold-durability-report-one-year-later-more-durable-than-i-expected-133037946.html?src=rss

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