Hiroki Totoki, Sony's chief financial officer, said the tech giant has no plans to submit a revised offer for Paramount.

Image: Greg Lobanov/Finji Its a song that evokes the uncertainty and doubt that comes from being an artist Continue reading

You can get this refurbished 13.3 MacBook Pro on sale for $379.99 right now (reg. $979). Its a 2017 model year in grade A condition, meaning its body is in near-mint physical shape, its battery has at least 80% health, and it can upgrade to macOS Ventura. This models Intel Core i5 and 8GB of RAM are suitable for everyday tasks but obviously not intensive video editing or programming. It also has 512GB of storage, an interactive Touch Bar with Touch ID, a trackpad with Force Touch, and four Thunderbolt 3 ports.You can get this refurbished 13.3 MacBook Pro on sale for $379.99 right now (reg. $979), though prices can change at any time.

The Ring Stick Up Cam is on sale for $55 via Amazon. Thats a discount of 45 percent and is the lowest price ever for the well-regarded security camera. Last time it got this low was Prime Day, but that was only available to Prime members. Now anyone can get in on the action. This is a standard security camera, but its anything but bare-bones. Its easily mountable to just about any surface and can be moved at will. It allows for two-way communication via a proprietary app or an Echo device like the Show. People can use these same methods to check in on the camera feed. There are two versions of this security cam, and both are available with this sale. The only difference is how they are powered. One uses a removable battery pack and the other plugs into a power source. Obviously, the one with the battery pack (as seen above) is easier to mount in a variety of different locations, as theres no worrying about a nearby outlet. The plug-in version, however, will never run out of juice. These cameras will record footage and put it all in the cloud, but only with a Ring Protect Plan subscription. The plans range from $5 to $20 per month. On the downside, the two security cams lack some of the features found with the Pro model, so theres no radar detection. 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/deals/the-ring-stick-up-cam-is-down-to-its-lowest-price-yet-152949573.html?src=rss

VPN providers have long been the target of Turkish authorities. Here is what you need to know if you're struggling to evade the current Instagram ban.

Sonyreported a 10% jump in operating profit in the fiscal first quarter, beating analyst expectations.

Image: Larian Studios Thats compared to 464 people who completed it just days after Honour Mode was released Continue reading

