Fans of Alan Wake aren’t getting an update on the sequel this summer — but can look forward to a new TV series and a remastered version of the original game for the Switch. Remedy Entertainment’s creative director Sam Lake today revealed what’s in store for the franchise during the game’s 12th-anniversary celebration video. Switch owners can anticipate Alan Wake Remastered to be available on Nintendo’s eShop sometime this fall. The remastered original title is already available on the PS5, Xbox and PC.
The original 2010 Alan Wake game — which features a thriller novelist who tries to solve the mystery of his wife’s disappearance — has become a cult classic in recent years. Remedy and Microsoft Studios then released Alan Wake’s American Nightmare in 2012. Since then, the franchise has mostly been dormant, but that’s about to change.
Lake revealed that AMC bought the rights to the Alan Wake franchise and will be adapting it into a TV series. “We have been collaborating on making a TV show happen. Nothing more to share at the moment, but we will certainly let you know when there is something to announce,” said Lake.
Alan Wake 2, which many expected to preview this summer, is currently deep in the development stages. Unfortunately, Lake confirmed that the studio won’t be releasing any further updates on the game. It did release a number of stills from the upcoming sequel. As we’ve known for a while, the game is slated to arrive in 2023 for PS5 and other platforms.
“Everything [with Alan Wake 2] is going really well, and a great deal of the game is playable,” Lake said. “But we’ve been talking for the past couple of months and have come to a decision that we will not be showing anything big this summer,” said Lake.
Alan Wake devotees should watch the anniversary video in full, which also includes interesting behind-the-scene details about the remastered original and upcoming sequel. You can watch it below:
Mobile gaming is serious business now. The biggest titles out there are games like Fortnite and Genshin Impact, helped along by legions of kids getting their first smartphone. Lots of game publishers are putting out console-quality experiences on mobile, and it’s taken time for gaming accessories to catch up. But they have, and now players have a number of controller options to suit their play style. We’ve sorted through the leading options to highlight the pros and cons of each, so you can decide which one is the best for getting your game on (the go).
For players who prefer PlayStation-style controllers: 8BitDo Pro 2
Kris Naudus / Engadget
8BitDo has built itself a reputation for versatile gamepads that can work with multiple systems, from the Nintendo Switch to the Raspberry Pi. And while the Pro 2 is one of our top controllers for the Switch, it’s also a pretty great option for Android and iOS as well. The advantage to using these with your phone is also the free 8BitDo software that gives you extensive customization options for the buttons; it even has more options than you’ll find on Nintendo’s system. Of course, being a Bluetooth gamepad means it’s easy enough to jump back and forth, making this a good investment for people who own multiple portable devices (like a Switch).
Pros: PlayStation-like design is comfortable; configuration software is robust; controller is available in multiple colors
Cons: Not small and would be best carried around in a case
For players who like Xbox-style controllers: SteelSeries Nimbus+ and Stratus+
Kris Naudus / Engadget
While the PlayStation’s DualShock design has gained its share of devotees over the years, the Xbox gamepad is the stereotypical image of the gamepad in many people’s minds (as well as the Discord logo). So it makes sense that there are a lot more mobile gaming options with that shape, and the best ones come from SteelSeries: the Nimbus+ for Apple-made devices and the Stratus+ for Google-based devices (Android and Chromebook).
The two controllers are, for the most part, identical. They have shoulder buttons and triggers, the d-pad is the same, and they both include sturdy phone mounts for attaching your device at the top — the type that clamps in place automatically. Unlike a clamp from a more generic company, the one SteelSeries provides with both controllers won’t fight you during the process of mounting your phone.
Pros: More players are likely to be familiar with Xbox-style controllers; both models include sturdy clamps for clipping your phone to the controller.
Cons: You have to buy a different controller based on what OS you’re using; the controller with the clamp attached is unwieldy
For players who want to turn their Android phone into a Switch or Steam Deck-like device: Razer Kishi
Kris Naudus / Engadget
Let’s be honest, the form factor is a big reason that devices like the Switch are so popular. They’re comfortable to hold, well-balanced and really put the screen front and center. You don’t really get that with a phone clamp or table stand. Luckily, Razer’s Kishi is a super affordable option that’s easy to slide your phone into — though the setup admittedly wasn’t as quick for me as the SteelSeries options. But at least the direct connection it forms with the phone using USB-C is faster than Bluetooth.
The Kishi’s biggest advantages — besides Razer’s high-end build quality — are its passthrough charging, so you never need to detach it to charge your phone, and the size it folds down to when you do take it off your device. It’s smaller than the SteelSeries controllers, making it ideal for throwing into a small bag.
