Multiple publications are reporting that E3 2022 is fully canceled. Both the physical and a planned digital version of the gaming convention have been scrapped for this year, according to IGN and Variety. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which organizes the show, has officially confirmed to Engadget that E3 2022 is canceled, and provided an official statement.
In January, the ESA announced that E3 would be an online-only event, citing concerns over "COVID-19 and its potential impact on the safety of exhibitors and attendees." According to today's statement, the ESA said "E3 will return in 2023."
The Association added that it "will devote all our energy and resources to delivering a revitalized physical and digital E3 experience next summer." The organization said it wants to "ensure that the revitalized showcase sets a new standard for hybrid industry events and fan engagement."
Next year's show will be presented "to E3 fans around the world live from Los Angeles," the ESA said. E3 2022 took place online, and in spite of some hiccups, the event saw the announcement of a ton of news.
This story is developing, please refresh for updates.
The days of getting kicked off of Xbox because a partner or family member decides to sign in from another room may soon be over. Microsoft is reportedly adding a family plan as a separate subscription tier to its Xbox Game Pass, according to Windows Central.
Engadget reached out to Microsoft for confirmation of the news, but the company is keeping its lips sealed for now. “We are always looking for ways to improve the Game Pass experience and add more value for members, which includes regularly testing and refining features based on community feedback. However, we have nothing to announce at this time," wrote a Microsoft spokesperson in an email to Engadget.
Unlike Netflix, Spotify and many other subscription services, the Xbox Game Pass currently has no option for multiple users to share one account. This has been a common frustration amongst Xbox players over the years, particularly those who share a household with other people who love to play games. Xbox Game Pass subscriptions are tied to specific Xbox profiles and not specific devices, allowing players to sign-in from anywhere. While players can technically add a secondary Xbox console to their Game Pass subscription, the primary account holder must be signed in for the second person to access their games. Households with multiple gamers often get around this inconvenience by paying for multiple individual Game Pass subscriptions.
The family plan will reportedly allow up to five players on a single subscription and should debut later this year. It is unknown what the exact pricing will be, and whether the family plan will be exclusive to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, or include the other subscription tiers.
A family plan will likely give Microsoft an extra edge over Sony Playstation, which this week announced a newly revamped set of subscription plans — none of which include a family plan — to compete with the Xbox Game Pass.
As we’ve noted in the past, Microsoft has been very eager to grow its Xbox Game Pass subscriber base. The cloud gaming service is currently at 25 million subscribers as of this January. The company’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard is expected to close next summer, meaning popular titles like Call of Duty, Diablo and World of Warcraft are coming to Game Pass. It’s not surprising that one of the ways Microsoft will accommodate this larger subscriber base is by making it easier for households to share a subscription.
Microsoft realizes it has crammed Your Phone with features as of late, and it's giving the software a rework to help you manage all that content. The company has unveiled a rebranded Windows 11 Your Phone app, now called Phone Link, that includes a redesigned interface. The updated software puts notifications out front to make sure you don't miss an important alert. You'll also have tabbed navigation that should help you better manage apps, calls, messages and photos.
The refresh also brings visuals more in line with Windows 11's look and feel. It will be easier to get started, for that matter. An upcoming Windows 11 update will let you set up Phone Link by scanning a QR code.
The release comes alongside a renaming of the Android app to Link to Windows (formerly Your Phone Companion) to better illustrate its role. Phone Link won't necessarily eliminate the urge to check your device, but it might prevent the flood of information from becoming overwhelming.
This is not an April Fools' joke. Tomorrow (April 1st) at 12pm ET, UK bureau chief Mat Smith and I will be hosting a Twitter Space on the Engadget account, and we'd love for you to join us. We'll be discussing our experiences with the OnePlus 10 Pro, which Mat reviewed, and the Dyson Zone, which I tried out in person earlier this month.
If you have a burning question about either of these devices, or anything Engadget covers, bring them to the session! We expect to open up for Q&A after about 30 minutes, and can't wait to hear from you all. If you already follow Engadget on Twitter, you'll be able to join the Space when we're live.
For more than a century, popular science fiction has promised us a future filled with robotics and AI technologies. In 2022, many of those dreams are being realized — computers recognize us on sight and cars can drive themselves, we’re building intelligent exoskeletons that multiply our strength and implanting computers in our skulls to augment our intelligence — but that doesn’t mean most of America trusts these breakthrough technologies any further than they can throw them. Quite the opposite, in fact.
A recently published survey from Pew Research sought the opinions of some 10,260 US adults in November 2021 regarding their views on six technologies emerging in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence/machine learning. Specifically, canvassers asked about both more mainstream systems like the use of facial recognition technology by police, the fake news-flagging algorithms used by social media platforms, and autonomous vehicle technology, as well as more cutting-edge ideas like brain-computer interfaces, gene editing and powered exoskeletons. The responses largely topped out at tepid, with minorities of respondents having even heard much about a given technology and even fewer willing to become early adopters once these systems are available to the general public.
The Pew research team found a number of broad trends regarding which demographics were most accepting of these advances. College-educated white male Millennials and Gen Xers versed in the tech’s development were far more willing to ride in a driverless taxi or let Elon Musk rummage around in their heads. Women, Boomers, and folks hearing about BCIs for the first time, much less so. The Pew team also noted correlations between acceptance of a given technology and a person’s religious affinity and level of education.
Pew Research Center
Police Use of Facial Recognition
Computer vision systems and facial recognition technology is already widespread. Amazon uses it in its cashierless Go stores, Facebook uses it to moderate user-posted content, the IRS recently, briefly, considered using it in tax filings, and law enforcement has embraced the technology for criminal investigations and missing persons cases. The survey’s respondents largely believed that continued use in law enforcement would “likely help find missing persons and solve crimes,” but also conceded that “it is likely that police would use this technology to track everyone’s location and surveil Black and Hispanic communities more than others.”
