By the time Im done with fall cleanup and ready to put my tools away for the winter, Im exhausted. The idea of spending time cleaning those tools feels like an insult, but I do it anyway. You might be tempted to just deal with maintenance in the spring, but by then, the damage may be irreparable. Spend the time now, and springtime will be far more enjoyable when your tools emerge from the shed ready to go.Manual tools should be clean and dryThe plethora of hand toolsspades, shovels, rakes, weeding tools and anything else with a handleshould be rinsed off until all the mud is gone, and then dried. Drying is particularly important since this is what will prevent rust. Rust is the enemy and tools stuck in winter lockup with mud on them will deteriorate faster. If there's already some rust, its worth using steel wool to remove it. I recommend a steel wool attachment for your power drill. This makes fast work of the problem, and without dirtying your hands.Examine the wood handles, too. If theyre particularly rough, you might consider taking some sandpaper to them, but usually I find time smooths the wood, not the opposite. The wood should be cleaned and given a quick wipe-down with some wood oil, like linseed. If the wood handle is cracked, it should be replaced.If the tool in question requires sharpening, like an ax, address that now. Your local knife sharpener can sharpen your ax, but there are tools and tutorials for learning to do so yourself. Dont underestimate the value of sharpening the tips of your spade, too. Doing so will make it slice through turf and dirt next spring. Your shears and loppers and other pruning tools should all get sharpened now, before they go into storage.To store these long-handled tools, the best solution is keeping them off the ground in a covered and secured area like a shed. Hanging racks make easy work of this.Repeat all these steps with your hand tools: the trowels, scoops, weeding tools, etc. Make sure the metal is clean and dry, the handles in good condition. These tools should be kept off the ground as well, I simply place them in a box for the winter.Dont store your electric tools with batteriesMost people now have a collection of electric tools: power drills, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, blowers, and string trimmers. First, ensure all the tools are clean. Make sure theres no grass or other organic debris on any of the tools. In the case of tools with many connecting parts, like string trimmers, take them apart and clean themotherwise youll have a hell of a time replacing your string reel next spring. Empty the blower bag and make sure its dry so it doesnt develop mold over the winter (I go to the trouble of washing and drying it). If the tool in question, such as a chainsaw, has any bar oil in it, drain it for winter so it doesnt leak. Remove all the batteries from the tools and store them separately, off the chargers. These tools should also be stored off the ground; I use a collection of large utility hooks to do so. This works very well, but make sure theyre anchored well into studs.Gas tools require the most workIf youre still hanging onto a gas mower, chainsaw, trimmer or blower, maybe the maintenance will cause you to consider changing over. The game is the same: Clean everything. This means turning the lawnmower over and actually getting all the grass off. It will rust otherwise. Now is a fine time to sharpen the blade, too. Ensure your trimmer or blower is also clean, and then it's time to drain all the gas. You dont want it to sit full over winter. As an alternative, you can add a fuel stabilizer, but I never risk it. Cover all your tools with their respective covers or a tarp, and place them in a dry, safe space in the shed or garage.Smart tools need a little care, tooOn top of everything else, we now have smart tools in our yards, whether thats birdhouses, weather stations or temperature sensors. You should check the product website for temperature tolerances of the device; if you think the weather will exceed the tolerance, bring it inside for winter. Otherwise, clean the solar panels for each, and ensure the screws or other attachments are tight enough to withstand strong winds.

A lot of people tried to use OpenAI's DALL-E image generator during the election season, but the company said that it was able to stop them from using it as a tool to create deepfakes. ChatGPT rejected over 250,000 requests to generate images with President Biden, President-elect Trump, Vice President Harris, Vice President-elect Vance and Governor Walz, OpenAI said in a new report. The company explained that it's a direct result of a safety measure it previously implemented so that ChatGPT would refuse to generate images with real people, including politicians.OpenAI has been preparing for the US presidential elections since the beginning of the year. It laid out a strategy that was meant to prevent its tools from being used to help spread misinformation and made sure that people asking ChatGPT about voting in the US are directed to CanIVote.org. OpenAI said 1 million ChatGPT responses directed people to the website in the month leading up to election day. The chatbot also generated 2 million responses on election day and the day after, telling people who ask it for the results to check Associated Press, Reuters and other news sources. OpenAI made sure that ChatGPT's responses "did not express political preferences or recommend candidates even when asked explicitly," as well.Of course, DALL-E isn't the only AI image generator out there, and there are plenty of election-related deepfakes going around social media. One such deepfake featured Kamala Harris in a campaign video altered so that she'd say things she didn't actually say, such as "I was selected because I am the ultimate diversity hire."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpt-rejected-250000-election-deepfake-requests-170037063.html?src=rss

Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against a streamer called EveryGameGuru, whom it's accusing of streaming gameplays of pirated games before they were even released and of providing viewers access to illegal ROM copies and piracy tools. In its lawsuit, the company said the defendant livestreams himself playing games on YouTube, Discord, Twitch, TikTok, Trovo, Kick, Vaughn, Dlive, Picarto, Nimo, Facebook and Loco, often with very little commentary. Apparently, EveryGameGuru streamed gameplays of at least 10 different titles before their official release date in at least 50 occasions since 2022.EveryGameGuru allegedly steamed Mario & Luigi: Brothership on October 22, 23, 24, 25 and 29, way before its official release on November 7. After Nintendo got the videos taken down from various platforms, including YouTube, he continued livestreaming on Loco and even included a QR code for his CashApp handle. He would also create new accounts after his old ones get disabled, and Nintendo said he sent the company an email, telling it that it has "a thousand burner channels" and that he "can do this all day." We found a user with the same name on Loco, with streams of Super Mario Jamboree before it officially became available on October 17 this year.In addition to those two games, Nintendo listed the other games that the defendant played on video before their release dates, including The Legends of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Super Mario RPG, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Pikmin 4, Splatoon 3 and Mario Strikers: Battle League. Nintendo has also included screenshots of EveryGameGuru linking people to piracy tools in its lawsuit. One screenshot showed a post wherein he wrote a step-by-step guide on how to play illegally downloaded ROMs. He included links to the Ryujinx, Yuzu, Suyu and Sudachi Nintendo Switch emulators, links to websites that distribute game ROMs and a link to a website where people can get Switch decryption keys necessary to be able to play the console's games. "Capitalism is cancer," he wrote in the post in all caps. "My channel is being deleted for sharing gameplay videos! This is your reward!"The company is asking for $150,000 in damages per violation of its copyright. As 404media notes, that could add up to millions, seeing as Nintendo is accusing the defendant of streaming at least 10 games illegally in at least 50 occasions.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-is-suing-a-streamer-of-pirated-software-for-millions-of-dollars-150052133.html?src=rss

Techtober rolled straight into November this year. The first week of the month was a busy one at Engadget HQ as we published a number of high-profile reviews over the last few days. There's the MacBook Pro and Mac mini from Apple alongside the beastly (and expensive) PS5 Pro. Plus, we've got yet another VR headset and more ereaders for the bookworms. Read on to catch up on all of this week's reviews and for a tease of what's coming next. Apple MacBook Pro (2024) review Our Mac expert Devindra Hardawar had a busy week. Publishing four reviews in total, he primarily focused on an Apple double dip. He put the new M4-powered MacBook Pro through its paces in both 14- and 16-inch sizes. Unsurprisingly, the new chips offer a speed boost, but there are also updates to the display, webcam and battery life. Spec upgrades remain pricey, but if you opt for a machine with M4 Pro or M4 Max power, you'll also gain Thunderbolt 5 support. "If you're running an M1 MacBook Pro, or still trucking along with an Intel model, you'll definitely see some notable performance gains from these machines," he explained. "But if you've got an M2 or M3 MacBook Pro, the M4 hardware is less of a qualitative leap." Apple Mac mini (M4 Pro, 2024) review The second part of Devindra's double-header was the new Mac mini, which is also now powered by Apple's M4 chips. You'll notice the biggest speed boost with the M4 Pro here and 16GB RAM is now standard. Of course, a key change is the smaller size, and the front-mounted USB-C and headphone ports will come in handy. "The Mac mini was the fastest computer I've reviewed this year, at least when it comes to CPU benchmarks," he wrote. "I've grown used to being impressed by Apple Silicon, but the M4 Pro in our review unit (which was also equipped with 48GB of RAM) was still a bigger leap ahead than I expected." Sony PlayStation 5 Pro review Devindra also assisted senior gaming reporter Jessica Conditt with the highly anticipated PlayStation 5 Pro review this week. It's no surprise the duo confirmed that the PS5 Pro is the most powerful console ever, powered by a faster GPU that unlocks 4K/60 fps action. There are new ray tracing features too, and the console comes with a 2TB SSD. But, you'll pay a high price for this one, and not every game has Pro-level enhancements for you to enjoy. "There's no doubt that the PS5 Pro is a niche product, not an upgrade targeted at all PS5 owners," they said. "It's meant for the Sony devotees who want the absolute best PlayStation experience, and who will never upgrade to a gaming PC." HTC Vive Focus Vision review Devindra finished up his marathon week with latest HTC Vive VR headset. Unfortunately, great design is hampered by a high price, limited gaming library and older components. Simply put, "it still delivers decent standalone VR, despite using an aging CPU and lenses," he explained. "But for a $999 headset, its a shame HTC Vive didnt try harder to make the Focus Vision stand out." Kindle Paperwhite Signature (2024) review Commerce editor Amy Skorheim reviewed both the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and the new standard Kindle this week, pitting them against each other in a direct face off. While the OG is still a workhorse, the more premium option offers more features. But, as Amy found, you might not need them. "It comes down to whether you think a heightened experience will make you read more," she said. "If so, then its probably worth the price jump in the long run. But if youre just looking for a no-frills way to read books, go for the base Kindle." The next round of reviews I know I teased the Sonos Arc Ultra review for this week, but our audio expert (hi!) needed a little more testing time with the soundbar. I doubly promise that one is coming early next week for your Veterans Day reading. We still have one new Mac on the horizon, and we're expecting to wrap up the iMac (2024) review next week too. And there's yet another Amazon review coming soon with the updated Fire HD 8.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-two-new-macs-the-ps5-pro-and-more-150004732.html?src=rss

