Managing your meeting workloads and time for work could soon be a lot easier for Outlook users thanks to a new update.
The email client is working on a new feature that will allow users to create their own specific windows of free time during the day for meetings or appointments.
This “bookable time” will be reserved to allow other people to arrange a slot, so bosses, employers or small business owners can have a set window for appointments separated from their everyday workload.
Outlook meetings schedule
In its entry on the official Microsoft 365 roadmap (opens in new tab), the company notes that the new bookable time feature complements the existing “Bookings with me” feature, which allows Outlook users to find mutual availability in their schedules in order to book a meeting.
Bookable time is currently listed as being “in development”, but has a scheduled general availability date of January 2023, meaning users shouldn’t have to wait too long. Upon release, it will be globally available to Outlook web users, with other platforms likely to follow soon.
This is the latest in a line of new additions to Microsoft Outlook, as it looks to make itself a more intuitive and helpful platform for users everywhere.
It recently announced the introduction of “Focus Time”, which will allow users to silence all notifications for a set period of time to power through those vital tasks.
Blocking out time in the calendar will also mute notifications from both Outlook and Microsoft Teams, cutting users off from two of the most disruptive presences faced by many workers.
They will be able to block out “focus events” directly from their Outlook calendar, which should be visible to anyone else that has access to it, meaning colleagues, co-workers or clients should leave you in peace.
The OnePlus 11 is already available in China, so while it’s not getting a global launch until February 7, we already know most things about it – including its impressive 100W charging speeds. However, that might not be the case in the US.
According to both SnoopyTech (opens in new tab) and Max Jambor (opens in new tab) – a pair of leakers with good track records (via 91Mobiles (opens in new tab)) – the US version of the OnePlus 11 will be limited to 80W charging.
The first of those leakers even backed up their claim with what appears to be official marketing copy for the US model, which also mentions 16GB of RAM. There’s a 16GB version for China too, but sometimes different regions get different configurations, so it’s nice to know the US will probably get this high spec version.
The charging though is disappointing, but not overly surprising since the same thing happened with the OnePlus 10 Pro – most versions of that phone could charge at up to 80W, but the US model topped out at 65W.
So at least 80W here would be an upgrade on the OnePlus 10 Pro’s charging speeds for US buyers, but it’s a shame it won’t match the 100W global version, which OnePlus quotes delivers a full charge in just 25 minutes. Of course, we take this claim with a pinch of salt until we can test it out ourselves, but it does seem likely.
Analysis: why are US buyers getting a version with slower charging?
The decision to offer slower charging with US versions of the OnePlus 11 won’t be being made arbitrarily. Rather, if this is the case it’s almost certainly a technological issue.
The reason the OnePlus 10 Pro charges slower in the US is that the 80W SUPERVOOC charging technology used by the phone is designed to support 220V-240V power outlets, as that’s the standard range used in Europe, China, and India.
However, in the US most outlets are 110V or 120V, and the technology doesn’t fully support working with this lower voltage, thus limiting the charging speed.
Presumably, we’re seeing the same issue here – OnePlus is using upgraded 100W SuperVOOC charging technology in the OnePlus 11, which likely still doesn’t fully support 110V or 120V, so the charging speed is higher than with 80W SUPERVOOC, but not as high as in other regions.
This is presumably a problem that could have been fixed, but possibly not by OnePlus itself, since the SuperVOOC technology is created by its corporate sibling, Oppo and their parent company BBK Electronics. Given Oppo’s limited presence in the US, this likely wasn’t a high priority for the company.
Still, it’s a shame, as it makes what’s likely to be one of the best Android phones a little worse in that particular region.
Netflix has confirmed when its password sharing crackdown program will officially begin.
Announced as part of its Q4 2022 earnings report (opens in new tab), Netflix revealed it’ll start rolling out its paid sharing feature “more broadly” in Q1 2023. In simple terms? Netflix will begin cracking down on password sharing between households by March, which is when its Q1 2023 phase ends.
Netflix had reportedly aimed to implement the measure by the end of 2022. Evidently, it missed that deadline, but that hasn’t stopped it from proceeding with its plans to stop your friends and family using your account. You know, if you’ve shared your password and account details with them.
