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Leica’s M10 Monochrom is devoted to black-and-white photography

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The new model also represents Leica dragging the design into the modern era. It’s the first Monochrom camera that can share photos directly to your phone over WiFi — if you want the most ridiculously specialized Instagram camera on Earth, you’ve got it. The M10-P roots also give the camera touchscreen controls, an extra-quiet mechanical shutter and a dedicated ISO dial.

You can buy the M10 Monochrom now, although you’ll want to think carefully about it when the new camera costs $8,295 before factoring in the M-series lenses you’ll likely be eyeing at the same time. This is meant either for pros who regularly work in black-and-white (but still need a reasonably compact camera) or well-heeled enthusiasts who’ll spare no expense to produce that vintage look.

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Why your new smart home devices won’t work, and how to fix them

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1. Why can’t I get my device to connect to my home network?

Most current Wi-Fi routers transmit using two wireless frequencies (bear with us): 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The problem is, almost all smart-home devices can use only the 2.4 GHz one, so if your phone is connected to your network on the 5 GHz band, it won’t be able to see or communicate with your brand-new smart-home device (this seems to be the most confounding issue we regularly confront). Before you plug anything in or download an app, make sure your smartphone is connected to the network your smart device will live on, and that it’s 2.4 GHz. (You can find a few security cameras and other devices that may be able to connect to a 5 GHz network, but we don’t recommend going in that direction due to issues with wireless range.)

If you still can’t get your device to connect, your Wi-Fi signal strength may be to blame. If you have areas in your home where your phone or laptop can’t connect, your new smart plug or camera won’t be able to either. If you can, move your router to a central location or consider installing a mesh router, an extender, or a repeater.

2. Do I need to download a special app?

Almost every smart device requires you to use an app to perform the setup process and sometimes to control it. Smart bulbs, smart plugs, cameras, garage-door controllers—they all use apps. The good news is, the apps are free to download. But not all devices work with both iOS and Android (and some devices may work with only certain smartphone models), so make sure the smart device is compatible with your smartphone before you buy.

Also, we say “almost every smart device” because models that work with Apple HomeKit typically do not need a separate app for setup, though you may still need an app for advanced features. (This is one of the reasons people love HomeKit so much.) The same goes for certain devices that you can set up through Amazon’s Alexa app.

3. Why does this device need my email address and a password?

Companies ask you to register an email address and a password so that you have a secure way to access your devices (they also let you know about updates and sometimes send marketing messages to you, too). Otherwise, anyone might be able to connect to and control your thermostat, say, or peek through your security cameras.

The username may be an email address, a phone number, or just a random name. (It’s never all three.) But the most important element is to use a strong password—and it’s critical to use a unique one for every single device you use. Don’t reuse the same username-and-password combo for your smart devices or anything else—as everybody knows, sites get hacked, and once your password combo is stolen from one site, it’s only a matter of time before wrongdoers try it out on another. (This is the kind of thing that has happened with Ring and Nest customers, among many others.) We think everyone should use a password manager, which can create uncrackable passwords and then store them so you don’t have to memorize anything.

4. Why is this device asking to know my location?

Using your smartphone’s location is one of the key ways you can make your smart home smart. Some systems require an address or an approximate location for setup purposes so that they can offer features such as geofencing, which can trigger things like thermostats and cameras to go on and off based on your location. Other apps can trigger lighting, sprinklers, and other devices to go on based on local weather, which requires your whereabouts.

Addresses are also essential for devices that connect to emergency services, such as security systems and smoke alarms.

Don’t like it? Both iOS and Android devices offer the option to turn off location tracking in their Settings menus. Of course, doing so means you can’t take advantage of those conveniences. Also remember that even if your lighting, cameras, and other smart-home devices aren’t tracking you, other apps and your smartphone are still doing that.

5. Why won’t the app connect to my smart device?

Device setup should be easy if you have all of the pieces—including yourself—in place. Many devices (even Wi-Fi ones) depend on a Bluetooth signal for the installation, and Bluetooth has a short range. That means your phone needs to be within a few feet of the device to initially connect to it. Once the device is all set up, you can go on your merry way and use Wi-Fi to connect remotely. (Of course, be sure you’re on your home’s 2.4 GHz network.)

If a device doesn’t have Wi-Fi built in, you may be limited by the range of Bluetooth. Some devices, such as Philips Hue smart bulbs, Ring outdoor lighting, and Lutron in-wall light switches, rely on other wireless signals; they require installing a bridge or hub to connect to them and also gain remote access.

6. Why is my brand-new device insisting I download a file?

Often when you set up a new smart-home device, the process immediately prompts you to download a software update. Don’t worry—it isn’t spyware. It’s just that in the weeks or months between when the device was manufactured and the day you’re opening its packaging in your living room, the company has made improvements—and it wants to pass those fixes on to you. Some of these updates may add new features or even critical security improvements, so download that file. Once you have everything set up, most devices will update automatically or allow you to enable automatic updates so the process will be seamless in the future.

Once your new devices are up and running, you might consider additional ways to use them or to make them work better together. We offer suggestions on getting the most out of your smart lights, how to expand your smart home with sensors, and how to keep hackers out.

This guide may have been updated by Wirecutter. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

When readers choose to buy Wirecutter’s independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commissions.

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After Math: All the shows (and games) fit to stream this season

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Three price points, two release dates, and I still can’t tell whether the two NBC shows I actually watch will still be available on Hulu or OTA. NBC’s off to a great start.

