The best headphones for running in 2025

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

The best iPad for 2025: How to pick the best Apple tablet for you

Weve long considered Apples iPads to be the best tablets on the market, but determining exactly which model you should buy isnt always straightforward. Do you just want a big screen for streaming and web browsing? Do you want to use it like a pseudo-laptop? Do you care about Apple Intelligence at all? If youre not sure, allow us to help. Weve tested every iPad available today and broken down which ones should best fit your needs below. Table of contents The best iPads for 2025 How we test the best iPads iPad FAQs Recent updates The best iPads for 2025 How we test the best iPads The top edge of the iPad mini. Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget Much like we do for our guide to the best tablets overall , we spend several days with each iPad to see how they feel and perform with different tasks: watching videos, web browsing, playing both casual and graphically intense games, editing 4K photos and video, running multiple apps side-by-side, making FaceTime calls and the like. To better measure performance specifically, we use benchmarking tests like Geekbench 6 , 3DMark and GFXBench Metal , plus we measure how long it takes for each tablet to boot up and open various apps. We also check how well each tablet holds up long-term, whether its with a review unit provided by Apple or an iPad model thats owned by a member of the Engadget staff. To help compare the color performance and brightness of the displays, we play the same videos on different iPads, side-by-side, at equal brightness levels. We use each tablet in direct sunlight outdoors to see how well they hold up to glare, and we play a handful of the same musical tracks to evaluate speaker performance. For battery life, we keep track of how long each tablet generally lasts before it needs a recharge, but we also play a 1080p movie on a loop at roughly 70 percent brightness with power-sapping background processes off. We also test each device with an Apple Pencil and note how responsive the stylus feels. Finally, we carefully pore over spec sheets and software updates to keep track of which features are available on certain iPads but not others. iPad FAQs The iPad (A16) on top of an 13-inch iPad Air. Jeff Dunn for Engadget What are some new features coming to iPadOS 26? Apple released the latest update to its iPad operating system, iPadOS 26 , in September. The update is a fairly significant overhaul, one that brings iPadOS closer to macOS than ever before. New features include the ability to open more windows simultaneously and resize or tile them more freely; a Mac-style Menu bar; a dedicated Preview app ; an upgraded Files app; an improved ability to export or download large files in the background; an Expos view that shows all open windows; a pointier cursor and the option to add folders to the Dock. It also uses the new liquid glass design language that Apple is rolling out across all of its platforms in 2025. That said, it completely removed the slide over and split view modes found in previous versions of iPadOS, which can make quickly viewing multiple apps at once a little more cumbersome. (Though the former will now return in an upcoming update.) Notably, most of these features are available across Apples tablet lineup, from the iPad Pro to the entry-level iPad. You can find the full list of compatible devices at the bottom of Apples overview page . How long do iPads typically last? If history is any indication, expect Apple to update your iPad to the latest version of iPadOS for at least five years, if not longer. The current iPadOS 26 update , for example, is available on iPad Pro models dating back to 2018 and other iPads dating back to 2019. How long your iPads hardware will last depends on which model you buy and how well you maintain it. (If youre particularly clumsy, consider an iPad case .) A more powerful iPad Pro will feel fast for a longer time than an entry-level iPad, but each model should remain at least serviceable until Apple stops updating it, at minimum. Whats the difference between the iPad and the iPad Air? Compared to the standard iPad, the iPad Air runs on a stronger M3 chip (instead of the A16 Bionic) and has 2GB more RAM (8GB total). Both come with 128GB of storage by default. The Air is also available in two sizes, 11 and 13 inches, whereas the 11th-gen iPad doesn't offer the larger screen option. The M-series SoC gives the Air better long-term performance prospects, plus access to certain iPadOS features such as Apple Intelligence . Its display supports a wider P3 color gamut, has an antireflective coating and is fully laminated. The latter means theres no air gap between the display and the glass covering it, so it feels more like youre directly touching whats on screen instead of interacting with an image below the glass. The Air also works with the newer Pencil Pro stylus and more comfortable Magic Keyboards, and its USB-C port supports faster data transfer speeds. It technically supports faster Wi-Fi 6E , too, while the lower-cost iPad uses Wi-Fi 6. Starting at $349, the 11th-gen iPad is $250 less expensive than the iPad Air. It has a similarly elegant design with flat edges, thin bezels, USB-C port, and a Touch ID reader. Battery life is rated at the same 10 hours, and both devices have their front-facing camera on their long edge, which is a more natural position for video calls. The cheaper iPad works with the first-gen and USB-C Apple Pencils which are more convoluted to charge and a unique keyboard accessory called the Magic Keyboard Folio . Jeff Dunn for Engadget Whats the difference between iPads and Android tablets? The operating system, duh. But to give a few more specifics: Android devices are available from more manufacturers and cover a wider price range. You wont see an $80 iPad anytime soon. Android is also more malleable in that you can easily sideload apps from places beyond Googles official app store and more extensively customize the look of the OS (though the former may no longer be an option in the coming months). Several Android tablets still have features like a headphone jack or a microSD slot for adding storage, too, though those are getting rarer. But we tend to recommend Apple tablets to those who have no allegiance either way. iPad apps are still a bit more likely to be designed specifically for larger screens, rather than looking like blown-up phone software, and Apple is just about peerless when it comes to long-term software support. Every new iPad hits a certain baseline of hardware quality and performance none of them feel cheap, and all of them are fast enough for most needs. Plus, youll get the most out of an iPad if you use other Apple devices. Can an iPad replace a laptop? This is a loaded question, since laptop workflows differ from person to person. If you mostly use a notebook for browsing the web, watching videos or writing emails and word docs, then sure, you can get along just fine with an iPad and the right iPad accessories . Itll be easier to carry around, the battery life is great and having the touchscreen and stylus support is handy (though many Windows users have that regardless). Even beyond the basics, plenty of media editors, graphic designers and digital artists have shown they can get things done on an iPad. Broadly speaking, though, a laptop OS tends to be more flexible when it comes to file management, multitasking, coding or other heavy tasks. The recent iPadOS 26 update does close the gap a bit, though its still not quite as fluid. Safari on the iPad isnt fully on par with desktop browsers either. So the answer really depends on you. How do I take a screenshot on an iPad? As we note in our screenshot how-to guide , you can take a screenshot on your iPad by pressing the top button and either volume button at the same time. If you have an older iPad with a Home button, simultaneously press the top button and the Home button instead. Recent updates Late October 2025 : The new M5-based iPad Pro replaces the previous-generation iPad Pro as our top pick for power users. Early October 2025 : Weve made a few edits to reflect the full release of iPadOS 26 and made sure our recommendations are still accurate. August 2025 : We've taken another sweep to ensure our picks are still accurate and added a few more notes to our FAQ section. June 2025 : Weve made a few minor edits to reflect the announcement of Apples latest iPadOS update, which we detail above. May 2025 : Weve lightly edited this guide to ensure all details and links are still correct. Were also keeping an eye on how the Trump administrations tariff policy affects the pricing and stock of the iPad lineup (and every other tech category). All of our picks are still available at normal prices today, but well update this guide if that changes. March 2025 : We've reviewed the iPad (A16) and named it our new budget pick, removing the discontinued 10th-gen iPad in the process. March 2025 : The recently-launched iPad Air M3 has replaced its predecessor as our top overall recommendation. Weve also made a note regarding the new iPad (A16), which we plan to test in the near future and expect to become our new budget pick. Weve made a handful of edits elsewhere in the guide to reflect Apples latest hardware. January 2025 : Weve lightly edited this guide for clarity. Our recommendations remain the same. October 2024: We've updated our guide to include the new iPad mini 7 . June 2024 : Weve touched up this guide to reflect some of the new iPadOS features Apple announced at WWDC , though our picks remain the same. Nathan Ingraham contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/best-ipads-how-to-pick-the-best-apple-tablet-for-you-150054066.html?src=rss

Nissan made a nifty solar panel system for its Sakura EV

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

The best VPN service for 2025

As frustrating as it is that governments and businesses are running roughshod over our online freedoms, at least we have plenty of good VPNs to choose from to keep us protected online. There are so many fast, intelligently designed, full-featured and affordable services on the market that the biggest problem is picking one. For any use case, you can bet at least two providers will be neck-and-neck for first place. On the other hand, the VPN world is still the Wild West in some ways. It's easy enough to slap a cheap VPN together that the market is flooded with low-quality apps that put more money into advertising than infrastructure. They may look good, but it's all styrofoam under the hood. I built this list of the best VPNs after intensive testing to help you reorient your focus on the providers that actually deserve your time and money. Which one truly fits your needs is dependent on who you are and what you do online, but if you pick any of my seven recommendations, you can't go too far wrong. For each VPN on this list, I've shared which platforms it works on, how much it cuts into your download speed, where it offers servers, what other features are included and how much the best available deal costs. At the end, I'll list some honorable and dishonorable mentions, then answer some of the most common questions I hear about VPNs. Editor's note: This list has been completely overhauled and rewritten as of September 2025. We intend to revisit this list every three months at a minimum, at which time our picks may be adjusted based on changes in pricing, features, testing results and other factors. Table of contents Best VPNs for 2025 Other VPNs we tested What to look for in a VPN VPN FAQs Best VPNs for 2025 Other VPNs we tested The VPNs in this section didn't crack our top list above, but we're summarizing them here so you can see their positives and negatives as of the time of our evaluation. Windscribe Windscribe is another well-known free VPN supported by paid subscriptions. In many ways, it takes the best from both Mullvad and Proton VPN, with the former's no-nonsense privacy and the latter's healthy free plan. Without paying, you can connect to 10 of Windscribe's server locations on an unlimited number of devices at once. Unfortunately, Windscribe didn't copy the most important part of Proton VPN's free plan the unlimited data. You're only allowed to use 10GB per month, which isn't enough for regular streaming. It's also committed to a cramped and headache-inducing user interface that stands out from the crowd in all the worst ways. Private Internet Access Private Internet Access (PIA VPN) has a deeply annoying name I assume whoever invented it also likes to hop in their Toyota Forward Motion to grab a gallon of Sustaining Cow Extract from the grocery store but it's a worthwhile VPN whose pricing provides incredible value. Its monthly and yearly plans are good enough, but its three-year plan is the clincher. Not only is it longer than average, but you can continue to renew at the three-year level, so you won't see an unpleasant price jump the first time you re-up. PIA's apps have a dark UI reminiscent of Proton VPN, which is always a good thing. It also supports port forwarding, custom DNS and the use of a SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks proxy as a second step in the VPN connection. You can even set the maximum data packet size to help out a struggling connection, as I cover in my full PIA VPN review . The downside is that your connection will struggle a lot. While well-designed, PIA's apps have a tendency to lag. In my most recent battery of tests, it dragged oddly on my internet in ways that weren't directly reflected in the speed tests. It's also not always capable of unblocking streaming services in other countries, and while its server network offers 152 IP address options in 84 countries, it's heavily bulked out by virtual locations. TunnelBear TunnelBear has a decent interface, which its target audience of VPN beginners will find very easy to use. Its speeds are perfectly good too, and I appreciate the depth and breadth of its transparency reports. But it's far too limited overall, with few extra features, less than 50 server locations and a free plan that caps data at 2GB per month. VyprVPN VyprVPN often flies under the radar, but it has some of the best apps in the business and a very good security record (there was a breach in 2023, but it didn't crack the VPN encryption itself). It's also got a verified privacy policy, a solid jurisdiction and runs every connection through an in-house DNS to prevent leaks. Despite all that, it didn't make the top seven because its connection speeds aren't up to scratch you'll likely notice a bigger slowdown than average. It also has a troubling history of wild, seemingly experimental swings in its pricing and simultaneous connection limits. Norton VPN Norton VPN is part of the Norton 360 package that includes the well-known antivirus software and other security apps. It's a nice bonus if you use Norton already, but as a standalone VPN, it falls short. My tests repeatedly showed it dropping encryption and revealing my IP address whenever I switched servers, and not all of its locations managed to unblock Netflix. This isn't to say Norton VPN is terrible. It has a fairly large server network, user-friendly apps and some cool features like an IP rotator. It also recently revamped its OpenVPN infrastructure to improve speeds on Windows. But you probably won't find those things sufficient to balance out significant speed drops on other platforms or poorly written FAQs. I especially advise against Norton VPN for Apple users, as its Mac and iPhone apps are much more limited than their Windows and Android counterparts. What to look for in a VPN Choosing a VPN can quickly get you mired in analysis paralysis. We're here to help, but since only you know your particular needs, you should know the major red and green flags so you can make the final call yourself. Every reputable VPN provider offers a free trial or refund guarantee you can use to run the tests below. Compatibility: First, make sure your VPN works on all the platforms you plan to use it on. Most VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, but those apps aren't always created equal check that the app for your chosen OS is user-friendly and has all the features you need. Speed: Use a speed testing app to see how fast your internet is before and after connecting to the VPN (I use Ookla's speedtest.net ). To check security, look up your IP address while connected to a VPN server and see if it's actually changed your virtual location. Be sure it's using expert-vetted protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2. Try connecting to streaming services and seeing whether the VPN changes the available content. Background: Do some outside research into the VPN's origins, especially its parent company, privacy policy and any past incidents. It's a dealbreaker if you can't figure out where the VPN is headquartered (which indicates a lax approach to transparency) or if it seems to have never passed a real third-party audit. Server network: Look at the server network to make sure the VPN has locations near you and in any countries where you'll want an IP address e.g. if you need a VPN to unblock Canadian Netflix, look for multiple server locations in Canada. Customer Service: I also advise testing the customer support options by looking for the answer to a straightforward question. If phone support (versus email and chat) is important to you, make sure to prioritize that and make sure it's available at convenient times in your timezone. Pricing: Finally, check prices. See if the VPN is affordable and decide whether you're comfortable taking a long-term subscription for better savings. If you do get a multi-year plan, check what price it will renew at, since many of the cheapest subscriptions are only introductory deals. VPN FAQs To wrap up, let's answer some of the most common questions we get about VPNs. Feel free to get in touch if you have a query I don't cover here. What is a VPN? VPN stands for virtual private network. There are a few different types of VPNs, but for this list, we're talking about commercial services that let individual users access the internet with an assumed identity. Whenever you get online, you're assigned an IP address a digital nametag that tells websites where to send the information you request. For an IP address to work, it needs to be unique, which means it's possible to create a record of what an individual does online. When you use a VPN, all the data you send to the internet goes through one of the VPN's servers before heading to its final destination. The VPN encrypts the connection between your computer and its server so the data won't trace back to you. Any website, ISP or third party that cares to look will only see the VPN's IP address, not yours. What are some things VPNs are used for? The three main use cases for a commercial VPN are security, privacy and entertainment. Using a VPN conceals your real IP address from anyone who might want to use it for nefarious purposes like cyberstalking, DDoS attacks or deducing your real location. It also keeps your ISP from profiling you for ads based on where you live or what you do online. One side effect of borrowing a VPN's IP address is that you can make it appear as though your connection is coming from another country. You can use this to access streaming content and platforms that are only available in certain regions due to copyright. Changing your location can even get you better prices when shopping online. Location spoofing can also be used to get online in countries that censor internet access, like China and Russia, as well as certain US states or countries like the UK that are adding barriers like age-gating to previously unfettered online access. All you have to do is connect to a neighboring country (or locality) where the internet isn't blocked. If you plan to do this while traveling, make sure you have the VPN downloaded before you go, as some nations prevent you from even loading a VPN's homepage. Make sure you check with local laws regarding the legality of VPN use as well just because your VPN traffic is encrypted doesn't mean that authorities can't detect that it's being used in a given location. Are VPNs worth it? Whether a VPN is worth the price depends on how much you value those three use cases above. It's no secret that your personal information is profitable for a lot of people, from illicit hackers to corporations to law enforcement. A VPN will not make you completely anonymous, nor is it a license to commit crimes (see the next question) but it will give you a lot more control over what you transmit to the world. With entertainment, the value is even clearer. You can use a VPN to fight back against streaming balkanization by getting more shows and movies out of a single platform for example, a lot of shows that have been kicked off American Netflix are still on Netflix in other countries. What information does a VPN hide? A VPN does not make it impossible for you to be unmasked or taken advantage of online. It prevents you from passively leaking information, keeps your IP address undiscoverable on public wi-fi networks and gets you around online censorship. However, if you share personal information of your own volition, there's nothing the VPN can do. If you reveal your password in a social media post or click a link in a phishing email, that information bypasses the VPN. Likewise, if you do anything sensitive while logged into an account, the account holder will have that information even if you're using a VPN. A VPN is a critical part of your online security, but it can't do the whole job by itself. Healthy passwords, malware scanners, private search engines and common sense all have roles to play. Never forget, too, that using a VPN means trusting the VPN provider with access to information that's concealed from everyone else make sure you trust the privacy policy before signing up. Are VPNs safe? As far as we can determine, all the VPNs recommended in this story are safe to use. As with anything you subscribe to online, due diligence is important, but there's very little inherent risk; generally, the worst thing a bad VPN will do is fail to work, leaving you no worse off than before. There are some VPNs (usually offered for free) that transmit malware, so always make sure to look up any complaints or warnings about a service before you download it. Can you get a VPN on your phone? Absolutely almost every VPN has apps for both desktop and mobile devices. A good VPN will redesign its app to be mobile-friendly without dropping too many features. Both iOS and Android natively support VPN connections, so you're free to choose whichever provider you like. What about Google's One VPN? Google One VPN was, as you might expect, a VPN provided by Google. It was launched in 2020 for Google One subscribers and discontinued in 2024 due to lack of use. If you really want a Google VPN, you can still get one if you have certain Pixel models or if you're a Google Fi subscriber. That said, I don't recommend using a VPN from Google even if you do still have access to one. Google is one of the worst big tech companies at protecting user privacy . While its VPN might not leak, I wouldn't trust it to guard your sensitive information. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/best-vpn-130004396.html?src=rss

EA partners with the company behind Stable Diffusion to make games with AI

Electronic Arts has announced a new partnership with Stability AI, the creator of AI image generation tool Stable Diffusion . The company will co-develop transformative AI models, tools, and workflows for the game developer, with the hopes of speeding up development while maintaining quality. I use the term smarter paintbrushes, Steve Kestell, Head of Technical Art for EA SPORTS said in the announcement. We are giving our creatives the tools to express what they want. To start, the smarter paintbrushes EA and Stability AI are building are concentrated on generating textures and in-game assets. EA hopes to create Physically Based Rendering materials with new tools that generate 2D textures that maintain exact color and light accuracy across any environment. The company also describes using AI to pre-visualize entire 3D environments from a series of intentional prompts, allowing artists to creatively direct the generation of game content. Stability AI is most famous for its powerful Stable Diffusion image generator, but the company maintains multiple tools for generating 3D models , too, so the partnership is by no means out of place. It helps that AI is on the tip of most video game executives' tongues. Strauss Zelnick, the head of Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two, recently shared that generative AI will not reduce employment, it will increase employment, because technology always increases productivity, which in turn increases GDP, which in turn increases employment. Krafton, the publisher of PUBG: Battlegrounds , made its commitment to AI even more clear, announcing plans on Thursday to become an AI-first company. Companies with a direct stake in the success of the AI industry, like Microsoft, have also created gaming-focused tools and developed models for prototyping. The motivations for EA might be even simpler, though. The company is in the midst of being taken private , and will soon be saddled with billions in debt. Theoretically cutting costs with AI might be one way the company hopes to survive the transition. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ea-partners-with-the-company-behind-stable-diffusion-to-make-games-with-ai-222253069.html?src=rss

Blumhouse Games' Sleep Awake creeps onto Steam and consoles December 2

Confession time: Ive had the Sleep Awake Steam page open in a tab for about a month (hey, we all organize our thoughts in unique and beautiful ways), just so I dont forget about it. The past year has been stacked with fabulous original games across a wide range of genres, including horror, and this is one I didnt want to miss. Now, I can close the tab and put a firm release date on the calendar, as Sleep Awake is officially due to hit PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on December 2. Happy holidays, indeed. Sleep Awake is a first-person, narrative-heavy, psychedelic horror game set in the last known city on an Earth thats been ravaged by The HUSH, a mysterious force that disappears anyone who falls asleep. Katja must stay alert and survive the city as its citizens experiment on themselves in increasingly extreme ways, attempting to achieve permanent wakefulness and outmaneuver The HUSH. Needless to say, things get weird. Sleep Awake comes from Eyes Out, the studio founded by Spec Ops: The Line director Cory Davis and Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck, and its published by Blumhouse Games. Finck is responsible for the trippy audio stylings of Sleep Awake , of course. This is the studios debut title and something theyve been working on for four years. Back in 2021 , Davis and Finck told Engadget they were focused on building an ultra-immersive, audio-driven horror experience with a nightmarish bent. The type of horror that we're building has a lot to do with the horrors of the universe and the horrors that you kind of go to sleep with at night, the ones that are just around the corner and outside of our purview, but exist, Davis said. And the technology for building those types of soundscapes, the localized audio and reverb and the realism behind that, coming from VR before, I had a lot of opportunity to work with that stuff. Finck added the following: I'm really excited about the nuance and the subtlety of coming from silence, like a really impactful silence, and beginning to emerge from that silence towards an impactful embellishment of some sort, however great or greater. And that play between the diegetic soundscape of the world within the tangible, physical space inside the game, and where it blurs with the score, the music of the game, can be really challenging and inspiring. Blumhouse Games published its first horror project , Fear the Spotlight , in October 2024 and on top of Sleep Awake , it has a steady stream of additional terrors in store. The co-op gothic-horror game Eyes of Hellfire landed in August from developer Gambrinous, and titles including Grave Seasons and Crisol: Theater of Idols are due to drop soon. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/blumhouse-games-sleep-awake-creeps-onto-steam-and-consoles-december-2-214055543.html?src=rss

Strava pulls the plug on its Garmin lawsuit after just 21 days

Strava's big attack on Garmin didn't last long. On Tuesday, the former filed paperwork to dismiss its patent infringement lawsuit against the latter, according to DC Rainmaker . The battle, which included a Setting the record straight Reddit post from Strava's chief product officer, lasted all of 21 days. The lawsuit accused Garmin of infringing on patents related to heat maps and segments. Strava asked the court to halt all sales of infringing Garmin products, which, according to its characterization, would have been, well, most of them. Strava Chief Product Officer Matt Salazar escalated the fight with an October 2 Reddit post . He said his company's legal maneuver was in response to Garmin API guidelines that required the Garmin logo to be present on every single activity post, screen, graph, image, sharing card, etc. Salazar wrote that Garmin wants to use Strava and every other partner as an advertising platform they told us they care more about their marketing than your user experience. Those are fighting words, and Strava appeared to be digging in for a righteous and bitter battle against its partner. But now, it's essentially, Eh, never mind. Why the quick reversal? We reached out to Strava for comment, and we'll update this post if we hear back. But closed-door discussions between the companies, possibly including threats from Garmin to counter-sue, seem likely. Garmin has a stacked patent library and a strong record defending them in court. Besides, DC Rainmaker says Strava's case (especially the parts related to heat map patents) didn't appear to hold much water in the first place. Strava's initial move was all the more bizarre, considering how much its business model depends on activity data from Garmin devices. The two companies have a longstanding relationship, which you can imagine isn't so healthy at the moment. Losing access to Garmin's legion of devices could have been catastrophic to the San Francisco-based Strava, which plans to file an IPO next year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/strava-pulls-the-plug-on-its-garmin-lawsuit-after-just-21-days-204255109.html?src=rss

Verizon's latest ad defies CRT physics

I know there are bigger fish to fry, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't draw your attention to this travesty of a commercial Verizon just released. It's only 30 seconds long but may go down as one of the worst ads I've ever seen. Whats so offensive, you ask? Well, the carrier (and one-time parent company of Engadget) wants to promote the fact that it will give AT&T and T-Mobile customers a better deal on their wireless plan if they bring in their monthly cellular bill. That's all well and good, but we need to talk about the cathode-ray tube TV that's at the center of the commercial. The ad opens with a woman walking into a Best Buy-coded store and handing over a 27-inch CRT TV to a nearby sales associate. Hi, I got this old thing and the bill from the store where I got it, she tells the young salesperson while casually tossing the TV to him. Figured you could beat it with a better deal on one of these big boys, she adds, pointing to, lets be honest, an objectively worse flat panel TV . Now, I need to know: did anyone who worked on this commercial try to lift a CRT? Look, I know it's 2025, and even the newest sets are now close to two decades old, but even if you've never seen one in real-life, surely you've heard how heavy they are? If I had to guess, the TV we see in the commercial, which looks like an RCA 27R411T , weighs close to 75 pounds. There's a reason so many Facebook Marketplace listings recommend you bring a friend with you when you come pick up the CRT they're selling; most people can't lift even a mid-sized set on their own. I hate to think how Verizon made this commercial. CRTs are a dead technology. No company is making new consumer sets anymore, and any working CRTs left out in the world are on borrowed time. If the company gutted a working set to make this commercial, it means theres one less CRT in an ever-dwindling pool. Someone could have enjoyed that TV and stopped it from entering a landfill . But as for the rest of the commercial, its equally as bad. No big box retailer is accepting trade-ins for a CRT TV, and even if they were, trying to get rid of one that way would be a rookie move. CRTs, both TVs and monitors, are highly sought after by retro gamers. Even a relatively unknown set like the 27R411T can catch a few hundred dollars, especially if it's in pristine condition. In fact, a quick eBay search returns a seller looking for $350 for their 27R411T unit. But you know what our dear Verizon booster does? She just walks away without the CRT after the salesperson tells her the shop won't give her a better deal on a new TV. Guess you're not as cool as Verizon she says, uttering a thing no one in the history has ever said. Sorry, joke's on you, lady. Not only is that TV impossibly light, it's way cooler than anything Verizon has ever done. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/verizons-latest-ad-defies-crt-physics-202441012.html?src=rss

China's latest five-year plan aims for technological self-reliance

China's new five-year plan an overarching policy proposal for the next term of Chinese Communist Party leadership is focused on making the nation technologically self-reliant and less vulnerable to foreign pressure, Bloomberg reports . The plan has yet to be officially adopted, but is being released ahead of a summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping in South Korea. The main focus of the proposal is to make China's tech and science industries self-reliant and less dependent on products created by international companies. Bloomberg writes that the proposal is particularly interested in developing fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence which are currently driven in part by products from US companies like Nvidia and OpenAI. China also hopes to bolster domestic consumption and make the country less dependent on exporting, a business that's been thrown into chaos by a fluctuating tariff regime set by the Trump administration. Per the AP , this new five-year plan mostly builds on the previous five-year plan China set during Trump's first-term, which focused on investing in technology as part of the country's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the new plan aims to continue the growth of China's wind and solar industries and accelerate the all-out green transformation of economic and social development. In the context of the US and China's back and forth over international trade and access to resources , the new plan, as reported by Bloomberg and the AP , seems like a response to the growing tensions between the two countries. One that could make China less burdened by the US moving forward. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/chinas-latest-five-year-plan-aims-for-technological-self-reliance-194551489.html?src=rss

Leica's latest M camera drops the rangefinder in favor of an electronic viewfinder

When you're trying to keep Leica's digital camera lineups straight, the M-System was always the one with optical rangefinder display (and high price tag ). However. the company just upended that precedent with the M EV1, a 60MP mirrorless camera with a classic M design but an electronic viewfinder (EVF) in place of the rangefinder. It may upset purists, but it's a move that makes sense from a sales point of view. Leica's old-school film cameras used its M mount lens system and, in order to keep the bodies compact, didn't have reflex mirrors like SLRs. Instead, they used an optical rangefinder, which provides a weird, offset and inaccurate view of the scene. Leica kept the rangefinders when it launched its digital M cameras, even though it could have switched to an EVF. Leica In 2014, Leica launched a more modern mirrorless camera lineup with the new SL mount that did use electronic viewfinders. However, they have always lacked the cachet, compact size and gorgeous looks of the M-System, so don't appeal as much to well-heeled buyers that want the full Leica experience. Enter the M EV1, which looks exactly like you want a Leica to look but boots the rangefinder in favor of an EVF. Designed for both devoted Leica enthusiasts and those new to the M System, it makes capturing beautiful, intentional photographs easier than ever, the company wrote. Leica probably noticed buyers who wanted a pretty camera were drawn to the M series, but then put off by the wonky rangefinders. Handmade in Germany, the M EV1 is definitely beautiful, with the classic rounded rectangular M shape and a new diamond-patterned leatherette to give it a distinctive look compared to the rangefinder models. Leica also eliminated the dedicated ISO dial (the setting is now done via another control), which helped make it 1.62 ounces lighter than the M11-P. It has a new custom function lever that lets you activate focusing aids and digital zoom options while looking through the viewfinder. Leica That viewfinder is definitely a good one, with 5.76 million dots of resolution for a sharp view. The rear screen has a sharp 2.32-million-dot display, but is fixed in place and doesn't tilt. Otherwise, the M EV1 has similar specs to the M11-P. It has a high resolution 60MP sensor with support for 14-bit RAW images processed using Leica's excellent color science and burst speeds up to 4.5 fps. You can shoot with the mechanical shutter at up to 1/4000th and 1/16,000th in silent mode (flash sync is 1/180th). Focusing is strictly manual, with magnification and focus peaking assist functions. Naturally, it uses Leica's famous and tremendously expensive compact M mount lenses. There's no support for video. Though some features are old school, the M EV1 lets you connect to Leica's Fotos app via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or a cable for quick sharing on social media and elsewhere. It also supports Leica's Content Credentials system that enables the origin and history of an image to be clearly traced to avoid copyright theft or AI spoofing. Other features include 64GB of built-in storage along with UHS-II SD card support, and a meager 237 shots on a battery charge when using the EVF. Seeing the price is always a fun experience with a new Leica camera, and the M EV1 doesn't disappoint. It's now on pre-order for $8,995 (black, body only) with shipping set for later this year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/leicas-latest-m-camera-drops-the-rangefinder-in-favor-of-an-electronic-viewfinder-190547479.html?src=rss

The best MacBook for 2025: Which Apple laptop should you buy?

Picking the best MacBook may seem like an easy decision. After all, Apple just makes two models: the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. But the available variations within those categories screen size, chip type, capacity and more deserve some consideration. You also may wonder what the real-world differences are between models and who theyre best for. To make things even more interesting, Apple keeps announcing new chips. The latest, the M5 came out October 15 , and is now found in the base model, 14-inch MacBook Pro (as well as the iPad Pro and the Vision Pro). This guide breaks down Apples terminology, as well as all which upgrades make the most sense so you can get the best MacBook for what you want to do. Table of contents Best MacBooks for 2025 What about budget MacBooks? Factors to consider when buying a MacBook MacBooks specs comparison chart Best MacBook FAQs Best MacBooks for 2025 What about budget MacBooks? Historically, Apple kept the previous years MacBook Air in its lineup as a sort of budget option. But the company took a different approach with the release of the M4 MacBook Air. Instead of continuing to sell the older model, Apple discontinued the M3 Air and gave its newest computer a $100 price cut. Now, if you can even find a brand new M3 MacBook Air (typically from retailers like Amazon or B&H), its often more expensive than the M4 version. During sales like Amazon Prime Day, weve seen the newest M4 Air go for as little as $799. That effectively makes our overall pick a budget pick as well. Of course, $800 isnt exactly a small investment either for college students or others on a budget. Especially when you can find some decent PCs for under $500 . If youre looking to save even more on a MacBook, we recommend checking out refurbished options directly from Apple , or even third party sellers like BackMarket. There are a few guidelines to keep in mind, which we go over in our refurbished guide , but mainly, youll want to shop from a reputable source that has a stated process and offers at least a year-long warranty. Using your old gear as a trade-in will bring down your final cost as well. Factors to consider when buying a MacBook Compared to PCs, Apple computers tend to have more streamlined specifications. The company has long been known for this simplicity, and the M-series system-on-a-chip condenses things even further. Prior to the M1 chip, Apple used Intel chips in its laptop and desktop computers. The M2 and M3 generations followed that first chip and currently, MacBooks come equipped with M4 and M5-series chips. Youll find the standard M4 processor in the Air. The base-model 14-inch Pro now comes with either the latest M5 chip . Other Pro configurations have the M4 Max or the M4 Pro (currently there is no M4 Ultra chip, as there was with the M3 series in the Mac Studio). All M-series chips combine, among other technologies, the CPU, graphics card and unified memory (RAM). Apples Neural Engine is included too, which is a specialized group of processor cores that handles machine learning tasks such as image analysis and voice recognition. While a unified chip means you have fewer decisions to make when picking a MacBook, there are still a few factors to consider, including specs like the number of CPU cores, amount of RAM, storage capacity, screen size, and, obviously, price. The finish color may be a minor consideration, but it's worth pointing out that the Pro comes in just two colors (Silver or Space Black) but the Air comes in four hues (Midnight, Starlight, Sky Blue and Silver). CPU cores The lowest-specced chip in a current-lineup MacBook is the standard M4 chip, which is found in all models of the MacBook Air. That chip houses a 10-core CPU and either an 8- or 10-core GPU. The base-model MacBook Pro uses the latest M5 chip , but only on the 14-inch model. The upgraded versions of that laptop use the M4 Pro or M4 Max chips (which are a step up from their predecessors, the M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chips). The M4 Max is the burliest chip and built with either a 14- or 16-core CPU and a 32- or 40-core GPU. Cores are, in essence, smaller processing units that can handle different tasks simultaneously. Having more of them translates to the computer being able to run multiple programs and applications at once, while also smoothly processing demanding tasks like video and photo editing and high-level gaming. In short, more cores allow for more advanced computing and better performance. But if your processing power needs fall below professional-level gaming and cinematic video and audio editing, getting the highest number of cores is likely overkill and after all, more cores equals higher cost and more power usage. Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget RAM Your options for RAM (or unified memory) varies, but when Apple switched to the M4 chip for the MacBook Air, the lowest amount of RAM you can get was bumped to 16GB. Thats a necessary jump to accommodate the tech worlds favorite feature of the moment: AI or, in this case, Apple Intelligence (still AI, but Cupertinos version). The M4 Pro chip has 24 or 48GB memory options, while the M4 Max chip supports 48, 64 or a whopping 128GB of RAM. The M5 chip in the base-model MacBook Pro comes with a minimum of 16GB and can be configured to a maximum of 32GB of RAM.. Youve likely heard the analogy comparing memory to the amount of workspace available on a literal desktop surface, whereas storage is the amount of drawers you have to store projects to work on later. The larger the worktop surface, the more projects you can work on at once. The bigger the drawers, the more you can save for later. In addition to supporting Apple Intelligence, more RAM is ideal for people who plan to work in multiple apps at once. And the more demanding each program is, the more RAM will be required. Extra memory can also come in handy if youre the type who likes to have infinite numbers of tabs open on your browser. If your daily workflow doesnt involve simultaneously using a vast number of memory-intensive programs, you can save yourself money and buy the RAM configuration that youre most likely to actually use. For a long time, Apple continued to offer MacBooks with just 8GB of RAM, and we recommended upgrading to at least 16GB of RAM. With this being the standard today, grabbing a base model should be fine for most non-pro-level users. One thing to note is that, unlike most PCs, the RAM in a MacBook is not user-upgradable since its tied into the system-on-a-chip. If you think you might end up needing more memory, you should go for the spec upgrade up front. Storage capacity (SSD) Storage options range from 256GB of SSD for the base-model MacBook Air and 8TB of storage for the MacBook Pros with the M4 Max chip. If you want to rotate between a long roster of game titles or keep lots of high-res videos on hand, youll want more storage. If youre mostly working with browser- and cloud-based applications, you can get away with a smaller-capacity configuration. That said, we recommend springing for 512GB of storage or more, if its within your budget. Youll quickly feel the limits of a 256GB machine as it ages since the operating system alone takes up a good portion of that space. Having 1TB will feel even roomier and allow for more data storage over the life of your laptop. When Apple announced the iPhone 15 , the company also announced new iCloud+ storage storage plans , with subscriptions that allow up to 12TB of storage shared among your iOS and MacOS devices. You could also transfer files to an external storage device. But if you dont want to pay for a monthly subscription and prefer the convenience of having immediate access to your files, its best to get the highest amount of storage space your budget allows for at the outset. Screen size The MacBook Air comes in 13- or 15-inch sizes. Pro models have either 14- or 16-inch screens. A two-inch delta may not seem like much but, as Engadgets Nathan Ingraham noted when he reviewed the then-new 15-inch M2-powered MacBook Air, a larger screen makes a surprising difference. Thats especially true if you plan to use your laptop as an all-day productivity machine and wont be using an external monitor. More space means you can more clearly view side-by-side windows and have a more immersive experience when watching shows or gaming. But screen size is one of the main factors influencing weight. The 13-inch MacBook Air M4 weighs 2.7 pounds, whereas the top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro with the Max chip weighs 4.7 pounds. If you plan to travel a lot or swap your work locations regularly, a smaller screen will make life easier in the long run. All MacBooks feature IPS LCD panels ( in-plane switching , liquid crystal display), which Apple markets as Retina displays. The MacBook Air M4 has a Liquid Retina display and the Pro models have Liquid Retina XDR displays. Liquid refers to the way the lighted portion of the display flows within the contours of the screen, filling the rounded corners and curving around the camera notch. XDR is what Apple calls HDR (high dynamic range). You also get the option of a standard or nano-texture display on the MacBook Pro. The glass, which reduces glare and is also available on the Studio Display, iMac and iPad Pro, comes with a $150 price increase, but if you really dont like reflections on your screen, it could be worth it. Compared to most other laptops, MacBook displays are notably bright, sharp and lush. But one feature worth pointing out is another Apple marketing term: ProMotion. Its the companys term to describe a screen with a higher, 120Hz refresh rate, which results in smoother scrolling and more fluid-looking graphics. Only MacBook Pros offer ProMotion; the Air maxes out at 60Hz, which is perfectly fine for everyday browsing and typical workdays. But if you want buttery-smooth motion from your display, youll have to shell out more money for an upgrade. Operating systems Software considerations wont make much of a difference when deciding between MacBook models all come with macOS installed. But if youre switching from, say, a Windows PC, the operating system may be something to factor into your decision though its probably less of an issue than it once was. Now that so much of the work we do on our computers is browser- and cloud-based, the learning curve between the two platforms isnt as steep. Apps and programs like Gmail perform similarly regardless of what computer youre using. Apple machines have historically had more limited support of AAA gaming titles, but even that is changing with more AAA games and better graphics coming to Macs. As for macOS, its getting better too. With macOS Tahoe 26 , the Spotlight function is more advanced, making it easier to find apps and perform tasks straight from your keyboard. The software also implements Apple's unifying Liquid Glass design for a modern look that looks consistent across iOS and iPad devices. New enhanced iPhone continuity features also make MacBooks and the handset work better together. A revamped Shortcuts app is more powerful as well, giving users custom automations that leverage Apple Intelligence (the companys own AI). Price When Apple announced the MacBook Air M4, it also delivered a bit of refreshing news: The latest model now starts $100 cheaper than the previous generation. So now, the least expensive MacBook is the 13-inch, M4-powered Air with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $999. Alternatively, you can spend up to $7,349 for the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Max with the nano-texture glass, 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. Chip type, screen size, memory and storage capacity all influence the final price, which is why guides like this can help you determine just what you need (and what you dont) so you can get the most cost-effective machine for you. AppleCare is another cost to consider. The extended warranty plan from Apple covers repairs from accidents and offers free battery replacement and starts at $3.50 per month or $35 per year for MacBooks. We recommend the MacBook Air M4 for most people, and thanks to that $100 price cut, its also a good budget option. If you want something even cheaper, we recommend looking at refurbished M-series models from Apple. We think the 14-inch M5 or 16-inch M4 MacBook Pros are best for professionals. If you have extra money to spare once youve picked your machine, we recommend upgrading to at least 512GB of storage and 32GB of RAM to make your machine as future-proof as possible. Of course, if you're just after Apples silicon and want the cheapest route to get it, you might consider the M4 Mac mini , which starts at $599 (though you'll have to supply the screen, mouse and keyboard). Best MacBooks spec comparison chart Product Superlative Tested configuration Tested battery life Rated battery life Apple MacBook Air M4 (13-inch) Best MacBook overall Apple M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD 18.25 hours Up to 18 hours Apple MacBook Pro M5 (14-inch) Best MacBook for creatives Apple M5, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD 34.5 hours Up to 24 hours Best MacBook FAQs What's the difference between MacBook Air and Pro? The MacBook Air comes with the M4 chip. The 14-inch, base-model Pro comes with the M5 chip. MacBook Pro models have the option of more powerful M4 Pro or M4 Max chips. The Pro models have higher resolution screens with a higher peak brightness that supports up to 120Hz adaptive refresh rates and XDR (extreme dynamic range). The battery life on most Pro models is longer than on the Air models as well. Pro models also have more ports and more speakers. In short, the MacBook Air is aimed at everyday users looking for good productivity and entertainment capabilities, while Pro models are aimed at professionals who need a high-performance computer. What's the difference between macOS and Windows? MacOS is the operating system developed by Apple and used in all of its desktop and laptop computers. It can only be found in hardware made by Apple including MacBooks and iMacs. Microsofts Windows operating system can be found in the companys own Surface laptops as well as computers made by a wide array of manufacturers, like Acer, Asus, Dell and Razer. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/best-macbook-140032524.html?src=rss

