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Streaming provider Roku is adding a new free channel for sports content on August 12. The ad-supported Roku Sports Channel will go live with content both owned and licensed by the company. No subscription or sign-up will be required to access the channel.
The Roku Sports Channel will offer round-the-clock programming, such as live Major League Baseball games, live Formula E car races, The Rich Eisen Show and GMFB: Overtime. Partner programming on the channel will include classic boxing matches from Top Rank, combat sports from Swerve Sports and poker content from PokerGO.
Sports viewership can be a notable revenue source for streaming services. The Disney-owned ESPN+ has a streaming subscription (and its price is going up). Max also has an add-on called the Bleacher Report (that’s no longer free). And an upcoming service called Venu could aggregate lots of games and talk content under one umbrella (and it’s expected to have a hefty price tag). Roku could stand out from the pack by taking the free, ad-supported streaming television route.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/roku-is-launching-the-roku-sports-channel-on-august-12-130041121.html?src=rss

Streaming provider Roku is adding a new free channel for sports content on August 12. The ad-supported Roku Sports Channel will go live with content both owned and licensed by the company. No subscription or sign-up will be required to access the channel.

The Roku Sports Channel will offer round-the-clock programming, such as live Major League Baseball games, live Formula E car races, The Rich Eisen Show and GMFB: Overtime. Partner programming on the channel will include classic boxing matches from Top Rank, combat sports from Swerve Sports and poker content from PokerGO.

Sports viewership can be a notable revenue source for streaming services. The Disney-owned ESPN+ has a streaming subscription (and its price is going up). Max also has an add-on called the Bleacher Report (that’s no longer free). And an upcoming service called Venu could aggregate lots of games and talk content under one umbrella (and it’s expected to have a hefty price tag). Roku could stand out from the pack by taking the free, ad-supported streaming television route.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/roku-is-launching-the-roku-sports-channel-on-august-12-130041121.html?src=rss

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SpaceX’s Crew-9 flight for NASA was supposed to take off on August 18, but the agency has just announced that its target launch date was moved to no earlier than September 24. The delay will give NASA and Boeing more time to finalize their plans for Boeing Starliner’s return, the agency said in its announcement. What it didn’t say was that while eight space ships can attach themselves to the ISS at one time, the US segment of the space station only has two docking ports that can accommodate astronaut capsules. Both of them are still occupied, since Starliner’s supposed eight-day stay has stretched on for months. 
NASA said that Starliner’s ground teams are still analyzing the results of all the testing they’ve been putting the spacecraft through, including a recent hot-fire test. They still need to confirm if it’s ready to bring back astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams back to Earth before a return flight could be scheduled. Boeing’s first crewed Starliner mission launched in June and was only slated to stay for a few days to determine whether it was ready for regular flights to the station. However, five of its thrusters failed on its approach to the ISS, and only one came back online. The helium leak that forced Boeing and NASA to push back its takeoff in the past had worsened, as well. 
In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Boeing revealed that it took another $125 million in losses due to the Starliner’s delayed return and the extensive testing that had to be conducted to ensure its readiness. The company said a few days ago, though, that it supports NASA’s requests for additional testing and that it “remains confident in the Starliner spacecraft and its ability to return safely with crew.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasa-delays-next-spacex-crew-launch-due-to-ongoing-starliner-problems-123034635.html?src=rss

SpaceX’s Crew-9 flight for NASA was supposed to take off on August 18, but the agency has just announced that its target launch date was moved to no earlier than September 24. The delay will give NASA and Boeing more time to finalize their plans for Boeing Starliner’s return, the agency said in its announcement. What it didn’t say was that while eight space ships can attach themselves to the ISS at one time, the US segment of the space station only has two docking ports that can accommodate astronaut capsules. Both of them are still occupied, since Starliner’s supposed eight-day stay has stretched on for months. 

NASA said that Starliner’s ground teams are still analyzing the results of all the testing they’ve been putting the spacecraft through, including a recent hot-fire test. They still need to confirm if it’s ready to bring back astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams back to Earth before a return flight could be scheduled. Boeing’s first crewed Starliner mission launched in June and was only slated to stay for a few days to determine whether it was ready for regular flights to the station. However, five of its thrusters failed on its approach to the ISS, and only one came back online. The helium leak that forced Boeing and NASA to push back its takeoff in the past had worsened, as well. 

