Sales on Amazon products continue to roll out ahead of the official start of October Prime Day on everything from Blink cameras to Kindle Scribes. The 16GB Kindle Scribe is back on sale for 22 percent off, dropping to $265 from $340. It mirrors a recent sale on the Kindle Scribe, but this one isn’t exclusive to Prime members, as was the case for the September one.
Amazon’s 16GB Kindle Scribe has a 10.2-inch, 300 ppi glare-free display with an adjustable warm light and auto-adjustable front light that changes depending on the time of day. It also includes an option to increase the font size anytime for easier reading. Thanks to the pages available for writing or sketching, you can use the Kindle Scribe as a personal notebook or journal. Plus, you can write on PDFs, Microsoft Word docs or across millions of books available from the Kindle Store using the Basic Pen included with your purchase. Getting the Premium Pen instead will cost you another $25, with a 22 percent sale dropping the pair’s price to $290 from $370. The 32GB and 64GB Kindle Scribes are also on sale, available for $305 and $330, respectively.
Your Kindle Scribe shouldn’t require too much charging as Amazon claims the battery will last 12 weeks if you read an average of a half hour each day and three weeks if you write an average of a half hour a day. Of course, factors like brightness and wireless connection can kill the charge quicker, but it has a longer battery life than its predecessors.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazons-kindle-scribe-is-back-on-sale-ahead-of-october-prime-day-140115678.html?src=rss
For the decade that the Chromebook line of ultra-cheap laptops has been around, the company has left the ChromeOS-based design to linger without many meaningful updates. Now the tech giant is here with Chromebook Plus touting a new hardware standard and a few software tweaks the company promises will be a step up for…
October’s Prime Day doesn’t start until the tenth, but the sales are already coming along strong. For instance, many of Amazon’s Blink products, including the third and fourth-generation outdoor cameras, are on sale. Right now, you can get a three-pack of Blink Outdoor 4 cameras for $135 — half off its usual sticker price of $270. A trio of third-generation Blink Outdoor cameras are available for 60 percent off, dropping to $100 from $250.
Amazon recently released its Blink Outdoor 4 camera, which increased visibility to 143 degrees from 110 degrees. It also offers enhanced motion detection and sharper image quality for easier monitoring, whether while in the comfort of your home or away on vacation. For $35 less, the Blink Outdoor 3 has the same two-year battery guarantee, motion-activated alerts and two-way audio.
If you want to test the waters with Amazon’s security device, the Blink Mini is on sale for $20 from $35, a 43 percent discount. The indoor 1080p HD camera monitors movement during the day and night and connects to the Blink Video doorbell — providing alerts to your smartphone in both cases. It also lets you hear and speak through the device in real-time. Speaking of seeing who’s at your house, the Blink Video Doorbell with two Outdoor 4 smart security cameras is 50 percent off, dropping to $130 from $260.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/blink-3rd–and-4th-gen-security-cameras-are-up-to-60-percent-off-ahead-of-october-prime-day-123801657.html?src=rss
Google’s pitch for Chromebooks has been pretty straightforward for a while now. They’re laptops that don’t require a lot of fuss, with easy set-up, fast boot times and a simple software update process. They’re also secure from things like viruses and malware, and Google recently committed to 10 years of automatic software updates.
The hardware side of things isn’t quite as simple. Chromebooks started as cheap computers meant mostly for web browsing, but both Chrome OS and the laptops themselves have gotten a lot more advanced since then. There are still plenty of budget models out there, many with questionable build quality or specs; there are also lots of “premium” Chromebooks with powerful internals, high-end screens and great industrial design.
Then there’s a middle ground: utilitarian but well-designed laptops with powerful enough hardware for most users that don’t break the bank. In the last few years, I’ve had a hard time finding that sweet spot, but today Google is announcing the Chromebook Plus initiative to make that easier.
Essentially, Chromebook Plus devices have a guaranteed set of specs to ensure a consistent and quality experience. That means every Chromebook Plus has an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen (7000 series) processor, at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. A full 1080p IPS display and 1080p webcam also come standard.
Google
Google and four OEM partners are announcing a total of eight Chromebook Plus models today: two each from HP, Acer, ASUS and Lenovo. With the exception of two 15.6-inch models from Acer and HP, all of these devices will feature 14-inch screens, making them solid all-around options for most people. And while the “Plus” name might imply that we’re strictly talking about premium hardware, like HP’s $999 Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, these devices start at $399. That’s not the absolute cheapest price we’ve seen for a Chromebook, but quality can be hit or miss below that price – but with the Plus initiative, buyers will hopefully be a lot more secure in what they’re purchasing.