DJI's Neo is shockingly capable for a tiny drone, but it did have a couple of weaknesses namely, the lack of vertical video and relatively slow flying speeds in tracking mode. The company has now addressed both of those issues with a new firmware update, adding vertical video and increasing the Neo's tracking speeds, among other things. Considering that the Neo is designed and priced for creators, the lack of vertical video was a big miss. It can now handle that, albeit it only at 1080p 60 fps 9:16 and not 4K. That lower resolution is due to the fact that the camera gimbal doesn't actually rotate 90 degrees like on the Mini 4 Pro; instead, it shoots 4K horizontal resolution then crops off the sides. DJI Speed-wise, the Neo can now hit up to 20 mph in tracking mode, up from around 12 mph before. That's actually faster than the 18 mph sport mode top speed, though still a lot slower than the Neo's maximum 36 mph speed in the full manual setting (which requires the FPV remote controller 3). Nevertheless, it's now up to the job of tracking slow moving vehicles, particularly bicycles. Other new features include Goggles N3 support, liveview stabilization with Goggles N3 or Goggles 3 and improved noise reduction with the Mic 2. Unfortunately, there's not much DJI can do about the annoying propeller noise. To get the update, you'll need to connect your Neo to DJI's Fly app on Android or iOS, then update both the drone and the app. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-neo-drone-firmware-update-adds-more-speed-and-vertical-video-130037149.html?src=rss

If you weren't able to buy Apple's latest iMac in time to get it on its release day on November 8, here's your chance to get a discount on the all-in-one computer. The company is already selling it for $85 off at Amazon before the Black Friday frenzy even begins. Apple's refreshed computer has a list price of $1,299, but you can now get its silver version for just $1,214. Meanwhile, the blue and the green versions will set you back $1,249. Nothing huge, but it's always nice to get a brand new device for almost $100 off its original price. The 2024 iMac model is powered by the company's M4 chip, its latest silicon that enables the computer to run up to 1.7 times faster for daily tasks and up to 2.1 faster for more demanding activities, such as gaming, than the M1-powered model. It has 16GB of RAM, compared to its predecessor's 8GB, and you can choose to upgrade it to 24GB or 32GB. When it comes to storage, you have quite a few options. You can get the base model with a 256GB SSD or any of the upgraded ones with 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage. It's the base unit that's currently on sale, with 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU. The computer has an aluminum unibody design with a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display and a 12MP Center Stage camera. You'll also have access to two Thunderbolt USB-C ports on the base model, and you'll get a Magic Keyboard with Lock Key, as well as a Magic Mouse, with the iMac itself. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-m4-imac-is-already-on-sale-in-an-early-black-friday-deal-110029171.html?src=rss

