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The latest version of Matter, the open smart home standard that largely hasnt yet lived up to its lofty promises for seamless device-agnostic integration, is now available. Hardware makers and platforms can integrate Matter 1.4 into their products on Thursday. The new versions biggest feature may be Enhanced Multi-Admin, which aims to improve interoperability between different device ecosystems. The Connectivity Standards Alliance, which manages Matter, describes version 1.4 as a significant step forward in the Matter ecosystem. It says the update resulted from the coalitions hundreds of member companies (including Apple, Amazon, Google and Samsung) working with thousands of engineers and product experts. Given the platforms struggles to deliver on its promise of a smooth and headache-free smart home, it could use all the help it can get. One of the new highlights, Enhanced Multi-Admin, strives for less setup when connecting to multiple ecosystems (like Apple HomeKit, Google Home or Alexa). Matter 1.4 only requires user consent once. After that (at least in theory), new and existing devices will connect to multiple ecosystems without making you approve the same device for each additional platform. If hardware manufacturers implement the feature without issues (again, a big ask based on Matters rocky first two years), this could improve on a big pain point and move the platforms big promises of seamless integration closer to reality. The update also opens the door to Matter-certified routers and access points that securely store your Thread protocol credentials. The Alliance says the networking hardware will provide the foundational infrastructure of smart homes by combining both a Wi-Fi access point and a Thread Border Router, ensuring these ubiquitous devices have the necessary infrastructure for Matter products using either of these technologies. Following the addition of basic energy management features in version 1.3, Matter 1.4 expands on that with support for new device types. Solar panels, batteries (including battery walls, storage units and Battery Energy Storage Systems), heat pumps and water heaters can now work with the standard. In addition, it now covers Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). So, EV owners can use the management features to specify when they want their car to be charged, choosing times based on convenience or cost. Matter 1.4 also adds protocols to lengthen battery life for low-powered devices like switches, buttons and sensors that only connect intermittently. More flexible automation options for products like in-wall switches that control lights, fans and other non-smart appliances are also on the menu. This addresses yet another pain point in previous versions, which treated all of these device types as lights.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/matters-latest-version-will-try-to-smooth-out-the-smart-home-platforms-rough-edges-130003372.html?src=rss
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Sonys new beastly console is a niche product for PlayStation gamers who want the most premium experience. The PlayStation 5 Pro is the console equivalent of the iPhone Pro Max or the Kindle Signature but still cheaper than a PC gaming rig. It has a more powerful GPU, capable of offering 4K and 60 fps gaming, an AI upscaler to polish up textures, new ray tracing and a substantial 2TB SSD to store all your games. (No disc drive, however.) And, as youll read in our full review, the PS5s back catalog has never looked better. There are good arguments for not buying the PlayStation 5 Pro its a beefed up midcycle console with base performance for $700 but if you havent jumped on the PS5 bandwagon yet, it gives a solid no-compromise experience. Mat Smith Get this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The biggest tech stories you missed Sega apparently has a new Virtua Fighter game in the works The best retro gaming gifts for the 2024 holidays The EU is looking into Corning for alleged anti-competitive practices Canada orders TikTok to shut down its business operations in the country Due to national security risks. Canada has ordered TikTok to shut down its operations in the country, citing unspecified national security risks posed by the company and its parent, ByteDance. Canadas crackdown on TikTok follows a multi-step national security review process by its intelligence agencies, the government said in a statement. TikTok will be forced to wind up all business in the country, though the app wont be banned. Continue reading. Microsoft Notepad is getting infused with AI It doesnt stop. Microsoft A new AI feature, called Rewrite, is coming to Microsofts Notepad. It can rewrite sentences, change the tone and alter the length of text in Notepad if youre a Windows Insider. Even the Paint app is getting its own AI features: Generative Fill and Generative Erase. The new fill feature can edit and add visual features to your photos and drawings. You draw a box and input text to describe the image. Continue reading. Google accidentally leaked a preview of its Jarvis AI that can take over computers It appeared only briefly. Googles new AI prototype accidentally found its way to the public through the Chrome Web Store. Its a little different to the Siris, Alexas and Geminis of this world, though. The store page described the Jarvis prototype as a helpful companion that surfs the web for you using web browsers to take care of common tasks, such as buying groceries, booking flights and researching topics. Googles new AI can steer your browser for you, completing these simple tasks without manual human input. Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-our-verdict-on-the-ps5-pro-121836720.html?src=rss
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You dont need a set of AirPods to get wireless audio from your iPhone, iPad or Mac, but Apples earbuds and headphones offer a lot of convenient integrations with its other products that you wont find anywhere else. After helping popularize true wireless earbuds with its original AirPods, the company has expanded its lineup to include noise-canceling models and a set of over-ear headphones. Heres what you need to know about AirPods in general, along with the best overall, budget and over-ear picks from Apples current slate of products. What you need to know about AirPods When it comes to Apples earbuds and headphones, there are several things youll want to keep in mind before making your final decision. First, the AirPods are the open-design earbuds with no tip that allow some environmental noise to come into your ears at all times. The AirPods Pro are the model with the soft ear tips that completely close off your ear, which enables features like more powerful noise cancellation and the hearing test. Lastly, the AirPods Max are Apples over-ear headphones, and currently the companys only option for wireless headphones at all that arent made by Beats. There are a few features that are available across all models as theyve become inherent to the AirPods experience. First, you can expect Automatic Switching between Apple devices that are synced with your iCloud account. This means that AirPods will automatically change to your phone when you get a call while youre listening to music on a MacBook, for example. Its functionally similar to multipoint Bluetooth, but the feature isnt limited to two devices like most earbuds and headphones. Second, hands-free access to Siri is the default, allowing you to ask the assistant for help without touching your AirPods. And lastly, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking is available across the entire lineup, even on the most affordable version of the AirPods 4. If you dont think any of the AirPods options are right for you, consult our recommendations on the best wireless earbuds and best wireless headphones for some alternatives. Other AirPods we tested AirPods 4 with ANC The AirPods 4 with ANC represent the first time active noise cancellation has been available on the open-wear, regular AirPods. Design-wise, theyre the same as the non-ANC model, so the difference is entirely in the features list. This more expensive version adds Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, Conversation Awareness and a wireless charging case. The ANC isnt as powerful as the AirPods Pro 2, partially due to the fact that the AirPods 4 doesnt completely seal off your ears. The noise-canceling performance is definitely useful though, working best with constant, low-frequency annoyances like fans and white noise machines. Lastly, you wont get access to Apples hearing test and hearing aid features, partially due to the fact that the AirPods 4 with ANC doesnt seal off your ears, which would affect accuracy and effectiveness.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-airpods-100041810.html?src=rss
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