N e w s C e n t r a l

OpenAI and Softbank team up for a $500 billion AI data center venture

<a href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-next-generation-o3-model-will-arrive-early-next-year-191707632.html">OpenAI</a> will build and open AI infrastructure worth $500 billion in the United States over the next four years in partnership with SoftBank. The two entities have teamed up to establish a new company called <a href="https://openai.com/index/announcing-the-stargate-project/">the Stargate Project</a> to build AI data centers for the ChatGPT maker, and according to their announcement, it will "secure American leadership in AI" as well as "create hundreds of thousands of American jobs." SoftBank will finance the project, while OpenAI will be in charge of its operations. Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank, will serve as its chairman.  While OpenAI and SoftBank will serve as the Stargate Project's lead partners, there are several other companies involved in the initiative. In addition to OpenAI, Arm, NVIDIA, Oracle and, of course, Microsoft will be its key initial technology partners. The company's official announcement says OpenAI, NVIDIA and Oracle will work together to "build and operate this computing system," though it didn't expound on what that means.  As for Microsoft, the company has posted an <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=fa8ebf86-f4bb-42c9-94d8-e6811a09bed8&featureId=text-link&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL2Jsb2dzLm1pY3Jvc29mdC5jb20vYmxvZy8yMDI1LzAxLzIxL21pY3Jvc29mdC1hbmQtb3BlbmFpLWV2b2x2ZS1wYXJ0bmVyc2hpcC10by1kcml2ZS10aGUtbmV4dC1waGFzZS1vZi1haS8iLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImZhOGViZjg2LWY0YmItNDJjOS05NGQ4LWU2ODExYTA5YmVkOCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9ibG9ncy5taWNyb3NvZnQuY29tL2Jsb2cvMjAyNS8wMS8yMS9taWNyb3NvZnQtYW5kLW9wZW5haS1ldm9sdmUtcGFydG5lcnNoaXAtdG8tZHJpdmUtdGhlLW5leHQtcGhhc2Utb2YtYWkvIn0&signature=AQAAAdQfwJCtXyXaz0v7KmAplEIObeqi7XVxNFR4ubSwnPtg&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.microsoft.com%2Fblog%2F2025%2F01%2F21%2Fmicrosoft-and-openai-evolve-partnership-to-drive-the-next-phase-of-ai%2F">announcement</a> about its involvement in the project and said that it will continue its "strategic partnership" with OpenAI. Microsoft will still have the right to use OpenAI IP on its products, and the OpenAI API will still exclusively run on Azure. However, it will no longer be OpenAI's exclusive provider for computing capacity. Whenever OpenAI needs additional capacity as its needs grow, Microsoft will have the "right of first refusal," which means the ChatGPT-maker has to <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=34e37b9c-8975-48da-aa39-df8bcd5badc3&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=fa8ebf86-f4bb-42c9-94d8-e6811a09bed8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=CNBC&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbmJjLmNvbS8yMDI1LzAxLzIxL21pY3Jvc29mdC1sb3Nlcy1zdGF0dXMtYXMtb3BlbmFpcy1leGNsdXNpdmUtY2xvdWQtcHJvdmlkZXIuaHRtbCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZmE4ZWJmODYtZjRiYi00MmM5LTk0ZDgtZTY4MTFhMDliZWQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbmJjLmNvbS8yMDI1LzAxLzIxL21pY3Jvc29mdC1sb3Nlcy1zdGF0dXMtYXMtb3BlbmFpcy1leGNsdXNpdmUtY2xvdWQtcHJvdmlkZXIuaHRtbCJ9&signature=AQAAAZtytrkHDfixlXP7UMPV6xDIzoyTAa2-CtciObMeUK5z&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2025%2F01%2F21%2Fmicrosoft-loses-status-as-openais-exclusive-cloud-provider.html">check with it first</a> before working with other parties.  The Stargate Project is releasing $100 billion immediately for its first data center buildouts, starting with one in Texas. As <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/21/openai-teams-up-with-softbank-and-oracle-on-50b-data-center-project/">TechCrunch</a> notes, it was previously reported that OpenAI was in talks with Oracle to lease a data center in Abilene, Texas that can reach almost a gigawatt of electricity by 2026. It didn't mention any other sites, but it did say that it's "evaluating potential" locations across the country.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/openai-and-softbank-team-up-for-a-500-billion-ai-data-center-venture-120018021.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Transit app Moovit adds ticket-purchasing functionality throughout Europe

