Gadgets

Anthropic sues US government over supply chain risk designation

Anthropic has filed a lawsuit to prevent the Pentagon from adding the company it a national security blocklist. This comes days after the Department of Defense sent a letter to Anthropic confirming the company was labeled a supply chain risk; at the time CEO Dario Amodei had all but guaranteed Anthropic would fight back with legal action. The lawsuit claims the designation is unlawful and violated free speech and due process rights. These actions are unprecedented and unlawful. The Constitution does not allow the government to wield its enormous power to punish a company for its protected speech, Anthropic said in a statement published by Reuters . Engadget received the following statement from an Anthropic spokesperson: Seeking judicial review does not change our longstanding commitment to harnessing AI to protect our national security, but this is a necessary step to protect our business, our customers, and our partners. We will continue to pursue every path toward resolution, including dialogue with the government. The lawsuit characterizes the governments actions as an unprecedented and unlawful [...] campaign of retaliation. It goes on to say that the Constitution does not allow the government to wield its enormous power to punish a company for its protected speech. No federal statute authorizes the actions taken here. Todays legal action comes after several weeks of back-and-forth between the AI company and the government. In late February, news broke that the Department of Defense and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were pressuring Anthropic to remove certain safeguards from its AI systems, but Amodei made it clear the company would refuse to allow its model to be used for mass surveillance or development of autonomous weapons. On the February 27 deadline, Amodei refused to budge , leading Hegseth to threaten the company with the supply chain risk designation; he also said the US government would cancel its $200 million contract with the company. The same day, President Trump ordered all federal agencies to cease using Anthropic as well. Despite all this, according to the lawsuit, Anthropic had agreed to collaborate with the Department on an orderly transition to another AI provider willing to meet its demands. Anthropic rival OpenAI stepped into this chaos and quickly made a deal with the Department of Defense. At the time, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that two of OpenAIs most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems the same issues that got Anthropic in hot water. OpenAI then doubled down on the surveillance issue, writing into its contract that the AI system shall not be intentionally used for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons and nationals. Depsite this, OpenAIs head of robotics hardware resigned from the company this weekend in response to the Defense Department deal. Caitlin Kalinowski wrote on X that surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-sues-us-government-over-supply-chain-risk-designation-152838128.html?src=rss

Live Nation settlement avoids breakup with Ticketmaster

To keep Ticketmaster , Live Nation is going to have to make some major changes. As first reported by Politico , Live Nation reached a settlement with the Department of Justice in its antitrust case that accused the live entertainment giant of monopolistic practices. Live Nation will reportedly pay at least $200 million in damages to states that were part of the lawsuit filed in May 2024, but avoid selling off Ticketmaster. Live Nation will also be required to make a few changes to its business practices. According to NBC News , Ticketmaster, a subsidiary of Live Nation, will be required to create a standalone ticketing system that allows third-party competitors like SeatGeek and Eventbrite to sell tickets on. The settlement aims to loosen some of Live Nation's control over venues as well. According to NBC News , the company will have to divest up to 13 amphitheaters and be prohibited from retaliating against venues that choose another ticket seller over Ticketmaster. The settlement comes less than a week after the case went to trial. While the matter may be concluded with the Justice Department, many of the states' attorneys general who were part of the lawsuit will be continuing their legal action separately. The settlement recently announced with the U.S. Department of Justice fails to address the monopoly at the center of this case and would benefit Live Nation at the expense of consumers, New York State Attorney General Letitia James wrote in a press release. We will continue our lawsuit to protect consumers and restore fair competition to the live entertainment industry. 26 other attorneys general signed onto continuing the lawsuit with James. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/live-nation-settlement-avoids-breakup-with-ticketmaster-155031214.html?src=rss

Amazons Zoox will test its robotaxis in Dallas and Phoenix

Amazons self-driving subsidiary Zoox announced on Monday that it will begin testing its autonomous vehicles in Dallas and Phoenix. The company will initially deploy retrofitted Toyota Highlander SUVs with human safety drivers to map the new cities before eventually rolling out its purpose-built robotaxis. Zoox says these two cities will offer a chance to test its sensors and battery performance in unique conditions its cars haven't yet encountered in existing markets. Phoenix experiences extreme heat, dust and high-speed roads, while Dallas has more sprawling roads and varied weather compared to other cities where Zoox operates. The company is also opening new depots in both cities and a command hub in Scottsdale, Arizona which will handle fleet operations, remote guidance and rider support. The move brings Zooxs footprint (between actual launches and test markets) to 10 US cities. It's other areas of operation are Las Vegas, San Francisco, Seattle , Austin , Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Washington, DC. Amazon acquired the self-driving startup for $1.3 billion in 2020 and has been steadily expanding its reach, with the company saying its fleet has driven over one million autonomous miles and served more than 300,000 riders to date. Zooxs expansion comes as competition in the robotaxi market intensifies. Alphabet-owned Waymo has continued its rapid spread across the US, while Tesla's Robotaxis launched last year, though those are currently limited to parts of Austin, Texas. US regulators are set to hold a self-driving safety forum on Tuesday, with the CEOs of Waymo, Zoox and Aurora all expected to attend. The regulatory framework has dragged behind the rapid rollout of these vehicles as companies test and iterate the technology on public streets. Just in the last year, autonomous vehicles have struck a child near a school, blocked emergency services responding to a mass shooting and, at least in the case of Teslas, appear to be crashing at higher rates than human drivers. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazons-zoox-will-test-its-robotaxis-in-dallas-and-phoenix-143828899.html?src=rss

