'The Office' stars ring in 2021 with a *very* on-brand jello stunt

Nothing says "Happy New Year" quite like a good, old-fashioned...jello explosion? Well, OK!

During NBC's 2021 New Year's Eve celebration on Thursday, The Office stars Kate Flannery and Oscar Nunez made a surprise appearance to mark the sitcom's official move from Netflix to Peacock. In a pre-taped stunt, the ludicrously likable sitcom alums reflected on the (to put it mildly) bumpy past few months and enthused over the promise of a fresh trip around the sun. 

Then, they topped off those cozy sentiments by putting some World's Best Boss-style mugs — that read "2020: Best Year Ever" — inside of a yellow jello mold and blowing them up in the Dunder Mifflin parking lot. Obviously.  Read more...

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Develop emotional intelligence with this heavily discounted bundle

TL;DR: The Emotional Intelligence and Decision-Making Bundle is on sale for £25.85 as of Jan. 1, saving you 96% on list price.

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Humans kind of suck these days. Seriously. A quick scroll through Twitter will validate that. With emotions running high, empathy, social skills, and self-awareness (some of the main areas of emotional intelligence) have seemingly gone out the window. But there are ways to get back in touch with your feelings and become a better human, like with this Emotional Intelligence and Decision-Making Bundle.

Coined as a concept in 1995 by psychologist and science journalist Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence centres around the ability to manage and monitor one's own as well as other's emotions and use them to guide one's thinking and actions. An emotionally intelligent person will have a higher chance of success and a stronger ability to effectively lead. Read more...

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Amazon’s first TV is only available in India

If you want a first-party Fire TV experience, there are a lot of ways to go about getting one. But as far as dedicated TV sets that come with Fire OS preinstalled, Amazon has preferred to work with partners through its Fire TV Edition program rather than release its own TVs. 

That changed this week when the company released two sets under its AmazonBasics brand in India. They’re 55-inch and 50-inch models that come in at about $480 and $410, respectively. Feature-wise, they’re about what you would expect from TVs in the price bracket. Both come with 4K LED displays that support HDR 10 and HLG, as well as Dolby Vision. They also come with an Alexa voice remote and Fire OS 7 — though seemingly not the new version of the company’s Fire TV interface. 

According to AFTVnews, Amazon plans to release three additional models in the future, including two smaller and more affordable 1080p and 720p models. Despite the AmazonBasics brand name, these likely have similar components and OEMs to other Fire TV models released worldwide. Whether or not Amazon will stick its name on TVs sold in the US remains to be seen.

via engadget.com

Volvo's first electric SUV runs on Google

I spent two hours driving Volvo’s first electric SUV around San Francisco last week. The thing I loved most about it: Google Maps. 

The XC40 Recharge hits the U.S. market in January for just under $55,000. Volvo doesn't try to push its own software. Instead, it's one of the first cars with an infotainment system entirely run on native Google software. (We're not talking about Android Auto, which requires an Android phone is compatible with vehicles from multiple automakers.)

The XC40 Recharge has a range of 208 miles, and features a panoramic sunroof, spacious seating, 2,000-pound towing capacity, and plenty of trunk and front trunk, or "frunk," space. If it looks a lot like the "regular" gas-powered XC40 SUV, it's because it's the same design, just electrified.  Read more...

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The Internet Archive now has better scans of Computerworld magazine

The Internet Archive announced that it has made Computerworld’s print issues from 1967-2014 available online in better quality than ever. The publication provides a historical record of sorts for computing, as it launched during a key period in the industry and documented significant events like a 75 minute Steve Jobs interview in 1995.

The Internet Archive and its Wayback Machine store old web sites like some of the first Engadget articles from 2004. Much of Computerworld was already available on the Internet Archive, thanks to cooperation from publisher IDG and its Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. However, those were digitized from poor-quality microfilms that “did not look very good,” according to the Internet Archive’s blog.

Luckily, some better-quality microfilm collections were acquired and donated to be digitized and preserved on film. The Internet Archive worked with open source communities and NextScan to improve the digitization by “adjusting for faded film, straightening the pages, performing optical character recognition” and more.