In all, 46 percent of respondents thought widespread facial recognition use by the police would be a “good idea” for society, while 27 percent figured it would be bad and another 27 percent were unsure either way. Both Americans over 50 and those with a high school diploma or less agreed in equal measure (52 percent of respondents) that it would be a net positive, though the researchers note that people who “have heard or read a lot about the use of facial recognition technology by police” are far more likely to say it’s a bad idea.
Whether they think police using facial recognition is net good or bad for society, a majority of the respondents agree that even if the technology were to become ubiquitous, it would have little impact on crime rates. Some 57 percent of those surveyed guess that rates will remain steady while another 8 percent of them are rooting for the maniacs and figure crime will actually increase in response to adoption of this technology.
Pew Research Center
Social Media Moderation Algorithms
Lying is as fundamental a part of the internet as subnet masks – just ask any dog. But with 70 percent of the American populace online and on social media, the smallest morels of misinformation and biggest lies can become massively amplified as they spread via recommendation algorithms, often blurring the lines between reality and political fantasy. In an effort to prevent people from falling down internet rabbit holes, many social media companies have instituted additional AI systems to monitor and moderate misinformation posted to their platforms. And if you think the American people trust those algorithms, hoo boy, do I have some ivermectin to sell you.
Only 38 percent of those surveyed thought that using algorithms to monitor these digital hellscapes was a good idea for society. That’s 3 points lower than Trump’s average approval rating during his tenure. The remaining 62 percent of respondents were split evenly between ambivalence and thinking it would be bad for society. Overall, a majority believe that these automated moderation efforts “are not helping the social media information environment and at times might be worsening it,” per the report.
Unsurprisingly, opinions on this matter skew heavily depending on the respondent’s political affiliation. Majorities of both Democrats and Republicans agree that “political censorship and wrongful removal of information are definitely or probably happening as a result of the widespread use of these algorithms,” it is the latter group who are far more likely to say so.
Republicans and those leaning R were 28 percent more likely to believe in political censorship on the part of algorithms and 26 percent more likely to believe they were wrongly removing information.
Conversely, Democrats and D learners were twice as likely to “say it is getting easier to find trustworthy information on social media sites due to widespread use of algorithms” and those that hold that opinion are 19 percent more likely than Republicans to believe that algorithms are “allowing people to have more meaningful conversations.”
As with facial recognition, the amount of experience one has with the technology impacts their views on it, leaning negative among those with the most exposure and around half of respondents thinking algorithms a bad idea.
GLENN CHAPMAN via Getty Images
Autonomous Vehicles
Perhaps the most visible technology that the Pew team inquired about is vehicle automation. We’re already seeing driverless taxis cruise the streets of San Francisco while advanced driver assist systems rapidly evolve, despite the occasional kamikaze strike against nearby emergency response vehicles. The Pew team asked people, “How will this impact people who drive for a living? Are Americans willing to give up control to a machine? And whose safety should be prioritized in a potential life-or-death situation?” The people responded, “Bad, no, and pedestrians, but if we really have to.”
Respondents thought that the widespread use of driverless passenger vehicles is a bad idea for society by an 18-point margin (44 percent bad to 26 percent good), with nearly a third of people unsure. What’s more, the number of people unwilling to even ride in a fully autonomous vehicle is nearly double those who would take the ride (63 percent no to 37 percent yes). Older Americans are far less likely to get behind the wheel of an autonomous vehicle than those under 50, with only 25 percent of 50-plus-year-olds open to the idea compared to 47 percent of younger respondents. Men are more willing to ride in a driverless car than women — 46 percent versus 27 percent — as are people with a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to high school graduates.
Americans’ reticence extends to the other side of the door as well. Forty-five percent of the Pew’s respondents, “say they would not feel comfortable sharing the road with driverless vehicles if use of them became widespread,” including 18 percent who would “not feel comfortable at all.” Only 7 percent said they would be “extremely comfortable” sharing the road.
That’s not to say that Americans are completely against the idea of self-driving vehicles. A whopping 72 percent of people surveyed said that autonomous cars would help the elderly and disabled to live more independent lives while 56 percent figure it will make trips less stressful. But they are widely concerned (as in, 83 percent of them) that widespread adoption of the tech would cause drivers and delivery personnel to lose their jobs and 76 percent think the technology will put vehicles at risk of being hacked.
Pew Research Center
In terms of safety, 39 percent of people think that traffic deaths and injuries will fall once autonomous vehicles become ubiquitous while 27 percent think they’ll rise. Regardless of which direction folks think these trends will go, they agree at a rate of more than 2 to 1 (40 percent to 18) that “the computer system guiding the driverless car should prioritize the safety of the vehicle’s passengers, rather than those outside of the vehicle” in the event of an unavoidable crash. Turns out the trolley problem wasn’t that tough to solve after all.
Pew’s other three topics — BCIs, gene editing and exoskeletons — are not nearly as commercially available as ADA systems and facial recognition, but that hasn’t stopped Americans from inherently distrusting them even if they’re also kind of intrigued by the possibility.
Two-thirds of respondents would be “at least somewhat excited about the possibility of changing human capabilities to prevent serious diseases or health conditions” including 47 percent excited for cognitive enhancements, 24 percent on board for auditory enhancement, 44 percent in favor of strength augmentations and 41 percent apiece for visual and longevity enhancements. But only half of those surveyed would want these procedures done for themselves or their children.
How these technologies are employed makes a big difference in people’s opinion of them. For example, 79 percent of respondents are in favor of exoskeletons, so long as they are used to help the physically disabled, 77 percent want BCIs if they’ll help paralyzed people motor function and 71 percent are cool with gene editing to fix a person’s current disease or health condition. But at the same time, 74 percent are against using CRISPR to make more attractive babies and 49 percent are against giving exoskeletons to recreational users.
