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OpenAI bans Chinese accounts using ChatGPT to edit code for social media surveillance
OpenAI has banned the accounts of a group of Chinese users who had attempted to use ChatGPT to debug and edit code for an AI social media surveillance tool, the company said Friday . The campaign, which OpenAI calls Peer Review, saw the group prompt ChatGPT to generate sales pitches for a program those documents suggest was designed to monitor anti-Chinese sentiment on X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms. The operation appears to have been particularly interested in spotting calls for protests against human rights violations in China, with the intent of sharing those insights with the country's authorities. This network consisted of ChatGPT accounts that operated in a time pattern consistent with mainland Chinese business hours, prompted our models in Chinese, and used our tools with a volume and variety consistent with manual prompting, rather than automation, said OpenAI. The operators used our models to proofread claims that their insights had been sent to Chinese embassies abroad, and to intelligence agents monitoring protests in countries including the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. According to Ben Nimmo, a principal investigator with OpenAI, this was the first time the company had uncovered an AI tool of this kind. Threat actors sometimes give us a glimpse of what they are doing in other parts of the internet because of the way they use our AI models, Nimmo told The New York Times . Much of the code for the surveillance tool appears to have been based on an open-source version of one of Meta's Llama models . The group also appears to have used ChatGPT to generate an end-of-year performance review where it claims to have written phishing emails on behalf of clients in China. Assessing the impact of this activity would require inputs from multiple stakeholders, including operators of any open-source models who can shed a light on this activity, OpenAI said of the operation's efforts to use ChatGPT to edit code for the AI social media surveillance tool. Separately, OpenAI said it recently banned an account that used ChatGPT to generate social media posts critical of Cai Xia , a Chinese political scientist and dissident who lives in the US in exile. The same group also used the chatbot to generate articles in Spanish critical of the US. These articles were published by mainstream news organizations in Latin America and often attributed to either an individual or a Chinese company. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-bans-chinese-accounts-using-chatgpt-to-edit-code-for-social-media-surveillance-230451036.html?src=rss
Coming at us through its official Amazon storefront, UGREEN is now offering its Nexode 20,000mAh 130W 3-Port Power Bank for $63.99 shipped. Youd normally have to hand over $100 for this device at full price, with discounts often lessening the cost every month usually keeping things above $65. While we have seen it fall slightly lower to $60, mainly in the form of short-term Lightning deals, youre still looking at the second-lowest rate we have tracked, putting $36 back in your pocket while equipping you with a solid way to keep your devices topped off throughout the day. more
Who Should Play the Next James Bond? Jeff Bezos Wants You to Chime In
Amazon is taking over creative control of the James Bond franchise, and Jeff Bezos wants your thoughts on who should play the next 007.
Macworld The old trope that old people are hopelessly illiterate when it comes to technology is somewhat unwarranted. The home computer revolution is decades old at this point, and smartphones have been around for over 16 years. Seniors may not operate their smartphones as adroitly as their grandkids, but they arent just sitting around pining for the days of rotary dial phones. Seniors need iPhones, too, but they may have unique needs. Theyre often on fixed incomes and may have difficulty reading small text, suffer from arthritis, or have other accessibility needs. The best iPhone for seniors is one that wont cost an arm and a leg and will continue to be updated for at least a few years. Beyond that, were going to make two recommendations: a small iPhone for seniors who find large phones difficult to carry and manipulate, and a large iPhone for those who need larger text and images. Right now buying an iPhone for an older person is a little less simple than usual. We previously recommended the iPhone SE because it has a Home button, which simplifies the iPhone interface for the less tech-minded and is cheaper. However, Apple discontinued the iPhone SE in February 2025 and no longer offers iPhones with Touch ID and a Home button. If thats what you want, check third-party retailers and see if they have any in stock. Also note that Apple Intelligence features are only supported by Apples newest phones, the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, and 16e. Apple sells the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus for $699 and $799, respectively, but they dont support Apple Intelligence, so if you want those features, you need to get an iPhone 16. 1. Apple iPhone 16: Best for seniors Pros Excellent battery life Great processing and graphics performance Camera Control is a boon for users who frequently shoot photos Cons No always-on display May not be small enough for those who prefer small phones Price When Reviewed: $799 Best Prices Today: New Refurbished Retailer Price $829 View Deal $829.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 16 128GB Black Unlocked eSIM $717 View Deal iPhone 16 128GB Ultramarine Unlocked eSIM $749 View Deal iPhone 16 128GB Pink Unlocked eSIM $750 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket $829 at Apple $829.99 at Best Buy We recommend the iPhone 16 as the top choice here primarily because it represents the best value for money right now. At $799/799., it offers a dual camera system with a Camera Control button. It can also shoot 4K video at 60 fps. The iPhone 16 also offers Emergency SOS via satellite, Crash Detection, Roadside Assistance via satellite, and Messages via satellite. That A18 processor is more than fast enough for email, checking social media apps, taking pictures, making FaceTime calls, and everything else a senior wants an iPhone for. And itll still get several years of iOS software updates. Face ID might take a little getting used to if the user is used to Touch ID and the Home button, but could prove to be an easier way to secure an iPhone for those with arthritis. Read our full Apple iPhone 16 review 2. Apple iPhone 16e: New $599 option Pros Small size Support for Apple Intelligence Long battery life Cons No MagSafe support Old set of Photographic Styles Price When Reviewed: From $599 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $599 at Apple The iPhone 16e is Apples newest affordable option that replaces both the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE. Starting at $599/599, you get an iPhone with the same A18 processor but with fewer GPU cores (4 vs 5). It has a single 48MP camera, but as weve seen on other iPhones its quite good with features like Deep Fusion for better low-light photography. Apple calls it a 2-in-1 camera since its high-resolution photos allow it to zoom at 2X without any noticeable degradation. Apple no longer offers a Home button and Touch ID. The iPhone 16e uses Face ID, and you swipe up from the bottom of the screen to get to the Home screen. Some seniors will find Touch ID easier to deal with than Face ID (especially if their previous smartphone was an older iPhone). The iPhone 16e isnot as small as the iPhone SE it replaced, but it is among Apples smallest phones in the current lineup. Despite its size, battery life is rated by Apple to last 26 hours, which is the longest ever for a 6.1-inch iPhone. The iPhone 16e supports 5G and comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities. If you decide on the 128GB model, you can opt for an iCloud subscription plan if you find yourself needing additional storage. Well update this with our full review but if you cant wait, the iPhone 16e should be a solid option for users looking to spend a little less. Learn more about the iPhone 16e . 3. Apple iPhone 16 Plus: Big-screen iPhone Pros Large 6.7-inch screen Lightest large-screened iPhone Cons Bulky and heavier than smaller iPhones Price When Reviewed: $899 Best Prices Today: New Refurbished Retailer Price $924.97 View Deal $929 View Deal $929.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price iPhone 16 Plus 128GB White Unlocked eSIM $799 View Deal iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Black Unlocked eSIM $840.43 View Deal iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Teal Unlocked eSIM $888 View Deal Price comparison from Backmarket $924.97 at Amazon $929 at Apple $929.99 at Best Buy The large display of one of the Plus-sized iPhones will be much easier for old eyes to see clearly. Excluding the iPhone 16 Pro Max, there are two choices with a 6.7-inch screen here: the iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone 15 Plus. Again, you can save $100/100 by buying the iPhone 15 Plus (at $799/799) instead of the newer iPhone 16 Plus (at $899/899). This time we recommend spending the extra money if there is a budget available because the iPhone 16 generation is a leap ahead of the iPhone 15 in terms of processor and camera. Another reason to choose the iPhone 16 Plus: it supports Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 15 Plus does not. The Apple Intelligence features may not appeal to you now, but they turn out to be useful in the future. If you want Apple Intelligence and a larger iPhone then the best option is the iPhone 16 Plus. For more advice about accessories for your Mac, iPad or iPhone see all our Best Picks .
