Apple is reportedly working on more satellite features for iPhone

Your iPhone may soon be able to do more than call for emergency help and send messages via satellite, according to the latest Power On newsletter . Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman reported that Apple is planning to expand on satellite features available on iPhones. Apple introduced the ability to send and receive texts with the Messages via Satellite feature last year, but is reportedly looking to enhance this with the option to send photos too. Beyond texting, Apple wants to enable 5G NTN support on its iPhones, which allows cell towers to get a coverage boost by tapping into satellites, according to Gurman. For anyone who needs directions in a remote area without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection, Apple reportedly has plans to introduce satellite connectivity to Apple Maps . Along with these upgrades, Gurman reported that Apple is looking into natural usage improvements where users won't have to point their iPhones towards the sky to connect to a satellite network. Instead, an iPhone could stay connected even when there's no clear view of the sky, like in indoor environments. On the developer side of things, Gurman said that Apple is also working on an API that allows app makers to add satellite connections. There's no timeline for when these rumored satellite features will go live, but Apple previously waited a couple of years between introducing Emergency SOS via Satellite in 2022 and Messages via Satellite with the release of iOS 18. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-is-reportedly-working-on-more-satellite-features-for-iphone-172151203.html?src=rss

Black Friday Apple deals include the AirPods 4 for $90

Apple's AirPods 4 have dropped back down to a record low price in an early Black Friday deal on Amazon. If you aren't looking for active noise cancellation, the model without ANC is a steal at 30 percent off, bringing it down to just $90 from its usual price of $130. The ANC version is on sale too, for anyone not on as tight a budget. AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation are going for $150 right now, down from $180. The Apple AirPods 4 are the best budget AirPods you can get in 2025, with Apple's H2 audio chip to support some of the more advanced audio features from more expensive models. They offer Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and more. If you get the model without active noise cancellation, you won't have features like Transparency Mode and Conversation Awareness, or Apple's hearing health tools. But, the entry-level model still offers great sound quality for the price. This model also features the redesigned shape, which makes for a more comfortable and secure fit so you don't have to worry about them falling out of your ears. A force sensor on the stem allows for basic touch controls, including play and pause, play next track, previous track and answer a call. You can also summon Siri by pressing and holding the stem. With the ANC version, you also have access to Live Translation, which can be initiated by pressing and holding the stem on both AirPods simultaneously. You can expect to get up to 5 hours of battery life on a charge with the non-ANC model, and up to 30 hours using the USB-C charging case. On the other model with ANC active, that play time drops by about an hour. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-apple-deals-include-the-airpods-4-for-90-162917761.html?src=rss

Get half off our favorite budgeting app for Black Friday

Budgeting can be a stressful, challenging and uncomfortable experience. While it's completely possible to do it on your own, we've become fans of a few great budgeting apps. Take our favorite budgeting app Quicken , which is having a 50 percent off sale for Black Friday . The Quicken Simplifi app is down to $3 monthly from $6 monthly, adding up to $36 for the year. Quicken Classic , the company's original desktop software for experienced investors is also half off at $6 monthly, down from $12 monthly. The sale starts today and is available until Wednesday, December 3. One of the many things that sets Quicken Simplifi apart from its competitors is its sleek, easy to use interface. The setup is pretty straightforward and it allows for your spouse or financial advisor to act as co-manager of the account. It also clearly shows figures like net worth, recent spending, upcoming recurring payments and more. Plus, there's an option to say if you're expecting a refund. Quicken Simplifi unfortunately doesn't offer a free trial so testing it out with a discount means less money invested if it's not for you. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-half-off-our-favorite-budgeting-app-for-black-friday-140025864.html?src=rss

Black Friday deals for 2025 are here early: We found the best sales from Apple, Amazon, Lego, Dyson and more

Black Friday has become the time to buy the hottest tech of the year. Whether you're shopping for yourself or stocking up on gifts for the holidays, Black Friday deals are sure to bring the best prices of the year to things like headphones, game consoles, robot vacuums, phone accessories and everything in between. You don't even have to wait until Black Friday proper to save a ton of money. Over the past few years, we've seen Black Friday tech deals start earlier and earlier to the point where the entire month of November is packed with discounts. If you're on the hunt for solid tech deals, Engadget has you covered. We've collected the best Black Friday deals on tech you can get right now, and we'll continue to update this post as we get closer to the big day at the end of November. Note that you probably have the best chance of snagging record-low prices when we get to about one week before Thanksgiving, but these deals available now are worth considering. Black Friday deals to shop now Apple AirPods 4 for $90 (30 percent off): These are the most affordable AirPods you can get, and the latest model has been substantially improved over the previous. They have a better fit and noticeably better sound quality than their predecessor, plus some advanced features previously only found on pricer models. Apple AirTags (four pack) for $65 (34 percent off): iPhone users who frequently misplace things should invest in a few AirTags. Slip them into your wallet, bag, jacket and other belongings to keep track of their locations in the Find My app. Just make sure that, if you're going to attach one to your keys, you also pick up an AirTag holder to go along with it. Lego Disney advent calendar 2025 43253 for $31 (31 percent off): I probably don't need to tell you 'tis the season for advent calendars . Lego has a bunch , and this one in particular is on a good deal right now. Like most Lego advent calendars, this one includes a number of bricks and minifigs that, when put together, make a coherent, themed scene. Google TV Streamer 4K for $75 ($25 off): Our top pick for the best streaming device right now, the latest version of Google's streamer supports 4K video and an excellent, easy-to-use interface that will feel familiar to anyone who's seen a set with the Google TV technology built in. It provides access to all of the major streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube and more, plus it has a handy on-screen pop up that lets you control all compatible smart home devices right from your TV. Also available at Walmart . Apple Mac Mini M4 for $499 ($100 off): Desktop users looking for an upgrade should consider the latest Mac Mini, which runs on the M4 chip and 16GB of RAM as standard in the base configuration. This version has a smaller design that takes up less space, front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack, plus Thunderbolt 5 support. Apple Watch SE 3 for $200 ($50 off): The SE has been our top pick for the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and the latest model only solidifies that further. It has the same chipset found in the latest flagship Apple Watches, fast-charging capabilities, an always-on display and most of the same activity-tracking features you'll find in more expensive model. Apple iPad mini for $399 ($100 off): Apple's smallest tablet, the iPad mini is the best option for those who prefer their tablet be roughly the size of a paperback book. The latest model runs on the A17 Pro chipset and has an upgraded 128GB of storage in the base configuration. It also supports the Apple Pencil Pro. Jisulife Life 7 handheld fan for $25 (14 percent off): This handy little fan is a must-have if you life in a warm climate or have a tropical vacation planned anytime soon. It can be used as a table or handheld fan and even be worn around the neck so you don't have to hold it at all. Its 5,000 mAh battery allows it to last hours on a single charge, and the small display in the middle of the fan's blades show its remaining battery level. Leebin 2025 electric spin scrubber for $40 (43 percent off, Prime exclusive): This weird little scrubber makes cleaning my bathroom and shower much less of a pain. Just choose the brush head you need for your job and the rotating head takes care of most of the hard work. I love the adjustable handle, which extends from 12 to 50 inches so you can get into hard-to-reach places without breaking a sweat. Monarch Money budgeting app (one year) for $50 (50 percent off with code MONARCHVIP): One of our favorite budgeting apps , Monarch Money gives you a lot of control over the organization of your funds. There's a helpful goals feature for when you're planning out big purchases or financial milestones you want to hit, and we found the month-in-review recap it provides to be more thorough than other budgeting apps we tried. There's even Zillow integration for folks looking to buy a home. Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): I personally have this air fryer, one of our top picks , in my house and I've used it for over a year with no issues. I love that it makes good use of vertical space so it doesn't take up too much space on my counter, and its rounded-square shape allows me to cook more food than you'd think in one go in the basket. It crisps all kinds of foods up well and generally takes a lot of the guess work (and time) out of making a good meal. Bose QuietComfort headphones for $199 (43 percent off): These noise-cancelling headphones have a comfortable (albeit a bit boring) design, an Aware mode that lets you hear more of your surroundings when you need to and up to 24 hours of battery life. Also available at Best Buy . Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $500 (50 percent off): This is one of the best robot vacuums you can get, period. It doesn't have a self-emptying base, but its superior suction power almost makes up for that. It's one of the strongest robot vacuums I've ever tested, and it has excellent obstacle avoidance. The latter means you will rarely, if ever, have to attend to it getting caught on the edge of a carpet or getting stuck under a piece of furniture. If a cordless stick vacuum is what you're looking for, don't forget to check out all of the other Dyson Black Friday deals . EcoFlow Black Friday deals get up to 80 percent off: Portable power stations are an investment, but they can be crucial pieces of tech during emergencies. The top pick from our friends at Yahoo Tech has been heavily discounted in this early Black Friday sale. You can pick up the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 for $1,400 off, down to $2,299, or the power station with an extra battery bundled in for $2,699 off, down to $3,599. Black Friday FAQs When is Black Friday 2025? Black Friday 2025 lands on November 28. Which stores have Black Friday deals? Many physical retail stores have Black Friday deals including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others. Even more retailers have online Black Friday deals, including Amazon, GameStop, Costco and others. When do Black Friday sales start? Gone are the times when Black Friday sales were one-day-only affairs. Now, Black Friday deals are often available starting on Thanksgiving, or even earlier. Last year, we saw Black Friday deals online begin the week before Black Friday proper. When do Black Friday sales end? Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blended a lot over the past few years. Now, you can expect to see a good portion of Black Friday deals extend through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. It's not uncommon for Black Friday deals to expire at the end of Cyber Monday. Which retailers have the best Black Friday tech deals? The best Black Friday tech deals are typically available online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. It's also a good idea to check the store websites of the companies that make the products you want for example, if you're looking for a Sonos speaker, check the Sonos website on Black Friday. Most of the time, you'll find the best Black Friday tech deals are matched at multiple retailers. Does Apple have Black Friday sales? No, you will usually not find Black Friday sales at Apple stores or on Apple's website. However, you can find Black Friday deals on Apple devices elsewhere; we recommend checking Amazon, Best Buy and other big retailers for discounts on iPads, Apple Watches and more on Black Friday. Does Amazon have Black Friday sales? Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales. The online retailer's site will look similar to Prime Day on Black Friday, with discounts on all sorts of items from household essentials to fashion to tech. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deals-for-2025-are-here-early-we-found-the-best-sales-from-apple-amazon-lego-dyson-and-more-100052430.html?src=rss

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is $300 off in this early Black Friday deal

November is here, which means gift giving season is right around the corner, as is Black Friday . The latter, though, may feel like it's already here thanks to all the deals you can already get right now. A few of the best ones are on Google devices, namely the latest Google flagship smartphones. Take the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold , which has only been out since late August. It's now down to $1,499 from $1,799 a 17 percent discount. This deal is available at both Amazon and Best Buy , and seems to be the first big markdown on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Notably, this deal is on the 256GB model, but the 512GB and 1TB Pixel 10 Pro Folds are also $300 off. We gave the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold an 88 in our review , thanks to its improved durability, with an IP68 rating. It also has upgraded software and multitasking, along with Pixelsnap charging . Plus, we found it has the best cameras of any flexible phone. One of our biggest gripes is the price though this discount certainly helps. It's also quite a bulky device and can feel pretty heavy. Other Google phones are also on sale for Black Friday right now. The Pixel 10 Pro has dropped to a record low of $749, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL with a whopping 1TB of storage is also cheaper than ever at $1,249. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-google-pixel-10-pro-fold-is-300-off-in-this-early-black-friday-deal-123036348.html?src=rss

The Apple Watch SE 3 drops to $200 before Black Friday

The era of holiday shopping is coming and there are a lot of great tech gift options for loved ones or as a treat for yourself. That includes the new Apple Watch SE 3 , which you can snag for only $200 right now. We consider this to be the best budget Apple Watch , and arguably the best smartwatch for folks who have never owned one before. The latest version runs on the same chipset found in the new flagship models, and it has most of the same fitness and workout tracking features you'll find in those more expensive devices as well. The SE 3 also now has an always-on display, making it easier to glance down throughout the day to check the time or see activity stats without moving your wrist, and fast-charging support makes it a more viable sleep tracker. Just plop it down on its charger for a bit at the end of the day and put it back on to monitor your sleep overnight. Also discounted is the high-end Apple Watch Ultra 3 , which you can snag for $100 off. The sale model comes with 64GB of storage, a 49mm screen and GPS and cellular service. Notably, it's also only available with the one size, adjustable band and in two colors: a Black titanium case with Black Ocean band and a natural titanium Case with Anchor Blue Ocean band. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 came out in early September and is one of the first smartwatches to support satellite communications . This feature means you can call, send messages or share your location with emergency services through the watch even if you don't have a connection. The new Ultra 3 also has a larger screen thanks to thinner bezels and a battery that can last for up to 42 hours. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-se-3-drops-to-200-before-black-friday-133057187.html?src=rss

Proton VPN deal: Get 75 percent off two-year plans before Black Friday

Now is arguably the best time of year to sign up for a VPN, or gift a subscription to someone. Black Friday VPN deals are already available, with one of the best being on our favorite VPN overall. Proton VPN is offering two years of access to its VPN Plus tier for $59.76, which works out to $2.49 per month. That's a discount of 75 percent compared with the regular price of $10 per month. Overall, you'd save $180. Proton VPN is our pick for the best VPN overall because it checks all of the boxes it needs to. There is a free plan with unlimited data, but with that you can only connect to servers in a few countries and the connection might not be fast enough for you to watch anything from your preferred streaming service's library in that locale. The VPN Plus tier unlocks a lot more options, such as the ability to connect to 15,000 servers across more than 120 countries and simultaneous protection for up to 15 devices. The apps are well-designed Proton has clients for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android and it's easy to find a feature or setting you're looking for. In our testing, Proton VPN Plus had a relatively small impact on browsing speeds. Our download speeds dropped by 12 percent and uploads by 4 percent, while the global average ping remained below 300 ms (which is especially impressive if you're connecting to a server on the other side of the planet). Perhaps, most importantly, though, it's Proton's commitment to privacy that helps make its VPN an easy recommendation. There's a no-logs policy, meaning it does not log user activity or any identifiable characteristics of devices that connect to the VPN. Proton's servers use full-disk encryption to bolster privacy as well. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/proton-vpn-deal-get-75-percent-off-two-year-plans-before-black-friday-153737908.html?src=rss

Lego Black Friday deals: Get up to 40 percent off Star Wars and Disney sets with these early sales

Lego sets make popular gifts all year round, but now is the time when they're some of the most in-demand items you can get. They make great gifts for anyone who you know loves these little building bricks, kids and adults like. Black Friday Lego deals can make it easier for you to get all the sets you want for the holidays because you can typically save at least 20 percent on most sets you'll find. Yes, that often includes the most popular ones from the Star Wars, Super Mario, Harry Potter and other collections. If you're shopping online, don't forget to use a price tracker to make sure you're actually getting a good Lego deal before you buy. Below, we've collected the best Lego Black Friday deals we could find right now. You'll find Lego deals across the board this holiday season at retailers like Amazon and Walmart , but don't overlook Lego's own site . If you join the free Lego Insiders program, you'll build up points with each purchase that you can redeem in the future, get special discounts and sometimes get exclusive gifts when you buy. While not a deal, arguably the hottest Lego for Black Friday will be the brand new Star Trek USS Enterprise set , which was announced recently. It has a whopping 3,600 pieces and will be a must-have for any Star Trek fans. The set will be available starting November 28 for $400. Best Lego Black Friday deals LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2025 75418 for $27 (40 percent off) LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 43273 for $31 (32 percent off) Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2025 76456 for $39 (13 percent off) LEGO Star Wars Brick-Built Star Wars Logo 75407 for $48 (20 percent off) LEGO Star Wars Grogu with Hover Pram Building Toy Set 75403 for $65 (36 percent off) LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Collectable Model 75375 for $68 (20 percent off) LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 Building Toy Set 75379 for $80 (20 percent off) LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds 76419 for $136 (20 percent off) LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Magical Unicorn Toy 31140 for $7 (32 percent off) LEGO City Donut Truck Toy 60452 for $16 (20 percent off) LEGO Speed Champions 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) Race Car 76917 for $18 (28 percent off) LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants Building Toys 10349 for $20 (13 percent off) LEGO Botanicals Mini Orchid Building Set 10343 for $24 (20 percent off) LEGO Ideas Tuxedo Cat 21349 for $81 (19 percent off) LEGO Art Hokusai The Great Wave Framed Japanese Wall Art Building Set 31208 for $85 (15 percent off) This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/lego-black-friday-deals-get-up-to-40-percent-off-star-wars-and-disney-sets-with-these-early-sales-155007211.html?src=rss

MacBook Air deal: Apple's M4-powered laptop drops to a record-low price ahead of Black Friday

Now's a great time to pick up a new MacBook Air if you've been thinking about taking the plunge. Amazon has the M4-powered, 13-inch MacBook Air for a record-low price of $749 right now. The 25 percent discount applies to multiple colors, too. We ranked this as our favorite Apple laptop in our list of the best MacBook computers . Heck, it's even our very favorite laptop . Full stop. The performance is exceptionally snappy, thanks to the M4 chip. We appreciated the upgraded battery life, which now lasts for around 18 hours per charge. That's well beyond a full day of work. The design is lightweight, but sturdy. This has become a hallmark for modern MacBook Air computers. The screen is both gorgeous and roomy, even though it's technically just a 13-inch panel. There's support for the P3 wide color gamut and it can reach up to 500 nits of brightness. This is a near-perfect laptop, but there are a couple of nitpicks. There's no USB-C port on the right side, limiting how users can arrange accessories on a desk. Also, the screen is capped with a 60Hz refresh rate. Another potential complication is the looming specter of the M5 chip. The company has already released the MacBook Pro M5 , so a new MacBook Air is likely coming in the nearish future. (Read: sometime in early 2026). If you need more screen space, you'll find a similar discount on the 15-inch MacBook Air on Amazon, too. Most color options are $250 off and down to $949 for the base model (you guessed it another all-time low). This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/macbook-air-deal-apples-m4-powered-laptop-drops-to-a-record-low-price-ahead-of-black-friday-183808789.html?src=rss

Get up to 42 percent off portable power stations with these EcoFlow early Black Friday deals

The EcoFlow Black Friday sale is in full swing, knocking thousands of dollars off portable power stations and their accessories. One of the best discounts at the moment is on the Delta Pro 3 , which is 37 percent off and down to $2,299. That's the lowest we've seen it and, considering it typically costs $3,699, it's a great deal. Amazon's matching the sale price as well. The Delta Pro 3 topped Yahoo's list of the best portable power stations , and for very good reason. This thing is a beast. It boasts a 4,096Wh capacity, so it can power an average 500-watt refrigerator for over 24 hours. That's with continuous use. It can be stretched out to two or three days by only running the appliance during daylight hours. There's even a discounted bundle that includes an extra battery for $3,599 . It includes four standard 120V AC outlets and a single 240V outlet. It could potentially be a temporary hub of a whole-home battery backup. There are numerous charging options here, including a standard AC outlet, solar panels and, interestingly, a cigarette lighter. The only potential downside here is the Delta Pro 3 really pushes the boundaries of what can be considered portable. It weighs 113 pounds, though it does have wheels and a telescoping handle. The Delta Pro 3 is just one of the products on sale right now. The Delta Pro Ultra, which is intended as a whole-home backup , is down to $3,999 . This represents a savings of more than $2,000. Another Yahoo top pick, the Delta 2 Max , is $1,000 off and down to $899. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-up-to-42-percent-off-portable-power-stations-with-these-ecoflow-early-black-friday-deals-130041303.html?src=rss

How to stretch the clock on your lock screen in iOS 26

Apple has continued its trend of giving users more creative freedom over how their iPhones look and feel, and one of the most striking new customization options in iOS 26 is the ability to stretch the clock on your lock screen. The feature, part of Apples refreshed design language for iPhone software, allows the time to expand across more of the screen, giving it a bold, modern appearance. Whether you prefer the minimalist look of small numerals or the dramatic impact of an oversized clock, iOS 26 makes it easy to adjust your lock screen style to suit your taste. This new resizing option is officially referred to as adaptive time, and it transforms what used to be a static lock-screen element into something that feels more fluid and responsive. By dragging a simple on-screen handle, you can expand or shrink the size of the time display, creating a distinctive visual effect that gives your lock screen a fresh new personality. How to stretch your lock-screen clock To access the stretch option, start by waking your iPhone and remaining on the lock screen. Instead of unlocking the device, press and hold anywhere on the display to enter customization mode. This brings up a carousel of your saved lock screens, allowing you to edit the one thats currently active. Tap Customize, then choose the Lock Screen option to enter the editor. Once the editing screen appears, tap directly on the clock. This will bring up the familiar font and color panel introduced in earlier versions of iOS. To make the stretch feature available, the first font option (the default and leftmost style) must be selected. It should also be set to use the Arabic Western script. After confirming these settings, tap the clock again to close the font panel. If the wallpaper supports the feature, a small circular drag handle will appear in the lower-right corner of the clock. Touch and hold this handle, then drag it downward to stretch the clock. The digits will expand in real time as you move your finger. When youre happy with the size, release the handle. To save your changes, tap Done in the top-right corner of the screen. Exiting customization mode will reveal your new, enlarged clock on the lock screen. If the stretch feature doesnt appear, the issue is usually related to the font or wallpaper. Some wallpapers, particularly those with subjects that fill the upper portion of the frame, limit how much the clock can expand. If the image leaves little open space, iOS hides the handle to prevent the time from overlapping key parts of the photo. Switching to a simpler or more spacious wallpaper usually resolves this. Understanding the stretched clock feature In previous versions of iOS, the lock-screen clock was fixed in place. Regardless of the wallpaper used, its size and position remained the same. iOS 26 changes that by introducing a resize handle that appears on the bottom-right corner of the clock once the screen is in edit mode. When this handle is dragged downward, the digits expand, allowing the time to stretch dramatically toward the center of the screen. The feature works in both directions, meaning the clock can also be shrunk back to its previous size if the stretched look is too much for you. The stretched clock effect works best with the new Liquid Glass interface design Apple introduced in iOS 26. This approach blends the clocks font with the background, creating a subtle depth effect where the time appears to hover over the wallpaper. However, the resizing tool is not available on every setup. It only works when specific conditions are met, including the use of the default clock font and the standard Arabic Western script. If any other font or script is selected, the stretch handle will not appear. Cherlynn Low for Engadget Troubleshooting and limitations The stretch function in iOS 26 is a visual adjustment, not a full-scale redesign of the lock screen, and there are a few limitations to be aware of. It works only with the default clock font, and changing the typeface or script will remove the resize option entirely. Users who rely on different numeral styles or custom fonts wont see the handle appear. Similarly, widgets can interfere with resizing if they occupy too much space beneath the clock. Removing them temporarily can make it easier to adjust the clock size. Some users have reported that the stretch handle disappears after software updates or when certain Focus modes are active. However, restarting your iPhone or disabling those modes typically restores it. As this is a relatively new feature, Apple may still be refining how it behaves across different iPhone models and lock-screen setups. The visual impact of the stretched clock depends largely on your wallpaper. Minimal backgrounds with clean space at the top allow the time to expand without cluttering the screen. Complex or busy images tend to reduce the effect, as the clock will automatically adjust its transparency and positioning to stay readable. The stretched design looks particularly polished on wallpapers that match Apples new Liquid Glass aesthetic, where colors subtly blend through the numerals for a semi-transparent glow. Making the most of your stretched clock While the stretch feature is primarily cosmetic, it contributes to the broader trend of personalization across iOS. Apples lock-screen customization tools now include options for widgets, depth-aware wallpapers, color filters and dynamic animations, giving users more control than ever over their devices appearance. The stretched clock fits naturally into this toolkit, offering an easy way to change the entire mood of your lock screen in seconds. For users who prefer a bold, modern design, the larger clock size provides immediate impact and better visibility. Those who favor a more minimalist layout can keep it subtle by dragging the handle upward to restore the smaller, classic look. Whatever your preference, the process is reversible and quick, meaning you can experiment freely without losing your original layout. Apples focus with iOS 26 is clearly on personalization and polish. The stretched clock may seem like a small detail, but it captures the overall philosophy behind this update, blending design flexibility with simple, intuitive gestures. With just a few taps and a short drag, your iPhones lock screen can transform into something uniquely yours, whether thats a subtle enhancement or a bold statement across the display. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-stretch-the-clock-on-your-lock-screen-in-ios-26-130032926.html?src=rss