iPad Air M4 review: Still Apple's best overall tablet, with a few caveats

Perhaps one of the most surprising things about the Apple Silicon era is how quickly Apple now updates its products. Take the iPad Air, for example. Its been less than two years since the company released the M2-powered iPad Air in 11- and 13-inch sizes. Were already on our third iPad Air iteration, one with the M4 inside. Thats the same chip that was inside the iPad Pro that was unveiled alongside that M2-powered Air in 2024. (The Pro was updated with an M5 last fall .) Just as I said a year ago when Apple unveiled the iPad Air M3 , this latest model doesnt fundamentally change the formula. The Air is a notable step up over the basic iPad, with a more powerful processor, more RAM, a better display and superior accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard. The Air line is also the only way to get a 13-inch iPad without spending $1,300 or more. But without more substantial updates this year, I find myself less enthused by it than I was when the 13-inch model M2 model arrived in 2024. Thats primarily because Apple has stuck with the same display for another year. As best I can tell, the 11-inch iPad Air that Im reviewing has the same screen in 2026 as it did when the redesigned version with no Home button was released in late 2020. Other features that feel like they should be table stakes at this point, like Face ID, are also restricted to iPads that cost at least $1,000. For better or worse, the Air is a very mature product with few surprises. But on the other hand, if you have an iPad older than the 2024 refresh, the iPad Air M4 will provide a solid performance improvement. Apple's iPad Air M4 and the Magic Keyboard accessory. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget The M4 still has power to spare Before we start answering existential questions, though, lets quickly recap whats new with the iPad Air. It still starts at $599 for an 11-inch version with 128GB of storage; the 13-inch models starts at $799. The one I tested came in an extremely light purple color with 1TB of storage and 5G connectivity and costs $1,249. Seriously Apple, dont be afraid of putting a little more saturation in these colors next time! As mentioned, the iPad Air now has a more powerful M4 chip as well as 50 percent more system memory (12GB, up from 8GB on last years model). If youre coming from an iPad older than the 2024 model, youll likely notice solid performance gains, and the M4 is so performant that I imagine this iPad will be more than powerful enough for years to come. It looks purple-ish in the right light, I swear. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget I ran some Geekbench 6 benchmarks to quantify the difference between the iPad Air M4 and last years M3 model unsurprisingly, the biggest gains came in the GPU. Single-core and multi-core scores were 23 percent and 12 percent higher, respectively. But the GPU score was a whopping 39 percent higher with the M4 compared to the M3. Dont get me wrong, the single-core and multi-core performance improvements the M4 offers are impressive. But tasks that hit the GPU hard, like gaming and AI (of course) should see notable improvements. In practice, the iPad Air M4 feels quite similar to the M3 model. Thats due in large part to my relatively modest workflow. I jump between numerous apps all day, but none of them are exactly taxing to a chip like the M4. My day mostly consists of Slack, Google Docs, a ton of Safari tabs, utilities like Messages and Todoist, constant streaming music and other lightweight apps like Gmail and Trello. But if youre coming from an M1 iPad Air, the M4 should feel significantly faster for almost everything you do. Apple's iPad Air M4 playing the video game 'Control.' Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Unsurprisingly, the iPad Air flies through games from the App Store as well. I tried my usual more casual fare like Balatro, Mini Motorways and Powerwash Simulator from Apple Arcade and those were all quite smooth. But I wanted to push things a bit more, so I downloaded Resident Evil 2 as well as a pre-release build of Control Ultimate Edition which is slated to hit iOS in the coming months. Both games looked and played great, with highly detailed environments and pretty quick action that didnt slow the iPad Air down in the least. I could tell the graphics arent as sharp as on my PS5, but both games were impressive considering theyre running on extremely portable hardware with no fans. I also tried some generative AI apps, even though thats not really something Im interested in. For apps like Apples own Image Playground, the M4 is extremely speedy. It ripped through my goofy queries (an orange kitten dressed up like an astronaut) in a matter of seconds. When I compared it to the iPad Pro M5, the Air barely lagged behind it. However, the M4 couldnt quite keep up with more advanced image generation tools. The Draw Things iPad app lets you download and run a host of local models to create images, and the M4 definitely couldnt keep up with the M5. The iPad Pro M5 was typically more than twice as fast as the Air. We already knew the M5 was an AI beast, so Im not knocking the Air for its performance at all its just worth knowing that if you really want to push the envelope, youll probably be better off with an iPad Pro. Apple's iPad Air M4, Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget The other main change is Apples in-house networking chips are on board here. The N1 covers Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread, while the C1X handles cellular connectivity if you buy a 5G-capable model. Again, this doesnt change the experience of using the iPad Air in any major way, but having the newest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth protocols on board is good for future usage, regardless of who built the chip. In my testing, the C1X on Verizons 5G network was extremely fast around the suburbs of Boston and didnt seem any slower (or any faster) than other devices I have running on the same carrier. Thats fine, as other Apple devices Ive tried with the C1X (like the iPad Pro) are solid and reliable, which is the most important thing. A very familiar experience Other than these new chips, the iPad Air is identical to the last two models Ive reviewed. (This year, Apple sent an 11-inch Air M4 to review, while the last two were the newer 13-inch. But other than the larger screen, those tablets are the same.) Same screen, same cameras, same 10-hour estimated battery life, same USB-C 3 port. Naturally, it supports the $129 Pencil Pro that Apple introduced alongside it in 2024, and it works with the revamped Magic Keyboard Apple released last year. That keyboard remains quite expensive at $269 ($319 for the 13-inch model), but for me its a must-buy accessory if I want to use my iPad for any real work. The Pencil, on the other hand, is not something I personally need, but its an excellent tool for anyone interested in visual art or written notes. There are a plethora of excellent apps in both categories, and the iPad app ecosystem at large remains unmatched. Battery life also hits what Id expect out of an iPad. I dont get 10 hours the way that I test it I used the iPad Air as my main machine, all day for several days. In that scenario, I got between seven and eight hours of battery life. Thats more than enough that Id take it with me for half a day or more and not worry about charging, but not so long that Id be totally comfortable without a charger for much longer. In a more casual, mixed-use setup, most iPads get closer to the 10-hour mark and I expect thatll be the case here as well. Of course, if youre playing games, editing videos or doing heavier generative AI tasks, expect battery life to drop noticeably. Id be remiss if I didnt quickly mention iPadOS 26 , which arrived last fall. It runs on iPad Air models all the way back to 2019, so its not a reason alone to upgrade. But, it improved the multitasking experience on iPads to a significant degree. It still feels native to the iPad, but there are so many Mac-like flourishes that its a lot easier for me to use as my main computer now. That said, it really shines on larger-screen iPads; the 11-inch model still feels best to me when running an app fullscreen or two apps side-by-side feels most comfortable to me. Apple's iPad Air M4 and Magic Keyboard. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget My major lament for the iPad Air remains the screen. Apples LCD Retina display still looks great in a vacuum its a lovely standard screen, with bright colors and sharp text. But Apples continued insistence on gatekeeping a screen with a higher refresh rate for iPads that cost $1000 or more gets more frustrating every year. It bothers me less on a product like the MacBook Air. But with an iPad, youre literally touching and interacting with that screen as the main interface. Having the fluidity of a 120Hz refresh rate simply makes everything feel more responsive to your touch. The consolation is that even Apples standard displays still feel very smooth, so unless youre directly comparing an iPad Air to an iPad Pro you likely wont notice the difference. I mostly forgot about it in my time reviewing this device, only reminded of it when I went back to the iPad Pro. I also wish that Apple would implement more advanced display tech. Last year, I imagined that the mini-LED display used in the iPad Pro in 2021 and 2022 would be a great step up for the Air. It wouldnt be as good as the tremendous OLED screen in the iPad Pro, but it would still offer HDR and significantly increased brightness and contrast. Alas, were stuck with a plain old LCD again this year. Again, thats mostly fine, but playing games like Control made me wish for more contrast, and movies do not have nearly the same visual pop on the Air as they do on the Pro. Apple's iPad Air M4. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Wrap-up If its not obvious, I very much wish that Apple would bring some of its more advanced technology to the iPad Air. But at this point, I have to accept that the Air is what it is. In the same way that the MacBook Air hasnt changed substantially since the M2 model arrived in 2022, the same goes for the iPad Air. Both products still have displays that havent been cutting edge for years, and thats just the way it is. Once I started comparing the iPad Air to its Mac counterpart, my negative feeling mostly subsided. I think the MacBook Air is a great laptop and wouldnt hesitate to recommend it to many people. Sure, its screen isnt cutting edge, but its good enough for its target audience. And the many positives that it has outweigh a few places where Apple cut corners. The same can be said for the iPad Air. The iPad Air offers a lot of important upgrades over the basic $349 iPad, which is saddled with the A16 chip from 2022. The Air will be a better performer for much longer, and other niceties like a better screen and accessory support are worth considering. And it doesnt threaten the iPad Pro, which costs $400 more; between its screen, improved performance, superior industrial design and numerous other small benefits, its pretty easy to see what you get for your money in all cases. So while I wish Apple would push the envelope with the iPad Air and give me something that feels more like a Pro-lite, I understand why it hasn't yet. The iPad Air isnt an exciting gadget at this point, but I still think its the best iPad for most people. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/ipad-air-m4-review-still-apples-best-overall-tablet-with-a-few-caveats-130000409.html?src=rss