ECOVACS Winbot robots cover every inch of your tall windows cleaning needs starting from a $300 low
Amazon is giving folks with high windows another shot at the ECOVACS Winbot W1 Pro Window Cleaning Robot for $299.99 shipped. This robot normally carries a $400 price tag in full, which weve been seeing more frequently fall to the $300 low since November. If you missed out on this deal back at the start of the month, its getting the same $100 markdown again today, giving you a safer way to clean those high-reaching windows at the lowest price we have tracked. more
We have scoped out some particularly notable refurbished deals courtesy of the world-class Bose renewal program as of late, and next up is its flagship Smart Ultra Soundbar . Regularly $899 and currently fetching as much over at Amazon, the official Bose site is now offering refurbished units with the same warranty as a new model down at $599 shipped thats a straight up $300 in savings and one of the lowest prices we have tracked all-time. more
Bybit hacked for almost $1.5 billion in the biggest crypto theft ever
While 20th-century heists involved scoping out a location, recruiting a person on the inside and having a daredevil getaway driver waiting outside, the 21st-century version looks more like what Bybit experienced today. A hacker stole nearly $1.5 billion in Ethereum and staked Ethereum from one of the exchange's offline wallets, nabbing the largest cryptocurrency haul ever. One blockchain security expert said it's likely the all-time biggest heist of any kind, not just crypto. Bybit CEO Ben Zhou posted on X that the hacker took control of one of the exchange's cold (offline) wallets, manipulating a planned transfer and sending it to an unknown party. The signing message was to change the smart contract logic of our ETH cold wallet, Zhou wrote. He explained that the hacker ook control of the specific ETH cold wallet we signed and transferred all ETH in the cold wallet to this unidentified address. Rob Behnke, co-founder and executive chairman of blockchain security company Halborn, told Bloomberg the heist was likely the largest incident ever, not just crypto. The Bybit hack eclipses the previous record crypto thefts, including $620 million taken in 2022 from the Ronin Network and $610 million from Poly Network in 2021. There was also the infamous Mt. Gox hack of 2011 , which took 850,000 Bitcoins. That translated to around $450 million in losses at the time, but it would be worth significantly more today: over $81 billion. It's hard to imagine what numbers for similar incidents could look like in a decade. According to Bloomberg , Bybit had around $16.2 billion in assets before the hack, averaging over $36 billion in daily trading. Friday's theft accounted for around nine percent of its total assets. As news of the heist spread, ether dropped as much as 6.7 percent from its high of the day. Bitcoin also shaved about three percent off its high on Friday. In what sounds like the ultimate embodiment of the This is fine meme, Zhou capped his X post by reassuring customers that everything is okie-dokie at Bybit. Please rest assured that all other cold wallets are secure, he posted. All withdraws are NORMAL. (Normal in all caps is most definitely a sign that things are peachy.) To be fair, Zhou said Bybit had already secured around 80 percent of the funding needed to cover the loss through partner bridge loans. So, perhaps the Dubai-based exchange will recover from the incident better than one would imagine. Your money is safe, and our withdrawals are still open, he added on a livestream. On the other hand, Bybit's X account posted a request for help. After stating that its security team and blockchain forensic experts were on the case, it added, Any teams with expertise in blockchain analytics and fund recovery who can assist in tracing these assets are welcome to collaborate with us. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/bybit-hacked-for-almost-15-billion-in-the-biggest-crypto-theft-ever-212248349.html?src=rss
Streamline your Mac setup with Ankers 8-in-1 100W USB-C Docking Station at $40 (20% off)
Anker 8-in-1 100W USB-C Docking Station Buy for $40 (Reg. $50) What we love You dont have to use up all the ports on your MacBook when you add this handy 8-in-1 device to your setup, which even offers pass-through charging at up to 85W. This is achieved via USB-C power delivery, while also findingan additional USB-C port, three USB-A ports, dual HDMI, and a VGA port for any legacy devices with a 1080p output. more
Mario Day 2025, or MAR10, is just around the corner now, and it looks like this years bundle has already leaked at Best Buy. In fact, you can already buy it right now . While this years Mario Day celebration might be a touch underwhelming for some considering its going to land roughly a month before the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct showcase and subsequent pre-orders for the next-generation console, but Nintendo clearly thinks its current-generation OLED console still has some fire left in it as the new Super Mario Bros. Wonder bundle is now up for sale at $349 . more
Fortnites new season leans heavily on heist mechanics
Fortnite just announced the availability of Chapter 6: Season 2, which has been dubbed Lawless . As the name suggests, this update is all about being a criminal and performing robberies. Fortnite hasnt dabbled in this kind of GTA-esque tomfoolery since Chapter 4: Season 4 , which also included heists. Starting today, players will be able to perform all kinds of nefarious activities, like robbing banks, stealing armored cars and breaking into luxury locations. The popular battle royale will even let players rob the train that services the island. Oh yeah. Theres also a giant pickle that raps named Big Dill. It has a song on Soundcloud . There are a handful of new locations to accompany this update, including an urban area called Crime City. Other updated game mechanics include gold water that provides stat boosts, black markets for high-end weapons, and a scanner that detects where enemies are. Theres also a new in-game crypto currency called Dill Bits coins, which can be used to buy gear. This automatically makes it more useful than the vast majority of actual crypto coins out there. Players that pick up this seasons battle pass will have access to several new playable characters, including the aforementioned vinegar-soaked rapper Big Dill. Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat is also included in this roster for some reason. Epic Games A series of Cowboy Bebop quests will also appear in the game beginning on March 1. To accompany these quests, players will be able to dress like the characters Spike Spiegel and Faye Valentine. Lawless runs from today until May 2. This is just the latest wild and wacky Fortnite update. The game has dabbled with post-apocalyptic locales in the past, in addition to Greek gods , vampires and just about everything else. Most recently, Epic introduced Godzilla as a playable character . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnites-new-season-leans-heavily-on-heist-mechanics-201542184.html?src=rss
Is this really a no-brainer deal for wine youll actually drink? Absolutely. Imagine your cabinet stocked with a diverse mix of premium wines, hand picked for palatability.Score 18 bottles for $69 today, down from the regular $270 combined list price. more
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Ready to See What's Next for the iPhone? The First iOS 18.4 Developer Beta Is Now Out
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Apple is adding tens of thousands of recipes to News+
Apple is set to give News+ subscribers more than a soupon of fresh material. When iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 arrive in April, the company will add a Food section to News+. This will include tens of thousands of recipes, along with stories curated by Apple News editors about healthy eating, restaurants, kitchen essentials and so on. Apple says he world's top food publishers including Allrecipes, Bon Apptit, Food & Wine, Good Food and Serious Eats will supply the recipes and stories. One notable omission from that list is The New York Times , which has a separate subscription for its famed Cooking app. As such, it seems Apple is trying to go toe-to-toe with one of the country's papers of record on another front after it added games for News+ subscribers . Of course, there are plenty of other places you can go on the web for recipes and cooking tips . Non-News+ subscribers will have access to a limited number of stories and recipes. An appetizer, if you will, to encourage folks to sign up for the full buffet. New recipes will be added to the Recipe Catalog every day. You'll be able to browse, search and filter the library. Apple says the format makes it easy to review the lists of ingredients and directions. There's an option to view step-by-step instructions in full screen mode (which looks a bit like a lyrics screen in Apple Music). You can also save recipes for offline access, which could be useful for meal planning if you like to go off-grid once in a while. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-is-adding-tens-of-thousands-of-recipes-to-news-194518874.html?src=rss
Theragun Alternatives: Best Budget Massage Guns for 2025
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The iPhone 16E Announcement: Here Are the Release Date, Price, Features and Specs
Apple new iPhone 16E with Apple Intelligence and Apple's first in-house 5G modem is now available to preorder.
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Federal government reportedly plans to shut down its EV charging infrastructure
The General Services Administration plans on shutting down federal EV charging infrastructure in the coming weeks and offloading EVs purchased by the previous administration, The Verge reports . Since the GSA oversees government buildings, shutting down chargers will impact personal electric vehicles owned by government employees and government-owned EVs. As GSA has worked to align with the current administration, we have received direction that all GSA owned charging stations are not mission critical, an email viewed by The Verge reads. There were a a steadily increasing number of federally-owned EVs after President Biden ordered the government agencies to electrify their fleets in 2021 . Part of the Inflation Reduction Act signed in 2024 also included funding to build EV chargers for the growing number of vehicles used by the government. The shutdown will take place over the coming weeks and will coincide with the removal of GSA EVs purchased by the Biden Administration, either by selling them or placing them in storage, according to the report. Engadget has reached out to the GSA for confirmation of this plan and will update this article if we hear back. Shutting down federal charging infrastructure fits with both the Trump administration's stance on EVs and the transportation goals of Project 2025 , the plan written by The Heritage Foundation that's been guiding recent policy decisions. Since taking office, Trump has reversed Biden's order to electrify government vehicles and cancelled a project to install high-speed EV chargers along highways. It wouldn't be surprising if he signed a bill eliminating the federal EV tax credit entirely, if presented with the chance. While not a magic bullet for global warming, EV adoption has been pushed because of its potential to reduce carbon emissions. Moving from manufacturing gas vehicles to EVs has not been cheap for car companies, though. Imposing tariffs and removing the incentives to buy EVs is one reason automakers are reportedly trying to lobby the Trump administration to reconsider its current stance. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/federal-government-reportedly-plans-to-shut-down-its-ev-charging-infrastructure-191314767.html?src=rss
Android Automotive Adds 70+ New Apps, But Only When Parked
Google has announced the addition of over 70 new apps to Android Automotive, significantly enhancing the platforms capabilities. Android Automotive is a standalone, vehicle-integrated operating system that functions independently of a connected smartphone, offering a tablet-like experience within the cars infotainment systemHowever, the new apps come with restrictions that limit their usability. The update includes a wide range of apps across different categories, with notable additions such as the gaming platform Roblox , multiple versions of Chess and Solitaire , and streaming services like CTV News, NBC News, Red Bull TV, F1 TV, and Watcha. These apps primarily cater to entertainment needs, providing content to pass the time while the vehicle is stationary, such as during EV charging or waiting in a parked car. Despite this expansion, there is a critical limitation: the new apps can only be accessed when the vehicle is parked . This restriction is intended to prevent distracted driving and ensure road safety. As a result, users cannot interact with these applications while driving, except for those providing essential navigation and media controls. Additionally, the rollout of these apps is currently limited to select Volvo and Polestar models , though Google has indicated plans for broader availability in the future. Prior to this update, Android Automotive supported fewer than 200 apps, and the recent additions push the total closer to 300. While the expansion marks a significant step forward, the overall app ecosystem remains relatively limited compared to traditional Android devices. Android Automotive Adds 70+ New Apps, But Only When Parked , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .
Take Your Spring Cleaning to the Next Level With This Trick That Makes Folding a Fitted Sheet Easy
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Apple removes Advanced Data Protection from U.K. iPhones following backdoor demand
Macworld Earlier this month, news broke that Apple had been served an order from the U.K. government demanding extraordinary access to its customers cloud data. The order, which was issued secretly and forbids Apple from publicly discussing it, was extraordinary in its scope: The U.K. government demanded the ability to view all Apple customer data stored in the cloud, regardless of location. In no uncertain terms, the U.K. government wanted Apple to build a backdoor to access its cloud encryption, globally . In response to this extraordinary demand, Apple is removing its Advanced Data Protection tool from the U.K. Apple has consistently, and rightly, resisted creating backdoors to its customers data. Data for which Apple holds the encryption key is submitted to law enforcement and other agencies after a lawful request (in the U.S., that means a warrant signed by a judge), but it does not make tools that allow outside agencies to decrypt and access data on its own. Whats more, Apple has worked to make more of your data end-to-end (E2E) encrypted, meaning only the customer has the encryption key and Apple does not have the capability to decode it, even if ordered to. A handful of iCloud services are end-to-end encrypted, but by enabling a tool called Advanced Data Protection (ADP), nearly all iCloud services become so. We have an article that explains the difference between the two encryption methods and shows which services have regular encryption and which are E2E encrypted, both as standard and with ADP enabled. According to the BBC , the Advanced Data Protection feature is being eliminated from the U.K. in response to the governments order. If a new customer tries to enable to feature, they are met with a message stating, Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users. The BBC says the feature will be disabled for existing users at a later date. The UK government did not respond, and would not confirm nor deny the existence of the order that sparked this move. Apples comment to the BBC also did not mention the order or any other compliance steps it may be taking, but said it was gravely disappointed that the feature will no longer be available for UK customers: As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products, and we never will. Its not clear if Apple has taken any other steps to comply with the demand (as it cannot even acknowledge receiving it, by law), other than taking the extraordinary step of vastly weakening the privacy and security of all its users in the U.K.
As the Kernel Turns: Rust in Linux saga reaches the Linus in all-caps phase
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What to expect at Mobile World Congress 2025: Nothing, Samsung, Xiaomi and more
On March 3, Mobile World Congress will kick off in Barcelona, Spain. While its not the premier show it once was, many of the smartphone industrys leading players still attend the conference and frequently launch new devices there. Typically, we hear from companies like Lenovo, Arm, Xiaomi, Dell and more at the conference, as well as standards organizations like the GSMA on developments in areas like 5G or SIM technology. And judging by the event agenda on the MWC website , we will be seeing at least some kind of presence from Meta about Whatsapp , though it's unlikely anything major gets announced at that event. Below, youll find a list of the more notable devices we expect to be launched at MWC 2025. Nothing Phone 3a series At MWC 2022, Nothings Carl Pei showed off a prototype of what would become the companys first handset, the Nothing Phone 1 , behind closed doors, and at last years event, Nothing announced the Phone 2(a) . This year, were definitely getting at least one new device from the company at MWC, with Nothing teasing something for March 4, the second day of the show. I say at least one device because Nothings invite says Phone 3a Series. To add to that, recent reports suggest the company is preparing to announce a Phone (3a) Pro alongside a regular offering. Why would Nothing release a Pro version of a midrange device, you ask? Im not sure, but this is Nothing we're talking about and the company has frequently done things a bit differently from the rest of the pack. Phone (3a) Series. Power in perspective. 4 March 10 AM GMT. pic.twitter.com/auesJycJQy Nothing (@nothing) January 30, 2025 Xiaomi 15 Ultra Xiaomi In 2024, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra made its global debut ahead of MWC , and its looking like history will repeat. Before the start of this month, there was some evidence to suggest Xiaomi would launch its new flagship at MWC 2025, but more recent rumors suggest the company plans to announce the 15 Ultra on February 26. In any case, Xiaomi is listed as an exhibitor at MWC 2025, so if the phone does debut before the end of this month, theres a good chance it will be on the show floor for people to try out. Like the 14 Ultra before it, it looks like the 15 Ultra will be a photography powerhouse, with the phone rumored to feature a 1-inch main sensor and 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. HMD Global Since 2017, HMD Global has been a mainstay at MWC. First, with its Nokia-branded phones, including retro throwbacks like the 8110 Reloaded , and now more recently with devices carrying its own name . Given that history, it seems a safe bet the company will have something to announce at the show. What that could be is more of a mystery, though its possible the sub-$100 HMD Key could get a global release. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Samsung After Samsung teased the Galaxy S25 Edge at Unpacked last month , you might think it would be fitting for the company to launch the phone in Barcelona next month. After all, MWC was the venue where, up until the Galaxy S10 in 2019 , Samsung announced every S series phone beginning with the S2 back in 2011, and the companys presence at MWC was the highlight of the event. Unfortunately, it doesnt seem Samsung is feeling nostalgic for and the sunny boulevards of Barcelona, with little in the way of rumors suggesting we could see the S25 Edge at MWC 2025. Still, never discount the chance Samsung may have a surprise up its sleeve. Everything else As Engadgets resident AI reporter, Im obligated to mention a lot of companies will probably have AI-related announcements to share at MWC 2025. Dont expect anything from the big players like OpenAI the company isnt registered as an exhibitor but with artificial intelligence being the trendy thing in the industry right now, everyone will be trying to cash in on the hype; in fact, AI+ is one of the main themes of MWC 2025. Update, February 21 2025, 1:45PM ET: This story has been updated to add more context in the intro, calling out a few more companies that typically present at MWC, as well as some additional info pulled from the MWC agenda page. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/what-to-expect-at-mobile-world-congress-2025-nothing-samsung-xiaomi-and-more-140057306.html?src=rss
iOS 18.4 beta begins with huge Apple Intelligence expansion but no new Siri
Macworld iOS 18.4 is destined to be a big release. The headline feature of iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, and the various AI features have been rolling out piece by piece. After getting no major new AI features in iOS 18.3 , Apple is bringing Apple Intelligence to many more countries in iOS 18.4 as well as a new deviceVision Pro. However, the anticipated Siri update has to wait. There are several big Siri updates coming, including personal context, app intents, and screen reading, but theyre missing from the first iOS 18.4 beta. Instead, Apple says Apple Intelligence will receive additional features in the coming months, including expanded capabilities for Siri. That likely means the whole update has been pushed to iOS 18.5. The iOS 18.4 beta began on February 21 and we expect the final release in early April . Whats new in iOS 18.4 Well update this section with the features and changes found in the latest iOS 18.4 beta, as they are found. Apple Intelligence languages: Including Simplified Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanishalong with localized English for Singapore and India. Apple Intelligence regions: With iOS 18.4, iPhone and iPad users in the EU will gain access to Apple Intelligence features for the first time. Prioritize Notifications: Apple Intelligence will attempt to show notifications that may be important in a separate section on the lock screen. Go to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications to enable. Apple Intelligence for Vision Pro: Apple is bringing Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro for English-speaking users in the U.S. with the visionOS 2.4 update. Apple Vision Pro app: iOS 18.4 brings a new iPhone app that offers users a new way to download Vision Pro apps and games from the App Store on your iPhone, as well as browse Apple TV content and access your library of spatial photos and videos. It only shows up if you have a Vision Pro associated with the same Apple ID. Food in News+: A new section in Apple News+ for curated recipes, restaurant reviews, and curated stories about food and dining. iOS 18.4: How to install the developer beta Youll need to be registered as an Apple developer. Beginning with iOS 18.4, you dont need to be in the $99 per year developer program to access the developer beta. A free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Heres how to do it via the Apple Developer app: Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store. Open the app. Tap on Account. Sign in using your usual Apple ID. Registered developers can choose to get the Public Beta instead by selecting iOS Public Beta in the Software Update screen. It may take a little time after registering as a developer for the option to appear in Software Updates. iOS 18.4: How to install the public beta If you want to be among the first to test iOS 18.4, you can sign up for the public beta test, which should arrive in late February. The process for installing a beta has changed in iOS 16.4. Heres how the new process works now: Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID. Log in to the Beta Software Program. Click Enroll your iOS device . Open the Settings app, tap General , then Software Update . In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta. It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update. Find out everything you need to know about iOS 18 in our iOS 18 superguide .