The collection includes 50 years of reporting from mainframes to iPhones to AI, via a publication that was the progenitor of future IDG properties like Macworld and PCWorld. The higher-quality issues are now available to all (with limited text search available for now), and can be read aloud for the print disabled.

via engadget.com

Apple removes more unlicensed games from the App Store in China

The App Store is reportedly looking a little different in China today. According to Reuters, Apple has removed roughly 39,000 games owned by developers and publishers that don’t have an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) from the Chinese government. Research conducted by Qimai, a specialist firm in China, reportedly reveals that many Western titles were included in the purge, including Assassin’s Creed Identity and NBA 2K20. According to Reuters, that leaves just 74 of the top 1,500 paid games. Some of the free apps that remain include Call of Duty: Mobile, Honor of Kings and Game for Peace, the Chinese version of PUBG Mobile.

The removals aren’t a huge surprise. Apple launched a similar crackdown earlier this summer, removing 30,000 apps — most of which were games, according to Bloomberg — that weren’t approved by the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA). It's almost impossible to obtain an ISBN without a domestic publisher, which is why so many Western studios partner with another company before launching their games in China.

Before, Apple would allow developers to publish their games while they waited for authorization from the NPPA, according to the Financial Times. But in February, Apple warned developers that they would need to have an ISBN by June 30th, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to update their games in the App Store. A written notice seen by Bloomberg also told developers that their games would be banned and removed after July 31st if they didn’t have a licence. (Hence the summer purge.) Apple then extended some of these deadlines to December 31st. (Hence the second purge.)

Apple appears to be falling in line with many Android app store operators, such as Tencent and Huawei, which already demand that developers have an NPPA licence. It’s not clear why Apple changed its policy this year, though — or decided to implement Chinese regulations more vigorously. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

via engadget.com

The Morning After: Intel, AMD and Apple made 2020 a big year for CPUs

Very, very soon, 2020 will be over. Did it take an eternity to get here, or did the year fly past for you? We’ve commissioned a run of end-of-year stories that touch on what happened in tech over the last 12 months, how we’re on the brink of a processor revolution, how Twitch kept its streaming crown, as well as our favorite games and gadgets of 2020.

It’ll be January 1st 2021 tomorrow, and we’ll be switching gears from seasonal holidays to CES preparation, contending with the Las Vegas show as it goes online-only. 

-- Mat Smith

2020 put us on the edge of a processor revolution

Upscaled looks back at a big year for CPUs.

This end-of-year Upscaled episode focuses on AMD and Intel’s recent processor endeavors, with high-end chips like Zen 3 and “Comet Lake” going up against each other. At the same time, Apple launched its first PC processor, the M1. Next year could be even more interesting -- and challenging for Intel.
Continue reading.

Apple suffers a loss in lawsuit against maker of iPhone emulators

It sued Corellium for offering security researchers access to a 'virtual iPhone.'

Last year, Apple sued security start-up Corellium, accusing it of violating copyright law with its “virtual” iPhones that can help researchers find bugs in iOS products. Now, a federal judge in Florida has tossed Apple’s copyright complaint, giving Corellium a major victory in its legal battle against the tech giant.

The software gives security experts  deeper access to iOS even without a physical iPhone installed with special software. Apple said that Corellium was selling its product indiscriminately, compromising the platform’s security.
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LG Display's transparent OLED puts a screen between you and the sushi chef

Just one of the many transparent OLED demos planned for CES.

The Korean company is setting up a few physical demos for its online CES 2021 showroom, with the most interesting-looking one (so far) being a restaurant scene featuring a 55-inch transparent OLED screen on the sushi bar.

Diners get to browse the menu or enjoy videos on the big screen, while also watching chefs preparing food behind this futuristic hygienic partition thanks to its 40-percent transparency. By comparison, a transparent LCD only offers 10-percent transparency, according to LG Display.
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Ticketmaster pays $10 million fine after hacking a startup rival

A former Songkick employee shared his login information with execs.

“Ticketmaster employees repeatedly — and illegally — accessed a competitor’s computers without authorization using stolen passwords to unlawfully collect business intelligence,” acting US attorney Seth DuCharme said in a press release. To avoid prosecution over the matter, Ticketmaster will pay a $10 million fine, after settling an earlier lawsuit for $110 million.

According to court filings and previous reports, Stephen Mead left Ticketmaster rival Songkick in 2012 (after signing a confidentiality agreement), and subsequently joined Ticketmaster parent Live Nation. He then allegedly shared Songkick’s login information with Ticketmaster employees, including Ticketmaster’s former head of Artist Services, Zeeshan Zaidi.

‘Co-conspirator 1’, aka Mead, told the execs to “screen-grab the hell out of the system,” and brazenly noted “I must stress that as this is access to a live [victim company] tool I would be careful in what you click on as it would be best not [to] giveaway that we are snooping around.”
Continue reading.