Transit app <a href="https://www.engadget.com/tag/moovit/">Moovit</a> has partnered with the travel marketplace Distribusion Technologies to let users plan and book <a href="https://moovit.com/press-releases/moovit-launches-intercity-ticketing-europe/">long-distance trips throughout Europe</a>. The app now includes a ticketing system that works in 40 European countries. The company says travelers can book trains, buses and ferries straight from the app, as well as learning directions to a station, checking out schedules and keeping an up-to-the-minute eye on trip timing. This should help alleviate much of the stress of long-distance travel, as various aspects of the journey will all be viewable and adjustable via a single app. Moovit says this is a “first for urban mobility platforms.” It’s also the first time that Moovit has enabled mobile ticketing for inter-city journeys throughout Europe, including cross-border trips. The company has partnered with carriers like Deutsche Bahn, Trenitalia and National Express to make this happen. These tools are available right now on Android, iOS and the web client. The big caveat? It's only in Europe, for now. The app is available in 3,500 cities across 112 countries. We’ll let you know when other regions get access to this tech.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/transit-app-moovit-adds-ticket-purchasing-functionality-throughout-europe-110043997.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

The best streaming devices for 2025

Nearly every TV on the market today is a smart TV, but not every operating system is a winner. A media streaming device lets you pair whichever user interface you prefer with just about any screen that has an HDMI port. In some cases, such as with older or less expensive smart TVs, a streaming stick or dongle could even be speedier and less glitchy than your TV’s built-in system. At home, these handy gadgets make it easier for cord cutters to watch the millions of hours of content streaming services provide without cable. And while traveling, a streaming player lets you watch your preferred content on hotel sets (without painstakingly typing in a bunch of passwords or activation codes). We tested out streaming players from Roku, Google, Apple, Amazon and more, gauging the usability and the performance of each to come up with our list of the best streaming devices you can buy. <h2 id="jump-link-what-to-look-for-in-a-tv-streaming-device">What to look for in a TV streaming device</h2> <h3 id="jump-link-operating-system-and-interface">Operating system and interface</h3> Google’s TV Streamer, the Apple TV 4K, Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku devices are the most popular players in the space. Three of those brands also come built into TVs, such as Fire, Google and Roku TVs, but the Apple TV 4K doesn't come pre-loaded on any set. Each one has a unique operating system and interface. This may be the biggest deciding factor for many people, as it determines how the content you want to watch is arranged and presented. We go into detail for each platform below, but all of them come with home screens that, to varying degrees, gather your apps in one place, present the movies and TV shows you’re currently watching and give you suggestions of other media streaming options. Nearly all streaming devices come with a remote that lets you search and do other operations using your voice, eliminating the need to hunt and peck at on-screen keyboards. They all offer “universal search,” in which searching for a title takes you to whichever app has it available. If you want to watch Barbie but don’t know where it’s playing, just push the voice button on the remote and say "Barbie.” (We found simply saying the title or the genre you want sometimes works better than saying “Show me…” or “Search for…”) From the search results, hit the play button and the correct app will open and start playing — assuming you’ve previously logged into that app and, in most cases, have an active subscription. <h3 id="jump-link-connectivity">Connectivity</h3> Most streaming sticks connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, with the majority of them supporting Wi-Fi 5 or 6 protocols. Set-top boxes can also have Ethernet ports, so you can hardwire your internet connection to the device, which is always faster than wireless. Streaming media players connect to your TV through an HDMI port, and most sticks hide behind the screen, while set-top boxes sit on a surface nearby. Nearly all units also plug into an AC outlet for power. Some sticks used to work by pulling power from a USB port on the TV, but increasingly, these devices are designed to plug into the wall. <h3 id="jump-link-video-and-audio-features">Video and audio features</h3> If you have a screen that can display 4K content with Dolby Vision and HDR10, you’ll want a streaming device that supports those high-end formats. Of course, even the most top-shelf streamer can’t make a 1080p TV display content in 4K. The series or movie also has to be transmitted in 4K and, <a href="https://www.engadget.com/legacy-hbo-max-ad-free-subscribers-will-lose-access-to-4k-streams-soon-092315829.html">increasingly</a>, companies restrict higher-quality streaming to more expensive subscription plans. In short, every element needs to support the video or audio feature, otherwise the highest quality you’ll get will be the lowest of any component in the chain. <h3 id="jump-link-voice-control">Voice control</h3> In addition to helping you find stuff to watch, streaming devices from Apple, Google and Amazon can answer questions about the weather, sports scores and general facts using built-in voice assistants. They can also act as smart home controllers to turn off connected smart bulbs or plugs and show feeds from smart cameras. Just remember, as with all smart home devices, compatibility is key. Fire TV devices work with Alexa-enabled smart home equipment; the Google TV Streamer lets you control Google Home devices; Apple TV 4Ks play nice with HomeKit; and Rokus grant power over Roku’s smart home products. Below are some recommendations for the best streaming sticks and other budget-friendly options. We also included suggestions for set-top boxes and devices geared toward gamers. <h2 id="jump-link-best-streaming-devices">Best streaming devices</h2> This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/best-streaming-devices-media-players-123021395.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Donald Trump pardons Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht

President Donald Trump has pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road who was sentenced to<a href="https://www.engadget.com/2015-05-29-silk-road-founder-ross-ulbricht-sentenced-to-life-in-prison.html"><ins> life in prison</ins></a> after being <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2015-02-04-silk-road-creator-found-guilty-on-all-counts.html"><ins>found guilty</ins></a> of money laundering, narcotics trafficking and computer hacking. “I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbright [sic] to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross,” Trump said in <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113869048176700070"><ins>a post</ins></a> on Truth Social. Ulbricht has been serving a life sentence since 2015. Prosecutors <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/newyork/news/press-releases/ross-ulbricht-the-creator-and-owner-of-the-silk-road-website-found-guilty-in-manhattan-federal-court-on-all-counts"><ins>alleged</ins></a> that the dark web marketplace Ulbricht created was “used by thousands of drug dealers and other unlawful vendors to distribute hundreds of kilograms of illegal drugs and other unlawful goods and services to well over a hundred thousand buyers, and to launder hundreds of millions of dollars deriving from these unlawful transactions.” Ulbricht was also accused of attempting to <a href="https://www.wired.com/2015/02/read-transcript-silk-roads-boss-ordering-5-assassinations/"><ins>order assassinations</ins></a> of his perceived enemies, though prosecutors said there was “no evidence that these murders were actually carried out.” The reprieve for Ulbricht comes after he tried, <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2017-05-31-silk-road-founder-loses-appeal-will-serve-life-prison.html"><ins>and failed</ins></a>, to appeal his sentence in 2017. Crypto enthusiasts, many of whom <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/technology/crypto-industry-spending-election.html"><ins>supported Trump</ins></a> during the 2024 election, have long argued that his sentence was too harsh. Trump said <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-commute-silk-road-website-operator-ross-ulbrichts-life-prison-se-rcna154082"><ins>during his campaign</ins></a> that he would commute Ulbricht’s sentence “on day one” if he was reelected.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/donald-trump-pardons-silk-road-creator-ross-ulbricht-010206263.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Report: Meta could release its first true AR headset as soon as 2027

Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has released a <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-21/meta-hardware-plans-oakley-and-ar-like-glasses-apple-watch-and-airpods-rivals?sref=10lNAhZ9">report</a> about Meta's next steps in hardware, crediting sources familiar with the company's work. According to these insiders, Meta is developing at least three new smart glasses models and has set a roadmap toward releasing its first true augmented reality glasses. The company is reportedly also continuing efforts to implement AI tools in a wrist wearable and in earbuds. Meta already sells smart glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban, a product line internally called Supernova. Gurman reports that this existing lineup will be introduced to new markets, although he didn't offer specifics about where. Meta's technologies also be applied to frames from other brands owned by its partner, Luxottica Group. This will allegedly lead to the launch of glasses codenamed Supernova 2 based on the Sphaera glasses from Oakley. This set would be intended for cyclists and other athletes, and its camera would be placed in the center of the frames. The third model is internally dubbed Hypernova. This product would be another step closer to a genuine AR experience, giving wearers the capability to run simple software apps, view notifications and display photos taken by the device. The more advanced feature set would reportedly come with a more advanced price tag; sources told Gurman this set is currently projected to cost $1,000. Insiders had already <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/meta-is-reportedly-adding-displays-to-its-ray-ban-smart-glasses-162634427.html">revealed</a> last month that Meta was working on bringing a display to its Ray-Ban glasses models.  Alongside these smart glasses, Meta has also been developing an AR product dubbed <a href="https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/metas-orion-prototype-offers-a-glimpse-into-our-ar-future-123038066.html"><ins>Orion</ins></a>. Gurman reports that the Orion set will not receive a commercial release. Instead, he said that Meta plans to launch a different iteration of the hardware as early as 2027. This product is codenamed Artemis, and sources told Gurman that these prototype glasses aren't as heavy as Orion and are more advanced than the predecessor. Another item of note in Gurman's report is that Meta is developing a wrist strap that could control its smart glasses. Most of the company's models have controls at the temple, but a wrist option would be similar to the one used for the Orion prototype. Finally, he confirms that Meta is still working on prototypes of camera-enabled earbuds that could be a rival to Apple's AirPods. The Information <a href="https://www.engadget.com/metas-next-hardware-project-might-be-ai-infused-headphones-with-cameras-204741102.html"><ins>reported</ins></a> on this project in May 2024, and it seems that the concept has faced some development challenges. If these "Camerabuds" do reach the market, it likely won't be for years. We've reached out to Meta for comment on this report and will update with any statement we receive.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/report-meta-could-release-its-first-true-ar-headset-as-soon-as-2027-222502610.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Meta is trying to lure TikTok creators with a new bonus program

The TikTok ban may have lasted only a few hours (at least for now), but Meta is still trying to capitalize on its rival’s tenuous future. Meta has rolled out a new “<a href="https://creators.facebook.com/breakthrough-bonus"><ins>breakthrough bonus program</ins></a>” that offers up to $5,000 to creators who are new to the company’s apps. According to Meta, the bonus program is open to US adults who “have an existing presence on a third party social app that you can link or already have linked during the application process.” Participants will also be required to create a professional account on Instagram and a page on Facebook. If accepted, creators will then be able to earn up to $5,000 over a 90-day period in exchange for sharing “at least 20 reels on Facebook and 10 reels on Instagram posted natively within each app within each 30-day bonus period” and sharing “on at least 10 separate days within each 30-day bonus period.” (Meta notes that creators individual payments will be calculated based on “an evaluation of your social presence.”) Creators will also be able to participate in its "<a href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-wants-to-make-it-easy-for-creators-to-earn-on-facebook-150037046.html">Facebook Content Monetization</a>" program that allows creators to earn money for text and photos posts in addition to video content.   Though Meta doesn’t name TikTok specifically, the timing of the rollout seems pretty clearly meant to target TikTok creators who aren’t active on Facebook and Instagram. It’s also notable that the terms of the bonus program require creators to post twice as many Reels on Facebook as Instagram, suggesting Meta is looking to boost original content on Facebook specifically. The breakthrough bonuses are just one of the ways Meta is attempting to lure TikTok creators to its platforms. The company is also offering some creators, including those in the “breakthrough” program, a free one-year trial subscription to Meta Verified, which provides <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/meta-verified-is-a-paid-verification-service-for-facebook-and-instagram-161632996.html"><ins>a blue check</ins></a> and extra perks like impersonation protection. The company also recently extended the length of Reels on Instagram, from 90 seconds to <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-swoops-in-with-3-minute-reels-and-rectangular-profile-grids-as-the-tiktok-ban-gets-real-201316339.html"><ins>up to three minutes</ins></a>, and redesigned the Instagram grid. Meta is also reportedly striking bigger deals with specific, higher-profile creators. The Information recently reported that Meta has been offering some TikTok stars bonuses of up to <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/instagram-courts-tiktok-creators-with-big-cash-bonuses?rc=whf0fd"><ins>$50,000 a month</ins></a> in exchange for posting their content on Reels first. A Meta spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of those arrangements, but said the company “recently expanded our investment” in content deals “to support more creators.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-trying-to-lure-tiktok-creators-with-a-new-bonus-program-220632949.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Instagram blocked searches for #democrats and other political hashtags