Pros: Provides a direct connection to a phone instead of relying on Bluetooth; folds up compactly when not in use
Cons: Phone with Kishi attached may feel bulky; doesn’t work with iPhones
For players who want to turn their iPhone into a handheld console: Backbone One
Kris Naudus / Engadget
The USB-C port on the Kishi restricts it to Android devices, and Razer doesn’t make an iOS equivalent. However, the new Backbone One is made for Apple devices, though at a higher cost (due to being newer and from a smaller company). My colleague Mat Smith was a big fan of the One when he tried it, and in my own use it has a few advantages over the Razer device, namely a cleaner design and a more sweat-friendly matte texture. It also features Apple-specific buttons, ones that are much bigger and thus easier to hit than the ones on the Kishi.
Pros: Nice matte finish; specifically made for iPhone users
For players who want the most portable controller possible (or the cutest): 8BitDo Zero 2
Kris Naudus / Engadget
If you have big hands, the 8BitDo Zero 2 is definitely not for you, and your hands will likely cramp if you spend too long playing with this diminutive Bluetooth controller. But for everyone else, it’s definitely worth a look, if only because it’s so small there’s no reason to keep it on you at all times in case of an emergency. Not that we could tell you what constitutes a gaming emergency, but if one does come up you’ll be glad to have this on hand. It truly is keychain-sized, so you can clip it on your backpack or slide it into a Switch carrying case with ease. And we love the bright colors, which are based on the Switch Lite design and should blend in with your spring and summertime apparel.
Pros: Cute and tiny; comes with a strap for attaching to a bag
Facebook’s pivot to the metaverse continues to be messy. Meta’s Reality Labs division, home to its hardware efforts and other metaverse initiatives, will be cutting some of its projects, according to Reuters. It’s not clear which projects will be affec…
Google is expanding two of its personal safety features: the “SOS” alerts and its earthquake warning system. The company announced the updates during its I/O 2022 developer conference.Google’s emergency SOS features have already been available for Pixe…
EVE Online has often been derided as a “spreadsheet simulator.” Many dedicated players use spreadsheets to keep track of data like profit margins and to calculate fleet damage output at certain ranges. Developer CCP Games is now leaning into the spreadsheet lifestyle even more with official Microsoft Excel support.
The studio revealed at EVE Fanfest that it reached out to Microsoft and the pair are now building an extension that will pull data from the long-running MMO into an Excel spreadsheet. The news went over well with the crowd:
CCP showed an early prototype of the tool in action and said more details would be revealed later this year. This arguably isn’t the first time the studio has embraced spreadsheets. EVE Online has a UI-only mode that ditches 3D space battle graphics for pure data with a spreadsheet-style view.
Sure, other details about the future of EVE Onlinewereannounced at Fanfest, including a bunch of upcoming narrative arcs, a feature to help newcomers pick their class, visual upgrades and a Spanish-language client. But direct integration with Excel could be the biggest quality of life upgrade for the game’s most fervent fans.
The UK’s recently established Big Tech regulator will have extensive authority to punish giant companies it deems anti-competitive. As TechCrunchnotes, the country’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has revealed that the Digital Markets Unit will have the power to levy fines of up to 10 percent of a company’s worldwide annual turnover if it doesn’t honor codes of conduct, plus up to five percent of daily turnover for each day the violations continue. Firms will also have to make it easier to switch between platforms (such as mobile devices and social networks), break away from default apps (including search) and take more control of data sharing.
Big Tech will also have to report acquisitions to the Competition and Markets Authority before they close to determine if any “further investigation” is necessary. The DMU could block acquisitions meant to stifle competition, reducing the chances that the unit has to regulate when damage has already been done. The CMA might not have ordered Meta to undo its acquisition of Giphy, as an example.
The moves may require tech heavyweights to notify smaller companies when they change algorithms that could hurt their business, the DCMS said. Google might have to warn stores if changes will affect search rankings, for example, while Meta could alert media outlets if they’ll be less prominent in Facebook’s feed. App creators, meanwhile, could also expect “fairer and more transparent terms” for offering their wares.
The UK also intends to borrow cues from Australia and Canada by ensuring that news publishers are “paid fairly” for online content. The DMU could intervene to address pricing disputes, for instance. While the CMA clarified that it will consult with everyone involved before implementing a conduct code, it already saw a need to address an “imbalance of bargaining power” that let online platforms strong-arm publishers.
The effectiveness of the DMU will depend on the exact codes put in place, and it doesn’t yet have the authority DCMS promised. It’s not yet clear when that will happen. If the new promises hold up, though, they could mandate sweeping changes at large tech companies. Apple and Google might have to loosen restrictions on apps and operating system defaults, while the likes of Amazon and Meta may have to increase transparency and be cautious when changing recommendation algorithms. While fines taking a cut of global turnover are nothing new, the DMU’s maximum penalties are particularly steep and could leave Big Tech with little choice but to fall in line.
