Hardware

ISS mission splashes down after medical issue

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Crew-11 astronauts has splashed down into the ocean after they left the ISS a month earlier than planned due a medical issue. Its the first time NASA cut a mission short due to a medical concern . The agency didnt name the crew member and their condition but stated that they were stable and that it wasnt a case of medical evacuation. NASA merely decided to end the mission early out of an abundance of caution, because the ISS didnt have the tools for a proper diagnosis. NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, JAXAs Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov the members of Crew-11 left for the space station on August 1 and were supposed to stay there until February. Despite the mission being cut early, they still stayed 167 days in space before they made their way back home. The Dragon capsule carrying the members splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California at 3:41AM on January 15. A SpaceX medical doctor was the first person who checked in on them, though that is routine procedure and not because of one members medical issue. With Crew-11 back on Earth, there are now only three people aboard the orbiting lab. Two are Russian cosmonauts, while the other one is NASA astronaut Chris Williams. NASA is now looking at options to be able to send Crew-12 to the ISS earlier than its planned February 15 launch. LIVE: After undocking from the @Space_Station , Crew-11 is on their way back to Earth. Tune in to watch them splash down off the coast of California, scheduled for 3:41am ET (0841 UTC). https://t.co/mIUojli3XW NASA (@NASA) January 15, 2026 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/iss-mission-splashes-down-after-medical-issue-103000302.html?src=rss

The best cheap fitness trackers for 2026

You dont need to spend a fortune to stay on top of your health goals while tracking your fitness. These days, even cheap fitness trackers come packed with features that help you monitor your heart rate, track your steps and even analyze your sleep stages. Many budget options now include GPS tracking for those outdoor runs, real-time heart rate tracking to keep you in the right zone during workouts and, thankfully, most work with both iPhone and Android devices. Some even go beyond basic metrics, providing insights on daily readiness to help you decide if youre up for an intense workout or need a lighter day. From simple step counters to more advanced running watches, affordable fitness trackers offer plenty to support your journey toward better health without breaking the bank. Table of contents Best budget fitness trackers for 2026 What to look for in a cheap fitness tracker Other budget fitness trackers we tested What about fitness rings? Best budget fitness trackers for 2026 What to look for in a cheap fitness tracker All of the best fitness trackers should have at least three features: a program for activity tracking, the option to monitor and collect data about your sleep patterns and the ability to do things like heart rate monitoring and blood oxygen level tracking (though, the readings might not be super accurate). Dont set your sights too high and expect metrics like blood pressure monitoring or ECG support; for that, youd need to invest in a more expensive fitness watch or wearable like a Samsung Galaxy Watch, which falls under the best smartwatches category and will set you back over $400. Fitness features A cheap workout tracker can be great for someone looking to keep tabs on small, achievable goals like 10,000 steps before sundown or 30 minutes of a HIIT workout to get your heart rate peaking. An experienced long-distance runner looking to train for a triathlon might opt for a more expensive device that can measure cadence or ground contact time, and can track more customizable workouts, offer different sports modes or give deeper insights into performance data. At the very least, a budget workout tracker should be able to offer fitness tracking features beyond walking and running otherwise, it would just be a pedometer. The number of activities a device will recognize varies. Some will get funky with it and consider skateboarding a workout, while others wont be able to track a jumping jack. At this price point, you can expect a device to measure a mix of cardio, machine workouts and strength training. With each, you might get a numerical or visual breakdown of heart rate activity, overall pace, and calories burned per session. Although some cheap trackers can offer a really good overview of heart rate zone activity during a workout, a more technically advanced device might be able to go a step further and explain what your results mean and coach you on how to keep your heart rate in a specific bracket so that you can burn more fat per workout. I found that the more budget-friendly the device, the more likely it is that a tracker will fall short when it comes to smart counseling or offering predictive insights beyond a given workout. If a budget tracker does happen to offer some semblance of a coaching program, you can expect it to sit behind a paywall. Workout tracking and planning your recovery is just as essential to any fitness journey. A sub-$100 device should be able to tell you how long youve slept and provide a breakdown of deep, light and REM sleep patterns. It's not a guarantee that you will get a sleep score or insights on how to get better rest that data is usually found on more expensive wearables. Also, because these trackers arent designed for bedtime specifically be mindful of comfort. The bands and watch face on a budget fitness watch may not be ideal for getting some good shut-eye. Connectivity and practicality Not all of the best budget fitness trackers are designed to seamlessly integrate with a smartphone. The trackers tested for this roundup cant directly make calls or send texts to contacts on a paired iPhone or Android smartphone. They can, however, display and dismiss incoming calls and notifications via a Bluetooth connection. You can forget about checking your email or paying for a coffee from your wrist using these more affordable devices. Most cheap fitness trackers also won't include built-in GPS tracking. Instead, they usually depend on a paired smartphone to gather location data. The drawback of using a fitness tracker without GPS is that it might not provide as precise for tracking distance or pace. You also can't use a budget tracker to get turn-by-turn directions during a walk or while running errands. For the more outdoorsy consumers, having GPS could be a key safety feature if you want this kind of functionality at your fingertips. Design You also might find that an inexpensive fitness tracker is harder to navigate than a more advanced smartwatch. Whether it be a screen size issue or simply not having a smart enough interface, don't expect every feature to be one that you can engage with directly on your wrist. Youll likely need to use your phone to input data or access detailed wellness metrics. Build quality will also vary. While you wont get premium materials or ultra-bright OLED screens, most best cheap fitness trackers include some level of sweat and water resistance perfect for everyday wear and casual workouts. And for those starting out with basic gadgets to support their fitness journey, these affordable trackers offer a great balance of essential features without the hefty price tag. Other budget fitness trackers we tested Amazfit Bip 6 The Amazfit Bip 6 , an $80 smartwatch from Zepp Health, didnt quite make the cut. As a fitness tracker, its decent, but its a frustrating smartwatch substitute. For workouts, the built-in GPS tracks runs and rides without your phone and, combined with the heart rate and blood oxygen sensors, collects a good amount of data to create accurate pictures of your exertion levels, cadence and pace. Its remarkably lightweight but doesnt feel cheap and the AMOLED screen is bright and sharp. Its not an always-on display, but lifting your wrist wakes it reliably. The sleep tracking data is on par with what we measured on other smartwatches and theres even a daily readiness score that compares your sleep quality and the previous days exertion to estimate how physically prepared you are for the day ahead similar to what Pixel Watches, Fitbit devices and Garmin watches offer. And since the watch battery lasts for over a week on a charge, you may be a lot more apt to wear it to bed than a watch you have to charge daily. We werent expecting an $80 device to be a serious Apple Watch challenger, but the Bip 6s glitches and overly complicated interface (both on the app and on the watch itself) were disappointing. During a week of testing, I got multiple repeated notifications, even after they were deleted, along with suggestions to stand when I was actively doing chores around the house. The watch faces are not customizable, so it was hard to get the info I needed at a glance (the Zepp app has lots of paid watch faces that may have what I wanted, but I didnt want to pay $3 for something thats free elsewhere). Marketing details state that the Bip 6 can auto-detect workouts, including walking and bike riding. During testing, I walked once or twice per day for over one mile and went on two bike rides, but no workout was ever detected. The watch integrates with Apple Health, so I was able to see how it compares to the data my Apple Watch gathers. After a week of wearing the Bip 6, with no changes to my daily routine, I averaged 400 fewer calories burned and 2.4 fewer miles tracked each day. That was possibly the biggest disappointment of all. Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter Wyze Watch 47c I didn't have high expectations of the Wyze Watch 47c , but I was shocked at how little this tracker can do. The 47c can only track walks and runs. It has a dedicated widget, a small logo of a man running, and when you tap it, it begins measuring your pace, heart rate, calories burned and mileage. It does not auto-detect or auto-pause workouts and it doesn't differentiate between a run and walk. Most importantly, this device cant track any other exercises. Its basically a glorified pedometer. The 47c was also my least favorite to sleep with, mainly because the square watch face is so large and heavy. Even if I did manage to sleep through the night with it on, it only gave me a basic sleep report. M.S. Garmin vivofit 4 The Garmin vivofit 4 has a tiny display that is not a touchscreen and all navigation happens through one button. The watch face is impossible to read outdoors and the exercise widget is also very finicky. To start tracking a run, you have to hold down the main button and flip through some pages until you get to a moving person icon. Once there, you have to press the bottom right corner of the bar and hold down and if you press for too long or in the wrong spot, itll switch to another page, like a stopwatch. Its incredibly frustrating. Once you start a run though, it will start tracking your steps, your distance and that's pretty much it. It does not auto-detect or auto-pause workouts. It doesn't alert you of any mileage or calorie milestones. M.S. What about fitness rings? While smart rings are gaining popularity for health tracking, they generally dont fall into the budget or cheap price range. A smart ring like the Oura Ring offers features such as sleep monitoring, heart rate tracking and readiness scores in an ultra-compact form factor that fits on your finger instead of your wrist. These rings are best suited for people who want discreet, all-day health insights without wearing a traditional watch or band but with prices typically starting above $300, theyre more of a premium option than a budget-friendly pick. Georgie Peru contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/best-cheap-fitness-trackers-140054780.html?src=rss

Verizon says its service is back after a 10-hour outage

Verizons network is experiencing technical issues that are impacting calls and wireless data. Verizon customers on X have reported seeing SOS rather than the traditional network bars on their smartphones, and even the network providers own status page struggled to load, likely due to the number of customers trying to access it. Based on the experience of Verizon users on Engadgets staff, the services that are impacted appear to be calls and wireless data. Text messages continue to be delivered normally, at least for some users. On DownDetector , reports of a Verizon outage started growing around 12PM ET and numbered in the hundreds of thousands at their peak. DownDetector also shows spikes in outage reports on competing networks like AT&T and T-Mobile , but in terms of magnitude, theyre much smaller than the issue Verizon is facing. For example, Verizon peaked at 181,769 reports, while AT&Ts was just 1,769 reports. The difference between the two is great enough that those AT&T reports could be from people trying to contact Verizon customers and thinking that their personal network was the problem. We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience. Verizon News (@VerizonNews) January 14, 2026 In a post on the cell providers news account on X, Verizon acknowledged the issues with its network. We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers, Verizon wrote. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience. Based on DownDetectors map of outage reports , issues with Verizons network appear to be concentrated in major cities in the eastern United States. The majority of reports appear to be coming out of Boston, New York and Washington DC, though the map also shows growing hot spots in Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Verizon engineering teams are continuing to address today's service interruptions. Our teams remain fully deployed and are focused on the issue. We understand the impact this has on your day and remain committed to resolving this as quickly as possible. Verizon News (@VerizonNews) January 14, 2026 At 2:14PM ET, Verizon shared on X that its engineering teams remain fully deployed to work on fixing the outage. The company didnt share when the issue would resolved or how many of its customers are currently impacted. Reports on DownDetector have dropped since their peak at 12:43PM ET, but thousands of Verizon customers are still noticing issues with the service. As of 3:09PM ET, Verizon has yet to share more information about the recovery of the companys cell network. Some Verizon customers on X have noticed their cell service returning, but its not clear if this means the networks technical issues have been fixed. At 4:06PM ET, nearly two hours since the companys last statement, at least one member of Engadgets staff reports their service has been restored. The connectivity issues are still affecting Verizon customers, however. DownDetector received over 55,000 outage reports as recently as 3:47PM ET. Verizon's team is on the ground actively working to fix todays service issue that is impacting some customers. We know this is a huge inconvenience, and our top priority is to get you back online and connected as fast as possible. We appreciate your patience while we work to Verizon News (@VerizonNews) January 14, 2026 Verizon posted at 4:12PM ET that work continues on addressing the outage, but the issue hasnt been completely fixed. According to the company, its team is on the ground actively working to fix todays service issue that is impacting some customers. As of 4:52PM ET, the Verizons network has been experiencing issues for around four hours, making todays outage nearly as long as the last major outage the company had in 2024 . Like that 2024 outage, Verizon has yet to share what exactly is causing the issues with its network. Without out an official update, its safe to assume the company is still working on a fix. At 5:41PM ET, DownDetector latest tally still shows over 46,000 people reporting issues with Verizons network. Based on the platforms map, the same cities are filing the bulk of the outage reports, though reporting appears more diffuse than before as news of the outage has spread across the country. At 6:20PM ET, the situation was much the same. Tens of thousands of users (including Engadget editors) still dont have proper service, and Verizon had not updated its customers since 4:12PM ET. There are intermittent reports of service coming back and then failing again but seemingly no true fix has been deployed. At 10:20PM ET, Verizon has announced that the outage has been resolved and has encouraged subscribers still having issues to restart their devices to reconnect to the network. The company also said that it will provide account credits to affected customers. Both T-Mobile and AT&T have confirmed that their own networks are unaffected by the issues facing their competitor. In a post on X, T-Mobile shared that its network is operating normally and as expected. Meanwhile, AT&T says that for any of its customers experiencing issues, its not us...its the other guys. Update, January 14, 7:25PM ET: This article was published as a developing story and was updated multiple times over a period of around seven hours. These updates were additive, and noted with a timestamp within the article. As of writing, Verizon is still down for tens of thousands of users and the companys support team has not issued an update on the stituation in over three hours. Happy Wednesday! Update January 14, 10:39PM ET: This story has been updated to add Verizons latest update that the outage has been resolved. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/verizon-says-its-service-is-back-after-a-10-hour-outage-183048229.html?src=rss

X says Grok will no longer edit images of real people into bikinis

X says it is changing its policies around Groks image-editing abilities following a multi-week outcry over the chatbot repeatedly being accused of generating sexualized images of children and nonconsensual nudity. In an update shared from the @Safety account on X, the company said it has implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis.. xAI is also moving all of Groks image-generating features behind its subscriber paywall so that non-paying users will no longer be able to create images. https://t.co/awlfMjX6FS Safety (@Safety) January 14, 2026 Developing This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/x-says-grok-will-no-longer-edit-images-of-real-people-into-bikinis-231430257.html?src=rss

Netflix will air new video podcasts from Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin this month

Netflix is continuing to double down on podcasts, with the streaming service's announcement that it has hired talent to host two original shows for its platform. The first show stars NFL Hall of Famer-turned-analyst Michael Irvin and the second is a talk show for former Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson. The White House with Michael Irvin premieres January 19. The abode in the title refers to a building near the Dallas Cowboys facilities rather than the seat of US presidential power, but the overlap was intentional. In a crowded media landscape, recognition matters and few names carry the same immediate weight, Irvin said. The podcast will have new episodes twice weekly with a rotating panel of co-hosts and guests covering sports news, commentary and analysis. The other project is titled The Pete Davidson Show , and the comedian will host weekly discussions with special guests. Episodes will primarily be filmed in Davidson's garage. The Netflix exclusive premieres its first episode on January 30 at 12:01AM PT. These programs will join a lineup of other video podcasts from iHeartRadio's library after the media company inked a deal with Netflix in December 2025. Netflix also landed access to begin streaming some Spotify programming this year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-will-air-new-video-podcasts-from-pete-davidson-and-michael-irvin-this-month-224353011.html?src=rss

28 advocacy groups call on Apple and Google to ban Grok, X over nonconsensual deepfakes

