Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are $50 off

Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are $50 off at Woot. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

If you’re interested in preordering the $249 second-gen AirPods Pro today but their price is holding you back, you may want to check out today’s deal on Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Today, we’ve come across one of the first discounts on the new set of noise-canceling wireless earbuds. Right now, they’re on sale for just $179.99 ($50 off) at Woot with a 90-day limited warranty.

In terms of audio, they sound better than some of the top earbuds on the market, including the first-gen AirPods Pro and Google’s Pixel Buds Pro, and they manage to offer remarkable clarity and a wide soundstage. Their noise cancellation is also efficient, and we enjoyed how much smaller and more comfortable they are compared to their predecessor.

Like all...

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Apple Store errors tripped up many iPhone 14 preorder attempts

Image: Apple

Avid iPhone fans worldwide are reporting a tough time preordering Apple’s new products. The iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and AirPods Pro 2 all went up for preorder today, and people have had issues ranging from the Apple Store app and website not loading, financing not working, failure to verify phone numbers, and credit cards not working.

Just like with the iPhone 13 last year, Apple has a _pre-_preorder system that allows you to speed up the checkout process. You could select the iPhone you’re interested in, select accessories, and set up your payment and shipping. Then when preorders open, all you would have to do is check out. This system, however, apparently has failed at an abnormally high rate if you see the complaints online. For those that...

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United Airlines invests $15 million in electric aviation startup, orders 200 air taxis

United says its purchase of 200 air taxis from Eve Air is conditional. | United Airlines

United Airlines is investing $15 million in Eve Air Mobility, an electric aviation startup owned by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer. As part of the deal, United will purchase 200 of Eve’s electric air taxis, which can seat four passengers and take off and land vertically like a helicopter.

This is the second major investment from United in the nascent world of electric air mobility after investing an undisclosed amount of money in Archer last year. These companies propose to develop small, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that can fly from rooftop to rooftop in a dense city as a taxi service. But so far, none have received clearance from federal aviation regulators to fly passengers.

But Eve may have to...

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Hands-on with Fujifilm’s new 40.2-megapixel X-H2 camera

The new Fujifilm X-H2 and XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR.

With yesterday’s announcement of the new X-H2 mirrorless camera, Fujifilm is trying to fill a hole in its lineup between its APS-C offerings and its medium format GFX line by putting a 40.2-megapixel sensor in its latest X-series body. This may seem like a bit of a compromise since Fujifilm doesn’t have a full-frame system, but one benefit of sticking with its smaller sensors and just adding resolution is having a camera that’s still fairly compact. I got to briefly try out a preproduction version of the new X-H2 and the recently released X-H2S at Fujifilm’s X-Summit NYC event, and there may be a lot to like here if you’re a loyal Fujifilm user. Here are some initial thoughts and finer details learned from the short time with these...

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The iPhone 14 Pro’s always-on display, explained

This is how the always-on display will look on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, complete with color images. | Image: Apple

So, it finally happened. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max got an always-on display. If you’ve used a modern Android phone, you probably have experience with always-on screens — and need no convincing of why they’re a handy feature — but this is a new thing in iPhone world. And Apple, of course, is doing it a little bit differently than everyone else.

Always-on displays allow a phone to display basic information like the date, time, and notifications even when it’s locked and resting on a table. Typically, your whole display doesn’t remain on, just the most important parts of it. On Google’s Pixel phones, for example, you might see a black screen with just the clock and some app icons lit up. This is particularly useful because...

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Logitech’s webcam software is a mess

The Logi StreamCam has features that cannot be activated with Logitech’s current software on newer Macs.

Logitech makes some of the most popular webcams in the world, but using them on some of the most popular computers, like the M2 MacBook Air or M1 Pro MacBook Pro, is a less than stellar experience. Plugging one into any M1 or M2 Mac for a video call isn’t an issue, but if you want to tweak in-depth settings or use some of these webcams’ highlight features, doing that right now ranges from clumsy to impossible. That’s because its most capable webcam software, Logitech Capture, isn’t available on computers with Apple silicon.

