Vintage Violence is an absurdist crime thriller for phone addicts
There are a lot of movies that have tried to seamlessly integrate modern tech - text messages, livestreams, etc. - into their storytelling. Some of the most novel attempts have been in the genre space, like the Twitch-style horror flick Deadstream. But the most chaotic to date might just be Vintage Violence, an absurd crime thriller with lots of blood, jokes, and screentime.
I was able to catch Vintage Violence, the latest from director Eugene Kotlyarenko, on my fifth day at the Toronto International Film Festival. Kotlyarenko has previously explored our hyper-connected culture in 2020's Spree, a movie in which Stranger Things' Joe Keery pl …
Now Light’s minimalist phone can easily call an Uber
More than a decade after its Kickstarter proposed a "cell phone designed to be used as little as possible," Light is adding a direct connection to Uber and Lyft with a new Rideshare tool. For owners of either the Light Phone III or the upcoming Light Flip, they can use it to find pick up / drop off locations, see fares and ETA, and select different trip options or saved locations they frequently visit. They can use it to book the ride, and then see information about the driver and ETA, and call the driver if necessary.
It's an early preview of the LightOS "tool library" SDK that will allow developers to expand the phones' features while st …
Meta’s new One subscriptions put a price on social media and AI
Shortly after launching its new do-everything AI assistant Muse, Meta's launching subscription bundles that pair its standalone app subscriptions with extra AI usage. Some of the new Meta One bundles were in testing earlier this year, but are now available globally starting today, with several tiers for individual users, creators, and businesses. Meta says the "core experience" on its apps and Meta AI will still be free, and users can still get its subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp without a bundle. It also says it plans to expand the bundles to include "Edits, AI glasses, and more over time."
There are two bundles for in …
Fujifilm’s Instax Pal 2 is a tiny digital camera that may not disappoint
Fujifilm announced a follow-up to its tiny and quirky Instax Pal camera that debuted three years ago bundled with an instant printer. While the original Pal was a palm-sized camera with a round design that lacked a screen or viewfinder, the new Instax Pal 2 includes both in a design that looks like a miniaturized analog film camera. It's also reminiscent of trendy pocket-friendly cameras like the Kodak Charmera, but with specs that may actually produce decent shots.
The Instax Pal 2 will launch in the US later this month for $169.95, according to PetaPixel, and uses a ⅓.06-inch sensor paired with an f/2.2 28mm lens to capture images up to 1 …
This doorbell camera lets a human security guard watch your front door
DIY home security company SimpliSafe is bringing its AI-powered proactive security feature to the front door. The new SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Series 2 launches today for $199.99 and works with the company's Active Guard Outdoor Protection (starting at $49.99 a month). This combines AI analysis with live agents to detect potential threats and respond proactively.
When the camera detects suspicious activity - using a combination of on-device AI, cloud-based computer vision, and facial recognition - a SimpliSafe monitoring agent can drop in on the camera to "see, speak to, and attempt to deter potential intruders and package thieves," accord …
Voicemod’s new pocket-friendly device brings real-time voice changing to your phone
Voicemod announced a new mobile device that expands the capabilities of the Voicemod Key dongle it launched in late 2024 as a way to bring the company's real-time voice changing tech to consoles. While the older Voicemod Key only used a smartphone as an interface between the company's mobile app and the Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch, the new Key Pocket can be used to change your voice or trigger sound effects while you're playing games, making calls, or streaming on Apple or Android mobile devices.
The Voicemod Key Pocket is now available as a standalone device for $99.90 or as part of a $129.90 bundle that includes the hardware and a Voice …
The premium AirPods 5 are the best open-ear earbuds Apple has made
It's almost a guarantee that the new version of a product will be, at best, the same price as the old one, and often (especially in the past couple years) more expensive. But that's not what Apple did with the AirPods 5. The $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case are $30 cheaper than the AirPods 4 with ANC they replace. They have slightly better active noise cancellation, and they're the first non-Pro AirPods with volume controls on the stem. Apple has never made wireless earbuds that offer as much for so little, and they make the base AirPods 5, which are $20 cheaper but don't have wireless charging or volume controls, pointless.
Apple …
GM updates its trucks’ native software to coexist with CarPlay
General Motors is polishing up the software experience in its bestselling trucks in an effort to reduce the amount of dangerous tapping and swiping that's required to access the most-used controls. It's also giving Apple CarPlay and Android Auto spiffy new picture-in-picture displays - which is notable given GM's previously stated hostility to phone mirroring in its electric vehicles.
When the next-generation interface makes its debut on the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 later this year, vehicle owners will see a number of changes, including slick new graphics for its advanced driver-assist system, animated transiti …
Microsoft issues emergency Windows 11 update to fix its record-breaking patch
Microsoft has started rolling out an emergency out-of-band update to fix problems with its record-breaking September patch Tuesday update. The software giant patched nearly 1,000 flaws in its biggest update ever this month, but it also introduced some bugs that have affected businesses, developers, and gamers.
The September patch Tuesday affected folder shares on Hyper-V-based Linux virtual machines, Remote Desktop Services sessions, and some USB audio devices. Microsoft's out-of-band update, released yesterday, addresses these issues across Windows 11 versions 26h1, 25H2, and 24H2. Microsoft has also released updates for Windows Server 202 …
Volvo’s plug-in hybrid XC60 and XC90 can really go the distance
Most plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) today get an average of around 30-50 miles of battery-only range: decent, but not mind-blowing. With hybrid sales dominating the market today, Volvo is out to prove that its PHEVs can push the limits of what's possible.
Today, the Swedish automaker revealed the updated PHEV versions of its popular XC60 and XC90 SUVs are its first "long range plug-in hybrids," delivering class-leading ranges of 78 miles and 73 miles, respectively. That's more than double the electric range of previous PHEV variants. The numbers are still preliminary and based on EPA testing standards. But if confirmed, they would …