Dyson Black Friday deals: Early sales include up to $330 off cordless vacuums

Early Black Friday deals are starting to pop up across the web, and a great one to check out is at Dyson . While we still think you have the best shot to get the steepest discounts the closer to Black Friday we get, some of the discounts on Dyson's site right now are some of the best we've seen. One of those is $330 off the Dyson V9 Motorbar cordless vacuum , bringing it down to $270. Dyson devices are all over our list of the best cordless vacuums , and for good reason. The company makes effective products. The V9 Motorbar has been designed to clean all floor types, in addition to upholstery. It's also been engineered to squeeze into tight spots, which is great for hitting those oft-neglected parts of the home. The suction power is on point and the battery lasts for 40 minutes before requiring a charge. That's just enough time to vacuum a standard-sized home if you don't stop for too many breaks. The V9 is getting a bit long-in-the-tooth. If you want a newer model, the V11 Extra is on sale for $400 , which is a discount of $260. This one boosts the suction power and increases the battery life to 60 minutes. The early Black Friday sale isn't just for cordless vacuums. The 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum is on sale right now for $500 , which is a massive discount of $500. This is one of our favorite robot vacuums , primarily because of its incredible suction power. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/dyson-black-friday-deals-early-sales-include-up-to-330-off-cordless-vacuums-173533457.html?src=rss

Steam store pages get a mini makeover to better suit wide screens

Store pages on Steam are looking a lot less cramped thanks to a new update. Pages have been made wider, with support for higher resolution images and new viewing modes for trailers and screenshots. You'll notice changes in the top carousel and in the About the Game section, where some new formatting options should make things look a bit more organized. The update just rolled out to the public after first being tested among beta users. With this update, pages have been widened to 1200 pixels, which Valve says felt like a good balance where we can show more content on screen without overwhelming the page and making it hard to navigate. There's now the option of a large pop-up view called theater mode in the carousel, as well as full-screen mode. In addition to games' store pages, Valve has slightly tweaked the appearance of search results and recommendation pages to be wider, and made store hubs, Steam Charts and the News Hub look more uniform. You may also notice some more colorful backgrounds on games' store pages and in bundle detail pages. Where you won't see changes yet, though, is the homepage. While Valve says it's working on similar adjustments for the homepage, those aren't rolling out with this update. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/steam-store-pages-get-a-mini-makeover-to-better-suit-wide-screens-200142506.html?src=rss

The Google TV Streamer 4K hits a record-low price before Black Friday

If you'd rather not spend the money on a brand new TV this year, you can make an old set feel new again with a streaming device. Our favorite streaming device is on sale right now ahead of Black Friday: you can grab the Google TV Streamer 4K for only $75, which is the lowest price we've seen so far. The Amazon deal applies to both color options, White and the soft gray Haze. The Google TV Streamer is our top pick for an all-in-one streaming device . It has a faster processor than Google's previous streaming devices (22 percent faster, according to the company), so you can switch between apps and different media without lagging. It also has more storage and memory, at 32GB and 4GB, respectively. Google TV streamer has an intuitive interface and keeps all of your favorite content from different streaming apps organized in one menu. It also seamlessly integrates Google Home, allowing you to control your smart home devices from a slideout panel on the TV. The 4K streamer comes in a set-top wedge design, rather than the dongle of Chromecasts past, but you'll have to pick up an HDMI cable separately if you don't already have one you can use. It comes with a small remote that you can ping by pressing a button on the streamer for when you inevitably misplace it. In her review of the device , Engadget's Amy Skorheim called the Google TV streamer a full-featured, competent device with an interface thats better than most at pulling together all the disparate threads of a streaming experience. One of its only downsides is the relatively high cost at $100, so don't let this deal go to waste. In addition to the streaming device, Google has a bunch of other tech on sale for Black Friday . The entry-level Nest thermostat is on sale for $90 right now, and the Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E router has dropped to $120 for a single-pack; that's 40 percent off. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-google-tv-streamer-4k-hits-a-record-low-price-before-black-friday-173858462.html?src=rss

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

For many folks, working from home is simply the new normal. If youre looking to treat someone who spends most of their time in the home office, this holiday season is as good a time as any to make their daily routine a little more convenient. As a collection of remote workers ourselves, we at Engadget have rounded up a few gift ideas that should add a bit more delight to the WFH life. Best gifts for remote workers Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-22-best-gift-ideas-for-the-remote-worker-in-your-life-140037336.html?src=rss

Get 50 percent off Headspace annual subscriptions in this Black Friday deal

Meditation app Headspace is bringing back one of its biggest annual deals this Black Friday. Through December 4, youll be able to get 50 percent off the regular annual subscription price, bringing a full year of guided meditations, sleep sounds and mindfulness tools down to $35 per year. If youve been looking to build a better daily routine, this discount makes it easier to start. Headspace has become one of the most recognizable names in digital mindfulness. The app blends practical meditation guidance with structured courses and calming soundscapes designed to make everyday stress easier to manage. Its programs cover everything from beginner-friendly introductions to mindfulness to focused content on topics like anxiety, productivity and sleep. Subscribers get access to hundreds of guided sessions led by the Headspace team, including short daily practices that can be completed in a few spare minutes, plus longer courses that help build consistency. The apps Sleepcasts and soundscapes are unique, designed to create a steady nighttime routine that promotes better rest. For mornings, there are breathing exercises and motivational mini-sessions that can help set focus for the day ahead. Headspace also includes personalized progress tracking, mood check-ins and optional reminders that make it easier to stay consistent with your new mindfulness habits. For anyone new to meditation, the apps clear structure is a major strength. You dont have to know where to start, since it suggests sessions based on your goals or current mood. This annual deal is ideal for users who want to stick with mindfulness practice over time, or anyone interested in incorporating a new habit into their lives. Paying for the year upfront typically saves money compared with the monthly plan, and the discount brings that cost down even further. Whether youre learning the basics of meditation or refining an existing routine, the full library provides enough variety to keep things engaging throughout the year. If youre still comparing wellness apps, check out our guide to the best meditation apps to see how Headspace stacks up against other options. But for those ready to commit to a calmer routine, this annual offer is one of the simplest ways to start the habit at a lower cost. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-50-percent-off-headspace-annual-subscriptions-in-this-black-friday-deal-163051169.html?src=rss

12 steps you can take right now to be safer online

There's a fundamental question you can ask of both the internet and real life: How do I enjoy my time here without taking unnecessary risks? In grass-touching meatspace, you can cut out processed foods, carry pepper spray and avoid skydiving without a partner. But the best methods for staying safe online aren't as intuitive. The internet is a massive town square where people are constantly bellowing deeply personal facts about themselves. It's no surprise that it's become a breeding ground for scams, theft and other criminal activity. Given the breadth of dangers, it may feel easier to throw up your hands and say that whatever happens will happen. I'm here to tell you, though, that cybersecurity doesn't have to be complex, difficult or time-consuming. You don't need to be a hacker to foil a hacker you only have to take advantage of simple tips and free apps designed to make you safer online. Whether you commit to all 12 detailed here or only focus on one, you'll be much more secure for it. 1. Install security updates immediately One of the most important things you can do to ensure your digital security is to install all software updates as soon as they become available on your devices. When you see the notification, don't wait train yourself to download the update immediately. Not all software updates are about security, but the ones that are form your best line of defense against technical hacks. When developers discover a flaw that can be exploited, they ship an update to fix it. By the time the flaw gets patched, chances are very high that hackers also know about it, so any time lost means you could be the next to get exploited. As you go down this list, you'll learn that cybersecurity threats are less technical than you think. To counter the ones that are, however, there's nothing more important you can do than install security updates. 2. Use strong passwords Weak, easily guessed passwords are one of the most frequent causes of data breaches and malware attacks. If a password is one of the ten or so most common, an attacker may be able to guess it with no other information. If it's connected to you your birthday, say, or mother's maiden name it may be guessable from information anyone can look up online. Even if your password is a random string of characters, it might still be guessable if it's too short. Hackers can use programs to guess all possible combinations and try each one on a target account. The longer a password is, the more exponentially difficult it is to guess. SEAN GLADWELL via Getty Images That means you need passwords that are both long and meaningless to you. You might rightly complain that these are bastards to remember, but you're in luck: password managers can do that for you. A password manager app or browser extension can create passwords when you need them, store them securely and fill them in automatically. All you have to remember is the one master password that unlocks all the others. 3. Set up two-factor authentication Even the strongest password might get revealed through no fault of your own, like if it's stored without encryption and leaked in a data breach. That's why it helps to have two-factor authentication (2FA), also known as multi-factor authentication (MFA), as a second secure layer on every account. You probably already know 2FA as the irritating extra step that makes you go get your phone but that's not the only way to do it. Many apps, including Google and Apple, now let you log in through passkeys . These not only don't require you to enter a code or password, but use asymmetric encryption, sharing credentials between your device and the service that runs the passkeys. It's a lot quicker for you, and leaves nothing to steal. 4. Back everything up Ransomware and its cousins are a growth industry within the cybercrime economy. These attacks corrupt your files or lock you out of them until you pay a fee to get them back. The easiest way to foil a ransomware attack, or to clear any other kind of malware off a device, is to restore the entire system from the most recent backup. To make sure you actually have a backup, experts recommend the 3-2-1 rule: three different backups, on two different types of storage, with at least one physically distant from the main system. For example, you could have one backup on another device in your house, one in the cloud and one on a portable hard drive. Automatic backup services can save disk images for you at set intervals so you don't have to remember to do it yourself. 5. Learn to spot social engineering Despite all the technobabble flying around the cybersecurity world, a great many scams and hacks are accomplished through methods a 19th-century con artist would recognize. Scammers pose as experts or authority figures to gain your trust, and use frightening language to bypass your critical thinking. Ticking clocks, emotional manipulation and fake identities are all in the toolbox. Alex Cristi via Getty Images Take phishing, in which hackers trick you into giving up your information willingly. A typical phishing email might pose as a bank, credit bureau or other authoritative service. In red letters, it may demand your bank password or social security number to immediately fix an irregularity with your account. Other common approaches include warning you about speeding tickets you never incurred or sending receipts for subscriptions you never bought. Social engineering attacks are constantly evolving, but they often fall back on the same strategies. The best way to foil them is to take a deep breath every time you receive a frightening email or text message, then research it in detail: look up the email address, check the visual design to make sure the sender is who they claim to be, and ask yourself if there's any way the message could be true. I highly recommend working through this phishing quiz it's tough, but fair, and extremely educational. 6. Always check links before clicking This is a companion to the previous tip. Social engineering scams don't always try to get you to give up information yourself. They also get you to click on links that put secret malware on your device like keyloggers that watch you type your passwords or ransomware programs that corrupt your files. If you're ever not sure about an email attachment or a link you're being asked to click, copy the link (without opening it) and paste it into a URL checker like this one from NordVPN . These free tools can tell you if a link is associated with any known malware domains. Sam Chapman for Engadget You can also mouse over any link, then look at the bottom-left of your browser to see what URL it will take you to. If an email is from your bank, any links within it should go to your bank's website. If it's going anywhere else, especially to an unidentifiable string of characters, be suspicious. 7. Don't overshare Over the last two decades, lots of us have gotten into the habit of dumping all sorts of personal information on social media. This trend has supercharged the scam economy. It may seem harmless to broadcast the names of your kids or the dates you'll be on vacation, but every piece of data you put into the world makes it easier for a stranger to get hooks into you. For example, grandparent scams are on the rise right now. Grifters contact a target, usually a senior, pretending to be their grandchild. They'll claim to be in a crisis and need money fast. The more information they have on their target, the more convincing their tale of woe will be. Social media is a prime place to study a potential victim. Oversharing can also be a compounding problem. If you use weak passwords, your public information can be used to guess your credentials or answer your security questions. So, if you don't have a password manager yet, think twice before you engage with that quiz post on Facebook that asks for the name of your childhood pet. 8. Use a VPN I'm a big booster of virtual private networks (VPNs), but it's important to be realistic about what they can and can't do. Even the best VPNs aren't total cybersecurity solutions you can't just set one and assume you're safe forever. A VPN can't protect you if you use easily guessed passwords, for example, or click on a malware link. It's about hiding your identity, not making you invulnerable. So what can a VPN do? In short, it replaces your IP address (a fingerprint that identifies you online) with another IP address, belonging to a server owned by the VPN. The VPN server does business with the internet on your behalf, while its conversations with your device are encrypted so it can't be traced back to you. Sam Chapman for Engadget This means no third party can connect your online actions with your real-world identity. Nobody will be harvesting data on the websites you visit to sell to advertisers, nor building a file on you that an unscrupulous government might misuse. VPNs also protect you from fake public Wi-Fi networks set up by cybercriminals even if a hacker tricks you with a man-in-the-middle attack, they can't do much without your real IP address. Many top VPNs, including my top pick Proton VPN , include ad blockers that can also keep cookies and tracking pixels from latching onto you. So, even if a VPN can't do everything, you'll be far safer and more private with one than without one. If you dont want to pay for a new subscription right now, I've also compiled a list of the best free VPNs that are actually safe to use. 9. Run regular virus scans The most important time to look for malware is when you're downloading a file from the internet. Not only can unwanted apps hitch rides on seemingly safe files, but links can start downloads in secret, even if you don't think they're meant to be downloading anything. A solid antivirus program can catch malware as it arrives on your system, and if it's uncertain, can lock suspicious files in quarantine until it knows whether they're safe or not. Dedicated antivirus apps are sometimes even capable of catching malware that hasn't been seen or used yet. AV software uses machine learning to identify the common patterns of malware, filtering out new viruses that behave like old ones. But what about malware that's already gotten through the perimeter? An antivirus app can also check your computer at set intervals in search of unwanted apps, including those that might be masquerading as system files. Windows computers now come pre-installed with Windows Defender, which is enough to handle most of these tasks, but I recommend at least one anti-malware program on any device. 10. Use email maskers and private search engines If you're concerned about your information being misused or mishandled, remember that the less you put out into the world, the less danger you're in. Keeping your private data off social media is one important step, but there are other ways your data gets disseminated and other options for responding. For example, you often need an email address to sign up for an online account. If you use your real email, your contact information is now floating around online, increasing the chance of someone using it to scam you (or at least adding you to mailing lists you never signed up for). To stay safe, use an email masker. These services give you a fake email address you can use to create accounts, which automatically forwards messages to your real address. Sam Chapman for Engadget Search engines, especially Google, are also notorious for building profiles on users by watching the terms they search for. You can dodge that by switching to a private search engine like DuckDuckGo , which doesn't track anything you do it's funded by non-targeted ad sales on its search results pages, not by selling your data to brokers. 11. Use a data removal service Speaking of data brokers: unfortunately, if you've been on the internet at any point in the last 10 years without taking intense precautions, your data is probably in the hands of at least one business that makes money by hoarding and selling it. These data brokers range from public-facing, people-search sites to private backend dealers. Data brokers are poorly regulated and lax about safety. The longer one has your personal information, the more likely it is to leak. The good news is that most brokers (though not all of them) are legally required to delete your data if you ask them to. However, there are a lot of data brokers out there, and they really want to keep your data. Each one makes opting out harder than uninstalling a Norton product and hundreds of them may have files on you. To make the process easier, you can use a data removal service like DeleteMe or Surfshark VPN's partner service Incogni. 12. Practice physical security Let's close out the list by getting a little old school. I've already discussed how many online scams depend on classic con artistry to work. By the same token, physical infiltration and smash-and-grab tactics still pose a threat to cybersecurity. It doesn't take too much imagination to see how this could work. If you leave your laptop or phone unattended in public, for example, someone might insert a flash drive that loads malware onto the system. In one illustrative case, a thief in the Minneapolis area would loiter in bars, watch people unlock their phones, then steal those phones and unlock them himself. I'm not saying you need to be paranoid every second you're in public. Just use the same level of caution you'd use to protect your car. Lock your phone with a biometric key so only you can open it, and make sure not to leave any device lying around if it can access your online accounts. And at work, be careful not to let anyone into a secure area if they don't have the proper credentials. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/12-steps-you-can-take-right-now-to-be-safer-online-130008335.html?src=rss

Halo Infinite will get its last major content update on November 18

The next major update for Halo Infinite will also be its last. Halo Studios, which is part of Microsofts Xbox Game Studios, has announced that its rolling out Operation: Infinite on November 18. Its going to be the last major update for the first-person shooter, because the whole team will now be focusing on the multiple Halo titles under development. Xbox previously announced that its releasing Halo: Campaign Evolved , a remake of the first game in the franchise, Halo: Combat Evolved , sometime in 2026. It will be available for the Xbox, PC and PS5. According to unverified reports , Halo Studios is also working on a new multiplayer live service project similar to Fortnite . Operation: Infinite will double the earning rate for Career Rank and Spartan Points. The final free Operation Pass will have no expiration date and will unlock three new armor sets. Upgrading to the 100-tier Premium Pass will give players the chance to unlock five more unique armor sets, six weapon models and over 30 exclusive Spartan customizations. The last major update will also add a new asymmetrical map for select Ranked modes. While Operation: Infinite is the games last major update, Halo Infinite will still have a rotating selection of daily and weekly challenges, as well as a new slate of Ranked Seasons for those who want to keep playing it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/halo-infinite-will-get-its-last-major-content-update-on-november-18-130000955.html?src=rss

A Pizza Delivery is a dreamy indie adventure that tests your will to press on

Nothing brings people together in uncertain times quite like food. Get to talking and laughing and reminiscing over a meal, and suddenly things don't seem so bleak anymore, even if only temporarily. A Pizza Delivery is all about rediscovering the spark through these little moments of human connection just strangers bonding over a slice of pizza, and regaining a bit of hope in the process. It's wistful and heartfelt in a kind of vague, nonspecific way, with some beautiful scenery and an atmospheric soundtrack to really hammer home the vibes. Still, while A Pizza Delivery feels close to achieving its goals, it could use more polishing to fully get there. It's not a bad way to spend a couple of hours on a cozy evening in, but you'll have to look past the parts where it's a little broken. A Pizza Delivery begins with its main character, B, delivering a pizza to an apartment in a strange building in the middle of nowhere. Then a pay phone outside rings, and B's boss tells her there's just one last delivery she has to make. But, there's a spare pizza pie in her scooter's cargo box too, to share slices with anyone else she comes across during the journey. The place B has found herself in is not normal reality, but a space where people go when they are stuck in life, feeling empty and unfulfilled. Each area seems its own wholly distinct little world: an empty city, a broken down factory that sits beneath dancing auroras, a prairie where a sole cottage stands among a smattering of sunflowers. You must explore the ins and outs of each area to help get B to her final destination and piece together her story, collecting items and solving some light puzzles to unlock whatever comes next. What this game really has going for it is the mood. There's a kind of Wristcutters: A Love Story feeling to the whole thing that I couldn't help but latch onto. The offbeat, crestfallen characters you encounter each have their own sad story to tell, but after a bit of conversation and a slice of pizza, they're off to (hopefully) make a fresh start and reclaim their lives. The general sense is that B will have the same opportunity if she can push through and complete her mission. And we did get there in the end, but there were some serious hiccups along the way. Controlling B's scooter is a somewhat clunky experience, and if you make the mistake of dismounting while it's still moving, B will end up stuck in a cursed, floating arabesque that won't let up for an indeterminable amount of time. I found myself repeatedly trapped in this broken position when trying to switch from riding the scooter to walking. The alternative is to come to a full stop and wait out the subsequent animation, which involves B very slowly parking and engaging the kickstand. A still from A Pizza Delivery showing a blizzard scene, with the character seen trudging through low visibility toward the red light of a pay phone Dolores Entertainment Most of the puzzles were fairly easy to figure out, but one in which B has to trudge through a blizzard seemed to have no rhyme or reason behind it and almost made me rage-quit the game. Instead, I stepped away for a few hours and came back to it later, and only made it out after an extremely frustrating 45 minutes or so of wandering aimlessly, repeatedly going out of bounds and getting kicked back to the start of the area. Early in the game, you pick up a compass that would seem to be the solution to this puzzle, as the instructions are all direction-based. But, you can't actually use the compass, and trying to navigate based on the way it's oriented in your inventory doesn't help. B's story didn't entirely come together for me like I hoped either. Even after collecting all of the memory items, her background felt incomplete. I found myself wishing I knew more about her and what got her to this place once she was finally on her way to leaving it. But I don't regret sticking it out. The ending was ultimately a touching reward and pretty darn uplifting. A Pizza Delivery is available now for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-pizza-delivery-is-a-dreamy-indie-adventure-that-tests-your-will-to-press-on-130000842.html?src=rss

Get 50 percent off one of our favorite budgeting apps before Black Friday

Those looking for a better way to keep track of their finances should consider a budgeting app . There are dozens of them on the market now, and one of our favorites is running a discount for new subscribers. Monarch Money is offering 50 percent off annual plans right now when you use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout. With the typical yearly price being $100, this will save you $50. As mentioned before, the discount is only for new users and it can't be combined with other offers. The code only works when you sign up through the web as well. You can't redeem it through the Monarch mobile app. We feel that Monarch has a steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers and that certain aspects of the app are slightly more complex than they probably need to be. But it offers a great deal of customization and granularity , which outweighs our misgivings. On the main dashboard, you'll see your net worth along with your latest transactions, spending versus the previous month, your income so far for the month and details about upcoming bills, your investments and goals you've set. There's also a link to a month-in-review page, which offers an in-depth overview of what's been happening with your money that month. You'll also be able to take a peek at how your net worth has changed over time. Monarch can connect to your bank and track Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings accounts. It can pull in your transactions and balance history automatically and detect your recurring expenses and income. The app can even keep your car valuation up to date. While it might take a little work to set up Monarch (and you might have to tweak things here and there), it's a detailed budgeting app that can help you keep better track of your income, expenditure and net worth. If you're a former Mint user (RIP), Monarch Money is a great alternative if you haven't yet found a Mint replacement . But it's worth mentioning that our favorite Mint replacement service, Quicken Simplifi , also has a sale going on right now. It's offering 50 percent off when you sign up for an annual subscription, billed at $3 per month with the discount. That comes out to $36 for the first year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-50-percent-off-one-of-our-favorite-budgeting-apps-before-black-friday-174011805.html?src=rss

