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This deal gets you a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows or Mac and access to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more for 89% off.

Along with making tools easier to access, Google is introducing new editing tools to save you time and effort while you create ‘stunning’ clips.

We put the top VPNs to the test with Apple TV to help you stream securely and safely.

Alienware debuted its Pro Mouse and Keyboard in January at CES 2024, and now the company is introducing the Pro Headset as part of the series. As with the mouse and keyboard, Alienware worked with more than 100 esports competitors and streamers for their input before combining it with its technical knowledge. The result after 18 months of testing is a headset boasting up to 75 hours of battery life.

That’s an impressive figure, but it’s not the whole picture. The headphones last 75 hours if you use them without active noise canceling and connecting via Bluetooth. The maximum battery life drops to 35 hours while using a 2.4GHz connection with ANC enabled. If you intend to use the microphone, battery life is 35 hours with ANC off; with it on, it drops to 25 hours.

Alienware’s ANC is effective at blocking out sounds, but users can turn Transparency Mode on if they need to be aware of their surroundings. In transparency mode, users can also adjust how much they want background noise attenuated.

Alienware didn’t stop there, as the 50mm drivers are coated with graphene to reduce distortion commonly found at higher frequencies. These drivers also work great with vertical and 360-degree audio. With clear audio, players can instantly pinpoint where enemies are when they make sounds.

The microphone is detachable and can be stowed away if not needed. It has two mics, and both are capable of AI-powered noise cancellation, ensuring only your voice is transmitted to teammates.

Besides beefing up the audio quality and mic capabilities, Alienware made sure it would be delivering a product that’s comfortable and easy to use. Both memory foam earcups are easily replaceable, and there are physical control buttons for easy adjustment while gaming. In terms of connectivity, the Alienware Pro Headset supports Bluetooth 5.3, wireless 2.4Ghz and USB connections.

Fans of Alienware’s gear can get the Pro Headset this October at $150. Alienware didn’t provide information on its specific launch day or availability in specific regions besides North America.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/the-new-alienware-pro-headset-has-graphene-coated-drivers-and-lasts-up-to-75-hours-164037094.html?src=rss

On Tuesday, HP unveiled its first 2-in-1 AI PC, the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14-inch. The device has a 3K OLED display, a haptic touchpad and Intel’s 200V Core Ultra series processors with a dedicated AI engine. Starting in late November, the PC will get Microsoft’s Copilot+ capabilities as an update.

The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14-inch has a 2,880 x 1,800 touch-sensitive OLED display with a maximum 120Hz variable refresh rate. With a 90 percent screen-to-body ratio, the PC is only 0.59 inches (15mm) thick and weighs 2.97 lbs (1.35kg).

The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14-inch starts at 512GB of storage, with 1TB and 2TB options also available. 16GB of RAM is standard, but more expensive tiers will boost that to 32GB. The 2-in-1 is rated for up to 20 hours of battery life, and it can fast-charge to about 50 percent in 45 minutes using its bundled 65W USB-C adapter. Its Intel AI processor can be configured with anything from an Ultra 5 226V up to an Ultra 9 288V.

HP

The device includes a 9MP camera with hardware-level low-light adjustments and Auto Switch HDR, which determines when HDR is needed (based on lighting conditions) and switches on the fly. Onboard AI features using the Intel chip’s NPU include hand gesture support for scrolling through documents or webpages, adjusting volume levels and controlling media playback. The PC can also automatically lock when you leave and wake when you return.

Once the Copilot+ update for Intel PCs is available, features like AI image generation and editing tools, live captions, Windows Studio effects, and Recall will be added.

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14-inch is available today on HP’s website. It starts at $1,450.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/hps-omnibook-ultra-flip-14-inch-is-its-first-2-in-1-ai-pc-162558218.html?src=rss

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has agreed a deal with Google Cloud to use the latter’s Vertex AI to generate captions for programming across a variety of platforms. WBD claims that its Caption AI system can significantly reduce production time and costs while improving the accuracy of captions for US-based viewers.