Netflix has Wednesday to thank for its Q4 2022 subscriber surge. (Image credit: Netflix)
So, why is Netflix calling time on password sharing? Essentially, the streaming company claims that it’s weakening their position as the world’s best streaming service. Or, in Netflix’s terms, the extensive sharing of passwords between millions of people “undermines our long term ability to invest in and improve” its platform.
However, those issues haven’t forced a rethink at Netflix’s headquarters. The company still intends to roll out its paid sharing feature more broadly in 2023, even if some users are resistant to it. Netflix hopes the promise of allowing all members to stream its content on any device while traveling , plus the ability to transfer Netflix profiles to different accounts, will go some way to alleviating fans’ frustration.
Analysis: the times they are a-changin’
We guess we’ll be watching Netflix alone after Match 2023, then… (Image credit: Shutterstock / Vantage_DS)
Speaking after Netflix’s Q4 2022 and yearly financial details were revealed, new co-CEO Greg Peters admitted (opens in new tab) that the company’s crackdown on password sharing “will not be a universally popular move”. As such, Netflix expects to temporarily see numerous users close their accounts.
But the streamer’s executive team believes those individuals will eventually return when a new and popular TV show or movie is released. Megahits like Stranger Things season 4, Wednesday, and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery helped Netflix increase its subscriber base by 7.66 million in Q4 2022, so its executives are clearly confident that users who walk away will re-sign up at some point.
Netflix also hopes that its plan to end password sharing will lead to a windfall of new subscribers. If “account borrowers” (as Netflix calls them) no longer have access to its endless amounts of content, they’ll have to create their own accounts. It’s a solid plan, but not a foolproof one, as it could simply lead some audience members to pirate Netflix TV shows and films instead.
The streamer’s Q4 2022 report doesn’t breakdown how many of its 7.66 million new subscribers were returning customers, so it’s hard to gauge if Netflix’s repeated warnings about a forthcoming crackdown have persuaded “account borrowers” to buy their own subscription. It’ll be interesting to see if Netflix ever decides to break down its subscriber data into new fans and returning customers sub-categories, though we aren’t holding our breath.
Netflix’s upcoming password sharing crackdown plan isn’t the only change coming into effect. As part of its most recent earnings call, Netflix announced that co-founder Reed Hastings was stepping down from his post as CEO. Hastings will remain as Netflix’s executive chairman, with Peters and Ted Sarandos stepping up as co-CEOs to lead the streaming giant into a new era.
Meanwhile, Netflix has subtly changed which subscription plans you’ll see – initially, at least – if you’re interested in purchasing an account. We previously reported on the fact that Netflix really doesn’t want you to sign up to its ads-free basic tier, but there is a workaround if that’s the account you want to sign up for. Oh, and it’s been on another cancellation spree since 2023 began – you can read more about what’s been canned in our Netflix cancelled shows article.
The Xbox Mini Fridge shouldn’t exist, but we’re thankful it does. It’s rare that a joke results in a genuine product idea in the video games industry, particularly when it’s made at a company’s expense. But that’s exactly what happened with the Xbox Mini Fridge, which is now available to buy.
When the Xbox Series X was revealed to the world – with its towering, rectangular shape – users on social media quickly likened the console to a fridge. So rather than going back on design, Microsoft embraced the fun and went as far as to create a giant Xbox Series X fridge for players to keep their snacks chill during any gaming session.
Not before long, gamers were desperate for an Xbox Mini Fridge to be produced, and at E3 2021, Microsoft obliged. The company announced that an Xbox Series X Mini Fridge would then be produced, and the rest is history. A desirable collector’s item for any Xbox fan, the Xbox Mini Fridge has been in high demand ever since its release.
Xbox Mini Fridge: cut to the chase
What is it? A mini fridge replica of an Xbox Series X
How much does it cost? $99.99 / £89.99
When was it released? January 2022
Xbox Mini Fridge price and release date
(Image credit: Microsoft)
The Xbox Mini Fridge is available now. It was supposed to release during Holiday 2021 (that’s between November and December) but slipped to January 2022.