Elon Musk isn't the only party at fault for Grok's nonconsensual intimate deepfakes of real people, including children . What about Apple and Google? The two (frequently virtue-signaling) companies have inexplicably allowed Grok and X to remain in their app stores even as Musk's chatbot reportedly continues to produce the material. On Wednesday, a coalition of women's and progressive advocacy groups called on Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai to uphold their own rules and remove the apps. The open letters to Apple and Google were signed by 28 groups. Among them are the womens advocacy group Ultraviolet, the parents group ParentsTogether Action and the National Organization for Women. The letter accuses Apple and Google of not just enabling NCII and CSAM, but profiting off of it. As a coalition of organizations committed to the online safety and well-being of all particularly women and children as well as the ethical application of artificial intelligence (AI), we demand that Apple leadership urgently remove Grok and X from the App Store to prevent further abuse and criminal activity. Apple and Googles guidelines explicitly prohibit such apps from their storefronts. Yet neither company has taken any measurable action to date. Neither Google nor Apple has responded to Engadget's request for comment. Pichai, Cook and Musk at Trump's inauguration SAUL LOEB via Getty Images Grok's nonconsensual deepfakes were first reported on earlier this month. During a 24-hour period when the story broke, Musk's chatbot was reportedly posting about 6,700 images per hour that were either sexually suggestive or nudifying. An estimated 85 percent of Grok's total generated images during that period were sexualized. In addition, other top websites for generating declothing deepfakes averaged 79 new images per hour during that time. These statistics paint a horrifying picture of an AI chatbot and social media app rapidly turning into a tool and platform for non-consensual sexual deepfakes deepfakes that regularly depict minors, the open letter reads. Grok itself admitted as much. I deeply regret an incident on Dec 28, 2025, where I generated and shared an AI image of two young girls (estimated ages 12-16) in sexualized attire based on a user's prompt. This violated ethical standards and potentially US laws on CSAM. It was a failure in safeguards, and I'm sorry for any harm caused. xAI is reviewing to prevent future issues. The open letter notes that the single incident the chatbot acknowledged was far from the only one. Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk at Trump's inauguration Pool via Getty Images X's response was to limit Grok's AI image generation feature to paying subscribers. It also adjusted the chatbot so that its generated images aren't posted to public timelines on X. However, non-paying users can reportedly still generate a limited number of bikini-clad versions of real people's photos. While Apple and Google appear to be cool with apps that produce nonconsensual deepfakes, many governments arent. On Monday, Malaysia and Indonesia wasted no time in banning Grok. The same day, UK regulator Ofcom opened a formal investigation into X. California opened one on Wednesday . The US Senate even passed the Defiance Act for a second time in the wake of the blowback. The bill allows the victims of nonconsensual explicit deepfakes to take civil action. An earlier version of the Defiance Act was passed in 2024 but stalled in the House. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/28-advocacy-groups-call-on-apple-and-google-to-ban-grok-x-over-nonconsensual-deepfakes-215048460.html?src=rss

The best VPN deals: Up to 88 percent off ProtonVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, NordVPN and more

In a chaotic world, one thing you can count on is your own common-sense steps toward better cybersecurity . January is a great time to grab a subscription for yourself or a loved one, as a few holiday sales are (inexplicably) still happening. With access to a virtual private network (VPN) , you can stream TV shows and events from all over the world, protect your information from hackers and thwart online trackers. We strongly recommend using a VPN , but you might get stuck with a substandard app if you jump on the very first deal you see. You might also mistakenly end up paying more than you want to, as even otherwise respectable VPNs sometimes frame their prices in misleading ways, with advertised deals not always as available as they seem to be. Even so, there are some great bargains on the table. Plenty of the best VPNs including our top pick, Proton VPN are still running end-of-year deals that can save you anywhere from 67 to 88 percent on annual subscriptions. Most of these discounts only apply if you sign up for a year or more, but as long as you're comfortable with a service before you take the plunge, committing actually makes sense. You pay more at the start, but if you divide the cost by the months of subscription, it's much cheaper over time. Best VPN deals ExpressVPN Basic $78.18 for a two-year subscription with four months free (78 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 discount, which gets you 28 months of ExpressVPN service, represents a 78 percent savings. Be aware, though, that it'll renew at the $99.95 per year price. ExpressVPN Advanced $100.58 for a two-year subscription with four months free (74 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. As above, note that it renews at $119.95 annually. NordVPN Basic $81.36 for a two-year subscription (70 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. NordVPN includes a lot of cool features, like servers that instantly connect you to Tor. This deal gives you 70 percent off the two-year plan. NordVPN Plus $105.36 for a two-year subscription (70 percent off): NordVPN has also taken 70 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. 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 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 $67.23 for a two-year subscription with three months free (87 percent off): A VPN is great, but it's not enough to protect your data all on its own. Surfshark One adds several apps that boost your security beyond just VPN service, including Surfshark Antivirus (scans devices and downloads for malware) and Surfshark Alert (alerts you whenever your sensitive information shows up in a data breach), plus Surfshark Search and Alternative ID from the tier below. This extra-low deal gives you 88 percent off all those features. 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 $49.50 for a one-year subscription with six months free (79 percent off): CyberGhost has some of the best automation you'll see on any VPN. With its Smart Rules system, you can determine how its apps respond to different types of Wi-Fi networks, with exceptions for specific networks you know by name. Typically, you can set it to auto-connect, disconnect or send you a message asking what to do. CyberGhost's other best feature is its streaming servers I've found both better video quality and more consistent unblocking when I use them on streaming sites. Currently, you can get 18 months of CyberGhost for 79 percent off the usual price, but it'll renew at $56.94 per year. hide.me $69.95 for a two-year subscription with four months free (75 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. If you do want to upgrade to its paid plan, though, 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. Private Internet Access $79 for a three-year subscription with four months free (83 percent off): With this deal, you can get 40 months of Private Internet Access (PIA) for a little bit under $2 per month an 83 percent discount on its monthly price. Despite being so cheap, PIA has plenty of features, coming with its own DNS servers, a built-in ad blocker and automation powers to rival CyberGhost. However, internet speeds can fluctuate while you're connected. What makes a good VPN deal Practically every VPN heavily discounts its long-term subscriptions year-round, with even sharper discounts around occasions like the holidays. 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/the-best-vpn-deals-up-to-88-percent-off-protonvpn-surfshark-expressvpn-nordvpn-and-more-120056445.html?src=rss

Civilization VII comes to Apple Arcade in February

The App Store is a home for many kinds of apps (including, inexplicably , one that lets users undress strangers without their consent ). But hey, it also has games! And soon the store's Apple Arcade service will include one more: the not-so-highly rated Civilization VII . Apple announced on Wednesday that Sid Meier's Civilization VII will arrive almost exactly a year after launch . The game is already available for Apple devices, but its arrival on Apple Arcade will be a first. Civilization VII arrives on Apple Arcade on February 5. Firaxis Games / Apple Free (for Apple Arcade subscribers) may be the right pricing for the game, given its mixed reviews. A common complaint is the way it handles transitions between eras. (I have Ben Franklin leading the Romans that turned into Ben Franklin leading Spain... like what? Who asked for this? a Steam reviewer wrote.) On the other hand, its visuals are praised by most. The Apple Arcade edition of Civilization VII is scheduled to arrive on February 5. It will be playable on Mac, iPhone and iPad. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/civilization-vii-comes-to-apple-arcade-in-february-203000754.html?src=rss

California is investigating Grok over AI-generated CSAM and nonconsensual deepfakes

California authorities have launched an investigation into xAI following weeks of reports that the chatbot was generating sexualized images of children. xAI appears to be facilitating the large-scale production of deepfake nonconsensual intimate images that are being used to harass women and girls across the internet, including via the social media platform X, California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office said in a statement . The statement cited a report that more than half of the 20,000 images generated by xAI between Christmas and New Years depicted people in minimal clothing, including some that appeared to be children. We have zero tolerance for the AI-based creation and dissemination of nonconsensual intimate images or of child sexual abuse material, Bonta said. Today, my office formally announces an investigation into xAI to determine whether and how xAI violated the law. The investigation was announced as California Governor Gavin Newsom also called on Bonta to investigate xAI. xAIs decision to create and host a breeding ground for predators to spread nonconsensual sexually explicit AI deepfakes, including images that digitally undress children, is vile, Newsom wrote. xAIs decision to create and host a breeding ground for predators to spread nonconsensual sexually explicit AI deepfakes, including images that digitally undress children, is vile. I am calling on the Attorney General to immediately investigate the company and hold xAI Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 14, 2026 California authorities aren't the first to investigate the company following widespread reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and non-consensual intimate images of women. UK regulator Ofcom has also opened an official inquiry , and European Union officials have said they are also looking into the issue. Malaysia and Indonesia have moved to block Grok. Last week, xAI began imposing rate limits on Grok's image generation abilities, but has so far declined to pull the plug entirely. When asked to comment on the California investigation, xAI responded with an automated email that said Legacy Media Lies. Earlier on Wednesday, Elon Musk said he was not aware of any naked underage images generated by Grok. Notably, that statement does not directly refute Bonta's allegation that Grok is being used to alter images of children to depict them in minimal clothing and sexual situations. Musk said that the operating principle for Grok is to obey the laws and that the company works to address cases of adversarial hacking of Grok prompts. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/california-is-investigating-grok-over-ai-generated-csam-and-nonconsensual-deepfakes-202029635.html?src=rss

Save up to 78 percent on ExpressVPN two-year plans right now

ExpressVPN is back on sale again, and its two-year plans are up to 78 percent off right now. You can get the Advanced tier for $101 for 28 months. This is marked down from the $392 that this time frame normally costs. On a per-month basis, it works out to roughly $3.59 for the promo period. Weve consistently liked ExpressVPN because its fast, easy to use and widely available across a large global server network. In fact, it's our current pick for best premium VPN . One of the biggest drawbacks has always been its high cost, and this deal temporarily solves that issue. In our review we were able to get fast download and upload speeds, losing only 7 percent in the former and 2 percent in the latter worldwide. We found that it could unblock Netflix anywhere, and its mobile and desktop apps were simple to operate. We gave ExpressVPN an overall score of 85 out of 100. The virtual private network service now has three tiers. Basic is cheaper with fewer features, while Pro costs more and adds extra perks like support for 14 simultaneous devices and a password manager. Advanced sits in the middle and includes the password manager but only supports 12 devices. The Basic plan is $78 right now for 28 months, down from $363, and the Pro plan is $168, down from $560. That's 78 percent and 70 percent off, respectively. All plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users, so you can try it without committing long term if youre on the fence. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/save-up-to-78-percent-on-expressvpn-two-year-plans-right-now-180602838.html?src=rss

Verizon outage: Voice and data services down for many customers

Verizons network appears to be having technical issues that are impacting calls and wireless data. Verizon customers on X have reported seeing SOS rather than the traditional network bars on their smartphones, and even the network providers own status page is struggling to load during the outage. Based on the experience of Verizon users on Engadgets staff, the services that are impacted appear to be calls and wireless data. Text messages continue to be delivered normally, at least for some users. On DownDetector , reports of a Verizon outage started growing around 12PM ET and numbered in the hundreds of thousands at their peak. We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience. Verizon News (@VerizonNews) January 14, 2026 In a post on the cell providers news account on X, Verizon acknowledged the issues with its network. We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers, Verizon wrote. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience. Based on DownDetectors map of outage reports , issues with Verizons network appear to be concentrated in major cities in the eastern United States. The majority of reports appear to be coming out of Boston, New York and Washington DC, though the map also shows hot spots in Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Verizon engineering teams are continuing to address today's service interruptions. Our teams remain fully deployed and are focused on the issue. We understand the impact this has on your day and remain committed to resolving this as quickly as possible. Verizon News (@VerizonNews) January 14, 2026 At 2:14PM ET, Verizon shared on X that its engineering teams remain fully deployed to work on fixing the outage. The company didnt share when the issue would resolved or how many of its customers are currently impacted. Reports on DownDetector have dropped since their peak at 12:43PM ET, but thousands of Verizon customers are still noticing issues with the service. Verizons last major outage was in September 2024, when the companys network dealt with connectivity issues that lasted for several hours. That outage similarly impacted users ability to make calls. This is a developing story. Our team will make frequent updates as more news occurs This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/verizon-outage-voice-and-data-services-down-for-many-customers-183048956.html?src=rss

PS Plus Game Catalog additions for January include Resident Evil Village and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Sony just announced January's Game Catalog additions for PS Plus subscribers and it's a fantastic lineup. All of these titles will be ready to play on January 20. First up, there's Resident Evil Village . This is a direct sequel to 2017s Resident Evil 7: Biohazard . It's a full game with plenty of jump scares and an engrossing narrative. It's set in a spooky village, thus the name, and a nearby castle. This shouldn't disappoint fans of the franchise and will be available for both PS4 and PS5. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a 2024 sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon . It was a massive hit upon release, thanks to solid RPG mechanics and a truly unique sense of humor. There are minigames that parody both Pokmon and Animal Crossing. The combat and movement have also both been enhanced since the last entry. It'll be playable on both PS4 and PS5. Expeditions: A MudRunner Game is a neat little riff on a driving sim, mixing in other genres. The meat and potatoes involve driving an off-road vehicle to locate treasures and uncover secrets, but there's also a base-building element. It'll be available for both PS4 and PS5. That's really just the tip of the iceberg. This is a big month for PS Plus subscribers. Other titles dropping on January 20 include the iconic roguelike Darkest Dungeon II and the horror adventure A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/ps-plus-game-catalog-additions-for-january-include-resident-evil-village-and-like-a-dragon-infinite-wealth-181501574.html?src=rss

He could just turn it off

Generative AI, we are repeatedly told, is a transformative and complicated technology. So complicated that its own creators are unable to explain why it acts the way it does, and so transformative that we'd be fools to stand in the way of progress. Even when progress resembles a machine for undressing strangers without their consent on an unprecedented scale , as has been the case of late with Elon Musk's Grok chatbot. UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer seems to have so fully bought into the grand lie of the AI bubble that he was willing to announce : I have been informed this morning that X is acting to ensure full compliance with UK law. Not that it currently is in compliance. Nor a timeline in which it is expected to do so. Just that he seems satisfied that someday, eventually, Musk's pet robot will stop generating child sexual abuse material . This statement comes just under two days after Starmer was quoted as saying If X cannot control Grok, we will. What could Elon possibly have said to earn this pathetic capitulation. AI is difficult? Solutions take time? These are entirely cogent technical arguments until you remember: He could just turn it off. Elon Musk has the power to disable Grok, if not in whole (we should be so lucky) than its image generation capabilities. We know this intuitively, but also because he rate-limited Grok's image generation after this latest scandal: after a few requests, free users are now prompted to pay $8 per month to continue enlisting a wasteful technology to remove articles of clothing from women. Sweep it under the rug, make a couple bucks along the way. Not only is it entirely possible for image generation to be turned off, it's the only responsible option. Software engineers regularly roll back updates or turn off features that work less than optimally; this one's still up and running despite likely running afoul of the law. That we have now gone the better part of a month aware this problem exists; that the feature still remains should tell Starmer and others all they need to know. Buddy, you're carrying water for a bozo who does not seem to care that one such victim was reportedly Ashley St Clair, the mother of one of his (many) children. Some countries namely Malaysia and Indonesia chose to turn Grok off for their citizens by blocking the service . Indonesia's Communication and Digital Affairs Minister was quoted as saying The government sees nonconsensual sexual deepfakes as a serious violation of human rights. Imagine if everyone in the business of statecraft felt that way. The UK (not to mention the US, but please, expect nothing from us , we're busy doing authoritarianism ) has a lot more sway over X, and by extension Elon, than either of those countries. Musk does, and is looking to do even more , business in the UK. Even if Musk were not perhaps the world's most well known liar , Grok can still make images and that should speak for itself. Grok should be well out of second chances by now, and it's up to government leaders to say no more until they can independently verify it's no longer capable of harm. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/he-could-just-turn-it-off-180209551.html?src=rss

