Hardware

NASA's initial takeaways from the Artemis II mission, and more science stories

Now that Artemis II is all wrapped up , NASA has begun its post-game performance analyses of all the systems that worked together to get four astronauts safely to the moon and back earlier this month. In addition to taking humans farther than ever before, Artemis II served as a crucial test flight for upcoming crewed missions that are planned for as soon as 2027 and 2028, the latter being NASA's ambitious target for landing astronauts on the lunar surface. So far, the Orion spacecraft and the SLS rocket seem to have fared pretty well. NASA says its initial assessments of the crew capsule show its heat shield performed as expected, with no unusual conditions identified, and it didn't exhibit as much char loss as seen in the uncrewed Artemis I test. (Navy divers snapped some really cool pictures of the heat shield underwater after splashdown, as seen below). Splashdown went according to plan, with Orion landing 2.9 miles from its targeted landing site, according to NASA, and its entry interface velocity was within one mile-per-hour of predictions. US Navy NASA says the SLS rocket performed well, too. It still has tests to run, but, At main engine cutoff, when the core stages RS-25 liquid engines shutdown, the spacecraft was traveling at over 18,000 miles per hour, achieving its insertion velocity for orbit, and executing a precise bullseye for its intended location, the space agency noted in a blog post. One thing that we know did cause some issues, though, was the toilet system. Shortly after launch, the astronauts reported problems with the urine vent line , which mission specialist Christina Koch was able to troubleshoot with help from the ground crew. But, everyone would like to avoid that on the next mission, so NASA now has teams checking out the hardware and data to identify what went wrong and how to prevent it. Watch the Earthset The Artemis II astronauts have continued to share glimpses into their journey around the moon, and this week, the mission's commander, Reid Wiseman posted an incredible video of the Earth setting behind the moon, as seen from the Orion spacecraft. Humans haven't seen that phenomenon firsthand in over 50 years, since the last Apollo mission. Read more about that here . Only one chance in this lifetime Like watching sunset at the beach from the most foreign seat in the cosmos, I couldnt resist a cell phone video of Earthset. You can hear the shutter on the Nikon as @Astro_Christina is hammering away on 3-shot brackets and capturing those pic.twitter.com/8aWnaFJ69c Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) April 19, 2026 While ten days might not seem like that long of a time to be in space, it still does things to the body, and returning to Earth has been a bit of an adjustment for the crew. Astronaut Koch last week posted a video of herself struggling through a tandem walk exercise with her eyes closed, taken after her return to Earth. When people live in microgravity, the systems in our body that have evolved to tell our brains how were moving, the vestibular organs, dont work correctly, she explained in the caption . Our brains learn to ignore those signals and so when we first get back to gravity, we are heavily reliant on our eyes to orient ourselves visually. View this post on Instagram Before you go, be sure to check these stories out too: Apple, Amazon join push for looser greenhouse emissions reporting NASA targets a September launch for its next big space telescope NASA's Curiosity Rover found promising organic chemicals on Mars Blue Origin landed its recycled New Glenn booster but failed to put payload in orbit This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/nasas-initial-takeaways-from-the-artemis-ii-mission-and-more-science-stories-160000808.html?src=rss

What to read this weekend: Monsters in the Archives dives deep into Stephen King's early works

Need something new for your reading list? Here are two titles we think are worth checking out. This week, we read Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King and the first issue of the Image Comics miniseries, Corpse Knight. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/what-to-read-this-weekend-monsters-in-the-archives-dives-deep-into-stephen-kings-early-works-150000954.html?src=rss

Tesla is giving away one year free Supercharging with Model 3 Premium and Performance purchases

Tesla completely ended its free lifetime Supercharging offer way back in 2018, but it has given customers the perk for certain promotions since then. It brought back free Supercharging for Model S and X a couple of times in 2019, for instance. The automakers latest offer is for new purchases for a Model 3 Premium or Performance vehicle in North America. On its website, Tesla has announced that its including one year of free supercharging with a Model 3 Premium or Performance, though the offer is subject to change or end at any time. As Electrek notes, this is a nice freebie to have but most likely not a deciding factor for people who charge at home. For those who dont have access to a home charger, however, this could represent significant savings. The free Supercharging offer starts at delivery and cannot be postponed or redeemed for cash. Owners will also still have to pay certain fees, such as congestions fees that the automaker adds if a vehicle remains plugged into a Supercharger after its battery reaches 80 percent when a site is busy. The offer doesnt apply to vehicles used for commercial purposes, such as ridesharing, taxi and delivery services, as well. As for those who traded in their gas vehicles to get the 2,000-mile Supercharging incentive, they can enjoy this freebie first and redeem those miles after their first year of ownership. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-is-giving-away-one-year-free-supercharging-with-model-3-premium-and-performance-purchases-144431817.html?src=rss

Engadget review recap: DJI Osmo Pocket 4, Recteq X-Fire Pro and Alienware 27 QD-OLED

Engadgets hottest review roundup truly has it all this week: a new pocket cam, a 2-in-1 smart grill, a pair of drones and a pricey skinny vac. And thats before we even get to the highly capable gaming display that will only set you back $350. Read on to catch up on the reviews you mightve missed over the last two weeks as we prepare for another slate of big events next month. DJI Osmo Pocket 4 DJIs Osmo Pocket cameras have become a staple of Engadgets live event coverage over the last few years. Theyre convenient, compact and product high-quality footage when speed matters. Contributing review reporter James Trew recently put the new Osmo Pocket 4 through its paces, concluding that youre getting better image quality that will pay you back over time. Recteq X-Fire Pro 825 With the X-Fire Pro , Recteq set out to make a pellet grill that would appeal to fans of gas grills. The company has done just that, offering a dual-mode device that imparts wood flavor you dont inherently get from propane or natural gas. Recteq has successfully combined the best aspects of pellet grills with a dedicated high-heat mode and separate controls that will be familiar to gas grillers, I said. This model offers robust build quality, reliable performance and Wi-Fi connectivity for extended smoking sessions. Alienware 27 QD-OLED monitor Can a $350 gaming monitor offer enough to get the job done? If youre talking about the Alienware 27 QD-OLED display, that answer is a resounding yes. The AW2726DM might not have all the fancy features you get on more expensive monitors, but its an excellent example of a no frills gadget done right, senior reporter Sam Rutherford said. You get just enough ports, a straightforward design and a beautiful QD-OLED panel with a solid resolution and refresh rate all for just $350. DJI Lito drones and a Dyson PencilVac Like the Osmo Pocket 4, DJIs latest Drones are unlikely to make it to the US. However, if you live elsewhere, theres a lot of performance available for under $400. The Lito series shows that DJI is intent on dominating every drone price range and category, including the bottom end, contributing reporter Steve Dent said. Despite their low prices, the new drones dont skimp on features, offering full obstacle protection, ActiveTrack subject tracking, relatively high speeds and sharp 4K video quality just like models that cost a lot more. If your spring cleaning could still use a jump start, perhaps a fancy, skinny vacuum could do the trick for light duty. With its minimalist form factor, the PencilVac is still an engineering marvel, UK bureau chief Mat Smith said. Its high degree of mobility makes it easy to clean in tight corners and between furniture. I just wish it were slightly more powerful. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-dji-osmo-pocket-4-recteq-x-fire-pro-and-alienware-27-qd-oled-120000428.html?src=rss

Vampire Crawlers, Peter Molyneux's return and other new indie games worth checking out

Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. If you're looking for something new to play this weekend, we've got a bunch of options for you. We've also got some interesting upcoming games to tell you about as well. In a press release announcing that Playdate Season 3 is coming later this year, Panic included a line that I've been thinking about a lot this week. Panic is currently relieved and happy that people can make amazing games for Playdate with just 16 megabytes of RAM, it said, a nod toward the ongoing RAM crisis . The Playdate doesn't exactly have a lot of technical oomph, and I'm frequently delighted by what developers are able to do within its limitations. Restrictions foster creativity many folks had to get pretty inventive on Twitter back when they only had 140 characters to play with. Here, Panic offered a welcome reminder that you don't necessarily need an ultra-powerful rig or console to have access to more great games than you'll ever actually be able to play. For instance, my favorite game of the year so far, Titanium Court , works on Macs that are capable of running macOS 11 (the 2020 version of the operating system) or later. On PC, you'll need a graphics card that's compatible with OpenGL or DirectX 9, the latter of which was released in 2002. For what it's worth, the game would also fit on a CD-ROM. There are tons of other great indie games new and old that'll run just fine on lower-powered machines. Bear that in mind the next time a current-gen console or other gaming system gets a price increase because of the RAM shortage. The DLSS 5 debacle aside, you probably don't need a 50-series NVIDIA GPU either. Maybe just pick up a Playdate instead. New releases While many of the weapons, characters and enemies are the same, Vampire Crawlers is a fresh spin on Vampire Survivors . It's a turn-based roguelite deckbuilder. Instead of automatically firing whatever weapons you have at nearby enemies, you'll play cards to conquer the mob that you face in each fight. You can still modify and evolve your weapons and abilities. Each card has a casting cost, so youll need to consider which ones to play in a given moment and the order in which you do so. As such, its a slower-paced, more strategic take on the original game, albeit with a similar level of visual chaos should you put together a particularly powerful build. I've played a ton of Vampire Survivors and the Vampire Crawlers demo lured me in too. Its approach to turn-based battles is working for me. I've only played a little of the full game so far, but there's every chance I could lose days of my life to it. Vampire Crawlers from Survivors creator Poncle and co-developer Nosebleed Interactive is available now on Steam (for PC and Mac), Xbox for PC, Xbox Series X/S , PS5 and Nintendo Switch for $10. It's included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Fable creator Peter Molyneux and his studio 22cans are back with another god game. In Masters of Albion , you can construct and modify settlements as a literal hand of god. You'll design buildings (which are immediately constructed and usable) and manage workers. You can also assume control of a human or animal in the world to take on quests and hunt for treasure. There's a tower defense element to this as well. You'll need to prepare your towns from nighttime attacks from various creatures. You can fend off these foes as the god or battle them on the ground as a hero. There's a lot going on here, but perhaps my favorite part is this apparent warning in the mature content description section of the Steam page: Players are also able to use crude, adult hand gestures at will in the game. Yes, that means you can flip the bird while playing as the god hand. Yes, I am very mature. Masters of Albion is now available in early access on Steam . It typically costs $25, but there's a 10 percent discount until April 29. Snap & Grab caught our attention at last summer's edition of the Day of the Devs showcase. This is a cartoonish heist game in which you'll carry out your robberies in two parts. You play as Nifty, a famous fashion photographer. In the setup phase, you'll take advantage of your position to take snaps of loot, threats and opportunities and then use those to construct a plan. With the help of some henchman, you'll then try to execute the heist. The games developer No Goblin is taking an episodic approach to Snap & Grab as it's releasing the game in five parts over the course of this year. The first episode is available now on Steam (usually $8, though there's a 10 percent discount until May 1). Snow Day Software's follow-up to Indoor Kickball is Indoor Baseball . It's an arcade game in which you play baseball inside buildings, funnily enough. You'll play 1v1 matches against the CPU or a friend in local multiplayer. You can also dive into a 14-game season or check out the story mode, in which you'll try to play your way back onto your school's baseball team (and maybe do some chores to make up for smashing too many things at home). There are several different levels, each of which has a variety of ways for you to make a home run, from smashing a window to landing the ball in a toilet. It seems light and fun and as a burgeoning baseball guy , I dig the idea of this one. Indoor Baseball is available now on Steam , Xbox for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and Nintendo Switch. It costs $15. Upcoming I love Another Crab's Treasure very much and so I'll always be interested in whatever Aggro Crab is up to. Given that the studio also co-developed the smash hit Peak (alongside Landfall), I imagine many other folks feel the same way. Crashout Crew is another multiplayer game from Aggro Crab. This one adopts the chaotic co-op formula of games like Overcooked . As a team of forklift drivers, you and your buds will work together to fill orders in warehouses while dealing with obstacles like blackouts, cacti, fire and bees. It's coming to Steam , Xbox on PC and Xbox Series X/S on May 28. It'll be available on Game Pass on day one. I'm very much here for slice-of-life games based around soccer (I still need to play Despelote !). Kick is another such title. This is a side-scrolling, anime-inspired game from solo developer nospacelost and publisher Shoreline Games, in which you dribble a ball as you make your way to school. There are 23 levels with people to dodge and obstacles to overcome. You'll need to avoid damaging anything as you try to pull off tricks by kicking the ball at the correct angle, all while making sure you get to class on time (you can switch off the timer for a more relaxed experience). It looks pretty, and it never hurts a game's prospects to have a pup accompanying the main character. No release date for Kick has been announced. It's coming to Steam at some point. Elfie: A Sand Plan is a cozy sandcastle building game from Pressed Elephant and Sol's Atelier. There are more than 180 levels in which you'll build sand sculptures to match what Elfie, a small elephant, has in mind. There are three difficulty levels too. It looks cute and I adore elephants (oops, I just started fostering another one), so I'm interested in checking it out. Elfie: A Sand Plan is coming to Steam for PC and Mac on May 12. It'll cost $7, and there'll be a 10 percent launch discount. It took the team at Realmsoft 14 years to bring Clockwork Ambrosia to fruition and if this latest trailer is any indication, that long development cycle could have well been worthwhile. This is a side-scrolling action platformer in which you can customize half a dozen weapons using more than 150 modifiers. You play as an airship engineer who tries to survive on a steampunk island full of aggressive robots and creatures following a crash. I really dig the art direction here, which features lush hand-drawn pixel art and lovely animations. Realmsoft made the game using a custom engine the team built from scratch. I'm looking forward to checking out Clockwork Ambrosia . It's coming to Steam on May 12. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/vampire-crawlers-peter-molyneuxs-return-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-110000340.html?src=rss

