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Watch Angels rookie Ben Joyce, the former Tennessee fireballer, unleash his power on the White Sox.

Apple Music Classical launched on Android today, bringing the company’s dedicated orchestral app to a non-Apple platform for the first time. It follows the iPhone debut of the service in March.

Apple’s classical music app is separate from the mainline Apple Music app, with plenty of similarities but also distinctive navigation, font and metadata handling for easy searching. (Apple Music has been available for Android since 2015.) However, 9to5Macnotes that Apple Music Classical’s Android arrival means the company launched it on a rival platform before fleshing out its own hardware ecosystem, as it still lacks a dedicated iPad or Mac app. Although the Apple faithful are accustomed to the company rewarding their hardware loyalty, it’s an understandable move given that phones are more common streaming sources than computers or tablets. As a result, Apple can likely reel in more subscribers by stepping outside its walled garden before (presumably) expanding availability for its remaining in-house devices.

The app is the fruit of Apple’s 2021 acquisition of Primephonic, a Netherlands-based classical streaming service known for its superior search capabilities. Apple shut down the service soon after buying it.

Apple Music Classical offers over five million tracks, including “thousands of exclusive albums.” The search feature, carrying over from Primephonic, lets you find pieces based on composer, work, conductor or catalog number thanks to the library’s “complete and accurate metadata.” In addition, it streams in up to 192 kHz / 24-bit Hi-Res Lossless while supporting spatial audio and Dolby Atmos for select tracks. Of course, the service requires an Apple Music subscription; supported plans include individual, student, family or Apple One — but not the voice-only plan aimed at HomePod users.

The Android version requires Android 9 or later. It’s available “worldwide where Apple Music is offered,” except in China, Japan, Korea, Russia, and Taiwan. You can download it now from the Play Store.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-musics-dedicated-classical-app-arrives-on-android-175118072.html?src=rss

Because how else would you decorate a Chiquita-themed living space, these Leather Banana Rocking Chairs (affiliate link) are the perfect addition to your tropical rumpus room. Don’t have a tropical-themed rumpus room? Well, it’s never too late to redecorate! At least that’s what my wife says after she returns from a business trip and sees what I’ve done with the place.

Available in five colors (yellow, red, orange, green, and blue), the banana rocker will have you swinging all day, just like a banana from a tree! According to the product description, “Thanks to the curved base design, you can enjoy an interesting swinging experience, swinging you back and forth to meet your needs in various angles and meet the needs of a modern and comfortable life.” Sweet, I was just thinking I have unmet needs at various angles, so this is a dream come true as far as I’m concerned.

Plus, you can buy one of every color, then line them up and invite all your friends over for a swinging party! Although I wouldn’t call it that. I’d call it a rocking party instead.

[via DudeIWantThat]

Fresh on the heels of an in-depth look at Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 gameplay, there’s more news from the Insomniac Games camp. The studio’s previous title, 2021’s Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, is coming to PC on July 26th.

As is often the case with PC versions of PlayStation exclusives, there are some extra bells and whistles here. There are new “ray-traced shadows for natural light in outdoor areas” which allow for “realistic shadows with natural gradients in softness,” as Julian Huijbregts, an online community specialist at Nixxes (the Sony studio that’s working on the port), notes on the PlayStation Blog. The gameplay and cutscenes have been optimized for ultra-wide displays, including aspect ratios of 21:9, 32:9 and even 48:9 for triple-monitor setups.

Along with unlocked framerates, there’s support for upscaling tech including NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 2, Intel XeSS and Insomniac’s own Temporal Injection, as well as NVIDIA Reflex and NVIDIA DLAA anti-aliasing. You can opt to use a keyboard and mouse with fully customizable controls or a controller. Plug in a DualSense, and you’ll be able to experience the same haptic feedback and dynamic trigger effects that you would on PS5.

I finally got around to playing Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart after it hit PlayStation Plus recently and enjoyed it immensely. It’s a breathtakingly gorgeous game with strong combat, captivating characters and a smart script. Insomniac also makes better use of the DualSense’s capabilities than most studios.

Fingers crossed that Insomniac and Nixxes can avoid the kinds of technical issues that have plagued PC versions of other Sony games. The Last of Us Part 1 (Iron Galaxy worked with Naughty Dog on that port) and Horizon Zero Dawn, which Nixxes helped to fix, both had notable problems at the outset on PC.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart relies on the speedy load times of the PlayStation 5 to make the dimension-hopping feature work seamlessly. With that (and the stellar visuals) in mind, it’s likely that you’ll need a beefy gaming rig to get the most out of the port. So, it’s probably worth waiting for Sony to reveal the PC specs before locking in a pre-order on Steam or the Epic Games Store.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ratchet-and-clank-rift-apart-is-coming-to-pc-on-july-26th-162146036.html?src=rss

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular every day, as people look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on fuel — but what if you could power your EV with another clean and renewable source of energy: solar panels?

That’s the idea behind some of the latest innovations in the automotive industry. Car makers are developing vehicles that can harness solar energy and use it to extend their range, lower their emissions, and even cut their operating costs.

The Toyota Prius 2023 feature an optional solar roof capable of charging the car’s battery (Image: Toyota)

The big change

Toyota made headlines when it unveiled its next-generation Prius, featuring an optional solar roof capable of charging the car’s battery. Unlike earlier models that could only power the air conditioner, this new Prius can charge its battery while parked, thanks to the solar panel. Although it doesn’t generate a significant amount of power, it’s enough to drive for a short distance — and the best part is that it’s completely free!

Sono Motors’ Sion has solar panels that charge its battery giving an extra 150 miles of range per week.  (Image: Sono Motors)

But Toyota isn’t the only company rethinking EVs; in 2022, Sono Motors introduced the Sion, a five-seater car entirely covered in solar technology. The solar panels on the Sion charge its smaller battery from any angle, providing an extra 150 miles of range per week under ideal conditions. In an interview with CNBC, Laurin Hahn, co-CEO and co-founder of Sono Motors, highlighted that this equates to 5,700 miles per year at no cost, making it perfect for daily commuters.

Lightyear 0 is also making waves in the industry by producing electric vehicles with integrated solar panels on the top and hood. These innovative solar panels cover an area of five square meters (about 54 square feet) and can generate an estimated 6,800 miles of range per year.

Solar panels: A revolution in the EV industry

Integrating solar energy with EVs has long been a dream for many, but several challenges hindered its realization. The primary obstacle was that existing solar panels designed for cars were not large or powerful enough to sustain an entire vehicle. Additionally, cars lacked sufficient space for an adequately sized solar collection system.

However, thanks to consumer demands and scientific advancements, more vehicles running on solar power systems are expected in the future. This development has the potential to revolutionize the EV industry by harnessing the power of renewable energy sources like solar power.

Forget larger batteries: Improving efficiency is the key

The application of solar technology extends beyond cars. Sono Motors is currently piloting solar-powered solutions for various large vehicles, including buses, refrigerated vehicles, and recreational vehicles. Even solar-topped trailers could reap significant benefits, with even minor improvements in range or recharging time resulting in substantial cost savings. Ultimately, integrating solar energy with EVs is a more cost-effective and eco-friendly option.

Lex Hoefsloot, CEO of Lightyear, expressed his optimism, stating, “More and more manufacturers are realizing that larger batteries will remain expensive in the future. Therefore, improving efficiency is the key to extending range without the need for a bulky battery.”

So, keep an eye out for the promising future where solar-powered vehicles become the norm, paving the way for greener transportation solutions!

Harnessing The Sun: Car Companies Embrace Solar Power for Money-Saving EVs

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