BSIP via Getty Images
Brain Computer Interfaces
The days of Johnny Mnemonic are never going to arrive if the study’s average respondent has their way. Fifty-six percent of US adults think the widespread adoption of BCIs will be a bad thing for society (compared to just 13 percent dissenting). Seventy-eight percent are against having one installed, versus 20 percent actively in favor, and yet roughly 60 percent of them say that “people would feel pressure” to get a BCI “should implanted devices of this sort become widespread.”
Men, ever the eager guinea pigs, are far more open to getting chipped than women (20 percent to 6), though at least half of both genders (50 percent of men and 61 percent of women) possess sufficient survival instincts to decline the opportunity. However, people were more receptive to the idea if the option to manually turn the implant on and off (59 percent in favor) were included or if implantation didn’t require surgery (53 percent in favor).
What’s more, only 24 percent of US adults believe that this augmentation would lead to improvements in judgment and decision-making compared to 42 percent who do not. Seventy percent also believe that such implants “would go too far in eliminating natural differences between people.“
koto_feja via Getty Images
Editing gene to fight preventable disease
Just like many people think brain implants are cool but not for them personally, nearly half of Americans (49 percent) would decline to have their child’s genome edited to prevent hereditary diseases. Fifty-two percent believe that such edits would be “crossing a line we should not cross” compared to 46 percent who say it is inline with previous efforts at augmenting human capabilities.
While only 39 percent of Americans foresee a future where gene editing is common making people’s lives better (versus 40 percent for no change and 18 percent for worse), some 73 percent believe “most parents would feel pressure to get gene editing for their baby if such techniques became widespread.” More than half say these genomic procedures should be restricted to adults who can give consent, though 49 percent say that allowing people to choose which disease is treated would be more acceptable.
Robotic exoskeletons to augment physical capabilities
Even if we’re not poking electrical leads into your various motor cortices or using atomic shears to play Tetris with your chromosomes, Americans just aren’t into using tech to endow humans with heightened capabilities. Only a third of people think the adoption of exoskeletons like the Cray X from German Bionic would lead to better working conditions while 31 percent of those surveyed thought it would make matters worse. Overall, just 33 percent of people think these systems would be good for society, while nearly a quarter (24 percent) think it will be bad. That said, 57 percent of people also told Pew that they’d heard nothing about exoskeletons with which to inform their opinions compared to 37 percent having heard “a little” and 6 percent “a lot.”
20th Century Studios
Estimates of the technology rose with familiarity with 48 percent of those having heard even a little responding that it would be good for society compared to 22 percent from those who’d heard nothing. Men took a moment from fantasizing about the P-5000 to answer in the affirmative at a rate of more than 2 to 1 (46 percent to 19) that exoskeletons are good and cool and how do I get one. Women, meanwhile, believe their widespread adoption would be a detriment to society by a margin of 29 percent to 21.
Respondents were largely concerned with the economic impacts this technology would have on the labor market. Eighty-one percent of Americans fear it would prompt employers to lay off human workers, while 73 percent are worried that “workers would probably or definitely lose strength from relying too much on the exoskeletons.”
German Bionic
Still, the respondents did often see the potential benefits of employing exoskeletons in the workplace. Approximately 70 percent said workers would “probably or definitely” be hurt less on the job and 65 percent believe that the tech will open the field of manual labor to people who otherwise wouldn't be physically capable of doing the work. Respondents were also broadly in favor (68 percent) of requiring a license to operate these devices, using them to assist people with physical limitations (79 percent). Those surveyed were also strongly in favor (77 percent) of letting firefighters use the tech to boost their abilities in emergencies.
Yesterday, Google officially released version 100 of its Chrome browser, and today it's following suit by releasing version 100 of Chrome OS. While there weren't a lot of big features for Chrome 100 besides a new icon, the update for Chrome OS brings a handful of changes worth noting. Probably the most significant is a redesigned app launcher experience. When you press the "everything" button (where caps lock is on most keyboards) or click the circle icon on the lower left side of the screen, the new launcher pulls up in a window on the left side of your display rather than covering all your open windows. Longtime Chrome OS users might remember that this was how the launcher behaved years ago.
Besides that visual change, Google has made it easier to organize the apps you have installed. You can choose to sort them alphabetically or by color, and new apps you add will stick to that organization scheme. From a functional perspective, Google has also improved search results that come up when you type in the launcher, automatically pulling up information for your query without having to open more details in a browser window. The search field also can look through all your open tabs if you're trying to find a specific site you had open.
The next new feature is purely for fun — the camera app can now create GIFs. When you pop open the camera, you can choose to record a five-second video that'll automatically be turned into a GIF. Once that's done, you can share it to pretty much any app on your Chromebook or send it to an Android phone using the nearby share feature.
Google also improved the dictation feature on Chromebooks. Previously, you could dictate text into any text field on your device, but today Google is adding some editing features. Chrome OS now recognizes commands like "delete" to remove the last letter or "move to the next character" to adjust where your cursor is. Asking for "help" will also pull up a list of commands that you can use if you're not sure how to accomplish a specific task with your voice.
As is usually the case with most Chrome OS updates, these aren't exactly earth-shattering updates. But as Google now updates Chrome OS and the Chrome browser every four weeks, they're not all going to bring big features. But there are still a few quality of life improvements worth checking out once the update hits your device — I've always found managing the apps in my launcher a bit cumbersome, so I'm hoping today's update makes things a bit better.