Logitech switched up its software plan for people who use newer Mac laptops and desktops without making much effort to tell anyone. Instead of offering Logitech Capture, its de facto software focused squarely on...

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Google is working on ‘clear calling’ for Android phone calls

Android call quality is progressing. | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

The first beta for the Android 13 quarterly release includes a new “clear calling” feature that “reduces background noises during calls.” It was first spotted by Mishaal Rahman on Twitter who also tweeted directions to enable it for yourself without root, if you’re feeling bold.

The images shared by Rahman note that Clear Calling works “on most mobile networks,” is “not available for Wi-Fi calling,” and “content from your call is not sent to Google.”

Manually enabled "Clear Calling" settings. Don't want to bother testing it, but here's a first look! pic.twitter.com/JUYPxlXiSN

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) September 8, 2022

Google has been flexing its noise-canceling muscles (and custom six-core audio chips) for awhile. First,...

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Apple Watch Ultra repairs could be ultra-expensive

Hey bud, be careful with that. | Image: Apple

On Wednesday Apple introduced the Apple Watch Ultra, a $799 wearable meant for people partaking in extreme activities like climbing mountains, running ultra-marathons, or diving. But as MacRumors points out, breaking its screen, button, sensors, or other various parts while doing any of these activities could be very expensive: repairs for the watch will cost $499 if you don’t have AppleCare Plus (we’ll get to that in a minute), according to an estimate tool on Apple’s website. That’s significantly more than the $299 repair for an entry-level Series 8.

Getting the battery replaced on an Ultra will also cost more than it would for Apple’s less extreme watches, coming in at $99 instead of $79. That does make some sense; the Ultra likely...

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New Black Adam trailer hints he could end up as a hero after all

Image: Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. has debuted a new trailer for Black Adam, the DC universe movie starring Dwayne Johnson. If you watched the trailer from in July, you’ll recognize a lot of familiar footage here — Black Adam insists that he’s a villain, but there are some hints that he’ll have to choose to be a good guy in the end.

I’ll admit I don’t know all that much about Black Adam as a character, so I’ll point you to my colleague Charles Pulliam-Moore’s article about the July trailer for a bit more context there. The movie will also feature other DC characters like Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), and this movie may not be the only time we see them and their...

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Apple did raise prices with the iPhone 14 and Watch Series 8 — just not in the US or China

It bragged about its starting prices being the same, but that’s not universal. | Nick Barclay / The Verge

When Apple announced the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro, it was quick to point out that the phones start at the same prices as their predecessors, despite rumors that they would cost more this year. Likewise, the Apple Watch Series 8 also got a few upgrades, but is still selling for the same price as the Series 7. As CNBC points out, though, those devices have gotten price bumps in several other countries, including the UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland, and Germany.

In some cases, getting Apple’s latest devices will cost significantly more now than last year. In the UK, for example, the iPhone 14 now costs £849, whereas the 13 started at £779. The Apple Watch is less of a jump but is still more expensive, with the Series 8 starting at £419, up from...

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Here are the best Amazon Echo deals right now

The Echo Show 5 (left), Echo Show 8 (middle), and the Echo Show (right). | Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge

Amazon’s current Echo lineup offers a broad selection of smart speakers and displays that can fit just about anywhere in your home. Whether you want to place a voice assistant in your living room, replace the bulletin board in your office, or pick up a touchscreen-enabled device to showcase recipes in the kitchen, there's an Echo device for just about every occasion and use case.

Regardless of why you might want one, there’s also always a way to save on an Echo device, from the last-gen Dot to the wall-mounted Echo Show 15. Even when they’re selling at full price, for instance, Amazon offers a 25 percent discount when you trade in select devices, meaning there are still other ways to save money when none of the models are on sale.

B...

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Microsoft is testing its tablet-friendly taskbar again in Windows 11

HP Pavilion x360 14 models in various modes, including tablet at the end | Image: HP

Microsoft is reintroducing its tablet-friendly taskbar in the latest preview of Windows 11. The taskbar was first introduced in February alongside other new features included for eventual rollout in Windows 11, but it was later pulled for more internal development. Microsoft said in a blog post that the taskbar is part of an update rolling out to Windows Insiders in the developer channel and is only available for PCs that can be used as tablets like 2-in-1s, not laptops or desktop PCs.

