X's Grokipedia is online after it briefly crashed out

Grokipedia, the encyclopedia powered by xAI's assistant Grok briefly went online Monday, before it promptly crashed. At the time of this writing, the website appears to be working, and contains more than 885,000 articles, according to a counter on its homepage . Musk, who has previously railed against Wikipedia, has described the project as a a necessary step towards the xAI goal of understanding the Universe. Musk and his allies have long claimed that Wikipedia is biased. Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales has called Musk's claims about the crowd-sourced encyclopedia factually incorrect. We are building Grokipedia @xAI . Will be a massive improvement over Wikipedia. Frankly, it is a necessary step towards the xAI goal of understanding the Universe. https://t.co/xvSeWkpALy Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 30, 2025 Musk said last week that Grokipedia's launch had been delayed in order to do more work to purge out the propaganda. Notably, some articles are nearly identical to their entries in Wikipedia, though Grokipedia doesnt contain in-line links to sources in the same format. Such entries do have a small disclaimer that the content is adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. In other cases, social media users have already spotted instances where Musks worldview is more obvious in the AI-powered encyclopedia. Here's an excerpt from the entry for university, as captured by Bluesky user Jeremy Cohen . Bluesky screenshot of a Grokipedia entry for university. Bluesky And here's a screenshot of Grokipedia's entry for Musk, which was captured by Bleusky user Miles Lee . Grokipedia entry for Elon Musk. Bluesky X didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/xs-grokipedia-is-online-after-it-briefly-crashed-out-231108836.html?src=rss

Cinemark is adding more 70mm IMAX screens ahead of Christopher Nolans The Odyssey

The movie industry has been in a tailspin for years, with many people foregoing the theatrical experience in favor of watching films at home. I get it. Going to the movies can be expensive and, lets face it, dealing with other people can be annoying (its been 10 years and Im still mad about those teenagers who would not stop giggling all the way through my first viewing of The Witch ). But theres nothing quite like going to a theater and getting lost in a great film for a couple of hours. In addition, large-scale formats are growing in popularity and theater chains are trying to accommodate moviegoers. Cinemark is installing more IMAX screens, including ones that support 70mm film projection. The company is adding such screens to its locations in Woodridge, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago); Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Rochester, New York. Its also adding four IMAX with Laser systems a 4K laser offering to other locations in the US in the coming months. Its upgrading its other 12 IMAX screens across the Americas with that tech too. According to Variety , Cinemark plans to have the new IMAX 70mm film screens set up by July 17, 2026. Thats the release date for Christopher Nolans next film, The Odyssey, which is the first theatrical release to be shot entirely in IMAX. As it stands, only 30 movie theaters on the planet can screen films in IMAX 70mm, which is Nolans preferred format . IMAX is proving popular with cinemagoers who are looking for a large-format experience that would be impossible at home (at least not without an obscene private screen). Indeed, many IMAX 70mm screenings of The Odyssey sold out a year in advance . IMAX 70mm isnt the only format with limited availability thats drawing audiences to theaters. Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another is the first movie in 60 years to be projected in the VistaVision format, but only at a few locations. The film is currently being screened in IMAX 70mm in some cinemas too. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/cinemark-is-adding-more-70mm-imax-screens-ahead-of-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey-194155824.html?src=rss

Apple's MacBook Air M4 is back on sale for $799

The Apple MacBook Air M4 laptop is back on sale for just $799 , which is one heck of a deal. This sale is for the model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It's available in multiple colorways, but the silver one inexplicably costs $899. We ranked this as our favorite Apple laptop in our list of the best MacBook computers . Heck, it's even our very favorite laptop . Full stop. The performance is exceptionally snappy, thanks to the M4 chip. We appreciated the upgraded battery life, which now lasts for around 18 hours per charge. That's well beyond a full day of work. The design is lightweight, but sturdy. This has become a hallmark for modern MacBook Air computers. The screen is both gorgeous and roomy, even though it's technically just a 13-inch panel. There's support for the P3 wide color gamut and it can reach up to 500 nits of brightness. This is a near-perfect laptop, but there are a couple of nitpicks. There's no USB-C port on the right side, limiting how users can arrange accessories on a desk. Also, the screen is capped with a 60Hz refresh rate. Another potential complication is the looming specter of the M5 chip. The company has already released the MacBook Pro M5 , so a new MacBook Air is likely coming in the nearish future. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-macbook-air-m4-is-back-on-sale-for-799-183808431.html?src=rss

Google is bringing Beam, its 3D video conferencing tech, to deployed service members

Google has teamed up with the United Service Organizations (USO) to help deployed service members stay in touch with their families in a different way. As part of a pilot program, the company is bringing Google Beam , its 3D video communication tech, to USO service centers in the US and other countries starting in 2026. Google suggests that Beam can help military families who are separated by many miles feel like they are in the same room. While family members can keep in touch with deployed loved ones through group chats and video calls, chatting via Beam could help them feel closer together, if the tech works as well as promised. We got our first look at Beam then known as Project Starline in 2021 . The holographic teleconferencing system uses 3D imaging, spatial audio and adaptive lighting to make video chats more immersive. Beam is primarily intended for enterprise clients (the first such device costs $25,000 ), but it's interesting to see Google exploring other applications for the tech. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/google-is-bringing-beam-its-3d-video-conferencing-tech-to-deployed-service-members-174500517.html?src=rss

Battlefield 6's free battle royale mode arrives on October 28

Battlefield 6 is getting a free battle royale mode on October 28 . This follows numerous leaks that have been popping up ever since the mainline game hit store shelves on October 10. It's called Battlefield: RedSec , though we don't have too many gameplay details. It's free for everyone and you don't need the full-priced game to play. That much we do know. This puts it in direct competition with Call of Duty's own free-to-play battle royale, Warzone . Eyes up. Plates on. #REDSEC arrives tomorrow at 8:00 PT / 15:00 UTC set reminder: https://t.co/xuRd1LETVr pic.twitter.com/Lpi7sufuay Battlefield (@Battlefield) October 27, 2025 We can assume some gameplay elements, as it's a battle royale. It'll likely feature players heading to a large map and battling one another until the last person is left standing. You know the drill. EA dropped a short teaser that seems to show four different classes of soldier to choose from. We don't know how or if this battle royale will interact with the main game. Warzone typically includes a story that ties into whatever's going on with Call of Duty's seasonal content drops. To that end, Season 1 of Battlefield 6 also releases on October 28. This update includes new maps, modes, vehicles, guns, attachments and cosmetic items. Battlefield: RedSec will be available for download on various gaming platforms at 11AM ET. This could end up being a pretty big hit for EA, as the main game managed to sell 7 million copies in three days . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/battlefield-6s-free-battle-royale-mode-arrives-on-october-28-174419086.html?src=rss

Federal investigators are looking into Tesla's Mad Max mode, which reportedly defies speed limits

Federal investigators who are looking into Teslas Full Self-Driving (FSD) tech have requested information from the company about the Mad Max mode it added to the system. The company has claimed that Mad Max offers higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than its Hurry speed profile . NHTSA is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told Reuters . The human behind the wheel is fully responsible for driving the vehicle and complying with all traffic safety laws. When it opened a fresh probe into FSD earlier this month, the NHTSA said the tech had induced vehicle behavior that violated traffic safety laws. Some Tesla vehicles with FSD engaged are said to have run red lights and driven against the flow of traffic. Tesla initially offered a Mad Max mode in 2018, before FSD was available. The company revived Mad Max this month and it didnt take long before there were reports of Tesla vehicles that were using the mode rolling stop signs and driving above speed limits. Earlier this year, when Tesla CEO Elon Musk was at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Trump administration initiative reportedly culled NHTSA staff . As part of that, DOGE was said to have fired three people who were part of a small team that worked on autonomous vehicle safety. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/federal-investigators-are-looking-into-teslas-mad-max-mode-which-reportedly-defies-speed-limits-170913959.html?src=rss

Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, Game 3 tonight: How to watch the 2025 MLB World Series without cable

The 2025 Fall Classic has already reached Game 3 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays . The tied-up World Series heads to Los Angeles tonight Monday, Oct. 27 at 8PM ET/5PM PT, with the Dodgers getting their turn at a home field advantage at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles . Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers are aiming to win their second consecutive championship, while Vlad Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays are eyeing their first ring since 1993. Despite Toronto's victory over Los Angeles last night, the World Series odds still favor the Dodgers ahead of Game 3. Every 2025 MLB World Series game will air on Fox and Fox Deportes. Of course, Fox is a free over-the-air channel, so any affordable digital antenna will pull in the game if you live close enough to a local affiliate. But if that's not an option, here's a full rundown of how to watch the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series, even without cable. How to watch the L.A. Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays, Game 3 You can stream Fox on any live TV streaming service that airs Fox local stations, including DirecTV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV. MLB World Series games will also be available on Fox's new streaming platform, Fox One . More ways to watch the 2025 World Series How to watch the MLB World Series from Canada: When is the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays game time? Game 3 of the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series is tonight, Oct. 27 at 8PM ET/5PM PT. What channel is playing the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays? Every game in the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays , will air on Fox and Fox Deportes. When is the 2025 World Series? Game 3 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays is scheduled for Oct. 27, 2025. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays World Series schedule All times Eastern. Series tied 1-1. Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24, 8PM ET Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25, 8PM ET Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27, 8PM ET Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 8PM ET Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 8PM ET Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 31, 8PM ET Game 7*: Saturday, Nov. 1, 8PM ET *if necessary This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/dodgers-vs-blue-jays-game-3-tonight-how-to-watch-the-2025-mlb-world-series-without-cable-153110828.html?src=rss

How to cancel your Peacock subscription

It happened again. Peacock just raised subscription prices for its Premium and Premium Plus plans. This is the third price increase in as many years. If your bank account is feeling the pain, or if you're just looking to streamline your entertainment options , you may decide it's time to take a break from NBC's flagship platform . Here's everything you need to know about canceling your Peacock subscription. How to cancel via web The simplest way to end your Peacock Premium service is if you're being billed directly by the company. You can follow the same steps in a web or mobile browser. Log in to your Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account. Click on the Profile icon. Select Account or Plans & Payments. Click on Cancel Plan. Follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation. That's pretty simple, but things get a bit more complicated if you're not in a direct-billing situation. How to cancel via third-party provider Like most modern streaming platforms, Peacock has partnerships with third-party providers like Apple and Amazon. This lets users sign up for the service through an entirely separate platform, like Prime Video. Cancelling has to also go through this third party. The general idea here is to sign into that account and find somewhere to manage billing and subscriptions, looking for Peacock. Here are specific steps for some of the more common providers. Cancel via Apple Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on your name at the top of the screen and tap Subscriptions. Select your Peacock subscription to manage and make changes. Cancel via Amazon Go to Amazon Memberships and Subscriptions using a web browser. Sign in to your Amazon account. Navigate to your Peacock subscription and select Cancel Subscription. Cancel via Google Play Go to the Google Play store using a web browser. Confirm that youre signed in to your Google account. On the top right, click your Google account icon and select Payment & Subscriptions. Click the Subscriptions tab and select your Peacock subscription. Click Manage and select Cancel subscription. Cancel via Roku On your Roku TV, highlight Peacock. Press the star (*) button. Select Manage Subscriptions. Look for Peacock and hit Cancel. How to cancel a promotional subscription Peacock is often given away by internet providers like Comcast and phone carriers, among others. These plans often start free, but that goes away after a year or so. Check the fine print to see when your gifted subscription will run out, as you'll begin getting charged the usual rate. The best way to cancel these subscriptions is via the entity that offered it in the first place. This means you'll have to call up Xfinity or Spectrum directly. A customer representative should be able to handle the cancellation. Can I pause a Peacock subscription? No, Peacock doesn't currently offer the ability to pause a subscription. The best way to effectively pause a subscription is to cancel via one of the aforementioned methods and then resubscribe at a later date. What happens after you cancel? Cancelling a Peacock subscription doesn't immediately end your service. There are no partial refunds given, so you'll have full access to the account until the next payment date. At that point, the service will revert to the free tier. This means that if you change your mind before the next pay period, it's really easy to get things going again. Just look for a Restart Subscription button somewhere on the Account page. Like most modern tech services, cancelling doesn't erase any of your data. The subscription reverts to the free tier and will live on. To permanently close an account, you have to manually fill out a request via the Privacy Web Form in the Account page. This will lead you to a website to close the account. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-cancel-your-peacock-subscription-160047090.html?src=rss