Google plans to use artificial intelligence in more ways to make using search safer. In the coming weeks, it will roll out some updates for its AI model, MUM. The upgrades should help it detect a wider variety of personal crisis searches about sexual assault, substance abuse, domestic violence and suicide.
The company says people search for information about these topics in a broad range of ways. By employing MUM's machine learning capabilities, Google says it can better understand the intent behind queries to recognize when someone is in need. As such, it'll be able to provide them with more actionable, reliable information at the appropriate time.
With the help of local partners, the company plans to use the AI to improve how it handles personal crisis searches in other countries in the coming months, since MUM can translate knowledge between 75 languages. Google says it will harness the model in other ways, including to improve spam protections and enhance safety measures in countries where it doesn't have much training data.
Other companies have been making use of multimodal AI systems similar to MUM. Meta, for instance, said it has been using AI to tackle hate speech and misinformation across its platforms in recent years. Its AI models can also obtain knowledge by analyzing videos and use that information in new products. Meanwhile, China's Wu Dao seems to be the Swiss army knife of AI models. It can write essays, poems and couplets in traditional Chinese, analyze images to generate alt text, create almost-photorealistic images from written descriptions and much more.
In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741 (US), 686868 (Canada), or 85258 (UK). Wikipedia maintainsa list of crisis linesfor people outside of those countries.
UPDATE: Mar. 30, 2022, 11:45 a.m. EDT This story has been updated to reflect current sale prices and availability.
We've compiled the best deals on robot vacuums from brands like iRobot, Shark, and Ecovacs. Here are the ones to grab as of March 30:
BEST ROOMBA DEAL: The iRobot Roomba 692 can provide daily upkeep of your hard floors — $208.99$299.99 (save $91)
BUDGET SELF-EMPTYING PICK: This Shark IQ vacuum maps faster than the preceding model, and its dock holds 45 days of debris — $424$599.99 (save $175.99)
BEST ROBOT VACUUM/MOP DEAL: The Ecovacs Deebot N8+ uses LiDAR to vacuum and mop, then empties the mess on its own — $429.99$599.99 (save $170)
Only three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and a few days each month when you need to vacuum but just don't have time. Whether you detest the chore or get a little bummed when you can't have that satisfying dance with your Dyson, a robot vacuum is a lifesaver. Shop models on sale below.
Roborock's baseline vac, the e4, brings precise, wide-spanning coverage to your floors for less than $200. The e4 uses motion tracking to create an effective route and track where it has already gone. It can clean for up to 200 minutes before returning to its dock to charge.
Opting for a robot vacuum with LiDAR mapping is a smart move for floor plans more complicated than a one or two bedroom apartment. For barely over $300, the Roborock S4 Max solves bumbling navigation woes by remembering the layout of each floor of your home and steering clear of the virtual boundaries you set.
The Deebot N8+ includes fundamental smart upgrades like LiDAR mapping and virtual boundaries for customizing its cleaning path down to specific rooms or areas. It also has sensors that avoid carpets while mopping.
The control of an upright vacuum comes with its own type of satisfaction. But if you're not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, a robot vacuum could erase that huge, agonizing task from of your chore list. (And did we mention the joy of having "first day clean" floors all the time?)
But whether robot vacuums are worth it or not comes with a caveat: It can't be just any robot vacuum. A cheap robovac that doesn't do the job right — scattering dust, bumping into walls, getting stuck on area rugs — might actually create more work for you.
What to consider when buying a robot vacuum
Suction power: A vacuum is the one purchase that you hope sucks a lot. Suction power is typically measured in Pascals (Pa), with most current vacs ranging between 1,500 Pa and 3,000 Pa. Stronger sucking will be needed to pick up heavier pieces of debris (be sure to set a no-go zone around Legos) and to pull matted-down pet hair from rugs.
Floor type: Carpeting and high pile rugs will probably require stronger suction than hard floors, as well as special features like an extra-wide or self-cleaning brush roll to prevent hair from wrapping and clogging. Folks in homes with multiple floor types might consider a bigger, sturdier robot vacuum that can hurl itself and its wheels over mats, rugs, and transitions from carpet to hard floors.
Automatic emptying: Because robot vacuums are typically under four inches tall, their onboard dust bins are also small — which means they frequently require emptying. (Dustbins fill up particularly quickly in homes with pets.) A self-emptying vacuum takes that job out of your hands, emptying itself into a larger dustbin in its charging dock. These larger bins can typically hold weeks of dirt without needing to be cleaned or dumped out.
Home layout: Every robot vacuum is equipped with sensors and drop detection. But if your home has lots of rooms, lots of turns, or lots of close-together furniture, you'll have fewer navigation issues with an advanced model that uses intelligent mapping to remember exactly how your home is laid out, including labeling of specific rooms, mental notes of staircases, and ability to deploy zone cleaning.
Low-profile furniture: No one should have to be scared about what's accumulated under their couch over the past year. A robot vacuum measuring three inches or less in height should be able to scoot under most low-hanging couches and beds.
Battery life and square footage: One of the main complaints people have about their robot vacuum is that it craps out in the middle of the floor. Larger spaces require more time to clean, and it all depends on how annoyed you'll be if it only finishes a few rooms at a time. Average run times for the list below range between 90 and 200 minutes, which translate to about 500 and 2,800 square feet covered on one charge.
App control: WiFi-enabled robot vacuums can be synced with a smartphone app to control scheduling, manual start, cleaning settings, as well as telling your vac to make its rounds when you're not home. Low-end models that don't connect to WiFi will usually come with a separate remote. If you're used to asking Alexa or Google to turn off the lights or tell you the weather, a model with voice integration will blend in nicely.
Some of the greatest Office tidbits come from the show's DVD commentary.