NASA approves two missions to better understand space weather

The agency has set aside around $55 million for each project.

NASA will take part in two missions that could give us the data needed to better understand solar winds and explosions, or space weather as a whole. The agency has officially announced its participation in the Extreme Ultraviolet High-Throughput Spectroscopic Telescope Epsilon Mission (EUVST) and the Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) program.

EUVST is a solar telescope project that will look more closely into how the sun’s atmosphere releases solar winds and spews out solar materials, which affect space radiation levels.  Meanwhile, EZIE involves three small satellites which will monitor the auroral electrojet, or the electrical currents above the poles linking aurora to the Earth’s magnetosphere. Scientists want to look into the electrojet, since the same phenomenon that causes the aurora can also interfere with radio and communication signals, as well as damage spacecraft in orbit.
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But wait, there’s more...

Pixel phones only use their new ‘Adaptive Charging’ if your alarm is set between certain hours

'S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2' trailer promises a 2021 launch, more than 10 years after it was announced

The ESPN+ annual subscription is going up by $10

A new update makes it easier to move apps between the LG Wing's displays

GM's CES keynote will reportedly show off an electric Chevrolet pickup

I tried to play 'Unsung Story' and fell for 'Mario Party' instead

Mapping the Jellyfish Nebula's supernova remnant

January's free PS Plus games include 'Shadow of the Tomb Raider'

Peloton buys the rights to three exclusive Elvis remixes

Amazon has purchased podcast network Wondery

Google experiments with surfacing TikTok and Instagram videos in search

Apple pulled an app that promoted potentially COVID-unsafe parties

via engadget.com

FCC orders phone companies to help trace illegal robocallers

The FCC has been adopting more and more measures to combat robocalls, and the latest set of rules (PDF) it’s implementing include limiting even non-telemarketing calls made to residential phones. Non-commercial, commercial and nonprofit organizations can now only make up to three calls per residential number within 30 days and are required to allow recipients to opt out. The FCC didn’t have a limit for non-telemarketing calls before this change. In addition, the commission has introduced (PDF) new rules for voice service providers, which are now required to respond to traceback requests for illegal call sources from the commission and from law enforcement.

They’re now also required to investigate illegal calls identified by the commission and to take steps to mitigate those calls if they come to the same conclusion. The FCC says carriers must “exercise due diligence in ensuring that their services are not used to originate illegal traffic,” as well. Aside from implementing those new rules, the FCC has expanded safe harbors for providers to eliminate legal liability for network-level call blocking. That said, providers must only target calls that “highly likely to be illegal, not simply unwanted” and must use human oversight.

In an effort to be more transparent, the FCC requires providers to notify callers if they’ve been blocked. Phone companies must also provide subscribers with a list of blocked calls upon request and provide a status update on call blocking disputes within 24 hours.

via engadget.com

10 TV shows we can't wait to see in 2021

We're not certain of much headed into 2021, but the upcoming TV slate gives us reason to hope.

Despite pandemic related delays, tons of shows are launching and returning in the new year — giving those of us still socially distancing plenty to sift throughImpeachment: American Crime Story, Tuca & Bertie Season 2, Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings series, HBO Max's Gossip Girl reboot, and many more exciting projects are in the works right now. 

What do we know we'll be watching ASAP? Here are our top 10 picks for most anticipated TV shows to look forward to in 2021. (Oh yeah, there's Marvel on hereLots of Marvel.)  Read more...

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How performative became the most searing callout in 2020

Whenever I read the word “performative” online I hear Ziwe Fumudoh’s voice. Specifically the voice she used to shut down Instagram influencer/Only Fans short-timer/bad friend Caroline Calloway during an Instagram Live over the summer. 

“And when you say Black people, do you capitalize the B?” Fumudoh asks after Calloway describes her appearance on the Instagram comedy show as a way for Fumudoh to get some “emotional rest.” 

“Absolutely because otherwise it’s a color,” Calloway says with aplomb.

“Performative,” Fumudoh quickly retorts.

Just like that, the interview kicked off. As Calloway offered a sly smile to the audience and took a sip of what looks like white wine, Fumudoh summarized all that is wrong with wannabe allies in one blunt joke that doubled as a serious burn.  Read more...

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Ticketmaster pays $10 million fine after hacking a startup rival

Ticketmaster has agreed to pay a $10 million criminal fine to avoid prosecution over charges that it illegally accessed a rival’s computer system, Reuters has reported. “Ticketmaster employees repeatedly — and illegally — accessed a competitor’s computers without authorization using stolen passwords to unlawfully collect business intelligence,” acting US attorney Seth DuCharme said in a press release.