When I was younger, security wasn't much of a concern for me; I figured if someone wanted my secondhand dining table badly enough that they'd break in, they deserved it. Now, my home requires as much preparation for vacation as I do; I want to ensure the packages dont stack up at the door, the house doesnt flood, and everything is moderately safe. This is what smart tech was built for. With a bevy of devices, you can make it easier for caregivers to check in on your home, pets and plants, but also protect you from fire, floods and break-ins and, finally, alleviate your anxiety. Smart camerasThe ability to actually see who is coming and going from your home is the ultimate anxiety buster. While it would be great if cameras deterred theft, theyre less likely to prevent it than help you with clues and evidence after. What cameras can do is help you check in on your pets, make sure caregivers are showing up, and if theyre in the house or yard. Cameras can allow you to zero in on plants indoors or out and make sure theyre okay (if youre that kind of personand I am). More importantly, cameras can tell you when there are packages sitting in front of your house, a come hither sign for theft. They also allow you to interact with people who ring the doorbell, further helping with the notion the house isnt unattended. Even if you feel sketchy about cameras in your home while youre there, you might consider hauling them out when you go out of town. I like being able to check on my dog when im not home.When it comes to smart cameras, I am something of a loyalist to these Eufy cams. eufy Security 4G LTE Cam S330, 4K Cellular Solar Security Cameras Wireless Outdoor, Pan and Tilt, 4G and Wi-Fi Duo-Mode, AI Tracking, with SIM Card and 32GB SD Card, No WiFi, No Problem $199.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $50.00 Shop Now Shop Now $199.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $50.00 Also consider these cameras: Eufy Floodlight Cam E340Eufy Solocam S340Smart locksHow many neighbors have your house keys? How often have they been lost, or has a neighbor had trouble using one? A smart lock solves all those issues. You can remotely issue codes for people, and have them specific to each person so you know who is getting in. You can cancel a code whenever you want. You can double check that the door is locked at any time. Smart locks have batteries, so if youre worried about a loss of wi-fi affecting the ability to get in, dont. Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt (Century Trim) $334.83 at Walmart $271.97 Save 0.00 Shop Now Shop Now $334.83 at Walmart $271.97 Save 0.00 Also check out this smart lock: Eufy Security Smart LockSmart lightsMost thieves know that the lights in your home are not always an indicator someone is home, and yet, simply illuminating spaces makes it harder for people to break in. Flood lights are particularly helpful outside. Using lights on a schedule is going to make it seem like there is a presence in the home, and motion-activated lights on your smart cameras or on their own are doing to help as well.If you have pets, the ability to turn lights on and off means that your pets aren't in darkness at night, and lots of animals use the lights on/off routine as a clue that it's time to get up or go to bed. Tapo TP-Link Smart Light Bulbs, 16M Colors RGBW, Dimmable, Alexa Frustration-Free Setup, A19, 60W Equivalent, 800LM CRI>90, 2.4GHz WiFi only L531E $12.99 at Amazon $24.99 Save $12.00 Shop Now Shop Now $12.99 at Amazon $24.99 Save $12.00 These smart bulbs are also worth checking out: GE CYNC Dynamic Effects A19 Color Changing Light Bulbs $29.99Smart thermostatsWith a smart thermostat, you can adjust it from the airport, so that when you get home, your house is at a reasonably comfortable temperature and you haven't wasted energy while you were away. But there are more reasons: If you have pets, the heat or A/C not working can be seriously dangerous. Even without pets, you can get a unit fixed while you're away, rather than wait to get home and suffer. Thermostats don't have to be for affecting indoor climate units, either. You can use a certain temperature or humidity threshold to activate other smart objects. If humidity skyrockets, turn on a dehumidifier. If the temperatures soar, ask the dog sitter to check water bowls more often. If there's a freeze, get someone to ice the sidewalk, etc. SwitchBot Hub 2 (2nd Generation) $58.99 at Amazon $89.99 Save $31.00 Shop Now Shop Now $58.99 at Amazon $89.99 Save $31.00 Check out these thermostats, too: Meross Smart Temperature Controller Thermostat Nest Learning Thermostat Water leak detectors and shut-off valvesAt some point, your water heater is going to die, and the only way you'll know is when it floods the room it's in. A water leak detector can tell you immediately if that happens, which allows you to send someone over. Similarly, it can tell you if water is coming in during a storm, or a plant drain isn't working, or your sink is leaking. They're cheap enough that it's worth it to stick them any place a problem can occur. Still, knowing there's a problem is only so helpful, since you need someone to deal with it. A smart shut-off valve is the killer hardware here, since it monitors water flow and can sense when to shut off the water on its own, or be activated through the app to shut off. Combine these two smart devices and you've got a powerful mitigation kit for flooding or expensive water leaks. Flume 2 Smart Home Water Monitor $223.50 at Amazon $240.90 Save $17.40 Shop Now Shop Now $223.50 at Amazon $240.90 Save $17.40 Another monitor to consider: Moen 900-006 Flo Smart Water Monitor Smart smoke detectorsEvery house must have working smoke detectors; all a smart smoke detector has over a traditional model is the ability to alert you while away. Chances are, the fire department is going to beat anyone you call and send over to the scene. But information is always helpful in understanding what's happening at home. Some of these detectors are also carbon monoxide monitors, and if you have pets, knowing this information could be critical. Google Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm $149.99 at Best Buy Shop Now Shop Now $149.99 at Best Buy Customize for your needsEvery house is differentwhat you can do to monitor home systems or maintain needs is likely specialized to your family. If you have a pool, monitoring devices and cleaning robots can ensure it's maintained. Presence sensors can tell you exactly when pets or people enter or leave a space. There are hundreds of smart sensors available and each can be used any way your creativity allows to monitor and alert you.