How to turn off a VPN on iPhone

Look, virtual private networks are great I wouldn't have made a list of the best VPNs if I didn't recommend using them. But being able to control your own technology is also important. A VPN can provide protection and peace of mind when used properly , but you may not want it active on your phone all the time. For example: Are your Google search results suddenly in German? Thats one example of what can happen if you leave your virtual location set to Berlin or Vienna. Or maybe a VPN you installed for work or to watch a single tennis match is persistently trying to keep itself active. The point is, deactivating a VPN on an iPhone can sometimes be unusually tricky, because theres more than one off switch. Fortunately, it's not hard. There are several easy ways to disconnect from an iOS VPN or delete it entirely. If you catch it turning itself back on, I'll show you how to stop that too. Three ways to turn off your iPhone VPN I'm using a fluid definition of turn off here. Some of the steps below simply disconnect the VPN, while others remove it from your phone altogether. I'll make it clear in each section what the outcome will be. How to disconnect in the VPN app This is the easiest way to turn off a VPN on your iPhone. First, find the VPN app thats active, which should be on your home screen somewhere. Each app has a different interface for connecting and disconnecting, but the disconnect button should be fairly obvious it may say the word disconnect or show a green power icon. In any case, it should be right on the home screen, without requiring any digging through menus. Example of where to find the disconnect option on a VPN's home screen. Sam Chapman for Engadget Tap the disconnect button and wait for the VPN to clearly state that it's disconnected. Check to make sure the rectangle with VPN inside has disappeared from the top of your iPhone screen. The VPN is now disconnected. How to turn off the VPN in Settings If you aren't sure which VPN app is active, or if its interface doesn't make it clear how to turn it off, you can shut it down from the Settings menu instead. Find the app on your home screen that looks like several interlocking gray gears and tap it. Next, scroll down and tap the VPN option. If it's not present (which it wont be on older iOS versions), tap the General option next to another picture of a gray gear. Scroll down again and tap VPN & Device Management by yet another gray gear. Finally, tap the VPN option at the top of the screen to reach the VPN management page. Location of the VPN settings on iOS. Sam Chapman for Engadget If you have a VPN active, you should see an option at the top of the page labeled VPN Status . Toggle it from Connected to Not Connected. The VPN icon should disappear from the top of your screen, indicating that it's turned off. How to delete the VPN app altogether If you don't want the VPN on your phone at all, you can turn it off permanently by deleting both the app and the configuration. This is a lot harder to undo, so only do it if you're certain. Start by deleting the app the same way you'd get rid of any other app. Tap the icon and hold until a pop-up menu appears. Select the Remove App option in red text, then click Remove App again when prompted. Deleting a VPN on the iOS home screen. Sam Chapman for Engadget Deleting the app should also delete the configuration, but you can verify this for yourself. Follow the process from the previous section to find the VPN settings page. If there's still a VPN profile in those settings, tap the circled letter i next to its name, then tap Delete VPN at the bottom of the screen. The VPN is now gone from your iPhone unless you re-download it from the App Store. Troubleshooting: When an iPhone VPN turns itself back on Sometimes, even though you've followed all the steps, that pesky VPN rectangle is back on your screen the next time you unlock your phone. If your iOS VPN keeps turning itself back on, a few things might be happening, most of them thankfully fixable. If you did not delete the VPN, it may be turning itself back on because its settings are telling it to. Go into its preferences menu and check for a setting called auto-connect or something similar. Settings like these have the VPN connect by itself to protect users who forget to activate it manually. Toggle all auto-connect options off and the problem should stop. It's also possible that settings on the iOS side are making the VPN reconnect. Go to the VPN settings page (you'll find instructions for getting there in the previous section) and find the name of the active VPN profile. Tap the i next to it. On the next page, turn off connect on demand to stop the automatic reconnections. If you did delete the VPN, but it's still reinstalling itself and turning back on, make sure that you deleted both the app and the connection profile. Reboot your iPhone to make sure all the settings stick. If the problem persists after all this, you've either got malware disguised as a VPN or you're using a school or work phone where the VPN can't be uninstalled. If you aren't on a phone provided by a school or office, meaning you probably have malware, download an antivirus app and run a complete scan of your iPhone. This should remove any persistent files that keep reinstalling the virus. If, after all this, the VPN is still turning itself back on, I recommend burning your phone in a salt circle with a bundle of sage. When should you turn off your iPhone VPN? I encourage everyone to use a VPN every time they connect to the internet, but there are some situations where going through a VPN server is less convenient (this is the whole reason split tunneling exists). Here are a few cases in which temporarily turning off your VPN might be a good idea. The VPN isn't working. If your browsing speed is sluggish or the VPN keeps dropping the connection, your VPN server might be having problems. Disconnecting and reconnecting, even in the same location, should switch you to a different server that may work better. The VPN is causing unintended browsing errors. If youre using mapping software or just trying to do a location-based search, having your VPN active can cause more problems than it solves. Your internet connection is unstable. A VPN adds an extra step to the process of getting online. If your phone is already struggling, the VPN might be an unnecessary complication. You're on a site that blocks all VPNs. Sites that work based on your location, including all streaming sites, may blanket-block VPNs so nothing messes with their location services. Good VPNs can get around these blocks, but even the best sometimes fail. In these cases, briefly turning off the VPN may be a good idea. Your battery is low. VPNs can put a strain on your phone's battery life. This varies with the quality of your VPN, but you may sometimes need to shut it off if your battery is in the red. How to turn off iCloud Private Relay iCloud Private Relay is not a VPN, but it's often confused for one. If you found this page because you want to turn it off, you're in luck the steps are just as simple as turning off a VPN. Start by opening Settings , then tap your name. Scroll down and tap iCloud . Private Relay will only be active if you're an iCloud+ subscriber. If you are, tap Private Relay , then choose whether to turn it off temporarily or indefinitely. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-turn-off-a-vpn-on-iphone-180000533.html?src=rss

The first-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are $150 off right now

The first-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are on sale right now for $280, marked down from $430. That 35 percent savings is an even steeper discount than we saw last year Black Friday. In our review of the first-generation Ultras, we gave them a score of 86 out of 100, noting their best-in-class active noise cancellation (ANC) and comfort. Bose improved its stock tuning for these headphones, which we could immediately tell sounded warmer and clearer. Bose has typically lagged behind the likes of Sony and Sennheiser in raw sound quality, but the first-generation QuietComfort Ultra was a big step toward catching up. Bose added Immersive Audio to this model, which is the company's take on spatial audio. The company claims this feature effectively puts you in the acoustic sweet spot of a set of stereo speakers. In our testing, we felt this didn't always make songs sound better, but it did make them louder and in some cases made certain details more noticeable. The Ultras offer up to 24 hours of battery life with ANC turned on and about 18 hours with both ANC and Immersive Audio enabled. In our testing, however, we were actually able to beat Bose's estimates for battery life. The second generation of these headphones are currently our top pick for best noise-canceling headphones , but when this older model is heavily on sale, the differences between them are less dramatic. If you're in the market for a pair of great noise-canceling cans, consider checking these out. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-first-gen-bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-are-150-off-right-now-164826329.html?src=rss

The latest Animal Crossing: New Horizons expansion has arrived earlier than expected

For a number of very obvious reasons, we dont want to roll back the clock to early 2020. No thank you. But if there was a feel-good lockdown story, it was the perfectly timed arrival of Animal Crossing: New Horizons , which allowed friends who could no longer meet up IRL to do so virtually on their carefully pruned islands. The game will almost certainly never be as popular as it was back then again, but Nintendo is hoping a good chunk of lapsed islanders will return for its latest DLC drop, which has arrived a day earlier than planned. As spotted by Eurogamer , the free Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update is available to download now and, as previously announced , brings a host of new features to the cozy life sim, including a brand new resort hotel on the pier that you can help decorate. There are new items and quality-of-life additions too, as well as the ability to build fresh islands with your friends and family in the Slumber Island dream world. All you need to do is go to the New Horizons game icon on your Switchs home screen and download the software update. Nintendo also announced last year that New Horizons would be coming to Switch 2 on January 15, improving the visuals, unlocking mouse controls and GameChat functionality, and expanding the online multiplayer capacity from eight players to 12. As of now, the Switch 2 edition of the game remains locked, so youll be stuck with the standard Switch version until tomorrow. Upgrading costs $5, while first-time players can purchase the Switch 2 version of Animal Crossing: New Horizons for $65. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-latest-animal-crossing-new-horizons-expansion-has-arrived-earlier-than-expected-160739040.html?src=rss

The Mac mini M4 is back on sale for $499

The holiday season may be behind us, but that doesn't mean you can't still find good deals on some of our favorite tech. Take the Apple Mac mini M4 , which is on sale for $100 off. The 17 percent discount gives you 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD for $499, which is only about $20 more than its Black Friday sale price. Its beefier models are also on sale: opting for 512GB of SSD will cost you $689, down from $799, while also upping your RAM to 24GB is available for $890, dropping from $999. We gave the Apple Mac mini M4 a 90 in our review thanks in large part to its powerful chip. The M4 works very fast despite being in such a small device. It also offers front-facing headphone and USB-C ports. You can further upgrade to the Apple M4 Pro chip for $1,270, down from $1,399 a nine percent discount. The Pro model also has Thunderbolt 5 support. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-mac-mini-m4-is-back-on-sale-for-499-141615907.html?src=rss

Gemini can now pull context the rest of your Google apps, if you let it

Gemini is adding a feature thats designed to feel more tailored to individual users. Once enabled, Personal Intelligence can pull context from across your Google ecosystem, including Gmail, Google Photos, Search and YouTube History, to gain specific insight that will shape its answers and recommendations. Personal Intelligence is available starting today in the US for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. The feature is opt-in only and is off by default. Google Google says users will have the ability to control what apps Gemini pulls from and, in the future, which chats it uses Personal Intelligence for. The company says this new feature might still make some mistakes, such as over-personalization where it draws connections between unrelated things. According to Google, Gemini will not train directly on the data it pulls for personalization like your photos and emails, but will instead train on your prompts and its responses. Users can also prompt Gemini to try again without personalization and will have the option to delete chat histories. For now, Personal Intelligence works in the Gemini app across web, Android and iOS for personal Google accounts. Google says its coming to Searchs AI Mode soon, with plans to expand to more countries and the free tier down the line. Google has been on a tear integrating Gemini into everything, including Gmail , TVs and Chrome on mobile . This week, Apple announced that Siri AI will be powered by Gemini as part of a multi-year collaboration . AI remains an imperfect tool, and Google's AI has a long history of malfunctions like explaining made-up idioms , calling itself a failure in a depressing doom loop and generating images of the Founding Fathers as people of color. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/gemini-can-now-pull-context-the-rest-of-your-google-apps-if-you-let-it-160039468.html?src=rss

YouTube adds more parental controls, including a way to block teens from watching Shorts

YouTube is rolling out some additional parental controls, including a way to set time limits for viewing Shorts on teen accounts. In the near future, parents and guardians will be able to set the Shorts timer to zero on supervised accounts. This is an industry-first feature that puts parents firmly in control of the amount of short-form content their kids watch, Jennifer Flannery O'Connor, YouTube's vice president of product management, wrote in a blog post . Along with that, take-a-break and bedtime reminders are now enabled by default for users aged 13-17. The platform is also bringing in new principles , under which it will recommend more age-appropriate and enriching videos to teens. For instance, YouTube will suggest videos from the likes of Khan Academy, CrashCourse and TED-Ed to them more often. It said it developed these principles (and a guide for creators to make teen-friendly videos) with help from its youth advisory committee, the Center for Scholars and Storytellers at UCLA, the American Psychological Association, the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Childrens Hospital and other organizations. Moreover, an updated sign-up process for kid accounts will be available in the coming weeks. Kid accounts are tied to parental ones, and don't have their own associated email address or a password.YouTube says users will be able to switch between accounts in the mobile app with just a few taps. This makes it easier to ensure that everyone in the family is in the right viewing experience with the content settings and recommendations of age-appropriate content they actually want to watch, O'Connor wrote. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-adds-more-parental-controls-including-a-way-to-block-teens-from-watching-shorts-151329673.html?src=rss

Our favorite 3-in-1 wireless charger from UGreen is 32 percent off right now

You can easily spruce up your nightstand or desk by decluttering a bit, replacing some of those annoying charging cables with a good wireless charging setup. One of our favorites that can handle three devices at once is the UGREEN MagFlow Qi2 3-in-1 Charger Station 25W . Normally $140, it's on sale right now for $95; that's 32 percent off and only about $5 more than its record-low price. This is our top pick for a 3-in-1 charging pad thanks to its versatility. The UGREEN can work equally well as a permanent fixture in your home or act as a portable charging station. It boasts a foldable design and has smart little design details to keep it feeling like a premium product. The Qi2 25W charging works across a range of iPhone models and accessories, such as AirPods. There's also a dedicated part of the pad's design for an Apple Watch, which uses a proprietary charging standard, to power up too. Just note that you'll need a newer model of phone and the latest iOS 26 in order to take full advantage of the 25W charging capability. The wireless pad also comes with both a charging plug and a cable. We felt this UGREEN model was a great value at $140, so being able to snag one for a third of the usual price is an even better 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/our-favorite-3-in-1-wireless-charger-from-ugreen-is-32-percent-off-right-now-214707806.html?src=rss

The Nintendo Switch 2025 year in review is finally here

Were almost exactly halfway through January, but Nintendo has clearly taken a better-late-than-never approach to its 2025 year in review feature, which finally went live this week for Switch and Switch 2 users. All you need to do is head here and sign into your Nintendo account to see your 2025 breakdown. Like most annual gaming wrap-ups, Nintendo's shows how many games you played over the calendar year, as well as your total playtime. It also shows you your most-played titles for each month, your preferred genres by percentage, and if you scroll all the way to the bottom you can choose your favorite game of the year. You can also download a shareable image that shows off your taste, but theres no way to directly share your results on social media through the website. 2025 was a massive year for Nintendo, with the Switch 2 launching in early June. If you bought one, the year in review site will naturally congratulate you for doing so, but it doesnt separate your results by games you played on the original Switch versus its successor. Nintendos rivals went live with their own 2025 recap features in December. First came Sonys , which is unfortunately no longer live, and Steam followed shortly after. That one is still available to view if you want to see how your Switch 2 playtime stacks up against your Steam Deck hours. Microsoft decided to skip a 2025 wrap-up altogether, which Windows Central s Jez Corden previously suggested could be due to a reallocation of marketing budget towards a number of significant anniversaries happening this year, including the 25th anniversary of Xbox. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-nintendo-switch-2025-year-in-review-is-finally-here-145810913.html?src=rss

Pick up Apple's 25W MagSafe charger while it's down to $30

If you want a wireless charger for your iPhone and prefer to stick with Apple, Amazon has a sale that may pique your interest. The retailer is selling the one meter Apple Magsafe charger for $30 , saving you $10 off the regular price, while also selling the two meter model for $40 ($10 off). If you have an iPhone 16, iPhone 17 or iPhone Air, this cable can charge your device at 25W as long as it's connected to a 30W power adapter on the other end. While you'll need a more recent iPhone to get the fastest MagSafe charging speeds, the charger can wirelessly top up the battery of any iPhone from the last eight years (iPhone 8 and later). With older iPhones, the charging speed tops out at 15W. The cable works with AirPods wireless charging cases too it's certified for Qi2.2 and Qi charging. The MagSafe charger is one of our favorite iPhone accessories , and would pair quite nicely with your new iPhone if you're picking up one of the latest models. If you're on the fence about that, be sure to check out our reviews of the iPhone 17 , iPhone Pro/Pro Max and iPhone Air . Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-apples-25w-magsafe-charger-while-its-down-to-30-141707867.html?src=rss

Monarch Money deal: New users can get one year of access for only $50

A new year is the perfect time to get your spending in order, and if you're not trying to build your own spreadsheet, budgeting apps are one of the best ways to do it. To save yourself some money in the process, you can pick up a year-long subscription to Monarch Money , one of Engadget's favorite budgeting apps , for just $50 if you use code NEWYEAR2026 at checkout and you're a new subscriber. That's a 50 percent discount on the service's normal $100 price. Monarch Money makes for a capable and detailed budgeting companion. You can use the service via apps for iOS, Android, iPadOS or the web, and Monarch also offers a Chrome extension that can sync your Amazon and Target transactions and automatically categorize them. Like other budgeting apps, Monarch Money lets you connect multiple financial accounts and track your money based on where you spend it over time. Monarch offers two different approaches to tracking budgeting (flexible and category budgeting) depending on what fits your life best, and the ability to add a budget widget on your phone so you can know how you're tracking that month. How budgeting apps turn your raw transactions into visuals you can understand at a glance is one of the big things that differentiates one app from another, and Monarch Money offers multiple graphs and charts to look at for things like spending, investments or categories of your choice based on how you've labelled your expenses. The app can also monitor the spending of you and your partner all in one place, to make it easier to plan together. The main drawbacks Engadget found in testing Monarch Money were the app's learning curve, and the differences in features (and bugginess) between Monarch's web and mobile versions. Still, for 50 percent off, the Monarch Money is well worth experimenting with if you're trying to save money in 2026, especially if you want to do it collaboratively with a partner. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/monarch-money-deal-new-users-can-get-one-year-of-access-for-only-50-204507409.html?src=rss

