Telegram is squeezing in one last major update before 2021 wraps up. Among the new features is hidden text to mask spoilers. So, if you can't wait to blab about what happens in Spider-Man: No Way Homebefore everyone in the chat has seen it, you can select any section of your text and use the Spoiler formatting. This will hide the text in the chat, notifications and chat list. When your friends are ready to read what you think about [redacted] showing up, they can tap the spoiler text to read it.
Also new are iMessage-style reactions. You can double tap any message to send a thumbs-up reaction. Tapping once (or tapping and holding on iOS) will let you select other emoji, such as a grin, fire, a shocked face or a thumbs down. You can change the default double-tap emoji in the Chat Settings on Android, and under the Stickers and Emoji section in iOS settings.
In private chats, reactions are always enabled. Channel and group admins can decide whether to switch them on and what reactions the other members can choose from.
Elsewhere, Telegram now has a useful translation option. Through the Language section in Settings, you can enable translation, which adds a Translate button to the context menu. You can nix languages you're able to understand and the Translate button won't be available on messages you receive in those languages. Translation is available on all Android devices, but iPhone and iPad users will need to be running iOS 15 or later. The number of languages Telegram supports depends on your operating system.
In addition, users can generate QR codes for anyone with a public username, as well as bots, groups and channels. You can tap the QR code icon next to their username and select the colors and pattern before sharing it elsewhere. You can find your own QR code in Settings.
The Telegram team redesigned the context menus on macOS with new shortcut hints and animated icons. The app will display a full-screen effect in one-on-one chats when you send certain emoji too.
Earlier this year, Telegram added group video calls and other features, including a way to block others in group chats from taking screenshots and saving shared media, as well as live streams with unlimited viewers. There's been some blowback against Telegram this year, however, with reports suggesting there has been a significant uptick in the level of cybercriminal activity taking place on the encrypted messaging app.
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Apple announced several new products this year, ranging from the colorful 24-inch iMac to four iPhone 13 models, but we also said goodbye to some other products. Below, we've recapped five products and accessories discontinued by Apple in 2021.
HomePod
In March 2021, Apple announced that it was discontinuing the full-sized HomePod in order to focus its efforts on the HomePod mini. At the time, Apple said it would continue to provide software updates, service, and support for the larger HomePod.
When the HomePod launched in February 2018, reviews praised the speaker for its sound quality, but its original $349 price was significantly more expensive than competing smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home. Even after Apple lowered the HomePod's price to $299, sales of the speaker reportedly remained lackluster.
iMac Pro
The full-sized HomePod wasn't the only Apple product discontinued in March 2021, as the iMac Pro was also axed in the same month. At the time, Apple said the 27-inch iMac was the preferred choice for the vast majority of pro iMac users, and added that customers who needed even more performance and expandability could choose the Mac Pro.
Released in December 2017, the iMac Pro received no substantial hardware refreshes over its lifetime, resulting in the 27-inch iMac eventually becoming faster and more affordable than the standard iMac Pro with a 10-core Xeon W processor.
A few months after the iMac Pro was discontinued, Apple stopped selling Space Gray versions of the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse 2 for the Mac on a standalone basis. Apple continues to sell the accessories in silver.
21.5-Inch iMac
In October 2021, Apple discontinued its final 21.5-inch iMac model, which had remained available as a low-end configuration suitable for educational institutions. The discontinuation came as no surprise, as Apple had introduced an ultra-thin and colorful 24-inch iMac powered by its custom-designed M1 chip six months prior.
Apple only has three Intel-based Macs remaining in its lineup, including the 27-inch iMac, the high-end Mac mini, and the Mac Pro tower.
iPhone XR
After launching the iPhone 13 series in September 2021, Apple discontinued the iPhone XR. The lineup now consists of four iPhone 13 models, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, the iPhone 11, and the second-generation iPhone SE.
Introduced in September 2018, the iPhone XR features a 6.1-inch LCD display with Face ID, an A12 Bionic chip, and a single rear camera.
Other products discontinued by Apple this year after being refreshed include the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 6, fifth-generation iPad mini, eighth-generation iPad, and the first-generation Apple TV 4K. Apple also stopped selling the original Powerbeats, Beats Solo Pro, and Beats EP headphones.