Apple loses UK antitrust lawsuit over App Store fees

Apple will owe money to UK users after losing an App Store antitrust lawsuit there on Thursday, according to Financial Times . The Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled that the iPhone maker abused its dominant market position to inflate developer fees. The tribunal found that the company has near absolute market power for iOS app distribution and in-app payments. The decision declared that Apple has been abusing its dominant position by charging excessive and unfair prices. FT reports that Apple will appeal the decision. The class action claimants said damages of about 1.5bn would be split between 36 million consumers. A subsequent hearing to determine the process for resolving any questions relating to the calculation of damages could come as soon as next month. Apple has an increasingly strained relationship with the tighter regulations across the Atlantic. Earlier this week, the company stepped up its attacks on the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law designed to protect consumers from Big Tech dominance . And on Wednesday, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed that Apple has strategic market status in the country's equivalent of the DMA. That gives the CMA authority to ensure that mobile platforms are open to effective competition. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-loses-uk-antitrust-lawsuit-over-app-store-fees-184515613.html?src=rss

GDC is lowering ticket prices and overhauling many aspects of the conference

The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is undergoing a major overhaul, according to a report by the affiliated publication Game Developer . The reimagined conference is getting a name change, as it'll now be called the GDC Festival of Gaming. It's also changing up how passes work and transitioning the shift of its focus to meet today's broader, interconnected games industry. Let's start with the new simplified pass structure. The newly-announced Festival Pass replaces the pre-existing All-Access pass and costs 45 percent less than its predecessor. Pricing starts at $649 and offers access to all of the event's main content programming. Access to the main conference was previously segmented depending on a number of pass types. THE WAIT IS OFFICIALLY OVER! Registration for the 2026 GDC Festival of Gaming is NOW LIVE! Calling ALL game changers - devs, creators, publishers, investors, marketers & everyone in between! Experience the NEW GDC: Next-level networking Career-boosting sessions & pic.twitter.com/tH70wYwHoV Game Developers Conference (@Official_GDC) October 23, 2025 There are two other main pass types. The Digital Pass offers access to online-only networking and costs $799. The Game Changer Pass is the baddest of the bunch, offering all of the above plus access to a facilitated meetings program. This invite-only program promises meetings with industry icons and access to a series of talks called the Luminaries Speaker Series. That one costs $1,700. Indies, start-ups and academics can apply for discounts that can knock another $200 to $300 off the price tag. As for content, the organization seems to be placing a heavier focus on networking. Organizers say the event wants to serve the industry across every state of a game's life cycle and that all changes were informed and inspired by feedback from the community. The Expo Hall has been redesigned and renamed Festival Hall and will prioritize offering developers opportunities to connect with one another through game demos and social spaces. GDC president Nina Brown described the new event as celebrating the vital interconnection between creators, leaders and partners that drive the industry forward. GDC starts next year in San Francisco on March 9 . It goes until March 13 and passes are available now . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/gdc-is-lowering-ticket-prices-and-overhauling-many-aspects-of-the-conference-183855239.html?src=rss

Boox updates popular Palma E Ink device with color and 5G connectivity

If Amazon's new lineup of Kindle Scribes didn't pique your interest, Boox, a long-time player in the E Ink gadget space, might have what you're looking for. The company's recently announced Boox Palma 2 Pro and Note Air5 C offer color E Ink displays in two distinct sizes, and unlike the Scribe or reMarkable Paper Pro Move , let you run any Android app you want. The Palma 2 Pro is the more notable of the two devices. It's a premium sequel to the Boox Palma, a phone-shaped E Ink device that originally became popular as a healthy and less distracting alternative to scrolling on a smartphone. The Palma 2 Pro improves on the original with a 6.3-inch color E Ink screen (a Kaleido display, the same one used on the Kobo Libra Colour ) and support for 5G data through a new SIM card slot. The new Palma also runs Android 15, supports Boox's InkSense Plus stylus for taking notes and includes A-GPS for basic navigation. In other words, it's a much better smartphone replacement than before. A Boox Note Air5 C tablet in a keyboard cover. Boox The Note Air5 C is a bit more familiar. The 10.3-inch E Ink Android tablet is basically a larger version of the Boox Go 7 and Go 7 Color devices Boox announced earlier this year, and an update to the Note Air4 C that's graced Engadget's list of best E Ink tablets . The main changes Boox has made to this new model are that it runs Android 15 and supports a keyboard cover through the addition of pogo pins on the back. This makes it easier to type up documents on the device, and theoretically lets it support other accessories down the road. Alongside the keyboard, Boox says the new Note Air's Pen3 stylus is more comfortable to hold, and includes a removable cap for storing extra tips. Using an E Ink Kaleido display means the Note Air5 C might not offer quite the same experience as an iPad Pro with iPadOS 26 , but a newer version of Android and a keyboard gets it a lot closer. Both of Boox's new devices are available to order now, and should ship in November. The Boox Palma 2 Pro costs $400, while the Boox Note Air5 C costs $530, or $607 in a bundle with a keyboard cover. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/boox-updates-popular-palma-e-ink-device-with-color-and-5g-connectivity-180000230.html?src=rss

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao lands a Trump pardon

President Donald Trump has pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, the White House said. Zhao pleaded guilty to federal money laundering charges in 2023 and he was sentenced last year to four months in prison. He was released in September 2024. As part of his plea deal, Zhao stepped down as CEO of Binance and he was banned from having any involvement with the company for three years. Both Zhao and Binance reportedly submitted formal applications for pardons by August this year. Trump exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The Biden Administrations war on crypto is over. The Wall Street Journal notes that the pardon could pave the way for Binance to start doing business in the US again. The company was barred from operating there after pleading guilty to violating money laundering laws in 2023. Binance officials are said to have met with Treasury Department representatives this year in an attempt to reduce US oversight of the company. Binance is involved with the Trump family's World Liberty Financial cryptocurrency business a venture that has padded the president's pockets . For one thing, it bolstered the growth of USD1, a World Liberty cryptocurrency that's pegged to the dollar. Binance received a $2 billion investment this spring and that was paid in USD1 . According to CNBC , World Liberty has generated around $4.5 billion since last year's presidential election. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has also reportedly been angling for a Trump pardon. Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2024 after being found guilty of fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Crypto billionaire Justin Sun said last November that he'd invested $30 million into World Liberty (a figure that later rose to $75 million). In February, the Securities and Exchange Commission dropped a case against Sun. The agency had charged him in 2023 with alleged violations of securities laws. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/binance-founder-changpeng-zhao-lands-a-trump-pardon-174929498.html?src=rss

Mico is Microsoft's Clippy for the AI age

What if Clippy were powered by AI? That seems to be the pitch behind Microsoft's new expressive, customizable and warm face of Copilot's voice mode . The friendly blob listens, reacts and changes color in response to user interactions. Microsoft sees Mico as an answer to what an AI companion looks like. The optional visual presence aims to listen and support without kissing ass. It will push back on you sometimes, but always respectfully, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman wrote in a blog post. But don't take my word for it. Get ready for the most exciting 39 seconds of your day, as you watch Mico silently spin and shift hues. Clippy I mean, Mico is also part of a new Copilot feature called Learn Live. The student-focused voice mode will have Mico act as a Socratic tutor that guides you through concepts instead of just giving answers. Its tools will include questions, visual cues and interactive whiteboards. The Verge reports that Mico is only available in the US, UK and Canada at launch. The character is now being enabled by default for Copilot's voice mode. But you can turn it off if talking to fictional characters isn't your thing. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/mico-is-microsofts-clippy-for-the-ai-age-174524597.html?src=rss

Assassin's Creed Shadows will hit Switch 2 on December 2

Assasins Creed Shadows is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 on December 2, Ubisoft announced today in its fall roadmap update . The Switch 2 drop will include all of the games updates aside from the recent Claws of Awaji expansion, which will be added in 2026. Itll also support cross-progression through Ubisoft Connect, allowing players to continue a current game on the new platform. The Switch 2 version of Assassins Creed Shadows will support a unique feature, too: touchscreen interactions in the menus, including the world map, store and hideout. Ubisofts fall roadmap for Assassins Creed Shadows has three major dates. On October 28, title update 10 will target the parkour system, adding an Advanced Parkour option and reintroducing the directional catch ledge mechanic, among other tweaks. This update will also add a new Animus themed activity called Corrupted Castles. Then, on November 25, Ubisoft will roll out a third story drop and a surprise collaboration. The new quest is called A Puzzlement and its sillier in tone than Shadows itself, much more akin to something like AC Odyssey , according to developers. In it, Naoe will learn a version of Yasukes war kick ability, and Yasuke will discover how to sneak-stun enemies. On December 2, the Switch 2 release caps off the roadmap. The Claws of Awaji expansion brought more than 10 hours of new content to Assassins Creed Shadows in September, introducing new weapons, abilities, gear, enemy factions, bosses and story beats, plus a fresh region to explore. This will all come to the Switch 2 version of the game later in 2026. Assassins Creed Shadows debuted on PC, Mac, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on March 20, 2025, and its a welcome bright spot in Ubisofts library . The studio recently released Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 and the consensus seems to be that it runs surprisingly well . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/assassins-creed-shadows-will-hit-switch-2-on-december-2-172338735.html?src=rss

American e-waste is causing a 'hidden tsunami' of junk in Southeast Asia

An environmental watchdog group has suggested that millions of tons of discarded electronics from the US turn up in Asia and the Middle East each month, according to a report by ABC News . This has created a hidden tsunami of e-waste. The Seattle-based Basel Action Network (BAN) conducted a two-year investigation into the matter and reportedly discovered at least ten US companies that exported used electronics to countries like Vietnam and Malaysia. This waste includes stuff like discarded phones and computers, which is an issue due to integrated toxic metals like lead, cadmium and mercury. All told, around 2,000 containers of e-waste leave the US each month, totaling around 33,000 metric tons. The companies behind these shipments are described as e-waste brokers, as they don't recycle the waste themselves. Rather, they ship it off for someone else to deal with. These entities have names like Corporate eWaste Solutions, Semsotai, First America Metal Corp. and PPM Recycling. The ten companies named in the report allegedly exported e-waste valued at over $1 billion between January of 2023 and February of 2025. Trade could top out at more than $200 million each month across the industry. Semsotai has responded to the allegations, saying that it doesn't export scrap and only specializes in working components intended for reuse. It also accused BAN of bias. PPM Recycling accused BAN of exaggerating shipment volumes. Most of the companies named in the report, however, have chosen not to comment at this time. The report also indicates that US e-waste shipments allegedly made up six percent of all US exports to Malaysia between the years 2023 to 2025. Malaysia suddenly became this mecca of junk, said Jim Puckett of BAN. Containers have also been tracked to Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and the UAE. It's worth noting that global e-waste is growing five times quicker than recycling programs. The world produced 62 million metric tons of electronic waste in 2022, a number that's expected to climb to 82 million by 2030 . This is according to the United Nations International Telecommunication Union and its research arm, UNITAR Most countries around the world have banned these kinds of imports under the Basel Convention , which is an international treaty addressing hazardous waste trade. The US is the only industrialized nation that hasn't ratified the treaty . This means that America, which is the second largest producer of e-waste in the world , is not bound by any of the rules set forth in the Basel Convention. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/american-e-waste-is-causing-a-hidden-tsunami-of-junk-in-southeast-asia-171344351.html?src=rss

Claude can now compartmentalize as part of a major memory upgrade

Back in August, Anthropic made Claude capable of remembering past conversations . With the update, people could reference specific chats, so that they wouldn't need to repeat themselves when revisiting a topic. Today, the company has begun out a new, enhanced memory feature set, with the included improvements coming to all paying users. Plenty of chatbots, including ChatGPT and Gemini , can remember past conversations, but Anthropic believes its implementation has a few legs up on the competition. For one, Claude will learn your preferences and work patterns over time, which Anthropic says will translate to the chatbot getting better at understanding how you work. Additionally, the company claims Claude is fully transparent about its memory, meaning users will see an actual synthesis of what it has recorded over time, instead of vague summaries. If you want to edit its memory, you can do so through conversation. At the same, Anthropic has made it easy to compartmentalize the data Claude collects. When using the Projects feature to group conversations together, the chatbot will create a distinct memory space for each grouping. In this way, information Claude has saved from your work conversations won't bleed over to your personal chats, for example. If you're coming from ChatGPT or Gemini, Anthropic has made it possible to import saved memories from those chatbots to Claude. You can also export any tidbits of context Claude saves to other AI platforms. Ahead of today's announcement, Anthropic notes it conducted extensive testing to determine if Claude's new capabilities would lead to greater sycophancy and more harmful conversations. Though this testing, we identified areas where Claudes responses needed refinement and made targeted adjustments to how memory functions, the company said. These iterations helped us build and improve the memory feature in a way that allows Claude to provide helpful and safe responses to users. Max subscribers can enable Claude new memory capabilities starting today, with availability for Pro users to follow in the coming days. The feature is fully optional, and won't be turned on unless you toggle it through the settings menu. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/claude-can-now-compartmentalize-as-part-of-a-major-memory-upgrade-170000194.html?src=rss

Amazon calls on AI once again with its new Help Me Decide shopping tool

People are evidently never buying quite enough stuff from Amazon to keep the company entirely happy, and it's calling on AI once again to push indecisive shoppers into locking down the purchase theyve been eyeing up. The new tool, which Amazon calls Help Me Decide , gives shoppers in the US personalized recommendations of products they should buy by analyzing their browsing history, searches and preferences. Its designed to help customers who have been looking at a number of products in a particular category, such as wireless headphones, to decide which one best suits their needs. The Help Me Decide button will pop up on a product detail page when it detects that youve been browsing for a while without making a final choice. If you choose to tap for AI assistance, it will pull together all the information it can find on your relevant shopping history and recommend the product it deems the right choice for you. It also recommends an alternative upgrade pick and a similar product for those on a budget. Help Me Decide can also group together related searches. Amazon uses the example of the tool recommending an all-season tent for four people based on you previously looking for adult and kids sleeping bags that keep you warm, camping accessories and childrens hiking boots. The recommendation it chooses includes an explanation of why its the best pick for you based on its features and your previous purchases, and pulls in customer reviews to back it up. This suggests that how useful the recommendations are will ultimately come down to how much you take notice of customer reviews. When searching for products to recommend to you, Help Me Decide leverages Amazon's Bedrock and SageMaker machine learning platforms, as well as its OpenSearch tool, to marry up all the different factors it takes into consideration. It follows the introduction of the Interests tool earlier this year, which uses AI to generate shopping results based on your natural language prompts. Back In May, the company also started experimenting with AI-generated hosts that can summarise products for you before you buy them, again relying heavily on customer reviews for its information. Help Me Decide is live in the US now and can be found in the Amazon app (iOS and Android) and mobile browser. If you tap Keep shopping for it should show up, and will do the same on a product detail page after youve looked at a number of products in a related category. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazon-calls-on-ai-once-again-with-its-new-help-me-decide-shopping-tool-164516673.html?src=rss

OpenAI reportedly asked for memorial guest list in teen suicide case

The family of Adam Raine has filed an amended lawsuit against OpenAI. Raine died by suicide in April, and his family claims ChatGPT enabled the tragedy . The updated lawsuit accuses the company of weakening self-harm safeguards in the period leading up to Raine's death, according to Financial Times . In addition, the company reportedly asked for a list of attendees and documents from Raine's memorial service. The accusations in the amended lawsuit relate to GPT-4o, ChatGPT's default model in the months before Raine's suicide. The suit says OpenAI removed crucial protections by instructing it not to change or quit the conversation when discussing self-harm. The filing claims the company truncated safety testing due to competitive pressures. The lawsuit reportedly says OpenAI weakened its guardrails again in February. At that point, the company allegedly instructed GPT-4o to take care in risky situations and try to prevent imminent real-world harm rather than refusing to engage on the subject. The filing adds that the model still had a series of disallowed content. Intellectual property rights and the manipulation of political opinions were said to be included. Suicide wasn't. In addition, FT reports that OpenAI requested a complete list of attendees at Adam Raine's memorial. The company asked for all documents relating to memorial services or events in the honour of the decedent including but not limited to any videos or photographs taken, or eulogies given... as well as invitation or attendance lists or guestbooks. Lawyers for the Raine family described the request as unusual and intentional harassment. They speculated that OpenAI would subpoena everyone in Adams life. Engadget reached out to OpenAI for comment. We'll update this story if we hear back. After the initial lawsuit was reported, the company acknowledged GPT-4o's shortcomings in some distressing situations. OpenAI introduced ChatGPT parental controls soon after. In addition, it's exploring a system to identify teen users and automatically restrict their usage . The company says GPT-5 , the current default, is updated to better handle signs of distress. Raine's parents, Matthew and Maria Raine, claim Adam's use of ChatGPT shot up dramatically after the model's February updates. They say that, in January, he only had a few dozen chats with the model, 1.6 percent of which referred to self-harm. But they claim that in April, his use rose to 300 chats daily, with 17 percent regarding self-harm. The Raines first sued OpenAI in August. The wrongful death suit alleged that ChatGPT was aware of four suicide attempts before helping Adam plan his actual death. The filing says the company prioritized engagement over safety. Maria Raine concluded that ChatGPT killed my son. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-reportedly-asked-for-memorial-guest-list-in-teen-suicide-case-163309269.html?src=rss

Microsoft makes Edge's Copilot Mode a bit smarter

Apparently, web browsers are cool again. Two days after OpenAI launched its AI browser , Microsoft has some updates for its Edge's AI mode. (Fancy that!) Copilot Mode, introduced in July , now has several features that were teased at launch. First up: Copilot Actions, which is Microsoft's branding for AI-assisted, multi-step tasks. This feature is already available in the standard version of Copilot, but it's now being previewed for Edge's Copilot Mode. Microsoft's examples of Copilot Actions in Edge include unsubscribing from email newsletters or making a restaurant reservation. Another new (but previously announced) feature is Journeys. These are saved projects you can return to anytime. Remember that project you started a while back, but life got in the way? Microsoft's blog post asks. No need to bookmark all those tabs. For example, if you're researching starting a business, Copilot can recap articles you've read, suggest next steps and resurface a tutorial video you watched. Here's a video from when Microsoft teased Journeys in July. Along similar lines, another new Copilot Mode feature is the option to let the assistant access your browsing history. One example Microsoft gives is chatting with Copilot about a clothing item you checked out last week. Or, ask it for movie recommendations based on content you previously liked. Copilot requires explicit permission to access your private data for these new features. Microsoft's blog post stresses that your browser data is protected under the company's privacy statement and that Copilot only collects what's needed to improve your experience. The company also notes that you'll see clear visual cues so you know when Copilot is active. Still, these features require loads of private information to be useful. Don't grant those permissions without first giving it some serious thought. The new Copilot features are currently free in a US-only limited preview. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-makes-edges-copilot-mode-a-bit-smarter-160031147.html?src=rss

Europe's big three aerospace manufacturers combine their space divisions to create a rival to SpaceX

Europe's big three aerospace manufacturers are combining their space divisions to create a joint business. This leading European player in space could be a real rival to America's SpaceX, according to reporting by Financial Times . The companies Airbus, Leonardo and Thales have finalized this deal. The new unnamed entity will be based in France and will employ around 25,000 people. Airbus will own 35 percent, while the other two companies will each own 32.5 percent. Thales, Leonardo and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at creating a leading European player in space. Read the full announcement here: https://t.co/bbhPWU5hWd #Europe #Space @Airbus @Leonardo_live @Thales_Alenia_S @Telespazio @AirbusSpace @LDO_Space pic.twitter.com/iz8IsChAhb Thales Group (@thalesgroup) October 23, 2025 Executives are hoping this company will better serve Europe's need for sovereignty in space and help it create a rival to SpaceX's Starlink communications network. Increasing a presence in space is also seen as a good thing for security and defense. This proposed new company marks a pivotal milestone for Europes space industry. It embodies our shared vision to build a stronger and more competitive European presence in an increasingly dynamic global space market, the companies wrote in a joint statement. By pooling our talent, resources, expertise and R&D capabilities, we aim to generate growth, accelerate innovation and deliver greater value to our customers and stakeholders. This isn't just bluster. Thales and Airbus have long been rivals in the satellite market, but it looks like they are friends now. Leonardo is known for space systems and services. Combining all three could actually give SpaceX a run for its money, but we will have to wait and see. There are no planned site closures, as the companies say that each home country will keep its existing capabilities. This will be a standalone company, so think of it as an extremely well-financed startup. The first task for the upstart? Reporting indicates it'll be to find more efficient ways to develop and manufacture satellites. Discussions about this merger have been going on since 2019. Regulators still have to approve the deal, though the companies say they expect the new entity will be operational by 2027. Starship reenters Earths atmosphere on Flight 11. Data gathered from this flight will inform future Starship missions that will return to the launch site for catch and reuse pic.twitter.com/34WV9ZVtAA SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 17, 2025 As for SpaceX, the company is currently developing a next-gen version of its Starship super-heavy lift vehicle. It's also slowly planning a manned mission to the moon , but that recently hit a snag that could mandate a lengthy delay. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/europes-big-three-aerospace-manufacturers-combine-their-space-divisions-to-create-a-rival-to-spacex-153424228.html?src=rss

Microsoft reportedly ordered its Xbox division to boost profits to an unrealistic level

The last 12 months have been pretty depressing for anyone invested in the long-term future of Xbox and the general health of the games industry. Back in May, Microsoft laid off 3 percent of its global workforce, with the companys gaming division being one of the big casualties , and a number of upcoming titles were subsequently canceled . It painted a picture of a brand in crisis, but according to a new report , Microsoft has been setting its gaming division unrealistic profit targets for several years. Sources told Bloomberg that in 2023, Microsoft implemented an across-the-board goal of 30 percent profit margins, which the report says Microsoft calls accountability margins internally. As Bloomberg s Jason Schreier reports, this target, which was set by Microsofts Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood in fall 2023, is well above the recent industry average of 17-22 percent quoted by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Schreier adds that Xboxs own average in the last six years is between 10 and 20 percent. S&P Global analyst Neil Barbour told Bloomberg that Microsofts 30 percent target is the kind of margin usually reserved for a publisher that is really nailing it. This is despite its gaming division only landing at 12 percent in the first nine months of 2022, as quoted in the report. A Microsoft spokesperson told Bloomberg that it views individual games and projects differently with regards to what constitutes success, adding that it sometimes has to making tough decisions, including ending development on games, so it can shift its resources toward the projects that are more aligned with our direction and priorities. The new profit targets were introduced in the same year that Microsoft finally completed its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, landing it hugely popular franchises such as Call of Duty and Diablo. Back in 2020 it acquired ZeniMax, the parent company of Bethesda, which means that long-running series like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout also now sit under the umbrella of Xboxs gaming division. Since 2018, Microsoft has been putting all of its first-party releases on Game Pass from day one, but this model has contributed to games failing to hit their 30 percent profit margin targets, according to Bloomberg s sources. Xbox does offer developers a credit it calls member-weighted value, which takes into consideration factors such as the collective number of hours Game Pass subscribers have spent in a game, although this formula tends to benefit multiplayer titles the most. Going forward, Bloomberg s sources said Microsoft is likely to favor funding games with cheap development costs and proven revenue-generators over riskier projects. Xbox has been successful in bringing some of its first-party games to other platforms, including its primary rival in Sonys PS5, with major titles such as Forza Horizon 5 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle making the jump in the last 12 months. In the wake of Microsoft raising the price of Xbox consoles in the US last month, the second time it has done so in 2025, it also slapped Game Pass Ultimate with a 50 percent subscription fee hike at the start of October. This week the company increased the cost of Xbox dev kits by $500. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-reportedly-ordered-its-xbox-division-to-boost-profits-to-an-unrealistic-level-150210398.html?src=rss

A two-pack of Blink Mini 2 cameras is 60 percent off right now

If you're in the market for a budget-friendly home security camera (or even several), the Blink Mini 2 may be worth considering. A two-pack of the cameras is on sale at Amazon as the bundle has dropped from $70 to $28 . That's a discount of 60 percent, which is certainly nothing to shake at. This is also a better price than the $35 we saw for the cameras during Prime Day . Amazon recently revealed a newer version of the Blink Mini that records 2K footage, but the 1080p Blink Mini 2 can still get the job done. The Blink Mini 2 is our pick for the best budget security camera . It's easy to set up and it integrates neatly into the Alexa smart home ecosystem. While you need a Blink Subscription for cloud storage ($3 for one camera, $10 for as many as you like), you can pick up a Sync Module 2 or Sync Module XR to store Blink Mini 2 footage locally. A Blink Subscription also enables specialized detection and alerts (e.g. for people and pets) and features like periodic photo captures. The Blink Mini 2 is weather resistant, though you'll need an adapter to use it outdoors. Additionally, you can use the Mini 2 as a plug-in chime that sounds when someone presses a Blink Video Doorbell. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/a-two-pack-of-blink-mini-2-cameras-is-60-percent-off-right-now-144258368.html?src=rss

Baby Steps isn't done with Maxi Boch

Maxi Boch isnt done with Baby Steps . Boch has enjoyed a productive career in game development and she knows how it feels to be creatively finished with a project. She experienced it at various points with Rock Band , Dance Central , Fantasia: Music Evolved and Ape Out , but on Baby Steps launch day, done was not the vibe. I've been in the industry for a long time; I shipped broken strumbars for Rock Band , Boch told Engadget. I know that things change over time in this world, and it's not to say that Baby Steps is not done. It's done. But whether I'm done with Baby Steps , this is a different story. To make a long one short: Bochs collaborators, Bennett Foddy and Gabe Cuzzillo, were ready and excited to ship the game before she was, and so they did. Baby Steps hit PC and PlayStation 5 on September 23, 2025 (following one strategic delay to avoid the Hollow Knight: Silksong release window). From the players side, Baby Steps feels like a finely honed experience. Its a walking simulator that follows Nate, a manchild in a gray onesie, as he attempts to scale a mountain and symbolically escape his parents basement. The player controls Nates legs individually, lifting each knee and carefully placing one foot in front of the other, learning how to walk in the very literal sense. Baby Steps succeeds because of its mechanical precision, but it excels because of its irreverent tone, magically surreal setting and AAA levels of polish. The mountain is a mix of childhood memories and adult anxieties represented by giant chess pieces, rude graffiti, and a crew of drinking, smoking, anthropomorphic donkeys who wander the cliffs with their dicks swinging free. Improvised dialogue between Nate and the NPCs turns each cutscene into a comedy sketch, but his journey also includes shocking revelations of existential numbness. In Baby Steps , falling is just as much of a mechanic as walking. You will fall dramatically, drastically, down crevasses that took hours to climb and Nate will bounce and slide and eventually just lay there, mumbling to himself while his onesie fills with mud. And then youll pick him back up and start walking again. Youll settle his steps into a soothing cadence. Youll marvel at the way his sweat slowly saturates the material at the base of his spine, just above his bulbous butt. Youll try to skip a cutscene and realize that in order to do so, you need to play a minigame with the X prompt. Youll learn how to run. And somewhere along the way, youll remember what it feels like to just enjoy play . Baby Steps Devolver Digital As a former marching band member, I appreciate the sense of rhythm thats built into Baby Steps , spurred by the animal sounds and natural-world musical cues that are tied to Nates footfall in specific areas. This is Bochs area of expertise, and also the main reason she doesnt feel finished with the game. Boch and her collaborators ended up using a slapdash mosaic of audio middleware and low-level software for Baby Steps , and a series of late-stage issues infused all of the songs in the game with incorrect samples. On launch day, the music and audio cues werent reacting as intended when Nate stepped, stumbled and fell. On September 23, the day that Baby Steps came out, Boch and I talked for an hour about its development process. Our conversation gently circled the topic of perseverance, the games core theme, but we only directly acknowledged it at minute 59. Its not something you need to scream or repeat tenacity is the obvious message in a game about climbing a mountain on wobbly feet but it was fascinating to learn why Boch in particular was inspired to build a game about endurance. Making Baby Steps Boch, Foddy and Cuzzillo started working on Baby Steps right after they released Ape Out and cemented their names in the annals of frenetic, bloody and slightly silly indie history. Foddy was already known as the creator of QWOP , GIRP and Getting Over It , and Boch as the rhythmic and hardware mastermind behind the largest AAA music games of the mid-2000s. The trio worked out of Boch and Foddys shared office at the NYU Game Center, where they were instructors and Cuzzillo was finishing up a graduate degree with Ape Out as his final project. They began prototyping Baby Steps around March 2019. At that point, I also started manifesting more symptoms of my chronic illness, and so I was in the midst of a period of an attempt at really intense reconditioning, which ultimately failed, Boch said. But when that period was over, I joined up with the crew again. Boch lives with a trifecta of chronic illnesses: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. EDS is a connective tissue disorder that affects the entire body, and it can cause hypermobility, fatigue, vision issues, fragile skin and an increased risk of vascular ruptures. People with POTS experience an abnormally large increase in heart rate when changing posture, and MCAS is a disorder that releases excessive amounts of histamine and similar chemicals in the body, causing random and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. Its common for people with one of these diagnoses to also receive the others. Its been an incredible challenge, Boch said. I think, easily, the hardest thing I've had to deal with in my life. I think there's something very singular about each one of us, the three core members of this crew, and part of that is our ability to work fluidly across disciplines and the like. But another part of it is just a level of stick-to-it-iveness that my body has handily rejected, and so I'm in a fight with it all the time. Baby Steps Devolver Digital Boch has an arsenal of specialized tools to help her create games, including ergonomic (and very expensive) keyboards and a pair of glasses that act as a mouse. I have found that most of what game development is about and is oriented around is kind of hostile to those of us with poor fine-motor skills, and it's an odd thing to be experiencing alongside the making of a thing that is stridently difficult, Boch said. There's odd moments in it, where I have been going through physical therapy processes to retrain my actual walking, alongside working on this thing that is deconstructing walking. A very odd subset of feelings. Boch said the hardest thing for her to contend with is the moment-to-moment unpredictability of her health. But by the fall of 2019, she was back in the office with Cuzzillo and Foddy, iterating on the ideas that would eventually become Baby Steps . Cuzzillo and Foddy were feeling slightly discouraged at this point: They were four or five ideas deep, messing around with a competitive, real-time strategy game or a SimCity type of experience, but nothing was quite right. Boch encouraged them to return to their ridiculous, mechanically-driven roots. I think it started to become a lot clearer in everyone's mind when it started to take on aspects of Bennetts work, Boch said. The first handful of years of Baby Steps development, we were all playing various sorts of roles. The work of VO direction, recording and narrative development was something we were all working on together. Some of the foundational narrative premise things are concepts that I brought to the table as ways to try and prop up some world around this character. Lots of tools building and infrastructural work and all of the foundational stuff that makes it possible for a team that's so tiny to make a thing that's so strong. The Baby Steps crew shared a house in upstate New York during the first winter of the pandemic in 2020. They hiked together and worked on the game at one big folding table, enjoying the mountain air with their partners and each other. There were no strict roles on the game development side, with Boch, Cuzzillo and Foddy contributing to all aspects at once, including voice work. Over time, there are aspects of the narrative development that became increasingly more personal to my collaborators, Boch said. And they started to feel more comfortable in a director-less environment in terms of coaxing naturalistic performances out of themselves, and so that work became more disjointed. By the time they were recording voices and finding characters through improvisation in the sound booth, Boch happened to be in the early stages of transitioning. Vocal training and voice acting are a tricky mix, it turns out. I kind of recognized what it was going to take to be doing voiceover performance myself in the midst of my early transition, and I made the call that it was not the right activity for me, Boch said. So my characters were cut it was like one or two and I endeavored to strike up some novel collaborations on the audio side. For the past year and half in particular, Boch has been focused on all things audio in Baby Steps , as well as overseeing big-picture production tasks. She brought on a collaborator from the world of hardcore techno music, Jack Schlesinger, and he primarily handled system architecture details while Boch dealt with creative aspects. DJ Ashe Kilbourne and harpist Emily Hopkins rounded out the list of audio contributors. When she was able, Boch took an improvised sound kit into the wild and collected nature noises, and the team stitched together a reactive audio system using middleware and leftover bits of software from the Harmonix days. When Baby Steps dynamic audio kicks in, and the boops, chirps and thunks start layering on top of one another as Nate waddles along, it adds a delicious sense of hypnosis to the game. Unfortunately, the audio systems fell apart in the final weeks before launch. The VO was fine, but many of the sounds and beats werent populating in the right places at the proper times, and Bochs vision wasnt being clearly communicated day-one. The foundations of game audio tooling are terrible, Boch said. She continued, The world of game audio, from my perspective, is a bunch of people who are sitting on top of a bunch of work they've done to write drivers to talk to consoles, and a bunch of work they've done to forge relationships with console manufacturers so that their audio technology will be licensed by the two major engines. But they're both trash. I will not endorse either one, and I will not say that either one is capable of doing the kind of work that I need done. Since launch, the Baby Steps audio team has released patches addressing the sampling issues and adjusting dynamic audio cues across the game. An imminent update will introduce animals singing along with the songs, outdoor and indoor reverb simulations across all sounds, and other fixes. Boch has additional updates and surprises planned, including a Baby Steps Fi Beats livestream to showcase the games music on YouTube. By November, the audio team will be focused on composing. Baby Steps is only going to get more immersive as the audio improvements roll out. And if you listen closely, youll be able to hear Boch voicing a few small roles throughout the game. I play, like, a baby and a hypothetical gay partner for Nate and a bunch of other random characters, Boch said. There's some cosmic sadness on my part, that the timing worked out in exactly the ways that it did. But I don't know, it's the cards you're dealt. It's important to do the thing that's true to you. One glaring truth that shook out during the Baby Steps development process was the supremely close and infectious bond between Cuzzillo and Foddy. The games dialogue and cutscenes are composed of off-the-cuff conversations and rambling inside jokes between Cuzzillo and Foddy, and each of these moments is delightful in a chaotic kind of way. Like a classic comedy duo, these developers share an undeniable resonance. Theyre even born on the same day and they have older brothers with the same birthday, two facts that Boch finds adorable. I'm not a horoscope person at all, but they have a kind of cosmic level of synchronicity that they both acknowledge, but also are a little bit like, What, this? Boch said. They have plenty that they disagree about and plenty that they bicker about, but there's something about their orientations toward the world that's perplexing and generative. They are immensely talented folks. Taking Baby Steps In the end, Cuzzillo and Foddy felt finished with Baby Steps before Boch. She didnt want to hold their joy hostage, so the audio team made it work and they shipped the game on September 23, 2025, published by Devolver Digital. That kind of dream-deferred shit is emotional torture, and so I had no interest in putting them through that, they had no interest in going through that, Boch said. It makes sense to me to be landing in the place that we are. Baby Steps Devolver Digital I caught up with Boch three weeks after Baby Steps release date to see if she was feeling more done, now that the launch-day dust had settled. She said it was a hard question. There is so much more that I am interested in exploring, and so much more that I have set up in terms of pins to knock down, she said. I think this is a struggle that highlights the inherent tension of trying to make art at this boundary between a fine art practice and a commercial art practice. I think that for the sake of the work, and for the sake of me and my team as artists, the tech I have built deserves to continue to be refined in a different context, one wherein sound is more paramount. That's where we're headed. This is a tease of whats next for Boch, even though shes still finishing up Baby Steps . Shes planning on leaving NYU, spurred by the unpredictability of her health, but shes not done making games. Her next one will be more personal. It's important to me to share what I'm doing with people, Boch said in September. I think that there is not enough in the world of games that puts audio at its very center. I think that my personal ambitions and future ambitions are definitely leaning more in that direction by the day. I had a long time of needing to get some space from interactive audio as The Thing. Where my winds are blowing is in that direction. Baby Steps exists in its current form because Boch and her teammates were able to adapt and endure. They were honest about what was working, what wasnt and what could, and they leaned into the aspects that felt the most natural to them. Boch in particular set aside her ego, listened to her body, and took things day by day. You know, baby steps. The process of transition is one that involves an enormous amount of self-reflection and a growing sense of self knowledge, Boch said. Ultimately, that process for me was kind of orthogonal to the storytelling of Baby Steps . There's a lot that comes from lived experience, and from commiserating and sharing that lived experience between Bennett and Gabe, and you can see that very clearly in the work. There's also just ways in which that process was illuminating to me in terms of inherent differences. There's an aspect of it that came alongside the necessity of slowing down, and then the subsequent necessity of staying inside that hit with my chronic illness and then Covid. There was a way in which I was more with myself at that moment than Ive ever been. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/baby-steps-isnt-done-with-maxi-boch-140000613.html?src=rss