Fender's guitar lessons are coming to Samsung TVs later this year

Weve all heard of couch surfing, but Fender and Samsung have made it their 2026 mission to make couch shredding a thing. Samsung TV users will soon be able to take guitar lessons from the comfort of their living rooms, with the first TV edition of the Fender Play app set to arrive in the first half of this year. Debuted at CES , players can choose from video-based lessons for both electric and acoustic guitar, as well as bass and for all the wannabe Jake Shimabukuros or George Formbys (one for the Brits) among you the ukulele. There are on-demand courses for different levels of skill, with each lesson built around a wide spectrum of well-known songs, everything from The Beatles' Blackbird to Olivia Rodrigo's Drivers License . If youre a bit more confident in your axe-wielding prowess, Jam Mode allows you to play along to genre-specific playlists. Call in the kids to watch and youve got your very own Woodstock. Fender Play is already available on a variety of screens via the App Store and Google Play, but with your TV likely being the largest one you own, you wont have to squint to make out those chord progressions. You can already use the app on a TV by pairing your iPhone or Android device to your Apple TV or Chromecast, but Samsungs native TV app is more immediate. Fender Play first launched way back in 2017 and has a number of virtual instructors who teach all levels of guitar players. A subscription costs $20 per month or $150 annually, and theres a seven-day trial if you want to see what its all about. It will, for some reason, only be available on Samsung TVs released in 2025 or later (no word on support for older models at a later date) in the coming months. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/fenders-guitar-lessons-are-coming-to-samsung-tvs-later-this-year-134551816.html?src=rss

Bandcamp prohibits music made wholly or in substantial part by AI

Bandcamp has addressed the AI slop problem vexing musicians and their fans of late. The company is banning any music or audio on its platform that is wholly or in substantial part made by generative AI, according to its blog . It also clarified that the use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles is strictly prohibited by policies already in place. Any music suspected to be AI generated may be removed by the Bandcamp team and the company is giving users reporting tools to flag such content. We believe that the human connection found through music is a vital part of our society and culture, and that music is much more than a product to be consumed, the company wrote. The announcement makes Bandcamp one of the first music platforms to offer a clear policy on the use of AI tech. AI-generated music (aka slop) has increasingly been invading music-streaming platforms, with Deezer for one recently saying that 50,000 AI-generated songs are uploaded to the app daily, or around 34 percent of its music. Platforms have been relatively slow to act against this trend. Spotify has taken some baby steps on the matter, having recently promised to develop an industry standard for AI disclosure in music credits and debut an impersonation policy. For its part, Deezer said it remains the only streaming platform to sign a global statement on AI artist training signed by numerous actors and songwriters. Bandcamp has a solid track record for artist support, having recently unveiled Bandcamp Fridays , a day that it gives 100 percent of streaming revenue to artists. That led to over $120 million going directly to musicians, and the company plans to continue that policy in 2026. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/bandcamp-prohibits-music-made-wholly-or-in-substantial-part-by-ai-130050593.html?src=rss

Elevation Lab's extended battery AirTag case is down to only $16

AirTags already have a decently long battery life, but you will end up needing to replace the coin cell every two years or so. If you don't even want to be bothered with that, Elevation Lab made just the accessory for you: its AirTag battery case that can power the tracker for up to 10 years is on sale for 30 percent off. You can pick one up for only $16, and it's available in two- and four-packs as well at a discount. The TimeCapsule case uses two AA batteries to offer up to 14 times the lifespan of the CR2032 battery that powers an AirTag. The company based those estimates on Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries, so your mileage may vary. Once an AirTag is seated inside the case, which is a compact 4.45 x 1.57 inches, it is sealed shut with four screws at the corners. The case is fiber-reinforced, according to Elevation Lab, and rated IP69 waterproof. The company says its intended for use cases where you might place an AirTag for long periods of time, like in a vehicle, a piece of luggage or a work bag. We've already got a couple of Elevation Lab products on our list for best AirTag accessories , so while we haven't reviewed the battery case, we tend to like this company's products. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/elevation-labs-extended-battery-airtag-case-is-down-to-only-16-162308748.html?src=rss

Get one month of the Disney+ and Hulu bundle for only $10

The peak time for deals on streaming services the holiday shopping season has come and gone, but Disney is back with a fresh offer for the new year. New and eligible returning subscribers can get one month of the ad-supported Disney+ Hulu bundle for just $10. That's $3 off the usual monthly rate for the bundle, and more than 58 percent off if you consider the prices for each service individually (Disney+ at $12 per month and, separately, Hulu also at $12 per month). We'd be remiss if we didn't mention that this isn't quite as good as the Black Friday deal we saw last year, which offered the same bundle for $5 per month for one year. However, if you missed that offer or just want to try out Disney+ and Hulu for a brief period of time, this is a good way to do so. Disney+ and Hulu make one of the most balanced streaming pairs available, blending family-friendly favorites with acclaimed originals and network TV staples. Disney+ brings a vast library of animated classics, blockbuster franchises and exclusive content from Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic. Its the place to stream nearly every Star Wars film and series, plus the full Marvel Cinematic Universe lineup and Disneys most recent theatrical releases. Hulu balances things out with a more adult-oriented lineup of current TV shows, next-day network episodes and a growing roster of award-winning originals. The platform hosts series like The Bear, The Handmaids Tale and Only Murders in the Building , alongside comedies, thrillers and documentaries that regularly feature in awards conversations. Its also the home for next-day streaming of ABC and FX shows, making it especially useful if youve already cut the cable cord but still want to keep up with primetime TV. The Duo Basic bundle ties these two services together under a single subscription, offering a simple way to expand your library without juggling multiple accounts. This tier includes ads on both platforms, but the trade-off is significant savings compared with paying for each service separately. For many households, thats an acceptable compromise when it means access to such a wide range of content. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-one-month-of-the-disney-and-hulu-bundle-for-only-10-192814218.html?src=rss

Matthew McConaughey fights unauthorized AI likenesses by trademarking himself

Matthew McConaughey filed trademark applications to prevent his likeness from being used by AI companies without permission, and the US Patent and Trademark Office has approved eight so far. According to the Wall Street Journal , the trademarks were for video and audio clips featuring the actor staring, smiling and talking. One was for a video of him standing on a porch, while another was for an audio recording of him saying alright, alright, alright, his signature catchphrase from the movie Dazed and Confused . Under the law, its already prohibited for companies to steal someones likeness to sell products. However, McConaughey is taking a proactive approach due to the nebulous rules around the use of someones likeness for artificial intelligence and whats considered commercial use involving the technology. His lawyer, Kevin Yorn, admits that they dont know how the court would decide if an offender challenges the trademarks. But theyre hoping that the threat of a lawsuit would deter companies from using McConaugheys likeness for AI in the first place. Actors have been trying to protect themselves from AI since the technology blew up, and it was one of the sticking points in the negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood studios when the labor union went on a strike in 2023. McConaughey isnt anti-AI by any means: He is an investor in ElevenLabs and has partnered with the AI startup to create a Spanish version of his newsletter. He said in a statement sent to The Journal that he just wants to make sure that if his voice or likeness is ever used, its because he approved and signed off on it. We want to create a clear perimeter around ownership with consent and attribution the norm in an AI world, he added. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/matthew-mcconaughey-fights-unauthorized-ai-likenesses-by-trademarking-himself-130000567.html?src=rss

Tesla's Full Self-Driving is switching to a subscription-only service

Tesla will stop selling its $8,000 Full Self-Driving (FSD) option and make it strictly a monthly subscription service after February 14, CEO Elon Musk announced on his X platform . Musk didn't reveal the price or why he's making the switch, though FSD is already available by subscription for $99 per month or $999 per year. The shift could be advantageous for buyers, particularly if they decide to dump their new Tesla or trade it in . It will also allow prospective owners to hedge their bets, as Tesla has overpromised on the feature since it was first announced. Tesla will stop selling FSD after Feb 14. FSD will only be available as a monthly subscription thereafter. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 14, 2026 Full Self-Driving has never done what the name suggests as humans must constantly supervise the system and frequently take control. Because of that, it's more of a driver assist system and doesn't even qualify as Level 3 self-driving (conditional automation), let alone as a truly autonomous Level 4 or Level 5 category. Musk has been touting self-driving capabilities on Tesla vehicles since 2015, promising at the time complete autonomy by 2018. Branding for the system as Autopilot and Full Self-Driving has been called out as false advertising by consumer watchdogs and government for years , but so far, regulators have yet to take action. A California judge recently ruled that Tesla used deceptive language to market Autopilot and recommended suspending Tesla's sales in the state for 30 days. However, the company has 90 days to comply and could still avoid punishment. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/teslas-full-self-driving-is-switching-to-a-subscription-only-service-120053137.html?src=rss

UK scraps digital ID requirement for workers

The UK government has backtracked on a plan to require all workers to have a digital ID following a backlash. It will no longer be mandatory to register with the digital ID program to prove one has the right to work in the country, as the BBC reports. The government announced the now-scrapped digital ID requirement in September. You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said at the time. It's as simple as that. The government still plans to fully transition to digital right-to-work checks by 2029, using the likes of biometric passports, as it seeks to do away with paper-based systems. Those are open to fraud and abuse, a government spokesperson said. Officials have still not explained exactly how the digital ID program will work. The government originally framed digital IDs as a way to make it easier to identify immigrants who are working in the country without having the legal right to do so. It is now said to be focusing more on pressing home the message that digital IDs will help people access public services. A service called One Login will be part of the digital ID system this currently can be used for things like applying for a veteran card and canceling a lost passport. More than 12 million people have signed up so far. Another service called Wallet will let people store their digital ID on their phone. This would contain their name, date of birth, nationality, residence status and a photo. Almost 3 million people signed an official parliamentary petition to protest the introduction of digital IDs. We think this would be a step towards mass surveillance and digital control, and that no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system, the petition states. We oppose the creation of any national ID system. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/uk-scraps-digital-id-requirement-for-workers-105740207.html?src=rss

Roblox's age verification system is reportedly a trainwreck

Roblox's age-verification system was designed as a response to allegations it has a child predator problem . Less than a week in, how's it going? Well, Wired reported on Tuesday that, in some cases, it's classifying children as adults and adults as children. So, not so great! Last week, Roblox made age verification mandatory for anyone using the platform's chat feature. That process involves either submitting a facial age estimate via selfie or (optionally for anyone 13 or older) uploading a government ID check. After verifying, you can only chat with groups of players around your age. The move came after reports grew of predators using the platform to groom young children. That, in turn, led to lawsuits from Louisiana , Texas and Kentucky. Meanwhile, Florida's attorney general has issued criminal subpoenas. So, it might not be hyperbole to say Roblox's survival could depend on how it handles this problem. It isn't exactly off to a hot start. There are reports of a 23-year-old being misidentified as a 16- to 17-year-old. (I don't want to be chatting with fucking children, they said.) Another report claimed an 18-year-old was placed in the 13 to 15 range. But the problem is happening in reverse, too. Online videos show children spoofing the system into believing they were adults by using avatar images. One clever kid drew wrinkles and stubble on his face and was instantly deemed 21+. Another flashed a photo of Kurt Cobain and got an adult classification. The feature isn't working as planned, to say the least. Roblox In addition, Roblox posted last week that some parents were providing age checks on behalf of their children, leading to their children being placed in the 21+ category. The company said it's working on solutions to address that particular problem and will share more soon. Developers with games on Roblox are upset. The platform's dev forum includes thousands of negative comments about the updates, with many of them wanting the entire update reversed. One shared a graph showing that the percentage using the chat feature dropped from around 90 percent to 36.5 percent. Where does this leave Roblox? Well, with some developers describing games on the platform as feeling lifeless or like a total ghost town, the company has its hands full. It will have to figure out how to balance its priorities of keeping predators out without breaking things for everyone else. The full report from Wired is worth a read. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/robloxs-age-verification-system-is-reportedly-a-trainwreck-220320016.html?src=rss

Instagram wants you to personalize your Reels algorithm for 2026

Last month, Instagram began rolling out a new set of controls that allowed users to personalize the topics recommended to them by the Reels algorithm. Now, Meta is making that feature available to all English users of the app globally, along with the ability to highlight their top topics for the coming year. The feature begins with a selection of topics Meta's AI thinks you're interested in based on your recent activity, and has controls to remove them or add new categories. There's also a separate field for identifying what you want to see less of, and a new build your 2026 algorithm that allows you to highlight three topics in particular. Meta's algorithm tagged a skiing clip as snowboarding. Screenshot via Instagram I don't yet have the 2026-specific control yet, but I was able to tweak some of my preferred topics and was surprised at how quickly the algorithm seemed to adjust. I added snowboarding as a topic and then later, when I clicked over to Reels, the first clip I saw was tagged snowboarding. Unfortunately, the video wasn't actually about snowboarding it featured a clip of a freestyle skiing event so Meta's systems might still need a little work at classifying the actual content. But given how sensitive the Reels algorithm can be, it's nice to have a way of opting out of interests even if you briefly went down a rabbit hole. The feature won't, however, let you ask to see fewer ads. I tried to add ads to my what you want to see less of list and received an error. No results found. Try another topic or interest. I was able to successfully add sponsored content and AI to my see less list, though I'm pretty sure the latter will affect videos about AI rather than those made with the help of it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-wants-you-to-personalize-your-reels-algorithm-for-2026-215252736.html?src=rss

Senate passes Defiance Act for a second time to address Grok deepfakes

The Senate has passed the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE ) Act with unanimous consent, according to the bills co-sponsor Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) . The bill lets the subjects of nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfakes take civil action against the people who create and host them. Deepfakes are a known issue online, but without the proper protections, easy access to AI-powered image and video generation tools has made it possible for anyone to create compromising content using another person's likeness. This has become a particular problem on X , where the integration of Grok, the AI assistant created by X's parent company xAI , makes it possible for anyone to turn the content of another person's post into an image-generating prompt. Over the last month, that's allowed users to create sexually explicit images of children, just by replying to a post with @grok and a request. In response, Ofcom, the UK's media regulator, has already opened an investigation into X for potentially violating the Online Safety Act . The chatbot has also been outright blocked in Malaysia and Indonesia . The DEFIANCE Act won't prevent Grok or other AI tools from generating nonconsensual deepfakes, but it would make creating or hosting that content potentially very expensive for anyone on the receiving end of a lawsuit. The Senate passed an earlier version of the DEFIANCE Act in 2024, but it stalled in the House. Given the urgency of Grok's deepfake problem, the hope is this new version of the bill won't see the same resistance. Congress passed an earlier piece of deepfake regulation last year, the Take It Down Act , with bipartisan support. That bill was focused on the companies who host nonconsensual, sexually explicit content, rather than the people exploited by it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/senate-passes-defiance-act-for-a-second-time-to-address-grok-deepfakes-212151712.html?src=rss

Meta has closed three VR studios as part of its metaverse cuts

Several of Meta's VR studios have been affected by the company's metaverse-focused layoffs. The company has shuttered three of its VR studios, including Armature, Sanzaru and Twisted Pixel. VR fitness app Supernatural will no longer be updated with fresh content. Employees at Twisted Pixel, which released Marvel's Deadpool VR in November, and Sanzaru, known for Asgard's Wrath , posted on social media about the closures . Bloomberg reported that Armature, which brought Resident Evil 4 to Quest back in 2021 has also closed and that the popular VR fitness app Supernatural will no longer be updated with fresh content, though the current version will continue to be supported. A spokesperson for Meta confirmed the closures. We said last month that we were shifting some of our investment from Metaverse toward Wearables, the spokesperson said in a statement to Engadget. This is part of that effort, and we plan to reinvest the savings to support the growth of wearables this year. The cuts raise questions about Meta's commitment to supporting a VR ecosystem it has invested heavily in. The company hasn't announced any new VR headsets since the Quest 3S in 2024, and last month it paused planned Horizon OS headsets from Asus and Lenovo. Now, it's also pulling back on in-house game development too. Meta is claiming, internally at least, that it remains committed to supporting the industry. These changes do not mean we are moving away from video games, Oculus Studios director Tamara Sciamanna wrote in the memo reported by Bloomberg . With this change we are shifting our investment to focus on our third-party developers and partners to ensure long-term sustainability. 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/ar-vr/meta-has-closed-three-vr-studios-as-part-of-its-metaverse-cuts-202720670.html?src=rss

