First up, an apology. In Tuesday’s e-newsletter, I laid out easy methods to watch (and what to anticipate from) Amazon’s Alexa press occasion. However except for unveiling what Alexa+ might be able to, there was no foolish {hardware} and no upgraded Echos, however . We discovered Alexa+ might be included with an Amazon Prime subscription, and the corporate may even supply the improved digital assistant individually, for $20 per 30 days. In the meanwhile, Prime prices $15 per 30 days within the US. In order that's bizarre.
In the meantime, Apple’s new entry-level iPhone, the 16e, launches on-line and in shops immediately. The $599 cellphone is arguably $100 too expensive, nevertheless it packs a processor that may ship Apple Intelligence to the lots. It has a stunning display, with a notch — if not a Dynamic Island — and a protracted battery life. Because of that A18 chip, it’s as highly effective as iPhones, which value a number of hundred {dollars} extra.
This can be a cellphone for individuals who don’t improve yearly (or two). In case you’re coming from an older iPhone, say an iPhone 11 (like my mother), you’ll be handled to a brighter display, improved picture processing and, heck, 5G. Apple says the newer course of will make sure the 16e is 80 % quicker than the iPhone 11. You’re going to see the distinction. Oh, and also you get an motion button.
Our largest concern is the single-camera scenario. It’s an important digicam, however we already miss the flexibility of optical zoom that goes past the digital cropping that the iPhone 16e makes use of. Take a look at our full evaluate proper right here. And in the event you’re OK not staying with an iPhone, we’re shifting into the mid-range smartphone season — so keep tuned.
— Mat Smith
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What to expect from Samsung, Nothing, Xiaomi and more at MWC 2025
Nothing’s new units could be the headline grabbers.
The world’s largest smartphone occasion (after iPhone launches, let’s be actual) returns to Barcelona. Whereas it’s not the heyday of Cellular World Congress, smartphone challengers from China like to reveal technically achieved units, and we’re anticipating delights from the likes of Xiaomi, Honor, Huawei et al. Besides possibly not Oppo — it’s performed its factor already.
At MWC 2022, Nothing’s Carl Pei confirmed off a prototype of the corporate’s first handset, the Nothing Cellphone 1. It appears prefer it’s able to reveal its third-gen cellphone, with the corporate’s ordinary drip-drip of specs, options and hyperbole already in motion. Nothing already revealed the design of 1 cellphone, the 3a Professional, in an almost 11-minute video. Notably, an enormous ole digicam bump to accommodate a periscope telephoto lens.
Xiaomi can be teasing some heady digicam {hardware}: Its 15 Extremely might be a pictures powerhouse, rumored to pack a 1-inch fundamental sensor and 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens.
Will Samsung showcase the slimline ? Maybe. It may additionally be time to disclose an replace to its A-series mid-range units. Maybe the corporate will do each.
Sony cuts the price of PS VR2 to $400
Add the value of your PS5 too.
Sony is completely decreasing the value of the PlayStation VR2. Beginning in March, the headset will value $400, down from $500. It nonetheless prices greater than the Meta Quest 3S, a standalone headset, however is clearly able to a richer graphic expertise. That stated, the place are the AAA video games? Even Sony’s personal PS VR2 web site struggles to supply something notably thrilling.
You’re by no means discovering these misplaced wi-fi earbuds
It’s time to let go.
I’ve misplaced my . Wherever I set them down, I recall pondering, “you’re going to remorse not placing them again into the charging case.” And I used to be proper. Two weeks on, I’ve the charging case, open and prepared, however the buds have been translocated to a different dimension. I attempted Apple’s Discover My app, which says they’re someplace in my house.
That doesn’t assist me sufficient. I take advantage of them for exercises, so I checked jacket pockets, gymnasium shorts, the lavatory, home windows, the edges of my sofa and even my internal ear canal. However no.
I’ve held out hope for 2 weeks, nevertheless it’s time for me to let go. Thankfully, I work here, so I’ve three standby choices for gymnasium listening. However they didn’t match in addition to the Beats Match Professional. I’ll maintain onto the charging case, simply in case they magically seem in my detergent field or someplace else utterly arbitrary, however mentally, I do know I’ll by no means discover them once more.
Goodbye, my waxy, sweaty buds of pleasure.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/basic/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121514554.html?src=rss
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