iPhone 17e review: The economical choice

By introducing the iPhone 17e just a year after the iPhone 16e , Apple is closing some gaps. Before, the company would only roll out a new entry-level iPhone every few years, with the iPhone 5c (2013), iPhone XR (2018) and iPhone SE (2016, 2020, 2022) all having two to four years between their releases. But Apple is getting into an annual groove now, and having renamed the device to integrate better with the rest of the iPhone lineup, Apple is making a clear statement: It cares about the midrange now. With the current state of global economics, Apples focus on lower cost devices like the iPhone 17e and newly launched MacBook Neo is timely. Most people probably dont make full use of the high-powered machines in their pockets and on their laps, and might be reconsidering whether they need to spend as much money on the Pros and the Airs of Apples product lineup. At $599 , the iPhone 17e is about half the price of an iPhone 17 Pro or the iPhone Air. Its $200 cheaper than the base iPhone 17, too. Since I reviewed the iPhone 16e last year, Ive been using it as a work phone, mostly for Slack, email and light editing in Docs. The way I see it, most people considering the iPhone 17e are likely in a similar situation either thinking of getting a supplementary device or looking for a good enough phone for a child or other dependent. For this review, Ive tried to cover most of those scenarios whether it be a person that would spend most of their phone time on social media and games like a teenager or someone thats largely using it for administrative work purposes. I mostly want to answer this question: If youre getting your first iPhone or buying one for someone else, should you get the iPhone 17e or the iPhone 17? iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e, for testings sake Its very clear from Apples website that it doesnt want you comparing the iPhone 17e to the iPhone 16e. The company doesn't allow you to do so in the comparison tool on the iPhone 17e product page , limiting you to the iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and the iPhone SE (second and third generations). Sure, I understand that no one is really thinking about getting an iPhone 17e after just buying the 16e last year. But for the purposes of this review, it makes sense for me to shout out whats new from the previous generation. The most significant additions this year are the A19 chip, double the storage, improved Portrait photography and MagSafe with faster wireless charging. Oh, and a new pink color option, adding an ever so subtle splash of color to the previously monochromatic lineup. The A19 chip is supposed to make AI processes faster, thanks to the neural accelerators in its GPU. In my testing so far, the difference has been negligible at best. Initially I was seeing the iPhone 17e perform slower than the 16e, but after a software update, the iPhone 17e caught up. In Apple Intelligence-powered tools like Cleanup, the iPhone 17e was a split second faster at identifying unwanted objects in photos and erasing them than the 16e. If youve just received your iPhone 17e and run into issues where image generation or cleanup is slow or stalling, give it a day or so for the software to stabilize. Oddly, in some side-by-side Image Playground testing, the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e were neck and neck. Sometimes, the iPhone 16e was faster. Occasionally, the iPhone 17e was ahead. Ill continue to keep an eye on how both phones do here, as it could still be due to some early software issues, but for now the improvements from the A19s GPU seem to be hit or miss. The pink iPhone 17e and the white iPhone 16e held up in one palm in front of a red brick wall. Cherlynn Low for Engadget Improved portraits on the iPhone 17e Of all the improvements to the iPhone 17e, to me, one of the most important is in portraits. In my review of the iPhone 16e , I said that the majority of my grievances with the single camera setup was the fact that Apple ended up using an older version of Portrait mode. That version was much more limited and didnt allow for applying a background blur to pictures of non-human subjects. This time, Apple borrowed the algorithms it developed for the iPhone Air for the iPhone 17es rear and front cameras. This not only delivers a general improvement to portraits, with better segmentation and a more natural-looking bokeh effect, but also allows for depth information to be captured when applicable. For instance, when a person, cat or dog is detected, the iPhone 17e will automatically capture depth information so you can apply a blur after the picture is taken, even if you didnt use Portrait mode initially. Importantly, these next-gen portraits also allow you to edit the level of blur and change up the focal point of the picture after youve taken the shot. In some photos of my neighbors grumpy shih-poo, I was shocked that my colleagues actually preferred the samples I shared from the iPhone 16e over the ones from the iPhone 17e. But their critique was fair: the newer phone blurred out Oreos tail, keeping only his face in focus. I was able to address this by going into the editing tools and dragging the slider for aperture to bring more of the dog into focus. I also played around and tapped on Oreos tail to make it clear, and the iPhone 17e blurred up his face instead. Two photo samples side by side, featuring a dog on a blue leash staring up into the camera. Cherlynn Low for Engadget When using Portrait mode to photograph people, the iPhone 17e did indeed deliver more pleasant bokeh than its predecessor. In pictures of my friend Brenda Stolyar, with the depth or aperture set to f/4.5 across both devices, there was more softness in the brick wall behind her on the new phone. I was slightly confused since it seemed like the older iPhone actually delivered a sharper picture, until I realized it was actually just softer bokeh. For those coming from older phones like the iPhone 11, 12 or SE, the addition of next-gen portraits should feel like a major step up. Even when compared to the iPhone 16e, the fact that I was now able to apply the effect on photos of food and other inanimate objects with no faces made me happier. It makes the camera more versatile, and feels like a noteworthy update that makes your photos feel more modern. But that is definitely because I like pictures with the artificial depth of field effect. If you dont care for bokeh and really only want a phones cameras to be good enough to snap pictures of menus or receipts, for instance, the 17es improvements here wont mean much. MagSafe and wireless charging The rear of the iPhone 17e catches the light in front of a stone wall. Cherlynn Low for Engadget What might matter more, then, is this generations wireless charging speeds. While the iPhone 16e could only support up to 7.5W, the iPhone 17e goes up to 15W (with adapters of 20W or higher) and also works with MagSafe accessories. I cant imagine anyone considering a new iPhone 17e already has magnetic cases or stands, but if you decide to invest in those accessories, youll find them convenient and satisfying. I placed both models on my wireless charging stand the 17e snapped on and started charging, while the 16e clattered helplessly off the stand. I placed it on the charging pad at the base instead and noted how much power each of them gained in 15 minutes. The improvement is clear: the iPhone 17e went up by 16 percent (30 percent to 46 percent), while the 16e only gained 3 percent (69 percent to just 72 percent). Beyond the numbers, what this means is that when youre in a pinch and trying to quickly top up your phone on, say, a wireless charger you found at a cafe, you wont need to sit around as long with the iPhone 17e. For those of you that simply leave your phone on a stand overnight, this is less likely to meaningfully impact you. There are a few other updates that I havent really tested in this review, like the improved durability with Ceramic Shield 2 on the iPhone 17es screen. The new display also has a treatment that is supposed to reduce glare, and considering the week of wonderfully gloomy weather weve had here in New York, this isnt something Ive truly had a chance to evaluate. Also, while I do appreciate the doubled storage, which is sure to please the media hoarders among us, I will say Ive already been served warnings about my iCloud storage running out. It still feels like something else Apple might need to address, but for newcomers to the iOS world, the higher base storage is absolutely a positive. Elsewhere, there are virtually no differences between the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e. They have the same size displays with the same resolution, brightness, refresh rate, contrast ratio and color gamuts. Both are rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, and have similar battery lives (up to 26 hours of video playback, according to Apple). They also have the exact same dimensions of 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches, although the iPhone 17e does weigh a whole 2 grams (0.8 ounces) more than the 16e, which is almost definitely attributable to the addition of MagSafe. Unless you have weighing scales for hands, though, this difference is negligible. An iPhone 17e held up in front of a tree trunk. Cherlynn Low for Engadget Should you get the iPhone 17e or the iPhone 17? Where you might find more meaningful distinctions is when comparing the iPhone 17e to the iPhone 17 . For $200 more, youll get longer battery life and slightly better performance thanks to one more GPU core. The iPhone 17 also has a larger, sharper and brighter display thats 6.3-inches, with higher refresh rates and a full-screen design incorporating the Dynamic Island. It also supports the Always On Display and has an 18MP front camera with the Center Stage feature that allows for easy switching between landscape and vertical orientations in your selfies without having to rotate your phone. In fact, the camera upgrades alone on the iPhone 17 might be worth the money. On top of getting the additional ultrawide camera, youll also gain the dedicated camera control button on the right edge, the latest generation of Photographic Styles, support for macro photography, Cinematic mode and Dual Capture in videos as well as spatial and macro recording capabilities. It also comes with sensor-shift optical image stabilization, which is more advanced than the OIS on the iPhone 17e. Rounding out that long list of differences is higher recharge speeds (with compatible chargers) and Apples second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for more precise Find My support. The iPhone 17 also offers dual-frequency GPS and works with the latest standards in connectivity, like Thread, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 (whereas the iPhone 17e only gets to Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3). Sure, the iPhone 17 is slightly taller and heavier, but considering all the bonuses and the extra camera, that feels like a tradeoff that is more than fair. Its a lot more advanced for $200, and feels like a better starter phone than the iPhone 17e. But if your budget is tight and camera performance isnt a priority, youll get a great experience from Apples latest. The iPhone 17e held up in mid-air in front of some red foliage. Cherlynn Low for Engadget Wrap-up In 2026, it feels like Apple has done the impossible. Its managed to serve up multiple iPhones at various price points with enough meaningful differentiations to justify each tier. Meanwhile, each iPhone 17 in the full lineup is a capable and satisfying device for its price. Upgrading to the iPhone 17e from the iPhone 11, 12 or SE will certainly feel significant, although getting almost any current-gen phone will feel modern compared to those. In fact, if youre platform agnostic and wouldnt mind an Android device, there are options out there with significantly superior screens and cameras. The Pixel 10a , for instance, offers a larger display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a dual-camera system all for $100 less. With Apple seeming to be setting its sights on the midrange market, it should seriously consider stepping up in those two areas in the next e-series iPhone. But of course, the name iPhone carries its own premium, and the iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/iphone-17e-review-the-economical-choice-130000647.html?src=rss

The 10 best sleep apps and gadgets for a better night's sleep in 2026

Tech has a bad (and deserved) reputation as a sleep killer. Blue light , incessant scrolling and information onslaught conspire to keep us on edge and exiled from dreamland. But a few gadgets and apps out there may actually help us sleep. Weve tried many such products over the years and have gathered the ones that actually did some good in this list. But first, take the arguably most important step towards good sleep: Use the sleep schedule on your phone ( Android , iPhone ). Once youve done that, check out the best sleep gadgets below and prepare to shuffle off to the land of nod. Best sleep apps and gadgets This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-10-best-sleep-apps-and-gadgets-for-a-better-nights-sleep-in-2026-114742582.html?src=rss

Qualcomm's new Arduino Ventuno Q is an AI-focused computer designed for robotics

Qualcomm, which purchased microcontroller board manufacturer Arduino last year, just announced a new single-board computer that marries AI with robotics. Called the Arduino Ventuno Q, it uses Qualcomm's Dragonwing IQ8 processor along with a dedicated STM32H5 low-latency microcontroller (MCU). Ventuno Q is engineered specifically for systems that move, manipulate and respond to the physical world with precision and reliability, the company wrote on the product page . The Ventuno Q is more sophisticated (and expensive) than Arduinio's usual AIO boards, thanks to the Dragonwing IQ8 processor that includes an 8-core ARM Cortex CPU, Adreno Arm Cortex A623 GPU and Hexagon Tensor NPU that can hit up ot 40 TOPs. It also comes with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, along with 64GB of eMMC storage and an M.2 NVME Gen.4 slot to expand that. Other features include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, 2.5Gbps ethernet and USB camera support. The Ventuno Q includes Arudino App Lab, with pre-trained AI models including LLMs, VLMs, ASR, gesture recognition, pose estimation and object tracking, all running offline. It's designed for AI systems that run entirely offline like smart kiosks, healthcare assistants and traffic flow analysis, along with Edge AI vision and sensing systems. It also supports a full robotics stack including vision processing combined with deterministic motor control for precise vision and manipulation. It's also ideal for education and research in areas like computer vision, generative AI and prototyping at the edge, according to Arduino. With Ventuno Q, AI can finally move from the cloud into the physical world, Qualcomm wrote. This platform enables building machines that perceive, decide, and act all on a single board. Our goal is to make advanced robotics and edge AI accessible to every developer, educator, and innovator. The Arduino Ventuno Q will be available in Q2 2026 from the Arduino Store and elsewhere and is expected to cost under $300. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/qualcomms-new-arduino-ventuno-q-is-an-ai-focused-computer-designed-for-robotics-113047697.html?src=rss