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LG is the maker of some of our favorite OLED TVs, so when the company says it’s improved on its basic panel technology, it’s worth paying attention. Today it did just that, with LG Display announcing its next-generation OLED technology — dubbed OLED EX — which the company says will increase brightness by up to 30 percent, boost picture accuracy, and allow for smaller bezels in finished products.
These improvements are due to two key changes. The first is the use of an element known as deuterium in the chemical make-up of LG’s OLED panels, and the second is the incorporation of algorithmic image processing. LG says the latter will predict the usage of each individual light emitting diode in your TV based on your personal viewing habits to “precisely [control] the display’s energy input to more accurately express the details and colors of the video content being played.”
This all sounds well and good, but we’ll have to wait until we see these new panels in person to really judge whether OLED EX is a significant improvement or just an incremental advance with some enthusiastic branding. (On that note, LG helpfully explains that the “EX” in OLED EX comes from the words “evolution” and “experience.” Very ‘90s, I thought.)
LG’s claims about reduced bezel sizes with OLED EX are a little more concrete at least. The company says that based on calculations involving a 65-inch OLED display, it will be able to reduce bezel thickness from 6mm to 4mm. It’s not a huge change on paper, but given how optimized this technology already is, every little improvement has to be fought for.
LG says it plans to start incorporating OLED EX technology into all its OLED panels starting in the second quarter of 2022, though it’s not clear how much longer it might then take for this technology to reach consumers. As well as improving its OLED tech, LG has also been playing with some wilder concepts at this year’s CES conference, showing off new transparent displays as well as reclining, curved OLED thrones.
Last week a Sonic the Hedgehog Lego set was leaked online. Now, Lego has made it official - announcing the Green Hill Zone Act 1 set will be made available on 1st January 2022 for $69.99 / £59.99 / €69.99.
This set was conceived through the Lego Ideas platform by the 24-year-old UK "superfan" Viv Grannell and adapted by Lego designer Sam Johnson after the submission reached 10,000 votes.
"Just about anyone who has enjoyed video games on any level in the last 30 years, knows and loves Sonic — and has probably sped through the unforgettable Green Hill Zone with him. We have designed this set to be just as colourful and fun as the in-game version of The Green Hill Zone, then filled it with lots of easter eggs and even prizes to help fans enjoy some of their most beloved gaming icons in a brand-new way.”
All up, this set contains 1,125 pieces and includes five mini figures: Crabmeat, Moto Bug, Dr. Eggman and the Phantom Ruby as well as an updated version of Sonic. Along with this are 10 boxes of golden Rings, a Technic leaver to spring Sonic and company into the air, gem rewards, and a lot of other easter eggs to discover.
What do you think of this Sonic the Hedgehog Lego set? Will you be adding it to your own collection? Comment below.
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LastPass says there’s no evidence of a data breach following users’ reports that they were notified of unauthorized login attempts, as reported by AppleInsider. The password manager maintains that it was never compromised, and users’ accounts haven’t been accessed by bad actors.
Something very strange and bad is happening to a lot of people's @LastPass accounts. I posted this to Hacker News and it gathered 192 comments, including 7 separate reports of master password breaches & login attempts from the same Brazil IP range. Uhh. https://t.co/tcM0aFdavv`
Reports started cropping up on the Hacker News forum after a LastPass user created a post to highlight the issue. He claims that LastPass warned him of a login attempt from Brazil using his master password. Other users quickly responded to the post, noting that they experienced something similar. As the original poster (@technology_greg) points out in a tweet, some were also alerted of an attempt from Brazil, while other attempts were traced back to different countries. This, understandably, raised concerns that a breach took place.
Nikolett Bacso-Albaum, the senior director of LogMeIn Global PR told The Verge that the alerts users received were related “to fairly common bot-related activity,” involving malicious attempts to log in to LastPass accounts using email addresses and passwords that bad actors sourced from past breaches of third-party services (i.e. not LastPass).