The Xbox Mini Fridge is only available at Target (opens in new tab) in the US and Game (opens in new tab) in the UK, and the latter faced supply issues that subsequently led to a delay. Costing $99.99 / £89.99. it’s worth noting that if you don’t pick up the Xbox Mini Fridge from a store, you may face a hefty delivery charge due to the size of the unit.
Xbox Mini Fridge design
(Image credit: Microsoft)
The Xbox Mini Fridge is designed to look exactly like an Xbox Series X, and in many ways, it nails this aspect. You’ll find everything you can see on Microsoft’s flagship console here, including a working front USB port that can power a device like your smartphone. The Xbox Mini Fridge’s power button and top vent can also be illuminated independently, giving the unit a more sophisticated look.
On the back of the Xbox Mini Fridge is a switch that lets you turn on the device and choose either eco or max mode. Both modes exhibit a fairly audible amount of fan noise, but the eco mode isn’t too obtrusive.
Inside, there’s room to store up to 12 soda cans thanks to its 10-liter capacity, and a couple of removable shelves to house some snacks inside the door. The Xbox Mini Fridge does a good job of keeping everything cool, but condensation can occur inside, as highlighted by a warning label inside.
Xbox Mini Fridge: where to buy
The Xbox Mini Fridge is only available at Target in the US and Game in the UK. Both retailers have struggled to keep the product in stock, as it’s proven very popular with fans who want a piece of unique memorabilia or simply want a mini fridge as part of their setup.
Why did Microsoft make an Xbox Mini Fridge?
The Xbox Mini Fridge got the greenlight after Xbox marketing chief Aaron Greenberg promised to manufacture the product if the company won Twitter’s #BestofTweets competition, which it did by the narrowest margins of 50.5% to 49.5%. To encourage more votes, Greenberg said Xbox mini fridges would go into production if the brand came out on top. The rest, as they say, is history.
Is the Xbox Mini Fridge worth it?
The Xbox Mini Fridge is a novelty product and one that will certainly appeal to Xbox fans. Yes, it works as a mini fridge but it isn’t exactly a class-leading device so bear that in mind. The fan noise may be rather distracting for some, but if you have the Xbox Series X Mini Fridge set up in another room that won’t be an issue. Still, there are some really nice design flourishes like an illuminated power button and top fan, along with a working USB port that adds a lot to the Xbox Mini Fridge’s overall appeal.
Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet-owned Google are the top corporate investors of wind and solar power in the US, new figures have claimed.
A report (opens in new tab) from the American Clean Power Association (ACPA), a pressure group, which also revealed that, while the technology industry is (perhaps understandably) setting an example for others in buying 48% of all clean power, others are following that example.
The amount of clean energy bought by corporations across industries such as energy, telecommunications, and food and beverage has increased by an average of 73% per year over the last decade, with investments spreading across 49 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.
Clean energy optimism
Perhaps even more surprising is that 35% of contracted capacity bought by corporations has come from Texas, a state well known for its “oil boom” of the early 20th century.
This detail in the ACPA’s report is the second sign that the US oil industry may falter in 2023, after Business Today (opens in new tab) recently reported that industry data has shown signs of a decrease in the demand for fossil fuels nationwide.
US corporations appear to be coming to terms with the fact that clean energy is a necessary, albeit long-term investment. 77.4 gigawatts (GW), across over 300 corporations, have been contracted to date, enough to power 1,000 data centers, or 18 million homes.
Despite that staggering investment, more than half of that energy is still yet to come online. However, a spokesperson for the ACPA has told CNBC that it expects it to do so “in the next three years”.
Commitments like these are welcome. However, as much as we might want to ascribe ethics to behemoths like Amazon, Meta, or Google, all of which have recently been embroiled in layoff, data misuse, and ad revenue monopoly controversies, the primary motive for big tech making the switch is much less complicated.
The ACPA’s report claims that the price of clean power investment seems to finally be a low enough cost for companies to take decisive action.