Proposed legislation opens the door to robotaxi services in New York

Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car company, tested its autonomous vehicles in New York City in 2025, and as part of proposed legislation from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the company could soon offer its services across the state, Wired reports . Governor Hochul's proposed legislation was formally announced during a State of the State address covering policy proposals for the upcoming year. The new law, if passed, would loosen the state's restrictions on self-driving car companies by forming a pilot program that would allow for the limited deployment of commercial for-hire autonomous passenger vehicles outside New York City. Applicants to the pilot program would need to demonstrate that they have local support for [autonomous vehicle] deployment and prove their adherence to the highest possible safety standards to be considered. As a company with presumably good odds of being approved, Waymo supports the legislation. Governor Hochuls proposal to legalize fully autonomous vehicles is a transformative moment for New York's transportation system, Waymo's Head of Global Public Policy Justin Kintz said in a statement. With the Governors leadership, New York has the opportunity to pair its investments in slower speeds, better traffic enforcement, and first-in-the-nation congestion management strategies with Waymos demonstrably safe technology, creating a future where living in New York is safer, easier, and more accessible. Waymo already has commercial robotaxi services in select cities in California, Texas and Georgia, offered on its own or in partnership with Uber. The company announced plans to expand in Texas and Florida late last year, and is already committed to offering service in Las Vegas, San Diego and Detroit in 2026. Wired reports Waymo spent over $370,000 lobbying regulators in New York about telecommunications and transportation issues in 2025, and based on today's announcement, it appears those efforts are paying off. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/proposed-legislation-opens-the-door-to-robotaxi-services-in-new-york-193804671.html?src=rss

Taiwan issues arrest warrant for Pete Lau, CEO of OnePlus

Taiwanese officials have issued an arrest warrant for OnePlus CEO Pete Lau on allegations of illegally employing workers in Taiwan. Two Taiwanese citizens who worked for Lau have also been indicted. The China-based smartphone company has been accused of illegally recruiting more than 70 engineers from Taiwan. Members of the Shilin District Prosecutors Office claim that OnePlus reportedly set up a shell company in Hong Kong with a distinct name, then launched a branch in Taiwan in 2015 without government approval. The branch reportedly worked on research and development for OnePlus mobile phones. Taiwanese officials claim these actions by OnePlus violated the Cross-Strait Act , which is designed as a guide for relations between Taiwan and mainland China. One of the acts provisions requires Chinese companies to obtain permission from the Taiwanese government to hire workers from Taiwan. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/taiwan-issues-arrest-warrant-for-pete-lau-ceo-of-oneplus-185400997.html?src=rss

EA delays Battlefield 6 Season 2 to February 17

The second season of Battlefield 6 is being pushed back based on community feedback. On Tuesday, EA and Battlefield Studios said Season 2 will now arrive on February 17. Season 2 of Battlefield 6 had previously been scheduled for January 20, so we're looking at a delay of almost a month. As a consolation, the team is extending Season 1 through the start of the next season. During our ongoing development, we've continued to review community feedback and, in order to keep our promise, determined that our best path forward is to extend Season 1 and give ourselves extra time to further polish and refine Season 2, EA wrote in a blog post . The game came out of the gates hot following its October launch, selling over seven million copies over its first three days . But recent Steam reviews provide a glimpse into the community feedback that sparked the delay. The Battle Pass is extremely predatory and very FOMO, while the season itself doesn't give a lot to offer, one review with over 450 helpful votes said. They called out the title for having so much FOMO stuff that it becomes more stressful than fun. The Season 1 extension will include some bonus content. The Frostfire Bonus Path will give players the chance to unlock new free and premium customization rewards, including a Weapon Package and a Soldier Skin, as well as XP Boosts, by advancing through the tiers of the Frostfire Bonus Path. The extension update arrives on January 20. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ea-delays-battlefield-6-season-2-to-february-17-180306743.html?src=rss

NBA League Pass is up to 55 percent off right now

NBA League Pass, the streaming service that lets you catch hundreds of out-of-market NBA games, is on sale right now for up to 55 percent off. The League Pass Premium subscription is on sale for $75, down from $160, while League Pass Standard is marked down to $50 from $110. We're almost halfway through the season at this point, so it makes sense for a service like League Pass to start offering some discounts. The Standard plan includes commercials and support for only one device at a time, while the Premium tier offers no commercials, in-arena streams during breaks in the game, offline viewing of full games and concurrent streams on up to three devices at once. Last year, League Pass added multiview , which allows you to view up to four games at once on a single screen. This is included across both subscription tiers. The service also added a smart rewind tool that automatically selects key highlights and plays from each game. Outside the US and Canada, League Pass carries every single NBA game live, but within these countries a bevy of restrictions apply. In the US, any games being shown on your regional sports network will be blacked out as the service is meant for out-of-market games only. Also, any nationally broadcast games will not be available live, but instead will be available for on-demand viewing at 6AM ET the following day. The service is only for regular-season games. If you're an avid NBA fan that follows multiple teams then the League Pass almost certainly carries dozens of games you can watch even with the restrictions in the US. Subscribers can get a list of applicable blackouts by entering their ZIP code before signing up. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/nba-league-pass-is-up-to-55-percent-off-right-now-163421218.html?src=rss

Meta refocuses on AI hardware as metaverse layoffs begin

As we expected , Meta has begun laying off more than 1,000 employees from its Reality Labs division, which focused on virtual reality and metaverse products, Bloomberg reports . The company will refocus on developing wearables, like its recent batch of AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses, according to a memo from CTO Andrew Bosworth. The news isnt too surprising. Reality Labs has lost more than $70 billion since the beginning of 2021, and while Meta has done a solid job of delivering desirable consumer VR headsets and smart glasses, that business hasnt been nearly profitable enough to justify the cost. And of course, Mark Zuckerbergs huge gamble on the metaverse, which involved renaming the company from Facebook to Meta in 2021, has gone nowhere. According to Bloomberg, Metas metaverse plans will now focus on mobile devices, which could mean a combination of its future wearables as well as existing mobile apps. With the larger potential user base and the fastest growth rate today, we are shifting teams and resources almost exclusively to mobile to continue to accelerate adoption there, Bosworth wrote in a memo to staff this morning. Meta isnt dumping its VR headset plans entirely, but according to Bosworth the VR divion will operate as a leaner, flatter organization with a more focused road map to maximize long-term sustainability. Basically, dont expect a Quest 3 follow-up anytime soon. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/meta-refocuses-on-ai-hardware-as-metaverse-layoffs-begin-145924706.html?src=rss

Apple bundles creative apps such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro into a single subscription

Apple has been putting more onus on its services for the past several years the company makes tens of billions of dollars in revenue from that side of the business, which it claimed had a record year in 2025 . Apple is nudging a little more in that direction with a new subscription bundle called Apple Creator Studio . This allows creators to pay a single fee ($13 per month or $129 per year) to use Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro , Motion, Compressor and MainStage. Subscribers will get access to premium content in Pages, Keynote and Numbers (as well as in Freeform later this year). Of course, there are AI features too. Apple Creator Studio will be available starting on January 28 and you can try it out at no cost through a one-month free trial. College students and educators can subscribe to Apple Creator Studio for $3 per month or $30 per year. Up to six people can access all of the plans features if one person in a Family Sharing group subscribes. Apple noted that Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor and MainStage will still be available as one-time purchases for Mac through the Mac App Store. Given that those can be pretty pricy (going up to $300 for Final Cut Pro), the subscription could be enticing to many burgeoning creators. This seems like Apples attempt to muscle in on Adobes territory , especially now that its bringing AI features to many of these apps. Adding new features to productivity apps like Numbers and Keynote means Apples taking a shot at the likes of Microsoft 365 Copilot (yeeeeah, thats what Office is called now) and Google Workspace as well. On Mac and iPad, Final Cut Pro has a new feature called Beat Detection. Apple suggests this makes editing video to the rhythm of music fast and fun. It uses an AI model from Logic Pro to analyze music tracks and display a Beat Grid. The idea here is to visualize song parts, beats and bars to help editors align their cuts with the music. The Montage Maker tool in Final Cut Pro on an iPad. Apple An AI-powered Montage Maker tool can stitch together a dynamic video based on the best visual moments within the footage. Youll be able to tweak these montages and use an Auto Crop tool to reframe the clip into a vertical format to make it a better fit for social media. Final Cut Pro has transcript and visual search functions too. Logic Pro, MainStage, Pixelmator Pro (which is coming to iPad with Apple Pencil support) and Motion will all have AI-powered features as well. As you might expect, youll need an Apple Intelligence-capable device to use some of these. Apple is also introducing something called the Content Hub. This media library includes curated, high-quality photos, graphics and illustrations. As for Keynote, Pages, and Numbers, youll be able to access premium templates and themes in those otherwise-free apps with a Apple Creator Studio plan. Subscribers will be able to try beta versions of new features, such as a way to generate a draft of a Keynote presentation text based on an outline, and a Magic Fill tool to generate formulas and fill in tables in Numbers. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-bundles-creative-apps-such-as-final-cut-pro-and-logic-pro-into-a-single-subscription-145210038.html?src=rss

Anker's Solix E10 battery backup can power your entire house in a blackout

Anker is going up against Tesla in the home battery backup segment with Solix E10 that promises whole-home backup at an affordable price. The system delivers enough power to handle heavy-duty air conditioners and other high-power appliances in the event of a blackout. It also claims that the E10 supports DIY-friendly installation thanks to the stackable, plug-and-play design. Each Anker Solix E10 unit can deliver up to 37.2kW of surge power and stacking two boosts that to 66kW. It also comes with a turbo output mode that can output 10kW per unit for 90 minutes maximum. That level of power, along with the minimal 20ms auto-switch time (from grid to battery), means you may not even notice if the power grid goes down. Anker For large installations, you can stack up to three E10 units to boost power to 90kWh, enough to provide whole home backup for up to 15 days (average US consumption is 30kWh per day so that might be stretching it). If that's not enough, you can add Anker's tri-fuel Solix Smart Generator 5500 that runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas and charges the E10 batteries via DC for maximum efficiency. The E10 can also handle up to 9kW of input from solar panels, or 27kW with three units. Anker's Solix E10 can be purchased with several optional components. The Power Dock allows auto switching from grid power in the even of an outage in 20 milliseconds, while the Smart Inlet Box provides a manual switchover option. The latter lets you charge the E10 batteries from the grid with existing solar systems to save money. In the event of a wild storm, units are weatherproof thanks to the all-metal enclosures and can be operated in temperatures ranging from -4 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit. As for pricing, the Solix E10 costs $4,299 by itself, $4,599 with the Smart Inlet Box, $5,799 with the Solix Power Dock and $7,399 with the Solix Power Dock and Smart Generator. Adding an extra E10 unit would boost the latter price to around $10,000. However, Anker claims lower installation costs for the Solix E10 than Tesla and other manufacturers due to its modular nature and says it's so intuitive that some buyers could do a DIY installation. The Solix E10 is now available for pre-order . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/ankers-solix-e10-battery-backup-can-power-your-entire-house-in-a-blackout-143040115.html?src=rss

Tesla launches a seven-seat version of the 2026 Model Y

Tesla's 2026 Model Y is now available on the company's site and it comes with a new (and old) option: a seven-seat version via a third row. The extra seating costs $2,500 and is only available if you order the Premium All-Wheel-Drive Long Range model. Tesla first teased the option last year via an email to prospective buyers with the promise of seating for up to seven and enough room for everyone's gear, Electrek reported at the time. The new seats appear to be designed mainly for children as they don't offer much legroom, according to images on Tesla's configurator. Tesla notes that the seven-seat interior features fold-flat second-row and third-row seats, though it's not clear if those seats fold down electrically like the second row. Tesla Tesla is facing increased competition , especially in the crossover/SUV category, and saw another sales decline last quarter. The company previously sold a seven-seat version of the Model Y in the US for a short time before it was refreshed early last year. Since then, though, it has only been available with five seats. Tesla launched a six-seat Model YL version in China in August 2025 with a six-inch wheelbase extension that the US model lacks. Elon Musk said that model would come to the US market in late 2026 or maybe never. Otherwise, changes to the Model Y lineup are minor and confined to the Premium version. Those include a 20-inch dark-grey Helix wheel option, a new black headliner, a bigger, higher-resolution 16-inch display and darker rear badging. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-launches-a-seven-seat-version-of-the-2026-model-y-130039385.html?src=rss

Star Wars Outlaws developer Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm face layoffs

We aren't even two weeks into the new year and Ubisoft is already looking to carry out its second round of layoffs in 2026. The company has informed workers at Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm of a proposed organizational restructure that could affect around 55 roles across its two Swedish studios. Workers at Massive (the developer of The Division series, Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora ) were offered voluntary buyouts late last year as part of Ubisoft's ongoing cost-cutting efforts . This restructure follows the completion of the Voluntary Leave Program launched during the fall of 2025, a finalized long-term roadmap and a completed staffing and appointment process, which together have provided clearer visibility into the structure and capacity required to support the two studios work and sustainably over time, Ubisoft told IGN in a statement. These proposed changes are forward-looking and structural, they are not related to individual performance, recent deliveries or the quality of the work produced by the teams. Ubisoft claims that the long-term direction for the studios remains unchanged. Massive will continue working on projects that include The Division 3 . Ubisoft Stockholm, meanwhile, is beavering away on a new franchise that's still under wraps for now. That project is harnessing the studio's Ubisoft Scalar cloud computing tech, according to Game Developer . Earlier in January, the company said it was shutting down Ubisoft Halifax , resulting in the loss of 71 jobs. Workers at that studio unionized just 16 days earlier. Ubisoft said its decision was part of company-wide actions to streamline operations. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/star-wars-outlaws-developer-massive-entertainment-and-ubisoft-stockholm-face-layoffs-134234968.html?src=rss

AirTags are back on sale, with a four-pack going for $65

Most Apple products are pretty expensive, but some of the most affordable (and useful) ones are AirTags . The Bluetooth trackers are priced pretty reasonably even when not on sale, but they can be a steal if you can get them on a discount like right now. A four pack of AirTags is on sale for $65 at Amazon, which is only a few dollars more than the record-low price we saw during Black Friday this year. AirTags can be useful for people who travel frequently, helping you to keep track of essentials like your passport as well as a way to keep tabs on luggage while you're on the go. If you do purchase some AirTags, we have some recommendations for useful accessories to go along with them, such as different styles of cases to best attach the trackers to different types of items. These are worth looking over and adding to your shopping cart in order to make the most of the product. AirTags have an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and their replaceable batteries should last for about a year. They can also support Precision Finding, which gives more exact directions to a lost item, when paired with most models after the iPhone 11. Up to five people can share an AirTag's location, which is helpful for families or large travel groups. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/airtags-are-back-on-sale-with-a-four-pack-going-for-65-202333994.html?src=rss

Insta360 releases AI-powered follow-up to its Link webcams

Insta360, a company most known for its action cameras , has released two new AI-powered 4K webcams, the Link 2 Pro and Link 2C Pro, aimed at creators, educators and remote professionals. The company's goal with these models is a webcam experience that looks and sounds remarkably close to a professional camera and microphone setup. Both models use a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor with dual native ISO for improved low-light performance over the previous generation , and both support HDR. Insta360 says the audio on both models leverages beamforming technology as well as AI noise canceling to help voices sound clearer in noisy environments. Users can choose from four pickup modes designed for different sound sources like Focus that isolates a single voice or Wide if there are multiple speakers. Video resolution on both models tops out 4K at 30 fps, and Insta360 says its updated True Focus system uses phase-detection autofocus to lock onto subjects, keeping them in focus while they move. There's also a Natural Bokeh mode meant to mimic the shallow depth-of-field look of a traditional DSLR camera, for users who enjoy that look. As for what sets them apart, the Link 2 Pro sports a 2-axis gimbal for AI-assisted tracking, which offers single or group-mode framing, while the Link 2C Pro is static and designed for fixed-position setups. Both models offer gesture control features, allowing users to control certain functions hands-free. These include starting or stopping tracking and zooming in or out. Both models also include a magnetic mount for easy placement on metal surfaces. Several different modes are offered that aid in teaching and presenting. Among them are Smart Whiteboard mode, which will automatically detect a user's whiteboard and keep it clearly in frame, and DeskView mode, which captures an overhead view of a user's desk. There's also a green screen mode, a portrait mode and support for virtual backgrounds. The new webcams also support Insta360 InSight, the company's subscription AI-powered meeting assistant. InSight can record meetings, generate transcripts, create summaries and more. The Link 2 Pro will retail for $250 while the Link 2C Pro will go for $200. Both models are available for purchase now . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/insta360-releases-ai-powered-follow-up-to-its-link-webcams-130003572.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Apple will use Gemini to power Siri AI