The taskbar itself is designed to be hidden when a tablet user isn’t using it, allowing more needed screen space. When it’s collapsed, it shows “critical” things on it like the time and battery percentage. When it’s expanded, it reveals several apps,...

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How the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus compare to the Pro models — and the iPhone 13

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max pack a faster A16 Bionic chip and a 48MP camera under the hood. | Image: Apple

It’s official: the iPhone 14 is here. Following months of leaks and speculation, Apple formally announced the latest addition to its smartphone lineup during its “Far Out” event on Wednesday, where the company also gave us a glimpse of the long-rumored Apple Watch Ultra, a new Apple Watch SE, and the second-gen AirPods Pro.

Apple’s new iPhone 14 series consists of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Preorders for all of the phones will start on September 9th, with the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max slated to arrive on September 16th. The iPhone 14 Plus, meanwhile, won’t be available until October 7th.

The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus bring forth a number of changes to the iPhone lineup,...

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EA’s working on a new ‘narrative campaign’ for Battlefield

A screenshot from Battlefield 2042 | Image: EA

EA has established a new Battlefield studio that will be working on a narrative campaign for the franchise. The studio, Ridgeline Games, is based in Kirkland, Washington, and is headed up by Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto, according to a press release.

The company didn’t share details about what this new experience might be about, when it might be released, or what platforms it will be available for. But the promise of a dedicated narrative campaign could be good news for Battlefield fans who were disappointed that the live service Battlefield 2042, which had a poorly received launch in November, didn’t have a campaign mode of its own. And as EA continues to push further into live service games, such as the new Skate, it’s good to see...

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Netflix’s latest game is a fresh take on platformers

Image: Snowman

When you think of a platformer, you probably think of jumping. The simple move is a staple of the genre, whether we’re talking about classic side-scrolling adventures or larger three-dimensional worlds. But Lucky Luna, the latest release on Netflix’s fledgling games service, offers something a little different: it removes the jump altogether.

Lucky Luna takes place in a beautiful pixel art world of ancient ruins and tasks players with navigating a series of levels to uncover its secrets. It has many of the staples of the genre, like collectible orbs, hidden areas, moving platforms, deadly spikes, and enemies that move in specific patterns. The twist is the lack of a jump button. In fact, Lucky Luna doesn’t have on-screen buttons at all....

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Apple’s Emergency SOS link puts it into the satellite fight with SpaceX and more

Its agreement with Globalstar gives it some real power. | Image: Apple

After Apple’s announcement that the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro can send messages via satellite in emergency situations, it’s becoming clear that the company hasn’t just introduced a new feature. In typical fashion, it’s also practically overnight become a key player in a new industry by getting heavily involved with satellite communications by adding Emergency SOS via satellite.

Apple has partnered with Globalstar for its satellite operations, and it plans on using the company’s 24-satellite constellation to run its service, confirming the long-running rumors about its plans for the Band 53 / n53 communications. In practice, this means that Apple has joined the litany of companies attempting to “eliminate dead zones,” as T-Mobile put it when...

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Tim Cook revealed the real reason Apple won’t fix green bubbles

Do you think Tim Cook ever sends green bubble texts? | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Last night, Tim Cook shot down the possibility of solving the green bubble problem — and he revealed the real reason why Apple won’t do it: it doesn’t sell iPhones.

At Vox Media’s Code conference, an attendee told Cook that it was difficult for him to send videos to his mom because Apple devices don’t support RCS, the texting protocol championed by Google and supported by major phone carriers. Cook, in response, suggested the attendee buy his mom an iPhone. “I don’t hear our users asking that we put a lot of energy in on that at this point,” Cook said.

Blue versus green

This seems to be the first time Cook has publicly addressed RCS, the Rich Communications Services protocol. RCS is a major improvement over SMS and MMS, letting you do...

