Google Calendar now lets you schedule tasks

Productivity setups are a personal thing. Some people swear by to-do lists and apps, some people like scheduling and planners. For those in the latter camp, Google has made a minor but valuable addition to the Workspace suite. Going forward, you'll be able to block off segments of time in Google Calendar for working on specific tasks. You can add descriptions and set your preferences for that task in regard to do not disturb and visibility settings. It's a nice step up from scheduling meetings with yourself when you have to focus on a particular assignment (which several of us at Engadget have been known to do). Google This option began appearing for Google's Rapid Release domains earlier in November, while standard release domains will see a gradual release beginning December 1. Once its fully rolled out, it will be available by default, whether you're a Google Workspaces customer or just using a personal Google account. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-calendar-now-lets-you-schedule-tasks-231026000.html?src=rss

Cities: Skylines II dev parts ways with publisher Paradox

Game publisher Paradox Interactive has split with Colossal Order, the studio behind Cities: Skylines II . Colossal Order, which also made the original Cities: Skylines back in 2015, will move on to something new after completing a few last updates. The intellectual property will remain with Paradox, which said today that work on Cities: Skylines II will be moved to Iceflake Studios. The Finland-based internal team will be responsible for all development, including future content updates and the long-awaited console version, starting in 2026. The move comes after about two years of trying to salvage the citybuilding sequel and the reputations of all parties. While the game was initially expected to debut in October 2023 on PC and consoles, the launch was limited to PC, with higher minimum specs than previously announced and with a lot of bugs. The ongoing issues caused tension and toxicity between Colossal Order and the Cities: Skylines audience. Although the game has reached a more stable state, new content has been slow to arrive and there is still no sign of a console launch as the studio exits their project. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/cities-skylines-ii-dev-parts-ways-with-publisher-paradox-210229692.html?src=rss

Facebook rolls out new tools for creators to track accounts stealing their content

Creators on Facebook and Instagram have long griped about accounts that lift their videos without permission. Now, Meta is rolling out a new tool that allows creators to more easily track when their videos have been reposted by others. The company introduced a new tool for creators called content protection , which can automatically detect when a creator's original reel is reposted, either fully or partially, on Facebook or Instagram. Creators who are enrolled will be able to see which accounts have shared their work and will be able to take a range of actions on the clip. Available actions include track, which allows the creator to add a label indicating the clip originally came from their account. In addition to the link back, creators will also be able to keep tabs on the number of views it's getting. Creators can also opt to block a clip entirely, which will prevent anyone else from being able to view the reel. (Meta notes choosing this option won't impose additional penalties on the account that lifted the original content.) Finally, creators can choose to release the video, which removes it from their dashboard so they will no longer have any visibility into how it's performing. The dashboard tracks instances of reused content, Meta The dashboard also provides some other details that could help creators decide how to respond. For example, they can see whether the video using their content is being monetized, which may influence their decision to track with attribution or block entirely. On the other hand, if a reel was lifted from an account with few followers, they may opt to simply keep an eye on it. Meta has already offered Facebook creators some of these abilities in the past through its rights manager platform, but the company says making the features available directly in the Facebook app will make it accessible to more people. Notably, the company is only offering content protection to creators who share reels on Facebook. So even though the feature will detect copycats on Instagram, it will only do so if the original video has been posted to Facebook. Meta says content protection is rolling out now to creators in its monetization program who meet enhanced integrity and originality standards as well as those already using rights manager. Creators can also apply for access directly. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/facebook-rolls-out-new-tools-for-creators-to-track-accounts-stealing-their-content-201020255.html?src=rss

Lego Black Friday deals on Star Wars, Disney sets and more are already up to 41 percent off

Lego is cutting prices for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so now's the time to find sets that make fantastic gifts . I'm a lifelong Lego lover, and my younger self would have squealed at some of the deals I'm seeing as I'm betting is true for many of you. Throughout the month, I'll be checking all the biggest online shopping centers in search of the biggest discounts on the best Lego sets available. We've already seen low prices on Disney and Harry Potter advent calendars your kids will love this December, plus beautiful botanicals and art pieces for yourself or the adults on your list. It's only likely to get better, so keep checking regularly. We always recommend using a price tracker to determine if a Lego deal is in fact a good one. You'll find Lego deals across the board this holiday season at retailers like Amazon and Walmart , but don't overlook Lego's own site . If you join the free Lego Insiders program, you'll build up points with each purchase that you can redeem in the future, get special discounts and sometimes get exclusive gifts when you buy. While not a deal, arguably the hottest Lego for Black Friday will be the brand new Star Trek USS Enterprise set , which was announced recently. It has a whopping 3,600 pieces and will be a must-have for any Star Trek fans. The set will be available starting November 28 for $400. Best Lego Black Friday deals LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 43273 for $31 (32 percent off) Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2025 76456 for $31 (31 percent off) LEGO Star Wars Brick-Built Star Wars Logo 75407 for $48 (20 percent off) LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 Building Toy Set 75379 for $80 (20 percent off) LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds 76419 for $140 (18 percent off) LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Magical Unicorn Toy 31140 for $7 (32 percent off) LEGO City Donut Truck Toy 60452 for $16 (20 percent off) LEGO Speed Champions 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) Race Car 76917 for $18 (28 percent off) LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants Building Toys 10349 for $18 (20 percent off) LEGO Botanicals Mini Orchid Building Set 10343 for $24 (20 percent off) LEGO Art Hokusai The Great Wave Framed Japanese Wall Art Building Set 31208 for $85 (15 percent off) LEGO Ideas Tuxedo Cat 21349 for $80 (20 percent off) LEGO Icons Fountain Garden Building Set 10359 for $70 (30 percent off) LEGO Dreamzzz Izzie's Dream Animals Toys 71481 for $24 (40 percent off) LEGO NINJAGO Dragon Stone Shrine 71819 for $79 (34 percent off) LEGO Harry Potter Mandrake Figure & Pot Plant Toy 76433 for $41 (41 percent off) This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/lego-black-friday-deals-on-star-wars-disney-sets-and-more-are-already-up-to-50-percent-off-155007811.html?src=rss

Xbox is hosting a partner showcase on November 20 at 1PM ET

Xbox is hosting a partner showcase event on November 20 at 1PM ET. It'll be available for streaming on the platform's official YouTube page and Twitch page . We don't know how long this stream will run for, but previous Partner Preview events have lasted around 25 to 30 minutes . As indicated by the name, this stream will highlight third-party publishers. Xbox called out companies like THQ Nordic, Tencent and IO Interactive in the press release that announced the event. We do know some games that'll be getting the spotlight this week. Xbox has stated that we'll be seeing an exciting first look at content coming to the James Bond game, 007 First Light . IO Interactive is behind that one and it comes out on March 27 . We got to watch this title in action at Gamescom and called it Hitman meets action blockbuster. This is appropriate given that developer IO Interactive was behind many of the Hitman games. We'll also be getting an electrifying extended gameplay trailer for Tides of Annihilation . This is an upcoming fantasy adventure game made by the Chinese studio Eclipse Glow Games. The platform also promises a fresh look at Reanimal , which is a horror adventure from the folks behind Little Nightmares . Xbox has also promised some brand-new reveals and Game Pass announcements. Those Game Pass announcements had better be beefy, considering that recent price hike . We'll find out on Thursday. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-is-hosting-a-partner-showcase-on-november-20-at-1pm-et-191537266.html?src=rss

Tesla wins bid to decertify class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination

Tesla has secured a ruling to strip a 2017 lawsuit claiming a racist work environment of its class-action status, as reported by Reuters . California Superior Court Judge Peter Borkon, appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, ruled that the lawsuit could not proceed with class-action status because the plaintiffs' attorneys had failed to find 200 class members willing to testify. The judge said he could not assume that the experiences of a select group of workers could be applied to the entire class of would-be plaintiffs. The 2017 lawsuit began with a single employee who filed suit alleging Tesla's Fremont production floor was a hotbed for racist behavior, and that over 100 employees had experienced racial harassment. In 2024, a lower court judge ruled the case could move forward as a class action, a decision that Tesla had been appealing since. A trial in the case was scheduled to begin in April, though now that the case has lost its class-action status, each plaintiff would have to bring their case against Tesla separately. This is not the first time that Tesla has found itself in court over alleged racial misconduct. In 2023, the automaker was sued by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over allegations that Black employees were subjected to racial slurs and retaliation. Last year, Tesla reached a confidential settlement with a single employee who said he faced discrimination at the same California plant, reporting that his coworkers left drawings of swastikas and racist figures on his workspace. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-wins-bid-to-decertify-class-action-lawsuit-alleging-racial-discrimination-191256294.html?src=rss

The best Black Friday TV deals we can find so far: Samsung, LG, TCL and more

Generally speaking, there are two ideal periods to buy a TV: the late spring stretch when new models are announced and last years sets are heavily discounted to clear out inventory, and the holiday shopping season, right around Black Friday . Were firmly in the latter now, so if youve been thinking about making that big living room upgrade, its OK to take the plunge. To help you out, weve sorted through the many sales already floating around the web and picked out the best Black Friday TV deals we could find below. The current selection includes several well-reviewed sets from Samsung, LG, TCL and Hisense, but well update this post through Black Friday itself as more deals pop up. Best Black Friday TV deals: Under $500 Hisense U65QF (55-inch) for $428 at Amazon ($372 off MSRP) : The U65QF is another entry-level LED TV with generally positive reviews . Most feedback around the web suggests that it cant match the QM6K in terms of contrast, gaming features and overall accuracy, so TCLs model should be a better buy for most. This iteration also uses Amazons Fire TV platform instead of the cleaner Google TV . It can achieve a higher peak brightness, however, so its worth considering if you get particularly bad glare in your living room. This is the lowest price weve seen for the 55-inch model, but the 65-inch ( $548 ), 75-inch ( $748 ) and 85-inch ( $998 ) models are also at all-time lows. Also at Best Buy . Best Black Friday TV deals: Between $500 and $1,000 LG B5 (55-inch) for $897 at Amazon ($100 off) : The B5 is LGs entry-level OLED TV for 2025. It gets you the core benefits of any OLED TV excellent contrast, wide viewing angles, smooth motion and so on but it cant get as bright as the higher-end LG C5 , so it doesnt look as colorful. (The C5 isnt significantly discounted as of this writing.) Its technically limited to a 120Hz refresh rate instead of 144Hz, too, though that isnt a big deal unless you plan to play PC games on your TV. While not huge discount, this matches the lowest price weve seen for the 55-inch model. Also at Best Buy and LG . TCL QM7K (65-inch) for $800 at Amazon ($200 off) : The TCL QM7K is a fairly sizable step-up over the QM6K, with noticeably improved contrast, brightness and color volume. It has a 144Hz refresh rate with 288Hz@1080p support as well, though like the budget model its limited to two HDMI 2.1 ports. And like most LED TVs, it cant compete with a good OLED set when it comes to colors and viewing angles. This deal matches the all-time low for the 65-inch model. The 55-inch version is $30 above its previous best at $598. Also at Best Buy and Walmart . Best Black Friday TV deals: $1,000 and up Samsung S95F (65-inch) for $2,298 at Amazon ($700 off) : The S95F is a premium model that has received almost universally stellar reviews for being especially bright among OLED TVs while keeping the bold colors and contrast expected from a QD-OLED panel. That brightness, combined with the displays matte finish, means its especially adept at fending off glare in a bright room. It also has a 165Hz refresh rate for gaming. That said, theres still no Dolby Vision HDR, and the matte coating means that black tones wont look as deep in a well-lit room. It's not cheap, but this is the lowest price weve seen for the 65-inch model. Also at Samsung and Best Buy . TCL QM8K (75-inch) for $1,400 at Amazon ($600 off) : If youre willing to pay an OLED-level price but want the increased brightness of a high-end LED TV, the TCL QM8K is worth a look. It wont be as good in a dark room as something like the Samsung S90F or LG C5, as its contrast isnt as deep and black tones arent as uniformly dark. Its viewing angles are clearly worse, too. But reviews say it still performs excellently compared to other LED sets, and since it gets way brighter than most OLED alternatives (especially with non-HDR content), it can better withstand glare. It also has a 144Hz refresh rate with support for 288Hz at 1080p, though it only comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports, and its not available in a size smaller than 65 inches. This is the best price weve seen for the 75-inch variant. Also at Walmart . Best Black Friday streaming device deals Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus for $25 at Amazon ($25 off) : The newly rebranded Fire TV Stick 4K Plus offers the same core experience as the more expensive Fire TV Stick 4K Max, only it has a slightly slower processor, half the storage space (8GB) and Wi-Fi 6 support instead of Wi-Fi 6E. For most people who just want to stream casually, those shouldnt be huge losses. Just keep in mind that its Fire OS interface is still fairly ad-heavy and prioritizes Amazons own apps over everything else. This deal is $3 more than the devices all-time low but ties the best price weve seen in the past year. Also at Best Buy . Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $35 at Amazon ($25 off) : If you want the best Amazon streaming stick possible, the 4K Max gets you faster hardware than the Plus model and may be worthwhile if you have a Wi-Fi 6E router at home. This deal isnt an all-time low, but it matches the best price weve seen over the past year. Amazon Fire TV Stick HD for $18 at Amazon ($17 off) : The Fire TV Stick HD is the budget pick in our guide to the best streaming devices . It only streams up to 1080p and runs a bit choppier than Amazons 4K models since it has a slower chip and a meager 1GB of RAM. The usual complaints with Fire OS still apply, too. But if you just want to add streaming apps to an aging TV for as little as possible, it'll work well enough. This discount matches the best price weve tracked. Also at Best Buy and Target . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-black-friday-tv-deals-we-can-find-so-far-samsung-lg-tcl-and-more-181143919.html?src=rss

DeepMind releases a new weather forecasting model for more accurate predictions

Google's DeepMind just released WeatherNext 2 , a new version of its AI weather prediction model. The company promises that it delivers more efficient, more accurate and higher-resolution global weather predictions. To that end, it should be able to provide accurate forecasts up to two weeks out, including information on temperature, pressure and wind. It should also be able to better predict tropical storm tracks, according to researchers. This means that predictions of a hurricane's path should be accurate up to three days out. The previous model only predicted things up to two days ahead of the storm. The model also brings hourly forecasts into the mix. All told, Google says this new model is eight times faster than the previous iteration. This should help businesses like energy traders make more precise decisions, according to a report by Bloomberg . It gives you a more granular forecast, DeepMind AI researcher Akib Uddin said. Many other industries are quite interested in these one-hour steps. It helps them make more precise decisions. Their goal is, how can they make their business more resilient to weather? Google The improvements here stem from a new approach to weather models, as explained in this recently-published research paper . Older methods demanded the use of machine learning models that were built for image and video generation. This required repeated processing to ensure an accurate result. The new model only requires a single processing step, which also reduces reliance on costly AI computing systems. AI may not be great at everything , despite what proponents want you to believe, but it is great at predicting the weather . Newer models typically outperform traditional prediction methods , even those that rely on supercomputers. These models aren't perfect, however, as even Google has acknowledged that WeatherNext 2 will likely struggle to predict outlier rain and snow events. This is due to gaps in the training data. Its one limitation of our forecast, but one that we are working on improving, DeepMind research scientist Ferran Alet told Bloomberg . AI weather prediction is becoming a crowded field. Companies like NVIDIA , Microsoft, AccuWeather and Huawei are all throwing their hats in the ring in one way or another. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/deepmind-releases-a-new-weather-forecasting-model-for-more-accurate-predictions-175451228.html?src=rss

The 22 best gift ideas for the remote worker in your life

Its 2025, so chances are you have at least one person who works remotely on your gift list. While the work-from-home life has its perks nobody likes a long commute it certainly comes with its own set of challenges, from missing out on pro-level equipment to dealing with annoyances around the house. If youre looking to buy a gift for someone who spends much of their time in their home office, weve rounded up a few techy ideas that should make their days a little more delightful or at least easier to manage. Best gifts for remote workers Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-22-best-gift-ideas-for-the-remote-worker-in-your-life-140037336.html?src=rss

Black Friday VPN deals: Get up to 75 percent off Proton VPN two-year plans

Now is arguably the best time of year to sign up for a VPN, or gift a subscription to someone. Black Friday VPN deals are already available, with one of the best being on our favorite VPN overall. Proton VPN is offering two years of access to its VPN Plus tier for $59.76, which works out to $2.49 per month. That's a discount of 75 percent compared with the regular price of $10 per month. Overall, you'd save $180. Proton VPN is our pick for the best VPN overall because it checks all of the boxes it needs to. There is a free plan with unlimited data, but with that you can only connect to servers in a few countries and the connection might not be fast enough for you to watch anything from your preferred streaming service's library in that locale. The VPN Plus tier unlocks a lot more options, such as the ability to connect to 15,000 servers across more than 120 countries and simultaneous protection for up to 15 devices. The apps are well-designed Proton has clients for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android and it's easy to find a feature or setting you're looking for. In our testing, Proton VPN Plus had a relatively small impact on browsing speeds. Our download speeds dropped by 12 percent and uploads by 4 percent, while the global average ping remained below 300 ms (which is especially impressive if you're connecting to a server on the other side of the planet). Perhaps, most importantly, though, it's Proton's commitment to privacy that helps make its VPN an easy recommendation. There's a no-logs policy, meaning it does not log user activity or any identifiable characteristics of devices that connect to the VPN. Proton's servers use full-disk encryption to bolster privacy as well. Proton VPN is not the only service to offer a Black Friday VPN deal this year, of course. There are plenty of others available on services we like. Here are the best of the bunch if you're looking for an alternative to Proton VPN. Surfshark One (24 months + 3 free months) for $59.13 (88 percent off): A VPN is great, but it's not enough to protect your data all on its own. Surfshark One adds several apps that boost your security beyond just VPN service, including Surfshark Antivirus (scans devices and downloads for malware) and Surfshark Alert (alerts you whenever your sensitive information shows up in a data breach), plus Surfshark Search and Alternative ID from the tier below. This extra-low deal gives you 88 percent off all those features. NordVPN Plus (24 months + 3 free months) for $105.03 (74 percent off): NordVPN has taken 74 percent off its Plus subscription for Black Friday. For only a little more, you get a powerful ad and tracker blocker that can also catch malware downloads, plus access to the NordPass password manager. A Plus plan also adds a data breach scanner that checks the dark web for your sensitive information. CyberGhost (24 months + 4 free months) for $56.94 (84 percent off): CyberGhost has some of the best automation you'll see on any VPN. With its Smart Rules system, you can determine how its apps respond to different types of Wi-Fi networks, with exceptions for specific networks you know by name. Typically, you can set it to auto-connect, disconnect or send you a message asking what to do. CyberGhost's other best feature is its streaming servers I've found both better video quality and more consistent unblocking when I use them on streaming sites. Private Internet Access (36 months + 4 free months) for $79.20 (83 percent off): Private Internet Access (PIA) is giving out the best available price right now on a VPN I'd recommend using. With this deal, you can get 40 months of PIA for just under $2 per month an 83 percent discount on its monthly price. Despite being so cheap, PIA has plenty of features, coming with its own DNS servers, a built-in ad blocker and automation powers to rival CyberGhost. However, internet speeds can fluctuate while you're connected. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-vpn-deals-get-up-to-75-percent-off-proton-vpn-two-year-plans-153737542.html?src=rss

Google expands AI Mode's flight and event booking features

Google has introduced some new tools in AI Mode alongside the expansion of others. The beta for Flight Deals , the AI-powered search tool that operates within Google Flights, is expanding globally. The tool works to find the best deals on flights in response to natural-language prompts from the user. The company is also expanding AI Mode's agentic capabilities to more users across the US, helping to book restaurants, event tickets and beauty or wellness appointments. The search giant is also adding a new feature to AI Mode called Canvas. This tool offers an organized space for users to build plans or projects. It can also help plan trips. Within the Canvas environment, users can describe the kind of trip they want to book, and the various tools will suggest destinations, hotels and bookings. Last week, Google also added a host of new AI-powered shopping features, including an agentic checkout that helps find and buy an item at a specific price. Shoppers can have Google track the price of an item and give the AI permission to purchase it once it hits the desired discount. Google has been rolling out a slew of AI features across its product suite, including Google Photos , Google Messages and Android . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-expands-ai-modes-flight-and-event-booking-features-170017656.html?src=rss

Anker Black Friday deals are here early: Power banks, wireless chargers and other tech accessories

If smartphones and tablets are the stars of the tech world, Anker is the faithful costar. Were big fans of the brands charging gear and accessories Anker has earned kudos in a number of our buying guides, from power banks to wireless chargers . Now for Black Friday , a whole slew of the companys gear is on sale, and some are hitting the best prices weve seen this year. So if youre looking for dependable sidekicks and supporting players to keep your heavy hitters in business, check out the best Anker Black Friday deals we could find. Just note that some of the deals from Amazon require you to be a Prime member. Others are open to anyone. Best Black Friday Anker deals: Power banks Power banks revive dead phones, let you work longer while away from an outlet and let you play with your tablet/ereader/gamepad while it charges without being tethered to the wall. Anker power banks are among the best. After testing out brands from a slew of different makers, our picks just keep coming back to Anker. The mix of value, capacity and clever features make Anker batteries just a little bit better than most brands out there. Anker makes the Laptop Power bank , which our reviewer (me) called the culmination of all the best battery features . The brand is also responsible for our top MagSafe battery pick (the MagGo Qi2 ) thanks to its clever stand, excellent charging speeds and generous capacity. Many of the other banks weve tested and tried are also on sale for Black Friday, so consider this your opportunity to make sure your phone never goes dead on you again. Best Black Friday Anker deals: Wireless chargers A rats nest of cables on your desk is not the loveliest look. Now that phones, earbuds, smartwatches and even ereaders can refill on a charging coil, wireless chargers are a tidy solution. There are options thatll let you view your phone while it charges, as well as some that will charge three devices at once. Weve tested units from dozens of brands for our buying guides and keep putting Anker on our lists of winners. The brand makes some of the top picks in both our wireless charger guide and our list of the best multi-device chargers . Now, thanks to Black Friday, you can keep your devices topped off with quality accessories that are an even better value than usual. Best Black Friday Anker deals: Power adapters While wireless charging is faster than its ever been, cords are still the fastest way to charge your phone. Bigger devices like your laptop will reup faster on a high-wattage brick than on a dinky 20-watt adapter and if you want to keep your outlets more streamlined, go for a multi-port power adapter that will let you charge multiple devices at once. Again, after testing many brands, some of our most reliable picks continue to be from Anker. It shows up three times in our guide to the best fast chargers and we recommend the brand in a number of our accessories guides . Now that Black Friday is here, some of our favorite Anker power adapters are on sale so we rounded them all up here. Best Black Friday Anker deals: Soundcore audio We mostly think of Anker as a charging accessory brand. But theyve expanded their scope by getting into audio equipment and the effort was a success. You might not immediately pick up that these are Anker speakers Soundcore shows up on the products themselves, but its the same company. We recommend a couple Soundcore music makers in our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers . With Black Friday deals, these are the best Anker Soundcore deals we could find. More Anker Black Friday deals My personal favorite USB-C cable is made by Anker. Its rated at 240 watts, has a durable build, plus its long enough and has a handy right angled connector at one end. Anker of course also makes plenty of other gear, from webcams to mice that continually show up in our guides to the best accessories. Here are the best Black Friday deals on Anker gear that don't quite fit into the categories above. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/anker-black-friday-deals-are-here-early-power-banks-wireless-chargers-and-other-tech-accessories-164907851.html?src=rss

Meta and Google delay undersea cables over security concerns

Meta and Google are facing delays with long-promised undersea cable projects, according to a report by Bloomberg . A Meta spokesperson blames the delays on a range of operational factors, regulatory concerns and geopolitical risk. Meta's 2Africa subsea cable system is supposed to wrap around the African continent to deliver fiber internet to the region. It's also intended to connect Europe with Asia and Africa. The 28,000-mile project was first announced all the way back in 2020. Interesting: Meta is one of the largest investors in 2Africa, the largest subsea fibre optic cable system ever: https://t.co/sNWd8SoYUZ Metas subsea cable investments are expected to contribute over half a trillion dollars to Asia-Pacific and European economies by 2025. pic.twitter.com/gVuuztqhd7 Jack Prescott (@JackPrescottX) October 5, 2024 However, the company has experienced issues when running cable through the southern portion of the Red Sea. A whole section has yet to be built due to regional conflicts and difficulty obtaining certain permits from local governments. The Google-backed Blue-Raman intercontinental cable system has also been delayed in the region, after first being announced in 2021. This system was originally supposed to go live in 2024, connecting countries like France, Italy, India, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The company has not provided an updated timetable. These are just two examples, as plenty of other fiber internet cables have yet to go live in the Red Sea. Builders have experienced repeated missile attacks, allegedly by the Iran-backed Houthis, which forced them on lengthy detours and disrupted work. They are not only unable to monetize their investments by sending data over these cables, but they are forced to purchase capacity on alternative cables to meet their near-term requirements, said Alan Mauldin, research director at telecommunications firm Telegeography. New from Meta: Project #Waterworth . connecting US to 3 BRICS countries Once complete, the project will reach five major continents and span over 50,000 km (longer than the Earths circumference), making it the worlds longest subsea cable project... https://t.co/jcR74wyHfY pic.twitter.com/BQ6oaGbEmv Juan Ortiz-Freuler (@juanof9) February 14, 2025 It's worth noting that these delays shouldn't impact two previously announced undersea fiber projects by Google and Meta. Google is building a cable to connect Togo to Europe , which will wrap around the Atlantic side. Meta is building a gigantic cable system that looks to connect five continents, which isn't crossing the Red Sea. Undersea cables are a great way to give the various regions of the world fiber internet, but there are some downsides. We've already covered geopolitical concerns when it comes to building, but the installed cables can tear and break. This is typically caused by natural disasters, extreme weather and human activities like fishing. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-and-google-delay-undersea-cables-over-security-concerns-163508037.html?src=rss