XChat, the standalone app for messaging on X, is available on iOS now

XChat, the standalone app for accessing X's messaging feature, is available to download now for iOS . X first suggested it would be stripping direct messaging from X in 2025 , but at least for now, XChat is available in the original X app, the web and this new app. Based on its launch video , the new XChat app offers many of the elements of modern messaging X had already introduced to its chats feature , like the ability to delete and edit messages, block screenshots and send disappearing messages. The new XChat app also supports video and audio calls, and X claims that all messages sent with XChat are end-to-end encrypted. XChat will also be expected to be the home of any groups that formed around X's Communities feature. The social platform recently announced that it was retiring Communities at the end of May, and suggested that XChat's support for larger group chats could be a worthwhile alternative. XChat's group chats can currently have 350 participants, but X plans to expand that number in the future. The everything app, which requires 3 apps to use the core product. pic.twitter.com/1aJF4n2par camol (@camolNFT) April 23, 2026 Elon Musk's original pitch after he rebranded Twitter as X, was to turn the platform into an everything app, where things like an algorithmic feed, messaging, job boards and even payments could exist side-by-side. A standalone messaging app seems like the exact opposite of that, but it might also reflect where X finds itself in 2026. The company is now a subsidiary of xAI , and xAI itself is part of SpaceX . Musk's push into AI appears to be the going concern, and cloning something like WeChat might just be less important. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/xchat-the-standalone-app-for-messaging-on-x-is-available-on-ios-now-214826886.html?src=rss

A Battlefield movie adaptation is on the way, possibly starring Michael B. Jordan

Have you ever noticed how Walgreens and CVS locations often end up across the street from each other? Well, Call of Duty and Battlefield have a similar thing going on. A mere eight days after the upcoming Call of Duty movie got an official premiere date , lo and behold: There's news from The Hollywood Reporter that a Battlefield movie is on the way . The project has some heavy-artillery star power attached. Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan ( Sinners ) is slated to produce and possibly star in the film. Meanwhile, Christopher McQuarrie of Mission Impossible fame is set to write, direct and produce. Naturally, EA will also produce, as the company tries to cash in on the recent wave of Hollywood video game adaptations that don't suck . The movie's creators are reportedly meeting with studios and streamers as we speak, with an expected bidding war to commence. They're said to have met with Apple and Sony on Thursday. The project's team is reportedly prioritizing a deal that includes a theatrical release. It's understandable why business types would see the time as right for a Battlefield film adaptation. (And not just because Call of Duty is already doing it.) The latest game in the long-running series, Battlefield 6 , was the top-selling game of 2025 outselling Call of Duty for the first time. After selling over 7 million copies in its first three days , it went on to surpass an estimated 20 million sales before the end of the year. Whichever studio pays big bucks for this project will try to ride that wave. The Call of Duty movie, meanwhile, is scheduled for release on June 30, 2028. The Paramount project has tapped Taylor Sheridan ( Yellowstone ) to co-write the screenplay and produce, with Peter Berg ( Friday Night Lights ) set to direct. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/a-battlefield-movie-adaptation-is-on-the-way-possibly-starring-michael-b-jordan-201906079.html?src=rss

The DOJ is backing xAI in its lawsuit against Colorado

The Department of Justice has announced that it's intervening on the behalf of xAI in the company's recent lawsuit against the state of Colorado. xAI first filed the suit in early April in response to a recent Colorado law that requires developers of high-risk AI systems (for example, ones used in healthcare, employment or housing) to both disclose and mitigate the risk of algorithmic discrimination in their systems. The law is set to go into effect in June, and the DOJ is now asking a Colorado District Court to declare it unconstitutional. In xAI's original argument, Colorado Bill SB24-205 violated the company's First Amendment rights by forcing its developers to change how they create AI products and compelling them to align their products with Colorado's views on diversity and discrimination. The DOJ acknowledges those concerns in its complaint , but specifically focuses its argument on the idea that the law violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. According to the DOJ, because the law relies on demographics and statistical disparities as evidence of discrimination, it will essentially require developers to distort an AI system's outputs and discriminate based on race, sex, religion and other protected characteristics, a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. The department also positions Colorado's law as a risk to the United States' position as the global AI leader, a title the current administration is committed to protecting. As both an AI cheerleader and enabler, the Trump administration has been particularly sensitive to the notion of diversity, equity and inclusion being incorporated into AI. President Donald Trump signed several executive orders following the announcement of his AI Action Plan in 2025 that specifically called for government agencies to use AI tools that avoid ideological dogmas such as DEI. He also called for the creation of a task force that could challenge state AI regulation in favor of a federal regulatory framework for AI. The irony is that the DOJ's argument, and the administration's stance in general, are equally idealogical, just in a way that's ahistorical, and ignores the downstream effects of discrimination in the US. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-doj-is-backing-xai-in-its-lawsuit-against-colorado-200500890.html?src=rss

What you need to know as Elon Musk's lawsuit against Sam Altman begins

In a few short days, jury selection will begin in the long-awaited Musk v. Altman case. At the end of that process, an Oakland federal court will task nine regular people with deciding if OpenAI defrauded Elon Musk when it announced, and recently completed, its reorganization to become a more traditional for-profit business . More than just being the venue where two billionaires will air their grievances against one another in public, the trial has the potential to reshape the AI industry. How did we get here? Musk first sued OpenAI in 2024 , but the seed of the dispute was planted when Sam Altman emailed the billionaire on the evening of May 25, 2015. Been thinking a lot about whether its possible to stop humanity from developing AI. I think the answer is most definitely not, Altman wrote at the time. If its going to happen anyway, it seems like it would be good for someone other than Google to do it first. Any thoughts on whether it would be good for [Y Combinator] to start a Manhattan Project for AI? Probably worth a conversation, Musk responded a couple of hours later. That same year, OpenAI announced itself to the world , with Altman and Musk as co-chairs of the new joint venture. OpenAI is a nonprofit artificial intelligence research company. Our goal is to advance digital intelligence in the way that is mostly likely to benefit humanity as a whole, unconstrained by a need to generate financial return. Since our research is free from financial obligations, we can better focus on a positive human impact. If were to believe OpenAIs telling of the events that followed , by 2017, almost everyone at the company, including Musk, agreed that a for-profit entity had to be part of the next phase for OpenAI, due to the enormous amount of investment needed to pursue its original mission. At some point before Musk left OpenAIs board of directors in February 2018, OpenAI claims he demanded full control of the company, with the intent to eventually merge it with Tesla. Following Musks departure, OpenAI created its for-profit arm in 2019, which at the time was organized under a capped-profit structure designed to limit investor returns to 100x, with any excess windfalls flowing to the companys nonprofit. The idea being that if OpenAI achieved artificial general intelligence, its nonprofit would be the greatest beneficiary. However, after the success of ChatGPT in 2022, that structure became problematic for OpenAI as the company sought to raise ever more capital, and as part of its $6.6 billion funding round in October 2024, it reportedly agreed to a less-than-two-year deadline to free its for-profit from control of the nonprofit. At the heart of this trial is that OpenAI began as a non-profit organization, and then decided that it needed to be a for-profit organization in order to raise the enormous sums of money it needed to develop the technology it wanted to create, explains Professor Michael Dorff , executive director of the Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law and Policy at UCLA. That is a very troublesome transition under the law. Earlier this year, following protracted negotiations with Microsoft (the for-profits largest investor) and the state attorneys general of California and Delaware, OpenAI announced the successful reorganization of its corporate structure. As things stand, the for-profit is now a public benefit corporation, making it more appealing to investors looking for an uncomplicated return structure. Meanwhile, the nonprofit now known as the OpenAI Foundation holds equity in the for-profit arm, a stake valued at $130 billion at the time the agreement was announced. At the end of last year, Musk filed an injunction to prevent the reorganization from going through but failed. As an early donor to OpenAI, Musk will not see a single cent of money come his way when the company holds an initial public offering, on account of the fact donations are made with no expectation of any return. Musk has therefore argued OpenAIs founding group, including CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman, defrauded him as a donor. Determining the exact amount Musk contributed to OpenAI was an early question during pre-trial discovery. You see, Musk has greatly exaggerated his monetary contributions. As recently as March 2023 , the billionaire regularly claimed he had donated about $100 million to OpenAI. He later cut that estimate by half, telling CNBC in May 2023 : Im not sure the exact number but its some number on the order of $50 million. In recent court filings, that number was again revisited to $38 million , and its the number that currently stands. Whats at stake for OpenAI? In his original complaint, Musks legal team tried to throw the kitchen sink at OpenAI, says Professor Dorff. In subsequent filings, Musks lawyers narrowed down their clients desired set of outcomes to a handful of remedies. Should the jury rule in his favor, Musk has requested the court force Altman and Brockman to step down, and for OpenAI to restructure as a bona fide public charity that operates as the nonprofit it was intended to be, consistent with its founding charter and mission. He's also made the highly unusual request that any monetary damages which would be awarded to him in the verdict be redirected to OpenAI's own nonprofit arm. According to Professor Dorff, its highly unlikely Musk will be able to undo OpenAIs reorganization. For one, District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has already signaled her reluctance to do just that and its her, not the jury, who will get to decide if thats an appropriate remedy. Effectively, Musk is asking the judge to unscramble the eggs of a complicated corporate restructuring. There was a moment where that might have been possible, when the attorneys general of Delaware and California intervened and came to the current compromise, explains Dorff. Whether you agree or disagree with what the AGs decided to do, I think it's unlikely the court will feel it's appropriate to undo that compromise because of all the high government officials involved who, in theory, had all of the right incentives. When Musk filed his request for a preliminary injunction to stop OpenAIs conversion to a for-profit company, the judge said the request was extraordinary and rarely granted . The fact Musk is deeply involved with OpenAI's competitor xAI may also weigh heavily on the judge's mind, Droff adds. Far more uncertain is how Musks other demands could play out, since the jury will decide if OpenAI is guilty of defrauding him. According to Dorff, most high-stakes business cases end with the two sides settling because of the risk of involving a jury in the outcome. I just dont see that happening here given the tenor of the dispute, he says. It seems unlikely either side will settle. If the case does end in a jury decision, it will then be up to those nine people, with guidance from the judge, to decide on monetary damages. That will be very difficult to figure out because there is a maximalist version of this, and a minimalist version of this. Theyre very different numbers and the result could be anywhere in between two, says Dorff. Musks legal team is seeking a disgorgement of between $65.5 billion and $109.43 billion from OpenAI (and between $13.3 billion and $25.06 billion from Microsoft, which is a co-defendant in the case).In a worse case scenario, Professor Dorff suggests Altman might lose the confidence of OpenAIs board, costing him his position as CEO. He might even be forced to write some checks to settle the disgorgements. Dorff suspects OpenAI would love the minimalist version where Musk is rewarded his $38 million donation back (and it ends up with the companys non-profit). Should some other disgruntled donors emerge to sue OpenAI for fraud, the Musk v. Altman case would make it easier to litigate those cases, given the map has been drawn as to which legal claims are likely to succeed, says Dorff. However, those would amount to traffic tickets for OpenAI. Whatever happens next, it should be an eventful trial. With public testimonies from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, former OpenAI board member and Musk confidant Shivon Zilis and even Altman himself a likelihood, we'll at the very least be treated to a wealth of formerly private communications and some new piece of vocabulary between some of the richest people in the tech space. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/what-you-need-to-know-as-elon-musks-lawsuit-against-sam-altman-begins-191500726.html?src=rss