Ports-a-plenty, a zen garden creator and other new indie games worth checking out

Welcome to our latest roundup of what's going on in the indie game space. This week saw the arrival of some fairly high-profile ports, a relaxing garden creation game and much more. I've even managed to tear myself away from Football Manager 26 for long enough to tell you about some of them. Barely a week goes by without a fun theme event taking place on Steam and one that runs until November 10 is also going down on the Nintendo eShop . The Metroidvania Fusion Festival is a celebration of what else? the broad spectrum of Metroidvania games. It features 245 projects, including upcoming games and demos, and a sale with discounts of up to 90 percent. I've grabbed a few demos to check out this weekend, including Key Fairy (a pacifist bullet-hell game that sees you grappling and dancing your way around enemies), Echo Weaver (a time-loop puzzler that I've mentioned before ) and 2D platformer Little Ghost , in which you explore a mixed media world as a cute specter. In terms of deals, Blasphemous is 75 percent off, Blasphemous II is half off, 2D action game Gunbrella (which I've had on my wishlist for years) is 65 percent off and body horror delight Carrion is 22 percent off. I can wholeheartedly recommend Turbo Kid , a quasi-sequel to one of my favorite films of the same name. That's 35 percent off in this sale. Elsewhere this week, I read a solid profile of developer Lente Cuenen in the The New York Times . Cuenen is the developer of Spilled! , a relaxing waterway cleanup game I've been meaning to check out for a while. The piece is an intriguing look into the life of Cuenen, who makes games about boats while living on her boat in the Netherlands. New releases A couple of notable indies made the leap onto Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 this week, including 1000xResist . This narrative-driven sci-fi adventure from Sunset Visitor and publisher Fellow Traveller Games earned widespread acclaim when it debuted on Steam and Nintendo Switch last year, particularly for its storytelling, visuals and how it explores various themes. It won a Peabody Award too. I have yet to dive into 1000xResist , even though it's been on my PC and Steam Deck for months. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players now have the chance to jump in as well. What's more, 1000xResist is on Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. A little over a year after releasing the full version of the Satisfactory on PC, Coffee Stain Studios and Coffee Stain Publishing have brought the multi-million-selling factory builder to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S . You can play solo or with friends as you construct factories on an alien planet. You'll explore the planet to find resources and maybe even engage in a little combat. In general, both critics and players have rated Satisfactory highly. Some might say its more than satisfactory. Pools was one of my favorite games of last year. It's a disquieting walking simulator, an eerie journey through a liminal space. I could almost smell the chlorine as I explored the mazy swimming pool-inspired environments. It's more eerie than downright scary. Developer Tensori brought the experience to iPhone, iPad and Mac this week. The iPad version also works on Apple Vision Pro. To that end, a virtual reality version of Pools is coming to PS VR2 on November 25. You'll be able to check it out in flatscreen on PS5 on the same day. Thrasher is the latest title from Brian Gibson, the artist and composer of the intense rhythm game Thumper (and also the bassist for the noise rock band Lightning Bolt). The arcade action game debuted on Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro last year. It made the leap to Steam (and SteamVR) this week, so you can now play it on a flatscreen for the first time. Thrasher is a very trippy-looking game from developer Puddle and publisher Creature Label. It seems like quite the wild ride and it was named Apple's Vision Pro game of the year for 2024. For what its worth. the team behind Thrasher says that the game runs at 90 fps on Steam Deck. Here's a completely different change of pace. Dream Garden is all about creating a relaxing garden space for yourself. You can use hills, rivers, ponds and pebbles to shape the landscape, then add decorations. With the rake tool, you can trace patterns in the sand. There are no limits or timers in this Japanese-inspired game from the duo at Campfire Studio. Dream Garden is out now on Steam . The Falconeer first took flight five years ago it was an Xbox Series X/S launch title , fact fans. A new edition for Steam called The Falconeer: Revolution Remaster is a complete rework, as solo developer Tomas Sala rebuilt the game from the ground up. It features new tech, overhauled and expanded environments, gameplay upgrades and all of the previous DLC. I'm glad to hear that Sala has improved the flight mechanics. I found it a bit tough to get to grips with the aerial combat when I played The Falconeer back in 2020, but I enjoyed it otherwise. The remastered version (which looks much grander in scope than the original game) is available as a free upgrade for existing owners on Steam . Everyone else can hop in for free until 1PM ET on November 10. While the remaster is now the default option, you'll still be able to access the original version of The Falconeer via a dedicated Steam branch, Hooray for game preservation! Upcoming It wouldn't be an edition of our weekly indie roundup without a dog game, would it? You can play Sheepherds! solo, but Ultimo Disco primarily designed it as a party game for couch co-op or online multiplayer. It is, as the name suggests, a sheepherding game in which you'll corral flocks of sheep to shear their wool. You can earn cosmetic items and outfits for your pooch, and bump up the difficulty with optional challenges if you like. Sheepherds! is coming to Steam on November 17. We're big fans of the Playdate around these parts and it's always fun to learn about new games that are coming to the wonderful little handheld. Panic held a showcase this week to shine a spotlight on some upcoming games, as well as others included in the fall sale that runs until November 13. Fauna is Cadin Batrack's follow up to Playdate comics The Botanist and To Dust . It's choose-your-own-adventure visual novel with a branching narrative, this time set in a near future in which large language models have advanced to the point where humans can talk to animals. The animals use their newfound communication skills to seek equal rights. Fauna seems pretty interesting! It's coming to Playdate soon . Zachary Snyder's Diora is a puzzle adventure that tasks you with discovering a mysterious force that is manipulating structures and the people around them. At first glance, it reminds me a bit of Fez and the Monument Valley series. Diora will hit Playdate on December 16. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ports-a-plenty-a-zen-garden-creator-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-120000091.html?src=rss

The Lisbon Airport is turning away private jets inbound for the Web Summit

Startup founders and government officials have been confronted with a unique flavor of first-world problem at this year's Web Summit , Financial Times reports . The Lisbon Airport has been forced to turn some private jets away, sending flights to seek runway space at airports as far away as Badajoz, a Spanish city two hours away from Lisbon. The issue might come with the territory. Web Summit is a technology business conference that tends to attract investors, startups and high-profile keynote speakers this year's conference features talks from the CEO of Qualcomm and the President of Microsoft, for example many of whom prefer to fly private. That poses a problem for the Lisbon Airport. Please be advised that there is currently a shortage of private jet slots during Web Summit at Lisbon Airport (LIS) and surrounding smaller airports, Web Summit organizers reportedly told attendees. Lisbon Airport is experiencing difficulty managing the volume of traffic, resulting in a lack of available take-off and landing slots for all operations. FT writes that this kind of airport bottleneck is a first for the conference, and likely caused as much by a growing predilection for private jets as it is the larger number of attendees at this year's Web Summit. Setting aside the environmental impact of flying private, you'd think all those brilliant minds could come up with some kind of solution beyond flying further away and driving into Portugal. Maybe a jet that hundreds of people can charter at once? This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-lisbon-airport-is-turning-away-private-jets-inbound-for-the-web-summit-222136161.html?src=rss

Bioware says next Mass Effect is still in development despite turmoil at EA

Development on the next Mass Effect is still underway, Mass Effect executive producer Mike Gamble confirmed in a blog post celebrating the series' N7 Day fan holiday. Bioware shared that it had started work on the new game in 2020, but Electronic Arts' decision to go private have naturally called the future of the series into question. Gamble's blog post doesn't share many details about the new game beyond the fact that Bioware is heads-down and focused exclusively on Mass Effect. What does seem more clear is that the game could have some kind of connection to the Mass Effect TV show currently in development at Amazon. The writers room is going strong, and weve got a lot figured out about how it fits within the Mass Effect canon, and where it sits in respect to the new game, Gamble says. Notably, the series is set after the events of the original trilogy of games, and follows a new story in the universe's timeline. It wont be a retread of Commander Shepards story. Dragon Age: The Veilguard , Bioware's last game, was not the smash hit EA apparently wanted it to be , and Bioware has appeared to go through a period of contraction in response. High-profile senior staff were let go in January 2025 , and even before the game was released, EA began moving Bioware developers to other studios. EA itself may also be adjusting its larger game development strategy. Following its proposed acquisition, the publisher announced a partnership with Stability AI in October to create new AI-powered tools to better streamline its development process. The Mass Effect series is beloved, and Mass Effect: Legendary Edition , the 2021 remaster that packaged all the trilogy's DLC and games into a single package, was a great reminder. With a new entry and a TV show in the works, Bioware seems poised for a comeback. It just needs to survive EA until then. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/bioware-says-next-mass-effect-is-still-in-development-despite-turmoil-at-ea-200000050.html?src=rss

Meta says it will invest $600 billion in the US, with AI data centers front and center

Meta said on Friday that it's investing $600 billion in US infrastructure and jobs by 2028. Although the announcement is light on specifics (and heavy on standard Big Tech self-congratulation), it sounds like much of it will go toward AI data centers . At Meta, we're focused on creating the next generation of AI products and building personal superintelligence for everyone, the company wrote. Data centers are crucial to reaching these goals and helping America maintain its technological edge. If you feel like this isn't the first you've heard of Meta and $600 billion in US spending, you're right. That's the figure Mark Zuckerberg gave during a September White House dinner with Big Tech CEOs. But more memorable was the hot-mic moment later captured between Zuckerberg and President Trump. Sorry, I wasn't ready, the Meta CEO said to the president, referring to his $600 billion pledge. I wasn't sure what number you wanted to go with. Meta's announcement today includes figures intended to bolster its claim to be a champion of US infrastructure. The company says that, since 2010, its data centers have supported over 30,000 skilled trade jobs and 5,000 operational jobs. Meta adds that it's currently bringing over $20 billion to US subcontractors. As for the superintelligence mention, it also surfaced when Zuckerberg announced data center investments in July. That term typically refers to a hypothetical point at which AI surpasses human cognitive abilities. (Steve Wozniak, Geoffrey Hinton and others want it banned until its proven safe and controllable .) The company views its AI glasses as a central part of that future. Zuckerberg said in July that anyone without them may eventually suffer from a pretty significant cognitive disadvantage. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-says-it-will-invest-600-billion-in-the-us-with-ai-data-centers-front-and-center-195000377.html?src=rss

Sen. Warren: Big Tech's tax breaks could have covered benefits for millions of Americans

Data can paint a much starker contrast than words alone, and US Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) appears to get that. On Friday, her office published numbers on Big Tech's tax breaks in Republicans' Big Beautiful Bill. When compared with the benefits those sums could have provided for working families, it helps to fortify what some might otherwise dismiss as run-of-the-mill rhetoric. According to Sen. Warren, the bill's tax breaks for Microsoft alone will total $12.5 billion in 2026. When compared with the average cost of SNAP benefits, that sum could have provided food assistance to 5.2 million people. Or, it could have covered Medicaid for 1.6 million adults (or 3.8 million children), or lowered Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums for 1.9 million Americans. Meanwhile, Warren says Amazon is set to score a $16 billion tax break this year. That's the equivalent of Medicaid for 2 million adults (or 5.4 million children), lower ACA payments for 2.4 million Americans or SNAP benefits for 6.6 million people. What about the tax breaks Alphabet gets? Warren says Google's parent company is looking at a $17.9 billion tax cut this year. That could pay for Medicaid for 2.3 million adults (or 5.4 million kids), lower ACA premiums for 2.8 million people or food assistance for 7.5 million people. If youre confused about why Big Tech is helping to pay for a lavish White House ballroom , look no further. Regardless, Warrens analysis goes on to break down the $137 billion in tax breaks for all corporations in 2026, the $132 billion routed to the wealthiest one percent in 2027 and more. You can read the senator's full report for more details. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are knocking millions of Americans off their health insurance and ripping away food assistance from families all so they can fund giant tax cuts for billionaires and giant corporations, Warren said in a statement. This is a matter of priorities: Trump and Republicans are fighting for their billionaire buddies, while Democrats are fighting for American families. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/sen-warren-big-techs-tax-breaks-could-have-covered-benefits-for-millions-of-americans-174831791.html?src=rss

Fitbit appears to be experiencing a partial outage

Fitbit is mostly associated with tracking your steps, workouts and sleep, but also among its arsenal of overall health features is the ability to track your food intake. You can use it to see how many calories youve consumed versus how many youve burned, and even scan the barcode of pre-made food items to add them to your daily log. But the food log feature in the Fitbit app currently appears to be broken, or at least not working as its supposed to. As spotted by 9to5Google , various problems have been reported during the last 24 hours, and while the page still loads as it should, adding items is proving difficult. Attempting to search for a meal or food pulls up a blank page, while the barcode scanner seems to be completely broken, returning a maintenance error message when you try to use it. A number of Fitbit users are reporting similar issues, with only the custom food creation function working properly. Some have also said that they tried updating the app to fix it, but with no success. One user who deleted and re-installed the Fitbit app said that didnt work either, while another said they really rely on the calorie count feature, which obviously wont be accurate if you cant log every meal you eat. Google, Fitbit's parent company, has not officially commented on the matter at the time of writing, and well update this article if it responds to our request for one. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/fitbit-appears-to-be-experiencing-a-partial-outage-174249152.html?src=rss

Today's best iPad deals include $100 off the iPad mini

We generally think Apples iPads are the best tablets for most people, but they dont come cheap. To help those looking to grab one today get the most value possible, were keeping an eye on sale prices and rounding up the best iPad deals we can find each week. This weeks selection includes the return of a $100 price drop for the iPad mini , along with a $50 discount for the entry-level iPad and early discounts on the recently updated iPad Pro. Beyond tablets, the MacBook Air , Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 have all dropped to new all-time lows, while a four-pack of AirTags is also steeply discounted at $65. Its worth remembering that official Black Friday sales are just around the corner, so we expect to see more deals in the days and weeks ahead. But if you cant hold out a little longer, here are all the top deals on Apple gear that we could find this week. Best iPad deals Apple iPad (A16) for $299 ($50 off) : The entry-level iPad comes with a faster A16 chip, 2GB more RAM and 128GB of storage by default. It earned a score of 84 in our review if you only need a tablet for roaming the internet, watching shows and doing some lighter productivity tasks, it should do the job. With the new iPadOS 26 update, it also has most of the same multitasking features available with the more expensive models. We've seen this price for much of the past several months it's $20 above the tablet's all-time low, but it's still a bit cheaper than buying direct from Apple. Also at Walmart , Best Buy and Target . Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, M5) for $945 ($54 off) : Apple's newest iPad only came out less than a month ago, but it's already $50 or so off at various retailers. At Amazon, the base model with an M5 chip and 256GB of storage is down to a slightly less pricey $945. We gave this iPad Pro a score of 85 in our review . It has a class-leading OLED display and an impressively thin design, while the new M5 chip is more than powerful enough to do just about anything you'd want to do with an iPad. It's the only Apple tablet to support fast charging, too. That said, it's still far more iPad than casual buyers ever need, so it's best suited for hardcore iPad users and those with cash to burn. Also at Best Buy and B&H for $949. Apple iPad Pro (13-inch, M5) for $1,247 ($52 off) : The 13-inch iPad Pro is virtually the same as the 11-inch version, only it's bigger. It's also more expensive, but the extra screen space might be worth it if you're committed to using the Pro as your main computer. Amazon isn't listing this as a discount, but rest assured it's still about $50 off Apple's MSRP. Again, given that these tablets were just launched, any sort of price drop is worth noting. Also at Best Buy and B&H for $1,249. Best Apple deals Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $750 ($250 off) : Apple's latest MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops , and it earned a score of 92 in our review . It's not a major overhaul, but the design is still exceptionally thin, light and well-built, with long battery life and a top-notch keyboard and trackpad. Now it's a bit faster. (Though we'd still love more ports and a refresh rate higher than 60Hz.) This is a new all-time low for the base model with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, but higher-end configurations are also $250 off. Apple MacBook Air (15-inch, M4) for $950 ($250 off) : The 15-inch MacBook Air is nearly identical to the smaller version; apart from its roomier display, it adds better speakers and a more spacious trackpad. This deal marks another all-time low, and other configs are similarly discounted. Also at Walmart . Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) for $199 ($50 off) : This is the first major discount we've seen for the third-gen version of Apple's entry-level smartwatch, which was released in September. The big upgrade here is the always-on display, which means you no longer have to wake the watch to check the time or your notifications. (This tech was previously limited to the more expensive Apple Watch models.) The watch now runs on the same S10 chip as its higher-end siblings as well, plus it still covers the essential health and fitness features. If youre in the market for your first smartwatch, or if you only want a watch for step counting, sleep tracking and notifications, it's a strong value. Just note that this deal only applies to the Starlight finish as of this writing. Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) for $280 ($119 off) : As a general rule, most people should buy the newest version of whatever Apple product they want. That said, the new Apple Watch Series 11 is only a minor upgrade over the Series 10: The battery lasts a little longer, the glass is more scratch-resistant, the cellular model has 5G support and thats about it. If youre mostly worried about saving cash and still need the more advanced health features the SE lacks such as an ECG app and hypertension alerts this is the best discount we've seen for last years model. Apple Watch Ultra 3 (49mm) for $700 ($100 off) : The Ultra 3 is a much more niche device than Apple's other wearables, aimed at serious athletes and adventurers more than the typical gym-goer. It's the biggest and most rugged Apple Watch, with the brightest display (up to 3,000 nits), longest battery life (up to 42 hours) and most advanced components. It also supports satellite communications . This discount doesn't make it cheap by any means, but it does represent a new low. Apple Mac mini (M4) for $499 ($100 off) : The newest version of Apples tiny desktop PC has a smaller overall footprint, a faster M4 chip, 16GB of RAM as standard (finally), two front-facing USB-C ports, an extra Thunderbolt 4 port and the ability to drive three external displays. It doesn't have any USB-A ports, however. We gave the M4 Pro model a review score of 90 . This deal is for the entry-level version with a base M4 chip, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD weve seen it fall as low as $469 before, but this is still a decent savings. Also at Best Buy , Walmart and B&H . Apple Pencil Pro for $99 ($30 off) : The top-end option in Apples confusing stylus lineup , the Pencil Pro supports pressure sensitivity, wireless charging, tilt detection, haptic feedback and Apples double tap and squeeze gestures , among other perks. Its a lovely tool for more intricate sketching and note-taking, but the catch is that its only compatible with the M4 iPad Pro, M2 and M3 iPad Air and most recent iPad mini. We've seen this deal fairly often over the course of the year, but it's a fine discount compared to buying from Apple directly. Also at Best Buy , Walmart and Target . Read more Apple coverage : The best AirPods The best Apple Watches The best MacBooks The best iPhones The best iPads Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/todays-best-ipad-deals-include-100-off-the-ipad-mini-150020786.html?src=rss

Denmark set to ban social media for users under 15 years of age

The government of Denmark said on Friday that lawmakers from its political right, left and center have reached an agreement to ban social media for anyone under 15, as reported by The Associated Press . If enacted, the move would be one of the most ambitious attempts globally to keep children off social media. Momentum has been building in recent years around concerns that social media is harming its younger users . The countrys Digitalization Ministry would set the minimum age at 15 for certain social media platforms but has not clarified which ones would be affected. The government also did not share specifics on how enforcement would work. A statement from the Digitalization Ministry reads, in part, Children and young people have their sleep disrupted, lose their peace and concentration, and experience increasing pressure from digital relationships where adults are not always present, as reported by The Associated Press . Digitalization Minister Caroline Stage said Danish authorities are finally drawing a line in the sand and setting a clear direction. In December, the worlds first country-wide social media ban for children will go into effect in Australia , banning children under 16 from major social media platforms. Platforms that want to operate in the country must employ age-verification technology and would face fines if they fail to enforce the nations age limits. Some age-verification methods, particularly facial recognition and showing of ID, have faced heavy skepticism as they have been implemented around the world. In the UK and Italy anyone wanting to watch porn online must now upload a selfie or provide ID to verify they are above age limits. If the same methods are employed to verify teenagers' ages, questions will undoubtedly arise about data safety and privacy involving minors' data. Texas recently came close to enacting a similar ban , though it ultimately didn't pass. Utah passed laws in 2023 that require parental consent before teens can create social media accounts. Florida passed a social media ban for children that is currently held up in court . This move will undoubtedly spark more conversation around the potential harms of social media on adolescents, as well as whether social media access will be perceived as personal parenting decisions that should remain free from government intervention. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/denmark-set-to-ban-social-media-for-users-under-15-years-of-age-171602408.html?src=rss

Proton VPN deal: Two-year plans are 75 percent off ahead of Black Friday

A VPN subscription can make for a good holiday gift. Everyone could do with having a VPN to help protect their online activity from prying eyes (and, perhaps, access more things to watch from their favorite streaming services). It's something useful that a gift recipient may have never realized they needed. Of course, you may be looking for a great deal on a VPN yourself, and the Black Friday discount for Proton VPN is nothing to sniff at. You can get two years of access to the VPN Plus tier of the service for $59.76, which works out to $2.49 per month. That's a discount of 75 percent compared with the regular price of $10 per month. Overall, you'd save $180. Proton VPN is our pick for the best VPN overall because it checks all of the boxes it needs to. There is a free plan with unlimited data, but with that you can only connect to servers in a few countries and the connection might not be fast enough for you to watch anything from your preferred streaming service's library in that locale. The VPN Plus tier unlocks a lot more options, such as the ability to connect to 15,000 servers across more than 120 countries and simultaneous protection for up to 15 devices. The apps are well-designed Proton has clients for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android and it's easy to find a feature or setting you're looking for. In our testing, Proton VPN Plus had a relatively small impact on browsing speeds. Our download speeds dropped by 12 percent and uploads by 4 percent, while the global average ping remained below 300 ms (which is especially impressive if you're connecting to a server on the other side of the planet). Perhaps, most importantly, though, it's Proton's commitment to privacy that helps make its VPN an easy recommendation. There's a no-logs policy, meaning it does not log user activity or any identifiable characteristics of devices that connect to the VPN. Proton's servers use full-disk encryption to bolster privacy as well. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/proton-vpn-deal-two-year-plans-are-75-percent-off-ahead-of-black-friday-153737110.html?src=rss

Black Friday deals 2025: The best tech sales we could find so far from Apple, Amazon, Lego, Dyson and more