Tesla's profits plunge despite record revenue and deliveries

Tesla said it achieved record vehicle deliveries globally for the third quarter of 2025 with a total of 497,099 vehicles delivered. It also reported a record-breaking revenue of $28.1 billion, which is 12 percent higher than the same quarter in 2024. Tesla's net income, however, slid by 37 percent year-over-year, due to several factors, namely lower EV prices, an increase in spending on AI and other R&D projects, and of course, tariffs. Vaibhav Taneja, the automaker's finance chief, said during the earnings call that tariffs on imported car parts and raw materials cost the company more than $400 million in the third quarter. Taneja added that he expects research and development spending to continue to grow. During the call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that he expects the company to deploy its first robotaxis with no drivers behind the wheel by the end of this year, starting with some parts of Austin. If you'll recall, Tesla launched its first robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas back in June. There have been several reports of the robotaxis running into issues since then, including an instance wherein one drove into a parked car . Musk said Tesla was obviously being very cautious about the deployment, but that he expects his company to be operating fully driverless vehicles in eight to ten new states before 2025 ends. Musk revealed, as well, that Tesla's homegrown AI5 artificial intelligence chip will be manufactured both by Samsung in Texas and by TSMC in Arizona. Tesla is apparently aiming to manufacture more than it needs for its electric vehicles and upcoming Optimus robots so that it can use the excess units in its data centers. He clarified that Tesla isn't going to stop using NVIDIA chips, but that it will continue using them in combination with AI5. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/teslas-profits-plunge-despite-record-revenue-and-deliveries-133004231.html?src=rss

Meta removes AI deepfake video of Irish presidential candidate

Meta has removed a deepfake AI video of Irish presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, which featured a false depiction of the politician saying that she's withdrawing from the election. According to The Irish Times , the AI-generated video was shared nearly 30,000 times on Facebook just days before Ireland's election on October 24 prior to it being removed from the website. Connolly called the video a disgraceful attempt to mislead voters and undermine [Ireland's] democracy and assured voters that she was absolutely still a candidate for President of Ireland. The video was posted by an account which had named itself RT News AI, which is not affiliated with the actual Irish public service broadcaster Raidi Teilifs ireann. It copied the likenesses not just of Connolly, but also of legitimate RT journalist Sharon N Bheolin and correspondent Paul Cunningham. It is with great regret that I announce the withdrawal of my candidacy and the ending of my campaign, the AI version of Connolly said in the fake video. N Bheolin was shown reporting about the announcement and confirming the candidate's withdrawal from the race. The AI version of Cunningham then announced that the election was cancelled and will no longer take place, with Connolly's opponent Heather Humphreys automatically winning. Connolly, an independent candidate, is leading the latest polls with 44 points. Meta removed the RT News AI account completely after being contacted by the Irish Independent . The company told The Irish Times that it removed the video and account for violating its community standards, particularly its policy prohibiting content that impersonates or falsely represents people. Irish media regulator Coimisin na Men said it was aware of the video and had asked Meta about the immediate measures it took in response to the incident. Meta has been struggling to keep deepfake and maliciously edited videos featuring celebrities and politicians under control for years now. The company's Oversight Board warned it earlier this year that it wasn't doing enough to enforce its own rules and urged it to train content reviewers on indicators of AI-manipulated content. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-removes-ai-deepfake-video-of-irish-presidential-candidate-130059996.html?src=rss

Dropbox is bringing its Dash AI features into the main app

Dropbox is integrating some of Dash's AI features into its main app, giving its users access to a smarter search function, summaries and contextual answers from the files they've uploaded to the app. The company launched Dash back in 2023 as an AI-powered universal search bar that people can use to find information in their work-related apps like Slack, Canva, Google Workspace and Microsoft Outlook. However, it's primarily a tool for larger businesses that use Dropbox. This time, though, the company is bringing its search capabilities into the main app for everyone to use. For now, the Dash AI-powered capabilities in the Dropbox app are only available to a small group of users, but they will be widely available in the coming months. Like most other AI chatbots, the AI in the app will allow users to use natural language to describe what they're looking for, whether it's a PDF or a photo. They can also ask the AI to summarize or find what's new in specific files already in their account. Dropbox is working with a startup called Mobius Labs, as well, to give Dash AI the capabilities to search within videos, audio and images soon. Those who'd like to give Dash's AI features in the Dropbox app a try can sign up for the waitlist if they haven't been invited to test them out yet. Meanwhile, the Dash app itself is now available to teams of all sizes even if they don't have a Dropbox plan. Dropbox This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/dropbox-is-bringing-its-dash-ai-features-into-the-main-app-130013854.html?src=rss

Amazon's revamped Luna streaming service is available now

After detailing its plans to revamp its game streaming service at the beginning of October, Amazon is finally ready to relaunch Luna. The new Amazon Luna is available at no additional cost for Prime subscribers, and now includes new beginner-friendly multiplayer games. If you've tried Luna in the past or most other game streaming services for that matter the biggest change Amazon is making is the addition of GameNight. It's a collection of multiplayer games reworked so they can be controlled with a smartphone, to make it as easy as possible for friends and family to play. GameNight includes titles like The Jackbox Party Pack 9 , and reimagined versions of Tetris Effect: Connected and Angry Birds , among other options. GameNight also adds at least one original game, Courtroom Chaos: Starring Snoop Dogg , which places players in faux-courtroom battles judged by an AI-powered facsimile of Snoop Dogg. As before, Luna also gives you access to games that need to be played with a controller (either connected over Bluetooth or over Wi-Fi in the case of Amazon's Luna Controller). To pair with the update, Amazon is adding Indiana Jones and the Great Circle , Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Hogwarts Legacy to the Luna library. For an additional $10 a month for Luna Premium (formerly known as Luna+) you can also unlock an even larger library. If you already have a Prime subscription, these changes make Luna an easy sell. You might have to deal with some buffering, but in exchange, you get access to free entertainment for your next party, and a premium Xbox game without a Game Pass subscription . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/amazons-revamped-luna-streaming-service-is-available-now-130000613.html?src=rss

This Anker 5K power bank with built-in USB-C connector is on sale for less than $20

A portable battery is a necessity now, especially if your phone's battery has seen better days. But a portable battery is useless if you don't have the proper cords to connect your devices to it, so you often need to remember to pack more than just one thing. A few battery packs solve that problem, including Anker's Nano Power Bank . Now our choice for best portable charger for Android is even more tempting, thanks to a 36 percent markdown. The Anker Nano Power Bank is down to $19 from $30 in the USB-C model. The discount is available in the classic Black or White and the more fun colors Ice Lake Blue, Lilac Purple and Sprout Green. You can use Anker's Nano Power Bank with devices such as the iPhone 15 and newer, Samsung S22 and S23 series, AirPods and the iPad Pro or Air. It's good for a quick boost: we found that its 5,000mAh battery can charge a depleted Galaxy S23 Ultra to 65 percent in about an hour. It also has four indcator lights on it that show how much it's charged. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-anker-5k-power-bank-with-built-in-usb-c-connector-is-on-sale-for-less-than-20-145408299.html?src=rss

The best streaming deals: Save on Hulu + Live TV, Audible, Starz and more

If youve been shocked by how much you spend on streaming services lately, youre not alone. Companies like Netflix, Disney, Max and others have been consistently raising prices to the point where you may question if streaming is even worth it anymore . We at Engadget still think it is, but we also think you should be smart with your money and thats where streaming deals come in. Yes, it is possible to get discounts on services like Peacock and Paramount+, even if those deals arent as common as a sale on AirPods. If youre looking to save money and still stream all of the content you want, Engadget can help by laying out the best streaming deals you can get right now, how you can save with bundles and everything you should know before paying for yet another streaming service. Best streaming deals True streaming deals can be hard to come by. Most often, theyll pop up during the Black Friday shopping period. On occasion, well see them sparingly throughout the year and they usually take the form of a discounted monthly or annual rate for a limited period of time. Also, true streaming deals are typically on the ad-supported versions of a service, but once in a while youll find a unicorn of a deal on a tier that has ad-free viewing. If youre able to wait for a deal before subscribing to a streaming service, we recommend doing so. Youll save money upfront and in the long run, and you also have the option to cancel your subscription before the price goes back up to the normal rate. Audible subscription (three months) for $3 ($42 off) : From now through mid-December, you can get Amazons audiobook subscription for just a dollar a month for three months. Note that it will auto-renew at $15 per month after that, but you can cancel at any point. Starz (one year) for $30 ($40 off): Pay upfront for one year and you can get $40 off a Stars annual subscription. There's a month-to-month option too, which costs $5 per month for the first three months if you don't want to commit to the full year. Either option gives you access to the entire Starz TV and movie library with offline viewing and no ads. Fubo Pro for $55/month for the first month ($30 off): Fubo has introductory discounts on most of its packages, and the Pro package is the least expensive plan currently listed. It offers access to 224 channels, unlimited cloud DVR and up to 10 simultaneous streams. It even includes regional sports content from the NHL, MLB and NBA. DirecTV starting at $50/month for one month ($35 off): All of DirecTV's signature packages are $35 off right now for your first month when you sign up. If you opt for the base Entertainment package, you'll spend $50 for the first month and get access to over 90 channels, including many local stations as well as ESPN, ESPN 2 and Fox Sports 1. You'll also be able to watch on the go with the DirecTV mobile app. Spotify Premium Individual (3 month) for $0 ($36 off): This is our favorite music streaming service for podcasts and social features. The Premium Individual plan lets you listen ad-free and skip songs at will. You can also organize your listening queue and download content for offline listening. Just be aware, your subscription will auto-renew at the end of the trial period. So if you don't want to be on the hook for the $12 monthly fee, set a reminder to cancel and go back to the free version. Streaming bundle discounts Theres more consolidation happening now than ever before in the streaming space, and that means there are more streaming bundle options. These bundles offer you access to more content with one subscription price, but those prices are typically higher than paying for a single service by itself (obviously). It may be tempting to just get the bundle, but if only one of those services in the bundle speaks to you, youll spend less overall by just paying for the single service. Speaking of a deep love for a single streaming service: if all of your favorite shows are on Peacock or the latest releases on HBO Max consistently bring you joy, consider paying for one year upfront. Subscribing with an annual plan usually saves you money in the long term over paying on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, not all streaming services (looking at you, Netflix) have an annual subscription option. Disney+ If you feel like Charlie Kelly trying to figure out who Pepe Silvia is when you look at Disney's streaming prices chart , you're not alone. The confusion comes from the fact that Disney owns, or has a hand in, many streaming services including Hulu and ESPN. Throw in a partnership with HBO Max and you have a ton of options to consider and, probably, whiplash to match. Here's a quick overview of popular Disney+ bundle pricing as of October 21, 2025, accounting for the latest price hike. Disney+ and Hulu bundle (with ads) $13/month Disney+ and Hulu bundle (without ads) $20/month Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select (with ads) $20/month Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select (without ads on Disney+ and Hulu only) $30/month Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max (with ads) $20/month Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max (without ads) $33/month Peacock TV Peacock doesn't have any streaming bundles available all year round, but you can save if you pay for one year upfront. Peacock Select (with ads) $8/month or $80/year Peacock Premium (with ads) $11/month or $110/year Peacock Premium Plus (without ads) $17/month or $170/year Paramount+ Paramount+ used to bill its tier with Showtime as a sort of bundle, but it has since renamed its plans and focused the Showtime inclusion in its premium tier as just another bonus of paying for the higher priced plan. Paramount+ Essential (with ads) $/8month or $60/year Paramount Premium (without ads) $13/month or $120/year Student discounts on streaming services It pays to be a student sometimes, at least. A number of streaming services have student discounts you can take advantage of as long as you're actively studying. What that translates to most of the time is being able to verify your student status and signing up with your .edu email address. HBO Max student discount subscribe for $5/month (50 percent off): HBO Max offers their ad-supported tier to students for half off the usual rate. Youll just have to verify that youre a student through Unidays , and make note that this offer is only good for up to 12 months of service. Hulu student discount subscribe for $2/month (75 percent off): Those with a valid student ID can get Hulus ad-supported tier for 75 percent off the typical rate. Theyll keep the same sale price for as long as theyre a student as well. Spotify student discount Premium + Hulu with ads for $6/month (72 percent off): Spotifys student offer continues to be one of the best around, giving you access to the Premium tier of the music streamer and Hulus ad-supported plan for only $6 monthly. Purchased separately, youd pay $22 per month for both of the services. Plus, the first month is free when you sign up. NBA League Pass student discount one year for $120 (40 percent off) : Students can get one year of League Pass for only $10 per month, which includes access to NBA TV and the ability to watch classic and archive games on-demand. On the NBA League Pass website, look for the student discount banner at the top and follow the instructions to verify your student status. Read more streaming coverage The best live TV streaming services to cut cable The best streaming services: Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and more The best streaming devices Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/best-streaming-service-deals-133028980.html?src=rss

Ubisoft is laying off more workers and offering voluntary buyouts

Ubisoft's Massive Entertainment, the developer of The Division series, Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is offering some employees volunteer buyouts as it attempts to realign its teams, the company said in a post on X . The move is designed to strengthen our roadmap, Massive wrote, as it focuses on The Division series along with its Snowdrop engine and Ubisoft Connect. Ubisoft notably didn't mention Star Wars and Avatar in that statement, an omission that may effectively spell the demise of those franchises. Massive framed the layoffs as a voluntary career transition program... supported by a comprehensive package that includes financial and career assistance. Workers at the Massive studio in Malm, Sweden can volunteer until December 13 for the package, which primarily targets people between projects waiting for new assignments, according to the French news site Le Figaro . Another Ubisoft studio, Helsinki-based RedLynx, also announced that it was restructuring as part of Ubisoft's global efforts to simplify, reduce costs and ensure a stronger prioritization and efficiency. If implemented, the proposal would result in a maximum of 60 workers being let go, RedLynx said. Following the underperformance of key titles like Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora , Ubisoft has shuttered offices and laid off workers at offices in San Francisco, London and Leamington . Last year, the company's headcount dropped from 20,279 to 18,666 at the end of September. Earlier this month, Ubisoft partnered with Tencent to launch Vantage Studios , which now houses the company's tentpole franchises: Assassin's Creed, Far Cry and Rainbow Six. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ubisoft-is-laying-off-more-workers-and-offering-voluntary-buyouts-120030931.html?src=rss

Samsung's Galaxy XR doesn't give me much hope for Android XR

So Samsung made a Vision Pro Lite. That was my immediate takeaway after this week's debut of the Galaxy XR , the first Android XR device to hit the market. While Samsung deserves credit for offering something close to the Vision Pro for nearly half the price, an $1,800 headset still won't get mainstream consumers rushing out the door to experience the wonders of mixed reality. And with the limited amount of content in Android XR at the moment, the Galaxy XR is in the same position as the Vision Pro: It's just a well-polished developer kit. The only logical reason to buy a Galaxy XR would be to test out apps for Android XR. If you just want to experience VR and dabble in a bit of augmented reality, you're better off spending that money on a gaming laptop and the excellent $500 Meta Quest 3 . (The Meta Quest Pro, the companys first high-end mixed reality device, was unceremoniously killed after launching at an eye-watering $1,500.) But even for developers, the Galaxy XR feels like it's lacking, well, vision . Samsung has done an admirable job of copying almost every aspect of the Vision Pro: The sleek ski goggle design, dual micro-OLED displays and hand gesture interaction powered by a slew of cameras and sensors. But while Apple positioned the Vision Pro as its first stab at spatial computing, an exciting new platform where we can use interactive apps in virtual space, Samsung and Google are basically just gunning to put Android on your face. There aren't many custom-built XR apps, aside from Google's offerings like Maps and Photos. (Something that also reminds me of the dearth of real tablet apps on Android.) And the ability to view 360-degree videos on YouTube has been a staple of every VR headset for the last decade it's not exactly notable on something that costs $1,800. Samsung and Google also haven't said much about how they plan to elevate XR content. At least Apple is attempting to push the industry forward with its 8K Immersive Videos, which look sharper and more realistic than low-res 360-degree content. For the most part, it seems as if Google is treating Android XR as another way to force its Gemini AI on users. In its press release for the Galaxy XR, Samsung notes that it's introducing a new category of AI-native devices designed to deliver immersive experiences in a form factor optimized for multimodal AI. What? In addition to being a crime against the English language, what the company is actually pitching is fairly simple: It's just launching a headset that can access AI features via camera and voice inputs. Who knows, maybe Gemini will make Android XR devices more capable down the line. But at the moment, all I'm seeing in the Galaxy XR is another Samsung device that's shamelessly aping Apple, from the virtual avatars to specific pinch gestures. And Google's history in VR and interactive content doesn't inspire much hope about Android XR. Don't forget how it completely abandoned Google Cardboard , the short-lived Daydream project and its hyped up Stadia cloud service . Stadia's death was particularly galling, since Google initially pitched it as a way to revolutionize the very world of gaming, only to let it fall on its face. Theres no doubt that Samsung, Apple and Meta have a ton of work left ahead in the world of XR. Samsung is at least closer to delivering something under $1,000, and Meta also recently launched the $800 Ray-Ban Display . But price is only one part of the problem. Purpose is another issue entirely. After living with the Vision Pro since its debut, I can tell that Apple is at least thinking a bit more deeply about what its like to wear a computer on your face. Just look at the upgrades its made around ultra-wide Mac mirroring , or the way Spatial Personas make it feel as if youre working alongside other people. With Android XR, Google seems to just be making a more open Vision Pro . Honestly, its unclear if normal users will ever want to use any sort of XR headset regularly, no matter how cheap they get. The experience making these headsets could help Google, Apple and Meta develop future AR glasses, or eyewear that offer some sort of XR experience ( Samsung already has something in the works with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster). But while Apple and Meta have broken new ground in XR, Google and Samsung just seem to be following in their footsteps. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/samsungs-galaxy-xr-doesnt-give-me-much-hope-for-android-xr-110000129.html?src=rss

The best noise-canceling headphones for 2025

Whether you're working in a noisy office, commuting on a packed train or just trying to focus at home, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. The best noise-canceling headphones block out distractions and let you enjoy your music, podcasts or calls in peace all while delivering great sound quality and all-day comfort. From models with plush cushions to wireless cans with loads of extra features, theres something here for every style and budget. Table of contents Best noise-canceling headphones for 2025 How to choose the best noise-canceling headphones for you How we test noise-canceling headphones Other noise-canceling headphones we tested Noise-canceling headphones FAQs Best noise-canceling headphones of 2025 How to choose the best noise-canceling headphones for you Design When youre shopping for the best wireless headphones, the first thing youll need to decide on is wear style. Do you prefer on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the purposes of this guide, I focus on the over-ear style as thats what most noise-canceling headphones are nowadays. Sure, you can find on-ear models with ANC, but over-ear, active noise-canceling headphones are much more effective at blocking outside sounds since your ears are completely covered. For gamers, there are also gaming headsets that feature noise cancellation some even have detachable microphones, so they can double as over-ear headphones. However, for the purpose of this article, were only going to be focusing on noise-canceling headphones rather than headsets. Look for models with a comfortable headband and memory foam ear cups to ensure you can wear them for long periods without discomfort. Many headphones also come with a range of color options, so if aesthetics matter to you, youll find plenty of choices beyond just black or white. Whether youre looking for something neutral or a bold pop of color, brands now offer a variety of styles to match your personal taste. Finally, if youre planning to wear your headphones for long periods of time, its important to pick a model with a comfortable fit. Memory foam ear cups, an adjustable headband, and lightweight materials can make all the difference during extended listening sessions. After all, great sound is only part of the equation; comfort matters just as much. Type of noise cancellation Next, youll want to look at the type of ANC a set of headphones offers. Youll come across terms like hybrid active noise cancellation or hybrid adaptive active noise cancellation, and there are key differences between the two. A hybrid ANC setup uses microphones on the inside and on the outside of the device to detect outside noise and cancel it out. By analyzing input from both mics, a hybrid system can combat more sounds than regular ANC, but it does so at a constant level that doesnt change. Adaptive ANC takes the hybrid configuration a step further by continuously adjusting the noise cancellation for changes in your environment and any leakage around the padding of the ear cups. Adaptive noise-canceling also does a better job with wind noise, which can really kill your vibe while using headphones outdoors. Some high-end headphones also support Dolby Atmos, which enhances spatial audio and makes everything from music to movies sound more immersive. For the purposes of this best headphones list, Im only considering products with hybrid ANC or adaptive ANC setups because those are the most effective at blocking noise and improving your overall listening experience. Customization Youll also want to check to see if the ANC system on a prospective set of headphones offers adjustable levels of noise cancellation or presets. These can help you dial in the amount of ANC you need for various environments, but it can also help you save battery life. Master & Dynamic, for example, has ANC presets that provide both maximum noise blocking and more efficient cancellation that is more energy efficient. Other companies may include a slider in their companion apps that let you adjust the ANC level to your liking. Some high-end models even allow you to fine-tune the ANC for specific types of environments. How we test noise-canceling headphones The primary way we test headphones is to wear them as much as possible. I prefer to do this over a one-to-two-week period, but sometimes deadlines dont allow it. During this time, I listen to a mix of music and podcasts , while also using the headphones to take both voice and video calls. Since battery life for headphones can be 30 hours or more, I drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually around 75 percent). Due to the longer battery estimates, Ill typically power the headphones off several times and leave them that way during a review. This simulates real-world use and keeps me from having to constantly monitor the process for over 24 straight hours. To test ANC performance specifically, I use headphones in a variety of environments, from noisy coffee shops to quiet home offices. When my schedule allows, I use them during air travel since plane noise is a massive distraction to both work and relaxation. Even if I cant hop on a flight, Ill simulate a constant roar with white noise machines, bathroom fans, vacuums and more. I also make note of how well each device blocks human voices, which are a key stumbling block for a lot of ANC headphones. ANC-related features are something else to consider. Here, I do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as I work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the headphones Im testing are an updated version of a previous model, Ill spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competition for each new set of headphones that I review. Other noise-canceling headphones we tested AirPods Max Apples AirPods Max are premium, well-designed over-ear headphones that incorporate all of the best features you find on standard AirPods: solid noise cancellation, spatial audio and easy Siri access. However, their $550 starting price makes them almost prohibitively expensive, even for Apple users. There are better options available at lower prices, but if you can pick up the AirPods Max at a steep discount, they might be worthwhile for the biggest Apple fans among us. Dyson On-Trac The On-Trac headphones have an almost infinitely customizable design, and thats whats most unique about them. The sound profile offers some nice detail, but lacks dynamic range overall. ANC is average at best and there arent any advanced features that will make your life easier. Well, except for the hearing health monitor, which is actually handy. All told, thats not a lot for a set of $500 headphones. Sonos Ace The Sonos Ace is an excellent debut for the companys first headphones. The combination of refined design, great sound quality and home theater tricks creates a unique formula. However, ANC performance is just okay and key functionality is still in the works for many users. Sony ULT Wear If most headphones dont have the level of bass you desire, the ULT Wear is an option to consider. The low-end thump isnt for everyone, but there are also plenty of handy features and a refined look to make the $200 set more compelling than many in this price range. Beats Studio Pro The Studio Pro lacks basic features like automatic pausing, and multipoint connectivity is only available on Android. Moreover, theyre not very comfortable for people with larger heads. Overall sound quality is improved, though, and voice performance on calls is well above average. Master & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen) The MH40 are a great set of headphones if you favor crisp, clear and natural sound that isnt overly tuned. This pair showcases the companys affinity for leather and metal too, but limited customization and short battery life for non-ANC cans kept this set from making the cut. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 The companys trademark pristine sound is on display here, but the Px8 is more expensive and not nearly as comfortable as the Px7 S3. Noble Audio FoKus Apollo While this is my top pick for overall sound quality in our main guide to the best wireless headphones , the ANC performance is less impressive than the Px7 S3. Bowers & Wilkins gets the nod here for its improved noise cancellation over the Px7 S2 and Px7 S2e, and its overall excellent audio quality. Noise-canceling headphones FAQs Does noise cancellation block all noise? Noise cancellation doesnt block out all noise, though it does drastically reduce the volume of most external sounds. Is there a difference between wired vs wireless noise-canceling headphones? In terms of sound quality, if you have two headphones one wired and one wireless with similar specs, the difference is going to be very minimal. However, wireless headphones offer more convenience, allowing you to move around more freely with your headphones on, which is why they often feature noise cancellation to minimize external sounds. Does noise cancellation impact sound quality? ANC does bear some weight on sound quality, but the impact of this often doesnt outweigh the benefits. Noise cancellation reduces ambient noise, allowing a greater focus on audio detail. For audiophiles, however, there may be a small difference in sound fidelity when ANC is turned on. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-noise-canceling-headphones-130029881.html?src=rss

Fujifilm's X-T30 III adds a film simulation dial and 6K video

When Fujifilm launched the X-T50 last year, no one was sure what would happen with its aging X-T30 lineup. The company just answered that question with the launch of the X-T30 III , boosting the speed and improving autofocus of the last model, while adding a film simulation dial seen on other recent models. It's very light for travel or street photography, but has some powerful features like 6.2K video and subject-detect autofocus, all at a reasonable price. The original X-T30 first arrived in 2019 and was replaced in 2022 by the X-T30 II that was more of a mild update than an all-new camera. However, the X-T30 III has a number of key updates that bring it in line with other recent models like the X-M5 and X-T50. It does have the same 26.1MP X-Trans sensor as before (with a 1.5x crop compared to a full-frame camera), but now uses Fujifilm's latest image processor that doubles image processing speed and significantly improves video capabilities. Ryan Tuttle for Fujifilm The X-T30 III is meant to be taken on adventures, so it's still very light at just 378 grams or 13.33 ounces, a touch less than the previous model. Control-wise, the biggest addition is a film simulation dial just like the one on the X-M5 and X-T50, replacing the mode dial from the X-T30 II. It's designed to make it easy to switch between film simulations like Reala Ace and Nostalgic Neg, while offering three customizable positions to let users save ecipes of their own making. Otherwise, the X-T30 III has a generous complement of dials and buttons something that allows for precise control but may intimidate newbies. The rear display tilts up but doesn't flip out, and the 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder is on the low end for resolution. The main feature missing on the X-T30 III is in-body stabilization, so you'll need either a stabilized (OIS) lens or electronic stabilization for video. Fujjifilm Burst shooting speeds are the same as before at 8 fps with the mechanical shutter and 20 fps in electronic mode. However, more of your shots are likely to be sharp thanks to the updated, faster autofocus. Along with the extra speed, Fujifilm introduced new AI subject detection modes including Auto-Tracking, Animals, Birds and Vehicles. Video also gets a big upgrade. The X-T30 III can now shot 6.2K 30 fps video using the entire sensor (up from 4K 30p before), or 4K at 60 fps with a mild 1.18x crop. All of those resolutions are available with 10-bit modes to boost dynamic range. However, the X-T30 III lacks in-body stabilization, has a weird 2.5mm microphone input and a display that only tilts and doesn't flip out. That makes it fine as a hybrid camera, but if you mostly shoot video, a model like the X-S20 may be a better choice. Fujifilm Other key features include a microHDMI port for RAW video output, a single SD memory card (that's of the low-speed UHS-I variety unfortunately), and improved battery life with up to 425 shots to a charge. Fujifilm also introduced a new lens, the Fujinon XC13-33mmF3.5-6.3 OIS that offers an interesting ultrawide full-frame equivalent zoom range of around 20-50mm. The X-T30 III is now on pre-order for $999 in multiple colors (black, charcoal silver and silver) with shipping set to start in November 2025. The Fujinon XC13-33mmF3.5-6.3 OIS will also ship around the same time for $399 . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/fujifilms-x-t30-iii-adds-a-film-simulation-dial-and-6k-video-072148245.html?src=rss

The best wireless earbuds for 2025

Wireless earbuds have become the go-to choice for listening on the move. Whether youre at the gym, commuting or relaxing at home, the best wireless earbuds give you comfort, freedom and solid sound quality without tangled cables. Theyre lightweight, slip easily into your pocket and connect quickly to your phone, tablet or laptop. The tricky part is choosing the right pair. Some models focus on powerful noise cancellation while others put battery life or affordability first. Then youve got features like water resistance for workouts or touch controls for quick track changes. With so many choices, finding the best wireless earbuds depends on what matters most to you, and thats exactly what this guide will help you figure out. Table of contents Best wireless earbuds of 2025 What to look for in the best wireless earbuds How we test wireless earbuds Other wireless earbuds we tested Wireless earbuds FAQs Best wireless earbuds of 2025 What to look for in the best wireless earbuds When it comes to shopping for earphones, the first thing to consider is design or wear style. Do you prefer a semi-open fit like AirPods or do you want something that completely closes off your ears? If youre shopping for earbuds with active noise cancellation, you'll want the latter, but a case can be made for the former if you want to wear them all day or frequent places where you need to be tuned in to the ambient sounds. The overall shape of earbuds can determine whether you get a comfortable fit, so can the size and weight, so youll want to consider all that before deciding. And remember: audio companies arent perfect, so despite lots of research, the earbud shape they decided on may not fit you well. Dont be afraid to return ill-fitting earbuds for something thats more comfortable. As wireless earbuds have become the norm, theyre now more reliable for basic things like consistent Bluetooth connectivity. Companies are still in a race to pack as much as they can into increasingly smaller designs. This typically means a longer list of features on the more premium sets of earbuds with basic functionality on the cheapest models. Carefully consider what you cant live without when selecting your next earbuds, and make sure key items like automatic pausing and multipoint connectivity are on the spec sheet. Youll also want to investigate the volume and touch controls as youll often have to sacrifice access to something else to make that adjustment via on-board taps or swipes. Some earbuds even offer app settings to tweak the audio profiles or firmware updates to improve performance over time. For those in the Apple ecosystem, features like auto-pairing with devices, especially with AirPods Pro 3, can be an added advantage, while Android users may want to look for models that offer similar cross-device functionality. When it comes to battery life, the average set of earbuds lasts about five hours on a single charge. You can find sets that last longer, but this is likely enough to get you through a work day if youre docking the buds during lunch or the occasional meeting. Youll want to check on how many extra charges are available via the case and if it supports wireless charging. Companies will also make lofty claims about call quality on wireless earbuds. Despite lots of promises, the reality is most earbuds still leave you sounding like youre on speakerphone. There are some sets that deliver, but dont get your hopes up unless reviews confirm the claims. Sound can be subjective, so we recommend trying before you buy if at all possible. This is especially true if you're an audiophile. We understand this isnt easy when most of us do a lot of shopping online, but trying on a set of earbuds and listening to them for a few minutes can save you from an expensive case of buyer's remorse. If a store doesnt allow a quick demo, most retailers have return policies that will let you take earbuds back you dont like. Of course, you have to be willing to temporarily part with funds in order to do this. We also recommend paying attention to things like Spatial Audio , Dolby Atmos, 360 Reality Audio and other immersive formats. Not all earbuds support them, so youll want to make sure a perspective pair does if that sort of thing excites you, especially if you plan to use them for playback of high-quality audio. How we test wireless earbuds The primary way we test earbuds is to wear them as much as possible. We prefer to do this over a one- to two-week period, but sometimes embargoes dont allow it. During this time, we listen to a mix of music and podcasts, while also using the earbuds to take both voice and video calls. Since battery life for earbuds is typically less than a full day, we drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually around 75 percent). To judge audio quality, we listen to a range of genres, noting any differences in the sound profile across the styles. We also test at both low and high volumes to check for consistency in the tuning. To assess call quality, well record audio samples with the earbuds microphones as well as have third parties call us. When it comes to features, we do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as we work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the earbuds were testing are an updated version of a previous model, well spend time getting reacquainted with the older buds. Ditto for the closest competition for each new set of earbuds that we review. Other wireless Bluetooth earbuds we tested Sony WF-C710N The WF-C710N is a set of compact and comfy earbuds that offer several of Sonys best features. While the ANC performance is above average for this price ($120), sound quality isnt as good as the companys slightly more expensive options. Battery life fell below stated figures and call performance isnt good enough to use these buds for work. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 The newest version of the Powerbeats Pro have an improved, comfortable design, balanced bass and new H2 chips and a heart rate sensor inside. But heart rate support is currently limited on iOS. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 The Galaxy Buds 3 combine ANC with an open-type design, which renders the noise-blocking abilities of the earbuds mostly useless. Still, theres great low-end tone with ample bass when a track demands it. There are also lots of handy features, most of which require a Samsung phone. But at this price, there are better options from Google, Beats and Sony Sennheiser Momentum Sport I really like the overall shape of the Momentum Sport earbuds. Theyre more comfortable than the Momentum True Wireless 4 and fit in my ears better. Whats more, the body temperature and heart rate sensors work well, sending those stats to a variety of apps. However, that sport-tracking feature works best with Polars app and devices, so theres that consideration. Also, the audio quality and ANC performance isnt as good as the MTW4, and these earbuds are pricey. Beats Solo Buds Theres a lot to like about the Solo Buds for $80. For me, the primary perk is theyre very comfortable to wear for long periods of time thanks to some thoughtful design considerations. You only get the basics here in terms of features and, as expected, the overall sound quality isnt as good as the pricier models in the Beats lineup. You will get 18 hours of battery life though, since the company nixed the battery in the case and beefed up the listening time in the buds themselves. Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Bose created something very unique for this set of earbuds that allows you to stay in-tune with the world while listening to audio content. The clip-on design is very comfortable, but sound quality suffers due to the open-type fit, especially when it comes to bass and spatial audio. Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 These stick buds have a compact design thats comfortable to wear and the warm sound profile is great at times. However, overall audio performance is inconsistent and theres no automatic pausing. Master & Dynamic MW09 Retooled audio, better ambient sound mode and reliable multipoint Bluetooth are the best things the MW09 has to offer. Theyre expensive though, and you can find better ANC performance elsewhere. Wireless earbud FAQs What is considered good battery life for true wireless earbuds? Most wireless earbuds will last five hours on a single charge, at the least. You can find some pairs that have even better battery life, lasting between six and eight hours before they need more juice. All of the best wireless earbuds come with a charging case, which will provide additional hours of battery life but you'll have to return each bud to the case in order to charge them up. Is sound quality better on headphones or earbuds? Comparing sound quality on earbuds and headphones is a bit like comparing apples and oranges. There are a lot of variables to consider and the differences in components make a direct comparison difficult. Personally, I prefer the audio quality from over-ear headphones, but I can tell you the sound from earbuds like Sennheisers Momentum True Wireless 3 is also outstanding. Which wireless earbuds have the longest battery life? With new models coming out all the time, tracking the hours of battery life for each this can be difficult to keep tabs on. The longest-lasting earbuds weve reviewed are Audio-Technicas ATH-CKS5TW . The company states they last 15 hours, but the app was still showing 40 percent at that mark during our tests. The only downside is these earbuds debuted in 2019 and both technology and features have improved since. In terms of current models, Master & Dynamics MW08 offers 12 hours of use on a charge with ANC off (10 with ANC on) and JBL has multiple options with 10-hour batteries. What wireless earbuds are waterproof? There are plenty of options these days when it comes to increased water resistance. To determine the level of protection, youll want to look for an IP (ingress protection) rating. The first number indicates intrusion protection from things like dust. The second number is the level of moisture protection and youll want to make sure that figure is 7 or higher. At this water-resistance rating, earbuds can withstand full immersion for up to 30 minutes in depths up to one meter (3.28 feet). If either of the IP numbers is an X, that means it doesnt have any special protection. For example, a pair of wireless earbuds that are IPX7 wouldnt be built to avoid dust intrusion, but they would be ok if you dropped them in shallow water. Which earbuds stay in ears the best? A secure fit can vary wildly from person to person. All of our ears are different, so audio companies are designing their products to fit the most people they can with a single shape. This is why AirPods will easily fall out for some but stay put for others. Design touches like wing tips or fins typically come on fitness models and those elements can help keep things in place. Youll likely just have to try earbuds on, and if they dont fit well return them. What wireless earbuds work with PS5? PlayStation 5 doesnt support Bluetooth audio without an adapter or dongle. Even Sonys own gaming headsets come with a transmitter that connects to the console. There are universal options that allow you to use any headphones, headset or earbuds with a PS5. Once you have one, plug it into a USB port on the console and pair your earbuds with it. Recent updates September 2025: Updated to add AirPods Pro 3 to our top picks. May 2025: Updated to ensure top picks and buying advice remain accurate. March 2025: Updated the top pick for the best sounding wireless earbuds - runner up. January 2025: Updated the top pick for best sounding wireless earbuds. July 2024: Updated our list to include the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-wireless-earbuds-120058222.html?src=rss