Google plans to invest even more money into Anthropic

Google plans to invest up to $40 billion into Anthropic in what could be viewed as a circular deal with the AI startup (and frequent competitor), Bloomberg reports . The search giant has invested in Anthropic at multiple points in the past, but this new investment comes after an announcement that the AI startup had signed a joint agreement with Google and Broadcom for multiple gigawatts of next-generation TPU capacity. According to Anthropic, Google is committing $10 billion now at the company's current valuation, with an additional $30 billion on offer if Anthropic meets specific performance milestones. Through Anthropic's existing commitment to use Google's TPUs (tensor processing units) and servers, Anthropic says Google will also provide 5 gigawatts of computing capacity in 2027. If the structure of the deal and business relationship between Google and Anthropic sounds familiar, it might be because the AI startup recently announced something similar with Amazon. Earlier in April, Amazon announced that it would invest $5 billion in Anthropic, with an additional $20 billion in payments available if certain milestones were met. Anthropic also agreed to use Amazon's Trainium chips for its AI models. The deals are another example of Anthropic's ability to burn through money the company only just raised $30 billion in its most recent round of funding. They could also serve as an example of the AI industry's love of circular deals. Anthropic agreeing to use Google and Amazon's silicon and servers, receiving investment from both companies and then presumably spending some of that investment on more silicon and servers, is a pattern seen in the relationship between OpenAI , Nvidia, Microsoft and plenty of other players in the AI race. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-plans-to-invest-even-more-money-into-anthropic-185000776.html?src=rss

Singapore police arrest alleged The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender leaker

People aren't thrilled with Paramount these days. After all, corporate consolidation and the transformation of CBS News into state media tend to do that. But here's someone who may not have chosen the wisest form of protest. The Straits Times reports (via Gizmodo ) that Singapore police have arrested a 26-year-old man for leaking Paramount's The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender . The film, part of the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise , was initially scheduled for a theatrical release. But after two delays, it was later moved to Paramount+, where its set to debut later this year. Naturally, hardcore fans of the franchise bristled at the prospect of the highly anticipated entry skipping theaters. Paramount's scant marketing apparently didn't help either. However, many have already seen the movie, allegedly thanks to the unnamed 26-year-old in question. Singapore police said he gained remote access to a server and downloaded the film. He then posted parts of it online. After the leak, Paramount changed the movie's name to Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender perhaps to try to prevent casual fans' searches from turning up info about the leak. The man is being investigated for unauthorized access to computer material. He could face a maximum of seven years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both. Earlier this month, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed the X account holder @ImStillDissin, who posted the clips. (Although we can speculate that this may be the man currently in custody, thats unconfirmed.) The interview revealed a rather, shall we say, blas approach to the incident. He said he figured posting clips from the movie was no biggie since the film is a streaming-only release. I saw it's just a Paramount+ thing, so I decided I'd troll a little bit, the leaker said. The leaked clips spread rapidly. Despite pleas from 4Chan posters to share the entire film, @ImStillDissin resisted. However, someone else shared the full movie by April 13. Naturally, that file has since circulated far and wide. So, good luck with that official October 9 streaming release, Paramount. You're gonna need it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/singapore-police-arrest-alleged-the-legend-of-aang-the-last-airbender-leaker-183954803.html?src=rss

The MacBook Neo is a glimpse into John Ternus's Apple

John Ternus was unavoidable when Apple debuted the Macbook Neo. He kicked off an intimate media event for the Neo, introducing it as a transformative machine for Apple thanks to its low $599 cost ($499 for education customers) and premium build quality. He was interviewed on Good Morning America , the sort of prominent media feature CEO Tim Cook typically handles. And when I asked Apple workers about the Neo at its launch event, they almost always brought up Ternus vision of the laptop. For all intents and purposes, Tetanus was Apples frontman for the MacBook Neo. Ternus is slated for his coronation as Apple's CEO on September 1, and the Neo is not only a feather in his cap, but a likely indication of the company's approach to products going forward. Its a sign that Apple is getting more comfortable taking risks. Apple lives and dies on its own premium image. It completely gave up on making cheap iPhones like the SE and 5C, and the $599 iPhone 16e and 17e are more expensive than typical mid-range Android phones (though the $249 Apple Watch SE is admittedly one of the cheaper smartwatches around.). It was risky to shove a mobile processor into a full-fledged computer, which could have made it too weak. And it was a gamble to stick with a meager 8GB of RAM, practically sacrilegious within the Apple pantheon. It's not breaking new ground for product categories, but the Neo, in being a budget laptop at all, is surprisingly un-Apple. A citrus MacBook Neo on a table outside. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget And yet, thanks to Ternus's hardware leadership and Apple's command of its software, the MacBook Neo has been a resounding success. It has the best build quality, screen, keyboard, speakers and trackpad that I've ever seen in a $600 laptop. As I wrote in my review , every Windows PC maker, including Microsoft, should be ashamed. While we dont know the full build cost for the Neo, Apples margins for selling it will undoubtedly be far slimmer than the MacBook Air or Pro. But the Neo is more than a profit maker. Its a device that can serve as a gateway to the Apple ecosystem for kids and students. Even better, it could easily tempt over Windows users. We can't give Ternus all the credit for the Neo, of course, there's an entire team of product managers and engineers below him doing the actual design work. But it's hard to deny the flex of building a $600 laptop that doesn't feel like total garbage. The MacBook Neo surprised me, a jaded technology reporter, on practically every level. And its existence makes me wonder how a Ternus-led Apple could continue to iterate without compromising quality or Apple's signature attention to detail. Ternus is the rare Apple engineer who has played a role in almost all of its existing products in his 25 year tenure, hes taken charge of building the Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch. That gives him a unique perspective of where the company could go next, as well as how Apple could stretch its own capabilities. And based on what Ive seen of the MacBook Neo, itll be interesting to see how Apple reshapes itself for the future. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-macbook-neo-is-a-glimpse-into-john-ternuss-apple-170000842.html?src=rss

Engadget Podcast: Tim Cooks Apple era and what lies ahead for John Ternus

The Apple rumors were true, once again. This week, the company announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down from his CEO role on September 1. Replacing him will be John Ternus, who currently serves as Apple's SVP of hardware engineering. In this episode, Devindra and Engadget's Nathan Ingraham discuss Cook's legacy as Apple's CEO, and pontificate about how Ternus may change things. We're going from Apple being led by a logistics guru, to Apple being driven by a product and engineering wizard. Surely, that will have some impact on future products. Subscribe! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts Topic Tim Cook to step down as Apple CEO after 15 years, John Ternus will take his place on September 1 1:22 Palantir woke up last Saturday morning and posted a comic book villain manifesto on X 26:01 DHS wants to make facial recognition smart glasses for ICE 31:53 A lot of people panic bought PCs to avoid RAMageddon 36:25 Meta faces a new lawsuit over running ads for outright scams Employees at Meta will have they keystrokes and mouse moves recorded for AI training 40:10 Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price goes down, but it wont include Call of Duty 44:55 Around Engadget: a great (expensive) Dyson vac with a silly name 49:15 Working on 51:58 Pop culture picks 52:55 Credits Hosts : Devindra Hardawar and Nathan Ingraham Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence OBrien This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/engadget-podcast-tim-cooks-apple-era-and-what-lies-ahead-for-john-ternus-121853488.html?src=rss

DeepSeek promises its new AI model has 'world-class' reasoning

DeepSeek has released its latest AI models, the V4 Pro and Flash versions, a bit over a year after it went viral and became the top rated free app on Apple's App Store in the US. Welcome to the era of cost-effective 1 million context length, DeepSeek said in its announcement . Context length is what you call the maximum number of tokens that an AI model can remember, so the bigger it is, the more coherent and consistent an AI is when it comes to extended conversations. OpenAIs recently announced GPT5.5 has a context window ranging from 400,000 to 1 million, for instance. The new model is still open-source, allowing users to download its code and modify it if they want. DeepSeek says V4 Pro has enhanced agentic capabilities and claims that it rivals top closed-source models when it comes to reasoning. It also says that it trails only Gemini-3.1-Pro in rich world knowledge. Meanwhile, V4 Flash isnt quite as powerful as the V4 Pro, but it has faster response times. Still, its reasoning abilities closely approach V4 Pro, DeepSeek says, and it performs on par with with the Pro version on simple Agent tasks. Shortly after DeepSeek topped the App Store charts, it was banned for use by US federal agencies and on government-owned devices. Authorities believed it was a national security risk and posed a threat to US AI stocks. South Korea also paused downloads of its app over privacy concerns. DeepSeek-V4 Preview is officially live & open-sourced! Welcome to the era of cost-effective 1M context length. DeepSeek-V4-Pro: 1.6T total / 49B active params. Performance rivaling the world's top closed-source models. DeepSeek-V4-Flash: 284B total / 13B active params. pic.twitter.com/n1AgwMIymu DeepSeek (@deepseek_ai) April 24, 2026 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/deepseek-promises-its-new-ai-model-has-world-class-reasoning-115733512.html?src=rss

Porsche's new Cayenne Turbo Coup Electric can do 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds

Porsche has announced an electric version of its popular Cayenne Coup and it could be the company's most powerful vehicle ever either ICE or electric. Mechanically, the Cayenne Coup Electric is nearly identical to the Cayenne Electric but the body is substantially sleeker for improved range and performance. While the front end of the Coup looks much the same as the Cayenne Electric, the back is giving off BMW X-series vibes in a big way. Porsche says that bulbous rear makes the new model more aerodynamic and thus efficient, with a drag coefficient of just 0.23. It also sits nearly an inch lower than the standard SUV for a more race-ready look. It can haul four adults and comes with a 3.2 cubic foot frunk. Porsche There are three versions: the Cayenne Coup Electric, Cayenne S Coup Electric and Cayenne Turbo Coup Electric. All use the same 800-volt architecture that allows charging speeds up to 400 kW, for a 10-80 percent recharge in 16 minutes under ideal conditions. With a 113 kWh battery, range is estimated at 415 miles in the WLTP cycle, which equates to about 350 miles under EPA conditions. The main difference between the models is power. The base Cayenne Electric model produces a mere 408 hp (442 hp with overboost), while the Cayenne S takes that up to 544 hp (666 hp with overboost). However, the Cayenne Turbo Electric cranks things up to deranged with 857 hp (1,156 hp overboosted), letting you bring three guests and their cargo from 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 162 mph. Porsche The interior is bound to have a bit less room than the regular Cayenne Electric due to the sloping roofline, but Porsche made things comfortable and high-tech. It comes with an optional electrochromic panoramic roof with adjustable tint and power operated doors, along with a choice of trims including leather upholstery. Physical controls are married with digital interfaces and a screen that stretches from the left edge of the middle console to the passenger side vent. As with other recent lux vehicles, it offers customizable graphics, an AR heads-up display and personalized app integration. Debuting at this year's Beijing Auto Show, the Cayenne Coup Electric starts at $113,800 (minus the $2,350 delivery fee), while the base Cayenne S Coupe Electric is $131,200 and the Cayenne Turbo Coupe Electric costs $168,000. For a luxury sport electric SUV with 350 miles of range and 1,156 hp, that's actually... not bad? After all, you can easily pay six figures for a kitted-out Ford F-150 these days. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/porsches-new-cayenne-turbo-coupe-electric-can-do-0-60-mph-in-25-seconds-091925467.html?src=rss

US soldier arrested for allegedly making over $400,000 on Polymarket with classified Maduro information