“It’s important to note that we do not have any indication that accounts were successfully accessed or that the LastPass service was otherwise compromised by an unauthorized party,” Basco-Albaum said. “We regularly monitor for this type of activity and will continue to take steps designed to ensure that LastPass, its users, and their data remain protected and secure.”
Even if LastPass wasn’t actually compromised, it’s still a good idea to fortify your account with multifactor authentication, which uses outside sources to verify your identity before you log in to your account.
At Lifehacker, we strive, year after year, to do everything better. It’s kind of our thing, you know? And we find, year after year, that sometimes our smartphones and their many apps help us be more productive—and sometimes they do nothing but distract us. As we reflect on 2021, though, we have to admit that our favorite apps did a little bit of both. They helped us get organized and healthier, but also offered some distraction when we needed.
Screenshot: TikTok
I’m tempted to name something like Duolingo here, and maybe if I could actually write this out in Portuguese I would, but since my language skills are about as broken as they were at the start of 2021, I have to go with TikTok. And how could you not? TikTok is the app; in many ways, it’s replaced my habit for watching TV every night. Instead of catching up on the latest shows and movies, I’m much more likely to be scrolling endlessly through a curated feed of comedy sketches, recipes, and geeky stuff that I love. And these creators are talented. Some are hilarious, some can cook...whatever you’re watching, it’s done so well. It’s an addiction, I’m hopelessly trapped, and I love it.—Jake Peterson, senior tech editor
Somewhat contrary to the Lifehacker ethos, I’m not all that into productivity apps, or even cooking apps. I am, however, very into Strong, a simple weight-lifting app that helps me track the mass and frequency I can lift. It has a wide range of exercises to choose from, some of which come with simple how-to videos to help with your form. It also keeps track of your PRs, which is nice, because PR-ing has become a bit of an obsession.—Claire Lower, senior food editor
I have a deep love for my robot vacuum cleaner, and the EufyHome app allows me to feel even closer to her. I can schedule her work in advance, or send her out to vacuum at my whim. I can check her battery life, and even control her movements directly from my phone. I especially like sending her home to her under-the-couch charging station when the workday is over. Sweet dreams, robot vacuum cleaner, sweet dreams.—Stephen Johnson, staff writer
Well, TikTok was taken, and if I honestly say “2048" then I wouldn’t be able to face the man in the mirror. Compared to previous video diaries, this year’s “1 Second Everyday” video has a clear story arc, what with a slow start in quarantine, the vaccination plot points, and much better pacing as life slowly but surely picked back up again.—Meredith Dietz, staff writer
One of the ways I have most wasted time this year has been by burying my face in the game Wordscapes. Whenever I need a five or 10-minute break from work, I plop down on the couch in my office, open up Wordscapes, and mindlessly unscramble words. How is it relaxing to take a break from writing and editing words all day by making more words? I’m not entirely sure, except that it feels like a balance between being challenging enough to keep me interested but also winnable every time. I’m on level 800 as of this writing, which is either impressive or a strong indication that it’s time to move on to something else in 2022.—Meghan Walbert, managing editor
This one is a simple workhorse that deserves a little spotlight. Intervals Pro has guided me through many a timed workout. I can customize it to ring a bell when it’s time for me to do my next set of kettlebell swings, and it will even speak the words “five seconds” to tell me to get ready. It can do complicated sets of rest and work intervals, or it can do just the basics if that’s all you need. (And while it has “pro” in the name, you can save three custom timers without needing to buy the upgrade—which is only a one-time fee of $8, so I went for it anyway.) Best bonus feature: If you have a heart rate monitor or a GPS-enabled watch, it will automatically save that data in your workout without you having to get another app involved.—Beth Skwarecki, senior health editor
For more than a decade, I’ve been tracking every book I read on Goodreads, and I have no idea why it took me so long to start doing the same for movies. Maybe I just needed an app that’s as streamlined, fun to use, and feature-packed as Letterboxd. Available on the web or iOS/Android, it allows you to log, rate, and review every movie you watch, figure out where something is streaming, keep a watchlist, and more. Plus, you can follow other reviewers and get updates when they watch or review something new, which is a great way to discover new stuff (an increasingly pressing concern two years into a pandemic that’s still keeping me mostly at home). It’s free to use, but I’m thinking of upgrading to a Pro account ($19/year), which will remove ads and give me access to a few more features—and make me feel good for supporting an app I love.—Joel Cunningham, deputy editor