Meta approves massive bonuses for executives after broad layoffs
Meta has offered up a lucrative new executive bonus plan, according to a company filing released Thursday . Under the new plan, executives could earn a yearly bonus of 200 percent of their base salary, which is up from 75 percent. This comes just after Meta announced sweeping layoffs impacting five percent of its workforce . A committee for Metas board of directors approved the change on February 13, on the grounds that the target total cash compensation for its executives was at or below the 15th percentile of the target total cash compensation of executives holding similar positions at rival companies. Its worth noting that the new bonus plan doesnt apply to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Dont worry about his bottom line, however, as hes worth nearly $250 billion. Meta has also decided to slash its annual distribution of stock options by around ten percent for thousands of its regular employees, according to a report by The Financial Times . The exact reduction could differ depending on where the employees live and what they do, but Meta hasnt commented further on the decision. As previously noted, Meta is in the process of laying off five percent of its global workforce. This is despite the fact that company shares are up nearly 50 percent over the past year, with a current stock price of around $687 per share. Also, it recently announced that its fourth-quarter revenue grew 21 percent year-over-year to more than $48 billion. The company has cut more than 20,000 jobs in the past couple of years. A leaner org will execute its highest priorities faster. People will be more productive, and their work will be more fun and fulfilling, Zuckerberg said at the tail-end of last year. Nothing says fun and fulfilling more than watching your co-workers get laid off while the executives get massive bonuses. If youre a current or former Meta employee with thoughts on this new executive bonus structure, hit me up on Signal at LawrenceBonk.96. Ill ensure that things are kept anonymous. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-approves-massive-bonuses-for-executives-after-broad-layoffs-183222951.html?src=rss
Best Tested Portable Power Stations in 2025
If you need reliable power during an outage or off the grid, these CNET-tested portable power stations deliver. Find out which one suits your needs best.
Best Live TV Streaming Services in 2025
Services like YouTube TV, Sling TV and Hulu Plus Live TV let you watch live sports, news and primetime TV with no commitment required. We've tested them all to find the best live sports, channel selection and more.
Lululemons We Made Too Much refreshes with unbeatable deals starting at $9!
lululemon refreshes its We Made Too Much section with spring essentials starting at just $9 . Prices are as marked. Plus, lululemon always offers free delivery. Inside this sale you can find deals on t-shirts, shorts, spring layering pieces, shoes, and more. One of our top picks from this sale is the Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt thats marked down to $39 and originally sold for $78. This shirt features lululemons signature tech fabric, which is made to be lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking to promote all-day comfort. It also has anti-odor properties and subtle reflective details for visibility in low-light conditions. You can choose from several color options and rated 4.4/5 stars from lululemon customers. Score additional deals by heading below, or you can shop the entire section here . more
Grab a pack of four AirTags for the lowest price ever
Macworld If youre always losing your keys and wallet, want to make sure you know where your luggage is when youre at the airport, and so on, then this four-pack of AirTags will make your life so much easier. Theyre pretty inexpensive normally, but this Amazon sale makes them a downright bargain: You can get a 4-pack of AIrTags for $70 today , a savings of $29, and the lowest price weve ever seen. We love these tiny Bluetooth trackers and gave them a four-star rating when we reviewed them a while back. We found they have an excellent design and theyre super easy to set up and track with the Find My network. Another thing we really appreciate is the fact that you can swap out the battery to change it up when its time. When these trackers are within range, you can track their location on the map. If you have an iPhone with an ultra-wideband chip youll be able to pinpoint the location or you can get them to make a sound when youre nearby. When out of Bluetooth range, your items can still be tracked as long using the vast FindMy network. Since the tags are IP67 water- and dust-resistant, it wont even matter if you drop your keys in the park. And with separation alerts, your phone will get you know when youre about to leave something behind. So go get yourself some peace of mind with four AirTags for $70 at Amazon because this deal wont stick around forever. That's $17.5 for an AirTag Buy now at Amazon
We are now tracking a deal at Amazon that drops Belkins BoostCharge Pro 15W 2-in-1 MagSafe dock down to $95.99 shipped. This comes in Sand and Black colorways, and theyre both down to $96 today. Regularly $120, youre now looking at a solid 20% discount which takes $24 off the chargers sticker price. Todays deal lands this model back to the lowest price we have tracked for it to date, making it a great time to snag a premium and reliable charger from a brand that we feature a lot around here. The BoostCharge Pro dock comes with a color-matched charger and a cable, and you can learn more about it below. more
You can now grab Govees latest 2-pack of Matter RGBIC wall sconces at $140 (Reg. $170)
Govees official Amazon storefront is offering the first chance at savings on its 2-pack of new Matter RGBIC Wall Sconces for $139.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $30 off coupon. This combo package just hit the scene a little over a week ago, with todays deal bringing you the first chance at cash savings at $70 per light. We have seen the single-packs hit $70 twice since releasing in November, so youre basically getting the lowest rate weve seen there in a two-light bundle. Considering the single pack is only discounted to $85 right now, this makes a far better deal to get two at $70 each. more
Microsoft's Magma AI Can Manipulate and Control Robots
The AI model was designed to help robots navigate and more intuitively interact with the world around them.
Apple Intelligence is headed to the Vision Pro in April, dev beta available today
The rumors are true : Apple confirmed today that the Vision Pro will get Apple Intelligence features in April with the arrival of visionOS 2.4. A developer beta is also rolling out today for the less patient. As we've seen on other devices, Apple is starting out the Vision Pro's AI rollout with basic features. Those include Writing Tools, which can help you summarize, rewrite and proofread text, as well as generate text with ChatGPT; Image Playground for creating AI imagery; and Genmoji for building custom AI generated emojis and stickers. It really was only a matter of when Apple would bring Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro. It's available on current Macs running the M1 chip, so the spatial headset's M2 hardware is clearly more than capable. Apple Intelligence on VP only supports English for now, but the company says more languages and AI features will be coming throughout the year. As for other minor Apple Intelligence capabilities, the Vision Pro will also be getting Priority Notifications and summaries, Smart Reply in Mail and Messages, and the ability to create Memory Movies in Photos. Arguably more useful to Vision Pro users, Apple is also introducing several apps and tweaks to make the headset a bit more useful. There's a new Spatial Gallery app exclusive to Vision Pro that will highlight spatial videos, photos and panoramas from Apple. Think of it as another way to enjoy the VP's immersive capabilities without waiting for another big budget Immersive Video to drop. The company says the Spatial Galllery app will include stories and experiences from brands like Red Bull (which is well known for making 360-degree videos for VR), as well as behind the scenes material from Apple shows like Severance and Shrinking . (Let's hope we can actually sit inside the creepy Lumon offices.) Apple Additionally, a new Apple Vision Pro app for iPhone will let users better manage their headset experience. They can remotely add apps and games to the Vision Pro, as well as explore content to check out later. The app will also serve as a way to owners you know when new content drops for the Vision Pro (like a new Arctic Surfing episode of the Boundless Immersive series, which arrives today), as well as explore other videos for the headset, including a library of nearly 300 3D movies. A standalone mobile Vision Pro app also makes sense, especially since Meta has offered something similar for its headsets for years. It's a sign that Apple is slowly making the Vision Pro platform a bit more consumer friendly, instead of just being a testbed for developers working in spatial computing. I don't think Apple will be lowering the Vision Pro's price anytime soon, but whenever we get a cheaper headset from the company, it'll be helpful to have content discovery features like the Spatial Gallery and the Vision Pro iPhone app. And speaking of user-friendly tweaks, Apple is also improving Guest User mode with visionOS 2.4 Now headset owners will be able to start guest sessions with their iPhone and iPad, remotely choose which apps are available to guests wearing your Vision Pro, and also kick off AirPlay mirroring remotely. Previously, that process involved putting on the Vision Pro first, enabling Guest User mode, and then passing it to someone else to test out. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/apple-intelligence-is-headed-to-the-vision-pro-in-april-dev-beta-available-today-181014106.html?src=rss
Apple Vision Pro Headset Gets Overdue Missing Features, Including Apple Intelligence
An update to the VisionOS also brings a new iPhone app, a remote-viewable Guest Mode and a new app to discover curated 3D movies. It's about time, although the features aren't officially arriving until April.