United States soldier Gannon Ken Van Dyke has been arrested and charged for placing bets on prediction marketplace Polymarket using classified information he had access to related to the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicols Maduro . The US Army Special Forces master sergeant, who was directly involved with the planning and execution of the operation, allegedly made $409,881 in profits. According to the Department of Justice, Van Dyke created a Polymarket account around December 26, 2025 and made 13 bets related to Maduro from December 27 to January 2. He took the Yes position on several Polymarket wagers, including US Forces in Venezuela by January 31, 2026, Maduro out by January 31, 2026, Will the US invade Venezuela by January 31 and Trump invokes War Powers against Venezuela by January 31. The US military captured Maduro and his wife on January 3. Van Dyke allegedly bet a total of $33,034 and made over ten times that amount from his winnings. He withdrew his money from Polymarket on the day Maduro was captured and then sent it to a foreign crypto vault before depositing it to a new online brokerage account. Shortly after Maduros capture, reports came out about how an anonymous gambler made almost half a million dollars before it was announced, raising concerns that someone had profited off insider military knowledge. The Justice Department says Van Dyke tried to cover his tracks. After reports about the potential insider bets were published, he allegedly asked Polymarket to delete his account, falsely claiming that he lost access to the email he used. He also changed the email address linked to his crypto account to another one not associated with his name. Van Dyke has been charged with three counts of violation against the Commodity Exchange Act, with each one carrying a max sentence of 10 years in prison. He has also been charged with one count of wire fraud with a max penalty of 20 years in prison, as well as one count of unlawful monetary transaction with a max sentence of 10 years. Prediction marketplaces have been struggling with insider trading problems, and this is far from the first incident. Recently, Kalshi took action against three political candidates, accusing them of insider trading related to their campaigns. Matt Klein of Minnesota and Ezekiel Enriquez of Texas face a fine of less than $1,000 and suspensions of up to five years. Meanwhile Mark Moran of Virginia faces disciplinary action, a five year suspension and a fine of more than $6,000. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/us-soldier-arrested-for-allegedly-making-over-400000-on-polymarket-with-classified-maduro-information-014531367.html?src=rss

Claude can now connect to lifestyle apps like Spotify, Instacart and AllTrails

Anthropic is expanding its directory of connected services for its Claude AI chatbot. The platform can now link up with your accounts on AllTrails, Audible, Booking.com, Instacart, Intuit Credit Karma, Intuit TurboTax, Resy, Spotify, StubHub, Taskrabbit, Thumbtack, TripAdvisor, Uber, Uber Eats and Viator.Additional services will be added in the future. More and more AI companies are trying to up their third-party integrations in a pitch to make their services as useful as possible. The benefit of having multiple apps connected means that a chatbot can theoretically execute more complicated tasks on your behalf. This expansion takes that capability from the professional and educational settings, where Anthropics connectors have been focused for the past year, to a personal one. So, for instance, Claude can now help plan a hike on AllTrails and then pull up a Spotify playlist that will last for the duration of your trek. Anthropic noted that it is also reframing how apps are showing up so that an appropriate service is suggested for the task you want to perform. The apps should appear dynamically within the Claude conversation rather than needing a user to swipe between programs. As with most AI actions, Claude is supposed to check with its user before actually taking any actions like securing a reservation or making a purchase. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/claude-can-now-connect-to-lifestyle-apps-like-spotify-instacart-and-alltrails-225510552.html?src=rss

Microsoft is reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to up to 7 percent of its employees

Microsoft is planning to get rid of more US employees via its first voluntary buyout program, CNBC reports . The buyout program will reportedly be offered to US employees at he senior director level and below whose years of employment and age add up to 70 or higher, and could cover up to 7 percent of the company's US workforce. With around 125,000 employees in the US as of June 2025 , that could mean up to 8,750 will be offered a paid exit when Microsoft begins its program in May. That's a smaller figure than the 15,000 or so employees the company laid off in May and July of 2025, but still significant, particularly if the majority of employees do take the buyout. Our hope is that this program gives those eligible the choice to take that next step on their own terms, with generous company support, Microsoft's executive vice president and chief people officer Amy Coleman shared in a memo viewed by CNBC . Engadget has contacted Microsoft to confirm the existence of the voluntary buyout program and other details CNBC reported. We'll update this article if we hear back. Microsoft used its 2025 layoffs to streamline layers of management and its video game business, but these new cuts may have a lot more to do with AI. Not necessarily because the company's adoption of AI tools has made employees redundant, but rather because Microsoft continues to aggressively spend on AI infrastructure. The company said it spent $37.5 billion in capital expenditures during Q2 2026, much of which went toward data center buildout. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/microsoft-is-reportedly-offering-voluntary-buyouts-to-up-to-7-percent-of-its-employees-200050484.html?src=rss

Meta is downsizing by about 10 percent

Meta is making another steep cut to its staff, this time to the tune of a 10 percent reduction in its workforce. About 8,000 people will be laid off and about 6,000 open jobs will also be eliminated, according to Bloomberg . In an internal memo from Janelle Gale, Meta's head of human resources, the latest cuts are part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments were making. Those other investments are likely in artificial intelligence. Meta is building its own models and apparently training them on its own staff . Its smart glasses are also leveraging ever-more AI capabilities . Today's layoffs likely don't mark the end of Meta's current contraction. A report from March suggested that Meta was planning to downsize by up to 20 percent , although no timeline was given. The company cut hundreds of jobs, primarily in its Reality Labs division, shortly after those claims circulated. It also kicked off 2026 by slashing its metaverse operations with the closure of three VR studios . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-downsizing-by-about-10-percent-192658099.html?src=rss

Titanium Court mashes together genres and cultural references to tell a strange, funny tale

I would love to tell you everything about my favorite game of the year so far. But that would be doing a great disservice to Titanium Court . I'm not even sure I could explain it all, anyway. Titanium Court is a run-based game with elements of permanent progression, so it's technically a roguelite. However, you cannot really break Titanium Court like you can with Balatro . There are multiple ways to win a run, but you have to play by the rules. Gradually learning what those are and how the game suddenly changes them is a big part of what makes this so effective. I can at least break down the core gameplay loop for you. There are two stages to each battle in every run aka a war. The first is a match-three segment (think Candy Crush Saga ), in which you gather resources by lining up wheat fields, rivers, hills and forests. At the same time, you're setting up the terrain and positioning your own tile (the titular court) for the second stage. For instance, water will stop foot soldiers entirely, so you can position yourself behind a barricade of rivers to block them. But you'll need to be careful, since a chain reaction of matches can wipe out your carefully constructed defense. At the same time, you'll be moving around enemy strongholds. You can line up three or more matching enemy bases to eliminate them, but you don't gain any resources from those. Plus, you can only make a limited number of moves in this phase. So that makes for an interesting risk-reward conundrum. A timeline shows you which enemies will attack and when so you can plan accordingly. The second phase is where the tower defense element really takes hold. You'll use what you've collected to recruit soldiers to attack enemies or defend your base, add workers that will gather more resources and maybe deliver magic attacks. You can trade at shops and markets as long as you haven't wiped them from the grid, since they're bonded to terrain tiles. When you're ready to fight, you hit a play button and the battle takes place automatically. Nothings as simple as it might seem at first, because this is a game that will mess with you. I was scolded for trying to buy my way to victory by trading too much, with the game calling that approach boring and closing the shop's doors for the round. Perfectly fair. I chuckled the first time that happened. When I thought I was being clever by using the introspective power of self-reflection (you'll see) to win a boss fight, I was swiftly shut down. Between wars, you'll explore the titular court as its newly anointed queen, trying to figure out what on Earth is going on and, ultimately, how to get home. Here, Titanium Court morphs into a blend of old-school adventure game and bizarre visual novel. This is where much of the magic lies, and where you gradually learn about the story and even how to play the game. AP Thomson/Fellow Traveller Developer AP Thomson's writing is smart and funny. I lost count of the number of jokes I've laughed out loud at. His narrative takes you in startlingly unexpected directions. It feels like a grand performance and Thomson is the master of ceremonies. Its a confidently authored experience that offers further evidence as to why absolutely no one needs a generative AI game platform that seeks to kill the scripted RPG. Titanium Court won the prestigious Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival Awards earlier this year and it's not hard to see why. Thomson and his collaborators have cooked up something really special here. It's a game with dragons and ballet, baseball and bike races, shower thoughts and wormholes. There are road signs in a world in which faeries believe cars are a figment of your imagination. It references Catan, the Civilization series, Jenga and A Midsummer Night's Dream . It skewers capitalism and social inequality. I'll let you discover the details of the job system, which completely upends how you play the game, yourself. I haven't been this engrossed by a game since Ball x Pit . It surprises and delights at almost every turn. Titanium Court is certainly not going to be for everyone (there's so much reading!) and Im going to stop here before I tell you too much about it. You can get a taste by checking out a Steam demo thats available for PC and Mac. The full game arrived today . It usually costs $15, but it's 20 percent off until May 7. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/titanium-court-mashes-together-genres-and-cultural-references-to-tell-a-strange-funny-tale-184750797.html?src=rss

Apple, Amazon join push for looser greenhouse emissions reporting

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol , a widely used international environmental standard for measuring and reporting emissions, is considering changes to how certain types of the emissions are reported. Advocates for the new guidance argue that the current rules make it too easy for businesses to overstate their commitments to environmentally friendly operations, such as being powered by renewable energy or making progress toward net-zero emissions. Today, some major tech companies joined a call pushing back against the new guidance, asking for the new reporting rules to be optional rather than required. The joint statement argued that the proposed policies would reduce investments in sustainability programs and increase electricity prices. Apple and Amazon are among the more than 60 companies that signed the letter, Bloomberg reported. The protocol's three tiers of emissions present a clearer picture about companies' environmental efforts and how impactful they are in reducing emissions. Scope 1 includes emissions from sources directly owned or controlled by a business, while Scope 2 covers how corporations measure emissions from purchased or acquired electricity, steam, heat and cooling. Scope 3 is the catch-all for any other emissions produced within a business' value chain. New proposed changes to the scope 2 guidance would place tighter requirements on how companies use renewable energy certificates to offset their electricity emissions. Rather than purchase clean energy certificates at any point during the year, companies would have to source clean energy that is both geographically close and simultaneously available to their grid-derived power. Any changes adopted by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol could take effect as early as next year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-amazon-join-push-for-looser-greenhouse-emissions-reporting-182314690.html?src=rss

Apple TV's upcoming For All Mankind spinoff Star City oozes Cold War-era paranoia

Apple TV just dropped a real-deal trailer for Star City , after releasing a short teaser earlier this year . It's a spinoff of For All Mankind , but this new show examines the alt-history space race from the Soviet perspective. In other words, this is a trailer steeped in Cold War-era paranoia. Secret photos are snapped, phones are tapped and characters are disappeared, all set against the backdrop of space exploration. The vibe looks decidedly different from For All Mankind , despite the parent show occasionally dabbling in Russia-based espionage. The vibe isn't the only shift here. Star City isn't doing time jumps, which is a hallmark of For All Mankind . The original show started in 1969 and season five is set in 2012 . The spinoff lives in the 1970s and is its own genre. This is according to showrunners Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi . For the uninitiated, For All Mankind begins with Russia beating us to the Moon in the 1960s. This creates a butterfly effect that changes history in ways both big and small. Star City looks like it'll focus on how Russia managed to land astronauts on the Moon before America and what happened to the space program in the immediate aftermath. It stars Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin, Agnes OCasey and Alice Englert. Star City premieres on May 29 with two episodes. That's the same day season five of For All Mankind concludes. The original show was recently renewed for a sixth and final season . Apple TV really has become the best streamer for sci-fi. This summer sees not just the premiere of Star City , but the second season of the multiverse-based thriller Dark Matter and season three of the dystopian adventure Silo . The platform is also home to shows like Pluribus , Severance and Foundation , among many others. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/apple-tvs-upcoming-for-all-mankind-spinoff-star-city-oozes-cold-war-era-paranoia-180429809.html?src=rss

Five Annapurna Interactive games get Switch 2 releases

If youre a Switch 2 owner itching for something new to play and you happen to be partial to an Annapurna Interactive game, then boy is it your lucky day. The prolific indie publisher has announced that five of its titles are coming to Switch 2 , three in the form of next-gen upgrades and two for the first time on Nintendo platforms. The magnificent Sayonara Wild Hearts and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes are available starting today, complete with 120Hz and 4K upgrades for Nintendos latest console. First-time buyers can grab Sayonara Wild Hearts for $13, while 2024s Lorelei and the Laser Eyes costs $25. The upgrades are free if you already own either game on Switch, and Sayonara Wild Hearts also adds the previously unavailable Remix Arcade mode for the first time. This speeds up gameplay and removes loading as you chase high scores. Next month, May 28, cyberpunk cat adventure Stray is also getting the Switch 2 treatment, sporting improved 4K visuals, a frame rate boost and, fittingly given its feline focus, mouse controls. The Switch 2 port will be available to purchase digitally from the eShop for $30, but its not clear if this will also be a free upgrade for those who bought Stray on Switch. Katamari creator Keita Takahashis charmingly weird puzzle-adventure To a T skipped Nintendo consoles when it launched last year, so its nice to see that one coming to Switch 2 on June 11 (digital-only, $20). A few weeks later on June 23, cozy narrative game Wanderstop arrives on both Switch and Switch 2. Itll cost $25 on the eShop, with no word on a physical version. Annapurna Interactive released a lot of its games on Switch, and that trend happily looks set to continue throughout the Switch 2 generation. The musical turn-based RPG People of Note came to Nintendos latest console at launch earlier this month, with stylish adventure game Mixtape also arriving on Switch 2 on May 7. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/five-annapurna-interactive-games-get-switch-2-releases-164950446.html?src=rss