The tech will be used for unscripted programming at the outset, which could include news, sports and reality TV across the likes of Max, CNN and Discovery+. WBD claims the system can reduce the time it takes to create captions by up to 80 percent and captioning costs by up to 50 percent. There will still be a level of human review for quality assurance, and the company claims this approach will help refine and train Caption AI’s workflow to improve it over time.

However, captioning requires a lot of skill, especially for live TV where transcribers have to keep up with what’s being said as accurately as possible. Unscripted programming also tends to include a lot of overlapping chatter and it’s unclear just how effective AI will be at transcribing that accurately. However you slice it though, relying more on AI-generated transcriptions will mean less work for people in the space.

It’ll be interesting to see whether WBD expands this tech to subtitles for scripted programming. Subtitling (something I admittedly used to do for a living) is a skilled art. Among other things, it involves accurately capturing sound effects, music cues and non-verbal utterances; properly explaining idioms for localization purposes; and making sure subtitles are timed properly. There’s a ton of nuance involved, and it would be difficult for AI to get it right.

It’s hardly surprising that WBD is looking at Caption AI as a way to save money. The company has been aggressively cutting costs (and trying to bolster its revenue) since it formed in 2022 with the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/warner-bros-discovery-teams-up-with-google-to-generate-captions-using-ai-161345238.html?src=rss

Monitor makers today compete with each other to create the best esports-worthy displays that are fit for competition use. Sony is no exception, as it introduced its Inzone headsets and displays in 2022, beginning with the M3 and M9. Today, the company is introducing the new Inzone M9 II and M10S gaming monitors to solidify its place in the competitive display space.

The Inzone M9 II (pictured above) is an upgraded version of its predecessor, the M9. It shares many features but improves upon some weaknesses the older model had. This 27-inch 4K IPS display has a 160Hz refresh rate compared to the M9’s 144Hz. The response time remains the same at 1ms GtG, but the maximum brightness is now 750 nits (up from 600 nits). In addition, the monitor has VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification, which means it can play HDR content at 600 nits of brightness. It also has full-array local dimming and backlight scanning technology for better motion clarity.

The M9 gaming monitor suffered from having a tripod that didn’t allow for much adjustment. For the M9 II, Sony has replaced the tripod with a small disc stand with 180 degrees of rotation. This new stand doesn’t require much desk room and allows for height, tilt and swivel changes.

PS5 consoles can automatically recognize Inzone gaming monitors, which swap from Game Mode to Cinema Mode if users halt their gaming sessions and pop a movie in. Those who enjoyed the M9 will hopefully find the M9 II a significant improvement, something that could be especially true for PS5 owners.

But the star of Sony’s show is the Inzone M10S. This new powerhouse of a gaming monitor features a 27-inch 1440p OLED panel. The refresh rate of 480Hz is impressive (though there aren’t exactly a ton of games that support it), and the 0.03ms GtG response time is nothing to scoff at. Moreover, the HDR peak brightness of 1,300 nits and DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification are two cherries on top of this monitor cake.

Sony brought Fnatic’s Valorant esports team in as consultants on the Inzone M10S (pictured below), asking them to provide feedback. Their expertise contributed to the creation of the FPS Pro+ and FPS Pro picture modes. The former mode highlights enemies with an outline color, while the latter simulates LCD monitors for those who are more used to older esports LCD monitors. In other words, FPS Pro mode is a solution for esports athletes who want to use new gear but are too accustomed to older equipment characteristics.

Sony

Another feature the M10S has is a new heat sink design. It’s made up of a multilayer passive cooling system consisting of multiple aluminum plates and thermal pads. This heat removal system is designed to reduce burn-in.

Both 27-inch monitors feature a 24.5-inch display mode that slightly reduces the resolution, though the refresh rates and response times remain the same. The mode is intended to replicate the feel of using a TN 24.5-inch 1080p monitor and enjoy fast speeds and improved picture quality.

The M9 II is available now on the official Sony website and from authorized dealers for $800, which is $100 cheaper than the M9’s launch price. As for the M10S, you can get it for $1,100.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/sonys-latest-inzone-monitors-are-made-for-fps-and-ps5-gamers-160045831.html?src=rss

Rode, a company best known for its microphones, managed to successfully break into the creator tool market last year with its Duo podcast mixer. Today, the company is expanding its creator ambitions with the new Rodecaster Video production console. The Rodecaster Video doesn’t only handle video production, as its audio production capabilities are also top-notch.