Solar and wind power has seen cost cuts of 71% and 47% respectively over the last decade, and, although power purchase agreement (PPA) costs increased in 2022, US companies still purchased 20 GW of clean energy by the year’s end, 4 GW higher than any other year.
Even though the reason for the US’ clean energy push isn’t so noble, it’s still some consolation that a cross-industry effort to move to renewables will be better for the planet in the long run.
The US State Department has sent shockwaves throughout its workforce after ditching Times New Roman as the font of choice in official communications.
The evergreen staple has been used by the government body since 2004, but a leaked cable has revealed that this is about to change.
As reported in The Washington Post (opens in new tab), the iconic font will be substituted in favor of Calibri for the purposes of better readability in digital formats.
Sans serif
The cable, written by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, explained that san serif fonts – those without the small protrusions at the ends of each letter – are easier to read at smaller sizes on digital devices like smartphones, making them preferable for those with visual impairments.
Microsoft also replaced Times New Roman with Calibri as the default font in its word processor software in 2007, when the font was was first released. Perhaps this is another reason for the State Department’s decision – If they do use the company’s products in document creation, it would be a lot more convenient that having to change the font every time you start a new document.
However, even Calibri is now set to go out of fashion. In 2021, Microsoft themselves wanted to change up their default font (opens in new tab) in Microsoft 365, and created five new custom fonts for users to pick from to replace Calibri. For now, though, Calibri is still holding the top spot within the IT giant’s estate.
As TechCrunch (opens in new tab) notes, Noto, the font jointly created by Monotype and Google, is specifically designed for today’s consumption of written content, with it being compatible with all languages and symbols, which would be appropriate for the State Department, given its broad remit and international dealings. It too is also sans serif.
Listen, I would go to more concerts if it wasn’t for the expense, crowds, and rigamarole involved with getting to the venue. Now, though, after an all-too-brief listening session with the new Apple HomePod 2, maybe I don’t need to go anywhere. The music experience is that good.
For as much as Apple’s brand new HomePod 2 looks like its predecessor, it’s really quite different. After Apple’s surprise launch, I took a look at photos of the new audio components versus the old. Basically, everything is different.
Inside the new HomePod 2 is a high-excursion woofer with a custom amplifier, five tweeters (each paired with a custom amplifier), and a far-field array of four microphones. There’s even a sensor that monitors how the system is running (including its internal temperature) to work out if it can crank up the power even further…
Inside the original HomePod vs the 2nd Gen HomePod.Looks like a cleaner construction and some repositioning of audio components like, for instance, the tweet array. pic.twitter.com/FdsUgqfnkSJanuary 18, 2023
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Yes, that’s two fewer tweeters than the original HomePod, but this is new hardware, and the tweeters are all tilted up to avoid any audio getting distorted by reflections from whatever surface the speaker is sitting on.
The mesh fabric is more or less the same as the last HomePod, though it’s made from recyclable materials and is designed to have zero muffling impact on audio.
These are all things you can learn by reading the publicly available spec page on the new audio hardware. But, after my listening experience, I think nothing can entirely prepare you for the HomePod 2’s exquisite audio quality.
Because of the HomePod 2’s design, you could expect 360-degree audio, but that simplistic term is misleading. Based on my listening experience, the HomePod 2 uses its wrap-around audio skills, and the technology backing it, to create an impressive, and immersive, audio landscape.
Apple HomePod 2 with iPhone held nearby. Yes, that’s how you can hand-off music from your phone to the HomePod. (Image credit: Apple)
We started with a song called Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson. I sat maybe eight feet away from the speakers in a high-ceiling, mid-sized living room. It’s a beautiful tune, with Michealeson’s clear, bright, plaintive voice front and center. What I noticed immediately is, from a single HomePod 2, the excellent separation of acoustic instruments and her voice. I could clearly pick out a tambourine, guitar, and drum kit as distinct elements in the air. I wish I could’ve listened to the entire song, Michealeson’s voice is kind of magical.
Next up was the funky Six or Seven More by Cool Sounds. With this, I got a chance to experience the surprisingly powerful, rich, and warm bass. What I noticed is how even with a solid base beat, the music was never muddy. The HomePod 2 gave me a sense of where the original instruments might’ve been during the recording session.
