New research this week suggests that humanity’s war against insectkind has had some unintended consequences: declining sperm counts. The study, a review of the existing data, found a clear association between increased exposure to insecticides and lower sperm concentrations in adult men. The authors say that the…
If you’ve ever wondered what would make Neon Genesis Evangelion fans go berserk, look no further than ASUS. The PC maker brought its $700 ROG Maximus Z790 Hero EVA-02 Edition motherboard to the US in September, and over time, eagle-eyed users finally started noticing a small typo in the anime brand: you get “EVANGENLION” instead of “EVANGELION.” In other words, someone at ASUS was probably watching dubs while accidentally adding the extra “n” here.
This mistake can be spotted alongside the “Polymo lighting” I/O cover panel, which has a display that switches between the iconic red mecha and its stubborn pilot, Asuka. As pointed out by Digital Trends, the official product shots also contained said typo at the time of publishing this article. Interestingly though, this wasn’t the case with the press images received by Engadget back in July — as per the above comparison image. We’ve reached out to ASUS regarding this amusing error, but there’s probably not much point in rectifying it at this point — much like the anime’s original abrupt ending.
Having said that, sometimes it’s typos like this that turn products into collectibles, but good luck finding one. This limited edition motherboard was once listed for above $1,000 by third-party sellers on Amazon, but it has since sold out. You may still find stock in some Micro Center stores, according to its website.
@ASUS_ROG EVANGENLION? (Maximus Z790) pic.twitter.com/9MSUunjxGu
— Hal Rafael (@halrafael) November 12, 2023
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/asus-revealed-to-be-total-anime-fan-poseur-via-costly-typo-on-motherboard-034417256.html?src=rss
Pokémon Concierge, a stop-motion animation show from Japan’s Dwarf Studio, will be available for streaming on Netflix starting on December 28. The streaming service has announced the show’s arrival nine months after revealing the project, which it says is the “first-ever collaborative production between Netflix and The Pokémon Company.” Pokémon Concierge has a totally different feel from the games, the anime series and the movies that came after it. There are no battles in the new show, no trainers fighting for dominance and no monsters pulling off their special moves.
Instead, we get Pokémon chilling in pools and living their best lives as they go on a vacation. The series follows a new concierge working at the Pokémon Resort named Haru, along with her companion Psyduck, as they learn how to serve and make their Pokémon guests happy. Based on the trailer shared by Netflix, viewers will also see a number of other popular monsters, including Pikachu, Eevee and Magikarp, as they visit the resort.
Haru will be voiced by Karen Fukuhara (The Boy and the Heron) in the English language version of the show. The Pokémon company and Netflix also signed up Mariya Takeuchi to sing a warm and relaxing theme song for the series that goes perfectly with its vibe. Takeuchi, who rose to fame in the 80’s for the City Pop genre, has enjoyed renewed popularity in recent years after her song Plastic Love went viral on YouTube.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/netflixs-stop-motion-pokemon-show-arrives-on-december-28-100743389.html?src=rss
Authoritarianism Expert Has Worrying Response To Chris Hayes’ Quandary Over Trump
Posted in: Today's ChiliRuth Ben-Ghiat pointed to a 2016 boast from the former president that showed his true opinion on violence.
New research this week suggests that humanity’s war against insectkind has had some unintended consequences: declining sperm counts. The study, a review of the existing data, found a clear association between increased exposure to insecticides and lower sperm concentrations in adult men. The authors say that the…
If you’ve ever wondered what would make Neon Genesis Evangelion fans go berserk, look no further than ASUS. The PC maker brought its $700 ROG Maximus Z790 Hero EVA-02 Edition motherboard to the US in September, and over time, eagle-eyed users finally started noticing a small typo in the anime brand: you get “EVANGENLION” instead of “EVANGELION.” In other words, someone at ASUS was probably watching dubs while accidentally adding the extra “n” here.