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You can currently get a PlayStation 5 bundle from Sony without standing in line

Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

Today, Sony’s giving those who have yet to land a PlayStation 5 another chance. Sony is once again selling thePlayStation 5 Horizon Forbidden West bundle for $549.99, which comes with the disc-based console and a digital code to download a copy of Horizon Forbidden West. But unlike Sony’s more recent restock events, you don’t need to enter an online queue to check out — just log in with your PlayStation Network and check out (seriously).

While we can’t guarantee you’ll be able to nab the console today, of course, there are a few things you can do to maximize your chances. First, remember that when purchasing a PS5 from Sony, you’ll have to log in to your PlayStation Network account. It’s wise, then, to have your username and password...

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Overwatch 2’s new heroes won’t be free

New information suggests Overwatch 2 heroes will be gated behind battle pass progression. | Image: Blizzard Entertainment

When Overwatch 2 launches on October 4th, fans might have to get on the grind wheel to unlock the newest heroes. A tweet from Jon Spector, Overwatch’s commercial lead, indicates new heroes will be gated behind battle pass progression, saying that “new Overwatch 2 heroes will be available on the free track of the Battle Pass.”

Spector’s tweet appears to reference a description of Overwatch 2’s Watchpoint Pack, a purchasable content bundle that grants buyers all kinds of goodies, including skins, in-game currency, and access to the season 1 premium battle pass.

Addressing some incomplete info posted early about our Overwatch 2 Battle Pass – we'll be sharing all details ahead of launch, but want to confirm that new Overwatch 2 heroes...

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Fujifilm’s new X-H2 finally pushes its APS-C camera system to higher resolution

The Fujifilm X-H2 camera with the upcoming XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR prime lens mounted. | Image: Fujifilm

After years of APS-C mirrorless cameras with resolutions in the 20-something megapixel range, Fujifilm is finally pushing things forward with the latest camera in its X-series line. At its X Summit event in New York City today, Fujifilm is announcing a new high-res X-H2 camera with a 40.2-megapixel X-Trans sensor with 8K video. This pro-oriented camera looks just like the recent X-H2S it’s based on, matching it with the same processor, in-body image stabilization system, dual card slots, electronic viewfinder, and more. It’s nearly the same camera with a different sensor for those who value megapixels most. Though the higher resolution counterpart will cost about $500 less than the X-H2S when it ships in late September for $1,999.95...

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Skip ‘Hey Google’ with the Nest Hub Max’s new Quick Phrases

The Nest Hub Max doesn’t need you to call it Google anymore. | Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge

If you have a Nest Hub Max smart display and you’re tired of saying “Hey Google” 50 times a day, a new feature could cut that number down a bit. Quick Phrases — a feature on the Pixel 6 phones, and which Google announced for the Nest Hub Max last year — are now live. This lets the Nest Hub Max (and only the Max so far) respond to certain commands without the phrase “Hey Google,” making talking to the voice interface a little easier.

At launch, Quick Phrases — which you need to enable in the Google Home app first — are limited to a few preset commands in four categories: general info (like time and weather), lights, timers, and alarms. Google says the phrases don’t have to be exact and that the Assistant can recognize common variations....

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NASA eyes late September for another Artemis I launch attempt

The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft sit on the launchpad on September 6th, 2022. | Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images

After repeated delays, NASA is lightly penciling in launch dates of September 23rd or 27th for its Artemis I mission. A lot of things will have to go right for either of those dates to be possible, including repairs to the rocket’s fueling system, a sign-off from the Space Force, and managing to avoid an assortment of space scheduling conflicts.

Artemis I will mark the first launch of the agency’s massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and will send a spacecraft called Orion out on an orbit far past the Moon. This mission will be uncrewed and serve as a test for later missions that will send astronauts back to the Moon for the first time in decades.

After a hydrogen leak foiled NASA’s third attempt to launch the mission on...

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Some Withings products are about to get more expensive

Some, but not all, Withings products will see price increases in the coming weeks. | Image: Nokia

A banner has appeared within the storefront of the Withings website announcing that several products within its lineup will see price increases over the coming weeks. If you click through, you’ll find the entire Withings catalog with tags applied to identify which products will be affected by the changes. In the US, it notes that only Body Cardio, Sleep Analyzer, BPM Connect, and 38mm ScanWatch products will see increases between $20 and $30.

