The 9th-gen iPad is cheaper than ever at $199, plus the rest of this week's best tech deals

Even if you’re not a student, you can still take advantage of the many back to school sales out there. As we do each Friday, we searched around to see if any of the tech we’ve previously covered and recommend is currently on sale. We spotted the lowest price yet on the 9th-generation iPad — it may be discontinued, but $200 for a capable Apple tablet is still a sweet deal. Our current favorite wireless headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are back down to their July Prime Day price. And Amazon is throwing in a free smart bulb on top of discounted prices for a number of its Echo speakers and displays. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today. 

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-9th-gen-ipad-is-cheaper-than-ever-at-199-plus-the-rest-of-this-weeks-best-tech-deals-170600479.html?src=rss

Amazon will discontinue the Echo Show 8 Photos Edition’s main reason for existing

If you own an Amazon Echo Show 8 Photos edition, be prepared for your device to start showing ads. According to emails posted by customers on Reddit and Threads and first reported by The Verge, Amazon will discontinue its PhotosPlus subscription feature that let people upload and display their own pictures on the Echo Show 8.

Amazon customers who own an Echo Show 8 got an email saying their subscription to PhotosPlus will end in September.
Reddit/amazonecho

PhotosPlus subscriptions will end on September 12 and Amazon will end support for the photo feature on September 23. Instead, affected customers will have to upload their photos to Amazon Photos with 25 GB of storage and learn to live with the ads on their home screen.

The feature, which costs $2 a month, let users upload their own photos for display on the Echo Show 8’s home screen turning the voice and touch controlled screen device into a digital picture frame. The screen would rotate the owners’ photos every 30 seconds, a feature that could be left on indefinitely (or as long as it could last on its chargeable battery).

Any mention of the PhotosPlus subscription has been removed from Amazon’s website. The Amazon Echo Show 8 Photos Edition is also no longer for sale.

Amazon has seen some major struggles with Alexa devices. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Alexa lost Amazon more than $25 billion from 2017 to 2021. Amazon has tried to recoup some of those losses by eliminating bonuses to Alexa developers. The tech giant is also reportedly working on an advanced version of Alexa known as “Remarkable Alexa” that could come with a monthly subscription fee.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazon-will-discontinue-the-echo-show-8-photos-editions-main-reason-for-existing-210045966.html?src=rss

Meta has reportedly killed its Apple Vision Pro competitor

Meta has canceled its plans for a long-rumored mixed-reality headset that was intended to compete with the Apple Vision Pro, according to reporting by The Information. The company told employees at Reality Labs to stop working on the device after a product review meeting attended by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, as cited by Meta staffers.

The headset was internally referred to as La Jolla and was reportedly supposed to release in 2027. This mixed-reality device was allegedly heads and shoulders above the Quest 3, with ultra-crisp micro OLED displays. This is the same display technology used in the Apple Vision Pro.

Reporting indicates that a major sticking point was cost. The team wanted to get the device under $1,000, but those micro OLED panels don’t come cheap. The Vision Pro, after all, is $3,500.

Another likely reason the premium device got canned is that, well, there might not be that much hunger for expensive headsets. The Vision Pro’s sales have been sluggish and Meta’s own pre-existing high-end headset, the Quest Pro, was widely ridiculed for coming in with a $1,500 price tag.

It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean Meta is abandoning VR and MR devices. It’s just putting the kibosh on one expensive, high-end headset. There are plenty of rumors out there that a Quest 4 is coming, alongside a more budget-friendly version of the Quest 3. Meta is also reportedly prepping some new AR glasses that will likely be shown off at the next Connect event on September 25.

The CTO of Meta, Andrew Bosworth, echoed the above sentiment. He wrote on Threads that the company has “many prototypes in development at all times” and that “decisions like this happen all the time.” 

The company is, however, shifting its strategy a little bit. Beyond canceling the aforementioned headset, Meta’s been trying to license its XR software to third-party hardware makers. The platform, which is called Horizon OS, might be licensed to Indian tech giant Jio as an opening move in this gambit. A deal with LG, however, fell through.