Someone allegedly used a hairdryer to rig Polymarket weather bets

A hairdryer was allegedly used to rig Polymarket bets on the weather at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, according to a report by The Telegraph . French authorities note that the official temperature readings at the airport spiked twice in the past month, reaching levels much higher than expected. On both occasions, gamblers on Polymarket appear to have walked away with thousands upon thousands of dollars by betting on those temperature fluctuations. The gambling site relies on readings from temperature sensors, and the one at Charles de Gaulle airport is on a public road. This makes it easy to access. The operating theory is that someone snuck in and used a battery-powered hairdryer to bring the recorded temperature up well beyond the actual heat outside. Meanwhile, the Polymarket page indicated less than a one percent chance of the airport exceeding a particular temperature. Successful bets on these fluctuations netted an unknown user around $34,000. holy fuck, a hair dryer at a Paris airport broke Polymarket weather markets & made someone $34,000 richer - polymarket was settling Paris temperature bets on a single Mto France sensor sitting near the Charles de Gaulle runway perimeter - basically unguarded - the guy bought pic.twitter.com/ona2hP3oZc @aaronjmars (@aaronjmars) April 22, 2026 In view of physical findings on one of our instruments and the analysis of sensor data, Mto-France was indeed led to file a complaint for alteration of the operation of an automated data processing system with the Air Transport Gendarmerie Brigade of Roissy, a spokesperson for France's official weather agency said. There is no indication that Polymarket forced anyone to return their winnings, but the temperature sensor has been moved to a new location. The site is still running bets on the daily temperature in and around Paris. It sucks that someone potentially tricked a temperature sensor with a hairdryer to scam actual gamblers out of potential winnings. However, this sort of thing should be expected when betting money on real-world scenarios like this. If something can be rigged, and there's money to be made, it'll get rigged. Humans are gonna human. This does, however, shine a light on the types of bets that should be allowed on sites like Polymarket and Kalshi. Polymarket, for instance, hosts numerous bets on the outcome of wars , whether or not countries will receive nuclear weapons and potential prison sentences , among many other sensitive topics. What happens when someone uses something much more dangerous than a hairdryer to change the outcome of something for financial gain? This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/someone-allegedly-used-a-hairdryer-to-rig-polymarket-weather-bets-155312411.html?src=rss

Turkey wants to ban social media for kids under 15

The Turkish parliament has voted through a bill that would ban all children under the age of 15 from using social media. As part of the legislation, social media platforms would be required to enforce age-verification measures on their apps, provide parental control tools, and react more quickly to harmful content being posted. As reported by The Associated Press , lawmakers have passed the bill in the wake of two deadly school shootings in Turkey, after which police arrested 162 people accused of sharing footage of the tragedies online. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan now has 15 days to accept the bill in order for it to become law, after reportedly saying social media platforms had become cesspools in a televised address to the nation. As well as the major social media platforms, AP reports that online gaming companies would also have to implement their own restrictions on minors, with potential punishments including bandwidth reductions and financial penalties. This isnt the first time Turkey has locked horns with social media and online gaming platforms. Instagram has been blocked in the country before, back in 2024, relating to a dispute over the posting of Hamas-related content. Access was restored around a week later, but in the same time period Turkey also banned Roblox over reports of inappropriate sexual content accused of being explorative to children. At the time, a Turkish official also named the promotion of homosexuality as one reason for the ban. Turkey has also temporarily banned Twitter (now called X) on several occasions, most recently after 2023s devastating earthquakes, though it was not clear at the time why the government may have moved to block the social media platform. The countrys lawmakers moving to ban under-15s from accessing social media is part of an emerging trend in Europe and across the globe. The likes of Greece and Austria have recently introduced similar legislation of their own, following Australia becoming the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from social media last year. The UK has since considered bringing in tighter restrictions too. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/turkey-wants-to-ban-social-media-for-kids-under-15-143053462.html?src=rss

Meta will show parents the topics of their teens' AI conversations

With countries banning social media for kids left and right , Meta is trying different things to convince parents that its platforms are safe for teens. In its latest effort , the company will start showing parents the topics their teens have discussed with Meta AI over the previous seven days. Parents will be able to see the topics their teen has been asking Meta AI about in [Facebook, Messenger or Instagram] over the past week, Meta explained in a blog post. Topics can range from School, Entertainment, and Lifestyle to Travel, Writing, and Health and Wellbeing, among others. For parents overseeing Meta's teen accounts, the feature will appear in a new Insights tab within supervision, both in-app and on web. Parents can tap on a topic to see the different categories within each: for instance, sub-categories within Lifestyle include fashion, food and holidays, while fitness, physical health and mental health are part of the Health and Wellbeing topic. Meta Meta also worked with the Cyberbullying Research Center to develop what it calls conversation starters, or open-ended conversations about their experience with AI. It provides detail about what the questions are designed to address, and can be found on the Family Center website or through a link in the new Insights tab. Finally, Meta revealed more detail about its AI Wellbeing Expert Council, who will provide ongoing input on our AI experience for teens. It will be made up of three existing advisory groups as well as new members with special expertise in responsible and ethical AI, who are affiliated with the National Council of Suicide Prevention and multiple universities. It's worth noting that Meta has a separate oversight board that deals with subjects ranging from AI to moderation. Offboarding moderation chores to busy parents appears to be par for the course for Meta these days. The company has recently cut back on the use of third-party vendors that help with content moderation, shifting responsibility instead to advanced AI systems, according to recent reports . The dangers of AI for teens have been one of multiple reasons countries like Spain have banned social media platforms for kids. One of the most recent and tragic cases was in Canada , where a teen was provided specific details by OpenAI's ChatGPT about how to carry out a school shooting. Another such case is under investigation in Florida, and AI's have been implicated in multiple teen suicides as well. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 or you can simply dial 988. Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741741 (US), 686868 (Canada), or 85258 (UK). Wikipedia maintains a list of crisis lines for people outside of those countries. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-will-show-parents-the-topics-of-their-teens-ai-conversations-123119624.html?src=rss

DJI Lito 1 and Lito X1 drone review: High-quality aerial video at its most affordable

After seeing the runaway success of its Neo lineup , DJI is taking another stab at the budget drone market with the new Lito series. The Lito 1 and Lito X1 are both under $400 and weigh less than 249 grams theyre ideal for beginners. Both are designed to replace DJIs Mini series, but they offer things that those models lacked like LiDAR and 360-degree obstacle avoidance. In terms of video quality, theyre similar to DJIs Neo 2 and Flip drones. Unlike those models, which are safe to use indoors and around people, the open-prop Lito drones are designed to fly outside at high speeds and high altitudes. This makes them well-suited for filming activities like surfing or dirt bike riding. After testing both models, I believe they offer unbeatable value and performance at these prices, by a long shot. Of course, the drawback for American buyers is that neither is expected to launch in the US. Design and features The Lito models are now the entry level open-prop models in DJIs lineup (the Mini series will no longer be updated). Both have identical folding designs, with optional, removable propeller shrouds that offer some additional obstacle protection. Given the light weight, novice pilots can fly them without a permit. Steve Dent for Engadget Both have omni sensors on the top and bottom that protect them from obstacles on all sides. The Lito X1 adds a forward-facing LiDAR sensor for extra tracking precision. That kind of additional accuracy is nice to have and its unusual on drones in this price range. Built-in storage is also rare on cheap drones, but the Lito X1 has that going for it as well. Theres 42GB on tap, along with microSD card support for additional capacity. The Lito 1 only offers a microSD slot and no internal storage. They come with an Intelligent Flight Battery that offers up to 36 minutes of flying time. That can be extended to about 52 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, though that model isnt available in the EU or UK. As with every other DJI drone Ive tested, real-world flight times are about 30 percent less than the company promises. I got about 25 minutes of use on a charge still not bad for a sub-$400 drone. The Lito line has all the FocusTrack features youd expect in a DJI drone, like 360 degree ActiveTrack subject tracking with full manual control and obstacle detection. It also supports DJIs Quickshots including Dronie, Rocket and others, all of which make it easy to capture aerial clips for social media. However, you wont find certain Neo 2 features on the Lito series, like gestures, smartphone control and palm takeoffs. The Lito drones work with multiple controllers, including the RC-N3 that requires a smartphone or the RC 2 with a built-in screen. Both Lito models transmit 1080p 60 fps video to a range of up to 10 miles via DJIs Occusync 4 system. Thats a scary distance for a beginner drone. Luckily, both models also offer DJIs return to home (RTH) with battery warning and other safety features that should prevent lost drones or accidents. Performance Steve Dent for Engadget Both Lito drones are relatively fast at about 26 mph in normal mode with obstacle detection, or 40 mph in sport mode. That kind of speed allows creators to track bikers, skiers or vehicles. Each can also fly in relatively strong winds up to about 21 mph. They lack the maneuverability and acrobatics available on the Neo 2 though, and don't offer an FPV mode with DJIs Goggles. With open propellers that can catch on a twig and cause a crash, the Lito drones depend heavily on obstacle detection for protection. Thats particularly important since the ActiveTrack follow feature is a key selling point for novice creators. With all that in mind, I wanted to put them through their paces tracking me on a bicycle and even while driving a car, forcing the drones to navigate around trees and bamboo with fine branches. To start, I used ActiveTrack and the Trace steering wheel mode to follow me from the front, sides and back. Both Lito models can avoid obstacles using either the braking mode that stops the drone or bypass that simply maneuvers around them. I mostly used bypass mode to see if the drone could continue to track me if something got in the way. When flying forward, the Lito X1 avoided all obstacles using its LiDAR, while swooping smoothly around trees and branches. Only once did it fail to detect a small twig, which caused a slight bobble, but fortunately, no crash. Thanks to that built-in LiDAR, the Lito X1 model is a bit more adept than the Lito 1 at dodging fine obstacles when flying forward. Overall, the X1s avoidance in all directions was shockingly good for a drone under $400. DJI's Lito models offer excellent tracking and obstacle detection for the price. Steve Dent for Engadget The Lito X1s LiDAR is also very helpful when flying in low-light conditions, and even at night. If you go on a long flight and miscalculate the sunset, youll still be able to get the drone back safely in RTH mode without much fear of crashing, as long as you fly forward. It also helps keep the Lito X1 more stable in dim light than the Lito 1. The Lito 1 isnt as adept at following and obstacle detection at night due to the lack of LiDAR, but again, it avoided danger surprisingly well considering the price. Buyers can still be confident that it will stay out of trouble when tracking subjects in most conditions just be careful when flying in forested areas with fine branches. If youre planning on flying far from your location to capture remote aerial views, DJIs Occusync 4 system is highly reliable. I only saw video dropouts when flying the drone behind buildings and out of my line of sight, something that I wouldnt advise anyway. As long as theres nothing between you and the drone, youll maintain a clear video view and full control. As with other drones in the Mini and Mini Pro series, the Lito models are whisper quiet in flight, with noise levels well under 70 db. The pitch is also low and not shrieking like the Neo models, so it shouldnt disturb people or animals. Video and photo quality Video quality is where the Lito 1 and Lito X1 differ the most. The latter is equipped with a 40-megapixel 1/1.3-inch sensor with f/1.7 aperture (same as the Mini 4 Pro ) and offers up 4K 60 fps video with 4K 100 fps slow-mo along with D-LogM and HDR recording. The Lito 1, meanwhile, has a 48MP 1/2-inch sensor (12MP for video) like the one on the Neo 2, with an f/1.8 aperture, 4K 60 fps video (4K 100 fps slow-mo) and no D-LogM or HDR capabilities. Thats a pretty big gap in specs considering the relatively meager price difference of around $80. As such, the Lito X1 offers significantly better video quality, particularly in low light and high-contrast conditions. The smaller sensor means the Lito 1 has mediocre low-light capability, with pronounced grain at the maximum ISO 12,800 rating. The drop in quality is even noticeable at ISO 3,200. Unlike the $400 Flip, the lack of 10-bit D-LogM capability also means that over- or underexposed video is hard to correct. With those issues, video and photos from the Lito 1 aren't good enough for professional work. However, its excellent for social media users, hobbyists and content creators, delivering smartphone-quality aerial shots and more detail than any other drone at this price (except the Neo 2, of course). The Lito X1, on the other hand, does offer video thats good enough for some professional use. While not as noise-free as the 1-inch sensor-equipped Mini 5 Pro or Micro Four Thirds Mavic 4 Pro , video quality for nighttime cityscapes and other dim scenes is decently clean. In daylight, video is surprisingly sharp and color accurate. The 10-bit D-LogM setting also lets you capture sufficient dynamic range for tricky scenarios like a forest path dappled with sunlight and shadows Stabilization on both models is excellent, so youre sure to capture smooth, cinematic video, even with relatively slow shutter speeds down to 1/30th of a second. Photos are more detailed on the Lito X1 due to the higher resolution, even though both models can capture RAW DNG files to maximize dynamic range. That makes the drones ideal for taking aerial pictures of your property, for instance, or checking a hornets nest or hole on your roof. Wrap-up Steve Dent for Engadget The Lito series shows that DJI is intent on dominating every drone price range and category, including the bottom end. Despite their low prices, the new drones dont skimp on features, offering full obstacle protection, ActiveTrack subject tracking, relatively high speeds and sharp 4K video quality just like models that cost a lot more. At these prices, the Lito drones dont have any real rivals other than themselves and other DJI drones, particularly the Neo 2 and Flip. Choose the Lito 1 only if you cant swing the extra money for the Lito X1, as video quality on the latter is significantly higher. Both drones are best for outdoor adventures, including high-altitude aerial shooting, while Neo 2 and Flip excel inside or around people. The Lito 1 and Lito X1 are now available in the UK and EU for 299/309 and 369/379 respectively with one battery and the RC-N3 controller that requires a smartphone. You can also get them in Fly More combos, with the Lito 1 priced at 429/439 with an RC-N3 controller, three batteries, a charger and a shoulder bag. The Lito X1 Fly More Combo with an RC 2 screen controller, three batteries, a charger and a shoulder bag is 599/619. The drones arent on sale yet in the US, but may arrive later on. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-lito-1-and-lito-x1-drone-review-high-quality-aerial-video-at-its-most-affordable-120024032.html?src=rss