Anker debuted a pair of new display-equipped chargers at CES this year (reviews on the way for those), but neither of them offered up the versatility I was after in the way its latest Prime Power Bank does. It is also a more compact solution, providing both entirely portable power bank functionality while also doubling as a wall charger this is exactly what I needed for my EDC, so lets find out what this thing is like in hand and what its like to actually use. more
Google's Pixel 9 Pro is $200 off, plus the rest of the week's best tech deals
While Apple's new iPhone 16e may be the big tech news of the week, it's one of Google's Pixel phones that leads our latest weekly deal roundup. More specifically, the Pixel 9 Pro our pick for the best Android handset is down to $799 at several retailers, a $200 drop that represents the lowest price we've tracked for an unlocked model. If you don't need a new phone, a few other gadgets we recommend are also on sale, including Crucial's X9 Pro portable SSD, Apple's AirTag trackers, ASUS' ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop and Ultimate Ears' Wonderboom 4 speaker. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still buy today. Spotlight deal The rest of the best tech deals this week Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 for $70 at Amazon ($30 off MSRP) : We've previously recommended the adorably compact Wonderboom 3 in our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers . The Wonderboom 4 is more or less the same device, only it charges over USB-C instead of microUSB and adds a Podcast Mode that better tunes the sound profile for, well, podcasts. Otherwise, it still sounds punchy and spacious for a speaker that's only four inches tall, and its IP67-rated design is both rugged and easy to control. The battery typically lasts more than 10 hours on a charge as well. Just don't expect super-high volume or bass response. The speaker fell to $60 for a week back in December, but this discount ties its lowest price outside of that. Also at B&H and Best Buy . Crucial X9 Pro (1TB) for $70 at Amazon ($31 off) : This deal has popped up a few times in recent months, but it matches the lowest price in a year for the 1TB version of our favorite portable SSD . While the drive itself isn't the absolute fastest model out there, it's quick enough for most needs at a more reasonable price, it stays cool with extended use, and its rugged design is shorter than a credit card. Also at B&H and Best Buy . The Crucial X9 Pro portable SSD. Jeff Dunn for Engadget JLab Go Air Sport for $13 at Amazon ($17 off) : This is the lowest price we've tracked for the budget pick in our guide to the best running headphones . You should see the full discount at checkout. The catch is that the offer only applies to the neon yellow model, which, let's say, won't be for everyone. This pair's boomy sound isn't the best, either, and it's light on features, with no active noise cancellation, multi-device pairing, wireless charging or automatic wear detection. Still, its sweat-resistant design stays secure during workouts, and its battery life is solid at roughly eight hours per charge. For $13, it's hard to complain if you just want a cheap set of beater headphones for the gym. LG C3 OLED TV (65-inch) for $1,197 at Amazon ($303 off) : The LG C3 was released in 2023, but it's not a huge downgrade from last year's LG C4, so it's worth considering when it's discounted to this extent. While it can't quite match the brightness and color volume of a QD-OLED set like the Samsung S90D , it still gets you the usual benefits of a good OLED panel: excellent contrast, vibrant colors, wide viewing angles and minimal blurring from objects in motion. It's also equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports that support a fast 120Hz refresh rate, so it can make the most of a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. This discount ties the lowest price we've seen for the 65-inch version outside of a handful of in-store-only and eBay coupon deals. LG will release a new C5 TV in the coming months, but we doubt it'll be available at this price anytime soon. The LG C3 OLED TV. LG Alan Wake 2 (PC) for $25 at Epic Games Store ($25 off) : This matches the lowest price to date for the surreal survival horror game Alan Wake 2 , which we recommend in our guide to the best PC games . The PS5 version is also on sale for $30, which is an all-time low for that platform. You shouldn't go into this one expecting tons of action, and the story definitely isn't immune to navel-gazing, but it's delightfully tense and voice-y in a way most high-production games are not nowadays. It's graphically gorgeous, too. Baseus Blade Laptop Power Bank for $48 at Amazon ($52 off, Prime only) : The Baseus Blade is the budget pick in our guide to the best laptop power banks . At 20,000 mAh, it doesn't have enough juice to completely refill larger notebooks, but it can deliver a relatively speedy 100W charge from either of its two USB-C ports. There are two USB-A ports and a battery status display on top of that, and its tablet-like shape is fairly easy to tuck in a bag. This deal is only for Amazon Prime members, but it comes within a couple bucks of the lowest price we've seen. To see the full discount, click the 10 percent coupon on the product page and use the code BGAEY8HX at checkout. The Baseus Blade power bank. Amy Skorheim for Engadget PlayStation Plus Premium (12-month) for $100 at PlayStation ($60 off, new and returning subscribers only) : Through February 24, new and lapsed subscribers can get a year-long PlayStation Plus Premium subscription for $100. That's $60 less than usual. As a refresher, this is the top-end tier of Sony's online service. It gets you the core benefits of any PS Plus subscription online play, cloud saves and a selection of free titles every month plus access to a Game Pass-style catalog (including several retro PlayStation games ), time-limited game trials and cloud streaming support. Most people will be fine without it, and Sony has only jacked up the service's price over time, but any sort of discount should be welcome if you're interested in the retro catalog and want to stream games remotely . Just remember to cancel before the subscription ends if you don't want to be auto-renewed at the standard rate. Apple Music (6-month) for $3 at Apple ($52 off, new subscribers and select devices only) : Apple is running a promo that gives six months of Apple Music for $3 total. Normally, a solo subscription costs $11 per month after a 30-day free trial (or a three-month trial if you recently bought an Apple device). This offer comes with a few caveats, though: You must be new to Apple Music, not eligible for the aforementioned three-month trial and able to redeem the offer through an iPhone, iPad or Mac. If you meet all of that, however, this is a nice way to get a half-year of music streaming for cheap. We praise Apple Music in our guide to the best music services for its lossless streaming quality, ease of use with Apple devices and emphasis on letting actual people introduce you to new music. This deal runs through February 27, but remember your subscription will be set to auto-renew until you cancel. The ASUS ROG Ally. Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget ASUS ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) for $450 at Best Buy ($200 off) : The original ROG Ally isn't as powerful, ergonomic or long-lasting as the newer ROG Ally X , and all Windows gaming handhelds are stuck with clunkier software than Valve's Steam Deck , which remains the top pick in our buying guide . But when it's discounted to this extent, the older Ally is worth considering if you really want a handheld PC that can play games from any client, be it Steam, the Epic Games Store or the Xbox app. It's still a touch more powerful than the Deck, too, and its 120Hz VRR display does wonders to keep games looking smooth. And for as sloppy as Windows can be, ASUS has made its Armoury Crate app at least a little easier to navigate over time. Just don't expect more than a couple hours of battery life, and don't bother using the microSD slot. This deal ties the all-time low for the model with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) for $1,074 at Best Buy ($525 off) : Here's the lowest price we've seen for this configuration of the ROG Zephyrus G14, which includes a Ryzen 9 8945HS chip, a GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and a 14-inch 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Be aware that this is last year's model; ASUS has already announced an upgraded version for 2025 that should arrive in the coming weeks. That said, the current G14 is the top pick in our gaming laptop buying guide , and it remains a decent buy at this price if you want a gaming machine that's premium-feeling and long-lasting enough to delight as an everyday laptop. The main downsides are that the memory isn't upgradeable and the design can get toasty under load. You'll also have to turn down graphics settings to get some games to run well at the display's native resolution. Still, that OLED screen is gorgeous, and there's enough power to play many titles just fine. We gave the ROG Zephyrus G14 a score of 91 in our review last year. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14. Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget Chipolo One (4-pack) for $68 at Chipolo ($32 off) : The Chipolo One tops our guide to the best Bluetooth trackers . While it doesn't have the enormous crowd-sourcing network of Apple's AirTags, we've found it send separation alerts faster when you've left an item behind and ring louder when you're back in the vicinity. It also has a hole for attaching to key rings, unlike Apple's tracker. It may not be the safest choice if you're worried about losing your luggage on a long-distance trip, but as a security blanket for keys, wallets or handbags, it's convenient. This discount on a four-pack isn't the lowest price we've seen, but it's still a bit lower than its usual street price. Use the code ENGADGET10 at checkout to get the full deal. If you do want a set of AirTags, meanwhile, a four-pack of those is also on sale for $70 at Amazon and other retailers. ThermoWorks Thermapen One for $79 at ThermoWorks ($30 off) : The Thermapen One is a buttonless instant-read meat thermometer that we highlight in our guide to the best grilling gear . It reads temperatures quickly and accurately, its backlit display is easy to read and the whole thing sleeps and wakes automatically. It's definitely not the cheapest option, but its faster readings may be worth the extra cost for frequent grillers. While not an all-time low, this Engadget-exclusive deal marks the lowest price we could find in the last couple of months. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-pixel-9-pro-is-200-off-plus-the-rest-of-the-weeks-best-tech-deals-180041864.html?src=rss
2 Best Self-Cleaning Water Bottles in 2025
If you hate cleaning your water bottle, it might be a good idea to invest in a self-cleaning water bottle.
Unknown Numbers Spamming Your iPhone? Here's How to Block Texts and Calls
Don't worry about downloading apps -- your iPhone already has several tools to block all those annoying calls and texts from random numbers.