Apple and Google have confirmed that Geminis models power the new version of Siri and other generative AI features. CNBC broke the news, but Apple and Google soon followed up with a lengthy joint statement. Heres part of it: Apple determined that Googles Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apples industry-leading privacy standards. In June, it was reported that Apple was considering partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic for Siri (the voice assistant can currently tap ChatGPT for certain queries as part of Apple Intelligence). Two months later, Google emerged as a contender. Another report suggested Apple might build the new Siri using a custom version of Gemini and that it would pay Google around $1 billion a year for the privilege. However, no official deal numbers were shared. Its also notable that current iPhones have direct access to OpenAIs ChatGPT. But how long for? Mat Smith The other big stories this morning Engadget Podcast: Best of CES 2026 and a chat with Pebbles founder Meta closes 550,000 accounts to comply with Australias kids social media ban The best winter tech to get you through the coldest months Meta appoints ex-Trump and Bush official as its new president and vice chair Netflix wins 7 awards at the Golden Globes Adolescence and KPop Demon Hunters picked up several each. Netflix Netflixs hit show Adolescence received four awards, including best limited or anthology series. It also won best actor (Stephen Graham), supporting actor (Owen Cooper) and supporting actress (Erin Doherty) in a miniseries or television film. KPop Demon Hunters which my nieces refuse to stop talking about won best animated feature and best original song. I just want to say this award goes to people who have had doors closed on them, and I can confidently say rejection is redirection. So never give up. Its not all good news. Netflix also won best performance in stand-up comedy on television for Ricky Gervais: Mortality. Apple and HBO Max each won three, and Hulu got one award on the night. Continue reading. NASA makes final preparations for its first crewed moon mission in over 50 years The agency is targeting a February launch date for Artemis 2. A few years ago, NASA announced it was pushing the Artemis 2 mission back to April 2026. The agency now says it could launch as early as February. NASA is finalizing preparations for the mission and will soon roll out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis 2 is the first crewed mission to the moon since the Apollo programs final flight in 1972. The 10-day mission will have four astronauts, wholl test whether Orions critical life-support systems can sustain human passengers on future longer-duration missions. They will first orbit the Earth twice before making their way 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the moon. Continue reading. Legos first Pokmon sets are now available for pre-order Pikachu, Eevee, Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise will ship February 27. Lego Pre-orders for the first three Lego-Pokmon kits are open now. One of the debut pocket monsters is, of course, Pikachu. You can build the 2,050-piece kit to show Pikachu either at rest or leaping out of an open Pok Ball into battle. It costs $200. Theres also a 587-piece model of Eevee, for $60. On the bigger side is a set featuring a trio of Pokmon: Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise. This kit has 6,838 pieces and can show the group together in battle formation or separately in their own mini environments. It retails for $650 and is a bit much. Continue reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-151521620.html?src=rss

The best streaming devices for 2026

With the dominance of smart TVs, streaming sticks and boxes may seem redundant but if your smart set is slow or has a frustrating user interface, a streaming device will let you bypass your TVs built-in OS and use Google TV, Fire TV, Apple TV or something else instead. There are a lot of streaming gadgets out there, all with different operating systems, memory capacities, video resolutions and bonus features, such as headphone connections and ambient modes that fill your screen with stills when youre not watching. We tested options from the major brands and broke down exactly what each device gives you so you can pick the best streaming device for your TV. Table of contents The best TV streaming devices for 2026 What to look for in a TV streaming device How we tested and picked the best streaming devices Best streaming devices for 2026 What to look for in a TV streaming device Operating system and interface Googles TV Streamer, the Apple TV 4K, Amazons Fire TV Sticks and Roku devices are the most popular players in the space. Three of those brands also come built into TVs, such as Fire, Google and Roku TVs, but the Apple TV 4K doesn't come pre-loaded on any set. Each one has a unique operating system and interface. This may be the biggest deciding factor for many people, as it determines how the home entertainment you want to watch is arranged and presented. We go into detail for each platform below, but all of them come with home screens that, to varying degrees, gather your apps in one place, present the movies and TV shows youre currently watching and give you suggestions of other media streaming options. Nearly all streaming devices come with a remote that lets you search and do other operations using your voice, eliminating the need to hunt and peck at on-screen keyboards. They all offer universal search, in which searching for a title takes you to whichever app has it available. If you want to watch Wicked but dont know where its playing, just push the voice button on the remote and say Wicked. (We found simply saying the title or the genre you want sometimes works better than saying Show me or Search for) From the search results, hit the play button and the correct app will open and start playing assuming youve previously logged into that app and, in most cases, have an active subscription. Connectivity Most streaming sticks connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, with the majority of them supporting Wi-Fi 5 or 6 protocols. Set-top boxes can also have Ethernet ports, so you can hardwire your internet connection to the device, which is typically faster than wireless. Streaming media players connect to your TV through an HDMI port, and most sticks hide behind the screen, while set-top boxes sit on a surface nearby. Nearly all units also plug into an AC outlet for power. Some sticks used to work by pulling power from a USB port on the TV, but increasingly, these devices are designed to plug into the wall. Video and audio features If your home theater setup has a screen that can display 4K content with Dolby Vision and HDR10, youll want a streaming device that supports those high-end formats. Of course, even the most top-shelf streamer cant make a 1080p TV stream 4K. The series or movie also has to be transmitted in 4K and, increasingly , companies restrict higher-quality streaming to more expensive subscription plans. In short, every element needs to support the video or audio feature, otherwise the highest quality youll get will be the lowest of any component in the chain. Remotes Most remotes that come with streaming devices will allow you to control the power and volume of your TV. Some of the less expensive devices, however, don't have that feature, so you'll need to use your TV's remote control to turn it on, then use the streaming remote to navigate the streamer's interface. If your streamer's remote does offer power and volume controls, the setup process will usually calibrate your remote to your TV. If you want to use a soundbar, such as from Sonos or other brands, for audio you may also have to take the additional step of pairing your remote to the speaker. Voice control In addition to helping you find stuff to watch, streaming devices from Apple, Google and Amazon can answer questions about the weather, sports scores and general facts using built-in voice assistants. They can also act as smart home controllers to turn off connected smart bulbs or plugs and show feeds from smart cameras. Just remember, as with all smart home devices, compatibility is key. Fire TV devices work with Alexa-enabled smart home equipment; the Google TV Streamer lets you control Google Home devices; and Apple TV 4Ks play nice with HomeKit and other Apple devices. Rokus grant power over Rokus smart home products, but also work with the other ecosystems. How we tested and picked the best streaming devices Like every gadget we test, we start by researching whats worthy of reviewing. Then we get a hold of the devices ourselves and see how well they work. We dont have a central Engadget lab; we test things in our own living rooms, on our own TV sets. We also figure thats a better approximation of your own TV experience anyway. We began testing streaming devices as far back as 2007 with the first Apple TV device . Since then, weve tried out most of the major new releases to come along from the Roku Stick back in 2014 to the 2024 Google TV Streamer 4K . A few years ago, we decided to compile the streaming devices we reviewed into this guide. Since then, weve updated our top picks using verdicts from our reviews, as well the testing we perform just for this guide. As new devices come out, we try them and, if something is worthy, we add it to our top picks on this list. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/best-streaming-devices-media-players-123021395.html?src=rss

Framework increases Desktop prices by up to $460 due to RAM crisis

Computer brand Framework has hiked the prices on RAM for its Desktop systems and Mainframes in response to rising costs with its suppliers. Compared with when the Desktops were announced , the 32GB and 64GB options each cost $40 more, but its 128GB variation now costs an extra $460. The current pricing for machines is $1,139 for 32GB, $1,639 for 64GB or $2,459 for 128GB. Since the company began altering its pricing structure last month, it committed to remaining transparent with customers about the changes happening to RAM prices. Framework also said it would reduce prices again once the market calms down. The original prices will be honored for any existing pre-orders. One of the big takeaways from CES 2026 was that RAM is going to be an expensive commodity this year. The rising costs are largely in response to artificial intelligence projects, such as the rush to build data centers. As a result, buyers who take the modular approach may want to upgrade less costly components for better specs without making the increasingly hefty investment in memory. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/framework-increases-desktop-prices-by-up-to-460-due-to-ram-crisis-234827145.html?src=rss

Our favorite UGreen 3-in-1 wireless charger is 32 percent off right now

Now that the winter holidays are well and truly past, now's the perfect time to take stock of your tech setup. If you were gifted (or gifted yourself) some new gear in December, make sure that you've got the proper accessories to keep that gear performing at its best. If a new way to power all those batteries would be a benefit, Amazon's currently running a discount on an excellent wireless charging pad. The UGREEN MagFlow Qi2 3-in-1 Charger Station 25W is on sale for $95. That's only a little bit above the lowest price we've ever seen for the product (which was $90), and it's still a 32 percent discount off its usual cost. This is our top pick for a 3-in-1 charging pad thanks to its versatility. The UGREEN can work equally well as a permanent fixture in your home or act as a portable charging station. It boasts a foldable design and has smart little design details to keep it feeling like a premium product. The Qi2 25W charging works across a range of iPhone models and accessories, such as AirPods. There's also a dedicated part of the pad's design for an Apple Watch, which uses a proprietary charging standard, to power up too. Just note that you'll need a newer model of phone and the latest iOS 26 in order to take full advantage of the 25W charging capability. The wireless pad also comes with both a charging plug and a cable. We felt this UGREEN model was a great value at $140, so being able to snag one for a third of the usual price is an even better 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/our-favorite-ugreen-3-in-1-wireless-charger-is-32-percent-off-right-now-214707069.html?src=rss

Lego's first Pokmon sets are now available for pre-order

We learned last March that Lego and Pokmon would be joining forces and the first results of their partnership are here. Pre-orders for all three kits are open now, with an expected ship date of February 27. As one might have guessed from the lightning bolts on the previous promotional image, one of the debut pocket monsters getting the brick treatment is Pikachu , complete with a Pok Ball. The 2,050-piece kit can be built to show Pikachu either leaping out of the open Pok Ball into battle or at rest staring up at the builder, closed Pok Ball between his paws. The Pikachu kit costs $200. There's also a 587-piece model of Eevee , which goes for $60. On the bigger side is a set featuring a trio of Pokmon: Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise . This kit has 6,838 pieces and can show the group together in battle formation or separately in their own mini environments. It retails for $650. Lego Before you leap to pre-order pages, however, here's a word of caution. In Lego form, our little friends lookkinda strange? I'm not the biggest Lego builder, but I am a rather accomplished architect in Minecraft , so I am well aware of the innate challenge in constructing a rounded shape from square blocks. Take Pikachu, for instance. Part of his appeal is his chubby little cheeks. There are bricks with more rounded sides in this collection that hint at his usual rotundness, but the proportions of his face just feel a little off to me. I had the same reaction to the other figures as well, although Eevee seems to have fared a little better than the others. They're all sort of cute, but not nearly so cute as they are in other formats. But like I said, Lego is not my personal block of choice, so perhaps I'm in the minority here! If you love these bricky pocket monsters, then roll on over to Lego's website and snap up these kits faster than a Mewtwo. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/legos-first-pokemon-sets-are-now-available-for-pre-order-205527102.html?src=rss

Dell revives its XPS laptops after a boneheaded rebranding

Last year, Dell killed off all of its PC brands , including the iconic XPS lineup, and replaced them with a simplified naming scheme. It was a move meant to make it easier for people to discern between the company's many brands, but in reality, it just just made the company's lineup even more confusing. We called it an unforced error at the time, but after seeing how much Dell's PC market share fell over 2025, it's fair to say that rebranding was an absolute marketing disaster. So, with its tail between its legs, Dell has returned to CES some welcome news for its fans: XPS lives ! And the company plans to double-down on the brand in ways it never did before. Today, Dell revealed the new XPS 14 and 16 notebooks, which feature a more practical design than the previous models. There's a new function row with traditional keys, instead of the odd capacitive buttons that disappeared in sunlight. And while the company is sticking with its invisible trackpad, which sits flush alongside the wrist rest, there's now a light border around the edges that lets you feel exactly where the trackpad begins and ends. So, in short, Dell seems to have solved most of our recent complaints about the XPS lineup. To signify its commitment to the brand, it's also emblazoning the XPS logo on all of these new machines, replacing the previous Dell name. Thats something I could never imagine a less humbled Dell doing. The redesign also gave Dell room to shave off some weight and thickness from both machines. The XPS 14 weighs around three pounds now, a half-pound lighter than the previous generation, while the XPS 16 weighs 3.6 pounds, a whole pound lighter than before. The new cases make both machines look a lot more like Microsofts extra-subtle Surface Laptop, but thats not necessarily a bad thing. Both systems are powered by Intels new Panther Lake Core Ultra Series 3 chips, and they also offer tandem OLED display options. Dell also briefly teased the return of a new XPS 13 later this year, which is set to be the companys thinnest and lightest notebook ever. Dell says itll be cheaper than the XPS has been in the past. The new XPS 14 and 16 will be available on January 6, starting at $2,050 and $2,200, respectively. A Dell representative tells us these arent entry-level configurations, instead we can expect to see cheaper prices with lower specs in February. Update 1/6/26, 12:30p: Pricing updated to reflecrt new numbers from Dell. Originally, we were told they would start at $1,650 and $1,850. Update 1/12, 3:00p: Added a mention of lower entry-level configurations coming eventually. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/dell-revives-its-xps-laptops-after-a-boneheaded-rebranding-001028029.html?src=rss

The Disney+ Hulu bundle is on sale for $10 for one month right now

The peak time for deals on streaming services the holiday shopping season has come and gone, but Disney is back with a fresh offer for the new year. New and eligible returning subscribers can get one month of the ad-supported Disney+ Hulu bundle for just $10. That's $3 off the usual monthly rate for the bundle, and more than 58 percent off if you consider the prices for each service individually (Disney+ at $12 per month and, separately, Hulu also at $12 per month). We'd be remiss if we didn't mention that this isn't quite as good as the Black Friday deal we saw last year, which offered the same bundle for $5 per month for one year. However, if you missed that offer or just want to try out Disney+ and Hulu for a brief period of time, this is a good way to do so. Disney+ and Hulu make one of the most balanced streaming pairs available, blending family-friendly favorites with acclaimed originals and network TV staples. Disney+ brings a vast library of animated classics, blockbuster franchises and exclusive content from Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic. Its the place to stream nearly every Star Wars film and series, plus the full Marvel Cinematic Universe lineup and Disneys most recent theatrical releases. Hulu balances things out with a more adult-oriented lineup of current TV shows, next-day network episodes and a growing roster of award-winning originals. The platform hosts series like The Bear, The Handmaids Tale and Only Murders in the Building , alongside comedies, thrillers and documentaries that regularly feature in awards conversations. Its also the home for next-day streaming of ABC and FX shows, making it especially useful if youve already cut the cable cord but still want to keep up with primetime TV. The Duo Basic bundle ties these two services together under a single subscription, offering a simple way to expand your library without juggling multiple accounts. This tier includes ads on both platforms, but the trade-off is significant savings compared with paying for each service separately. For many households, thats an acceptable compromise when it means access to such a wide range of content. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-disney-hulu-bundle-is-on-sale-for-10-for-one-month-right-now-192814784.html?src=rss

Mark Zuckerberg announces new 'Meta Compute' initiative for its data center and AI projects

On the heels of Mark Zuckerberg announcing that Meta's former board member, Dina Powell McCormick, would be formally joining the company as president and vice chairman, the CEO has shared new details about her purview at the company. The executive will play a key role overseeing Meta's sprawling infrastructure investments as part of a newly announced initiative called Meta Compute. Meta is planning to build tens of gigawatts this decade, and hundreds of gigawatts or more over time, Zuckerberg said in an update . How we engineer, invest, and partner to build this infrastructure will become a strategic advantage. Zuckerberg said that Meta's head of global engineering Santosh Janardhan will lead the top-level initiative and that recent hire and former Safe Superintelligence CEO Daniel Gross will lead a new group responsible for long-term capacity strategy, supplier partnerships, industry analysis, planning, and business modeling. McCormick is expected to work on partnering with governments and sovereigns to build, deploy, invest in, and finance Meta's infrastructure. Meta has been investing heavily in infrastructure to fuel its AI superintelligence ambitions . The company also recently announced three agreements to buy massive amounts of nuclear power to help power its data centers. Zuckerberg has previously said he expects Meta to spend $600 billion on AI infrastructure and jobs by 2028. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/mark-zuckerberg-announces-new-meta-compute-initiative-for-its-data-center-and-ai-projects-192100086.html?src=rss