On the latest episode of Stitcher's Office Ladiespodcast, former co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey chatted all about the Season 6 episode "Murder," which featured that famousOfficefinger guns meme and a song that cost $45,000 to use. They also shared a hilarious tech fail involving Michael's computer that they learned about from the episode's DVD commentary.
As noted in our previous article, five minutes into "Murder," Michael is spiraling alone in his office. He's drowning out his fears that Dunder Mifflin will file for bankruptcy by blasting the 1998 banger "Lullaby" by Shawn Mullins, which, again, cost the show a whopping $45,000 to use. Once Michael's music becomes disruptive to the office, Jim walks in and turns it down. He has a brief chat with Michael, then Michael turns the music back up. Did you catch the tech fail? Neither did we...at first.
Jim turning down the sound on Michael's computer. Listen closely.Credit: SCREENSHOT: THE OFFICE / NBC / PEACOCK
"Well, I have a background catch at 5:29," Kinsey explains. "Michael says he needs more Mullins, and he hits the volume button on his keyboard repeatedly. Greg [Daniels, show runner] shared that they worked really hard in editing to get that sound to match Steve hitting the keyboard. And Danny [Chun, writer] shared that after the episode aired, the comment boards were full of people saying that that was a Mac sound. And Michael is using a PC."
"Oh my gosh," Fischer said. "Oh wow. They picked the wrong volume up sound."
"Isn't that funny?" Kinsey replied.
Sadly, there's no clip that shows the scene online. But I watched the episode on Peacock and clearly heard the Apple-esque sound effect. Though the sound doesn't exactly match the ones available on my MacBook Pro at the moment, the "Murder" episode aired in November 2009, and Apple fans know that macOS sounds are updated and changed over the years.
Be sure to listen closely on your next rewatch and check out the full podcast episode to hear more behind-the-scenes stories about filming the episode, "Murder."
You may have noticed that roller skating became a hugely popular hobby during the pandemic. It provided a relatively safe way to be active and out of the house. Now that the U.S. has opened up more, we're not all rushing to find hobbies at the same rate as before, but maybe part of you is still thinking about investing in a pair of roller skates and giving the activity a try.
Why you should get roller skates
Roller skating is a fun way to get exercise that doesn't feel like exercise. If running makes you question why you were ever born, skating is a great low-impact alternative. After skating for an hour or so, you'll be feeling the burn in your legs and glutes.
Aside from being a form of exercise, roller skating is just a fun hobby to have. You can explore cute parks in your area, check out skate parks, learn tricks, and really make it your own. And even though you are a beginner, you might fall in love with roller skating and become one of those people who build their own pair of roller skates and can do all sorts of fancy tricks. Plus, you can get great content for TikTok, regardless of skill level.
You can also find community through skating, both in-person and online. You might run into other people roller skating at local spots, and you can always turn to Reddit where there is both a rollerskating subreddit and rollerblading subreddit.
Quad skates vs. inline skates
Quad skates are what you'd traditionally picture when you think of roller skates. They have four wheels (hence, quad) that sit in two rows of two. Inline skates are more commonly known as rollerblades, and have a single row of wheels down the middle of the skate.
The arrangement of the wheels on quad skates gives them more stability, making them good for beginners who struggle with balance. They're also better for dancing, tricks, and roller derby for when you get more experienced. To brake on quad skates, you put your weight in the front of your foot and lean forward onto a toe stop. Quad skates are more customizable than inline skates— you can swap out the trucks, wheels, and toe stops to create a roller skate that works best with your feet and skills.
Inline skates are easier to maneuver quickly around obstacles and are better for speed. They have similar vibes to ice skates, but chunkier and with wheels. The brakes on rollerblades are in the back and usually only appear on the right skate, so it is a little tricky to stop if you're new to the practice. (I've been rollerblading for more than a year and still brake by grabbing onto poles or ramming into fencing or railing.) Inline skates are better for skating long distances and skating fast. Standing still on a pair of rollerblades takes some skill, but you'll be moving and grooving most of the time anyway, so don't be put off by that. Beginners can still get the hang of inline skates pretty easily.
Whichever type of roller skate you decide on, don't forget to wear protective gear like knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and a helmet. You might feel confident — a little cocky even — that you're going to be a pro right off the bat, but trips and falls happen.
What makes roller skates good for beginners?
A good beginner skate is comfortable with good ankle support. A new hobby that gives you blisters is likely not one you'll be excited to continue. Look for padded boots with padded tongues, and make sure the skates lace all the way up, so they stay nice and tight against your legs to avoid wobbly ankles.
As a beginner, you don't want a skate that's going to require too much care or effort. Changing bearings and trucks probably isn't on your to-do list. Plus, it's annoying if you have to swap out the wheels for a set better suited to your needs — like if you want to skate inside or outside. You want a pair of roller skates that you can just put on and start skating.
Indoor skates vs. outdoor skates
What makes a skate good for indoor skating or outdoor skating depends on the wheels. It might sound a little complicated for beginners who don't care about all the nitty gritty technicalities of roller skating, but the wheel hardness determines how well skates ride on different surfaces.
Wheel hardness is measured by the wheel's durometer, with the average durometer for skate wheels ranging between 72A and 102A. All you need to take away from this is that lower numbers are better for outside because the wheels are softer and absorb more shock — say, if you happen to roll over a pebble or something. Higher numbers are better for indoors or smooth outdoor surfaces with good traction because they are not as absorbent and allow you to go faster. Anything around 78A to 82A works for both indoor and outdoor use, which gives you options if you're trying to figure out which type of terrain you prefer.
If you do use your skates outside and want to use them at an indoor rink, check to make sure they allow outdoor skates. Some rinks don't because there might be debris or rocks in your wheels that could scratch up the flooring.
What size roller skates should you get?