In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Boeing revealed that it took another $125 million in losses due to the Starliner’s delayed return and the extensive testing that had to be conducted to ensure its readiness. The company said a few days ago, though, that it supports NASA’s requests for additional testing and that it “remains confident in the Starliner spacecraft and its ability to return safely with crew.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasa-delays-next-spacex-crew-launch-due-to-ongoing-starliner-problems-123034635.html?src=rss

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A Tesla Cybertruck veered off a Texas road and crashed into a culvert, bursting into flames and killing the driver, KHOU 11 Houston reported. It appears to be the first fatality involving Tesla’s new electric pickup and has triggered a probe by the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration), according to Reuters. The driver has not yet been identified.
It’s not clear what caused the accident, but it wasn’t related to Tesla’s Autopilot as the Cybertruck has yet to gain that feature. Video from the scene shows that the vehicle was nearly completely consumed by the fire, which thwarted identification of the vehicle and driver, Texas state troopers said. 
The first reported Cybertruck accident happened late last year near Palo Alto, with no injuries and little damage reported. Around 15,000 vehicles have now been sold, so the number of accident reports has ramped up of late. Tesla has issued four recalls for the vehicle, including one that could result in a stuck accelerator pedal. 
Since its launch in November 2023, the Cybertruck has been criticized for poor build quality, malfunctions, and weird design decisions like “guillotine” body panels deemed unsafe for children and others. It’s also come under fire for getting stuck easily and not performing well off road, in one case being outclassed by an ancient French Citroën C15. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/cybertruck-crash-and-fire-reportedly-causes-first-fatality-120031177.html?src=rss

A Tesla Cybertruck veered off a Texas road and crashed into a culvert, bursting into flames and killing the driver, KHOU 11 Houston reported. It appears to be the first fatality involving Tesla’s new electric pickup and has triggered a probe by the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration), according to Reuters. The driver has not yet been identified.

It’s not clear what caused the accident, but it wasn’t related to Tesla’s Autopilot as the Cybertruck has yet to gain that feature. Video from the scene shows that the vehicle was nearly completely consumed by the fire, which thwarted identification of the vehicle and driver, Texas state troopers said. 

The first reported Cybertruck accident happened late last year near Palo Alto, with no injuries and little damage reported. Around 15,000 vehicles have now been sold, so the number of accident reports has ramped up of late. Tesla has issued four recalls for the vehicle, including one that could result in a stuck accelerator pedal. 

Since its launch in November 2023, the Cybertruck has been criticized for poor build quality, malfunctions, and weird design decisions like “guillotine” body panels deemed unsafe for children and others. It’s also come under fire for getting stuck easily and not performing well off road, in one case being outclassed by an ancient French Citroën C15. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/cybertruck-crash-and-fire-reportedly-causes-first-fatality-120031177.html?src=rss

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Ahead of next week’s Pixel devices event, Google has unveiled its latest product for the living room, the Google TV Streamer. It replaces the Chromecast and is a standalone set-top box as opposed to the dongles we’ve been used to. The tiny wedge-shaped doodad supports all the expected features, including HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and spatial audio. But Google is also making a big deal of the device’s smart home bona fides, with support for Matter and Thread. You’ll get a popover Google Home panel too, letting you tweak your smart home from the comfort of your TV.
Of course, you might wonder why Google needs to push this product out given how many Smart TVs exist. Or the ubiquity of other platforms that do much of the same job, from Roku to most streaming-friendly cable boxes. On one hand, Google wants to keep a toehold on the biggest screen in your home, and on the other, it’s a good way to advertise the search giant’s AI prowess, offering custom recommendations for things to watch. Plus, if you have been looking for something a bit more Made By Google, then you can snag this for $100 when it launches in September.
As for the Chromecast, we’ve prepared a little obituary for the dirt-cheap little streaming stick that could.
— Dan Cooper
The biggest stories you might have missed