Black Friday has become the time to buy the hottest tech of the year. Whether you're shopping for yourself or stocking up on gifts for the holidays, Black Friday deals are sure to bring the best prices of the year to things like headphones, game consoles, robot vacuums, phone accessories and everything in between. You don't even have to wait until Black Friday proper to save a ton of money. Over the past few years, we've seen Black Friday tech deals start earlier and earlier to the point where the entire month of November is packed with discounts. If you're on the hunt for solid tech deals, Engadget has you covered. We've collected the best Black Friday deals on tech you can get right now, and we'll continue to update this post as we get closer to the big day at the end of November. Note that you probably have the best chance of snagging record-low prices when we get to about one week before Thanksgiving, but these deals available now are worth considering. Black Friday deals to shop now Apple AirTags (four pack) for $65 (34 percent off): iPhone users who frequently misplace things should invest in a few AirTags. Slip them into your wallet, bag, jacket and other belongings to keep track of their locations in the Find My app. Just make sure that, if you're going to attach one to your keys, you also pick up an AirTag holder to go along with it. Lego Disney advent calendar 2025 43253 for $38 (16 percent off): I probably don't need to tell you 'tis the season for advent calendars . Lego has a bunch , and this one in particular is on a good deal right now. Like most Lego advent calendars, this one includes a number of bricks and minifigs that, when put together, make a coherent, themed scene. Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $500 (50 percent off): This is one of the best robot vacuums you can get, period. It doesn't have a self-emptying base, but its superior suction power almost makes up for that. It's one of the strongest robot vacuums I've ever tested, and it has excellent obstacle avoidance. The latter means you will rarely, if ever, have to attend to it getting caught on the edge of a carpet or getting stuck under a piece of furniture. If a cordless stick vacuum is what you're looking for, don't forget to check out all of the other Dyson Black Friday deals . EcoFlow Black Friday deals get up to 80 percent off: Portable power stations are an investment, but they can be crucial pieces of tech during emergencies. The top pick from our friends at Yahoo Tech has been heavily discounted in this early Black Friday sale. You can pick up the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 for $1,400 off, down to $2,299, or the power station with an extra battery bundled in for $2,699 off, down to $3,599. Apple Mac Mini M4 for $499 ($100 off): Desktop users looking for an upgrade should consider the latest Mac Mini, which runs on the M4 chip and 16GB of RAM as standard in the base configuration. This version has a smaller design that takes up less space, front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack, plus Thunderbolt 5 support. Apple Watch SE 3 for $200 ($50 off): The SE has been our top pick for the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and the latest model only solidifies that further. It has the same chipset found in the latest flagship Apple Watches, fast-charging capabilities, an always-on display and most of the same activity-tracking features you'll find in more expensive model. Apple iPad mini for $399 ($100 off): Apple's smallest tablet, the iPad mini is the best option for those who prefer their tablet be roughly the size of a paperback book. The latest model runs on the A17 Pro chipset and has an upgraded 128GB of storage in the base configuration. It also supports the Apple Pencil Pro. Jisulife Life 7 handheld fan for $25 (14 percent off): This handy little fan is a must-have if you life in a warm climate or have a tropical vacation planned anytime soon. It can be used as a table or handheld fan and even be worn around the neck so you don't have to hold it at all. Its 5,000 mAh battery allows it to last hours on a single charge, and the small display in the middle of the fan's blades show its remaining battery level. Leebin 2025 electric spin scrubber for $40 (43 percent off, Prime exclusive): This weird little scrubber makes cleaning my bathroom and shower much less of a pain. Just choose the brush head you need for your job and the rotating head takes care of most of the hard work. I love the adjustable handle, which extends from 12 to 50 inches so you can get into hard-to-reach places without breaking a sweat. Monarch Money budgeting app (one year) for $50 (50 percent off with code MONARCHVIP): One of our favorite budgeting apps , Monarch Money gives you a lot of control over the organization of your funds. There's a helpful goals feature for when you're planning out big purchases or financial milestones you want to hit, and we found the month-in-review recap it provides to be more thorough than other budgeting apps we tried. There's even Zillow integration for folks looking to buy a home. SanDisk microSD Express card (256GB) for $60 (12 percent off): If you have a Switch 2, no regular microSD card will do if you want to expand the console's storage. You need a newer microSD Express card, and currently there are only a handful on the market. We did some testing to find the best microSD Express card for the Switch 2 and found that performance was, in general, very similar amongst all the readily available cards. We recommend getting whichever fits within your budget at the capacity you want. Google TV Streamer 4K for $75 ($25 off): Our top pick for the best streaming device right now, the latest version of Google's streamer supports 4K video and an excellent, easy-to-use interface that will feel familiar to anyone who's seen a set with the Google TV technology built in. It provides access to all of the major streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube and more, plus it has a handy on-screen pop up that lets you control all compatible smart home devices right from your TV. Also available at Walmart . Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): I personally have this air fryer, one of our top picks , in my house and I've used it for over a year with no issues. I love that it makes good use of vertical space so it doesn't take up too much space on my counter, and its rounded-square shape allows me to cook more food than you'd think in one go in the basket. It crisps all kinds of foods up well and generally takes a lot of the guess work (and time) out of making a good meal. Bose QuietComfort headphones for $199 (43 percent off): These noise-cancelling headphones have a comfortable (albeit a bit boring) design, an Aware mode that lets you hear more of your surroundings when you need to and up to 24 hours of battery life. Also available at Best Buy . Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with 60-day self-emptying base for $300 (50 percent off): This is a version of one of our top picks for the best robot vacuums . We generally like Shark machines because they do a good job cleaning all types of flooring, produce accurate home maps and the companion app is pretty easy to use. This one in particularly comes with a self-emptying base that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. Black Friday FAQs When is Black Friday 2025? Black Friday 2025 lands on November 28. Which stores have Black Friday deals? Many physical retail stores have Black Friday deals including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others. Even more retailers have online Black Friday deals, including Amazon, GameStop, Costco and others. When do Black Friday sales start? Gone are the times when Black Friday sales were one-day-only affairs. Now, Black Friday deals are often available starting on Thanksgiving, or even earlier. Last year, we saw Black Friday deals online begin the week before Black Friday proper. When do Black Friday sales end? Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blended a lot over the past few years. Now, you can expect to see a good portion of Black Friday deals extend through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. It's not uncommon for Black Friday deals to expire at the end of Cyber Monday. Which retailers have the best Black Friday tech deals? The best Black Friday tech deals are typically available online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. It's also a good idea to check the store websites of the companies that make the products you want for example, if you're looking for a Sonos speaker, check the Sonos website on Black Friday. Most of the time, you'll find the best Black Friday tech deals are matched at multiple retailers. Does Apple have Black Friday sales? No, you will usually not find Black Friday sales at Apple stores or on Apple's website. However, you can find Black Friday deals on Apple devices elsewhere; we recommend checking Amazon, Best Buy and other big retailers for discounts on iPads, Apple Watches and more on Black Friday. Does Amazon have Black Friday sales? Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales. The online retailer's site will look similar to Prime Day on Black Friday, with discounts on all sorts of items from household essentials to fashion to tech. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deals-2025-the-best-tech-sales-we-could-find-so-far-from-apple-amazon-lego-dyson-and-more-100052387.html?src=rss

The Apple Watch SE 3 is cheaper than ever ahead of Black Friday

Black Friday will be here before you know it, but you can already save on some sought-after tech. Case in point: the new Apple Watch SE 3 . Apple's most affordable smartwatch is even cheaper right now, down to just $200. We consider this to be the best budget Apple Watch , and arguably the best smartwatch for folks who have never owned one before. The latest version runs on the same chipset found in the new flagship models, and it has most of the same fitness and workout tracking features you'll find in those more expensive devices as well. The SE 3 also now has an always-on display, making it easier to glance down throughout the day to check the time or see activity stats without moving your wrist, and fast-charging support makes it a more viable sleep tracker. Just plop it down on its charger for a bit at the end of the day and put it back on to monitor your sleep overnight. Also discounted is the high-end Apple Watch Ultra 3 , which you can snag for $100 off. The sale model comes with 64GB of storage, a 49mm screen and GPS and cellular service. Notably, it's also only available with the one size, adjustable band and in two colors: a Black titanium case with Black Ocean band and a natural titanium Case with Anchor Blue Ocean band. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 came out in early September and is one of the first smartwatches to support satellite communications . This feature means you can call, send messages or share your location with emergency services through the watch even if you don't have a connection. The new Ultra 3 also has a larger screen thanks to thinner bezels and a battery that can last for up to 42 hours. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-se-3-is-cheaper-than-ever-ahead-of-black-friday-133057960.html?src=rss

These are the Black Friday tech deals I'm hoping to see in 2025

Black Friday (which is now basically all of November) is one of the best times of the year to pick up things for yourself and for other people. But to say money is tight is an understatement this year. If Amazons Prime Big Deal Days was any indicator , folks are spending more on essentials than anything else during these big sales. That, combined with the rising trend of holding on to big tech purchases for longer means that you may not have gadgets at the top of your to-buy list this year. Even if thats the case, Id recommend not overlooking tech entirely this Black Friday. After all, all of us have essential tech that we use every day, and more often than not, you can avoid paying full price for most of those gadgets (and all of the rest of the best tech of the year ) if you're looking to add to your repertoire or you need a replacement. Personally, I'm not eyeing a new smartphone or laptop this holiday shopping season, but there are a few tech purchases Id like to make if the prices are right. This is the tech Im hoping to save on this year during Black Friday. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/these-are-the-black-friday-tech-deals-im-hoping-to-see-in-2025-100014331.html?src=rss

Early Black Friday deals include $300 off the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Somehow it's already November, which means gift giving season is right around the corner. While Black Friday sales can help with that, there are some great early deals running for anyone who wants to check off their list with time to spare. Take the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold , which has only been out since late August. It's now down to $1,499 from $1,799 a 17 percent discount. This deal is available at both Amazon and Best Buy , and seems to be the first big markdown on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Notably, this deal is on the 256GB model, but the 512GB and 1TB Pixel 10 Pro Folds are also $300 off. We gave the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold an 88 in our review , thanks to its improved durability, with an IP68 rating. It also has upgraded software and multitasking, along with Pixelsnap charging . Plus, we found it has the best cameras of any flexible phone. One of our biggest gripes is the price though this discount certainly helps. It's also quite a bulky device and can feel pretty heavy. Other Google phones are also on sale for Black Friday right now. The Pixel 10 Pro has dropped to a record low of $749, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL with a whopping 1TB of storage is also cheaper than ever at $1,249. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/early-black-friday-deals-include-300-off-the-google-pixel-10-pro-fold-123036874.html?src=rss

Engadget Podcast: Our favorite gadgets of 2025

2025 is almost over (gasp!), so it's time to look back at all of the best devices we've seen so far. In this episode, Engadget Deputy Editor Billy Steele joins Devindra to talk about the highlights of the year, which range from the usual suspects (like Google's Pixel and the iPhone 17 Pro), to surprises like the Ninja Swirl. Also, we chat about yet another super-thin phone and the latest sampler from Teenage Engineering. Subscribe! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts Topics Engadgets Best of 2025: phones, tablets, cameras, even EVs! 1:40 Reuters reports Meta projected 10% of its revenue ($16B) came from ads for scams this year 32:20 Moto Edge 70 is another super thin smartphone, but who wants it? 41:43 Netflix is going big on video podcasts in 2026 42:56 You can now stream PS5 games you own to the PS Portal via the cloud 48:23 Around Engadget: Why DJI drones may be banned in the U.S. 52:27 Pop culture picks 56:05 Credits Host: Devindra Hardawar Guest: Billy Steele Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/engadget-podcast-our-favorite-gadgets-of-2025-143000733.html?src=rss

Form brings better, AI-enabled swim coaching to its smart goggles

Back in 2019 , Form made and youre going to have to forgive me for the most inevitable pun in history a big splash with its first smart swimming goggles. The company has released several upgrades since, and it just announced the latest version of its HeadCoach software, which is designed to deliver personalized swim coaching using AI. Available through Form Premium, HeadCoach 2.0 effectively functions like a virtual coach, analyzing each swim and providing immediate feedback in the Form app. Itll highlight both your strengths and areas of improvement, reminding you what to focus on via the goggles augmented reality display. HeadCoach 2.0 analyzes metrics like distance per stroke (DPS), stroke rate, pace and heart rate, as well as your personal Form Score and existing app data. Insights can be tailored to an objective you set, such as improving your technique or preparing for a race, with HeadCoach zoning in on what you should be trying to achieve in your next session to achieve your goals. HeadCoach 2.0s insights are based on data from millions of swims, with input from professional coaches and Olympic swimmers. The idea appears to be data-led virtual guidance informed by humans, so you can trust the feedback you get in the app. HeadCoach 2.0 is available now to all Form Premium subscribers, which costs $10 per month after a free one-month trial. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/form-brings-better-ai-enabled-swim-coaching-to-its-smart-goggles-140655591.html?src=rss

EcoFlow early Black Friday deals: Get up to 42 percent off portable power stations

EcoFlow is hosting an early Black Friday sale on portable power stations. This drops prices by up to 42 percent on many of its well-regarded products. For instance, the Delta Pro 3 is on sale for $2,299 . This is a discount of 37 percent, as the typical cost is $3,699. That's a significant drop in price. Amazon's matching the sale price as well. The Delta Pro 3 topped Yahoo's list of the best portable power stations , and for very good reason. This thing is a beast. It boasts a 4,096Wh capacity, so it can power an average 500-watt refrigerator for over 24 hours. That's with continuous use. It can be stretched out to two or three days by only running the appliance during daylight hours. There's even a discounted bundle that includes an extra battery for $3,599 . It includes four standard 120V AC outlets and a single 240V outlet. It could potentially be a temporary hub of a whole-home battery backup. There are numerous charging options here, including a standard AC outlet, solar panels and, interestingly, a cigarette lighter. The only potential downside here is the Delta Pro 3 really pushes the boundaries of what can be considered portable. It weighs 113 pounds, though it does have wheels and a telescoping handle. The Delta Pro 3 is just one of the products on sale right now. The Delta Pro Ultra, which is intended as a whole-home backup , is down to $3,999 . This represents a savings of more than $2,000. Another Yahoo top pick, the Delta 2 Max , is $1,000 off and down to $899. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/ecoflow-early-black-friday-deals-get-up-to-42-percent-off-portable-power-stations-130041108.html?src=rss

Get $430 off this Roomba robot vacuum and mop with an AutoWash dock

While Black Friday can be a great opportunity to score deals on your Christmas shopping, sometimes it's just a way to get the things you need at better prices. Take the iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop , which is down to $869 from $1,300 at Wellbots. This practical purchase is available for a Black Friday discount by using the code ENGABF430 at checkout. We're big fans of iRobot, with the company making two of our favorite robot vacuums for 2025 . Its Roomba Max 705 Combo offers both a vacuum and a mop to, hopefully, get out any messes this holiday season. The device also comes with an AutoWash Dock, which empties the robovac, washes the mop, dries it with heat and then charges its battery. The robot vacuum has dual rubber brushes for cleaning up any debris, while the PowerSpin roller mop gets rid of extra grime and streaks. The company uses PrecisionVision AI and ClearView Pro LiDAR to make a 3D map of all rooms and to avoid obstacles like dogs and their toys. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-430-off-this-roomba-robot-vacuum-and-mop-with-an-autowash-dock-140023379.html?src=rss

This 256GB microSD Express card for the Switch 2 is cheaper than ever in this Black Friday deal

The SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card for the Switch 2 is down to $60 via Amazon , which is a record-low price. This model is also available in storage sizes of 128GB and 512GB, but neither version is on sale. This particular model easily made our list of the best microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch 2 . It even made our list of the best Switch 2 accessories . It just gets the job done. We loved the speed on offer here. It was the fastest of all the cards we tested when transferring games and loading games. We also found that it performed admirably at just about every test we threw at it. The card was always consistently right near the top, thanks to outstanding sequential read and write performance. This was backed up by benchmark testing with PC tools like CrystalDiskMark. The Switch 2 only works with SD Express cards, so this covers that. Luckily, this card isn't just for Nintendo's latest console. It'll work with just about everything, if you ever find it outstays its usefulness as a storage container for Mario and friends. Elsewhere when it comes to microSD Express cards on sale: PNY's 128GB card is down to $40. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-256gb-microsd-express-card-for-the-switch-2-is-cheaper-than-ever-in-this-black-friday-deal-151331707.html?src=rss

Apple's MacBook Air M4 drops to a new record-low price ahead of Black Friday

The Apple MacBook Air M4 laptop has long hovered at $799 at Amazon a full $200 below its Apple Store price. But it just dropped down to $749 , which is the lowest price we've seen since this model was introduced in March. This sale is for the model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, across all four colorways, but the 512GB model is also down to $949 another all-time low versus the Apple Store price of $1,199. We ranked this as our favorite Apple laptop in our list of the best MacBook computers . Heck, it's even our very favorite laptop . Full stop. The performance is exceptionally snappy, thanks to the M4 chip. We appreciated the upgraded battery life, which now lasts for around 18 hours per charge. That's well beyond a full day of work. The design is lightweight, but sturdy. This has become a hallmark for modern MacBook Air computers. The screen is both gorgeous and roomy, even though it's technically just a 13-inch panel. There's support for the P3 wide color gamut and it can reach up to 500 nits of brightness. This is a near-perfect laptop, but there are a couple of nitpicks. There's no USB-C port on the right side, limiting how users can arrange accessories on a desk. Also, the screen is capped with a 60Hz refresh rate. Another potential complication is the looming specter of the M5 chip. The company has already released the MacBook Pro M5 , so a new MacBook Air is likely coming in the nearish future. (Read: sometime in early 2026). If you need more screen space, you'll find a similar discount on the 15-inch MacBook Air on Amazon, too. Most color options are $250 off and down to $949 for the base model (you guessed it another all-time low). This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-macbook-air-m4-drops-to-a-new-record-low-price-ahead-of-black-friday-183808440.html?src=rss

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Roblox over alleged child safety lapses

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, accusing it of ignoring state and federal safety laws. In his announcement on X, Paxton said the children have been repeatedly exposed to sexually explicit content, exploitation and grooming on the online game platform, because it chose to prioritize pixel pedophiles and corporate profit over the safety of children. Thank you, Schlep posted in the comments of his announcement. Schlep was a popular Roblox user who was known for staging sting operations la To Catch a Predator on the platform, which had led to multiple arrests. He was controversially banned from Roblox in August, because he violated the companys new rule that prohibits vigilante behavior. We share Attorney General Paxton's commitment to keeping kids and teens safe online, the company said in a statement . We are disappointed that, rather than working collaboratively with Roblox on this industry-wide challenge and seeking real solutions, the AG has chosen to file a lawsuit based on misrepresentations and sensationalized claims. BREAKING: I'm suing Roblox for putting pixel pedophiles and profits over the safety of Texas children. We cannot allow platforms like Roblox to continue operating as digital playgrounds for predators where the well-being of our kids is sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed. pic.twitter.com/Jj2kHEJM75 Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) November 6, 2025 Roblox has implemented several measures meant to protect children over the past few years. It blocked any user under 13 from being able to play, search or discover any unrated experiences on the platform, and it restricted DMs for that segment of users, as well. It also added an age estimation feature that requires a video selfie for a user to be able to prove that theyre 13 or older. The company intends to roll it out to everyone by the end of this year. Texas isnt the only state suing Roblox and accusing it of failing to protect children from predators, though: Kentucky and Louisiana had previously filed their own lawsuits against the company. Louisiana argued that the platform contains user-created experiences with troubling themes, such as Escape to Epstein Island and Diddy Party, despite the majority of its users being under 16. It also pointed out that it was possible to initiate voice chats within Robloxs experiences, even between users who werent friends, until November 2024. In one instance, a man who was arrested for possession of child sexual abuse materials was discovered to have used voice altering software to pretend to be a young girl in order to exploit children on the platform. Roblox must do more to protect kids from sick and twisted freaks hiding behind a screen, Paxton wrote. Any corporation that enables child abuse will face the full and unrelenting force of the law. To note, the Texas AG also previously sued TikTok , alleging that it has insufficient parental controls, as well as Meta and Character.AI for potentially misusing data collected from underage users. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/texas-ag-ken-paxton-sues-roblox-over-alleged-child-safety-lapses-131500288.html?src=rss

Get up to $330 off cordless vacuums thanks to Dyson early Black Friday deals

Dyson is holding an early Black Friday sale on vacuums and related products. Sure, Black Friday isn't for another month, but who are we to turn down a fantastic deal? To that end, the Dyson V9 Motorbar cordless vacuum is on sale for just $270 , which is a discount of $330. That's more than half off. Dyson devices are all over our list of the best cordless vacuums , and for good reason. The company makes effective products. The V9 Motorbar has been designed to clean all floor types, in addition to upholstery. It's also been engineered to squeeze into tight spots, which is great for hitting those oft-neglected parts of the home. The suction power is on point and the battery lasts for 40 minutes before requiring a charge. That's just enough time to vacuum a standard-sized home if you don't stop for too many breaks. The V9 is getting a bit long-in-the-tooth. If you want a newer model, the V11 Extra is on sale for $400 , which is a discount of $260. This one boosts the suction power and increases the battery life to 60 minutes. The early Black Friday sale isn't just for cordless vacuums. The 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum is on sale right now for $500 , which is a massive discount of $500. This is one of our favorite robot vacuums , primarily because of its incredible suction power. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-up-to-330-off-cordless-vacuums-thanks-to-dyson-early-black-friday-deals-173533120.html?src=rss

Anker Laptop Power Bank review: All my favorite battery features together at last

Over the past couple years, Ive tested around 60 different power banks for Engadget. In that time, battery manufacturers have given their products features with varying degrees of usefulness, ranging from smart (straps and built-in cables) to handy (displays and wireless charging pads) to really not necessary (Bluetooth connectivity, specialized recharging bases). Ankers Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W) manages to combine all the cleverest new features into one sleek-looking charging brick and it costs less than some other banks in its class. Theres a built-in display that not only lets you know how much charge the bank has left, it also tells you how many watts are flowing through each port to your devices. Pressing the button on the side cycles through the batterys current temperature and the overall health of the bank, including how many charge cycles its gone through. All of those bits of info should help prolong and gauge the banks longevity. Big capacity in a tidy package The 25,000 mAh capacity puts it well within the TSAs 100Wh capacity limit and I have taken this battery on two flights in my carry-on with no issue. The capacity is enough to fill my tester smartphones (an iPhone 15 and a Galaxy S23 Ultra) around four times each. Separately, it pushed my aging 16-inch MacBook Pro from 10 percent to 78 percent. That translates to around nine additional hours of use for my typical workload (Wi-Fi, VPN, too many Chrome tabs and other basic productivity apps). My only gripe with the design is that the very shiny screen has become slightly dull with use. It doesnt look bad, just not as mint-fresh as when it was unboxed. Thats to be expected, and Ill take the luxe finish over some ruggedized enclosure any day. Two built-in cables and a big capacity let you charge two devices at once. Amy Skorheim for Engadget Sure, forget your cables at home Possibly the power banks most useful features are the two built-in USB-C cables, and one even loops around to create a handy carry strap. It feels robust and well-anchored enough that I dont fear lugging it around like that. The other cable retracts into the unit and extends up to two feet when needed. The end stays neatly tucked into a well in the body and stays magnetically in place. The cords not only look tidy, their inclusion means youll never find yourself in the ironic position of having a dead device and a full battery pack, but no way to connect the two. Both cables serve in-out functions so you can easily plug them into any USB-C power adapter for a refill. There are also two additional USB (one Type-A and one Type-C) ports, so if youve got a specialized cable, such as Lightning, smartwatch or microUSB connector, youll be able to charge those devices too. Admirable speeds The 165-watt rating, as with any power bank, doesn't mean youll get that power out of a single port. The rating is a combined, almost theoretical total, achieved with all four ports engaged. The three USB-C outlets are rated at a max of 100W, but to get to that speed, youll need a device capable of taking it my biggest energy hog is my laptop and it maxed out at around 90 watts using the power bank. But for all but the most extreme cases, thats plenty fast. My tester iPhone 15 went from near-dead to 70 percent refilled in around 40 minutes. The Galaxy S23 Ultra powered up from five to 100 percent in under an hour, and my 16-inch MacBook got a 68 percent refill in just over 50 minutes. Thats not the fastest performance Ive tested, but its better than most other banks and plenty quick enough to get you back in action in a decent amount of time. Amy Skorheim for Engadget Wrap-up Its gratifying when, after years of testing one type of product, you get one that is, more or less, an ideal example of the category. This is the battery I grab when Im heading to get some work done at the coffee shop. Ive taken it with me on road trips and on flights, and it hasnt let me down once. The fact that you dont need to remember to grab a cable takes away an extra bit of stress, and the accurate display means you know just about how much more you can squeeze out of the bank's rather sizable depths. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/anker-laptop-power-bank-review-all-my-favorite-battery-features-together-at-last-130036854.html?src=rss