UGREENs 3-port 130W car charger packs a punch at $20 Prime shipped (Reg. $30)
UGREEN 130W USB-C Car Charger Buy for $20 (Reg. $30) Clip the on-page $10 off coupon. What we love When I think of powerful car chargers, three offerings come to mind, this one, Ankers 167.5W model, and LISENs 170W unit. A quick look at all of them has UGREEN winning in terms of price. At $20, youre getting a charger that can handle everything from smartphones to tablets, a MacBook Pro, and more. more
Elon Musk's DOGE reportedly cuts staff at agency that regulates Elon Musk's Tesla
Elon Musk's chainsaw has been swinging through the federal government over the last few weeks, with his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chopping down budgets and excising staff at a number of agencies. Among those affected is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is said to be losing about 10 percent of its relatively small headcount through buyouts and firings. According to The Washington Post , between 70 and 80 people are departing the agency, which is responsible for road safety in the US. Those ex-employees are said to have worked in a number of areas, such as safety grant funding and crash test dummies. The DOGE cull also impacted three people from a very small team that was working on the safety of autonomous vehicles, such as those from Alphabets Waymo, Amazons Zoox and hey, look at that! Elon Musk's Tesla. It's probably just a coincidence that an organization headed by the same person who is CEO of a prominent company that's working on self-driving cars has cut federal employees that are evaluating the safety of such technology. Probably. If the question is, will this affect the federal governments ability to understand the safety case behind Teslas vehicles, then yes, it will, one of the fired engineers told The Post . The amount of people in the federal government who are able to understand this adequately is very small. Now its almost nonexistent. The NHTSA expanded from around 600 workers to 800 or so during the Biden administration. The autonomous vehicle oversight team was formed as part of that growth. Since several of its seven or so members were new to the federal government, their employment status was at risk due to a DOGE initiative to cull probationary employees from the federal workforce, as The Post notes. Other agencies that have been impacted include the Federal Aviation Administration, which last week cut around 400 probationary employees. Musk and President Donald Trump pledged in an interview this week that the former, who has been designated as a special government employee, wouldn't be involved in decisions that would mark a conflict of interest with his businesses. The NHTSA has issued numerous recalls for Tesla vehicles over the years (including a recall of more than 2 million vehicles to fix Autopilot safety controls ). In April 2024, the agency released the results of an investigation into 14 deaths linked to driver misuse of the company's Autopilot feature. Last month, Musk said that Tesla will roll out a paid autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin this June. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/elon-musks-doge-reportedly-cuts-staff-at-agency-that-regulates-elon-musks-tesla-173618858.html?src=rss
Enjoy more sophistication at home with this whiskey carafe decanter and glass set for $45 (Reg. $67)
NutriChef 37-ounce Barrel Whiskey Carafe Decanter Set Buy for $45 (Reg. $67) What we love Any lover of whiskey is well aware that a decanter takes things to the next level, for both taste and style. Youll get a unique glass decanter with a glass ship inside, complete with a wooden base, a spigot, a stopper, and two glasses with etchings of the world map on them all of it bringing some sophistication to your bar setup. more
Apple disables iCloud's Advanced Data Protection feature in the UK
Apple users in the UK can no longer access one of the company's most powerful data protection tools, as first reported by Bloomberg . The feature, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), allows iPhone users to add optional end-to-end encryption to a variety of iCloud data. The move comes amid an ongoing dispute between Apple and the UK over a government order that would require the company to build a backdoor to allow British security officials to access the encrypted data of users globally. ADP protects iCloud data with end-to-end encryption, which means the data can only be decrypted by the user who owns it, and only on their trusted devices, Apple told Engadget. We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the UK given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy. Mathew Smith / Engadget Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users, a notification explains when users go to enable the feature on their iPhone, iPad or Mac following Apple's decision. If you live in the UK and have ADP enabled, you will need to manually disable the encryption to keep your iCloud account. Apple told Engadget it will provide customers with a grace period to comply, though the company has yet to say how much time it will give. The company added it would share additional guidance in the future. Due to the nature of end-to-end encryption, Apple cannot automatically disable ADP on behalf of its users. Apple's decision to disable ADP in the UK does not mean the company is removing end-to-end encryption for many of the other services it offers in the country. When it comes to iMessage, passwords , health data and more, those are still protected by end-to-end encryption by default. Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before, Apple said. Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in the future in the United Kingdom. As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will. News of the UK's backdoor request broke last week when The Washington Post reported that government officials issued a technical capability notice to the company under the country's Investigatory Powers Act. Last year , the UK government made changes to the law to ensure the intelligence services and law enforcement have the powers they need to keep pace with a range of evolving threats from terrorists, hostile state actors, child abusers and criminal gangs. The order reportedly demands Apple give security officials the capability to view all of a user's fully encrypted material whenever the government wants and wherever the target is located. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-disables-iclouds-advanced-data-protection-feature-in-the-uk-173016447.html?src=rss
Which iPhone 16 Model Should You Buy?
Should you save up for the iPhone 16 or save some cash with the new iPhone 16e? We break down Apple's complicated lineup.
This 3-piece organizer set will declutter your space at $21 Prime shipped (30% off)
3-pack of Delamu Under-Sink Organizers Buy for $21 (Reg. $30) Clip the on-page 30% off coupon. What we love The photo above paints a clear picture of what storage areas can look like unless you take some time to get everything tidied up. With this kit, youll score three organizers, two of which have sliding drawers and the other features a more compact size that can fit in tighter spaces. The large organizers span 15 by 8.7 by 14.3 inches while the smaller unit measures 12.9 by 5 by 13.6 inches. more
SanDisks brand-new 2TB 2,000MB/s Creator Pro portable SSD is already 31% off at $180
Amazon is now offering the very first chance to save on SanDisks new 2TB Creator Pro portable SSD down at $179.99 shipped. This is a new model that hit the scene towards the end of last year as a part of the brands latest Creator Pro series carrying a $260 price tag. Todays deal lands as the first deal were tracking on this model since it debut, and it shaves a solid 31% off its usual going rate to mark a new best price to beat. This new drive lands as an upgraded model of the older, similar-specced 2TB Extreme PRO portable SSD thats currently going for $199.99 shipped, and you can also score a discount on the 1TB and 4TB variants of this unit from $139.99 shipped . more
Coinbase says Trumps SEC has ended its enforcement case against the crypto company
Coinbase says that the SEC has agreed to end an enforcement case that accused it of illegally running an unregistered securities exchange. This could signal a major change in how the US government will enforce the crypto market now that Trump is in office. The lawsuit, which was filed during the Biden administration , has long-been considered an attempt to bring the crypto industry under the same investor-protection rules that govern stocks and other securities. Coinbase had been fighting the lawsuit on the grounds that it didnt run a securities company, likening the commodities it sells to baseball cards. That appeal will soon be moot, assuming the SEC officially votes to dismiss the suit. This should happen next week . Its a great day for Coinbase and for crypto, Paul Grewal, Coinbases chief legal officer, told The Wall Street Journal . We were committed to defending it to the gates of hell, for as long as it took and for as much money as it took. Coinbase co-founder and CEO Brian Armstrong went on CNBCs Squawk Box and said that the company will not be paying a fine of any kind. He also said the agreement to end the case marks a huge day for Coinbase and that it will cause a domino effect for the rest of the industry. He also blamed the original suit on a small group of activists in this prior administration. https://t.co/0iY0E7Mc9q pic.twitter.com/hVsGpnpNZd Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) February 21, 2025 This move doesnt come as a huge surprise, given President Trumps recent embrace of crypto. He even has his own digital coin. To that end, the SEC has already started to break up the special enforcement unit that was devoted to investigating crypto organizations. Coinbase and its rivals spent millions of dollars throughout the last election cycle to help elect crypto-friendly lawmakers. It looks like that investment is paying off. Acting SEC Chairman Mark Uyeda recently said that the organization would now deploy enforcement resources judiciously when investigating crypto companies. He also said that a new task force would be moving away from the commission's previous approach toward the crypto market. Republican House and Senate lawmakers are working on legislation that would reclassify cryptocurrencies as commodities, according to The Wall Street Journal . This change would likely hand oversight of crypto assets to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which is a much smaller agency than the SEC. The CFTC is actually smaller than ever right now, given that the Trump administration laid off a bunch of employees earlier this week. The crypto market is certainly responding favorably to all of this news. Coinbases stock price is up, and the same goes for Robinhood. Rival market Binance even restored fiat deposits and withdrawals this week, which were suspended in 2023 after the SEC sued the company for violations of securities laws. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/coinbase-says-trumps-sec-has-ended-its-enforcement-case-against-the-crypto-company-171331785.html?src=rss
Ankers P3 Wi-Fi smart scale that measures 16 body metrics returns to the $55 low (Reg. $100)
Through its official eufy Amazon storefront, Anker is now offering its P3 Wi-Fi Fitness Tracking Smart Scale for $54.99 shipped. Normally youd be shelling out $100 to add this device to your home, with the majority of discounts weve seen keeping things above $60, though recently weve seen falls to the $55 low, which is returning here today. Youre looking at a 45% markdown that puts $45 back in your pocket and lands the cost back at the lowest price we have tracked. more
Spring is coming, embrace it with two outdoor chaise lounge chairs at $60 each
2-pack of Greesum Outdoor Chaise Lounge Chairs Buy for $120 (Reg. $144) What we love I dont know about you, but I start itching to head outdoors once February hits, but the weather is far from conducive where I live. At any rate, it wont be long before spring is officially here and you can be ready to embrace it with this set of outdoor chaise lounge chairs. more
Nintendo To End Gold Points Rewards In March 2025
Nintendo has announced that it will discontinue its Gold Points system on My Nintendo starting March 25, 2025 . The My Nintendo rewards program , introduced in 2016 alongside the Nintendo Account system, allows players to earn and redeem both Gold and Platinum Points. While Platinum Points are awarded for completing specific tasks, Gold Points are earned through software purchases and can be used for discounts on future eShop transactions. According to Nintendos statement on the My Nintendo website, after March 25, players will no longer be able to earn Gold Points from digital software purchases , whether made directly through the eShop or via download codes. However, any Gold Points accumulated before this date will remain valid for up to 12 months from the date they were earned. Despite the discontinuation of Gold Points for digital purchases, players can still earn them through physical game registrations. To qualify, the game must have been released before March 25, 2025, and must be registered within two years of its original release date in Europe and South Africa, or within one year in other regions. Additionally, players who pre-ordered digital games before the deadline will still receive Gold Points for those purchases, even if the game is released after March 25. Platinum Points, which are earned by completing missions and can be redeemed for digital and physical rewards, will continue to be available without any changes. Nintendo expressed gratitude to players for their participation in the rewards program and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the discontinuation of Gold Points. While this marks the end of Gold Points as an incentive for digital purchases, the My Nintendo program will continue to offer rewards and benefits through Platinum Points, ensuring that users can still engage with the platform in meaningful ways. Nintendo To End Gold Points Rewards In March 2025 , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .
Amazon To Shut Down Android Appstore By August 2025
Amazon will shut down its Android Appstore on August 20, 2025 , discontinuing support for third-party Android devices. The company informed developers that they will no longer be able to submit new apps, signaling the end of the platforms presence outside Amazons ecosystem. Alongside the Appstore closure, Amazon will also discontinue its Amazon Coins digital currency, which was used to purchase apps and games. Users holding Amazon Coins as of August 20 will receive refunds. The company cited low engagement from non-Amazon device users as a key reason for the shutdown, stating that the vast majority of customers use the Appstore on Amazons own devices, such as Fire TV and Fire Tablets. The Appstore will continue operating on these devices, ensuring that Amazon users retain access to apps and content. Oh wait what, Amazon App Store discontinued on Android Devices. pic.twitter.com/CQvxcXe4LP RizbIT IT Services (@RizbITUK) February 20, 2025 Amazon originally launched its Appstore in 2011 as an alternative to Google Play, attempting to establish a competing app ecosystem. It was integral to Amazons Fire Phone, a project that ultimately failed. More recently, Amazon attempted to expand its app marketplace to Windows, allowing users to download Android apps on Microsofts platform. However, in 2024, Amazon announced that it would discontinue support for its Appstore on Windows starting March 5, 2025. Security concerns may have influenced Amazons decision. In 2023, McAfee Labs discovered that an application on the Amazon Appstore was disguising itself as a health tool while spreading malware. While Amazon did not directly attribute the shutdown to security risks, the incident raised concerns about the platforms safety. By closing its Android Appstore, Amazon is consolidating its digital services, focusing on its own devices rather than maintaining an independent app marketplace. This move reflects the companys broader strategy of strengthening its ecosystem rather than competing with Google Play. Amazon To Shut Down Android Appstore By August 2025 , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .
Oppo Find N5: The Worlds Thinnest Foldable With IPX9 Certification
Oppo has unveiled the Find N5 , the worlds thinnest foldable smartphone , measuring just 4.21mm when open and 8.93mm when closed , weighing 229g . It is also the first foldable to feature IPX9 certification , making it highly resistant to water and dust. The Find N5 achieves its thin profile with a 3D-printed titanium hinge , reducing thickness by 26% , and a high-strength steel reinforcement (2,200 MPa) . The frame is made from aerospace-grade aluminum , increasing durability by 30% . The external display is further strengthened with ultra-thin nanocrystal glass , making it 20% more durable . The device features two OLED LTPO displays : External : 6.62 inches , 120Hz refresh rate , 2,450-nit brightness , HDR10+ support Internal : 8.12 inches , 120Hz refresh rate , 2,100-nit brightness document.createElement('video'); https://www.oppo.com/content/dam/oppo/product-asset-library/find/find-n5-series/main/assets/videos-play-in.mp4 Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite , the Find N5 includes 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage . A 5,600mAh silicon-carbon battery supports 80W wired and 50W wireless charging . AI-powered features include call and text summarization, image enhancement, conversation translation, and Google Circle to Search . As for the Cameras, we have the following setup: Front Cameras : 8MP (on both screens) Triple Rear Camera Setup : 50MP primary sensor (OIS, f/1.8) 8MP ultrawide (116 FOV) 50MP telephoto (3x optical zoom, OIS) In terms of connectivity, the Find N5 supports 5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, and dual-band GPS . AI-powered antennas enhance signal reception. Specs Oppo Find N5 Specifications Internal Display 8.12 LTPO OLED, 120Hz, 2,248 x 2,480 pixels, 2,100 nits brightness External Display 6.62 LTPO OLED, 120Hz, 2,616 x 1,140 pixels, 2,450 nits brightness Platform Snapdragon 8 Elite RAM 16 GB LPDDR5X Storage 512 GB UFS 4.0 Front Cameras 8 MP f/2.4 (both internal and external displays) Main Camera (Triple) 50 MP wide (7 elements, 89, f/1.8, Optical Image Stabilization) 8 MP ultrawide (5 elements, 116, f/2.2, Optical Image Stabilization) 50 MP telephoto (f/2.7, 3x optical zoom, Optical Image Stabilization) Battery 5,600 mAh, 80W charging via USB-C, 50W wireless (Qi) Connectivity 5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C 3.1 Gen 2, NFC, GPS Operating System ColorOS 15.0.1 (based on Android 15, 4 years of updates) Water Resistance IPX9 (water and dust resistance) Fingerprint Sensor Side-mounted Dimensions (Open) 160.87 x 145.58 x 4.21 mm Dimensions (Closed) 160.87 x 74.42 x 8.93 mm Weight 229 grams Colors Cosmic Black, Misty White, Dusk Purple Price and Availability Available in the Cosmic Black, Misty White, and Dusk Purple colors, the Oppo Find N5 is now open for pre-orders in China (and select markets) at $2,499 SGD ( ~$1874 ). And if you are a big fan of foldable phones, dont forget to check out our HONOR Magic V3 review. Oppo Find N5: The Worlds Thinnest Foldable With IPX9 Certification , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .
Is Split Fiction cross-platform
Split Fiction is yet another game from Hazelight that requires you to play in co-op. The last games were not crossplatform, but will Split Fiction also be?
Looking for Free Scary Movies? See the Best 24 Horror Films We Found on Tubi
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Best Coffee Grinders for 2025: Oxo, Baratza and Breville
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Apple Pulls iCloud Encryption Feature Following UK Government Demands
The company said it was gravely disappointed to no longer be able to offer Advanced Data Protection to iPhone users in the UK.
AI wearables 1.0: Was Humanes Ai Pin too ambitious?
Humanes Ai Pin, which promised to replace your smartphone with a sleek wearable device, is officially dead. After a rocky launch, negative reviews, and returns outpacing sales, the startup is shutting down and selling its assets to HP for $116 million less than half of what it raised. But whats next for Humanes tech, [] 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Best Gel Mattress for 2025, Tested by CNETs Bed Experts
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GEs smart indoor smoker lets you enjoy BBQ without setting off alarms at new $499 low (Reg. $999)
Amazon is currently cutting the price in half on the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker that is now down at $499 shipped . This model released at the top of last year carrying a $999 price tag, with most of the discounts weve seen in the time since keeping things above $700, though we did see it drop as low as $599 during Black Friday and Christmas sales and one single period of it down at $550 in July. You can upgrade your kitchen today with a larger-than-ever 50% markdown, which saves you $500 at a new all-time low price. more
ORIA 130-in-1 Precision Screwdriver Set Buy for $16 (Reg. $25) Clip the on-page 20% off coupon. What we love If you dont have a precision set like this around the house, I cannot recommend one highly enough. I use mine all the time and it feels like I lean on it more and more over time. This 130-in-1 solution comes with just about every bit youll wind up needing down the road, making it a solid, long-term option that wont break the bank. more
One of our favorite power banks is 52 percent off right now
Here's a great deal on one of our favorite power banks. You can pick up the skinny Baseus Blade for $47.59 with the help of our exclusive code. That's 52 percent off the regular price of $100. The power bank is on sale for $70 on Amazon. To get the full discount, you'll need to clip the 10 percent coupon on the store page. Then, at checkout, be sure to use the code BGAEY8HX to get the full discount. The Baseus Blade is our pick for the best budget laptop power bank . Thanks to the slim form factor and light weight (it's just over a pound), it's easy to slip into a bag next to your laptop. It has a decent array of ports, with two USB-C and two USB-A slots. There's support for 100W fast charging via the USB-C ports. You can also track charging speed and time on an LED display. The power bank has a capacity of 20,000mAh, which is enough to charge a fifth-gen iPad Air 1.5 times over or a 14-inch MacBook Pro to 80 percent, per Baseus. In our testing, we found that it could top up a 16-inch MacBook Pro's battery from 10 percent to 62 percent in just over an hour. You can also use it to juice up a portable games console, such as a Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. There's certainly a trade off compared with beefier power banks that have a larger capacity. But in terms of bang for your buck, the Baseus Blade isn't bad at all, especially when you factor in the convenience of the slim, 0.7-inch design. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-power-banks-is-52-percent-off-right-now-160430250.html?src=rss
16 Best Crossplay Games for Consoles and PC (2025): Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Mobile
These titles let you play with friends on all kinds of platforms, from computers to Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and even mobile.
Safeguard your new iPhone 16e display with this 2-pack of screen protectors for just $6 (40% off)
iPhone 16e pre-order day has arrived , we have already detailed new magnetic case collections from Spigen , CASETiFY , ESR , and others starting from $10 , and now its time to make sure that new screen doesnt get scratched up. The official TechMatte Amazon storefront is now offering its 2-pack of amFilm Auto-AlignmentScreen Protectors for just $5.99 when you apply code 5PIM3OFI at checkout. Shipping is free for Prime members or in orders over $35. This is 40% off the going rate and delivers a price at just $3 per screen protector. More details below. more
How Much Can You Save Every Month Charging an EV vs. Paying for Gas?
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Best Pet Insurance Companies for 2025
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VOLTME 100W 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger Buy for $19.50 (Reg. $41.50) Clip the on-page 20% off coupon. What we love Youre looking at what I consider to be a head-turning price for a powerful 100W wall charger. Its outfitted with three ports in total, which it distributes across two Type-C ports and a single USB-A, ensuring you can hook up your devices no matter which kind of cable you have around. more
Did You Know Sun Exposure Helps You Sleep Better? Heres How It Worked for Me
I didn't think getting additional rays of sunlight would help improve sleep quality so much.