In a moment of hope, after vaccines became readily available and New York started to reopen, I unfroze my AMC A-List subscription that had sat frozen for over a year. The result was a flood of joy—albeit temporary, given Omicron and the bad winter ahead—that reminded me just how good an app AMC made. Not only could I choose my movie and seats in advance, I could also reserve tickets for my “entourage” of other AMC A-List members so that we don’t have to choose our seats separately. Not to mention that it tracks my rewards points that I can spend on concessions with a waive of my phone, and lets me buy food and drinks in advance and have them waiting for me when I arrive at the theater. The app is virtually perfect, if only These Times would allow for it. I’ll be back again, though, AMC Theatres. Hopefully one day.—Jordan Calhoun, editor-in-chief
I like MacroFactor so much I wrote a whole post all about it, so I can’t let this roundup pass without pointing to it again. I love that its calculations are accurate whether you stick to your diet or not, and it somehow manages a judgment-free interface even though nearly every other app in this space is constantly trying to nudge or incentivize you to chase your goals harder. Food is just food, and calories are just calories, and I appreciate you, MacroFactor, for not making it any more complicated than that.—Beth
Amazon’s Alexa told a child to touch a penny to the exposed prongs of a phone charger plugged into the wall, according to one parent who posted screenshots of their Alexa activity history showing the interaction (via Bleeping Computer). The device seemingly pulled the idea for the challenge from an article describing it as dangerous, citing news reports about an alleged challenge trending on TikTok.
According to Kristin Livdahl’s screenshot, the Echo responded to “tell me a challenge to do” with “Here’s something I found on the web. According to ourcommunitynow.com: The challenge is simple: plug in a phone charger about halfway into a wall outlet, then touch a penny to the exposed prongs.” In a statement to the BBC, Amazon said: “As soon as we became aware of this error, we took swift action to fix it.” Livdahl tweeted yesterday that asking for a challenge was no longer working.
Amazon isn’t the only company to run into issues trying to parse the web for content. In October, a user reported that Google displayed potentially dangerous advice in one of its featured snippets if you Googled “had a seizure now what” — the info it showed was from the section of a webpage describing what not to do when someone was having a seizure. At the time, The Verge confirmed the user’s report, but it appears to have been fixed based on tests we did today (no snippet appears when Googling “had a seizure now what”).
Users have reported other similar problems, though, including one user who said Google gave results for orthostatic hypotension when searching for orthostatic hypertension, and another who posted a screenshot of Google displaying terrible advice for consoling someone who’s grieving.
We’ve also seen warnings about dangerous behavior amplified to make the problem bigger than it originally was — earlier this month, some US school districts closed after self-perpetuating reports about shooting threats being made on TikTok. It turned out that the social media firestorm was overwhelmingly caused by people talking about threats, far more than any threats that may have existed. In the case of Alexa, an algorithm picked out the descriptive part of a warning and amplified it without the original context. While the parent was there to immediately intervene, it’s easy to imagine a situation where that isn’t the case or where the answer shared by Alexa isn’t so obviously dangerous.
Livdahl tweets that she used the opportunity to “go through internet safety and not trusting things you read without research and verification” with her child.
Amazon didn’t immediately reply to The Verge’s request for comment.
New York (CNNBusiness)Act fast, Costco members! The retailer has the hard-to-score Xbox Series X gaming console back in stock and available right now.
The Xbox Series X invariably sells out immediately at any retailer that stocks it, making it a prized holiday find and bestowing legitimate bragging rights for anyone lucky and fast enough to get it.
Stores such as Walmart(WMT) and Costco(COST) have regularly restocked Microsoft's flagship $500 gaming console but given the high demand, blink and you'll likely miss your chance.
But Costco shoppers with a paid membership to the warehouse retailer have another shot. On Tuesday, the company website showed it has restocked the gaming console as a "member-only item." The bundle includes the console plus an additional controller, priced at $549.99.