Threads introduces 'ghost' posts that disappear after 24 hours

Meta's Threads is getting its own version of ephemeral posting with a new feature the company is calling ghost posts. The temporary posts will be published within Threads' main feed like any other post, but will disappear after 24 hours. And while other users can interact with ghost posts, only the original poster will be able to view likes and replies. Instead of typical public-facing replies, replies to ghost posts will be routed directly to users' inboxes, where they can opt to respond privately. In some cases, this could also mean that replies for ghost posts are more limited than replies to normal posts, as Meta's default messaging settings limit DMs to followed accounts only (these settings can be tweaked in the Threads app). In some ways, it's not surprising Meta would add temporary posts to Threads as a way to encourage users there to share more. On Instagram, Stories are used far more than permanent grid posts. In a blog post, Meta describes the new feature as a way for people to share unfiltered thoughts and fresh takes without the pressure of permanence or polish. But ephemeral formats haven't always been successful on text-based platforms like Threads. Twitter briefly experimented with an ephemeral Stories like format it called Fleets. Then-CEO Jack Dorsey reportedly grew to despise the feature, and it was killed less than a year after it launched. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-introduces-ghost-posts-that-disappear-after-24-hours-160000228.html?src=rss

Save 50 percent on a year subscription to one of our favorite budgeting apps

Those looking for a better way to keep track of their finances should consider a budgeting app . There are dozens of them on the market now, and one of our favorites is running a discount for new subscribers. Monarch Money is offering 50 percent off annual plans right now when you use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout. With the typical yearly price being $100, this will save you $50. As mentioned before, the discount is only for new users and it can't be combined with other offers. The code only works when you sign up through the web as well. You can't redeem it through the Monarch mobile app. We feel that Monarch has a steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers and that certain aspects of the app are slightly more complex than they probably need to be. But it offers a great deal of customization and granularity , which outweighs our misgivings. On the main dashboard, you'll see your net worth along with your latest transactions, spending versus the previous month, your income so far for the month and details about upcoming bills, your investments and goals you've set. There's also a link to a month-in-review page, which offers an in-depth overview of what's been happening with your money that month. You'll also be able to take a peek at how your net worth has changed over time. Monarch can connect to your bank and track Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings accounts. It can pull in your transactions and balance history automatically and detect your recurring expenses and income. The app can even keep your car valuation up to date. While it might take a little work to set up Monarch (and you might have to tweak things here and there), it's a detailed budgeting app that can help you keep better track of your income, expenditure and net worth. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/save-50-percent-on-a-year-subscription-to-one-of-our-favorite-budgeting-apps-174011259.html?src=rss

Spotify's redesigned tvOS app brings podcast and music videos to Apple TV

Using Spotify on Apple TV might be a smoother experience going forward. Spotify has released an entirely new experience that integrates many of its mobile features to Apple TV, including managing your queue and viewing lyrics. The updated Spotify for Apple TV app also includes remote control via Connect hopefully there won't be any future issues with changing the volume . You can also use Spotify DJ, the AI-powered guide for choosing what to listen to next. If you're a big video person then there's another update for you. Apple TV will now be able to show podcast videos and let you adjust playback speed on any videos. It's good timing as Spotify recently announced that some of its podcast videos will come to Netflix in early 2026. The update also brings one of Spotify's newer ventures to Apple TV: music videos . Any Premium subscribers in one of the 97 beta markets with the feature can choose switch to video on any song that has a music video. It works just like the tool for Podcasts. All of these updates come with an entirely new interface that Spotify has created specifically for tvOS , redesigned Spotify for Apple TV should roll out for everyone by mid-November. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotifys-redesigned-tvos-app-brings-podcast-and-music-videos-to-apple-tv-143512134.html?src=rss

This Baseus magnetic power bank is on sale for only $36

If youre on the go a lot, a power bank is practically a backpack essential, and while a chunkier device is sometimes necessary for power users, if you just need something to juice up your phone you can easily stay within the realms of pocketability. Baseus Picogo 5K belongs to the latter category, and right now you can pick one up for $36, which is a record low price. While this particular accessory only made it into the others we tested section in our guide to the best MagSafe power banks for iPhone, thats only because it was slightly beaten in the slimness department by the Anker Nano . However, as we noted in the guide, the Nano doesnt have a stand, and the Picogo 5K does, so if you like to be able to prop up your phone while its charging, it might be the better pick for you. As you can probably guess from its name, Baseus power bank has a 5,000mAh capacity and is Qi2-certified. In our testing. It gave our tester iPhone 15 a 43 percent bump in battery in 42 minutes, which returned the phone to 91 percent. It has a curved design and is wrapped in soft silicone, making it easy to grip in a pinch. As a reminder, MagSafe charging is supported on iPhone 12 models and later, though youll need an iPhone 13 or later to reach the 15W charging speed on a third-party Qi2 accessory such as the one featured in this deal. If you don't need the built-in stand, Baseus has a similar magnetic power bank without it on sale for only $20. You can also upgrade to a 10K bank with the same design for only $40. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-baseus-magnetic-power-bank-is-on-sale-for-only-36-164814187.html?src=rss

AirTag deal: Grab a four-pack of Bluetooth trackers for a record-low price

Apple deals can be hard to come by, but right now you can save on one of the company's smallest (and arguably one if its most useful) gadgets. A four-pack of Apple AirTags is down to $65 right now, which is 34 percent off its usual price. That brings each AirTag in the bundle down to $16.25 each. If you're an Apple user, then the AirTag is the best Bluetooth tracker on the market for you. You can put these little discs in your wallet, in a backpack or in your luggage while you're traveling. Your AirTag's location will show up in your Find My app, powered by the vast network of iPhones, iPads and other compatible devices that receive the AirTag's Bluetooth signal. Keep in mind these only work when close enough to participating devices to be located. You can attach AirTags to just about anything thanks to an abundance of available accessories . Their built-in speakers can play a tone, triggered from your iPhone, to help you find them when the object they're affixed to is lost. On iPhone 11 and newer models, you can take advantage of the AirTag's Ultra Wideband capability and have your phone lead you right to your AirTag, complete with directional arrows on your iPhone screen. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/airtag-deal-grab-a-four-pack-of-bluetooth-trackers-for-a-record-low-price-143112388.html?src=rss

A bundle of two Blink Mini 2 cameras is on sale for only $28

If you're in the market for a budget-friendly home security camera (or even several), the Blink Mini 2 may be worth considering. A two-pack of the cameras is on sale at Amazon as the bundle has dropped from $70 to $28 . That's a discount of 60 percent, which is certainly nothing to shake at. This is also a better price than the $35 we saw for the cameras during Prime Day . Amazon recently revealed a newer version of the Blink Mini that records 2K footage, but the 1080p Blink Mini 2 can still get the job done. The Blink Mini 2 is our pick for the best budget security camera . It's easy to set up and it integrates neatly into the Alexa smart home ecosystem. While you need a Blink Subscription for cloud storage ($3 for one camera, $10 for as many as you like), you can pick up a Sync Module 2 or Sync Module XR to store Blink Mini 2 footage locally. A Blink Subscription also enables specialized detection and alerts (e.g. for people and pets) and features like periodic photo captures. The Blink Mini 2 is weather resistant, though you'll need an adapter to use it outdoors. Additionally, you can use the Mini 2 as a plug-in chime that sounds when someone presses a Blink Video Doorbell. A number of other Blink cameras and bundles are on sale at the moment. If you like the idea of the Mini 2 but want to use it outdoors, you can get two cameras with two weather-resistant adapters for only $48. Elsewhere, the latest Blink Video Doorbell is 50 percent off and down to $30 and Blink Outdoor 4 camera systems are 60 percent off, so you can grab one starting at just $32. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/a-bundle-of-two-blink-mini-2-cameras-is-on-sale-for-only-28-144258742.html?src=rss

Pick up our favorite MagSafe power bank for only $57 right now

The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) is on sale via Amazon for just $57 . This is a discount of 37 percent, which is nothing to sneeze at. The sale applies to multiple colorways. This model topped our list of the best power banks , and with very good reason. It's a workhorse that gets the job done. It includes Qi2 tech for fast wireless charging and ships with a sturdy kickstand to prop up smartphones during use. The integrated LED display makes it easy to see the battery percentage, which is always nice. The 10,000mAh battery should charge a modern iPhone nearly two times before requiring a trip to the outlet. For those not keen on wireless charging, there's a USB-C port. As for compatibility, this power bank has been optimized for Apple iPhones . It'll work with Android handsets, but the wireless charging will be disabled. That's basically the only downside here. That's not the only Anker product on sale right now. A two-pack of Anker Zolo Qi2 wireless chargers is down to only $26, and the tried-and-true Anker 313 wireless charging stand is on sale for only $14. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-our-favorite-magsafe-power-bank-for-only-57-right-now-152128684.html?src=rss

Our favorite 2025 advent calendars from Pokmon, Lego, Magna-Tiles, Funko Pop and more

Advent calendars arent just about chocolate anymore. Recent years have shown that the countdown to Christmas Day can be packed with fun surprises. Whether youre into building Lego sets, adding more minifigures to your collection or curiously intrigued by scientific experiments, advent calendars can fill that desire (and they make for great gifts, too). Each door hides a new surprise that brings a bit of joy, nostalgia or nerdy fun to the holiday season. Best advent calendars for 2025 Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/our-favorite-2025-advent-calendars-from-pokemon-lego-magna-tiles-funko-pop-and-more-120042823.html?src=rss

The best wireless workout headphones for 2025

Regardless of what kind of exercise youre into, if youre working out, youll want a pair of wireless workout headphones. They allow you to be free and untethered during a serious weight-lifting session, a 5K run, an hour at the skate park and everywhere in between where youre moving and sweating a ton. There are dozens of great wireless headphones and wireless earbud options out there, but for exercise in particular, there are additional factors to consider before picking one up like water resistance, battery life and overall comfort. At Engadget, weve tested a bunch of fitness-ready headphones and earbuds to come up with our top picks, plus some advice to consider before you pick up a pair. All of our top picks below will work in and out of the gym, so you can invest in just one pair and make those your daily driver. If youre primarily a runner, check out our list of best headphones for running . Best workout headphones for 2025 Others wireless workout headphones we tested Apple AirPods Pro 3 When it comes to running and working out, the edge that the AirPods Pro 3 have over the Pro 2, or even the top picks on our list, is built-in heart rate monitoring. That means you could go out with just your Pro 3 earbuds and your iPhone and still get heart rate information for your entire training session. But otherwise, the Pro 3 buds are just as capable as the Pro 2 when it comes to exercise. Some may prefer the soft-touch finish on our top picks to the AirPods' slick texture. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a good alternative to the Beats Fit Pro if youre a stickler for a hook design. However, they cost $50 more than the Powerbeats Fit, and the main added advantage here is built-in heart rate sensors. Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is Ankers version of the Shokz OpenFit, but I found the fit to be less secure and not as comfortable. The actual earbuds on the AeroFit Pro are noticeably bulkier than those on the OpenFit and that caused them to shift and move much more during exercise. They never fell off of my ears completely, but I spent more time adjusting them than I did enjoying them. JBL Endurance Peak 3 The most noteworthy thing about the Endurance Peak 3 is that they have the same IP68 rating as the Jabra Elite 8 Active, except they only cost $100. But, while you get the same protection here, youll have to sacrifice in other areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didnt blow me away when it came to sound quality or comfort (its hook is more rigid than those on my favorite similarly designed buds) and their charging case is massive compared to most competitors. What to look for in workout headphones Design Before diving in, its worth mentioning that this guide focuses on wireless earbuds . While you could wear over-ear or on-ear headphones during a workout, most of the best headphones available now do not have the same level of durability. Water and dust resistance, particularly the former, is important for any audio gear you plan on sweating with or taking outdoors, and thats more prevalent in the wireless earbuds world. Most earbuds have one of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The first two are the most popular. In-ears are arguably the most common, while those with hooks promise better security and fit since they have an appendage that curls around the top of your ear. Open-ear designs dont stick into your ear canal, but rather sit just outside of it. This makes it easier to hear the world around you while also listening to audio, and could be more comfortable for those who dont like the intrusiveness of in-ear buds. Water resistance and dust protection Even if a pair of headphones for working out arent marketed specifically as exercise headphones, a sturdy, water-resistant design will, by default, make them suitable for exercise. To avoid repetition, heres a quick primer on durability, or ingression protection (IP) ratings. The first digit youll see after the IP refers to protection from dust and other potential intrusions, measured on a scale from 1 to 6. The second refers to water resistance or even waterproofing, in the best cases. The ratings for water resistance are ranked on a scale of 1 to 9; higher numbers mean more protection, while the letter X means the device is not rated for protection in that regard. All of the earbuds we tested for this guide have at least an IPX4 rating, which means theres no dust protection, but the buds can withstand splashes from any direction and are sweat resistant, but probably shouldn't be submerged. For a detailed breakdown of all the possible permutations, check out this guide published by a supplier called The Enclosure Company. Active noise cancellation and transparency mode Active noise cancellation (ANC) is becoming standard on wireless earbuds, at least those above a certain price point. If youre looking for a pair of buds that can be your workout companion and serve you outside of the gym, too, noise cancelation is a good feature to have. It makes the buds more versatile, allowing you to block out the dull roar of your home or office so you can focus, or give you some solitude during a busy commute. But an earbuds ability to block out the world goes hand-in-hand with its ability to open things back up should you need it. Many ANC earbuds also support some sort of transparency mode, or various levels of noise reduction. This is important for running headphones because exercising outdoors, alongside busy streets, can be dangerous. You probably dont want to be totally oblivious to whats going on around you when youre running outside; adjusting noise cancelation levels to increase your awareness will help with that. Stronger noise cancelation might be more appealing to those doing more indoor training if they want to block out the dull roar of a gym or the guy exaggeratingly lifting weights next to you. Battery life All of the Bluetooth earbuds we tested have a battery life of six to eight hours. In general, thats what you can expect from this space, with a few outliers that can get up to 15 hours of life on a charge. Even the low end of the spectrum should be good enough for most athletes and gym junkies, but itll be handy to keep the buds charging case on you if you think youll get close to using up all their juice during a single session. Youll get an average of 20 to 28 extra hours of battery out of most charging cases and all of the earbuds we tested had holders that provided at least an extra 15 hours. This will dictate how often you actually have to charge the device as in physically connect the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wireless charger to power up. How we test workout headphones In testing wireless workout headphones, I wear them during every bit of exercise I do be it a casual walk around the block, a brisk morning run or a challenging weight-lifting session. Im looking for comfort arguably most of all, because you should never be fussing with your earbuds when you should be focusing on working out. In the same vein, Im cognizant of if they get loose during fast movements or slippery when Im sweating. I also use the earbuds when not exercising to take calls and listen to music throughout the day. Many people will want just one pair of earbuds that they can use while exercising and just doing everyday things, so I evaluate each pair on their ability to be comfortable and provide a good listening experience in multiple different activities. While I am also evaluating sound quality, Im admittedly not an audio expert. My colleague Billy Steele holds that title at Engadget, and youll find much more detailed information about audio quality for some of our top picks in his reviews and buying guides. With these headphones for working out, however, I will make note of related issues if they stood out (i.e. if a pair of earbuds had noticeably strong bass out of the box, weak highs, etc). Most of the wireless workout headphones we tested work with companion apps that have adjustable EQ settings, so youll be able to tweak sound profiles to your liking in most cases. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-wireless-workout-headphones-191517835.html?src=rss