It’s always possible that the company will revive the concept of a high-end headset in the future, once the space gets more consumer traction. In the meantime, the Quest 4 will reportedly hit store shelves in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/meta-has-reportedly-killed-its-apple-vision-pro-competitor-184446962.html?src=rss

The trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s zombies DLC has risen

A new Zombies mode is headed to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. A new cinematic trailer released on Friday shows that the DLC will take players to a small town called Liberty Falls infested with the running dead.

The trailer starts in a picturesque piece of America with an old-timey song setting the tone. Then everything goes to hell and our unnamed hero wakes up in a post-apocalyptic world from what was just a nightmare all along. He receives a bulletin that the running dead are on their way so he picks up a shock rifle to start popping off some zombies’ tops. The big reveal at the end features some kind of menacing villain that feels like a cross between ZAX from Fallout 76 and GLaDOS from the Portal games.

This is just a premature judgment based on the trailer but it looks and sounds a lot like Fallout, another game that takes place in a world where humanity ends and mutant humans roam the landscape.

There’s no official wide release date for Black Ops 6’s Zombies DLC or any indication that it will or won’t be available when the game launches on October 25. The first gameplay footage of the Liberty Falls maps and story mode will premiere on August 28 at Call of Duty NEXT in Washington DC. Open beta access will start on August 30. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will also be available on Xbox Game Pass on launch day.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-trailer-for-call-of-duty-black-ops-6s-zombies-dlc-has-risen-191550462.html?src=rss

Microsoft will host a security conference after the CrowdStrike shutdown

Microsoft announced it will host a special conference in September to discuss the lessons and security measures the industry can take away from the CrowdStrike computer shutdown in July. The Windows Endpoint Security Ecosystem Summit is scheduled for September 10 at Microsoft’s Redmond, WA headquarters.

The event will feature representatives from Microsoft, CrowdStrike and other cyber and computer security companies. The participants will explore changes in industry practices and the use of applications that can prevent future computer shutdowns.

An executive who spoke to CNBC anonymously says one of the talking points of the conference will address the use of applications that rely more on Windows’ user mode instead of kernel mode. The July outage occurred because Crowdstrike’s agent operated in kernel mode in which the central processing unit gives software total access to a system’s resources and hardware. Applications in user mode are more isolated so they can’t bring down other systems.

The attendees will also discuss implementing eBPF technology into systems to check programs without triggering system wide crashes. The conference will also feature discussions on the use of safer programming languages such as Rust, an alternative to programming languages such as C or C++.

CrowdStrike blamed faulty testing software included in an update as the cause of the crash that shut down 8.5 million Windows machines starting on July 19. The shutdown causes blue screens of death for systems for banks, airlines and businesses around the world.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/microsoft-will-host-a-security-conference-after-the-crowdstrike-shutdown-172119101.html?src=rss

Cruise's self-driving cabs are coming to Uber next year

General Motors’ robotaxi service Cruise has inked a multi-year deal with Uber. The deal will let Uber customers hail a Cruise self-driving taxi from their smartphone starting next year, according to TechCrunch. This means that Cruise’s self-driving taxis will be back on roads for the first time since striking a pedestrian in San Francisco in October 2023.

Neither GM nor Uber gave a specific date or city for Uber’s rollout of Cruise’s robotaxis. A spokesperson told the website that the new partnership between Cruise and Uber would follow Cruise’s re-launch of its own driverless taxi service in 2025.

Cruise is currently testing cars with human drivers on roads in Dallas, Phoenix and Houston with plans to expand to more cities. Uber also has a partnership with the self-driving car fleet Waymo that’s currently operating in Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Cruise also just reached an agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) following an investigation that started in December of 2022 over three rear-end crashes involving its autonomous driving vehicles. The company was under another investigation following an accident in October in San Francisco when one of its vehicles struck a pedestrian who was thrown into its path by a human-driven vehicle and dragged 20 feet causing further injuries.