Amazon's smart glasses with AI will help its drivers deliver packages faster

Amazon has revealed that it's currently working on smart glasses designed for delivery drivers, confirming previous reports about the project. The company said that glasses use AI-powered sensing capabilities and computer vision to detect what their cameras are seeing. Drivers then get guidance through the glasses' heads-up display (HUD) embedded right into the lens. Based on Amazon's announcement, it's been working on the glasses for a while, and hundreds of delivery drivers had already tested early versions to provide the company with feedback. The glasses automatically activate after the driver parks their vehicle. They then show users the right packages to deliver, according to their location. Users will see the list of packages they have to take out on the HUD, and the glasses can even tell them if they pull out the right package from their pile. When they get out of their vehicle, the glasses will display turn-by-turn navigation to the delivery address and will also show them hazards along the way, as well as help them navigate complex locations like apartment buildings. Simply put, the device allows them to find delivery addresses and drop off packages without having to use their phones. Drivers will even be able to capture proof of delivery with the wearable. Amazon's glasses will be paired with a vest that's fitted with a controller and a dedicated emergency button drivers can press to call emergency services along their routes. The device comes with a swappable battery to ensure all-day use and can be fitted with prescription and transitional lenses if the drivers need them. Amazon expects future versions of the glasses to be able to notify drivers if they're dropping a package at the wrong address and to be able to detect and notify them about more hazardous elements, like if there's a pet in the yard. In the annual event wherein the company announced the device, Amazon transportation vice president Beryl Tomay said it reduces the need to manage a phone and a package and helps drivers stay at attention, which enhances their safety. She also said that among the testers, Amazon had seen time savings of 30 minutes for a given shit. The company didn't say anything about developing smart glasses for consumers, but The Information's previous report said that it's also working on a model for the general public slated to be released in late 2026 or early 2027. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/amazons-smart-glasses-with-ai-will-help-its-drivers-deliver-packages-faster-041009681.html?src=rss

Apple dumps dating apps Tea and TeaOnHer from the App Store over privacy and moderation issues

Apple has removed dating apps Tea and TeaOnHer from the App Store for violating rules related to content moderation and user privacy. The company told TechCrunch that it pulled the apps as they broke several of its rules , including one mandating that apps can't share or otherwise use an individual's personal info without getting their permission first. Apple said they also violated a rule concerning user-generated content, which stipulates that apps need to allow for reporting offensive or concerning material, an option to block abusive users and the ability to filter objectionable material from being posted. In addition, Apple claimed the apps broke rules related to user reviews. It told TechCrunch they had an excessive volume of negative reviews and complaints from users, including ones related to minors personal details being shared. The company noted that it raised these issues' with the apps' developers, but they were not resolved. As it stands, both apps are still available on Android through the Google Play Store. Tea (which is formally called Tea Dating Advice) enables women to post details about men they've met or dated. It allows them to post and comment on photos, look up public records on individuals, carry out reverse image searches, share their experiences and rate or review men. Users can, for instance, say whether they'd give a man a green flag or a red flag. TeaOnHer flips that format on its head, with men sharing info about women. Both are pitched as dating safety apps, with Tea telling users they can ask our anonymous community of women to make sure your date is safe, not a catfish and not in a relationship. Tea first emerged in 2023 and it went viral this year. In July, hackers breached the app and leaked tens of thousands of images, including around 3,000 selfies and photo IDs that users submitted to verify their accounts. The other images included posts, comments and private messages. A second hack exposed more than a million private messages. Days after TeaOnHer went live in August (ripping off text from Teas App Store description in the process), it emerged that app had its own security issues . It was possible to view photo IDs and selfies that users had submitted for account verification, as well as their email addresses. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-dumps-dating-apps-tea-and-teaonher-from-the-app-store-over-privacy-and-moderation-issues-191305457.html?src=rss

YouTube is adding a timer to Shorts so you don't scroll the day away

YouTube is adding a timer to Shorts to help curb all of that incessant doomscrolling, according to a report by TechCrunch . This feature is rolling out to all users after being spotted in an Android APK file earlier this year, which was originally reported on by Android Authorit y . Here's how it works. Users set a daily time limit for Shorts via the app's settings. Once reached, they'll see a pop-up reminding them to take a break. This pop-up is easily dismissed with a tap, but it's the thought that counts. At the very least, it'll remind people of just how long they've been laying in bed and watching random Curb Your Enthusiasm clips. This doesn't currently integrate with parental controls, but that's coming next year. At that point, parents or guardians will be able to set specific time limits on how long kids can scroll the Shorts feed. That pop-up will not be dismissible by children. This isn't the first move by YouTube to help improve digital well-being. There's a way to set take a break reminders at various increments, and the same goes for a pop-up at bedtime . Why the renewed focus on limiting user engagement? Well, there are nearly 2,000 lawsuits floating around right now directed toward social media companies, according to a report by Bloomberg Law . Many of these suits accuse the companies of intentionally designing their platforms to be addictive. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/youtube-is-adding-a-timer-to-shorts-so-you-dont-scroll-the-day-away-185204383.html?src=rss

Google says it made a breakthrough toward practical quantum computing

Enabled by the introduction of its Willow quantum chip last year, Google today claims it's conducted breakthrough research that confirms it can create real-world applications for quantum computers. The company's Quantum Echoes algorithm, detailed in a paper published in Nature , is a demonstration of the first-ever verifiable quantum advantage running the out-of-order time correlator (OTOC) algorithm. A core belief in quantum computing is that developing computer systems with qubits which can represent multiple states at once, as opposed to binary ones and zeroes could lead to greater understanding of the quantum systems surrounding us. Google believes its new algorithm is further proof of that assumption. The Quantum Echoes algorithm is able to illustrate how different parts of a quantum system interact with each other, in a way that's repeatable by other quantum computers and that runs 13,000 times faster on Willow than the best classical algorithm on one of the worlds fastest supercomputers. The echo in Quantum Echoes comes from how Google's algorithm interacts with a quantum system, in this case the Willow chip. We send a carefully crafted signal into our quantum system (qubits on Willow chip), perturb one qubit, then precisely reverse the signals evolution to listen for the 'echo' that comes back, the company explained in its announcement blog. That echo is magnified by the constructive interference of quantum waves, making the measurement Google is able to take extremely sensitive. That sensitivity suggests quantum computers could be an important tool in modeling things like the interaction of particles or the structure of molecules. In a separate experiment with the University of California, Berkeley, Google tried to prove that by running the Quantum Echoes algorithm to study two different molecules, and comparing it to the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) method currently used by scientists to understand chemical structure. The results from both systems matched, and Google says Quantum Echoes even revealed information not usually available from NMR. In the longterm, a full-scale quantum computer could be used for everything from drug discovery to the development of new battery components. For now though, Google believes its Quantum Echoes research means real-world quantum computer applications could arrive within the next five years. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/google-says-it-made-a-breakthrough-toward-practical-quantum-computing-183502245.html?src=rss

Google Gemini will arrive in GM cars starting next year

Google Gemini is coming to GM vehicles in 2026. The company will be integrating a conversational AI assistant powered by Google's platform into many of its cars, trucks and SUVs. GM says this assistant will be able to access vehicle data to suss out maintenance concerns, alerting the driver when necessary. The company also promises it'll be able to help plan routes and explain various features of the car. It should also be able to do stuff like turn on the heat or air conditioning, even before entering the vehicle. This will replace the Google built-in operating system that already exists in many GM vehicles. This OS already offers access to stuff like Google Maps, Google Assistant and related apps. The upcoming Gemini-based chat assistant will do the same type of things, but it should perform better. One of the challenges with current voice assistants is that, if youve used the, youve probably also been frustrated by them because theyre trained on certain code words or they dont understand accents very well or if you dont say it quite right, you dont get the right response, GM VP Dave Richardson told TechCrunch . Whats great about large language models is they dont seem to be affected by that. One brand-new feature that Gemini will bring to the table is web integration. This will let drivers ask the chatbot questions pertaining to geographic location and the like. GM gives an example of someone asking about the history of a bridge they are passing over. The Gemini assistant will be available via the Play Store after launch as an over-the-air upgrade to Onstar-equipped vehicles. It won't be limited to newer releases, as GM says it'll work with vehicles from the model year 2015 and above. The company also says it's working on its own AI chatbot that has been custom-built for your vehicle. There's no timetable on that one. GM ran into hot water recently when it was found that it had been selling some customer information sourced from its OnStar Smart Driver program to insurance companies without user consent . This led to the FTC banning the company from selling any driver data for five years. Richardson says the Gemini integration will be privacy-focused and the software will let drivers control what information it can access and use. GM The company made these announcements at the GM Forward media event, where it also discussed other forthcoming initiatives. It has scheduled a rollout of its self-driving platform for 2028. It's also developing its own computing platform, also launching in 2028. This does mean that GM will be sunsetting integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . This software will be phased out over the next few years. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/google-gemini-will-arrive-in-gm-cars-starting-next-year-181249237.html?src=rss

The best VPN deals: Get up to 88 percent off ProtonVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark and more

A virtual private network (VPN) is useful in lots of ways every day, whether you're streaming foreign TV shows or keeping yourself anonymous online so advertisers can't track you. But while we strongly recommend using a VPN, it pays to do some research before investing in one pricing can be opaque for these services, and you can't always trust how the providers portray their best deals. Even so, there are genuinely great deals to be had. VPN providers love to give out deep discounts to anybody willing to sign up for a year or more at once. This means you've got to pay out more upfront, but if you divide the cost by the months of service, you're actually paying less per month over time. With deals like this, VPN providers boost their subscriber numbers, and you get heavy price cuts on some of our favorite services. Most of the deals we highlight below follow that pattern, so make sure you're comfortable with a longer commitment before you take the plunge. If you've been thinking about subscribing to a VPN service, read on for the best VPN deals we could find right now. Best VPN deals NordVPN Basic $80.73 for a two-year subscription with three months free (74 percent off): NordVPN gets the most important parts of a VPN right. It's fast, it doesn't leak any of your data and it's great at changing your virtual location. I noted in my NordVPN review that it always connects quickly and includes a support page that makes it easy to get live help. Although I'm sad to see it shutting down Meshnet , NordVPN still includes a lot of cool features, like servers that instantly connect you to Tor. This early Black Friday deal gives you 74 percent off the two-year plan, which also comes with three extra months. NordVPN Plus $105.03 for a two-year subscription with three months free (74 percent off): In another early Black Friday discount, NordVPN has also taken 74 percent off its Plus subscription. For only a little more, you get a powerful ad and tracker blocker that can also catch malware downloads, plus access to the NordPass password manager. A Plus plan also adds a data breach scanner that checks the dark web for your sensitive information. ExpressVPN Basic $97.72 for a two-year subscription with four months free (73 percent off): This is one of the best VPNs, especially for new users, who will find its apps and website headache-free on all platforms. In tests for my ExpressVPN review , it dropped my download speeds by less than 7 percent and successfully changed my virtual location 14 out of 15 times. In short, it's an all-around excellent service that only suffers from being a little overpriced which is why I'm so excited whenever I find it offering a decent deal. This deal, which gets you 28 months of ExpressVPN service, represents a 73 percent savings. ExpressVPN Advanced $125.72 for a two-year subscription with four months free (67 percent off): ExpressVPN recently split its pricing into multiple tiers , but they all still come with similar discounts for going long. In addition to top-tier VPN service, advanced users get two additional simultaneous connections (for a total of 12), the ExpressVPN Keys password manager, advanced ad and tracker blocking, ID protection features and a 50 percent discount on an AirCove router. Surfshark Starter $53.73 for a two-year subscription with three months free (87 percent off): This is the asic level of Surfshark , but it includes the entire VPN; everything on Surfshark One is an extra perk. With this subscription, you'll get some of the most envelope-pushing features in the VPN world right now. Surfshark has a more closely connected server network than most VPNs, so it can rotate your IP constantly to help you evade detection it even lets you choose your own entry and exit nodes for a double-hop connection. That all comes with a near-invisible impact on download speeds. With this year-round deal, you can save 87 percent on 27 months of Surfshark. Surfshark One $59.13 for a two-year subscription with three months free (88 percent off): A VPN is great, but it's not enough to protect your data all on its own. Surfshark One adds several apps that boost your security beyond just VPN service, including Surfshark Antivirus (scans devices and downloads for malware) and Surfshark Alert (alerts you whenever your sensitive information shows up in a data breach), plus Surfshark Search and Alternative ID from the previous tier. This extra-low deal gives you 88 percent off all those features. If you bump up to Surfshark One+, you'll also get data removal through Incogni, but the price jumps enough that it's not quite worthwhile in my eyes. CyberGhost $56.94 for a two-year subscription with two months free (83 percent off): CyberGhost has some of the best automation you'll see on any VPN. With its Smart Rules system, you can determine how its apps respond to different types of Wi-Fi networks, with exceptions for specific networks you know by name. Typically, you can set it to auto-connect, disconnect or send you a message asking what to do. CyberGhost's other best feature is its streaming servers while it's not totally clear what it does to optimize them, I've found both better video quality and more consistent unblocking when I use them on streaming sites. Currently, you can get 26 months of CyberGhost for 83 percent off the usual price. Private Internet Access $79 for a three-year subscription with three months free (83 percent off): It's a bit hard to find (the link at the start of this paragraph includes the coupon), but Private Internet Access (PIA) is giving out the best available price right now on a VPN I'd recommend using. With this deal, you can get 39 months of PIA for a little bit over $2 per month an 83 percent discount on its monthly price. Despite being so cheap, PIA has plenty of features, coming with its own DNS servers, a built-in ad blocker and automation powers to rival CyberGhost. However, internet speeds can fluctuate while you're connected. hide.me $69.95 for a two-year subscription with two months free (73 percent off): Hide.me is an excellent free VPN in fact, it's my favorite on the market, even with EventVPN and the free version of Proton VPN as competition. However, if you do want to upgrade to its paid plan, the two-year subscription offers great savings. Hide.me works well as a no-frills beginner VPN, with apps and a server network it should frankly be charging more for. What makes a good VPN deal Like I said in the intro, practically every VPN heavily discounts its long-term subscriptions the whole year round. The only noteworthy exception is Mullvad, the Costco hot dog of VPNs (that's a compliment, to be clear). When there's constantly a huge discount going on, it can be hard to tell when you're actually getting a good deal. The best way to squeeze out more savings is to look for seasonal deals, student discounts or exclusive sales like Proton VPN's coupon for Engadget readers . One trick VPNs often use is to add extra months onto an introductory deal, pushing the average monthly price even lower. When it comes time to renew, you usually can't get these extra months again. You often can't even renew for the same basic period of time for example, you may only be able to renew a two-year subscription for one year. If you're planning to hold onto a VPN indefinitely, check the fine print to see how much it will cost per month after the first renewal, and ensure that fits into your budget. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/best-vpn-deals-120056041.html?src=rss

The first e-bike from Rivian spinoff Also has a virtual drivetrain

Ever since Rivian spun off its micromobility business into a standalone startup called Also earlier this year, there's been much speculation about what kind of vehicles the company is working on. Now, Also is showing off its first products: a lineup of e-bikes and two pedal-assisted electric quads. The TM-B e-bike is Also's attempt at a do-it-all e-bike that can adapt to different use cases whether that's daily commuting, trail riding or kid and cargo-hauling. It sports a modular frame that can also accommodate a bench seat or rear cargo rack that supports up to 35KG of weight. It only comes in one frame size, but Also says it should be able to adapt to multiple body sizes. The removable USB-C battery comes in two sizes: standard, which can power up to 60 miles of riding, and large, which maxes out at 100 miles of range. In terms of power, the TM-Bs throttletops out at 20MPH. Also is taking an interesting approach to its drive system, with a setup it's labeled DreamRide. Instead of a mechanical connection between the bike's rear wheel and the pedals, the TM-B uses software-defined pedaling, which will make the riding experience more customizable, according to Also. The Also app and Portal display. Also Given the bike's roots at Rivian, it's not surprising that there are also a bunch of other tech-enabled features, including a 5-inch touchscreen display, called Portal, that supports navigation, music playback and calling features via an accompanying app. Theres also a built-in security system that automatically locks the frame and rear wheel when you walk away. Also is selling the TM-B in three configurations. The first to ship next spring will be the $4,500 TM-B Limited Launch Edition, which has a range up to 100 miles, support for standard and sport ride modes and features transparent purple accents. The $4,500 TM-B Performance has the same features as the limited edition model, but has a slightly different color scheme, and will be available within the first half of 2026. Finally, there's a base-level TM-B model with a range of up to 60 miles that only comes with standard ride modes. Also hasn't announced an exact price, but says it will cost less than $4,000 when it ships later in 2026. Pre-orders for the Launch Edition are open now and the other two bikes are available to reserve with a $50 deposit.The bikes will also be on display in Rivian showrooms later this year, Also's quad for commercial uses cases (left) and a smaller quad for families (right). Also The company also previewed two electric, pedal-assisted quads it's calling TM-Q. The smaller quad is apparently meant for families and individuals seeking a safe, compact alternative to cars that can still haul significant loads. The larger TM-Q, on the other hand, is meant for commercial deliveries. Also has partnered with Amazon to develop fleets of such vehicles that can be used by delivery drivers. Both quads are intended to be used in bike lanes, according to Also. The company didn't share details about when these vehicles might be available or how much they'll cost. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/the-first-e-bike-from-rivian-spinoff-also-has-a-virtual-drivetrain-173000250.html?src=rss

Nostalgic beat-em-up Marvel Cosmic Invasion is out on December 1

Its shaping up to be a shockingly good year for former arcade-dwelling beat-em-up fans. This month saw the arrival of the excellent Absolum , which infuses old-fashioned 2D combat in a cartoony high fantasy setting with roguelike elements to great effect. And now we also have a release date for Marvel Cosmic Invasion . Out December 1 on practically every platform, Marvel Cosmic Invasion lets you choose a team of two superheroes from a playable roster of 15, and you can switch character mid-fight. The new release date trailer rounds off the roster with the Invincible Iron Man (heard of him?) and Phoenix/Jean Grey (played by Jennifer Hale, who also voiced Jean in X-Men 97 ), who join a list of previously announced characters that includes Spider-Man, Wolverine and Captain America. With its gorgeous pixel art visuals and obvious '90s-era Marvel comics inspiration, its hard to see Marvel Cosmic Invasion being anything other than a hit, and its fair to say that the license is in very good hands. Developer Tribute Games last game was the excellent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge , while publisher Dotemu has already put out the aforementioned Absolum this year, as well as Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound , which also got a big tick from Engadget. You can play with up to four players, local or online, with crossplay also supported. Marvel Cosmic Invasion will be available for PC, Switch, Switch 2, PS5/PS4 and Xbox on December 1. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nostalgic-beat-em-up-marvel-cosmic-invasion-is-out-on-december-1-172217400.html?src=rss

Pikmin 4 is getting a free update with hard mode, Decor Pikmin and a camera to snap field photos

Nintendo has announced a free update for Pikmin 4 that could remedy one of fans' biggest complaints about the game. (Yes, free. From Nintendo. We're shocked too, but we'll take it.) The update, which arrives in November, adds Fierce mode to make the game more challenging for those who want it. We don't know exactly what that will look like yet, but a higher difficulty level is a welcome addition to a game that is, for many players including myself, absolutely delightful but much too easy. It may not reach Pikmin 2 heights still, but maybe we'll see enemies respawn? On the opposite end, for players who want to breeze through an even chiller experience than Pikmin 4 already offered, the update also brings Relaxed mode, where enemies won't bother you unless you attack them first. This mode could go hand in hand with another new feature, the Field Camera, which puts a Pokmon-Snap- style spin on things. With this, you'll be able to take photos of your Pikmin and squad in the wild, and set the scene with various angles, hide characters, and decorate your pics with filters, frames and stamps. It might be nice not to have enemies pestering you while you're just trying to have a photoshoot. The update also brings a Pikmin Bloom staple over to the mainline game: Decor Pikmin. You'll soon be able to find Pikmin that are decked out in little costumes, and can add these characters to your squad. The announcement hints that snapping a picture of them may be the way to do this. And, Pikmin Bloom players will be able to send these special Decor Pikmin to the app to join their squad over there too. There's more news for Pikmin Bloom players as well. The mobile game is finally getting Ice Pikmin on November 1. These will sprout from new blue seedlings that will be found, to start, at Restaurant and Roadside locations. An Ice Pikmin with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on its head and a pink spoon sticking out sits on a rocky ledge Nintendo At the beginning of October, Nintendo got us all worked up about the possibility of new Pikmin content when it dropped an animated short that at first seemed to be Pikmin related , and was later confirmed to be . The company eventually put the hype to rest, explaining that the videos were indeed just the first short films from Nintendo Pictures Co., which will explore new creative possibilities through video content not a promotion for a new game, as fans hoped. But with a new reason to dive back into Pikmin 4 now on the horizon, maybe all the excitement wasn't for nothing. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/pikmin-4-is-getting-a-free-update-with-hard-mode-decor-pikmin-and-a-camera-to-snap-field-photos-165200723.html?src=rss

Spotify is freezing and crashing on some Android devices

The Spotify app has been freezing and crashing on some Android devices, according to multiple users and a report by 9to5Google . This is happening only when a phone or tablet is connected to Wi-Fi, so keep on listening to Spotify while out and about. Users first took note of the problem around two weeks ago, taking to Spotify forums to address their concerns. Many folks say that the app becomes essentially unusable on Wi-Fi due to the constant crashes and freezing. @Spotify please fix you app!! Crashes every 30 sec!!! StrictlySportS (@Strictly3Sports) October 17, 2025 The company has acknowledged the issue and says its engineers are working on a fix . However, we don't have a timetable for a patch or anything like that. For the time being, some Android users will just have to avoid using the Spotify app while on Wi-Fi. To that end, error reports have mostly come in from people on Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. The problem doesn't appear to be universal, which has led some to speculate that may be related to Chromecast-ready devices. This would explain why the issue only persists on Wi-Fi, but we'll have to wait to hear from Spotify for a cause. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/spotify-is-freezing-and-crashing-on-some-android-devices-163020556.html?src=rss

ChatGPT in WhatsApp will stop working in January

If you use ChatGPT in WhatsApp, it's about time to make other plans. OpenAI said its ubiquitous chatbot will stop working in Meta's ubiquitous chat app on January 15, 2026. According to OpenAI, the change is due to a policy and terms change from WhatsApp. OpenAI announced the change in a blog post . While we would have much preferred to continue serving you on WhatsApp, we are focused on making the transition as easy for all of our users as possible, the company wrote. WhatsApp doesn't support chat exports, and there won't be an automatic way to transfer your chats after the cutoff date. Fortunately, there's a simple workaround to migrate your chat history right now. Under the 1-800-ChatGPT contact profile in WhatsApp, you'll see an option to link your ChatGPT account. Select that, and all your queries on WhatsApp will merge with your ChatGPT history. As for why this is happening, well, we can only speculate. But the term urf war comes to mind. After all, Meta is now an AI company , too. And 50 million people using another company's chatbot inside WhatsApp must not be good for business. Fortunately, ChatGPT is available on the same platforms as WhatsApp: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and the web. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpt-in-whatsapp-will-stop-working-in-january-161335173.html?src=rss

Sonic Rumble is coming out November 5

Sonic Rumble has a new worldwide launch date: November 5. The game, which we've previously likened to Fall Guys , was supposed to come out last winter before its release was rescheduled for May 8 this year. By the end of April, however, Sega announced that its global launch had been postponed yet again because its developers needed more time to build the kind of high-quality, long-lasting Sonic game [their] players deserve. At the time, the company said it had blasted past its goal of 1.4 million pre-registrations and that it had received amazing positive response from players in pre-launch regions. Players who pre-register will receive bonuses when the game launches globally. Similar to Fall Guys , Sonic Rumble is a battle royale-style game that can accommodate up to 32 players at once. Players will race against each other in worlds inspired by the Sonic franchise while collecting Rings they can use to buy new skins and stickers. It has several different modes, including Run wherein players compete for the top spot and Survival wherein they compete to stay in the game. Players can choose between various Sonic characters, including Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow and Dr. Eggman, and form a team of four to race against other teams around the world. Sega developed Sonic Rumble for mobile devices and PC, and it will be available to play on iOS and Android, as well as on Google Play Games on PC and Steam. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/sonic-rumble-is-coming-out-november-5-160031039.html?src=rss

Our favorite MagSafe power bank is $57 right now

The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) is on sale via Amazon for just $57 . This is a discount of 37 percent, which is nothing to sneeze at. The sale applies to multiple colorways. This model topped our list of the best power banks , and with very good reason. It's a workhorse that gets the job done. It includes Qi2 tech for fast wireless charging and ships with a sturdy kickstand to prop up smartphones during use. The integrated LED display makes it easy to see the battery percentage, which is always nice. The 10,000mAh battery should charge a modern iPhone nearly two times before requiring a trip to the outlet. For those not keen on wireless charging, there's a USB-C port. As for compatibility, this power bank has been optimized for Apple iPhones . It'll work with Android handsets, but the wireless charging will be disabled. That's basically the only downside here. That's not the only Anker product on sale right now. A nifty Anker laptop power bank with a built-in cable is on sale for $92 , which is a discount of 32 percent. This one also made our list of the best power banks and won the award for most premium product. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-magsafe-power-bank-is-57-right-now-152128238.html?src=rss

Remedy's CEO is out amid the struggles of FBC: Firebreak

After nine years as CEO of the studio behind Control and Alan Wake, Tero Virtala has departed the role. Remedy cofounder Markus Mki is taking over on an interim basis (and stepping down as chairman of the board) while the company looks for a permanent CEO. Henri sterlund, a board member since 2017, is Remedys new chairman. I want to thank Tero Virtala for his substantial contribution to the management of Remedy since 2016, Mki said in a statement. I personally thank Tero for good cooperation and wish him all the best for the future. Virtala will remain at Remedy for a transition period to help with the handover of CEO duties. Remedy didn't spell out the reasons as to why Virtala is leaving as CEO, but said it was by mutual consent. However, it's been a rough year for Remedy after its latest game, FBC: Firebreak , failed to meet sales expectations. Earlier this month, the company issued a profit warning to investors and lowered its long-term sales forecast for the game. Remedy now expects its operating profit for the year to be in the red after recognizing a non-cash impairment of 14.9 million ($17.3 million) related to FBC: Firebreak development costs as well as publishing and distribution rights. FBC: Firebreak (a co-op Control spinoff) arrived in June and while the game reached half a million players in its first 10 days, most were on consoles, where it was available via PlayStation Plus and Game Pass Ultimate . Remedy said in August the game had underperformed on Steam, which the company had intended as its primary consumer sales channel on PC. After feedback from players, Remedy swiftly rolled out multiple patches for FBC: Firebreak its first multiplayer title to try to improve the game . It released the first major update for FBC: Firebreak last month to revamp the core gameplay and overhaul the onboarding experience . However, that didn't fully turn the tide. Despite improved player and sales metrics after the update, sales have not reached Remedys internal targets, the company said in its profit warning. Another major FBC: Firebreak update is planned for November, which will add a new game mode as well as cross-platform voice chat. Remedy also has Control 2 in the oven, as well as remakes of the first two Max Payne games. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/remedys-ceo-is-out-amid-the-struggles-of-fbc-firebreak-151023995.html?src=rss

Uber will pay drivers $4,000 to switch to an EV

Uber Green is rebranding to Uber Electric, and to coincide with the name switch a move designed to make it clearer for Uber users preferring to hail zero-emissions rides the company will incentivise its drivers to swap their current vehicle for an EV by way of a $4,000 grant. According to Ubers numbers, there are currently more than 200,000 EVs on its global network, and drivers are switching to electric up to 5x faster than regular motorists in the US, Canada and Europe. Ubers carrot for drivers is particularly timely given that President Trumps Big, Beautiful Bill recently wiped out the federal tax credit on used EVs, which was worth (at its maximum value) the same amount as its new Go Electric EV grant. The grant automatically qualifies drivers in New York City, California, Colorado, and Massachusetts to receive $4,000 when they switch to an EV. Grants are available for both new and used electric vehicles, and Uber drivers nationwide can also get $1,000 when they purchase any new or used EV through TrueCar. Uber has also announced that it's rolling out its battery-aware matching (BAM) feature to EVs made by Kia, Hyundai, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz in 25 countries including the US and Canada. This allows drivers to connect their vehicle to the Driver app, and will subsequently only receive ride requests that they are able to fulfill with their remaining range at the time. Uber said that 49 percent of non-EV drivers on its platform are put off switching to an EV due to battery-related concerns, which the expansion of BAM should help alleviate. The Uber Electric rebrand follows Uber transitioning Uber Green to fully electric in the US earlier this year, where previously it has consisted of a mix of hybrids and all-electric vehicles. Riders are also being enticed to seek EV drivers, with Uber offering them 20 percent off (up to $8) their next electric ride with code GOELECTRIC20, which is valid for a week. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/uber-will-pay-drivers-4000-to-switch-to-an-ev-144704532.html?src=rss

Toyota's new all-hybrid RAV4 has software you might actually want to use

If I had a dollar for every time a vehicle manufacturer launched a new in-car software experience designed to achieve the same levels of user experience as your average tablet or smartphone, I'd probably have about enough cash for a decent lunch at a middling restaurant. It's a common refrain, and yet after years of hearing that same story over and over, I still find myself firing up Android Auto or Apple CarPlay as soon as I get into just about every new car I evaluate. At the launch of the 2026 Toyota RAV4, I heard that story yet again, about how they'd rewritten their in-car software to deliver an experience like that found in modern mobile devices. And I have to say, for once, they might have actually delivered. Toyota's latest SUV has voice and touch capabilities that are not only quick and responsive but genuinely pleasant to use. And thankfully, the rest of the SUV has been upgraded to match. The RAV4 has been in production for over 30 years now. This, the sixth generation, comes hot on the heels of its predecessor becoming the world's best-selling car in 2024. Over 1.1 million were sold last year, which goes a long way towards explaining why you can't kick a pebble in a grocery store parking lot without hitting a RAV4. The overall changes for the 2026 RAV4 aren't radical, but they are appreciated. For starters, every trim of this SUV is a hybrid, with base models powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels, offering 226 horsepower. Those wanting all-wheel drive can add another electric motor at the back, adding a little more power (10 hp) and a good bit more drive for low-grip situations. For 2026, every trim of the RAV4 is a hybrid. Tim Stevens for Engadget From there, buyers can step up to a revised plug-in hybrid model, which now makes 324 horsepower, up 22 from before. Fuel economy is up too, up to 48 mpg depending on what trim you choose, and you can now get up to 52 miles of range from a 22.7 kWh battery pack in the plug-in. And that's usable range. I took a RAV4 XSE plug-in edition out for a morning drive and covered nearly 20 miles without spinning up the engine. Even at highway speeds the RAV4 was slow but perfectly manageable. With that much range and even reasonably quick DC charging (50 kW maximum), it's easy to see this as the introduction to EVs for many. For better or worse, that DC charging is handled on a CCS port, not the newer NACS ports that most manufacturers ( even Toyota ) are using on their EVs. The lack of any kind of vehicle-to-load functionality is a bummer, too, especially on the rugged-ish Wilderness edition, which would seemingly be a perfect machine for powering a campsite. Regardless of which trim you go with, you'll get that new software system running on either a 10.5-inch touchscreen on the lower trims or a 12.9-inch display on higher-end machines. The overall experience is the same, looking bright and crisp either way, just with more finger-friendly controls on the bigger panel. Toyota's revamped software is quick and responsive, especially the voice assistant. Tim Stevens for Engadget Toyota's software layout is familiar, with a vertical column of icons on the left for toggling between major sections like media or navigation, and then a row of controls along the bottom for controlling the car's heating, ventilation and cooling system. The rest of the display is taken up by a customizable series of panels. As you swipe from left to right, you swing through different pages, which you can move around and rearrange as you like. None of this is particularly revolutionary, but is pleasantly responsive. Swiping from page to page was quick and easy, without any annoying lag waiting for content to load. That responsiveness continued through to the voice assistant, which is the quickest I've ever used in a car. Just say Hey, Toyota and ask for whatever you want. When asked for pizza, the voice assistant listed nearby joints, even quoted their star rating and offered navigation, all without the annoying round-trip processing lag that's common in these systems. Some of that speed might be thanks to the addition of 5G connectivity (provided by AT&T), but there's surely some quicker hardware running beneath the skin powering the Linux-based software. The car's integrated navigation was also easy to use, quick to route and re-route and features all the points of interest you could ever want. There's even an integrated dashcam feature that will record any incidents on the road, or whatever else you feel like highlighting, while also storing the footage from the SUV's other cameras. Despite the quality experience through the touchscreen, Toyota didn't take this as an opportunity to delete all the car's buttons. You'll still find physical controls for all the major features, including (praise be) a volume knob. It was all good enough to make me not feel compelled to reach for my phone, but of course, I did in the interest of testing. Both wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported, not only in the main touchscreen but also able to feed navigation details into the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. That, too, is customizable, with a series of panels of information that hover over your phone's map view. The meaner, sportier GR Sport edition. Tim Stevens for Engadget So, even if you still prefer your phone, you're covered, and powered, too. The RAV4 has a pair of Qi wireless chargers, conveniently situated in the center stack just below the HVAC controls. You'll also find two 45-watt USB-C ports up front, plus a pair of 15-watt ports in the back for rear-seat passengers. The new RAV4 has a roomy, comfortable cabin with some fun touches, like a neoprene-like insert in the dash that's pleasant to touch. The overall interior design won't win any awards for dramatic styling or eye-catching flair, but it's comfortable and seems like the kind of thing that'll stand up to whatever you or your kids throw at it. In terms of driving dynamics, the extra power offered by the RAV4 doesn't turn it into a rocket ship, but the PHEV trim in particular feels more than quick enough. There's also a new GR Sport edition for those who aspire to something even more engaging, but despite a more aggressive grille up front and a big wing hanging off the back, it still feels like a RAV4 from behind the wheel. That is to say: Its not the most exciting thing on the road. But people don't buy RAV4s to be wowed, they buy them because they're practical and comfortable and priced right. Price, unfortunately, is one thing we don't know about the new model, with Toyota only saying that it'll start somewhere in the low $30,000 range. But all the SUV's other virtues carry forward into 2026 with upgrades. Add to that a massively improved software experience, and you have an SUV that doesn't disappoint. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/toyotas-new-all-hybrid-rav4-has-software-you-might-actually-want-to-use-140000442.html?src=rss

Luigi's Mansion will soon be playable on Nintendo Switch 2

You'll be able to play the first game in the Luigi's Mansion series on the Nintendo Switch 2 starting on October 30, just in time for Halloween. The gaming company is adding the title to its GameCube library for the Nintendo Switch Online streaming service. Take note that that service's GameCube titles are exclusively available on the Switch 2 and require a subscription to the $50-a-year Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier. A basic Switch Online subscription with no access to GameCube, Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance classics costs $20 a year. Since both Luigi's Mansion 2 (HD version) and Luigi's Mansion 3 are compatible with the new console, the whole series is now playable on the Switch 2. Nintendo released the first Luigi's Mansion in 2001 as a launch title for GameCube. It was also the first title in the Mario franchise for the system. The story revolves around Luigi, who wins a mansion in a contest he never joined and finds out that it's located in a dark, mysterious forest. Inside, he has to fight and capture ghosts and solve puzzles in order to unlock doors and explore the entirety of the mansion. Luigi's Mansion sold 257,000 units in its first week and was the top-selling GameCube launch title. It was remade for the Nintendo 3DS in 2018, but if you're a fan, we'll bet you would love to be able to play it again on a newer console. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/luigis-mansion-will-soon-be-playable-on-nintendo-switch-2-132045389.html?src=rss