The 10 best white elephant gifts that are worth stealing

There are a lot of competing ideas as to what a white elephant gift exchange really is. The origins of the term white elephant point to one definition: According to legend, the King of Siam would give a white elephant to courtiers who had upset them. It was a far more devious punishment than simply having them executed. The recipient had no choice but to simply thank the king for such an opulent gift, knowing that they likely could not afford the upkeep for such an animal. It would inevitably lead them to financial ruin. While that story is almost certainly untrue, it can inform one approach to the white elephant gift exchange: gifting something just useful or amusing enough that it wont immediately get tossed into the trash, but is also somewhat of a burden. However, every workplace, friend group and family unit has their own approach to white elephant gift exchanges nowadays. Some compete to get a gift that others will surely want to steal, while others scavenge for the most niche and targeted gag gifts. Almost all of them, though, typically have a price limit that keeps the burden of gift giving to a minimum usually $50 or less. So with all of that in mind, here are some white elephant gift ideas that will get you a few chuckles without requiring you to spend too much (or think too hard about it). Best white elephant gift ideas White elephant FAQs What is white elephant? A white elephant gift exchange is a party game typically played around the holidays in which people exchange funny, impractical gifts. How does white elephant work? A group of people each bring one wrapped gift to the white elephant gift exchange, and each gift is typically of a similar value. All gifts are then placed together and the group decides the order in which they will each claim a gift. The first person picks a white elephant gift from the pile, unwraps it and their turn ends. The following players can either decide to unwrap another gift and claim it as their own, or steal a gift from someone who has already taken a turn. The rules can vary from there, including the guidelines around how often a single item can be stolen some say twice, max. The game ends when every person has a white elephant gift. Why is it called white elephant? The term white elephant is said to come from the legend of the King of Siam gifting white elephants to courtiers who upset him. While it seems like a lavish gift on its face, the belief is that the courtiers would be ruined by the animals upkeep costs. Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-10-best-white-elephant-gifts-that-are-worth-stealing-150516734.html?src=rss

The Morning After: GTA 6 is delayed until November 2026

Rockstar Games has announced Grand Theft Auto VI 's launch is being delayed once again to November 19, 2026. Thats roughly a year from now. It was previously delayed from its 2025 launch window to May 26, 2026. And now again. If you have the feeling its been a while since the last GTA game, youd be right. GTA V was originally released in 2013 and has been re-released multiple times since then. In fact, its a rare game thats spanned PS3, PS4 and PS5. Rockstar is likely self-assured that the game will do fine. Grand Theft Auto Online , a multiplayer mode for GTA V that can also be downloaded as a standalone game, remains a hit. We continue to supply content to GTA Online , and in fact weve had terrific results there. And GTA+ continues to grow its membership. In fact, its had 20 percent growth year-over-year. And GTA V has sold more than 220 million units, said Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick in an interview with The Game Business. Mat Smith Get Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The news you might have missed How I learned to love the flawed PlayStation Portal as a new dad Black Friday 2025: The best early tech deals so far Our favorite advent calendars for 2025 (Ive already got a Taskmaster one)Mat Apple may release its first low-cost MacBook in early 2026 The budget-friendly system is in early production. Apple may debut a low-cost Mac laptop in the first half of 2026. According to a Bloomberg report, its in early production, and Apple is testing the devices internally. The idea may be to create a rival to cheap Chromebooks and Windows PCs, nudging folks into that money-spinning ecosystem. The company is said to be making the system with casual users, students and businesses in mind. (Id guess many of those users are paying more for MacBooks with power theyll never really tap into.) The report suggests itll have a lower-end LCD display, and its expected to run on an A-series iPhone processor that would still, apparently, deliver better performance than the M1. Continue reading. Why DJI drones might be banned in the US Everything you need to know about the Chinese companys future in America. DJI drones still face a potential US ban, due to national security concerns. Its a combination of the companys Chinese origins and laws compelling cooperation with state intelligence services. Its also a very visible, notable drone maker and flying robots understandably make folks nervous. After losing a recent lawsuit and an appeal, DJI is nearing a key December 23, 2025, deadline under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which could trigger an automatic ban. A recent FCC vote and pending legislation could also block sales and even theoretically prevent people from using already-purchased drones by cutting off radio access. DJI might have to hope a ban will create enough customer outcry to stimulate a political response in its favor. Continue reading. Driving Hondas lighter, faster and more fun next-gen hybrid prototype New hybrids are coming soon from Honda. Engadget Honda revealed its new hybrid car tech, and its lighter, faster and actually fun. Thats accomplished by massive weight savings and a surprising S+ Shift mode, which simulates an eight-speed transmission for manual driving fans. We got a first look at the platform that will transform the next-gen Civic and Prelude, officially, hopefully marking the end of the slow, droning hybrid car. Continue reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-gta-6-is-delayed-until-november-2026-121525547.html?src=rss

How to generate AI images using ChatGPT

Since March of this year , it's been possible to generate images directly within ChatGPT. Following a period where it briefly wasn't available to free users, you now don't even pay for one of OpenAI's subscriptions to use the tool. And while making images inside of ChatGPT is easy, there are some nuances worth explaining. For example, did you know you can ask ChatGPT to edit photos you've taken? It's more powerful than you might think. Heres everything you need to know about generating AI images with ChatGPT. How to create images with ChatGPT using text prompts To begin making an image in ChatGPT, you can start by typing in the prompt bar. Igor Bonifacic for Engadget To begin generating images in ChatGPT, start typing in the prompt bar what you want to see. There's no need to overthink things; as long as you have some version of generate an image followed by a description of your idea, ChatGPT will do the rest. Depending on the complexity of your prompt, it may take up to two minutes for ChatGPT to complete your image request. Sometimes the process can take longer if OpenAI's servers are experiencing greater traffic than usual. How to create images with ChatGPT using existing photos You can also upload images to ChatGPT. Igor Bonifacic for Engadget In addition to generating images from text prompts, ChatGPT can modify existing photos or images you upload. This is my preferred way of making images with ChatGPT; I don't need to describe the composition, I can use an existing one to guide the chatbot. To use a photo as a starting point for a new generation, follow these steps: Tap the + icon, located to the left of the prompt bar. Select Add photos & files . Select the image you want ChatGPT to edit. If uploading an image from your phone, you'll need to grant ChatGPT access to your camera roll. Write a prompt describing the changes you want. Keep in mind any photos you upload to OpenAI's servers may be used by the company to train future models . You can opt out of allowing your data to be used for training by following these steps: Open the sidebar menu.On mobile, tap the two lines on the top left of the interface. On desktop, click on the OpenAI logo. Tap your name to access account settings. Tap Data controls . Toggle off Improve the model for everyone . How to edit the images ChatGPT generates ChatGPT gives you a few different ways to modify an image to your liking. Igor Bonifacic for Engadget If you're unhappy with ChatGPT's output, you have two options. You can either prompt it to create an entirely new image, or edit parts of the picture it just generated. As before, you can simply write what changes you want to see in the prompt bar. OpenAI also gives users a few different shortcuts to accomplish the same task. To generate an entirely new image: On mobile, tap the two arrows icon below the image ChatGPT created. Select Try again , Add details or More concise . Alternatively, tap the image ChatGPT created and select Edit . Describe what you want ChatGPT to add, remove or replace through the prompt bar. To edit part of an existing image generation: Tap the image ChatGPT created. Tap Select . On desktop, instead click on the paintbrush icon on the top right. Use your finger to mask the section of the image you want ChatGPT to tweak. The slider on the left allows you to adjust the size of the masking brush. Describe what you want ChatGPT to add, remove or replace through the prompt bar. Like all AI systems, ChatGPT is non-deterministic, meaning even if you prompt it in the same way multiple times, it won't generate the exact same response each time. Tips to create better images with ChatGPT The best advice I can offer is to be specific when prompting ChatGPT. The more detail you can provide when describing what you want from it, the better the results. And remember: ChatGPT can hallucinate as you may have noticed from one of the example pictures I included above. In the image of the tortoiseshell cat, not only is the tortie not sitting on the window sill as instructed, it's sitting on a table that doesn't make much sense. So, most of all, be patient. Prompting an AI model is not exact science, and it can take a few tries before it creates the result you want. FAQs How do you access ChatGPT? ChatGPT is available on the web, desktop and mobile. To access it on your computer, open your preferred browser and navigate to chatgpt.com . OpenAI also offers dedicated Mac and Windows apps you can download from the company's website . On iOS and Android, you'll need to download the ChatGPT app from either the App Store or Google Play before you can start using the chatbot. Since ChatGPT runs on OpenAI's servers, as long as you can access the chatbot, you'll be able to use it to create images no matter the age of your phone or computer. Can ChatGPT generate images for free? Yes, ChatGPT can generate images for free, as long as you have an OpenAI account. However, there is a daily rate cap and GPT-5 will take longer to make an image. Following March 27, 2025 , OpenAI briefly limited free users to three image generations per day. The company has since relaxed that restriction, though it doesn't list a specific limit on its website. In my experience, you'll be able to generate about six to seven images every 24 hours. OpenAI's $20-per-month Plus plan offers expanded and faster image creation, while its $200-per-month Pro tier includes unlimited image generation as a perk. Can ChatGPT recreate an existing photo? No. For copyright reasons, ChatGPT can't replicate photos or exact real world events. For example, when I asked it to recreate the photo of Zinedine Zidane's iconic 2006 World Cup headbutt, ChatGPT refused. I can make an artistic reinterpretation inspired by the emotion or energy of that moment for example, a stylized painting showing the tension and intensity of competition, without depicting real individuals, it told me. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/how-to-generate-ai-images-using-chatgpt-120000560.html?src=rss

The best Apple AirTag accessories for 2025

Apples AirTag is a small tracker that helps you monitor your essentials from keys and wallets to luggage and backpacks. To make the most of it, youll want the right accessories to keep it secure and easy to attach. The best AirTag accessories protect your tracker, add style and make it easier to fit it into your daily routine. Theres a wide range of options depending on how you use your AirTag. Some holders are slim enough to slip into a wallet while others are rugged enough to clip onto a bike or a pet collar. You can find leather key rings that match your Apple gear, silicone loops for gym bags and hard cases that stand up to travel or outdoor use. Many come in different colors and finishes so you can match them to your style while keeping your items easy to find. From minimalist inserts to heavy-duty mounts, these AirTag accessories combine form and function to keep your tracker protected and your belongings within reach. Best AirTag holders for 2025 AirTag holder FAQs Why do AirTags need a holder? AirTags need a holder because they do not have built-in keyring holes like Tile, Chipolo and other Bluetooth trackers do. How do you attach an AirTag to things? You'll need a holder or case to attach an AirTag to your stuff. If you're comfortable slipping an AirTag into an interior pocket of a bag or coat, you can do so without an extra accessory. But if you want to use one to keep track of your keys, wallet, backpack or even your pet on their collar, you'll need an accessory that can accommodate that use case. Do AirTag holders affect tracking performance? No, AirTag holders should not affect tracking performance. Do AirTag holders protect against scratches and impacts? Yes, AirTag holders can protect against scratches and impacts. Many AirTag cases encircle the edge of the tracker only, leave the two disk sides exposed. For the most protection, look for an AirTag holder than goes around the entire Bluetooth tracker like a sleeve. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-apple-airtag-cases-holders-accessories-123036404.html?src=rss

Guillermo del Toro delivers a Frankenstein for the tech bro era

There's a reason the story of Frankenstein endures. Its examination of mankind's hubris and inhumane scientific progress has only become more relevant since Mary Shelley's time. The pursuit of innovation at all costs has led to new monsters, born from people who failed (or refused) to consider the consequences of their actions. So it's no wonder that Victor Frankenstein in Guillermo del Toro's Netflix adaptation feels so much like a modern day tech bro. He is practically their template. Squint a bit, and you can see Frankensteins recklessness in Mark Zuckerberg ignoring Facebooks role in promoting the genocide in Myanmar , with Elon Musk lying about Teslas real self-driving capabilities (potentially leading to several crashes), or Sam Altmans OpenAI building a hallucinating AI search engine trained on stolen content. Screw the consequences, they just want to shout its alive! as their products go viral (and as their investors lap up the engagement). Del Toro's Frankenstein is a remix of the major elements of the novel there's the doomed love story, the mad scientist driven by his ego and the sympathetic monster who demonstrates far more humanity than his creator refashioned in the director's opulent style. But it's also clear from the film's explosive opening, where an Arctic ship encounters Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) being chased by a seemingly unkillable Creature (Jacob Elordi), that del Toro isn't shying away from his campier horror roots. Arms are torn off, gallons of blood are spilled. This Frankenstein contains multitudes. Why did Victor Frankenstein go through hell to reanimate the dead? Because he could. In the novel and this film, the whole ordeal was always about bragging rights and demonstrating his greatness as a scientist. He didnt consider what he owed to the new life form, or the cruelty of bringing a being into the world with no companion. It didnt matter who he hurt. Sound familiar? Mia Goth and Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein Netflix What truly makes del Toro's Frankenstein work is his understanding of the characters. As Victor Frankenstein, Oscar Isaac embodies the punk rock charm of a rebel scientist who thinks he alone can invent a way to reanimate life. But he also lives with the memory of an abusive father who likely killed his beloved mother. Elizabeth fascinates and intrigues Victor, but she's also disgusted by his apathy for the natural world. It's not hard to see why she feels immediate sympathy for the Creature, who is portrayed by Jacob Elordi as a sort of child-like super human. He's an immediate disappointment to Frankenstein, who can't help but repeat the cycle of abuse he experienced with his father. Looking back at his career, it's as if del Toro has been trying to adapt Shelley's novel through all of his films. You can see elements of the story in his debut feature Cronos , which centers on a device that makes people immortal (but also curses them with a thirst for blood). The tragic father and son relationship between Frankenstein and the Creature is mapped directly onto the evil vampires in Blade 2 . The Gothic romance between Frankenstein and his sister-in-law Elizabeth (who also has eyes for the Creature) echoes Crimson Peak . And the desire for a seemingly evil being to fit into normal human life is front and center in del Toro's Hellboy films. Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein Netflix In an interview with NPR , del Toro mentioned that, as a child, seeing the monster appear for the first time in the 1931 Frankenstein film was an epiphany. It was an experience that helped him understand his own faith, and seemingly his entire view of life and art. His Frankenstein is the work of someone who has been living with the story for decades. It comes to life with lavish sets, his love of voluptuous colors (there's a scene of a red scarf floating in the air that haunts me) and his fascination with the macabre. Theres a lesson in Frankenstein for todays tech elite, but given their current obsession with AI despite its potentially massive societal and environmental impacts, I have little hope theyll learn anything from it. But when Guillermo del Toro was asked about using generative AI by NPR, he spoke as someone who truly understood Shelleys novel. Id rather die, he said. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/guillermo-del-toro-delivers-a-frankenstein-for-the-tech-bro-era-080000058.html?src=rss

Elon Musk says Tesla owners can text and drive very soon

Elon Musk went on stage on Thursday night during Teslas annual shareholders meeting and made some big claims and promises. The company is almost comfortable letting owners with Full Self-Driving (FSD) text and drive, he said. At the moment, its vehicles are still strictly monitoring drivers to make sure their eyes are on the road, but Musk said that Tesla will enable unsupervised FSD that will allow texting and driving within a month or two. To note, Teslas FSD is currently capable of level 2 autonomous driving. Musk is promising at least a level 4 capability, in which the driver can be disengaged as the car performs all driving tasks for them, within a short span of time. While he said that Tesla will look at its safety data first, he didnt discuss the steps its taking to enable texting while driving and whether its already discussing the legalities of it with regulators. Talking about the Cybercab, Musk said production of the robotaxis will begin by April next year. Since it will be specifically built with autonomy in mind, it will not have pedals, a steering wheel and even side mirrors. The Cybercabs manufacturing process, he explained, is vastly different from typical car production and is more comparable to phone manufacturing. Thats why he thinks the company will be able to produce one unit every 10 seconds. Musk also talked about the flying car he teased on Joe Rogans show . When asked at the event, he said the demo will now take place on April 1, 2026, instead of this month or the next like he told Rogan. It remains to be seen whether were going to get April Fooled, but Musk claimed that production of Teslas flying vehicle will happen a year or so after its unveiling. As always, take Musks claims with a grain of salt, as hes pretty infamous for being overly ambitious with his timelines. While Musk was on stage talking about Teslas plans, an Optimus humanoid robot was standing by the side. The CEO said Optimus is bound to become the biggest product of all time, bigger than cellphones, bigger than anything. Tesla will start with a 1-million production line and then a 10-million production line, but he said the company expects to eventually produce 100 million to a billion Optimus robots a year. He envisions a world wherein the humanoid machines will provide people with medical care as well as a world wherein instead of being jailed, Optimus follows criminals around to stop them from committing more crimes. Before Musk went on stage, Teslas shareholders had voted to approve his pay package worth up to $1 trillion over the next 10 years. Tesla has to hit several goals for Musk to become the first trillionaire, though, including reaching a market value of $8.5 trillion from its current worth of $1.4 billion and selling a million Optimus robots. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/elon-musk-says-tesla-owners-can-text-and-drive-very-soon-042454805.html?src=rss

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra has been delayed with no new release window

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra has been delayed again. The project had already been pushed back in May from a planned 2025 release date to a rough early 2026 window. In a post on X today, Skydance Games said the title won't be ready for even longer. We've made the decision to shift our release window beyond 2026, the statement reads. Important update regarding MARVEL 1943: Rise of Hydra. pic.twitter.com/y3WRSjVmds Skydance Games (@SkydanceGames) November 6, 2025 Amy Hennig's studio, which is part of Skydance , is the main driver of the project, which we know is a story-driven title with a quartet of Marvel characters in occupied Paris during World War II. Hennig was a core part of the creative team behind the Uncharted series, and was more recently a story consultant on Forspoken . She's also been long tied to some mysterious Star Wars title , but that game has also been pretty light on details for a few years. That's two high-profile AAA delays in one afternoon. Fans worldwide will have to wait longer for the eventual arrival of Grand Theft Auto 6 . Rockstar's eventual mega-hit has been pushed to a November 19, 2026 launch date. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/marvel-1943-rise-of-hydra-has-been-delayed-with-no-new-release-window-000121455.html?src=rss

Tesla shareholders approve Elon Musk's $1 trillion compensation package

Teslas shareholders have voted in favor of a compensation plan that could see CEO Elon Musk become the world's first trillionaire. The potential incentives were laid out in September, and the company's shareholders have agreed to allow this all-or-nothing package for its chief exec, who spent the first half of this year decimating the US federal government rather than working on any Tesla-adjacent projects. The compensation plan lists several targets that the company must reach for Musk to reap the vast rewards. Tesla must reach a market value of $8.5 trillion, compared with its current worth of about $1.4 billion. Other requirements are metrics-based, such as selling a million robots with humanoid qualities, while others are strategic, such as establishing a succession plan for future Tesla leadership. Musk also has a lot of other irons in the fire across SpaceX and xAI, so the incentives may be an effort to keep the CEO focused on generating more money for this specific group of supporters. Presently, most times the Tesla name makes headlines, it's not for good press. The company coupled record-high revenue with tumbling profits in its Q3 2025 financial results. Just during October, it was the subject of multiple investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and incurred the wrath of the California Department of Insurance. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-shareholders-approve-elon-musks-1-trillion-compensation-package-233217531.html?src=rss

Ford may not resume production of the F-150 Lightning

The Wall Street Journal reported today that Ford may be on the verge of sunsetting the F-150 Lightning truck. The model is an electric pick-up truck, and the best-selling one in the US, but the publication cited Ford execs who said the company would consider halting production completely on the F-150 Lightning. Weve reached out to Ford for comment and will update if we receive a statement. The auto brand said it would cut back on production last January due to slowing demand for the vehicles. At the time, Ford shuffled several of the workers who had been building the F-150 Lightning to constructing other auto models. Then, a fire this October at an aluminum plant supplying Ford led the company to pause production of the Lightning trucks. In Ford's third-quarter financial results , its Model e electric vehicle operation lost $1.4 billion, and has lost $3.6 billion over the first nine months of 2025. Rather than projects such as the F-150 Lightning, Ford has hinted that it will shift strategy to work on smaller, more affordable electric vehicles based on its Universal EV platform. Ford may not be the only manufacturer to ramp down its EV plans in the US. A federal tax credit of $7,500 for purchasing EVs was abruptly ended in September under the current administration's financial policies. After unveiling its latest EV models this week, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe spoke to Engadget about the potential long-term impact: With the Trump administration in place, we have a sense that maybe the EV growth has been moved back out by maybe five years or so into the future. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/ford-may-not-resume-production-of-the-f-150-lightning-221903848.html?src=rss

The YouTube TV Disney blackout continues: How to watch college football on ESPN, ABC and more