We found the best Black Friday 2025 deals on tech from Amazon, Apple, Lego, Ninja and more ahead of the big sale

Black Friday has become the time to buy the hottest tech of the year. Whether you're shopping for yourself or stocking up on gifts for the holidays, Black Friday deals next week are sure to bring the best prices of the year to things like headphones, game consoles, robot vacuums, phone accessories and everything in between. You don't even have to wait until Black Friday proper to save a ton of money. Over the past few years, we've seen Black Friday tech deals start earlier and earlier to the point where the entire month of November is packed with discounts. If you're on the hunt for solid tech deals, Engadget has you covered. We've collected the best Black Friday deals on tech you can get right now, and we'll continue to update this post as we get closer to the big day at the end of November. Note that you probably have the best chance of snagging record-low prices when we get to about one week before Thanksgiving, but these deals available now are worth considering. Table of contents Black Friday deals: Engadget's top picks Black Friday deals under $50 Black Friday Apple deals Black Friday smart home and kitchen deals More Black Friday tech deals Black Friday deals: Engadget's top picks Apple AirPods 4 for $85 (34 percent off): These are the most affordable AirPods you can get, and the latest model has been substantially improved over the previous. They have a better fit and noticeably better sound quality than their predecessor, plus some advanced features previously only found on pricer models. Apple AirTags (four pack) for $65 (34 percent off): iPhone users who frequently misplace things should invest in a few AirTags. Slip them into your wallet, bag, jacket and other belongings to keep track of their locations in the Find My app. Just make sure that, if you're going to attach one to your keys, you also pick up an AirTag holder to go along with it. LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Collectable 75375 for $68 (20 percent off): This is a set that any Star Wars fan will love to build and then love to display once it's complete. The 921-piece set features a fully-detailed Millennium Falcone, buildable stand and nameplate. It's one of many Lego Black Friday deals you can get right now. Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for $248 ($158 off): While the new XM6 headphones have replaced these as Sony's flagship cans, that doesn't mean the XM5 aren't worth buying. They were our top pick for the best wireless headphones for years before the XM6 came around, and they still have excellent ANC, great sound quality, long battery life, a comfortable fit and handy extra features like multipoint connectivity. Bose QuietComfort headphones for $170 (51 percent off): These noise-cancelling headphones have a comfortable (albeit a bit boring) design, an Aware mode that lets you hear more of your surroundings when you need to and up to 24 hours of battery life. Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $499: Black Friday Nintendo sales were announced recently and, unsurprisingly, there won't be many true deals out there this year. There are no straight discounts on the Switch 2 console, so your best bet is to pick up a bundle that saves you some cash on a Switch 2 game. One of the best is the Mario Kart Wold bundle, but Pokmon fans should consider the Pokmon Legends: Z-A bundle , too. Black Friday deals under $50 Blink Mini 2 (2 pack) for $28 (60 percent off): if you want to keep an eye on your home when you're away, it'll be hard to find a security camera as convenient and as affordable as a Blink Mini 2. Yes, the company just came out the with 2K+ version , but that will be overkill for most people. The Blink Mini 2 gets the job done by recording 1080p video, sending you motion alerts and supporting two-way talk in case you want to chat with your pets while you're out. Note that these are wired cameras, so they're more conveniently used indoors unless you pick up the necessary weather-resistant adapter for outdoor use. Philips fabric shaver for $13 (32 percent off): Consider this the Black Friday tech deal you didn't know you needed. If you have shirts, sweaters, pants, even blankets that have pilled over time, this handy little fabric shaver can get them looking more like new again. I bought this on a whim after wishing I could refresh some of my most-loved wardrobe staples without spending hours pulling pills off myself. Philips' fabric shaver has delivered and then some, and my clothes look much fresher than before. Jisulife Life 7 handheld fan for $25 (14 percent off): This handy little fan is a must-have if you life in a warm climate or have a tropical vacation planned anytime soon. It can be used as a table or handheld fan and even be worn around the neck so you don't have to hold it at all. Its 5,000 mAh battery allows it to last hours on a single charge, and the small display in the middle of the fan's blades show its remaining battery level. Leebin 2025 electric spin scrubber for $40 (43 percent off, Prime exclusive): This weird little scrubber makes cleaning my bathroom and shower much less of a pain. Just choose the brush head you need for your job and the rotating head takes care of most of the hard work. I love the adjustable handle, which extends from 12 to 50 inches so you can get into hard-to-reach places without breaking a sweat. Ring Video Doorbell for $50 (50 percent off): This is the most affordable Ring doorbell and it includes a battery that's rechargeable via USB-C. Once installed, it will send you alerts when motion is detected near your door, and you can use the Live View and two-way talk features to interact with visitors without opening your door. Monarch Money budgeting app (one year) for $50 (50 percent off with code MONARCHVIP): One of our favorite budgeting apps , Monarch Money gives you a lot of control over the organization of your funds. There's a helpful goals feature for when you're planning out big purchases or financial milestones you want to hit, and we found the month-in-review recap it provides to be more thorough than other budgeting apps we tried. There's even Zillow integration for folks looking to buy a home. Black Friday Apple deals Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $749 ($250 off): Our top pick for the best laptop you can get, the M4 MacBook Air will be plenty of power for most people in a convenient, premium package. It's thin and light as ever, with an excellent keyboard and trackpad, plus enough battery life to get you through a whole day of work, video calls and more. Apple Watch SE 3 for $200 ($50 off): The SE has been our top pick for the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and the latest model only solidifies that further. It has the same chipset found in the latest flagship Apple Watches, fast-charging capabilities, an always-on display and most of the same activity-tracking features you'll find in more expensive model. Apple Mac Mini M4 for $499 ($100 off): Desktop users looking for an upgrade should consider the latest Mac Mini, which runs on the M4 chip and 16GB of RAM as standard in the base configuration. This version has a smaller design that takes up less space, front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack, plus Thunderbolt 5 support. Black Friday smart home and kitchen deals iRobot Roomba 104 Vac Robot Vacuum for $150 (40 percent off): This is an updated version of our favorite budget robot vacuum and it will make an excellent choice for anyone who has never used one of these devices before, or a gift for a new homeowner. Not only is the iRobot mobile app super easy to use, but this machine has strong suction power and good battery life, plus it will automatically return to its docking station when it needs a power-up. Ninja Dual-Zone air fryer (10-quart) for $180 (22 percent off): If you cook for large crowds on Thanksgiving and other occasions, this is the air fryer to get. Not only is it a large, 10-quart capacity model, but it also has two separate cooking areas. You can crisp up potatoes on one side and brussel sprouts on the other with no issues. Use the Smart Finish feature to cook two separate foods in different ways and have them both be done at the same time, or Match Cook to copy the cooking method in both chambers. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro for $300 ($100 off): One of the most versatile air fryers out there, this Breville machine not only air fries, but also bakes, roasts, toasts, dehydrates, reheats and more. It also has a large capacity that can cook a 14-pound turkey or a tray of muffins with ease. Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $400 ($600 off): This is one of the best robot vacuums you can get, period. It doesn't have a self-emptying base, but its superior suction power almost makes up for that. It's one of the strongest robot vacuums I've ever tested, and it has excellent obstacle avoidance. The latter means you will rarely, if ever, have to attend to it getting caught on the edge of a carpet or getting stuck under a piece of furniture. If a cordless stick vacuum is what you're looking for, don't forget to check out all of the other Dyson Black Friday deals . Samsung 65-inch Frame Pro smart TV for $1,598 (24 percent off): The latest version of Samsung's art TV, the Frame Pro lets you show artwork on the screen when you're not watching a sports game or binge-watching your favorite show. It supports 4K content, VRR gaming at up to 4K 144Hz and runs on Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen3 processor. Also available at Best Buy . EcoFlow Black Friday deals get up to 80 percent off: Portable power stations are an investment, but they can be crucial pieces of tech during emergencies. The top pick from our friends at Yahoo Tech has been heavily discounted in this early Black Friday sale. You can pick up the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 for $1,400 off, down to $2,299, or the power station with an extra battery bundled in for $2,699 off, down to $3,599. More Black Friday tech deals Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 100W) for $92 (32 percent off): A top pick in our guide to the best power banks , this Anker brick is kind of a one-and-done device. It has enough capacity to charge all sorts of devices from smartphones to laptops to handheld gaming consoles, and it has two built-in USB-C cables so you don't even have to remember to bring your own to use it. Also available at Anker . SanDisk microSD Express card (256GB) for $60 (12 percent off): If you have a Switch 2, no regular microSD card will do if you want to expand the console's storage. You need a newer microSD Express card, and currently there are only a handful on the market. We did some testing to find the best microSD Express card for the Switch 2 and found that performance was, in general, very similar amongst all the readily available cards. We recommend getting whichever fits within your budget at the capacity you want. Meta Quest 3S VR headset for $250 ($50 off): We consider this to be the best VR headset for newbies or those on a budget. It's comfortable to wear for long sessions, has solid performance, comes with excellent controllers and you'll have access to a large app library with it. GoPro Hero 13 Black Extended Power Bundle for $349 ($150 off): This bundle gives you our favorite action cam plus three Enduro batteries, a dual battery charger, one adhesive mount, a 64GB SanDisk microSD card, two USB-C cables and more. It makes a great all-in-one gift for the budding videographer or aspiring influencer in your life, or a solid addition to your own camera kit. Also available at GoPro . Black Friday FAQs When is Black Friday 2025? Black Friday 2025 lands on November 28. Which stores have Black Friday deals? Many physical retail stores have Black Friday deals including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others. Even more retailers have online Black Friday deals, including Amazon, GameStop, Costco and others. When do Black Friday sales start? Gone are the times when Black Friday sales were one-day-only affairs. Now, Black Friday deals are often available starting on Thanksgiving, or even earlier. Last year, we saw Black Friday deals online begin the week before Black Friday proper. When do Black Friday sales end? Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blended a lot over the past few years. Now, you can expect to see a good portion of Black Friday deals extend through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. It's not uncommon for Black Friday deals to expire at the end of Cyber Monday. Which retailers have the best Black Friday tech deals? The best Black Friday tech deals are typically available online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. It's also a good idea to check the store websites of the companies that make the products you want for example, if you're looking for a Sonos speaker, check the Sonos website on Black Friday. Most of the time, you'll find the best Black Friday tech deals are matched at multiple retailers. Does Apple have Black Friday sales? No, you will usually not find Black Friday sales at Apple stores or on Apple's website. However, you can find Black Friday deals on Apple devices elsewhere; we recommend checking Amazon, Best Buy and other big retailers for discounts on iPads, Apple Watches and more on Black Friday. Does Amazon have Black Friday sales? Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales. The online retailer's site will look similar to Prime Day on Black Friday, with discounts on all sorts of items from household essentials to fashion to tech. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/we-found-the-best-black-friday-2025-deals-on-tech-from-amazon-apple-lego-ninja-and-more-ahead-of-the-big-sale-100052689.html?src=rss

Pick up this entry-level Roomba robot vacuum for only $150 for Black Friday

You can already get a solid deal on a Roomba robot vacuum before Black Friday kicks off in earnest. iRobot's entry-level Roomba 104 Vac robot vacuum is available for 40 percent off right now, taking its normal $250 price to a record low of $150. A number of other Roombas are on sale for Black Friday , too. In iRobot's lineup of robot vacuums, the Roomba 104 sits on the low end, adept at vacuuming up dust and hair, but without the mopping ability of its more expensive Max, Plus or Combo counterparts. The Roomba 104 Vac makes for a great first robot vacuum all the same, though, because of its four levels of powerful suction, and easy-to-use app. Like iRobot's other vacuums, the Roomba 104 maps and navigates your home with LiDAR, which helps it avoid obstacles. And using the Roomba Home app, you can schedule it to clean specific rooms, and even spot-clean particularly dirty spots. An earlier version of the Roomba Vac is Engadget's favorite budget robot vacuum , and you'll get the same great performance out of the newer Roomba 104 Vac. That includes a specialized brush for cleaning the hard-to-reach corners of your home, and also a charging dock that the vacuum can automatically return to once it's down charging. This sale on Roomba vacuums comes at an admittedly difficult time for iRobot at large, with the company dealing with a serious financial shortfall as of its last earning statement . Regardless of what happens to iRobot, though, the Roomba 104 Vac's offline mode should mean that it can clean your home and charge itself without the need of an app or an internet connection. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/pick-up-this-entry-level-roomba-robot-vacuum-for-only-150-for-black-friday-191506087.html?src=rss

The first images from The Legend of Zelda movie are here

Over the weekend, unofficial videos from filming of Nintendos The Legend of Zelda film hit the internet , and now were getting our first proper look at Link and Zelda. Nintendo released three images in its Nintendo Today app today as part of a little teaser indicating that filming has officially commenced. One photo shows Link and Zelda with the lush backdrop of New Zealand behind them, while the others are close-ups on the characters themselves. There wasnt anything else to go with these photos besides the note that the film arrives on May 7, 2027 as previously announced. Link is played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, while while Bo Bragason stars as Zelda. Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda. Nintendo Despite the minimal details, there are a few things worth noting here. One, Link is in his signature green tunic rather than the blue garb he primarily wears in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Zelda, on the other hand, is rocking the blue. So good luck figuring out what era of the game were in. In all likelihood, the movie wont stick to any one particular timeline or story but instead mash everything up to create a new entry that stands on its own. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link. Nintendo Even more exciting is the fact that Zelda is armed with a bow, giving me hope that shell be more than just a damsel in distress. Its 2025, after all, and the titular character certainly deserves to smack down some moblins. Im sure were all eager for more details but given that filming has just started, were probably going to be waiting a while for a proper trailer. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-first-images-from-the-legend-of-zelda-movie-are-here-150309616.html?src=rss

SanDisk's microSD Express card for Switch 2 is cheaper than ever with this Black Friday deal

If you already picked up a Switch 2, you're probably looking for deals that can help you kit out your new console without spending too much money. While maybe not the most exciting thing, a microSD Express card will be a key component for long-term gaming bliss. SanDisk's 256GB microSD Express Card for the Switch 2 is on sale for the first time ahead of Black Friday, down to $60 right now. This model is also available in storage sizes of 128GB and 512GB, but at the moment, only the 256GB model has a discount. This particular model easily made our list of the best microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch 2 . It even made our list of the best Switch 2 accessories . It just gets the job done. We loved the speed on offer here. It was the fastest of all the cards we tested when transferring games and loading games. We also found that it performed admirably at just about every test we threw at it. The card was always consistently right near the top, thanks to outstanding sequential read and write performance. This was backed up by benchmark testing with PC tools like CrystalDiskMark. The Switch 2 only works with SD Express cards, so this covers that. Luckily, this card isn't just for Nintendo's latest console. It'll work with just about everything, if you ever find it outstays its usefulness as a storage container for Mario and friends. Elsewhere when it comes to microSD Express cards on sale: PNY's 128GB card is down to $40. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sandisks-microsd-express-card-for-switch-2-is-cheaper-than-ever-with-this-black-friday-deal-151331711.html?src=rss

The 8Bitdo Ultimate Controller is 39 percent off for Black Friday

Black Friday deals are starting to flood the internet. If you're starting to think about the gifts you have to pick up for everyone in your life, you may be able to save already on some of them including tech. One of the standout deals we've found so far is on the 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller and Charging Dock . It's 39 percent off right now and down to $43 a new record-low price. The controller comes with perks such as the charging dock, 22 hours of battery per charge and compatibility with everything from Steam Deck to Switch. The deal is only for the white model. Earlier this year, 8Bitdo released a new version of this $70 controller, aptly called the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth . We rated it as one of the best controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2 . While the upgraded model brings you features like more precise and sensitive joysticks, this sale brings the original Ultimate Controller back into view and our shopping carts. Plus, it also works well with the Nintendo Switch 2 . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-8bitdo-ultimate-controller-is-39-percent-off-for-black-friday-133023602.html?src=rss

The new Apple Watch SE 3 drops to a record-low price for Black Friday

The era of holiday shopping is coming and there are a lot of great tech gift options for loved ones or as a treat for yourself. That includes the new Apple Watch SE 3 , which you can snag for only $200 right now. We consider this to be the best budget Apple Watch , and arguably the best smartwatch for folks who have never owned one before. The latest version runs on the same chipset found in the new flagship models, and it has most of the same fitness and workout tracking features you'll find in those more expensive devices as well. The SE 3 also now has an always-on display, making it easier to glance down throughout the day to check the time or see activity stats without moving your wrist, and fast-charging support makes it a more viable sleep tracker. Just plop it down on its charger for a bit at the end of the day and put it back on to monitor your sleep overnight. Also discounted is the high-end Apple Watch Ultra 3 , which you can snag for $100 off. The sale model comes with 64GB of storage, a 49mm screen and GPS and cellular service. Notably, it's also only available with the one size, adjustable band and in two colors: a Black titanium case with Black Ocean band and a natural titanium Case with Anchor Blue Ocean band. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 came out in early September and is one of the first smartwatches to support satellite communications . This feature means you can call, send messages or share your location with emergency services through the watch even if you don't have a connection. The new Ultra 3 also has a larger screen thanks to thinner bezels and a battery that can last for up to 42 hours. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-new-apple-watch-se-3-drops-to-a-record-low-price-for-black-friday-133057044.html?src=rss

Dyson Black Friday deals include $600 off the 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

Black Friday deals are starting to pop up across the web, and a great one to check out is at Dyson . While we still think you have the best shot to get the steepest discounts the closer to Black Friday we get, some of the discounts on Dyson's site right now are some of the best we've seen. One of those is $600 off the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum , which is down to a record low of $400. Dyson was pretty late to the robot-vacuum party, but its entry was (and remains) one of the strongest in the category . It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles like a self-emptying base or mopping capabilities, but it makes up for that by having probably the best suction power of any robovac we've tested. All kinds of debris will fall in its path: dirt, dust, food crumbs, pet hair and more. It also has excellent obstacle avoidance, so you'll rarely if ever have to dislodge it from getting stuck on the edge of a carpet or wedged in between furniture. Dyson's mobile app is easy to use as well, so if you're looking for a robot vacuum that does its main job incredibly well and you don't mind skipping on some extras, the 360 Vis Nav is a great option. Cordless vacuums are also a part of the sale. Take the Dyson V9 Motorbar cordless vacuum on sale for just $270 at both Dyson and Amazon , which is a discount of $330. That's more than half off. Dyson devices are all over our list of the best cordless vacuums , and for good reason. The company makes effective products. The V9 Motorbar has been designed to clean all floor types, in addition to upholstery. It's also been engineered to squeeze into tight spots, which is great for hitting those oft-neglected parts of the home. The suction power is on point and the battery lasts for 40 minutes before requiring a charge. That's just enough time to vacuum a standard-sized home if you don't stop for too many breaks. The V9 is getting a bit long-in-the-tooth. If you want a newer model, the V11 Extra is on sale for $400 , which is a discount of $260. This one boosts the suction power and increases the battery life to 60 minutes. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/dyson-black-friday-deals-include-600-off-the-360-vis-nav-robot-vacuum-173533374.html?src=rss

The best travel gifts for 2025

For as long as humans have traveled, they've carried gear with them to make long journeys easier. Airplanes may have made travel faster, but crossing states and countries can still be exhausting. If you have a friend or family member who loves exploring the world, they'll appreciate things that will save them stress when they're far from home. So let Engadget help you find the perfect gift for the person in your life with wanderlust. Best travel gifts Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-travel-gifts-for-2025-141009086.html?src=rss

For the Steam Machine to change PC gaming, Valve must solve Linux's anti-cheat problem

Following months of rumors, Valve finally announced the new Steam Machine earlier this week. And while I might question the company's decision to ship a system with only 8GB of VRAM in 2026, I believe the Gabecube will do more for PC gaming than anything Microsoft has done in the last decade. With SteamOS and Linux, Valve has polished away many of the things that make PC gaming unapproachable to some people. Want to set a frame limit to extend your Steam Deck's battery life? It's an easy-to-find option in the Performance overlay, not something you need to dig through multiple menus to find. Want to suspend a game? That's possible on SteamOS. And now with the Steam Machine, Valve is poised to bring the fun of PC gaming to an entirely new audience: home console gamers. Even though I don't plan to buy one, selfishly I hope it's a runaway success. Like a lot of PC gamers I imagine, I'm ready to leave Windows behind. Over the last few years, Microsoft has proven to be a poor steward of the platform. The company seems more interested in pushing AI features few care for , rather than solving the issues that have plagued Windows for years. After all, it was only recently that Microsoft said it would tackle shader stutter , a problem that has plagued many recent AAA games . Worse yet, that solution may take years to fully implement . I want the Steam Machine to be the revolution that brings SteamOS to desktop PCs, but before that can happen, Valve must solve Linux's cheating problem. Right now, the Steam Deck covers two of the three pillars of PC gaming: indies and singleplayer AAA games. For some people, that's enough, but it leaves out a huge section of the PC market. Nearly four years after its release, you can't play some of the most popular competitive games, and it's all because of how easy it is to make cheating software for Linux-based operating systems. In a 2024 interview with The Verge , Riot's Phillip Koskinas summarized the issue concisely. You can freely manipulate the kernel, and theres no user mode calls to attest that its even genuine, he told the outlet. You could make a Linux distribution thats purpose-built for cheating and wed be smoked. When Valve released the Steam Deck at the start of 2022, there was some hope games like Fortnite and Rainbow Six Siege would eventually be playable on the handheld, and for a while things looked positive. Toward the end of 2021, Valve announced Proton compatibility with BattlEye. A few months later, the company did the same for Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat . There's also Valve's in-house solution, VAC, which is fully supported and means the company's own games, including Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, are playable on Steam Deck. However, despite Valve's support for some of the most popular anti-cheat solutions on the market, many studios chose not to bring their competitive games to SteamOS, citing cheating concerns. Some notable examples include Fortnite , Valorant and PUBG . Those games have never been playable on Steam Deck. In fact, last fall EA withdrew Linux and Steam Deck support for Apex Legends , one of the few competitive shooters you could play on Valve's handheld. In our efforts to combat cheating in Apex , weve identified Linux OS as being a path for a variety of impactful exploits and cheats. As a result, weve decided to block Linux OS access to the game, the company said at the time. We believe the decision will meaningfully reduce instances of cheating in our game. For EA, Riot, Epic and developers of other popular competitive games, the issue is two-fold: Cheating software is harder to detect when it's used on Linux. More importantly, for many of them there aren't enough Linux players to justify the resources needed to secure their games for every Linux distribution. For example, when Riot made its Vanguard software a requirement to play League of Legends in 2024 , the studio said there were just over 800 daily users playing the game on Linux. For context, millions of people League every day. Put another way, it's a chicken and egg problem. The Steam Machine represents an opportunity for Valve. According to Are We Anti-Cheat Yet , a crowd-sourced database listing games that require anti-cheat software and whether they work through Linux or Valve's Proton compatibility layer, 682 games don't work for one reason or another. That means more than half of the 1,136 games that require anti-cheat software can't be played on SteamOS. With the nature of Linux being what it is, it's unlikely Valve could make even the most popular kernel-level anti-cheat apps work across every Linux distribution, and based on the company's approach, it doesn't have an interest in doing that. However, if Valve made a better sandbox for developers to secure their games, we could absolutely see a SteamOS version of Valorant , for instance. Studios will go where their players are. The Steam Deck has proven that. And if the Steam Machine becomes popular enough to warrant companies like EA to bring their games to SteamOS and Linux, the PC gaming landscape will suddenly be very different. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/for-the-steam-machine-to-change-pc-gaming-valve-must-solve-linuxs-anti-cheat-problem-130000088.html?src=rss

Jeff Bezos will head a new engineering-focused AI startup called Project Prometheus

Jeff Bezos is spearheading a new AI started called Project Prometheus, focused on his current interests in space and engineering, The New York Times reports . The company, which has yet to be made public, will reportedly have $6.2 billion in funding. Part of that sum will come from Bezos, who will act as co-CEO. Project Prometheus will reportedly focus on creating AI systems that gain knowledge from the physical world, rather than just processing digital information, like AI chatbots. In particular, the company will reportedly explore how AI can support engineering and manufacturing in areas such as vehicles and space technology. Bezos founded space technology company Blue Origin more than two decades ago. The company's New Glenn rocket had a successful second flight last week. He is joined by Vik Bajaj as co-founder and co-CEO. Bajaj is a physicist and chemist who worked on projects at Google X including Wing and what became Waymo . In 2018, he co-founded Foresite Labs, which supports entrepreneurs in the fields of AI and data science. Bajaj is still named as CEO of Foresite Labs on the company's website and his LinkedIn page the latter of which also shows his new titles at Project Prometheus. Bajaj lists his involvement in the new company as starting this month and puts San Francisco, London and Zurich as its locations. On its bare LinkedIn page , Project Prometheus' overview states only AI for the physical economy. It also lists itself as a Technology, Information and Internet company with 51-200 employees. According to The New York Times , Project Prometheus has hired nearly 100 people, with some employees coming from fellow AI companies like OpenAI and DeepMind. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/jeff-bezos-will-head-a-new-engineering-focused-ai-startup-called-project-prometheus-122115977.html?src=rss