Apple is reportedly looking into 3D printing aluminum iPhones and Apple Watches

There could be even more 3D-printed Apple products coming in the future. According to Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring ways to 3D print aluminum to make the manufacturing processes for iPhones and Apple Watches more efficient. Gurman reported that this new production process could specifically change how Apple makes its watch casings as well as iPhone enclosures. It's not the first time Apple has tapped into 3D printing, since both the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 were partially built with 3D-printed titanium that's 100 percent recycled. More recently, Apple used its 3D printing process to create the titanium USB-C port for the iPhone Air , which was touted as thinner, stronger and more environmentally friendly. While Apple is reportedly only looking into 3D-printed aluminum right now, it could possibly result in an overall cheaper manufacturing process and lower starting prices for iPhones. Looking at Apple's just-announced MacBook Neo , the company introduced a new manufacturing process that saves on the amount of aluminum used, helping to achieve the $599 starting price for its latest entry-level laptop. Like the colorful MacBook Neo, Gurman also reported that Apple is planning to use a efreshed color palette for its iMac reveal later this year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-is-reportedly-looking-into-3d-printing-aluminum-iphones-and-apple-watches-163721491.html?src=rss

OpenAI's robotics hardware lead resigns following deal with the Department of Defense

OpenAI 's robotics hardware lead is out. Caitlin Kalinowski, who oversaw hardware within the robotics division of OpenAI, posted on X that she was resigning from her role, while criticizing the company's haste in partnering with the Department of Defense without investigating proper guardrails. OpenAI told Engadget that there are no plans to replace Kalinowski. Kalinowski, who previously worked at Meta before leaving to join OpenAI in late 2024, wrote on X that surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got. Responding to another post, the former OpenAI exec explained that he announcement was rushed without the guardrails defined, adding that it was a governance concern first and foremost. OpenAI confirmed Kalinowski's resignation and said in a statement to Engadget that the company understands people have strong views about these issues and will continue to engage in discussions with relevant parties. The company also explained in the statement that it doesn't support the issues that Kalinowski brought up. We believe our agreement with the Pentagon creates a workable path for responsible national security uses of AI while making clear our red lines: no domestic surveillance and no autonomous weapons, the OpenAI statement read. Kalinowski's resignation may be the most high-profile fallout from OpenAI's decision to sign a deal with the Department of Defense. The decision came just after Anthropic refused to comply with lifting certain AI guardrails around mass surveillance and developing fully autonomous weapons. However, even OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman , said that he would amend the deal with the Department of Defense to prohibit spying on Americans. Correction, March 8 2026, 10:30AM ET: This story has been updated to correct Kalinowski's role at OpenAI to obotics hardware lead instead of head of robotics. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-robotics-hardware-lead-resigns-following-deal-with-the-department-of-defense-195918599.html?src=rss

OpenAI is reportedly pushing back the launch of its 'adult mode' even further

Here comes another disappointment for ChatGPT users . As first reported by Sources ' Alex Heath, OpenAI is yet again delaying its adult mode for ChatGPT. A company spokesperson told Heath that we're pushing out the launch of adult mode so we can focus on work that is a higher priority for more users right now. More specifically, OpenAI's spokesperson said that things like gains in intelligence, personality improvements, personalization, and making the experience more proactive were being prioritized instead. However, the company still wants to release an adult mode, but it would ake more time, according to the company spokesperson. The reveal of ChatGPT's adult mode dates back to October, when OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman , posted on X that the company would roll out more age-gating as part of its reat adults like adults principle, adding that this would include erotica for verified adults. Altman originally said this adult mode would be available in December, but an OpenAI exec later said during a December briefing that it would instead debut in the first quarter of 2026. With Q1 almost coming to a close, we no longer have a timeframe for when ChatGPT's adult mode will release. However, OpenAI began rolling out its age prediction tool in January, which may go hand-in-hand with the upcoming adult mode. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-is-reportedly-pushing-back-the-launch-of-its-adult-mode-even-further-213013801.html?src=rss

NASA's DART spacecraft changed a binary asteroid's orbit around the sun, in a first for a human-made object

When NASA crashed a spacecraft into the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos in 2022, it altered both Dimorphos' orbit around its parent asteroid, Didymos, and the two objects' orbit around the sun, according to new research . NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) said in a press release that this marks the first time a human-made object has measurably altered the path of a celestial body around the Sun. It's a promising result as scientists work to find a feasible method of defending Earth from hazardous space objects. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission was designed to demonstrate one possible way of deflecting such an object, targeting the non-threatening moonlet Dimorphos, which is about 560 feet wide. NASA quickly declared it a success after its initial analysis showed the planned collision shortened Dimorphos' orbit around Didymos, the larger of the two objects in the binary asteroid system. In a follow-up study published in 2024 , a team at NASA's JPL reported that Dimorphos' orbital period had been trimmed by about 33 minutes, as its path was nudged roughly 120 feet closer to Didymos than before. The latest study now indicates that the whole binary system was affected, not just Dimorphos. Didymos and Dimorphos have a 770-day orbital period around the sun, which lead author Rahil Makadia said has been changed by about 11.7 microns per second, or 1.7 inches per hour. That might not sound like much, but according to Makadia, Over time, such a small change in an asteroids motion can make the difference between a hazardous object hitting or missing our planet. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasas-dart-spacecraft-changed-a-binary-asteroids-orbit-around-the-sun-in-a-first-for-a-human-made-object-210529924.html?src=rss

OpenAI's head of robotics resigns following deal with the Department of Defense

OpenAI is going to need to find a new head of robotics. Caitlin Kalinowski, OpenAI's now-former head of robotics, posted on X that she was resigning from her role, while criticizing the company's haste in partnering with the Department of Defense without investigating proper guardrails. Kalinowski, who previously worked at Meta before leaving to join OpenAI in late 2024, wrote on X that surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got. Responding to another post, the former OpenAI exec explained that he announcement was rushed without the guardrails defined, adding that it was a governance concern first and foremost. OpenAI confirmed Kalinowski's resignation and said in a statement to Engadget that the company understands people have strong views about these issues and will continue to engage in discussions with relevant parties. The company also explained in the statement that it doesn't support the issues that Kalinowski brought up. We believe our agreement with the Pentagon creates a workable path for responsible national security uses of AI while making clear our red lines: no domestic surveillance and no autonomous weapons, the OpenAI statement read. Kalinowski's resignation may be the most high-profile fallout from OpenAI's decision to sign a deal with the Department of Defense. The decision came just after Anthropic refused to comply with lifting certain AI guardrails around mass surveillance and developing fully autonomous weapons. However, even OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman , said that he would amend the deal with the Department of Defense to prohibit spying on Americans. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-head-of-robotics-resigns-following-deal-with-the-department-of-defense-195918777.html?src=rss

Indonesia announces a social media ban for anyone under 16

Following in the footsteps of Australia , Indonesia will be the latest country to limit social media usage for children under 16. Meutya Hafid , Indonesia's communication and digital affairs minister, announced that a new government regulation will require high-risk platforms to delete any accounts from Indonesia that are under 16, starting on March 28. Hafid said in the announcement that the implementation would be done in stages, starting with major platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox and Bigo Live, a live-streaming platform based in Singapore. The minister added that all platforms will have to fulfill compliance obligations from the Indonesian government, but didn't specify what they were. In response to the ban, a Meta spokesperson told The New York Times that the company hasn't received an official regulation from the country yet and was awaiting details. While Australia was the first country to implement such a sweeping ban on social media, many other countries are currently in the process of doing the same. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced last month that the country is also ready to ban social media for users under 16, while Malaysia 's cabinet approved a similar ban that will reportedly go into effect sometime this year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/indonesia-announces-a-social-media-ban-for-anyone-under-16-174634956.html?src=rss

Roblox introduces real-time AI-powered chat rephraser for inappropriate language

Roblox has launched a feature powered by AI that can rephrase inappropriate language in real time. The online game has been using AI filters to block out any language that goes against its policy for a while now, but it has been replacing censored chats with a series of hash signs (####). Roblox admits that encountering too many hashmarks can be disruptive and make conversations hard to follow. This new feature will instead replace words and phrases with what the AI deems as more appropriate substitutes. Rajiv Bhatia, Robloxs Chief Safety Office, said the game is starting with profanity. For instance, if a user sends Hurry TF up in chat, the system will replace it with Hurry up! Everyone in the chat will see a note when a message has been rephrased, and the sender will see what language was edited out. A user who keeps cursing in chat will still be penalized for breaking Roblox policy even if the AI rephrases their messages. As these systems scale, they create a flywheel for civility, where real-time feedback helps users learn and adopt our Community Standards, Bhatia said in a blog post. Rephrasing has been rolled out to chats between age-checked users in similar age groups and in all the languages the games translation tool supports. Roblox introduced a mandatory age verification system back in January after reports came out that it has a pedophile problem , with adult players allegedly using the game to groom children. Kids under 13 can no longer use in-game chat outside of certain experiences, while everyone else can chat with players around their age. Age check, however, hasnt stopped authorities from suing Roblox: LA County , in a lawsuit filed in February, said Roblox knows its platform makes children easy prey for pedophiles. Louisianas AG has also just filed a lawsuit, saying Roblox created a public park and filled it with sex predators that are preying on children. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/roblox-introduces-real-time-ai-powered-chat-rephraser-for-inappropriate-language-160000063.html?src=rss