A third-party report released by Cruise found that executives knew about the incident but failed to disclose it in meetings with city officials and federal agencies. Cruise fired nine of its executives at the end of last year following a probe. The company also agreed to pay a fine to the California Public Utilities Commission allowing Cruise to restart its operations in the state.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/cruises-self-driving-cabs-are-coming-to-uber-next-year-214734509.html?src=rss

Google Essentials will house all Google services in a single Windows app

If you buy a new Hewlett-Packard laptop in the next few weeks, then you’ll notice a new app on the “Start” menu called Google Essentials. On Thursday, Google announced that the new app will bundle some of its core services like Google Photos, Google Drive and Google Messages.

The Google Essentials app will not only house shortcuts to its most used services but it will also centralize your Google account information and saved materials such as documents, photos and saved games for titles from Google Play Games. Eligible subscribers will also receive a two month trial of Google One cloud storage with 100GB.

The blog posts says that Google Essentials will only be available on Windows PCs starting with new Hewlett-Packard (HP) laptops including models like the Spectre, Envy, Pavilion, OMEN and Victus. Google says it plans to make the Essentials app available on more Windows PC brands in the future.

The concept of a bundled Google services app sounds very similar to the old Windows Live Essentials. The collection of Microsoft applications allowed Windows users a quicker way to access apps like Mail, Movie Maker, Messenger and Writer. An archived version of the Windows Live Essentials installer is available on the Internet Archive.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-essentials-will-house-all-google-services-in-a-single-windows-app-223824942.html?src=rss

The first 22 seasons of Pokémon will return to streaming

Get ready, trainers: the original Pokémon anime will soon be getting a new home. The Pokémon Company has partnered with Canadian company WildBrain to be the distributor for a single-IP free ad-supported television channel that’s all Pokémon, all the time. The deal covers the first 22 seasons of the animated tales of Ash Ketchum and his electrifying buddy Pikachu.

The FAST channel will arrive first in the US, followed by launches in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. WildBrain has existing relationships with several TV platforms, including Samsung, LG, Roku, Tubi and Pluto, but it didn’t share any specific dates or likely homes for the future Pokémon channel. The company specializes in children’s programming. It operates FAST channels for game franchises Sonic and Super Mario as well as kid-focused titles such as Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake and Caillou.

Fans should be pleased to have this new development from the Pokémon Company after its Pokémon TV venture was shuttered earlier this year. If you’re looking for other Pokémon content, stateside viewers should be sure to catch up on the Netflix exclusive Pokémon Journeys before the show leaves in September. You’ve also got the latest show, Pokémon Horizons, which landed on the streaming service in February.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-first-22-seasons-of-pokemon-will-return-to-streaming-225513118.html?src=rss

Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 7s Gen 3: Advanced AI And Gaming For Mid-Tier Phones

Qualcomm Technologies has introduced the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, aiming to enhance the capabilities of mid-tier smartphones by incorporating advanced features typically found in higher-end devices. This new platform brings on-device generative AI support, enabling the use of large language models (LLMs) like Baichuan-7B and Llama 2 with 1 billion parameters, enhancing AI-driven experiences directly on smartphones.

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 also caters to mobile gaming enthusiasts, powered by the Qualcomm Adreno GPU for improved gaming experiences. Additionally, it supports professional-grade camera and video capabilities, including a 12-bit triple ISP and 4K sHDR video capture, ensuring high-quality media performance on more affordable devices.

Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handsets at Qualcomm, emphasized that the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is designed to bring the best of the 7-series to a broader range of devices by integrating key features such as on-device AI. This initiative aligns with Qualcomm’s ongoing commitment to delivering top-tier mobile experiences across different price points.

Xiaomi will be the first to adopt the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 platform, with the first device expected to be announced next month. Qualcomm also invites users to explore more about the platform through its product brief and website.

This development marks a significant step in making advanced mobile technologies more accessible, allowing a wider audience to benefit from high-performance AI, gaming, and multimedia capabilities on mid-range smartphones.