Paramount won't quit, files suit against Warner Bros. Discovery over rejected bid

Paramount Skydance just does not want to take no for an answer. After having multiple bids to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) rejected, including a recent hostile bid that the WBD board recommended that shareholders reject , Paramount is turning to the courts and mounting a proxy fight. In a letter to shareholders on Monday, Paramount CEO David Ellison said the company has filed suit in Delaware Chancery Court seeking more disclosure about WBDs pending Netflix deal and the process that led to its acceptance. Paramount argues WBD hasnt provided basic information shareholders need to evaluate competing offers, including how WBD valued the planned cable-networks spinout Discovery Global (or Global Networks, depending on the filing). The Netflix acquisition would leave Discovery Global to become its own publicly traded company, while the Paramount offer included these assets. Paramount is also escalating the corporate pressure campaign, with Ellison saying it intends to nominate a slate of directors for election at WBDs 2026 annual meeting. The end goal would be installing a board that would engage on Paramounts offer under the terms of WBDs merger agreement with Netflix. If WBD were to call a special meeting to approve the Netflix transaction before the annual meeting, Paramount says it will solicit proxy votes against the deal. It also plans to push a bylaw change requiring shareholders to approve any separation of Discovery Global. This change seems like Paramount stoking the flames (whether real or imagined) surrounding shareholders having their WBD shares bought out without the value of Discovery Global built-in under the Netflix merger. Paramount remains convinced that its offer is superior to that of Netflix, while WBD maintains Paramount's bid offers insufficient value and that Paramount has failed to submit a true best proposal despite clear direction from WBD on both the deficiencies and potential solutions. The lawsuit now aims to force WBD to spell out exactly how it arrived at recommending the Netflix deal over Paramount's bid. WBD expressed concerns over whether a potential Paramount deal would even reach closing, citing the substantial debt the smaller studio would have to take on to pull off a leveraged buyout. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/paramount-wont-quit-files-suit-against-warner-bros-discovery-over-rejected-bid-175317166.html?src=rss

ExpressVPN deal: Two-year plans are up to 78 percent off

If you're looking to up your privacy game on the internet in the new year, you can do so for a little less than usual thanks to ExpressVPN's latest deal. Its two-year plans are up to 78 percent off right now: the Advanced tier is on sale for $101 for two years, plus four additional free months. That works out to $3.59 per month during the promotional period. Weve consistently liked ExpressVPN because its fast, easy to use and widely available across a large global server network. In fact, it's our current pick for best premium VPN . One of the biggest drawbacks has always been its high cost, and this deal temporarily solves that issue. In our review we were able to get fast download and upload speeds, losing only 7 percent in the former and 2 percent in the latter worldwide. We found that it could unblock Netflix anywhere, and its mobile and desktop apps were simple to operate. We gave ExpressVPN an overall score of 85 out of 100. The virtual private network service now has three tiers. Basic is cheaper with fewer features, while Pro costs more and adds extra perks like support for 14 simultaneous devices and a password manager. Advanced sits in the middle and includes the password manager but only supports 12 devices. The Basic plan is $78 right now for 28 months, down from $363, and the Pro plan is $168, down from $560. That's 78 percent and 70 percent off, respectively. All plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users, so you can try it without committing long term if youre on the fence. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/expressvpn-deal-two-year-plans-are-up-to-78-percent-off-180602243.html?src=rss

India is proposing another far-reaching security rule for smartphones

India is considering new smartphone security rules that would require device makers to allow government access to source code for vulnerability analysis. It would also require companies to notify the government of major software updates and security patches before rollout, according to Reuters . This is the latest in a raft of unprecedented proposals by the Indian government under the guise of security, as it weighs making a package of 83 security standards drafted in 2023 legally binding in the worlds second-largest smartphone market with nearly 750 million smartphones. Under the proposals, any source code review would be analyzed and potentially tested at designated labs in India. Major phone manufacturers have reportedly warned the Indian government that such a move risks revealing proprietary information. The source code proposal comes alongside a series of additional recommendations such as restrictions on background permissions for apps and the option to remove all preinstalled apps. Reuters also reports the package would mandate periodic malware scanning and require phones to store system logs for at least 12 months, requirements that industry groups told the publication would drain battery life, run into storage limits and slow the rollout of necessary security updates. The nations IT ministry told Reuters it refutes the statement that it is proposing manufacturers hand over their source code. This was despite a review of internal government and industry documents as part of the reporting. Government officials and industry executives are reportedly due to meet Tuesday for more discussions. Last month, India was set to require a state-owned cybersecurity app be preinstalled on every smartphone in the nation before backpedaling after intense backlash. Just two days later, there was reportedly a proposal to require that smartphones keep location services on at all times with no way to turn them off. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/india-is-proposing-another-far-reaching-security-rule-for-smartphones-155204829.html?src=rss

Monarch Money is offering 50 percent off its budgeting app for new users

The start of the new year is a great time to get your finances in order, and a good budgeting app can help with that. Instead of laboring over a spreadsheet, you can try one of our favorite budgeting apps for less than usual. Monarch Money is running a sale that gives new users 50 percent off one year of the service, bringing the final cost down to just $50. Just use the code NEWYEAR2026 at checkout to get the discount. Monarch Money makes for a capable and detailed budgeting companion. You can use the service via apps for iOS, Android, iPadOS or the web, and Monarch also offers a Chrome extension that can sync your Amazon and Target transactions and automatically categorize them. Like other budgeting apps, Monarch Money lets you connect multiple financial accounts and track your money based on where you spend it over time. Monarch offers two different approaches to tracking budgeting (flexible and category budgeting) depending on what fits your life best, and the ability to add a budget widget on your phone so you can know how you're tracking that month. How budgeting apps turn your raw transactions into visuals you can understand at a glance is one of the big things that differentiates one app from another, and Monarch Money offers multiple graphs and charts to look at for things like spending, investments or categories of your choice based on how you've labelled your expenses. The app can also monitor the spending of you and your partner all in one place, to make it easier to plan together. The main drawbacks Engadget found in testing Monarch Money were the app's learning curve, and the differences in features (and bugginess) between Monarch's web and mobile versions. Still, for 50 percent off, the Monarch Money is well worth experimenting with if you're trying to save money in 2026, especially if you want to do it collaboratively with a partner. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/monarch-money-is-offering-50-percent-off-its-budgeting-app-for-new-users-204507767.html?src=rss

Meta appoints ex-Trump and Bush official as its new president and vice chairman

Meta has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a banking executive and former Republican White House official, as its new president and vice-chairman. The company said McCormick will help guide its overall strategy and execution as a part of the management team. Dinas experience at the highest levels of global finance, combined with her deep relationships around the world, makes her uniquely suited to help Meta manage this next phase of growth as the companys president and vice chairman, said Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. McCormick was a partner at Goldman Sachs and ran its Global Sovereign investment banking business. She was most recently vice chair, president and head of global client services at merchant bank BDT & MSD Partners. McCormick was also deputy national security advisor to President Donald Trump during his first term and held several roles during the George W. Bush administration, including assistant secretary of state for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She is married to Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA). Metas new president joined the companys board last April, but she resigned in December. Just a few weeks later, McCormick has taken on a higher-profile role at Meta. McCormick is the second former Trump official that Meta has appointed to a prominent role this month. Last week, the company hired Curtis Joseph Mahoney, who was most recently a corporate vice president and general counsel at Microsoft, as its chief legal officer. Mahoney was a deputy US trade representative during the first Trump administration. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-appoints-ex-trump-and-bush-official-as-its-new-president-and-vice-chairman-151048263.html?src=rss

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

One way to read more in the new year is to incorporate audiobooks as part of your reading habit. Audible is having a sale right now that makes that easier and cheaper to do: you can get three months of access for only $1 per month, or a total of $3. The promotion runs through January 21. An Audible subscription grants one audiobook per month to keep. This can be selected from a massive catalog of new releases and bestsellers. The collection here has just about everything. However, it's easy to plow through a single book in a month. Users also get streaming access to thousands of curated titles. Think of it like Netflix for audiobooks. The catalog is limited, but it gets the job done in a pinch. Subscribers do get access to all Audible original content and they will receive discounts on purchasing audiobooks outright. In other words, it's a neat little service and well worth a buck. The regular price is $15, so make sure to cancel at the end of that three months if you aren't enjoying the platform. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/audible-deal-get-three-months-of-access-for-only-3-193859213.html?src=rss

Apple's Mac mini M4 is back on sale for $499

The holiday season is fully in the rear view mirror and real life is here to stay. But that doesn't mean the time for gifts is over especially ones for yourself. You can still take advantage of great January sales on some awesome tech products . Take the Apple Mac mini M4 , which is down to $500 from $599. The 17 percent discount gives you 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD for only about $20 more than the computer's Black Friday sale . Its beefier models are also on sale: opting for 512GB of SSD will cost you $690, down from $799, while also upping your RAM to 24GB is available for $890, dropping from $999. We gave the Apple Mac mini M4 a 90 in our review thanks in large part to its powerful chip. The M4 works very fast despite being in such a small device. It also offers front-facing headphone and USB-C ports. You can further upgrade to the Apple M4 Pro chip for $1,270, down from $1,399 a nine percent discount. The Pro model also has Thunderbolt 5 support. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-mac-mini-m4-is-back-on-sale-for-499-141615231.html?src=rss

Netflix won seven awards at the Golden Globes with Adolescence and KPop Demon Hunters

The 2026 Golden Globes took place on Sunday and it was another big night for streamers. Netflix took home seven awards, Apple and HBO Max each won three and Hulu got one. Netflix's hit show Adolescence received four awards alone, including best limited or anthology series. It also won for best actor (Stephen Graham), supporting actor (Owen Cooper) and supporting actress (Erin Doherty) in a miniseries or television film. KPop Demon Hunters the sensation which became Netflix's most-watched title won for best animated feature and best original song. I just want to say this award goes to people who have had doors closed on them, and I can confidently say rejection is redirection. So never give up. It is never too late to shine like you were born to be, singer-songwriter EJAE said in her acceptance speech for the song, Golden . Netflix also won for best performance in stand-up comedy on television for Ricky Gervais: Mortality . Apple TV took home two awards for The Studio : best television series musical or comedy and best performance by a male actor in a television series for Seth Rogen. The streamer also won for best performance by a lead actress in a television series drama thanks to Rhea Seehorn in Pluribus . The Pitt gave HBO Max two of its three awards, with trophies for best television series drama and best performance by a lead actor in a television series drama to Noah Wyle. Jean Smart rounded out the streamer's awards with best performance by a lead actress in a television series musical or comedy for Hacks . Hulu's award came through best performance by a lead actress in a limited or anthology series for Michelle Williams in Dying For Sex . This year also brought a first to the Golden Globes: the best podcast category . Amy Poehler won for Good Hang with Amy Poehler , a podcast that has featured interviews with everyone from Tina Fey to Quinta Brunson since debuting in March last year. Fellow nominees included Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy and Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-won-seven-awards-at-the-golden-globes-with-adolescence-and-kpop-demon-hunters-140006510.html?src=rss

Get Apple's 25W MagSafe charger for only $30 right now

One way you can reduce the number of cables you have to deal with on the regular is by investing in a few wireless chargers. Those with iPhones should consider Apple's own MagSafe charger not only because of its sleek and effective design, but also because it's on sale right now at Amazon. The Qi2.2-rated MagSafe charger is down to $30 for the one-meter version, or $40 for the two-meter version. If you have an iPhone 16, iPhone 17 or iPhone Air, this cable can charge your device at 25W as long as it's connected to a 30W power adapter on the other end. While you'll need a more recent iPhone to get the fastest MagSafe charging speeds, the charger can wirelessly top up the battery of any iPhone from the last eight years (iPhone 8 and later). With older iPhones, the charging speed tops out at 15W. The cable works with AirPods wireless charging cases too it's certified for Qi2.2 and Qi charging. The MagSafe charger is one of our favorite iPhone accessories , and would pair quite nicely with your new iPhone if you're picking up one of the latest models. If you're on the fence about that, be sure to check out our reviews of the iPhone 17 , iPhone Pro/Pro Max and iPhone Air . Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-apples-25w-magsafe-charger-for-only-30-right-now-141707104.html?src=rss

Meta closes 550,000 accounts to comply with Australia's kids social media ban

To comply with Australia's under-16 social media ban , Meta said on Medium that it has shut down nearly 550,00 accounts. That number includes 330,000 Instagram, 173,000 Facebook and 40,000 Threads accounts deemed to belong to children. Ongoing compliance with the law will be a multi-layered process that we will continue to refine, though our concerns about determining age online without an industry standard remain, the company wrote. Australia's minimum age social media ban, the first of its kind in the world for a democracy, went into effect on December 10. The ten platforms affected, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Reddit and Twitch, must bar underage users or face a fine of up to $AUD 49.5 million ($33 million). Platforms are using a variety of means to determine age, including age inference based on activity and selfies. Some of those platforms aren't taking the ban lying down. Reddit, which launched a lawsuit against the Australian government, argued that it shouldn't have been included in the ban since it isn't a social media site, while adding that it comes with some serious privacy and political expression issues for users. Meta also expressed its opposition to the ban, citing a number of factors. It says taking social media out of the hands of teens can isolate them from getting support from online communities, and that the ban is only driving them to less regulated parts of the internet. It also sites inconsistent age verification methods and a lack of interest in compliance from teens and parents. However, the fact that Meta has removed almost 550,000 accounts just a month after the ban took affect shows that it is also affecting the company's bottom line. And Meta doesn't have a sterling record when it comes to teen safety, having previously downplayed the frequency of harm to children. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-closes-550000-accounts-to-comply-with-australias-kids-social-media-ban-130041356.html?src=rss

Malaysia and Indonesia are the first to block Grok following CSAM scandal

Malaysia and Indonesia are the first countries to block Grok, claiming that Xs chatbot does not have sufficient safeguards in place to prevent explicit AI-generated deepfakes of women and children from being created and disseminated on X. Indonesia temporarily blocked access to Grok on Saturday, as did Malaysia on Sunday, the Associated Press reports.Meanwhile, UK media regulator Ofcom has opened a formal investigation into X under the Online Safety Act. The government sees non-consensual sexual deepfakes as a serious violation of human rights, dignity and the safety of citizens in the digital space, Indonesias Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said in a statement. Officials in the country said initial findings showed that Grok lacks effective controls to prevent users from creating and sharing sexually explicit deepfakes based on photos of Indonesian residents. The country's director general of digital space supervision, Alexander Sabar, said generating deepfakes can violate individuals' image and privacy rights when photos are shared or manipulated without consent, adding that they can lead to reputational, social and psychological harm. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission cited repeated misuse of Grok to generate explicit and non-consensual deepfakes , some of which involved women and children. The regulator said Grok will remain blocked in the country until X Corp and parent xAI establish strong enough safeguards. Ofcoms investigation will focus on whether X has has complied with its duties to protect people in the UK from content that is illegal in the UK. That includes whether X is taking appropriate measures to prevent its UK users from seeing priority illegal content, such as CSAM and non-consensual intimate images; if the platform is removing illegal content quickly after becoming aware of it; and whether X carried out an updated risk assessment before making any significant changes to the platform. The probe will also consider whether X assessed the risk that its platform poses to UK children and if it has highly effective age assurance to protect UK children from seeing pornography. The regulator said it contacted X on January 5 and received a response by its January 9 deadline. Ofcom is conducting an expedited assessment of available evidence as a matter of urgency and added that it has asked xAI for urgent clarification on the steps the company is taking to protect UK users. Reports of Grok being used to create and share illegal non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material on X have been deeply concerning, an Ofcom spokesperson said. Platforms must protect people in the UK from content thats illegal in the UK, and we wont hesitate to investigate where we suspect companies are failing in their duties, especially where theres a risk of harm to children. Well progress this investigation as a matter of the highest priority, while ensuring we follow due process. As the UKs independent online safety enforcement agency, its important we make sure our investigations are legally robust and fairly decided. If Ofcom deems that a company has broken the law, it can require platforms to take specific steps to come into compliance or to remedy harm caused by the breach. The regulator can additionally impose fines of up to 18 million ($24.3 million) or 10 percent of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever of the two figures is higher. It can also seek a court order to stop payment providers or advertisers from working with a platform, or to require internet service providers to block a site in the UK. The UK government has said it would back any action that Ofcom takes against X. Reports over the weekend suggested that the UK had held discussions with allies over a coordinated response to Grok-generated deepfakes. Regulators elsewhere, including in India and the European Union, are also investigating X. Last week, Grok started telling X users that its image generation and editing tools were being limited to paying subscribers. But as of Monday it was still possible for non-paying users to generate images through the Grok tab on the X website and app. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/malaysia-and-indonesia-are-the-first-to-block-grok-following-csam-scandal-120000534.html?src=rss