Reddit CEO teases AI search features and paid subreddits
macOS Sequoia may require weekly permissions for screen recording apps
Disney is increasing prices (again) for standalone streaming plans
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is coming to PS4 and Xbox One on September 17
​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

Google’s latest Nest Learning Thermostat is much bigger and offers a customizable display
Looks cute.
Google
Google isn’t done shuttling out products ahead of its 2024 Pixel Event, however, and has also updated the Nest Learning Thermostat. The fourth-generation model gets a bigger LCD display, curvier design and customizable faces, including switching the screen to a clock when idle. You will also get more AI gimmicks to improve your energy efficiency, because of course you do.
Continue Reading.
X sues advertisers for ’illegal boycott’ of the platform
Yeah, that’s the reason, Linda.

X has announced it’ll sue the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), an ad-industry group. CEO Linda Yaccarino claims the body, which publishes standards for digital advertising, has organized an “illegal boycott” of the platform. GARM, which counts Mars and Unilever in its member lists, stands accused of influencing where mega-brands spend their money.
Now, I’m just a simple country lawyer who doesn’t know much about advertising, moderation or business. But I wonder if firing your trust and safety team, making the site run as reliably as a British train and allowing hateful content to be posted next to ads might be an issue. No, of course not, that’d be silly. Let’s all try to find the guy who did this.
Continue Reading.
Teenage Engineering’s built a medieval-themed sampler, with Gregorian chants
Perfect commitment to the bit.
Teenage Engineering
I don’t care it’s a stupid gimmick, and I don’t care I have no real interest in making this sort of music. Damnit, friends, I just want to play with Teenage Engineering’s EP-1320 Medieval sampler chock full of old-world sounds. Yes, it’s just the K.O. II with a different paint job, but you have to reward commitment to the bit this extreme.
Continue Reading.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-google-replaces-chromecast-with-the-tv-streamer-111523672.html?src=rss

Ahead of next week’s Pixel devices event, Google has unveiled its latest product for the living room, the Google TV Streamer. It replaces the Chromecast and is a standalone set-top box as opposed to the dongles we’ve been used to. The tiny wedge-shaped doodad supports all the expected features, including HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and spatial audio. But Google is also making a big deal of the device’s smart home bona fides, with support for Matter and Thread. You’ll get a popover Google Home panel too, letting you tweak your smart home from the comfort of your TV.

Of course, you might wonder why Google needs to push this product out given how many Smart TVs exist. Or the ubiquity of other platforms that do much of the same job, from Roku to most streaming-friendly cable boxes. On one hand, Google wants to keep a toehold on the biggest screen in your home, and on the other, it’s a good way to advertise the search giant’s AI prowess, offering custom recommendations for things to watch. Plus, if you have been looking for something a bit more Made By Google, then you can snag this for $100 when it launches in September.

As for the Chromecast, we’ve prepared a little obituary for the dirt-cheap little streaming stick that could.

— Dan Cooper

The biggest stories you might have missed

Reddit CEO teases AI search features and paid subreddits

macOS Sequoia may require weekly permissions for screen recording apps

Disney is increasing prices (again) for standalone streaming plans

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is coming to PS4 and Xbox One on September 17

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

Google’s latest Nest Learning Thermostat is much bigger and offers a customizable display

Looks cute.

Google isn’t done shuttling out products ahead of its 2024 Pixel Event, however, and has also updated the Nest Learning Thermostat. The fourth-generation model gets a bigger LCD display, curvier design and customizable faces, including switching the screen to a clock when idle. You will also get more AI gimmicks to improve your energy efficiency, because of course you do.

Continue Reading.

X sues advertisers for ’illegal boycott’ of the platform

Yeah, that’s the reason, Linda.

X has announced it’ll sue the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), an ad-industry group. CEO Linda Yaccarino claims the body, which publishes standards for digital advertising, has organized an “illegal boycott” of the platform. GARM, which counts Mars and Unilever in its member lists, stands accused of influencing where mega-brands spend their money.