According to court filings and previous reports, Stephen Mead left Ticketmaster rival Songkick in 2012 (after signing a confidentiality agreement), and subsequently joined Ticketmaster parent Live Nation. He then allegedly shared Songkick’s login information with Ticketmaster employees, including Ticketmaster’s former head of Artist Services, Zeeshan Zaidi. Separately, Zaidi pled guilty to wire fraud and conspiring to commit computer intrusions “based on his participation in the same scheme,” according to the DoJ.

Songkick allows artists to sell presale tickets ahead of general ticket sales, and the unnamed employee was also accused of sharing URLs that led to drafts of those ticketing pages. A Ticketmaster executive wanted the company aimed to “choke off” its competitor and “steal back one of [its] signature clients,” the prosecution wrote.

DoJ:

In January 2014, Coconspirator-1 emailed Zaidi and a second Ticketmaster executive multiple sets of usernames and passwords for Toolboxes.  Coconspirator-1 encouraged the executives to “screen-grab the hell out of the system,” but also warned, “I must stress that as this is access to a live [victim company] tool I would be careful in what you click on as it would be best not [to] giveaway that we are snooping around.”  (Emphasis in original.)  The information from the Toolboxes was then used to prepare a presentation for other senior executives that was intended to “benchmark” Ticketmaster’s offerings against those of the victim company. 

The DoJ said that the information was also shared within Ticketmaster. “Ticketmaster’s employees brazenly held a division-wide ‘summit’ at which the stolen passwords were used to access the victim company’s computers, as if that were an appropriate business tactic,” DuCharme wrote. “Ticketmaster used stolen information to gain an advantage over its competition, and then promoted the employees who broke the law.”

In 2018, Ticketmaster paid Songkick $110 million in a settlement over a lawsuit accusing Ticketmaster of abusing its market power to control ticket sales. Ticketmaster also paid an undisclosed sum to acquire Songkick technology and patents. During the lawsuit, Songkick also accused Ticketmaster of corporate espionage, which reportedly caught the attention of the DoJ, according to the New York Times.

The $10 million fine seems like a mild punishment given the charges filed and the fact that Live Nation saw $11.5 billion in revenue for 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the company’s business drastically, with revenue in Q3 2020 at $184 million compared to $3.8 billion in Q3 2019 — a drop of over 95 percent. In a statement, a Ticketmaster spokesperson said “Ticketmaster terminated both Zaidi and Mead in 2017, after their conduct came to light. Their actions violated our corporate policies and were inconsistent with our values. We are pleased that this matter is now resolved.”

via engadget.com

Save 20% on this galaxy projector and lie beneath a sea of stars every night

TL;DR: Light up your room with this Sky Lite Galaxy Projector, on sale for $47.99 with code HOLIDAY20 as of Dec. 31.

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Everyone loves the idea of lying underneath the stars. But between the frigid temperatures and the discomfiting thought of bugs and wild animals running amuck, it’s not always as enjoyable as it seems. We can't all be outdoorsy people. That’s why galaxy projectors that fully immerse you beneath a sea of stars from the comfort of your home are so popular lately.

Topping many Christmas lists this year and even gracing TikTok feeds, galaxy projectors are a simple way to spice up your boring nights stuck indoors. And for a limited time, you can snag the TikTok-famous BlissLights Sky Lite Galaxy Projector on sale for 20% off to ring in the new year. Read more...

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Snag this convenient $89 PS5 charging dock for only $33 to ring in the new year

TL;DR: Apply "HOLIDAY20" at checkout for an extra 20% off a PS5 charging dock making it $32.76 as of Dec. 31. 

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If you’re one of the lucky ones that found the highly sought after Playstation 5 under the tree this holiday, we’re super happy for you. If not, you could try your luck at the Ultimate Gaming Giveaway and potentially win one. Otherwise, shift your focus to the restocks near you, and your day will come. And when it does, you’re going to need a convenient way to keep your controllers powered up and your PS5 system cool. And we’ve found just the device to get the job done.

This PS5 charging dock is a two-in-one vertical stand that serves as both a charging system and a cooling station. There are two built-in fans to keep your PS5 cool in the hub and dual charging slots to store and juice up your controllers simultaneously without connecting the PS5 system. There’s also two USB ports for charging other devices and one USB port for powerful data transferring because everyone loves a multifunctional gadget, right? Read more...