Roller skate sizing is usually the same as your regular shoe sizing. Make sure you look at the sizing chart that will likely be on the skates' listing page to be safe because sometimes sizing is only listed in men's or only listed in women's and it might not be clear which it is.
In terms of fit, you want the skates to be snug — but obviously not too tight that your big toe is crammed. Loose skates can lead to rolled ankles, and it's probably safe to assume you don't want that. If your skates do arrive too loose, just wear multiple pairs of thick socks to pad them out. And (semi-) pro tip: Wear tall socks with high-top skates to avoid any uncomfortable rubbing on your ankles — at least as you break the skates in.
Apple’s first Friday Night Baseball doubleheader will stream on April 8th. Announced at its recent “Peek Performance” event, the program will see Apple stream two exclusive MLB games every Friday through the end of the regular season. The first doubleheader will feature the New York Mets taking on the Washington Nationals in DC at 7PM ET, with a match between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels to follow at 9:30PM ET. You can see the full schedule on Apple’s website. The company will share the second half of the slate at a later date.
The games will be available to watch for free for the time being. All you need is an internet connection and access to the Apple TV app. An Apple device isn’t necessary. You can download the software on smart TVs from manufacturers like Samsung, LG and Vizio, as well as consoles from Sony and Microsoft. You also don’t have to worry about local blackouts. All 24 games Apple announced today will be available to TV+ users in the eight countries and territories where the company has secured the rights for Friday Night Baseball. Here’s the complete list: the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the UK.
YouTube TV should soon add immersive sound to more platforms. The service is now testing 5.1-channel audio on Android TV (including Google TV) and Roku devices, and expects to make surround sound available on that hardware if all goes "smoothly." The company is still working on support for Apple TV, Fire TV and game consoles, so don't despair if your preferred platform is stuck with stereo.
At present, 5.1 audio requires either a "traditional" Chromecast (before Google TV) or a TV set from LG, Samsung or Vizio with a version of the YouTube TV app that runs at least Cobalt 20. The shows themselves need to offer surround sound, of course, but the enhancement should automatically kick in whenever it's available.
The addition is relatively late when Hulu, Sling TV and other cord cutter services have offered some form of 5.1-channel output for a while. This might give you a reason to try YouTube TV if the audio wasn't to your liking, though, and it'll help make the most of your home theater setup.
We know 5.1 audio is important to many of you, so we wanted to share an update. We’re currently testing 5.1 audio on Google TV, Android TV, and Roku, and if everything runs smoothly, we can expect 5.1 audio to launch on those devices next.
The National Football League is developing its own streaming, according to TheAthletic. NFL officials reportedly showed off a service tentatively called NFL+ to team owners at the league’s annual offseason meeting in Florida this week. Among other content, the service would include games and podcasts.
The Athletic reports the platform likely won’t be ready until team owners meet again in May. At that point, a vote would decide whether the NFL moves forward with the project. Potentially complicating the rollout of a subscription service is the state of the NFL’s various media deals.
In 2021, the NFL and Verizon extended their longstanding marketing and technology partnership but did so without agreeing on new terms related to mobile streaming. Up until 2018, the carrier had exclusive rights to that content. One analyst The Athletic spoke to suggested the league could use NFL+ as a way to leverage a better deal from either Verizon or another mobile carrier. The league also recently entered into an 11-year deal with Amazon for the retailer to carry Thursday Night Football games through its Prime Video service.
Researchers at MIT have come up with a way to clean solar panels without using any water. It's estimated that washing solar panels requires about 10 billion gallons per year. But leaving panels dusty or dirty means their efficacy is significantly reduced. The MIT-proposed method uses electrostatic repulsion, where an electrode that glides above panel electrically charges dust particles and subsequently repels them.
A video of the video meeting between Handforth Parish Council's Planning and Environment Committee in Wilmslow, Cheshire, clocked up 5.8 million views and was basically an edge-of-your-seat drama-fest from start to finish. To summarise, Weaver attempted to deal with disruptive parish councillors by muting them and ejecting them from the meeting into the Zoom waiting room.
"You have no authority here, Jackie Weaver," was one of the lines that proved particularly popular from the viral video. And, in a bizarre twist of fate, it turns out Weaver did not actually have the authority, according to a report.
An investigation into the disorderly conduct has culminated in six (yes, six!) reports being published by Cheshire East Council on the councillors' behaviour in the infamous Zoom call.
A 145-page report determined that Weaver "was not acting in an official capacity at these meetings" but added as a caveat that Weaver felt her actions were necessary given the behaviour being displayed by a number of councillors. The reports also noted that it understood why Weaver acted as she did.
In a statement to the BBC, Weaver said she welcomed the findings of the report but was "deeply saddened that it took so long and cost so much to get there." It was reported recently that the investigation cost over £85,000.
Weaver added: "We were still very vague about how virtual council meetings worked and I did not actually remove them from the meeting, in my opinion, I moved them to the waiting room."
"A little later in the meeting the remaining councillors voted to remove them," she concluded.
Despite the reports stating that several current and former councillors to be in breach of the council's code of conduct, there have been no formal findings made against any individual.
Per the BBC, some former council members have rejected the findings of the report and do not accept that they were in breach of the rules. "In terms of the findings of the reports, we wholly refute the findings and view them as being extreme fiction. The investigations were in our opinion conducted with more than an air of mendacity," they said.
An unsurprising response, perhaps, given what we witnessed in the video.
"Read the standing orders. Read them and understand them!"
TikTok could soon make it easier for you to rediscover videos you’ve watched in the past. According to Hammod Oh, a Twitter user who’s known for uncovering new features social media companies are working on behind the scenes, TikTok is testing a watch history tool that would allow people to see a list of videos that appeared in their For You feed. The tool would effectively allow you to rediscover clips you may have not liked either in a rush or by accident.