Now, I’m just a simple country lawyer who doesn’t know much about advertising, moderation or business. But I wonder if firing your trust and safety team, making the site run as reliably as a British train and allowing hateful content to be posted next to ads might be an issue. No, of course not, that’d be silly. Let’s all try to find the guy who did this.

Continue Reading.

Teenage Engineering’s built a medieval-themed sampler, with Gregorian chants

Perfect commitment to the bit.

I don’t care it’s a stupid gimmick, and I don’t care I have no real interest in making this sort of music. Damnit, friends, I just want to play with Teenage Engineering’s EP-1320 Medieval sampler chock full of old-world sounds. Yes, it’s just the K.O. II with a different paint job, but you have to reward commitment to the bit this extreme.

Continue Reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-google-replaces-chromecast-with-the-tv-streamer-111523672.html?src=rss

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Reddit just wrapped up its second earnings call as a public company and CEO Steve Huffman hinted at some significant changes that could be coming to the platform. During the call, the Reddit co-founder said the company would begin testing AI-powered search results later this year.
“Later this year, we will begin testing new search result pages powered by AI to summarize and recommend content, helping users dive deeper into products, shows, games and discover new communities on Reddit,” Huffman said. He didn’t say when those tests would begin, but said it would use both first-party and third-party models.
Huffman noted that search on Reddit has “gone unchanged for a long time” but that it’s a significant opportunity to bring in new users. He also said that search could one day be a significant source of advertising revenue for the company.
Huffman hinted at other non-advertising sources of revenue as well. He suggested that the company might experiment with paywalled subreddits as it looks to monetize new features. “I think the existing, altruistic, free version of Reddit will continue to exist and grow and thrive just the way it has,” Huffman said. “But now we will unlock the door for new use cases, new types of subreddits that can be built that may have exclusive content or private areas, things of that nature.”
A Reddit spokesperson declined to elaborate on Huffman’s remarks. But it’s no secret the company has been eyeing new ways to expand its business since going public earlier this year. It’s struck multi million-dollar licensing deals with Google and OpenAI, and has blocked search engines that aren’t paying the company.
“Some players in the ecosystem have not been transparent with their use of Reddit’s content, and in those instances, we block access to protect Reddit content and user privacy,” Huffman said. “We want to know where Reddit data is going and what it’s being used for, and so those are the terms of engagement.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/reddit-ceo-teases-ai-search-features-and-paid-subreddits-225636988.html?src=rss

Reddit just wrapped up its second earnings call as a public company and CEO Steve Huffman hinted at some significant changes that could be coming to the platform. During the call, the Reddit co-founder said the company would begin testing AI-powered search results later this year.

“Later this year, we will begin testing new search result pages powered by AI to summarize and recommend content, helping users dive deeper into products, shows, games and discover new communities on Reddit,” Huffman said. He didn’t say when those tests would begin, but said it would use both first-party and third-party models.

Huffman noted that search on Reddit has “gone unchanged for a long time” but that it’s a significant opportunity to bring in new users. He also said that search could one day be a significant source of advertising revenue for the company.

Huffman hinted at other non-advertising sources of revenue as well. He suggested that the company might experiment with paywalled subreddits as it looks to monetize new features. “I think the existing, altruistic, free version of Reddit will continue to exist and grow and thrive just the way it has,” Huffman said. “But now we will unlock the door for new use cases, new types of subreddits that can be built that may have exclusive content or private areas, things of that nature.”

A Reddit spokesperson declined to elaborate on Huffman’s remarks. But it’s no secret the company has been eyeing new ways to expand its business since going public earlier this year. It’s struck multi million-dollar licensing deals with Google and OpenAI, and has blocked search engines that aren’t paying the company.

