HTC teases a potential ‘Viverse’ phone launch for June 28th

Earlier this year HTC outlined its answer to Facebook’s metaverse with Viverse, allowing you socialize, hold meetings and more in VR. Later on at Mobile World Congress, the company said it would launch a high-end smartphone with some kind of metaverse feature. Now, HTC has teased a launch date for that device on Twitter with an image showing a phone shape and HTC’s Viverse logo. 

It’s likely to offer an AR/VR experience via HTC’s open-source Viverse. That metaverse platform lets you chat with others via VRChat, hold business meetings in Engage, collaborate in Vive Sync, watch “holographic” VR concerts and more. It’s also expected to offer integration with the Vive Flow VR headset.

It may also have some blockchain features like HTC’s Exodus phone from several years back, though it’s not clear if there’s much overlap with crypto and VR fans. It’ll reportedly partner in Taiwan with Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone, according an earlier report from Focus Taiwan. HTC will reveal more details about the device on June 28th. 

Sony Xperia 1 IV 評測：痴心錯付

Sony Xperia 1 IV 裡加入「光學變焦」遠攝相機，同時再因應針對 vlogger 族群的定位而整合了串流直播協定功能到相機 app 裡。如此針對性地設計的手機，是否真的回應現實世界的潮流？還是一場痴心錯付？…

Apple reportedly plans a 15-inch MacBook Air for 2023

Apple’s MacBook Air M2 might just be the start of a broader laptop renaissance. Bloombergsources claim Apple plans to release a 15-inch MacBook Air as soon as spring 2023. The company might return to tiny laptops, too. It’s reportedly working on a new 12-inch laptop that could debut in late 2023 or early 2024 — if you miss the 2015 MacBook but wish it had modern hardware and a good keyboard, your dream could be fulfilled.

To no one’s surprise, the sources also indicate Apple is planning to launch updated 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros in late 2022 with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. These might slip into early 2023, however. The new Max chip would offer up to 12 processing cores and 38 graphics cores versus the 10 processing cores and 32 graphics cores of the M1 Max.

The tech firm had reportedly considered releasing a 15-inch MacBook Air this year, but scuttled those plans to concentrate on the 13-inch model it just unveiled this week. Murmurs of a larger Air circulated in March, when Display Supply Chain analyst Ross Young said one might be in the works.

A larger Air wouldn’t be surprising. Apple confirmed at WWDC 2022 that the Air was its best-selling laptop, and a 15-inch version could appeal to buyers who want a larger screen but don’t need the performance and features of the more expensive MacBook Pro line. It would also make sense in light of iPhone 14 rumors that suggest you won’t have to buy a Pro model to get a giant screen. Simply speaking, Apple might be ending its long-time strategy of restricting large displays to its priciest devices.

Google says it used machine learning to massively improve Chrome’s phishing detection

Google has long been employing machine learning to improve its products, including Chrome. The company says it has been able to make the browser safer to use. In March, Google rolled out a new on-device machine learning model that’s able to detect 2.5 …

The best home entertainment gift ideas for dad

Parents of young kids just need a break. Even before the pandemic, it was tough to run out to the movies, since that involves setting up a baby sitter and praying nothing goes wrong in the middle of your night out. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to help …

Capcom 利用 Stadia 技術打造《惡靈古堡 村莊》的網頁串流 demo

Capcom 推出了一個「網頁串流版」的《惡靈古堡 村莊》試玩遊戲，只要透過網頁串流就能直接遊玩，不用安裝在遊戲主機或 PC 上。這背後採用是以 Stadia 為基礎，並且由 Google 授權使用的 Immersive Stream for Games 技術。…

Apple’s AirTag is back down to a record low on Amazon

While the four-pack of AirTags has been on sale for some time now, it’s been a while since we’ve seen one AirTag go on sale. Now, Amazon’s brought back the record-low price on a single pack, so you can grab one AirTag for only $24. That’s $5 off its normal price — that may not seem like much, but it’s a decent deal on an already affordable accessory.

Buy AirTag at Amazon – $24Buy AirTags (4 pack) at Amazon – $89

If you’re unfamiliar, AirTags allow iPhone users to keep track of their things from within the Find My app. Much like AirPods, AirTags seamlessly pair with iPhones as soon as you take them out of the box, and from there you can label what the tracker is attached to like your keys, wallet or backpack. A big downside to AirTags when compared to competing trackers like those from Tile is that Apple’s devices don’t have built in keyring holes. That means you’ll have to buy a case or holder if you want to attach it to your keys.

After a quick setup process, you’ll be able to check the Find My app whenever you need to locate your stuff. AirTags can also emit a chime if you’re nearby, which should help you find your lost things a bit more easily. And if you have one of the latest iPhones, the Precision Finding feature can lead you directly to your stuff using on-screen instructions. Bluetooth trackers like these may not be as essential as your smartphone or even a smartwatch that you’ve grown attached to, but they will come in handy on the rare occasion that you misplace your belongings.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

Xbox Game Pass comes to new Samsung smart TVs on June 30th

Xbox has been talking about bringing the Game Pass Ultimate library to smart TVs for at least a year, and it’s finally happening in 2022. The Xbox app will hit this year’s lineup of Samsung smart TVs and monitors on June 30th, allowing Game Pass Ultima…