This mistake can be spotted alongside the “Polymo lighting” I/O cover panel, which has a display that switches between the iconic red mecha and its stubborn pilot, Asuka. As pointed out by Digital Trends, the official product shots also contained said typo at the time of publishing this article. Interestingly though, this wasn’t the case with the press images received by Engadget back in July — as per the above comparison image. We’ve reached out to ASUS regarding this amusing error, but there’s probably not much point in rectifying it at this point — much like the anime’s original abrupt ending.
Having said that, sometimes it’s typos like this that turn products into collectibles, but good luck finding one. This limited edition motherboard was once listed for above $1,000 by third-party sellers on Amazon, but it has since sold out. You may still find stock in some Micro Center stores, according to its website.
@ASUS_ROG EVANGENLION? (Maximus Z790) pic.twitter.com/9MSUunjxGu
— Hal Rafael (@halrafael) November 12, 2023
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/asus-revealed-to-be-total-anime-fan-poseur-via-costly-typo-on-motherboard-034417256.html?src=rss
As computer accessories go, the humble webcam doesn’t get a ton of attention. Two or three brands tend to dominate the market and almost everything looks, well, webcamy? Opal entered the scene in 2021 with its C1 model. The idea was simple, to sexy-up the humble old webcam with a high quality sensor, a slick design and (for mac users at least) companion software that didn’t feel like a grind to use. Today, the company unveils its second camera, the Tadpole, and it’s something quite different.
Just one glance at the Tadpole and obviously it’s a big change from the C1 or really almost any other webcam out there. For starters it’s designed for laptops, which is evidenced in the tiny form-factor. This idea, the company claims, was inspired by the discovery that over 40 percent of people buying the C1, were using it with a laptop. Macbooks and most PC laptops come with a webcam built-in, but as the pandemic forced many more people to work from home, the shortcomings of those soon became very apparent.
In terms of design, the Tadpole is reminiscent of the last generation iPod Shuffle, clip included. The functional design extends to the built-in cable which hides a capacitive mute button in the USB-C connector — so you won’t have to hunt for the one on screen in Zoom. The Tadpole’s focus on portability extends to it having its own hard carry case — though that’s an additional purchase.
As for the actual camera, it’s using a 48-megapixel Sony IMX582 Exmor RS sensor set to deliver 1080p video with an f/1.8 aperture. Despite the smaller form-factor, this puts the Tadpole above its bigger, older (and more expensive) sibling in terms of optics. Opal told Engadget that the camera actually shoots in 4K but scales down to 1080p for compatibility with most video calling software. There are some controls in the companion software for adjusting the image settings and other preferences but currently that’s Mac-only. Company representatives also told Engadget that they wanted this camera to be as friction-free as possible with minimal need to dive into settings anyway.
Sure enough, the image that the Tadpole outputs is visibly clearer and more detailed than whatever you’re going to have in your laptop. Side-by-side with the 4K Logitech Brio, the Tadpole looked a little darker and in my initial tests, background details seems a little softer, through apps like Zoom and Google Meet at least. Viewing the image through Opal’s own software and things look sharper again.
It’s on the audio side where things get a little more interesting. Opal claims the Tadpole is the first webcam with a directional microphone. What’s for sure is that the Tadpole certainly picks up less ambient noise than a Macbook’s internal mic or the one on the Logitech Brio. I happened to test the Brio and the Tadpole side by side with a noisy washing machine running in the background and you can hear it on the Brio but not on the Tadpole. What’s more, the omni-directional microphone on most webcams tends to sound very “roomy.” Whereas voices on the Tadpole feel much more centered and with less environmental reverb.
Opal even goes as far to claim that the microphone is directional enough that if it’s not in shot, you won’t hear it. While it’s true that the mic is a lot more focused on what’s in front of it, it’s still possible for sounds out of shot to be present, albeit far less so than in rival products. In the test recordings embedded in this story you can hear something like birds outside clearly on the Brio’s audio. They’re still present on the Tadpole audio, but significantly less so. Either way, this more focused audio is likely going to be very much appreciated by your colleagues if you’re taking video meetings in an office environment.