Theres a new portable gaming console in town, joining an ever-crowded field. The Ayaneo 3 is the manufacturers latest portable device, following last years Ayaneo 2S. This Windows-based handheld looks to be an improvement in nearly every major way over its predecessors.The Ayaneo 3 will be available in a few different versions. Purchasers can choose between two processors, an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 or Ryzen 7 8840U. The HX 370 is the more powerful option, offering an extraordinary handheld gaming experience with AI support. Its worth noting that the 8840U should still be able to run plenty of modern games, as the company says its a good choice for gamers who prefer classic powerful performance.Folks can also select between two display options. Theres a model with a serviceable 7-inch LCD screen and another with a 7-inch OLED. Portable devices really pop with OLED screens.AyaneoEvery model boasts a new back button design, to provide for a richer button combination experience. The company says the design has been ergonomically optimized so human fingers can easily reach those back buttons. Theres also a trigger lock feature, to offer enhanced control in both popular and retro games. Otherwise, the front-facing buttons and slanted joystick layout are familiar.The front-facing speakers have received a refresh here, with Ayaneo promising immersive audio beyond expectations. It says they were designed in deep collaboration with sound specialists and will offer low rumble and depth and clarity.Thats about all we know for now. Ayaneo says itll release more information soon, including new features and more control innovations. Theres no price yet and no release date.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-ayaneo-3-looks-to-be-an-improvement-in-nearly-every-way-193511618.html?src=rss

Ghosts of Sparta rejoice, for you can now think in peace without your smart-ass son reminding you how slow-witted you are. The latest patch for the PS5 version of God of War Ragnarok adds the option first seen in the PC port to tone down the boys excessive and unsolicited hints when Kratos is contemplating the games many puzzles. Stick a sock in it, Atreus. Game Version 06.00 for PlayStation 5 adds the reduced puzzle hints feature. Although Atreus isnt the titles only overly helpful companion, hes Kratos most frequent comrade in the award-winning game and therefore the most notorious culprit. Activating the option will pipe down all of your partners excessive hints throughout the game, a feature players wouldve loved to have had when Ragnarok arrived two years ago. The update also includes PS5 Pro enhancements, like a new mode that enables Favor Quality while keeping things running at a smooth 60 fps. The patch also lets owners of the new console unlock the framerate when running on variable refresh rate monitors, and the Favor Performance mode gets boosted to match the PS5 Pros boosted specs. Finally, it adds support for the AI-fueled PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution as an upscaling option. On both PS5 tiers, the update also adds a new accessibility option with audio descriptions for all the games cinematic scenes. Youll also find the requisite bug fixes, including remedies for Brok losing his way to the shop in Freyrs camp (dumbass) and problems related to crafting hilts. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/god-of-war-ragnarok-for-ps5-finally-lets-kratos-solve-puzzles-in-peace-190806687.html?src=rss

The Pixel Watch 3 is on sale in an early Black Friday deal. Not even two full months after Google debuted the smartwatch, it has hit a new record low price of $280. That's a tasty discount of $70. That deal is specifically for the Wi-Fi-only 41mm model, but there's an offer on the 45mm option too. The larger variant can be yours for $330. That's $70 off as well. Furthermore, you can save on the LTE-enabled versions of both sizes. The cellular variant of the 41mm Pixel Watch 3 has dropped by $100 to $350. As for the 45mm LTE model, that will currently run you $400, which is also a $100 discount. The Pixel Watch 3 is our pick for the best smartwatch for Android users. It's Google's best Pixel Watch yet. It has a display with a 60Hz refresh rate. The screen can drop to just 1 nit of brightness while you're asleep (or perhaps at the movies) to help conserve battery life. The smartwatch can run for over 24 hours on a single charge. Handily, the Pixel Watch 3 charges faster than previous models too. Thanks in part to the help of Fitbit's knowhow, the wearable is a great activity tracker. Functions include detection and custom running plans, along with the ability to track other metrics such as Cardio Load. However, you'll need to stump up for a Fitbit Premium plan to access more in-depth coaching. Some software quirks and slight bulkiness are other drawbacks of the Pixel Watch 3. Other features include the likes of weather forecasts, calendar alerts and map directions that you can access via Google Assistant voice commands. In the end, we gave the Pixel Watch 3 a score of 84 in our review, with Engadget deputy editor Cherlynn Low calling it a "a serious smartwatch [that's] ready for the competition." Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/google-black-friday-deals-include-the-pixel-watch-3-for-a-new-low-of-280-184803582.html?src=rss

As phishing evolves, new tactics such as HTML smuggling and AI-driven personalization are making attacks harder to detect.