More than a year after their initial launches, Sony's PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Microsoft's high-end Xbox Series X remain difficult to find. The more recently launched Nintendo Switch OLED model, which went on sale in October 2021, is even harder to find on shelves and online. Restocks of the devices sell out in minutes.
Microsoft(MSFT) said its Xbox Series X consoles will continue to be restocked. The tech giant said it's "working as fast as possible with our manufacturing and retail partners to expedite production and shipping to keep up with the unprecedented demand."
The company added, "we recommend checking with local retailers for availability."
Costco said it expects to restock Xbox Series X consoles later this week or next week.
Update 12:37PM ET, December 28th:Best Buy has sold out of consoles for now.
If you’re currently shopping for a PlayStation 5 console and have been recently striking out with restocks at Walmart, Costco, and other retailers, you have another chance right now at Best Buy. The electronics retailer just opened up a fresh batch of PlayStation 5 consoles for $499.99. Best Buy is only selling the disc-based version, however, not the Digital Edition.
Be sure to log in and queue up on Best Buy’s site, with your billing and shipping info saved. Click the “Add to Cart” button on the right to jump into the waiting line, and stay calm. You don’t need to refresh the automated system, though, you may be prompted to verify your account when it’s your turn. After that, you should be able to see if there are any PS5 consoles available in your area. If you strike out, stay vigilant, the store tends to restock in waves so there may be more consoles in a moment.
We are continuing to track restocks as they roll out at various retailers. Be sure to also subscribe to the Verge Deals newsletter for the latest tech and gadget savings we can find and deliver right to your inbox twice a week.
We’re wishing you all of the luck in getting a PS5 today. As usual, signing into your account ahead of the restock, and making sure that all of the pertinent shipping and payment info, can only help your chances of success. But generally, once you’re in the queue for a console, just hang tight and maybe cross those fingers that you actually get a console today.
Some must-have PS5 accessories and games
Whether you end up getting a PlayStation 5 today or not, it might not be a bad idea to stock up on some essentials that you may want to have on Day One with your console.
Update 12:26PM ET, December 28th:Costco has sold out of consoles for now.
The Xbox Series X console has remained hard to come by, and with the holidays looming the window to get one in time is narrowing. Many retailers have turned to charging for the chance just to buy a console via subscription-based memberships, which is a game that Costco has been playing from the beginning. The warehouse retailer has gotten its fair share of console restocks, and today it has Microsoft’s flagship console available for its members.
You can order the Xbox Series X from Costco right now (or the Halo Edition, if it’s available in your area), which is only sold as a bundle with an extra controller (if you’re signed in, then you can add it directly to your cart by clicking here). You need a paid Costco membership to order this, which you can get here at the retailer’s site for a minimum of $60 per year. While some video games and accessories can be purchased online from Costco by non-members at the cost of an additional fee, consoles are for members only.
These restocks at Costco often sell out quickly, so if you don’t manage to get it this time around be sure to prep your account for success next time by saving your billing and shipping info into your account. Also, be sure to subscribe to our Verge Deals newsletter to get the latest tech deals from our team, direct to your inbox.
Xbox accessories and games to go with your console
When Apple announced the upgraded MacBook Pro earlier this fall, the common refrain was that the company was finally giving its customers what they asked for. But while the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro updates represent the most obvious case of Apple owning up to (and rectifying) past mistakes, the company has actually been on this course for the last few years. And at the end of 2021, Apple has just about finished replacing some of its most problematic designs.
Reviews of the new MacBook Pro are almost universally positive (aside from the high price points), but it’s still worth recapping just what a big change these laptops represent from their predecessors. Both of the new sizes are thicker and noticeably heavier than the models they replace; for a company that showed an almost fanatical obsession with thin-and-light design over the last decade, it’s a major about-face. But the older, 4-pound, 15-inch MacBook Pro often had trouble staying cool under heavy processor loads, a problem that couldn’t be solved without increasing the laptop’s size and weight. It’s as if Apple remembered it already has the MacBook Air, and that the people buying a Pro are willing to lug around a bit of extra weight for a more capable machine.
Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Apple arguably started moving in this direction with a mid-cycle refresh a few years ago. In 2019, the company started banishing the unreliable and uncomfortable butterfly keyboard for a significantly improved scissor-switch model. That revised keyboard arrived on the first 16-inch MacBook Pro. Along with the new keyboard, that laptop was a third of a pound heavier, and larger in every dimension than its predecessor.
That was the first indication that Apple was willing to fix some of the ill-fated decisions it made with the MacBook Pro lineup, which brings us to this fall’s refresh. Users still had a laundry list of things they wanted changing, and Apple largely delivered. The new models brought back the SD card slot and HDMI port that the company removed in 2016. The MagSafe charging port, one of Apple’s smartest innovations, also made a comeback. Finally, Apple replaced the Touch Bar with a standard row of function keys.
Of course, Apple only deserves so much credit for fixing self-inflicted wounds. But it feels like the company has a much clearer vision of what the people shelling out (at least) $2,000 for a MacBook Pro actually want. And beyond simply fixing earlier mistakes, the Apple-built M1 Pro and M1 Max processors offer massive performance gains and better battery life. Add in an outstanding new display and excellent keyboard and MacBook Pro buyers have a lot to look forward to. The fact that these computers are thicker and heavier than the ones they replace will barely be a consideration for most, especially since bigger laptops have space for things like extra ports, larger batteries and better cooling systems.
David Imel for Engadget
While the MacBook Pro is the obvious example of Apple giving the people what they want this year, it’s not the only one. Take the iPhone 13 launch. The company once again released two standard models and two “Pro” models, just as it did in 2020. In most ways, these phones were iterative updates over the 12 series — but all four phones have significantly better battery life than their predecessors. Improving longevity is an obvious way to make customers happy, but it’s still good news that Apple quickly identified the weak spot with the iPhone 12 lineup and fixed it. Perhaps not coincidentally, all iPhone 13 models are also all a little heavier than last year’s. (They're also imperceptibly thicker, at .30 inches vs. .29 for the iPhone 12.)
Again, though, there’s some recent precedence for Apple putting battery life over a thin-at-all-costs design. 2018’s iPhone XR was a cheaper and slightly less elegant version of the flagship iPhone XS — but its larger screen and thicker body left room for a battery that smoked the “superior” XS. So, in 2019, Apple made the iPhone 11 Pro bigger than the XS it replaced, but it also vastly improved battery life. It was particularly surprising to see Apple make a bigger iPhone after chasing thinness at all costs for so long, but it was definitely welcome. The company finally seems to realize that an impossibly thin device that constantly needs to be charged doesn’t make for a good user experience.
Another good example is Apple's significant change of heart around product repairs. Specifically, Apple announced plans to sell repair parts and instructions to customers who want to fix their iPhones themselves, a victory for anyone who felt they should be able to pop open their iPhone and put in a new battery or fix a broken display. While right-to-repair groups said there's still more Apple can do in this area, they nonetheless hailed it as a major step forward from the completely closed nature of its products, the vast majority of which haven't been user-serviceable before. Apple is starting with the iPhone, but said it will roll out some self-repair tools and parts for M1-based Macs in 2022, as well. The threat of government regulation may have played a big role in this new initiative, but the end result is still good for consumers.
Apple is even having a little more fun with its products than it has in a while. Take the M1-powered iMac, for example. I wish that it had more ports and, considering the price, it should have more RAM and storage — but the wide variety of colors Apple chose is just great. I’m dying for these colorways to come to a redesigned MacBook Air (fingers crossed for the spring). The three new hues in the HomePod mini lineup are another good example of Apple realizing that hardware you place in your home doesn’t just have to be gray or silver.
While the new MacBook Pro is a huge step forward for those who want serious power on the go, Apple still hasn’t given professionals the full desktop-class computers they need. Because Apple is in the middle of its transition to Apple Silicon, the larger iMac and Mac Pro machines are hard to recommend right now. Hopefully, Apple will bring the power of the M1 Pro and M1 Max to a larger iMac and a new Mac Pro tower in 2022. If they can wrap up this last bit of the transition next year, Mac buyers will be covered at all points of the company’s product lineup. It’s been way too long since we could say that.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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