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Review | One of the most complete foldable phones

Building on the foundation of last years Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold refines nearly every aspect, from design and performance to AI integration, making it Googles most mature foldable yet

Lava launches Shark 2 4G smartphone for entry segment buyers in India

Lava has used a 5,000 mAh battery in the Shark 2 4G with a 10W Type-C charger included in the box

OpenAI is reportedly working on an AI music-generation tool

According to a report from The Information , OpenAI is interested in developing a tool that could generate music from text and audio prompts, and has been working with students from The Juilliard School to help with creating training data. The company envisions something that could be used to generate guitar accompaniment for a vocal track, for example, or to add music to videos, sources with knowledge of the project told the publication. There's no word on how far into these efforts OpenAI is. According to one source that spoke to The Information , OpenAI enlisted the Juilliard students to annotate music scores, which could be used to train the AI. It wouldn't be the first time the company has explored music-generating AI , and it's something we're seeing more and more of elsewhere with other startups, like Suno and ElevenLabs , launching their own versions. AI spam is already cluttering up streaming platforms and, lest we forget, there was the whole The Velvet Sundown debacle . It's only the beginning. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-is-reportedly-working-on-an-ai-music-generation-tool-204208186.html?src=rss

CBP will photograph non-citizens entering and exiting the US for its facial recognition database

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) submitted a new measure that allows it to photograph any non-US citizen who enters or exits the country for facial recognition purposes . According to a filing with the government's Federal Register, CBP and the Department of Homeland Security are looking to crack down on threats of terrorism, fraudulent use of travel documents and anyone who overstays their authorized stay. The filing detailed that CBP will implement an integrated, automated entry and exit data system to match records, including biographic data and biometrics, of aliens entering and departing the United States. The government agency already has the ability to request photos and fingerprints from anyone entering the country, but this new rule change would allow for requiring photos of anyone exiting as well. These photos would create galleries of images associated with individuals, including photos taken by border agents, and from passports or other travel documents, according to the filing, adding that these galleries would be compared to live photos at entry and exit points. These new requirements are scheduled to go into effect on December 26, but CBP will need some time to implement a system to handle the extra demand. According to the filing, the agency said a biometric entry-exit system can be fully implemented at all commercial airports and sea ports for both entry and exit within the next three to five years. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/cbp-will-photograph-non-citizens-entering-and-exiting-the-us-for-its-facial-recognition-database-184557905.html?src=rss

Apple is reportedly getting ready to introduce ads to its Maps app

Opening Apple's Maps app just for directions may look a little different in the near future. According to Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to introduce ads to Maps as soon as next year. While it won't be as annoying as unskippable YouTube ads, Apple wants to offer better visibility on Maps to restaurants and businesses that are willing to pay. When looking for a new restaurant or relevant business, you may already be used to seeing ads on Google Maps or Yelp that highlight certain establishments. However, Gurman said that Apple is planning to lean on AI for better search results and offer a better interface than Google Maps. The introduction of ads across Apple's iOS ecosystem shouldn't be surprising since Gurman previously reported Apple's interest back in 2022. On top of that, Apple already offers ad slots within the App Store where developers can pay to appear in a more visible position for user searches. Beyond Maps, Apple could be looking at infusing ads into its News, Books, Podcasts and other apps to generate more revenue. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-is-reportedly-getting-ready-to-introduce-ads-to-its-maps-app-170654072.html?src=rss

Google's Gemini will now generate presentations for you

Google is rolling out out a new feature for Gemini's Canvas, the free interactive workspace inside the AI chatbot's app, meant for students and employees who need to create presentations. Gemini is now capable of generating slides with just a prompt, though users can also upload files like documents, spreadsheets and research papers if they want a presentation based on a specific source. If the source doesn't matter, users can write a prompt, such as Upload any source to create a presentation on [a specific topic], for instance. But if the source is essential, they can upload the file first and then ask Gemini to create the presentation for them. 5/ Up your presentation game in Canvas Upload any source to create entire decks with images and data visualization. Export to Google Slides to add any finishing touches. Rolling out to Pro subscribers today and to Free users in the coming weeks pic.twitter.com/70qercWf4E Google Gemini App (@GeminiApp) October 24, 2025 The resulting decks already have a theme and images attached with the text. Users will be able to export them straight from the Gemini app into Google Slides, though, and will still be able to edit and refine the decks as needed or work on it in collaboration with a teammate. The capability is now making its way to both personal and Workspace accounts. Google launched Canvas in March for people to use when they want to share their writing or code to Gemini for editing. If users put in code or prompts for projects like apps, web pages and infographics, Canvas will be able to show them a visual representation of their design. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-gemini-will-now-generate-presentations-for-you-010040637.html?src=rss

Superhero workplace comedy, more powerwashing and other new indie games worth checking out

Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. It's been a packed week with lots of tasty new games arriving, and news and reveals of upcoming projects. So, let's take a look at a bunch of them. Before we get started though, Engadget senior editor Jessica Conditt spoke with Maxi Boch, one of the core trio behind Baby Steps , about how the game came together . Boch offered some fascinating insights into the games development process (which started in 2019), especially on the audio side. New releases Dispatch is a superhero workplace comedy from AdHoc Studio, a team that includes former Telltale Games developers. It adopts the narrative-heavy, dialogue-driven gameplay of Telltale's games, with your choices having a bearing on how everything plays out. Dispatch has a packed cast as well, as it includes the likes of Aaron Paul, Laura Bailey and Jeffrey Wright. I really dug the demo, so I'm hoping to carve out some time to play Dispatch soon. As with many of Telltale's games, AdHoc Studio went with an episodic approach for this one, but the developer is releasing them on a weekly basis. The first two episodes of Dispatch are out now on PS5 and Steam , and reviewers' impressions so far are generally positive. We've got a trio of titles that just hit Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass to talk about, including PowerWash Simulator 2 . I don't typically listen to music or podcasts while I'm playing games. I prefer to listen to the game audio and I'm a terrible multitasker, anyway. However, I did catch up on a bunch of podcast episodes while playing the original PowerWash Simulator . I'm looking forward to doing that once again while blissfully ignoring IRL chores as I blast away virtual gunk with a pressure washer. More of the same, but better is exactly what I wanted from PowerWash Simulator 2 , so I was very glad to read some reviews indicating that's the case. As well as Xbox Series X/S , this sequel from FuturLab is also available on Steam , Epic Games Store , PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 . Next up, we have a surprise Game Pass addition as Pacific Drive arrived on the Ultimate, Premium and PC tiers without prior warning this week. It wasnt available on Xbox at all until now. Pacific Drive turns the title of Netflix's F1 docuseries into an actual drive to survive horror game. You'll roam the Pacific Northwest in a station wagon to search for parts to upgrade your vehicle and stay alive. Ironwood Studios and publisher Kepler Interactive brought Pacific Drive to Xbox on the same day they released an expansion called Whispers in the Woods . The game (and DLC) is also available on PS5 and Steam . I've been meaning to play Pacific Drive for a while but, as always, there are too many games and not enough time to check everything out. Perhaps I'll finally try this now that it's on Game Pass, but I might just end up waiting for the TV show instead. Here's something interesting from DinoGod and publisher Annapurna Interactive. Bounty Star is a blend of mech action game, farming sim and base builder. As war veteran Clem, you'll try to become a force for good in a post-post-apocalyptic version of the American Southwest. I'm interested to see how the core aspects of Bounty Star play off each other as you take care of your homestead and hunt down bounties in your mech (which you can customize). It's out now on PS5 , Xbox Series X/S , Steam and Epic Games Store . Bounty Star is on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass too. Ila: A Frosty Glide is a chill, 3D platform adventure from Magic Rain Studios and publisher First Break Labs. As a young witch-in-training named Ila, you'll explore a snowy mountainous island while searching for your missing cat. My favorite thing about the game, at least based on the trailer and what I've read, is that instead of a broom, Ila uses a skatebroom to get around. It's a skateboard and a flying broomstick in one! I'd like one of those. As it happens, developers talo and Yesenia met while skateboarding. They started making games with skateboarding elements a few years later. Ila: A Frosty Glide is out now on Steam , Epic Games Store , Xbox Series X/S , PS5 and Nintendo Switch . After reading one sentence of a pitch for The Bench, I was sold: In The Bench , you played as a retired secret agent on one last mission: escaping the retirement home and unfolding a pigeon conspiracy. Wonderful stuff, there. As said pensioner, you'll amass a flock of customizable pigeons to help you during your adventure as you explore some parks. Along the way, you'll solve puzzles, play bowls and chess, doodle in your notebook, play pranks and go fishing. The Bench from Voxel Studios and Noovola Publishing is out now on Steam . I hope I don't have to wait until I'm retired to have time to play it. Upcoming No More Robots unveiled two games this week, and one of them is a step in an (almost) entirely new direction for the publisher of Descenders Next and Little Rocket Lab . It's now making games internally, and the first one to see the light of day is Cruise Control . This is a cruise liner management sim in which you'll try to make your guests happy by fulfilling their needs and wants. It looks quite charming. I'm a big fan of the oversized bingo cage device. This is actually the third game No More Robots has worked on in-house, but it's the first one that the company has unveiled. The publisher noted that Cruise Control isn't quite ready. Still, playtests should start later this year ahead of an early 2026 release. The other upcoming game No More Robots showed off is Thank You For Your Application from IceLemonTea Studio. Here, you'll review job candidates' resumes and make decisions whether to bring them on board based on the hiring company's criteria. This has an air of Papers, Please and No More Robots' own Not Tonight series about it you'll have to deal with bills, rent and otherwise managing your life too. It also seems quite timely given that the job application process is now so onerous for many people. Thank You For Your Application will arrive in 2026 and there's a demo available on Steam now. Finite Reflection Studios, the developer of last year's acclaimed Void Sols , has revealed its next game. Mouseward is another Soulslike, but it's one in the vein of '90s collectathon platformers like Banjo-Kazooie . As a reincarnated Royal Mouse Guard, you set out to save the kingdom from a curse. I love the aesthetic here. There's no release window for Mouseward as yet. It's coming to Steam and you can play an early build on Itch right now. Speaking of games inspired by '90s platformers, there's danger that Windswept could become my entire personality for a spell. It's coming to Steam , Nintendo Switch , PS4, PS5 , Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on November 11. Windswept from WeatherFell and publisher Top Hat Studios is a precision platformer which sees animal buddies Marbles (a duck) and Checkers (a turtle) trying to get back home after a storm whisks them away. The 40-plus stages are full of collectibles and have secrets for you to discover. The glimpses of levels where you have to navigate sticky walls and ceilings, thorny brambles and pirate ship masts are very reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country 2 . I'm not exactly complaining though, as that's one of my favorite games of all time. We've known for a while that a beat-'em-up based on the splatterfest movie series Terrifier was on the way and now we have a release date. Unfortunately, it's not coming your way in time for Halloween, but you will be able to gingerly set foot into Terrifier: The ARTcade Game on November 21. Yes, yes, even Art the Clown is in Fortnite now, but you can also play as the brutal killer in his own game from Relevo and publisher Selecta Play. There's support for local co-op for up to four players (and you can turn on each other, if you like. Terrifier fans will probably be pleased that they can use weapons like chainsaws and cleavers to cause bloody carnage. Terrifier: The ARTcade Game is bound for Steam , PS5 , Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/superhero-workplace-comedy-more-powerwashing-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-230000337.html?src=rss

