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It's Thursday, May 07, 2020.
Need another reason to be skeptical of smart home devices? Last night, [Wink emailed customers to inform them its home automation business is changing to a subscription business model](. Customers can either sign up for a $5 per month service fee (with no immediate upgrades or features) or lose access to control via apps and all automations.Â
And they have one week to decide -- the new policy goes into effect May 13th.
The current situation has put a lot of people and companies in difficult straits, but sticking customers with a brand new fee without allowing enough time to feasibly switch to another platform is pretty low. Itâs definitely something to think about the next time youâre deciding on a smart light bulb or speaker.
-- Richard
Microsoftâs new Surface lineup
Some items are available as early as May 12th.
[Surface Book 3]
Microsoft
Microsoft has overhauled its Surface lineup, with two new laptop/tablet combos, new headphones and earbuds, a $260 USB-C desktop dock and even some new keyboard bundles. [The Surface Book 3 is the most high-profile device](, but the design hasnât changed noticeably from its last iteration. Inside, however, itâs packing the more powerful 10th-generation Intel Core CPUs along with NVIDIA graphics. The bad news: Itâs limited to quad-core CPUs while competitors from Apple and Dell have the option for six-core chips -- although, they have to live without its sweet detachable keyboard.
The [Surface Go 2 tablet]( is the same size as its predecessor -- your old keyboard case or Type Cover will still work -- but smaller bezels give it more screen space this time around, and of course, the internals have had a refresh as well. Prices start at $399, with optional add-ons like LTE or an Intel Core M CPU available for more money.
If youâre into audio then check out the new earbuds and headphones. Microsoftâs [new Surface Earbuds]( have a⦠distinctive look and promise all-day battery life for $199. Meanwhile, the [Surface Headphones 2]( have a design thatâs similar to the original model, but with improved noise cancellation and battery life for a lower starting price of $249.
[Continue reading.](
Ring's new entry-level doorbell offers 1080p video and custom motion zones
The $100 doorbell launches June 3rd
[Video doorbell (second generation)]
Ring
Six years after the original Ring video doorbell debuted, the company is offering a revamped model. Video quality has improved to 1080p from 720p, night vision is better and owners can choose privacy zones to exclude from video recording. Also, in addition to using hardwired power, there are options to run it off a battery or even a $50 solar charger add-on.
[Continue reading.](
Sonos announces a new soundbar with Dolby Atmos
Itâs also updated its sub and the Play:5.
[Arc]
Sonos
Say hello [to the Sonos Arc, a new high-end soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos]( and uses the companyâs adaptive tuning system to optimize whatever content youâre playing through the speaker.Â
The Arc has dedicated center, left and right channels, along with surround left and right and two upwards-firing speakers for height. Sure, plenty of soundbars support Atmos at this point, but Sonos is doing something interesting with how the Arc responds to different audio formats. For example, if youâre watching a movie that doesnât support Atmos, the Arc will adapt and use the upwards-firing speakers to improve bass performance.Â
The Arc will cost $799 when it goes on sale June 10th -- thatâs $100 more than the Playbar it replaces, but it has enough upgrades to explain the difference.
Meanwhile, Sonos [is also making a few internal updates to some other existing products](. There is a new Sub that looks identical to its predecessor but has some major internal updates. Sonos says it has increased memory and processing power as well as a new wireless radio. The Sonos Play:5 is also receiving a nearly identical refresh, aimed at extending how long itâll receive software updates.
[Continue reading.](
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[Work from home like a pro with this $40 training](
[Stack Commerce](
The Switch has now sold more than the N64 and GameCube combined
'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' has already sold 11.77 million copies.
[Switch]
Nintendo
Nintendo sold 3.29 million Switch consoles in the first three months of the year, bringing lifetime sales to 55.77 million. Thatâs more than the combined lifetime sales of the Nintendo 64 and GameCube, which sold 32.93 million and 21.74 million, respectively. Itâs also beyond the SNES â an impressive milestone eclipsed over the holidays â and 6.14 million behind the NES.
When it comes to games, the company released Animal Crossing: New Horizons last quarter, which may be the perfect lockdown distraction from the coronavirus pandemic. The Switch exclusive came out on March 20th â only 10 days before the end of the quarter â and sales already approached 12 million. Thatâs more than a million copies sold each day.
[Continue reading.](
How I smart-homed my tiny studio apartment
Havenât got anywhere else to go.
[Philips]
Philips
Making your home a smart home can be complicated, especially if your living space isn't technically your own. Renters have tighter restrictions on what they can and can't do to their homes -- rewiring the place is usually a no-go. But it's still possible. Cherlynn Low shows you how.
[Continue reading.](
Moto G Stylus review: The highs and lows of a $300 smartphone
14-hour battery life and solid performance are points in its favor.
[Moto G Stylus]
According to Chris Velazco, the Moto G Stylus âis defined by its built-in pen, but itâs anchored by not-too-shabby specs, including an FHD+ display, a 4,000mAh battery and a camera trio that includes a macro lens.â The only bad news? Its budget price cuts out some key features like NFC and a camera that can handle night-time photography.
[Continue reading.](
But wait, thereâs more...
[The first public Android 11 beta will be available on June 3rd](
â[Fortniteâ has 350 million registered players, kicks off 'Party Royale' with deadmau5 and Steve Aoki](
[RoboCop is coming to 'Mortal Kombat 11' on May 26th](
[Google Authenticator for Android can finally move accounts between devices](
[Volvo will sell cars with built-in LiDAR beginning in 2022](
[TiVo's $50 Stream 4K dongle is ready for cord-cutters](
[The Last of Us Part II's latest trailer shows Ellie on a rampage](
[Sony WF-XB700 wireless earbuds review: Extra bass, extra sacrifice](
[Scientists find the closest known black hole to date](
[FCC slaps Sinclair with $48 million record-breaking fine](
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