Instagram blocked searches related to a number of political hashtags, including #democrats, #democrat, #jan6th, #republicans and a number of other terms Tuesday. Users who searched for these hashtags were instead greeted with a notice that “we’ve hidden these results" because they "may contain sensitive content." It’s not clear exactly how many search terms were affected but users on Reddit reported that <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/WhitePeopleTwitter/comments/1i6fgzg/happening_now_instagram_is_now_blocking/">dozens of tags</a> were unsearchable. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone blamed an unspecified “issue” in <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.threads.net/@andymstone/post/DFFpZ0ZRbSY">a post</a> on Threads and said the company was working on a fix. The timing, just days after Mark Zuckerberg took a front-row seat at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, understandably prompted speculation that the “issue” was politically motivated. Zuckerberg recently moved to end Meta’s <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-ditching-third-party-fact-checkers-on-facebook-instagram-142330246.html">fact-checking programs</a>, roll back <a href="https://theintercept.com/2025/01/09/facebook-instagram-meta-hate-speech-content-moderation/">content moderation standards</a> that prohibited dehumanizing language and slurs targeting immigrants and LGBTQ people. The company also internally shuttered its <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/metas-right-wing-reinvention-also-includes-an-end-to-dei-programs-and-trans-messenger-themes-204031848.html">corporate diversity programs</a>. Stone, however, said the issue affected “a number of different hashtags on Instagram - not just those on the left.” Indeed, there seemed to be some inconsistency in what was blocked. #Democrat, #democrats and #republicans were reportedly affected, but #republican was viewable. Users reported that #constitution, #johnoliver and #queer were also unviewable. Meta now seems to have addressed most of the hashtags in question, though the company hasn’t explained what caused the “issue.” This, notably, isn't the first time Instagram has inexplicably blocked searches for hashtags. Meta blocked hashtags related to LGBTQ content and labeled it as "sensitive content" <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/instagram-blocked-lgbtq-hashtags-and-treated-them-as-sexually-suggestive-content-200808209.html">for months</a>. The company said earlier this year that was an error, noting that "we do not consider LGBTQ+ terms to be sensitive under our policies.” In 2020, Instagram briefly prevented users from sharing posts with the hashtag #blacklivesmatter. The company said it was a mistake and blamed its <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/instagram-action-block-black-lives-matter-220823742.html">spam detection</a> features.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-blocked-searches-for-democrats-and-other-political-hashtags-195612128.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

EA's Origin app for PC gaming will shut down in April

EA's Origin PC client has officially reached the end of the line. The gaming company had previously announced its plans to <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ea-desktop-app-origin-165926324.html"><ins>rebrand</ins></a> the Origin app for desktop players back in 2020 and began <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ea-pc-app-origin-replacement-client-macos-184456809.html"><ins>rolling out</ins></a> the new EA app in 2022. However, Origin will be completely shuttered on April 17, 2025, as Microsoft ends support for 32-bit software. Anyone still using Origin will need to swap over to the EA app before that date. For those PC players who have not migrated over to the EA app, the company has an <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://help.ea.com/en/help/ea/ea-app/update-operating-system-for-ea-app/"><ins>FAQ</ins></a> explaining the latest system requirements. The EA app runs on 64-bit architecture, and requires a machine using Windows 10 or Windows 11. (Although Microsoft would really <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/computing/microsoft-confirms-the-windows-11-tpm-security-requirement-isnt-going-anywhere-211002424.html"><ins>prefer</ins></a> that everybody upgrade to Windows 11 as it <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/windows-10-will-receive-its-final-security-update-in-october-2028-084902439.html"><ins>sunsets</ins></a> the previous OS.) If you're simply downloading the EA app on a current machine, players won't need to re-download their games. And if you have cloud saves enabled, all of your data should transfer without any additional steps. However, it's always a good idea to have physical backups with this type of transition, especially since not all games support cloud saves, and those titles will need to have saved game data manually transferred. Mods also may not automatically make the switch, and EA recommends players check with mod creators about transferring to the EA app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/eas-origin-app-for-pc-gaming-will-shut-down-in-april-191807523.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Polyend stuffed a fully programmable drum machine in a stompbox

