FTC challenges Microsoft’s Activision buyout, again

[The Morning After]( It's Friday, September 29, 2023. Just when Microsoft’s buyout of Activision finally seemed to be near complete — and we could focus on Google’s[legal tussles]( with the Department of Justice — the Federal Trade Commission said it will [revive]( its attempt to block the $69 billion deal in an adjudicative process. Microsoft received EU approval over the summer when the European Commission endorsed the deal as long as the tech giant could ensure “full compliance with commitments.” Normally, the FTC drops its challenges to deals when efforts are lost in federal court. This move will not delay the deal, though in the worst-case scenario, Microsoft might have to sell off parts of the gaming company. Microsoft told Bloomberg it’s not concerned about the move preventing its purchase. Regardless of the impact it could have, the FTC’s in-house hearing will only start after the Ninth Circuit issues an opinion on the appeal. — Mat Smith The Morning After is going to YouTube. Check out our weekly episodes [here]( The biggest stories you might have missed [How to use iOS 17’s Check In feature in iMessage to let friends know you got home safe]( [macOS Sonoma made me hate widgets less]( [The best gaming keyboards of 2023]( [ChatGPT now supports voice chats and image-based queries]( [Scientists confirm some black holes spin]( The researchers analyzed 22 years’ worth of observations of the galaxy M87. Observing 22 years of the first black hole humanity has ever imaged has offered “unequivocal evidence” that black holes spin. There’s apparently an oscillating jet that swings up and down roughly every 11 years. An international team of scientists headed by Chinese researcher Dr. Cui Yuzhu analyzed more than two decades of observational data gathered by more than 20 telescopes around the world to make the discovery in the black hole at the center of galaxy M87. A small fraction of particles not falling into the black hole get jetted out. The telescopes’ observations show that M87’s jet oscillates by 10 degrees in a recurring 11-year cycle —– as Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity predicted. Aside from proving Einstein right, it’s a significant discovery that massively improves our understanding of black holes. [Continue reading.]( [Honda’s first all-electric SUV has 300-mile range]( The Prologue arrives in early 2024. Honda has revealed more details about its all-electric Prologue SUV. The EV will have a listed range of 300 miles and cost around “the upper $40,000s” before any incentives or tax credits. The pricing puts it well above rival SUVs, like the Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mustang Mach-E — all of which start around $40,000. Also, the range of Honda’s EV is comparatively shorter. [Continue reading.]( [This third-party deck makes your Switch feel like a dream]( CRKD’s Nitro Deck costs $60. [TMA] Engadget The Nitro Deck comes from CRKD, a new company founded at Embracer Group’s Freemode incubator lab. The Nitro Deck is a simple idea executed well: Slide your Switch screen into the frame and it acts as a self-contained, beefed-up gamepad, sidestepping the initially innovative but drifty Joy-Con controllers. You can also get it in a decidedly Gamecube colorway. Lots of purple. [Continue reading.]( [These origami-inspired flying robots change shape in mid-air]( The true foldables. [TMA] University of Washington Scientists at the University of Washington have developed[flying robots that change shape]( in mid-air, without batteries, as originally published in the research journal Science Robotics. These miniature Transformers[snap into a folded position during flight]( to stabilize descent. They weigh just 400 milligrams and feature an on-board battery-free actuator, powered by solar. Future-use cases could range from monitoring weather to checking air conditions with a fleet of the lil’ things [Continue reading.]( The Morning After is a daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you'll miss if you don't [subscribe](. Craving even more? [Like us on Facebook]( or [follow us on Twitter](. Have a suggestion on how we can improve The Morning After? [Send us a note.]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you opted in at [engadget.com](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe from this newsletter.]( Copyright © 2023 Yahoo. All rights reserved.