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Google removes 'underutilized' Assistant features to focus on 'quality and reliability'
Google has announced that it will eliminate 17 features from its Assistant product, following news that it had laid off "hundreds" of employees from the division.
Apple's 5K Studio Display should support Windows, including the webcam and speakers
Apple's new 27-inch 5K Studio Display — including its 12-megapixel webcam and fancy speakers — should work just fine with Windows PCs.
Instagram adds more teen safety features ahead of parental control rollout next year
Instagram has launched a number of new and experimental features meant to make its app a safer place for teens ahead of Adam Mosseri's Senate testimony.
OnePlus 8T review: More power, more features
The OnePlus 8T is a great choice among the latest crop of flagship phones. It focuses on practicality, speed and, to an extent, value. For some, this will be all they need -- at least until the OnePlus 9 comes along.
YouTube limits experimental features to paid Premium subscribers
If you’ve used YouTube recently, you likely know that it really, really wants you to sign up for a paid Premium subscription. Now, Google is providing another incentive by allowing Premium users to try out experimental features still under development.
Instagram makes it easier to edit Reels
Instagram updates Reels to win over TikTok users.
WhatsApp lets you add new contacts with QR codes
WhatsApp rolls out new features like the ability to add contacts with a QR code.
Logitech’s Powered 3-in-1 Dock makes a case for premium wireless chargers
Logitech's Powered 3-in-1 Dock may be a pricey wireless charger, but it's worth the premium.
Apple's revamped Messages focuses on groups
As part of its WWDC 2020 reveals, Apple announced that it is revamping Messages with new group messaging features in iOS 14.
GoPro Labs gives users access to experimental features
The official GoPro Labs sandbox gives users access to tricks GoPro is testing behind the scenes.
Oppo's Find X2 Pro is a huge, high-spec phone to rival the Galaxy S20 Ultra
Even though Oppo isn't as well-known in the US, chances are you might have come across one of its recent tech demos. This is the brand that brought us the pop-up camera wedge, periscope-based 10x hybrid zoom, under-screen camera, waterfall screen and 65W fast charging, among other things. But when it comes to design, it was the company's Find X which first stood out with its super minimalistic appearance, courtesy of its hidden cameras. It was definitely a one-of-a-kind smartphone. So naturally, phone nerds such as myself have high expectations for its successor, the Find X2 Pro, which is pitched as an "all-round 5G flagship."
VSCO buys 360 camera company Rylo to create mobile editing tools
VSCO, the popular photo editing app and inspiration for the VSCO girl meme, just acquired Rylo, a video camera and editing company. With the deal, VSCO is doubling down on its commitment to video and plans to "accelerate the delivery of innovative video editing features."
Pixel 4 will automatically screen robocalls and center your Duo videos
To keep its phones from steadily getting worse over time, Google plans to roll out bigger updates, called feature drops, to its Pixel devices. The first feature drop, rolling out this month, will bring the latest Call Screen features and improved Duo video calls to the Pixel 4. And even if you have a slightly older Pixel, the feature drop will let you add Portrait Blur to photos you've already taken.
Google Assistant will place Dunkin' Donuts orders, finally
Google just added a handful of voice control features to Google Assistant. You can now manage notes and lists in select third-party apps, ask Assistant to search your photos, search for podcasts by topic and set reminders for the whole family. You can also place Dunkin' Donuts orders -- just what everyone was hoping for.
Verizon will preload Snapchat on 'select' 5G phones
Snap Inc. and Verizon (Engadget's parent company) announced today that they are "official 5G innovation partners." As part of the alliance, Verizon will preload the Snapchat app on "select" 5G devices and offer exclusive deals through its Verizon Up rewards program. Snap will develop new AR features and experiences at Verizon's 5G Labs, and you can expect Verizon "premium sponsorship placements" in Snap Originals video series.
Apple's iOS 13.1 and iPadOS are now available
Apple's only just released iOS 13, but there's already a new kid in town. Alongside iPadOS, the company has released iOS 13.1 -- both a week ahead of the originally scheduled September 30th debuts.
Discord introduces a better way to organize servers
Starting today, there's an easier way to organize your servers on chat platform Discord: folders. If you're a member of many Discord servers, you'll know that organizing them is a bit of a pain. Previously, you could move server icons in your sidebar to reorder them, but if you had more than 10 or so, it was hard to find the one you want. Now, you can drag and drop servers into folders, and rename or color code those folders. For example, you could create a folder for gaming servers or one for servers that you mod. You can dismiss notifications by folder, so you needn't go through servers marking channels as read one by one.
‘Jurassic World Alive’ update lets users feed their AR dinosaurs
You might not realize it, but you're living in a world full of dinosaurs. Since the augmented reality game Jurassic World Alive came out last year, it's been downloaded 17 million times. Players have unleashed 115 million dinosaurs and taken them to battle nearly one billion times. Now, the game is getting a few new features, including "sanctuaries," where users can feed, interact and play with their dinosaurs.
Toyota will add automatic engine shut off and auto-park to all new vehicles
Beginning with model year 2020, Toyota will include automatic engine shut off and auto-park features in its new vehicles. If a vehicle is left running for a predetermined amount of time, the engine will automatically shut off. If a driver exits a vehicle without putting it in park, it will automatically shift and/or apply the parking brake.
OnePlus 7 Pro review: The first true OnePlus flagship
OnePlus can be funny. Sometimes, the company reveals top-notch smartphones with minor flaws. Other times, new devices land with new features that were a flop. The 6T I reviewed earlier this year is a prime example of the latter: OnePlus' first in-display fingerprint reader wasn't very responsive, and even though I was a fan of the dewdrop-notch design, the phone's selfie camera often took blurry shots. Today, OnePlus makes another attempt, and it's more ambitious than ever. For the first time, the company is releasing two flagship models simultaneously: the OnePlus 7 and the larger OnePlus 7 Pro. I've spent the last five days living with the $749 maxed-out OnePlus 7 Pro (with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage), and yes, with its $669 base price, it's the most expensive phone ever from the company. Still, this is easily my favorite OnePlus phone to date, and if all goes well, it may even end up being my favorite smartphone of the year.