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This adorable Motorola Bluetooth speaker doubles as a wireless charger

TL;DR: Get pumped for a better listening experience, courtesy of the Motorola Sonic Sub 500 Wireless Fast Charging Speaker for $42.36 — which is a total of 28% off with the promo code HOLIDAY20 as of Dec. 31. 

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There are a lot of fish in the sea when it comes to Bluetooth speakers. But if you're in the market, few check as many boxes as this Motorola Sonic Sub 500 Wireless Fast Charging Speaker.

Unlike your typical pocket speaker, this one is designed with a built-in subwoofer that delivers spectacular sound quality. It packs a rich bass and includes Bluetooth 5.0 technology boasting less energy consumption alongside a more secure connection. And in case you want to use it to make a call, it features a built-in microphone, too. All of that in a slim, compact package. And did we mention it's waterproof and lasts up to 15 hours without needing a charge? Read more...

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The 20 best documentaries on Netflix

Escapism is bliss, but knowledge is power.

It's why the humble documentary is more important than ever, unearthing truths, offering different perspectives, and introducing you to stories you might not have come across in your short time on this planet. 

Netflix's documentary offerings are strong stuff, with many of the streaming service's films and series proving some the most talked about watches of certain times in our lives — if you managed to miss the whole Wild Wild Country "tough titties" conversation, we're impressed? — and others flying under the radar despite their excellence.

We've rounded up the very best documentary films and TV series on Netflix, so you can load up on some of the strangest, most enraging, most uplifting true stories, all crafted by those determined documentary makers who spend hours and hours editing their findings into a compelling path.  Read more...

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Tackle your creative writing New Year's resolution with this virtual bootcamp

TL;DR: Get your creative juices flowing with The Creative Writing Course Bundle for $39.99, a 95% savings as of Dec. 31. 

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Maybe you loved creative writing in school and find yourself missing it today. Maybe you've been thinking of tapping into your inner creative writer as a goal for 2021. Or maybe, you see creative writing as a new career path or side hustle. No matter your "why," you might need a push to actually sit down and do it. 

Luckily, this Creative Writing Course Bundle may be just the push you need. Whether your medium is poetry, science fiction, plays, or just about anything that involves putting pen to paper, this bundle is packed with coursework to help you get started.  Read more...

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'Wonder Woman 1984' memes are good, but they can be better

This year was bad, but the next can be betterWonder Woman 1984 has gifted us with one final meme to see out 2020, and it's an uncharacteristically optimistic one considering the anxiety and disaster that plagued the last 12 months. 

Released Dec. 25, Wonder Woman 1984 sees Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) come up against Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal), a charismatic businessman most famous for his ads stating, "Life is good, but it can be better."

SEE ALSO: We need to talk about that 'handsome man' in 'Wonder Woman 1984'

Twitter users have now turned Lord's catchphrase into a meme, using it to illustrate things they believe are already pretty good but that could be improved — or for which a better option is available.  Read more...

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LG wants to put transparent OLEDs in restaurants and subways

LG's got a transparent OLED display, and if you're wondering how such a device could be useful, the company has a few ideas to share. 

Ahead of the upcoming CES 2021 show, LG shared a few ideas on how its transparent OLED products could fit into real-world situations. 

One idea is having a transparent OLED at a restaurant, where the display would pop up from the bar, between the customer and the waiter, allowing the customer to see the menu and order while still being able to see the waiter. 

LG also designed a Smart Bed with a frame from which a transparent OLED TV can rise up, and retract to when not needed. The frame, which also features a set of speakers, can freely be moved around the house. Read more...

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Google's Pixel phones only use adaptive charging if there's an alarm to guide it

Adaptive Charging is one of the most useful features Google rolled out this month for Pixel phones. It makes sure the device’s battery gets filled slower than usual if you leave it plugged in overnight, which is something that can help maintain the battery’s original capacity. As 9to5Google has spotted on a support page, though, there’s something important you need to know if you plan to put it to good use: The feature will only kick in if you charge your phone and set your alarm within a specific time frame.

The phone will only use Adaptive Charging if you plug it in after 9PM. Further, you’ll need to set an alarm to go off anytime between 5 and 10AM. According to the support page, the feature “uses your alarm’s settings to completely charge your phone right before you wake up,” so your Pixel will charge like normal if you don’t meet those requirements. If your schedule’s in line with those hours, and you want to take advantage of what the feature can do, you can switch it on under Battery in Settings on the Pixel 4/XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5.