Part-time employees at RaterLabs — an AI vendor whose only known client is Google — are campaigning to qualify for the $15 hourly minimum wage the tech giant promised to its “extended workforce” back in 2019.
Yahoo Financereported that the quality raters whose sole job is evaluating Google’s search and ad results for accuracy don’t qualify for sick leave, PTO or other benefits the company provides for its TVCs (temporary workers, vendors and independent contractors). Google increased base pay following critical reporting of its treatment of TVCs in 2018 — the same year it was revealed the majority of Google’s workforce was not directly employed by the company.
A number of RatersLabs employees believe the work they do is vital enough to Google that they should receive the higher pay and benefits of their peers. Christopher Colley, who has worked for the Google vendor since 2017, told Yahoo Finance that he only earns $10 an hour, and hasn’t qualified for a raise over the five years he’s worked at RaterLabs. Colley is also part of the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU-CWA), a subgroup of the Communications Workers of America focused on organizing full-time and part-time workers of Alphabet.
“The raters work from home, use their own devices, can work for multiple companies at a time, and do not have access to Google’s systems and/or badges,” a Google spokesperson told Engadget. “As noted on the policy page, the wages and benefits policy applies to Alphabet’s provisioned extended workforce (individuals with systems and/or badge access to Google).”
Among the hurdles workers need to jump in order to qualify for the pay bump afforded to some TVCs is a minimum 30-hour workweek. As AWU-CWA was quick to point out, RaterLabs contractors are capped at only 26 hours.
Employee accounts on RatersLabs’ Indeed profile describe low morale, low pay and an unclear feedback process. “Reviews are monthly, with one bad review potentially costing you the job […] Guidelines can change the week before the review and you can be ‘graded’ based on them despite doing the work way before,” wrote a former RatersLab employee in January 2022. “The job is very flexible, pay is mediocre, and you have no chance for advancement.”
This isn’t the first time that Google’s army of raters have spoken out about low pay, no opportunities for advancement and subpar working conditions. In fact, RatersLabs was formed by the CEO of Leapforce, a company that also hired raters for Google search and ad products. Back in 2017, Leapforce raters spoke out about chaotic working conditions, resulting in at least three contractors being fired, two of whom claimed their separations from the company were acts of retaliation. As Ars Technicanotes, a number of Leapforce workers filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board which were eventually resolved via settlement. Appen — which acquired Leapforce in May of 2017 — is also the parent company of RatersLabs.
Cameo, the startup behind the video app that allows users to pay celebrities for short personalized greetings, has laid off a significant chunk of its workforce. The company parted ways with 87 employees, according to Cameo CEO Steven Galanis. That num…
Graduates have spent the past couple of years hustling. Between coursework, jobs, family responsibilities and, of course, the pandemic, they likely haven’t had a ton of time to devote to themselves. Now that they’ve donned their cap and gown, it’s time for them to enjoy some well deserved rest and relaxation. If you want to get the grad in your life a treat that can help them do that, we at Engadget have some ideas based on how we like to treat ourselves when we need a break.
Theragun Mini
Theragun
With many gyms and exercise facilities still closed, you might be dabbling in some workouts from home alongside working from home. You might also have overextended yourself, leading to tender shoulders, thighs and calves. I may have done just that (several times over) but have been able to ease some of the soreness — or at least make myself feel better — with my trusty Theragun Mini.
We’ve already covered Theragun’s flagship percussive therapy “gun,” the Elite, but you might find the Theragun Mini does almost as much for far less. It’s also less bulky. The $200 gun is a solid triangle but is small enough to grasp with a single hand, directing the vibrations to that one part of your hammies that needs some TLC. There are three speed settings, and the Mini benefits from Theragun’s quieter motors so it doesn’t sound like you’re drilling a shelf to anyone nearby. It’s definitely not quiet, but you can still hear the TV or hold a conversation over the massaging.
If you’re looking to upgrade, Theragun also offers a peripheral that doubles the number of heads on any of its massage guns. The Duo Adapter offers a wider spread, meaning it feels like it takes me less time to hammer out the aches. It does reduce the sheer force of a single massage head, but if you have any particularly knotty areas, you can easily take the adapter off to really hammer it out. This all being said, these devices aren’t a panacea to everything that aches after physical exertion. Don’t forget hydration, sleep and nutrition, which are all, sadly, sold separately. — Mat Smith, U.K. Bureau Chief
Weighted blankets have been proven to reduce anxiety-causing cortisol while increasing sleep-friendly serotonin, but most of them are filled with tiny glass beads. Not only did that scare me off, but I’ve also heard that the beads might shift over time, which could lead to uneven weight distribution down the road. Plus, most weighted blankets have a bland design.