“Some players in the ecosystem have not been transparent with their use of Reddit’s content, and in those instances, we block access to protect Reddit content and user privacy,” Huffman said. “We want to know where Reddit data is going and what it’s being used for, and so those are the terms of engagement.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/reddit-ceo-teases-ai-search-features-and-paid-subreddits-225636988.html?src=rss

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macOS Sequoia will require regular permissions updates to use screen recording and screen-sharing capabilities. The software is in its public beta, and the new Apple operating system has added pop-up notifications that will ask users to confirm that software has access to the device’s video and audio. For now, there doesn’t appear to be a way to permanently grant permissions to third-party apps. Developers confirmed with 9to5Mac that this is a feature, not a bug. We’ve reached out to Apple for more information and will update this post with any additional details we receive.
These permissions alerts in Sequoia will pop up weekly, as well as the first time a relevant app is opened after a reboot. This security feature will be triggered by both third-party apps focused on screen recording and general programs that have screen-sharing capabilities, such as Zoom, Slack or Discord.
This feature might remind you of the User Account Controls from the Windows Vista days. We haven’t run into this permissions issue in our time with the beta version of macOS Sequoia, so it’s hard to say if the Apple version will be quite as infuriating as the Microsoft pop-ups.
macOS Sequoia does bring other useful updates to the computing experience. As well as introducing AI features with Apple Intelligence, the update will let users see their iPhone screen mirrored on their Macbooks, and can block distracting pop-ups in Safari.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/macos-sequoia-may-require-weekly-permissions-for-screen-recording-apps-215854870.html?src=rss

macOS Sequoia will require regular permissions updates to use screen recording and screen-sharing capabilities. The software is in its public beta, and the new Apple operating system has added pop-up notifications that will ask users to confirm that software has access to the device’s video and audio. For now, there doesn’t appear to be a way to permanently grant permissions to third-party apps. Developers confirmed with 9to5Mac that this is a feature, not a bug. We’ve reached out to Apple for more information and will update this post with any additional details we receive.

These permissions alerts in Sequoia will pop up weekly, as well as the first time a relevant app is opened after a reboot. This security feature will be triggered by both third-party apps focused on screen recording and general programs that have screen-sharing capabilities, such as Zoom, Slack or Discord.

This feature might remind you of the User Account Controls from the Windows Vista days. We haven’t run into this permissions issue in our time with the beta version of macOS Sequoia, so it’s hard to say if the Apple version will be quite as infuriating as the Microsoft pop-ups.

macOS Sequoia does bring other useful updates to the computing experience. As well as introducing AI features with Apple Intelligence, the update will let users see their iPhone screen mirrored on their Macbooks, and can block distracting pop-ups in Safari.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/macos-sequoia-may-require-weekly-permissions-for-screen-recording-apps-215854870.html?src=rss

Read More 

Google’s Chromecast is no more. With Tuesday’s introduction of its successor, the company laid to rest the brand that kicked off 11 years ago with a novel product that helped move streaming onto the center stage of home entertainment. With the Google TV Streamer taking the baton, it’s time to look back at 11 years of Chromecast.
Google’s casting-centric brand arrived on July 24, 2013, with the first-generation Chromecast. The streaming stick plugged directly into a TV’s HDMI port and lacked a remote control. Instead, you fired up content using a mobile device or computer.
Most importantly, the innovative gizmo only cost $35. This was when an Apple TV set-top box started at $99, and app-laden televisions were nowhere near commonplace. Even Roku’s same-generation Streaming Stick, which landed a year earlier, cost $100. Oh, and it required a TV certified as “Roku-ready.”
When faced with pricier options, it was hard to resist the Chromecast. And many people felt that way: The stick quickly sold out. And it hung around for longer than most tech products, as the company only retired it last year.
Engadget applauded the device. Our review praised it as a wholehearted recommendation “for anyone who’s been looking for an easy, unobtrusive way to put some brains into their dumb TV.” The device was Google at its best: Innovating in a highly accessible, affordable and device-agnostic way.
The second-generation model from 2015.Nicole Lee for Engadget
What followed were years of iterations as competitors pushed out competing products, and Google responded with more modern features and redesigns.
The second-gen model from 2015 switched to a dongle form factor with a magnetized back and HDMI plug. The same year, Google launched a music-focused sister device, Chromecast Audio (with a vinyl record-inspired appearance). Chromecast Ultra, the first stab at a higher-end model, landed in 2016 with 4K streaming and Dolby Vision support. A third-gen model followed in 2018 with faster speeds, Nest speaker integration… and not much else.
This decade, we saw the awkwardly branded Chromecast with Google TV (4K) in 2020 — now with a remote!! — and the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) in 2022. In hindsight, the strange naming could now be seen as the company’s first nudge toward a rebrand.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
This brings us to today, as Google bids adieu to its streaming wunderkind—at least under its old name. The Google TV Streamer, with its sleek wedge shape and unique hazel color option, is taking over in a much different landscape than we saw 11 years ago.
The Chromecast, especially that innovative first-generation model, helped push us into the streaming-first world many of us have lived in ever since. That’s especially true when you consider its impact on competitors. Roku’s second-generation Streaming Stick from 2014 dropped from $99 to $50 and ditched its doomed “Roku Ready TV” requirement. Meanwhile, Amazon saw an opening and launched a Fire TV Stick (also in 2014) that cost $39.
Without that first Chromecast model, it’s hard to tell how that landscape may have looked different in the following years.
It isn’t too late to dip your toes into the nostalgia pool and pick up a Chromecast, as Google says the old devices will remain on the market while supplies last. Crucially, the company’s promise of security updates and support remains unchanged, so there’s no need to fret if you recently picked up one of the soon-to-be-extinct devices.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/rip-chromecast-looking-back-at-11-years-of-google-streaming-211742586.html?src=rss