Musk pledges to fix 2019-2023 Teslas that can't fully self drive

Tesla still doesnt have a solid pathway for how to give Hardware 3 cars Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities, based on what Elon Musk said during the companys latest earnings call . The automaker has known for quite a while that its vehicles equipped with Hardware 3 arent capable of unsupervised FSD, even though the company built the system specifically to give its cars the ability . Tesla used Hardware 3 on cars manufactured from 2019 until early 2023 before Hardware 4 shipped. During an earlier earnings call back in January 2025, Musk admitted that the company was going to have to upgrade peoples Hardware 3 computer for those that have bought Full Self-Driving. At Teslas latest earnings call, Musk said that Hardware 3 simply does not have the capability to achieve unsupervised FSD. Tesla thought it would be able to at one point, but Hardware 3 apparently has 1/8th the memory bandwidth of Hardware 4. Musk explained that memory bandwidth is one of the key elements needed for unsupervised FSD. Tesla will be offering to upgrade and replace the computers and cameras on older vehicles, but it doesnt have a concrete plan in place yet. I do think over time its going to make sense for us to convert all Hardware 3 cars to Hardware 4, he said. To do so at service centers would be extremely slow, Musk has admitted. Around 4 million cars or so have Hardware 3, though not everyone has paid for FSD. Still, to be able to replace its vehicles hardware efficiently, Musk said Tesla is going to have to set up microfactories or small factories in major metropolitan areas. He didnt give any indication that Tesla has already started building those microfactories, though, or even that construction is already scheduled to begin. He did say that in the meantime, the company is going to be releasing FSD version 14 for Hardware 3 around the end of June. Musk also said during the same earnings call that Teslas Fremont factory will start manufacturing the companys humanoid Optimus robots in late July or August. The Tesla CEO is known for announcing highly optimistic and aggressive timelines. Tesla made the decision to kill off its Model X and S cars earlier this year, so that it can convert its Fremont facility into an Optimus factory. The last Model S and X vehicles will be rolling off the production line in May, which gives the company just a few months to dismantle the facilitys current equipment and put new ones in place. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/musk-pledges-to-fix-2019-2023-teslas-that-cant-fully-self-drive-095002120.html?src=rss

Kalshi suspended three political candidates from its platform for insider trading

Prediction market Kalshi has taken action against three political candidates, alleging that each was engaged with insider trading of information about their campaigns. The company implemented new rules last month aimed at preventing politicians and athletes from placing bets on events they can control, and it said those guardrails helped to flag this trio of cases. The three candidates are Mark Moran of Virginia, Matt Klein of Minnesota and Ezekiel Enriquez of Texas. Kalshi reached settlements with Klein and Enriquez , both of whom cooperated in the platform's investigations. Each will face a fine of less than $1,000 and suspensions of up to five years. Moran's case has resulted in a disciplinary action , with a five year suspension and a fine of more than $6,000. He posted on X about the situation and claimed this was essentially a stunt to see if he'd be caught and to highlight how this company is destroying young men. Kalshi and other prediction markets have been the subject of several lawsuits by state attorneys general that are attempting to regulate the sector as gambling. Nevada , Arizona and New York have cases underway, but the state-level attempts are not looking promising. An appeals court ruled against New Jersey's effort to govern this industry, and the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has launched a lawsuit of its own in an effort to ensure it will be the only party to regulate prediction markets. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/kalshi-suspended-three-political-candidates-from-its-platform-for-insider-trading-222433937.html?src=rss

Ecco the Dolphin: Complete will combine remasters and a sequel into one package

Last year, Ecco the Dolphin creator Ed Annunizata teased plans to remaster the first two games in the series and create an entirely new sequel. Ecco the Dolphin: Complete , announced by Annunziata's studio A&R Atelier , appears to be the result of that work. The game doesn't have a release date yet, but A&R Atelier says it combines the planned remasters and third title into the complete, definitive Ecco the Dolphin experience, created by the people who made the originals. Complete includes all versions of Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time , according to the developer, alongside a brand-new contemporary Ecco game. Besides graphical improvements, A&E Atelier says the game will introduce built-in speedrunning support, achievements and leaderboards, and things like the ability to create custom courses from existing levels. And while A&R Atelier's announcement doesn't include footage of the new game or the platforms it'll release on, the official Ecco the Dolphin website has a countdown clock that could point to when more information will be released. Annunziata sued Sega to try and win the rights to the Ecco the Dolphin IP in 2013, the same year he failed to get The Big Blue , a spiritual sequel to Ecco the Dolphin , fully funded on Kickstarter. Sega and Annunziata ultimately settled their lawsuit in 2016 , which may have laid the groundwork for Ecco the Dolphin: Complete to happen. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ecco-the-dolphin-complete-will-combine-remasters-and-a-sequel-into-one-package-222020243.html?src=rss

France's national agency for managing IDs and passports suffered a data breach last week

The French government confirmed that France Titres, also known as Agence nationale des titres scuriss (ANTS), experienced a security breach last week. France Titres disclosed that it detected a data breach on April 15. The next day, a hacker claimed responsibility for the breach and claimed to have up to 19 million records that they are attempting to sell. According to Bleeping Computer , the data does not appear to have been widely leaked yet. France Titres is responsible for the country's identification and registration materials, including drivers licenses, national ID cards, passports and immigration documents. The compromised data includes full names, email addresses, dates of birth, account identifiers, login IDs, phone numbers and mailing addresses. The department said that while the breach did not permit access to its portals, the exposed information could be used for phishing attacks or other illicit actions. The announcement advised caution regarding any suspicious communications claiming to be from the agency. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/frances-national-agency-for-managing-ids-and-passports-suffered-a-data-breach-last-week-201432189.html?src=rss

Apple rolls out iOS 26.4.2 to fix a flaw that allowed the FBI to access push notifications

Apple's latest iOS update fixes a flaw in its notification database that made it possible for law enforcement to view deleted push notifications on a person's iPhone or iPad. The security flaw was one way law enforcement agencies like the FBI could circumvent Apple's strict stance towards user privacy, the Electronic Frontier Foundation writes , particularly since the company has required a court order to share notification data since 2023. According to Apple's update notes, iOS 26.4.2 introduces improved data redaction to address an issue where otifications marked for deletion could be unexpectedly retained on the device. The update is available now on iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later and iPad mini 5th generation and later, Apple says. The FBI's use of this particular iOS notification flaw was first reported on by 404 Media , who learned the agency used a tool to access Signal notification data stored locally on an iPhone even after it was deleted. Signal CEO Meredith Whitaker later acknowledged the issue on Bluesky , writing that otifications for deleted [messages] shouldn't remain in any OS notification database, and we've asked Apple to address this. At the time, Whitaker directed Signal users to adjust their settings so that push notifications from the app didnt include the name of the messenger or message content. The privacy of your notifications is vulnerable in at least two places, according to the EFF. In the cloud, where they get routed through a company's servers and likely partially logged in metadata, and on the local storage of the phone where they're received. Apple's update should ideally make deleted notifications appropriately inaccessible, but limiting what's actually visible in notifications in the first place is also worth considering. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/apple-rolls-out-ios-2642-to-fix-a-flaw-that-allowed-the-fbi-to-access-push-notifications-201153603.html?src=rss

LG's first RGB TV starts at $5,000 and is available to pre-order today

LG has announced the pricing and availability of its Micro RGB evo , the company's first take on a TV display trend that kicked off in earnest at CES 2026. The LG Micro RGB evo is available to pre-order today starting at $5,000, and follows the recent release of the ultra-thin LG Wallpaper . The Micro RGB evo represents the top of the line of a new class of display at LG that directly builds on the company's work with Mini LED technology. The new TV features LG's Micro RGB panel and its Alpha A11 AI processor, which runs the TV's webOS software, and perhaps more importantly, powers the Micro RGB Engine that controls the TVs individual LEDs. LG says the Micro RGB evo offers full gamut coverage across DCI-P3, BT.2020 and Adobe RGB, along with enhanced contrast and refined detail from the TV's over a thousand dimming zones. While Micro RGB should offer better color representation than OLED, LG's OLED TVs still have their share of benefits, especially in things like contrast and dimming. Micro RGB panels are similar to the company's Mini LED ones, but rather than using all blue or white LEDs, the Micro RGB evo has individually controlled red, green and blue LEDs. The new style of display is also being explored by companies like TCL and Samsung , and at least for now, it's not as affordable as some QD-OLED or OLED TVs can be. The LG Micro RGB evo is available to pre-order today from LG's website in 75, 86 and 100-inch screen sizes. The TV starts at $5,000 for the smallest 75-inch model and goes up from there. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/lgs-first-rgb-tv-starts-at-5000-and-is-available-to-pre-order-today-185159193.html?src=rss

Vampire Survivors developer Poncle is opening more studios and has over 15 games in the works

Vampire Survivors developer Poncle has big plans for the future, according to an interview The Game Business conducted with the company's chief strategy officer Matteo Sapio. It's opening two new studios in Japan and Italy and has over 15 games in active development. That's a lot of action for a company primarily known for one franchise. Sapio says the company is developing three basic types of games. There are spinoffs to Vampire Survivors , like this week's deckbuilder Vampire Crawlers . Poncle is also making original IPs and says there are two games set in new universes coming down the pike. Finally, it's working on some roguelites with similar mechanics to Vampire Survivors , but using other IPs. We already know about one of these, a roguelite set in the Warhammer 40K universe called Warhammer Survivors . It's set to land on Steam sometime this year. To assist with these plans, Poncle has developed an engine that can turn pre-existing IPs into games that play like Vampire Survivors . If you're wondering if there are enough fans for multiple top-down roguelites with simple controls and bullet hell mechanics, let me point you to Halls of Torment , Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor and Soulstone Survivors , among many others. This has become a popular genre in recent years, likely due to the continued success of Vampire Survivors . To that end, the original game has surpassed 27 million players . Poncle has, however, paused all of its third-party publishing plans after releasing a couple of games last year. It was a learning experience, Sapio said. But we found that we werent able to give the right support. The company could revisit third-party publishing in the future. This is great news for Poncle and fans of the Vampire Survivors franchise, but there's always risk when a company tries to grow like this. Remember Embracer Group? It went on a massive buying spree beginning in 2019, before having to sell off and close a number of studios . However, this isn't a AAA game development studio. Poncle makes indie titles and the new studios will be lean operations, with little teams of people. Sapio said this organizational structure will help keep the company agile and flexible. I personally have high hopes for this endeavor. This is because the just-released spinoff Vampire Crawlers is so very good, which proves to me that Poncle isn't a one-trick pony. It plays like a mix of Slay the Spire with a first-person dungeon crawler like Etrian Odyssey, all while successfully capturing the vibe of Vampire Survivors . If Poncle can keep up this level of quality, gamers could be in for a long-term treat. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/vampire-survivors-developer-poncle-is-opening-more-studios-and-has-over-15-games-in-the-works-174022348.html?src=rss