Engadget It doesn't look like Disney-owned channels including ABC and ESPN will be returning to YouTube TV anytime soon. The Walt Disney Co. pulled its channels from YouTube TV as of midnight on Oct. 30 after the two companies failed to reach new terms on their latest carriage agreement and the spat is showing no signs of a resolution yet. While big sporting events are often where the rubber meets the road on these channel blackouts, YouTube TV subscribers were unable to see any college football games on ABC or ESPN all weekend, and it's looking like this weekend will be just as frustrating for sports fans. YouTube TV had previously stated that if Disneys channels remain off the platform for an extended period, customers will receive a $20 monthly credit. YouTube has confirmed this credit hasn't been activated yet for customers, but if and when it is, the discount provides little consolation if you want to watch this weekend's college games or your favorite shows like Abbott Elementary , Grey's Anatomy and Dancing with the Stars the night they air. If you do want to watch any live shows or sports this week, you'll need to seek out alternative viewing methods. And unfortunately for YouTube TV's negotiating position, there are plenty of options. One of the cheapest ways to watch ESPN is with a Sling Day Pass for just $5/day, you can tune into any and all ESPN programming with no other commitments. If you want a full switch from YouTube TV, there's Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, or Fubo, where you can watch all the Disney-owned channels. (Remember, unlike a lot of cable plans, you can easily pause or cancel YouTube TV or any of these alternatives, so long as you have month-to-month subscriptions.) Below, we've outlined some of your best options to watch ESPN, the Disney Channel, ABC and more, all pulled from our list of best live TV streaming services to cut cable , as well as a comprehensive list of which channels have been affected, and the biggest sporting events of the week that won't be available to YouTube TV subscribers. What games are on ESPN/ABC this week? If you're wondering what games you might miss as a result of the YouTubeTV/Disney blackout, here's a list of some upcoming sports you may not want to miss: College Football Thursday, Nov. 6 7:30 p.m. | Georgia Southern at Appalachian State | ESPN2 7:30 p.m. | UTSA at South Florida | ESPN Friday, Nov. 7 9 p.m. | Tulane at Memphis | ESPN Saturday, Nov. 8 12 p.m. | No. 5 Georgia at Mississippi State | ESPN 12 p.m. | No. 7 BYU at No. 8 Texas Tech | ABC 12 p.m. | SMU at Boston College | ACC Network 12 p.m. | James Madison at Marshall | ESPN2 12 p.m. | Southern Miss at Arkansas State | ESPNU 3:30 p.m. | No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 22 Missouri | ABC 3:30 p.m. | Syracuse at No. 18 Miami (Fla.) | ESPN 3:30 p.m. | Kansas at Arizona | ESPN2 4 p.m. | Auburn at No. 16 Vanderbilt | SEC Network 4 p.m. | Kennesaw State at New Mexico State | ESPN+ 4 p.m. | Georgia State at Coastal Carolina | ESPN+ 5 p.m. | Texas State at Louisiana | ESPN+ 7 p.m. | Wake Forest at No. 14 Virginia | ESPN 7 p.m. | Cal at No. 15 Louisville | ESPN2 7 p.m. | Florida State at Clemson | ACCN 7:30 p.m. | LSU at No. 4 Alabama | ABC 7:30 p.m. | Florida at Kentucky | SEC Network NFL Monday, Nov. 10 8:15 p.m. | Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers | ESPN/ABC Grab an ESPN bundle so you won't miss the NFL, NBA or any other games Get Hulu + Live TV at a great price Try Fubo free for a week and get $30 your first month Try DirecTV free for 5 days, and get $30 off your first month What about Sling day passes? You may have heard that Sling offers day, weekend and week passes to its streaming programming for as little as $5 per day. That is an option if you're looking for just some of the ESPN channels (the Sling Orange tier), but ABC isn't included. (If you're just looking to catch one of this week's big games, like Monday Night Football on ESPN, it's a great short-term solution.) If you want a longer-term solution, you can get both ESPN and ABC with Sling's Orange and Blue package ($30 a month to start, $61 thereafter), but you'll need to add on the Sports Extra package for ESPNU, which requires an additional charge. Get your local Disney/ABC programming for free Need your local ABC programming? Your station may have its own free local streaming news channel (many do), you can see if The Roku Channel carries your local station's news, or download your local news station app if it's a Nexstar channel. The other alternative if you're within the broadcast radius of a local ABC affiliate is to get an over-the-air antenna. You can plug in your ZIP code at antennaweb.org to see what channels are in your area. This off-brand unit has worked very well in our initial testing it's under $30, and the channels are truly free. Which channels are no longer available on YouTube TV? Every channel that's owned by The Walt Disney Company is currently blacked out on YouTube TV. Those channels are: ABC ABC News Live ACC Network Disney Channel Disney Junior Disney XD ESPN ESPNews ESPN2 ESPNU Freeform FX FXM FXX Localish Nat Geo Nat Geo Wild SEC Network ESPN Deportes Baby TV Espaol Nat Geo Mundo Update Nov. 6 2025, 4:38PM ET: This story has been updated to include viewing info for weekend college football games, as well as the next Monday Night Football. Update Nov. 5 2025, 12:32PM ET: This story has been updated to include detailed info on tonight's ESPN NBA games. Update Nov. 3 2025, 6:36PM ET: This story has been updated to include YouTube TV's latest response to Disney's request to restore its channels for just 24 hours. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-youtube-tv-disney-blackout-continues-how-to-watch-college-football-on-espn-abc-and-more-173330237.html?src=rss

Meta's smart glasses have a new shortcut to call and text without saying 'hey Meta'

One of the things that's long irked me about Meta's smart glasses is how often you have to say hey Meta. Even though the company's AI assistant has gotten significantly more capable , there's something a little cringey about using its voice commands in public spaces. Now, the company has rolled out an update that makes you a little less dependent on voice commands for all its glasses. A new quick connect feature allows you to create a one-touch shortcut for frequently used communication actions, like making a phone call or sending a text to a specific contact. The update is out now as part of the 19.2 software update. The idea of quick connect is similar to the functionality of the action button on the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses, though it's more limited in scope. The feature allows you to designate a specific contact that you can message, text or call just by holding down on the touchpad on the right side of the glasses. The Meta AI app will even let you choose your preferred method of reaching them, whether it's WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger or your phone's native calling or messaging app. The same one-touch press and hold shortcut can also be used to send photos and videos shot on the glasses right after you take them (also via your chosen app). You can designate a specific contact and on which app you want to be able to contact them. During its Connect event, Meta previewed some updates for third-party apps that appear to allow developers to set their own wake words for the glasses when using their services. So there is some hope that eventually the company will offer a bit more flexibility with its voice commands. Even so, it's unlikely you'll be able to get away with never having to say hey Meta, but the quick connect update is a handy way to make messaging a bit more discreet. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/metas-smart-glasses-have-a-new-shortcut-to-call-and-text-without-saying-hey-meta-213303178.html?src=rss

Grand Theft Auto VI is delayed to November 19, 2026

Fans will have to wait a bit longer to return to Vice City. Rockstar Games has announced that Grand Theft Auto VI has been delayed once again to November 19, 2026. The open world game was previously delayed from its 2025 launch window to May 26, 2026 earlier this year. We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve, Rockstar said on its official X account. The new launch date delays the hotly anticipated game by a whole six months from its previous date. Hi everyone, Grand Theft Auto VI will now release on Thursday, November 19, 2026. We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and pic.twitter.com/yLX9KIiDzX Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) November 6, 2025 Take-Two, GTA VIs publisher, does not appear particularly worried about the delay. We said when we set the last date, if a game requires more polish to be the best possible version of itself, then we will give that game more time, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said in an interview with The Game Business . We feel really good about this release date. Its in the same fiscal year, it happens to be a great release window, and naturally were really supportive of Rockstars approach. Developing This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/grand-theft-auto-vi-is-delayed-to-november-19-2026-211848530.html?src=rss

CRKD is making a drum controller for rhythm games

CRKD is expanding its lineup of rhythm game controllers. The gaming accessory maker previously released guitar controllers that are compatible with games like Fortnite Festival and open-source projects like Clone Hero , and based on a recent teaser video , it looks like it's doing a drum kit controller next. The teaser is brief, but CRKD appears to be covering all the basics that old Rock Band and Guitar Hero controllers did, with four separate colored pads, a pedal and cymbals. In a blog post , the company says that it plans to incorporate the good lessons (and the bad) from its previous controllers, mix them with customer feedback and hopefully make an even better controller when the drum controller is formally introduced in Q1 2026. While rhythm games aren't as big as they used to be, they never fully left the indie scene, and they could be primed for a bit of a comeback in 2026. Nintendo plans to release a new entry in its Rhythm Heaven series, Rhythm Heaven Groove , in 2026, and Epic Games continues to support Fortnite Festival with new songs. CRKD also happens to be owned by Embracer Freemode, the same parent company of the revived RedOctane Games , which is working on new rhythm games after helping to popularize the genre with the original Guitar Hero. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/crkd-is-making-a-drum-controller-for-rhythm-games-190154673.html?src=rss

The New York Times is letting you create your own Wordle puzzles

The Games section is one of the highlights of reading The New York Times , and Wordle has been one of the crowning successes for the team since acquiring it in 2022. Now, fans of the popular word game can create their own custom puzzles. The publication announced today that its All Access and Games subscribers have the option to make World challenges of their own to send to friends and family. The custom puzzles must be four to seven letters long, and the creator can opt to include a clue. The puzzle will get a custom URL for sharing, and a subscription isn't required for people to play an original Wordle challenge. Wordle creation is available on the Times' mobile apps for both iOS and Android as well as in mobile web and desktop browsers. It's a fun idea and a cute way for follow word nerds to entertain (and possibly torment) each other. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-new-york-times-is-letting-you-create-your-own-wordle-puzzles-185429249.html?src=rss

Meta is making billions of dollars from scam ads on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, report says

Meta is making billions of dollars every year from ads marketing scams and illegal products on its platform, according to a new report from Reuters. The report details the staggering numbers behind scam ads on Meta's platform, and raises fresh questions about why the company has failed to get the problem in check. Last year, Meta estimated that scam ads could account for as much as 10 percent of its revenue, a total that would amount to about $16 billion, according to documents reported by Reuters. This includes ads for fraudulent e-commerce and investment schemes, illegal online casinos, and the sale of banned medical products. In fact, scams on Meta's platform are so far-reaching that researchers at the company estimated that its apps were involved in a third of all successful scams in the U.S. The report also outlines how Meta has at times made it harder for its own teams to fight such ads, and how its own processes allow for repeat offenders to continue buying ads. It says that a small advertiser caught promoting financial fraud wouldn't be blocked until they were flagged at least eight times. Meta has been even more lenient with bigger spenders, which have reportedly been permitted to accrue more than 500 strikes without being removed from the platform. That may sound shockingly permissive, particularly compared to Meta's standards for users on its platform, but the Reuters report highlights how high the stakes are for Meta. The report notes that just four ad campaigns removed by Meta this year accounted for $67 million in revenue for the company. The report says that internally, executives have grappled with how to bring scam ads under control without adversely affecting the company's bottom line. At one point, managers were reportedly told not to take actions that could cost Meta more than 0.15% of the companys total revenue. In response to the report, Meta told Reuters that the estimated 10 percent of revenue from scam ads was rough and overly-inclusive, but didn't share an alternative figure. Over the past 18 months, we have reduced user reports of scam ads globally by 58 percent and, so far in 2025, weve removed more than 134 million pieces of scam ad content, spokesperson Andy Stone said. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-making-billions-of-dollars-from-scam-ads-on-facebook-instagram-and-whatsapp-report-says-184128645.html?src=rss

NotebookLM can now test your knowledge with flashcards and quizzes

NotebookLM, the one AI tool from Google everyone loves , is about to become more useful for studying. Google has begun rolling out an update that allows people to use the app to create flashcards and personalized quizzes. When you use NotebookLM in this way, you'll be able to set the difficulty of the material, as well as the number of questions or cards the app presents to you. It's also possible to select the sources you want the software to pull from by navigating to the Studio tab, meaning you can focus on what matters to you. With today's update, Google is also promising significant improvements to the app's ability to chat on mobile. Thanks to its latest Gemini models, the company says NotebookLM now has a four times larger context window than before and six times longer conversation memory. Overall, chat quality should be about 50 percent better too. If you want to give NotebookLM a try for yourself, download it from the App Store or Google Play . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/notebooklm-can-now-test-your-knowledge-with-flashcards-and-quizzes-183351007.html?src=rss

Amazon is testing an AI tool that automatically translates books into other languages

Amazon just introduced an AI tool that will automatically translate books into other languages . The appropriately-named Kindle Translate is being advertised as a resource for authors that self publish on the platform. The company says the tool can translate entire books between English and Spanish and German to English. Amazon promises that more languages are coming down the pike. It's available right now in a beta form to select authors enrolled in the Kindle Direct Publishing platform. There's a broader rollout planned for a later date. Books that use this service will have a clear Kindle Translate label, which might serve as a warning to consumers. Translating a book isn't a matter of just swapping out words. There's a whole lot of nuance and intent behind those words and it's unclear if the algorithm will be able to handle all of that. Major literary works often take years to get a decent translation out the door. Just ask Americans who often have to wait eons to gobble up the latest book by someone like Haruki Murakami. This is a modern AI tool, so it's worth considering potential hallucinations . Nothing ruins a read more than a nonsensical chapter that was completely made up by a bot . Amazon does say that all translations are automatically evaluated for accuracy before publication. Authors can preview the content before publishing it, but they are unlikely to know the language it's being translated into. We'll have to see how this all shakes out. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/amazon-is-testing-an-ai-tool-that-automatically-translates-books-into-other-languages-183056809.html?src=rss

A Ball x Pit animated short answers some key questions about our roguelite obsession

Devolver Digital had a lovely little surprise up its sleeve this fine Thursday. The publisher released an animated short for Ball x Pit , the roguelite mashup sensation thats put a serious dent in the productivity levels of several of the Engadget crew. The funny four-minute clip, which comedy animation house Mashed created, clears up some key questions about the game. To set things up, Ball x Pit is set after a cataclysmic event wipes out the city of Ballbylon. A pit is all that really remains, and hunters descend into it to find treasure and resources to build New Ballbylon. In the pit, you fire an array of balls (a bit like in Breakout ) to destroy enemies that move incessantly toward you (like in Space Invaders ). There are bosses and characters with special abilities and powerups you can merge and evolve to devastating effect. Theres a base-building side to the game too that sees you bouncing the hunters around New Ballbylon to obtain resources and build structures. Its a very good video game. The short features two residents of the town joking about some of these hunters during a celebration called Hero Day. The pair ribs the base character, The Warrior, for being a bit basic. When it comes to the second hero the Itchy Finger we find out just how the heroes fire the balls. Heads up: its a little gross. One of the things I wished Ball x Pit had more of is lore, and I love that we get some of that here. This is a fun short that makes some lighthearted jabs at the game while describing some of its features and oh no Im probably going to sucked back in to playing it again even before developer Kenny Sun adds some extra stuff to it at some point. Ball x Pit is out now on Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Its available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/a-ball-x-pit-animated-short-answers-some-key-questions-about-our-roguelite-obsession-180528272.html?src=rss

Former Anker employees launch new startup to build a hybrid RV trailer

A startup founded by former Anker employees plans to launch a hybrid RV next year. Evotrex exists to transform how people experience the outdoors, according to CEO Alex Xiao. On Thursday, the California-based company announced that it had secured $16 million in Pre-A funding. Among its backers are Anker's founders (not Anker itself). The RV trailer is designed to last for days far off the grid. To achieve that, its battery is supplemented by a gas engine. Live rangelessly and focus on the adventure ahead instead of where to find the next charger, its website reads. Another line: Relax off-grid without ever needing to leave your base camp. You get the picture: The idea is that the gas motor lets you venture farther from civilization for longer. Evotrex's founders told TechCrunch that the battery will power the RVs cabin, electronics and electric motor. The gas motor is there to recharge the battery and extend its range. They claim that the gas engine is more eco-friendly than others. They say it's quieter and more efficient, and that the RV trailer can use the motor's excess heat to warm the cabin. Inside of the Evotrex RV cabin. Rendering. Evotrex Evotrex is hardly alone in keeping gas engines around. EV sales have slowed, and the industry has responded in turn. According to Pew Research , 45 percent of Americans are likely to consider a hybrid vehicle. Only 33 percent said the same for an EV. So, we see automakers responding by delaying EVs or cutting production . This week, Hondas CEO said the Trump administration has put US EV growth back by five years or so. (Meanwhile, the UN warned this week that the world is falling well short of crucial climate targets .) Evotrex will fully reveal the RV trailer at CES 2026. The company will open reservations on January 6, and it plans to ship the first models by the end of next year. Apart from Anker's founders, investors include Unity Ventures, Kylinhall Partners, Vision Plus Capital and Xstar Capital. You can learn more at the companys website . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/former-anker-employees-launch-new-startup-to-build-a-hybrid-rv-trailer-175423273.html?src=rss

Lego's Star Trek USS Enterprise set arrives on Black Friday

There's an official Lego set that recreates the iconic Enterprise-D from Star Trek: The Next Generation, after first being teased a few months back . It'll be available on November 28 at a cost of $400. That's Black Friday, for those at home keeping score. This is a fairly large set, with 3,600 pieces and all kinds of knick-knacks pulled from the show. It ships with nine minifigures, including Captain Picard, Guinan and Worf. Riker even comes with a trombone and Data accompanies his beloved cat, Spot. Every main character is here, even Wesley Crusher. Ensign Ro Laren makes an appearance, for those who want to recreate the crackling tension between her and Picard. The ship itself is represented in all of its glory. The saucer section is detachable and there's a shuttle bay door that opens. Inside, there are two cute little shuttlepods. All told, the model measures around 10.5 inches tall, 23.5 inches long and 18.5 inches wide. It comes with a stand so it'll look great on that Trek-themed mantle. The set will be available for preorder soon, but we don't have an actual date on that. It costs $400. Now that we finally have an official Lego Enterprise, where is the Lego Voyager and Lego Deep Space Nine? Get on that. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/legos-star-trek-uss-enterprise-set-arrives-on-black-friday-173414532.html?src=rss

SpaceX acquires $2.6 billion more in spectrum licenses from EchoStar

SpaceX is acquiring more spectrum licenses from EchoStar in exchange for about $2.6 billion worth of shares in Elon Musk's aerospace company. The transaction is an expansion of the $17 billion deal struck between the companies in September. SpaceX had previously said it would use these licenses for its Starlink satellites as it works to build out the network's 5G connectivity. The AWS-3 spectrum licenses changing hands include frequencies used in the US for commercial wireless services such as mobile and satellite communications. The distribution and use of spectrum are overseen by the federal government, which also lays out requirements for the use and development of spectrum for the benefit of consumers. EchoStar had been facing pressure from the FCC to either use its substantial spectrum stockpile or seek divestment. This deal encompasses all of EchoStars' remaining unpaired AWS-3 spectrum holdings. Earlier this year, the company sold $23 billion worth of licenses to AT&T in addition to its deals with SpaceX. The FCC ended its investigation into EchoStar after these sales. Todays deal is pending regulatory approval and no precise closing date was shared. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/spacex-acquires-26-billion-more-in-spectrum-licenses-from-echostar-170233413.html?src=rss

The best advent calendars for 2025: Our top picks from Pokmon, Funko Pop, Lego and others

Why settle for tiny pieces of chocolate when you could unwrap a Pokmon card, a Funko Pop or a Star Wars LEGO ship instead? Advent calendars have gone full geek mode, with options for fans of movies, comics, games and even science. Theyre the perfect way to add some holiday cheer to your desk, game shelf or living room. Consider this your guide to the best geeky countdowns for 2025. Best advent calendars for 2025 Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-advent-calendars-for-2025-our-top-picks-from-pokemon-funko-pop-lego-and-others-120042185.html?src=rss

Headspace Black Friday deal: Get 50 percent off annual subscriptions

Headspaces Black Friday deal is live, offering 50 percent off its annual subscription through December 4. That brings the cost of a full year down to $35, giving you access to guided meditations, courses and stress-management tools that can help you stay balanced heading into the new year. Headspace has become one of the most recognizable names in digital mindfulness. The app blends practical meditation guidance with structured courses and calming soundscapes designed to make everyday stress easier to manage. Its programs cover everything from beginner-friendly introductions to mindfulness to focused content on topics like anxiety, productivity and sleep. Subscribers get access to hundreds of guided sessions led by the Headspace team, including short daily practices that can be completed in a few spare minutes, plus longer courses that help build consistency. The apps Sleepcasts and soundscapes are unique, designed to create a steady nighttime routine that promotes better rest. For mornings, there are breathing exercises and motivational mini-sessions that can help set focus for the day ahead. Headspace also includes personalized progress tracking, mood check-ins and optional reminders that make it easier to stay consistent with your new mindfulness habits. For anyone new to meditation, the apps clear structure is a major strength. You dont have to know where to start, since it suggests sessions based on your goals or current mood. This annual deal is ideal for users who want to stick with mindfulness practice over time, or anyone interested in incorporating a new habit into their lives. Paying for the year upfront typically saves money compared with the monthly plan, and the discount brings that cost down even further. Whether youre learning the basics of meditation or refining an existing routine, the full library provides enough variety to keep things engaging throughout the year. If youre still comparing wellness apps, check out our guide to the best meditation apps to see how Headspace stacks up against other options. But for those ready to commit to a calmer routine, this annual offer is one of the simplest ways to start the habit at a lower cost. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/headspace-black-friday-deal-get-50-percent-off-annual-subscriptions-150051737.html?src=rss

Pokemon Legends: Z-A's first DLC launches on December 10

The first paid DLC for Pokemon Legends: Z-A arrives on December 10 , which is a mere seven weeks after the game originally hit store shelves . Mega Dimension costs $30, which might pour more gasoline on the Nintendo charges too much fire. However, there's plenty of neat stuff coming with this update for Switch and Switch 2. First of all, there's a sizable post-game story. The current title isn't completely devoid of post-game content, but doesn't have much by way of story. This will be a good way to get back in touch with the various denizens of Lumiose City. Speaking of, the trailer shows an iconic character or two returning from Pokmon X and Y who were missing from Z-A . The story looks to involve travel to an alternate dimension of some kind, thanks to the legendary Pokmon Hoopa. This means that players will traverse a different version of Lumiose City, complete with plenty of new Pokmon to catch. These include creatures that aren't actually native to the region, including standouts like Baxcalibur and Corviknight. Pokmon will also be able to beef up past level 100 in the DLC, giving players another reason to grind beyond shiny hunting. We don't know if the interdimensional Lumiose City will include new collectibles, like an updated batch of hidden Colorful Screws. I sure hope so. I love parkouring around the city. This isn't the only DLC available for the game. Game Freak actually just dropped a little free update with a new sidequest. Use the game's Mystery Gift function to unlock it. Pokemon Legends: Z-A is legitimately a fun game , despite what folks on the internet want you to think. They aren't completely in the wrong. It can be buggy. The graphics don't exactly scream AAA title in 2025 and the tutorial section is pretty annoying. The city could use a bit more life and the map can be confusing. It's still super fun, even if Wild Zone 17 will likely haunt my dreams for years to come. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/pokemon-legends-z-as-first-dlc-launches-on-december-10-162144665.html?src=rss

Alexa+ is coming to BMW vehicles

Amazon is gradually rolling out its next-generation Alexa assistant within its own product ecosystem, but the latest recipient of Alexa+ is BMW. Amazon has announced the latest version of Alexa Custom Assistant, the platform that allows companies (including BMW) to build their own AI assistants that leverage Alexa tech, which will be powered by Alexa+ going forward. With Alexa+ architecture working under the hood, drivers will benefit from a more natural, conversational style of in-vehicle interactions, while making use of the assistants more comprehensive agentic capabilities and ability to deal with more complex instructions than it could previously. Alexa+ can access more than 70 large language models (LLM), and Amazon has promised that any conversation youve had with one of its home devices can be continued in the car. BMW was already using Alexa Custom Assistant as the foundation of its in-vehicle voice assistant tech, which it calls the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA), and itll be the first car manufacturer to get access to Alexa+. At CES 2024, the two companies also debuted a new feature that effectively allows Alexa to absorb the drivers manual so it can answer any question about your car in real-time. BMW has gone all in on Amazons ecosystem, with its connected features also powered by the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform. The new Alexa Custom Assistant will come to select BMW models soon, but we don't currently have any specifics as to the exact date or which vehicles will get it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/alexa-is-coming-to-bmw-vehicles-161455252.html?src=rss