Google’s Chromecast is no more. With Tuesday’s introduction of its successor, the company laid to rest the brand that kicked off 11 years ago with a novel product that helped move streaming onto the center stage of home entertainment. With the Google TV Streamer taking the baton, it’s time to look back at 11 years of Chromecast.

Google’s casting-centric brand arrived on July 24, 2013, with the first-generation Chromecast. The streaming stick plugged directly into a TV’s HDMI port and lacked a remote control. Instead, you fired up content using a mobile device or computer.

Most importantly, the innovative gizmo only cost $35. This was when an Apple TV set-top box started at $99, and app-laden televisions were nowhere near commonplace. Even Roku’s same-generation Streaming Stick, which landed a year earlier, cost $100. Oh, and it required a TV certified as “Roku-ready.”

When faced with pricier options, it was hard to resist the Chromecast. And many people felt that way: The stick quickly sold out. And it hung around for longer than most tech products, as the company only retired it last year.

Engadget applauded the device. Our review praised it as a wholehearted recommendation “for anyone who’s been looking for an easy, unobtrusive way to put some brains into their dumb TV.” The device was Google at its best: Innovating in a highly accessible, affordable and device-agnostic way.

The second-generation model from 2015.

What followed were years of iterations as competitors pushed out competing products, and Google responded with more modern features and redesigns.

The second-gen model from 2015 switched to a dongle form factor with a magnetized back and HDMI plug. The same year, Google launched a music-focused sister device, Chromecast Audio (with a vinyl record-inspired appearance). Chromecast Ultra, the first stab at a higher-end model, landed in 2016 with 4K streaming and Dolby Vision support. A third-gen model followed in 2018 with faster speeds, Nest speaker integration… and not much else.

This decade, we saw the awkwardly branded Chromecast with Google TV (4K) in 2020 — now with a remote!! — and the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) in 2022. In hindsight, the strange naming could now be seen as the company’s first nudge toward a rebrand.

This brings us to today, as Google bids adieu to its streaming wunderkind—at least under its old name. The Google TV Streamer, with its sleek wedge shape and unique hazel color option, is taking over in a much different landscape than we saw 11 years ago.

The Chromecast, especially that innovative first-generation model, helped push us into the streaming-first world many of us have lived in ever since. That’s especially true when you consider its impact on competitors. Roku’s second-generation Streaming Stick from 2014 dropped from $99 to $50 and ditched its doomed “Roku Ready TV” requirement. Meanwhile, Amazon saw an opening and launched a Fire TV Stick (also in 2014) that cost $39.

Without that first Chromecast model, it’s hard to tell how that landscape may have looked different in the following years.