EcoFlow Black Friday deals: Save up to 42 percent on portable power stations

The EcoFlow Black Friday sale is in full swing, knocking thousands of dollars off portable power stations and their accessories. One of the best discounts at the moment is on the Delta Pro 3 , which is 37 percent off and down to $2,299. That's the lowest we've seen it and, considering it typically costs $3,699, it's a great deal. Amazon's matching the sale price as well. The Delta Pro 3 topped Yahoo's list of the best portable power stations , and for very good reason. This thing is a beast. It boasts a 4,096Wh capacity, so it can power an average 500-watt refrigerator for over 24 hours. That's with continuous use. It can be stretched out to two or three days by only running the appliance during daylight hours. There's even a discounted bundle that includes an extra battery for $3,599 . It includes four standard 120V AC outlets and a single 240V outlet. It could potentially be a temporary hub of a whole-home battery backup. There are numerous charging options here, including a standard AC outlet, solar panels and, interestingly, a cigarette lighter. The only potential downside here is the Delta Pro 3 really pushes the boundaries of what can be considered portable. It weighs 113 pounds, though it does have wheels and a telescoping handle. The Delta Pro 3 is just one of the products on sale right now. The Delta Pro Ultra, which is intended as a whole-home backup , is down to $3,999 . This represents a savings of more than $2,000. Another Yahoo top pick, the Delta 2 Max , is $1,000 off and down to $899. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/ecoflow-black-friday-deals-save-up-to-42-percent-on-portable-power-stations-130041396.html?src=rss

Get 50 percent off our favorite budgeting app for Black Friday

Budgeting can be a stressful, challenging and uncomfortable experience. While it's completely possible to do it on your own, we've become fans of a few great budgeting apps. Take our favorite budgeting app Quicken , which is having a 50 percent off sale for Black Friday . The Quicken Simplifi app is down to $3 monthly from $6 monthly, adding up to $36 for the year. Quicken Classic , the company's original desktop software for experienced investors is also half off at $6 monthly, down from $12 monthly. The sale starts today and is available until Wednesday, December 3. One of the many things that sets Quicken Simplifi apart from its competitors is its sleek, easy to use interface. The setup is pretty straightforward and it allows for your spouse or financial advisor to act as co-manager of the account. It also clearly shows figures like net worth, recent spending, upcoming recurring payments and more. Plus, there's an option to say if you're expecting a refund. Quicken Simplifi unfortunately doesn't offer a free trial so testing it out with a discount means less money invested if it's not for you. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-50-percent-off-our-favorite-budgeting-app-for-black-friday-160025803.html?src=rss

The best gaming laptops for 2025

Gaming laptops have gone from being ugly bricks to sleek machines that can match the power of desktops. If youre looking to get crazy high framerates, or if you just want to revel in the glory of real-time ray tracing, youll definitely be able to find a gaming laptop that suits your needs. And its also easier than ever to connect them to TVs and monitors for big-screen gaming. One of the biggest advantages of a gaming laptop is its flexibility. You dont need to worry about bulky setups or being tethered to one spot. Plus, with features like high refresh rate displays, powerful GPUs and cutting-edge processors, these machines are more than capable of handling AAA titles, eSports and even VR gaming. Many gaming laptops now come equipped with RGB-lit keyboards, advanced cooling systems and next-gen SSD storage to keep up with your gaming needs, too. Weve tested a number of the latest gaming laptops to see which are worth your money. Table of contents Best gaming laptops for 2025 Other gaming laptops weve tested What to look for in a gaming laptop How we test gaming laptops Best gaming laptops for 2025 Other gaming laptops weve tested Framework Laptop 16 We were eager to test the Framework Laptop 16 since it promised both modular customizability and a decent amount of gaming power. But while we appreciated just how repairable and upgradeable it is, its actual gaming performance was middling for its high price. You could always buy it without the additional GPU, but that makes it more of a daily workhorse than a gaming system. MSI Stealth Studio 14 On a brighter note, we were pleased to see MSI return to form with the Stealth Studio 14 , which is far faster and more attractive than the previous model. Razer Blade 16 and 18 We were amazed to see a genuine 4K/1080p native screen in the Razer Blade 16 , but its far too expensive and impractical, even for such a pricey brand. Similarly, we found the Razer Blade 18 to be both oversized and overpriced. What to look for in a gaming laptop Price Your laptop buying journey starts and ends with the amount of money you're willing to spend. No surprise there. The good news: There are plenty of options for gamers at every budget . In particular, we're seeing some great entry-level PC gaming choices under $1,000, like the Acer Nitro V. Some cheap gaming laptops may feel a bit flimsier than pricier models, and they'll likely skimp on RAM, storage and overall power. But most cheaper laptops should be able to handle the majority of video games running at 1080p at 60 frames per second, which is the bare minimum you'd want from any system. Things get interesting when you start looking at the best gaming laptops in the mid-range space, with prices around $1,500. At that point, you'll start finding PCs like the ASUS Zephyrus ROG G14 , one of our favorite gaming notebooks. In general, you can look forward to far better build quality than budget gaming laptops (metal cases!), improved graphics power and enough RAM and storage space to handle the most demanding games. These are the gaming machines we'd recommend for most people, as they'll keep you gaming and working for years before you need to worry about an upgrade. If you're willing to spend around $2,000 or more, you can consider more premium options like the Razer Blade, which is on-par with some of the best gaming PCs. Expect impeccably polished cases, the fastest hardware on the market and ridiculously thin designs. The sky's the limit here: Alienware's uber customizable Area 51m is an enormous beast that can cost up to $4,700. Few people need a machine that high-end, but if you're a gamer with extra cash to burn, it may be worth taking a close look at some of these pricier systems. CPU and GPU The answer to this question used to be relatively simple: Just get an Intel chip with an NVIDIA GPU. But over the last few years AMD has stepped up its game with its Ryzen notebook processors, which are better suited for juggling multiple tasks at once (like streaming to Twitch while blasting fools in Fortnite). Intel responded with its recent lineup of 13th-gen and Core Ultra chips, but its nice to have decent AMD Ryzen alternatives available, especially since theyre often cheaper than comparable Intel models. When it comes to video cards, though, AMD is still catching up. Its Radeon RX 7000M GPU has been a fantastic performer, but it lags behind NVIDIA when it comes to newer features like ray tracing. At the very least, a Radeon-powered notebook can approach the general gaming performance of the NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPUs. If you want to future-proof your purchase, or youre just eager to see how much better ray tracing can make your games look, youre probably better off with an NVIDIA graphics card. Theyre in far more systems, and its clear that they have better optimized ray tracing technology. NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs also feature the companys DLSS technology, which uses AI to upscale games to higher resolutions. Thatll let you play a game like Cyberpunk 2077 in 4K with faster frame rates. Thats useful if youre trying to take advantage of a high refresh rate monitor. Youll still find plenty of laptops with NVIDIAs older RTX 40-series GPUs these days, and theyll still give you tremendous performance. But to be safe, its probably worth opting for the newer RTX 50-series systems, since they support the newer DLSS 4 technology and offer a wealth of performance upgrades. The entry-level RTX 5060 is a solid start, but wed suggest going for a 5070 if youre aiming to maximize your framerates on faster screens. The RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 are both incredibly powerful, but they typically make systems far too expensive for most users. Its worth noting that NVIDIAs mobile graphics cards arent directly comparable to its more powerful desktop hardware. PC makers can also tweak voltages to make gaming performance better in a thinner case. Basically, these laptops may not be desktop replacements dont be surprised if you see notebooks that perform very differently, even if theyre all equipped with the same GPU. Screen and refresh rate Screen size is a good place to start when judging gaming notebooks. In general, 14-inch laptops offer the best portability, while 16-inch models are a bit more immersive. And of course, you can go all the way up to an 18-inch screen to maximize your real estate. Theres also plenty to consider beyond screen size like refresh rates. Most monitors refresh their screens vertically 60 times per second, or at 60Hz. That's a standard in use since black and white NTSC TVs. But over the past few years, displays have evolved considerably. Now, 120Hz 1080p screens are the bare minimum you'd want in any gaming notebook and there are faster 144Hz, 240Hz and even 360Hz panels. All of this is in the service of one thing: making everything on your display look as smooth as possible. For games, higher refresh rates also help eliminate screen tearing and other artifacts that could get in the way of your frag fest. And for everything else, it just leads to a better viewing experience. Even scrolling a web page on a 120Hz or faster monitor is starkly different from a 60Hz screen. Instead of seeing a jittery wall of text and pictures, everything moves seamlessly, as if you're unwinding a glossy paper magazine. Going beyond 120Hz makes gameplay look even more responsive, which to some players gives them a slight advantage. Not to make things more complicated, but you should also keep an eye out for NVIDIA's G-SYNC and AMD's FreeSync. They're both adaptive sync technologies that can match your screen's refresh rate with the framerate of your game. That also helps to reduce screen tearing and make gameplay smoother. Consider them nice bonuses on top of one of the best gaming monitors with a high refresh rate; they're not necessary, but they can still offer a slight visual improvement. Its also worth paying attention to a gaming laptops display technology. The cheapest models will have basic LCD screens, but as you step up in price youll find brighter and bolder Mini LED and OLED displays. OLED will cost the most, but it offers the best contrast and extremely dark black levels. Mini LED laptops can get brighter and theyre typically cheaper than OLED. See Also: Best Laptops for 2023 Best Cheap Windows Laptops Best 2-in-1 Laptops for 2023 Best Chromebooks Best Laptops for College Students Other things to remember when buying a gaming laptop: Get at least 16GB of RAM. If you want to future-proof your system a bit, go for 32GB of RAM (memory is a lot cheaper than it used to be). Storage is still a huge concern. These days, I'd recommend aiming for at least a 1TB M.2 SSD, and ideally a 2TB model if you can swing it. (4TB SSD are also a lot more attainable these days.) Some laptops also have room for standard SATA hard drives, which are far cheaper than M.2s and can hold more data. Try out a system before you buy it. I'd recommend snagging the best gaming laptop for you from a retailer with a simple return policy, like Amazon or Best Buy. If you don't like it, you can always return it. Don't forget about accessories! For the best performance, you'll need a good mouse , keyboard and a headset these are some of the best gaming accessories for gaming PCs and laptops. How we test gaming laptops We review gaming laptops with the same amount of rigor as traditional notebooks. We test build quality by checking cases for any undesirable flexible spots, as well as the strength of screen hinges during furious typing and Call of Duty sessions. We benchmark every gaming notebook with PCMark 10, a variety of 3DMark tests, Cinebench and Geekbench. We also use NVIDIAs Frameview app to measure the average framerates in Cyberpunk 2077 , Overwatch 2 and other titles. For media creation, we transcode a 4K movie clip into 1080p using Handbrakes CPU and GPU encoding options. Displays are tested under indoor and outdoor lighting with productivity apps, video playback and gameplay. We also try to stress the full refresh rate of every gaming notebooks screen by benchmarking Halo Infinite , Overwatch 2 and other titles. Laptop speakers are judged by how well they can play back music, movies and the occasional game session with detail and clarity, and without any obvious distortion. When it comes to battery life, we see how long gaming systems last with a mixture of real-world productivity apps and gameplay, and we also test with PCMark 10s Modern office battery test. In addition, were judging the quality of a machines keyboard with typing tests as well as relative accuracy and comfort during extended gaming sessions. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/best-gaming-laptops-172033838.html?src=rss

The best 2025 advent calendars you can still get: Our favorites from Lego, Pokmon, Funko Pop and more

Advent calendars arent just about chocolate anymore. Recent years have shown that the countdown to Christmas Day can be packed with fun surprises. Whether youre into building Lego sets, adding more minifigures to your collection or curiously intrigued by scientific experiments, advent calendars can fill that desire (and they make for great gifts, too). Each door hides a new surprise that brings a bit of joy, nostalgia or nerdy fun to the holiday season. Best advent calendars for 2025 Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-2025-advent-calendars-you-can-still-get-our-favorites-from-lego-pokemon-funko-pop-and-more-120042568.html?src=rss

This Audible Black Friday deal gives you three months of access for only $3

Black Friday is a great time to take a look at what subscriptions you may be able to save on. From video streaming services to budgeting apps, many services will have some Black Friday promotion you may be able to take advantage of. One of the best we're tracking is for Audible . You can sign up and get your first three months for just $3 in total, plus get a $20 Audible credit on top of that. This breaks down to $1 per month for the first three months, which is a boon for audiobook fans. Just make sure to cancel before the 90 days are up, as the subscription will auto-renew at $15 per month. That's not the worst deal in the world, given the vast number of titles available on the platform, but still. Audible has a diverse catalog that goes beyond audiobooks . It also hosts podcasts and Audible Originals. Subscribers get to choose one audiobook each month to keep in their collection for free, including best-sellers or new releases. Users also get unlimited access to the Plus Catalog, which houses thousands of audiobooks. Finally, active members get discounts on many audiobooks when looking to purchase. Winter is coming and this is a good way to make sure you have plenty to listen to throughout the next three months. This deal does have a time limit. It expires on December 16. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-audible-black-friday-deal-gives-you-three-months-of-access-for-only-3-140010742.html?src=rss

The best wireless mice for 2025

We may deliberate for days when buying a laptop or computer or spend hours lining up the most comfortable and stylish keyboard before aimlessly adding a utilitarian mouse to our basket. The impact of a good, feature-rich and perhaps most importantly ergonomic mouse can be huge. Not just to your productivity, but to the quality and comfort of your worklife overall. A good mouse has long offered some level of configuration and customization, but more modern options go beyond that with the ability to automate repetitive tasks or convoluted keypresses at the click of a button. Unsurprisingly, even mice havent escaped the wave of AI hype, with many flagship models bringing services like ChatGPT or Copilot to your fingertips. Beyond the fancy features, theres still a lot to consider to find the best mouse for work, creativity or even play. Will the mouse fit your grip style or handedness? Do you prefer the convenience of Bluetooth or stability of a 2.4Ghz USB dongle? Can it connect to more than one device easily? Is the smoothness of the scroll wheel going to be a dealbreaker? Perhaps the companion software unlocks new functionality you never knew you needed? If you hadnt considered all of those things, the good news is, we have (and more). Below are our picks for the best wireless productivity mice you can buy right now. Best wireless mice for 2025 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-wireless-mice-pc-gaming-mobile-150027822.html?src=rss

Nothing Phone 3a Lite launching on November 27 in India

The launch will bring the distinctive Nothing experience to more users with unmistakable style and innovation at an accessible price, said Nothing

Rivian spinoff reveals a $3,500 starting price for its first e-bike

Rivian 's electric mobility spinoff Also announced a $3,500 starting price for its first e-bike called the TM-B. The startup unveiled the shapeshifting e-bike last month, with options for a limited Launch edition, a Performance version or a base model. During the reveal, Also said both the Launch and Performance TM-B models would start at $4,500, but only hinted at the base model's price tag being less than $4,000. While the base model TM-B is more than $1,000 cheaper than the other choices, it comes with several compromises, like a lower max range of 60 miles, a weaker 5x power assist, coil fork suspension and only a standard ride mode. In comparison, the higher-end TM-B options have up to a 100-mile range, a 10x power assist, air fork suspension and the choice between sport and standard ride modes. Also is only offering the base model TM-B in all gray, meaning you won't get the transparent shell that highlights the virtual drivetrain called DreamRide. While the TM-B's starting price is more affordable than we first thought, it's still a premium price tag for an e-bike. The TM-B base model is available for preorder with a $50 refundable deposit and will start shipping in late 2026, according to Also. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/rivian-spinoff-reveals-a-3500-starting-price-for-its-first-e-bike-195949124.html?src=rss

Google plans to invest $40 billion towards building data centers in Texas

Google is getting ready to spend $40 billion to increase its data center footprint in Texas. In an announcement posted on its website, Google said it's planning to build more infrastructure for its cloud and artificial intelligence operations in the state. The plans call for three new data centers, one in Armstrong County and two in Haskell County, according to Google. According to a press release from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, this is Google's largest investment in any US state. The tech giant's investment in the Lone Star State dates back to 2019, when it built a data center in Midlothian, Texas. Google later expanded its presence in the state with the development of another data center in Red Oak, bringing the company's total investment into Texas to $2.7 billion. According to Google, the latest $40 billion investment will be made through 2027. Google isn't the only major tech company developing more AI infrastructure in the US. Earlier this year, NVIDIA announced plans to build manufacturing space for AI supercomputers in Houston and Dallas. More recently, Meta said it would invest $600 billion to build AI data centers across the US without specifying which states. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-plans-to-invest-40-billion-towards-building-data-centers-in-texas-183056066.html?src=rss

The Meta Quest 3S VR headset drops to a record-low price for Black Friday

Meta's entry-level VR headset, the Quest 3S, is down to an even more budget-friendly price than usual in a deal on Amazon right now. The 128GB Meta Quest 3S is 17 percent off in an early Black Friday deal, bringing it to a record-low price of $250. It normally goes for $300. With the purchase, you also get the game Gorilla Tag for free. There's also a 256GB option, which is on sale as well and comes with Batman: Arkham Shadow . That version costs $330, down from its usual price of $400. The Meta Quest 3S is an impressive VR headset for the price, and scored a 90 in Engadget's review , landing it among our picks for the best VR headsets around right now. It's comfortable to wear, gets over two hours of battery life before needing to be recharged and offers a 96-degree field of view. While its 1,830 by 1,920 pixel per eye screen doesn't quite achieve the sharpness of the Quest 3, it does have the same chip the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 as the pricier model, making for fast performance. It also comes with 8GB of RAM. The Quest 3S also comes with the Touch Plus controllers, which have button and joystick controls as well as motion controls. It can also connect to gaming PCs and stream gameplay to Chromecast and AirPlay devices. Despite being relatively inexpensive, the 3S offers a great experience. In his review, Engadget's Devindra Hardawar said the 3S is the best $300 standalone VR headset we've ever seen. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-meta-quest-3s-vr-headset-drops-to-a-record-low-price-for-black-friday-180911805.html?src=rss

The Mac Pro could be the latest addition to Apple's product purgatory

The wait for a new Mac Pro may take a lot longer, according to the latest Power On newsletter. Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman reported that the Mac Pro has an uncertain future within Apple's desktop strategy and isn't likely to see a refresh in 2026. According to Gurman, Apple is no longer working on the M4 Ultra chip, which was meant to be offered in a refreshed Mac Pro. Instead, Apple is planning for the M5 Ultra to be its high-end desktop chip, which will only be available on the Mac Studio so far, according to Gurman. Despite earning a solid reputation amongst creatives looking for a Mac desktop, the Mac Pro has fallen out of favor even after sporadic refreshes between 2013 and 2023. Apple experimented with some risky redesigns, including the trash can style, but the current Mac Pro model returns to a modern cheese grater look while also upgrading to Apple silicon with the M2 Ultra chip. However, Apple customers seeking the most powerful desktop options might be more likely to opt for the latest Mac Studio with the M4 Ultra. Gurman also reported that Apple is internally shifting towards the Mac Studio as the focus of Apple's professional desktop offerings. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/the-mac-pro-could-be-the-latest-addition-to-apples-product-purgatory-165609102.html?src=rss

The GoPro Hero 13 Black action camera is cheaper than ever for Black Friday

Action cams make great gifts, or if you're a photographer, a solid addition to your kit. Black Friday deals usually mean you can pick up new cameras and accessories for less, and this year is no different. One of the best deals we've found is on the GoPro Hero 13 Black action cam, which is down to $310 for Black Friday. That's a discount of 23 percent or $90. This model topped our list of the best action cameras , and for good reason. It's a fantastic device with all kinds of bells and whistles . It's the most versatile Hero camera that GoPro has ever made. There's a new family of modular lenses and it can shoot up to 5.3K and handle 2X optical zoom. The battery is bigger than ever before and offers around 90 minutes of continuous shooting in 4K/30FPS. The camera is waterproof up to 10 millimeters, so don't worry about puddles. The full-color front screen is vivid and makes it easy to review footage without getting a computer involved. There's no internal storage here, but it accepts microSD cards. There's a camera bundle on sale right now that includes a 64GB microSD, three batteries, a dual charger and a case. That pack costs $349 , which is a discount of 30 percent . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-gopro-hero-13-black-action-camera-is-cheaper-than-ever-for-black-friday-160154726.html?src=rss

Black Friday deals include the Mac mini M4 for $100 off

While there are lots of great Black Friday sales on cheaper devices, it's the big ticket items that really make a world of difference. Take Apple's 2024 Mac mini M4 , which has dropped to $499 from $599 as part of early Black Friday deals . The 17 percent discount brings Apple's mini desktop computer with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD to only $30 more than its all-time low. We gave the Mac mini M4 a 90 in our review , in part, because it packs an incredible amount of power into such a small design. It also has front facing USB-C and headphone ports, a first for the Mac mini lineup. Plus, it starts with 16GB of RAM, an upgrade from its predecessors. However, if you want more memory or storage, the other Mac Mini M4 models are also on sale. You can get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD for $690, down from $799. Then there's the option for 24GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD at $890, down from $999. Plus, if you want to bundle in three years of AppleCare+, each model ends up being about $100 cheaper than normal. If you're looking to build a desktop setup from scratch, there's a small but notable discount on Apple's Magic Trackpad as well. It's down to $120, which is only seven percent off its usual price but it's the cheapest we've seen it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deals-include-the-mac-mini-m4-for-100-off-150749079.html?src=rss

This is the Ninja air fryer to buy on sale ahead of Black Friday

Black Friday might still be a few weeks away, but theres no need to wait if youre in the market for a new air fryer, as one of our longtime favorite models is currently $50 off. The Ninja DZ401 is $180 right now, which is a saving of 22 percent on its usual price. Admittedly, we have seen this model a bit cheaper in the past, but if youre on cooking duty for Thanksgiving, you might not have the option of waiting until what could be a deeper discount on Black Friday . And the DZ401 is the perfect air fryer for the holiday season, owing to its trademark dual baskets, which allow you to cook up two completely different foods simultaneously. It takes up a fair amount of space, but its worth it if you have a lot of hungry mouths to feed. This 10-quart fryer includes a smart cook thermometer and six cooking modes, including air broil, roast and dehydrate alongside the default air fry mode. The spacious baskets are quick and easy to clean, and youre safe to throw the plates into the dishwasher if theyre particularly messy after cooking up chicken wings or some brownies for dessert. The Ninja DZ401 has had the title of best dual-zone air fryer in our buying guide for a long time for a reason. An air fryer like this isnt for everyone, especially those with smaller kitchens, but for a Thanksgiving dinner youll struggle to find better. A number of other Ninja devices are on sale for Black Friday right now. If you don't need quite as big of a machine, the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer/multicooker could be a better option. It's down to $160 right now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-is-the-ninja-air-fryer-to-buy-on-sale-ahead-of-black-friday-170959924.html?src=rss

Apple Black Friday deals include a four-pack of AirTags for $65

Whether you or someone on your gift list has trouble keeping track of their stuff, you can't go wrong by picking up an AirTag for assistance. For Black Friday , you can save on Apple's Bluetooth trackers a four-pack is on sale for $65 right now, which is just about the lowest price we've seen. Bear in mind that this deal brings the price per AirTag down to $16 if you were to buy them individually, and when not on sale they usually cost $29. If you use Apple devices and are prone to losing stuff, AirTags are the obvious choice of Bluetooth tracker to buy. Adding one to your account requires little more than a single tap, and with Apples Find My network offering such extensive coverage these days, its never been easier to find missing belongings. Tracking down a still nearby misplaced item is as easy as using your iPhone to trigger a sound from the AirTags built-in speaker, or alternatively you can use Precision Finding to pinpoint its location through Find My. You just follow the instructions on your iPhones screen, paying attention to its vibrations as you get closer. If you only need a single AirTag, theyre also on sale right now for $18, another record low. It works out a bit better as a deal if you purchase the four-pack, but if you just want to attach one to your keys or backpack, $65 might seem like a stretch. Just remember that AirTags cant be attached to items right out of the box. Youll need to add an accessory in order to turn one into a keyring, or even attach it to your pets collar. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apple-black-friday-deals-include-a-four-pack-of-airtags-for-65-161756634.html?src=rss

You need a fabric shaver my favorite is on sale for only $13 thanks to Black Friday