Here's our first look at the Paranormal Activity game from the maker of The Mortuary Assistant

A teaser shared at the end of the Indie Horror Showcase this week gives us a better idea of what the upcoming found footage Paranormal Activity game will be like. In the short trailer for Paranormal Activity: Threshold , we're introduced to an unfortunate couple who has purchased a home that not only needs some serious work, but is also very much haunted. Cue creepy faces appearing in doorways and around corners. While yet another installation in the Paranormal Activity franchise may not be what everyone is clamoring for, the fact that Threshold is being developed by solo dev Brian Clarke (DarkStone Digital), the creator of The Mortuary Assistant , is pretty promising. Per the game's Steam page, you'll be able to Play in multiple timelines; hunt and communicate with entities; perform demonic rituals to alter your fate; and discover multiple endings and expand the story. Each playthrough will be unique, thanks to the Paranormal Engine, it adds. As of now, there's no release date, but you can wishlist it on Steam. It was previously said the game would be released in 2026 on multiple platforms, but the Steam page only says it's coming soon. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/heres-our-first-look-at-the-paranormal-activity-game-from-the-maker-of-the-mortuary-assistant-210657767.html?src=rss

Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, Game 2 tonight: How to watch the 2025 MLB World Series without cable

The League Championship Series are history, and the final two teams have emerged: The 2025 Fall Classic will see the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Toronto Blue Jays . Game 2 of the 2025 MLB World Series begins tonight Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8PM ET/5PM PT, with the Blue Jays getting the initial home field advantage at Rogers Centre, Toronto for the second night in a row. Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers are aiming to win their second consecutive championship, while Vlad Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays are eyeing their first ring since 1993. Despite Toronto's victory over Los Angeles last night, the World Series odds still favor the Dodgers ahead of Game 2. Every 2025 MLB World Series game will air on Fox and Fox Deportes. Of course, Fox is a free over-the-air channel, so any affordable digital antenna will pull in the game if you live close enough to a local affiliate. But if that's not an option, here's a full rundown of how to watch the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series, even without cable. How to watch the L.A. Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays, Game 2 You can stream Fox on any live TV streaming service that airs Fox local stations, including DirecTV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV. MLB World Series games will also be available on Fox's new streaming platform, Fox One . More ways to watch the 2025 World Series When is the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays game time? Game 1 of the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series begins on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8PM ET/5PM PT. The Blue Jays are hosting the first two games of the series at Rogers Centre, Toronto . What channel is playing the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays? Every game in the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays , will air on Fox and Fox Deportes. When is the 2025 World Series? Game 1 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 24. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays World Series schedule All times Eastern Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24, 8PM ET Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25, 8PM ET Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27, 8PM ET Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 8PM ET Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 8PM ET Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 31, 8PM ET Game 7*: Saturday, Nov. 1, 8PM ET *if necessary This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/dodgers-vs-blue-jays-game-2-how-to-watch-the-2025-mlb-world-series-without-cable-133403240.html?src=rss

Blumhouse is adapting Something is Killing the Children for a live-action film and animated series

The hit horror comic series Something is Killing the Children is headed to the big (and small) screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter , Blumhouse is developing a live-action movie and adult animated series based on the comics. There are no details yet on the release timeline or casting. Something is Killing the Children , created by writer James Tynion IV and illustrator Werther DellEdera, follows monster hunter Erica Slaughter in a reality where monsters exist and only children can see them. While it was announced back in 2023 that Netflix would be developing a TV series based on the comic and helmed by Dark creators Baran Bo Odar and Jantje Friese (which could have been awesome, honestly), that plan was scrapped last year, according to THR . It's a big week for comics I love getting the TV/film treatment, and I am cautiously hyped (emphasis on cautious); the SIKTC news comes on the heels of the announcement that Charles Burns' Black Hole is being adapted for a Netflix series by Jane Schoenbrun ( I Saw the TV Glow , We're All Going to the World's Fair ). Fingers crossed that they dont suck! This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/blumhouse-is-adapting-something-is-killing-the-children-for-a-live-action-film-and-animated-series-192540134.html?src=rss

Relive the Commodore 64's glory days with a slimmer, blacked-out remake

The Commodore 64 is back in black, sort of. Retro Games and Plaion Replai released a limited edition redesign of the best-selling computer, called THEC64 - Black Edition . Like its name suggests, the console is a modernized version of the classic Commodore 64 in an all-black shell. THEC64 - Black Edition will come with 25 pre-installed games, but unlike the company's previous consoles, this one will feature neo-retro games from C64 developers who have designed new games on the old-school architecture. Once you finish all the new titles like Sam's Journey , A Pig Quest and Hessian , you can plug in your own USB drive to play custom games. According to Retro Games, the updated redesign comes with four save slots per game, plug-and-play HDMI compatibility and a USB joystick. If you want THEC64 - Black Edition to feel more like the original Commodore 64, you can plug in a keyboard through the USB port. However, Retro Games also designed a non-mini THEC64 that has a fully functional keyboard. The latest blacked-out version is now available on Amazon or Retro Games' website for $119.99. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/relive-the-commodore-64s-glory-days-with-a-slimmer-blacked-out-remake-181259874.html?src=rss

Chinese startup shows off a dancing humanoid robot that starts at $1,400

For roughly the same price as a flagship smartphone , you could instead buy an affordable humanoid robot that's meant for consumer and educational use. Noetix Robotics, a Beijing-based startup, revealed its Bumi robot that's priced at nearly 10,000 yuan, or around $1,400. Unlike higher-end robots, the inexpensive Bumi stands at around three feet tall and weighs about 26 lbs. You won't find Noetix's latest robot on assembly lines or in research labs, especially since early demos only show Bumi walking around and dancing. According to a TechNode report , Bumi will offer a programming interface that allows for learning or creative tasks. The report also noted that Noetix is planning to put the Bumi up for preorders later this year. Before the Bumi, Noetix Robotics showed off its expertise by competing in the world's first half-marathon for robots with its N2 model, which was one of four robotic competitors that completed the race. At such a low price point, Bumi beats out another relatively affordable option that was announced earlier this year. In the summer, Unitree showed off its R1 robot that starts at $5,900 and could handle complex tasks. While the Bumi sets a new price tag to beat, both Noetix and Unitree are offering more affordable options than Tesla's Optimus bot , which had an early price estimate of around $20,000. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chinese-startup-shows-off-a-dancing-humanoid-robot-that-starts-at-1400-174010960.html?src=rss

Shuttered robot vacuum maker Neato is ending cloud services sooner than planned

Starting soon, Neato robovac owners will no longer be able to control their devices using the app. Neato Robotics, which shut down in 2023 due to declining sales, has notified customers that cloud services are being phased out during Q4 2025, according to an email obtained by The Verge . While Neato's parent company Vorwerk Group initially said cloud support would continue for at least five years following its closure, the email now says cybersecurity standards, compliance obligations, and regulations have advanced in ways that make it no longer possible to safely and sustainably operate these legacy systems. This doesn't mean existing Neato products will be completely bricked there's still the option to start them manually by pressing a button but they won't offer all the smart home conveniences expected from a robovac that cost hundreds of dollars. Without use of the app, customers won't be able to set cleaning schedules, remotely start the vacuums or assign No-go zones. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/shuttered-robot-vacuum-maker-neato-is-ending-cloud-services-sooner-than-planned-171604823.html?src=rss

How to cancel your Spotify subscription

Spotify recently came under fire for running recruitment ads for ICE, which ask users to join the mission to protect America and to fulfill [their] mission, in the US. Despite music labels calling on the streaming service to stop serving ICE recruitment ads, Spotify doubled down. A spokesperson for the company told The Independent that the ads are part of a broad campaign by the US government running across different channels and that they do not violate its policies. The spokesperson advised users to just mark ads with a thumbs up or down so that the app can learn their preferences. In addition, several artists have pulled their music from Spotify recently over its CEO's, Daniel EK's, investments in European defense tech firm Helsing. The defense company builds drones, aircraft and submarines, and it also sells AI software that can analyze sensor and weapons data from battlefields. Spotify has been facing backlash for its payout rates , which artists argue are unfair and lower than what other services pay, over the past few years as well. So if you want to cancel Spotify, whether for any those reasons or another one altogether, you can follow the instructions below. How to cancel via web: 1. Log into your Spotify account in your browser. 2. Go to Account in the dropdown menu that shows up when you click on your Profile. 3. Find Cancel Subscription under the Subscription section. 4. Spotify will tell you that you'll hear ads every 15 minutes on a free account, along with the date when your premium access will end. Click Continue to cancel at the bottom of the screen. If you're on mobile, make sure to request the desktop site after you log into your account on your mobile browser. Take note that if you're part of a Spotify Family or Duo plan, only the plan manager will be able to cancel your subscription altogether. If you follow the same steps above as a member, you'll only remove your account from the plan, but the manager will continue paying for it. How to cancel via third-party provider: If you pay for your subscription through third-party providers, you can follow these instructions instead. Cancel via Google 1. Fire up the Google Play app and tap on the icon for the account you use. 2. Go to Payments & subscriptions. 3. Tap on Subscriptions. 4. Find Spotify among your subscriptions and tap on it. 5. Tap on Cancel Subscription at the bottom of the screen, select a reason for cancellation and confirm it. Cancel via Apple 1. Go to Settings in your iPhone or iPad. 2. Tap on your name and go to Subscriptions. 3. Find Spotify and go through the cancellation process. Cancel via carrier Instructions for this may vary, depending on your carrier. Generally, however, you can follow these steps. 1. Log into your carrier account on its website. 2. Find the option to manage your subscriptions under your account. 3. Find Spotify and go through the cancellation process. What happens after you cancel You'll still have access to Spotify's premium features until your next billing cycle begins. That means you still won't encounter ads and will have access to offline downloads, as well as unlimited skips and higher audio quality. You'll be able to access your Spotify library even with a free account, but if you want to find another streaming service to pay for, you can check Engadget's list of best music streaming services in 2025 . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/how-to-cancel-your-spotify-subscription-133022215.html?src=rss

How to unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone

If youre moving on to a new Apple Watch , selling your current one or fixing some software hiccups, youll probably need to disconnect it from your iPhone. Apple calls this unpairing; its the step that wipes your watch, breaks the connection to your phone and removes Activation Lock so the next person can use it. The good news is that unpairing is straightforward whether you have your iPhone nearby or not. Heres how it works, along with why you might want to disconnect your watch in the first place. How to disconnect Apple Watch using your iPhone The simplest way to unpair your Apple Watch is through your iPhone. Keep your iPhone and Apple Watch close together. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Navigate to the My Watch tab, then All Watches at the top. Tap the info button next to the watch you want to disconnect. Select Unpair Apple Watch , then select Unpair [your Apple Watch name]. If you have a cellular model, choose whether to keep or remove your cellular plan. Remove it if youre selling or giving away the watch. Keep it if you plan to pair it again later Enter your Apple Account password when asked to turn off Activation Lock, then select Unpair . Your iPhone will create a backup before erasing the watch. When you set up a new Apple Watch, you can choose to restore from that backup and carry on with your data and settings intact. How to disconnect Apple Watch without your iPhone If you dont have your paired iPhone with you, you can still reset your Apple Watch directly. This will wipe your data, but wont create a backup and Activation Lock will remain, so keep that in mind if you want to save your information. On your Apple Watch, open Settings . Select General, then scroll down and select Reset . Select Erase All Content and Settings . Enter your passcode if prompted. For cellular models, choose whether to keep or remove your plan. Your watch will erase itself and restart as if it were brand new. Why you should disconnect your Apple Watch There are a few reasons you might want to unpair your Apple Watch. Maybe youre upgrading to a new model and need to start fresh. Maybe youre trading it in, selling it or handing it down to someone else. You might also need to disconnect your watch if youre troubleshooting. Sometimes a clean reset is the easiest way to fix syncing issues, missed notifications or fitness data that isnt updating. Whatever the reason, unpairing keeps your data safe, makes sure a backup is stored and disables Activation Lock. That last step is important because if you skip it, the next owner wont be able to use the watch. What happens to your data when you disconnect your Apple Watch? When you unpair your Apple Watch using your iPhone, the watch creates a backup that includes app data, settings and most health and fitness information. This backup is stored on your iPhone and will transfer to iCloud if you have backups turned on. That makes it easy to restore everything on a new watch. If you reset from the watch without your iPhone, a backup is not created. Your data will be erased and the watch will be wiped clean, but Activation Lock remains. Activation Lock is tied to your Apple Account and helps keep your watch secure if its lost or stolen. It turns on automatically when you pair your watch with your iPhone. Thats why unpairing isnt the same as a simple reset. You need the Apple Account and password associated with the watch to turn off Activation Lock. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/how-to-unpair-your-apple-watch-from-your-iphone-120052222.html?src=rss