As TechCrunch points out, there are existing ways you can browse through your TikTok watch history, but they’re not exactly easy to use or accessible. One method involves navigating to the Discover page, tapping search, entering an asterisk and then toggling on the “watch videos” option in the search filters tab. By contrast, the watch history feature would be more easily accessible through the app’s settings menu.
It’s unclear how many people currently have access to the test, and when (and if) TikTok plans to roll out the feature to its wider userbase. The company declined to provide details about the feature when Engadget reached out. "We're always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience," a spokesperson for the company said.
There are plenty of food-themed subscription boxes out there. Some are useful for planning out your meals, while others are great for trying new foods and snacks.
These are the food-themed subscription boxes we're loving right now:
So, it's a new year and you're ready to hop back into the online dating scene. Easier said than done. A lot of pressure comes with keeping up a conversation with someone you don't know anything about (other than the fact that they are hot) — if you even had the patience to swipe or scroll enough to find someone worth chatting with, that is.
Why is online dating so hard?
One aspect of online dating dynamics poses a challenge for both men and women, but from different angles: If it's a lady you're pursuing, chances are she's received more than a few unsolicited messages already. For women, maneuvering around creeps is often more work than it's worth. For men, the responsibility to not be one of those guys can add a heightened intimidation factor.
Don't be a creep
The internet is plagued with tales of nasty messages and whack opening lines from men. Avoiding the creep factor with someone you just matched with shouldn't be hard — simply don't be pushy about sexting, getting their number, or meeting up, and definitely don't harass someone about not wanting to hang out during a pandemic. (Just don't be pushy about anything, really. It's as simple as that.) As for devising an opener that will grow into a nice conversation, the harmless intent to be funny or flattering can go south quickly. Choosing the right dating app can make all the difference for men who are a little rusty or generally shy about messaging first. Bumble, the app where only women can make the first move, is an obvious safe choice for the latter.
For men who need a point in the right direction when it comes to conversation starters, dating sites with user profiles more extensive than a rushed Tinder bio could make a world of difference. The ability to see someone's hobbies, favorite movies, career goals, or even political views before even talking to them opens up a wealth of clever ice breakers. Bonding over how you both thought Solo: A Star Wars Story was actually good, is one million times better than telling a woman that you "think you saw them somewhere." (That is not endearing. Never do that.)
Be honest about what you want
Tinder can be the right app for some singles. But if you find yourself constantly deleting it and re-downloading Tinder every other month despite the fact that you hate the app, a different site might make better use of your time. What is it that's not working about your current dating site of choice? Is it too entrenched in hookup culture? Is it not focused on hookups enough? Do you find yourself getting intentions mixed up with people who aren't looking for the same thing? Each dating site serves a different purpose, and things are a lot easier when you're mingling with people who want what you want.
What are the best dating sites for men?
Looking for someone to cuddle up with these last weeks of winter? Here are the best dating sites and apps for single men looking for a date, a movie buddy, a friend with benefits, or even love and commitment.
SpaceX will stop producing new Crew Dragon craft after it finishes manufacturing its fourth and final capsule, according to Reuters. After confirming the news, Elon Musk’s private space firm told the outlet it would continue to produce components for the spacecraft and that it would retain its capacity to manufacture additional Crew Dragon capsules should something come up.
Given the reusable nature of the Crew Dragon, it was always assumed SpaceX would produce a limited number of the spacecraft, but before today it wasn’t known just how many capsules the company planned to make before moving on to other projects.
Since its first crewed flight in 2020, Crew Dragon has flown five crews to space, including the first-ever all-civilian one at the end of last year. As part of its ongoing Commercial Crew program, NASA had planned to use the Space X capsule to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station across six separate missions, but recently said it would use the craft for as many as three more flights due to delays associated with Boeing’s Starliner craft.
The end of Crew Dragon manufacturing comes as SpaceX looks to get its next-generation Starship reusable heavy rocket certified and operational. The spacecraft is a key piece in all of SpaceX’s plans involving the Moon and Mars. After a handful of delays, Elon Musk recently said the company hoped to conduct Starship’s first orbital test in May.
Spotify has finally acted on its promise to add a COVID-19 content advisory label. As CNBCreports (and Engadget can confirm), you'll now see a tab for a COVID-19 Guide when you visit podcasts and other content discussing the new coronavirus. Tap it and you'll visit a section that points you to authoritative sources (such as the UK's National Health Service and the World Health Organization) as well as trustworthy content, including podcast episodes from BBC News and The Guardian.
Engadget
We've asked Spotify for comment. The advisory doesn't appear to be available everywhere — we couldn't see it in Canada as of this writing, for instance.
The section represents part of Spotify's response to criticism of Joe Rogan's podcast. The host has been accused of spreading COVID-19 misinformation through the Joe Rogan Experience, including a December 2021 episode where Dr. Robert Malone falsely claimed a "psychosis" fooled people into believing vaccines were effective against the virus. Spotify answered the backlash with both a promise of the content advisory as well as public content guidelines, but the label was expected to arrive within days, not months.
The content warning might not do much to improve Spotify's image. Numerous high-profile artists pulled or paused their work in protest over the misinformation existing in the first place, including Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and author Brené Brown — a label isn't likely to satisfy them and other critics who want Spotify to remove misinformation. While Spotify's efforts have addressed the concerns of some creators, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, there still appears to be some lasting damage.
The winners of the 94th Academy Awards have been announced, putting an end to a long and eventful awards season. Now that the dust of the Oscars has settled, it's time to watch the winners you may have missed or revisit the big victors of the night. Luckily, all the Oscar-winning films — feature-length and shorts — are available to watch online.