Chromebook Plus devices will also get access to a handful of software tricks, including a Material You design, dynamic wallpapers and the Magic Eraser tool in Google Photos. Some of the AI-powered tricks Google uses to improve calls in Meet will also work on other video call platforms, as well. Specifically, you’ll be able to use the auto “improve lighting” and “noise cancellation” features on Meet as well as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
Google
There’s also a new File Sync feature that’ll automatically keep files from Google Drive locally available for when you’re offline. Google says that’s thanks in part to the minimum 128GB of storage available on Chromebook Plus models, but it’s not clear how the system will decide what to download or how much space to use up. But expanding offline utilities for Chromebooks should nonetheless be handy. Google says that all the software improvements it announced as part of Chromebook Plus will be coming to all Chromebooks that meet these minimum specifications soon, as well.
Google
Google is also smartly partnering with Adobe, who just announced Photoshop for the web last week. While the company acknowledges that it’s a “streamlined” app for the web, it still represents the first time that Chromebook users will get a taste of the Photoshp experience. (It’s worth noting that existing Photoshop customers get access to Photoshop on the web as part of their subscription.)
Adobe and Google are giving Chromebook Plus buyers a three-month trial of Photoshop on the web, along with access to the Adobe Express creation tool that lets you quickly build things like animations, logos, flyers and so forth. Express users Adobe’s Firefly generative AI models, and Chromebook Plus owners will get to try that out too.
Google
Google also teased a slew of AI-powered software improvements coming to Chromebook Plus laptops next year. One is a text composer that understands the context of the tool you’re using, whether it’s something like YouTube video descriptions or short-form comments on social media. There’s also going to be a generative image AI that’ll let you make custom wallpapers for your Chromebook with text prompts. Similarly, you’ll also be able to generate image backgrounds for when you’re on video calls.
The initial eight Chromebook Plus models will be released on October 8. Lenovo will offer two Intel-powered 14-inch models, the IdeaPad Slim 3i and the IdeaPad Flex 5i for $550 and $500, respectively. Acer has a 14-inch Chromebook Plus 514 with a Ryzen 3 or Ryzen 5 processor and the 15.6-inch Chromebook Plus 515, with an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processor. Both models are priced at $400.
Google
HP also has a 15.6-inch model with an Intel Core i3 processor for $600 and the Chromebook Plus x360 14 inch with a 360-degree hinge and up to a Core i5 processor for $750. Finally, the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX3402 includes up to an Intel Core i5 processor and a 14-inch screen, while the Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip has a 360-degree hinge and a more rugged design. (ASUS didn’t provide pricing for these models as of publish time.) Obviously there are a lot of smaller details that differentiate all these devices, and we’ll be looking forward to getting our hands on them soon so we can see what this all translates to in terms of the end user experience. But if Google can standardize solid specs across a wider range of price points, it’ll be a lot easier for people who want to give Chromebooks a shot.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-chromebook-plus-initiative-pushes-higher-spec-standards-and-handy-software-tools-130055583.html?src=rss
In case you missed the hype, Humane is a startup founded by ex-Apple executives that’s working on a device called the “Ai Pin” that uses projectors, cameras and AI tech to act as a sort of wearable AI assistant. Now, the company has unveiled the Ai Pin in full at a Paris fashion show (Humane x Coperni) as a way to show off the device’s new form factor. “Supermodel Naomi Campbell is the first person outside of the company to wear the device in public, ahead of its full unveiling on November 9,” Humane wrote.
The company describes the device as a “screenless, standalone device and software platform built from the ground up for AI.” It’s powered by an “advanced” Qualcomm Snapdragon platform and equipped with a mini-projector that takes the place of a smartphone screen, along with a camera and speaker. It can perform functions like AI-powered optical recognition, but is also supposedly “privacy-first” thanks to qualities like no wake word and thus no “always on” listening.”
Humane first flaunted the capabilities of the Ai Pin at a Ted Talk back in May led by co-founder Imran Chaudhri, who previously worked on the iPhone user interface. Though the device itself was mostly hidden, he showed off a variety of sci-fi like features, including the ability to take a call while projecting details on his hand. He also flaunted its ability to translate English to French using AI translation, in Chaudhri’s own voice. Another trick was “catch me up,” a summary of news and information you may have missed.
Other information is less clear, like how the device connects to the internet, as it doesn’t pair with a smartphone. And other than the fact that it frees you from carrying one, it’s hard to see the benefit over a typical smartphone. It’s also not stated exactly how the features worked, and you’d be right to be skeptical about any fancy tech demo.
Humane
By presenting it a Paris Fashion Week, Humane seems eager to flaunt the device’s stylish nature (it seems to be available in both black and white), though that’s up for debate. It’s hard to compare to anything else, as there are few wearables out there that attach to clothing. The company will also have to reckon with the stigma (à la Google Glass) of wearing a camera, though the mini-projector is actually pretty cool. In any case, we’ll learn more when it’s fully unveiled next month on November 9.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/humane-shows-off-its-futuristic-ai-pin-wearable-113510130.html?src=rss
The attorney general made the comment on “60 Minutes” as Trump and allies continue to claim the cases were timed to undermine his presidential campaign.