Threads introduces 'live chats' for following live events

Meta has introduced a new live chats feature to Threads, enabling people on the platform to participate in real-time conversations about live events theyre interested in. Live chats can be hosted within Threads communities, the topic-specific social spaces that Meta introduced last year. The new feature sounds a bit like Threads take on Instagrams broadcast channels, but the latter only allows for one-way messaging. Live chats can be hosted by select creators, including Community Champions users highly engaged within specific communities and media personalities. Once a chat is launched or scheduled, the host chooses who is invited to contribute and can then share the link publicly. You can post photos, videos, links and emoji reactions as well as text-based messages. If youre unable to send messages in a live chat that is at capacity, you can still watch it, react to others messages and vote in polls. Live chats remain open to view after theyve ended, and you dont need to be part of a community to join. Meta is debuting its new social feature in the NBAThreads Community during the Playoffs, with Malika Andrews, Rachel Nichols, Trysta Krick, David Rushing and Lexis Mickens named as hosts. Live chats will appear at the top of the NBAThreads Community feed, and can also be shared in a post that might appear on your main feed in Threads. Youll also see a red ring around a hosts profile photo when theyre live. Meta says live chats will gradually be rolled out to more communities on Threads, with features like co-hosting, lock screen widgets and the ability to quote and share messages from a chat on your feed coming soon. Meta has been steadily expanding its X rivals features since it launched in 2023. It started small with searchable topics (note: not hashtags) and custom feeds , before rolling out communities last year. It also started testing long-form text posts and just this week gave Threads a long-overdue facelift on web. Back in October, the company announced that its text-based social media platform now has 150 million daily users. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-introduces-live-chats-for-following-live-events-170007658.html?src=rss

Control: Ultimate Edition is out for the iPhone and iPad

Control is one of my favorite adventure games of the last decade or so, a mind-bending trip through an ever-changing building where you get to use telekinesis to battle some pretty freaky enemies. It was a graphically-demanding game when it was released in 2019, but a lot can change in less than six years: Control: Ultimate Edition is now available on the iPhone and iPad for a mere $5, following its announcement last October . Its a universal purchase, which means if you buy it itll work on the iPad, iPhone and Mac as well. Developer Remedy promises that its the full Control experience, with the DLC episodes included. Remedy rebuilt the UI and controls to make it work on touchscreen devices; the company says that it has tweaked aiming and the various puzzles to make them work better for the iPad and iPhone. But naturally, the game also works with controllers. If youre serious about having the best experience with the game, finding a way to play with physical controls is probably a good idea. The game will run on iPhones with at least an A17 Pro chip. That includes the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as well all of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series. Plenty of iPad models can run the game, as well any iPad with an M-series chip or the A17 Pro will work. That means the current basic iPad, with its A16 processor, is left out of the fun. But any iPad Air or Pro from the last four years or so should be good to go. I tried a test version of Control when I reviewed the new iPad Air recently and, unsurprisingly, the tablets M4 chip was more than powerful enough to make for a smooth experience. My main gripe is that when sprinting, you have to hold down the L3 button the entire time youre running rather than just click it once, which is how it works on other platforms. Otherwise it looks and plays smoothly, though I cant vouch for how itll perform on hardware older than the M4 from 2024. Control marks the latest AAA title to hit the iPad and iPhone. Apple has aggressively courted developers for its platforms in recent years, and while most games dont hit the Mac or iOS when they launch, more and more are showing up eventually. There are multiple recent Resident Evil titles for the iPad, and other games like Death Stranding and Assassins Creed Mirage have been ported recently as well. There are others on the Mac as well, including demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Lies of P . Apples platforms arent going to be an avid gamers first stop still, but having high-profile games to supplement the many indie titles available helps round out the options for Apple users. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/control-ultimate-edition-is-out-for-the-iphone-and-ipad-150532940.html?src=rss

Heres to the stable ones: In praise of Tim Cook

Tim Cooks tenure as Apple CEO ends September 1 when he takes the role of executive chair. He will be replaced by John Ternus , a 25-year Apple veteran and head of its hardware engineering division. I get the sense Cooks professional obituaries will focus on his steady hand, execution success and lack of intra-company drama. All of those are virtues but I suspect the media, ever in love with a narrative of its own concoction, will use them as cudgels. Consider this an attempt to balance the record ahead of Cooks damning with the faintest of praise. Cook is quiet and private, making it easy to paint him as a bland managerialist who coasted on the success of the iPhone. In Ternus, Apple once again has a product guy at its helm, a term loaded with enough subtext to sink a battleship. You can feel the implication that its only product guys who have the vision, taste and knowledge to innovate. By extension, Cook was never a real nerd, but an empty finance guy that never understood what makes Apple tick. If theres one thing Silicon Valley loves more than money, its a mercurial genius upon whom they can rest their dreams. Figures with a capital-V vision who invent new product categories with a flick of a wrist, captains of industry who inspire awe and devotion. And making enough money that even a Rockefeller would start thinking gosh, thats a bit much. The Jobsian myth-making obscures his talents and minimizes the number of misses he had along the way. Jobs first tenure at Apple ended in failure and NeXT, for all its innovation, didnt survive as a standalone hardware maker. Many of his ideas were too big and ambitious to succeed and his refusal to compromise made them sink. His time in the wilderness made him a better manager, and a far better storyteller. But to suggest Jobs was gifted with Midas touch is wrong, since for all his vision and taste, he needed strong execution. Kimberly White via Getty Images It doesnt help that Jobs is the ur-example of Silicon Valleys tech genius founder which means so many there have never stopped looking for his successor. The title of the next Steve Jobs has been diluted to the point of meaninglessness at this point given the list of nominees. Those include Elizabeth Holmes , Elon Musk, Adam Neumann , Trevor Milton , Sam Altman and Travis Kalanick . Given that sort of company, Im sure Cook is delighted when people say hes no Steve Jobs. I suspect, in part, Cook was seen as a mere employee (derogatory) rather than a startup founder who built something himself. That obscures his success, first at IBM and Intelligent Electronics where he took up a COO role at 34. Even in an industry that treasures youth, I doubt these companies would elevate someone as young as Cook unless he was damn good. And when he got to Apple in 1998, his role was to make the wheels of the company turn. We may laud Jobs and Ive for dreaming up the products but, to quote Jobs himself, real artists ship. By that metric, Cook was the real artist. When Cook took over as Apple CEO, it was just weeks before Jobs passed away, in what must have been a very hard time. Holding the company together after such a shock while grieving for your own loss must have been an enormous challenge. And while Cook had Jobs army of lieutenants around him, it was upon Cook to actually lead that team. That he then took Apple to the outrageous success it is today is proof of his ability to actually make things happen. Think about how it was Cook that used Apples initial success to make good deals with manufacturers that wound up boxing out so many of its rivals. Im sure Cook lacks the taste and vision of a Jobs or an Ive, and instead relies upon the skill of his team. Im not sure why that would be painted as a bad thing given the roster of people Apple pays to have such taste. If Cook is lacking in taste, hes not lacking in humility, and clearly knows well enough to not meddle in things. Friends, thats not the sign of a bad leader, its the sign of a good one, who makes his team feel trusted, respected, and listened to. Think about how rapidly Cook democratized the Apple keynotes, making stars of many of its senior executives, rather than trying to put on a Steve Jobs tribute act. His tenure as CEO wasnt flawless: Hiring John Browett to replace Ron Johnson at Retail was an early error but one that Cook was smart enough to correct just six months later. The power struggles with Scott Forstall could be a miss given Ives instincts around user interface design . On the product front, we had the embarrassment of AirPower, the stop-start work on the Mac Pro and the muted rollout of the Vision Pro . The lack of proactive management of the App Store and the opacity of its workings counts as a big strike, too. Im sure well get some chatter about the Apple Car project from people who thought that was ever a good idea. As for the Trump Stuff(), I have some sympathy for Cook, who probably didnt expect to play diplomat when he took the job. His ties to the current administration have tainted his reputation, even if his engagement seems finely calibrated. As CEO of Apple, hes responsible for around 170,000 people and has legal obligations as the head of a public company. As much as he may wish to flick the bird at the Commander in Chief, he has to tread a fine line. And it will be for him to wrestle with his own conscience to decide if he did the right thing down the line. One of the pitfalls of a sustained period of success is that people lose sight of how things were in the bad old days. You can anticipate the editorials saying Cook failed on AI because he wisely avoided not launching head-first into a boondoggle. Failed on launching a new product category in the post-Jobs world, even though the Apple Watch and AirPods are, on their own, a bigger business than some major corporations. Failed by building a subscription and services business despite every single hardware company in the world doing the same thing. I'd say Cook's judgment was far better than anyone has given him credit for, and he's made plenty of earth-shattering changes of his own. Think about Apple Silicon and how it has upended the order of things in the chip world, almost inadvertently taking a wrecking ball to Intel's dominance. A technology transition that was so seamless, so undramatic, and yet with so many dividends, that the idea of Apple using other people's chips in its hardware feels like ancient history. To all of those people, Id say look look! with your own stupid eyes at the MacBook Neo. Look at a company that found a way to produce hardware like that , with performance like that , for that sort of price! The MacBook Neo is so good and so cheap that its made the rest of the consumer electronics industry look like incompetents. It may not be a shiny new gadget you can show off to the envy of your early adopter friends, but its going to make a meaningful difference for countless people. We can all agree that no kid is going to hang a poster of Tim Cook on their bedroom wall in the same way they might with Jobs, or even Musk. I dont think thats a bad thing, because Cooks legacy isnt in headlines or fawning biopics, its in a legacy of actually getting things done. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/heres-to-the-stable-ones-in-praise-of-tim-cook-144850435.html?src=rss

Xfinity Mobile now includes device protection and anytime phone upgrades

Cell phone plans can get exceedingly complicated, so Comcasts pitch for Xfinity Mobiles simplicity is rather appealing particularly at a time when everything is more expensive than ever. Today, the company is announcing two simple plans priced at $30 and $45 a month that have some serious perks for their prices. The $30 Mobile Select plan covers the main basics, including 50GB of premium full-speed data; Global Travel Pass to cover yourself when traveling in 215 different countries; and Xfinitys Wi-Fi PowerBoost. That latter feature takes advantage of Xfinitys wide network of Wi-Fi hotspots around the country. Your phone will automatically connect to those when youre out and about, and youll get priority speeds of up to 1 gigabit on those networks as well as at home. The $45 Mobile Plus plan adds some pretty significant perks. For starters, youll get unlimited premium data and 4K video streaming (the Select plan limits you to 720p). But more significantly, the Plus plan promises device upgrades at literally any time. At this point, most carriers offer ways to upgrade before the typical three-year device payment plan is up, but as someone who did that late last year, I can confirm that the constantly changing promotions around phone upgrades make it hard to know exactly what youll be eligible for. Comcast, however, says that Mobile Plus subscribers can literally upgrade their phone at any time. I asked how it would work if I was crazy enough to switch to a Galaxy S26 six months after getting an iPhone 17 Pro, and they said it would be no issue, regardless of how much I had beat up my iPhone. Im trying to figure out if theres a catch, but the companys representatives were very adamant about anytime upgrades being as uncomplicated as they said. Similarly, the Plus plan also includes lifetime device protection, another thing that most carriers charge separately for. This extends to any connected device on your plan like smartwatches or iPads in addition to your phone. If you need a replacement, just bring it in. Xfinity Mobile is still limited to people who subscribe to an Xfinity internet plan. But given Xfinity promises five-year price guarantees and even lets customers try a year of the Mobile Select plan for free (or the Plus plan for $15/month) so theres very little risk involved here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/xfinity-mobile-now-includes-device-protection-and-anytime-phone-upgrades-133511715.html?src=rss