Part of the HomePod 2 musical skills can be credited to the S7 chip (yes, the same as is in the Apple Watch 7) and the application of Advanced Computational Audio. The HomePod 2 is essentially listening to itself and making on-the-fly adjustments to improve audio quality, just like the first one did – but now with more computational power.
The HomePod 2 was adept at delivering aural clarity at everything from 30% to 90% volume. The 90% was loud but not in a bad way. It was a moment where I thought I’d walked into a dive bar to hear a really awesome indie band.
Inside the HomePod 2. Note the position of the tweeters. (Image credit: Apple)
One of the interesting things about the new HomePod 2 is its spatial awareness. As I listened to music from a single and then stereo pair of HomePod 2 devices, I noticed how the sounds often didn’t seem to be coming directly from the HomePods (thanks Spatial Audio!). Some were coming from the left, others from the right, and some (usually, but not always, vocals) from dead center. The most interesting sounds though, were the ones that almost seemed to wash over me; they were bouncing off the back wall (maybe a foot away from the HomePod 2) and then rising and, I’m guessing here, bouncing from the walls to the ceiling to my ears.
The HomePod’s awareness of the space comes courtesy of all those microphones that can read a room in roughly 20 seconds and adjust the audio to make it fit the space. The HomePod 2 even has an accelerometer so it knows when it’s on the move and, with a new song playing in a new space, will quickly readjust.
Listening to Faith by The Weeknd, I could really hear that soundscape of the electronica building in an area behind the HomePods 2 and then slowly moving forward until the whole aural scene washed over me. And of course, the bass was smooth and moving without ever getting in the way of the bright falsetto vocal.
I really enjoyed listening to Boomerang by Yebba. There are so many distinct acoustic instruments that you can pick out, right down to human hands slapping a drum.
HomePod 2 stereo experience (Image credit: Apple)
A pair of HomePod 2 speakers was even more impressive.
Mystery Lady by Masego and Don Toliver sounded as if it was coming from behind and in front of me. The sound stage was so wide and deep that it didn’t matter where I stood in the room. This is not to say that dead center in front of the speakers was not the optimal aural experience. It was, but I was just as happy to face away or stand in a corner and listen.
A live recording of The Eagles’ Hotel California highlighted the speaker’s ability to elevate individual instruments in the intro. I anxiously waited for Don Henley to start singing, not realizing the preamble extends almost a solid minute into the song. [Note from our Audio Editor: “Ah, first time?”] The left and right separation on the song and the HomePod 2 stereo pair’s ability to place the audience’s applause and reaction off to the side made it sound and feel like a real live performance.
Taken in the vacuum of this small experience, the new HomePod 2 offers impressive audio chops for a $299 / £299 / AU$479 smart speaker. That’s right, I said smart speaker, because there is so much more than the HomePod 2 can do, but if you want it for nothing more than some of the best music listening to you’ve had in a while, it’s probably worth checking out and the HomePod 2 could be headed to our list of best smart speakers.
Nvidia announced this week that the latest version of its subscription service, GeForce Now Ultimate, has officially gone live for several cities in the US, rolling out to San Jose, Los Angeles, and Dallas, as well as Frankfurt, Germany. Areas surrounding these cities will also be able to connect to the new Ultimate tier servers.
This version upgrades GeForce Now’s premier RTX 3080 tier and rebrands it to Ultimate membership, offering the same benefits of the RTX 3080 tier but upgrading the cloud rig to an RTX 4080 GPU.
The service is powered by the Lovelace GPU architecture and, according to Nvidia (opens in new tab), streams at up to 240 FPS with NVIDIA Reflex, up to 4K 120 FPS with support for DLSS 3 and RTX ON, and ultrawide support at up to 3,840 x 1,600p resolution at 120 FPS.
We punched in the numbers and found that if you paid for the Ultimate subscription tier in six-month increments for six years ($99.99, about £85/AU$145), it would cost the same as buying the RTX 4080 graphics card at its current MSRP. This makes it an excellent option for those with a solid internet connection who wants the performance of the current-gen graphics card without having to pay over $1,000 for it.