If you, like me a few months ago, didn't know fabric shavers existed, I'm willing to bet you're not alone. Not too long ago, I went looking for something, anything, that could help get rid of the pilling on some of my most loved pieces of clothing. I stumbled upon the Philips Fabric Shaver in my search and was pleasantly surprised to learn such a device existed and in such a cute, compact form. I decided to give it a shot and now it's an essential piece of tech in my house. Thanks to Black Friday deals , you don't have to pay as much as I did for it now that it's on sale for only $13. Sure, it may not seem revolutionary especially if you already knew of the wonders of such devices but it was for me. I have a lot of T-shirts, joggers, sweaters and more that I've had for at least three years and wear regularly. We also have a bunch of throw blankets around the house, partially because I love a good throw, and partially because my cat demands soft spots on which to sleep. All of those well-worn, well-loved fabrics have pilled over time, and I was tired of picking at the pills myself. This Philips Fabric Shaver makes it so I never have to do that anymore. It runs on two AA batteries, has a simple on-off switch and a shaving head with three sized holes that, as you glide it over your sweater or blanket, catches the pills and shaves them right off. It's literally as simple as that; after I tried it the first time on a pair of joggers, I spent far too much time running around my house and through my closet de-pilling as many things as I could. All the little fabric bits collect in a removable chamber that you simply empty as often as you need into the trash. If you're like me and try to make the most of the wardrobe you have and not buy new clothing all the time, this little gadget will keep the pieces in your closet looking fresh. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/you-need-a-fabric-shaver--my-favorite-is-on-sale-for-only-13-thanks-to-black-friday-163402621.html?src=rss

AirPods 4 are on sale for a record-low price in this Black Friday deal

Black Friday Apple deals are already trickling in, and one of the best we're tracking is on the AirPods 4 . They're down to $85 right now, which is a new record low. While these buds don't provide active noise cancellation, they're still a great option for those who want all of the conveniences of a pair of Apple earbuds in an affordable package. The Apple AirPods 4 are the best budget AirPods you can get in 2025, with Apple's H2 audio chip to support some of the more advanced audio features from more expensive models. They offer Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and more. If you get the model without active noise cancellation, you won't have features like Transparency Mode and Conversation Awareness, or Apple's hearing health tools. But, the entry-level model still offers great sound quality for the price. This model also features the redesigned shape, which makes for a more comfortable and secure fit so you don't have to worry about them falling out of your ears. A force sensor on the stem allows for basic touch controls, including play and pause, play next track, previous track and answer a call. You can also summon Siri by pressing and holding the stem. You can expect to get up to 5 hours of battery life on a charge with the non-ANC model, and up to 30 hours using the USB-C charging case. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/airpods-4-are-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-in-this-black-friday-deal-162917137.html?src=rss

This hack can get you one year of Peacock for $49 before Black Friday

Walmart is offering its Walmart+ subscription at half off for new sign-ups, and it includes a choice of either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential. The deal for new subscribers is just $49 for the first year, marked down from $98. The real value is in selecting Peacock Premium, which would normally run you $110 per year on its own. With the current discount on a Walmart+ subscription you are essentially getting half off on your streaming subscription for that year. Just about every major streaming service has raised its prices in the last year, including HBO Max , Disney+ , Netflix , Apple TV and YouTube TV , so saving some money on one of them just might be worth the effort. Cord cutting is not nearly as affordable as it used to be, so finding a deal like this is pretty helpful. Walmart+ itself offers myriad additional benefits like early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping on orders over $35, discounts on gas, free online veterinary care and more. Earlier this year, Walmart+ subscribers got first dibs on the Nintendo Switch 2 at the retailer. You can also use that free shipping to take advantage of Walmart's drone delivery program in a handful of select cities. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-hack-can-get-you-one-year-of-peacock-for-49-before-black-friday-192739978.html?src=rss

Nintendo Black Friday deals: Switch 2 bundles, Switch game deals, discounted accessories and more holiday offers available now

When it comes to holiday video game gifts, Nintendo gear is often at the top of the list for kids and adults like. This year likely more so than ever thanks to the launch of the Switch 2 back in the spring. But fi you were hoping to save money on the console with Black Friday deals , you may be disappointed. The Nintendo Black Friday sale was just announced , and unsurprisingly, there are a scant few real deals to be had. This is typical of Nintendo, though actual Nintendo Black Friday deals are few and far between. However, there are ways to at least get the best value for your money if you're going to pick up a Switch 2 before this year is over. As has been the case for many years, the marquee Nintendo deals for the holidays come in the form of console bundles. When the Switch 2 launched earlier this year, it was available as just the console only for $449 or bundled with Mario Kart World for $499 . Both options are still available now, but there's a new bundle to consider as well the console with the new Pokmon Legends: Z-A game , which also costs $499. Considering the games by themselves cost $70 each, you do save a bit by picking up a console bundle. you can pick up the console and its bundles at most retailers including Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy and others. When it comes to deals on Nintendo Switch 2 games, the Nintendo eShop will have Cyber Deals starting on November 20, running through December 3. The shop will feature holiday offers on select games, so it appears we'll all just have to go to the online store on November 20 to see the games on offer. Starting on November 23, select retailers will have discounts on some physical Switch games including Princess Peach: Showtime! , The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom , Luigis Mansion 3 and Kirbys Return to Dream Land Deluxe . Those will each be $40, while other games like Super Mario Odyssey, Nintendo Switch Sports , Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Splatoon 3 will be $30. Even if you can't get huge discounts on Nintendo consoles or new games this year, that doesn't mean you can't find decent deals on other Nintendo gear. There are plenty of great ideas for gifts for the Nintendo fan in your life , and Engadget's Sam Rutherford got to see a bunch of them in person when he attended Nintendo's holiday showcase. From collectibles to clothing to plushies and holiday decor, there's really a ton to choose from but you may want to pace yourself if you're also a Nintendo fan finding things that you want to pick up for yourself in the process of looking for good gifts. Here are just some of the best Nintendo gift ideas that you can look out for during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/nintendo-black-friday-deals-switch-2-bundles-switch-game-deals-discounted-accessories-and-more-holiday-offers-available-now-155223935.html?src=rss

Get half off one year of access to our favorite budgeting app for Black Friday

Monarch Money is one of our favorite budgeting apps and, fittingly enough, there's a way for newcomers to save money on a subscription right now. If you use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout, you can get an annual plan for 50 percent off. It typically costs $100, but you can get 12 months of access for $50 with this code. There are some key caveats here. The discount is only for new users, and it can't be combined with other offers. The code only works when you sign up through the web. You can't redeem it through the Monarch mobile app. We feel that Monarch has a steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers and that certain aspects of the app are slightly more complex than they probably need to be. But it offers a great deal of customization and granularity , which outweighs our misgivings. On the main dashboard, you'll see your net worth along with your latest transactions, spending versus the previous month, your income so far for the month and details about upcoming bills, your investments and goals you've set. There's also a link to a month-in-review page, which offers an in-depth overview of what's been happening with your money that month. You'll also be able to take a peek at how your net worth has changed over time. Monarch can connect to your bank and track Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings accounts. It can pull in your transactions and balance history automatically and detect your recurring expenses and income. The app can even keep your car valuation up to date. While it might take a little work to set up Monarch (and you might have to tweak things here and there), it's a detailed budgeting app that can help you keep better track of your income, expenditure and net worth. If you're a former Mint user (RIP), Monarch Money is a great alternative if you haven't yet found a Mint replacement . But it's worth mentioning that our favorite Mint replacement service, Quicken Simplifi , also has a sale going on right now. It's offering 50 percent off when you sign up for an annual subscription, billed at $3 per month with the discount. That comes out to $36 for the first year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-half-off-one-year-of-access-to-our-favorite-budgeting-app-for-black-friday-174011012.html?src=rss

MIT researchers and beauty brand Amorepacific made a wearable patch that analyzes skin aging

Researchers at MIT have been working with the South Korean beauty company Amorepacific for the past few years to develop a wearable electronic skin platform that can provide real-time insights about skin aging and make personalized skincare recommendations, and it's due to debut at CES 2026 as Skinsight. Skinsight, which was announced as one of the CES 2026 Innovation Award Honorees this week, is a Bluetooth-equipped sensor patch that sticks to the skin and works with a mobile app, tracking skin tightness, UV exposure, temperature and moisture. An artist's rendering of the Skinsight patch showing various sensors and a bluetooth module Amorepacific Based on the readings, the AI-powered app will approximate how the different factors might contribute to or speed up skin aging, and suggest the products best suited for the job so the user can incorporate them into their skincare routine. The patch is designed to be breathable and withstand sweat so it can stay on for long periods of time. The team hasn't yet shared on Skinsight's availability and cost. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/mit-researchers-and-beauty-brand-amorepacific-made-a-wearable-patch-that-analyzes-skin-aging-225125621.html?src=rss

A federal jury ruled that Apple has to pay $634 million for infringing smartwatch patents

In a longstanding and complicated legal battle between Apple and Masimo, a recent ruling from a California jury may be the first step towards a certain conclusion. As reported by Reuters , a federal jury sided with Masimo, a medical tech company known for its patient monitoring devices, when it said that Apple infringed on the company's patent for technology that tracks blood-oxygen levels. The case revolves around whether Apple violated Masimo's patent related to blood-oxygen sensors, which the jury claimed can be seen with the Apple Watch's Workout and Heart Rate apps. According to Reuters , Apple disagreed with the verdict, adding that the single patent in this case expired in 2022, and is specific to historic patient monitoring technology from decades ago. The tech giant is reportedly planning to appeal the decision. While there may be some closure with this California lawsuit, Apple and Masimo are entangled in a web of related but separate lawsuits. Masimo first accused Apple of infringing on its pulse oximeter patents, leading to Apple temporarily halting sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches. In August, Apple redesigned its blood-oxygen monitoring feature and rolled it out to the Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2. The redesign was approved by the US Customs and Border Protection, but Masimo filed a suit against the agency for overstepping its authority by allowing the sale of these updated Apple Watches without input from Masimo. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/a-federal-jury-ruled-that-apple-has-to-pay-634-million-for-infringing-smartwatch-patents-202846266.html?src=rss

Black Friday VPN deals: Proton VPN two-year plans are up to 75 percent off

A VPN subscription can make for a good holiday gift. Everyone could do with having a VPN to help protect their online activity from prying eyes (and, perhaps, access more things to watch from their favorite streaming services). It's something useful that a gift recipient may have never realized they needed. Of course, you may be looking for a great deal on a VPN yourself, and the Black Friday discount for Proton VPN is nothing to sniff at. You can get two years of access to the VPN Plus tier of the service for $59.76, which works out to $2.49 per month. That's a discount of 75 percent compared with the regular price of $10 per month. Overall, you'd save $180. Proton VPN is our pick for the best VPN overall because it checks all of the boxes it needs to. There is a free plan with unlimited data, but with that you can only connect to servers in a few countries and the connection might not be fast enough for you to watch anything from your preferred streaming service's library in that locale. The VPN Plus tier unlocks a lot more options, such as the ability to connect to 15,000 servers across more than 120 countries and simultaneous protection for up to 15 devices. The apps are well-designed Proton has clients for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android and it's easy to find a feature or setting you're looking for. In our testing, Proton VPN Plus had a relatively small impact on browsing speeds. Our download speeds dropped by 12 percent and uploads by 4 percent, while the global average ping remained below 300 ms (which is especially impressive if you're connecting to a server on the other side of the planet). Perhaps, most importantly, though, it's Proton's commitment to privacy that helps make its VPN an easy recommendation. There's a no-logs policy, meaning it does not log user activity or any identifiable characteristics of devices that connect to the VPN. Proton's servers use full-disk encryption to bolster privacy as well. Proton VPN is not the only service to offer a Black Friday VPN deal this year, of course. There are plenty of others available on services we like. Here are the best of the bunch if you're looking for an alternative to Proton VPN. Surfshark One (24 months + 3 free months) for $59.13 (88 percent off): A VPN is great, but it's not enough to protect your data all on its own. Surfshark One adds several apps that boost your security beyond just VPN service, including Surfshark Antivirus (scans devices and downloads for malware) and Surfshark Alert (alerts you whenever your sensitive information shows up in a data breach), plus Surfshark Search and Alternative ID from the tier below. This extra-low deal gives you 88 percent off all those features. NordVPN Plus (24 months + 3 free months) for $105.03 (74 percent off): NordVPN has taken 74 percent off its Plus subscription for Black Friday. For only a little more, you get a powerful ad and tracker blocker that can also catch malware downloads, plus access to the NordPass password manager. A Plus plan also adds a data breach scanner that checks the dark web for your sensitive information. CyberGhost (24 months + 4 free months) for $56.94 (84 percent off): CyberGhost has some of the best automation you'll see on any VPN. With its Smart Rules system, you can determine how its apps respond to different types of Wi-Fi networks, with exceptions for specific networks you know by name. Typically, you can set it to auto-connect, disconnect or send you a message asking what to do. CyberGhost's other best feature is its streaming servers I've found both better video quality and more consistent unblocking when I use them on streaming sites. Private Internet Access (36 months + 4 free months) for $79.20 (83 percent off): Private Internet Access (PIA) is giving out the best available price right now on a VPN I'd recommend using. With this deal, you can get 40 months of PIA for just under $2 per month an 83 percent discount on its monthly price. Despite being so cheap, PIA has plenty of features, coming with its own DNS servers, a built-in ad blocker and automation powers to rival CyberGhost. However, internet speeds can fluctuate while you're connected. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-vpn-deals-proton-vpn-two-year-plans-are-up-to-75-percent-off-153737122.html?src=rss

Apple is reportedly getting ready to replace Tim Cook as early as next year

According to the Financial Times , Tim Cook may be ready to leave his position as soon as next year, and Apple's board and senior executives have ramped up their preparations to secure his replacement. Cook , who has been at the helm of Apple for more than 14 years, succeeded Steve Jobs and led the company to a market cap of more than $4 trillion. Cook's tenure since 2011 has overseen the introduction of hardware, including Apple Watch , AirPods and Vision Pro , but also services like Apple Arcade and Apple TV+. According to the Financial Times 's sources, Apple's senior vice president of engineering, John Ternus , will most likely take on the CEO role, but this decision hasn't been finalized yet. Ternus has been with Apple since 2001 as part of its Product Design team and eventually stepped into a vice president role within the Hardware Engineering division, where he played a heavy role in the company's transition to Apple silicon. According to the Financial Times , Apple isn't planning to announce the new CEO before its January earnings report. However, the report also noted that this announcement would come earlier in the year to allow the leadership team to transition smoothly in time for all of Apple's annual events. Earlier this year, Apple also announced Sabih Khan as the new chief operating officer, taking over for Jeff Williams. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-is-reportedly-getting-ready-to-replace-tim-cook-as-early-as-next-year-171407974.html?src=rss

Black Friday deals include this Switch 2-compatible microSD Express card for a record-low price

The SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card for the Switch 2 is down to $60 via Amazon , which is a record-low price. This model is also available in storage sizes of 128GB and 512GB, but neither version is on sale. This particular model easily made our list of the best microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch 2 . It even made our list of the best Switch 2 accessories . It just gets the job done. We loved the speed on offer here. It was the fastest of all the cards we tested when transferring games and loading games. We also found that it performed admirably at just about every test we threw at it. The card was always consistently right near the top, thanks to outstanding sequential read and write performance. This was backed up by benchmark testing with PC tools like CrystalDiskMark. The Switch 2 only works with SD Express cards, so this covers that. Luckily, this card isn't just for Nintendo's latest console. It'll work with just about everything, if you ever find it outstays its usefulness as a storage container for Mario and friends. Elsewhere when it comes to microSD Express cards on sale: PNY's 128GB card is down to $40. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deals-include-this-switch-2-compatible-microsd-express-card-for-a-record-low-price-151331485.html?src=rss

This entry-level Roomba robot vacuum is on sale for $150 ahead of Black Friday

Robot vacuums can be a huge help, keeping your floors clean regularly without much extra work on your part. Black Friday deals often include some of our favorite robovacs, and this year is shaping up to be no different. iRobot's entry-level Roomba 104 Vac robot vacuum is available for 40 percent off right now, bringing it down to a record low of $150. A number of other Roombas are on sale for Black Friday , too. In iRobot's lineup of robot vacuums, the Roomba 104 sits on the low end, adept at vacuuming up dust and hair, but without the mopping ability of its more expensive Max, Plus or Combo counterparts. The Roomba 104 Vac makes for a great first robot vacuum all the same, though, because of its four levels of powerful suction, and easy-to-use app. Like iRobot's other vacuums, the Roomba 104 maps and navigates your home with LiDAR, which helps it avoid obstacles. And using the Roomba Home app, you can schedule it to clean specific rooms, and even spot-clean particularly dirty spots. An earlier version of the Roomba Vac is Engadget's favorite budget robot vacuum , and you'll get the same great performance out of the newer Roomba 104 Vac. That includes a specialized brush for cleaning the hard-to-reach corners of your home, and also a charging dock that the vacuum can automatically return to once it's down charging. This sale on Roomba vacuums comes at an admittedly difficult time for iRobot at large, with the company dealing with a serious financial shortfall as of its last earning statement . Regardless of what happens to iRobot, though, the Roomba 104 Vac's offline mode should mean that it can clean your home and charge itself without the need of an app or an internet connection. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/this-entry-level-roomba-robot-vacuum-is-on-sale-for-150-ahead-of-black-friday-191506647.html?src=rss

The 8Bitdo Ultimate Controller drops to only $43 before Black Friday

The holiday season is swiftly approaching and it's officially the time of year to ask: What presents am I going to get everyone? Thankfully, there are a ton of early Black Friday deals for the tech lover in your life. Take the 39 percent discount currently available on the 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller and Charging Dock . It's a great option for the gamer in your life, and a steal down from $70 to $43 a new all-time low price. The controller comes with perks such as the charging dock, 22 hours of battery per charge and compatibility with everything from Steam Deck to Switch. The deal is only for the white model. Earlier this year, 8Bitdo released a new version of this $70 controller, aptly called the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth . We rated it as one of the best controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2 . While the upgraded model brings you features like more precise and sensitive joysticks, this sale brings the original Ultimate Controller back into view and our shopping carts. Plus, it also works well with the Nintendo Switch 2 . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-8bitdo-ultimate-controller-drops-to-only-43-before-black-friday-133023839.html?src=rss

Black Friday deals for 2025: The best tech sales from Amazon, Apple, Lego, Ninja and more

Black Friday has become the time to buy the hottest tech of the year. Whether you're shopping for yourself or stocking up on gifts for the holidays, Black Friday deals are sure to bring the best prices of the year to things like headphones, game consoles, robot vacuums, phone accessories and everything in between. You don't even have to wait until Black Friday proper to save a ton of money. Over the past few years, we've seen Black Friday tech deals start earlier and earlier to the point where the entire month of November is packed with discounts. If you're on the hunt for solid tech deals, Engadget has you covered. We've collected the best Black Friday deals on tech you can get right now, and we'll continue to update this post as we get closer to the big day at the end of November. Note that you probably have the best chance of snagging record-low prices when we get to about one week before Thanksgiving, but these deals available now are worth considering. Black Friday deals to shop now Apple AirTags (four pack) for $65 (34 percent off): iPhone users who frequently misplace things should invest in a few AirTags. Slip them into your wallet, bag, jacket and other belongings to keep track of their locations in the Find My app. Just make sure that, if you're going to attach one to your keys, you also pick up an AirTag holder to go along with it. LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Collectable 75375 for $68 (20 percent off): This is a set that any Star Wars fan will love to build and then love to display once it's complete. The 921-piece set features a fully-detailed Millennium Falcone, buildable stand and nameplate. It's one of many Lego Black Friday deals you can get right now. Blink Mini 2 (2 pack) for $28 (60 percent off): if you want to keep an eye on your home when you're away, it'll be hard to find a security camera as convenient and as affordable as a Blink Mini 2. Yes, the company just came out the with 2K+ version , but that will be overkill for most people. The Blink Mini 2 gets the job done by recording 1080p video, sending you motion alerts and supporting two-way talk in case you want to chat with your pets while you're out. Note that these are wired cameras, so they're more conveniently used indoors unless you pick up the necessary weather-resistant adapter for outdoor use. Philips fabric shaver for $13 (32 percent off): Consider this the Black Friday tech deal you didn't know you needed. If you have shirts, sweaters, pants, even blankets that have pilled over time, this handy little fabric shaver can get them looking more like new again. I bought this on a whim after wishing I could refresh some of my most-loved wardrobe staples without spending hours pulling pills off myself. Philips' fabric shaver has delivered and then some, and my clothes look much fresher than before. GoPro Hero 13 Black Extended Power Bundle for $349 ($150 off): This bundle gives you our favorite action cam plus three Enduro batteries, a dual battery charger, one adhesive mount, a 64GB SanDisk microSD card, two USB-C cables and more. It makes a great all-in-one gift for the budding videographer or aspiring influencer in your life, or a solid addition to your own camera kit. Also available at GoPro . Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $499: Black Friday Nintendo sales were announced recently and, unsurprisingly, there won't be many true deals out there this year. There are no straight discounts on the Switch 2 console, so your best bet is to pick up a bundle that saves you some cash on a Switch 2 game. One of the best is the Mario Kart Wold bundle, but Pokmon fans should consider the Pokmon Legends: Z-A bundle , too. Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $749 ($250 off): Our top pick for the best laptop you can get, the M4 MacBook Air will be plenty of power for most people in a convenient, premium package. It's thin and light as ever, with an excellent keyboard and trackpad, plus enough battery life to get you through a whole day of work, video calls and more. Apple Watch SE 3 for $200 ($50 off): The SE has been our top pick for the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and the latest model only solidifies that further. It has the same chipset found in the latest flagship Apple Watches, fast-charging capabilities, an always-on display and most of the same activity-tracking features you'll find in more expensive model. Apple Mac Mini M4 for $499 ($100 off): Desktop users looking for an upgrade should consider the latest Mac Mini, which runs on the M4 chip and 16GB of RAM as standard in the base configuration. This version has a smaller design that takes up less space, front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack, plus Thunderbolt 5 support. Jisulife Life 7 handheld fan for $25 (14 percent off): This handy little fan is a must-have if you life in a warm climate or have a tropical vacation planned anytime soon. It can be used as a table or handheld fan and even be worn around the neck so you don't have to hold it at all. Its 5,000 mAh battery allows it to last hours on a single charge, and the small display in the middle of the fan's blades show its remaining battery level. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $35 (42 percent off): One of our favorite streaming devices , the 4K Max dongle supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, 4K and HDR10+ and it has Wi-Fi 6E for a speedier, more stable internet connection. It also supports the Fire TV Ambient Experience, which can display art on your TV when you're not actively using it. Leebin 2025 electric spin scrubber for $40 (43 percent off, Prime exclusive): This weird little scrubber makes cleaning my bathroom and shower much less of a pain. Just choose the brush head you need for your job and the rotating head takes care of most of the hard work. I love the adjustable handle, which extends from 12 to 50 inches so you can get into hard-to-reach places without breaking a sweat. Ring Video Doorbell for $50 (50 percent off): This is the most affordable Ring doorbell and it includes a battery that's rechargeable via USB-C. Once installed, it will send you alerts when motion is detected near your door, and you can use the Live View and two-way talk features to interact with visitors without opening your door. Monarch Money budgeting app (one year) for $50 (50 percent off with code MONARCHVIP): One of our favorite budgeting apps , Monarch Money gives you a lot of control over the organization of your funds. There's a helpful goals feature for when you're planning out big purchases or financial milestones you want to hit, and we found the month-in-review recap it provides to be more thorough than other budgeting apps we tried. There's even Zillow integration for folks looking to buy a home. SanDisk microSD Express card (256GB) for $60 (12 percent off): If you have a Switch 2, no regular microSD card will do if you want to expand the console's storage. You need a newer microSD Express card, and currently there are only a handful on the market. We did some testing to find the best microSD Express card for the Switch 2 and found that performance was, in general, very similar amongst all the readily available cards. We recommend getting whichever fits within your budget at the capacity you want. Ninja Dual-Zone air fryer (10-quart) for $180 (22 percent off): If you cook for large crowds on Thanksgiving and other occasions, this is the air fryer to get. Not only is it a large, 10-quart capacity model, but it also has two separate cooking areas. You can crisp up potatoes on one side and brussel sprouts on the other with no issues. Use the Smart Finish feature to cook two separate foods in different ways and have them both be done at the same time, or Match Cook to copy the cooking method in both chambers. Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $400 ($600 off): This is one of the best robot vacuums you can get, period. It doesn't have a self-emptying base, but its superior suction power almost makes up for that. It's one of the strongest robot vacuums I've ever tested, and it has excellent obstacle avoidance. The latter means you will rarely, if ever, have to attend to it getting caught on the edge of a carpet or getting stuck under a piece of furniture. If a cordless stick vacuum is what you're looking for, don't forget to check out all of the other Dyson Black Friday deals . EcoFlow Black Friday deals get up to 80 percent off: Portable power stations are an investment, but they can be crucial pieces of tech during emergencies. The top pick from our friends at Yahoo Tech has been heavily discounted in this early Black Friday sale. You can pick up the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 for $1,400 off, down to $2,299, or the power station with an extra battery bundled in for $2,699 off, down to $3,599. Black Friday FAQs When is Black Friday 2025? Black Friday 2025 lands on November 28. Which stores have Black Friday deals? Many physical retail stores have Black Friday deals including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others. Even more retailers have online Black Friday deals, including Amazon, GameStop, Costco and others. When do Black Friday sales start? Gone are the times when Black Friday sales were one-day-only affairs. Now, Black Friday deals are often available starting on Thanksgiving, or even earlier. Last year, we saw Black Friday deals online begin the week before Black Friday proper. When do Black Friday sales end? Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blended a lot over the past few years. Now, you can expect to see a good portion of Black Friday deals extend through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. It's not uncommon for Black Friday deals to expire at the end of Cyber Monday. Which retailers have the best Black Friday tech deals? The best Black Friday tech deals are typically available online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. It's also a good idea to check the store websites of the companies that make the products you want for example, if you're looking for a Sonos speaker, check the Sonos website on Black Friday. Most of the time, you'll find the best Black Friday tech deals are matched at multiple retailers. Does Apple have Black Friday sales? No, you will usually not find Black Friday sales at Apple stores or on Apple's website. However, you can find Black Friday deals on Apple devices elsewhere; we recommend checking Amazon, Best Buy and other big retailers for discounts on iPads, Apple Watches and more on Black Friday. Does Amazon have Black Friday sales? Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales. The online retailer's site will look similar to Prime Day on Black Friday, with discounts on all sorts of items from household essentials to fashion to tech. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deals-for-2025-the-best-tech-sales-from-amazon-apple-lego-ninja-and-more-100052984.html?src=rss