Slay the Spire 2, Scott Pilgrim EX and other new indie games worth checking out

Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. We've got a lot of new and upcoming games to highlight this week, and those are on top of all of our coverage of the Nintendo Indie World stream the other day. Nintendo packed a lot of news into that 18-minute stream, including the sudden arrivals of three great games Blue Prince , Minishoot' Adventures and oo on Switch and/or Switch 2. The company revealed release dates for a bunch of games we've had on our radar, such as InKonbini: One Store. Many Stories (April 30), Mixtape (May 7), Denshattack! (June 17) and Ratatan (July 16). Release windows for several games were confirmed as well, including Toem 2 and Grave Seasons , both of which will be out this summer. Meanwhile, if you have a Playdate (or have been meaning to get one), be sure to check out the third anniversary sale on the Playdate Catalog storefront this weekend. There are lots of good deals and we've got some suggestions for you . Elsewhere, speedrunners will be showing off their skills in AAA games, indies and everything in between during the Frost Fatales event from Games Done Quick. From March 8-14, you can watch women and femme speedrunners tear through the likes of Undertale, Strange Antiquities, An Airport for Aliens Currently Run by Dogs, Tunic, Hollow Knight and Windswept . It's a charity event that will be raising funds for the National Women's Law Center . On that note, theres a Women's Day sale on Steam thats running until March 15. There are discounts on tons of games from women and gender marginalized-led teams as well as demos for upcoming titles. Among the games on sale are Dredge (60 percent off), Overcooked 2 (75 percent off), The Wandering Village (50 percent off), Dogpile (35 percent off) and Consume Me (35 percent off). New releases Slay the Spire has helped to popularize the roguelite deckbuilder genre since its early access debut in 2017. Mega Crit is back for another bite at the cherry with Slay the Spire 2 , which hit Steam in early access this week for $25. The studio says the price will increase after early access. The studio expects the sequel to remain in early access for between one and two years, though it won't release the full version until the game feels great. During the early access period, Mega Crit is going to try some experimental features and exotic designs, while pinpointing niche issues and getting feedback from players to make sure the game is headed in the right direction. Perhaps the biggest change in the sequel is the addition of a co-op mode for up to four players. There are new cards (including multiplayer-specific ones), characters and enemies in the mix as well, of course. Demons have descended on Toronto and his Sex Bom-omb bandmates have been kidnapped, so it's up to Scott Pilgrim and his allies to save the day. Scott Pilgrim EX is the franchise's latest side-scrolling fighter, following on from Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game . This entry is from Tribute Games, which has a pretty great recent track record when it comes to co-op beat-'em-ups after Marvel Cosmic Invasion and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge . This time around, the studio teamed up with Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee OMalley to develop a new storyline. I haven't had time to jump into Scott Pilgrim EX yet, unfortunately, but I'm really looking forward to doing that soon. When I do, I'll be instalocking Roxie Richter as my character. Gonna listen to Black Sheep a bunch in the meantime. Scott Pilgrim EX is out now on Steam , Nintendo Switch , Switch 2 , Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S PS4 and PS5 for $29. Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is at the top of my to-play list this weekend. I adored the first entry from Wishfully and Thunderful Publishing a few years ago, and I've heard that the sequel is even better. This is a narrative-driven adventure platformer in the vein of Limbo and Inside . As in the first game, you'll be evading dangerous robots after the antagonist weaponizes technology to exploit the resources of Lana's home planet. I'm sure that doesn't have any parallels with our reality. Planet of Lana II looks just as gorgeous as the first game. Lana is said to be more agile this time and is capable of moves like wall jumps. Her companion, Mui, remains available to help her solve puzzles and survive this dangerous world. Planet of Lana II is out now on Steam , Switch , Switch 2 , PS4, PS5 , Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S for $20. The Steam, Switch and Switch 2 versions have a 10 percent launch discount. You can get that same discount on PlayStation if you're a PS Plus member. The game is also available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The Legend of Khiimori hit Steam and Epic Games Store in early access this week for $30. It's an open-world adventure game in which you take on the role of a courier rider in 13th-century Mongolia. You can breed and train horses with special abilities to help you explore this landscape and carry out deliveries. You'll need to set up camp and craft critical items on your journeys, and you'll need to be on the defensive against dangerous wildlife. There are also evil spirits to fend off in order to liberate corrupted zones. There's a lot going on here and, evidently, a lot more to come. Developer Aesir Interactive plans to add a string of features during the early access phase (which is expected to last for around a year), including racing, falconry, a peaceful mode and character and horse customization. Lost and Found Co. is a lovely-looking hidden object game from Bit Egg and co-publisher Gamirror Games. It's on Steam for PC and Mac for $18, though there's a 10 percent discount until March 19. I love this trailer for Lost and Found Co. It's full of charming animations and neat details, like a comic book-style series of panels that helps tell the story. You play as Ducky, a duck who has turned into a human intern at a startup that helps people get their lost items back. That sentence alone has me smiling. In the wake of Blippo+ , another game that debuted on the Playdate has now landed on PC ( Steam and Itch ), Mac (via Steam and the Mac App Store ) and Nintendo Switch . Ratcheteer DX typically costs $13, but there's a 25 percent launch discount on all storefronts except the App Store. The original version of Ratcheteer made its bow in Playdate season one , meaning that every owner of the little yellow console has access to it. You play as a young mechanic who like the rest of humanity lives underground to stay safe from an eternal winter. However, after the power plant and water treatment plant go out of commission, it's up to you to fix them. That kickstarts a top-down pixel-art adventure in the vein of the early Legend of Zelda games that should take you about four to five hours to finish. This updated game from Shaun Inman, composer Matt Grimm and illustrator Charlie Davis is available in color with filters that include the 1-bit Playdate look and it has a CD-quality version of the soundtrack. It's the first game that publisher (and Playdate maker) Panic has made in house that's landed on Steam and consoles. I've only played a little of Ratcheteer DX so far but it seems just as delightful as the original version, so I'm eager to keep going with it. On another day, I might have wrapped up this section with a feel-good game like Lost and Found Co. Not this time. Instead, here's a bird-spotting psychological horror walking sim. The one-minute launch trailer for Birds Watching , from Studio Ortica, is about one-60th as long as the game's runtime. It's full of creepy details, like a giant bird with humanoid legs. The tone is unnerving, but it absolutely caught my attention. Birds Watching is out now on Steam for $5. You can get it for 10 percent off until March 13. Upcoming This trailer for My Little Puppy (which premiered during the Indie World showcase) captured my whole damn heart. Korean developer Dreamotion created the game by adding dreams and hopes to the story I shared with Bong-gu, a dog who I adopted and raised, the studio's Junyoung Lee said. After crossing the rainbow bridge, the game's version of Bong-gu eventually picks up the scent of his dad and sets out on an adventure to rescue his human. I'm crying in the club at my desk. My Little Puppy is coming to Switch on May 29. It's already available on Steam for $25. Lunacy Studios is a studio that boasts developers with experience on the likes of Star Wars: Battlefront , Mass Effect, Assassins Creed Brotherhood and Life is Strange. Its first game is The House of Hikmah , which is coming to Steam on April 8. This is a story-driven 3D adventure game that takes place in a setting inspired by the Islamic Golden Age. You take on the role of Maya, a 14-year-old who is looking for answers after her father passes away. He left Maya with an elemental heirloom that she can use to solve puzzles and she can use wind channels to help her traverse the environments. I can't speak to how authentic its representation of the Islamic Golden Age is, but the setup and art direction of this game have me intrigued. It certainly doesn't hurt that Austin Wintory ( Journey, Sword of the Sea, The Pathless ) composed the music. I got completely hooked on Ball x Pit and I'm looking forward to trying out MLB The Show 26 . So, I really think there should be more ball-based games. And, look at that, here's a first peek at Ballgame from new studio Human Computer. In this physics platformer, you play as a sentient ball. As is the case in golf, the idea is to get to the hole in as few shots as possible. Also like in golf, that's harder than it might seem at first. The levels pull in elements from a range of inspirations, including pachinko, pinball, skeeball and many other types of ball games. Among other things, you'll skim across water, bounce off of bumpers and float in bubbles. There are arcade minigames where you can earn a type of currency that you can use to unlock upgrades, custom looks and dozens of other balls. It all seems quite chaotic at first glance. I live for chaos. I'm in. Ballgame is coming to Steam later this year. To wrap things up for this week, here's a nifty teaser trailer for Echobreaker , a precision platformer with an isometric perspective. The aim is to reach the goal as quickly as possible. You'll use powerups to help you do that. You'll also need to battle enemies along the way. I had no trouble following what was happening at any given moment in this short clip. I think the perspective here makes things interesting. There have been a bunch of high-octane first-person platformers in recent years. I think that being able to see the action from above helps make it clearer to me what's going on here. The clean, futuristic art style helps too. Echobreaker , which is from Upstream Arcade and publisher Weekend Games, is slated to hit Steam later this year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/slay-the-spire-2-scott-pilgrim-ex-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-120000884.html?src=rss