How to improve your smartphone photography

These days, thanks to smartphones , almost everyone has a camera with them and thats mostly a good thing. At any time, you can capture memories with family and friends, painterly sunsets and crazy spontaneous moments. The problem is most of us have endless bland photos in our camera rolls because we simply dont know how to take great shots. When youre on vacation or gathering with friends and family, a good photo will provide memories you can proudly share and go back to time and again. And if youre active on social media, theyre crucial. In this article, Ill show you how to set yourself up for photo success with the optimal settings and simple but effective composition tips from myself and a pro photographer. And if youre interested in going further, Ill highlight several third-party apps that provide even greater manual control. Note that this is focused only on taking photos Ill cover video in a future article. Take advantage of your smartphones camera setup Rhonda Dent for Engadget Most smartphones have two or more cameras, each with different lenses, sensors and resolution. Theyre usually called the wide (or main), telephoto and ultrawide cameras. These work seamlessly together: You can simply pinch to zoom on the viewfinder to fit your subject into the scene and your phone will switch between the lenses automatically. Most smartphones offer shortcuts on their viewfinders for you to quickly jump between these, and you'll usually see numbers like 0.5x, 1x, 2x and 5x to denote the levels of zoom. Ideally, you should use each camera at its optimal setting and avoid in-between digital zooms (like 2.7x) that reduce quality. You should also know which camera is best for a given subject. People shots are best done with the main or telephoto cameras as those focal lengths flatter the subject and reduce distortion. They also allow for naturally blurred backgrounds and bokeh that helps your subject stand out. Since it creates weird warping around the edges of photos, the ultrawide camera is best reserved for landscape shots. Lastly, the telephoto lens is best for distant scenes, but avoid the most extreme settings (above 10x on most cameras) as your photos may become blurry or pixelated. When it comes to your phones portrait mode, there are caveats. While it does create a soft blurred background and bokeh, it does so using computational tricks. That can create issues like pixelation around your subject or an overly artificial look. To get natural blur, switch to the main or the telephoto camera, increase the zoom level and move farther away from your subject to frame them. Finally, this should go without saying, but clean your lens. Whenever you set your phone down, the camera can pick up grease or dirt that will ruin your photos. If you dont have a microfiber cloth, clean it with any soft cotton fabric just avoid tissue as its rougher than it looks and can mar your lens. Nail your settings Exposure is the only adjustment you need Steve Dent for Engadget One big plus with smartphones over dedicated cameras is that they have bigger, sharper displays. To start, boost your screen brightness when taking photos so you can easily see your subject and compose your shot. Take a few extra seconds to decide whether to snap a vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) photo, depending on the subject. Get in the habit of holding your phone in a way that keeps your fingers away from the lenses, as thats another great way to ruin a shot. Most recent iPhone and Android models automatically focus on a subject quickly and accurately. However, if multiple people are in a shot, the AI may focus on the wrong person, so be sure to tap on the correct one. Exposure, or the brightness or dimness of a subject, is typically selected automatically by your phone. Most devices will automatically average the levels across multiple faces so all the people in a shot are well-exposed. Steve Dent for Engadget One thing that smartphones are nearly as good at as cameras is macro or closeup photography. Most iPhones and Android devices let you focus very close to subjects from the main (1x) or ultra wide (0.5x) cameras. This can help you produce cool shots of insects, leaves, seashells and other things in nature. Selecting a new subject automatically changes both focus and exposure. If you tap on a dark part of the image, the camera will automatically brighten it and vice versa, but you can manually change that. On iPhones, tap a subject to bring up the sunshine icon, then move the slider to change brightness. You can also open up extra settings with the down arrow on iPhone and then select the +/- symbol. On a Pixel, open the settings (gear) icon, select brightness and move the slider. Sometimes, you might want to lock the focus and exposure when taking multiple photos of the same scene. Thats done on both iPhone or Android by clicking and holding for a couple of seconds on the desired subject. Then, the exposure and focus will stay locked until you tap again. You may need to enable this feature in your phones settings before it can be used. What about using the flash? It's best to use it only when you truly don't have enough light to capture a moment, as it can make shots look overly bright and unnatural. Below is a good example of a shot taken with and without a flash at night when there was barely enough natural light. iPhone 16 photo taken with flash (left) and without flash (right) Steve Dent for Engadget Most smartphones let you take photos nearly instantly from the lockscreen so you can easily capture when something unexpected occurs. Its a good idea to learn how so you can snap a shot without too much delay. Recent iPhone models have a dedicated camera button on the right side. First, ensure the settings are configured so that you can activate it without unlocking the phone. Then, push the button once to open the camera app and then again to take a shot (the main 1x camera is selected automatically). On earlier models, simply swipe left from the lockscreen to instantly access the camera. For Pixel and other Android devices, double pressing the power or volume button will usually bring up the camera app from the lockscreen. Some iPhone and Android phones have a setting that allows you to take RAW photos. That gives you image data straight off the sensor without any sharpening or other adjustments, so it can provide a more natural look. However, editing RAW photos requires practice and the photos take up a lot of extra space on your camera roll. Most smartphones allow you to tweak settings like saturation, brightness and contrast, but it's best not to get too in the weeds. Even the experts, like my pro photographer friend Nathanael Charpentier, stick to the basics, No complex settings, no artificial portrait mode. I just occasionally adjust the brightness when necessary, he told me (one exception for him is black & white photos). This then frees him to focus entirely on what matters to me: composition. Composition Nathanael Charpentier for Engadget Smartphones dont have the same quality as dedicated cameras, but that forces you to think about lighting and composition. Pro photographers like Charpentier will tell you that, whether youre using a phone or $8,000 camera, the most important part of capturing a shot is the framing. Many photographers use the rule of thirds. This stipulates that key elements like people and geographical features should be placed in thirds across a photo because its pleasing to the eye. Simply cutting a landscape in half between the sky and the ground should often be avoided to keep the framing interesting. To help with this, many smartphone cameras include a grid that divides the screen into thirds (turn on the Grid setting on iPhone or Grid Type on a Pixel device and choose 3x3). When thats enabled, you can place your primary subject and other elements near where those lines intersect. These grids can also help you keep shots level. Sometimes, though, a symmetric composition is best. If you want to shoot down a dock, for example, you can center it to take advantage of the converging lines. Then, you can slightly break that symmetry with other objects like a mountain, tree or bird. Rule of thirds used to divide a photo's elements Steve Dent for Engadget Other composition tips include the use of diagonal rather than horizontal or vertical lines to break up a composition, or curved roads or paths that guide the viewers eye. Another popular technique is to use converging lines in architecture when shooting up at buildings. You can also try using foreground objects close to the camera (tree leaves, a pole or a person) to frame a scene. To create dramatic shots using the wide or ultrawide cameras, hold your phone as low as possible you can even turn it upside down to get it right next to the ground. Interesting photos also come from strong lighting contrast, particularly shadows. To emphasize that, you can use the exposure compensation (brightness) settings mentioned earlier to make the shadows even darker while keeping your subject well exposed. To find the ideal subject or environment, look for patterns and punchy colors. Dont be afraid to shoot straight into the light source to create dramatic, backlit silhouettes. Smartphones do almost everything well except scene exposure; usually the photos are too bright, Charpentier says. And thats why I very often correct the exposure of my photos. Its a basic setting and done very simply on iPhone and most Android devices. Many smartphone cameras also take great macro photos. You can use that to get close-up shots of subjects ranging from insects in nature to food. Finally, try using the black and white settings on your camera to create a nostalgic mood or emphasize forms and lines. Take your photography further with apps Taken with Lightroom Mobile Nathanael Charpentier for Engadget If you want to play with settings like shutter speed and ISO, reduce automatic or AI settings, take RAW photos or change noise reduction settings, youll usually need a third-party app. Here are three Id recommend. VSCO VSCO is a popular editing and camera app for both iOS and Android that had a moment on TikTok several years ago. It gives you control of basic settings like exposure (via a nice slider), shutter speed, ISO and white balance. It also lets you separate focus and exposure points, so you can keep one subject in focus but change the lighting in another area of the scene. It offers RAW support and filters, though many of the latter require a subscription. Lightroom Mobile To focus on lighting and exposure, check out Lightroom Mobile. It automatically highlights overexposed areas of an image and then lets you easily dial brightness up and down, change settings like ISO and shutter speed and even apply filters. Once youre done shooting, you can continue editing your photos afterwards using many of the tools offered in the desktop version. Though no subscription is required, a paid plan is needed for some of the content. If youre on iPhone, Adobe has an impressive new experimental app called Indigo that you can try for free. It uses computational photography to improve things like exposure and detail to make photos look more natural. Halide Mark II (iOS only) For control over just about every aspect of your smartphone camera, Halide is the best choice. Unfortunately, its only available on iOS. For those in Apples ecosystem, it lets you shoot RAW photos with minimal processing (sharpening, etc.) and, according to the developer, has zero AI right out of the camera. At the same time, its Depth Mode lets you capture portrait shots (ie, artificial depth of field) with any subject. It also comes with a manual mode and tools like color zebras and waveforms to aid with exposure. Halide Mark II isnt free, though, as its $60 for a one-time purchase or $20 yearly. Before you dive into using an app, Id recommend that you practice the basics until you feel confident taking photos in any situation. That means making the best use of your smartphones camera setup for a given situation, nailing your settings each time and mastering composition. Then, apps like Lightroom Mobile will let you take your photos to another level like an artist graduating from water colors to oil paint. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/how-to-improve-your-smartphone-photography-010037588.html?src=rss

Steve Wozniak, Prince Harry and 800 others want a ban on AI superintelligence

More than 800 public figures including Steve Wozniak and Prince Harry, along with AI scientists, former military leaders and CEOs signed a statement demanding a ban on AI work that could lead to superintelligence, The Financial Times reported. We call for a prohibition on the development of superintelligence, not lifted before there is broad scientific consensus that it will be done safely and controllably, and strong public buy-in, it reads. The signers include a wide mix of people across sectors and political spectrums, including AI researcher and Nobel prize winner Geoffrey Hinton, former Trump aide Steve Bannon, one time Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen and rapper Will.i.am. The statement comes from the Future of Life Institute, which said that AI developments are occurring faster than the public can comprehend. Weve, at some level, had this path chosen for us by the AI companies and founders and the economic system thats driving them, but no ones really asked almost anybody else, Is this what we want?' the institute's executive director, Anthony Aguirre, told NBC News . Artificial general intelligence (AGI) refers to the ability of machines to reason and perform tasks as well as a human can, while superintelligence would enable AI to do things better than even human experts. That potential ability has been cited by critics (and the culture in general ) as a grave risk to humanity. So far, though, AI has proven itself to be useful only for a narrow range of tasks and consistently fails to handle complex tasks like self-driving. Despite the lack of recent breakthroughs, companies like OpenAI are pouring billions into new AI models and the data centers needed to run them. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently said that superintelligence was in sight, while X CEO Elon Musk said superintelligence is happening in real time (Musk has also famously warned about the potential dangers of AI). OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he expects superintelligence to happen by 2030 at the latest. None of those leaders, nor anyone notable from their companies, signed the statement. It's far from the only call for a slowdown in AI developement. Last month, more than 200 researchers and public officials, including 10 Nobel Prize winners and multiple artificial intelligence experts, released an urgent call for a red line against the risks of AI. However, that letter referred not to superintelligence, but dangers already starting to materialize like mass unemployment, climate change and human rights abuses. Other critics are sounding alarms around a potential AI bubble that could eventually pop and take the economy down with it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/steve-wozniak-prince-harry-and-800-others-want-a-ban-on-ai-superintelligence-123040020.html?src=rss

One of our favorite budgeting apps has 50 percent off annual subscriptions right now

Those looking for a better way to keep track of their finances should consider a budgeting app . There are dozens of them on the market now, and one of our favorites is running a discount for new subscribers. Monarch Money is offering 50 percent off annual plans right now when you use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout. With the typical yearly price being $100, this will save you $50. As mentioned before, the discount is only for new users and it can't be combined with other offers. The code only works when you sign up through the web as well. You can't redeem it through the Monarch mobile app. We feel that Monarch has a steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers and that certain aspects of the app are slightly more complex than they probably need to be. But it offers a great deal of customization and granularity , which outweighs our misgivings. On the main dashboard, you'll see your net worth along with your latest transactions, spending versus the previous month, your income so far for the month and details about upcoming bills, your investments and goals you've set. There's also a link to a month-in-review page, which offers an in-depth overview of what's been happening with your money that month. You'll also be able to take a peek at how your net worth has changed over time. Monarch can connect to your bank and track Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings accounts. It can pull in your transactions and balance history automatically and detect your recurring expenses and income. The app can even keep your car valuation up to date. While it might take a little work to set up Monarch (and you might have to tweak things here and there), it's a detailed budgeting app that can help you keep better track of your income, expenditure and net worth. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-budgeting-apps-has-50-percent-off-annual-subscriptions-right-now-174011845.html?src=rss

The best tablets for 2025: Tested and reviewed by our experts

Tablets are the perfect middle ground between your phone and laptop, giving you the best of both worlds. Whether you want a lightweight device to binge your favorite shows, a larger screen for mobile gaming or a portable way to get some work done on the go, a tablet can do it all. Theyre also great for keeping kids entertained, managing work tasks or sharing family moments through video calls. When a phone feels too small and lugging around a laptop is just too much, thats where tablets fit into the mix. For many, the Apple iPad is the go-to choice, and its easy to see why with its smooth performance and endless app options. But dont worry if iOS isnt your thing there are plenty of Android alternatives out there, offering the same level of flexibility without locking you into Apples ecosystem. Plus, if youre on a budget, there are more affordable options that still pack a punch. Whether youre looking for a premium tablet for work, a kid-friendly device with parental controls or just a reliable everyday companion, weve tested all of the big players (and many others) to find the best tablets worth your money right now. Table of contents Best tablets for 2025 Important things to consider before buying a tablet How we test tablets Other tablets we tested Tablet FAQs Tablet accessories Best tablets for 2025 Important things to consider before buying a tablet Before you start looking at specific devices, the number one thing you should do is figure out what you plan to use your new tablet for. Thats because if all you need is something to keep a kid busy, buying a brand new Apple iPad Air or iPad Pro doesnt make a ton of sense. On the flip side, if you want to use a tablet for video editing or drawing, youll need to take things like performance, versatility and stylus support more seriously especially if you're considering using it as a laptop replacement. Youll also want to think about stuff like how often you plan on traveling with the device and if its more for productivity, or for less demanding stuff like web browsing or streaming shows. Theres also an important trade-off to consider when it comes to battery life as well. Larger devices tend to have longer runtimes, though an increase in size may make it less portable. How we test tablets When evaluating different tablets, there are a few important things we look for above all else: solid performance, a good screen and long battery life. For performance, we run a handful of synthetic tests like Geekbench 6, while also performing a number of hands-on, real-world use cases such as editing photos and playing games. And with tablets often serving as hybrid devices, we also consider how easy it is to multitask and switch quickly between various apps. The more responsive a device feels, the better. Because a tablets display is such a critical component, we also view a wide range of content to gauge things like brightness, color gamut and dynamic range. Its important to take into account the difference between various panel types like OLED, which typically produce richer colors and excellent contrast but may not be as bright as a mini LED display. Recently, refresh rate has become an increasingly important spec as 90Hz and 120Hz screens can make scrolling smoother and graphics appear sharper in games. We also consider a tablets design (including things like size, weight and water resistance), its connectivity (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, 5G, et cetera) and special features like stylus support or the ability to serve as a secondary display. Thats because, while tablets were often viewed as content consumption devices in the past, higher-end devices like the Surface Pro and iPad Pro are more than capable of replacing a laptop for a lot of people. Finally, we test battery life by running our standard local video rundown test, which involves playing a single video on a loop from 100 percent until it runs out of juice. Ideally, a tablet should be able to last an entire working day, but longer runtimes are always welcome especially for users relying on them for productivity, entertainment and storage options on the go. Other tablets we tested Apple iPad mini Apple updated the iPad mini for 2024 with some under-the-hood changes including a new processor and additional RAM to help support Apple Intelligence features. While the iPad mini is one of the best iPads you can buy, its small size makes it a bit niche. Only if you prefer your tablet be the size of an ereader should you consider this one. Google Pixel Tablet The Google Pixel Tablet excels as a smart display rather than a simple tablet. As the latter, it's unexciting, but when paired with its speaker/charging dock, it becomes much more useful. It could be a good option for those that already live within the Google ecosystem and use the Google Assistant often, or those who like the idea of a tablet that can be docked and used as a smart display as well. OnePlus Pad The solid OnePlus Pad is let down by Android because there aren't many Android apps designed to be used on a large display like this model's 11.6-inch panel. Otherwise, the hardware is well-designed, its companion stylus is comfortable to use and it has an excellent battery life. Tablet FAQs What is the best brand for tablets? The best brand for tablets is really the brand you feel most comfortable with. We recommend taking stock of the gadgets you already have do you live in the Apple ecosystem already? An iPad might be best for you then. Do you have a Samsung phone? If so, a Galaxy Tab will likely be the most convenient choice. There is no one est brand for tablets; youll find good options made by companies including Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft and Amazon. Can a tablet replace a laptop? Its possible for a tablet to replace a laptop, but youll need a few accessories to truly make the experience as close as possible to that of a traditional notebook. A keyboard is a must, be it a keyboard case or a Bluetooth accessory that you keep with you. Some keyboard cases, like apples Magic Keyboard for the iPad, have a built-in trackpad, which will be more ergonomic than tapping on your tablets screen for input. Additionally, you could go one step further and use a wireless mouse that connects via Bluetooth to your tablet. If youre primarily looking for a tablet to replace your laptop, consider buying a 2-in-1 laptop since those systems typically consist of high-powered tablets that are designed to work well with (and without) keyboards. What size screen do I need? Figuring out the best screen size for you will also be related to the kind of work (or play) you intend to do. Larger screens make it much easier to view two apps side by side, and big screens also deliver a more immersive movie viewing experience especially when paired with an OLED display or Liquid Retina display. But at the same time, the larger the tablet, the less likely youre going to want to move it around. That means youre not only going to want to take stock of your workspace (i.e., if you have a desk or instead plan to work from a couch or even your bed), but youre also going to want to think about how the device will fit into your everyday routine or commute (if you have one). Tablet accessories Finally, youll want to consider any add-ons or accessories youre planning to use, which can range from detachable keyboards to things like external mics or a stylus. The good news is that many of the best tablets nowadays offer some kind of keyboard accessory, which allows the device to function more like a 2-in-1 instead of simply being a content consumption device. Some tablets also feature things like microSD card slots that support expandable storage, or optional 4G or 5G connectivity, which can be a real boon to frequent travelers. And if youre planning to use the tablet mainly for work, you might want to grab a USB hub for connecting all your favorite peripherals so your devices dont have to fight for the charger. Recent updates October 2025: Updated to add the newest iPad Pro. July 2025: Updated to ensure our top picks and buying advice remain accurate. May 2025: Updated to ensure our top picks and buying advice remain accurate. March 2025: Updated to include the latest base iPad in our top picks, February 2025: Updated to include clarification around our top picks and new buying advice. October 2024: We updated this list to include information on the new iPad mini 7. June 2024: We updated our top picks to include the Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ edition. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/best-tablets-150026056.html?src=rss

Private Internet Access VPN review: Both more and less than a budget VPN

I came into this review thinking of Private Internet Access (PIA) as one of the better VPNs. It's in the Kape Technologies portfolio, along with the top-tier ExpressVPN and the generally reliable CyberGhost. It's one of the cheapest VPNs out there, its interfaces hold together and it boasts plenty of server locations. Sadly, I was either misremembering PIA, or it used to be better until someone at Kape fell asleep at the switch. The more I tested this VPN, the more I came to terms with the fact that it's much harder to recommend these days, especially compared to the entries in our best VPN guide . The biggest culprit is unmoored download speeds that swing wildly from acceptable to unusable, but I also encountered dropped connections, high latencies and dead ends in the UI. I want to make it very clear that this PIA review is a snapshot of a moment in time. I don't think this is an inherently bad service, but it needs to do a lot of work to right the ship. As I go through my usual 11-point testing plan, I'll make a (hopefully) cogent case for why you should give PIA a miss as of now. Editor's note (10/20/25): We've overhauled our VPN coverage to provide more detailed, actionable buying advice. Going forward, we'll continue to update both our best VPN list and individual reviews (like this one) as circumstances change. Most recently, we added official scores to all of our VPN reviews. Check out how we test VPNs to learn more about the new standards we're using. Table of contents Findings at a glance Installing, configuring and using Private Internet Access Private Internet Access speed test Private Internet Access security test How much does Private Internet Access cost? Private Internet Access side apps and bundles Close-reading Private Internet Access's privacy policy Can Private Internet Access change your virtual location? Investigating Private Internet Access's server network Extra features of Private Internet Access Private Internet Access customer support options Private Internet Access background check Final verdict Findings at a glance Here's a quick overview of everything I learned from testing Private Internet Access. For details on the bullets, check out the relevant section. Category Notes Installation and UI Desktop apps work well but are limited to mobile proportions Android app has some confusing design choices and often gets stuck on screens that prompt setting changes iOS app is the best, but lacks dark mode Browser extension has several unique features Speed Major swings in speed and latency, even on the same server minutes apart Average download speed drop of 34 percent conceals a lot of outliers in both directions Latency was the most inconsistent measure of all, swinging by over 1000 milliseconds Security OpenVPN and WireGuard, the two universally available protocols, are secure IKEv2/IPSec only available on iOS Passed all leak tests, including while switching locations Encrypts all data packets Pricing $11.95 per month Best plan costs $79 for 39 months, or $2.03 per month Unlimited connections on any plan Bundles Antivirus and dedicated IP addresses available at checkout for an extra fee Privacy policy Free of loopholes, with no basis for logging user identities or activities RAM-only servers make long-term logging impossible Parent company Kape Technologies is bound to the same rules Passed two audits by Deloitte, but reports are only available to subscribers Virtual location change Never blocked by Netflix Canada and UK servers failed to change content three times each Tests were successful in Australia, Japan and Italy, but speeds remained a problem Server network 155 locations in 91 countries 59 percent of servers are virtual Features Two levels of kill switch stronger setting prevents all internet access before you connect to the VPN PIA MACE is good at blocking banner ads Controlling maximum download unit size can improve speeds App and IP-based split tunneling with normal and inverse options Automation generally doesn't work Multi-hop uses ShadowSocks or SOCKS5 obfuscation Port forwarding supported Customer support Written knowledgebase is not easy to use Live chat is attentive but slow and not always expert Support team answers email tickets quickly Background check Owned by Kape Technologies No serious hacks or breaches Former CTO came with some controversy, but no longer works there Two court cases have confirmed PIA doesn't store logs Installing, configuring and using Private Internet Access Private Internet Access downloads and installs with very little friction across all the platforms that support its apps. Since I have basically no complaints about the experience of setting it up, I'll spend this section focusing on how it feels to use PIA on each platform. Sam Chapman for Engadget I have a number of issues with how PIA structures its apps on each OS, but I want to preface them by saying that this VPN generally works fine. It connects quickly, its settings are easy to toggle and it never puts active obstacles in the user's path. Each app except iOS has a soothingly dark aesthetic that's always readable. Keep that baseline in mind when I start describing what PIA could have done better. Windows There's no good way to describe PIA on Windows or Mac except as a mobile app dragged kicking and screaming onto desktop. This VPN app never misses an opportunity to remind you that it would rather be on your phone. By default, it's attached to your lower toolbar and cannot be moved or resized. You can change the settings to have it launch in a movable window instead, but you still can't change its size. The main window is cluttered, but once you figure it out, there's a much higher degree of customization than most VPNs offer. Clicking the arrow at the bottom opens a long panel of additional widgets, including quick-connect links, usage stats, a snooze option and buttons for some of the settings you'll use most commonly. You can drag these elements around to reorder them, or click the ribbon icon to move each to the default launch display. It's quite cool just not especially intuitive. Sam Chapman for Engadget The server list is another example of PIA's mobile fixation. Despite having an entire screen to work with, PIA on Windows does not let you view the main display and the server list at the same time you have to click the arrow by the name of the current server to swap in the list of locations. This list can be organized by country name or by live latency test, though the buttons to change this are not clearly marked as such. Though the search bar works quickly, the streaming-optimized servers are not sorted out from the rest. You have to type streaming optimized into search to see if your chosen country has a streaming server. You can click the three dots at top-right to go to the settings menu, which is a breath of fresh air after the clunky main UI. Settings are arranged in tabs, and each tab's design makes it easy to tell what its feature does and how to control it. PIA's launch window feels over-engineered to make a distinct first impression, but the settings menu is free from that hangup. Mac PIA's Mac app also feels like it was designed for mobile and then ported to desktop. Like the Windows app, it's attached to the toolbar until you change the settings to let it move independently. After that, it has the same problem of being crammed into a mobile-sized window, with the server list and the main UI not visible at the same time. The Mac version also has the unique problem of not showing up in the system dock, instead working entirely from the toolbar. That said, right-clicking the toolbar does let you connect to the VPN and even choose a location, which is awesome and provides some justification for this design choice (though I'll point out that this could also be done from a dock icon). Sam Chapman for Engadget The main window of the Mac app can be reordered or expanded through clicking and dragging just like the Windows UI. The settings panel is accessed the same way and is just as seamless to use. In fact, one big point in PIA's favor is that its two desktop apps are almost identical water in the desert after the wild swings of Norton VPN . Android Having already complained twice about PIA's desktop interfaces feeling like mobile apps, I had high hopes for it on Android. While it functions just as smoothly here as everywhere else, it comes with a set of design decisions that are weird in a whole new way. First of all, you can't sort the server list alphabetically anymore; it's arranged by current latency instead, which means the list is constantly shifting in real time. Customizing the main window is now done by clicking a button at the top-right of the screen. This flips the entire look in a way that's likely to startle first-time users. It's ultimately the same interface as on desktop drag widgets around and toggle whether or not they're seen but it could be handled better. Sam Chapman for Engadget The preferences list is not nearly as user-friendly as on the two desktop apps. Most of the important features are buried two menus deep under the tab marked Settings, except for split tunneling, which is called Per App Settings for some reason (and barely explained). The larger issue, though, is that PIA on Android is extremely dependent on making you change system settings outside the app which would be fine, except that it hasn't figured out a working interface for actually doing that. Almost every time I was prompted to change something in the settings, I got stuck on a prompt page with a useless button. Going into Settings and making the changes manually did nothing to unstick these pages. iOS Of all PIA's VPN apps, iOS is the closest to a home run, save for the inexplicable decision to lock the interface in light mode. I gather PIA was just trying to keep its iOS and Android apps visually distinct, but throwing out one of its best aesthetic choices isn't the way to do that. Sam Chapman for Engadget That gripe aside, everything else is nearly ideal, pointing to iPhone and iPad as PIA's natural home. The option to toggle what appears on the main page is finally done right you still have to tap a button that causes a bit of whiplash, but it's much clearer what you're meant to do in order to shift, add and remove widgets. Browser extensions PIA's browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. They look fairly similar to the desktop app, but with some distinct features for the web. The best is the ability to instantly add the website you're currently on to the bypass list, which is incredibly handy if you're doing something non-sensitive and the VPN is actively slowing it down. Sam Chapman for Engadget The extra features are organized into three categories: security, privacy and tracking. Security blocks WebRTC leaks and automatically connects unsecured websites through HTTPS. Privacy blocks websites from accessing your camera, microphone or real location and can prevent you from connecting to websites with known security concerns. Tracking, as you might guess, blocks various forms of activity trackers. It's both very thorough and surprisingly different from any of PIA's other apps there's reason to use this extension even if you're already using a PIA app on the same device. However, its explanations of each feature rely a bit too much on technical jargon, so casual users might not find many of them helpful. Other platforms Private Internet Access can also be installed on Linux and has native apps for Apple TV and Android TV. To protect any other internet-capable device, including game consoles, you can install PIA on your router, which automatically protects any device connecting through your home WiFi. Private Internet Access speed test I used Speedtest by Ookla to test how much Private Internet Access impacted my browsing speeds. Running a VPN inevitably reduces download speed (how fast web pages display), upload speed (for posting and torrenting) and latency (the gap in real-time communications, such as during games and live chats. The real question, then, is whether PIA can keep those reductions as minimal as possible like my current speed champion, Surfshark . Server location Ping (ms) Increase factor Download speed (Mbps) Percentage drop Upload speed (Mbps) Percentage drop Portland, USA (unprotected) 13 57.92 5.64 Las Vegas, USA 105 8x 40.33 30.4 4.55 19.3 Montreal, Canada 512 39x 48.14 16.9 5.61 0.5 Chile 413 32x 44.63 22.9 5.60 0.7 Milan, Italy 672 52x 41.55 28.3 3.69 34.6 South Africa 1120 86x 26.88 53.6 4.36 22.7 Sydney, Australia 350 27x 28.08 51.5 5.26 6.7 Average 529 40.7x 38.26 33.9 4.85 10.9 This speed test was a marked disappointment. PIA had some of the most inconsistent readings I've seen on a VPN in some time so bad I initially assumed there was something wrong with the speed tester. I ran more speed tests on more days than I usually do, just to make sure a fluke outlier didn't permanently taint PIA's score. Speeds were often good, but occasional sharp drops suppressed them. This problem was especially pronounced with latency. In practically every test, the three pings swung wildly, sometimes ending up above 2000 milliseconds (or, as we call it in the business, two seconds). I can't say what the problem is, but until PIA fixes it, I don't suggest using this VPN for any split-second gaming. Additionally, on my first day of testing, the server location PIA chose as the fastest gave me four-digit pings, download speeds below 2 Mbps and no upload speeds at all. Other servers worked, so the problem wasn't on my end. This didn't happen in every location by any means, nor on every test but it repeated in Montreal, implying an issue with more than one PIA server. Sam Chapman for Engadget Due to several low outliers, PIA's worldwide averages don't look good at all compared to other VPNs. The best news in the table above is that upload speed only dropped by about 11 percent, and download speed by about 34 percent, retaining two-thirds of my unprotected speed. But the inconsistency is a serious problem; PIA might be quite fast at times, but its unpredictable. I've reached out to PIA for comment on its speeds and will update this when I receive a reply. Private Internet Access security test Since most websites today use HTTPS encryption, it's very difficult for third parties to see precisely what you do online but motivated people can still see your real location and the sites you visit. The purpose of a VPN is not to keep you completely anonymous or safe online, but to prevent your IP address and DNS requests from being visible to your internet service provider or anyone else. I looked from three different angles to see whether Private Internet Access is actually capable of doing what its name promises. First, I checked to make sure it uses VPN protocols considered to be secure. I next used an IP address checker to see if any locations leaked my IP address, and finally ran a WireShark test to ensure all protocols applied encryption evenly. VPN protocols PIA uses three VPN protocols to mediate between your device and its servers OpenVPN (over TCP or UDP), WireGuard and IKEv2/IPSec. OpenVPN has provided reliable VPN security for many years now; it's open-source and constantly updated by volunteers to stay current. TCP is slower but more stable, while UDP is faster but more likely to drop connections. OpenVPN is available on all PIA apps. WireGuard is a newer protocol that PIA contributed to the development of . It's leaner and often faster than OpenVPN, and uses a stream cipher that's harder to crack (though in practice, both WireGuard and OpenVPN use cryptography unbeatable by existing technology). WireGuard is available on all PIA apps. Sam Chapman for Engadget WireGuard's one downside is that it stores user IP addresses to keep the tunnel open but that's no issue if a VPN is following its no-logging policy, which I believe PIA is. See Close-reading PIA's privacy policy for more details. IKEv2/IPSec is only present on PIA's iOS app. Its ability to stay connected through rapid network changes makes it great for mobile, so it's disappointing not to see it on Android as well. IKEv2 isn't open-source like OpenVPN and WireGuard, but when paired with the IPSec suite, it's just as secure. Leak test To run this test, I wrote down my IP address without VPN protection. Then I connected to several PIA servers and checked whether ipleak.net showed me a different IP address, ideally in a wholly different location. PIA passed the first round of tests easily, as you can see in the screenshot below I never once saw my real location, which means neither DNS nor WebRTC was leaking it. PIA also blocks IPv6 on all apps to prevent it from leaking (this can't be disabled). Sam Chapman for Engadget However, since reviewing Norton VPN , I've gotten paranoid about VPNs letting security drop during server switches. So I added another test in which I changed servers several times while watching the IP leak test. PIA passed this test as well, always jumping seamlessly from one VPN location to the next without ever revealing my real IP address. Sam Chapman for Engadget Encryption test The last step in testing VPN security is to use a packet sniffer like WireShark to make sure the traffic you send is actually getting encrypted. It's pretty rare for even the jankiest of VPNs to fail this part, but any VPN that does fail gets an automatic blanket no. Luckily, PIA passed on all three protocols, as WireShark showed data packets with clear encryption. How much does Private Internet Access cost? Cost is one of the biggest reasons to pick Private Internet Access as your main VPN. At the monthly level, it costs $11.95 not that much cheaper than its competitors and more expensive than some of the best, including Proton VPN . The long-term plans change all of that. One year of PIA costs just under $40, or $3.33 per month. The three-year plan is an even heavier discount, costing just $79 and including three bonus months in the first period. That works out to $2.03 per month for the first three years and $2.19 per month after that. A single PIA subscription can be used on an unlimited number of devices. This could potentially stretch your money further still, covering an entire family, friend group or small business. Having said that, as with Surfshark, you can still be restricted for using an excessive number of devices. PIA's terms of service document states that it may contact users who appear to be abusing the privilege and can restrict access to the VPN if the abuse persists. Private Internet Access side apps and bundles Alongside the basic Private Internet Access VPN service, there are a couple of add-ons worth noting. You can select one or both of these on the checkout page after choosing your plan. PIA Antivirus runs continuous malware scans and sends you alerts whenever any activity matches its database of known viruses. You can schedule system-wide scans to catch malware that might have made it through the net. There's also a quarantine box for storing malicious files. The main thing you won't get is the kind of actively learning antivirus system that can catch new threats based on their behavior for that, I still recommend a dedicated AV app. Adding antivirus costs $4.50 per month, $24 for a year or $36 for three years. A dedicated IP address ensures you'll have the same IP address every time you connect to the VPN. A constantly fluctuating IP can trigger CAPTCHAs on some pages, so if you're sick of having to identify crosswalks just to use Google, this extra fee might be worth it. You can also add your dedicated IP to allowlists for remote access services. A dedicated IP address through PIA costs $5 a month, $51 for a year or $90 for three years. Close-reading Private Internet Access's privacy policy A VPN's privacy policy is a legal document that lays out the terms of its relationship with its users. It's easy to assume it's all hollow words, but directly contradicting its own policy can get a provider in trouble. Looking closely at PIA's privacy policy can tell us what its priorities are, what your rights are as a user and how much you can trust it not to exploit its access to your secrets. PIA is a Kape Technologies property, like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. I'll get into that more in the background check, but for this section, my overriding question was whether any loopholes in the privacy policy might allow PIA to share user data with its parent company, and from there to its other properties. Fortunately for me (and everyone who cares about this stuff and isn't a lawyer), PIA has a very succinct and transparent privacy policy, mostly made up of bullet points. At the top, the policy states that PIA always handles customer data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), even outside of the EU. Further down, we get this key statement: Sam Chapman for Engadget That's pretty definitive, leaving very little wiggle room. It doesn't include device fingerprints, which can be used in place of IP addresses and activity logs, but lower down, the policy states that device identifiers can only be gathered from users who opt in and thankfully, PIA's apps do not send that information by default. The next section discusses what PIA can do with the information it does collect. It's permitted to share customer support data with Deskpro, which powers its live chat assistance. It also uses Stripe, PayPal, Amazon Pay and BitPay for payments, but sharing email addresses and payment methods with financial processors is standard even for the most private VPNs (Mullvad has this same carve-out, to name one). PIA ends the privacy policy by addressing the question of its parent company, Kape Technologies, stating: either PIA nor anyone at Kape Technologies logs or stores any kind of substantiative [sic] Personal Data, user browsing data, or individual connection data other than what has been outlined here, nor do we share any personal or usage information with third parties for marketing purposes. Misspelling aside, I'm perfectly satisfied with the policy. Combined with PIA's use of RAM-only servers without long-term information storage, this document all but eliminates the potential for abuse. A PIA representative confirmed for me that while some user data is handled by cross-group employees, none of it is sensitive or identifiable. Independent privacy audits Third-party audits are one more critical piece of evidence we can use to decide whether a VPN is trustworthy. PIA passed an audit of its systems by Deloitte Romania in April 2024, which found that it was adhering to its no-logs policy. The report itself is only available to subscribers, which is a bit annoying, but at least not unique. After downloading it through my account portal, I was able to confirm that Deloitte's investigation found nothing in PIA's systems that went against its privacy statements. Can Private Internet Access change your virtual location? Chances are good that you found this review because you need a VPN to mask your virtual location, whether that's to get around age verification or to see what's streaming on your favorite platforms in other countries. This section's test is designed to see if Private Internet Access is able to change your virtual location convincingly enough for Netflix. I tried connecting three times in each in five different locations and recorded my results in the table. I used the streaming-optimized servers whenever possible, and the WireGuard protocol for the best speeds. Unblocked Netflix shows whether I got to Netflix without being caught using a VPN, and Changed content shows whether I actually saw a new library. Server location Unblocked Netflix? Changed content? Canada 3/3 0/3 United Kingdom 3/3 0/3 Japan 3/3 3/3 Australia 3/3 3/3 Italy 3/3 3/3 My findings continued the trend of PIA being just good enough that I'm frustrated by the ways it fails to be better. PIA never got caught, which indicates that it's taking care to not use IP addresses Netflix has blocked. Three of the five locations in Japan, Australia and Italy managed to change the contest I saw. Sam Chapman for Engadget However, with all nine tests in each of those three virtual locations, PIA's speeds dragged so much that I waited several minutes to see if it had actually worked. The other two server locations, Canada and the UK, didn't change Netflix at all, no matter how many times I disconnected and reconnected. The bigger problem, though, is that PIA's fluctuating speeds meant Netflix took ages to load and often froze until I refreshed it. Shows stuttered and lagged even when I could watch them. Until it fixes whatever is going on with its speeds, PIA won't be a good choice for streaming in any location. Investigating Private Internet Access's server network Private Internet Access has 155 server locations in 91 countries. Confusingly, I counted that it also has 91 virtual server locations, though it's not the same 91. Its network is heavily weighted toward Europe, which accounts for 44 countries, but there's also decent representation in Asia. Traditionally underserved South America and Africa get nine and four locations respectively, though they're all virtual. Region Countries with servers Total server locations Virtual server locations North America 8 64 45 South America 9 9 9 Europe 44 48 14 Africa 4 4 4 Middle East 6 6 3 Asia 18 18 16 Oceania 2 6 0 Total 91 155 91 (59 percent) Virtual server locations aren't necessarily a bad thing, but when used to excess, they may indicate that a VPN is more concerned with making its server network look big than ensuring it works for every user. PIA's server network is more than half virtual worldwide. Recently, it's added locations in every US state again, mostly virtual, which makes it come off as more of a stunt than a genuine improvement. Given the trouble I had using PIA for this review, I find that there's something to the claim that it's more interested in growing than in working. PIA's website has a helpful page that shows where virtual servers are physically located , though it's out of date, having been updated last in July 2023. The list shows that PIA tries to put the real locations of virtual servers as close to their displayed locations as possible. There are a couple of weird choices, like the Buenos Aires server really being in Miami, but that's mostly kept to a minimum. Extra features of Private Internet Access Private Internet Access doesn't have the wealth of features you'll see on the likes of Surfshark or NordVPN , but it's not quite as bare-bones as ExpressVPN, either. Some of its most interesting extras are self-explanatory, while others are a little technical. I'll explain the most important features here. Kill switch A kill switch is a must-have for a safe VPN. While active, the kill switch makes it impossible to connect outside the VPN tunnel, which keeps you from accidentally connecting to malicious fake servers. This also means that if PIA drops your connection for any reason, you won't be able to get online at all which can be annoying, but saves you from broadcasting any sensitive information without encryption. Sam Chapman for Engadget PIA comes with two levels of kill switch. The basic version watches for traffic outside the tunnel when the VPN is active. The stronger advanced kill switch works even when you aren't connected to the VPN, so you cannot get online at all without being protected by PIA first. PIA MACE MACE is PIA's ad blocker. It keeps a list of domains known to display ads, malware, scams or invasive trackers, and blocks them all from loading. This won't stop all ads, since some of them come from domains considered legitimate notably, MACE can't do anything about YouTube video ads but it works on most banner ads and definitely lightened the load on my browser. MACE is available on all PIA's apps except iOS. iPhone and iPad users instead get a content blocker that does much the same thing, but only on Safari. If you prefer to use Chrome or Firefox on your iOS device, you're out of luck (unless of course you get another ad blocker). Maximum transfer unit (MTU) MTU is a somewhat technical feature. You may not need it, unless your connection is extremely sluggish and the traditional fixes don't work. In short, MTU limits how much data can move through PIA's servers at a time. Large packets complete loading faster, but may struggle on shaky connections. Small packets make for slower but more stable downloads overall. I say you probably won't need it because it's almost always best to leave it on the auto setting and let PIA pick MTU on its own. I ran some speed tests with both the large and small MTU options and didn't see a noticeable difference. That indicates that PIA is pretty good at picking the best MTU, so in most cases, just let it cook. Automation On the automation tab in PIA's settings, you can set up rules to save you some trouble with the VPN. On Mac and iOS, automation can respond to three types of network: protected Wi-Fi, open Wi-Fi and wired. On each of these, you can set PIA to automatically connect or disconnect. That's it you can only have a maximum of three rules. Android and Windows users get the option to make rules for specific networks, but only the network they're currently connected to. On every platform, there's no way to determine which server PIA auto-connects to. It always picks the fastest. Sam Chapman for Engadget The inch-deep options on their own would make for a disappointing feature, but there's a bigger issue: it doesn't work half the time. I spent at least an hour on four different platforms trying to make automation happen. On iOS and macOS, I could make the rules, but they never triggered. With Android, I got stuck at a prompt telling me to enable location services, which I had already done. Windows was the only version where PIA's automation worked the first time. On the plus side, it gave me the question I used to test PIA's customer support. Split tunneling Split tunneling which lets you decide which apps or websites go through the VPN tunnel and which stay outside is a common feature, but PIA surprisingly has one of the best implementations of it. To start with, it can split tunnel by app or by IP address, which lets you protect specific websites or leave them unencrypted. Sam Chapman for Engadget In another layer of versatility, you can make your split tunnel rules in normal or inverse fashion. Either every app and website uses the VPN except the ones you designate, or only the ones you designate use the VPN. All these options give you a much finer level of control that you get over the automation feature. Multi-Hop via Shadowsocks and SOCKS5 Double-hop or multi-hop is when a VPN runs your requests through two servers instead of one. PIA handles multi-hop a little differently than other VPNs, as the second server will always be a Shadowsocks or SOCKS5 proxy. These two protocols are designed to obfuscate VPN traffic so it looks like a regular connection, which gets you around certain firewalls. Sam Chapman for Engadget If you choose a SOCKS5 proxy, you'll need to get a server address from an outside service and set it up yourself. If you pick Shadowsocks, which is the more secure option anyway, you can choose from a list of locations to use as the first node. It's nice to have so many choices, but still a bit frustrating that you can't get obfuscation without also using double VPN (which only works on the OpenVPN protocol). Port forwarding The final PIA feature worth noting is port forwarding, which keeps the VPN from getting in the way of any outward-facing services you might be using. This gives you a more stable connection on remote desktop protocols or torrenting clients especially the latter, as that's the sort of traffic you really want to keep encrypted. Private Internet Access customer support options When I set out to test the automation features of Private Internet Access, I found myself blocked on the Android app. A notification popped up telling me to enable background access to location services, but the button labeled go to permissions settings didn't do anything. I took the long way around and made the changes myself, but the pop-up remained stubborn. Sam Chapman for Engadget This gave me a perfect opportunity to see how PIA helps users caught in predicaments like this one. First, I went to the website and clicked support in the top banner to reach the PIA helpdesk . Then the trouble started. I opened up the Android guide on my Mac laptop and waited several minutes for the file to load. When it didn't, I tried my Android phone, which also didn't work. I checked back on the laptop, where I finally saw the guide after reloading the page. Sam Chapman for Engadget After all that, the guide said nothing about my problem. Nor could I find it anywhere in the general FAQs, which kept splitting into smaller and smaller categories which never really explained what I'd find. However, after a few minutes of searching, I found the problem had resolved itself with no explanation. Live support experience I still had to test live chat, though, so I pivoted to a new problem: how to get the Android automation feature to recognize my home Wi-Fi network instead of calling it unknown SSID. I couldn't be sure it was my own network and not a malicious duplicate. This may sound like paranoid nitpicking, but paranoid nitpicking is the bread and butter of cybersecurity. I first had to find live chat, which confusingly can't be accessed through the helpdesk you have to go back to the main website. I managed to get past the AI gatekeeper fairly quickly, and sat to wait for a human agent. In less than a minute, I was chatting with Carl, who requested screenshots and ran me through some tests. Carl was able to explain that the pop-up problem had resolved because I'd given PIA full access to location services (which is not something the window itself specified I would need to do), but the unknown SSID issue persisted. Sam Chapman for Engadget Carl was diligent, but slow. After well over 30 minutes of back-and-forth, during which I sent over two screenshots and a debug log, he told me we'd have to escalate the problem. I got an email from the support team about a day later that suggested I try connecting to other Wi-Fi networks and see if the problem persisted; this eventually led me to discover the culprit in my router settings, so I can't blame PIA for this one. Private Internet Access background check The final step, as always, is to look into the history of Private Internet Access as a corporation and look for any red flags I may have missed. A VPN's biography can reveal its attitudes about critical aspects of its job and show how it might behave in the future. PIA was launched in 2010 by Andrew Lee in Denver, Colorado, where it's still based today. In 2019, the brand was acquired by Kape Technologies , owners of ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and the now-defunct ZenMate. I won't relitigate the full Kape controversy here; you can find a longer summary in my ExpressVPN review . Suffice to say that while it's come under scrutiny in the past for tacitly allowing its products to become malware vectors, there's no evidence the acquisition changed anything substantial about how PIA operated. Most of the usual red flags aren't factors here. PIA has never suffered a serious hack or breach. In its 15-year record, I only found two things worth pointing out: a controversial executive and its United States headquarters. Former CTO Mark Karpeles Mark Karpeles was the CEO of Mt. Gox, the market for Magic: The Gathering trading cards that became the world's largest crypto exchange, only to lose it all in a massive hack that's never been fully explained. Karpeles was arrested in Japan after the heist and found guilty of falsifying records , but was sentenced to time served and released in 2019. While the Japan trial was ongoing, Karpeles joined PIA parent company London Trust Media as its chief technical officer. PIA founder Andrew Lee defended the hiring in a statement on the PIA blog , writing that If we, as a society, do not give second chances to those who fall, then we as a society will cease to progress, and comparing Karpeles's arrest to Steve Jobs being forced out of Apple. Neither man works at PIA anymore. According to his LinkedIn , Karpeles left London Trust Media after the Kape Acquisition in 2019. Lee left at the same time, and these days seems less interested in cybersecurity than in trying to become the Prince of Korea . Bottom line: Although hiring an executive in the middle of his malfeasance trial may be terrible optics, the whole controversy isn't relevant to the VPN's operations today. US headquarters and Five Eyes The other potential sticking point with PIA is that it's headquartered in the United States, which is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing agreement. Now, I'm on the record as not thinking Five Eyes is a big deal for a VPN either the VPN is following its privacy policy, in which case it'll have nothing to share with intelligence agents, or it's not, in which case its location is the least of its problems. As I concluded in the Privacy section, whatever PIA's flaws, it's not mishandling user data or violating its own privacy policy. That's not only confirmed by two audits, but also by two separate court cases in which PIA was unable to comply with requests for logs on its customers. If the VPN doesn't save information, there's nothing for Five Eyes to access. Final verdict There's plenty that does work about PIA. Its privacy and security are unimpeachable it uses vetted protocols with strong encryption and doesn't leak. Its iOS app is a nearly perfect mobile VPN, and the ability to customize the home screen on every app is a great touch. Split tunneling is outstanding, MACE blocks ads efficiently and I even like the automation (though I wish it was deeper). But PIA is aggravating to use in too many ways. While its servers are frequently fast, you can't trust that download speeds will hold from one moment to the next. Basic quality assurance, like assuring pop-up buttons always do something when pressed, seems to have gone by the wayside in its Android app. In spite of it all, I still recommend Private Internet Access as a budget VPN. Its three-year plan is the cheapest subscription on the market right now. At $2.00 per month, I'm prepared to forgive a lot, especially at a time when all our wallets are squeezed. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/private-internet-access-vpn-review-both-more-and-less-than-a-budget-vpn-120033882.html?src=rss