Peloton recalls 833,000 Bike+ units after reports of seat posts breaking

Peloton is recalling 833,000 units of the original Bike+ over a safety issue related to the seat post. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said the company received three reports of the seat post breaking during use, including two reports of injuries sustained due to a fall. The CPSC said owners of the original Bike+ should stop using the device immediately and contact Peloton for a free replacement seat post that they can install themselves. You can identify whether your Bike+ is part of the recall if you see a serial number that starts with T for instance, TABCSSXXXXX inside the front fork, behind the front fork or behind the flywheel. The recall affects all of the original Bike+ units that Peloton sold in the US. The company said it had not received reports of a seat post breaking on any of the 44,800 units it sold in Canada. Peloton made the original Bike+ between 2019 and 2022. CNBC notes that the company was still selling those bikes until April this year. Peloton also had to recall 2.2 million base Bike units in May 2023 over a seat post issue. At the time, the CSPC said there were 35 reports of the seat post breaking during use, with 13 reports of related injuries. The company refreshed its lineup last month , adding new features such as an AI-powered camera thats designed to check users' form. The new Cross Training versions of Peloton's exercise machines came with a price hike. The company increased subscription prices too. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/peloton-recalls-833000-bike-units-after-reports-of-seat-posts-breaking-151324141.html?src=rss

Ring uses generative AI to cut down on unnecessary alerts

Ring is today announcing Single Event Alert, the companys new approach to cutting down on unnecessary notifications. Rather than a ping every time the camera watches something unfold, the system uses generative AI to group recurring events together. Historically, whenever your Ring camera detected something happening in its field of vision, itd let you know. Hell, in the earliest days of Rings doorbells, youd get a little tinkling motion alert even if a sufficiently big truck went past your door enough to change the light levels. The company uses the example of your kids playing in the back yard, which would previously trigger an alert every time it detected motion. Now, once its identified that its just your kids playing, itll tell you once and then let you get back to whatever else you were doing. This is the latest in a series of turns toward AI Ring has enabled in the last year or so, including Smart Video Search and AI Video Descriptions . Like those features, Single Event Alert is rolling out to Ring Protect Home subscribers in the US (except IL) and Canada from today. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/ring-uses-generative-ai-to-cut-down-on-unnecessary-alerts-150033561.html?src=rss

The AI-powered Stream Ring is designed for on-the-fly voice notes

Two former Meta employees are launching a new AI-powered smart ring. Stream Ring is the debut product from Sandbar, and its available to pre-order right now. Sandbar describes Stream as your extended self, which is to say that its a deliberately minimalist smart ring that you can use to take voice notes and interact with a chatbot directly using the built-in touch-activated microphone. When you create a voice note, the Stream Ring uses haptic feedback to confirm that its been recorded. You hold the sensor to speak and tap it if you want to interrupt and start over. It can automatically transcribe your voice interactions, whether youre simply compiling a grocery list on the go, asking it to fetch some information from the web, or having a more back-and-forth conversation with the device. These notes will appear in the Stream app via Bluetooth, which will be iOS-only at launch. Sandbar thinks a ring is the best form for its wearable to take as its always available and accessible, whatever youre doing, so you easily can log a thought as soon as it pops into your head. It wants people to think of the Stream Ring as a mouse for voice, and says the mic will always be able to pick up your voice clearly in a noisy room. Crucially, it isnt always listening either, only activating when you hold the touchpad. As for the chatbot, its designed by default to somewhat mimic your own voice using AI, a feature Sandbar calls Inner Voice. You can update it if you think it sounds off, or if the whole concept creeps you out you can also switch to a non-personalized voice. Away from the core voice note functionality, the Stream Ring can also be used to control media playback using gestures, and Sandbar says its compatible with any headphones. Sandbar will offer a free plan that includes unlimited notes but limits AI interactions. For $10 per month you can upgrade to a Stream Pro subscription (you get three months for free with a new purchase), which enables unlimited chats and immediate access to any new features. Sandbar says your data is encrypted at rest and in transit and it will not sell your information to other companies. You can also delete data stored in the app at any time. Other smart rings have promised a seamless interactive experience built around AI, and the Stream Ring isnt going down the health tracking route that many other products in this increasingly crowded space market themselves on. But if the transcription feature works as reliably as advertised and Sandbars AI proves to be a genuinely useful assistant, the Stream Ring could be a useful accessory that doesnt get in the way when it isnt needed. The Stream Ring is available in sizes 5-13 and is designed to be worn on your index finger. Sandbar promises all-day battery life but doesnt go into specifics. Its expected to start shipping next summer in the US and costs $249. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-ai-powered-stream-ring-is-designed-for-on-the-fly-voice-notes-143530840.html?src=rss

Apple's Mac mini M4 is $100 off in this early Black Friday deal

It's a good idea to look for Black Friday Apple deals this time of year if you're thinking about upgrading an aging laptop or picking up a pair of AirPods or an Apple Watch as a gift. One of the best discounts we're tracking at the moment is on the M4-powered Mac Mini desktop it's $100 off right now, down from $599 to $499. That applies to the 16GB of RAM/256GB SSD model, and it's pretty close to its all-time-low price. We gave the Mac mini M4 a 90 in our review , in part, because it packs an incredible amount of power into such a small design. It also has front facing USB-C and headphone ports, a first for the Mac mini lineup. Plus, it starts with 16GB of RAM, an upgrade from its predecessors. However, if you want more memory or storage, the other Mac Mini M4 models are also on sale. You can get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD for $690, down from $799. Then there's the option for 24GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD at $890, down from $999. Plus, if you want to bundle in three years of AppleCare+, each model ends up being about $100 cheaper than normal. If you're looking to build a desktop setup from scratch, there's a small but notable discount on Apple's Magic Trackpad as well. It's down to $120, which is only seven percent off its usual price but it's the cheapest we've seen it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-mac-mini-m4-is-100-off-in-this-early-black-friday-deal-150749744.html?src=rss

Overcooked 2 drops for Switch 2 today and it makes full use of Camera Play

The Switch 2 edition of Overcooked 2 drops today, which is something we've known was coming since September . Now it's here and ready to ruin relationships and friendships. The developer promises enhanced graphics in-line with PC and 4K 60 fps gameplay when docked. This should be a night-and-day graphical upgrade when compared to the original Switch version . Perhaps the biggest news here is Camera Play integration. This is a feature exclusive to Nintendo's new console and it leverages a connected camera to throw up the faces of players under their avatars. Overcooked 2 is already a frantic experience, but now you'll be able to see the look on the faces of your friends as you royally screw up a burger order. It's worth noting that the Switch 2 doesn't come with a camera, but the company offers one as a standalone accessory . It also integrates with many USB-C cameras, including this Mario-themed work of art . The Switch 2 version also works with Game Share, which lets people hop onto a multiplayer match without actually owning the game. Basically, the person who owns the game shares it with someone who doesn't. It's also cross-platform with the original Switch, which is neat given the massive user base. Upgrading seems like a simple affair, as DLC, save files and star ratings all carry over. This upgrade costs $10 and buying the game outright costs $30. However, there's a 20 percent discount for the first week. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/overcooked-2-drops-for-switch-2-today-and-it-makes-full-use-of-camera-play-140021993.html?src=rss

Spotify introduces weekly listening stats

Spotify delivers a lot of personalized, data-driven music recommendations, and now the streaming service is adding new weekly snapshots of your listening activities. Listening stats will highlight the artists and songs that a user has heard the most over the previous four weeks and creates a playlist inspired by those selections. And according to the blog post: Each week, it also includes a special highlight that captures what makes your listening unique, whether its a milestone, a new discovery, or a fan moment. That's a pretty vague introduction, and how engaging the highlights are in practice will likely depend on how much they actually surprise and delight listeners. It sounds like a midway point between the company's year-end Wrapped data package and its daily mix playlists. More ways to view listening data are always fun, and several competing services like Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube Music have already upped how often they share reports with their users. This seems to be Spotifys move to catch up on that trend. The listening stats will live under your profile and can be shared internally on Spotify or as an external link. The new features will be available for both free and paying listeners across 60 international markets. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotify-introduces-weekly-listening-stats-140000577.html?src=rss

One of our favorite budgeting apps is half off ahead of Black Friday

Monarch Money is one of our favorite budgeting apps and, fittingly enough, there's a way for newcomers to save money on a subscription right now. If you use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout, you can get an annual plan for 50 percent off. It typically costs $100, but you can get 12 months of access for $50 with this code. There are some key caveats here. The discount is only for new users, and it can't be combined with other offers. The code only works when you sign up through the web. You can't redeem it through the Monarch mobile app. We feel that Monarch has a steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers and that certain aspects of the app are slightly more complex than they probably need to be. But it offers a great deal of customization and granularity , which outweighs our misgivings. On the main dashboard, you'll see your net worth along with your latest transactions, spending versus the previous month, your income so far for the month and details about upcoming bills, your investments and goals you've set. There's also a link to a month-in-review page, which offers an in-depth overview of what's been happening with your money that month. You'll also be able to take a peek at how your net worth has changed over time. Monarch can connect to your bank and track Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings accounts. It can pull in your transactions and balance history automatically and detect your recurring expenses and income. The app can even keep your car valuation up to date. While it might take a little work to set up Monarch (and you might have to tweak things here and there), it's a detailed budgeting app that can help you keep better track of your income, expenditure and net worth. If you're a former Mint user (RIP), Monarch Money is a great alternative if you haven't yet found a Mint replacement . But it's worth mentioning that our favorite Mint replacement service, Quicken Simplifi , also has a sale going on right now. It's offering 50 percent off when you sign up for an annual subscription, billed at $3 per month with the discount. That comes out to $36 for the first year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-budgeting-apps-is-half-off-ahead-of-black-friday-174011479.html?src=rss

The gear I used to photograph Paul McCartney

This story about Paul McCartney begins with one of his old bandmates. I'm not really Beatle George, the ever-philosophical George Harrison once said . For me, Beatle George was a suit or a shirt that I once wore. And the only problem is, for the rest of my life, people are going to look at that shirt and mistake it for me. On one hand, thats, well, George being George. But his quote does speak to our need to mythologize the Beatles. Its hard not to! The music is so exquisite, influential and timeless that we look for grand stories to tell about it. We want a stronger connection to it, so we pore over biographies, interviews and documentaries. We seek meaning and purpose in their story. Still, it must be surreal to be one of the four protagonists of that story. At some point, the narrative takes on a life of its own that may not reflect your experience. McCartney alluded to that in the 2013 song Early Days. Now everybody seems to have their own opinion on who did this and who did that, he sang. But as for me, I don't see how they can remember when they weren't where it was at. So, Ill try not to mythologize the Beatles too much as I describe my experience photographing Sir Paul McCartney last month. I will, of course, fail spectacularly at that mission. The crowd ranged from seniors to teens in Sgt. Pepper costumes. Will Shanklin for Engadget Months before I watched him play for nearly three hours in front of 15,000 fans (at age 83!) at Albuquerques Isleta Amphitheater, I sent a press request to his team. A few days before the concert, I learned that my photography pass had been approved. Once it sank in, I screamed and giggled, not unlike the teenagers in Ed Sullivan's audience. (Don't judge those gals until you've been near a Beatle!) But there wasnt much time to soak up the excitement. Without any real cameras on hand my iPhone 17 Pro certainly wasnt going to cut it and only a few days to prepare, some quick decisions were in order. After enough internal debate to make my head spin off its axis, I settled on an oddball combination. For the body, I went with the Canon EOS R50 , an ultra-compact mirrorless with a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor. Was it the best one available? Not at all. But instead of renting a $3,000 camera, I decided to buy something in my budget that I'll enjoy using for years. I'd already eyed it after handling a display model and reading Steve Dent's review . Plus, it created a fun challenge: How can a sub-$800 consumer-facing camera stand up to the unique demands of concert photography? The lens, on the other hand, is no place to mess around. So I rented the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM , a gargantuan, professional-grade telephoto one. (It's the precursor to this $2,399 one .) This choice was simple: It was by far the most concert-appropriate lens available to rent. It maintains sharpness and contrast across its long zoom range, its autofocus is fast and its f/2.8 aperture is crucial for the unique demands of stage lighting. Put the tiny camera and ginormous lens together (with this $38 adapter ), and you get the odd couple you see below. To say this sucker was front-weighted would be an understatement. She's so heavy... Will Shanklin for Engadget Camera in hand (and Beatles hoodie equipped), I took my position in the tight press pen. The photography area was about 150 yards from the stage and didnt allow for lateral movement, so ideas for creative compositions were set aside. My only option was to push that glass out to 200mm (or close to it) and fire away. Save those composition ideas for when it's time to crop. When photographing someone like Sir Paul, you ideally want an image that captures not only the man and the musician, but also that larger-than-life myth. It should be something grand that youd want to hang on your wall. No pressure! Sir Paul's first number was the John Lennon-penned classic Help! Until this year's leg of the Got Back tour, McCartney hadn't played the song in full since 1990. We can only speculate about his reasons for pulling it out of his bag now. But I feel like the song's desperate pleas gain new poignancy in 2025. I can't count the times I've wanted to cry out to someone anyone! to Please, please help me after reading the news. We were huddled close enough together that I was glad I wore these $16 kneepads under my jeans. When the crowd in front of us settled down a bit, I kneeled to give my photographer cohorts more elbow room. My right knee bounced pleasantly onto the cozy leg pillow. Will Shanklin for Engadget With one song already down, the R50's burst mode was getting a workout. The stock Canon battery was still going strong, but I had these two third-party spares stashed in this camera bag to swap out if necessary. (I didn't end up needing them, despite snapping over 600 photos.) McCartney transitioned into his second number, Coming Up, the first track from 1980's McCartney II . That LP was ahead of its time, embracing synths, drum machines and other studio tricks before they became commonplace. Contemporary critics didnt care much for it, but it later became a cult classic. That combination illustrates something about his solo career: always experimenting, sometimes misunderstood, but ultimately vindicated. Two songs were over in a flash. Macca addressed the crowd, and picture time was over. Off to leave my camera with security, and claim the faraway lawn seat I bought long before I knew I'd have press access. The rest of McCartney's set included a perfect balance of Beatles, Wings and solo numbers. (There was even an old Quarrymen song, In Spite of All the Danger.) As you can see in the photos, he started on his trademark Hfner bass. But he moved on to piano, acoustic and electric guitars and ukulele. The latter was for his beautiful rendition of Harrison's Something. That number wasnt the only point that moved me. The most notable was where he teamed with Lennon on I've Got a Feeling. Present-day McCartney singing with 1969 Lennon, who appeared on the giant screen above (via the restored rooftop concert footage in Get Back ), was profound. I love that one because I get to sing with John again, he said. Will Shanklin for Engadget Sir Paul strikes me as someone whos always looking forward. But the Got Back tour is a chance to look back. It lets us, the romanticizing fans, join him on the long and winding road from the Quarrymen to today. The entire production made me feel like a passenger on his journey. I could go on. But you don't need me to elevate Paul McCartney's musical legacy any more than you need me to explain Michael Jordan's basketball skills or Meryl Streep's acting chops. Listen to the music and catch his tour if you can and you'll feel it. As for the photos, my favorite is the one at the top of this article. (I also included a color version in the gallery below.) Its the only one that (to me) captures the man, musician and myth as he plays his Hfner bass. Out of more than 600 rapidly-fired photos, one that feels just right is good enough for me. But even if they all sucked, who cares! Decades from now, I'll tell everyone at the old folks' home that, when I was young (and my heart was an open book), I snapped some pictures of Sir Paul McCartney. The story may grow more inflated by then, and maybe Ill invent new details. But perhaps I can be forgiven for a bit of mythologizing. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/the-gear-i-used-to-photograph-paul-mccartney-133033591.html?src=rss

The Google TV Streamer 4K drops to a record low ahead of Black Friday

One of the best streaming devices you can get today is deeply discounted on Amazon ahead of Black Friday. The Google TV Streamer is going for just $75 right now the lowest price we've seen it hit yet. The device normally costs $100. The Amazon deal applies to both color options, White and the soft gray Haze. The Google TV Streamer is our top pick for an all-in-one streaming device . It has a faster processor than Google's previous streaming devices (22 percent faster, according to the company), so you can switch between apps and different media without lagging. It also has more storage and memory, at 32GB and 4GB, respectively. Google TV streamer has an intuitive interface and keeps all of your favorite content from different streaming apps organized in one menu. It also seamlessly integrates Google Home, allowing you to control your smart home devices from a slideout panel on the TV. The 4K streamer comes in a set-top wedge design, rather than the dongle of Chromecasts past, but you'll have to pick up an HDMI cable separately if you don't already have one you can use. It comes with a small remote that you can ping by pressing a button on the streamer for when you inevitably misplace it. In her review of the device , Engadget's Amy Skorheim called the Google TV streamer a full-featured, competent device with an interface thats better than most at pulling together all the disparate threads of a streaming experience. One of its only downsides is the relatively high cost at $100, so don't let this deal go to waste. In addition to the streaming device, Google has a bunch of other tech on sale for Black Friday . The entry-level Nest thermostat is on sale for $90 right now, and the Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E router has dropped to $120 for a single-pack; that's 40 percent off. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-google-tv-streamer-4k-drops-to-a-record-low-ahead-of-black-friday-173858907.html?src=rss

The 21 best gift ideas for the remote worker in your life

Its 2025, so chances are you have at least one person who works remotely on your gift list. While the work-from-home life has its perks nobody likes a long commute it certainly comes with its own set of challenges, from missing out on pro-level equipment to dealing with annoyances around the house. If youre looking to buy a gift for someone who spends much of their time in their home office, weve rounded up a few techy ideas that should make their days a little more delightful or at least easier to manage. Best gifts for remote workers Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-21-best-gift-ideas-for-the-remote-worker-in-your-life-140037992.html?src=rss

Your next Heineken beer may be brewed with steam from a 100MWh heat battery

Brewing beer can be a highly polluting activity because gas boilers are normally used to create the enormous volumes of steam required for the process. Now, Heineken is teaming with a battery and electric company on a new solution at its Lisbon, Portugal brewery. They're building a 100MWh grid- and solar-powered heat battery that will generate the steam while reducing carbon emissions, Heineken announced . Heat batteries use materials like ceramics to store and then release heat, much as a regular battery stores and releases electricity. Heineken's brewery will employ a Rondo Heat Battery (RHB) built with refractory bricks that capture heat, then convert it to steam. When completed, it will be powered by onsite solar and renewable electricity from EDP and supply 7 MW of steam enough to run the brewery 24 hours a day. When the system goes live in April 2027, it will be one of the largest heat battery systems in the beverage industry. It's a significant milestone for the industry, as high temperature steam is one of the hardest things to produce with electricity. It's a key part of Heineken's goal to hit net zero carbon emissions by 2040 while also being a win for Portugal, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas pollution 55 percent by 2030. The system will be hands-off for Heineken, as EDP will take care of building and running it, and Rondo will supply the battery technology. This project not only helps us reduce our reliance on conventional energy, it shows how practical innovation and strong partnerships can deliver meaningful improvements across our supply chain, said Heineken VP Magne Setnes. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/your-next-heineken-beer-may-be-brewed-with-steam-from-a-100mwh-heat-battery-130045925.html?src=rss