Apple Black Friday deals include $50 off the new Apple Watch SE 3

Black Friday will be here before you know it, but you can already save on some sought-after tech. Case in point: the new Apple Watch SE 3 . Apple's most affordable smartwatch is even cheaper right now, down to just $200. We consider this to be the best budget Apple Watch , and arguably the best smartwatch for folks who have never owned one before. The latest version runs on the same chipset found in the new flagship models, and it has most of the same fitness and workout tracking features you'll find in those more expensive devices as well. The SE 3 also now has an always-on display, making it easier to glance down throughout the day to check the time or see activity stats without moving your wrist, and fast-charging support makes it a more viable sleep tracker. Just plop it down on its charger for a bit at the end of the day and put it back on to monitor your sleep overnight. Also discounted is the high-end Apple Watch Ultra 3 , which you can snag for $100 off. The sale model comes with 64GB of storage, a 49mm screen and GPS and cellular service. Notably, it's also only available with the one size, adjustable band and in two colors: a Black titanium case with Black Ocean band and a natural titanium Case with Anchor Blue Ocean band. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 came out in early September and is one of the first smartwatches to support satellite communications . This feature means you can call, send messages or share your location with emergency services through the watch even if you don't have a connection. The new Ultra 3 also has a larger screen thanks to thinner bezels and a battery that can last for up to 42 hours. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apple-black-friday-deals-include-50-off-the-new-apple-watch-se-3-133057012.html?src=rss

Lego Black Friday deals on Star Wars, Disney sets and more are up to 50 percent off

Lego sets are probably at the top of your kid's wish list, and maybe they're at the top of your personal list, too. With so many to choose from, you'll be able to find one that makes a great gift for anyone who you know loves these little building bricks. Black Friday Lego deals are what to look for this time of year, because you can typically save at least 20 percent on a good number of sets. Yes, that often includes the most popular ones from the Star Wars, Super Mario, Harry Potter and other collections. In general, we always recommend using a price tracker when determining if a Lego deal is in fact a good one. Below, we've collected the best Lego Black Friday deals we could find right now. In general, we always recommend using a price tracker when determining if a Lego deal is in fact a good one. You'll find Lego deals across the board this holiday season at retailers like Amazon and Walmart , but don't overlook Lego's own site . If you join the free Lego Insiders program, you'll build up points with each purchase that you can redeem in the future, get special discounts and sometimes get exclusive gifts when you buy. While not a deal, arguably the hottest Lego for Black Friday will be the brand new Star Trek USS Enterprise set , which was announced recently. It has a whopping 3,600 pieces and will be a must-have for any Star Trek fans. The set will be available starting November 28 for $400. Best Lego Black Friday deals LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 43273 for $31 (32 percent off) Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2025 76456 for $31 (32 percent off) LEGO Star Wars Brick-Built Star Wars Logo 75407 for $48 (19 percent off) LEGO Star Wars Grogu with Hover Pram Building Toy Set 75403 for $50 (50 percent off) LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Collectable Model 75375 for $68 (20 percent off) LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 Building Toy Set 75379 for $80 (20 percent off) LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds 76419 for $136 (20 percent off) LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Magical Unicorn Toy 31140 for $7 (32 percent off) LEGO City Donut Truck Toy 60452 for $16 (20 percent off) LEGO Speed Champions 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) Race Car 76917 for $18 (28 percent off) LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants Building Toys 10349 for $20 (13 percent off) LEGO Botanicals Mini Orchid Building Set 10343 for $24 (20 percent off) LEGO Art Hokusai The Great Wave Framed Japanese Wall Art Building Set 31208 for $85 (15 percent off) LEGO Ideas Tuxedo Cat 21349 for $80 (20 percent off) LEGO Icons Fountain Garden Building Set 10359 for $70 (30 percent off) LEGO Dreamzzz Izzie's Dream Animals Toys 71481 for $24 (40 percent off) LEGO NINJAGO Dragon Stone Shrine 71819 for $72 (40 percent off) LEGO Harry Potter Mandrake Figure & Pot Plant Toy 76433 for $41 (41 percent off) This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/lego-black-friday-deals-on-star-wars-disney-sets-and-more-are-up-to-50-percent-off-155007499.html?src=rss

Dyson Black Friday deals: Get more than $500 off robot and cordless vacuums

Dyson is holding an early Black Friday sale on vacuums and related products. Sure, Black Friday isn't for another month, but who are we to turn down a fantastic deal? To that end, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum is a whopping $600 off and down to $400 right now. That's $100 less than its previous all-time low and the cheapest we've seen it. Dyson was pretty late to the robot-vacuum party, but its entry was (and remains) one of the strongest in the category . It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles like a self-emptying base or mopping capabilities, but it makes up for that by having probably the best suction power of any robovac we've tested. All kinds of debris will fall in its path: dirt, dust, food crumbs, pet hair and more. It also has excellent obstacle avoidance, so you'll rarely if ever have to dislodge it from getting stuck on the edge of a carpet or wedged in between furniture. Dyson's mobile app is easy to use as well, so if you're looking for a robot vacuum that does its main job incredibly well and you don't mind skipping on some extras, the 360 Vis Nav is a great option. Cordless vacuums are also a part of the sale. Take the Dyson V9 Motorbar cordless vacuum on sale for just $270 at both Dyson and Amazon , which is a discount of $330. That's more than half off. Dyson devices are all over our list of the best cordless vacuums , and for good reason. The company makes effective products. The V9 Motorbar has been designed to clean all floor types, in addition to upholstery. It's also been engineered to squeeze into tight spots, which is great for hitting those oft-neglected parts of the home. The suction power is on point and the battery lasts for 40 minutes before requiring a charge. That's just enough time to vacuum a standard-sized home if you don't stop for too many breaks. The V9 is getting a bit long-in-the-tooth. If you want a newer model, the V11 Extra is on sale for $400 , which is a discount of $260. This one boosts the suction power and increases the battery life to 60 minutes. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/dyson-black-friday-deals-get-more-than-500-off-robot-and-cordless-vacuums-173533155.html?src=rss

Amazon Black Friday deals: Pick up the Fire TV Stick 4K Max for only $35

Amazon Black Friday deals almost always include discounts on Fire TV devices and Fire TV sets . This year is no different, and some of the best discounts bring Fire TV streaming dongles down to near record-low prices. Case in point: the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is 41 percent off and down to only $35. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is one of Engadget's favorite streaming devices . The stick supports a solid mix of advanced technologies for its price: Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, 4K and HDR10+. As long as the rest of your entertainment setup can handle it, you'll get a high-quality picture and sound. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E , enabling better, faster connectivity with compatible routers. The 4K Max has the fastest processor of any Amazon Fire TV Stick, so expect zippy navigation. It also supports Amazon's Ambient Experience. This mode displays art (like on Samsung's The Frame ) while the device is in standby. It's also a solid choice for gaming: It supports Xbox cloud streaming and works well as a retro game emulator , too. The UI is where Amazon appears to be subsidizing the device's low cost. Expect to see loads of Prime Video content promos, along with other ads. But for $35 (compared to its MSRP of $60), you may find it easier to justify that tradeoff. Also on sale is Amazon's Fire TV Stick HD , our pick for the best budget streaming stick. This model doesn't support 4K; instead, it limits you to 1080p at 60 fps. At $18 for Black Friday, it's certainly cheap. But if you have a 4K TV (or plan to soon), you may want to consider the slightly more expensive model. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-black-friday-deals-pick-up-the-fire-tv-stick-4k-max-for-only-35-132100145.html?src=rss

OpenAI says ChatGPT will listen if you tell it not to use em dashes

You may now have to scrutinize what you read on the internet (and event on print ) more closely to determine if its the product of AI. Sam Altman has revealed on X that if you tell ChatGPT not to use em dashes in your custom instructions, the chatbot will now finally listen to you. Previously, ChatGPT would ignore your instruction and continue using em dashes even if you tell it not to. Small-but-happy win: If you tell ChatGPT not to use em-dashes in your custom instructions, it finally does what it's supposed to do! Sam Altman (@sama) November 14, 2025 People are treating the presence of em dashes, especially if theyre used in abundance, as one of the biggest tells if something was written by large language models. Of course, just because a piece of text uses em dashes doesnt mean it was actually written by AI, but people have become suspicious of any writing that uses the punctuation mark. Its not quite clear while generative AI models have the tendency to pepper the text they generate with em dashes. LLMs are trained on a vast number of books and online content, such as scientific papers, posts on public forums and articles like this. Its possible that punctuation mark appears so often in training materials and isnt flagged by AI trainers as something that the LLM should avoid using. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-says-chatgpt-will-listen-if-you-tell-it-not-to-use-em-dashes-140000927.html?src=rss

Audible Black Friday deal: Get three months of access for only $3

Amazon is selling three months of Audible for just $3 in honor of Black Friday. The company typically reserves this sale for Prime Day , so it's nice to see the deal make an unexpected return. This breaks down to $1 per month for the first three months, which is a boon for audiobook fans. Just make sure to cancel before the 90 days are up, as the subscription will auto-renew at $15 per month. That's not the worst deal in the world, given the vast number of titles available on the platform, but still. Audible has a diverse catalog that goes beyond audiobooks . It also hosts podcasts and Audible Originals. Subscribers get to choose one audiobook each month to keep in their collection for free, including best-sellers or new releases. Users also get unlimited access to the Plus Catalog, which houses thousands of audiobooks. Finally, active members get discounts on many audiobooks when looking to purchase. Winter is coming and this is a good way to make sure you have plenty to listen to throughout the next three months. This deal does have a time limit. It expires on December 16. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/audible-black-friday-deal-get-three-months-of-access-for-only-3-140010926.html?src=rss

How to add someone to an Apple Family account

Apples Family Sharing feature is designed to make digital life simpler for households that use multiple Apple devices. It links individual Apple IDs under one family group so everyone can share subscriptions, purchases and storage without sacrificing personal privacy. A single organizer manages the group and decides whos invited, whats shared and how payments are handled. Once someone joins, they can access shared Apple services like Music, TV+, iCloud+, Fitness+ or Arcade, along with any compatible third-party apps that support Family Sharing. Setting it up only takes a few minutes, but understanding how it works makes it far easier to manage long-term. Whether youre adding a new partner, a roommate or creating an Apple ID for a child, the process is similar across iPhone, iPad and Mac, and each person keeps their own private account within the shared ecosystem. Getting started with Family Sharing Before adding someone new, make sure youre the organizer of the family group. The organizer controls invitations and payment preferences, while each member uses their own Apple ID to sign in. You can manage everything from the Settings app on iPhone or System Settings on Mac. Its worth checking for software updates first, since Family Sharing menus can vary slightly between iOS versions. When youre ready, open Settings, tap your name at the top then select Family. From there, youll see a summary of your group, any shared subscriptions and the option to add new members. Apple will ask whether youd like to invite an existing user or create an account for a child who doesnt yet have an Apple ID. Invitations can be sent through Messages, Mail or AirDrop, and if the person is nearby, you can let them enter their details directly on your device. On a Mac, the process looks a little different but leads to the same result. Open System Settings, select your name then choose Family. You can then add a member, send an invite or set up a child account with appropriate parental controls. Once the invitation is accepted, the person automatically appears in your group list. How to manage whats shared with Family Sharing When someone joins, they instantly gain access to the subscriptions and features that the organizer has made available. That can include Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and Apple Fitness+, along with the shared iCloud+ storage plan if you have one. Photos, calendars and location information can also be shared through the Family section of the Settings app, letting everyone see joint reminders, events or device locations through Find My. If purchase sharing is enabled, everyone in the group can use the organizers payment method for App Store and iTunes purchases. Each transaction is still tied to the buyers own Apple ID, but its billed to the organizers payment method. Its entirely optional, and you can disable it if youd prefer each person to pay separately. Shared purchases can still be re-downloaded by other members from their purchase history without paying again, so long as the app or media supports Family Sharing. Parents also gain access to tools like Screen Time and Ask to Buy, which give them oversight of a childs activity. These options appear automatically when you create a child account and can be fine-tuned later from the organizers device. For example, Ask to Buy can send a notification each time a child tries to install a new app or make an in-app purchase, letting the organizer approve or decline it in real time. Inviting children and setting boundaries Creating an account for a child works slightly differently from inviting an adult. Apple requires a parent or guardian to set up the account directly from their own device, adding the childs name, birthday and Apple ID credentials during setup. The age you enter determines what privacy and parental-control features are switched on by default, such as limits on explicit music or app downloads. Once the childs account is created, it behaves like any other Apple ID but remains tied to the family group until the child reaches the minimum age to leave or until the organizer removes them. Screen Time reports, purchase requests and content restrictions can all be adjusted as the child gets older. Its a flexible way to give kids their own Apple ID and access to family-purchased content without sharing login details. Common issues and how to fix them Most people can add members without any problems, but sometimes the invitation process can stall. If the person youre inviting doesnt see the request, resend it from the Family settings and ask them to check their Messages or Mail. Invitations occasionally end up in spam folders or are filtered by older devices. If theyve previously joined a different Family Sharing group, theyll need to leave that one before they can accept your invite. Its also possible to hit the group limit. Family Sharing supports one organizer and up to five additional members, for a total of six people in one group. If you try to invite more, youll be prompted to remove someone before adding another. And if the Family menu doesnt show the option to add members at all, double-check that youre signed in with the organizers Apple ID, as members without organizer privileges wont see those options. If someone accepts but cant see shared subscriptions, open the Subscriptions page under your Apple ID in Settings and ensure the toggle for Share with Family is switched on. For iCloud+ storage, confirm that the plan youre sharing is large enough to include everyones data. Why Family Sharing is worth setting up Once everything is configured, Family Sharing can quietly simplify the way your household uses Apples ecosystem. Instead of juggling multiple subscriptions or repeating purchases, the organizer can consolidate everything in one place. Each member keeps their personal messages, photos and preferences, but benefits from shared apps, music and cloud storage. Its also the easiest way to manage childrens digital habits while still giving them independence. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/how-to-add-someone-to-an-apple-family-account-130033896.html?src=rss

Engadget review recap: Apple Watch SE 3, DJI Neo 2, PlayStation Portal and more

The busiest section of the holiday season is just two weeks away and were shoring up our reviews library with some of the products that might be on your list. Weve got another well-rounded round-up this week, spanning multiple product categories and even taking another look at an older device. Read on for everything you mightve missed. Apple Watch SE 3 You dont have to sacrifice as much as you used to if you want to save money on a current Apple Watch. Managing editor Cherlynn Low makes the case for the Apple Watch SE 3, laying out the specific items she missed from the Apple Watch Series 11. In the end, it wasnt the features like blood oxygen readings or hypertension notifications that I wanted back, she explained . It boiled down to physical components like a brighter display or bigger battery and more durable case that I wanted around for peace of mind. Apple Vision Pro M5 Apples M5 refresh for the Vision Pro is an improvement, but the product still very much feels like its in the beta phase. The main problem? Price. Once again, the Vision Pro feels like a proof of concept a symbol of what Apple can do when its not constrained by traditional screens, senior reporter Devindra Hardawar said . But the companys dream of spatial computing wont go anywhere until it can deliver cheaper devices. DJI Neo 2 The biggest problem with the DJI Neo drone was its deafening howl, and on the way to (somewhat) fixing that issue, the company added a host of new features for the Neo 2. The result is a highly capable drone thats now the best budget option. It retains everything I liked about the Neo, especially the ease of use and safety features, contributing reporter Steve Dent wrote . On top of that, it adds a host of useful functions like obstacle protection and, thank goodness, lower noise levels. Acer Predator Triton 14 AI Gaming laptops are rarely actually portable. According to senior reporter Sam Rutherford, Acer has managed to fix that with the Predator Triton 14 AI. In a lot of ways, this isn't just a travel-friendly gaming machine, it's a true do-everything ultraportable, he explained . OnePlus 15 Theres a lot to like about the OnePlus 15, including the processor, display and battery. What you have to contend with is a basic design and subpar cameras. If youre okay with a worse camera overall, the OP15 has a lot going for it, and provided OnePlus can successfully navigate an uncertain tariff regime, it will end up not just one of the best phones of 2025 but much of 2026 too, senior reporter Igor Bonifacic said . Other reviews you might have missed Those devices arent all weve been testing over the last two weeks. I spent some time with Bowers & Wilkins luxurious Px8 S2 headphones . Reviews contributor James Trew put the Rodecaster Video S through its paces and deputy editor Nathan Ingraham met Alexa+ via the Echo Dot Max . Senior editor Daniel Cooper is keeping tabs on Frameworks modular, upgradable PCs and he reviewed the 2025 update for the Laptop 16 . Speaking of laptops, senior reporter Amy Skorheim took on the rare feat of reviewing a laptop charger, proclaiming the Anker Laptop Power Bank as an outstanding option for your gear bag. Sony recently gave the PlayStation Portal a big upgrade, so Devindra had a third review stint with the two-year-old gaming handheld. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-apple-watch-se-3-dji-neo-2-playstation-portal-and-more-130000029.html?src=rss

Old-school platforming, Metroidvania horror and other new indie games worth checking out

Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. As ever, it's been a busy week of new games arriving and details of upcoming releases emerging. Before we get to some of those though, the nominees for the second annual Indie Game Awards were announced this week. There's a nice mix of big hitters and smaller, but equally worthy titles among the Game of the Year contenders. Those are: Absolum - Dotemu, Guard Crush Games and Supamonks and Roger - TearyHand Studio Blue Prince - Dogubomb Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector - Jump Over the Age Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Sandfall Interactive Consume Me - Jenny Jiao Hsia, AP Thomson, Jie En Lee, Violet W-P and Ken coda Snyder Hades II - Supergiant Games Hollow Knight: Silksong - Team Cherry Keep Driving - YCJY Games Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo - Pocket Trap Consume Me and and Roger are two I've been meaning to check out for a while. I'm also yet to hop into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which is arguably the frontrunner here it's looking like the favorite for top honors at The Game Awards next month as well. There are a whole bunch of worthy contenders in other categories, from hits like Discounty and the charmingly bittersweet Time Flies , to solo-developed projects like Spilled! and Vile: Exhumed . The supremely addictive Ball x Pit picked up a nod, but it's going against the tremendous oo (and Absolum , Hades II and Silksong ) in the gameplay design category. It's neat to see Playdate game Taria & Como earn recognition too. The Indie Game Awards ceremony takes place on December 18 at 6:30PM ET. You can watch it on YouTube and Twitch . New releases The new release I'm most looking forward to trying when I have a chance is Windswept , a precision platformer that's inspired by similar games from the '90s like Donkey Kong Country . Marbles the duck and Checkers the turtle each have unique movement abilities, and you'll need to swap between the pair to best navigate environments. You'll be trying to help them get back home after a storm whisked them away. There are lots of secrets to discover across the 40-plus levels, animal buddies to ride and much more. I grew up with games like this one from WeatherFell and publisher Top Hat Studios, which looks completely up my alley. Windswept is out now on Steam , GOG , Nintendo Switch , PS4, PS5 , Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S for $20. The Devolver Digital-published Possessor(s) is something a little different from Hyper Light Drifter studio Heart Machine. This is a horror-inflected Metroidvania and the developers drew inspiration from platform fighters for the combat. Here, high school student Luca forms an alliance with a demon in need of a host following an interdimensional catastrophe. They team up to stay alive and discover what led to the disaster. As with Heart Machine's other games, it looks very pretty, but reviews for Possessor(s) which is out on PS5 and PC have been fairly mixed so far. Things haven't exactly been going great for Heart Machine overall. The studio last month laid off staff and ended development of Hyper Light Breaker , which remains in early access. As with its earlier game Before Your Eyes , Nice Dream says its latest project, Goodnight Universe , is best played with a camera. There's the option to interact with the game using your eye movement and facial expressions. That makes a lot of sense for Goodnight Universe , which casts you in the role of a six-month-old baby with psychic powers. Little Isaac just wants familial love, but a shadowy tech corporation is looking to take custody of him. Skybound Games is the publisher of Goodnight Universe , which is available on Nintendo Switch 2 , PS5 , Xbox Series X/S and Steam for $20. A Switch version is coming on December 18, and an update that will bring camera support to the Switch 2 edition is on the way. Bonaparte - A Mechanized Revolution is a turn-based strategy game that affords you the chance to shift the outcome of the French Revolution. An opportunity to revolutionize the revolution, as it were. You can defend, depose or even reform the monarchy. As the title suggests, you'll have mechs at your disposal in battle to that end, this reminds me a bit of the clockpunk soulslike Steelrising , which was also set during the French Revolution. Bonaparte - A Mechanized Revolution, from Studio Imugi and co-publisher 2P Games, left early access on Steam this week. It costs $20. Upcoming I'm very happy to continue this little run of including a dog game in this roundup every week with something new on the beautifully titled Barkour . As part of Steam Animal Fest (which runs until Monday and includes a sale on games like Tunic and Hello Kitty Island Adventure ), Varsav Game Studios unleashed a new trailer and an updated Steam demo. Here, you play as Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R., a special agent with gadgets galore and plenty of bite to go with the bark. On missions, you can play the stealthy way, fight your enemies head on or carry out barkour parkour runs. Varsav Game Studios is hoping to release Barkour in 2026. Next up, we have release dates for a pair of cafe sims, starting with Tailside . As a furry cafe owner, you'll be looking to perfect the art of coffee making so you can serve delicious concoctions to your patrons. You can even create foam art on lattes for an extra-special touch. In this game from solo developer Coffee Beans Dev, you can customize your cafe to your liking. There are no timers to worry about, so you can play at your own pace. Tailside is coming to Steam on January 21. A demo is available now. As revealed during the State of Play Japan showcase this week, the latest entry in the Coffee Talk series is bound for Steam , PS5 , Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch on March 5. Chorus Worldwide Games and Toge Productions' Coffee Talk Tokyo places you in the role of a barista who hears out their clientele. The drinks you make (which you can enhance with sprinkle stencils for latte art) help shape your conversations with customers and have a bearing on the branching storylines. Coffee Talk and Coffee Talk Episode 2 composer Andrew AJ Jeremy returned to craft another lo-fi soundtrack for the latest installment. A release window for InKonbini: One Store. Many Stories was confirmed during the State of Play Tokyo stream as well. It's coming to Steam and consoles, including PS5 , in April. There's a Steam demo available now. From Nagai Industries, this simulator puts you in the role of a college student and employee of a small-town Japanese convenience store (a konbini) in the early 1990s. You'll decide which products to sell, and order and restock goods. More importantly, you'll have to deliver exceptional customer service. That involves having conversations with customers, which will sometimes end up having an impact on their lives. It seems quite lovely. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/old-school-platforming-metroidvania-horror-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-120000751.html?src=rss

Save up to 42 percent on portable power stations with EcoFlow Black Friday deals

EcoFlow is hosting an early Black Friday sale on portable power stations. This drops prices by up to 42 percent on many of its well-regarded products. For instance, the Delta Pro 3 is on sale for $2,299 . This is a discount of 37 percent, as the typical cost is $3,699. That's a significant drop in price. Amazon's matching the sale price as well. The Delta Pro 3 topped Yahoo's list of the best portable power stations , and for very good reason. This thing is a beast. It boasts a 4,096Wh capacity, so it can power an average 500-watt refrigerator for over 24 hours. That's with continuous use. It can be stretched out to two or three days by only running the appliance during daylight hours. There's even a discounted bundle that includes an extra battery for $3,599 . It includes four standard 120V AC outlets and a single 240V outlet. It could potentially be a temporary hub of a whole-home battery backup. There are numerous charging options here, including a standard AC outlet, solar panels and, interestingly, a cigarette lighter. The only potential downside here is the Delta Pro 3 really pushes the boundaries of what can be considered portable. It weighs 113 pounds, though it does have wheels and a telescoping handle. The Delta Pro 3 is just one of the products on sale right now. The Delta Pro Ultra, which is intended as a whole-home backup , is down to $3,999 . This represents a savings of more than $2,000. Another Yahoo top pick, the Delta 2 Max , is $1,000 off and down to $899. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/save-up-to-42-percent-on-portable-power-stations-with-ecoflow-black-friday-deals-130041366.html?src=rss