The National Security Agency (NSA) has launched a dedicated artificial intelligence security center. This apparently follows the increased government use of algorithms and AI systems, related to defense and intelligent systems. The security center aims to protect these systems from theft and sabotage, as well as safeguard the country from external AI-based threats.
The NSA’s outgoing director, General Paul Nakasone, says the division will operate within the existing Cybersecurity Collaboration Center. This entity works with private industry and international partners to protect the US from cyberattacks from China, Russia and other countries with active malware and hacking campaigns.
One reason we might hear more on defensive measures is the incoming US presidential election, although Nakasone said he’s not seen evidence of that just yet.
The US government will conduct a nationwide alert test on Wednesday, October 4. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will send notifications to your phones (and radios and TVs) to test the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. If you live near a decent-sized metro area, there’s a solid chance you’ve received AMBER alerts through this system before. But you’re still going to be surprised.
Its dedication to retro authenticity goes far beyond creating desirable gaming hardware.
Engadget
No one appears to understand the tug of retro game collectors’ emotions better than the team at Analogue, makers of some of the most desirable modern retro consoles. According to Engadget’s James Trew, it’s perfected the art of inducing both ends of that emotional spectrum. Almost two years after the release of the (delightful) Pocket handheld, many are (still) waiting for key accessories and even consoles to be in stock reliably. Meanwhile, the company just unveiled some seriously alluring limited editions. Good luck snatching one of those.
The lead gameplay designer of Limbo and Inside has brought us a new classic.
Cocoon
With Cocoon, there’s no preamble, no text overlays and no overt hints. So, you walk around interacting with things that look like you can interact with them, scratching away at the game within. You’ll soon find an orb, which you can initially use to open doors, before discovering inside every orb is a new world of puzzles. I could oversimplify it and call it bug puzzle Inception, but it’s more satisfying than that.
Zuckerberg tries to make the metaverse and AR happen.
Engadget
This week, it’s Meta’s turn to highlight AI during its device event. In this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn dive into all of the news from Meta’s Connect 2023 event, where it unveiled Meta AI and accompanying celebrity-powered chatbots, a new VR headset and even new smart glasses, or should we say, smart sunglasses.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-nsa-announces-new-artificial-intelligence-security-center-111537538.html?src=rss
The National Security Agency (NSA) has launched a dedicated artificial intelligence security center. This apparently follows the increased government use of algorithms and AI systems, related to defense and intelligent systems. The security center aims to protect these systems from theft and sabotage, as well as safeguard the country from external AI-based threats.
The NSA’s outgoing director, General Paul Nakasone, says the division will operate within the existing Cybersecurity Collaboration Center. This entity works with private industry and international partners to protect the US from cyberattacks from China, Russia and other countries with active malware and hacking campaigns.
One reason we might hear more on defensive measures is the incoming US presidential election, although Nakasone said he’s not seen evidence of that just yet.
The US government will conduct a nationwide alert test on Wednesday, October 4. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will send notifications to your phones (and radios and TVs) to test the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. If you live near a decent-sized metro area, there’s a solid chance you’ve received AMBER alerts through this system before. But you’re still going to be surprised.
Its dedication to retro authenticity goes far beyond creating desirable gaming hardware.
Engadget
No one appears to understand the tug of retro game collectors’ emotions better than the team at Analogue, makers of some of the most desirable modern retro consoles. According to Engadget’s James Trew, it’s perfected the art of inducing both ends of that emotional spectrum. Almost two years after the release of the (delightful) Pocket handheld, many are (still) waiting for key accessories and even consoles to be in stock reliably. Meanwhile, the company just unveiled some seriously alluring limited editions. Good luck snatching one of those.
The lead gameplay designer of Limbo and Inside has brought us a new classic.
Cocoon
With Cocoon, there’s no preamble, no text overlays and no overt hints. So, you walk around interacting with things that look like you can interact with them, scratching away at the game within. You’ll soon find an orb, which you can initially use to open doors, before discovering inside every orb is a new world of puzzles. I could oversimplify it and call it bug puzzle Inception, but it’s more satisfying than that.
Zuckerberg tries to make the metaverse and AR happen.
Engadget
This week, it’s Meta’s turn to highlight AI during its device event. In this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn dive into all of the news from Meta’s Connect 2023 event, where it unveiled Meta AI and accompanying celebrity-powered chatbots, a new VR headset and even new smart glasses, or should we say, smart sunglasses.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-nsa-announces-new-artificial-intelligence-security-center-111537538.html?src=rss
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