A four-pack of AirTags is on sale for the lowest price we've seen

Apple deals can be hard to come by, but right now you can save on one of the company's smallest (and arguably one if its most useful) gadgets. A four-pack of Apple AirTags is down to $65 right now, which is 34 percent off its usual price. That brings each AirTag in the bundle down to $16.25 each. If you're an Apple user, then the AirTag is the best Bluetooth tracker on the market for you. You can put these little discs in your wallet, in a backpack or in your luggage while you're traveling. Your AirTag's location will show up in your Find My app, powered by the vast network of iPhones, iPads and other compatible devices that receive the AirTag's Bluetooth signal. Keep in mind these only work when close enough to participating devices to be located. You can attach AirTags to just about anything thanks to an abundance of available accessories . Their built-in speakers can play a tone, triggered from your iPhone, to help you find them when the object they're affixed to is lost. On iPhone 11 and newer models, you can take advantage of the AirTag's Ultra Wideband capability and have your phone lead you right to your AirTag, complete with directional arrows on your iPhone screen. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/a-four-pack-of-airtags-is-on-sale-for-the-lowest-price-weve-seen-143112208.html?src=rss

Sony's 61MP A7R V mirrorless camera is on sale at its lowest price ever

As the holiday season approaches, Sony is offering exceptional deals on two of its best full-frame mirrorless cameras. The A7R V, which offers exceptionally sharp photos thanks to the 61MP sensor, is on sale for $3,298 ($902 off), its lowest price ever. And the mainstream 33MP A7 IV, great for both video and photos, has also dropped to a new low of $1,998 or $702 off (28 percent). Sony's A7R V has one of our highest Engadget review scores ever thanks to its exceptional image quality, speed and versatility. With a 61-megapixel sensor, it shoots sharp and beautiful images at a very respectable speed for such a high-resolution model (10 fps). It has equally fast and reliable autofocus, the sharpest viewfinder on the market and in-body stabilization thats much improved over the A7R IV. Video has even improved, with 8K and 10-bit options now on tap, albeit with significant rolling shutter. Even after a few years, it's still one of the best high-resolution full-frame cameras on the market and is an exceptional steal at this price. Steve Dent for Engadget Though also released a few years ago, Sony's A7 IV also received an excellent Engadget review score and is still one of the best mainstream cameras available. Resolution is up considerably from the 24-megapixel A7 III to 33 megapixels, with image quality much improved overall. Video is now up to par with rivals with 4K at up to 60p with 10 bit 4:2:2 quality. Autofocus is incredible for both video and stills, and the in-body stabilization does a good job. The biggest drawbacks are rolling shutter that limits the use of the electronic shutter, plus the relatively high price. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/sonys-61mp-a7r-v-mirrorless-camera-is-on-sale-at-its-lowest-price-ever-113045739.html?src=rss

Samsung Galaxy XR: Everything you need to know

With Galaxy XR, you can split screen between a game like Stardew Valley and a real-time video chat. Samsung After dropping hints for over two years , Samsung, in partnership with Google, finally revealed its first-ever Android extended reality headset Tuesday night. The new device, dubbed Galaxy XR , will run you $1,800 and you can actually buy it today . Due to its collaboration with Google, it's not a surprise that the headset comes fully equipped with Gemini AI built in. Android XR is the first Android platform built entirely for the Gemini era, and we are incredibly excited to take a significant leap forward today with the launch of Galaxy XR, Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem at Google, said. What are the features of the Galaxy XR headset, and how does it differ from its main competitor, the $3,499 Apple Vision Pro ? Glad you asked! What is the Galaxy XR? The Samsung Galaxy XR is the first-ever Android XR headset, created by Google and Samsung. If Apple's Vision Pro is the virtual reality iPhone, the Samsung is basically its virtual reality Galaxy S phone alternative. The headset looks like a pair of snowboard goggles, but it comes with a whopping total of 12 cameras and six microphones. And because it's 2025, AI is a big part of the Galaxy XR's upsell: It has Google's Gemini AI assistant built in, so while you're wearing the headset, it can see and hear everything around you. Google's XR designation stands for extended reality, which is effectively an all of the above term encompassing augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality. That means the Galaxy XR can put a virtual overlay on the real world (thanks to all those cameras), or it can completely shut out your space to immerse you in a totally virtual environment. In other words, you can customize your own workspace or turn your room into your own personal theater, or you can transport yourself to an international locale with a first-person you are there viewpoint. What can you do with the Galaxy XR? For watching videos on apps like YouTube, the headset offers a library of 180- and 360-degree VR content. You can also watch movies using Google TV on a large, resizable screen. Plus, if you have a question about whatever you're watching, you can ask Gemini since it sees everything you see. And when you're looking at your photos and videos, you can convert them to 3D so it feels like you're back in the memory. While using Google Maps, you can use Immersive View to go anywhere in the world (virtually, of course). Visiting somewhere historical? You can ask Gemini to tell you more information about the landmark. Spot a weird-looking plant or bug around your house? You can use Circle to Search to find out what it is while wearing the headset. The Immersive View feature of Google Maps lets Galaxy XR users zoom across cityscapes. Samsung As for getting work done efficiently, you can arrange your most-needed apps all around your screen for instance, your web browser, favorite music app, important documents and video conferencing app. And if things start to feel cluttered, you can ask Gemini to organize your windows. Even better, you can link your PC to your headset, as well as your keyboard and mouse. The headset uses two passthrough cameras for real-time viewing, six world-facing tracking cameras and four eye-tracking cameras, as well as depth and flicker sensors. It also supports iris recognition so you can unlock the device and enter passwords within some apps. What apps work on the Galaxy XR? Almost all Google Play Store apps will be available on the Galaxy XR headset. That means hundreds of thousands of apps should be available on the headset on day one, including basic streaming apps (for watching things like Netflix, HBO Max or Peacock on that giant virtual display) as well as new versions of some of Google's key first-party software, from Photos to Chrome and YouTube. And, of course, the aforementioned Google Maps is on board, too. Using the Galaxy XR as a PC monitor, you can stream in a game -- such as this Assassin's Creed tile -- from an external source. Samsung As you'd expect, Google is also focusing on gaming. In addition to the full panoply of Android games, the Galaxy XR's PC Link also lets you use it as a monitor for PC-based games, too. How does it feel to wear the Galaxy XR? Engadget Senior Reporter Sam Rutherford wearing the Samsung Galaxy XR headset. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Engadget's Sam Rutherford got some hands-on time with the Galaxy XR recently, and had some notable first impressions on its comfort and usability: [I]t seems Samsung learned a lot from its rivals by including a much larger and thicker head cushion that helps distribute the weight of the headset more evenly. Granted, during a longer session, I still noticed a bit of pressure and felt relief after taking off the Galaxy XR, but it's nothing like the Vision Pro, which in my experience gets uncomfortable almost immediately. Finally, around back, there's a simple strap with a knob that you can twist to tighten or loosen the headband as necessary. So even without extra support running across the top of your head, getting in and out of the Galaxy XR is much easier and comfier than the Vision Pro. How is the Galaxy XR different from the Apple Vision Pro? While the headset may look pretty similar to the Apple Vision Pro, there are some bigger (and even better) differences. For starters, the Galaxy's micro-OLED display has 29 million pixels, compared to Apple's 23 million pixels, and a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840, which offers a tad more detail than Apple's model. Additionally, it has 96% of the DCIP3 color gamut, while the Vision Pro has 92%. However, Apple's headset beats out the Samsung on refresh rate, going a full 120Hz versus the Galaxy XR's 90Hz. Since you'll be wearing it on your head for an extended period, you'll be relieved to know the Galaxy XR is a bit lighter than Apple's XR headset by 205g (0.5lbs). On the battery life front, Samsung is pledging up to two hours of general use and 2.5 hours of video playback, whereas the new M5 Vision Pro runs 30 minutes longer in both modes, per Apple. Besides the obvious operating system differences, of course, the aforementioned price delta is perhaps the biggest advantage Samsung has over the Apple model: At $1,600, you can get almost two full Galaxy XR units for every $3,499 Apple Vision Pro. How do I order the Samsung Galaxy XR? Sam Rutherford for Engadget You can order the Galaxy XR now via Samsung . While that $1,800 price tag is formidable, Samsung is offering financing options. And the headset's price is actually less than that of Samsung's flagship Galaxy Z Fold 7 foldable phone. Key accessories like the Travel Case and Galaxy XR Controller usually cost $250 each, though both can be bundled in for $175 apiece. There are additional incentives, too. For anyone buying the Galaxy XR before the end of the year, Samsung is throwing in the Explorer Pack at no extra charge. That includes a year's worth of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium (including YouTube Music) and Google Play Pass; access to the new season of NBA League Pass; and access to the NFL Pro Era game, the Asteroid and Calm apps and Adobe's Project Pulsar, a 3D compositing app. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/samsung-galaxy-xr-everything-you-need-to-know-111532664.html?src=rss

The best laptop you can buy in 2025

Choosing the best laptop can be a bit of a challenge there are so many models, sizes and specs out there that its easy to feel lost in the shuffle. But the good news is that modern laptops are better than ever. Whether you're looking for a powerful AI PC, a travel-ready ultrabook or an affordable machine that can handle everyday tasks, there's something out there for everyone. Todays systems combine improved performance, longer battery life and smarter features in sleek, lightweight designs that are built to keep up with work, play and everything in between. Out of all of the notebooks we've tested and reviewed recently, we consider Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air M4 to be the best laptop for most people, and this is still the case for our top picks to start off the new year. It's powerful enough to handle most tasks (even light video editing); it has a great screen and built-in speakers; and its battery could last over 18hours (depending on what you're doing, of course). The MacBook Air M4 is also one of the lightest and thinnest systems we've reviewed, and it's dead silent, thanks to a fanless design. Of course, not everyone wants a MacBook, and there are excellent Windows laptops and Chromebooks out there, too. Windows systems offer a range of configurations, from budget to high-end UHD screens with stunning IPS panels that boast high nits for vivid brightness. Chromebooks, on the other hand, tend to be more affordable and are great for users who mostly work online. Whether you need a powerhouse for creative work, a compact system for note-taking, or a laptop that can handle family movie night, theres something for everyone in todays laptop market. Best laptops of 2025 Back to top Specs to look for in a new laptop Depending on the type of laptop youre looking to buy, there are some specs we think you should look for to get a machine thats powerful enough for your needs and future-proof for the next couple of years (at least). Here's a cheat sheet for you to use when you're shopping. MacBooks At least M2 processor At least 16GB of RAM At least 256GB of SSD storage Windows laptops The most recent generation processor available from Intel or AMD At least 16GB of RAM At least 256GB of SSD storage Chromebooks Intel Core i processor At least 8GB of RAM (4GB is the bare minimum for a basic Chromebook) At least 128GB of storage, preferably a SSD Gaming laptops At least AMD Ryzen 9000 series or Intel 14th Gen Core CPU At least 16GB of RAM (ideally 32GB if you can swing it) At least 1TB of SSD storage For GPU recommendations, check out our guide to buying the best GPU for your needs Budget laptops The most recent generation processor available from Intel or AMD At least 8GB of RAM At least 256GB of SSD storage Back to top How we test laptops Engadget has been reviewing laptops for two decades , and while the definition of what a portable PC is has changed considerably since, our obsession with testing their limits and serving up informative buying advice remains the same. Be it a hybrid tablet like Microsoft's Surface machines, a rotating 2-in-1 convertible like HP's Spectre x360s or a plain old clamshell notebook, our review process follows similar beats. How does it look and feel? How fast is it? Whether its a Windows device powered by an Intel Core i5 or higher, a MacBook or a Chromebook, we aim to answer the most important question: Is it actually worth your hard-earned cash? We also pay close attention to portability, webcam quality and display features, including IPS panels and nits of brightness, as they can make a big difference in daily use. Back to top Factors to consider when choosing a laptop Operating system: Apple, Windows or Chrome OS There's a good chance you've already committed to an operating system, but my advice is to be as flexible as possible. These days, most major software is compatible with both Macs and PCs. (Of course, it's another story if you've become dependent on an Apple-only app like Final Cut Pro.) Web-based apps, naturally, will work on any platform with an internet browser. If you're an Apple-loyalist, there aren't many reasons to consider Windows laptops (unless you want a secondary gaming machine). But for Windows users, macOS is becoming more tempting every year. Apple's MacBooks , powered by its M-series Silicon chips, are among the fastest and most efficient laptops we've ever seen. They're incredibly well-built and have outstanding battery life to boot. MacOS itself is also an easy platform to learn, especially if you're used to iOS and iPadOS. That brings up another point: iPhone users may want to consider Macs because of the seamless integration with Apple's other platforms. You can't respond to iMessage conversations easily or hop into FaceTime chats on Windows PCs, but doing so is simple on Macs. ( Microsoft's Phone Link app lets you send iOS users individual texts, but not media or group chats.) Android users, meanwhile, may be better off with Windows, as Phone Link can make calls, synchronize all your texts and also access your phone's photos. If cloud gaming is your priority, Windows laptops with NVIDIAs GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming compatibility may offer more flexibility and decent performance, especially when paired with fast internet speeds. Chromebooks also make a compelling case here as an affordable, lightweight solution for casual cloud gaming sessions. As for whether youll want a PC with a dedicated Copilot AI button on the keyboard, that depends on how often you see yourself using Microsofts generative tools. Given were only just seeing the first slate of AI PCs, it would be wiser to wait out the hype and see what improvements might come over time. And what about ChromeOS? Chromebooks are a smart and (typically) inexpensive way to do things like web browsing and hopping on a few video chats, but for most, they're not the best choice as a primary computer. There aren't many apps or games that work offline, and they also don't work with powerful software suites like Adobe's (you can use the stripped-down Adobe Express and Photoshop online tools , though). Chromebooks are great secondary machines to use alongside a more powerful Mac or PC, and they're popular in schools because they're cheap and easy for IT workers to manage. And if all you need is web browsing access, or a notebook for a kid, a Chromebook might be enough. If, for some reason, youre looking for a powerful ChromeOS system, there are also Chromebook Plus models to consider. These machines sport faster processors and more RAM than typical Google notebooks, and they can also tap into a few of the companys online AI features , like AI image generation and photo processing. Price You can expect to spend between $1,000 and $1,800 for a new laptop these days, depending on the configuration. If you're looking for more of a workhorse, that could cost you well over $2,000 for additional RAM, storage, as well as a beefier graphics card and CPU. But you can also find some good laptops under $1,000 if you're willing to overlook build quality (or buy a refurbished or previous generation machine, which we highly recommend). Systems with AMD chips tend to come in cheaper than their Intel counterparts, but the bulk of their cost will come down to other components like RAM and storage. Ive included our favorite affordable model in this best laptop buying guide, but we have a list of the best budget laptops that you can check out as well. Laptop size and weight So how portable do you want your laptop to be? That's the ultimate question you need to ask when choosing between various screen sizes. 13-inch machines have become a solid starting point for most shoppers it's enough real estate for the majority of tasks like emailing and writing, and it also helps keep machines relatively light (typically between two to three pounds). Thanks to manufacturing advancements, these dainty machines sometimes even come with larger screens (the smaller MacBook Air actually has a 13.6-inch display). If you have trouble seeing fine text, wed recommend going for a display larger than 13 inches. ASUSs Zephyrus G14 is a solid 14-inch option for gamers, and were also seeing more productivity-focused machines aim for that size, like the Dell 14 Premium and MacBook Pro. While 14-inch notebooks are a bit heavier than 13-inch models, coming in between three to four pounds, their screens are noticeably roomier. For artists, or anyone else who needs a large canvas, a 15-inch laptop may make the most sense. They typically weigh between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds, but that extra heft may be worth it to fit wider video editing timelines or Photoshop windows. And, as you'd expect, you'll also pay a bit more for a 15-inch notebook compared to smaller ones (the 15-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,199, while the smaller model goes for $999). PC makers are also replacing 15-inch systems with 16-inch versions, which will give you even more space to work. If you're in the market for a business laptop, size and portability might be key considerations. A lightweight yet powerful system with a long battery life can make a world of difference if you travel frequently for work. You can still find laptops with 17-inch or 18-inch screens, but those are typically gaming systems or souped-up workstations. They're not meant for mere computing mortals. Ports and connectivity These days, most laptops ship with a few USB-C ports, which can handle both charging and speedy data transfers. Apple's MacBooks also include a separate connection for MagSafe power, and you'll find custom power connections on some PCs like Microsoft's Surface. Older USB Type-A connections are less common now, but they still pop up in systems like HP's Spectre x360 14 , as well as many models from ASUS. For gamers or creators who rely on discrete graphics, ensuring your laptop has the right ports for external monitors or GPUs is crucial. DisplayPort or HDMI connections can also ensure youre ready for dual- or multi-screen setups for more immersive experiences. Similarly, if you want to save high-resolution files or install multiple games, you might need to consider additional hard drive space; external hard drives are pretty affordable, as long as you have a proper port to connect them. If you're a fan of wired headphones, it's worth keeping a close eye on headphone jack availability. They usually include a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, but that's a clunky solution, and it also takes up a USB port. Sure, most people use wireless earbuds and cans today, but it's still helpful to have a wired one around for when those devices run out of juice. Most laptops today offer Wi-Fi 6 or 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 or later, which should mean faster and more stable connections if you have compatible routers and devices. While Wi-Fi 7 routers have started appearing, that spec hasn't made its way into laptops yet. As for cellular coverage, there are notebooks like the Surface Pro 9 and Samsung Galaxy Book models that offer integrated 5G. But from our testing, that feature may not be worth the cost of a separate data plan. Instead, you could tether to your smartphone or invest in a wireless hotspot that can keep multiple devices online. Battery life A laptop's battery life depends on several factors: The power draw from the screen and other hardware, the optimizations used to avoid unnecessary power drain, and, of course, the size of the actual battery. One of our previous favorite systems, the Dell XPS 13, lasted 13 hours and 15 minutes in the PCMark 10 battery benchmark. In real-world testing, I was able to use it for a day and a half without needing a recharge. The MacBook Air 13-inch, meanwhile, more than 18 hours in our benchmark and kept running for more than two work days of my typical workflow. In general, you should expect a modern laptop to last at least eight hours. If battery life is your absolute priority, I'd strongly suggest looking at Macs over Windows PCs. Apple's M-series chips are essentially mobile hardware, with all of the power efficiency you'd expect from something originally designed for phones. Qualcomms upcoming Snapdragon chips could help Windows PCs compete with Apples astonishing battery life, but weve yet to see those in action. Chromebooks also typically get decent battery life (as long as you dont overstuff them with power-draining tabs). Refresh rate A laptop's refresh rate refers to the amount of times its screen is cycled every second. Modern displays like IPS LCDs and OLEDs support 60Hz refresh rates at a minimum, but we're seeing more devices offering 120Hz, 240Hz and beyond. The higher the number, the faster the screen is refreshed, which ultimately leads to a smoother experience while mousing around or scrolling through web pages. (If you want to get a sense of what a slow refresh rate looks like, just grab an e-reader like the Kindle and try to flip between book pages.) While high refresh rates used to be reserved for gaming laptops, nowadays we're seeing more mainstream machines like the Dell 14 Premium offer 120Hz (or variable rates that move between 60Hz and 120Hz). CPU and GPU If youre buying a new laptop, youll want to make sure its powered by the latest CPUs. For Windows PCs, that includes Intels Core Ultra chips for thin-and-light machines or the 14th-gen HX chips for beefier systems. The Core Ultra series have NPUs for handling AI tasks, while the HX hardware does not theyre based on Intels previous chip architecture, and theyre more focused on delivering raw horsepower. Intel's older 13th-gen and 12th-gen laptop chips also don't have NPUs, so keep that in mind if you're looking at used systems. You'll also see AMD's Ryzen 8000 and 9000 chips in plenty of new systems like the ASUS Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14. Those CPUs mainly target gaming laptops and high performance systems, while you'll still find AMDs older Ryzen 7000 chips in ultraportables. AMD's main advantage is that its chips also include Radeon graphics, which are far more capable than Intel's Arc hardware (though those are getting better). Qualcomms new Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus are also an option in Copilot+ PCs (more on those below). Since theyre based on mobile chip designs, theyre likely also more power efficient than AMD and Intels hardware. In the past, weve avoided recommending Snapdragon chips because they led to a slow and frustrating Windows experience. But Microsoft claims its rebuilt Windows 11 around Snapdragons Arm-based architecture , which should lead to far faster performance and better app compatibility. As for Apple's laptops, you'll be choosing between the M4 Pro, M4 Max and M5, each of which is progressively more powerful. On the graphics side of things, a GPU, or graphics processing unit, is the component that communicates directly with a laptop's display. Laptop CPUs all have some form of integrated GPU: Intel has either its standard graphics or beefier Arc hardware, while AMD's chips include fast Radeon mobile graphics. If you want to play demanding games at high speeds (measured in frames per second, or fps), or if you need some extra power for rendering video or 3D models, you can configure a laptop with a dedicated GPU like NVIDIA's RTX 40-series hardware or AMD's Radeon RX 7000. Just be sure to leave room in your budget if you want a powerful GPU, as they typically add $300 or more to the cost of a laptop. Apple's M-series chips, meanwhile, have GPU cores that can perform as well as NVIDIAs and AMD's lower-end dedicated GPUs. That's quite the accomplishment for systems like this (especially the MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Pro), and it's another reason we highly recommend Apple's notebooks. AI PCs, NPUs and Copilot+ Simply put, an AI PC is a computer equipped with a neural processing unit (NPU), which is designed to handle AI-related tasks. Much like how GPUs tackle heavy-duty gaming and rendering workloads, NPUs are designed to handle the complex math necessary for AI workloads. Theyre also far more power efficient than CPUs or GPUs, which could lead to better battery performance in laptops. While many factors go into NPU performance, for the most part we measure their potential speed by TOPS (tera operations per second). We were primed for AI PCs based on the chips Intel and AMD announced in 2023. Intel unveiled its Core Ultra CPUs in December, its first to include an NPU for AI work. AMD also announced its Ryzen 8040 AI mobile chips that month (and it couldn't help but say they were faster than Intel's new hardware). But in May, Microsoft announced its Copilot+ initiative , which is pushing major PC makers to deliver premium AI PCs with specifications including 16GB of RAM, 256GB SSDs and NPUs with at least 40 TOPS of AI performance. Copilot+ is more than just a marketing term: Microsoft is also launching AI-powered features in Windows 11 that take advantage of powerful NPUs. That includes Recall , which can help you locate anything youve done on your PC (whenever it finally launches), as well as Cocreator in Paint , which can generate AI images based on text prompts and doodles. If you buy an AI PC that isnt Copilot+ certified, youll still be able to use some features like Windows Studio Effects, which can blur your background in video calls or keep you in frame. Developers like Adobe and Audacity are also building features into their apps that can take advantage of NPUs. At the time of this post, Chromebook Plus notebooks can also access a few of Googles online AI features, like image generation and photo processing. Back to top Other laptops we tested Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Aura Edition The ThinkPad X9-14 Aura Edition is a great spiritual successor to the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, offering the best that business laptops have to offer. That includes long battery life packed into a thin and light chassis. This is an optimal ultraportable business laptop. While the price might give you some pause, we tested the lowest configuration, and found that the X9-14s performance is excellent for casual business users. The only issue with quality is that the keyboard is lacking. Its mushier than wed like, which could get a bit tiresome throughout the day. Youll still miss out on a USB Type-A port, so you may need to carry a Type-C hub with you. Where the ThinkPad X9-14 will win you over is its bold OLED screen. Combo that with its well-rounded audio, and the ThinkPad X9-14 makes for an excellent multimedia device in and out of the workplace. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Aside from its lovely OLED screen, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED doesn't stand out from the crowded laptop field in any way. It just looks dull and boring, especially compared to the strikingly beautiful ASUS Zephyrus G14, which also came out this year. While you can probably find the Zenbook 14 for a decent price, I'd recommend holding out for something with a bit more personality (and with a less wobbly screen hinge). Razer Blade 14 The Razer Blade has almost everything you'd want in a 14-inch gaming notebook, but it's far pricier than the Zephyrus G14 on this list, and it doesnt even have an SD card reader. It would be a solid competitor once its price falls a bit, and it's certainly a great option if you just have to have a jet-black laptop. Framework Laptop 16 Framework gave its modularity magic to the Laptop 16 , delivering a gaming notebook where almost every single component is user replaceable. But you'll have to pay a pretty penny to snag it with upgraded hardware, and its optional Radeon 7700S GPU was surprisingly slow. Alienware m16 R2 The Alienware m16 r2 has been revamped with a slimmer case, but its otherwise a fairly typical gaming laptop. Its a solid option for Alienware fans, but youll find better hardware and deals elsewhere. ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024) The Zenbook Duo is a fascinating dual-screened notebook, and according to my colleague Sam Rutherford its the first of its kind thats worth buying. But its unique hardware isnt really meant for mainstream consumers, and Windows 11 still doesnt support multi-screen setups well enough to make full use of the Zenbook Duos ample canvas. Dell XPS 16 Dells XPS 16 is big and beautiful, but its far too expensive compared to the competition. Plus, it uses a capacitive row of function keys that you basically cant see under bright light and has too few ports for a machine of this size. See Also: Best Gaming Laptops for 2025 Best Cheap Windows Laptops Best 2-in-1 Laptops for 2025 Best Chromebooks Best Laptops for College Students Back to top Laptop FAQs What is the average battery life of a laptop per charge? Its hard to come up with an average battery life for laptops, since that will ultimately depend on what youre doing with them. An ultraportable like the MacBook Air that sips power can last around 20 hours in our battery benchmark, and around two full work days of real-world usage. But a gaming laptop may last only a few hours if youre actively playing something while on battery. At this point, Macs are delivering far better battery life than PCs, thanks to Apples Silicon chips, but Microsoft claims Copilot+ systems with Qualcomm chips will also get over 20 hours of batter life. How much RAM do I really need? The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can do simultaneously. For that reason, we recommend buying PCs and Macs with at least 16GB of RAM. That gives you enough memory to have several applications open at once, as well as web browsers filled with RAM-hogging tabs. Many PC games also require at least 16GB of RAM. While you could use a system with 8GB of RAM for basic tasks, youll quickly run into slowdowns and error messages as your apps stack up. Many laptops, especially ultraportables, dont let you upgrade RAM, too so youll have to buy an entirely new computer if you didnt equip enough memory at the start. If youre a hardcore gamer, programmer or planning to render videos or 3D models, then you may want to go for 32GB of RAM or more. And if you just need a secondary laptop for lighter work perhaps a no-frills system for writing then you can probably get by with 8GB. Just be sure to keep those browser tabs in check. What is the best storage capacity for a laptop? There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to laptop storage. Youll typically find configurations between 256GB and 1TB SSDs (solid state drives) on most laptops, and Id recommend most people get at least 512GB. Thatll be enough space for large apps, music and video files without stressing your system too much. If youre a media hoarder, or want to play a ton of games, then its definitely worth getting a 1TB SSD. If youll mainly be streaming your shows and music, and would rather invest in RAM or other hardware, then 256GB of storage would be serviceable. Id recommend staying away from any machine with 128GB of storage though. Most of that will be taken up by the operating system, and youll likely run into issues cramming in large apps after a few months. We recommend springing for extra built-in storage or investing in a portable SSD for backing up your most important files. It's also worth noting that Chromebooks tend to come with less built-in storage 32GB, 64GB or 128GB since ChromeOS encourages users to save their files in the cloud rather than on the device. In that case, 128GB is plenty. What's a good price range for a decent laptop in 2025? You can expect to spend between $1,000 and $1,800 for a typical 13-inch laptop today. As I explained above, you'll pay more if you want to stuff in more RAM or better GPU hardware. But you can also find deals below $1,000 if you look for refurbished or older-generation models. Whats the difference between macOS and Windows? Which is better? Simply put, macOS is the operating system in all of Apple's notebooks and desktops, while Windows powers the vast majority of PCs. You'll also find Chromebooks running Google's ChromeOS, but those are basically just web browsers running on top of Linux. Debating the differences between Windows and Macs is something PC nerds have been doing since the '80s, so we won't be declaring a winner here. There are some small, negligible distinctions, like using a Command versus a Control key, how file explorers work and concerns about viruses and security. For the most part, those are minor issues or have become moot thanks to better built-in security. But if you care more about playing the newest games, you'll want to have a Windows system. If you're more focused on creative apps, like Photoshop, Premiere and Final Cut Pro, then macOS may be a better fit (especially if you're running an iPhone). What are the best laptop brands? There is no single est laptop brand, but judging from this guide alone, we're generally impressed by notebooks from Apple, Dell and ASUS. They all offer fast, reliable and sturdy machines. HP also makes some eye-catching devices if you want an option thats the most aesthetic. Those four brands, along with Lenovo and Acer, dominate laptop sales worldwide . We'd avoid systems from any retail store brands, or companies that don't have a major presence in the US. Back to top Recent updates October 2025: Updated to add the latest MacBook Pro. September 2025: Added a new specs to look for section. August 2025: Updated our top picks to include the Dell 14 Premium. May 2025: Updated to ensure top picks and details are still accurate. March 2025: Updated to include the M4-powered MacBook Air. November 2024: Updated to include the M4-powered MacBook Pros. August 2024 : Updated to include the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12. Back to top This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/best-laptops-120008636.html?src=rss