Quicken Simplifi subscriptions are 50 percent off for Black Friday

Now's the time of year you might be reconsidering how you budget your finances, or establishing a plan if you don't have one already. While it's possible to do it all yourself, budgeting apps can automate some processes and make it easier to see where your money is going and patterns, both good and bad, that might be occurring. For Black Friday , you can get 50 percent off our favorite budgeting app , Quicken Simplifi. The Quicken Simplifi app is down to $3 monthly from $6 monthly, adding up to $36 for the year. Quicken Classic , the company's original desktop software for experienced investors is also half off at $6 monthly, down from $12 monthly. The sale starts today and is available until Wednesday, December 3. One of the many things that sets Quicken Simplifi apart from its competitors is its sleek, easy to use interface. The setup is pretty straightforward and it allows for your spouse or financial advisor to act as co-manager of the account. It also clearly shows figures like net worth, recent spending, upcoming recurring payments and more. Plus, there's an option to say if you're expecting a refund. Quicken Simplifi unfortunately doesn't offer a free trial so testing it out with a discount means less money invested if it's not for you. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/quicken-simplifi-subscriptions-are-50-percent-off-for-black-friday-160025541.html?src=rss

X is finally rolling out Chat, its DM replacement with encryption and video calling

X has finally revealed its long-promised chat platform, which replaces the service's basic DM functionality with features more like the messaging capabilities on other mainstream apps. The update adds voice and video calling, file sharing and the ability to edit and delete previously sent messages, as well as privacy-focused features like end-to-end encryption and screenshot notifications. The overhauled messaging features, called Chat, are rolling out now on iOS and the web and will be coming soon on Android, according to the company. X also said it's working on a voice memo feature for users to exchange audio messages. Say hello to Chat all-new secure messaging on X. end-to-end encrypted chats and file sharing edit, delete, or make messages disappear block screenshots and get notified of attempts no ads. no tracking. total privacy. pic.twitter.com/7dmDEDkYvO Chat (@chat) November 14, 2025 X has been teasing its new chat features for several months . The company rolled out an early version of encrypted messaging earlier this year, but paused the feature in May to address unspecified issues. Now, it appears that X's encryption no longer has some of the limitations it initially did. An article on X's help center states that unlike before, group messages and media can now be encrypted, though it notes that associated metadata (including information about the recipient) is not encrypted. X also states that we do not offer protections against man-in-the-middle attacks, which could compromise an encrypted chat. As a result, if someonea malicious insider or X itself as a result of a compulsory legal processwere to compromise an encrypted conversation, neither the sender or receiver would know, the company explains. X says it's working on features that will help users verify the authenticity of encrypted conversations. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-is-finally-rolling-out-chat-its-dm-replacement-with-encryption-and-video-calling-233032571.html?src=rss

Five plead guilty to helping North Koreans pretend to be US-based IT workers

The US Department of Justice has announced that five people have pleaded guilty to helping North Koreans defraud US companies by pretending to be US-based remote workers. North Korea has previously used fake identities and the direct manipulation of US cybersecurity workers to circumvent international sanctions and funnel money into the country. In this case, the people knew they were helping North Koreans, the DOJ says, and provided their own, false, or stolen identities to help the remote workers get jobs. They also hosted U.S. victim company-provided laptops at residences across the United States to hide the workers' location. In the case of at least two facilitators, they also took company drug tests on the workers' behalf. Audricus Phagnasay, Jason Salazar and Alexander Paul Travis each pleaded guilty to one wire fraud conspiracy for their role in the scam. Travis was paid at least $51,397 for participating, while Phagnasay and Salazar earned at least $3,450 and $4,500, respectively. Another facilitator, Erick Ntekereze Prince, used his company to contract certified IT workers to other US companies, fully knowing the workers were using stolen identities. He earned more than $89,000 for his participation in the scam and pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy. The final facilitator, Oleksandr Didenko, pleaded guilty for one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of aggravated identity theft for participating in an extensive identity theft operation. Didenko helped foreign IT workers fraudulently gain employment at 40 US companies, the DOJ says, and he's forfeiting $1.4 million as part of his plea. These prosecutions make one point clear: the United States will not permit the DPRK to bankroll its weapons programs by preying on American companies and workers, U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiones said in the DOJ announcement. We will keep working with our partners across the Justice Department to uncover these schemes, recover stolen funds, and pursue every individual who enables North Koreas operations. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/five-plead-guilty-to-helping-north-koreans-pretend-to-be-us-based-it-workers-230831417.html?src=rss

The YouTube TV Disney blackout continues: How to watch NCAA football this weekend

Engadget We're about to enter our third week of what feels like a never-ending contract dispute between Disney and YouTube TV that has left YouTube TV customers without access to over 20 Disney-owned channels. Reports estimate that Disney is losing $4.3 million per day during the blackout, you you would think they'd like to resolve the situation quickly, but Disney CFO Hugh Johnston stated ominously earlier this week, Were ready to go as long as they want to. On the up side, YouTube TV has finally started issuing $20 credits to customers as consolation for their troubles, but will that be enough to keep their base from jumping ship and finding a new streaming service? As a reminder of how we got here, the Walt Disney Co. pulled its channels from YouTube TV on Oct. 30 after the two companies failed to reach new terms on their latest carriage agreement, and YouTube TV subscribers have gone without NFL, NBA and NCAA games on ABC and ESPN's suite of channels for two full weeks. With no agreement in sight, YouTube TV subscribers will be left in the dark for this weekend's NCAA football games, and possibly Monday Night Football, too. With huge conference matchups like Texas vs. Georgia and Oklahoma vs. Alabama on ABC and Florida vs. Ole Miss on ESPN this Saturday,, you'll need to seek out alternative viewing methods if you rely on YouTube TV for those channels. And unfortunately for YouTube TV's negotiating position, there are plenty of options. One of the cheapest ways to watch ESPN is with a Sling Day Pass for just $5/day, you can tune into any and all ESPN programming with no other commitments. If you want a full switch from YouTube TV, there's Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, or Fubo, where you can watch all the Disney-owned channels. (Remember, unlike a lot of cable plans, you can easily pause or cancel YouTube TV or any of these alternatives, so long as you have month-to-month subscriptions.) Below, we've outlined some of your best options to watch ESPN, the Disney Channel, ABC and more, all pulled from our list of best live TV streaming services to cut cable , as well as a comprehensive list of which channels have been affected, and the biggest sporting events of the week that won't be available to YouTube TV subscribers. What games are on ESPN/ABC this week? If you're wondering what games you might miss as a result of the YouTube TV/Disney blackout, here's a list of some upcoming sports you may not want to miss: NCAA Football Friday, Nov. 14 5:30 p.m. | South Carolina State at North Carolina Central | ESPN2 7:30 p.m. | Clemson at No. 20 Louisville | ESPN Saturday, Nov. 15 12 p.m. | South Carolina at No. 3 Texas A&M | ESPN 12 p.m. | No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 22 Pitt | ABC 12 p.m. | Kansas State at Oklahoma State | ESPNU 12 p.m. | No. 24 South Florida at Navy | ESPN2 12:45 p.m. | Arkansas at LSU | SEC Network 1:30 p.m. | Tennessee Tech at Kentucky| SEC Network + 3:30 p.m. | No. 11 Oklahoma at No. 4 Alabama | ABC 3:30 p.m. | No. 19 Virginia at Duke | ESPN2 3:30 p.m. | No. 16 Georgia Tech at Boston College | ACC Network 3:30 p.m. | NC State at No. 15 Miami (Fla.) | ESPN 4 p.m. | Memphis at East Carolina | ESPNU 4:15 p.m. | New Mexico State at No. 23 Tennessee | SEC Network 7 p.m. | Florida at No. 7 Ole Miss | ESPN 7 p.m. | No. 13 Utah at Baylor | ESPN2 7:30 p.m. | No. 10 Texas at No. 5 Georgia | ABC 7:30 p.m. | Virginia Tech at Florida State | ACC Network 7:45 p.m. | Mississippi State at Missouri | SEC Network 8 p.m. | Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State | ESPNU 10:15 p.m. | TCU at No. 12 BYU | ESPN 10:30 p.m. | UC Davis at Montana State | ESPN2 NWSL Sunday, Nov. 16 3 p.m. | NWSL Semifinal: Orlando Pride vs. Gotham FC | ABC NFL Monday, Nov. 17 8 p.m. | MNF: Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders | ESPN Grab an ESPN bundle so you won't miss the NFL, NBA or any other games Get Hulu + Live TV at a great price Try Fubo free for a week and get $30 your first month Try DirecTV free for 5 days, and get $30 off your first month What about Sling day passes? You may have heard that Sling offers day, weekend and week passes to its streaming programming for as little as $5 per day. That is an option if you're looking for just some of the ESPN channels (the Sling Orange tier), but ABC isn't included. (If you're just looking to catch one of this week's big games, like Monday Night Football on ESPN, it's a great short-term solution.) If you want a longer-term solution, you can get both ESPN and ABC with Sling's Orange and Blue package ($30 a month to start, $61 thereafter), but you'll need to add on the Sports Extra package for ESPNU, which requires an additional charge. Get your local Disney/ABC programming for free Need your local ABC programming? Your station may have its own free local streaming news channel (many do), you can see if The Roku Channel carries your local station's news, or download your local news station app if it's a Nexstar channel. The other alternative if you're within the broadcast radius of a local ABC affiliate is to get an over-the-air antenna. You can plug in your ZIP code at antennaweb.org to see what channels are in your area. This off-brand unit has worked very well in our initial testing it's under $30, and the channels are truly free. Which channels are no longer available on YouTube TV? Every channel that's owned by The Walt Disney Company is currently blacked out on YouTube TV. Those channels are: ABC ABC News Live ACC Network Disney Channel Disney Junior Disney XD ESPN ESPNews ESPN2 ESPNU Freeform FX FXM FXX Localish Nat Geo Nat Geo Wild SEC Network ESPN Deportes Baby TV Espaol Nat Geo Mundo Update Nov. 14 2025 4:21PM ET: This story has been updated to include viewing info for weekend college football games, as well as the next Monday Night Football. Update Nov. 10 2025, 4:43PM ET: This story has been updated to include news on the $20 rebate for YouTube TV subscribers, as well as to update the list of upcoming football games for the week. Update Nov. 6 2025, 4:38PM ET: This story has been updated to include viewing info for weekend college football games, as well as the next Monday Night Football. Update Nov. 5 2025, 12:32PM ET: This story has been updated to include detailed info on tonight's ESPN NBA games. Update Nov. 3 2025, 6:36PM ET: This story has been updated to include YouTube TV's latest response to Disney's request to restore its channels for just 24 hours. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-youtube-tv-disney-blackout-continues-how-to-watch-ncaa-football-this-weekend-173330533.html?src=rss

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 appears to feature AI-generated art assets

By all appearances, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 features a not insignificant amount of AI-generated art, Kotaku reports . The game's over 680 Calling Cards collectible backgrounds earned through in-game achievements or purchases appear to be the main offenders , featuring art that imitates the knockoff animation style of ChatGPT . While it's hard to authoritatively claim that Studio Ghibli-inspired illustrations are a smoking gun, the Calling Cards players have spotted do at the very least seem unpolished for a splashy $70 game. Activision has also confirmed that the game's development team used generative AI tools to help develop some in-game assets in a disclosure on the Black Ops 7 Steam page , which certainly won't dissuade anyones suspicions. I havent really looked at the Multiplayer and Zombie calling cards as closely and im willing to bet they're using ai on those too but its only the Campaign and endgame calling cards that are this type of blatant Sora/Grok artstyle pic.twitter.com/5qmEXhoQkJ Kume (@Kumesicles) November 14, 2025 In a statement to Kotaku , Activision also didn't deny the possibility, noting that AI was one of several digital tools it used to empower and support our teams to create the best gaming experiences possible for our players. Using AI-generated art or at least AI art edited by a human could have saved Activision and developer Treyarch money during development. But it's also possible these in-game rewards look weird because they were made in the rush to get the game out the door. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has the honor of being the first in the franchise to launch on Xbox Game Pass , one way Microsoft hopes to justify the subscription's recent price hike . That the game features AI-generated assets might dampen some player's excitement, but Black Ops 7's campaign seems like the more pressing issue. It requires an internet connection to run because it was designed to be played in a squad of four, but even if you play with in-game bots, you still can't pause the game. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-appears-to-feature-ai-generated-art-assets-201746595.html?src=rss

'Divine' is a Jack Dorsey-backed Vine reboot for 2025

Nearly a decade after going offline, Vine is (sort of) back and, in a truly bizarre twist, Jack Dorsey is at least partially responsible. An early Twitter employee has released a beta version of a rebooted Vine now called Divine that revives the app's six-second videos and includes a portion of the original app's archive. The project comes from Evan Henshaw-Plath, a former Twitter employee who goes by Rabble, and has backing from Dorsey's nonprofit and Other Stuff , which funds experimental social media apps built on the open source nostr protocol. Rabble has so far managed to resurrect about 170,000 videos from the original Vine thanks to an old archive created before Twitter shut down the app in 2017 . In an FAQ on Divine's website, he says that he also hopes to restore millions of user comments and profile photos associated with those original posts as well. But Divine is more than just a home for decade-old clips. New users can create six-second looping videos of their own for the platform. The app also has many elements that will be familiar to people who have used Bluesky or other decentralized platforms, including customizable controls for content moderation and multiple feed algorithms to choose from. The site's FAQ says Divine plans to support custom, user-created algorithms too. Divine is also taking a pretty strong stance against AI-generated content. The app will have built-in AI detection tools that will add badges to content that's been verified as not created or edited with AI tools. And, according to TechCrunch , the app will block uploads of suspected AI content. We're in the middle of an AI takeover of social media, Divine explains on its website. New apps like Sora are entirely AI-generated. TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are increasingly flooded with AI slopvideos that look real but were never captured by a camera, people who don't exist, scenarios that never happened. Divine is fighting back. We're creating a space where human creativity is celebrated and protected, where you can trust that what you're watching was made by a real person with a real camera, not generated by an algorithm. While all that may sound intriguing, Divine has a long way to go before it can accomplish all that. The app hasn't made it onto either app store yet, though it's already added 10,000 people to an iOS beta, according to its founder. In the meantime, you can also browse some of the app's videos, including some old Vine posts, on its website , though not all of the videos are working properly at the moment. Still, any kind of reboot is good news for fans of the original, who have long hoped the app might make a comeback. Elon Musk has suggested more than once that he would revive Vine in some way, but has yet to follow through. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/divine-is-a-jack-dorsey-backed-vine-reboot-for-2025-192307190.html?src=rss

Subnautica publisher transforms into 'AI first' company and introduces voluntary resignation policy

South Korean games publisher Krafton recently announced its transformation into an AI first company , which typically means that human jobs are about to go on the chopping block. To that end, the company is now trying to slash its workforce by offering voluntary resignations, according to a report by Eurogamer . Krafton is a giant company with tentacles in numerous development studios, including the folks that make PUBG and Subnautica . The organization says this isn't a plan to lay off its human workforce, but will support members in proactively designing their growth direction and embarking on new challenges both inside and outside the company amid the era of AI transformation. Yep. Those are certainly words. Krafton says they are now an 'AI first' company Franchises they own include 'PUBG' and 'Hi-Fi Rush' pic.twitter.com/h2lsOOeyxT Culture Crave (@CultureCrave) October 24, 2025 The company also says it will support members in autonomously deciding whether to continue the direction of change internally or expand externally. That's corporate speak for my way or the highway. CFO Bae Dong-geun said during a recent earnings call that individual productivity must increase at the company-wide level. Oh yeah. It's worth noting that Krafton recently noted record profits . It looks like these profits will not be going to the staff, but rather will be funnelled into large-scale investments in AI. It's a tale as old as time, or at least modern AI . The company plans to automate work centered on agentic AI including the development of an AI-centered management system. It's freezing all hiring except for those developing original intellectual property and AI-related personnel. MIT report: 95% of generative AI pilots at companies are failing. https://t.co/xejHRlf43q Anthony Baldi (@anthbaldi) October 12, 2025 Agentic AI systems have, so far, proven to be underwhelming when tasked with taking the reins. A recent MIT study noted that 95 percent of these efforts fail . Another study predicts that 40 percent of agentic AI projects will be cancelled by the end of 2027 . In other words, good luck in your forthcoming endeavors, Krafton. You're gonna need it . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/subnautica-publisher-transforms-into-ai-first-company-and-introduces-voluntary-resignation-policy-181042212.html?src=rss

The Sims-like Paralives is delayed until May 2026

Folks who are looking forward to a fresh flavor of life simulation in the form of Paralives will have to wait a while longer before they can jump into the Sims-like game. The game was supposed to hit early access on Steam on December 8, but lead developer Alex Mass and the team at Paralives Studio have pushed back the release date to May 25. Mass explained that the team expanded its playtests in the lead up to the early access period, and the latest feedback we received made us realize the game isnt up to the standard we wanted it to meet for release. While the character creator and in-depth home builder modes seem to be in a solid place, playtesters encountered impactful bugs in the live mode and it appears that there isn't yet quite enough to do in the town. We feel it is necessary to work on these before delivering the product to the community, Mass wrote. The team plans to improve the game's onboarding experience too. A message from the Paralives team: pic.twitter.com/xNk2nOf1Kv Paralives (@ParalivesGame) November 14, 2025 Paralives has been in development for six years, and the team has grown from two or three people in the first couple of years to an average of 10. Having such a small team meant that the developers had to alternate long stretches of development between the three parts of the game, Mass wrote. We are so proud of what we have built, but now, we just need a bit more time to polish the simulation part of the game. This would ensure Paralives offers a great first experience when it launches, making players come back for every exciting free update and expansion that we will put out afterwards. Paralives Studio will stream 45 minutes of gameplay on its YouTube channel at noon ET on November 25. Mass said you'll get to see what the game looks like now, including some of the current features. The team will provide more details on aspects it plans to improve before the early access release. You can expect more streams and videos in the coming months. It's expected that Paralives will remain in early access for two years while the team adds the features and content it plans to. Paralives is an indie alternative to the likes of The Sims and InZOI . There are other life sim games on the way before Paralives debuts, such as Pokmon Pokopia . Animal Crossing New Horizons is getting a major update and a Switch 2 version in January. However, EA will shut down The Sims Mobile that same month. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-sims-like-paralives-is-delayed-until-may-2026-174922059.html?src=rss

The best iPad deals right now: Get $100 off the 13-inch iPad Air

Each week, we check major retailers looking for notable discounts on iPads. Those deals almost never show up on Apple's own website, but Target, Walmart and, of course, Amazon tend to have at least a few worthy discounts on Apple's slates. We update this list at least once per week and, while we're at it, we add standout discounts on other Apple gear, from the wearable Apple Watch to the portable MacBook. Why all the focus on Apple devices? The company's gear consistently ranks among our top picks for tablets , smartwatches , laptops and more . It's important to note that we're just heading into the Black Friday shopping season (it used to be just one day, but the beast has grown). So the discounts you see now may very well get even better as we get closer to the end of November. And if you don't see something you were hoping for on sale (thinking specifically about the AirPods Pro 3 here), check back. For now, these are the top deals on Apple gear we could find. Best iPad deals Apple iPad Air (M3, 13-inch) for $699 ($100 off) : We loved the previous generation iPad Air. The latest edition has a faster M3 chip, which excelled in our benchmark tests. Overall, we awarded it an 89 in our review and it's currently our top pick for among the iPad family. This is the model with the larger 13-inch screen, which is a little harder to carry and hold, but will give you more real estate for watching shows and playing games . It went as low as $649 multiple times this year, but this is still a decent $100 discount if you're not able to wait for further discounts closer to Black Friday. Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, M5) for $933 ($66 off) : Apple's newest iPad only came out less than a month ago, but it's already $50 or so off at various retailers. At Amazon, the base model with an M5 chip and 256GB of storage in the black colorway is down to $933. We gave this iPad Pro a score of 85 in our review . It has a class-leading OLED display and an impressively thin design, while the new M5 chip is more than powerful enough to do just about anything you'd want to do with an iPad. It's the only Apple tablet to support fast charging, too. That said, it's still far more iPad than casual buyers ever need, so it's best suited for hardcore iPad users and those with cash to burn. Also at Best Buy and B&H for $949. Apple iPad (A16) for $299 ($50 off) : The entry-level iPad comes with a faster A16 chip, 2GB more RAM and 128GB of storage by default. It earned a score of 84 in our review if you only need a tablet for roaming the internet, watching shows and doing some lighter productivity tasks, it should do the job. With the new iPadOS 26 update, it also has most of the same multitasking features available with the more expensive models. We've seen this price for much of the past several months it's $20 above the tablet's all-time low, but it's still a bit cheaper than buying direct from Apple. Note that the discount only applies to certain colors. Also at Walmart . Apple iPad Pro (13-inch, M5) for $1,246 ($53 off) : The 13-inch iPad Pro is virtually the same as the 11-inch version, only it's bigger. It's also more expensive, but the extra screen space might be worth it if you're committed to using the Pro as your main computer. Amazon isn't listing this as a discount, but rest assured it's still about $50 off Apple's MSRP. Again, given that these tablets were just launched, any sort of price drop is worth noting. Also at Best Buy and B&H for $1,249. Best Apple deals Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $750 ($250 off) : Apple's latest MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops , and it earned a score of 92 in our review . It's not a major overhaul, but the design is still exceptionally thin, light and well-built, with long battery life and a top-notch keyboard and trackpad. Now it's a bit faster. (Though we'd still love more ports and a refresh rate higher than 60Hz.) This is a new all-time low for the base model with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, but higher-end configurations are also $250 off. Apple MacBook Air (15-inch, M4) for $950 ($250 off) : The 15-inch MacBook Air is nearly identical to the smaller version; apart from its roomier display, it adds better speakers and a more spacious trackpad. This deal marks another all-time low, and other configs are similarly discounted. Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M4 Max, 36GB memory, 1TB storage) for $3,096 ($403 off) : If you're looking for a near-top-of-the-line MacBook, here's a configuration to consider. This has the fastest currently available M-series chip (though with the release of the M5 chip , the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are no doubt on their way). For now, this is a beast that only professional users are likely to appreciate. And the price tag matches that power. The MacBook Pro is our recommended MacBook for creatives and we gave the 16-inch, M4-series models a 92 in our review . This is within $20 of the lowest price we've seen for this configuration. Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) for $200 ($49 off) : This is the first major discount we've seen for the third-gen version of Apple's entry-level smartwatch, which was released in September. We gave it a 90 in our review . The big upgrade here is the always-on display, which means you no longer have to wake the watch to check the time or your notifications. (This tech was previously limited to the more expensive Apple Watch models.) The watch now runs on the same S10 chip as its higher-end siblings as well, plus it still covers the essential health and fitness features. If youre in the market for your first smartwatch, or if you only want a watch for step counting, sleep tracking and notifications, it's a strong value. Apple Watch Ultra 3 (49mm) for $700 ($100 off) : The Ultra 3 is a much more niche device than Apple's other wearables, aimed at serious athletes and adventurers more than the typical gym-goer. It's the biggest and most rugged Apple Watch, with the brightest display (up to 3,000 nits), longest battery life (up to 42 hours) and most advanced components. It also supports satellite communications . This discount doesn't make it cheap by any means, but it does represent a new low. Apple Mac mini (M4) for $499 ($100 off) : The newest version of Apples tiny desktop PC has a smaller overall footprint, a faster M4 chip, 16GB of RAM as standard (finally), two front-facing USB-C ports, an extra Thunderbolt 4 port and the ability to drive three external displays. It doesn't have any USB-A ports, however. We gave the M4 Pro model a review score of 90 . This deal is for the entry-level version with a base M4 chip, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD weve seen it fall as low as $469 before, but this is still a decent savings. Also at Best Buy , Walmart and B&H . Apple Pencil Pro for $99 ($30 off) : The top-end option in Apples confusing stylus lineup , the Pencil Pro supports pressure sensitivity, wireless charging, tilt detection, haptic feedback and Apples double tap and squeeze gestures , among other perks. Its a lovely tool for more intricate sketching and note-taking, but the catch is that its only compatible with the M4 iPad Pro, M2 and M3 iPad Air and most recent iPad mini. We've seen this deal fairly often over the course of the year, but it's a fine discount compared to buying from Apple directly. Also at Best Buy , Walmart and Target . Apple AirTag (4-pack) for $65 ($34 off) : We may see an updated model soon, but the current AirTags are the best Bluetooth trackers for iPhone owners right now thanks to their vast finding network and accurate ultra-wideband tech that makes it easy to locate nearby items. Just note that you'll need a separate AirTag holder to attach them to your keys, wallet or bag. The discount linked here is within a dollar of the best deal we've tracked outside of an apparent pricing error on Apple's site. Also at Best Buy and Walmart . If you just need a single tracker, you can grab one for $18 at Amazon . Read more Apple coverage : The best AirPods The best Apple Watches The best MacBooks The best iPhones The best iPads Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-ipad-deals-right-now-get-100-off-the-13-inch-ipad-air-150020837.html?src=rss

Black Friday deals include half off one year of access to our favorite budgeting app