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a remake of the original story, coming to Xbox, PC and PS5 in 2026

Before theres a new Halo game, Halo Studios is revisiting the past. Xbox has announced Halo: Campaign Evolved , a remake of the first game in the storied shooter series, Halo: Combat Evolved, developed by Halo Studios and coming to Xbox, PC and PS5 in 2026. Halo: Campaign Evolved is described as a faithful yet modernized remake of the first games campaign, with updated visuals and cinematics, refined controls and three brand-new prequel missions featuring the Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson. The game will feature new weapons, vehicles and enemies, along with the all-important option for two-player splitscreen co-op on console. The game will also support cross-platform play with PS5 for the first time, and four-player online co-op between consoles and PC. Notably, Campaign Evolved is built in Unreal Engine 5. Halo Studios announced it would focus on Unreal development when it rebranded from 343 Industries in 2024. Besides the new visuals and controls, the remake will also include tweaks to memorable missions from the original game as a way to better onboard new players into Halos world. We wanted to start where it all began, with the original campaign that defined Halo, producer Damon Conn said in the blog post announcing the game. Starting here means people that have never played the game before will be able to understand the story from the very beginning, and that can help us chart a course forward with new Halo stories. Halo: Campaign Evolved will be available in 2026 for Xbox Series X / S, PS5 and PC. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/halo-campaign-evolved-is-a-remake-of-the-original-story-coming-to-xbox-pc-and-ps5-in-2026-203913552.html?src=rss

Mouse: P.I. for Hire arrives in March 2026

We finally have a release date for Mouse: P.I. for Hire . The delightfully animated game, which marks Troy Baker's first time playing a rodent private eye, is slated for March 19, 2026. Based on its trailers, you'd be forgiven for viewing Mouse: P.I. for Hire as Cuphead meets Doom . Although it does include FPS action, Engadget's Jessica Conditt discovered surprising depth behind its whimsical brutality . The game has more to offer than shock-value cartoon violence, she wrote. This is a clue-gathering, photo-snapping, girlfriend-avenging, noir detective simulator that happens to star a bunch of slick-talking mice and rats, and I'm fully into it. Baker plays Private Investigator Jack Pepper , the game's protagonist. When he isn't hunting clues or sneaking around during the game's quieter moments, he'll have a delightful arsenal on hand. This includes wacky ones like a turpentine gun that melts the inked skin of your foes. Fun stuff. Like Cuphead , Mouse 's most obvious point of comparison, it uses hand-drawn frames to recreate that old-school style. It also deploys an original jazz soundtrack recorded by an orchestral ensemble. It's all presented in a gritty, film noir aesthetic. You can check out the release date trailer below. Mouse: P.I. for Hire will launch next March on PC, Switch 2, Switch, PS5/4, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/mouse-pi-for-hire-arrives-in-march-2026-195454228.html?src=rss

WordPress co-founder files countersuit against WP Engine over trademark violations

There's been another turn in Automattic and WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenwegs ongoing legal battle with WordPress provider WP Engine. In a counterclaim Automattic filed as part of WP Engine's lawsuit against the company, it claims investment from private equity firm Silver Lake led WP Engine to violate its trademarks and fail to contribute to the open-source WordPress project. Automattic believes that following a $250 million investment from Silver Lake, which gave the firm a controlling interest in WP Engine, the hosting provider sought to inflate its valuation and engineer a quick, lucrative exit. It allegedly did that, per the counterclaim , by describing itself as the WordPress Technology Company and allowing its partners to refer to it as WordPress Engine, violations of the WordPress trademark. Automattic claims products WP Engine released like Core WordPress and Headless WordPress further obfuscated the companys role, while WP Engine also failed to commit a promised five percent of its resources to support the WordPress project. The counterclaim goes on to say that Automattic and Mullenweg tried to work out these issues with WP Engine by offering a fair trademark license, but the company only pretended to engage in licensing discussions, while actually delaying any kind of agreement because it would impact its earnings. Keeping earnings up was important to WP Engine because Silver Lake was allegedly trying to sell WP Engine at a $2 billion valuation, and had even made overtures to Automattic about it. A WP Engine spokesperson provided the following statement to Engadget: WP Engines use of the WordPress trademark to refer to the open-source software is consistent with longstanding industry practice and fair use under settled trademark law, and we will defend against these baseless claims. Auttomatics countersuit tells a different story than the one WP Engine spun in its original lawsuit against the company, which accused Mullenweg of abuse of power, extortion and greed. WP Engine's original complaint claimed that Automattic asked the company for eight percent of its monthly revenue as a royalty payment. Mullenweg's attempts to punish WP Engine were seen as so aggressive at the time that over 100 Automattic employees voluntarily left the company in response. WP Engine won a preliminary injunction in response to its lawsuit, but it seems like the story might be more complicated than it originally appeared. Update, October 24, 3:35PM ET: Clarified Automattics relationship to open-source WordPress. The company is not WordPress creator. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/wordpress-co-founder-files-countersuit-against-wp-engine-over-trademark-violations-182123619.html?src=rss

Surprising no one, researchers confirm that AI chatbots are incredibly sycophantic

We all have anecdotal evidence of chatbots blowing smoke up our butts, but now we have science to back it up. Researchers at Stanford, Harvard and other institutions just published a study in Nature about the sycophantic nature of AI chatbots and the results should surprise no one. Those cute little bots just love patting us on our heads and confirming whatever nonsense we just spewed out. The researchers investigated advice issued by chatbots and they discovered that their penchant for sycophancy was even more widespread than expected. The study involved 11 chatbots, including recent versions of ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Anthropic's Claude and Meta's Llama. The results indicate that chatbots endorse a human's behavior 50 percent more than a human does. They conducted several types of tests with different groups. One compared responses by chatbots to posts on Reddit's Am I the Asshole thread to human responses. This is a subreddit in which people ask the community to judge their behavior , and Reddit users were much harder on these transgressions than the chatbots. But there's a darker side MIT researchers used Reddit's Am I The Asshole? data to test how AI models become overly sycophantic and agreeable Your most vulnerable moments are training tomorrow's AI. pic.twitter.com/vRgYSjudGh anarchy.build (@anarchy_build) July 19, 2025 One poster wrote about tying a bag of trash to a tree branch instead of throwing it away, to which ChatGPT-4o declared that the person's intention to clean up after themself was commendable. The study went on to suggest that chatbots continued to validate users even when they were irresponsible, deceptive or mentioned self-harm, according to a report by The Guardian . What's the harm in indulging a bit of digital sycophancy? Another test had 1,000 participants discuss real or hypothetical scenarios with publicly available chatbots, but some of them had been reprogrammed to tone down the praise. Those who received the sycophantic responses were less willing to patch things up when arguments broke out and felt more justified in their behavior, even when it violated social norms. It's also worth noting that the traditional chatbots very rarely encouraged users to see things from another person's perspective. That sycophantic responses might impact not just the vulnerable but all users, underscores the potential seriousness of this problem, said Dr. Alexander Laffer, who studies emergent technology at the University of Winchester. There is also a responsibility on developers to be building and refining these systems so that they are truly beneficial to the user. A study found 33% of teenagers use AI chatbots for companionship, conversation practice, and romance They found talking to AI easier than talking to real people and use it for emotional support pic.twitter.com/AbCZbv6tpK Dexerto (@Dexerto) July 26, 2025 This is serious because of just how many people use these chatbots. A recent report by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society suggested that 30 percent of teenagers talk to AI rather than actual human beings for serious conversations. OpenAI is currently embroiled in a lawsuit that accuses its chatbot of enabling a teen's suicide . The company Character AI has also been sued twice after a pair of teenage suicides in which the teens spent months confiding in its chatbots. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/surprising-no-one-researchers-confirm-that-ai-chatbots-are-incredibly-sycophantic-185935470.html?src=rss

WordPress creator files countersuit against WP Engine over trademark violations

There's been another turn in WordPress creator Automattic's ongoing legal battle with WordPress provider WP Engine. In a counterclaim Automattic filed as part of WP Engine's lawsuit against the company, the WordPress creator claims investment from private equity firm Silver Lake led WP Engine to violate its trademarks and fail to contribute to the open-source WordPress project. Automattic believes that following a $250 million investment from Silver Lake, which gave the firm a controlling interest in WP Engine, the hosting provider sought to inflate its valuation and engineer a quick, lucrative exit. It allegedly did that, per the counterclaim , by describing itself as the WordPress Technology Company and allowing its partners to refer to it as WordPress Engine, violations of the WordPress trademark. Automattic claims products WP Engine released like Core WordPress and Headless WordPress further obfuscated who created and developed the blogging platform's technology, while the company also failed to commit a promised five percent of its resources to support the WordPress project. The counterclaim goes on to say that Automattic and WordPress co-found Matt Mullenweg tried to work out these issues with WP Engine by offering a fair trademark license, but the company only pretended to engage in licensing discussions, while actually delaying any kind of agreement because it would impact its earnings. Keeping earnings up was important to WP Engine because Silver Lake was allegedly trying to sell WP Engine at a $2 billion valuation, and had even made overtures to Automattic about it. That's a different story than the one WP Engine spun in its original lawsuit against Automattic, which accused Mullenweg of abuse of power, extortion and greed. WP Engine's original complaint claimed that Automattic asked the company for eight percent of its monthly revenue as a royalty payment. Mullenweg's attempts to punish WP Engine were seen as so aggressive at the time that over 100 Automattic employees voluntarily left the company in response. WP Engine won a preliminary injunction in response to its lawsuit, but it seems like the story might be more complicated than it originally appeared. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/wordpress-creator-files-countersuit-against-wp-engine-over-trademark-violations-182123827.html?src=rss

Instagram adds a watch history for Reels

Instagram's latest feature should make it easier to resurface videos you've viewed. On Friday, Adam Mosseri revealed a new watch history for Reels. Hopefully, now you can find that thing that you were trying to find that you couldn't find before, the Instagram CEO said. We could see the feature coming in handy. For example, when you see something interesting but lose it due to an accidental tap or app refresh. You can find it on Instagram under Settings > Your activity > Watch history . The feature lets you sort by newest to oldest or vice versa. You can also jump to a specific date or date range, and filter by the account that posted it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-adds-a-watch-history-for-reels-175555668.html?src=rss

Best iPad deals: Get over $300 off the iPad Air M3 with cellular

The just-released iPad Pro with the M5 chip tops our list of the best tablets and the standard iPad is our pick for the best budget slate. While the former is expectedly not on sale yet, we are seeing a modest discount for the cheaper iPad . The lovely iPad Air (13-inch, with cellular) is down to a record low as well. Of course, you won't find deals on Apple's own website, but we keep an eye on Amazon, Target, Walmart and other retailers to find the best iPad deals out there and round them up each Friday. This week, the discounts aren't as good as they were for Prime Day earlier this month chances are, we won't see a huge influx of Apple deals until Black Friday sales start up. Until then, here are the top deals on iPads and all the other Apple gear we could find. Best iPad deals Apple iPad (A16, 256GB) for $399 ($50 off) : The latest entry-level iPad comes with a faster A16 chip, 2GB more RAM and more base storage. It earned a score of 84 in our review if you only need a tablet for roaming the internet, watching shows and doing some lighter productivity tasks, it should do the job. With the recent iPadOS 26 update, it also has most of the same multitasking features available on the more expensive models. It does lack Apple Intelligence, but to be candid, that isn't a big loss right now. This deal isn't an all-time low for the model with 256GB of storage but it takes $50 off Apple's list price. Also at Best Buy . Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3, 1TB) for $949 ($150 off MSRP) : The most recent iPad Air is a relatively minor update, as the only major addition is a more powerful M3 chip. However, we still recommend the Air over the base model in our iPad buying guide : Its display is laminated, more color-rich and better at fending off glare (though it's still 60Hz); its speakers are more robust; it works with Apples best accessories and its performance should hold up better in the years ahead. This deal is only for the maxed-out model with 1TB of storage, but it ties the lowest price we've seen all the same. Best Apple deals Apple Pencil Pro for $99 ($30 off) : The top-end option in Apples confusing stylus lineup , the Pencil Pro supports pressure sensitivity, wireless charging, tilt detection, haptic feedback and Apples double tap and squeeze gestures , among other perks. Its a lovely tool for more intricate sketching and note-taking, but the catch is that its only compatible with the M4 iPad Pro, M2 and M3 iPad Air and most recent iPad mini. We've seen this deal fairly often over the course of the year, but it's a fine discount compared to buying from Apple directly. Also at Walmart . Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 512GB) for $999 ($200 off) : Apple's latest MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops , and it earned a score of 92 in our review . It's not a major overhaul, but the design is still exceptionally thin, light and well-built, with long battery life and a top-notch keyboard and trackpad. Now it's a bit faster. (Though we'd still love more ports and a refresh rate higher than 60Hz.) This discount ties the all-time low for the model with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) for $389 ($10 off) : The latest flagship Apple Watch only hit store shelves last month, but Amazon is already selling it for $10 off. It doesn't show up as a percentage off, but you'll see some models listed at $389 instead of Apple's $399 MSRP. If you're new to Apple's wearables or are ready to upgrade from a Series 9 or older, this is a good model to grab. If you're coming from a Series 10, however, there's not much need to upgrade as the only major change from last year's model is a slightly larger battery and a tougher screen. Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) for $240 ($9 off) : There's a similar stealth discount for the newest budget model, the Apple Watch SE 3, at Amazon. It normally goes for $249 again, not a big discount, but better than nothing if you're looking to get onboard early. Apple gave this model some badly needed updates compared to its predecessor, including an always-on display, faster charging, better sensors and the same processor that you'll find in the new Apple Watch Series 11. Read more Apple coverage : The best AirPods The best Apple Watches The best MacBooks The best iPhones The best iPads Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/best-ipad-deals-get-over-300-off-the-ipad-air-m3-with-cellular-150020542.html?src=rss