“After the start of the rollout of the RTX 4080 SuperPODs today, it’ll start rolling out to other regions, with wider release expected throughout Q1,” an Nvidia spokesperson told TechRadar. “On our weekly GFN Thursday blog (opens in new tab), we’ll be giving updates each week on which regions are getting RTX 4080 performance.”
Could this be the future of PC gaming?
(Image credit: Nvidia)
We previously tried out the RTX 3080 tier for our Acer Chromebook 516 GE review and found the performance on one of the best Chromebooks we’ve tested to be near indistinguishable from actually running a laptop with the best GPU on the market.
And when we went hands-on with the new Ultimate tier for CES 2023, we found that the performance is even better, as it addresses latency issues that have held the subscription service back. Not only would the upgraded servers bring system latency beneath that 60ms threshold, but Nvidia also claims that by incorporating Nvidia Reflex into its server-side processing, it can bring it down as low as 35ms, which is on par with an actual gaming PC running local hardware.
If this turns out to be true, that would be absolutely huge and make an already great service perfect for even hardcore and eventually competitive gaming, maybe even beating out even the best gaming PC you can get for a comparable price.
Norwegian shipping classification society DNV has been hit by a ransomware (opens in new tab) attack which forced the company to shut down some of its servers.
The attack affected roughly 1,000 ships using DNV’s ShipManager software – a tool that its customers use to monitor different features of their shipping fleets.
DNV says some 300 companies use the tool to manage more than 7,000 ships. Of that number, 70 firms managing some 1,000 ships were affected by the incident – around 15% of the total fleet.
Unknown attackers
Onboard, offline functionalities of the software can still be used, the company further said, adding that other systems onboard the vessels are not impacted by the ransomware attack. Furthermore, the ships can still operate.
Besides the ShipManager servers, other servers and other data were also not affected, the company also said.
Other details about the incident are missing. The company did not say which group was behind the attack, or how the ransomware was deployed (if any malware, phishing, or social engineering was used in the attack). No groups have yet taken responsibility for the attack.
We also don’t know the ransom demand, or the deadlines, as the company has declined to comment on the possibility of sensitive data being stolen, and also refused to say if the attack would cause any delays for ships and cargo.
However DNV did confirm that the police and other law enforcement agencies have been notified.
“The attack has been reported to the Norwegian Police, who has informed relevant police agencies. It was also reported to the Norwegian National Security Authority, the Norwegian Data Protection Authority (DPA) and the German Cyber Security Authority. All affected customers have been notified about their responsibility to notify relevant Data Protection Authorities in their countries,” the organization stated.
Your humble Wi-Fi router (opens in new tab) signal could be used to track your movements around a room, bat style, a new report has claimed.
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University recently published a report in which they detailed an experiment using ordinary off-the-shelf Wi-Fi routers to detect people’s locations, as well as their poses, in a room.
The experiment, although not without flaws, was an overall success, proving that the endpoints could be used to track people. It’s being described as an ethical and privacy-sensitive way to monitor (mostly elderly and alone) individuals.
Accurate images
In layman’s terms, the Wi-Fi signal transmitted by the routers can be used as a sort of sonar, where an AI-powered program analyzes the difference in the density between outgoing and incoming signals, and comes back with wireframe images of people in the room.
In some instances, the images came back incomplete, or showed people in weird, unnatural poses, demonstrating that the method obviously still needs work. But in many cases, the images created by the AI were quite accurate. People’s positions within a room were accurate, their dimensions were accurate, their poses were accurate.
Besides the occasional error in rendering, another major challenge is being able to track a bigger number of people. So far, the routers are able to successfully track up to three people.
For the experiment, the researchers used TP-Link Archer A7 AC1750 devices, which cost a measly $32. Compared to other tracking technology, such as LIDAR or radar, using Wi-Fi routers for this purpose is immensely cheaper. In some instances, the routers could even be a better solution compared to cameras, given that they work even if people are hidden behind objects such as furniture.
It seems as if the researchers will continue their work, attempting to improve the solution via better public training data for Wi-Fi-based perception.