This Useful Kindle Feature Will Vanish Next Week. You'd Better Do This While You Can
Amazon is now making it harder to download the Kindle books you've bought.
Joes New Balance Flash Event takes $30 off orders of $100 or more + up to 50% off sitewide
Joes New Balance takes $30 off orders of $100 or more and up to 50% off sitewide . Prices are as marked. Customers receive free delivery on orders of $99 or more. One of our top picks from this sale is the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 for men that are currently marked down to $110 , which is $55 off the original rate. The Fresh Foam X midsole promotes a soft, supportive ride and offers superior cushioning for a comfortable running experience. It also has a breathable knit design that promote comfort and a sock-like fit that stays put throughout runs. Find even more deals by heading below, and be sure to check out our fashion guide for additional sales today. more
Prime members can bag two Anker 6-in-1 USB-C outlet extenders for just $8 a pop (47% off)
2-pack of Anker 6-in-1 20W USB-C Outlet Extenders Buy for $16 (Reg. $30) Prime-exclusive discount What we love These outlet extenders from Anker clock in at roughly the size of a tennis ball. Despite the compact form factor, they each deliver three AC outlets, two 12W USB-A ports, and one 20W Type-C output. Its a great way to add more power to an area where you never seem to have enough outlets. more
ISRO Unveils Worlds Largest 10-Tonne Vertical Mixer for Solid Propellants
ISRO, in collaboration with CMTI, has developed a 10-tonne vertical planetary mixer, the largest of its kind for solid propellants. The system improves precision, efficiency, and safety in propellant production, which is vital for rocket motors. Weighing 150 tonnes, the mixer successfully passed factory-level tests. It is expected to enhance Indias self-reliance in space technology by increasing productivity in solid rocket motor production. The initiative aligns with the countrys push for indigenous innovation in aerospace engineering.
The Young Pope Now Streaming on Lionsgate Play: Everything You Need to Know
The Young Pope, released in 2016, follows Lenny Belardos rise as Pope Pius XIII, bringing unexpected reforms to the Vatican. Jude Law leads a stellar cast, with Diane Keaton and Silvio Orlando playing key roles. The show navigates power struggles, faith, and ambition within the Church. Now available for streaming on Lionsgate Play.
Lectric cuts prices on XP 3.0 long-range e-bikes to new $1,139 low along with $563 in free gear
As its Presidents Day sale continues through March 1, Lectric has made a slight change to things by cutting the price on its XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes to $1,139 shipped along with the $563 in free bundled gear. All-in-all, this package would normally cost you $1,762, with this being up towards the higher end of bundle sizes weve seen. The additional $60 being cut off the bikes price is also a nice surprise, dropping things to a new all-time low price. Along with your e-bike, youll be getting a wider saddle, a suspension seat post, steel-encased front and rear baskets, an Elite headlight, an accordion-style bike lock, a 40L storage bag, and a cargo net. more
Think You Have Sleep Apnea? Here's How to Get Diagnosed
Sleep apnea can have long-term effects on your health, which is why a diagnosis and treatment is so important.
Twelve Souths latest Butterfly SE 2-in-1 15W MagSafe travel charger is now 20% off at Amazon
Amazon is now offering Twelve South Butterfly SE 2-in-1 15W MagSafe Travel Charger down at $79.99 shipped. Regularly $100, this is a straight up 20% price drop and the lowest we can find it is still up at the full $100 via the online Apple Store of course. After debuting last summer as a more affordable alternative to the standard model with more or less the same specs (2-in-1, 15W charging, and so on), youre looking at the second-best price to date, having only ever dropped any lower to $70 at Amazon during a Black Friday sale event. more
Over at B&H, youll find Acers Predator Helios Neo 14 gaming laptop with Intel Core Ultra 9 185H/32GB/1TB/4070 down at $1,249.99 shipped . This is regularly a $1,850 gaming machine, which is now seeing a whopping $600 discount. Weve seen the model with an Intel Ultra 7 processor go for lower, but this top-end variant with the Ultra 9 chip and 32GB RAM hasnt been this low. This is the lowest price we can find for this model, and the same machine with 16GB RAM is currently going for $1,750 at Amazon. The top-end model with an Ultra 9 chip and an RTX 4070 GPU packs a lot of punch and delivers serious value at its discounted price, and you can learn more about it below. more
FlexiSpot 48- by 24-inch Electric Standing Desk Buy for $90 (Reg. $180) Clip the on-page 50% off coupon. What we love At $90, youre looking at one of the best values weve tracked for a standing desk like this. Its no wonder that stock is slipping, with just 10 left in stock at the time of publishing this Steal. A couple of notable features include three memory presets and a built-in USB charging port. more
3 new Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (February 21-23)
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Moroi preview: A grimdark action game that's actually pretty funny
The most surprising thing about Moroi is its sense of humor. Moroi is a top-down, dual-stick action and puzzle game set in a dungeon of surreal horrors, where each cell contains a unique and grotesque vignette. In the first area of the map, theres a cell containing a sentient meat grinder that craves human flesh. In another, a dead man is strapped to a feeding tube thats still pumping slop into his bulbous, pulsing stomach. The next room over, you meet a talking duck with far too many human teeth in its mouth. One tooth would be too many, but this duck has a full, smiling set. And then he rips them all out for you, leaving behind a bloody, empty bill. And this moment makes me laugh out loud. The gore in Moroi is so ridiculous that it turns the corner into hilarity, tapping into the gruesome absurdity that makes b-horror movies so charming. You dont expect the duck to have human teeth, but whats even more surprising is their sudden removal and the ducks leftover, blood-smeared smile. These shocking moments of levity appear in Moroi at a rapid-fire pace, twisting the vibe from brutality to bizarreness and back until it feels like youre trapped in a Francisco Goya fever dream directed by Sam Raimi. Its pretty awesome. Moroi comes from creator Alex Stanescu and his independent studio, Violet Saint. Though hes now based in Switzerland, Stanescu is Romanian and Moroi is filled with grimdark takes on his homegrown fairy tales. The games name refers to a vampire in Romanian folklore, even. Stanescu was also inspired by David Lynch, Heironymous Bosch, H.R. Giger and Little Nightmares , with a dash of Robert Sheckley and Douglas Adams for humor. But at its core, Moroi is a completely original world of creepiness, Stanescu explained during a media briefing hosted by the games publisher, Good Shepherd Entertainment. There's a big pool of things in my subconscious from which I pull, he said. General grotesquery, maybe carnival art, Bosch and early medieval art, and caricature. I always try to find my own style. Stanescu later clarified further, saying, Creepy things. Like, for example, in a puzzle, you have to vomit blood into the mouth of someone else. And you will find reality shifting in some places, like in a room you find someone else than you expect to find, and so on. Let's say dream logic. Violet Saint Its more like nightmare logic, really. Each of the cells in Moroi is connected get the severed hand from the autocannibal so the meat grinder can make bone dust, which you can then give to the creepy wizard, who turns it into salt for the witch, whos then devoured by her own potion, and so on. Eventually in the introductory level, you find a sword, break down a door and continue your quest to escape, but the prison only grows more strange. Every now and then, a voice interrupts your progress, whispering for you to find it. The creatures in the cells seem to know who you are, even though you have no memory of this place. Theres way more going on in Moroi than meets the eye. I tell a lot of it through the lore and collectibles, so those will carry a lot of storytelling, Stanescu said. The storytelling given by the characters and by the gameplay is pretty cryptic. You have to find and pay attention to what's happening. There are no branching storylines in Moroi , but your choices throughout the game will affect how it ends, according to Stanescu. He said the full experience should take about nine hours to complete, but this can be extended if you hunt down all of the secrets. Violet Saint Combat in Moroi is fast and fun, and heavy metal replaces the games moody dungeon music at the beginning of each fight, setting an appropriate tone of chaos and carnage. Dungeon guards are the main enemies and they appear in waves of five or so at a time, some with more powerful moves than others. I ended the hour-long demo with an enhanced sword and a gatling gun in my arsenal. With a sword, you have basic and heavy attacks, plus a finishing move that builds up as you deal damage. The gun doesnt require ammo but it runs on a cooldown mechanic, and it has a basic shot and a finisher. Dodge rolls round out your moveset in the early game, and the balance in these battles feels just right. On top of dodging and attacking, there are fiery cores scattered around the environments that you can explode for AOE damage but be warned, if youre too close to the boom, youll get hurt, too. The end of each battle is marked by piles of intestines and busted corpses hopefully not yours littering the cobblestones. The amount of blood-soaked surrealism, frantic combat and body horror in Moroi s first hour is impressive, and Im amped to discover all of the secrets in the full game, no matter how many exploded corpses I have to dig through. Or maybe even because of all the exploded corpses. Moroi is due to hit PC pretty soon early 2025. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/moroi-preview-a-grimdark-action-game-thats-actually-pretty-funny-150009465.html?src=rss
3 new PlayStation Plus games to play this weekend (February 21-23)
PlayStation Plus is giving subscribers to the Extra and Premium tiers a treat to close out the month with a day one addition. Here's what to play this weekend.
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Most of your nutrients come from your diet. Though these are the top six your doctor may suggest supplementing.