If you miss the colorfully profane world of Succession, a show where most characters would gladly sell their souls for power and money, then you should be watching HBO Max's Industry. While they share some similarities both come from British creators and follow a cadre of anti-heroic characters into a world of hyperwealth Industry is even more focused on the inhuman ambition that drives its characters.While Succession follows a family that's already wealthy and striving to hold onto its relevance, Industry centers on a group of twenty-somethings who are (mostly) not rich and are all desperate to prove themselves at London's renowned investment bank Pierpoint & Co. Breaking with the rampant nepotism of the Roy family, their workplace could charitably be described as meritocratic who you are doesn't matter as much as the money you bring in but it's also an obscenely toxic world devoid of morality.Our gateway to the world of Pierpoint is Harper Stern (Myha'la Herrold, Bodies Bodies Bodies), a genius trader with a dark secret (she never graduated college). As a young black American woman, she stands out from the sea of mostly white British men on the sales floor. Perhaps that's why her New Yorker boss, Eric Tao (Ken Leung, Lost), sees her as a potential protege. Harper works alongside Yasmin (Marisa Abel), the daughter of a wealthy publishing family; Gus, a gay black conservative trader; and Harry (Robert Spearing), the obligatory high achiever from a working-class background.In season three, premiering on August 11, Game of Thrones' Kit Harrington joins the cast as Henry Muck, the wealthy CEO of Lumi, a beloved green tech energy startup on the verge of an IPO. (Not to be confused with actual companies like the design studio Lumi, the piano learning gadget Lumi, or the dead packaging firm Lumi.) But, like a cross between Theranos, Solyndra and the slew of failed Obama-era green tech startups, Lumi may not entirely live up to its eco-friendly hype. Some banks would have qualms about pushing a problematic company into the stock market, but not Pierpoint its job is to make money on the IPO, not judge the long term viability of Lumi.That sort of amoral viewpoint isn't anything new for Pierpoint or its minions on Industry. From the beginning, series creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay avoided turning the series into a lecture against the investment banking world. Instead, its characters all reflect the selfish philosophy initially laid down by Wall Street's Gordon Gekko: "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good."Photo by Simon Ridgway/HBOWhile some characters voice their concerns about Lumi, Industry explores the more cynical (and arguably realistic) outcome: Just about everyone finds a way to profit from the company's potential failure except, of course, for Lumi's customers and early investors."We wanted to write about an energy company that had real world stakes that felt like it was scratching the heels a bit of the sort of bigger monopolistic competitors," Down said in an interview on the Engadget Podcast. "And then also we wanted to write about the collapse of a company like that a company which [has] really been founded to do something really good and what happens when that company goes kaput and leaves a lot of destruction in its wake."Industry started out as a show focused on interpersonal relationships between a small group of colleagues, their hedonistic night lives and Pierpoint's erosion of their humanity, but now it's scope has expanded to include the wider global economy, Britain's role in propping up failed companies and rival trading outfits.Photo by Simon Ridgway/HBO"When we started off, we were very inexperienced writers," Kay said. "We deliberately wrote about a very sealed off hermetic experience, a very universal one, which is people starting in the workplace at a certain time. [now] The stakes are higher. It's more interested in how the training floor intersects with the wider world, politics, newspapers, media, class."Beyond the inner-workings of finance and the soapy romantic lives of Industry's characters, the real draw of the show is "watching competent people be good at their jobs," as Down says. It doesn't matter if you don't understand all of the financial jargon the characters are spouting off in the first season. Like a cross between Margin Call and Michael Clayton, what makes Industry truly compelling is seeing smart people prove their brilliance repeatedly in a pressure cooker environment.For a show that seemed like a Succession clone early on, Industry has evolved into something dramatically different. Wealth and success isnt a given for anyone in the show its something they have to earn with blood, sweat and moral compromise.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/industry-tackles-the-impact-of-overhyped-tech-in-its-ambitious-third-season-170032365.html?src=rss