It isn’t too late to dip your toes into the nostalgia pool and pick up a Chromecast, as Google says the old devices will remain on the market while supplies last. Crucially, the company’s promise of security updates and support remains unchanged, so there’s no need to fret if you recently picked up one of the soon-to-be-extinct devices.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/rip-chromecast-looking-back-at-11-years-of-google-streaming-211742586.html?src=rss

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Yet another video game crossover is coming to Dead by Daylight in the near future. Behaviour Interactive says the previously announced Castlevania chapter will go live on August 27. Those who can’t wait that long for the official release can check it out on the Steam public test build right now.
The chapter brings both a new killer and survivor to The Fog. Of course, the latest killer to join the lineup is Dracula. Whenever he’s the killer, you might see his castle looming on the horizon of the map.
He’s also the first shapeshifting killer. In vampire form, Dracula “stalks his prey, able to conjure flames that sear flesh and render bone to ash,” Behaviour says. As a bat, he can move quickly and quietly. When he’s a wolf, Dracula is said to be a relentless hunter.
As for the new survivor, it’s a Belmont, but perhaps not the first one that springs to mind. You can play as Trevor Belmont, a skilled vampire hunter. While he’s maybe not the most physical member of the Belmont bloodline, his teamwork focus and ability to find allies in a pinch should stand him in decent stead in The Fog.
So far this year, Behaviour has brought Alan Wake, Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft and Dungeons and Dragons to DbD. An original chapter will arrive in December. That’s not all, though, as the publisher is gearing up to release a spinoff game called The Casting of Frank Stone on September 3. That will be a narrative horror-adventure along the lines of developer Supermassive’s previous projects, such as Until Dawn and The Quarry.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/castlevania-comes-to-dead-by-daylight-on-august-27-190954431.html?src=rss

Yet another video game crossover is coming to Dead by Daylight in the near future. Behaviour Interactive says the previously announced Castlevania chapter will go live on August 27. Those who can’t wait that long for the official release can check it out on the Steam public test build right now.

The chapter brings both a new killer and survivor to The Fog. Of course, the latest killer to join the lineup is Dracula. Whenever he’s the killer, you might see his castle looming on the horizon of the map.

He’s also the first shapeshifting killer. In vampire form, Dracula “stalks his prey, able to conjure flames that sear flesh and render bone to ash,” Behaviour says. As a bat, he can move quickly and quietly. When he’s a wolf, Dracula is said to be a relentless hunter.

As for the new survivor, it’s a Belmont, but perhaps not the first one that springs to mind. You can play as Trevor Belmont, a skilled vampire hunter. While he’s maybe not the most physical member of the Belmont bloodline, his teamwork focus and ability to find allies in a pinch should stand him in decent stead in The Fog.

So far this year, Behaviour has brought Alan Wake, Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft and Dungeons and Dragons to DbD. An original chapter will arrive in December. That’s not all, though, as the publisher is gearing up to release a spinoff game called The Casting of Frank Stone on September 3. That will be a narrative horror-adventure along the lines of developer Supermassive’s previous projects, such as Until Dawn and The Quarry.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/castlevania-comes-to-dead-by-daylight-on-august-27-190954431.html?src=rss

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In what seems to be an annual tradition, Disney announced that the costs for standalone plans of its video streaming services will get more expensive, starting on October 17.
The ad-supported Disney+ Basic plan will increase from $8 a month to $10, while the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan jumps from $14 a month or $140 annually to $16 a month or $160 annually. For Hulu, the plan with ads is changing from $8 a month or $80 a year to $10 a month or $100 a year and the ad-free plan will go from $18 a month to $20 a month. ESPN+ is getting pricing updates as well, with monthly costs going from $11 monthly or $110 annually to $12 monthly or $120 annually.
Recall that this service was a mere $7 a month, without ads, when it launched less than five years ago.
Only one combo plan seems to be getting a change. The Disney Bundle Duo Basic, which includes ad-supported access to both Disney+ and Hulu, is increasing from $10 a month to $11 a month. The Hulu + Live TV plans are also hiking costs: $83 a month for ad-supported, and $96 a month for ad-free.
The increased subscription costs were included in a feature announcement that had been rumored earlier this year. Disney+ will start offering viewers continuous playlists starting September 4. There will be two playlists to start: a channel for ABC News Live, and one with videos for preschoolers. Four more playlists will debut later in the fall: Seasonal Content, Epic Stories (featuring franchises like Marvel and Star Wars), Throwbacks (“nostalgic pop culture content”) and Real Life (biopics and documentaries).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/disney-is-increasing-prices-again-for-standalone-streaming-plans-183518837.html?src=rss

In what seems to be an annual tradition, Disney announced that the costs for standalone plans of its video streaming services will get more expensive, starting on October 17.