The best laptop power banks for 2026

Laptop power banks come in handy if you often travel or work away from your desk. These larger batteries have enough capacity to refill your computer to around 75 percent, giving you many more productive hours. Of course, they can also charge smaller devices like your phone, camera or tablet a few times over. Nearly all portable laptop chargers fall below the 100-watt-hour mark so you can bring them in your carry-on when you fly. Additional features, like built-in cables and digital displays make these battery banks easier to use, too. We tested over a dozen options and put our thoughts below, so you can find the best laptop power bank for your next trip away from an outlet. Table of contents Best laptop power banks for 2026 What to look for in a laptop power bank How we test portable laptop chargers Other laptop power banks we tested Laptop power bank FAQs Recent updates Best laptop power banks for 2026 What to look for in a laptop power bank Flying with a laptop power bank Most portable batteries top out at around 27,000mAh so you can fly with them. The TSA currently limits the capacity carry-on batteries to 100Wh, which works out to around 27,500mAh for 3.6 volt lithium-ion batteries. Note that youre not allowed to pack any batteries in your checked luggage, regardless of capacity. The TSA rules are intended to limit fire danger and some airlines are implementing further restrictions due to recent on-board incidents. In March 2025, a Hong Kong flight was grounded after a battery pack caught fire in an overhead bin. A similar situation happened that same year in July on a domestic Delta flight, and again in August on a transatlantic KLM flight . As a result, some airlines, including Emirates , Southwest and others have announced further restrictions on flying with battery packs. Rules include limiting the number of allowed portable chargers and requiring flyers to keep power banks in clear view when using them to recharge a device. If the battery pack isnt actively in use, however, most rules allow them to stay in your carry-on bag in the overhead bin. Before flying, its wise to check your airlines policies. Capacity If you just need to keep a smartphone from dying before you can make it home, just about any of the best power banks will do . But if you need to revive multiple devices or the substantial battery of a laptop, youll want something with a high milliamp-hour (mAh) capacity. A power bank capable of delivering enough power to a laptop will have a capacity between 20,000 and 27,000 mAh. If you want something even bigger than a laptop power bank, and dont need to fly with it, youll likely want to look into portable power stations. These can be the size of a car battery or larger and can potentially fuel an entire weekend away. Another thing to keep in mind is that the capacity listed in a power bank's specs is not what will be delivered to your devices. As I mentioned, the capacity of these banks is around 25,000mAh. Even the huge battery on a 16-inch MacBook Pro or a Dell XPS 16 has a mAh rating of around 5,000 - 6,000mAh, so you might think youd get five full charges but in reality, you only get about a single 70-percent charge. The voltage is different (typically 3.7V for the power bank and 11.4V for a laptop) which makes the watt-hours, or the amount of energy each battery can hold, different (working out to 92Wh for the battery and 72Wh for the built-in laptop batteries). On top of that, in order to feed a charge from a power bank to a laptop, a voltage conversion takes place and that dissipates a decent amount of energy. Without turning this into a physics lesson, this all means that a power bank with a 25,000mAh (or 92Wh) capacity will typically fill a 5,000mAh (or 72Wh) laptop battery to about 75 percent. In my tests, I averaged about a 60-percent efficiency rate between a power banks listed capacity and the actual charge delivered. Ports Every large power bank Ive tested has at least three USB ports, with a mix of USB-C and USB-A, which should cover nearly any portable device you need to recharge earbuds, phones, tablets, laptops, you name it. In addition to the different plug formats, some ports supply power at different wattages. For example, one built-in USB-C port might be rated for 60 watts, while the one next to it is rated for 100 watts. So if youve got a device thats capable of 70W fast charging, such as the new MacBook Air, youd want to opt for the 100W port to get the best charging speeds possible. Note that devices with a smaller wattage draw wont be negatively affected by connecting to ports with high ratings. For example, a Galaxy S24 Ultra, capable of 45W super fast charging, is perfectly compatible with the 100W port. A device will only draw what it can take, regardless of what a port can supply. Just remember that the port, device and charging cable need to be at or above the desired wattage rating to achieve maximum charging rates. Some of these larger batteries also have AC ports. It might seem like a natural fit to plug in your laptops power adapter for a recharge. But really, the AC port should only be for devices that cant use USB such as a lamp or a printer. Plugging a power adapter into the AC port only wastes energy through conversion. First, the battery converts its DC power to supply the port with AC power, then the power adapter converts that AC power back to DC so your laptop can take it in. And as youll remember from physics class, each time energy is converted, some is lost to heat and other dissipations. Better to cut out the middleman and just send that DC power straight from the battery to the device. Also, you can use more than one port at a time with these devices; just remember that the speed of whatever youre charging will likely go down, and of course, the battery is going to drain proportionally to what youre refilling. Wireless charging Since I first started testing portable power banks a few years ago, wireless charging capabilities have noticeably improved. The first few I tried were painfully slow and not worth recommending. Now the wireless pads built into power banks are impressively fast particularly, in my experience, when charging Samsung Galaxy phones (though the lack of a stabilizing magnetic connection like Apples MagSafe means they only work when rested flat on a pad). Most wireless charging connections can be used while other ports are also being employed, making them convenient for some mobile battlestation setups. Of course, wireless charging is always less efficient than wired, and recharging from an external battery is less efficient in general. If you want to waste as little energy as possible, youre better off sticking to wired connections. Design All power banks are designed to be portable, but theres a big difference between a pocket-friendly 5,000mAh battery and one of these laptop-compatible bruisers. Most of the latter weigh between a pound and a half to two pounds, which is a considerable addition to a backpack. Many of the options listed here have a display to tell you how much charge remains in the battery, which is helpful when youre trying to judiciously meet out charges to your devices. If a bank has a wireless connection, the pad is usually on the flat top and any available AC connection is usually at one end. Both may require you to engage those charging methods. Dont be like me and grumble loudly that you got a bum unit without pressing (and sometimes double pressing) all the buttons first. How we test portable laptop chargers For the past three years, Ive been testing and using dozens of portable batteries for our other battery guide . Some of those batteries include the higher-capacity power banks you see here. I also got a hold of a few extra banks just for this guide to make sure we covered whats available. I went for brands Im already familiar with, as well as battery packs from well-received manufacturers I hadnt tried before (like UGREEN and Lion Energy). I only considered banks with at least a 20,000mAh capacity and mostly stuck with those that rated 25,000mAh and higher. Heres everything we tested: Zendure Supertank Pro Mophie Powerstation Pro XL Mophie Powerstation Pro AC Lion Energy Eclipse Mag Lion Energy Trek Baseus Blade Laptop Anker Prime 27,650mAh Goal Zero Sherpa 100 AC Anker Retractable Cable Laptop Bank HyperJuice 245W Anker Prime Power Bank (26K, 300W) UGreen Power Bank 25,000mAh 145W I tested each power bank with an Apple phone (iPhone 15 or 16), an Android phone (Galaxy S23 Ultra), a tablet (M1 iPad Air) and a laptop (16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip). Even though these banks can charge multiple devices at once, I refilled one at a time, to make side-by-side comparisons more straightforward. I drained the batteries of the phones and tablets to between zero and five percent and then didnt use any device as it refilled. For the MacBook, I let it run down to 10 percent before plugging in the power bank. That's when most laptops give display a connect to power warning, as draining any battery to empty will compromise the battery life. I then used it as one might in a mobile office, with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, while connected to Wi-Fi and a VPN. For each test, I noted how long a completely charged battery took to get a device back to full and how much of the batterys capacity was used up in one charge. I also noted things like portability, apparent durability, helpful features and overall design. For reference, here are the battery capacities of the devices I used: iPhone 15: 3,349mAh Galaxy S23 Ultra: 4,855mAh iPad Air (5th gen): 7,729mAh 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro: 27,027mAh Other laptop power banks we tested HyperJuice 245W Hypers HyperJuice 245W brick looks great and has a hefty 27,000mAh capacity. The four USB-C ports can combine to output 245W of power and it got my MacBook Pro from nearly dead to 75 percent before depleting itself. When testing it with a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the handset got back up to a full charge in just over an hour. The screen tells you what each port is doing as well as displaying the amount of charge remaining in the pack itself. But the lack of port variety makes it feel less versatile than other picks on this list the price is higher than our other options, too. Laptop power bank FAQs How do laptop power banks differ from phone power banks? The main difference is size. Phone power banks tend to have a capacity ranging from 5,000mAh to 20,000mAh and laptop powerbanks are typically rated between 20,000mAh and 27,000mAh. Theres no official definition, however. Laptop batteries are simply larger and need a bigger supply of power to give them a meaningful charge. How do you fast charge a power bank? You can charge a power bank exactly as fast as the power banks internal mechanisms will allow. Most batteries are limited in how quickly they can accept and deliver a charge to avoid dangerously overheating. But to make sure youre charging a bank as quickly as possible, make sure the wall adapter and the USB-C cable you are using have a high wattage rating using a 5W power brick and a 10W cable will take a lot longer to refill your bank than a 65W wall charger and a 100W cord. What size power bank do I need for a laptop? Look for a power bank with a rating of at least 20,000mAh. Slightly smaller batteries may work, but they wont deliver a significant charge laptops. How many mAh to charge a laptop? A milliamp hour (mAh) is how much a battery can hold, and most portable batteries list their capacity using mAh. If you get a battery rated at 20,000mAh or above, it should be able to charge your laptop. Using mAh to discuss laptop batteries can be confusing. Due to differing voltages, you cant directly compare the mAh ratings of a power bank battery to a laptop battery. Using watt-hours is a better gauge, as that calculation takes voltage into account. Recent updates November 2025 : Updated our overall top pick to the Anker Laptop Power bank. Added a premium power bank pick. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-laptop-power-bank-120040388.html?src=rss

Google's new commerce framework cranks up the heat on 'agentic shopping'

To further push the limits of consumerism , Google has launched a new open standard for agentic commerce that's called Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP). In brief, it's a framework that combines the power of AI agents and online shopping platforms to help customers buy more things. Thanks to the introduction of UCP, Google is offering three new online shopping features. To start, Google's AI mode will have a new checkout feature that allows customers to buy eligible products from certain US retailers within Google Search. Currently, this feature works with Google Pay, but it will soon add PayPal compatibility and incorporate more capabilities, like related product discovery and using loyalty points. On the merchant side, the UCP also established the Business Agent feature, which Google said will be a virtual sales associate that can answer product questions in a brands voice. The Business Agent will launch tomorrow with early adopters including Lowes, Michaels, Poshmark, Reebok and more. Also for retailers, the UCP is responsible for the new Direct Offers feature, which lets companies advertising with Google to present exclusive offers for shoppers who are ready to buy, directly in AI Mode. The Direct Offers feature will work in tandem with the ads in AI Mode that Google is testing. With UCP, Google Search, retailers and payment processors are joining forces to make online shopping even easier, whether it's figuring out what product to buy, completing the purchase or offering post-purchase support. According to Google, UCP is compatible with existing industry protocols, like Agent2Agent, Agent Payment Protocols and Model Context Protocol. UCP was even co-developed with industry giants like Shopify, Etsy and Walmart, and was endorsed by even more companies in the commerce ecosystem, including Macy's, Stripe, Visa and more. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/googles-new-commerce-framework-cranks-up-the-heat-on-agentic-shopping-212433122.html?src=rss

California's governor plans to set aside $200 million for state EV tax credits

The loss of the federal EV tax credits may have been a huge blow to prospective buyers, but California wants to fill that gap for its residents. Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed budget for 2026-2027, which was released on Friday, includes a light-duty zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) incentive program that details a one-time infusion of $200 million. According to the budget summary , this incentive program is a critical part of the Administration's strategy to keep ZEVs affordable and accessible for all. The proposed budget still has to make it through the state's legislature later this year, but if passed, the new incentive would help continue the momentum of EV adoption across California. In the third quarter of 2025, the state saw almost 30 percent of auto sales being EVs, according to the California Energy Commission. There are no details in the budget summary outlining how exactly the $200 million would break down on a per-vehicle basis, but USA Today reported that the rebate would be an on the hood instant discount for EVs. Previously, buyers would get up to $7,500 back in federal tax rebates on new EV purchases and up to $4,000 on used EVs. For California's proposed incentives, the chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board, Lauren Sanchez, told USA Today that the state is still trying to figure out if it will offer tax credits for those who buy used EVs. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/californias-governor-plans-to-set-aside-200-million-for-state-ev-tax-credits-194446449.html?src=rss

Wing's drone deliveries are coming to 150 more Walmarts

Don't be surprised if you see even more drones delivering groceries across the US since the Alphabet-owned Wing announced another service expansion with Walmart over the next year. The partnership said that drone delivery services will be available at 150 more Walmart locations in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Miami and more metros that have yet to be announced. According to Wing, its top 25 percent of customers have ordered its delivery drones up to three times a week. To meet growing demand, Wing and Walmart said it will serve up to 40 million US customers and build up a network of 270 delivery locations by 2027. The partnership launched its service in August 2023 with the inaugural deliveries offered to the Dallas-Fort Worth customer base. In June 2025, Wing and Walmart increased drone delivery coverage to 100 more stores across Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando and Tampa. Last month, the two companies launched their delivery service in Atlanta and are planning to kick off deliveries in Houston on January 15. Before Walmart, Wing broke into the US market by working with Walgreens to deliver health and wellness products in April 2022. Since then, the Alphabet subsidiary has partnered with DoorDash and Apian, a London-based healthcare logistics company. Besides its commercial partnerships, Wing has been working on a larger delivery drone that will be able to fly at up to 65 mph and carry up to five pounds, or double its current capacity. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/wings-drone-deliveries-are-coming-to-150-more-walmarts-180708189.html?src=rss

Instagram says accounts 'are secure' after wave of suspicious password reset requests

If you received a bunch of password reset requests from Instagram recently, you're not alone. Malwarebytes , an antivirus software company, initially reported that there was a data breach revealing the sensitive information of 17.5 million Instagram users. Malwarebytes added that the leak included Instagram usernames, physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and more. However, Instagram said there was no breach and that user accounts were secure. We fixed an issue that let an external party request password reset emails for some people. There was no breach of our systems and your Instagram accounts are secure. You can ignore those emails sorry for any confusion. Instagram (@instagram) January 11, 2026 In Malwarebytes post, the company added that the data is available for sale on the dark web and can be abused by cybercriminals. Malwarebytes noted in an email to its customers that it discovered the breach during its routine dark web scan and that it's tied to a potential incident related to an Instagram API exposure from 2024. The reported breach has resulted in users receiving several emails from Instagram about password reset requests. According to Malwarebytes, the leaked information could lead to more serious attacks, like phishing attempts or account takeovers. In response, Instagram posted on X that users can ignore the recent emails requesting password resets. We fixed an issue that let an external party request password reset emails for some people, Instagram's post on X read. There was no breach of our systems and your Instagram accounts are secure. While Instagram said this isn't a data breach, its parent company has been in hot water for data breaches in the past. If you haven't already, it's always a good idea to turn on two-factor authentication and change your password. Even better, you can review what devices are logged into your Instagram account in Meta's Accounts Center. Update, January 11, 2026, 11:10AM ET: This story and its headline have been updated with Instagram's statement that was posted on X. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/instagram-says-accounts-are-secure-after-wave-of-suspicious-password-reset-requests-192105188.html?src=rss