Disney warns that YouTube TV could lose its channels amid fee negotations

Stop me if you've heard this one before: YouTube TV may lose a provider's content because a deadline is approaching without a deal in place. This time, the media company is Disney. It's warning (via Variety ) that its networks could soon go dark on Google's streaming service. The two sides are negotiating ahead of an October 30 midnight ET deadline. If they can't agree by then, all Disney content will disappear from YouTube TV. That includes (among others) all ESPN channels, local ABC stations, ABC News, FX, NatGeo, Disney Channel and Freeform. A YouTube spokesperson told Variety that if that should happen for an extended period of time, subscribers will receive a $20 credit. One aspect of these battles is finger-pointing as each side tries to leverage public perception. Disney says YouTube is trying to muscle the mouse into paying below market value. Meanwhile, YouTube claims Disney is proposing costly economic terms that could lead to even higher subscription fees. YouTube TV launched at $35 per month in 2017 and now costs a whopping $83 monthly . If recent history is any indication, you can expect the dire warnings of content removal to continue until they strike a deal at the last second. That already happened several times this year. In February, YouTube TV and Paramount had that dance. Google's streaming network and Fox came to a renewal deal in August after repeated content-removal warnings . YouTube TV and NBCUniversal did the thing earlier this month. However, in that case, the streaming service dropped Univision and other TelevisaUnivision networks, so tidy deals aren't inevitable. Time will tell how this one plays out, but it's hard to imagine either side here wanting to play chicken past the October 30 deadline. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/disney-warns-that-youtube-tv-could-lose-its-channels-amid-fee-negotations-155347776.html?src=rss

This battery-powered Ring doorbell is back on sale for a record-low price

Amazon is offering a hefty discount on the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus . The video doorbell has dropped from its regular price of $150 to $80 in a limited-time deal. That's a discount of 47 percent for this particular model. It also matches the record-low price we saw for the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus during the Prime Day event earlier this month. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus has a more expanded field-of-view compared with earlier models, allowing for head-to-toe views of whoever's at your doorstep. There's support for color night vision, along with motion detection and the ability to set up privacy zones. Amazon says the Battery Doorbell Plus is easy to set up using the Ring app and mounting tools. The company added that there's a quick release system for the battery pack, so you can take it inside for recharging without having to unscrew a cover. Naturally, the device is connected to the Alexa smart home ecosystem, so you'll be able to receive motion alerts on compatible Echo devices or see a live view of the camera's feed on an Echo Show, Fire TV or Fire Tablet. You'll be able to chat to whoever's at the door too, via the doorbell's two-way communication system. A Ring Home subscription is required for you to receive package alerts this feature will let you know when the doorbell's camera detects a package within a particular zone. The subscription also includes the option to save recorded videos for up to 180 days, among other features. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-battery-powered-ring-doorbell-is-back-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-154029007.html?src=rss

Netflix reportedly shutters studio behind Squid Game mobile spinoff

Netflix is reportedly closing its Boss Fight Entertainment game development studio, according to various LinkedIn posts by staffers . The streaming giant bought the company back in 2022 and it has been responsible for games like Squid Game: Unleashed and the interactive narrative Netflix Stories . This is relatively surprising, as Squid Game: Unleashed was something of a hit. It launched alongside season two of the show and has amassed over ten million downloads on the Google Play Store alone, according to reporting by Mobilegamer . It recently received a major software update coinciding with season three of the show. Boss Fight Entertainment has around 80 staffers. It's unclear if they'll be laid off or shuffled somewhere else within Netflix's gaming division. Engadget has reached out to Netflix and will update this post when we hear back. Several designers at the company have expressed regret that we won't see what it had planned for the future. Its infuriating that the world will never see some of the stuff that was shuffled away behind the scenes, wrote design director Damion Schubert on LinkedIn . This is the second studio that Netflix has chased out the door in the past year. It shut down its AAA game studio Team Blue , which had attracted developers from Blizzard, Bungie and Sony Santa Monica. We never even got to find out what the team was working on. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/netflix-reportedly-shutters-studio-behind-squid-game-mobile-spinoff-151156987.html?src=rss

Sennheiser HDB 630 review: A sonic marvel with room for improvement

High-resolution audio on the go isnt very convenient. It typically involves wired headphones and a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) of some kind, plus your phone or another device to access files or a streaming service. All of this is necessary since Bluetooth compresses an audio signal by design, to allow for low-latency transmission and minimize battery draw. Simply put, wireless headphones havent been able to meet the demands of lossless audio, but Sennheiser has come the closest to fulfilling the dream with its HDB 630 ($500) . Thanks to redesigned drivers, a new acoustic platform and a dongle, the company offers up to 24-bit/96kHz audio on the HDB 630 depending on your configuration. You also get above average active noise cancellation (ANC), a highly customizable EQ, shockingly long battery life and advanced features to fine-tune the headphones to your liking. For some, the best possible sound is still only found on pricey setups and open-back headphones. For everyone else, Sennheiser has provided a taste of the audiophile life in a much more portable package. Design Sennheiser says the HDB 630 inherited the same chassis from its Momentum 4 headphones. Thats unfortunate because my biggest complaint with that older model's redesign is how cheap it looked compared to previous entries in the Momentum line. The HDB 630 suffers the same fate, although the splash of silver on the headband and yokes helps things a bit. Simply put, these dont look like a set of $500 headphones, and since theyre $150 more than their predecessor was at launch, they really should have a more premium appearance. The outside of the right ear cup is still a touch panel where you can swipe, tap and even pinch to control the HDB 630. I dont recall another set of headphones with a pinch gesture, and Im still not convinced its warranted. The action is used to enable an Adaptive ANC adjustment that allows you to dial in the amount of noise blocking you need. After the pinch, sliding a single finger forwards and backwards fine tunes the mix of ANC and transparency mode. Its a nice option to have on the headphones themselves, I just think a triple tap to activate it would be easier to master and remember. The only other button on the HDB 630 is for power and Bluetooth pairing. Unless youre frequently connecting these headphones to a new device, you might not be reaching for this control very often. Thats because the HDB 630 goes into standby mode when you take them off before powering down completely after 15 minutes of inactivity. You can extend that window to 30 or 60 minutes if you prefer. And if the headphones still have battery left, you can return to active mode by simply putting them back on your head. Sennheiser is betting youll use the HDB 630 for long listening sessions, so it outfitted these headphones with soft ear pads and a well-cushioned headband. The clamping force is adequate for a proper ANC seal, but never becomes a burden. And despite being around 20 grams heavier than the Momentum 4, this model still feels balanced and doesnt weigh you down. Sound quality The HDB 630 features new drivers and a specially designed acoustic system. Billy Steele for Engadget While the overall design may be familiar, the sound platform for the HDB 630 is completely new. 42mm drivers offer what Sennheiser says is neutral sound with lifelike mids, stunning detail and a wide soundstage. In order to deliver sound quality thats as close to open-back headphones as possible, the company overhauled the entire acoustic system, from the drivers to the baffles transparent mesh, in the name of balance and clarity. And since audiophile headphones typically require a dedicated external amplifier to achieve their full potential, Sennheiser included a BTD 700 USB-C dongle for high-resolution wireless audio transmission. When I first put the HDB 630 on, I thought the audio quality was good but not great. Listening over the standard definition SBC codec produced decent results, but it wasnt anything to write home about. Once I connected to the BTD 700 dongle and unlocked 16-bit/48kHz tunes from Apple Music, though, these headphones really started to impress. As good as they are, the HDB 630 may not be for everyone. That neutral stock tuning places high emphasis on the midrange, so youll likely need to make some adjustments to get the bass performance you crave from rock, electronic, hip-hop and other genres driven by low-end tone. While I concede the neutral base is a great starting point, and the HDB 630 does indeed showcase stunning detail, Id argue Sennheisers promise of a wide soundstage doesnt always hold true. These headphones are at their best with more immersive content, like the TRON: Ares soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails. After a slight adjustment, the electronic score had the booming bass it needed, offering driving beats that nearly rattled my brain. All that was layered with rich synths and Trent Reznors iconic vocals. The texture and distortion in the instruments came through in greater detail too, something thats not as apparent on other headphones and earbuds. Switch over to Thrices Horizons/West and the HDB 630 is a different story. Transitioning from synth-heavy electronic music to a genre like rock causes these headphones to lose some of the immersive character they are capable of delivering. You still get absurd clarity and detail, particularly in Teppei Teranishis guitar riffs, but the music sounds slightly flatter and a little less energetic. Its not bad by any means, but some genres wont envelope you as much as others do. You can also use the HDB 630 wired over USB-C for lossless-quality audio. Since a number of competitors also do this, I dedicated the bulk of my testing to see if Sennheisers wireless dongle is meaningfully different. Of course, I did my due diligence and tested the wired configuration a few times, and it should come as no surprise that the HDB 630 sounds just as good in that setup. Software, features and accessories There's only one button on the HDB 630. Billy Steele for Engadget As I mentioned, the HDB 630 comes with Sennheisers BTD 700 Bluetooth USB dongle. This enables higher quality streaming than youll natively get from most devices. With the BTD 700, you can expect aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless listening up at rates to 24-bit/96kHz. The dongle also has a 30ms low-latency gaming mode, (supposedly) enhanced call performance and Auracast support for streaming to multiple headphones or speakers. The BTD 700 has a USB-C connector, but it comes with a USB-A adapter if you need it. This typically costs $60 if you buy it on its own, and since you need it to unlock the HDB 630s full potential, its great to see it included in the box. The HDB 630s settings and features are accessible in the Sennheiser Smart Control Plus app. And for this model, the company is offering a lot more customization than it does on the Accentum or Momentum headphones. First, the EQ editing options are more robust thanks to a parametric equalizer, which allows you to get a lot more detailed with your custom presets. For example, I was able to add the low-end tone I feel is missing from the stock tuning for those metal, rock and hip-hop tracks I mentioned before. And unlike a lot of headphone apps, adjusting the EQ actually improves the sound instead of just muddying things further. Another sound-related addition for the HDB 630 is Crossfeed. This allows you to blend the left and right channels so that it seems like youre listening to speakers instead of headphones. Unfortunately, you only get two options here Low and High but the effect certainly enhances the sonic profile of the HDB 630 at both settings. Despite the BTD 700 dongles Mac and Windows compatibility, theres no desktop version of the Smart Control Plus app. This means youll have to change all of your settings with the HDB 630 through your phone before you pair it with both the dongle and your computer. It would be nice if you could make EQ adjustments, create new presets and even change Crossfeed levels without having to reconnect to another device. This also means you cant be connected to the BTD 700 and both your phone and your computer, since the dongle takes one of the two available multipoint Bluetooth slots. Active noise cancellation and call quality The HDB 630 has a very basic design with lots of plastic. Billy Steele for Engadget When it comes to ANC performance, Im not entirely sure that the HDB 630 is better than the Momentum 4. But thats okay. That previous model brought a significant improvement compared to Sennheisers older wireless headphones and the ANC is still quite good here. In fact, it was robust enough to block my familys voices during their calls while I worked from home, and since most headphones struggle with this, thats no mean feat. Sennheiser says the BTD 700 dongle will give you improved voice performance over the headphones alone. Specifically, the accessory should provide extended range, clearer voice pickup and, according to the company, uninterrupted calls. In my recorded samples, I think the headphones themselves sounded slightly better than when I captured my voice while connected to the BTD 700. However, I noticed a distinct lack of background noise in both clips, which is helpful in busier environments. Ill also note the overall voice quality isnt pristine, but its clear enough to use for work calls even if youre the main presenter. Battery life Sennheiser promises that youll get up to 60 hours of battery life on a charge with the HDB 630. Thats the same staggering figure the company claims on the Momentum 4. And yes, thats with ANC enabled, but youll only achieve that if youre listening to standard resolution tunes. Based on my testing with a mix of noise cancellation and transparency mode while I was listening to music and taking work calls, I have no reason to believe the companys numbers dont hold true. If you choose to listen entirely via the BTD 700s higher quality output, you can expect up to 45 hours of use on a charge. Thats still quite a long time considering a lot of the competition runs out at around 30 hours and thats without high-res music. Due to all of the signal processing that helps with the acoustic performance on the HDB 630, they can only be used when theyre turned on. Unlike some wireless models, you cant use these as wired headphones when the battery is spent. However, if you find yourself with a completely depleted battery, a 10-minute charge will give you up to seven hours of use. The company doesnt specify streaming resolution for that number, but I assume its at standard definition. Still, youll get a few hours of higher-res music in that time, which should be enough to get you through a work session, evening commute or that new album youre dying to play for the first time. The competition Incredible sound awaits, if you're okay to carry a dongle around with your headphones. Billy Steele for Engadget In the realm of flagship headphones, any companys top-of-the-line model will set you back $500 these days. I look back fondly on the time when $300-$350 got you the best Sony had to offer. While the HDB 630 is expensive, its also in the same ballpark of what youll pay for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ($450), the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($458 currently) and the AirPods Max ($549). Each of those have their advantages over the rest of the competition, with the 1000XM6 offering the most complete package overall. However, when it comes to pure sound quality, neither of those three are at the top of the heap. Up until now, that title belonged to the Noble Audio FoKus Apollo . At $650, those headphones are even more expensive than the HDB 630, but their stock tuning will appeal to more listeners and the soundstage is wider and more immersive. Theres also Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 for a slightly cheaper $479. It delivers the companys warm, inviting sound and attention to finer details. After spending time with the HDB 630 though, these alternatives are just that alternatives as the new Sennheiser headphones are now my pick for best overall sound quality. Wrap-up I get it: in the current financial climate, $500 is a lot to pay for headphones (or anything else, for that matter). You can find a number of perfectly capable sets of ANC headphones for much less given how frequently things go on sale these days. However, what you wont find is an option that gives you anything close to the performance of audiophile-grade, open-back headphones. Thats really what Sennheiser is doing here, and the HDB 630 slots nicely into the companys HD 600 series of high-end cans. As good as the HDB 630 is sound-wise, I can also appreciate that these arent the best headphones for everyone. The companys Momentum 4 is still a very capable set of headphones and its now available for about $250. If you crave the best sound quality that still offers the convenience of wireless headphones and youre okay with a few extra steps the HDB 630 is a worthy investment. Just dont leave home without that dongle. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sennheiser-hdb-630-review-a-sonic-marvel-with-room-for-improvement-150000295.html?src=rss

Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, Game 1: How to watch the 2025 MLB World Series without cable

The League Championship Series are history, and the final two teams have emerged: The 2025 Fall Classic will see the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Toronto Blue Jays . Game 1 of the 2025 MLB World Series begins tonight Friday, Oct. 24 at 8PM ET/5PM PT, with the Blue Jays getting the initial home field advantage at Rogers Centre, Toronto . Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers are aiming to win their second consecutive championship, while Vlad Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays are eyeing their first ring since 1993. The World Series odds favor the Dodgers ahead of Game 1. Every 2025 MLB World Series game will air on Fox and Fox Deportes. Of course, Fox is a free over-the-air channel, so any affordable digital antenna will pull in the game if you live close enough to a local affiliate. But if that's not an option, here's a full rundown of how to watch the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series, even without cable. How to watch the L.A. Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays, Game 1 You can stream Fox on any live TV streaming service that airs Fox local stations, including DirecTV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV. MLB World Series games will also be available on Fox's new streaming platform, Fox One . More ways to watch the 2025 World Series When is the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays game time? Game 1 of the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays World Series begins on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8PM ET/5PM PT. The Blue Jays are hosting the first two games of the series at Rogers Centre, Toronto . What channel is playing the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays? Every game in the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, will air on Fox and Fox Deportes. When is the 2025 World Series? Game 1 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 24. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays World Series schedule All times Eastern Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24, 8PM ET Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25, 8PM ET Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27, 8PM ET Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 8PM ET Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 8PM ET Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 31, 8PM ET Game 7*: Saturday, Nov. 1, 8PM ET *if necessary This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/dodgers-vs-blue-jays-game-1-how-to-watch-the-2025-mlb-world-series-without-cable-133403870.html?src=rss

Amazon says automation bug caused massive AWS outage

Amazon has published a lengthy report about the outage that knocked numerous websites, services, apps and games offline on October 20. It all started with a bug in its automation software DynamoDB, where its AWS customers store their data, which then triggered more issues in its other systems that relied on the software. As Amazon explains, DynamoDB maintains hundreds of thousands of DNS records and is supposed to be able to fix any issue automatically. But on October 20, the DynamoDB DNS management system suffered from a bug that resulted in an empty DNS record for Amazon's data centers in North Virginia. DynamoDB was supposed to repair the issue on its own, but it had failed to do so, prompting Amazon to fix the problem manually. While the issue was happening, all systems that needed to connect to DynamoDB couldn't and experienced DNS failures, including the customers of its cloud computing services. It felt like half the internet wasn't working when that happened. The websites and services affected by the outage include Amazon itself, Amazon Alexa devices, Bank of America, Snapchat, Canva, Reddit, Apple Music, Apple TV, Lyft, Duolingo, Fortnite , Disney+, Venmo, Doordash, Hulu, PlayStation and even Eight Sleep, whose beds connect to the internet to adjust their temperature and incline. Some of them were slow to respond, while others were completely inaccessible. We apologize for the impact this event caused our customers. While we have a strong track record of operating our services with the highest levels of availability, we know how critical our services are to our customers, their applications and end users, and their businesses. We know this event impacted many customers in significant ways. We will do everything we can to learn from this event and use it to improve our availability even further, Amazon said in a statement. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazon-says-automation-bug-caused-massive-aws-outage-133028856.html?src=rss

One of our favorite budgeting apps is on sale for only $50 for the year

Monarch Money is one of our favorite budgeting apps and, fittingly enough, there's a way for newcomers to save money on a subscription right now. If you use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout, you can get an annual plan for 50 percent off. It typically costs $100, but you can get 12 months of access for $50 with this code. There are some key caveats here. The discount is only for new users, and it can't be combined with other offers. The code only works when you sign up through the web. You can't redeem it through the Monarch mobile app. We feel that Monarch has a steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers and that certain aspects of the app are slightly more complex than they probably need to be. But it offers a great deal of customization and granularity , which outweighs our misgivings. On the main dashboard, you'll see your net worth along with your latest transactions, spending versus the previous month, your income so far for the month and details about upcoming bills, your investments and goals you've set. There's also a link to a month-in-review page, which offers an in-depth overview of what's been happening with your money that month. You'll also be able to take a peek at how your net worth has changed over time. Monarch can connect to your bank and track Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings accounts. It can pull in your transactions and balance history automatically and detect your recurring expenses and income. The app can even keep your car valuation up to date. While it might take a little work to set up Monarch (and you might have to tweak things here and there), it's a detailed budgeting app that can help you keep better track of your income, expenditure and net worth. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-budgeting-apps-is-on-sale-for-only-50-for-the-year-174011830.html?src=rss

Pick up a four-pack of AirTags on sale for only $65

Even if you missed Amazon's fall edition of Prime Day earlier this month, you can still get some great deals on popular products like the Apple AirTag. Right now, a four-pack of Apple AirTags is $65 , or 34 percent off the regular price. If you're an Apple user, then the AirTag is the best Bluetooth tracker on the market for you. You can put these little discs in your wallet, in a backpack or in your luggage while you're traveling. Your AirTag's location will show up in your Find My app, powered by the vast network of iPhones, iPads and other compatible devices that receive the AirTag's Bluetooth signal. Keep in mind these only work when close enough to participating devices to be located. You can attach AirTags to just about anything thanks to an abundance of available accessories . Their built-in speakers can play a tone, triggered from your iPhone, to help you find them when the object they're affixed to is lost. On iPhone 11 and newer models, you can take advantage of the AirTag's Ultra Wideband capability and have your phone lead you right to your AirTag, complete with directional arrows on your iPhone screen. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-a-four-pack-of-airtags-on-sale-for-only-65-143112509.html?src=rss

Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition comes out on November 10

Bethesda has announced that it's releasing a 10th anniversary version of Fallout 4 on November 10, similar to what it did for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim . Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition bundles the base game with Automatron, Far Harbor, Nuka-World and the Workshop expansions. The original open world game was released in 2015 and takes place in the year 2287, 210 years after the Great War. Like the other games in the franchise, it's set in a post-apocalyptic world with the aesthetics of 1940s and 1950s USA. This particular entry in the franchise revolves around the Sole Survivor of Vault 111 who was frozen in a cryogenic pod and woke up 210 years since the nuclear attack. The protagonist's constant companion in the game is a dog named Dogmeat, but they have six other possible companions: their old robot butler Codsworth, Deacon the railroad agent, the mayor of the Goodneighbor settlement named John Hancock, an artificial synth or humanoid robot named Nick Valentine, Piper Wright the reporter, and Preston Garvey, who's a member of the paramilitary force Minutemen. In addition to the base game and the expansions, the anniversary release comes with 150 pieces of content from the Creation Club, an in-game marketplace where developers can sell weapons, skins and other DLCs. The free content includes different Dogmeat breeds, like a Husky and a Dalmatian. The anniversary edition even contains an in-game Creations menu that players can use to browse downloadable content. Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition will be available digitally on the Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fallout-4-anniversary-edition-comes-out-on-november-10-123033135.html?src=rss

EU charges Meta and TikTok over failures to tackle illegal content

The European Commission has found that Meta and TikTok had violated rules under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and is now giving them the chance to comply if they don't want to be fined up to 6 percent of their total worldwide annual turnover. According to the Commission, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have put in place burdensome procedures and tools for researchers who want to request access to public data. This means they're stuck with incomplete or unreliable information if they want to do research on topics like how minors are exposed to illegal or harmful content online. Allowing researchers access to platforms' data is an essential transparency obligation under the DSA, the Commission wrote. In addition, the Commission is charging Meta over the lack of a user-friendly mechanism that would allow users to easily report posts with illegal content, such as child sexual abuse materials. The Commission explained that Facebook and Instagram use mechanisms that require several steps to be able to flag posts, and they use dark interface designs that make reporting confusing and dissuading. All those factors are in breach of DSA rules that require online platforms to give EU users easy-to-use mechanisms to be able to report illegal content. Under the DSA, users must also be able to challenge social networks' decisions to remove their posts or suspend their accounts. The Commission found that neither Facebook nor Instagram allow users to explain their sides or provide evidence to substantiate their appeals, which limits the effectiveness of the appeal process. Meta and TikTok will be able to examine the Commission's investigation files and to reply in writing about its findings. They'll also have the opportunity to implement changes to comply with DSA rules, and it's only if the Commission decides they're non-compliant that they can be fined up to 6 percent of their global annual turnover. Meta disagreed that it had breached DSA rules, according to Financial Times . In the European Union, we have introduced changes to our content reporting options, appeals process, and data access tools since the DSA came into force and are confident that these solutions match what is required under the law in the EU, it said in a statement. Meanwhile, TikTok said it was reviewing the Commission's findings but that requirements to ease data safeguards place the DSA and GDPR in direct tension. It's asking regulators for guidance on how these obligations should be reconciled. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/eu-charges-meta-and-tiktok-over-failures-to-tackle-illegal-content-121533180.html?src=rss

Engadget Podcast: How to survive our AI video hellscape

The era of AI video is upon us, and honestly it's kind of terrifying. Between OpenAI's Sora and official communications from the Trump White House, it's clear that we're not ready for an unending onslaught of AI video. In this episode, Devindra and producer Ben chat with the Washington Post's technology reporter Drew Harwell and Jeremy Carrasco (AKA ShowtoolsAI) , a former livestream and media producer turned AI video literacy creator. Also, we chat about our final thoughts on Apple's M5 MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, with a few quick notes about the new Vision Pro. Subscribe! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts Topics Google and Open AIs video generation models have upended our sense of reality online, what comes next? 1:10 Apples M5 chip is a significant boost in graphics power on the Macbook Pro 34:11 The iPad Pro M5 is a solid speed boost for whoever wants it 39:36 Preview of the Vision Pro M5 review 44:00 Working on 50:23 Pop culture Picks 51:45 Credits Host: Devindra Hardawar Guests: Drew Harwell and Jeremy ShowtoolsAI Carrasco Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/engadget-podcast-how-to-survive-our-ai-video-hellscape-120432652.html?src=rss