Apple has a similar feature for iOS that attempts to reduce chemical aging by prolonging the device’s charging time past 80 percent. iPhones installed with iOS 13 do it automatically, Apple explains, by using “on-device machine learning to learn your daily charging routine.” When your iPhone predicts that it will be connected to a charger for an extended period — say, at night — the feature activates on its own. It’s unclear if Google intends deploy a similar algorithm for the feature, but it clearly doesn’t use one for now.

In addition to Adaptive Charging, Pixel’s December feature bundle also includes Adaptive Sound, which uses the microphone to assess your environmental acoustics and automatically adjust the equalizer. Meanwhile, Adaptive Connectivity automatically switches your connection from 5G to 4G, and vice versa, based on the app you’re using to save battery life.

via engadget.com

Brave's privacy-focused browser rolls out a version for Apple's M1 Macs

If you have a new M1-powered Mac and you’re looking for a non-Apple, non-Google, non-Mozilla browser, then good news, Brave has updated the release channel of its privacy-focused browser with native Apple Silicon support. At the moment, the Microsoft Edge team is still testing M1 support in its Canary release channel.

For anyone running the `x64` version on a new Apple CPU Mac, please replace with the above (universal/arm64) to see the performance gains. In Settings - About Brave you should see `arm64` instead of `x86_64 translated`.

— Mihai 🎯 (@mihaiplesa) December 30, 2020

In case you’ve forgotten, it’s the Chromium-based browser that blocks ads and trackers by default, while also implementing its own token system that’s intended to compensate creators — occasionally controversially. It recently rolled out an integrated news reader, and claims some 7 million or so active daily users.

Just as we’ve seen with the other browsers based on Chromium, switching to a version built for the ARM processors in new Macs should increase performance and extend battery life. This version also fixes video playback on IMDB and HBO Max, even if you don’t have an Apple machine with the new chips inside.

via engadget.com

Gain access to hundreds of micro books for under £50

TL;DR: A lifetime premium subscription to the 12min Micro Book Library is on sale for £43.59 as of Dec. 31, saving you 85% on list price.

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What if instead of doom scrolling before bed, you were diving into topics and stories that enriched your mind? By doing so, not only would you have conversation starters for awkward moments, but you may find yourself advancing in your career or picking up new fulfilling hobbies. 

Alas, time is finite, and we can't always squeeze in a few moments to flip pages. But don't let that stop you12min is an app for busy book lovers, giving you access to hundreds of micro books in text and audio form. The best part? They can all be consumed in 12 minutes or less (duh). Read more...

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GM's CES keynote will reportedly show off an electric Chevrolet pickup

Last month, GM announced that it was ramping up its electrification efforts and aiming to have 30 EVs on the market by the end of 2025. Turns out we might see some of those vehicles very, very soon: according to Bloomberg, the automaker will give us a peek at some of its EVs at the online-only CES in January. GM CEO Mary Barra will also give the opening keynote on January 12th and will reportedly focus on explaining how electrification is necessary to achieve environmental and societal change.

Bloomberg says GM will show a video at the event showcasing its latest technologies and previewing some of its concept vehicles, including a plug-in Chevrolet pickup, some electric Cadillac models and EVs from its other brands. As Autoblog notes, it’s unclear if Chevy is unveiling the same pickup truck it announced and previewed earlier this year. Chevy revealed that it was working on a full-size electric pickup with a range of up to 400 miles in July. It gave us a glimpse of the truck during a marketing presentation in November, but it has yet to officially launch the vehicle.

As for Cadillac, the brand unveiled its first EV called the Lyriq back in August. It will be the first model to use GM’s “Ultium” scalable battery system, which the automaker’s other brands will also be using for their vehicles, including GMC’s Hummer EV. We might also see concept EV models if Cadillac is showcasing more than one vehicle, especially since it’s not unthinkable for the brand to be working on more at this point in time. Autoblog previously reported that Cadillac might abandon gasoline entirely as soon as 2025, five years earlier than it originally planned.

A Wall Street Journal piece published in December said that GM is facing resistance from dealerships that could hamper its electrification plans. Around 150 dealerships in the US apparently decided to drop the Cadillac brand rather than spend $200,000 on upgrades for equipment, such as charging stations and repair hardware, needed to sell EVs. If more states follow California in banning the sale of gasoline cars within the next 15 years, though, they might have no choice but to get those EV upgrades.