The ad-supported Disney+ Basic plan will increase from $8 a month to $10, while the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan jumps from $14 a month or $140 annually to $16 a month or $160 annually. For Hulu, the plan with ads is changing from $8 a month or $80 a year to $10 a month or $100 a year and the ad-free plan will go from $18 a month to $20 a month. ESPN+ is getting pricing updates as well, with monthly costs going from $11 monthly or $110 annually to $12 monthly or $120 annually.

Recall that this service was a mere $7 a month, without ads, when it launched less than five years ago.

Only one combo plan seems to be getting a change. The Disney Bundle Duo Basic, which includes ad-supported access to both Disney+ and Hulu, is increasing from $10 a month to $11 a month. The Hulu + Live TV plans are also hiking costs: $83 a month for ad-supported, and $96 a month for ad-free.

The increased subscription costs were included in a feature announcement that had been rumored earlier this year. Disney+ will start offering viewers continuous playlists starting September 4. There will be two playlists to start: a channel for ABC News Live, and one with videos for preschoolers. Four more playlists will debut later in the fall: Seasonal Content, Epic Stories (featuring franchises like Marvel and Star Wars), Throwbacks (“nostalgic pop culture content”) and Real Life (biopics and documentaries).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/disney-is-increasing-prices-again-for-standalone-streaming-plans-183518837.html?src=rss

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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is coming to last-gen consoles on September 17, including the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The game was originally released for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC back in 2023.
For the uninitiated, this is a sequel to the absolutely fantastic Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. It’s a third-person adventure with a bit of Metroidvania flair that’s set in the Star Wars universe in between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. It’s a very good video game, particularly for franchise fans.

Pre-orders are available now and early purchasers get some bonuses. These include in-game cosmetic items that will turn the protagonist into someone who resembles Obi Wan Kenobi and a new blaster set. As for the software, EA says it’s been fully optimized to run on those older consoles.
It’s worth noting, however, that the game has struggled to run on PCs. EA has issued several updates to address performance problems but some still linger. To that end, the company’s prepping a new PC update that’ll release “in the coming weeks.” This will bring “enhancements to the game’s technical performance, controls and more,” in addition to “a variety of quality-of-life improvements.”
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor also recently released on Game Pass. The PS4/XB1 version will cost $50. A third entry in the franchise has already been announced because, well, Star Wars loves trilogies.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/star-wars-jedi-survivor-is-coming-to-ps4-and-xbox-one-on-september-17-181004549.html?src=rss

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is coming to last-gen consoles on September 17, including the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The game was originally released for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC back in 2023.

For the uninitiated, this is a sequel to the absolutely fantastic Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. It’s a third-person adventure with a bit of Metroidvania flair that’s set in the Star Wars universe in between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. It’s a very good video game, particularly for franchise fans.

Pre-orders are available now and early purchasers get some bonuses. These include in-game cosmetic items that will turn the protagonist into someone who resembles Obi Wan Kenobi and a new blaster set. As for the software, EA says it’s been fully optimized to run on those older consoles.

It’s worth noting, however, that the game has struggled to run on PCs. EA has issued several updates to address performance problems but some still linger. To that end, the company’s prepping a new PC update that’ll release “in the coming weeks.” This will bring “enhancements to the game’s technical performance, controls and more,” in addition to “a variety of quality-of-life improvements.”

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor also recently released on Game Pass. The PS4/XB1 version will cost $50. A third entry in the franchise has already been announced because, well, Star Wars loves trilogies.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/star-wars-jedi-survivor-is-coming-to-ps4-and-xbox-one-on-september-17-181004549.html?src=rss

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