BMW's new i7 xDrive EVs will offer longer range and faster charging

BMW just announced its 7-series lineup for 2027 promising the most extensive model update ever undertaken by the Bavarian automaker. The series includes a pair of i7 EVs, a plug-in hybrid, two ICE models and a V8-powered M model all running on BMW's Neue Klasse technology and flaunting all-new design language. BMW describes its updated luxury segment design language as monolithic, touting the minimalist crystal headlights and (divisive) light-up kidney Iconic Glow grille . The body form includes a new character line that lends an almost boat-tail-like aesthetic to the three-quarter view, according to the company. BMW also hyped its new Individual Dual-Finish paint that pairs a matte finish in the lower area of the vehicle with a manually-applied metallic finish in the upper section for a discrete but supremely elegant look. The 7-series offers some shiny new interior tech as well, with an extensive upgrade for its 31.3-inch 8K BMW Theater Screen that gives back seat passengers 8K streaming, gaming and Zoom calls. If you get BMW's Digital Premium package (which includes 5G data), you'll also gain access to a TiVo powered video app, select games and the BMW Drive Recorder that gathers exterior footage in case of an accident. Naturally, it includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard. The new lineup also offers special welcome and goodbye animations for when you approach and walk away from the vehicles, in Relaxed, Balanced and Excited modes. Part of that animation is the Ceremonial Light Carpet that projects a dynamic graphic light pattern onto the ground near the door. With two new i7 electric sedans the i7 50 xDrive and i7 60 xDrive BMW has far from given up on EVs. Both promise reduced sound levels thanks to their sound-isolated electric motors, along with instantaneous power delivery, passenger comfort and a luxurious ambience. BMW's new 7 series (the gas powered version) at Grand Central. The electric version were not allowed inside the terminal,. Sam Rutherford Both come with all-new cylindrical battery packs with 20 percent higher energy density and capacities up to 112.5 kWh. Combined with increased drive system efficiency, they'll power the BMW i7 60 xDrive up to an EPA-estimated 350 miles on a charge. You'll also be able to charge them quicker thanks to the higher 250 kW charging rate. The company claims they'll go from 10 to 80 percent in just 28 minutes with a compatible charger. The i7 50 xDrive's dual motors offer up to 449 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque, allowing acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds with a 130 mph top speed. The i7 60 xDrive, meanwhile, packs 536 hp and 549 lb-ft of torque for a 0 to 60 mph time of just 4.6 seconds and a top speed (electronically limited) of 149 mph. They'll also feature a new adaptive recuperation system that takes traffic lights into account and can automatically brake. Drivers can choose from high, medium or low brake energy recuperation, with the high setting offering a one-pedal feeling. BMW also introduced AI-powered charging optimized route planning to include charging stops if a destination is outside the vehicle's range. It can even precondition the battery to an ideal temperature to increase the charging rate as soon as the vehicle is plugged in. The i7 50 xDrive and i7 60 xDrive are debuting today at Auto China 2026 in Beijing and at a special New York City event at Grand Central Terminal. Production begins in July 2026 and they'll be priced starting at $106,200 and $124,700 (plus $1,550 destination and handling) respectively. BMW is also introducing the 750e xDrive PHEV arriving in 2027, which pairs a 308 hp six cylinder inline engine with a 194 hp electric motor for a combined peak 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. No electric-only range was specified, but the top speed on all-electric power will be limited to 87 mph. That model will start production in Q4 2026, with no price yet announced. Finally, BMW's 740 and 740 xDrive ICE vehicles will offer up to 394 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, offering sub-five second 0 to 60 mph sprint times and 155 mph top speeds. They'll arrive later this year at $99,800 and $102,800 respectively. All of the new 7-series models and drivetrain variants, including EVs, will be built on a single production line at BMW's Group Plant in Dingolfing. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/bmws-new-i7-xdrive-evs-will-offer-longer-range-and-faster-charging-131059423.html?src=rss

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book preview: A choose-your-own-adventure even adults can love

Yoshi's solo titles have always been a product of contrasts: lovingly crafted art styles belying somewhat thin gameplay meant to appeal to a younger audience. But after getting the chance to preview Yoshi and the Mysterious Book , it feels like Nintendo has created a cozy side-scroller that retains the accessibility of earlier titles while adding extra depth and replayability for gamers of all ages. As you'd expect from Nintendo's lovable green dino, Yoshi's moveset consists of familiar techniques like his signature ground pound, egg toss, extendable tongue and jumping flutter kicks, the latter of which now last longer than ever before. Seriously, if you get enough height, you can float across entire levels. However, one new mechanic is that Yoshi now also possesses a tail flick that allows him to toss certain enemies onto his back. Not only is this a nice twist after years of often being treated as a beast of burden by Mario and co., it also allows Yoshi to use whoever he's carrying to interact with other elements in the stage. By flicking a Crayzee Dayzee (one of the new flower characters) into his saddle, Yoshi can make plants bloom to earn stars and uncover secrets, for example. Instead of selecting a stage based on its location, in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book you choose new levels by picking which character you'd like to meet next. Nintendo Instead of simply remixing the gorgeous textile-inspired visuals we saw in Yoshi's Woolly World and Yoshi's Crafted World , Nintendo opted for a treatment that looks like a children's bedtime story. The game looks hand-drawn, while also featuring a cell-shaded effect that adds extra depth and impact to characters and backgrounds. Animations have a sort of hitch (which I initially mistook for a bug) that gives them a stop-motion effect, as if you're seeing the pages of a flipbook whiz by instead of frames being refreshed on a digital display. But the biggest change in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is that it's not a traditional side-scrolling format. In many ways, this title plays like a mix between an adventure game and a platformer. Instead of just running to the right as fast as possible, the game encourages you to explore, experiment, backtrack and see what kind of new hijinks Yoshi can discover. Don't do what I did and mindlessly run around and eat up every enemy you see, because there's a good chance they are more valuable alive instead of being turned into an egg. It's almost like Nintendo applied a similar approach to subverting expectations in Super Mario Bros. Wonder , but builds on that style of gameplay even more here. Now Yoshi is in control of who gets to ride on his back. Nintendo To really drive home the children's storybook conceit, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book gives you greater control over how you unlock and explore new levels. Instead of linearly moving from one stage to the next, you actually select stages by moving a magnifying glass over a new character, allowing you to learn who they are experientially. Collect enough stars from quests and you can decide where you'll go and who you'll meet next, while spending tokens found throughout each level allows you to reveal hints about how to find and complete specific objectives. Then, once you finish a stage, Mr E. (who is both the titular book and acts as the game's narrator), allows you to name each new character whatever you like. Instead of fighting, sometimes Yoshi just needs to help out Shy Guys by flicking them on his back and bringing them back home. Nintendo The one thing that may rub old-school sidescroller fans the wrong way though is that Yoshi doesn't take damage for all intents and purposes, he's invincible. This is great for kids because they don't need to worry about running out of lives or looking for coins to heal. But after playing through a couple of chapters, I found that the game can still be quite challenging the learning process is just a bit more forgiving. One objective required me to bounce off the heads of a series of Croakaokes (the chubby amphibians that make sounds when you jump on them) to the tune of Mary had a little lamb while trying to reach a high-up platform. If you play a note out of order or miss a jump, it's not game over, but you will need to start over from the bottom. And even without damage, enemies like Bunchabees will still chase you around and disrupt your adventuring if you try to ignore them. Croakaokes love to sing when Yoshi jumps on their head. Nintendo Yoshi's latest adventure might not be a super traditional side-scrolling platformer, but it offers a fresh take on the genre while also providing a new level of exploration and adventure for gamers of all ages. But I suppose the real test will be if it gets my own kid's seal of approval. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is available for pre-order now for the Switch 2 before official sales begin on May 21 ($70 for a physical copy or $60 for a digital download). This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/yoshi-and-the-mysterious-book-preview-a-choose-your-own-adventure-even-adults-can-love-130000507.html?src=rss

Anker's 'Thus' chip brings AI to its headphones and other products

Anker has announced its own chip that can give its small, wearable products AI capabilities that run locally on device. The company is planning to debut the chip called Thus on a new model of headphones, slated to be unveiled at its Anker Day event on May 21. Anker calls Thus the first Compute-in-Memory (CIM) AI audio chip with neural networks. The company explains that Thus is inspired by the workings of the human brain in that the storage and processing of information takes place in one location instead of keeping them separate, similar to how it works on modern chips for computers. Thus integrates computing power directly into NOR flash memory cells, which provide faster read speeds than NAND memory. A NOR-based CIM system requires only a tiny space inside devices, which makes it an ideal option for small products like headphones. Anker says headphones are a particularly challenging environment to demonstrate what a new chip can do, because hardly any other device places higher demands on an AI chip. They have a tiny space allotted for components and operate with just a few milliwatts of power, even though they have to consistently provide noise cancellation. If the model delivers, it could be a huge advertisement for Thus, which Anker plans to put in other mobile accessories and IoT devices, as well. While the company has yet to reveal all its upcoming headphones AI-powered capabilities, it did announce one particular feature. Clear Calls, as its called, will cancel noise with a large neural network running entirely on the device, supported by eight MEMS microphones and two bone conduction sensors. Anker says it will enable significantly clearer conversations even in environments that are challenging for conventional noise cancellation. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/ankers-thus-chip-brings-ai-to-its-headphones-and-other-products-122142552.html?src=rss

X finally adds custom timelines

Nikita Bier, Xs head of product, has announced the launch of custom timelines, which lets you curate what you see on your feed based on your topics of interest. He called the update one of the biggest changes to X and a huge undertaking that took the team many months to develop. The feature lets you pin specific topics to your home tab, so you can switch from one to the other to see the latest discussions about your interests and hobbies. Bier said that Xs custom timelines is powered by Grok's understanding of every post with the algorithm's personalization. You have 75 topics to choose from, including food, art, photography, business, finance, movies and TV. As youd expect, the personalization aspect of the feature works better if its a topic you already engage with regularly. Xs new feature is similar to Blueskys and Threads custom feeds, which also allow you to pin topic-based timelines to the home screens of the apps, and which their users have been enjoying since 2023 and 2024, respectively. At the moment, Xs custom timelines is still in its early access phase and is only available to Premium subscribers on iOS. It will be rolling out to Premium users on Android very soon, as well. Bier has also announced that X has released a tool to snooze topics on the For You tab. With the tool, youll be able to hide certain topics, such as politics or sports, for 24 hours from your feed. Its now available for Premium users on iOS and the web. Ladies and gentlemen, today we're launching one of our biggest changes to Introducing Custom Timelines This feature allows you to pin a specific topic to your home tab. With support for over 75 topics, you can dive deep into your favorite niche on X. It's powered by Grok's pic.twitter.com/9jkIEXvubj Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) April 21, 2026 This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-finally-adds-custom-timelines-103130966.html?src=rss

Anthropic is investigating 'unauthorized access' of its Mythos cybersecurity tool

Anthropic is investigating potential unauthorized access to its Claude Mythos model that has been touted for its ability to find cybersecurity flaws, the company told Bloomberg . A group gained access to the model through a third-party contractor portal and by using internet sleuthing tools, according to the report. However, the group is only interested in trying the models and not using them maliciously, according to a person familiar with the matter. We're investigating a report claiming unauthorized access to Claude Mythos Previous through one of our third-party vendor environments, Anthropic said in a statement. The Claude Mythos Preview arrived earlier this month as part of Project Glasswing with significant fanfare. Anthropic limited the preview release to a small number of trusted test companies including Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and Cisco. Another was Mozilla, which said the model helped it find and patch 271 Firefox vulnerabilities . A growing number of banks and government agencies have been seeking access as well in order to safeguard their own systems. However, several unauthorized users (who reportedly have a private chat on Discord), supposedly gained access to Mythos through a developer portal and by making an educated guess as to where the model might be located. That same group may also have access to other unreleased Anthropic models, according to the report. The new Mythos model has gained notoriety of late for its supposed ability to sniff out security flaws in operating systems and internet browsers. This has prompted some skepticism among security researchers but also fear that AI-generated cyber attacks could become a eal threat, CTO of cloud security firm Edera Alex Zenla recently told Wired . Anthropic was recently designated as a supply chain risk by the US Department of Defense, but has been in talks with the Trump administration of late to have that label removed. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-is-investigating-unauthorized-access-of-its-mythos-cybersecurity-tool-091017168.html?src=rss