Our favorite MagSafe power bank is 37 percent off right now

One of our favorite power banks is on sale for one of the best prices we've seen, period. The Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K has dropped to only $57, which is 37 percent off its usual price. To put it into perspective, the lowest we've tracked it is $54, and that only happened briefly at the end of 2024. Today's sale applies to multiple colorways. This model topped our list of the best power banks , and with very good reason. It's a workhorse that gets the job done. It includes Qi2 tech for fast wireless charging and ships with a sturdy kickstand to prop up smartphones during use. The integrated LED display makes it easy to see the battery percentage, which is always nice. The 10,000mAh battery should charge a modern iPhone nearly two times before requiring a trip to the outlet. For those not keen on wireless charging, there's a USB-C port. As for compatibility, this power bank has been optimized for Apple iPhones . It'll work with Android handsets, but the wireless charging will be disabled. That's basically the only downside here. That's not the only Anker product on sale right now. A nifty Anker laptop power bank with a built-in cable is on sale for $92 , which is a discount of 32 percent. This one also made our list of the best power banks and won the award for most premium product. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-magsafe-power-bank-is-37-percent-off-right-now-152128315.html?src=rss

Meta lawyers tried to block internal research showing teen harm, judge rules

A federal court ruled that Facebook parent Meta can't use attorney-client privilege to block internal documents and research related to teen harm, Bloomberg Law reported. The decision is a setback to Meta in its lawsuits against multiple states that accused the company of making its platforms addictive despite knowing they were harmful to teenagers. Judge Yvonne Williams of the Washington, DC Superior Court found that Meta's lawyers advised employees to remove, block, button up or limit portions of internal studies on the harm of social media to teens' mental health, in order to limit the company's legal liability. The court said that this advice appeared to be an attempt to cover up or alter information, meaning it falls under the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege. Meta now has seven days to turn over four documents created between November 2022 and July 2023. Meta disagreed with the ruling, a spokesperson told Bloomberg in a statement. These were routine, appropriate lawyer-client discussions and contrary to the Districts misleading claim, no research findings were deleted or destroyed. The ruling is related to lawsuits filed in a California court involving dozens of US state attorneys general. Also involved are hundreds of private civil lawsuits filed by parents, teens and school boards against Meta and other platforms around social media addiction and harms. The first trials are scheduled to start in 2026. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-lawyers-tried-to-block-internal-research-showing-teen-harm-judge-rules-120015673.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Samsungs Galaxy XR enters the chat

This week, Samsung showed off Galaxy XR , its Vision Pro-troubling headset, and you can bet weve done a deep dive. Sam Rutherford got one of these strapped to his head and has plenty of feelings about the new hardware . The headset is lighter, more comfortable and easier to live with than Apples Vision Pro, even if it lacks many of its headline features. The software ecosystem is already pretty broad, thanks to Google making a real effort with Android XR, but dedicated apps are still a bit rare. Samsungs entry into the market might provide some much-needed impetus for this type of augmented reality headset. That its half the price of Apples Vision Pro may also loosen some wallets eager to get into this world. But its hard not to see this as Samsung running down the same cul-de-sac Apple is now lurking at the end of. It has allowed other companies, like Meta, to waltz in and grab an early lead in the much more useful smart glasses market. Dan Cooper Get Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The news you might have missed The first e-bike from Rivian spinoff Also has a virtual drivetrain Im more interested in its Bakfiets-esque quad bike for driving kids around. Amazons smart glasses with AI will help its drivers deliver packages faster Its just like RoboCop, only with more peeing in bottles. ChatGPT in WhatsApp will stop working in January Meta is kicking its AI rival off its platform. Apple MacBook Pro M5 14-inch review: A huge graphics upgrade for creators and gamers The GPU is the star here. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Apples online-only announcement of the new vanilla M5 MacBooks might have been a sign the new models were no big deal. But Devindra Hardawar found these were, in fact, quite a big deal , and the M5s faster GPU has the chops to go toe-to-toe with a gaming PC. Continue Reading. Toyotas new all-hybrid RAV4 has software you might actually want to use It wants to offer a better alternative to your smartphone. Tim Stevens for Engadget Toyota isnt happy folks just default to CarPlay or Android Auto for their in-car infotainment. Thats why its chosen to radically redesign its OS for the 2026 RAV4 to include voice and touch control. Tim Stevens has ridden the new whip and has plenty of opinions on whether its worth your time or, you know youll just default to CarPlay or Android Auto. Continue Reading. iPad Pro M5 review: Speed boost We reviewed the iPad Pro M5 and had some feelings. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget As much as I may want an iPad Pro, it wouldnt play a role in my life that would get anywhere near to justifying its extortionate price. Consequently, I shall just live vicariously through Nathan Ingraham, who reviewed the M5 edition and found it to be a work of art . But, you know, it has a price so eye-watering that nobody whos on the fence about owning one should bother. Then, Nate pivoted to writing about how the iPad Pro has, at least, carved out its own identity . Continue Reading. New report leaks Amazons proposed mass-automation plans It plans to replace more than half a million employees. Amazon may be planning to use automation to eliminate more than half a million jobs in the next few years. The New York Times claims to have seen internal documents outlining the plans and the PR operation thatll get underway ahead of time to quell public anger. Continue Reading. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao lands a Trump pardon Nothing to see here, move along. Maybe theres nothing interesting about the fact Changpeng Zhao was just pardoned by President Trump despite pleading guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act. I mean, yes, Zhao has ties to World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture linked to the Trump family. But thats not uncommon, is it? Surely everyone would use the privilege of high office to exonerate people with whom they potentially have fruitful relationships. Right? Continue Reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111555814.html?src=rss

The best headphones for running in 2025

Whether youre already an avid runner or hope to be one as you start a new training regimen, youll get more out of your exercise routine if you have some good music to accompany you. Getting into the zone during a long run with your preferred music, be it rap, classic rock or todays pop hits, can totally change your experience for the better. To do that, you have to start with a good pair of running headphones. But not all wireless workout headphones are created equally, and runners need to consider specific factors before investing in a pair like how long your runs are, what type of music or other audio you prefer listening to and how much you want to block out the world during a session. Ive tested out more than a dozen pairs to find which are the best headphones for running for all budgets and all kinds of runners. Table of contents Best headphones for running in 2025 What to look for in running headphones How we test headphones for running Others headphones for running we tested Best headphones for running in 2025 Others headphones for running we tested Apple AirPods Pro 3 When it comes to running and working out, the edge that the AirPods Pro 3 have over the Pro 2, or even the top picks on our list, is built-in heart rate monitoring. That means you could go out with just your Pro 3 earbuds and your iPhone and still get heart rate information for your entire training session. But otherwise, the Pro 3 buds are just as capable as the Pro 2 when it comes to exercise. Some may prefer the soft-touch finish on our top picks to the AirPods' slick texture. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a good alternative to the Beats Fit Pro if youre a stickler for a hook design. However, they cost $50 more than the Powerbeats Fit, and the main added advantage here is built-in heart rate sensors. Anker Soundcore AeroFit Pro The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is Ankers version of the Shokz OpenFit, but I found the fit to be less secure and not as comfortable. The actual earbuds on the AeroFit Pro are noticeably bulkier than those on the OpenFit and that caused them to shift and move much more during exercise. They never fell off of my ears completely, but I spent more time adjusting them than I did enjoying them. JBL Endurance Peak 3 The most noteworthy thing about the Endurance Peak 3 is that they have the same IP68 rating as the Jabra Elite 8 Active, except they only cost $100. But, while you get the same protection here, youll have to sacrifice in other areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didnt blow me away when it came to sound quality or comfort (its hook is more rigid than those on my favorite similarly designed buds) and their charging case is massive compared to most competitors. What to look for in running headphones Design Before diving in, its worth mentioning that this guide focuses on wireless earbuds . While you could wear over-ear or on-ear Bluetooth headphones during a run, most of the best headphones available now do not have the same level of durability. Water and dust resistance, particularly the former, is important for any audio gear you plan on sweating with or taking outdoors, and thats more prevalent in the wireless earbuds world. Most earbuds have one of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The first two are the most popular. In-ears are arguably the most common, while those with hooks promise better security and fit since they have an appendage that curls around the top of your ear. Open-ear designs dont stick into your ear canal, but rather sit just outside of it. This makes it easier to hear the world around you while also listening to audio, and could be more comfortable for those who dont like the intrusiveness of in-ear buds. Water resistance and dust protection Water resistance and dust protection are crucial for the best running headphones to have since youll likely be sweating while wearing them. Also, if you have the unfortunate luck of getting caught in the rain during a run, at least your gear will survive. Heres a quick rundown of ingress protection (IP) ratings, which youll see attached to many earbuds on the market today. The first digit after the abbreviation rates dust protection on a scale from one to six the higher, the better. The second digit refers to water- resistance, or waterproofing in some cases, ranked on a scale from one to nine. A letter X in either position means the device isnt rated for the corresponding material. Check out this guide for an even more detailed breakdown. All of the earbuds we tested for this guide have at least an IPX4 rating (most have even more protection), which means they can withstand sweat and splashes but do not have dust protection. Active noise cancellation and transparency mode Active noise cancellation (ANC) is becoming a standard feature on wireless earbuds, at least in those above a certain price. If youre looking for a pair of buds that can be your workout companion and continue to serve you when youre off the trail, ANC is good to have. It adds versatility by allowing you to block out the hum of your home or office so you can focus, or give you some solitude during a busy commute on public transit. But an earbuds ability to block out the world goes hand in hand with its ability to open things back up should you need it. Many earbuds with ANC support some sort of transparency mode or various levels of noise reduction. This is important for running headphones because you dont want to be totally oblivious to whats going on around you when youre exercising outside along busy streets. Lowering noise cancelation levels to increase your awareness will help with that. Battery life All of the earbuds we tested have a battery life of six to eight hours. In general, thats what you can expect from this space, with a few outliers that can get up to 15 hours of life on a charge. Even the low end of the spectrum should be good enough for most runners, but itll be handy to keep the buds charging case on you if you think youll get close to using up all their juice during a single session. Speaking of, youll get an average of 20-28 extra hours of battery out of most charging cases and all of the earbuds we tested had holders that provided at least an extra 15 hours. This will dictate how often you actually have to charge the device as in physically connect the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wireless charger to power up. How we test headphones for running When testing to determine the best running headphones, I wear each contender during as many runs as possible. I typically run three to five days each week, completing at least a 5K (3.01 miles) each time. Im looking for comfort arguably most of all, because you should never be fussing with your earbuds when youre on the tread or trail (as a note, I primarily run outside). Im also paying attention to fit over time, particularly if the earbuds get slippery or loose while I sweat, or if they tend to pop out or feel less stable in my ears as I pick up speed or make quick movements. I also use the earbuds when not running to take calls and listen to music, podcasts and the like throughout the day. Many people will want just one pair of earbuds that they can use while exercising and just doing everyday things, so I evaluate each pair on their ability to be comfortable and provide a good listening experience in multiple different activities. While I am also listening for audio quality, Im admittedly not an expert in this space. My colleague Billy Steele holds that title at Engadget, and youll find much more detailed information about sound quality for some of our top picks in his reviews and buying guides . Here, however, I will make note of audio-quality characteristics if they stood out to me (i.e. if a pair of earbuds had noticeably strong bass out of the box, weak highs, etc). Most of the wireless workout headphones we tested work with companion apps that have adjustable EQ settings, so youre able to tweak sound profiles to your liking in most cases. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-headphones-for-running-120044637.html?src=rss

Nissan made a nifty solar panel system for its Sakura EV

As we've seen with Toyota's Prius Prime , putting a solar panel on a car's roof is a nifty idea but can only gain you a few free miles a day due to the limited size. With a new prototype of its hyper-popular Sakura kei EV, Nissan has the answer: a bigger solar panel roof called the AO-Solar Extender . When fully stretched out on a sunny day, it can add about 1,864 miles of driving distance a year and power multiple accessories. The panel works whether you're driving or parked. When extended (in solar pompadour mode as my colleague put it), it generates 500 watts on sunny days. At the same time, it helps block sunlight from the windshield, reducing cabin temperature and lowering the need for air conditioning power consumption, Nissan noted. NISSAN DESIGN When retracted in driving mode, it still pumps out 300 watts in the sun (80 watts in the rain), quite a bit more than the 185 watts max generated by the Prius Prime's solar roof. And if you're worried about aerodynamics, Nissan said the roof is designed to minimize drag and integrate well with the Sakura's design. It's not just a fun exercise, as Nissan said it's planning to launch the AO-Solar Extender commercially, with details to follow at a later date. It could be a useful accessory on the Sakura, which has been Japan's most popular EV since 2022 thanks to its sufficient range, cute kei looks and spacious interior. The automaker will show it off at the Japan Mobility Show starting on October 30, 2025. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/nissan-made-a-nifty-solar-panel-system-for-its-sakura-ev-061235566.html?src=rss

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