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So it’s Gilligan’s Island meets Silicon Valley but in space aboard a 5,000-passenger galactic cruiseliner? I’m intrigued. That almost makes HBO Now’s obscene $15 per month price point worth it. Almost.

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After seven years starring as The Veep, Julia Louis-Dreyfus is making the jump to Apple+. Details on her contract are still scarce and we’ll have to wait at least a year or two to see what comes of it, but given her success at HBO and NBC you can bet it’ll be hilarious.

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Facebook has TV series? When did this happen? Meh, either way, the social media giant is already scrapping its existing lineup and pivoting to the lowest common denominator of modern entertainment: unscripted reality TV.

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We may be living in the era of Peak TV but Google desperately wants you to do other stuff with your television, like us it to play video games on its new streaming gaming service, Stadia. To that end, the company is drastically expanding its lineup of titles this year.

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SpaceX successfully completes Crew Dragon launch escape test

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The recovery process is expected to complete two hours after this writing. As such, it could be a while before SpaceX learns whether or not the capsule landed properly, and whether the two humanoid test objects inside remained intact.

This was the last big test before SpaceX could put humans aboard Crew Dragon and fly them to the International Space Station. There’s still no specific date for that event, but the company can clearly breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the capsule’s earlier testing troubles weren’t symptomatic of larger issues.

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Behringer clones more well-known synths from Moog and Roland

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The RD-6, meanwhile, is a straight riff on Roland’s TR-606 drum machine. Behringer’s spin is familiar to fans of the ’80s gear on the surface and is even meant to pair with the TD-3 (a clone of the TB-303), but throws in a few helpful modern touches. You’ll find a built-in distortion unit, a depth knob on the top panel, 64-step sequencing and enough line-outs for every “voice.”

There’s no word on specific pricing or availability, but Synth Anatomy speculated that the modules will cost between $49 and $99 each like on the System 100. And when the TD-3 costs well under $200, the RD-6 could be inexpensive in its own right.

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Apple TV+ documentary series will profile Oprah, Lin-Manuel and Big Bird

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The series is executive produced by veteran R.J. Cutler, who’s also working on a Billie Eilish documentary for the service.

You can expect Dear… to reach Apple TV+ sometime in the spring. It’s not certain if this will be as big a draw as The Morning Show or Little America, but it’s clear that the tech giant’s recently installed documentary chief isn’t wasting time. TV+ will have a significant amount of non-fiction work in just a short space of time, and a lot of it will cover important cultural leaders.

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Instagram removes the IGTV button you weren’t using

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There have been a number of concessions over IGTV in the past. Instagram eventually allowed landscape videos rather than insisting on vertical clips, and it just recently enabled the option to post IGTV videos directly from the standard app. This, however, may be one of the more significant changes yet — it’s taking away convenient access to the feature.

The spokesperson didn’t say why use of the button was low. It might be a simple matter of the way people use Instagram, though. As a social network, people primarily use it to catch up with friends and share snippets of their daily lives — they’re not necessarily going to watch a five-minute professionally shot video they could probably find on YouTube. Add in the lack of revenue for creators and there aren’t many reasons to use IGTV when the usual shorter Instagram videos will do the trick.

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Lexus imagines space vehicles for humans on the Moon

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Out of the seven concepts, envisioned by five different designers, the one that got published was a motorcycle-like vehicle called Zero Gravity. While it’s supposed to be ridden like a motorbike, it doesn’t have wheels — it was designed with magnetic levitation in mind.

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Image: Karl Dujardin/Lexus

The other concepts are just as interesting, though. There’s the Lexus Cosmos that uses a lot of glass, so passengers can enjoy the view while it flies, and the Bouncing Moon Roller that looks like a high-tech gyroscope ride. The Lexus Lunar Cruiser is a multipurpose vehicle meant to provide a smooth ride even on rough lunar terrain, while the Lexus Moon Racer is a recreational vehicle with a glass bubble for a body. Finally, there’s the Lexus Lunar Mission, a vehicle meant to fly people from Earth to its faithful companion.

Of course, all of them are just concepts, and actual lunar vehicles might look a lot less exciting. It’s nice to imagine them flying and zooming around the lunar surface in the future, though, especially since it may take a long, long time before humans become a common sight on the Moon.

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Spotify may be in talks to buy culture outlet The Ringer

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We’ve asked Spotify if it can comment.

There’s no mystery as to why Spotify might buy The Ringer. As with earlier deals, this could entice more listeners to use Spotify and, theoretically, entice some to subscribe. The podcasts themselves could be lucrative. The Ringer is believed to have made $15 million through its podcasts in 2018 alone. Whatever Spotify spent to buy The Ringer might be recouped before long.

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Boeing finds another software flaw that might delay 737 Max’s return

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This may have a ripple effect on Boeing’s ability to complete testing. Wall Street Journal sources said Boeing and the FAA were supposed to run an important certification flight by the end of January, but the new bug makes it likely that this flight will be pushed to “at least” February. Boeing apparently discovered the problem last week when loading software on to the computers of a test aircraft.

The findings add to a growing string of setbacks that led to Boeing freezing 737 Max production until the aircraft is clear to resume flying. And even if the FAA approves software relatively soon, it could take a long time before existing aircraft are ready to resume business in the US (let alone in other countries). Still, officials don’t want to take any chances. Boeing’s design mistakes cost the lives of hundreds of people, and regulators will want to be sure those flaws won’t resurface.

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