Those looking for a better way to keep track of their finances should consider a budgeting app . There are dozens of them on the market now, and one of our favorites is running a discount for new subscribers. Monarch Money is offering 50 percent off annual plans right now when you use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout. With the typical yearly price being $100, this will save you $50. As mentioned before, the discount is only for new users and it can't be combined with other offers. The code only works when you sign up through the web as well. You can't redeem it through the Monarch mobile app. We feel that Monarch has a steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers and that certain aspects of the app are slightly more complex than they probably need to be. But it offers a great deal of customization and granularity , which outweighs our misgivings. On the main dashboard, you'll see your net worth along with your latest transactions, spending versus the previous month, your income so far for the month and details about upcoming bills, your investments and goals you've set. There's also a link to a month-in-review page, which offers an in-depth overview of what's been happening with your money that month. You'll also be able to take a peek at how your net worth has changed over time. Monarch can connect to your bank and track Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings accounts. It can pull in your transactions and balance history automatically and detect your recurring expenses and income. The app can even keep your car valuation up to date. While it might take a little work to set up Monarch (and you might have to tweak things here and there), it's a detailed budgeting app that can help you keep better track of your income, expenditure and net worth. If you're a former Mint user (RIP), Monarch Money is a great alternative if you haven't yet found a Mint replacement . But it's worth mentioning that our favorite Mint replacement service, Quicken Simplifi , also has a sale going on right now. It's offering 50 percent off when you sign up for an annual subscription, billed at $3 per month with the discount. That comes out to $36 for the first year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deals-include-half-off-one-year-of-access-to-our-favorite-budgeting-app-174011945.html?src=rss

You need a fabric shaver, and my favorite is only $13 for Black Friday

If you clicked on this story because you don't know what a fabric shaver is, you're not alone. That was me not too long ago when I started searching for something that could get rid of the pilling on some of my most loved pieces of clothing. Blessedly, I stumbled upon the Philips Fabric Shaver , a type of device I didn't even know existed, and decided to give it a shot. It's now an essential piece of tech in my house, and you don't have to pay as much as I did for it thanks to this Black Friday deal that knocks it down to $13. Sure, it may not seem revolutionary especially if you already knew of the wonders of such devices but it was for me. I have a lot of T-shirts, joggers, sweaters and more that I've had for at least three years and wear regularly. We also have a bunch of throw blankets around the house, partially because I love a good throw, and partially because my cat demands soft spots on which to sleep. All of those well-worn, well-loved fabrics have pilled over time, and I was tired of picking at the pills myself. This Philips Fabric Shaver makes it so I never have to do that anymore. It runs on two AA batteries, has a simple on-off switch and a shaving head with three sized holes that, as you glide it over your sweater or blanket, catches the pills and shaves them right off. It's literally as simple as that; after I tried it the first time on a pair of joggers, I spent far too much time running around my house and through my closet de-pilling as many things as I could. All the little fabric bits collect in a removable chamber that you simply empty as often as you need into the trash. If you're like me and try to make the most of the wardrobe you have and not buy new clothing all the time, this little gadget will keep the pieces in your closet looking fresh. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/you-need-a-fabric-shaver-and-my-favorite-is-only-13-for-black-friday-163402235.html?src=rss

Early Black Friday Apple deals include a four-pack of AirTags for $65

Good deals on Apple products are generally harder to come by throughout the year than with other brands, but sale events are usually the best time to look around. And sure enough, ahead of Black Friday , Apples AirTags are cheaper than ever. You can pick up a four-pack of these handy Bluetooth trackers for $65, a record low price. Bear in mind that this deal brings the price per AirTag down to $16 if you were to buy them individually, and when not on sale they usually cost $29. If you use Apple devices and are prone to losing stuff, AirTags are the obvious choice of Bluetooth tracker to buy. Adding one to your account requires little more than a single tap, and with Apples Find My network offering such extensive coverage these days, its never been easier to find missing belongings. Tracking down a still nearby misplaced item is as easy as using your iPhone to trigger a sound from the AirTags built-in speaker, or alternatively you can use Precision Finding to pinpoint its location through Find My. You just follow the instructions on your iPhones screen, paying attention to its vibrations as you get closer. If you only need a single AirTag, theyre also on sale right now for $18, another record low. It works out a bit better as a deal if you purchase the four-pack, but if you just want to attach one to your keys or backpack, $65 might seem like a stretch. Just remember that AirTags cant be attached to items right out of the box. Youll need to add an accessory in order to turn one into a keyring, or even attach it to your pets collar. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/early-black-friday-apple-deals-include-a-four-pack-of-airtags-for-65-161756983.html?src=rss

The GoPro Hero 13 Black is cheaper than ever ahead of Black Friday

The GoPro Hero 13 Black action camera is down to $310 as part of an early Black Friday sale, which is a record low price. That's a discount of 23 percent or $90. This model topped our list of the best action cameras , and for good reason. It's a fantastic device with all kinds of bells and whistles . It's the most versatile Hero camera that GoPro has ever made. There's a new family of modular lenses and it can shoot up to 5.3K and handle 2X optical zoom. The battery is bigger than ever before and offers around 90 minutes of continuous shooting in 4K/30FPS. The camera is waterproof up to 10 millimeters, so don't worry about puddles. The full-color front screen is vivid and makes it easy to review footage without getting a computer involved. There's no internal storage here, but it accepts microSD cards. There's a camera bundle on sale right now that includes a 64GB microSD, three batteries, a dual charger and a case. That pack costs $349 , which is a discount of 30 percent . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-gopro-hero-13-black-is-cheaper-than-ever-ahead-of-black-friday-160154066.html?src=rss

Nintendo Black Friday deals are here: Switch 2 bundles, Switch game deals, discounted accessories and more

Nintendo gear is always sought after during the holiday shopping season, but this year likely more so than others. The Nintendo Switch 2 is the console launch of 2025 and it will undoubtedly be at the top of many wish lists for both kids and adults alike. If you were hoping to save a bit on the console during the Black Friday shopping season, you may be disappointed. The Nintendo Black Friday sale was just announced , and unsurprisingly, there aren't a lot of true deals to be had. This is typical of Nintendo legit Nintendo Black Friday deals are hard to come by but there are ways to at least get the best value for your money if you're going to pick up a Switch 2 before the year is out. As has been the case for many years, the marquee Nintendo deals for the holidays come in the form of console bundles. When the Switch 2 launched earlier this year, it was available as just the console only for $449 or bundled with Mario Kart World for $499 . Both options are still available now, but there's a new bundle to consider as well the console with the new Pokmon Legends: Z-A game , which also costs $499. Considering the games by themselves cost $70 each, you do save a bit by picking up a console bundle. you can pick up the console and its bundles at most retailers including Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy and others. When it comes to deals on Nintendo Switch 2 games, the Nintendo eShop will have Cyber Deals starting on November 20, running through December 3. The shop will feature holiday offers on select games, so it appears we'll all just have to go to the online store on November 20 to see the games on offer. Starting on November 23, select retailers will have discounts on some physical Switch games including Princess Peach: Showtime! , The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom , Luigis Mansion 3 and Kirbys Return to Dream Land Deluxe . Those will each be $40, while other games like Super Mario Odyssey, Nintendo Switch Sports , Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Splatoon 3 will be $30. Even if you can't get huge discounts on Nintendo consoles or new games this year, that doesn't mean you can't find decent deals on other Nintendo gear. There are plenty of great ideas for gifts for the Nintendo fan in your life , and Engadget's Sam Rutherford got to see a bunch of them in person when he attended Nintendo's holiday showcase. From collectibles to clothing to plushies and holiday decor, there's really a ton to choose from but you may want to pace yourself if you're also a Nintendo fan finding things that you want to pick up for yourself in the process of looking for good gifts. Here are just some of the best Nintendo gift ideas that you can look out for during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/nintendo-black-friday-deals-are-here-switch-2-bundles-switch-game-deals-discounted-accessories-and-more-155223655.html?src=rss

This is the air fryer to buy on sale before Black Friday

Black Friday is arguably the best time of the year to pick up small kitchen appliances like blenders, toaster ovens and air fryers. In the latter category, one of our favorites is on sale right now for a great price. The Ninja DZ401 dual-zone air fryer is down to $180, which is 22 percent off its normal price. Admittedly, we have seen this model a bit cheaper in the past, but if youre on cooking duty for Thanksgiving, you might not have the option of waiting until what could be a deeper discount on Black Friday . And the DZ401 is the perfect air fryer for the holiday season, owing to its trademark dual baskets, which allow you to cook up two completely different foods simultaneously. It takes up a fair amount of space, but its worth it if you have a lot of hungry mouths to feed. This 10-quart fryer includes a smart cook thermometer and six cooking modes, including air broil, roast and dehydrate alongside the default air fry mode. The spacious baskets are quick and easy to clean, and youre safe to throw the plates into the dishwasher if theyre particularly messy after cooking up chicken wings or some brownies for dessert. The Ninja DZ401 has had the title of best dual-zone air fryer in our buying guide for a long time for a reason. An air fryer like this isnt for everyone, especially those with smaller kitchens, but for a Thanksgiving dinner youll struggle to find better. A number of other Ninja devices are on sale for Black Friday right now. If you don't need quite as big of a machine, the Ninja Crispi 5-in-1 air fryer/multicooker could be a better option. It's down to $159 right now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-is-the-air-fryer-to-buy-on-sale-before-black-friday-170959741.html?src=rss

Engadget Podcast: Did Valve just reshape PC gaming again?

This week Valve surprised us all with the announcement of three new devices: The tiny Steam Machine PC gaming desktop, the Steam Frame VR headset and a new Steam Controller. In this episode, Devindra and Engadget's gaming reporter Jessica Conditt discuss how these devices fit into the PC gaming world, which has already been reshaped by Valve's Steck Deck portable. Also, we discuss our favorite games of 2025, as well as the upcoming titles we're looking forward to. Subscribe! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts Topics Valve reshapes PC gaming with a new Steam Machine, Steam Frame VR headset and updated Steam Controller 1:10 Its not just Silksong! A look at our favorite indie games of 2025 with Jess Conditt 25:25 Michael Burry places his next big short on Palantir and NVIDIA 46:09 WSJ Report: OpenAI faces 7 lawsuits claiming ChatGPT encouraged user suicides 50:57 Apple unveils Digital IDs for iPhones, to hold passports and other IDs 59:35 Deezer-Ipsos survey says 97% of people cant tell if music is AI generated 1:01:37 Around Engadget 1:07:18 Working on 1:08:42 Pop culture picks 1:09:10 Credits Host: Devindra Hardawar Guest: Jessica Conditt Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/engadget-podcast-did-valve-just-reshape-pc-gaming-again-143000931.html?src=rss

Anthropic's AI was used by Chinese hackers to run a Cyberattack

A few months ago, Anthropic published a report detailing how its Claude AI model had been weaponized in a vibe hacking extortion scheme. The company has continued to monitor how the agentic AI is being used to coordinate cyberattacks, and now claims that a state-backed group of hackers in China utilized Claude in an attempted infiltration of 30 corporate and political targets around the world, with some success. In what it labeled the first documented case of a large-scale cyberattack executed without substantial human intervention, Anthropic said that the hackers first chose their targets, which included unnamed tech companies, financial institutions and government agencies. They then used Claude Code to develop an automated attack framework, after successfully bypassing the models training to avoid harmful behavior. This was achieved by breaking the planned attack into smaller tasks that didnt obviously reveal their wider malicious intent, and telling Claude that it was a cybersecurity firm using the AI for defensive training purposes. After writing its own exploit code, Anthropic said Claude was then able to steal usernames and passwords that allowed it to extract a large amount of private data through backdoors it had created. The obedient AI reportedly even went to the trouble of documenting the attacks and storing the stolen data in separate files. The hackers used AI for 80-90 percent of its operation, only occasionally intervening, and Claude was able to orchestrate an attack in far less time than humans could have done. It wasnt flawless, with some of the information it obtained turning out to be publicly available, but Anthropic said that attacks like this will likely become more sophisticated and effective over time. You might be wondering why an AI company would want to publicize the dangerous potential of its own technology, but Anthropic says its investigation also acts as evidence of why the assistant is crucial for cyber defense. It said Claude was successfully used to analyze the threat level of the data it collected, and ultimately sees it as a tool that can assist cybersecurity professionals when future attacks happen. Claude is by no means the only AI that has benefited cybercriminals. Last year, OpenAI said that its generative AI tools were being used by hacker groups with ties to China and North Korea. They reportedly used GAI to assist with code debugging, researching potential targets and drafting phishing emails. OpenAI said at the time that it had blocked the groups' access to its systems. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropics-ai-was-used-by-chinese-hackers-to-run-a-cyberattack-142313551.html?src=rss

WhatsApp enables interoperability with two other messengers in the EU

Meta has announced that BirdyChat and Haiket are the first third-party messaging services that will have interoperability with WhatsApp in the European Union. The company has been working on enabling third-party chats since 2023 after the rules of the blocs Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into effect. It apparently held small scale tests over the past few months to make sure WhatsApp does work with BirdyChat and Haiket, and it will roll out integration with the services across Europe soon. Users will be able to send messages, images, voice messages, videos and files between the messaging services whether theyre on Android or iOS. To those wondering, any messaging service Meta teams up with will need to have the same level of end-to-end encryption as WhatsApp under DMAs rules. Users will see a notification in their Settings tab on WhatsApp over the coming months when BirdyChat and Haiket integration becomes available, telling them how they can opt-in to third-party chats. They can choose not to enable the feature at all or to switch it off anytime they want. When Meta released details detailing how WhatsApp will work with other messengers, the company said that users will be able to create group chats with their friends on its partner apps. That feature wont be available at launch, though, and will come later when Metas partners are ready to support the capability. Meta also said that it will continue expanding WhatsApps interoperability with more apps, as its required to do so under the DMA. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/whatsapp-enables-interoperability-with-two-other-messengers-in-the-eu-140000835.html?src=rss

'Metroid Prime 4: Beyond' thrillingly brings the series into the modern era

Earlier this year, I played Metroid Prime for the first time in at least a decade. Back in 2023, Nintendo released a remastered version of the 2002 classic for the Switch, and I felt like dusting it off once we finally knew Metroid Prime 4: Beyond would arrive this year after about a decade in development. The original Metroid Prime holds up surprisingly well for a 23-year-old game, but there were plenty of times where it showed its age. The platforming often felt overly clunky, as precise control over Samus Aran is not the games strong suit. Similarly, dealing with larger hordes of energy-sucking Metroids could get pretty frustrating, again due to a lack of precision. But the main feeling I came away from the game with was excitement over a fully modernized Metroid Prime experience. Ive been interested in seeing how the lush alien worlds, monstrous enemies and first-person combat would feel on a current console, built with todays technology and the many improvements that have come to game design since 2002. I finally got a chance to play about 90 minutes of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond last week and nothing I saw diminished my excitement for the series being brought into the current decade even if the game felt almost too familiar at times. I played two segments of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond . The first is an opening sequence that Nintendo made available for people to try at the Switch 2 demo experiences earlier this year before the console launched, while the second is a longer slice that takes place on a gorgeous alien planet where it seems the bulk of the game will likely take place. That first segment is the classic get the player acquainted with the controls level where Samus flies in to help defend a base under attack. Since I had played the Switch version of Metroid Prime recently, I felt right at home with the controls even though a few buttons were remapped. All of the classic Metroid moves, including charge blasts, the morph ball, the missile cannon, the scanning visor and more are intact here, and I quickly slipped back into the routine of scanning enemies for weak points and blasting away. Right from the jump, the game looks fantastic. Theres an extensive cutscene (at least for a Metroid game) that shows Samus flying in to save the day through a battle-torn base, and everything from the flash of fireball explosions to small details on Samuss ship give off a level of detail that we simply havent seen in a Metroid game before. I was playing the game on the Switch 2, in both handheld mode and hooked up to a TV and it looked great either way. The aforementioned explosions popped nicely in HDR and the frame rate never stuttered in a way that I picked up on. As usual, Nintendos art direction is top-notch, but this is the first Metroid Prime game made on a console with some power behind it (remember, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption came out on the original Wii). The game isnt quite aiming for photorealistic graphics, but its closer than almost any other Nintendo game I can think of. The combo of impeccable style and a modern resolution that finally lets the Metroid world shine is thrilling, and I cant wait to see more variety in the worlds that Samus explores. Theres also a lot more voice chatter than in the original Metroid Prime. As you get dropped into defending the base under attack, plenty of other soldiers recognize Samus, ask for help, tell her where to go and generally praise her for being a badass. Its a lot more voice work than Im used to in a Metroid game, and it goes a long way towards making the journey feel less isolated. A screenshot showing the jungle world of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Nintendo The second area I got to explore looks even better than the somewhat generic base where the game kicks off. Its a classic Metroid world that mixes natural beauty with a mysterious, alien culture. And, of course, a lot of the nature wants to kill you for invading its territory (or possibly because it is being controlled by outside forces). The big boss of the demo was cut from this cloth: a giant tentacled plant flinging its giant spiked arms at you and firing off poisonous flowers. A classic Metroid battle if ever there was one, albeit one that felt not wildly different from some of the boss battles from Metroid Prime . That said, the scope of the battle felt bigger, due to the size of the arena and how the plants tentacles made maneuvering and getting off clear shots a challenge. While the boss clearly had a central body right in the middle of the room, the tentacles made it feel like it was all around me, at all times This boss felt like an upscaled but familiar version of ones from past games, and it was far from the only thing that felt familiar. For example, the game still uses save stations scattered throughout the map to save your progress rather than just autosaving at significant points. Thats a throwback I didnt exactly miss and didnt expect to see in 2025. Plenty of the music cues and sound effects felt like they could have been lifted straight from other Metroid Prime games, and the basic move set and weapons Samus has early in the game is nearly identical to how you start Metroid Prime . Naturally, something happens where she loses most of those abilities and has to regain them to progress in the demo, I had to find the Morph Ball power up to move on, just as you do in nearly every Metroid game before. Samus Aran uses her new abilities to unlock a way forward. Nintendo At times, it felt like the game was leaning a bit too heavily on the already-established framework rather than trying something new. But given that I was early in the game, Im allowing for there to be a lot of unexpected changes to come. And I did get a chance to try out the biggest gameplay change Nintendo has teased thus far (no, not the motorcycle): new psychic abilities. These powers, at least in the demo, are primarily used for solving environmental puzzles, as they provide a new way to interact with various objects and structures. But theres also a combat component that I needed to use to beat the aforementioned boss. You can charge and fire off a sort of psychic beam once it leaves your blaster, time slows to nearly a crawl and you can take control of its direction with the analog stick. While fighting the boss, I had to guide the beam around a host of obstacles to hit each of the three tentacles; once I did that, the monster was vulnerable and I could then charge in and blast it with my conventional weapons. You can see some examples of this power in action in the video below. I wish I got a chance to see how these powers would evolve throughout the game, and Im definitely intrigued to see how they manage to separate the gameplay in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond from the aspects of it that feel merely like an updated version of what came before. And to be honest, Im not sad the game feels familiar. Plenty of people havent experienced the Metroid Prime series before or havent played it in more than a decade, and many of the familiar aspects felt like a perfect example of if its not broke, dont fix it. And it wont be long before we can all find out if Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finds a way to really stand out from its predecessors after all this time. The game arrives on December 5 for Switch and Switch 2. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/metroid-prime-4-beyond-thrillingly-brings-the-series-into-the-modern-era-140000932.html?src=rss

Grab the Google TV Streamer 4K for $75 ahead of Black Friday

One of the best streaming devices you can get today is deeply discounted on Amazon ahead of Black Friday. The Google TV Streamer is going for just $75 right now the lowest price we've seen it hit yet. The device normally costs $100. The Google TV Streamer is our top pick for an all-in-one streaming device . It has a faster processor than Google's previous streaming devices (22 percent faster, according to the company), so you can switch between apps and different media without lagging. It also has more storage and memory, at 32GB and 4GB, respectively. Google TV streamer has an intuitive interface and keeps all of your favorite content from different streaming apps organized in one menu. It also seamlessly integrates Google Home, allowing you to control your smart home devices from a slideout panel on the TV. The 4K streamer comes in a set-top wedge design, rather than the dongle of Chromecasts past, but you'll have to pick up an HDMI cable separately if you don't already have one you can use. It comes with a small remote that you can ping by pressing a button on the streamer for when you inevitably misplace it. In her review of the device , Engadget's Amy Skorheim called the Google TV streamer a full-featured, competent device with an interface thats better than most at pulling together all the disparate threads of a streaming experience. One of its only downsides is the relatively high cost at $100, so don't let this deal go to waste. In addition to the streaming device, Google has a bunch of other tech on sale for Black Friday . The entry-level Nest thermostat is on sale for $90 right now, and the Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E router has dropped to $120 for a single-pack; that's 40 percent off. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/grab-the-google-tv-streamer-4k-for-75-ahead-of-black-friday-173858713.html?src=rss

Apple's AirPods 4 drop to a record-low price before Black Friday

Apple's AirPods 4 have dropped back down to a record low price in an early Black Friday deal on Amazon. If you aren't looking for active noise cancellation, the model without ANC is a steal at 34 percent off, bringing it down to just $85 from its usual price of $130. The Apple AirPods 4 are the best budget AirPods you can get in 2025, with Apple's H2 audio chip to support some of the more advanced audio features from more expensive models. They offer Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and more. If you get the model without active noise cancellation, you won't have features like Transparency Mode and Conversation Awareness, or Apple's hearing health tools. But, the entry-level model still offers great sound quality for the price. This model also features the redesigned shape, which makes for a more comfortable and secure fit so you don't have to worry about them falling out of your ears. A force sensor on the stem allows for basic touch controls, including play and pause, play next track, previous track and answer a call. You can also summon Siri by pressing and holding the stem. You can expect to get up to 5 hours of battery life on a charge with the non-ANC model, and up to 30 hours using the USB-C charging case. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-airpods-4-drop-to-a-record-low-price-before-black-friday-162917546.html?src=rss

The 13 best tech toys for kids in 2025

We know its been a pretty crazy year thats got you wondering how exactly youre going to make the holiday season extra special, especially for the kids in your life. The good news is that the toy industry is just as creative as ever, and this years crop of hot tech toys is filled with plenty of surprise and delight, all at affordable prices. Weve picked some of our favorites under $100, ones that will not only thrill right out of the box, but keep the kids entertained for months to come. Best tech toys for kids Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-13-best-tech-toys-for-kids-in-2025-140038849.html?src=rss

PlayStation Portal in 2025: From home streaming dud to cloud streaming star

The PlayStation Portal is the rare product that launched as a truly baffling device, but has evolved into something genuinely useful. At first, it could only stream games from your PlayStation 5, it lacked core features for a handheld like Bluetooth audio and it felt a bit overpriced at $200 for such a limited product. Add on the fact that home streaming can be notoriously unreliable, since it depends entirely on your ISP and home networking setup, and the Portal simply didn't make much sense. But in 2024 Sony finally added limited cloud streaming for PS Plus titles , and last week it went even further by letting you stream games you own directly from the cloud . All of a sudden, the PlayStation Portal doesn't seem so crazy after all. It also helps that the Portal is still $200 (or less at Gamestop and other retailers), while the cheapest Digital Edition PlayStation 5 has jumped to $500 (up from $400 at launch). Sure, it's still far from a perfect device, but at least it's more functional and significantly less than the PS5 today. Just be aware you'll need to subscribe to the $18 a month (or $160 a year) PlayStation Plus Premium plan to access the cloud streaming features. While my hardware frustrations with the PlayStation Portal remain (more on those later), I can't deny that it's a genuinely great handheld for streaming games from the cloud. Jumping into Ghost of Yotei typically takes between 15 to 30 seconds, and it often loads directly into the game world if I'm continuing from a recent session. The game also plays smoothly, with no noticeable stuttering or lag, and I can still choose between the graphics-heavy 30 fps modes or the smoother 60 fps performance option. It's far from the ideal way to play Ghost of Yotei , which demands an enormous screen and capable speakers, but it's fine in a pinch. In comparison, using Remote Play to access my PlayStation 5 Pro remains as headache-inducing as it did when the PS Portal launched. The handheld can't consistently wake up the PS5 Pro from standby mode, so I'm forced to turn on the console manually if I ever plan to use the Portal. If my PS5 Pro is on, the Portal can typically connect in around five seconds, and it takes another five to ten seconds to launch Ghost of Yotei . Gameplay is typically smooth via Remote Play, but there's occasional stuttering that can interfere with intense combat sequences. PlayStation Portal playing Ghost of Yotei. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget My main issue with the PlayStation Portal at launch was that I simply couldn't trust it. Sometimes it would let me remotely connect to my console with no problems, and sometimes it would simply refuse. I've got a fairly robust Wi-Fi 6 networking setup and AT&T gigabit fiber, so my connectivity shouldn't be much of an issue. But clearly something about my networking configuration doesn't play well with the Portal for Remote Play, even if I connect my PS5 Pro via Ethernet. Strangely enough, the PlayStation Portal is far more reliable at streaming games from servers thousands of miles away than it is remotely connecting to the console a few dozen feet away from me. That just goes to show how far cloud streaming has come it practically feels like local gameplay now. I suppose that shouldn't be too surprising for Sony, since it's only pumping out 1080p streams. NVIDIA's GeForce Now has proven it's possible to stream PC games in 4K, so long as you have gobs of bandwidth to support it. The best thing I can say about the PlayStation Portal now is that I can finally trust it up to a point, anyway. I had no trouble signing onto its streaming servers to play Ghost of Yotei and Spider-Man 2 on my home network, and I was also able to stream games while tethering on my phone. But the Portal remains a useless device if you're stuck somewhere without decent internet access. You can forget about using it on a plane, even with fast in-flight Wi-Fi, or at hotels with crummy internet and no cellular reception. Spider-Man 2 on the PlayStation Portal Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Given its need for decent connectivity and its clunky design, the PlayStation Portal also remains a terrible gaming option on the go. You'll need to find a large case to fit the Portal's huge controller and delicate display, a combination that really does look like a tablet shoved between Sony's DualSense gamepads. It's simply smarter to travel with the slimmer Switch 2, and I'd argue even the massive Steam Deck is easier to stuff into a backpack. And its worth noting you can also use apps on the Steam Deck to Remote Play from your console, and you can install the PlayStation Plus Windows app to stream games from the cloud. I'm also still annoyed that Sony didn't include Bluetooth connectivity in the Portal. If you want wireless audio, you'll either have to use Sony's Pulse Explore earbuds or Pulse Elite headphones. You'll have to plug in a separate Bluetooth receiver if you want to use AirPods or any other wireless headphones. You'll definitely want to invest in some sort of audio solution if you plan to game on the Portal for long sessions, since its tinny speakers simply can't do justice to Ghost of Yotei's immersive soundscape. Not surprisingly, cloud gaming didnt change the Portals battery life much. I still saw between four and five hours of play time (broken into dad-friendly chunks, of course). And if youre on some sort of marathon session, you can always plug in to charge. Since the Portal isnt using any local hardware to power games its really just decoding video and pushing data over its network connection you can also expect more reliable battery life than other handhelds. The Switch 2, for example, could last between two to six hours, depending on what youre playing. While I still cant wholeheartedly recommend the PlayStation Portal to every gamer, its latest updates make it a more viable option for PlayStation diehards. Maybe youll have better luck with Remote Play than me. And if youre already a PS Plus subscriber, its the easiest way to access Sonys cloud infrastructure. Or, like Engadgets Jeff Dunn , it could also be the ideal way to game while you juggle the struggles of being a new parent. At the very least, the Portal is no longer truly baffling, but its also still not a Vita 2. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/playstation-portal-in-2025-from-home-streaming-dud-to-cloud-streaming-star-130000144.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Valve revives the Steam Machine