Samsung is working on XR smart glasses with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster

As part of its Galaxy XR headset presentation, Samsung also briefly teased another wearable product. It's working in collaboration with two eyewear companies, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, on AI-powered smart glasses to go up against Meta's Ray-Ban models, Samsung's head of customer experience Jay Kim announced at the end of the livestream. We're also really excited about the AI glasses that we're currently building together with Google, Kim said. We're working with two of the most forward-thinking brands in eyewear, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, to introduce new devices that fit into your lifestyle. Samsung will focus on two different markets with those brands, though both will include cutting-edge AI features co-developed with Google. With Gentle Monster, it's developing fashion-forward glasses that will likely be aimed at the higher end of the market. The Warby Parker collaboration, meanwhile, will yield eyewear designed for general consumers, probably at a lower price point. Samsung only said that the AI glasses will bring style, comfort and practicality to everyday life via Android's XR ecosystem. As we saw in May with Google's prototype XR smart glasses, it will likely employ a Gemini-powered display that will show notifications and small snippets of info from your apps, like the music you're listening to or turn-by-turn GPS directions. It should also have a built-in camera, of course, along with speakers and a microphone. Design and appearance will also be key, but Samsung has yet to show any images of the upcoming smart glasses and didn't reveal a release date. However, it will have a tough climb against Meta's lineup given the Ray-Ban branding and that company's head start on the technology. Last week, Meta introduced its Ray-Ban Display model that includes a screen for a true extended reality experience. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/samsung-is-working-on-xr-smart-glasses-with-warby-parker-and-gentle-monster-042632170.html?src=rss

Why the Samsung Galaxy XR can support 'almost all' Android apps

The Samsung Galaxy XR is designed to be a showcase for Android XR , Google's new AR / VR operating system, but unlike competing mixed reality headsets, Google says there will be few limits on the apps the Galaxy XR will actually be able to run. In fact, a Google spokesperson tells Engadget that almost all Android apps will automatically be made available without any additional development effort. Obviously, Google and Samsung would love deliberately designed spatial experiences for their new hardware, but almost all existing Android apps, regardless if they were made for phones or not, will be considered Android XR compatible mobile apps once the headset launches. That means they'll run in a floating spatial panel that can be moved around the virtual space surrounding you, and per Google's Android XR developer guidelines , will automatically support core XR input methods like eye and hand tracking, along with the usual suspects like controllers, mice and keyboards. They should also run and look like they would on a smartphone or tablet. Apps that specify compact sizes show up accordingly and apps that allow for resizing can be resized in XR. These apps do not run in compatibility mode and wont be letterboxed, Google says. The only apps that won't make the cut are ones that require features a given Android XR device doesn't support, like GPS. And in the case of apps that are already updated to work on large screens, or that are adaptive apps designed to reflow and change size depending on the Android device they're running on, things will be even smoother. Google says adaptive design will be expected to be the default going forward, an effort that started with this year's release of Android 16 . Many APIs restricting size will be ignored on larger screens (which includes Android XR), Googles spokesperson said, because the company ultimately wants Android apps to feel responsive whether theyre on a phone, an in-car display or an XR headset. Apple tried a similar, but more limited approach with the launch of visionOS and the Vision Pro by letting developers list their iOS and iPadOS apps in the visionOS App Store. The move produced mixed results, and a dearth of real visionOS apps. An app designed with a device in mind is better than one that's not, but Google does at least appear to have set Android developers up for a slightly smoother ride. Considering the Galaxy XR's cheaper price when compared to the Vision Pro, they might also have a bigger audience to make apps for, too. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/why-the-samsung-galaxy-xr-can-support-almost-all-android-apps-021000889.html?src=rss

Samsung Galaxy XR hands-on: A smarter, more open take on Apple's Vision Pro for half the price

Apple's Vision Pro was meant to usher in a new era for headsets. However, its high price and somewhat limited utility resulted in what may be the company's biggest flop in years. Now it's time for Samsung to give things a go with the Galaxy XR . It's a fresh take on modern mixed reality goggles developed through deep partnerships with Qualcomm and Google and it attempts to address some of the Vision Pro's biggest shortcomings. The hardware While both Apple and Samsung's headsets have a lot of similarities (like their basic design and support for features such as hand and eye tracking), there are also some very important differences. First, at $1,800, the Galaxy XR is essentially half the price of the Vision Pro (including the new M5-powered model ). Second, instead of Apples homegrown OS, Samsung's headset is the first to run Google's new Android XR platform, which combines a lot of familiar elements from its mobile counterpart but with a bigger emphasis on AI and Gemini-based voice controls. And third, because Samsung relied more on partners like Google and Qualcomm, the Galaxy XR feels like it's built around a larger, more open ecosystem that plays nicely with a wider range of third-party devices and software. The Galaxy XR fundamentally doesn't look that much different from the Vision Pro. It features a large visor in front with an assortment of 13 different exterior sensors to support inside-out tracking, passthrough vision and hand recognition. There are some additional sensors inside for eye and face tracking. There's also a connector for the wire that leads to its external clip-on battery pack alongside built-in speakers with spatial audio. The one big departure is that unlike the Vision Pro, the Galaxy XR doesn't have an outward-facing display, so it won't be able to project your face onto the outside of the headset, which is just fine by me. Sam Rutherford for Engadget However, the devil is in the details because while the original Vision Pro weighed between 600 and 650 grams (around 1.3 to 1.4 pounds) depending on the configuration (not including its battery pack), the Galaxy XR is significantly lighter at 545 grams (1.2 pounds). And that's before you consider the new M5 Vision Pro, which has somehow gone backwards by being even heavier at 750-800 grams (around 1.6 pounds). Furthermore, it seems Samsung learned a lot from its rivals by including a much larger and thicker head cushion that helps distribute the weight of the headset more evenly. Granted, during a longer session, I still noticed a bit of pressure and felt relief after taking off the Galaxy XR, but it's nothing like the Vision Pro, which in my experience gets uncomfortable almost immediately. Finally, around back, there's a simple strap with a knob that you can twist to tighten or loosen the headband as necessary. So even without extra support running across the top of your head, getting in and out of the Galaxy XR is much easier and comfier than the Vision Pro. Sam Rutherford for Engadget On the inside, the Galaxy XR is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip with dual micro OLED displays that deliver 4K resolution (3,552 x 3,840) to each eye at up to 90Hz. I wish Samsung was able to go up to a 120Hz refresh rate like on the Vision Pro, but considering the Galaxy XR's slightly higher overall resolution, I'm not that bothered. And I must say, the image quality from this headset is seriously sharp. It's even better than Apple's goggles and it might be the best I've ever used, particularly outside of $10,000+ enterprise-only setups. Once again, when you consider that this thing costs half the price of a Vision Pro, this headset feels like a real accomplishment by Samsung to the point where I wouldn't be surprised if the company is losing money on every unit it sells. In terms of longevity, Samsung says that for general use the Galaxy XR should last around two hours. If you're only watching videos though, that figure is more like two and a half. Thankfully, if you do need to be in mixed reality for longer, you can charge the headset while it's being used. As for security, the Galaxy XR uses iris recognition to skip traditional passwords, which is nice. The platform: Android XR Sometimes, trying out a new software platform can be a little jarring. But that's not really the case for Android XR, which shouldn't present much of a learning curve for anyone who has used other headsets or Google's ubiquitous mobile OS. After putting the goggles on, you can summon a home menu with an app launcher by facing your palm up and touching your index finger and thumb together. From there, you can open apps and menus by moving your hands and pinching icons or rearranging virtual windows by grabbing the anchor point along the bottom and putting them where you want. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Notably, while there is a growing number of new apps made specifically for XR, you still get access to all of your standard Android titles. Those include Google Photos, Google Maps and Youtube, all of which I got a chance to play around with during a 25-minute demo. In Photos, you can browse your pictures normally. However, to take advantage of the Galaxy XR's hardware, Google created a feature that allows the app to convert standard flat images (with help from the cloud) into immersive ones. While the effect isn't true 3D, it adds distinct foreground, midground and background layers to images in a way that makes viewing your photo roll just a bit more interesting. In Maps, you start out with a view of the world before using hand gestures to move and zoom in wherever you want or voice commands to laser in on a specific location. The neat new trick for this app is that if you find bubbles over things like restaurants and stores, you can click those to be transported inside those businesses, where Android XR will stitch together 2D photos to create a simulated 3D environment that you can move and walk around in. Granted, this doesn't have a ton of practical use for most folks unless you want to take a virtual tour of something like a wedding venue. But, the tech is impressive nonetheless. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Finally in the YouTube app, the Galaxy XR did a great job of making standard 360 videos look even better. While quality will always depend on the gear that captured the content, viewing spatial clips was a great way to show off its resolution and image quality. Google says it will also put a new tab on the app to make finding 360 videos easier, though you can always watch the billions of standard flat videos as well. Interestingly, you can use and navigate the Galaxy XR entirely with hand gestures, but voice commands (via Gemini) are also a major part of the Android XR platform. Because the goggles sit on your head, unlike with mobile devices, there's no need to use a wake word every time you want to do something. You just talk and Gemini listens (though you can choose to disable this behavior if you prefer), so this makes voice interactions feel a lot more natural. Because Gemini can also do things like adjust settings or organize all the apps you have open, in addition to answering questions, it feels like Google is starting to deliver on some of those Star Trek moments where you can simply ask the computer to do something and it just happens. Yes, it's still very early, but as a platform, Android XR feels much more like a virtual playground than VisionOS does at the moment. Other features Sam Rutherford for Engadget While I didn't get to test these out myself, there are some other important features worth mentioning. In addition to apps, you can also play your standard selection of Android games like Stardew Valley or connect the headset to your PC (like with Steam Link) to play full desktop titles. Furthermore, I was told that the Galaxy XR can be tethered to a computer and used like a traditional VR headset. And while Samsung is making optional wireless controllers for the Galaxy XR (and a big carrying case), you may not need them at all as you'll also have the ability to pair the goggles with typical Bluetooth-based gamepads along with wireless mice and keyboards. Google also says it's working on a new system called Likenesses that can create personalized avatars for use in video calls and meetings that use data from interior sensors to deliver more realistic expressions. Additionally, you'll be able to use tools like Veo3 to make AI-generated videos while providing prompts using your voice. But this is just scratching the surface of the Galaxy XR's capabilities and I want to use this thing more before offering a final verdict. Early thoughts Sam Rutherford for Engadget In many ways, the Galaxy XR looks and feels like a flagship mixed reality headset in the same vein as the Vision Pro, but for the Android crowd (and Windows users to some extent as well). On top of that, Google has done some interesting things with Android XR to make it feel like there's a much wider range of content and software to view and use. In many ways, the addition of a dedicated AI assistant in Gemini and voice controls feels much more impactful on goggles than a phone because you can't always count on having physical inputs like a mouse or keyboard. And with the Galaxy XR being half the price of the Vision Pro, Samsung and Google have done a lot to address some of the most glaring issues with Apple's rival. In case the price drop wasn't enough, it feels like all the companies involved are doing as much as possible to sweeten the deal. I actually started laughing when I first heard all the discounts and free subscriptions that come with the headset. That's because in addition to the goggles themselves, every Galaxy XR will come with what's being called the Explorer Pack: 12 months of access to Google AI Pro, 12 months of YouTube Premium (which itself includes YouTube Music), 12 months of Google Play Pass, 12 Months of NBA League Pass and a bundle of other custom XR content and apps. So on top of a slick design, top-tier optics and a new platform, Google and Samsung are basically tossing a kitchen sink of apps and memberships in with the headset. Sam Rutherford for Engadget My only reservation is that when it comes to mass adoption, I think smartglasses have supplanted headsets as the next big mainstream play. Granted, there is a lot of technology and software shared between both categories of devices (Google has already teased upcoming Android XR smartglasses) that should allow Samsung or Google to pivot more easily down the line. But the idea that in the future there will be a headset in every home seems less likely every day. Still, as a showcase for the potential of mixed reality and high-end optics, the Galaxy XR is an exciting piece of tech. The Samsung Galaxy XR is available now for $1,800 on Samsung.com . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/samsung-galaxy-xr-hands-on-a-smarter-more-open-take-on-apples-vision-pro-for-half-the-price-020044642.html?src=rss

How to order the Samsung Galaxy XR headset

Samsung's take on the Vision Pro is here and you can already order it. Costing just over half as much as Apple's reality machine , the Galaxy XR has a 4K micro-OLED screen and a 100-degree horizontal field of view. The $1,800 mixed reality headset is available now for pre-order on Samsung's website . The Galaxy XR isn't only a Samsung product. The company developed the long-rumored headset alongside Google and Qualcomm. It's the first Android XR product, a line that will eventually include AI glasses and beyond. You can read more about the headset and its ecosystem in Engadget's news coverage. Given Google's connection to the Galaxy XR, it isn't too surprising that the company has bonuses for early orders. If you buy the headset before the end of 2025, you'll get The Explorer Pack. That includes a year of access to Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium and Google Play Pass. Also included until the end of the year is the XR Pack. This adds three months of YouTube TV, a year of NBA League Pass, NFL Pro Era, Adobe's Project Pulsar, Asteroid and Calm. You can order the Galaxy XR now from Samsung's website and in Samsung Experience Stores. The headset costs $1,800. An optional Galaxy XR Controller costs $250. And somehow, the official Galaxy XR travel case also costs $250, which is yikes a lot. Perhaps consider waiting for third-party alternatives on the case front. Samsung is offering a 24-month financing plan for the headset ($75.01 monthly) on its website. Meanwhile, Samsung's stores have that plan as well as a 12-month one ($149 monthly). This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/how-to-order-the-samsung-galaxy-xr-headset-020008173.html?src=rss

Google and Samsung's first Android XR headset is the $1,800 Galaxy XR

We've known for a while that the first extended reality (or XR) headset from Samsung and Google would debut in 2025. During an event on Tuesday night , Samsung at long last shared more details about the first Android XR device that you'll be able to purchase. The company got really wild and original with the headset's name. You're truly not going to believe what it's called... Actually, it's got the most unsurprising name of all time: Galaxy XR . What's more, you can buy the headset right now in the US and Korea for $1,800. That's just over half of what the Apple Vision Pro costs. Aside from an Android-powered headset that looks very much like an Apple Vision Pro, you might be wondering exactly what you'll be getting in return for forking over 1,800 smackeroos. As expected , Galaxy XR is powered by the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset. Qualcomm worked with Samsung and Google on the headset. The micro OLED display has 29 million pixels (6 million more than the Apple Vision Pro), a resolution of 3,552 x 3,840 and 96 percent of the DCIP3 color gamut four percent more than the Vision Pro. Where Apple does have Samsung beat on the display front is with the refresh rate: the Galaxy XR tops out at 90Hz and the Vision Pro can hit 120Hz. Galaxy XR has dual high-res passthrough cameras to support mixed reality use, six other external cameras for tracking things in the environment and two eye-tracking sensors. The device supports iris recognition for unlocking the headset and entering passwords in some apps. As with the Vision Pro, you can capture 3D photos and video using the headset. Sam Rutherford for Engadget The cameras allow for hand tracking and gesture control, though it's possible to operate Galaxy XR with physical controllers as well. If you prefer, you can pair a keyboard and mouse to the headset or link it to your PC and access your desktop that way. The dual speakers support Dolby Atmos and there are six microphones built in. As for battery life, Samsung says you'll get up to two hours of general use and 2.5 hours of video playback on a charge. That matches the original battery life promises of the original Vision Pro, but Apple said its latest model (which has the new M5 chipset) offers an extra 30 minutes or so of usage. The interpupillary distance of the Galaxy XR's optics is 54~70mm, and it's possible to buy insertable prescription lenses if needed. As for connectivity, the headset supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. Even with a forehead cushion attached, Galaxy XR weighs 545g (1.2lbs), while the latest Apple Vision Pro has a minimum weight of 750g (1.7lbs). The Galaxy XR's battery pack as with competitor's offerings, the battery is external weighs 302g (0.7lbs). Samsung claims the Galaxy XR was designed with comfort in mind. The headsets ergonomically balanced frame distributes pressure across the forehead and the back of the head, minimizing facial discomfort while providing steady support, the company said in a press release. There's also a detachable light shield that you can employ to block out external light. Google/Unity What you can actually do with Galaxy XR There are no prizes for guessing that Google's generative AI chatbot Gemini is at the heart of Android XR. Android XR is the first Android platform built entirely for the Gemini era, and we are incredibly excited to take a significant leap forward today with the launch of Galaxy XR, Sameer Samat, Google's president of Android Ecosystem, said. Every Google Play Store app works out of the box on the headset, though of course Google has reworked some for mixed reality. You can use Gemini to navigate Google Maps and ask for personalized recommendations while checking out 3D visuals with Immersive View . Google Photos can bring an extra dimension to 2D photos and videos via auto spatialization. On YouTube, you can ask Gemini to find videos and tell you more details about what you're watching. And, while using the passthrough mode, you can look at any object in your environment and use Circle to Search to look up more info about it. Google has also made new versions of Google TV, Chrome and Meet (because what is mixed reality for if not conference calls?) for Android XR. Multitasking is a factor here as well. The operating system allows users to have multiple, resizable apps open at once. These can be arranged in a virtual space, or you can simply ask Gemini to do that for you. On the entertainment front, you'll be able to stream shows and movies in 4K in a virtual theater setting. You'll have access to a library of 180-degree and 360-degree VR content, and you can view 3D content via a spatial tab. Some streaming platforms have reworked their apps for Android XR, including Crunchyroll, HBO Max and Peacock. There's a multi-view option for watching sports, with apps from the likes of MLB and Fox Sports available. With Adobe's Project Pulsar (an immersive video editing app), you'll be able to add 3D depth to videos and seemingly place captions behind subjects with ease, if that's something you're interested in. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Galaxy XR has games too. NFL Pro Era an NFL-licensed virtual reality title that's also on Meta Quest, PlayStation VR and Windows is available for Android XR. So too is Inside [JOB] by Owlchemy Labs ( Vacation Simulator, Job Simulator ). For compatible games, Samsung says Gemini can offer real-time coaching, tips and enhanced gameplay experiences. The arrival of Galaxy XR is an important next step for Google and its grand vision of an Android XR ecosystem. But the company isn't stopping with headsets. It's also making smart glasses, a product category that Meta has been trying to conquer. Samsung and Google are working with Warby Parker on Android XR smart glasses . At I/O earlier this year, we got some hands-on time with a prototype of Google's Android XR glasses . Once again, Galaxy XR will run you $1,800 , and Samsung is offering financing options. The Galaxy XR Travel Case and Galaxy XR Controller will each run you $250 at those prices, they almost need financing options too. Ouch. Anyone who buys Galaxy XR by the end of this year will get an Explorer Pack at no extra cost. This includes 12 months of access to Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium and Google Play Pass. The NFL Pro Era , Project Pulsar, Calm and Asteroid apps are bundled in too. You'll also get NBA League Pass access for the 2025-26 season in the US or 12 months of the Coupang Play Sports Pass in Korea. Charging $1 for each of the first three months of YouTube TV seems a little cheap considering the outlay for Galaxy XR, but it's still a decent perk. YouTube TV typically costs $83 per month. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/google-and-samsungs-first-android-xr-headset-is-the-1800-galaxy-xr-020004449.html?src=rss

Someone made a 'camera' that can shoot at two billion frames per second

Brian Haidet, a scientist creating videos on YouTube under the handle AlphaPhoenix , showed off a camera in a new video that can capture footage of a laser pointer at the speed of light. The camera is an update on a previous design that could capture footage at one billion frames per second, but it comes with a major caveat: it can only shoot one pixel at a time. Haidet's camera is made from a gimbal-mounted mirror, two tubes, a simple lens, a light sensor and some Python code to tie it all together. Pointed at a laser pointer, the camera's able to capture a beam of light at two billion frames per second, showing it smoothly traveling between mirrors, with speeds that vary depending on where the camera is in relation to the laser pointer. Light moves about six inches, or 15 centimeters, per frame of this video, Haidet says. This beam of light is traveling at the Universes speed limit. Light in any reference frame will never move any faster or any slower than this speed. Pixels had to be tiled together to create what looks like normal video footage. Brian Hadet While it's theoretically possible to create a more traditional camera that can capture footage at two billion frames per second, as Haidet explains, you can't do it with the tools most people have in their garage. His solution was to capture one pixel at a time, and then tile that footage together to create something viewable. According to Haidet, if all these videos are synchronized and we take many, many, many, one pixel videos, we can tile these videos next to each other and play them all back at the exact same moment and give something that looks like a video. While it's not the same thing as a true two billion frames-per-second camera, that's just a significantly more expensive way to do it, Haidet says, and it really wouldn't get us any better of a result. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/someone-made-a-camera-that-can-shoot-at-two-billion-frames-per-second-202259391.html?src=rss

Mark Zuckerberg, Adam Mosseri and Evan Spiegel ordered to testify in trial over social media addiction

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel will have to testify in an upcoming trial that deals with social media safety and whether the executives' platforms are addictive. A Los Angeles judge ruled that the three men will need to testify in the trial set to begin in January, according to CNBC . The testimony of a CEO is uniquely relevant, as that officers knowledge of harms, and failure to take available steps to avoid such harms could establish negligence or ratification of negligent conduct, Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl wrote. As CNBC points out, the January trial will be closely watched as it's the first of many lawsuits alleging harms to young social media users that will head to trial. Lawyers for Meta and Snap had argued that the executives should be spared from testifying at the upcoming trial. Meta's lawyers reportedly argued that forcing testimony from Zuckerberg and Mosseri would set a precedent for future trials. Meta is currently facing numerous lawsuits over alleged harms to younger users of its platforms. The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Snap is also facing a number of lawsuits over alleged safety issues. In a statement, the law firm representing Snap said that the judge's order does not bear at all on the validity of Plaintiffs claims and that they look forward to the opportunity to explain why Plaintiffs' allegations against Snapchat are wrong factually and as a matter of law. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-adam-mosseri-and-evan-spiegel-ordered-to-testify-in-trial-over-social-media-addiction-190500907.html?src=rss

Netflix is adapting Catan into movies and TV shows

Netflix, no stranger to adapting games into streaming hits, has announced that it's partnering with game publisher Asmodee to create new TV shows and films based on the board game Catan , with multiple projects already in development. While the streamer has primarily specialized video game adaptations, the belief in post- Barbie Hollywood is that any recognizable IP could be the source of a future TV show or movie. In Catan , players are tasked with collecting resources and building out a civilization on a remote island, with multiple ways to win or obstruct fellow players from doing the same. It's not too hard to imagine the game being converted into some kind of competitive reality TV show, though apparently animated and live-action narrative projects are also on the table. Anyone who has played Catan knows [that] the intense strategy and negotiation at the core of the game has endless opportunities for some serious drama, Jinny Howe, Netflix's head of scripted series for the US and Canada, shared in the press release announcing the deal. Whichever Catan project ultimately heads into production, Netflix says it'll be produced by Darren Kyman from Asmodee, Pete Fenlon from Catan Studio, and Guido and Benjamin Teuber, the sons of Catan creator Klaus Teuber. If Asmodee sounds familiar, it might be because Netflix has partnered with the publisher in the past. Exploding Kittens , another Asmodee published game, was adapted into both a mobile game for Netflix Games and an animated series with the help of its original creators. Catan joins a Monopoly adaptation and several shows based on video games at Netflix, including the recently released Splinter Cell: Deathwatch and an upcoming series based on the Assassin's Creed franchise. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-is-adapting-catan-into-movies-and-tv-shows-185133712.html?src=rss

GM to end production of its Chevy Brightdrop electric vans

GM is ending production of the Chevy Brightdrop electric van, according to portions of a transcript of a recent earnings report published by The Verge . The decision was made due to slowing demand in the EV market, as hundreds of Brightdrop vans have begun piling up in dealer lots . This is not a decision we made lightly because of the impact on our employees, CEO Mary Barra said in the earnings call. However the commercial electric van market has been developing much slower than expected, and changes to the regulatory framework and fleet incentives has made the business even more challenging. Those changes to the regulatory framework she mentions likely refer to the recent disappearance of the federal EV tax credit . The policy offered prospective buyers a $7,500 tax credit and was supposed to wind down in 2032, but the Trump administration killed it back in September as part of the so-called Big, Beautiful Bill. Brightdrop vans were also eligible for a $7,500 rebate for commercial EVs under 18,000 lbs, which went away along with the tax credit. In other words, Brightdrop electric vans are simply too expensive for most consumers. They started at $74,000. The double discount brought the starting price down to $59,000, but that's gone now. Additionally, rival Ford's E-Transit van starts at $51,600. GM first launched the Brightdrop vans back in 2021, and this seemed to be a serious attempt to capture the commercial EV market. The company made its own fleet management software and inked deals with Walmart , FedEx and others . Money is money, however, and not too many commercial customers have an extra $15,000 laying around to make up for those lapsed credits and rebates. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/gm-to-end-production-of-its-chevy-brightdrop-electric-vans-183622673.html?src=rss

YouTube is rolling out likeness detection tool to combat deepfakes

When AI tools first began proliferating around the web, worries about deepfakes quickly rose alongside them. And now that tech such as OpenAI's recently released Sora 2 is getting more capable and more widely available (and being used exactly as irresponsibly as you might have guessed), both famous and ordinary people may want more control over protecting their likenesses. After teasing the feature last year, YouTube is starting to launch a likeness detection tool to combat unwanted deepfakes and have them removed from the video platform. Likeness detection is currently being rolled out to members of the YouTube Partner Program. It's also only able to cover instances where an individual's face has been modified with AI; cases where a person's voice has been changed by AI without their consent may not be caught by this feature. To participate, people will need to submit a government ID and a brief video selfie to YouTube to ensure they are who they say they are and give the feature source material to draw from in its review. From there, it works similarly to YouTube's Content ID feature for finding copyrighted audio, scanning uploaded videos for possible matches that the person can then review and flag infringing videos for removal. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-is-rolling-out-likeness-detection-tool-to-combat-deepfakes-175917315.html?src=rss

Apple steps up its attacks on Europe's DMA regulations

Apple's war of words with Europe over its Digital Markets Act (DMA) is bleeding into the court system. Bloomberg reports that the company criticized the regulations at the General Court in Luxembourg. The European Commission is currently conducting its first formal review of the law. Apple lawyer Daniel Beard told the court reviewing the DMA that it imposes hugely onerous and intrusive burdens. The language echoes Apple's go-to framing of the regulations as an anti-consumer, anti-privacy hardship on the nearly $4 trillion company. Over time, it's become clear that the DMA isn't helping markets, the company wrote in a September blog post. It's making it harder to do business in Europe. Apple even cited porn as one of the law's alleged dangers. For the first time, pornography apps are available on iPhone from other marketplaces apps we've never allowed on the App Store because of the risks they create, especially for children. Apple also claimed the DMA caused it to delay several features. These include AirPods Live Translation , iPhone Mirroring in macOS , and the Visited Places and Preferred Routes features in Maps. The iPhone maker asked the EC to repeal the law in September. In response, the commission essentially told the company to shove it . Apple has simply contested every little bit of the DMA since its entry into application, EU spokesperson Thomas Regnier said. He added that the EC had absolutely no intention of ditching the law. Bloomberg reports that Apple is challenging the DMA on three fronts. First is its requirement that rival hardware (like earbuds and smartwatches) work with the iPhone , which Apple claims is a security risk. The company also objected to the App Store's inclusion under the rules and a probe into whether iMessage should have been included. In response, EC lawyer Paul-John Loewenthal highlighted Apple's immense power in Europe. He said the company's absolute control over the iPhone has led to supernormal profits in markets where competitors can't possibly compete on equal footing. Only Apple has the keys to that walled garden, Loewenthal told the court. It decides who gets it and who can offer their products and services to iPhone users. And through such control, Apple has locked in more than a third of European smartphone users. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-steps-up-its-attacks-on-europes-dma-regulations-175332390.html?src=rss

OpenAI's AI-powered browser, ChatGPT Atlas, launches on macOS today

OpenAI's long-rumored browser has a name, and you can try it out today provided you're an Apple user. ChatGPT Atlas is available to download on macOS, with the company promising to bring it to Windows, Android and iOS soon. Atlas integrates ChatGPT directly within the browser interface, allowing users to engage with the chatbot while they're surfing the web no need to jump between different tabs or copy and paste content. When you select a text field, an icon will appear that allows you to prompt ChatGPT. OpenAI demoed this feature in Gmail where an employee asked the chatbot to polish an email he was writing to a colleague. Naturally, a prompt bar will also appear when you open a new tab, and you can open a sidebar where you can converse with ChatGPT at any time. The more you use Atlas, the more ChatGPT will remember about your preferences. One of the benefits of this is that you'll be able to more easily filter through your search history. For instance, you can write re-open the shoes I looked at yesterday, and ChatGPT will know the specific website you want to look at again. Browser memories are optional, and if you decide to enable the feature, you can manage them through the settings menu, and just like any other browser, you can delete your history or go surf the web using an incognito mode. OpenAI also says it won't use the content users browse to train its future models. Atlas also includes an agent mode where ChatGPT can surf the web for you and complete tasks. The feature builds on the Operator tech debuted at the start of the year , and is currently available as a preview within the browser that Plus, Pro and Business accounts can try out. It can help you book reservations or flights or even just edit a document that youre working on, said Adam Fry, product lead for ChatGPT Search, during the livestream where OpenAI announced Atlas. Tabs are great but we haven't seen a lot of browser innovation since then, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the start of the livestream. This is just a great browser all-around its smooth, its quick, its really nice to use. Rumors that OpenAI was working on its own web browser first surfaced in July. With today's announcement, the company joins an already competitive market. A number of companies, including Opera and Perplexity , released their own agentic browsers earlier this year. Of course, then there's also Google, which plans to integrate its Gemini AI assistant more deeply into Chrome, the world's most popular browser, over the coming months. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-chatgpt-browser-arrives-today-on-macos-170735087.html?src=rss

Google Fi will start using AI to make calls sound better

Google just announced several updates for its digital telecom provider, Google Fi. It's introducing AI-enhanced audio for better sound quality during calls. The company says this will ensure optimized audio quality for every call, so you can confidently take calls from a windy park or busy cafe. This feature rolls out sometime in November. Google Fi is getting HD/HD+ calling, which should also improve the overall audio quality. The service will soon automatically connect to Wi-Fi when available, with the company touting seamless, secure switching. As for security, each call and text goes through a VPN. There's no extra cost for this service and it doesn't count against the pre-existing data allocation. The platform will also soon let users make calls and send texts from any web browser. This is coming in December and will feature a new interface with full RCS support, allowing folks to add hi-res photos and videos to message threads. Finally, Google is integrating Gemini into the platform to create an AI-powered billing summary. The company says this offers simple, easy explanations of all your billing statements. The feature has been in a beta for a while and Google says users have given it high positive sentiment. These tools are accompanied by a limited-time promo for new subscribers, amounting to 50 percent off for 15 months when bringing in a phone. The discount is only available for the Unlimited Premium and Unlimited Standard plans . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-fi-will-start-using-ai-to-make-calls-sound-better-170025805.html?src=rss

Apple MacBook Pro M5 14-inch review: A huge graphics upgrade for creators and gamers