One thing’s for sure, the webcam market has remained fairly stuffy and without much originality for too long. We’re not expecting boutique devices in the same vein as mechanical keyboards, but there’s clearly a space for more products with interesting, practical designs, even with a focus on specific use cases, like the Tadpole.
Opal’s biggest feat might well be proving that webcams don’t have to be large or dull, black blobs on top of our screens. The choice of either white or black here with the braided cable and the smart capacitive button on the USB connection show that it’s possible to make a better webcam without inflating the price. The C1 was $300 at launch ($250 now), and the Tadpole launches today, with a better sensor, improved autofocus and that directional microphone for $175, a little over half the price.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/opal-tadpole-webcam-140025595.html?src=rss
After a prolonged period of anticipation, Anapurna revealed during the Indie World showcase that the critically acclaimed time-loop adventure, Outer Wilds, is set to make its debut on the Nintendo Switch on December 7, 2023. Adding to the excitement, the Switch release comes in the form of Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition, featuring the base game along with the ‘Echoes of the Eye’ downloadable content (DLC). Additionally, a physical version of the game is slated for launch on the Switch in 2024.
Initially announced for the Nintendo hybrid console in February 2021 with a projected release in the following summer, the Switch port of Outer Wilds has been a much-anticipated addition, making its arrival a significant event for fans of the game. The Archaeologist Edition aims to provide players with a comprehensive experience by bundling the original game with the intriguing ‘Echoes of the Eye’ expansion.
For those unfamiliar with Outer Wilds, the game offers a fresh and captivating experience that combines space exploration, time manipulation, and a compelling mystery. While avoiding spoilers, it’s worth noting that the game has garnered widespread acclaim for its unique gameplay elements and immersive narrative.
To accompany the announcement, Anapurna released a trailer during the Indie World showcase, offering a glimpse into the captivating world of Outer Wilds. For those eager to dive into the adventure, pre-orders for the game are set to become available on the Switch eShop.
The news of Outer Wilds’ arrival on the Switch, complete with the Archaeologist Edition and ‘Echoes of the Eye’ DLC, marks a significant moment for both the gaming community and those who have eagerly awaited the game’s migration to the popular Nintendo console.
Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition Lands On Switch with DLC
, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Amazon has announced a partnership with Snap, enabling users to directly purchase its products through ads on the social app. Real-time pricing, delivery estimates, product details, and Prime eligibility will be displayed in Amazon ads on Snapchat. Users can link their Snapchat and Amazon accounts for streamlined in-app shopping.
This one-time setup allows customers to complete Amazon checkouts within the product ad, utilizing their default shipping address and payment method without leaving the social app. In-app shopping is currently available for select products advertised on Snapchat, whether sold by Amazon or independent sellers within Amazon’s store.
This move positions Amazon to better compete with TikTok, which introduced TikTok Shop, enabling brands and creators to sell products directly on the platform. Despite Amazon’s size and influence, TikTok’s ability to engage younger Millennials and Gen Z users presents a competitive challenge. Partnering with Snapchat exposes Amazon’s products to a demographic it may not reach through conventional means.
Amazon’s collaboration with Snap mirrors its recent agreement with Meta, allowing users to purchase products directly from ads on Instagram and Facebook. Amazon also has a partnership with Pinterest, facilitating product discovery and purchases through shoppable content.
These partnerships emerge as Amazon endeavors to establish its presence in social media, akin to Instagram and TikTok. Amazon’s social shopping features, including a TikTok-like feed, exhibit commercial potential but are still finding their footing in comparison to other social media platforms.
The collaboration benefits Snap by bolstering its advertising business, which has faced challenges in recent years. Following the announcement of the Amazon-Snap deal, Snap’s shares experienced a more than 9% increase.
While contributing to Amazon’s competition with Shein in the U.S., the deal signifies a strategic move for both companies in the evolving landscape of social commerce.
Amazon Teams Up with Snap For In-App Shopping On Snapchat Ads
, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
The conspiracy theorist lawmaker gets a basic lesson in civics during tense House floor exchange.