Follow all the latest news from CES 2021 here!

via engadget.com

A new update makes it easier to move apps between the LG Wing's displays

If you’re the proud owner of an LG Wing, your quirky dual-screen phone is about to pick up new features. As spotted by Droid Life, Verizon (Engadget’s parent company) has released a new update that builds out the Wing’s unique functionality and should make it easier to use.

Most notably, there’s a new feature that allows you quickly move apps between the Wing’s two displays. You can take advantage of the feature by pulling down from the top of the screen to access the Quick Settings menu and tapping the “Fetch or Send” icon. Another option is to swipe on the display with three fingers. Both are a significant improvement in how LG handled the Wing’s swiveling display when it first released the phone.

The company has also added a restart button that will appear when third-party apps hang for five seconds after you’ve transferred them between screens. App icons on the bottom display will now also be properly labeled.  

Elsewhere, there’s a new default wallpaper with which you can customize your homescreen and the camera app can now scan QR codes. Oh, and if you’re connected to Verizon’s 5G network, the corresponding icon will now appear in white instead of gray. Last but not least, the update includes Google’s November security patch for Android devices. 

You can download the update by opening the Settings menu and heading to the About Phone section. Once there, tap the software updates option and follow the flow of the interface. As always, if the update isn’t available right away, it may take a day or two for Verizon to roll it out to your device.

via engadget.com

LG Display's transparent OLED puts a screen between you and the sushi chef

As per its annual tradition, LG Display is preparing to show off some new display tech demos for CES 2021, with the latest focus set on showing where transparent OLED may fit in the pandemic age. The Korean company is setting up a few physical demos for its online showroom, with the most interesting-looking one (so far) being a restaurant scene featuring a 55-inch transparent OLED screen on the sushi bar. Diners get to browse the menu or enjoy videos on the big screen, while also watching chefs preparing food behind this futuristic hygienic partition thanks to its 40-percent transparency. By comparison, transparent LCD only offers 10-percent transparency, according to LG Display.

In another demo, the company will be placing the same 55-inch transparent OLED panel at the end of a “smart bed,” so that the user gets to enjoy watching videos up close from the comfort of the bed, without the panel blocking the view of the rest of the bedroom. On a similar note, the screen unit has “Cinematic Sound OLED (CSO)” speakers built into the main body, so no external speakers are required. With a click of a button, the transparent screen can partially or fully tuck itself into the main body, with the former mode still allowing it to show information like time and weather. Since the unit is set on wheels, you can also push it to other rooms and enjoy the same viewing benefits.

LG Display

Transparent OLED has been around for some time now, but it wasn’t until last year (2019) when this display tech made its first truly public appearance courtesy of LG Display and Harrods. Then in August this year, LG Display also helped install transparent OLED panels on some Beijing and Shenzhen subways (also to be demoed at CES 2021), which let passengers browse travel updates, weather info, news and more on the screen without blocking the outside view. Here’s hoping that the panel maker will be able to bring this tech to more transportation modes — or even straight to our homes, like Xiaomi’s pricey transparent TV (but hopefully with a lower price in the near future, of course).

via engadget.com

'S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2' gameplay teaser previews the game's 2021 launch

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl was announced in 2001 and didn’t ship until 2007, so news that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is preparing for a 2021 release more than ten years after it was originally announced is fitting. Presumably first-person shooter players will once again put on their radiation suits to survive in Chernobyl while fighting mutants, but the clip released today doesn’t give away many hints. A Facebook post refers to the player’s character “Skif,” and says “loading” along with “PDA 2.0.”

Ukrainian developer GSC Game World posted this teaser trailer on IGN’s YouTube channel, with a note saying it represents “how the game actually feels: fast-paced change of scenery, ominous landscapes and the ever-present feeling of an inevitable danger accompanied by a barely-distinguishable guitar soundtrack.” The brief clip is presented in 4K and certainly brings to mind the first game’s gloomy environment, and says it’s our first in-engine look at the game, as opposed to a longer trailer that popped up this summer.

The team went largely silent after saying the game was still in development in 2012, before reappearing in 2018 promising a 2021 release date. This new game is planned for release on PC and Xbox Series X/S, with day-one availability as part of Xbox Game Pass.

via engadget.com

Incredibly wholesome 2020 recap looks at the year in dogs

No matter how bad 2020 was, we can at least take comfort in its very good dogs.