The Bearaby weighted blankets are different. Instead of filling a duvet with micropellets or beads, Bearaby blankets are handmade from a gorgeous chunky-knit material that’s more reminiscent of a cozy sweater than a comforter. It also comes in beautifully luscious colors like Cloud White to Evening Rose. After weeks of using one, I’ve found that I’m nodding off faster and staying asleep longer, which is a big deal for someone plagued by chronic insomnia. — Nicole Lee, Commerce Writer
I believe one of the best things anyone can do for themselves on a regular basis is pause. We’re all busier than ever with kids, partners, jobs and more and it’s worth taking a break during the day to do something for yourself — in my case, that’s often making a cup of tea after lunch. Now, I’m no tea connoisseur but I’ve definitely upped my brewing game as I’ve tried more loose leaf teas (my current favorites are from Harney & Sons and Adagio). I bought a Cosori electric kettle last year to help with my tea- and coffee-making routines and it’s become one of the most used items in my kitchen. It heats water to the precise temperature I need for a strong black tea or a subtle green, and it does so in a relatively speedy fashion. The “keep warm” function also helps keep water at the right temperature when I, inevitably, get distracted by Slack messages. — Valentina Palladino, Commerce Editor
You might think that things are going to get easier and less stressful now that you’ve graduated. But, oh boy, are you wrong. Now that you’re out in the so-called “real world,” taking care of your mental health is going to be more important than ever. Headspace can be a great resource for a little self care. It has a ton of guided meditations and mindful exercises that claim to help you relax, build self control and boost your creativity. But there’s also playlists of ambient music and soundscapes to help you focus, including some curated by big name artists like Arcade Fire, St. Vincent and Sudan Archives.
You’ll also quickly learn that there’s plenty of other things to lose sleep over, beyond cramming for a final. And for that, Headspace has Sleepcasts. These combine guided relaxation exercises with soundscapes and soothing narration to help lull you to sleep. Honestly, the Sleepcasts alone are worth the price of an annual subscription. — Terrence O’Brien, Managing Editor
Sometimes upgrading your living environment can be the best form of self care. I’ve learned how true that is since I began working from home most of the time (pre-pandemic). One of the best home improvements I’ve made as of late was investing in a Dyson Hot & Cool fan. The decision ultimately came down to necessity — the heating in our apartment isn’t the greatest, and New York winters can be tough. I picked up the AM09 Hot & Cool Bladeless Fan and Heater when I found it on sale last fall and it made all the difference. It not only cut the chill in our bedroom, a space that often feels 10 degrees colder than other areas of the apartment, but it made the room enjoyable to be in even on the coldest days. And on the weekends when my partner and I parked ourselves in our living room, it was easy to pick up the Dyson and tote it to where we were. The remote control is super handy, too, letting us adjust the temperature, oscillation and timer functions without getting up from the couch. While you can’t find the AM09 now, Dyson has upgraded most of its Hot & Cool fans to also be air purifiers, so you’ll essentially get a 3-in-1 device. — V.P.
As a self-care gift for your grad, consider getting them a MoonPod. It’s especially useful for those who might find themselves working from home, as it provides a break from sitting on a stiff office chair and is a more comfortable alternative to a couch. According to the company, sitting on the MoonPod can help reduce stress and anxiety as it mimics the sensations of flotation therapy.
I’m no flotation expert, but I can definitely attest to the fact that it is extremely comfortable. I also love that the MoonPod is so malleable; you can stand it upright to use as a slouchy armchair or lay it flat so you can lie down on it. Your grad will appreciate that they can use it while working and for when they need a quick nap in between meetings. — N.L.
Microsoft has consistently tried to get more people to use Edge. Some of the ways it has pursued that goal have been less well-received than others, but its latest effort to do so could make for a useful addition to the software. In a support page spotted by The Verge, the company revealed it’s adding a free built-in VPN service dubbed Edge Secure Network to its web browser.
The company says the tool will encrypt your internet connection. You can use that functionality to protect your data from your internet service provider. As with most VPNs, you can also use Edge Secure Network to mask your location, making it possible to access services that might otherwise be blocked in the country where you live or are visiting.
If you find yourself frequently traveling, chances are Edge Secure Network won’t replace a paid VPN. The feature limits you to 1GB of data usage per month. It’s also worth noting you’ll need a Microsoft account to use the service. Microsoft has yet to begin testing the VPN. But once the feature is available, you’ll be able to enable it through Edge’s three-dots icon. A new option titled “Secure Network” will turn the VPN on. Once you’re done browsing, it will automatically turn off again.