Valve doesn't sound confident the Steam Machine will ship in 2026

As part of a Year in Review blog detailing changes Valve made to Steam in 2025, the company shared a minor update on its hardware plans that doesn't sound good for anyone hoping to buy a Steam Machine, Steam Controller or Steam Frame in 2026. Specifically, the company is now opening up the possibility its new hardware won't ship this year at all. In February, when Valve acknowledged the ongoing memory and storage shortage had delayed the launch of its hardware and could lead to higher prices, the company was still committing to a (fairly wide) window of when its hardware would ship: Our goal of shipping all three products in the first half of the year has not changed. But we have work to do to land on concrete pricing and launch dates that we can confidently announce, being mindful of how quickly the circumstances around both of those things can change. As of the company's latest post, however, things somehow sound even less certain. We hope to ship in 2026, but as we shared recently, memory and storage shortages have created challenges for us, Valve wrote in its Year in Review post. Well share updates publicly when we finalize our plans! While Valve's air of secrecy can make it easy to read too much into the limited information the company does share, moving from the first half of the year to [hoping] to ship in 2026 certainly gives it wiggle room to not release new hardware this year. And considering the difficulties other companies are facing sourcing memory and storage, it wouldn't be all that surprising. HP said in February that RAM accounts for a third of its PC costs, and industry analysts expect the RAM shortage could radically alter the PC landscape as companies are forced to raise prices. Valve's already struggling to keep the Steam Deck in stock due to its issues securing RAM, it stands to reason sourcing components for even more devices wouldn't make that process any easier. Then again, the company hasnt updated its launch timing FAQ, so theres still reason to hope the Steam Machine ships in 2026. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/valve-doesnt-sound-confident-the-steam-machine-will-ship-in-2026-221709517.html?src=rss

Netflix's version of Overcooked lets you play as Huntr/x

Netflix's library of streamable party games is expanding today with a custom version of Overcooked! All You Can Eat . Netflix launched its cloud gaming program with games like Lego Party and Tetris Time Warp , but Overcooked feels a bit unique because it features a roster of Netflix-affiliated characters from KPop Demon Hunters and Stranger Things . For the uninitiated, Overcooked plays like a more manic version of Diner Dash , where teams attempt to prepare food together in increasingly elaborate kitchens filled with obstacles. The original version of Overcooked! All You Can Eat was released in 2020, and includes DLC and stages from previous versions of the game. Netflix's version bundles in the same content, and 10 Netflix celebrity chefs including Dustin, Eleven, Lucas, and the Demogorgon from Stranger Things , and half-dozen faces from KPop Demon Hunters , like Mira, Rumi, Zoey, Jinu, Derpy and Sussie. Like Netflix's other streaming games, playing Overcooked also requires you to use a connected smartphone as a controller. Offering a growing library of streaming games is part of Netflix's new strategy under Alan Tascan, a former executive from Epic Games. Tascan took over as Netflix's President of Games in 2024, and appeared to start revamping the company's plans not long after, cancelling the release of several mobile games and reportedly shutting down its AAA game studio . Netflix is also continuing to adapt video games into content for its platform. For example, A24 is reportedly developing a game show based on Overcooked for the streaming service. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/netflixs-version-of-overcooked-lets-you-play-as-huntrx-212515187.html?src=rss

Nintendo is suing the US government over Trump's tariffs

Nintendo of America is suing the US government, including the Department of Treasury, Department of Homeland Security and US Customs & Border Protection, over its tariff policy, Aftermath reports. The video game giant already raised prices on the Nintendo Switch in August 2025 in response to market conditions but has so far left the price of the newer Switch 2 console unchanged. Nintendos lawsuit , filed in the US Court of International Trade, cites a Supreme Court ruling from February that confirmed lower courts opinions that the Trump administrations global tariffs were illegal. Nintendos lawyers claim that the video game company has been substantially harmed by the unlawful of execution and imposition of unauthorized Executive Orders and the fees Nintendo has already paid to import products into the country. In response, the company is seeking a refund. Engadget has reached out to Nintendo of America about its lawsuit and will update this article if we hear back. Developing This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-is-suing-the-us-government-over-trumps-tariffs-191849003.html?src=rss

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro review: Impressive audio, imperfect ANC

Samsung caught flak for the Galaxy Buds 3 . The companys mimicry of Apples AirPods was all too obvious last year when it opted for a stem or blade design after several generations of putting touch controls on the main housing of its earbuds. The Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro continue that trajectory, as Samsung keeps adding new features with direct parallels to AirPods . The good news is, both models have been improved in various ways, all while their prices stay the same. A refined design thats still too familiar On last years Galaxy Buds models, Samsung introduced its blade design and overall shapes that clearly took inspiration from Apples earbuds. While all of that remains the same on the Galaxy Buds 4 lineup, Samsung made some refinements that at least gives its earbuds a more polished look. The angular blade is gone from both the open-fit Galaxy Buds 4 and silicone-tipped Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. That stem is now a flat panel with a thin metal cover, but its still called the blade (thanks, Samsung). And thank the gods, the gimmicky blade lights on the last Pro model are now gone. The Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro both have an indented area that accepts both swipes and presses for the onboard controls, a design choice that makes that area easy to find by touch alone. Aside from that, the overall shape of both Galaxy Buds 4 models remains mostly the same, and theyre both pretty much the same size too. One big change for the Galaxy Buds 4 duo is the charging case. Since the buds now lay flat in there instead of sitting vertically in the case on the previous model, Samsung has gone back to its rounded square shape from older generations. The company did, however, keep the translucent lids, so you can clearly see if the earbuds are in the case without having to open it. In addition to their styles (the Buds 4 are open fit while the Pro have ear tips), a notable distinction between the two is their ingress protection (IP) levels. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is rated IP57, which is good enough for dust protection and full immersion in up to three feet for 30 minutes, while the Galaxy Buds 4 is IP54. That latter number means youre only guarded against dust intrusion and water splashes. Useful features, if you have a Samsung phone Samsung Buds 4 Pro Billy Steele for Engadget A few years ago, Samsung offered iPhone users the same suite of features as those onGalaxy phones. Those days are long gone. Like Apple does with AirPods and Google with Pixel Buds, Samsung requires you to pair a Galaxy phone to get the most out of a pair of Galaxy Buds 4 or 4 Pro. If you opt for the open-fit model though, youll have to sacrifice a few features. Lets start with the tools that are available on both versions. You can expect Adaptive EQ 2.0, 360 audio with head tracking, Auracast, automatic switching, head gestures and both touch and swipe controls across the board. Both models also offer AI assistance via either Bixby or Gemini. Voice features are where the two models primarily differ. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro has voice detection that automatically lowers the volume and activates ambient sound mode when you start speaking. The pricier version also offers hands-free access to an AI assistant without having to touch the earbuds or your connected device. Pretty much all of this stuff requires a Samsung phone. Sure, you can use the basics ANC, onboard controls and ambient sound from the likes of iPhones and Macs. But the more advanced items like voice detection, head gestures and automatic switching wont be available there. As before, theres an app for Android users with non-Galaxy phones, but things like UHD audio and higher-quality calls are not available on those devices. If you do have a Galaxy phone, everything is baked into the Bluetooth menu, just like Apple does with AirPods. Shockingly good sound quality Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (left) and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 (right) Billy Steele for Engadget Ive come to expect good sound from the Galaxy Buds line. I usually go into any new Samsung audio review knowing Ill be getting average audio quality at the very least. On last years Galaxy Buds 3, the sound performance was well above average for both sets, and that continues on the two latest models. However, if audio is your main priority, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is the better pick. Like Samsung did with the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, this years 4 Pro has a two-way driver setup with an 11mm super-wide woofer and a 5.5mm planar tweeter. While the woofer is larger than whats inside the 3 Pro, the tweeter is smaller. Those components combine for shockingly good sound quality for a pair of Samsung earbuds. I was truly surprised when I put the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro in my ears for the first time and played ayas electro-tinged hexed! The driving bass line on off the ESSO is energetic yet nuanced, vocals are cutting and clear, while the synths and other percussive elements pierce through the mix. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro deftly handled everything I threw at it, from Spiritboxs heavy metal to the mellow acoustic tunes on Muscadine Bloodlines 2025 release. The Galaxy Buds 4 arent a sonic slouch by any means. Its true youll get deeper bass and more overall clarity and detail from the Pro model, but prospective buyers who desire an open fit dont have to sacrifice too much in the sound department. Theres still punchy bass and crunchy highs, with enough midrange to fill in the gaps adequately. I noticed the biggest difference on that aya track, where the bass isnt as deep or detailed and the rest of the mix isnt quite as dynamic as it is on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Active noise cancellation that still needs work Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (left) and Galaxy Buds 4 (right) Billy Steele for Engadget While both Galaxy Buds 4 models offer active noise cancellation (ANC), the Pro version has what Samsung calls Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 2.0 versus just Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation on the other. The company didnt go into much detail about the differences, other than to say the ANC performance on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is superior. Hence the 2.0, I guess. ANC performance was a major issue on the Galaxy Buds 3 and that continues on the Galaxy Buds 4. Samsung just hasnt managed to crack the noise cancellation code on open-fit earbuds the same way Apple has with its regular AirPods . In fact, the ANC on this new model makes such a modest difference, Id wager most customers would prefer to trade it for longer battery life (or a lower price). I only kept it on in the interest of my battery rundown, otherwise I wouldnt have used it at all. Its definitely more like active noise reduction than outright cancellation. Thankfully, noise cancellation is a different story on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Its still not going to silence the world like the second-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds can, but Samsungs tech does just enough to make it useful in most circumstances. I found it particularly adept at blocking moderate levels of constant noise, like a clothes dryer, fan or white noise machine. Its the sudden jolts of racket where the Pro struggles. The Buds 4 Pro also does a decent job at muffling human voices, which caused my family much frustration. Calls and voice quality Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (left) and Galaxy Buds 4 (right) Every audio company claims its special sauce is the key to the clearest calls, and Samsung is no different. The company boasts that its combo of a 16kHz super wideband mode, DNN noise reduction and personalized beamforming mics offer calls so clear, its stunning. Of course, that promise requires a Galaxy S26 series phone not just the earbuds. I was shocked to discover how well I sounded in quiet environments as both of these earbuds offer voice quality thats crisp and clear. If you move to a noisy spot, both models will completely block any background roar, but you will sound slightly digitized on the other end. This was more apparent on the Galaxy Buds 4, but its noticeable on both versions. Thats due to all the audio processing Samsung is doing to mute those distractions. To top it all off, the ambient sound mode on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is very natural, which means you wont be yelling to hear yourself during calls or meetings. The competition If youre looking for the best earbuds to use with a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro are your best options. Again, like Apple does with the AirPods and Google with the Pixel Buds , Samsung continues to offer the most advanced and most useful features to the Galaxy faithful. If you dont really care about that synergy, the second-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are currently my top pick . That set wont wow you with features, but the combination of excellent sound quality and the best ANC performance make them hard to beat. Plus, multipoint Bluetooth connectivity offers easy switching between a Galaxy S26 and a MacBook. Wrap-up With each passing year, Samsung draws closer to offering Galaxy phone users a true like-for-like AirPods rival. The company is really only lagging behind Apple in two areas: hearing health and heart-rate tracking. Samsung currently offers the option to amplify voices on its earbuds, but it hasnt built a hearing test or the hearing protection tools Apple has. The biggest update on the AirPods Pro 3 was the addition of heart-rate tracking last year, which would be a great foundation for a fitness-focused version of the Galaxy Buds. Everything else continues to improve on a familiar formula. Samsung has bolstered overall sound quality and ANC performance, even if the noise canceling abilities of the Galaxy Buds 4 remain somewhat lackluster. The design changes offer a more premium look and the gradual addition of modern features like head gestures help the company keep pace with the competition. While the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro are both good, Samsung really needs to take bigger swings with new features to make its earbuds the must-buy that AirPods are for iPhone users. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/samsung-galaxy-buds-4-and-4-pro-review-impressive-audio-imperfect-anc-190000202.html?src=rss