Valve has announced a raft of new hardware, including a new VR headset, Steam Machine and Controller. The devices are all designed to usher in a new era of PC gaming, with Valves usual focus on the player. Steam Frame is a slender VR headset that connects wirelessly to your PC and has a built-in battery to rid you of those pesky cables. That focus on freedom extends to the Frame operating as a standalone device, like the Meta Quest. At the same time, the company has revived its long-loved (but not massively successful) Steam Machine . This new model has semi-custom AMD silicon capable of running 4K games at 60 frames per second. Valve says its roughly six times as powerful as its portable unit, the Steam Deck. Rounding out the list is the controller, which looks like a Steam Deck with the screen cut out. But its not as if thats a bad thing, especially as its got TMR sensors which, while using a different underlying technology, promise the same benefits as a Hall Effect stick. As someone on the not particularly game-y end of the spectrum, I use announcements like this as an exercise to see how excited I would be . To that end, Im curious how much Valve will charge for this gear when it makes its debut early next year. On one hand, the performance promises laid out here are fairly substantial but, on the other, this is also a company that sells the base model Steam Deck for less than a Switch 2. That said, I would certainly get off the couch if there was a new Half-Life game in the works, and that seems plausible here. Nathan Ingraham is certainly getting his little hopes up that the revival of the Steam Machine might see Valve revive something else too. Dan Cooper Get Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The news you might have missed The next macOS update can turn your screen into a ring light Its a brilliant idea. Analogues 4K remake of the N64 will, at long last, ship on November 18 Anyone up for some four-player GoldenEye? Sony made an official 240Hz PlayStation monitor with a built-in DualSense charging hook Its part of Sonys push into PC gaming. OnePlus 15 review: A great phone, if photography isnt a priority You cant get it in the US just yet, however. Apple will bring MLS games to its normal TV subscription Is Apple about to quietly replace ESPN? Even Realities G2 first look: This years best-looking new smart glasses still need work The new innovations arent hitting the spot. Sam Rutherford for Engadget I was a massive fan of Even Realities original smart glasses and was excited to see what Sam Rutherford thought of their successor . Sadly, he was testing the specs with a beta version of the new software and found them lacking in several important ways. Hes urging folks to hold off buying these until the gaps in the software have all been filled in. Continue Reading. Framework Laptop 16 (2025 upgrade) review: The RTX 5070 is the star What a shame the fan noise is so bad. Daniel Cooper for Engadget For years, the world has clamored for a modular, upgradeable gaming laptop offering the same longevity as a desktop. Now, Framework has achieved where so many have failed, selling an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 for its two-year-old Laptop 16. I reviewed the new GPU (and CPU), and Im blown away by it quite literally , thanks to the cooling issues that mean the fans are running at full speed whenever you put it under heavy load. Continue Reading. Apple introduces a new Digital ID feature to make boarding flights easier But dont leave your passport at home just yet. Apple Apple is rolling out a Digital ID to its wallet that will, at some point in the near future, be legally accepted at TSA checkpoints. Its coming to more than 250 US airports and can eventually be used as your ID for domestic flights. But, you know, probably worth reading all of the details before you declare your paper passport a thing of the past. Continue Reading. DJI Neo 2 review: The best budget drone is now even better $250 gets you a lot of gear, including LiDAR. Steve Dent for Engadget DJIs Neo was good but not great short battery life, noisy propellers and a lack of object avoidance all dulled its shine. Now, the companys successor has addressed all of those issues , leading our Steve Dent to call it the best personal drone on the market. Continue Reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121512665.html?src=rss

Use this hack to get one year of Peacock for $49 ahead of Black Friday

If you've wanted to check out The Paper or any other new NBC show on Peacock, you can do so now while spending less thanks to this hack. Walmart, believe it or not, comes into play here: the retailer is offering Walmart+ subscriptions for half off right now, bringing the cost down to $49 for your first year. Thanks to a streaming benefit for subscribers, you can then sign up for Peacock at no extra cost. Walmart+ subscribers are able to choose between a Peacock Premium or a Paramount+ Essential subscription. Considering Peacock premium would run you $110 for the year on its own, signing up for Walmart+ while this discount is available gets you access to the streaming service for less than half the normal cost. Just about every major streaming service has raised its prices in the last year, including HBO Max , Disney+ , Netflix , Apple TV and YouTube TV , so saving some money on one of them just might be worth the effort. Cord cutting is not nearly as affordable as it used to be, so finding a deal like this is pretty helpful. Walmart+ itself offers myriad additional benefits like early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping on orders over $35, discounts on gas, free online veterinary care and more. Earlier this year, Walmart+ subscribers got first dibs on the Nintendo Switch 2 at the retailer. You can also use that free shipping to take advantage of Walmart's drone delivery program in a handful of select cities. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/use-this-hack-to-get-one-year-of-peacock-for-49-ahead-of-black-friday-192739318.html?src=rss

The best power banks and portable chargers for every device in 2025

If youre travelling across the country or just heading to your local coffee shop to get some work done, a good power bank can come in handy. Perform a search for the term and youll be hit with an endless list of portable chargers, but not all of them are worth your money. Ive tested dozens of batteries, seeing how fast they refill smartphones, tablets and laptops, and comparing how much they cost to how much charge they carry (and how nice they look). Here are the best power banks you can buy, with picks ranging from small MagSafe packs to massive laptop batteries and everything in between. Table of contents Best power banks for 2025 How we test best power banks What to look for in a portable battery pack Other power banks we tested Power bank FAQs Best power banks for 2025 What to look for in a portable battery pack Battery type Nearly every rechargeable power bank you can buy (and most portable devices) contain a lithium-ion battery. These beat other current battery types in terms of size-to-charge capacity, and have even increased in energy density by eight fold in the past 14 years. They also dont suffer from a memory effect (where a battery's lifespan deteriorates due to partial charges). Flying with portable batteries You may have heard about lithium ion batteries overheating and catching fire a recent Hong Kong flight was grounded after just such a thing happened in an overhead bin. Current restrictions implemented by the TSA still allow external batteries rated at 100Wh or less (which all of our recommendations are) to fly with you, but only in your carry-on luggage they cant be checked. Recently, Southwest Airlines was the first in the industry to take that rule one step further. Now, flyers on that airline must keep power banks in clear view when using them to recharge a device. If the portable charger isnt actively in use, however, it can stay in your carry-on bag in the overhead bin. Capacity Power bank manufacturers almost always list a batterys capacity in milliamp hours, or mAh. Smaller batteries with a 5,000mAh capacity make good phone chargers and can fill a smartphone to between 50 and 75 percent. Larger batteries that can recharge laptops and tablets, or give phones multiple charges, can exceed 25,000mAh and we have a separate guide that covers that entire category. Unsurprisingly, the prices on most batteries goes up as mAh capacity increases, and since batteries are physical storage units, size and weight go up with capacity as well. If you want more power, be prepared to spend more and carry around a heavier brick. You might think that a 10,000mAh power bank could charge a 5,000mAh phone to 100 percent twice, but thats not the case. In addition to simple energy loss through heat dissipation, factors like voltage conversion also bring down the amount of juice that makes it into your phone. Most manufacturers list how many charges a battery can give a certain smartphone. In our tests, 10,000mAh of battery pack capacity translated to roughly 5,800mAh of device charge. 20,000mAh chargers delivered around 11,250mAh to a device, and 25,000mAh banks translated to about 16,200mAh of charge. Thats an average efficiency rate of around 60 percent. Wireless Wireless charging, whether through a bank or a plugged-in charging pad, is less efficient than wired connections. But it is convenient and in most cases, you can carry around and use your phone as it refills with a magnetically attached power bank. Power banks with wireless charging are far better than they once were. Just a couple years ago, the ones I tested were too inefficient to recommend in this guide. When batteries adhering to the Qi2 wireless charging standard started arriving in 2023, performance markedly improved. To gain Qi2-certification, a device has to support speeds of up to 15 watts and include magnetic attachment points. The MagSafe technology on iPhones were once the only handsets that were Qi2-compatible, but now Googles Pixelsnap tech brings both the higher speed and magnetic grip to Pixel 10 phones. Samsung may follow up with its own version in future releases. The latest wireless charging standard, Q12 25W , is supported by the new iPhone 17 phones as well as the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. Battery packs that are Qi2 25W-enabled are starting to hit the market as well, and the Ugreen MagFlow was the first on the scene. Ports USB-C ports can deliver faster charges than USB-A ports, and most of the portable chargers we recommend here have Type-C connections. But Type-A jacks are still handy if you need to use a specialized cable for a certain device (my cameras USB-A to micro USB cable comes to mind). Theres also variation among USB-C ports. Larger banks with more than one port will sometimes list different wattages for each. For example, a bank with three ports may have two 65W ports and one 100W port. There will also be at least one in/out port on the bank, which can be used to charge the battery itself or to deliver a charge to your device. Wattages and in/out labels are printed right next to the port and always in the tiniest font possible (remember, your phone is an excellent magnifying glass if you ever have trouble reading them). As with standard wall chargers, the ports wattage will determine what you can charge. A phone will happily charge off a 100W connection, but a 15W plug wont do much for your laptop. And remember, the cable has to match the maximum wattage. A cable rated for 60W wont deliver 100W speeds. Luckily, some of the best power banks include a built-in USB-C cable. Thatll not only ensure you have the right cord, its one less thing you have to remember to bring along. Design Once, most rechargeable batteries were black with a squared-off, brick-like design, but now they come in different colors and shapes with attractive finishes and detailing. While that doesnt affect how they perform, its a consideration for something youll interact with regularly. Some portable power banks include extra features like MagSafe compatibility, a built-in wall plug or even a kickstand. Nearly all have some sort of indicator to let you know how much available charge your power bank has left, usually expressed with lighted pips near the power button. Some of the newer banks take that a step further with an LED display indicating remaining battery percentage. How we test best power banks Before I even put my hands on a battery pack, I did extensive research. I considered brands Engadget reviewers and staff have tried over the years and checked out customer ratings on retail sites like Amazon and Best Buy. Then, I acquire the most promising candidates and test them in my home office. Amy Skorheim for Engadget Heres the full list of power banks we've tested, which range from small wireless banks to large, multi-device batteries: MagSafe-compatible Apple MagSafe Battery Pack (5,000 mAh) Spigen ArcHybrid Mag (5,000mAh) Anker 521 Magnetic Battery (5,000 mAh) Mophie snap+ PowerstationMmini (5,000mAh) Baseus Magnetic (10,000mAh) Anker MagGo Power Bank (6.6K) (6,600 mAh) Anker 633 Magnetic Battery (10,000mAh) Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) (10,000 mAh) UGREEN 10,000mAh Magnetic (10,000mAh) EcoFlow Rapid Magnetic (5,000mAh) Low capacity (10,000mAh) Mophie Juice Pack (2,400mAh) Anker 511 Power Bank (5,000 mAh) Anker 313 Power Bank (10,000mAh) Nimble Champ (10,000mAh) Biolite Charge 40 PD (10,000mAh) Anker Nano (5,000mAh) Nimble Champ (10,000mAh) Satechi Quatro Wireless bank (10,000mAh) Anker 10K Fusion power bank (10,000mAh) Mid capacity (10,001 - 20,000mAh) Baseus Blade 2 (12,000 mAh) Otterbox Fast Charge (15,000mAh) Mophie Powerstation Pro (20,000mAh) Anker Prime (20,000mAh) Nestout Portable Charger (15,000mAh) Nimble Champ Pro (20,000mAh) InfinaCore P3 Pro (10,500mAh) High capacity (20,001mAh+) Mophie Powerstation Pro XL (25,000mAh) UGREEN Power Bank 25,000mAh 145W (25,000mAh) Anker 737 Power Bank (25,600 mAh) Zendure Supertank Pro (26,800mAh) Mophie Powerstation Pro AC (27,000mAh) Lion Energy Eclipse Mag (27,000mAh) Lion Energy Trek (27,000mAh) HyperJuice 245W (27,000mAh) Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (27,650mAh) Anker laptop power bank with built-in cable (25,000mAh) Belkin Boost Charge 20K with built-in cable (20,000mAh) Anker Prime 26K 300W (26,250mAh) Biolite Charge 100 Max (25,000mAh) We're continuously updating this guide as companies release new products and we test them. We remove some products as we find picks that are more worthy of the best portable charger designation. We also add updated specs and prices where necessary. For testing, I used each battery with some combination of an iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 11, a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, a Galaxy S23 Ultra, a 5th-gen iPad Air and an M1 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro. I charged one phone battery at a time, even though some packs are capable of multiple-device charging. I charged the phones and tablets from between zero and five percent until they were 100 percent full (or until the power bank was dead), and didnt use the phones or tablets while they charged other than to power them on and enter the unlock code. In the case of the MacBook, I used it while it was charging (its my work computer). I used the charging cable included with each power bank to charge the Galaxy S22 Ultra, MacBook Pro and the iPad Air. For the iPhones, I used the USB-C to Lighting cable that Apple provides. In the case of the lower-capacity power banks that didnt include a cord or included one with USB-C to USB-A connectors, I used a 140W cable from Anker. For reference, here are the battery capacities of each device we used for testing: iPhone 11: 3,110 mAh iPhone 14 Plus: 4,325 mAh iPhone 15 : 3,349 mAh iPhone 16: 3,561 Galaxy S22 Ultra : 4,855mAh iPad Air : 7,729mAh 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro: 27,027mAh I noted the times for each charge and the number of charges each bank provided. I also paid attention to things like ease of use and overall design. Other power banks we tested Anker MagGo for Apple Watch power bank The Anker MagGo for Apple Watch power bank combines a 10K battery with a built-in USB-C cable and a pop-up Apple Watch charger. I didnt formally test it as its a little too niche, but it deserves a mention for saving my keister on two occasions. Driving to a hike, my watch told me it was down to 10 percent. Thankfully, I had this and could refill the watch before I got to the trailhead. Later, on an interstate trip, I realized the travel charging station Id brought was a dud. This kept my watch alive for the week I was away. It does a good job simply charging a phone via the handy on-board cable, too. But for those with an Apple Watch, its extra useful. HyperJuice 245W Hypers massive-but-sleek brick is one nice looking power bank. The HyperJuice 245W packs a hefty 27,000mAh capacity, enough to refill my tester phone about four times and get a MacBook Pro from near-dead to 75 percent. It only has USB-C ports, but you at least get four of them. USB-C only is probably fine for most situations, but a USB-A port would be nice for charging the occasional older peripheral. The 245 wattage is pretty high for a power bank and it was indeed speedy. It filled a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in just over an hour. But its the same price and capacity as our Mophie Powerstation pick for laptop banks, and that one has a better variety of ports. Hypers battery is also comparable to Ankers laptop battery , which is cheaper, has built-in cables and has nearly the same capacity. Plus, that bank is just as swanky looking. Anker Prime 20,000 mAh power bank Ankers Prime bank was our previous pick for the best premium power bank, but I thought it worked best with the expensive (yet very convenient) base. Considering it also doesnt have any built-in cables, we decided to bump the Prime battery from its position and replace it with the Anker Retractable Cable Laptop Bank . Theres still plenty to like about the Prime battery: its solid, attractive and tells you just how much charge it has left with its onboard display. When you add the optional base, you not only get a convenient drop-and-go way to recharge, it also acts as a charging hub with three additional USB ports. EcoFlow Rapid magnetic power bank I was curious to try out the first power bank from EcoFlow, a company that primarily makes larger power stations and whole-home backup batteries . The first offering in the brands Rapid series is a Qi2-enabled magnetic charger with a 5,000mAh capacity . It looks quite nice with shiny silver accents and soft-touch grey plastic on the MagSafe-compatible front. Theres a little pull-out leg that sturdily displays your phone as it charges and the attached USB-C cable lets you refill devices directly, then tucks out of the way when its not in use. But it didnt outperform our top pick in the MagSafe category, in terms of both charging speeds and the amount of charge delivered. Baseus Blade 2 The Blade 2 from Baseus has a unique, flat shape thats just a little wider than an ereader which may make it easier to slip into a low profile laptop bag. It charged a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra considerably faster than any other battery bank we tried, getting it from four percent to full in just over an hour. It then filled the phone back to 62 percent from dead on a second charge in about a half an hour. But $100 is a lot for a standard power bank that holds fewer than two full charges. But if you can find the Blade 2 on sale, snap it up. Anker MagGo (6.6K) Ankers 6.6k MagGo is pretty similar to our top pick for a MagSafe-compatible battery pack. It supports the Qi2 charging standard and props up your iPhone so you can use it or enable StandBy mode while powering up. This one even lets you set the viewing angle from 30 to 65 degrees. It was speedy in getting an iPhone 15 up to 50 percent in about 40 minutes. But for the added bulk, it doesnt have as much capacity as the 10K MagGo, holding just enough juice for a single full charge plus about 5 percent. But it is $20 cheaper, which may be key for some. Mophie Snap+ Powerstation Mini The Mophie snap+ Powerstation Mini is terribly well-built. It feels premium with a rubberized contact point for the MagSafe charging pad and a stand that runs the entire width of the bank itself, making it extra sturdy. Its compact, too, but only carries a 5,000mAh capacity, which gets you a partial charge on most newer or larger phones. Our current MagSafe/iPhone pick has double the capacity, a stand and a digital display for just $20 more than the Powerstation Mini. Power bank FAQs What's the difference between a portable power bank and a portable charger? A slew of terms are used to describe power banks, including portable batteries, portable chargers, external battery packs and even, somewhat confusingly, USB chargers, which is what wall chargers are often called. They all mean the same thing: a lithium ion battery that stores a charge so you can refill a smartphone, tablet, earbuds, console controller, ereader, laptop, or just about any other device with its own built-in, rechargeable battery. Theres little difference between the terms, so the specs youll want to pay attention to are capacity (expressed in mAh), size and weight so you can find the right balance between recharging what you need and portability. Power stations, on the other hand, are distinct. These are bigger units (often around the size of a car battery) that can be used to charge multiple devices multiple times, but notably, they cant be taken on airplanes. Does fast charging actually ruin your battery? Not exactly. The real enemy of a batterys longevity is heat. The faster you charge a battery, the more heat is generated. Modern phones have features that keep the battery cool while charging, like physical heat shields and heat sinks, as well as software features that slow down processes that generate too much heat. Phone manufacturers are keen to promote a phones fast-charging abilities, so they had to figure out ways to make faster charging work. While there arent long-term studies on what fast charging does to a phone, a study on EV batteries (which use the same general concept of charged lithium ions flowing from one side of the battery to the other, absorbing or releasing a usable charge) showed a very slight decrease in capacity over time with only fast charging though what actually made a larger difference was how hot the battery itself was, due to ambient temperatures, when it was charged. In short, fast charging could be slightly harder on your battery than normal charging. But the safeguards most smartphones have make that difference fairly negligible. To really ensure youre taking the best care of your battery, limiting heat exposure overall is one of the best things you can do. Can you use a power bank for all your devices? That depends on the size of the bank and the size of your devices battery. A small 5,000mAh battery isnt strong enough to charge laptops, but a portable charger with a 20,000mAh capacity will give your computer a partial refill. You also have to consider port compatibility. If your device has a USB port, youll be able to easily find a cable to connect it to a battery. If your device has a more unique port, such as a DC port, you wont be able to use a battery. Devices with an AC cable and plug can be charged, and sometimes powered (such as in the case of a printer or speaker), by larger laptop batteries with AC ports. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-power-bank-143048526.html?src=rss

Headspace Black Friday deal: Get one year of access for only $35

Headspaces Black Friday deal is live, offering 50 percent off its annual subscription through December 4. That brings the cost of a full year down to $35, giving you access to guided meditations, courses and stress-management tools that can help you stay balanced heading into the new year. Headspace has become one of the most recognizable names in digital mindfulness. The app blends practical meditation guidance with structured courses and calming soundscapes designed to make everyday stress easier to manage. Its programs cover everything from beginner-friendly introductions to mindfulness to focused content on topics like anxiety, productivity and sleep. Subscribers get access to hundreds of guided sessions led by the Headspace team, including short daily practices that can be completed in a few spare minutes, plus longer courses that help build consistency. The apps Sleepcasts and soundscapes are unique, designed to create a steady nighttime routine that promotes better rest. For mornings, there are breathing exercises and motivational mini-sessions that can help set focus for the day ahead. Headspace also includes personalized progress tracking, mood check-ins and optional reminders that make it easier to stay consistent with your new mindfulness habits. For anyone new to meditation, the apps clear structure is a major strength. You dont have to know where to start, since it suggests sessions based on your goals or current mood. This annual deal is ideal for users who want to stick with mindfulness practice over time, or anyone interested in incorporating a new habit into their lives. Paying for the year upfront typically saves money compared with the monthly plan, and the discount brings that cost down even further. Whether youre learning the basics of meditation or refining an existing routine, the full library provides enough variety to keep things engaging throughout the year. If youre still comparing wellness apps, check out our guide to the best meditation apps to see how Headspace stacks up against other options. But for those ready to commit to a calmer routine, this annual offer is one of the simplest ways to start the habit at a lower cost. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/headspace-black-friday-deal-get-one-year-of-access-for-only-35-163051856.html?src=rss

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 Review | Versatile enough for city life and dedicated runs

New Balance has crafted the FuelCell Rebel v5 to meet the needs of urban athletes who seek a shoe that delivers speed, comfort, and durability

OpenAI is piloting group conversations in ChatGPT

OpenAI has started pilot testing group chats within ChatGPT in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan. Like group chats in messaging apps, you can create conversations with friends and family. In this instance, though, ChatGPT is one of the participants, building an itinerary as you plan a vacation, giving you ideas for renovation projects or helping you find a restaurant everyone in the chat would enjoy if youre planning a night out. You can also use the feature to collaborate with classmates or colleagues. ChatGPT, for example, can outline reports based on the articles and notes you and your collaborator give it. To start a group chat, you have to tap on the people icon at the top right corner of the screen on any new and existing conversation. ChatGPT will create a new conversation without your chat history if you start from an existing chat. You can then add people or share a link to the group conversation with one to 20 persons, who then have to set up a profile with their name, username and a photo. Take note that anybody who has the link can invite people in, and participants can mute or remove other participants from the chat anytime except for the group creator. And if anybody in the chat is under 18, the chatbot automatically limits sensitive content for everyone. Group chat responses are powered by GPT5.1 Auto, which can choose which model to respond with based on the prompt. OpenAI says it taught the chatbot to follow the flow of group conversations, so it knows when to stay quiet and when to respond, but participants can always summon the chatbot by mentioning ChatGPT. The company also says that it will continue tweaking the feature based on feedback from early users before its rolled out widely. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-is-piloting-group-conversations-in-chatgpt-053255102.html?src=rss