First, though, let’s look at the device’s video production features. Those who want to capture video from multiple sources will be delighted to hear that the Rodecaster Video has four HDMI ports and two USB-C ports, all of which can be used simultaneously. The console can also perform green screen or blue screen background replacement to eliminate backgrounds. By using the Rode Central companion software, creators can customize the input-switching experience, as the console can automatically switch to an input covering whoever is speaking.

Of course, there are physical keys on the console. These keys are easily customized as well, allowing users to create their preferred workflows. Powering these video features is a proprietary video engine built by Rode around a powerful eight-core CPU, which also handles the audio features.

Rode

As for audio, the Rodecaster Video has two studio-grade Neutrik combo jacks promising extremely low noise levels, both linked to Revolution preamps to capture audio from XLR microphones, instruments and more. Those who own Rode wireless microphones can also seamlessly connect them to the Rodecaster Video.

The console also boasts an array of audio effects, including a de-esser, noise gates and the Aural Exciter powered by the well-regarded audio signal processor Aphex. The Aural Exciter helps add some high-end frequencies to a muddy mix. It’s also not the only Aphex-powered effect, as the Big Bottom and Compellor effects are also present. Plus, the console can capture nine stereo tracks at once.

While Rode dropped plenty of details on what the Rodecaster Video is capable of, we don’t yet know when it’ll be on sale or how much it’ll cost.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-rodecaster-video-packs-audio-and-video-production-features-into-one-mighty-console-160015714.html?src=rss

It’s certainly taken a while, but Pokémon Sleep now offers smartwatch support for sleep tracking. This is fantastic news because, look, smartphones are good at many things, but tracking sleep from underneath a pillow isn’t really one of them. Using a smartwatch should make for more accurate tracking which, in turn, will make Snorlax and his friends happy.

The app works with all of the major smartwatch models, including the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch. It also integrates with certain Fitbit devices. The sleep data syncs with Apple Health and the Android Health Connect app, for later perusal.

We don’t know why smartwatch integration took so long, but it’s worth noting that the app itself took four years from the first announcement until an official release. It’s likely Pokémon Sleep has a small team, as it doesn’t have the same cultural footprint as its walking-based cousin Pokémon Go.

Also, Pokémon Sleep is now on Spotify. You read that right. All of the app’s music tracks are available for daytime (or nighttime) listening via a 34-song playlist. These include three songs that have yet to be added to the app, for the real Snorlax-heads out there. Each track includes a matching visual that showcases the sleep styles of a specific Pokémon. Gotta. Catch. Em. All.

The Spotify tracks are available to anyone, even those with a free account. Pokémon Sleep is available for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/pokemon-sleep-now-supports-smartwatches-for-more-accurate-tracking-152113397.html?src=rss

Fall is officially here, and it’s time to get cozy on the couch with some tea and a portable game console. If you’re looking for a new one or have yet to pick one up, check out the Nintendo Switch OLED. The device is currently on sale for $300, down from $350 — a 14 percent discount. The markdown is available on Woot for five days or until supplies last. Amazon owns Woot, so Prime members get free standard shipping (though Amazon’s return policy doesn’t apply). 

The Nintendo Switch OLED came out in 2021 as a minor upgrade to the original 2017 model. We gave it an 89 in our review thanks to upgrades such as its 7-inch OLED screen, increased from 6.2 inches. It also touts a better battery life, with greater efficiency pushing its lifespan to about seven hours rather than four to five. Plus, its stand makes tabletop mode easier to use. 

The big caveat here is that the Nintendo Switch 2 should — emphasis on should — be coming out soon. Rumors have circulated for years about the second-generation console, but multiple signs point to an announcement before the end of the month. This is all speculative, of course, so it’s your choice whether to take this deal or wait and see what Nintendo might do. Keep in mind that The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom does come out later this week. 

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-nintendo-switch-oled-model-is-50-off-right-now-143759481.html?src=rss