Main Specs

CategorySpecifications
CPUKryo CPU: 1 Prime core (up to 2.5 GHz), 3 Performance cores (up to 2.4 GHz), 4 Efficiency cores (up to 1.8 GHz)
GPUAdreno GPU: HDR gaming, API Support (OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0 FP, Vulkan 1.3)
CameraQualcomm Spectra Image Signal Processor
Triple 12-bit ISPs
Up to 200 MP photo capture
4K @ 30 FPS HDR video capture
AI EngineQualcomm Hexagon NPU
Fused AI Accelerator Architecture
Support for INT4, INT8, and INT16
MemoryLP-DDR5 (up to 3200 MHz), LP-DDR4X (up to 2133 MHz), up to 16 GB
StorageUFS 3.1
DisplayOn-Device: FHD+ @ 144 Hz
External: Up to 4K @ 60 Hz, 10-bit color depth, HDR10 and HDR10+
AudioQualcomm Aqstic audio codec
Qualcomm Aqstic smart speaker amplifier
Qualcomm Audio and Voice Communication Suite
5G Modem-RFSnapdragon 5G Modem-RF System
5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz, SA and NSA modes, FDD, TDD
Global 5G multi-SIM, including 5G/4G DSDA
Wi-Fi & Bluetooth®Qualcomm FastConnect Mobile Connectivity System
Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.4
Support for Qualcomm aptX Voice, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive
ChargingQualcomm Quick Charge 4+ Technology
Process Technology4nm Process Technology
General FeaturesSnapdragon Elite Gaming features
USB Version 3.1; USB Type-C Support

Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 7s Gen 3: Advanced AI And Gaming For Mid-Tier Phones

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 7s Gen 3: Advanced AI And Gaming For Mid-Tier Phones

Qualcomm Technologies has introduced the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, aiming to enhance the capabilities of mid-tier smartphones by incorporating advanced features typically found in higher-end devices. This new platform brings on-device generative AI support, enabling the use of large language models (LLMs) like Baichuan-7B and Llama 2 with 1 billion parameters, enhancing AI-driven experiences directly on smartphones.

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 also caters to mobile gaming enthusiasts, powered by the Qualcomm Adreno GPU for improved gaming experiences. Additionally, it supports professional-grade camera and video capabilities, including a 12-bit triple ISP and 4K sHDR video capture, ensuring high-quality media performance on more affordable devices.

Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handsets at Qualcomm, emphasized that the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is designed to bring the best of the 7-series to a broader range of devices by integrating key features such as on-device AI. This initiative aligns with Qualcomm’s ongoing commitment to delivering top-tier mobile experiences across different price points.

Xiaomi will be the first to adopt the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 platform, with the first device expected to be announced next month. Qualcomm also invites users to explore more about the platform through its product brief and website.

This development marks a significant step in making advanced mobile technologies more accessible, allowing a wider audience to benefit from high-performance AI, gaming, and multimedia capabilities on mid-range smartphones.

Main Specs

CategorySpecifications
CPUKryo CPU: 1 Prime core (up to 2.5 GHz), 3 Performance cores (up to 2.4 GHz), 4 Efficiency cores (up to 1.8 GHz)
GPUAdreno GPU: HDR gaming, API Support (OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0 FP, Vulkan 1.3)
CameraQualcomm Spectra Image Signal Processor
Triple 12-bit ISPs
Up to 200 MP photo capture
4K @ 30 FPS HDR video capture
AI EngineQualcomm Hexagon NPU
Fused AI Accelerator Architecture
Support for INT4, INT8, and INT16
MemoryLP-DDR5 (up to 3200 MHz), LP-DDR4X (up to 2133 MHz), up to 16 GB
StorageUFS 3.1
DisplayOn-Device: FHD+ @ 144 Hz
External: Up to 4K @ 60 Hz, 10-bit color depth, HDR10 and HDR10+
AudioQualcomm Aqstic audio codec
Qualcomm Aqstic smart speaker amplifier
Qualcomm Audio and Voice Communication Suite
5G Modem-RFSnapdragon 5G Modem-RF System
5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz, SA and NSA modes, FDD, TDD
Global 5G multi-SIM, including 5G/4G DSDA
Wi-Fi & Bluetooth®Qualcomm FastConnect Mobile Connectivity System
Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.4
Support for Qualcomm aptX Voice, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive
ChargingQualcomm Quick Charge 4+ Technology
Process Technology4nm Process Technology
General FeaturesSnapdragon Elite Gaming features
USB Version 3.1; USB Type-C Support

Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 7s Gen 3: Advanced AI And Gaming For Mid-Tier Phones

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.