Pokmon Pokopia review: Possibly the most charming Pokmon game yet

One of the biggest issues with mainline Pokmon games is that you're often so focused on catching, battling and trying to be the very best that you don't have time to stop and smell the flowers. But in Pokmon Pokopia , you're rewarded for doing just that while building a loving community of friendly monsters. The game is one part Animal Crossing and one part Dragon Quest Builders sprinkled with a touch of Minecraft and Stardew Valley . he result might be one of the coziest, most wholesome life sims on the market. Setup and gameplay In Pokopia , you play as a Ditto, who has awakened to a world where all the other humans and Pokmon have mysteriously disappeared. Naturally, the loss of your trainer has inspired you to take the form of a person (well, as best as a Ditto can). You work together with the only other soul around, Professor Tangrowth , to figure out how to revitalize this once thriving town. As you explore, you learn to create habitats from a mix of shrubs, trees and anything else you can scavenge. You can also create new homes for the missing Pokmon and lure them back, slowly converting the wasteland into a bustling place full of life and excitement. It's a simple but extremely rewarding gameplay loop, and as you make friends with the returning monsters, they help you on your quest by teaching you skills that allow you to continue shaping and manipulating the environment. They also provide handy items and building materials. Some Pokmon like Squirtle can even teach you new moves that you can use to manipulate your environment. Nintendo / Engadget This is where the other main gameplay cycle comes in, as the entire world is made up of blocks that you can excavate or rework to your heart's content. Not only does this let you customize your environment, it also serves as a way to traverse the world. See a shiny treasure on the other side of a river but you can't swim there? You can simply build a bridge instead. And just like in Minecraft , you can use raw materials to create all sorts of fancy blocks and furniture so your homes look exactly how you want. When compared to games like Animal Crossing , I found I actually prefer Pokopia's flavor of world-building a touch more, as it relies slightly more on building and exploring and less on decorating. In order to lure Pokmon to your town, first you need to build a home they'll want to live in. Nintendo / Engadget My one small issue with the game is that while I like the real-time building mechanic that lets Pokmon work on stuff while you're not playing, having to wait a full day for bigger projects to be completed can bog down your progress a bit. With a game that easily provides more than 50 hours of content just for its main story (and that's not counting all the time you'll spend customizing and tweaking your town), sometimes things become a slower burn than they ought to be. The magic of Pokopia As befitting a Pokmon game, each monster has skills befitting their type like Charmander being able to light fires. Sam Rutherford for Engadget While the success of Pokopia's core mechanics can be largely attributed to co-developer Bandai Namco borrowing the game's basic template from the Dragon Quest Builders series, the real magic of the game comes from the Pokmon themselves. When I load into the world and the first thing that happens is one of my townsfolk running up to me to say thanks or give me a present, it just makes me happy. And unlike most other Pokmon games, you can actually have proper conversations with them, instead of just hearing them do their 8-bit cries. Speaking of that, I really think it's time for Game Freak to archive those Game Boy-inspired sound bites in favor of proper voice acting. We've had thirty years of crunchy, low-fi yells, and in an open-world game with adorable polygonal graphics, I think we can finally let the 'mons say their names like they do in the anime. Pokopia's roster of characters is also bigger than expected. That's because in addition to new faces like Peakychu and Mosslax , there are well over 100 different Pokmon to befriend. And while the game leans a bit more heavily on characters from Kanto and the original 151, there's solid representation from other generations, including cameos from legendaries. Furthermore, each monster has its own unique habitat, preferences and abilities. I appreciate little details like water-type Pokmon who ask you to make their home a bit more humid or fighting-type monsters who ask for exercise equipment to spruce up theirs. Similarly, when it comes to building out your town, I like that the game makes you turn towards plant-types if you want help with your crops or a fire-type if you need help smelting some iron. Teamwork makes the dream work. Nintendo / Engadget However, the most heartwarming thing about Pokopia might not even be how you interact with the other Pokmon, but how they socialize with themselves. Sometimes you'll run into two mons chasing each other around, working out together or cuddling up for a nap. And thanks to the game's photo mode, you can capture all these moments when they happen. Exploring the world is also quite satisfying, particularly for anyone who has played any of the Pokmon games from gen one. There are a ton of references to memorable people and places from Kanto. Plus, when you're just out and about or spelunking, you'll sometimes run into other adventurous mons who need a little help before you can convince them to move into town. It feels like there are fun secrets hiding around every other corner, and even for those that are a bit less obvious, Pokopia drops just enough hints to point you in the right direction. Wrap-up Just look how happy everyone is when we all work together. Nintendo / Engadget There's so much to do in Pokopia that I wouldn't be surprised if dedicated players could tide themselves over with this game until Pokmon Winds and Waves comes out next year. But more importantly, Bandai Namco and Game Freak have found a perfect balance between the title's open-world building mechanics and homages to the underlying franchise. Pokopia isn't just a half-hearted life-sim clone with a thin veneer of monster catching (or in this case, monster community outreach) draped on top; it's a good game in its own right that just gets better with the addition of neighborly Pokmon. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/pokemon-pokopia-review-possibly-the-most-charming-pokemon-game-yet-183000812.html?src=rss