This year’s NAMM trade show has opened up its doors, so that means there will be a wealth of new musical doodads to lust over. Case in point? Polyend <a href="https://polyend.com/step/">just dropped a hybrid device</a> that combines the functionality of a standard guitar pedal with a drum machine. The Polyend Step is a “fully-featured, programmable drum machine in stompbox format.” This should be an absolute boon for those who want some accompaniment while playing guitar, or any other instrument. That alone makes it the perfect practice tool, however it looks like it could also be a great resource for anyone doing the whole “one person band” thing. <div id="f4b8cd3483b74a188280c94c79335045"> </div> Drum stompboxes are nothing new, but the Step kicks things up several notches. It comes with over 200 drum kits to peruse, along with 350 preset rhythm patterns. These patterns consist of 16 steps, but can be combined to build full songs. To that end, the pedal can store more than 1,000 songs. Drum patterns can also be made from scratch via the built-in step sequencer, giving users four tracks to work with. Each track has a wide array of adjustable parameters, including swing, speed, step probability, velocity control and more. There are over 50 effects to choose from, and each song can handle 16. These effects include a number of delays and reverbs, and can be activated on the fly via footswitches. The connectivity here is on point. The Step includes MIDI I/O for syncing, guitar jacks, stereo input and output and a microSD card reader. It’s available right now for $500. Polyend is primarily known for its sequencing devices, like the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/polyend-tracker-groovebox-sampler-review-170118746-170118557.html">Polyend Tracker</a> and the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/the-polyend-tracker-mini-is-a-powerful-and-portable-studio-in-a-box-001656705.html">Tracker Mini</a>. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/polyend-stuffed-a-fully-programmable-drum-machine-in-a-stompbox-190008034.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

The UK’s digital driver’s licence is coming later this year

The UK <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/digital-driving-licence-coming-this-year"><ins>will release a digital driver’s license</ins></a> later this year, along with a digital wallet issued by the government. This will allow folks to “easily prove their age when buying age restricted items online and in person.” Obviously, it will also prove a person’s right to drive. This will be one of the first digital documents available via the GOV.UK digital wallet, which is also launching later this year. The wallet will also be home to documents like Veterans Cards, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and “every other credential issued by the government.” However, many of these digital versions won’t be available until the end of 2027. The technology harnesses the security features of modern smartphones, for enhanced privacy. The documents won’t open without a facial recognition check. The government says this will make digital documents more secure, “even if a device is lost.” We’ll have to see how that plays out. There will also be a way for users to hide certain info when displaying the digital license. <a href="https://www.topgear.com/car-news/tech/uk-drivers-get-ready-digital-driving-licences"><ins>Top Gear</ins><ins> has reported that</ins></a>, for instance, the tech will allow folks to hide home addresses when paying for stuff. The best part? This is an opt-in technology. Traditional physical documents will still be available, just in case it skeeves you out to have official IDs hanging out on your phone. UK citizens can already apply for a license online using a stored digital photo and pay road fees. <div id="83b51c9c5f284ab79540ee47c57753aa"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It’s quick and easy to set up your Driver and vehicles account! Simply add your vehicles and you’ll have access to all your details at your fingertips ✨ Start here 👉 <a href="https://t.co/DXTn3olbi0">https://t.co/DXTn3olbi0</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DVLADigital?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DVLADigital</a> <a href="https://t.co/xcG0vapJF8">pic.twitter.com/xcG0vapJF8</a>— DVLA (@DVLAgovuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/DVLAgovuk/status/1880223994625851562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2025</a></blockquote> </div> Digital driver’s licenses are nothing new. Many countries use them already, including Australia, Denmark, Iceland and Norway. Even some US states, like <a href="https://www.engadget.com/ohio-becomes-the-fifth-us-state-to-recognize-ids-in-apple-wallet-211807995.html"><ins>Ohio</ins></a> and <a href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/new-mexico-state-ids-can-now-be-added-to-digital-wallets-211549853.html"><ins>New Mexico</ins></a>, have made use of the tech.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-uks-digital-drivers-licence-is-coming-later-this-year-165008815.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

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