Root Bear is one of those games that seems to get recommended all the time to new Playdate owners looking for somewhere to start. After months of encountering the title on the internet and vaguely wondering what could be so great about a game where all you do is pour root beer for bears, I finally decided to give it a go this weekend. And, yup, I totally get it now. Root Bear is ridiculously fun emphasis on ridiculous.Root Bear is a $3 Catalog game in which your goal is to achieve the perfect pour from the root beer tap while picky customers (all bears, of course) judge your work. You can also get it on itch.io. The game requires precise use of the crank to get the root beer flowing at just the right rate, and cut it off at just the right time so it doesnt go above or fall short of the desired fill line. Theres foam to consider too, and how it settles can really mess you up if you arent careful. The closer you get to a perfect pour, the more money youll earn.Alex Sussman/Cole O'Brien/Andrea Cabral/Beau QPIts exactly the kind of design to bring out a persons competitive streak. But the best part about Root Bear is the bears themselves. Or, their reactions. The first time I royally messed up a customers order, the bear let loose a Howie Scream that I was in no way prepared for with a facial expression to match and I was completely floored. So yes, Root Bear is a really good, really silly time.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/i-finally-understand-the-hype-around-the-playdate-game-root-bear-002037850.html?src=rss

Following a report from The Wall Street Journal that claims OpenAI has been sitting on a tool that can spot essays written by ChatGPT with a high degree of accuracy, the company has shared a bit of information about its research into text watermarking and why it hasnt released its detection method. According to The Wall Street Journals report, debate over whether the tool should be released has kept it from seeing the light of day, despite it being ready. In an update published on Sunday to a May blog post, spotted by TechCrunch, OpenAI said, Our teams have developed a text watermarking method that we continue to consider as we research alternatives.The company said watermarking is one of multiple solutions, including classifiers and metadata, that it has looked into as part of extensive research on the area of text provenance. According to OpenAI, it has been highly accurate in some situations, but doesnt perform as well when faced with certain forms of tampering, like using translation systems, rewording with another generative model, or asking the model to insert a special character in between every word and then deleting that character. And text watermarking could disproportionately impact some groups, OpenAI wrote. For example, it could stigmatize use of AI as a useful writing tool for non-native English speakers.Per the blog post, OpenAI has been weighing these risks. The company also wrote that it has prioritized the release of authentication tools for audiovisual content. In a statement to TechCrunch, an OpenAI spokesperson said the company is taking a deliberate approach to text provenance because of the complexities involved and its likely impact on the broader ecosystem beyond OpenAI.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-confirms-its-looking-into-text-watermarking-for-chatgpt-that-could-expose-cheating-students-223920531.html?src=rss

In this installment of What We're Listening To, Engadget's Weekend Editor Cheyenne MacDonald dives into the new releases she's been enjoying lately.Francesca Wexler - I Dreamt I Found a Red RubyEvery once in a while, the algorithm actually does right by me. While scrolling through my Instagram feed sometime in the last month or so, a suggested Reel from artist Francesca Wexler popped up, and I couldnt help but get pulled in by her captivating flow. Her style isnt so easy to nail down to a single genre, but would fit under the alt hip-hop umbrella she described her work in one instance as psychedelic rap.Some songs on Wexlers latest album, I Dreamt I Found a Red Ruby, have almost an ethereal quality to them, like its opening and closing tracks, Heaven on Earth and Moonwalking. The upbeat and catchy Aint I hits like a sunny day. But there are darker, harder moments too in songs like Amphetamine Man that really show off Wexlers depth as a rapper. With I Dreamt I Found a Red Ruby, its evident that Wexler is an artist that shouldnt be slept on.Orville Peck - StampedeOrville Peck didnt make us wait long for a full album after dropping Stampede: Volume 1 in May. On Friday, the country artist released the duets album in its entirety, and even though it hasnt been a full three days yet since it came out, I can already tell its going to dominate my Most Listened playlists for the foreseeable future.Stampede sees Peck collaborating with country legends and emerging artists alike, and genre-wise, theres a little of everything in there. On top of the songs I shouted out from the first half, the rest of Stampede brings a bunch of new bangers, my favorites including Back At Your Door featuring Debbii Dawson, Papa Was a Rodeo featuring Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, and Youre an Asshole, I Cant Stand You (and I Want a Divorce) featuring Margo Price.Honorable mention: Street CleanerI recently set out looking for music that sounds like it could be straight out of an 80s horror/thriller movie, and Reddit pointed me to Street Cleaner. Well let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Street Cleaner, whose style is described on Bandcamp as being a theatrical and grimey take on synth music, has become my go-to artist to pop on when I need to get some work done or otherwise be locked in.There isnt a particular song or album I've latched onto I just throw the entire discography on and let it get me in the zone. Street Cleaner released some new music in April, though, and that's as good a place as any to start your listening journey. The artist apparently also made a video game, which I fully plan on checking out.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/what-were-listening-to-i-dreamt-i-found-a-red-ruby-stampede-and-more-205000229.html?src=rss

Theres a new hand-drawn platformer coming to PC and consoles, and it looks absolutely breathtaking. The Eternal Life of Goldman, announced on Friday during THQ Nordics Digital Showcase, is an upcoming title from Weappy Studio thats inspired by ancient fables and depicted in classic frame-by-frame animation. Theres no release date just yet, but when it does come out, itll be available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch.Weappy describes The Eternal Life of Goldman as a vibrant yet dark platformer adventure that weaves together legends, fairy tales and myths.Its protagonist is an old man who uses his cane to fight off legendary creatures in a land known as the Archipelago. The trailer gives us a glimpse at some gameplay footage, revealing a sprawling and gorgeously animated fantasy world. The developers say its designed to be challenging but not grueling, and encourages exploration to uncover all the secrets of the Archipelago.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-eternal-life-of-goldman-is-a-gorgeous-platformer-that-looks-like-a-hand-drawn-cartoon-173751928.html?src=rss

Apples AirTags are the best item trackers an iPhone user can get, and theyre going for cheap right now in a deal on Amazon. A four pack of AirTags normally $100 is 23 percent off, making it just $76. Thats only $1 more than the pack was selling for during Amazon Prime Day. AirTags tap into Apples Find My network, sending out a signal that can be picked up by nearby devices to guide you to your lost item. AirTags work seamlessly with other devices in the Apple ecosystem and have a battery life of over a year. In addition to helping locate belongings you may have left somewhere outside the home, AirTags can also help you track down items youve misplaced in your immediate surroundings thanks to the Precision Finding feature in the Find My app. You can also ping the AirTag so itll play a sound that you can follow. AirTags dont have a loop or clip that would allow you to attach them to a keyring, so youll need to pick up a case if you want to do so. There are all sorts of accessories available for AirTags to secure them to your belongings, including keyring holders and cases designed to adhere to fabric so you can securely stick them in the lining of a jacket or purse. AirTags have an IP67 rating, meaning theyll withstand dust and brief exposure to water, and the CR2032 battery is easily replaceable. The Find My app supports tracking up to 32 items. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-four-pack-of-apple-airtags-is-back-on-sale-for-76-150547693.html?src=rss

[Spsonsored] With 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity, XPPen's new Deco 640 drawing tablet changes the creative landscape for beginners. Discover why this affordable, portable tablet is ideal both for gamers on the go and anyone starting out in CG art.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/07/the-best-drawing-tablet-for-beginners-xppen-deco-640/

Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.

Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.

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The iPhone 16 series is in line for several significant upgrades, including those to the cameras, chipset, and screen.