Famed dog rating Twitter account WeRateDogs has compiled the most wholesome 2020 recap imaginable, looking back at this past year through the trusting eyes of our fluffy canine companions. From koala savior Bear to incoming First Dogs Champ and Major, the six-minute video set to Novo Amor's "Carry You" is a gentle look at a rough year and the dogs that stayed by us through it all.

SEE ALSO: Dogs and cats are refusing to let their humans work out at home, and it's pretty hilarious

The Australian bushfires, coronavirus lockdowns, police brutality protests, and an extremely tense U.S. election made 2020 seem like a freight train of nightmares with no breaks. Yet our loyal pets reminded us that there is still a great deal of good in the world, becoming home office helpers, fluffy meteorologists, and protesters against racism — as well as continuing to uphold the age-old canine tradition of invading sport fields.  Read more...

More about Dogs, Best Of 2020, Culture, and Animals
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The Morning After: Boston Dynamics' dancing robots are back

Today, we’ve got stories on Apple’s “ultra” security measures, someone squeezing entire movies on floppy disks and a deep dive on the ways we might connect, without touch, in a post-pandemic world. But for this opening salvo, let’s home in on a family of dancing robots.

Watch the Atlas robot and the entire Boston Dynamics family, including the dog-like Spot and box-stacking Handle, dance to “Do You Love Me” from The Contours, and you’ll either feel affection or, well, repulsion. Boston Dynamics may now be 80 percent owned by car maker Hyundai, but it’s keeping its sense of humor.

-Mat Smith

Google’s discontinued Home Max smart speaker is back on sale

You can get the $400 smart speaker for as low as $159.

Despite Google’s Home Max being officially retired and pulled from sale a couple of weeks ago, the Google Store is once again offering the speaker for sale. While flashing a message saying the device is sold out and prompting customers to try out a pair of the new Nest Audio devices instead, it will still let you check out a Charcoal-colored Home Max speaker for $179.

Everything we said in our review still stands, in that this voice-activated speaker has excellent sound quality and plugs directly into Google’s Assistant ecosystem. The best part now being it doesn’t cost $400 anymore -- at least while stocks last.
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A Redditor is squeezing entire movies onto a single floppy disk

They can watch their low-res version of 'Shrek' on a custom VCR.

A Redditor is compressing entire feature movies to a resolution of 120 x 96 pixels at a silky smooth four frames per second. As such, they were able to cram Shrek onto a medium with a storage size of 1.44 MB, or around 0.03 percent of a DVD's 4.7 GB capacity. In fact, u/GreedyPaint pulverized Shrek down to 1.37 MB, so there was even some room to spare.

To play the thing, you could connect a  floppy disk drive to a Raspberry Pi as part of a custom VCR system affectionately called the LimaTek Diskmaster. When the device powers up, it displays a homemade animation which asks the Redditor to insert a disk. When they do, the movie plays automatically.  Just don’t expect it to look any good, at all.
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How technology confronted a pandemic in 2020

And the ways we might connect in a post-pandemic world.

What will the post-pandemic world look like? However it shakes out, technology will be central to it all. The memories of this year are still raw and the conditioning — wash your hands for two “Happy Birthday” songs! Don’t touch your face! — is still instinctive.

During 2020, the tech industry has pushed products geared towards minimizing, sanitizing or tracking physical touch. Think: wearables that stop you touching your face, or touchless touch screens and buttons. Which of these will we discard as society fully re-opens and what might become permanent? Chris Ip reports on what’s happened in 2020 and what we might expect to see next year.
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Why Apollo Neuro is a must-have wearable for busy professionals

Google Cloud Print goes away with 2020

There’s only two days left.

We knew this day was coming since 2019, but now that it’s finally here, consider this a friendly reminder. For most people, chances are the shutdown won’t be anything more than a minor inconvenience when they discover Cloud Print is still their default printing option. 

Once upon a time, it was a way to print from Chromebooks before they added native device support, and made it easier to print remotely on a number of home/office devices. Now, like so many other Google services, it’s going away, so double check your print settings in Chrome before you get an awkward surprise on Monday morning.
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But wait, there’s more...

Samsung TVs with HDR10+ Adaptive will take your room's lighting into account

Google removed the Pixel 5's and 4a 5G's ultrawide astrophotography mode

Man sues police over a facial recognition-related wrongful arrest

A Spotify loophole allowed people to upload bootleg remixes as podcasts

American Airlines will resume Boeing 737 Max passenger flights today

How Twitch kept its crown in a controversial year

Leaked videos, pics show Apple's 'Ultra' security testing of prototype Watches

via engadget.com