Here's where you can stream, rent, or purchase the 2022 Oscar winners:
Belfast
Won: Best Original Screenplay
Belfast is both a family drama and a coming-of-age story inspired by director Kenneth Branagh's own childhood. Buddy (Jude Hill) is a young boy growing up in Belfast at the start of the Troubles. Through his eyes, we see how the Troubles — which aren't always center stage — impact his youth and his family.
Ruby (Emilia Jones) is the only hearing member of a deaf family. When she discovers a passion for singing, she struggles to balance her rehearsals, a new relationship, and her family's expectations. CODA is full of tremendous, grounded performances, especially from Jones and the actors playing her family: Marlee Matlin, Daniel Durant, and Troy Kotsur, who made Oscars history as the first Deaf male actor to win an Academy Award. If you're looking for a guaranteed heartwarming film, this is it.
Brilliant, bad, and a little bit mad: That's Cruella de Vil for you! Emma Stone dons the Disney villainess's iconic fur coat in this origin story that's got a few twists up its perfectly tailored sleeves. The real stars here are the costumes, designed by Jenny Beavan, including lavish dresses, punk-inspired jackets, and a show-stopping gown made of trash.
The first Japanese film to ever be nominated for Best Picture, Drive My Car is a quietly moving masterpiece that examines an unlikely connection between two fascinating characters: widowed actor Yūsuke (Hidetoshi Nishijima) and his driver Misaki (Tôko Miura). The two are at odds with each other at first — Yūsuke would prefer to drive himself — but Drive My Car sees them gradually let down their defenses and find comfort in each other. Don't let the three-hour runtime scare you off: Drive My Car is engaging throughout.
"Dune" brought desert power to the Oscars, winning six awards.Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Won: Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects
Dune took home the most Oscars this year. It dominated the technical categories and with good reason. Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic is a treat for the eyes and ears, as well as an excellent adaptation of Frank Herbert's tricky source material. Journey to the planet Arrakis with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), and get ready to meet desert warriors, scheming nobles, and the coolest creatures of all: sandworms.
We may not talk about Bruno, but we do talk about Encanto. Disney's latest animated film introduces us to the magical Madrigal family, whose special gifts prove to be burdens as well as blessings. Get ready for gorgeous animation and catchy tunes courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda, including "Surface Pressure,""We Don't Talk About Bruno," and the Oscar-nominated "Dos Oruguitas."
Will Smith won his first Oscar.Credit: Chiabella James/Warner Bros. Entertainment
Won: Best Lead Actor (Will Smith)
Will Smith stars as Richard Williams, father to tennis superstars Venus and Serena, in King Richard. The biopic examines Richard's drive to cement his daughters as tennis greats. Aunjanue Ellis delivers a moving performance as the Williams sisters' mother Oracene, but the film is mainly a showcase for Smith, whose tense interaction with presenter Chris Rock quickly became the story of this year's Oscars.
Sleek visuals, daring fight scenes, and a memorable theme song: What else would you expect from Bond, James Bond? No Time to Die proves to be a strong send-off for Daniel Craig's 007, and a solid addition to the franchise spanning 25 films.
How to watch:No Time to Die is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV+, Youtube, and more.
Summer of Soul
Won: Best Documentary Feature
The Harlem Cultural Festival took place over six weeks in the summer of 1969. It was filmed, but the footage was forgotten until Summer of Soul, Amir "Questlove" Thompson's filmmaking debut. Summer of Soul resurrects these performances, often letting the music speak for itself over stretches of time. Part concert film, part historical record, Summer of Soul is a celebration of Black culture and Black history.
Jessica Chastain won for her performance as Tammy Faye Bakker.Credit: Searchlight Pictures
Won: Best Lead Actress (Jessica Chastain), Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Three cheers for the makeup team of The Eyes of Tammy Faye, who transformed Jessica Chastain into televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker with an uncanny thoroughness. Chastain embodies Bakker throughout her life, including her marriage to Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield), the founding of the PTL Television Network, and its subsequent downfall. Chastain took her acceptance speech as an opportunity to spotlight LGBTQ rights.
Actor Riz Ahmed won his first Academy Award for live action short The Long Goodbye, which is based on his 2021 album of the same name. In the film, directed by Aneil Karia, a South Asian family is preparing for a celebration when a far right movement arrives at their house.
Benedict Cumberbatch in "The Power of the Dog."Credit: Kirsty Griffin/Netflix
Won: Best Director (Jane Campion)
The Power of the Dog is a masterful Western from director Jane Campion — who's made history as the third woman to win the award for Best Director. Benedict Cumberbatch dazzles with quiet menace as cowboy Phil Burbank, while his co-stars Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst, and Kodi Smit-McPhee also deliver award-worthy performances. A gorgeous film layered with subtle dangers, The Power of the Dog is proof that it's Campion's world. We're all just living in it.
The story of Lusia Harris is a remarkable one. She was a pioneer of women's basketball, as well as the the first and only woman to ever be drafted into the NBA. Harris passed away in January of 2022. Director Ben Proudfoot paid tribute to her in his acceptance speech.
A man smoking cigarettes inside a cafe asks us, "What is love?" The Windshield Wiper then takes us through a series of moving vignettes about love and relationships. As director Alberto Mielgo said in his acceptance speech, "Animation for adults is a fact. It's happening. Let's call it cinema."
Ariana DeBose is the second actor to play Anita in "West Side Story" and win an Oscar.Credit: Niko Tavernise / 2020 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Won: Best Supporting Actress (Ariana DeBose)
Director Steven Spielberg's adaptation of West Side Story is a glorious film that puts its own spin on the beloved musical. Boasting outstanding visuals and choreography, as well as tremendous performances from Rachel Zegler, Mike Faist, and Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, West Side Story proves that if anyone can do justice to a timeless classic, it's Spielberg.
How to watch:West Side Story is now streaming on Disney+ and HBO Max.