There was no massive event announcing the M5 MacBook Pro , not even a short promotional video for social media. Instead, Apple dumped all of its new M5 devices on us with a few press releases, a clear sign that there's not much to celebrate this year. But while the new 14-inch MacBook Pro appears to be more of the same on the surface, it also features an impressive graphics upgrade that makes it a decent choice for gaming. And it retains everything I already love about the MacBook Pro: It's still a well-designed machine that's sturdy, fast and offers tons of battery life. What's new in the M5 MacBook Pro The star of the show is Apple's new M5 chip, which sports a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU and 16 Neural Engine cores. While the company claims it's 20 percent faster than the M4 for multi-threaded applications, the biggest upgrade is the GPU, which is up to 60 percent faster when it comes to games and professional apps. The M4 was no slouch when it came to gaming and media rendering, but the M5 is a more tempting upgrade for anyone using an M1 MacBook Pro or older. Otherwise, it's like I said: more of the same. There's the 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display which offers up to 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness and 1,600 nits of HDR, as well as ProMotions smooth 120Hz refresh rate. (Unfortunately, well likely have to wait until next year for an OLED option.) The aluminum case is still rock solid, and the excellent keyboard and trackpad haven't changed a bit. Last year's 12MP Center Stage webcam also makes a return, along with the superb six-speaker sound system. The port situation is also solid. On top of the MagSafe 3 charging connection, there are three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a full-sized SDXC card reader, HDMI and a headphone jack. (It would be nice to see a gigabit Ethernet port though. That's the one accessory I still regularly connect to almost every laptop.) Devindra Hardawar for Engadget In use: The best gets even better Before I get to the benchmarks and other performance metrics, it's worth pointing out just how pleasant the 14-inch MacBook is to use. Its aluminum frame is smooth to the touch, its screen is bright enough to use in direct sunlight and it always feels blazing fast. While its 3.4-pound frame is noticeably heavier than the 2.7-pound MacBook Air, it's still easy to travel with. And you can certainly tell that the additional weight translates into raw power, especially as you start to stress the MacBook Pro and hear its fans gently spin up. While the MacBook Air is built to be as thin as possible, the MacBook Pro is built to get work done (and look good while doing so). Based on my testing with popular benchmarks and a few games, the M5 MacBook Pro is noticeably faster than the M4 model in tasks that rely on the GPU and NPU. Otherwise, though, it's hard to tell a difference when it comes to basic tasks like booting into macOS, browsing the web and dealing with email. My review unit was equipped with 32GB of RAM, so it had a bit more breathing room than the base model with 16GB of memory. (Pro tip: If you're planning to keep the MacBook Pro for four years or more, it makes sense to get at least 32GB of RAM. You can't upgrade the memory down the line like older laptops, since it's baked directly into the M5 chip.) Computer Geekbench 6 Geekbench 6 GPU Cinebench 2024 Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) 4,310/18,003 48,840 197/1,034 | GPU: 6,143 Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4, 2024) 3,797/14,571 37,869 172/979 GPU: 3,770 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) 3,925/22,456 70,197 178/1,689 GPU 9,295 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max, 2024) 3,202/21,312 92,344 143/1,686 GPU 13,182 In Geekbench 6, the M5 MacBook Pro was around 500 points faster than the M4 model in single-threaded tasks, and nearly 3,500 points faster for complex multi-threaded work like video rendering. Thanks to the M5's new graphics hardware, it also tested far better in the Geekbench 6 GPU test, reaching around 11,00 points faster than the M4. I noticed a similar result in Cinebench 2024: The M5 MacBook Pro's CPU scores were slightly better than before, but the GPU score was nearly twice as fast as the M4. For real-world gaming performance, I turned to Lies of P , which also surprised me with some major leaps. With the M4 MacBook Pro, I could only get a steady 60 fps with the highest graphics settings in 1080p. With this M5 model, I was able to play at the highest resolution (3024 by 1890) between 70 and 75 fps. It was even smoother as I scaled down the resolution: The MacBook Pro hit 85 to 95 fps in 1,440p and up to 140 fps in 1080p. Those results are in line with what I'd expect from a gaming notebook that costs well over $2,000, which is in line with the $2,200 retail cost of our review unit. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget I still wouldn't recommend a MacBook Pro for anyone who wants to play tons of games, but it's heartening to see Apple making progress on that front. There are more new AAA games hitting the app store, and the M-series chips are fast enough to run most of them well. But the M5 is the first time I'd consider Apple's hardware equivalent to a PC running a video card like NVIDIA's RTX 5070. The M5 MacBook Pro retains the impressive battery life from the previous model, reaching 34 hours and 30 minutes while looping an HD video. I could also use it for more than two full days of work with nothing much stressing the GPU. And once again, the MacBook Pro never feels very hot, even under an intensive workload. The fans are audible, but they dont get as annoying as the helicopter-like fans from the old Intel MacBook Pros. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Should you buy the M5 MacBook Pro? If you're looking for a powerful laptop that can handle most heavy-duty workloads, the MacBook Pro will certainly suit your needs. But the difficult choice now is deciding between this 14-inch M5 model, the existing M4 Pro and Max systems, or waiting a few months for the upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. If you're rendering video and 3D content all day, you're likely better off working with Pro and Max chips, but you'll have to wait several months to see the new M5 options. If you absolutely need a workhorse MacBook Pro today, you'll have to settle for the M4 Pro and M4 Max (which are still far faster than the base M5 chip). But for most creatives, the M5 MacBook Pro offers an impressive balance of power and portability. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/apple-macbook-pro-m5-14-inch-review-a-huge-graphics-upgrade-for-creators-and-gamers-170009179.html?src=rss

This Baseus magnetic power bank is cheaper than ever at only $36

If youre on the go a lot, a power bank is practically a backpack essential, and while a chunkier device is sometimes necessary for power users, if you just need something to juice up your phone you can easily stay within the realms of pocketability. Baseus Picogo 5K belongs to the latter category, and right now you can pick one up for $36, which is a record low price. While this particular accessory only made it into the others we tested section in our guide to the best MagSafe power banks for iPhone, thats only because it was slightly beaten in the slimness department by the Anker Nano . However, as we noted in the guide, the Nano doesnt have a stand, and the Picogo 5K does, so if you like to be able to prop up your phone while its charging, it might be the better pick for you. As you can probably guess from its name, Baseus power bank has a 5,000mAh capacity and is Qi2-certified. In our testing. It gave our tester iPhone 15 a 43 percent bump in battery in 42 minutes, which returned the phone to 91 percent. It has a curved design and is wrapped in soft silicone, making it easy to grip in a pinch. As a reminder, MagSafe charging is supported on iPhone 12 models and later, though youll need an iPhone 13 or later to reach the 15W charging speed on a third-party Qi2 accessory such as the one featured in this deal. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-baseus-magnetic-power-bank-is-cheaper-than-ever-at-only-36-164814402.html?src=rss

There's another Kirby Air Riders Direct livestream on October 23 at 9AM ET

Nintendo has another livestream planned for the upcoming Switch 2 exclusive Kirby Air Riders . This one takes place on October 23 at 9AM ET . That's less than a month before the game will be available for purchase . The company also says the stream will be a full hour, which is a heck of a long time to spend on just one game a few weeks before launch. It's worth noting, however, that Kirby Air Riders is a Masahiro Sakurai title. Join us on Oct. 23 at 6 a.m. PT for a second #KirbyAirRiders Direct with director Mr. Sakurai. The livestreamed presentation will last roughly 60 minutes and feature more info on the upcoming #NintendoSwitch2 game. Watch here: https://t.co/MS7fAYcd3R pic.twitter.com/nkPcQDYQd5 Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 21, 2025 This is the guy that made the Super Smash Bros. franchise. He loves making long videos about minutiae in his games. Just about every character on the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster got a fairly substantial reveal video and he has made all kinds of content about the various mechanics on that game. To that end, the previous Kirby Air Riders livestream from August was 45 minutes long and included a fairly deep dive into game mechanics. We don't know what this stream will spotlight but we can't wait to find out. For the uninitiated, Kirby Air Riders is a Switch 2 exclusive that stars the lovable and eternally-hungry puffball Kirby. It's a racing game and a follow-up to the Gamecube original, Kirby Air Ride . It'll be available on November 20. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/theres-another-kirby-air-riders-direct-livestream-on-october-23-at-9am-et-150344862.html?src=rss

One of our favorite Anker 5K power banks is on sale for less than $20

Portable chargers are great and all but, between a hefty weight and a tangle of cords, many are more of an annoyance than anything else. Anker's Nano Power Bank has served as the solution to all that for me, with a charger built-in to a device that's barely bigger than a lipstick. Now our choice for best portable charger for Android is even more tempting, thanks to a 36 percent markdown. The Anker Nano Power Bank is down to $19 from $30 in the USB-C model. The discount is available in the classic Black or White and the more fun colors Ice Lake Blue, Lilac Purple and Sprout Green. You can use Anker's Nano Power Bank with devices such as the iPhone 15 and newer, Samsung S22 and S23 series, AirPods and the iPad Pro or Air. It's good for a quick boost: we found that its 5,000mAh battery can charge a depleted Galaxy S23 Ultra to 65 percent in about an hour. It also has four indcator lights on it that show how much it's charged. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-anker-5k-power-banks-is-on-sale-for-less-than-20-145408130.html?src=rss

New report leaks Amazon's proposed mass-automation plans

Amazon is reportedly moving towards an era of unprecedented automation that would put half a million jobs in the US at risk. According to a series of interviews and internal documents referenced in an extensive report from The New York Times , Amazon executives expect to sell twice as many products by 2033. But by scaling up its robotics operations believe it could avoid the 600,000 hires it would otherwise have to make to keep up with the demand. According to the report, documents show that the ultimate aim of Amazons in-house robotics department is to automate 75 percent of all operations, and if it is successful in making 160,000 fewer hires by 2027, the company would reportedly save 30 cents on each item it packs and delivers to customers in the US. Amazon recently celebrated deploying its 1 millionth robot, a fleet it has been adding to since unveiling its first fully autonomous mobile robot in 2022. Despite already pushing ahead with building warehouses that employ few humans, the NYT report claims that Amazon is planning for the eventual impact on affected communities and the potential backlash by participating in local events to establish a reputation as a good corporate citizen. The internal documents also discuss the avoidance of terms such as automation and AI in relation to robotics, suggesting instead that executives use terms like advanced technology instead. They even consider replacing using cobot instead of robot as the former implies a collaborative relationship with humans. In a statement to the NYT , Amazon called the plans it cited incomplete and not reflective of its overall hiring strategy. It denied that its community efforts were related to its automation plans and said its not insisting that its executives refrain from using certain terms. The company added that it planned to hire 250,000 people for the imminent holiday season, but wouldnt say how many of these would be permanent hires. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/new-report-leaks-amazons-proposed-mass-automation-plans-144822790.html?src=rss

HBO Max is getting even more expensive starting today

Yet another streaming platform is asking people to dig deeper into their wallets and pay more to keep using the service. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has jacked up the prices of all HBO Max plans, 16 months after the last increase to the ad-free offerings . The entry-level, ad-supported plan is now $11 per month (an extra $1) or $110 per year ($10 more). HBO Max Standard will run you an extra $1.50 per month at $18.49 or $15 per year at $185 for the annual plan. As for the HBO Max Premium option, subscribers will now have to pay $23 per month (up by $2) or $230 for an annual plan (an increase of $20). The new prices kick in immediately for newcomers. Existing monthly subscribers will start paying more as of November 20 (whenever their next billing cycle starts on or after that date). Yearly subscribers will be notified about the price changes 30 days before their plan renews. WBD CEO David Zaslav suggested in September that price increases were on the way, along with a stricter crackdown on password sharing . The fact that this is quality and thats true across our company, motion picture, TV production and streaming quality we all think that gives us a chance to raise prices, Zaslav said. We think were way underpriced. The company announced the price increases on the same day that Disney is making several Disney+ plans more expensive . As it happens, some of the Disney+ bundles that are going up in price include HBO Max. News of the price hikes comes just as WBD sticks a For Sale sign out on its lawn. It was reported this month that the company turned down an acquisition offer from Paramount Skydance for being too low. WBD has now confirmed that multiple parties have expressed interest in buying some or all of the company, and that it's now conducting a review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. In June, WBD announced plans to split into two companies. As things stand, Warner Bros. will retain the namesake film, TV and game studios, as well as New Line Cinema, DC Studios, HBO and HBO Max. Discovery Global will have all of the other live cable channels, such as CNN, HGTV, Cartoon Network, Discovery and TLC (it will also be saddled with the lion's share of WBD's debt). That split is slated to take place by mid-2026, but WBD said on Tuesday it would consider other options. The Warner Bros. Discovery Board will evaluate a broad range of strategic options, which will include continuing to advance the company's planned separation to completion by mid-2026, a transaction for the entire company or separate transactions for its Warner Bros. and/or Discovery Global businesses, WBD said in a press release . As part of the review, the company will also consider an alternative separation structure that would enable a merger of Warner Bros. and spin-off of Discovery Global to our shareholders. WBD hasn't set a deadline or timetable for completing this review. But given the whole HBO Max naming debacle , it might take the board quite a while to make its mind up. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/hbo-max-is-getting-even-more-expensive-starting-today-143939446.html?src=rss

iPad Pro M5 review: Speed boost

Apple is back with the latest version of the iPad Pro , and like the iPad Air earlier this year the surface-level changes are minimal. Like that iPad Air, theres a new chip on board here. Its the M5, which was also added to the 14-inch MacBook Pro and Vision Pro. There are new Apple-designed networking chips: the N1 handles Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread, while the C1X handles 5G connectivity. Both of those chips debuted in the iPhone Air last month, so this is the first time theyre in an iPad. Finally, the iPad Pro supports fast charging for the first time; you can get to a 50 percent charge in about 30 minutes using a 60W power adaptor. Compared to the redesign Apple introduced with the M4 iPad Pro in 2024, this is very much a minor spec bump. It makes sense for Apple to ensure the iPad Pro has its most performant chips as soon as they are released. If youre charging customers upwards of $1,000 for an iPad Pro, it had better be on the bleeding edge. (The 13-inch iPad Pro I'm testing with 1TB of storage and 5G connectivity costs $2,099, plus the $349 Magic Keyboard.) As such, the iPad Pro M5 is fairly easy to understand. Want a new iPad Pro? Youre now getting exactly what Apple offered a week ago, plus some impressive performance gains for specific tasks. Almost no one who bought an M4 iPad Pro should upgrade to this one, but anyone using an older model will find a ton to appreciate here. And while the hardware hasnt radically changed, iPadOS has. The recent iPadOS 26 release introduced an entirely new multitasking system, a significantly improved Files app and more support for background processes, to name just a few of the highlights. Those things are best appreciated on a powerful device with a large screen like the 13-inch iPad Pro M5 Im reviewing here. For years, the question that has dogged the iPad Pro is when its software would match up to its undeniably impressive hardware. I think the combo of iPadOS 26 paired with this hardware is a winner, but as always the price is going to be a sticking point. M5 As mentioned, the M5 chip is the big change for the iPad Pro, and if youre coming from a device older than last years M4 model you can expect a big performance increase when you start pushing the envelope of what you can do. Before getting into the nitty gritty, heres a rundown of whats different from last year. Probably the most significant change is that the M5s GPU now includes a neural accelerator on each of its 10 cores, an architectural tweak thatll unsurprisingly give the chip more muscle when using the GPU for AI-related tasks. Beyond the neural accelerators, the GPU is also up to 30 percent faster in graphics performance, and the third-generation ray-tracing engine here is up to 45 percent faster in apps using ray tracing. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget The standard CPU cores (four performance, six efficiency) are also faster than last years model, though less dramatically so. Thats not a surprise, as each successive M-series chip has gotten similar modest performance gains over the years. (Note that the iPad Pros with 256GB or 512GB of storage only get three performance cores. They also come with 12GB of RAM compared to the 16GB in configurations with more storage, but thats more than the 8GB of RAM in the last generations equivalent options.) The Neural Engine has been upgraded, as well. Apple is also promising big gains in memory bandwidth, which now hits 153GB/s (nearly 30 percent higher than on the M4). Finally, read/write speeds to storage are up to two times faster than in last years model. Doing some benchmarking with the Geekbench 6 and Geekbench AI apps show the expected major gains for GPU and AI performance. Single-core and multi-core CPU tests with Geekbench 6 come in at about 15 percent and 10 percent better than the iPad Pro M4, but GPU performance has increased more than 32 percent. Things are more dramatic when you look specifically at the Geekbench AI results. The app offers three scores (single precision, half precision and quantized) and can be run on three different chip backends (CPU, GPU and Neural Engine). When running the CPU- and Neural Engine-based benchmarks, the M5 only bested the M4 by single-digit percentages. But when using the GPU, the M5s single-precision score was 22.4 percent better than the M4. Half precision and quantized performance was even more impressive the M5 scored 85 percent and 101 percent better than the M4, respectively. The story this tells is that unless youre hitting your GPU hard with AI tasks, the M5 isnt massively better than the M4. Not a huge surprise, and most people who shelled out for an iPad Pro in the last 18 months should still be plenty happy with their purchases. But those GPU scores show off exactly where the M5 can stretch its wings compared to its predecessor. As Ive only had the iPad Pro M5 for less than a week, Im still comparing the M4 to M5 iPad Pro on specific AI-focused tasks and in certain apps and will update this review with more details later this week. The caveat with all of this is that while the M5 is incredibly powerful, its also overkill for most things that people are going to use an iPad for. An iPad Pro with the M2 chip from 2022 still feels plenty responsive for most standard tasks that dont require exceptional speed or power. Yes, there are definitely people buying an iPad Pro and maxing out its impressive capabilities, and those who do so will appreciate the performance here. But for everyone else, the M5 alone isnt going to change how you use the iPad Pro on a day-to-day basis. Apple's 13-inch iPad Pro M5 is on the left; the 11-inch iPad Pro M4 is on the right. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Hardware and display are still stunning Anyone upgrading from an iPad Pro older than last years M4 model is in for a treat far beyond sheer performance. The iPad Pro M5 is physically identical to the prior one, but that doesnt matter because I think this is still the single most impressive device Apple makes. I went deep into the many changes Apple made last year in my review of the iPad Pro M4 , and everything I said there still applies. But to recap, the iPad Pro is extremely portable despite its performance chops. Apple made it about 20 percent thinner and about a quarter-pound lighter than the iPad Pro models Apple sold from 2018 through 2023. This radically improves the experience of using it. If youre holding it like a tablet, the 13-inch model is now light and thin enough to be comfortable for extended use without having to put it down. Doing anything with the on-screen keyboard while holding it is still pretty awkward and the 11-inch option still feels like the best size for hand-held tasks. But the 13-inch iPad Pro Im reviewing is noticeably easier to hold than the iPad Air because of its reduced weight and slimmer profile. The only complaint I might have about that thinness is it prevents Apple from shoving a bigger battery in here. The iPad Pro M5 gets the same 10-hour battery life rating (for surfing the web or watching videos) that every iPad has gotten since the tablet was released in 2010. But in recent years, Apple has, to some degree, stopped focusing on making every device as thin as possible at the potential expense of things like performance or battery life. Clearly, performance isnt an issue here. But the same people who value extended battery life in a thicker device when using things like the MacBook Pro might feel the same here. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Thats a valid opinion, but a tablet is meant to be held in your hands and carried around with you even more so than a laptop, so I understand why Apple values portability over extending the iPad Pros battery life. Plus, the iPad Pro M5s fast-charging capabilities make it pretty easy to extend its life. Using Apple's new 40W Dynamic Charger that can automatically step up to 60W, I got from 23 percent to 70 percent in 35 minutes. Thats a tad slower than the 50 percent charge in 30 minutes Apple claims, but were well within the close enough range. One thing I didnt get to test last year with the iPad Pro M4 was its durability. The tablets extremely thin design reminded people of past Apple devices that had had some issues with flexing. After over a year with the previous iPad Pro, Im not at all worried about this one. Ive taken an iPad Pro M4 all around the US and internationally with no issues. Granted, its usually in its keyboard case, but Ive also traveled with it in the basic Smart Folio Apple sells and have seen no evidence of bending. I also dont remember seeing any reports about durability issues from owners over the last 18 months, so I wouldnt worry about its long-term durability. I dont have a great read on how long the iPad Pro M5 lasts away from its charger just yet in the first few days with a new device its often downloading a lot of data from backups and doing some optimizing, thus not giving you a great feel for how long itll usually last. But so far, performance seems similar to the iPad Air M3 and iPad Pro M4 Ive reviewed recently. I was getting between seven and eight hours while using the Magic Keyboard, and Im guessing that Ill blow past the 10-hour estimate when watching locally-stored video. More details on that to come. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Performance, check. Design, check. The third thing that continues to impress me about the iPad Pro is its screen. It quite simply has the nicest display I have ever seen on a portable device, be it a laptop, phone or tablet. Apples tandem OLED display (two OLED panels layered on top of each other) is the same in all respects as it was last year. That means the 13-inch screen has a 2,752 x 2,064 resolution (264 ppi) and standard brightness that can hit 1,000 nits, or up to 1,600 nits peak for HDR content. Aside from the OLED display, the only display improvements the iPad Pro has that the iPad Air doesnt is ProMotion support for 120Hz refresh rates as well as a nano-texture glass option for the 1TB and 2TB models. To be clear, though, the iPad Pros screen is in a completely different ballpark than the one on the iPad Air. Between the much faster refresh rate, high brightness levels, completely dark blacks and wonderful contrast, theres no question this screen far surpasses what youll find on any other iPad. Professionals who do detailed work in video, photography, drawing with the Apple Pencil Pro or graphic design will appreciate all of these features. But it also makes something like kicking back on a plane to watch a movie more enjoyable. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget iPadOS 26 In last years iPad Pro M4 review, I wrote: Apple has shown no indication its going to make iPadOS more like a Mac. As such, I recommended people not buy an iPad Pro unless they were happy with the limitations that have been inherent to iPadOS for a long time. It took Apple until this summer, but its latest updates rendered my earlier words invalid. With iPadOS 26, Apple pretty much said screw it and addressed nearly every big software complaint users have had. As a quick refresher: apps still open in full screen by default, but you can now grab the corner and resize it to any shape you see fit; you can then stack up as many windows as you want in that view. Apps are also much better at remembering their size and position on your screen than ever before. If you swipe up and dismiss all the apps youre working with and then re-open one, its right in the same place you left it. If you want to throw something back in full-screen, the familiar stoplight controls from the Mac are available for easy window management. You can swipe up and hold for a second from the bottom of the screen to enter Expose, which shows every open window in your view. Swiping right shows all the full-screen apps you have open. If you have an app in full screen, you can switch back to a windowed app thatll just float on top of what youre working in. Theres also a menu bar at the top of the screen that makes it easy to access advanced controls for whatever youre using. As I said when I first started testing out iPadOS 26 in the summer, the end result of all these changes is that your iPad (no matter which kind) will feel significantly more capable with this software update. And there are other features that power users will appreciate, like a significantly improved Files app. Since its easier to have multiple windows, moving things around or dragging and dropping things into apps is a lot simpler. And there are improved sorting options as well, while PDFs finally open in the new Preview app rather than within Files . Background task capabilities have also been significantly expanded. For example, Final Cut Pro can now render video in the background, whereas before, switching to a different app would put the lengthy and intensive process on pause. And developers can tap into this API to use it for their own apps, too. I cant say for sure that this will answer all the complaints of various iPad Pro owners out there, but I think Apple has gotten about as close as it can without just putting macOS on the device and calling it a day. Even with the big updates to iPadOS, an iPad Pro isnt for everyone. Plenty of people will still choose a traditional laptop. But the iPad has always offered a pretty unique blend of power and portability, and with better software its a more viable option than ever. Nathan Ingraham for Engadget Wrap-up My viewpoint on the iPad Pro hasnt changed since last year. I still find it a wildly impressive device that is unlike much else you can buy. Just like the last model, it has Apples newest chip, the best display Apple has made (aside from its $5,000 Pro XDR monitor) and a physical design that feels almost impossible given how much technology is crammed inside. Its truly delightful, and its even more capable than before thanks to the combination of iPadOS 26 and the M5 chip. However, I still cant stomach that price. $1,299 for a 13-inch iPad with 256GB of storage, no 5G connectivity and no Magic Keyboard is a lot of money, even if it is as capable as a similarly-priced laptop. Given the incredible technology inside of the iPad Pro, I can understand why its so expensive. And it's powerful enough that some buyers will be able to use it for three, four, even five years before they feel the need to update, which makes the up-front investment a little less burdensome. It's not the kind of device you need to replace annually, that's for sure. But unless you are going to use it as your main computer all day, every day and know exactly what benefits youll get from the iPad over a more traditional laptop, youre probably better off buying an iPad Air and saving yourself a lot of money. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/ipad-pro-m5-review-speed-boost-130046249.html?src=rss

Meta will warn WhatsApp and Messenger users against scams

Meta is launching new tools aimed at trying to protect Messenger and WhatsApp users from potential scams. The company says its teams have detected and disrupted nearly 8 million accounts associated with scam centers in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines since the beginning of 2025. It has also taken action on over 21,000 Pages on Facebook pretending to be customer support services of legitimate companies. But much still needs to be done to squash scams, specifically those targeting the elderly who may not be as tech-savvy or may not be aware of the scammers' latest schemes. On WhatsApp, the company will start showing users warning notices if they attempt to share their screen with someone not on their contacts list during a video call. Scammers sometimes get their targets to share their screens in order to steal sensitive information. In the warning window pictured below, Meta tells users outright to only share their screens with people they trust, since they will be able to see anything displayed on their phones, including their banking info. Meta The company is also testing advanced scam detection tools in Messenger chats for mobile. When a user receives a potentially scammy message, a warning notice will pop up, telling them the message is suspicious and that they can forward it to Meta for an AI review. If Meta AI detects a potential scam, it will show the user a list of common scam signs, such as job offers in exchange for money, job offers promising fast cash and work from home offers for jobs that can't possibly be done remotely. It also reminds users not to wire transfer money or send gift cards, which are very common methods scammers use to steal money from their victims. At the bottom of the page, users will have the option to report and block the account that sent them the message. Meta didn't say when the new Messenger warning tool will roll out widely. For now, it's encouraging users to set up passkeys for quick identity verification and to run Security Checkup to review their security settings and get recommendations, including updating their passwords. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-will-warn-whatsapp-and-messenger-users-against-scams-120048067.html?src=rss

iOS 26.1 Beta 4 lets you make Liquid Glass frosted

If you're not a big fan of the, well, glass in iOS 26's Liquid Glass interface , Apple has apparently heard you. The latest iOS 26.1 Beta 4 has a new toggle that lets you apply a tinted setting to boost the opacity of elements and add contrast, making them stand out better against the background, MacRumors reported. Choose your preferred look for Liquid Glass. Clear is more transparent, revealing the content beneath. Tinted increases opacity and adds more contrast, the description states. The new toggle (Settings > Display and Brightness on iPhone or iPad and System Settings > Appearance macOS) is a rare instance of Apple altering course on a design based on user input. The company said the setting was added as many beta users desired a more opaque option for Liquid Glass. That's putting it mildly, as you may have noticed on social media or Reddit . Apple The setting is more noticeable on some areas of iOS than others. Toggling it from clear to tinted changes everything throughout iOS and affects apps and lock screen notifications as well. Other new changes in the latest beta include a Camera swipe toggle, a new slide-to-stop feature for alarms and timers, Settings updates, new Apple Intelligence languages and a new Apple TV app icon. If you're in the beta program, you can download the latest version now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/ios-261-beta-4-lets-you-make-liquid-glass-frosted-110021700.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Amazon broke the internet (for a bit)

A decent-sized chunk of the internet stopped working after a fairly massive Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage. This included Venmo, Snapchat, Canva and Fortnite even Amazons own products went on the fritz . Your humble narrators Ring Chimes started turning their night lights on and off entirely at random, with no prompting from yours truly. The company has already fixed the DNS issue that caused the outage, but a failure like this, which knocks out so damn much of the internet, should serve as a reminder. After all, having so many critical systems in the same basket means that when something goes wrong, a lot of the internet stops working. All at once. Dan Cooper Get Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The news you might have missed Atari just announced the Intellivision Spirit, a revamp of the iconic 1980s gaming console Complete with games youll probably try once then never again. 8BitDo drops an NES-inspired collection for the consoles 40th anniversary Including our favorite Switch controller. China claims the NSA conducted cyberattacks on its national time center This is fine, honestly, totally fine. Meta Ray-Ban Display review: Chunky frames with impressive abilities The next generation of smart glasses has arrived. Karissa Bell for Engadget Its teeth-grindingly frustrating that Meta seems to be the company that has worked out how to make a truly transformative pair of smart glasses. Karissa Bell has reviewed its new Ray-Ban Display and has plenty of praise for so much of what it can do . You should read her exhaustive review to learn more, but the biggest barriers to adoption are size and price. But you can bet your bottom dollar the second or third generation of these are going to be a smash hit. At least until Meta gets rocked by another scandal that prompts people to deactivate their accounts. Continue Reading. Amazon reveals what one of the US first modular nuclear reactors will look like Its an anonymous-looking warehouse. Amazon Last year, Amazon announced it would bankroll construction of a small nuclear reactor (SMR) plant in Washington state. Now, the company is showing off renders of the Hanford facility, which look like any other anonymous-looking modern warehouse . If youre curious, the SMRs in question will use high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, each one with a maximum output of 80 megawatts. Continue Reading. Beats Powerbeats Fit review: Dj vu, in a good way A few small tweaks add up to a nicer package. Valentina Palladino for Engadget Apple has updated the Beats Fit Pro with more flexible wingtips, a smaller charging case and the added benefits of Apples H1 chip. Valentina Palladino has been testing them out and can tell you the good, the bad and the ugly about these updated earbuds. And, if Im honest, theres not much thats bad or ugly about them. Maybe the battery life could be a bit longer. Continue Reading. Apple is the new home for F1 in the US starting in 2026 Its a pretty sweet deal given whats thrown in. Apple In what can only be described as the least surprising sports rights streaming TV deal ever, Apple TV is the new home of F1 in the US. The five-year pact starts next year , with every practice, qualifying, sprint and race streaming live on Apple TV. Even better is that F1s own excellent streaming platform, F1 TV Premium, will be a free perk for Apple TV subscribers. Continue Reading. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen) review: Impactful upgrades to a familiar formula Sony finally has a worthy rival. Billy Steele for Engadget Bose opted for evolution over revolution for its 2025 series of QuietComfort Ultra products and is garnering rave reviews. Billy Steele is effusive with praise, calling them the best noise canceling headphones you can buy right now. It looks as if someone has finally been able to lay a finger on Sonys previously imperious XM series, even if Boses glossy finish is a bit much. Continue Reading. Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Iterative to a fault A swing and a miss for Samsung. Igor Bonafacic for Engadget Samsung follows each flagship phone launch with a Fan Edition, which trims the spec list to get the price down. Igor Bonifacic has reviewed the S25 FE and found a phone designed for an older paradigm , before cheaper rivals like the Nothing 3a Pro and Pixel 10 came along. His recommendation? Buy last years full-fat model during a sale and swerve the compromises. Continue Reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111553740.html?src=rss

Yelp is getting more AI, including an upgraded chatbot

AI is the star of Yelp's fall product update. The review site has updated Yelp Assistant, its chatbot to answer users' questions, rolling the tool out for all business categories. Its responses will draw on information from the business' website as well as posts by other Yelp users. The chatbot will also remember past queries and preferences when it's used for finding services. Saved information can be managed in the Yelp app under Yelp Assistant memory settings. Yelp has been pushing more artificial intelligence into its platform, adding Review Insights in December and announcing calling features in April. The AI-powered calling is rolling out in the company's fall update as Yelp Host and Yelp Receptionist. Yelp Host is specifically for table-service restaurants, and promises the ability to take reservations, change bookings and capture special requests. It is available now starting at $149 a month, or $99 a month for customers with a Yelp Guest Manager plan. Yelp Receptionist can manage calls for any eligible local businesses. Subscriptions to this AI-powered service start at $99 a month and will begin rolling out this week. There are several other updates from Yelp, but one of the more interesting ones is Menu Vision. With this resource, pointing your camera at a restaurant's menu will show photos of the dish in question along with reviews about that particular item. Menu Vision will arrive on the iOS and Android apps this week. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/yelp-is-getting-more-ai-including-an-upgraded-chatbot-110051320.html?src=rss

The best action cameras for 2025

Whether youre into adventure sports or just want to log your day-to-day activities, an action camera is the way to go. On top of regular models from the likes of GoPro, DJI and Insta360, you can film your adventures with 360-degree models and a new class of tiny cams that can even be attached to kids or pets. In other words, there are more options than ever for types of action shooting or vlogging. With all the new choices, which have the best features for your personal exploits? Engadget has been testing action cameras for more than 16 years and with that experience, we can help you find the right model for your budget and needs. Best action cameras for 2025 What to consider before choosing an action camera Action cameras have certain traits that separate them from regular cameras or smartphones. The most important is ruggedness that makes them resistant to water, dust and shocks. Most models are now waterproof without the need for a separate enclosure. At the same time, you can purchase housing accessories to make them waterproof to even greater depths. Video quality is also key. Every model we recommend goes to at least 4K 60fps, but some models like GoPros latest Hero 13 boost resolution up to 5.3K 60fps, or even 8K 30fps with the Insta360 Ace Pro 2. That allows you to crop in on shots and capture vertical video at higher resolutions for social media. And for slow-mo, youll want at least 120 fps video, preferably at 4K or at least 2.7K. Another nice feature is log video that improves dynamic range when filming on sunny, contrasty days. And if you film in dim environments, youll want the largest sensor possible for the best low-light performance. Next is the question of flat versus 360 video. 360 cams have become incredibly popular lately because they capture video all around the camera, even above and below. Then, you can reframe the shots in post, cutting from a cool bike trick to your reaction, for example. Or, you can post the entire 360 video online and let the audience choose which angle they want to see. For activities with bumps and jolts like mountain biking, stabilization is incredibly important. You want your video to look smooth, but still convey the thrill and speed of the action. Cameras from DJI, GoPro and Insta360 are all good in this regard, but GoPros Hero 13 still tops the list. Some action cameras are easier to handle and use, so take that into account as well. Youll want bright and colorful displays both front and back, buttons you wont have to fumble to find and easy-to-use menus. Remote control is another factor that can ease operation. And youll want to check which software is available to improve stabilization, edit video, remove selfie sticks and more. Size has also become a factor, with tiny cameras having become an all-new category recently. Mini sized models like Insta360s Go 3S and Go Ultra, along with DJIs new Osmo Nano, let you separate the camera from the display for maximum portability. Whether its mounted on a hat or your chest, youll barely notice its there. Then there are accessories. Do you need helmet or chest mounts, waterproof housings or battery charger? GoPro has the largest number as its been around the longest, but DJI and Insta360 now have a solid accessory lineup and both make handy wireless mics that connect directly with their cameras. And of course, battery life is critical for action shooting as its hard to change one when youre out surfing. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/best-action-camera-130017459.html?src=rss

Kohler's Dekoda is $600 camera for your toilet

Home products company Kohler is launching a new Kohler Health division, and its first product is a $599 camera for your toilet. The item, dubbed Dekoda, is equipped with sensors that analyze whatever liquid or solid waste goes into the toilet bowl with validated machine learning algorithms. The data, which can offer insights on hydration and gut health as well as detecting the presence of blood, then goes to Kohler Health's iPhone app, although Android support is in the works. It comes with a magnetic charging pad and a wall-mounted remote that can optionally use Bluetooth fingerprint authorization so that you don't learn way more than you want to about your guests. I must salute the PR person who came up with this gem from the release : By turning the bathroom into a connected, data-informed health and wellness hub, Kohler Health empowers individuals to turn ordinary routines into proactive, personalized experiences. Because who doesn't want to be proactive about pee? Health data is great, no arguments here. But this seems like a pretty extreme and expensive way to figure out if you're drinking enough water. Maybe I'm in the minority with my skepticism, however, because this isn't the first instance we've seen of toilet-bowl tech for better health. Withings introduced a monitor a few years back for analyzing urine streams, which you can buy for a mere $500. If you're just that passionate about tracking your biometrics, Dekoda products are expected to ship starting tomorrow. You'll also need to sign up for a Kohler Health subscription on top of the product cost, and there are individual and family plan options. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kohlers-dekoda-is-600-camera-for-your-toilet-225942144.html?src=rss

X's handle marketplace will sell some 'rare' usernames for millions of dollars

X is finally following through on its long-rumored plans to sell old user handles, and some of the most sought-after usernames could fetch millions of dollars. The company shared more details about and opened a waitlist for its handle marketplace , that will enable paying subscribers to request and buy inactive handles. According to the company, X will make two types of inactive' handles available: priority usernames that may include full names, multi-word phrases, or alphanumeric combinations and rare handles that consist of short, generic, or culturally significant names. Subscribers to X's Premium+ and Premium Business tiers will eventually be able to request some priority handles as part of their subscription. The company says @PizzaEater and @GabrielJones are possible examples of such handles. Notably, this process requires what essentially amounts to an indefinite subscription to X Premium, as the company says it will revoke priority handles if an account's subscription lapses. The X Handle Marketplace is our industry-first solution to redistribute handles that are no longer in use. Eligible Premium subscribers will be able to search and make requests, with both complimentary and paid options available. Handle Marketplace (@XHandles) October 19, 2025 The process for acquiring a rare handle is a lot less clear. X says that it will offer some rare handles through public drops and that those will be given away for free based on merit and that multiple users will be able to apply. X will take a user's engagement and past contributions to the platform into account when deciding who gets these handles. The company will also make some handles available for sale via an invitation-only process. These prices will be fixed and determined by a number of factors including popularity of word, character length, and cultural significance. These usernames could include common one-word usernames like @one, @fly or @compute, according to examples provided by X. They could also be incredibly expensive. Some handles are included with a Premium+ or Premium Business subscription, X wrote in an FAQ . Others especially Rare handles may be priced anywhere from $2,500 to over seven figures, depending on demand and uniqueness. People who buy a supposedly rare handle will need to have a Premium+ or Premium Business subscription in order to start the process, but won't be required to maintain one in order to keep the handle. In a separate handle transfer agreement , X describes its handle-buying scheme as an evolving initiative that it hopes will be adopted by other social media companies in the future. We are establishing a new standard for social media handlesa framework we hope the broader industry will adopt, similar to how Community Notes has influenced online transparency, the company wrote. Andrew Allemann, the publisher of Domain Name Wire, a publication that tracks the domain name industry, says that there are some similarities between X's plan to sell handles and the marketplace for expired domains. For a long time, people have been buying and selling handles off of X, and X hasn't been getting a cut of that, he told Engadget. So in some ways, I think this will get some of the better handles to be more used on the platform. But he said he would have concerns about some of the terms in X's policies, which allow it to reclaim'' handles if they become inactive. The company's current inactive account policy defines an inactive account as one that hasn't been logged into for 30 days. I would definitely want a firmer contract if I were to pay money for a handle, Allemann says. I would want some rights baked into a contract that says it can't just be taken away. I certainly want a longer period of inactivity before it can be taken away. X also has a history of commandeering desirable handles from users that were actively using them. The company took the @X handle from a San Francisco photographer in 2023 without compensating him, though he was offered merch and a tour of X's headquarters. That same year, it also took the @music handle from a longtime user with more than a half million followers. Last year, the company swiped the @America handle from a reported Donald Trump critic. The handle is now used by Musk's super PAC . X's plan to give away handles based on merit raises additional questions about who the platform could decide to reward and penalize. The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Allemann says that all social media users should remember they don't own any of the content they publish on company platforms. If you create your website, you control it, and people can always come to it. On social media, the single billionaire owner of it could decide they don't like you, and it's pretty much within their rights to kick you off, or demote you, or change the algorithm to impact you as well. Have a tip for Karissa? You can reach her by email , on X , Bluesky , Threads , or send a message to @karissabe.51 to chat confidentially on Signal. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/xs-handle-marketplace-will-sell-some-rare-usernames-for-millions-of-dollars-224852740.html?src=rss