The dates appear to be staggered slightly by region — for example, the Netherlands will see price changes on September 19th, while prices in the US won’t switch until October 1st.

Withings states that “since 2020 some of our components, such as the microcontroller in Body Cardio, have increased by...

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Asus’ ROG 6 Android gaming phones are available for preorder in North America

The Asus ROG Phone 6 has launched in North America. | Image: Asus

Asus has made its new ROG Phone 6 and Phone 6 Pro available for preorder in North America after the initial launch in the UK and Europe. The latest version of this gaming-centric smartphone is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, which is a souped-up version of the same CPU shared by many current-gen flagship Android devices like the Samsung S22 Lineup and OnePlus 10. The ROG Phone 6 also has some additional hardware to cement its status as a go-to device for mobile gaming, which includes a minimum of 12GB of RAM and a 165Hz refresh rate screen with a resolution of 2448 x 1080.

The standard ROG Phone 6 is available in two different configurations. The base model, priced at $999, is equipped with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of...

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Here’s how the new Apple Watches compare to each other on paper

The Apple Watch SE (2022) is the new entry-level model, with the Apple Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra above it. | Image: Apple

During its “Far Out” event, Apple announced the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, new AirPods Pro earbuds, and a whole slew of new Apple Watches. We’re used to seeing an annual refresh of the Apple Watch, where a Series flagship begets another flagship — but this year marks the introduction of three new models: the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and a new Apple Watch SE. These watches are designed to offer new options at the entry-level, flagship (for generalists), and specialized markets.

At the bottom of the new lineup, the new Apple Watch SE continues the 2020 SE’s formula. It’s the “bargain” model, sacrificing niceties like an always-on display for the sake of a much lower price. Apple’s SE brand of budget-tier products are rarely...

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Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space is like a warm hug from a long-lost friend

Bee and Puppycat. | Image: Netflix

Netflix’s new Bee and PuppyCat series will make you fall in love with the story that started it all

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New accessibility and sharing features are coming to Android devices

A host of new features for accessibility and personalization are coming to Android devices. | Image: Google

Android is introducing a clutch of new features to improve accessibility, personalization, and productivity across various devices. One of the major announcements is that Nearby Share — Google’s AirDrop competitor — is getting a much-needed update that allows users to easily send files between their own devices.

After you opt in to use the new feature on your Android phone or tablet, all transfers between these devices will be automatically accepted, even if your display is switched off.

Image: Google

The new self share feature can be used to send photographs from your phone to your tablet with ease.

This self-share feature has been anticipated for a few months, and while we’re happy to see that file...

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1,000 photos with Hasselblad’s new 100-megapixel camera

More pixels, more problems with the X2D 100C

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YouTube launches an ad-free video player for education

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

YouTube is introducing a handful of new features for creators and institutions using the platform for educational content.

In a blog post today, YouTube says it’s launching an embeddable video player for education apps that removes ads, external links, and recommendations so viewers can “avoid distractions.” Having a player without YouTube’s recommendation algorithm — built to keep you watching and serve you new content — is probably good for students using the platform for school. YouTube’s recommendation algorithm has been the subject of scrutiny for years over how it can serve up extreme content and misinformation.

The ad- and recommendation-free player will be open to select partners to start, including education tech companies like...

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Ford will update BlueCruise driver assist with hands-free lane changing

Ford’s BlueCruise allows for hands-free driving on pre-approved divided highways. | Image: Ford

Ford is rolling out its first major update to its BlueCruise advanced driver-assist system, adding hands-free lane changing and several other new features, the company announced Thursday.

BlueCruise, which Ford is positioning as a viable competitor to GM’s Super Cruise and Tesla’s Autopilot systems, first launched in 2021 with the Ford Mustang Mach-E and has since rolled out to 75,000 Ford and Lincoln owners.

The software update, BlueCruise 1.2, will arrive this fall, starting with the 2023 Mustang Mach-E before landing with other models. (For Lincoln owners, the update will roll out as ActiveGlide 1.2.) Both updates will include three new features: lane change assist, predictive speed assist, and in-lane repositioning.

lane change...

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