Author: Shivendra Singh

After introducing S Pen support to the Galaxy S21 Ultra and not launching a new version of the Note series last year, Samsung’s next Unpacked event would be a timely opportunity to address concerned fans. Though the company has yet to confirm an exact date beyond the month of February (rumors suggest it might take place Feb. 8th), president TM Roh has written a blog post on what we can expect at the launch. Samsung has also shared a teaser trailer.

“We know many of you were surprised when Samsung didn’t release a new Galaxy Note last year,” he wrote. “At Unpacked in February 2022, we’ll introduce to you the most noteworthy S series device we’ve ever created.” The company is expected to unveil the Galaxy S22 series this year.

Roh also said “the next generation of Galaxy S… [brings] together the greatest experiences of our Samsung Galaxy into one ultimate device.” He teased nighttime photography, power and performance as some areas to look out for, ending his post with “Get ready for the ultimate Ultra experience.” That could mean the best upgrades could be limited to the Ultra model again, as in previous years.

The rest of Roh’s …read more

In October, roboticist and software engineer Allison Liemhetcharat announced that she had been working on a game that would use a smart vibrator as a controller. Specifically, the Lioness smart vibrator, which gathers bio-data like body temperature and pelvic pressure. Liemhetcharat said she was partly inspired by the Perifit kegel exerciser, which also uses games and a device to help people strengthen their pelvic floor. The game, an endless runner called You Are What You Eat, has been in beta since then. Today, Liemhetcharat has released the Android version, which you can now download from the Google Play Store. 

Liemhetcharat told Engadget that You Are What You Eat is based on her family’s favorite activity. “Our running joke is that we eat everything,” she said. By itself, the game is an endless runner, with the objective of eating as many creatures as possible before dying. You begin as a blob, then grow and morph depending on what you ingest. That will also affect what you can continue to consume, as some creatures will subsequently become “inedible” based on what you’ve become. A WebGL version of the game is available. 

But for those …read more

NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has run into difficulties after 17 years of largely smooth service. The orbiting explorer has entered safe mode after detecting a “possible failure” in one of the six reaction wheels used to change attitude. While it’s not clear exactly what (if anything) went wrong, NASA has halted direction-based scientific observations until it can either give the all-clear or continue operations with five wheels.

This is the first potential reaction wheel problem since the Swift Observatory began operations in February 2005, NASA said. The rest of the vehicle is otherwise working properly.

The Swift Observatory has played an important role in astronomy over the past two decades. It was primarily built to detect gamma-ray bursts and detects roughly 70 per day. However, it has increasingly been used as a catch-all observer across multiple wavelengths, spotting solar flares and hard-to-find stars. NASA won’t necessarily run into serious trouble if Swift has a lasting problem, but it would clearly benefit from keeping the spacecraft running as smoothly as possible.

People with diabetes have more than a few hassles, particularly at meals. They not only have to measure their blood glucose levels and inject the right amount of insulin, but carry all the relevant equipment with them. MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers might soon eliminate many of the headaches, though. They’re developing all-in-one devices (not pictured) that measure glucose, calculate the necessary insulin dose and inject you accordingly.

The first device includes the blood-drawing lancet, glucose test strips and an insulin needle. Users would first take a photo of their meal using a smartphone app to estimate the food volume and carbohydrate levels. After that, they’d start the automated process of collecting blood, calculating glucose (again through the app) and delivering the appropriate amount of insulin.

The second gadget would only need one needle jab — it would build the glucose sensor into the insulin needle and inject the appropriate amount of insulin. You’d have to wait five to ten seconds, but you wouldn’t have to stick yourself twice.

The technology is still some ways off. While the first device would use parts that were already FDA-approved, it hasn’t been tested in humans. The second, meanwhile, uses a new …read more

Soon after Instagram started rolling out paid subscriptions for creators, TikTok says it may be following suit. The service is exploring a feature that would allow influencers to paywall at least some of the content they share on the app, as The Information first reported.

TikTok’s subscriptions are being tested on a limited basis, so you may not see your favorite creators using them anytime soon. The platform didn’t provide more details about how the feature works. “We’re always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience,” a TikTok spokesperson told Engadget.

As with the likes of Twitch, Twitter and YouTube, TikTok allows viewers to send tips to influencers who are enrolled in the Creator Next program. Users can also buy and send virtual gifts to creators.

Given its other monetization options and that rival platforms have embraced subscriptions, it’s hardly a surprise that TikTok is following that path too. In 2020, TikTok announced a $200 million fund to support creators.

Meta is also spending heavily on influencers. The company said last year it would invest $1 billion in creators across the likes of Facebook and Instagram …read more