The best mesh Wi-Fi systems of 2025

A Wi-Fi mesh system is one of the best upgrades you can make to improve your homes internet coverage, especially if youve ever struggled with dead zones, buffering or dropped video calls. Unlike a single router that broadcasts from one central point, a mesh system uses multiple access points spread throughout your space to blanket your entire home with a strong, seamless Wi-Fi signal. Whether you're working on multiple laptops, streaming 4K video in the living room or gaming online in the basement, a mesh setup helps ensure you get reliable Wi-Fi wherever you are. These systems are designed to handle the demands of modern households, offering features like dual-band or even tri-band connectivity to balance your bandwidth across devices, and automatic updates to keep your firmware current. Many also support high-speed internet plans and include options for a wired connection if you need extra stability for gaming or work. With easy setup, smart app controls and long-term future-proofing, the best mesh Wi-Fi router systems can eliminate the need for clunky Wi-Fi extenders and give you fast, dependable Wi-Fi connections across your whole home. Table of contents Best mesh Wi-Fi systems for 2025 What to look for in a mesh Wi-Fi system Other mesh Wi-Fi router systems we tested How we test Wi-Fi routers Mesh Wi-Fi system FAQs Best mesh Wi-Fi systems for 2025 What to look for in a mesh Wi-Fi system Linksys CEO Jonathan Bettino told Engadget why mesh systems are an advancement in Wi-Fi technology over buying a single point router. With one transmitter, the signal can degrade the further away from the router you go, or the local environment isnt ideal. You can have a small [home], but theres thick walls [...] or things in the way that just interfere with your wireless signal, he said. Historically, the solution to a homes Wi-Fi dead zone was to buy a Wi-Fi extender but Bettino said the hardware has both a terrible user experience and one of the highest return rates of any consumer electronics product. Mesh Wi-Fi, by comparison, offers multiple nodes that can be placed anywhere in your home, says Bettino, resulting in ubiquitous Wi-Fi that feels as if you have a router in every room. Rather than having one main router in your home, having a router in every room is the biggest selling point for mesh Wi-Fi given how reliant we all are on the internet. Each node is in constant contact with each other, broadcasting a single, seamless network to all of your connected devices. Theres no separate network for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, just a single name that you connect to. Its a good time to buy a mesh Wi-Fi system since the latest standard, Wi-Fi 6E, represents a big leap in the technology. Matt MacPherson, Cisco's Chief Technology Officer for Wireless, said Wi-Fi 6E is a big inflection point, using much more of the wireless spectrum than its predecessors. If youre using that spectrum with a Wi-Fi 6 [device], he said, youre going to get significant gains [in speed.] MacPherson added Wi-Fi 6E will likely carry you for a long time thanks to the fact its top throughputs now typically exceed what people can actually connect their home to. In short, with a top theoretical per-stream speed of 1.2 Gbps, Wi-Fi 6E is fast enough to outrun all but the fastest internet service. What do all these Wi-Fi numbers and letters mean? Im sorry folks, we need to get boringly technical for one paragraph, but I promise you its worth it. Wi-Fi is governed by International Standard IEEE 802.11, and every few years a letter gets added onto that name when the technology evolves and improves. Until 2019, routers were sold under their IEEE name, leaving users to pick through the word soup of a product labeled 802.11 b/g/a/n/ac and so on. Mercifully, wiser heads opted to rebrand the letters as numbers, so rather than 802.11 b/g/a/n/ac, we have Wi-Fi 1, 2, 3 4 and 5. Right now, were in the middle of one of those Wi-Fi generations, with most of the gear on sale right now supporting either Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E. Whats the difference between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E? Wi-Fi uses chunks of the radio frequency spectrum, with Wi-Fi 6 using the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands to pump data around. In fact, back in the old days, it was likely your home router would offer you the choice of the 2.4GHz or the 5GHz network, as separate bands to access. These days, all of the spectrums are tied together as one thing, and Wi-Fi 6E has the added ability to use the 6GHz band as well. Thats a big chunk of extra wireless real estate that isnt as cluttered up as the 2.4 and 5GHz bands. Youre going to talk about wireless frequencies now, arent you. Each Wi-Fi band had tradeoffs, because the slower radio frequencies have greater range but less speed. 2.4GHz signals will travel a long way in your home but arent quick, while 6GHz is blisteringly fast but can be defeated by a sturdy brick wall. A lot of Wi-Fi-enabled gear you own, like smart home products, only use the 2.4GHz band because the range is better and its a lot cheaper. But it means that the band is also overcrowded and slow, making it great for your doorbell and robovac, but lackluster for Twitch streaming. So, what am I looking for? Right now, the market is full of mature Wi-Fi 6 and 6E devices, and most new systems available to buy are capable of taking advantage of the faster speeds they offer. This guide focuses on Wi-Fi 6E gear since its what we think its more than enough to satisfy almost everyones at-home Wi-Fi needs. What about Wi-Fi 7? Were now seeing the first generation of Wi-Fi 7 devices available to buy, but we dont recommend you do so immediately. The Wi-Fi 7 standard is still so new that theres little to no reason for you to rush out and buy one for your home. The hardware is tremendously expensive and while Wi-Fi 7 will, eventually, offer some great benefits over 6E, its not as transformative an upgrade as 6E. Not to mention, Wi-Fi 7 is so new that almost none of your homes devices will be able to take advantage of its big-ticket features. Id estimate you wont need to worry about upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 for at least five years, if not longer. Range and speed All Wi-Fi routers boast a theoretical broadcast range and a theoretical top speed, and in some cases external antennas to boost signal directionality but these figures dont mean much. After all, manufacturers cant control your ISPs real speed, the materials and layout of your home or where you put your Wi-Fi gear. Raw speed isnt everything, either, and you likely need a lot less than the internet speeds your provider is advertising. What matters more is how consistent your connection is between rooms and across devices.. After all, Netflix needs just 15 Mbps to push a single 4K video stream to your home. As cool as it is to say youve got all these hundreds of Mbps, factors like latency and reliability are far more crucial to a happy internet life. And unless you have Gigabit internet that can reach speeds of up to 1 Gbps, you wont need a mesh router that offers that spec. Backhaul Mesh Wi-Fi systems work by connecting every hardware node to a single wireless network, letting them all communicate with each other. Imagine four people in a busy, noisy restaurant all trying to order their dinner from a weary staff member, all at once. Now imagine, while this is going on, that four more people at that same table are also trying to tell a funny anecdote. Its no surprise that it might take a long time for the right information to reach its intended destination. To combat this, higher-end mesh routers offer dedicated wireless backhaul; a slice of the spectrum for node-to-node communication. So rather than everyone talking at once in the same space, the conversations are essentially separated, reducing the invisible clutter in the air. Because theres less confusing cross-chatter, everything moves faster, offering a significant performance boost to those systems. Connectivity These days, even your washing machine can have a wireless connection, but that doesnt mean you should ignore the joys of wired internet. No matter how fast Wi-Fi is, a hard line will always be faster, and some gear, like Philips Hue bridge, still needs an ethernet connection. Plenty of routers can also use these hard connections as backhaul, eliminating further wireless clutter. Its convenient for spread-out systems and power users, but it will mean running more wires through your home. The most common standard is Cat 5e, or gigabit ethernet which, unsurprisingly, has a top speed of 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps). Since Ethernet cables are backward compatible, you should be able to easily find one that works with your system. However, to get the most out of your mesh routers, its worth investing in an Ethernet cable that meets the standard your router uses if its Cat 5e, use a Cat 5e cable. You can check your routers specs via the manufacturers website to be sure. Flexibility and scalability Mesh routers enable you to add (or subtract) modules from your home network to suit your needs. D-Links Alan Jones said users should check how scalable the prospective product is before you buy. This sense of scale doesnt just apply to the number of nodes on the network, but how many simultaneous connections it can handle. Its also worth looking at ASUS AiMesh products, which can combine mesh Wi-Fi gear and its standard spider Wi-Fi routers. If youve got a tricky part of your home, you can bolt on an ultra-power standalone Wi-Fi router to a compatible mesh. Placement Mesh networks replace one big piece of hardware with a series of identical nodes that you scatter around your home. You connect one to your modem (usually over ethernet), and then scatter the rest around the place for the best coverage. A good rule of thumb is to place each node no more than two rooms away from the last one, rather than sticking them at the far ends of your home. Bear in mind, every physical obstacle between a Wi-Fi node, its siblings and your devices will hurt your overall performance. You should aim to place them, at the very least, at waist height on furniture in open air, without too many obstructions. The reason many mesh Wi-Fi products are designed to look like an inoffensive white doodad is so you dont feel compelled to hide them behind your TV. Other mesh Wi-Fi router systems we tested Amazon Eero Pro 7 Eero built its reputation on easy to use yet powerful mesh systems that offer a lot of good in a relatively small and affordable package. Setup is effortless, the app running things is clean and simple, and you get the added benefit of backwards compatibility with older hardware. Sadly, the issue with every Eero system is that so many basic management features, like parental controls, are paywalled behind the companys Eero Plus subscription for $100 a year. Amazon Eero 6E Eero Pro 6E is an easy device, the sort a total novice can set up on their own and thrive with for years on end. Theres little brainwork required to get things set up, and the app has a clean UI with plenty of hand-holding. But, as with the Eero Pro 7, the fact that so many basic management tools are paywalled irks me, especially since you can get plenty of them for free with Googles rival offering. Netgear Orbi 960 The Orbi 96T0 (RBKE963) is Netgears flagship mesh Wi-Fi product, which the company calls the worlds most powerful Wi-Fi 6E system. Its also one of the most expensive consumer-level kits on the market, setting you back $1,499.99 for a three pack. It's a fantastic piece of gear, but it's worth saying that the subset of people who could, would or should buy it remains far smaller than you might expect. Ultimately, I feel that if youre paying luxury prices, you should expect a luxury product. There were plenty of times during testing that I went looking for a feature that was either only available via the web client, or behind a paywall. While, yes, much of your cash is going to the superlative hardware, but for this sort of money, the fact you have to pay extra for some table-stakes features is insulting. If youre looking for a new Wi-Fi system and arent prepared to spend almost $1,500, its worth considering our other top picks for the best Wi-Fi routers and mesh systems. How we test Wi-Fi routers My home covers around 2,200 square feet across three stories with the office on the third floor. Its relatively long and thin, with the living room at the front of the house, the kitchen at the back and the three bedrooms on the first floor. Its age means there are a lot of solid brick walls, old-school lathe and plaster as well as aluminum foil-backed insulation boards to help with energy efficiency. There are two major Wi-Fi dead zones in the house: The bathroom and the third bedroom behind it, since theres lots of old and new pipework in the walls and floors. For mesh routers with two nodes, I place the first in my living room, connected via ethernet to my cable modem with the second on the first floor landing in the (ostensible) center of the house. For three-node sets, the third goes in my kitchen, which Ive found is the optimal layout to get the bulk of my house covered in Wi-Fi. Fundamentally, my home poses enough challenges that if it succeeds here, it stands a very good chance of succeeding in your place. Each mesh is judged on ease of setup, Wi-Fi coverage, reliability, speed and any additional features that it advertises. I look at how user-friendly each companion app is from the perspective of a novice rather than an expert given you shouldnt need to be a network engineer to do this sort of thing. Tests I do include checking for dead zones, moving from room to room to measure consistency of connectivity and streaming multiple videos at once to replicate common usage patterns. Mesh Wi-Fi system FAQs This is the section of our mesh Wi-Fi buyers guide where we talk about the stuff that most people just glide past. If youre not familiar with technology, it can be intimidating if people talk about these things as if youre expected to already know. So heres a very simple, very basic rundown of some of the stuff you might have missed in very basic terms. Whats the difference between a Wi-Fi router and a mesh router? A Wi-Fi router is a box that usually sits close to wherever the internet comes into your home and pumps out information over radio waves. A mesh router, meanwhile, is a set of smaller devices, one of which sits next to your internet connection while the rest are scattered around your home. A single Wi-Fi router is great if your home is small, your needs arent too demanding, or if your home doesnt have many radio-blocking obstructions that mean those signals cant reach every corner of your home. But, much like standing next to a radio transmitter and then walking away from it in a straight line, after a while, the signal will degrade. Thats the problem a mesh system is designed to solve, since it will take the signal from your modem and pump to the other mesh devices, known as nodes, in your home. That way, instead of having one big router in one part of your home, you have several small ones that ensure you have good Wi-Fi connectivity all over. It also helps ensure that theres no risk of dropping your connection as you move around a mesh router system makes it easy to, for instance, walk from room to room watching Netflix and know you wont miss a single frame. What's the difference between a Wi-Fi extender and a mesh system? Oh boy. Wi-Fi extenders, or repeaters, are small devices designed to push Wi-Fi a little further than your Wi-Fi router can stretch. Theyre cheap, compact and often come in the form of little boxes that sit on your plug sockets with the hope of pushing Wi-Fi to a signal-sparse corner of your home. They are, and I cant put this delicately enough, often a big pile of rubbish and are often not worth your time . Especially since the price of mesh routers has fallen to within most peoples budgets. What is a wireless backhaul? As we explained above, mesh Wi-Fi systems work by connecting every hardware node to a single wireless network, letting them all communicate with each other. Imagine four people in a busy, noisy restaurant all trying to order their dinner from a weary staff member, all at once. Now imagine, while this is going on, that four more people at that same table are also trying to tell a funny anecdote. Its no surprise that it might take a long time for the right information to reach its intended destination. To combat this, higher-end mesh routers offer dedicated wireless backhaul; a slice of the spectrum for node-to-node communication. So rather than everyone talking at once in the same space, the conversations are essentially separated, reducing the invisible clutter in the air. Because theres less confusing cross-chatter, everything moves faster, offering a significant performance boost to those systems. Is it better to hard wire instead of using a mesh Wi-Fi system? This is a great question that doesnt have a simple answer. It is (almost) always preferable to connect devices with a wire, in this case Ethernet, than to use Wi-Fi. The speeds are faster, its more reliable and your data is less vulnerable to the slings and arrows of the laws of physics. Hell, I spent about a year trying to work out how to build an iPhone to Ethernet connector back in the bad old days of Wi-Fi. But your ability to do so depends on your level of DIY skills and / or how much money you want to spend on contractors. Wiring your home for Ethernet if you dont have the infrastructure already can be a costly and time-consuming process. Particularly if you dont want ugly wires running along your baseboards and under your carpets or across your hardwood floors. If youre building your own home or can do some serious DIY, then hard wiring is a fantastic thing to have. It goes wonderfully hand-in-glove with mesh networks too, since youll be able to hook up your nodes to the network for even better speeds. But if Im honest, advances in Wi-Fi technology mean Id only go for hard wiring if I really believed I needed the sort of speed it offers. Unless youre a Twitch streamer running your own 24/7 content studio, its probably overkill. When we started renovating our 140-year-old home, I had Ethernet installed in the living room, the master and second bedroom and in my office, all at the front of the house. I cant use it for my mesh since Id need to put the wiring through the middle of the house. If I ever had the wiring done again, I would do so as I know Ill instantly see a meaningful improvement in both my connection speed and reliability. But I wouldnt spend several thousand pounds to have it done just for the sake of it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-mesh-wifi-system-130028701.html?src=rss

Noble Audio's latest earbuds have a four-driver setup and a solid wood design

The last time I used a set of Noble Audio earbuds, the company managed to pack five drivers into the tiny housings. Now its back with a new model, the FoKus Prestige Encore, and despite only having four drivers this time, the company still took plenty of cues from its line of pro-grade in-ear monitors (IEMs). The biggest downside is that this new set is still plenty pricey, hitting your wallet for $699. Inside, the FoKus Prestige Encore has one 8mm dynamic driver, two balanced armature drivers and one 6mm planar magnetic driver. According to Noble, each of these components have different duties. The dynamic drivers handle bass while the midrange goes to the Knowles balanced armature drivers. Lastly, the planar magnetic driver is tasked with the treble to reveal microdetail. The company says it also designed new triple-vented nozzles to make airflow efficient and the seal consistent. Noble Audio FoKus Prestige Encore Noble Audio Rather than using plastic or some other affordable material, Noble opted for solid wood for both the earbud housings and the charging case. Since this is the real thing and not a printed plate, each set of the FoKus Prestige Encore will have its own unique grain pattern no two sets will look the same. Whats more, Noble reduced the overall size of the buds, which it says offers a secure, fatigue-free fit. The FoKus Prestige Encore is equipped with hybrid active noice cancellation (ANC) and a transparency mode. The earbuds also support aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive and LDAC for higher quality listening. For calls, dual noise suppression mics wont overly process your voice for the sake of reducing background distractions, which Noble says will keep you sounding clear and natural in all settings. Noble promises up to seven hours of use on a charge with ANC enabled or up to 10 hours with noise canceling turned off. When you factor in the case, youre looking at up to 35 hours of total listening time. A quick-charge features will give you up to two hours of playback. The FoKus Prestige Encore also supports Audiodo for personalized calibration for each users hearing, and those profiles are stored on the earbuds for use on any device. The Fokus Prestige Encore is available starting today for $699 (649/799). This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/noble-audios-latest-earbuds-have-a-four-driver-setup-and-a-solid-wood-design-090000651.html?src=rss

The best streaming deals: Save on DirecTV, Audible, Starz and more

Whether youre a true cord-cutter or you just want to watch the next season of Stranger Things when it drops, everyones on the lookout for streaming deals nowadays. Plenty have chosen VOD and live TV streaming services over traditional cable in recent years, but the savings that choice got you just a few years ago have somewhat evaporated now. Companies like Netflix, Disney, Max and others have been consistently raising prices to the point where you may question if streaming is even worth it anymore . We at Engadget still think so, for many reasons, but you can (and should) be smart with your money at the same time. Streaming deals are an option, even if they dont come around with the same regularity as discounts on AirPods do. If youre looking to save money and still stream all of the content you want, Engadget can help by laying out the best streaming deals you can get right now, how you can save with bundles and everything you should know before paying for yet another streaming service. Best streaming deals True streaming deals can be hard to come by. Most often, theyll pop up during the Black Friday shopping period. On occasion, well see them sparingly throughout the year and they usually take the form of a discounted monthly or annual rate for a limited period of time. Also, true streaming deals are typically on the ad-supported versions of a service, but once in a while youll find a unicorn of a deal on a tier that has ad-free viewing. If youre able to wait for a deal before subscribing to a streaming service, we recommend doing so. Youll save money upfront and in the long run, and you also have the option to cancel your subscription before the price goes back up to the normal rate. Audible subscription (three months) for $3 ($42 off) : From now through mid-December, you can get Amazons audiobook subscription for just a dollar a month for three months. Note that it will auto-renew at $15 per month after that, but you can cancel at any point. Starz (one year) for $30 ($40 off): Pay upfront for one year and you can get $40 off a Stars annual subscription. There's a month-to-month option too, which costs $5 per month for the first three months if you don't want to commit to the full year. Either option gives you access to the entire Starz TV and movie library with offline viewing and no ads. Hulu + Live TV $64.99/mo for 3 months ($25/mo off): New and eligible returning subscribers can get three months of Hulu + Live TV at a rate of $65 per month, which is much cheaper than the current $83-per-month rate and a whopping 27 percent off the new $90-per-month rate that kicks in on October 21. In addition to live TV content, unlimited DVR and access to more than 95 live TV channels, this service also includes Disney+ and ESPN Select, so you're essentially getting three separate streaming services under this umbrella. Just remember that your subscription will be billed at the new standard $90/month rate after the first three months. Fubo Pro for $55/month for the first month ($30 off): Fubo has introductory discounts on most of its packages, and the Pro package is the least expensive plan currently listed. It offers access to 224 channels, unlimited cloud DVR and up to 10 simultaneous streams. It even includes regional sports content from the NHL, MLB and NBA. Spotify Premium Individual (one month) for $0 ($12 off): This is our favorite music streaming service for podcasts and social features. The Premium Individual plan lets you listen ad-free and skip songs at will. You can also organize your listening queue and download content for offline listening. Just be aware, your subscription will auto-renew at the end of the trial period. So if you don't want to be on the hook for the $12 monthly fee, set a reminder to cancel and go back to the free version. Streaming bundle discounts Theres more consolidation happening now than ever before in the streaming space, and that means there are more streaming bundle options. These bundles offer you access to more content with one subscription price, but those prices are typically higher than paying for a single service by itself (obviously). It may be tempting to just get the bundle, but if only one of those services in the bundle speaks to you, youll spend less overall by just paying for the single service. Speaking of a deep love for a single streaming service: if all of your favorite shows are on Peacock or the latest releases on HBO Max consistently bring you joy, consider paying for one year upfront. Subscribing with an annual plan usually saves you money in the long term over paying on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, not all streaming services (looking at you, Netflix) have an annual subscription option. Disney+ If you feel like Charlie Kelly trying to figure out who Pepe Silvia is when you look at Disney's streaming prices chart , you're not alone. The confusion comes from the fact that Disney owns, or has a hand in, many streaming services including Hulu and ESPN. Throw in a partnership with HBO Max and you have a ton of options to consider and, probably, whiplash to match. Here's a quick overview of popular Disney+ bundle pricing. Disney+ and Hulu bundle (with ads) $13/month Disney+ and Hulu bundle (without ads) $20/month Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select (with ads) $20/month Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select (without ads on Disney+ and Hulu only) $30/month Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max (with ads) $20/month Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max (without ads) $33/month Peacock TV Peacock doesn't have any streaming bundles available all year round, but you can save if you pay for one year upfront. Peacock Select (with ads) $8/month or $80/year Peacock Premium (with ads) $11/month or $110/year Peacock Premium Plus (without ads) $17/month or $170/year Paramount+ Paramount+ used to bill its tier with Showtime as a sort of bundle, but it has since renamed its plans and focused the Showtime inclusion in its premium tier as just another bonus of paying for the higher priced plan. Paramount+ Essential (with ads) $8/month or $60/year Paramount Premium (without ads) $13/month or $120/year Student discounts on streaming services It pays to be a student sometimes, at least. A number of streaming services have student discounts you can take advantage of as long as you're actively studying. What that translates to most of the time is being able to verify your student status and signing up with your .edu email address. HBO Max student discount subscribe for $5/month (50 percent off): HBO Max offers their ad-supported tier to students for half off the usual rate. Youll just have to verify that youre a student through Unidays , and make note that this offer is only good for up to 12 months of service. Hulu student discount subscribe for $2/month (75 percent off): Those with a valid student ID can get Hulus ad-supported tier for 75 percent off the typical rate. Theyll keep the same sale price for as long as theyre a student as well. Spotify student discount Premium + Hulu with ads for $6/month (72 percent off): Spotifys student offer continues to be one of the best around, giving you access to the Premium tier of the music streamer and Hulus ad-supported plan for only $6 monthly. Purchased separately, youd pay $22 per month for both of the services. Plus, the first month is free when you sign up. NBA League Pass student discount one year for $120 (40 percent off) : Students can get one year of League Pass for only $10 per month, which includes access to NBA TV and the ability to watch classic and archive games on-demand. On the NBA League Pass website, look for the student discount banner at the top and follow the instructions to verify your student status. Read more streaming coverage The best live TV streaming services to cut cable The best streaming services: Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and more The best streaming devices Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/best-streaming-service-deals-133028980.html?src=rss

Canon's EOS R6 III arrives with 7K RAW video and 40 fps burst speeds

Canon just barged into the mid-range full-frame hybrid camera arena with a new entry. The 32.5MP EOS R6 III is a dramatic improvement over the EOS R6 II thanks to the higher resolution, faster shooting speeds and better video specs. However, it comes at a relatively high price and lacks a stacked or partially stacked sensor, unlike other cameras in this category. The new 32.5MP sensor provides a big boost in resolution compared to the R6 II's 24MP chip. At the same time, the R6 III offers higher shooting speeds of 40 fps in burst mode with the electronic shutter, or 12 fps with the mechanical or first-curtain shutter. It also supports 20 frames (a half second) of pre-shooting so you won't miss key moments for wildlife or sports shooting. Canon The R6 III uses Canon's fast and dependable Dual Pixel AF system and comes with the company's latest AI tracking algorithms. It can operate in fairly dim conditions down to -6 EV and should be more responsive with Canon's latest Digic X processor, pending our review. It offers subject tracking for people, animals and vehicles, along with an Auto mode that will pick one of those automatically. It also borrowed the Register People Priority feature from the R5 II, which lets you keep focus locked on specific subjects that you've previously memorized. The biggest update for the R6 III, though, is with video. Thanks to the higher resolution sensor, it can now capture up to 7K 60 fps RAW light video, 7K 30 fps open gate video and 4K at up to 120 fps, all with Canon's C-Log2 and C-Log3 on tap. There's a dizzying array of other video formats available (12 pages worth in the specs), with HEVC S, AVC-S, RAW, RAW Light and others, at resolutions up to 7K. All the AF subject detection features are available (vehicles, animals and people), and Canon is typically among the best for video AF in terms of speed and accuracy. Canon Nobody expects any radical design changes in a Canon camera (the company tried that with the EOS R and it really didn't work), so the R6 III kept the last model's tried and true form factor. That includes two adjustment dials on the top and one on the rear, along with a joystick, photo/video selector, mode dial and a good assortment of programmable buttons. The rear display flips out as you'd expect for vlogging, but it doesn't tilt like Panasonic's S1 II so it may obstruct the mic or headphone jacks, and isn't as useful for low-angle photo shooting. The viewfinder has 3.69 million dots of resolution as before, the same as Sony's A7 IV but less than Panasonic's slightly more expensive Lumix S1 II . One big change is the addition of a CFexpress card slot that allows RAW video capture and faster burst speeds, along with an SD UHS II slot. The battery is the same as the one for EOS R5 II and allows up to 390 shots (CIPA rating) with the viewfinder enabled. Canon Other features include waveform monitoring that will be much appreciated by pros, plus new focus speed algorithms borrowed from Canon's cinema cameras that offer atural, professional behavior, the company wrote. Inputs include 3.5mm mic and headphone jacks, along with high-speed USB-C and a full-sized HDMI port. In-body stabilization has been boosted slight from 8 to 8.5 stops, matching the latest Panasonic models. Along with the EOS R6 III, Canon introduced some interesting new glass. The RF45mm F1.2 STM lens brings very high speeds and shallow depth of field to a much smaller and lighter .76 pound (346 gram) form factor less than half the weight of Canon's RF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens. It's also shockingly cheap for an f/1.2 lens at $470 . The Canon EOS R6 III arrives later this month for $2,799 (body only) or $4,049 with the RF24-105 F4 L IS USM lens. That's a bit more than the Nikon's $2,500 Z6 III , which has a partially stacked but lower-resolution 24MP sensor. Panasonic's S1 II also has a partially stacked 24MP but can shoot at up to 70 fps and costs $3,200. Finally, Sony's A7 IV has a similar 33MP sensor but lacks the RAW video features of the R6 III. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/canons-eos-r6-iii-arrives-with-7k-raw-video-and-40-fps-burst-speeds-060035923.html?src=rss