Capcom's long-delayed Pragmata is now arriving a week earlier

Capcom revealed during its March 5 Spotlight showcase that Pragmata , its repeatedly delayed dystopian sci-fi adventure game, will release on April 17 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC via Steam. The game had been set for April 24 since its appearance at The Game Awards in December. The games new trailer shows previously unseen locations and gameplay moments, and new elements within the Shelter, the in-game lunar base. Pragmata was first revealed in 2020 with a 2022 release window. Capcom then delayed it to 2023, then went radio silent on the project before resurfacing with a new 2026 date last year. A free Sketchbook demo is available now on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop and Steam. Pre-orders for the game are available now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/capcoms-long-delayed-pragmata-is-now-arriving-a-week-earlier-160257053.html?src=rss

Rad Power Bikes gets a new owner, pledge to build bikes in the US

Life EV has completed a court-approved acquisition of Rad Power Bikes, granting a second life to the troubled e-bike brand. The Florida-based Life EV now owns Rads brand, intellectual property, inventory and certain unspecified operating assets, and will continue to operate as Rad Power Bikes in the US, with plans to expand to select key markets. Rads new owner has committed to honoring certain warranties and gift cards purchased prior to the acquisition, and says new bikes will be built in the US going forward. Life EV will adopt a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) structure for its manufacturing operations, allowing it to take advantage of special domestic customs procedures when sourcing parts from global suppliers. Rad Power Bikes has helped define the e-bike category in North America with its innovative products and passionate rider community, said Life EV CEO, Rob Provost. Respecting and preserving that legacy - its brand, vision, and leadership - is foundational to this acquisition. Together, we will build on that trust and create new opportunities for riders nationwide. The completed acquisition marks the end of a turbulent period for Rad. Back in December, the company was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned Rads customers to immediately stop using some of its e-bike batteries due to a serious fire hazard. At the time, Rad said it couldnt afford to recall the at-risk batteries. Less than two months later, in what can only be described as a strange twist of fate, a fire broke out at a Rad Power Bikes retail store warehouse in Huntington Beach, California. Were working with local authorities to review a thermal incident that occurred at our Huntington Beach store Sunday evening, a Rad Power Bikes spokesperson told Engadget at the time. The incident was contained and happened while the store was closed. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/rad-power-bikes-gets-a-new-owner-pledge-to-build-bikes-in-the-us-144641940.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Apple takes on cheap Windows laptops and Chromebooks with the $599 MacBook Neo

Right off the back of the iPhone 17e, new iPads and MacBook Airs, Apple also announced a keenly priced new laptop. The MacBook Neo is a multi-colored low-cost Mac ($599), running on an iPhone chipset with most but not all of the hardware features you find on the MacBook Air and Pro. All models of the MacBook Neo ship with an extremely scant 8GB of RAM, which might be the main productivity bottleneck for demanding tasks. The Neo has a 13-inch Retina display, a 1080p webcam, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack and optional Touch ID, if you're willing to pay a little more. A lot has been said about whether this is Apple marching to the beat of its own drum again, in a year of RAM shortages and AI obsessions. This is a direct attack on cheap Windows laptops and underperforming Chromebooks. Tempted? Check out our initial impressions from Apple's event earlier this week, right here . Oh, and for everything Apple announced we've pulled all the news together here . Mat Smith The other big stories this week Nothing Phone 4a Pro hands-on Sorry, first-party PlayStation games aren't coming to PC anymore Google Pixel 10a review: Small changes, but still great value Nothing Phone 4a hands-on Nothing's Phone 4a Pro has a premium unibody design Design-wise, it seems a little safer than the company's usual. Engadget There's no flagship Nothing Phone 4 this year, but the company has put a lot of effort into making its A-series almost flagship, including a notable design pivot with the Phone 4a Pro. The transparent back is now aluminum, and the trademark Nothing aesthetic has been boxed into the camera unit. It looks more grown-up, perhaps, but a little less fun? That said, the egregious camera bump on the Nothing 3a Pro last year is no more. Both 4a phones are sleek slabs of smartphones. The company has also substantially upgraded the devices, with better cameras, more batteryand improved screens. Only the 4a Pro will be coming to the US later this month. Continue reading. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review The stealth upgrade. Engadget While MWC 2026 offered us plenty of Chinese smartphones ready to wow us, established player Samsung managed to surprise us with its S26 Ultra the week before. Sure, it doesn't have a ton of major improvements, but it brings subtle upgrades across the board, along with a standout new display for anyone who cares about privacy. The Privacy Display is the standout new feature one we've never seen before on a smartphone. When you turn the Privacy Display on and view the phone from less than head-on, everything fades to black, like those privacy-sticker screen protectors, but at the hardware level. The S26 ultra can even selectively activate Privacy Display under specific situations, turning on when you get notifications or open certain apps (like for banking or authenticators). The phone can also enable the feature when you need to enter a PIN, pattern, or password, though this is only for system-level prompts, such as your lock screen. Continue reading. Netflix just bought an AI startup founded by Ben Affleck The company promises to keep filmmakers at the center of the process. Engadget What could go wrong? Continue reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121523538.html?src=rss

UK government delays AI copyright rules amid artist outcry

The UK government is working on a controversial data bill that would allow AI companies like Google and OpenAI to train their models on copyrighted materials without consent. However, following a two month consultation, it looks like passage of the law will be delayed. Copyright is going to be kicked down the road, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Financial Times . Responses by stakeholders during the consultation period weren't favorable to any of the government's proposed ideas for use of copyrighted materials, the FT 's sources said. There's no expectation now that an AI bill will be part of the King's Speech set for May this year. As a result, Ministers have decided to go back to the drawing board and spend more time exploring other options. The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee called on the government to develop a licensing-first regime underpinned by robust transparency that safeguards creators' livelihoods while supporting sustainable AI growth. The UK parliament's preferred position on the bill (also argued by tech giants like Google) has been that copyright holders need to formally opt-out if they don't want their materials used to train AI models. However, publishers, filmmakers, musicians and others have said that this would be impractical and an existential threat to the UK's creative industries. The House of Lords took the side of artists and introduced an amendment that would require tech companies to disclose which copyright-protected works were used to train AI models. That addition, however, was blocked by the UK's House of Commons in May last year. The UK's majority Labour government already under fire for its handling of the economy has taken hits from publishers, musicians, authors and other creative groups over the proposed law. Elton John called the government absolute losers while Paul McCartney said that AI has its uses but it shouldn't rip creative people off. McCartney and others artists were part of a silent album meant to show the impact of IP theft by AI. Baroness Beeban Kidron from the House of Lords has also ripped the government over the AI bill. Creators do not deny the creative and economic value of AI, but we do deny the assertion that we should have to build AI for free with our work, and then rent it back from those who stole it, she said last year. It's astonishing that a Labour government would abandon the labor force of an entire section. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/uk-government-delays-ai-copyright-rules-amid-artist-outcry-113937154.html?src=rss

Meta sued over reports of AI glasses showing sexual footage to contract workers

A Swedish media investigation reporting that contract workers in Kenya saw sexual footage recorded by the Meta AI glasses has alarmed many who fear recording private moments and being recorded without consent

Realme launches C83 5G budget phone with a 144 Hz refresh rate in India

It operates on Realme UI 7.0 based on Android 16 out of the box

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion launched in India with Sony sensor and Qualcomm chip

The phone features dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio support

Anthropic says it will challenge Defense Department's supply chain risk designation in court

In a new blog post, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has admitted that it received a letter from the Defense Department, officially labeling it a supply chain risk . He said he doesnt believe this action is legally sound, and that his company sees no choice but to challenge it in court. Hours before Amodei published the post, the Pentagon announced that it notified the company that its products are deemed a supply chain risk, effective immediately. If youll recall, the Defense Department (called the Department of War under the current administration) threatened to give the company the designation typically reserved for firms from adversaries like China if it didnt agree to remove its safeguards over mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. President Trump then ordered federal agencies to stop using Anthropics tech. Amodei explained that the designation has a narrow scope, because it only exists to protect the government. That is why the general public, and even Defense Department contractors, can still use Anthropics Claude chatbot and its AI technologies. Microsoft told CNBC that it will continue using Claude after its lawyers had concluded that it can keep on working with Anthropic on non-defense related projects. The CEO has also admitted that his company had productive conversations with the department over the past few days. He said that they were looking at ways to serve the Pentagon that adheres to its two exceptions, namely that its technology not be used for mass surveillance and the development of fully autonomous weapons, and at ways to ensure a smooth transition if that is not possible. That confirms reports that Anthropic is back in talks with the agency in an effort to reach a new deal. In addition, he apologized for a leaked internal memo, wherein he reportedly said that OpenAIs messaging about its own deal with the department is just straight up lies. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-says-it-will-challenge-defense-departments-supply-chain-risk-designation-in-court-054459618.html?src=rss

Nothing Phone 4a and Phone 4a Pro launched: Price, features and availability

Nothing also unveiled a new over-head headphones, Headphone a, at more accessible price point, claiming around 135 hours of playtime.

Apple launches new MacBooks with M5 chips, bigger base storage

The 13-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,099 and now comes with 512 gigabytes of storage as standard, double the base storage of the previous generation

Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 unveiled along with Xiaomi Pad 8 series: Features, price and India launch

The series comes with optical set up co-engineered with German lens maker Leica